TORN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Can you feel it?” [He asks Vigilkeeper.] “The power coursing through you is unlike anything you’ve ever felt, isn’t it? I feel it too.”
[The Sword doesn’t respond.]“You’ve yet to taste the blood of humanity, have you? Their sweet scented nectar has yet to trickle down your glimmering blade. When it does, you’ll know that you belong by my side, Vigilkeeper.”
“Enough!”
[An unexpected voice forces Darkstar to swivel, sword raised. Behind him stands Berengar and to say he’s displeased would be an understatement. The Knight stands valiantly, his chest puffed out and his eyes focused on his sword.]“Ah, I see you found me, Knight.”
[Berengar steps forward.]“No, I found my broadsword,” [he retorts.] “Hand it over you vile creature, or I won’t be held responsible for my actions. You won’t destroy this world like you have so many others.”
[The Devourer laughs.]“I have your weapon and I have your only means to retrieve it. This is a quest you simply cannot complete, Berengar.”
[The Knight reaches out.] [His hand begins to shake powerfully.] [And suddenly, Vigilkeeper is ripped from the hand of Darkstar – a force of unknown origin whipping it through the air and back into the hands of its rightful owner.] [Darkstar looks down at his hand in shock.] [Berengar then drives it forward, only the tip stops at the midsection of the Devourer. They lock eyes, unsure of what’s happening.]“I-I can’t,” [Vigilkeeper says, refusing to pierce him.] “I’m sorry.”
[A light suddenly beams from above, shining down on Berengar and Vigilkeeper. Within moments, they vanish into the night’s sky.] [Sleipnir.] [Darkstar looks up into the night sky, a wry smile on his face. Whatever happened here tonight, Vigilkeeper is torn between two masters. What power does the Devourer hold over it?] [Cut.]SHADOW VS. THE INFORMER
SINGLES MATCH
DESPERATE TIMES
RECORDED EARLIER
“NEWTON!”
[D’Von Chambers is on his knees at a black altar. The Sigil of Baphomet stands tall behind him as the voice of Edward Newton speaks out of a recording.]“And of course, since we are all here, God did not allow Lucifer to continue his destruction of Earth.”
[The crestfallen Chambers grabs at the ripped shards of the projector screen, ripping them down around him. He roars to his feet, throwing the altar across the empty sanctuary.]“I don’t believe I need to pose you fine people a riddle for you to deduce Reverend Chambers’ true affiliations.”
[Chambers rips one of the Baphomet heads from the wall, and throws it at the projector set up by Newton, ripping it from the wall to the floor.]“Perhaps you will spend your hard-earned money in a better way than…”
[CRUNCH!] [D’Von’s boot splits the broken projector as Chambers seems ready to overflow with rage at what Newton has done to him. Step by step, D’Von throws black benches at the nearest wall, each one silently damning the name of Edward Newton to the deepest pits of hell. Chambers rushes out the door to see the exhaust trail of the last member of his congregation growing as the field is now barren of cars, save the damaged Cadillac of Chambers himself.]“Nothing. I’ve got nothing.”
[Chambers turns and walks back into the building, flinging his arms out in the middle of the aisle as he goes to his knees once again.]“Oh merciful Lord…”
[Chambers ceases his prayer as his eyes lock onto one of the overturned objects.] [A burning candle.] [He never finishes that prayer, instead letting a smile form over his face.] [Cut.]QUINN & MYSTERION VS. WASHINGTON & GAIA
TAG TEAM MATCH
THE DEAL III
[Somewhere Else.]
[Light clouds whip across the dark night sky. The wind whistles, twisting around the intertwined metal of the chainlink fence quietly closed behind the black sedan that chugs as it idles on the dirt path leading towards an old, disused warehouse.]
[The car door closes behind Luke Cole as he sits back in the passenger seat. Driving; Nate Washington.]
“Y’ready, man?” [Nate asks.] [Luke reaches between his feet and picks up a large metal briefcase. He places it on his lap and pats it.]
