THE MIRROR
BACKSTAGE
“Don’t be afraid, I’m not here to harm you,” [Edward says, folding his arms.] “I’m here to inform you.”
[Kersh’ eyebrows raise.]“The Book of the damned talks of flowing blood from bleeding hearts. It talks of purity and sanctuary. With every droplet of our crimson, they grow in strength and number. Their hold upon the Tap Room tightens as we seep into the void they create. At Blood Drive, we are being beckoned to shed blood and strengthen their position.”
[The Enforcer lowers his head shamefully.] “I know,” [he retorts.]“Noah grows stronger, Mr. Kersh.”
[He says nothing.]“And the infection becomes a stranglehold until the levee breaks. It starts tonight, in your Main Event with Solomon Rhodes and if his blood soaks that canvas, the walls may not be able to hold firm past Blood Drive.”
[Again, Brent doesn’t respond. He just looks down at the floor.]“You have to understand me, Mr. Kersh. The keys may unlock the doors, but if they’re weakened enough by the infection, they’ll simply buckle under the pressure. If the virus escapes into the world, our armageddon begins.”
[Brent looks up at him.] “What am I supposed to do?”“Don’t fight,” [Edward responds.] “Don’t allow blood to be shed upon that canvas. The world could depend on it.”
[The anguish on the face of Brent Kersh says it all. He has a decision to make. Tonight could be the beginning of the end.] [Cut.]JEREMIAH DIXON VS. DOUBT
SINGLES MATCH
DELAYED DEATH
RINGSIDE
“O dea tenebris” [A voice echoes from the darknes.] “mater immortalibus!”
[And from the shadows, it’s Michael Graves.] [Followed by his Chiroptera, Graves approaches the restrained Dixon who begins to struggle mightily against his bonds.]“Do not be afraid Jeremiah” [Graves snickers.] “For you are the chosen one!”
[The Prophet of the Bat God lifts his left arm in invitation of something and when he does, one of his druids move forward and closer to Dixon; approaching him.] [In the hand of the lead Chiroptera; however, is a massive dagger. Oddly shaped. Customized in its structure. And as Dixon looks around nervously, Graves continues.]“Barbatos has beckoned me for sacrifices in preparation for his coming” [Graves raises both hands.] “And you, Jeremiah, will be the first!”
“puer tuus fac me sicut renascentur” [Graves voice booms through the darkness.] “mea lux ve…”
[GROAN!] [Graves is halted by the sound of pain. There is a pause before the druid falls to the ground below; his robe landing on the fire and bursting into flames.] [He begins to scream. The fire scorching his skin as it engulfs his being.] [The Chiroptera break into a frenzy. There is chaos as they move to help their brethren, but cannot.] [However, that is not the only problem.] [Dixon is LOOSE!] [He stands at a ready. The dagger, he somehow took from the druid, in hand and when Graves sees him, he is furious.]“I may be the chosen one, bat boy!” [Dixon taunts.] “But there will be no sacrifice tonight!”
[Keeping the dagger to warn the Chiroptera away, Dixon backs his way into the darkness before sprinting to an escape.] [The druids manage to extinguish the fire on their colleague; however, it appears to late for his lifeless, charred remains. They hurry in the direction that Dixon escaped before halting at the voice of their master.]“NO!” [Graves seethes.] “Dixon has only delayed his death!! The sacrifice was not intended to occur tonight! Instead, we will now prepare for a Blood Drive by punishing The Sharkman.”
[With that, Graves begin to laugh in a haunting tone as we fade to black.]ADRIANO ADAGIO VS. CAEL GABLE
SINGLES MATCH
THE FINAL FRONTIER
THE FAMILY HOME
“Welcome to the family, son.”
[Zappa winces as DTR continues.]“We’ve been wanting to have a conversation with you for the longest time, but something has always gotten in the way.”
[Crowley grins.] “But not today. You see today, we offer you an opportunity of a lifetime; to become one of us.”“We have similar goals and aspirations, you and I, “[The Virus says, pacing.] “At one point, you wished to see humanity suffer under the heel of an alien invader. Yet our plight is a pure one, and you don’t choose to follow.”
