BACKSTAGE[Initializing.] [Loading Software.] [Audio operational.] [Visual operational.] [Checking system status.] [Running diagnostics.] [Vanguard active.]
“Is it ready?” [A male voice asks amongst the clicking of typing fingers.] “I need this software operational immediately.”
[Our darkness soon morphs into a room backstage, hidden somewhere in the depths of ‘The Tap Room’. It’s a technological paradise. Within it, there are numerous monitors, each with a visual on different areas of the arena. The main screen logs data, mining it from each location.] [We spin around, unable to see the man behind the keyboard; however, we rise slowly to see the person pulling his strings.] [A spectacled man stands, mid-fifties, wearing a sharp suit and tie. He’s clean shaven, his hair is slicked back and the gold Rolex on his wrist screams money. There’s an air of sophistication about him.]“It’s ready,” [the technician responds.] “This software will run Old School Wrestling from right here.”
[The man checks his watch.] “Fantastic. My employer wishes to know everything. Every word spoken within these walls, every fight, every conversation, every movement. He wants complete deniability. This software has to be intelligent enough to run the day to day.” [A voice suddenly booms above them.]“Do not fret, I have access to all locations inside The Tap Room. I see all, I hear all.”
[The man smiles.]“Good, Vanguard, that’s good. My employer bought Old School Wrestling at auction for a hefty price. He expects daily reports.”
“What is it you are looking for?” [Asks the mighty computer from above.] “Should I be given this knowledge, my search parameters can be better defined.”
[He scoffs in retort.] “Watch, listen, report. That’s your job, Vanguard. You’re in charge around here. You make the decisions, the matches and the rules, but you report to us.” [Pause.]“Received.”
[The man looks at his watch for a second time before patting the technician on the shoulder.]“Vanguard must be able to control everything,” [he says with a smile.] “Do you understand? Every lock, every door, every room. Nothing happens without his knowledge. I want him to be able to speak in all areas, act in all areas and control everything. No blind spots. No exceptions.”
[The technician nervously responds.] “Yes sir.” [Cut.]ALFIE BUTTON VS. KANE DOEBURN
SINGLES MATCH
A MATTER OF FAITH
RECORDED EARLIER
“And the Lord said he would build his Church upon a rock! I am that rock, and no man will burn down what God has built up!”
[A tent keeps the harshness of the sun away, but none can mistake the remains of the old white church building that once stood high.]“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder!”
[The impassioned voice of D’Von Chambers echoes under the big top. He stands upon charred wood, each haughty step crumbling the remains of his church further. A meager congregation has come out to hear his message. His followers remain ignorant to what happened to both the church and to Chambers himself in recent months.]“The enemy deceives! He sends men that wear the cloth of the Lord himself, but the Lord God has delivered D’Von Chambers from the fires of hell itself! Satan has no hold on me!”
[Chambers goes to continue, but a voice rises out of the congregation.]“Then why did you bow to Lucifer himself?”
[Those assembled all turn to face the speaker. Clad in a green suit, Edward Newton stands, his eyes fixed upon Chambers.]“Do you have something to say, brother Newton?”
[The World Champion’s lips purse in response.]“These people may not know the truth, they may even believe your words. You may believe them yourself. But I don’t forget. You tried to take something very dear to me. My contribution seems to have not filled your coffers. Perhaps you need a little faith, Mr. Chambers. Faith, not works, is what the Bible says, does it not? Or did you skip that passage?”
[Edward Newton turns on his heel and walks away from the gathering. Whispering begins to accumulate among those assembled.]“What is that guy talking about?”
“The Devil? Surely the Reverend would never…”
[Meanwhile, D’Von Chambers stands in his makeshift pulpit, his eyes burning hotter than the fire that destroyed his church.]BERENGAR VS. GAIA
SINGLES MATCH
LOVE STRUCK
BACKSTAGE
“It is okay my DEAR. Nothing can hurt you, I will see to that. So long as you are in my hands, you will be CHERISHED and looked after for ETERNITY.”
[He pulls the title up to his face, placing it against his skin and letting out a small sigh of relief at the feeling of the cold metal.]“My sweet sweet dear, I LOVE you.”
[And as Danvers’ world seemed so… eerily happy, a single voice broke the silence around his embrace, shattering it. The doctor turned towards the voice, peering into the darkness of the hallway.]“Love, Danvers? I’m not sure you know what that word means.”
