Double Crossed
[Wrr.]
[Click.]
[Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.]
[INT. MARVOLO'S OFFICE — NIGHT. RECORDED DAYS AGO]
[SLAM 404 opens not with chaos... but confidence. The camera slowly pushes through the office door. Marvolo sits behind his desk.]
[Feet up. A thick cigar smouldering between his fingers.]
[The red phone sits beside him.]
[The oak desk gleams beneath the warm light.]
[For the first time in weeks...]
[He looks relaxed.]
[Marvolo exhales a thick cloud of smoke.]
[A faint smile crossing his face.]
[Then—]
[BANG!]
[The office door SLAMS open so hard it rebounds off the wall.]
[Marvolo's smile disappears.]
[Deadeye storms inside.]
[Furious.]
[Hat soaked from the Molvanian rain.]
[Revolver already in hand. Deadeye points the revolver directly at Marvolo.]
[Marvolo remains seated.]
[Calm.]
Deadeye: "I don't like bein' used."
[A step forward.]
Deadeye: "I don't like bein' lied to."
[Another.]
Deadeye: "And I sure as hell don't like findin' out the job I took..."
[His jaw clenches.]
Deadeye: "Was somebody else's setup."
[Marvolo calmly taps ash from his cigar.]
Marvolo: "Then perhaps you should've read the fine print."
[Deadeye's grip tightens.]
Deadeye: "Careful."
[A beat.]
Deadeye: "I've buried smarter men than you."
[Marvolo smirks.]
Marvolo: "And yet here I am."
[Deadeye raises the revolver.]
Deadeye: "Manipulatin' me was a mistake."
[A pause.]
Deadeye: "I'm not your employee."
Marvolo: "Technically, if you compete here, you are. But no, you're not my employee in the sense you mean..."
[Marvolo leans back.]
Marvolo: "But he is."
[Deadeye's eyes narrow.]
Deadeye: "What?"
[CRACK.]
[Santiago Siniestro explodes into frame from behind.]
[The assassin drives a forearm into the back of Deadeye's head.]
[Deadeye stumbles but Siniestro doesn't stop.]
[A brutal knee to the ribs. A punch to the jaw. An elbow across the temple.]
[Deadeye collapses into a nearby cabinet.]
[Glass shatters.]
[The gunslinger tries to recover—]
[Siniestro drives him face-first into the desk.]
[THUD.]
Siniestro: "You talk too much."
[Deadeye falls to one knee.]
[Still fighting.]
[Still dangerous.]
[Siniestro responds by wrapping an arm around his throat and choking him unconscious.]
[Within seconds...]
[Deadeye goes limp.]
[Siniestro releases him.]
[The cowboy crashes onto the floor.]
[Motionless.]
[Marvolo hasn't moved.]
[Hasn't even stood up.]
[He calmly takes another puff of his cigar.]
Marvolo: "If you have any further complaints..."
[He gestures lazily toward Siniestro.]
Marvolo: "You may direct them to my very own sicario."
[Siniestro grabs Deadeye by the legs and drags him toward the doorway.]
[Deadeye's spurs scrape loudly across the floor.]
[The office door swings open.]
[Siniestro throws the unconscious gunslinger into the hallway.]
[SLAM.]
[Cut.]
Maskageddon
Signal: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Slam!”
Black Scar: “And we’re getting started off hot, Sig. The Champ is here!”
[Dr. Cube stands alone in the ring, soaking in the jeers from the Temple-faithful.]
Dr. Cube: "At Pandemonium, they tried."
[A slow tilt of the head.]
Dr. Cube: "Warlord Mars tried. Santiago Siniestro tried."
[He shrugs.]
Dr. Cube: "Both failed. Just as Edward Newton did."
[He raises the World Championship.]
Dr. Cube: "And now I find myself with a problem. There is nobody left."
[He slowly turns.]
Dr. Cube: "No challenger. No rival. No one intelligent enough to beat me. No one capable of defeating my games."
[Cube laughs softly.]
Dr. Cube: "Which leaves me with only one option."
[He spreads his arms.]
Dr. Cube: "Maskageddon: The Elimination Chamber."
[The crowd erupts.]
Dr. Cube: "One of wrestling's greatest games."
[He taps the World Championship.]
Dr. Cube: "If someone can survive it. If someone can eliminate me. If someone can prove themselves worthy..."
[He points toward the entrance.]
Dr. Cube: "Then they earn a World Championship match. Whether I remain champion after Ring of Dreams..."
[He taps the belt.]
Dr. Cube: "Or not."
[The crowd buzzes.]
Signal: “Dr. Cube has laid it down, and I’m told that it’s official.”
Black Scar: “Wow, Sig, what a generous offer from the Champ. Who’s going to take him up on it?”
[Silence for a moment, a crowd buzzing with anticipation.]
[The sound of a wooden ruler hitting palm echoes into the arena.]
Academius: "An interesting proposal."
[Academius is making his way to the ring.]
Academius: "You possess the finest trophy in the Temple."
[He looks past the World Championship. Above, to be more exact.]
Academius: "Your mask."
[The ruler points directly at Cube.]
Academius: "I want it."
[The crowd pops as the tension mounts before it’s broken by a darker voice.]
Darkwish: "You want worthy?"
[A spotlight swings around the arena to find Darkwish standing in the darkest corner of the top of the Temple, fans swarming around him.]
Darkwish: "Then put me in."
[He points toward the ring.]
Darkwish: "Because somebody in this company is killing people. And all I've got are three letters. D. M. A.”
[The crowd murmurs.]
Darkwish: "DEMASQ."
Signal: “I never even thought of that, Scar! Are DEMASQ the ones behind the killings we’ve seen?”
[Before anyone can respond, the lights dim and a heartbeat echoes through the Temple.]
[Dr. Eric Vinell walks onto the stage.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "How delightful. A gathering of exceptional specimens."
[He adjusts his gloves.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Naturally, I wish to participate."
[The crowd boos.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "After all..."
[A glance toward Cube.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Evolution only occurs through experimentation."
[Suddenly a voice cuts through the crowd.]
Ziggy Robbins: "NO."
[The Temple erupts as Ziggy storms onto the stage.]
[Eyes fixed on Vinell.]
Ziggy Robbins: "You. Where's my brother?"
[The crowd grows louder.]
Ziggy Robbins: "What’ve you done to him? Where is he? I'm done asking."
[The stare between them is ice cold.]
Signal: “Revelations at Pandemonium saw Dr. Vinell reveal that Ziggy’s brother is Subject retrieval case seventy-two, whatever that means.”
Black Scar: “Nothing good, Sig.”
[Back in the ring, Cube slowly begins applauding.]
Dr. Cube: "Excellent. Four challengers. Four players. I accept you all into my challenge.”
[The crowd erupts, but Cube raises one finger to quiet them.]
Dr. Cube: "But the Chamber requires six. One spot belongs to me. Which means..."
[Cube slowly looks toward the entrance.]
Dr. Cube: "There is still one vacancy."
[The camera pans toward the stage, where Vinell has slipped away while Robbins listened to Cube. Darkwish has also vanished from his perch in the cheap seats.]
Signal: “Well there you have it. We’ve got five but we need six. Who’s going to claim the last spot at Maskageddon?”
Signal: “Tag Team action tonight as Del Toro and Siniestro take on the team of Deadeye and Silas. You bet that Deadeye can't wait to get his hands on Siniestro. Did you hear what happened, ScaR?”
Black Scar: “I’ve seen how brutal these guys are and I’m all for team Santiago.”
Signal: “Team Santiago?”
[The newly crowned Ultraviolent Champion starts in the ring, squaring off against Deadeye. Deadeye gets straight into action. REVOLVER! DISCUS CLOTHESLINE! NO! A QUICK DODGE BY DEL TORO!]
[SNAP DDT! SPECTRAL PASSADA!]
Black Scar: “¡Olé!”
[Del Toro hurls Deadeye back up to his feet, but Deadeye hits him with an elbow strike and dashes to the ropes.]
[RIDE WITH ME! THE KNEE DROPS DEL TORO!]
[Deadeye tags in Silas!]
[SILAS SLINGSHOTS INTO THE RING! MASSIVE SPLASH! NO!]
[DEL TORO GOT THE KNEES UP AND CRAWLS OVER TO TAG SINIESTRO!]
Signal: Back and forth momentum here, now El Frio is looking to ice Silas out.
[Siniestro grabs Silas by the ankles and wraps him up into his TEQUILA SUNRISE!]
[Silas remains seemingly emotionless, grabbing the rope to break the hold.]
[Both men make it to their feet together and trade blows. Siniestro rocks Silas with a big right hook, dropping him with a DDT before running the ropes.]
[SILAS RISES! ONE ARMED SCISSOR!]
[SANTIAGO SINIESTRO IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND INSIDE OUT!]
[Silas covers…]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[DEL TORO BREAKS THE PIN!]
Black Scar: “Just in time, but the ruleador isn’t happy.”
[Silas tags in Deadeye while the Ruleador sends Del Toro back to the ring apron. Deadeye comes charging in as Siniestro rises.]
[DEADSHOT! STUNNER!]
[DEADEYE COVERS!]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!]
Signal: “Deadeye scores the win for him and Silas!”
Winners: Deadeye & Silas
CandyCrusher
[INT. ARCADE ROOM — BACKSTAGE.]
[Rows of arcade cabinets illuminate the room in pulses of neon blue, pink, and green. Game attract screens cycle endlessly. 8-bit music overlaps with digitized explosions.]
[The room feels alive.]
[PixelShift storms through it.]
[Furious.]
[He shoves past a Skybound cabinet and rounds on Respawn.]
Pixelshift: "You set me up!"
[Respawn doesn't even look up from the machine he's working on.]
[Schematics and lines of code flicker across the monitor.]
Pixelshift: "Candy Man wasn't after me because I stole his stash!"
[A step closer.]
Pixelshift: "He was after me because YOU stole his stash!"
Signal: "Finally!"
Black Scar: "Kid figured it out."
[Respawn sighs.]
[Annoyed that his work has been interrupted.]
Respawn: "Borrowed."
Pixelshift: "You stole it."
Respawn: "Temporarily."
Pixelshift: "He almost threw me off a building!"
[Respawn finally swivels around in his chair.]
Respawn: "And yet here you are."
[PixelShift throws his hands into the air.]
Pixelshift: "That's not the point!"
[He points toward the arcade cabinets.]
Pixelshift: "You told me you were helping me get home!"
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "You didn't tell me I was bait!"
[Respawn stands.]
[For the first time, his tone hardens.]
Respawn: "If you want to get home.. then hard choices have to be made."
[He gestures toward a nearby cabinet.]
[The screen displays a bright title card.]
CANDYCRUSHER
[PixelShift looks over.]
[The level is unfinished.]
[Glitching.]
[A monstrous candy castle looms in the background.]
Respawn: "Every level needs a boss fight."
[A few keystrokes.]
[The Candy Castle grows larger.]
[More threatening.]
Respawn: "CandyCrusher needs a final boss."
[The screen flashes.]
Respawn: "And Candy Man is perfect."
Signal: "This guy really sees the world like a video game."
Black Scar: "He's a programmer. Same disease, different symptoms."
[PixelShift shakes his head.]
Pixelshift: "No."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "If we're doing this..."
[He steps forward.]
Pixelshift: "No more secrets."
[The room falls quiet.]
Pixelshift: "No more setups."
[A pause.]
Pixelshift: "No more using me without telling me."
[Respawn stares at him.]
[Considering.]
[Then scoffs.]
Respawn: "You can complain about my methods all you want."
[He turns back to the monitor.]
[Code begins rapidly scrolling across the screen.]
Respawn: "Or..."
[A beat.]
Respawn: "You can bring Candy Man to this room."
[The CandyCrusher title screen flashes.]
[LEVEL READY.]
[PixelShift looks at it.]
[Then at Respawn.]
[Then back at the game.]
Signal: "Well..."
Black Scar: "Looks like somebody's got a boss fight to schedule."
[The arcade cabinet emits a low digital growl.]
[Waiting.]
[Cut.]
Any Port in a Storm
[Blackhand Moretti’s car peels away from the quay, leaving Ram Jam flailing in the freezing water.]
Ram Jam: [panicked] “H-HELP!”
[His head goes under. His horns break the surface as he breaches again.]
Ram Jam: [desperate] “A-ANYBODY!?”
[The Psychedelic Ram thrashes frantically, expending precious energy.]
Ram Jam: [tired] “Please!”
[Arms dropping at his sides, Ram remains vertical. His head tips back, his mouth just above the surface.]
Ram Jam: [weak] “Can’t…”
[He closes his eyes in resignation. An eerie calm washes over him.]
[Is this it?]
[Is this the end of Ram Jam!?]
[...]
[SPLASH!]
[Splash, splash, splash!]
[GASP!]
[Ram Jam’s eyes snap open.]
[A guardian angel holds him under his arms, swimming towards safety.]
[He turns his head to see who his rescuer is–]
[LUKE FUCKING STORM!]
Ram Jam: [weak] “How?”
Luke Storm: [panting] “S-save the q-questions til I g-get us on l-land!”
[...]
[Minutes later, Storm heaves a soaking Ram onto a jetty, before pulling himself up.]
[He coughs and splutters. He’s in fighting-form, but pulling a nearly 250-pound man through water is a Herculean effort!]
[Eventually, Luke composes himself.]
[Sitting on the planks, Ram looks up at him in disbelief.]
Ram Jam: “How’d you know I was here!?”
Luke Storm: “I left Pandemonium early to tail Moretti. I saw him throw you in.”
[Ram frowns.]
Ram Jam: “You think he knows about–?”
Luke Storm: “Fuck if I know. But his ass is gonna tell me!”
[A dripping-wet Luke goes to leave.]
Ram Jam: “Hey, wait!”
[He turns back.]
Ram Jam: “... Thanks, brotha!”
[Storm smirks.]
Luke Storm: “Don’t mention it. Maybe, uh, take swimming lessons?”
[Ram laughs.]
Ram Jam: “I ain't swam since…”
[He falls silent.]
[His eyes glaze over with a thousand-yard stare.]
[With Ram’s safety ensured, an unnerved Luke leaves.]
[What was that about!?]
Message Received
[Backstage.]
[A laptop sits open atop a production crate.]