“I was mistaken. I was manipulated and lied to,” [Zappa protests.] “I wasn’t their Chosen one and they weren’t my Zeta – not like I thought. You aren’t my zeta, either.”
[Crowley shrugs.]“But we could be. How do you know that you weren’t chosen to deliver this world back to God? How do you know that we aren’t the Zeta and that the message has simply become lost in a drug fuelled haze of poor translation?”
“You can join us,” [DTR says impassioned.] “You can become one of the family, Zappa. All you have to do is bleed everyone dry at Blood Drive and become Champion. That’s all we ask for an eternal salvation. Isn’t the price low?”
[Zappa scoffs.]“After what I’ve seen you turn Bruce Van Chan and LH Harison into,” [Zappa remarks with disgust.] “And what I’ve seen you do to men and women in your family, do you ever expect me to say yes?”
[The Virus cuts his restraints, leaning in behind him with a whisper.]“You can either get busy living, or get busy dying, Zappa,” [DTR says softly.] “Either way, The World will be cleansed and given back to God. The choice is yours.”
[The Family carefully back away, giving Zappa a chance to move his feet and stand up. He does so, heading straight for the door; not answering them at all.] [Cut.]MICHAEL GRAVES VS. THE SHARKMAN
SINGLES MATCH
CLEAR EYES
RECORDED EARLIER
“You couldn’t take it, could you?”
[Phoenix kneels down over Cussen, grabbing a fistful of hair and raising his head.] [SLAP!]“Wake up.”
[SLAP!]“Wake up.”
[Cussen’s eyes dart open, fear in them. He coughs instantly, congealed blood loosed from his lungs. Phoenix’s blood.]“Don’t move, Jensen. Don’t think about it. I only have a few moments, but I want you to hear what I have to say.”
[Phoenix makes Cussen’s eyes turn to his with a pull of hair and his own deep gaze.]“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the Virus consumes and then discards. It did it to Stephanie. It would have done it a lot sooner, if not for pure blood to keep her alive. It wasn’t for her, though, was it? It was for that spawn. Think about what its done to you, Jensen. Think of how you feel in this moment. How is your mind?”
[Cussen’s fear has lessened, but as he speaks his mouth seems to fumble, the words barely able to emerge.]“Clear.”
[Nightwatch only nods.]“It won’t last. But I want you to know the truth. You should really read that letter.I want Jensen Cussen to know the truth, not the Virus that’s taken him over.”
[Another wrench of the hair.]“You killed her. Not DTR. Not the boy. Not even the Virus. You were her father, and you did nothing. We may not have gotten along, but I used to respect you. Now my eyes are clear. You’re no better than Jonah.”
[The mention of his father brings power back to Cussen, who tries to lift his arm.] [It only twitches.]“The Virus is already reclaiming your body. Unfortunate.”
[Jacob stands to his feet, looming over his downed enemy.]“When I kill you, Jensen, I’m going to look into your true eyes. And you will know the truth, and you will hate yourself as much as I hate you. I won’t stop until you beg me to do it.”
[He turns to head for his exit-point.]“Until then, every time we fight, every time the Virus makes me bleed, it’s going to hurt you. I’m a part of you now, Jensen. Just like I was part of Stephanie.”
[Jensen Cussen sits up, enraged. His eyes no longer seem to have the clarity they did a moment ago. The Virus is back in control.] [But Phoenix is gone.]NEVER DEAD DAN VS. D’VON CHAMBERS
SINGLES MATCH
THE BRAND OF BELIEVERS
[Whistling.]
[The pitch of the melody is slightly haunting as D’Von Chambers comes into view wearing his title around his shoulder, blood cakes on his face and down the front of his normally white shirt. Yet a smile is present on his face.]
[And he’s whistling.]
[He turns the corner backstage where he’s ambushed immediately by a enraged young man. His forearm is across the throat of Chambers who is blasted up against the wall with his other arm poised to give him a blow.]
“What the hell did you do to my parents?!”
[Cael Gable may normally have himself collected, but his eyes are ablaze with anger and sheer fury. D’Von Chambers, despite the blood still pouring from his forehead, just grins even more.]“They did what any good parents would do. They put the safety and future of their child before their own. I offered you salvation and you denied my request. I offered this same deal to your parents and they accepted without question. Do you want to know why, Cael?”
