RED SNOW XI
The Signal Beneath the Storm
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play â–º symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Night blanketed Arcadia in its usual hum of neon and noise when the big screens across the city flickered—static swallowing advertisements and broadcasts alike. The same disruption rolled through every speaker, from the colossal plaza monitors to the smallest handheld radio.
Then came the voice.
Crackling. Old. Authoritative.
“Arcadia… the cradle of a forgotten war…”
A brief hiss—then silence.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What on Arcadia was that? The forgotten war? What forgotten war?
MATT RUBY: You're as old as time Bronco, you sure you weren't in it?
The screens cut to black. The PA system died.
And for the first time in decades, Arcadia held its breath.
Inside the House of Sovereigns, Zeus rose from his obsidian chair, eyes blazing with stormlight. Around him, attendants and guards froze, uncertain whether to bow or run. His fist slammed against the armrest, thunder rolling faintly across the marble chamber.
“Trace it!” He roared. “Now! Every wire, every node—find who dares to speak through my Arcadia!”
Soldiers scrambled into action, communication officers yelling into comms as scanners lit up the room. The tension was so thick it felt like the air itself might break.
Ares stood beside him, silent, watching the chaos unfold. The war god’s gaze drifted to the black screen still hanging above the chamber dais—the echo of that haunting phrase replaying in his mind.
“Cradle of a forgotten war…” he murmured, almost to himself.
Zeus turned sharply. “What did you say?”
Ares met his eyes. “The voice spoke of a forgotten war. There's no war in Arcadia I'd ever forget.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: See!?
MATT RUBY: Forget the war, Bronco. Who's speaking on a PA system without Zeus' permission? I knew it wasn't the last we'd seen or heard of this.
Ares straightened his armor, his expression unreadable. “I have a personal matter to attend to. One that can’t wait. I know that time isn't on our side my Baron, but I have to handle it.”
Zeus stepped forward, empassioned. “Hurry back, old friend.”
Ares smirked faintly, the ghost of loyalty flickering behind his war-hardened eyes.
He nodded and then Ares was gone—his boots echoing down the marble corridor, leaving the god of thunder alone with his concern.
Outside, the citizens of Arcadia whispered to each other under the dead screens. Both the powerful and the powerless knew it now—
There was a secret buried in Arcadia. And someone had just begun to unearth it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Folks, what a way to kick off Red Snow. I wish I had some answers for you, but whomever is behind these interruptions clearly has a message and I don't know about you, but I want to hear it.
MATT RUBY: I hate to agree with you, but so do I.
Cleansing The Corruption II
Inside Dooms Observary, the silence was chilling.
The world is quiet.
Too quiet.
Snow drifts in through the shattered ceiling of the subterranean chamber, melting instantly against the glowing red pool below.
Nox, Foley, and Destructo lay scattered across the steel walkway—unmoving, unconscious, limbs twisted like discarded marionettes. Frost clung to the railings. The only breath in the air belonged to Doom.
He stood over them, a cracked vial dripping from his trembling fingers.
“It wasn’t supposed to come to this,” he murmured to the empty chamber. “But mercy… mercy has rarely lived inside me.”
He stepped toward Destructo’s limp body, crouching beside the son he once tried to protect—and then tried to kill.
“I set the fire,” Doom confessed softly, touching Destructo’s soot-stained cheek as he slowly began to awaken “I did it because I saw what you were becoming. The rage. The obsession. The curse that I passed down.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That son of a bitch, that utter bastard. I thought he was turning another cheek!
MATT RUBY: Hang on a minute, do you really think ending the misery of James is a bad thing? He's doing that kid a favour.
His voice cracked.
“I tried turning the other cheek. I tried being the man your mother believed I could be. But that man died long before you were born.”
He rose, straightening his spine as the cold light glinted off his mask.
“I built the pool for redemption,” he said. “But it wasn’t for you. It was for me.”
He inhaled deeply, then twisted a valve on a canister strapped to his belt. A thick haze of chemical gas rushed outward—rolling over Foley and Destructo like fog across a graveyard, ensuring they would not wake.
But Nox—wretched, brilliant, traitorous Nox—remained conscious enough to gasp, eyes widening behind his goggles.
“Why… why am I still awake?” he croaked.
Doom looked down at him with something like pity. “Because we've always been in this together, haven't we? A corporation built for power and greed; two monsters trying to make themselves into monuments.”
He reached up and unlatched the buckles of his mask. Metal clattered against the walkway. The rest of his attire followed—shoulder plating, coat, gloves—each piece falling like discarded sins.
He grabbed Nox by the collar and dragged him toward the edge of the walkway, the swirling glow of the Cleansing Pool churning violently beneath them.
Nox clawed at the floor. “Doom—Doom, please! Don’t do this! You don’t know what that pool will do to you—To us!”
Doom pulled him upright, eyes raw, unhidden.
“I know exactly what it will do.”
Nox shook his head, panic rising. “We can fix this—We can fix you!”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my God!
MATT RUBY: DON'T DO IT DOOM! DON'T DO IT!
Doom whispered:
“No. Only the pool can.”
With a final, tragic resolve, he tightened his grip.
And together, both men plunged into the blinding light below.
The pool roared—
The chamber shook—
And Red Snow bore witness to a sacrifice born of guilt, madness… and a desperate hope for absolution.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Doom just sacrificed himself and Nox to the Pool! What the hell is gonna happen now!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Folks we're about to see a battle that very few mortal eyes ever see. A war between two keepers of death itself in the deepest pits of Tartarus and it may well be a war for all of our souls. Tombstone looks to put Hades back in her place before she can unleash something truly hellacious onto Arcadia
MATT RUBY: Hey I don't care what that looney Ferryman's saying, my Nancy doll would never do such a thing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ....There ain't enough words in the english language to describe how idiotic you are Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Hey if anyone's got a history of being evil, it's Tombstone. He's murdered, threatened to take everyone's souls...hell he tried to force poor Nancy to marry his dried up old ass once upon a time.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And your Nancy Doll has murdered, tried to use psychopaths to overrun Arcadia and if Tombstone's right, she's going to do a hell of a lot worse if she doesn't get stopped tonight.
Deep in the Underworld there ain't no crowd.
There ain't no referee or no bell.
There's just two raging immortal beings fighting till they can't fight no more.
As Narcissa rushes at the slowly walking Tombstone, those lethal heels poised right for his heart.
FAST FASH....TOMBSTONE SLAPS IT AWAY!
Narcissa staggers back for a moment, Tombstone quickly taking advantage as he rushes at Hera with a series of uppercuts. One rocking her head back, the second leaving her out on her feet as Tombstone rears back for a third
BUT A SPINNING HEEL KICK KNOCKS IT AWAY!
Tombstone slides back in the gravel, scowl etched onto his face as Narcissa cracks her neck, urging Ezra forward.
AS THE FERRYMAN OBLIGES WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT!
Narcissa ducks under though, kicking out Tombstone's right knee before rolling backwards
BOW TO THE QUEEN! RUNNING METEORA TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD
And Tombstone basically tanks it, rising to his feet staring daggers at Hera.
Narcy nods her head, rushing forward and leaping up high
GOOZLE!
Tombstone grabs Narcissa in mid-leap, holding her up for a moment before slamming her down hard into the gravel with a modified spinebuster. Hera stumbles up, clutching her back right into a vicious knee to the gut before she's lifted up high
ODE TO CHARON
INTO THE RIVER FUCKING STYX
Narcissa is powerbombed a good ten feet away right down into the frigid soul infested waters. Tombstone shaking his head at his foolishness.
After all, now he's gotta retrieve her.
But he can barely get a foot in that direction before water explodes in every direction.
As Narcissa...no Hades rises from the Styx, surrounded by darkened energy...darkened souls that elevate her above the waters back to the shore.
All the while Narcissa glares down at Tombstone, a malovelent grin upon her face.
Tombstone just stares back, almost emotionless as he slowly walks forward to greet Hades
BLACK SLUDGE TO THE FACE!
Narciss spits a thick, caustic acid like sludge right into Tombstone's face, The Ferryman crying out in pain as he claws at his eyes, trying to see once more. He manages to tear the sludge away, his eyes opening
RIGHT INTO A SPINNING HEEL KICK TO THE TEMPLE!
Tombstone is stunned as Narcissa goes behind him, gripping both corners of his mouth with fishhook like fingers before leaping up
BACKSTABBER! Hades nearly breaks The Ferryman's back in half from the sheer force but she's not done, as she lifts Tombstone up to his feet, grabbing his arm before flipping back
DESTINNNOOOOO! Narcissa nearly spikes Tombstone onto his head, down into the steel like gravel.
The Ferryman collapses, not quite out but nearly there, blood leaking down his forehead, eyes glazing over as he slowly forces himself to stand. Narcissa backing up, that sadistic, malicious grin still on her face
She sprints forward, flipping into a handspring before leaping high
SOUL KILLER! HANDSPRING TWISTING FOREARM HITS THE MARK
Tombstone still isn't out but he may well be done as he can barely find the energy to keep his eyes open let alone stand, the gravel crunching beneath his hands as he tries to push him upwards but Narcissa just plants a heel into his back before pushing forward
As Tombstone's head dangles precariously at the edge of the waters of Styx.
Narcissa lifts her heel up, planting it deep in the centre of Ezras head and pushes downwards, planting him face first into the frigid waters. Tombstone struggles but his energy is sapped and Hades is overwhelmingly powerful.
As slowly but surely Tombstone goes limp.
Narcissa lets go, walking away from the waters, ready to head back up to the surface when mist...no smoke begins to pool around her ankles.
It's not quite a flutter but a flash of raw, pure power flickers behind her.
Narcissa barely has time to turn around before she sees Tombstone on his feet
THROWING A BALL OF PURPLE FIRE AT HER
It hits Hades right in the chest, staggering her back as The Ferryman rushes forward
BEFORE BREAKING HER FACE WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT
Narcissa doesn't hit the gravel though as she's lifted up
ODE TO CHARON! JACKNIFE POWERBOMB ONCE MORE!
BICYCLE KNEE! Narcissa retorts with a brutal knee to the jaw, rocking Tombstone. Hades staggers back, spitting out a glob of blood before she sprints forward
SPINNING HEEL KICK!
BULLHAMMER ELBOW!
BOTH STRIKES CONNECT AS THE PAIR SLIDE BACKWARDS IN THE GRAVEL BUT BOTH STILL STANDING!
Blood has flowed, bodies have broken but spirits still fight
As the pair scowl before sprinting forward
YOU CAN'T RUN....NARCISSA SLIPS OUT THE BACK.
KICK TO THE DICK!
Tombstone drops to one knee in agony, Narcissa grinning maniacally as she backs up, clicking her heels as they extend almost spike like.
Hades looking for the kill shot as she sprints forward
OF LIFE AND...
TOMBSTONE CATCHES THE FOOT, HOISTING HER UP HIGH
BEFORE LEAPING UPWARDS AND GRABBING HER BY THE HEAD
SIX FEET UNDER!
TOMBSTONE SLAMS NARCISSA DOWN FROM HIGH ONTO HIS KNEE!
TOMBSTONE JUST KILLED HADES WITH FIRE
The Ferryman collapses onto the gravel, barely able to sit himself up but looking down at the unconcious Hades, he's not the winner
But The One Who Survived.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A sickening, brutal war we just witnessed but somehow the right outcome happened. Now the question remains, can Tombstone take Hades back where he belongs or was this the mere battle before the losing war?
Devil Days
The iron gates of the Underworld stand tall and unmoving, carved with screaming faces and lit only by the cold red glow of the abyss beyond. Mist coils along the ground like living serpents. A low wind moans through the tombstones scattered around the clearing.
The match between Tombstone and Narcissa has just ended—violently.
Narcissa crawls across the dirt, coughing, clutching her ribs. Tombstone stalks behind her like a shadow given form, chains rattling with every step.
“You fought well,” he growls, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her upright, “but the war ends here.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It's about time that Jezebel got what she deserved!
MATT RUBY: Are you kidding me? There's no way something that pretty could be the devil.
Narcissa spits blood onto his chest.
“You think you can frighten me?” she sneers. “I’ve walked through worse hells than yours.”
Tombstone doesn’t reply.
Instead, he wraps one massive hand around her throat.
And with a single, brutal pull—
he drags her toward the Gates.
The ancient iron begins to creak open, responding to his presence, groaning like something ancient awakening. The abyss beyond pulses with a hungry, unnatural light.
Narcissa’s bravado cracks.
“Don’t—don’t you dare!”
Tombstone lifts her like a rag doll.
“You’ve danced with mortals,” he says, “and tonight, you head back to where you belong.”
He prepares to THROW her into the infinite chasm—
When the world goes silent.
The mist freezes.
The air becomes ice. The inferno like ash freezes into snow.
And a cold, echoing voice rolls across the realm:
“Enough.”
Tombstone stops dead.
Footsteps—soft, deliberate—echo across the stone.
From the shadows between the Gates, a figure emerges—
Death.
Tall, skeletal, wearing a black suit tailored to impossibility. A scythe rests across his back like a second spine. His hollow eyes glow with white fire.
His presence makes the entire Underworld bow.
Narcissa gasps as Tombstone’s grip loosens in shock.
Death lifts a single hand.
“Tombstone,” he says, each syllable dripping with authority. “Release her.”
Tombstone hesitates, confused.
“She walks alongside humans,” he growls. “She has shed blood without remorse. She orchestrates suffering—”
“She is not the Devil,” Death interrupts sharply. “And she is not the one you seek.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone has the wrong person!?
MATT RUBY: Then who's the devil!?
The Gates rumble behind him, closing slowly as if frightened.
Tombstone narrows his eyes.
“If not her… then who?”
Death steps between them, placing himself protectively before Narcissa.
“You chase shadows,” Death says. “You hunt in circles. And you seek Lucifer where Lucifer is not.”
Tombstone’s voice drops to a whisper.
“Then tell me where he is.”
Death leans forward, inches from Tombstone’s face.
“You are looking,” he says, “in the wrong direction. I told you to return Lucifer to the Underworld. You have a job to do, now do it, or you'll end up in here in his stead.”
A cold chill sweeps across the clearing.
Tombstone stands frozen, absorbing the words, questioning everything he thought he knew.
Death gestures toward Narcissa.
“Go,” he commands. “Your fate does not lie beyond these Gates tonight. Tombstone, return her.”
Narcissa, shaken and breathless, scrambles. The Ferryman clicks his fingers and she vanishes into the ether - back to Arcadia where she belongs.
Tombstone remains, fists clenched, chains rattling with barely contained fury.
