“WARDING”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Will your warding spell work? [Chambers asks, surveying the location. He looks unconvinced.] “Will he be unable to find it?”
[Shadow nods.]“Rest assured that for as long as we wish to keep it hidden, so it shall be.”
“If he derives his power from Volsungr, brother Shadow, we should be able to stop his rise to glory before it even begins. If he can’t get his grubby mitts on this, there’s no way he can stop us.”
[Chambers, looking prouder, begins to strut about.]“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future, amen!”
[Shadow interrupts.]“Don’t sing our praises yet, D’von. Troy Solveig will stop at nothing to retrieve his precious hammer and whilst Odin is here on Earth, his power doesn’t only belong to this weapon. You saw that last week.”
[The Preacher sighs.]“Then what do we have to do to finish this?”
[The Fallen Angel runs a hand through his hair, his eyes glowing white.]“There’s no haste in our mission; it’ll be a lengthy and tiresome war. First, we must weaken him at Exodus. By the time Ring of Dreams comes around, I will have Troy Solveig exactly where I need him, but not a moment before.”
[Chambers frowns.] “And me?”“Your horse has yet to truly run in this race, my faithful servant of God. You will serve the Lord in many ways between now and then, but your scope is grander than Troy Solveig. At Exodus, you will hand your vengeance down upon him. I will take care of the rest.”
[Shadow walks away, leaving D’von alone with Volsungr. He reaches down, places a hand upon the handle and tries to lift it up.] [He fails.] [Cut.]ZANDER ZANE VS. HEATH SOLMAN
SINGLES MATCH
“STATEMENT”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I need to report an assault.”
[Three hours later, we cut to a vehicle outside the police department in which Wolfgang sits behind the steering wheel, one arm in a cast. The woman from earlier walks down the steps towards the car with a blanket wrapped around her, getting inside.]“Did you file the report?” [Wolfgang asks, pulling the vehicle away.]
“I did. I told them exactly what you asked me to, Wolf.”
[He smiles.] “And that was?”“I told them I was sexually assaulted inside The Tap Room and I gave them a description of the man who did it. I refused to be DNA tested, so all they have is my statement.”
[She lowers her head in shame.]“You did well, Mia. I hope you told a compelling story.”
“I did, I promise. I told them he was a cop, dressed in their uniform; I told them that he had a brown goatee and buzzcut. I said that I somehow got backstage, got lost and he offered to help me. Then I described what he did to me.”
[Another wry smile creeps across the sadistic face of Wolfgang.] [He nods downwards at the centre console.]“Your payment is in there.”
[She opens the console and takes a bag of what looks like cocaine from within it. He pulls over and she eagerly gets out, dropping the blanket as she walks away.] [Wolfgang meanwhile chuckles to himself, another game afoot.] [Cut.]NATE WASHINGTON VS. EDGAR NEVERMORE
SINGLES MATCH
“FRINGES OF SOCIETY”
BACKSTAGE
“Greetings.” [The woman states, her voice as smooth as silk.] “I am…”
“Shiva.” [Rain cuts her off.] [Shiva smiles at Rain.]
“Yes, I am Shiva, protector of those on the fringes of society, of everything chaotic, and dangerous, the unexpected and un-explainable. God of the humble, outcasts, and criminals. I have come before you to ask for your devotion. As Outcasts, you are all that I lend my guidance and protection. Join me, and you will be forever in my favor.”
[Solman and Jigsaw look at one another, neither having much of an answer. But not Rain.]“We’ll join you. You can count on the Outcasts. When you call, we will answer.”
[The god smiles and nods at Rain before vanishing back into her fire. Solman and Jigsaw look to Rain, who merely nods.]“Trust me.”
[Cut.]EDWARD NEWTON VS. THE GREAT BANDITO
SINGLES MATCH
“THE RETURN”
BACKSTAGE
“Damnit!”