[Slowly the owner of the voice revealed himself. Brent Kersh. The Enforcer looks almost older post-judgment day, worn and tired, he approaches Danvers, the doctor immediately recoils back with his title, staring a hole through Kersh.]“Get BACK from him! You will know NOTHING of my love. Dear Cael Gable REFUSED my affections, but my dearest would NEVER turn his back on me. This title is MINE, Brent.”
[Kersh looked on with concern for a moment, thinking before backing away from the crazed doctor. He sighs, shaking his head.]“You really do believe the obsession you have for people, for things, is love? You don’t know anything about what love is, and I know that as long as that thing is in your hands, people are gonna get hurt.”
[Danvers leaps at Kersh! The Enforcer ducks a wild elbow and turns to face Danvers only to see the doctor escaping down the hallway, title still in hand. Kersh looks on, shaking his head in disappointment at what he just witnessed.]YOUNG BROTHER
BACKSTAGE
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, young brother.”
[Redmond Quinn.] [The teacher enters the scene with a reassuring hand on his shoulder.]“Every night between those ropes is another lesson to be learned and we’re all students of the game.”
[He sighs.] “I know, man. I’m just so frustrated that I couldn’t pick up the win. This was my first ever wrestling match and I had dreams of how it’d go; none of them ended up like that.”“It happens to the best of us,” [Quinn assures him.] “Believe me. You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, come back next week and try again.”
[Doebern puts his hands on his hips and nods in agreement.]“Yeah, you got it. I’ll be back. I’m Kane, by the way.”
[He offers a handshake.] [Quinn accepts with a pearly white smile.]“Redmond Quinn.”
[The pair head off down the corridor, engaged in conversation.] [Meanwhile, in the pitchblack darkness behind them, a pair of piercing blue eyes stare out, attached to the barely visible grimace of a man we can’t quite make out.] [He steps backwards, fading away.] [Cut.]KASABIAN VS. CHIP MONTANA
INVASION QUALIFIER
A DEAL
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Listen, man. Notable by their absence right?” [Washington asks Cole, his hands stretched out, looking around for his missing henchmen.] “I need me a man who can do some work for me. You owe me money. So let’s call it a trade. You work for me, you work off your debt. Coo’?”
[Cole itches his chin, then nods.]“Yeah mate, fine by me.”
[Washington sits up in his seat. He opens the desk drawer.]“You look hungry man. You eatin’ alright?” [Washington asks,] “or you hungry?”
[Cole is hungry.]“I’m hungry, man. Hungry.” [he nods.] [Washington reaches in his draw. He tosses a baggie of white powder onto the desktop.]
“Look, this is for you, and this…” [he pulls a shoebox from the drawer.] “is for you to get rid of.”
[Cole flicks the lid open. A box full of individual servings of cocaine. His blood runs cold. How much of this could he get through? Could some get lost in transit?]“Pre-measured, pre-weighed. Y’feel me? I know how much to expect back, yo.”
“So I shift this gear, then we’re done, right?” [Cole asks, still gazing into the box.] [Washington glares at Cole.]
“Right?” [Cole asks again, slapping the cardboard lid shut.] [Cut.]
REDMOND QUINN VS. DARKSTAR
INVASION QUALIFIER
NOW YOU SEE ME
RECORDED EARLIER
“Welcome, welcome one and all! You lucky few have been granted the privilege of witnessing my final performance before I leave the Vegas Strip to dazzle the likes of the wrestling world! But fear not, I will be back. However, to make it up to you, my amazing fans, I will preform one of my most amazing tricks. But of course, I will need a volunteer from the audience!”
[The crowd claps and cheers, many of them raising their hands to be picked. Just as Dante points to a girl in the crowd, he hears a foot stomp the side of his stage, interrupting the performance. The magician turns coming face to face with a man now standing upon his stage, a cocky smirk on his face. Wild Karrde. The gambler looks Dante up and down before reaching into his pocket.]“Now, I figured I’d stop by to see the show before you headed off to my domain, Xavier. And let me tell you, I’m not impressed with the pyrotechnics and lazy showmanship.”
[Dante looked offended, glaring at Karrde before producing the same blue flames in the palm of his hand.]“You come to my show, and talk down to me and my audience? I’ll show you just why I am the world’s most powerful magician.”