“Death…” he growls. “You wanted me to find him, and now you play games as to his identity. Tell me where to find the Devil.”
Death turns his back, stepping toward the Gates as they fully close.
“I'll know his guise when I see it before me” he says softly, “But you'll need to be the one who brings him forth.”
The Gates slam shut.
The world plunges into silence once more.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone's night isn't over. Somewhere in Arcadia, Lucifier roams freely.
Cut.
Old School Wrestling
The Red Light District is dead quiet.
Snow spills across the ruins—broken concrete, melted steel, collapsed neon signs buried in ash. The remains of the once-sinful paradise lie cracked and forgotten beneath a thick blanket of dust.
Then—
RUMMMMMBLE.
Arcadia shudders.
Loose bricks tumble. A collapsed foundation shifts. Soldiers shout orders as tremors ripple outward from beneath the buried Door.
A section of rubble splits open—
KRRR-CHHHKKK
—revealing a massive slab of blackened metal beneath the dirt. Not the Door itself… something older. Something sealed long before the blast.
As dust clears, an emblem engraves itself into view:
A stylized crest.
A triangle.
A circle.
A line of text partly rusted away but still unmistakable:
PROJECT OSW
The soldiers freeze.
“What the hell… is that?” One whispers.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Project OSW? As in Old School Wrestling?
MATT RUBY: Who the bloody hell are we working for, Bronco?
More troops gather, weapons raised, unsure what they’re even pointing at. A technician wipes dirt from the emblem, staring at it like it’s a ghost.
“Nobody said anything about… this.”
Before panic spreads, a leader storms through the ranks, armored boots slamming into the broken ground, officers parting around him.
He stops in front of the exposed emblem.
His face hardens.
He doesn’t recognize it.
And that terrifies him.
“Get the Baron on comms,” he orders. “Now.”
A soldier fumbles with his radio before passing it to his leader.
Static sputters. A voice crackles through.
“This is Zeus. Report.”
The leader stares down at the emblem again—this forgotten warning buried beneath the Door.
“Baron…” he says, the gravel in his throat betraying a rare hesitation. “You need to see this. The PA interrupted were traced back to the Red Light District and the door, as you previously expected - but something new has appeared.”
The camera pans slowly over the emblem, ancient metal glinting ominously under the moonlight.
PROJECT OSW.
A secret no one alive remembers.
A secret buried for decades.
A secret trembling its way back to the surface.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't like this. I don't like this at all.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well, the outside Olympus has become the inside as we’ve had items off the streets and allies of Arcadia carted in to be used as weapons in this battle of brothers.
MATT RUBY: I didn’t know who to put money on Bronco, I don’t want to bet against Zeus’s God of War, but I don’t the other is the Unkillable Soldier.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don’t gamble folks.
The Grizzled Veteran Referee Mills Stanton draws the call tonight as he calls for the bell as Ares and Slade circle each other like predators looking for an opening to seize their prey. Ares looks to hit a Clothesline out of the gate, Kincaid ducks, and fires back with a Discus Rabbit Punch to the back of his brother’s head causing The God of War to see a flash of white.
Ares snaps around grabbing Slade by the throat with both hands, rage burning in his eyes before he lifts his brother into the air and slamming him back down with a Baldo Bomb - FALL OF WAR!
Into the pin as Stanton counts!
ON – KICK OUT WITH AUTHORITY AS ARES LETS OUT A DRY LAUGH AS HUBRIS OF HIS BROTHER NOT EVEN ALLOWING A ONE COUNT!
Ares grabs his Slade by the hand and pulls him back to his feet before tossing the Peacekiller to the floor like a sack of shit where bins full of weapons are strewn about. Ares chucks one of the bins into the ring just to get it the hell out his way.
*KER-FUCKING-RAK!*
KENDO WOODING BROOM HANDLE TO THE FUCKING SKULL OF THE MASTER OF WAR!
*KER-RAK!*
ANOTHER!
*KER-RAK!
AND ANOTHER!
*KER-SNAP!*
ARES GETS A FUCKING ARM UP TO BLOCK THE NEXT SHOT WITH HIS FOREARM SPLINTERING THE BROOM HANDLE AND SENDING THE OTHER HALF OF IT FLYING INTO THE CROWD AS THEY ALL GO BANANA!
Ares begins to unload with that Forearm driving it into the bridge of Slade Kincaid’s nose quickly and repeatedly staggering the Walking War enough for Ares to hit the CHAIN OF BATTLE A BRUTAL DISCUS CLOTHESLINE STRAIGHT OUT OF HADES! LEVELING THE UNDYING SOLIDER! Ares smirks as he walks over and places a foot on the chest of Slade as Mills is on the spot to make the count!
ONE!
SLADE PUSHES HIS BROTHER’S FOOT OFF HIS CHEST!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By Zeus a normal man would be dead after the shots Slade’s taken from Ares!
Ares grabs his brother by the neck, pulling him back to his feet, staring him down with contempt before The Peacekiller drives his arm across Ares’ breaking his hold. Kincaid then follows up with Machine gun-like palm strikes to the face and chest followed by a brutal elbow to the jaw.
MATT RUBY: The Ghost laying down SUPRESSING FIRE!
Ares falls to one knee head even to the metal beam of the ring apron and The Walking War rushes Ares with a Running Knee to the temple... GHOST WALKING ARES FUCKING SKULL INTO THE STEEL BEAM THAT SUPPORTS THE RING AS THE SOUND OF METAL ON SKULL RINGS OUT THROUGH OLYMPUS AS THE CROWD COLLECTIVELY GASP AT THE HORRIFIC SOUND AND TO SEE ARES PRONE AS KINCAID MAKES THE COVER.
STANTON MAKES THE COUNT...
ONE!
...
...
TW – KICK OUT!
Slade smirks as he goes back to work on his brother Raining down Punches to the forehead of Ares. Ares however no sells the blows while standing up to go face to face with Slade as the crowd gasps at the sight of blood pour out of the God of War’s head and coating his ear in a river of crimson, after having his head bounced off the metal beam, causing a massive gash that will take staples to close.
Ares stares down Slade before Pressing him above his head and tossing The Walking War between the middle and top rope into a ring scattered with weapons. Ares follows Slade into the ring grabbing the top rope and pulling himself up and over...
*CLANG!*
A FUCKING CHAIR FLIES IN FROM OUT-OF-ZEUS-DAMN-NOWHERE BOUNCING OFF THE HEAD OF ARES AS STAGGERING THE MASTER OF WAR AS CROSSES OVER THE TOP ROPE!
The Walking War seeing his opening shoots in with a Single-Leg take Down transitioning into a Guarded Crossface – NO RETURN!
SLADE WRENCHES BACK AS ARES GROANS IN PAIN TRYING TO HIDE THE PAIN AS HE STARTS TO MUSCLE THE GHOST OFF THE MAT DROPPING HIM ON A NEARBY METAL BIN BREAKING THE HOLD.
The God of War looks to carry his momentum as the blood continues to pour from the side of his head and is now cascading on to his shoulder. Ares let’s out a guttural roar as he lifts The Major off the mat before hitting him with a Spinning Backfist – THE HAND GRENADE AND SLADE KINCAID IS STILL FUCKING STANDING! INFACT, HE LETS OUT A GUTTURAL ROAR OF HIS OWN!
Kincaid lifts Ares up onto his shoulders, no! Ares slips out the back causing Slade to turn around into a Discus Big Boot – A SOLDIER’S MARCH DIRECTLY TO THE FACE OF THE MAJOR KNOCKING HIM NEARLY OUT OF HIS FUCKING BOOTS!
Ares peels his brother off the canvas once more and says it’s time to end it as he lifts The Walking War up into a hitting the Spirit Fucking Bomb! THE SPIRIT OF NO – KINCAID SLIPS OUT THE BACK AND SCOOPS HIS BROTHER ONTO HIS SHOULDERS INTO A SPINNING TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER – SECTOR NINE!
SLADE KINCAID JUST
KILLED...
ARES...
WITH...
FUCKING...
FIRE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SLADE JUST DROPPED HIS OWN BROTHER ON HIS NECK!
SLADE CRAWLS INTO THE COVER DRAPING AN ARM OVER ARES AND MILLS MAKES THE COUNT!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
ARES KICKS OUT... AGAIN?
...
...
NO!
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Holy Hades, that whole match was frigging intense! What the hell did we just see Bronco?!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: War, Matt, pure unadulterated war between two brothers who just continually smashed into each other. This was a street fight that Slade Kincaid manages to walk away from with his hand held high!
Brothers of Salvation
The ring canvas is smeared with sweat and blood.
Ares and Slade Kincaid lie in opposite corners, both broken, both breathing hard after beating each other nearly senseless. The crowd is silent, unsure if they’ve just witnessed a feud or a funeral.
Ares drags himself up first, using the ropes for leverage. Slade rises soon after, staggering, eyes burning with that familiar mix of hatred and pride.
Before either can move—
BOOM.
The entire arena gasps as Zeus steps out onto the stage.
No music.
No announcement.
Just The Baron.
He marches down the ramp, Sovereign Guards pouring in behind him like an armored wave. He climbs into the ring, looks at both men… and shakes his head in disappointment.
“That’s enough.”
His voice echoes.
Ares stops dead.
Slade wipes blood from his mouth but doesn’t back down.
Zeus steps between them, turning first to Ares.
“We do not have time for this,” he says. “Not tonight. Not now.”
He pivots, locking his gaze onto Slade.
“And you…”
The King of Arcadia stands inches from the man who spent a lifetime fighting in forgotten wars.
“Your timing,” Zeus growls, “could not be worse.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This doesn't bode well.
Slade smirks through the pain. “Didn’t realize I needed your permission to beat my brother’s ass.”
A murmuring ripple moves through the audience.
Zeus doesn’t flinch.
Instead, he signals the guards.
Dozens of rifles rise and point directly at Slade.
Slade’s eyes widen ever so slightly. Ares tenses, unsure where this is going.
Zeus speaks clearly. Coldly.
“Slade Kincaid, you will make your choice now. You join us… and march to the Door with your family and your city…”
He pauses. The crowd holds its breath.
“…or I have you executed in this ring, right here, right now.”
The threat lands like a crack of lightning.
Ares stares at Zeus in shock—he’s seen Zeus punish, exile, bury men alive… but execution? Here? Now? To his brother?
Slade looks around at the rifles, then back at Zeus.
“You’re serious,” he says quietly.
“I am,” Zeus replies. “The signal was traced to the Door again. We move tonight. And I will not allow your selfishness to jeopardize Arcadia.”
Slade’s jaw works. For one moment, he considers fighting—dying on his feet, defiantly.
Then—
Slowly—
He extends his hand toward Ares.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can't believe he did that.
MATT RUBY: That's the wisest decision he's ever taken, BB. He's not as dumb as he looks, that oaf.
The arena gasps.
Ares hesitates, then grips Slade’s forearm, pulling him upright. The brothers stand side by side, bloody and battered, united if only by necessity.
Zeus gives a single approving nod.
“Good,” he says. “We leave for the Door immediately.”
He steps through the ropes.
Ares and Slade follow, still winded, still glaring at one another—but now walking together.
Zeus raises his radio.
“Mobilize the army. The signal came from the Door. Again.”
The camera catches one last image:
Zeus leading the charge, Ares and Slade behind him, and the entire Sovereign force marching toward the unknown.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A triad of truth, treachery, and trauma grace this ring as these three finally go toe to toe!
MATT RUBY: Sounds like a recipe for a brawl, BB! I just hope the muppet in spandex gets the trauma.
The bell sounds off like a gunshot and Captain Arcadia is the first in the fight! He leaps at Sunshine with a massive dropkick, rolling to his feet and cracking a chop against Savor's chest! Sunshine gets to his feet, catching a forearm for his troubles as Arcadia alternates his assault between both men!
Chop!
Punch!
Chop!
Punch!
Chop!
Punch!
Chop- No!
Punch- No!
Sunshine and Savor both catch a hand and share a glance before turning back to Cap!
BOTH MEN SERVING UP A DOUBLE KNUCKLE SANDWHICH STRAIGHT TO CAPTAIN ARCADIA'S MOUTH!
Cap drops to his back, his aggression returned in kind with an avalanche of boots from both men keeping him grounded!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CREME BRULEE- NO! SUNSHINE SAW THE SUPERKICK COMING! HE CAUGHT THE LEG!
MATT RUBY: AND SPINS HIM AROUND FOR THE BROKEN SMILE! SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!
Savor hits the mat with a sickening thud and Sunshine leaps to his feet, a vile grin on his lips as he begins to call to the crowd!
"IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT CLAP YOUR HANDS!"
CRACK!
CRACK!
Sunshine lays into either man with brutal kicks to their ribs, dancing between them as he claps his hands!
"IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT STOMP YOUR FEET!"
STOMP!
STOMP!
"IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT THEN-"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: LEGSWEEP BY SAVOR PUTS AN END TO THAT SONG!
MATT RUBY: And Arcadia follows with a double foot stomp! Savor is a genius for setting him up!
Arcadia wants to continue the assault on Sunshine but Savor nails him with a European uppercut out of nowhere! Arcadia gets whipped across the ring, coming back into a powerslam! Arcadia rolls through to his feet, rushing Savor again only for another powerslam to put him on the mat! Cap gets up, dazed and confused allowing Savor to take control!
AS HE LOCKS IN THE GASTRONOMY GUILLOTINE! THE GUILLOTINE CHOKE IS LOCKED IN!
Anton cinches the hold in tight, locking his legs around Arcadia's waist in the center of the ring! Cap flails his arms, looking fruitlessly for a rope to break the hold! Savor refuses to let go and Arcadia begins to fade! With every passing second his spirit is getting choked out of him, yet he persists! Digging both feet into the mat and pushing back to his feet as he locks his arms around Savor!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: COLD EMBRACE! BEAR HUG INTO THE BELLY-TO-BELLY! SHADES OF THE WHITE BEAR!
MATT RUBY: Just because he's dead doesn't mean he needs to haunt us!
Cap kips back up to his feet, watching Sunshine finally begin to stir as he hits the ropes!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SPRINGBOARD FOREARM SMASH! OCEAN'S OVERDRIVE! SHADES OF THE BLUE SHARK!
MATT RUBY: Are there any more hauntings to warn me about?
Sunshine stumbles to his feet one more time, Arcadia hitting the ropes and flying forwards with fire in his soul!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FALCON PUNCH! RED FALCON'S SUPERMAN PUNCH TO FACE OF SUNSHINE!
MATT RUBY: Talk about the ghosts of Christmas Past!
Arcadia drops for the cover on Sunshine and Demi Sky slides in for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE- NO! ANTON SAVOR WITH THE LEAPING ELBOW DROP TO BOTH MEN!
