WHAT YOU TREASURE MOST
NEEDFUL THINGS
Click.] [Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.] [Needful Things.] [In the shop of Nicholas Mammon, Nigel Royal and Edgar Nevermore stand guard outside the back room broken into last week by Edward Newton. Inside, from a small gap underneath the door, we see a glowing bright light illuminate inside.] [Then there’s a loud slamming sound and the door opens.] [Mammon steps out with a wide smile.]
“That’s it gentlemen, we have everything we need.”
[All three shake hands victoriously with each other.] [That’s until the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupts them.] [Edward Newton.] [And he doesn’t look pleased.]“Mr. Newton, why, what a surprise! We’re so glad you stopped by. I don’t mean to be presumptuous but I suppose you’re here to enquire about your box?”
[The Riddler folds his arms.] “And I see you brought back up.” [Nicholas scoffs, walking past his friends and taking a seat on a stool behind his counter.]“Don’t be silly; my acquaintances are just here to ensure there’s no mischievous behaviour in relation to that very valuable, very important, very special little box.”
“Cut the crap; what’s in the box, Mr. Mammon?”
[Mammon sighs.]“I was hoping you’d let sleeping dogs lie, Mr. Newton. Believe me, you don’t want to know what’s in the box; or the value of such an item,” [he says convincingly.] “But I can see that you’re not to be deterred in this matter.”
[Edward steps forward, causing Royal and Nevermore to step closer to their ally. This brings a smile out of Newton who chuckles slightly.]“You’re playing games with me and I’m not sure whether to be insulted or humoured by these idiotic notions of what I may or may not need. Allow me to simplify for you, Mr. Mammon?”
“By all means, please do.”
[Newton smiles once again.]“My curiosity over what resides within that box doesn’t cloud my judgement. Whilst I wish to know the answer, I remain focused upon my primary objective. You see, no-one has won Pandemonium and gone on to win the World Championship at Ring of Dreams. No-one. No-one has defeated Edward Newton in over fifty matches. No-one. No-one has held the World Championship for as long as I have. No-one. Whilst I may be curious, I am not stupid and you will not deter me from retaining my title or finding out the truth.”
[Mammon stands up and applauds, almost sarcastically.]“Old boy, that was a sensational speech. However, you do know what they say, don’t you? Curiosity killed the cat.”
[Edward laughs, nodding in agreement as he backs away carefully, one eye on Royal and Nevermore who stand behind Mammon, looking extremely sinister.] [Cut.]GAIA VS. TROY SOLVEIG
SINGLES MATCH
VERGEBUNG
BACKSTAGE
“I can’t believe you’re going to go through with this,” [the kid moans with frustration.] “You’re going to team with the man who nearly killed you? Are you fucking crazy?”
[Quinn turns sharply.] “Why not? The past is the past, young man. Allow me to teach you a lesson tonight; isn’t that why you asked for my help? Wolfgang is a man, just like me and just like you.” [Wolfgang suddenly appears in the door way.]“Not quite like you,” [he says with surprisingly soft tones. Kane jumps up but Redmond pulls him back.] “What I mean to say is that I’m not the kind of man you are, Redmond.”
[That brings an awkward silence.]“I’ve made some mistakes. I won’t lie to you and tell you that I’m cured of my hatred for your people or your race but I’ve decided to try and better myself. After the beating you delivered to me a few weeks ago, I’ve sought inner clarity. I asked for our teaming tonight to prove to you that I can be a better man; to thank you for allowing me another chance and not finishing the job you started.”
[Quinn smiles.]“As I was just saying to my young friend here; the past is the past. We don’t have to live in it.”
[Wolfgang nods stoically.]“May I ask for your vergebung? Your forgiveness?”
[The Teacher steps forward and offers him a proud handshake.]“Of course! Apology accepted,” [he says with a smile.] “I’m glad that we can finally see eye to eye and tonight, when we win the Tag Team Championships, we’ll prove to the world that skin colour doesn’t matter. I’ll see you out there,” [he pats him on the back.] “partner!”
[Redmond gleefully exits the room leaving Kane and Wolfgang behind. Kane quickly steps to him, scrunching up his nose.]“I don’t fuckin’ trust you,” [he says, spitting at him as he does.] “And I don’t fuckin’ like you. If you betray him, I’ll kill you.”