[Cael is practically seething at this point, but he nods his head to hear him out.]“Because they know you’re not willing to make the hard choices. They know that the only way you’ll get this key is by subjugating yourself to me.”
[Cael throws a vicious right hand the clobbers Chambers right across the temple! Gable takes a step back as he’s shaking now. Chambers grunts as he slumps down to the floor before turning to Gable with a grin.]“I’m going to save you. I’m going to give you exactly what you want. All I’m asking is for you to swallow your pride and PASS THAT PLATE ONE MO’ GAIN!”
[D’Von Chambers rises to his feet as the smile has now faded as his eyes suddenly convey a sense of power. As if the power of God himself was forcing its way through his expression.]“Fire and brimstone are heading this way, Cael Gable. Only I, through God, can protect us from the storm. Your parents have been baptized in the name of the Father. Will you accept his blessing?”
[Cael Gable meets his eyes before nodding.]“If it’s what my family wanted…”
[The power in the tone and eyes of Chambers lessen as the smile is restored.]“You and I both know that it is. Good, now come along with me. We have much to discuss about a Blood Drive my church is running.”
[Two members of his Congregation show up as one hands Chambers a shirt and the other a towel. Chambers changes shirts quickly before just throwing the other aside. He begins blotting his forehead as he continues to walk with Cael Gable standing alongside him and the two members walking behind him.] [The last shot we see is the shirt of D’Von Chambers, soaked in blood, being quickly absorbed into the wall as the pulsating Virus continues to spread.]SOKOLOV, OUTLAW & ZAPPA VS. NOVAN, JECKEL & TERMINUS
TRIOS MATCH
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
BACKSTAGE
MOTHER!?!”
[Phoebe Outlaw rages as she storms up the aisle to the backstage area of the Tap Room.]“I’m gonna camp my ass out right here.” [Outlaw says as she paces back and forth in a hallway.] “You want me, you know where to find me.”
[Darkness.]“I always know where to find you.”
[Mother has arrived.]“Where is Dani?”
[Mother laughs at the question.]“Is that a question you truly want answered, Phoebe Outlaw? Or will you only see what you want to see? Hear what you want to hear?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
[Light.] [Phoebe Outlaw is stood before a door, no longer in the Tap Room.]“Answers are behind that door, my child. Beware the truth, for it will sever you from the world you believe you live in.”
[The ever-cocky Outlaw shrugs, pulling the door open. She saunters in, ready for a fight, but as soon as she breaks the threshold, her anger fades to pain. Water floods to her eyes at the scene that greets her.] [A hospital bed. A machine to breath. Intravenous fluids pumped into limp veins.] [Danielle Kersh.] [Outlaw rushes to the bedside, grabbing at Dani’s hand, careful not to hit any of the needles. Her voice is barely at a whisper.]“What did you do to her?”
[On the other side of the bed, Mother now stands. An evil smile on her face.]“Do you remember, Phoebe? Do you remember laying in this same bed, your body broken from the actions of The Question? How long did you lay here? How long did your body atrophy, your muscles evaporating to dust and your mind reduced to nothingnesss?”
[No response from Feebz to those questions.]“What did you do?”
[A laugh.]“We both know the beloved daughter of the Enforcer was not one for gods or prayer, but one night she knelt by your bedside. Through her tears, she begged for whatever power would hear to bring you back. She would do anything to end your suffering. She called out for a god to hear her plea.”
[Mother reaches out to caress the arm of Danielle as Outlaw looks on, the truth slowly beginning to dawn.]“Mother takes care of all of her children. It could not have worked out better. Your broken body became hers. Your empty mind became hers. Your life became hers. She sacrificed everything so that you could see life. Yet here you stand, still rooted to the same place you would have died in.”
“But… She… I sa…”
“You saw her? She stood beside you? Laid beside you? When you emerged from your slumber, you did not question your return. Broken by delirium, you ignored the questions in your mind. Instead, you walked back into the profession you left. Your beloved was still by your side. And you saved her father. Yet you wonder why he has not spoken to you since. When I came to you, you saw what you wanted to see: the weak and impotent purveyor of tricks I was assumed to be before my true nature was revealed. You heard what you wanted to hear: that I was going to attack the heroic happy life you created for yourself.”
