Aired - October 9, 2026
Black screen.
Silence.
A heavy book crashes open beneath a narrow shaft of light.
One ancient page turns.
A single candle ignites blue.
The flame trembles.
Then turns blood-red.
Black ink begins crawling across the parchment, twisting together until it forms a crown.
An arrow tears through the page and pierces the crown dead center.
A black card falls across the parchment.
Dragon fire erupts around it.
Through the flames, an oni mask slowly emerges.
Low choir rises beneath the sound of heavy drums.
The images begin to strike in rapid succession.
Voice-over: “Crowns are tested.”
KING ARTHUR AND THE SHADOW COURT
King Arthur stands beneath the banners of Camelot with the Mythic Crown around his waist.
Behind him, the Shadow Court forms a wall of power — Severin Crowne, Sir Agravaine, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and the forces now enforcing Arthur's new order.
A black card turns between Severin Crowne's fingers.
Hard cut.
Across the ring stand the Merry Band.
Allan A Dale, Friar Tuck, and Little John refuse to retreat as the two sides stare through one another.
An arrow is drawn.
A sword is raised.
The image cuts before either side moves.
Voice-over: “Heroes are hunted.”
MORDRED
Torchlight catches Mordred alone in the darkness.
His expression is cold.
Behind him, the banners of Camelot hang in shadow.
Mordred slowly raises his eyes toward the throne.
The screen flashes white.
JOHN HENRY VS MONSTERS BASH
A hammer crashes against steel.
John Henry stands his ground.
Across from him waits the monstrous wall of Monsters Bash.
Frankenstein's Monster looms at the front while the massive figures behind him fill the frame.
Beyond them, Dr. Frankenstein watches with unnerving satisfaction.
John Henry grips the hammer tighter.
The monsters advance one step.
Voice-over: “Monsters wear gold.”
TARO OKAMI
Dragon fire consumes the screen.
Through it walks Taro Okami.
His demon-wolf presentation fills the frame — dark armor, predatory silhouette, eyes fixed forward beneath the influence of the Blood Syndicate.
For one instant, Lord Kurogami appears behind him in the flames.
Taro Okami turns toward the camera.
The image fractures like broken glass.
Rapid final flashes.
King Arthur raising the Mythic Crown.
Severin Crowne's black card.
The Merry Band standing together.
Mordred beneath the Camelot banners.
John Henry surrounded by monsters.
Taro Okami emerging through fire.
Voice-over: “And every victory leaves a scar.”
The music dies.
One bell tolls.
The NPCW: DARK FABLE crest fills the screen.
Voice-over: “In DARK FABLE… the story does not end happily.”
A beat.
Voice-over: “It ends with a winner.”
The final bell sounds.
Voice-over: “This… is DARK FABLE.”
Hard cut to the live opening shot of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The crowd is already on its feet as the camera sweeps across the darkened arena, torchlight burning around the entrance stage and the ring waiting beneath the lights.
The broadcast returns live to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The camera sweeps across the packed building. Torchlight burns along the stone-styled entrance structure while the crowd rises beneath the banners of Camelot. Several handmade signs carry the symbol of the broken arrow. Others bear the names of Robin Hood, Mordred, and John Henry.
A loud chant rolls through the Coliseum.
“ROBIN HOOD!”
“ROBIN HOOD!”
“ROBIN HOOD!”
The camera descends toward ringside and settles upon the commentary desk.
Julian Ward sits composed with his notes arranged before him. Beside him, Brick Brody leans forward, already watching the entrance rather than the camera.
Julian Ward: “Welcome to Dark Fable. I’m Julian Ward, alongside Brick Brody, and seven days have done absolutely nothing to quiet the struggle for Camelot.”
Footage from last week fills the screen.
King Arthur, wearing the Mythic Crown Championship and the Crown of Camelot, stands surrounded by his followers.
Severin Crowne is at his side.
Regina and Malice stand near the king.
Sir Agravaine, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Tin Man form part of the gathering around him.
The image freezes on King Arthur declaring the group the Shadow Court.
Julian Ward: “Last week, King Arthur formally named the Shadow Court as the enforcers of his new order. Robin Hood remains imprisoned beneath Camelot, and the king has made it very clear that resistance will be treated as rebellion.”
The footage changes.
An arrow strikes the canvas at King Arthur’s feet.
High above the ring, Maid Marion and Lark of Sherwood stand defiantly in the rafters.
Brick Brody: “And apparently Sherwood didn’t get the message. Marion fired an arrow into the king’s ring, called him mad, demanded Robin Hood’s release, and then stood there like she expected everybody below her to behave.”
Julian Ward: “She and Lark of Sherwood made their position unmistakable.”
The first match graphic appears.
QUEENS OF DESPAIR
REGINA & MALICE
vs.
LARK OF SHERWOOD & MAID MARION
Julian Ward: “Tonight that defiance comes down from the rafters and enters the ring. Lark of Sherwood and Maid Marion face Regina and Malice, the Queens of Despair.”
Brick Brody: “That arrow was easy. Tonight they have to stand close enough for the king’s people to hit them.”
The graphic fades.
Last week’s confrontation between Raigen and the Virtuous Blades appears.
Sir Galahad stands directly in front of Raigen, demanding that he acknowledge King Arthur.
Raigen gives him nothing.
Then Takuma Ryujin steps alongside Raigen, bringing the confrontation to a halt.
Julian Ward: “The king’s demand for obedience also reached Raigen last week. Sir Galahad demanded acknowledgment. Raigen refused to give it.”
A brief image appears of Taro Okami seated among the monks of the House of the Dragon’s Veil, beginning the difficult process of cleansing the influence that has consumed him.
Julian Ward: “All of this comes while Raigen remains committed to helping Taro Okami through the cleansing of his essence.”
Brick Brody: “That’s a lot for one man to carry around in his head. Taro, the Blood Oni, the king, the knights—and now Galahad gets him alone in a ring.”
The match graphic appears.
RAIGEN
vs.
SIR GALAHAD
Julian Ward: “Tonight there will be no delegation between them. Raigen faces Sir Galahad one-on-one.”
The screen changes again.
John Henry stands backstage from the previous week.
Across from him is Dr. Frankenstein.
Dr. Frankenstein speaks calmly.
“Perhaps you should face the Monsters Bash.”
The footage advances.
Frankenstein’s Monster overwhelms Lion.
A chair comes down in the hands of Dr. Frankenstein.
Then the doctor looks directly into the camera.
“I trust you were watching, John Henry.”
The live crowd responds loudly.
Julian Ward: “Eight victories have placed John Henry firmly on the radar of Dr. Frankenstein. Last week, the doctor proposed that John Henry test himself against the Monsters Bash. Later that evening, he helped Frankenstein’s Monster defeat Lion before delivering that message directly to John Henry.”
Brick Brody: “And John Henry didn’t flinch. Fine. Tonight he gets another chance to prove that confidence has some weight behind it.”
The graphic rises.
JOHN HENRY
vs.
DRAGON KING
Julian Ward: “Because standing in front of him tonight is the enormous Dragon King.”
Brick Brody: “You can worry about tomorrow after you survive the giant in front of you.”
The graphic burns away.
The Eternal Flame Championship fills the screen.
Footage rolls from last week.
Mordred traps the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Sharpshooter for the first fall.
Later, Mordred drives through the former champion with a spear.
Three.
The championship is placed into Mordred’s hands.
Then the celebration disappears beneath violence.
The Shadow Court surrounds the exhausted new champion until Blood-Moon Warden charges down the aisle and forces them to retreat.
Julian Ward: “Last week also changed the championship landscape of the Mythic Division. Mordred defeated the Sheriff of Nottingham two falls to none and became the new Eternal Flame Champion. The Shadow Court attacked immediately afterward, and only the arrival of Blood-Moon Warden stopped that assault.”
Brick Brody: “Winning the belt was the easy part compared to carrying it around after taking it from one of the king’s men.”
Royal horns sound through the graphic.
On one side stands King Arthur, the Mythic Crown Championship around his waist.
On the other stands Mordred, carrying the Eternal Flame Championship.
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPION KING ARTHUR
vs.
ETERNAL FLAME CHAMPION MORDRED
NON-TITLE – SPECIAL FIFTEEN-MINUTE CHALLENGE
The Coliseum erupts.
Julian Ward: “And tonight, champion meets champion. King Arthur faces Mordred in a special fifteen-minute challenge. Neither championship is on the line.”
Brick Brody: “Doesn’t need one. Mordred took gold away from the Shadow Court seven days ago. You think Arthur has forgotten that?”
Julian Ward: “I doubt either man has forgotten anything.”
The screen cuts to the final moments of last week’s main event.
Allan A Dale, Friar Tuck, and Little John battle Severin Crowne, Sir Agravaine, and Tin Man.
Allan A Dale strikes with Final Verse.
Tin Man answers with a belly-to-belly suplex.
Then the bell sounds.
Forty-five minutes.
No winner.
The two sides remain standing opposite one another.
Julian Ward: “The war surrounding Robin Hood also reached the forty-five-minute limit last week. The Merry Band and the Shadow Court fought to a draw, and neither side left believing anything had been settled.”
The next graphic appears.
ALLAN A DALE
vs.
TIN MAN
Julian Ward: “Tonight two men from that battle meet alone. Allan A Dale faces Tin Man.”
Brick Brody: “And Allan doesn’t need to look very far for motivation. Tin Man is one of the men who carried his leader away in chains.”
The final graphic takes over the screen.
Two championship belts gleam at the centre.
NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
BLONDE BOMBSHELLS – CHAMPIONS
vs.
FAIREST HUNTERS
The crowd responds strongly as the images of both teams fill the arena screens.
Julian Ward: “And in tonight’s main event, championship gold will be decided. The Blonde Bombshells defend the North Star Tag Team Championship against the Fairest Hunters.”
Brick Brody: “The champions survived the War Council at Age of Ruin. That doesn’t buy them anything tonight. Different opponents. Different fight. Same belts everybody wants.”
The complete card fills the screen.
Queens of Despair vs. Lark of Sherwood & Maid Marion
Raigen vs. Sir Galahad
John Henry vs. Dragon King
Mythic Crown Champion King Arthur vs. Eternal Flame Champion Mordred — Non-Title, Special Fifteen-Minute Challenge
Allan A Dale vs. Tin Man
North Star Tag Team Championship — Blonde Bombshells vs. Fairest Hunters
The camera returns to Julian Ward and Brick Brody.
Julian Ward: “Six matches. One championship defence. Two reigning singles champions standing across the ring from one another. And throughout this night, the struggle between King Arthur’s order and those refusing to submit to it continues.”
Brick Brody: “Everybody wants to talk about kingdoms, loyalty, rebellion and justice. Fine. Put them between four ropes and find out which ideas survive contact.”
Julian Ward: “We begin with exactly that.”
The camera turns toward the ring as Louie Linville steps through the ropes with microphone in hand.
The opening contest is next.
The camera returns to the ring, where “Honest” Abe checks the ropes and gives final instructions to the timekeeper.
The lights inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum darken.
A low, ominous chord rolls through the arena.
A black card appears upon the entrance screen.
Then Severin Crowne steps through the curtain.
He pauses beneath the archway in his immaculate black suit, surveying the crowd without expression.
Behind him emerge Regina and Malice.
The Queens of Despair walk on either side of Severin Crowne, dressed in dark matching gear but carrying themselves very differently. Regina wears the confidence of someone who already believes the ring belongs to her. Malice keeps her eyes fixed ahead, expression harder and far less theatrical.
Boos follow them toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “Seven days ago, Regina and Malice stood beside King Arthur when the Shadow Court was formally presented as the enforcement arm of his new order.”
Brick Brody: “And now the king’s enemies are volunteering to stand across from them. That’s one way to find out how serious this war is.”
Severin Crowne stops at ringside.
Regina climbs the steps first. Malice follows and steps through the ropes beside her.
Both women turn toward the entrance.
The lighting changes.
The sound of a bowstring being drawn cuts through the arena.
The crowd rises.
Lark of Sherwood appears first.
Beside her stands Maid Marion.
Neither woman smiles.
Maid Marion looks toward the ring and immediately finds Severin Crowne at ringside.
She does not look away.
Lark of Sherwood says something quietly to her partner.
The two women begin walking.
The crowd again begins to chant.
“ROBIN HOOD!”
“ROBIN HOOD!”
Julian Ward: “Last week, Maid Marion fired one of Robin Hood’s arrows into the ring and demanded his release. Tonight, she and Lark of Sherwood confront two women standing directly beside the king responsible for his imprisonment.”
Brick Brody: “Demanding something from the rafters is one thing. Getting in the ring with Regina and Malice is another.”
At ringside, Maid Marion passes within several feet of Severin Crowne.
The two stop.
Severin Crowne gives her the faintest smile.
Maid Marion answers with a stare that carries no amusement.
Lark of Sherwood reaches back and touches her partner’s arm.
Not yet.
The two enter the ring.
Louie Linville moves to centre.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a tag team match!”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first, accompanied by Severin Crowne… representing the forces of the Shadow Court… Regina and Malice… the Queens of Despair!”
Regina raises one arm while Malice remains still beside her.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents… representing Sherwood and the resistance of the Merry Band… Lark of Sherwood and Maid Marion!”
The Coliseum erupts.
Maid Marion points toward the Queens of Despair.
Lark of Sherwood steps through the ropes to the apron, leaving Maid Marion momentarily beside her.
After a brief exchange, however, Lark of Sherwood elects to begin.
Across the ring, Malice steps forward.
“Honest” Abe checks both sides.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Malice advances immediately, but Severin Crowne begins shouting toward “Honest” Abe from ringside.
The referee turns.
Lark of Sherwood looks toward the commotion for only a moment.
It is enough.
Malice crashes into her from the side, drives her into the ropes and follows with a heavy forearm across the upper back.
Lark of Sherwood tries to turn out of the corner, but Malice catches her around the waist and forces her back down.
Julian Ward: “Immediate involvement from Severin Crowne. He did not touch anyone, but he gave Malice the opening she wanted.”
Brick Brody: “That’s why he’s out there. If Lark wants to watch him instead of the woman in front of her, that’s her mistake.”
Malice maintains control until she reaches her corner.
She tags Regina.
Minute 2
Regina enters confidently and reaches for Lark of Sherwood.
Lark fires first.
She catches Regina, lifts her and plants her hard with a sitout gourdbuster.
The crowd rises.
Regina rolls toward the ropes, stunned by the sudden counter.
Lark of Sherwood follows, pulling her back toward centre before she can escape.
Julian Ward: “That is exactly what Lark of Sherwood needed after the opening minute. She stopped looking outside the ring and attacked the opponent in front of her.”
Brick Brody: “And Regina didn’t like that landing at all.”
Regina scrambles toward her corner and tags Malice back in.
Minute 3
Malice storms through the ropes and immediately gets underneath Lark of Sherwood.
She hoists her across the shoulders.
One turn.
Then Malice drives Lark into the canvas with a spinning leghook fireman’s carry slam.
The impact folds Lark against the mat.
Malice stays over her, grinding a forearm across the jaw before “Honest” Abe orders separation.
Julian Ward: “The strength difference is becoming apparent very quickly.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what Malice does. She doesn’t need ten moves when one of them can make you forget the last thirty seconds.”
Minute 4
Malice reaches down to pull Lark of Sherwood up.
Lark kicks free.
She creates two steps of separation, springs forward and drives a single-leg dropkick into Malice’s chest.
Malice stumbles backward into the ropes.
Lark tries to build on it, but Malice grabs the top rope and prevents herself from going down.
Julian Ward: “Again, Lark of Sherwood finding speed when she can create distance.”
Brick Brody: “Then she needs to keep creating it. Standing still with Malice is a bad career decision.”
Minute 5
Malice suddenly drives Lark of Sherwood toward the Queens of Despair corner.
Regina reaches over the ropes.
A tag.
Both members of the Queens of Despair enter.
Malice catches Lark’s legs and twists her down into a cloverleaf.
At the same time, Regina steps around the trapped body and drives a boot down across Lark’s head.
Maid Marion immediately begins shouting from the opposite apron.
“Honest” Abe counts.
One.
Two.
Three.
Lark of Sherwood fights upward and manages to kick free, catching Malice with another single-leg dropkick during the escape.
Julian Ward: “The Queens of Despair are isolating Lark now. The submission hold immobilizes the body and gives Regina a stationary target.”
Brick Brody: “That is tag wrestling. Hurt one woman, keep the other one angry on the apron, and make the referee count instead of fight.”
Minute 6
The double-team continues before “Honest” Abe can restore order.
Malice blocks Lark of Sherwood’s path toward the corner.
Behind her, Regina snakes an arm beneath the chin.
Dark Enchantment.
The sleeper is locked in.
Lark reaches desperately toward Maid Marion.
Too far.
Regina drags her backward.
Malice positions herself between Lark and the tag.
Julian Ward: “Dark Enchantment is applied, and notice where Malice has positioned herself. Lark cannot reach her corner.”
Brick Brody: “Exactly. Forget the hold for a second. Look at the ring. Lark is trapped on the wrong side of it.”
“Honest” Abe finally forces Malice back through the ropes, ending the prolonged double-team.
Minute 7
Malice receives the tag again.
She immediately scoops Lark of Sherwood up and drives her down with a powerbomb.
Lark hits hard.
But as Malice bends forward to drag her back up, Lark surges from her knees and cracks her with a headbutt.
Both women stagger.
Julian Ward: “Desperation from Lark of Sherwood, but it worked.”
