Post by Laura Phoenix - HBIC on Jul 4, 2021 5:38:05 GMT -5
PWS: APEX Presents RIOT
Tuesday, June 29th, 2021
LIVE from PWS Arena in New York, NY
Matthew Paul: “I can’t believe you talked to the boy scout, still. That is just amazing to me. Of all of the people that I know, the last person I would have wanted you to send after me would have been Simon.”
(While the two of them are in locker room preparing to go to the ring, Ginger rolls her eyes at Matthew’s statement as she sits behind him on a bench)
Ginger: “Are you still going on about that? I talked to Simon toward the beginning of the month, almost three weeks ago, a day before the last Riot.
Matthew Paul: “And your point is?”
Ginger: “This shouldn’t be an issue any longer. That is my point, Matthew.”
(Matthew turns and stares at Ginger right in the face.)
Matthew Paul: “You don’t know Simon Lyman and how his mind works, alright? He is an absolute boy scout and now he is at my place all of the time making certain that I am “Ok”. It’s annoying to say the least.”
Ginger: “It’s really not all that bad, at least for me it’s not. I don’t have to worry about you taking care of yourself, and making your commitments nearly as much now.”
(Now it is Matthew’s turn to roll his eyes, which causes just the slightest smirk from Ginger.)
Matthew Paul: “You were never asked to worry about me taking care of myself or making my commitments, just so you are aware.”
Ginger: “Matthew, what about all of this are you not understanding? If you do something stupid it directly affects me, because everyone around us knows that we are together.”
(Immediately squirming in his seat uncomfortably, Matthew shakes his head)
Matthew Paul: “Just so you are understanding this perfectly and there are no misconceptions between you and I, the two of us are most definitely NOT together, alright?”
(Ginger reaches over and punches Matthew in the arm.)
Matthew Paul: “OWWW!”
Ginger: “Oh shut up, you big baby!”
Matthew Paul: “That hurt, damn it!”
(At this point, Ginger comes very close to laughing at Matthew)
Ginger: “Yeah, ok, whatever King. Listen, I know that we are not “together” together. But everyone believes that we are together and if you want people to keep believing that then you should understand everything you do? It affects me too because we are a team.”
Matthew Paul: “And because what I do affects you, that means that I end up having a boy scout over my house at all hours day or night?”
Ginger: “You know, I am not a psychologist or anything so I can’t pretend that I know how you or Simon’s minds work, but weren’t you the person that told me that Simon is your best friend.”
Matthew Paul: “It’s complicated.”
Ginger: “Fine, we can discuss this another time. For now, we have your match tonight and that means we have Dawn Warren to discuss.”
Matthew Paul: “What is there to discuss? Dawn Warren is the next in the line of Warrens that I have to beat in order to get some attention and respect around here, a fact that doesn’t bother me. I am in a bad mood so that means I am going to make an example of Dawn, a very quick example.”
(Listening to the last statement from Matthew, Ginger smirks again, knowing how to motivate him.)
Ginger: “Sounds good to me, if you can do it…”
Matthew Paul: “Let’s just get out to the ring!”
Singles Match
Dawn Warren vs. Matthew Paul
(The match starts off slowly, with both competitors feeling their opponents out. Paul takes control early on with some knife edge chops, bringing Dawn to the corner. One corner lariat later and The Pink Puppy is floored. The King of the Indies picks her up, and Dawn fights from underneath. The competitors go back and forth for a while, Warren hitting a Tornado DDT on the outside. Another minute or so later, both competitors are back in the ring, after landing a devastating missile dropkick, Paul hits Cradle to the Grave!)
1!
2!
3!
JR Freeman: Certainly an impressive victory for Matthew Paul!
Alfonso Banks: If I wanted “impressive”, JR, I’d watch The Olympics. This wasn’t impressive, this was dominant. That’s what you want from a future main event star. This guy’s going places, and he’s going there quickly!
WINNER - MATTHEW PAUL
A video package plays, a man leans back in a crumbled stone throne. Stroking his chin arrogantly. He glares with his hate filled eyes for a moment, before speaking.
Alexander Lyons: I fear some may have overlooked my warning last week. My name is Alexander Lyons, and I am coming to conquer PWS. That puts all of you on notice as future casualties. I’ve been watching your pathetic roster and none of it is impressive to me. Any one of you runs the risk of being the first casualty.
An image of ANTITHESIS, Sanders, Dionysus and Sykes flashes on the screen for a moment.
Alexander Lyons: How pathetic do you have to be to let a pack of hyenas run wild on your roster? I can assure you, Shenzi Banzai and Ed won't dare to cross me, and I won’t hesitate to make sure they know who the lion is around here when I come to conquer and expel them from my Pridelands.
Another image, this time of The Commonwealth, Dickie Watson and Aiden Reynolds.
Alexander Lyons: A couple of hypocritical crybabies who didn’t get their little way a year ago so they took their ball and went home. Now they come crawling back, hoping to relive their former glory. But how long till the babies wet their little knickers, and do the same thing again? History is destined to repeat itself after all, trust that I have no problem conquering The Commonwealth.
Another promotional image, this time of Shawn Young flashes onto the screen.
Alexander Lyons: The kid's problem is he has no edge. All flash and no substance. He’s just happy to be here. But to survive in this world you have to find your edge or you won’t survive. If you don’t find your edge then you end up another casualty. If you don’t find your edge you just might end up getting conquered.
There’s a jarring jumpcut to a closeup of Alexander's face.
Alexander Lyons: My name is Alexander Lyons, and I’m coming to conquer PWS.
Cut to a black frame, with the phrase, in blood red text accompanied by the roar of a lion.
“Who will be the first casualty?”
(As Riot returns from a commercial break, we find ourselves once again face to face with a huge, black-and-white American flag. In a reverse of the shot from last week, the Stars and Stripes fade slowly from greyscale into full colour. As we watch Old Glory wave, the opening bars of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” begin to lilt over the speakers.)
“This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me.”
(As the lyrics pick up, our scene shifts to shots of hispanic families and children in cages in ICE detention facilities. We flash between these, along with images of the border itself, the partially-constructed border wall and armed guards patrolling the area. We’re given some classic black-and-white images of boats and lineups at Ellis Island for comparison, then back to the detainees.)
“There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me;
Sign was painted, it said private property;
But on the back side it didn't say nothing;
This land was made for you and me.”
(The music fades momentarily as the image fades to a black screen, bearing simple white text.)