[Her voice dripping with power, Mother makes Phoebe meet her gaze through teary eyes.]“But the truth is that you are nothing more than an ant beneath my boot. When I told you that you shouldn’t be here, I spoke truly. While Noah and DTR deal with the Enforcer, I now hold the keys to that pure Kersh blood. An endlessly flowing, unable to resist, supply of it. Should father and son fail, then as always, Mother will do what must be done. And you, Phoebe Outlaw, will be as the Spirit Walker, just another insect to be crushed by a superior being.”
[Outlaw looks at the face of Dani, her tears beginning to slowly vanish. They have been replaced by a quietly simmering rage. She looks back at Mother.]“I’m going to stop you.”
[Mother only laughs.]“No. You won’t. The illusion is over, my child. You will wish poor Danielle had never met you before the end. And the only one to hear your pleas of mercy will be the only one who does not care. You should not be here, Phoebe Outlaw. And when I am finished, you will not be.”
[Mother fades away. Phoebe Outlaw is left to contemplate the shocking news she just received.] [Cut.]ISAAC DANVERS VS. MARVOLO
SINGLES MATCH
PERFECT HIBERNATION
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Terminus told us where the drop point was. We need to make sure we’re ghosts until we get there. Ole Icy Hot or that deranged doctor can’t find where we’re regrouping.”
[Dan nods, checking around them as Betamax stops in front of an unassuming door.]“No worries, Betamax. We’re all clear. These guys can’t be everywhere.”
[The masked man holds his fist up to the door and knocks. He turns around and nods at Dan, waiting impatiently.]“Uh, Dan.” [Betamax begins, his head cocked to the side.] “It’s not that cold in here.”
[Dan looks at Betamax weirdly, but then realizes that he can see his breath. The duo begin looking around them, realizing that a mist has covered the floor. Betamax backs up to the door opposite the one, he knocked on. Before they can react any further, a small beeping noise emanates from the masked man’s waist.]“Fuck. Not now.”
[Betamax looks down at his pager, apparently a signal of some kind. He nods at Dan, who heads for the door.]“That knob is scalding!”
[Dan turns around to ask Betamax for help, but there are now two masked figures separating them.] [Helios. Proteus.]“It’s over.” [Helios mocks.] “The Templar’s secret weapon comes with us.”
“What about me?” [Betamax asks, trying to push against the elemental warriors.]
“Proteus’s abilities are far more suited for transporting unwilling prisoners. I’m afraid you’ll have to deal with me. And if ice preserves…”
[Dan tries to strike, but Proteus jabs out his hand. As it meets Dan’s chest, his whole body begins to ice over. Even the misty air rising from his lungs hardens.]“Not again.” [Betamax mutters.]
“…fire consumes.” [Helios finishes.]
“I’ll take the prize to the King.”
[Helios holds up his hand.]“No, you have other business to attend to. Test the masked warrior. I will take him back to King so that the Doctor can work his magic on him.”
[Shrugging, Proteus dissolves into a fine mist, headed for the ring to engage El Trebol Jr. in combat. Helios turns to Betamax with a smile on his glowing eyes.]“Now where were we.”
[Another beep comes from Betamax’s waist, and even masked, one can see the smile.]“Fuck you.”
[Betamax pushes Helios back. Almost at the same time, the door behind Dan flies open. Beyond it is an imperceptible dark place, but only Ordell Terminus holds the power to do this. Helios didn’t move back far, but he still hit the frozen form of Dan, who like a statue falls back through the open doorway. Helios whirls around just as the door shuts in his face.]“Impossible!”
[Helios brings his rage back to bear on Betamax, but while he was distracted, the exact same scenario played out with the other door.] [And Betamax is gone.]EL TRÉBOL JUNIOR VS. PROTEUS
SINGLES MATCH
METHODS
BACKSTAGE
“No need to yell, Sergei…Tommy Wright isn’t on the premises. He’s onto us, so he’s probably gone into hiding until—wait, something’s wrong…”
[The words don’t get out quick enough before Sergei is blindsided with a steel pipe to the head! Taken aback by the attack, the Red Tsar is far from down for the count as he turns to face his aggressor, a young man that is clearly looking for a fight. He is soon joined by another, this one brandishing a steel chain.]“We understand you’ve been trying to mess with our boy Tommy…but some secrets are meant to be kept hidden.”
