Aired - September 4, 2026
(Black screen.)
(A heavy book opens.)
(One ancient page turns.)
(A candle ignites blue.)
(The flame turns blood-red.)
(Ink spreads across the parchment.)
A crown forms.
An arrow pierces it.
A black card falls across the page.
Dragon fire consumes its edges.
From within the flames—
An oni mask.
The music begins.
Low choir.
Heavy drums.
Then the images accelerate.
QUICK FLASH — KING ARTHUR
King Arthur raises the Mythic Crown beneath the banners of Camelot.
His expression is no longer simply proud.
It is commanding.
A rapid flash—
Robin Hood standing across from him.
Arthur demands that he kneel.
Robin refuses.
Voice-over:
“Crowns are tested.”
QUICK FLASH — ROBIN HOOD / BLOOD-MOON WARDEN
An arrow tears through darkness.
Robin Hood draws another.
Behind him, beneath a fractured crimson moon, stands the Blood-Moon Warden.
A single phrase flashes across the parchment:
FEAR IS NOT LOYALTY.
Voice-over:
“Heroes are hunted.”
QUICK FLASH — SEVERIN CROWNE
A black card turns between the fingers of Severin Crowne.
Fast images follow.
Sheriff of Nottingham beside him.
Sir Agravaine beside him.
Tin Man staring at the offered card.
Crowne smiles.
Voice-over:
“Every man has a price.”
QUICK FLASH — RAIGEN / TARO OKAMI
Dragon fire explodes across the screen.
Raigen turns toward the flame.
A black mask falls.
Behind it—
Taro Okami emerges in his new demon-wolf form.
Red eyes.
Black fur.
Crimson markings.
A flash of the fireball striking Raigen.
Then John Henry and Takuma Ryujin step beside him.
Voice-over:
“Every betrayal leaves a scar.”
QUICK FLASH — THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rapid cuts.
The Eternal Flame Championship in the hands of Sheriff of Nottingham.
The Universal Tag Team Championships held by the Ultimate Beasts.
The North Star Tag Team Championships with the Blonde Bombshells.
The Universal Championship over the shoulder of Ghost of Christmas Past.
The Mythic Crown around King Arthur’s waist.
Voice-over:
“And monsters wear gold.”
The montage becomes faster.
Sir Lancelot drawing his sword.
Rapunzel launching from the ropes.
Yurei Rinn emerging through crimson mist.
Athena and Bellona standing beneath Zeus.
Ghost of Christmas Past appearing through falling snow.
Raigen staring at Taro Okami.
Robin Hood drawing his bow.
King Arthur turning toward the throne.
Severin Crowne’s black card.
Cut to black.
The music stops.
One bell tolls.
The Dark Fable crest burns onto the screen.
NPCW: DARK FABLE
Voice-over:
“In DARK FABLE…”
A beat.
Voice-over:
“…the story does not end happily.”
The red flame moves across the logo.
Voice-over:
“It ends with a winner.”
Final bell.
Voice-over:
“This… is DARK FABLE.”
Hard cut to the live aerial shot of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The opening fades into a sweeping aerial shot of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Torchlight burns along the ancient stone arches.
Blue-and-gold banners of Camelot hang from the upper balconies, but they no longer dominate the building. Green standards of Sherwood have appeared in greater numbers. Farther along the railings, crimson oni masks, Olympian lightning, silver Oz emblems, and the colors of dozens of other realms break the illusion that this is a kingdom united beneath a single crest.
The crowd is already standing.
One section begins first.
“RO-BIN HOOD!” “RO-BIN HOOD!” “RO-BIN HOOD!”
Green banners rise.
Another portion of the Coliseum answers immediately.
“AR-THUR!” “AR-THUR!” “AR-THUR!”
Replica crowns are raised toward the lights.
Neither chant overwhelms the other.
The camera travels between them.
A kingdom divided over what its crown represents.
The great screen suddenly illuminates.
AGE OF RUIN
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
The response grows considerably louder.
Two match graphics flash beneath the event crest.
First—
WIZARD’S WARRIORS vs SEVERIN CROWNE — SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — SIR AGRAVAINE
Then—
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP
KING ARTHUR vs ROBIN HOOD
The camera settles at the broadcast table.
Julian Ward sits composed beneath the torchlit glow, several pages of notes arranged neatly before him.
Beside him, Brick Brody is already leaning forward with both forearms against the table, studying the competing chants with considerably more amusement than concern.
Julian Ward: “Good evening. We are live from Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum. I am Julian Ward, joined as always by Brick Brody, and one week ago Dark Fable began determining exactly what September 27th will mean.”
The screen behind them returns to footage from seven days earlier.
Severin Crowne stands inside the ring.
Across from him are Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion.
Beside Crowne stand Sir Agravaine and the Eternal Flame Champion, Sheriff of Nottingham.
Three men opposite three.
Then Elias Coldmere appears on the entranceway.
The AGE OF RUIN crest burns behind him.
Julian Ward: “What had been a collection of negotiations, black cards, betrayals, and unanswered questions finally became something tangible.”
The graphic fills the screen.
WIZARD’S WARRIORS vs SEVERIN CROWNE — SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — SIR AGRAVAINE
Julian Ward: “At Age of Ruin, the Wizard’s Warriors—Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion—will face Severin Crowne, Sir Agravaine, and the reigning Eternal Flame Champion, Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Brick Brody: “And I like it because now we stop pretending those black cards are some philosophical exercise.”
Julian Ward: “You never regarded them that way.”
Brick Brody: “Because I have eyes. Crowne has been collecting dangerous men while everybody else keeps asking what his intentions are.”
He taps the desk.
Brick Brody: “I don’t care about his intentions. Look at the results.”
The footage changes.
Sir Agravaine strikes Lion from behind while the referee is distracted.
Lion is counted out.
Then the confrontation afterward.
Tin Man staring at Sheriff of Nottingham.
The Eternal Flame Championship between them.
Julian Ward: “And before those six men reach September 27th, several pieces of that confrontation will collide tonight.”
The screen changes.
SIR AGRAVAINE & SEVERIN CROWNE vs LION & SCARECROW
The crowd reacts loudly.
Julian Ward: “Last week, Sir Agravaine directly caused Lion to lose by count-out against Severin Crowne. Tonight, there will be no opportunity to hide that conflict behind another man’s singles match.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “You approve?”
Brick Brody: “Absolutely. Agravaine hit Lion because he wanted to. Lion wants to tear his head off because of it. That is one of the healthier relationships we have around here.”
Julian Ward: “Your definition of healthy remains deeply concerning.”
Brick Brody: “Nobody hired me for health advice.”
The graphic changes again.
Flames sweep across the screen.
The Eternal Flame Championship emerges through them.
SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM vs TIN MAN
ETERNAL FLAME CHAMPIONSHIP
A tremendous reaction moves through the Coliseum.
Julian Ward: “And the confrontation that began with a stare becomes a championship match tonight. Sheriff of Nottingham defends the Eternal Flame Championship against Tin Man.”
Highlights roll from last week.
Tin Man looking toward the title.
Sheriff of Nottingham lifting it higher onto his shoulder.
“Interested?”
“Very.”
“Earn the right to touch it.”
Then Elias Coldmere making the match.
Julian Ward: “The champion challenged Tin Man to earn the right to touch that championship. Mythic Commissioner Elias Coldmere decided to remove any ambiguity from the process.”
Brick Brody: “I’m starting to appreciate Coldmere.”
Julian Ward: “That may alarm him.”
Brick Brody: “He keeps hearing people threaten each other and giving them sanctioned matches. That is efficient government.”
Julian Ward: “And potentially a significant complication for Age of Ruin. Sheriff of Nottingham is already scheduled for that six-man encounter on September 27th. Tonight determines whether he arrives carrying the Eternal Flame Championship.”
Brick Brody: “And if Tin Man takes it?”
A grin crosses Brick Brody’s face.
Brick Brody: “Then Crowne gets to spend the next three weeks standing beside a man who lost his championship to one of their Age of Ruin opponents.”
Julian Ward: “Which would substantially alter the balance surrounding that match.”
Brick Brody: “I said it would make things uncomfortable.”
The screen goes black.
A low Japanese drumbeat sounds.
Three black masks appear.
One after another.
KAEN. ENRAI. TARO OKAMI.
The reaction turns hostile immediately.
Then the footage changes.
Raigen lies on the canvas one week earlier, surrounded by officials, the burn marks from Taro Okami’s fireball still fresh.
The image shifts to last week’s backstage interview.
Raigen standing again.
Beside him, Takuma Ryujin and John Henry.
Julian Ward: “There is another confrontation tonight whose origins are considerably more personal.”
Footage shows Raigen extending his hand toward Takuma Ryujin.
The old rivals shake.
Then Raigen does the same with John Henry.
Julian Ward: “Last week, Raigen returned after being hospitalized following the revelation that the masked attacker he had spent weeks trying to identify was the man he had chosen to trust—Taro Okami.”
The fireball flashes across the screen again.
The crowd boos.
Brick Brody: “That was not just a betrayal.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “That was craftsmanship.”
Julian Ward turns toward him.
Brick Brody: “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not praising the friendship. I’m praising the ambush. Lord Kurogami spent weeks letting Raigen doubt everybody except the man standing beside him.”
Julian Ward: “And when Raigen finally trusted Taro Okami completely, Taro removed the mask and threw fire into his face.”
Brick Brody: “Exactly.”
His expression becomes more serious.
Brick Brody: “That kind of thing does not end with an apology.”
The screen changes.
TAKUMA RYUJIN — JOHN HENRY — RAIGEN vs KAEN — ENRAI — TARO OKAMI
The audience erupts.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, there are no masks. There is no uncertainty. Raigen, Takuma Ryujin, and John Henry face Kaen, Enrai, and Taro Okami of the Blood Oni Syndicate.”
Brick Brody: “And Raigen said he wanted an explanation.”
Julian Ward: “He did.”
Brick Brody: “I hope he doesn’t get one.”
Julian Ward: “Why?”
Brick Brody: “Because explanations slow things down. Ring the bell and let him ask with his fists.”
The crowd begins chanting.
“RAI-GEN!” “RAI-GEN!” “RAI-GEN!”
The graphic disappears.
For a moment, only the Dark Fable crest remains.
Then green earth rises across the screen.
Lightning crashes over it.
Two images appear on opposite sides.
WAR COUNCIL and MOTHER EARTH & SAYAKA MIZUHANA
Julian Ward: “The War Council also returns to tag team competition tonight against Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana.”
Thunder rolls through the graphic.
Brick Brody: “That is a strange alliance.”
Julian Ward: “Perhaps. But both Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana have repeatedly demonstrated that they are quite comfortable confronting forces larger than themselves.”
Brick Brody: “That is admirable right until the larger force lands on you.”
Julian Ward: “Against the War Council, that possibility is considerable.”
The screen shifts.
A red hood flashes through darkness.
Then silver armor.
WILL SCARLET vs SIR LANCELOT
A mixed reaction moves through the building.
Julian Ward: “We will also see Will Scarlet against Sir Lancelot.”
Brick Brody: “Now there is a match I want to see.”
Julian Ward: “Why particularly?”
Brick Brody: “Because everybody keeps talking about Arthur and Robin Hood like those two men are the whole argument.”
He points toward the screen.
Brick Brody: “They aren’t.”
The graphic holds on Will Scarlet and Sir Lancelot.
Brick Brody: “Kings and outlaws do not fight wars alone. Eventually the men beside them start deciding how much they believe.”
Julian Ward: “An important point. Sir Lancelot remains one of Camelot’s most distinguished knights, while Will Scarlet’s history with Sherwood and with the structures surrounding Camelot has been anything but simple.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Complicated men hit harder.”
The image changes again.
Golden hair spills across one side of the screen.
Mist crawls over the other.
RAPUNZEL vs YUREI RINN
The crowd reacts strongly for Rapunzel.
Julian Ward: “Singles competition will also place Rapunzel, one of the Blonde Bombshells, against Yurei Rinn of the Blood Oni Syndicate.”
Footage briefly shows Yurei Rinn’s thirty-two-minute—
No.
The footage cuts instead to last week.
Yurei Rinn battling Dorothy for twenty-two minutes.
The final bodyslam.
Dorothy securing the victory.
Lord Kurogami turning away before Yurei Rinn has even fully recovered.
Julian Ward: “Last week, Yurei Rinn fell to Dorothy after twenty-two minutes. The more revealing image may have come afterward, when Lord Kurogami left without offering his protégé so much as visible reassurance.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “Again?”
Brick Brody: “You join a group that calls itself a syndicate built on discipline, losing should feel unpleasant.”
Julian Ward: “Tonight she faces Dorothy’s fellow Blonde Bombshell, Rapunzel.”
Brick Brody: “Which means we find out whether last week taught Yurei Rinn something or merely made her angry.”
The graphic burns away.
For several seconds, the screen remains dark.
Then gold light appears.
A sword rises.
The crest of Camelot forms behind it.
The crowd immediately divides again.
SIR LANCELOT appears first.
Then King Arthur.
The Mythic Crown Championship rests over the king’s shoulder.
The image freezes.
Julian Ward: “And no matter what happens elsewhere tonight, this division remains under the shadow of one match already waiting at Age of Ruin.”
The crowd knows what is coming.
The green of Sherwood tears through the royal crest.
ROBIN HOOD appears opposite King Arthur.
AGE OF RUIN
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP
KING ARTHUR vs ROBIN HOOD
The roar becomes deafening.
Highlights from last week’s main event begin.
King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Gawain battling the Merry Band.
Merlin interfering with the concentration of the referee.
King Arthur eventually driving Little John down with the Flowing DDT.
Three.
Then after the bell—
King Arthur holding the Mythic Crown Championship.
“Kneel.”
Robin Hood standing directly in front of him.
“No.”
The crowd inside the Coliseum repeats it.
“NO!” “NO!” “NO!”
Julian Ward: “The Champions of Camelot won last week’s main event. King Arthur then demanded that the Merry Band kneel before him.”
The replay shows Robin Hood refusing.
Julian Ward: “Robin Hood did not.”
Brick Brody: “Which was either brave or stupid.”
Julian Ward: “Perhaps both.”
Brick Brody: “Most memorable things are.”
The replay reaches Elias Coldmere.
The Commissioner announces the Mythic Crown Championship match.
Then the stipulation.
If Robin Hood loses at Age of Ruin, he must kneel before King Arthur.
The live crowd reacts loudly again.
Julian Ward: “So on September 27th, King Arthur defends the Mythic Crown Championship against Robin Hood. If Robin Hood loses, he must do at Age of Ruin what he refused to do last week.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “He must kneel before the king.”
Brick Brody: “And if he wins, the kneeling problem disappears because the outlaw walks away with the crown.”
The camera finds several fans holding green banners.
Across the aisle, supporters of King Arthur raise replica swords.
Julian Ward: “Those are the first two contests made official for Age of Ruin.”
The AGE OF RUIN crest returns.
A third empty space appears beneath the two announced matches.
Then a fourth.
No competitors.
No names.
Only darkness.
The crowd recognizes the implication.
Julian Ward: “But they will not remain the only two.”
The reaction grows.
Brick Brody: “There we go.”
Julian Ward: “Before Dark Fable concludes tonight, additional matches for Age of Ruin will be announced.”
Brick Brody leans back.
Brick Brody: “That is the dangerous part.”
Julian Ward: “The announcements?”
Brick Brody: “No.”
He looks toward the ring.
Brick Brody: “Everybody in this building now knows the Commissioner is still filling that card.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “So every grudge tonight has somewhere bigger it can go.”
The event crest disappears.
Six match graphics begin flashing rapidly across the great screen.
SIR AGRAVAINE & SEVERIN CROWNE vs LION & SCARECROW
TAKUMA RYUJIN, JOHN HENRY & RAIGEN vs KAEN, ENRAI & TARO OKAMI
WAR COUNCIL vs MOTHER EARTH & SAYAKA MIZUHANA
WILL SCARLET vs SIR LANCELOT
RAPUNZEL vs YUREI RINN
Then flames engulf everything.
ETERNAL FLAME CHAMPIONSHIP
SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM vs TIN MAN
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “Six matches. One championship on the line. The Blood Oni Syndicate finally forced into the ring with the men they ambushed. The developing forces surrounding Severin Crowne colliding again with the Wizard’s Warriors. And somewhere before the final page is written tonight, more of Age of Ruin will be revealed.”
Brick Brody: “That is a lot of consequences for one evening.”
Julian Ward: “You sound pleased.”
Brick Brody: “Julian, this show is called Dark Fable.”
He folds his arms.
Brick Brody: “Nobody bought a ticket for peaceful resolution.”
The camera leaves the announce table.
It moves toward the ring.
At its center, Louie Linville is already waiting.
The lights surrounding the Coliseum begin to fall.
The first entrance is moments away.
Julian Ward: “Then there is no reason to keep the first trial waiting.”
The Dark Fable crest burns across the screen.
The crowd rises again.
Tonight’s first match is next.
Referee: “Honest” Abe
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The AGE OF RUIN crest remains across the great screen for several seconds.
Beneath it, the six-man match already confirmed for September 27th appears once more.
WIZARD’S WARRIORS vs SEVERIN CROWNE — SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — SIR AGRAVAINE
Then four of those six figures remain.
The graphic changes.
SEVERIN CROWNE & SIR AGRAVAINE vs LION & SCARECROW
The Coliseum responds immediately.
A thin silver line appears across the black screen.
It bends.
Turns.
Forms the outline of a key.
The key rotates.
A lock opens.
Heavy, deliberate music begins beneath it.
Severin Crowne steps through the entrance arch.
Dark ring gear replaces the tailored clothing in which he conducts most of his negotiations, but almost nothing about his demeanor changes.
Controlled. Measured. Unhurried.
He stops beneath the silver light and surveys the Coliseum as though assessing an asset rather than entering a hostile arena.
A second figure emerges behind him.
Black armor catches the light.
Sir Agravaine.
There is no Broken Crown insignia accompanying him tonight.
No Mordred.
No Dread Knights.
Nothing identifying him with the faction he abandoned.
He walks until he stands beside Severin Crowne.
Not behind him.
Beside him.
Julian Ward: “Seven days ago, this pairing existed only as part of a larger question surrounding Severin Crowne. Tonight, it becomes a wrestling team.”
Brick Brody: “And people are still making the mistake of asking whether Agravaine works for Crowne.”
Julian Ward: “You do not believe he does?”
Brick Brody: “I believe Crowne understands something most managers, kings and idiots with fancy titles forget.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “Dangerous men cooperate better when you don’t make them feel owned.”
Severin Crowne begins down the aisle.
Sir Agravaine walks beside him.
Footage from last week briefly appears on the screen.
Lion outside the ring.
The referee distracted.
Sir Agravaine striking Lion from behind.
The count reaching ten.
Julian Ward: “It was Sir Agravaine’s attack that directly caused Lion to be counted out against Severin Crowne last week.”
Brick Brody: “Directly?”
Julian Ward: “Very directly.”
Brick Brody: “Good. I wanted to make sure we weren’t pretending there was a mystery.”
The two men reach ringside.
Severin Crowne steps onto the apron first.
He enters between the ropes.
Sir Agravaine follows.
Neither acknowledges the boos.
Crowne moves to the corner and calmly removes his entrance jacket.
Agravaine remains standing near center ring.
Waiting.
Then—
A metallic clang sounds.
The silver key disappears.
Yellow brick stretches across the screen beneath a storm-dark sky.
A distant lion’s roar shakes through the Coliseum.
The crowd rises.
Scarecrow appears first.
Loose-limbed.
Watchful.
The strange combination of casual posture and sharp awareness makes him seem almost relaxed until his eyes settle on the ring.
Then Lion storms through the curtain beside him.
The reaction grows.
There is nothing relaxed about Lion.
His gaze immediately locks onto Sir Agravaine.
The knight sees him.
Neither looks away.
Julian Ward: “And there is the relationship that made this match inevitable.”