“Ready..”
[Cole opens the door, but Nate places his hand on Cole’s forearm. Cole turns back to look at his nemesis-turned-business-partner.]“Yo, take this, man.”
[Cole places a beretta on top of the metal briefcase. The two metals scratch against each other as Cole lets go of the car door and grabs the gun.]“Cheers. Yeah. Cheers, Nate.”
[He clambers out of the car, briefcase in one hand, beretta being tucked into the back of his waistband with the other.] [He walks the hundred meters to the entrance of the warehouse and dips inside the large, ajar door. A man, shrouded by the darkness, flanked by two men, is waiting.]“Here you go.” [Cole says in a friendly tone, tossing the briefcase on the ground in front of him.] [A henchman steps forwards, presenting Cole with a briefcase, open, and filled to the brim with cash. On top of the money is a single key.]
“Nice one. Where’s the back door?” he asks, swiping the key and closing the briefcase.
[The henchman indicates the direction with a jerk of his head.]“Thanks.”
[Cole pulls the beretta out of his waistband as he meanders to the back door. He fires three shots into the air and hears the immediate squealing of tyres as Nate Washington abandons him.] [He leaves through the back door and hops in a waiting car, tossing the briefcase onto the passenger seat and peels off. Just in time to pass, heading in the opposite direction, a wide-eyed and snarling Nate Washington. To whom, he waves.]NOVAN VS. CHAMBERS VS. SOLVEIG VS. HAPPY
FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH
TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT I
RECORDED EARLIER
“You should’ve came here sooner,” [Kane says with disappointment.] “They tried to kill you, Teach. You shouldn’t have fought tonight.”
[Redmond winces in pain.] “Look kid, it’s difficult to explain.”“Explain?” [He asks.] “You told me they took something from you but refused to explain what. It isn’t difficult to explain; you just haven’t tried.”
[The nurse finishes off his final bandage and quickly leaves the room. Quinn sits up uncomfortably, looking at his young protégé.]“They took my pride.”
[He lowers his head in shame.]“I’m a proud black man, Kane and I’ve been around the block, but never has someone made me feel so ashamed, so helpless, so unimportant and insignificant.”
[Kane exhales deeply.] “I’m sorry Teach, I just didn’t think,”“They tortured me, beat me, electrocuted me, stomped my head into the ground like I was nothing but an ant beneath their feet. I fought tonight because I had to take back my pride. It wasn’t about the Championship or the glory, not like you young bucks want, no, it was about fighting back.”
[Doeburn angrily stands up.]“I’ll fucking kill them for this.”
[Redmond quickly stops him.] “No, they’ll kill you if you get in their way, kid,” [he says shaking his head.] “Wolfgang wants to make an example out of me. He wants to destroy me in the front of the world to prove that we, as black men, are inferior to his superior race. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction.” [That surprises Kane.]“You’re not going to fight him? You’re not going to get revenge?”
[Redmond relaxes back in his bed somewhat, still aching.]“The time is always right to do what is right.”
[He winces again, holding his side.]“And what’s right is to be the bigger man.”
[Doeburn walks back over to the bed side of his mentor, taking a seat next to him. He’s fuming, that much is clear, but Quinn slowly goes to sleep with a smile upon his face.] [Cut.]WHAT IS LOVE?
RECORDED EARLIER
“Quit FIGHTING me, Brent. I have more tests to run.”
[The Enforcer has blood draining from his arm into a bag, his eyes held open by speculums. Kersh fights his restraints again as he is forced to look up above himself, his head forcibly pointed towards a picture above his head. One of Kersh’s own family.]“For DAYS I have tried to discover what caused the emotion called LOVE. There are no IMPURITIES in your blood and no amount of sedatives seems to make the feeling SUBSIDE. I must go deeper, I must UNDERSTAND more.”
