Aired - August 21, 2026
(Black screen.)
(The sound of a heavy book opening.)
(Not cleanly. Not gently.)
(Old pages scrape against each other like bone over stone.)
(A candle ignites.)
(The flame burns blue for a moment… then deepens to red.)
(Ink crawls across parchment, but this time it does not form words.)
(It forms a crown.)
(Then an arrow.)
(Then a hand.)
(Then an oni mask.)
(A low choir begins. Beneath it, a war drum beats once.)
Voice-over:
“Once upon a time… they told you every kingdom needed a hero.”
(beat)
“They never told you heroes bleed.”
(The ink spreads faster now, swallowing the parchment edges.)
“They never told you crowns grow heavier.”
“They never told you stories change hands.”
(A bell tolls.)
(The screen flickers with torchlight.)
Voice-over:
“Here… legends do not rest.”
“They are tested.”
“They are broken.”
“They are remade.”
(The burning parchment folds inward, becoming a dark fairytale title card.)
NPCW: DARK FABLE
Voice-over:
“This is the MYTHIC Division.”
“Welcome… to DARK FABLE.”
SIGNATURE MONTAGE — QUARTER 3
1) King Arthur
(A sword is raised beneath a storm-black sky.)
Arthur stands alone in the ring, armor battered, breath steady, eyes forward.
The crowd roars around him, but he does not answer them.
An opponent charges.
Arthur turns, counters, and drives him down with royal certainty.
Another figure rises behind him.
Arthur meets him too.
The crown does not make him safe.
It makes him hunted.
But still…
The king stands.
2) Blonde Bombshells — Alice, Dorothy & Rapunzel
(Bright storybook light floods the screen.)
(Then the color sharpens into something dangerous.)
Alice moves first—quick, fluid, smiling as she slips through a strike and sends her opponent spinning.
Dorothy follows with perfect timing, cutting the escape off before it begins.
Then Rapunzel steps in.
Graceful.
Precise.
No wasted motion.
Three women stand together as the fallen opponent reaches for them and finds nothing.
A familiar dream.
A dangerous mirror.
A fairytale with sharper teeth.
3) Robin Hood
(An arrow cuts through darkness.)
(It strikes a hanging lantern, and green light spills across the ring.)
Robin Hood ducks beneath a wild swing by inches.
He answers instantly.
One shot to stagger.
One movement to shift position.
One clean finish to end the moment before his opponent understands it.
He rises with calm defiance and looks toward the hard camera.
Not a prince.
Not a servant.
Not a man waiting for permission.
A thief.
A hero.
A problem no king can tax away.
4) The King’s Hand
(A gauntleted hand closes around a royal seal.)
(The wax cracks.)
The Sheriff of Nottingham steps through torchlight, cold authority in every movement.
Will Scarlet strikes beside him, violence wrapped in loyalty and resentment.
The King’s Collectors close in after them.
No chaos.
No wasted cruelty.
Only enforcement.
A man is dragged down.
Another is silenced.
Another is left staring up at the lights while the Hand of power tightens around the ring.
The law has arrived.
And mercy was never written into it.
5) Crimson Viper — The Queen of Hearts
(Red roses bloom across black parchment.)
(One by one, the petals fall.)
Crimson Viper stands motionless as her opponent circles.
Then she smiles.
A trap springs.
A strike lands.
A body folds.
She moves like a sentence already passed, turning panic into punishment.
The Queen of Hearts does not chase control.
She assumes it.
And when the final blow lands, there is no rage in her eyes.
Only judgment.
6) Monster Bash’s Enforcers — Kong & Ogre
(Chains drag across stone.)
(The sound becomes a heartbeat.)
Kong surges forward and crushes an opponent into the corner with impossible force.
Ogre follows, lifting another body high before driving it down with brutal finality.
No pageantry.
No speeches.
No warning.
Tag made simple.
Power made sacred.
Two bodies fall.
Two monsters remain.
Kong and Ogre stand over the wreckage, gold and violence bound together.
The Enforcers do not protect a throne.
They make sure no one survives long enough to challenge it.
7) Raigen the Maryu
(Red and gold flame cuts across the screen.)
(A dragon’s shadow coils behind it.)
Raigen stands in the center of the ring, still as a blade before the strike.
His opponent rushes him.
Raigen erupts.
A brutal combination lands in flashes—strike, turn, impact, silence.
The old storm is gone.
Something darker has taken its place.
He lowers one hand.
The air around him seems to burn.
This is not Raigen returning.
This is Raigen becoming.
The Maryu has awakened.
8) Blood Oni Syndicate — Lord Kurogami, Kaen, Enrai & Yurei Rinn
(The screen fades to black again.)
(A single red mask appears.)
(Then another.)
(Then another.)
(Lord Kurogami stands in shadow, unmoving, his presence heavier than sound.)
Kaen steps through firelight, fists clenched, eyes burning with violent purpose.
Enrai follows beneath a flash of white-blue lightning, calm and lethal.
Yurei Rinn appears last, ghostlike, silent, her stare fixed on something the audience cannot see.
Four figures.
One shadow.
The ring becomes a ritual space.
The Syndicate does not enter stories.
It infects them.
And when Lord Kurogami raises one hand…
The darkness answers.
(The choir rises.)
(War drums thunder beneath it.)
(The arena appears, lit like a cathedral built for judgment.)
Voice-over:
“This isn’t the North.”
“This isn’t the light.”
(beat)
“This is where crowns are tested.”
“Where heroes are hunted.”
“Where monsters wear gold.”
“And where every victory leaves a scar.”
(The music drops.)
(Only the bell remains.)
Voice-over:
“In DARK FABLE… the story does not end happily.”
(beat)
“It ends… with a winner.”
(A final image flashes: crown, arrow, rose, chain, dragon flame, oni mask.)
Voice-over:
“And in Quarter Three…”
(beat)
“The story belongs to whoever is strong enough to take it.”
(The bell tolls one final time.)
Voice-over:
“This… is DARK FABLE.”
The broadcast returns live inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Cold blue flame burns along the entrance stage.
Above the arena, the stone arches disappear into shadow while silver light catches the banners hanging from the rafters.
The crowd is already restless.
Green banners bearing the mark of Sherwood can be seen throughout one section.
Across the building, supporters of Nottingham answer with red-and-gold colors of their own.
Elsewhere, signs bear a single image.
A crown surrounded by antlers.
The camera sweeps slowly across the packed coliseum before descending toward ringside.
At the commentary desk sits Julian Ward, composed as always.
Beside him, Brick Brody has both arms folded across his chest, watching the crowd with the expression of a man who believes unrest generally improves a wrestling show.
Julian Ward: “Welcome once again to Dark Fable, live from Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum. I am Julian Ward, joined as always by Brick Brody, and seven days ago this division entered a new era of leadership.”
The great screen above the stage ignites.
Footage from last week appears.
Kristine Kringle stands inside the ring.
Beside her are Alton Bell and Elias Coldmere.
The announcement plays in rapid images.
Alton Bell promoted to Executive Vice President.
Elias Coldmere named Commissioner of the Mythic Division.
Then Elias Coldmere addressing the wrestlers of Dark Fable.
I will listen.
I will be fair.
But I will not be passive.
Julian Ward: “After the promotion of Alton Bell to Executive Vice President, Elias Coldmere assumed responsibility for the Mythic Division.”
Brick Brody: “And the poor man did not even get one peaceful evening out of it.”
Julian Ward: “You almost sound sympathetic.”
Brick Brody: “Do not insult me.”
The footage changes.
Blue-and-gold light.
The crest of Camelot.
King Arthur stands inside the ring with the Mythic Crown Championship over his shoulder.
Merlin watches from behind him.
King Arthur speaks of order.
Authority.
Recognition.
Royal sovereignty.
Then the Huntsman appears.
The crowd reacts again as highlights from the confrontation play.
Huntsman telling the champion that a crown does not make the forest kneel.
King Arthur insisting that the Huntsman stands beneath him.
Finally, Elias Coldmere appearing on the stage.
The match announcement.
King Arthur versus the Huntsman.
Then the consequence of the king's own objection.
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP.
The audience inside the coliseum erupts again.
Julian Ward: “And Elias Coldmere’s first major ruling came before his first night as Commissioner had even ended.”
Brick Brody: “Because King Arthur could not leave well enough alone.”
Julian Ward: “The Commissioner initially ordered a match between King Arthur and the Huntsman. The champion objected because he believed the challenger stood beneath him.”
Brick Brody: “So Elias Coldmere gave him the chance to prove it with the championship on the line.”
Julian Ward: “And tonight, he must.”
The screen freezes.
King Arthur on one side.
The Huntsman on the other.
The Mythic Crown Championship between them.
Julian Ward: “Later tonight, the Mythic Crown Championship will be defended in our main event.”
Brick Brody: “The king wanted everyone to recognize his authority.”
He looks toward the camera.
Brick Brody: “Tonight he finds out whether the crown still recognizes him.”
The image burns away.
Flame replaces gold.
The Eternal Flame Championship appears.
Then highlights from last week's six-man tag team contest begin.
The Blood-Moon Warden traps the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Warden Lock.
Once.
Then again.
The champion survives both.
The footage moves forward.
Robin Hood battles the champion.
Then Allan A Dale enters.
Final Verse.
The cover.
One.
Two.
Three.
The crowd responds loudly.
The freeze-frame captures Allan A Dale having his hand raised while the Sheriff of Nottingham sits against the turnbuckles with the Eternal Flame Championship waiting outside the ring.
Julian Ward: “The Sheriff of Nottingham entered last week only seven days removed from winning the Eternal Flame Championship.”
Brick Brody: “And left knowing what it feels like to get pinned while wearing it.”
Julian Ward: “After twenty-one minutes, Allan A Dale caught the champion with Final Verse and secured the three-count.”
Brick Brody: “That is how you earn somebody's attention.”
Julian Ward: “And it earned considerably more than that.”
The screen changes.
The Eternal Flame Championship burns at the center.
On one side stands the Sheriff of Nottingham.
On the other, Allan A Dale.
Then additional lettering appears beneath them.
TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS.
The building becomes louder.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, Allan A Dale receives the opportunity created by that victory. The Sheriff of Nottingham will defend the Eternal Flame Championship against the man who pinned him last week.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “And this time, one fall will not be enough.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “The Eternal Flame Championship will be decided under two-out-of-three falls rules.”
Brick Brody: “That means Allan A Dale cannot live off one perfect moment.”
Julian Ward: “And the Sheriff of Nottingham cannot dismiss last week's result as one.”
Brick Brody: “Exactly. Beat the champion twice, and nobody gets to call it luck.”
The graphic holds for another moment.
The Sheriff of Nottingham’s expression is cold.
Across from him, Allan A Dale looks directly toward the championship.
Then the flames die.
A red moon replaces them.
The screen shows Raigen and Taro Okami standing together last week.
Across from them are Ares and Mars.
The match clock advances through the highlights.
Twenty minutes.
Twenty-five.
Twenty-eight.
Then the final minute.
Taro Okami catches Mars.
Hunter's Lock.
The Triangle Choke tightens.
Mars refuses to surrender.
The bell sounds.
Thirty minutes.
Draw.
Julian Ward: “For Raigen, last week was supposed to be the first match in his climb back toward the Eternal Flame Championship.”
Brick Brody: “And he did not win.”
Julian Ward: “No. Raigen and Taro Okami fought the Gods of War to the thirty-minute time limit.”
Brick Brody: “And before you turn that into a moral victory, Mars never submitted.”
Julian Ward: “He did not. But after weeks in which the Blood Oni Syndicate appeared determined to create suspicion between Raigen and Taro Okami, those two men showed they could function together against one of the most experienced teams in the division.”
Brick Brody: “Trust is nice.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “Wins are nicer.”
The screen changes.
Raigen now stands alone.
Opposite him is Will Scarlett.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, Raigen returns to singles competition.”
Brick Brody: “There is the climb he talked about.”
Julian Ward: “And standing across from him will be Will Scarlett, a man firmly entrenched within Nottingham's power structure.”
Brick Brody: “If Raigen wants back toward the Eternal Flame Championship, beating one of the champion's own men is a useful way to remind everybody he is still there.”
Julian Ward: “Particularly with that championship being defended later tonight.”
The image disappears.
A cracked black crown replaces it.
Footage from last week's main event appears.
Mordred drives Sinbad down.
Sinbad answers.
The Hammerlock DDT.
Three.
Then Mordred standing alone after the defeat.
Looking not at the man who defeated him.
Looking toward the entrance.
The empty place where Myrrden might have appeared.
Then another image.
King Arthur, holding the Mythic Crown Championship and speaking of sovereignty.
Julian Ward: “And questions surrounding Camelot have only continued to deepen.”
Brick Brody: “That kingdom has enough family trouble to keep a battlefield busy for years.”
Julian Ward: “Last week, Mordred suffered defeat to Sinbad while continuing to search for answers surrounding the disappearance of Myrrden and what he believes is a growing change in King Arthur.”
The screen divides.
On one side stands Lady Guinevere.
On the other, Morgana LeFaye.
The crowd reacts immediately.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, the conflict surrounding Camelot becomes considerably more personal.”
Brick Brody: “No armies. No knights. No speeches about sovereignty.”
Julian Ward: “Lady Guinevere faces Morgana LeFaye.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Put two people connected to opposite sides of this kingdom in the ring and find out what all those royal words are worth after the bell.”
The graphic fades.
A black card appears against the screen.
The same kind handed to Tin Man last week.
Then Severin Crowne appears.
His meeting with the Sheriff of Nottingham.
His earlier conversation concerning Sir Agravaine.
His successful debut against Scarecrow.
Finally, the card passing into Tin Man’s hand.
Julian Ward: “There is also another man whose influence continues to grow in places that are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.”
Brick Brody: “There he is.”
Julian Ward: “Severin Crowne defeated Scarecrow in his Dark Fable wrestling debut last week. But before and after that match, his attention remained on other people.”
Images flash.
Sheriff of Nottingham.
Sir Agravaine.
Tin Man.
Julian Ward: “He provided information to the Sheriff of Nottingham before the Eternal Flame Championship changed hands.”
Brick Brody: “Helpful.”
Julian Ward: “He has held private discussions with Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “Helpful.”
Julian Ward: “And after defeating Scarecrow, he handed Tin Man a means of contacting him.”
Brick Brody: “Extremely helpful.”
Julian Ward: “You continue to make that word sound sinister.”
Brick Brody: “I am not the one handing out black cards while pretending I am doing community service.”
The graphic changes.
A green arrow cuts directly through the black card.
Robin Hood appears.
Across from him stands Sir Agravaine.
The reaction from the coliseum grows.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, Sir Agravaine steps into competition against Robin Hood.”
Brick Brody: “And I will be watching Sir Agravaine very closely.”
Julian Ward: “Because of Severin Crowne?”
Brick Brody: “Because conversations have consequences around here. I want to know whether Sir Agravaine walks into that ring looking like the same man who walked into those meetings.”
Julian Ward: “And Robin Hood is hardly the opponent against whom to become distracted.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Then we might get an answer.”
The screen shifts again.
Woodland light spreads across black stone.
Gretel and Snow White appear.
The Fairest Hunters.
Footage from last week shows Prioress Malveil trapping Snow White in the Silent Sermon.
Submission.
Then the screen changes.
Bronze armor.
War banners.
Athena.
Bellona.
The War Council.
Julian Ward: “The Fairest Hunters also return tonight after a difficult defeat one week ago.”
Brick Brody: “They pushed the Black Chapel hard.”
Julian Ward: “They did. Gretel and Snow White repeatedly frustrated both the Black Chapel and Prince John, but ultimately Prioress Malveil forced Snow White to submit.”
Brick Brody: “And tonight they get another cheerful assignment.”
The full graphic appears.
WAR COUNCIL
versus
FAIREST HUNTERS
Julian Ward: “Athena and Bellona, the War Council, face Gretel and Snow White, the Fairest Hunters.”
Brick Brody: “That is four women who do not need anybody explaining how hard this division can be.”