[The sound of paper being balled up and thrown aside is heard. The paper ball comes into picture before the thrower does.] [The Poet seems agitated. Surrounding him are a plethora of balled up pieces of paper with a notebook that seems verging on the status of depletion. His eyes are bloodshot as he glares down at that notebook with his pencil trembling in his hand from frustration. His pencil reaches the paper as he presses down.] [SNAP!] [The lead breaks clean from the wood as his trembling begins working itself over his whole body.]“AGHHHH! What is wrong with me?!”
[Edgar Nevermore throws the pencil across the room as well as the nearly empty notebook before burying his head in his hands.]“Nothing is wrong with you, Edgar.”
[Edgar’s head slowly rises as his eyes fixate on the smiling face of Bruce Van Chan.]“You are a perfect example of God’s creation. There are no imperfections in his eyes. For that, he has sent me to reason with you.”
“Oh, is that the reason, old chap?” [Nevermore sneers.]
“Yes. God has seen the turmoil placed upon you, and he wishes to grant you an eternity of love and peace with him in paradise.”
[Nevermore sits up straight, adjusts his tie, and looks Bruce up and down.]“’God’ told you this, right?” [Bruce nods.] “He sent you as a missionary to me, did he?”
[Bruce’s brow furrows for a moment before his smile returns.]“God is offering you everything just for fealty. He’s offering you forgiveness for all of the sins that you’ve committed.”
[Nevermore raises a hand to stop him.]“And what sins have I committed, old chap?”
[Bruce’s lips press together before his eyes notice the balls of paper on the floor.]“Having trouble collecting your thoughts, Edgar?”
[Nevermore looks down at the papers and seems to age ten years as his body acknowledges the frustration.]“You could say that.”
[Bruce reaches out and touches Edgar’s shoulder to which Nevermore’s body grows tense as his eyes rest on that hand.]“God can help with that. Allow him to fill your heart and soul with the words from the heavens. With his help, everyone will know the name of Edgar Nevermore, and the holy words that you have printed in his honor.”
[Bruce reaches down and picks up the notebook and hands it to Edgar who seems legitimately perplexed.]“Don’t allow yourself to be swayed by pomp and circumstance, Edgar. Trust in Him, and he’ll set your soul free.”
[With these parting words, a brief smile, and a pat on the shoulder, Bruce Van Chan leaves the room with Edgar looking down at his notebook opened to a page with the title of a poem showing.]“Fear No More.”
[Cut.]“THE GAME, I”
BACKSTAGE
“Where are they!?” [The Caped Crusader bellows, his forearm going into Jigsaw’s throat.] [Jigsaw responds with a stiff kick to the groin of Redwing, knocking the Detective back a step. The masked man backhands Redwing as he advances with glee.]
“The game is afoot now, Redwing.” [Jigsaw taunts.]
“You shouldn’t have used your personal tablet, Jigsaw. I figured out it was you instantly.” [Redwing angrily responds.] “The game is over!”
[Redwing rushes in, but stops when Jigsaw quickly holds up a metal cylinder in his hand.]“I don’t think so, Red Knight.” [The sociopath growls.] “You were the last piece of the puzzle, and you’ve walked right into my trap.”
[With the upper hand established, Jigsaw holds up his object, some kind of switch.]“If you don’t play, then I’ll kill them all right here.” [Jigsaw says, referring to the ten hostages he took last week.] [Redwing holds back, seeking more information.]
“What’s the game, then?” [The Detective queries.] [Jigsaw chuckles.]
“The only game that matters. A choice: Life or Death.”
“They’re innocent people!” [Redwing cries out.]
“No one is innocent.” [Jigsaw quickly retorts.] “But this game isn’t a death sentence. They can all survive.”
[Redwing tilts his head, waiting on the catch. Jigsaw happily obliges.]“But they’ll need someone to guide them. They’re stumbling, terrified in the darkness, nothing to light their way. But if only someone had access to security cameras that pierced the darkness, that could tell them how to escape the dangerous game they’ve been placed in.”
[Without even a response, Redwing takes off running at full speed down the hallway, while Jigsaw lets out a satisfied laugh.] [Will Redwing be able to save these people?]MYSTERION VS. WOLFGANG
SINGLES MATCH
“PLATINUM”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Major news coming out of the rock world this week; Zander Zane, former lead singer of The Zander Zone has released a new album – his first non-Greatest Hits album in over a decade and it has already gone platinum.”