Brick Brody: “I don’t think Lion has spent much of the last seven days thinking about wrestling.”
Julian Ward: “You believe his concern is entirely Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “The man hit him from behind and cost him the match.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “You want him drawing up tag-team strategy?”
Scarecrow looks toward Lion.
Says something quietly.
Lion gives one short nod.
The two begin toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “That may be the responsibility of Scarecrow tonight. Lion wants retaliation. Scarecrow may need to make certain retaliation does not become recklessness.”
Brick Brody: “That’s rich coming from a man named Scarecrow.”
They reach ringside.
Lion immediately climbs onto the apron.
Sir Agravaine takes one step toward him.
Honest Abe moves between them before either can cross the remaining distance.
Scarecrow enters through the opposite side.
Across the ring, Severin Crowne watches everything.
No concern.
If anything, satisfaction.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
He waits until the entrances have completely faded.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall!”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first…”
He turns toward the darker corner.
Louie Linville: “The architect of opportunity… SEVERIN CROWNE!”
Boos rise.
Crowne gives the slightest inclination of his head.
Louie Linville: “And his partner… the knight who walked away from the Broken Crown and chose his own allegiance… SIR AGRAVAINE!”
The hostility grows.
Sir Agravaine does not react.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents…”
The crowd rises.
Louie Linville: “Representing the Wizard’s Warriors… the unpredictable mind of Oz… SCARECROW!”
Scarecrow spreads both arms briefly.
Louie Linville: “And his partner… courage given claws, fury given form… LION!”
A roar answers the introduction.
Lion pounds one fist against his chest.
Then points directly toward Sir Agravaine.
The knight responds with a faint smile.
Louie Linville exits.
Honest Abe checks both corners.
Lion insists upon starting.
Across from him, Severin Crowne steps forward.
Sir Agravaine moves onto the apron.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Lion immediately tries to close the distance, but Severin Crowne catches him during the approach.
Crowne hooks the body.
He lifts.
Piledriver—
No.
Lion shifts his weight, kicks free and sends Crowne stumbling backward.
The crowd rises.
Lion immediately looks toward the corner.
Then toward the ropes.
He begins climbing.
Julian Ward: “Very early attempt at the Lion’s Leap!”
Lion launches from the top rope.
But Severin Crowne sees it coming.
He rolls clear before the splash can land.
Lion crashes into empty canvas.
Crowne rises immediately.
He looks down at Lion.
Then toward Sir Agravaine.
Tag.
Julian Ward: “Excellent defensive sequence from Severin Crowne. Lion neutralized the piledriver, but Crowne immediately answered by avoiding the Lion’s Leap.”
Brick Brody: “And now he gives Lion exactly what he wanted.”
Sir Agravaine steps through the ropes.
Lion rises.
The Coliseum noise increases.
Brick Brody: “Be careful what you ask for.”
Minute 2
Lion charges straight at Sir Agravaine.
No hesitation.
No attempt to disguise his intention.
He catches the knight and tries to drive him down into the Lion’s Roar.
Sir Agravaine recognizes the setup.
He shifts his weight.
Breaks the position.
Both men separate.
Lion immediately moves forward again.
Agravaine remains composed.
Julian Ward: “The Lion’s Roar neutralized.”
Brick Brody: “Because Agravaine knew exactly what Lion wanted.”
Julian Ward: “Which may be one of the dangers of allowing anger to simplify your approach.”
Brick Brody: “Or it means hit him again.”
Agravaine backs toward his corner.
Tag.
Severin Crowne returns.
Lion watches Agravaine leave.
That momentary distraction is all Crowne needs.
Minute 3
Severin Crowne slips behind Lion.
He traps one arm.
Then the other.
He drags Lion downward.
THE VETO!
The arm-trapped Crossface is secured.
Lion’s body arches as Crowne pulls backward.
The crowd begins shouting toward him.
Julian Ward: “The Veto! Severin Crowne has the Crossface locked in!”
Brick Brody: “And now we see the other part of Crowne people forget.”
Julian Ward: “Meaning?”
Brick Brody: “He doesn’t need a contract to make somebody miserable.”
Honest Abe kneels beside Lion.
Asks the question.
Lion shakes his head violently.
No submission.
Crowne pulls harder.
Lion claws forward.
Inch by inch.
His free leg finally reaches the rope.
Honest Abe orders the break.
Crowne releases immediately.
Not generously.
Efficiently.
He rises.
Looks toward Sir Agravaine.
Tag.
Julian Ward: “Lion survives The Veto, but that hold forced him to spend enormous energy escaping.”
Brick Brody: “And Crowne did not stay around to admire it.”
Sir Agravaine enters.
Minute 4
Lion barely reaches his feet before Sir Agravaine attacks.
The knight moves behind him.
Rear High Knee!
The strike drives into Lion’s upper back and shoulder.
Lion drops forward.
Agravaine does not cover.
He circles.
Waits for Lion to rise.
Julian Ward: “A very methodical approach from Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “Because he doesn’t hate Lion.”
Julian Ward: “You believe that matters?”
Brick Brody: “Absolutely. Lion wants revenge. Agravaine wants to win.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “One of those is easier to organize.”
Lion reaches the ropes.
Pulls himself upright.
Across the ring, Scarecrow extends one arm.
Lion does not take the tag.
He turns toward Agravaine again.
Minute 5
Sir Agravaine closes quickly.
He catches the head.
Rolling Cutter!
Lion is driven into the canvas.
Agravaine immediately rolls him over.
Hooks the leg.
Honest Abe drops.
But before the count can develop—
Lion shifts his weight.
He traps Agravaine during the cover.
The position reverses.
Now the knight’s shoulders are down.
ONE! TWO!
Sir Agravaine kicks out.
The crowd erupts.
Both men scramble upright.
Julian Ward: “What a reversal by Lion!”
Brick Brody: “That almost turned Agravaine’s own pin against him.”
Julian Ward: “And perhaps the first indication tonight that Lion is beginning to channel the anger rather than simply follow it.”
Brick Brody: “Don’t get philosophical. He almost stole one.”
Lion points toward Agravaine.
The knight’s expression has changed.
Slightly.
The dismissal is gone.
Minute 6
Sir Agravaine reaches for Lion.
Release German Suplex—
Lion flips through the positioning.
Lands behind him.
Agravaine turns.
Too late.
Lion catches the head.
MAIN EVENT NECKBREAKER!
Agravaine crashes down.
The building reacts loudly.
Lion sits upright.
For the first time tonight, something resembling satisfaction crosses his face.
Julian Ward: “Excellent reversal! Lion turns the German Suplex into the Main Event Neckbreaker.”
Brick Brody: “Now he’s wrestling.”
Julian Ward: “Rather than fighting?”
Brick Brody: “Same violence. Better decisions.”
Agravaine rolls toward the ropes.
Lion follows.
Neither reaches the corner.
Minute 7
They collide in the center.
Sir Agravaine catches Lion first.
He lifts him across the body.
Argentine Blue Thunder Bomb!
Lion crashes down.
But as Agravaine comes forward again, Lion spins.
Spinning Heel Kick!
The strike catches the knight across the jaw.
Both men fall.
The crowd responds.
Julian Ward: “Blue Thunder Bomb from Agravaine. Spinning Heel Kick from Lion.”
Brick Brody: “That was an argument conducted through impact.”
Julian Ward: “Neither man winning the exchange cleanly.”
Brick Brody: “Then keep arguing.”
Scarecrow reaches from the apron.
Severin Crowne does the same from the opposite side.
Neither legal man moves toward the tag.
Minute 8
They rise more cautiously.
For several seconds, neither commits.
Sir Agravaine finally gets the body position.
He lifts Lion over the shoulder.
Over-the-Shoulder Back-to-Belly Piledriver!
Lion is driven down.
But the knight cannot capitalize immediately.
Lion gets back to his knees and fires upward.
Knife-edge chop.
Another.
A third.
The sound snaps through the Coliseum.
Agravaine backs away.
Lion follows him.
Another chop.
Julian Ward: “Those strikes are creating space.”
Brick Brody: “More importantly, they’re creating regret.”
Julian Ward: “For Sir Agravaine?”
Brick Brody: “For everybody who decided letting Lion get angry was strategically useful.”
Agravaine catches the next arm.
The two struggle.
Neither can complete another attack.
Minute 9
Lion finally gains leverage.
He gets underneath Sir Agravaine.
Bodyslam!
The knight hits flat.
Lion looks toward his corner.
This time he listens.
Tag.
Scarecrow enters.
The crowd responds.
Julian Ward: “An important decision by Lion. After nine bruising minutes, he finally brings in the fresh Scarecrow.”
Brick Brody: “That might be the smartest thing he has done all night.”
Julian Ward: “His earlier reversals?”
Brick Brody: “Second smartest.”
Scarecrow steps through the ropes.
He rolls one shoulder.
Looks at Sir Agravaine.
Then smiles.
Scarecrow: “Your turn.”
Minute 10
Sir Agravaine attacks before Scarecrow can establish rhythm.
Release German Suplex!
Scarecrow lands hard.
Rolls through.
Gets back up immediately.
He rebounds from the ropes.
HAYMAKER LARIAT!
The clothesline catches Agravaine with tremendous force.
The knight flips down.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Haymaker Lariat!”
Brick Brody: “That thing is ugly.”
Julian Ward: “Effective.”
Brick Brody: “That’s why it’s beautiful.”
Scarecrow points toward Lion.
Tag.
Lion returns.
Agravaine is already pulling himself upright.
Julian Ward: “Quick rotation now from the Wizard’s Warriors.”
Minute 11
Sir Agravaine tries to stop Lion before he can build momentum.
He catches him again.
Over-the-Shoulder Back-to-Belly Piledriver!
Lion crashes down.
But this time he rolls to his knees almost immediately.
Agravaine reaches.
Lion catches him.
BRAINBUSTER!
The knight is driven vertically into the canvas.
The reaction surges.
Julian Ward: “Brainbuster from Lion!”
Brick Brody: “That was a terrible landing.”
Julian Ward: “You sound approving.”
Brick Brody: “Very.”
Lion could cover.
Instead he looks toward his corner.
Tag.
Scarecrow enters again.
Julian Ward: “Interesting. Lion had an opportunity to pursue the cover.”
Brick Brody: “And chose the fresh man.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “He’s learning.”
Minute 12
Scarecrow enters aggressively.
But Sir Agravaine intercepts him.
Rear High Knee!
The strike catches Scarecrow and sends him sprawling.
Agravaine drops across him.
Hooks the leg.
ONE! TWO!
Lion dives through the ropes and breaks the count.
The crowd cheers.
Honest Abe immediately orders Lion back toward the corner.
Julian Ward: “Save by Lion!”
Brick Brody: “Necessary save.”
Julian Ward: “And perhaps repayment for Scarecrow convincing him to finally use the tag structure earlier.”
Brick Brody: “Or maybe partners are supposed to stop each other from losing.”
Lion returns to the apron.
Agravaine watches him go.
Then turns back toward Scarecrow.
Minute 13
Sir Agravaine tries to keep Scarecrow grounded.
He catches him again.
Over-the-Shoulder Back-to-Belly Piledriver!
Scarecrow crashes down.
But Agravaine takes too long getting upright.
Scarecrow rises behind him.
Runs the ropes.
HAYMAKER LARIAT!
The knight is flattened again.
Both men remain down.
Julian Ward: “Again the Haymaker!”
Brick Brody: “That is two.”
Julian Ward: “And Sir Agravaine’s control keeps being interrupted by the same weapon.”
Brick Brody: “Then he better stop standing where Scarecrow can take his head off.”
Severin Crowne stretches one hand toward his partner.
Agravaine looks toward him.
But he does not tag.
Not yet.
Minute 14
Sir Agravaine moves toward Scarecrow again.
This time Severin Crowne steps through the ropes.
Two-on-one.
Agravaine catches Scarecrow and bends him across the knee.
Pendulum Backbreaker!
Before Scarecrow can fall clear, Crowne uses the ropes for leverage and traps him in a rope-assisted Abdominal Stretch.
Honest Abe immediately begins his count.
ONE! TWO!
Scarecrow fights inside the illegal pressure.
THREE!
He breaks one arm free.
FOUR!
Crowne releases.
Agravaine turns toward him—
HAYMAKER LARIAT!
The crowd erupts.
Scarecrow crushes the legal man with the clothesline even while escaping the double-team.
Julian Ward: “Extraordinary response from Scarecrow! Backbreaker, illegal rope-assisted stretch, and he still finds the Haymaker!”
Brick Brody: “That’s why you finish a man when you have two-on-one.”
Julian Ward: “You are criticizing the illegal double-team for being insufficiently effective?”
Brick Brody: “Exactly.”
Honest Abe forces Crowne back onto the apron.
The double-team ends.
Minute 15
Sir Agravaine and Scarecrow meet again.
Agravaine bends him over the knee.
Pendulum Backbreaker!
Scarecrow grimaces.
But instead of falling away, he hooks around the knight.
He lifts.
FIELD SPINNER!
The Airplane Spin begins.
Once. Twice. Three rotations.
Agravaine’s legs swing outward.
Scarecrow keeps turning.
Then releases him.
The knight staggers across the ring and collapses against the ropes.
The crowd laughs at the disorientation before the tone immediately returns to the fight.
Julian Ward: “Field Spinner from Scarecrow!”
Brick Brody: “Now that’s humiliating.”
Julian Ward: “And effective.”
Brick Brody: “The humiliation makes it better.”
Agravaine grabs the top rope.
Steadies himself.
His expression hardens.
Scarecrow gestures for him to come back.
Minute 16
Sir Agravaine does.
Violently.
He drives Scarecrow toward the corner.
Lifts him onto the ropes.
The crowd rises as the knight climbs.
Julian Ward: “Dangerous position.”
Agravaine hooks him.
AVALANCHE AIR RAID CRASH!
Both men plunge from the turnbuckles.
Scarecrow hits with frightening impact.
Agravaine rolls through the landing.
Cover.
ONE! TWO!
Scarecrow kicks out.
The building erupts.
Julian Ward: “Two! Scarecrow survives the Avalanche Air Raid Crash!”
Brick Brody: “That was not a normal kickout.”
Julian Ward: “Meaning?”
Brick Brody: “Look at him.”
Scarecrow is lying on his side.
Breathing heavily.
Barely moving.
Brick Brody: “He escaped the count. He did not escape the damage.”
Sir Agravaine sits upright.
For the first time, frustration appears.
Minute 17
Sir Agravaine pulls Scarecrow upright.
Double underhook.
Scarecrow tries to resist.
Cannot.
DOUBLE UNDERHOOK SITOUT FACEBUSTER!
The impact drives him down.
Cover.
ONE!
Scarecrow kicks out almost immediately.
The crowd reacts in surprise.
So does Agravaine.
Julian Ward: “Only one!”
Brick Brody: “That was stubbornness.”
Julian Ward: “Perhaps instinct.”
Brick Brody: “Same thing when your brain has been rattled enough.”
Agravaine rises.
He looks toward Severin Crowne.
Crowne gives no instruction.
No signal.
Only a calm stare.
Agravaine turns back toward Scarecrow.
Across the ring, Lion is reaching desperately for the tag.
Julian Ward: “Scarecrow needs his corner.”
Brick Brody: “He needs about three corners.”
Minute 18
Scarecrow crawls.
Lion stretches over the top rope.
Their fingertips nearly meet.
Sir Agravaine catches Scarecrow around the waist.
Drags him backward.
Lion slaps the turnbuckle in frustration.
Agravaine lifts.
RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX!
Scarecrow flips through the air.
Crashes across his shoulders and upper back.
He does not rise.
Agravaine turns him over.
Hooks both legs.
Honest Abe drops.
ONE!
Lion enters.
TWO!
Severin Crowne steps through the ropes and cuts Lion off.
THREE!
The bell rings.
The crowd erupts in boos.
Lion immediately shoves past Crowne—
but Honest Abe and Crowne both move away before another fight can develop.
Sir Agravaine releases the pin and rises.
No celebration.
Only completion.
Louie Linville enters the ring.
Honest Abe raises Sir Agravaine’s arm.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winners… SEVERIN CROWNE and SIR AGRAVAINE!”
The boos intensify.
Severin Crowne joins his partner.
He says something quietly to Agravaine.
The knight gives one short nod.
Across the ring, Lion kneels beside Scarecrow.
Scarecrow begins sitting up.
He looks frustrated but aware.
Lion looks beyond him.
Directly at Sir Agravaine.
The knight meets the stare.
Neither man appears satisfied.
The Age of Ruin graphic suddenly fills the great screen again.
WIZARD’S WARRIORS vs SEVERIN CROWNE — SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — SIR AGRAVAINE
Julian Ward: “Eighteen minutes, and tonight Sir Agravaine finished what his interference prevented from being settled properly last week. But the result does not erase what we saw. Lion repeatedly found answers for Agravaine, and Scarecrow survived sustained punishment before that final Release German Suplex finally kept him down.”
Brick Brody: “And look at the people who won.”
The camera finds Severin Crowne and Sir Agravaine standing together beneath the Age of Ruin graphic.
Brick Brody: “They didn’t panic when Lion got angry. They didn’t panic when Scarecrow started throwing Haymakers. They kept rotating, kept hurting the legal man, and eventually they found the one Suplex Scarecrow couldn’t get up from.”
Julian Ward: “But September 27th adds another participant to each side of this equation. Tin Man joins Lion and Scarecrow. The Eternal Flame Champion, Sheriff of Nottingham, joins Severin Crowne and Sir Agravaine.”
The camera tightens on Lion.
He rises beside Scarecrow.
His stare never leaves Agravaine.
Julian Ward: “Tonight belongs to Severin Crowne and Sir Agravaine.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “Age of Ruin will determine whether what they are building can survive the full strength of the Wizard’s Warriors.”
RESULT: SIR AGRAVAINE & SEVERIN CROWNE DEFEATED SCARECROW & LION BY PINFALL WHEN SIR AGRAVAINE PINNED SCARECROW WITH A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX IN THE 18TH MINUTE.
The camera cuts backstage.
The stone corridors beneath Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum have grown quieter following the opening match.
Torchlight burns along the walls, casting long shadows across blue-and-gold banners bearing the crest of Camelot.
At the far end of the corridor, Elias Coldmere steps through an archway with a folder tucked beneath one arm.
He gets three steps farther.
Then stops.
Standing directly ahead of him is King Arthur.
The reigning Mythic Crown Champion is not dressed for competition tonight. The championship rests prominently over one shoulder, the gold catching every movement of the torchlight.
At his side stands Merlin, one hand resting upon his staff.
Behind them are Sir Galahad and Sir Gawain.
The Virtuous Blades.
Four men occupy most of the corridor.
Elias Coldmere looks from one face to the next.
His expression barely changes.
Elias Coldmere: “This appears organized.”
King Arthur: “It is.”
Elias Coldmere: “That is reassuring.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “For a moment I was concerned four representatives of Camelot had accidentally arranged themselves across the only convenient path to my office.”
Neither Sir Galahad nor Sir Gawain responds.
Merlin watches the Commissioner carefully.
King Arthur steps forward.
King Arthur: “We require a moment of your time.”
Elias Coldmere: “You have successfully obtained one.”
The king’s jaw tightens slightly.
King Arthur: “This concerns Age of Ruin.”
That gets the Commissioner’s full attention.
Elias Coldmere: “Most conversations directed toward me lately do.”
King Arthur: “Then perhaps you have begun to understand the significance of the occasion.”
Elias Coldmere: “I scheduled it.”
A small silence.
Merlin turns his eyes toward Arthur.
The king ignores the interruption.
King Arthur: “The Universal Tag Team Championships have remained beyond the reach of Camelot for long enough.”
Elias Coldmere: “Have they?”
King Arthur: “They have.”
Elias Coldmere: “I was unaware Camelot possessed a territorial claim upon them.”
King Arthur: “Do not be deliberately obtuse, Commissioner.”
The temperature in the corridor changes.