[Karrde put a hand up, pausing Xavier as he finally fished the item out of his pocket. A coin. Karrde showed it to Dante, then to the crowd.]“You misunderstand, I’m not here to fight, I’m just here to show this crowd that your magic doesn’t stand up to a little luck. So I offer a little challenge for your skills. A bet, even. I’m going to flip this coin, and with my luck, it’ll land on heads three times. If your magic is so powerful, then I’ll fail, and I’ll leave you alone. If I win, I get a prize of my choice.”
[Xavier eyes Karrde before chuckling.]“Fine, I suppose I’ll have to crush your ego here and now, now won’t I?”
[Karrde steps back, the crowd hushed as he flips the coin in front of Dante.] [Heads.] [Dante watches it flip again, and with a wave of his hands, the coin vanishes in midair, appearing in his hands.] [Heads.] [Xavier looks down at the coin in surprise, looking up at Karrde who snatches it from Dante’s hands before flipping it one more time, catching it and placing it upside down on his wrist.] [Heads.] [The crowd is hushed, Xavier looking at Wild Karrde in shock before the Gambler smirks and walks off stage. Before he leaves the building, he turns to Xavier and flips the coin to him.]“I told you, you’ve got nothing on the power of luck. I’ll be seeing you to pick up my prize, Dante.”
[The crowd remains quiet as Dante looks down at the coin, flipping it over in his hands. Revealing a heads on both sides.]THE LOST COSMONAUT VS. D’VON CHAMBERS
INVASION QUALIFIER
A NEW FRIEND?
[The image suddenly gets a bit more grainy, eventually revealing the old-school television set it emanates from as Oscar Vogel watches with one of his puppets, curiously skeletal in appearance. Vogel turns his attention to the puppet, and his calm demeanor quickly turns into a frown.]
“What’s wrong, Skeletor? You look a little more blue than usual today. What has you down in the dumps? Have you been eating well?”
[We get a good look at Skeletor, practically seeing the reason for Oscar’s concern as we hear its raspy, gravelly voice.]“I’m fine health wise, Oscar, I’m just…sad. I see this space man, and I can’t help but think…I could use a friend like that.”
[Vogel looks at his bony friend, perplexed at the response given to him.]“You’ve got me, Skeletor. I’m your friend. I’ve always been your friend. My heart is true…I’m a pal and a confidant.”
“I know, but it’s just not the same…you’re not a skeleton, like he is. He understands the struggle of being different. He just…gets me.”
[Vogel does a double take at this and looks at the screen, focusing on The Lost Cosmonaut, and then back at Skeletor. His frown softens, eventually turning into a hesitant smile.]“Well then, I suppose we can have a little chat with the space man, can’t we? I’ll bet he could use a new friend, too…we all could use a friend from time to time.”
“Yes, that would be lovely! We can count each other’s bones, discuss proper diet and exercise when one doesn’t worry about muscles, and so much more! Thank you so much, Oscar. You understand the importance of friendship, and for that I’m eternally grateful. Thank you for being a friend.”
[Oscar nods in appreciation, focusing his attention back to the screen with a look of worry on his face…as though he understands the task that lies ahead of him.] [Cut.]MICHAEL GRAVES VS. TROY SOLVEIG
SINGLES MATCH
OVERESTIMATION
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“What is happening, miss?”
[Her bugged eyes move up to meet his before looking at her hand. It’s then that Kirby notices that her hand is holding down a button. She’s trembling.]“If I move, he said this will kill me.”
“Who said?”
[She’s on the verge of tears. Kirby searches around the room of this waiting room before finding a metal tray.]“Now, I’m going to slide this tray between you and this bomb, okay? But I’ll need to pull you out of the way just in case.”
[Tears are falling as she only nods. The Wannabe superhero circles around the counter and gets ready in true Indiana Jones fashion before sliding the tray in and pulling the woman back at the same moment.] [Nothing happens.] [The woman continues sobbing as Bill Kirby removes the tray. He lifts up the item which EXPLODES… in blue ink. It showers the face of Kirby as he’s stunned by it momentarily.] [The sound of screeching tires outside draws his attention as he rushes out the front door. He’s too late. The van is rolling down the road already. He squints his eyes to follow it before looking down at the not-so-deadly cannister in his hand. He flips it over to see a large “MF” logo with a few words written beneath.]“Overestimation: Property of Dr. Mindfuck.”
THE GREAT SWORD
BACKSTAGE
“I’m telling you Berengar, it’s him. This universe may have closely averted danger with the Apocalypse but he’s the harbinger of the end.”