Julian Ward: “For the Fairest Hunters, it is an immediate opportunity to answer last week's defeat.”
Brick Brody: “And for the War Council, it is an opportunity to make sure nobody remembers the answer.”
The graphic fades.
For several seconds, the great screen becomes completely black.
Then something new appears.
Not a crown.
Not a flame.
Not a faction crest.
Cracked stone spreads slowly across the screen.
A deep red glow burns through the fractures.
Two words emerge.
AGE OF RUIN.
The crowd reacts immediately.
No names appear.
No date.
No explanation.
Only the words.
Julian Ward: “And sometime tonight, we have been told there will be a special announcement concerning something called Age of Ruin.”
Brick Brody: “That sounds pleasant.”
Julian Ward: “We have received no further explanation.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “Good?”
Brick Brody: “Anything called Age of Ruin should not arrive with a pamphlet.”
The words remain on the screen for several seconds.
AGE OF RUIN.
Then they fracture apart.
The Dark Fable crest returns.
Tonight's match graphics begin appearing rapidly.
ROBIN HOOD versus SIR AGRAVAINE.
RAIGEN versus WILL SCARLETT.
LADY GUINEVERE versus MORGANA LEFAYE.
WAR COUNCIL versus FAIREST HUNTERS.
The Eternal Flame Championship burns into view.
SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM versus ALLAN A DALE.
TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS.
Then the entire arena turns gold.
The Mythic Crown Championship appears.
KING ARTHUR versus HUNTSMAN.
The crowd rises again.
Julian Ward: “Six matches. Two championships. A king forced to defend the authority he has spent weeks proclaiming. An Eternal Flame Champion facing the man who pinned him only seven days ago. A former champion beginning the next stage of his climb. And conflict within Camelot spreading directly into the ring.”
Brick Brody: “That is enough trouble for one night.”
The Age of Ruin symbol suddenly flashes once behind the card.
Just once.
Then disappears.
Brick Brody: “Apparently somebody disagrees.”
Julian Ward: “And somewhere within all of it, we will learn exactly what Age of Ruin means.”
The full card remains on the screen.
Julian Ward: “But there is no need to wait for the consequences to begin.”
The camera leaves the commentary desk.
It rises over the ringside barricade.
Across the crowd.
Toward the entrance stage.
The lights begin to change.
Brick Brody: “Good.”
A low horn rolls through Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Brick Brody: “Enough talking.”
The crowd rises.
Dark Fable begins.
The broadcast cuts away from the arena.
The camera moves backstage.
For longtime viewers of the Mythic Division, the room is immediately familiar.
Dark wood.
Stone walls.
Heavy bookshelves.
A broad desk positioned beneath the crest of the division.
For months, this had been the office of the Mythic Division General Manager.
Now, a new brass plate rests beside the door.
ELIAS COLDMERE
MYTHIC COMMISSIONER
Inside, Elias Coldmere sits behind the desk.
The transformation of the office is subtle.
There has been no attempt to erase everything that came before him.
The furniture remains.
Several of the old ledgers remain on the shelves.
But the desk is considerably cleaner.
A few stacks of documents have been arranged with almost excessive precision.
The Mythic Division crest hangs on the wall behind him.
Elias Coldmere looks directly toward the camera.
Unlike the severe expressions that have accompanied many official announcements in this division, there is a small smile on his face.
Not amusement.
Satisfaction.
Elias Coldmere: “Good evening.”
He folds his hands on the desk.
Elias Coldmere: “I am beginning to understand why this office came with so many filing cabinets.”
The smile grows slightly.
Then disappears as quickly as it arrived.
Elias Coldmere: “Last week, I officially accepted responsibility for the Mythic Division.”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “And I said something that evening that I meant very seriously.”
His eyes remain on the camera.
Elias Coldmere: “I did not come here to change what Dark Fable is.”
Elias Coldmere: “I came here to make certain it continues moving forward.”
He leans back slightly.
Elias Coldmere: “Tonight, I can announce the first significant step in that direction.”
The camera slowly pushes closer.
Elias Coldmere: “The next NPCW Supercard will take place on Sunday, September 27th.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “And for that night, the spotlight will belong entirely to the Mythic Division.”
The smile returns.
Elias Coldmere: “On September 27th, NPCW presents…”
Behind him, the monitor mounted along the stone wall suddenly goes black.
A low rumble can be heard.
A crack appears across the screen.
Red light burns through it.
Then another crack.
And another.
Until the entire image resembles a kingdom splitting apart beneath enormous pressure.
Two words slowly emerge from the darkness.
AGE OF RUIN
Elias Coldmere: “Age of Ruin.”
He allows the name to remain there.
No dramatic speech follows immediately.
No explanation of what the words are supposed to mean.
Elias Coldmere simply looks toward the monitor for a moment.
Then back toward the camera.
Elias Coldmere: “I suspect there are people in this division who will hear that name and consider it unnecessarily ominous.”
A small pause.
Elias Coldmere: “Those people have apparently not spent enough time around the Mythic Division.”
The faintest hint of dry humor enters his expression.
Elias Coldmere: “Kings.”
Elias Coldmere: “Hunters.”
Elias Coldmere: “Witches.”
Elias Coldmere: “Knights.”
Elias Coldmere: “Outlaws.”
Elias Coldmere: “Monsters.”
He gestures toward the walls surrounding him.
Elias Coldmere: “This division has never lacked for people capable of making an ordinary evening considerably more complicated than necessary.”
His expression settles again.
Elias Coldmere: “Age of Ruin will provide them with something larger to fight over.”
He allows that statement to sit without elaboration.
Elias Coldmere: “Tonight, I am not announcing the matches.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “Not yet.”
He reaches toward one of the folders on his desk.
The front bears the Age of Ruin insignia.
He does not open it.
Elias Coldmere: “There are still matters being decided.”
Elias Coldmere: “There are championships being defended.”
Elias Coldmere: “There are victories that have not yet been earned.”
Elias Coldmere: “And there are several people in this division who may discover over the next seven days that what happens inside the ring has consequences extending considerably beyond tonight.”
He taps one finger against the folder.
Elias Coldmere: “That is how it should be.”
Another pause.
Elias Coldmere: “Beginning next week on Dark Fable, the matches for Age of Ruin will begin to be announced.”
The monitor behind him again displays the date.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
Elias Coldmere: “Some competitors will receive opportunities because of what they have accomplished.”
Elias Coldmere: “Others may receive them because circumstances demand resolution.”
His expression hardens just enough to give the next words additional weight.
Elias Coldmere: “And some may discover that when you create enough problems inside the Mythic Division…”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “…eventually the Commissioner provides a place to settle them.”
He looks down briefly toward the Age of Ruin folder.
Then back up.
Elias Coldmere: “I have spent only a short time sitting behind this desk.”
He glances around the office.
Elias Coldmere: “But I have spent considerably longer watching this division.”
The smile returns.
Smaller this time.
Elias Coldmere: “And if there is one thing Dark Fable has taught me, it is that peace is usually temporary.”
Behind him, the Age of Ruin logo remains.
Cracked stone.
Burning red light.
A kingdom already looking as though something has begun to break.
Elias Coldmere: “So enjoy it while you have it.”
He closes one hand over the folder.
Elias Coldmere: “September 27th.”
Elias Coldmere: “NPCW: Age of Ruin.”
A final pause.
Elias Coldmere: “And beginning next week…”
His eyes remain fixed on the camera.
Elias Coldmere: “…we begin deciding who gets to survive it.”
The camera holds on Elias Coldmere for another moment.
The small smile returns.
Then the screen fades to the Age of Ruin logo.
AGE OF RUIN
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
The broadcast cuts back inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The crowd is buzzing as the logo remains visible across the great entrance screen.
At ringside, Julian Ward looks toward the stage.
Beside him, Brick Brody gives a slow approving nod.
Julian Ward: “There it is. Official confirmation from Mythic Commissioner Elias Coldmere. On September 27th, NPCW presents Age of Ruin, a Supercard belonging entirely to the Mythic Division.”
Brick Brody: “And apparently he already has a folder full of trouble.”
Julian Ward: “The matches will begin to be announced next week.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “You appear unusually pleased.”
Brick Brody: “Look around, Julian Ward. King Arthur thinks a championship makes him sovereign. Mordred is asking questions nobody wants answered. Nottingham and Sherwood are still trying to tear pieces off each other. The Blood Oni Syndicate has been playing games with Raigen. And Severin Crowne keeps offering people help like a man handing out invitations to their own funeral.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “You tell me Age of Ruin does not sound appropriate.”
Julian Ward: “I suspect by September 27th, we will understand considerably more about exactly what that name represents.”
Brick Brody: “Or considerably less.”
Julian Ward: “Either possibility feels appropriate for Dark Fable.”
The Age of Ruin logo slowly disappears from the entrance screen.
The arena lights begin shifting toward the presentation for the opening match.
Julian Ward: “The road to Age of Ruin has officially begun.”
Brick Brody: “Then somebody better start clearing the rubble.”
The camera returns to ringside inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Before either competitor appears, there is already a third headset waiting at the commentary desk.
A figure walks into frame.
Severin Crowne.
He is dressed impeccably in a dark tailored suit, the same controlled presentation he carries into every room whether that room contains executives, wrestlers, or enemies.
He exchanges a restrained nod with Julian Ward.
Brick Brody looks him over considerably less politely.
Severin Crowne takes the empty seat and adjusts the headset.
Julian Ward: “We are being joined for our opening contest by Severin Crowne, who requested the opportunity to observe this particular match from ringside.”
Brick Brody: “Requested.”
Severin Crowne: “I find that civilized institutions function more efficiently when requests are made before assumptions.”
Brick Brody: “You wanted to watch Sir Agravaine.”
Severin Crowne gives him the faintest smile.
Severin Crowne: “I intended to watch both men.”
Julian Ward: “Your recent conversations with Sir Agravaine have created considerable speculation.”
Severin Crowne: “Speculation is what people manufacture when information has not yet become available to them.”
Julian Ward: “And will information become available tonight?”
Severin Crowne: “That depends entirely upon what Sir Agravaine chooses to reveal.”
A green light cuts across the entrance stage.
The sound of a bowstring snapping taut echoes through the coliseum.
An arrow streaks across the great screen and splits a royal seal cleanly through the center.
The crowd erupts.
Robin Hood steps beneath the entrance arch.
He pauses there, looking first toward the ring.
Then toward the commentary desk.
His eyes settle briefly on Severin Crowne.
Severin Crowne offers no gesture in return.
Julian Ward: “Robin Hood has noticed our guest.”
Brick Brody: “Everybody notices the man handing out private advice to people connected to their enemies.”
Severin Crowne: “That sentence assumes advice creates enemies.”
Brick Brody: “Doesn't it?”
Severin Crowne: “Only for people who fear what someone else may learn.”
Robin Hood begins down the aisle.
There is no hesitation in his stride.
No theatrical flourish.
He reaches ringside, slides beneath the bottom rope, and rises near the center of the ring.
The green lighting fades.
Then the arena darkens.
A cracked black crown fills the screen.
The symbol of the Broken Crown hangs over the entranceway.
Heavy silver light cuts through the darkness.
Sir Agravaine emerges alone.
He stops beneath the crest.
His expression is severe.
Measured.
His eyes go immediately toward Robin Hood.
Then they shift.
Toward the commentary desk.
Toward Severin Crowne.
The two men hold each other's gaze for several seconds.
Julian Ward: “And Sir Agravaine has noticed you as well.”
Severin Crowne: “Observation is not an accusation, Julian Ward.”
Brick Brody: “No. But that looked like recognition.”
Severin Crowne: “It should. We have met.”
Sir Agravaine resumes his walk.
Julian Ward: “You've described your previous discussions with Sir Agravaine merely as perspective.”
Severin Crowne: “Correct.”
Julian Ward: “Perspective on what?”
Severin Crowne: “His position.”
Brick Brody: “Inside the Broken Crown?”
A pause.
Severin Crowne: “Within several institutions.”
That answer hangs there.
Sir Agravaine climbs the steps and enters the ring.
He never looks at Robin Hood until both feet are inside the ropes.
Then he turns.
The two men stand on opposite sides of the ring.
At center stands Louie Linville.
Referee ‘Honest’ Abe checks each competitor before stepping away.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
The crowd responds loudly.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first…”
He turns toward Sir Agravaine.
Louie Linville: “Knight of the Broken Crown… Sir Agravaine!”
A mixed reaction rolls through the coliseum.
Sir Agravaine remains perfectly still.
Louie Linville turns.
The reaction grows considerably louder.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent… outlaw of Sherwood… enemy of tyranny… Robin Hood!”
Robin Hood raises one arm toward the crowd.
Louie Linville exits the ring.
‘Honest’ Abe checks that both men are prepared.
At ringside, Severin Crowne folds his hands neatly before him.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither man wastes time.
Robin Hood closes first, catches Sir Agravaine around the head, and drops him sharply with a DDT.
The knight rolls through the impact and rises quickly enough to answer.
He circles behind Robin Hood.
Rear High Knee.
The strike drives directly into the back of Robin Hood’s head and shoulders.
Julian Ward: “DDT from Robin Hood, and Sir Agravaine answers immediately with the Rear High Knee.”
Brick Brody: “Good start. No ceremony once the bell rings.”
Severin Crowne: “Both men possess confidence. The distinction is where that confidence originates.”
Julian Ward: “And where does it originate?”
Severin Crowne: “Robin Hood believes resistance justifies itself. Sir Agravaine believes duty does.”
A pause.
Severin Crowne: “Both convictions are admirable.”
Brick Brody: “There is a ‘but’ coming.”
Severin Crowne: “Conviction becomes dangerous when a man mistakes it for immunity.”
Inside the ring, both competitors reset.
Neither looks remotely intimidated.
Minute 2
Robin Hood moves forward but cannot establish control.
Sir Agravaine gets underneath him.
He lifts.
Turns.
Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb.
Robin Hood crashes hard onto the canvas.
He absorbs the punishment without answering.
Julian Ward: “Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb from Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “That stopped the outlaw.”
Severin Crowne: “Temporarily.”
Brick Brody: “You sound disappointed.”
Severin Crowne: “Not at all. Temporary control is often more informative than permanent control.”
Julian Ward: “Explain.”
Severin Crowne: “Anyone can be judged after defeat. I prefer watching what someone does while they still believe they can recover.”
Sir Agravaine stands over Robin Hood, forcing him to rise under pressure.
Minute 3
Robin Hood attempts to defend the next approach.
He cannot.
Sir Agravaine lifts him again.
A second Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb.
The impact is just as severe as the first.
Robin Hood remains down.
Julian Ward: “Again! A second Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb in consecutive minutes.”
Brick Brody: “Now that is adjustment. Find the weakness and keep hitting it.”
Severin Crowne: “More importantly, observe Robin Hood’s response.”
Julian Ward: “He hasn't had one.”
Severin Crowne: “Precisely.”
He watches closely.
Severin Crowne: “People who build identities around freedom often become remarkably predictable when someone removes their options.”
Brick Brody: “You ever just say a guy is getting beat up?”
Severin Crowne: “When that is all that is occurring.”
Minute 4
Robin Hood finally creates separation.
Sir Agravaine advances.
Robin Hood catches him.
Arrow’d End.
The Stunner snaps Sir Agravaine’s head backward.
The crowd surges.
But the knight answers before the moment can become decisive.
Release German Suplex.
Robin Hood lands across his shoulders.
Julian Ward: “Arrow’d End from Robin Hood! Release German Suplex from Sir Agravaine!”
Brick Brody: “That is the fight I wanted.”
Severin Crowne: “And there is Robin Hood’s strength.”
Julian Ward: “His explosiveness?”
Severin Crowne: “His refusal to accept somebody else's terms.”
A small pause.
Severin Crowne: “It is also why men like him are so easily provoked into costly decisions.”
Minute 5
The exchange remains physical.
Robin Hood gets behind Sir Agravaine.
German Suplex.
The knight rolls through and answers once more with the Rear High Knee.