Brick Brody: “Sometimes desperation is all you have left. The problem is she still hasn’t reached Maid Marion.”
Malice shakes off the blow and tags Regina.
Minute 8
Regina enters and immediately calls Malice back through the ropes.
They try to trap Lark of Sherwood again.
Regina climbs toward the second rope while Malice reaches for a cradle DDT.
But this time Lark sees it developing.
She twists free of Malice’s grasp.
Regina leaps.
Lark rolls away.
The diving elbow hits nothing.
Malice reaches again.
Lark shoves her directly into Regina.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Beautiful awareness from Lark of Sherwood. She neutralized the entire sequence.”
Brick Brody: “That was the first time the Queens of Despair looked like two people instead of one machine.”
Minute 9
The opening does not last.
Malice recovers first.
She catches Lark of Sherwood across the body and launches her backward with a fallaway slam.
Lark lands near the centre of the ring.
Maid Marion stretches her arm as far as possible over the top rope.
Still too far.
Julian Ward: “Another heavy landing for Lark. Every time she creates hope, Malice is there to shut the door.”
Brick Brody: “And every minute she spends in there makes Maid Marion less useful. A fresh partner does you no good if you can’t touch her hand.”
The referee again restores the legal pairing.
Regina remains inside.
Minute 10
Regina pulls Lark of Sherwood upright by the hair.
“Honest” Abe warns her.
Regina ignores him.
She throws Lark down and drives a vicious stomp directly toward the head.
Lark collapses.
Regina covers.
One!
Two!
Maid Marion flies through the ropes and breaks the pin.
The crowd explodes.
Malice steps into the ring, but “Honest” Abe immediately gets between them.
Julian Ward: “Maid Marion had no choice. Lark was not escaping that cover.”
Brick Brody: “And now Regina knows exactly how close she is.”
Maid Marion returns to the apron as Regina smiles toward her.
Minute 11
Regina drags Lark of Sherwood into position.
She climbs the ropes.
Maid Marion shouts a warning.
Too late.
Regina launches herself down with a diving splash.
The impact crushes Lark beneath her.
Another cover.
One!
Two!
Lark of Sherwood kicks out.
The crowd surges with her.
Regina sits up sharply and stares at “Honest” Abe.
The referee holds up two fingers.
Julian Ward: “Lark survives on her own this time.”
Brick Brody: “Barely. And kicking out still costs you. Every escape leaves something behind.”
Minute 12
Regina loses patience.
She grips Lark of Sherwood by the hair and violently whips her across the canvas with a hair mare.
Lark lands awkwardly near the Sherwood corner.
Regina drops into another cover.
One!
Two!
Lark kicks out again.
This time, the kick-out leaves her close enough.
Maid Marion reaches.
Lark of Sherwood turns.
Their hands meet.
The Coliseum erupts.
Julian Ward: “Tag! Finally! Maid Marion is in!”
Brick Brody: “And she’s had twelve minutes to get angry.”
Minute 13
Maid Marion charges into the ring.
Regina meets her.
Both women attack.
Regina catches Maid Marion first and drives her down with a scoop powerslam.
But Maid Marion rolls through the impact, rises and catches Regina coming back in.
Flapjack.
Regina hits face-first.
The crowd roars.
Then Maid Marion turns.
Her eyes go immediately to ringside.
Severin Crowne has moved close to the apron.
Maid Marion steps through the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Marion has seen Severin Crowne.”
Brick Brody: “Forget him! You’ve finally got the tag!”
Maid Marion does not forget him.
She leaps from the apron and crashes into Severin Crowne, driving him backward into the barricade.
The Coliseum erupts.
Crowne collapses beside the railing.
Maid Marion stands over him for one brief moment.
Inside the ring, Regina rolls to her knees.
“Honest” Abe orders Maid Marion back inside.
She slides beneath the bottom rope.
Regina catches her immediately and folds her into a cover.
One!
Two!
Maid Marion kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Maid Marion finally put her hands on Severin Crowne, but it nearly cost her the match.”
Brick Brody: “That is exactly what I was talking about. Revenge feels wonderful until somebody counts two over your shoulders.”
At ringside, Severin Crowne remains down against the barricade.
He is not getting up.
Minute 14
Regina pulls Maid Marion upright.
Maid Marion spins.
Kiss Goodnight.
The roundhouse kick lands flush across Regina’s jaw.
Regina collapses sideways.
The crowd explodes.
Maid Marion drops to one knee from the effort.
Across the ring, Malice reaches desperately.
Regina crawls.
Tag.
Malice enters.
Julian Ward: “Kiss Goodnight nearly ended Regina’s night right there.”
Brick Brody: “But she reached Malice. That may be the most important thing she has done in this match.”
At ringside, Severin Crowne remains slumped against the barricade, one hand gripping the rail.
Minute 15
Malice and Maid Marion meet in the centre.
Both women hesitate for half a beat.
Then chaos erupts.
Lark of Sherwood enters.
Regina comes back through the ropes.
All four women are fighting.
Malice catches Maid Marion and throws her with a snap suplex.
Regina grabs Lark of Sherwood and attempts to fold her into a small package.
Lark rolls through and comes back to her feet.
Maid Marion charges across the ring and launches herself with a diving seated senton into Malice.
Lark catches Regina and drives her down with another sitout gourdbuster.
The building erupts as all four women are left scattered across the canvas.
“Honest” Abe shouts for the illegal competitors to leave.
Julian Ward: “Everything has broken down. Lark and Marion have finally dragged this match away from the controlled structure the Queens of Despair wanted.”
Brick Brody: “Then somebody needs to take advantage before the referee gets control again.”
Regina rolls toward her corner.
Lark of Sherwood returns to hers.
The legal women remain.
Malice.
Maid Marion.
Minute 16
Maid Marion strikes first.
She drives Malice through the ropes.
Both women spill toward the floor.
Maid Marion grabs Malice by the head.
Implant DDT on the floor.
The crowd erupts.
Malice’s head and shoulders crash against the ringside padding.
Julian Ward: “Implant DDT on the floor! Malice may be finished!”
Maid Marion forces Malice back beneath the bottom rope.
She follows.
But Malice is moving.
Barely.
Maid Marion reaches down.
Malice catches the arm.
Then the leg.
She twists.
Maid Marion is pulled off balance.
Malice turns her body through.
Modified Scorpion Crosslock.
The hold is locked in.
Maid Marion screams.
Lark of Sherwood reaches over the ropes.
Regina grabs the bottom rope from the opposite corner, pulling herself upright but making no attempt to enter.
Maid Marion claws toward the ropes.
Malice pulls her backward.
The bend deepens.
Julian Ward: “Malice has the Modified Scorpion Crosslock! Marion has nowhere to go!”
Brick Brody: “She dropped Malice on the floor and still couldn’t finish her. Now she’s trapped.”
Maid Marion reaches again.
Too far.
Malice wrenches backward.
Maid Marion taps.
The bell rings.
Malice releases the hold and drops to one knee.
Regina enters immediately.
The crowd boos as Louie Linville receives the official decision.
At ringside, Severin Crowne is only now beginning to pull himself upright against the barricade.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winners by submission… REGINA and MALICE… the QUEENS OF DESPAIR!”
Malice rises.
Regina joins her.
Neither woman offers Maid Marion another attack.
Instead, both look toward ringside.
Severin Crowne steadies himself against the barricade.
His eyes find Maid Marion.
There is no smile now.
Inside the ring, Lark of Sherwood kneels beside her partner.
Julian Ward: “The Queens of Despair survive a furious response from Sherwood. Maid Marion reached Severin Crowne, but Malice ultimately trapped her in the centre of the ring and forced the submission.”
Brick Brody: “That is the part Marion has to live with. She got the shot she wanted on Crowne. She also gave the Queens of Despair enough time to drag this match back into their kind of fight.”
Julian Ward: “The Shadow Court has its victory, but the image at ringside may matter just as much. Maid Marion has made this deeply personal with Severin Crowne.”
QUEENS OF DESPAIR DEFEAT LARK OF SHERWOOD & MAID MARION BY SUBMISSION IN THE 16TH MINUTE AFTER MALICE FORCES MAID MARION TO SUBMIT TO THE MODIFIED SCORPION CROSSLOCK.
The camera cuts backstage.
Hana Nakamura stands in the interview area with the North Star Tag Team Champions, the Blonde Bombshells.
Dorothy stands on one side of Hana, her championship resting securely over one shoulder. Alice stands opposite her with the second title belt around her waist.
Both women are relaxed, but there is nothing casual about their focus.
Hana Nakamura: “I’m here with the reigning North Star Tag Team Champions, Dorothy and Alice, the Blonde Bombshells. Later tonight, you defend those championships in our main event against Snow White and Gretel, the Fairest Hunters.”
Alice glances down at the championship around her waist before looking back toward Hana.
Hana Nakamura: “You’ve faced a lot of very different teams during this championship reign. When you look at the Fairest Hunters, what concerns you most?”
Dorothy answers first.
Dorothy: “They don’t quit.”
She adjusts the championship on her shoulder.
Dorothy: “That matters.”
Dorothy: “You can have all the skill in the world, but when things start going wrong in a tag match, somebody has to decide whether they’re still willing to fight through it.”
Dorothy: “I’ve watched Snow White and Gretel do that.”
Hana Nakamura: “So you consider them legitimate championship contenders?”
Dorothy: “Absolutely.”
There is no hesitation.
Dorothy: “You don’t get better by pretending the people across from you aren’t dangerous.”
Alice: “And dangerous doesn’t always look the same.”
Hana turns slightly toward her.
Alice: “Gretel likes to make you feel the fight immediately. She comes forward, she takes chances, and she doesn’t seem particularly interested in waiting for permission.”
A small smile crosses Alice’s face.
Alice: “I can respect that.”
The smile fades into something more focused.
Alice: “Snow White is different. She watches. She adjusts. She waits until you think you understand where the match is going, and then suddenly you’re the one trying to catch up.”
Hana Nakamura: “That sounds like a team you’ve studied carefully.”
Alice: “We study everybody who wants these.”
She taps the faceplate of the championship.
Alice: “That’s part of keeping them.”
Dorothy: “And they’ve earned the study.”
Hana Nakamura: “The Fairest Hunters have also had difficult matches recently. Does that create any temptation to see tonight as an opportunity to catch them while they’re still trying to rebuild momentum?”
Dorothy shakes her head immediately.
Dorothy: “No.”
Dorothy: “That’s exactly how champions lose.”
She looks directly toward the camera.
Dorothy: “You start telling yourself somebody is tired. Somebody is frustrated. Somebody is coming off a bad night.”
Dorothy: “Then the bell rings, and none of that matters.”
Alice: “Sometimes a team is most dangerous right after something goes wrong.”
Alice folds her arms.
Alice: “Because then they’ve had time to think about it.”
Alice: “They know what they should have done differently.”
Alice: “And tonight, they get another chance.”
Hana Nakamura: “There has been a great deal of turmoil around Dark Fable lately. King Arthur, the Shadow Court, the Merry Band—almost every part of this division seems caught inside a larger conflict.”
Hana gestures toward the championships.
Hana Nakamura: “How important is it for the two of you to keep the North Star Tag Team Championship focused on competition rather than everything happening around it?”
Dorothy: “Very.”
Dorothy: “Because these championships have to mean something no matter what kingdom somebody thinks they rule.”
Alice nods.
Dorothy: “When you challenge us for these belts, the only thing that matters is whether you can beat us.”
Alice: “No court.”
Dorothy: “No decree.”
Alice: “No prophecy.”
Dorothy: “Just the match.”
Alice: “And I think Snow White and Gretel understand that.”
Hana Nakamura: “So what do you expect from the Fairest Hunters tonight?”
Dorothy: “Their best.”
Alice: “And they should expect ours.”
Hana Nakamura: “Any final message for your challengers?”
Alice looks toward Dorothy.
The champions exchange a brief nod.
Alice: “We respect you.”
Dorothy: “We know you belong in the match.”
Alice: “We know you can hurt us.”
Dorothy: “But respect doesn’t mean we’re giving you anything.”
Alice: “Tonight, you’re challengers.”
Dorothy: “We’re champions.”
Alice rests a hand over the title at her waist.
Alice: “And if you want the story to end differently…”
Dorothy: “…you’re going to have to take these from us.”
For the first time, both champions allow themselves a small smile.
Hana Nakamura: “The Blonde Bombshells defend the North Star Tag Team Championship against the Fairest Hunters in tonight’s main event. Dorothy, Alice, thank you both.”
Dorothy: “Thank you, Hana.”
Alice: “See you in the main event.”
Hana turns toward the camera as the champions walk away together, their title belts visible beneath the backstage lights.
The shot lingers on the gold before fading back toward the arena.
The camera returns to ringside.
A replay from last week fills the screen.
Backstage, Sir Galahad and Sir Gawain confront Raigen during his interview with Hana Nakamura.
Sir Galahad: “Have you acknowledged King Arthur?”
Raigen does not answer.
Sir Gawain steps closer.
Then Takuma Ryujin enters the frame beside Raigen.
The confrontation ends without violence, but not without a warning.
Sir Galahad: “Neither of you is exempt from the order established tonight. See that you show proper obedience to King Arthur.”
The footage freezes on Raigen, still refusing to lower his head.
The replay fades.
Inside the Coliseum, the lights darken.
A deep drum begins.
Red light rolls across the entrance.
Then dragon fire rises across the screen.
Raigen steps through it.
The burn scar across his face catches the light as he pauses beneath the archway.
There is no elaborate gesture.
No acknowledgment of the royal banners hanging throughout Camelot.
He simply looks toward the ring and begins walking.
Julian Ward: “One week ago, the Virtuous Blades demanded that Raigen acknowledge King Arthur. He answered them with silence.”
Brick Brody: “Silence can be disrespectful when somebody thinks they’re entitled to hear you speak.”
Julian Ward: “And Sir Galahad made it clear that he considered that silence an act of defiance.”
Raigen reaches ringside and climbs onto the apron.
He steps between the ropes.
The red lighting fades.
Royal horns sound.
White and gold light replaces it.
Merlin appears first.
He carries himself slowly down the centre of the entranceway, his crystal ball held carefully in one hand.
Behind him comes Sir Galahad.
The knight walks with his shoulders squared and his attention fixed entirely upon Raigen.
Julian Ward: “Sir Galahad does not view himself merely as another competitor tonight. He believes he carries the expectation of the king.”
Brick Brody: “Then he’d better prove the king’s expectations can survive getting punched in the mouth.”
Merlin stops at ringside.
Sir Galahad climbs the steps.
He enters and immediately walks toward the centre.
Raigen does the same.
“Honest” Abe moves between them before either man can close the final distance.
Louie Linville steps forward.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
He turns toward Raigen.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first… Raigen!”
The crowd responds loudly.
Raigen does not look away from his opponent.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent… accompanied by Merlin… representing the knights of Camelot… Sir Galahad!”
Boos mix with scattered cheers.
Sir Galahad raises one fist near his chest.
Raigen remains still.
“Honest” Abe gives both men final instructions.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Sir Galahad advances cautiously, but Raigen wastes no time testing him.
They lock up.
Raigen immediately shifts his hips, gets underneath the knight and drives him down with a bodyslam.
Sir Galahad rolls toward one knee, visibly surprised by how quickly the opening exchange ended.
Raigen stays close, forcing him backward before he can fully reset.
Julian Ward: “Raigen has begun with direct control. No ceremony. No response to last week’s demand. Just wrestling.”
Brick Brody: “That may be the answer Galahad gets.”
Minute 2
Sir Galahad attempts to circle away.
Raigen cuts him off.
A sharp knee lift drives into the body.
Sir Galahad folds forward.
Another shove sends him back toward the ropes.
Raigen does not rush.
He stalks forward, forcing the knight to continue giving ground.
Julian Ward: “Two minutes in and Raigen is dictating both pace and position.”
Brick Brody: “He’s making Galahad fight backward. Knights usually look better charging.”
Minute 3
Sir Galahad tries to reverse the pressure.
Raigen catches him and sends him through the ropes.
Sir Galahad lands on the floor.
“Honest” Abe begins the count.
One.
Two.
Three.
At ringside, Merlin steps closer.
He raises the crystal ball.
Sir Galahad turns toward it.
Merlin speaks quietly, pointing toward the ring.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Sir Galahad grabs the apron.
Seven.
He slides back inside.
Julian Ward: “Merlin directing Sir Galahad from ringside. Whatever guidance was offered, it got the knight back inside before the count became dangerous.”
Brick Brody: “He needed guidance to find the ring? It’s the big square thing with ropes.”
Julian Ward: “You know very well that was not the purpose.”
Minute 4
Raigen tries to capitalize immediately.
He traps Sir Galahad and twists into an abdominal stretch.
For a moment, the knight is bent sideways.
Then Sir Galahad shifts his weight, pries the grip apart and turns out of the hold.
He backs away quickly.
Raigen watches him.
Julian Ward: “Good technical escape by Sir Galahad. He did not panic when Raigen secured the stretch.”
Brick Brody: “That’s the first thing he’s done tonight that looked like he came prepared.”
Minute 5
Raigen again closes the distance.
A front kick drives into Sir Galahad’s chest.
The knight stumbles backward.
Raigen follows with another shove into the corner and keeps him pinned there until “Honest” Abe begins the count.
Raigen releases at four.
Julian Ward: “Raigen keeps forcing the fight back toward fundamentals: strength, pressure, body control.”