[Berengar sighs.] “It cannot be Vigilkeeper. It simply cannot be. We barely escaped that world and I was certain nothing else could have either.” [Vigilkeeper, the sword, scoffs at him.]“I will never forget his face, okay? He chased us from that planet before he destroyed it. To this day I dream of how our quest was ended by his ginormous frame. I can see it in his eyes, Berengar; he wishes to destroy this world too.”
[The Great Knight puffs his chest out.]“That will not happen again, dear friend,” [he says with sincerity.] “I was the cause of our loss in that last battle. I underestimated his strength and it cost us the planet. I remember running for our lives, I remember leaving those poor people behind.”
[His head lowers in shame.] [Vigilkeeper refuses to let him suffer.] “No, you shan’t be pitied. You’re the Knight of the Void, Berengar. You’ve saved many planets and I know this because I’ve been at your side during all of those battles.”“Then what must I do?”
[The sword glows white in his hand.]“Destroy the destroyer of worlds.”
[He pauses.]“Destroy Darkstar.”
[Cut.]JACEN NOVAN VS. EL TRÉBOL JUNIOR
[Tonight, as OSW enters a new season and almost an entirely new landscape, two men are here to prove why they are still here after Judgment Day, to show what every new face must do to make it here as we have Jacen Novan VS El Trebol Jr. in a champion vs champion match tonight!]
[DING! DING! The two men tie up! Jacen Novan has an easy power advantage and he shoves El Trebol Jr. hard into the corner! It was hard enough to launch Trebol back to Novan! DARKNESS WITHIN! Jacen throws that bull hammer elbow! NO! El Trebol Jr. ducks it! He runs towards the ropes! SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! El Trebol Jr. hit all of that and he covers! One…Two… kick out by Novan! El Trebol goes to the top rope! He dives going for the senton! Jacen gets the knees up! Hard landing on the knees for Trebol! Trebol’s back is bowing in pain and Jacen runs towards the back and hits a stiff dropkick to the spine!]
[Jacen locks in a rear chokehold and Trebol is screaming in agony! Trebol is trying to fight out of it! He’s doing it! He is getting to his feet and he is elbowing Jacen’s stomach to get out of it! Jacen releases the hold! El Trebol Jr. Irish whips him into the corner! He hits a shining wizard in the corner! Jacen slumps to a seated position! BOCA LLENA! Trebol hits the mouthful, that beautiful dropkick using the ropes for extra height! Jacen rolls out of the ring! SUICIDE DIVE! No! Jacen catches Trebol! SPINEBUSTER ON THE APRON! What a move as Trebol’s back has to be destroyed!]
[Jacen throws him back in the ring and goes for the pin! One…Two…Thr… No! Shoulder up by the resilient luchador! Jacen gets on top of him and starts pummeling him with some punches! Trebol catches a punch! He turns it into CUELGA VID! Trebol locks in the triangle but Jacen lifts him up and BUCKLE BOMB! Jacen throws him hard into the corner! Jacen charges at Trebol! Trebol gets the feet up and hops up to the top rope! Jacen tries to knock him but hard superkick to keep Novan off of Trebol! Trebol jumps! AL VAL VERDE! He hits all of that diving reverse Frankensteiner! Trebol covers! One… Two…Three! He wins!]
[What a move as Jacen is lucky to be seeing green let alone gold as that move should have knocked him out fully. What a win by El Trebol Jr.!]
GUARDIANS
NEEDFUL THINGS
“My dearest Finn, it’s a pleasure to have you back in my wonderful store. I’ve missed you. How long has it been since you last crossed my threshold, dear boy?”
[Edgar Nevermore suddenly appears alongside Nicholas Mammon.]“My gentleman friend and I have a proposition for you. Care to sit a while and parlee?”
[Chairs suddenly appear around them. El Trébol sits, almost in a trance. Mammon and Nevermore join him with smiles on their faces.]“It would appear that you’re over encumbered with Championships,” [Nevermore reports with a grimace.] “We’d like to unburden you of such weight.”
[Mammon grins.] “Precisely. I’m certain that I could find a trade suitable for you, chap.” [El Trébol appears undoubtedly mesmerized. He’s about to respond when there’s a very sudden flash across our screens. Papers are flung up into the air with velocity and when they return to the ground, El Trébol Junior is gone.] [We follow into the backstage corridor, where Spero now stands alongside a dumbfounded El Trébol Junior.]“What happened?” [The Green Bean asks.] “I couldn’t stop myself. I was going to hand over the Tag Team Championships. I was going to-”
[Spero interrupts.] “His powers of persuasion are almost magical,” [the young hero announces.] “But I made it to you just in time. I’m afraid that those two ‘gentlemen’ are on a quest to relieve you of your Tag Team Championships. That isn’t a battle you can fight alone.” [Trébol shakes his head.]“Why do you want to help me?”