Julian Ward: “German Suplex from Robin Hood, but Sir Agravaine continues attacking with that Rear High Knee.”
Brick Brody: “He keeps finding the same opening.”
Severin Crowne: “Because Robin Hood keeps offering it.”
Julian Ward: “You believe that is intentional from Sir Agravaine?”
Severin Crowne: “Intent is less important than recognition. Authority is often simply the ability to identify which mistake someone is willing to repeat.”
Inside the ring, Robin Hood shakes out the effects of the knee and turns back toward his opponent.
Minute 6
Robin Hood strikes first.
Superkick.
The kick lands cleanly against Sir Agravaine’s jaw.
The knight staggers.
Then answers.
Another Rear High Knee.
Julian Ward: “Superkick from Robin Hood!”
Brick Brody: “And another knee from Sir Agravaine.”
Severin Crowne: “Neither man is interested in yielding momentum.”
Julian Ward: “Which favors whom?”
Severin Crowne: “At this stage?”
He watches them reset.
Severin Crowne: “Whichever man understands first that pride and strategy are not the same thing.”
Minute 7
Robin Hood changes the level of attack.
He catches Sir Agravaine coming forward.
Pop Up Powerbomb.
The knight is driven down hard.
He still finds a response.
Pendulum Backbreaker.
Robin Hood is bent sharply across the knee.
Julian Ward: “Pop Up Powerbomb from Robin Hood! Pendulum Backbreaker from Sir Agravaine!”
Brick Brody: “Everything gets answered.”
Severin Crowne: “For the moment.”
Julian Ward: “You sound as though you're waiting for something.”
Severin Crowne: “I am.”
Brick Brody: “What?”
Severin Crowne: “A decision.”
He offers nothing more.
Minute 8
Robin Hood moves toward the ropes.
He launches himself into a Senton.
The impact drives into Sir Agravaine.
But the knight catches him during the next exchange.
Rolling Cutter.
Robin Hood’s head and shoulders snap against the canvas.
Julian Ward: “Senton by Robin Hood. Rolling Cutter from Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “And that one might have rattled him.”
Severin Crowne: “Sir Agravaine is beginning to create leverage through accumulation.”
Julian Ward: “Physical leverage.”
Severin Crowne: “All leverage becomes psychological eventually.”
He glances toward the ring.
Severin Crowne: “Pain merely accelerates the negotiation.”
Minute 9
Robin Hood refuses to slow.
He catches the knight again.
Arrow’d End.
The second Stunner lands cleanly.
But Sir Agravaine answers yet again.
Pendulum Backbreaker.
Robin Hood drops from the impact.
Julian Ward: “Another Arrow’d End!”
Brick Brody: “And another Backbreaker. Neither man will let the other own the exchange.”
Severin Crowne: “That is not always admirable.”
Julian Ward: “Why not?”
Severin Crowne: “Because there are moments when refusing to yield is courage.”
His eyes remain on Sir Agravaine.
Severin Crowne: “And moments when it is merely fear of appearing weak.”
Minute 10
Robin Hood finds the next opening.
DDT.
Sir Agravaine cannot answer.
The knight hits hard.
Robin Hood immediately hooks the leg.
‘Honest’ Abe drops into position.
One.
Two.
Sir Agravaine kicks out.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “First pinning attempt of the match, and Sir Agravaine escapes at two.”
Brick Brody: “Too early.”
Severin Crowne: “Not necessarily.”
Brick Brody: “He did not win.”
Severin Crowne: “Victory is not the only purpose of a cover.”
Julian Ward: “Then what did Robin Hood gain?”
Severin Crowne: “Information.”
A faint smile.
Severin Crowne: “Now he knows how urgently Sir Agravaine believes he must continue.”
Minute 11
The answer arrives quickly.
Sir Agravaine surges back.
Pendulum Backbreaker.
Robin Hood absorbs it without producing offense of his own.
Julian Ward: “Another Pendulum Backbreaker. Sir Agravaine immediately reasserts control.”
Brick Brody: “Maybe he did not like being covered.”
Severin Crowne: “Most men dislike being reminded that an ending exists.”
Julian Ward: “And Sir Agravaine?”
Severin Crowne: “He is no different.”
That answer is almost gentle.
Which makes it more noticeable.
Minute 12
Robin Hood catches the knight.
Pumphandle Kneecap Brainbuster.
Sir Agravaine hits hard.
But once again, he produces the Pendulum Backbreaker in response.
Julian Ward: “Pumphandle Kneecap Brainbuster from Robin Hood! Another Pendulum Backbreaker from Sir Agravaine!”
Brick Brody: “He loves that thing tonight.”
Severin Crowne: “Because it works.”
Julian Ward: “A simple explanation from you.”
Severin Crowne: “Effective institutions are generally built upon repeatable outcomes.”
Brick Brody: “You just turned a Backbreaker into government policy.”
Severin Crowne: “Only because you were determined to oversimplify it.”
Minute 13
Robin Hood attempts to defend the next attack.
He reads the setup.
But not well enough.
Sir Agravaine drives him across the knee with yet another Pendulum Backbreaker.
Robin Hood manages resistance, but the impact still lands.
Julian Ward: “Robin Hood saw it coming and still could not stop it.”
Brick Brody: “That gets into your head.”
Severin Crowne: “Exactly.”
Julian Ward: “So now we are discussing psychological leverage.”
Severin Crowne: “We always were.”
A pause.
Severin Crowne: “Once a man knows what is coming and remains unable to prevent it, confidence stops being protection.”
Minute 14
Robin Hood fights through the pain.
Another DDT drives Sir Agravaine down.
The knight answers with the Rear High Knee yet again.
Julian Ward: “DDT from Robin Hood. Rear High Knee from Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “Nineteen ways to hurt somebody and these two keep returning to the same few because they work.”
Severin Crowne: “Familiarity is often underrated.”
Julian Ward: “In wrestling?”
Severin Crowne: “In obligation.”
Brick Brody: “There it is again.”
Severin Crowne does not acknowledge him.
Minute 15
Robin Hood reaches for another DDT.
This time Sir Agravaine recognizes it.
He blocks the attack completely and forces Robin Hood away.
Julian Ward: “DDT neutralized by Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “There. He finally read it.”
Severin Crowne: “Good.”
The word comes immediately.
Both commentators turn slightly toward him.
Julian Ward: “You sound personally satisfied.”
Severin Crowne: “Competence should be acknowledged when demonstrated.”
Brick Brody: “You coaching him from here?”
Severin Crowne: “If Sir Agravaine required coaching from the commentary desk, our earlier conversations would have been considerably less interesting.”
Minute 16
Both men collide again.
Robin Hood gets underneath Sir Agravaine.
Pop Up Powerbomb.
The knight crashes down.
But he answers with something even more severe.
Over the Shoulder Back to Belly Piledriver.
Robin Hood is driven down hard.
The crowd recoils.
Julian Ward: “Pop Up Powerbomb from Robin Hood! And that Over the Shoulder Back to Belly Piledriver from Sir Agravaine!”
Brick Brody: “Now we are getting cruel.”
Severin Crowne: “Now fatigue begins influencing judgment.”
Julian Ward: “Whose?”
Severin Crowne: “Both.”
He glances from one man to the other.
Severin Crowne: “The useful question is which one recognizes it first.”
Minute 17
Sir Agravaine attempts to lift Robin Hood into another Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb.
This time Robin Hood is ready.
He shifts his weight.
Breaks the position.
The move is neutralized before it can begin.
The crowd cheers.
Julian Ward: “Excellent defense by Robin Hood! After absorbing that move twice earlier, he stops it this time.”
Brick Brody: “He learned.”
Severin Crowne: “Naturally.”
Julian Ward: “You expected that?”
Severin Crowne: “Robin Hood’s greatest strength is adaptive resistance.”
A pause.
Severin Crowne: “His weakness is believing adaptation means he controls the environment.”
Minute 18
Robin Hood hits the ropes.
Senton.
The strike lands.
Sir Agravaine fires back.
Another Over the Shoulder Back to Belly Piledriver.
Both men are visibly slowing.
Julian Ward: “Senton from Robin Hood. Piledriver from Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “Eighteen minutes and nobody has separated.”
Severin Crowne: “They have.”
Julian Ward: “How?”
Severin Crowne: “Not physically.”
His eyes narrow slightly.
Severin Crowne: “One of them is beginning to understand that the result may matter less than what the result creates.”
Brick Brody: “Which one?”
Severin Crowne: “We will see.”
Minute 19
Robin Hood attempts to protect himself as Sir Agravaine circles behind.
He cannot.
Rear High Knee.
The strike lands again.
Robin Hood drops to one knee.
Julian Ward: “Another Rear High Knee. Robin Hood tried to defend it and could not.”
Brick Brody: “That shot has been there all night.”
Severin Crowne: “Which means by now it is no longer merely damage.”
Julian Ward: “It is expectation.”
Severin Crowne looks toward him.
The faintest approval appears.
Severin Crowne: “Precisely.”
Minute 20
Robin Hood suddenly attacks the legs.
He takes Sir Agravaine down.
Turns him over.
Sharpshooter.
The crowd rises.
Sir Agravaine reaches forward.
No ropes.
Robin Hood sits deeper into the hold.
Julian Ward: “Sharpshooter! Sir Agravaine is trapped!”
Brick Brody: “Now we learn how much pride that knight has left.”
Severin Crowne: “Enough.”
Sir Agravaine refuses to submit.
He claws forward.
Robin Hood continues pulling backward.
Still no surrender.
Julian Ward: “Sir Agravaine will not submit!”
Severin Crowne: “Of course not.”
Brick Brody: “You sound very sure.”
Severin Crowne: “Submission would resolve the matter.”
A pause.
Severin Crowne: “I do not believe this matter is ready to be resolved.”
Robin Hood finally releases the hold when Sir Agravaine creates enough separation to escape.
Minute 21
Sir Agravaine rises with difficulty.
But when Robin Hood comes forward, the knight catches him.
Pendulum Backbreaker.
Again.
Robin Hood tried to defend and still takes the impact.
Julian Ward: “Another Pendulum Backbreaker from Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “After that Sharpshooter, he still had enough.”
Severin Crowne: “That is why I respect him.”
Julian Ward: “You do?”
Severin Crowne: “Very much.”
He watches Sir Agravaine force himself upright.
Severin Crowne: “He possesses loyalty, resilience, and an instinctive understanding of hierarchy.”
A slight pause.
Severin Crowne: “Unfortunately, men possessing all three frequently discover that institutions value their obedience more than their advancement.”
Silence briefly settles at the desk.
Minute 22
Robin Hood explodes.
Pop Up Powerbomb.
Sir Agravaine cannot stop it.
The impact shakes the ring.
Robin Hood covers immediately.
‘Honest’ Abe drops.
One.
Two.
Sir Agravaine kicks out.
The audience roars.
Julian Ward: “Two! Sir Agravaine survives another pinning attempt!”
Brick Brody: “That one was close.”
Severin Crowne: “And expensive.”
Julian Ward: “For Sir Agravaine?”
Severin Crowne: “For his certainty.”
Sir Agravaine rolls toward the ropes.
For the first time, his eyes leave Robin Hood.
They move toward Severin Crowne.
Severin Crowne does not react.
Minute 23
Both men rise.
Robin Hood fires a Superkick.
It lands.
Sir Agravaine stumbles backward and rebounds into another burst of offense.
Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb.
Both men hit something significant.
Julian Ward: “Superkick from Robin Hood! Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb from Sir Agravaine!”
Brick Brody: “Neither one has much left.”
Severin Crowne: “Enough remains.”
Julian Ward: “For what?”
Severin Crowne: “A choice.”
Minute 24
Sir Agravaine drives Robin Hood toward the ropes.
He hooks him.
Willow's Bell Rope Hung DDT.
But Robin Hood reverses it.
He breaks the position, turns the knight around—
DDT.
Sir Agravaine is planted.
Robin Hood covers.
One.
Two.
Sir Agravaine kicks out again.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Incredible reversal by Robin Hood! And again Sir Agravaine survives at two!”
Brick Brody: “That is three covers now.”
Severin Crowne: “Yes.”
He does not elaborate.
Julian Ward: “You're watching Sir Agravaine very carefully.”
Severin Crowne: “I have been watching him very carefully for some time.”
Minute 25
Both men are exhausted.
For several seconds, neither can create an opening.
Then they move almost together.
Robin Hood attacks the legs.
Sharpshooter.
At nearly the same moment, Sir Agravaine creates enough movement to throw him backward with a Release German Suplex during the struggle.
Both men land hard.
But Robin Hood regains the legs and cinches the Sharpshooter again.
Julian Ward: “Sharpshooter again!”
Brick Brody: “And Sir Agravaine still will not quit!”
The knight struggles.
The ropes remain away.
The hold stays applied.
Sir Agravaine refuses submission.
Severin Crowne: “There is the difficulty.”
Julian Ward: “His refusal to surrender?”
Severin Crowne: “No.”
A slight shake of the head.
Severin Crowne: “His belief that endurance itself creates obligation in others.”
Brick Brody: “You think he expects loyalty back?”
Severin Crowne: “Most loyal men do.”
Minute 26
Sir Agravaine escapes.
He catches Robin Hood before the outlaw can reset.
Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb.
This time Robin Hood sees it developing.
He still cannot stop it.
The impact drives him down.
Julian Ward: “Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb! Robin Hood tried to defend and could not.”
Brick Brody: “Momentum just turned.”
Severin Crowne: “Perhaps.”
Julian Ward: “You disagree?”
Severin Crowne: “Momentum matters only if the destination remains desirable.”
Minute 27
Sir Agravaine presses forward.
He hoists Robin Hood up again.
Over the Shoulder Back to Belly Piledriver.
Robin Hood struggles against the setup but cannot escape.
He crashes down.
Julian Ward: “Another Piledriver! Sir Agravaine may finally have Robin Hood where he wants him.”
Brick Brody: “Then cover him.”
Sir Agravaine does not.
He stands over Robin Hood.
For half a second, he looks toward the commentary desk.
Severin Crowne remains motionless.
Julian Ward: “Interesting.”
Severin Crowne: “Is it?”
Julian Ward: “He had an opportunity to attempt the cover.”
Severin Crowne: “He had an opportunity.”
Nothing more.
Minute 28
Robin Hood fights upright.
He attempts another Pop Up Powerbomb.
Sir Agravaine is ready.
He stops it.
Neutralizes the lift completely.
Robin Hood is forced backward.
Julian Ward: “Pop Up Powerbomb stopped by Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “He has that move figured out now.”
Severin Crowne: “Understanding changes relationships.”
Julian Ward: “Between opponents?”
Severin Crowne: “Between everyone.”
Robin Hood backs toward the ropes.
Sir Agravaine advances.
Both are exhausted.
The crowd rises.
Minute 29
Robin Hood suddenly catches Sir Agravaine near the ropes.
He drives him outward.
Then follows.
On the apron, Robin Hood gets beneath him.
Apron Powerbomb.
Sir Agravaine crashes violently onto the floor.
The coliseum erupts.
Julian Ward: “Apron Powerbomb!”
Brick Brody: “That may have ended him!”
Robin Hood remains near the ropes after the impact.
Sir Agravaine lies on the floor.
‘Honest’ Abe looks toward both men.
Then begins the count.
One.
Sir Agravaine rolls onto one side.
Two.
He pushes himself onto an elbow.
Three.
He looks toward the ring.
Four.
Robin Hood watches from inside.
Five.
Sir Agravaine reaches one knee.
Six.
He is capable of moving.
Seven.
Then his eyes shift.
Not toward Robin Hood.
Toward the commentary desk.
Toward Severin Crowne.
The crowd begins reacting.
Julian Ward: “Sir Agravaine is looking directly at Severin Crowne.”
Eight.
Severin Crowne meets his eyes.
For several seconds, nothing moves except the referee's hand.
Then Severin Crowne gives one small, deliberate shake of his head.
No.
Nine.
Sir Agravaine looks toward the ring.
He could attempt to slide beneath the bottom rope.
He does not.
Ten.