[Kane storms off leaving Wolfgang to wipe the spit from his face with a grimace.] [Cut.]TAG TEAM TRIPLE THREAT
TAG TEAM MATCH
TO SAVE A LIFE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Look at this,” [Berengar says, picking up a handful of blue gravel and letting it slip through his fingers.] “These people died because I could not protect them.”
[He lowers his head in sadness.]“What about Earth?”
[That voice startles Berengar who pulls Vigilkeeper from his sheath and turns immediately to face its keeper.] [With his trademark black leather jacket flowing, Lincoln Hex stands unbelievably across from Berengar. He tips his hat and smiles.]“You couldn’t save this planet but what about Earth?”
[Berengar swings with his sword, only Hex ducks expertly underneath.]“How are you here?” [Berengar demands to know.] “Where’s your craft?”
“You’ve questions, I thought you might. My name is Lincoln Hex. Berengar, you don’t need answers; you need direction. Deep in your soul, you can feel the tragedy of this world, can’t you? Your failure to save it has yet to find the justice you desire. You wish to make amends, am I right?”
[The Knight lowers his sword.] “Speak.”“The biggest threat of your life has yet to reveal itself, but it will. There’s billions of people on Earth counting on you to save them. Without their knowledge, they’ll find themselves in peril once more. Evil still lurks in Old School Wrestling. Mysterion, Doctor Mindfuck, Nicholas Mammon, Edgar Nevermore and your beloved Darkstar. Won’t you save that world like you couldn’t this?”
[Berengar steps forward, close, sniffing Hex deeply.]“I don’t trust you,” [he says firmly.] “You don’t smell right.”
[Hex nods.]“I’ve done things I regret but I’m trying to do the right thing now. Will you answer the call?”
[The Knight nods.]“I will.”
[Cut.]BLOOD PACT
FLASHFORWARD
“Oi! I’m Chip Montana, and I’m grabbin’ nature…”
[There’s a pause as he smirks.]“BY THE BALLS!”
[Chip Montana takes a step back, pulling on leaves as if to pull them out of the way of vision. Behind him is the entry point to a cavern, but Kevin looks worse for wear. His eyes are sunken into his skull and his skin is pale. Around his feet are a few orange peels with very little left to devour.]“As you know, we’ve been following these creatures of the night, but this thing about this certain breed of critter is that we just don’t know what their habits are.”
[Chip points as a cloaked figure exits the cavern very quickly as if to avoid detection, but Chip beckons for the camera to follow along.]“Are they actual blood-thirsty creatures of the night with blood pacts and all of that shit or do they just like playing dress-up and hiding in caves like freaks?”
[Chip cuts through the foliage as he streaks towards where that hooded creature took off to.]“Tonight, we will be providin’ all of the answers you seek!”
[Chip reaches up and slices through a limb with his machete before stopping and turning about. He looks confused for a moment.]“Don’t worry yer pretty lil heads. We’ll catch these suckers faster than you can say garlic bread!”
[With that, Chip pulls out a clove of garlic from his belt and holds it as if ready to throw it at someone. They continue their search for these creatures of the night as the camera barely catches a glimpse of eyes stalking after them from the safety of the treetops.] [With Chip Montana just being walking prey in their territory.]JACEN NOVAN VS. NATE WASHINGTON
SINGLES MATCH
MOUSE TRAP
RECORDED EARLIER
“HELP! PLEASE! PLEASE HELP!”
[Spero is quick to react, rushing towards the sound of the noise as Trebol speeds behind him, both men coming to the entrance of a nearby alleyway, spotting at the end of it a hooded man holding a knife to the throat of a woman. He shoves it up against the woman’s throat, only looking back at the entrance upon hearing the heroes.]“STOP RIGHT THERE!”
[Spero shouts out, lunging into the alleyway with Trebol at his heels.]“Like mice to cheese and dogs to the lap, these tiny mice are now in our trap.”