[Three Days later.] [Our scene cuts to Zander Zane, sat on a large leather couch in front of numerous cameras at a Television Studio here in Miami. He’s about to be interviewed in relation to his surprising new album and the incredible success it has garnered in such a short period of time.]“Good morning, welcome to the Tom Davies show. I’m sat here with Zander Zane who earlier this week released his first album in ten years, ‘The Flower of The Soul’ and incredibly, it has just this morning gone platinum. Zander, this was a shock album release to say the least; are you buoyed by its success? I mean, no-one knew you were releasing an album, did they?”
[Zander smiles.] “It wasn’t something I was working on. I just found myself inspired to make new music and did it. This new album is an extension of my soul. You see Tom, the soul is a flower brought to bloom by music and every song on this album will speak to the soul of the listener and cause it to bloom.”“Inspired by Xochipilli?” [A voice suddenly interrupts.] “Is that it, Zander?”
[The lights suddenly shut off abruptly. When they return, Zander Zane is gone and Tom Davies looks on in shock, unsure of what to say next.] [He quickly regains composure.]“Well, that was a brief appearance by Zander Zane. We’d like to thank him for coming on. Another PR stunt by the crazy Rockstar, it seems.” [Tom reports.] “Who knows! The Flower of the Soul is out in stores now! We’ll be back after this commercial break.”
[Cut.]GALLOWS LYNCH VS. JIGSAW
SINGLES MATCH
“HESITATION”
RECORDED EARLIER
“You alright man? Something’s eating at you.”
[Redmond blinks, derailed from his train of thought and looks at his teammate. He shrugs, trying to brush it off.]“I’m fine. Just thinking about last week.”
“With those Outcasts? Gotta say, thought you told them off just fine last week.”
[Redmond sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. He takes a minute to collect his words, before speaking.]“Being angry is easy for you Creed. For me, it’s a chore. It takes time for me to even get mad. And yet, I lashed out when I shouldn’t have.”
[Redmond stands“I want to trust these Outsiders. I see people lost on the outskirts, looking for any kind of support. There’s some really dangerous people they could’ve gone to, and could still go to. So on that side, I’m almost flattered that they came to us.”
[He looks out over the Tap Room, with only the backstage crew and security getting things prepared for the evening’s events.]“But something just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s after trying with Wolfgang. Maybe it’s the things that Rain says, or that something just feels off with that Solman guy. But there’s this hesitation that I don’t like. Something rubbing me the wrong way.”
[Luther gets up, putting a hand on his shoulder of his team mate. He stares out across the stage, a smile on his face.]“I get ya man. You’ve been through hell and back, but you stick to your morals. And that’s something to be appreciated. Me? I know where I’ve come from, I know who I am. But sometimes you have to consider your options.”
[He turns to his partner, flashing a smile and exuding that confidence we know so well. ]“We’ll give them a shot at Exodus. Let them earn a chance to help with the Revolution, or crash and burn with the system.”
BRUCE VAN CHAN VS. KING ARTHUR
SINGLES MATCH
“BRING ME BANDITO”
BACKSTAGE
“Bring me Bandito!”
[Nate Washington’s voice cuts through a scene of utter commotion as several of his lackeys are engaged in a cluster of a struggle with members of the Guild. It is Big Bruce and TJ Laws who drag The Great Bandito through the crowd and drop him to the Kingpin’s knees while the brawl continues on in the background. He has a sack over his head which is abruptly ripped off. Bandito blinks as the light invades his eyes, before Nate backhands him across the cheek.]“Where the fuck is it?”
[Bandito shows resolve in his eyes and does not back down in the slightest, despite Big Bruce holding him in a Full Nelson.]“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
[Bandito says the well-rehearsed line with a flash of a grin and a wink. This only serves to anger Washington further. He presses his face right up to the Rogue’s.]“Do you like your fingers? You feel like keeping them? Give me the fucking ring or an accident may happen.”