‘Honest’ Abe calls for the bell.
The coliseum explodes.
Julian Ward: “He's been counted out! Sir Agravaine has been counted out!”
Brick Brody: “He stayed out there!”
Julian Ward: “He was on his feet, Brick Brody. He looked at Severin Crowne, Severin Crowne shook his head, and Sir Agravaine made no attempt to beat the count!”
Inside the ring, Robin Hood turns toward the commentary desk.
He knows exactly what he saw.
On the floor, Sir Agravaine rises fully.
There is frustration in his expression.
But not confusion.
Severin Crowne calmly removes his headset.
Brick Brody: “What did you just tell him?”
Severin Crowne pauses before standing.
He looks first toward Sir Agravaine.
Then toward Robin Hood.
Severin Crowne: “Nothing he had not already agreed to understand.”
He sets the headset gently on the desk.
Inside the ring, Robin Hood gestures toward him, clearly demanding an explanation.
Severin Crowne does not provide one.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, as a result of a count-out… your winner… Robin Hood!”
The crowd cheers.
Robin Hood’s arm is raised by ‘Honest’ Abe, but his attention remains fixed on the floor.
On Sir Agravaine.
Then on Severin Crowne.
Severin Crowne steps away from the commentary desk.
Before leaving, he stops beside Sir Agravaine.
No handshake.
No congratulations.
No visible reprimand.
Only a brief exchange of eye contact.
Then Severin Crowne walks toward the entrance aisle.
Sir Agravaine follows several steps behind.
Inside the ring, Robin Hood watches them go.
The victory belongs to him.
The explanation does not.
The camera returns to commentary.
Julian Ward: “Robin Hood has won this match, and the decisive blow was absolutely his. The Apron Powerbomb left Sir Agravaine outside the ring facing the referee's count.”
Brick Brody: “But do not pretend that count ended normally. Agravaine got up. He could move. Then he looked at Severin Crowne, Crowne shook his head, and the knight stayed outside.”
Julian Ward: “Which means Robin Hood receives the victory, but we leave this opening contest with a considerably larger question surrounding Sir Agravaine and Severin Crowne. Whatever passed between those two men before tonight, it appears to carry enough weight that Sir Agravaine was willing to accept defeat rather than disregard it.”
RESULT: ROBIN HOOD DEFEATS SIR AGRAVAINE BY COUNT-OUT IN MINUTE 29 AFTER AN APRON POWERBOMB.
SIR AGRAVAINE RECOVERS OUTSIDE THE RING BUT, AFTER LOOKING TO SEVERIN CROWNE AND RECEIVING A DELIBERATE SHAKE OF THE HEAD, MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO BEAT ‘HONEST’ ABE’S TEN-COUNT.
The broadcast cuts backstage.
The Dark Fable interview area is washed in deep green and amber light.
A weathered wooden stool has been placed beside Hana Nakamura.
Resting against it is a lute.
Standing beside Hana Nakamura is Allan A Dale.
Unlike many men preparing for a championship match in the Mythic Division, Allan A Dale does not appear consumed by the weight of the occasion.
He looks focused.
But there is a familiar spark behind his eyes.
The expression of a man who has already found a rhyme for whatever trouble awaits him.
Hana Nakamura raises the microphone.
Hana Nakamura: “Allan A Dale, one week ago you walked into a six-man tag team match alongside Robin Hood and the debuting Blood-Moon Warden.”
The screen beside them shows highlights from last week.
The Blood-Moon Warden traps the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Warden Lock.
Once.
Then again.
Later, Robin Hood battles the champion.
Finally, Allan A Dale enters.
Final Verse.
One. Two. Three.
The image freezes on Allan A Dale having his hand raised while the Sheriff of Nottingham remains on the canvas.
Hana Nakamura: “Twenty-one minutes later, you had pinned the reigning Eternal Flame Champion.”
Allan A Dale looks toward the screen.
Then back toward Hana Nakamura.
A smile appears.
Allan A Dale: “Aye.”
He glances toward the lute.
Allan A Dale: “I considered writing a song about it.”
Hana Nakamura: “Considered?”
Allan A Dale: “The first draft was forty-seven verses.”
Hana Nakamura blinks.
Allan A Dale: “Robin Hood said perhaps I was being excessive.”
Hana Nakamura: “Perhaps?”
Allan A Dale: “Then I reminded him that history rarely complains when the bard gets the important parts right.”
He gives the camera a knowing look.
Allan A Dale: “And the important part went something like this.”
He clears his throat theatrically.
Not enough to turn the moment into comedy.
Just enough to remind everyone exactly who he is.
Allan A Dale: “The Sheriff wore gold and strutted with pride…”
A small pause.
Allan A Dale: “…then Final Verse put him flat on his backside.”
Hana Nakamura tries not to smile.
She fails.
Hana Nakamura: “That does not rhyme.”
Allan A Dale: “Still revising.”
His expression settles.
The playfulness remains, but something harder appears beneath it.
Allan A Dale: “But the ending is accurate.”
He looks back toward the footage.
Allan A Dale: “I pinned the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
A beat.
Allan A Dale: “One.”
Allan A Dale: “Two.”
Allan A Dale: “Three.”
The smile fades.
Allan A Dale: “No song changes that.”
Hana Nakamura: “The circumstances surrounding that match were unusual.”
She gestures toward the screen.
Hana Nakamura: “The Blood-Moon Warden had already trapped the Sheriff of Nottingham twice in the Warden Lock.”
Allan A Dale: “He had.”
Hana Nakamura: “The champion had been the legal man for an extended period.”
Allan A Dale: “He had.”
Hana Nakamura: “And the Sheriff has already suggested that last week's result does not prove you are the better man.”
Allan A Dale slowly nods.
Allan A Dale: “That sounds like him.”
Hana Nakamura: “Does any of that bother you?”
Allan A Dale: “Not particularly.”
He reaches down and casually plucks one string of the lute.
A single note rings through the interview area.
Allan A Dale: “A bard learns something very early, Hana Nakamura.”
Another note.
Allan A Dale: “Everyone remembers a story differently.”
He looks toward the camera.
Allan A Dale: “The Sheriff of Nottingham remembers being tired.”
Another note.
Allan A Dale: “Prince John probably remembers injustice.”
A faint grin.
Allan A Dale: “The good people of Sherwood remember laughing.”
Hana Nakamura: “And what do you remember?”
Allan A Dale stops playing.
Allan A Dale: “The referee's hand hitting the canvas three times.”
Silence settles for a moment.
Allan A Dale: “That is the useful thing about wrestling.”
Allan A Dale: “People can decorate the story afterward.”
He gestures lightly toward the lute.
Allan A Dale: “Trust me. Decoration is my profession.”
Then he points toward the floor.
Allan A Dale: “But the bell remains stubbornly uninterested in poetry.”
Hana Nakamura: “And because you pinned the champion, tonight you receive an Eternal Flame Championship match.”
Allan A Dale: “Not merely a championship match.”
His smile returns.
Allan A Dale: “Two out of three falls.”
The crowd watching from inside the arena can be faintly heard reacting through the walls.
Hana Nakamura: “Does that stipulation favor you?”
Allan A Dale: “It favors certainty.”
He tilts his head.
Allan A Dale: “Last week, the Sheriff of Nottingham can say I caught him once.”
Allan A Dale: “Tonight?”
He lifts two fingers.
Allan A Dale: “I may need to catch him twice.”
Hana Nakamura: “And if he catches you twice?”
Allan A Dale: “Then I suppose somebody else writes tonight's song.”
There is no fear in the answer.
Only acceptance.
Allan A Dale: “That is the bargain.”
Hana Nakamura: “You sound remarkably relaxed considering what is at stake.”
Allan A Dale: “Ah.”
He places one hand over his chest.
Allan A Dale: “That is because you have mistaken cheerfulness for comfort.”
The shift is subtle.
But immediate.
Allan A Dale: “I know exactly what the Sheriff of Nottingham can do.”
His eyes narrow.
Allan A Dale: “I watched him take the Eternal Flame Championship from Raigen.”
Allan A Dale: “I watched him survive forty-four minutes.”
Allan A Dale: “I watched him survive the Warden Lock twice last week.”
A beat.
Allan A Dale: “The man is cruel.”
Another.
Allan A Dale: “Stubborn.”
Another.
Allan A Dale: “Dangerous.”
Then the grin returns.
Allan A Dale: “Terrible company at a tavern, I imagine.”
Hana Nakamura: “You have never shared a drink with him?”
Allan A Dale: “I prefer my ale without taxation.”
The smile fades again.
Allan A Dale: “But I respect what happens once the bell rings.”
Hana Nakamura: “You respect him?”
Allan A Dale: “I respect the danger.”
He picks up the lute this time.
Not to perform.
He simply holds it by the neck.
Allan A Dale: “A bard who does not respect the blade at his throat usually leaves behind a very short song.”
Hana Nakamura: “Then what makes you believe tonight can end differently than the Sheriff expects?”
Allan A Dale: “Because the Sheriff of Nottingham believes championships make men larger.”
He thinks about that.
Allan A Dale: “I believe they make targets clearer.”
A pause.
Allan A Dale: “Last week he had the Eternal Flame Championship around his waist.”
Allan A Dale: “He had Prince John at ringside.”
Allan A Dale: “He had Will Scarlett.”
Allan A Dale: “He had Brute Bailiff.”
His voice becomes quieter.
Allan A Dale: “And when the last note sounded…”
A beat.
Allan A Dale: “…he still had my shoulders above him and his own against the canvas.”
Hana Nakamura: “Tonight, however, you do not have Robin Hood or the Blood-Moon Warden beside you.”
Allan A Dale: “No.”
Hana Nakamura: “And the Sheriff does not have to worry about either of them.”
Allan A Dale: “No.”
He smiles.
Allan A Dale: “He only has to worry about me.”
That lands more seriously than anything he has said so far.
Hana Nakamura: “Is that enough?”
Allan A Dale looks directly toward the camera.
Allan A Dale: “The Sheriff of Nottingham has spent a very long time hearing my songs.”
He pauses.
Allan A Dale: “Songs about Robin Hood.”
Allan A Dale: “Songs about Sherwood.”
Allan A Dale: “Songs about men who steal from kings and laugh at sheriffs.”
He takes a small step closer.
Allan A Dale: “Perhaps somewhere along the way, he started believing the man holding the lute was only there to provide the music.”
The playful expression disappears completely.
Allan A Dale: “Last week I reminded him otherwise.”
A beat.
Allan A Dale: “Tonight I intend to make certain he remembers.”
Hana Nakamura: “And if you defeat him twice tonight, you become Eternal Flame Champion.”
Allan A Dale considers the words.
For once, he does not immediately answer with a joke.
He looks down at the lute.
Runs his thumb gently across the strings.
Then looks back up.
Allan A Dale: “Every bard spends his life singing about someone else's legend.”
A quiet note sounds beneath his fingers.
Allan A Dale: “Kings.”
Another.
Allan A Dale: “Heroes.”
Another.
Allan A Dale: “Outlaws.”
Another.
Allan A Dale: “Champions.”
He lets the final note fade.
Allan A Dale: “Maybe tonight…”
A smile slowly returns.
Allan A Dale: “…I borrow one verse for myself.”
Hana Nakamura smiles back.
Hana Nakamura: “Allan A Dale, later tonight, two out of three falls against the Sheriff of Nottingham for the Eternal Flame Championship.”
Allan A Dale: “Oh, I know.”
He begins walking away.
Then stops.
Turns back toward Hana Nakamura.
Allan A Dale: “And Hana Nakamura?”
Hana Nakamura: “Yes?”
Allan A Dale: “If I win…”
He lifts the lute.
Allan A Dale: “…clear some time next week.”
Hana Nakamura: “For what?”
Allan A Dale: “Forty-seven verses.”
He walks away before she can answer.
Hana Nakamura watches him disappear down the corridor.
She shakes her head, smiling despite herself.
Then she turns back toward the camera.
Hana Nakamura: “The Battling Bard already wrote one ending the Sheriff of Nottingham did not enjoy.”
Her expression becomes more serious.
Hana Nakamura: “Later tonight, Allan A Dale will have to write two.”
The camera lingers on the empty corridor.
Somewhere beyond it, a few distant notes from the lute can be heard.
Then the broadcast fades back toward the arena.
The lights inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum darken.
Red-and-gold light spreads across the entrance stage.
A royal seal appears across the great screen.
Then the seal is stamped with the mark of Nottingham.
The reaction from the crowd turns hostile before anyone appears.
Prince John steps through the curtain first.
He pauses beneath the entrance arch and looks around the coliseum with the familiar expression of a man personally offended that several thousand people have gathered without first asking his permission.
Behind him comes Will Scarlett.
Unlike his escort, Will Scarlett has little interest in addressing the crowd.
His attention is already on the ring.
There is a sharper edge to him tonight.
Last week, he stood beside the Sheriff of Nottingham when Allan A Dale pinned the Eternal Flame Champion.
Tonight, he has been given another problem from Sherwood's larger war.
A former champion attempting to climb back toward the title.
Julian Ward: “Will Scarlett enters tonight accompanied by Prince John, and there is considerably more surrounding this match than simply the two men competing.”
Brick Brody: “Of course there is. Will Scarlett works for Nottingham. Raigen wants another shot at the Eternal Flame Championship. You do not need a map to figure out where those roads meet.”
Julian Ward: “Particularly with the Sheriff of Nottingham defending that championship against Allan A Dale later tonight.”
Brick Brody: “Then Will Scarlett has a useful assignment. Make sure Raigen spends tomorrow thinking about something other than a title.”
Prince John climbs the ring steps and holds the ropes open.
Will Scarlett ignores the gesture and slides beneath the bottom rope instead.
The crowd laughs.
Prince John looks irritated.
That laughter disappears when the arena lighting suddenly changes.
Deep red.
Burnished gold.
A low drumbeat begins.
Then another.
A dragon coils across the entrance screen.
Fire traces its body.
Raigen appears beneath it.
The reaction rises immediately.
There is no Eternal Flame Championship around his waist.
There has not been for two weeks.
But the absence no longer appears to consume him.
Raigen stands beneath the entrance arch, staring toward Will Scarlett.
Then his eyes move toward Prince John.
The expression hardens.
Julian Ward: “Last week, Raigen said something very clear. He no longer considers himself entitled to an immediate rematch for the Eternal Flame Championship.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “He said he intends to earn his way back.”
Brick Brody: “Better.”
Julian Ward: “And tonight represents the next opportunity to do exactly that.”
Raigen begins walking.
Julian Ward: “One week ago, Raigen and Taro Okami wrestled the Gods of War to the thirty-minute time limit.”
Brick Brody: “A draw.”
Julian Ward: “Yes.”
Brick Brody: “Say it like one.”
Julian Ward: “A draw in which Mars was trapped in Taro Okami’s Hunter’s Lock when time expired.”
Brick Brody: “And did not submit.”
Julian Ward: “He did not. But after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the masked attacker who repeatedly appeared around Raigen, that match appeared to establish something important between Raigen and Taro Okami.”
Brick Brody: “Trust.”
Julian Ward: “Precisely.”
Raigen reaches ringside.
He looks toward Prince John once.
Then climbs the steps and enters.
Will Scarlett immediately moves out of his corner.
‘Honest’ Abe steps between them before anything begins prematurely.
At center ring stands Louie Linville.
He raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Prince John…”
Boos pour down.
Louie Linville: “Representing Nottingham… Will Scarlett!”
Will Scarlett spreads both arms.
Prince John applauds from the floor as though the introduction has included him personally.
Louie Linville turns.
The crowd grows louder.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent…”
A pause.
Louie Linville: “The former Eternal Flame Champion… the Maryu… Raigen!”
Raigen does not raise an arm.
He simply steps forward.
Louie Linville exits.
‘Honest’ Abe looks toward both men.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither man finds an immediate opening.
Raigen reaches for control.
Will Scarlett breaks away.
They circle again.
Another tentative engagement produces nothing.
Then the pace changes completely.
Raigen catches the arm.