[The poem rings through the air, Spero and Trebol stopping for a mere moment CAUGHT OFF GUARD AS DARTS STICK INTO THEIR NECKS! The two heroes slump to their knees, holding the wounds as the hooded man hands a handful of cash to the woman before pulling down his hood to reveal Edgar Nevermore. The poet walks over to the duo, smirking as a shadow approaches from behind. Nigel Royal. The gentleman totes a rifle in hand, the same no doubt used to tranquilize the two heroes.]“Impressive shot, Nigel.”
“Why thank you, Edgar. I quite enjoyed the hunt. Though I believe it was like shooting fish in a barrel.”
“And baiting mice into an obvious trap. Poor fools will never learn.”
[The Gentleman’s Club grab the titles from the heroic duo, slinging them over their shoulders and taking their leave. As they exit the alleyway, Trebol lets out one last word.]“Cowards.”
REDWING VS. D’VON CHAMBERS
SINGLES MATCH
HELL TO PAY
BACKSTAGE
Let’s Be Friends!!!
[The whistling continues as Happy hurries forward. He appears to be in a hurry as he enjoys his stroll.] [Until suddenly…] [SPLAT!] [Happy is not moving anymore. He’s not whistling either.] [It’s Kasabian.] [But that’s not all. Lord Griffin Walters is with him. In front of him actually. And that’s the problem.] [The Slave and his Master had just turned the corner and Happy wasn’t quick enough to see them.] [Cake and icing covers the upper body of Walters as he shakes with rage. Happy; on the other hand, looks on in wide eyed fear.] [He knows he has screwed up.]“YOU MISCREANT!!!” [Walters scolds.] “I told you to stay away!!! STAY AWAY!!!”
[Happy looks back at Kasabian and then to Walters. The screaming making him jump first and then almost fall backwards. The Happiest Man On Earth begins to retreat. Cake and icing covering the floor.]“I… I’m sorry I” [Happy tries to explain.] “Just wanted to be friends!”
“FRIENDS?!?!” [Walters yells.] “AWAY WITH YOU, YOU FIEND!!!”
[Happy continues to move away down the hall as Kasabian stands by awaiting direction from his Master.] [At a safe distance, Happy rationalizes the situation.]“Mister Walters Sir, it’s not that bad. I mean, it’s cake. It’s delicious!!” [A smile covers his face as he continues.] “You just need to look on the… “
[But Happy isn’t able to finish before Walters explodes.]“LEAVE US YOU FOOL!!! And run! Run and hide because there WILL be hell to pay!!!”
[Happy begins to speak, but actually catches himself first; thinking better of it. Dejected, yet still carefree, The Happiest Man On Earth disappears around a corner leaving an uncertain Kasabian at the side of a fuming Lord Griffin Walters.] [Static.] [Cut.]REDWING: THE NEFARIOUS
BACKSTAGE
“Hey, you’re supposed to jump OVER the pit, buddy!”
[The sound of crunching is heard as the joystick is smashed against the wall as it begins to flicker out.] [A ray of light shines from the television as a figure appears before it in pixelated form before becoming whole.] [Gameboy, the same character shown on the screen.] [As he opens his eyes, he feels an electrical shock contort his body as Gameboy begins convulsing on the floor. A small electric device is shown on his neck seemingly digging into the skin. He finally stops convulsing as the gloved hand reaches down and holds his chin in place. Gameboy’s eyes dart from side to side in confusion.]“You shouldn’t have concerned yourself in the affairs of viler men, Gameboy.”
[The gloved hand reaches toward his waist and pulls out a small, curved dagger to which he lifts above his head.]“You’re going to make us late for our match, and I can’t stand TARDINESS!”
[The gloved hand puts the blade back as Mysterion is now shown leaning over Gameboy with Dr. Mindfuck standing behind him in the doorway.]“Your end is nigh, hero! Just you wait.”
[They walk out of the room as only Gameboy lays there before another masked figure steps into the room watching Gameboy before lurking in the shadows as he stalks Mysterion and Dr. Mindfuck.]DR. MINDFUCK VS. MYSTERION
SINGLES MATCH
REDWING: THE EXPERIMENT
BACKSTAGE
“Redwing, was it?”
[No response.]“Why do you stay in the dark, REDWING?”