[Bandito smiles once more, not intimidated by the stern talk.]“You’ll have to catch me first.”
[Washington puzzles at the comment, seeing as how his men as physically holding Bandito right in front of him.]“You underestimate me, boy. Do you not see where you are? Here, in front of me as clear as day. Don’t think you’re going to weasel your way out of my clutches. Not when you have my ring.”
[Bandito falls silent. He closes his eyes and remains very still within Big Bruce’s clutches. The henchmen both grin for a moment until a familiar voice wipes the smiles off their faces.]“Are you sure?”
[The Great Bandito steps forward from within the wild brawl, not seeming to care about the carnage occurring around him.]“Not everything is as it seems. Do you think that your little cronies could really capture a master bandit quite to easily?”
[JJ Laws takes offense to the comment but Washington calls him off with a wave of his hand.]“No. You only see what I wanted you to see.”
[The Kingpin rips off the mask from the ‘Bandito’ in front of him. Clearly, they have the wrong man. WATCH YA MOUTH OUT OF FRUSTRATION DROPS THE BANDITO!]“Give me the damned ring!”
[Washington shouts at the real Bandito. Only, The Rogue flashes a wink and drops a flask on the ground. Black smoke pours out of the flask as it shatters on the concrete. The Great Bandito waves as the smoke engulfs him. Then, he is gone.]“You fucking idiots brought me the wrong man!”
[Cut.]“POWER”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“They’ve warded it,” [Odin remarks with disgust.] “I can’t find it and without warding, there’s nothing on this planet I cannot find.”
[Solveig growls.] “Curse them,” [he bellows.] “I know why they’ve hidden it, father. Shadow somehow had the power to wield Volsungr. They wish me to march into battle a weakened warrior.”“Sacrilege!” [Odin retorts, equally as angry.] “Only you should be able to wield that hammer, son. It’s bound by your very being to you and you alone. If he wishes to retain it, it’s to make you weaker.”
“He stopped me from using it,” [Troy shamefully admits.] “With one hand of his it felt heavy in mine.”
[That shocks Odin.]“Then dear boy, you aren’t dealing with any ordinary fallen angel. I’m afraid that this situation has grown larger than we expected. I was led to believe that Shadow was simply an angel that fell from grace. That can’t be true.”
[Troy doesn’t understand.] “Then what is he?”“He’s just as powerful as you,” [Odin responds, stroking his beard.] “He wields the same power you do. This changes the game ahead drastically, son.”
“I’m ready for the war, father.”
[Odin nods.] “I’m certain that you are but to win this war, you’ll need your bag of tricks.” [Solveig smiles.]“You wish for me to enact the spirit of Loki from within? You know that I only do so under your command.”
“You must.”
[Cut.]ISAAC DANVERS VS. GAMEBOY
SINGLES MATCH
“CHAOTIC”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Who are you, and why are you in my lair!?”
[This draws a deep, hearty chuckle from the figure as it steps closer, its size becoming more prominent.]“Don’t you recognize evil when you see it, Mysterion? Or are you not as familiar with the concept as you like to let on?”
[This just infuriates the Cloaked Conundrum.]“How dare you! I won’t be insulted by some—”
[Suddenly a wind whips through the room, the lights flickering back on to reveal a much more imposing figure boasting large horns upon its head. The sight seems to make Mysterion tremble ever so slightly, a visual cue the figure picks up on immediately with a wicked grin on its face.]“That’s much better. I am Ahriman, the embodiment of the evil you so desperately desire. There is a war coming, and I need someone with as much of a grasp on chaos and destruction as the Cloaked Conundrum to make these lowly humans recognize my greatness…and in doing this, your greatness will be known the world over.”
[Before Mysterion can respond to this offer, the lights cut out again as another gust of wind fills the room…and just as quickly, the lights return with no trace of the god that has revealed itself except for one final message…]“I’ll give you some time to think it over, but consider this a much more rewarding goal than some silly ray gun.”
[This leaves Mysterion confused, and eventually somewhat annoyed at the reminder of his current situation.] [Cut.]“THE GAME, II”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Can you hear me?”