The Gourmet bounces off of Arcadia, forcefully dragging the hero to his feet and unloading on him with a rapid flurry of chops!
AND A BEAUTIFUL BACK ELBOW TO KNOCK HIM ON HIS ASS! SAVOR JUST MADE ARCADIA FLAMBE!
Savor isn't done yet, stalking the ring as he all but pleads for both men to get to their feet, rushing them down and clobbering both Sunshine and Arcadia with a picture perfect double clothesline! He doesn't relent, though, forcing Captain Arcadia onto his shoulders!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THIS COULD BE IT! THE FINAL COURSE- NO! CATCH ME! RUNNING CROSSBODY BY SUNSHINE!
MATT RUBY: That smiling numpty! Ruining a perfectly good meal for the rest of us!
Cheery Charlie leaps on top of Savor, a sickening smirk on his lips as he looks to share his happiness with the chef in brutal fashion! He shoves both hands into his mouth and yanks in both directions!
MODIFIED FORCED SMILE BY SUNSHINE! IT'S LIKE HE'S TRYING TO TEAR SAVOR'S FACE IN HALF!
Anton struggles, wailing wildly on Sunshine as panic begins to set in!
THUMB TO THE EYE! SAVOR JUST JAMMED HIS THUMB INTO SUNSHINE'S EYE!
Mr. Positivity isn't so positive as he recoils, standing up just in time for Captain Arcadia to grab him from behind!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: RIPCORD LARIAT! THE LAST LINE BY ARCADIA!
MATT RUBY: CREME BRULEE! AND A SUPERKICK BY SAVOR TO ARCADIA! HE JUST PUT BOTH MEN DOWN!
Anton collapses to a knee, fighting to catch his breath as the gravity of the match finally crashes down on him! He reaches down, forcing Captain Arcadia back to his feet before loading the hero onto his shoulders, yelling for the dinner bell!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FINAL COURSE! GTS! GTS TO CAPTAIN ARCADIA!
MATT RUBY: Finally! Some delicious fucking food!
Arcadia lands on the mat like a ton of bricks but Savor can't go for the pin! Sunshine leaps on him from behind!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WELCOME TO THE SUNSHINE CLUB! FULL NELSON FLAPJACK DROPS SAVOR ON TOP OF CAPTAIN ARCADIA!
Sunshine stacks both men on top of one another and collapses on top for the pin! Demi Sky drops for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Demi calls for the bell! Mister Sunshine has just outlasted both Captain Arcadia and Anton Savor as he claims victory, and happiness, here tonight.
The End Of The Road
The bell has barely stopped ringing.
The crowd is still buzzing, confused, angry, exhausted.
Mister Sunshine stands alone in the center of the ring.
Anton Savor lies clutching his jaw in one corner, groaning.
Captain Arcadia pulls himself toward the ropes, chest heaving, ribs bruised.
Sunshine does not celebrate. He does not smile. He simply drops to his knees, the overhead lights catching the sweat and sorrow dripping from his painted face.
He looks between the fallen men… and bows his head.
“I’m sorry.”
The crowd freezes. Even the commentary table falls silent.
Sunshine lifts his face, voice cracking as he speaks.
“I’ve become a monster. A coward. A hollow, twisted version of what I wanted to be. The Sunshine children deserved better. Arcadia deserved better.”
He looks straight at Arcadia.
“What I did… as the Zookeeper… was evil. There’s no excuse for it. No justification. I lost myself—I lost my way. And I am so, so sorry.”
He bows deeply, palms on the canvas, practically praying.
“If there is any forgiveness left in this world… I beg it of you. Both of you.”
The audience murmurs, unsure whether to believe him.
Suddenly—
Anton Savor crawls forward and grabs Sunshine by the hair, yanking his head violently upward. Sunshine doesn't resist.
Savor growls through bloody teeth:
“You want forgiveness? Then die for it.”
He wraps an arm around Sunshine’s neck, preparing to wrench it in one brutal snap.
But before he can execute him—
Arcadia launches himself across the ring, tackling Savor off of Sunshine and driving fists into him, fighting with the last scraps of strength he has left.
They roll, punch, scramble—until a final right hand knocks Savor out of the ring entirely.
Arcadia turns back toward Sunshine.
Sunshine remains kneeling, hands behind his head, ready to accept whatever comes next.
Arcadia breathes heavily, staring down at him.
Then he pulls a pair of citizen’s arrest cuffs from his belt.
“Mister Sunshine,” he says firmly, “you’ll pay the price for every crime you’ve committed. Not in this ring… but on Deathrow.”
Sunshine nods, tears streaking down his face paint.
“I understand.”
Arcadia hauls him to his feet, binds his hands, and marches him toward the ropes.
The crowd watches, stunned and whispering. The fans simply stare in disbelief as Sunshine is led away—not as a monster… but as a man finally accepting judgment.
Arcadia walks him up the ramp in total silence, one hand on the cuffs, the other on his back, performing his solemn duty.
Cut.
The Price of Family
The falling flakes outside Red Snow made the arena feel colder than any storm could. Inside the ring, under blinding white spotlights, two wooden crosses stood like grim monuments.
Rose.
Ned.
Bound to them with rope that dug into their skin. Their breath fogged in the icy air, fear trembling across their faces.
Reverend Ezekiel Graves stood between them, arms raised, Bible in one hand, ceremonial blade in the other. His voice thundered like an Old Testament decree.
“Tonight, in the sight of God and all of Arcadia, I offer these souls—my family—so that the faithful may rise again!”
A horrified murmur swept the crowd.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Are you serious!? This guy is scum! That's his sister and nephew!
MATT RUBY: Yeah... even I'm not sure about this.
Graves pressed the blade to Ned’s chest.
A high-pitched screech cut him off—the sound of hacking static bursting across the arena screens.
Then the house lights shut off.
When they returned, Nero stood at the top of the ramp.
The cyberhound. The rogue brother in law. The man Graves believed had stolen everything from him.
Nero held a device in his hand—its screen glowing a digital green.
“I’m ending this,” Nero called out, voice amplified through the arena speakers.
Graves sneered. “You can’t stop God’s work, boy.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: C'mon Nero, do whatever he wants.
MATT RUBY: A masterplan at work! That Cyberdork is gonna give him all his credits back after all, you watch!
Nero tapped the screen.
Every display in the arena lit up with bank logs and transfer confirmations. Nero’s voice came through again—steady, resigned.
“I’ve returned the credits. All of it. Every last bit. You wanted what was yours? You have it.”
The crowd erupted.
Graves blinked—caught off guard, faith and greed warring behind his eyes.
“You… you gave it back?” he stammered.
“Now let them go,” Nero demanded.
Graves smirked.
Nero sprinted down the ramp.
Ezekiel tried to meet him, clashing together outside the ring.
The bell rang.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The bell has rung but you can barely hear it over the brawl at ringside! This match is already underway!
MATT RUBY: That haymaker just purified Nero's face!
Both men trade thunderous blows back and forth, tearing into each other like wild animals! A flood of fists from either man only brought to a stop by Graves grabbing Nero by the head and bouncing him skull first off of the apron! He stumbles back in a daze and gets immediately blindsided by a big boot that floors him!
The Cyberhound refuses to stay down and Graves is all too happy to haul him back to his feet only to throw him halfway across ringside with a massive German Suplex! Nero rolls with the impact and immediately begins to crawl away with Graves close on his heels!
MATT RUBY: Look at that dog run, BB. What a pansy!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NERO GRABBED A KENDO STICK FROM UNDER THE RING! HE JUST CRACKED IT ACROSS GRAVES' JAW!
Ezekiel goes down and Nero lays into his back with that Singapore cane until it begins to come undone!
WHACK!
WHACK!
SMACK!
SMACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Nero's assault turns Graves' back into a menagerie of broken skin and bloodied wounds as the cane breaks apart! But Graves refuses to stay down, rising with an uppercut that knocks Nero straight out of his boots! He lands in a heap, wearily getting back to his feet only to catch a massive boot to the gut as The Harbinger powers him up!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: PURGATORY PLUNGE! POWERBOMB STRAIGHT ONTO THE GOD DAMNED APRON!
MATT RUBY: DAVID NEVER SHOULD HAVE FUCKED WITH GOLIATH!
Pained wheezes escape from behind Nero's mask as he slides limply from the apron to the ground, landing at Ezekiel's feet as the Purifier forces him back to his feet once more, cracking him with a headbutt against the skull that rattles his brain! The Rogue Code looks out on his feet as Graves slides him into the ring and drags him towards the crucifix in the center between Ned and Rose! He whips Nero towards the cross!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NERO RAN UP THE CROSS! PACKET STORM! LEAPING CUTTER OFF THE CROSS!
MATT RUBY: Blasphemy, Bronco! Blasphemy!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Name one verse.
Nero regains some momentum, rolling back to ringside as an enraged Graves already begins to stir! Ezekiel moves to the apron, leaping off with a massive axe handle towards Nero!
FIREWALL! SUPERKICK TO THE CHIN TAKES OUT GRAVES MIDAIR!
The Harbinger crumples against the apron, holding his jaw as Nero retrieves a chair and goes to swing on Graves! Ezekiel catches the weapon and pushes it back towards Nero, advancing on him with malicious intent as the Cyberhound holds the chair up in defense!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HOLY WRATH! BY GOD GRAVES IS UNLOADING WITH A FLURRY OF BLOWS! HE'S DENTING THAT STEEL CHAIR!
MATT RUBY: HIS HAND WENT THROUGH THE DAMN THING! HE HAS NERO BY THE THROAT!
BRONCO B LACKWOOD: GOOZLE! GRAVES JUST CHOKESLAMMED NERO! THE FINAL JUDGEMENT!
The impact could be heard in the cheap seats as Nero goes limp on the cold hard ground! The chair lands with a dull thud as Graves pulls his arm free, a look of contempt on his face as he drags Nero towards the ring for perhaps the final time! He rises onto the apron, dragging Nero up by his leg!
But Nero grabs onto the apron! He's still got life left in him!
Graves yanks with all of his strength but Nero lands a wild kick to the face that lets him force himself free! He collides with the ground, reaching under the ring once more in a desperate bid at changing the tide! The Red Reboot gets back to his feet, backing away as Ezekiel walks towards him, the visage of hell itself staring Nero down!
CRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRACK!
The sound of a rock flying through the air silences the crowd as Nero reveals a sling in his hand. A stone colliding dead center with Ezekiel's forehead.
Blood.
So much blood.
Graves collapses to a knee, clutching his skull in pure agony! He looks up just in time to see Nero running him down!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: MASSIVE BIG BOOT! DAVID HAS FINALLY DOWNED GOLIATH!
MATT RUBY: This can't be how that story goes!
Nero doesn't relent as he rains down an apocalypse of boots onto Ezekiel, all of his rage and anger left as bloody foot prints across Graves' chest! He grabs hold of Graves, forcing the Harbinger up with all of his might, rolling him into the ring and sliding in behind him. Slowly, agonizingly, he forces Graves to his feet.
HEADBUTT BY GRAVES! HOW IS THIS MAN STILL FIGHTING?
Blood arcs between both men as Graves wearily holds up his fists, staring a hole through Nero who puts up his own dukes! They trade blows back and forth, fists flying with no remorse, no relenting as they vie for advantage!
Nero suddenly leaps back, hitting a button on his gauntlet! Multiple images of himself begin to surround Graves who lashes out immediately!
HE SHATTERS ONE HOLGRAM WITH A BACKBREAKER!
ANOTHER GOES DOWN TO A MASSIVE GERMAN SUPLEX!
A RUNNING POWERSLAM CRUSHES ANOTHER!
HE'S PURGING EVERY LAST FAKE!
Graves turns around, wildly, trying to find the real Nero!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NOW YOU SEE HIM! NOW YOU DON'T! SUPERMAN PUNCH BY NERO! SUPERMAN PUNCH BY NERO!
KILLED!
WITH!
FIRE!
The blow knocks Graves cold and Nero slowly forces him up against the cross! He chains one arm to the cross and then the other before hoisting it high!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He's done it! Nero just crucified Ezekiel Graves! It every last bit he had left in the tank, but Nero stands tall here tonight!
Christ Almighty
The bell had barely stopped ringing when Nero fell to his knees beside the crosses, breath trembling but triumphant. His body ached from the war he’d just survived, yet all he cared about were the two figures bound before him.
“Rose… Ned… it’s over,” he whispered, hands shaking as he untied them both. “You’re safe now. You’re free.”
Rose collapsed into his arms first, Ned following with a tight embrace. Nero held them both, burying his face into his son’s hair as relief washed over him.
“We’re together again,” he breathed. “Finally.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THANK THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF!
MATT RUBY: Ugh...
For a moment—just a moment—the world felt whole.
Then Rose stepped back.
Her expression had changed. Cold. Resolved. Devout.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wait...
MATT RUBY: OH MY...
Before Nero could question it, she struck, a swift, brutal low blow that dropped him instantly. The crowd gasped, a rippling wave of disbelief echoing through the arena.
Ned didn’t rush to help his father. Instead, he turned toward the fallen form of Reverend Graves and began untying him from the cross.
The truth crashed down like a hammer.
Rose’s voice cut through the jeers, unwavering:
“We never abandoned Christ, Lucien. We never abandoned His true messenger.”
Graves rose slowly, rubbing his wrists where the ropes had been.
“They belong to the Disciples,” he said with poisonous pride. “They always have.”
Nero, stunned and trying to rise, reached a hand toward Rose.
“Please… Rose… not you… not Ned…”
Rose’s eyes glistened—not with regret, but conviction.
“You led us into sin,” she said quietly. “You took us from our path. Tonight, we return to it.”
Graves handed her the ceremonial blade—the same weapon Nero had nearly stopped moments ago.
“Do what must be done,” the Reverend intoned.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO! NO! DON'T YOU DARE!
MATT RUBY: This ain't right...
Nero’s son watched, silent and still.
Rose approached her husband, whispered something only he could hear, and with a swift, ritualistic motion, carried out the Disciples’ brutal sentence with a swift swing of the blade. The crowd recoiled in horror as Nero collapsed, clutching his bloodied throat, Rose ripping his mask away, his life slipping into the crimson-stained canvas.
Graves lifted Rose’s hand, and Ned stood beside them.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: .... What did we just... witness.... poor Nero... my God.
Together, the three raised their arms in victory while the arena drowned them in hatred and Nero’s fallen body lay as the night’s final offering. His blood seeping into the far reaches of the canvas.
History That Shouldn't Exist
A static tremor shatters the broadcast.