[No response.] [The two continue moving down the hallway until a sound from behind catches their attention. They turn to look at the rock skipping down the hallway just as Mysterion is grabbed and dragged backwards.]“What the…”
[The sound of a punch catches Mysterion as he staggers backwards. The shadowy figure leaps towards Dr. Mindfuck who pulls the trigger on his device.] [Swirling black and white lights shine on the front of the device in a hypnotic pattern as Redwing finds himself caught in the beam.]“So nice of you to step into the LIGHT!”
[Mysterion leaps onto Redwing with his knife held high. Mindfuck grabs his hand and holds him in place as Mysterion looks up at him in fury.]“LEAVE HIM! We have only just begun the EXPERIMENT!”
[Dr. Mindfuck reaches down and puts a hand on the bottom of the mask as he grins.]“Now, let’s see who is under Mask #1…”
[SMOKE PELLET!] [Mysterion and Dr. Mindfuck begin sputtering and coughing profusely as Redwing is pulled away by Gameboy who is pulling him through an abnormally large air duct.]“Don’t worry, buddy, I gotcha. I learned a few things from the Arkham-realm.”
[Gameboy and Redwing make their way through the ducts as Mysterion and Dr. Mindfuck continue their search.]…UNTIL FRIENDSHIP IMPROVES!
BACKSTAGE
“Major Tom! We need to talk, buddy.”
[The Cosmonaut turns to see Skeletor, and is surprised to find no Oscar Vogel standing alongside him. What surprises him even more is hearing Skeletor speak without Vogel by his side.]“I’ve tried to reason with him, Major Tom. He won’t listen to me anymore, there’s nothing I can do to stop him.”
[Tom hears a rustling noise that turns his attention elsewhere, where he finds several of Oscar’s other puppets standing with glaring eyes at the Cosmonaut. We hear the voice of Skeletor speak again, more nervous in tone.]“He says he’s going to do whatever it takes to be your friend. If he has to, you’ll beat you as many times as it takes to get you to understand…”
[Suddenly, Vogel pops up out of nowhere as he blasts the Cosmonaut in the head with one of his puppets! Major Tom is down and out as Oscar Vogel stands over him with a wicked smile on his face, yelling at the fallen Cosmonaut.]“…and the beatings will continue until friendship improves!”
[Oscar drops down to his knees, getting closer to the helmeted head of the Cosmonaut, his smile turned into a snarl.]“This is your fault, Major Tom. You made me do this. Why won’t you be my friend? Why won’t you…”
[Vogel is silenced by the sudden rush of flame flowing through the Cosmonaut’s helmet, catching the puppeteer by surprise as Tom comes to.]“You’ve finally admitted to it, Simon. You finally admit that you’re the one looking for a friend.”
[Oscar slinks back as the Cosmonaut gets to his feet, pointing at Skeletor as he stares at the puppeteer.]“Skeletor can be my wingman anytime, but you? You’ve got another thing coming. Don’t make me be the one to put a stop to this, Oscar.”
[With that, The Lost Cosmonaut walks off…leaving Oscar Vogel all alone with nothing but his thoughts and his puppets surrounding him.] [Cut.]SPERO VS. EL TRÉBOL JUNIOR
SINGLES MATCH
THE LURE OF THE BOGAN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“You tried to kill me!”
[The Informer stands angrily over Jacen Novan, who sits cradling the glowing Historium, showing no fear at the outburst.]“I did no such thing. The explosion that occurred was not brought at my hand. It was a built in trap, designed to prevent any who entered that Temple from discovering its secrets.”
[Informer shakes his head.]“I don’t care. I need to know the full story here. I thought I knew what I was dealing with, but this object is beyond anything I’ve ever encountered. Help me understand, and I might can help you.”
[Novan snorts in response.]“Spill it, Novan.”
[With a sigh, Jacen looks to the distance and begins to slowly speak.]“There was once a great evil. My Order called it the Bogan. A great war was waged between those that sought to disrupt balance, fought in and around Temples all over the world. Doom would come to one such Temple as the Order was able to defeat followers of the Bogan, containing the power within this cube.”
[He looks down at the Historium.]“It’s name was chosen to remind us of what the cost was for its containment. But some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. The Historium passed out of all knowledge…”
[Novan’s eyes turn to meet the Informer’s gaze, dark and disturbed.]“…until a foolish man and his ward stumbled upon it.”