Brick Brody: “Because fundamentals hurt when somebody that size uses them correctly.”
Minute 6
Sir Galahad finally finds his opening.
He catches Raigen moving forward and knocks him down.
Then he turns toward the corner.
The crowd rises as Sir Galahad climbs.
He launches.
The Chosen Fall.
A full 630 senton crashes across Raigen’s body.
Raigen is flattened beneath the impact.
Julian Ward: “Chosen Fall! Sir Galahad found one opening and changed the match instantly.”
Brick Brody: “That’s why you don’t confuse being in control with having the match won.”
Minute 7
Sir Galahad tries to maintain the momentum.
He climbs again.
Raigen meets him before he can fully settle.
A rising knee catches the knight on the way down.
But Sir Galahad rolls through the collision and scrambles back toward the ropes.
He gets elevation again.
Another Chosen Fall crashes down.
Both men remain on the canvas for several seconds.
Julian Ward: “A violent exchange. Raigen found the knee, but Sir Galahad still managed to answer with another Chosen Fall.”
Brick Brody: “That’s not grace. That’s stubbornness with altitude.”
Minute 8
Both men rise at nearly the same time.
Raigen catches Sir Galahad and drives him down with another bodyslam.
Before Raigen can follow, Sir Galahad rebounds off the ropes and launches himself into a flying body splash.
The two collide.
Raigen is driven backward.
Sir Galahad rolls away holding his ribs.
Julian Ward: “Neither man is allowing the other to hold momentum for more than a few seconds.”
Brick Brody: “That usually means somebody gets reckless first.”
Minute 9
Sir Galahad lands a Pele kick as Raigen steps toward him.
Raigen staggers.
The knight tries to press forward.
Raigen recovers just quickly enough to grab him and throw him through the ropes again.
Sir Galahad lands hard on the floor.
The count begins.
One.
Two.
Three.
Sir Galahad is already back inside.
Julian Ward: “Sir Galahad did not stay outside long that time.”
Brick Brody: “Because he learned something in minute three. That’s what he needs to keep doing.”
Minute 10
Sir Galahad attacks before Raigen can fully square himself.
He hoists Raigen onto his shoulders.
Benadryller.
The knee connects cleanly.
Raigen drops backward to the mat.
Sir Galahad stands over him for a moment, looking toward Merlin.
Julian Ward: “The Benadryller lands cleanly. Sir Galahad has wrestled his way back into control.”
Brick Brody: “Now we find out if he starts thinking about winning—or starts thinking about making a statement for the king.”
Minute 11
Raigen answers before that question can be settled.
Another front kick catches Sir Galahad across the body.
The knight doubles over.
Raigen grabs him by the shoulders and drives him backward into the corner.
Sir Galahad tries to turn out.
Raigen keeps him trapped.
Julian Ward: “Every time Sir Galahad builds something, Raigen answers with something simple and heavy.”
Brick Brody: “That’s because simple and heavy still works.”
Minute 12
Raigen attacks the leg.
He twists Sir Galahad down and secures a leglock.
The knight immediately reaches toward the ropes.
Raigen increases the pressure.
Sir Galahad manages to kick himself free.
He scrambles upright.
Then, with Raigen still low to the canvas, Sir Galahad launches again.
The Chosen Fall crashes down.
Julian Ward: “Third Chosen Fall of this match, but look at Sir Galahad’s leg. Raigen has started targeting the base beneath all that aerial offense.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Tear up the landing gear and see how often the knight wants to fly.”
Minute 13
Raigen goes right back to the leg.
He twists Sir Galahad toward the mat.
The knight fights the control.
He shifts his hips, gets behind Raigen and throws him with a leg-hook belly-to-back suplex.
Raigen lands across his shoulders.
Sir Galahad remains seated for a moment, one hand gripping his own knee.
Julian Ward: “That was an important counter. Raigen was beginning to establish a pattern against the leg.”
Brick Brody: “And Galahad had better remember what that felt like. Raigen clearly has.”
Minute 14
Sir Galahad runs forward and launches into another flying body splash.
This time Raigen reads it.
He reverses the attack and sends the knight crashing awkwardly across the canvas.
Raigen climbs.
He comes down with a double axhandle.
Sir Galahad moves.
The strike misses.
Both men reset again.
Julian Ward: “Excellent sequence of counters from both men.”
Brick Brody: “Neither one wants to stay where the other expects him to be.”
Minute 15
Raigen catches Sir Galahad’s arm.
He twists him down into an armbar.
The knight rolls.
Raigen keeps the wrist.
Sir Galahad finally reaches his feet and suddenly spins.
Pele kick.
The strike breaks the hold.
Raigen falls backward.
Julian Ward: “Sir Galahad used explosiveness to escape another control hold.”
Brick Brody: “And that’s costing him energy. Those escapes look impressive until you’ve had to make ten of them.”
Minute 16
Raigen rises and comes forward again.
He drives a double axhandle toward Sir Galahad.
It connects.
But at ringside, Merlin lifts the crystal ball.
The light catches across its surface.
Raigen turns his head.
For a split second, he freezes.
Sir Galahad capitalizes immediately, driving into him and forcing him backward.
Julian Ward: “Merlin has inserted himself again. Raigen’s attention was taken away from the match.”
Brick Brody: “If you bring a wizard to ringside, I suppose you intend to use him.”
Julian Ward: “That does not make it sporting.”
Brick Brody: “I didn’t say sporting.”
Minute 17
Raigen shakes away the distraction.
Sir Galahad lands a jumping reverse bulldog.
Raigen rolls toward the ropes.
But when Sir Galahad follows, Raigen turns and throws him out of the ring for the third time.
The count begins.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Sir Galahad remains on one knee.
Six.
Seven.
Merlin shouts toward him.
Eight.
Sir Galahad grabs the apron.
Nine!
He dives beneath the bottom rope.
The crowd reacts sharply.
Julian Ward: “Nine! Sir Galahad was one count away from losing this match.”
Brick Brody: “That was closer than the knight is going to admit later.”
Minute 18
Sir Galahad stays close to the ropes, trying to recover.
Raigen approaches.
At ringside, Merlin raises one hand toward “Honest” Abe.
The referee turns.
Merlin’s gaze fixes upon him.
For several seconds, “Honest” Abe seems completely removed from what is happening inside the ring.
Raigen notices.
So does Sir Galahad.
Neither man gains a clear advantage before the referee shakes himself free and turns back.
Julian Ward: “Again, Merlin interfering with the rhythm of this contest.”
Brick Brody: “He didn’t hit anybody.”
Julian Ward: “He does not need to.”
Minute 19
The interruption ends.
Raigen immediately catches Sir Galahad and drives him down with another bodyslam.
This time he keeps hold of the arm as Sir Galahad lands.
The knight rolls free before another submission can be applied.
Julian Ward: “Raigen returning immediately to control once the distraction is gone.”
Brick Brody: “That tells you something. The interference is annoying him, but it isn’t rattling him.”
Minute 20
Sir Galahad reaches his feet.
Raigen drives another front kick into the chest.
The knight goes down.
Raigen covers.
One!
Two!
Sir Galahad kicks out.
The crowd reacts.
Raigen stays on his knees, looking toward “Honest” Abe.
Two.
Only two.
Julian Ward: “First truly dangerous cover of the match.”
Brick Brody: “And Galahad needed every bit of that kick-out.”
Minute 21
Raigen tries to pull him up.
A knee lift catches Sir Galahad under the chin.
The knight drops.
At ringside, Merlin suddenly reaches into his robe.
A burst of flash powder erupts near the apron.
Raigen recoils and turns his face away.
Sir Galahad uses the moment to create distance.
Julian Ward: “Flash powder from Merlin! That is the third time he has directly disrupted Raigen’s concentration.”
Brick Brody: “And the referee keeps finding reasons not to throw him out.”
Julian Ward: “That may change if this continues.”
Minute 22
Raigen clears his vision.
He grabs Sir Galahad and slams him hard to the canvas.
Sir Galahad rebounds almost instantly.
He races forward and throws himself into a running shooting star press.
The impact drives the air from Raigen.
Both men roll apart.
Julian Ward: “A remarkable recovery by Sir Galahad.”
Brick Brody: “That kid can move. I’ll give him that.”
Minute 23
Raigen reaches for the arm again.
He twists into another armbar.
Sir Galahad fights.
He turns.
He gets free.
Then he climbs.
The Chosen Fall.
Another 630 senton crashes down.
The crowd reacts as Raigen takes the full impact.
Julian Ward: “Again! The Chosen Fall connects for the fourth time tonight.”
Brick Brody: “And somehow Raigen is still in this fight.”
Julian Ward: “That accumulation has to matter.”
Minute 24
Raigen rolls away before Sir Galahad can cover.
The knight follows.
Raigen catches the arm again.
Another armbar.
This time Sir Galahad cannot immediately escape.
Raigen cranks the shoulder.
The knight reaches.
He twists.
He finally breaks the hold.
Raigen immediately folds him down into a cover.
One!
Two!
Sir Galahad kicks out.
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “Another near fall. Raigen has gone from attacking the leg to attacking the arm, and the cumulative control is slowing Sir Galahad’s escapes.”
Brick Brody: “Every limb you make him fight with is another limb you can make hurt.”
Minute 25
Sir Galahad explodes forward.
Jumping reverse bulldog.
Raigen is driven face-first into the canvas.
Sir Galahad rolls through and gets to one knee.
He looks toward Merlin.
Then toward the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Sir Galahad may be looking for one more aerial attack.”
Brick Brody: “Then he’d better make sure Raigen stays down long enough to receive it.”
Minute 26
Both men rise.
Sir Galahad steps in.
Raigen beats him to the strike.
A brutal knee lift lands flush.
Sir Galahad’s head snaps backward.
He collapses.
Raigen falls across him.
“Honest” Abe drops into position.
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum erupts.
Raigen rolls away and sits against the bottom rope, breathing heavily.
Across the ring, Sir Galahad remains flat on his back.
At ringside, Merlin lowers the crystal ball.
His expression is unreadable.
Louie Linville steps toward centre.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen… your winner… RAIGEN!”
The crowd responds loudly.
Raigen rises.
He looks down at Sir Galahad.
Then his eyes shift toward the royal banners hanging above the Coliseum.
He does not bow.
He does not gesture.
He simply turns away.
Julian Ward: “Last week, Sir Galahad demanded acknowledgment from Raigen. Tonight, Raigen answered in the only way that ultimately matters inside this ring.”
Brick Brody: “He survived four Chosen Falls, three trips through Merlin’s bag of tricks, and a knight who would not stay down. That’s not silence anymore.”
Julian Ward: “Raigen has defeated one of the men charged with enforcing King Arthur’s demand for obedience. Whatever response comes from Camelot, this result cannot be ignored.”
RAIGEN DEFEATS SIR GALAHAD BY PINFALL IN THE 26TH MINUTE AFTER A KNEE LIFT.
The camera returns to ringside.
Before either entrance begins, footage from last week appears on the arena screen.
Backstage, Dr. Frankenstein stands opposite John Henry.
Dr. Frankenstein: “Perhaps you should face the Monsters Bash.”
The footage jumps ahead.
Frankenstein’s Monster overwhelms Lion inside the ring.
A chair comes down in the hands of Dr. Frankenstein.
Then the doctor turns toward the camera.
Dr. Frankenstein: “I trust you were watching, John Henry.”
The replay fades.
Julian Ward: “Last week, Dr. Frankenstein openly challenged John Henry to test himself against the Monsters Bash. Tonight, before that challenge can move any further, John Henry must deal with one of the largest men in the Mythic Division.”
Brick Brody: “And the doctor came with him. That tells me tonight isn’t just a match. Frankenstein wants to learn something.”
The pounding sound of metal striking steel echoes through Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Once.
Twice.
A third strike.
Then John Henry steps onto the entrance stage.
His hammer rests over one shoulder.
He pauses beneath the archway and looks toward the ring.
The crowd rises.
John Henry lowers the hammer and leaves it beside the entrance structure before beginning the walk down the aisle.
Julian Ward: “John Henry has made no secret of what he wants. Championships. Advancement. Bigger opposition. Dr. Frankenstein heard him and decided to test how serious those ambitions are.”
Brick Brody: “That’s the right response. You say you want monsters? Fine. Here comes one.”
John Henry climbs the steps and enters the ring.
He rolls his shoulders once and waits.
The lights dim.
A guttural roar sounds through the Coliseum.
Smoke gathers around the entrance.
Dr. Frankenstein emerges first.
His hands are folded behind his back.
He stops at centre stage.
Then he turns.
Dragon King walks through the smoke.
The size difference is immediately apparent.
The massive competitor advances slowly while Dr. Frankenstein follows several steps behind, studying John Henry rather than acknowledging the crowd.
Julian Ward: “Look at the doctor. His attention is not on Dragon King.”
Brick Brody: “No. He’s watching John Henry.”
Dragon King reaches ringside and steps onto the apron.
John Henry walks toward the centre of the ring.
Neither man gives ground.
Dr. Frankenstein takes his place at ringside.
Louie Linville steps between the competitors.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
He turns toward John Henry.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first… JOHN HENRY!”
The crowd responds loudly.
John Henry keeps his eyes fixed upon Dragon King.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent… accompanied by Dr. Frankenstein… DRAGON KING!”
A deeper mixture of boos and apprehensive noise rolls through the building.
Dragon King steps forward.
John Henry does the same.
“Honest” Abe gets between them and gives final instructions.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither man circles.
They collide immediately.
John Henry slips behind and drives a knee upward before dropping Dragon King across it with an atomic drop.
The giant staggers forward.
He turns.
Then he grabs John Henry, lifts him and answers with a heavy bodyslam.
Both men get back up almost immediately.
They meet chest to chest again.
Julian Ward: “No feeling-out process whatsoever. John Henry and Dragon King have decided to determine strength immediately.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Neither one of these men belongs in a wrestling match built around patience.”
At ringside, Dr. Frankenstein watches closely.
No reaction.
Only observation.
Minute 2
Dragon King reaches for another body lock.
John Henry breaks the grip.
Both hands close around Dragon King’s throat and upper chest.
The crowd rises.
John Henry lifts him.
For a moment, even Dr. Frankenstein’s expression changes.
Then John Henry hurls the enormous Dragon King across the ring with Iron Collision.
Dragon King crashes onto his back.
Julian Ward: “Iron Collision! John Henry just lifted Dragon King off the canvas and threw him.”
Brick Brody: “Now that got the doctor’s attention.”
John Henry does not celebrate.
He walks forward.
Minute 3
Dragon King reaches one knee.
John Henry grabs him.
The crowd begins rising again.
He powers the massive man overhead.
Gorilla press.
John Henry holds Dragon King above him for a brief moment.
Then throws him down.
The ring shakes.
Julian Ward: “Extraordinary strength from John Henry.”
Brick Brody: “This is the test Frankenstein wanted, Julian. Maybe he should start wondering whether he tested the wrong man.”
At ringside, Dr. Frankenstein now leans slightly forward.
Minute 4
John Henry waits for Dragon King to stand.
He charges with the Hammer Drop.
Dragon King catches the forearm.
He turns beneath it.
John Henry’s momentum carries him forward.
Dragon King hooks him.
Dragon Bomb.
John Henry is driven violently into the canvas.
The crowd reacts.
Dragon King remains on his knees beside him.
Julian Ward: “Dragon Bomb! Dragon King finally stopped the power surge.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what happens when you start believing the other man can’t stop you.”
Dr. Frankenstein gives a small approving nod.
Minute 5
John Henry rises.
Dragon King meets him.
The two exchange position at close range.
John Henry hooks his opponent and drives him across the knee with a backbreaker.
Dragon King nearly folds over the impact.
But he does not stay down.
He grabs John Henry, traps the head and drops him with a brainbuster.
Both men hit the canvas within seconds of one another.
Julian Ward: “Backbreaker from John Henry, brainbuster from Dragon King. Neither man has been able to create lasting separation.”
Brick Brody: “They don’t want separation. They want the other man to stop getting up.”
Minute 6
Both competitors rise more slowly.
Dragon King turns toward Dr. Frankenstein.
The doctor immediately begins shouting instructions.
One command.
Then another.
Dragon King hesitates.
Dr. Frankenstein grows more animated.
He points toward John Henry, then toward the corner, then changes the instruction again.
Dragon King turns back toward him.
Confusion replaces aggression.
John Henry pauses rather than rushing him.
Julian Ward: “This is strange. Dr. Frankenstein is berating his own man.”
Brick Brody: “He’s giving him five instructions at once.”
Julian Ward: “And Dragon King no longer appears certain which one he is expected to follow.”
Dr. Frankenstein slaps the apron in frustration.
Dragon King looks back toward John Henry.
The moment has passed without either man gaining ground.
Minute 7
John Henry does not waste the second opportunity.
He steps in.
He scoops Dragon King up.
Bodyslam.
Another heavy impact shakes the ring.
John Henry remains standing over him.
At ringside, Dr. Frankenstein looks far less pleased.
Julian Ward: “Whatever the doctor intended in that last exchange, it did not benefit Dragon King.”
Brick Brody: “That’s the problem with trying to control every thought a man has. Sometimes you make him stop thinking altogether.”
Minute 8
Dragon King surges back up.
John Henry reaches for him.
The giant catches the head.
Brainbuster.
A second one.
John Henry crashes down hard.
Dragon King rolls away from the impact and rises.
Dr. Frankenstein applauds once at ringside.
Julian Ward: “Another brainbuster. Dragon King needed that.”
