SLAM #408

[Wrr.]

[Click.]

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

[Cold Open.]

[Instead, we find ourselves inside the quiet bedroom of Luke Storm's home. There are no flashing lights, no roaring fans and no remnants of the chaos that has defined OSW's return. Luke sits on the edge of his bed, leaning forward with his hands clasped between his knees. Above him hangs a framed photograph that somehow demands attention despite the seriousness of the moment: Luke, fully masked, riding triumphantly atop a whale as it breaches through the ocean.]

[Luke glances towards the camera, his expression tired and contemplative.]

Luke Storm: "I've had a lot of time to think over the last three months."

[He rubs his hands together, searching for the right words.]

Luke Storm: "My brother turned on me at Ring of Dreams. I've spent every day since racking my brains trying to understand why. What happened to Eddie? What was he thinking? What did I miss?"

[Luke gives a bitter shake of the head.]

Luke Storm: "But considering our history, maybe that's pathetic. Maybe after everything we've done to each other over the years, I should know better than to sit here wondering why Edward Newton would put a knife in my back."

[A sudden knock at the bedroom door interrupts him. It opens slightly and Scarlett pokes her head inside.]

Scarlett: "Dad? I'm heading out."

[Luke's entire demeanour softens immediately.]

Luke Storm: "Okay, sweetie. Be careful, alright? Keep your phone on you, and let me know when you're on your way home."

Scarlett: "I will."

Luke Storm: "Love you."

Scarlett: "Love you too."

[Scarlett disappears from the doorway, pulling it closed behind her. Luke watches after her for a moment before turning back towards the camera. Whatever anger he feels about his brother is tempered by the simple fact that his daughter is home.]

Luke Storm: "That's what matters."

[He nods towards the door.]

Luke Storm: "Whatever Eddie did or didn't do at Ring of Dreams, Scarlett came home. Dr. Cube released her. My daughter is safe, and right now, that's more important to me than anything else."

[Luke pauses, but his eyes harden at the mention of Cube.]

Luke Storm: "Don't misunderstand me, Cube. I haven't forgotten what you did. You took my daughter. You used her as a piece in whatever sick game you've been playing with my brother, and there will be a time and a place where you and I settle that."

[His jaw tightens.]

Luke Storm: "But it isn't Ring King."

[Luke slowly rises from the bed.]

Luke Storm: "Because at Ring King, I've got family business."

[He looks directly into the camera.]

Luke Storm: "Eddie, you and I have spent our lives fighting, forgiving, falling apart and somehow finding our way back to being brothers again. I've known Edward Newton longer than anyone alive, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that asking you a simple question has never guaranteed me a simple answer."

[A faint, humourless smile crosses his face.]

Luke Storm: "So I'm not asking."

[Luke steps closer.]

Luke Storm: "At Ring King, we're gonna settle this the Newton way."

[His expression turns deadly serious.]

Luke Storm: "And by the time we're finished, brother, you are going to give me the answers I deserve."

[Luke holds the stare for a long moment.]

[The screen cuts abruptly to black.]

[CUT.]

[EXT. EAST LOS ANGELES - NIGHT]

[Agent Dick Johnson waltzes onto the scene dressed in what could only be described as a stereotypical Cholo outfit. Baggy jeans, a shirt buttoned only at the top, a bandana, and a too large gold chain clinking as he walks.]

[Dick puts a finger to his ear as he struts down the street, smirking.]

Dick Johnson: "Dick to Fannybottom, Dick to Fannybottom, come in, homes."

Ms. Fannybottom: "Dick, you don't need to speak like that-"

[Ms. Fannybottom is quickly silenced as Dick shakes his head.]

Dick Johnson: "Nonsense, Fannybottom! Blending in is the only way to get close to a man like Cadillac. He's smart, perhaps even smarter than we give him credit for..."

[As Dick rattles onto his assistant, it becomes abundantly clear that his conversation is much louder than he believes. A group of men slowly begin to surround Dick who obliviously chatters away.]

Dick Johnson: "This might take a portion of my cunning. Perhaps even... All of my cunning linguistics to get through this mission."

[Tap tap.]

[Dick stops what he's doing, glancing behind himself to find nonother than Cadillac Callejero... As well as a whole slew of men who stand behind him.]

Cadillac Callejero: "Can we help you, vato?"

[Dick pauses, finger still to his ear.]

Dick Johnson: "I may need to call you back, Fannybottom."