Sir Galahad shifts his weight.
Sir Gawain glances briefly toward him.
Arthur continues.
King Arthur: “The Ultimate Beasts carry championships representing all of NPCW.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “Universal championships.”
His eyes move toward the two knights behind him.
King Arthur: “And here stand the finest tag team in the Mythic Division.”
Sir Galahad keeps his expression composed.
Sir Gawain straightens slightly.
Elias Coldmere: “One of them.”
The king looks back toward him.
King Arthur: “The finest.”
Elias Coldmere: “An assessment to which I assume you bring complete impartiality.”
King Arthur: “I bring knowledge.”
He gestures toward Sir Galahad and Sir Gawain.
King Arthur: “The Virtuous Blades have fought together beneath the banner of Camelot. They have represented discipline, courage, loyalty and excellence.”
A pause.
King Arthur: “They have defeated challengers across this division.”
Another.
King Arthur: “They have conducted themselves as champions even when championships were not around their waists.”
Elias Coldmere looks toward the knights.
Elias Coldmere: “Your king makes a persuasive case.”
Sir Gawain: “We did not ask him to speak for us.”
That draws Arthur’s attention.
Only for a moment.
Sir Gawain does not retreat from the statement.
Sir Galahad: “But we do believe we are ready.”
The answer is calmer.
Measured.
Sir Galahad: “If the opportunity exists, we would accept it.”
Elias Coldmere: “That sounds considerably more like a request.”
The Commissioner turns back toward Arthur.
Elias Coldmere: “I tend to prefer those.”
King Arthur: “Then call it whatever pleases you.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “At Age of Ruin, the Virtuous Blades will challenge the Ultimate Beasts for the Universal Tag Team Championships.”
Elias Coldmere’s eyes narrow.
King Arthur: “I make it a royal decree.”
Silence.
A long one.
Even Merlin turns his head slightly toward the king.
Sir Galahad’s expression tightens.
Sir Gawain looks directly at Arthur.
The Commissioner slowly removes the folder from beneath his arm.
He holds it at his side.
Elias Coldmere: “No.”
The answer is quiet.
Absolute.
Arthur takes one step closer.
King Arthur: “No?”
Elias Coldmere: “You may issue decrees regarding whatever falls within the legitimate authority of your throne.”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “You may command knights.”
Another.
Elias Coldmere: “You may govern Camelot.”
His voice remains perfectly even.
Elias Coldmere: “You may decide what color banners hang from your castle walls, how many trumpets announce your arrival, and precisely how far everyone in your court is expected to bend when you enter a room.”
The king’s expression darkens.
Elias Coldmere: “But you do not book Dark Fable.”
Merlin’s fingers close slightly around his staff.
Sir Galahad watches the exchange without moving.
Sir Gawain’s eyes shift between the two authority figures.
King Arthur: “I am the Mythic Crown Champion.”
Elias Coldmere: “You are.”
King Arthur: “And king of Camelot.”
Elias Coldmere: “Also true.”
King Arthur: “Then perhaps you should reconsider the manner in which you address me.”
Elias Coldmere: “Perhaps.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “After you reconsider the manner in which you address me.”
The corridor goes completely still.
Arthur stares at him.
Elias Coldmere does not blink.
Then the Commissioner turns toward Sir Galahad and Sir Gawain.
His tone changes.
Not warmer.
Professional.
Elias Coldmere: “Fortunately for both of you, the king’s inability to distinguish between recommendation and decree does not make his underlying argument incorrect.”
The knights listen.
Elias Coldmere: “The Virtuous Blades are one of the strongest established tag teams in the Mythic Division.”
King Arthur: “The strongest.”
Elias Coldmere does not look at him.
Elias Coldmere: “I heard you the first time.”
A faint reaction crosses Sir Gawain’s face.
Almost amusement.
It disappears quickly.
Elias Coldmere: “You have earned victories.”
He looks toward Sir Galahad.
Then Sir Gawain.
Elias Coldmere: “You have demonstrated consistency.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “And with Age of Ruin approaching, a Universal Tag Team Championship match featuring a top Mythic Division team is entirely defensible.”
The knights exchange a glance.
Elias Coldmere: “So yes.”
The camera moves closer.
Elias Coldmere: “At Age of Ruin, the Ultimate Beasts will defend the Universal Tag Team Championships against the Virtuous Blades.”
The Coliseum can be heard reacting from beyond the corridor walls.
Sir Galahad gives a restrained nod.
Sir Galahad: “Thank you, Commissioner.”
Sir Gawain: “We will be ready.”
Elias Coldmere: “I expect you will.”
He finally turns back toward Arthur.
Elias Coldmere: “For clarity, however…”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “I did not grant the match because you decreed it.”
Arthur says nothing.
Elias Coldmere: “I granted the match because they earned consideration for it.”
He gestures toward the Virtuous Blades.
Elias Coldmere: “There is an important distinction.”
King Arthur: “The distinction matters little if the outcome is the same.”
Elias Coldmere: “That sentence explains a surprising amount about our recent conversations.”
Merlin’s gaze sharpens.
King Arthur: “You grow increasingly comfortable speaking beyond your station.”
Elias Coldmere: “And you grow increasingly interested in defining mine.”
A beat.
The two men stare at one another.
Then Elias Coldmere replaces the folder beneath his arm.
Elias Coldmere: “Enjoy the match announcement.”
He looks toward Sir Galahad and Sir Gawain.
Elias Coldmere: “Earn the championships.”
Then back toward Arthur.
Elias Coldmere: “And leave the scheduling to me.”
The Commissioner walks forward.
For a moment it appears Arthur may refuse to move.
Then Sir Galahad subtly steps aside.
Sir Gawain follows.
A pathway opens.
Elias Coldmere walks directly between them.
Past Merlin.
Past the king.
He does not look back.
His footsteps disappear around the next corner.
Silence remains.
Sir Galahad looks toward Sir Gawain.
Neither speaks.
The Mythic Crown Champion watches the corridor through which the Commissioner disappeared.
Then a slow smile forms.
King Arthur: “You see?”
Merlin: “See what, my king?”
Arthur adjusts the Mythic Crown Championship across his shoulder.
King Arthur: “Resistance.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “Argument.”
Another.
King Arthur: “Posturing.”
He looks toward Merlin.
King Arthur: “And in the end, obedience.”
Sir Gawain’s expression changes.
Sir Galahad looks toward him.
King Arthur: “The Commissioner may require time to understand the order of things.”
His smile deepens.
King Arthur: “But it seems Elias Coldmere is finally beginning to know his place.”
Neither knight answers.
Merlin studies the king.
Then gives a slow nod.
Merlin: “All men eventually learn where they stand.”
Behind them, Sir Galahad turns toward Sir Gawain.
Their eyes meet.
The look lasts only a second.
Concern.
Not about the championship opportunity.
Not about the Ultimate Beasts.
About the king standing in front of them.
Arthur does not see it.
He has already begun walking away.
Merlin follows.
For a moment, the Virtuous Blades remain behind.
Sir Gawain watches the king disappear down the corridor.
Sir Galahad: “We did earn the opportunity.”
Sir Gawain: “I know.”
A pause.
Sir Galahad: “Then why does it feel different?”
Sir Gawain does not answer immediately.
His eyes remain on the empty corridor.
Sir Gawain: “Because he thinks the Commissioner obeyed him.”
Another pause.
Sir Galahad: “He didn’t.”
Sir Gawain: “I know.”
The two knights exchange one final uneasy look.
The screen fades to black.
Then red fractures tear across it.
AGE OF RUIN
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
The Universal Tag Team Championships appear.
Beneath them—
UNIVERSAL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
ULTIMATE BEASTS vs VIRTUOUS BLADES
The third match for Age of Ruin is official.
Referee: “Honest” Abe
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
For several seconds, there is no music.
No graphic.
Only darkness.
Then a single black mask appears across the great screen.
The same mask left beside Raigen after the attack two weeks ago.
The crowd recognizes it immediately.
Boos begin before anything else happens.
A low Japanese drum sounds.
Once.
Twice.
A second mask appears.
Then a third.
Red light begins bleeding across the entranceway.
The symbol of the Blood Oni Syndicate forms behind them.
Lord Kurogami emerges first.
Black ceremonial robes.
Crimson embroidery.
His cane rests in one hand.
His expression reveals nothing.
He walks several paces forward and stops.
Behind him comes Kaen.
Then Enrai.
Both men take their positions.
But the fourth member does not immediately appear.
The drums stop.
A wolf’s growl moves through the Coliseum.
Low.
Animal.
Then another sound joins it.
Something harsher.
Almost demonic.
The screen changes.
The oni mask fractures down the middle.
Behind it appears the face of a black wolf.
Its eyes ignite red.
The crowd grows louder.
Then—
Taro Okami steps through the entrance.
For a moment, even Julian Ward says nothing.
This is not the man who fought beside Raigen weeks ago.
The familiar presentation is gone.
Taro Okami now wears black-and-crimson gear built around the image of a demon wolf.
A black sleeveless battle top is edged with dark fur around the shoulders, a snarling wolf emblem dominating the chest in black, steel, and blood-red accents.
Jagged red slashes run across the gear.
Black-and-red forearm guards cover both arms.
A metallic wolf-head buckle sits at the waist above black combat shorts trimmed in red and silver.
At one hip hangs a demonic red wolf mask, its teeth exposed beneath glowing eyes.
Armored black shin guards carry the same clawed red markings.
His feet remain bare.
The transformation is not theatrical decoration.
It looks ceremonial.
Deliberate.
A statement.
Julian Ward: “There is Taro Okami.”
A wave of hostility rolls through the Coliseum.
Brick Brody: “That is not a wardrobe change.”
Julian Ward: “No.”
The camera tightens on the wolf insignia across Taro Okami’s chest.
Julian Ward: “For weeks, Raigen defended that man. Even after suspicion began surrounding the masked attacks, Raigen refused to condemn Taro Okami without proof.”
The image of the demon-wolf mask hanging from Taro’s hip catches the red light.
Julian Ward: “Then the mask came off.”
Brick Brody: “And apparently the rest of him finally decided to stop pretending too.”
Taro Okami walks forward.
There is no shame in his expression.
No hesitation.
He does not acknowledge the boos.
He joins Kaen and Enrai.
Lord Kurogami looks over the three men.
Then gives a single nod.
The four begin toward the ring together.
Julian Ward: “Two weeks ago, Taro Okami stood beside Raigen.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, he walks beside the men who helped ambush him.”
Brick Brody: “That new look tells you everything you need to know.”
Julian Ward: “Which is?”
Brick Brody: “He didn’t get caught.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “He chose a side.”
They reach ringside.
Lord Kurogami stops on the floor.
Kaen and Enrai enter.
Taro Okami pauses on the apron.
He reaches toward the red demon-wolf mask hanging from his waist.
His fingers touch it once.
Then he looks across the empty ring.
Waiting.
The Blood Oni lighting disappears.
For one second, darkness returns.
Then—
A hammer strikes steel.
The impact echoes through the Coliseum.
Amber light explodes across the entranceway.
John Henry steps through the curtain.
The crowd rises.
No entourage.
No ceremony.
Only the steel-driving titan walking toward another fight.
Julian Ward: “When Raigen was attacked, John Henry had no history obligating him to intervene.”
Brick Brody: “He saw three men kicking one and corrected the arithmetic.”
Julian Ward: “His words.”
Brick Brody: “Good words.”
John Henry reaches the center of the stage.
The hammering stops.
A dragon’s roar replaces it.
White light cuts through smoke.
Takuma Ryujin emerges.
His attention immediately goes toward the ring.
Toward the Blood Oni Syndicate.
The crowd responds strongly.
Julian Ward: “And whatever history once existed between Takuma Ryujin and Raigen, it ended last week with a handshake.”
Brick Brody: “Maybe.”
Julian Ward: “You question it?”
Brick Brody: “I question every handshake.”
Takuma Ryujin joins John Henry.
The two men exchange a short nod.
Then the lighting changes again.
Red.
Gold.
Flame.
A dragon coils across the great screen.
The Coliseum erupts.
Raigen appears.
The remaining evidence of the fireball is still visible along the side of his face.
Not severe.
Not hidden.
A scar rather than a wound.
He stops beneath the entrance arch.
His eyes immediately find Taro Okami.
Inside the ring, Taro looks back.
Neither man moves.
The crowd begins chanting.
“RAI-GEN!”
“RAI-GEN!”
“RAI-GEN!”
Julian Ward: “There it is.”
Brick Brody: “Forget everybody else.”
Julian Ward: “That may be impossible in a six-man tag match.”
Brick Brody: “Not to those two.”
Raigen begins walking.
Takuma Ryujin and John Henry fall into step beside him.
Not behind.
Beside.
Three men who were not a team a month ago.
Three men brought together by what happened beneath a black mask.
They reach ringside.
Raigen climbs onto the apron first.
Taro Okami steps forward inside the ring.
Honest Abe immediately puts one hand between them.
Raigen enters anyway.
The crowd roars.
For several seconds, Raigen and Taro Okami stand only a few feet apart.
No words.
Taro’s new wolf insignia between them.
Raigen’s burn scar visible beneath the lights.
Then Lord Kurogami taps his cane against the floor.
Once.
Taro Okami turns away.
The boos become deafening.
Raigen watches him retreat to the corner.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
He waits until the noise settles enough to continue.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a six-man tag team match scheduled for one fall!”
The crowd erupts.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Lord Kurogami…”
He turns toward the crimson corner.
Louie Linville: “Representing the Blood Oni Syndicate…”
A chorus of boos begins.
Louie Linville: “KAEN!”
Kaen steps forward.
Louie Linville: “ENRAI!”
Enrai gives a restrained nod.
Then Louie Linville turns toward the third man.
The hostility rises.
Louie Linville: “And the man who has cast aside the mask and embraced the demon wolf…”
A pause.
Louie Linville: “TARO OKAMI!”
The boos crash down.
Taro Okami slowly spreads both arms.
He turns his head toward Raigen.
Only then does he allow the slightest smile.
Louie Linville turns toward the opposite side.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents…”
The response changes instantly.
Louie Linville: “The steel-driving titan… JOHN HENRY!”
John Henry raises one fist.
Louie Linville: “The dragon warrior… TAKUMA RYUJIN!”
Another strong reaction.
Then—
Louie Linville: “And the Maryu… scarred by fire but standing within it still… RAIGEN!”
The Coliseum erupts.
Raigen steps forward.
His eyes remain on Taro Okami.
Louie Linville exits.
Honest Abe checks both teams.
John Henry volunteers to begin.
Across from him, Enrai enters for the Blood Oni Syndicate.
Raigen reluctantly moves onto the apron.
Taro Okami remains opposite him.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Enrai circles cautiously.
John Henry does not.
He closes the distance and drives a brutal Knee Lift into Enrai’s midsection.
Enrai attempts to turn away from the impact.
Too late.
The strike folds him.
John Henry catches him before he can fall and shoves him backward.
Julian Ward: “Immediate physicality from John Henry.”
Brick Brody: “That is why you send the big man first. No mystery. Put a knee through somebody and establish the terms.”
Enrai retreats several steps.
John Henry looks toward his corner.
Tag.
Raigen enters.
The Coliseum responds loudly.
Across the ring, Taro Okami remains on the apron.
Watching.
Julian Ward: “And now Raigen enters this match.”
Brick Brody: “But not against the man he wants.”
Minute 2
Raigen attacks Enrai immediately.
He catches him around the body and violently throws him through the ropes.
Enrai crashes to the floor.
But before the separation is complete, Enrai catches Raigen’s arm on the way down.
He pulls it across the rope line and twists into a Cross Armbreaker.
Raigen grimaces.
Honest Abe warns Enrai about the position.
Raigen refuses to submit.
He twists free.
Enrai drops fully to the floor.
The referee begins counting.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Raigen paces inside the ring.
His eyes briefly move toward Taro Okami.
FOUR!
FIVE!
Taro does not react.
SIX!
Lord Kurogami says something quietly to Enrai.
SEVEN!
Enrai reaches the apron.
EIGHT!
He slides beneath the bottom rope.
Julian Ward: “Back inside at eight.”
Brick Brody: “And Raigen keeps looking past the legal man.”
Julian Ward: “Understandably.”
Brick Brody: “Understandable gets you beaten.”
Minute 3
Enrai advances.
Raigen gets underneath him.
Bodyslam!
Enrai crashes down.
Raigen moves forward—
and Lord Kurogami suddenly steps onto the apron.
The crowd boos immediately.
Honest Abe turns.
Lord Kurogami slowly reaches toward the mask carried at his side.
He lifts it.
The Mask of Wrath.
The hideous oni visage stares directly toward the referee.
No physical contact.
No spoken threat loud enough for the camera to hear.
Only the mask.
Only Lord Kurogami’s eyes behind it.
Honest Abe hesitates.
Julian Ward: “There is Lord Kurogami.”
Brick Brody: “He hasn’t touched him.”
Julian Ward: “He is intimidating the official.”
Brick Brody: “Then Abe needs to stop being intimidatable.”
The delay allows Enrai to recover.
Lord Kurogami lowers the mask.
Steps away.
Honest Abe turns back.
No disqualification.
Raigen sees what happened.
His expression hardens.
Minute 4
Raigen drives a Front Kick into Enrai.
The strike catches him cleanly.
But Enrai immediately drops beneath the follow-up and catches the same arm again.
Cross Armbreaker!
Raigen is dragged down.
This time the hold is deeper.
Julian Ward: “Second Cross Armbreaker from Enrai.”
Brick Brody: “Good adjustment. Raigen wants Taro so badly he’s giving Enrai the same limb twice.”
Honest Abe asks.
Raigen refuses.
He rolls toward the pressure.
Uses his legs.
Forces enough separation to escape.
Then immediately reaches his corner.
Tag.
Takuma Ryujin enters.
Across the ring, Enrai makes the same decision.
Tag.
The building changes.
Taro Okami steps through the ropes.
The boos rain down.
Raigen grips the top rope from the apron.
Taro never looks at Takuma.
He looks directly at Raigen.
Then turns.
Takuma Ryujin is waiting.
Minute 5
Takuma Ryujin attacks first.
He catches Taro Okami, powers him high and drives him down with a High-Angle Crucifix Powerbomb.
The impact shakes the ring.
Taro rolls through the landing.
Before Takuma can follow, Taro catches an arm.
Reverse Cross Armbreaker!
Takuma twists violently through the sudden submission attempt.
Julian Ward: “Powerbomb from Takuma Ryujin, and Taro Okami answers instantly with the Reverse Cross Armbreaker.”
Brick Brody: “That new gear didn’t change the wrestling.”
Julian Ward: “No. Whatever else has changed, Taro Okami remains extraordinarily dangerous.”
Taro releases before the hold can become sustained.
He rises.
Looks toward Raigen.
Then tags out.
Enrai returns.
The audience boos the denial almost as loudly as any attack.
Brick Brody: “That was deliberate.”
Julian Ward: “I believe so.”
Brick Brody: “He is making Raigen wait.”
Minute 6
Enrai steps toward Takuma Ryujin.
That proves disastrous.
Takuma closes instantly.
KAMIGOYE!
The knee crashes into Enrai’s head.
Enrai collapses.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Kamigoye!”
Brick Brody: “That will reorganize your evening.”
Takuma reaches for him.
But Enrai rolls toward the Blood Oni corner.
Tag.
Taro Okami returns.
Raigen immediately steps closer along his own apron.
Julian Ward: “Again, Taro Okami.”
This time Takuma gestures for him to come forward.
Minute 7
Taro Okami enters.
Then Kaen follows.
So does Enrai.
Three-on-one.
The Blood Oni Syndicate collapses around Takuma Ryujin.
Taro catches him and throws him overhead with a Belly-to-Belly Suplex.
Enrai immediately traps the arms in a Butterfly Lock.
Kaen drops low and twists the ankle.
Ankle Lock!
Takuma is being pulled in three directions at once.
Raigen begins entering.
John Henry follows.