[The kidnapped people look up to the camera, searching for the voice.]“I’m not the one who put you here.” [Redwing states.] “But I’m going to get you out.”
[The woman holding the injured man cries up to the camera.]“My brother’s hurt.”
[Redwing’s eyes dart around, seeing that the group is locked in a death maze. Various blades and other implements of destruction frame the only safe way out. The injured man seems to have run into some of them.]“Listen, get in a line. All of you to your feet. We’ll do this one at a time. Can he walk?”
[Wordlessly, the injured male gets to his feet with the assistance of the others. He goes to the front of the line, his walk stilted.]“Walk forward two paces.” [Redwing instructs.] “To the left three. Forward four. Right two. Forward to the door.”
[One by one, each of the hostages follows the instructions of Redwing, walking out of the door. As the last breaks the threshold, Redwing lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. But his countenance changes instantly as Jigsaw walks into the room.]“Very good, Watchful Protector.” [Jigsaw chuckles.] “All of them will live for now. Next week…”
“They won the game, Jigsaw.” [Redwing cuts in, his voice stern.] “Let them go.”
[The only response is laughter from Jigsaw, his pixelated form shaking with laughter.]“Did you really think the game was for them?” [Jigsaw taunts.] “I had to see who you were. In one week, come to where you found this tablet, and the choice will be yours.”
[Redwing’s fist clenches as the feed cuts to static.] [What does Jigsaw have planned for Redwing?]SHADOW VS. RAIN
SINGLES MATCH
“COULD OF”
BACKSTAGE
“Gameboy! I’m so glad you’re alive! I was so devastated when I saw you die I couldn’t even think straight, please tell me you’re-”
[Gameboy throws Spero’s arms off of his shoulders, pushing the Hopeful Hero back and looking him up and down.]“You definitely didn’t seem devastated when you let Solveig bring his hammer down on my head, did you? Didn’t use your ring to stop him, didn’t try to revive me like Berengar. You let me die.”
[Berengar stands up, going to intervene, Gameboy only rebutting his advance with a stiff arm.]“Stay out of this, Berengar. This is between me and my so-called best friend. What happened, Spero? You used that ring countless times, you even used it in that match and the one time you needed it most you couldn’t bring yourself to use it? You could’ve saved me, why didn’t you?”
[Spero looks on at Gameboy, head drooping as he bawls his fists.]“I was scared, Gameboy. I’m sorry I didn’t save you, I know I could of saved you. But I didn’t, and I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it.”
[Berengar finally steps between the two men, holding both away at arm’s length.]“Stop with this bickering. This is no time for arguments, we have greater issues at hand with Solveig and this war of Gods. This is important but we don’t have time for it.”
[Gameboy shoves the arm off of his chest and shakes his head.]“You died, Berengar. He saved you, the only one to save me was myself. So before you try and speak any wisdom, just think that you also could be saying the same thing. Could of.”
[The Gamer leaves the room, the other two men stewing in the deafening silence he left behind.]THE REVOLUTION VS. FOREVER & MANSON
TAG TEAM MATCH
“BUZZARDS”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Danvers!” [screams Arthur.] “Thou shalt free me at once, you devil!”
[A few footsteps, taking their time. A brief pause. Danvers then leans over the struggling Arthur.]“No.”
[Arthur headbutts a buzzards that pecks his face. The buzzards backs off.]“Dare I ask thee why?” [Another headbutt. The buzzards appear to be more annoyance than anything life threatening.] [Danvers frowns.] “Buzzards are a fitting lesson for someone like you, my liege. Someone who would treat a loyal subject so callously. Oh great king, does a heart even beat behind that… rotting chest cavity of yours?”
[Arthur, trying his best to fight off the buzzards without the use of his arms and legs, groans loudly as Danvers continues.]“By the hound! To treat me like I’m one of these buzzards, annoying you, pecking at your flesh… it hurt my feelings. You heartless bastard, you hurt my feelings!”