[A frown forms under Novan’s beard as he looks down. The Informer catches on.]“You?”
[A nod.]“I had just taken Corran as apprentice to the ways of the Ashla. As many were at that stage, he was full of raw, unrestrained power, but there was no balance. I know now that the Historium chose our pairing for that reason. We didn’t know what it was, so we kept it with us as we journeyed back to the last vestiges of our Order. It glowed at our touch, and no living creature would dare approach us. It provided us safety in the night, no need of a watchman. But each morning, the dark circles grew under Corran’s eyes. So consumed with mission, I could not see that the boy was being seduced even as I slept.”
[Jacen’s voice cracks as he continues.]“One morning, I rose from slumber to find myself alone. Corran had taken the Historium, our supplies, and left me alone in the jungle. It was a perilous journey back to civilization, but upon my arrival, I found that I wished I had never left the jungle. For Corran had been seduced by the Historium. It consumed him, poisoned his mind, and created a Dark Lord in the image of the Bogan. The Order was wiped out at his hand, and I could not stop him.”
[The Informer finishes jotting down that information.]“So what happened to Corran?”
[Novan looks up, dark circles under his eyes.]“When the Historium reappeared to Dakota Faye, I asked the same question. Yet the truth would reveal itself in time, for Dakota was merely the vessel chosen by the Historium to make its way back to civilization. Thanks to her efforts, I located the final Temple of the Order. In the end, Corran did as all men do and sought to break the chains imposed upon him. Yet the Bogan does not make slaves, it creates puppets that act only at its hand. Inside that Temple that you followed me to, the markings on the wall indicated that Corran had a great struggle. The Historium sought to move on, Corran’s purpose in destroying the Order had been fulfilled.”
“He’s dead, then?”
[Jacen nods.]‘So what’s next?”
“The Historium must be destroyed.”
[Informer doesn’t seem to like that decision.]“Of the markings upon the cube, your E.F., I do not know their meaning. But this object is nothing but evil, I must warn you. It cannot be used for good. Only in the halls of the Temple where it was made, can it be unmade.”
[Novan stands up to meet the Informer’s gaze.]“That Temple is the Tap Room, my friend. This Temple has a labyrinth of halls around and beneath it, yet I sense that this Vanguard has mapped it. You have contact with the machine. I must find the hidden doom that lurks beneath our feet.”
[The Informer cocks his head.]“Sorry, Novan, I’m not letting you destroy this. Evil or no evil. I need to find out what it’s connection to E.F. Hold…”
“You will bring me the location.”
[Informer’s head straightens out.]“I will bring you the location.”
[Jacen Novan grabs the Historium, tucking it under his arm and walking past a very dazed Informer.] [What the hell is going on?]FOOL ME ONCE
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I know you’re there Dante. Don’t think you can hide behind your tricks forever.”
[No reply. Shadow stops abruptly as he comes across a counter. An empty counter, nobody stands behind it. He turns to walk the way he had come but the shelves he had just walked past have disappeared. In their place, nothingness. Just an empty room leading to the doorway. He does not move, but surveys the scene for a moment.]“Very good. Clever. What is that, mirrors? I will not be intimidated by you. You fooled me once, but you will not fool me again.”
[Still no reply. Shadow reaches a hand out in front of him but touches nothing. He moves his hand to the side, and sure enough, it falls upon an invisible pane of glass that confirms the illusion. Shadow smiles.]“Fool me once, shame on you…”
[It is not his voice that finishes the phrase, but Dante Xavier’s.]“Fool me twice, shame on me.”
[Shadow turns to the direction of the voice, closer to him than he had ever expected. Dante Xavier sits atop the counter of the shop, no further than five feet away from Shadow.]“Did you not see? I’ve been here all along. It’s just as I’ve been saying. Look closely look where I want you to, angel, the closer you look the less you will see. I will always be two steps ahead, no matter how clever you think you are.”
[Shadow’s hands ball into fists.]“Enough of your games Xavier! Things will come to a head between us and I will show you what happens to those that toy with me, but before then, we must work together. And quite frankly, I don’t trust you to have my back.”
