WHISPERS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Get up.”
[Eyes open.] [Redmond Quinn – back in the basement of Wolfgang, led on the floor, sleeping in the darkness. He’s exhausted, tortured every few hours by blinding lights.] [And he’s certain the voice he hears is in his head.]“Wake up.”
[His breathing is shallow but he’s awake.] [Whispers.]“You can die on your feet or live on your knees,” [the whispers continue.] “It’s time to fight back, Redmond. It’s time to be the man he knew you could be.”
[Quinn chokes.] “Kane?”“No.”
[He weeps.]“Kane is dead but you aren’t; not yet. You don’t have to be. Show me there’s some fight in you, Quinn. Show me that there’s more to you than I’ve seen and I’ll help you rise up. I’ll give you the tools you need to fight back but I can’t stick my neck out until you prove to me there’s some part of Redmond Quinn existing within that broken carcass.”
“I…” [He stammers in exhaustion.] “…Don’t know how…”
[Silence.]“Please, t-tell me how.”
[Silence.] [Finally, the whisper returns.]“I can’t tell you how to be you, I can only tell you that if you rise, I will not let you fall, brother.”
[Silence.] [We close in on the bloodshot eyes of Redmond Quinn as the cell door opens and Wolfgang walks in.] [Cut.]RAIN VS. REDWING
SINGLES MATCH
FAMILY MATTERS
RECORDED EARLIER
“What’s the matter, kid?” [He says smirking.] “You need a ride again?”
“D-Dad,” [a croaky voice responds.] “Help.”
[Panic mode.] [Nightstick immediately pulls over onto the hard shoulder.]“What’s the matter David?” [He asks worriedly.] “Are you okay?”
[Crackle.]“No, I’ve been attacked.”
[The former cop flips open his phone, tracking his son’s device.]“I’ll be right there!”
[We flash forward to Nightstick pulling up at speed outside a convenience store in which his son David lays badly beaten on the concrete floor. He has many deep cuts on his face and his leg appears to be broken. He’s surrounded by patrons who keep him calm as his father approaches hurriedly.]“Shit, what the fuck happened?”
[David looks up, blood trickling down his face.]“Some black dude with blue hair came out of no-where with a baseball bat and just started wailing on me, dad. I didn’t even see him coming.”
[Just then, the devil appears.] [Accompanied by a camera man, recording for posterity, Luther Creed struts up smiling profusely. Nightstick immediately stands from his kneel, about to approach when his son tugs on his trouser leg, pulling him back. They share a look that both seem to understand.]“Look at this,” [Creed says.] “A white kid and his white cop dad, laying in the middle of the street, beaten like a dog. How many times have we seen this in the hood?”
[He closes in, looking at Nightstick right between the eyes.]“This world is a dangerous place, pig.”
[The Cop growls, but backs away.] [Creed laughs.]“And it’s only getting worse by the day.”
[Despite his frustration, Nightstick goes back to his sons side, ignoring Creed as he walks away with his film crew, laughing all the while.] [Cut.]ELI FOREVER VS. LUTHER CREED
SINGLES MATCH
BURN
BACKSTAGE
“Where are our fucking titles?!”
[Hate walks up to the throne, unzips his pants, and begins pissing all over the throne which bring Manson to stand beside him and join in the golden drizzle.]“If they won’t give us the titles…” [Hate stops pissing and zips his pants back up.] “then it’s time we smoke them out.”
[Manson finishes as the turn around and reaches into his bag before pulling out a small gas can. He walks over to the throne and begins dumping the contents out over it before drenching the tables and chairs as well. Hate reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small matchbook. He strikes a match and holds it up to his face.]“We’ll sort through the ashes and find our titles. But first… it must burn.”
[He throws the match as the flames spread throughout the room as The Awakening stand by the flames before the camera focuses in on a small camera in the corner of the room.] [The vantage point changes to show The Awakening through that camera’s vision before zooming out to show Edgar Nevermore standing alongside Happy and Nicolas Mammon watching this all unfold. Nevermore puts a hand on the shoulder of Happy.]“You see, my prince? This is why the savages cannot be trusted to hold gold.”
