ROAD TRIP
BACKSTAGE
“I’m telling you, Godfrey came in and said something and it changed them back. I saw it with my own two eyes, Solomon. They can be saved, I know it.”
[Rhodes sighs.] “I’m not doubting what you saw at all. But if we head to the Underworld, there’s no telling if we’ll make it back.” [Newton audibly chuckles.]“Are you two fools going to argue forever? Because if so, I’d greedily take in this infection just to make it stop.”
[Both of them turn to him with sneers.]“Oh please,” [he waves them off.] “Drop the brooding and macho growls, would you? They have my World Championship and according to you two geniuses, if we don’t retrieve it, the walls of this temple may as well be made of lego.”
[Zappa nods.] “I hate to say it, but he’s right. We have to go to The Underworld. We have to fight and the time is now.” [Just then, Lee Crowley appears out of nowhere once more. All three turn to face him, but before they can speak, he clicks his fingers.] [Snap.] [By the time they realize where they are, they’re exactly where they wanted to be.] [The Underworld.] [Surrounded by Lee Crowley, LH Harrison, Bruce Van Chan.] [Oh and an army of the damned.] [Cut.]TREBOL VS. IMHOTEP VS. KASHIM
DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
FIRE AND BRIMSTONE II
BACKSTAGE
“I told you Tornado” [Chambers chuckles.] “You’re joining the church tonight… one way or another!”
“It’s not happening Chambers!” [Tornado shouts.] “You’re only making this worse for yourself.”
[Chambers laughs as he begins to circle the taxi; his hands holding the canister upward, pouring gasoline along the concrete surrounding the car.]“If you aren’t going to join mah brotha” [D’Von proclaims as a sinister expression comes over him.] “There’s no sense in wasting mah time! Or better… that of the Lords!”
[Chambers disposes of the empty gas can as he stands at the front of the car where he began, retrieving a lighter from his coat pocket.]“It’s gasoline boy” [Chambers nods.] “In the barrels. Once they’re heated up enough… they will explode!”
[Tornado’s eyes squint in discontent for his foe as Chambers looks at him through the glass windshield with an evil grin.] [WOOSH!] [Without hesitation, Chambers lights and tosses the lighter on the ground igniting the gasoline he had poured out. Instantly the car and the multiple barrels of gas are surrounded by a wall of fire.] [Tornado grabs at the door of the taxi, trying his best to push through the weight of the barriers, but it is no use. He can’t budge the leveraged weight of the barrels. He’s stuck.] [Tornado pauses, looking at the glass of the doors before bawling his hand into a fist and reaching back.] [Only he doesn’t punch. Instead, he looks to Chambers one more time through the windshield. Anger reflecting in his eyes and suddenly…] [A rain drop!] [Another! Another and in an instant the parking lot is submersed in water. A torrential downpour. The rain drops so hard and so fast that inches of water flood the parking lot and in doing so, the gasoline is washed away. The fire is extinguished. But the storm is not over!] [CRASH!] [A bolt of lightning strikes merely inches from where D’Von is standing, the jolt literally knocking him to the water covered concrete. His suit drenched. A look of shock in his face until…]“You…” [D’Von smiles.] “really are the one!”
[With that D’Von jumps to his feet and hurries inside The Tap Room; his follows dispersing in different directions. Meanwhile, a livid Tornado remains in the car; his hand still in a fist as he swings for the glass. The shattering sound leading us to darkness.]THE WRIGHT ANSWERS
RINGSIDE
“Cute. But I want answers. I gave you a week, now I want them. Who made the fire?”
[The persistence of Tommy Wright doesn’t seem to do anything to loosen the lips of Ethan Rose who just rolls his eyes.]“I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, I don’t fuckin’ know!”
[A scowl grows across the upper lip of The Gov as he begins circling around the ring. His arms tense in anger as he prepares to beat some answers into The Phoenix. It’s then that he stops dead in his tracks as his eyes grow wide.] [Another fire has began to rage on the rampway!] [Tommy Wright just points with a look of surprise on his face.]“Another fire! Who is doing this?!”