[Sergei looks more puzzled than anything by this statement. The man with the chain tries to lasso the Red Tsar, who instead reels his attacker into a hard punch! The man with the pipe lunges at Sergei, but is sent flying into the nearest wall.]“Did Tommy send you to do his dirty work!?”
[The man struggles to lift his head, spitting blood from mouth as he struggles to respond.]“No, but we know who sent you.”
[From the distance we notice the infection crawling slowly toward the blood on the floor.]“How did you think Tommy knows? You’re not the only one being contracted out by some secret agency. What will you do when the cat’s out of the bag? What will they do to you, when—”
[Suddenly, the infection grows from the ground, engulfing the man before he can finish his sentence. Sergei looks on in horror as his assailant is consumed by the bile, leaving no trace behind. Sergei turns around to see the other man running for his life…and Tommy Wright staring daggers back at the Red Tsar.] [Cut.]EDWARD NEWTON VS. TAM
SINGLES MATCH
SAVIOR
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Jonathan, are you in there?”
[Silence.]“Can you hear me?” [The Sharkman continues.] “Do you want us to help you?”
[Doubt suddenly starts laughing. His cackle is violent, almost terrifying.]“He’s toying with us,” [Marvolo remarks, throwing his hands up in the air.] “We can’t save him. He’s beyond our help.”
[The Vigilante snaps back.] “No-one is beyond our help, Marvolo. Didn’t your father teach you anything? You know what’s at stake. You know what we can do.” [El Trébol has been a silent observer, unsure of his role.] [Until now.]“I don’t understand,” [he complains fairly.] “You’ve told me that we’re special. You’ve asked me here to show me why that is. Why can’t he be saved?“
[Marvolo and The Sharkman share a glance before The Shark responds.]“Doubt has been infected by the virus. It’s taken root within his sickness, and slowly but surely, its decaying it. Jonathon is in there, and he can be saved from the darkness that consumes him. We just have to do it together.”
[El Trébol doesn’t believe it.] “This is ridiculous. I’ve listened to your claims that I’m important, and that we have a connection but you’ve not told me anything. If you finally want to tell me what’s going on, I’ll be at Blood Drive.” [Frustrated with the cagey information being passed around, The Double Feature Champion takes his leave. Marvolo, meanwhile, turns to The Sharkman with a shake of his head.]“Our mission was to reveal the past to Finn, but you’ve let your hero complex taint it. I asked you to mentor me, in the ways of my Father. I was told that you could help me become a better man, but not like this.”
[Marvolo begins to walk away, only his mentor calls him back.] “Wait, where are you going?”“I’m finished with this,” [Marvolo yells.] “I’ll see you at Blood Drive too. If you two can’t do this, I’ll take the key and protect it myself!”
[As only The Sharkman remains, he leans in to Doubt, who’s still laughing.]“I know you’re in there Jonathon,” [he whispers.] “I know you can hear me. I’m going to get you out. I promise.”
[Suddenly, Doubt lifts its head, whispering back.]“Thank you.”
[Cut.]FEAST
BACKSTAGE
“Ah, Adriano. I’ve been meaning to speak to you. I thought my siren may call you ashore. Please, come. Sit.”
[Isaac’s words cast a spell upon Adriano who takes the seat of Isaac. Isaac places the Lyre in the lap of Adriano, who looks it over with lustful eyes.]“Tell me Adriano, when you heard my siren calling, did you feel drawn to it?”
“Yes…” [Adriano replies in a soft hiss, his eyes not leaving the Lyre.]
“I see.” [Isaac says, stepping behind Adriano and reaching into his back pocket.] “It seems, Adriano, that inside that mind of yours is a SICKNESS that only I can cure.”
