Ring of Dreams XII

Custodians I

[Wrr.]

[Click.]

[Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.]

[Cold Open.]

[INT. OFFICE – MANHATTAN, NEW YORK – DAY.]

[Rain lashes against the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline. The office is immaculate, furnished with dark oak, leather chairs and a desk positioned to command the city below. Everything about the room speaks of quiet authority.]

[Marvolo stands alone beside the desk, checking his watch before looking around the empty office with growing irritation.]

Marvolo: "You summon me halfway across bodies of water... and you don't even have the decency to meet me yourselves."

[Silence answers him. Only the rain taps against the glass.]

[The office door opens without fanfare. Marvolo turns to find a familiar face standing in the doorway. Gone are the shadows that concealed him in Molvania. His unmistakable spiked hair immediately identifies him as the mysterious figure Marvolo met in secret all those months ago.]

[The Sharkman.]

[Sharkman quietly closes the door behind him before approaching.]

The Sharkman: "It's been a long time since we last met in the shadows."

[Marvolo studies him for a moment before offering a faint nod.]

Marvolo: "Longer than either of us expected. I thought that might be a good thing, all things considered."

[Sharkman glances out across the rain-soaked skyline.]

The Sharkman: "The last time we trulym stood together, we were trying to save Old School Wrestling."

[He pauses, the weight of old memories settling between them.]

The Sharkman: "...Trying to save the world from the Revenants."

[Marvolo's expression hardens at the name.]

The Sharkman: "Back then... they called us the Watchmen."

[Neither man speaks for several seconds.]

[Instead, Sharkman reaches inside his coat and removes a thick manila folder. He places it carefully on the desk between them before sliding it towards Marvolo.]

[Stamped across the front in bold black lettering are the words:]

[PERFORMANCE REVIEW.]

[Marvolo lowers his eyes to the file before looking back at Sharkman.]

Marvolo: "So you're not here as an old friend."

[Sharkman slowly shakes his head.]

The Sharkman:"No. Like I said, that was the last time we stood together. We're not stood together anymore, Marv."

[His voice loses any trace of nostalgia.]

The Sharkman: "I'm here on behalf of the Custodians - it is them whom I stand with."

[He gently taps the file with two fingers.]

The Sharkman: "And today, Marvolo... I'm here to conduct your performance review."

[For the first time since entering the room, Marvolo's confidence falters. His hand comes to rest on the folder, but he doesn't open it.]

[Cut.]

Game On, Maggot!

[Continued from Last Week.]

[INT. ARCADE ROOM – BACKSTAGE.]

[The CandyCrusher cabinet lies in splintered ruins across the floor, its screen black and lifeless. Standing beside it is a new machine. Taller. Darker. Its cabinet seems to absorb the light around it. Across the marquee, blood-red lettering flickers into life.]

[THE HOLLOW.]

[PixelShift is thrown violently through the doorway, skidding across the concrete before crashing into the base of the machine.]

[Before he can recover, Warlord Mars stomps into the room behind him.]

[Every footstep sounds like artillery.]

Pixelshift: "Mars, don't! Listen to me!"

[He scrambles backwards, pointing desperately at the cabinet.]

Pixelshift: "This level isn't like Skybound or CandyCrusher!"

[Mars spits onto the floor.]

Warlord Mars: "GOOD!"

[He stomps towards PixelShift.]

Warlord Mars: "Thought I wanted another kiddy game, did ya, Puke?!"

[Mars grabs him by the throat with one hand and effortlessly hauls him into the air.]

Warlord Mars: "Whole week you've been squealin'!"

[He mockingly imitates PixelShift.]

Warlord Mars: "'Mars, don't go! Mars, it's scary!'"

[He bursts into laughter.]

Warlord Mars: "Scary?!"

[Mars snarls.]

Warlord Mars: "I GREW UP IN THE END TIMES, MAGGOT!"

[He shakes PixelShift violently.]

Warlord Mars: "Ash blocked out the sun! Every day was WAR! Every meal had ta FIGHT BACK!"

[He throws PixelShift into the Hollow cabinet.]

[CRASH!]

Warlord Mars: "An' you think some nerd-box is gonna scare ME?!"

[Respawn remains beside his keyboard.]

[For the first time since PixelShift met him, the coder looks genuinely uneasy.]

Respawn: "Mars... I don't recommend this."

[Mars wheels around.]

Warlord Mars: "I didn't ask fer yer recommendation, NERD!"

[He points at the machine.]

Warlord Mars: "Boot it up!"

[Mars grins.]

Warlord Mars: "NOW!"

[Respawn reluctantly presses ENTER.]

[The screen explodes into static.]

[An enormous rusted asylum door slowly materialises.]

[It creaks open.]

[Darkness waits beyond.]

[Mars throws PixelShift over his shoulder.]

Pixelshift: "Mars, please!"

[Mars laughs.]

Warlord Mars: "QUIT BEGGIN', MAGGOT!"

[He turns to Respawn.]

Warlord Mars: "I won't be long. I'm gonna show this Hollow what REAL WAR looks like."

[The cabinet emits a deafening digital scream.]

[A pulse of white light consumes both men.]

[They vanish.]

[Respawn stares at the now-empty room.]

[PLAYER ONE]

[PLAYER TWO]

[CONNECTED.]

[Pixelshift lands in the center of the pixelated asylum, trying to get his bearings when the door behind him begins to shake!]

[THUD! THUD! THUD!]

[WARLORD MARS KICKS THE DOOR OFF ITS HINGES RIGHT INTO PIXELSHIFT!]

Warlord Mars: "HEREEEEEEEE'S MARS!"

[Mars flexes, showing off his 8Bit muscle before rushing towards the rising Pixelshift and slamming into him belly first! Player One gets toppled over, barely able to get back to his feet as Mars gleefully wraps a meaty hand around Pixelshift's head to drag him face first across the stone walls lining the Hollow!]

Warlord Mars: "I'M PUTTING YOU TO BED!"

{The Warlord forces Pixelshift up, Biel tossing him towards one of the patient beds! Pixelshift bounces onto the bed and right into the air! He lands on the bed again, getting his balance and bouncing back at Mars with a jaw shattering dropkick!]

Pixelshift: "Without my bedtime story?"

[The kick sends Mars stumbling back and Pixelshift grabs the bed, ramming it towards Mars and sending it colliding right into the monster's midsection!]

[But Mars stops the bed in its tracks.]

Warlord Mars: "I said... BED TIME!"

[WARLORD MARS HEFTS THE BED UP AND BRINGS IT DOWN ON TOP OF PIXELSHIFT'S HEAD!]

[CRUNCH!]

[THE BLOW SENDS PIXELSHIFT DOWN THROUGH THE FLOOR!]

[Mars leaps down the hole to follow, landing in the shock therapy room! The War Bringer scans the room for Pixelshift, wandering towards the table in the center of the room.]

[WHEN PIXELSHIFT POPS UP BEHIND HIM WITH A WOODEN BOARD TO THE SKULL!]

[The blow sends him clattering into the table and Pixelshift wastes no time in grabbing the electric nodes and bringing them right to Mars' skull!]

[BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!]

[WAVES OF ELECTRICITY SHOOT THROUGH WARLORD MARS! HIS SKELETON APPEARING WITH EVERY LAST SHOCK!]

[Smoke lines begin coming off of Mars as the jolts cook his pixels to a medium rare! Mars reaches behind him with jittery hands, grabbing hold of Pixelshift and flinging him overhead onto the metal table! Pixelshift bounces off with a dull thud and Mars angrily looks around for a new weapon.]

[Until he spots a pipe on the wall.]

[Mars grabs the pipe, wrenching with two big pulls before yanking it off into his hands! He looks at Pixelshift, readying the weapon in his hands.]

Warlord Mars: "BATTER UP!"

[MARS RUNS AT PIXELSHIFT AND SWINGS!]

[PING!]

[PIXELSHIFT GETS SENT SAILING ACROSS THE LEVEL AND THROUGH A WALL AT THE FAR END!]

[Pixelshift lands in a pile of rubble, his HP bar faltering at the top of the screen as he wearily tries to stand back to his feet.]

[The whole screen shakes violently as Mars stomps towards Player One, Pixelshift back stepping to keep his distance when he smacks back first into a cabinet! He quickly searches through it before pulling out a spray bottle!]

Pixelshift: "First Aid spray. Way better than green herbs."

[Pixelshift spritzes himself with the spray, his health bar slowly refilling! He tosses the can away and searches for a moment more before grabbing a syringe! He jabs it into his neck as Mars closes in!]

[Only for Pixelshift to get bigger.]

[And Bigger.]

[AND BIGGER!]

[PIXELSHIFT TRANSFORMED INTO A HULKING MASS OF MUSCLE!]

Pixelshift: "SAY HELLO TO GIGASHIFT!"

[Mars swings the pipe but Pixelshift catches it and snaps it in two!]

[ONE UP UPPER CUT! PIXELSHIFT SENDS MARS UP THROUGH THE NEXT FLOOR WITH A MASSIVE BLOW!]

[Pixelshift leaps to the next floor, catching a dazed Mars with a Mega Sized 8-Bit Combo of kicks and chops that send him reeling right into a wheel chair! Pixelshift grabs the back of the chair and begins to roll it down the hall!]

[AND RIGHT INTO A WALL!]

[CRUNCH!]

[GIGAGSHIFT DOESN'T SLOW DOWN! HE'S GOING THE DISTANCE!]

[CRASH!]

[CRASH!]

[CRASH!]

[Walls get turned to rubble as Warlord Mars gets sent careening down a stairwell at the end of the hall! Mars disappears down the staircase and Gigashift looks on with a decorating his visor.]

[Yet Mars HP bar hasn't hit zero.]

[VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!]

[A HAND SHOOTS THROUGH THE FLOOR! PIXELSHIFT GETS DRAGGED DOWN TO THE NEXT FLOOR!]

[Where Mars stands, inexplicably, with a chainsaw.]

Pixelshift: "Who puts a chainsaw in an asylum!?"

[Mars shrugs.]

Warlord Mars: "Blame the developers! BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO MAKE YOU CUT CONTENT!"

[MARS RUSHES PIXELSHIFT WITH THE CHAINSAW! HE DIGS IT RIGHT INTO THE ONE UP WONDER!]

[VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!]

[PIXELS FLY OFF OF PIXELSHIFT AS HIS MUSCLES GET RIPPED AWAY! PIXELSHIFT HAS SHRANK BACK DOWN!]

[The 1UP Wonder is in dire straits as he sinks to his knees. Mars hits him with a stomach churning boot to the skull that sends him sliding across the floor! He revs his chainsaw ominously, walking slowly towards his prey with a chuckle.]

Warlord Mars: "Not so big now, are you, Pixie?!"

[Pixelshift tries to slowly crawl away, pixelated blood trailing behind him as Mars closes the distance and grabs Pixelshift by the leg! He flips him over and revs the chainsaw above his head before driving it downwards onto Player One!]

[The screen freezes!]

[LAG SPIKE! DESPERATION LAG SPIKE CUTTER BY PIXELSHIFT LANDS MARS ON HIS OWN CHAINSAW!]

[Mars screeches in agony as he rips the chainsaw from his stomach and chucks it across the room! He tries to get to his feet but Pixelshift is ready with a massive dropkick to the skull that keeps Mars down! Both men are rationing HP as red pixels continue to flake off of them from the brutal battle.]

[Pixelshift forces Mars to his feet, dragging him towards an elevator shaft at the end of the hall! He wants to finish this!]

[WARHEAD! HEADBUTT BY MARS! THE WARLORD REFUSES TO GO QUIETLY!]

[The blow sends Pixelshift back towards the open shaft! Mars backs up, pounding his chest in a fury before rushing towards Pixelshift!]

Pixelshift: "GET REBOOTED!"

[HARD RESET! LEAPING CODEBREAKER BY PIXELSHIFT! MARS BOUNCES DOWN THE ELEVATOR SHAFT!]

[His HP bar plummets as fast he does, hitting zero has Mars slams the bottom.]

[GAME OVER!]

[PIXELSHIFT WINS!]

Winner & Still Gift of the Gods: Pixelshift

Downfall of Man

[Post-Match.]

[The Hollow begins to collapse around them. The walls of the abandoned asylum split apart as thick cracks race across every surface. Wheelchairs, hospital beds and rusted medical equipment are swallowed by the growing void, whilst the monstrous creatures that stalked the corridors distort into static before disappearing altogether. The entire level tears itself apart in a deafening digital shriek.]

[A violent pulse erupts from the centre of the map.]

[In an instant, both competitors are ripped from the game.]

[The arcade cabinet explodes with light before spitting Warlord Mars and PixelShift back into the real world. They crash heavily onto the concrete floor of the arcade room, breathing hard after surviving the nightmare within.]

[For several long seconds, neither man moves.]

[PixelShift is the first to stir. He winces, rolls onto one knee and looks back towards the cabinet. Its screen is black once more, as though nothing had ever happened.]

Signal:"They made it out..."

Black Scar: "Did they? Because I'm not sure either of them didn't leave a part of themselves in there."

[PixelShift slowly turns towards Mars, who sits against the opposite wall. Despite the cuts across his face and the blood running from his mouth, the giant is smiling.]

[PixelShift cannot comprehend it.]

Pixelshift: "Why?"

[Mars doesn't answer.]

[PixelShift gets to his feet, still shaken by what they've endured.]

Pixelshift: "I warned you about that place. I told you what it would do, and you dragged me in there anyway."

[He shakes his head, genuinely searching for an answer.]

Pixelshift: "Why would you put us through that? Why do you hate me so much?"

[Mars plants a hand on the floor and slowly rises. His battered body protests every movement, but the grin never leaves his face.]

Warlord Mars: "You still don't get it, do ya, maggot?"

[He takes a slow step towards PixelShift.]

Warlord Mars: "This was never about games."

[Another step.]

Warlord Mars: "Where I come from, there ain't no arcades. There ain't no heroes. There ain't no happy endings."

[His eyes lock onto PixelShift's.]

Warlord Mars: "There's war. Every damn day."

[PixelShift frowns.]

Pixelshift: "What are you talking about?"

[Mars' expression hardens.]

Warlord Mars: "I'm talkin' about you."

[He points a thick finger squarely at PixelShift's chest.]

Warlord Mars: "You're the reason."

[A stunned silence fills the room.]

Warlord Mars:"Where I come from, people don't curse monsters. They curse your name."

[PixelShift instinctively takes a step backwards.]

Pixelshift: "That's impossible..."

Warlord Mars: "You think so?"

[Mars lets out a humourless laugh.]

Warlord Mars: "I watched the sky burn. I watched cities fall. I watched people fight over scraps just to live one more day."

[He leans closer, his voice dropping to an angry growl.]

Warlord Mars: "Every road led back to you."

[PixelShift shakes his head repeatedly.]

Pixelshift: "I've never done anything like that."

Warlord Mars: "Not yet."

[Those two words stop PixelShift cold.]

Warlord Mars: "But you will."

[Mars stands to his full height.]

Warlord Mars: "Where I come from, you're remembered as the fucking BOT who destroyed the world. That's why I hate you. That's why I won't stop until I've beaten you into the dirt."

[PixelShift stares at him, unable to find the words.]

[For the first time since meeting Warlord Mars, he realises that none of this has ever been personal hatred.]

[Mars genuinely believes he's trying to save the future.]

Signal: "Mars isn't fighting a rival..."

Black Scar: "He's fighting the man he believes ends the world."

[Neither man takes another step.]

[They simply stand there, separated by two very different versions of the future.]

[Cut.]

Coming Soon

[EXT. EAST LOS ANGELES - NIGHT]

[Fade in.]

[The steady hum of a V8 engine rolls beneath a West Coast G-funk beat as the chrome catches the streetlights from above.]

[A candy-painted Chevy Impala cruises down the streets of East Los Angeles, riding low enough to kiss the pavement. The dash rattles softly with the bass.]

[The apartments sleep. The boulevard doesn't.]

[A mural honoring neighborhood legends stretches across a brick wall untouched. Even the graffiti stops short of it. The mural stands as a truce between rival gangs. Fresh tags crowd the alley beside it. MV. WF. VNE. Every layer fighting to cover the last.]

[A street vendor turns hot dogs on a makeshift cart while smoke curls into the air. Palm trees sway above the streetlights and faded apartment buildings.]

[The Impala drifts past storefronts that have watched three generations grow up.]

[Inside the driver rests one hand on the wheel and turns the corner.]

[Flannel pressed, top button fastened over a white ribbed tank. His hand wraps the steering wheel with practiced ease.]