[Waveforms.]
[Filters.]
[Enhancements.]
[Luke Storm paces.]
[Edward Newton sits perfectly still.]
Signal: “At Pandemonium, we learned Scarlett is alive.”
Black Scar: “Which means somebody out there is keeping her that way.”
[A cursor clicks.]
[PLAY.]
[A young girl's voice crackles through the speakers.]
Scarlett: "Daddy?"
[Storm freezes.]
Scarlett: "Daddy, please..."
[A shaky breath.]
[A sob.]
Scarlett: "I'm scared. Daddy..."
[Storm closes his eyes.]
Scarlett: "Eddie..."
[Newton's expression doesn't change.]
[But his hand tightens around the mouse.]
Scarlett: "Please come get me..."
[The recording dissolves into frightened crying.]
[Then static.]
[Then silence.]
[Storm immediately looks to Newton.]
Luke Storm: "Tell me you got something."
[Newton doesn't answer.]
[He's already working.]
[Typing.]
[Separating tracks.]
[Removing noise.]
[Pulling frequencies apart.]
Signal: "What is he doing?"
Black Scar: "Being a nerd."
[A new audio track appears.]
[Isolated.]
[Enhanced.]
[PLAY.]
[At first, nothing.]
[Then…]
[Voices. Distant. Rhythmic.]
[Many voices speaking in unison.]
[Chanting.]
[Storm's face darkens.]
Luke Storm: "What the hell is that?"
[Newton listens again.]
[And again.]
Edward Newton: "A congregation."
[Storm folds his arms.]
Luke Storm: "Meaning?"
Edward Newton: "Meaning we were deceived. Propaganda was eager to help us in Lambs."
[Storm immediately shakes his head.]
Luke Storm: "So?"
Edward Newton: "So he pointed us exactly where we wanted to go."
[Newton stands.]
Edward Newton: "Mr. Grimm. Death. The obvious answer."
[He turns to Storm.]
Edward Newton: "Too obvious."
Signal: "You think Propaganda sent them after Grimm?"
Black Scar: "Wouldn't be the first time somebody used a distraction around here."
Luke Storm: "No."
[Newton pauses.]
Luke Storm: "No way."
[Storm points at the screen.]
Luke Storm: "Why would Propaganda kidnap Scarlett? What does he get out of that?"
[Newton doesn't immediately respond.]
[Storm steps closer.]
Luke Storm: "We're chasing the wrong guy."
Edward Newton: "Then who?"
[Storm doesn't hesitate.]
Luke Storm: "Blackhand Moretti. A little girl disappears. Somebody sends messages. Somebody wants leverage."
[He points at Newton.]
Luke Storm: "That sounds like a mobster."
[Newton considers it.]
[Quiet.]
[Calculating.]
Edward Newton: "That's thin."
[Storm leans forward.]
Luke Storm: "Anorexic, but it's our best lead."
[Newton looks back at the waveform.]
[Back at the chanting.]
[Back at Scarlett's terrified voice frozen on the screen.]
Edward Newton: "Sometimes the obvious is the solution. But what happens when there are two obvious solutions?"
[The audio begins to play again.]
Scarlett: "Daddy..."
[Cut.]
Signal: “Anything Goes in this bout, folks, as Dolly Daydream goes mano a mano with Aranza in a, uh—”
Black Scar: “It’s a Battle of the Broads, Sig! May the best woman win!”
[The Dreamer and The Huntress get right up in each other’s shit, touching masks.]
Signal: “Both these competitors share almost the exact same vital statistics. Very evenly matched physically!”
[They lock horns!]
[Dolly snatches Aranza in a headlock. Aranza shoots her off the ropes, flooring her with a shoulder tackle! Daydream, however, kips up into an arm drag! Aranza rolls through and throws a clothesline at Dolly, only to eat another arm drag! Daydream backs into the ropes—]
[A SINGLE-LEG DROPKICK SENDS HER TO THE FLOOR!]
Signal: “That’s a CLEAN SHOT by Aranza!”
Black Scar: “She’s reloading and taking aim with a finger crossbow at Ms. Invasion, who leans on the apron!”
[…]
[SUICIDE DIVE BY ARANZA—]
[THUD!]
[INTO A STOP SIGN SWUNG BY DOLLY!]
Signal: “Good golly, Miss Dolly - what a shot!”
[Daydream pulls a trash can and kendo stick out from under the ring. Aranza gets to her feet—]
[Dolly stuffs the receptacle over her head!]
[She rears back…]
[ARANZA INSTINCTIVELY DUCKS!]
[CRACK!]
[Daydream snaps the Singapore cane against the steel ring post!]
Black Scar: “Aranza has a sixth sense, Sig!”
[Aranza sheds the aluminium cylinder, then wields it overhead—]
[CRUNCH!]
[She brains Dolly with it!]
[Discarding it, she scares Daydream in a fish-hook—]
[RIPCORD ROLLING ELBOW!]
[NO!]
Signal: “Dolly DODGES the CATCH AND RELEASE!”
[Daydream hits a ripcord of her own with a RUNNING KNEE!]
Black Scar: “OFF WITH IT, Aranza!”
[Dolly rolls her inside for the cover.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[TWO-AND-A-HALF!]
Black Scar: “She’s got nine lives, Sig!”
[The Dreamer grabs a steel chair from ringside. Folding it shut, she waits for Aranza to recover…]
[SHE GOES TO SWING–]
[BUT DUCKS A ROUNDHOUSE KICK INSTEAD!]
Signal: “Aranza MISSES the PARTING SHOT!”
[Dropping the chair, Dolly grabs Aranza…]
[IMPLANT DDT!]
[THWACK!]
Black Scar: “PORCELAIN SHATTER ONTO THE CHAIR!”
[Daydream covers her.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!]
Signal: “Ms. Invasion, Dolly Daydream, leaves The Huntress exhausted after playtime!”
Winner: Dolly Daydream
The Thrill of The Hunt
[Ringside — moments after the match. Aranza kneels on the canvas, breathing heavily. [Frustration burns beneath the mask.]
[Defeat is not something she wears well.]
Signal: "A rare setback for Aranza tonight."
Black Scar: "Hunters miss sometimes."
[Aranza pushes herself back to her feet.]
[The crowd begins to stir.]
[Then—]
[The lights go out.]
[Instantly.]
[The Temple vanishes into darkness.]
Signal: "Oh no..."
[Silence.]
[Then—]
[FLASH.]
[Santiago Del Toro stands in front of her.]
[Perfectly still.]
[His eyes locked onto hers.]
[Before Aranza can react—]
[Darkness.]
[FLASH.]
[Del Toro is behind her.]
[One hand extended.]
[Like a matador presenting a challenge.]
[Darkness.]
[FLASH.]
[Now he's to her left.]
[Darkness.]
[FLASH.]
[To her right.]
[Each appearance closer.]
[Each disappearance quicker.]
Black Scar: "He's playing with her."
[Aranza slowly turns, refusing to show fear.]
[But for the first time in a long time...]
[She cannot track her prey.]
[FLASH.]
[Del Toro appears inches from her face.]
[Then darkness returns.]
[And stays.]
[Nothing can be seen.]
[Only heard.]
[A whisper.]
[Right beside her ear.]
Santiago Del Toro: "At Maskageddon..."
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I will take your mask."
[Aranza's eyes narrow.]
[The voice moves.]
[Now behind her.]
Santiago Del Toro: "And your soul."
[Silence.]
[The lights suddenly return.]
[The ring is empty.]
[Del Toro is gone.]
[Aranza stands alone in the center of the canvas.]
[Breathing heavily.]
[Turning slowly.]
[Searching.]
[Finding nothing.]
Signal: "Where did he go?!"
Black Scar: "Doesn't matter."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "The message was delivered."
[Aranza stares toward the darkness beyond the entranceway.]
[Not intimidated.]
[Not afraid.]
[But now...]
[Interested.]
[Cut.]
Loyalty
[Glitter sits frustratedly on a lone bench, head in hands, foot tapping on the concrete.]
Signal: “Glitter lost their title at Pandemonium, after Dolly Daydream took offense to them stealing a kiss from her.”
Black Scar: “She was just playing hard to get. But she did what she had to do to win.”
[Glitter raises their head as the door creaks open. In skips Dolly, her usual, obliviously positive self.]
Dolly Daydream:“Well howdy Glitter! You wanted to see me, hun?”
[Glitter exhales a deep, exaggerated sigh, unable to take their eyes off the Hardcore Championship slung over Dolly’s shoulder.]
Glitter: “I thought… I just thought we had a connection. But I must be wrong.”
[Dolly stops, her sweet smile fading.]
Dolly Daydream: “Well, you know I think you’re a sweetie…”
Glitter: “No. I’ve been nothing but affectionate to you, but I guess you’re just not that… into me.”
[Glitter turns their face away. It takes a moment, but Dolly begins to cry.]
Signal: “Dolly must have really hurt Glitter’s feelings with her rejection.”
Black Scar: “Rejection? She kissed Glitter back! I’m sure they’re playing her.”
[Dolly grabs Glitter by the cheeks with both hands, turning their face back towards her.]
Dolly Daydream: “Please… You just caught me off guard! What can I do to prove that?”
[Glitter thinks for a while, before standing from their bench.]
Glitter: “I need to see your loyalty and affection for me.”
[Dolly puckers her lips.]
Glitter: “That’s… not what I mean.
[They tap at the Hardcore Championship slung over Dolly’s shoulder.]
Glitter: “You need to hand me back that title. Prove how much I mean to you. That’s loyalty repaying everything I’ve done for you.”
[Dolly thinks for a moment.]
Signal: “There’s no way she’s taking that deal.”
[Slowly, she unslings her title, holding it in her hands. She sniffs back another wave of tears as she begins to present Glitter the title.]
[BAM!]
[DOLLY IS BLINDSIDED!]
Black Scar: “What the hell?”
[GOOZLE! GLITTER IS GRABBED AND HOISTED INTO THE AIR!]
[SUJETO CERO DRIVES THE BACK OF GLITTER’S HEAD INTO THE CONCRETE WALL!]
[Cero looks down at Dolly starting to stir. At the Harcdore Championship strewn across the floor.]
[He doesn’t take his eyes off it. With gasping and wheezing of his rebreather, Cero points a finger at the Championship belt.]
[Then, Cero is gone.]
[Cut.]
Signal: “This one won’t be for the faint of heart, folks! A fifteen-feet high steel cage is being lowered as we speak. Blackhand Moretti will be locked inside with Padre Del La Venganza!”
Black Scar: “Ain’t no cage can hold The Virus, Sig - not after his dominating performance in Lambs to the Slaughter!”
Signal: “But how much did that monumental victory take out of Venganza!? The Black Hand may just squeeze the Black Heart tonight!”
[Venganza grimaces at Moretti, his wounded shoulder far from healed. Blackhand licks his lips like a hyena!]
[The gangster rushes the patriarch. Moretti wrenches Padre’s arm, then clubs his shoulder with heavy blows. He whips him into the ropes, but keeps hold of him. He sends him packing again and again, not letting go! Each repetition grinds away at Venganza’s shoulder.]
Signal: “If Blackhand keeps this up, Padre won’t be able to climb the cage!”
[Venganza grits his teeth and fights back with a headbutt! He sends Moretti reeling with hate-filled strikes, then grabs his head–]
[RATTLE!]
[AND THROWS HIM FACEFIRST INTO THE MESH!]
Black Scar: “The Mobster just ate a mouthful o’ steel!”
[Blackhand, however, digs deep and charges at Padre…]
[CLATTER!]
[HE SPEARS HIM INTO THE WIRE!]
Signal: “Venganza hit shoulder-first!”
[The Virus staggers out, nursing his Pandemonium injury. Moretti sizes him up–]
[OMERTA BIG BOOT!]
[Padre slumps into the ropes, which bounce him back…]
[SPINEBUSTER!]
Black Scar: “Venganza gets WHACKED!”
[Blackhand covers him.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!?]
[NO!]
[SHOULDER UP!]
Signal: “Oof - that took it outta Padre!”
[The Boss hauls Venganza up…]
[BLACK MIST, BLACK MIST!]
Black Scar: “Moretti succumbs to a VIRAL INFECTION!”
[Padre darts behind him–]
[GERMAN SUPLEX! DRAGON SUPLEX! MURDER BACK SUPLEX!]
Signal: “Hitting that LIFE FLASHER combo just about killed Venganza!”
[Padre hooks the leg gingerly.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[...]
[THR–KICKOUT!]
[The crowd pops at the gutsy performance by both men!]
[Venganza kneels with one arm outstretched, holding the other at his side.]
Signal: “He’s beckoning Blackhand forth!”
[Moretti approaches–]
Black Scar: “SHADOW CONTAGION OUTTA NOWHERE!”
[The LEAPING STUNNER lays him out!]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!?]
[THREE!]
Signal: “Venganza racks up another impressive win over the Don of Destruction inside the cage!”!
Winner: Padre Venganza
First Blood
[A sweaty Blackhand Moretti slumps against the cage wall, catching his breath.]
[THWIP, THWIP, THWIP!]
Black Scar: “Do I hear freakin’ helicopter blades!?”
[Blackhand looks up at the Temple roof, dumbfounded.]
Signal: “They’re coming from the speakers!”
[♩First Blood stains the sound system.]
Signal: “Whose music is this!?”
[A BOWIE KNIFE JABS THROUGH THE CANVAS BEHIND MORETTI!]
[Rip!]
[Blackhand turns round…]
[Tear!]
Black Scar: “Somebody is comin’ outta the damn ring!”
[OH MY GOD!]
[IT’S–]
Signal: “RAM JAM!?”
[But not as we know him...]
[Dog tags and a bandolier adorn his bare chest. Camo fatigues and combat boots cover his lowers. His thick curls, darkened, hang down. A purple headband flutters behind him.]
[He burns a hole through Moretti.]
[The Boss feigns confidence but is clearly shaken.]
Blackhand Moretti: “Huh… I guess rams can swi–”
[RUNNING HIGH KNEE BY RAM JAM!]
[Taking the mobster down, Ram leaps atop the turnbuckle…]
[TOP-ROPE ELBOW DROP!]
[A Ruleador interjects.]
Ruleador: “Get off him, Ram Ja–”
[But Ram grabs the official by his lapels!]