[Adriano is paralyzed, he cannot move, only stare lovingly at the Lyre that had drawn him to this place.] [THWAP! THWAP! THWAP! Three blows strike Adriano across the back of the head, his skull buckles and spliters under the impact of the ice pick that Isaac drives into his cranium. The Lyre spills to the ground and Adriano slumps back in the seat, DEAD.] [Isaac looks down at the split skull and sees a fragment of bone hanging loose. He removes it, revealing the front left section of Adriano’s BRAIN.] [Isaac removes his mask and as he leans in to Adriano he begins to CHEW.]THE FAMILY VS. THE FOUNDING FATHERS
TAG TEAM MATCH
EVERY SINGLE DROP
THE TEMPLAR TEMPLE
“My friend, we have much work to do.”
[Rhodes turns.] “And such little time to do it.” [They both begin walking through the halls together.]“Unfortunately, I must ask you to heed a warning. Your match tonight with Brent Kersh is not what it seems. The devil is at play.”
[Solomon stops in surprise.] “What do you mean?”“Blood Drive is about more than just a key. With every drop of blood, the opposition gains strength and Noah gains in power. You must reconsider fighting tonight. Our war is not just fought on the battlefield, but in our minds.”
“I cannot,” [Rhodes responds in absolute refusal.] “I must fight, Godfrey. You’re right, there’s much more at stake than we realize; there’s the book, and the humanity of men like Bruce Van Chan and LH Harrison. We cannot show weakness. We must remain defiant and send them a message.”
[Godfrey is quickly disturbed by his students rash behavior.]“You’re not fighting the enemy, Solomon. You’re fighting a man who just like you, wishes to win this war. By spilling his blood, you do not save the world; you condemn it.”
[Rhodes stops, turns and takes a large breath.]“Tonight, I will show those who wish to divide us that I can spill my brothers blood, as I can my enemy; all in the name of our Lord and savior. I will show them that we are just as ruthless as the monsters who did this,” [Solomon says pointing at the carnage around them.] “And then I will pick my brother up and fight on in unity. Humanity is my brotherhood. Brent Kersh is my brother. But one must do what needs to be done.”
[Defiant, Solomon Rhodes storms off, leaving Godfrey to stroke his beard with concern.] [Cut.]JACK JECKEL VS. MOTHER
SINGLES MATCH
TAINTED BLOOD
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Ashla, protect me. Protect my blood.”
[Novan speaks, pulling back the left sleeve of his robe. His infected flesh, which once was merely a spot, now spans from near his wrist up to his elbow. TAM watches as Novan readies his blade once more, looking to dig it into his own flesh. Novan stops and turns to his protégé.]“There is no logic that dictates this. It is that reason that I have not shared my affliction with you until now, nothing more sinister.
My hope is that you come to know the ways of the Ashla, how it has stopped this Virus from spreading like those souls you hear outside. But it is not a power that logic can dictate.”
[TAM studies the black web that spans his arm.]“Logically, that Virus should have consumed you by now. What you speak of seems… Feasible.”
[The noise of the inflicted outside rises, as if they had discovered a target to attack. Moments later, the door to the shack is flung open and Mike Lane bursts into the room, holding a vial of black blood taken from Novan last week. He is weary and looks at Novan demanding answers.]“Your blood is tainted, Novan. And I find you here, in the heart of the land inflicted by the Virus. But you are not like them. Something doesn’t make sense here and I will find out what you are hiding.”
[Novan holds up his hands, exposing his inflicted flesh to Lane as he begs his foe to listen.]“The Ashla protects my blood, so far I have succeeded in slowing the rate of infection. Here, surrounded by those inflicted like me, I can study them and the power of the Ashla grows.
Did you not wonder why I have chosen TAM to receive my guidance above others? It’s not his personality, he is the only being that cannot be affected by a blood virus. He is the only one who can possibly be immune.”
[Lane does not have time to react. The world seems to darken to black.] [Flutter.] [The voice of Lane calls out in the dark.]“Scarecrow… Stop.”
[Light returns and we see the figure of Scarecrow standing in our presence. TAM lies slumped against the blackened wall of the shack and Crow holds Novan by the throat, lifting him into the air with one hand. With his other, he holds Novan’s blade against his own throat. He turns to look at Lane, his head tilted to the side with a look that demands answers.]“We can save him. Just as I was once saved, we can save Novan from his fate. The power he possesses, this Ashla. It could be a valuable power in the war against this scourge.”
