Intergalactic Fighting League: Survival of the Fittest!

EBEZA · March 26, 2019

<div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-postid="5797378" data-share-method="host" data-width="100%" data-aspect-ratio="1.0517241379310345"><a href="https://tenor.com/view/aww-kristen-bell-gif-5797378">Touched GIF</a> from <a href="https://tenor.com/search/aww-gifs">Aww GIFs</a></div><script type="text/javascript" async src="https://tenor.com/embed.js"></script>

Zeel1 · March 28, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2348010&postcount=50" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .19 Written In The Stars <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2348738&postcount=53" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div>

The night before the next iteration of Bloodsport was to take place, the warriors continued to rest. With no windows, the nights were drenched in shadow, not a sight to be seen. Everyone was asleep or atleast trying their damnedest to get to sleep.

Except for one...

In the darkness, alone, he smiled.

"Beautiful... ohhh what a beautiful thing I've created..." he shuddered.

He dipped his hands into the green substance... it might've been best not to ask what it was or where he got it from. He sure did seem to like the feel of it though, the sensation as it ran through his fingers. It tingled against his skin... he couldn't stop laughing.

"Ahahahahaha yes! Yes, yes, yes, I'm alive! Ohhh I'm very much alive!" he moaned, impassioned. "The pain heals... just as the fire cleanses."

He glanced down at his clothes, strewn before him. He didn't see fit to wear anything at the moment. "Nnngh... yes, it needs an update... it needs to reflect the new me... hmhm... hahAHAHA! BEGONE, MY BITTER FAILURE! BE FORGOTTEN! BEGONE, BEGONE!"

The man howled as he repeatedly splashed the liquid against the fabric, his hands haphazard, his smile ever growing, ever twisted.

"Haha, yes! Yesss, they have no idea...! No idea what they're about to see! They're about to meet the harbinger of their fate..." he droned on to no one in particular, his eyes glazed over with madness as he gazed up into the darkness. Somehow, he felt he could see through the walls, into the twinkling night sky. "Ahhh... it's written in the stars... soon... soon they will all be one with the night once more. All of you shall find your place up there, in the ether... haha... ahahahaha..."

In the darkness alone... he smiled.