Rambro: “MY NAME… IS RAMBRO!”
[Releasing him, Rambro pulls Blackhand up…]
[HE SLAMS HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE STEEL MESH!]
[RATTLE!]
[THEN PING-PONGS HIM OFF THE OPPOSITE SIDE!]
[CLATTER!]
Signal: “We’ve never seen this side of Rambro before, Scar!”
Black Scar: “You’re tellin’ me! There’s no rhythm or soul here - just instincts and pain!”
[RAMBRO JAVELINS BLACKHAND INTO THE CAGE!]
[Moretti cradles his head. Blood seeps through his mask.]
[Rambro kneels beside him. He coats his hand with Backhand’s blood, then rises.]
[RAMBRO MIXES MORETTI'S BLOOD INTO HIS CAMO CREAM!]
Signal: “Rambro has drawn first blood on Blackhand Moretti!”
[As Ruleadors unlock the cage to get to Moretti, Rambro fixes the camera with his thousand-yard stare…]
Signal: “Wait - LUKE EFFING STORM is at ringside!”
[With the cage open, Storm hurriedly pulls Blackhand under the ropes, then drags him up the ramp - unseen by Rambro!]
Basic Instinct
[Static flickers across the screen.]
[A dark room.]
[Then Propaganda steps into frame.]
[His mask is illuminated by a lone hanging bulb.]
[Behind him, barely visible in the darkness, stand dozens of followers.]
[Motionless.]
[Watching.]
[Waiting.]
Signal: "What the hell is this?"
Black Scar: "Looks like a recruitment video from a cult."
[Propaganda stares directly into the camera.]
Propaganda: "When a bone breaks, it heals stronger."
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "When flesh is torn, scar tissue forms."
[He slowly folds his hands together.]
Propaganda: "Pain is not the enemy. Pain is the architect."
[The bulb swings slightly overhead.]
Propaganda: "Yet mankind spends its entire existence fleeing from it."
[He shakes his head.]
Propaganda: "Protecting itself. Shielding itself. Pretending it can build walls against what it truly is."
[One of the followers lowers their head.]
[Another clenches their fists.]
Propaganda: "But all it takes is one moment."
[His voice softens.]
Propaganda: "One loss. One betrayal. One night."
[The smile returns.]
Propaganda: "And suddenly the mask slips."
[The followers begin nodding.]
[Slowly.]
[Collectively.]
Propaganda: "The civilized man becomes an animal."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "The faithful man becomes a monster."
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "The hero becomes a killer."
[Silence.]
[Propaganda steps closer to the camera.]
Propaganda: "And do you know what fascinates me most?"
[He leans forward.]
Propaganda: "They always act surprised."
[A few of the followers quietly laugh.]
Propaganda: "As though they weren't always capable of it. As though it wasn't already inside them."
[He places a hand over his chest.]
Propaganda: "Buried. Waiting."
[The bulb flickers.]
Propaganda: "People speak of rebirth as though it is beautiful."
[He chuckles.]
Propaganda: "It isn't."
[His eyes narrow.]
Propaganda: "Rebirth is ugly. It is screaming. It is grief. It is rage. It is the death of the person you thought you were."
[The followers behind him begin stepping forward.]
Propaganda: "Only then can something honest emerge. Something pure. Man’s basic instinct."
[The camera suddenly glitches.]
[Static.]
Propaganda: "Soon, someone will discover exactly who they are."
[The followers begin softly chanting.]
Propaganda: "And when they do..."
[He smiles.]
Propaganda: "They'll finally stop asking why, and start asking what comes next."
[The chanting grows louder.]
[The bulb bursts.]
[Cut.]
Black Scar: “Three of OSW’s brightest and most sadistic minds will be put to the test against two survivors of disaster and one cockroach.”
Signal: “This match promises to be a real slugfest, even if my partner’s hatred towards Ziggy confuses me to no end.”
[Academius and Ziggy start things off for their teams as the bell rings.]
[Academius wastes no time, nailing Robbins with an EXPULSION knee trembler!]
[El Motivador is stunned as he lands back first against the ropes.]
[Academius wipes him off the ropes, but is nailed with the TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND slingblade, knocking the Professor down!]
[Robbins applauds the Scholar for his efforts to get the match going as Mr. Academia tags out to Cube.]
[The Game Master rushes in as Ziggy runs after Cube with a second slingblade that doesn’t make contact.]
[CHECKMATE spinning back elbow knocks Ziggy for a loop!]
[He stumbles back towards his corner, where Darkwish tags himself in.]
[Scarred Justice charges at Cube, who meets him with a kick to the gut.]
[The Game Master attempts to go for a RUSSIAN ROULETTE hammerlock DDT, but Darkwish slips out.]
[A DARKNESS FALLS superkick sends Cube rocketing back towards his corner, where Vinell tags in.]
[Just as Darkwish positions himself for a second superkick, the Good Doctor launches an OCULAR ASSAULT with a test tube full of white powder!]
[Scarred Justice covers his eyes as he blindly navigates his way back to his corner.]
[That’s when Mars tags in.]
[Dr. E tries to back away from the big man, but gets knocked down with the WAR HEAD headbutt!]
[Academius and Cube reenter the ring, only to get jumped by Darkwish and Ziggy as the Warlord looks to end the match!]
[WAR MACHINE Argentine Powerbomb hits flush as Mars goes for a cover!]
[One!]
[Two!!]
[Three!!!]
Black Scar: “Oh great, I always wanted to hear Ziggy yap about how anything’s possible with the right people carrying him.”
Winner: Warlord Mars, Darkwish & Ziggy
J'Accuse!
[The match over, the smoke cleared, yet Ziggy Robbins has made a point to stop Dr. E Vinell from leaving the ring! The Motivator points at Vinell, his usual smile backed by a mix of emotions clearly being kept at bay.]
Ziggy Robbins: "J'accuse!"
[Vinell pauses, tilting his head.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "And what do you accuse me of? You already that I've laid claim to your poor brother."
[Ziggy's lip quivers for a moment before he clears his throat.]
Ziggy Robbins: "I accuse you of holding... What's left, hostage. I want to give him a proper burial!"
[Vinell chuckles, the rumbling in his chest slowly growing into a mad cackle! His head flung back with a sick sense of joy before he finally composes himself.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "A shame. I still need what's left. When you're granted the perfect test subject, I don't intend to look a gift horse in the mouth."
Signal: "... Just what do you think is left, Scar?"
Black Scar: "I was thinking bits and pieces, but I'm starting think the remains of his brother might look worse than we think."
[There's a pause, Ziggy staring down Vinell who tries to walk right past him.]
[THWACK!]
[MASSIVE RIGHT HAND BY ZIGGY ROBBINS!]
Ziggy Robbins: "GIVE HIM BACK!"
[Thunderous rights and lefts throw every last ounce of Ziggy's meager size into Vinell's face! The Doctor stumbles back, rolling to the outside as Ziggy chases him to the ropes!]
[Vinell runs into the crowd, Ziggy left standing on the ropes.]
Ziggy Robbins: "You can't have a rainbow without rain, Doc! And I'll brave any storm for my brother."
[The crowd cheers, yet Ziggy's eyes never peel from the fleeing Vinell.]
[Cut.]
Unwavering
[A dilapidated chapel sits deep in the forests of Molvania. Paint chipping off of aged wood, broken stain glass windows, and metal fencing that's been left to rust.]
[The house of God left to rot.]
[Yet something lives inside.]
[Flickering candle flames exposing a new tenant.]
[Through the window we spy Lux Bellator clinging to the pulpit. His breaths are ragged, his skin pale, and a rosary clutched tightly in his hands.]
Lux Bellator: "Angele Dei, qui custos es mei, me-"
[Lux grimaces, blackened pus leaking from his mouth as he steels his resolve.]
Lux Bellator: "tibi commissum pietate superna, illumina, custodi, rege et gubérna. Amen."
[The prayer gives way to silence, Lux's labored breathing being all we can hear.]
[THUD! THUD! THUD!]
[CRACK!]
[Bellator can barely lift his head to greet the Family Members that flood into the chapel.]
Family Member: "Praying to deaf ears?"
[Bellator grips both side of the pulpit, his knuckles white as he pushes himself up.]
Lux Bellator: "Padre not able to come himself?"
[The Family chuckle at the notion.]
Family Member: "Just tying up loose ends."
[Lux sneers, closing his eyes as the Family close in.]
[Flicker.]
[The candles blow out, plunging the scene into darkness! The sounds of wood breaking, bodies crumpling, and screams cut brutally short fill the air.]
[Wayward candles slowly relight to reveal Lux collapsed in the center of the Family.]
[Every last member of Padre's brood battered into submission and left in a heap decorating the chapel.]
[Just what the hell happened here?]
The Grey
[THE TEMPLE - MEDICAL BAY]
[Dolly Daydream sits atop a gurney, humming while pressing an icepack against the back of her head.]
Signal: “Dolly was taken out by that monster, Sujeto Cero earlier. She looks like she’s recovering nicely though.”
[A chill works its way over the air, the colour seeming to drain itself away.]
Dolly Daydream: “Chilly. This ice must be doing such a great job!”
[Slow guitar notes fill the ambience as Silas saunters slowly into the medbay with the mother of all melancholic sighs.]
Silas: "Pain. Pleasure. It’s all the same really. It’s all just noise to be composed.”
[Dolly looks confused for a moment, but smiles sweetly at Silas.]
Dolly Daydream: “It’s okay. Just a bump to the head. Thanks for being so kind to care.
[Silas sighs.]
Silas: “Caring, love, affection? Colourful, meaningless words in an apathetic world. You, with your sickly sweet falsity. I see what you really are inside. I see the grey to your colour. You just haven’t learned it yet.”
[Dolly tilts her head slightly, looking like a puppy trying to learn a new trick.]
Black Scar: “What the hell is Silas on about?”
[Soon, Dolly stands, putting the icepack down on the gurney with a giggle.]
Dolly Daydream: “I don’t know what you mean. But my head feels so much better.”
[Silas grabs her by the arm, stopping her from leaving.]
Silas: “I will find a way to make you see the world as grey as I do. I’ll show them all that even you can be broken.”
[Silas turns to slink away, but almost walks into a wall where the entrance once was.]
[At least, it seems like a wall. Jurassic Colossus stands before him, looking down upon Silas and growling.]
[The Monster’s eyes burn past Silas to Dolly. But they do not stare at her. They stare at the title, still slumped across the gurney.]
Dolly Daydream: “Oops. Nearly forgot that. Thanks friend!”
[Dolly scoops up the Hardcore Championship, skipping past both Silas and Colossus.]
Signal: “Dolly has no idea of the kind of danger she is in wearing that title.”
[Cut.]
Signal: “Well, tonight I think we’ve drawn a tag match of some very eclectic personalities as we have Pixel Shift and the Candy Man teaming to take on Edward Newton and Propaganda.”
Black Scar: “It’s going to be a fun match from where I sit, these men seem like they’d go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly but may gel like oil and water. Recently, we’ve seen Propaganda stand in the way of Newton getting in the way of him getting answers from Grimm and Candy Man, accusing Pixel Shift of stealing his stash... what kind of candy is Candy Man into?”
[The bell sounds, and we’re underway with Newton squaring off with Pixel Shift.]
[Pixel Shift rushes Newton with a Flying Forearm, but Newton out-thinks the Neon Player One by sidestepping the contact.]
[And Pixel Shift goes careening into the corner, allowing The Riddler to rush over and start bouncing The Living Glitch’s head off the ropes as the crowd calls out.]
“RIDDLE”
“ME”
“THAT!”
[Propaganda reaches over and tags himself, slapping Newton on the shoulder.]
[Newton shoots The Voice of Obedience a dirty look, and some unheard words are exchanged when...]
[LAG SPIKE – Cutter on Propaganda from out of goddamn nowhere!]
[Pixel Shift staggers back and Candy Man tags himself in this time, but Pixel Shift seems a bit more laid-back, ushering Candy Man into the ring as Propaganda pulls himself back to his feet.]
[HARD CANDY – Short-Arm Clothesli-DUCKED!]
[V-Trigger – THE BROADCAST! SWIFT SUDDEN AND TO CANDY MAN’S TEMPLE CAUSING THE LARGER MAN TO CRUMBLE TO THE GROUND LIKE A COLLAPSING BUILDING!]
[Propaganda falls into the cover, and the Ruleador makes the count.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!]
Black Scar: “And that’s how it ends, swift and sudden with one well-placed move!
Signal: “It’s how it is sometimes Scar, all it takes is the right move at the right time.”
Winners: Edward Newton & Propaganda
Might Need A New Plan
[INT. THE TEMPLE BOILER ROOM — NIGHT.]
[The lowest level of the Temple.]
[Hot.]
[Claustrophobic.]
[Ancient pipes run across the ceiling, groaning and hissing as steam occasionally vents into the air.]
[The room is bathed in a dull orange glow.]
[PixelShift cautiously pushes the door open.]
Signal: "I don't know if this is bravery or stupidity."
Black Scar: "It's PixelShift. Could be both."
[PixelShift steps inside.]
[Immediately spotting him.]
[The Candy Man sits on the floor between two massive boilers.]
[Knees pulled to his chest.]
[Rocking.]
[Back and forth.]
[Back and forth.]
[The usually unpredictable lunatic appears... broken.]
[His head tilted downward.]
[One hand clutches a handful of colourful candy wrappers.]
The Candy Man: "I know, Mama..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I know..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I'm trying..."
[PixelShift stops.]
[Confused.]
[There is nobody else in the room.]
Signal: "Who's he talking to?"
Black Scar: "Nobody."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "That's the problem."
[The Candy Man nods slowly to something only he can hear.]
The Candy Man:"I'll get it back."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I promise."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "Nobody takes it from me."
[A long pause.]
The Candy Man:"Nobody."
[PixelShift clears his throat.]
[Carefully.]
Pixelshift: "Uh..."
[The Candy Man freezes.]
[Slowly turning his head.]
[The movement is unsettling.]
Pixelshift: "Good news."
[A nervous smile.]
Pixelshift: "I found your stash."
[The Candy Man's eyes widen beneath his mask.]
Pixelshift: "And I can take you to it."
[For a moment, hope appears.]
[Then the Candy Man looks away.]
[Back to the empty space beside him.]