[Shadow feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to find the real Dante Xavier standing directly behind him. Puzzled, Shadow turns back to the counter to find Xavier still sitting there. The Xavier on the counter smiles cheekily and waves, but when Shadow moves to touch him, hits nothing but air. Shadow turns and lunges at the Dante that stands behind him out of frustration, but Xavier grins and moves out of the way of the strike, causing Shadow to stagger forward and fall to the ground. It is Xavier that speaks, standing over the fallen angel.]“Oh, I have your back, for now. The question is, can you hold yourself together?”
[Dante extends a hand to Shadow to help him up off the ground, which Shadow begrudgingly accepts. However, when Shadow reaches out to take the hand, the figure of Dante Xavier fades before his eyes and his hand grasps the nothingness once more. Shadow growls in frustration, as Dante Xavier’s chuckles fill the air around him.]“Fool me thrice, you’re not even trying Shadow. For one so sure of yourself, I would have expected at least a little bit more. Keep your eyes open…”
[The voice fades and Shadow finds himself suddenly alone. He grabs at his hair, shouting in frustration once more.] [Cut.]WOLFGANG & QUINN VS. THE GENTLEMEN DUO ©
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
GONE SOUTH
BACKSTAGE
“And the best part is, when they’re hooked, they’ll be hooked on you. We take what you have, and we make people dependent on you…they’ll have no choice but to bow to you, and that’s how you take back what’s yours, miss.”
[Nodding in approval is Gaia, a smirk on her face.]“That’s a smart plan, my child. You have a good head on your shoulders, and I can respect that. How exactly do you plan on capturing this power for your product?”
“Well, that’s the holdup at the moment…we haven’t fully figured that out. I would assume you could do your thing, and we’d have some blessed product so to speak, or else we could…”
[The smirk on Gaia’s face disappears in an instant.]“I can see where you’re going with this. Let’s make something clear, child…I am willing to go along with this little plan of yours on one condition, that you do not touch me. Do not mess with Mother Nature, child…you need me far more than I need you, and don’t you forget that.”
[With that she storms off, and Nate wipes the sweat from his brow as one of his men steps up beside him.]“The deal gone south, boss?”
[Nate just shakes his head with a chuckle, patting his associate on the shoulder.]“Nah, the deal’s still good Jamal. We’ll get what we need from her either way, you just make sure everything’s ready. Tell the rest of the men to get that equipment down here ASAP, and I’ll keep her preoccupied. We’ve got a long road ahead of us, and I’m not letting this dream die.”
[Jamal nods in agreement before walking off, leaving Nate alone with his thoughts.] [Cut.]KAISO; THE UNWALKED
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I don’t trust Hex,” [The Broadsword groans.] “We shouldn’t answer that call.”
[Berengar lowers his head.]“And let another world burn in our stead? Those people need someone to protect them and I’m that someone. I don’t trust him either but I won’t let another planet fall due to my cowardice.”
[The sound of laughter interrupts them both.] [Darkstar.]“Welcome back to one of my greatest conquests; Kaiso.”
[Berengar turns quickly, pulling his sword from his sheath once again.]“It’s just one of many planets I’ve devoured, Knight. These people had a saying, do you remember? They said; ‘Ish ik may, isk kun th sen opas’.”
[The Knight grimaces.]“Fear not death, fear only the terror before.”
“But I smelt fear, Berengar. I tasted it upon the tip of my tongue as their blood covered my face. I smeared their miserable carcasses up and down this land until nothing remained and you couldn’t stop me.”
[Berengar starts to get angry, his face turning a shade of red we’ve yet to see.]“I’ll do the same to Earth, given time.”
[The Knight shakes his head.] “No, you won’t.” [Suddenly, Lincoln Hex appears behind Darkstar.] [The Devourer turns around to see Hex and swings for him, only Hex is nothing but an apparition. When Darkstar turns around, Berengar drives Vigilkeeper through his stomach and out the other side.] [Darkstar grabs the weapon and drags it from within his belly, pouring a green like substance with it.] [He stumbles backwards, laughing.]“It’ll take more than that.”
[Berengar gulps.] [Darkstar vanishes.] [Cut.]BRENT KERSH © VS. NIGEL ROYAL
SINGLES MATCH
THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR
BACKSTAGE
“You left me behind, Kersh.”