[Ethan Rose doesn’t turn at all until Tommy grabs him by the shoulders and turns him around forcefully. As he does so, the fire has vanished.]“What fire? What the fuck are you on about?”
[Tommy Wright stands there dumbfounded for a moment before turning around to look at Ethan Rose in preparation for their battle. Still, he’s left wondering if his eyes were indeed playing tricks on him.] [Or if there is something more nefarious afoot.]TOMMY WRIGHT VS. ETHAN ROSE
SINGLES MATCH
IN MEMORIAM
BACKSTAGE
“They’ve snapped, haven’t they, Max? The Jeckels have jumped off the deep end, blinded by rage. It’s almost funny if they weren’t so sad to watch.”
[Max chuckles, nodding with Jensen.]“They act as though they truly know what loss is. You and I, we know what it’s like to lose someone, Stephanie is gone. But she died so our family may prosper. Now we must simply snuff out two empty souls who wish to stop that.”
[Jensen nods, stone-faced as he rises to his feet.] [Slashing.] [Jensen and Max whip their heads towards the door, the sound of angry feet approaching, bodies hitting the floor before the door is all but thrown off of its hinges. The duo back away as The Jeckels make their way into the back area, hatchets at the ready. Jensen shakes his head, keeping distance as he pulls Max towards a back door.]“Still looking to butcher us, are you? Nothing you do is ever going to bring poor Calypso back. She opposed us, and she died for nothing.”
[Jake is fuming as he raises his hatchet, walking towards the two.]“Take that back, Jensen.”
[Cussen narrows his eyes, Max smirking as he grabs the handle of the door behind them, the Jeckel’s stopping their advance as they hear more infected shambling towards them.]“You’re fighting a hopeless, battle, boys. Soon enough you’ll find yourselves placed in the earth next to her. Consider our match to be in memoriam for you poor souls.”
[The Family quickly evacuate the room, Jake stopped from chasing them by Jack, the younger Jeckel turning him to face the infected moving their way.]TORNADO VS. D’VON CHAMBERS
REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
CONSUMED
BACKSTAGE
“I’ve tried to explain the new order of things to you…and now I will take what’s rightfully mine.”
[Trébol steps back from Kashim, turning away to head the other direction…where Imhotep stands waiting, an angry snarl on his face.]“The wrath of the gods awaits you, little green man. You destroyed my staff, and now I will destroy you.”
[They draw closer and closer to the champion, until a cracking noise grabs their attention upward…only to stare at a cascade of the black bile rushing down from the roof, engulfing the pharaoh and the fallen angel! Trébol jumps out of the way at the last second, watching in horror as Kashim and Imhotep are utterly consumed by the infection…and just as quickly, the bile subsides, retreating back to the walls and leaving no trace of the luchador’s adversaries the past few weeks. Trébol picks his title up from the ground, looking at it as he stands to his feet. He looks away, watching as the infection slowly creeps toward him.]“This is what Godfrey warned me about. This key stops all of this from escaping this place…and I can’t let it fall into the wrong hands.”
[Trébol slings the title over his shoulder, stepping away from the infection as it takes one last leap from the floor…but to no avail. Trébol hightails it out of the hallway, keeping the championship and the power it holds away from the evil within the Tap Room.] [Cut.]KING ROYAL VS. ORDELL TERMINUS
SINGLES MATCH
LOSING IT
BACKSTAGE
“He’s fighting back, isn’t he?”
[Cael Gable steps from around a corner brandishing some small bruising on his nose from last week’s sucker punch.]“You should have learned from last week what happens when you mettle in the affairs of those you do not comprehend.”
“I comprehend plenty, Doubt. I know that you’re a monster who used your power to manipulate and torment a young man down on his self-confidence. For that, I cannot stand idly by. Tonight, I will rid you of that form and free the hostage you’ve keep hidden in the dark.”
“Imbecile.”
[Doubt clutches at the sides of his head once more before looking up at Gable through irritated breath.]“There’s no saving Johnathan. You can try, try, and try again, but you’re just wasting your time.”