[The mask is unmistakable.]

[Black leather with chrome trim. Burgundy striping flowing across the cheeks like the Impala he drives. Roses stitched into the sides and a gothic LA crest centered above relaxed eyes.]

[The masked man nods to an older man sweeping the sidewalk.]

[The man nods back.]

[Another turn.]

[A teenager throws up a respectful hand sign from the curb.]

[The driver answers with two fingers lifted from the wheel.]

[The bass grows heavier as the lowrider eases beneath an overpass painted with decades of names and vibrant colors.]

[Hydraulics hiss. The front end raises once then settles.]

[For the first time, the masked driver turns his head.]

[He looks directly ahead.]

[His eyes meet the camera.]

[Recognition.]

[Cut to black.]

Cadillac Callejero

El Rey de la Calle

Coming Soon to Old School Wrestling

['Game Over' hits the arena as Dr Cube saunters his way into the temple, methodically pausing to survey the crowd as if calculating his next move. He makes his way down the aisle, his head tilting slowly from side to side as he accounts for every presence in attendance]

Signal: This isn't the first time we've seen this match Scar and it surely won't be the last. Edward Newton vs. Dr Cube was a legendary championship bout back at Invasion and now...

[Before Signal can continue his sentence and just as Cube gets to the bottom of the ramp, he's tackled right into the steel barricade by Edward Newton!]

[The Riddler leaping from the crowd to spear the ever loving shit out of Cube before he mounts him, laying into the Doctor with heavy lefts and rights.]

Black Scar: This ain't your regular Edward Newton here, this isn't the Riddler, this is the Tempest and The Game Master may well have messed up heavily by unleashing him here tonight.

[Cube manages to get a thumb to the eye as he scrambles to his feet but he can barely get a few steps forward before a stiff forearm to the back of the skull rocks him and he's trapped in a headlock]

[RUNNING BULLDOG ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!]

[Cube's skull smacks into the floor, no padding for protection here but Newton isn't giving him even a second, lifting him up to his feet. A few hard knees rock the allready damaged skull of Cube before he's dragged to the ring, but not thrown in. ]

[No, Newton lifts Cube up onto his shoulders, sprinting forward.]

Signal: Cube's skull damn near bounces off the steel post as Newton launches him like a goddamn javalin. Cube may well be out cold and he still has the main event to contend with later.

Black Scar: Forget the main event Siggie, Newton may well make sure Padre wins by forfeit at this rate by putting Cube in the ICU.

[Newton breaths hard, ignoring the ruleador telling them both to get into the ring as he pulls Cube up to his feet, kicking him in the gut before lifting him up high]

[RIDDLE]

[ME]

[THIS]

[Sit Out Piledriver on the fucking concrete!]

Black Scar: Forget the ICU, Newton's trying to put Cube into the goddamn morgue.

[The Riddler composes himself, looking like he's about to get into the ring but as he steps onto the apron, he stops. Shaking his head as he looks down at the struggling Cube, he drops down before peeling the apron up.]

[As Newton looks underneath for a moment before pulling something out].

[A wooden table.]

[The ruleador threatens Newton once more but The Riddler waves him off, setting up the table at ringside before pulling up the near unconcious Cube and placing him ontop of it.]

[Cube tries to fight to his feet but a few hard rights take the fight out of him before Newton climbs onto the apron and onto the top rope.]

Signal: What the hell is he doing now? If he's not careful, this match is going to be thrown out before either man even get into the ring.

[MOONSAULT]

[THROUGH THE TABLE AS DOCTOR CUBE MOVES AT THE LAST MOMENT!]

[The table explodes from impact as Newton crashes down hard onto the concrete, Doctor Cube slowly stumbling to his feet as he stagger rolls through the ropes and into the ring.]

[The ruleador finally calling for the bell as the match officially begins.]

[DING DING DING]

[Cube drops to one knee, breathing heavily, thin droplets of blood oozing down his chest but he's still chuckling to himself as the ruleador begins to count Edward Newton down.]

[ONE]

[TWO]

[THREE]

[FOUR]

Signal: The crowd are restless here Scar, they aren't happy that this match may well end with a whimper

[FIVE]

[SIX]

[Newton is stirring on the outside, getting up on all fours as he pushes aside the shards of wood off him.]

[SEVEN]

[Newton is up to one knee, bleeding from his side where one of the shards impaled him as he breaths hard, staring daggers at Cube.]

[EIGHT]

[Newton stumbles to his feet, trying to walk forward but he drops down to a knee again in pain]

[NINE]

[TE.....]

[NEWTON SPRINTS FORWARD, GETTING INTO THE RING JUST IN TIME!]

Black Scar: For our sakes, this ain't ending on a countout but this match may not last too much longer.]

[Newton slides in to a flurry of hard stomps from Doctor Cube. STOMP STOMP STOMP STOM...Newton catches the fourth one, flipping Cube off his feet as he scrambles on top]

[The Riddler ground and pounding Cube once more but a hard chop to the throat hurts Newton enough for Cube to slip out onto his feet. Cube stumbles up< Newton scrambling to his as he rushes forward with a roar]

[CLOTHESLINE DUCKED UNDER. Newton turns around, ]

[CHECKMATE! Spinning Elbow out of nowhere rocks Newton, the Riddler still on his feet as his arm is bent behind his back. ]

[RUSSIAN ROULETTE! Stiff Hammerlock DDT spikes Newton into the mat, but Newton doesn't get a second to comprehend before a hard knee is dropped onto his back ]

[AND CUBE LOCKS HIM INTO THE PUZZLE LOCK! ]

Signal: Brutal trifecta of moves there, Cube has Newton right where he wants him with that Regal Stretch but I very much doubt the Riddler will tap here.

[Newton screams out, not in pain but in anger as he tries to break the hold but Cube has the submission locked in tight. The Riddler quickly scrambles forward, gripping the ropes with both hands. Doctor Cube reluctantly letting go of the hold.]

[But as he gets up, he delivers a stiff kick to the jaw of Newton before lifting him up high]

[GAME]

[OVER!]

[Package Piledriver hits hard, Newton getting spiked into the mat before Cube rolls him over, hooking both legs as the ruleador drops down to count]

[ONE]

[..............]

[.................]

[TWO]

[................]

[..................]

[...................]

Black Scar: That's it, Doctor Cube has beaten Edward Newton again.

[THRE....]

[...................]

[NEWTON KICKS OUT!]

Signal: Spoke far too soon there Scar.

[Cube is furious, arguing with the ruleador before turning back to Newton, struggling to get back to his feet. Cube bends down, fury in his voice.]

Dr. Cube: Stay down Edward, or else she'll never see your face again.

[Newton spits into Cube's face, the Game Master nodding as he turns]

[As Newton just punches him right in the dick.]

[Cube doubles over, dropping to his knees as The Riddler stands up. Smiling a sinister grin, he rushes to the ropes, bouncing off]

[SHINING WIZARD! Cube gets nailed by the savage strike but he's still up as Newton rushes to the ropes once more]

[SUPERKICK! A SECOND! Newton bounces off the ropes behind Cube]

[A THIRD TO THE BACK OF THE FUCKING HEAD! A Trifecta of Tempest Smites nail Cube but Newton isn't done. He lifts Cube up, cold fury in his eyes.]

Edward Newton: Do you know what happens when you mess with my family Doctor?

[Cube is barely able to sit up let alone comprehend what Newton's saying. ]

Edward Newton: Exactly what happened to the rest of them

[Newton pulls Cube up to his feet, kicking him hard in the gut]

[NEVERMIND! Lifting Implant DDT spikes Doctor Cube into the mat. The Game Master is out cold, Newton hooking both legs for the pinfall as the ruleador drops down to count

[ONE]

[..............]

[.................]

[TWO]

[................]

[..................]

[...................]

[THRE....]

[...................]

[THREE!!!]

Signal: He did it! Edward Newton has finally beaten Doctor Cube and quite unlike the Riddler, he did it for someone else, his family.

Winner: Edward Newton

Needs Must

[Edward Newton is down on one knee. Dr. Cube stands several feet away, World Championship over his shoulder.]

[Luke Storm slides into the ring.]

Signal: "Luke Storm's finally had enough!"

Black Scar: "He’s got business with Dr. Cube tonight!"

[Storm helps Newton to his feet, and the brothers stand shoulder to shoulder.]

[Across from them, Dr. Cube smiles.]

[He slowly raises a microphone.]

Dr. Cube: "Edward, I will be frank. Franker than usual, but needs must. I have an ultimatum."

[Storm immediately snatches the microphone away.]

Luke Storm: "The fuck you do."

[A beat.]

Luke Storm: "We're done. We're tired of your games. Your bullshit. And we're got damn tired of your ultimatums."

[Storm throws the microphone aside, and starts toward Cube. Newton instinctively reaches an arm across his chest, stopping Storm.]

[Cube chuckles, but then he steps forward, within inches of Edward Newton, and lightly places a hand on Edward’s shoulder to lean in and whisper.]

[The cameras can't hear.]

[The crowd can't hear.]

[Only Edward can.]

[Newton's face changes.]

Signal: "...What did he say?"

Black Scar: "I don't know..."

[Newton's breathing becomes shallow.]

[His eyes widen.]

[He slowly backs away from Cube.]

[Emotion floods across his face.]

[Storm notices immediately.]

Luke Storm: "Eddie?"

[Newton doesn't answer.]

[Cube simply nods.]

[Once.]

[Then steps back.]

[Luke reaches for his brother.]

Luke Storm: "Don’t let this fucker get in your…"

[WHAM! NEWTON LEVELS HIS BROTHER WITH A RIGHT HAND!]

Signal: "WHAT?!"

Black Scar: "NO!"

[Storm crashes to the mat. He barely has time to react before Newton is on him.]

[Left.]

[Right.]

[Left.]

[Right.]

Signal: "NEWTON'S LOST HIS MIND!"

Black Scar: "SOMEBODY STOP HIM!"

[Storm covers up.]

Luke Storm: "EDDIE!"

[Newton doesn't stop.]

[He drags Storm back to his feet.]

[RIDDLE ME THIS! STORM IS SPIKED INTO THE CANVAS.]

[Newton stands over him.]

[Breathing heavily.]

[Looking down.]

[His lip trembles.]

[But he doesn't help.]

[He doesn't speak.]

[Dr. Cube turns, and starts walking toward the ropes.]

[But then he stops.]

[Without turning around...]

[He nods.]

[Once.]

[Edward Newton looks at his fallen brother.]

[A long pause.]

[Then he follows.]

Signal: "...No."

Black Scar: "I... I don't understand."

Signal: "Did Dr. Cube just..."

Black Scar: "...What did he whisper?"

[Cube walks calmly up the ramp, with Newton several steps behind.]

[His expression completely blank.]

[Luke Storm slowly rolls onto his side.]

[Watching his brother leave.]

[Unable to comprehend what just happened.]

Signal: "What the hell have we just witnessed?"

Black Scar: "Whatever Cube said..."

[A beat.]

Black Scar: "...it just changed everything."

[Cut.]

Custodians II

[Earlier Today Continued.]

[INT. MANHATTAN OFFICE – DAY.]

[Sharkman leaves the performance review unopened on the desk between them. Neither man sits. The rain outside grows heavier, tapping against the glass as silence lingers. Marvolo waits for the verdict. Sharkman studies him for a long moment before finally speaking.]

The Sharkman: "We entrusted you with bringing Old School Wrestling to Molvania."

[He slowly circles the desk, his fingers brushing across its polished surface.]

The Sharkman: "It wasn't supposed to be a spectacle."

[He shakes his head.]

The Sharkman: "It was supposed to be controlled."

[A beat.]

The Sharkman: "Deliberate."

[His gaze settles on Marvolo.]

The Sharkman: "The Temple was meant to be neutral ground."

[Marvolo's jaw tightens.]

The Sharkman: "When you failed to recover the Schema, your assignment changed. The Custodians accepted that."

[He pauses.]

The Sharkman: "Your job became preventing the inevitable."

[Another pause.]

The Sharkman: "Creating a place where what we feared... could never happen."

[Marvolo scoffs quietly.]

Marvolo: "Then your performance review is already flawed."

[Sharkman raises an eyebrow.]

Marvolo: "Because you're grading me for the actions of other people."

[He steps around the desk.]

Marvolo: "I didn't start this. I didn't unleash the chaos. I've been trying to prevent a fucking jenga tower from collapsing and I refuse to accept responsibility every time one of my wrestlers decides to ignore my authority or do something that we wished we could prevent."

[Sharkman lets him finish.]

[Then calmly opens the folder.]

[Several photographs stare back up at him.]

The Sharkman: "Padre Venganza."

[He lays the first photograph on the desk.]

The Sharkman: "Edward Newton."

[Another.]

The Sharkman: "Luke Storm."

[A third.]

The Sharkman: "Lux Bellator."

[He looks back at Marvolo.]

The Sharkman: "Why are they here?"

[Marvolo doesn't answer immediately.]

[Instead, he walks back towards the rain-covered window.]

Marvolo: "Because if they weren't."

[A pause.]

Marvolo: "...I'd have no idea where they were."

[He folds his arms.]

Marvolo: "If I can't watch them..."

[He glances over his shoulder.]

Marvolo: "...how am I supposed to stop them?"

[Sharkman slowly closes the folder.]

[Not angrily.]

[Disappointed.]

The Sharkman: "That's where you've misunderstood your role."

[He steps closer.]

The Sharkman: "You don't stop a flood by building taller walls."

[A beat.]

The Sharkman: "You stop the river."

[Silence.]

The Sharkman: "Every plan you've put in place..."

[Another beat.]

The Sharkman: "...hasn't prevented the inevitable."

[Their eyes lock.]

The Sharkman: "It's only delayed it and I told you they'd send me when the time was right. The time is right."

Signal: “Scar, I don’t know whether to call him Padre Del La Venganza or Frankenstein. Because much like Frankenstein, the Padre has created the monster that is Nox Bellator, and this monster wants to tear his creator apart, to steal his World Championship match later tonight.”

Black Scar: “Wait, I thought Frankenstein was the monster, Sig?”

Signal: “Read a book, Scar.”

[The bell rings and the match is underway.]

[Padre starts off fast, Leaping Sidekick – BLUNT FORCE FUCKING TRAUMA!]

[LEVELS BELLATOR AND THE VIRUS DROPS IN FOR THE COVER!]

Black Scar: “Venganza is trying to put this away early!”

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[KICKOUT!]

Signal: “Well, the monster that is Nox Bellator will not be put down that easily!”

[The Dark Heart pulls The Warrior of Darkness to his feet...]

[THWAK!]

[NO!]

[Bellator Roundhouse Kicks Venganza’s leg!]

[TRIBULATION!]

[JUMPING REVERSE STO BUT INSTEAD OF SWEEPING THE LEG BELLATOR HITS THE SAME LEG HE ROUNDHOUSED WITH A BASEMENT DROP KICK AT THE KNEE!]

Signal: “And the monster has found his target, Scar.”

[The Warrior of Darkness doesn’t stop; he kips up to his feet and begins stomping on the knee of The Virus.]

[Bellator bends down to snatch the leg – VIRAL INFECTION – BLACK TAR MIST CLOUDS THE VISION OF NOX!]

[THE PADRE ROLLS THE WARRIOR OF DARKNESS UP IN AN INSIDE CRADLE!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[TWO!]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[NO! VENGANZA’S LEG GIVES OUT ALLOWING NOX TO KICK OUT!]

[Bellator manages to get the tar out of his eyes – MIDNIGHT SHAD – NO!! - NOX ROLLS FORWARD OUT OF THE SWINGING STO, SNAGGING THE LEG, AND LOCKING IN A CALF CRUSHER!]

[THE RULEADOR TURNS HIS BACK TO THE ROPES AS HE CHECKS WITH THE VIRUS ON WHETHER OR NOT HE WANTS TO SURRENDER.]

[...]

[...]

[VENGANZA GRITS HIS TEETH AND CRAWLS TOWARD THE ROPE.]

[...]

[...]

[PADRE’S HAND IS INCHES AWAY FROM THE ROPES, BUT NOX ISN’T GIVING FURTHER GROUND.]

[...]

[...]

[A BLACK GLOVED HAND COMES UP FROM UNDER THE APRON AND PUSHES THE BOTTOM ROPE TOWARD THE BLACK HEART’S HAND, ALLOWING VENGANZA TO GRIP THE BOTTOM ROPE. THE RULEADOR CALLS FOR THE ROPE BREAK!]

Signal: “The family is getting involved here in what should be the match to end this feud!”