The Arcadian News Network screens flicker violently, glitching between their polished blue interface and a grainy, dust-coated image—something ancient, something impossible.
Then a voice begins to speak.
Slow.
Measured.
Recorded decades before anyone watching was even born.
“We created Arcadia as sanctuary… a place to prepare…”
Crowds all over Arcadia stop in their tracks—bars go silent, markets freeze, even the Sovereign Guard stations pause mid-step as the voice continues:
“…for the war between good and evil.”
Confusion ripples through the city like an earthquake.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I'm gonna say it... what the actual fuck is going on!?
MATT RUBY: There's more to this, there's so much more.
Good? Evil? These are not Arcadian concepts. They do not exist in their language, their education, their history. There has only ever been Zeus and his way.
Children stare at the screens.
Adults whisper.
Fear crawls into the cracks of every home.
Inside the ANN studio, chaos erupts.
Technicians pound on consoles. Producers shout over headsets. Cameras whip wildly as the feed takes on a life of its own.
At the center of it all—
Zeus.
The Baron storms into frame, shoving aside a cameraman as he faces the main control board.
“Cut it off!” he roars. “I said cut the feed!”
The screens do not obey.
The recording loops again, the voice sounding almost closer, clearer, more damning:
“We created Arcadia as sanctuary…”
Zeus slams his fist onto the console hard enough to crack the casing.
“There is no ‘before Arcadia’!” he bellows over the broadcast. “There was never something else! There is only Arcadia—my Arcadia!”
His voice shakes—not with rage, but with something far rarer.
Fear.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BEFORE?
Technicians hesitate. The broadcast continues. The loop plays again.
“…a place to prepare for the war between good and evil.”
People around Arcadia exchange looks they’ve never made before, questioning something they were told never to question:
What if Zeus isn’t telling the truth?
Zeus sees their faces on the monitors. He sees doubt. He sees rebellion. He sees the one thing he can never allow— Faith in something older than him.
He slams the emergency override.
“Arcadia! Hear me!” Zeus shouts, desperate. “This message is not real. It is corruption. It is sabotage. Arcadia is everything. Arcadia is all that exists. There was nothing else before it. There was NOTHING before Arcadia!”
But the more he speaks, the more exposed he becomes.
His breathing picks up. His hands tremble. His eyes dart.
For the first time in history… Zeus looks mortal.
The recording loops again a final time.
“We created Arcadia as sanctuary…”
A hush falls.
The broadcast cuts to black.
And in the silence that follows, an entire nation wonders—
If Zeus is lying… then what is Arcadia really?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the fuck is Arcadia!? What's beyond that door!? Matt...
MATT RUBY: I'm lost for words, but I have to believe in the Baron, Bronco. I have to.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Then may whatever's coming have mercy on us both.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ever since he clawed his way out of the Underground, Nobody has been driven by a singular purpose, to find out the truth about his family. He found out his daughter still lived and he fought through hell and back to find her. And one year ago he fought the man who raised her and was forced to walk away.
MATT RUBY: Of course he was, damn guys a deadbeat and always has been. Michaela was always better off with a real father like Klaus.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You mean the father who killed her brothers? The father who has had her locked up, physically and mentally tortured for months? Once Klaus might have been a good father but he's become a monster this past year and you know it.
MATT RUBY: Michaela had her chance BB, she could've gone with Harold last year or hell gone with that idiot kid a few months ago but she stuck by Way and she's got only herself to blame. After all, Nobody's taking away something that belongs to Klaus Way, especially not Nobody.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You say that but when the chips are done, we've seen Harold Attano do the impossible and with the greatest prize in his life on the line, Nobody is going to stop Harold Attano from saving his daughter tonight.
The bell sounds, Attano looking to rush out from his corner but he stops mid-sprint at the sight of something...or someone at ringside.
As Michaela, battered, bruised, covered in dirt and grime, stares at her father with fear and sorrow in her eyes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That...bastard
MATT RUBY: Klaus might be a prick but he's smart. Much as I hate to admit it, a focused Attano is dangerous but a wild and angry Nobody, that's an easy target.
Klaus just smiles that shit eating grin, urging Attano forward
As Nobody obliges with a running Shotgun Dropkick that sends Way flying right into the cage. Klaus crashes against the steel, stumbling out into a flurry of lefts and rights.
Attano unleashing every ounce of his rage onto the Ringmaster, each blow snapping Way's head back with dangerous force before he grips him by the back of the head, running forward
AND THROWING HIM HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL MESH!
Way bounces off but Attano just rushes to the other side and throws him into the cage a second time, then a third before capping off with tossing his whole body into the cage wall.
Klaus crashes down onto the canvas but he's not down for long as Attano lifts him up by his hair before lifting him up high into the air
SPIKE BRAINBUSTER! Klaus gets driven into the mat and that may well be it
But Attano isn't looking for a mere pinfall victory
He's looking for the Kill Shot
Attano backs up, watching Klaus slowly rise up to his knees before sprinting forward
HEADSHOT
KLAUS DUCKS
AS ATTANO's LEG THREADS THROUGH THE ROPES GETTING STUCK INTO THE CAGE WALL!
MATT RUBY: Told ya, angry and sloppy.
Klaus chuckles hard, reaching up before twisting himself around
AND DELIVERING A PARTICULARLY NASTY LOOKING DRAGON SCREW TO THE EXPOSED LEG
Attano screams out in pain, his leg twisted in ways it shouldn't be as the vicious Way gets to his feet and hones in on the injured limb.
Way grabs the limb, delivering elbow after elbow before laying down onto it and twisting and tearing it with all his strength. Demi Sky drops down, trying to see if Attano will quit but Nobody refuses.
Attano slowly rising to his feet, Way pulling with all his strength but Harold refuses to go down
ENZIGURI! Klaus staggers back from the blow as Attano leaps up
VENOM! That Scorpion Kick may have been at half strength but it still knocks Way down to one knee as Attano backs up into the ropes, trying to keep himself standing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Harold Attano somehow still on his feet but how much more can he stand here?
Attano drops down low, slapping his elbow before he rushes forward in a rage
BUT KLAUS SEES IT COMING AS HE DUCKS THE HIDDEN BLADE!
CHOP BLOCK!
A vicious tackle to the bad leg puts Attano back down onto the mat before Klaus grabs the bad limb. Attano tries to fight but a stiff kick to the temple rocks Attano as Klaus turns him around
INTO A VICIOUS HALF CRAB!
MATT RUBY: Only a matter of time now BB, Attano and his failure of fatherhood is going down with a whimper and a scream.
Attano cries out in pain, very close to the ropes as he grabs them but there's no rope breaks in the cage so Demi can't do anything but just ask if he gives up.
Harold refuses as he pulls himself through the ropes, reaching out to the cage
Where Michaela is reaching out to him too.
For a brief moment, father and daughter clasp hands, only for a moment but it's enough to give Nobody just enough strength
Just enough to power Klaus off him with an almighty scream as he manages to kick Way to the mat.
Attano tries to stand, pulling himself up by the ropes as The Ringmaster gets to his, scowling.
Nobody cries out in anger, stumbling forward.
KICK TO THE BAD LEG
Attano stumbles to one knee as Attano grabs his arms, running up the corner
SO MUCH BIZARRO! The jump up Unprettier lands flush, Attano looks out as Way drops down to cover, Demi sliding in to count
ONE
.............
...................
TWO
.................
...................
......................
THRE.....
..................
......................
ATTANO KICKS OUT!
MATT RUBY: What the hell Dollface? Did you break a nail trying to count there?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That was a fair count Ruby, Harold Attano is just not ready to die yet.
Klaus Way is furious, screaming at Demi before scowling at the injured Attano. He looks around at the cage, before looking up and smirking.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh no, he's not going to is he?
Klaus kicks the bad leg of Harold Attano one last time before beginning to climb the cage.
MATT RUBY: HA! I love it BB, you can win by escaping the cage too and with how badly Attano's knee is doing right now, there's no way he can stop Klaus in time.
Way confidentally climbs the cage, easily scaling it until he gets to the top. The crowd is booing as he soaks in every last one, looking down at Nobody who is barely able to get up a seated position, let alone stand but as he goes to climb down the other side, a hand stops him.
The hand of Michaela Attano.
Klaus looks down, fury in his eyes but that fury turns to shock as Michaela quickly does three things.
Rakes his eyes.
Slaps him hard in the face.
And then pushes her "father" off the top of the cage.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: MICHAELA DID IT! Michaela may well have just saved the match for her fa....OSOK! OSOK OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE!
As Way falls, Attano somehow leaps up, nailing Way with the Cutter as he falls but that may well have taken everything out of Nobody. Both men collapsed on the canvas, Demi Sky slowly counting them down.
But she doesn't even get to one before somehow, someway Harold Attano is on his feet.
MATT RUBY: WHAT? HOW?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That's the power of fatherhood Ruby, you should learn it sometime.
Attano is trembling in anger, powering through the pain as Way stumbles to his knees, his back turned to Nobody as Attano sprints forward
THE LAST GASP OF A DYING MAN!
SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD KNOCKS KLAUS WAY OUT WITH FUCKING FIRE!
Harold collapses onto him, Demi Sky sliding down to count
ONE
..............
...................
TWO
...............
....................
......................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE DID IT! Harold Attano not only has finally defeated Klaus Way, he's not only just become the NXT Level Champion but with one final blow, he's saved his daughter from the clutches of a vile monster.
The Finale
The bell has barely finished ringing when Harold Attano storms across the canvas, chest heaving, eyes locked on the one thing that matters—
Michaela.
She stands at ringside, trembling, her wrists still bound in Klaus Way’s cruel, ornamental chains. The crowd watches in tense silence as Harold points straight at her, rage pouring from every pore.
“Let her go, Klaus!”
Klaus Way, sweat-drenched and smiling that manic showman’s smile, strolls toward them without his usual theatrical arrogance. His drags himself across the canvas.
“Oh Harold,” Klaus mocks, waving dismissively, “you misunderstand. She doesn’t want to be freed. She—”
“Cut the bullshit!” Harold snaps, stepping directly into his face. “Either you free her… or this ends tonight.”
The crowd roars—hungry, hopeful.
Klaus chuckles—
And the arena lights die.
The tron flickers… sputters… and then stabilizes.
Smoke.
Ash.
Charred wood.
Collapsed metal.
Shredded banners.
The Way & Co Circus tent—burned to cinders. Reduced to a graveyard of twisted steel.
Klaus’ smile evaporates.
Onscreen, a single line of text appears, crackling through static:
THE SHOW IS OVER.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Klaus Way's circus of horror has finally been put to rest! Finally, something good has come out of tonight's terror.
MATT RUBY: Good!?
The audience gasps.
Klaus spins toward Harold, panic erupting into fury.
“You bastard—”
He lunges.
Harold meets him with a brutal forearm, knocking the Ringmaster off balance. Klaus scrambles, grabbing for the ropes—but Harold launches himself at him with a Thezs Press and straddles him, fists raining down like thunder.
“Didn’t matter what you said tonight,” Harold growls between blows. “Didn’t matter what excuse you had. I was ending Way & Co…”
He reaches into his boot.
“…once and for all.”
A garrote—thin, merciless, gleaming—comes out in Harold’s hands.
The crowd falls into a horrified hush.
Klaus’ eyes widen. “Harold—wait—let’s talk abou—”
The wire loops around his throat.
And tightens.
Klaus Way thrashes, legs kicking, fingers clawing uselessly at the steel biting into his flesh. The crowd watches in stunned silence as Harold pulls harder, muscles straining, jaw clenched with years of fury and pain.
Klaus’ movements weaken…
slow…
His body falls still.
MATT RUBY: Klaus! Wake up Klaus!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He's going for the long sleep and it's not a moment too soon! This is overdo, Ruby! How much blood is on his hands!?
Harold lets the garrote hang for a moment longer—just to be certain.
Then he releases it. Blood dripping from the wire.
He rises, chest heaving, sweat and blood mixing on his face. He turns to Michaela—his daughter—her chains still clattering as she trembles.
Harold steps toward her slowly.
“You’re free,” he whispers, voice breaking. “You’re finally free.”
Michaela rushes into his arms, sobbing into his chest as Harold wraps her in a fierce, protective embrace.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Finally, a moment to warm the heart. These have been few and far between.
The camera holds on the image—the father and daughter reunited over the corpse of the man who stole her life.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: As personal as one gets. The vengeance for a mother tragically killed, Night will stop at nothing to hear Gemini utter two simple words.
MATT RUBY: I quit. But those two words won’t come easy. It’s kill or be killed here tonight. If he wants vengeance, he’s going to have to take it the hard way.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I think that’s exactly what he’s planning on doing.
Gemini doesn’t have time to so much as set her feet as The Night is upon her.
CRACK! NIGHT HITS HER RIGHT ACROSS THE HEAD WITH HIS BAT!
RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE, GEMINI IS STAGGERED AND FALLS BACK INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
NIGHT STEPS FORWARD!
BAM! HE SWINGS WITH THE BAT AGAIN AND CATCHES HER ACROSS THE CHEST!
NIGHT SWINGS A THIRD TIME BUT FINDS NOTHING BUT STEEL AS GEMINI CRUMPLES TO A HEAP AT HIS FEET!
Dropping the bat, The Night stomps and kicks at Gemini’s ribs. All she can do is roll out of the way and escape at ringside. But Night isn’t having it.
HE SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE ROPES!
DARKNESS FALLS! THE SEAN-TON BOMB OUTSIDE THE RING!
BUT GEMINI MOVES!
THE NIGHT CRASHES AND BURNS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Night came out swinging, literally. He’s waited months for that bat to hit home the one responsible for that bombing.
MATT RUBY: He sure got his licks in on Gemini, but now he tasted concrete himself, so it’s anybody’s game. Nobody looks like they’re quitting anytime soon.
Gemini pushes herself to her feet, dragging Night with her. She flings him into the steel steps, knocking them free with a bone-crushing clang. From under the ring, she pulls a steel chair. She opens the chair slightly, sliding The Night’s arm into the gap before placing the chair down atop the steps.
Leaping up onto the ring apron, she runs…
SHE LEAPS!
LEG DROP ONTO THE CHAIR WITH NIGHT’S ARM INSIDE!
Night howls in agony and nurses his injured wing, but Gemini pulls him to his feet again. Three stuff kicks right to the injured arm each bring a fresh yell of pain from Night but there is no quit in his eyes. Gemini flings him into the steel of the ring post, shoulder first. Night staggers in a daze…
SNAPSHOT FROM GEMINI!
NO!
NIGHT PUSHES HER AWAY!