Brick Brody: “And Frankenstein likes what he sees again. Maybe the doctor finally remembered to let the monster fight.”
Minute 9
Both men meet near centre.
John Henry gets underneath Dragon King and drives him across the knee with another backbreaker.
Dragon King answers almost immediately, grabbing John Henry and slamming him to the mat.
John Henry absorbs the impact and rolls through faster.
He catches Dragon King before he can fully stand and drops him across the knee again.
Then he covers.
One!
Two!
Dragon King powers a shoulder up.
John Henry sits beside him for a moment.
No frustration.
He simply rises.
Julian Ward: “First cover of the match, and Dragon King survives.”
Brick Brody: “But that kick-out had effort behind it. John Henry is making a man that size work for everything.”
Minute 10
Dragon King gets back to his feet.
John Henry charges.
A knee lift lands directly beneath the jaw.
Dragon King’s head snaps backward.
He stumbles into the ropes.
John Henry follows.
Another shove sends the giant toward the corner.
Julian Ward: “John Henry is beginning to string offense together again.”
Brick Brody: “And look at Frankenstein now. He’s not coaching. He’s measuring.”
The doctor remains motionless, eyes fixed on John Henry.
Minute 11
Both men collide again.
John Henry muscles Dragon King off his feet with another bodyslam.
But the giant rolls through faster than expected.
He catches John Henry coming forward.
Spinebuster.
The ring shakes beneath both of them.
Dragon King stays on top for several seconds before pushing himself upright.
Julian Ward: “Huge spinebuster by Dragon King.”
Brick Brody: “That’s the best answer he’s had all match. John Henry slammed him, and Dragon King made him pay for staying too close afterward.”
John Henry turns onto one elbow.
He is breathing harder now.
Minute 12
Dragon King grabs John Henry around the waist.
John Henry tries to widen his base.
It does not work.
Dragon King lifts him and drives him down with another bodyslam.
This time John Henry lands nearer the corner.
The giant stands over him.
Dr. Frankenstein steps closer to the apron.
Julian Ward: “For the first time tonight, Dragon King has begun imposing his size for a sustained stretch.”
Brick Brody: “Now we find out what John Henry does when he isn’t the strongest man in control of the moment.”
Dragon King reaches down.
John Henry catches the wrist.
Minute 13
John Henry pulls himself upright.
He breaks Dragon King’s grip.
One step.
Then he ducks beneath the giant’s arms.
He gets underneath him.
The crowd realizes what is coming.
John Henry lifts.
Bodyslam.
Dragon King crashes down.
John Henry immediately drops across the chest.
“Honest” Abe slides into position.
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum erupts.
John Henry rolls onto one knee.
Dragon King remains on his back.
At ringside, Dr. Frankenstein stands completely still.
His eyes remain on the winner.
Louie Linville steps toward centre.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen… your winner… JOHN HENRY!”
John Henry rises.
“Honest” Abe raises his hand.
The crowd cheers.
But John Henry is not looking toward them.
He is looking directly at Dr. Frankenstein.
The doctor slowly approaches the apron.
The two men stare across the ropes.
No words.
Dr. Frankenstein glances once toward the fallen Dragon King.
Then back toward John Henry.
A faint smile appears.
Julian Ward: “Another victory for John Henry, and it came against an opponent capable of matching his power for long stretches of this match.”
Brick Brody: “That’s nine, if you’re keeping count. And I guarantee you the doctor is.”
Julian Ward: “Last week, Dr. Frankenstein proposed the Monsters Bash as the next test for John Henry. Tonight, John Henry defeated Dragon King with the doctor standing only feet away.”
JOHN HENRY DEFEATS DRAGON KING BY PINFALL IN THE 13TH MINUTE FOLLOWING A BODYSLAM.
The camera cuts backstage.
Hana Nakamura stands in the interview area with Gretel and Snow White, the Fairest Hunters.
Both women are already dressed for competition.
Gretel stands with her arms folded, intensity written across her face.
Beside her, Snow White is calmer, composed, and watching Hana closely.
Hana Nakamura: “I’m here with the challengers in tonight’s main event, Gretel and Snow White, the Fairest Hunters.”
Hana Nakamura: “Later tonight, you challenge the Blonde Bombshells, Dorothy and Alice, for the North Star Tag Team Championship.”
Snow White gives a small nod.
Hana Nakamura: “This is the biggest opportunity the two of you have had as a team, but there has been some criticism surrounding the match.”
Gretel immediately raises an eyebrow.
Hana Nakamura: “Over your last six matches, the Fairest Hunters have a record of two wins, two losses, and two draws.”
Hana Nakamura: “There are people who look at that record and say you have not done enough to deserve a championship opportunity.”
Gretel lets out a short breath through her nose.
Gretel: “Then those people can keep counting.”
Hana watches her.
Gretel: “Two wins. Two losses. Two draws.”
She holds up two fingers three times.
Gretel: “Everybody seems very proud of themselves when they say it out loud.”
Gretel: “Like six numbers tell you everything that happened in six fights.”
Snow White glances toward her partner before speaking.
Snow White: “The criticism is fair.”
That answer catches Hana slightly off guard.
Snow White: “Not necessarily correct.”
Snow White: “But fair.”
Snow White: “If someone only looks at the results, then yes. Two victories in six matches does not sound dominant.”
Hana Nakamura: “So why should tonight be different?”
Snow White: “Because championship opportunities are not awarded only to teams with perfect records.”
She pauses.
Snow White: “They are also awarded to teams capable of winning the championship.”
Gretel nods sharply.
Gretel: “That part gets left out.”
Gretel: “Nobody is saying we walked through this division without getting hit.”
Gretel: “We got hit.”
Gretel: “We lost.”
Gretel: “We fought people until nobody won.”
Gretel: “And every time, we came back.”
Snow White: “A draw is not a victory.”
Snow White: “We know that.”
Snow White: “A loss is certainly not a victory.”
Snow White: “We know that too.”
Snow White: “But neither one proves that we cannot defeat the Blonde Bombshells tonight.”
Hana Nakamura: “Do you feel you have something to prove because of that record?”
Gretel: “Of course.”
She steps slightly closer to the microphone.
Gretel: “I always have something to prove.”
Gretel: “I don’t want anybody handing me a championship and telling me I earned it because they like the story.”
Gretel: “I want Dorothy and Alice standing across from us with those belts.”
Gretel: “Then I want the bell to ring.”
Gretel: “After that, nobody gets to debate whether we belong there.”
Snow White: “Because then there is only one question.”
Hana Nakamura: “Can you beat them?”
Snow White: “Exactly.”
A brief silence.
Hana Nakamura: “Earlier tonight, the Blonde Bombshells spoke very respectfully about both of you.”
Hana Nakamura: “They said they consider you legitimate challengers. They also made it clear that respect will not make them surrender those championships.”
Snow White smiles faintly.
Snow White: “Good.”
Hana Nakamura: “Good?”
Snow White: “I would be disappointed if they said anything else.”
Snow White: “They are the champions.”
Snow White: “They should believe they are the best team in this division.”
Gretel: “And we should believe they’re wrong.”
Hana turns toward Gretel.
Gretel: “Respect doesn’t mean fear.”
Gretel: “I respect what Dorothy and Alice have done.”
Gretel: “I respect how long they’ve held those championships.”
Gretel: “I respect every team they’ve beaten.”
Then her expression hardens.
Gretel: “But I’m not walking into the main event tonight thinking about their history.”
Gretel: “I’m thinking about taking their belts.”
Snow White: “The champions said earlier that when the bell rings, nothing outside that match matters.”
Snow White: “I agree with them.”
Snow White: “Their reign does not matter.”
Snow White: “Our recent record does not matter.”
Snow White: “The criticism does not matter.”
She looks directly into the camera.
Snow White: “Only what happens tonight.”
Hana Nakamura: “Then what makes you believe the Fairest Hunters can succeed where so many teams have failed?”
Snow White looks toward Gretel.
Gretel answers first.
Gretel: “Because we’re difficult to finish.”
Snow White: “And difficult to understand.”
Gretel: “She thinks.”
Snow White: “She attacks.”
Gretel: “She finds openings.”
Snow White: “She creates them.”
Gretel: “And when everything starts going wrong—”
Snow White: “We stay together.”
The partners exchange a look.
Snow White: “That is what our record actually tells us.”
Hana Nakamura: “Explain.”
Snow White: “We have had six matches where things have not always gone our way.”
Snow White: “We are still here.”
Snow White: “Still together.”
Snow White: “Still improving.”
Snow White: “And tonight, still dangerous enough to be fighting for the North Star Tag Team Championship.”
Gretel: “People can call us undeserving right up until the bell.”
Gretel: “After that, they can watch.”
Hana Nakamura: “One final message for Dorothy and Alice?”
Snow White faces the camera.
Snow White: “You have our respect.”
Gretel: “You have our attention.”
Snow White: “And tonight—”
Gretel: “You have a fight.”
Snow White: “May the better team leave as champions.”
Gretel smiles.
Gretel: “We intend for that to be us.”
Hana Nakamura: “The Fairest Hunters challenge the Blonde Bombshells for the North Star Tag Team Championship later tonight in our main event.”
The camera lingers on Snow White and Gretel.
Neither looks away.
The shot fades.
The camera returns to the arena.
The lights dim.
Royal horns echo through Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
A gold spotlight settles upon the entrance.
Merlin emerges first.
The boos begin immediately.
Then King Arthur steps through the archway.
The Crown of Camelot rests upon his head.
The Mythic Crown Championship is fastened around his waist.
King Arthur pauses beneath the banners of Camelot and slowly surveys the building.
He does not acknowledge the hostility.
He begins walking toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “Earlier tonight, Raigen defeated Sir Galahad after refusing the demand that he acknowledge King Arthur. Now the king himself enters competition.”
Brick Brody: “And he’s not facing another man who ignored him. He’s facing the man who took a championship away from his court.”
King Arthur reaches ringside.
Merlin follows him up the steps.
The king enters.
He removes the Mythic Crown Championship but keeps the royal crown upon his head.
Then the lights change.
A harder, darker entrance theme rolls through the Coliseum.
The crowd rises.
Mordred appears.
The Eternal Flame Championship rests over his shoulder.
There is no celebration in his expression.
He looks directly toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “One week ago, Mordred defeated the Sheriff of Nottingham two falls to none to become the new Eternal Flame Champion. The Shadow Court attacked immediately afterward, and Blood-Moon Warden was the man who stopped that assault.”
Brick Brody: “And now Mordred gets the king himself. No championship on the line. No excuse about what happens if either man loses.”
Mordred walks to the ring.
He climbs the steps.
He enters.
For several seconds, the two champions stand facing one another.
“Honest” Abe begins moving toward the centre.
King Arthur raises one hand.
He has not finished.
He asks for a microphone.
Louie Linville gives him one.
The boos grow.
King Arthur looks at the Eternal Flame Championship resting over Mordred’s shoulder.
Then he looks directly into his eyes.
King Arthur: “Before this contest begins, there is a matter that will be settled.”
Mordred remains still.
King Arthur: “Last week, you took property from one who serves this kingdom.”
The crowd boos louder.
King Arthur: “You have wrapped yourself in gold and mistaken possession for authority.”
Mordred does not move.
King Arthur: “You once gathered men beneath the name of the Broken Crown.”
A small smile appears on the king’s face.
King Arthur: “Look around you.”
King Arthur: “Your Broken Crown is no more.”
The crowd reacts.
Mordred’s expression does not change.
King Arthur: “There is one crown.”
He touches the Crown of Camelot.
King Arthur: “One throne.”
He points toward himself.
King Arthur: “And one sovereign whose authority governs this kingdom.”
Mordred remains silent.
King Arthur: “So before you stand across this ring from your king…”
A pause.
King Arthur: “…kneel.”
The Coliseum erupts in boos.
King Arthur: “Show respect to the Crown.”
Mordred looks down.
Not toward the floor.
Toward the Eternal Flame Championship on his shoulder.
Then he looks back at King Arthur.
He says nothing.
The silence stretches.
Brick Brody: “There’s your answer.”
Julian Ward: “He has not said a word.”
Brick Brody: “He didn’t need to.”
King Arthur’s expression hardens.
Then another entrance theme interrupts.
The crowd turns.
Severin Crowne appears.
Beside him is the former Eternal Flame Champion, the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The Sheriff stares directly at Mordred.
Severin Crowne remains composed.
The two men begin walking toward ringside.
Julian Ward: “And this immediately changes the atmosphere around this match.”
Brick Brody: “It doesn’t change the match. It changes what Mordred has to think about while he wrestles it.”
Severin Crowne and the Sheriff of Nottingham take positions at ringside.
Mordred looks toward them.
Then back toward King Arthur.
King Arthur hands the microphone away.
Louie Linville steps forward.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a special non-title match and is scheduled for one fall!”
He turns toward Mordred.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first… the reigning Eternal Flame Champion… MORDRED!”
The crowd answers loudly.
Mordred raises the championship briefly before handing it to “Honest” Abe.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent… accompanied by Merlin… the King of Camelot… and reigning Mythic Crown Champion… KING ARTHUR!”
Boos fill the building.
King Arthur removes the Crown of Camelot and hands it to Merlin.
The Mythic Crown Championship is passed to the referee.
Both championships are displayed.
Neither is at stake.
The belts are taken from the ring.
“Honest” Abe looks between the two men.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
King Arthur starts forward immediately.
At ringside, Merlin raises one hand and begins murmuring beneath his breath.
The king seems to straighten as if fresh energy has moved through him.
But Mordred gets there first.
He catches King Arthur, lifts him and drives him down with a lifting inverted DDT.
The crowd erupts.
Mordred immediately covers.
One—
King Arthur shifts the weight and reverses the pin.
Now Mordred’s shoulders are down.
Before “Honest” Abe can even count, Mordred rolls through.
He reverses again.
One!
King Arthur kicks out.
Both men separate.
They rise together.
Julian Ward: “Three pinning exchanges in the opening minute, and it was Mordred who created the sequence with that inverted DDT.”
Brick Brody: “The king told him to kneel. Instead Mordred tried to put his shoulders on the mat.”
At ringside, Severin Crowne watches without moving.
The Sheriff of Nottingham does not take his eyes from Mordred.
Minute 2
Mordred reaches for another tie-up.
King Arthur catches the wrist.
He yanks Mordred toward him.
Short-arm clothesline.
The impact turns Mordred inside out.
King Arthur stands over him.
He looks briefly toward Severin Crowne.
Then down at the champion.
Julian Ward: “A sharp answer by King Arthur.”
Brick Brody: “That wasn’t about gaining control. That was the king reminding Mordred that he can hit him too.”
Mordred rolls toward one knee.
King Arthur pulls him up.
Minute 3
King Arthur drives forward.
He catches Mordred around the waist.
Spinebuster.
Mordred crashes into the canvas.
The king rises quickly.
But Mordred does as well.
He catches King Arthur coming back toward him.
Inverted sitdown faceslam.
Both men hit hard.
Julian Ward: “Neither champion is allowing the other to establish comfort.”
Brick Brody: “That’s because this isn’t about points on a board or rankings. This is about which one of them can make the other man look lesser.”
Minute 4
They get back to their feet.
King Arthur charges.
Clothesline.
Mordred absorbs it and stumbles backward.
The king comes again.
Mordred ducks underneath.
He catches King Arthur on the rebound.
Sitout powerbomb.
The ring shakes.
Mordred stays seated for a moment.
King Arthur rolls onto his side.
Julian Ward: “Heavy impact by Mordred.”
Brick Brody: “And look at the king. He hates being thrown around in front of his own court.”
At ringside, the Sheriff of Nottingham steps closer to the apron.
“Honest” Abe immediately warns him back.
The Sheriff raises his hands.
Minute 5
King Arthur gets up.
Mordred gives him no time.
Dropkick.
Both boots strike the chest.
The king is knocked backward into the ropes.
Mordred charges again.
King Arthur catches the top rope and drops beneath the next strike.
He rolls toward centre to create distance.
Julian Ward: “Mordred has been willing to take this match directly to King Arthur.”
Brick Brody: “Why wouldn’t he? If he spends ten minutes worrying about the men around the ring, he already lost.”
Severin Crowne says something quietly to the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The former champion nods.
Minute 6
King Arthur springs forward.
He drives Mordred down and follows with a jumping knee drop.
The knee lands across the upper chest.
King Arthur rises.
Mordred explodes from the canvas.
Spear.
He drives the king backward and down.
The crowd erupts.
Both men lie on the canvas.
Julian Ward: “Spear by Mordred! He absorbed the knee and drove straight through the king.”
Brick Brody: “That was not subtle.”
Mordred rolls toward the ropes.
King Arthur reaches for the opposite side.
Minute 7
Mordred gets upright first.
He tries to close the distance.
King Arthur catches him.
Another spinebuster.
This one lands with even greater force.
Mordred folds against the mat.
The king remains over him.
He points down.
King Arthur: “Kneel.”
The crowd erupts in boos.
Mordred responds by pushing himself upward.
Julian Ward: “Even now, King Arthur is returning to the demand he made before the bell.”
Brick Brody: “And Mordred is still giving him the same answer.”
Minute 8
King Arthur reaches for Mordred.
Mordred twists underneath the grip.
He hooks the head.
Lifting inverted DDT.
The king is planted again.
Mordred remains on his knees, breathing heavily.
At ringside, the Sheriff of Nottingham moves toward the apron.
Severin Crowne places one hand against his chest.