Black Scar: “Normally, one man doesn’t dig a grave, Sig and the Padre intends to bury Nox once and for all tonight!”

[Nox stands getting face-to-face with the Ruleador who’s just pulled him off The Virus.]

[The Warrior of Darkness finishes his conversation with Ruleador - Busaiku Knee!]

[SPEAR!

[OF!]

[DESTINY!]

[TO THE FUCKING DOME OF BELLATOR!]

[Both men down as The Warrior of Darkness lay out on the canvas, and The Virus clutches his Knee writhing in pain, unable to make the cover as he pounds the canvas because of the self-inflicted pain.]

Signal: “The damage done to both men there.”

Black Scar: “But who’s more damaged at this point?!”

[Padre Del La Venganza struggles to put weight on his knee, while Nox Bellator staggers dazed to his feet both men lock eyes from across the ring once more.]

[Both men lock up, Thumb to the Eye by Venganza, MIDNIGHT SHADOW – SLIPPED BY NOX BELLATOR – CHOPBLOCK!]

[NOX STAYS ON TOP OF THE VIRUS, MAINTAINING A GRIP ON HIS LEG, SWINGING IT AROUND AND LOCKING IN THE FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK!]

Signal: “THAT'S THE SEVENTH SEAL AND THE BLACK HEART HAS NOWHERE TO GO!”

Black Scar: “Don’t look now, but I think there is a way out for the Padre.

[A member of The Family jumps on the apron, drawing the attention of the Ruleador, while Bellator wrenches on the Leg Lock.

[He looks up and sees a familiar mask!]

Black Scar: “THAT’S PADRE DEL LA VENGANZA?!”

Signal: “THEN WHO’S IN THAT HOLD?!”

Black Scar: “WHERE THERE’S FAMILY THERE’S A WAY, SIG!”

[Venganza stomps on Bellator’s face before rolling the faux Padre out of the ring.]

[The Virus pulls Bellator up from the canvas as The Warrior of Darkness struggles against his grip.]

[German Suplex, Venganza rolls through the keeping the hold, Snap Dragon Suplex, the Padre not letting go, SNAP MURDER BACK DROP SUPLEX – LIFE FLASHER!]

[THE CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET BOOING THE FRESH PADRE DEL LA VENGANZA!]

[Venganza licks his chops as Bellator staggers to his feet.]

[Leaping Stunner - SHADOW CONTAGI – NO!]

[BELLATOR MANAGES TO SHRUG OFF THE VIRUS AND AS HE TURN AROUND...]

[DECIPLE FUCKING BREAKER - CANADIAN DESTROYER DUMPS PADRE DEL LA VENGANZA ON HIS GAWDAMN DOME!]

[THE WARRIOR OF DARKNESS CRAWLS OVER INTO THE COVER!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[TWO!]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Black Scar: “KICK OUT! KICK OUT!”

[THREE!]

Black Scar: “DAMN!”

Signal: “Even with one of his family members taking a beating for him, Padre Del La Venganza couldn’t beat the monster that’s become Nox Bellator!

Black Scar: “He cheated Sig, how can Nox beat the winner of Lambs and the number one contender without cheating. I’ll do an exposé we’ll watch every frame; I’ll prove that Nox Bellator is a goddamn cheater!”

Winner: Nox Bellator

Welcome

Padre Del La Venganza: "You just don't know when to stay down, do you?"

[The bell has rung, but the blood still boils. Padre and his family surround Nox Bellator who stands resolute despite the brutality he's just been through.]

Nox Bellator: "You'll have to break me."

[Padre smirks.]

Padre Del La Venganza: "Happily."

[HAYMAKER TO NOX BY PADRE! THE FAMILY DESCENDS UPON LUX LIKE A PACK OF WILD DOGS!]

Signal: "Good God, Scar! They're trying to tear him apart!"

Black Scar: "But Nox ain't making it easy! He's fighting like a man possessed, Sig!"

[Bellator pushes through the horde towards Padre, the Patriarch unbothered as Nox gets right up to him!]

[CRACK!]

[And his advance is stopped dead in its tracks by the sickening thud of a shiny black crowbar to the back of Nox's skull! A figure walks forward from the crowd, a smiley faced mask eerily adorning his face as he rains down blow after sickening blow onto Nox's back.]

Padre Del La Venganza: "Enough, Smiley."

[Smiley stops, backing away as Padre kneels down in front of Nox.]

Padre Del La Venganza: "Stop fighting, Nox."

[Nox pushes himself up to his knees, forced to look up at Venganza who reaches out a hand.]

Padre Del La Venganza: "There is salvation in our embrace. An end to your pain, to your suffering."

[There's a long pause, the crowd holding their breath.]

[And Nox takes Padre's hand! Padre helps Nox back to his feet!]

[The crowd rains down boos as Nox embraces Padre in the ring. Smiley and the rest of the Family swarm around the duo before dispersing, leaving the ring empty.]

Signal: "I... I don't know what we've just seen, Scar."

Black Scar: "Isn't it obvious? Nox Bellator just made a deal with the Devil, Sig. And it looks like that devil had demons in two."

Custodian III

[Earlier Today. Continued]

[INT. MANHATTAN OFFICE – DAY.]

[The room has fallen deathly quiet. Outside, the rain beats relentlessly against the glass, blurring the skyline into a sea of grey. Sharkman closes the performance review folder and rests both hands upon it. His expression has changed. This is no longer an evaluation. It's a warning.]

The Sharkman: "Do you know why Arcadia existed?"

[Marvolo doesn't answer.]

The Sharkman: "Because it was the blueprint."

[He lets the words settle.]

The Sharkman: "The first attempt."

[Sharkman slowly walks towards the rain-soaked window, looking out across the city.]

The Sharkman: "Molvania wasn't built to replace it."

[He turns back.]

The Sharkman: "The Temple wasn't built to continue it."

[A pause.]

The Sharkman: "They were built to stop it."

[Marvolo's brow furrows.]

The Sharkman: "They were the countermeasure."

[The word hangs heavily in the room.]

The Sharkman: "A neutral ground. A place where the pieces could be contained before they ever came together."

[Marvolo lowers his eyes.]

Marvolo: "You make it sound as though it's already too late."

[Sharkman immediately shakes his head.]

The Sharkman: "No."

[A beat.]

The Sharkman: "I'm saying it almost is."

[He walks back to the desk, stopping only inches from Marvolo.]

The Sharkman: "This is your last chance."

[Silence.]

The Sharkman: "Go back to Ring of Dreams."

[Another pause.]

The Sharkman: "And stop it."

[Marvolo searches Sharkman's face, looking for certainty.]

Marvolo: "Stop what?"

[For the first time since entering the room, Sharkman looks uncertain.]

[Not afraid.]

[Uneasy.]

The Sharkman: "We don't know."

[He exhales slowly.]

The Sharkman: "The Schema was lost."

[He gently places a hand on the performance review.]

The Sharkman: "We've spent months trying to reconstruct fragments of what it contained to better understand what lies ahead."

[His voice lowers.]

The Sharkman: "What little we've recovered all points to the same conclusion."

[A long pause.]

The Sharkman: "It's coming."

[The words seem to drain the warmth from the room.]

The Sharkman: "Everything that's happened..."

[He gestures vaguely, as though encompassing every death, every arrival, every impossible event.]

The Sharkman: "...has only been the prelude."

[His eyes lock with Marvolo's.]

The Sharkman: "Ring of Dreams is where it truly begins."

[Marvolo wastes no more time.]

[He snatches the performance review from the desk, tucks it beneath his arm and strides towards the door.]

[His hand reaches the handle before Sharkman speaks one final time.]

The Sharkman: "Don't try to control it anymore."

[Marvolo stops.]

The Sharkman: "Stop it. Whatever it is. Stop it."

[Without another word, Marvolo opens the door and disappears into the corridor, already heading back to Molvania.]

[Sharkman remains alone in the office, watching the rain continue to fall over New York.]

[Cut.]

Signal: “This battle may not have 65-million years of history behind it, but it’s every bit as intense!”

Black Scar: “That fruit-loop, Candy Man, convinced himself that Jurassic knows where his stash is, then ripped out his sweet-tooth to get answers!”

Signal: “Answers that weren’t forthcoming. Now, the Colossus wants his just desserts!”

[Champing at the bit, Jurassic advances as soon as the bell sounds. Candy, however, reaches into his tights—]

Black Scar: “What’s he gonna whip out!?”

[—And produces the pliers with which he extracted Colossus’s fang on Slam!]

Signal: “I think he’s going to complete the set!”

Black Scar: “He’ll make a killing with the tooth fairy!”

[The Ruleador tries to pry the implement out of Candy’s hands, but the 300-pounder overpowers him, then lunges at Jurassic…]

[BUT A TAIL WHIP DISARMS HIM!]

[Sugar Crash swings at his reptilian foe—]

[ONLY TO EAT A WHEELBARROW FACEBUSTER!]

Signal: “The Last Dinosaur sends Candy Man to the Cretaceous Period with that SHARPTOOTH SHATTER!”

Black Scar: “Colossus ain’t even pinnin’ him after hittin’ his signature move!”

[Jurassic mounts his sickly-sweet opponent, raining down on him with meteoric lefts and rights!]

[Candy covers up, then grabs Colossus and throws him overhead through the ropes!]

[The prehistoric pugilist gets to his feet as Candy hits the opposing ropes…]

Black Scar: “Stop your son, Mommy!”

[SUICIIIDE DIIIVE BY CANDY MAN!]

Signal: “300-pounds of sugar, spice, and everything not-nice crashes into a 275-pound wall of muscle!”

Crowd: “HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT!”

[Jurassic pulls himself up using the barricade. Candy, however, charges at him—]

[THE JAWBREAKER RUNNING FOREARM SMASH SENDS COLOSSUS INTO THE CROWD!]

[Candy hops the barrier, as The Ruleador takes to the floor in hot pursuit.]

Black Scar: “Zebra-stripes is using discretion. He knows this audience—maybe even the brass—won’t be satisfied with a countout ending!”

[The combatants fight through the crowd, who part like the Red Sea!]

[Jurassic throws chair after chair at Candy, but the demented sweetheart keeps coming.]

[Colossus heads up the bleacher stairs—]

[CANDY SNATCHES HIS TAIL!]

[Jurassic spins round. They lock horns, and trade blows!]

[The extra 30-pounds behind each shot gives Candy the edge. Overpowering Colossus, he grabs him by the head—]

[AND SLAMS IT INTO A STEEL HANDRAIL!]

[CLAAANG!]

Signal: “The reverberations are hurting my head - I can’t imagine how his must feel!”

[A dazed Jurassic backpedals through the braying audience.]

[Candy throws a punch at him—]

[BUT COLOSSUS BITES IT!]

Signal: “He’s using what teeth he has left to mount a comeback!”

[Sugar Crash screams in pain! He tries in vain to pry Jurassic’s jaws open with his free hand.]

[He then notices a roaming vendor carrying sweet treats…]

[CANDY TEARS THE TRAY FROM THEIR HANDS AND GOBBLES THE SUGARY DELIGHTS!]

Black Scar: “Is he toppin’ up on electrolytes or somethin’!?”

[Candy’s pupils turn to pinpricks as the sugar rush hits.]

Signal: “I think he’s SWEETENIN’ UP!”

[CANDY RAMS HIS FIST FURTHER DOWN COLOSSUS’S MAW!]

[JURASSIC’S TEETH SLICE CANDY’S FOREARM AS HE FISTS HIS ESOPHAGUS—]

The Candy Man: “Mommy always said, don’t play with your food!”

[COLOSSUS PULLS BACK AND PUKES!]

Black Scar: “Somebody get some freakin' water or protein into Candy Man to stop the rush!”

[Candy grabs him and runs back towards the barricade—]

[HE TOSSES JURASSIC HEADFIRST INTO THE RINGSIDE AREA!]

[Colossus rolls under the ropes, still coughing and spluttering from his impromptu stomach-pumping!]

[He claws his way up—]

[ONLY TO EAT A SHORT-ARM LARIAT!]

Black Scar: “I guess Jurassic can’t stomach HARD CANDY!”

[Candy yanks him to his feet… THEN POPS HIM UP INTO A BIIIG SAMOAN DROP!]

Signal: “Candy flattens him with the SOUR DROP!”

[But he isn’t done yet. The 300-pounder slowly scales the turnbuckles!]

Signal: “The Jurassic Colossus may be about to join his ancestors!”

[CANDY MAN JUMPS FROM THE TOP ROPE…]

[AND HITS A QUAKE-INDUCING SPLASH ON THE LAST DINOSAUR!]

Black Scar: “That GLASS JAAARRR just moved the whole ring by 2 inches!”

[Candy hooks the leg—]

[ONE!]

[TWO!!]

[…]

[THREEE!!!]

Signal: “Candy Man savours the victory, as Jurassic tastes bitter defeat!”

Winner: The Candy Man

From Molvanîa With Love

[A twangy guitar riff, dripping with reverb, accompanies a gun barrel POV which tracks a seemingly unaware man, who walks backstage through The Temple.]

[The tuxedoed & masked man suddenly turns—]

[Bang!]

[And fires a pistol!]

[Blood drips down the barrel lens, and it falls to the floor.]

[The gunman approaches the downed camera. His polished shoes stop short, and he bends down to pick it up.]

[He points it at his black and silver luchador mask, and speaks in a cat-like purr.]

?: “The name’s Johnson.”

[A beat.]

Johnson: “Dick Johnson.”

[…]

[He chuckles.]

Dick Johnson: “Good job, Ms. Fannybottom.”

[A woman replies.]

Ms. Fannybottom: “Thank you, sir.”

[Dick’s female… Co-worker? Acquaintance? Friend? steps into view.]

[He hands her back the camera. Taped to it is a toilet roll tube, and empty sachets on the ground suggest that the blood was, in fact, ketchup.]

[Johnson side-eyes us.]

Dick Johnson: “I work deep undercover for the Covert Logistics & Intelligence Taskforce.”

[He bites his lip nervously.]

Dick Johnson: “Forget I said that - or I’ll have to kill you.”

[Dick holds his finger to his lips.]

Dick Johnson: “I’m getting too old for this. I’m the longest-serving Agent 69 that C.L.I.T. has had. But I’m not ready to hand in my Licence to Kill just yet—”

[Johnson’s eyes twinkle.]

Dick Johnson: “I’ve been in a ski chase down the Alps; escaped an erupting volcano lair; stopped a madman lasering the planet from his moon base. But that was all so long ago…”

[Ms. Fannybottom pats his arm.]

Dick Johnson: “Now I’ve arrived at Old School Wrestling for a legendary last mission.”

[Agent 69 flashes a disarming smile.]

Dick Johnson: “Because I’m not finished with fast cars, flashy gadgets, or beautiful women. There's no time to die.”

[Dick exits on a quip, Ms. Fannybottom close behind, as a big brass band launches into a swaggering, jazzy number.]

Signal: “Oh, shoot - I set an alarm on my wristwatch, and it’s going off; we’re moments away from high noon, Scar!”

Black Scar: “And we got us a good, old-fashioned standoff between two sharpshootahs!”

Signal: “Let’s check-in to see what happens once upon a time in Molvanîa…”

[Two figures stand facing each other, far apart on flat ground, a line in the sand between them.]

[Deadeye is still as a cactus.]

[Opposite him, El Frio—The Cold—endures the arid heat of the Molvanîan desert.]

[Their bloodshot, unblinking eyes are locked in a daring gaze.]

[High above, a vulture circles them, silhouetted against the white-hot sun which bakes everything in its reach.]

[A tumbleweed blows through the dusty frontier, to the mournful wail of a harmonica.]

[A bell rings out through the ghost-town like a death knell.]

[The wizened Ruleador who previously relayed the terms of the duel speaks in a hoarse croak.]

Ruleador: “Gentlemen… It’s time.”

[The hitman & the outlaw’s hands hover over their pistols, trigger fingers itching!]

Ruleador: “Remember - no kill shots!”

[Santiago nods; Deadeye lowers his bandana to spit a mouthful of chewing tobacco.]

[The Ruleador slices his hand through the air dramatically.]

Ruleador: “Five paces. Turn. Shoot.”

[The Last Desperado and The Sicario grudgingly turn their backs on each other and walk away.]

[One…]

[Two…]

[Three…]

[Four…]

[Five—]

[SINIESTRO TURNS AND AIMS!]

[DEADEYE SPINS ROUND, EYES PEELED, AND AIMS HIGHER—]

[BANG!]