GOODNIGHT VIENNA! THE SOMERSAULT FACEBUSTER RIGHT ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR!
GEMINI HITS IT RIGHT IN THE FACE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini looks to be going strategically after the arm of Night, but Night is fighting on instincts and anger.
MATT RUBY: Instincts good enough to turn the tides and anger too big to bottle. But he can't beat Gemini with one arm.
Night collapses to one knee, again nursing his shoulder. Growling in frustration, he retrieves his bat. Night slides the bat under Gemini’s chin and wrenches back…
YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE! CRIPPLER CROSSFACE WITH THE BAT TO PUNCTUATE THE PAIN!
GEMINI COUGHS AND SPLUTTERS, GASPING FOR AIR!
“DON'T YOU FUCKING QUIT!” Night screams at her. “NOT YET… I'M NOT DONE.”
But Gemini has no intention of quitting. She reaches up to her throat, trying to pull the bat away… trying to free herself from the clutches of Night.
Slowly, painfully, she twists the bat enough to steal a breath. Then elbows Night in the side of the head to break the hold. Gemini staggers to her feet, and the pair meet eye to eye.
BOTH START SLUGGING FISTS. NIGHT HITS GEMINI WITH A SHOT, AND GEMINI SLOGS HIM BACK!
GEMINI DOUBLES UP AND SENDS NIGHT STAGGERING BACKWARDS.
Gemini uses the opening to slip into the ring. Night follows soon after but is met straight away by a boot from his foe. She pulls Night to his feet by the wrist. Climbing the turnbuckle, Gemini walks the ropes.
THE LAST DANCE! GEMINI LEAPS INTO THE HURRICANRANA AND FLIPS NIGHT INSIDE OUT!
THEY’RE BOTH DOWN, BUT GEMINI RECOVERS AND PULLS NIGHT INTO A KIMURA LOCK!
CHIBA'S TOUCH!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: First Night wears down Gemini with his Crossface, now Gemini with a hold of her own.
MATT RUBY: She's calling for him to yield, the referee is right there to capture those words!
“NO!”
The single resounding word from Night to River Moonfoot in response. He swats him away and tries to wrench himself free. Gemini tightens the hold but Night grabs at the ropes.
Using the leverage of the ropes, he pulls himself out of the hold before charging off toward the turnbuckle, Gemini in hot pursuit.
NIGHTFALL! THE CORNER ASSISTED SOMERSAULT CUTTER!
MOONFOOT CHECKS ON GEMINI, BUT NIGHT PULLS HIM OUT OF THE WAY!
HE’S NOT DONE!
Leaving the ring to grab his bat once more, he returns with a gleam in his eye. Gemini is groggy and stirring, but Night slaps her around the cheek to wake her up. He looks her right in the eye as he stuffs the bat inside her mouth.
DEAD OF NIGHT!
BACKSTABBER WITH THE BAT IN HER MOUTH!
KILLING HER WITH FIRE!
MATT RUBY: He’s waited so long to do that. It’s pure, sweet vengeance.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We could count to a thousand and Night would win, but there’s no pinfalls here. Gemini has to be able to say the words.
MATT RUBY: She can’t even talk, she’s just spitting up blood.
It doesn’t even matter, as Night has no intention of letting her quit yet. As Gemini slips into unconsciousness inside the ring, he slips under the ring and comes back with a can of gasoline.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No… By Zeus! Stop him!
Night pours it over her. He has a lighter and is going to set her the fuck on fire… But out of desperation, she charges at him.
She hits him with wild shots, not even bothering to aim. Lefts and rights, anything and everything she can. A wild strike catches Night across the cheek and he staggers back.
SNAPSHOT! NO!
NIGHT JUST DRILLED GEMINI INTO THE MAT WITH ONE HELL OF A REVERSAL!
AND NOW HE’S GOT THAT FUCKING BAT AGAIN!
YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE! CRIPPLER CROSSFACE AGAIN WITH THE BAT!
GEMINI’S EYES BULGE WILDLY!
NIGHT IS DIALED IN. THERE’S NOWHERE FOR HER TO GO.
RIVER MOONFOOT CALLS ON HER, AND HER VOICE COMES OUT ALMOST AS A WHISPER…
“I quit.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini yields. She quits and The Night has finally got his justice. He stands victorious with his bat in the air.
The Dawn or the Darkness
The bell has barely stopped echoing when Gemini pushes herself up onto trembling knees. Sweat, blood, and tears streak her face. The Night stands across from her, chest heaving, black bat in hand, the entire arena holding its breath.
Gemini raises both hands, palms open—surrender.
“Night…” Her voice cracks. “I’m sorry.”
The crowd murmurs, unsure what to make of the sudden vulnerability.
“It wasn’t me,” she pleads, inching closer on her knees. “What happened in the Red Light District… the people who died… that wasn’t me. It was something else. Something that lived inside me. Something that doesn’t exist anymore.”
Night’s eyes narrow, jaw tight, but he doesn’t speak.
MATT RUBY: You said earlier that Klaus had gotten what he deserved, well, what about her?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can't excuse a thing she's done, Ruby. You're right, she deserves a similar fate if not worse.
Gemini swallows hard, choking back emotion.
“I know what I did. I know what it cost you. And I know you have every right to hate me.” She lowers her gaze. “But I’m not that person anymore. I’ve changed.”
She crawls closer, stopping at his boots. The crowd hushes to a heavy, suffocating silence.
“I’m begging you…” Gemini whispers. “If you have any forgiveness left in your heart… any at all…”
Her voice breaks.
“…please let me have it.”
She lowers into a full bow at his feet.
“It’s up to you.”
With shaking fingers, she rolls his black bat forward. It bumps gently against his boot.
Night looks down at her… then slowly bends and picks up the bat.
He turns it in his hands—its weight, its history, its darkness—and the entire arena feels the tension coil like a spring.
He steps forward.
Raises the bat.
MATT RUBY: DO IT! SMASH THAT BEAUTIFUL FACE IN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Think about it kid... just think about it.
High.
Higher.
Gemini doesn’t look away.
She closes her eyes.
Waiting for the end.
The crowd gasps as Night’s arms tense—
And then—
He freezes.
Breath shuddering, he lowers the bat.
“Gemini…” he says quietly, voice thick with grief and fury. “I can’t forgive you.”
Her face crumples, hope dying in her eyes.
“But…”
Night tosses the bat aside. It clatters across the canvas.
“…I can’t become you either.”
MATT RUBY: What a pussy! Is there no justice!?
He takes a step back, looking down at her—broken, trembling, crying.
“I’m choosing the dawn,” he says, the words soft but resolute. “Not the darkness.”
He turns and walks away, leaving Gemini sobbing in the center of the ring, her cries echoing into the rafters.
The camera lingers on her shattered silhouette—
Then fades to black.
Cut.
All Life Would Cease
STATIC.
Screens citywide glitch, crackle, then forcefully override every broadcast, every channel, every public-facing console in Arcadia. Even personal devices flicker helplessly.
A hollow, ancient voice cuts through the distortion:
“A battle between good and evil was coming. It was prophesied. A place called Earth was due to be destroyed by it. All life would cease.”
Silence.
Then the words repeat.
And repeat.
And repeat.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Folks, I'm being told there's rioting in the streets.
MATT RUBY: Should we get out of here?
Crowds gather across Arcadia—stunned, confused, terrified. For the first time in their lives they hear concepts like Earth, a word erased from Arcadian lexicon by design.
Mouths drop open. People cry. Others scream.
A dawning realization spreads like wildfire:
Arcadia had a purpose. Arcadia was not the beginning. Humanity—real humanity—existed beyond these walls.
And someone has been hiding that truth.
Location: House of Sovereigns – Exterior
Hundreds of citizens stampede toward the towering walls of the House of Sovereigns, faces warped with betrayal and fear. They pound on the massive doors, screaming:
“OPEN UP!”
“WE DESERVE ANSWERS!”
“ZEUS, COME OUT!”
Inside, Sovereign Guards rush to hold the barricades as the crowd grows more violent, desperate.
Ares storms into frame, barking orders.
“Hold the line! No one gets through!”
The guards hesitate—they’ve don't wish to draw blood on Arcadian citizens. They too feel like the citizens - betrayed, confused, shocked.
Ares doesn’t share that hesitation.
“You have your orders,” he growls. “Any who breach this threshold—cut them down.”
His men obey. Steel meets flesh. The screams echo. Bodies fall.
The House of Sovereigns is turning into a fortress… and a tomb.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I'm being told that Olympus has been locked and guarded. We're not going anywhere, Matt..
MATT RUBY: The show must go on?
Location: House of Sovereigns – Inner Chamber
Inside the sanctum, Zeus stands before a wall of screens replaying the tape again and again, each repetition cracking his mask of confidence.
His hands tremble.
His breath stutters.
He tries to steady himself, but suddenly—
Cough.
A wet, rasping choke.
Zeus pulls his hand away from his mouth and sees it drenched in blood.
His eyes widen. His legs buckle.
Another violent cough racks his body—more blood splattering onto the marble.
He grasps at a nearby column, but his strength fails him, collapsing forward to the floor.
As he falls, the tape continues its merciless repetition over the PA system outside.
“A place called Earth was due to be destroyed…”
“All life would cease…”
The chamber doors slam open and Ares bursts inside, panting from battle.
“Baron—!”
He races to Zeus’ side, dropping to his knees.
Zeus tries to speak, but blood fills his throat. He chokes, spasms, clutching desperately at Ares’ arm.
Ares’ expression—always stone, always cold—shatters.
“Stay with me,” he demands, voice breaking. “Zeus—stay with me!”
Zeus’ body convulses… then stills into trembling breaths.
Outside, the battle rages. Citizens scream. Guards shout. The prophecy tape continues to echo across the city.
The world is falling apart.
And its king is dying on the floor.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus...
MATT RUBY: Our Baron.. oh my God... our Baron!
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Up next, we have a Ladder Match of Lucha Legends with El Dragon Caido taking on El Mariachi Muerte. It’s El Mariachi Grande taking on the former Mariachi of Death.
MATT RUBY: This is going to be a Lucha Clinic BB. My Money’s on The Mariachi Supreme to take away his Double Feature Championship.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is everything gambling with you?
Cole Holt stands outside the ring signaling the timekeeper to start the match as he signals the timekeeper to start the match before he sits down and puts his feet up on a nearby table he’s set up.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Cole Holt just needs to put his feet up and watch all he needs to do is witness the winner.
And we’re off like a shot with EMM and El Veterano instantly entangling with each other in a Hockey Fight rights raining in from Muerte while lefts pour in from Draco both men going hell for leather to start this out. The Fallen Dragon nails a quick Knee to the Gut to create some separation. FIRE BREATH! CAIDO HITS THE DOUBLE HANDED CHOKE SLAM TAKING OUT EMM FOR THE MOMENT!
Draco rushes to the outside to slide a Ladder into the ring…
*PANG!*
EMM BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS THE FUCKING LADDER INTO THE FACE ON EL VETERANO! KNOCK THE FALLEN DRAGON FOR A LOOP OUTSIDE THE RING!
EMM pulls the ladder into the ring and sets it up under the Double Feature Championship quickly making the climb to the Championship…
EMM's moments away…
Within arms reach…
And…
Caido’s on the other side of the Ladder shaking it to causing Muerte to slip a couple of rungs and Draco begins his climb. EMM recovers and comes face to face with The Dragon. Both men start exchanging Rights and Lefts again Caido, catches the Championship swinging by its hook before driving it into the skull of Singing Death. Caido then slams the EMM’s head off the ladder before stepping up a rung...
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t like where this is going.
Caido pulls Cantando la Muerte’s head between his legs.
MATT RUBY: He can’t be thinking...
Caido launches himself over the top of El Mariachi Muerte... DANCE WITH DRAGONS – MEXICAN DESTROYER OFF THE TOP OF THE LADDER AND THROUGH COLE HOLT’S TABLE AT RINGSIDE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ZEUS H. THUNDERCLAP BOTH MEN MAY BE DEAD!
MATT RUBY: Is Cole okay?
Cole Holt stands in amazement as the crowd echoes...
“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”
Both men lay in a heap on the floor as medical personnel rush to check on the two men. Caido is the first to stir using the ring apron to pull himself up as the medics begin to put Muerte on a back board.
MATT RUBY: Well, it looks like EMM’s night is over here BB, he is just a man after all.
The Dragon rolls into the ring labored breathing as he watches the medical staff start to wheel Singing Death away. Caido smiles to himself at the damage he just caused as he turns and starts a limping journey up the ladder.
RUNG BY...
LIMPING RUNG...
CAIDO GROWS...
CLOSER...
AND CLOSER...
TO...
SPRINGBOARD LUNGBLOWER – THE LAST CARNIVALE! PULLS EL VETERANO OFF THE LADDER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Singing Death Lives Matt, did you bet on that?!
MATT RUBY: I was sure The Dragon broke El Mariachi’s frigging neck BB, where in Hades did he come from?!
The ladder tumbles over as both men make impact with the canvas as the crowd pops from the recovery of EMM. The two men lay there on the mat for moments as the crowd buzzes to see which of the two will get to their feet first.
Muerte starts to struggle rolling to the ropes and pulling himself up as Caido does the same, but EMM grabs Draco hitting an Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex – WHISKEY LULLABY! FOLLOWED BY THE DOUBLE FOOT STOMP – 48 – NO! CAIDO ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AND BACK TO HIS FEET BEFORE HITTING A SERIOUSLY STIFF LARIAT! TURNING EMM INSIDE OUT!
Caido grabs the ladder again, sets it back up, his breath labored, muscles evidently burning with exhaustion as he looks at Muerte laying out on the canvas as he starts to scale the ladder.
But Caido’s unaware that EMM has started to pull himself up the ladder from the canvas. Both men find themselves back at the top of the ladder once more exchanging Haymakers once more as the crowd begins to Boo and Cheer accordingly.
EMM Lands a blow.
“YAY!”
Cadio Hit a Punch.
“BOO!”
Singing Death hits a Straight Left.
“YAY!”
Draco lands a Short Snap Elbow.
“BOO!”
The Fallen Dragon hits a Huge Headbutt dazing EMM! The crowd goes apeshit with Booing Caido as Draco follows up looking to turn Singing Death into the Plummeting Mariachi as he starts to push EMM off the ladder, but Cantando la Muerte holds fast. EMM returns fire with an Uppercut Palm Strike dazing Caido. Singing Death steps up and sets up Draco barely balanced at the top of the ladder – FADE TO BLACK – PACKAGE FUCKING PILEDRIVER OFF THE TOP OF THE ZEUS DAMNED LADDER TO CANVAS!
