Lie Upon Thy Cross To Bear
[Wrr.]
[Click.]
[Cold open.]
[A tight shot.]
[Lux Bellator’s mask fills the screen — bloodied, barely holding together.]
[His breathing is ragged. A low groan escapes him.]
Signal: "…Oh my god."
[A beat.]
Signal: "We—we apologize for opening the show like this, but we’ve just been brought to this scene backstage—"
[The camera slowly pulls back.]
[Revealing everything.]
[Lux Bellator is nailed to a wooden cross, arms outstretched, wrists pierced. Blood runs down his forearms, dripping onto the floor beneath him.]
[His body hangs, barely conscious.]
[Standing before him… Padre del Le Venganza.]
[Still. Calm. Reverent.]
[The faint murmur of cult chanting echoes somewhere unseen.]
Black Scar: "Well… would you look at that."
[Padre tilts his head, studying Lux like a work in progress.]
Padre Venganza: "The virus…"
[A pause.]
Padre Venganza: "…has taken longer than I expected."
[Lux stirs weakly.]
Padre Venganza: "So it seems…"
[A small, satisfied nod.]
Padre Venganza: "…it needs a little push."
[He steps closer, placing a hand gently against Lux’s chest.]
Padre Venganza: "You will come to understand."
[A beat.]
Padre Venganza: "You will come to accept."
[He leans in.]
Padre Venganza: "And when you do…"
[A whisper.]
Padre Venganza: "I will welcome you to the family… once again."
[Padre steps back.]
[He turns.]
[And walks away.]
[The chanting fades with him.]
[Suddenly— chaos.]
[EMTs and staff rush into frame, shouting, scrambling, trying to lift Lux from the cross, trying to stop the bleeding.]
Signal: "Get him down! Get him DOWN!"
Black Scar: "Padre’s not hiding it anymore."
Signal: "This is sick! This is beyond anything we’ve seen—!"
Black Scar: "No… this is clarity."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "Padre’s finally coming out of his shell."
[The camera lingers on Lux being pulled free, blood staining the floor.]
[Cut.]
Souled Out
Signal: “We’re set to open Invasion tonight with a fatal four way match. It looks like the first competitor has made it out the ring.”
[Ace Starshield stands in the center of the ring. Benny is beside him, looking uneasy.]
[Ace kneels slightly, placing a steady hand on Benny’s shoulder.]
Ace Starshield: “Alright, partner. Mission parameters have changed.”
[Benny looks up at him.]
Benny: “You sure…?”
[Ace nods firmly.]
Ace Starshield: “Heroes take the front line so civilians don’t have to.”
[He gestures to ringside.]
Ace Starshield: “Head down there. Stay close. I’ve got this.”
[Benny hesitates… then nods and carefully climbs out of the ring.]
[He backs away, eyes still locked on Ace, who rises, turning to face the entrance.]
Ace Starshield: “Santiago Del Toro!”
[He points toward the stage.]
Ace Starshield: “Your scare tactics end now! Get out here and face justice!”
[The lights dim.]
[A low guitar hum creeps through the Temple.]
[Red light spills across the stage.]
[Santiago Del Toro steps out slowly.]
[He walks with deliberate calm, entering the ring without breaking eye contact.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Ahhh… the hero calls.”
[He circles slightly.]
Santiago Del Toro: “And the boy waits below… trembling.”
[Benny shakes his head at ringside.]
Benny: “I’m not—!”
[Ace raises a hand, cutting him off.]
Ace Starshield: “Your fight is with me.”
[Del Toro smiles.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Oh, it always is.”
[He tilts his head.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Two souls stand before me…”
[He looks to Benny.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…one small…”
[Then to Ace.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…one pretending—”
[“Tropical Fun” hits, and El Tropico Del Frio rolls under the ropes, popping up between them.]
El Tropico de Frio: “Hey, hey, hey—hold up, man.”
[He gestures lazily.]
El Tropico de Frio: “You keep talkin’ about souls like it’s a buffet or somethin’.”
[He shrugs.]
El Tropico de Frio: “Not really my kinda party.”
[Lights cut again.]
[Crimson Eclipse is suddenly in the ring, silent, standing behind them.]
[Del Toro looks between them then exhales slowly.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Four bodies…”
[He steps forward.]
Santiago Del Toro: “And yet… I find so little to take.”
[He gestures toward Benny.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Fear without strength.”
[To Frio.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Spirit without purpose.”
[To Eclipse.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Courage built on illusion.”
[Finally, to Ace.]
Santiago Del Toro: “And you…”
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…I see nothing at all.”
[The tension rises.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Weak. Empty.”
[He spreads his arms.]
Santiago Del Toro: “But…”
[A faint smile.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…I suppose I will take them anyway.”
[No one backs down.]
Signal: “Four men square off tonight to kick off Invasion and the winner receives more than just bragging rights.”
Black Scar: “Number one contender to the Ultraviolent Championship. Propaganda and Mr. Grimm will be watching this with a vested interest.”
[The Crimson Eclipse comes out of the gates hot, charging straight at Santiago Del Toro. SPEAR! NO! OLE! DEL TORO DODGES OUT OF THE WAY!]
[SPECTRAL PASSADA! CRIMSON ECLIPSE IS PLANTED WITH A SNAP DDT!]
[Ace Starshield engages El Tropico de Frio. Ace moves to grapple Tropico, but he is met with a PALM TO THE FACE! CITRUS SMACK!]
[Ace staggers backwards, but Tropico can’t make the next move. He’s caught from behind with a cape draped right over his pineapple head.]
[HE CAN’T SEE! SINISTER MULETA! FOREARM SMASH DECIMATES TROPICO!]
Signal: “Santiago Del Toro came to work tonight. He’s making a statement.”
Black Scar: “He hit that pineapple-headed fool with enough force to crack that pineapple right off his skull. Pure brutality.”
[Ace Starshield sees his opening, lumbering across the ring at Del Toro and grabs him from behind. Ace spins him round and hoists the Matador up onto his shoulders.]
[CRASH LANDING! NO! SANTIAGO SLIPS OUT FROM BEHIND AND LANDS IN A PERFECT SUPERHERO THREE-POINT STANCE!]
[HE POUNCES! NECKBREAKER! ACE IS DOWN!]
Signal: “I thought that Ace Starshield might have had an opening there, but that closed faster than a revolving door in a hurricane.”
Black Scar: “Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas. It’s time to make pain rain!”
[Ace slowly rises to his feet. While he does, The Crimson Eclipse soars out of the corner. Leaping, he grabs Santiago around the head for his patented Cutter. Del Toro is knocked off balance, falling back first into the ropes to regain his balance, with The Crimson Eclipse hanging off his neck.]
[HERE COMES ACE STARSHIELD! THRUSTERS ENGAGED! HE HITS SANTIAGO DEL TORO WHO FALLS BACKWARDS OVER THE ROPES!]
[THE CRIMSON ECLIPSE IS SENT FLYING INTO THE AIR, OUT OF THE RING AND LANDS IN AN AWKWARD CRUMPLED HEAP AT RINGSIDE!]
Signal: “To Infinity… And the concrete.”
Black Scar: “He’s not moving. He may be seriously hurt. I’m loving it!”
[Ace clambers to his feet, but Santiago beats him to a vertical base. He backs up against the crowd barricade. Ace senses his opening and begins to advance, but Santiago only beckons him forward more. Ace charges…]
[DEL TORO DODGES! CURSED CHARGE! SANTIAGO DEL TORO WITH A BRUTAL KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! ACE IS SENT CRASHING HEAD FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE!]
[Starshield is dazed, coming to rest sitting against the barricade. Santiago raises one hand, his fingers slowly and ominously toward Ace.]
[HE CHARGES… PHANTOM CORNADA! THE BUSAIKU KNEE DRIVES STRAIGHT INTO ACE’S HELMET!]
[HIS VISOR SHATTERS AS STARSHIELD’S SKULL SMASHES INTO THE BARRICADE!]
[Watching on, Benny lets out a blood-curdling scream.]
Signal: “Del Toro decimated Ace, and he’s now left a wreckage at ringside.”
Black Scar: “Benny has to watch as his hero gets destroyed before his eyes. This is amazing.”
[Del Toro turns his gaze back to the ring, where Tropico is staggering about aimlessly. With a cracked and battered pineapple mask, he can hardly see.]
[Santiago steps into the ring. Tropico takes a wild swing but hits only air, overcompensates drastically and falls forward...]
[SANTIAGO SWOOPS IN, LOCKING IN HIS COBRA CLUTCH!]
[ETERNAL SILENCE!]
[IT’S OVER! EL TROPICO TAPS OUT!]
Signal: “In a dominant showcase, Santiago Del Toro stands victorious. This... Is... Invasion.”
Black Scar: “He’s the number one contender to the Ultraviolent Championship. You bet your ass that Propaganda and Mr. Grimm will take notice of this performance.”
Winner & UltraViolent #1 Contender: Santiago Del Toro
Hot Under The Collar
[Darkness.]
[A slow crackle.]
[Fire.]
[Edward Newton’s eyes snap open.]
[He’s strapped to a chair.]
[The room around him burns. Flames licking up the walls, smoke curling along the ceiling.]
[Newton doesn’t panic. He breathes.]
[Tests the restraints. They don’t give.]
[The fire grows louder.]
Dr. Cube (distant, over speaker): “Pressure reveals truth.”
[Newton looks up through the smoke.]
Edward Newton: “No…”
[A small grin forms.]
Edward Newton: “…it reveals patterns.”
[He shifts his weight.]
[The chair tilts and crashes sideways.]
[Newton twists, arms straining, using the broken angle to slip one wrist free.]
[The strap snaps loose.]
[The other follows quickly.]
[Newton pulls himself up, coughing slightly as the smoke thickens.]
[The door is sealed.]
[Newton studies it.]
[He backs up.]
[Then drives his shoulder forward.]
[Once.]
[Twice.]
[The third time—]
[The door bursts open.]
[Newton stumbles into the bright setting sun of Molvania.]
[Smoke pours out behind him.]
[He turns back for just a moment.]
[Watching the room burn.]
Edward Newton: “Good.”
[He straightens, composure returning.]
Edward Newton: “That answers that. Time to finish this.”
[He starts forward down the corridor.]
Edward Newton: “At Invasion, I take the World Championship.”
[He disappears into the shadows.]
[Static.]
[Elsewhere, Dr. Cube stands before a screen showing Newton leaving the Labyrinth.
Dr. Cube: “Fascinating.”
[He watches Newton walk away on the screen.]
Dr. Cube: “The riddle…”
[A faint smile beneath the mask.]
Dr. Cube: “…has been solved.”
[Cut.]
By The Red Phone
[INT. MARVOLO’S OFFICE — THE TEMPLE.]
[Cold open.]
[No crowd. Just the low hum of electricity.]
[Marvolo paces like a man being hunted by something he can’t see. His usually pristine composure is gone — jacket buttoned, breath uneven, eyes flicking to the desk every few seconds.]
[The RED PHONE sits there.]
[Silent.]
[Waiting.]
[He stops and stares at it - almost willing if to never ring.]
[It disobeys.]
[Sharp. Violent. Wrong.]
[Marvolo flinches — just slightly — before snatching it up.]
Marvolo: "…Yes."
[He listens.]
[His jaw tightens.]
Marvolo: "No. Nothing’s happened since the last time. Slam saw no new developments. I told you, these things are bound to happen. It doesn't mean everything is unravelling."
[A beat.]
Marvolo: "I told you — I have it under control."
[A well rehearsed lie, perhaps?]
[The voice on the other end continues. We don’t hear it.]
[Marvolo’s confidence cracks.]
Marvolo: "No— no, listen to me."
[He lowers his voice, urgent now.]
Marvolo: "There’s no need to escalate this."
[A pause. Longer this time.]
[His eyes drift to the door… then back to the phone.]
Marvolo: "We’ll be alright."
[Another pause.]
[Whatever he’s hearing… it’s not good.]
Marvolo: "I said I’ll handle it."
[A beat.]
Marvolo: "Nothing else will go wrong."
[Silence.]
[Marvolo doesn’t speak for a moment. Just listens.]
[Then, quieter.]
Marvolo: "…I won’t let it."
[He slowly lowers the phone back into its cradle.]
[His hand lingers on it.]
[For the first time… he looks small.]
Signal: "That… didn’t sound like a man in control."
Black Scar: "That sounded like a man being warned."
Signal: "We don’t know who was on the other end of that call…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "But whatever it is… it’s got Marvolo scared."
[The camera stays on the RED PHONE.]
[Cut.]
The Hand That Feeds
[Dr. E. Vinell studies something unseen intently...]
[The door over his shoulder opens with a beep.]
[Vinell turns.]
[Jack Standard enters, chaperoned by an orderly.]
[The Good Doctor clasps his hands together.]
Dr. E. Vinell: “It’s good to see you again, Jack…”
Jack Standard: “Your minion asked if I’d like to [frown] visit the patient?”
Dr. E. Vinell: “Hmph. View was the word I used…”
[He motions behind him, and dismisses the orderly.]
[A control panel sits in front of a one-way window, which peers into a room with a hospital bed, occupied by—]
Jack Standard: [gasp] “Colossus!”
[Jurassic Colossus is hooked up to countless instruments and apparatus.]
Jack Standard: “This isn’t what we agreed. I wanted him gone - not held prisoner!”
[The Doc waves Jack’s concerns aside.]
Dr. E. Vinell: “I see no bars - only promise!”
[Standard scoffs.]
Jack Standard: “Promise? Is his dino-dick gonna help you cure cancer or something!?”
[The Good Doctor’s mask slips.]
Dr. E. Vinell: “You people and your morals… Always standing in the way of progress!”
Jack Standard: “I shouldn’t have involved you. I’m ending your little science experiment, Doc.”
[Vinell produces a scalpel!]
[Jack goes to disarm him, and they enter a violent scrap! In the thick of it, they fall on the control panel - more specifically, onto a big, red button—]
[A siren. A flashing red light. Jurassic’s monitors flatline, and his sedatives stop pumping.]
[…]
Jurassic Colossus: “RRRROOOOOAAAARRRR!!!!!”
Dr. E. Vinell: “... Oh.”
Jack Standard: “Shit!”
[SHATTER!]
[THE LAST DINOSAUR LEAPS THROUGH THE WINDOW!]
[GLASS COVERS STANDARD AND THE DOC!]
[They shield themselves–]
[COLOSSUS GOUGES STANDARD’S ARM WITH HIS CLAWS!]
[THEN BITES VINELL’S HAND!]
Jack Standard: & Dr. E. Vinell: “AAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!”
[JURASSIC RIPS THE DOOR OFF ITS HINGES!]
[Wailing siren. Flashing red light. Glass, blood, and victims - The Last Dinosaur is on the rampage!]
[And their match begins... right now.]
Signal: "IT'S A RED ALERT SCAR! THERE'S A MONSTER ON THE LOOSE!"
Black Scar: "He's sent Vinell and Standard scattering!"
[The enraged Colossus callously knocks Vinell back first across the edge of a nearby desk! A clawed hand reaches out and grabs Jack Standard by the skull!]
[BEFORE DRAGGING HIM FACE FIRST THROUGH A ROW OF LAB EQUIPMENT AND THROWING HIM THROUGH THAT OPEN DOOR!]
[Standard is quick to his feet only to catch a nasty big boot that sends him sprawling!]
[The Last Dinosaur closes in on Jack again with malicious intent!]
[BUT VINELL CATCHES HIM FROM BEHIND WITH A CHAIR!]
[...]
[That only causes The Colossus to turn around.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Oh. Shit."
[THE COLOSSUS HAULS HIM UP! SHARPTOOTH SHATTER RIGHT THROUGH A NEARBY TABLE! SPLINTERS FLY EVERYWHERE!]
Signal: "He's a monster, Sig! There's no stopping this beast!"
Black Scar: "You're telling me! He's dragging both men by their legs towards the entrance ramp!"
[The crowd lets out a massive cheer as the Jurassic Colossus explodes onto the ramp! He tosses Standard towards the ring, hauling Vinell onto his shoulders and rushing towards the steel steps!]
[BZZZZZT!]
[VINELL WITH THE TASER! HE FACE BUSTERS A CONVULSING COLOSSUS ONTO THE STEPS!]
[The doctor lets out a wild cackle, lining up his boot on the monster!]
Signal: "STERILIZATION! BOOT SCRAPE TO THE COLOSSUS AGAINST THE STEEL STEPS!"
Black Scar: "Look at the blood! He just busted the Colossus wide open!"
[The Good Doctor cackles again, producing a pair of fresh gloves and putting them on as he looms over his the creature.]
[Tap tap.]
[Vinell turns around from a tap on his shoulder.]
[THAT DAMN KICK! LEAPING KICK BY JACK STANDARD TAKES VINELL OUT OF HIS SHOES!]
[Jack grabs Vinell by the mask, forcing him back to his feet and rolling him into the ring! Standard goes beneath the ring and comes out with a sledgehammer! He slides in the ring and stalks Vinell as he begins to stir.]
Signal: "Put down that hammer! I can't bear to watch this!"
Black Scar: "Speak for yourself, Sig. The only thing missing now is the popcorn!"
[The Doctor begins to stand only for Jack to nail him in the ribs with a vicious hammer blow that drops Vinell to his knees!]
[CRACK!]
[HAMMER RIGHT TO THE FUCKING JAW!]
[Dr. Vinell lands on his ass, scrambling backwards as Jack raises the hammer high above his head!]
[And Vinell points.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Behind you."
[Jack sneers.]
Jack Standard: "Bullshit-"
Jurassic Colossus: "ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
[MASSIVE GERMAN SUPLEX SENDS JACK STANDARD ACROSS THE GOD DAMNED RING!]
[Vinell tries to slip out under the ropes but the Colossus snatches the back of his coat and drags him back into the ring! He whips Vinell into the turnbuckle where Jack was trying to catch his breath!]
Signal: "PALEO CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH! MASSIVE STINGER SPLASH TO BOTH MEN IN THE CORNER!"
Black Scar: "I think I just saw the turnbuckle post bend! He's a monster, Sig! A monster!"
[Both men collapse from the car wreck they just sustained and the Jurassic Colossus callously tosses Jack into the center of the ring as he gets onto the apron!]
Jurassic Colossus: "RISEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
[Vinell slowly gets to his feet as the Colossus grips the ropes!]
[EXTINCTION'S LAMENT! BUCKSHOT HEADBUTT BY THE COLOSSUS TURNS JACK'S BRAIN TO SOUP IN HIS SKULL!]
[Standard hits the ground like a sack of bricks!]
[SLEDGEHAMMER TO THE BACK OF THE FUCKING SKULL! DR. VINELL DROPS THE COLOSSUS AND LEAPS ON TOP OF JACK!]
Signal: "The Ruleador drops for the count!"
[ONE!]
[...]
[...]
[TWO!]
[...]
[...]
[THREE!]
Signal: "This match was nothing short of brutal, Scar. But Dr. Vinell, for all his ego, was able to steal victory here tonight!"
Black Scar: "He's earned the ego, Scar! Like it or not, his brainpower got him the win over some very monstrous competition."
Winner: Dr. E Vinell
Ziggy Roulette
[“Chariots on Fire” hits and the crowd pops as Ziggy Robbins bursts through the doors, all energy, all smiles.]
Signal: “The issue between Ziggy and Santiago Siniestro has been wild.”
Black Scar: “Santiago just wanted to take him to dinner.”
Signal: “No, he wanted Ziggy swimming with the fishes.”
[Ziggy high-fives everyone he can reach, pointing to fans, clapping, hyping them up as he sprints to the ring.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Come on! Let’s go! Big night!”
[He slides under the ropes, pops up, and immediately starts bouncing on his toes, waving for more noise.]
Black Scar: “This man is an idiot.”
[The lights dim. Mariachi trumpets cut through the noise.]
[Santiago Siniestro steps into the spotlight, still, cold, eyes locked on Ziggy.]
[He raises his hands into double pistols, aims, and fires.]
[Ziggy mimics getting hit, spinning dramatically before popping back up, grinning.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Missed me!”
[Santiago doesn’t react. He walks to the ring, steps in, never taking his eyes off Ziggy.]
[Ziggy keeps moving, clapping.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Hey, man, I get it! Bad night at the restaurant, right? Happens to the best of us!”
[Santiago steps forward.]
Ziggy Robbins: “But you gotta stay positive! Growth mindset! Learn from it!”
[Santiago stops.]
[He reaches into his jacket.]
Signal: “Uh oh.”
[Siniestro pulls out a FUCKING HANDGUN.]
[Ziggy freezes mid-bounce.]
Ziggy Robbins: “…Okay, that’s new.”
[Santiago raises it. No hesitation.]
Black Scar: “Yes! Do it!”
[Click.]
Signal: “No!”
[Nothing.]
[Santiago pulls the trigger again.]
[Click.]
[Silence.]
[Ziggy exhales.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Hey… hey, it’s alright.”
[He slowly steps forward.]
Ziggy Robbins: “This happens to everyone sometimes. You don’t let one jam define you.”
[Santiago lowers the gun slightly, annoyed.]
Ziggy Robbins: “You adjust. You adapt. You keep pushing forward.”
[Ziggy taps his own chest.]
Ziggy Robbins: “That’s how you turn failure into success.”
[Beat.]
[Santiago stares at him.]
Santiago Siniestro: “I’m just going to kick your ass…”
[He tucks the gun away and steps closer, cracking his neck.]
Santiago Siniestro: “…and call it even.”
[Ziggy smiles, nodding.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Now that’s the spirit.”
Signal: "We almost witnessed a murder here at ringside!"
Black Scar: "Don’t look now, but it may not be over yet!"
[Siniestro pulls the gun back out and looks at it with utter contempt before throwing it at Ziggy who parries the projectile only to have Siniestro Double-Leg him and start driving right hands into his temple.]
Signal: "Well, that could’ve turned out differently."
Black Scar: "No kidding, we could’ve caught a stray!"
[El Frio picks El Motivador off the mats and bounces his head off the apron before rolling him into the ring. Santiago follows it up by climbing into the ring behind him...]
[ALWAYS A CHANCE – INSIDE CRADLE AS SINIESTRO CLIMBS INTO BETWEEN THE ROPES AND THE BELL SOUNDS!]
[ONE!]
[...]
[...]
[EMPHATIC KICK-OUT BY EL FRIO!]
Signal: "Well, you miss a hundred percent of the shot you don’t take!"
Black Scar: "You’ve been listening to Ziggy, and I hate it!"
Signal: "But if he’d managed it, he would’ve set the record for the fastest match in OSW history!"
[Both men get back to their feet and...]
[KER-FUCKING-RAK!]
[SINALOA SPECIAL - HIDDEN BLADE ELBOW TO THE JAW OF ROBBINS!]
Black Scar: "That’ll shut his mouth!"
[Santiago rushes to the top rope and points out at the downed Motivational Speaker.]
[HERMOSO RUIDO – FROG SPLASH...]
[FINDS ZIGGY ROBBINS KNEES AND WE SEE THE AIR FLOW IN AN INSTANT OUT OF SINIESTRO’S LUNGS IN AN INSTANT!]
[Ziggy spins to his feet and gives Santiago an emphatic thumbs up.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Good effort but I think it’s time we..."
[El Frio staggers back to his feet...]
[TURN! TURN! TURN! TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND!]
[FOUR SLINGBLADES ONE AFTER THE OTHER!]
[Robbins heads to the top rope himself starts chanting for Siniestro enough to get the crowd behind him.]
[El Frio pushes himself back to his feet.]
[USE THIS FOR MOTIVAT - CARTEL KICK – JUMPING YAKUZA KICK TAKES THE WIND OUT OF EL MOTIVADOR’S SAILS!]
Santiago Siniestro: "Use that for motivation, pendejo!"
[El Frio climbs to the top rope once more...]
[HEMOSO RUIDO – FROG SPLASH CONNECTS HARD AND RATHER THAN GOING FOR A PIN SINIESTRO ROLLS THROUGH HOOKING AN ARM AND LATCHING IN THE TEQUILA SUNRISE!]
[EL FRIO LEANS BACK LOCKING IT IN TIGHT!]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[ZIGGY STRUGGLES AGAINST THE HOLD...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[ROBBINS LETS OUT A GUTTURAL HOLLAR OF PAIN...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[THE RULEADOR TAPS SANTIAGO ON THE SHOULDER, SINIESTRO STARTS TO CELEBRATE WHEN THE RULEADOR POINTS AT THE BOTTOM ROPE WHERE ZIGGY’S HAND IS LATCHED.]
Ziggy Robbins (Weakly): "NO MATTER WHAT, DON’T GIVE UP."
[Ziggy starts to push himself up as Siniestro loses his shit yelling and cursing as he backs away as Robbins pushes himself up on all fours...]
[SILENCER – PUNT KICK - WIFFED!]
[GOT YOUR BACK - ZIGGY JUMPS ON SANTIAGO’S BACK LIKE A HUNDRED POUND BACKPACK WITH A REAR NAKED CHOKE.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Come on buddy you got this! Don’t fall now!"
[El Frio starts climbing the turnbuckle with El Motivador on his back as he reaches the top rope, Ziggy releases the hold and drops back to the middle rope sensing Siniestro plan to crush him under his own weight.]
[Santiago manages to quickly pivot bouncing Ziggy’s head off the top turnbuckle.]
[ULTIMO ADIOS EL HIJO DE PUTA!]
[MEXICAN DESTROYER COUNTERED INTO A BACKDROP SENDING SINIESTRO CRASHING TO THE CANVAS BUT EL FRIO LANDS ON HIS FEET!]
[FROM BOTTOM TO TOP!]
[ZIGGY SPRINGS UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND HITS GREATEST MOONSAULT EVER AS HIS KNEES CONNECT WITH SINIESTRO’S SKULL AND EL MOTIVADOR LANDS IN A NORTH-SOUTH PINNING POSITION.]
[ONE!]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[TWO!]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[THREE!]
Signal: "What a counter by Ziggy; he never got down on himself."
Black Scar: "Yeah, yeah, Ziggy’s such a bright ray of friggin’ sunshine."
Signal: "Astute observation Scar, you’re absolutely right!"
Black Scar: "You really don't get sarcasm, do you?"
Winner: Ziggy Robbins
Lovebomb
Signal: "The match is over and it looks like we're headed backstage to see a much prettier sight! Dolly Daydream skipping through the halls as always.
Black Scar: "I've heard it's the superior mode of transportation."
Signal: "From who?"
Black Scar: "Dolly."
[Ms. Daydream's skipping is soon slowed to a halt as a second, much larger figure begins skipping beside her.]
[Glitter.]
[A single rose in hand.]
Glitter: "Mmmm, Miss Dolly. It's a pleasure to see you today?"
[Dolly turns to Glitter, looking at them wearily as Glitter hands her the rose.]
Glitter: "May we talk, dear?"
[There's a pause for a moment, Dolly hesitantly taking the rose before nodding.]
Dolly Daydream: "Well... Since you asked so politely."
[Glitter smirks, dragging a hand slowly up his own chest.]
Glitter: "Wonderful. Glitter just wanted to apologize about the... Meanness. Especially against someone so-"
[Glitter bites their lip.]
Glitter: "Interesting. So smart, kind, playful... Glitter thinks you have a beautiful world view, dear. As beautiful as that rose in your hands."
[A blush creeps across what can be seen of Dolly's cheeks as she cradles the gift.]
Dolly Daydream: "Well, thank you. I appreciate that you can be polite to people, Mister... Misses? Glitter."
[Glitter chuckles.]
Glitter: "Either works, Dolly. Especially coming from your lips. Someone as free a spirit as Glitter has earned the right."
Signal: "Scar, I really don't like how Glitter's talking right now."
Black Scar: "I never like how they talk, Sig. Never."
[Dolly sways a bit, nodding her head again.]
Dolly Daydream: "I'll keep that in mind, Mister Glitter. But I think I should get going. We have a match later, you know."
Glitter: "Of course. Good luck, Dolly dear..."
[The Sinful One turns, skipping away as freely as they arrived.]
Dolly Daydream: "You too..."
[Dolly stares at the flower, idly turning it in her hands as the scene fades out.]
[Cut.]
D
[EXT. ALLEYWAY — OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE.]
[The camera is shaky. Handheld. Unsteady.]
[Blue and red police lights flicker violently against damp brick walls.]
[A body lies in the center of the alley.]
[El Tropico Del Frio.]
[His pineapple mask is cracked. Blood pools beneath him, smeared across the concrete.]
[Sprayed across the wall… a single letter.]
[D.]
[Officers move in and out of frame. One pulls tape across the alley. Another kneels beside the body.]
Signal: "We’ve just been alerted to a situation outside the Temple."
Black Scar: "Police are already on the scene."
Signal: "We’re told something serious has happened…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "Roughkut’s heading there now."
[The camera cuts.]
[Roughkut pushes through the police line, microphone in hand, his usual swagger gone.]
[He slows as he sees the body.]
[For once… he doesn’t have a joke.]
[He swallows.]
Roughkut: "…I…"
[A breath.]
[He steadies himself.]
Roughkut: "I can confirm… El Tropico Del Frio is dead."
[The camera lingers on the body.]
Roughkut:"This didn’t happen somewhere else."
[A pause.]
Roughkut: "This happened right outside the Temple."
[Police continue working behind him.]
Roughkut: "Authorities are investigating."
[A beat.]
Roughkut: "But right now… there are no answers."
Signal: "This… this is unbelievable."
Black Scar: "Someone wanted him found like that."
Signal: "Inside OSW, outside OSW… it doesn’t matter. This changes everything."
[The camera zooms slowly on the spray-painted D.]
[Cut to black.]
Our Legendary Future
[Backstage — a long, dim corridor.]
[Fluorescent lights hum overhead. The air feels… still.]
[Aranza walks with purpose, every step measured, eyes scanning.]
[She stops.]
[Doesn’t turn. She remains focused, but still.]
Aranza: "You’ve been following me."
[A pause.]
Aranza: "Since you arrived. I've felt you at every turn. When I was in a war with Vinell. Even now..."
[Silence.]
[She slowly turns toward the darkness.]
Aranza: "You can come out now."
[From the shadows — a figure emerges, behind her..]
[Santiago Del Toro.]
[Calm. Composed. Otherworldly.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I have."
[A step forward.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I’ve been watching you hunt."
[Aranza doesn’t move.]
Aranza: "Then you know how this ends."
[Del Toro tilts his head.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I know how it begins."
[A faint, almost nostalgic breath.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I was once the hunted."
[He steps closer, voice steady, almost reverent.]
Santiago Del Toro: "A prodigy. A matador. I was worshipped in the arena."
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Until the day I faced something… greater."
[His tone lowers.]
Santiago Del Toro: "A bull that would not fall."
[A beat.]
Santiago Del Toro: "It took my life."
[Silence hangs.]
Santiago Del Toro: "And in that moment… I became something else."
[He spreads his arms slightly.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Man. Beast. Arena."
[A step closer.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Now I walk between life… and death."
[Aranza’s eyes narrow, intrigued.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Searching."
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: "For those worthy of joining me. I fought tonight against three who's weren't worthy. Pointless. Excruciating. Easy."
[The tension thickens.]
Aranza: "You think I’m prey?"
[Del Toro shakes his head slowly.]
Santiago Del Toro: "No."
[A beat.]
Santiago Del Toro: "It's quite the opposite, Aranza. I think you’re worthy."