The Candy Man: "You hear that, Mama?"
[A pause.]
The Candy Man: "He found it."
[Silence.]
[The Candy Man's breathing quickens.]
[He shakes his head.]
The Candy Man: "No..."
[A beat.]
The Candy Man: "No, Mama..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I know..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I know he lies."
[PixelShift's smile vanishes.]
Signal: "Oh boy..."
[The Candy Man begins rocking faster.]
The Candy Man: "But I'll get it back."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I'll get it back."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I'LL GET IT BACK!"
[His voice suddenly echoes through the boiler room.]
[Steam bursts from a nearby pipe.]
[PixelShift takes a step backward.]
Pixelshift: "Cool."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Cool cool cool."
[Another step back.]
Pixelshift:"You know what?"
[The Candy Man continues rocking.]
[Muttering to the voice only he can hear.]
Pixelshift: "I think..."
[A cautious retreat toward the door.]
Pixelshift: "I need a new plan."
[He slips through the doorway.]
[Quietly closing it behind him.]
[Inside the boiler room, the Candy Man continues rocking.]
Signal: "Yeah."
Black Scar: "Definitely needs a new plan."
[Cut.]
NO MORE GAMES!
[Dr. Cube walks alone through the Temple exit lot.]
Signal: "After what we saw earlier tonight, I don't think Dr. Cube should be walking anywhere alone."
Black Scar: "Nobody's forgotten Pandemonium, either."
[Cube walks past rows of parked cars.]
[CRASH!]
[A massive shape barrels out from between two parked vehicles.]
Signal: "OH MY GOD!"
Black Scar: "IT'S MARS!"
[WARLORD MARS SPEARS CUBE INTO THE SIDE OF AN SUV.]
[The World Championship flies across the pavement.]
[Mars unloads with fists.]
Warlord Mars: "YOU THINK YOU'RE CLEVER!?"
[SMASH.]
Warlord Mars: "YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAY WITH ME!?"
[SMASH.]
Warlord Mars: "NO MORE!"
[Cube shoves Mars away, and grabs a trash can.]
[HURLS IT AT MARS!]
Signal: "These two are trying to kill each other!"
Black Scar: "Good! Let 'em!"
[MARS CHARGES THROUGH IT. HE GRABS CUBE AND THROWS HIM ONTO THE HOOD OF A NEARBY CAR.]
[The metal caves inward as Cube groans.]
[Mars drags him up, but Cube drives a knee into his ribs.]
[Then another.]
[Then shoves Mars face-first into a light pole.]
[CLANG.]
[Mars stumbles as Cube rushes forward.]
[CHECKMATE! SPINNING ELBOW!]
[MARS BARELY MOVES.]
Black Scar: "The big bastard ate it!"
[Mars laughs.]
Warlord Mars: "MY TURN."
[He grabs Cube by the throat and RUNS HIM ACROSS THE PARKING LOT.]
[CRASH.]
[INTO THE SIDE MIRROR OF A TRUCK.]
[CRASH.]
[INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.]
[CRASH.]
[INTO ANOTHER PARKED CAR.]
Signal: "Officials need to get out here!"
[Cube can barely stand.]
[Mars backs up.]
[A war cry builds in his chest.]
Warlord Mars: "THIS..."
[He charges.]
Warlord Mars: "...IS..."
[WARHEAD.]
[The headbutt lands flush.]
[Cube collapses instantly. Out fucking cold.]
[The crowd watching from the exits erupts.]
Signal: "HE KNOCKED HIM OUT!"
Black Scar: "CUBE IS DOWN!"
[Officials and security finally flood the parking lot.]
[They grab Mars. It takes six men.]
[Eight.]
[Ten.]
[Cube lies motionless beside the dented car. The World Championship gleams nearby.]
[Mars finally stops fighting.]
[He points at Cube.]
Warlord Mars: "NO MORE GAMES. I'M ENTERING THE FUCKING ELIMINATION CHAMBER."
[The crowd explodes as Mars tears free from security.]
[But he just turns and walks away, leaving the unconscious World Champion behind.]
Signal: "Warlord Mars has claimed the final spot!"
Black Scar: "And if I were Cube, I'd be praying that Chamber keeps him locked up!"
[Cut.]
Signal:We have a huge main event folks no pun intended as two mastadon of men face off against one another. They were absolute destroyers in Pandemonium as the only way they could possibly be eliminated was by knocking one another out cold.
Black Scar: Battle of the big boys here tonight, nothing but good old carange, I cannot wait Siggie.
[The bell barely gets to ring before both men rush forward, pounding down on one another with heavy lefts and rights, both monsters battering eachother with heavy strikes that don't seem to faze either man.]
[FOREARM BY JURASSIC]
[ROARING ELBOW BY SUJETO]
[KNEE BY SUJETO]
[HEADBUTT BY COLLOSUS!]
[That one finally slightly rocks Sujeto, a second one and then a third sends him staggering into the ropes. Jurassic backing up before rushing forward]
[AS HE CLOTHESLINES SUJETO OVER THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR BELOW!]
[Cero lands on his feet on the outside, purple eyes glowing as the Dino rushes forward]
[SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES SENDIND SUJETO INTO THE BARRICADE!]
Black Scar: We got a flying dinosaur Siggie.
[Colossus slams hard into Sujeto, the metal barricading damn near disintegrating from the sheer force but Cero doesn't go down. Holding onto Colossus, he slams down both fists hard into his back not once but twice before gripping him around the waist.]
[GUTWRENCH SUPLEX ONTO THE BARRICADE SNAPPING IT IN HALF!]
[That slightly winds Colossus, the Dinosaur taking a few moments to stagger up as he's gripped by the jaw by Sujeto who throws him hard into the steel steps. Sujeto rushing forward as Colossus staggers up.]
[DROP]
[TOE]
[HOLD!]
[Sujeto gets dropped headfirst into the steel steps but it has no goddamn affect.]
Signal: Those steps have a visible dent in them now but it didn't do a damn thing to Sujeto there.
[Colossus tries to grab him but Sujeto pushes him back, rearing his arm back. LARIA...NO! Colossus manages to dodge as Sujeto wraps his arm around the turnbuckle post, trapping himself for a moment as Jurassic backs up.]
[HEADBUTTING SUJETO'S TRAPPED ARM INTO THE STEEL POST!]
[A visible crack echoes through the air, though if that's from the bone or the post itself is hard to be seen. Sujeto is dazed for the first time though as Jurassic pulls him out before throwing him back into the ring.]
Black Scar: Look at the post Siggie, it nearly snapped in half from the sheer impact. How in the hell does Sujeto still have an arm?
[Sujeto slowly stumbles up right into a flurry from Jurassic. Forearm, Chop, Headbutt, before he's grapped around the mask and thrown backwards into the corner. Sujeto barely hitting the steel]
[PALEO CRASH! Brutal Leaping Splash squashes Sujeto in the corner but Cero isn't done, exploding out of the corner]
[WITH A THUNDEROUS CLOTHESLINE!]
[But it was with the bad arm as that seems to do more damage to Sujeto then it did to Jurassic who tanks it with a snarl.]
[Before gripping Sujeto around the waist and swinging him up and around]
[IMPLANT SPINEBUSTAHHHHH! ]
[Colossus stays down for the cover, the ruleador dropping down to count.]
[ONE]
[.......EASY KICK OUT!]
Black Scar:It won't be that easy to put down a monster like Sujeto, even if you are a monster like Colossus.
[Jurassic picks Sujeto up, trying to lift him up for the Shatter but Sujeto slips out, cracking Colossus with a hard Forearm. Before landing another. And then a Third. And then a Fourth.]
[A fifth staggers Colossus as Sujeto grabs him. Trying to lift him up into the air.]
[Colossus slips out of the Gorilla Press, landing behind as he grabs Sujeto]
[RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE DAMN TURNBUCKLES!]
[Sujeto lands hard, staggering up but slightly slower now as he stumbles right into a spinning Dino.]
[DISCUS CLOTHESLINE! Sujeto Cero gets turned inside fucking out as he falls to the mat with a hard slam. Colossus roaring in glee as he heads to the apron.]
Signal: Jurassic looking for the end here, we might be seeing the fall of Sujeto Cero here.
[Jurassic roars, grabbing the ropes as he flips through]
[RIGHT INTO A MASSIVE FUCK OFF LARIAT THAT TURNS HIM INSIDE OUT!]
[Jurassic stays down for only a moment, roaring to his feet right into a roaring forearm]
[GOOZLE!]
[SUJETO PULLS HIM IN CLOSE, HIS HANDS DIGGING IN SO HARD IT DRAWS BLOOD ON COLOSSUS"S THROAT]
[PRESION TOXICA! CHOKESLAM!]
[Sujeto isn't done, lifting Jurassic up again, but Colossus sweeps down, SAUROPOD SWEEP! Sujeto falls to one knee before he's pulled up by Jurassic.]
[GOOZLE]
[CHOKESLAM OF HIS OWN!]
[Jurassic roars, looking to the ropes but Sujeta sits up, staring those purple empty eyes at Jurassic who turns around, before rushing forward.]
[CLOTHESLINE FROM JURASSIC BOUNCES OFF!]
[CLOTHESLINE FROM SUJETO BOUNCES OFF!]
[Both men roar in anger before rearing forward]
[DOUBLE HEADBUTT]
[CRACK!]
Signal: Shades of Pandemonium as both men fall to the mat, one arm flopped over the other.
Black Scar: Are we going to see another draw between these two?
[The ruleador drops down, counting the pinfall attempt.]
[ONE]
[...........]
[................]
[TWO]
[...............]
[.................]
[THR....BOTH MEN JUST GET THE SHOULDER UP!]
Black Scar: How the hell are either man still alive? They've beaten ten shades of holy hell out of eachother
Signal: And they don't look nearly finished yet.
[Jurassic stands, wiping blood from his neck and mouth as he roars in primal fury. Sujeto stands himself, clutching his neck as the serum flows through him, his purple eyes glow even brighter as the overclock begins.]
[Cero rushing forward, a big running forearm taking Colossus by surprise, before another one rocks him. He's lifted high up in the air, ]
[BIOSHOCK! Cero nearly breaks Colossus in half with the huge backbreaker but the moment Jurassic is thrown off, the dinosaur is up on his feet. Begging for more.]
[A gesture Cero responds to with a huge Big Boot sending Colossus into the ropes. Jurassic rebounds off]
[BIG BOOT OF HIS OWN!]
[FOREARM FROM SUJETO]
[CHOP FROM COLOSSUS]
[HEADBUTT]
[CHOP]
[FOREARM]
[HEADBUTT!]
[Both monsters roar out in fury, rearing back on their feet once more before rushing forward.]
[DOUBLE HEADBUTT...NO! Cero Headbutts right through Colossus, dropping the Last Dinosaur to his knees]
[Cero breaths in deeply, his purple eyes glowing bright as he powers Colossus up onto his shoulders]
[TSO BOMB! The F-5 sends Colossus flying through the air, before crashing to the mat with a thump. Cero drops down to his knees, visibly breathing heavily as he covers, the ruleador dropping down to count]
[ONE]
[...........]
[................]
[TWO]
[...............]
[.................]
[THREEE!]
Signal: A brutal matchup here but there had to be a winner as Sujeto Cero proves to be the more dominant monster here tonight
Winner: Sujeto Cero
My Attention
[The screen fades in from black.]
[No music.]
[No commentary.]
[Just the faint sound of dripping water.]
[Or maybe blood.]
[The camera slowly focuses. An abandoned room. Concrete walls. A single naked lightbulb swings overhead, casting long shadows that move across the floor.]
[In the center of the room sits a chair.]
[Tied to it—]
[Jack Standard.]
[His pathetic eye mask is torn.]
[His shirt stained dark with blood.]
[One eye swollen shut.]
[Blood drips from his mouth onto the floor below.]
[He coughs.]
[Winces.]
[Spits red.]
[The camera circles slowly revealing another figure standing in the darkness.]
[Darkwish.]
[Silent.]
[Watching.]
[Waiting.]
Signal: "What the hell...?"
Black Scar:"Looks like somebody got to Standard before DEMASQ got to anybody else."
[Darkwish steps forward.]
[The swinging bulb illuminates his mask.]
Darkwish: "I've seen the bodies."
[A pause.]
Darkwish: "The messages."
[Another step.]
Darkwish: "The fear."
[He crouches in front of Standard.]
Darkwish: "And I know it's you."
[Standard laughs.]
[It hurts.]
[He coughs blood immediately afterwards.]
Jack Standard: "Then you're not nearly as smart as you think you are."
[Darkwish grabs him by the jaw.]
[Forcing him to look up.]
Darkwish: "You and Academius."
[A beat.]
Darkwish: "You're killing members of the OSW roster. You're taking masks and you're murdering others."
[Standard's eyes narrow.]
Darkwish: "Tell me where your base of operations is. Tell me where I can find what I need to solve this case and inform the authorities.."
[Silence.]
Darkwish: "This ends, now."
[Standard stares back.]
[Despite the beating.]
[Despite the blood.]
[He smiles.]
Jack Standard:"You're wrong."
[Darkwish releases him.]
[The room falls silent.]
Signal: "Don't do it..."
[Standard chuckles weakly.]
Jack Standard: "You think you've solved it."
[He spits blood onto the floor.]
Jack Standard: "But you're chasing the wrong—"
[CRACK.]
[Darkwish punches him across the face.]
[The chair tips sideways.]
[Standard crashes to the concrete.]
Black Scar: "Darkwish isn't listening anymore!"
[Darkwish grabs the chair.]
[Drags it upright.]
[Standard barely conscious.]
Jack Standard: "You're..."
[Cough.]
Jack Standard: "Wrong..."
[Darkwish hits him again.]
[And again.]
[And again.]
[The bulb swings violently overhead.]
[Shadows dance across the walls.]
Signal: "This has gone too far!"
[The camera slowly backs away.]
[The beating continues.]
[The sound echoes through the room.]
[The final image is Jack Standard slumped in the chair.]
[Darkwish standing over him.]
[And the statement made by Jack Standard hanging in the air.]
Jack Standard: "You're wrong..."
[Cut.]
[Wrr.]
[Click.]
[Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.]