[Happy nods with a bit of fright in his eyes. Nevermore clears his throat.]“It’s time to initiate phase two.”
THE ZANDER ZANE EXPERIENCE II
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Er… Hi. I mean…”
[Zander smiles, shushing the kid with a hand in the air.]“You’re a sneaky one, but who is Zander Zane to deny a fan? What are you after. An autograph? Selfie?”
[Zander snaps his fingers and a merchandising poster is handed to him from a large stack on the bar. He scrawls across it for a moment before barely looking up.]“What’s your name kid?”
“Err… I’m really just looking for the toilet sir.”
[Zander pauses for a moment, before bursting into laughter.]“Nonsense. I’ll just make it out to ‘my friend’. Here you go… Welcome to the Zander Zane Experience!”
“Errr, thanks?”
“You’re welcome. Now how about that selfie?”
[Zander approaches the kid and puts his arm around his shoulder. Another snap of the fingers finds a cellphone ready to take the photo of the unsuspecting kid. They pose, awkwardly, and the photo is taken. Moments later, another tray of drinks finds its way around the room and Zander snaps up a glass for each hand. He turns away from the teen, who slinks off in his journey to find the bathroom. Downing one of the glasses in a single gulp, Zander is about to start on the second one when he pauses.]“What? Who ordered the lightweight hookers?”
[Around him, his entourage are dropping like flies. Collapsing. Comatose. Zander looks down at the pair of glasses in his hand, then back to his private bar. The bartender, Zander can not quite make out properly as the grogginess causes him to go dizzy. But what he can make out is that he wears a purple mask. Zander staggers, falling to one knee. A familiar voice speaks to him from the blurry darkness.]“Just a little concoction I call ‘Ether of a Champion’. Your arrogance is out of control, Zander Zane. So much so that you don’t even look at the face that’s been serving you drinks all night. Have a good night, Chump… It’s time people found out exactly what kind of Champion you are. Washed out, just like your music career. You don’t deserve that belt like us real Champions.”
[Zander looks up, blinking as his world turns dark.]“You dastardly bastard…”
[With that, the ZZ Champion collapses. Mysterion stands above him, chest puffed out in villanous bravado.]“Nitey-nite, Zander Zane. You’ll wake up in time for your match. In what state, that is anybody’s guess.”
[Maniacal laugh as we cut.]VINDICATORS VS. NEVERMORE, HAPPY & ARTHUR
TRIOS MATCH
SURPRISE VISIT
THE TEMPLAR TEMPLE
“And you say that he was further gone that he had been before?”
[Father Dominic walks with Knightwatch in the Temple, a concerned look on his face. The knowledge brought to the Templars could prove more troublesome than he had expected. The Dark Knight continues recounting his tale]“Yes Father. He held no hesitations in lashing out, and I saw into his eyes. There was something there. Something that wasn’t good. I do not even know if it was even human. Can we even stop him? “
[Dominic slows a bit, pondering the information given. He puts a hand on the shoulder of the Dark Knight, and answers as best as he can.“Do not worry. I shall put my resources onto what I can for defeating the monster that Arthur has begun to be. Take rest for now. Battles ahead will call for you to be at your best, and soon we shall find what will put him to rest for good.”
[Taking heed of his closest ally’s words, Knightwatch retreats to other parts of the temple. Dominic stands in the hallway, lost in his thoughts about the monster that Arthur slowly has become. Losing track of his surroundings, he fails to see the danger that suddenly lunges from shadows. He gasps as a skeletal hand clutches his throat and raises him up.]“So this is the lackey that Knightwatch hath been using. Barely a whelp worth my time”
[Arthur emerges fully from the shadows, looking more corpse like than before. Energy glows beneath his eyes, pinpricks in a torchlight chamber. Dominic squirms in his vice like grip, gasping out a retort.]“Unhand me!”
[Arthur only gives a small chuckle, and tightens his grasp.]“No. Your fate is within my hands now. And for you, I hath plans.”
OLD TIMES SAKE
BACKSTAGE
“Newton?” [Forever roars.]
“He’s not here.”