[He steps back.]
[The lights flicker.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Our fight will be legendary."
[The shadows deepen around him.]
[His form begins to fade.]
Santiago Del Toro: "And when it ends…"
[A whisper.]
Santiago Del Toro: "You'll join the warrior spirits within me."
[He vanishes into the darkness.]
[Aranza stands alone.]
[A slow smile creeps beneath her mask, crinkling it as if to show us her amusement.]
Aranza:: "Good."
[A beat.]
Aranza: "I was just starting to get bored."
[Cut.]
Signal: Big time triple threat matchup here, the victor will stand tall as the #1 contender of the Gods and the next challenger to either Pixelshift or Warlord Mars but for the Reverend, this match may well be more about sending a message to two blasphemors.
Black Scar: Both Academius and Darkwish have given solid arguments disproving his entire sermon but Blackheart doesn't see it like that, he only sees two non believers he has to punish for their sins, but can he do so tonight?
[The bell sounds as Darkwish rushes forward, leaping at the Reverend with a flurry of lefts and rights that barely budge the bigger man. Darkwish rolls backwards, leaping up high for a roundhouse.]
[BLACKHEART CATCHES THE LEG IN MID-AIR]
[The Reverend chucks Darkwish into the corner, The Dark Avenger landing hard into the steel but before Blackheart can follow up, he's grabbed low by Academius who tries to take down the big man.]
[And is currently hopelessly failing to.]
Black Scar: You know for a man of learning, you'd think he'd know about mass over volume.
[Blackheart reaches down, pulling Academius upwards with one massive hand, before yeeting him into the corner right into Darkwish. The Professor crashes against Darkwish, The Reverend smirking before rushing forward.]
[AVALANCHE SPLASH...HITS STEEL!]
[Darkwish and Academius just manage to get out of the way, Blackheart hitting steel sternum first as he staggers out]
[HIGH/LOW! Leg Sweep by Academius, Enziguri by Darkwish somehow takes Blackheart off his feet. Both competitors back up, looking at one another before reluctantly nodding.]
Signal: Both Academius and Darkwish realise they have to take out the biggest threat here if they've got any hope of winning.
[Blackheart quickly staggers up to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights. Elbow by Academius, Knee to the jaw by Darkwish, European Uppercut by Academius. Earclap by Darkwish.]
[Blackheart stumbles back in groggy pain, Darkwish rushing forward,]
[RIGHT INTO THE FOOT OF GOD! The Reverend may have not been running but that was a ginormous Boot right in Scarred Justice's face. Darkwish collapsing to his knees]
[AS ACADEMIUS RUSHES FORWARD, LEAPING OFF DARKWISH'S BACK WITH THE PUNCTUATION MARK!]
[ASSISTED DRAGON TWIST CUTTTAHHHHH!]
[Blackheart goes down as Academius pulls Darkwish up to his feet, signalling to finish off the Reverend who's allready slowly rising to his feet.]
[Darkwish rushes forward, ducking underneath another Foot of God attempt, before leaping off the ropes as Academius leaps forward]
[SUPERKICK SANDWICH! Academius kicks him in the temple as Darkwish nails Blackheart in the back of the head BUT THE REVEREND DOESN'T FALL!]
[He's staggering and out on his feet as he stumbles into the ropes, both Darkwish and Academius grabbing him from behind as they manage to spin him around]
[A PLUS PLUS! DOUBLE LEG HOOK BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX OVER THE ROPES TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR BELOW!]
Signal: Well that may well be Blackheart done there but what now?
[Darkwish leans over the ropes, breathing hard as Academius smirks, patting Darkwish on the back]
[SCHOOL BOY ROLLUP OUT OF NOWHERE! ]
[ONE]
[............]
[TWO]
[...........]
[DARKWISH JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP]
Black Scar: That's now. Academius almost stole the match right there Siggy.
[Darkwish stumbles to his feet into a hard elbow to the jaw but he slips out of the double underhook, slipping behind Academius as he tries to lock in the Chicken Wing. Academius manages to black it however, rolling backwards into another modified pinfall attempt.]
[ONE]
[...........]
[..............]
[TW...Darkwish gets out, rolling back up to his feet into another hard elbow before he's taken down to the mat with a Snap Suplex. Darkwish stumbles up into another but Darkwish manages to block the third, rocking Academius with a hard forearm to the jaw.]
[FOLLOWED BY A STRAIGHT PUNCH TO THE FACE!]
[Academius staggers back as Darkwish leaps up, looking to bring down the Darkness. SUPERKICK...MISSES! Academius dodges as Darkwish nearly leaps through the ropes. He manages to stop himself, turning around into a kick to the gut]
[CHALK DUST! Butterfly Suplex hits hard but as Academius turns, dusting his hands, he doesn't realise Darkwish landed on his feet. The Professor turning around]
[DAWN! V-Trigger hits hard, Academius stumbling backwards groggy as Darkwish rushes forward again]
[RIGHT INTO THE TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER! Academius keeps hold of Darkwish, leaning down and sending the vigilante to some hard DETENTION with the Seated Stretch Muffler.]
[The referee leans down, seeing if Darkwish submits. He tries to resist but he's in the middle of the ring as Academius pulls back with all his strength, the arm raised up high ]
Black Scar: HARD STOMP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD BY THE REVEREND OUT OF NOWHERE!
[Blackheart slams his full weight into the back of Academius's head, forcing the break but he doesn't let up, delivering stomp after stomp to both men as he inflicts some STIGMATA to his foes.]
[The Reverend looks furious, pulling Academius up to his feet as he power throws him across the ring, grabbing him on the rebound]
[BURY YOUR DEAD! Blackheart nearly sends him 360 degrees around with the sheer force from the spinning slam. Darkwish slowly staggering up as Blackheart snarls]
[BEFORE RUSHING FORWARD WITH GOD'S FOOT! This was the sprinting one this time as it turns Darkwish inside out from the sheer force as Blackheart looks absolutely dominant.]
Signal: This may well be all she wrote folks, The Reverend calling for the end as he peels Academius off the mat, lifting him up high.
[FALLEN CRO...CHOPBLOCK! Darkwish stops the Border Toss with a hard clip to the back of the knee, Academius falling to the mat as Darkwish rolls over Blackheart, leaping off the second rope]
[DARKNES...CLAWOOZLE! Blackheart grabs Darkwish out of mid-air in the Claw Hold, lifting him up high before delivering a Baptism By Fire and nearly planting him through the mat with a brutal Iron Claw Slam.]
[Blackheart keeps Darkwish held down with one hand as the referee slides in to count]
[ONE]
[.........]
[.........]
[TWO]
[........]
[..........]
[CLASS DISMISSED! TOP ROPE DIVING KNEE DROP TO THE BACK OF BLACKHEARTS NECK!]
[The Reverend rolls backwards, stunned as Academius quickly covers the out cold Darkwish]
[ONE]
[........]
[TWO]
[.......]
[.........]
[BLACKHEART SHAKES OFF THE COBWEBS BUT IT'S TOO LATE]
[THREE]
Signal: Academius steals the victory here at the last second as he is now the #1 contender to whoever is the Gift of the Gods Champion at the end of the night.
Winner & Gift of the Gods #1 Contender: Academius
Overdose
[Backstage — a quieter corridor, away from the chaos.]
[Ziggy Robbins walks alone, towel around his neck, still riding the high of the night. Just being here is enough to make him happy, irrespective of the outcome.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Alright… one step at a time. Stay positive, stay moving—"
[Footsteps.]
[Uneven. Dragging.]
[Ziggy turns.]
[A man stumbles into frame — disheveled, barely standing.]
[Before Ziggy can react—]
[The man COLLAPSES into his arms and they both fall to the ground, the towel falling off behind them.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Whoa— hey! Hey!"
[Ziggy catches him, lowering him slightly.]
[The man is limp. Barely conscious.]
[Pill bottles spill from his pockets, clattering across the floor.]
[Rolling.]
[Labels half torn. Some empty.]
[Ziggy sees them.]
[His expression drops.]
Ziggy Robbins: "…No."
[He shakes him gently.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Hey— hey, stay with me! C’mon!"
[The man doesn’t respond.]
Ziggy Robbins: "MEDIC! I NEED HELP— NOW!"
[Chaos erupts.]
[Orderlies rush in, kneeling, checking pulse, shouting instructions.]
[They carefully lift the man onto a stretcher.]
[Ziggy steps back, hands shaking, soaked in confusion and fear.]
Signal: "Oh no…"
Black Scar: "That’s not good."
[The stretcher is wheeled away quickly, disappearing down the corridor.]
[Ziggy stands frozen.]
[He looks down.]
[The pill bottles are scattered at his feet.]
[He slowly bends down, picking one up… then another.]
[His hands tremble.]
Signal: "We’re being told… that’s Ziggy Robbins’ brother."
Black Scar: "They haven’t spoken in years."
Signal: "From what we understand, they went down very different paths… Ziggy tried to help him once..."
[A pause.]
Signal: "And couldn’t. There may be no helping him now. I think we've finally found the thing to take the smile off Ziggy Robbin's face."
Black Scar: "Thank God for that."
[Ziggy stares at the bottles in his hands.]
[Alone.]
[Confused.]
[Cut.]
Flip Em
[Backstage]
[Ram Jam is busy reclining on a velvet couch in a backstage lounge, drink in hand. His attention is cast upon the girls dancing before him. Music pumps, and disco lights blare.]
Signal: “Everybody prepares for big matches in their own way. Ram Jam seems to be taking the free-and-easy approach.”
[All of this is cut off abruptly as two figures enter the room. House lights are turned on, the music killed with the flick of a switch.]
[Frankie Fingers and Tony Knuckles, drawing the attention of the room to the doorway, where Blackhand Moretti stands.]
Black Scar: “I’m guessing Moretti is not just here for a little chat.”
[Ram Jam rises. The room seems to empty without word.]
[Moretti moves across the room with purpose, drawing himself right up to Ram Jam and grabbing him by the scruff of his … chain.]
[Ram Jam pushes him away, both men nose to nose.]
Blackhand Moretti: “You think you’re off the hook because you got lucky? I’ve been biding my time. Fingers and Knuckles here, they’ve got something they want to say about your recent… behaviour.”
[Knuckles steps forward, sinking a brass-knuckled fist into Ram Jam’s ribs. Frankie Fingers follows, kneeing Ram Jam in the guts. The Groove-ador crumples to the ground.]
Blackhand Moretti: “This can go the easy way or the hard way for you. Assist me in winning Invasion, or you’ll find out what the hard way is.”
Black Scar: “Please... Please choose the hard way!”
[Ram Jam winces in pain, which turns to a defiant smile.]
Ram Jam: “Threatening me is not groovy, man. I’m going to win that briefcase, just to make sure you never get your hands on it.”
[Moretti shakes his head slowly.]
Blackhand Moretti: “Why do they always choose the hard way? Flip ‘em.”
[He clicks his fingers and ICE step in, stomping their message into Ram Jam. They leave him battered but conscious enough to continue.]
Signal: “Blackhand Moretti is just leaving Ram Jam to consider his warning.”
Black Scar: “Judging by the look of defiance and hatred in Ram Jam’s eyes, his mind seems made up already. He’s choosing war, and I love it.”
Signal: “I'd say things are far from over between these two.”
[Cut.]
Signal: Ultraviolence has been the lair of Mr Grimm but over the past few weeks, a singular voice has contested that. Mr Grimm won the championship last month but while Mr Grimm regained it in short order, Propaganda has cost the Reaper a lot since then.
Black Scar: The destruction of his motorcycle may well have been a strategic move but it'll remain to be seen if it was a suicidal one. Propaganda is here with all of his followers and Grimm is nowhere to be seen.
[Propaganda stands tall in the ring, his followers surrounding the ring as the Voice has a microphone in hand. His followers bowing and praising his name in low hums but before Propaganda can speak]
[The lights suddenly dim.]
[A low rumble begins… distant at first.]
[Then—]
[VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…]
[The unmistakable sound of a motorcycle engine roars through the arena. Smoke begins to pour out from the stage, thick and suffocating.]
Black Scar: Again? This guy really needs to go green, this smoke can't be good for the environment. Or our poor lungs.
[The smoke slowly begins to dissipate as a tall, muscular figure slowly emerges behind Propaganda.]
[Mr Grimm is here.]
[And The Reaper is pissed.]
[He lunges at Propaganda but the followers rush into the ring, trying to take Propaganda down with sheer numbers. The Reaper takes them down with heavy lefts and rights, sending bodies flying every which way. ]
[One gets downed by a big boot, another gets Goozled and thrown like a bowling ball into a group of bodies.]
Black Scar: Mr Grimm just a human wrecking ball here, downing disciples left and right as only a handful on the outside are left.
[Grimm stares them down, daring them to get in his way but they just stare behind Grimm ]
[THE SIGNAL! Brutal Leaping Running Knee to the back of the head hits flush.]
[AND GRIMM DOESN'T MOVE AN INCH!]
[The Pale Rider just turns around, staring a hole right through Propaganda inside that skull mask. The Voice tries to run but he's pulled back by the hood with a massive hand and thrown nearly through the corner.]
[Grimm rushes forward, Propaganda moving out of the way of an Avalanche Splash as Grimm hits steel. A hard knee to the back sends the Rider back into the steel, leaving him momentarily stunned.]
Signal: Propaganda trying to follow up, landing a few hard strikes as his few conscious followers chant that damn chant
['BELIVE']
['BELIEVE']
['BELIEVE']
[Propaganda doesn't get a fourth hit though as Grimm catches the punch, twisting it in an almost unnatural angle before he lifts Propaganda up high.]
[SNAP SPINEBUSTER! GRIMM NEARLY SENDS PROPAGANDA THROUGH THE MAT!]
[Mr Grimm backs up, a thumb across his throat signalling for the early end here as he rushes to the ropes]
[ONE OF THE FOLLOWERS TRIPS HIM UP!]
[Grimm turns, staring brutal murder at the follower who backs up, as another follower leaps up onto the apron. ]
[And hands Propaganda a steel chair.]
[Grimm reaches down, looking to knock out another follower]
[BUT HE GETS STOPPED BY A RUNNING CHAIR SHOT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!]
[HE HITS HIM SO HARD HE KNOCKS THE CHAIR OUT OF HIS OWN HANDS!]
[Grimm staggers on his feet as Propaganda nails him a second time, then a third, Grimm getting down to one knee]
[AS PROPAGANDA SPRINGS OFF THE ROPES WITH A MASSIVE CHAIR SHOT FINALLY KNOCKING GRIMM DOWN TO THE MAT!]
Black Scar: The weapons finally coming out now, the only way Propaganda may be able to beat the Reaper too.
Signal: No lucky pinfalls here, he's gotta knock out Mr Grimm so he can't let up here for a second now.
[Propaganda nails Grimm with a few more hard chair shots before dropping it to the mat as he lifts Grimm up to his feet, pulling him into the corner but as he goes to pull him up to the second rope, Grimm pushes Propaganda away.]
[The Pale Rider cracks his neck before leaping off]
[RIGHT INTO A DDT FROM THE VOICE SPIKING HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!]
[Propaganda backs up, looking to finish off the Rider as Grimm staggers up to his feet]
[RIGHT INTO THE BROADCAST! Brutal V-Trigger nails flush, Grimm crashing to the mat with a hard thump.]
Signal: That may well be it but Propaganda is already celebrating like he's won.
[The Voice raises his arms high, his followers beginning to chant]
['OBEY']
['SUBMIT']
['BELIEVE...' THAT MR GRIMM JUST SAT THE HELL UP]
[Propaganda turns around]
[RIGHT INTO DEATH'S DOOR! Brutal Headbutt rocks Propaganda before he finds himself lifted high in the air.]
[LAST RITES! BUTTERFLY BRAINBUSTER DRIVES THE VOICE INTO THE MAT! But Grimm isn't done.]
[GOOZLE!]
[Propaganda gets pulled off the mat and lifted up high]
[TO THE GRAVE!]
[CHOKESLAM!]
Black Scar: Propaganda is somehow still conscious but Grimm is looking for the end, he won't be in a few seconds.
[Propaganda stumbles to his feet as Grimm sprints forward]
[ONE OF THE FOLLOWERS GETS IN THE WAY OF THE SOUL HARVESTER!]
[Another hands Propaganda something who jumps onto Grimm's confused back, smothering him with some sort of rag. Grimm looks confused but he slowly drops down to one knee]
Signal: Is that goddamn chloroform? How the hell do you gas out the Reaper?
Black Scar: However he's doing it, it seems to be effective as Grimm is fading.
[Grimm falls to both knees and eventually down to his stomach as keeping the ether rag wrapped around Grimm's mouth, he locks in the Accolade]
[OBEY! SUBMIT! BELIEVE! And although Grimm tries to fight, he slowly begins to pass out.]
[As the referee calls for the bell and we have a new Ultra Violent Champion]
Black Scar: I don't know how he managed it but Propaganda is once again the Ultra Violence Champion and he beat Mr Grimm this time to do it, as dirty as his methods may have been.
Signal: He may have won the battle but I have a feeling once Mr Grimm comes back to consciousness, he might be in for another war.
Winner & New UltraViolent Champion: Propaganda
Point Proven
[The aftermath of war litters the ring.]
Black Scar: “I need a cigarette.”
[Both men are down. The crowd buzzes, unsure what they’ve just witnessed.]
[Propaganda stirs. He pushes himself up, eyes locking onto Grimm.]
Propaganda: “You don’t get to walk away from this.”
[He raises a hand. His followers flood the ring again.]
[They surround Grimm.]
[Boots strike. Hands grab. Elsewhere, others surround the new Pale Rider.]
[Propaganda steps forward, staring into the hollow eyes of the skull.]
Propaganda: “This ends now.”
[He nods.]
[The followers tighten their grip.]
[Darkness.]
[A breath.]
[Silence.]
[Then the lights snap back on.]
[Every follower is down.]
[Scattered. Broken. Laid out across the canvas.]
[Grimm has one hand wrapped around Propaganda’s throat.]
[Lifting him.]
Signal: “I guess it’s true, Mr. Grimm is an inevitability.”
[Propaganda claws at Grimm’s wrist, eyes wide.]
Propaganda: “Do you think you can take me?”
[His voice doesn't crack.]
Propaganda: “That it is my time?”
[The followers begin to stir, watching in horror.]
Propaganda: “You may take any of them. They will happily give their life for our message, but you will not take me!”
[He points.]
Propaganda: “We have not yet finished our broadcast!”
[Silence.]
[Grimm tilts his head.]
[Then he releases him.]
Black Scar: “I guess Grimm knows he ain't lyin' about that.”
[Propaganda collapses to the mat, coughing, scrambling backward.]
[Grimm steps forward slowly. A low, hollow chuckle escapes him.]
Mr Grimm: “A coward’s words echo louder than he intends.”
[He looks over the fallen followers.]
Mr Grimm: “For some, there are fates far worse than being reaped.”
[Propaganda shakes his head, trying to understand.]
[Grimm turns, mounts the Pale Rider..]
Signal: “I think he’s proved his point.”
[…and leaves.]
[Cut.]
DeMasq
[INT. ACADEMIUS’ CLASSROOM — BACKSTAGE.]
[Rows of desks. A chalkboard filled with rigid, precise handwriting: DISCIPLINE. STRUCTURE. CONSEQUENCE.]
[Academius sits at the front, perfectly upright, hands folded, as if waiting for a class that never arrived.]
[The door creaks open.]
[Jack Standard steps in, composed, controlled… irritated. He closes the door behind him.]
Signal: "What’s he doing in here?"
Black Scar: "Looking for someone who actually takes this place seriously."
[Standard walks down the aisle between desks, inspecting the room like it passes his standards.]
Jack Standard: "I’ve been looking for someone."
[A beat.]
Jack Standard: "Someone who thinks like me."
[Academius doesn’t turn yet.]
Academius: "Then you must be very lonely."
[Standard growls faintly.]
Jack Standard: "This company is a joke."
[He gestures around.]
Jack Standard: "Luchador wrestling… is a joke."
[Academius slowly turns his chair to face him.]
Jack Standard: "A man of your intellectual capacity must deplore being forced to wear something so… demeaning."
[Academius studies him.]
Signal: "Standard’s not holding back."
Black Scar: "He’s saying what a lot of people won’t."
[Academius rises from his chair. Slow. Deliberate.]
Academius: "You’ve entered my classroom uninvited."
[A step forward.]
Academius: "You’ve made bold claims."
[A pause.]
Academius: "So… present your thesis."
[Standard nods.]
Jack Standard: "Someone needs to fix this."
[A beat.]
Jack Standard: "OLD SCHOOL WRESTLING should be about wrestling."
[He steps closer.]
Jack Standard: "Not theatrics. Not masks. Not nonsense."
[His tone sharpens.]
Jack Standard:"So, we strip it back."
[A pause.]
Jack Standard: "We take it back."
[He looks Academius dead in the eye.]
Jack Standard: "One mask at a time."
[A beat.]
Jack Standard: "An alliance."
[He lets the word sit.]
Jack Standard:"DEMASQ."
Signal: "DEMASQ…?"
Black Scar: "That’s a dangerous idea in this place."
[Academius folds his hands behind his back, pacing slowly.]
[Considering.]
Academius: "You propose…"
[A beat.]
Academius: "A restructuring of identity."
[He stops.]
Academius: "Through enforced exposure."
[Standard nods.]
Jack Standard: "Exactly."
[Silence.]
[Academius turns back toward him.]
Academius: "There is… intellectual merit in removing illusion."
[He adjusts his sleeve.]
Academius: "I'll consider the intellectual capital behind your proposal. But you do understand that to do it, we must remained masked or force being removed? If we're not present, we cannot forcibly effect change."
[Standard gives a small nod.]
[The two stand across from each other — aligned, but not yet allied.]
Signal: "If those two join forces…"
Black Scar: "Masks won’t be safe anywhere."
[The chalkboard looms behind them.]
[CONSEQUENCE.]
[Cut.]
Skybound
[INT. SKYBOUND — THE LOST FRAME.]
[8-BIT SKY. FLOATING PLATFORMS. PIXELATED CLOUDS.]
[An 8-bit version of PixelShift drops onto the screen with a BLIP.]
Pixelshift: "Welcome to Skybound."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "The only frame that ever existed."
[Another BLIP — Warlord Mars looks around in shock.]
Warlord Mars: "…What is this glitchy garbage?"
Pixelshift: "The only frame of a game that didn't make it to completion."
[A shrug.]
Pixelshift: "No rules. No checkpoints."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Just us."
[Mars cracks his neck — 8-bit sound effect.]
Warlord Mars: "GOOD."
[A stomp shakes the platform.]
Warlord Mars: "I’M GONNA CRUSH YOU INTO NERD DUST!"
Pixelshift: "Cool."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Try not to fall off the map."
[Mars charges — heavy, stomping animation.]
[PixelShift jumps — light, fast.]
Warlord Mars: "STAND STILL!"
Pixelshift: "That’s not how this game works."
[Mars swings — MISS.]
[PixelShift lands behind him — HIT.]
[PING!]
Warlord Mars: "CHEAP SHOT!"
Pixelshift: "It’s called a combo."
[Mars grabs — PixelShift wiggles free.]
Warlord Mars: "I HATE THIS PLACE!"
Pixelshift: "Yeah…"
[A jump to a higher platform.]
Pixelshift: "You’re not built for platformers."
[Mars leaps — barely makes it.]
[Platform CRACKS.]
Warlord Mars: "I DON’T NEED RULES!"
Pixelshift: "Good."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Because this game never had any."
[They clash mid-air.]
[CRASH!]
[Screen shakes.]
[8-BIT HEALTH BARS FLICKER.]
Pixelshift: "Ready for round one?"
Warlord Mars: "AND THE FINAL ROUND FOR YOUR DORK ASS!"
[Both players land from their midair clash and Mars immediately looks around for a weapon only to spot one of the levels many enemies!]
[A Goopa. Legally distinct, yet still with a throwable shell.]
[WHICH MARS WHIPS ACROSS THE SCREEN AT PIXELSHIFT!]
[Pixel ducks the assault and watches as the shell shatters into a million pixels! He looks back to Mars as another Goopa respawns.]
Warlord Mars: "Infinite ammo? THIS NERD SHIT HAS ONE COOL THING!"
[A STORM OF GOOPA SHELLS GET FLUNG TOWARDS PIXELSHIFT!]
[The 1UP Wonder leaps on top of one of the shells, stopping it midair and kicking it back towards Mars taking him out at the feet! The Warlord lands on the ground, cracking it beneath himself as Pixelshift ascends the platforms!]
[AND BOUNCES ON A SPRING!]
[SKY DIVER PRESS FROM WAY UP HIGH! SENTON BOMB TO THE BACK OF WARLORD MARS!]
[Pixel bounces immediately off of Mars, landing on his feet as The Harbinger stumbles clumsily to his feet.]
Pixelshift: "Ever seen someone dial a combo?"
Warlord Mars: "MORE LAME GAME SHIT?"
[8-BIT COMBO! PIXEL SHIFT RAINS DOWN A BRUTAL COMBINATION OF KICKS AND CHOPS!]
Pixelshift: "A! B! DOWN! UP!"
[Every hit causes his HP bar to slowly begin to drain! Mars stumbles back, finding his footing before angrily stomping the ground.]
Warlord Mars: "MY TURN FOR A COMBO!"
[MARS GRABS HIS OWN HP BAR AND BRINGS IT DOWN ON TOP OF PIXELSHIFT'S HEAD!]
[ZZZT!]
[ZZZT!]
[ZZZT!]
[ZZZT!]
[EVERY BLOW DRAINS HP FROM PIXEL AND GIVES IT BACK TO MARS!]
Warlord Mars: "GAMES ARE BACK TO KICKING ASS!"
[Mars wraps the bar around Pixelshift's throat, choking him out slowly as he swings him wildly from side to side! Player One reaches out desperately towards a power up block only for Mars to drag him further back!]
[Pulling him right on top of a power up box on the platform below.]
[CHING!]
[PIXELSHIFT JUST TURNED INTO METAL!]
[HAYMAKER LIKE AN INGOT TO MARS!]
[CLANG!]
[CLANG!]
[CLANG!]
[Every massive righthand sends Mars further back to the edge of the platform! He drops the HP bar and it flings back to the top of the screen as Pixelshift backs up, building speed as he charges at Mars!]
[CRUNCH!]
[MARS JUST PULLED DOWN THE PLATFORM ABOVE! HE CRACKED PIXELSHIFT ACROSS THE SKULL WITH THE GOD DAMN ENVIRONMENT!]
[The Living Glitch is dazed on his feet as Mars kicks him in the gut and uses all of his strength to power the Platinum Protagonist onto his shoulders!]
Warlord Mars: "HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR YOUR FINAL FANTASY, GEEK!"
[MARS RUNS FORWARD, CRASHING PIXEL THROUGH A WHOLE PLATFORM!]
[AND THROWING HIM RIGHT OFF THE SIDE OF THEIR OWN PLATFORM! PIXELSHIFT'S METAL FORM PLUMMETS TO THE GROUND BELOW!]
[THUD!]
[Mars looks below, an indent in the ground where Pixelshift lays. He looks up at the HP bar, seeing a single shred of health left behind as Mars turns around on the side of the stage and drums his chest!]
Warlord Mars: "WARRRRRRRRR!"
[WARRRRRRRRRRRRRR CRIME! MOONSAULT BY WARLORD MARS!]
[He flies towards the ground like a meteor!]
[Falling!]
[Beep.]
[Everything goes black as Mars collides with Pixelshift.]
Warlord Mars: "Did I... Win?"
[1UP!]
[1UP!]
[1UP!]
[THE SCREEN COMES BACK TO LIFE AT THE START OF THE ROUND! PIXELSHIFT JUST REBOOTED THE GAME! THE CONTINUE SCREEN!]
[Pixelshift rushes forwards, nailing a confused Mars with a massive leaping dropkick that sends him sprawling across the ground! Warlord Mars scrambles to his feet only for Pixelshift to whip him to the edge of the stage where Mars bounces off of where the screen ends!]
[BRINGING HIM BACK INTO A MASSIVE LEAPING CUTTER BY PIXELSHIFT!]
[IMPROMPTU LAG SPIKE!]
Pixelshift: "What was that about Final Fantasy? I actually prefer Dragon Quest."
Warlord Mars: "What are you FUCKING talking about?"
[Pixelshift hits an item box and grabs a Phoenix Flame! Fire Mode flashes across Pixelshift's visor!]
Pixelshift: "It's about time for a little Firaga though!"
[Pixelshift chucks a fireball at Mars who bats it away! He throws another and another which only seem to slow the advance of the furious Warlord!]
Warlord Mars: "USE! REAL! WORDS! NERD!!"
[Mars gets right in Pixelshift's face!]
[WARRRRRHEAD! HEADBUTT DROPS PIXELSHIFT TO HIS ASS!]
[Player One looks up at Mars with a :( on his visor that immediately turns into a flame emoji as he rears back!]
[MASSIVE FIREBLAST! WARLORD MARS GETS KNOCKED UPWARDS INTO A PLATFORM!]
[He hits the ground and the platform collapses, burying the Bringer of War beneath a pile of rubble! Pixelshift slowly begins to stand, eyes glancing up at the HP bar above that still isn't depleted.]
[An HP bar that slowly begins to refill.]
[The ground begins to shake.]
[DUN!]
[The rubble shakes!]
[DUN!]
[MARS BURSTS FROM THE PILE!]
[DUN!]
[WARLORD MARS IS GROWING!]
[BIGGER AND BIGGER!]
Warlord Mars: "NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A POWER UP!
[Mars' voice booms mercilessly as he looks down at the dumbfounded Pixelshift! But Player One doesn't back down as he rushes towards the mountainous Mars, hopping up from platform to platform as he fights to get on the Warlord's level!]
[SWAT!]
[A BIG FUCKING PALM FROM MARS SENDS PIXELSHIFT CAREENING INTO THE GROUND BELOW! PIXELATED CARNAGE SHOOTS INTO THE AIR!]
Warlord Mars: "UH UH UH!"
[Mars mockingly wags his finger as he stomps towards Pixelshift's crafter, crushing the level beneath him as he rears back and brings his fist down into the dust cloud to finish the job!]
[Only to be stopped in his tracks.]
Warlord Mars: "... I BETTER NOT BE HEARING POWER UP MUSIC!"
[But he was.]
[The music of a Super Star power up that Pixelshift collided with when he was knocked to the ground!]
[PIXELSHIFT STROBES BRIGHTLY! HE GRABS A FINGER AND JUDO THROWS THE MASSIVE WARLORD MARS!]
[MARS SMASHES THROUGH HIS FUCKING HP BAR! IT SHATTERS IN TWO AS HE COLLIDES WITH THE GROUND BELOW!]
[Pixelshift leaps high into the sky, landing on top of Mars as the screen begins to count!]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[PIXELSHIFT WINS!]
Winner & New Hardcore & Still Gift of the Gods Champion: Pixelshift
Respawn
[The fight has ended.]
[Both sprites flicker. Health bars low.]
[Warlord Mars drops to one knee, breathing heavy, pixels glitching around him.]
Warlord Mars: "…You think you won?"
[He pushes himself up, staggering.]
Warlord Mars: "You dragged me into your nerd world… your rules…"
[A snarl.]
Warlord Mars:"But this ain’t over!"
[He points at PixelShift.]
Warlord Mars: "There’s a reason I hate you, puke!"