[THE GOLDMAN’S SALOON SIGN SWINGS DOWN AND CLOCKS SANTIAGO IN THE TEMPLE—]

[BANG!]

[SINIESTRO’S SHOT MISSES!]

[The Ruleador winces as Santiago falls to the floor. Dead Shot chuckles, holsters his revolver, and approaches the downed gunman.]

Deadeye: “Boy, you couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with shootin’ like that!”

[He nudges him with the toes of his boot—]

[SANTIAGO ROLLS OVER AND THROWS SAND IN HIS EYES!]

Deadeye: “Sonuvvabitch!”

[Deadeye staggers away as Siniestro gets to his feet unsteadily.]

[Santiago grabs Deadeye by the lapels of his duster—]

[AND THROWS HIM THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE SALOON!]

[SHATTER!]

[Siniestro enters through the saloon doors beside the broken window.]

[Crunch, crunch!]

[The glass which now covers the interior cracks under his footsteps.]

[He scans the deserted bar…]

[SNAP!]

[THE GUNSLINGER BREAKS A POOL CUE OVER HIS HEAD!]

[Santiago staggers away, as Deadeye brushes the remaining glass off of himself.]

[DEADEYE GRABS HIM BY THE HEAD AND DRAAAGS HIM ACROSS THE BAR, KNOCKING GLASSES, BOTTLES, AND ASH-TRAYS FLYING!]

[Siniestro slides off the counter and onto the floor in a heap.]

[The Tombstone native pulls the hitman up—]

[CRACK!]

[SANTIAGO SWINGS A BARSTOOL INTO HIS FACE!]

[Deadeye turns and collapses onto a piano, inadvertently playing discordant keys…]

[Siniestro steps up—]

[THUD, THUD, THUD!]

[SANTIAGO SLAMS THE FALLBOARD ON DEADEYE’S FINGERS!]

[The spurred luchador screams with his hands outstretched like claws, then stumbles away - up the staircase!]

[El Frio pursues him, grabbing him by the shoulder and spinning him round—]

[THEY DUKE IT OUT ON THE STAIRS!]

[A big right hand rocks Siniestro, but he holds onto the handrail.]

[Deadeye reaches for him, but the hitman lunges forward with a headbutt!]

[The outlaw turns and falls to his knees, his bandana quickly turning scarlet—]

[SANTIAGO LOCKS IN A SLEEPER HOLD!]

[Deadeye fights it, but slowly fades…]

[SNAPMARE ONTO THE LANDING!]

[Siniestro groans and nurses his back. Deadeye coughs and crawls up the remaining steps to meet him.]

[THEY ENGAGE IN A SLUGFEST!]

[Soldiering to their feet, they clobber one another…]

[INCHING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE BALCONY!]

[The Ruleador waves his arms frantically—]

[BUT SINIESTRO STEPS OUT - ONTO THE CHANDELIER!]

[DEADEYE FOLLOWS HIM!]

[THE LIGHT FIXTURE CREAKS AND GROANS UNDER THEIR COMBINED WEIGHT!]

[A BOLT FAILS, AND THE CHANDELIER SAGS - BOTH MEN STUMBLE AND CLING ON FOR DEAR LIFE!]

[SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE!]

[SANTIAGO KICKS DEADEYE IN THE GUT—]

[THEN FLIPS HIM OVER WITH A CANADIAN MEXICAN DESTROYER!]

[EL ULTIMO ADIOS - THE LAAAST GOODBYEEE!]

[THE IMPACT DROPS THE CHANDELIER—]

[CRRRAAASSSHHH!!!]

[THEY FALL THROUGH A TABLE BELOW!]

[THERE’S WOOD AND GLASS EVERYWHERE!]

[SINIESTRO IS ON TOP OF DEADEYE!]

[The Ruleador, covered in dust, makes the count on a wall - the only safe surface left!]

[ONE!]

[TWO!!]

[THREEE!!!]

Signal: “The gunslinger rode through the desert on a horse with no name - but the hitman was quicker on the draw!”

Winner: Siniestro

High Noon Apologies

[Post-Match.]

[EXT. GOLDMAN'S SALOON – DUSK.]

[The street is quiet once more. Dust hangs lazily in the air where moments earlier bullets flew and fists collided. Deadeye sits heavily on the wooden boardwalk outside the saloon, one hand pressed against his ribs as he catches his breath. Across from him, Santiago Siniestro wipes blood from the corner of his mouth, never taking his eyes off the cowboy. Their war has paused, but neither man looks ready to forgive the other.]

[The low growl of an approaching engine breaks the silence. A black sedan rounds the corner far too quickly before sliding to a halt in the middle of the street, throwing dust over both men.]

[The rear door swings open.]

[Marvolo climbs out immediately. He doesn't waste time with pleasantries. His face is drawn, his pace urgent. Whatever confidence he carried earlier in the evening has vanished.]

Marvolo: "Deadeye..."

[The cowboy instinctively reaches for his revolver before recognising the voice. He leaves the weapon holstered, but his eyes remain wary.]

Deadeye: "Come to finish what ya started?"

[Marvolo shakes his head.]

Marvolo: "No."

[He stops a few feet away, meeting Deadeye's gaze.]

Marvolo: "I came to apologise."

[Deadeye says nothing.]

[Marvolo draws a slow breath.]

Marvolo: "I used you."

[A pause.]

Marvolo: "I manipulated you into killing Alpha."

[Another.]

Marvolo: "You deserved better than that."

[Deadeye studies him for a long moment before nodding almost imperceptibly.]

Deadeye: "Damn right I did."

[The tension eases ever so slightly.]

Marvolo: "And... I owe you another apology."

[He glances towards Siniestro before looking back.]

Marvolo: "You told me he didn't ransack my office."

[His jaw tightens.]

Marvolo: "I believe you."

[Deadeye spits into the dirt.]

Marvolo: "Which means somebody else was looking."

[Silence settles between the three men.]

[Even Siniestro seems to recognise the gravity of those words.]

Marvolo: "We don't have time."

[He gestures towards the waiting car.]

Marvolo: "We need to get back to the Temple."

[His voice drops.]

Marvolo: "Whatever's coming..."

[A pause.]

Marvolo: "...it's coming tonight."

[Deadeye looks across at Siniestro.]

[Siniestro returns the glance.]

[Their rivalry remains.]

[But something infinitely larger now overshadows it.]

[Deadeye walks forward first, extending his hand.]

Deadeye: "Then let's quit wastin' daylight."

[Marvolo clasps it firmly.]

[Siniestro steps alongside them, giving a single nod.]

Siniestro: "The Temple."

[Marvolo nods.]

[Without another word, the three men climb into the sedan. The engine roars to life before the car tears down the dusty street, disappearing towards the Temple as the sun sinks below the Molvanian horizon.]

[Cut.]

Sweet Threads

[Paint peels off the walls of a dingy, green corridor.]

[Shuffle]

[Crinkle]

[The Candy Man traipses round the corner, arms laden with sweets.]

[Coming to a utility door with a dusty warning sign, he checks the coast is clear, before opening it and squeezing inside.]

[He breathes a sigh of relief in the solitude of the boiler room, where he’s come to call home. Trinkets and possessions decorate the room.]

[Dropping his spoils in a large pile in the middle of the floor, he sits down cross-legged, bathing in the warm, orange light cast by the coal-fired boiler.]

[Well, it is Old School Wrestling…]

[Hisssss!]

[Sugar Crash scrambles to his feet, dukes up.]

Candy Man: “Who’s there!?”

[…]

Candy Man: “Mommy?”

[Thwap, thwap, thwap!]

[The scaly feet of The Jurassic Colossus announce his arrival. He emerges from the shadows!]

[Candy points at him accusingly.]

Candy Man: “You can’t be here!”

[He steps forward—]

Jurassic Colossus: “Not so fassst…”

[—But stops dead.]

[Jurassic clutches a wire hanger, which holds a moth-eaten, pinstriped uniform in pink and white.]

[Candy’s lip quivers.]

Jurassic Colossus: “You wore thisss to work every day.”

Candy Man: “Put it back!”

Jurassic Colossus: “You’ve kept it all thisss time…”

[Colossus runs a claw down the breast of the uniform, skagging it.]

[Candy kneads his temples.]

Candy Man: “I told him, Mommy!”

Jurassic Colossus: “I didn’t thank you for your dentissstry. That tooth had been bothering me.”

Candy Man: “I’m sorry! Do you want it back!?”

[The reptilian chuckles.]

Jurassic Colossus: “Keep it. We’ve had our match. With thisss, we’re sssquare…”

[JURASSIC TOSSES THE UNIFORM INTO THE BOILER—]

[BUT CANDY CATCHES IT!]

[The two lock horns and trade blows—]

[CANDY SHOVES COLOSSUS HEADFIRST INTO THE BOILER!]

Jurassic Colossus: “AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!”

[Jurassic wails in agony as his face burns against the glowing coals!]

[The Last Dinosaur pulls his head out and flees, his face half-melted, as The Candy Man sits cradling his cherished garment, the smell of charred flesh lingering in the air.]

[The air is thick with disdain as Ziggy Robbins and Dr. Vinell stare one another down. They circle the lab for moment, neither one willing to give an inch.]

[TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND!]

[SLINGBLADE BY ZIGGY ROBBINS TO START THIS ONE OFF!]

[Ziggy's trademark smile is gone, replaced with a scowl full of contempt as he leaps on top of Vinell, raining down lefts and rights like a man possessed! Vinell tries to block the blows as best he can but Ziggy won't let up! Vinell reaches up and jabs Robbins right in the eyes! Ziggy rolls off and Dr. Vinell leaps to his feet!]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Always fools like you getting in the way of progress!"

[Vinell grabs hold of a nearby microscope and brings it crashing down across the back of Ziggy's skull! Robbins takes it and keeps standing!]

[TWHACK!]

[WHACK!]

[CRACK!]

[VINELL IS BRUTALIZING ZIGGY WITH THIS MICROSCOPE!]

[BUT ZIGGY REFUSES TO GO DOWN!]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Just stay down!"

[The Motivator reaches out for anything he can use before grabbing a scalpel!]

[AND BURYING IT IN VINELL'S SIDE!]

Ziggy Robbins: "You first! Let me give you the motivation!"

[Vinell drops to a knee and Ziggy wastes no time in bell clapping Vinell repeatedly!]

Ziggy Robbins: "Rooting!"

[CLAP!]

Ziggy Robbins: "For!"

[CLAP!]

Ziggy Robbins: "You!"

[CLAP!]

[Ziggy leaves the Good Doctor dazed and plants him with a a DDT right onto the linoleum floor! Ziggy slowly gets back up, chest heaving with rage as he peels Vinell back to his feet and goes to whip him!]

[But Vinell rolls through and sends Ziggy careening into a cabinet full of glassware! Broken beakers and vials go flying as Ziggy collapses onto the cabinet! Shards of glass dig into his skin, leaving blood smearing the cabinet as Vinell pulls him away.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Why don't we cut you open and see how that brain really works, hm?"

[Vinell callously rips the scalpel fromi his side and brings it towards Ziggy's face! Robbins stops him as the blade grazes the front of his mask! Vinell places all of his weight behind the blade as Ziggy fights for his life!]

[BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH A REVERSE STO ONTO THE CABINET!]

[Ziggy shoves Vinell away, scrambling to his feet and looking down at the pile of glass shards with uncharacteristic cruelty in his eyes! Ziggy forces Vinell back to his feet, lining him up with the shards of glass and going for a suplex! Ziggy uses all of his strength to power Vinell overhead!]

[ONLY TO GET AN OCULAR ASSAULT FROM VINELL! SUBSTANCE TO THE EYES!]

[Vinell drops behind Ziggy!]

[AND HE NAILS A BACK SUPLEX ONTO THE GLASS! TINY SPLINTERS PLASTER ZIGGY'S BACK!]

[Ziggy writhes in agony as Vinell begins to cackle maniacally!]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Please, stand up. I'm not finished gathering data on your suffering."

[The Good Doctor begs Ziggy to get back up, stalking him slowly before pouncing on him from behind! Ziggy grabs onto a nearby desk, refusing to let Vinell pull him away! He reaches out, grabbing a full beaker and swinging it back at Vinell with terrifying force!]

[SMASH!]

Dr. E. Vinell: "AAAAAAAAAH! YOU BLATHERING FUCKING MORON!"

[ACID! A VIAL FULL OF ACID JUST GOT SMASHED ACROSS VINELL'S FACE! HIS MASK AND SKIN BUBBLE ON CONTACT!]

[Robbins takes a moment to catch his breath before rushing Vinell and clobbering him with a big right hand! But Ziggy isn't finished as he grabs the back of Vinell's mask and drags him over to the eye wash station! He shoves the Doctor down and turns the water on!]

Ziggy Robbins: "That looked painful! You should practice proper lab safety!"

[Ziggy punctuates his advice by bouncing Vinell's head off of the station! The Doctor stumbles backwards, leaning against a nearby cabinet as Ziggy bears down on him once more.]

[ONLY TO GET A CATTLE PROD TO THE CHEST! VINELL GRABBED A CATTLE PROD FROM THE CABINET!]

[Ziggy is stunned from the shock and Vinell follows up with a sickening swing of the baton right to Ziggy's jaw! The Doctor's assault drips with malice as he lays in to Ziggy with with the prod!]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Just like your brother. Animals are easily swayed by a cattle prod."

[Vinell raises the prod overhead and swings again!]

[BUT HE GETS A HOTPLADE TO THE SKULL FOR HIS TROUBLES! ZIGGY SWUNG THE PLATE BY ITS CORD LIKE A FLAIL!]

Ziggy Robbins: "You positive!?"

[Robbins drags Vinell onto a nearby table, slamming him face first off of the wall before pulling him close! He looks over the edge of the table!]

[AND LEAPS OFF WITH A STUMP PULL PILEDRIVER! ROBBINS JUST NAILED A PILEDRIVER OFF OF THE TABLE!]

[Both men land with a thud, Ziggy slowly rising to his feet as Vinell lays unconscious at his feet.]

[Ziggy Robbins has just put Dr. Vinell down.]

Winner: Ziggy Robbins

Reunion

[Post-Match.]

[The laboratory has been left in ruins. Broken equipment crackles with dying sparks as smoke drifts lazily through the air. One of the containment cages stands at the far end of the room, its reinforced door still locked. Inside, Ziggy Robbins' brother lies against the back wall, his body bruised, bloodied and barely conscious.]

[Dr. Eric Vinell slowly stirs amongst the wreckage, clutching his ribs as he pushes himself onto one elbow. Across the room, Ziggy notices the cage. Without hesitation, he rushes towards it.]

Signal: "Ziggy's found him!"

[With trembling hands, Ziggy throws the cage door open and drops to his knees beside his brother.]

[His brother weakly opens his eyes.]

[He's barely alive.]

[Ziggy gently lifts his head into his lap, brushing the hair away from his face.]

Ziggy Robbins: "Hey..."

[A warm smile spreads across Ziggy's face.]

Ziggy Robbins: "I've got you."

[His brother tries to speak, but only a faint rasp escapes his lips.]

[Ziggy nods sympathetically.]

Ziggy Robbins:"You know..."

[A pause.]

Ziggy Robbins: "...I spent my whole life trying to save you."

[His smile never fades.]

Ziggy Robbins: "I kept telling myself that one day you'd change."

[He lets out a quiet laugh.]

Ziggy Robbins: "But you never did."

[His brother's eyes begin to fill with tears.]

Ziggy Robbins: "You were always weak."

[A beat.]

Ziggy Robbins: "Always pathetic."

[He leans closer, almost whispering.]

Ziggy Robbins: "Always... worthless. Family isn't blood, brother. Family is those you choose."

[Signal falls silent.]

[Ziggy gently places one hand behind his brother's head.]

[The other beneath his chin.]

[For a brief moment, it looks like he's about to embrace him.]

[CRACK.]

[The sound echoes around the ruined laboratory.]

[His brother's body instantly goes limp.]

[Ziggy slowly lowers him back onto the floor.]

[Still smiling.]

[Still calm.]

Signal: "...No..."

Black Scar: "What the hell did he just do?!"

[Dr. Vinell stares in complete disbelief.]

[He slowly rises to his feet, almost forgetting the pain from the match.]

[Then...]

[He begins to applaud.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Remarkable."

[He walks slowly towards Ziggy.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "The correct way to deal with a failed experiment..."

[He looks down at the corpse.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "...is to terminate it. He wasn't your family, dear boy. I am."

[Ziggy remains kneeling beside his brother's body.]

[His expression unreadable.]

Signal: "That wasn't mercy... it wasn't justice... it was murder."