[The Doctor himself walks up to the restrained Kersh, a Trephine in hand. Kersh, tired and seemingly defeated, does not even struggle as the Doctor looms overhead. He slowly brings the trephine toward’s Kersh.]“If it is not in the blood, nor the heart, then I must examine the BRAIN.”
[Danvers thrusts the device into Kersh’s!-] [SNAP!] [KERSH BROKE ONE HAND FREE! HE LANDS A BLOW ON DANVERS!] [The Doctor is taken by surprise as Kersh finally frees himself from the bonds! The Enforcer removes the medical devices from his body, tossing them aside. Danvers tries to stand up, but as he does KERSH LANDS A MASSIVE BOOT TO THE FACE! Danvers is sent sprawling! Kersh stumbles blindly as he looks for an exit from the operating room.]“All that studying, yet you still don’t understand, huh?”
[Kersh shakes his head, escaping as quickly as his tired body will allow.]FAYE, GAMEBOY & TREBOL VS. GRAVES, XAVIER & KIRBY
TRIOS MATCH
TWISTED
RECORDED EARLIER
“So that’s it, Novan?”
[Dakota Faye is behind him, and she is no happier.]“Meet up on the roof so you can steal this cube from me? That sound about right?”
[The grim Novan turns around.]“Do not mistake my intentions. I want the Historium. I desire it, even. But I will not take it from you. However, I hope that after its power is revealed, you may consider removing your stewardship of it.”
[She scoffs. Novan nods to the bag at her side, and Faye pulls out the cube. Upon her touch, the Historium begins to glow a pale green. Novan takes a step forward, his hands shaking.]“I do not know how powerful it is right now, that is why we met in open air.”
[Novan reaches out to place his hands on the Historium. Both of them have both of their hands on it now.]“In my Order, we have a very simple outlook towards life. In the light, there is a darkness and in the darkness, a light. It is the way with us all. Be a prisoner of neither Bogan nor Ashla. Strive to live in balance.”
[Faye shrugs.]“Gibberish, old man. What does it have to do with me?”
[Novan’s lips purse.]“I do not yet know. But the Historium has found its way to you, and I know you felt its call. What is to me a shout must have been but a whisper in your ears. I believed it had been lost in the sands of time, were-gild for a bitter betrayal.”
[The glow intensifies.]“It calls to me. It begs me to crush your mind, to take my place as its master. But the Historium only has one master, whose name has passed into memory and legend.”
[The glow practically washes them out, as Faye looks at Novan.]“So this thing is alive? With the Ashla?”
[Novan snorts, his eyes squinting at the light.]“The Ashla would never command your death so frivolously. No, this object is of the…”
[BANG!] [Novan and Faye are both thrown backwards by a wall of green energy coming from the Historium. Dust and smoke rise up from brick being vaporized in its wake. Dakota Faye slowly begins to come to, and as she rubs soot from her eyes, her face turns angry.] [Jacen Novan is gone.] [So is the Historium.] [Cut.]ISAAC DANVERS VS. OSCAR VOGEL
SINGLES MATCH
MAN MAKES PLANS…
BACKSTAGE
“You’ve let me down, my boy.”
[These ominous words take us somewhere deep within the Tap Room, away from prying eyes as Lord Griffin Walters chastises his slave Kasabian with a stern voice and a mix of anger and disappointment in his eyes.]“I warned you there would be consequences, didn’t I? You know how I feel about failure.”
[Kasabian never responds verbally, but his eyes show a sign of regret in not fulfilling his master’s wishes. Walters lifts his cane, pointing the griffin at the collar on Kasabian’s neck.]“You’re walking a fine line, my boy. Failing me would be akin to escape, both a very quick path to losing something far worse than your freedom.”
[Kasabian remains still, never budging in spite of his master’s threat…which prompts Walters to lower his cane, his expression softening just slightly.]“Alas, man makes plans and God laughs. I am a merciful lord, my boy, so I will spare you the rod just this once. If this warrior won’t come to me willingly, we will simply have to take him by force.”