He turns Will Scarlett down and applies an Armbar.
Will Scarlett twists through the pressure, creates enough room to escape, and immediately catches Raigen during the transition.
Suplex Cutter.
Both men hit meaningful offense in the opening minute.
Julian Ward: “Armbar from Raigen, and Will Scarlett answers with the Suplex Cutter.”
Brick Brody: “No wasted feeling-out once they finally touched.”
Raigen rolls onto one knee.
Will Scarlett remains close.
Julian Ward: “There is a notable difference in Raigen tonight. Two weeks ago, nearly everything surrounding him involved the Eternal Flame Championship. Tonight, he appears more concerned with the man directly in front of him.”
Brick Brody: “That is where his attention belongs.”
Minute 2
Raigen attacks first.
He drives Will Scarlett toward the ropes and sends him over the top.
But Will Scarlett catches Raigen during the exchange with a Step-Up Enzuigiri before momentum carries him completely away.
The kick lands.
Will Scarlett still tumbles to the floor.
Julian Ward: “Step-Up Enzuigiri from Will Scarlett, but Raigen sends him outside!”
‘Honest’ Abe begins counting.
One.
Two.
Three.
Prince John immediately moves toward Will Scarlett, shouting instructions.
Four.
Five.
Will Scarlett rises.
Six.
He slides beneath the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Back inside at six.”
Brick Brody: “And Raigen has already shown he is willing to make Will Scarlett keep climbing back into this ring.”
Prince John complains toward ‘Honest’ Abe from the floor.
The referee ignores him.
Minute 3
The action moves toward the ropes again.
Raigen climbs and launches downward with a Double Axhandle.
The blow lands.
But Will Scarlett turns the rope position into an attack of his own.
He catches Raigen from the apron.
Slingshot Apron DDT.
Raigen’s head is driven down sharply.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “Double Axhandle by Raigen, but Will Scarlett answers with that Slingshot Apron DDT!”
Brick Brody: “That was the harder shot.”
Will Scarlett pulls himself upright against the ropes.
Prince John applauds enthusiastically.
Brick Brody: “And there is the proud parent.”
Julian Ward: “Do not encourage him.”
Minute 4
Raigen regains his footing.
He immediately drives Will Scarlett backward.
Will Scarlett tries to brace himself against another trip over the ropes.
It does not matter.
Raigen throws him to the outside again.
Julian Ward: “And Will Scarlett is outside for the second time!”
‘Honest’ Abe begins counting.
One.
Two.
Prince John moves close.
Three.
He urges Will Scarlett toward the ring.
Four.
Will Scarlett gets onto the apron.
Five.
He slides back inside.
Brick Brody: “You throw a man out twice, eventually he starts worrying about the ropes.”
Julian Ward: “And Raigen may be deliberately creating that hesitation.”
Will Scarlett rises and looks toward Raigen with considerably less confidence than he displayed during his entrance.
Minute 5
They collide in the center.
Raigen drives a Knee Lift upward.
It catches Will Scarlett cleanly.
Will Scarlett answers before the exchange can end.
He snaps Raigen forward and drives a knee directly into his face with the Snapmare Facebreaker Knee Smash.
Julian Ward: “Knee Lift from Raigen! Snapmare Facebreaker Knee Smash from Will Scarlett!”
Brick Brody: “That is better from Nottingham.”
Julian Ward: “Neither man has established sustained control.”
Brick Brody: “Then keep hurting each other until somebody does.”
At ringside, Prince John begins pacing.
Minute 6
Raigen catches Will Scarlett’s arm again.
He turns him down.
Armbar.
Will Scarlett struggles against the pressure.
Then Prince John suddenly leaves his position at ringside.
He walks directly toward the commentary desk.
Julian Ward: “And now what does Prince John want?”
Prince John begins shouting toward the broadcasters.
His voice carries even without a headset.
He complains about the officiating.
About the treatment of Nottingham.
About the frequency with which Will Scarlett has been allowed to be thrown outside.
Brick Brody slowly removes one side of his headset.
Brick Brody: “Are you talking to me?”
Prince John continues arguing.
Julian Ward: “Prince John has abandoned his corner to argue with us.”
Brick Brody: “That might be the stupidest strategic decision he has made all month, and that is a competitive category.”
Inside the ring, the noise draws Raigen’s attention for just a moment.
Will Scarlett uses the distraction to escape the Armbar.
Julian Ward: “And there it is. Whatever Prince John intended, he has disrupted Raigen’s focus.”
Brick Brody: “Then I take it back. Still obnoxious. Less stupid.”
Prince John points toward Brick Brody.
Brick Brody stands halfway out of his chair.
Julian Ward: “Sit down.”
Brick Brody: “He started it.”
Prince John finally retreats toward ringside.
Inside the ring, Will Scarlett is waiting.
Minute 7
Raigen turns back.
Too late.
Basement Pele Kick.
The strike catches him flush.
Raigen goes down.
Julian Ward: “Basement Pele Kick from Will Scarlett! That distraction from Prince John has directly changed the match.”
Brick Brody: “That is why managers exist.”
Julian Ward: “He was arguing with you.”
Brick Brody: “And it worked.”
Will Scarlett stalks Raigen.
For the first time tonight, he has sustained control.
At ringside, Prince John looks enormously pleased with himself.
Brick Brody: “Look at him.”
Julian Ward: “Please do not invite him back.”
Minute 8
Raigen regains his base.
Will Scarlett moves forward.
Knee Lift.
The strike catches Will Scarlett before he can respond.
He drops backward.
Julian Ward: “Knee Lift from Raigen.”
Brick Brody: “And that ended the advantage Prince John bought him.”
Raigen remains standing over Will Scarlett.
No glance toward ringside.
No reaction to Prince John.
His focus has narrowed again.
Julian Ward: “That is the discipline Raigen spoke about last week. He allowed the distraction to hurt him once. He is not acknowledging it now.”
Minute 9
Raigen pulls Will Scarlett upright.
Bodyslam.
Will Scarlett tries to shift his weight and escape.
He cannot.
The impact drives him down.
Raigen covers.
‘Honest’ Abe drops into position.
One.
Two.
Will Scarlett kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Two-count for Raigen.”
Brick Brody: “Not enough.”
Raigen looks briefly toward ‘Honest’ Abe.
No complaint.
He immediately returns to Will Scarlett.
Julian Ward: “There was no frustration after that kickout.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Complaining does not add a third count.”
Prince John disagrees loudly from ringside.
Brick Brody: “Unless you're him.”
Minute 10
Raigen drives Will Scarlett toward the ropes again.
For the third time tonight, he throws him out of the ring.
But Will Scarlett fires a Superkick during the exchange.
The heel catches Raigen in the jaw before Will Scarlett spills to the floor.
Both men are affected.
Julian Ward: “Superkick from Will Scarlett! But he is outside again!”
‘Honest’ Abe begins counting.
One.
Two.
Three.
Will Scarlett remains down.
Four.
Prince John begins shouting.
Five.
Will Scarlett reaches the apron.
Six.
He slips back down.
Seven.
The crowd begins counting with the referee.
Eight.
Prince John pounds the apron.
Nine.
Will Scarlett dives beneath the bottom rope.
The building reacts.
Julian Ward: “Back inside at nine!”
Brick Brody: “That was close.”
Julian Ward: “Three times tonight, Raigen has forced Will Scarlett outside. This time he nearly ended the match without another move.”
Prince John leans through the ropes, shouting at Will Scarlett to get up.
Minute 11
Will Scarlett rises.
Raigen immediately fires a Front Kick.
The strike lands.
But Will Scarlett absorbs enough of it to catch Raigen coming forward.
Codebreaker.
Both knees drive into Raigen’s face.
The former champion crashes backward.
Julian Ward: “Front Kick from Raigen! Codebreaker from Will Scarlett!”
Brick Brody: “That was the bigger impact.”
Julian Ward: “And after nearly being counted out one minute ago, Will Scarlett has found another opening.”
Prince John screams for him to capitalize.
Will Scarlett pulls himself upright.
So does Raigen.
Both men are breathing heavily now.
Minute 12
Will Scarlett comes forward.
Raigen rises to meet him.
He climbs into position and drives both hands down across Will Scarlett with a Double Axhandle.
The blow lands cleanly.
Will Scarlett collapses.
Julian Ward: “Double Axhandle!”
Raigen does not hesitate.
He covers.
‘Honest’ Abe drops.
One.
Prince John rushes toward the apron.
Two.
He reaches for the ropes.
Three.
The bell rings.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Three! Raigen wins it!”
Prince John freezes outside the ring.
Inside, Raigen rolls away from the cover.
Will Scarlett remains down for several seconds.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner by pinfall… Raigen!”
The crowd responds loudly.
‘Honest’ Abe raises Raigen’s arm.
Prince John climbs onto the apron and begins shouting toward Will Scarlett.
Will Scarlett rolls beneath the bottom rope.
He lands beside Prince John.
The two exchange a look.
Whatever frustration exists between them is not discussed here.
Will Scarlett simply begins walking toward the entrance.
Prince John follows.
Inside the ring, Raigen watches them leave.
Julian Ward: “A meaningful victory for Raigen. Will Scarlett repeatedly answered him tonight, Prince John successfully created one significant distraction, and there were moments when Nottingham appeared capable of turning the match.”
Brick Brody: “But Raigen kept bringing him back to the same problem. Every time Will Scarlett found something, Raigen found something harder.”
Julian Ward: “And after twelve minutes, the Double Axhandle secured the three-count. Raigen said he intended to rebuild his case for the Eternal Flame Championship one victory at a time.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, he has the first one.”
RESULT: RAIGEN DEFEATS WILL SCARLETT BY PINFALL WITH A DOUBLE AXHANDLE IN MINUTE 12.
The result has barely settled when movement appears at ringside.
A figure dressed entirely in black vaults the barricade.
Black clothing.
Black gloves.
A featureless black mask.
The crowd reacts before Raigen sees him.
Julian Ward: “Wait!”
The masked man slides into the ring.
Raigen turns.
Too late.
The attacker crashes into him from behind.
Raigen falls forward.
Brick Brody: “Here we go again!”
The masked man begins stomping Raigen.
‘Honest’ Abe tries to intervene.
The attacker shoves him aside without striking him.
On the ramp, Will Scarlett stops.
He looks back.
So does Prince John.
For several seconds, Will Scarlett watches Raigen being attacked.
Then he turns away.
He leaves.
Prince John follows him through the curtain.
Julian Ward: “And Will Scarlett wants absolutely no part of this.”
Brick Brody: “His match is over. I do not blame him.”
Inside the ring, Raigen fights back.
He catches the masked attacker with a forearm.
Then another.
He begins forcing him backward.
The crowd rises.
Then another black figure appears from the opposite side of the arena.
A second masked man slides into the ring.
Julian Ward: “There is another one!”
The second attacker strikes Raigen from behind.
The numbers immediately change everything.
One masked man catches Raigen around the upper body.
The other drives repeated blows into his ribs.
Raigen fights.
He throws an elbow.
A knee.
He breaks free for half a second.
Then both men converge again.
Brick Brody: “Two-on-one now!”
The camera suddenly turns toward the entrance stage.
The lighting changes.
Deep crimson.
A low ceremonial drum rolls through Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The crowd erupts in anger.
Lord Kurogami steps through the curtain.
He does not hurry.
He does not need to.
Beside him stands a third masked man.
Black clothing.
Black mask.
Motionless.
Julian Ward: “Lord Kurogami.”
Brick Brody: “And he brought another one.”
Lord Kurogami begins walking down the ramp.
The third masked man follows several steps behind.
Inside the ring, Raigen is still trying to fight both attackers.
He drives one backward.
The second catches him.
A blow lands to the body.
Then another.
Raigen drops to one knee.
Julian Ward: “For weeks, these masked attacks have surrounded Raigen and the Blood Oni Syndicate. Tonight there are three of them.”
Brick Brody: “And Lord Kurogami looks like he came to supervise.”
Lord Kurogami reaches ringside.
He stops.
The third masked man stands beside him.
Inside the ring, the first two attackers finally overwhelm Raigen.
One holds him.
The other drives him down.
Raigen tries to rise.
A boot catches him.
He falls again.
Lord Kurogami raises one hand.
The violence stops.
The crowd roars with hatred.
Lord Kurogami turns his head slightly toward the third masked man.
Then points toward the ring.
The order is unmistakable.
Go.
The third masked man climbs onto the apron.
He enters.
Now three black-clad figures surround Raigen.
Julian Ward: “Three-on-one.”
Brick Brody: “This is an execution.”
All three attack.
Boots.
Forearms.
Blows from every direction.
Raigen disappears beneath them.
The crowd begins shouting.
Then cheering.
Someone has appeared on the stage.
Takuma Ryujin.
He sees what is happening.
He runs.
Julian Ward: “Takuma Ryujin!”
Takuma Ryujin storms down the aisle.
He slides into the ring.
One of the masked attackers turns.
Takuma Ryujin crashes into him.
The two spill toward the corner.
Takuma Ryujin begins unloading with strikes.
The crowd explodes.
The numbers are still wrong.
Two masked men remain on Raigen.
Brick Brody: “They still need another body!”
The audience begins chanting.
“TARO!”
“TARO!”
“TARO!”
The chant becomes thunderous.
Julian Ward: “This crowd is calling for Taro Okami!”
“TARO!” “TARO!” “TARO!”
The entrance curtain moves.
A figure storms through.
But it is not Taro Okami.
It is John Henry.
The reaction erupts.
Brick Brody: “That is not Taro Okami!”
Julian Ward: “It is John Henry!”
John Henry races down the ramp.
He slides beneath the bottom rope.
The second masked attacker moves toward him.
Bad decision.
John Henry drives through him with sheer force.
The masked man crashes backward into the opposite corner.
Now the ring has split into three battles.
Takuma Ryujin has one masked attacker trapped in a corner.
John Henry has another pinned against the turnbuckles.
And in the middle of the ring…
Raigen slowly rises.
The third masked man stands across from him.
Neither attacks.
Not yet.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami watches.
Julian Ward: “The numbers have finally evened!”
Brick Brody: “Then find out who they are!”
In one corner, Takuma Ryujin grabs the mask of his opponent.
The attacker fights him.
Takuma Ryujin drives a forearm into his chest.
Then tears the mask upward.
The crowd reacts.
The mask comes free.
Kaen.
Julian Ward: “Kaen!”
Brick Brody: “Of course!”
Takuma Ryujin stares at him.
Kaen smiles through the violence.
Across the ring, John Henry has the second attacker trapped.
He grabs the black mask.
The man tries to stop him.
John Henry simply overpowers him.
He tears it away.
The face beneath is revealed.
Enrai.
Another roar.
Julian Ward: “And the second man is Enrai!”
Brick Brody: “The Blood Oni Syndicate!”
Kaen.
Enrai.
Both exposed.
Both members of the institution that Raigen has blamed for weeks.
But the crowd's attention shifts toward the center of the ring.
Because one mask remains.
Raigen stands several feet away from the third man.
His chest rises and falls heavily.
His face still shows the punishment from the assault.
The masked man does not move.
Neither does Raigen.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami lowers his hand.
The entire arena seems to understand that this is the part he came to see.
Raigen points toward the masked man.
Raigen: “Take it off.”
No response.
Raigen steps closer.
His voice becomes louder.
Raigen: “REVEAL YOURSELF!”
The crowd rises.
The masked man slowly lifts both hands.
He reaches behind his head.
Unties the mask.
Then pulls it away.
For one second, the building becomes almost silent.
The face beneath belongs to Taro Okami.
The silence shatters.
A deep, unnatural wolf howl erupts through the arena.
Not from the crowd.
Not from any visible source.
A demonic howl rolls through Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum, reverberating through the stone arches.
Julian Ward: “No…”
Brick Brody: “Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”
Raigen does not move.
Shock empties his expression.
Only one week ago, he stood beside Taro Okami.
Only one week ago, they survived thirty minutes against the Gods of War together.
Only one week ago, Raigen said he no longer believed the masked attacker could be Taro Okami.