[GOLD RUSH!] [Cael just tackled Doubt and sent The Masked Emotion over his shoulder and to the hard floor. Gable whips around and places a knee onto the chest of it. He leans down and places a hand on the bottom of the mask and begins to lift, yet two dark tentacles from beneath reach out and pull the mask closer.] [Gable gets to a standing position as it looks down over Doubt.]“You had the nerve to question whether I was honorable or not, yet you’re the real monster here. Tonight, I will free Johnathan. Even if it means destroying you in the process.”
DOUBT VS. CAEL GABLE
SINGLES MATCH
…
[KICK OUT!] [Doubt doesn’t waste any time, he struggles to pull Cael to his feet but manages to do so. The Emotion drags the Olympian over to the turnbuckles. With everything he has he, Doubt lifts Cael up onto the top rope. Doubt climbs the top turnbuckles and locks Cael into position for a wrist lock exploder suplex! Doubt is setting up for a top rope Into The Unknown! Sensing the end is near, Cael comes to life suddenly with a flurry and breaks Doubt’s grip! Cael seizes the opportunity to snatch Doubt up into position for a superplex!] [CAEL TRANSITIONS THE SUPERPLEX INTO A CUTTER MIDAIR! THE OLYMPIAN SMASHES DOUBT INTO THE RING WITH PUGHPLEX OFF THE TOP ROPE!] [They both crash into the middle of the ring, Doubt taking the brunt of it. Cael can’t make the cover though, both men are down! The ref begins to count, giving them until the count of ten to get up!] [ONE!] [TWO!] [THREE!] [Cael is beginning to stir but Doubt is still completely flat on the canvas!] [FOUR!] [FIVE!] [The Olympian gets to his knees!] [SIX!] [SEVEN!] [Cael grabs the top rope and starts to pull himself to his feet!] [EIGHT!] [NINE!] [Cael is up to his feet finally! The Olympian turns to face Doubt’s motionless body.] [THE EMOTION COMES OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THE PESSISMIST’S END! DOUBT PLANTS CAEL HEADFIRST WITH THE MODIFIEID SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT!] [Doubt slumps his body across Gable’s, going for the win!] [ONE!]…
[TWO!]…
[KICK OUT!] [Doubt is clearly still feeling the effects of the top rope Pughplex and struggles to keep his feet under him as he hoists Gable up off the canvas. The Emotion locks Gable into a double underhook, setting up the Eating Yourself Alive! Doubt is looking to end this one! Gable isn’t finished yet though! Cael muscles his way out of Doubt’s double underhook and sends the emotion flying with a backbody drop! Doubt wearily gets back up but Cael drills him with a modified running double leg takedown!] [CAEL GABLE DEADLIFTS DOUBT OFF THE GROUND INTO SUPLEX POSITION! CAEL TRANSITIONS INTO A CUTTER AND BLASTS DOUBT WITH ANOTHER PUGHPLEX!] [Cael hooks the leg and covers Doubt for the pin!] [ONE!]…
[TWO!]…
[THREE!] [ael Gable celebrates his victory from the top turnbuckle as Doubt rolls to the outside and disappears up the ramp.]ARCHIVED FOOTAGE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Subject is lucid, but remains defiant.”
[The shaky camera footage looks set in a laboratory. There’s vials and technical machines in every corner. The person behind the camera walks towards a subject, noting that he’s tied to a chair with heavy restraints.] [They don’t show us his face.]“The most recent surgery was a success. We’ve replaced all vital and functioning organs. He no longer requires their use. Mechanically, he’s functioning properly. Every part is working in conjunction with the correct software to ensure that his brain function isn’t effected.”
[The Doctor walks away towards his computer, placing the camera down onto the table. He sits, facing it.]“The subject still retains soft tissue, blood flow and numerous upgrades. His damaged left eye was replaced with upgraded retina vision and software. Operation Terminator, has thus far, been a complete success.”
[There’s a grunt, so the Doctor looks back over his shoulder, standing up and taking the camera with him. He walks over to the patient, watching as his hands creak and flex the metal restraints.]“Why are you doing this to me?” [An accented voice demands to know.] “Why won’t you let me go home?”