[Walters taps on the ground with his cane, a crooked smile now forming on his face as he gazes at his loyal slave.]“We’ll need to get you ready for tonight, and for Invasion…that briefcase sure would look nice in my collection. I’ll take that, the opportunity to earn something greater from it, and the warrior all in one fell swoop…and you’re just what I need to get it all done. Let’s get to it then, shall we?”
[Kasabian merely nods in response as they walk away…and we soon see Troy Solveig watching from the shadows, lifting his hammer onto his shoulder with a sense of purpose.]“No mere man can hold the power of the gods, and no man can serve as master over another. Mine purpose is made clear in this hour, and freedom shall be granted.”
[The hammer flickers with lightning as Troy walks off, the Vǫlsungr prepared to live up to his moniker.] [Cut.]ANTE UP
BACKSTAGE
“Howsit look, Xavier?”
[With his arms outstretched in a mock welcome gesture, Wild Karrde himself appears from the back of the makeshift casino.]“I think itsa good example of what’s to come in that buildin’ of yours.”
[Xavier narrows his eyes, standing tall as he places a hand out to stop Karrde.]“You misunderstand, Karrde. I gave you a copy of my auditorium, you never specified the real thing.”
[Xavier smirks, seemingly feeling he got one over on the gambler, but Karrde merely shakes his head, still chuckling.]“Ya know? You’re right! You got one over on me, and I’ll admit I didn’t see it comin’. But I was thinkin’, I cheated you, and you cheated me. So how’re we gonna deal with this? We’ll both ante up. You and I are goin’ head to head at Invasion, if you beat me, I’ll leave you alone and pay ya back for your trouble. I beat you, and you turn that fancy buildin’ of yours into my casino!”
[Dante stares a hole through Karrde, unsure of what to think before nodding.]“Fine. I will make you disappear into thin air in front of the crowd, and when I do, you’ll pay for your crimes against me and the art of magic!”
“Good.”
[Karrde’s smirk turns ever so malicious as he turns back to the gamblers.]“Attention gentlemen! I have quite the stakes for you! The first one to bring down this magician behinds me wins ten grand in cash!”
[Dante’s eyes go wide as the gamblers, all begging for that cash, leap up from their tables and lunge at him! Just as they converge on him DANTE DISAPPEARS! The gamblers land on an empty spot, and across the room at the entrance, wagging his finger at Wild Karrde, stands the Magician.]“You called my magic predicable, Karrde. But now you’re the one who’s out of tricks.”
[And with that, Xavier makes his leave. The scene pans back to Wild Karrde, the gambler merely chuckling at the response.]DR. MINDFUCK VS. CHIP MONTANA
SINGLES MATCH
TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT II
RECORDED EARLIER
“Are you looking for your little friend?” [Wolfgang asks, leaning in with his piercing blue eyes.] “I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment.”
[Redmond sits up.] “Where is he? What have you done with him?”“Now, let’s not get upset, he’s safe for the minute. I did manage to have a conversation with your ape like friend before mine took him away. He seems to think you’re not going to fight me, is that right? He says you’re going to turn the other cheek.”
“The time is always right to do what is-”
[Whack!] [The sound of metal crashing against Redmond’s skull echoes throughout the tiny room as Wolfgang clocks him with the bedpan.]“If you dare quote that piece of shit in front of me, I’ll beat you where you sit.”
[Redmond reels, holding his head in agony.]“You’re going to fight me, Quinn. You’re going stand opposite me in the middle of the ring as an example to the world. I’m going to beat you, I’m going to hurt you and I’m going to leave you in a puddle of your own piss, vomit and faeces.”
[Quinn shakes his head, refusing.]“No! The time is always right to do what is-”
[Whack!]“I warned you.”
[Wolfgang grabs him by the neck, pushing him down into his pillow.]“Your friend is on his way to the very pleasant and hospitable bunker that you know oh so well. In fact, your blood still stains my floor. Now, my friends and I are going to have some fun with him, there’s no question about that, but whether or not he meets his timely end, all comes down to you.”