“Over the past five years, in addition to mass deportation and detention of non-citizens, the United States government has slashed legal immigration to the country by around 49%.”
(As the song fades back in, we’re now greeted with images of incredibly long lines of Syrian refugees crowding American airports, then some photos and videos of families packed into boats, dense and cramped conditions full of people fleeing oppression and war.)
“In the squares of the city, In the shadow of a steeple;
By the relief office, I'd seen my people.
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking,
Is this land made for you and me?”
(The song diminishes once again and we get scenes of more ICE detainment facilities, as well as people being turned away along with clips from news reports confirming the drop in immigration previously reported.)
“In 2016, the US accepted over 1 million legal immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees into their borders. By 2020, that number had fallen to just over 600 thousand, with only 15,000 of those being refugees fleeing persecution or violence in search of a better life.”
(As the next verse begins, we fade from these images to see hordes of police in full riot gear attacking peaceful BLM protesters. The officers are using tear gas, rubber bullets, and even beating people physically with batons and rifle butts. From here we cut to replays of the riot in Charlottesville and even the Capitol Insurrection, all juxtaposed against the upbeat tune.)
“This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me.”
(Our final shot, on which we linger for quite some time, is cellphone video of the murder of George Floyd, which slowly fades away again into a black screen with white text.)
“Since the mid-2010s, the FBI has officially identified white supremacist violence as the leading cause of terrorism in the United States. Individuals of colour, en masse, are still facing widespread discrimination from both government officials and law enforcement. People are dying, and nothing is changing. As Americans, you have to ask yourselves…”
(There’s a beat and the song ends. We flash once more to the video of Floyd and Chauvin, holding on that moment as the white text overlays the image.)
“Is this...better?”
(The screen cuts immediately to black, with the text remaining in place, and sits poignantly in the silence for a long moment before we fade.)
Singles Match
Richard Rider vs. The Squid-Man
(As the match starts, and Squid-Man and Rider are sizing each other up, “Burn with me” by Amaranthe hits and Violet Amelia Holt saunters her way down the ramp, and sits at the commentary table.)
Alfonso Banks: Violet… what brings you out here tonight?
Violet Amelia Holt: Well, frankly, Rider has been a thorn in my side for weeks now. Figured it was time to return the favor.
JR Freeman: You are gonna interfere and cost him this match, aren’t you?
Violet Amelia Holt: Why would I tell you my plan?
(Rider, distracted by the presence of Violet, gets caught across the face with a drop kick from Squid-Man and a quick roll up pin.)
1… KICKOUT!
(Rider kicks out at a count of one and shakes his head. Violet chuckles to herself.)
Violet Amelia Holt: See what you get for being a skeevy little pervert hitting on a lady after she told you she isn’t interested? What a pig. He deserves everything that is coming his way.
(Rider and Squid-Man continue to go back and forth for a few minutes, while Violet kept a close eye on the action in the ring. After several minutes, and both men looking worse for the wear, Squid-Man gets Rider down on the mat and goes to the top rope.)
Alfonso Banks: What is he doing?
RJ Freeman: Seems like he is about to go for his finishing maneuver, he calls it the Splash and Burn… this could be the end for Rider!!!
(At that moment, before Squid-Man could jump, Violet throws off her headset and runs into the ring. She gets Rider up to his knees. He appears groggy and not all there. She grabs his face in one of her hands and yells at him.)
Violet Amelia Holt: LEARN SOME MANNERS, JACKASS!
(At this point, Squid-Man is perched on the top rope, his head tilted in confusion. Violet connects with a stiff Shining Wizard to the face. At the same time, Squid-Man is pushed off the top rope! The cameras turn to see Miss Puppies had rushed the ring and pushed him!)
Alfonso Banks: That poor referee! Doesn’t know what to do!
JR Freeman: Well… it’s obvious what he should do. Both competitors were attacked. He needs to regain some control over the ring!
(Miss Puppies slides in the ring and begins attacking Squid-Man as Violet continues her assault on Rider. The referee calls for the bell as security rushes out and separates all 4.)
Meg Reynolds: The match has been called a no contest due to outside interference.
Alfonso Banks: That’s all he could do. I had a bad feeling for Rider when Violet came out.
JR Freeman: And I had a feeling Miss Puppies wouldn’t be silent after what has continued to happen between them
WINNER - NO CONTEST
EARLIER IN THE NIGHT
We cut backstage where we see Chaz Holiday getting ready in his locker room. As he tapes up his wrists, there's a knock at the door. Chaz opens it, and outside is a stage hand with a Manila envelope. Chaz nods knowingly, taking a moment before opening the document and pulling out a contract. Chaz reads it aloud.
Chaz Holiday: "RISE 2 GLORY UNSANCTIONED MATCH - CHAZ HOLIDAY VS TYSON SYKES. These are the agreed upon terms.
* Winner will be the first to score a pinfall or submission, does not have to be inside the ring.
* Anything goes and participants are not required to conform to typical PWS Apex rules or regulations.
* Referee will be an appointed PWS Apex official, but is only contracted to conduct a three count or acknowledge a submission.
* Jonathan Sanders and Dionysus of ANTITHESIS are forbidden to interfere in this contest - will result in an immediate ending of the match and awarded to Chaz Holiday.
By signing the contract you agree to the previous terms and conditions and acknowledge that PWS Apex nor anyone other than yourself is liable for anything that occurs during this contest.
Thank You - PWS Management."
Chaz looks hesitant, but then smirks and signs the contract. Carefully he places it back into the envelope, and hands it to the stage hand. The man nods with a smile and retreats, and Chaz shakes his head.
Chaz Holiday: You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, kid.
We cut back ringside.
JR Freeman: Well, ladies and gentlemen, before we start this next match, we have a special guest who’s going to join us on commentary!
(The Squid-Man walks in from off-camera, putting on a headset over his squid mask.)
Alfonso Banks: Um… hi!
The Squid-Man: I am a squid!
Alfonso Banks: …This is going to be a long, long match.
Singles Match
Lachlan Kane vs. Miss Puppies
(The match begins with Puppies immediately trying to roll-up Kane, who kicks out immediately. He whips her into the ropes but Puppies comes back with a clothesline. After a minute or so of back-and-forth, Puppies has the upper hand, whipping Kane into the corner and trying to follow up with a bronco buster, but Lachlan moves out of the way.)
JR Freeman: Oh, and nobody’s home!