Not yet.
The Sheriff stops.
Julian Ward: “Crowne just held the Sheriff back.”
Brick Brody: “That means he’s waiting for something.”
Mordred rises.
Minute 9
Mordred grabs King Arthur for a vertical suplex.
He lifts.
The king shifts his weight.
He drops behind.
Mordred turns.
King Arthur catches him immediately.
Spinebuster.
Mordred is driven into the canvas.
The king stays down beside him for several seconds.
Then pushes himself upright.
Julian Ward: “Excellent reversal by King Arthur. Mordred had the vertical suplex, but the king changed the entire exchange in midair.”
Brick Brody: “And that’s the third spinebuster. He’s been folding Mordred against the canvas all match.”
King Arthur gets to his feet.
He drags Mordred upward.
Minute 10
King Arthur hooks the arms.
The crowd rises.
Mordred fights.
He breaks one arm free.
He swings.
Clothesline.
The strike catches King Arthur across the chest.
But the king does not go down.
He stumbles.
Mordred moves forward.
King Arthur suddenly kicks him in the midsection.
He hooks both arms.
King’s Decree.
The Pedigree drives Mordred face-first into the canvas.
King Arthur turns him over.
Cover.
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell rings.
Boos fill the Coliseum.
King Arthur sits beside Mordred for several seconds.
Then he rises.
Merlin enters the ring carrying the Crown of Camelot.
King Arthur takes it.
Places it upon his head.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen… your winner… KING ARTHUR!”
The Mythic Crown Championship is handed back to the king.
The Eternal Flame Championship is placed near the corner where Mordred lies.
But King Arthur does not leave.
He looks toward ringside.
Severin Crowne smiles.
The Sheriff of Nottingham climbs onto the apron.
Julian Ward: “The match is over.”
Brick Brody: “And I don’t think the king believes the lesson is.”
The Sheriff of Nottingham enters.
Severin Crowne follows.
Mordred pushes himself onto one elbow.
He sees them.
Too late.
The Sheriff kicks him in the ribs.
Mordred rolls over.
Severin Crowne begins directing traffic.
King Arthur grabs Mordred by the hair and pulls him upright.
The crowd erupts in boos.
King Arthur shoves the Eternal Flame Champion toward the Sheriff.
The Sheriff of Nottingham drives a forearm into Mordred’s jaw.
Mordred falls.
Severin Crowne stomps down across the shoulder.
Julian Ward: “Three-on-one now. The contest is finished. This is punishment.”
The crowd suddenly reacts toward the entrance.
Tin Man storms onto the stage.
Beside him is Sir Agravaine.
Several steps behind comes The Huntsman.
The three men hurry toward the ring.
Brick Brody: “Here comes the rest of the court.”
Tin Man enters first.
Sir Agravaine follows.
The Huntsman stops at ringside.
Inside, the assault continues.
Tin Man pulls Mordred upright.
Sir Agravaine drives a boot into the champion’s midsection.
Mordred drops to his knees.
The Huntsman remains outside.
He watches.
His jaw tightens.
Severin Crowne sees him.
He walks toward the ropes.
Severin Crowne: “Get in here.”
The Huntsman does not move.
Severin Crowne: “Now.”
The crowd noise shifts.
The Huntsman looks toward Mordred.
Then toward King Arthur.
Reluctantly, he climbs onto the apron.
He steps through the ropes.
But he does not attack.
He remains near the corner.
King Arthur notices.
So does Severin Crowne.
Before either can address it, the crowd erupts.
Blood-Moon Warden bursts through the curtain.
He runs down the ramp.
Julian Ward: “Blood-Moon Warden!”
Brick Brody: “He saved Mordred last week. He’s trying it again.”
Blood-Moon Warden slides into the ring.
He immediately tackles Tin Man backward.
A right hand catches Sir Agravaine.
Another sends the Sheriff of Nottingham stumbling toward the ropes.
Mordred uses the opening to rise.
The two men stand back-to-back.
For a moment, the crowd believes they have changed the fight.
Then the numbers close.
King Arthur attacks Mordred.
Severin Crowne catches Blood-Moon Warden from behind.
Tin Man recovers.
Sir Agravaine drives into the Warden from the side.
The Sheriff returns.
Five men swarm two.
Julian Ward: “The numbers are overwhelming them.”
Brick Brody: “Of course they are. Two men don’t beat a court.”
Mordred throws a forearm at King Arthur.
The king answers with a knee.
Tin Man grabs Mordred from behind.
The Sheriff of Nottingham begins striking the ribs.
Across the ring, Sir Agravaine and Severin Crowne have Blood-Moon Warden trapped against the ropes.
The Huntsman remains in the corner.
Still not moving.
He watches.
Severin Crowne glances toward him again.
Severin Crowne: “Do something.”
The Huntsman looks at him.
Then at Mordred.
Then at Blood-Moon Warden.
King Arthur drives another boot into Mordred’s ribs.
Something changes in The Huntsman’s expression.
He steps forward.
Julian Ward: “Huntsman is moving.”
Brick Brody: “Question is, toward who?”
The Huntsman reaches Tin Man first.
He grabs his shoulder.
Pulls him backward.
Tin Man turns in surprise.
The Huntsman: “Enough.”
The crowd erupts.
The Huntsman reaches toward the Sheriff of Nottingham and pulls him away from Mordred.
Then he moves toward King Arthur.
The king is still standing over the fallen champion.
The Huntsman puts one hand against King Arthur’s shoulder.
He pulls him back.
Everything stops.
For one second.
The entire ring freezes.
King Arthur slowly turns his head.
He looks down at the hand touching him.
Then at The Huntsman.
Julian Ward: “He touched the king.”
Brick Brody: “That may have been the line.”
King Arthur shoves The Huntsman backward.
The Huntsman does not retaliate.
Severin Crowne points.
The court turns.
Sir Agravaine hits The Huntsman first.
A forearm across the jaw.
Tin Man drives into him from the side.
The Sheriff of Nottingham joins.
The Huntsman is knocked down.
The crowd erupts in fury.
Julian Ward: “Now they are attacking The Huntsman!”
Brick Brody: “He stopped being useful the second he stopped obeying.”
The Huntsman tries to cover up.
Sir Agravaine stomps him down.
Tin Man pulls him upright and hurls him into the corner.
The Sheriff charges in with a forearm.
King Arthur watches.
Then turns back toward Mordred.
The attack becomes systematic.
Severin Crowne directs the men around him.
Mordred is dragged toward centre.
Blood-Moon Warden is pulled away from the ropes and thrown down beside him.
The Huntsman is dragged from the corner.
The three men are left lying near one another.
King Arthur stands above them.
The Crown of Camelot still rests upon his head.
The Mythic Crown Championship hangs from one hand.
At his side stand Severin Crowne, Sir Agravaine, Tin Man, and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Merlin watches from just outside the ropes.
The camera moves closer.
Mordred lies on his side, one arm across his ribs.
Blood-Moon Warden is face-down beside him.
The Huntsman lies several feet away, staring toward the ceiling.
Julian Ward: “King Arthur won this match. That fact is not in dispute. But what followed says far more about the state of Camelot than the result itself.”
Brick Brody: “Mordred refused to kneel. Warden came to save him. Huntsman decided he’d seen enough. Every one of them got the same answer.”
Julian Ward: “And the most troubling part may be what just happened to The Huntsman. He did not attack the king. He tried to stop the beating. The moment he put his hands on Arthur, the court turned on one of its own.”
The camera holds on the three fallen men.
Then tilts upward.
King Arthur stands over them.
KING ARTHUR DEFEATS MORDRED BY PINFALL IN THE 10TH MINUTE FOLLOWING THE KING’S DECREE.
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
For several seconds, the atmosphere remains heavy after what happened moments ago.
A replay fills the arena screen.
Mordred lies beneath the numbers of the Shadow Court.
Blood-Moon Warden races to his aid.
Then The Huntsman finally reaches in and attempts to pull the attackers away.
His hand touches King Arthur.
The response is immediate.
The court turns on him.
The replay ends with Mordred, Blood-Moon Warden, and The Huntsman left beaten in the ring.
The picture fades.
Julian Ward: “What we witnessed before the break was not simply an attack upon Mordred. It was a declaration of what happens when anyone inside King Arthur’s circle refuses an order.”
Brick Brody: “And Huntsman learned that lesson the hard way. He tried to stop the beating, put a hand on the king, and suddenly he was on the wrong side of the boots.”
The lights dim.
A black card appears on the entrance screen.
Boos sweep through the arena.
Severin Crowne steps through the curtain.
Beside him comes Tin Man.
Neither shows any visible concern over what occurred only minutes ago.
Tin Man marches toward the ring with his expression fixed and mechanical.
Severin Crowne follows several steps behind, immaculate and composed.
Julian Ward: “And now Tin Man returns to competition after taking part in that assault.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what separates people who belong in a fight from people who don’t. Tin Man finished one job and walked straight into the next.”
Julian Ward: “His opponent may have a very different interpretation.”
Footage briefly appears from last week.
Allan A Dale, Friar Tuck, and Little John battle Severin Crowne, Sir Agravaine, and Tin Man.
The forty-five-minute time limit expires before either side can win.
The replay ends on Allan A Dale and Tin Man staring one another down after the bell.
Then another image.
Tin Man carrying the chained Robin Hood away following Age of Ruin.
The live crowd becomes louder.
Julian Ward: “Last week, the Merry Band and Shadow Court fought for forty-five minutes without a winner. Tonight removes four of those men from the equation.”
Brick Brody: “And Allan gets the man he’s been staring holes through ever since Robin Hood was taken away.”
The music changes.
The crowd rises.
Allan A Dale emerges alone.
There is no song tonight.
No theatrical bow.
No flourish.
He looks directly at Tin Man.
Then at Severin Crowne.
His jaw tightens.
Allan A Dale begins walking.
Julian Ward: “There is usually music in Allan A Dale’s step. Not tonight.”
Brick Brody: “Good. He shouldn’t be singing. His leader is in chains, his friends are at war, and the man standing in that ring helped put him there.”
Allan A Dale reaches ringside.
He stops briefly in front of Severin Crowne.
Crowne gives him a faint smile.
Allan does not respond.
He enters the ring.
Tin Man moves toward centre.
“Honest” Abe immediately steps between them.
Louie Linville raises his microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
He turns toward Allan A Dale.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first… representing the resistance of Sherwood and the Merry Band… ALLAN A DALE!”
The Coliseum responds loudly.
Allan A Dale keeps his eyes on his opponent.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent… accompanied by Severin Crowne… representing the Shadow Court… TIN MAN!”
Boos fill the arena.
Tin Man takes one deliberate step toward Allan A Dale.
“Honest” Abe separates them again.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither man waits.
Allan A Dale closes quickly and drives a knee lift into the body.
Tin Man folds slightly but answers immediately with a headbutt directly into Allan’s midsection.
Allan stumbles backward.
Tin Man advances.
They collide again near centre.
Julian Ward: “No hesitation. Their forty-five-minute encounter last week clearly settled nothing.”
Brick Brody: “They already know each other. There’s no reason to waste time pretending otherwise.”
Minute 2
Allan A Dale creates space.
He turns his body, setting for Final Verse.
Tin Man reads it.
He catches Allan before the strike can fully develop and redirects the momentum.
Takeover suplex.
Allan hits hard across the shoulders.
Tin Man stays over him, pressing a forearm against the jaw before “Honest” Abe orders him away.
Julian Ward: “Tin Man had Final Verse scouted.”
Brick Brody: “He saw it last week. If you survive somebody’s best weapon once, you’d better learn from it.”
At ringside, Severin Crowne nods approvingly.
Minute 3
Tin Man pulls Allan A Dale upright.
Allan breaks the grip.
He traps the head.
Piledriver.
Tin Man is driven into the canvas.
But as Allan tries to maintain control, Tin Man rolls toward one knee and drives another headbutt into the midsection.
Allan recoils.
Julian Ward: “Allan found the piledriver, but Tin Man refuses to remain passive after absorbing damage.”
Brick Brody: “That metal-headed lunatic keeps attacking the body. Ribs, stomach, legs. He’s not chasing pretty.”
Minute 4
Allan A Dale comes forward again.
Knee lift.
It catches Tin Man under the chest.
Tin Man answers by chopping a kick into Allan’s thigh.
Allan’s leg buckles.
He takes one step back.
Tin Man kicks the same leg again.
Julian Ward: “Tin Man has started targeting the thigh.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Take the leg away and see how much poetry Allan can write lying on his back.”
Minute 5
Allan A Dale tries to prevent the leg attack from becoming established.
He grabs Tin Man and drops him with another piledriver.
The crowd responds.
Tin Man rolls through the impact and surges back to his feet.
He catches Allan around the body.
Belly-to-belly suplex.
Both men hit heavily.
Julian Ward: “Another exchange where neither man holds control for more than a few seconds.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what happens when hatred and preparation arrive in the same ring.”
Minute 6
Allan A Dale tries to scoop Tin Man up.
Tin Man shifts his weight and slips free.
He reaches for Allan, but the follow-up never develops.
Allan turns.
Final Verse.
This time it lands cleanly.
Tin Man collapses.
The crowd surges.
Severin Crowne takes one step closer to the apron.
Julian Ward: “Final Verse connects! Tin Man stopped it earlier, but not this time.”
Brick Brody: “And Crowne didn’t like that.”
Allan looks briefly toward ringside.
Then returns his attention to his opponent.
Minute 7
Both men rise.
Allan A Dale catches both arms.
Double-arm DDT.
Tin Man’s head and shoulders crash into the canvas.
But when Allan follows, Tin Man drives repeated knees into the body.
One.
Two.
Three.
Allan is forced backward.
Julian Ward: “Again, Tin Man attacking the body whenever Allan gets too close.”
Brick Brody: “Because he knows Allan wants rhythm. Make him breathe hard enough and rhythm disappears.”
Minute 8
Allan A Dale grabs Tin Man.
Scoop powerslam.
The impact drives him down.
Tin Man rolls away, gets up and answers almost immediately with another takeover suplex.
Allan lands near the ropes.
Severin Crowne watches from only a few feet away.
Allan sees him.
He pulls himself upright without breaking eye contact.
Julian Ward: “Crowne’s presence continues to hang over this match.”
Brick Brody: “Then Allan needs to stop looking at him. Crowne isn’t the man trying to beat him.”
Minute 9
Tin Man steps in and unleashes Hinged Hammer.
Heavy punches drive into Allan A Dale.
One across the ribs.
Another toward the chest.
Then a third snaps Allan’s head backward.
Allan tries to cover.
Tin Man keeps punching.
“Honest” Abe warns him.
Julian Ward: “Hinged Hammer from Tin Man, and Allan could not defend against that barrage.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what I’ve been waiting for. Stop exchanging holds with him and hit him until he stops answering.”
Minute 10
Tin Man reaches for another strike.
Allan A Dale ducks underneath.
He hooks the waist.
Gutwrench suplex.
Tin Man lands hard across his back.
Allan keeps the grip for a moment before releasing.
He stays near centre rather than pursuing toward the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Allan needed to change the geometry of this match. He got Tin Man away from the ropes and away from Crowne.”
Brick Brody: “That’s smart. Took him ten minutes, but it’s smart.”
Minute 11
Allan A Dale tries to build from there.
He catches Tin Man and swings into the Travelling Troubadour neckbreaker.
Tin Man twists through the motion.
He snatches at the arm.
For a brief moment, the two tumble into an armbar struggle.
Neither man secures complete control.
They break apart.
Julian Ward: “Excellent defensive scramble from both men.”
Brick Brody: “That was ugly, which means it was useful.”
Minute 12
Allan A Dale attacks immediately.
Final Verse.
The strike lands again.
But Tin Man, falling backward, catches the leg.
Legsweep.
Both men crash down.
The crowd rises as they roll apart.
Julian Ward: “Final Verse connected, but Tin Man took Allan’s base away at the same time.”
Brick Brody: “That’s survival. If you’re going down, make sure the other man goes with you.”
At ringside, Severin Crowne gestures for Tin Man to keep moving.
Minute 13
Allan A Dale reaches his feet first.
Gutwrench suplex.
Tin Man hits hard.
He scrambles up and catches Allan with a fireman’s carry, taking him down before another follow-up can come.
Both men breathe heavily now.
Julian Ward: “Thirteen minutes of almost constant exchange.”
Brick Brody: “And neither one has figured out how to keep the other down.”
Minute 14
Tin Man advances.
Allan A Dale drives a knee lift into him.
The strike lands flush.
Tin Man staggers backward.
Allan follows with another.
The second forces Tin Man toward the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Allan starting to find the body now.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what happens in a fight like this. Everybody starts stealing ideas.”
Minute 15
Allan A Dale comes in again.
Tin Man lowers his head.
A brutal headbutt drives into the midsection.
Allan folds.
Tin Man catches him by the shoulders and forces him down to one knee.
Julian Ward: “That headbutt has been one of Tin Man’s most reliable weapons tonight.”
Brick Brody: “Because he keeps putting it in the same place. Sooner or later those ribs stop cooperating.”
Minute 16
The two meet again in the centre.
Allan A Dale wins the first grip.
Gutwrench suplex.
Tin Man rolls through and gets back to his feet.
He grabs Allan.
Takeover suplex.
Both men stay down.
“Honest” Abe begins a standing count.
One.
Two.
Three.
Both start moving.
Four.
They rise.
Julian Ward: “Perfectly matched exchange.”