[Cadillac looks to his men, wordlessly gesturing towards Dick.]

[The scene abruptly cuts to black as the sound of screams and fighting can be heard. When the scene fades back in we find Agent Johnson laid out in a pile of trash in a nearby alley. He weakly brings his finger to his ear again.]

Dick Johnson: "Fannybottom? Please requisite me some new clothing... And a fuzzy naval. This mission is just getting started."

[A sigh can be heard over the line, the scene fading to black once again.]

[Cut.]

[INT. PALACE OF PLEASURE]

[Neon lights and pulsing EDM music set the ambience of the club. Beyond where their toys enjoy the desires of the flesh. Beyond the dance floors and free bars, deep within the belly of the club sits an exclusive lounge.]

[Glitter relaxes on a leather daybed, being fed grapes by one of his toys as Silas approaches. Silas looks about the scene, disapprovingly.]

Silas: “We need to talk.”

[Glitter looks up and pouts, sighing heavily at the inconvenience. But they wave their toys away and pat the seat next to them for Silas to sit down on.]

[Silas remains standing.]

Silas: “You blindsided me. I thought we had an agreement? You couldn’t even uphold your end of the deal for one week?”

[Glitter smirks.]

Glitter: “You had an agreement. I tend to be a bit more… free and loose with my promises.”

[Silas sighs heavily.]

Silas: “What exactly does that mean? How can I trust anything you say? We’re supposed to be…”

Glitter: “Family. I know. But since when does being family mean staying out of each others’ way?”

[Glitter pulls Silas down onto the daybed, having had enough of Silas standing awkwardly. They run their hand across Silas’s shoulder.]

Glitter: “You and I, we could have something special. If you’d just let yourself… enjoy a little bit of life. Loosen up. I’ve got some friends around here that can do all sorts of things that would blow your mind.”

[Glitter moves to summon a selection of their toys, but Silas stops them.]

Silas: “You know how I feel about your… friends.”

[Glitter feigns being hurt, but breaks out into giggles.]

Glitter: “If ever there was somebody that just needed to get a bit of…”

Silas: “I know what you’re doing. All of this, the deflection. The act. Inserting your nose in where it isn’t needed.”

[Silas stands again.]

Silas: “I’m not sharing with you. I’m taking the Ultraviolent Championship off Del Toro, and I’d prefer you to not be in my way.”

[Glitter stands, running their fingers along Silas’s cheek.]

Glitter: “Sharing is caring, Sy. There’s plenty of love to go around. We need each other. You rub my balls and I rub yours.”

Silas: “You know, I’m pretty sure that’s not how that saying goes.”

Glitter: “We have an advantage over everybody else in this orgy. Because as long as one of us walks away with the belt, that’s a success. We just need to make sure that happens.”

[Glitter’s finger stops, resting on Silas’s bottom lip.]

Glitter: “Whatt’tya say, Sy? We are better together.”

[Silas steps back, shuddering from Glitter’s touch.]

Silas: “Fine. Show me how much I can trust you.”

[Cut.]

[Backstage.]

[Warlord Mars stands alone near a row of equipment cases.]

[He hears footsteps.]

[Turns.]

[Dr. Cube approaches.]

[Mars immediately squares up.]

Warlord Mars: "YOU'VE GOT ABOUT THREE SECONDS TO TURN AROUND."

[Cube stops several feet away.]

Dr. Cube: "Believe me, Mars, this conversation ranks very low among the ways I wished to spend my evening."

Warlord Mars: "THEN FUCK OFF!"

[Cube tilts his head.]

Dr. Cube: "Last week, The Family left you lying in that ring."

[Mars takes one heavy step forward.]

Warlord Mars: "YOU COME HERE TO REM..."

Dr. Cube: "No."

[A beat.]

Dr. Cube: "I came because Marvolo believes you can help us make sure it doesn't happen again."

[Mars stares at him.]

Warlord Mars: "Us?"

Dr. Cube: "Deadeye. Siniestro. Myself."

[Cube pauses.]

Dr. Cube: "And, regrettably, you."

[Mars lets out a harsh laugh.]

Warlord Mars: "YOU WANT WARLORD MARS TO STAND BESIDE YOU AND THOSE TWO COCKWOMBLES!?"

Dr. Cube: "I want Padre Venganza stopped."

[Cube's voice hardens.]

Dr. Cube: "Whatever exists between us does not outweigh what he is building."