[INT. MARVOLO'S OFFICE — NIGHT. RECORDED DAYS AGO]
[SLAM 404 opens not with chaos... but confidence. The camera slowly pushes through the office door. Marvolo sits behind his desk.]
[Feet up. A thick cigar smouldering between his fingers.]
[The red phone sits beside him.]
[The oak desk gleams beneath the warm light.]
[For the first time in weeks...]
[He looks relaxed.]
[Marvolo exhales a thick cloud of smoke.]
[A faint smile crossing his face.]
[Then—]
[BANG!]
[The office door SLAMS open so hard it rebounds off the wall.]
[Marvolo's smile disappears.]
[Deadeye storms inside.]
[Furious.]
[Hat soaked from the Molvanian rain.]
[Revolver already in hand. Deadeye points the revolver directly at Marvolo.]
[Marvolo remains seated.]
[Calm.]
Deadeye: "I don't like bein' used."
[A step forward.]
Deadeye: "I don't like bein' lied to."
[Another.]
Deadeye: "And I sure as hell don't like findin' out the job I took..."
[His jaw clenches.]
Deadeye: "Was somebody else's setup."
[Marvolo calmly taps ash from his cigar.]
Marvolo: "Then perhaps you should've read the fine print."
[Deadeye's grip tightens.]
Deadeye: "Careful."
[A beat.]
Deadeye: "I've buried smarter men than you."
[Marvolo smirks.]
Marvolo: "And yet here I am."
[Deadeye raises the revolver.]
Deadeye: "Manipulatin' me was a mistake."
[A pause.]
Deadeye: "I'm not your employee."
Marvolo: "Technically, if you compete here, you are. But no, you're not my employee in the sense you mean..."
[Marvolo leans back.]
Marvolo: "But he is."
[Deadeye's eyes narrow.]
Deadeye: "What?"
[CRACK.]
[Santiago Siniestro explodes into frame from behind.]
[The assassin drives a forearm into the back of Deadeye's head.]
[Deadeye stumbles but Siniestro doesn't stop.]
[A brutal knee to the ribs. A punch to the jaw. An elbow across the temple.]
[Deadeye collapses into a nearby cabinet.]
[Glass shatters.]
[The gunslinger tries to recover—]
[Siniestro drives him face-first into the desk.]
[THUD.]
Siniestro: "You talk too much."
[Deadeye falls to one knee.]
[Still fighting.]
[Still dangerous.]
[Siniestro responds by wrapping an arm around his throat and choking him unconscious.]
[Within seconds...]
[Deadeye goes limp.]
[Siniestro releases him.]
[The cowboy crashes onto the floor.]
[Motionless.]
[Marvolo hasn't moved.]
[Hasn't even stood up.]
[He calmly takes another puff of his cigar.]
Marvolo: "If you have any further complaints..."
[He gestures lazily toward Siniestro.]
Marvolo: "You may direct them to my very own sicario."
[Siniestro grabs Deadeye by the legs and drags him toward the doorway.]
[Deadeye's spurs scrape loudly across the floor.]
[The office door swings open.]
[Siniestro throws the unconscious gunslinger into the hallway.]
[SLAM.]
[Cut.]
Maskageddon
Signal: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Slam!”
Black Scar: “And we’re getting started off hot, Sig. The Champ is here!”
[Dr. Cube stands alone in the ring, soaking in the jeers from the Temple-faithful.]
Dr. Cube: "At Pandemonium, they tried."
[A slow tilt of the head.]
Dr. Cube: "Warlord Mars tried. Santiago Siniestro tried."
[He shrugs.]
Dr. Cube: "Both failed. Just as Edward Newton did."
[He raises the World Championship.]
Dr. Cube: "And now I find myself with a problem. There is nobody left."
[He slowly turns.]
Dr. Cube: "No challenger. No rival. No one intelligent enough to beat me. No one capable of defeating my games."
[Cube laughs softly.]
Dr. Cube: "Which leaves me with only one option."
[He spreads his arms.]
Dr. Cube: "Maskageddon: The Elimination Chamber."
[The crowd erupts.]
Dr. Cube: "One of wrestling's greatest games."
[He taps the World Championship.]
Dr. Cube: "If someone can survive it. If someone can eliminate me. If someone can prove themselves worthy..."
[He points toward the entrance.]
Dr. Cube: "Then they earn a World Championship match. Whether I remain champion after Ring of Dreams..."
[He taps the belt.]
Dr. Cube: "Or not."
[The crowd buzzes.]
Signal: “Dr. Cube has laid it down, and I’m told that it’s official.”
Black Scar: “Wow, Sig, what a generous offer from the Champ. Who’s going to take him up on it?”
[Silence for a moment, a crowd buzzing with anticipation.]
[The sound of a wooden ruler hitting palm echoes into the arena.]
Academius: "An interesting proposal."
[Academius is making his way to the ring.]
Academius: "You possess the finest trophy in the Temple."
[He looks past the World Championship. Above, to be more exact.]
Academius: "Your mask."
[The ruler points directly at Cube.]
Academius: "I want it."
[The crowd pops as the tension mounts before it’s broken by a darker voice.]
Darkwish: "You want worthy?"
[A spotlight swings around the arena to find Darkwish standing in the darkest corner of the top of the Temple, fans swarming around him.]
Darkwish: "Then put me in."
[He points toward the ring.]
Darkwish: "Because somebody in this company is killing people. And all I've got are three letters. D. M. A.”
[The crowd murmurs.]
Darkwish: "DEMASQ."
Signal: “I never even thought of that, Scar! Are DEMASQ the ones behind the killings we’ve seen?”
[Before anyone can respond, the lights dim and a heartbeat echoes through the Temple.]
[Dr. Eric Vinell walks onto the stage.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "How delightful. A gathering of exceptional specimens."
[He adjusts his gloves.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Naturally, I wish to participate."
[The crowd boos.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "After all..."
[A glance toward Cube.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "Evolution only occurs through experimentation."
[Suddenly a voice cuts through the crowd.]
Ziggy Robbins: "NO."
[The Temple erupts as Ziggy storms onto the stage.]
[Eyes fixed on Vinell.]
Ziggy Robbins: "You. Where's my brother?"
[The crowd grows louder.]
Ziggy Robbins: "What’ve you done to him? Where is he? I'm done asking."
[The stare between them is ice cold.]
Signal: “Revelations at Pandemonium saw Dr. Vinell reveal that Ziggy’s brother is Subject retrieval case seventy-two, whatever that means.”
Black Scar: “Nothing good, Sig.”
[Back in the ring, Cube slowly begins applauding.]
Dr. Cube: "Excellent. Four challengers. Four players. I accept you all into my challenge.”
[The crowd erupts, but Cube raises one finger to quiet them.]
Dr. Cube: "But the Chamber requires six. One spot belongs to me. Which means..."
[Cube slowly looks toward the entrance.]
Dr. Cube: "There is still one vacancy."
[The camera pans toward the stage, where Vinell has slipped away while Robbins listened to Cube. Darkwish has also vanished from his perch in the cheap seats.]
Signal: “Well there you have it. We’ve got five but we need six. Who’s going to claim the last spot at Maskageddon?”
Signal: “Tag Team action tonight as Del Toro and Siniestro take on the team of Deadeye and Silas. You bet that Deadeye can't wait to get his hands on Siniestro. Did you hear what happened, ScaR?”
Black Scar: “I’ve seen how brutal these guys are and I’m all for team Santiago.”
Signal: “Team Santiago?”
[The newly crowned Ultraviolent Champion starts in the ring, squaring off against Deadeye. Deadeye gets straight into action. REVOLVER! DISCUS CLOTHESLINE! NO! A QUICK DODGE BY DEL TORO!]
[SNAP DDT! SPECTRAL PASSADA!]
Black Scar: “¡Olé!”
[Del Toro hurls Deadeye back up to his feet, but Deadeye hits him with an elbow strike and dashes to the ropes.]
[RIDE WITH ME! THE KNEE DROPS DEL TORO!]
[Deadeye tags in Silas!]
[SILAS SLINGSHOTS INTO THE RING! MASSIVE SPLASH! NO!]
[DEL TORO GOT THE KNEES UP AND CRAWLS OVER TO TAG SINIESTRO!]
Signal: Back and forth momentum here, now El Frio is looking to ice Silas out.
[Siniestro grabs Silas by the ankles and wraps him up into his TEQUILA SUNRISE!]
[Silas remains seemingly emotionless, grabbing the rope to break the hold.]
[Both men make it to their feet together and trade blows. Siniestro rocks Silas with a big right hook, dropping him with a DDT before running the ropes.]
[SILAS RISES! ONE ARMED SCISSOR!]
[SANTIAGO SINIESTRO IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND INSIDE OUT!]
[Silas covers…]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[DEL TORO BREAKS THE PIN!]
Black Scar: “Just in time, but the ruleador isn’t happy.”
[Silas tags in Deadeye while the Ruleador sends Del Toro back to the ring apron. Deadeye comes charging in as Siniestro rises.]
[DEADSHOT! STUNNER!]
[DEADEYE COVERS!]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!]
Signal: “Deadeye scores the win for him and Silas!”
Winners: Deadeye & Silas
CandyCrusher
[INT. ARCADE ROOM — BACKSTAGE.]
[Rows of arcade cabinets illuminate the room in pulses of neon blue, pink, and green. Game attract screens cycle endlessly. 8-bit music overlaps with digitized explosions.]
[The room feels alive.]
[PixelShift storms through it.]
[Furious.]
[He shoves past a Skybound cabinet and rounds on Respawn.]
Pixelshift: "You set me up!"
[Respawn doesn't even look up from the machine he's working on.]
[Schematics and lines of code flicker across the monitor.]
Pixelshift: "Candy Man wasn't after me because I stole his stash!"
[A step closer.]
Pixelshift: "He was after me because YOU stole his stash!"
Signal: "Finally!"
Black Scar: "Kid figured it out."
[Respawn sighs.]
[Annoyed that his work has been interrupted.]
Respawn: "Borrowed."
Pixelshift: "You stole it."
Respawn: "Temporarily."
Pixelshift: "He almost threw me off a building!"
[Respawn finally swivels around in his chair.]
Respawn: "And yet here you are."
[PixelShift throws his hands into the air.]
Pixelshift: "That's not the point!"
[He points toward the arcade cabinets.]
Pixelshift: "You told me you were helping me get home!"
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "You didn't tell me I was bait!"
[Respawn stands.]
[For the first time, his tone hardens.]
Respawn: "If you want to get home.. then hard choices have to be made."
[He gestures toward a nearby cabinet.]
[The screen displays a bright title card.]
CANDYCRUSHER
[PixelShift looks over.]
[The level is unfinished.]
[Glitching.]
[A monstrous candy castle looms in the background.]
Respawn: "Every level needs a boss fight."
[A few keystrokes.]
[The Candy Castle grows larger.]
[More threatening.]
Respawn: "CandyCrusher needs a final boss."
[The screen flashes.]
Respawn: "And Candy Man is perfect."
Signal: "This guy really sees the world like a video game."
Black Scar: "He's a programmer. Same disease, different symptoms."
[PixelShift shakes his head.]
Pixelshift: "No."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "If we're doing this..."
[He steps forward.]
Pixelshift: "No more secrets."
[The room falls quiet.]
Pixelshift: "No more setups."
[A pause.]
Pixelshift: "No more using me without telling me."
[Respawn stares at him.]
[Considering.]
[Then scoffs.]
Respawn: "You can complain about my methods all you want."
[He turns back to the monitor.]
[Code begins rapidly scrolling across the screen.]
Respawn: "Or..."
[A beat.]
Respawn: "You can bring Candy Man to this room."
[The CandyCrusher title screen flashes.]
[LEVEL READY.]
[PixelShift looks at it.]
[Then at Respawn.]
[Then back at the game.]
Signal: "Well..."
Black Scar: "Looks like somebody's got a boss fight to schedule."
[The arcade cabinet emits a low digital growl.]
[Waiting.]
[Cut.]
Any Port in a Storm
[Blackhand Moretti’s car peels away from the quay, leaving Ram Jam flailing in the freezing water.]
Ram Jam: [panicked] “H-HELP!”
[His head goes under. His horns break the surface as he breaches again.]
Ram Jam: [desperate] “A-ANYBODY!?”
[The Psychedelic Ram thrashes frantically, expending precious energy.]
Ram Jam: [tired] “Please!”
[Arms dropping at his sides, Ram remains vertical. His head tips back, his mouth just above the surface.]
Ram Jam: [weak] “Can’t…”
[He closes his eyes in resignation. An eerie calm washes over him.]
[Is this it?]
[Is this the end of Ram Jam!?]
[...]
[SPLASH!]
[Splash, splash, splash!]
[GASP!]
[Ram Jam’s eyes snap open.]
[A guardian angel holds him under his arms, swimming towards safety.]
[He turns his head to see who his rescuer is–]
[LUKE FUCKING STORM!]
Ram Jam: [weak] “How?”
Luke Storm: [panting] “S-save the q-questions til I g-get us on l-land!”
[...]
[Minutes later, Storm heaves a soaking Ram onto a jetty, before pulling himself up.]
[He coughs and splutters. He’s in fighting-form, but pulling a nearly 250-pound man through water is a Herculean effort!]
[Eventually, Luke composes himself.]
[Sitting on the planks, Ram looks up at him in disbelief.]
Ram Jam: “How’d you know I was here!?”
Luke Storm: “I left Pandemonium early to tail Moretti. I saw him throw you in.”
[Ram frowns.]
Ram Jam: “You think he knows about–?”
Luke Storm: “Fuck if I know. But his ass is gonna tell me!”
[A dripping-wet Luke goes to leave.]
Ram Jam: “Hey, wait!”
[He turns back.]
Ram Jam: “... Thanks, brotha!”
[Storm smirks.]
Luke Storm: “Don’t mention it. Maybe, uh, take swimming lessons?”
[Ram laughs.]
Ram Jam: “I ain't swam since…”
[He falls silent.]
[His eyes glaze over with a thousand-yard stare.]
[With Ram’s safety ensured, an unnerved Luke leaves.]
[What was that about!?]
Message Received
[Backstage.]
[A laptop sits open atop a production crate.]
[Waveforms.]
[Filters.]
[Enhancements.]
[Luke Storm paces.]
[Edward Newton sits perfectly still.]