[Arthur surrenders.] “Danvers… Sir Isaac Danvers. I… Apologize. Thou art not at all a buzzard, my most loyal friend.” [Isaac sighs happily. He reaches in his pocket and grabs a key. Taking a knee, he waves off a couple of buzzards as he frees Arthur from his binds.]“It’s no matter.” [says Danvers, gleefully.] “I forgive you. We’re going to be players on the grandest of stages, my liege. You and I. Togeth–”
[Arthur’s hand reaches up and grabs Danvers by the throat. Arthur reaches his feet and starts strangling Danvers, whose eyes are wide with shock.] [Danvers chokes and grabs at Arthur’s arm as Arthur screams at him.] “Thou art no buzzard, Danvers, but neither art thee than ally! I knoweth not by what means thou hath brought me to this place, nor why thou hath believed this… bizarre act was a lecture I must learn from thee! For all thou have taught me is that thou art the viper I kneweth you to be!” [Danvers slowly turns purple as Arthur continues strangling him.]“And the fastest way to kill a snake such as thee… [Arthur squeezes harder. Danvers’ eyes roll back into his head.] “Is to grasp it by its neck and squeeze the very soul out of it.”
[Arthur, instead, releases Danvers, who falls to the ground and clutches his throat, gasping and choking on the night air.]“Danvers, whence thou findeth thyself considering whether or not ye ought tempt me once more… mayhaps ye will remember this night, betwixt these graves, where we taught each other such grave lessons as these.”
[Arthur storms off into the night.] [Danvers, gasping for air, spits, and watches Arthur’s body fade into the distance.] [Isaac smiles.]NIGHTSTICK VS. D’VON CHAMBERS
SINGLES MATCH
“WISHING TREE”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“That tree. I feel, if only I could touch it that it would bring me…”
“Good fortune?”
[A voice finishes his sentence. In the brightness of the sunshine that shines through the branches of the mighty tree, he cannot see where the voice has come from. With his hand still outstrecthed towards the tree, he stops in his tracks. He hears the voice again.]“I can take on many forms, Bandito. People call me by many names. I’m sure you’ve heard of me.”
[A figure steps out from within the trunk of the tree itself, through a passageway that has until now been completely camouflaged. She is beautiful enough to stop even Bandito’s words in their tracks. Flowing blonde hair falls down her back like a waterfall of liquid gold, cascading down over a long red dress that has a thigh high slit up the side. Long enough to show her shapely leg as she walks towards him. Her beauty is enough to distract Bandito from the fact that she wears a blindfold. She walks over ot him, touching Bandito on the shoulder with a slender finger.]“My name is Fortuna. This is the Wishing Tree, and it can indeed bring you good fortune. Fortune that can bring about your wildest fantasies. What is it that you desire most, Bandito?”
[Without another word, she pulls back her finger. On it now sits the signet ring of Nate Washington. The sight snaps Bandito out of his daydream.]“Hey!”
[She tuts at him, almost playfully.]“Fortune it seems favours you as much as your skill. But surely your sights can be set on prizes that are a little bigger than a measely ring… What is it you desire most?”
[Bandito opens his mouth to speak, but no voice can be found. Fortuna smiles, tossing the ring back at him.]“Return the ring to Nate Washington. For I require the services of both of you. Not you alone.”
[She turns and walks back towards the tree. Bandito retorts a rebuttal at her back.]“I already have my Guild. I’m not alone. Why him?”
[But he receives no answer. Fortuna has disappeared. Fortuna has spoken. Bandito must humble himself and obey if he wants to see where this particular rabbit hole goes.] [Cut.]“MARTYR”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Even if we could find where Manson is keeping her, he’s too much of a loose cannon to smoke him out.” [Judah cautions.] [Eli nods.]
“Our usual methods won’t work with this one. His followers are utterly devoted. He’s utterly insane. Mind games won’t win this war.”
[The three siblings all bow their heads for a moment.]“Then what will?” [Rose asks, quietly.] [Before an answer can be spoken, the door pushes open. A timid young man enters carrying a box. Eli stands to his feet, annoyed.]
“I said no interruptions.” [He chides.]
“I know.” [The scared intruder says.] “But this box was left outside the gate, and it’s addressed to you.”