“There’s a war,” [the Doctor replies.] “And you’re a vital piece of it. When the government learned of the Tap Room and what it contains, it needed to ensure the survival of humanity; and you, you were chosen. That’s why we took out your convoy, and that’s why we plucked you from the side of the road.”
[The camera finally raises to the patients face.] [Sergei Sokolov.]“And when we set you free, you will go back home and ensure that evil does not prevail.] [Sokolov looks at him, then at the ceiling.] [Cut.]
MARVOLO & SHARKMAN VS. TAM & NOVAN
TAG TEAM MATCH
A GREAT EVIL
RINGSIDE
“Stop!”
[Jacen Novan stands, arms held up as his voice commands the world around him to listen. He seems to be surrounded by an aura that causes the Soldiers of the Underworld to drop Marvolo and turn toward him as one. They stand still, waiting. But it is Sharkman who speaks, his voice filled with accusation.]“This is exactly what I feared. Your power controls dark forces. And you have influenced the Automaton with that evil…”
“No. You understand not what is at play here.”
[Novan turns to Sharkman with a look that is almost pleading.]“We fight the same evil. We fight the same fight. There is a great evil that we must face together.”
[Sharkman looks towards Marvolo, lying on the ground with a sea of undead soldiers around him. Then back at Novan. It is the computeristic voice of the Automaton that speaks to him. TAM steps forward, presenting his analysis of Jacen Novan.]“Analysis of Jacen Novan, his breathing patterns suggest he is telling the truth. My programming has developed under his guidance. There are several aspects of human existence that cannot be understood through merely analysis. I have learnt… To trust.”
[As proof, Novan pulls back the sleeve of his robes to expose his flesh. Black veins marr his skin, yet they fade and dissipate after a few inches.]“The Ashla protects the darkness from spreading. But we must fight back the evil around us.”
[Sharkman takes it all in. He turns from Novan toward the army outside the ring. Leading the charge, he steps through the ropes, followed by TAM and Novan. As they advance, the undead turn on them and advance towards them. The trio fight a path to Marvolo and help him to his feet. Then, the four fight together to drive back the Soldiers of the Underworld. With every yard the drive them back, the darkness seeps back also… Until is fades entirely, leaving the foursome standing together, trying to teach figure out where this leaves them.]DECISION TIME
RINGSIDE
“Let’s try this again, shall we?”
[He places the key into the door, turning it. As he pulls it open, the large gate of the Underworld looms, the battleground where Terminus slayed Hades is only a step away. With a great breath, Terminus goes to step over the threshold.] […only to be TACKLED BY ONE OF THE DEAD!] [Five of Crowley’s broken souls slink through the gate, smelling the fresh scent of Ordell Terminus. The Gateway attempts to fight them off, but gets clubbed by the largest of the foul creatures. Two of the others hoist Terminus to his feet, the big one now standing before him with his mouth agape.] [This brute licks Ordell’s face, seemingly tasting him. The dead do not eat, yet they feast on the fear they feel from their enemies.] [His life on the line, Ordell knocks the two holding him back, but the big one is too much. The dead creature goes for a clubbing blow…] […AS HIS HEAD FLIES FROM HIS BROKEN BODY!] [KING ROYAL IS HERE!] [The dead try to scatter, but the forces of the King quickly join the scene, hacking at the foul creatures, throwing their remains back into the gateway before them. As the last of them is tossed back through the door, Betamax appears. He slams the door behind them, and withdraws the key.]“Bloody hell, what do you think you were doing?”
[Terminus looks confused at Betamax as Royal nods to some of his men to indicate they need to form a guard.]“I was doin…”
[Royal interjects.]“Save it. You have passed the King’s test.”
[Ordell looks to Betamax, who chuckles and shrugs. A test?]“You truly intend to do what you say you will do. The King is impressed with your spirit, and one can see no corruption within you. My cousin spoke truly. You are a fine young man.”
[King Royal extends his hand out, a rare show of equality from the monarch. Terminus looks between the two men with a relieved sigh.]“You’ve got a deal, King.”