But before they can completely break the trap, Takuma somehow twists free.
He scrambles toward the ropes.
Climbs.
Launches.
PHOENIX SPLASH!
The spectacular attack crashes into the clustered members of the Blood Oni Syndicate.
Bodies scatter.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Phoenix Splash into all three!”
Brick Brody: “That is one way to escape a gang beating.”
Julian Ward: “The Syndicate trapped him with three coordinated attacks, and Takuma Ryujin turned his entire body into the counter.”
Honest Abe forces Kaen and Enrai out.
The illegal double-team ends.
Taro Okami and Takuma Ryujin remain.
Minute 8
Taro Okami reaches for Takuma.
Takuma gets underneath him.
Deadlift German Suplex!
Taro tries to widen his base.
Cannot.
He is ripped off the canvas and driven across his shoulders.
Takuma releases.
He turns toward his corner.
Tag.
Raigen enters.
The Coliseum explodes.
Finally.
Raigen steps through the ropes.
Taro Okami is rising directly across from him.
Neither moves for a second.
Then both advance.
Julian Ward: “Here we are.”
Brick Brody: “Now forget everything I said about patience.”
Minute 9
Raigen grabs Taro Okami and immediately tries to throw him through the ropes.
Taro blocks it.
He hooks the top rope.
Turns his hips.
Stops the entire attempt.
The two men remain locked together.
Face to face.
Raigen says something the microphones cannot catch.
Taro gives him nothing.
No explanation.
No apology.
He suddenly breaks the grip.
Steps backward.
And reaches toward his corner.
Tag.
Kaen enters.
The crowd explodes in angry boos.
Raigen stares at Taro.
Taro steps onto the apron.
A faint smile appears.
Julian Ward: “Again, Taro Okami refuses to remain in the ring with him.”
Brick Brody: “That’s cruel.”
Julian Ward: “Yes.”
Brick Brody: “I meant intelligently cruel.”
Raigen starts toward the Blood Oni corner.
Honest Abe intercepts him.
Kaen attacks from behind.
Minute 10
Raigen recovers before Kaen can capitalize.
He catches him coming forward.
Double Axhandle!
The blow drives Kaen down.
Raigen covers.
ONE!
TWO!
Kaen kicks out.
Raigen sits upright.
His attention immediately returns to Taro Okami.
Julian Ward: “Two-count on Kaen.”
Brick Brody: “And Raigen barely looked at the man he almost pinned.”
Julian Ward: “Because the match he wants is standing six feet away.”
Brick Brody: “Then win this one first.”
Kaen begins rising.
Raigen forces himself to turn back toward him.
Minute 11
Kaen attacks.
Raigen drives another Knee Lift into him.
The blow catches Kaen hard.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami moves.
He approaches Honest Abe.
No mask this time.
No cane.
Only his eyes.
The Oni’s Gaze.
Kurogami stares directly through the referee.
The official notices.
Stops.
For one strange moment, Honest Abe’s attention is completely removed from the competitors.
Julian Ward: “Again. Lord Kurogami has inserted himself without making physical contact.”
Brick Brody: “He is looking at the referee.”
Julian Ward: “And the referee is looking everywhere except the match.”
Raigen sees it.
He points toward Kurogami.
Honest Abe finally turns away from the stare.
Raigen decides against pursuing the argument.
Tag.
Takuma Ryujin enters.
Across the ring—
Kaen tags.
Taro Okami returns.
Brick Brody: “Interesting.”
Julian Ward: “He will face Takuma.”
Brick Brody: “Anybody except Raigen.”
Minute 12
Takuma Ryujin grabs Taro Okami immediately.
He hooks him.
Lifts.
SUPER SPIKE PILEDRIVER!
Taro’s head and shoulders crash into the canvas.
The crowd erupts.
Takuma rolls him over.
Hooks the leg.
ONE!
TWO!
Taro Okami kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Two!”
Brick Brody: “That was a serious landing.”
Takuma looks toward the referee.
Two.
No argument.
He reaches toward his corner.
Tag.
John Henry enters.
Taro is still recovering.
Raigen watches closely from the apron.
Minute 13
John Henry steps through the ropes.
Before he can reach Taro Okami—
Lord Kurogami moves.
The cane rises.
CANE OF JUDGMENT!
The strike crashes into John Henry from the floor.
John Henry tries to turn into the blow.
He cannot stop it.
The crowd erupts in fury.
Honest Abe’s view is obstructed by the movement around the opposite corner.
Taro Okami immediately attacks the stunned John Henry.
Julian Ward: “Cane! Lord Kurogami struck John Henry with the cane!”
Brick Brody: “That one wasn’t a look.”
Julian Ward: “No ambiguity whatsoever.”
John Henry drops to one knee.
Taro moves in.
The Blood Oni Syndicate sense the opening.
But John Henry grabs the middle rope.
Pulls himself upright.
Then turns.
His expression has changed.
Brick Brody: “Oh, that was a mistake.”
Julian Ward: “Whose?”
Brick Brody: “Everybody in red.”
Minute 14
Taro Okami charges.
John Henry catches him.
Pumphandle.
Taro tries to slip free.
No.
John Henry powers him completely off the canvas.
STEEL DRIVER!
The Pumphandle Sit-Out Powerbomb detonates in the center of the ring.
The Coliseum explodes.
Lord Kurogami’s expression changes.
Kaen steps through the ropes.
Takuma Ryujin intercepts him.
Enrai enters from the other side.
Raigen crashes into him.
Bodies collide around the ring.
But in the center—
John Henry folds Taro Okami’s legs over him.
Honest Abe drops.
ONE!
Raigen drives Enrai backward.
TWO!
Takuma throws Kaen through the ropes.
Lord Kurogami steps toward the apron—
THREE!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum erupts.
John Henry releases the cover.
Taro Okami lies flat beneath him.
For several seconds, the result seems almost impossible against everything the Blood Oni Syndicate attempted.
Then John Henry rises.
Honest Abe raises his arm.
Louie Linville enters.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winners… JOHN HENRY, TAKUMA RYUJIN, and RAIGEN!”
Another enormous reaction.
Takuma Ryujin enters.
Raigen does not immediately celebrate.
He stands several feet away from the fallen Taro Okami.
Looking down at him.
The demon-wolf insignia is visible across Taro’s chest.
The red mask hangs against the canvas beside him.
Julian Ward: “Fourteen minutes. Lord Kurogami intimidated the referee twice. He struck John Henry with that cane. The Blood Oni Syndicate created a three-on-one attack against Takuma Ryujin.”
Replay.
The Butterfly Lock.
The Ankle Lock.
The Belly-to-Belly Suplex.
The Phoenix Splash.
Then the final sequence.
The Cane of Judgment.
John Henry absorbing it.
The Steel Driver.
Three.
Brick Brody: “And the wrong man got hit with the cane.”
Julian Ward: “Explain.”
Brick Brody: “You hit John Henry from behind with a weapon and don’t put him down?”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “You’d better start writing instructions for your funeral.”
The replay freezes on the Steel Driver.
Julian Ward: “And perhaps the most significant detail is the man John Henry pinned.”
The image changes.
Taro Okami beneath the cover.
Julian Ward: “Not Kaen.”
A beat.
Julian Ward: “Not Enrai.”
Another.
Julian Ward: “Taro Okami.”
The camera returns live.
Taro Okami has begun sitting up.
Lord Kurogami stands outside the ring.
His expression is cold.
Kaen and Enrai regroup near him.
Inside the ring, Raigen takes one step toward Taro.
Honest Abe watches carefully.
Takuma Ryujin does not stop him.
Neither does John Henry.
Raigen crouches slightly.
The two men look directly at one another.
Raigen: “Still waiting.”
The crowd reacts.
Taro Okami wipes blood from the corner of his mouth.
He looks at Raigen.
Then down at the demon-wolf mask hanging from his gear.
He takes it into one hand.
Stands.
For one moment, it appears he might finally speak.
Instead, Taro raises the mask between them.
The red wolf face stares toward Raigen.
Then Taro Okami slowly places it over his own face.
The Coliseum boos.
Raigen’s jaw tightens.
Taro backs toward the ropes.
Never looking away.
He steps through them and drops to the floor beside Lord Kurogami.
Julian Ward: “Still no explanation.”
Brick Brody: “That was an explanation.”
Julian Ward: “A mask?”
Brick Brody: “No.”
The camera follows Taro Okami as he joins the rest of the Blood Oni Syndicate.
Brick Brody: “A choice.”
Lord Kurogami turns.
Kaen and Enrai follow.
Taro Okami remains facing the ring for several seconds longer.
The demon-wolf mask covering his face.
Then he turns as well.
Inside the ring, Raigen watches them leave.
John Henry moves to one side of him.
Takuma Ryujin stands on the other.
Three unlikely allies remain standing.
Julian Ward: “Two weeks ago, Raigen was left surrounded by enemies.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, the man who betrayed him was the one left staring up at the lights.”
The camera tightens on Raigen.
His scar catches the light.
His eyes remain fixed on the retreating Taro Okami.
Julian Ward: “But the question Raigen demanded be answered remains exactly where it began.”
A beat.
Julian Ward: “Why?”
Brick Brody: “And now he knows something else.”
Julian Ward: “What?”
Brick Brody: “If Taro won’t answer willingly…”
He looks toward John Henry, then Takuma Ryujin, then Raigen.
Brick Brody: “He’s got people willing to help beat it out of him.”
The final image holds on the three men in the ring.
Then on the demon wolf disappearing through the entrance.
RESULT: JOHN HENRY, TAKUMA RYUJIN & RAIGEN DEFEATED ENRAI, KAEN & TARO OKAMI BY PINFALL WHEN JOHN HENRY PINNED TARO OKAMI WITH THE STEEL DRIVER IN THE 14TH MINUTE.
Referee: “Honest” Abe
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The ring has been cleared.
For several seconds, the only illumination comes from the torches lining the upper arches.
Then thunder rolls.
Not recorded thunder.
The sound seems to move through the stone itself.
A white flash fills the great screen.
Marble columns rise through storm clouds.
Above them appears the golden symbol of Olympus.
The crowd begins booing.
Another bolt of lightning strikes.
Zeus emerges beneath it.
He wears the expression of a ruler entering territory he considers temporarily occupied by lesser powers.
He stops at the top of the aisle.
Then raises one hand.
Two warriors appear behind him.
Athena first.
Armor-inspired ring gear.
Disciplined posture.
Every movement precise.
Beside her comes Bellona.
The contrast is immediate.
Where Athena appears measured, Bellona looks built for collision.
Her eyes already search the ring for something to break.
Together—
The War Council.
Julian Ward: “The War Council enters tonight under very different circumstances than some of the other forces we have already seen.”
Brick Brody: “Meaning?”
Julian Ward: “They are not here because of a betrayal. They are not here because someone issued a decree. They are here because they believe strength and conquest provide their own justification.”
Brick Brody: “That sounds refreshingly straightforward.”
Julian Ward: “I suspected you might approve.”
Zeus begins down the aisle.
Athena and Bellona follow.
Julian Ward: “Athena and Bellona have quickly developed into one of the more physically imposing combinations in this division.”
Brick Brody: “And that man walking in front of them has never met an advantage he thought was excessive.”
The camera finds Zeus.
His expression does not change.
Brick Brody: “Keep one eye on him.”
Julian Ward: “That advice has become increasingly necessary.”
They reach ringside.
Zeus stops on the floor.
Athena enters first.
Bellona follows.
Both women move immediately toward their corner.
No posing.
No acknowledgement of the hostility.
The Olympian lighting disappears.
Darkness returns.
Then—
A single green leaf appears across the great screen.
It falls.
The instant it touches the ground, roots spread outward.
Stone cracks beneath them.
Forests rise.
Streams move through valleys.
The crowd cheers.
Mother Earth steps through the entrance.
Her presence is immediately different from the Olympians.
No proclamation.
No claim to dominion.
She simply stands beneath the image of the living world.
Then a soft bell sounds.
Mist moves across the entranceway.
The imagery shifts.
Water.
Cherry blossoms.
A dragon partially concealed behind cloud.
Lady Ayame Ryu emerges.
At her side walks Sayaka Mizuhana.
Composed.
Focused.
Her attention moves immediately toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “And this is an alliance built upon very different traditions.”
Brick Brody: “That is one way to say it.”
Julian Ward: “Mother Earth represents primal endurance and tremendous natural power. Sayaka Mizuhana, under the guidance of Lady Ayame Ryu, brings the discipline and technical precision associated with the House of the Dragon’s Veil.”
Brick Brody: “Which means one woman wants to run you over and the other wants to tie you into a shape you weren’t born in.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “Good team.”
Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana begin down the aisle.
Lady Ayame Ryu walks several paces behind.
At ringside, Zeus turns toward her.
Lady Ayame Ryu meets his gaze.
Neither acknowledges the other beyond that.
Julian Ward: “There may be almost as much philosophical distance between the two figures at ringside as there is between the teams.”
Brick Brody: “Then let them stay philosophical.”
He looks toward the ring.
Brick Brody: “The people inside can handle the violence.”
Mother Earth enters.
Sayaka Mizuhana follows.
Lady Ayame Ryu takes position on the floor.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall with a thirty-minute time limit!”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Zeus…”
Boos rise.
Louie Linville: “Representing Olympus…”
He turns toward the first woman.
Louie Linville: “The goddess of wisdom and war… ATHENA!”
Athena steps forward.
Louie Linville: “And her partner… conquest given flesh, the crimson fury of battle… BELLONA!”
Bellona raises one fist.
The boos intensify.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents…”
The reaction changes.
Louie Linville: “Accompanied to the ring by Lady Ayame Ryu…”
He gestures toward Sayaka Mizuhana.
Louie Linville: “Representing the disciplined current of the Dragon’s Veil… SAYAKA MIZUHANA!”
Sayaka Mizuhana bows her head slightly.
Louie Linville: “And her partner… the living strength of the world beneath our feet… MOTHER EARTH!”
The Coliseum cheers.
Mother Earth raises one arm.
Louie Linville exits.
Honest Abe checks both corners.
Athena begins for the War Council.
Mother Earth steps forward.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Athena approaches cautiously.
Mother Earth does not.
She catches Athena around the body almost immediately.
Powerslam!
The Olympian crashes flat onto the canvas.
Athena tries to absorb the landing and roll through.
She cannot.
Mother Earth rises first.
Julian Ward: “Immediate power advantage from Mother Earth.”
Brick Brody: “And Athena learned something important.”
Julian Ward: “Which is?”
Brick Brody: “The ground fights back.”
Mother Earth looks toward her corner.
Tag.
Sayaka Mizuhana enters.
Athena is already back on her feet.
Minute 2
Athena catches the incoming Sayaka Mizuhana.
She lifts.
GODDESS BOMB!
The Powerbomb drives Sayaka down.
But Sayaka rolls through the impact and catches Athena’s body during the continuation.
Wheelbarrow Dragon Sleeper!
The hold nearly forms.
Athena immediately drops her weight.
The two women tumble apart before either technique becomes decisive.
Julian Ward: “That sequence tells us everything about the difference in their approaches.”
Brick Brody: “Big throw. Fancy choke.”
Julian Ward: “A slightly less elegant description.”
Brick Brody: “Still accurate.”
Sayaka decides not to remain in the power exchange.
Tag.
Mother Earth returns.
Minute 3
Mother Earth waits for Athena to step forward.
Then explodes.
Spear!
The impact folds Athena backward.
She crashes down hard.
Julian Ward: “Spear from Mother Earth!”
Brick Brody: “That is twice now Athena has tried to stand in front of her.”
Julian Ward: “And twice the result has been substantial.”
Mother Earth does not chase the cover.
She reaches her corner.
Tag.
Sayaka Mizuhana returns.
Athena pulls herself upright.
Her expression is noticeably more serious.
Minute 4
This time Athena strikes first.
She catches Sayaka coming through the ropes.
Tilt-a-Whirl—
OWL WING BACKBREAKER!
Sayaka Mizuhana is bent sharply across the knee.
She falls to the canvas clutching her back.
Julian Ward: “Excellent adjustment from Athena.”
Brick Brody: “That is what wisdom is supposed to do. Stop getting run over and start breaking somebody.”
Athena reaches back.
Tag.
Bellona enters.
The crowd noise changes.
Brick Brody: “Now the subtle one.”
Julian Ward: “I assume that was sarcasm.”
Minute 5
Bellona wastes no time.
She catches Sayaka Mizuhana.
Lifts.
JACKHAMMER!
The impact sends Sayaka bouncing from the canvas.
Bellona rises immediately.
No cover.
She turns toward Athena.
Tag.
Julian Ward: “Interesting. Bellona lands one enormous attack and immediately rotates.”
Brick Brody: “That’s a war council. One weapon fires, the next one steps forward.”
Athena returns.
Sayaka crawls toward her own corner.
She cannot reach it yet.
Minute 6
Sayaka Mizuhana gets enough space to call Mother Earth into the ring.
The two women move together.
Sayaka catches Athena with a Lariat.
The strike turns her sideways.
Mother Earth immediately lifts the Olympian—
Alley Oop Facebuster!
Athena crashes forward.
The crowd responds loudly.
Julian Ward: “Excellent tandem offense!”
Brick Brody: “Now that looked rehearsed.”
Julian Ward: “Which I imagine you mean as praise.”
Brick Brody: “For once.”
Honest Abe forces Mother Earth back toward the apron.
The double-team ends.
Sayaka remains legal.
Minute 7
Sayaka Mizuhana traps the wrist.
She pulls Athena forward.
Wrist-Clutch Northern Lights Suplex!
Athena lands across her shoulders.
Sayaka bridges.
ONE!
Athena kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Only one.”
Brick Brody: “Too early.”
Julian Ward: “Perhaps. But Sayaka has now demonstrated that she can move Athena without trying to overpower her.”
Brick Brody: “That part matters.”
Athena rolls away.
Sayaka stays close.
Minute 8
For several moments, neither commits.
Athena circles.
Sayaka Mizuhana follows.
Another approach.
Another separation.
Then Sayaka reaches toward her corner.
Mother Earth enters.
The partnership explodes forward.
Sayaka catches Athena with a German Suplex.
As Athena rises from the landing—
Mother Earth catches her.
Alley Oop Facebuster!
The Olympian is driven down again.
Julian Ward: “Another coordinated sequence from Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana.”
Brick Brody: “And this one landed cleaner than the first.”
Honest Abe begins forcing the extra competitor away.
The double-team will continue into the next exchange.
Minute 9
Sayaka Mizuhana moves first.
Lariat!
But Mother Earth is caught out of position and cannot add anything to the combination.
Athena recognizes the opening.
She catches Sayaka.
Lifts her overhead.
PALLAS DROP!
The Gorilla Press Slam sends Sayaka Mizuhana crashing across the ring.
The tandem sequence collapses.
Julian Ward: “And there is the counter from Athena.”
Brick Brody: “That is what happens when one half of a double-team hesitates. Suddenly it becomes one woman surrounded by people.”
Mother Earth is ordered back to her corner.
Athena remains with Sayaka.
Minute 10
Sayaka Mizuhana tries to attack again.
She hooks Athena for a Running Three Crucifix Powerbomb.
Athena braces.
Stops the rotation completely.
Sayaka drops back to her feet.
The two women separate.
Julian Ward: “Neutralized by Athena.”
Brick Brody: “She’s learning the rhythms now.”
Julian Ward: “Ten minutes of exposure can do that.”
Athena watches Sayaka carefully.
No attack follows immediately.
Minute 11
Sayaka Mizuhana calls for Mother Earth again.
German Suplex from Sayaka.
Alley Oop Facebuster from Mother Earth.
But Athena fights through the sequence.
She reaches the middle turnbuckle.
Launches—
HELM BREAKER!
The Double Axe Handle crashes down through the formation.
All three women fall.
Julian Ward: “Helm Breaker in the middle of the double-team!”
Brick Brody: “That is a good way to interrupt teamwork.”
Honest Abe restores order.