Now Taro Okami stands directly in front of him.
Mask in one hand.
Eyes fixed on Raigen.
Julian Ward: “It is Taro Okami.”
The statement sounds almost impossible even as he says it.
Julian Ward: “After everything last week… after the thirty-minute draw… after Raigen publicly said he believed Lord Kurogami had used the suspicion surrounding Taro Okami merely to divide them…”
Brick Brody: “Maybe that was the point.”
Raigen takes one slow step backward.
He looks toward Lord Kurogami.
Then toward Kaen.
Then Enrai.
Then back to Taro Okami.
Raigen: “Taro…”
Taro Okami raises one hand.
For the briefest moment, Raigen seems uncertain what is happening.
Then flame erupts.
A fireball explodes directly into Raigen’s face.
The crowd screams.
Raigen falls backward.
He hits the canvas clutching his face.
Julian Ward: “FIREBALL!”
Brick Brody: “He threw fire in his face!”
Raigen rolls violently across the mat.
His hands cover his eyes.
‘Honest’ Abe immediately rushes toward him.
So does John Henry.
Takuma Ryujin turns from Kaen, stunned by what has happened.
But Lord Kurogami raises one hand.
The Blood Oni Syndicate responds immediately.
Kaen slips out of the corner.
Enrai does the same.
They retreat through the ropes.
Taro Okami remains standing over Raigen for one final moment.
No apology.
No hesitation.
No explanation.
He drops the black mask beside Raigen.
Then steps through the ropes.
The wolf howl sounds again.
Lower this time.
More distant.
Lord Kurogami turns toward the ramp.
Kaen joins him.
Then Enrai.
Finally, Taro Okami.
The four men begin walking away together.
Takuma Ryujin kneels beside Raigen.
John Henry calls urgently toward the backstage area for medical assistance.
Julian Ward: “We need help for Raigen immediately.”
The camera briefly catches the abandoned mask lying beside him.
Then returns to the ramp.
Lord Kurogami walks at the front.
Behind him are Kaen and Enrai.
And walking with them…
Taro Okami.
Brick Brody is silent for several seconds.
When he finally speaks, there is none of his usual amusement.
Brick Brody: “Last week, Raigen said he finally trusted the wrong man.”
Julian Ward: “No.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “Last week, Raigen believed he had finally understood the game.”
The camera returns to Raigen writhing on the canvas as officials begin entering the ring.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, Lord Kurogami has revealed that the game was far larger than Raigen understood.”
On the stage, Taro Okami stops.
He looks back once.
Toward Raigen.
Then turns away.
The four members of the Blood Oni Syndicate disappear through the curtain.
The final image remains inside the ring.
Raigen surrounded by officials.
Takuma Ryujin beside him.
John Henry standing guard.
And lying inches away from Raigen’s hand…
The black mask.
The lights inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum dim.
For a moment, the aftermath of what happened to Raigen still seems to hang over the building.
Then the atmosphere changes.
A low choral note begins.
The great screen above the entrance displays a fractured black crown.
One section remains missing.
The symbol of the Broken Crown.
Dark violet light spreads beneath the stone entrance arch.
Morgana LeFaye steps through the curtain.
She comes alone.
No Mordred.
No Sir Agravaine.
No Black Knight.
No Dread Knights.
And most notably…
No Myrrden.
Morgana LeFaye pauses beneath the entrance arch.
There is anger in her expression tonight.
Not wild anger.
Something colder.
The kind created by too many unanswered questions.
Julian Ward: “There is considerable uncertainty surrounding Morgana LeFaye and the Broken Crown right now.”
Brick Brody: “Uncertainty?”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “It looks like the whole damn thing is starting to falter.”
Julian Ward: “Because of Myrrden’s disappearance?”
Brick Brody: “Absolutely. Look at them. Myrrden disappears. Mordred starts questioning King Arthur. Then Mordred loses to Sinbad last week. Tonight Sir Agravaine takes a count-out after looking at Severin Crowne like he needed permission to keep fighting.”
Julian Ward: “That last interpretation remains open to considerable debate.”
Brick Brody: “Debate it all you want. A structure starts looking shaky when the man holding the blueprints disappears.”
The camera tightens on Morgana LeFaye.
She begins walking toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “Whatever role Myrrden played within the Broken Crown, his absence has clearly created questions.”
Brick Brody: “And questions are poison inside an institution built around betrayal.”
Morgana LeFaye reaches ringside.
She looks toward the commentary desk only briefly.
Then climbs the steps and enters the ring.
The fractured crown remains behind her.
Then the screen goes dark.
A trumpet sounds.
Blue-and-gold light immediately floods the coliseum.
The crest of Camelot appears.
The reaction is louder.
More divided.
The Mythic Crown Championship does not appear.
Instead, the image changes to the royal sigil.
Merlin emerges first.
His staff is held upright beside him.
His expression remains unreadable.
Then Lady Guinevere steps through the curtain.
She stands beside Merlin beneath the royal crest.
Elegant.
Composed.
But tonight there is nothing ceremonial about the way she looks toward the ring.
Her eyes are fixed directly on Morgana LeFaye.
Julian Ward: “And there is no separating this contest from everything happening around Camelot.”
Brick Brody: “You have King Arthur defending the Mythic Crown Championship against the Huntsman later tonight. Mordred thinks the king is changing. Myrrden vanished. And now the queen gets Morgana LeFaye.”
Julian Ward: “A rivalry with roots considerably deeper than anything that began inside NPCW.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Those are the fights I trust.”
Lady Guinevere and Merlin begin walking toward the ring.
Inside, Morgana LeFaye never takes her eyes off them.
Julian Ward: “It is also worth noting that Merlin has remained close to King Arthur during these recent changes.”
Brick Brody: “Close enough to notice them.”
Julian Ward: “Last week, while King Arthur spoke of sovereignty and royal authority, there were moments when Merlin appeared more interested in studying the king than supporting the proclamation.”
Brick Brody: “Smart man. When somebody starts talking like the throne belongs to him because heaven personally mailed him the paperwork, you pay attention.”
Lady Guinevere reaches ringside.
Merlin climbs the steps first.
He lowers the middle rope.
Lady Guinevere enters.
Across from her, Morgana LeFaye takes one step forward.
‘Honest’ Abe immediately places himself between them.
At center ring stands Louie Linville.
He raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first…”
He turns toward Morgana LeFaye.
The fractured crown remains on the screen behind her.
Louie Linville: “Representing the Broken Crown… enchantress of shadow and blood… Morgana LeFaye!”
A mixed reaction rolls through the coliseum.
Morgana LeFaye raises her chin.
No acknowledgment beyond that.
Louie Linville turns toward the opposite corner.
Louie Linville: “And her opponent, accompanied to the ring by Merlin…”
The reaction becomes louder.
Louie Linville: “Lady of Camelot… Lady Guinevere!”
Lady Guinevere steps forward.
Merlin watches from the floor as Louie Linville exits.
‘Honest’ Abe checks both competitors.
Neither woman looks away from the other.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
There is no hesitation.
Lady Guinevere attacks immediately.
She catches Morgana LeFaye around both arms, lifts, and drives her down with a Double Underhook Powerbomb.
The impact shakes the ring.
But Morgana LeFaye does not remain down.
She comes back quickly, gets behind Lady Guinevere, and throws her across the canvas with a Release German Suplex.
Both women rise almost simultaneously.
Julian Ward: “Double Underhook Powerbomb from Lady Guinevere! Release German Suplex from Morgana LeFaye!”
Brick Brody: “Good. Forget the royal history lesson. They came here to hurt each other.”
Julian Ward: “An even opening exchange.”
Brick Brody: “And neither woman looked surprised that the other got back up.”
Across the ring, Morgana LeFaye gives Lady Guinevere the faintest smile.
It contains no warmth.
Lady Guinevere answers by stepping forward again.
Minute 2
Lady Guinevere catches Morgana LeFaye during the approach.
She lifts her high and drives her down with an Alabama Slam.
Morgana LeFaye absorbs the impact, rolls through, and catches Lady Guinevere before she can reset.
DDT.
Lady Guinevere’s head is driven into the canvas.
Julian Ward: “Alabama Slam from Lady Guinevere, answered immediately by the DDT.”
Brick Brody: “Two minutes and nobody has controlled more than one move at a time.”
Julian Ward: “That familiarity may be part of the reason.”
Brick Brody: “Exactly. These two do not need to learn each other. They already know where the knives are hidden.”
Merlin remains motionless at ringside.
His eyes follow every exchange.
Minute 3
The rhythm continues.
Lady Guinevere gets underneath Morgana LeFaye again.
Another Alabama Slam.
The landing is hard.
But Morgana LeFaye rises through it.
She gets behind Lady Guinevere.
Release German Suplex.
Lady Guinevere lands across her shoulders.
Julian Ward: “A second Alabama Slam, and another Release German Suplex from Morgana LeFaye.”
Brick Brody: “Morgana LeFaye is taking the heavier lift and still finding the answer.”
Julian Ward: “And perhaps demonstrating exactly why the instability around the Broken Crown has not translated into hesitation from her personally.”
Brick Brody: “Do not confuse angry with stable.”
The camera briefly catches Morgana LeFaye looking toward Merlin.
Her expression hardens.
Brick Brody: “She knows who is standing out there too.”
Minute 4
Lady Guinevere advances.
She hooks both arms again.
Morgana LeFaye attempts to shift her weight and break free.
She cannot.
Double Underhook Powerbomb.
Morgana LeFaye is driven into the canvas.
This time she does not immediately answer.
Julian Ward: “Another Double Underhook Powerbomb, and Morgana LeFaye tried to defend against that one.”
Brick Brody: “Tried.”
Lady Guinevere remains above her for a moment.
She looks toward Merlin.
He gives no obvious instruction.
Only a small nod.
Julian Ward: “For the first time tonight, Lady Guinevere has created something approaching sustained control.”
Brick Brody: “Then use it before the witch gets her feet under her.”
Minute 5
Lady Guinevere moves forward.
But outside the ring, Merlin suddenly steps closer to the apron.
His eyes fix upon ‘Honest’ Abe.
The referee turns toward him.
Merlin raises one hand.
His fingers move slowly.
Deliberately.
The arena lighting seems to flicker.
Julian Ward: “What is Merlin doing?”
Brick Brody: “Do you really need me to explain magic?”
‘Honest’ Abe’s expression becomes distant.
For a moment, his attention drifts completely away from the match.
Julian Ward: “Merlin appears to be trying to mesmerize the referee!”
But Morgana LeFaye sees it.
Her eyes flash toward Merlin.
She raises her own hand.
Whatever influence Merlin attempted to establish breaks instantly.
‘Honest’ Abe blinks and shakes his head.
At the same moment, Morgana LeFaye spins.
Roundhouse Kick.
The strike catches Lady Guinevere flush.
She drops.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Morgana LeFaye reversed it! Whatever Merlin attempted with ‘Honest’ Abe, Morgana LeFaye broke the influence and landed the Roundhouse Kick!”
Brick Brody: “Wrong woman to play sorcerer against.”
Morgana LeFaye turns toward the floor.
She stares directly at Merlin.
Merlin gives nothing away.
Brick Brody: “That was not just defense.”
Julian Ward: “What do you mean?”
Brick Brody: “That was Morgana LeFaye telling Merlin she saw him.”
Minute 6
Lady Guinevere recovers.
The Roundhouse Kick has angered her.
She catches Morgana LeFaye during the next approach.
Air Raid Crash.
Morgana LeFaye is driven down.
But again she responds.
DDT.
Lady Guinevere crashes head-first into the canvas.
Julian Ward: “Air Raid Crash from Lady Guinevere! DDT from Morgana LeFaye!”
Brick Brody: “Every time Lady Guinevere thinks she has this woman, Morgana LeFaye leaves something behind for her.”
Both women sit up.
Their eyes meet.
Neither looks toward the referee.
Neither looks toward Merlin.
For several seconds, the rest of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum might as well not exist.
Julian Ward: “There is personal history in every exchange.”
Brick Brody: “There is hatred in every exchange.”
Minute 7
Lady Guinevere moves first.
She lifts Morgana LeFaye.
Air Raid Crash.
The impact lands cleanly.
But as Lady Guinevere attempts to remain over her, Morgana LeFaye catches an opening.
She pulls Lady Guinevere down.
Wraps the body.
Controls the upper torso.
Sorceress's Embrace.
The submission is locked in.
Julian Ward: “Sorceress's Embrace!”
Lady Guinevere immediately begins fighting.
Morgana LeFaye tightens the hold.
Brick Brody: “Now we find out how much royal composure survives when somebody starts squeezing the breath out of you.”
Lady Guinevere reaches toward the ropes.
Too far.
She shifts her hips.
Morgana LeFaye follows.
The hold remains.
Julian Ward: “Lady Guinevere is trapped!”
At ringside, Merlin steps closer.
He does not interfere.
He watches.
Lady Guinevere refuses to submit.
She forces one knee underneath herself.
Then another.
The position begins to loosen.
Morgana LeFaye pulls again.
Still no submission.
Finally Lady Guinevere creates enough movement to break free.
She rolls away.
Julian Ward: “Lady Guinevere survives the Sorceress's Embrace!”
Brick Brody: “That took something out of her.”
Julian Ward: “But it did not take the surrender.”
Minute 8
Both women are slower now.
They approach cautiously.
Neither commits.
They break.
Circle again.
Then both attack.
Lady Guinevere catches Morgana LeFaye and lifts her into a Delayed Fisherman Suplex.
She holds her suspended for several seconds before driving her down.
Morgana LeFaye rises through the pain and answers with another Roundhouse Kick.
The blow catches Lady Guinevere against the side of the head.
Julian Ward: “Delayed Fisherman Suplex from Lady Guinevere! Roundhouse Kick from Morgana LeFaye!”
Brick Brody: “You can see the Sorceress's Embrace in Lady Guinevere’s movement now.”
Julian Ward: “She is carrying the effects of that hold.”
Brick Brody: “And Morgana LeFaye knows it.”
At ringside, Merlin grips his staff more tightly.
Minute 9
Lady Guinevere gets there first.
She hooks the leg and waist.
Again, she holds Morgana LeFaye suspended.
Delayed Fisherman Suplex.
Morgana LeFaye crashes down.
This time there is no immediate answer.
Lady Guinevere turns her over.
Cover.
‘Honest’ Abe drops.
One.
Two.
Morgana LeFaye kicks out.
The crowd responds.
Julian Ward: “Two-count for Lady Guinevere.”
Brick Brody: “Not enough.”
Morgana LeFaye rolls toward the ropes.
Lady Guinevere sits upright.
Her breathing has become heavier.
Merlin watches from outside.
Julian Ward: “This is becoming increasingly dangerous for both women. Lady Guinevere survived the Sorceress's Embrace, while Morgana LeFaye has now absorbed two Delayed Fisherman Suplexes.”
Brick Brody: “And both are still looking at the other like ten minutes is nowhere near enough time to settle this.”
Minute 10
Morgana LeFaye pulls herself upright.
Lady Guinevere approaches.
Before they engage, Merlin moves again.
He does not turn toward ‘Honest’ Abe this time.
His eyes settle directly upon Morgana LeFaye.
The crowd begins reacting.
Julian Ward: “Watch Merlin.”
Merlin slowly raises one hand.
The fingers extend.
The light around ringside seems to dim for only an instant.
Morgana LeFaye turns toward him.
She realizes what is happening.
But this time she cannot break it.
Her body stills.
The aggression disappears from her face.
Her eyes become unfocused.
Brick Brody: “He got her.”
Julian Ward: “Merlin has mesmerized Morgana LeFaye!”
Morgana LeFaye remains standing.
Motionless.
Lady Guinevere sees the opening.
For the briefest moment, she looks toward Merlin.
Then she moves.
She takes Morgana LeFaye down and immediately folds her shoulders to the canvas.
‘Honest’ Abe, unaware of what has occurred behind his line of sight, drops into position.
One.
The crowd becomes louder.
Two.