Signal: “At Pandemonium, we learned Scarlett is alive.”
Black Scar: “Which means somebody out there is keeping her that way.”
[A cursor clicks.]
[PLAY.]
[A young girl's voice crackles through the speakers.]
Scarlett: "Daddy?"
[Storm freezes.]
Scarlett: "Daddy, please..."
[A shaky breath.]
[A sob.]
Scarlett: "I'm scared. Daddy..."
[Storm closes his eyes.]
Scarlett: "Eddie..."
[Newton's expression doesn't change.]
[But his hand tightens around the mouse.]
Scarlett: "Please come get me..."
[The recording dissolves into frightened crying.]
[Then static.]
[Then silence.]
[Storm immediately looks to Newton.]
Luke Storm: "Tell me you got something."
[Newton doesn't answer.]
[He's already working.]
[Typing.]
[Separating tracks.]
[Removing noise.]
[Pulling frequencies apart.]
Signal: "What is he doing?"
Black Scar: "Being a nerd."
[A new audio track appears.]
[Isolated.]
[Enhanced.]
[PLAY.]
[At first, nothing.]
[Then…]
[Voices. Distant. Rhythmic.]
[Many voices speaking in unison.]
[Chanting.]
[Storm's face darkens.]
Luke Storm: "What the hell is that?"
[Newton listens again.]
[And again.]
Edward Newton: "A congregation."
[Storm folds his arms.]
Luke Storm: "Meaning?"
Edward Newton: "Meaning we were deceived. Propaganda was eager to help us in Lambs."
[Storm immediately shakes his head.]
Luke Storm: "So?"
Edward Newton: "So he pointed us exactly where we wanted to go."
[Newton stands.]
Edward Newton: "Mr. Grimm. Death. The obvious answer."
[He turns to Storm.]
Edward Newton: "Too obvious."
Signal: "You think Propaganda sent them after Grimm?"
Black Scar: "Wouldn't be the first time somebody used a distraction around here."
Luke Storm: "No."
[Newton pauses.]
Luke Storm: "No way."
[Storm points at the screen.]
Luke Storm: "Why would Propaganda kidnap Scarlett? What does he get out of that?"
[Newton doesn't immediately respond.]
[Storm steps closer.]
Luke Storm: "We're chasing the wrong guy."
Edward Newton: "Then who?"
[Storm doesn't hesitate.]
Luke Storm: "Blackhand Moretti. A little girl disappears. Somebody sends messages. Somebody wants leverage."
[He points at Newton.]
Luke Storm: "That sounds like a mobster."
[Newton considers it.]
[Quiet.]
[Calculating.]
Edward Newton: "That's thin."
[Storm leans forward.]
Luke Storm: "Anorexic, but it's our best lead."
[Newton looks back at the waveform.]
[Back at the chanting.]
[Back at Scarlett's terrified voice frozen on the screen.]
Edward Newton: "Sometimes the obvious is the solution. But what happens when there are two obvious solutions?"
[The audio begins to play again.]
Scarlett: "Daddy..."
[Cut.]
Signal: “Anything Goes in this bout, folks, as Dolly Daydream goes mano a mano with Aranza in a, uh—”
Black Scar: “It’s a Battle of the Broads, Sig! May the best woman win!”
[The Dreamer and The Huntress get right up in each other’s shit, touching masks.]
Signal: “Both these competitors share almost the exact same vital statistics. Very evenly matched physically!”
[They lock horns!]
[Dolly snatches Aranza in a headlock. Aranza shoots her off the ropes, flooring her with a shoulder tackle! Daydream, however, kips up into an arm drag! Aranza rolls through and throws a clothesline at Dolly, only to eat another arm drag! Daydream backs into the ropes—]
[A SINGLE-LEG DROPKICK SENDS HER TO THE FLOOR!]
Signal: “That’s a CLEAN SHOT by Aranza!”
Black Scar: “She’s reloading and taking aim with a finger crossbow at Ms. Invasion, who leans on the apron!”
[…]
[SUICIDE DIVE BY ARANZA—]
[THUD!]
[INTO A STOP SIGN SWUNG BY DOLLY!]
Signal: “Good golly, Miss Dolly - what a shot!”
[Daydream pulls a trash can and kendo stick out from under the ring. Aranza gets to her feet—]
[Dolly stuffs the receptacle over her head!]
[She rears back…]
[ARANZA INSTINCTIVELY DUCKS!]
[CRACK!]
[Daydream snaps the Singapore cane against the steel ring post!]
Black Scar: “Aranza has a sixth sense, Sig!”
[Aranza sheds the aluminium cylinder, then wields it overhead—]
[CRUNCH!]
[She brains Dolly with it!]
[Discarding it, she scares Daydream in a fish-hook—]
[RIPCORD ROLLING ELBOW!]
[NO!]
Signal: “Dolly DODGES the CATCH AND RELEASE!”
[Daydream hits a ripcord of her own with a RUNNING KNEE!]
Black Scar: “OFF WITH IT, Aranza!”
[Dolly rolls her inside for the cover.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[TWO-AND-A-HALF!]
Black Scar: “She’s got nine lives, Sig!”
[The Dreamer grabs a steel chair from ringside. Folding it shut, she waits for Aranza to recover…]
[SHE GOES TO SWING–]
[BUT DUCKS A ROUNDHOUSE KICK INSTEAD!]
Signal: “Aranza MISSES the PARTING SHOT!”
[Dropping the chair, Dolly grabs Aranza…]
[IMPLANT DDT!]
[THWACK!]
Black Scar: “PORCELAIN SHATTER ONTO THE CHAIR!”
[Daydream covers her.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!]
Signal: “Ms. Invasion, Dolly Daydream, leaves The Huntress exhausted after playtime!”
Winner: Dolly Daydream
The Thrill of The Hunt
[Ringside — moments after the match. Aranza kneels on the canvas, breathing heavily. [Frustration burns beneath the mask.]
[Defeat is not something she wears well.]
Signal: "A rare setback for Aranza tonight."
Black Scar: "Hunters miss sometimes."
[Aranza pushes herself back to her feet.]
[The crowd begins to stir.]
[Then—]
[The lights go out.]
[Instantly.]
[The Temple vanishes into darkness.]
Signal: "Oh no..."
[Silence.]
[Then—]
[FLASH.]
[Santiago Del Toro stands in front of her.]
[Perfectly still.]
[His eyes locked onto hers.]
[Before Aranza can react—]
[Darkness.]
[FLASH.]
[Del Toro is behind her.]
[One hand extended.]
[Like a matador presenting a challenge.]
[Darkness.]
[FLASH.]
[Now he's to her left.]
[Darkness.]
[FLASH.]
[To her right.]
[Each appearance closer.]
[Each disappearance quicker.]
Black Scar: "He's playing with her."
[Aranza slowly turns, refusing to show fear.]
[But for the first time in a long time...]
[She cannot track her prey.]
[FLASH.]
[Del Toro appears inches from her face.]
[Then darkness returns.]
[And stays.]
[Nothing can be seen.]
[Only heard.]
[A whisper.]
[Right beside her ear.]
Santiago Del Toro: "At Maskageddon..."
[A pause.]
Santiago Del Toro: "I will take your mask."
[Aranza's eyes narrow.]
[The voice moves.]
[Now behind her.]
Santiago Del Toro: "And your soul."
[Silence.]
[The lights suddenly return.]
[The ring is empty.]
[Del Toro is gone.]
[Aranza stands alone in the center of the canvas.]
[Breathing heavily.]
[Turning slowly.]
[Searching.]
[Finding nothing.]
Signal: "Where did he go?!"
Black Scar: "Doesn't matter."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "The message was delivered."
[Aranza stares toward the darkness beyond the entranceway.]
[Not intimidated.]
[Not afraid.]
[But now...]
[Interested.]
[Cut.]
Loyalty
[Glitter sits frustratedly on a lone bench, head in hands, foot tapping on the concrete.]
Signal: “Glitter lost their title at Pandemonium, after Dolly Daydream took offense to them stealing a kiss from her.”
Black Scar: “She was just playing hard to get. But she did what she had to do to win.”
[Glitter raises their head as the door creaks open. In skips Dolly, her usual, obliviously positive self.]
Dolly Daydream:“Well howdy Glitter! You wanted to see me, hun?”
[Glitter exhales a deep, exaggerated sigh, unable to take their eyes off the Hardcore Championship slung over Dolly’s shoulder.]
Glitter: “I thought… I just thought we had a connection. But I must be wrong.”
[Dolly stops, her sweet smile fading.]
Dolly Daydream: “Well, you know I think you’re a sweetie…”
Glitter: “No. I’ve been nothing but affectionate to you, but I guess you’re just not that… into me.”
[Glitter turns their face away. It takes a moment, but Dolly begins to cry.]
Signal: “Dolly must have really hurt Glitter’s feelings with her rejection.”
Black Scar: “Rejection? She kissed Glitter back! I’m sure they’re playing her.”
[Dolly grabs Glitter by the cheeks with both hands, turning their face back towards her.]
Dolly Daydream: “Please… You just caught me off guard! What can I do to prove that?”
[Glitter thinks for a while, before standing from their bench.]
Glitter: “I need to see your loyalty and affection for me.”
[Dolly puckers her lips.]
Glitter: “That’s… not what I mean.
[They tap at the Hardcore Championship slung over Dolly’s shoulder.]
Glitter: “You need to hand me back that title. Prove how much I mean to you. That’s loyalty repaying everything I’ve done for you.”
[Dolly thinks for a moment.]
Signal: “There’s no way she’s taking that deal.”
[Slowly, she unslings her title, holding it in her hands. She sniffs back another wave of tears as she begins to present Glitter the title.]
[BAM!]
[DOLLY IS BLINDSIDED!]
Black Scar: “What the hell?”
[GOOZLE! GLITTER IS GRABBED AND HOISTED INTO THE AIR!]
[SUJETO CERO DRIVES THE BACK OF GLITTER’S HEAD INTO THE CONCRETE WALL!]
[Cero looks down at Dolly starting to stir. At the Harcdore Championship strewn across the floor.]
[He doesn’t take his eyes off it. With gasping and wheezing of his rebreather, Cero points a finger at the Championship belt.]
[Then, Cero is gone.]
[Cut.]
Signal: “This one won’t be for the faint of heart, folks! A fifteen-feet high steel cage is being lowered as we speak. Blackhand Moretti will be locked inside with Padre Del La Venganza!”
Black Scar: “Ain’t no cage can hold The Virus, Sig - not after his dominating performance in Lambs to the Slaughter!”
Signal: “But how much did that monumental victory take out of Venganza!? The Black Hand may just squeeze the Black Heart tonight!”
[Venganza grimaces at Moretti, his wounded shoulder far from healed. Blackhand licks his lips like a hyena!]
[The gangster rushes the patriarch. Moretti wrenches Padre’s arm, then clubs his shoulder with heavy blows. He whips him into the ropes, but keeps hold of him. He sends him packing again and again, not letting go! Each repetition grinds away at Venganza’s shoulder.]
Signal: “If Blackhand keeps this up, Padre won’t be able to climb the cage!”
[Venganza grits his teeth and fights back with a headbutt! He sends Moretti reeling with hate-filled strikes, then grabs his head–]
[RATTLE!]
[AND THROWS HIM FACEFIRST INTO THE MESH!]
Black Scar: “The Mobster just ate a mouthful o’ steel!”
[Blackhand, however, digs deep and charges at Padre…]
[CLATTER!]
[HE SPEARS HIM INTO THE WIRE!]
Signal: “Venganza hit shoulder-first!”
[The Virus staggers out, nursing his Pandemonium injury. Moretti sizes him up–]
[OMERTA BIG BOOT!]
[Padre slumps into the ropes, which bounce him back…]
[SPINEBUSTER!]
Black Scar: “Venganza gets WHACKED!”
[Blackhand covers him.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!?]
[NO!]
[SHOULDER UP!]
Signal: “Oof - that took it outta Padre!”
[The Boss hauls Venganza up…]
[BLACK MIST, BLACK MIST!]
Black Scar: “Moretti succumbs to a VIRAL INFECTION!”
[Padre darts behind him–]
[GERMAN SUPLEX! DRAGON SUPLEX! MURDER BACK SUPLEX!]
Signal: “Hitting that LIFE FLASHER combo just about killed Venganza!”
[Padre hooks the leg gingerly.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[...]
[THR–KICKOUT!]
[The crowd pops at the gutsy performance by both men!]
[Venganza kneels with one arm outstretched, holding the other at his side.]
Signal: “He’s beckoning Blackhand forth!”
[Moretti approaches–]
Black Scar: “SHADOW CONTAGION OUTTA NOWHERE!”
[The LEAPING STUNNER lays him out!]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!?]
[THREE!]
Signal: “Venganza racks up another impressive win over the Don of Destruction inside the cage!”!
Winner: Padre Venganza
First Blood
[A sweaty Blackhand Moretti slumps against the cage wall, catching his breath.]
[THWIP, THWIP, THWIP!]
Black Scar: “Do I hear freakin’ helicopter blades!?”
[Blackhand looks up at the Temple roof, dumbfounded.]
Signal: “They’re coming from the speakers!”
[♩First Blood stains the sound system.]
Signal: “Whose music is this!?”
[A BOWIE KNIFE JABS THROUGH THE CANVAS BEHIND MORETTI!]
[Rip!]
[Blackhand turns round…]
[Tear!]
Black Scar: “Somebody is comin’ outta the damn ring!”
[OH MY GOD!]
[IT’S–]
Signal: “RAM JAM!?”
[But not as we know him...]
[Dog tags and a bandolier adorn his bare chest. Camo fatigues and combat boots cover his lowers. His thick curls, darkened, hang down. A purple headband flutters behind him.]
[He burns a hole through Moretti.]
[The Boss feigns confidence but is clearly shaken.]
Blackhand Moretti: “Huh… I guess rams can swi–”
[RUNNING HIGH KNEE BY RAM JAM!]
[Taking the mobster down, Ram leaps atop the turnbuckle…]
[TOP-ROPE ELBOW DROP!]
[A Ruleador interjects.]
Ruleador: “Get off him, Ram Ja–”
[But Ram grabs the official by his lapels!]
Rambro: “MY NAME… IS RAMBRO!”
[Releasing him, Rambro pulls Blackhand up…]
[HE SLAMS HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE STEEL MESH!]