Black Scar: "I never thought I'd see the day. The happiest man in Old School Wrestling just did the coldest thing I've ever seen. Maybe I was wrong about him after all."

[The camera lingers on Ziggy, still cradling his brother's lifeless body as Dr. Vinell watches with quiet admiration.]

[Cut.]

Signal: “Dolly Daydream still holds that Hardcore Championship, after every man and his dog seems to have had a go at wrenching it off her.”

Black Scar: “Dolly is now staring down the barrel of Glitter and that creep, Silas.

Signal: “The question remains, just how far is she willing to go to keep a hold of that title?”

[Dolly and Glitter share a cute little snuggle and not at all looking like they’re about to beat each other senseless.]

Black Scar: “What is this? My Little Pony? We paid to see blood!”

[Silas isn’t interested in cute.]

[CLANG!]

[SILAS SMASHES GLITTER OVER THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH HIS GUITAR!]

[GLITTER IS OUT COLD!]

[Silas drops the guitar off at Ringside, while Dolly tends to her Glitter. When he turns back around, Dolly is standing, hands on hips and a look of child–like rage in her eyes.]

Dolly Daydream: “That was mean. How do you like it, you big meanie?”

[Dolly charges, lashing out at Silas with nails drawn like claws. She scratches, bites, kicks. Every inch of Silas she can attack, she does.]

[Silas backs away from her onslaught, backing up against the turnbuckle.]

[BUT DOLLY SLAPS SILAS ACROSS THE CHEEK! THE SOUND ECHOES UP TO THE RAFTERS OF THE TEMPLE!]

[She backs away.]

[OFF WITH IT! RIPCORD RUNNING KNEE!]

[Silas crumples to a heap as the knee connects. Dolly pulls at her hair in frustration.]

Signal: “Good golly, Miss Dolly! Silas took out Glitter and it awoke the beast in Dolly.”

Black Scar: “Glitter doesn’t even have to be conscious for Dolly to fall for their charms.”

Signal: “And Silas is in a world of hurt right now.”

[Silas tries to clamber away, but Dolly pounces on his back like riding a bucking bronco, yanking his head back by his hair.]

[SHE STABS A LONG PINK OBJECT INTO THE SIDE OF SILAS’S NECK!]

[A KNITTING NEEDLE!]

[DOLLY STABBED SILAS WITH A KNITTING NEEDLE!]

[SILAS MANAGES TO MOVE AT THE LAST SECOND, AND THE NEEDLE JAMS INTO HIS SHOULDER!]

Black Scar: “She’s going for the jugular!”

Signal: “Silas can thank his lucky stars that she missed.”

[Silas grabs Dolly by the head, tossing her aside and pulling the needle free.]

[Dolly charges at the ropes…]

[ONE ARMED SCISSOR! HE FUCKING FLATTENS HER WITH A TURNAROUND LARIAT!]

[Silas limps his way over to where she lies and moves to lift her up.]

[KICK TO THE DICK!]

[DOWN GOES SILAS!]

[GLITTER IS AWAKE!]

Black Scar: “Silas went down faster than a two dollar hooker!”

Signal: “Glitter has once again come to the rescue of Dolly Daydream.”

Black Scar: “Bullshit. Glitter wants that title, plain and simple.”

[Glitter grabs Silas by the scruff of the neck, flinging Silas into the corner.]

[Glitter brings their hands up over their body, blowing Silas a kiss, before charging.]

[ASS TO MOUTH! GLITTER SLAMS HIP FIRST INTO SILAS’S HEAD!]

[AND THEN DROPS DOWN INTO A STINK FACE!]

Black Scar: “Suddenly Silas’s world has gone dark… Darker than normal.”

Signal: “Everything is not okay.”

[Dolly stands, moving over to the turnbuckle where Glitter is busy rubbing his ass into Silas’s face.]

[She looks torn, unsure.]

Glitter: “Come on. Hit me Dolly!”

[She steps up, landing a half-hearted strike to Glitter. He moves away from Silas.]

Glitter: “Not like that. Like this.”

[GLITTER UNLOADS A CLOTHESLINE AND TAKES OUT DOLLY!]

[SILAS PUSHES HIMSELF OUT OF THE CORNER AND GRABS GLITTER BY THE HAIR!]

[FACE DOWN! X-FACTOR FACEBUSTER DRILLS GLITTER INTO THE MAT!]

Signal: “Well, we know Glitter will resort to hitting Dolly to get that title.”

Black Scar: “Dolly never had a chance to hit Glitter back!”

[Glitter slips out of the ring, grabbing a chair from under the apron and sliding it into the ring.]

[He sets the chair up, as Dolly begins to stir and rise to her feet.]

[SILAS HOLDS HER IN A DANCE POSE, WALTZING WITH HER!]

[MISERY BUSINESS! HERE COMES THE FORWARD RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP ONTO THE CHAIR!]

[NO!]

[PORCELAIN SHATTER! IMPLANT DDT IMPLANTS SILAS INTO THE STEEL!]

[And now it’s Dolly who takes to the outside.]

[She comes back in…]

[DOLLY HAS A GUN STAPLER!]

[She turns, not to Silas, but to a still groggy Glitter.]

[SHE TRIES TO PULL THE TRIGGER, LINING UP GLITTER’S CHEST!]

[BUT GLITTER WRENCHES THE STAPLER AWAY FROM HER!]

[BAM!]

[THE STAPLER GOES OFF!]

[GLITTER HAS IT PRESSED AGAINST THE FOREHEAD OF DOLLY!]

Signal: “Glitter stapled Dolly!”

Black Scar: “He stapled her head. That’s going to take some explaining.”

[BAM! BAM! BAM!]

[MORE STAPLES EMBED THEMSELVES THROUGH THE MASK INTO THE SKULL OF DOLLY DAYDREAM!]

[SHE SCREAMS A SCREAM OF AGONY MIXED WITH A MANIACAL LAUGH!]

Black Scar: “That's… not normal.”

[DOLLY GRABS GLITTER BY THE HEAD!]

[IMPLANT DDT!]

[PORCELAIN SHATTER TO GLITTER ONTO THE SAME STEEL CHAIR!]

[SHE’S DESTROYED THEM BOTH AND HERE’S THE PIN!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[TWO!]

[...]

[...]

[THREE!]

Signal: “Dolly Daydream has done it once again. She drops to her knees beside a fallen Glitter, but she has won and is STILLLLLL your Hardcore Champion”

Winner & Still Hardcore Champion: Dolly Daydream

You Complete Me

[The Hardcore Championship lies in the center of the ring.]

[The battle is over.]

[Silas lies collapsed in a heap in one corner while Dolly Daydream and Glitter slowly pull each other to their feet in the other.]

Signal: “Dolly and Glitter have put each other through hell tonight.”

Black Scar: “I’m not sure a… friendship… or whatever they have survives a staple gun to the forehead.”

[Dolly and Glitter look at each other, expressions unreadable.]

[But a smile forms on Dolly’s face through the blood that seeps down inside her mask. Her and Glitter embrace.]

[They share a passionate kiss. Not one stolen in a fleeting moment, but one shared. Willingly.]

[Dolly breaks the kiss, holding Glitter by both hands.]

Dolly Daydream: “You complete…”

Silas: “Me.”

[The voice cutting off Dolly to finish her line draws all attention back to the other side of the ring. Silas is standing, leaning musingly on the turnbuckle.]

Silas: “I’ve watched.”

[He looks torn. Confused.]

Silas: “I’ve tried being nice. Angry. I’ve tried to fix you, to get you to see the world my way.”

[He sighs.]

Silas: “No matter what emotion I throw at this void, I just cannot control your song. I end up… lost. Why don’t you react like everyone else has my entire life?”

[He pushes himself off the turnbuckle, walking towards the dumbfounded Glitter and Dolly.]

Silas: “When there is enough suffering around to fill an ocean and the world drowns in a sea of apathy… You remain in denial.”

[He stops just short of them.]

Silas: “You’re both just as broken as I am.”

[Dolly looks at Glitter.]

Signal: “You can tell Dolly wants to walk across that ring and give Silas a big hug, but she waits.”

Black Scar: “Well, we know who wears the pants in that relationship Sig.”

[Glitter smirks and steps forward.]

Glitter: “We’re all just searching for that which completes us. Something to… fill our holes.”

[Dolly joins Glitter.]

Dolly Daydream: “Join us, Silas. We can give you the one thing that you’ve never truly had.”

Glitter: “Family. Broken, messy, fucked up… family.”

[For the first time, a glimmer of a smile forms on Silas’s face.]

Signal: “A messed up family of Dolls and Sex.”

Black Scar: “Sex Dolls… I love it.”

[A slight washing of pastel colour begins to form on Silas’s grey world. But it fades as quickly as it had come.]

[Dolly pulls both Silas and Glitter in for the big hug she’s been dying to give them.]

[Cut.]

Signal: “After months of back-and-forth, trading barbs, and taking shots, Rambro and Blackhand Moretti stand across from one another on the battlefield!”

Black Scar: “Fire, knives, and guns - they’ve thrown it all at each other! Now, it’s time to settle this!”

[The warriors lock horns before the bell even rings! The Ruleador shrugs - he knows he can't pull them apart!]

[Jockeying for position, Rambro muscles Moretti into the corner.]

Signal: “Two cuts of prime beef on display here, folks!”

[Blackhand rallies back, though, forcing Rambro into the opposite corner.]

Black Scar: “This is like Schwarzenegger and Stallone goin' at it!”

[The pint-sized Ruleador tries to force a break, but the two studs ignore him!]

[Rambro yanks the chain from around his own, thick neck—]

[THE ONE-MAN BATTALION CHOKES MORETTI WITH HIS DOGTAGS!]

[Once again, the official tries to pry him off, but Rambro resists.]

Signal: “The Ruleador is showing great restraint in not disqualifying Rambro!”

Black Scar: “Would you disqualify him!?”

Signal: “Good point!”

[Turning purple, the resourceful Blackhand pulls out a stogie and lights up…]

[THE BOSS BURNS RAMBRO WITH HIS CIGAR!]

[Rambro grunts in pain and breaks his grip. He checks his arm, where an angry red burn forms.]

[Moretti charges him—]

[A BIG CLOTHESLINE TAKES THEM BOTH OVER THE ROPES!]

[THUD!]

[Landing with a splat on the concrete, they scramble to their knees and scratch & claw at each other!]

Signal: “They’re scrapping like dogs!”

[RAMBRO SHOTPUTS BLACKHAND INTO THE STEEL STAIRS!]

[RUMBLE!]

[Moretti crawls away. Rambro, however, stands on his ankle. He pulls Blackhand up—]

[THE DON OF DESTRUCTION SHOVES HIM FACEFIRST INTO THE STEEL RINGPOST!]

[CRACK!]

Black Scar: “The ringside is startin’ to look like a warzone, Sig!”

Signal: “The Ruleador is forgoing a countout - he’s just trying to stop them killing each other!”

[Rambro staggers away. Moretti turns him round, then sends him packing with an Irish whip—]

[RAMBRO COUNTERS!]

[BLACKHAND CAREENS INTO THE COMMENTARY DESK!]

[SMACK!]

Signal: “I don’t wanna be part of the collateral damage between these two!”

[Signal vacates the area, followed closely by Black Scar.]

[Rambro mounts the booth and pulls Moretti up…]

[BUT BLACKHAND SCOOPS HIM UP—]

[SPIIINEBUSTEEERRR!]

[CRUNCH!]

[MORETTI WHACKS RAMBRO THROUGH THE TABLE!]

[Lying in a heap of limbs, cables, and debris, their chests rise and fall rapidly.]

[Fuelled by hatred, they crawl to their knees.]

[THEY SLUG IT OUT!]

[The Temple attendees oof! and ooh! with each haymaker!]

[Grabbing each other by their masks, they push and pull each other onto the apron, then climb through the ropes - not letting go the entire time!]

[They shove each other away…]

[BIG BOOT BY BLACKHAND!]

Signal: “That’s the OMERTA!”

Black Scar: “I think I saw a bicuspid go flying!”

[Rambro slumps into the ropes, then bounces back—]

[HIGH KNEE BY RAMBRO!]

Signal: “The soldier fires back with the AMBUSH!”

[Both men collapse into each other, literally leaning on the other to prop themselves up!]

[They lock eyes.]

Blackhand Moretti: “I fuckin’ hate you!”

Rambro: “I fuckin’ hate you more!”

[THEY EXPLODE WITH LEFTS AND RIGHTS!]

[IT’S A GODDAMN POTATO-FEST!]

Signal: “Black eyes, fat lips, and busted noses - what else!?”

Black Scar: “Don’t, Sig! They’ll escalate it to broken bones and ruptured organs!”

[HEADBUTT BY RAMBRO!]

[The Mobster falls to one knee…]

[HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT!]

Signal: “Good lord - Rambro is unloading on him!”

[Moretti folds.]

[The veteran marches to the corner and climbs to the top turnbuckle.]

Black Scar: “Can anyone else hear Flight of the Valkyries!?”

[He leaps—]

[NAPAAALM ELBOOOWWW!]

Signal: “Rambro drives the point of his elbow through the black heart of Blackhand Moretti!”

[Rambro finally, mercifully covers him.]

[ONE!]

[TWO!]

[THR—]

[HE BREAKS IT UP!?]

Black Scar: “Rambro wants to punish him even more!”

Signal: “The Ruleador counted a little quickly there; he’s eager to end this!”

[The Last Survivor hauls Blackhand up…]

[GOOZLE!]

[MORETTI GRABS HIM BY THE THROAT—]

[SIT-OUT CHOKESLAAAM - CONCRETE SHOES!]

[Rambro lands hard, bouncing onto his front. Blackhand stands over him.]

Signal: “That is disgusting - Moretti just spit on Rambro!”

Black Scar: “They’ve both made it clear how they feel about each other!”

[The gangster backs up as Rambro comes to…]

[I.C.E. CUUURB STOOOMP!]

Signal: “He just made him eat the damn mat!”

[Moretti sinks into a cover.]

[ONE!]

[TWO!]

[THREE!?]

[HE STOPS IT!]

Black Scar: “Are either of these guys gonna finish this!?”

[Blackhand laughs as the Ruleador pleads with him to end it.]

[He stalks Rambro, who slowly gets to his feet…]

[CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL—NOOO!]

Signal: “Rambro isn’t ready to SLEEP WIT’ THE FISHES!”

[He dodges it and grabs a SLEEPER HOLD on Moretti—]

[Before snatching him up into a BACKBREAKER!]

Black Scar: “Rambro makes the LAST EXTRACTION!”

[Rambro keeps the sleeper locked in! The tough-guy, Blackhand, still muscles his way back up…]

[BACKBREAKEEERRR - LAST EXTRACTION DEUX!]

Signal: “The Don is in no man’s land now!”

[Showing the same hutzpah and moxie with which he rules Molvanîa's seedy underbelly, Moretti once again gets up—]

[BAAACKBREEEAAAKEEERRR!]

[LAAAST!]

[FUCKING!]

[EXTRAAACTION!]

Signal: “That’s a hattrick, a triple, a trifecta of spine-shattering backbreakers!”

[Rambro covers him.]

[ONE!]

[TWO!!]

[…]

[THREEE!!!]

Black Scar: “Rambro out-deals Moretti and wins the war!”

Winner: Rambro

Pinky Promise

[Following the hellacious conflict, Rambro hitches up the leg of his fatigues, revealing his bowie knife!]

Signal: “The match is over! What’s he doing!?”

Black Scar: “Maybe he’s just making a sandwich!?”

[The Ruleador feebly tries to intervene, but his legs turn to jelly as Rambro unsheathes the blade.]

[Moretti turns—]

[The Unfinished Mission tackles him!]

[Kneeling over his foe, the soldier holds his knife to The Boss’s throat…]

Black Scar: “He’s gonna gut him like a fish! I can’t watch!”

[Ruleadors and security rush out. They dare not enter the ring, however, lest they antagonise the knife-wielding veteran.]

[Moretti pushes against the blade until the tip pierces his skin. A droplet of blood oozes out.]

Blackhand Moretti: “I ain’t gonna fuckin’ beg! Do it.”

[Rambro sneers.]

Rambro: “You took my car, you accused me of hurtin’ your guys, then you tried to drown me. I’m gonna take somethin’ of yours, and then… Our war is over.”

[The Don hesitates.]

Blackhand Moretti: “What do you want - my pistol?”

[The One-Man Battalion shakes his head.]

Rambro: “I’m over guns. But I like that ring…”

[He eyeballs the signet ring worn on Blackhand’s left pinky.]