[A step forward.]
Warlord Mars: "In the far future—"
[Suddenly—]
[A hand reaches through the screen.]
[Not pixelated.]
[Real.]
[It grabs PixelShift by the shoulder and yanks him OUT of the game.]
[PixelShift stumbles into reality just outside the arcade cabinet.]
Pixelshift: "WOAH—!"
[Inside the screen—]
[A new sprite spawns.]
[Wrong.]
[Glitching. Twisted. Too detailed.]
[A coded MONSTER.]
[Mars turns.]
Warlord Mars: "…What the hell is THAT?!"
[The creature lunges.]
[It engulfs Mars in a mass of corrupted pixels.]
[Mars roars as he’s dragged into the code.]
Warlord Mars: "THIS ISN’T—!"
[He disappears.]
[The screen stabilizes.]
[Silence.]
[PixelShift stares.]
Pixelshift: "…That thing doesn’t exist in Skybound."
[A man steps into frame beside him.]
[Black Mask with a giant R stitched into it. Ominous. No eye holes.]
Respawn: "It does now."
[PixelShift turns.]
Pixelshift: "Who are you?"
[The man offers a small nod.]
Respawn: "Dexter Voss..."
[A beat.]
Respawn: "But you can call me Respawn."
[He gestures to the screen.]
Respawn: "Coder extraordinaire. Creator. I have a lot of titles kid and believe me, you have no idea what a sight for sore eyes you are."
[PixelShift looks back at the arcade.]
Pixelshift: "You just… added that to the game?"
Respawn: "It's a temporary patch."
[A shrug.]
Respawn: "He’ll respawn later and be spat out. Don't worry. I've been trying to understand the mechanics of your arrival here on Earth. I saw what you did.. I just coded and reversed engineered it"
[PixelShift processes that.]
Respawn: "But you—"
[A step closer.]
Respawn: "You don’t belong stuck in one frame and moreover, you don't belong here on Earth either."
[A beat.]
Respawn: "I can get you home."
[PixelShift freezes.]
Pixelshift:: "Home… home?"
Respawn: "Not this."
[He taps the arcade.]
Respawn: "Not a fragment."
[A pause.]
Respawn: "The Skybound Universe."
[PixelShift’s eyes light up.]
Pixelshift: "You can do that?"
[Respawn smiles slightly.]
Respawn: "I wrote half of it."
[A beat.]
[PixelShift grins.]
Pixelshift: "…Okay."
[A nod.]
Respawn: "Let's talk somewhere more private..."
[The arcade screen flickers behind them.]
[Cut.]
Subject A
[INT. DR. VINELL’S LAB.]
[Fluorescent lights buzz overhead. Steel tables. Restraints. Equipment that hums with quiet menace. Dr. Eric Vinell stands at the center, pacing sharply, agitation barely contained.]
[Two orderlies stand rigid, heads lowered - their faces familiar]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Explain to me… how this happens."
[A beat.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "How does a subject leave containment… and make it into my OSW's corridors?"
[He stops. Turns, angry.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Do you understand the magnitude of that failure?"
[The orderlies exchange a glance.]
Orderly: "Doctor… Subject A has been returned to his cage."
[A pause.]
Orderly: "It won’t happen again."
[Vinell stares at them.]
[Long.]
[Unblinking.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "It cannot happen again."
[He steps closer.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Because if it does… you will replace him."
[The orderlies stiffen.]
[Vinell turns away.]
[The camera slowly begins to pull back.]
[Revealing more of the lab.]
[Cages.]
[Steel bars.]
[Inside one— A man sits slumped against the wall.]
[Weak. Pale.]
[Breathing shallow.]
[Ziggy Robbins’ brother.]
Signal: "…No."
Black Scar: "That’s him."
Signal: "That’s Ziggy’s brother."
[The man stirs faintly, barely conscious.]
Black Scar: "He didn’t just overdose…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "He was taken."
[Vinell approaches the cage, observing quietly.]
[Studying.]
Signal: "What is Vinell doing with him? Is he responsible for this!?"
Black Scar: "Whatever it is… it ain’t medicine."
[Vinell smiles faintly as he watches his “subject.”]
[Cut.]
Solutions
Signal: “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for our World Championship match.”
Black Scar: “And the World Champion is in the ring, even if he doesn’t have his championship.”
[Dr. Cube stands in the center of the ring.]
[Beside him: a large object, draped in a black tarp.]
Black Scar: “What the hell is that?”
[Cube tilts his head slowly, listening to the jeers.]
Dr. Cube: “Earlier tonight…”
[A pause.]
Dr. Cube: “…some of you witnessed something curious.”
[He gestures vaguely.]
Dr. Cube: “A fire at the Labyrinth, and Edward Newton escaping it.”
[Another tilt.]
Dr. Cube: “Pain. Struggle. Survival.”
[He leans slightly forward.]
Dr. Cube: “Remarkable, isn’t it, how many things can be seen…”
[A beat.]
Dr. Cube: “…without ever happening.”
[The crowd murmurs.]
Dr. Cube: “You at home have seen far more than these people ever could.”
[Cube grips the tarp.]
Dr. Cube: “Because Edward Newton…”
[He rips it away.]
[Edward Newton.]
[Completely still. A black VR headset covers his eyes.]
Dr. Cube: “…never left.”
Signal: “What the hell!?”
Black Scar: “That’s where Newton’s been, Sig. We haven’t seen him in weeks!”
[Newton doesn’t move.]
Dr. Cube: “The only way to defeat a man with all the answers…”
[He slowly circles Newton.]
Dr. Cube: “…is to place the question where he cannot escape it.”
[Cube taps the side of Newton’s head.]
Dr. Cube: “Inside his mind.”
[A faint chuckle.]
Dr. Cube: “Everything you’ve seen since Turbo Violence…”
[He spreads his arms.]
Dr. Cube: “…has been his reality.”
[Cube steps in front of Newton.]
Dr. Cube: “Referee.”
[The Ruleador hesitates, then signals.]
[DING DING.]
[Cube gently pushes Newton backward.]
[Newton collapses to the mat.]
Signal: “This is…”
Black Scar: “Brilliant!”
[The Ruleador slides into position.]
[ONE...]
[...]
[...]
[TWO...]
[...]
Signal: “Not like this!”
[...]
[THREE—]
[NO!]
[NEWTON’S SHOULDER SHOOTS UP!]
[THE TEMPLE EXPLODES.]
[Cube freezes as, slowly, Newton begins to move.]
[His hand reaches up, grips the headset.]
[AND RIPS IT OFF!]
[The Riddler sits up, his eyes locking onto Cube.]
[Cube takes a step back.]
Edward Newton: “I asked you inside my mind…”
[Newton rises to his feet.]
Edward Newton: “…but I’ll do it here for all to hear.”
[He steps forward.]
Edward Newton: “Riddle me this, Doctor.”
[Cube says nothing.]
Edward Newton: “What’s the most convincing lie in the world?”
[Newton tilts his head.]
Edward Newton: “You said hope.”
[A faint smile.]
Edward Newton: “Close.”
[He steps closer.]
Edward Newton: “But the most convincing lie in the world…”
[A pause.]
Edward Newton: “…is the one you tell yourself.”
[Newton taps his temple.]
Edward Newton: “You needed control. You needed me to be trapped.”
[He gestures to the headset.]
Edward Newton: “So you told yourself I was.”
[A beat.]
Edward Newton: “You built a world… just to believe it.”
[Silence.]
Edward Newton: “Now we finish this.”
[They face each other as the Temple roars.]
Signal: And Doctor Cube looks absolutely shaken here, he certainly didn't expect his big plan to completely unravel so quickly
Black Scar: Against any other man, it might have worked but the greatest and most devious minds in history have tried to play mindgames with Edward Newton and have failed. The Riddler's always ahead of every game.
[Cube is getting rocked by a series of hard forearms by Newton that back him up into the ropes. Newton goes to throw him across the ring but Cube manages to reverse, going for a clothesline that the Riddler ducks underneath. ]
[Kick to the gut, Up Onto Newton's Shoulders]
[ENGIMA...NO! Cube slips out of the Death Valley Driver, sliding to the outside trying to get some breathing room from the onslaught. Newton doesn't follow but simply sits on the ropes, opening them up.]
[And gesturing for Cube to get back inside the ring.]
Signal: Cool, calm and collected. Newton has all the momentum here and the world champion has to be careful to not fall for his mindgames.
[Cube shakes his head, slowly walking over to the ring as he gets up onto the apron. He slowly slips through the ropes, not taking his eyes off Newton who backs away, allowing Cube to safely get into the ring before urging him forward with a mocking gesture.]
[RUNNING TACKLE! Cube explodes forward, tackling Newton to the mat as he begins to ground and pound down upon him. Cube gets a few hard shots in before Newton manages to reverse. He lands a few stiff forearms of his own, one stiff blow to the chin rocking Cube before Newton transitions across.]
[ NEWTON'S LAW...NO! Cube manages to just slip out of the Armbreaker attempt, staggering back to his feet as Newton has a shit eating grin on his face.]
[Cube snarls before rushing for another tackle, Newton dodging this before nailing Cube with a hard knee to the jaw. Cube is rocked as he's dragged towards the corner, Newton gripping the back of his mask ]
[RIDDLE ME THIS! NEWTON SLAMS CUBE'S SKULL INTO THE TURNBUCKLE]
[RIDDLE ME THAT! HE SLAMS THE BACK OF CUBE'S HEAD INTO THE TURNBUCKLE FOR GOOD MEASURE!]
[Cube is dazed on his feet as Newton grips him around the head, dropping backwards with a picture perfect Back Suplex, Cube landing hard on the back of his head.]
Black Scar: Newton still all over Cube here, the Doctor can't get a lick of offense in against the Riddler.
[Newton goes to pull Cube up but the Doctor pushes him away, HARD CLOTHESLINE DROPS NEWTON! Almost a desperation like move there but Cube finally gets some momentum.]
[Until he goes to pick Newton up, and he's rolled into an Inside Cradle out of nowhere. ]
[The referee drops down as Cube struggles underneath the pinfall attempt.]
[ONE]
[............]
[TW....]
[Cube fairly easily kicks out but as he does, Newton rolls through, grabbing the Ankle]
[AND LOCKING IN THE CHECKMATE ROLL! ]
[Cube screams out in pain, Newton cranking down hard on the ankle lock for a few seconds. Cube manages to roll over, kicking Newton hard in the jaw, loosening the hold enough to slip out]
Signal: The damage may allready have been done, Cube staggering up a little slow there, his ankle clearly damaged by the few seconds of that deadly hold.
[The Game Master stumbles on his feet, swinging hard with a spinning elbow but Newton easily dodges it. Cube turns back around into a hard headbutt before he's lifted up off his feet.]
[RIDDLE]
[ME]
[THIS!]
[Sit Out Piledriver spikes Dr Cube down hard into the mat, the world champion rocked as Newton drops down for the cover.]
[ONE]
[........]
[TWO]
[..........]
[.............]
[CUBE JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!]
Black Scar: Cube still in this one but Newton might well be looking to end this one early here.
[The Riddler taps his forehead, sizing Dr Cube up for the beginning of the end but as Cube staggers to his feet, he manages to avoid the kick to the gut, again rolling to the outside for a breather.]
[Newton calmly waits inside the ring, back against the turnbuckles in a casual mockery of the champion, who is on his hands and knees, not recovering but pulling up the apron.]
[And looking for something underneath the ring.]
Signal: Cube playing a dangerous game here, whatever equalizer he finds, he's got to be careful not to get himself disqualified here.
Black Scar: Any other circumstances it'd be champions advantage but he still doesn't have the belt back and I doubt Newton would be willing to give it back if Cube screws him out of a victory here.
[Doctor Cube is underneath the ring for a good few seconds, finally emerging from underneath carrying something in his hands but as he gets to his feet, he's blindsided]
[MASSIVE RUNNING YAKUZA KICK BY EDWARD NEWTON OUT OF NOWHERE!]
[Cube goes down, the object in his hand, a small cloth bag goes flying in the air as Newton manages to catch it, a curious look in his eyes.]
[As he rolls into the ring and opens it, pouring its contents out onto the canvas.]
Signal: Sand? What the hell was Doctor Cube doing with sand?
[The moment the first particles hit the canvas, Newton's eyes go wide. He stumbles backwards into the corner, hands shaking, body quaking. ]
[For whatever reason, Edward Newton is terrified of that sand. ]
Black Scar: The good Doctor may well have found a weakness in the Riddler here. Take a good look, that doesn't look like regular sand either, there's some green, some blue, some red, hell it's damn near rainbow colored.
[Newton shuts his eyes, clenching his fists as he shakes his head, calming himself down for a moment but that momentary distraction allows Cube to slip back inside the ring.]
[And as the Riddler opens his eyes up, he opens them up into a spinning back elbow right to the face.]
[CHECKMATE! A brutal blow rocks the Riddler, leaving him out on his feet as he's gripped around the waist and spun around]
[GERMAN SUPLEX]
[A SECOND]
[A THIRD!]
[Newton is groggy as Doctor Cube pulls him up a fourth time, spinning around before throwing him high and far]
[RELEASE GERMAN INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!]
[Newton crashes down hard on his neck, groggy on the mat as Cube pulls him backwards from the ropes, dropping down with a hard elbow to the point of the neck. He drops a second, and then a third before staying down as he traps the legs and locks his arms around Newton's neck.]
[LOCKING IN THE PUZZLE LOCK!]
Black Scar: Newton looking in trouble here, he's taken a lot of damage to that neck and Cube has that hold locked in tight and vicious.
Signal: Edward Newton's never tapped out before but he may well be forced to here if he can't get himself to the ropes.
[The Riddler screams out in pain, but the pain has only ever fueled Edward Newton who slowly claws himself towards the ropes. Doctor Cube clinging to his back as he tries to lock in the hold tighter and tighter.]
[Newton's fingers scrape against the bottom rope but Cube breaks the hold, dragging Newton backwards as he tries to lock in the hold again. The Riddler manages to slip out, scrambling to the ropes and grabbing him, forcing the clean break.]
[Doctor Cube backs up, holding his hands up as Newton slowly pulls himself up, fury in his eyes. Cube urges him forward, returning the mocking gesture from earlier as Newton rushes at him.]
[RIGHT INTO ANOTHER CHECKMATE! Spinning Elbow rocks Newton before one arm is trapped behind his back, and he's pulled into]
[THE RUSSIAN ROULETTE! Brutal Hammerlock DDT spikes Edward Newton into the mat, Cube floating him over with a half nelson as he drops down for the cover]
[ONE]
[.............]
[.............]
[TWO]
[..............]
[...............]
[.................]
[THRE.....]
[.................]
[................]
[NEWTON JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!]
[Cube gets to his feet, dusting his hands as he traces the outline of a cube in the air, signalling for the end. He pulls Newton up to his feet, lifting him up high]
[GAME]
[OVER!]
[PACKAGE PILEDRIVER HITS HARD! Newton looks out as Doctor Cube drops down for the cover]
[But before the referee can count]
[The Lights Go Out]
Black Scar: Hey what the hell just happened? Did Marvolo forget to pay the electric bell again?
[It takes a few second but they slowly begin to come back on ]
[And dozens of championships are all around the ring]
[Cube is furious, staring daggers at the struggling to stand Newton, who just smirks up at him]
Signal: Dozens of World Championships hang here, Cube has been trying to regain the title since Wrestle Heroes but can he do it right here, right now?
[Cube kicks the smirking Newton hard in the jaw before beginning to grab the hanging championship belts. But as he grabs the first one, he realises it's a little bit...off]
[It's made of tin, damn near collapsing in his grip and freshly painted with green question marks.]
[Cube tosses the useless metal aside, grabbing more and more belts. All of them tin with the same emerald insignia. The mat damn near littered with them until there is only one left]
[But as Doctor Cube grabs it, it's the same tin fake]
[Fuming, he walks over to the still struggling Newton, pulling him up to eye level and damn near screaming in his face]
Dr. Cube: WHERE IS IT?
[Newton just smirks, clicking his fingers as once more, THE LIGHTS GO OUT]
[And this time, as they come back on, Edward Newton has vanished from the ring.]
[Doctor Cube looks all around, furious before he notices something dangling from the ceiling.]
[Four Things.]
[Four Boxes, all painted purple with an emerald green question mark in the centre. ]
[Doctor Cube examines the first one as on que, the voice of Edward Newton echoes through the arena.]
Edward Newton: This has been fun Doctor but I tire of these games. I will give you a chance to not only defeat me soundly but gain back your world championship by barely lifting a finger. You have three chances to find it within one of these four boxes. Do so, and I will forfeit this match.
Dr. Cube: And what happens if it's in the fourth?
Edward Newton: Then you lose. But the odds are in your favor Game Master. You had me play your game, now are you willing to play mine?
Signal: Intriguing move by Edward Newton here, but it well could backfire if Doctor Cube is lucky enough.
[Doctor Cube nods, moving towards the first box, opening it as a championship pops out.]
[But it's not THE world championship. As Cube picks it up, the metal easily bends and dents underneath his hands as green paint begins to stain them too, streaking from the emerald painted tin decoy.]
Edward Newton: One down, two more chances left.
[Doctor Cube scowls, tossing the fake title far from him as he opens up the second box. Not a championship either but a simple photograph. Cube grabs it in mid-air, looking at it for a moment before grunting in disgust, shuddering as he tosses it to the canvas. The camera focusing in as we see a rather disturbing image.]
[Marvolo in a Mankini.]
Signal: Well my eyes are now permanently ruined. How in the hell did he even get a picture like that?
Black Scar: You didn't look at the bottom of your welcome basket did you? Marvolo is way too proud of his body.
Edward Newton: Swing and another miss Doctor, care to go for the hat trick?
[Cube is fuming, breaking apart the two empty boxes before he slowly breaths deeply, calming himself as he stares at the last two boxes. He goes to open the left but changes his mind at the last moment and opens the right.]
[Nothing happens for a moment before green gas begins to flood the ring, covering it in a thick emerald mist.]
[Both the referee and Doctor Cube coughing hard and deeply as the silloute of another figure slides into the ring, holding something in their hands.]
[And as the gas begins to slowly dissipate, we see just a glimpse of emerald as the figure sprints forward]
[WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE BACK OF DOCTOR CUBE'S SKULL!]
Signal: NEWTON HAD THE BELT ALL ALONG! What a dirty trick by the Riddler there.
Black Scar: You say dirty trick, I say masterful manipulation. The good Doctor should've known Edward Newton would never willingly give up the chance to become world champion again.
[Doctor Cube crashes to the mat, Newton rolling him over for the pinfall attempt as the referee drops down to count]
[ONE]
[................]
[...........]
[TWO]
[..............]
[...................]
[......................]
[THREE.....]
[....................]
[.....................]
[CUBE JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!]
[Newton quickly gets to his feet, kicking a rising Cube hard in the chin before grabbing his legs, swinging him backwards]
[AND LOCKING IN THE RIDDLE BOX!]
[It's Doctor Cube's time to scream out in pain, Newton pulling back with all his strength to try and force the tap out. Cube scrambling and crawling to the ropes to try and break the hold.]
Signal: Cube mere centimetres from the ropes, but Newton breaks the hold?
[Newton lets go, pulling Cube up onto his shoulders in one fluid motion.]
[THE ENIGMA CODE! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER DROPS DOCTOR CUBE INTO THE MAT!]
[Newton doesn't cover, standing up to his feet, his body shaking as he goes to pull Cube up to his feet]
[CANVAS SAND! Cube throws a handful of that rainbow sand into Eddie's eyes, blinding the Riddler who finds himself quickly scooped up and lifted upside down]
[GAME OVAHHH! Package Piledriver hits once more.]
[NEWTON IS ON HIS FEET! ]
[HE ROLLS BACKWARDS, RUSHING THE ROPES AND BOUNCING OFF!]
[SHINNNNNNINNNNNGG WIZZZAAARRRRDD!]
[Newton clips Cube out of nowhere right in the jaw but he can't capitalize before he collapses to the mat.]
Signal: What a brutal back and forth contest here, both men are spent but only one can emerge the victor and World Heavyweight Champion here.
Black Scar: They've beaten the hell out of one another here but one big move may be all the other needs to end it here.
[Both men slowly rise to their feet, breathing heavy before they rush forward. Cube goes for a clothesline but Newton ducks underneath, rocking Cube with a hard forearm before lifting him up onto his shoulders]
[ENIGMA...NO! Cube slips out, spinning Newton around before bringing his foot up. ]
[KICK TO THE DICK!]
[Newton is doubled over as Doctor Cube scoops him up off his feet]
[THE]
[GAME]
[IS]
[FUCKING]
[OVER]
[PACKAGE PILEDRIVER HITS HARD! Newton is down as Doctor Cube hooks both legs for the cover]
[ONE]
[..........]
[................]
[TWO]
[............]
[..........]
[................]
Signal: Will third time be the charm?
[THREE!!!]
Black Scar: Doctor Cube has done it. Not only has he retained his World Heavyweight Championship, but he's joined a very exclusive club of the men to survive Edward Newton in championship matches.
Signal: Both men gave it their absolute all, through manipulation, sweat and tears but Doctor Cube remains the OSW World Champion tonight.
Winner & Still OSW Champion: Dr. Cube
Locket
[Ringside — the bell has just rung.]
[Edward Newton drags himself upright, one hand clutching his ribs, the other gripping the ropes.]
[He doesn’t celebrate. He doesn't commiserate]
[He calculates.]
[Breathing. Thinking. Resetting.]
Signal: "Newton’s not even acknowledging the match— he’s already thinking about the next move."
Black Scar: "That’s what makes him dangerous."
[The lights subtly dim.]
[Not enough for the crowd to notice immediately.]
[But enough to feel.]
[A low rumble creeps into the arena — not music yet. Pressure.]
[Then—]
[EYE OF THE STORMWALKER HITS.]
[The sound doesn’t just play — it CRACKS through the arena like thunder splitting the sky.]
[The lights snap white.]
[Wind howls through the speakers.]
[The doors don't part—
—THEY'RE THROWN ASIDE.]
[A man wearing a white mask with lightning stripes and sunglasses stitched in steps through like he’s forcing his way into the building rather than entering it.]
[No pose. No pause.]
[His presence hits before he even moves.]
Signal: "NO WAY—!"
Black Scar: "That’s LUKE STORM!"
[Storm starts down towards the ring immediately — fast, direct, violent intent in every step.]
[He doesn’t look left. Doesn’t look right.]
[The crowd reaches for him— he doesn’t see them.]
[His eyes are locked on the ring.]
[On Edward.]
[Newton slowly turns.]
[For the first time tonight— he doesn’t look in control.]
[Storm slides into the ring with force, popping to his feet instantly.]
[The two stand across from each other.]
[No words.]
[Just tension.]
[Storm slowly and deliberately opens out his hand, revealing an item that falls softly but remains retained in his grasp.]
[It’s drenched in blood.]
[A locket.]
[The red catches the light.]
[Newton sees it.]
[Everything inside him collapses.]
Edward Newton: "…No."
[His legs give out.]
[He drops to his knees.]
[Hands trembling. Face contorted into a twisted saddened confused grin that drops as quickly as any facade.]
Edward Newton: "No… no, no—"
[Storm steps closer, urgency bleeding through.]
Luke Storm: "We need to go."
[A beat.]
Luke Storm: "Now."
[Newton doesn’t move.]
[He can’t move.]
[His eyes are locked on the locket like it’s rewriting everything he thought he knew.]
Signal: "What did he just show him?!"
Black Scar: "That wasn’t fear earlier…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "This is."
[Storm grabs Newton by the arm, trying to pull him up.]
Luke Storm: "Edward— MOVE!"
[Newton resists without meaning to.]
[Frozen.]
[The locket shakes in Storm’s grip.]
[The crowd noise fades into uneasy murmurs.]
Signal: "We’ve never seen Newton like this…"
Black Scar: "Whatever that is…"
[A pause.]
Black Scar: "It just broke him."
[Storm stands over him, desperate.]
[Newton remains on his knees.]
[The moment hangs.]
[Cut.]
Under The Mask
[INT. MARVOLO’S OFFICE — MOMENTS BEFORE INVASION.]
[The door is already open.]
[Marvolo stands behind his desk, tense, expecting someone else.]
[Instead—]
[Padre del Le Venganza is already inside.]
[Still. Waiting.]
[The air feels wrong.]
Marvolo: "You don’t knock?"
[Padre tilts his head slightly.]
Padre Venganza: "Not many people in Old School Wrestling understand what we do."
[A slow step forward.]
Padre Venganza: "The legacy, the history…"
[A pause.]
Padre Venganza: "The weight of it all."
[Marvolo doesn’t sit.]
Padre Venganza: "You see it."
[A beat.]
Padre Venganza: "You feel it."
[The faintest whisper of chanting seems to echo… or maybe it doesn’t.]
Padre Venganza: "The Family knows what’s coming."
[He spreads his hands slightly.]
Padre Venganza: "And you will not be able to stop it."
[Marvolo’s jaw tightens.]
Marvolo: "Then tell me something useful."
[A step closer.]
Marvolo: "Who’s under the mask?"
[A beat.]
Marvolo: "Is it Jensen?"
[Another.]
Marvolo: "Is it his son?"
[Silence.]
Marvolo: "If you know what’s ahead… then why do what you did? Do you really think that makes matters better or worse?"
[Padre laughs.]
[Soft at first.]
[Then fuller. Warmer. Wrong.]
Padre Venganza: "You don’t have the whole picture."
[A step closer.]
Padre Venganza: "And I won’t pretend that I do either."
[He leans in slightly.]
Padre Venganza: "But I know enough."
[A pause.]
Padre Venganza: "I know where this ends."
[The room feels smaller.]
Padre Venganza: "All roads…"
[A beat.]
Padre Venganza: "…lead to HIS return."
[Marvolo swallows.]
[For once— no comeback.]
[No control.]
[Just… fear. So he asserts it.]
Marvolo: "Why don't you make your way to the ring, Padre. Whatever the running order for your match was, consider it changed to starting with you."
[Padre steps back. He scoffs.]
Padre Venganza: "You can't stop the inevitable, Marvolo. You can try to reign in control of the uncontrollable, but circumstances are beyond you and whether I start first, second or eight, it doesn't matter. The ending remains the same."
[The door creaks slightly behind him.]
[And then— he’s gone.]
[Marvolo stands alone.]
[The RED PHONE sits on the desk.]
[Silent.]
[Waiting.]
Signal: "Something doesn't feel right. What is Padre talking about?"
Black Scar: "If you know anything about OSW, you know that Marvolo was alluding to Padre being Jensen Cussen. If that means what I think it means.."
Signal: "I don't even wanna think about it."
Wanted
[EXT. MOLVANIA — NIGHT.]
[A dusty street outside a worn-down saloon.]
[An old Western Bar sign reads: GOLDMAN’S SALOON.]
[Wind howls through the empty road, kicking up dirt and paper.]
[NAILED to a crooked billboard — a poster flaps violently.]
[WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE — MARVOLO — OLD SCHOOL WRESTLING]
[A gloved hand reaches into frame.]
[It grips the poster and pulls it free.]
[He steps into frame, revealing an eye mask beneath his cowboy hat and a bandana across his mouth.]
[Deadeye.]
[Masked. Cowboy hat low. Still as a statue.]
[He studies the poster.]
Signal: "…Who is that?"
Black Scar: "That ain’t someone you want noticing you. "
[Deadeye tilts his head slightly.]
[Calm. Calculating.]
[He folds the poster once.]
Deadeye: "Dead or alive…"
[A beat.]
Deadeye: "Don’t make much difference to me."
[He tucks the poster into his coat.]
[Pushes through the swinging doors of Goldman’s Saloon.]
[They CREAK shut behind him.]
Signal: "Marvolo’s got a target on his back now."
Black Scar: "And someone just decided to collect."
[The wind picks up again.]
[The empty billboard creaks.]
[Cut to black.]
Build It!
[UNKNOWN LOCATION — NO LIGHT SOURCE, NO CLEAR WALLS.]
[The space feels undefined. Not quite a room. Not quite open.]
[Figures stand in a circle.]
[Hooded. Still.]
[At the center — Propaganda.]
[His mask catches what little light there is, just enough to make his face… knowable.]
[He slowly turns, observing each follower in silence before speaking.]
Propaganda: "They are not listening. Tonight with Mr. Grimm proved that they do not believe. His futile attempts at having you believe I was a coward only pave way for our agenda to increase."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "The message has been given…"
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "…but it is not being observed."
[The followers remain motionless.]
Propaganda: "They hear…"
[A step forward.]
Propaganda: "But they do not obey."
[His voice sharpens, just slightly.]
Propaganda: "And if they do not obey… they do not believe."
[One of the hooded figures shifts, stepping forward slightly.]
Follower: "What do we need?"
[Propaganda stops.]
[Still.]
[Then slowly turns toward them.]
Propaganda: "We build."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "We broadcast."
[He raises a hand slightly, as if conducting something unseen.]
Propaganda: "We become unavoidable."
[The followers lean in, almost imperceptibly.]
Propaganda: "But first…"
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "We assemble."
[He begins to circle them.]
Propaganda: "The right believers."
[Each word lands heavier than the last.]
Propaganda: "Not listeners. Not watchers."
[A step closer to the follower.]
Propaganda: "Believers."
[Silence.]
Propaganda: "We start with strength."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "Muscle."
[He clenches his fist slowly.]
Propaganda: "Someone who can bend others… to their will."
[He lowers his hand.]
Propaganda: "Someone who can grant permission… and take it away."
[The followers remain locked in.]
[Waiting.]
Propaganda:"At Slam…"
[A long pause.]
[His head tilts slightly.]
Propaganda: "It begins."
[The group stands in silence.]
[Unmoving.]
[Watching him.]
[Cut.]
#1 ARANZA
[Ladders surround the ringside area in The Temple.]
Black Scar: “I love the smell of ladders in the mornin’, Siggy!”
Signal: “And I love this time of year, Scar. The InVasion match promises a golden opportunity to the victor: whoever grabs the briefcase hanging above the ring can cash-in on the OSW World Champion at any time until the next InVasion!”
Black Scar: “Two luchadores kickstart this metal mayhem. Every 2 minutes, another entrant joins the fray.”
Signal: “But remember, folks - the match can be won before every participant has entered!”
Black Scar: “Dead cert if you ask me, Siggy. Ain’t no way Lux Bellator will be able to compete tonight!”
[♩Into the Vines swings across the speakers.]
Black Scar: “Oh, boy - looks like the hunt is startin’ early!”
[The spectral, opening notes of Aranza's theme hits, followed by the drums. The Huntress, adorned in a feathered headdress and bison-pelt cape, stalks down the ramp.]
[She slinks between ladders like a big-cat in tall grass, then pounces onto the ring apron. Shedding her entrance gear, she enters her hunting ground.]
Signal: “Aranza has her game-face on, Scar. Those cat-like eyes look focused and hungry!”
#2 PADRE VENGANZA
[♩Welcome to the Family embraces our ears.]
Black Scar: “I heard there was an infection sweeping the Serengeti…”
[Fog fills the stage. Piano keys precede a spotlight which cuts through it. Weathered doors creak open, and masked figures walk out to line the ramp. Padre Del La Venganza emerges in a shimmering cloak. He raises his arms high, eyes closed in bliss, before opening them and smiling serenely.]