Sayaka remains legal.
Athena pulls herself upright.
Minute 12
Athena catches Sayaka Mizuhana from behind.
GORGON CLUTCH!
The knee digs into the back.
The Rear Chinlock begins tightening.
But Sayaka rotates through it.
Breaks the grip.
Wheelbarrow Dragon Sleeper!
Now Athena reverses.
She turns free.
Moves toward the turnbuckles.
HELM BREAKER!
The strike lands cleanly.
Sayaka drops.
Julian Ward: “Three reversals in a matter of seconds.”
Brick Brody: “That is what I like about Athena. You don’t get the same mistake twice.”
Julian Ward: “And Sayaka Mizuhana very nearly found the submission during that sequence.”
Minute 13
Athena drives Sayaka Mizuhana toward the corner.
SHIELD BASH!
The shoulder thrust lands.
Sayaka absorbs it.
Hooks Athena around the waist.
Bridging Dragon Suplex!
Both shoulders are momentarily trapped, but Sayaka does not maintain the bridge long enough for a formal count.
She releases.
Then reaches her corner.
Tag.
Mother Earth enters.
Julian Ward: “Excellent response from Sayaka, and now the fresh power of Mother Earth returns.”
Minute 14
Mother Earth looks toward the ropes.
She begins climbing.
The crowd rises.
GAIA’S GRACE!
The 450 Splash begins—
but Athena rolls clear.
Mother Earth lands hard against the canvas.
Brick Brody: “Nobody home.”
Julian Ward: “A dangerous commitment from Mother Earth, and Athena recognized it.”
Mother Earth rolls onto her side.
Athena looks toward her corner.
Then toward Bellona.
The Olympians begin moving together.
Minute 15
Bellona enters.
Two-on-one.
Athena climbs to the middle rope.
HELM BREAKER!
The Double Axe Handle crashes across Mother Earth’s shoulders.
Before she can recover—
Bellona sweeps the leg.
BATTLEFIELD SWEEP!
The Ankle Lock follows.
Mother Earth is trapped beneath coordinated pressure.
Julian Ward: “Now the War Council takes over with tandem offense.”
Brick Brody: “And this is uglier.”
Julian Ward: “More effective?”
Brick Brody: “I said uglier. Give it time.”
Honest Abe begins his count against the illegal presence.
Athena and Bellona continue pressing the advantage.
Minute 16
The attack continues.
Athena hooks Mother Earth.
WISDOM’S WRATH!
Pedigree—
No!
Mother Earth forces her upward.
At the same time, Bellona attempts a barrage of forearms.
Mother Earth drives through both women.
The entire double-team collapses.
Athena stumbles toward one side.
Bellona toward the other.
Julian Ward: “Extraordinary strength from Mother Earth.”
Brick Brody: “That is what I meant about giving it time.”
Mother Earth gets to her feet.
The War Council remains in the ring.
One more round of chaos is coming.
Minute 17
Athena drives Mother Earth toward the corner.
SHIELD BASH!
Bellona follows.
ALABAMA SLAM!
But Mother Earth somehow survives the sequence.
She catches Athena during the follow-through.
CONCRETE SPINEBUSTER!
The impact drives Athena through the canvas.
Momentum carries the Olympian beneath the bottom rope.
She falls to the floor.
Honest Abe begins counting.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Athena pushes herself upright.
FOUR!
She slides back inside.
Julian Ward: “Back at four.”
Brick Brody: “And Mother Earth just reminded both of them why two-on-one is not always enough.”
The double-team finally ends.
Minute 18
The War Council attacks together once more.
Athena catches Mother Earth.
OWL WING BACKBREAKER!
Bellona follows with the SHIELD BREAKER LARIAT!
But Mother Earth powers back to her feet.
She catches Athena—
Air Raid Crash over the knee!
All three women go down.
Julian Ward: “Three major attacks in one sequence.”
Brick Brody: “And nobody got the clean end of it.”
Honest Abe forces Bellona toward the apron.
Athena and Mother Earth remain.
Minute 19
Mother Earth hooks both arms.
Double Chickenwing Facebuster—
Athena reverses.
She gets underneath Mother Earth.
PALLAS DROP!
The Gorilla Press Slam drives her down.
Athena covers.
ONE!
TWO!
Sayaka Mizuhana dives into the ring.
Save.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “Sayaka Mizuhana keeps the match alive!”
Brick Brody: “That was necessary.”
Athena stares toward Sayaka.
The referee orders her back.
Minute 20
Athena turns toward Mother Earth.
Charges.
HUNTRESS SPEAR!
The impact folds Mother Earth backward.
Cover.
ONE!
TWO!
Sayaka Mizuhana enters again.
Save!
The Coliseum cheers.
Julian Ward: “Again!”
Brick Brody: “Two consecutive saves.”
Julian Ward: “And that tells us how close the War Council has come to ending this match.”
Athena rises.
She looks toward Bellona.
Tag.
Bellona enters.
Sayaka returns to her corner.
Minute 21
Bellona immediately calls Athena back into the exchange.
IMPERIUM BOMB!
The Sit-Out Powerbomb drives Mother Earth down.
Athena catches her on the rebound.
ORACLE’S CURSE!
Sleeper Slam!
But Mother Earth refuses to disappear.
She somehow catches Bellona during the continuation—
Alley Oop Facebuster!
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “The War Council landed two enormous attacks, and Mother Earth still found an answer.”
Brick Brody: “That woman is becoming inconvenient.”
Julian Ward: “For Olympus.”
Brick Brody: “For anybody trying to pin her.”
The coordinated attack continues.
Minute 22
Bellona drives repeated forearms into Mother Earth.
One.
Two.
Three.
Athena comes from the opposite side.
HUNTRESS SPEAR!
This time the combined offense lands completely.
Mother Earth collapses.
Julian Ward: “That may be the most decisive minute the War Council has had.”
Brick Brody: “And Mother Earth has now absorbed an absurd amount of punishment.”
Honest Abe finally removes Athena.
Bellona remains legal.
Minute 23
Bellona wastes no time.
She catches Mother Earth.
IMPERIUM BOMB!
Another Sit-Out Powerbomb.
Cover.
ONE!
Mother Earth kicks out.
The crowd reacts loudly.
Bellona looks toward Honest Abe.
One.
Julian Ward: “Only one.”
Brick Brody: “That makes no sense.”
Julian Ward: “What?”
Brick Brody: “She took two Spears, two coordinated attacks, and another Powerbomb.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “And she kicked out at one.”
Mother Earth begins pushing herself upright.
Brick Brody: “That’s offensive.”
Minute 24
Bellona attacks again.
German Suplex—
No.
Mother Earth widens her base.
Blocks it.
The two struggle.
Neither can complete the attack.
Bellona abandons the position.
Tag.
Athena returns.
At the same moment—
Mother Earth reaches her own corner.
Tag.
Sayaka Mizuhana enters.
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “Fresh women on both sides.”
Brick Brody: “Six minutes left.”
Minute 25
Athena steps forward.
Sayaka Mizuhana catches her immediately.
TOMBSTONE!
The Olympian is driven down.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Tombstone from Sayaka Mizuhana!”
Brick Brody: “That changed the entire match.”
Sayaka rolls away rather than covering immediately.
Athena reaches the ropes.
Pulls herself upright.
Barely.
Minute 26
Athena recovers enough to strike.
She catches Sayaka Mizuhana.
Lifts her overhead.
PALLAS DROP!
The Gorilla Press Slam sends Sayaka across the canvas.
Cover.
ONE!
TWO!
Sayaka Mizuhana kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Two!”
Brick Brody: “That was close.”
Athena looks toward the clock.
Four minutes remain.
She grabs Sayaka again.
Minute 27
Sayaka Mizuhana catches the arm.
Drops beneath Athena.
Wheelbarrow Dragon Sleeper!
This time the hold is secured.
Athena’s body bends beneath the pressure.
Honest Abe asks.
No.
Athena refuses.
Sayaka pulls harder.
Julian Ward: “This may be the best submission opportunity of the entire match.”
Brick Brody: “And there is less than three minutes left.”
Athena claws forward.
Eventually creates enough room to break free.
Sayaka sees the clock.
She reaches her corner.
Tag.
Mother Earth enters.
Minute 28
For several seconds, both women hesitate.
Thirty minutes of punishment has slowed every decision.
Then Mother Earth explodes.
Spear!
Athena attempts to brace.
Cannot.
The Olympian crashes backward.
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “Another Spear!”
Brick Brody: “Two minutes.”
Mother Earth crawls toward Athena.
Athena turns onto one side.
Both women begin standing.
Slowly.
Minute 29
They meet in the center.
Athena gets the head.
WISDOM’S WRATH!
The Pedigree drives Mother Earth down.
But Mother Earth surges back upright almost immediately.
SPEAR!
Both women collapse.
The Coliseum erupts.
Julian Ward: “Wisdom’s Wrath! Spear!”
Brick Brody: “One minute!”
Athena crawls toward her corner.
Her fingertips reach.
Tag.
Bellona enters.
Mother Earth remains legal.
Minute 30
The final minute begins.
Neither woman rushes.
They know there may be only one clean opportunity left.
Bellona moves first.
Mother Earth steps forward at the same time.
CRIMSON SPEAR!
Bellona drives through her.
But Mother Earth launches her own Spear during the collision.
Both women crash together.
The crowd rises.
Thirty seconds remain.
Neither immediately covers.
Julian Ward: “Both Spears landed!”
Brick Brody: “Somebody move!”
Bellona crawls.
Mother Earth turns onto her stomach.
Twenty seconds.
Athena shouts from the apron.
Sayaka Mizuhana does the same from the opposite side.
Fifteen.
Bellona reaches one knee.
Mother Earth gets to both hands.
Ten.
The crowd begins counting.
NINE!
EIGHT!
Bellona reaches toward Mother Earth.
SEVEN!
Mother Earth catches the wrist.
SIX!
They struggle.
FIVE!
Neither gains position.
FOUR!
Bellona tries to pull her upward.
THREE!
Mother Earth resists.
TWO!
ONE!
The bell rings.
Both women stop.
For half a second, confusion.
Then Honest Abe raises both arms.
Time.
The Coliseum responds with applause mixed with frustration.
Bellona releases Mother Earth.
She backs toward her corner.
Athena steps through the ropes.
Across the ring, Sayaka Mizuhana enters and checks on Mother Earth.
Lady Ayame Ryu remains on the floor.
Her fan opens slowly.
At the opposite side, Zeus looks deeply dissatisfied.
Not defeated.
Dissatisfied.
Louie Linville enters.
He waits for the official decision.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the thirty-minute time limit has expired.”
A louder reaction.
Louie Linville: “Therefore, this match has been declared a draw!”
Applause moves through the Coliseum.
Neither team celebrates.
Julian Ward: “Thirty minutes, and neither side could produce the separation required for victory.”
Replay footage begins.
Mother Earth’s early Powerslam.
Athena’s Owl Wing Backbreaker.
Bellona’s Jackhammer.
The tandem offense from Sayaka Mizuhana and Mother Earth.
Then the sustained attacks from the War Council.
Julian Ward: “The opening belonged largely to Mother Earth’s power and the speed with which she and Sayaka Mizuhana rotated.”
The replay shows the two consecutive saves by Sayaka.
Julian Ward: “Then the War Council found isolation. Athena and Bellona repeatedly trapped Mother Earth, and twice Sayaka Mizuhana had to break a potential deciding cover.”
Brick Brody: “And then Mother Earth kicked out of the Imperium Bomb at one.”
Julian Ward: “You remain bothered by that.”
Brick Brody: “I remain impressed.”
The replay moves to the closing minutes.
Sayaka’s Tombstone.
The Pallas Drop.
The Wheelbarrow Dragon Sleeper.
Mother Earth’s Spear.
Wisdom’s Wrath.
Another Spear.
Then the final collision.
Crimson Spear against Spear.
Julian Ward: “By the final minute, victory had stopped being a question of dominance.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “It became a question of whether either team had enough left to create one final opening.”
Brick Brody: “They didn’t.”
The camera returns live.
Athena and Bellona stand beside Zeus.
Across the ring, Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana stand with Lady Ayame Ryu.
No handshake.
No acknowledgment.
Only four women looking across the ring at a result that settled nothing.
Julian Ward: “Thirty minutes have answered very little.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “You prefer unresolved matters?”
Brick Brody: “On this show?”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “Absolutely.”
RESULT: WAR COUNCIL AND MOTHER EARTH & SAYAKA MIZUHANA WRESTLED TO A 30-MINUTE TIME-LIMIT DRAW.
The camera begins to pull away from the ring.
Then Julian Ward raises one hand toward the headset.
He stops.
Listens.
His expression changes.
Brick Brody notices.
Brick Brody: “What?”
Julian Ward continues listening for another moment.
Then looks toward the camera.
Julian Ward: “We have just received word from our production team.”
The great screen goes black.
The crowd begins reacting before anything appears.
Julian Ward: “This comes directly from Northern Belles Commissioner Goldie Locks.”
Red fractures move across the screen.
The AGE OF RUIN crest appears.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026.
Brick Brody: “Now what has she done?”
Julian Ward: “She has made another championship match official.”
Gold light begins forming.
Two championship belts appear.
The North Star Tag Team Championships.
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “At Age of Ruin, the North Star Tag Team Championships will be defended.”
The image changes.
Alice.
Dorothy.
The reigning champions.
BLONDE BOMBSHELLS
A strong cheer moves through the Coliseum.
Then thunder crashes across the screen.
Athena.
Bellona.
WAR COUNCIL
The live crowd reacts sharply.
Inside the ring, both members of the War Council turn toward the screen.
Even Zeus looks upward.
The full graphic appears.
AGE OF RUIN
NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
BLONDE BOMBSHELLS
ALICE & DOROTHY
vs
WAR COUNCIL
ATHENA & BELLONA
The reaction grows.
Julian Ward: “It is official. Goldie Locks has signed it. At Age of Ruin, Alice and Dorothy, the reigning North Star Tag Team Champions, defend against Athena and Bellona of the War Council.”
A slow smile appears on Zeus’ face.
Brick Brody: “There.”
Julian Ward: “You approve?”
Brick Brody: “We just watched these two go thirty minutes against Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana without losing.”
He points toward Athena and Bellona.
Brick Brody: “And now somebody hands them a championship match?”
A grin.
Brick Brody: “That’s a productive evening.”
Julian Ward: “The Blonde Bombshells have repeatedly demonstrated why they hold those championships. Their chemistry, experience and adaptability have carried them through a considerable range of challengers.”
Brick Brody: “They haven’t fought these two.”
The camera tightens on Athena.
Then Bellona.
Brick Brody: “The Bombshells want movement. Timing. Quick tags.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “The War Council wants to turn the ring into a battlefield.”
Julian Ward: “And now those philosophies meet with the North Star Tag Team Championships at stake.”
The Age of Ruin graphic remains.
Three previously announced matches flash beneath it.
The Wizard’s Warriors against Severin Crowne, Sheriff of Nottingham, and Sir Agravaine.
The Mythic Crown Championship.
King Arthur against Robin Hood.
The Universal Tag Team Championship.
The Ultimate Beasts against the Virtuous Blades.
Then the fourth.
NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP.
Blonde Bombshells against the War Council.
Julian Ward: “Another piece of Age of Ruin is now in place.”
Inside the ring, Bellona looks toward Athena.
Athena gives one slow nod.
Zeus stands behind them.
Satisfied.
Across the ring, Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana watch quietly.
The draw may have ended the match.
It has not prevented the War Council from leaving with something they did not possess when they entered.
A championship opportunity.
The screen fades.
The broadcast remains backstage following the announcement of the North Star Tag Team Championship match for Age of Ruin.
The camera moves quickly through one of the older corridors beneath Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Footsteps echo against stone.
Hana Nakamura appears in frame, microphone in hand, moving with considerably more urgency than she normally brings to an interview.
Ahead of her, two figures are walking away from the arena.
Lord Kurogami.
And Taro Okami.
The rest of the Blood Oni Syndicate is nowhere in sight.
No Kaen.
No Enrai.
Only master and wolf.
Taro Okami still wears the black-and-crimson demon-wolf gear revealed earlier tonight. The snarling wolf emblem covers his chest. Dark fur frames his shoulders. The red demonic wolf mask hangs once again from his hip.
His expression is completely unreadable.
Hana Nakamura: “Lord Kurogami! Taro!”
Neither stops.
Hana Nakamura accelerates.
Hana Nakamura: “Please, just a moment.”
Lord Kurogami finally raises one hand.
Both men stop.
He turns slowly.
Taro Okami does not.
For several seconds, he remains facing away from Hana.
Then he turns as well.
The camera moves closer.
Hana Nakamura: “Taro, I have been trying to get an answer from you since last week.”
No response.
Hana Nakamura: “My brother trusted you.”
Still nothing.
Hana Nakamura: “He defended you when people were accusing you of being the masked attacker.”
Taro Okami’s eyes remain fixed ahead.
Hana Nakamura: “You stood beside him.”
A beat.
Hana Nakamura: “You fought beside him.”
Another.
Hana Nakamura: “And then you took off that mask and threw fire into his face.”
Her voice tightens despite her attempt to remain professional.
Hana Nakamura: “Why?”
Silence.
Taro Okami looks directly at her.
He says nothing.
Hana Nakamura: “Was this always the plan?”
Nothing.
Hana Nakamura: “Did Lord Kurogami order you to do it?”
Still nothing.
Hana Nakamura: “Did you ever actually consider Raigen a friend?”
That question lingers.
For the first time, there is the slightest movement in Taro Okami’s expression.
Not enough to interpret.
Then it disappears.
Hana Nakamura: “Say something.”
Lord Kurogami: “He has already said enough.”
Hana turns toward him.
Hana Nakamura: “He hasn’t said anything.”
Lord Kurogami: “Precisely.”
A pause.
Lord Kurogami: “Silence frustrates those who believe they are entitled to explanation.”
Hana Nakamura: “My brother was nearly blinded.”
Lord Kurogami: “And yet he wrestled tonight.”
Hana Nakamura: “That does not answer the question.”
Lord Kurogami: “It was not intended to.”
The coldness of the answer visibly irritates her.
Hana Nakamura: “Then I’ll ask you.”
She turns fully toward Lord Kurogami.
Hana Nakamura: “Why did Taro Okami betray Raigen?”
Lord Kurogami studies her.
Then smiles faintly.
Lord Kurogami: “Not tonight.”
Hana Nakamura: “Why not?”
Lord Kurogami: “Because an answer has value only when given at the proper moment.”
Hana Nakamura: “That sounds like an excuse.”
Lord Kurogami: “Most truths do to those forced to wait for them.”
Hana Nakamura shakes her head.
She looks back toward Taro.
Nothing.
So she changes direction.
Hana Nakamura: “Fine.”
A beat.
Hana Nakamura: “Then let’s talk about tonight.”
The camera briefly flashes to what happened earlier.
John Henry lifting Taro Okami.
STEEL DRIVER.
Three.
Back live.
Hana Nakamura: “Your team lost.”
Another replay.
Takuma Ryujin cutting off Kaen.
Raigen intercepting Enrai.
John Henry pinning Taro Okami.
Hana Nakamura: “And more specifically, Taro Okami was the man who was pinned.”
Lord Kurogami’s smile remains.
Lord Kurogami: “Was he?”
Hana Nakamura: “Everyone saw it.”
Lord Kurogami: “Then your question seems unnecessary.”
Hana Nakamura: “Does the loss concern you?”
Lord Kurogami: “No.”
The answer is immediate.
Hana Nakamura: “Not even slightly?”
Lord Kurogami: “A single fall is an event.”
A pause.
Lord Kurogami: “A century is consequence.”
That changes the interview instantly.
Hana Nakamura: “What does that mean?”
Lord Kurogami turns his attention directly toward the camera.
Taro Okami remains beside him.
Silent.
Still.
Lord Kurogami: “It means Raigen continues to misunderstand the nature of what stands before him.”