[The two men shake hands, a new alliance formed in this dangerous new world.] [Yet deep within the Underworld, word has already reached he who they wish to usurp.]THE FAMILY VS. THE JECKEL BROTHERS
TAG TEAM MATCH
“They ain’t gettin’ off that fuckin’ easy, Jack!” [He screams at his brother.] [Jake turns back and pulls Million up by his beard. He slams his head off the turnbuckle and Million collapses again. This time Jake goes to untie the turnbuckle pad, exposing the steel below! Jack pleads with him, but Jake just pushes him back. Jack looks like he’s had about enough. He balls his fist up at Jake’s back, but Jensen Cussen spins him around and nails a…] [HAIR TRIGGER!] [Jack is leveled, and Jake turns around just in time to catch a LEAPING KNEE to the temple! Jake’s eyes roll back and he drops to the mat. Cussen leaps on top for a cover!] [One!] [Two!] [Thre… Kickout!] [Jake barely kicks out! Jensen pulls him up by the hair. He whips Jeckel into the ropes, and when Jake returns, Cussen sends him overhead with a BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX! Almost before Jake lands, Cussen is on top of him again locking in…] [DESPERATE JUSTICE!!] [Jake is squirming, trying not to scream, but he is in major trouble! He’s about to tap!!] [Jack breaks the hold with a double axe handle to Jensen’s back! But there’s Million! His crimson mask is a gory sight, but it doesn’t stop him from punting Jack Jeckel in the head! Jack rolls back and Million drips blood onto his painted face as he stands above, laughing. He grabs Jack by the head and tosses him over the ropes and to the outside! Million rolls out of the ring and rips jack up from the ground. He throws him head first into the steel steps!!] [Back inside the ring, Jensen Cussen is taking it to Jake. He stomps on Jake’s head, and with each boot, Jake’s face bounces off the canvas! Finally, Jensen pulls Jake off the mat and whips him to the corner. Jensen sprints at Jake and leaps for a kick, but Jake slips away! Cussen lands with his full body weight smashing his junk into the exposed turnbuckle! Jensen grabs himself and falls back into the ring! Jake stomps on his head, but hears the crowd well up. He spins to see Jackie with his head resting on the steel steps. Max Million holds a steel chair, about to crush Jack’s head!!] [Million starts to swing down, but JAKE FLIES OVER THE TOP WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!! He drives the steel chair into Million’s face!! Jake grabs his midsection, after going down hard. But he gets up to check on Jack. Jack nods that he’s okay. Jake grabs the steel chair and slides back into the ring. Jack makes his way to his feet and stands on top of the steel steps. He leaps off…] [JACK IN THE BOX!!] [Jack just absolutely levels Million! He goes to cover, but instead looks at Jake who shakes his head! Jake focuses back on Jensen Cussen who is just getting up from the mat. Jake nails hims with the steel chair! Again! AGAIN!! He drops the steel chair and rips the limp body of Cussen up…] [THE HATCHET!! ONTO THE CHAIR!!!] [ONE!!] [TWO!!] [THREE!!!] [Jake and Jack Jeckel decimate the Family here tonight. They may not be heroes, but they are keeping the Family down! Can their own relationship survive though?]
RISING FROM THE ASHES
RINGSIDE
“Sometimes you have to burn yourself to the ground before you can rise like a phoenix from the ashes.”
[Flicker.] [JACOB PHOENIX!] [He’s supposed to be dead!] [Nightwatch rappels from the rafters, dropping into the flaming circle around Cussen and Million. Cussen runs at him and is thrown straight over the top rope to the outside. Million is next, being tripped FACE FIRST INTO THE FIRE WITH A DROP TOE HOLD!] [Max screams in agony as the fire melts his face. Black gunge leaks across the ring, but Phoenix doesn’t stop. He grabs Million, pulling him from the fire, his face a near smudge thanks to the flames.] [SNAP!] [He snaps his fucking neck, all whilst keeping eye contact with Jensen who stands on the outside, absolutely fucking terrified!] [Jacob releases his former best friend to the canvas, pointing at Jensen with a wry smile.]“You’re next.”