[His family bow as their patriarch passes them one-by-one. Venganza enters the ring, unfastens his cloak, then kneels - his arms outstretched as he looks at Aranza.]
Signal: “This ought to be an interesting dynamic. Venganza, 6’05”, 270; and Aranza, 5’08”, 140.”
Black Scar: “Sounds like it’s dinner-time for the Family!”
[Padre offers Aranza a handshake. The Huntress, though, kicks his hand away!]
[Venganza chuckles - then swings violently!]
[Aranza ducks under, hits the ropes, and sends the patriarch flying over the ropes with a front dropkick!]
[Padre scrambles to his feet on the floor—]
[SUICIDE DIVE BY ARANZA!]
[The crowd pops as Venganza hits the barricade, then slumps down.]
[Aranza snatches a ladder, shuts it, then shoves it under the ropes and rolls in after it.]
Signal: “Aranza isn’t wasting any time!”
[The Top of the Food Chain sets up the ladder and starts to climb!]
[Venganza races back in and pulls Aranza down by her ankle!]
[He grabs her hair and BASHES HER FACE INTO THE LADDER!]
Black Scar: “Did you hear that crack? Was that steel or her teeth!?”
[The Virus whips the back of Aranza’s skull into the mat!]
[Venganza pulls the ladder down on top of her—]
[THWACK!]
[Then stomps a mudhole in her and walks it dry!]
[He sinks to his knees with his arms outstretched, soaking in the boos of the OSDub faithful!]
[Aranza claws her way back up as Venganza stalks her…]
[Snap German suplex! Venganza keeps hold of her… Snap dragon suplex! He pulls her back up… High-angle back suplex - that’s the LIFE FLASHER!]
[FIVE…]
Signal: “Here’s the countdown to the next Invader!”
[FOUR…]
Black Scar: “Who’s it gonna be!?”
[THREE…]
[The crowd joins in.]
[TWO…]
[Venganza stares at the entryway.]
[ONE…]
#3 EL IDOLO PERDIDO
[♩Velvet Shadows envelop The Temple.]
Signal: “It’s time for the red-carpet premiere, Scar!”
[Deep, redn light washes over The Temple, whilst a glowing, masked sigil illuminates the stage. El Ídolo Perdido emerges, basking in the light. Staff quickly rush to put up roping as the red carpet is laid bare before him.]
[He walks the aisle with grace, fur coat flowing behind him. Entering the ring, he takes a bow, then unrobes—]
[BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA!?]
Black Scar: “Nobody home!”
Signal: “Perdido barely evaded that leaping superkick!”
[The Silver Idol pushes Padre into the corner with vicious trapping strikes. He finishes his flurry with a brutal elbow which crumples him!]
[READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP, VENGANZA!?]
[Perdido turns to find Aranza staring him down.]
[The sensation from Sonora charges at Ídolo…]
Signal: “Perdido scoops Aranza up… And plants her with a sidewalk slam!”
Black Scar: “That’s the SILVER SCREEN SLAM, Siggy!”
[Taking a moment to stand over his fallen foes, Perdido relishes the artistry in the agony he’s inflicting.]
[Cinema’s Final Devotee then rights the ladder and tweaks its positioning. He starts climbing!]
[Venganza rises from the corner and scrambles to head off Ídolo.]
[Meeting at the summit, The Virus and Perdido TRADE PUNCHES!]
Signal: “That ladder doesn’t look stable, Scar. It’s wobbling with every shot!”
Black Scar: “Ídolo is a little over 200 pounds. Venganza is a solid 270 - it’s an uneven load!”
[They stop slugging, however, and look down.]
[Aranza grabs the ladder and PUSHES—]
[PERDIDO FALLS INTO THE ROPES!]
[VENGANZA LANDS ON HIS FEET…]
[PARTING SHOT - SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK BY ARANZA!]
[PADRE STUMBLES INTO THE ROPES, PUNCHDRUNK—]
[BLUNT FORCE FREAKIN’ TRAUMA!]
Signal: “Venganza hits a superkick on pure instinct!”
Black Scar: “They just knocked each other out!”
[FIVE!]
Signal: “The path is clear for the next entrant!”
[FOUR!]
[The audience counts in unison.]
[THREE!]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#4 RAM JAM
[♩Bad Medicine, Baby doses the sound system.]
[Purple and red lights bathe The Temple like a nightclub. Bluesy riffs accompany Ram Jam’s arrival. He emerges through smoke with a shimmering cape, nodding to the beat.]
[Rolling into the ring, he holds up the horns, then unfastens his cape.]
[Brown Sugar rolls his hips excitedly, strutting his stuff, before pointing at the ladder, to a pop. He fixes the hardware and hurriedly clambers up!]
Black Scar: “Ram Jam is gonna steal it!”
[VENGANZA SNATCHES THE LADDER AWAY!]
[…]
[RAM JAM DANGLES FROM THE CARABINER CLIP!]
[The fans pop big as The Groove-ador kicks his legs and swings pendulously.]
[He realises, however, that this is perfect, and starts fumbling with the clasp!]
Signal: “Ram Jam has the opportunity of a lifetime at his fingertips!”
Black Scar: “What the—!?”
[ARANZA IS ON VENGANZA’S SHOULDERS!]
[PADRE WALKS HER UP TO RAM JAM!]
[SHE GRABS HIS LEG—]
[ELECTRIC AVENUE!]
[RAM JAM DOOMSDAY DEVICES HER WITH HIS SIGNATURE CLOTHESLINE!]
Black Scar: “ARANZA JUST GOT TURNED INSIDE-OUT!”
[Landing safely, Ram Jam is back on his feet. He turns to fetch the ladder—]
[But Perdido brandishes it at him!]
[The Psychedelic Ram spins round…]
[Venganza wields ANOTHER ladder!]
[With two ladder-toting adversaries gunning for him, Ram does the only thing he can…]
Signal: “He’s… DANCING!?”
[Swaggering steps, head nodding, Ram Jam loses himself to the rhythm—]
[ÍDOLO CHARGES…]
[RAM SIDE-STEPS HIM!]
[VENGANZA NEXT—]
[RAM DODGES IT!]
[Padre and Perdido BOTH SWING WITH THEIR HARDWARE…]
Black Scar: “Ram Jam SHAKE, RATTLES, and ROLLS like a freakin' Jedi!”
Signal: “He's JIMI JAMMIN’!”
[Ram punches BETWEEN the ladder rungs - flooring his attackers, who drop their weapons!]
[FIVE!]
[FOUR!]
Crowd: “THREE! TWO! ONE!”
#5 DOLLY DAYDREAM
[♩Dollhouse Rumble playfully sings across the speakers.]
[Neon lights flash throughout The Temple - this one is for the kids! Dolly Daydream skips down the aisle, slapping hands with anyone who will indulge her.]
[She skips around the ringside area, weaving between unused ladders, before rolling into the ring.]
Black Scar: “I’m not sure Dolly appreciates the gravity of this match!”
Signal: “Don’t count her out - we know she’s a fighter!”
[A bemused Ram Jam throws up the horns and invites Dolly to do the same.]
[She looks at the fans uncertainly, who give a mixed reaction…]
[The playful luchadora obliges, and they both hold up the horns to a pop!]
[…]
[ELECTRIC AVENUE!]
[NO!]
[DAYDREAM GRABS THE ARM TO BLOCK THE SNEAKY CLOTHESLINE!]
[RIPCORD KNEE - OFF WITH IT!]
[The diminutive Dolly picks up one of the fallen ladders…]
[Aranza, Venganza, and Perdido get back to their feet.]
[Good Golly Miss Dolly stands before them with the ladder resting on her shoulders, her head poking through the rungs!]
[They look at each other.]
[Dolly giggles.]
Dolly Daydream: “Wanna play?”
[THE VIRUS CHARGES—]
[CRACK!]
[ARANZA STRIKES—]
[THUD!]
[RAM IS UP, AND HE RUSHES HER—]
[SMACK!]
Black Scar: “Dolly is playing HELICOPTER with that ladder!”
[Wait, where’s Ídolo?]
Signal: “Cinema’s Final Devotee is admiring the carnage!”
[Indeed, Perdido watches Dolly, transfixed, squaring his hands to frame the action!]
Black Scar: “He’s… Applauding her!?”
[Daydream blinks in confusion as Ídolo shows his appreciation for her action sequence.]
[CRACK!]
[SHE BRAINS HIM ANYWAY!]
Black Scar: “HA! I love it, Siggy!”
Signal: “There are no lasting friendships in this match - only steel and glory!”
[The Dreamer lifts the ladder off her shoulders, looks up at the gleaming briefcase, then sets it up and starts to climb!]
[FIVE!]
[FOUR!]
Black Scar: “I don’t think the next entrant can get there in time!”
[THREE!]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#6 BLACKHAND MORETTI
[♩Moretti’s March comes heavy to the speakers.]
[The lights dim for the arrival of Blackhand Moretti. He steps onto the stage, cracking his neck.]
[The Boss snaps his fingers.]
Signal: “What’s going on!?”
[TWO SURLY MEN IN LEATHER JACKETS HOP THE BARRIER AND STORM THE RING!]
Signal: “That’s FREDDY FINGERS and TONY KNUCKLES - MORETTI’S GOONS!”
[THE MADE-MEN GLARE UP AT DOLLY, WHO LOOKS DOWN AT THEM WARILY!]
Black Scar: “Do ya think Dolly Daydream knows about stranger danger!?”
[KNUCKLES AND FINGERS STEP TOWARDS THE LADDER–]
[DOLLY DAYDREAM SHRUGS, THEN DIVES OFF!]
[A CROSSBODY TAKES THEM BOTH OUT!]
Signal: “THE HIT FAILED! THEY MISSED THEIR MARK - BUT DOLLY DIDN’T MISS HERS!”
[The crowd pops as Moretti runs his hands over his mask on the ramp - this is not going to plan!]
[Backup Ruleadors file out from backstage. They check on the downed goons, then usher them outta there.]
[Padre Del La Venganza looks at the bodies strewn about, then at the briefcase swaying gently overhead.]
[He starts climbing, and Blackhand starts racing!]
Signal: “Yeah, get your own damn hands dirty, Moretti!”
[At that moment, Aranza rolls into the ring. Kneeling, still groggy, she grabs the discarded ladder. She looks up at Padre, spots Moretti in her periphery, then props her ladder against the other one.]
[Moretti shoots in under the ropes–]
[BLACKHAND RUNS UP THE SECOND LADDER!]
[HE SPRINGBOARDS OFF–]
[CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL TO VENGANZA!]
[BOTH MEN HIT THE DECK!]
Signal: “THE VIRUS IS SLEEPIN’ WITH THE FISHES!”
[Aranza nods to herself. She set the trap beautifully, and Moretti knew what to do. Not bad for a two-bit gangster…]
[FIVE!]
[FOUR!]
Black Scar: “Only two entrants left, Sig!”
[THREE!]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#7 GLITTER
[♩Venomous Touch caresses the sound system.]
[The lights dim, and a purple spotlight hits the entranceway. Glitter steps out.]
[Silver and purple pyro rains down on them as they make their way to the ring. Ruleadors insist that the Toys leave ringside, as Freddy Fingers & Tony Knuckles are carted past them. Glitter nods at them, and they leave.]
Black Scar: “I don’t wanna know how Glitter plans to use these ladders, Sig!”
Signal: “I’ve got a feeling it’ll be more sadism than masochism for this one, Scar!”
[Glitter slides into the ring and thrusts at the canvas.]
[Aranza gets to her feet. Ram Jam throws his horns back into the mix. Finally, El Ídolo Perdido enters stage left.]
[The sight of the latter unlocks something primal in Glitter.]
[The Sinful One and The Aristocrat of the Mask tangle in a frenzy of fists, pulling each other’s hair and knocking into the ladders, toppling them!]
[Ram Jam points his horns at Aranza–]
[PSYCHEDELIC HEADBUTT!?]
[SHE DUCKS!]
[FISH HOOK, RIPCORD, ROLLING ELBOW - CATCH & RELEASE!]
[The blow sends Ram through the ropes. La Cazadora de Màscaras pursues her prey. She grabs a surplus ladder at ringside, shuts it, then rests it between the ring apron and the barricade.]
Signal: “She’s spinning the web, Scar. What does she have in store for the fly?”
[Aranza turns back to The Groove-ador…]
[RAM JAM JUMPS UP OVER HER HEAD–]
[POP-UP SIT-OUT SLAM!]
[CRACK!]
[PURPLE HAZE ONTO THE LADDER BRIDGE!]
[In the ring, Glitter bounces off the ropes towards Perdido…]
[BIG BOOT! GLITTER RUBS THEIR HEEL IN ÍDOLO’S FACE!]
[PERDIDO JUST BOARDED THE BUKKAKE BULLET TRAIN!]
[Glitter grabs one of the fallen ladders. They lean it against the turnbuckles, then turn back—]
[FIVE!]
Black Scar: “There’s only one entrant left, but is Lux Bellator even able to make it out here!?”
[FOUR!]
Signal: “It’d be nothing short of a miracle if he does, Scar!”
[THREE!]
[Glitter readies themselves…]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#8 LUX BELLATOR ?
[♩Lightkeeper beams out from the sound system.]
Signal: “Is he here!?”
[Strobing white, gold, and purple lights illuminate the entranceway.]
Black Scar: “Normally, this is where he flies down like an angel…”
[…]
[Nothing.]
[Nobody.]
[Lightkeeper cuts off, and the fans boo in disappointment.]
Signal: “We can’t be surprised, folks - even if Bellator were here, there’s no way he’d be fit to compete!”
Black Scar: “Looks like it’ll be seven Invaders, Sig!”
[Glitter sneers, turning back to Perdido.]
[They hoist him up—]
[BUCKLE BOMB INTO THE UNFORGIVING STEEL!]
[THUD!]
Signal: “That just might be the nastiest GLITTER BOMB we’ve seen!”
[Ídolo slumps down in the corner.]
[Glitter braces themselves on the ropes, licking their lips hungrily. They charge in—]
[PONY SHOW!]
[Wait - Perdido rolls out of harm’s way…]
[THE BRONCO BUSTER MISSES!]
[CRACK!]
[GLITTER CROTCHES THEMSELVES ON THE RUNGS OF THE LADDER!]
[The crowd groans as Glitter’s jaw hangs open, their eyes bulging. Hey, wait…]
[They’re… GYRATING!?]
Black Scar: “That sick freak enjoyed that!?”
[The groan turns into laughter as the conscious competitors share a disconcerted gaze at Glitter, leaving them to it.]
[Dolly Daydream, Blackhand Moretti, Venganza, and Ram Jam roll into the ring. A fallen ladder acts as the proverbial line in the sand between them.]
[They all look upwards, mesmerised by the briefcase and what it means for the person who grabs it.]
[Dolly and Venganza race towards the others—]
[RAM JAM SLAM!]
[WHACKED!]
[CRACK, SMACK!]
[STEREO SPINEBUSTERS ONTO THE LADDER BY RAM JAM AND MORETTI!]
[Their eyes meet, and they raise their eyebrows, nodding at each other’s handiwork.]
[Moretti looks over Ram’s shoulder. Before the horned luchador has time to react, however–]
[ARANZA LIFTS HIM FROM BEHIND ON HER SHOULDERS!]
Black Scar: “Look at the strength of Aranza!”
Signal: “Ram Jam has a hundred pounds on her!”
[KNEELING ELECTRIC CHAIR DRIVER ONTO THE LADDER!]
[CRACK!]
Signal: “That’s THE CULL - and I think she just about CULLED Ram Jam!”
[Blackhand laughs at Ram Jam’s demise.]
[He then shoves Aranza through the ropes and to the floor!]
[Moretti backs up…]
[NO, DON’T!]
[NO–]
[I.C.E. CURB STOMP TO RAM JAM ONTO THE GODDAMN LADDER!]
[BANG!]
Black Scar: “That sounded like a freakin’ shotgun blast!”
[Ram Jam lies motionless as Moretti stands over him. He looks at the crowd and draws his thumb across his throat, to a chorus of boos!]
[With multiple carcasses lying on the downed ladder, The Don of Destruction boots Glitter to the side and snatches the one which rests against the corner.]
[He sets the ladder up and starts to climb.]
[Midway up, however—]
[HE SLIPS!?]
[BLACKHAND’S JAW CLATTERS OFF THE LADDER!]
[HIS HEAD SNAPS BACK AND HE FALLS TO THE MAT!]
Signal: “What gives!?”
Black Scar: “Look at Glitter! What are they holding!?”
[In the corner, Glitter laughs to themselves - they’re holding empty sachets of LUBE in their hands!]
Black Scar: “That deviant, Glitter, lubricated the ladder! What is this, Home Alone!?”
[Aranza slides back into the ring. Returning Moretti’s laugh, she wrestles the dry ladder from under those lying on it–whilst Ruleadors remove the lubed-up ladder–then positions it under the briefcase and scales it…]
Signal: “Imagine having a huntress with a guaranteed shot gunning for you, Scar!”
[SHE REACHES FOR THE BRIEFCASE–]
[LIGHTS OUT!]
Signal: “What's this!?”
Black Scar: “Did Marvolo forget to pay the energy bill? The prices are skyrocketing, Sig!”
[LIGHTS ON!]
Signal: “What’s he doing here!?”
[SANTIAGO DEL TORO STANDS OPPOSITE ARANZA ON THE LADDER!]
[The crowd pops as Aranza tilts her Aztec-patterned head, unsure what to think–]
[GOOZLE - DEL TORO GRABS HER BY THE THROAT!]
[He pulls her in close, touching his white skull visage…]
[CHOKESLAAAAAAAAM!]
[WAIT–]
[ARANZA CORRECTS HERSELF MID-AIR!?]
[METEORRRAAA TO THE BACK OF GLITTER’S HEAD!]
[SHE LANDS ON HER FEET!]
Signal: “Aranza with THE DEADFALL from above!”
Black Scar: “She’s got nine lives and cat-like reflexes, Sig!”
[LIGHTS OFF!]
[...]
[LIGHTS ON, AND DEL TORO IS GONE!]
[JUST THE SOUND OF A CAPE FLUTTERING!]
[A hand spins Aranza round–]
[IMPLANT DDT!]
[PORCELAIN SHATTER BY DOLLY DAYDREAM!]
[No sooner does she stand, however…]
[RUNNING KNEE STRIKE, THEN A SNAP LEG SWEEP!]
[EL ÍDOLO PERDIDO FLOORS HER WITH THE FINAL FRAME!]
[Surveying the devastation, Perdido’s eyes settle on the upright ladder. He starts the ascent!]
Signal: “Perdido is going to do it! There’s nobody to stop him!”
[The auteur, though, has other ideas. He glances from the briefcase to Moretti’s limp body. He frames the shot with his hands, then nods, entranced…]
[ELBOW DROP FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!]
[ASH TO ASH, DUST TO DUST - FADE TO BLACK!]
[Perdido drives the POINT of his elbow into the HEART of Moretti, who convulses on the mat.]
Signal: “That was a picture-perfect elbow drop, Scar! Perdido will be immortalised in every highlight reel for the rest of time in OSW!”
Black Scar: “And that’s exactly what he wants - to be immortalised on celluloid!”
[Ram Jam, Padre, and Glitter rejoin the chaos with ladders of their own - bringing the total to FOUR!]
Black Scar: “They have enough ladders to open their own hardware store!”
[A melee ensues, with ladders clacking off of each other, and wrists being reduced to powder!]
[Venganza gets the upper-hand, disarming the heathens.]
[DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE WITH THE LADDER!]
[Felling the non-believers, Black Heart clears some space, sets up the ladder, then climbs.]
Signal: “That briefcase will be the vector which allows The Virus to take over!”
Black Scar: "We've witnessed the damage he can cause. Who'll be the vaccination to his sickness!?"
[Venganza’s fingertips brush the case—]
[LIGHTS OUT!]
[!?]
Signal: “Again!?”
Black Scar: “Is Del Toro back for round two!?”
[The crowd murmurs with excitement…]
[...]
#8 LUX BELLATOR ?
[♩LIGHTKEEPER HITS THE SPEAKERS!]
[NO WAY!]
[NO WAY IN HELL!]
[YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN’ ME!]
[LIGHTS ON—]
[LUX FREAKIN’ BELLATOR IS ON THE LADDER, OPPOSITE VENGANZA!]
[BIBLICAL POP!]
Black Scar: “VENGANZA LOOKS LIKE HE’S SEEN A GHOST, SIG!”
Signal: “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT - LUX BELLATOR HAS RISEN!”
[Whites of his eyes visible, Lux holds his arms out in a crucifix pose, complete with bloody, bandaged palms!]
[HE GRABS HOLD OF PADRE, WHO BEGS OFF!]
Signal: “BELLATOR IS READY TO STRIKE WITH GREAT VENGEANCE AND FURIOUS ANGER!”
[NO - BLACK MIST, BLACK MIST!]
Black Scar: “Lux just came down with a VIRAL INFECTION!”
[Gritting his teeth against the burning pain in his eyes, Lux DOESN’T let go of Venganza, who desperately pulls away!]
Signal: “Wait, what is he doing!?”
[...]
Black Scar: “CANADIAN FREAKIN’ DESTROYER OFF THE LADDER!”
Signal: “LUX HITS THE DISCIPLE MAKER FROM THE HEAVENS THEMSELVES!”
Crowd: “HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT!”
[The impact topples the ladder. Amongst the human and steel wreckage, the other contenders look on in disbelief.]
[Aranza, Dolly, and Moretti seize their chance. Grabbing one ladder apiece, they set them up independently of each other.]
[Unbeknownst to them, Perdido grabs the fourth and final ladder. He, too, sets it up.]
[They all start to climb, but their bruised and battered bodies are flagging…]
Signal: “Look at Ídolo!”
[The Leading Man of The Temple reaches the summit first - but he’s too far away!]
[Wait…]
[HE STEPS FROM ONE LADDER TO THE NEXT!]
[The ladder wobbles under him, but Aranza keeps it anchored - none the wiser!]
[PERDIDO STEPS ACROSS TO THE NEXT LADDER!]
[As before, Dolly Daydream inadvertently holds it steady!]
Black Scar: “ÍDOLO IS PLAYING STEPPING-STONES WITH THE LADDERS!”
[PERDIDO MAKES IT TO THE FINAL LADDER!]
[MORETTI HAS NO IDEA!]
[GLITTER DIVES INTO ACTION, TOPPLING ALL THE LADDERS—]
[BLACKHAND, DAYDREAM, AND ARANZA FALL TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!]
[ÍDOLO, HOWEVER, CLINGS TO THE CARABINER CLIP!]
Signal: “That clip already held Ram Jam’s weight earlier - has that weakened its tensile strength!?”
[Perdido frantically fumbles with the clasp which holds the briefcase!]
[Either side of him, Ram Jam and Glitter reset two of the fallen ladders.]
[THEY’RE COMING RIGHT FOR HIM!]
Black Scar: “DO OR DIE, ÍDOLO!”
[RAM AND GLITTER REACH FOR HIM!]
[…]
[PERDIDO LEAPS—]
[LONG TAKE DIVING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE OUTSIDE!]
[HE TAKES OUT ARANZA, DAYDREAM, AND MORETTI AT RINGSIDE!]
Signal: “That was the LONGEST TAKE in the history of film!”
[In the ring, Ram and Glitter look at each other, the briefcase hanging between them.]
[RAM JAM LEANS ACROSS–]
[GLITTER DIVES INTO HIM WITH A HIP ATTACK!]
[RAM JAM HITS THE MAT BELOW–]
[AND… AND!?]
[GLITTER FALLS ASS-FIRST ON TOP OF RAM JAM’S FACE!]
[THE HORNS!]
[MY GOD, THE HORNS!]
Signal: “That’s some ASS-TO-MOUTH action for Glitter!”
Black Scar: “I think Glitter just gave themselves a colonoscopy!”
[Glitter slumps to the side, a mixture of agony and ecstasy on their face!]
[One ladder falls into the ropes. One remains upright.]
[Lux Bellator comes to. He may be the freshest man in this match, but he’s far from fresh.]
[Having endured a literal crucifixion earlier in the night, he may never walk the same after hitting that flip-piledriver off the ladder!]
[He stares up at the briefcase - or perhaps to the Lord himself, praying for strength...]
[Climbing the ladder, blood seeps through his bandages and dribbles down the metal legs.]
Signal: “What a fairytale ending this would be for Lux Bellator tonight! Can he do it!?”
[Venganza refuses to die, like a drug-resistant Virus!]
[Padre climbs up after him.]
Black Scar: “What else can these men do to one another!?”
[Lux reaches for the briefcase—]
[VENGANZA GRABS HIS HANDS AND SQUUUEEEZES!]
[BELLATOR SCREAMS IN PAIN!]
[DROPLETS OF BLOOD FALL TO THE CANVAS!]
[PADRE IS TORTURING HIM BY MANIPULATING THOSE PUNCTURE WOUNDS!]
Signal: “That sick son of a bitch!”
[Everyone limps and staggers back into the ring. Dolly and Glitter are the last to recover, slowly standing.]
[The group looks up at Venganza and Lux duelling atop the ladder.]
[VENGANZA OVERPOWERS BELLATOR!]
[The Light Warrior bows his head, his bandages dangling from his hands which are now slick with blood!]
Black Scar: “Venganza is going to end Bellator once and for all!”
[Hatred burning in his eyes, Padre grabs Lux’s head in the crook of his arm–]
[STUNNER FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!]
[SHADOW CONTAG—NO!]
[LUX CHOKES HIM FROM BEHIND WITH HIS BANDAGES!]
[VENGANZA WRITHES AS HE STRUGGLES TO BREATHE!]
Signal: “Surely Lux isn’t going to hang the man!?”
[PADRE’S EYES ROLL BACK…]
[BELLATOR RELEASES HIM—]
[HIS LIMP BODY FALLS INTO THE OTHER SIX!]
[THEY DON’T GO DOWN!]
[LUX DIGS DEEP…]
Black Scar: “What is he thinking!?”
[...]
[ANGEL WINGS!]
[ANGEL WINGS FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!]
[LUX BELLATOR DIVES OFF, A SACRIFICIAL LAMB, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED!]
[HE CRASHES INTO THE OTHERS!]
[EVERYONE IS DOWN!]
[EVERYONE, THAT IS, EXCEPT DOLLY DAYDREAM!]
[The Dreamer stands tall, having broken away from the others just in time.]
Signal: “It looks like playtime is finally over, Scar!”
Black Scar: “Dolly used those ladders like toys, and now she's gonna have a toy briefcase!”
[Exhausted, body crying out in pain, Dolly slowly climbs the ladder. She looks down at her friends, whose bodies litter her playground, then at the briefcase...]
[SHE REACHES OUT AND UNHOOKS IT!]
Signal: “DOLLY DAYDREAM IS YOUR INVASION 2026 WINNER!”
Winner of Invasion 2026: Dolly Daydream
The Black Parade
[Ringside — the Invasion match has just ended. Dolly has fallen from the ladder in exhaustion, hugging her briefcase.]
[The ring is chaos. Bodies everywhere. Luchadors draped over ropes, sprawled across canvas, barely moving.]
[The crowd is alive — roaring, chanting, celebrating the aftermath.]
[Then—]
[The lights go out.]
[Not a fade. Not a dim.]
[Gone.]
[Complete darkness swallows the Temple.]
[The noise of the crowd falters, then collapses into uneasy murmuring.]
[Silence creeps in.]
[Then— a single sound.]
[A guitar string.]
[Soft. Fragile. Almost hesitant.]
[Another follows.]
[Then another.]
[The melody of Grief Walk begins to form, drifting through the darkness like something remembered rather than heard.]
[Underneath it… something else.]
[Whimpers.]
[Mourning.]
[Soft, layered crying — not coming from one place, but everywhere.]
Signal: "…what is this?"
Black Scar: "I don’t like this… I really don’t like this. I feel... "
Signal: "Sad."
[The sound builds—not louder, but heavier.]
[The kind of sound that presses against the chest.]
[Then—]
[The lights return.]
[And the world is wrong.]
[Every trace of colour has been stripped away.]
[The ring. The crowd. The banners.]
[All grayscale. Flat. Lifeless.]
[The energy is gone with it.]
[Fans sit still. Some clutch their faces. Some cry openly, unable to explain why.]
Signal: "Why does everything look like this…? Why do I feel... like this?"
Black Scar: "It’s like the life’s been sucked out of the building."
[In the center of the ring—]
[A man sits on a chair]
[Scruffy. Hollow. Head bowed.]
[A black guitar rests across his lap.]
[His fingers gently finish the final notes of Grief Walk.]
[The last chord lingers unnaturally long.]
[He lifts his head.]
[His eyes are heavy. Empty.]
Silas: "My name… is Silas."
[A breath.]
Silas: "The Sorrow."
[The words don’t echo.]
[They sink.]
Signal: "…I don’t feel right."
[Blackhand Moretti stirs.]
[He forces himself up, shaking his head violently, trying to shake the feeling off.]
Blackhand Moretti: "Enough of this—!"
[He charges.]
Black Scar: "That’s Moretti— he’s not buying into whatever this is!"
[Silas rises from the chair slowly.]
[No rush. No urgency.]
[He swings the guitar.]
[CRACK.]
[The impact drops Moretti instantly.]
[A thick black residue smears across his mask where the guitar struck.]
[The guitar doesn’t break.]
Signal: "He just dropped Moretti with a guitar!"
Black Scar: "And the damn thing didn’t even crack…"
[Ram Jam stumbles into the ring.]
[But the groove is gone.]
[His shoulders are slumped. Tears stream down his face.]
Ram Jam: "…why… why does it feel like this…?"
[He reaches for the guitar.]
[Grabs it.]
[Pulls.]
[Nothing.]
[It doesn’t move.]
Signal: "He can’t lift it!"
[Ram Jam tries again, panicking.]
[Still nothing.]
[Silas lets go.]
[The guitar stays exactly where it is.]
Black Scar: "That ain’t weight… that’s something else."
[Ram Jam looks up—]
[Silas is already moving.]
[One step.]
[One motion.]
[He drives Ram Jam into the mat with brutal precision.]
[THE KILL!]
Black Scar: "Paydirt!"
[Ram Jam lies motionless.]
[The sadness deepens. Thicker. Heavier.]
[Then—]
[Glitter enters the ring.]
[And something changes.]
[They are untouched by the atmosphere.]
[They walk through the sorrow like it doesn’t apply to them.]
Signal: "Glitter… doesn’t look affected at all."
Black Scar: "That’s because whatever this is… it ain’t built for something like them."
[Glitter circles Silas slowly.]
[Curious. Studying.]
[Silas stares back.]
[Empty. Unmoving.]
[The two stand in silence.]
[A strange equilibrium.]
[Then—]
[Glitter bends, lifting the unconscious Dolly Daydream into their arms.]
[No words.]
[No reaction.]
[They leave.]
Signal: "They just… took Dolly and walked out."
[Silas remains in the center of the ring.]
[Alone.]
[The guitar hums softly in his hands.]
[The arena remains drained of colour.]
[The sound that lingers is no longer music—]
[It is a quiet, collective grief.]
Signal: "I… I don’t like this."
Black Scar: "…No."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "Neither do I."
[The camera slowly pushes in on Silas.]
[Still. Silent. Watching nothing.]
[The crying continues.]
[Cut.]
[Wrr.]
[Click.]
[Cold open.]
[A tight shot.]