[RATTLE!]
[THEN PING-PONGS HIM OFF THE OPPOSITE SIDE!]
[CLATTER!]
Signal: “We’ve never seen this side of Rambro before, Scar!”
Black Scar: “You’re tellin’ me! There’s no rhythm or soul here - just instincts and pain!”
[RAMBRO JAVELINS BLACKHAND INTO THE CAGE!]
[Moretti cradles his head. Blood seeps through his mask.]
[Rambro kneels beside him. He coats his hand with Backhand’s blood, then rises.]
[RAMBRO MIXES MORETTI'S BLOOD INTO HIS CAMO CREAM!]
Signal: “Rambro has drawn first blood on Blackhand Moretti!”
[As Ruleadors unlock the cage to get to Moretti, Rambro fixes the camera with his thousand-yard stare…]
Signal: “Wait - LUKE EFFING STORM is at ringside!”
[With the cage open, Storm hurriedly pulls Blackhand under the ropes, then drags him up the ramp - unseen by Rambro!]
Basic Instinct
[Static flickers across the screen.]
[A dark room.]
[Then Propaganda steps into frame.]
[His mask is illuminated by a lone hanging bulb.]
[Behind him, barely visible in the darkness, stand dozens of followers.]
[Motionless.]
[Watching.]
[Waiting.]
Signal: "What the hell is this?"
Black Scar: "Looks like a recruitment video from a cult."
[Propaganda stares directly into the camera.]
Propaganda: "When a bone breaks, it heals stronger."
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "When flesh is torn, scar tissue forms."
[He slowly folds his hands together.]
Propaganda: "Pain is not the enemy. Pain is the architect."
[The bulb swings slightly overhead.]
Propaganda: "Yet mankind spends its entire existence fleeing from it."
[He shakes his head.]
Propaganda: "Protecting itself. Shielding itself. Pretending it can build walls against what it truly is."
[One of the followers lowers their head.]
[Another clenches their fists.]
Propaganda: "But all it takes is one moment."
[His voice softens.]
Propaganda: "One loss. One betrayal. One night."
[The smile returns.]
Propaganda: "And suddenly the mask slips."
[The followers begin nodding.]
[Slowly.]
[Collectively.]
Propaganda: "The civilized man becomes an animal."
[A pause.]
Propaganda: "The faithful man becomes a monster."
[A beat.]
Propaganda: "The hero becomes a killer."
[Silence.]
[Propaganda steps closer to the camera.]
Propaganda: "And do you know what fascinates me most?"
[He leans forward.]
Propaganda: "They always act surprised."
[A few of the followers quietly laugh.]
Propaganda: "As though they weren't always capable of it. As though it wasn't already inside them."
[He places a hand over his chest.]
Propaganda: "Buried. Waiting."
[The bulb flickers.]
Propaganda: "People speak of rebirth as though it is beautiful."
[He chuckles.]
Propaganda: "It isn't."
[His eyes narrow.]
Propaganda: "Rebirth is ugly. It is screaming. It is grief. It is rage. It is the death of the person you thought you were."
[The followers behind him begin stepping forward.]
Propaganda: "Only then can something honest emerge. Something pure. Man’s basic instinct."
[The camera suddenly glitches.]
[Static.]
Propaganda: "Soon, someone will discover exactly who they are."
[The followers begin softly chanting.]
Propaganda: "And when they do..."
[He smiles.]
Propaganda: "They'll finally stop asking why, and start asking what comes next."
[The chanting grows louder.]
[The bulb bursts.]
[Cut.]
Black Scar: “Three of OSW’s brightest and most sadistic minds will be put to the test against two survivors of disaster and one cockroach.”
Signal: “This match promises to be a real slugfest, even if my partner’s hatred towards Ziggy confuses me to no end.”
[Academius and Ziggy start things off for their teams as the bell rings.]
[Academius wastes no time, nailing Robbins with an EXPULSION knee trembler!]
[El Motivador is stunned as he lands back first against the ropes.]
[Academius wipes him off the ropes, but is nailed with the TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND slingblade, knocking the Professor down!]
[Robbins applauds the Scholar for his efforts to get the match going as Mr. Academia tags out to Cube.]
[The Game Master rushes in as Ziggy runs after Cube with a second slingblade that doesn’t make contact.]
[CHECKMATE spinning back elbow knocks Ziggy for a loop!]
[He stumbles back towards his corner, where Darkwish tags himself in.]
[Scarred Justice charges at Cube, who meets him with a kick to the gut.]
[The Game Master attempts to go for a RUSSIAN ROULETTE hammerlock DDT, but Darkwish slips out.]
[A DARKNESS FALLS superkick sends Cube rocketing back towards his corner, where Vinell tags in.]
[Just as Darkwish positions himself for a second superkick, the Good Doctor launches an OCULAR ASSAULT with a test tube full of white powder!]
[Scarred Justice covers his eyes as he blindly navigates his way back to his corner.]
[That’s when Mars tags in.]
[Dr. E tries to back away from the big man, but gets knocked down with the WAR HEAD headbutt!]
[Academius and Cube reenter the ring, only to get jumped by Darkwish and Ziggy as the Warlord looks to end the match!]
[WAR MACHINE Argentine Powerbomb hits flush as Mars goes for a cover!]
[One!]
[Two!!]
[Three!!!]
Black Scar: “Oh great, I always wanted to hear Ziggy yap about how anything’s possible with the right people carrying him.”
Winner: Warlord Mars, Darkwish & Ziggy
J'Accuse!
[The match over, the smoke cleared, yet Ziggy Robbins has made a point to stop Dr. E Vinell from leaving the ring! The Motivator points at Vinell, his usual smile backed by a mix of emotions clearly being kept at bay.]
Ziggy Robbins: "J'accuse!"
[Vinell pauses, tilting his head.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "And what do you accuse me of? You already that I've laid claim to your poor brother."
[Ziggy's lip quivers for a moment before he clears his throat.]
Ziggy Robbins: "I accuse you of holding... What's left, hostage. I want to give him a proper burial!"
[Vinell chuckles, the rumbling in his chest slowly growing into a mad cackle! His head flung back with a sick sense of joy before he finally composes himself.]
Dr. E. Vinell: "A shame. I still need what's left. When you're granted the perfect test subject, I don't intend to look a gift horse in the mouth."
Signal: "... Just what do you think is left, Scar?"
Black Scar: "I was thinking bits and pieces, but I'm starting think the remains of his brother might look worse than we think."
[There's a pause, Ziggy staring down Vinell who tries to walk right past him.]
[THWACK!]
[MASSIVE RIGHT HAND BY ZIGGY ROBBINS!]
Ziggy Robbins: "GIVE HIM BACK!"
[Thunderous rights and lefts throw every last ounce of Ziggy's meager size into Vinell's face! The Doctor stumbles back, rolling to the outside as Ziggy chases him to the ropes!]
[Vinell runs into the crowd, Ziggy left standing on the ropes.]
Ziggy Robbins: "You can't have a rainbow without rain, Doc! And I'll brave any storm for my brother."
[The crowd cheers, yet Ziggy's eyes never peel from the fleeing Vinell.]
[Cut.]
Unwavering
[A dilapidated chapel sits deep in the forests of Molvania. Paint chipping off of aged wood, broken stain glass windows, and metal fencing that's been left to rust.]
[The house of God left to rot.]
[Yet something lives inside.]
[Flickering candle flames exposing a new tenant.]
[Through the window we spy Lux Bellator clinging to the pulpit. His breaths are ragged, his skin pale, and a rosary clutched tightly in his hands.]
Lux Bellator: "Angele Dei, qui custos es mei, me-"
[Lux grimaces, blackened pus leaking from his mouth as he steels his resolve.]
Lux Bellator: "tibi commissum pietate superna, illumina, custodi, rege et gubérna. Amen."
[The prayer gives way to silence, Lux's labored breathing being all we can hear.]
[THUD! THUD! THUD!]
[CRACK!]
[Bellator can barely lift his head to greet the Family Members that flood into the chapel.]
Family Member: "Praying to deaf ears?"
[Bellator grips both side of the pulpit, his knuckles white as he pushes himself up.]
Lux Bellator: "Padre not able to come himself?"
[The Family chuckle at the notion.]
Family Member: "Just tying up loose ends."
[Lux sneers, closing his eyes as the Family close in.]
[Flicker.]
[The candles blow out, plunging the scene into darkness! The sounds of wood breaking, bodies crumpling, and screams cut brutally short fill the air.]
[Wayward candles slowly relight to reveal Lux collapsed in the center of the Family.]
[Every last member of Padre's brood battered into submission and left in a heap decorating the chapel.]
[Just what the hell happened here?]
The Grey
[THE TEMPLE - MEDICAL BAY]
[Dolly Daydream sits atop a gurney, humming while pressing an icepack against the back of her head.]
Signal: “Dolly was taken out by that monster, Sujeto Cero earlier. She looks like she’s recovering nicely though.”
[A chill works its way over the air, the colour seeming to drain itself away.]
Dolly Daydream: “Chilly. This ice must be doing such a great job!”
[Slow guitar notes fill the ambience as Silas saunters slowly into the medbay with the mother of all melancholic sighs.]
Silas: "Pain. Pleasure. It’s all the same really. It’s all just noise to be composed.”
[Dolly looks confused for a moment, but smiles sweetly at Silas.]
Dolly Daydream: “It’s okay. Just a bump to the head. Thanks for being so kind to care.
[Silas sighs.]
Silas: “Caring, love, affection? Colourful, meaningless words in an apathetic world. You, with your sickly sweet falsity. I see what you really are inside. I see the grey to your colour. You just haven’t learned it yet.”
[Dolly tilts her head slightly, looking like a puppy trying to learn a new trick.]
Black Scar: “What the hell is Silas on about?”
[Soon, Dolly stands, putting the icepack down on the gurney with a giggle.]
Dolly Daydream: “I don’t know what you mean. But my head feels so much better.”
[Silas grabs her by the arm, stopping her from leaving.]
Silas: “I will find a way to make you see the world as grey as I do. I’ll show them all that even you can be broken.”
[Silas turns to slink away, but almost walks into a wall where the entrance once was.]
[At least, it seems like a wall. Jurassic Colossus stands before him, looking down upon Silas and growling.]
[The Monster’s eyes burn past Silas to Dolly. But they do not stare at her. They stare at the title, still slumped across the gurney.]
Dolly Daydream: “Oops. Nearly forgot that. Thanks friend!”
[Dolly scoops up the Hardcore Championship, skipping past both Silas and Colossus.]
Signal: “Dolly has no idea of the kind of danger she is in wearing that title.”
[Cut.]
Signal: “Well, tonight I think we’ve drawn a tag match of some very eclectic personalities as we have Pixel Shift and the Candy Man teaming to take on Edward Newton and Propaganda.”
Black Scar: “It’s going to be a fun match from where I sit, these men seem like they’d go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly but may gel like oil and water. Recently, we’ve seen Propaganda stand in the way of Newton getting in the way of him getting answers from Grimm and Candy Man, accusing Pixel Shift of stealing his stash... what kind of candy is Candy Man into?”
[The bell sounds, and we’re underway with Newton squaring off with Pixel Shift.]
[Pixel Shift rushes Newton with a Flying Forearm, but Newton out-thinks the Neon Player One by sidestepping the contact.]
[And Pixel Shift goes careening into the corner, allowing The Riddler to rush over and start bouncing The Living Glitch’s head off the ropes as the crowd calls out.]
“RIDDLE”
“ME”
“THAT!”
[Propaganda reaches over and tags himself, slapping Newton on the shoulder.]
[Newton shoots The Voice of Obedience a dirty look, and some unheard words are exchanged when...]
[LAG SPIKE – Cutter on Propaganda from out of goddamn nowhere!]
[Pixel Shift staggers back and Candy Man tags himself in this time, but Pixel Shift seems a bit more laid-back, ushering Candy Man into the ring as Propaganda pulls himself back to his feet.]
[HARD CANDY – Short-Arm Clothesli-DUCKED!]
[V-Trigger – THE BROADCAST! SWIFT SUDDEN AND TO CANDY MAN’S TEMPLE CAUSING THE LARGER MAN TO CRUMBLE TO THE GROUND LIKE A COLLAPSING BUILDING!]
[Propaganda falls into the cover, and the Ruleador makes the count.]
[ONE!]
[TWO!]
[THREE!]
Black Scar: “And that’s how it ends, swift and sudden with one well-placed move!
Signal: “It’s how it is sometimes Scar, all it takes is the right move at the right time.”
Winners: Edward Newton & Propaganda
Might Need A New Plan
[INT. THE TEMPLE BOILER ROOM — NIGHT.]
[The lowest level of the Temple.]
[Hot.]
[Claustrophobic.]
[Ancient pipes run across the ceiling, groaning and hissing as steam occasionally vents into the air.]
[The room is bathed in a dull orange glow.]
[PixelShift cautiously pushes the door open.]
Signal: "I don't know if this is bravery or stupidity."
Black Scar: "It's PixelShift. Could be both."
[PixelShift steps inside.]
[Immediately spotting him.]
[The Candy Man sits on the floor between two massive boilers.]
[Knees pulled to his chest.]
[Rocking.]
[Back and forth.]
[Back and forth.]
[The usually unpredictable lunatic appears... broken.]
[His head tilted downward.]
[One hand clutches a handful of colourful candy wrappers.]
The Candy Man: "I know, Mama..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I know..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I'm trying..."
[PixelShift stops.]
[Confused.]
[There is nobody else in the room.]
Signal: "Who's he talking to?"
Black Scar: "Nobody."
[A beat.]
Black Scar: "That's the problem."
[The Candy Man nods slowly to something only he can hear.]
The Candy Man:"I'll get it back."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I promise."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "Nobody takes it from me."
[A long pause.]
The Candy Man:"Nobody."
[PixelShift clears his throat.]
[Carefully.]
Pixelshift: "Uh..."
[The Candy Man freezes.]
[Slowly turning his head.]
[The movement is unsettling.]
Pixelshift: "Good news."
[A nervous smile.]
Pixelshift: "I found your stash."
[The Candy Man's eyes widen beneath his mask.]
Pixelshift: "And I can take you to it."
[For a moment, hope appears.]