Warlord Mars: "DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT EXISTS BETWEEN US!"

[Mars closes the distance until they're almost nose-to-nose.]

Warlord Mars: "I REMEMBER EVERY DAMN SECOND."

Dr. Cube: "As do I."

[Neither moves.]

Dr. Cube: "But I also remember watching Nox, Smiley and Doubt tear you apart while Vinell watched. They will do it again. To you. To me. To anyone Padre decides belongs beneath him."

[Mars' fists clench.]

Dr. Cube: "So against every instinct I possess, I am asking you to put our history aside."

[A long silence.]

[Mars looks Cube directly in the eyes.]

[Then spits at his feet.]

Warlord Mars: "GO TO HELL."

[Mars shoulders past him.]

[Cube doesn't turn.]

[He looks down at the spit between his boots.]

[His head slowly tilts.]

Dr. Cube: "About as well as expected."

[Cut.]

[BACKSTAGE]

[Darkwish stalks the halls of the Temple, jittery and paranoid. He’s leaping at shadows, peering around every corner.]

Signal: “Darkwish is a hunted man. He knows that they are after him, he knows they’d stop at nothing to kill him.”

Black Scar: “And he knows that Academius promised to see that he faces his due consequences, whatever that means.”

Signal: “Nothing good, if you’re Darkwish.”

[He rounds a corner, finding the hulking frame of Rambro before him. Darkwish straightens up, trying to fight back the fear.]

Darkwish: “Are they following me?”

[Rambro cocks his head to his side.]

Rambro: “Another one gone dinky dau. Look at yourself. Pathetic.”

[Darkwish’s fear fades as he glares at Rambro.]

Darkwish: “What did you call me?”

Rambro: “You’ve gone cuckoo. Expecting the shadows to shoot back? I’ve seen it all before.”

[Darkwish advances on Rambro, causing the big man to back away slightly.]

Darkwish: “I don’t want you. I want the same thing you hunt. Del Toro’s gold.”

[Darkwish laughs a low, maniacal laugh.]

Darkwish: “I want the protection of hiding in plain sight. They can’t come for me if I’m standing toe to toe with the likes of you.”

[He prods Rambro in the chest.]

Darkwish: “And that title, it’s just the extra protection I need.”

[A figure breaks the tension, stepping in front of Darkwish.]

Santiago Del Toro: “I put you down last week, Darkwish. What makes you think you’re worthy of the chase?”

[He stands, eyeballing Darkwish. Searching his soul. Finally, Del Toro smiles.]

Santiago Del Toro: “Very well. You’re willing to lose everything. Just what I want.”

Darkwish: “I’m willing to gain everything. They can’t get to me while I’m hunting your gold”

[A chuckle breaks through the air.]

Academius: “Don’t be too sure of that.”

[He steps forward, having tailed Darkwish this far.]

Academius: “I told you that I’d personally see to your consequences. I am, after all, a man of my word. So if you’re going to seek the company of rabble-rousers and delinquents simply for protection… I’ll just have to join the chase right alongside you.”

[Academius moves towards Darkwish, who lashes out instinctively and catches Rambro across the cheek.]

Signal: “That’s the spark that the tinderbox needed to burst into flames.”

Black Scar: “It’s all on now. Academius, Darkwish, Del Toro, Rambro. Each one is ready to tear limb from limb.”

[Security guards flood the scene, pulling the four men apart from each other before the brawl can get ugly.]

Signal: “This is set to go down at Ring King. If any of these four are going to walk away with the title, they very well may have to work together to hold off Silas and Glitter.”

Black Scar:“I don’t see that happening. This is every dog for himself, and that’s exactly what Glitter is hoping for.”

[Cut.]

[Ringside.]

[Candy Man has barely cleared the area.]

[Smiley remains in the ring.]

[Alone.]

[Hiscrowbar hangs loosely from one hand.]

Signal: "Smiley's still out here."

Black Scar: "And that might be a mistake."

[Dr. Cube appears first.]

[Then Deadeye.]

[Then Santiago Siniestro.]

[They surround the ring from three sides.]

[Smiley slowly looks from one to the next.]

[His head tilts.]

[Deadeye slides in.]

[Siniestro follows.]

[Cube enters last.]

Signal: "SIC EM BOYS!"

[Deadeye hits first.]

[A brutal right hand snaps Smiley's head back.]

[Siniestro drives a knee into his ribs.]

[Cube takes his legs out from beneath him.]