[Lux Bellator’s mask fills the screen — bloodied, barely holding together.]
[His breathing is ragged. A low groan escapes him.]
Signal: "…Oh my god."
[A beat.]
Signal: "We—we apologize for opening the show like this, but we’ve just been brought to this scene backstage—"
[The camera slowly pulls back.]
[Revealing everything.]
[Lux Bellator is nailed to a wooden cross, arms outstretched, wrists pierced. Blood runs down his forearms, dripping onto the floor beneath him.]
[His body hangs, barely conscious.]
[Standing before him… Padre del Le Venganza.]
[Still. Calm. Reverent.]
[The faint murmur of cult chanting echoes somewhere unseen.]
Black Scar: "Well… would you look at that."
[Padre tilts his head, studying Lux like a work in progress.]
Padre Venganza: "The virus…"
[A pause.]
Padre Venganza: "…has taken longer than I expected."
[Lux stirs weakly.]
Padre Venganza: "So it seems…"
[A small, satisfied nod.]
Padre Venganza: "…it needs a little push."
[He steps closer, placing a hand gently against Lux’s chest.]
Padre Venganza: "You will come to understand."
[A beat.]
Padre Venganza: "You will come to accept."
[He leans in.]
Padre Venganza: "And when you do…"
[A whisper.]
Padre Venganza: "I will welcome you to the family… once again."
[Padre steps back.]
[He turns.]
[And walks away.]
[The chanting fades with him.]
[Suddenly— chaos.]
[EMTs and staff rush into frame, shouting, scrambling, trying to lift Lux from the cross, trying to stop the bleeding.]
Signal: "Get him down! Get him DOWN!"
Black Scar: "Padre’s not hiding it anymore."
Signal: "This is sick! This is beyond anything we’ve seen—!"
Black Scar: "No… this is clarity."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "Padre’s finally coming out of his shell."
[The camera lingers on Lux being pulled free, blood staining the floor.]
[Cut.]
Souled Out
Signal: “We’re set to open Invasion tonight with a fatal four way match. It looks like the first competitor has made it out the ring.”
[Ace Starshield stands in the center of the ring. Benny is beside him, looking uneasy.]
[Ace kneels slightly, placing a steady hand on Benny’s shoulder.]
Ace Starshield: “Alright, partner. Mission parameters have changed.”
[Benny looks up at him.]
Benny: “You sure…?”
[Ace nods firmly.]
Ace Starshield: “Heroes take the front line so civilians don’t have to.”
[He gestures to ringside.]
Ace Starshield: “Head down there. Stay close. I’ve got this.”
[Benny hesitates… then nods and carefully climbs out of the ring.]
[He backs away, eyes still locked on Ace, who rises, turning to face the entrance.]
Ace Starshield: “Santiago Del Toro!”
[He points toward the stage.]
Ace Starshield: “Your scare tactics end now! Get out here and face justice!”
[The lights dim.]
[A low guitar hum creeps through the Temple.]
[Red light spills across the stage.]
[Santiago Del Toro steps out slowly.]
[He walks with deliberate calm, entering the ring without breaking eye contact.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Ahhh… the hero calls.”
[He circles slightly.]
Santiago Del Toro: “And the boy waits below… trembling.”
[Benny shakes his head at ringside.]
Benny: “I’m not—!”
[Ace raises a hand, cutting him off.]
Ace Starshield: “Your fight is with me.”
[Del Toro smiles.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Oh, it always is.”
[He tilts his head.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Two souls stand before me…”
[He looks to Benny.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…one small…”
[Then to Ace.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…one pretending—”
[“Tropical Fun” hits, and El Tropico Del Frio rolls under the ropes, popping up between them.]
El Tropico de Frio: “Hey, hey, hey—hold up, man.”
[He gestures lazily.]
El Tropico de Frio: “You keep talkin’ about souls like it’s a buffet or somethin’.”
[He shrugs.]
El Tropico de Frio: “Not really my kinda party.”
[Lights cut again.]
[Crimson Eclipse is suddenly in the ring, silent, standing behind them.]
[Del Toro looks between them then exhales slowly.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Four bodies…”
[He steps forward.]
Santiago Del Toro: “And yet… I find so little to take.”
[He gestures toward Benny.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Fear without strength.”
[To Frio.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Spirit without purpose.”
[To Eclipse.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Courage built on illusion.”
[Finally, to Ace.]
Santiago Del Toro: “And you…”
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…I see nothing at all.”
[The tension rises.]
Santiago Del Toro: “Weak. Empty.”
[He spreads his arms.]
Santiago Del Toro: “But…”
[A faint smile.]
Santiago Del Toro: “…I suppose I will take them anyway.”
[No one backs down.]
Signal: “Four men square off tonight to kick off Invasion and the winner receives more than just bragging rights.”
Black Scar: “Number one contender to the Ultraviolent Championship. Propaganda and Mr. Grimm will be watching this with a vested interest.”
[The Crimson Eclipse comes out of the gates hot, charging straight at Santiago Del Toro. SPEAR! NO! OLE! DEL TORO DODGES OUT OF THE WAY!]
[SPECTRAL PASSADA! CRIMSON ECLIPSE IS PLANTED WITH A SNAP DDT!]
[Ace Starshield engages El Tropico de Frio. Ace moves to grapple Tropico, but he is met with a PALM TO THE FACE! CITRUS SMACK!]
[Ace staggers backwards, but Tropico can’t make the next move. He’s caught from behind with a cape draped right over his pineapple head.]
[HE CAN’T SEE! SINISTER MULETA! FOREARM SMASH DECIMATES TROPICO!]
Signal: “Santiago Del Toro came to work tonight. He’s making a statement.”
Black Scar: “He hit that pineapple-headed fool with enough force to crack that pineapple right off his skull. Pure brutality.”
[Ace Starshield sees his opening, lumbering across the ring at Del Toro and grabs him from behind. Ace spins him round and hoists the Matador up onto his shoulders.]
[CRASH LANDING! NO! SANTIAGO SLIPS OUT FROM BEHIND AND LANDS IN A PERFECT SUPERHERO THREE-POINT STANCE!]
[HE POUNCES! NECKBREAKER! ACE IS DOWN!]
Signal: “I thought that Ace Starshield might have had an opening there, but that closed faster than a revolving door in a hurricane.”
Black Scar: “Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas. It’s time to make pain rain!”
[Ace slowly rises to his feet. While he does, The Crimson Eclipse soars out of the corner. Leaping, he grabs Santiago around the head for his patented Cutter. Del Toro is knocked off balance, falling back first into the ropes to regain his balance, with The Crimson Eclipse hanging off his neck.]
[HERE COMES ACE STARSHIELD! THRUSTERS ENGAGED! HE HITS SANTIAGO DEL TORO WHO FALLS BACKWARDS OVER THE ROPES!]
[THE CRIMSON ECLIPSE IS SENT FLYING INTO THE AIR, OUT OF THE RING AND LANDS IN AN AWKWARD CRUMPLED HEAP AT RINGSIDE!]
Signal: “To Infinity… And the concrete.”
Black Scar: “He’s not moving. He may be seriously hurt. I’m loving it!”
[Ace clambers to his feet, but Santiago beats him to a vertical base. He backs up against the crowd barricade. Ace senses his opening and begins to advance, but Santiago only beckons him forward more. Ace charges…]
[DEL TORO DODGES! CURSED CHARGE! SANTIAGO DEL TORO WITH A BRUTAL KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! ACE IS SENT CRASHING HEAD FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE!]
[Starshield is dazed, coming to rest sitting against the barricade. Santiago raises one hand, his fingers slowly and ominously toward Ace.]
[HE CHARGES… PHANTOM CORNADA! THE BUSAIKU KNEE DRIVES STRAIGHT INTO ACE’S HELMET!]
[HIS VISOR SHATTERS AS STARSHIELD’S SKULL SMASHES INTO THE BARRICADE!]
[Watching on, Benny lets out a blood-curdling scream.]
Signal: “Del Toro decimated Ace, and he’s now left a wreckage at ringside.”
Black Scar: “Benny has to watch as his hero gets destroyed before his eyes. This is amazing.”
[Del Toro turns his gaze back to the ring, where Tropico is staggering about aimlessly. With a cracked and battered pineapple mask, he can hardly see.]
[Santiago steps into the ring. Tropico takes a wild swing but hits only air, overcompensates drastically and falls forward...]
[SANTIAGO SWOOPS IN, LOCKING IN HIS COBRA CLUTCH!]
[ETERNAL SILENCE!]
[IT’S OVER! EL TROPICO TAPS OUT!]
Signal: “In a dominant showcase, Santiago Del Toro stands victorious. This... Is... Invasion.”
Black Scar: “He’s the number one contender to the Ultraviolent Championship. You bet your ass that Propaganda and Mr. Grimm will take notice of this performance.”
Winner & UltraViolent #1 Contender: Santiago Del Toro
Hot Under The Collar
[Darkness.]
[A slow crackle.]
[Fire.]
[Edward Newton’s eyes snap open.]
[He’s strapped to a chair.]
[The room around him burns. Flames licking up the walls, smoke curling along the ceiling.]
[Newton doesn’t panic. He breathes.]
[Tests the restraints. They don’t give.]
[The fire grows louder.]
Dr. Cube (distant, over speaker): “Pressure reveals truth.”
[Newton looks up through the smoke.]
Edward Newton: “No…”
[A small grin forms.]
Edward Newton: “…it reveals patterns.”
[He shifts his weight.]
[The chair tilts and crashes sideways.]
[Newton twists, arms straining, using the broken angle to slip one wrist free.]
[The strap snaps loose.]
[The other follows quickly.]
[Newton pulls himself up, coughing slightly as the smoke thickens.]
[The door is sealed.]
[Newton studies it.]
[He backs up.]
[Then drives his shoulder forward.]
[Once.]
[Twice.]
[The third time—]
[The door bursts open.]
[Newton stumbles into the bright setting sun of Molvania.]
[Smoke pours out behind him.]
[He turns back for just a moment.]
[Watching the room burn.]
Edward Newton: “Good.”
[He straightens, composure returning.]
Edward Newton: “That answers that. Time to finish this.”
[He starts forward down the corridor.]
Edward Newton: “At Invasion, I take the World Championship.”
[He disappears into the shadows.]
[Static.]
[Elsewhere, Dr. Cube stands before a screen showing Newton leaving the Labyrinth.
Dr. Cube: “Fascinating.”
[He watches Newton walk away on the screen.]
Dr. Cube: “The riddle…”
[A faint smile beneath the mask.]
Dr. Cube: “…has been solved.”
[Cut.]
By The Red Phone
[INT. MARVOLO’S OFFICE — THE TEMPLE.]
[Cold open.]
[No crowd. Just the low hum of electricity.]
[Marvolo paces like a man being hunted by something he can’t see. His usually pristine composure is gone — jacket buttoned, breath uneven, eyes flicking to the desk every few seconds.]
[The RED PHONE sits there.]
[Silent.]
[Waiting.]
[He stops and stares at it - almost willing if to never ring.]
[It disobeys.]
[Sharp. Violent. Wrong.]
[Marvolo flinches — just slightly — before snatching it up.]
Marvolo: "…Yes."
[He listens.]
[His jaw tightens.]
Marvolo: "No. Nothing’s happened since the last time. Slam saw no new developments. I told you, these things are bound to happen. It doesn't mean everything is unravelling."
[A beat.]
Marvolo: "I told you — I have it under control."
[A well rehearsed lie, perhaps?]
[The voice on the other end continues. We don’t hear it.]
[Marvolo’s confidence cracks.]
Marvolo: "No— no, listen to me."
[He lowers his voice, urgent now.]
Marvolo: "There’s no need to escalate this."
[A pause. Longer this time.]
[His eyes drift to the door… then back to the phone.]
Marvolo: "We’ll be alright."
[Another pause.]
[Whatever he’s hearing… it’s not good.]
Marvolo: "I said I’ll handle it."
[A beat.]
Marvolo: "Nothing else will go wrong."
[Silence.]
[Marvolo doesn’t speak for a moment. Just listens.]
[Then, quieter.]
Marvolo: "…I won’t let it."
[He slowly lowers the phone back into its cradle.]
[His hand lingers on it.]
[For the first time… he looks small.]
Signal: "That… didn’t sound like a man in control."
Black Scar: "That sounded like a man being warned."
Signal: "We don’t know who was on the other end of that call…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "But whatever it is… it’s got Marvolo scared."
[The camera stays on the RED PHONE.]
[Cut.]
The Hand That Feeds
[Dr. E. Vinell studies something unseen intently...]
[The door over his shoulder opens with a beep.]
[Vinell turns.]
[Jack Standard enters, chaperoned by an orderly.]
[The Good Doctor clasps his hands together.]
Dr. E. Vinell: “It’s good to see you again, Jack…”
Jack Standard: “Your minion asked if I’d like to [frown] visit the patient?”
Dr. E. Vinell: “Hmph. View was the word I used…”
[He motions behind him, and dismisses the orderly.]
[A control panel sits in front of a one-way window, which peers into a room with a hospital bed, occupied by—]
Jack Standard: [gasp] “Colossus!”
[Jurassic Colossus is hooked up to countless instruments and apparatus.]
Jack Standard: “This isn’t what we agreed. I wanted him gone - not held prisoner!”
[The Doc waves Jack’s concerns aside.]
Dr. E. Vinell: “I see no bars - only promise!”
[Standard scoffs.]
Jack Standard: “Promise? Is his dino-dick gonna help you cure cancer or something!?”
[The Good Doctor’s mask slips.]
Dr. E. Vinell: “You people and your morals… Always standing in the way of progress!”
Jack Standard: “I shouldn’t have involved you. I’m ending your little science experiment, Doc.”
[Vinell produces a scalpel!]
[Jack goes to disarm him, and they enter a violent scrap! In the thick of it, they fall on the control panel - more specifically, onto a big, red button—]
[A siren. A flashing red light. Jurassic’s monitors flatline, and his sedatives stop pumping.]
[…]
Jurassic Colossus: “RRRROOOOOAAAARRRR!!!!!”
Dr. E. Vinell: “... Oh.”
Jack Standard: “Shit!”
[SHATTER!]
[THE LAST DINOSAUR LEAPS THROUGH THE WINDOW!]
[GLASS COVERS STANDARD AND THE DOC!]
[They shield themselves–]
[COLOSSUS GOUGES STANDARD’S ARM WITH HIS CLAWS!]
[THEN BITES VINELL’S HAND!]
Jack Standard: & Dr. E. Vinell: “AAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!”
[JURASSIC RIPS THE DOOR OFF ITS HINGES!]
[Wailing siren. Flashing red light. Glass, blood, and victims - The Last Dinosaur is on the rampage!]
[And their match begins... right now.]
Signal: "IT'S A RED ALERT SCAR! THERE'S A MONSTER ON THE LOOSE!"
Black Scar: "He's sent Vinell and Standard scattering!"
[The enraged Colossus callously knocks Vinell back first across the edge of a nearby desk! A clawed hand reaches out and grabs Jack Standard by the skull!]
[BEFORE DRAGGING HIM FACE FIRST THROUGH A ROW OF LAB EQUIPMENT AND THROWING HIM THROUGH THAT OPEN DOOR!]
[Standard is quick to his feet only to catch a nasty big boot that sends him sprawling!]
[The Last Dinosaur closes in on Jack again with malicious intent!]
[BUT VINELL CATCHES HIM FROM BEHIND WITH A CHAIR!]
[...]
[That only causes The Colossus to turn around.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Oh. Shit."
[THE COLOSSUS HAULS HIM UP! SHARPTOOTH SHATTER RIGHT THROUGH A NEARBY TABLE! SPLINTERS FLY EVERYWHERE!]
Signal: "He's a monster, Sig! There's no stopping this beast!"
Black Scar: "You're telling me! He's dragging both men by their legs towards the entrance ramp!"
[The crowd lets out a massive cheer as the Jurassic Colossus explodes onto the ramp! He tosses Standard towards the ring, hauling Vinell onto his shoulders and rushing towards the steel steps!]
[BZZZZZT!]
[VINELL WITH THE TASER! HE FACE BUSTERS A CONVULSING COLOSSUS ONTO THE STEPS!]
[The doctor lets out a wild cackle, lining up his boot on the monster!]
Signal: "STERILIZATION! BOOT SCRAPE TO THE COLOSSUS AGAINST THE STEEL STEPS!"
Black Scar: "Look at the blood! He just busted the Colossus wide open!"
[The Good Doctor cackles again, producing a pair of fresh gloves and putting them on as he looms over his the creature.]
[Tap tap.]
[Vinell turns around from a tap on his shoulder.]
[THAT DAMN KICK! LEAPING KICK BY JACK STANDARD TAKES VINELL OUT OF HIS SHOES!]
[Jack grabs Vinell by the mask, forcing him back to his feet and rolling him into the ring! Standard goes beneath the ring and comes out with a sledgehammer! He slides in the ring and stalks Vinell as he begins to stir.]
Signal: "Put down that hammer! I can't bear to watch this!"
Black Scar: "Speak for yourself, Sig. The only thing missing now is the popcorn!"
[The Doctor begins to stand only for Jack to nail him in the ribs with a vicious hammer blow that drops Vinell to his knees!]
[CRACK!]
[HAMMER RIGHT TO THE FUCKING JAW!]
[Dr. Vinell lands on his ass, scrambling backwards as Jack raises the hammer high above his head!]
[And Vinell points.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Behind you."
[Jack sneers.]
Jack Standard: "Bullshit-"
Jurassic Colossus: "ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
[MASSIVE GERMAN SUPLEX SENDS JACK STANDARD ACROSS THE GOD DAMNED RING!]
[Vinell tries to slip out under the ropes but the Colossus snatches the back of his coat and drags him back into the ring! He whips Vinell into the turnbuckle where Jack was trying to catch his breath!]
Signal: "PALEO CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH! MASSIVE STINGER SPLASH TO BOTH MEN IN THE CORNER!"
Black Scar: "I think I just saw the turnbuckle post bend! He's a monster, Sig! A monster!"
[Both men collapse from the car wreck they just sustained and the Jurassic Colossus callously tosses Jack into the center of the ring as he gets onto the apron!]
Jurassic Colossus: "RISEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
[Vinell slowly gets to his feet as the Colossus grips the ropes!]
[EXTINCTION'S LAMENT! BUCKSHOT HEADBUTT BY THE COLOSSUS TURNS JACK'S BRAIN TO SOUP IN HIS SKULL!]
[Standard hits the ground like a sack of bricks!]
[SLEDGEHAMMER TO THE BACK OF THE FUCKING SKULL! DR. VINELL DROPS THE COLOSSUS AND LEAPS ON TOP OF JACK!]
Signal: "The Ruleador drops for the count!"
[ONE!]
[...]
[...]
[TWO!]
[...]
[...]
[THREE!]
Signal: "This match was nothing short of brutal, Scar. But Dr. Vinell, for all his ego, was able to steal victory here tonight!"
Black Scar: "He's earned the ego, Scar! Like it or not, his brainpower got him the win over some very monstrous competition."
Winner: Dr. E Vinell
Ziggy Roulette
[“Chariots on Fire” hits and the crowd pops as Ziggy Robbins bursts through the doors, all energy, all smiles.]
Signal: “The issue between Ziggy and Santiago Siniestro has been wild.”
Black Scar: “Santiago just wanted to take him to dinner.”
Signal: “No, he wanted Ziggy swimming with the fishes.”
[Ziggy high-fives everyone he can reach, pointing to fans, clapping, hyping them up as he sprints to the ring.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Come on! Let’s go! Big night!”
[He slides under the ropes, pops up, and immediately starts bouncing on his toes, waving for more noise.]
Black Scar: “This man is an idiot.”
[The lights dim. Mariachi trumpets cut through the noise.]
[Santiago Siniestro steps into the spotlight, still, cold, eyes locked on Ziggy.]
[He raises his hands into double pistols, aims, and fires.]
[Ziggy mimics getting hit, spinning dramatically before popping back up, grinning.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Missed me!”
[Santiago doesn’t react. He walks to the ring, steps in, never taking his eyes off Ziggy.]
[Ziggy keeps moving, clapping.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Hey, man, I get it! Bad night at the restaurant, right? Happens to the best of us!”
[Santiago steps forward.]
Ziggy Robbins: “But you gotta stay positive! Growth mindset! Learn from it!”
[Santiago stops.]
[He reaches into his jacket.]
Signal: “Uh oh.”
[Siniestro pulls out a FUCKING HANDGUN.]
[Ziggy freezes mid-bounce.]
Ziggy Robbins: “…Okay, that’s new.”
[Santiago raises it. No hesitation.]
Black Scar: “Yes! Do it!”
[Click.]
Signal: “No!”
[Nothing.]
[Santiago pulls the trigger again.]
[Click.]
[Silence.]
[Ziggy exhales.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Hey… hey, it’s alright.”
[He slowly steps forward.]
Ziggy Robbins: “This happens to everyone sometimes. You don’t let one jam define you.”
[Santiago lowers the gun slightly, annoyed.]
Ziggy Robbins: “You adjust. You adapt. You keep pushing forward.”
[Ziggy taps his own chest.]
Ziggy Robbins: “That’s how you turn failure into success.”
[Beat.]
[Santiago stares at him.]
Santiago Siniestro: “I’m just going to kick your ass…”
[He tucks the gun away and steps closer, cracking his neck.]
Santiago Siniestro: “…and call it even.”
[Ziggy smiles, nodding.]
Ziggy Robbins: “Now that’s the spirit.”
Signal: "We almost witnessed a murder here at ringside!"
Black Scar: "Don’t look now, but it may not be over yet!"
[Siniestro pulls the gun back out and looks at it with utter contempt before throwing it at Ziggy who parries the projectile only to have Siniestro Double-Leg him and start driving right hands into his temple.]
Signal: "Well, that could’ve turned out differently."
Black Scar: "No kidding, we could’ve caught a stray!"
[El Frio picks El Motivador off the mats and bounces his head off the apron before rolling him into the ring. Santiago follows it up by climbing into the ring behind him...]
[ALWAYS A CHANCE – INSIDE CRADLE AS SINIESTRO CLIMBS INTO BETWEEN THE ROPES AND THE BELL SOUNDS!]
[ONE!]
[...]
[...]
[EMPHATIC KICK-OUT BY EL FRIO!]
Signal: "Well, you miss a hundred percent of the shot you don’t take!"
Black Scar: "You’ve been listening to Ziggy, and I hate it!"
Signal: "But if he’d managed it, he would’ve set the record for the fastest match in OSW history!"
[Both men get back to their feet and...]
[KER-FUCKING-RAK!]
[SINALOA SPECIAL - HIDDEN BLADE ELBOW TO THE JAW OF ROBBINS!]
Black Scar: "That’ll shut his mouth!"
[Santiago rushes to the top rope and points out at the downed Motivational Speaker.]
[HERMOSO RUIDO – FROG SPLASH...]
[FINDS ZIGGY ROBBINS KNEES AND WE SEE THE AIR FLOW IN AN INSTANT OUT OF SINIESTRO’S LUNGS IN AN INSTANT!]
[Ziggy spins to his feet and gives Santiago an emphatic thumbs up.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Good effort but I think it’s time we..."
[El Frio staggers back to his feet...]
[TURN! TURN! TURN! TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND!]
[FOUR SLINGBLADES ONE AFTER THE OTHER!]
[Robbins heads to the top rope himself starts chanting for Siniestro enough to get the crowd behind him.]
[El Frio pushes himself back to his feet.]
[USE THIS FOR MOTIVAT - CARTEL KICK – JUMPING YAKUZA KICK TAKES THE WIND OUT OF EL MOTIVADOR’S SAILS!]
Santiago Siniestro: "Use that for motivation, pendejo!"
[El Frio climbs to the top rope once more...]
[HEMOSO RUIDO – FROG SPLASH CONNECTS HARD AND RATHER THAN GOING FOR A PIN SINIESTRO ROLLS THROUGH HOOKING AN ARM AND LATCHING IN THE TEQUILA SUNRISE!]
[EL FRIO LEANS BACK LOCKING IT IN TIGHT!]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[ZIGGY STRUGGLES AGAINST THE HOLD...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[ROBBINS LETS OUT A GUTTURAL HOLLAR OF PAIN...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[THE RULEADOR TAPS SANTIAGO ON THE SHOULDER, SINIESTRO STARTS TO CELEBRATE WHEN THE RULEADOR POINTS AT THE BOTTOM ROPE WHERE ZIGGY’S HAND IS LATCHED.]
Ziggy Robbins (Weakly): "NO MATTER WHAT, DON’T GIVE UP."
[Ziggy starts to push himself up as Siniestro loses his shit yelling and cursing as he backs away as Robbins pushes himself up on all fours...]
[SILENCER – PUNT KICK - WIFFED!]
[GOT YOUR BACK - ZIGGY JUMPS ON SANTIAGO’S BACK LIKE A HUNDRED POUND BACKPACK WITH A REAR NAKED CHOKE.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Come on buddy you got this! Don’t fall now!"
[El Frio starts climbing the turnbuckle with El Motivador on his back as he reaches the top rope, Ziggy releases the hold and drops back to the middle rope sensing Siniestro plan to crush him under his own weight.]
[Santiago manages to quickly pivot bouncing Ziggy’s head off the top turnbuckle.]
[ULTIMO ADIOS EL HIJO DE PUTA!]
[MEXICAN DESTROYER COUNTERED INTO A BACKDROP SENDING SINIESTRO CRASHING TO THE CANVAS BUT EL FRIO LANDS ON HIS FEET!]
[FROM BOTTOM TO TOP!]
[ZIGGY SPRINGS UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND HITS GREATEST MOONSAULT EVER AS HIS KNEES CONNECT WITH SINIESTRO’S SKULL AND EL MOTIVADOR LANDS IN A NORTH-SOUTH PINNING POSITION.]
[ONE!]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[TWO!]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[THREE!]
Signal: "What a counter by Ziggy; he never got down on himself."
Black Scar: "Yeah, yeah, Ziggy’s such a bright ray of friggin’ sunshine."
Signal: "Astute observation Scar, you’re absolutely right!"
Black Scar: "You really don't get sarcasm, do you?"
Winner: Ziggy Robbins
Lovebomb
Signal: "The match is over and it looks like we're headed backstage to see a much prettier sight! Dolly Daydream skipping through the halls as always.
Black Scar: "I've heard it's the superior mode of transportation."
Signal: "From who?"
Black Scar: "Dolly."
[Ms. Daydream's skipping is soon slowed to a halt as a second, much larger figure begins skipping beside her.]
[Glitter.]
[A single rose in hand.]
Glitter: "Mmmm, Miss Dolly. It's a pleasure to see you today?"
[Dolly turns to Glitter, looking at them wearily as Glitter hands her the rose.]
Glitter: "May we talk, dear?"
[There's a pause for a moment, Dolly hesitantly taking the rose before nodding.]
Dolly Daydream: "Well... Since you asked so politely."
[Glitter smirks, dragging a hand slowly up his own chest.]
Glitter: "Wonderful. Glitter just wanted to apologize about the... Meanness. Especially against someone so-"
[Glitter bites their lip.]
Glitter: "Interesting. So smart, kind, playful... Glitter thinks you have a beautiful world view, dear. As beautiful as that rose in your hands."
[A blush creeps across what can be seen of Dolly's cheeks as she cradles the gift.]
Dolly Daydream: "Well, thank you. I appreciate that you can be polite to people, Mister... Misses? Glitter."
[Glitter chuckles.]
Glitter: "Either works, Dolly. Especially coming from your lips. Someone as free a spirit as Glitter has earned the right."
Signal: "Scar, I really don't like how Glitter's talking right now."
Black Scar: "I never like how they talk, Sig. Never."
[Dolly sways a bit, nodding her head again.]
Dolly Daydream: "I'll keep that in mind, Mister Glitter. But I think I should get going. We have a match later, you know."
Glitter: "Of course. Good luck, Dolly dear..."
[The Sinful One turns, skipping away as freely as they arrived.]
Dolly Daydream: "You too..."
[Dolly stares at the flower, idly turning it in her hands as the scene fades out.]
[Cut.]
D
[EXT. ALLEYWAY — OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE.]
[The camera is shaky. Handheld. Unsteady.]
[Blue and red police lights flicker violently against damp brick walls.]
[A body lies in the center of the alley.]
[El Tropico Del Frio.]
[His pineapple mask is cracked. Blood pools beneath him, smeared across the concrete.]
[Sprayed across the wall… a single letter.]
[D.]
[Officers move in and out of frame. One pulls tape across the alley. Another kneels beside the body.]
Signal: "We’ve just been alerted to a situation outside the Temple."
Black Scar: "Police are already on the scene."
Signal: "We’re told something serious has happened…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "Roughkut’s heading there now."
[The camera cuts.]
[Roughkut pushes through the police line, microphone in hand, his usual swagger gone.]
[He slows as he sees the body.]
[For once… he doesn’t have a joke.]
[He swallows.]
Roughkut: "…I…"
[A breath.]
[He steadies himself.]
Roughkut: "I can confirm… El Tropico Del Frio is dead."
[The camera lingers on the body.]
Roughkut:"This didn’t happen somewhere else."
[A pause.]
Roughkut: "This happened right outside the Temple."
[Police continue working behind him.]
Roughkut: "Authorities are investigating."
[A beat.]
Roughkut: "But right now… there are no answers."
Signal: "This… this is unbelievable."
Black Scar: "Someone wanted him found like that."
Signal: "Inside OSW, outside OSW… it doesn’t matter. This changes everything."
[The camera zooms slowly on the spray-painted D.]
[Cut to black.]
Our Legendary Future
[Backstage — a long, dim corridor.]
[Fluorescent lights hum overhead. The air feels… still.]
[Aranza walks with purpose, every step measured, eyes scanning.]
[She stops.]
[Doesn’t turn. She remains focused, but still.]
Aranza: "You’ve been following me."
[A pause.]
Aranza: "Since you arrived. I've felt you at every turn. When I was in a war with Vinell. Even now..."
[Silence.]
[She slowly turns toward the darkness.]
Aranza: "You can come out now."
[From the shadows — a figure emerges, behind her..]
[Santiago Del Toro.]
[Calm. Composed. Otherworldly.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I have."
[A step forward.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I’ve been watching you hunt."
[Aranza doesn’t move.]
Aranza: "Then you know how this ends."
[Del Toro tilts his head.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I know how it begins."
[A faint, almost nostalgic breath.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I was once the hunted."
[He steps closer, voice steady, almost reverent.]
Santiago Del Toro: "A prodigy. A matador. I was worshipped in the arena."
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Until the day I faced something… greater."
[His tone lowers.]
Santiago Del Toro: "A bull that would not fall."
[A beat.]
Santiago Del Toro: "It took my life."
[Silence hangs.]
Santiago Del Toro: "And in that moment… I became something else."
[He spreads his arms slightly.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Man. Beast. Arena."
[A step closer.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Now I walk between life… and death."
[Aranza’s eyes narrow, intrigued.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Searching."
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: "For those worthy of joining me. I fought tonight against three who's weren't worthy. Pointless. Excruciating. Easy."
[The tension thickens.]
Aranza: "You think I’m prey?"
[Del Toro shakes his head slowly.]
Santiago Del Toro: "No."
[A beat.]
Santiago Del Toro: "It's quite the opposite, Aranza. I think you’re worthy."
[He steps back.]
[The lights flicker.]