[Then the Candy Man looks away.]
[Back to the empty space beside him.]
The Candy Man: "You hear that, Mama?"
[A pause.]
The Candy Man: "He found it."
[Silence.]
[The Candy Man's breathing quickens.]
[He shakes his head.]
The Candy Man: "No..."
[A beat.]
The Candy Man: "No, Mama..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I know..."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I know he lies."
[PixelShift's smile vanishes.]
Signal: "Oh boy..."
[The Candy Man begins rocking faster.]
The Candy Man: "But I'll get it back."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I'll get it back."
[Rock.]
The Candy Man: "I'LL GET IT BACK!"
[His voice suddenly echoes through the boiler room.]
[Steam bursts from a nearby pipe.]
[PixelShift takes a step backward.]
Pixelshift: "Cool."
[A beat.]
Pixelshift: "Cool cool cool."
[Another step back.]
Pixelshift:"You know what?"
[The Candy Man continues rocking.]
[Muttering to the voice only he can hear.]
Pixelshift: "I think..."
[A cautious retreat toward the door.]
Pixelshift: "I need a new plan."
[He slips through the doorway.]
[Quietly closing it behind him.]
[Inside the boiler room, the Candy Man continues rocking.]
Signal: "Yeah."
Black Scar: "Definitely needs a new plan."
[Cut.]
NO MORE GAMES!
[Dr. Cube walks alone through the Temple exit lot.]
Signal: "After what we saw earlier tonight, I don't think Dr. Cube should be walking anywhere alone."
Black Scar: "Nobody's forgotten Pandemonium, either."
[Cube walks past rows of parked cars.]
[CRASH!]
[A massive shape barrels out from between two parked vehicles.]
Signal: "OH MY GOD!"
Black Scar: "IT'S MARS!"
[WARLORD MARS SPEARS CUBE INTO THE SIDE OF AN SUV.]
[The World Championship flies across the pavement.]
[Mars unloads with fists.]
Warlord Mars: "YOU THINK YOU'RE CLEVER!?"
[SMASH.]
Warlord Mars: "YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAY WITH ME!?"
[SMASH.]
Warlord Mars: "NO MORE!"
[Cube shoves Mars away, and grabs a trash can.]
[HURLS IT AT MARS!]
Signal: "These two are trying to kill each other!"
Black Scar: "Good! Let 'em!"
[MARS CHARGES THROUGH IT. HE GRABS CUBE AND THROWS HIM ONTO THE HOOD OF A NEARBY CAR.]
[The metal caves inward as Cube groans.]
[Mars drags him up, but Cube drives a knee into his ribs.]
[Then another.]
[Then shoves Mars face-first into a light pole.]
[CLANG.]
[Mars stumbles as Cube rushes forward.]
[CHECKMATE! SPINNING ELBOW!]
[MARS BARELY MOVES.]
Black Scar: "The big bastard ate it!"
[Mars laughs.]
Warlord Mars: "MY TURN."
[He grabs Cube by the throat and RUNS HIM ACROSS THE PARKING LOT.]
[CRASH.]
[INTO THE SIDE MIRROR OF A TRUCK.]
[CRASH.]
[INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.]
[CRASH.]
[INTO ANOTHER PARKED CAR.]
Signal: "Officials need to get out here!"
[Cube can barely stand.]
[Mars backs up.]
[A war cry builds in his chest.]
Warlord Mars: "THIS..."
[He charges.]
Warlord Mars: "...IS..."
[WARHEAD.]
[The headbutt lands flush.]
[Cube collapses instantly. Out fucking cold.]
[The crowd watching from the exits erupts.]
Signal: "HE KNOCKED HIM OUT!"
Black Scar: "CUBE IS DOWN!"
[Officials and security finally flood the parking lot.]
[They grab Mars. It takes six men.]
[Eight.]
[Ten.]
[Cube lies motionless beside the dented car. The World Championship gleams nearby.]
[Mars finally stops fighting.]
[He points at Cube.]
Warlord Mars: "NO MORE GAMES. I'M ENTERING THE FUCKING ELIMINATION CHAMBER."
[The crowd explodes as Mars tears free from security.]
[But he just turns and walks away, leaving the unconscious World Champion behind.]
Signal: "Warlord Mars has claimed the final spot!"
Black Scar: "And if I were Cube, I'd be praying that Chamber keeps him locked up!"
[Cut.]
Signal:We have a huge main event folks no pun intended as two mastadon of men face off against one another. They were absolute destroyers in Pandemonium as the only way they could possibly be eliminated was by knocking one another out cold.
Black Scar: Battle of the big boys here tonight, nothing but good old carange, I cannot wait Siggie.
[The bell barely gets to ring before both men rush forward, pounding down on one another with heavy lefts and rights, both monsters battering eachother with heavy strikes that don't seem to faze either man.]
[FOREARM BY JURASSIC]
[ROARING ELBOW BY SUJETO]
[KNEE BY SUJETO]
[HEADBUTT BY COLLOSUS!]
[That one finally slightly rocks Sujeto, a second one and then a third sends him staggering into the ropes. Jurassic backing up before rushing forward]
[AS HE CLOTHESLINES SUJETO OVER THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR BELOW!]
[Cero lands on his feet on the outside, purple eyes glowing as the Dino rushes forward]
[SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES SENDIND SUJETO INTO THE BARRICADE!]
Black Scar: We got a flying dinosaur Siggie.
[Colossus slams hard into Sujeto, the metal barricading damn near disintegrating from the sheer force but Cero doesn't go down. Holding onto Colossus, he slams down both fists hard into his back not once but twice before gripping him around the waist.]
[GUTWRENCH SUPLEX ONTO THE BARRICADE SNAPPING IT IN HALF!]
[That slightly winds Colossus, the Dinosaur taking a few moments to stagger up as he's gripped by the jaw by Sujeto who throws him hard into the steel steps. Sujeto rushing forward as Colossus staggers up.]
[DROP]
[TOE]
[HOLD!]
[Sujeto gets dropped headfirst into the steel steps but it has no goddamn affect.]
Signal: Those steps have a visible dent in them now but it didn't do a damn thing to Sujeto there.
[Colossus tries to grab him but Sujeto pushes him back, rearing his arm back. LARIA...NO! Colossus manages to dodge as Sujeto wraps his arm around the turnbuckle post, trapping himself for a moment as Jurassic backs up.]
[HEADBUTTING SUJETO'S TRAPPED ARM INTO THE STEEL POST!]
[A visible crack echoes through the air, though if that's from the bone or the post itself is hard to be seen. Sujeto is dazed for the first time though as Jurassic pulls him out before throwing him back into the ring.]
Black Scar: Look at the post Siggie, it nearly snapped in half from the sheer impact. How in the hell does Sujeto still have an arm?
[Sujeto slowly stumbles up right into a flurry from Jurassic. Forearm, Chop, Headbutt, before he's grapped around the mask and thrown backwards into the corner. Sujeto barely hitting the steel]
[PALEO CRASH! Brutal Leaping Splash squashes Sujeto in the corner but Cero isn't done, exploding out of the corner]
[WITH A THUNDEROUS CLOTHESLINE!]
[But it was with the bad arm as that seems to do more damage to Sujeto then it did to Jurassic who tanks it with a snarl.]
[Before gripping Sujeto around the waist and swinging him up and around]
[IMPLANT SPINEBUSTAHHHHH! ]
[Colossus stays down for the cover, the ruleador dropping down to count.]
[ONE]
[.......EASY KICK OUT!]
Black Scar:It won't be that easy to put down a monster like Sujeto, even if you are a monster like Colossus.
[Jurassic picks Sujeto up, trying to lift him up for the Shatter but Sujeto slips out, cracking Colossus with a hard Forearm. Before landing another. And then a Third. And then a Fourth.]
[A fifth staggers Colossus as Sujeto grabs him. Trying to lift him up into the air.]
[Colossus slips out of the Gorilla Press, landing behind as he grabs Sujeto]
[RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE DAMN TURNBUCKLES!]
[Sujeto lands hard, staggering up but slightly slower now as he stumbles right into a spinning Dino.]
[DISCUS CLOTHESLINE! Sujeto Cero gets turned inside fucking out as he falls to the mat with a hard slam. Colossus roaring in glee as he heads to the apron.]
Signal: Jurassic looking for the end here, we might be seeing the fall of Sujeto Cero here.
[Jurassic roars, grabbing the ropes as he flips through]
[RIGHT INTO A MASSIVE FUCK OFF LARIAT THAT TURNS HIM INSIDE OUT!]
[Jurassic stays down for only a moment, roaring to his feet right into a roaring forearm]
[GOOZLE!]
[SUJETO PULLS HIM IN CLOSE, HIS HANDS DIGGING IN SO HARD IT DRAWS BLOOD ON COLOSSUS"S THROAT]
[PRESION TOXICA! CHOKESLAM!]
[Sujeto isn't done, lifting Jurassic up again, but Colossus sweeps down, SAUROPOD SWEEP! Sujeto falls to one knee before he's pulled up by Jurassic.]
[GOOZLE]
[CHOKESLAM OF HIS OWN!]
[Jurassic roars, looking to the ropes but Sujeta sits up, staring those purple empty eyes at Jurassic who turns around, before rushing forward.]
[CLOTHESLINE FROM JURASSIC BOUNCES OFF!]
[CLOTHESLINE FROM SUJETO BOUNCES OFF!]
[Both men roar in anger before rearing forward]
[DOUBLE HEADBUTT]
[CRACK!]
Signal: Shades of Pandemonium as both men fall to the mat, one arm flopped over the other.
Black Scar: Are we going to see another draw between these two?
[The ruleador drops down, counting the pinfall attempt.]
[ONE]
[...........]
[................]
[TWO]
[...............]
[.................]
[THR....BOTH MEN JUST GET THE SHOULDER UP!]
Black Scar: How the hell are either man still alive? They've beaten ten shades of holy hell out of eachother
Signal: And they don't look nearly finished yet.
[Jurassic stands, wiping blood from his neck and mouth as he roars in primal fury. Sujeto stands himself, clutching his neck as the serum flows through him, his purple eyes glow even brighter as the overclock begins.]
[Cero rushing forward, a big running forearm taking Colossus by surprise, before another one rocks him. He's lifted high up in the air, ]
[BIOSHOCK! Cero nearly breaks Colossus in half with the huge backbreaker but the moment Jurassic is thrown off, the dinosaur is up on his feet. Begging for more.]
[A gesture Cero responds to with a huge Big Boot sending Colossus into the ropes. Jurassic rebounds off]
[BIG BOOT OF HIS OWN!]
[FOREARM FROM SUJETO]
[CHOP FROM COLOSSUS]
[HEADBUTT]
[CHOP]
[FOREARM]
[HEADBUTT!]
[Both monsters roar out in fury, rearing back on their feet once more before rushing forward.]
[DOUBLE HEADBUTT...NO! Cero Headbutts right through Colossus, dropping the Last Dinosaur to his knees]
[Cero breaths in deeply, his purple eyes glowing bright as he powers Colossus up onto his shoulders]
[TSO BOMB! The F-5 sends Colossus flying through the air, before crashing to the mat with a thump. Cero drops down to his knees, visibly breathing heavily as he covers, the ruleador dropping down to count]
[ONE]
[...........]
[................]
[TWO]
[...............]
[.................]
[THREEE!]
Signal: A brutal matchup here but there had to be a winner as Sujeto Cero proves to be the more dominant monster here tonight
Winner: Sujeto Cero
My Attention
[The screen fades in from black.]
[No music.]
[No commentary.]
[Just the faint sound of dripping water.]
[Or maybe blood.]
[The camera slowly focuses. An abandoned room. Concrete walls. A single naked lightbulb swings overhead, casting long shadows that move across the floor.]
[In the center of the room sits a chair.]
[Tied to it—]
[Jack Standard.]
[His pathetic eye mask is torn.]
[His shirt stained dark with blood.]
[One eye swollen shut.]
[Blood drips from his mouth onto the floor below.]
[He coughs.]
[Winces.]
[Spits red.]
[The camera circles slowly revealing another figure standing in the darkness.]
[Darkwish.]
[Silent.]
[Watching.]
[Waiting.]
Signal: "What the hell...?"
Black Scar:"Looks like somebody got to Standard before DEMASQ got to anybody else."
[Darkwish steps forward.]
[The swinging bulb illuminates his mask.]
Darkwish: "I've seen the bodies."
[A pause.]
Darkwish: "The messages."
[Another step.]
Darkwish: "The fear."
[He crouches in front of Standard.]
Darkwish: "And I know it's you."
[Standard laughs.]
[It hurts.]
[He coughs blood immediately afterwards.]
Jack Standard: "Then you're not nearly as smart as you think you are."
[Darkwish grabs him by the jaw.]
[Forcing him to look up.]
Darkwish: "You and Academius."
[A beat.]
Darkwish: "You're killing members of the OSW roster. You're taking masks and you're murdering others."
[Standard's eyes narrow.]
Darkwish: "Tell me where your base of operations is. Tell me where I can find what I need to solve this case and inform the authorities.."
[Silence.]
Darkwish: "This ends, now."
[Standard stares back.]
[Despite the beating.]
[Despite the blood.]
[He smiles.]
Jack Standard:"You're wrong."
[Darkwish releases him.]
[The room falls silent.]
Signal: "Don't do it..."
[Standard chuckles weakly.]
Jack Standard: "You think you've solved it."
[He spits blood onto the floor.]
Jack Standard: "But you're chasing the wrong—"
[CRACK.]
[Darkwish punches him across the face.]
[The chair tips sideways.]
[Standard crashes to the concrete.]
Black Scar: "Darkwish isn't listening anymore!"
[Darkwish grabs the chair.]
[Drags it upright.]
[Standard barely conscious.]
Jack Standard: "You're..."
[Cough.]
Jack Standard: "Wrong..."
[Darkwish hits him again.]
[And again.]
[And again.]
[The bulb swings violently overhead.]
[Shadows dance across the walls.]
Signal: "This has gone too far!"
[The camera slowly backs away.]
[The beating continues.]
[The sound echoes through the room.]
[The final image is Jack Standard slumped in the chair.]
[Darkwish standing over him.]
[And the statement made by Jack Standard hanging in the air.]
Jack Standard: "You're wrong..."
[Cut.]