[The Enforcer’s eyes go wide as the corn seems to grow thicker, encompassing him and making it harder and harder to move.]“And now, I’ve come to finish the job I was made for. You brought upon yourself, Kersh. You brought this upon everyone.”
[Just as those words are left to hang in the air, echoing unnaturally, Kersh busts through the cornfield into a clearing, in the center of it, The Perch. Sitting upon it, The Scarecrow. The Hayman’s clothing is torn and shredded, hay falling onto the ground. Kersh looks up at the former foe turned ally, tears welling in his eyes as he watches the Scarecrow slowly undoes its binds, collapsing onto the ground in front of Kersh. The Scarecrow looks up at Kersh, his face mutilated, seemingly scratched and pecked to the point of being nearly unrecognizable. He grips onto Kersh, staring up at him.]“You could have stopped this so much sooner. You were chosen to prevent the chaos.”
[Brent looks around himself, completely terrified as he pushes Scarecrow off of himself, shoving him into the perch. To his right, he notices something. A Molotov cocktail and a lighter, both seemingly placed there out of nowhere. The Enforcer grabs for it desperately, setting the rag on fire before looking at the Scarecrow.]“I tried my best.”
[With out another word, he throws the Molotov into Scarecrow, the flames spreading quickly. As Crow is engulfed in flames…] [The world shifts back to the Tap Room. A backstage lockerroom now completely covered in a roaring fire. The culprit? Brent Kersh. The Enforcer backs away, looking confused as he tries to make sense of the world around himself. The lockerroom’s flames slowly creep towards him, Kersh crashing through the door to the room and leaving it behind him, Tap Room staff rushing to put out the fire as Brent escapes the Tap Room.] [And one staff member stares at him, his face slowly deforming, revealing Fear itself to be staring Kersh down.]“You can’t run forever, Brent. You cannot outrun yourself.“
BERENGAR, KARRDE & ELI VS. SHADOW, XAVIER & DARKSTAR
TRIOS MATCH
COUNTER OFFER
BACKSTAGE
“Solveig! Solveig!”
[But there is no response. Only silence, disrupted by the dampened buzz of the crowd that fills the arena layers of concrete and steel above his head.] [Turning his head quickly from the left and then to the right. It’s obvious D’Von is looking for Troy Solveig in regards to their dialog last week. The Bishop is in need of a friend, but hasn’t been too fortunate in finding one.] [Until he does.] [A sickening thud bolts through the corridor as Chambers’ eyes widen and then his face distorts in agony before he falls to the tiled floor below. And there, standing behind him with his hammer in hand is none other than…] [Troy Solveig.]“I have considered your proposal Christian” [Volsungr growls.] “And I accept with a counter offer!”
[Chambers rolls over; his face still stricken with pain.]“That’s great news my brotha, but why did you…”
[Solveig thrusts his hammer into the face of D’Von, keeping him from rising from his displacement as he falls back to the floor with a grunt.]“Because…” [Solveig explains.] “We must first prove our equality by the way of the Esir and Vanir!”
“Who? But…”
“War MUST be raged. Only then can you prove you are my equal. Only then can we form an alliance as they did following the ancient war!”
[The Bishops face goes cold with anger, but Solveig is not finished.]“And if you cannot prove your equality… well then, death comes for us all. But much sooner for you.”
[Again, Chambers eyes widen; this time with rage as Troy slowly backs away.]“Let us begin!”
[Static.] [Cut.]RIVER RAT
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Pot is $250,000. Turn your cards up, gentleman. Good luck.”
[After delivering her spiel, the dealer looks as the men flip their cards.] [The younger man has a pair of Kings. The older man sighs as he flips J-K of diamonds.] [The dealer turns over the flop. Two Jacks and the four of diamonds. The older man has three of a kind and is now in the lead.] [The turn comes out. Ten of diamonds. A smile on the old man’s face now. He’s a heavy favorite with his triples verses the two pair of the young man.] [The dealer lays the river card out. The young man’s lips draw into a smile as the king of spades is laid out. The old man practically falls to his knees as he watches his doom.]“Both players have a full house. Kings full of jacks defeats jacks full of kings.”