Santiago Del Toro: "Our fight will be legendary."
[The shadows deepen around him.]
[His form begins to fade.]
Santiago Del Toro: "And when it ends…"
[A whisper.]
Santiago Del Toro: "You'll join the warrior spirits within me."
[He vanishes into the darkness.]
[Aranza stands alone.]
[A slow smile creeps beneath her mask, crinkling it as if to show us her amusement.]
Aranza:: "Good."
[A beat.]
Aranza: "I was just starting to get bored."
[Cut.]
Signal: Big time triple threat matchup here, the victor will stand tall as the #1 contender of the Gods and the next challenger to either Pixelshift or Warlord Mars but for the Reverend, this match may well be more about sending a message to two blasphemors.
Black Scar: Both Academius and Darkwish have given solid arguments disproving his entire sermon but Blackheart doesn't see it like that, he only sees two non believers he has to punish for their sins, but can he do so tonight?
[The bell sounds as Darkwish rushes forward, leaping at the Reverend with a flurry of lefts and rights that barely budge the bigger man. Darkwish rolls backwards, leaping up high for a roundhouse.]
[BLACKHEART CATCHES THE LEG IN MID-AIR]
[The Reverend chucks Darkwish into the corner, The Dark Avenger landing hard into the steel but before Blackheart can follow up, he's grabbed low by Academius who tries to take down the big man.]
[And is currently hopelessly failing to.]
Black Scar: You know for a man of learning, you'd think he'd know about mass over volume.
[Blackheart reaches down, pulling Academius upwards with one massive hand, before yeeting him into the corner right into Darkwish. The Professor crashes against Darkwish, The Reverend smirking before rushing forward.]
[AVALANCHE SPLASH...HITS STEEL!]
[Darkwish and Academius just manage to get out of the way, Blackheart hitting steel sternum first as he staggers out]
[HIGH/LOW! Leg Sweep by Academius, Enziguri by Darkwish somehow takes Blackheart off his feet. Both competitors back up, looking at one another before reluctantly nodding.]
Signal: Both Academius and Darkwish realise they have to take out the biggest threat here if they've got any hope of winning.
[Blackheart quickly staggers up to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights. Elbow by Academius, Knee to the jaw by Darkwish, European Uppercut by Academius. Earclap by Darkwish.]
[Blackheart stumbles back in groggy pain, Darkwish rushing forward,]
[RIGHT INTO THE FOOT OF GOD! The Reverend may have not been running but that was a ginormous Boot right in Scarred Justice's face. Darkwish collapsing to his knees]
[AS ACADEMIUS RUSHES FORWARD, LEAPING OFF DARKWISH'S BACK WITH THE PUNCTUATION MARK!]
[ASSISTED DRAGON TWIST CUTTTAHHHHH!]
[Blackheart goes down as Academius pulls Darkwish up to his feet, signalling to finish off the Reverend who's allready slowly rising to his feet.]
[Darkwish rushes forward, ducking underneath another Foot of God attempt, before leaping off the ropes as Academius leaps forward]
[SUPERKICK SANDWICH! Academius kicks him in the temple as Darkwish nails Blackheart in the back of the head BUT THE REVEREND DOESN'T FALL!]
[He's staggering and out on his feet as he stumbles into the ropes, both Darkwish and Academius grabbing him from behind as they manage to spin him around]
[A PLUS PLUS! DOUBLE LEG HOOK BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX OVER THE ROPES TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR BELOW!]
Signal: Well that may well be Blackheart done there but what now?
[Darkwish leans over the ropes, breathing hard as Academius smirks, patting Darkwish on the back]
[SCHOOL BOY ROLLUP OUT OF NOWHERE! ]
[ONE]
[............]
[TWO]
[...........]
[DARKWISH JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP]
Black Scar: That's now. Academius almost stole the match right there Siggy.
[Darkwish stumbles to his feet into a hard elbow to the jaw but he slips out of the double underhook, slipping behind Academius as he tries to lock in the Chicken Wing. Academius manages to black it however, rolling backwards into another modified pinfall attempt.]
[ONE]
[...........]
[..............]
[TW...Darkwish gets out, rolling back up to his feet into another hard elbow before he's taken down to the mat with a Snap Suplex. Darkwish stumbles up into another but Darkwish manages to block the third, rocking Academius with a hard forearm to the jaw.]
[FOLLOWED BY A STRAIGHT PUNCH TO THE FACE!]
[Academius staggers back as Darkwish leaps up, looking to bring down the Darkness. SUPERKICK...MISSES! Academius dodges as Darkwish nearly leaps through the ropes. He manages to stop himself, turning around into a kick to the gut]
[CHALK DUST! Butterfly Suplex hits hard but as Academius turns, dusting his hands, he doesn't realise Darkwish landed on his feet. The Professor turning around]
[DAWN! V-Trigger hits hard, Academius stumbling backwards groggy as Darkwish rushes forward again]
[RIGHT INTO THE TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER! Academius keeps hold of Darkwish, leaning down and sending the vigilante to some hard DETENTION with the Seated Stretch Muffler.]
[The referee leans down, seeing if Darkwish submits. He tries to resist but he's in the middle of the ring as Academius pulls back with all his strength, the arm raised up high ]
Black Scar: HARD STOMP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD BY THE REVEREND OUT OF NOWHERE!
[Blackheart slams his full weight into the back of Academius's head, forcing the break but he doesn't let up, delivering stomp after stomp to both men as he inflicts some STIGMATA to his foes.]
[The Reverend looks furious, pulling Academius up to his feet as he power throws him across the ring, grabbing him on the rebound]
[BURY YOUR DEAD! Blackheart nearly sends him 360 degrees around with the sheer force from the spinning slam. Darkwish slowly staggering up as Blackheart snarls]
[BEFORE RUSHING FORWARD WITH GOD'S FOOT! This was the sprinting one this time as it turns Darkwish inside out from the sheer force as Blackheart looks absolutely dominant.]
Signal: This may well be all she wrote folks, The Reverend calling for the end as he peels Academius off the mat, lifting him up high.
[FALLEN CRO...CHOPBLOCK! Darkwish stops the Border Toss with a hard clip to the back of the knee, Academius falling to the mat as Darkwish rolls over Blackheart, leaping off the second rope]
[DARKNES...CLAWOOZLE! Blackheart grabs Darkwish out of mid-air in the Claw Hold, lifting him up high before delivering a Baptism By Fire and nearly planting him through the mat with a brutal Iron Claw Slam.]
[Blackheart keeps Darkwish held down with one hand as the referee slides in to count]
[ONE]
[.........]
[.........]
[TWO]
[........]
[..........]
[CLASS DISMISSED! TOP ROPE DIVING KNEE DROP TO THE BACK OF BLACKHEARTS NECK!]
[The Reverend rolls backwards, stunned as Academius quickly covers the out cold Darkwish]
[ONE]
[........]
[TWO]
[.......]
[.........]
[BLACKHEART SHAKES OFF THE COBWEBS BUT IT'S TOO LATE]
[THREE]
Signal: Academius steals the victory here at the last second as he is now the #1 contender to whoever is the Gift of the Gods Champion at the end of the night.
Winner & Gift of the Gods #1 Contender: Academius
Overdose
[Backstage — a quieter corridor, away from the chaos.]
[Ziggy Robbins walks alone, towel around his neck, still riding the high of the night. Just being here is enough to make him happy, irrespective of the outcome.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Alright… one step at a time. Stay positive, stay moving—"
[Footsteps.]
[Uneven. Dragging.]
[Ziggy turns.]
[A man stumbles into frame — disheveled, barely standing.]
[Before Ziggy can react—]
[The man COLLAPSES into his arms and they both fall to the ground, the towel falling off behind them.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Whoa— hey! Hey!"
[Ziggy catches him, lowering him slightly.]
[The man is limp. Barely conscious.]
[Pill bottles spill from his pockets, clattering across the floor.]
[Rolling.]
[Labels half torn. Some empty.]
[Ziggy sees them.]
[His expression drops.]
Ziggy Robbins: "…No."
[He shakes him gently.]
Ziggy Robbins: "Hey— hey, stay with me! C’mon!"
[The man doesn’t respond.]
Ziggy Robbins: "MEDIC! I NEED HELP— NOW!"
[Chaos erupts.]
[Orderlies rush in, kneeling, checking pulse, shouting instructions.]
[They carefully lift the man onto a stretcher.]
[Ziggy steps back, hands shaking, soaked in confusion and fear.]
Signal: "Oh no…"
Black Scar: "That’s not good."
[The stretcher is wheeled away quickly, disappearing down the corridor.]
[Ziggy stands frozen.]
[He looks down.]
[The pill bottles are scattered at his feet.]
[He slowly bends down, picking one up… then another.]
[His hands tremble.]
Signal: "We’re being told… that’s Ziggy Robbins’ brother."
Black Scar: "They haven’t spoken in years."
Signal: "From what we understand, they went down very different paths… Ziggy tried to help him once..."
[A pause.]
Signal: "And couldn’t. There may be no helping him now. I think we've finally found the thing to take the smile off Ziggy Robbin's face."
Black Scar: "Thank God for that."
[Ziggy stares at the bottles in his hands.]
[Alone.]
[Confused.]
[Cut.]
Flip Em
[Backstage]
[Ram Jam is busy reclining on a velvet couch in a backstage lounge, drink in hand. His attention is cast upon the girls dancing before him. Music pumps, and disco lights blare.]
Signal: “Everybody prepares for big matches in their own way. Ram Jam seems to be taking the free-and-easy approach.”
[All of this is cut off abruptly as two figures enter the room. House lights are turned on, the music killed with the flick of a switch.]
[Frankie Fingers and Tony Knuckles, drawing the attention of the room to the doorway, where Blackhand Moretti stands.]
Black Scar: “I’m guessing Moretti is not just here for a little chat.”
[Ram Jam rises. The room seems to empty without word.]
[Moretti moves across the room with purpose, drawing himself right up to Ram Jam and grabbing him by the scruff of his … chain.]
[Ram Jam pushes him away, both men nose to nose.]
Blackhand Moretti: “You think you’re off the hook because you got lucky? I’ve been biding my time. Fingers and Knuckles here, they’ve got something they want to say about your recent… behaviour.”
[Knuckles steps forward, sinking a brass-knuckled fist into Ram Jam’s ribs. Frankie Fingers follows, kneeing Ram Jam in the guts. The Groove-ador crumples to the ground.]
Blackhand Moretti: “This can go the easy way or the hard way for you. Assist me in winning Invasion, or you’ll find out what the hard way is.”
Black Scar: “Please... Please choose the hard way!”
[Ram Jam winces in pain, which turns to a defiant smile.]
Ram Jam: “Threatening me is not groovy, man. I’m going to win that briefcase, just to make sure you never get your hands on it.”
[Moretti shakes his head slowly.]
Blackhand Moretti: “Why do they always choose the hard way? Flip ‘em.”
[He clicks his fingers and ICE step in, stomping their message into Ram Jam. They leave him battered but conscious enough to continue.]
Signal: “Blackhand Moretti is just leaving Ram Jam to consider his warning.”
Black Scar: “Judging by the look of defiance and hatred in Ram Jam’s eyes, his mind seems made up already. He’s choosing war, and I love it.”
Signal: “I'd say things are far from over between these two.”
[Cut.]
Signal: Ultraviolence has been the lair of Mr Grimm but over the past few weeks, a singular voice has contested that. Mr Grimm won the championship last month but while Mr Grimm regained it in short order, Propaganda has cost the Reaper a lot since then.
Black Scar: The destruction of his motorcycle may well have been a strategic move but it'll remain to be seen if it was a suicidal one. Propaganda is here with all of his followers and Grimm is nowhere to be seen.
[Propaganda stands tall in the ring, his followers surrounding the ring as the Voice has a microphone in hand. His followers bowing and praising his name in low hums but before Propaganda can speak]
[The lights suddenly dim.]
[A low rumble begins… distant at first.]
[Then—]
[VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…]
[The unmistakable sound of a motorcycle engine roars through the arena. Smoke begins to pour out from the stage, thick and suffocating.]
Black Scar: Again? This guy really needs to go green, this smoke can't be good for the environment. Or our poor lungs.
[The smoke slowly begins to dissipate as a tall, muscular figure slowly emerges behind Propaganda.]
[Mr Grimm is here.]
[And The Reaper is pissed.]
[He lunges at Propaganda but the followers rush into the ring, trying to take Propaganda down with sheer numbers. The Reaper takes them down with heavy lefts and rights, sending bodies flying every which way. ]
[One gets downed by a big boot, another gets Goozled and thrown like a bowling ball into a group of bodies.]
Black Scar: Mr Grimm just a human wrecking ball here, downing disciples left and right as only a handful on the outside are left.
[Grimm stares them down, daring them to get in his way but they just stare behind Grimm ]
[THE SIGNAL! Brutal Leaping Running Knee to the back of the head hits flush.]
[AND GRIMM DOESN'T MOVE AN INCH!]
[The Pale Rider just turns around, staring a hole right through Propaganda inside that skull mask. The Voice tries to run but he's pulled back by the hood with a massive hand and thrown nearly through the corner.]
[Grimm rushes forward, Propaganda moving out of the way of an Avalanche Splash as Grimm hits steel. A hard knee to the back sends the Rider back into the steel, leaving him momentarily stunned.]
Signal: Propaganda trying to follow up, landing a few hard strikes as his few conscious followers chant that damn chant
['BELIVE']
['BELIEVE']
['BELIEVE']
[Propaganda doesn't get a fourth hit though as Grimm catches the punch, twisting it in an almost unnatural angle before he lifts Propaganda up high.]
[SNAP SPINEBUSTER! GRIMM NEARLY SENDS PROPAGANDA THROUGH THE MAT!]
[Mr Grimm backs up, a thumb across his throat signalling for the early end here as he rushes to the ropes]
[ONE OF THE FOLLOWERS TRIPS HIM UP!]
[Grimm turns, staring brutal murder at the follower who backs up, as another follower leaps up onto the apron. ]
[And hands Propaganda a steel chair.]
[Grimm reaches down, looking to knock out another follower]
[BUT HE GETS STOPPED BY A RUNNING CHAIR SHOT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!]
[HE HITS HIM SO HARD HE KNOCKS THE CHAIR OUT OF HIS OWN HANDS!]
[Grimm staggers on his feet as Propaganda nails him a second time, then a third, Grimm getting down to one knee]
[AS PROPAGANDA SPRINGS OFF THE ROPES WITH A MASSIVE CHAIR SHOT FINALLY KNOCKING GRIMM DOWN TO THE MAT!]
Black Scar: The weapons finally coming out now, the only way Propaganda may be able to beat the Reaper too.
Signal: No lucky pinfalls here, he's gotta knock out Mr Grimm so he can't let up here for a second now.
[Propaganda nails Grimm with a few more hard chair shots before dropping it to the mat as he lifts Grimm up to his feet, pulling him into the corner but as he goes to pull him up to the second rope, Grimm pushes Propaganda away.]
[The Pale Rider cracks his neck before leaping off]
[RIGHT INTO A DDT FROM THE VOICE SPIKING HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!]
[Propaganda backs up, looking to finish off the Rider as Grimm staggers up to his feet]
[RIGHT INTO THE BROADCAST! Brutal V-Trigger nails flush, Grimm crashing to the mat with a hard thump.]
Signal: That may well be it but Propaganda is already celebrating like he's won.
[The Voice raises his arms high, his followers beginning to chant]
['OBEY']
['SUBMIT']
['BELIEVE...' THAT MR GRIMM JUST SAT THE HELL UP]
[Propaganda turns around]
[RIGHT INTO DEATH'S DOOR! Brutal Headbutt rocks Propaganda before he finds himself lifted high in the air.]
[LAST RITES! BUTTERFLY BRAINBUSTER DRIVES THE VOICE INTO THE MAT! But Grimm isn't done.]
[GOOZLE!]
[Propaganda gets pulled off the mat and lifted up high]
[TO THE GRAVE!]
[CHOKESLAM!]
Black Scar: Propaganda is somehow still conscious but Grimm is looking for the end, he won't be in a few seconds.
[Propaganda stumbles to his feet as Grimm sprints forward]
[ONE OF THE FOLLOWERS GETS IN THE WAY OF THE SOUL HARVESTER!]
[Another hands Propaganda something who jumps onto Grimm's confused back, smothering him with some sort of rag. Grimm looks confused but he slowly drops down to one knee]
Signal: Is that goddamn chloroform? How the hell do you gas out the Reaper?
Black Scar: However he's doing it, it seems to be effective as Grimm is fading.
[Grimm falls to both knees and eventually down to his stomach as keeping the ether rag wrapped around Grimm's mouth, he locks in the Accolade]
[OBEY! SUBMIT! BELIEVE! And although Grimm tries to fight, he slowly begins to pass out.]
[As the referee calls for the bell and we have a new Ultra Violent Champion]
Black Scar: I don't know how he managed it but Propaganda is once again the Ultra Violence Champion and he beat Mr Grimm this time to do it, as dirty as his methods may have been.
Signal: He may have won the battle but I have a feeling once Mr Grimm comes back to consciousness, he might be in for another war.
Winner & New UltraViolent Champion: Propaganda
Point Proven
[The aftermath of war litters the ring.]
Black Scar: “I need a cigarette.”
[Both men are down. The crowd buzzes, unsure what they’ve just witnessed.]
[Propaganda stirs. He pushes himself up, eyes locking onto Grimm.]
Propaganda: “You don’t get to walk away from this.”
[He raises a hand. His followers flood the ring again.]
[They surround Grimm.]
[Boots strike. Hands grab. Elsewhere, others surround the new Pale Rider.]
[Propaganda steps forward, staring into the hollow eyes of the skull.]
Propaganda: “This ends now.”
[He nods.]
[The followers tighten their grip.]
[Darkness.]
[A breath.]
[Silence.]
[Then the lights snap back on.]
[Every follower is down.]
[Scattered. Broken. Laid out across the canvas.]
[Grimm has one hand wrapped around Propaganda’s throat.]
[Lifting him.]
Signal: “I guess it’s true, Mr. Grimm is an inevitability.”
[Propaganda claws at Grimm’s wrist, eyes wide.]
Propaganda: “Do you think you can take me?”
[His voice doesn't crack.]
Propaganda: “That it is my time?”
[The followers begin to stir, watching in horror.]
Propaganda: “You may take any of them. They will happily give their life for our message, but you will not take me!”
[He points.]
Propaganda: “We have not yet finished our broadcast!”
[Silence.]
[Grimm tilts his head.]
[Then he releases him.]
Black Scar: “I guess Grimm knows he ain't lyin' about that.”
[Propaganda collapses to the mat, coughing, scrambling backward.]
[Grimm steps forward slowly. A low, hollow chuckle escapes him.]
Mr Grimm: “A coward’s words echo louder than he intends.”
[He looks over the fallen followers.]
Mr Grimm: “For some, there are fates far worse than being reaped.”
[Propaganda shakes his head, trying to understand.]
[Grimm turns, mounts the Pale Rider..]
Signal: “I think he’s proved his point.”
[…and leaves.]
[Cut.]
DeMasq
[INT. ACADEMIUS’ CLASSROOM — BACKSTAGE.]
[Rows of desks. A chalkboard filled with rigid, precise handwriting: DISCIPLINE. STRUCTURE. CONSEQUENCE.]
[Academius sits at the front, perfectly upright, hands folded, as if waiting for a class that never arrived.]
[The door creaks open.]
[Jack Standard steps in, composed, controlled… irritated. He closes the door behind him.]
Signal: "What’s he doing in here?"
Black Scar: "Looking for someone who actually takes this place seriously."
[Standard walks down the aisle between desks, inspecting the room like it passes his standards.]
Jack Standard: "I’ve been looking for someone."
[A beat.]
Jack Standard: "Someone who thinks like me."
[Academius doesn’t turn yet.]
Academius: "Then you must be very lonely."
[Standard growls faintly.]
Jack Standard: "This company is a joke."
[He gestures around.]
Jack Standard: "Luchador wrestling… is a joke."
[Academius slowly turns his chair to face him.]
Jack Standard: "A man of your intellectual capacity must deplore being forced to wear something so… demeaning."
[Academius studies him.]
Signal: "Standard’s not holding back."
Black Scar: "He’s saying what a lot of people won’t."
[Academius rises from his chair. Slow. Deliberate.]
Academius: "You’ve entered my classroom uninvited."
[A step forward.]
Academius: "You’ve made bold claims."
[A pause.]
Academius: "So… present your thesis."
[Standard nods.]
Jack Standard: "Someone needs to fix this."
[A beat.]
Jack Standard: "OLD SCHOOL WRESTLING should be about wrestling."
[He steps closer.]
Jack Standard: "Not theatrics. Not masks. Not nonsense."
[His tone sharpens.]
Jack Standard:"So, we strip it back."
[A pause.]
Jack Standard: "We take it back."
[He looks Academius dead in the eye.]
Jack Standard: "One mask at a time."
[A beat.]
Jack Standard: "An alliance."
[He lets the word sit.]
Jack Standard:"DEMASQ."
Signal: "DEMASQ…?"
Black Scar: "That’s a dangerous idea in this place."
[Academius folds his hands behind his back, pacing slowly.]
[Considering.]
Academius: "You propose…"
[A beat.]
Academius: "A restructuring of identity."
[He stops.]
Academius: "Through enforced exposure."
[Standard nods.]
Jack Standard: "Exactly."
[Silence.]
[Academius turns back toward him.]
Academius: "There is… intellectual merit in removing illusion."
[He adjusts his sleeve.]
Academius: "I'll consider the intellectual capital behind your proposal. But you do understand that to do it, we must remained masked or force being removed? If we're not present, we cannot forcibly effect change."
[Standard gives a small nod.]
[The two stand across from each other — aligned, but not yet allied.]
Signal: "If those two join forces…"
Black Scar: "Masks won’t be safe anywhere."
[The chalkboard looms behind them.]
[CONSEQUENCE.]
[Cut.]
Skybound
[INT. SKYBOUND — THE LOST FRAME.]
[8-BIT SKY. FLOATING PLATFORMS. PIXELATED CLOUDS.]
[An 8-bit version of PixelShift drops onto the screen with a BLIP.]
Pixelshift: "Welcome to Skybound."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "The only frame that ever existed."
[Another BLIP — Warlord Mars looks around in shock.]
Warlord Mars: "…What is this glitchy garbage?"
Pixelshift: "The only frame of a game that didn't make it to completion."
[A shrug.]
Pixelshift: "No rules. No checkpoints."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Just us."
[Mars cracks his neck — 8-bit sound effect.]
Warlord Mars: "GOOD."
[A stomp shakes the platform.]
Warlord Mars: "I’M GONNA CRUSH YOU INTO NERD DUST!"
Pixelshift: "Cool."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Try not to fall off the map."
[Mars charges — heavy, stomping animation.]
[PixelShift jumps — light, fast.]
Warlord Mars: "STAND STILL!"
Pixelshift: "That’s not how this game works."
[Mars swings — MISS.]
[PixelShift lands behind him — HIT.]
[PING!]
Warlord Mars: "CHEAP SHOT!"
Pixelshift: "It’s called a combo."
[Mars grabs — PixelShift wiggles free.]
Warlord Mars: "I HATE THIS PLACE!"
Pixelshift: "Yeah…"
[A jump to a higher platform.]
Pixelshift: "You’re not built for platformers."
[Mars leaps — barely makes it.]
[Platform CRACKS.]
Warlord Mars: "I DON’T NEED RULES!"
Pixelshift: "Good."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Because this game never had any."
[They clash mid-air.]
[CRASH!]
[Screen shakes.]
[8-BIT HEALTH BARS FLICKER.]
Pixelshift: "Ready for round one?"
Warlord Mars: "AND THE FINAL ROUND FOR YOUR DORK ASS!"
[Both players land from their midair clash and Mars immediately looks around for a weapon only to spot one of the levels many enemies!]
[A Goopa. Legally distinct, yet still with a throwable shell.]
[WHICH MARS WHIPS ACROSS THE SCREEN AT PIXELSHIFT!]
[Pixel ducks the assault and watches as the shell shatters into a million pixels! He looks back to Mars as another Goopa respawns.]
Warlord Mars: "Infinite ammo? THIS NERD SHIT HAS ONE COOL THING!"
[A STORM OF GOOPA SHELLS GET FLUNG TOWARDS PIXELSHIFT!]
[The 1UP Wonder leaps on top of one of the shells, stopping it midair and kicking it back towards Mars taking him out at the feet! The Warlord lands on the ground, cracking it beneath himself as Pixelshift ascends the platforms!]
[AND BOUNCES ON A SPRING!]
[SKY DIVER PRESS FROM WAY UP HIGH! SENTON BOMB TO THE BACK OF WARLORD MARS!]
[Pixel bounces immediately off of Mars, landing on his feet as The Harbinger stumbles clumsily to his feet.]
Pixelshift: "Ever seen someone dial a combo?"
Warlord Mars: "MORE LAME GAME SHIT?"
[8-BIT COMBO! PIXEL SHIFT RAINS DOWN A BRUTAL COMBINATION OF KICKS AND CHOPS!]
Pixelshift: "A! B! DOWN! UP!"
[Every hit causes his HP bar to slowly begin to drain! Mars stumbles back, finding his footing before angrily stomping the ground.]
Warlord Mars: "MY TURN FOR A COMBO!"
[MARS GRABS HIS OWN HP BAR AND BRINGS IT DOWN ON TOP OF PIXELSHIFT'S HEAD!]
[ZZZT!]
[ZZZT!]
[ZZZT!]
[ZZZT!]
[EVERY BLOW DRAINS HP FROM PIXEL AND GIVES IT BACK TO MARS!]
Warlord Mars: "GAMES ARE BACK TO KICKING ASS!"
[Mars wraps the bar around Pixelshift's throat, choking him out slowly as he swings him wildly from side to side! Player One reaches out desperately towards a power up block only for Mars to drag him further back!]
[Pulling him right on top of a power up box on the platform below.]
[CHING!]
[PIXELSHIFT JUST TURNED INTO METAL!]
[HAYMAKER LIKE AN INGOT TO MARS!]
[CLANG!]
[CLANG!]
[CLANG!]
[Every massive righthand sends Mars further back to the edge of the platform! He drops the HP bar and it flings back to the top of the screen as Pixelshift backs up, building speed as he charges at Mars!]
[CRUNCH!]
[MARS JUST PULLED DOWN THE PLATFORM ABOVE! HE CRACKED PIXELSHIFT ACROSS THE SKULL WITH THE GOD DAMN ENVIRONMENT!]
[The Living Glitch is dazed on his feet as Mars kicks him in the gut and uses all of his strength to power the Platinum Protagonist onto his shoulders!]
Warlord Mars: "HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR YOUR FINAL FANTASY, GEEK!"
[MARS RUNS FORWARD, CRASHING PIXEL THROUGH A WHOLE PLATFORM!]
[AND THROWING HIM RIGHT OFF THE SIDE OF THEIR OWN PLATFORM! PIXELSHIFT'S METAL FORM PLUMMETS TO THE GROUND BELOW!]
[THUD!]
[Mars looks below, an indent in the ground where Pixelshift lays. He looks up at the HP bar, seeing a single shred of health left behind as Mars turns around on the side of the stage and drums his chest!]
Warlord Mars: "WARRRRRRRRR!"
[WARRRRRRRRRRRRRR CRIME! MOONSAULT BY WARLORD MARS!]
[He flies towards the ground like a meteor!]
[Falling!]
[Beep.]
[Everything goes black as Mars collides with Pixelshift.]
Warlord Mars: "Did I... Win?"
[1UP!]
[1UP!]
[1UP!]
[THE SCREEN COMES BACK TO LIFE AT THE START OF THE ROUND! PIXELSHIFT JUST REBOOTED THE GAME! THE CONTINUE SCREEN!]
[Pixelshift rushes forwards, nailing a confused Mars with a massive leaping dropkick that sends him sprawling across the ground! Warlord Mars scrambles to his feet only for Pixelshift to whip him to the edge of the stage where Mars bounces off of where the screen ends!]
[BRINGING HIM BACK INTO A MASSIVE LEAPING CUTTER BY PIXELSHIFT!]
[IMPROMPTU LAG SPIKE!]
Pixelshift: "What was that about Final Fantasy? I actually prefer Dragon Quest."
Warlord Mars: "What are you FUCKING talking about?"
[Pixelshift hits an item box and grabs a Phoenix Flame! Fire Mode flashes across Pixelshift's visor!]
Pixelshift: "It's about time for a little Firaga though!"
[Pixelshift chucks a fireball at Mars who bats it away! He throws another and another which only seem to slow the advance of the furious Warlord!]
Warlord Mars: "USE! REAL! WORDS! NERD!!"
[Mars gets right in Pixelshift's face!]
[WARRRRRHEAD! HEADBUTT DROPS PIXELSHIFT TO HIS ASS!]
[Player One looks up at Mars with a :( on his visor that immediately turns into a flame emoji as he rears back!]
[MASSIVE FIREBLAST! WARLORD MARS GETS KNOCKED UPWARDS INTO A PLATFORM!]
[He hits the ground and the platform collapses, burying the Bringer of War beneath a pile of rubble! Pixelshift slowly begins to stand, eyes glancing up at the HP bar above that still isn't depleted.]
[An HP bar that slowly begins to refill.]
[The ground begins to shake.]
[DUN!]
[The rubble shakes!]
[DUN!]
[MARS BURSTS FROM THE PILE!]
[DUN!]
[WARLORD MARS IS GROWING!]
[BIGGER AND BIGGER!]
Warlord Mars: "NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A POWER UP!
[Mars' voice booms mercilessly as he looks down at the dumbfounded Pixelshift! But Player One doesn't back down as he rushes towards the mountainous Mars, hopping up from platform to platform as he fights to get on the Warlord's level!]
[SWAT!]
[A BIG FUCKING PALM FROM MARS SENDS PIXELSHIFT CAREENING INTO THE GROUND BELOW! PIXELATED CARNAGE SHOOTS INTO THE AIR!]
Warlord Mars: "UH UH UH!"
[Mars mockingly wags his finger as he stomps towards Pixelshift's crafter, crushing the level beneath him as he rears back and brings his fist down into the dust cloud to finish the job!]
[Only to be stopped in his tracks.]
Warlord Mars: "... I BETTER NOT BE HEARING POWER UP MUSIC!"
[But he was.]
[The music of a Super Star power up that Pixelshift collided with when he was knocked to the ground!]
[PIXELSHIFT STROBES BRIGHTLY! HE GRABS A FINGER AND JUDO THROWS THE MASSIVE WARLORD MARS!]
[MARS SMASHES THROUGH HIS FUCKING HP BAR! IT SHATTERS IN TWO AS HE COLLIDES WITH THE GROUND BELOW!]
[Pixelshift leaps high into the sky, landing on top of Mars as the screen begins to count!]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[PIXELSHIFT WINS!]
Winner & New Hardcore & Still Gift of the Gods Champion: Pixelshift
Respawn
[The fight has ended.]
[Both sprites flicker. Health bars low.]
[Warlord Mars drops to one knee, breathing heavy, pixels glitching around him.]
Warlord Mars: "…You think you won?"
[He pushes himself up, staggering.]
Warlord Mars: "You dragged me into your nerd world… your rules…"
[A snarl.]
Warlord Mars:"But this ain’t over!"
[He points at PixelShift.]