The Squid-Man: I am a squid!
JR Freeman: Uh… fascinating.
(The match continues with Kane performing a one-hand bulldog, followed by picking Puppies up and hitting a stiff right hand, knocking her onto the mat. After climbing the ropes, he flies off, performing a Lach-Down! He goes for the cover, and…)
1!
2!
3!
JR Freeman: This one’s over!
(After the match, Puppies ends up getting up, going to the ropes and locking eyes with the Squid-Man, who stands up from the announce table, trying to walk around, but ends up fumbling around the wires behind the table, falling backwards onto Alf’s lap.)
The Squid-Man: I am a squid.
Alfonso Banks: Get off me!
WINNER - LACHLAN KANE
(The cameras come back from a commercial to the middle of the ring where David Shane and Alexis Makarios’s husband, James Younger, were standing. David had a mic in hand.)
David Shane: Now, it’s been a rough two weeks for everyone involved in Alexis’s … recovery … and I was going to stand here and give an update, but I think I’ll step aside and let her husband do the talking.
(He hands the mic over to James and then goes to the corner and sits in the top rope. James takes a stance in the middle of the ring.)
James Younger: First, I want to thank all of you who have reached out with genuine concern for Alexis. I have passed on as many of the well wishes as I could, and they mean the world to her… to us. I wanted to come and give you guys an update. After spending 10 days in the psych ward, Alexis is home and resting. She is still in a very fragile state and has an on-call nurse and a visiting nurse who stops in a few times a day to make sure she takes her meds and the such. It’s going to be a long road to recovery… but we are well on the way to getting our old Lexi back, that’s for sure. She just… has to be very careful while her body regulates to the meds. I’m not going to go into detail on her diagnosis and everything like that. That’s a private matter and will remain as such.
(His expression changed to a more serious one.)
James Younger: Now… on a different note… I have sat back for years as a certain family tormented her. Called her names, harassed her, and riled her up every chance they got. I’m not gonna name names, but you all know who I am talking about. They were her friends once upon a time, and even after watching her mental state decline for MONTHS they still continued to harass her and make things worse. They tormented her. Yes, she should have gotten help ages ago. But she didn’t want to give THEM any weakness to exploit. Until finally… things snapped. And even after she went to the psych ward...they continued to torment her on Twitter like it was a game. Well, it’s not a game. This is my wife’s health and sanity… her life… so to all of you involved in tormenting her… shame on you. Shame on you all. And you know who you are.
(He let out a sigh)
James Younger: But… she hopes to return soon. So… thank you to those who have been concerned.
(He lowered the mic as the camera cuts.)
(The scene switches backstage to where we see Daniel Clark and he has a microphone in his hand.)
Daniel Clark: A couple of days ago before this broadcast, I went on a trip to LA to find The Carpenters, and see if I can get a word from them for their upcoming tag team match with the Russows, and… take a look at how it went down.
(The scene switches to a pre taped segment, the wording on the bottom left hand corner of the ring says “2 days ago”. We’re at Jenn’s house, a big house that she has that overlooks the Pacific ocean, it's’ around 7pm at night and the sun is near is almost to a point where it’s at the horizon. We see Jenn loading up the back of her car with a couple of suitcases and a dog cage. Daniel Clark approaches them since the gate was open.)
Daniel Clark: Excuse me, Jenn…. Can I get a word with you?
(At first Jenn ignores him, she’s still trying to rearrange the car so the trunk can shut. But you can see on her face that’s fed up with everything that’s going on so far in this company.)
Daniel Clark: Jenn?
(Jenn places her hand on the trunk and slams it shut before she looks at Daniel Clark.)
Jenn: That’s what everyone wants isn't it? You people have been chasing me for the last week trying to get me to say something about the Russows. I’ve played this game with them before and I’m not going to play it again. I’m not going to say anything to them until the time is right, until then… no comment.
Daniel Clark: Yeah but….
(Jenn tries to walk away and Daniel stands in her way.)
Jenn: Are you gonna move or am I going to have to move you myself?
Daniel Clark: You mean I have to fly back to New York with no answer?
Jenn: Funny how that works huh?
(Jenn stares a hole into Daniel before he moves. Jenn gets into the car and starts to drive off towards the airport as the scene comes to an end.)
Singles Match
Cleo Phillips vs. Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez
(The match starts out with Jennifer taking control quickly. The two fight back and forth rather closely for the first 5 minutes or so of the match. Jenn was showing a much more aggressive side than normal, and it was quite obvious.)
Alfonso Banks: Jenn is overly angry tonight.
RJ Freeman: Didn’t you see how she acted towards Daniel Clark just before the match?
Alfonso Banks: She’s a cranky one today, that’s for sure.
(Jenn’s anger gets the best of her, allowing Cleo to take advantage. Cleo gets herself back in control and sets Jenn up for a “Set It Off”, connecting beautifully. Cleo goes to cover!)
1...2...3! NO!
(Jenn got her foot on the ropes just before the 3 count. Cleo, frustrated, pulled Jenn back to the middle and went for another pin but Jenn grabbed her and rolled her up getting a hand full of tights!)
1...2...NO! KICKOUT!
(Cleo managed to free herself and stood up, angry at what Jenn just tried to pull. Jenn got to her feet with a smirk on her face. She ran at Cleo going for a B2, but was caught square in the face by a Milly Rock and crumples to the mat. Cleo for the pin!)
1...2...3!!! DING DING DING!!!
Meg Reynolds: And your winner by pinfall… CLEO PHILLIPS!!!
(Cleo stands up and has her arm raised by the referee.)
WINNER - CLEO PHILLIPS
(The cameras cut to the back, where Nick Madison was seen. He was standing in the back with his United Title over his shoulder, watching Cleo’s match on the monitor with great interest. As it ended, he nodded his head a little bit, as if impressed with Cleo’s victory.)
Alfonso Banks: Seems that Nick Madison was watching his challenger closely
JR Freeman: And he seems to be impressed with the former Collateral Damage Champion.
Alfonso Banks: It takes a lot to beat a veteran such as Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez… but Cleo showed what she is made of.
JR Freeman: Madison has a hell of a fight on his hands for Rise To Glory, that’s for sure.
Alfonso Banks: And by the look on his face… he knows it.
(The cameras then cut to a commercial.)