[Moretti growls.]

Blackhand Moretti: “No fuckin’ dice, that’s an heirloom! Hey—”

Signal: “Rambro grabs Moretti’s hand!”

Black Scar: “They’re gonna shake on it, right!?”

[RAMBRO STARTS CUTTING BLACKHAND’S FINGER!]

[MORETTI SCREAMS AS BLOOD SQUIRTS INTO RAMBRO’S FACE AND ONTO THE MAT!]

Signal: “OH, MY GOD! WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM!?”

Black Scar: “I’m gonna puke—”

[Scar mutes himself.]

[Howls turn to whimpers, as Rambro stands up. He wipes the crimson blade, holsters the knife, then admires his trophy: Blackhand Moretti’s severed finger, with signet ring.]

[He looks down at the pale gangster, who nurses his wound.]

Rambro: “Pleasure doin’ business with ya.”

[He holds up the digit in lieu of his own middle finger, then exits the ring.]

[Staff immediately rush to the aid of Blackhand.]

Signal: This should be a huge championship match here folks. A former two time Ultra Violence Champion in Mr Grimm looks to grab his third reign but this may well be more about titles. Both champion and challenger claim dominion over souls, but only one man can walk out out Ring of Dreams a true Reaper.

Black Scar: Both of these guys creep me the hell out but Mr Grimm is the lesser of two evils here. He just shepards souls to the afterlife, Santiago's stealing them all for power. That ain't cool so I'm rooting for big and chrome faced here.

[The bell sounds as Grimm rushes forward straight out of the gate, looking for a Soul Harvester but Santiago anticipates it, slipping aside with ease before nailing him with a savage kick right to the spine.]

[CURSED CHARGE...Does nothing. Grimm barely moves as he just turns, fury in his eyes. He swings wild, Santiago ducking and dodging each strike, retaliating with one of his own that barely faze the much bigger man]

Signal: Santiago seems to just be pissing off Grimm here, you can dodge all you want but it doesn't matter a bit if you can't follow up.

[Grimm fakes Santiago out, going right before suddenly slipping left, delivering a hard clubbing blow around the side of Santiago's head that staggers him back. ]

[GOOZLE! Grimm grips Santiago around the throat, throwing him hard into the turnbuckles before rushing forward and damn near squashing him through the steel. Del Toro staggers out right into a Pop Up]

[RING SHAKING POWERBOMB!]

Black Scar: If this was a normal match, that may well be it but this is Ultra Violence baby. KO or Give up rules only and I don't see either of these guys giving up.

[Santiago slowly stands, Grimm standing back as he urges Santiago forward. The Matador obliges, sprinting forward, ducking underneath a Big Boot before leaping off the ropes with a hard roundhouse to the face. ]

[Grimm staggers back, finally having slightly felt something. Santiago leaps off a second time, landing a hard strike to the back of the head but as he leaps off a third time, Grimm is ready.]

[DEATH'S DOOR! Massive headbutt nails Santiago out of the goddamn sky. Grimm barely lets Santiago fall to the mat before he peels him up]

[GOOZLE]

[TO]

[THE]

[GRAVE!]

[Brutal Chokeslam nearly breaks Santiago in half from the sheer impact but Grimm isn't done. The referee checks in on Del Toro but Grimm just shakes his head]

Signal: Grimm knows that won't be enough to knock someone like the Matador out. He's going to have to get truly violent here.

[Grimm walks over, grabbing his chain as he wraps the lengths around his fists, letting the excess dangle from them. He walks over, kicking Santiago onto his stomach]

[AND LOCKS IN THE COLD EMBRACE WITH THE CHAIN! CAMEL CLUTCH WITH A CHAIN WRAPPED AROUND SANTIAGO'S THROAT!]

Black Scar: Neither man might give up but I think Santiago may well not have a choice soon if Grimm chokes him out.

[Santiago struggles but Grimm has the strength advantage and leverage too, the Reaper slowly choking the air out of his lungs with that brutal choke. Santiago slowly fading.]

[But behind Grimm, the shadow begins growing bigger. And bigger. And something emerges within the darkness.]

[As something...or someone suddenly kicks Grimm in the back of the head.]

[Grimm stumbles, the hold loosening enough for Santiago to slip out and stagger to his feet.]

[The Reaper tries to figure out what happened but he's grabbed from behind and dropped on the back of his head with a German Suplex.]

[Santiago stands tall, whirling his cape in the air as two shadowy figures stand beside him.]

[A tall, bulky man covered from near head to toe and a small, lithe woman, visibly tatooed with the glint of a golden mask.]

Black Scar: Are those what I think they are?

Signal: When we said this was a battle of the souls folks, we weren't kidding.

[Santiago whirls his cape as both figures rush forward, Grimm just a hair too slow to counter as the larger one leaps up high, delivering a sky high uppercut that rocks Grimm just as the smaller one springboards off the ropes]

[METEORA TO THE BACK OF GRIMM'S SKULL!]

[Santiago nods, both figures fading back into the shadows with a flickering of his cape. Grimm sits up, fury in his voice ]

Mr Grimm: Coward. They aren't yours to use and you know it.

Santiago Del Toro: Like I said Grimm, take them from me. If you can survive him

Signal: Him? What the hell does that mean?

[Santiago backs up, spinning and twirling his cape in the air as the shadows grow larger and as he opens the cape once more, a large shadow emerges. That of a bull. The bull. ]

Black Scar: Oh...Oh what the fuck is happening? Did he just pull out a goddamn shadow bull? How in the hell is Grimm meant to fight that?

[Santiago clicks his fingers as the bull charges. Del Toro turns, satisfied that will be enough to defeat Mr Grimm but instead of a squelch and a scream, the sounds of struggle is heard.]

[As Del Toro turns to see Mr Grimm holding back the charging Bull. ]

[Both the Bull and Grimm are struggling, barely holding eachother back before Grimm's eyes flash white. With one hand he holds the bull back as with the other, he picks back up the chain]

[CRACK! And with an almight fist, sends the bull back to the shadows where it came. ]

Mr Grimm: I've just about had it with your cheap...

[PHANTOM CORNADA! Grimm is stopped mid-sentence by a massive running knee to the jaw. Grimm is rocked but he's still kneeling as Santiago rushes to the ropes, bouncing off with a second to the back of the head. Grimm is groggy but not out as Santiago sprints to the ropes again, springboarding off]

[DEATH'S DOOR! HEADBUTT CITY BITCH! Grimm once again headbutts Santiago out of the air, the matador rocked and rolled as Grimm gets up, spitting out a glob of blood onto the mat before scowling.]

[AS HE RUSHES FORWARD WITH THE SOUL HARVESTER! Brutal clothesline turns Santiago nearly inside out but Grimm isn't done, backing up into the corner as he pounds down onto the mat.]

[SOUL...PASADA! Santiago whips the cape around his head at the last second, before dropping him down with a snap DDT.]

Signal: Both men are down, who the hell is going to win this contest?

[Both men slowly get to their feet, crawling up the ropes as they climb to the apron, staring down one another before roaring in fury as they leap forward.]

[SPRINGBOARD PHANTOM CORNADA]

[SOUL HARVESTER]

[THE KNEE CONNECTS! Grimm gets nailed right on the jaw, collapsing to the mat as the ruleador calls for the bell]

Signal: Santiago Del Toro retains his Ultra Violence Championship here but can he keep his souls or will the Reaper take them by force?

Winner & Still UltraViolent Champion: Santiago Del Toro

Come to Collect

[The match is over and both men lie exhausted in the ring.]

Signal: “A war was fought today.”

Black Scar: “Something tells me that that was a battle, and the war still rages.”

[Both men slowly rise, coming to meet eye to eye.]

[The ruleador attempts to step in but is chased out of the ring from a mere look from Mr. Grimm.]

[Both men stare daggers at each other, the force between them palpable.]

[The lights around the temple seem to dim, flickering.]

[CRACK!]

[Lightning flashes, hitting the center of the ring, right between Mr. Grimm and Del Toro. Smoke billows out from where the strike hit at their feet but neither man flinches.]

Signal: “These two may very well bring the temple down around them.”

Black Scar: “You can feel the energy, but the ring cannot contain it.”

[Out of the lightning, dozens of spectral beings surround the pair. Souls lost to the Soul Thief.]

[The Pale Rider is first to speak.]

Mr Grimm: “It is time to collect.”

[Del Toro merely laughs.]

Santiago Del Toro: “That was never the deal. I am still breathing. These souls are mine.”

[The Pale Rider growls in frustration.]

Mr Grimm: “Only a fool would laugh in the face of their own demise. And mark my words, I will end you. Consider this a down payment.”

[Mr. Grimm reaches out to snatch one of the beings out of the air, but he cannot.]

[He has no sway over them. His hand merely passes right through them.]

[Del Toro laughs once more. He swishes his cape and the force of spectral beings vanish under it’s sway.]

Santiago Del Toro: “It was never going to be that easy. You’ve got a task on your hands if you want these souls.”

[Del Toro backs away, leaving Mr. Grimm looking at his hands.]

Black Scar: “What did I tell ya, Sig? This war is far from over.”

Signal: “And the Pale Rider may have to fight the fight of his life to claim Del Toro’s soul if he ever wants back the souls stolen from him.”

[Cut]

Not A Game

[Later That Night.]

[EXT. BEHIND THE TEMPLE – NIGHT.]

[Behind the Temple, the celebration of Ring of Dreams feels a world away. The ancient stone walls are bathed in moonlight, and the air is deathly still. Warlord Mars stands alone in the courtyard, staring into the darkness. His face is bruised from the battle inside The Hollow, but his expression is one of grim certainty rather than pain.]

Voice: "You remember now."

[Mars doesn't turn. He knew someone was there long before they spoke.]

Warlord Mars: "Every last second."

[The hooded figure steps from the shadows but keeps their face concealed. They stop several feet behind Mars, careful not to get any closer.]

Voice: "Then tell me why. Ever since you arrived, you've wanted PixelShift dead. Why?"

[Mars lowers his head for a moment before letting out a slow breath.]

Warlord Mars: "The first time I laid eyes on that little maggot, I wanted to rip him apart. Didn't know why. Couldn't explain it. I just knew every instinct in my body was screamin' that he didn't belong."

[He slowly turns to face the figure.]

Warlord Mars: "Then that game changed me."

[His scarred face twists into a bitter grin.]

Warlord Mars: "When it spat me back out after our first fight, everyone kept sayin' I looked different. They were right. It cleared the fog outta my head."

[He taps his temple with one thick finger.]

Warlord Mars: "I'd been livin' with amnesia since I got here. The Hollow brought it all back."

[The figure listens without interrupting.]

Warlord Mars: "I remembered where I came from. I remembered what happened to the world. Most importantly... I remembered who caused it."

[His eyes narrow with absolute conviction.]

Warlord Mars: "PixelShift."

[A heavy silence settles between them.]

Warlord Mars: "Where I come from, humanity doesn't exist the way it does here. Civilization is gone. The world's been reduced to ash, hunger and endless war. Every person still breathin' knows exactly how it happened, because history never let 'em forget."

[Mars takes a slow step forward.]

Warlord Mars: "You people remember Jesus. Thousands of years have passed, and his name is still spoken every day. That's what PixelShift becomes in my time. Everybody knows his name, everybody knows his story... but nobody worships him."

[His lip curls with disgust.]

Warlord Mars: "They blame him."

[The figure's posture stiffens.]

Warlord Mars: "His obsession with gettin' home starts a chain of events that wipes humanity off the map. By the time my generation is born, there ain't no home left for anybody. Every starving child, every ruined city, every battlefield covered in bones can be traced back to one stupid little quest."

[Mars clenches both fists.]

Warlord Mars: "That's why I hate him. Not because of who he is today... because I know who he becomes. If I let him finish what he starts, then my future happens exactly the way I remember it."

[The hooded figure remains silent for a long moment, trying to absorb the enormity of what they've just heard.]

Voice: "I thought your hatred was personal."

[Mars shakes his head.]

Warlord Mars: "It ain't personal. It's survival."

[The figure slowly nods.]

Voice: "I had no idea."

[They look back towards the Temple, their tone now carrying the same concern as Mars'.]

Voice: "If what you've told me is true, then he can't be allowed to succeed."

[Mars doesn't answer. He simply looks towards the Temple, where PixelShift is somewhere inside, and his silence says everything.]

[Cut.]

Signal: A truly brutal matchup coming here Scar, a series of sickening deaths have happened over the past month with only a single word to hint at the perpetrator. DeMasq have been pointed at but Darkwish is also a huge suspect and after last week...either could be true.

Black Scar: I don't exactly approve of what DeMasq has done to our former luchadore's Siggie but aside from the unfortunate accident with Sujeto Cero, they haven't actually killed anyone. Darkwish has blood on his hands in his past and he straight up murdered Jack Standard last week. I think Academius may well be the innocent party here.

Signal:It's questionable if he was behind the string of murders Scar but Academius is far from innocent and you and everyone else damn well know it.

[The bell sounds as Academius stares confidently, slowly thwapping his ruler in his hand. The ruleador quickly takes it away, Academius allowing this as he studies his opponent, hunched over in the corner. ]

[Darkwish doesn't look his usual assured self, rubbing his hands, looking away from and flinching at any crowd support, he almost looks...hesitant to even walk forward.]

Signal:Taking another life last week seems to have taken a heavy toll on Darkwish, the kid barely looks like he wants to be here let alone fight.

[Darkwish visibly calms himself before jolting forward, swinging wildly with a strike that Academius easily dodges before slapping the vigilante in the back of the head. Darkwish stumbles backwards, shaking his head before running forward with another strike.]

[SLAP! Another open palm slap to the back of the head strikes Darkwish, not hard but effective. Darkwish scowls, turning around and running at Academius with a running clothesline.]

[SLAP!]

[SLAP!]

[SLAP!]

[Academius dodges and strikes Darkwish again and again and again. The final blow a forearm to the back of the head that nearly sends Darkwish face first into the turnbuckles. Darkwish turns to a disgusted looking Academius.]

Academius: Such a pathetic student, he's forgotten every I've taught him. Is that really the best you can do boy?

[Darkwish scowls, roaring forward with a flurry of lefts and rights that take Academius off guard. A leaping knee rocks the Professor as Darkwish rolls back, leaping forward]

[DARKNESS..CAUGHT! Academius easily catches the Superkick attempt, rolling through and damn near snapping Darkwish's leg in half with a Dragon Screw LegWhip.]

[Darkwish screams out in pain, scrambling to the ropes as Academius tries to turn him over into a hold.]

Signal: Darkwish just getting to the ropes but the sheer whiplash from that Dragon Screw may well have cost him the match here.

[The ruleador counts Academius down, the Professor obliges and backs away, allowing Darkwish to slowly rise to his feet.]

[RUNNING SOCCER KICK TO THE BACK OF THE KNEE! ]

[Darkwish crashes down to the mat in agony once again, Academius pulling him to the centre of the ring before grabbing his leg. Darkwish tries to fight out with hard kicks from the other leg but Academius drops down]

[CRUSHING THE BAD LEG WITH HIS ENTIRE 200+ body weight.]

[Darkwish screams in pain as Academius turns him over before arcing the bad leg up high]

[ELEVATED SINGLE CRAB LOCKED IN TIGHT!]

Black Scar: Academius has that hold locked in tight and judging from Darkwish's screams, that may well be it for old Justy there.

[Darkwish screams out in pain, Academius pulling back on the hold with all his strength as Darkwish tries to crawl his way to the ropes. His fingertips brush against the cables before he's pulled back into the middle of the ring.]

[Scarred Justice's hand is raised high, on the verge of tapping out. Before he swallows hard, his hands clenching into fists as he lunges forward.]

[AND GRABS HOLD OF THE BOTTOM ROPE, FORCING THE BREAK!]

Signal: He's got it there, Academius being forced to break the hold but with what damage that did to his knee, that may be the last gasp for Darkwish there.

[Darkwish stumbles up onto his knees, trying to stand before Academius grips him up, flipping him up and over from the mat.]

[CHALK DUST! DEADLIFT BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!]

[Academius slams Darkwish down hard onto the mat, dusting his hands off with a satisfied grin before looking to the top rope.]

[Academius quickly scrambles to the top rope, sizing up the struggling Darkwish on the mat before diving off.]

[CLASS DISMIS.....NO! Darkwish just rolls out of the way of the Diving Knee Drop as Academius hits the canvas knees first. The Professor crying out in pain as he stumbles to his feet.]