[The fire suddenly subsides, and our cameras go aerial, looking down upon the ring to see the flames having marked the shape of a Phoenix on the canvas.] [Cut.]COLLISION COURSE
RINGSIDE
“We tried this your way, didn’t we?” [Kersh asserts.] “And there’s nothing to show for it. You wanted to go in, kidnap and God knows what else the kid, and then burn the whole place to the ground. They were ready for it. Your bust some skulls plan really worked out, huh?”
[The Shadow snorts in response.]“That’s enough, old man. I was just doing what’s always worked for me. I haven’t spent my life hunted by… whatever the hell Scarecrow is.”
[The admission from Lane is enough to calm Kersh somewhat.]“No, you haven’t. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, the old ways don’t work anymore. Whatever success you had in the past with Cross, Jack, or even Hysteria, those days are over. You’re not who you used to be, anymore. These aren’t just men we fight.”
[Lane seems offended by part of Kersh’s statement, but the issue between the two men is on hold as a harsh laugh cuts them off.]“You got that right, Brent.” [DTR’s voice cuts through.] “We’re not just men. You see my power all around you in this beautiful place. I’m the Virus that’s going to burn you down from the inside.”
[Kersh and Lane take a fighting stance, but suddenly shield their eyes as light fills the room.] [Lux Bellator is here.] [Before he can speak, Kersh cuts in.]“What about you, Lux? How can you associate with DTR and Mother? What about your calling as a man of God?”
[Bellator only offers a grim smile.]“History is full of men who followed God into strange lands. I do not question the calling, nor the caller. I just continue to walk in the light of God. My allies will face judgement one day, just as I.”
[Before this can go any further, the lights dip on and off. When they come back on, the roar of the crowd can be heard beyond the curtain. Lane peeks out to see Mother now standing in the ring, her eyes fixed upon the entrance way.]“That’s our cue.” [DTR says as he cuts past Kersh.] “I’d love to destroy you guys right here, but when she calls, you do what she says. She says we need to settle this in the ring first, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
[A smirk forms on Lane’s face, but Kersh quickly grabs him and pulls him aside. The two other men walk to the ring, while Lane fumes.]“I was going to take out one of them.”
“Yeah, I know.” [Kersh responds.] “But something’s wrong here. I can feel it. This isn’t how this is supposed to go down.”
[Before Lane can retort, the fluttering of crows fills the room.]“At last, words of wisdom from a Kersh.”
[Scarecrow walks out of the darkness to look at the two men.]“Mother is beyond all of us in cunning and insight, but there is one arena where she can be foiled.”
[He nods to the ring. Kersh shakes his head once again. He seems more and more resigned to his allies willingness to rush in every week. Lane smirks, this time unabated.]“Let’s go foil her then. What do we have to lose?”
[He chuckles as he walks through the curtain, “Kashmir” beginning to play. Kersh follows him a moment later, leaving Scarecrow alone to watch the two men.]“Your lives.”
[Cut to the ring, where the action is about to go down.]FOUNDING FATHERS VS. MOTHER, BELLATOR & DTR
TRIOS MATCH
THE LIFE OF BRENT KERSH
RINGSIDE
“Your time here is done,” [he yells.] “Goodbye Brent!”
[Darkness.] [The lights flicker.]“I wanna be everybody, I wish that I wasn’t me. I was dropped from out of sight, I always land on my feet.”
[Suddenly, the lights return and stood in the ring, opposite DTR and Brent Kersh is a sight to behold.] [And the fans have gone fucking ballistic.] [Phoebe Outlaw!] [She runs over, stepping up Brent Kersh into a massive Shining Wizard to The Virus! DTR flails backwards, falling through the middle rope to the outside. Brent Kersh falls to all fours, barely able to breathe.] [The Scarecrow finally overcomes Mother, just as Mike Lane manages to beat back the tide of Lux Bellator – all three escaping up the entrance ramp as Brent looks up, coming to terms with what’s just happened.] [His daughter’s girlfriend.] [Phoebe Outlaw.] [She’s back, and she just saved him from certain death.] [Kersh slowly gets back up with her help, realizing what she did. He pulls her in close, embracing her with a hug as we cut.]CONDITIONS
THE UNDERWORLD
“Tell me gentlemen, what’s to stop me killing you where you stand?” [He pats the title, and grins.] “I have this, I have my army, I have everything I need. What I don’t need is you.”