His voice lowers.
Lord Kurogami: “He believes this is anger.”
A beat.
Lord Kurogami: “Betrayal.”
Another.
Lord Kurogami: “Personal grievance.”
He slowly shakes his head.
Lord Kurogami: “Those are small things.”
Hana Nakamura: “Your people attacked him.”
Lord Kurogami: “And tonight he gathered allies.”
A faint smile.
Lord Kurogami: “Good.”
Hana Nakamura: “Good?”
Lord Kurogami: “A man should arrive at judgment believing he has exhausted every alternative.”
The crowd watching from the arena begins reacting.
Hana Nakamura: “What judgment?”
Lord Kurogami turns toward Taro Okami.
The demon wolf does not move.
Then back toward the camera.
Lord Kurogami: “Age of Ruin.”
The Coliseum erupts.
Hana’s eyes widen.
Lord Kurogami: “September 27th.”
A pause.
Lord Kurogami: “Taro Okami.”
He turns slightly toward the man beside him.
Then his gaze returns to the camera.
Lord Kurogami: “Against Raigen.”
The arena reaction becomes enormous.
Hana Nakamura: “One-on-one?”
Lord Kurogami: “One man.”
A beat.
Lord Kurogami: “One wolf.”
Another.
Lord Kurogami: “And a debt that should never have been forgotten.”
Hana Nakamura: “What debt?”
The smile disappears.
Lord Kurogami: “The Blood Oni Syndicate does not offer challenges without terms.”
Hana Nakamura’s concern grows.
Hana Nakamura: “What are the terms?”
Lord Kurogami: “When Raigen loses…”
He lets the word linger.
Not if.
When.
Lord Kurogami: “…he will swear allegiance to the Blood Oni Syndicate.”
The crowd immediately boos.
Hana Nakamura: “Absolutely not.”
Lord Kurogami ignores her.
Lord Kurogami: “Not for a season.”
A pause.
Lord Kurogami: “Not for a year.”
Another.
Lord Kurogami: “For one hundred years.”
Hana Nakamura stares at him.
Hana Nakamura: “What?”
The Coliseum reaction changes from hostility to disbelief.
Lord Kurogami: “One hundred years of obligation.”
His eyes remain fixed upon the camera.
Lord Kurogami: “Service when summoned.”
A beat.
Lord Kurogami: “Blood when required.”
Another.
Lord Kurogami: “Loyalty without refusal.”
Hana Nakamura: “You cannot seriously expect anyone to agree to that.”
Lord Kurogami: “I have not finished.”
She stops.
Lord Kurogami: “Should Raigen’s life end before the debt does…”
A pause.
Lord Kurogami: “…the obligation passes into his bloodline.”
Hana Nakamura visibly recoils.
Hana Nakamura: “No.”
She shakes her head.
Hana Nakamura: “No. That’s not a wrestling stipulation. You’re talking about binding his family to you.”
Lord Kurogami: “I am talking about debt.”
Hana Nakamura: “People aren’t debts.”
Lord Kurogami: “Blood remembers what people prefer to forget.”
The words sit heavily in the corridor.
Hana Nakamura: “There is no chance Raigen agrees to this.”
A voice comes from behind the camera.
Raigen: “There is.”
The Coliseum explodes.
Hana Nakamura closes her eyes for half a second.
Not surprise.
Dread.
The camera turns.
Raigen stands several yards down the corridor.
He has changed since the match, but the scar beside his temple remains visible.
No John Henry.
No Takuma Ryujin.
Not yet.
Just Raigen.
Hana Nakamura: “No.”
Raigen begins walking toward them.
Hana Nakamura: “Raigen, no.”
He reaches her.
For a moment, he looks at his sister.
There is warmth there.
Concern.
Then his attention shifts to Taro Okami.
Everything softens out of his face.
Raigen: “One hundred years.”
Lord Kurogami: “Correct.”
Raigen: “And if I die before the hundredth year?”
Lord Kurogami: “Your blood carries what remains.”
Hana Nakamura: “Stop discussing this like it’s reasonable.”
Raigen raises one hand.
Not sharply.
Not as a command.
A quiet gesture toward his sister.
He looks at her.
Raigen: “Hana.”
She stops.
Barely.
Raigen: “I understand.”
Hana Nakamura: “I don’t think you do.”
Raigen: “I do.”
His voice remains gentle with her.
Then he turns toward Lord Kurogami.
Raigen: “I accept.”
The building erupts.
Hana Nakamura: “Raigen!”
Even Lord Kurogami’s expression shifts.
Only slightly.
Satisfaction.
Taro Okami remains silent.
Raigen: “But not as written.”
The satisfaction pauses.
Lord Kurogami: “Explain.”
Raigen: “You want a debt if I lose.”
Lord Kurogami: “Yes.”
Raigen: “Then there is a debt if I win.”
For the first time, Taro Okami reacts.
His eyes narrow.
Raigen sees it.
Raigen: “There you are.”
A beat.
Raigen: “I wondered whether anything still reached you.”
Taro Okami says nothing.
Raigen: “If Taro Okami defeats me, I swear the allegiance you demand.”
A pause.
Raigen: “One hundred years.”
Another.
Raigen: “And whatever remains passes through my blood.”
Hana Nakamura looks sickened by the words.
Raigen: “But if I defeat him…”
He takes one step toward Taro.
Raigen: “…Taro Okami comes with me to the sanctuary of the Dragon’s Veil.”
That draws a reaction from Lord Kurogami.
Raigen: “He will enter willingly.”
A beat.
Raigen: “He will submit himself to the rites.”
Another.
Raigen: “And he will undergo a cleansing.”
The crowd reacts loudly.
Hana Nakamura looks from her brother to Taro.
Raigen: “Whatever poison you placed inside him…”
His eyes move toward Lord Kurogami.
Raigen: “…whatever oath he made…”
Back to Taro.
Raigen: “…whatever darkness he chose…”
A pause.
Raigen: “The Dragon’s Veil gets one opportunity to strip it away.”
Taro Okami’s jaw tightens.
Still no words.
Lord Kurogami studies Raigen for several seconds.
Then—
He nods.
Lord Kurogami: “Accepted.”
The crowd erupts.
Hana Nakamura: “You cannot be serious.”
Raigen remains focused on Kurogami.
Lord Kurogami: “If Taro Okami falls, he will enter the sanctuary of the Dragon’s Veil.”
A pause.
Lord Kurogami: “He will submit to your cleansing.”
Raigen: “Then we have terms.”
Lord Kurogami: “Almost.”
The word changes everything.
Raigen’s eyes narrow.
Hana Nakamura: “What now?”
Lord Kurogami smiles.
Lord Kurogami: “Your brother interrupted before I could finish.”
Raigen: “Then finish.”
Lord Kurogami takes one step forward.
Lord Kurogami: “This will not be an ordinary wrestling match.”
A beat.
Lord Kurogami: “There will be no disqualification.”
The crowd reacts.
Hana Nakamura slowly shakes her head.
Lord Kurogami: “No sanctuary offered by ropes.”
Another.
Lord Kurogami: “No official empowered to save either man from the consequences of his own choices.”
The smile returns.
Lord Kurogami: “At Age of Ruin…”
A pause.
Lord Kurogami: “…Raigen and Taro Okami will meet in a Blood Syndicate Trial.”
A deep roar comes from the Coliseum.
Hana Nakamura: “A what?”
Lord Kurogami: “A Blood Syndicate Trial.”
His cane strikes the stone once.
Lord Kurogami: “No disqualification.”
A second strike.
Lord Kurogami: “No retreat.”
A third.
Lord Kurogami: “And it will not take place inside the comfortable ring of Camelot.”
The corridor seems to become colder.
Lord Kurogami: “It will take place inside the Dojo of Blood.”
The arena erupts.
Hana Nakamura gasps.
Her head snaps toward her brother.
Hana Nakamura: “No.”
Raigen says nothing.
Hana Nakamura: “No, you cannot do this.”
She steps directly in front of him now.
No interviewer.
Only sister.
Hana Nakamura: “Raigen, whatever happened between you and Taro, you cannot agree to a hundred-year blood debt and walk into some Blood Syndicate death trap just because he refuses to explain himself.”
Raigen looks at her.
His expression softens.
He raises one hand again.
This time his palm rests briefly against her shoulder.
Raigen: “Hana.”
Her eyes remain fixed on him.
Raigen: “I know what I am agreeing to.”
Hana Nakamura: “That doesn’t make it better.”
Raigen: “No.”
A pause.
Raigen: “It makes it mine.”
She wants to argue.
He turns before she can.
Back toward Lord Kurogami.
Raigen: “The Blood Syndicate Trial.”
Lord Kurogami: “Yes.”
Raigen: “No disqualification.”
Lord Kurogami: “Yes.”
Raigen: “The Dojo of Blood.”
The crowd quiets enough that the answer feels larger.
Lord Kurogami: “Yes.”
Raigen looks at Taro Okami.
Taro finally reaches down.
He removes the demon-wolf mask from his hip.
He holds it at his side.
Still silent.
Raigen: “Good.”
A beat.
Raigen: “Have the contracts drawn up.”
Lord Kurogami’s smile widens.
Raigen: “Next week.”
A pause.
Raigen: “We sign them.”
The Coliseum erupts.
Lord Kurogami: “Then next week, the debt becomes law.”
Raigen: “Next week, the terms become ink.”
His eyes move to Taro.
Raigen: “September 27th decides everything else.”
Neither man moves.
The wolf.
The dragon.
Then Raigen turns away.
Hana Nakamura watches him go.
She looks furious.
Afraid.
Unable to stop what has just been agreed.
Lord Kurogami: “You wanted an answer.”
She turns toward him sharply.
Lord Kurogami: “Perhaps now you understand why silence was more useful.”
Hana Nakamura: “No.”
Her voice is cold.
Hana Nakamura: “I understand that you just put my brother’s family line on a contract because you’re too afraid to let Taro answer one question.”
For the first time, the smile leaves Lord Kurogami’s face completely.
Hana notices.
Then she walks away.
The camera follows her for several steps before finding Raigen farther down the corridor.
Two men are waiting for him.
John Henry stands with his arms folded.
Beside him is Takuma Ryujin.
Neither looks pleased.
Raigen slows.
John Henry: “A hundred years?”
Raigen: “I heard it correctly.”
John Henry: “Just checking.”
Takuma Ryujin: “And the Dojo of Blood?”
Raigen: “Apparently.”
Takuma Ryujin stares at him.
Takuma Ryujin: “You have no idea what waits inside there.”
Raigen: “No.”
Takuma Ryujin: “That concerns me.”
Raigen: “It concerns me too.”
That answer takes some of the anger out of Takuma.
John Henry: “But you’re doing it anyway.”
Raigen: “Yes.”
A long silence.
John Henry exhales through his nose.
John Henry: “Fine.”
Raigen looks toward him.
John Henry: “Don’t mistake that for approval.”
Raigen: “I would not.”
John Henry: “Good.”
A beat.
John Henry: “Because between now and September 27th, somebody needs to make sure you’re prepared to survive whatever a ‘Dojo of Blood’ means.”
Takuma Ryujin: “Two somebodies.”
Raigen looks between them.
Takuma Ryujin: “You said the past stays behind us.”
A pause.
Takuma Ryujin: “That means you do not walk into this one alone either.”
For several seconds, Raigen says nothing.
Then gives one restrained nod.
Raigen: “Next week first.”
John Henry: “The contract.”
Raigen: “The contract.”
Takuma Ryujin: “And after that?”
Raigen’s eyes turn back toward the corridor where Taro Okami disappeared.
The burn scar near his temple catches the torchlight.
Raigen: “After that…”
A pause.
Raigen: “…we prepare for blood.”
The screen fades.
Red begins leaking across black parchment.
The AGE OF RUIN crest appears.
Beneath it—
PROPOSED BLOOD SYNDICATE TRIAL
RAIGEN vs TARO OKAMI
NO DISQUALIFICATION
INSIDE THE DOJO OF BLOOD
IF RAIGEN LOSES:
100 YEARS OF BLOODLINE DEBT TO THE BLOOD ONI SYNDICATE
IF RAIGEN WINS:
TARO OKAMI MUST ENTER THE DRAGON’S VEIL SANCTUARY AND UNDERGO CLEANSING
Then one final line burns into the screen.
CONTRACT SIGNING — NEXT WEEK
The image lingers.
Not official yet.
But one signature away.
Referee: “Honest” Abe
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The atmosphere inside the building has changed again.
The blood-red imagery surrounding Raigen and Taro Okami is gone.
In its place, a royal crest appears across the great screen.
But it is not Camelot’s.
Gold edges.
Deep crimson field.
A jeweled sceptre strikes down through the center.
Boos begin immediately.
The sound of heraldic horns rises through the Coliseum, pompous rather than noble.
Prince John steps through the entrance arch.
Purple-and-gold robes sweep behind him.
His sceptre rests against one shoulder.
He pauses beneath his own crest and surveys the audience with the offended expression of a man who regards public disapproval as evidence of poor breeding.
Then Will Scarlett appears.
No smile.
No acknowledgement of the crowd.
The red-haired fighter stops beside Prince John and looks toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “There are few relationships on Dark Fable more complicated than the one between Will Scarlett, Sherwood, and the authority represented by Prince John.”
Brick Brody: “Complicated for you.”
Julian Ward: “Not for you?”
Brick Brody: “Will Scarlett figured out something a lot of outlaws eventually learn. There is more money standing beside power than throwing rocks at it.”
Julian Ward: “I suspect Robin Hood would describe that decision differently.”
Brick Brody: “He can describe it however he wants. Will is the one walking down here with a prince.”
Prince John starts toward the ring.
Will Scarlett follows.
Several green Sherwood banners in the crowd are turned deliberately downward as they pass.
Will notices one.
His expression tightens.
Then he keeps walking.
Julian Ward: “And tonight places Will Scarlett opposite one of the most celebrated knights of Camelot.”
Brick Brody: “Which means this is another one of those matches everybody wants to turn into a referendum on kingdoms.”
Julian Ward: “You do not believe it is?”
Brick Brody: “I believe when the bell rings, two men have to hit each other. The banners can argue afterward.”
They reach ringside.
Prince John climbs the steps first.
He holds the ropes apart with his sceptre.
Will Scarlett enters.
He moves to his corner and begins loosening his shoulders.
The royal crest vanishes.
Darkness falls.
Then a single silver sword appears.
Its blade catches blue light.
A second sword crosses behind it.
The crest of Camelot forms around them.
The crowd response is considerably louder.
Ceremonial trumpets sound.
Then the deeper orchestral theme of Camelot rises.
Merlin emerges first.
Staff in hand.
Long robes moving behind him.
His expression is composed.
Watchful.
He stops beneath the entrance arch.
Then Sir Lancelot steps forward.
Silver-and-blue armor-inspired gear.
No crown.
No title.
Nothing needed beyond the name.
A strong ovation spreads through the Coliseum.
Julian Ward: “And perhaps no knight in Camelot carries a reputation quite like Sir Lancelot.”
Brick Brody: “That reputation is useful until somebody kicks you in the mouth.”
Julian Ward: “You are anticipating Will Scarlett’s strategy.”
Brick Brody: “I’m hoping for it.”
Sir Lancelot begins down the aisle.
Merlin follows several paces behind.
The camera briefly finds the wizard.
His eyes are already fixed upon Prince John.
The prince notices.
He raises his sceptre slightly.
Not a greeting.
A warning.
Julian Ward: “And the individuals at ringside may prove nearly as important as the competitors.”
Brick Brody: “That is a polite way to say neither Merlin nor Prince John has ever seen a match he couldn’t improve by interfering with it.”
Julian Ward: “Improve is an interesting choice.”
Brick Brody: “You knew what I meant.”
Sir Lancelot reaches the ring.
He climbs onto the apron and steps between the ropes.
Across from him, Will Scarlett walks forward.
The two men meet eyes.
Whatever larger politics surround them, there is no hesitation in either face.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
The crowd reacts.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Prince John…”
Boos rise.
Louie Linville: “The crimson blade who chose his own road beyond Sherwood… WILL SCARLETT!”
The response remains hostile.
Will Scarlett raises one fist.
Prince John taps the end of his sceptre against the floor approvingly.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Merlin…”
The reaction changes immediately.
Louie Linville: “First Knight of Camelot… exemplar of the Round Table… SIR LANCELOT!”
The Coliseum erupts.
Sir Lancelot gives one restrained nod.
His eyes remain on Will Scarlett.
Louie Linville exits.
Honest Abe checks both men.
At ringside, Prince John and Merlin stand on opposite sides of the ring.
The bell sounds.
Minute 1
Will Scarlett does not wait.
He closes distance immediately.
SUPERKICK!
The boot catches Sir Lancelot flush beneath the jaw.
The knight staggers backward into the ropes.
The crowd reacts sharply.
Julian Ward: “Immediate Superkick from Will Scarlett!”
Brick Brody: “There. Exactly what I asked for.”
Julian Ward: “And Lancelot was not prepared for that level of aggression before the first minute had even settled.”
Will Scarlett follows him.
No celebration.
He traps Lancelot against the ropes and drives a forearm across his chest before Honest Abe forces separation.
Brick Brody: “That is how you fight somebody with a reputation. Don’t admire it.”
Lancelot rubs his jaw.
Then steps forward again.
Minute 2
Sir Lancelot accelerates suddenly.
He knocks Will Scarlett down, hits the ropes, launches—
RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Lancelot crashes across Will’s torso.
The crowd responds.
Julian Ward: “And there is the athletic response from Sir Lancelot.”
Brick Brody: “That is absurd movement for a man built like him.”
Julian Ward: “A great deal of Lancelot’s danger comes from precisely that combination. Strength without sacrificing speed.”
Will Scarlett rolls toward one knee.
Lancelot remains close.
The opening Superkick has already been answered.
Minute 3
Sir Lancelot catches Will Scarlett before he can fully rise.
Hooks him.
Lifts.
FALCON ARROW!
Will is driven hard into the canvas.
Lancelot sits upright.
His attention briefly moves toward Prince John.
The prince glares back.
Julian Ward: “Falcon Arrow. Lancelot has turned this match considerably in two minutes.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Now we find out whether Will Scarlett came here to fight the First Knight or just surprise him.”
Lancelot begins pulling Will upright.
At ringside, Merlin moves closer.
Minute 4
Merlin raises one hand.
His fingers curl slowly.
The light around Will Scarlett appears to distort.
His expression changes.
Focus drifts.
The Mesmerization takes hold.
Will turns his head toward the wizard.
His eyes lose the match for one critical instant.
Sir Lancelot immediately attacks.
He drives Will Scarlett down and covers.
Honest Abe counts.
ONE!
TWO!
Will Scarlett kicks out.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “Two-count, but Merlin absolutely influenced that sequence.”
Brick Brody: “That wizard just turned Will’s brain sideways.”
Julian Ward: “And Lancelot immediately exploited the opening.”
Brick Brody: “That is what openings are for.”
Will Scarlett rolls toward the ropes.
He looks directly at Merlin.
Now he understands exactly what happened.
Minute 5
Will Scarlett comes forward aggressively.
Across the ring, Prince John begins shouting toward Honest Abe.
The referee turns.
The sceptre moves.
Prince John drives it through the ropes toward Sir Lancelot.
The strike lands.
The crowd erupts in boos.
Lancelot staggers—
but responds immediately.
ROLLING ELBOW!
The blow catches Will Scarlett across the jaw.
Both men drop.
Julian Ward: “Prince John used the sceptre!”
Brick Brody: “And Lancelot still found the elbow.”
Julian Ward: “Both corners have now altered this contest.”
Brick Brody: “Good. At least everybody is participating.”
Honest Abe turns back.
He sees both men down.
He sees nothing else.
Minute 6
The pace slows.
Both men rise.
Circle.
Engage.
Separate.
Then Will Scarlett catches Sir Lancelot.
He lifts.
SUPLEX CUTTER!
Lancelot crashes face-first.