[Forever whips around to see his sister, Harper, closing the door. She sneers at her brother as they square up.]“What do you want, Harper? You betrayed me, cut your ties with your Forever Family. After all I did for you, I can’t fathom what you’re thinking.”
“Did for me?” [Harper snorts.] “You took everything from me. For what? Your own safety. It’s always about Elijah, isn’t it?”
[Forever raises a hand to interrupt, but Harper pushes it away, jamming her finger in his face.]“I don’t care that William Creed is dead. I don’t care that you killed him. I care that I didn’t get to. You tried to erase everything he did to me, but all you did was lock me in a rose-colored box. All so that you could be the big Heir Eternal, so that you could rule on that Hill. It’s always been about you.”
[She steps back with a grin.]“But now it’s about me. Father. You. Everyone wants to control me. But now Edward has set me free. And I’m going to be everything that you couldn’t be. That’s why he’s given me the title shot. So that I can prove to all of your pathetic followers that you’re no better than the man you choked the life out of. A failure. Beautiful on the outside, but barren on the inside.”
[Eli takes a moment to nod, but suddenly explodes with rage, backing Harper up to the doorway.]“Listen to me, little girl. You’re playing a dangerous game you don’t understand. Edward Newton will destroy you for his title. He’s manipulated you into this, and you think he’s done it for you. The only thing Newton cares about is that title. He knew I could take it from him, so he exploited the one weakness in the Forever Family.”
[Forever’s hand grazes Harper’s cheek.]“Don’t make me go through you to get to him.”
[Clap.] [Clap.] [Eli whirls around, his face showing that he already knows what’s happening.] [Clap.] [Edward Newton stands, clapping from the shadows.] [To Be Continued.]KARRDE & SHADOW VS. DAVENPORT & KERSH
TAG TEAM MATCH
OBLIGATION
BACKSTAGE
“You!”
[We see now the one Nate is incensed with, and it is Heath Solman…who doesn’t look too pleased, himself.]“Nate, we need to talk.”
“You damn right we need to talk! You beat me up at Ring King, after I offered the world to you. I tried to team up with you last week, and that didn’t work out either! What the hell do you want from me, man?”
[Heath slams his fist on the table, shocking Nate for just a moment.]“You said you had a cure for me. This is the last time I’ll ask you for it.”
[Jamal steps toward the Man That Hope Forgot, but Nate stops him, his look of surprise quickly turning into a smirk as he scoffs at the idea.]“Forget it, man…not yet, at least. As far as I’m concerned, despite your little outbursts lately, you still have an obligation to fulfill, so do me a favor…go beat that punk-ass Zander Zane and prove to me you really want what I’ve got to give you. Then we’ll renegotiate our arrangement.”
[Heath thinks about this for just a moment, before lunging at Nate…only for Jamal to hold him back.]“I think it’s best if you consider what the boss is saying before you try anything st—”
[Jamal can’t finish the sentence as Heath throws him against the wall, leaving a small dent behind before he glares at a now visibly shaken Nate.]“You don’t want to play games with me, Nate…I’ve got nothing to lose.”
[Heath punches the wall for good measure, leaving a fist-sized hole before leaving in a huff. Nate takes a couple deep breathes, adjusting his tie as he calms himself down.] [Cut.]ZANDER ZANE VS. SOLMAN
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
A PATTERN
BACKSTAGE
“He’s leaving a path of devastation behind him.”
[Mr. Knot says a solemn tone as he shakes his head in distraught.]“The bar massacre was only the beginning” [Gameboy adds.] “He’s hit several other places and he’s been seen in even more.”
“It’s a pattern!”
[Redwing announces garnering the stares of Gameboy and Mr. Knot.]“Look!”
[Redwing points to the map and then points again. Over and over as he speaks.]“He’s making his way to the Tap Room. And at the current pace he’ll be here… by Frostbite.”
[Redwing looks up from the map; his logic settling in the minds of Mr. Knot and Gameboy. Player One glances at Mr. Knot and in a near fearful voice…]“Just as you predicted Mr. Knot. If only we could try to stop him before he got here. If only we knew…”
“We do!”