[He steps forward and places the box on the table. It’s been crudely closed and has a blood stain upon it. Rose, Eli, and Judah look down at it, all on their feet now.]“Manson.” [Eli sneers.] [Rose reaches forward to open the box, but Judah is the one that reaches inside to its contents.] [Hair. Ripped from the root, with blood upon the end.] [Magdalene’s hair.] [Eli draws out a small piece of paper, with Manson’s chicken scratch on it.]
“Don’t turn your mother into a martyr for your cause. Embrace the Nightmare.” [The Heir Eternal reads.] “Or you’ll get the rest of her in another box.”
[Eli simply nods, crumpling the letter in his hand. His siblings look to him for answers, but he has only one.]“No mind games.” [Eli whispers.]
“Only blood.”
[Cut.]SOLVEIG VS. THE VINDICATORS
GAUNTLET MATCH
Spero reaches up and tries to untangle his legs, but Troy is too quick! Troy springs from the first to the second rope before dropping a huge Superman punch to the face of Spero who slumps down and falls from the tree! Troy grabs him by his arm and yanks him to the center of the ring. He covers!
[One…] [TWO… ] [TH-KICKOUT!] [Troy yanks Spero to his feet, but Spero nails three quick jabs to the ribs as Troy backs away. Spero rushes at Troy who catches him by his throat! He lifts him up above his head, but Spero slips out and nails a leaping crossbody from the second rope! Both men go down, but so does the referee who was a casualty! Spero grabs Troy, but Solveig kicks him right in the balls! Berengar is back up on the apron with his nose still bleeding as the referee begins to stir with a steel chair in hand! Troy is yelling at Berengar to get down, but Berengar is arguing his case. He throws the steel chair to Spero who catches it.] [VALKYRIE!] [The Superman punch knocks the chair into the face of Spero! Spero slumps to the mat. Troy lifts up Spero and….] [HAMMER OF THE GODS ON THE CHAIR!] [Troy pushes the chair out of the ring as the referee comes back to consciousness! Troy covers!] [One…] [TWO…] [THREE!] [Troy Solveig has DONE IT here tonight as he’s managed to outlast and outsmart The Vindicators in this gauntlet match as Berengar can’t believe what he’s done.]“OF GOD’S AND MEN”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“That’s a neat trick,” [Newton muses.] “Buying prayers through the sound of music. Every song speaks to the soul of the listener, does it? I bet it does.”
[Newton rips the tape of Zane’s mouth, allowing him to speak.]“Xochipilli’s fingerprints are all over my album, Edward; there’s nothing you can do to stop it. We’ve mass produced copy after copy and he’s ensured the world has gobbled them up. Their prayers will belong to him!”
[The Riddler violently slaps him.] “You traitorous cockroach.” [Zander laughs.]“If I knew you could be bought and sold so easily, I’d have placed a bid myself.”
[The Rockstar rolls his eyes.] “We’re all pawns in this chess game, kid. Don’t pretend you’re here because you want to be. We both know that someone is pulling your strings too. My question is; what are they offering you?” [Newton shakes his head, turning away.]“I think you misunderstand our positions; it is I who asks the questions.”
[Zane scoffs. He looks up at Edward with disdain in his eyes.]“Now Mr. Zane, you may have manipulated society with help of your God but I will undo your dastardly work in this regard.”
[The Rocker’s eyebrows raise.] “Impossible.”“You want the world to believe that your soul is a flower in bloom so that they pray to your precious little God. But at Exodus, when I add you to the list of those I’ve defeated, your followers will see your words for the lies they are.”
[Newton leans in slightly, getting in his face.]“Why don’t you just kill me now?” [Zane prompts.]
“So that your legend may live on forever?” [Newton scoffs in reply.] “No, Mr. Zane. Your legend will die a gruesome death at Exodus in the ring with me, but you’ll live to see another day and burn in hell when it’s over.”
[The World Champion undoes the ties on the back of Zane’s chair, walking away into the darkness of the room behind him as the Rocker checks on his wrists, a grimace on his face.] [Cut.]