[Spero straightens his shoulders.]“Because it’s the right thing to do. I saw what you and The Watchmen sacrificed to save this world and I can’t thank you enough for it. I could’ve perished too, couldn’t I? I’ve seen what happens to a planet when it’s destroyed from the inside, Finn. I’ve watched, like you, as my friends and family were torn apart. We could never be The Watchmen or The Guardians but we could be something else.”
[El Trébol leans in, intrigued.]“We could be the Guardians of The Last Watch. We could come together to protect this world from evil, starting with The Gentlemen Duo.”
[The Tag Team Champion thinks about it for a moment before slowly handing over one of his Tag Team Championships.]“This world needs heroes now, more than ever,” [Trébol admits.] “And I need a friend. We have to rebuild this temple, so that when the next battle for the world begins, it can defend the Earth and save it. Men died to ensure the safety the world and my friend walked away because of how much he lost to do it. I can’t walk away, Spero.”
“And you won’t have to.”
[Both men look at each other with a sincere nod, The Guardians of The Last Watch born here tonight.] [Cut.]GAMEBOY VS. SPERO
INVASION QUALIFIER
WARRIOR
BACKSTAGE
“Now listen, my boy…I need you to understand your purpose here. I want everything this place has to offer, and you’re my meal ticket to that end. Do you understand?”
[Kasabian says nothing, instead responding merely with a nod that draws a smile to the face of Walters.]“Excellent. I don’t just mean titles and accolades, mind you…though if you were to win those, that would certainly be a feather in my cap. No, I mean everything…including him.”
[Walters points behind his slave, who turns to see Troy Solveig walk by. Solveig pays no mind to their conversation as he continues on his way, still being watched by the slave and master as Kasabian turns his attention back to an almost mesmerized Walters.]“Yes, my boy, that’s a warrior if I’ve ever seen one. I need a man like that, and that brings me back to you. Up till now you’ve been my strongest man out on the field, which is why I brought you here in the first place…so it’s your job to fetch me that warrior, my boy. It’s his destiny to be a part of my camp, and I believe it’s your destiny to be the one to bring him home. Do you understand?”
[Kasabian raises a hand to his chest with a bow.]“Saru.”
[Griffin’s smile turns into a devilish grin as he rests a hand on Kasabian’s shoulder.]“Get to it then, my boy. Whatever you do, make sure he comes home where he belongs. Don’t let me down, now…you remember what happened to the last man that failed me. I’d hate to lose another good man to disobedience.”
[Kasabian nods in agreement once more before heading out, his master looking on with glee.] [Cut.]MAMMON & NEWTON VS. COLE & WASHINGTON
TAG TEAM MATCH
BURIED TREASURE
RECORDED EARLIER
“Somebody couldn’t see a damn thing.”
[They are laid over to the side as well. Dakota brushes some more dirt out of the way, shaking her head.]“Come on ‘Kota, why did you have to come alone?”
[She chuckles as she reaches forward, but something seems to catch her eye. Faye’s head cocks to the side as she unearths a box of some kind. Several strange markings are carved into each face. She turns the cube around, but there is no hole. It is a complete object.]“Whoa.”
[The cube begins to emanate a dim green glow. The touch of human skin seems to have activated it. Yet Faye only stares at it with confusion.]“I need to get a better look at this. These markings match the ones I found in Belize.”
[Dakota hurries to her feet, and wades out of the mess. She leaves the room and heads for cleaner ground.] [But a man turns around the corner to observe her leaving.]“She found it.”
[Jacen Novan.] [Cut.]NEVERMORE VS. HAPPY VS. DR. MINDFUCK
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
BREATHE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Breathe it in. Can you smell it? Can you feel it?”
[Again, he breathes, lifting his arms up in front of his chest as he exhales.]“You may open your eyes now. Breath the air, fresh and clean. For the judgement is over and the sun shines. The dawning of a new day, and your Heir Eternal has plans for all of you. Guide your light, your spirit to me and the path you must walk will become clear.”