[Smiley crashes to the canvas.]

[And laughs.]

Black Scar: "He's laughing."

[Deadeye stomps him across the chest.]

[Siniestro pulls Smiley upright by the mask.]

Smiley: "Again."

[Siniestro pauses.]

Smiley: "Come on."

[Deadeye blasts him with another shot.]

[Blood begins running from beneath the mask.]

[Down Smiley's neck.]

[Across his chest.]

[Smiley's laughter gets louder.]

Smiley: "That's it."

[Cube drives a boot into his stomach.]

[Smiley doubles over.]

Smiley: "More."

Signal: "What the hell is wrong with this guy!?"

[Deadeye grabs Smiley by the throat and throws him into the corner.]

[Siniestro follows with a vicious strike.]

[Cube pulls him back out.]

[They swarm him.]

[Fists.]

[Knees.]

[Boots.]

[Smiley drops.]

[Still laughing.]

[Still reaching for them.]

Smiley: "Don't stop."

[Deadeye looks down at him.]

[For the first time, his expression changes.]

[Not fear.]

[Disgust.]

Deadeye: "This son of a bitch ain't right."

[Siniestro wipes Smiley's blood from his knuckles.]

Siniestro: "No."

[Smiley rolls weakly onto his back.]

[His chest is painted red.]

[His shoulders shake.]

[Laughter.]

Smiley: "Again..."

[Deadeye stares at him.]

Deadeye: "We're done."

[The three men step away.]

[Smiley remains sprawled across the canvas.]

[Laughing.]

[Cube looks toward Deadeye and Siniestro.]

Dr. Cube: "Perhaps we don't need Mars after all."

Signal: "They just dismantled one member of The Family."

Black Scar: "And I don't think Smiley believes he lost anything."

[Smiley's laughter follows them up the aisle.]

[Cut.]

[Post-Match.]

[The Hell in a Cell remains locked around the ring, its imposing steel walls bearing the scars of the fight that has just taken place inside it. Doubt lies beaten on the canvas whilst PixelShift uses the ropes to drag himself back to his feet, exhausted but victorious after surviving another encounter with The Family.]

Signal: "PixelShift has done it! Doubt threw everything he had at him inside this Cell, but the number one contender to Padre Venganza's World Championship survived!"

Black Scar: "That's one member of The Family down, Signal, but PixelShift ought to know by now that they never travel alone."

[As if summoned by those words, every light inside the Temple suddenly dies.]

[The roar of the crowd immediately turns to nervous anticipation as complete darkness consumes the arena. PixelShift instinctively backs towards the centre of the ring, searching through the blackness for whatever The Family has planned.]

[The lights return.]

[PixelShift looks around the ring.]

[Nothing.]

[Then he notices the fans pointing above him.]

[PixelShift slowly looks up.]

[A massive section of the Cell roof has been violently ripped open, leaving twisted steel hanging down into the structure. Standing beside the opening is Padre Venganza, the OSW World Championship fastened around his waist as he looks down upon his Ring King challenger.]

[Dangling from Padre's hands is a rope.]

[At the end of it hangs a noose.]

Signal: "Oh, no. Padre, don't you dare!"

[PixelShift watches as the noose descends through the hole in the Cell, but before he can react, Doubt attacks him from behind. PixelShift crashes to the canvas as Doubt pounces, hammering him with punches before dragging him violently back to his feet.]

[PixelShift fights desperately to escape, but Doubt catches the dangling noose and forces it over his head.]

Black Scar: "He's putting that thing around PixelShift's neck!"

[PixelShift immediately claws at the rope, but Doubt pulls the noose tight before looking towards Padre.]

[Padre smiles.]

[Then he pulls.]

[PixelShift is violently ripped from his feet.]

[His body rises into the air as the noose tightens around his throat, leaving him suspended above the ring. His legs kick desperately beneath him whilst both hands tear at the rope crushing his neck.]

Signal: "They're hanging him! Somebody get him down!"

[Padre continues pulling from the roof as Doubt watches below, his cracked white mask tilted upwards towards PixelShift's struggling body.]

[PixelShift's movements begin to weaken.]

[His hands slip from the rope.]

[Then...]

GLITCH.

[The entire broadcast violently distorts.]

[Pixelated blocks tear across the picture as the audio fractures into a harsh digital stutter. Padre freezes atop the Cell. Doubt freezes beneath PixelShift. Even PixelShift's suspended body hangs completely motionless as though someone has stopped the world on a single corrupted frame.]