Warlord Mars: "There’s a reason I hate you, puke!"
[A step forward.]
Warlord Mars: "In the far future—"
[Suddenly—]
[A hand reaches through the screen.]
[Not pixelated.]
[Real.]
[It grabs PixelShift by the shoulder and yanks him OUT of the game.]
[PixelShift stumbles into reality just outside the arcade cabinet.]
Pixelshift: "WOAH—!"
[Inside the screen—]
[A new sprite spawns.]
[Wrong.]
[Glitching. Twisted. Too detailed.]
[A coded MONSTER.]
[Mars turns.]
Warlord Mars: "…What the hell is THAT?!"
[The creature lunges.]
[It engulfs Mars in a mass of corrupted pixels.]
[Mars roars as he’s dragged into the code.]
Warlord Mars: "THIS ISN’T—!"
[He disappears.]
[The screen stabilizes.]
[Silence.]
[PixelShift stares.]
Pixelshift: "…That thing doesn’t exist in Skybound."
[A man steps into frame beside him.]
[Black Mask with a giant R stitched into it. Ominous. No eye holes.]
Respawn: "It does now."
[PixelShift turns.]
Pixelshift: "Who are you?"
[The man offers a small nod.]
Respawn: "Dexter Voss..."
[A beat.]
Respawn: "But you can call me Respawn."
[He gestures to the screen.]
Respawn: "Coder extraordinaire. Creator. I have a lot of titles kid and believe me, you have no idea what a sight for sore eyes you are."
[PixelShift looks back at the arcade.]
Pixelshift: "You just… added that to the game?"
Respawn: "It's a temporary patch."
[A shrug.]
Respawn: "He’ll respawn later and be spat out. Don't worry. I've been trying to understand the mechanics of your arrival here on Earth. I saw what you did.. I just coded and reversed engineered it"
[PixelShift processes that.]
Respawn: "But you—"
[A step closer.]
Respawn: "You don’t belong stuck in one frame and moreover, you don't belong here on Earth either."
[A beat.]
Respawn: "I can get you home."
[PixelShift freezes.]
Pixelshift:: "Home… home?"
Respawn: "Not this."
[He taps the arcade.]
Respawn: "Not a fragment."
[A pause.]
Respawn: "The Skybound Universe."
[PixelShift’s eyes light up.]
Pixelshift: "You can do that?"
[Respawn smiles slightly.]
Respawn: "I wrote half of it."
[A beat.]
[PixelShift grins.]
Pixelshift: "…Okay."
[A nod.]
Respawn: "Let's talk somewhere more private..."
[The arcade screen flickers behind them.]
[Cut.]
Subject A
[INT. DR. VINELL’S LAB.]
[Fluorescent lights buzz overhead. Steel tables. Restraints. Equipment that hums with quiet menace. Dr. Eric Vinell stands at the center, pacing sharply, agitation barely contained.]
[Two orderlies stand rigid, heads lowered - their faces familiar]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Explain to me… how this happens."
[A beat.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "How does a subject leave containment… and make it into my OSW's corridors?"
[He stops. Turns, angry.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Do you understand the magnitude of that failure?"
[The orderlies exchange a glance.]
Orderly: "Doctor… Subject A has been returned to his cage."
[A pause.]
Orderly: "It won’t happen again."
[Vinell stares at them.]
[Long.]
[Unblinking.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "It cannot happen again."
[He steps closer.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Because if it does… you will replace him."
[The orderlies stiffen.]
[Vinell turns away.]
[The camera slowly begins to pull back.]
[Revealing more of the lab.]
[Cages.]
[Steel bars.]
[Inside one— A man sits slumped against the wall.]
[Weak. Pale.]
[Breathing shallow.]
[Ziggy Robbins’ brother.]
Signal: "…No."
Black Scar: "That’s him."
Signal: "That’s Ziggy’s brother."
[The man stirs faintly, barely conscious.]
Black Scar: "He didn’t just overdose…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "He was taken."
[Vinell approaches the cage, observing quietly.]
[Studying.]
Signal: "What is Vinell doing with him? Is he responsible for this!?"
Black Scar: "Whatever it is… it ain’t medicine."
[Vinell smiles faintly as he watches his “subject.”]
[Cut.]
Solutions
Signal: “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for our World Championship match.”
Black Scar: “And the World Champion is in the ring, even if he doesn’t have his championship.”
[Dr. Cube stands in the center of the ring.]
[Beside him: a large object, draped in a black tarp.]
Black Scar: “What the hell is that?”
[Cube tilts his head slowly, listening to the jeers.]
Dr. Cube: “Earlier tonight…”
[A pause.]
Dr. Cube: “…some of you witnessed something curious.”
[He gestures vaguely.]
Dr. Cube: “A fire at the Labyrinth, and Edward Newton escaping it.”
[Another tilt.]
Dr. Cube: “Pain. Struggle. Survival.”
[He leans slightly forward.]
Dr. Cube: “Remarkable, isn’t it, how many things can be seen…”
[A beat.]
Dr. Cube: “…without ever happening.”
[The crowd murmurs.]
Dr. Cube: “You at home have seen far more than these people ever could.”
[Cube grips the tarp.]
Dr. Cube: “Because Edward Newton…”
[He rips it away.]
[Edward Newton.]
[Completely still. A black VR headset covers his eyes.]
Dr. Cube: “…never left.”
Signal: “What the hell!?”
Black Scar: “That’s where Newton’s been, Sig. We haven’t seen him in weeks!”
[Newton doesn’t move.]
Dr. Cube: “The only way to defeat a man with all the answers…”
[He slowly circles Newton.]
Dr. Cube: “…is to place the question where he cannot escape it.”
[Cube taps the side of Newton’s head.]
Dr. Cube: “Inside his mind.”
[A faint chuckle.]
Dr. Cube: “Everything you’ve seen since Turbo Violence…”
[He spreads his arms.]
Dr. Cube: “…has been his reality.”
[Cube steps in front of Newton.]
Dr. Cube: “Referee.”
[The Ruleador hesitates, then signals.]
[DING DING.]
[Cube gently pushes Newton backward.]
[Newton collapses to the mat.]
Signal: “This is…”
Black Scar: “Brilliant!”
[The Ruleador slides into position.]
[ONE...]
[...]
[...]
[TWO...]
[...]
Signal: “Not like this!”
[...]
[THREE—]
[NO!]
[NEWTON’S SHOULDER SHOOTS UP!]
[THE TEMPLE EXPLODES.]
[Cube freezes as, slowly, Newton begins to move.]
[His hand reaches up, grips the headset.]
[AND RIPS IT OFF!]
[The Riddler sits up, his eyes locking onto Cube.]
[Cube takes a step back.]
Edward Newton: “I asked you inside my mind…”
[Newton rises to his feet.]
Edward Newton: “…but I’ll do it here for all to hear.”
[He steps forward.]
Edward Newton: “Riddle me this, Doctor.”
[Cube says nothing.]
Edward Newton: “What’s the most convincing lie in the world?”
[Newton tilts his head.]
Edward Newton: “You said hope.”
[A faint smile.]
Edward Newton: “Close.”
[He steps closer.]
Edward Newton: “But the most convincing lie in the world…”
[A pause.]
Edward Newton: “…is the one you tell yourself.”
[Newton taps his temple.]
Edward Newton: “You needed control. You needed me to be trapped.”
[He gestures to the headset.]
Edward Newton: “So you told yourself I was.”
[A beat.]
Edward Newton: “You built a world… just to believe it.”
[Silence.]
Edward Newton: “Now we finish this.”
[They face each other as the Temple roars.]
Signal: And Doctor Cube looks absolutely shaken here, he certainly didn't expect his big plan to completely unravel so quickly
Black Scar: Against any other man, it might have worked but the greatest and most devious minds in history have tried to play mindgames with Edward Newton and have failed. The Riddler's always ahead of every game.
[Cube is getting rocked by a series of hard forearms by Newton that back him up into the ropes. Newton goes to throw him across the ring but Cube manages to reverse, going for a clothesline that the Riddler ducks underneath. ]
[Kick to the gut, Up Onto Newton's Shoulders]
[ENGIMA...NO! Cube slips out of the Death Valley Driver, sliding to the outside trying to get some breathing room from the onslaught. Newton doesn't follow but simply sits on the ropes, opening them up.]
[And gesturing for Cube to get back inside the ring.]
Signal: Cool, calm and collected. Newton has all the momentum here and the world champion has to be careful to not fall for his mindgames.
[Cube shakes his head, slowly walking over to the ring as he gets up onto the apron. He slowly slips through the ropes, not taking his eyes off Newton who backs away, allowing Cube to safely get into the ring before urging him forward with a mocking gesture.]
[RUNNING TACKLE! Cube explodes forward, tackling Newton to the mat as he begins to ground and pound down upon him. Cube gets a few hard shots in before Newton manages to reverse. He lands a few stiff forearms of his own, one stiff blow to the chin rocking Cube before Newton transitions across.]
[ NEWTON'S LAW...NO! Cube manages to just slip out of the Armbreaker attempt, staggering back to his feet as Newton has a shit eating grin on his face.]
[Cube snarls before rushing for another tackle, Newton dodging this before nailing Cube with a hard knee to the jaw. Cube is rocked as he's dragged towards the corner, Newton gripping the back of his mask ]
[RIDDLE ME THIS! NEWTON SLAMS CUBE'S SKULL INTO THE TURNBUCKLE]
[RIDDLE ME THAT! HE SLAMS THE BACK OF CUBE'S HEAD INTO THE TURNBUCKLE FOR GOOD MEASURE!]
[Cube is dazed on his feet as Newton grips him around the head, dropping backwards with a picture perfect Back Suplex, Cube landing hard on the back of his head.]
Black Scar: Newton still all over Cube here, the Doctor can't get a lick of offense in against the Riddler.
[Newton goes to pull Cube up but the Doctor pushes him away, HARD CLOTHESLINE DROPS NEWTON! Almost a desperation like move there but Cube finally gets some momentum.]
[Until he goes to pick Newton up, and he's rolled into an Inside Cradle out of nowhere. ]
[The referee drops down as Cube struggles underneath the pinfall attempt.]
[ONE]
[............]
[TW....]
[Cube fairly easily kicks out but as he does, Newton rolls through, grabbing the Ankle]
[AND LOCKING IN THE CHECKMATE ROLL! ]
[Cube screams out in pain, Newton cranking down hard on the ankle lock for a few seconds. Cube manages to roll over, kicking Newton hard in the jaw, loosening the hold enough to slip out]
Signal: The damage may allready have been done, Cube staggering up a little slow there, his ankle clearly damaged by the few seconds of that deadly hold.
[The Game Master stumbles on his feet, swinging hard with a spinning elbow but Newton easily dodges it. Cube turns back around into a hard headbutt before he's lifted up off his feet.]
[RIDDLE]
[ME]
[THIS!]
[Sit Out Piledriver spikes Dr Cube down hard into the mat, the world champion rocked as Newton drops down for the cover.]
[ONE]
[........]
[TWO]
[..........]
[.............]
[CUBE JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!]
Black Scar: Cube still in this one but Newton might well be looking to end this one early here.
[The Riddler taps his forehead, sizing Dr Cube up for the beginning of the end but as Cube staggers to his feet, he manages to avoid the kick to the gut, again rolling to the outside for a breather.]
[Newton calmly waits inside the ring, back against the turnbuckles in a casual mockery of the champion, who is on his hands and knees, not recovering but pulling up the apron.]
[And looking for something underneath the ring.]
Signal: Cube playing a dangerous game here, whatever equalizer he finds, he's got to be careful not to get himself disqualified here.
Black Scar: Any other circumstances it'd be champions advantage but he still doesn't have the belt back and I doubt Newton would be willing to give it back if Cube screws him out of a victory here.
[Doctor Cube is underneath the ring for a good few seconds, finally emerging from underneath carrying something in his hands but as he gets to his feet, he's blindsided]
[MASSIVE RUNNING YAKUZA KICK BY EDWARD NEWTON OUT OF NOWHERE!]
[Cube goes down, the object in his hand, a small cloth bag goes flying in the air as Newton manages to catch it, a curious look in his eyes.]
[As he rolls into the ring and opens it, pouring its contents out onto the canvas.]
Signal: Sand? What the hell was Doctor Cube doing with sand?
[The moment the first particles hit the canvas, Newton's eyes go wide. He stumbles backwards into the corner, hands shaking, body quaking. ]
[For whatever reason, Edward Newton is terrified of that sand. ]
Black Scar: The good Doctor may well have found a weakness in the Riddler here. Take a good look, that doesn't look like regular sand either, there's some green, some blue, some red, hell it's damn near rainbow colored.
[Newton shuts his eyes, clenching his fists as he shakes his head, calming himself down for a moment but that momentary distraction allows Cube to slip back inside the ring.]
[And as the Riddler opens his eyes up, he opens them up into a spinning back elbow right to the face.]
[CHECKMATE! A brutal blow rocks the Riddler, leaving him out on his feet as he's gripped around the waist and spun around]
[GERMAN SUPLEX]
[A SECOND]
[A THIRD!]
[Newton is groggy as Doctor Cube pulls him up a fourth time, spinning around before throwing him high and far]
[RELEASE GERMAN INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!]
[Newton crashes down hard on his neck, groggy on the mat as Cube pulls him backwards from the ropes, dropping down with a hard elbow to the point of the neck. He drops a second, and then a third before staying down as he traps the legs and locks his arms around Newton's neck.]
[LOCKING IN THE PUZZLE LOCK!]
Black Scar: Newton looking in trouble here, he's taken a lot of damage to that neck and Cube has that hold locked in tight and vicious.
Signal: Edward Newton's never tapped out before but he may well be forced to here if he can't get himself to the ropes.
[The Riddler screams out in pain, but the pain has only ever fueled Edward Newton who slowly claws himself towards the ropes. Doctor Cube clinging to his back as he tries to lock in the hold tighter and tighter.]
[Newton's fingers scrape against the bottom rope but Cube breaks the hold, dragging Newton backwards as he tries to lock in the hold again. The Riddler manages to slip out, scrambling to the ropes and grabbing him, forcing the clean break.]
[Doctor Cube backs up, holding his hands up as Newton slowly pulls himself up, fury in his eyes. Cube urges him forward, returning the mocking gesture from earlier as Newton rushes at him.]
[RIGHT INTO ANOTHER CHECKMATE! Spinning Elbow rocks Newton before one arm is trapped behind his back, and he's pulled into]
[THE RUSSIAN ROULETTE! Brutal Hammerlock DDT spikes Edward Newton into the mat, Cube floating him over with a half nelson as he drops down for the cover]
[ONE]
[.............]
[.............]
[TWO]
[..............]
[...............]
[.................]
[THRE.....]
[.................]
[................]
[NEWTON JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!]
[Cube gets to his feet, dusting his hands as he traces the outline of a cube in the air, signalling for the end. He pulls Newton up to his feet, lifting him up high]
[GAME]
[OVER!]
[PACKAGE PILEDRIVER HITS HARD! Newton looks out as Doctor Cube drops down for the cover]
[But before the referee can count]
[The Lights Go Out]
Black Scar: Hey what the hell just happened? Did Marvolo forget to pay the electric bell again?
[It takes a few second but they slowly begin to come back on ]
[And dozens of championships are all around the ring]
[Cube is furious, staring daggers at the struggling to stand Newton, who just smirks up at him]
Signal: Dozens of World Championships hang here, Cube has been trying to regain the title since Wrestle Heroes but can he do it right here, right now?
[Cube kicks the smirking Newton hard in the jaw before beginning to grab the hanging championship belts. But as he grabs the first one, he realises it's a little bit...off]
[It's made of tin, damn near collapsing in his grip and freshly painted with green question marks.]
[Cube tosses the useless metal aside, grabbing more and more belts. All of them tin with the same emerald insignia. The mat damn near littered with them until there is only one left]
[But as Doctor Cube grabs it, it's the same tin fake]
[Fuming, he walks over to the still struggling Newton, pulling him up to eye level and damn near screaming in his face]
Dr. Cube: WHERE IS IT?
[Newton just smirks, clicking his fingers as once more, THE LIGHTS GO OUT]
[And this time, as they come back on, Edward Newton has vanished from the ring.]
[Doctor Cube looks all around, furious before he notices something dangling from the ceiling.]
[Four Things.]
[Four Boxes, all painted purple with an emerald green question mark in the centre. ]
[Doctor Cube examines the first one as on que, the voice of Edward Newton echoes through the arena.]
Edward Newton: This has been fun Doctor but I tire of these games. I will give you a chance to not only defeat me soundly but gain back your world championship by barely lifting a finger. You have three chances to find it within one of these four boxes. Do so, and I will forfeit this match.
Dr. Cube: And what happens if it's in the fourth?
Edward Newton: Then you lose. But the odds are in your favor Game Master. You had me play your game, now are you willing to play mine?
Signal: Intriguing move by Edward Newton here, but it well could backfire if Doctor Cube is lucky enough.
[Doctor Cube nods, moving towards the first box, opening it as a championship pops out.]
[But it's not THE world championship. As Cube picks it up, the metal easily bends and dents underneath his hands as green paint begins to stain them too, streaking from the emerald painted tin decoy.]
Edward Newton: One down, two more chances left.
[Doctor Cube scowls, tossing the fake title far from him as he opens up the second box. Not a championship either but a simple photograph. Cube grabs it in mid-air, looking at it for a moment before grunting in disgust, shuddering as he tosses it to the canvas. The camera focusing in as we see a rather disturbing image.]
[Marvolo in a Mankini.]
Signal: Well my eyes are now permanently ruined. How in the hell did he even get a picture like that?
Black Scar: You didn't look at the bottom of your welcome basket did you? Marvolo is way too proud of his body.
Edward Newton: Swing and another miss Doctor, care to go for the hat trick?
[Cube is fuming, breaking apart the two empty boxes before he slowly breaths deeply, calming himself as he stares at the last two boxes. He goes to open the left but changes his mind at the last moment and opens the right.]
[Nothing happens for a moment before green gas begins to flood the ring, covering it in a thick emerald mist.]
[Both the referee and Doctor Cube coughing hard and deeply as the silloute of another figure slides into the ring, holding something in their hands.]
[And as the gas begins to slowly dissipate, we see just a glimpse of emerald as the figure sprints forward]
[WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE BACK OF DOCTOR CUBE'S SKULL!]
Signal: NEWTON HAD THE BELT ALL ALONG! What a dirty trick by the Riddler there.
Black Scar: You say dirty trick, I say masterful manipulation. The good Doctor should've known Edward Newton would never willingly give up the chance to become world champion again.
[Doctor Cube crashes to the mat, Newton rolling him over for the pinfall attempt as the referee drops down to count]
[ONE]
[................]
[...........]
[TWO]
[..............]
[...................]
[......................]
[THREE.....]
[....................]
[.....................]
[CUBE JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!]
[Newton quickly gets to his feet, kicking a rising Cube hard in the chin before grabbing his legs, swinging him backwards]
[AND LOCKING IN THE RIDDLE BOX!]
[It's Doctor Cube's time to scream out in pain, Newton pulling back with all his strength to try and force the tap out. Cube scrambling and crawling to the ropes to try and break the hold.]
Signal: Cube mere centimetres from the ropes, but Newton breaks the hold?
[Newton lets go, pulling Cube up onto his shoulders in one fluid motion.]
[THE ENIGMA CODE! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER DROPS DOCTOR CUBE INTO THE MAT!]
[Newton doesn't cover, standing up to his feet, his body shaking as he goes to pull Cube up to his feet]
[CANVAS SAND! Cube throws a handful of that rainbow sand into Eddie's eyes, blinding the Riddler who finds himself quickly scooped up and lifted upside down]
[GAME OVAHHH! Package Piledriver hits once more.]
[NEWTON IS ON HIS FEET! ]
[HE ROLLS BACKWARDS, RUSHING THE ROPES AND BOUNCING OFF!]
[SHINNNNNNINNNNNGG WIZZZAAARRRRDD!]
[Newton clips Cube out of nowhere right in the jaw but he can't capitalize before he collapses to the mat.]
Signal: What a brutal back and forth contest here, both men are spent but only one can emerge the victor and World Heavyweight Champion here.
Black Scar: They've beaten the hell out of one another here but one big move may be all the other needs to end it here.
[Both men slowly rise to their feet, breathing heavy before they rush forward. Cube goes for a clothesline but Newton ducks underneath, rocking Cube with a hard forearm before lifting him up onto his shoulders]
[ENIGMA...NO! Cube slips out, spinning Newton around before bringing his foot up. ]
[KICK TO THE DICK!]
[Newton is doubled over as Doctor Cube scoops him up off his feet]
[THE]
[GAME]
[IS]
[FUCKING]
[OVER]
[PACKAGE PILEDRIVER HITS HARD! Newton is down as Doctor Cube hooks both legs for the cover]
[ONE]
[..........]
[................]
[TWO]
[............]
[..........]
[................]
Signal: Will third time be the charm?
[THREE!!!]
Black Scar: Doctor Cube has done it. Not only has he retained his World Heavyweight Championship, but he's joined a very exclusive club of the men to survive Edward Newton in championship matches.
Signal: Both men gave it their absolute all, through manipulation, sweat and tears but Doctor Cube remains the OSW World Champion tonight.
Winner & Still OSW Champion: Dr. Cube
Locket
[Ringside — the bell has just rung.]
[Edward Newton drags himself upright, one hand clutching his ribs, the other gripping the ropes.]
[He doesn’t celebrate. He doesn't commiserate]
[He calculates.]
[Breathing. Thinking. Resetting.]
Signal: "Newton’s not even acknowledging the match— he’s already thinking about the next move."
Black Scar: "That’s what makes him dangerous."
[The lights subtly dim.]
[Not enough for the crowd to notice immediately.]
[But enough to feel.]
[A low rumble creeps into the arena — not music yet. Pressure.]
[Then—]
[EYE OF THE STORMWALKER HITS.]
[The sound doesn’t just play — it CRACKS through the arena like thunder splitting the sky.]
[The lights snap white.]
[Wind howls through the speakers.]
[The doors don't part—
—THEY'RE THROWN ASIDE.]
[A man wearing a white mask with lightning stripes and sunglasses stitched in steps through like he’s forcing his way into the building rather than entering it.]
[No pose. No pause.]
[His presence hits before he even moves.]
Signal: "NO WAY—!"
Black Scar: "That’s LUKE STORM!"
[Storm starts down towards the ring immediately — fast, direct, violent intent in every step.]
[He doesn’t look left. Doesn’t look right.]
[The crowd reaches for him— he doesn’t see them.]
[His eyes are locked on the ring.]
[On Edward.]
[Newton slowly turns.]
[For the first time tonight— he doesn’t look in control.]
[Storm slides into the ring with force, popping to his feet instantly.]
[The two stand across from each other.]
[No words.]
[Just tension.]
[Storm slowly and deliberately opens out his hand, revealing an item that falls softly but remains retained in his grasp.]
[It’s drenched in blood.]
[A locket.]
[The red catches the light.]
[Newton sees it.]
[Everything inside him collapses.]
Edward Newton: "…No."
[His legs give out.]
[He drops to his knees.]
[Hands trembling. Face contorted into a twisted saddened confused grin that drops as quickly as any facade.]
Edward Newton: "No… no, no—"
[Storm steps closer, urgency bleeding through.]
Luke Storm: "We need to go."
[A beat.]
Luke Storm: "Now."
[Newton doesn’t move.]
[He can’t move.]
[His eyes are locked on the locket like it’s rewriting everything he thought he knew.]
Signal: "What did he just show him?!"
Black Scar: "That wasn’t fear earlier…"
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "This is."
[Storm grabs Newton by the arm, trying to pull him up.]
Luke Storm: "Edward— MOVE!"
[Newton resists without meaning to.]
[Frozen.]
[The locket shakes in Storm’s grip.]
[The crowd noise fades into uneasy murmurs.]
Signal: "We’ve never seen Newton like this…"
Black Scar: "Whatever that is…"
[A pause.]
Black Scar: "It just broke him."
[Storm stands over him, desperate.]
[Newton remains on his knees.]
[The moment hangs.]
[Cut.]
Under The Mask
[INT. MARVOLO’S OFFICE — MOMENTS BEFORE INVASION.]
[The door is already open.]
[Marvolo stands behind his desk, tense, expecting someone else.]
[Instead—]
[Padre del Le Venganza is already inside.]
[Still. Waiting.]
[The air feels wrong.]
Marvolo: "You don’t knock?"
[Padre tilts his head slightly.]
Padre Venganza: "Not many people in Old School Wrestling understand what we do."
[A slow step forward.]
Padre Venganza: "The legacy, the history…"
[A pause.]
Padre Venganza: "The weight of it all."
[Marvolo doesn’t sit.]
Padre Venganza: "You see it."
[A beat.]
Padre Venganza: "You feel it."
[The faintest whisper of chanting seems to echo… or maybe it doesn’t.]
Padre Venganza: "The Family knows what’s coming."
[He spreads his hands slightly.]
Padre Venganza: "And you will not be able to stop it."
[Marvolo’s jaw tightens.]
Marvolo: "Then tell me something useful."
[A step closer.]
Marvolo: "Who’s under the mask?"
[A beat.]
Marvolo: "Is it Jensen?"
[Another.]
Marvolo: "Is it his son?"
[Silence.]
Marvolo: "If you know what’s ahead… then why do what you did? Do you really think that makes matters better or worse?"
[Padre laughs.]
[Soft at first.]
[Then fuller. Warmer. Wrong.]
Padre Venganza: "You don’t have the whole picture."
[A step closer.]
Padre Venganza: "And I won’t pretend that I do either."
[He leans in slightly.]
Padre Venganza: "But I know enough."
[A pause.]
Padre Venganza: "I know where this ends."
[The room feels smaller.]
Padre Venganza: "All roads…"
[A beat.]
Padre Venganza: "…lead to HIS return."
[Marvolo swallows.]
[For once— no comeback.]
[No control.]
[Just… fear. So he asserts it.]
Marvolo: "Why don't you make your way to the ring, Padre. Whatever the running order for your match was, consider it changed to starting with you."
[Padre steps back. He scoffs.]
Padre Venganza: "You can't stop the inevitable, Marvolo. You can try to reign in control of the uncontrollable, but circumstances are beyond you and whether I start first, second or eight, it doesn't matter. The ending remains the same."
[The door creaks slightly behind him.]
[And then— he’s gone.]
[Marvolo stands alone.]
[The RED PHONE sits on the desk.]
[Silent.]
[Waiting.]
Signal: "Something doesn't feel right. What is Padre talking about?"
Black Scar: "If you know anything about OSW, you know that Marvolo was alluding to Padre being Jensen Cussen. If that means what I think it means.."
Signal: "I don't even wanna think about it."
Wanted
[EXT. MOLVANIA — NIGHT.]
[A dusty street outside a worn-down saloon.]
[An old Western Bar sign reads: GOLDMAN’S SALOON.]
[Wind howls through the empty road, kicking up dirt and paper.]
[NAILED to a crooked billboard — a poster flaps violently.]
[WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE — MARVOLO — OLD SCHOOL WRESTLING]
[A gloved hand reaches into frame.]
[It grips the poster and pulls it free.]
[He steps into frame, revealing an eye mask beneath his cowboy hat and a bandana across his mouth.]
[Deadeye.]
[Masked. Cowboy hat low. Still as a statue.]
[He studies the poster.]
Signal: "…Who is that?"
Black Scar: "That ain’t someone you want noticing you. "
[Deadeye tilts his head slightly.]
[Calm. Calculating.]
[He folds the poster once.]
Deadeye: "Dead or alive…"
[A beat.]
Deadeye: "Don’t make much difference to me."
[He tucks the poster into his coat.]
[Pushes through the swinging doors of Goldman’s Saloon.]
[They CREAK shut behind him.]
Signal: "Marvolo’s got a target on his back now."
Black Scar: "And someone just decided to collect."
[The wind picks up again.]
[The empty billboard creaks.]
[Cut to black.]
Build It!
[UNKNOWN LOCATION — NO LIGHT SOURCE, NO CLEAR WALLS.]
[The space feels undefined. Not quite a room. Not quite open.]
[Figures stand in a circle.]
[Hooded. Still.]
[At the center — Propaganda.]
[His mask catches what little light there is, just enough to make his face… knowable.]
[He slowly turns, observing each follower in silence before speaking.]
Propaganda: "They are not listening. Tonight with Mr. Grimm proved that they do not believe. His futile attempts at having you believe I was a coward only pave way for our agenda to increase."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "The message has been given…"
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "…but it is not being observed."
[The followers remain motionless.]
Propaganda: "They hear…"
[A step forward.]
Propaganda: "But they do not obey."
[His voice sharpens, just slightly.]
Propaganda: "And if they do not obey… they do not believe."
[One of the hooded figures shifts, stepping forward slightly.]
Follower: "What do we need?"
[Propaganda stops.]
[Still.]
[Then slowly turns toward them.]
Propaganda: "We build."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "We broadcast."
[He raises a hand slightly, as if conducting something unseen.]
Propaganda: "We become unavoidable."
[The followers lean in, almost imperceptibly.]
Propaganda: "But first…"
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "We assemble."
[He begins to circle them.]
Propaganda: "The right believers."
[Each word lands heavier than the last.]
Propaganda: "Not listeners. Not watchers."
[A step closer to the follower.]
Propaganda: "Believers."
[Silence.]
Propaganda: "We start with strength."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "Muscle."
[He clenches his fist slowly.]
Propaganda: "Someone who can bend others… to their will."
[He lowers his hand.]
Propaganda: "Someone who can grant permission… and take it away."
[The followers remain locked in.]
[Waiting.]
Propaganda:"At Slam…"
[A long pause.]
[His head tilts slightly.]
Propaganda: "It begins."
[The group stands in silence.]
[Unmoving.]
[Watching him.]
[Cut.]
#1 ARANZA
[Ladders surround the ringside area in The Temple.]
Black Scar: “I love the smell of ladders in the mornin’, Siggy!”
Signal: “And I love this time of year, Scar. The InVasion match promises a golden opportunity to the victor: whoever grabs the briefcase hanging above the ring can cash-in on the OSW World Champion at any time until the next InVasion!”
Black Scar: “Two luchadores kickstart this metal mayhem. Every 2 minutes, another entrant joins the fray.”
Signal: “But remember, folks - the match can be won before every participant has entered!”
Black Scar: “Dead cert if you ask me, Siggy. Ain’t no way Lux Bellator will be able to compete tonight!”
[♩Into the Vines swings across the speakers.]
Black Scar: “Oh, boy - looks like the hunt is startin’ early!”
[The spectral, opening notes of Aranza's theme hits, followed by the drums. The Huntress, adorned in a feathered headdress and bison-pelt cape, stalks down the ramp.]
[She slinks between ladders like a big-cat in tall grass, then pounces onto the ring apron. Shedding her entrance gear, she enters her hunting ground.]
Signal: “Aranza has her game-face on, Scar. Those cat-like eyes look focused and hungry!”
#2 PADRE VENGANZA
[♩Welcome to the Family embraces our ears.]
Black Scar: “I heard there was an infection sweeping the Serengeti…”
[Fog fills the stage. Piano keys precede a spotlight which cuts through it. Weathered doors creak open, and masked figures walk out to line the ramp. Padre Del La Venganza emerges in a shimmering cloak. He raises his arms high, eyes closed in bliss, before opening them and smiling serenely.]