Will rolls onto one knee beside him.
Julian Ward: “Suplex Cutter from Will Scarlett.”
Brick Brody: “That is the kind of offense he needs. Stop letting Lancelot run.”
Julian Ward: “A more controlled exchange after several chaotic minutes.”
Brick Brody: “Don’t get comfortable.”
Will drags himself upright.
Lancelot follows.
Minute 7
Will Scarlett attacks again.
Another Suplex Cutter!
But Sir Lancelot twists through the landing and forces himself back upright.
He catches Will moving away.
RUNNING BULLDOG!
Both men hit hard.
The crowd responds.
Julian Ward: “Suplex Cutter answered by the Running Bulldog.”
Brick Brody: “Neither man is letting the other own an exchange.”
Julian Ward: “And seven minutes in, that has become the defining feature.”
Will holds his jaw.
Lancelot holds the back of his neck.
Both stand.
Minute 8
Will Scarlett charges.
CODEBREAKER!
Both knees drive into Sir Lancelot’s face.
The knight falls backward.
But he scrambles up before Will can follow.
ENZUIGIRI!
The kick catches Will behind the head.
Both men collapse again.
Julian Ward: “Codebreaker! Enzuigiri!”
Brick Brody: “That was two men refusing to concede the last word.”
Julian Ward: “Neither can sustain an advantage.”
Brick Brody: “Then eventually somebody gets desperate.”
The camera finds Prince John.
Then Merlin.
Both are watching closely.
Minute 9
Sir Lancelot hits the ropes.
Running Shooting Star Press—
No.
Will Scarlett moves.
The knight lands awkwardly and rolls through.
Will immediately tries another Superkick.
Lancelot gets both forearms up.
The strike is blocked.
Both men separate.
Julian Ward: “Two consecutive attacks completely neutralized.”
Brick Brody: “Now they’ve started learning each other.”
Julian Ward: “The Shooting Star Press worked earlier.”
Brick Brody: “Not anymore.”
Will circles.
Lancelot does the same.
Minute 10
At ringside, Merlin steps forward again.
This time his attention is not on Will Scarlett.
It is on Honest Abe.
The wizard raises his staff.
A faint shimmer crosses the referee’s face.
Honest Abe stops moving.
His eyes become unfocused.
Julian Ward: “Merlin is attempting to influence the referee now.”
Brick Brody: “That’s ambitious.”
Julian Ward: “And extremely improper.”
Brick Brody: “You keep using that word like it scares anybody here.”
Will Scarlett notices.
He gestures angrily toward Merlin.
The distraction accomplishes no immediate offense, but the rhythm of the match again becomes distorted.
Honest Abe shakes his head.
His focus slowly returns.
Minute 11
The two competitors collide again.
Will Scarlett strikes first.
CODEBREAKER!
Sir Lancelot absorbs the impact.
During the continuation—
ROLLING ELBOW!
The strike turns Will’s head sharply.
Both men stagger in opposite directions.
Julian Ward: “Again, neither man receives an uncontested attack.”
Brick Brody: “That’s going to matter later.”
Julian Ward: “Because of accumulated damage?”
Brick Brody: “Exactly. Nobody’s getting time to recover.”
Will Scarlett reaches the ropes.
Lancelot leans against the opposite side.
Minute 12
Will Scarlett bursts forward.
CODEBREAKER!
Again.
Lancelot falls backward.
But he rises almost immediately and throws an Enzuigiri.
The kick catches Will across the side of the head.
Julian Ward: “Another Codebreaker from Will Scarlett, another Enzuigiri from Sir Lancelot.”
Brick Brody: “They are starting to repeat the weapons that work.”
Julian Ward: “Until one stops working.”
Brick Brody: “Exactly.”
Both men breathe harder.
Neither corner gives instruction loudly enough to hear.
Minute 13
For several seconds, neither man commits.
Then Will Scarlett catches the head.
Snapmare.
He follows immediately.
FACEBREAKER KNEE SMASH!
Lancelot’s face snaps upward.
But the knight spins through the impact.
ENZUIGIRI!
The kick lands almost simultaneously.
Both men fall.
Julian Ward: “Perfectly even exchange.”
Brick Brody: “Thirteen minutes and they are still answering shot for shot.”
Julian Ward: “That places increasing importance on the people outside the ring.”
Brick Brody: “Which should worry both of them.”
Prince John grips his sceptre.
Merlin’s eyes remain fixed upon the action.
Minute 14
Will Scarlett catches Lancelot again.
CODEBREAKER!
The knight collapses.
But during the next exchange, Sir Lancelot gets beneath him.
Bridging Suplex!
Honest Abe drops.
ONE!
TWO!
Will Scarlett kicks out.
The crowd responds loudly.
Julian Ward: “Two!”
Brick Brody: “That was close.”
Lancelot releases the bridge.
He sits up.
No protest.
He knows the count.
Will Scarlett rolls onto his stomach.
Prince John begins shouting encouragement toward him.
Minute 15
The two men approach cautiously.
Prince John moves closer to the ropes.
He sees Sir Lancelot coming toward his side of the ring.
The sceptre rises.
Will Scarlett turns—
and Prince John accidentally drives the sceptre into his own protégé.
The Coliseum erupts.
Prince John’s expression turns to horror.
Will staggers forward.
Sir Lancelot sees the opening.
He runs.
RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
The attack lands cleanly.
Julian Ward: “Prince John struck Will Scarlett!”
Brick Brody: “Beautiful.”
Julian Ward: “That was clearly accidental.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what makes it beautiful.”
Prince John begins shouting toward Will.
Will Scarlett looks toward him from the canvas.
His expression says enough.
Minute 16
Will Scarlett forces himself upright.
He catches Sir Lancelot.
SUPLEX CUTTER!
Lancelot crashes down.
Will immediately covers.
But Lancelot shifts his weight.
He reverses the pin!
Now Will Scarlett’s shoulders are down.
ONE!
TWO!
Will Scarlett kicks out.
Both men scramble apart.
Julian Ward: “What a reversal by Sir Lancelot!”
Brick Brody: “Will nearly stole it, and then nearly got stolen from.”
Julian Ward: “Neither man can afford a careless cover now.”
Brick Brody: “Not after sixteen minutes of this.”
Will gets upright first.
Barely.
Minute 17
Will Scarlett attempts a Step-Up Enzuigiri.
Sir Lancelot sees it coming.
He slips underneath.
Will lands awkwardly.
Before he can recover—
RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Lancelot crashes across him.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “Excellent counter by Sir Lancelot.”
Brick Brody: “That is the third time we have seen the Shooting Star Press tonight, but this one came from a reversal.”
Julian Ward: “And Will Scarlett is beginning to slow.”
Brick Brody: “So is Lancelot.”
Both men pull themselves upright.
Minute 18
Will Scarlett gets control.
SUPLEX CUTTER!
Sir Lancelot absorbs the landing.
Then fires back.
SUPERKICK!
The boot catches Will across the jaw.
Both men fall.
Julian Ward: “Suplex Cutter and Superkick.”
Brick Brody: “Eighteen minutes.”
Julian Ward: “And still nothing decisive.”
Brick Brody: “Then we are getting close to somebody doing something stupid.”
At ringside, Prince John begins pacing.
Across from him, Merlin calmly raises one hand toward Lancelot.
Minute 19
Will Scarlett reaches the top rope.
The crowd rises.
He looks down at Sir Lancelot.
Then jumps.
CRIMSON BETRAYAL!
The top-rope Leg Drop crashes across Lancelot.
Will hooks the leg immediately.
But at ringside—
Merlin extends both hands.
A pale glow briefly surrounds Sir Lancelot.
The spell of rejuvenation.
Energy seems to return to the knight.
Honest Abe counts.
ONE!
Sir Lancelot kicks out.
The crowd reacts with surprise.
Will Scarlett sits upright.
He cannot believe it.
Julian Ward: “Only one after Crimson Betrayal!”
Brick Brody: “That wizard just put fuel back in the tank.”
Julian Ward: “There is no other reasonable explanation for how quickly Lancelot recovered.”
Will looks toward Merlin.
His anger is immediate.
Minute 20
Prince John has seen enough.
He moves toward the apron.
The sceptre strikes again.
He rams it toward Sir Lancelot.
At the same moment, the knight catches Will Scarlett.
Bridging Suplex!
The entire exchange breaks down.
The sceptre disrupts Lancelot’s positioning.
The Suplex disrupts Will.
Nobody comes away cleanly.
Honest Abe turns too late to see the weapon.
Julian Ward: “Another attempt from Prince John.”
Brick Brody: “Attempt?”
Julian Ward: “The sceptre made contact.”
Brick Brody: “Then call it successful.”
Julian Ward: “It did not produce a decisive advantage.”
Brick Brody: “That’s different.”
Both men rise slowly.
Minute 21
Sir Lancelot strikes first.
ENZUIGIRI!
This one lands clean.
Will Scarlett tries to shield his head.
Too late.
He falls toward the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Clean Enzuigiri from Lancelot.”
Brick Brody: “Now Will is hurt.”
Lancelot does not cover.
He knows the earlier near falls have not been enough.
He pulls Will upright.
The crowd rises with him.
Minute 22
Sir Lancelot runs forward.
RUNNING BULLDOG!
Will Scarlett is driven face-first into the canvas.
He rolls onto his back.
Lancelot remains on one knee.
Breathing heavily.
Julian Ward: “Running Bulldog.”
Brick Brody: “That’s two uninterrupted minutes for Lancelot.”
Julian Ward: “Perhaps the first sustained control either man has possessed since the opening stretch.”
Prince John begins shouting from ringside.
Will reaches for the ropes.
Lancelot begins moving toward him.
Minute 23
Merlin reaches inside his robe.
His hand emerges with a small pouch.
He throws it.
Flash powder bursts into the air.
The sudden white cloud erupts near Will Scarlett’s face.
Will recoils blindly.
The crowd boos.
Julian Ward: “Flash powder!”
Brick Brody: “The wizard has been busy tonight.”
Julian Ward: “Mesmerization. Influence over the referee. Rejuvenation. And now this.”
Brick Brody: “Versatile man.”
Will Scarlett wipes desperately at his eyes.
Honest Abe turns toward Merlin, but the powder itself is already dispersing.
No clear evidence remains.
Sir Lancelot stalks toward Will.
At ringside, Prince John sees what is happening.
His expression changes.
Desperation.
Minute 24
Will Scarlett is still blinking through the flash powder.
Sir Lancelot moves in.
Prince John climbs onto the apron.
Honest Abe turns.
The prince raises the sceptre.
The referee orders him down.
Prince John does not listen.
He thrusts the sceptre through the ropes.
Sir Lancelot turns—
CRACK!
The sceptre catches him cleanly.
This time there is no ambiguity.
Lancelot staggers directly into Will Scarlett.
Will sees enough.
He catches the knight.
Drags him down.
Cover!
Honest Abe turns back.
He never saw the strike.
ONE!
The crowd erupts in boos.
TWO!
Merlin moves toward the apron.
Too late.
THREE!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum explodes.
Will Scarlett rolls away.
For several seconds, even he seems stunned that it is over.
Then Prince John raises both arms as though he personally conquered Camelot.
Honest Abe stands.
He looks toward Sir Lancelot.
Then toward Will Scarlett.
The referee knows something happened.
But he did not see it.
The decision stands.
Louie Linville enters.
Honest Abe raises Will Scarlett’s hand.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner by pinfall… WILL SCARLETT!”
The boos intensify.
Prince John climbs into the ring.
He raises the sceptre triumphantly.
Will Scarlett looks at him.
There is still lingering irritation from the accidental strike earlier.
But victory has a way of making forgiveness easier.
Prince John gestures toward the fallen Sir Lancelot.
Prince John: “A knight.”
A dismissive laugh.
Prince John: “How impressive.”
The crowd boos again.
Will Scarlett says nothing.
He and Prince John leave the ring together.
Julian Ward: “Twenty-four minutes of back-and-forth wrestling undone by one strike from a sceptre that Honest Abe never saw.”
Brick Brody: “You’re forgetting everything before it.”
Julian Ward: “I am not.”
Brick Brody: “Merlin mesmerized Will Scarlett. He distracted the referee. He rejuvenated Lancelot. He threw flash powder.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “If we’re writing a list of sins, make sure everybody gets a column.”
Julian Ward: “A fair point. Both corners repeatedly interfered in this match.”
The replay begins.
Will Scarlett’s opening Superkick.
The Running Shooting Star Press.
Falcon Arrow.
Merlin’s first interference.
Prince John’s first sceptre strike.
Codebreakers.
Enzuigiris.
The accidental blow from Prince John to Will Scarlett.
The reversed pin.
Crimson Betrayal.
Merlin’s rejuvenation spell.
Then the flash powder.
Finally—
the sceptre crashing into Sir Lancelot.
Will Scarlett making the cover.
Three.
Julian Ward: “Perhaps that is what makes the ending particularly difficult to untangle. Neither man fought this match alone.”
Brick Brody: “Nobody with a wizard or a prince at ringside ever does.”
Julian Ward: “But the official result belongs to Will Scarlett.”
The camera returns live.
Will Scarlett and Prince John have disappeared through the entrance curtain.
Inside the ring, Sir Lancelot has reached his knees.
Merlin steps through the ropes.
He offers one hand.
Lancelot accepts it.
The knight rises.
He looks toward the entrance.
His disappointment is obvious.
Julian Ward: “And for Sir Lancelot, this will be a difficult result to accept.”
Brick Brody: “Then he’d better accept it quickly.”
Julian Ward: “Why?”
Brick Brody: “Because kings tend to notice when their knights lose.”
The camera follows Sir Lancelot and Merlin as they leave the ring.
They begin up the aisle.
The crowd applauds Lancelot’s effort.
He does not acknowledge it.
His head remains slightly lowered.
The two reach the top of the ramp.
Then stop.
The reaction inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum changes.
King Arthur stands beneath the entrance arch.
The Mythic Crown Championship rests over his shoulder.
No music.
No fanfare.
He apparently has been waiting.
Sir Lancelot sees him.
Immediately, his posture changes.
The First Knight straightens.
Then lowers his head.
A formal bow to his king.
Merlin walks forward until he stands beside Arthur.
The three men remain beneath the royal crest.
For several seconds, King Arthur simply looks at Sir Lancelot.
There is no concern in his face.
No acknowledgement of the sceptre.
No anger toward Prince John.
Only disappointment.
King Arthur: “Raise your head.”
Sir Lancelot obeys.
Their eyes meet.
King Arthur: “You entered that ring representing Camelot.”
A pause.
King Arthur: “Not merely yourself.”
Sir Lancelot: “My king—”
King Arthur raises one hand.
The knight stops.
King Arthur: “You were given every opportunity to demonstrate why your name has been spoken with honor across my kingdom.”
Another pause.
King Arthur: “And you failed.”
The crowd reacts uneasily.
Sir Lancelot’s expression tightens.
King Arthur: “With your loss…”
He takes one deliberate step closer.
King Arthur: “…you have disappointed yourself.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “You have disappointed the people of Camelot.”
Another.
The king’s voice grows colder.
King Arthur: “But most importantly…”
He looks directly into the eyes of his First Knight.
King Arthur: “…you have disappointed your king.”
The Coliseum grows quieter.
Sir Lancelot absorbs the words.
He does not argue.
Does not mention the sceptre.
Does not mention Prince John.
Does not mention Merlin’s own repeated involvement.
His head lowers again.
Sir Lancelot: “I understand.”
King Arthur studies him.
For a moment, it appears there may be more.
There is not.
The king turns.
Merlin follows immediately.
Neither man offers Lancelot another word.
They disappear through the curtain together.
Sir Lancelot remains.
Alone beneath the crest of Camelot.
The crowd begins applauding.
Not loudly at first.
Then stronger.
Lancelot hears it.
He slowly raises his head.
But the king is already gone.
The camera tightens on his face.
Not anger.
Not yet.
Something more uncertain.
The disappointment of a knight who has spent his life believing that service and worth were the same thing.
Julian Ward: “Sir Lancelot lost a wrestling match after Prince John struck him with a sceptre.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “His king did not ask how.”
Brick Brody is unusually quiet.
Then—
Brick Brody: “No.”
Julian Ward: “He only asked whether Lancelot won.”
Another pause.
Brick Brody: “That’s what worries me.”
The camera remains on Sir Lancelot.
Alone.
Then fades.
RESULT: WILL SCARLETT DEFEATED SIR LANCELOT BY PINFALL IN THE 24TH MINUTE AFTER PRINCE JOHN STRUCK SIR LANCELOT WITH HIS SCEPTRE BEHIND THE REFEREE’S BACK.
Referee: “Honest” Abe
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The ring is empty.
Before either entrance begins, the camera settles briefly at the broadcast table.
Julian Ward has one hand pressed against his headset.
He listens for several seconds.
Beside him, Brick Brody notices.
Brick Brody: “You getting another announcement?”
Julian Ward: “Not an announcement.”
He lowers his hand.
Julian Ward: “But we are hearing something significant regarding Rapunzel.”
The crowd reacts at the name.
Brick Brody: “What?”
Julian Ward: “There has apparently been discussion regarding Rapunzel receiving a championship opportunity against Lilith.”
That draws a much louder reaction.
Brick Brody leans forward.
Brick Brody: “Now you have my attention.”
Julian Ward: “Nothing has been signed. Nothing has been officially announced. But the information reaching us is that Rapunzel is among the competitors being considered.”
Brick Brody: “Then she picked a bad night to have a rumor following her.”
Julian Ward: “Because of Yurei Rinn?”
Brick Brody: “Exactly.”
He points toward the ring.
Brick Brody: “People hear ‘possible title shot’ and start thinking the opportunity is already theirs. It isn’t. You want to stand across from Lilith, you’d better prove you can get through the woman standing in front of you first.”
Julian Ward: “And a victory tonight would unquestionably strengthen Rapunzel’s argument.”
Brick Brody: “A loss would strengthen somebody else’s.”
The lights begin to fall.
A low Japanese string note cuts through the building.
Mist begins crawling over the entrance floor.
The great screen turns black.
A single pale face appears through it.
Then crimson spreads around the image like ink dropped into water.
The symbol of the Blood Oni Syndicate emerges.
Lord Kurogami steps through the entrance first.
His black ceremonial attire is edged in deep crimson.
His cane rests in one hand.
There is no visible frustration remaining from what happened earlier tonight.
If the six-man defeat affected him, he has buried it completely.
Then Yurei Rinn appears.
Pale.
Still.
Her dark gear almost disappears against the entrance shadows.
She stops several feet behind Lord Kurogami.
No gesture.
No acknowledgement of the crowd.
Only that unnerving stillness.
Julian Ward: “Earlier tonight, Lord Kurogami watched Taro Okami suffer the deciding fall against John Henry, Takuma Ryujin, and Raigen.”
Brick Brody: “And you think he looks worried?”
Julian Ward: “No.”
Brick Brody: “That’s because men like Kurogami don’t let one loss become the whole evening.”
The camera tightens on Yurei Rinn.
Julian Ward: “And Yurei Rinn enters tonight with something of her own to correct. One week ago, she fought Dorothy for twenty-two minutes and lost.”
Brick Brody: “That matters.”
Julian Ward: “Especially considering Dorothy is another member of the Blonde Bombshells.”
Brick Brody: “Exactly. Last week one Bombshell beat her. Tonight she gets another.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “That’s either a problem or an opportunity.”
Lord Kurogami begins down the aisle.
Yurei Rinn follows.
They reach ringside.
Kurogami stops at the floor.
Yurei climbs the steps.
She pauses on the apron.
Turns her head slightly toward Lord Kurogami.
He gives the smallest nod.
She enters.
No movement toward the turnbuckles.
No playing to the audience.
She simply moves into her corner.
Waits.
The mist disappears.
For several seconds, darkness remains.
Then—
A strand of golden light drops from the top of the great screen.
Another follows.
Then dozens.
They twist together until they form a tower.