[He stands over his book, open on the pulpit and draws his eyes upon the open page for a brief moment.]“Too long have we sat oppressed and judged by an almighty being who we cannot see, nor touch. Too long have we been held in fear of what will become of us when our souls pass on. I bring you clarity. I bring you the future. So breathe… Smell it, taste it. Let Eli Forever take you there. Where you can see… Forever.”
[Eli looks out over the followers in attendance. Each sits in silent adoration of their leader.]“All it will take is your acceptance.”
[He brings his hands together in front of his chest and bows as he ends. Applause scatters out from his followers as he leaves the pulpit. Each person in attendance seems eager to do their part to usher in Eli’s new world. Each except one. One figure stands in the back, shaking his head in silent rage.] [The figure steps forward, cloaked jacket flailing behind him. He corners Eli as the leader looks to take his leave, stopping him in his tracks. Eli Forever greets him as he would any of his followers who have questions, with a charismatic smile and powerful eyes.]“I have not seen you around before. New followers are always welcome…”
[Shadow silences Eli with a hand.]“Your words drip of lies, Eli Forever. The Lord takes umbrage to your filth and I stand before you to stop your spreading of lies before they begin. Look over your shoulder, Eli, you may find an angel staring back.”
[Shadow turns and swishes away even before Eli had found time to retort, his jacket flailing behind him. The warning message has been sent, but the look on Eli’s face and the smirk that forms on his mouth suggests that this is only getting started.] [Cut.]WILD KARRDE VS. BILL KIRBY
INVASION QUALIFIER
HE’S THE BATMAN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“G’day mates, I’m Chip Montana,” [Chip whispers, crouched behind a large, wet rock in a deep, dark cave.] “and this is Grabbing Nature… By The Balls!”
[Kevin leans over the rock, his camera zooming, slowly focusing.] [Michael Graves stands in front of a stone altar, his arms outstretched towards dozens of his Chiroptera. He appears to be preaching to them.]“And so Barbatos proclaimed it to be so.” [he finishes.]
“All hail the Bat God!” [he yells]
“All hail Barbatos!” [his druids reply in kind.]
“Bloody ‘ell lads, what we’ve got ‘ere is a wild an’ untamed BatMan. As you can see lads, he’s clearly feral. Foamin’ at the mouth there. Spewin’ absolute rabbish. A sure sign that this BatMan needs to be put down.” [Montana narrates.] [Just then, flapping. Lots, and lots of flapping.] [BATS.]
“Bloody ‘ell they’re everywohere mate!” [Montana hisses in a hushed tone, slapping away at his head aimlessly.] “Come on Kev, we better get outta here!”
[The two start to run for the entrance of the cave, but Kevin slips! His camera flies through the air as he slides down a slick, slippery embankment. He reaches out for help but Montana is way too far ahead to even realise. Instead, he grabs a bat mid-air and the two make a satisfying SPLOSH as they hit a body of water. A moment later, the camera joins them and ZZZZZZAP!]“Gahhhhhh!” [yelps Kevin.] [Chip stops his escape efforts and peers down the black gaping hole in the ground.]
“Can’t interfere with nature, Kev!” [He courageously yells after his friend.] [Graves and his druids have not allowed the noise to go unnoticed. The preaching has stopped and Graves is squinting, peering into the darkness.]
“Crikey!”
[Chip Montana runs away into the darkness.]DAKOTA FAYE VS. WOLFGANG
INVASION QUALIFIER
LEVEL ONE
BACKSTAGE
“I think you’re up next Mister Kersh” [Happy pops.] “But don’t fret about it. You just need to look on the bright side.”
[Brent gives an awkward glare in the direction of his newfound acquaintance before glancing back to the photo of which we now see is that of his deceased son, Trevor.]“The bright side” [Kersh almost scoffs as he looks back to happy.] “Yea kid. Good advice. Thanks!”
[Brent swallows it, moving on from the over-enthusiastic Happy.] [But from the shadows.] [Gaia.] [Her hands find their way to Happy’s shoulders. At first he is startled by her touch, but by the time he glances behind him a smile covers his face.]“Your joy is like a breath of fresh air, my son.” [Gaia says calmly.] “But it will not be accepted here. If you are to remain happy it will require nurturing. It will require protection. The kind you can only receive from a mother.”
[Happy begins to stutter. A hesitant shyness coming over him.]“Y… Y… You want to help ME?”