Lucha Muerte struggles to his feet while El Dragon Caido lays motionless.
MUERTE BEGINS HIS JOURNEY TO THE TOP OF THE LADDER!
...
...
...
STRUGGLING TO PULL HIMSELF FROM RUNG TO RUNG!
...
...
...
PULLING HIMSELF UP FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP.
...
...
...
MUERTE REACHES FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
...
...
...
NEW CHAMPION?
...
...
...
AND MUERTE SECURES THE DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE COLAPSING TO THE CANVAS HIMSELF!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s done it! El Mariachi Muerte is going to be carried out of here as a Champion tonight! Both these men just put themselves through the most damnedable hell out here tonight.
MATT RUBY: I am surprised I still see these men drawing breath BB. They’ve beaten the living Hades out of each other. The lengths that they went to tonight was nothing short of grueling.
Banishment
El Mariachi Muerte stands tall, chest heaving, sweat dripping, victorious over El Dragón Caído. The crowd’s roar swells—
Then everything goes black.
A single guitar string plucks in the dark.
One note.
Two notes.
Three.
Lights surge back on—
And the ring is surrounded.
A full circle of masked mariachi. Dozens of them. Somber. Still. Instruments at their sides like ceremonial weapons. Their boots form a perfect boundary around Muerte and the fallen Caído.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is it... this is the end.
MATT RUBY: The Watchers have arrived and I don't think this is gonna end well for Caido.
At the head of the circle stands El Mariachi Viejo—the Old Mariachi—robes of deep crimson, face paint carved with ancient symbols of The Watchers. His mere presence vibrates like a ghost pulling itself out of legend.
He lifts a hand.
Instantly, every mariachi bows.
Muerte stiffens, unsure.
The Old Mariachi steps forward, his voice low, resonant, mythic.
“El Mariachi Muerte… Tonight, by combat, you have proven yourself. Tonight, our order bows before you.”
The circle of mariachi all lower their heads.
The Old Mariachi continues:
“From this moment… you are our king. The Watchers are yours to command.”
The crowd gasps. Even Muerte staggers.
He glances down at El Dragón Caído—wounded, defiant, staring up at him with hatred and shame.
The Old Mariachi gestures to Caído.
“But first… you must settle the debt of tradition. He lost by combat. He failed the order. He must be ended.”
Muerte tightens his fists. His face trembles with conflict.
“Finish him,” the Old Mariachi commands. “The Watchers demand it.”
Silence hangs heavy.
Muerte steps toward Caído… raises a hand… his fingertips curling into a killing strike—
Then stops.
“No.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Finally, some mercy.
MATT RUBY: Finally?! His girlfriend was given mercy earlier.
The word cuts through the entire tent like a blade.
Muerte stands tall, turning to the Old Mariachi.
“The Watchers will not operate like this anymore. That era is dead. I am king now—and I choose a different path.”
Caído looks up at him in disbelief.
The Old Mariachi’s eyes narrow behind his mask.
“What do you decree?” he asks.
Muerte points toward the arena entrance.
“He is banished. Forever. No mariachi will raise a hand to him again— and he will never raise one toward us.”
A murmur runs through the circle.
The Old Mariachi considers this… then nods slowly.
“So it is spoken. So it is done.”
The mariachi part like a curtain as Caído, defeated and disgraced, crawls to his feet and limps through the aisle they’ve made for him—exiled.
Muerte watches him go, eyes burning with a ruler’s resolve.
The Old Mariachi kneels.
“Long live the King of Mariachi.”
One by one, every mariachi drops to their knees around him.
Muerte stands in the center, no longer just a luchador— but a king amongst his people.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Folks, whilst things may have ended well for Caido, I know you're all extremely concerned. Please, stick with us. Don't go into the streets. Don't riot. Don't attempt to cause mayhem. Answers will come, I promise.
MATT RUBY: You don't know that, BB. If we weren't locked in, we'd not be here and you know it. You'd be with your wife and I'd be surrounded by hoes. If Arcadia is dying with Zeus, then I'm going out with broads on top.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Throughout the history of Olympus there have been a select few feuds that have embodied the very spirit of the Gods. El Mariachi/Death, Destructo/Doom, Tombstone/Felix Foley but above them all, the one that began at the very Clash of The Titans and has continued for over two years is Jackson Cade versus Jasper Redgrave.
MATT RUBY: We've seen blood, bodies, tears and every emotion under the sun from these two. From Last Man Standing and First Blood matches to brawls in Graveyards and Art Exhibitions, these two have hated one another from minute one and it may all end tonight BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: One final test for the would be ruler of the Pantheon, would be next King of Arcadia, put down the greatest evil in Arcadian history in the Artist. But no mere small task with Jasper Redgrave who has taken everything from Jackson Cade.
MATT RUBY: By my count he's killed his mentor, he's killed his brother and he's made him kill his mom not to mention the countless scars both mental and physical he's inflicted upon him. One way or another BB, one of them isn't leaving Red Snow and my money's on the Artist finally putting down Cade like the wounded dog he is.
The bell doesn't even get to ring before Jackson Cade screams a primal, agonising scream and rushes at the smirking Jasper Redgrave.
SPEAR....KNEE TO THE JAW!
GOOZLE
Jasper looks deep into Jackson's eyes for a moment, that sickening smile etched upon his face before popping him up into the air
SPLATTERED EXPRESSIONISM!
POP
UP
CHOKESLAM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Shades of the Spartan Cup Semi-Finals, the first night Jasper Redgrave became king at the expense of Cade.
Jasper rolls down, hooking the leg as Mills Stanton drops down to cover
ONE
...............
TWO
................
....................
......................
THREE!!!
Jasper Redgrave: 1 Jackson Cade: 0
MATT RUBY: Redgrave allready one up, I told ya BB. Tonight's the last night of this false leaders life.
Redgrave pulls Cade up, looking for yet another fall but as he tries to underhook the limp body of Cade, Jackson proves he was only playing possum
WITH AN UPPERCUT TO THE BALLS
BEFORE ROLLING REDGRAVE UP INTO A SMALL PACKAGE
Redgrave struggles as Mills drops down to count
ONE
.............
...................
TWO
...............
...................
.....................
THREE!!!
Jasper Redgrave: 1 Jackson Cade: 1
Redgrave pops out of the pinfall just after three, struggling to his feet right into a hard headbutt that rocks him backwards. Cade rolling back before leaping forward
HOSTILE....REDGRAVE BAILS OUT OF THE RING!
Cade looks pissed as Redgrave just urges him to come out and play
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Bad move there, Redgrave knows exactly how to get under the skin of Jackson Cade and Jackson should know that by now.
Cade fakes rolling out as Redgrave tries to pull him out but gets a baseball slide to the face for his troubles, sending him backwards into the barricade. Perseus backs up, sizing Redgrave up for a moment before sprinting forward
SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES SPEARING JASPER INTO THE BARRICADE!
Jasper's skull impacts into the steel with a thud as Cade stays down, pounding down with heavy lefts and rights onto the fallen Redgrave who manages to get a thumb to the eye to escape and stagger to his feet.
Cade is quickly on him though, grabbing him by the back of the head and throwing him into the steps. Jasper lands hard into the steel, falling back down on his ass as Cade backs up, looking for a killer blow here.
JACKSON RUSHES FORWARD
DROP
TOE
HOLD
Jasper suckered Cade in, dropping him head first onto the steel steps, Cade's skull impacting hard into the sharp metal but he's barely able to register the blow
Before his skull is driven into the steel again by a massive running knee from Jasper
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sickening blows here from the Artist, this may well be all Redgrave here if Cade can't fight back.
Cade is bleeding slightly from his forehead as he's lifted up roughly before tossed back inside the ring. Redgrave slowly getting up onto the apron
BUT HE CAN'T GET INSIDE BEFORE HE'S DROPKICKED BACK DOWN ONTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
Redgrave gets up annoyed as he slides back into the ring but a running clothesline sends him back inside.
Jasper keeps trying to get inside but another clothesline, a hip toss, even a big right hand send him back out time and time again.
MATT RUBY: Cade all over Redgrave here and the Artist is looking pissy right now. I'd be worried if I was Cade.
Jasper reaches under the apron, clearly looking for something but Jackson isn't waiting, rolling out of the ring as he goes to grab Redgrave out from underneath.
STEEL CHAIR TO THE FACE!
Cade pulls Redgrave out right into that brutal chair shot to the dome. Cade goes down hard, as Redgrave gets to his feet, lifting up the chair and begins to go absolutely ham on Perseus.
WHAM
WHAM
WHAM
WHAM
WHAM
WHAM
Redgrave damn near dents the chair on Cade's body as Mills begins to count down Jasper, warning him for the weapon usage but Redgrave doesn't care.
He throws the chair into the ring, before pulling out something else from underneath.
A Singapore Cane.
Mills threatens Redgrave, telling him he'll be DQ'd if he doesn't drop the cane but Redgrave just smiles, sizing up the bloodied, somehow still concious Cade
BEFORE BREAKING IT OVER JACKSON'S SKULL!
As Mills calls for the bell.
Jasper Redgrave: 1 Jackson Cade: 2
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A very rare DQ for Olympus but Mills had no choice, this isn't anything goes here and the Artist is now down 1-2.
MATT RUBY: Look at Cade though, dude's a mess and we've still got 20 minutes here. He's a lamb for the Artist slaughter here and I love it BB.
Jasper drops the remains of the cane before picking up the bloodied and battered Cade and tossing him back into the ring. Cade stumbles on his knees, a damn near river of blood oozing down his forehead now.
Jasper sliding in, Cade trying to fight with a few right hands but a stiff headbutt knocks all the fight out of Perseus before Jasper holds him up by the back of his head, locking in that Full Nelson
THE BRUSH STROKE!
FORWARD RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!
That has to be it as Redgrave places a single foot on Cade's chest, Mills sliding down to count
ONE
.............
..................
TWO
................
..................
THREE!!!
Jasper Redgrave: 2 Jackson Cade: 2
Redgrave barely lets Mills hit the mat a third time before he lifts Cade up again, positioning him over the steel chair before locking in the Full Nelson again
THE BRUSH STROKE! ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR!
Mills warns Jasper again but Redgrave just drops down, hooking the leg and telling Stanton to count. Mills reluctantly drops down, counting the
ONE
..............
TWO
.............
......................
THREE!!
Jasper Redgrave: 3 Jackson Cade: 2
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And just like that, Jasper Redgrave has taken the lead once more.
Redgrave smiles that vicious smile, pulling Cade up to his feet as Jackson is limp in his arms. He lifts him up high in a crucifix before rushing forward and tossing Cade forward
VANISHING POINT!
CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Cade screams out in pain, staggering forward before he's lifted up into a cradle position
SPIKE CRADLE PILEDRIVER
Cade is planted into the mat, a blood stain impacted onto the canvas before Jasper rolls Cade over once more, hooking the leg for the
ONE
...............
TWO
...................
.................
THREE!!
Jasper Redgrave: 4 Jackson Cade: 2
Jasper laughs heavily to himself, slowly rising as he watches Cade stir on the mat. Perseus slowly rises, blood pooling down his face and chest as he weakly swings at Redgrave. Jasper easily dodges, urging Cade on to hit him again as Cade swings wild
AND JASPER GRABS HIM IN A HEADLOCK
Redgrave turns him down, planting him on the mat chest first as he pulls back with all his strength, locking in a variant of the sleeper. Cade tries to fight but the blood and the pain is too much as he slowly passes out.
Mills grabs his hand, lifting it up high
IT DROPS
Mills grabs his hand a second time
IT DROPS AGAIN
Stanton grabs his hand a third and final time
AS IT ONCE AGAIN DROPS AND MILLS SIGNALS FOR THE BELL
Jasper Redgrave: 5 Jackson Cade: 2
MATT RUBY: Absolute annihilation BB, I told you. Jasper Redgrave is toying with Cade right now because he can.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Everytime Jasper does this to Cade, he loses. Jackson's come back from worse but with around 10 minutes left, can Jackson come back with even 3 falls, let alone four?
Jasper drops Cade, Jackson a barely concious limp body on the mat. Jasper drops down, lifting Cade into a seated position. He sits behind him, grabbing his hand in a mocking wave to the crowd before pulling something out of his tights.
His infamous knife.
MATT RUBY: Wait...he knows this isn't a death match right?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't think Jasper cares about the match anymore Ruby, he just wants to finish this once and for all. Someone needs to come out here and stop him.
MATT RUBY: Are you going to get in the ring with that psychopath?
Jasper smiles with sadistic glee as he begins carving into Jackson's flesh. Cade's piercing scream echoing out into the arena as blood flows even heavier down his forehead.
Mills goes to call for the bell again but Jasper quickly gets up, tossing Stanton into the corner hard with one hand, rocking the official.
Redgrave then slowly walks over to the crawling Cade, Jackson desperately trying to get to his feet but a foot on his back stops him. Jasper pulls him up to his knees, no fight left in Cade as he hangs limp.
The blade at his throat, that sinister spine tingling grin etched upon Jasper's face kneeled behind Cade as he whispers one final line.
'Goodbye Little Eagle'
CADE SLAMS HIS HEAD BACK INTO JASPER'S
The knife slightly cuts into his throat but the blow causes Jasper to drop it, as he staggers back onto his feet. Furious, he staggers back over
DROP
TOE
MOTHER
FUCKING
HOLD
Jasper's throat snaps over the bottom rope, stumbling up choking
INTO THE BREACH AND CLEAR!
SLINGBLADE!
MATT RUBY: What the hell? Where is Cade getting this?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade has more heart then any man in Arcadia, you think he's down, he asks for round two. Jasper Redgrave of all people should know that.
Jasper staggers up into a flurry of lefts and rights before he's lifted up high
MASTER...NO! Redgrave lands on his feet, pushing Cade back
SUPERKICK!
Cade stumbles into the ropes as Redgrave spins around
BUT CADE DUCKS THE ELBOW!
He rolls back, rushing forward as Jasper turns around
HOSTILE DOWN!
Leaping Superkick rocks Jasper right on the chin, the Artist crashing to the mat as Cade hooking the leg. Mills shaking off the attack as he quickly drops down
ONE
............
TWO
..........
THREE
Jasper Redgrave: 5 Jackson Cade: 3
MATT RUBY: That referee just fucked on him. I told you Mills was a crooked official.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You really going to tell me Redgrave didn't deserve that call?
Redgrave staggers to his feet into a kick to the gut as he's lifted up high and spun around
MASTER KEY! SPINNING SPIKE BRAINNBBBUUSSSTTTERRR!