[They share a look of concern.]“Haven’t you noticed something strange, Crowley?” [Edward says confidently.] “Has the infection taken away your ability to feel, or does that Championship not feel a tad bit lighter than it should?”
[Lee looks at the belt, his brow furrowed.] [Rhodes and Zappa immediately turn their heads towards Newton, confused.]“Now, I could tell you where the real Championship is, but I have a couple of conditions I need met.I just required an audience with the King, without being brutally murdered to suggest them.”
[Lee sneers.] “I’m listening.” [Edward bravely steps away from Zappa and Rhodes, without even blinking an eye at their incoming peril.]“First things first, I want to fight,” [he says with an odd sense of bravery.] “I want to fight the King of The Underworld and defeat him. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but no-one has yet to beat me, King Crowley. No-one. Not even you. Wouldn’t you like the opportunity to correct that mistake? Me and you, here, for the OSW World Championship. You open a portal and the first one through it, wins. Should you defeat me, you zip me back to reality and I’ll take you to the title, or die at your hand.”
[He clicks his fingers and a portal opens next to him.] [The King laughs.] “Done. I’ll be glad to allow your hubris to be your undoing, Edward. What’s the second condition?”“Solomon Rhodes and Captain Zappa,” [Edward says turning to them. In their eyes, you can see the fear.] “They wish to save Bruce Van Chan and LH Harrison from your clutches. They wish to return them to their former bodies and rebirth them into the world. It’s a foolhardy dream should you ask me, but who am I to dictate their idiocy? The second condition is that they fight for their survival, here within this realm, fair and square, versus LH Harrison and Bruce Van Chan. Should they win, you grant both souls return passage to their human form.”
[Again, Crowley clicks. His army disappears into nothing, leaving just Bruce Van Chan, LH Harrison, Solomon Rhodes and Captain Zappa.] [Zappa and Rhodes look at Edward Newton in shock. He didn’t turn his back on them. He didn’t betray them.] [If anything, he saved them.]“Make it count, gentlemen,” [The World Champion remarks.] “You’ll only get one opportunity.”
[There’s no bell, no referee, no rules.] [Should they remain standing, they’ll win.]THE REVENANTS VS. RHODES & ZAPPA
THE UNDERWORLD
EDWARD NEWTON VS. LEE CROWLEY
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE UNDERWORLD
CONTROL ALT DELETE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“There’s a train comin’, rollin’ down the track, comin’ to take me home.”
[The voice of a disturbed, dishevelled and exhausted Chief sings meekly amongst the pitch black darkness. He lays flat on his back, dried blood around his mouth and nose, his shirt dirty and unkempt. There’s bags under his eyes, his face a gaunt reminder of the damage done to him inside this cage.] [Suddenly, Noah appears, standing over him.]“You didn’t answer me,” [The Chief complains.] “Why wouldn’t you answer me, Noah? [He asks, panicked, having been left alone inside the darkness.] “I’ve been calling you for days.”
[Noah shrugs.] “You don’t believe, do you Chief?” [His eyes wince, us seeing the young boy through his perspective.]“Believe in what?”
[The boy rolls his eyes.]“The end of the world, silly. You don’t believe in God’s plan, do you? But you see, this is destiny. It’s been foretold across galaxies, across universes, across timelines far, wide and infinite.”
[He pauses.]“Don’t you believe me?”
[The Chief grunts.] “No, I don’t believe you. God wouldn’t want this, kid. He wouldn’t want to see the world destroyed and rebuilt. If we’re his creation, he wouldn’t abandon us in such a way.” [Noah laughs.]“He hasn’t abandoned you, he’s liberating you. People are festering pustules of greed, sin and despair, Chief. Here, there and everywhere. I’m here to save you all from yourselves. I know you don’t think that the world will end. I know you don’t believe in me. My daddy told me so. But here, take my hand, I’ll show you.”
[The boy reaches down, and The Chief reluctantly reaches out, grasping on to his small hand.]“Show me what?” [He asks.]
“The end of the world.”
[A white flash.] [Cut.]