[His family bow as their patriarch passes them one-by-one. Venganza enters the ring, unfastens his cloak, then kneels - his arms outstretched as he looks at Aranza.]
Signal: “This ought to be an interesting dynamic. Venganza, 6’05”, 270; and Aranza, 5’08”, 140.”
Black Scar: “Sounds like it’s dinner-time for the Family!”
[Padre offers Aranza a handshake. The Huntress, though, kicks his hand away!]
[Venganza chuckles - then swings violently!]
[Aranza ducks under, hits the ropes, and sends the patriarch flying over the ropes with a front dropkick!]
[Padre scrambles to his feet on the floor—]
[SUICIDE DIVE BY ARANZA!]
[The crowd pops as Venganza hits the barricade, then slumps down.]
[Aranza snatches a ladder, shuts it, then shoves it under the ropes and rolls in after it.]
Signal: “Aranza isn’t wasting any time!”
[The Top of the Food Chain sets up the ladder and starts to climb!]
[Venganza races back in and pulls Aranza down by her ankle!]
[He grabs her hair and BASHES HER FACE INTO THE LADDER!]
Black Scar: “Did you hear that crack? Was that steel or her teeth!?”
[The Virus whips the back of Aranza’s skull into the mat!]
[Venganza pulls the ladder down on top of her—]
[THWACK!]
[Then stomps a mudhole in her and walks it dry!]
[He sinks to his knees with his arms outstretched, soaking in the boos of the OSDub faithful!]
[Aranza claws her way back up as Venganza stalks her…]
[Snap German suplex! Venganza keeps hold of her… Snap dragon suplex! He pulls her back up… High-angle back suplex - that’s the LIFE FLASHER!]
[FIVE…]
Signal: “Here’s the countdown to the next Invader!”
[FOUR…]
Black Scar: “Who’s it gonna be!?”
[THREE…]
[The crowd joins in.]
[TWO…]
[Venganza stares at the entryway.]
[ONE…]
#3 EL IDOLO PERDIDO
[♩Velvet Shadows envelop The Temple.]
Signal: “It’s time for the red-carpet premiere, Scar!”
[Deep, redn light washes over The Temple, whilst a glowing, masked sigil illuminates the stage. El Ídolo Perdido emerges, basking in the light. Staff quickly rush to put up roping as the red carpet is laid bare before him.]
[He walks the aisle with grace, fur coat flowing behind him. Entering the ring, he takes a bow, then unrobes—]
[BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA!?]
Black Scar: “Nobody home!”
Signal: “Perdido barely evaded that leaping superkick!”
[The Silver Idol pushes Padre into the corner with vicious trapping strikes. He finishes his flurry with a brutal elbow which crumples him!]
[READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP, VENGANZA!?]
[Perdido turns to find Aranza staring him down.]
[The sensation from Sonora charges at Ídolo…]
Signal: “Perdido scoops Aranza up… And plants her with a sidewalk slam!”
Black Scar: “That’s the SILVER SCREEN SLAM, Siggy!”
[Taking a moment to stand over his fallen foes, Perdido relishes the artistry in the agony he’s inflicting.]
[Cinema’s Final Devotee then rights the ladder and tweaks its positioning. He starts climbing!]
[Venganza rises from the corner and scrambles to head off Ídolo.]
[Meeting at the summit, The Virus and Perdido TRADE PUNCHES!]
Signal: “That ladder doesn’t look stable, Scar. It’s wobbling with every shot!”
Black Scar: “Ídolo is a little over 200 pounds. Venganza is a solid 270 - it’s an uneven load!”
[They stop slugging, however, and look down.]
[Aranza grabs the ladder and PUSHES—]
[PERDIDO FALLS INTO THE ROPES!]
[VENGANZA LANDS ON HIS FEET…]
[PARTING SHOT - SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK BY ARANZA!]
[PADRE STUMBLES INTO THE ROPES, PUNCHDRUNK—]
[BLUNT FORCE FREAKIN’ TRAUMA!]
Signal: “Venganza hits a superkick on pure instinct!”
Black Scar: “They just knocked each other out!”
[FIVE!]
Signal: “The path is clear for the next entrant!”
[FOUR!]
[The audience counts in unison.]
[THREE!]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#4 RAM JAM
[♩Bad Medicine, Baby doses the sound system.]
[Purple and red lights bathe The Temple like a nightclub. Bluesy riffs accompany Ram Jam’s arrival. He emerges through smoke with a shimmering cape, nodding to the beat.]
[Rolling into the ring, he holds up the horns, then unfastens his cape.]
[Brown Sugar rolls his hips excitedly, strutting his stuff, before pointing at the ladder, to a pop. He fixes the hardware and hurriedly clambers up!]
Black Scar: “Ram Jam is gonna steal it!”
[VENGANZA SNATCHES THE LADDER AWAY!]
[…]
[RAM JAM DANGLES FROM THE CARABINER CLIP!]
[The fans pop big as The Groove-ador kicks his legs and swings pendulously.]
[He realises, however, that this is perfect, and starts fumbling with the clasp!]
Signal: “Ram Jam has the opportunity of a lifetime at his fingertips!”
Black Scar: “What the—!?”
[ARANZA IS ON VENGANZA’S SHOULDERS!]
[PADRE WALKS HER UP TO RAM JAM!]
[SHE GRABS HIS LEG—]
[ELECTRIC AVENUE!]
[RAM JAM DOOMSDAY DEVICES HER WITH HIS SIGNATURE CLOTHESLINE!]
Black Scar: “ARANZA JUST GOT TURNED INSIDE-OUT!”
[Landing safely, Ram Jam is back on his feet. He turns to fetch the ladder—]
[But Perdido brandishes it at him!]
[The Psychedelic Ram spins round…]
[Venganza wields ANOTHER ladder!]
[With two ladder-toting adversaries gunning for him, Ram does the only thing he can…]
Signal: “He’s… DANCING!?”
[Swaggering steps, head nodding, Ram Jam loses himself to the rhythm—]
[ÍDOLO CHARGES…]
[RAM SIDE-STEPS HIM!]
[VENGANZA NEXT—]
[RAM DODGES IT!]
[Padre and Perdido BOTH SWING WITH THEIR HARDWARE…]
Black Scar: “Ram Jam SHAKE, RATTLES, and ROLLS like a freakin' Jedi!”
Signal: “He's JIMI JAMMIN’!”
[Ram punches BETWEEN the ladder rungs - flooring his attackers, who drop their weapons!]
[FIVE!]
[FOUR!]
Crowd: “THREE! TWO! ONE!”
#5 DOLLY DAYDREAM
[♩Dollhouse Rumble playfully sings across the speakers.]
[Neon lights flash throughout The Temple - this one is for the kids! Dolly Daydream skips down the aisle, slapping hands with anyone who will indulge her.]
[She skips around the ringside area, weaving between unused ladders, before rolling into the ring.]
Black Scar: “I’m not sure Dolly appreciates the gravity of this match!”
Signal: “Don’t count her out - we know she’s a fighter!”
[A bemused Ram Jam throws up the horns and invites Dolly to do the same.]
[She looks at the fans uncertainly, who give a mixed reaction…]
[The playful luchadora obliges, and they both hold up the horns to a pop!]
[…]
[ELECTRIC AVENUE!]
[NO!]
[DAYDREAM GRABS THE ARM TO BLOCK THE SNEAKY CLOTHESLINE!]
[RIPCORD KNEE - OFF WITH IT!]
[The diminutive Dolly picks up one of the fallen ladders…]
[Aranza, Venganza, and Perdido get back to their feet.]
[Good Golly Miss Dolly stands before them with the ladder resting on her shoulders, her head poking through the rungs!]
[They look at each other.]
[Dolly giggles.]
Dolly Daydream: “Wanna play?”
[THE VIRUS CHARGES—]
[CRACK!]
[ARANZA STRIKES—]
[THUD!]
[RAM IS UP, AND HE RUSHES HER—]
[SMACK!]
Black Scar: “Dolly is playing HELICOPTER with that ladder!”
[Wait, where’s Ídolo?]
Signal: “Cinema’s Final Devotee is admiring the carnage!”
[Indeed, Perdido watches Dolly, transfixed, squaring his hands to frame the action!]
Black Scar: “He’s… Applauding her!?”
[Daydream blinks in confusion as Ídolo shows his appreciation for her action sequence.]
[CRACK!]
[SHE BRAINS HIM ANYWAY!]
Black Scar: “HA! I love it, Siggy!”
Signal: “There are no lasting friendships in this match - only steel and glory!”
[The Dreamer lifts the ladder off her shoulders, looks up at the gleaming briefcase, then sets it up and starts to climb!]
[FIVE!]
[FOUR!]
Black Scar: “I don’t think the next entrant can get there in time!”
[THREE!]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#6 BLACKHAND MORETTI
[♩Moretti’s March comes heavy to the speakers.]
[The lights dim for the arrival of Blackhand Moretti. He steps onto the stage, cracking his neck.]
[The Boss snaps his fingers.]
Signal: “What’s going on!?”
[TWO SURLY MEN IN LEATHER JACKETS HOP THE BARRIER AND STORM THE RING!]
Signal: “That’s FREDDY FINGERS and TONY KNUCKLES - MORETTI’S GOONS!”
[THE MADE-MEN GLARE UP AT DOLLY, WHO LOOKS DOWN AT THEM WARILY!]
Black Scar: “Do ya think Dolly Daydream knows about stranger danger!?”
[KNUCKLES AND FINGERS STEP TOWARDS THE LADDER–]
[DOLLY DAYDREAM SHRUGS, THEN DIVES OFF!]
[A CROSSBODY TAKES THEM BOTH OUT!]
Signal: “THE HIT FAILED! THEY MISSED THEIR MARK - BUT DOLLY DIDN’T MISS HERS!”
[The crowd pops as Moretti runs his hands over his mask on the ramp - this is not going to plan!]
[Backup Ruleadors file out from backstage. They check on the downed goons, then usher them outta there.]
[Padre Del La Venganza looks at the bodies strewn about, then at the briefcase swaying gently overhead.]
[He starts climbing, and Blackhand starts racing!]
Signal: “Yeah, get your own damn hands dirty, Moretti!”
[At that moment, Aranza rolls into the ring. Kneeling, still groggy, she grabs the discarded ladder. She looks up at Padre, spots Moretti in her periphery, then props her ladder against the other one.]
[Moretti shoots in under the ropes–]
[BLACKHAND RUNS UP THE SECOND LADDER!]
[HE SPRINGBOARDS OFF–]
[CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL TO VENGANZA!]
[BOTH MEN HIT THE DECK!]
Signal: “THE VIRUS IS SLEEPIN’ WITH THE FISHES!”
[Aranza nods to herself. She set the trap beautifully, and Moretti knew what to do. Not bad for a two-bit gangster…]
[FIVE!]
[FOUR!]
Black Scar: “Only two entrants left, Sig!”
[THREE!]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#7 GLITTER
[♩Venomous Touch caresses the sound system.]
[The lights dim, and a purple spotlight hits the entranceway. Glitter steps out.]
[Silver and purple pyro rains down on them as they make their way to the ring. Ruleadors insist that the Toys leave ringside, as Freddy Fingers & Tony Knuckles are carted past them. Glitter nods at them, and they leave.]
Black Scar: “I don’t wanna know how Glitter plans to use these ladders, Sig!”
Signal: “I’ve got a feeling it’ll be more sadism than masochism for this one, Scar!”
[Glitter slides into the ring and thrusts at the canvas.]
[Aranza gets to her feet. Ram Jam throws his horns back into the mix. Finally, El Ídolo Perdido enters stage left.]
[The sight of the latter unlocks something primal in Glitter.]
[The Sinful One and The Aristocrat of the Mask tangle in a frenzy of fists, pulling each other’s hair and knocking into the ladders, toppling them!]
[Ram Jam points his horns at Aranza–]
[PSYCHEDELIC HEADBUTT!?]
[SHE DUCKS!]
[FISH HOOK, RIPCORD, ROLLING ELBOW - CATCH & RELEASE!]
[The blow sends Ram through the ropes. La Cazadora de Màscaras pursues her prey. She grabs a surplus ladder at ringside, shuts it, then rests it between the ring apron and the barricade.]
Signal: “She’s spinning the web, Scar. What does she have in store for the fly?”
[Aranza turns back to The Groove-ador…]
[RAM JAM JUMPS UP OVER HER HEAD–]
[POP-UP SIT-OUT SLAM!]
[CRACK!]
[PURPLE HAZE ONTO THE LADDER BRIDGE!]
[In the ring, Glitter bounces off the ropes towards Perdido…]
[BIG BOOT! GLITTER RUBS THEIR HEEL IN ÍDOLO’S FACE!]
[PERDIDO JUST BOARDED THE BUKKAKE BULLET TRAIN!]
[Glitter grabs one of the fallen ladders. They lean it against the turnbuckles, then turn back—]
[FIVE!]
Black Scar: “There’s only one entrant left, but is Lux Bellator even able to make it out here!?”
[FOUR!]
Signal: “It’d be nothing short of a miracle if he does, Scar!”
[THREE!]
[Glitter readies themselves…]
[TWO!]
[ONE!]
#8 LUX BELLATOR ?
[♩Lightkeeper beams out from the sound system.]
Signal: “Is he here!?”
[Strobing white, gold, and purple lights illuminate the entranceway.]
Black Scar: “Normally, this is where he flies down like an angel…”
[…]
[Nothing.]
[Nobody.]
[Lightkeeper cuts off, and the fans boo in disappointment.]
Signal: “We can’t be surprised, folks - even if Bellator were here, there’s no way he’d be fit to compete!”
Black Scar: “Looks like it’ll be seven Invaders, Sig!”
[Glitter sneers, turning back to Perdido.]
[They hoist him up—]
[BUCKLE BOMB INTO THE UNFORGIVING STEEL!]
[THUD!]
Signal: “That just might be the nastiest GLITTER BOMB we’ve seen!”
[Ídolo slumps down in the corner.]
[Glitter braces themselves on the ropes, licking their lips hungrily. They charge in—]
[PONY SHOW!]
[Wait - Perdido rolls out of harm’s way…]
[THE BRONCO BUSTER MISSES!]
[CRACK!]
[GLITTER CROTCHES THEMSELVES ON THE RUNGS OF THE LADDER!]
[The crowd groans as Glitter’s jaw hangs open, their eyes bulging. Hey, wait…]
[They’re… GYRATING!?]
Black Scar: “That sick freak enjoyed that!?”
[The groan turns into laughter as the conscious competitors share a disconcerted gaze at Glitter, leaving them to it.]
[Dolly Daydream, Blackhand Moretti, Venganza, and Ram Jam roll into the ring. A fallen ladder acts as the proverbial line in the sand between them.]
[They all look upwards, mesmerised by the briefcase and what it means for the person who grabs it.]
[Dolly and Venganza race towards the others—]
[RAM JAM SLAM!]
[WHACKED!]
[CRACK, SMACK!]
[STEREO SPINEBUSTERS ONTO THE LADDER BY RAM JAM AND MORETTI!]
[Their eyes meet, and they raise their eyebrows, nodding at each other’s handiwork.]
[Moretti looks over Ram’s shoulder. Before the horned luchador has time to react, however–]
[ARANZA LIFTS HIM FROM BEHIND ON HER SHOULDERS!]
Black Scar: “Look at the strength of Aranza!”
Signal: “Ram Jam has a hundred pounds on her!”
[KNEELING ELECTRIC CHAIR DRIVER ONTO THE LADDER!]
[CRACK!]
Signal: “That’s THE CULL - and I think she just about CULLED Ram Jam!”
[Blackhand laughs at Ram Jam’s demise.]
[He then shoves Aranza through the ropes and to the floor!]
[Moretti backs up…]
[NO, DON’T!]
[NO–]
[I.C.E. CURB STOMP TO RAM JAM ONTO THE GODDAMN LADDER!]
[BANG!]
Black Scar: “That sounded like a freakin’ shotgun blast!”
[Ram Jam lies motionless as Moretti stands over him. He looks at the crowd and draws his thumb across his throat, to a chorus of boos!]
[With multiple carcasses lying on the downed ladder, The Don of Destruction boots Glitter to the side and snatches the one which rests against the corner.]
[He sets the ladder up and starts to climb.]
[Midway up, however—]
[HE SLIPS!?]
[BLACKHAND’S JAW CLATTERS OFF THE LADDER!]
[HIS HEAD SNAPS BACK AND HE FALLS TO THE MAT!]
Signal: “What gives!?”
Black Scar: “Look at Glitter! What are they holding!?”
[In the corner, Glitter laughs to themselves - they’re holding empty sachets of LUBE in their hands!]
Black Scar: “That deviant, Glitter, lubricated the ladder! What is this, Home Alone!?”
[Aranza slides back into the ring. Returning Moretti’s laugh, she wrestles the dry ladder from under those lying on it–whilst Ruleadors remove the lubed-up ladder–then positions it under the briefcase and scales it…]
Signal: “Imagine having a huntress with a guaranteed shot gunning for you, Scar!”
[SHE REACHES FOR THE BRIEFCASE–]
[LIGHTS OUT!]
Signal: “What's this!?”
Black Scar: “Did Marvolo forget to pay the energy bill? The prices are skyrocketing, Sig!”
[LIGHTS ON!]
Signal: “What’s he doing here!?”
[SANTIAGO DEL TORO STANDS OPPOSITE ARANZA ON THE LADDER!]
[The crowd pops as Aranza tilts her Aztec-patterned head, unsure what to think–]
[GOOZLE - DEL TORO GRABS HER BY THE THROAT!]
[He pulls her in close, touching his white skull visage…]
[CHOKESLAAAAAAAAM!]
[WAIT–]
[ARANZA CORRECTS HERSELF MID-AIR!?]
[METEORRRAAA TO THE BACK OF GLITTER’S HEAD!]
[SHE LANDS ON HER FEET!]
Signal: “Aranza with THE DEADFALL from above!”
Black Scar: “She’s got nine lives and cat-like reflexes, Sig!”
[LIGHTS OFF!]
[...]
[LIGHTS ON, AND DEL TORO IS GONE!]
[JUST THE SOUND OF A CAPE FLUTTERING!]
[A hand spins Aranza round–]
[IMPLANT DDT!]
[PORCELAIN SHATTER BY DOLLY DAYDREAM!]
[No sooner does she stand, however…]
[RUNNING KNEE STRIKE, THEN A SNAP LEG SWEEP!]
[EL ÍDOLO PERDIDO FLOORS HER WITH THE FINAL FRAME!]
[Surveying the devastation, Perdido’s eyes settle on the upright ladder. He starts the ascent!]
Signal: “Perdido is going to do it! There’s nobody to stop him!”
[The auteur, though, has other ideas. He glances from the briefcase to Moretti’s limp body. He frames the shot with his hands, then nods, entranced…]
[ELBOW DROP FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!]
[ASH TO ASH, DUST TO DUST - FADE TO BLACK!]
[Perdido drives the POINT of his elbow into the HEART of Moretti, who convulses on the mat.]
Signal: “That was a picture-perfect elbow drop, Scar! Perdido will be immortalised in every highlight reel for the rest of time in OSW!”
Black Scar: “And that’s exactly what he wants - to be immortalised on celluloid!”
[Ram Jam, Padre, and Glitter rejoin the chaos with ladders of their own - bringing the total to FOUR!]
Black Scar: “They have enough ladders to open their own hardware store!”
[A melee ensues, with ladders clacking off of each other, and wrists being reduced to powder!]
[Venganza gets the upper-hand, disarming the heathens.]
[DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE WITH THE LADDER!]
[Felling the non-believers, Black Heart clears some space, sets up the ladder, then climbs.]
Signal: “That briefcase will be the vector which allows The Virus to take over!”
Black Scar: "We've witnessed the damage he can cause. Who'll be the vaccination to his sickness!?"
[Venganza’s fingertips brush the case—]
[LIGHTS OUT!]
[!?]
Signal: “Again!?”
Black Scar: “Is Del Toro back for round two!?”
[The crowd murmurs with excitement…]
[...]
#8 LUX BELLATOR ?
[♩LIGHTKEEPER HITS THE SPEAKERS!]
[NO WAY!]
[NO WAY IN HELL!]
[YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN’ ME!]
[LIGHTS ON—]
[LUX FREAKIN’ BELLATOR IS ON THE LADDER, OPPOSITE VENGANZA!]
[BIBLICAL POP!]
Black Scar: “VENGANZA LOOKS LIKE HE’S SEEN A GHOST, SIG!”
Signal: “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT - LUX BELLATOR HAS RISEN!”
[Whites of his eyes visible, Lux holds his arms out in a crucifix pose, complete with bloody, bandaged palms!]
[HE GRABS HOLD OF PADRE, WHO BEGS OFF!]
Signal: “BELLATOR IS READY TO STRIKE WITH GREAT VENGEANCE AND FURIOUS ANGER!”
[NO - BLACK MIST, BLACK MIST!]
Black Scar: “Lux just came down with a VIRAL INFECTION!”
[Gritting his teeth against the burning pain in his eyes, Lux DOESN’T let go of Venganza, who desperately pulls away!]
Signal: “Wait, what is he doing!?”
[...]
Black Scar: “CANADIAN FREAKIN’ DESTROYER OFF THE LADDER!”
Signal: “LUX HITS THE DISCIPLE MAKER FROM THE HEAVENS THEMSELVES!”
Crowd: “HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT!”
[The impact topples the ladder. Amongst the human and steel wreckage, the other contenders look on in disbelief.]
[Aranza, Dolly, and Moretti seize their chance. Grabbing one ladder apiece, they set them up independently of each other.]
[Unbeknownst to them, Perdido grabs the fourth and final ladder. He, too, sets it up.]
[They all start to climb, but their bruised and battered bodies are flagging…]
Signal: “Look at Ídolo!”
[The Leading Man of The Temple reaches the summit first - but he’s too far away!]
[Wait…]
[HE STEPS FROM ONE LADDER TO THE NEXT!]
[The ladder wobbles under him, but Aranza keeps it anchored - none the wiser!]
[PERDIDO STEPS ACROSS TO THE NEXT LADDER!]
[As before, Dolly Daydream inadvertently holds it steady!]
Black Scar: “ÍDOLO IS PLAYING STEPPING-STONES WITH THE LADDERS!”
[PERDIDO MAKES IT TO THE FINAL LADDER!]
[MORETTI HAS NO IDEA!]
[GLITTER DIVES INTO ACTION, TOPPLING ALL THE LADDERS—]
[BLACKHAND, DAYDREAM, AND ARANZA FALL TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!]
[ÍDOLO, HOWEVER, CLINGS TO THE CARABINER CLIP!]
Signal: “That clip already held Ram Jam’s weight earlier - has that weakened its tensile strength!?”
[Perdido frantically fumbles with the clasp which holds the briefcase!]
[Either side of him, Ram Jam and Glitter reset two of the fallen ladders.]
[THEY’RE COMING RIGHT FOR HIM!]
Black Scar: “DO OR DIE, ÍDOLO!”
[RAM AND GLITTER REACH FOR HIM!]
[…]
[PERDIDO LEAPS—]
[LONG TAKE DIVING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE OUTSIDE!]
[HE TAKES OUT ARANZA, DAYDREAM, AND MORETTI AT RINGSIDE!]
Signal: “That was the LONGEST TAKE in the history of film!”
[In the ring, Ram and Glitter look at each other, the briefcase hanging between them.]
[RAM JAM LEANS ACROSS–]
[GLITTER DIVES INTO HIM WITH A HIP ATTACK!]
[RAM JAM HITS THE MAT BELOW–]
[AND… AND!?]
[GLITTER FALLS ASS-FIRST ON TOP OF RAM JAM’S FACE!]
[THE HORNS!]
[MY GOD, THE HORNS!]
Signal: “That’s some ASS-TO-MOUTH action for Glitter!”
Black Scar: “I think Glitter just gave themselves a colonoscopy!”
[Glitter slumps to the side, a mixture of agony and ecstasy on their face!]
[One ladder falls into the ropes. One remains upright.]
[Lux Bellator comes to. He may be the freshest man in this match, but he’s far from fresh.]
[Having endured a literal crucifixion earlier in the night, he may never walk the same after hitting that flip-piledriver off the ladder!]
[He stares up at the briefcase - or perhaps to the Lord himself, praying for strength...]
[Climbing the ladder, blood seeps through his bandages and dribbles down the metal legs.]
Signal: “What a fairytale ending this would be for Lux Bellator tonight! Can he do it!?”
[Venganza refuses to die, like a drug-resistant Virus!]
[Padre climbs up after him.]
Black Scar: “What else can these men do to one another!?”
[Lux reaches for the briefcase—]
[VENGANZA GRABS HIS HANDS AND SQUUUEEEZES!]
[BELLATOR SCREAMS IN PAIN!]
[DROPLETS OF BLOOD FALL TO THE CANVAS!]
[PADRE IS TORTURING HIM BY MANIPULATING THOSE PUNCTURE WOUNDS!]
Signal: “That sick son of a bitch!”
[Everyone limps and staggers back into the ring. Dolly and Glitter are the last to recover, slowly standing.]
[The group looks up at Venganza and Lux duelling atop the ladder.]
[VENGANZA OVERPOWERS BELLATOR!]
[The Light Warrior bows his head, his bandages dangling from his hands which are now slick with blood!]
Black Scar: “Venganza is going to end Bellator once and for all!”
[Hatred burning in his eyes, Padre grabs Lux’s head in the crook of his arm–]
[STUNNER FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!]
[SHADOW CONTAG—NO!]
[LUX CHOKES HIM FROM BEHIND WITH HIS BANDAGES!]
[VENGANZA WRITHES AS HE STRUGGLES TO BREATHE!]
Signal: “Surely Lux isn’t going to hang the man!?”
[PADRE’S EYES ROLL BACK…]
[BELLATOR RELEASES HIM—]
[HIS LIMP BODY FALLS INTO THE OTHER SIX!]
[THEY DON’T GO DOWN!]
[LUX DIGS DEEP…]
Black Scar: “What is he thinking!?”
[...]
[ANGEL WINGS!]
[ANGEL WINGS FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!]
[LUX BELLATOR DIVES OFF, A SACRIFICIAL LAMB, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED!]
[HE CRASHES INTO THE OTHERS!]
[EVERYONE IS DOWN!]
[EVERYONE, THAT IS, EXCEPT DOLLY DAYDREAM!]
[The Dreamer stands tall, having broken away from the others just in time.]
Signal: “It looks like playtime is finally over, Scar!”
Black Scar: “Dolly used those ladders like toys, and now she's gonna have a toy briefcase!”
[Exhausted, body crying out in pain, Dolly slowly climbs the ladder. She looks down at her friends, whose bodies litter her playground, then at the briefcase...]
[SHE REACHES OUT AND UNHOOKS IT!]
Signal: “DOLLY DAYDREAM IS YOUR INVASION 2026 WINNER!”
Winner of Invasion 2026: Dolly Daydream
The Black Parade
[Ringside — the Invasion match has just ended. Dolly has fallen from the ladder in exhaustion, hugging her briefcase.]
[The ring is chaos. Bodies everywhere. Luchadors draped over ropes, sprawled across canvas, barely moving.]
[The crowd is alive — roaring, chanting, celebrating the aftermath.]
[Then—]
[The lights go out.]
[Not a fade. Not a dim.]
[Gone.]
[Complete darkness swallows the Temple.]
[The noise of the crowd falters, then collapses into uneasy murmuring.]
[Silence creeps in.]
[Then— a single sound.]
[A guitar string.]
[Soft. Fragile. Almost hesitant.]
[Another follows.]
[Then another.]
[The melody of Grief Walk begins to form, drifting through the darkness like something remembered rather than heard.]
[Underneath it… something else.]
[Whimpers.]
[Mourning.]
[Soft, layered crying — not coming from one place, but everywhere.]
Signal: "…what is this?"
Black Scar: "I don’t like this… I really don’t like this. I feel... "
Signal: "Sad."
[The sound builds—not louder, but heavier.]
[The kind of sound that presses against the chest.]
[Then—]
[The lights return.]
[And the world is wrong.]
[Every trace of colour has been stripped away.]
[The ring. The crowd. The banners.]
[All grayscale. Flat. Lifeless.]
[The energy is gone with it.]
[Fans sit still. Some clutch their faces. Some cry openly, unable to explain why.]
Signal: "Why does everything look like this…? Why do I feel... like this?"
Black Scar: "It’s like the life’s been sucked out of the building."
[In the center of the ring—]
[A man sits on a chair]
[Scruffy. Hollow. Head bowed.]
[A black guitar rests across his lap.]
[His fingers gently finish the final notes of Grief Walk.]
[The last chord lingers unnaturally long.]
[He lifts his head.]
[His eyes are heavy. Empty.]
Silas: "My name… is Silas."
[A breath.]
Silas: "The Sorrow."
[The words don’t echo.]
[They sink.]
Signal: "…I don’t feel right."
[Blackhand Moretti stirs.]
[He forces himself up, shaking his head violently, trying to shake the feeling off.]
Blackhand Moretti: "Enough of this—!"
[He charges.]
Black Scar: "That’s Moretti— he’s not buying into whatever this is!"
[Silas rises from the chair slowly.]
[No rush. No urgency.]
[He swings the guitar.]
[CRACK.]
[The impact drops Moretti instantly.]
[A thick black residue smears across his mask where the guitar struck.]
[The guitar doesn’t break.]
Signal: "He just dropped Moretti with a guitar!"
Black Scar: "And the damn thing didn’t even crack…"
[Ram Jam stumbles into the ring.]
[But the groove is gone.]
[His shoulders are slumped. Tears stream down his face.]
Ram Jam: "…why… why does it feel like this…?"
[He reaches for the guitar.]
[Grabs it.]
[Pulls.]
[Nothing.]
[It doesn’t move.]
Signal: "He can’t lift it!"
[Ram Jam tries again, panicking.]
[Still nothing.]
[Silas lets go.]
[The guitar stays exactly where it is.]
Black Scar: "That ain’t weight… that’s something else."
[Ram Jam looks up—]
[Silas is already moving.]
[One step.]
[One motion.]
[He drives Ram Jam into the mat with brutal precision.]
[THE KILL!]
Black Scar: "Paydirt!"
[Ram Jam lies motionless.]
[The sadness deepens. Thicker. Heavier.]
[Then—]
[Glitter enters the ring.]
[And something changes.]
[They are untouched by the atmosphere.]
[They walk through the sorrow like it doesn’t apply to them.]
Signal: "Glitter… doesn’t look affected at all."
Black Scar: "That’s because whatever this is… it ain’t built for something like them."
[Glitter circles Silas slowly.]
[Curious. Studying.]
[Silas stares back.]
[Empty. Unmoving.]
[The two stand in silence.]
[A strange equilibrium.]
[Then—]
[Glitter bends, lifting the unconscious Dolly Daydream into their arms.]
[No words.]
[No reaction.]
[They leave.]
Signal: "They just… took Dolly and walked out."
[Silas remains in the center of the ring.]
[Alone.]
[The guitar hums softly in his hands.]
[The arena remains drained of colour.]
[The sound that lingers is no longer music—]
[It is a quiet, collective grief.]
Signal: "I… I don’t like this."
Black Scar: "…No."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "Neither do I."
[The camera slowly pushes in on Silas.]
[Still. Silent. Watching nothing.]
[The crying continues.]
[Cut.]