We cut again to the back where we see Tyson Sykes this time, lacing up his boots with ANTITHESIS brothers Sanders and Dionysus. A knock at the door alerts the group, and Sykes gets up and swings it open. We see the same stage hand as earlier with the same envelope that he handed to Chaz Holiday, handing it to Sykes. Sykes sneers and looks at the rest of ANTITHESIS, before opening it and revealing the contract. Sykes looks it over and shakes his head.
Tyson Sykes: I can't believe that dumb son of a bitch actually signed it.
Sykes smirks, then looks up at the stage hand.
Tyson Sykes: Get outta here man.
Stage Hand: Um, I was told to get this signed and get it back to La-
Tyson Sykes: I said fuck off man. You go tell Laura and Chaz that if they could make me wait for four months to get this match, then I'm signing this thing on my own terms. I'm not letting you pricks pull something over on me. Clearly they weren't in a rush to give me this match when I wanted it, so let's let them sit and stew for a bit. Fuck out of here.
Sykes pie faces the stage hand out of the locker room, and shuts the door. Sykes looks at Sanders and Dionysus with a smile before tucking the envelope and contract into his gym bag. Cut back ringside.
Tag Team Match
The Commonwealth (Aiden Reynolds and Dickie Watson) vs. The Society (Ella Singleton & Jasmine Philips)
(Aiden and Ella start in the ring. The action starts quickly as Aiden delivers a german suplex.)
JR Freeman: This match is starting quickly!
Alfsonso Banks: I’ll say! The Commonwealth jumped the gun!
JR Freeman: They say all’s fair in love and war, Alf.
Alfonso Banks: They also say you can’t sneeze with your eyes open, but I’ve done it! Do you really want to trust these people, JR!?
JR Freeman: …What?
(The action continues for a bit, before a double hot-tag brings both Dickie and Jasmine into the ring at the same time. They run at each other, but Jasmine gets the upper hand in the ensuing scuffle, managing to perform a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on the larger frame of her opponent. She goes for the pin.)
1!
(Kickout at 1.5! After Jasmine argues with the referee for a bit, Dickie’s stood up, and Jasmine turns around into a corkscrew roundhouse kick! Jasmine tries overcoming him, but he shuts her down at every try, and soon tags Aiden back in. Dickie holds her in place while Aiden runs off the ropes, Dickie letting go of her just in time for Aiden to deliver a short-arm clothesline! The crowd cheer for the male duo, as Aiden picks Jasmine up for, and lands, a AA spinebuster!)
1!
2!
(No, Ella pulls the referee out of the ring!)
JR Freeman: Oh, that’s just unfair!
Alfonso Banks: It’s called strategy, JR! You should try it some time!
(As she’s arguing with the ref, Jasmine hits the MCC! She goes for the cover, but gets a rope break, which enrages her. She picks up Aiden, who reverses a second MCC attempt by pushing her into the ropes, when she comes back Dickie’s in the ring, getting her in position for a headlock, and the two partners complete the Vodka and Tonic, laying her out! Dickie runs across the ring to knock Ella off the apron while the referee counts!)
1!
2!
3!
Meg Reynolds: Here are your winners, The Commonwealth!
(They have their arms raised, then quickly get out of the ring to avoid The Society giving them a post-match beatdown.)
WINNER - COMMONWEALTH
(The camera returns from commercials with Heather walking backstage in a skimpy hunter green Azlin Plunge Lace outfit with matching color strappy open toe stiletto sandals while clutching a scrapbook close to her chest.)
(She then passes by Daniel Clark by the water cooler, casually pouring a drink into a plastic Styrofoam cup. She stops in her tracks, backing up slowly as she smacks the peach flavoured gum in between her glossy lips, and taps him on his shoulder to get his attention. He then slowly turns around and sees her as his jaw drops to the floor, almost making him spill his water onto her over expensive stiletto sandals.)
Daniel Clark: "H-H-Heather. What can I do you for? I mean what can I do for you?"
(Heather shushes his stammering with a finger to his lips as she grins wickedly, cornering him and pressing his back against a wall, almost like a huntress eyeing on a fresh meat.)
Heather Haze: Relax Dingus. I've come in peace and also I need a favour to ask you…
(She bats away her eyelashes in a flirty way, tracing her finger and circling around his chest slowly as he gulps nervously.)
Daniel Clark: "You do? Um sure. Anything. Anything at all. You name it, I'll do it."
(Heather gives off a playful smile before shoving the scrapbook to his chest.)
Heather Haze: "Be a dear and kindly see to it that these make their way to Chaz and Sierra ASAP. I can't be bothered to go over all the details, but this is a full proof survival strategy guide I thoughtfully and carefully laid out to beat those Antithesis nimrods."
(Daniel takes a look at the book, flipping through several of the pages, and finding badly hand drawn stick figures. Each of the stick figures re-enact the six person tag match, showing off Chaz with his goofy looking gelled up spiky hair and a shit eating grin on his face; Sierra with an angry, grumpy face with the APEX World title resting on her shoulder; Jonathan Sanders sporting a My Chemical Romance T-shirt looking sad and lost in the ring while Sykes and Dionysus appear to be all beaten and bloody up, laying flat on their backs, looking dead.)
(Heather, however, is drawn rather beautifully in great detail, even exaggerating on her tiny boobs making them appear bigger in the drawings as she stands on the apron, with a big smile on her face, doing pretty much nothing while Chaz and Sierra are drawn in doing all the heavy lifting with them laying into Antithesis, hitting their finishers from all different angles.)
Heather Haze: "Beautiful isn't it? I call it, 'The Art of War.'"
(Daniel makes a face, looking like a deer caught in headlights.)
Daniel Clark: "Um..that title is..."
Heather Haze: "Clever? I know. I thought of it on the fly. I could've gone for simple bullet points, but I think visual aids *really* stands out for me the most and helps set the match flow."
Daniel Clark: "But all these drawings of you are just you standing on the ring apron doing nothing??"
Heather Haze: "Ahh, but there's where you are wrong, silly. You see, The art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Without even lifting up a single finger. But rest assured the minute my teammates are in dire need of my help. I will jump right in because somebody has to be the team captain of this team. Somebody has to take the initiative of being the team leader to lead them to victory. And that someone is me. Heather F'N Haze. Captain of Team Haze and Your soon to be newly crowned APEX PWS World Champion..."
(Then, With a flip of her long, silky brown hair, Heather walked off with her nose in the air, as if her conversation with Daniel never happened while mentally convincing herself she was truly the greatest woman on the roster, a fact that everyone in the APEX PWS Universe knew, this was her belief as the camera slowly fades to Daniel, shaking his head in disbelief.)