[Redwing counters Gameboy’s wishful thinking in confidence and when he does, Mr. Knots attention snaps to him.]“Just follow the pattern Gameboy” [Redwing points back to the map.] “If I’m right, Vanguard is headed right to this shipping yard. We have to alert the others. Maybe they can cut him off.”
[Mr. Knot hesitates, seemingly uncertain how to respond. He forces agreement.]“Yes! Good idea Redwing. Give them notice and maybe they can end this bloodshed before it truly begins.”
[Redwing nods with urgency at Mr. Knot before motioning to Gameboy.]“Let’s go!”
“Ready!”
[With that the two Vindicators exit the office in a hurry leaving Mr. Knot to ponder what has just happened.]HEADACHE
BACKSTAGE
“Have you reconsidered your position?” [Karrde asks, tilting his head.] “Because I want my case back, Shadow.”
[Shadow stands up.]“You need to stop this,” [He demands.] “I don’t have your case and whatever you’re doing inside my head isn’t going to get you what I don’t have.”
[Karrde frowns.]“What do you mean? I’m not doing anything inside your head.”
[The Fallen Angel almost growls with frustration, squinting in the process.]“These terrible headaches; I know you’re responsible for them. Ever since Chambers died and you marked me as taking your case, I’ve been feeling this excruciating and crippling pain inside my head. Don’t tell me that isn’t you.”
[That actually perplexes Karrde who steps back.]“Look, someone sabotaged my chances at Invading. Someone who had something to gain by doing it. At the time, that was you. I’m not inside your head. I’m not causing you any pain. I’ve taken your Championship and I’m not giving it back until you give me what rightfully belongs to me. Anything else is your problem. At Frostbite, either you give me back the case, or I’ll take your title permanently.”
[With that, he walks away, leaving Shadow stood there. If Wild Karrde isn’t responsible for these headaches, what’s wrong with The Fallen Angel?] [Cut.]MYSTERION VS. NATE WASHINGTON
SINGLES MATCH
HER BLESSING
RECORDED EARLIER
“I hear ya, kids. I don’t like this either.”
[The Enforcer gets up and walks over to a nearby window to look around the small airstrip in front of them. Nicole and Dani each pick up a kid, and join him.]“We’re going to be safe, dad.” [Dani says.] “I know you hate sending us away, but Davenport can’t have eyes everywhere. You don’t even know where we’re going.”
[Brent nods, but is jerked around as Dani pulls him in close.]“But I’ll be watching.” [Her tone turns serious.] “And I want you to make him wish he’d never been born. Kill that motherfucker. Give him what he deserves.”
[Nicole quickly butts in.]“Danielle, stop that language with the children.” [She looks to her husband.] “Don’t stoop to his level, Brent. Stop him the right way. Make him pay for what he’s done, but don’t become a monster like him. Please.”
[A voice calls over the loudspeaker, and Dani walks off to the front desk, leaving Brent and Nicole together. Mother watches daughter until she’s out of earshot, then turns to Brent.]“No mercy, Brent. Do you hear me? This isn’t some monster. This is a man, and men die. He’s spat on this entire family, and I know what you want to do to him.”
[Their eyes meet, years of love built up between them. He already knew, but she has to give her blessing.]“So do it. Kill him. Don’t stop fighting until he’s dead, Brent.] [The Kersh’s share a kiss until one of the kids makes a noise. Nicole heads back over to their carry-ons.] [It’s time for them to go.] [And it’s time for Brent Kersh to go to work.] [Cut.]
BERENGER VS. DAVID MANSON
SINGLES MATCH
THE CUT OFF
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Where is he?”
[The voice of Berengar is heard, hushed as we zoom in slowly, the pale glint of the moon reflecting off of the drawn blade of VigilKeeper.]“This place looks abandoned. Why would he have come here?”
[The next voice is Troy Solvieg. The Viking has his hammer, Lævateinn, clutched tightly.]“Are we… too late?”
[Finally, we hear Spero, the hopeful hero taking the forefront, putting himself first in the line of danger as they come into a clearing, the three heroes surrounded by shipping containers. Spero looks around, Troy checking one of the containers before shrugging.]“We were wrong, there are no bodies.”