Black Scar: "What the hell happened to the feed?!"

[The image jumps.]

[Freezes.]

[Jumps again.]

[For several agonising seconds, reality itself appears unable to advance.]

Pixelshift: "L-l-lag... spike..."

[The Temple suddenly snaps back into motion.]

[Padre yanks the rope again.]

[Something is wrong.]

[The body hanging from the noose is no longer PixelShift.]

[It's Doubt.]

Signal: "WHAT?!"

[Padre's eyes widen as Doubt thrashes helplessly above the ring, clawing frantically at the rope around his neck.]

[Across the canvas, PixelShift suddenly flickers back into existence on his hands and knees.]

[Padre immediately realises what has happened and releases the rope. Doubt crashes heavily onto the canvas, ripping the noose from his neck as he desperately gasps for air.]

Black Scar:"PixelShift switched places with him! During that Lag Spike, somehow PixelShift switched places with Doubt!"

[PixelShift doesn't wait around to explain it.]

[He rolls beneath the bottom rope, kicks open the Cell door and stumbles onto the entrance ramp. Doubt remains inside recovering as Padre stands above the hole in the roof, staring down at the challenger who has just turned The Family's execution against them.]

[PixelShift reaches the entranceway and looks back.]

[Padre's expression has changed.]

[For the first time, the self-proclaimed future God isn't smiling.]

[PixelShift taps the side of his visor before raising two fingers towards Padre in a mocking salute.]

Pixelshift:"You aren't the only one with powers."

[He disappears backstage before The Family can pursue him.]

[Padre Venganza remains atop the Cell, looking down at Doubt and then towards the empty entranceway.]

Signal: "Padre Venganza tried to execute his Ring King challenger, and PixelShift just rewrote the outcome!"

Black Scar: "Padre wants to become a God, but he'd better start learning the rules of PixelShift's world. Tonight, the game lagged at exactly the wrong time for The Family."

[Padre grips the mangled Cell roof with both hands, furious as Doubt slowly recovers beneath him.]

[At Ring King, God meets the glitch.]

[Backstage.]

[Deadeye sits on a bench in the locker room, tightening the strap around one wrist.]

[His Gift of the Gods Championship opportunity comes later tonight.]

[Santiago Siniestro stands nearby, checking the edge of a blade.]

Siniestro: "Big night."

Deadeye: "Sure is."

[Siniestro looks up.]

Siniestro: "Try not to embarrass yourself."

[Deadeye starts to answer.]

[KNOCK. KNOCK.]

[Both men turn toward the door.]

[A beat.]

[Then a faint hiss.]

[White gas begins pouring beneath it.]

Deadeye: "Shit."

Signal: "GET OUT OF THERE!"

[Deadeye and Siniestro pull their shirts over their mouths.]

[The room rapidly disappears beneath the fog.]

[BOOM!]

[The door EXPLODES inward.]

[Nox Bellator charges through first.]

[He catches Deadeye around the waist and drives him clear across the room—]

[CRASH!]

[—THROUGH A ROW OF METAL LOCKERS!]

Black Scar: "GOOD GOD!"

[Smiley follows.]

[Vinell.]

[Ziggy.]

[Doubt closes the shattered doorway behind them.]

[Smiley immediately tackles Siniestro.]

[He mounts the assassin.]

[Punch.]

[Punch.]

[Punch.]

[Smiley's fists become slick with blood.]

[He leans close to Siniestro's face.]

Smiley: "There you are. We weren't finished."

[Another punch.]

Smiley: "I was wondering how much red an assassin keeps inside."

[Siniestro drives a thumb into Smiley's eye and throws him aside.]

[Smiley rolls onto his back.]

[Laughing.]

Smiley: "That's my boy."

[Across the room, Deadeye crawls from the wreckage.]

[Nox grabs him by the throat and lifts him effortlessly.]

Nox Bellator: "I spent my life believing Padre Venganza was the darkness I was created to destroy."

[Nox's grip tightens.]

Nox Bellator: "Now I kneel beside him."

[Deadeye claws at his wrist.]

[Nox's voice turns quieter.]

Nox Bellator: "Some days, I still don't know what that makes me."

[He hurls Deadeye across the room.]

[CRASH!]

[Deadeye smashes through a wooden table.]

Signal: "Nox doesn't even sound certain of what he's become!"