Jackson wastes no time, wiping the blood from his eyes as he sprints to the ropes, leaping up high before diving off
SCREEAAMMMING EEAGGGGLLLLEE!
Diving Elbow Drop hits the blackened spot where Jasper's heart should be as Jackson hooks the leg once again, Mills dropping down for the count
ONE
..............
TWO
..............
.................
THREEE!!!
Jasper Redgrave: 5 Jackson Cade: 4
The moment the third slap hits the mat, Jackson flips Jasper around, hooking his arms as he flips backwards
LOCKING IN SOME POLICE BRUTALITY!
Jasper screams in agony but the Rings of Saturn are locked in tight, Jackson pulling back with everything he has as The Artist is forced to tap out
Jasper Redgrave: 5 Jackson Cade: 5
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And with that, we are all tied up. Five minutes remain and who will end this brutal rivalry the final victor?
Jasper struggles to his feet, nailing Cade with a hard elbow but Jackson responds with an Incendiary infused one of his own that drops him to the mat. Jackson stumbles on his feet, the blood loss finally getting to him but he shakes it off as he slowly climbs up to the top, looking to fly again
As Redgrave kips to his feet and spins around,
LARIATING THE WOULD BE RULER RIGHT OUT OF THE FUCKING SKY!
SANGUINNNNNE ABSURDDISMMMMM!!!!
Jackson nearly gets decapitated by the sheer force of that Lariat as Jasper pulls him to his feet
KICK
WHAM
SYMPHONY
OF
BACKDROP!
Jackson just avoids the Pedigree, rocking Jasper with another elbow as he rolls backwards before leaping up high
RUNNING KNEE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Jasper collapses to the mat but Cade isn't done, grabbing both hands as he roars out a primal scream
AND BEGINS TO STOMP THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF REDGRAVE
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Shades of his fallen brother there, Cade is looking to forcibly enter his name into the history books with one last pinfall.
Jackson lands one final stomp, the crowd on their feet as they begin to chant his name. Jackson wipes the blood from his eyes, trying to pull Redgrave up but Jasper manages to slip out, delivering a thumb to the eye that blinds Perseus for a moment. Jasper stepping back before rushing forward at the blinded Jackson
WITH A FIELD GOAL LOW BLOW!
Jackson doubles over as he's Full Nelson'd once again
THE
BRUSH
STROKE
MATT RUBY: That has to be it, done and dusted. Jasper Redgrave wins again.
But Redgrave doesn't cover.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh what sick idea does this bastard have now?
Jasper just looks at the top turnbuckle and smiles with pure malevolence.
He pulls the groggy, barely concious Jackson to his feet and Biel tosses him into the corner. Jackson slowly stands up right into an corner splash before he's lifted up top. Jasper slowly rising with him as with one hard headbutt, he rocks Cade and hooks the arms
ILLUSION
OF
DICK KICK
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Paybacks a bitch Redgrave.
Jackson nails Jasper with a low blow of his own at the very last second, Jasper dropping his hold on Jackson as Cade quickly takes advantage, lifting Jasper up and leaping off the top
SUPER POWERBOMB!
The ring shakes with the sheer force as both men look down and out. Cade slowly pulling himself by the ropes first as he stares at a slowly rising Jasper, on his knees.
He wipes the blood from his eyes.
He screams out an agonising scream to the very heavens above.
And he sprints forward
50 CALIBRE! RUNNING PUNT KICK DAMN NEAR EXPLODES JASPERS FACE FROM IMPACT
AS JACKSON CADE
KILLS
HIM
WITH
FIRE!
The adrenaline fades as Cade collapses onto Jasper, Mills sliding in to count
ONE
..............
....................
TWO
.................
.....................
......................
THREE!!!
The bell sounds just after the final mat slap, the thirty minutes finally up.
Final Score: Jasper Redgrave: 5 Jackson Cade: 6
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade has done it, beating his greatest rival and most hated enemy in empathic fashion tonight. But something tells me this may have been the final battle but the war is not yet over.
Jasper Redgrave
Jasper Redgrave lies sprawled across the canvas, bloodied, beat, barely breathing. Jackson Cade stands over him—calm, cold, resolute.
The crowd simmers with unease.
Jackson crouches down beside Jasper, voice low and firm.
“Men like you can’t be rehabilitated. They can’t be imprisoned. Can’t be controlled. Can’t be exiled.” He shakes his head. “You can’t exist. And my father’s greatest mistake was letting monsters like you linger.”
Redgrave lets out a ragged laugh, spitting blood onto the mat.
“You think this makes you righteous?” he sneers. “You’re pathetic. Weak. A coward in a hero’s costume.” He glares up through the crimson. “You could’ve ended me years ago. But you shot me in the shoulder. You're incapable of doing what needs to be done. You let me live because subconciously you couldn't do it. You couldn't kill me, little eagle. I've killed your mentor, your brother and your mother... and yet here I am...”
Jackson’s eyes harden—no hesitation. No tremor. No fear.
A small smirk curls on his lips.
“I’m not incapable anymore.”
He stands.
Reaches to his hip.
Pulls his sidearm with crisp military precision.
Redgrave’s grin falters—but only for an instant.
Jackson fires.
BANG.
BANG.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: My God...
MATT RUBY: That's the actions of a Baron, Bronco. That's the action of a man ready to lead in his fathers stead.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don't get carried away with yourself, Ruby. Jackson has been tortured by this animal; he's just giving him what he deserves. The levy has finally broken.
Three in the chest. Two in the skull.
Jasper Redgrave’s head snaps back, body twitching once before going still—utterly, undeniably dead.
The arena erupts into stunned silence.
Up on the stage, George Cade watches. Shocked. Shaken. And then—slowly—he nods.
Jackson nods back.
A silent understanding, a cold acceptance passes between them.
Then Jackson holsters his weapon, steps out of the ring, and walks past his father without a word—leaving Jasper’s ruined corpse behind.
The camera lingers on Redgrave’s body—
Static slashes across the feed.
Location: Gates of the Underworld
The static dissipates.
We’re no longer in the arena.
We’re in the Underworld—black stone cliffs, rivers of fire, towering jagged gates that stretch into eternity.
Jasper Redgrave stands at the threshold, whole again but pale, empty-eyed, smoking faintly from the bullet wounds that took his life moments ago.
Beside him stands Tombstone, arms folded, looming like a monument carved out of death itself.
He studies Jasper with hollow intensity.
“You lied to me,” Tombstone rumbles.
Jasper’s lips curl into that same chilling smile—one that never quite reached his eyes in life, and reaches them even less now.
“The greatest trick the devil ever played,” he says softly, “was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”
Tombstone steps closer, the Gates of Hell groaning behind him.
“Why?” he demands. “Why hide? Why this game?”
Redgrave turns his gaze toward the burning horizon, eyes reflecting the fire like mirrors.
“Because,” he whispers, grin widening, “all monsters wear masks, Ferryman…”
He slowly turns back to Tombstone—
“…and mine was the prettiest of all.”
Jasper Redgrave grins...
Lucifer has come home.
Open
The feed hijacks the world.
Static.
A flicker.
And then—
A man stands in a pitch-black room, illuminated only by a pale, trembling spotlight. His eyes are sunken. His voice is calm. Too calm.
His name appears in text beneath him:
ALVIN BROWN — ARCADIA PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, 1960
He speaks directly into the camera.
“In 1960… we built the impossible.”
His voice cracks with age, but every word lands like a hammer.
“Scientists constructed an unfathomable glass structure beneath the uninhabited Greek island of Nimos. We placed five hundred people inside. Some volunteered. Others… were prisoners, taken without consent.”
Images flash behind him—blueprints, cranes over ocean water, prisoners in shackles, the humming of massive generators.
“We told them to make a life there. And we told them they would never leave.”
He leans closer.
“Arcadia was an experiment. A controlled society. A world raised in a petri dish—life created, shaped, and observed within glass.”
A beat.
Then the confession:
“My name was Alvin Brown. I designed Arcadia. I built it to contain the final battle between Good and Evil.”
The arena falls silent.
“My son gave his life to protect the world above. When he fell… the great battle ended. Evil was vanquished. Earth was safe.”
A long, pained breath.
“Arcadia was no longer needed.”
Another beat.
“So I abandoned you.”
The ground quakes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I feel sick...
MATT RUBY: I could throw up. What the fuck, Bronco? What the fuck are we!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I wish I knew. An experiment? A lie!? All the above?
The arena lights flicker violently as the buried Door — the Door the war began over — hums.
Stone cracks. Dust erupts.
The people of Arcadia gasp — some scream — others collapse in disbelief.
The recording continues:
“The world above is called Earth. Arcadia exists inside an island in Greece named Nimos.”
His eyes soften—almost pitying.
“Everything you thought you knew… was a lie.”
Cut to: House of Sovereigns
The walls tremble as the broadcast penetrates every secured channel.
Zeus lies dying in Ares’ arms, blood on his lips, his breath shallow.
He heard every word.
His voice escapes in a broken rasp.
“Ares…”
Ares leans close.
“…make sure the door remains closed…”
Gasp.
“…at all costs…”
His body shudders. His eyes glaze. The great Baron of Arcadia — its god, its tyrant, its myth — goes still.
Dead.
Ares’ face twists with grief, rage, purpose.
He gently lowers Zeus to the floor, brushes a hand across his mentor’s brow…
Then rises.
Silent.
Focused.
Unstoppable.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And now the only man stopping us from being exposed to the animals that created us has perished. Zeus, folks, has passed away. We have to continue on.. we must.
He storms out of the house of Sovereigns, anger and vengeance in his heart.
Cut.
Changes
Ringside.
The crowd buzzes with confusion as the fog finally clears. Bodies shift. Groans echo. And slowly—
Felix Foley
Destructo
—both begin to stir.
They’re lying in the ring, side by side, blinking awake like men dragged back from the dead. They sit up, dazed, panicked, checking their bodies for wounds, for burns, for any sign of what happened when Doom knocked them out.
They find nothing.
Just disorientation.
Just fear.
Just the roaring confusion of the crowd.
Then the arena lights drop to blood red.
And the violin shriek of NOX hits.
He emerges from the curtain exactly as he has always been—same sick grin, same serpentine swagger, same glint of malevolent delight in his eyes.
He hasn’t changed.
At all.
He walks to the ring slowly, taunting the crowd with every step until he finally slips inside, microphone in hand.
He stands over Foley and Destructo like a lecturer addressing failed students.
“You two look disappointed.” His grin widens. “You expected a miracle.”
Foley gets to his feet, fists clenched, furious.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That son of a...
MATT RUBY: HE'S THE REASON ZEUS IS DEAD!!
Destructo rises beside him, chest heaving, still piecing together the last thing he remembers before unconsciousness.
Nox continues.
“The Pool changes evil to good… or good to evil.” He taps his chest. “But what happens if there’s only one direction to go?”
He leans forward, eyes burning with cruelty.
“Nothing happens.”
He spreads his arms wide.
“Because you can’t reverse evil… when there’s never been anything else inside you.”
A hush drops.
Foley steps forward, snarling.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: TAKE HIM DOWN FOLEY!
MATT RUBY: DO IT! HE KILLED ZEUS!
Destructo shakes, fists trembling.
“Where is Doom?” Foley screams.
“Yeah,” Destructo echoes, voice low and dangerous, “Where the hell is he?”
Nox chuckles, pacing.
“When I woke up… he wasn’t there.” A shrug. “Maybe the Pool finished him. Maybe he drowned. Maybe he… ascended.”
He leans in close.
“Or maybe he finally embraced what he always was.”
The crowd murmurs—angry, confused, scared.
And then—
A metallic thud echoes through the arena.
Foley and Destructo turn toward the stage.
A spotlight snaps on.
A figure stands there.
Broad.
Alive.
Stubbins Doom.
But not the Doom they knew.
He no longer wears his armour or mask.
His posture is upright—regal—like a soldier reborn.
And in his hand, draped casually?
The OSW World Championship.
He raises it high as the crowd EXPLODES.
No gas.
No madness.
No corruption.
Just Stubbins Doom.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DOOM THE MONSTER HAS GONE! STUBBINS IS BACK! STUBBINS IS BACK!
MATT RUBY: GET THAT SON OF A BITCH, DOOM!
Changed.
Purified.
Reforged.
He steps forward, gaze locked on Nox, then Foley, then Destructo.
The monster is gone.
What stands now…
Is the Scientist, Stubbins Doom.
Demi Sky immediately calls for the bell as Destructo and Felix rush to the Scientist's aid; attacking the Chemist from behind. The numbers game proves to be too much for Nox as he gets pulled away from Doom, who takes a moment to recover from the sudden attack.
Foley locks Nox in a full nelson as Destructo proceeds to rain down fists to the Chemist's abdomen. One shot to the kidney in particular winds him as James bounces off the ropes to make the Vapor SEE NO EVIL!
MATT RUBY: Nox slips out of the full nelson! That stupid twerp just kneed Foley in the face!
Doom's son goes to check on Felix, but he gets clubbed in the back by The Mind. Destructo winces in pain before being hoisted up for a backbreaker.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SCHRODINGER'S SPINE! He likes to do up to ten of these, but will he be able to hit them all with the wrath of the Doom family focused on him?
The backbreaker connects flush as he keeps a hold of James and nails a second!
And a third!
Before he can nail a fourth, Stubbins nails the Chemist in the head with HOVER NO BOTHER! The kick makes Mr. Gas drop the former Anti-Hero, who rolls towards a corner while holding his back.
Meanwhile, the Scientist nails his enemy with a few massive elbows to the skull that rock him before he bounces off the ropes, looking for his spear.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE SPLITTER! No! The Chemist hit him with a drop toe hold at the last second!
MATT RUBY: My champion to be Nox is going for the OXYGEN DEPRIVATION CHAMBER, BB!
Just before the Steiner Recliner can be locked in, however, Foley manages to get back to his feet and shows the Chemist that THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'! Big boot to the back of the head knocks the Vapor off of Stubbins, allowing Felix to get some stomps in.
Mr. Gas does his best to cover his head and neck, but the Puppet Master is stomping away at a rapid pace. Felix proceeds to lift a woozy Nox up to his feet before hoisting him up for THE FALL GUY! The fallaway slam sends the Chemist all the way towards an opposite corner, where Friendly Foley goes to set him up for a tree of woe.
However, as he's about to run at the Chemist for the dropkick, he doesn't realize that the Mind has him right where he wants him.
MATT RUBY: POISON MISTER! Nox just sprayed some sort of red toxin all over Felix's face!
Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy attempts to clear his eyes from the mist that the chemist sprayed in his face, but stops suddenly just a few seconds later.