Brick Brody: “That’s the problem. Somebody has to stop matching and start taking.”
Minute 17
Tin Man is the first to act.
He drives a knee into Allan A Dale.
Another follows.
Then another.
Allan tries to straighten.
A final knee catches him beneath the ribs and drops him back toward the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Those accumulated body attacks are beginning to show.”
Brick Brody: “Of course they are. Tin Man has spent seventeen minutes building toward that.”
Severin Crowne applauds slowly from ringside.
Minute 18
Allan A Dale fires back.
He catches Tin Man with a sudden burst and sends him through the ropes.
Tin Man lands on the floor.
But before falling, he sweeps Allan’s leg from beneath him.
Both men are down on opposite sides of the ropes.
“Honest” Abe begins counting Tin Man.
One.
Two.
Three.
Tin Man reaches the apron.
Four.
He pulls himself upright.
Five.
He slides back inside.
Julian Ward: “Tin Man back at five. Allan bought himself some distance, but he did not get the clean reset he wanted.”
Brick Brody: “And Tin Man made sure Allan paid for throwing him out.”
Minute 19
Allan A Dale tries for another gutwrench suplex.
Tin Man blocks.
He twists free.
Kick to the thigh.
Allan’s leg buckles again.
Tin Man kicks it a second time.
Allan drops.
Tin Man covers.
One!
Two!
Allan A Dale kicks out.
The crowd responds.
Tin Man sits upright.
Severin Crowne tells him to stay focused.
Julian Ward: “Near fall for Tin Man, and again it came after attacking the leg.”
Brick Brody: “Now Allan has two problems. His ribs have been hit all night, and that thigh keeps getting chopped apart.”
Minute 20
Allan A Dale rises.
He throws himself forward with a dropkick.
The boots catch Tin Man across the chest.
But Tin Man absorbs enough of it to remain close.
As Allan stands, repeated knee strikes slam into the body.
Allan doubles over.
Julian Ward: “Every offensive burst from Allan is being answered physically.”
Brick Brody: “He’s winning moments. Tin Man is trying to win the damage.”
Minute 21
Allan A Dale catches Tin Man.
He hooks for another piledriver.
Tin Man widens his stance.
He blocks.
Allan tries again.
Still nothing.
Tin Man powers free and shoves him backward.
Julian Ward: “Tin Man neutralizes the piledriver.”
Brick Brody: “Twenty-one minutes in. Sweat, fatigue, bad leg, bad ribs. Moves that worked early stop working now.”
Minute 22
Allan A Dale changes tactics.
Gutwrench suplex.
This one works.
Tin Man is thrown.
As Allan approaches, Tin Man sweeps the legs again.
Allan hits the canvas.
Both men immediately scramble back up.
Julian Ward: “Neither man can afford hesitation now.”
Brick Brody: “And neither one is giving it.”
Minute 23
Tin Man steps forward.
Allan A Dale turns.
Final Verse.
It lands cleanly.
Tin Man collapses.
The Coliseum erupts.
Allan falls to one knee from the effort.
Julian Ward: “Final Verse! Third time tonight!”
Brick Brody: “Cover him!”
Allan looks toward Tin Man.
He tries to move.
His damaged leg slows him.
That moment costs him.
Tin Man begins rolling away.
Julian Ward: “The leg prevented Allan from capitalizing immediately.”
Brick Brody: “That is exactly why you attack something for twenty-three minutes.”
Minute 24
Allan A Dale catches Tin Man before he reaches the ropes.
He forces him upright.
Scoop powerslam.
Tin Man crashes down.
Allan remains beside him.
The crowd urges him toward a cover.
But Tin Man rolls onto his side.
Allan reaches for him again.
Julian Ward: “Allan has created another opening.”
Brick Brody: “Then he needs to finish it now. He is running out of healthy parts.”
At ringside, Severin Crowne moves closer.
He does not touch anyone.
He simply watches.
Minute 25
Allan A Dale pulls Tin Man up.
The two separate.
Tin Man looks down.
Then strikes.
A brutal kick slams directly into the already-damaged thigh.
Allan’s leg gives out.
He falls to one knee.
A second kick lands.
Allan collapses fully.
Tin Man immediately covers.
“Honest” Abe drops into position.
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum erupts in boos.
Tin Man rolls away.
Allan A Dale remains on the canvas, one hand gripping his thigh.
At ringside, Severin Crowne allows himself a satisfied smile.
Louie Linville steps toward centre.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen… your winner… TIN MAN!”
Tin Man rises.
“Honest” Abe raises his hand.
The crowd continues booing.
Severin Crowne climbs onto the apron.
He looks down toward Allan A Dale.
For a tense moment, it appears another attack may follow.
But Crowne simply gestures toward the entrance.
Tin Man steps through the ropes.
The two members of the Shadow Court leave together.
Inside the ring, Allan A Dale pushes himself onto one elbow.
He watches them go.
There is anger in his expression.
No surrender.
Julian Ward: “Allan A Dale landed Final Verse repeatedly and created several opportunities, but Tin Man spent twenty-five minutes systematically attacking the body and the left thigh. In the end, that accumulated damage determined the result.”
Brick Brody: “That’s why I keep telling you damage matters more than pretty sequences. Tin Man didn’t need one magical moment. He beat the same places until Allan’s leg finally stopped doing its job.”
Julian Ward: “Another victory for the Shadow Court tonight, and for Allan A Dale, another painful reminder that his struggle with the men surrounding King Arthur is far from finished.”
TIN MAN DEFEATS ALLAN A DALE BY PINFALL IN THE 25TH MINUTE AFTER A KICK TO THE DAMAGED THIGH.
The camera returns to the commentary desk.
Behind Julian Ward and Brick Brody, the ring crew continues preparing the arena for the main event, but neither broadcaster is looking toward the ring.
Julian Ward: “Before we continue, we have been informed of a new directive from Mythic Commissioner Elias Coldmere.”
Brick Brody: “Apparently the king gets his own room now.”
Julian Ward: “Beginning tonight, every edition of Dark Fable will include a new segment entitled From the Throne. Commissioner Coldmere has authorized a designated audience period for King Arthur to address matters concerning Camelot and the Mythic Division.”
Brick Brody: “That sounds dangerously close to giving a king exactly what he’s been asking for.”
Julian Ward: “The distinction remains important. King Arthur may make proclamations. Elias Coldmere remains the commissioner responsible for official matches and rulings.”
Brick Brody: “Then we’re about to find out how long those two definitions can occupy the same room.”
The camera cuts backstage.
The change is immediate.
A large portion of the backstage area at Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum has been transformed.
Stone-patterned walls rise around what was once a production space. Heavy crimson banners hang from iron fixtures. Torch-shaped lights burn along the perimeter. A long carpet runs from a pair of enormous wooden doors toward an elevated dais.
At the far end of the room sits an ornate throne.
Upon it sits King Arthur.
The Crown of Camelot rests upon his head.
The Mythic Crown Championship is displayed across his lap.
To the king’s right stands Merlin, positioned upon a smaller platform slightly below the throne dais. His staff rests beside him.
To Arthur’s left sits Severin Crowne in a large, dark ornate chair.
His platform is also lower than the throne.
The distinction is unmistakable.
Crowne has been given prominence.
But not equality.
On the main floor to the king’s right stand Lady Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Gawain.
Across from them, on the left, stand Regina, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Malice, Sir Agravaine, and Tin Man.
The composition resembles a royal court assembled for judgment.
Yet not everyone looks comfortable in it.
Lady Guinevere’s eyes briefly cross the room toward Regina.
Regina notices.
A faint smile touches her lips.
Guinevere does not return it.
Beside her, Sir Lancelot is not watching the king.
His attention rests upon Severin Crowne.
Crowne notices that too.
He simply folds one hand over the other.
At the foot of the dais stands Elias Coldmere.
Unlike everyone else, the Mythic Commissioner wears no ceremonial colors.
No armor.
No crest.
Only his usual formal attire.
His presence looks almost deliberately out of place.
King Arthur slowly rises.
The room quiets.
King Arthur: “Tonight, Camelot has been tested.”
His eyes travel across the gathered court.
King Arthur: “Defiance has again mistaken patience for weakness.”
A pause.
King Arthur: “A knight was challenged.”
King Arthur: “A champion stood against his king.”
King Arthur: “One sworn to this court forgot the meaning of obedience.”
The reference to The Huntsman hangs heavily in the room.
Sir Lancelot’s expression tightens.
Lady Guinevere lowers her eyes for a moment.
Across the room, Sir Agravaine remains perfectly still.
King Arthur: “Therefore let there be no misunderstanding.”
He steps forward to the edge of the dais.
King Arthur: “Loyalty is not requested.”
King Arthur: “Obedience is not optional.”
King Arthur: “Respect for the Crown is not a matter of preference.”
His eyes sweep across everyone assembled.
King Arthur: “Bow.”
For a moment, nobody moves.
Then Sir Galahad bows.
Sir Gawain follows.
Sir Agravaine lowers his head.
The Sheriff of Nottingham bows deeply.
Tin Man inclines forward.
Malice bows.
Regina lowers herself with a graceful, almost theatrical reverence.
Her eyes flick briefly toward Lady Guinevere while doing so.
Guinevere sees it.
She bows more slowly.
There is no smile.
Sir Lancelot remains upright one second longer than everyone else.
His eyes stay on Severin Crowne.
Then he bows.
Only after that does Crowne rise from his chair and incline respectfully toward the throne.
Merlin lowers his head.
Finally, Elias Coldmere gives the king a restrained formal bow.
Not kneeling.
Not prostrating himself.
An acknowledgment.
Nothing more.
King Arthur takes it in.
Satisfied.
He sits again.
King Arthur: “This is how order begins.”
His eyes settle on the room.
King Arthur: “Those who compete beneath the banners of Camelot will show the same respect.”
King Arthur: “Those who refuse will discover that rebellion carries consequence.”
He turns toward Elias Coldmere.
King Arthur: “Is that not correct, Commissioner?”
The room turns toward Elias.
The commissioner does not hurry his answer.
Elias Coldmere: “Actions carry consequences.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “That has always been true here.”
King Arthur studies him.
Then smiles faintly.
It is close enough.
King Arthur: “Excellent.”
He settles back against the throne.
King Arthur: “Then we proceed.”
The king looks toward Sir Agravaine.
King Arthur: “Last week, Mordred took the Eternal Flame Championship from the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
The Sheriff’s jaw tightens.
King Arthur: “Tonight, he stood before me with that stolen confidence.”
King Arthur: “He was reminded of his place.”
King Arthur gestures toward Sir Agravaine.
King Arthur: “Next week, Sir Agravaine shall challenge Mordred for the Eternal Flame Championship.”
A low murmur passes through the room.
Sir Agravaine steps forward and bows.
Sir Agravaine: “It will be my honor, my king.”
King Arthur looks down toward Elias Coldmere.
King Arthur: “Make it so.”
Elias Coldmere holds the king’s gaze.
Then gives one measured nod.
Elias Coldmere: “Mordred versus Sir Agravaine for the Eternal Flame Championship. Next week.”
King Arthur: “Good.”
Severin Crowne watches the exchange without expression.
King Arthur rests one hand upon the arm of his throne.
King Arthur: “Now.”
A pause.
King Arthur: “Who seeks audience with the Crown?”
Silence.
Then Tin Man steps from formation.
He walks toward the enormous wooden doors at the rear of the chamber.
He grips both handles.
Pulls.
The doors open.
Standing beyond them is Prince John.
His clothing is immaculate.
His expression is immediately deferential.
Tin Man steps aside.
Severin Crowne speaks from his chair.
Severin Crowne: “Your Majesty, Prince John has petitioned for an audience.”
King Arthur: “Then let him approach.”
Prince John enters.
The doors close behind him.
He walks slowly along the carpet.
As he passes between the two sides of the court, Lady Guinevere watches him with visible skepticism.
Regina appears far more entertained.
Prince John reaches the foot of the dais.
He drops to one knee.
Deeply.
Prince John: “Your Majesty.”
He bows his head.
Prince John: “King of Camelot.”
Prince John: “Bearer of the true Crown.”
Prince John: “Champion of the Mythic realm.”
Prince John: “The sovereign before whom order itself appears almost humble.”
Brick Brody’s voice can faintly be heard over the broadcast feed.
Brick Brody: “That’s thick.”
Back in the throne room, King Arthur allows himself a pleased smile.
Prince John: “It is an honor beyond measure to stand within the presence of a king whose wisdom has restored discipline where lesser men allowed chaos.”
Severin Crowne glances sideways.
Even he appears mildly impressed by the excess.
King Arthur: “You may rise.”
Prince John does.
King Arthur: “Your admiration has been noted.”
A few restrained smiles appear around the room.
King Arthur: “State your business.”
Prince John folds his hands before him.
Prince John: “Gladly, Your Majesty.”
He glances toward Elias Coldmere, then returns immediately to Arthur.
Prince John: “I come on behalf of my client.”
Prince John: “A man whose talent has been overlooked.”
Prince John: “A man whose accomplishments have been treated as secondary while others receive opportunity after opportunity.”
King Arthur: “Name him.”
Prince John: “Will Scarlett.”
The name produces a subtle reaction from the room.
Prince John: “My king, Jack Lumber holds the Convergent Championship.”
Prince John: “My client deserves the opportunity to take it from him.”
Prince John: “I respectfully request that Will Scarlett receive a match for the Convergent Championship.”
Silence.
King Arthur leans back.
His fingers tap once against the arm of the throne.
He looks toward Prince John.
Then toward Elias Coldmere.
Then, finally, his eyes shift left.
Toward Severin Crowne.
Crowne meets the king’s gaze.
No words pass between them.
After several seconds, Severin Crowne gives the smallest nod.
Barely perceptible.
But enough.
King Arthur turns back toward the commissioner.
King Arthur: “Commissioner.”
Elias Coldmere looks up.
King Arthur: “Next week.”
A pause.
King Arthur: “Will Scarlett challenges Jack Lumber for the Convergent Championship.”
King Arthur: “Make it so.”
Elias Coldmere studies Prince John for a moment.
Then nods.
Elias Coldmere: “The match is approved.”
Elias Coldmere: “Next week.”
Prince John’s face lights immediately.
Prince John: “Your Majesty’s judgment is exceeded only by his generosity.”
He reaches inside his coat.
Several members of the court tense.
Then Prince John produces a small velvet bag.
He loosens the drawstring.
The sound of coins shifting can be heard.
Prince John steps forward.
He places the bag carefully at the foot of the throne.
A few gold coins spill partially from the opening.
The camera catches them gleaming beneath the torchlight.
Prince John: “A humble tribute.”
Lady Guinevere’s expression turns colder.
Sir Lancelot looks from the gold toward Severin Crowne.
Crowne gives nothing away.
Elias Coldmere looks directly at the bag.
Then at Prince John.
Then at King Arthur.
The commissioner says nothing.
King Arthur glances down at the gold.
He appears pleased.
King Arthur: “Your gratitude is accepted.”
Prince John bows again.
King Arthur: “You are dismissed.”
Prince John: “Long live the king.”
He steps backward several paces before turning.
Tin Man opens the doors.
Prince John leaves.
The doors close behind him.
Silence returns.
King Arthur looks around the throne room.
King Arthur: “Let this first audience establish the order of things.”
His gaze sweeps across the assembled court.
King Arthur: “Those with grievances.”
King Arthur: “Those with requests.”
King Arthur: “Those seeking favor, opportunity, judgment, or mercy.”
A pause.
King Arthur: “You will not simply wander into the presence of your king.”
He turns toward Severin Crowne.
King Arthur: “An audience must be earned.”
Severin Crowne rises slowly from his chair.
King Arthur: “Anyone who wishes to stand before this throne…”
King Arthur: “…will first speak to Severin Crowne.”
Crowne inclines his head.
Severin Crowne: “I will see that the worthy reach you.”
The king smiles.
King Arthur: “And that the unworthy do not.”
The camera begins to pull backward.
As it does, the details become clearer.
Regina looks across the room toward Lady Guinevere.
This time, Guinevere meets her stare directly.
Neither woman looks away.
Nearby, Sir Lancelot again turns his attention toward Severin Crowne.
Crowne sits back down.
Their eyes meet briefly.
At the foot of the dais, Elias Coldmere remains motionless.
Behind him lies the bag of gold.
Above him sits the king.
The enormous doors close completely.
Cut back to commentary.
For several seconds, neither man speaks.
Julian Ward: “There is a great deal to unpack there.”
Brick Brody: “Start with the throne.”
Julian Ward: “We now know that From the Throne will be a recurring part of Dark Fable. We also have two championship matches confirmed for next week. Mordred will defend the Eternal Flame Championship against Sir Agravaine, and Convergent Champion Jack Lumber will defend against Will Scarlett.”
Brick Brody: “And apparently if you want something from Arthur, first you flatter him, then you talk to Crowne, then maybe you bring gold.”
Julian Ward: “I would be careful with that interpretation.”
Brick Brody: “I watched the same thing you did.”
Julian Ward: “What concerns me more is the structure we just witnessed. Severin Crowne is now openly positioned beside the throne as the gatekeeper to King Arthur.”
Brick Brody: “And Lancelot noticed.”
Julian Ward: “He certainly did.”
Brick Brody: “So did Guinevere when she looked across at Regina.”
Julian Ward: “There may be a court assembled around King Arthur, but what we just saw did not look like a united one.”
The camera briefly returns to a still image from the throne room.
At the center sits King Arthur.
Beside him, Severin Crowne.