[Nearby, Ziggy has Siniestro cornered.]

[He raises his fist.]

[Stops.]

[His arm trembles.]

[Siniestro sees it.]

[Ziggy stares at his own hand as though it belongs to somebody else.]

Siniestro: "What's wrong?"

[Ziggy's breathing quickens.]

[Vinell immediately steps beside him.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Ziggy."

[Ziggy doesn't respond.]

[Vinell grips his jaw, forcing Ziggy to look at him.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "Stay with us."

[A long beat.]

[Ziggy blinks.]

[His expression empties.]

Ziggy Robbins: "I'm fine."

[Vinell studies him.]

[Then slowly releases him.]

[Siniestro uses the opening.]

[He drives into Nox from behind.]

Siniestro: "DEADEYE!"

[Deadeye staggers upright.]

Siniestro: "TELL MARVOLO!"

[Deadeye hesitates.]

Siniestro: "GO!"

[Siniestro launches himself at Smiley, knocking him backward into Vinell.]

[Deadeye bolts through the shattered doorway.]

Black Scar: "Siniestro just sacrificed himself!"

[Smiley slowly rises.]

[Blood coats his mouth.]

[His shoulders shake with delighted laughter.]

[Siniestro looks around.]

[Nox.]

[Doubt.]

[Ziggy.]

[Vinell.]

[Smiley.]

[All staring back.]

Smiley: "I hope everyone's good with sharing."

[Siniestro raises his fists.]

Siniestro: "Come on."

[Smiley lunges.]

[Vinell suddenly turns toward the camera.]

[He calmly approaches.]

Dr. E. Vinell: "I don't believe the public will want to observe the procedure that follows."

[He kicks the camera.]

[Static.]

Signal: "SANTIAGO!"

[From somewhere beyond the dead feed...]

[A scream.]

[Then laughter.]

[Cut.]

[Ringside.]

[Dr. Cube remains in the center of the ring.]

[Santiago Del Toro has already cleared the area.]

Signal: "Cube's had a hell of a night—"

[The lights shift.]

[The crowd erupts in boos.]

Black Scar: "And it's about to get worse."

[The Family emerge.]

[Nox Bellator.]

[Smiley.]

[Doubt.]

[Ziggy Robbins.]

[Dr. Eric Vinell.]

[And slung between Nox and Smiley...]

[Santiago Siniestro.]

[Unconscious.]

[Bloodied.]

Signal: "OH MY GOD! THAT'S SINIESTRO!"

[Cube's posture changes instantly.]

[The Family surround the ring.]

[Doubt looks toward Cube.]

Doubt: "We searched."

[A pause.]

Doubt: "Deadeye was nowhere to be found."

[Smiley lets Siniestro's body drop beside the ring.]

Smiley: "Coward. I hope we wins that title tonight so we can take it off him."

[Cube charges.]

[Too late.]

[Nox meets him.]

[The Family flood the ring.]

Signal: "FIVE ON ONE!"

[Cube swings wildly, catching Vinell.]

[Smiley crashes the crowbar into Cube's ribs.]

[Ziggy tackles him.]

[Doubt stomps at his head.]

[Nox hauls Cube upright and DRIVES him back into the turnbuckles.]

[Cube collapses.]

Black Scar: "This is revenge for what happened to Smiley earlier!"

[Smiley stands over Cube.]

[Blood still stains his mask and chest from earlier tonight.]

[His crowbar is worse.]

[He raises it.]

[Then stops.]

[Smiley turns toward the crowd.]

Smiley: "Marvolo!"

[The Temple quiets.]

Smiley: "Deadeye!"

[He looks toward the entrance.]

Smiley: "Anyone else hiding back there and thinking about touching the Family..."

[Smiley drags the bloodied end of the crowbar across Cube's chest.]

Smiley: "...listen carefully."

[His head tilts.]

Smiley: "You hurt one of us..."

[A laugh escapes him.]

Smiley: "...we end your whole fucking bloodline."

Signal: "Jesus Christ."

[Smiley looks down at Cube.]

Smiley: "Starting here."

[He raises the crowbar high.]

[BOOOOOOOM!]

["WARLORD" BLASTS THROUGH THE TEMPLE.]

[The crowd EXPLODES.]

Signal: "WAIT A MINUTE!"

Black Scar: "MARS!"

[Warlord Mars storms through the entrance.]

Warlord Mars: "FAMILY!"

[He points at the ring.]