[Quinn responds, muffled.]“The time is always right to do what is right.”
[Wolfgang releases his grip and steps backwards.]“You’re going to stand opposite me like a man and take what you and your people have had coming since slavery was abolished. If you don’t, I’ll mail you pieces of your dead neger friend until you have enough to rebuild him.”
[He winks.]“The choice is yours. The time is right to do what is right, Redmond. Do what is right.”
[A smile.]“Die.”
[Cut.]THE LOST COSMONAUT VS. ELI FOREVER
SINGLES MATCH
SHARING IS CARING
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Earth below us, drifting, falling…”
[He stops short of reading the rest aloud, shaking his head as he crumples the paper and tosses it to the floor…landing right next to the feet of Oscar Vogel, his mouth agape as he holds Skeletor close.]“Well that’s just rude, Major Tom! We thought we’d share an explanation of what Skeletor was talking about last time we met. Sharing is caring, after all.”
[We hear weeping as we focus on Skeletor, whose head hangs in shame.]“All I wanted was a friend, Major Tom. I figured you’d make a great friend, since you and I…well, we’re the same.”
[This garners a look of confusion from the Cosmonaut, as Skeletor shouts for emphasis.]“The same!”
[After a moment, the Cosmonaut nods in agreement.]“I think I understand, little guy. It’s the hard knock life for us, and we’ve got to stick together.”
[Skeletor looks up with a sense of joy on his otherwise expressionless face.]“Ya mean that, Major Tom?”
“Ain’t no bones about it, buddy.”
[Skeletor can barely contain his glee as the Cosmonaut makes his leave down the hall, with Oscar and Skeletor waving goodbye. As the Cosmonaut turns a corner, Oscar looks at his skeletal friend with a soft smile.]“Well, that wasn’t so bad was it? Aren’t you glad you took my advice and talked to him?”
[Skeletor nods in response when suddenly, the crumpled paper bursts into flames! This startles Oscar and Skeletor, much to the amusement of the Cosmonaut who simply chuckles to himself as he starts hovering down the hall. Oscar stomps out the small fire on the floor with a look of worry on his face, concerned that Skeletor’s search for a friend has taken a drastic turn.] [Cut.]SHITTIN’ PINK
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Y’ve got some shit dahn ya front there, Kev.” [Chip whispers,] “It’s fuckin’ pink.”
[Down the front of Kevin’s inexplicably topless chest is some pink poop. It keeps happening. He keeps pooping pink. Which is odd, because all he has been eating lately is…]‘Sllllluuuuuuurp.’
[Oranges.] [Michael Graves reaches below the altar, removing a large, ornate dagger. He lies it across the palms of his hands and raises it towards the sky.]“Oh Chiroptera, bring to me our brave and noble martyr.”
[A druid is brought forward, flanked at either side by two recognisable faces. TJ Laws. Big Bruce. His hands are bound by rope at his front. He is helped onto the altar by the henchmen, where he lies himself down.]“Tonight, Barbatos, we offer you this sacrifice, in front of our most distinguished guests,”
[Graves flicks his eyes briefly towards Chip and Kevin.]‘Sllllluuuuuuurp.’
[Graves raises the dagger high into the air, gripping it tightly with both hands.]“ALL HAIL THE DARK BAT GOD!” [he screams.]
“ALL HAIL BARBATOS!” [comes the reply of the group of druids.] [Graves plunges the dagger deep into the chest of the druid in front of him.] [Nothing more. No lightning. No thunder. No dragon.] [Except one peculiar thing. A small family of bats took the distraction as an opportunity to move into Kevin’s armpits, making it their home. A few later arrivals dangled from Kevin’s now outstretched arms and they shared his oranges. This both piques the interest of, and enrages, Michael Graves.]
“GAHHHHHHH!”
[Graves heaves the carcass of his druid from the altar and into the stagnant water that surrounds it.]“Kevin. You are the one. You must attend my altar. Next week. At InVasion!”