[Gaia nods with a loving grin.]“I can look after you. I can keep you content. Assured that Nature will reclaim what is hers.”
[A look of amazement covers the face of Happy as he slowly nods. Gaia wrapping her arm around his shoulder and leading him away.] [But on the other side of the corridor, another set of eyes looks on.] [It’s Gameboy.] [He glares at Gaia and Happy as they distance themselves from him. A concerned expression covering his face as he slowly shakes his head. He begins to mumble rather quickly.]“First cut scene. Beautiful lady. Friendly side character. An incidental meeting in a neutral area. Too many factors are present. Too many clues. Level One just started and I already know who the first boss is.”
[Gameboy lets out a sigh before gathering himself.]“Ready!”
[Cut.]VOGEL VS. SHADOW VS. DANVERS VS. KERSH
REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
DON’T FORGET
BACKSTAGE
“Did you think I’d let your tricks and riddles stand, Mr. Newton?”
[A knee to the head follows as Newton’s face goes into the concrete. The Champ lifts it as blood runs down his nose. The siren grows louder.]“With men like you, I don’t need riddles. You served the creature you claim to be against, Chambers. He delivered you from the fires twice. Yet you still claim to serve God?”
[A grin forms on Chambers face as he stomps Edward’s face back into the pavement. This time, Newton doesn’t rise. D’Von begins to kick, punch, and do whatever he can to inflict damage on his nemesis. Finally, seeing that Newton isn’t moving, Chambers kneels over him, almost caressing the back of his head.]“You don’t forget, you say. Well I didn’t forget how good it felt to hold that World Championship. You took my church, now you try to take my congregation. Now the wrath of the Lord will come crashing down upon you as I take the gold away from you. All riches belong to the Lord, after all.”
[Chambers smiles as the sirens finally materialize into an ambulance.] [D’Von planned this assault!] [EMTs rush over to Newton as Chambers intercepts them.]“This poor man seems to have been attacked! I got here just in time to make sure he didn’t die. Lord bless you for arrives so quickly, good man.”
[As they load Newton up onto a gurney, one of the EMTs holds up the World Championship. He looks to Chambers.]“This his?”
[Chambers grins.]“Oh yes it is. Make sure you keep it, I know he’d hate to lose that. I’d hate for him to think I stole it from him.”
[The sirens begin to fade as the ambulance rides off into the night with our World Champion loaded into the back.]“No, Mr. Newton, I want you to cherish that gold before I take it from you.”
[Cut.]DANTE XAVIER VS. ELI FOREVER
INVASION QUALIFIER
NEGER
THE UNDERGROUND BUNKER
“Neger.”
[He reaches forward and rips away the shirt of Redmond, revealing his bare chest. Wolfgang thrusts the cattle prod forward one more time, zapping his bare skin to a tremendous yell.]“You people make me sick on a level you can’t even comprehend. You vile, disgusting, rancid creatures shouldn’t walk this Earth with the rest of us. You weaken the gene pool, mating and procreating like animals. Widerlich.”
[Wolfgang whacks the cattle prod across his face with such force that not only do his glasses shatter and fall off, but the chair breaks and he falls to his knees. Furious, he rips the chair from him as violently as he can, cutting into him with the shards of wood whilst tossing it aside, before standing over him.]“We exist, pure and clean, with a drive to continue the goal of our once glorious leader; Adolf Hitler,” [Wolfgang says proudly as Quinn dribbles blood.] “And your inferior races that pollute our world will one day cease to be.”
[He smugly smirks, leaning back to wind up his boot.] [Blood and Soil.] [A violent, vile, vicious Curbstomp on the concrete floor.] [As Redmond’s head bounces off the concrete, Wolfgang pushes down on his head, mushing it into the floor with the sole of his boot.]“Because we will zerstören your race, murder each and every single one of you across the globe and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. You will personally die beneath my boot, neger, just not today.”
[He turns to walk away, banging on a large metal door. When it opens, he passes the cattle prod to a subordinate and looks back at the carnage inside the room.]“Release him!” [he sneers.] [The subordinate seems shocked.] “But General-”
[Wolfgang cuts him off.]“It would be a great honor to kill him in this room, surrounded by my brothers,” [Wolfgang says placing a hand on his shoulder.] “But what kind of message would that send? Do we wish to zerstören them, or do we wish for kleine siege?”
[The subordinate nods.] “Heil the superior.” [Wolfgang smiles, leaving the room.] [Cut.]