SOMEWHERE ELSE[Click.] [Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.] [Eternity NIGHTMARE on the Hill.] [David Manson sits behind a large desk, his dirty muddy boots slapped atop it. He’s holding court. Stood in front of him, reluctantly, is Eli Forever, Judah and Rose. The Heir Eternal folds his arms, his face a picture of brewing rage as flakes of mud peel from the boots of his new ‘father’.]
“Chain Reaction is just around the corner and this battle of the ‘so called’ Gods is taking centre stage,” [Manson muses.] “I for one, know that whatever our differences, we can agree that not one of their feeble Gods are as powerful or commanding as us.”
[Forever doesn’t disagree. He just stares at him.]“So, let’s turn Chain Reaction into a nightmare, shall we?”
[Again, silence.]“Whilst these warriors are battling for their pathetic Gods, we’ll assemble a team that refuse to believe in them. That’s where you come in, Gentlemen,” [he points to Eli and Judah.] “Because I have a list and there’s two names on it; two names I wish for you to gather and place before me.”
[Manson reaches into his muddy boot and pulls out a dirty crumpled piece of paper, tossing it at Forever. Eli barely catches it, unravelling it to reveal the names. He peers over his glasses in disbelief, shaking his head.]“This isn’t possible,” [The Heir announces with disgust.] “These two men will never join your ranks, Manson.”
[David, infuriated at the candour, swings his legs off the table and in one quick motion, stands and grabs Eli by the throat, slamming him face first onto the desk. Judah and Rose attempt to stand, but one look from The Nightmare and they remember their Mother, sitting back down.]“They will,” [he hisses, his rage paramount. He leans in close, almost able to whisper, but he doesn’t.] “Because if they don’t, I’ll hold your mother responsible. You’ll be finding and piecing together that bitch for all eternity.”
[Manson slowly releases Forever, who snatches himself clear of The Nightmare.]“We’ll retrieve them.”
[David smiles.] [Cut.]KOJI KOBASHI VS. GAMEBOY
SINGLES MATCH
“LA COSA NOSTRA”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“No, please… stop! Please! I’ve got kids… I’m…”
[He voices trails off as three figures step into picture and approach him. A pair of hands reach down and lift the young man up and slam him into the wall of the alley. He’s lifted half a foot as the muscle brings a fist back to clobber him.]“That’s enough, Tony.”
[The muscle drops his hand and shoves the runner into the wall as the source of the voice steps up into frame.]“You say you’ve got kids, Franky?” [The dapper Tommaso Vitale steps up and lights a cigarette. He crouches down to put himself only a foot away from ‘Franky.’] [Franky nods.]
“Then why would you be so stupid as to hold out on La Cosa Nostra?” [Tommaso takes a long drag on his cigarette before blowing the smoke in Franky’s face.]
“I… I can’t keep this up, Tommy! I can’t keep… living like this.”
[Tommaso nods at this before speaking softly to where only they can hear.]“I’m going to give you a day’s start, Franky. Get your belongings, get your family, and get out of this city. If I ever see around these parts again, you’ll find yourself swimming with the fishes, understand?”
[Franky slowly begins pulling himself up and takes off the down the alleyway. Tony and the other person move to follow, but Tommaso holds up his hand.]“Let him go, boys. We’ll give him a headstart.”
[Tony walks up and looks down at Tommaso with uncertainty.]“Boss ain’t gonna like this, Tommy.”
[Franky keeps running as the goons disappear from view. He keeps running through alleys before he finds himself tripping once again, but this time it wasn’t a newspaper.] [Bolas.] [Franky begins pulling on the cords before he sees two large boots stepping up in front of him. He slowly begins looking up as his eyes begin to grow wide.]“Frank Gotti. You’re going to tell me everything that I need to know about La Cosa Nostra. And you’re going to tell me now.”
[Franky gulps as a huge fist collides with his temple as his vision fades to black.] [Cut.]REDWING VS. REDMOND QUINN
SINGLES MATCH
“SHEEP’S CLOTHING”
RINGSIDE
“Young Luther. Heaven hath made a cesspool of us all.”
[BANG! CON-CHAIR-TO WITH THE SHOVELS TO EACH SIDE OF CREED’S HEAD!] [Satisfied with the damaged heap they’ve reduced the Revolution to, Danvers and Arthur throw the shovels down and exit the ring. They head up the entrance ramp and into the backstage area, passing by Rain, who was observing their imposed destruction from afar. He tosses a nod at them as they pass.] [Cut.]VAN CHAN & CHAMBERS VS. ARTHUR & DANVERS
TAG TEAM MATCH
“THE SEARCH
BACKSTAGE
“I thought I had put the Jigsaw issue to bed, but justice never sleeps.”