[Montana bounces to his feet, standing between Graves and his trusty cameraman.]“I don’t bladdy think so, mate. Y’ll av’ta go through me, first!”
“So it shall be.” [Graves replies.] [Static.]
WILD KARRDE VS. KASABIAN
SINGLES MATCH
DESPERATE MEASURES
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“You took everything from me.”
[Newton’s lips purse as he turns to face D’Von Chambers, who is stood upon the hood of his own vehicle on the other side of the flames.]“You’re mistaken, Chambers.” [Newton begins, steel in his voice.] “Your fall lays only at your own hand. Somehow, I found myself in the service of God himself, while you served His enemy. Perhaps you believe the roles should have been reversed?”
[Chambers laughs, his eyes mad with rage.]“I’m done playing your games, Riddler. I’m going to take that gold around your waist that you hold most dear. I walked through the fire twice. Can you stand the Inferno, Newton?”
[The Champion nods, understanding D’Von’s challenge.]“Your faith, as always, is misplaced. Your saviour finds himself in a cage, out of reach to save you. I will endure your inferno, Chambers, one way or the other. And you’ll still be all alone, bereft of a congregation, of faith, and of a mission. Good bye, Mr. Chambers, sleep well before you tempt fate a third time.”
[Newton gets back into his car as Chambers roars another challenge. Newton backs up as far as he can, and then floors it.” [CRUNCH!] [The tree, weakened by fire, shatters as Newton muscles his car through it. Chambers watches him go, his face contorted with madness.] [These two men will step into the flames to compete in an Inferno match!]EF
BACKSTAGE
“This is absolutely astonishing,” [The Informer says, taking notes.] “You can see everything.”
“Yes. My creator wanted me to log every interaction, every comment, every action and report back to them.”
[The Informer can’t believe it.]“This is a big story, Vanguard. The group that bought Old School Wrestling have big plans for it and I can’t find out what those are. Here’s what I know.”
[He pauses for a moment.]“When The Chief died, Old School Wrestling was supposedly auctioned to recover funds for his outstanding debts. But upon investigation, I’ve figured out that The Chief didn’t have any outstanding debtors. He owned all his properties outright. He leased vehicles, he paid in cash and he didn’t owe anyone anything. Furthermore, quite unbelievably, he didn’t give anyone power of attorney over his affairs.”
[Vanguard doesn’t say anything.]“That means that the sale of this company was illegal, Vanguard. Whoever sold it had no right to do so.”
“Then how did it become for sale?”
[The Informer stands.] “That’s where my investigation is heading now. I need to find out who sold OSW and why. I’ve looked into the holding company that bought it and they’re called ‘EF Holdings’. But that’s a dead end.”“Why?”
“Because they don’t own any other holdings. They’re a company specifically designed to buy and own shares of other companies, but it bought OSW outright. It doesn’t have any other business and I can’t track the money.”
[Vanguard sighs.]“Understood. I have created a notification in my database to alert you when EF Holdings are mentioned. But I cannot allow you to remain here. If you wish to be here, you need to fight. At Invasion, I must give you a match against Kane Doebern to protect your cover.”
[The Informer nods.]“Agreed. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
[Cut.]DARKSTAR VS. EDGAR NEVERMORE
SINGLES MATCH
LEVEL THREE
BACKSTAGE
“Happy!”
[Her voice booms. Echoing through the halls.] [Gaia.] [And she’s not happy, but somebody else is. The Happiest Man On Earth gazes upward at his friend with a look of awe.]“Gaia!”
[Happy moves down the hall to greet Gaia as we transition from the grainy monitor to the actual hallway. And just as the two are within a few feet of one another.] [BZZT. ZAP.] [Gaia is almost blinded by a flash a light, the presence of which turns Happy’s attention to the direction from which he came. Standing there, below the television monitor is none other than Gameboy.] [He has a smirk on his face.]“You stay right where you are you Greek Freak” [Gameboy snickers as he points in their direction, unusually enthusiastic.] “Get back Happy! It’s a trap!”