[She turns to the older man.]“I’m sorry sir, but unless you are able to buy back in, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
[The old man blankly stands up and goes to leave, having lost everything. The younger player sits down to stack his chips up, but the dealer seems to have an interest in him.]“You know, you just became a rich man. But can riches compare to eternal truth? You can leave den of iniquities like this place.”
[The young man snorts, but the dealer seductively lays her hands on his arm, running her finger up his forearm.]“Come with me, and I’ll take you on a ride down a river that you’ll never forget. ”
[A smile breaks out on the young man’s face as he pulls back his hoodie with a grin. The dealer leans in close to whisper in his ear.]“I’ll be done here in five. Cash out, and we’ll head down that river.”
[The method effective, the young man gathers his chips and heads for the desk to cash out. As he walks out the door, we slowly zoom out to reveal that these events were being watched by Wild Karrde himself. The Invasion winner watches as half a million dollars walks out of his House with smoldering hate in his eyes.]“Mutually beneficial, my ass.”
[Cut.]DOUBLE TAP ANNOUNCEMENT
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Hit me baby, one more time!”
[The sound of Matthew Cories tuneful voice singing along to Britney Spears can be heard as our cameras follow down a corridor to a bedroom ahead. The door carefully opens, revealing Matt singing into a hairbrush with great passion.] [His walls are decked out in 90’s posters and memorabilia litters every unit, shelf and sideboard.] [Realizing he’s been caught mid-song, he abruptly stops, throwing the hairbrush down and turning to the door in horror.]“What the heck dude?”
[Footsteps trudge inside.]“Did I interrupt your pop idol audition, kid? We gotta talk about a lot of things, Britney Spears included.”
[Ash Williams.] [He closes the door behind him and folds his arms.]“Dude, I told you, you can’t just barge into my room. We might be roomies but there has to be boundaries, man. What if I was watching Saved by the Bell? You know that I hate to be interrupted when I’m watching my shows.”
[Ash rolls his eyes.] “I got somethin’ in the mail,” [he says, pulling an envelope out of his inside pocket.] “It’s an invitation.”“For what?”
[He smiles.]“Double Tap. Two bullets right to the head of any deadite that moves, kiddo. You and me, back on the horse! What do ya say?”
[Cories shrugs a bit.]“I don’t know, man. There’s Power Ranger re-runs and…”
[Williams grabs him by the varsity jacket collar and pulls him close.]“I’ve got a Boomstick and I’m itchin’ to blow some holes in some assholes. You promised me that if I looked after you, you’d have my back. It’s time to go win back our Championships, kid.”
[Cories gulps.] “Okay, okay.”“I’ve never been so proud. Let’s go.”
[Cut.]EDWARD NEWTON © VS. GAMEBOY
THE MAIN EVENT
WHAT YOU TREASURE MOST II
NEEDFUL THINGS
“Thank you for joining me, Mr. Newton.”
[Edward takes his glasses off, wiping them.]“It would appear I didn’t have much of a choice. How did I get here?”
[Mammon stands, smiling.] “Let’s not concern ourselves with the minute and insignificant details, shall we? I’ve decided that I shall reveal to you the contents of your box.” [He pulls the box out from beneath his counter and places it on it in front of them both. Edward puts his glasses back on, the sweat dripping from his forehead and moves closer to inspect.]“Brace yourself, Mr. Newton.”
[Mammon opens the lid and a bright light escapes, enveloping The Riddler. His mouth opens wide as the light enters through his pours and escapes through his eyes and mouth. He spreads his arms out as far as they can go, his body tense and stretched, glowing in a screaming agony.] [When it finishes, he falls to the floor, unable to stand.] [The Salesmen walks over confidently, kneeling beside him as he struggles to catch his breath.]“How do you feel?” [He asks, surveying him.] “Do you feel different? Weaker, perhaps? I told you, Mr. Newton, you didn’t want to know what was inside the box. Now that you do, I pity you.”
[He stands up and straightens out his suit.]“When you realize what you’ve lost; that of which you treasure most, feel free to come on back to Needful Things.] [Mammon smiles.]
“I have just the thing for you.”
[He steps over Edward, who grasps at his leg and misses.]“But remember, everything has a price.”
[We close in on the anguish filled face of The Riddler, who struggles to breath or move as Nicholas Mammon exits behind him.] [Cut.]