On opposite sides of the chamber, Lady Guinevere and Regina stare across the divide.
Sir Lancelot watches Crowne.
And below them all stands Elias Coldmere.
Julian Ward: “From the Throne has begun.”
Brick Brody: “And if that was the first one, I don’t think this room is going to stay peaceful for very long.”
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The lighting changes.
The North Star Tag Team Championship graphic fills the arena screens.
Two championship belts rotate slowly against a dark backdrop before the names of both teams appear.
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “It is time for our main event, and after everything that has happened tonight, we close with championship gold.”
Brick Brody: “And we close with a team everybody keeps questioning.”
The graphic shifts.
Snow White and Gretel appear on the screen.
Brick Brody: “Two wins. Two losses. Two draws in their last six matches. That’s what people keep throwing at the Fairest Hunters.”
Julian Ward: “And earlier tonight, both women acknowledged that criticism without running from it. Their answer was simple: the record does not decide whether they can defeat the champions tonight.”
Brick Brody: “Now they get to prove it.”
The lights dim.
A cold white glow spreads across the entrance.
The first notes of the Fairest Hunters’ music sound.
Snow White steps through the curtain.
She pauses beneath the archway, composed and focused.
Then Gretel emerges beside her.
Where Snow White appears calm, Gretel looks ready to fight immediately.
The two exchange a glance.
Then walk toward the ring together.
Julian Ward: “The challengers have spoken respectfully about the champions. They have not dismissed what Dorothy and Alice have accomplished.”
Brick Brody: “Respect is useful right until the bell rings.”
Snow White reaches the apron first.
She steps through the ropes.
Gretel follows.
The challengers move to their corner.
Then the arena lighting changes again.
The crowd response grows louder.
The Blonde Bombshells appear.
Dorothy walks out with one North Star Tag Team Championship over her shoulder.
Beside her, Alice wears the other around her waist.
They stop at the top of the entrance.
The championships shine beneath the lights.
Neither woman looks concerned.
Neither woman looks arrogant.
They look like champions.
Julian Ward: “The Blonde Bombshells have approached this match exactly as champions should. They acknowledged the danger of the Fairest Hunters and made it clear that respect would not make them surrender these titles.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what I liked about them earlier. No speeches about destiny. No pretending the challengers don’t belong. Just: come take them.”
Dorothy and Alice walk toward the ring.
They enter together.
For several seconds, champions and challengers stand across from one another.
No hostility.
No disrespect.
Only focus.
“Honest” Abe steps between the teams.
Louie Linville moves to the centre of the ring.
He raises his microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is tonight’s MAIN EVENT and is for the NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP!”
The Coliseum erupts.
Louie Linville turns toward the challengers.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first… the challengers… GRETEL and SNOW WHITE… the FAIREST HUNTERS!”
A strong reaction rises for the challengers.
Snow White gives a restrained nod.
Gretel steps forward and stares across the ring.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents… the reigning and defending NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS… DOROTHY and ALICE… the BLONDE BOMBSHELLS!”
The crowd responds even louder.
Dorothy raises her championship.
Alice does the same.
The belts are handed to “Honest” Abe.
He lifts both above his head.
The challengers look up.
The champions do the same.
Then the belts are passed out of the ring.
Alice remains inside for the champions.
Gretel starts for the challengers.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither woman rushes.
Alice and Gretel circle cautiously.
They lock up.
Alice gets control of the arm and twists into a keylock.
Gretel rolls her shoulder, searching for space.
She breaks free.
The moment she does, she explodes forward with a Shining Wizard.
Alice absorbs the impact and rolls away.
Both women rise almost immediately.
Julian Ward: “An extremely even beginning. Alice looked for control. Gretel answered with acceleration.”
Brick Brody: “That is what makes Gretel dangerous. She doesn’t need a long setup. She sees an opening and tries to put a knee through it.”
Minute 2
Alice again tries to dictate the pace.
She catches Gretel’s arm and sends her across with an over-the-shoulder arm drag.
Gretel rolls through.
She returns to her feet quickly and catches Alice with a rolling fireman’s carry.
The champion lands hard.
Gretel keeps moving.
Alice retreats toward the ropes before another attack can follow.
Julian Ward: “The challengers are not being overwhelmed by the championship pace.”
Brick Brody: “They shouldn’t be. They asked for this match. Now act like you belong here.”
Minute 3
Gretel closes the distance.
Spinning heel kick.
It catches Alice cleanly.
Alice stumbles backward toward her corner.
She reaches.
Tag.
Dorothy enters.
Across the ring, Gretel turns toward Snow White.
Tag.
The crowd reacts as both teams change representatives almost simultaneously.
Julian Ward: “Now we get Dorothy and Snow White.”
Brick Brody: “Different match now. Snow White is much more patient than Gretel.”
Minute 4
Dorothy and Snow White meet in the centre.
The exchange breaks down quickly.
Alice enters.
Gretel follows.
All four women are in the ring.
Dorothy drives Snow White down with a spinebuster.
Alice follows with a double kneedrop.
Across from them, Snow White recovers and catches Dorothy’s arm, rolling through into the Gilded Grip.
Gretel catches Alice.
K-360.
The belly-to-back flipping GTS sends Alice staggering.
“Honest” Abe immediately moves between the teams, demanding the illegal partners return to the apron.
Julian Ward: “The first complete breakdown of the match, and neither team backed away.”
Brick Brody: “That told us something. The Fairest Hunters are not intimidated by championship chaos.”
Minute 5
Order is restored.
Dorothy traps Snow White near centre.
She pulls her forward.
Bulldog.
Snow White is driven face-first into the canvas.
Dorothy rolls her over but does not cover.
Instead, she keeps hold of the wrist.
Julian Ward: “The champion slowing things down after that four-woman exchange.”
Brick Brody: “Good. Dorothy doesn’t need to prove she can fight wild. She needs to make Snow White wrestle her match.”
Minute 6
Snow White rises.
She slips out of Dorothy’s control.
She catches the head.
Enchanted Whirl.
The Tornado DDT plants Dorothy.
The crowd responds.
Snow White remains seated after the impact, breathing carefully.
Julian Ward: “Beautiful transition into the Enchanted Whirl.”
Brick Brody: “And that’s what Snow White was talking about earlier. She waits. She reads. Then suddenly you’re chasing her.”
Minute 7
Dorothy gets back up.
The pace accelerates.
Alice enters.
Gretel follows.
All four are legal in the chaos for several moments.
Dorothy drives Snow White down with another bulldog.
Alice climbs.
Wonderland’s End.
The moonsault crashes down.
But the challengers answer.
Snow White hoists Dorothy.
Witch’s Justice.
The modified Gory Bomb lands.
At the same time, Gretel catches Alice with another rolling fireman’s carry.
All four women are down.
The crowd is standing.
Julian Ward: “This is championship-level escalation already.”
Brick Brody: “Nobody is waiting for minute twenty-five. They’re throwing major offense now.”
“Honest” Abe restores order once more.
Minute 8
Snow White remains legal with Dorothy.
She moves first.
Enchanted Whirl.
A second Tornado DDT drives Dorothy into the mat.
This one lands cleaner.
The champion rolls toward the ropes.
Snow White crawls after her.
Julian Ward: “Second Enchanted Whirl, and Dorothy did not have an answer.”
Brick Brody: “That’s when the champions need to stop telling themselves they’re champions and start treating the challengers like a real threat.”
Minute 9
Dorothy gets upright.
She reaches for Snow White.
Spinebuster attempt.
Snow White blocks.
She slips behind.
Dorothy turns but cannot complete the lift.
The champion steps back.
Julian Ward: “Excellent defense by Snow White. She neutralized one of Dorothy’s strongest power attacks.”
Brick Brody: “That’s preparation. She knew exactly where Dorothy wanted to take her.”
Minute 10
Dorothy tags Alice during the exchange.
The champions attack together.
Dorothy catches Snow White.
One-armed neckbreaker slam.
Alice follows immediately with a Code Red sunset flip powerbomb.
The crowd reacts to the combination.
Snow White scrambles up and grabs Alice’s arm.
Gilded Grip.
She pulls Alice into the armbar before Dorothy can continue the attack.
“Honest” Abe forces Dorothy back to the apron.
Julian Ward: “Strong championship combination from the Blonde Bombshells, but Snow White prevented the sequence from becoming overwhelming.”
Brick Brody: “That matters. Every time the champions try to put distance between themselves and the challengers, the Fairest Hunters drag themselves right back into it.”
Minute 11
Snow White tries to reapply the Gilded Grip.
Alice reads it.
She turns through.
The armbar never settles.
Alice pulls free and immediately reaches toward her corner.
Tag.
Dorothy returns.
Julian Ward: “Good awareness from Alice. She knew what was coming and refused to let the submission become established.”
Brick Brody: “That’s championship experience.”
Minute 12
Dorothy enters.
But Snow White catches her own opportunity to tag.
Alice comes back in for a brief exchange before the transitions settle.
Alice throws Snow White with an over-the-shoulder arm drag.
Snow White rolls through and immediately returns the attack with the Gilded Grip.
The arm drag flows directly into the armbar.
Alice twists free.
Both women disengage.
Then the tags come.
Dorothy replaces Alice.
Gretel replaces Snow White.
Julian Ward: “Both teams making nearly simultaneous changes again.”
Brick Brody: “Nobody wants the wrong woman trapped in there too long.”
Minute 13
Dorothy charges first.
Bulldog.
Gretel hits the canvas.
But she rebounds fast.
Shining Wizard.
The knee catches Dorothy.
Both women stagger.
Dorothy recovers first and pulls Gretel down.
Cover.
One!
Gretel kicks out.
The crowd responds.
Julian Ward: “Only one. Gretel had plenty left.”
Brick Brody: “The champions learned something anyway. She’s not ready to stay down.”
Minute 14
Gretel attacks before Dorothy can reset.
Another Shining Wizard.
This one lands flush.
Dorothy drops.
Gretel stands over her for a moment.
She does not cover.
Instead, she pulls Dorothy up and tries to keep the pressure moving.
Julian Ward: “The challengers beginning to build confidence.”
Brick Brody: “Confidence is useful. Overconfidence is where belts stay with champions.”
Minute 15
Dorothy tries to muscle Gretel up for a bodyslam.
Gretel twists free.
She sends Dorothy toward the ropes.
Then she runs.
Slingshot plancha.
Gretel launches through the ropes and crashes into Dorothy on the floor.
Both women go down.
The crowd erupts.
“Honest” Abe begins the count.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Gretel rises first.
Five.
Six.
She rolls inside.
Dorothy reaches the apron.
Seven.
Eight.
Dorothy slides back into the ring.
The crowd applauds the narrow return.
Julian Ward: “Eight-count return by Dorothy. That was dangerously close.”
Brick Brody: “And now the champions know this isn’t some ceremonial defense.”
Dorothy immediately reaches for her corner.
Tag.
Alice enters.
Across the ring, Gretel tags Snow White.
Minute 16
Alice and Snow White collide.
Alice catches the head.
Wonderland Whirl.
The hurricanrana sends Snow White across the ring.
She rolls through and comes back.
Thorn Crown Driver.
The spike DDT drops Alice.
Both women hit nearly simultaneously.
Julian Ward: “Another exchange where neither woman gives the other more than a breath of control.”
Brick Brody: “That’s what makes this dangerous for the champions. They can’t create separation.”
Minute 17
Alice attacks first.
Over-the-shoulder arm drag.
Snow White rolls.
She rises.
Witch’s Justice.
The modified Gory Bomb drives Alice down.
Snow White looks toward her corner.
Tag.
Gretel enters.
Alice reaches Dorothy.
Tag.
Julian Ward: “Fresh competitors again, and neither team has managed to isolate anyone for long.”
Brick Brody: “Which means this may come down to one mistake.”
Minute 18
Dorothy meets Gretel near centre.
Spinebuster.
Gretel is driven down.
But as Dorothy rises, Gretel kicks upward.
Enzuigiri.
The strike catches the champion.
Both women wobble.
Julian Ward: “Power against speed again.”
Brick Brody: “And neither side is winning that argument.”
Minute 19
Gretel rebounds from the ropes.
Shining Wizard.
It catches Dorothy cleanly.
The champion goes down.
Gretel looks toward Snow White.
Tag.
Dorothy crawls toward Alice.
Tag.
The crowd grows louder as Alice and Snow White enter again.
Julian Ward: “We are approaching twenty minutes, and neither team has found lasting control.”
Brick Brody: “That favors the team that makes the first clean mistake.”
Minute 20
Alice attacks the arm.
Keylock.
She twists Snow White toward the canvas.
The challenger tries to turn through.
Alice keeps the pressure.
Snow White eventually reaches enough space to escape.
She rolls away.
Julian Ward: “Excellent control from Alice.”
Brick Brody: “And smart. Slow Snow White down. Don’t let her improvise.”
Minute 21
Snow White gets back to her feet.
Alice reaches for another grip.
Snow White reverses.
Seven Lock Curse.
She traps Alice.
The submission is locked in.
The crowd rises.
Alice reaches desperately.
Dorothy stretches over the ropes.
Snow White wrenches tighter.
Alice refuses to submit.
She crawls.
She twists.
She finally gets enough movement to survive.
Then she reaches.
Tag.
Dorothy enters.
Julian Ward: “Seven Lock Curse! Alice survived, but that was dangerous.”
Brick Brody: “And that cost her. Look at her on the apron. She escaped, but she didn’t leave that hold healthy.”
Minute 22
Dorothy comes in aggressively.
Backhand chop.
The sound echoes.
Snow White answers.
Witch’s Justice.
The modified Gory Bomb drives Dorothy down.
Dorothy rolls toward her corner.
Tag.
Alice is back in.
Julian Ward: “The champions are changing quickly now.”
Brick Brody: “They’re trying to keep one woman from becoming the target.”
Minute 23
Alice enters and immediately calls Dorothy back into the exchange.
The champions begin a sustained double-team.
Alice catches Snow White.
Wonderland Whirl.
The hurricanrana sends the challenger toward Dorothy.
Bulldog.
Snow White is driven down.
She rises again through sheer momentum.
Thorn Crown Driver.
Alice is planted.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Even while being double-teamed, Snow White found the Thorn Crown Driver.”
Brick Brody: “That’s the problem. They can hurt her. They cannot stop her from answering.”
Minute 24
The double-team continues.
Alice catches Snow White again.
Code Red sunset flip powerbomb.
The challenger crashes down.
Dorothy remains nearby but cannot create the second half of the sequence.
Snow White fires back once more.
Witch’s Justice.
Alice hits hard.
The crowd grows louder.
Julian Ward: “This is becoming extraordinary. Snow White is fighting two champions and still producing offense.”
Brick Brody: “And Gretel is waiting on the apron. If Snow White survives this stretch, the challengers still have a fresh weapon.”
Minute 25
Alice keeps control.
She throws Snow White with another over-the-shoulder arm drag.
Dorothy remains inside for support but does not land another attack.
Snow White absorbs the punishment and rolls toward the ropes.
The referee finally restores order.
Dorothy returns to the apron.
Gretel shouts encouragement from the opposite corner.
Julian Ward: “Twenty-five minutes. The champions have tried combinations, isolation, pace changes, and repeated tags.”
Brick Brody: “And the challengers are still standing.”
Julian Ward: “More importantly, still dangerous.”
The crowd begins to rise.
Something in the atmosphere has changed.
Minute 26
Alice reaches for Snow White.
Both women hesitate.
For a moment, neither finds the opening.
Then Snow White moves.
She gets behind Alice.
Hooks the waist.
The crowd rises completely.
Snow White lifts.
Kiss of Life.
The bridging dragon suplex drives Alice onto her shoulders.
Snow White arches into the bridge.
“Honest” Abe drops.
One!
The crowd screams.
Two!
Dorothy realizes what is happening.
She steps through the ropes.
Three!
The bell rings.
For half a second, the Coliseum does not react.
It is as though the entire building needs time to understand what just happened.
Then the arena explodes.
Snow White releases the bridge and falls flat onto her back.
Her eyes are wide.
Alice rolls onto her side.
She looks toward “Honest” Abe.
Then toward Dorothy.
The referee signals three.
The bell sounds again.
Gretel stands frozen on the apron.
Her hands are over her mouth.
Then realization hits.
She dives into the ring.
Julian Ward: “They did it.”
A beat.
Julian Ward: “The Fairest Hunters have done it!”
Brick Brody: “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Gretel drops beside Snow White.
She grabs her partner by the shoulders.
Snow White looks at her.
Neither woman seems able to speak.
At ringside, the timekeeper passes both North Star Tag Team Championship belts to “Honest” Abe.
Dorothy is kneeling near the ropes.
She looks across at Alice.
The former champions are stunned.
No argument.
No protest.
Just disbelief.
Louie Linville steps toward centre.
Even his formal delivery carries an extra weight now.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen… your winners…”
The crowd swells.
Louie Linville: “…AND NEW NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS…”
Louie Linville: “SNOW WHITE AND GRETEL…”
Louie Linville: “THE FAIREST HUNTERS!”
The building erupts again.
“Honest” Abe hands one championship to Snow White.
The other to Gretel.
For several seconds, both women simply stare at the belts.
Earlier tonight, they had been asked whether a team with two wins, two losses, and two draws in its previous six matches deserved to be here.
Now they are champions.
Gretel pulls the title against her chest.
Snow White slowly rises.
She looks down at the championship in her hands.
Then she lifts it.
The roar grows.
Julian Ward: “This is a monumental upset.”