[Scarecrow keeps the blade trained on Novan’s throat, to the point where it draws blood while he thinks. Reluctantly, he lets Novan go.]“You want to live? Prove your worth, if you really are valuable…” [He holds up the blade again] “… Or not.”
[Flutter.] [Lane and Scarecrow are gone, leaving TAM and Novan to pick up the pieces.] [Cut.]HELIOS VS. CROWLEY VS. BELLATOR VS. PHOENIX
FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH
LAST DITCH
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“They killed Dan. Betamax is doing whatever Betamax does. If the rumors out of the Tap Room are true, then that Doctor is worse than we expected. What they said he did to Adagio…”
“One does not need to think of such matters. The fact is that we are outnumbered. Right now, it is only you and your King against the entire force of the Underworld. The devilry that gives Helios and Proteus their powers lies beyond its gate. This Danvers peasant is no real doctor. His medicine is death. Will your plan still work?”
[Terminus chuckles at the question.]“It will. But only if the two of us, and Dan once he is back among the living, are at our best. Dan will give his life for this cause, he’s proven it time and time again. He’s spoken for by the Templars. I know I can count on him. I waged war against Hades himself at the gate itself. I snapped his neck. Janus empowers me, empowers this cause. I know what I bring to the table. My only question mark, King Royal, is you.”
[The arrogant King seems taken aback. Before he can protest, Ordell continues.]“You earned your crown through conquest. But your armies are dead. The remainder of your kingdom are hidden with their Queen. Yet you parade around in your shiny armor and decadent crown. There’s only one throne I’m concerned with, and you do not sit on it. Dan and I aren’t your servants. We’re all equal in this.”
[Terminus holds out his hand. Royal reaches out to shake it with a smile.]“Equals. We win together and live. Or we die together and both of us will bow to the Mad King.”
[The two of them turn to listen to the running water, neither losing their edge of caution.] [For this is not just any river. It is the River Styx. The small gate beyond is its entrance to the Underworld.] [King Royal and Ordell Terminus have literally chosen a ditch to mount their campaign from.] [Heaven help them if it fails.]TRAITOR
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Jake?”
[The elder Jeckel merely nods, motioning for Jack to come closer.]“You got my message?”
[Jack nods, looking uncomfortable at Jake’s uncharacteristically stoic tone. Jake pushes up from the altar, walking towards his brother.]“I got tipped off on the mother fucker who infected Calyspo, Jacky. I need you to help me show them the business end of a hatchet, we gotta bleed the fucker like a fuckin’ pig. Do you think you can do that?”
[Jake’s voice is quiet, seething with rage as he closes in on Jack, the younger Jeckel placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder.]“I’ll do whatever you need me to do, man. Just ask I’ll help you take their fuckin’ head off.”
“Then stand still.”
[Jack looks confused for a mere second before an iron crucifix smashes across the back of his head. He collapses and Jake follows up with a massive kick to the teeth that cuts Jack’s lip. crimson blood drips down his face as he looks up at Jake who connects another boot to Jack’s skull.]“Just stand fuckin’ still, Jacky. You fuckin’ TRAITOR!”
[Jack is unable to respond as a kick to the ribs silences him, causing Jack to spit blood across the ground. He clutches his stomach in pain as Lux looms over him, the Light Warrior grips a hatchet from his robes and hands it to Jake, a gleam in his eye.]“He’s the last name on the list, Jake. Sacrifice this lamb and you shall have your revenge.”
[Jake smiles deviously as he holds the hatchet high above his head, Jack unable to move, watching in fear as Jake prepares to end Jack’s life.]“Lux, this is my kill. Leave now or you’ll be next.”
[Lux merely chuckles, turning from Jake and exiting the chapel, looking over his shoulder at the Juggalo once more before closing the doors behind him.] [As the scene closes, the thud of the hatchet echoes through the backstage.]SOLOMON RHODES VS BRENT KERSH
FIRST BLOOD MATCH
BLEEDING HEARTS
RINGSIDE
“What have I done?”
[It has begun. The Blood Drive has begun.] [Cut.]