[Behind Redwing, we see various gadgets being worked on, including a bare black suit in the background. It seems the Red Knight never sleeps either.]“But after speaking with Gameboy and Bruce Van Chan, I realize now that vengeance blinded me from my duty. It’s not enough to extract a toll of pain, it’s my duty to see that he is judged by authorities. The Vindicators will return, but Jigsaw must be brought in as well.”
[Several map snippets litter the monitors, each one with a large red X on them.]“Since Exodus, he’s went underground. Tailing his allies has only yielded scents that have gone cold. Yet each time I get a whiff, he pops up some place else. Is this another one of his games?”
[Running some sort of algorithm, Redwing types some commands into his console before sitting back to wait.]“The only thing I can do right now is take all of these appearances and see if there is some pattern I can’t see. Maybe there’s something I’m missing, some angle I haven’t considered.”
[The monitor begins to flash red, and the console beeps as Redwing leans forward.]“I knew it! There is a pattern.”
[The Caped Crusader waits as the console takes all of the locations, bringing the triangulated location onto the screen. The image that pops up on his screen takes Redwing’s breath away.] [The Kirby household.]“He wouldn’t dare.”
[On the side of the house, behind several trash cans, the satellite imagery zooms in to show familiar text spray painted.] [DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A GAME?]“The time for games is over.”
[Cut.]CREED VS. ZANE VS. MYSTERION VS. BERENGAR
FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH
“LEADERSHIP”
BACKSTAGE
“You’ve been gathered here today because at Chain Reaction, we unite.”
[Silence.]“Our respective Gods have decided that we must band together and win the inaugural match. To do this, we need to be singing from the same hymn sheet.”
[Nightstick scoffs.] “I don’t follow animals like you, Solveig.” [That changes the tone.]“I fight for law and order as the sword of Themis. I don’t take orders from a murderer like you.”
[Zane laughs rapturously.]“Wait a minute, didn’t you kill Wolfgang? The only person in this room who hasn’t brutally murdered someone is me.”
“You just brutally murder music instead,” [Mysterion chimes.] “Right?”
[All four men now stand at odds, each ready to rip each other’s face off. Troy, meanwhile, has a better idea.]“My people settle squabbles over Leadership in battle,” [he announces.] “And we’ll do the same. Over the next few weeks, we’ll fight in matches to decide who leads our team at Chain Reaction.”
[Zane gets in the face of Solveig.]“That’s fine, and since you’re clearly the self-proclaimed man to beat, I want you.”
[Solveig grins.] “It appears we have an arrangement then. Next week, I’ll battle Zander Zane and Nightstick, you’ll battle Mysterion. The winner of both battles will fight the week after to decide who is our leader.” [Nightstick shares a glance at Mysterion, who’s arm glows with the power of Ahriman. He grimaces.] [Cut.]RAIN VS. GALLOWS LYNCH
SINGLES MATCH
“WAKE”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Bretheren. Now, more than ever, we must band ‘gether. For one of Yahweh’s mighty warriors has fallen and the cross now falls upon our backs. It is a burden we must gladly bear, and a burden we must share. Shadow’s sacrifice will not have been in vain.”
[The three men who are hanging on the Bishop’s every word nod in approval, yet the sense of despair and loss is evident. Chambers pats his compadres on the backs, one by one.]“The fields are ripeth unto harvest, but lo’ the labourers are few. We present a willing spirit and seeketh the guidance of Yahweh to direct our paths.”
[As he speaks, a light shines from above. Glowing golden and piercing the cover of clouds. It shines through the canopy of trees that surround the grave-site. A voice, familiar now, booms from above.]“These are my children, who I am well pleased with. Your faith has brought you this far, but you must be prepared for the war that is ahead. You will be tested, you will face adversity. Apart, you will falter and fall, even at the first hurdle. But together, you will overcome. For trials await you, trials of faith. Faith in each other… And faith in me.”
[As quickly as the voice had come, it falls silent. The light disappears and leaves the four men looking at each other. It is Bruce Van Chan that speaks to break the reverent silence.]“You’re right. Now more than ever, we need each other. I have a feeling it is not going to be a smooth road.”