PWS:APEX Presents - Rise To Glory
Live on PPV July 27th, 2021
PWS:APEX Arena, New York
Matches as follows:
World Title Match
Sierra Williams (C) vs Heather Haze
United Title Match
Nick Madison (C) vs Cleo Phillips
Tag Team Title Match
Dan and Audrey Russow (C) vs Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez and Madison Carpenter
Unsanctioned Match
Tyson Sykes vs Chaz Holiday
*Note: Card Subject To Change
Main Event: 6 Person Tag Match
Sierra Williams, Heather Haze, and Chaz Holiday vs. ANTITHESIS (Jonathan Sanders, Dionysus, and Tyson Sykes)
JR Freeman: Ladies and gentlemen, up next is our COLOSSAL main event! The returning Chaz Holiday, coming out of retirement for his first match in years, joins the team of the PWS: Apex World Champion, Sierra Williams and the number-one contender to her belt, “The Bad Girl” Heather Haze against the dominant force that is ANTITHESIS!
Alfonso Banks: It’ll be interesting to see how these three partners coexist, JR: ANTITHESIS is a cohesive unit, but the champion and challenger CERTAINLY don’t see eye to eye, and there’s no love lost between either of these women and the veteran Holiday.
JR Freeman: You’re absolutely right, Alf, though it pains me to say it: I think that sense of cohesion may just be the deciding factor tonight. But let’s head to the ring now, where Meg Reynolds is standing by.
(The cameras cut to the ring, where Meg Reynolds stands at the ready.)
Meg Reynolds: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL, and it is your Main Event of the evening! Introducing first, from Los Angeles, California by way of Tallahassee, Florida, weighing in at 231 lbs., “FANTABULOUS” CHAAAAAAZ HOLIDAAAAAAAY!
(“Blackout” by Breathe Carolina begins to blare over the speakers, with the lights flashing and strobing in multiple different colours throughout the arena. Chaz Holiday bursts onto the stage to a MASSIVE pop, smiling and looking around at the crowd. He makes his way down the ramp clapping his hands and getting pumped up, then slides in under the bottom rope and pops up, again eliciting a pop. He climbs up to the second rope and glances around at the roaring crowd, pointing out all of them before hopping down, beginning to bounce from foot to foot as he awaits his partners. Chaz seems taken aback, as chants of “WEL-COME BACK!” become audible as his music dies down.)
Meg Reynolds: And his first partner, from San Fernando Valley, California, weighing in at 115 lbs., she is “The Bad Girl” HEATHER HAAAAAAZE!
(The arena goes dark as the opening chords of Willa Ford's "I Wanna Be Bad" blast out of the speakers. Bright neon lights flash out from the ramp and the words “The Bad Girl" flash across the screen, as Heather Haze strides out to a mixed reaction from the gathered crowd. She smiles as her theme music continues to bump out of the P.A. She strikes a seductive pose for a moment, then dances a little to the music, shaking her hips to wolf-whistles from the crowd and smiling, before making her way slowly to the ring. She then sprints the last few feet and baseball slides into the ring, coming up into a quick predatory crouch, her eyes locked this time on Chaz Holiday, who seems less than enthused, shaking his head slowly. She then arches her back as she pushes her ample breasts outward and throws her head back in an orgasmic fashion, making the men in the audience shout with catcalls and whistles as the music fades. Holiday simply shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head again, eliciting a playful-yet-passive-aggressive giggle from Haze as the crowd’s mood almost instantly sours.)
Meg Reynolds: And their partner, hailing from Calgary, Alberta Canada, weighing in tonight at 135 lbs., she is your PWS: Apex WOOOOOORLD CHAMPION, SIERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRA WIIIIIIIIILLIAAAAAAAAAAMS!
(The crowd’s mixed reaction turns pretty solidly to boos, with a few scattered holdouts here and there, as Eminem’s “Go to Sleep” begins to blare over the speakers. Sierra steps out from behind the curtain, black bandana over her face, then unhooks the title belt from around her waist and raises it high above her head as pyro fires behind her to the beat of her entrance theme. She then slings the title over her shoulder, strutting briskly down to the ring with a no-nonsense scowl, eyes locked on Heather Haze the entire time. She steps through the ropes and raises the title again with one hand, immediately getting in Haze’s face and jaw-jacking her challenger-turned-partner as the song comes to an end.)
JR Freeman: Clearly the champion is not taking her eye off their match at Rise to Glory tonight, and we have to assume the challenger won’t be either.
Alfonso Banks: No indeed, JR, though it would be best for their team if they could put aside those differences and try to get the job done. I’m all for competition, and keeping your eye on the prize, but I think tonight they might have a different definition of what that prize is than their partner.
JR Freeman: You’re right again, Alf, and I really wish you’d stop making me say that.
(As the trio continue to butt heads in the ring, slowly the lights in the arena die, leaving it in pitch blackness. After a brief pause, the opening refrain of Devildriver’s cover of “Sail” by AWOLNATION begins to play through the PA system. Red strobe lights flash in time with the guitars as fog begins to billow out through the entrance curtain. Slowly, as the melody picks up, the curtain parts and out walk Jonathan Sanders and Tyson Sykes, both clad in their devil masks. They each stand on either side of the entrance stage and motion to the curtain, where Dionysus emerges through the thickening fog, standing to full height and towering over both of his stablemates. The three then begin to trek to the ring together, the lights ceasing to strobe and taking on a pure crimson red shade as they do. Having reached the ring, Sanders and Sykes climb the steps on either side, while Dionysus steps directly onto the ring apron, climbing over the top rope while the other two enter through the middle. In unison, with one smooth motion, the trio peel off their devil masks as the lighting returns to normal, then Sanders drops to his knees with his arms outstretched to either side as Tyson throws his middle fingers in the air and Dionysus makes a slicing motion across his throat with his forefinger. The trio don’t hold their pose for long, instead locking eyes with their opponents as they make their way to their own corner.)
Meg Reynolds: And their opponents, from the Heart of Armageddon and the End of All You Love, weighing in at a combined total of 736 lbs., they are the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, AAAAAAAAAAAAAANTITHESIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS!
Alfonso Banks: Say what you will about these three men, JR, it looks like ANTITHESIS came ready for a fight.
JR Freeman: They most certainly did, Alf, and with Jonathan Sanders at the helm I don’t think we could have expected anything less.