Brick Brody: “There is no softer way to say it. The Blonde Bombshells came in as established champions. The Fairest Hunters came in with everybody questioning whether they had even earned the opportunity.”
The camera finds Dorothy.
She sits against the bottom turnbuckle, staring toward the new champions.
Beside the opposite ropes, Alice remains on one knee.
She looks stunned.
Julian Ward: “The challengers entered tonight with a two-win, two-loss, two-draw record across their previous six matches. They were asked directly whether that record justified this opportunity.”
The camera returns to Snow White.
She holds the championship against her chest.
Gretel stands beside her.
Julian Ward: “They said the only question that mattered was whether they could defeat Dorothy and Alice when the bell rang.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “They just answered it.”
Brick Brody: “And they didn’t steal it.”
Brick Brody: “No outside interference. No shortcut. No controversy. Snow White caught Alice, hit the Kiss of Life, and held her shoulders down for three.”
Julian Ward: “That is what makes this result so significant.”
The replay appears.
Snow White slips behind Alice.
The lift.
Kiss of Life.
The bridge.
One.
Two.
Three.
The replay freezes on “Honest” Abe’s hand striking the mat for the third time.
Another replay shows Dorothy entering one heartbeat too late.
Then the live picture returns.
The Fairest Hunters stand side by side.
The North Star Tag Team Championships are raised above their heads.
Julian Ward: “For twenty-six minutes, the Blonde Bombshells wrestled like champions. They controlled stretches of this match, survived the challengers’ momentum, and repeatedly tried to isolate Snow White.”
Brick Brody: “But they never broke them.”
Julian Ward: “No.”
Brick Brody: “And that’s the difference. The champions kept waiting for the Fairest Hunters to finally become the team everybody said they were—too inconsistent, too unproven, not ready.”
He watches the new champions.
Brick Brody: “They never did.”
The camera finds Dorothy and Alice again.
They have moved together near the ropes.
Neither woman is looking toward the crowd.
Their attention remains fixed upon the belts they carried into the match.
Belts that now belong to someone else.
Julian Ward: “The Blonde Bombshells leave this match without the championships they brought into it.”
Brick Brody: “And tomorrow, everybody who laughed at that two-two-two record gets to explain how the team attached to it became champions.”
Julian Ward: “For Snow White and Gretel, tonight changes everything.”
The new champions climb opposite turnbuckles.
Snow White raises her title.
Gretel raises hers.
The audience stands beneath them.
Julian Ward: “They arrived tonight as questioned challengers.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “They leave as the North Star Tag Team Champions.”
FAIREST HUNTERS DEFEAT BLONDE BOMBSHELLS BY PINFALL IN THE 26TH MINUTE AFTER SNOW WHITE PINS ALICE FOLLOWING THE KISS OF LIFE TO WIN THE NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP.
The camera returns to the commentary desk.
Behind Julian Ward and Brick Brody, the crowd inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum is still buzzing after the main event.
A replay begins.
Snow White lifts Alice.
Kiss of Life.
The bridge.
One.
Two.
Three.
The image freezes on “Honest” Abe’s hand striking the mat for the third time.
Then the replay cuts to Snow White and Gretel holding the North Star Tag Team Championships above their heads.
Julian Ward: “Dark Fable closes tonight with new champions. Snow White and Gretel, the Fairest Hunters, entered the evening facing questions about whether they deserved this opportunity.”
Brick Brody: “They can stop answering now. They beat the champions.”
Julian Ward: “A tremendous upset. The Blonde Bombshells fought for twenty-six minutes, but Snow White caught Alice with the Kiss of Life, and the Fairest Hunters leave Camelot as the new North Star Tag Team Champions.”
The images change.
Earlier in the night, Malice traps Maid Marion in the Modified Scorpion Crosslock.
Maid Marion submits.
Then Severin Crowne is shown recovering at ringside after being attacked by Marion.
Julian Ward: “The influence of the Shadow Court was felt throughout the night. Regina and Malice defeated Lark of Sherwood and Maid Marion, although Marion made certain Severin Crowne felt her presence personally.”
Brick Brody: “That problem isn’t finished. Not even close.”
The recap moves to Raigen and Sir Galahad.
A final knee lift lands.
Three.
Julian Ward: “Raigen refused to bow to King Arthur last week. Tonight, he defeated Sir Galahad, one of the men who demanded that obedience.”
The screen changes.
John Henry powers Dragon King to the mat.
Three.
At ringside, Dr. Frankenstein watches.
Julian Ward: “John Henry continued his rise with another victory, defeating Dragon King while Dr. Frankenstein observed every moment.”
Brick Brody: “And that Monsters Bash challenge is still sitting there.”
Then the tone darkens.
King Arthur stands across from Mordred before their match.
“Kneel.”
Mordred refuses to answer.
The footage advances to the finish.
King’s Decree.
Three.
Then the attack.
Severin Crowne.
The Sheriff of Nottingham.
Tin Man.
Sir Agravaine.
Blood-Moon Warden attempts the save.
Finally, The Huntsman pulls the attackers away.
His hand touches King Arthur.
The court turns on him.
The replay ends with Mordred, Blood-Moon Warden, and The Huntsman lying beaten inside the ring.
Julian Ward: “The most disturbing scene of the night followed King Arthur’s victory over Mordred. Blood-Moon Warden came to the Eternal Flame Champion’s aid. The Huntsman, after refusing to participate in the assault, finally tried to stop it.”
Brick Brody: “And the second he put his hands on the king, he became another target.”
Julian Ward: “Whatever place The Huntsman held inside Arthur’s order before tonight may now be gone.”
The footage shifts again.
Tin Man kicks the damaged thigh of Allan A Dale.
Three.
Julian Ward: “Tin Man then added another victory for the Shadow Court, defeating Allan A Dale after twenty-five minutes.”
Brick Brody: “And that war with the Merry Band keeps getting uglier.”
The final recap image shows the newly constructed throne room.
King Arthur seated above everyone.
Merlin to one side.
Severin Crowne to the other.
Elias Coldmere standing below.
The bag of gold left by Prince John rests at the foot of the throne.
Julian Ward: “And tonight also marked the first edition of From the Throne. King Arthur again demanded obedience from the Mythic Division and issued two proclamations that became official when Commissioner Elias Coldmere approved them.”
Brick Brody: “Including one request that arrived with a bag of gold.”
Julian Ward: “Next week, those proclamations become championship matches.”
Before the card appears, another graphic rises.
NPCW SUPER HOUSE SHOW
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2026
OSAKA, JAPAN
The crowd responds.
Julian Ward: “But before we return to Dark Fable next week, NPCW’s Mythic Division continues its October tour of Asia.”
The graphic expands.
EIGHT MATCHES – SPECIAL SUPER HOUSE SHOW
Then the main event appears.
UNIVERSAL CHAMPION HANSEL
vs.
SEVERIN CROWNE
NON-TITLE MATCH
Julian Ward: “This Wednesday, October 14, NPCW presents a special eight-match Super House Show from Osaka, Japan.”
Julian Ward: “And the headline attraction will see Universal Champion Hansel face Severin Crowne in a non-title match.”
Brick Brody: “That one caught my attention. Crowne spends plenty of time telling everybody else where to stand and what to do. In Osaka, he has to get in the ring with the Universal Champion.”
The graphic fades.
A new one appears.
NEXT WEEK ON DARK FABLE
The first match fills the screen.
BLONDE BOMBSHELLS
vs.
LARK OF SHERWOOD
vs.
MAID MARION
Julian Ward: “Next week, the former North Star Tag Team Champions, the Blonde Bombshells, return to action against Lark of Sherwood and Maid Marion.”
The graphic changes.
CONVERGENT CHAMPIONSHIP
JACK LUMBER – CHAMPION
vs.
WILL SCARLETT
Julian Ward: “As ordered From the Throne and approved by Elias Coldmere, Jack Lumber defends the Convergent Championship against Will Scarlett.”
Brick Brody: “Prince John wanted an audience. He got his match.”
The next graphic appears.
SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM
vs.
RAIGEN
Julian Ward: “After defeating Sir Galahad tonight, Raigen now faces the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Brick Brody: “Another man tied directly to the king. Raigen’s refusal to bow keeps finding him opponents.”
The next match appears.
JOHN HENRY
vs.
OGRE
Julian Ward: “John Henry continues his march through the largest competitors in the division when he faces Ogre.”
Brick Brody: “Another monster. Another test.”
The graphic changes.
REGINA
vs.
RAPUNZEL
Julian Ward: “Regina will also compete one-on-one against Rapunzel.”
Then the final graphic rises.
Flames burn behind the championship.
ETERNAL FLAME CHAMPIONSHIP
MORDRED – CHAMPION
vs.
SIR AGRAVAINE
The crowd reacts loudly.
Julian Ward: “And in our second championship match, Mordred defends the Eternal Flame Championship against Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “Assuming Mordred can walk after what happened tonight.”
Julian Ward: “He has one week to recover. Sir Agravaine will have the backing of a court that already tried to destroy him tonight.”
The full card appears on screen.
Blonde Bombshells vs. Lark of Sherwood & Maid Marion
Convergent Championship – Jack Lumber vs. Will Scarlett
Sheriff of Nottingham vs. Raigen
John Henry vs. Ogre
Regina vs. Rapunzel
Eternal Flame Championship – Mordred vs. Sir Agravaine
The camera returns to commentary.
Julian Ward: “Tonight began with King Arthur demanding obedience.”
A brief replay shows the throne room bowing.
Julian Ward: “It continued with those who refused paying a price.”
The Huntsman is shown being attacked.
Julian Ward: “And it ended with two women who entered as questioned challengers leaving as champions.”
The image changes to Snow White and Gretel, championship belts raised above their heads.
Brick Brody: “That’s Dark Fable. Kings issue orders. Courts break people. And sometimes the team nobody expects walks out with the gold.”
Julian Ward: “This Wednesday, the Mythic Division comes to Osaka, Japan for a special eight-match Super House Show.”
Julian Ward: “Then next Friday, we return with two championships on the line and a kingdom whose fractures are becoming increasingly difficult to hide.”
A final montage plays.
Raigen standing over Sir Galahad.
John Henry staring at Dr. Frankenstein.
Mordred, Blood-Moon Warden, and The Huntsman lying beaten.
Severin Crowne seated beside the throne.
Lady Guinevere staring across the throne room at Regina.
Sir Lancelot watching Crowne.
And finally—
Snow White and Gretel holding the North Star Tag Team Championships.
Julian Ward: “For Brick Brody, Hana Nakamura, Louie Linville, and everyone behind the scenes, I’m Julian Ward.”
Julian Ward: “Good night from Dark Fable.”
The image freezes on the new champions.
The screen slowly fades to black.
EVERY LEGEND HAS A DARKER CHAPTER.
Black.
For several seconds, nothing.
Then the broadcast returns.
The camera is already moving.
The arena has largely emptied.
Production cases are being rolled through the backstage corridors of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum. Crew members dismantle equipment in the distance while the last echoes of the crowd fade behind concrete walls.
Near the rear exit, Hansel walks alone.
The Universal Championship rests over his shoulder.
He is dressed to leave, one bag carried at his side, his attention fixed on the doors ahead.
Then a voice stops him.
Severin Crowne: “Champion.”
Hansel stops.
He turns.
Standing several feet away is Severin Crowne.
Still dressed immaculately.
Still composed.
He walks toward Hansel at an unhurried pace.
Hansel does not move.
Severin Crowne: “I was hoping I might catch you before you left.”
Hansel glances briefly at the corridor behind Crowne.
Then back at him.
Hansel: “You caught me.”
Crowne smiles faintly.
His eyes move toward the Universal Championship.
Severin Crowne: “That title suits you.”
Hansel says nothing.
Severin Crowne: “More importantly…”
A pause.
Severin Crowne: “…you suit it.”
Hansel: “You stop me to compliment me?”
Severin Crowne: “Not exactly.”
Crowne reaches inside his jacket.
Hansel’s posture immediately changes.
Not aggressively.
Alert.
Crowne notices.
His smile widens slightly.
Then he removes a black business card.
He holds it between two fingers.
Severin Crowne: “Relax.”
Crowne extends the card.
Severin Crowne: “Consider this an introduction.”
Hansel looks at it.
He does not take it immediately.
Severin Crowne: “You are carrying the most important championship in this company.”
Severin Crowne: “Which means everybody will eventually decide they deserve something from you.”
Severin Crowne: “Your time.”
Severin Crowne: “Your attention.”
Severin Crowne: “Your championship.”
Hansel finally takes the card.
He looks down at it.
Severin Crowne: “A reign like yours can be long.”
Crowne leans slightly closer.
Severin Crowne: “Very long.”
Hansel raises his eyes.
Severin Crowne: “With the right guidance.”
A long silence.
Severin Crowne: “Reach out.”
Severin Crowne: “I can help make certain that championship remains exactly where it belongs.”
Hansel looks down at the card again.
Then he tears it cleanly in half.
Crowne’s expression does not change.
Hansel tears it again.
The pieces fall into his palm.
Then he throws them directly into Severin Crowne’s face.
The scraps scatter across Crowne’s suit and fall to the floor between them.
Silence.
Hansel: “See you in Osaka.”
The two men stare at one another.
The smile disappears from Severin Crowne’s face.
Not anger.
Something colder.
Calculation.
Hansel adjusts the Universal Championship on his shoulder.
Then turns.
He walks toward the exit.
The doors open.
Hansel disappears through them.
They close behind him.
The camera remains on Severin Crowne.
He looks down.
One torn piece of the business card rests near his shoe.
Crowne bends and picks it up.
He studies it.
Then slowly folds the fragment between his fingers.
The camera begins to pull backward.
Further down the corridor—
beyond the final row of equipment cases—
something moves.
A figure stands partially hidden in shadow.
Only the outline is visible.
Still.
Watching.
The camera holds.
Severin Crowne does not appear to notice.
The figure remains motionless.
Watching the place where Hansel disappeared.
Then watching Crowne.
The corridor light flickers once.
The figure recedes further into the darkness.
Gone.
Severin Crowne slips the torn fragment of his card into his jacket.
He looks toward the exit.
A faint smile returns.
Cut to black.
WEDNESDAY – OSAKA, JAPAN
UNIVERSAL CHAMPION HANSEL VS. SEVERIN CROWNE
NON-TITLE
Black.
Airing October 9, 2026
Earlier today.
Flames fill the screen.
Not uncontrolled flames.
A forge.
A massive stone furnace burns beneath the House of the Dragon's Veil.
Taro Okami stands shirtless before it.
Three monks paint narrow white lines across his shoulders, chest, arms, and back.
The marks resemble the scales of a dragon.
Across from him, the Keeper of the Veil holds a shallow stone bowl filled with black ash.
Raigen watches from the edge of the chamber.
The Keeper places two fingers into the ash.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“The body remembers what the mind wishes to forget.”
He draws a black line over Taro's heart.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“You trained beneath the Blood Oni.”
Another line across the right shoulder.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“You fought beneath the Blood Oni.”
Across the left.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“You bled beneath the Blood Oni.”
Finally, a line down the center of Taro's forehead.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“Today, the body is reminded that it belonged to you first.”
Two monks carry forward a heavy iron chain.
Taro looks at it.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“This is not punishment.”
The chain is wrapped around Taro's forearms.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“It is memory.”
The Keeper steps toward the furnace.
Beside it rests a large stone engraved with an ancient dragon seal.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“You will carry the iron through the flame chamber.”
The door behind the furnace opens.
Beyond it is a long stone passage illuminated by braziers.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“At every brazier, you will speak one thing the Syndicate taught you.”
Taro finally speaks.
TARO OKAMI:
“And then?”
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“You decide whether it remains true.”
Taro walks.
The chain drags behind him.
At the first brazier he stops.
TARO OKAMI:
“Mercy creates weakness.”
The Keeper's voice follows from behind.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“Do you believe it?”
A long pause.
TARO OKAMI:
“No.”
He continues.
Second brazier.
TARO OKAMI:
“Pain creates obedience.”
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“Do you believe it?”
Taro's jaw tightens.
TARO OKAMI:
“No.”
Third brazier.
TARO OKAMI:
“Blood creates debt.”
Taro pauses longer this time.
Raigen watches.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“Do you believe it?”
Taro stares into the fire.
TARO OKAMI:
“No.”
He continues forward.
At the end of the chamber stands another dragon-carved stone.
Taro places both chained hands against it.
The Keeper approaches.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“Then leave the iron here.”
The chain is unlocked.
It falls heavily to the floor.
BOOM.
The monks chant.
Taro lowers his head.
For the first time since entering the Dragon's Veil, he appears exhausted.
Raigen approaches him.
RAIGEN:
“You carried more than that chain.”
Taro looks at him.
RAIGEN:
“You don't have to carry it back.”
Taro gives no answer.
Instead he kneels beside the dragon stone.
He places his palm against its surface.
The same palm marked by the strange dark scar.
For less than a second, something black seems to move beneath Taro's skin.
His fingers tighten.
Then he removes his hand.
No one notices.
The Keeper looks toward the stone.
The ancient marking briefly flickers.
Then becomes still.
KEEPER OF THE VEIL:
“The first gate has opened.”
Taro slowly stands.
Raigen allows himself the faintest expression of hope.
Taro looks once more toward the stone.
Then walks away.
The camera remains behind.
Slowly moving closer to the dragon seal.
There is now a tiny black mark inside one of the carved dragon's eyes.
CUT TO BLACK.
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