[Cut.]EDWARD NEWTON © VS. SPERO ©
SINGLES MATCH
“MEN OF DEATH”
BACKSTAGE
“Rain!” [A voice calls.] [The Misfit turns around to see none other than Gallows Lynch, the man he faced off with earlier in a match.]
“What do you want?” [Rain says, an eyebrow raised with mistrust.] [The Hangman’s lip curls up as he studies his future partner.]
“You and I must align our interests, Rain.” [He begins.] “Chain Reaction depends on it. The gods have chosen their warriors, now it’s up to men of death such as ourselves to bring their goals to fruition.”
[Rain uncharacteristically pushes Gallows back to a wall.]“Men of death?” [He spits.] “I haven’t killed, unlike you with your games. I commune with the dead, not increase their number. I can hardly believe Shiva would have…”
[Lynch chuckles, unafraid of the Impairer of Worlds.]“Shiva? I’m afraid not, Rain.” [The Hangman sneers.] “No, I have laid my allegiance with Shezmu.”
“The Lord of Blood.” [Rain quickly retorts.]
“None other.” [Just as quick a reply from Gallows.] “You and your misfits can fall on your wretched knees before Shiva, but all of our gods serve the greater good of Elysium Fields. I know you’ve had your eye on our partners. They are also men of death. Perhaps you should embrace our partnership instead of fearing it.”
[Rain merely shakes his head.]“I don’t trust you, Hangman. Not one bit.”
[With that, Rain turns and walks away from Gallows to head towards the boiler room.] [Gallows Lynch, now aligned with Shezmu, merely looks on with a smile.]SOLVEIG & NIGHTSTICK © VS. FOREVER © & MANSON
TAG TEAM MATCH
THE BENCH PART I
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Thank you for meeting with me,” [he says, talking to himself. There’s nothing next to him.] “I’m sure you’re surprised by the invitation.”
“I was,” [a crisp voice responds.] “And I thank you for this cloak of invisibility. I don’t think my presence here would be welcomed.”
[He nods.]“I can see that. I need your help. Chain Reaction is just around the corner and with the death of Shadow, our team for the battle has lost its key warrior.”
[There’s a pause.] “Resurrect him?”“I cannot,” [The Chief solemnly says.] “Troy Solveig has his grace. Angels aren’t born in heaven, they’re made. Each one is bonded with grace compatible to them. It’s a limited source of power and whilst Shadow is here, in heaven, he’s now human and unable to be resurrected as an Angel.”
“And Bruce Van Chan?”
[The Chief shakes his head.] “Trying his best, but unable to carry the weight of the banner. I don’t want the enemy to know it, but we’re close to losing this war. We won’t win at Chain Reaction and should Elysium Fields be successful, I don’t think I can save The Tap Room from what comes next.” [That piques the interest of the person he’s speaking to.]“And what does come next?”
[The Chief looks forwards, sternly silent.] [Cut.]WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERSHIP
BATTLE ROYAL
“THE LIGHTHOUSE”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“What do you want?” [Berengar sternly says, one hand on his sword.]
“I need your help,” [Eli retorts.] “For aren’t you the lighthouse of good in the sea of evil?”
“You’re evil, Forever. I should vanquish you where you stand.”
[There’s a silence.]“You could and I wouldn’t blame you, but you’re supposed to be heroes, are you not? Men of honor and valour. David Manson has sent me to capture you and force you into an alliance with him at Chain Reaction.”
[Spero folds his arms.] “And you’ve brought an army for that purpose?” [He says, noting the surrounding forces.]“No,” [The Heir shakes his head.] “I brought them to ask for your help. These men can vouch for my predicament. Manson has my mother captive, cutting pieces off her like carving a Sunday Roast. If I don’t return with you, he’ll kill her.”
[Berengar and Spero look at each other.]“Please, just come and meet with him; help me save my mother and together, we may even win Chain Reaction.”
[The remaining Vidicators appear to be in agreement.]“Why does he even want to win it? Doesn’t he have a date booked with Newton?”
[Eli shrugs.] “I don’t know. He keeps his cards close to his chest. I need your help, what do you say?”“We’ll come and meet with Manson,” [Berengar agrees.] “And we’ll help you try to save your mother.”
[Spero interrupts.]“But if you turn on us, we’ll have no mercy for you, Forever.”
[The Two heroes continue their walk down the ramp towards Eli and his men, as we pan backwards to somewhere behind the scene.] [Redwing and Gameboy sit, watching through binoculars.] [Cut.]