[KICK]

[WHAM]

[DOUBLE ARM DDT!]

[Academius gets planted into the mat, Darkwish stumbling back into the ropes, breathing heavy but nodding his head as Academius slowly staggers up. Darkwish leaping forward off his good foot]

[DAWN....TO THE REFEREE!! Academius pulls the ruleador into the way of the running knee!]

Signal: What a blatant cheap move by the professor there.

Black Scar: Hey, it's not Academius's fault that ruleador has two left feet and tripped into Darkwishs's attack.

Signal: Tripped? He got thrown into it! Are you blind Scar?

Black Scar: I think you're just bias against teachers Siggie, Darkwish is the one who blatantly assaulted a ruleador here.

[Darkwish kneels down, shocked at what he just did before his leg is taken out of his leg with a hard kick by Academius. Academius looks over at the official and the fallen Darkwish as a sick smile crosses his face.]

Signal: Oh god what's he up to now?

[Academius reaches into his tights, pulling out a spool of thick black wrist tape, similar to that Jack Standard used to use. He pulls out a section, wrapping it in his hands]

Academius: It's time for your final lesson child. What the punishment for failure in my classroom truly is.

[BEFORE WRAPPING IT AROUND THE THROAT OF THE SEATED DARKWISH]

[Scarred Justice struggles, the thick tape caught around his throat, clawing and scratching but it's far too thick and Academius has it locked tight in his hands.]

Black Scar: Is Academius about to prove Darkwish right here? Doesn't matter what the word was if the primary suspect is dead.

[Academius pulls back with all his strength, Darkwish struggles but he's fading as his hands claw at his belt, finally grasping something. A piece of something metal. Slightly faded but still a violent shade of red.]

[Shaped in the form of a bird. ]

Signal: Is...Is that what I think it is?

[Darkwish reaches up, and slices through the tape with ease thanks to the foreign object. Academius stunned slightly before he's staggered back by Darkwish snapping his head back.]

[Darkwish stumbles to his feet, Academius scowling, rushing forward but he's stopped as Darkwish throws the object right at him...as it bounces off.]

[Academius cocks his eyebrow, clearly confused ]

[BEFORE HIS HEAD IS NEARLY TAKEN OFF BY DARKNESS FALLS! SUPERKICK MOTHERFUCKER!]

[Academius drops down to his knees, Darkwish backing up as he drives one thumb across his throat, rushing forward]

[LEAPING INTO THE AIR]

[BUT HIS KNEE GIVES OUT]

[Darkwish falls to one knee, prime pickings for Academius who lifts him up high and slams him back down]

[A-PLUS! Leg-hook Belly to Back Suplex hits perfectly. Academius bridging back as the ruleador slowly comes to, counting the falls groggily]

[ONE]

[....]

[.......]

[TWO]

[......]

[......]

[THREE!]

Signal: Academius did it. It wasn't clean or pretty but he's beaten Darkwish here. Question is though who was truly behind the deaths? Was it DeMasq? Was it Darkwish or was it someone else entirely?

Winner: Academius

Justice

[Post-Match.]

[Darkwish lies on the canvas after an exhausting battle with Academius. Every inch of his body aches as he slowly drags himself onto one knee, using the ropes to haul himself upright. Across the ring, Academius has already slipped to the outside. He doesn't leave. Instead, he stands at the foot of the ramp, calmly watching what he knows is about to happen.]

Signal: "Darkwish's been through hell tonight. Somehow, he's still standing."

Black Scar: "You might want to save your sympathy. His night isn't over."

[Without warning, a woman vaults the barricade.]

[Then a man.]

[Then another.]

[Within seconds, dozens of people begin pouring from every side of the arena. They aren't fans looking for a souvenir. Their faces are etched with grief, anger and desperation. Some clutch framed photographs against their chests. Others carry flowers. Many are openly crying as they charge the ring.]

Signal: "What the hell is going on?! Security, get out here!"

[Darkwish turns just as the first person reaches him. A furious man grabs him by the suit, screaming into his face before another swings wildly. The ring fills with bodies as more and more people swarm through the ropes.]

Crowd Member: "You murdered my son!"

Another Crowd Member: "You took my husband away from me!"

[Darkwish doesn't fight back. He shoves people away only to create enough space to escape, stumbling through the ropes as security finally races down the aisle. Officials and guards desperately throw themselves between Darkwish and the growing mob, who continue trying to claw their way toward him.]

Signal: "These people aren't wrestlers... they're devastated!"

[Academius calmly picks up a microphone from ringside. The chaos behind him almost seems to amuse him.]

Academius: "You wanted justice, Darkwish."

[Darkwish stops halfway up the ramp, breathing heavily as he watches the crowd trying to break through security.]

Academius: "Well, here it is."

[He slowly gestures towards the people filling the ring.]

Academius: "These aren't my followers. They aren't paid actors."

[A pause.]

Academius: "They're mothers. Fathers. Husbands. Wives. Sons. Daughters."

[He lowers the microphone slightly.]

Academius:"They're the families of the people you murdered."

[Darkwish shakes his head violently.]

Darkwish: "No... you're wrong."

Academius: "Am I?"

[He smiles.]

Academius: "Because they believe me. They believe the evidence."

[Darkwish's expression changes. The anger gives way to uncertainty. To fear.]

Academius: "You're a wanted man now, Darkwish."

[He points into the sea of furious faces.]

Academius: "And they won't stop hunting you until they've had the vengeance you stole from them."

[Darkwish slowly backs up the ramp, never taking his eyes off the mob as security struggles to hold them back. The last image before the cameras cut away is Darkwish disappearing through the curtain while an entire arena full of grieving families continues to scream for justice.]

Signal: “It is now time for our main event, ladies and gentlemen! In just a few short moments, our World Champion, Dr. Cube will meet Pandemonium winner, Padre de la Venganza, for what is sure to be a hard hitting match!”

Black Scar: “The Game Master, while the fresher face of the two, is at an incredible disadvantage in terms of support. He has nobody willing to protect him from the Family or Nox Bellator should they decide to get involved.”

Signal: “Don’t count the champ out just because of the numbers game, Scar! He’s seen low chances of success before, and he was able to prove doubters wrong each and every time.”

Black Scar: “I’m not counting out anyone, Sig. Just have a hunch that Padre will get them involved somehow.”

Signal: “We’ll just have to wait and see then.”

[“Game Over” plays through the speakers as Dr. Cube makes his second entrance in the temple.]

[He methodically scans the crowd as he makes his way down the ramp, tilting his head from side to side as he walks.]

[His saunter to the ring is noticeably slower than it usually is, as if he’s actively searching for someone behind the barrier at ringside.]

[He climbs the stairs to the ring, intending to step through the ropes and make his way to his respective corner.]

[However, The Game Master’s music cuts off before he can step inside.]

[The piano of “Welcome to the Family” begins to play as the entire arena is drenched in darkness.]

[However, no spotlight appears to illuminate the challenger’s way.]

[The darkness lingers for an uncomfortably long time, with the sounds of unease from the crowd beginning to drown out the music.]

[Before too long, the lights return.]

[Padre de la Venganza stands in the ring, staring down his foe with great intensity.]

[However, it isn’t just him and the Ruleador in the ring.]

Black Scar: “I told you that the Family would get involved!”

Signal: “There’s got to be at least forty Family members besides Padre in that ring! Someone get security out here and get them all out before they attack!”

[Despite Sig’s pleas, The Virus motions for his Family to pounce on Cube like a pack of wild dogs, which they do with sickening glee.]

[The Doctor is dragged into the ring by two of them, with many others punching, kicking, clawing, and doing whatever else they can to weaken him from all sides.]

[The Black Heart, meanwhile, smiles sadistically as he watches this all unfold.]

[Cube does his best to defend himself, but to no avail as the numbers game proves to be too much.]

Signal: “This is a mauling! If this keeps up, I don’t think Dr. Cube will live to see the match start!”

[Security finally rush down the entrance ramp as what looks to be half of the Family members involved in the mugging slide out of the ring to fight them.]

[Members of the Family that slipped out brawl with security to the backstage area.]

[Padre, meanwhile, motions for the remaining Family to stop their assault on the Game Master and hold him still.]

[All but two of them back away from Cube.]

[Those that didn’t back away pull out the Doctor’s arms, making sure he can’t block what’s coming.]

[The Virus slowly walks towards the Game Master, confident that what will happen will be enough to put him away.]

Black Scar: “He kicks Cube in the leg! Now the arm! The stomach! The chest! The head! He’s kicking him just about everywhere, Sig!”

Signal: “He’s bringing down INFINITE CHAOS on the Doctor! There’s just one more kick he needs to hit before he completes the move!”

[After Cube eats about twenty or so kicks, Padre delivers a knee to the gut that knocks the wind out of the champion.]

[Venganza backs up before leaping at the Game Master with a leaping superkick, completing the move!]

[Cube falls to the mat like a ragdoll.]

[Satisfied, Venganza dismisses his Family, causing the remainder to leave the ring and disperse through the crowd, vanishing into the night.]

[Padre looks over to the Ruleador and tells him to ring the bell.]

[After some deliberation, they reluctantly call for it.]

[DING DING DING!]

Black Scar: “The match has officially started, and it might officially be the shortest one in OSW history if Cube doesn’t kick out.”

[Venganza places a boot on the Doctor’s chest almost immediately.]

[The Ruleador drops for the count!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[TWO!!]

[...]

[...]

[The hand raises for a third time!]

[...]

[...]

[It’s going to slap the mat!]

[...]

[...]

[BUT CUBE PUSHES THE FOOT OFF HIS CHEST!!!]

Signal: “Do my eyes deceive me!? After all that brutality, the Game Master kicked out at two!?!?”

Black Scar: “I’m as shocked as you are, Sig! The Doctor still has some fight left in him after a forty one on one beat down!”

[Padre can’t believe it.]

[He stares at Cube in complete shock as the crowd goes absolutely wild.]

[That shock turns to anger as he looks towards the Ruleador, who insists that it was only a two count.]

[Venganza then marches toward them, getting in their face and demanding that they count faster.]

Black Scar: “Padre’s making a huge mistake arguing with the Ruleador. He’s giving the champ ample time to recover.”

[Cube shakes his head as he rolls onto his stomach, getting ready to push himself up to his feet.]

[Venganza turns around to notice that the Doctor is up to one knee.]

[The Virus ends the heated debate early and goes to pick up the Game Master, who nails him with a hard uppercut to the jaw!]

[Padre backs into the ropes as Cube pushes himself up to his feet.]

[The champion pursues his foe and nails a few stiff forearms to his head.]

[The Doctor Irish whips the Black Heart off the ropes, back body dropping him on the rebound!]

[Padre gets to a knee fast, but Cube is quick to put him back down with a low front dropkick to the face!]

[The Virus rolls to the outside as the Doctor lays in the middle of the ring, wincing in pain.]

Signal: “Momentum seems to be swinging back in Cube’s favor, but the effects of the all out attack from earlier are showing for sure.”

Black Scar: “You’re right Sig. The Game Master might have a champion’s spirit, but he has the body of a man that was just attacked in a flash mob. If I were Padre, I’d capitalize on this as quickly as possible.”

[Venganza catches his breath on the outside as the Doctor gets back to his feet.]

[Cube walks over to his opponent, grabbing him by the mask over the top rope, lifting him onto the apron for some sort of move.]

[But Padre jumps off, pulling the Game Master’s neck down on the top rope as he hits the ground!]

[Cube clutches his throat as he takes a couple steps backward, allowing the Virus to roll back inside.]

[The champ charges after the Black Heart, but he shoves Cube into the ropes!]

[The Doctor bounces back into a waistlock from Padre, who drills him to the mat with a snap German suplex!]

Black Scar: “That was the most crisp suplex I’ve seen all night, Sig!”

Signal: “And if the Virus has his way, you’ll see two more!”

[Venganza keeps a hold of the Game Master as the Black Heart rolls over and delivers a snap dragon suplex!]

[Padre still holds on to the Doctor as he rolls over again, this time dumping Cube on his head with a snap backdrop driver!]

[With the LIFE FLASHER completed, the Virus hops on top of Cube and hooks both legs for a pin!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[TWO!!]

[...]

[...]

[The Doctor kicks out again!!!]

[Padre immediately pounces on his opponent again with stiff elbows to the head of Cube, punishing him for his resilience!]

[After six shots to the face, The Virus hoists the champion up and throws him into one of the corners.]

[Venganza runs toward the cornered Game Master, but he moves out of the way and forces the challenger to get a chest full of the turnbuckle pad!]

[He bounces backwards while holding his chest, unaware that Cube is waiting for him!]

Signal: “CHECKMATE! The spinning back elbow to the back of Padre’s head sees him get floored!”

[The Doctor takes a second to rub his sore neck before he goes on the attack.]

[The Game Master stomps on Venganza’s back as the latter tries to get up.]

[After a few more stomps, Cube grinds his foot into the Virus as he tries using the ropes as assistance, prompting the Ruleador to push the champ off.]

[Padre pulls himself up to his feet as his opponent is getting admonished, leaning on them for support.]

[The Doctor pushes the official away as he sees Venganza standing, looking to inflict further punishment.]

[Cube his adversary away from the ropes as the Ruleador follows close behind, now disciplining him for shoving an official.]

[But Padre swats the Game Master’s hands off of him, spitting black bile at him in retaliation!]

Black Scar: “Cube ducked the VIRAL INFECTION! The same can’t be said for our Ruleador, who took it square in the eyes!”

[The official falls to the ground, clutching their face while screaming into their palms.]

[Venganza watches the referee convulse with bulging eyes, realizing the mistake they’ve made.]

[Cube, however, doesn’t notice the Ruleador’s in pain as he rolls the stunned Padre into a small package!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[TWO!!]

[...]

[THREE!!!]

[...]

[FOUR!!!!]

[...]

[FIVE!!!!!]

[Cube releases the hold after hearing no count being made.]

[He looks behind him to see the Ruleador rolling on the mat in pain, trying in vain to get the black substance off their face.]

Signal: “Somebody needs to get a new Ruleador out here, stat! I don’t know what the effects of that mist are, but it might’ve just put them out of action for a good while!”

[The Doctor, instead of checking on the official and trying to help them, rolls out of the ring and makes his way over to the championship belt.]

[He grabs it off of the display podium just beside the time keeper’s table, sinister intentions in mind.]

[Just as he turns around, however, he spots Padre running towards him!]

Black Scar: “BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA! The leaping superkick catches his foe under the chin!”

[Cube drops the belt as he unconsciously moves back toward the barricade, allowing the Virus to pick it up.]

[Venganza charges at him with the belt, but the Game Master dodges at the last possible second, causing the challenger to whiff!]

[The Virus turns around, only to get speared into the divider by the champion!]

Signal: “What a sickening impact! I’m surprised the barricade didn’t collapse from the force of it!”

Black Scar: “Never mind the barricade, Sig; what about the belt!? I didn’t see where it landed after it flew out of Padre’s hands!”

[Cube leaves Padre recoiling on the steel divider as he begins to search under the ring apron for a new weapon.]

[After a few seconds of searching, Cube manages to pull out a kendo stick before turning back to the Virus with a tilt of his head.]

[The Doctor swings at the Black Heart’s kneecaps as he steps away from the barricade, forcing the latter to drop onto one knee!]

[The Game Master swings again at Venganza’s back, making him arch backwards before slowly falling onto the floor face first!]

[The champion wastes no time trying to inflict further pain onto his foe by placing the stick underneath the challenger’s chin.]

[Cube throws his foe’s arm over his head and pulls back on the kendo stick with all his might!]

Signal: “The PUZZLE LOCK Regal Stretch is locked in! But you can’t win the match with a submission outside the ring, or without a Ruleador to call it!”

Black Scar: “Cube’s not looking to win this match right now. He’s looking for payback for what happened earlier!”

[Padre screams in agony as his free arm flails wildly on the floor!]

[He attempts to reach for something, anything that could turn the tide back in his favor, but to no avail.]

[Seeing this, the Doctor wrenches the hold in even tighter!]

[Venganza’s face is turning a noticeable shade of blue!]

Signal: “He’s going to kill him if he keeps this up!”

[The Black Heart’s eyes begin to roll into the back of his head.]

[It looks as though he’s about to pass out at any second.]

[But Cube lets go of the hold before he can, falling forwards on top of Venganza with the kendo stick still in hand!]

[Padre takes a deep breath as he is released from his submission prison, his face returning to its normal hue.]

Black Scar: “I also said Nox Bellator would get involved, Sig. Well he just hopped out of the crowd and hit the Game Master in the back of the head with the belt!”