The tower doors burst open.
Bright gold-and-white light floods the entrance.
The Coliseum erupts.
Rapunzel steps through the curtain.
Her long golden hair catches the light as she pauses beneath the entrance arch.
There is elegance in the presentation.
But none of the softness that old stories would suggest.
Her eyes are already fixed on Yurei Rinn.
Julian Ward: “One of the great misconceptions surrounding the Blonde Bombshells has always been confusing storybook imagery with fragility.”
Brick Brody: “Nobody who has watched Rapunzel wrestle should make that mistake.”
Julian Ward: “Power, agility, and considerable experience. And now perhaps a larger opportunity somewhere ahead of her.”
Brick Brody: “Then forget the opportunity.”
Julian Ward: “You keep returning to that.”
Brick Brody: “Because that’s how people lose. They start wrestling tomorrow’s opponent tonight.”
Rapunzel starts toward the ring.
Several fans along the barricade reach toward her.
She acknowledges them briefly but never loses sight of the ring.
Inside, Yurei Rinn does not move.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami watches Rapunzel’s approach.
Julian Ward: “And there is another element here. Last week, Yurei Rinn faced Dorothy. Tonight, she faces another member of that same unit.”
Brick Brody: “If Yurei loses to two Bombshells in two weeks, Lord Kurogami is going to start asking unpleasant questions.”
Julian Ward: “He may already be doing so.”
Rapunzel reaches ringside.
She steps onto the apron.
Enters.
Then walks directly toward the center.
Yurei Rinn finally moves.
The two women meet eyes.
No words.
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
He waits for the music to completely fade.
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 Lord Kurogami…”
Boos rise.
Louie Linville: “Representing the Blood Oni Syndicate… the silent specter of the crimson shadow… YUREI RINN!”
The hostility grows.
Yurei Rinn remains motionless.
Lord Kurogami folds both hands over the top of his cane.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And her opponent…”
The reaction rises.
Louie Linville: “Representing the Blonde Bombshells… grace from the tower, strength beyond the story… RAPUNZEL!”
A loud ovation follows.
Rapunzel raises one arm.
Then immediately lowers it.
Her attention returns to Yurei Rinn.
Louie Linville exits.
Honest Abe checks both competitors.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami does not move.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither woman commits immediately.
Rapunzel steps forward.
Yurei Rinn shifts away.
They circle.
Another approach produces nothing.
Then Rapunzel changes pace.
She catches Yurei around the head and shoulder—
FLATLINER!
Yurei Rinn is driven face-first into the canvas.
She attempts to brace during the descent.
Cannot.
Rapunzel rises immediately.
Julian Ward: “The patience lasted only until Rapunzel found the first clean opening.”
Brick Brody: “Good Flatliner too. No wasted motion.”
Julian Ward: “And Yurei Rinn has already been forced out of the deliberate rhythm she generally prefers.”
Yurei rolls toward the ropes.
She rises slowly.
Her expression has not changed.
Minute 2
Rapunzel maintains the pressure.
She sends Yurei Rinn toward the canvas and moves to the ropes.
She climbs.
Turns.
DESCENT FROM THE TOWER!
The Moonsault crashes across Yurei.
But as Rapunzel tries to transition away, Yurei Rinn catches the arm.
Cross Armbar!
Rapunzel’s expression tightens immediately.
She twists before the hold can become fully extended.
Both women separate.
Julian Ward: “Descent from the Tower lands, but Yurei Rinn immediately attacks the arm.”
Brick Brody: “That’s important. You can lose the collision and still make the other woman pay for it.”
Rapunzel flexes the arm once.
Yurei rises.
Neither backs away.
Minute 3
Rapunzel closes the distance.
She catches Yurei Rinn around the body.
Powerslam!
The impact drives Yurei flat.
She tries to twist away during the descent but cannot create enough separation.
Julian Ward: “The power of Rapunzel becoming a factor now.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what people forget. She can fly, but she can also throw you.”
Rapunzel remains standing over Yurei.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami watches without visible reaction.
Julian Ward: “No instruction yet from Lord Kurogami.”
Brick Brody: “Maybe he wants to see what Yurei solves herself.”
Minute 4
Rapunzel moves upward again.
The crowd rises.
She launches.
DESCENT FROM THE TOWER!
Another Moonsault lands.
But Yurei Rinn answers the instant Rapunzel tries to rise.
Elbow.
Another.
A third elbow strike catches Rapunzel across the side of the head.
She staggers backward.
Julian Ward: “Another Moonsault, but Yurei Rinn refuses to allow the attack to become sustained momentum.”
Brick Brody: “That’s two Descent from the Towers already.”
Julian Ward: “And Yurei is still standing.”
Brick Brody: “That tells Rapunzel something.”
Rapunzel shakes away the effect of the elbows.
The women move together again.
Minute 5
Rapunzel slips behind.
Her arm wraps around Yurei Rinn’s neck.
Cobra Clutch.
Yurei tries to turn through it.
Cannot immediately.
Rapunzel sinks her weight.
The hold tightens.
Honest Abe asks.
No.
Yurei Rinn refuses.
She begins shifting her weight.
Turns.
Creates enough separation—
Reverse Neckbreaker!
Rapunzel is dropped across the upper back and shoulders.
The Cobra Clutch breaks.
Both women fall.
Julian Ward: “The submission was secured, but Yurei Rinn converted her escape directly into the Reverse Neckbreaker.”
Brick Brody: “That’s the danger with wrapping yourself around somebody. If they find the leverage, you go with them.”
Yurei rises first.
Rapunzel follows.
Minute 6
Rapunzel catches Yurei Rinn during the next approach.
Rolling Fireman’s Carry!
Yurei hits the canvas.
Rapunzel rolls through and tries to follow into a cover.
But Lord Kurogami suddenly moves.
He reaches beneath the bottom rope.
A narrow crimson cord snaps upward.
The Rope Snare.
It loops around Rapunzel’s lower leg as she moves near the ropes.
For one violent moment, she is yanked off balance and trapped against the ropes.
Honest Abe turns toward the movement.
Kurogami releases immediately.
The cord vanishes beneath his robes.
Rapunzel still manages to fall across Yurei.
Cover.
ONE!
Yurei Rinn kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Only one—and Lord Kurogami absolutely interfered!”
Brick Brody: “He tied her into the ropes.”
Julian Ward: “I am aware.”
Brick Brody: “Just making sure we’re describing the crime accurately.”
Rapunzel gets back to her feet.
Her eyes snap toward Lord Kurogami.
He gives her nothing.
That interference has changed the rhythm.
Minute 7
Rapunzel is still trying to free the last of the cord from around her boot when Yurei Rinn attacks from behind.
Cobra Clutch!
This time it is Yurei’s arm around the neck.
Rapunzel tries to turn.
The awkward position against the ropes prevents her from getting full leverage.
Yurei drags her backward.
The hold tightens.
Julian Ward: “The interference has given Yurei Rinn exactly the opening she needed.”
Brick Brody: “That’s why managers interfere.”
Julian Ward: “I understand the purpose.”
Brick Brody: “You always sound surprised when it works.”
Rapunzel claws at the grip.
She refuses to surrender.
Eventually reaches the ropes.
Honest Abe forces the break.
Minute 8
Rapunzel turns out of the corner.
Yurei Rinn meets her immediately.
Elbow strikes.
One catches the cheek.
Another the temple.
A third drives Rapunzel backward.
She tries to cover.
Cannot.
Yurei continues striking until Honest Abe creates enough separation for the match to reset.
Julian Ward: “Two consecutive minutes under Yurei Rinn’s control following that rope snare.”
Brick Brody: “And this is what Rapunzel has to stop. Forget Kurogami.”
Julian Ward: “Difficult when he is physically involving himself.”
Brick Brody: “Necessary anyway.”
Rapunzel comes away from the ropes.
The defensive stretch finally ends.
Minute 9
Yurei Rinn wastes no time.
She catches Rapunzel around the waist.
Turns her.
Lifts—
TOMBSTONE!
The Coliseum recoils as Rapunzel is driven into the canvas.
Yurei sits upright beside her.
No cover.
Not yet.
Julian Ward: “Tombstone from Yurei Rinn.”
Brick Brody: “That may be the biggest attack of the match so far.”
Julian Ward: “And notice the composure. No rush.”
Brick Brody: “That’s either confidence or a mistake.”
Rapunzel rolls toward her side.
She is moving.
Slowly.
Minute 10
Rapunzel gets back to her feet.
She reaches for Yurei Rinn.
Cobra Clutch—
Yurei turns through.
She tries to trap the hammerlock.
Hammerlock Spinning Tombstone—
Rapunzel shifts her weight.
The position collapses.
Neither woman completes the intended attack.
They separate.
Both breathing harder.
Julian Ward: “Two dangerous attacks attempted, neither completed.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what ten minutes does. They know more now.”
Julian Ward: “Rapunzel recognized the Tombstone variation before Yurei could establish it.”
Brick Brody: “And Yurei knew that Cobra Clutch was coming again.”
They circle.
The stalemate ends.
Minute 11
Rapunzel explodes forward.
She catches Yurei Rinn.
Lifts.
SITOUT POWERBOMB!
Yurei is driven into the canvas.
The impact echoes through the Coliseum.
Rapunzel remains seated for half a second.
Then releases.
Julian Ward: “Tremendous Powerbomb from Rapunzel.”
Brick Brody: “That is the response you want after taking a Tombstone.”
Julian Ward: “And perhaps evidence that the effect of Lord Kurogami’s earlier interference has finally been shaken off.”
Yurei rolls onto one knee.
Rapunzel meets her there.
Minute 12
Rapunzel lifts.
Powerslam!
Yurei Rinn hits hard.
But she catches Rapunzel’s neck during the continuation.
Cobra Clutch!
Both attacks effectively land within the same exchange.
Rapunzel pulls forward.
Yurei drags backward.
Eventually the position breaks.
Julian Ward: “Again, almost perfectly balanced.”
Brick Brody: “Power against control.”
Julian Ward: “And neither woman can keep possession of this match for very long.”
Lord Kurogami remains motionless on the floor.
His eyes do not leave Yurei.
Minute 13
Rapunzel catches Yurei Rinn coming forward.
She lifts her high.
POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!
Yurei crashes across the shoulders.
But she gets up.
Hooks Rapunzel’s arm.
Turns.
HAMMERLOCK FLIPPING POWERSLAM!
Now Rapunzel hits hard.
Both women remain down.
Julian Ward: “Pop-Up Samoan Drop followed immediately by the Hammerlock Flipping Powerslam.”
Brick Brody: “That exchange belonged to both of them.”
Julian Ward: “And at thirteen minutes, the accumulation is becoming significant.”
Rapunzel reaches the ropes.
Yurei pushes herself upright.
Minute 14
Rapunzel tries another Powerslam.
This time Yurei Rinn sees it coming.
She drops her weight.
Hooks the leg.
Neutralizes the entire lift.
Rapunzel cannot complete the attack.
They separate.
Brick Brody: “There.”
Julian Ward: “The Powerslam has worked repeatedly tonight. Not this time.”
Brick Brody: “Use something enough and eventually the other woman figures out where to put her weight.”
Yurei Rinn begins circling behind.
Rapunzel realizes too late.
Minute 15
Yurei Rinn traps both arms.
She folds Rapunzel down.
CATTLE MUTILATION!
The pressure attacks the shoulders and upper back.
Rapunzel’s face tightens.
Honest Abe moves into position.
Asks.
No.
Rapunzel refuses.
Yurei pulls harder.
Julian Ward: “Cattle Mutilation. This is a different kind of submission threat.”
Brick Brody: “And remember the armbar earlier. Remember the Cobra Clutch. Yurei has been pulling pieces apart all night.”
Rapunzel twists.
Works toward one side.
Eventually gets a knee underneath herself.
The hold breaks.
She immediately rolls toward the ropes.
Julian Ward: “No submission.”
Brick Brody: “But there’s damage.”
Minute 16
Rapunzel rises first despite the pressure on the shoulders.
Yurei Rinn moves toward her.
Rapunzel catches her.
POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!
The crowd cheers.
But Yurei answers as soon as she can get upright.
Elbow strike.
Another.
A third.
Rapunzel staggers.
Julian Ward: “Another even collision.”
Brick Brody: “But Rapunzel’s power is still there.”
Julian Ward: “As is Yurei Rinn’s willingness to strike through it.”
Both women are visibly tiring now.
Neither has found a sustained route to the finish.
Minute 17
Rapunzel gets beneath Yurei Rinn.
SITOUT POWERBOMB!
Another heavy landing.
But Yurei twists during the release.
She catches the arm.
CROSS ARMBAR!
Rapunzel immediately turns toward the pressure before full extension can be established.
Julian Ward: “Powerbomb into Armbar!”
Brick Brody: “That’s the second time Yurei has attacked that arm after getting thrown.”
Julian Ward: “And the damage may matter if Rapunzel attempts to lift her again.”
Rapunzel rolls.
Forces separation.
Both women rise.
Slower now.
Minute 18
Rapunzel still trusts the power.
She catches Yurei Rinn.
Powerslam!
Yurei hits hard.
But as Rapunzel rises from the motion—
Cobra Clutch!
Yurei locks her from behind.
Rapunzel plants both feet.
Fights the grip.
The crowd begins clapping rhythmically.
Julian Ward: “Neither woman giving up her preferred weapon.”
Brick Brody: “And neither weapon is finishing the job.”
Rapunzel eventually forces the hands apart.
She turns.
Both women stare at one another from close range.
Minute 19
Yurei Rinn gets behind Rapunzel.
Hammerlock.
She lifts.
HAMMERLOCK FLIPPING POWERSLAM!
This one lands cleanly.
Rapunzel crashes down.
For several seconds she does not rise.
Julian Ward: “That may have changed the match.”
Brick Brody: “Clean landing.”
Julian Ward: “And after eighteen minutes of damage before it.”
Yurei considers the cover.
She does not take it.
Instead she waits for Rapunzel to stand.
Brick Brody: “I don’t like that.”
Julian Ward: “The decision not to cover?”
Brick Brody: “If you think you hurt somebody, make the referee prove you wrong.”
Minute 20
Rapunzel gets upright.
She catches Yurei Rinn.
Rolling Fireman’s Carry!
Yurei rolls through.
Gets behind her.
Reverse Neckbreaker!
Both attacks land.
Both women collapse.
The crowd applauds.
Julian Ward: “Twenty minutes, and neither woman has produced clear separation.”
Brick Brody: “This is starting to look like whoever gets one mistake wins.”
Julian Ward: “And both women have absorbed enough that the next substantial attack could be decisive.”
At ringside, Lord Kurogami finally moves with purpose.
Minute 21
Rapunzel reaches Yurei Rinn first.
She lifts.
SITOUT POWERBOMB!
The impact drives Yurei down.
The crowd rises.
Rapunzel rolls away, exhausted.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami raises two fingers.
Then slowly closes them into his palm.
The Blood Oath Signal.
Yurei Rinn’s eyes move toward him.
Julian Ward: “There is the signal.”
Brick Brody: “We saw that last week.”
Julian Ward: “And last week it preceded the closing stage of Yurei Rinn’s match with Dorothy.”
Lord Kurogami gives no further instruction.
His hand lowers.
Yurei Rinn begins rising.
Rapunzel sees her.
She almost looks surprised that Yurei is already moving.
Brick Brody: “That Powerbomb hurt her.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “It didn’t finish her.”
Minute 22
Rapunzel catches Yurei Rinn again.
Rolling Fireman’s Carry!
Yurei hits hard.
But she rises through the movement and drives an elbow into Rapunzel.
Then another.
A third lands harder.
Rapunzel stumbles backward.
Yurei follows.
Another elbow.
Julian Ward: “Yurei Rinn is answering the Blood Oath Signal with aggression.”
Brick Brody: “And Rapunzel is starting to lose these exchanges.”
Julian Ward: “After landing another Fireman’s Carry.”
Brick Brody: “Doesn’t matter if the other woman gets up first.”
Rapunzel backs toward the center.
She shakes her head.
Tries to clear it.
Yurei Rinn closes.
Minute 23
Rapunzel reaches forward.
Yurei slips beneath the arms.
Hooks the body.
The crowd realizes what is coming.
Yurei Rinn lifts.
TOMBSTONE!
Rapunzel is driven into the canvas.
The impact leaves her flat.
Yurei immediately folds across her.
Hooks the leg.
Honest Abe drops.
ONE!
The crowd rises.
TWO!
Rapunzel tries to move.
THREE!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum erupts in a mixture of cheers, boos and surprise.
Yurei Rinn releases the leg.
She rolls onto her knees.
Her expression remains almost completely unchanged.
At ringside, Lord Kurogami gives one slow nod.
Nothing more.
Rapunzel lies on the canvas staring upward.
The possibility hanging over her before the match has just become considerably more complicated.
Louie Linville enters.
Honest Abe raises Yurei Rinn’s arm.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner by pinfall… YUREI RINN!”
Boos rise.
Yurei allows her arm to be raised.
Then pulls it down.
She turns toward Lord Kurogami.
The leader of the Blood Oni Syndicate stands exactly where he has throughout most of the match.
He raises one hand.
Yurei Rinn walks toward him.
No celebration.
No embrace.
Only completion.
Julian Ward: “Twenty-three minutes, and Yurei Rinn has answered last week’s defeat to Dorothy with perhaps the most important victory she could have secured tonight.”
The replay begins.
Rapunzel’s early Flatliner.
Descent from the Tower.
The Cross Armbar.
The Powerslam.
Then Lord Kurogami’s Rope Snare.
Yurei’s stretch of control.
The first Tombstone.
The Powerbomb exchanges.
Cattle Mutilation.
The late Blood Oath Signal.
Then—
the final Tombstone.
Three.
Brick Brody: “And don’t pretend Rapunzel had a bad night.”
Julian Ward: “I would not.”
Brick Brody: “Two Moonsaults. Powerbombs. Samoan Drops. She survived the Armbar, the Cobra Clutch, the Cattle Mutilation.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “Then Yurei Rinn dropped her on her head and pinned her.”
Julian Ward: “There was interference from Lord Kurogami in the sixth minute.”
Brick Brody: “There was.”
Julian Ward: “And it directly created a period of control for Yurei.”
Brick Brody: “Also true.”
He gestures toward the replay.
Brick Brody: “But that happened seventeen minutes before the finish. Rapunzel recovered. She got back into the match. She had opportunities.”
The replay freezes on the final Tombstone.
Brick Brody: “That ending belonged to Yurei Rinn.”
The camera returns live.
Rapunzel has reached a sitting position.
The crowd applauds her.
She runs one hand across the back of her neck.
Her frustration is obvious.
Julian Ward: “And before this match, we told you that we were hearing Rapunzel may be in consideration for a championship opportunity against Lilith.”
Brick Brody: “Then whoever makes that decision just got another piece of information.”
Julian Ward: “This loss does not erase everything Rapunzel has accomplished.”
Brick Brody: “No.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “But if you want a title match, losing the audition isn’t helpful.”
The camera changes to Yurei Rinn standing beside Lord Kurogami at the top of the aisle.
Julian Ward: “And there is another side to that equation.”
A beat.
Julian Ward: “If tonight was meant to strengthen Rapunzel’s claim, then Yurei Rinn has just inserted her own name into the conversation.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what I told you before the bell.”
Julian Ward: “You did.”
Brick Brody: “A loss strengthens somebody else’s argument.”
The final image alternates.
Rapunzel standing inside the ring.
Disappointed.
Then Yurei Rinn beneath the crimson Blood Oni crest.
Silent.
Victorious.
Julian Ward: “For Rapunzel, the road toward Lilith has become less certain.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “For Yurei Rinn, one defeat last week has now been answered by a victory that may change how this division views her.”
RESULT: YUREI RINN DEFEATED RAPUNZEL BY PINFALL WITH A TOMBSTONE IN THE 23RD MINUTE.
END OF PART 1 continue to PART 2 here
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