Alfonso Banks: Absolutely not. These men are brood-brothers more than allies, and that closeness is definitely going to work to their advantage in that ring tonight.
(It seems they’re operating on the same page already, as Sykes and Sanders very quickly agree to allow Dionysus to start as their first legal man. Heather Haze tries to hide her trepidation, but Sierra simply smirks and claps her on the shoulder, mouthing “Good luck” as she steps through the ropes onto the apron. Chaz Holiday looks at Haze sincerely, locking eyes with her to ask:)
Chaz: You good?
(Haze simply swallows and nods an unsure nod, but Chaz respects her decision and steps out of the ring, allowing the referee to ring the bell and officially start this one off. The Mad God wastes no time, exploding out of his corner with a vicious Big Boot that fully flips Heather over before immediately locking her into a high-angle Single Leg Boston Crab. The giant applies the hold with the same sadistic relish as his much smaller mentor, grinning insanely and cackling with glee as Haze cries out in pain and struggles against his grasp. He increases the pressure by driving his knee directly into her arched back, allowing him to both shift his weight onto her smaller frame and wrench the lock on tighter, but miraculously - after almost a full minute of valiant struggle - Haze is able to wiggle out just enough to get two fingers onto the bottom rope. The referee begins to count and Dionysus simply glares at him, but after some gentle coaxing from Jonathan Sanders the beast is encouraged to break the hold at four. Haze’s leg falls with a “thud” onto the canvas, and Dionysus stands up to a chorus of boos from the socially-distanced crowd. ANTITHESIS’ monster simply grins, his head twitching a bit which causes him to drive his palm into his forehead with a psychotic laugh. He circles back around on Heather Haze, who’s clinging to the bottom rope for dear life and trying to crawl along it to reach her friendly corner. Dio is having none of that, however, and he catches Heather’s leg and literally TOSSES her across the ring with one hand! The crowd pops just a little bit in surprise before returning to their deafening boos and jeers, as the self-proclaimed Horseman of Death simply pivots on his heel and stalks towards the disoriented Haze with a chilling grin.)
JR Freeman: Good God! The POWER of that man, just tossing Heather Haze around as if she were a rag doll!
Alfonso Banks: It’s an impressive feat, JR, but I don’t know if Dionysus would appreciate being called a mere man. He seems far more like a monster from where I’m sitting.
JR Freeman: Maybe he does, Alf, but I think monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Just look at the grins on his stable-mates!
(Indeed, Sykes and Sanders seem more than pleased with the current course of events transpiring in the ring, which only seems to increase when Dionysus lifts Heather Haze’s body onto the corner turnbuckle and turns to plant her to the mat with a VICIOUS Chokeslam from the top rope! The boos become somehow MORE thunderous in response as the giant goes for a cover…)
ONE…
TWO…
NO! Chaz Holiday breaks it up!
(The crowd ERUPTS with applause for the Hall-of-Famer as Dionysus turns his head slowly, like a predator rounding on its prey. Holiday shows no fear of this hulking behemoth of a man, however, simply offering a defiant smirk and stepping forward until he’s chest-to-chest with the Mad God. Or, well, chest-to-lower-torso I suppose. He stares up at Dionysus as the monster stands back to full height, glowering down at the interposing veteran...and Chaz immediately reaches up to slap the big man square across the face! The crowd erupts again, even as the referee chastises Holiday and asks him to leave the ring. Dionysus no-sells the fuck out of the slap, immediately turning his gaze back on the Fantabulous One and grabbing him around the throat...when Heather Haze NAILS the giant with a vicious low blow from behind! The referee was too busy focusing on Chaz to notice the assault, which drops the Horseman of Death down to his knees, and Haze follows up with a Dropkick to the back that sends him sprawling to the mat as “Fantabulous” Chaz Holiday steps back onto the apron. She immediately follows this up by climbing to the top rope in her own friendly corner - trying to leap up, but still being hampered by the effects of the submission hold she was locked in earlier - when Sierra Williams reaches up and smacks Haze on the back, tagging herself in. The Bad Girl looks LIVID at the champion as she sidals into the ring with a smirk, abandoning her pursuit of whatever diving move she’d been looking to hit as Sierra Williams gets to work on wearing the titan down.)
JR Freeman: The tension is palpable between the champion and challenger tonight, Alf. You have to wonder how long these two can really hold it together.
Alfonso Banks: If there’s one person in the world Sierra Williams hates more than Heather Haze right now, it’s Mike Hawk. But if there are TWO people she hates more, the second one is Jonathan Sanders. I think she’s willing to work together long enough to get some payback on the CD Champion for that win he scored over her back on the two-year anniversary show.
(Sierra Williams does indeed seem focused, as she immediately applies her Canadian submission expertise on Dionysus, dropping down to catch the fallen monster in an arm-trap Guillotine Choke, the modified Click Click Boom, minus DDT. She growls audibly as she wrenches on the hold, even the much-maligned champion getting cheers as compared with the living, waking nightmare that is ANTITHESIS, but even in his weakened state Dionysus is able to get himself to a vertical base with Sierra wrapped around his head. He then roars in fury and runs towards ANTITHESIS’ corner, slamming Sierra against their turnbuckle with a violent Powerbomb, and makes the tag to Tyson Sykes who reaches out with glee. Not being much for rule-following and the strict abeyance of instructions, however, Dionysus does NOT leave the ring after he’s made the tag, instead opting to remain behind and offer one bent knee for Tyson Sykes, who carries Sierra up to the top rope and leaps off with a Powerbomb of his own directly onto the giant’s waiting leg! Williams writhes in pain and clutches her back as the two ANTITHESIS brothers grin, sharing a wordless fistbump. Dio then slowly, begrudgingly leaves the ring as Tyson gets to work, laying into the World Champion with stiff kicks while she’s down, keeping eye contact with Chaz Holiday the entire time. He turns up the heat with a running Senton to the downed Sierra, surprising everyone with his athleticism, then goes for a quick cover...)
ONE…
TW-NO! WAY TOO EARLY!
JR Freeman: Tyson hoping to put away the champion quick, but Sierra Williams does not go down easy.
Alfonso Banks: Absolutely not, JR. Our champion is nothing if not resilient.