“Not Yet.”
[A bright red light appears behind Troy, the Viking turning around AND GETTING A BIONIC HAND AROUND HIS THROAT! HE GETS THROWN INTO A SHIPPING CONTAINER! IT FALLS ONTO ITS FUCKING SIDE! The Vindicator is left laying in a dent!]“VANGUARD!”
[Berengar leaps into action and swings Vigilkeeper at the rogue AI, the machine catching his arm, completely ready for this assault as he headbutts Berengar! He picks up by one hand and shakes him by his neck! Berengar lets go of his blade, the air forced out of his lungs as Vanguard CHOKESLAMS HIM INTO THE GROUND! Both Berengar and Troy are down from the surprise attack and Spero is the only man left standing!]“Lifeforms still detected, termination is imminent.”
[The AI places a foot on Berengar’s head! He goes to stomp down when Spero calls out!]“Stop!”
[The emotion in his voice is palpable, Vanguard actually stopping, looking up to see a blue light encapsulating Spero, his Ring giving off visible energy, an aura of Hope surrounding him AS HE CONSTRUCTS MASSIVE GAUNTLETS ONTO HIS HANDS! Vanguard is unsure how to respond as Spero flies forwards with an unstoppable flurry of blows that forces the AI backward! He fruitlessly tries to block but Spero’s rage will not be contained!]“You Hopeless traitor!”
[One can almost hear the sound of tears as one big punch sends Vanguard sprawling backward! Spero tries to advance again but Vanguard grips a nearby container and forces it in the way! Spero stops his pursuit, very quickly realizing that his fellow heroes need his help. He turns around, his aura gone as he rushes to check on Berengar, checking his vitals as Gameboy and Redwing finally arrive. The duo checks on Troy, the Volsungr worse for wear but still breathing.]“What happened here!? Did he kill anyone?”
[Gameboy is breathless as he moves from Troy to Berengar, Spero silently looking at the surroundings, Berengar finally regaining consciousness.]“He was ready for us. It was a trap.”
“How’d he know we were coming?”
“Maybe he planned it. Maybe he was watching us. But I only know one thing. There’s no hope left for him. We must put him down.”
[Spero helps Berengar to his feet as Gameboy and Redwing help up Troy, the five men solemnly making their exit, unsure of their next move.]NIGHTSTICK VS. WOLFANG
SUBMISSION MATCH
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Eli. Stop.” [Newton forcefully says.] “Don’t make me regret what I’m about to do.”
[Confused, Forever backs up for a moment. Harper walks past her brother, wrapping the Riddler into an embrace, bringing a sly grin to the face of the Riddler.]“Spit it out.” [Forever commands.] [Newton straightens his tie out, regaining the command of the situation.]
“Watching the two of you argue has filled my heart with joy. To see Harper finally stop being the victim and start taking control of her life has been breathtaking.” [The Riddler looks down at Harper.] “You’ve never been more beautiful, dear.”
[Harper smiles, as Newton snaps his attention back to Forever.]“But the truth is that without struggle, one cannot grow. There must be pain, must be sacrifice. And this beautiful rose will never bloom until she has had to fight for what she desires.”
[Now both siblings look confused as Newton continues.]“So, my dear, I’m afraid that I cannot make you the next challenger to my Championship.”
[Harper steps back, hurt in her eyes, while Eli grins. Newton notices, and points to the Heir Eternal.]“Nor will you be the challenger, Mr. Forever.”
[Newton slowly closes his jacket, obscuring the shiny gold Championship.]“I will not decide the next challenger. Instead, it will be decided by who has the stronger will, by who will do what must be done.”
[The Riddler grins at the two siblings.]“At Frostbite, Eli Forever will meet Harper in the center of the ring. The winner will face me for this Championship at Red Snow. The biggest of stages, for the biggest of prizes.”
[The siblings square up, anger in their eyes. But Newton’s not done.]“One more thing: I will be the referee.”
[Edward Newton has booked Eli Forever vs. Harper for #1 Contendership to the World.] [What the hell is he doing?] [Cut.]