Morgana LeFaye begins to stir.
Three.
The bell rings.
A wave of cheers and boos crashes through the coliseum.
Julian Ward: “Three! Lady Guinevere has won it!”
The moment the bell sounds, Morgana LeFaye’s awareness returns completely.
Her eyes widen.
She kicks free after the count and sits upright.
She immediately understands.
Her head turns toward Merlin.
The expression on her face becomes murderous.
Brick Brody: “Oh, she knows.”
Lady Guinevere rises.
‘Honest’ Abe raises her arm.
At ringside, Merlin lowers his hand as though nothing unusual has occurred.
Morgana LeFaye gets to her feet.
She does not attack Lady Guinevere.
Not immediately.
Her attention remains completely fixed upon Merlin.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner by pinfall… Lady Guinevere!”
The reaction remains divided.
Lady Guinevere allows her arm to be raised.
Then she looks toward Morgana LeFaye.
The two women stare at one another.
There is no satisfaction in Morgana LeFaye’s expression.
Only fury.
Merlin climbs onto the apron.
That is enough.
Morgana LeFaye steps toward him.
‘Honest’ Abe immediately moves between them.
Merlin does not retreat.
He simply looks at Morgana LeFaye.
For several seconds, sorcerer and sorceress stare across the referee separating them.
Then Lady Guinevere places one hand against Merlin’s arm.
A quiet signal.
Enough.
Merlin steps down from the apron.
Lady Guinevere follows him from the ring.
Morgana LeFaye remains inside.
Watching.
The camera returns to commentary.
Julian Ward: “A victory for Lady Guinevere, but the circumstances surrounding the finish cannot be ignored. Earlier in the match, Merlin attempted to influence ‘Honest’ Abe, and Morgana LeFaye successfully disrupted it. In the final minute, Merlin turned that influence directly upon Morgana LeFaye.”
Brick Brody: “And this time it worked.”
Julian Ward: “It created the opening that allowed Lady Guinevere to secure the three-count.”
Brick Brody: “Which means Lady Guinevere gets the victory, but this does nothing to make the Broken Crown less dangerous.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “If anything, it makes my point.”
Julian Ward: “About Myrrden’s disappearance?”
Brick Brody: “Look at what is happening. Mordred is losing matches while questioning the king. Sir Agravaine is taking signals from Severin Crowne. Morgana LeFaye just got beaten because Merlin played with her mind. And Myrrden is nowhere.”
He gestures toward the ring.
Brick Brody: “The Broken Crown is faltering.”
Julian Ward: “Perhaps.”
The camera settles on Morgana LeFaye alone in the ring.
Her eyes remain fixed on the entrance through which Lady Guinevere and Merlin disappeared.
Julian Ward: “But structures under pressure do not always collapse quietly. Sometimes they become considerably more dangerous before they break.”
RESULT: LADY GUINEVERE DEFEATS MORGANA LEFAYE BY PINFALL IN MINUTE 10 AFTER MERLIN MESMERIZES MORGANA LEFAYE, CREATING THE OPENING FOR LADY GUINEVERE TO SECURE THE THREE-COUNT.
The broadcast cuts backstage.
The corridor outside the old royal meeting chambers is quieter than the rest of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Stone walls.
Low torchlight.
The noise from the arena reaches this part of the building only as a distant vibration.
A camera rounds the corner and catches two figures already in the middle of an argument.
Mordred.
And Sir Agravaine.
Sir Agravaine is still dressed from his match with Robin Hood.
His expression is hard.
His jaw clenched.
Mordred stands directly in his path.
Neither man appears pleased that the conversation has been discovered.
Neither stops because of it.
Mordred: “Explain yourself.”
Sir Agravaine looks at him without answering.
Mordred: “You stood outside that ring tonight.”
A beat.
Mordred: “You looked toward Severin Crowne.”
Another.
Mordred: “He shook his head.”
His voice lowers.
Mordred: “And you obeyed.”
That word lands.
Sir Agravaine’s eyes narrow.
Sir Agravaine: “Choose the next word carefully.”
Mordred: “Then give me another.”
Silence hangs between them.
Mordred: “For weeks, Crowne has been circling this division.”
Mordred: “The Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Mordred: “You.”
Mordred: “Now Tin Man.”
He steps closer.
Mordred: “And tonight I watched a knight of the Broken Crown surrender a match because another man gave him a signal.”
Sir Agravaine: “I did not surrender.”
Mordred: “You accepted defeat.”
Sir Agravaine: “Yes.”
That answer is immediate.
It catches even Mordred slightly off guard.
Mordred: “Why?”
Sir Agravaine exhales through his nose.
Not anger.
Exhaustion.
Sir Agravaine: “Because there was nothing left to gain.”
Mordred: “There was a match to win.”
Sir Agravaine: “And what would that have changed?”
Mordred’s expression hardens.
Sir Agravaine: “Would one victory suddenly repair the Broken Crown?”
A pause.
Sir Agravaine: “Would it bring Myrrden back?”
Another.
Sir Agravaine: “Would it erase your loss to Sinbad?”
Mordred: “Careful.”
Sir Agravaine: “No.”
For the first time, Sir Agravaine raises his voice.
Not shouting.
But no longer restrained.
Sir Agravaine: “That is precisely the problem.”
He gestures toward Mordred.
Sir Agravaine: “Every conversation becomes a warning.”
Sir Agravaine: “Every failure becomes somebody else's betrayal.”
Sir Agravaine: “Every question is treated as disloyalty.”
His expression grows colder.
Sir Agravaine: “And while all of us continue pretending the Broken Crown remains what it was…”
He glances toward the empty corridor behind them.
Sir Agravaine: “…it is becoming a joke.”
Mordred steps forward immediately.
Mordred: “Say that again.”
Sir Agravaine: “You heard me.”
The tension spikes.
Sir Agravaine: “We are becoming a laughing stock.”
He begins counting the failures with bitter precision.
Sir Agravaine: “Myrrden disappears.”
Sir Agravaine: “You lose.”
Sir Agravaine: “I lose.”
Sir Agravaine: “Tonight Morgana LeFaye loses while Merlin humiliates her in front of the entire division.”
A pause.
Sir Agravaine: “And what is our answer?”
He looks directly at Mordred.
Sir Agravaine: “Another meeting?”
Sir Agravaine: “Another speech about destiny?”
Sir Agravaine: “Another promise that the crown will break because we have declared that it must?”
Mordred’s eyes burn.
Mordred: “We built the Broken Crown to destroy Arthur’s false rule.”
Sir Agravaine: “And how close are we?”
That question sits between them.
Neither speaks for several seconds.
Sir Agravaine: “You asked why I am speaking with Severin Crowne.”
His voice becomes quieter again.
More certain.
Sir Agravaine: “Because he looked at what I am.”
A beat.
Sir Agravaine: “What I have done.”
Another.
Sir Agravaine: “What I am capable of.”
His mouth tightens.
Sir Agravaine: “And he offered me something better.”
Mordred: “A better what?”
Sir Agravaine: “Deal.”
The word is simple.
Final.
Mordred: “You would abandon us for a merchant's promise?”
Sir Agravaine: “Do not diminish him because you dislike what he sees.”
Mordred: “And what does he see?”
Sir Agravaine: “A future.”
That lands harder than the accusation.
Sir Agravaine: “The Broken Crown is done, Mordred.”
A long silence.
Mordred: “You do not decide that.”
Sir Agravaine: “No.”
He steps past him.
Then stops shoulder-to-shoulder.
Sir Agravaine: “I merely decided I would not be buried underneath it.”
Mordred turns toward him.
Mordred: “And when Crowne decides you are no longer useful?”
Sir Agravaine looks back.
Sir Agravaine: “Then at least I will know the terms.”
A beat.
Sir Agravaine: “That is more than I can say here.”
He walks away.
Mordred watches him go.
The footsteps fade down the corridor.
For several seconds, the camera remains on Mordred.
Still.
Furious.
But beneath the anger, something else is beginning to show.
Isolation.
Then slow applause echoes from behind him.
One clap.
Then another.
Mordred closes his eyes briefly.
He already knows who it is.
Prince John steps into frame.
There is a small smile on his face.
Not friendly.
Self-satisfied.
Prince John: “Touching.”
Mordred turns.
His contempt is immediate.
Mordred: “Go away.”
Prince John: “Ordinarily, I would.”
He steps closer.
Prince John: “But tonight we appear to have discovered something in common.”
Mordred: “I sincerely doubt that.”
Prince John: “Severin Crowne.”
That gets Mordred’s attention.
Prince John: “He has been sniffing around the King’s Hand as well.”
The smile disappears slightly.
Prince John: “First the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Prince John: “Private meetings.”
Prince John: “Private information.”
His tone sharpens.
Prince John: “Things not shared with me.”
That last part is clearly the real offense.
Prince John: “Now your Sir Agravaine walks away because Crowne shakes his head.”
Mordred: “He is no longer my Sir Agravaine.”
Prince John: “So it would seem.”
A pause.
Prince John: “Which leaves us with a mutual inconvenience.”
Mordred: “You are confusing inconvenience with insult.”
Prince John: “Call it whatever pleases you.”
He spreads his hands.
Prince John: “The point remains.”
Prince John: “Severin Crowne is approaching people attached to established powers.”
Prince John: “Offering them things.”
Prince John: “Whispering about futures.”
Prince John: “Making them believe the institutions they already serve are somehow beneath their ambition.”
A faint smile returns.
Prince John: “Surely even you can appreciate why that is dangerous.”
Mordred stares at him.
Then laughs once.
There is no amusement in it.
Mordred: “You think I would align myself with you?”
Prince John: “I think intelligent men occasionally tolerate unpleasant company when circumstances demand it.”
Mordred: “You are not unpleasant company.”
He steps closer.
Mordred: “You are a weasel.”
The smile on Prince John’s face remains.
Mordred: “A pretender dressed in stolen importance.”
Another step.
Mordred: “A coward occupying space that belongs to someone greater.”
Prince John’s eyes narrow slightly.
Mordred: “And when King Richard returns…”
A beat.
Mordred: “…you will crawl back beneath whatever stone protected you the last time he looked in your direction.”
Silence.
For once, Prince John does not immediately answer.
Then his expression changes.
The offense disappears.
And something much more interesting replaces it.
A smile.
Slow.
Knowing.
Prince John: “You assume Richard will return.”
The corridor suddenly feels colder.
Mordred’s expression shifts.
Only slightly.
But enough.
Prince John sees it.
Of course he does.
Mordred: “What does that mean?”
Prince John adjusts one cuff.
Prince John: “Nothing you need concern yourself with.”
Mordred: “Do not play games with me.”
Prince John: “Games?”
He gives a quiet laugh.
Prince John: “No, Mordred.”
A pause.
Prince John: “I am merely questioning one of your assumptions.”
He begins walking backward down the corridor.
Prince John: “You seem to have several of them under strain tonight.”
Mordred takes a step after him.
Mordred: “What do you know about Richard?”
Prince John stops.
For a moment, his back remains turned.
Then he looks over his shoulder.
The smirk returns.
Prince John: “Perhaps less than you fear.”
A beat.
Prince John: “Perhaps more than you would like.”
He turns away again.
Prince John: “Good evening, Mordred.”
Prince John disappears around the corner.
The camera remains on Mordred.
Alone again.
First Sir Agravaine.
Now Prince John.
Two conversations.
Two different warnings.
One name tying both together.
Severin Crowne.
And one final sentence that now refuses to leave the room.
You assume Richard will return.
Mordred stares down the empty corridor.
His jaw tightens.
The Broken Crown has lost a knight.
And another kingdom may be hiding something far worse.
The camera slowly fades.
The lights inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum dim.
A low roll of thunder moves through the building.
Gold light cuts across the entrance stage.
Columns rise across the great screen beneath a violent sky.
A shield appears.
Then a spear.
Then the image of an ancient battlefield consumed beneath bronze fire.
Zeus steps through the curtain.
The reaction is immediate.
Boos roll through the coliseum.
He pauses beneath the entrance arch, looking across the audience with the detached authority of someone who considers their opinion considerably beneath his concern.
Then two women emerge behind him.
Athena.
Bellona.
The War Council.
Athena carries herself with cold discipline, every movement measured.
Beside her, Bellona moves with considerably more obvious aggression, shoulders forward, eyes already fixed upon the ring.
Julian Ward: “The War Council arrives under the guidance of Zeus, and this is a pairing constructed around two very different expressions of warfare.”
Brick Brody: “That is what makes them useful. Athena wants to outthink you. Bellona wants to run through you.”
Julian Ward: “And after the Gods of War fought Raigen and Taro Okami to a thirty-minute draw last week, Zeus now brings another of his teams into Dark Fable competition.”
Brick Brody: “A draw that looks a lot stranger after what Taro Okami did earlier tonight.”
There is a brief pause at the desk.
Julian Ward: “Everything surrounding Raigen and the Blood Oni Syndicate will require considerable examination. For the moment, our attention turns here.”
Athena and Bellona begin down the aisle.
Zeus walks behind them.
Neither woman acknowledges the crowd.
They climb onto the apron together.
Athena enters first.
Bellona follows.
Zeus remains on the floor.
The thunder fades.
For several seconds, the arena falls into darkness.
Then pale woodland light spreads across the stage.
Snow-covered branches appear across the great screen.
A single red apple hangs among them.
The image fractures.
Gretel steps through the curtain.
Beside her comes Snow White.
The Fairest Hunters.
The crowd welcomes them loudly.
Neither woman smiles.
Last week's loss still appears to matter.
Julian Ward: “One week ago, the Fairest Hunters pushed the Black Chapel through fourteen demanding minutes before Prioress Malveil trapped Snow White in the Silent Sermon and forced the submission.”
Brick Brody: “And tonight they came back for another difficult assignment.”
Julian Ward: “There was no prolonged recovery period. No easier opponent. Gretel and Snow White asked to continue moving forward.”
Brick Brody: “Good. You lose, you get back in line and hit somebody.”
The Fairest Hunters begin down the aisle.
Inside the ring, Athena watches them approach.
Bellona stands behind her.
Zeus shifts toward the corner.
Snow White climbs onto the apron.
Gretel enters beneath the top rope.
The two teams separate.
At center ring stands Louie Linville.
He raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a tag team match!”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Zeus…”
Boos rise.
Louie Linville: “Athena… Bellona… the War Council!”
Athena steps forward.
Bellona strikes one fist against the opposite palm.
Zeus raises one hand from ringside.
Louie Linville turns toward the opposite corner.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents…”
The audience grows louder.
Louie Linville: “Gretel… Snow White… the Fairest Hunters!”
Snow White raises an arm.
Gretel never looks away from Athena.
Louie Linville exits.
Referee ‘Honest’ Abe checks both corners.
Athena begins for the War Council.
Gretel begins for the Fairest Hunters.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither woman commits immediately.
Athena watches the hips.
Gretel watches the shoulders.
They step toward one another.
Break away.
Reset.
Another engagement begins.
This time Gretel suddenly explodes.
Shining Wizard.
The knee crashes into Athena before she can properly defend.
Athena falls backward.
Julian Ward: “Shining Wizard from Gretel! Excellent opening strike.”
Brick Brody: “That is how you answer a loss. Do not come back cautious. Come back angry.”
Gretel does not linger.
She turns immediately toward her corner.
Tag.
Snow White enters.
Julian Ward: “And an immediate tag from the Fairest Hunters.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Make Athena adjust before she has even figured out the first problem.”
Minute 2
Snow White is already moving when Athena reaches her feet.
She catches the head.
Drops.
Thorn Crown Driver.
The Spike DDT plants Athena sharply into the canvas.
Athena attempts to resist the position but cannot.
Julian Ward: “Thorn Crown Driver! Snow White continues the opening pressure.”
Brick Brody: “Two minutes, two women, two clean shots to Athena’s head.”
Snow White looks toward Gretel.
Another tag.
Gretel returns.
At ringside, Zeus remains expressionless.
But his eyes follow the rapid exchanges carefully.