[With that, The Happiest Man on Earth glances back at Gaia as he begins to back away with confused uncertainty.]“A trap? Why?”
[Gaia holds up her hands.]“I’m here to nurture you Happy. To protect you…” [Gaia says calmly.] “To protect you from vile imbeciles like him that pollute our existence!”
[Gameboy’s face turns to a frown.]“I’m not vile!”
[The seriousness of the situation somewhat escaping him before he reasons.]“Look… we can all be friends, but I know who you are Gaia. You’re the boss battle and I can’t leave the level without freeing Happy from your grasp.”
[Gaia’s fists clinching in rage.]“Then we will battle now!”
[Gaia marches towards Gameboy, pressuring Happy towards him as well. In return, Gameboy shrugs in nonchalant acceptance of the threat and moves forward ready to fight.]“STOP!”
[Happy’s voice halts them.]“This can’t happen. You both have been so nice to me, I… there is only one way to settle this. At Invasion. Gaia versus Gameboy versus Happy. A triple threat DEATH match. Without the death part of course.”
[An almost evil grin forms on the lips of Gaia.]“Yes Happy, you are right. That is the only way to settle this dispute. And at Invasion when you help me defeat Gameboy, we’ll be on our way.”
[Gameboy scoffs.]“You don’t need Happy to beat me Gaia” [Pausing as he catches his blunder.] “What I mean is, he’s not going to be helping you. He’s going to be helping ME! And it’s gonna be like global warming opening up a can of whoop butt…”
[The rage remaining in Gaia’s eyes as she slowly backs away with Gameboy doing the same, leaving a very confused and fearful Happy once again to his lonesome.] [Static.] [Cut.]SPERO VS. WOLFGANG
SINGLES MATCH
HIDEOUT
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Great, no glass to break.” [Kirby says to himself underneath his breath.] [He makes his way quietly to that window before yanking and pulling on the boards a bit. To his luck, they seem to be fairly old as they just splinter and fall apart at the slightest of touches. He breaks off enough to make room for him to crawl through. He does so as he’s careful not to make any unnecessary noise. He looks around the room allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness.] [His heart begins to race as his nose picks up more than his eyes do.] [The smell of death.] [His eyes finally adjust to see it.] [Blood.] [Gore.] [Limbs everywhere.] [The room itself is coated in missing body pieces as Kirby resists the urge to throw up or scream. He inches his way forward trying his best not to touch any of it. He finds the door and leaves. He shuts the door behind him as he takes a moment to breathe.] [He’s in a hallway and he hears whirring. He turns to his right to see… hear… gears rushing towards him. The lights turn on bright as a mechanical creature of some sort is rushing towards him full-sprint! Kirby panics and begins back-pedaling before turning and running away from it. He rushes into a large, open area as the robot stops at the entrance. Kirby then realizes his mistake as he looks around.] [Cages upon cages are lifted in the air with different animals contained within them, yet not a single one makes a sound upon seeing him.] [They just stare in sadness.] [Or pity.]
“Well look who decided to stop on by! The least you could have done is use MY FRONT DOOR!”
[Electrical shocks are heard through the room as the floor becomes electrified! Kirby’s body jolts for a moment before they turn off as he falls to a knee.] [A man steps into the room from ahead wearing a white lab coat with a grin spreading from ear-to-ear.]“Hello, Bill. I’m glad you accepted my invitation to join me here today. Although I will say, you sure took your SWEET ASS TIME!”
[The man raises up the chin of Kirby so he can examine him better.]“I’m going to have fun with you, hero.”
[He grins as he kicks Kirby back onto the ground before extending his arms out and letting out a maniacal laugh.]“Welcome to THE TESTING CHAMBER, Kirby! The perfect place for you to have your examination with the one and only DR. MINDFUCK!”