Signal: “That would explain why you weren’t able to see it land, Scar. Nox grabbed it before it could hit the ground!”

[The Warrior of Darkness rolls the Doctor off of Venganza before helping the latter up to his feet.]

[After taking a few more breaths, the Virus nods at his newly converted ally, motioning him to do what he wants to with Cube.]

[Bellator nods back, tossing the belt aside and forces the Game Master back into the ring.]

[N.B. slides in not a second later as Padre chooses to watch from the outside.]

[Nox forces Cube back to his feet before hoisting him over his head in a crucifix position.]

[Bellator dashes towards one of the corners of the ring with the Doctor too helpless and loopy to fight back.]

[The Warrior of Darkness then throws the Game Master off his shoulders, launching him into the turnbuckles!]

Signal: “ABYSSMAL! That running crucifix powerbomb has a fitting name for the display we’re seeing here!”

[The Doctor bounces off the turnbuckles as N.B. runs towards the opposite side of the ring, bouncing off the ropes after doing so.]

[On the rebound, he leaps over Cube and grabs his waist while wrapping his legs around his head!]

Black Scar: “The DISCIPLE BREAKER Canadian Destroyer! Get that Ruleador back up and have them count to a hundred, I’m certain the Game Master’s game is over!”

[Padre calmly rolls back into the ring, satisfied with the damage done.]

[Nox, meanwhile, rolls outside and hops back over the barricade, vanishing into the front row crowd.]

[Padre covers the champion with a lateral press and hooks the outside leg.]

[As he does so, a Ruleador sprints through the Temple entrance and slides under the bottom rope, getting ready to count the pin!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[TWO!!]

[...]

[...]

[THR-]

[NO!!! TWO POINT NINE AD INFINIUM!!!]

Black Scar: “I cannot fucking believe it.”

Signal: “Cube is hanging on by the thinnest of threads to keep a hold of that belt! Padre has thrown just about every member of the Family at him, and he’s still kicking out at two!”

[Venganza slaps the mat with both hands before screaming into the sky.]

[His fists are balled as he proceeds to take a mounted position over the Doctor, looking to pummel him with all his rage!]

[Right hand to the face!]

[And now a left hand!]

[Right!]

[Left!]

[Right!]

[Left!]

[Right!]

[Left!]

Signal: “The Virus is either going to get himself disqualified, or he’s going to force a referee stoppage if he keeps this up!”

[The Ruleador proceeds to throw themselves into Padre, pushing them off of a seemingly unconscious Cube before berating the former for senseless brutality.]

[The Black Heart stands up with bulging eyes, throwing the new Ruleador to the mat before they attempt to continue with their beatdown.]

[However, just as he stands over Cube, the Doctor shoots a leg straight into Venganza’s Family heirlooms!]

[The Virus clutches his package as Cube slowly makes his way back to his feet, almost unsteadily so.]

[The challenger grits his teeth before running after his opponent, who nails him with another CHECKMATE just before he’s tackled!]

[Padre staggers back towards the ropes as Cube spins back around.]

[BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA!]

[The superkick misses Cube by a hair as he ducks just in time!]

[The challenger turns around after missing the strike, getting hit with a kick to the gut!]

[The Doctor locks his foe in a hammerlock before wrapping an arm over Venganza’s head and dropping down for a DDT!]

Black Scar: “RUSSIAN ROULETTE! The Black Heart looks like he’s on dream street after that!”

Signal: “But will Cube be able to capitalize, or was that the last burst of energy he had from his reserves?”

[The Game Master sprawls out onto the mat alongside the Virus as the Ruleador looks at both men.]

[Neither man seems to be responding immediately, so the official begins the ten count.]

[ONE!]

[...]

[TWO!]

[...]

[THREE!]

[Padre stirs slightly, but the Doctor hasn’t moved yet.]

[FOUR!]

[...]

[FIVE!]

[The Game Master rolls onto his side as The Black Heart is now on all fours.]

[SIX!]

[...]

[SEVEN!]

[...]

[EIGHT!]

[Cube and Venganza are both on one knee, with the former using the ropes for support.]

[NINE!]

[...]

Black Scar: “Come on you two, get up! Nobody wants to see this match end like this!”

[With a spontaneous burst of energy, both men manage to push themselves up to their feet.]

[Although both of them are on jelly legs, the pair of luchadores walk toward one another, determined to win the match.]

[They butt heads in the center of the ring, ready to strike each other within a moment’s notice.]

[Padre attempts to throw a right hand, but Cube catches it and drops an elbow on the arm!]

[With Venganza on the mat, the Doctor wrenches back on his foe’s chin while trapping the arm between his legs!]

Signal: “BLACKENED JUSTICE! The Game Master’s using The Black Heart’s own crossface against him!”

[The Virus attempts to claw his way over to the ropes, but he can’t move!]

[He tries to break his arm out of the hold, but it’s cinched in tight!]

[There’s only one thing he can do in this situation, but he’s fighting with himself to not do it!]

[Just as he’s about to give in to the inevitable, the Ruleador is pulled out of the ring by Nox Bellator, who hopped over the barricade again!]

[Padre taps out a few seconds later, causing the Game Master to release the hold and raise his arms in celebration!]

Black Scar: “The bell didn’t ring, Cube! The match is still going!”

[The Doctor’s celebration is cut short as he notices N.B. delivering a TRIBULATION jumping reverse STO to the official on the outside!]

[Bellator gets back to his feet instantly after delivering the move, looking Cube dead in the eyes as the latter watches on.]

[The Game Master steps between the ropes and hops off the apron, confronting the Warrior of Darkness directly.]

[The champ stares at Nox intensely as the former Light Warrior recites a silent prayer for the Doctor, sounding almost demonic while doing so.]

[After a bit, Cube attempts to get back in the ring to focus on the match, but Bellator stops him by grabbing the Game Master’s ankle!]

[He gets pulled off the apron, but manages to respond to Nox’s shenanigans with a karate chop to the head as he falls!]

Signal: “Something tells me that Bellator’s about to learn the hard way why he shouldn’t have stuck his nose in this match!”

[The Warrior of Darkness holds his head as Cube proceeds to go on a rampage against the interferer.]

[He grabs Nox by the mask and slams him face first into the barricade!]

[Nowhere near finished, The Doctor leads Bellator towards the ring before slamming him face first against the apron!]

[Still not done, the champ forces N.B. toward the steel stairs, slamming them face first off those too!]

[Sufficiently dazed, the Game Master hoists him up to the top step before setting him up in a package position.]

Signal: “Surely he’s not going to do what I think, is he!?”

Black Scar: “After all he’s been through in this match, I wouldn’t be surprised if he does!”

[Cube hoists Nox up and lets him hang upside down for a few seconds.]

[All Bellator can do is shake his head, begging the Doctor not to do it.]

[But the Game Master leaps anyway!]

[GAME OVER PACKAGE PILEDRIVER ONTO THE FLOOR BELOW!]

Signal: “Oh good lord!”

Black Scar: “I think I felt my neck shrink into my chest after seeing that!”

[The crowd reacts with approval to what just transpired, with someone in the audience even blaring an airhorn.]

[Padre looks up just in time to see the one ally he hadn’t dismissed from the Temple get his head spiked into the ground.]

[He stares at the Doctor in disbelief for doing that, but that incredulousness quickly turns into rage.]

[As Cube stands up, Venganza runs off the ropes to build momentum for an outside dive.]

[But he doesn’t notice that the Game Master is reaching under the ring apron for another weapon!]

[The Virus goes for a suicide dive, but is domed in the head by the champion with a chair for his efforts!]

[The Doctor tosses the chair aside as Padre hangs limply off the middle rope.]

[In a fit of fury, the Game Master starts to tear the canvas off one corner of the ring, exposing the hard wood that lines the underside.]

[Cube slides back into the ring a moment later, looking to end this once and for all as he draws an outline of a cube to signal his finisher.]

[He drags the Black Heart over to the corner where he tore up the canvas.]

[Making sure his foe is out of it, the champion slams the challenger’s head into the top turnbuckle before making his ascent to the top rope.]

Signal: “Oh no, he’s going to spike Padre too!”

[The Doctor lifts Venganza up to the second rope before hooking him into a package position.]

[He attempts to lift him into the air, but the Virus hangs onto the top rope, preventing him from hanging upside down!]

[The Game Master proceeds to throw a couple stiff shots to his foe’s back before trying again, but the Black Heart still clasps the ropes tightly!]

[Before Cube can strike again, Padre throws him off the top rope and onto the wooden supports below!]

Black Scar: “That wood is reinforced with steel plates to keep it from breaking, which is good for OSW’s budget, but bad for Cube’s back!”

[The Doctor stands up lightning fast with an arched back, walking around the ring like a decapitated chicken while howling in pain!]

[Venganza hops off the ropes and waits for the Game Master to run into him, which he inadvertently does!]

Signal: “SHADOW CONTAGION! The leaping stunner has to be it, and if Padre is merciful, he’d go for the cover right now!”

[But the Virus doesn’t go for the pin, despite the champion having bounced off his arm and onto the mat.]

[Instead, he lifts a very shaky Cube up to his feet, propping him up against the ropes to ensure he doesn’t fall over for what’s to come!]

[Rapid fire kicks hit the Doctor all over!]

[His chest!]

[His abdomen!]

[His legs!]

[His head!]

[He keeps on kicking the Game Master, treating him like a personal training dummy!]

[Knee to the gut drops Cube onto a knee as the Virus backs up, looking for the killing blow!]

Black Scar: “The superkick lands flush again! The second taste of INFINITE CHAOS has been served!”

[Exhausted, Padre flops down on top of the Game Master for the cover as the first Ruleador from the match has managed to recover, slowly making the count!]

[ONE!]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[TWO!!]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[THREE!!!]

Signal: “WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!!! Padre de la Venganza pulled out all the stops tonight to make sure he would walk out of Ring of Dreams as your winner, and my God did he go through hell just to make sure of it!”

Winner & New OSW World Champion: Padre Venganza

Shaking The Family Tree

[Post-Match.]

[Dr. Cube slowly rises to his feet after the battle, one hand clutching his ribs. Across the ring, Padre Venganza remains kneeling exactly where the match ended, his head bowed as if in silent prayer. Neither man moves to leave.]

[A deep rumble suddenly rolls beneath the Temple.]

[The ring trembles.]

[The ropes begin vibrating.]

Signal: "Did... did you feel that?"

[The rumble intensifies without warning. The entire Temple lurches violently, throwing both competitors off balance as the canvas bucks beneath them.]

Black Scar: "That's no earthquake!"

[The lights begin to flicker wildly.]

[A deafening explosion echoes somewhere deep beneath the building.]

[Then another.]

[Concrete dust pours from the rafters.]

[Large chunks of masonry crash onto the entrance stage, sending fans in the front rows scrambling backwards.]

Signal: "Everybody get out! The Temple's coming down!"

[Padre Venganza doesn't react.]

[He slowly raises both arms towards the heavens, remaining on his knees in the centre of the ring as the chaos unfolds around him.]

Black Scar: "Look at Padre! He isn't moving!"

[Another violent explosion rocks the building.]

[The broadcast abruptly cuts to backstage cameras.]

[BACKSTAGE.]

[Hallways are filled with panic. Wrestlers, officials and crew sprint in every direction as ceiling tiles collapse and sprinklers burst overhead. Security desperately usher people towards emergency exits while alarms begin screaming throughout the Temple.]

[The camera races around a corner...]

[...before stopping dead.]

[Blackhand Moretti is slumped against a crumbling concrete wall.]

[A thick steel pipe has been driven clean through his torso, pinning him in place.]

[Blood pours down the metal onto the floor beneath him.]

[Standing on the opposite side of the pipe...]

[Ziggy Robbins.]

[And Dr. Eric Vinell.]

[Both still gripping the steel together.]

[Moretti coughs violently, blood spilling from beneath his mask before his head falls forward.]

Signal: "MY GOD!"

Black Scar: "They've run him clean through!"

[The cameraman stumbles backwards in horror before instinctively turning towards another corridor.]

[Freddie Fingers lies crushed beneath a mountain of fallen masonry.]

[His arm hangs lifelessly from the rubble.]

[A few feet away, Tony Knuckles is sprawled against the wall, his body twisted unnaturally beneath broken concrete and twisted steel.]

[Neither man moves.]

[Blood slowly creeps across the shattered floor.]

Signal: "No... Not them too..."

[The cameraman breathes heavily, backing away from the scene.]

[A hand suddenly grabs the lens.]

[Dr. Vinell fills the frame.]

[He smiles.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Glad you could make it to the party."

[His fist smashes directly into the camera.]

[The picture jolts violently.]

[Static floods the screen.]

[Static.]

Welcome to the Family

[Outside the Temple, the night has descended into absolute chaos. Thick black smoke pours from shattered windows as explosions continue to erupt from somewhere deep within the ancient structure. Fans flood through the exits in blind panic, trampling over one another in their desperation to escape. Sirens begin echoing through the streets of Molvania as chunks of burning masonry rain down around the entrance.]

[A black sedan screeches to a halt at the foot of the Temple steps.]

[Marvolo throws the door open before the car has even stopped moving. Deadeye and Santiago Siniestro are only a heartbeat behind him, all three men staring in horror as another explosion tears through the upper levels of the Temple.]

Marvolo: "No..."

[He immediately starts towards the entrance.]

Marvolo: "We've got to get inside!"

[Without warning...]

[CLANG!]

[A crowbar crashes into the back of Siniestro's skull.]

[He crumples instantly.]

[Deadeye spins towards the attacker, instinctively reaching for his revolver.]

[He's too late.]

[CRACK!]

[The crowbar catches him across the jaw, sending the cowboy sprawling down the Temple steps.]

[Marvolo freezes.]

[A man calmly steps out of the smoke.]

[His face is concealed behind a filthy yellow smiley-face mask, its faded grin scratched and stained beyond recognition. His scar-covered body is bare save for a pair of tattered black shorts, whilst the bloodied crowbar rests comfortably across one shoulder as though it belongs there.]

[He says nothing.]

[He simply tilts his head towards Marvolo...]

[...before walking straight past him and into the Temple.]

Marvolo: "S... Smiley?"

[Inside...]

[The cameras desperately follow.]

[The Temple has become a warzone.]

[Smoke fills every corridor.]

[Sprinklers pour water over shattered walls.]

[Fans continue fleeing in every direction.]

[The smiling stranger walks calmly through the panic.]

[Every person unfortunate enough to cross his path is met with the same response.]

[CRACK!]

[A stagehand collapses.]

[CLANG!]

[A security guard falls unconscious.]

[THUD!]

[An official is struck clean off his feet.]

[Smiley never breaks stride.]

[He simply keeps walking, the crowbar rising and falling with mechanical precision until nobody remains standing in his path.]

[Eventually, he reaches the entrance to the arena.]

[Waiting for him...]

[Is another man.]

[He is draped in a long crimson hooded coat that conceals almost every inch of his body. Beneath the hood sits a cracked white porcelain mask, fractured from forehead to chin. In one gloved hand he holds a small detonator.]

[DOUBT.]

[The two men exchange a silent look.]

[The Emotion calmly presses the button.]

[BOOM!]

[Another violent explosion tears through the Temple behind them, the shockwave blowing dust and debris through the corridor.]

[Neither man even flinches.]

[Together, they continue walking towards the arena.]

[Ringside.]

[Padre Venganza still stands in the centre of the ring, untouched by the devastation surrounding him. Dr. Cube has disappeared. The Temple continues to shake as smoke drifts through the arena.]

[Knock Knock climb into the ring.]

[Without hesitation...]

[Both kneel before Padre.]

[Moments later, Ziggy Robbins and Dr. Eric Vinell emerge through the smoke and climb onto the apron.]

[Nox Bellator too.]

[They too enter the ring.]

[They too kneel.]

[Five figures.]

[United before Padre Venganza.]

[Marvolo finally reaches the entranceway.]

[He stops dead.]

[His face drains of colour.]

Marvolo: "No..."

[Padre slowly looks over each of them.]

[His smile grows wider.]

[Then...]

[He begins to laugh.]

[It starts as a quiet chuckle.]

[Before becoming uncontrollable.]

[Wild.]

[Ecstatic.]

[He throws his arms wide as the Temple continues to crumble around him.]

Padre Venganza: "Welcome..."

[His laughter echoes throughout the ruined arena.]

Padre Venganza: "...to the family."

[The five infected disciples remain kneeling before him as smoke engulfs the ring.]

[His voice echoes.]

"Welcome... ...to the family."

[Cut.]