(Sykes simply grins and shrugs, content to inflict more damage on the one whose title he believes he should rightfully be holding. He lifts Sierra to her feet and nails a few vicious chops across her chest, driving her back into the ANTITHESIS corner and tagging hands with Jonathan Sanders. Sykes grins and locks Sierra in the Grapevine Dragon Sleeper, moving slightly away from the corner as Sanders climbs to the top, leaping off to nail the restrained champion with a Shooting Star Dropkick. Sykes releases the hold at that exact moment, then runs for the ropes and hits Sierra with ANOTHER running Senton as Sanders handsprings off, backflipping into a crisp Moonsault Legdrop that makes contact immediately after Sykes’ senton. The pair share a grin and Sykes leaves the ring, only to be tagged in by Sanders again without missing a single beat. With tandem sadistic smirks, the Ripper’s eyes glinting with excitement, they approach Sierra Williams again. This time Sanders climbs to the top as Sykes lifts Williams into Torture Rack/Death Valley Driver position, but the World Champion is able to regain enough of her senses to fire several elbows into the back of Tyson’s head, slipping out of the hold and shoving him face-first into the turnbuckle pad. This causes him to pull down the top rope which destabilizes Sanders, who falls and sacks himself on the turnbuckle rod, holding his jewels tenderly as he topples off to the concrete floor. Sierra Williams grins, shaking her head a couple of times to regain some control, then lets loose a primal shriek of fury as she rushes towards Tyson Sykes, dropping him with Slingblade! The crowd pops for the World Champ as she begins to mount her comeback, laying into Tyson with her own stiff strikes in retaliation for the ones he’d given her, before lifting him again only to drop him with the Roaring Forearm, and then again with the Ode to Mexico! Caught up in the fire of her comeback, Sierra shrieks her primal shriek again and bounces off the ropes to get a HUGE running start towards Dionysus as he attempts to enter the ring, knocking him backwards off the apron with a stiff Nova Bomb. She pumps her fists in the air as the crowd gets behind the champion, leaping up top to nail Tyson with a vicious Air Canada Moonsault and a cover!)
1…
2…
NO! Sanders is back in the ring at the last second to break them up!
JR Freeman: Wow! I thought that was it for sure!
Alfonso Banks: Like I said, JR, ANTITHESIS is more than a team. They’re brothers-in-arms, and they won’t let each other fail.
(Sanders seems to embody this belief as he begins to violently lay into Sierra with kicks and stomps, stepping violently on her fingers and cackling his mirthless, sadistic cackle. The Lost Cause keeps the pressure on as Tyson recovers in the friendly corner, even going as far as to lock in his Octopus Stretch/Dragon Sleeper combo called the Dopamine Deficiency, which the referee immediately begins counting as an illegal submission hold since Sanders has not been officially tagged in. The Horseman of Plague releases the hold at 4.95, grinning in the referee’s face and slowly advancing on him. The official backs up but doesn’t back down, holding firm against the Snake of Eden, who suddenly gets seized from behind by Sierra Williams who bends him backwards into prime position for the Calgary Cutter. Before she can nail the move, however, Tyson Sykes explodes out of the corner to drop her with a Ripper Lariat, then immediately locks in an Ankle Lock as Sanders retreats to their corner to check on Dionysus. Sykes wrenches on the hold, his expression shifting from rage through sadistic enjoyment and back through to rage again as Sierra valiantly struggles, reaching towards her corner and inching ever closer. Haze eyes her up dubiously, as if she’s not sure she should make the tag, but Chaz Holiday reaches out with vigour, locking eyes with Tyson as the air electrifies between them. The crowd even starts a “FAN-TA-BU-LOUS! *clap, clap, clapclapclap*” chant in anticipation of the moment, and sure enough - after a few well-placed kicks with her free leg - Sierra is able to break out of the hold and roll forward into the hot tag to Chaz Holiday! The Fantabulous One steps through the ropes and stands across from Tyson Sykes, walking forward until the two are nose-to-nose against each other...but Tyson simply smirks, shaking his head as he walks back towards the ANTITHESIS corner, arms outstretched.)
SYKES: Not yet, Holiday! Not yet!
(Dionysus has finally recovered, making it back to the apron, but it is Jonathan Sanders who makes the tag at this point, his lips curling back into another evil grin as he locks eyes with the veritable legend across the canvas. Sanders doesn’t explode out of the corner this time, instead taking things slowly, the two circling each other with neither seemingly willing to make the first move. It’s Chaz who blinks first, figuratively speaking, as he shoots forward for a collar-and-elbow tie up. He gets the advantage, of course, using his superior weight class to pull Sanders into position for a Short-Arm Clothesline, but Sanders ducks underneath it and, keeping hold of Holiday’s arm, leaps to the top rope and springboards off to take him down with the Springboard Arm-Drag Takedown into Fujiwara Armbar that he’s now calling “The Butcherbird’s Branch”! Sanders applies the hold with all his might, revelling in the sustained pain he’s causing, but Chaz is eventually able to fight his way out, once again making use of his size and weight advantage. The Fantabulous One then goes on the offensive as both return to their feet, countering a springboard attempt into a Snap Powerslam and doing a good job of keeping the high-flyer grounded. He follows up with an Elbow Drop, then heads to the top himself for a Diving Leg Drop, which nets a massive pop from the audience. He goes for a cover himself, but the giant Dionysus pulls the legend off of Sanders before the referee’s hand can even come down for one. This prompts another staredown between Holiday and Dionysus, but before anything can come of it Sanders snatches Holiday’s trunks and pulls him into a quick rollup.)
1…
TW-NO! The legend powers out!
(Holiday returns to his feet full of piss and vinegar, trading fists and elbows with Sanders, then Dio, then Sanders, then Dio, back and forth until he’s driven them both into separate corners. He then rushes Sanders forward with a Bulldog, planting his face to the mat and using his momentum to run through into a step-up Enzuigiri on the massive Dionysus! Holiday takes a moment to pose for the crowd, throwing his arms out to the side and shouting as the audience showers him with cheers. He then returns to the fallen Jonathan Sanders and moves to lock in the Glamour Lock. As he gets the hold firmly locked in place, though, he suddenly finds himself on the receiving end of a Ripper Lariat! Tyson Sykes grins as he slowly backs out of the ring again, shaking his head as the boos pour in, and Dionysus follows up, as the Mad God has recovered. He steps forward and grabs Holiday’s fallen body, then TOSSES the Hall of Famer with a huge Release German Suplex! Dionysus then follows up - seemingly oblivious or uncaring that he’s not the legal man - by lifting Holiday into the Torture Rack/Argentine Backbreaker combo he calls “Shock Therapy”, leaving him prone on the mat for the Collateral Damage Champion! The Lost Cause grins at his pet giant and nods, prompting Dionysus to exit the ring as Sanders climbs to the top rope, looking for the Total Eclipse of the Soul...but Holiday somehow manages to roll out of the way! At the last moment, he gets enough wherewithal back to move so the CD champ eats canvas, and the Fantabulous One rolls to his corner and manages a tag to the first hand he can find.)