STRAY
BACKSTAGE
“Ahem…”
[The soft clearing of a throat causes Shadow to look up and see the figure that had approached him. One of Eli Forever’s congregation stands before him. Alone. Eli is nowhere to be seen, nor any other of the followers. He speaks in a hushed tone, as if even talking to Shadow is something that he would get in a lot of trouble for.]“Your presence in the Eternity on the Hills caused quite a stir. I know your intentions, to destroy us, but what I do not know is why… Why do you take such offence to the Heir Eternal and his message?”
[Shadow tilts his head slightly, cautiously.]“I wasn’t aware that you and the congregation were allowed to think and speak freely. On whose behalf do you ask?”
[In answer, the follower holds up a small object. A small onyx angel. It was he who Shadow had given the figurine to during the squabble.]“I speak on my own behalf. It would be fair to say that certain… doubts have crept into my mind. Doubts that only seem to grow the more I look at this statue.”
[Shadow smiles as he eyes the figurine.]“The fact that you cannot see why he must be stopped is proof enough that he must. You are blinded by his filth, charmed by the silver tongue of a demon that must be vanquished. But… You have taken the first step to saving yourself. I only hope that you can save many more before I bring down vengeance upon Eli Forever.”
[The follower looks upon the small statuette once more, unspeaking. Shadow’s words hang in the air but it is unclear whether the follower has heard them. Shadow smiles, this time at the follower, not the statue.]“My words would fall on deaf ears. But perhaps you could share some of these doubts with your brethren. A bit of dissension in the ranks would surely aide in destroying Eli… Forever.”
[The follower does not speak. He does not nod in approval, nor does he shake his head to decline Shadow. It is almost as if he has withdrawn in upon himself once more. Pulling the onyx angel back into his pocket, he simply fades back from whence he came, leaving Shadow alone.]“See you later then?”
[He wears a perplexed expression on his face, slightly amused at the behaviour. Shadow shakes his head slowly.]“Perhaps there is a way to save some of them.”
[Cut.]NICHOLAS MAMMON VS. BRENT KERSH
TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS
RING CHASER II
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Where is it?” [He demands to know, searching high and low.] “Where’s the ring, Nevermore?”
[Edgar scoffs.]“Spero, old chap, this is no way for a Gentlemen to act.”
[The Hero turns to face him with a tilt of his head.]“Do you think I’m going to just hand over the Tag Team Championships to you? I want that ring but I won’t sacrifice El Trébol or the titles to get it.”
[The Poet laughs.]“Then you’ll get nothing. I don’t think you understand, kid. You’re going to help me win Invasion and the Tag Team Championships or you’ll walk away with nothing at all.”
[Spero screams with rage, pulling items from the shelves and throwing them on the floor.] [Meanwhile, back in the ring, Nicholas Mammon turns around and-] [AL VERDE!] [EL TRÉBOL FROM THE TOP ROPE!] [POWERBOMB!] [MAMMON SPUN HIM AND POWERBOMED HIM RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!] [Furious, The Salesmen heads to the outside and grabs a steel chair, getting back in the ring. He grabs El Trébol and pulls him back to his feet, thrusting the chair under his jaw and SLAMMING IT INTO THE CANVAS!] [My God, he’s vile!] [The Green Bean rolls around on the canvas in absolute agony, holding his throat after the impact of that chair.] [But Mammon isn’t finished.] [He picks up the steel once more and…] [HE’S SPUN AROUND!] [NEVERMIND!] [NEVERMIND!] [EDWARD NEWTON IS HERE! THE OSW WORLD CHAMPION LAYS OUT THE CONTENDER TO HIS TITLE!] [THAT’S REVENGE FOR LAST WEEK!] [The Riddler pops back to his feet having inadvertently saved El Trébol here tonight and stands over Nicholas Mammon with a wry smile.] [Back at the store and Spero stands, desolate, his head in his hands having found nothing. He looks up at Nevermore.]“I’ll do it.”
[Cut.]