Julian Ward: “The Fairest Hunters are forcing Athena to process constant changes.”
Minute 3
This time Athena attacks before Gretel can control the pace.
She catches both arms.
Wisdom’s Wrath.
The Pedigree drives Gretel face-first into the canvas.
The crowd reacts.
But Gretel rolls through the punishment, rises, and catches Athena.
Rolling Fireman’s Carry.
Both women land hard.
Julian Ward: “Wisdom’s Wrath from Athena! And Gretel answers with the Rolling Fireman’s Carry!”
Brick Brody: “There is the strategist. Athena finally stopped reacting and started dictating.”
Julian Ward: “But Gretel refused to concede the exchange.”
Both competitors push themselves upright.
Minute 4
Athena attempts to brace against the next attack.
Gretel comes forward anyway.
Pump Kick.
The strike catches Athena flush.
She drops backward.
Julian Ward: “Pump Kick from Gretel!”
Brick Brody: “And Athena saw it coming.”
Julian Ward: “She did, but recognition was not enough to stop it.”
Gretel remains over her opponent.
Bellona begins calling toward her partner from the apron.
Zeus gives no visible instruction.
Minute 5
Athena regains her footing and drives Gretel backward.
Shield Bash.
The Shoulder Thrust crushes Gretel into the corner.
Athena backs away.
Gretel fires out with a Spinning Heel Kick.
Both strikes land.
Julian Ward: “Shield Bash from Athena! Spinning Heel Kick from Gretel!”
Brick Brody: “That was even.”
Gretel reaches backward.
Tag to Snow White.
Julian Ward: “Again, the Fairest Hunters are keeping the fresh competitor moving.”
Brick Brody: “And Athena has been in there since the opening bell.”
Minute 6
Athena responds with strength.
She lifts Snow White high above her head.
Pallas Drop.
The Gorilla Press Slam sends Snow White crashing down.
But Snow White rolls beneath the ropes and immediately changes the location of the fight.
She launches herself outward.
Glass Coffin Dive.
The Suicide Dive catches Athena and sends both women to the floor.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Pallas Drop from Athena! But Snow White answers with the Glass Coffin Dive!”
Brick Brody: “Now Athena is outside.”
‘Honest’ Abe begins the count.
One.
Two.
Three.
Snow White pulls herself toward the apron.
Four.
Five.
She returns to the ring.
Six.
Athena remains outside.
Bellona shouts toward her.
Seven.
Eight.
Zeus finally takes one deliberate step closer.
Nine.
Athena slides beneath the ropes.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “Back inside at nine!”
Brick Brody: “That was close.”
Snow White immediately tags Gretel.
Julian Ward: “And Athena does not receive even a moment to recover.”
Minute 7
Gretel meets Athena before she can stand fully.
Half Nelson Suplex.
Athena tries to shift her body and defend.
She cannot.
She lands across her shoulders.
Gretel immediately covers.
‘Honest’ Abe drops.
One.
Athena kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Only one.”
Brick Brody: “Strong kickout.”
Julian Ward: “But Gretel is forcing Athena to expend energy every minute she remains legal.”
Gretel rises quickly.
Athena sits up.
For the first time, irritation clearly shows on her face.
Minute 8
Gretel does not allow her time to think.
Superkick.
The strike lands directly against the jaw.
Athena falls.
Another cover.
One.
Two.
Athena kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Two this time!”
Brick Brody: “The covers are getting longer.”
At ringside, Zeus folds his arms.
Bellona extends her hand.
Athena looks toward her.
Then back toward Gretel.
Julian Ward: “Athena has been forced to work virtually this entire match.”
Minute 9
Athena catches Gretel from behind.
She drives one knee into the back and pulls against the head.
Gorgon Clutch.
Gretel fights the Rear Chinlock.
She creates enough separation to turn back toward her opponent.
Spinning Heel Kick.
The strike lands.
Julian Ward: “Gorgon Clutch from Athena, but Gretel fights through and answers with another Spinning Heel Kick.”
Athena finally decides she has had enough.
She turns.
Tag.
Bellona enters.
Brick Brody: “There she is.”
Julian Ward: “First appearance in the match for Bellona.”
Brick Brody: “And she has had nine minutes to watch everything.”
Minute 10
Bellona charges immediately.
One forearm.
Then another.
Then another.
Multiple Forearms drive Gretel backward.
Gretel manages to create half a step of space.
Enzuigiri.
The kick catches Bellona against the side of the head.
Julian Ward: “Multiple Forearms from Bellona! Enzuigiri from Gretel!”
Brick Brody: “That is the difference between the two women in the War Council. Athena calculates. Bellona arrives like a riot.”
Gretel backs toward the ropes.
Bellona keeps advancing.
Minute 11
More Forearms.
Gretel attempts to cover and protect herself.
Bellona simply keeps striking.
One blow lands.
Then another.
Then another.
Gretel is driven backward.
Julian Ward: “Another series of Multiple Forearms from Bellona. Gretel tried to defend and could not stop them.”
Brick Brody: “Fresh woman. Fresh violence.”
Bellona looks toward her corner.
Tag.
Athena returns.
Julian Ward: “A brief but extremely effective appearance from Bellona.”
Brick Brody: “She softened Gretel and sent Athena back in with the advantage.”
Minute 12
For several seconds, neither Athena nor Gretel finds an opening.
They engage.
Break.
Circle.
Then both move.
Athena catches Gretel in the Gorgon Clutch again.
Knee pressed into the back.
Head pulled backward.
Gretel twists through and manages to turn the position.
Rolling Fireman’s Carry.
Athena is thrown over.
Julian Ward: “Gorgon Clutch from Athena, but Gretel turns it into the Rolling Fireman’s Carry!”
Gretel reaches backward immediately.
Tag.
Snow White enters.
Julian Ward: “And once again the Fairest Hunters bring in the fresh competitor.”
Minute 13
Snow White enters with Gretel still beside her.
The Fairest Hunters attack together.
Snow White catches the arm.
Gilded Grip.
The Arm Drag flows directly toward the Arm Bar.
At the same time, Gretel spins.
Spinning Heel Kick.
But Athena refuses to disappear beneath the attack.
She explodes forward.
Huntress Spear.
The Spear Tackle cuts through the exchange.
Bodies scatter.
Julian Ward: “Gilded Grip from Snow White! Spinning Heel Kick from Gretel! And Athena answers with the Huntress Spear!”
Brick Brody: “Three major attacks in one sequence.”
‘Honest’ Abe forces Gretel back toward the apron.
Snow White remains legal.
Athena pushes herself upright.
Minute 14
Both women slow.
They circle.
Neither commits.
They reset again.
Then the War Council suddenly moves.
Bellona enters beside Athena.
Athena takes Snow White from behind.
Gorgon Clutch.
Bellona lifts.
Jackhammer.
Snow White is driven down.
But she manages to strike during the chaos.
Kiss of Spite.
The Single Knee Facebreaker catches Athena.
Julian Ward: “Gorgon Clutch! Jackhammer from Bellona! But Snow White answers with the Kiss of Spite!”
Brick Brody: “Everybody got something.”
Julian Ward: “And that Jackhammer may be the hardest individual impact of the match so far.”
‘Honest’ Abe forces Bellona out.
Athena remains legal.
Both women are hurt.
Minute 15
Snow White recovers first.
She catches Athena.
Happily Never After.
The Super Swinging Neckbreaker drives Athena down.
There is no response.
Snow White covers.
One.
Two.
Bellona dives into the ring.
She breaks the cover.
The audience erupts.
Julian Ward: “Bellona makes the save!”
Brick Brody: “Had to.”
Julian Ward: “That may have preserved this match for the War Council.”
Bellona is ordered back to the apron.
Snow White looks toward her.
Then toward Athena.
Julian Ward: “The Fairest Hunters came very close there.”
Minute 16
Athena recovers enough to charge.
She drives Snow White into the corner.
Shield Bash.
The Shoulder Thrust lands heavily.
Snow White tried to protect herself and cannot.
Julian Ward: “Shield Bash from Athena!”
Brick Brody: “She needed that.”
Athena pulls Snow White away from the corner.
The pace has slowed considerably.
Both teams have absorbed significant punishment.
Minute 17
Snow White suddenly creates enough space to reach toward Gretel.
The tag is made.
The Fairest Hunters attack together.
Snow White hoists Athena into position.
Witch’s Justice.
The Modified Gory Bomb drives her down.
Before Athena can recover, Gretel races forward.
Shining Wizard.
The knee lands cleanly.
Julian Ward: “Witch’s Justice! Shining Wizard!”
Brick Brody: “That was a nasty combination.”
Athena attempts to defend against the tandem assault.
She cannot.
‘Honest’ Abe forces Gretel back out when the sequence ends.
Snow White remains legal.
Minute 18
The Fairest Hunters strike again before Athena can recover.
Snow White takes the arm.
Gilded Grip.
Arm Drag into the Arm Bar.
Gretel adds another Spinning Heel Kick.
Athena absorbs both attacks without meaningful defense.
Julian Ward: “Gilded Grip from Snow White! Spinning Heel Kick from Gretel!”
Brick Brody: “Now Athena is getting overwhelmed.”
At ringside, Zeus takes another step closer to the apron.
His expression remains stern.
Bellona reaches desperately from the opposite corner.
Julian Ward: “The War Council need a tag.”
Minute 19
Snow White catches Athena again.
Happily Never After.
The Super Swinging Neckbreaker drives her into the canvas.
Snow White immediately covers.
One.
Athena kicks out.
The audience reacts with surprise.
Julian Ward: “Only one!”
Brick Brody: “That looked like instinct.”
Julian Ward: “Perhaps, but Athena remains alive in this match.”
Snow White rises.
She looks toward Bellona.
Then back toward Athena.
Minute 20
The structure finally collapses.
Bellona enters.
Gretel follows.
All four women are inside the ring.
Athena catches Snow White in the Gorgon Clutch.
Bellona begins unloading Multiple Forearms.
Snow White counters by taking an arm into the Gilded Grip.
Gretel catches Bellona with an Enzuigiri.
The ring becomes a battlefield.
Julian Ward: “All four women are fighting!”
Brick Brody: “About time!”
Julian Ward: “Gorgon Clutch from Athena! Multiple Forearms from Bellona! Gilded Grip from Snow White! Enzuigiri from Gretel!”
Bodies scatter toward opposite sides.
‘Honest’ Abe shouts at both teams.
Finally he restores order.
Snow White and Athena remain legal.
Brick Brody: “Nobody won that exchange.”
Julian Ward: “But everyone paid for it.”
Minute 21
Athena catches Snow White before she can reach her partner.
She lifts her high.
Pallas Drop.
The Gorilla Press Slam sends Snow White crashing down.
Athena covers.
One.
Two.
Snow White kicks out.
The crowd roars.
Julian Ward: “Two! Snow White survives the Pallas Drop!”
Brick Brody: “First serious cover for Athena.”
Athena sits beside her opponent.
For the first time, visible exhaustion has replaced some of the calculation in her expression.
Bellona extends her hand.
Gretel does the same from the opposite corner.
Minute 22
Athena does not leave.
Instead, Bellona joins her.
The War Council attacks together.
Athena lifts Snow White.
Pallas Drop.
Before Snow White can recover, Bellona comes charging across the ring.
Crimson Spear.
The impact folds Snow White in half.
But somehow she still manages an answer.
She catches Athena during the continuing sequence.
Thorn Crown Driver.
Spike DDT.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Pallas Drop! Crimson Spear from Bellona! And somehow Snow White answers with the Thorn Crown Driver!”
Brick Brody: “That woman should be finished.”
Julian Ward: “She is refusing to be.”
The War Council still have the numbers advantage for the moment.
Athena pushes herself up.
Bellona remains nearby.
Minute 23
The War Council attempts to continue the tandem assault.
Athena hooks both arms.
Wisdom’s Wrath.
But Snow White sees the attack developing.
She twists free.
The double-team sequence collapses.
Bellona cannot contribute.
Athena loses control.
Snow White catches her.
Happily Never After.
The Super Swinging Neckbreaker drives Athena down.
Julian Ward: “Snow White reversed the double team!”
Brick Brody: “That was huge.”
Julian Ward: “Wisdom’s Wrath never landed. Bellona never established the second attack. And Snow White turned the entire situation into Happily Never After.”
‘Honest’ Abe finally orders Bellona back to the apron.
Snow White remains standing.
Barely.
Minute 24
Order lasts only seconds.
Bellona comes back in.
Gretel answers.
All four women collide again.
Athena crushes Snow White into the corner with the Shield Bash.
Bellona unloads Multiple Forearms.
Snow White catches Athena with Witch’s Justice.
Gretel flies into the exchange with the Shining Wizard.
The crowd is standing.
Julian Ward: “Everything has broken down again!”
Brick Brody: “Nobody has enough left to wait for a tag!”
Julian Ward: “Shield Bash from Athena! Multiple Forearms from Bellona! Witch’s Justice from Snow White! Shining Wizard from Gretel!”
All four women collapse in different parts of the ring.
‘Honest’ Abe begins forcing the illegal competitors away.
Bellona rolls toward her corner.
Gretel does the same.
Snow White and Athena remain.
Both are exhausted.
Both begin pushing themselves upright.
Julian Ward: “Twenty-four minutes of repeated combinations, saves, and broken-down exchanges.”
Brick Brody: “Now somebody has to finish it.”
Minute 25
Athena rises first.
But only barely.
She turns toward Snow White.
Snow White reaches her.
Hooks the body.
Lifts.
Witch’s Justice.
The Modified Gory Bomb drives Athena into the canvas.
This time there is no answer.
Julian Ward: “Witch’s Justice!”
Snow White immediately covers.
‘Honest’ Abe drops.
One.
Bellona begins moving along the apron.
Two.
She tries to enter.
Gretel moves toward her side of the ring.
Three.
The bell rings.
The coliseum erupts.
Julian Ward: “Three! The Fairest Hunters have done it!”
Snow White rolls away from the cover.
She remains on her back for several seconds, breathing heavily.
Gretel enters the ring.
She reaches down and helps her partner upright.
Across the ring, Bellona kneels beside Athena.
At ringside, Zeus stares into the ring with obvious displeasure.
There is no interference.
No argument.
Only the recognition of what happened.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winners… Gretel and Snow White… the Fairest Hunters!”
The crowd roars.
‘Honest’ Abe raises both women's arms.
Snow White looks toward Gretel.
The two exchange a nod.
No exaggerated celebration.
This victory matters too much for that.
The camera cuts to commentary.
Julian Ward: “One week after falling to the Black Chapel, the Fairest Hunters have answered emphatically.”
Brick Brody: “And they earned it. Twenty-five minutes. Athena survived two Happily Never Afters, survived extended double-team attacks, and Bellona saved the match once.”
Julian Ward: “The War Council nearly changed the contest completely with the Pallas Drop and Crimson Spear combination in Minute 22.”
Brick Brody: “And Snow White still kept fighting.”
Julian Ward: “She reversed the continuing tandem assault one minute later, survived another complete breakdown involving all four women, and when the final opportunity appeared, she struck with Witch’s Justice.”
The camera shows the replay.
Snow White lifts Athena.
Witch’s Justice.
Three.
Julian Ward: “That is an important victory for Gretel and Snow White.”
Brick Brody: “More than important. Last week they lost. Tonight they beat a team standing under Zeus.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “That is how you stop one defeat from becoming two.”
The camera returns to the ring.
Athena has regained her footing.
Bellona stands beside her.
Zeus waits on the floor.
The three members of the War Council stare across at the victorious Fairest Hunters.
Athena looks frustrated.
Bellona looks furious.
Zeus looks calculating.
Across from them, Gretel and Snow White remain together.
Julian Ward: “The Fairest Hunters came into tonight needing to prove that last week's defeat had not altered their direction.”
A beat.
Julian Ward: “They just did.”
RESULT: THE FAIREST HUNTERS DEFEAT THE WAR COUNCIL WHEN SNOW WHITE PINS ATHENA WITH WITCH’S JUSTICE IN MINUTE 25.
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