(This turns out to be that of “The Bad Girl” Heather Haze, who enters the ring ready for a fight...but immediately feels a slap on the back from Sierra Williams. The champion smirks again as SHE enters the ring this time, running forward to knock both Sykes AND Dionysus off the apron with dual Nova Bombs! Sierra then makes her way back to the fallen Sanders...just in time for Haze to tag herself in again! Williams turns to Haze, who smirks right back, and the champion wears a murderous glare as the two come nose-to-nose with one another. Sierra tags herself, Haze tags herself, Sierra shoves Haze, Haze shoves Sierra, all while Chaz Holiday holds his aching ribs and looks on in despair and confusion, looking from the squabbling partners to the prone Sanders, and back again...so he reaches forward, slaps Sierra Williams on the shoulder and re-enters the ring. Clearly fighting through pain, his ribs still bruised from the vicious assault by Dionysus, Holiday limps into the ring as his partners stare agape. Heroically, with the swell of the crowd behind him, he lifts Sanders' body - visibly wincing in pain as he does - and plants him with the Sparkle Driver! Chaz collapses on top of Sanders…)
1!
2!
3! IT’S OVER!
JR Freeman: SPARKLE DRIVER! SPARKLE DRIVER! IT’S ALL OVER!
Alfonso Banks: Despite his team’s in-fighting, it seems like Chaz Holiday’s got something left in the tank after all, and he managed to pull this one off!
Meg Reynolds: Here is your winner, the team of “The Bad Girl” Heather Haze, Sierra Williams and “FANTABULOUS” CHAAAAAZ HOLIDAAAAAAY!
(The crowd erupts for Chaz Holiday as the Hall of Famer uses the ropes to get back to his feet, quickly making his way to the back before Tyson Sykes can fully recover. Meanwhile, in the ring, Sierra Williams and Heather Haze are still at each other’s throats, with their shoving having devolved into a full-blown slugfest, the pair fighting their way into the middle of the ring. Security hits the ring before things can get too much uglier, separating the champion and challenger to a chorus of boos and chants of “LET THEM FIGHT!”, but it seems these pleas will not be answered as the show draws to a close.)
WINNER - SIERRA WILLIAMS, HEATHER HAZE, AND CHAZ HOLIDAY
(c) PWS: Apex 2021
”She got hit so hard she just got up from the ground..
...If she ever hits back, I won't tell.
Hey Mary, follow me out and we'll never walk back...
Hey Mary, tell me honestly you'd never want that...
Hail Mary, trust me, don't look back..
...or it's gonna end badly.”[/i][/color]
(We see a dim red hue on the screen almost like sunlight burning through metal as we hear a creature stir...and then angrily and fearfully screams when suddenly...we hear a screeching sound, followed by a thud and then a click as the trunk of the car opens and we see Angel’s face slide into the POV as we see her smile warmly and offer her hand as a dirty glove clasps it and she helps them out of the trunk. The scene cuts to third person and we see it’s indeed what’s left of the Darkest Carnival led by Angel freeing the Reverend Synister. He reaches out and brushes her face as he suddenly screams and collapses...shrieking in tongues. Angel places her hand on his shoulder when all of a sudden he whips his braids out of his face and the camera zooms in on his mask as a jump scare as the scene turns into what can only be described as the bottom of a well. Dimly lit cobblestone walls shimmering with dew. The camera pans down and at the bottom of the well...clutching his knees to his chest stuffed in the corner...lies Reverend Synister. He’s alone...and he’s rocking back and forth as he holds out one hand telling the camera to stay away as he uses his other hand to cover his face.)
Reverend Synister: Do not gaze upon my visage...what more can you take from me?
(Syn slowly lowers his hands as we see the tattered remains of his mask loosely hanging off his face. We can see his actual mouth from the nose down moving.)
Reverend Synister: No my children...perhaps it’s time.
(Syn reaches slowly...and pulls the mask off his face. The fans gasp along at home. We see a few of the battle scars he’s collected over the years as he looks reflectively into the mask until he looks up through the skylight.)
Reverend Synister: As Joseph was cast into the well by his brothers, so was I cast by my oppressors. Joseph, HATED...VILIFIED...for nothing more than being his father’s favorite! That was all! He was the CHOSEN one! Like ME! And they said let us SLAY HIM...and STORE HIM at the bottom of the pit! But instead...they let him live...until they could sell him into slavery. Is that why you didn’t finish the job, McKane!? IS THAT WHY I LIVE!? To be sold to the highest bidder!? WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!? You’ve TAKEN my blood! You’ve TAKEN my legacy! And ALL I WANTED…*tears form in his eyes*...was to RULE you! To show you the way that was set before me! I’m your harbinger! I’m your savior! Why!? WHY do you turn from me!?
(Syn wipes his nose with one hand and runs his other hand through his hair looking back up with tears in his eyes to the Heavens.)
Reverend Synister: My Gods...what do I do now, at the precipice of oblivion? They won’t listen! Wait...perhaps it was...ME. Perhaps it was my own fault! Perhaps SHE...WASN’T the girl from the prophecy! Perhaps…
(We hear a gentle voice clear her throat as Syn crawls forward covering his face as we see Angel...standing in an open sliding pathway. She kneels before Syn and reaches for his face...he reclines. But like a feral animal once he recognizes her he drops his hand as she touches his face. And the warm smile she gives him...spreads hope across his broken, rugged features. As Angel reaches behind her...and produces a NEW mask that looks somehow even more wicked than before.)
Reverend Synister: Yes...YES!!! AHAHAHAHA! OH MY CHILD!!! I SEE!!! I SEE IT NOW!!!
(He gently takes the mask from her and she claps gently and excitedly as he slides it over his head looking up...through burning red eyes.)
Reverend Synister: Come...my child. We lost the battle...we WILL not lose…
...The War.
(Angel takes Syn’s hand and leads him out of the pit as we fade to the shot of them walking off into the darkness as the camera focuses on what he once wore.)
(c) PWS: Apex 2021