Warlord Mars: "YOU WANTED WAR!?"

[Mars CHARGES.]

[He slides beneath the ropes.]

[Smiley swings.]

[Mars ducks.]

[RIGHT HAND!]

[Smiley flies backward.]

[Ziggy rushes him.]

[Mars LAUNCHES Ziggy over the top rope.]

[Vinell attacks from behind.]

[Mars spins.]

Warlord Mars: "PUNY VINE-SHIT!"

[HEADBUTT!]

[Vinell collapses.]

[Doubt charges.]

[Mars catches him around the waist and THROWS him bodily through the ropes onto Smiley and Ziggy below.]

Signal: "WARLORD MARS IS CLEANING HOUSE!"

[Nox Bellator steps forward.]

[The two monsters collide.]

[Forearm.]

[Forearm.]

[FOREARM.]

[Mars roars.]

Warlord Mars: "GET! OUT! OF! MY! RING!"

[He blasts Nox with a massive clothesline that sends him tumbling over the top rope.]

[The exhausted Family regroup on the floor.]

[They retreat.]

[Mars watches them go.]

[Then turns.]

[Cube is still down.]

[Siniestro lies motionless.]

[He grabs Siniestro and throws the assassin over one shoulder.]

[Then looks back at Cube.]

[A long moment.]

[Cube looks up at him.]

[Mars extends his free hand.]

[The Temple erupts.]

Signal: "NO WAY!"

[Cube stares at the hand.]

[Then takes it.]

[Mars looks toward the retreating Family.]

Warlord Mars: "IT'S TIME..."

[He looks back at Cube.]

Warlord Mars: "...FOR FUCKING WAR!"

[The crowd ROARS.]

[Mars, Cube, and the unconscious Siniestro head for the entrance.]

Signal: "DEADEYE! SINIESTRO! DR. CUBE! WARLORD MARS!"

Black Scar: "Marvolo's got his army!"

Signal: "AND AT RING KING, THE FAMILY IS FINALLY GOING TO HAVE SOMEBODY READY TO FIGHT BACK!"

[Dolly Daydream dances through the corridors of The Temple, wireless headphones over her mask, happy in her own world.]

Dolly Daydream: “Good friends are there for each other, never, ever forget that I got you, and you got me, so, reach for the stars!”

[Singing along to S Club, she cartwheels round the corner - and slams on the brakes!]

Dolly Daydream: “Whoa - you shouldn’t sit in the middle of the floor like that! I almost tripped over you.”

[The Candy Man gets to his feet, looking like the bastard offspring of Ghostface & Willy Wonka.]

[He rubs his forearm sheepishly.]

Candy Man: “Sorry, Dolly. People don’t normally come back here. If they do, they don’t bother me. I was just eating some candy—”

[He gestures at the chocolatey, sugary mountain over his shoulder.]

[Dolly shrugs, looking down at her canvas shoes.]

Dolly Daydream: “Hmph… Sounds yummy.”

Candy Man: “... Want some?”

[Daydream looks up.]

[In a first, Candy steps aside, granting passage to Dolly.]

[She looks from him to the pile, then back again.]

Dolly Daydream: “… Yes please. Thank you, Candy.”

[Their masks tug at the mouths as they share a smile.]

[They sit together and tuck in, the crinkling of wrappers and smacking of lips filling the air.]

[Mid-feast, Dolly speaks.]

Dolly Daydream: “Have you thought anymore about what I said?”

Candy Man: “About what?”

Dolly Daydream: “You know, us being similar.”

[The mood changes. Candy’s guard goes up.]

Candy Man: “I told you what Mommy said. We shouldn’t even be talking.”

Dolly Daydream: “W-what about the candy?”

Candy Man: “I wanted to make it up to you. But…”

[He takes a shuddering breath.]

Candy Man: “We still can’t be friends.”

[Dolly’s lip quivers. She puts the piece of candy in her hand back on the pile and stands.]

Dolly Daydream: “I think your Mommy…”

[Candy’s brow furrows.]

Dolly Daydream: “Is silly.”

[Dolly’s eyes swim as she drops her bombshell.]

[...]

[CANDY RUSHES DOLLY!]

[Screaming, he STUFFS a FISTFUL of candy into her MOUTH!]

Candy Man: “SAY SORRY, SAY SORRY TO MOMMY!”

[Security and Ruleadors storm the scene to pry Candy off of Dolly, who falls to the floor, coughing up candy!]