The Puppet Master lowers his arms and turns to face his former best friend. His face is red both figuratively and literally.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What in tarnation did that Chemist spray on Felix!? He looks more crazed than a rabid badger!
Destructo watches as Foley ominously walks towards his father, not one good intention crossing his mind. Thinking quick, James gets in front of Friendly Felix and unleashes ALL HIS RAGE on him!
Lightning fast palm strikes and leg kicks shake up the enraged Foley and take his attention off of Doom for a minute, allowing him to get back to a vertical base. Destructo then nails a backflip kick that rocks Felix before the Boy Wonder runs off the ropes for another SEE NO EVIL...
...Which Funhouse Foley catches.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh no! Foley's going to make him BUMP HIS HEAD!
MATT RUBY: Hopefully that bump on the noggin is all it will take to take him out of the running!
As Felix sets James up for the Death Valley Driver, the Scientist runs at the red in the face Foley with THE SPLITTER! The Gore knocks him out of his boots while consequentially dropping Destructo in a Samoan Drop!
During this time, Nox managed to free himself from the tree of woe and moves toward a rising Doom from behind. As Stubbins gets back to his feet, the Chemist locks in a full nelson before drilling him on his neck with a PARALYTIC PLEX! He bridges for the cover!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!!
...
...
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Not like this!
...
...
KICKOUT AT TWO AND A HALF!
Nox doesn't stop there, however, as he quickly turns his former colleague around while holding onto the full nelson! The Chemist goes for the NOX OUT, but Doom nails him with a counter jawbreaker that forces him to let go.
Mr. Gas stumbles backwards and into the waiting arms of Destructo, who drills his foe with the NO JUSTICE Omega Driver! Nox looks out cold as James goes for the pin!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!!
...
FOLEY PULLS HIM OFF!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gosh darn it! I hoped that Splitter would've knocked some sense into Felix after Nox sprayed that mist onto him!
MATT RUBY: The Chemist's concoctions are too powerful to simply be snapped out of like that, BB! It'll take a lot more than a one move to turn Freaky Felix back to his usual, dopey self!
Foley drags Destructo far from the downed Nox before tossing him like a ragdoll toward one of the corners. Once he's there, he proceeds to take James to FELIX FOLEY'S CORNER with mudhole stomps!
Boot after boot rain down onto James's chest and head. The stomps seem to knock him for a loop Felix proceeds to pull the dazed son of Doom up to his feet. He looks to CUT THE STRINGS, but the drones Doom sent away earlier come back with a vengeance!
MATT RUBY: No! Doom's sent a MAD MONOLOGUE after Foley! The ref needs to get in there and take those drones down before they start causing problems for the match!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD; I reckon Nox's poison gas did that well enough, Ruby. Didn't see you complaining when that got introduced, though.
The drones begin to fire small rockets at Foley, keeping him distracted as Doom turns his gaze back to Nox. The Mind's in the process of getting back up from a kneeling position. Stubbins wastes no time and charges after his foe with THE SCRAMBLER!
However, Nox manages to catch the leg. He keeps it hooked as he sets up his rival scientist for the CHEMICAL REACTION! The fisherman's brainbuster sees Doom dropped onto his already sore neck!
Destructo charges after the Vapor after the brainbuster was hit, but Nox manages to duck a clothesline as James bounces off the ropes...
MODIFIED GET OVER HERE! A clothesline of Nox's own sends Destructo flipping head over heels!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I hate to say it, but Nox is making one hell of a comeback right now after being disadvantaged so early on.
MATT RUBY: Never count out the smartest man in Arcadia, BB! He has a plan for everything, and it shows here tonight!
The Chemist isn't done with Destructo. He grabs James and sets him up for the OXYGEN DEPREVATION CHAMBER! Just before he secures the hold in place, however, Nox reaches into his suit and pulls out a gas cannister.
He places the nozzle into Destructo's mouth before attempting to make him a TEST SUBJECT! Before any gas can spray, however, Doom tiredly rushes in and knocks the cannister out of the Chemist's hands, which slides towards an enraged Foley.
Felix grabs the cannister and tosses one of them at the drones, hitting one of them and knocking a propeller off of the drone. It goes careening into the other and knocks it out of the air along with it!
MATT RUBY: Well that's one way to deal with Doom's drones, I suppose.
As the drones hit the ringside floor, Felix turns his attention towards the exhausted trio and begins marching towards them. Funhouse Foley, still under the effects of Nox's gas, marches towards Stubbins while raising his arm in the air. The Scientist gets back to his feet before he finds himself trapped in THE PUPPETSHOW!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The mandible claw is locked in! The son of Doom and the Chemist are down and there's nowhere for Stubbins to go!
MATT RUBY: I told you that Doom taking off his mask was a big mistake, BB! He made a choice, and now he's facing the consequences for it!
Stubbins struggles for what feels like an eternity as he flails his arms in a panic. Doom tries to pry Felix's hand out of his mouth, but Foley's got an iron grip!
Destructo sees what's happening and grabs Felix in an attempted half nelson! Felix's grip is still too strong, despite having two men fight to free his hand out of one of their mouths!
Low blow kick by Doom! Felix lets go of the hold as Destructo is able to complete the half nelson and dump Foley on his head for a half nelson suplex!
And a second!
James looks to complete HOPE'S ASHES with the Omega Driver, but Nox holds onto Friendly Felix's foot, preventing the move from completing. Foley uses the assist to slip out of the Omega Driver attempt and underhook both of Destructo's arms before dropping him on his head with the CUT THE STRINGS DDT!
Felix and Nox turn their attention towards Doom, who rolls out a handful of explosives at everyone's feet. Funhouse Foley and the Chemist try to bail the ring, but Doom nails them both with another SPLITTER, knocking them down before they have a chance to leave the ring!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hit the dirt!
MATT RUBY: You don't have to tell me twice!
Bronco, Matt, and Demi duck for cover as MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION occurs, sending everyone flying high and back down to the ring with a massive thud!
Stubbins has been sent out of the ring.
Felix as well, but on the opposite side of the ring.
Destructo and Nox are still in the ring, with the Son of Doom having a hand draped over his sworn enemy!
DEMI SLIDES BACK IN AND COUNTS IT!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!!
...
...
THREE!!!
The bell sounds, signaling the end of the match!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE DID IT! BY GOD HE DID IT! JAMES FAITH JACKSON... DESTRUCTO... IS OUR NEW WORLD CHAMPION!
Second Chances
The bell has barely stopped ringing when Stubbins Doom, changed and calmer than he’s ever been, steps toward Destructo - who looks at his world title in disbelief. The crowd watches in a tense hush as Doom reveals a softness in his eyes that’s almost unfamiliar.
He extends a hand.
“James… I know I failed you. I know I hurt you. But if there’s even the smallest chance—just the faintest chance—that we could be family… I’d take it.”
Destructo stands still.
Breathing heavy.
Conflicted.
Broken in a thousand directions.
He opens his mouth—ready to answer—
When a blade bursts through Doom’s ribs.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO! NO WAY! THAT BASTARD!!!
MATT RUBY: GOD DAMNIT!
A single, wet strike.
The arena GASPS.
Doom’s body arches, his eyes wide with shock.
Behind him stands Nox, expression blank, hand twisted around the hilt of a long, curved knife driven deep into Doom’s side.
Blood runs down the blade.
Nox whispers, calm and cold:
“There can be no redemption.”
He rips the blade out.
Doom collapses.
Foley rushes in instantly, sliding across the canvas, grabbing Doom before he hits the ground. His hands shake as he pulls Doom into his lap, cradling him like a brother, like a child, like every bond the two ever broke and rebuilt.
“Stay with me, Stubbs—please—stay with me,” Foley begs, voice cracking.
Doom coughs, blood staining his teeth. He puts a trembling hand against Foley’s chest.
“I tried,” he whispers.
A breath.
A shudder.
“Tell… him… I tried.”
His eyes fade.
His hand slips.
And Stubbins Doom dies in Felix Foley’s arms.
A scream tears from Foley’s throat—a raw, guttural sound born of grief and rage.
Destructo turns, eyes burning, and tackles Nox to the mat. He pounds him with fists fueled by every betrayal, every lie, every death—but he stops short of the killing blow.
He raises the knife Nox dropped.
He holds it over his head.
But he can’t do it.
He throws it away.
“Neither of my fathers would’ve wanted that,” he growls, shaking with fury.
Then—
A thunderous crack of boots on steel.
The crowd parts as Ares storms down the ramp with soldiers behind him.
Burning with wrath.
MATT RUBY: YES! YES! GET HIM ARES!
He enters the ring. Nox tries to crawl away, but Ares grabs him by the throat and drags him upright.
He snarls at him, tossing him to his fellow soldiers.
“Take him to the Killing Floor,” Ares orders, voice gravelled and merciless.
His men nod, tightening their grip.
Nox screams as he’s dragged away.
Foley still kneels with Doom’s body.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Justice may have been served to Nox, but poor Destructo... his fathers... his whole world was burned to the ground by Nox.
MATT RUBY: And now Nox will get his just desserts. It ain't a perfect Arcadia, but...
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hang on, I'm told Ares is on his way to the door... Olympus is open. Look at them go, they're pouring out of here.
MATT RUBY: Let's go!
Destructo watches everything with hollow eyes, watching as the arena empties before him, with the commentary team likewise making their hasty exit. With a look at the title, he decides to follow.
Cut.
The End
Ares storms through the shattered streets with a full cadre of Sovereign soldiers behind him. Their boots thunder across broken concrete. Any citizen who steps in their path is cut down without hesitation. The air burns with smoke and panic.
They arrive at the Door—the massive steel structure now humming.
And standing directly in front of it, blocking the entrance, is the OSW roster, battered and exhausted from the war.
At their head—
Jackson Cade.
The two sides lock eyes.
Ares steps forward, fury radiating off him.
"Step away from the door," he growls. "Now."
Jackson doesn’t move.
"Not until I see my father," he fires back.
A long beat of silence.
Ares’ jaw tightens.
"Zeus has passed."
Gasps ripple through the roster.
Jackson… flinches, just for a moment. Then his face hardens.
Ares continues.
"He believed you would be the one to finish this. To be the Baron Arcadia needs. To ensure that door stays closed and save Arcadia."
Crunch!
The door suddenly begins to open - a crack of daylight appearing.
Jackson steps forward, staring into the light breaking through the cracked door. The air on the other side feels different—real, warm, alive.
He takes one breath.
Then another.
And turns around.
"Close it."
Ares nods. His soldiers advance.
The OSW roster refuses to yield.
Ares’ soldiers charge.
Captain Arcadia is the first to meet them, tackling a soldier to the ground. Another drives a blade into his side. He screams and keeps fighting.
Gemini leaps onto a soldier’s back, stabbing him with his own knife, only for a second soldier to club her from behind.
Destructo arrives and throws bodies aside in a frenzy, roaring, until three soldiers spear him together and drag him down.
Harold Attano grabs a piece of rebar and swings wildly, cracking skulls, until a rifle butt smashes across his jaw and sends him sprawling.
Foley tries to shield Muerte, only to be hit in the back of the head with a rifle and sent crashing to the dirt.
Bodies fall one by one…
Through the chaos, George Cade crawls toward his son, screaming through blood and dust.
"Jackson! Please—listen to me! You don’t have to do this!"
Jackson turns to face him. Calm. Cold.
"You're not my father."
George staggers to his feet, trembling.
"Jackson… whatever Zeus told you—whatever lies—"
"My birthright is Arcadia. Not your house. Not your version of the truth. This is our home, and my birthright."
George takes one last step toward him.
"Jackson, please—son—"
A gunshot rings out.
George Cade collapses, lifeless.
The OSW roster collectively cries out in horror.
Gemini reaches for him, screaming. Destructo roars. Foley tries to drag himself upright. The Night watches in frozen silence.
Jackson holsters the gun without flinching.
Ares’ soldiers force back the remaining resistance.
"Shut it."
The massive steel door screeches as it closes. The daylight beam narrows…
narrows…
and closes.
THUD.
Arcadia is sealed again.
Jackson Cade steps before the door, the new Baron in every way.
He turns to the bloodied survivors.
"Arcadia will continue," he declares. "Because this is our home. Our world. And nothing will take it from us."
Ares stands beside him, silent but approving.
The camera pans across the devastation—fallen heroes, a terrified crowd held back by soldiers, Jackson’s emotionless glare.
Cut.
Epilogue
The roar of Arcadia—screams, gunfire, cries for mercy—muffles into a dull, distant echo the moment the Door slams shut.
On the outside, the world is quiet.
A salty breeze from the Aegean Sea blows dust off the massive steel frame embedded into the rocky hillside. Seagulls circle overhead, oblivious to the horrors sealed beneath them.
Along the forgotten coastline of Nimos, an ancient door remains open—rusted, sandblasted, overgrown with vines.
Inside, a lone figure stands before the console.
Masked. Hooded. Unknown.
The same figure who forced the lost tapes into Arcadia's broadcast system. The same figure who revealed Earth, who revealed Alvin Brown, who revealed the truth.
The figure watches the seismic readings stabilize as the Door completes its lock cycle.
A long exhale escapes behind the mask.
“They've chosen.”
The figure presses a switch on the console. It sputters, sparks, then gives a dying whir as decades of dormant systems shut down.
No more broadcasts. No more interference. No more contact.
The Masked Figure steps away from the console and approaches the large door, stepping out onto the island. He pushes the door shut, watching as it camouflages.
“I tried..” the figure whispers. “I really did.”
Muffled, distant booms echo beneath the earth. Screams. The chaos of a sealed society suddenly cut off from hope, from truth, from escape.
The Masked Figure straightens and looks out over the endless ocean—blue, pristine, indifferent.
A small motorboat waits at the shoreline.
The figure begins walking toward it.
Halfway there, a voice crackles over a handheld receiver clipped to their belt. A female voice asks softly...
“Status?”
The figure picks it up, pauses, then answers:
“It’s done. Arcadia has been re-sealed. They made their choice.”
A crackling pause from the other end.
"And the people inside?"
The figure looks back at the hillside, at the giant metal Doors now half-buried under dust and coverage.
"They didn't want to come out," the figure says softly. "We're going to have to go with Plan B."
The transmission cuts out.
The Masked Figure pockets the receiver, steps onto the waiting boat, and starts the engine. It sputters awake, churning the clear waters.
Minutes later, the boat pulls away from Nimos, leaving the island shrinking into the horizon.
The last view before the camera fades:
The buried Door.
The silent hillside.
A world beneath it screaming in the dark.
And one final line, spoken by the Masked Figure as they disappear across the sea:
“I guess the return of Old School Wrestling will be up to me.”
Cut.