Zeel1 · March 30, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2348475&postcount=52" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .20 Sorry 'Bout Your Damn Luck <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2355056&postcount=56" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div> <div style="text-align:center;">IFL Bloodsport VI</div> As always, the intense buzzing could be heard from miles out... the raucous and ravenous roar of the crowd as they gathered into the murder den that was the IFL Coliseum. Sivian: Welcome one and all to the bloody spectacle that is the one and only IFL. Hazazz: Hoo, the cosmos are still buzzing from the first two deaths of the series... but nobody's even close to satisfied yet. There are so many more to come, I just know it! Sivian: Indeed... it must be said, after how bloody Killer Instinct was, last week was something of a let down. But I have a feeling that this time will be quite different... Hazazz: Yeahyeahyeah, you can feel it in the air! Carnage is coming and I can't wait! Sivian: Malell did promise last week that strong performances would be rewarded, and we see tonight that he was not lying. Four men who took victories in singles action seven nights ago now have a wondrous opportunity ahead of them. Hazazz: Seth Rollins! Jay Lethal! Alberto El Patron! Sami Callihan! In a four way match?! Nnnngh and the winner becomes next in line to challenge for Immunity! Who wouldn't kill one of their peers for a shot at that?! Sivian: I wouldn't wish to meet the man who could raise their hand to that, my friend... but in addition to our magnificent main event, we also have a grudge match. Last week, Madison Rayne turned on Charlotte and nearly got her killed... this week, the two square off, one-on-one. Hazazz: With animosity like that, there's no way they're both survivin'! Heh, Charlotte's more proven as a fighter but you gotta love some sweet, sweet treachery... I'm so excited! Let's get this show underway! Sivian: It's fair to say we're starting out big here... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="5Rj2bn9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5Rj2bn9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="iB6V15r.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iB6V15r.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Braun Strowman vs. Fabian Aichner ------- Knowing who he was up against, Aichner was sweating from the moment he stepped through the tunnel, though he tried his best to hide his fear. It was alleviated a bit though when he saw that Braun Strowman was not coming in alone... unbenknownst to him, other members of the Pact - namely Ibushi, the Briscoes and Lethal - snuck out behind him from the tunnel. By the time the monster turned to notice them, they had already spread out among the arena, standing watch like guarddogs.<div style="text-align:right;">"Oh thank God... protectors..."</div>Still, Fabian was a huge underdog to say the very least. And Braun was clearly not in his merciful mood as he went after him. Thankfully, Aichner was much quicker than he was and was able to avoid him for a huge chunk of the match, his huge hands just barely failing to grasp his neck on many an occasion. Eventually, he managed to lure him towards a large stone, and he hopped up onto it to fly at him with a missile dropkick to the chest.<div style="text-align:right;">"Please work..."</div>The impact was enormous... but didn't take him down. The giant stumbled, but his feet remained planted, even as the momentum of Fabian's own move saw him land spread-eagled on the ground. He reached down and grabbed him by the neck, and yanked him up off the dirt with staggering power... but Aichner seemed ready for it, showing off his athleticism by twisting in mid-air and catching him with an enziguri style kick to the side of the head! Fabian landed on his feet, in time to see that this, too, did sadly little. A clubbering blow to the side of the head put him right on the ground.<div style="text-align:right;">"No... getting... st-stronger...? Getting worse?!"</div>That one shot was damn near enough to knock him out, he wasn't all there as Braun knelt down... sensing the writing on the wall, the Pact-members rushed in to prevent the very likely elimination. They dogpiled on their on-again off-again ally, stopping the behemoth from doing anything more... and even he struggled to push them all off, until... some unlikely friends came in, Sami Callihan, Penta and Fenix of the Sole Survivors!<div style="text-align:right;">"Please... please don't stop them..."</div>They rushed in and though they didn't have the numbers advantage, they were able to pull away enough Pact members that Braun could toss the others aside. In the flurry, Aichner had struggled to his feet, and turned to run, but this time Braun was able to reach out far enough to barely grab him... his enormous fingers coiling around the back of his neck. Showing some truly unnatural power even for him, Braun lifted Aicher up into the air like this, before planting him facefirst with a ruthless Reverse Chokeslam. <div style="text-align:right;">"No!"</div>He proceeded to growl into his ear, his voice seeming... distorted, somehow. "You're too nice to hurt anybody but not brave enough to put your life on the line... you've done all you're going to do. And I must maintain fear of this vessel... so I'm afraid a sacrifice is in order."<div style="text-align:right;">"Don't... have... to!"</div> With that, he reached down and pulled the plug without a second's struggle, as though it were second nature. The fighting surrounding them stopped as they all saw Aichner drift up into the sky... he didn't cry or scream. His expression was one of resignation, as if he never truly expected to make it much further... as though he'd accepted his fate some time ago. Winner: Braun Strowman, via elimination after a Reverse Chokeslam at the 7:58 mark <img alt="to4jzdJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/to4jzdJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES- Sivian: Ohhh, what a wonderful way to start off an evening of violence... Hazazz: -YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!!! Sivian: I take it you're pleased, partner? Hazazz: Yes! Like you wouldn't believe! Ooh I was worried those goody two shoes boys were gonna mess up everything! What was Lethal even doing with them?! I thought he was better than that! Sivian: One only knows what drives these warriors... even Braun seems to be fighting alongside their ilk at times. Fortunately we always know we can rely on the Sole Survivors! Hazazz: Ahh, bless 'em! I hope one of them takes this whole thing! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6Ii4Oh7.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6Ii4Oh7.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="bgpiXOW.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bgpiXOW.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Charlotte Flair vs. Madison Rayne ------- Charlotte stormed out into the arena with a purpose, in high contrast to Madison who basically had to be shoved out by the guards. It couldn't have been clearer from the outset that she wanted nothing to do with this match. Like the previous match, she began by trying to run away, but in her case, her opponent was faster than her. Charlotte caught up to her before long, grasping her hair and yanking her down to the ground. An onslaught of stomps and punt-style kicks threatened to put her in the dirt. Charlotte forced Madison to her feet just to put her right back down with a crisp snap suplex. The malice in Charlotte's eyes were palpable as she stood and stepped back, just waiting for Madison to rise. The moment she was getting up to her feet, Charlotte dashed forward and damn near sliced through her with a spear. Charlotte landed on top of her... and tried to stand back up, but Madison had wrapped her arms around her, keeping her put. She didn't expect this, and couldn't react properly before the bizarre, yet adorable puppy/cat/piglet hybrid that acted as a referee counted the three. Madison had effectively pinned herself, and no sooner than the match was called did she kick Charlotte away before scrambling off to safety. Winner: Charlotte, via pinfall, after a Spear at the 4:37 mark <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Aww man! Well she found a way to escape but I was expecting a little more from her than that... Sivian: Quite the cowardly act, no sugarcoating that. It's pretty apparent that only one of those two were looking for a fight. I'm all for Madison being despicable, but not like this. Hazazz: I'm just sad that it worked... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6Ii4Oh7.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6Ii4Oh7.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Not at all content with this, Charlotte still looked fierce and determined as she demanded a microphone from the rather jumpy referee. "You think you're clever, Madison?! You're not pulling another trick like that out here, I promise you that! Next time you go through that tunnel, it'll be your last!" The crowd roared at this... they weren't always big on Charlotte, but they were certainly always big on death threats. And they'd turned on Madison quite heavily during their match. "I may not have seen that trick coming, but I did have a feeling you'd weasel your way out of what's coming to you somehow." she explained, her expression turning darker by the moment. "But no more... because I've come to learn something, Madison. There's a type of match that's a true staple of the IFL, one that we haven't seen yet in this series... one that I think is overdue. And the best part of it is, when the challenge is laid down, you're not allowed to reject it!" Some of the more knowledgeable of the audience were on their feet, as they knew where this was going. Charlotte hissed, "So next week! You and me will face off... in a Do Or Die match!" Charlotte threw the mic to the ground as the audience proceeded to lose their damned minds. <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Ohhhh my... Hazazz: WHOA! D-D-Did I hear that right?! She isn't just teasing me, is she?! Sivian: When it comes to a Do Or Die match, words are binding, partner! I don't know how she came to learn of it, but it's going to happen now! Hazazz: Ohhhh goddamn I love the IFL so much! Sivian: For those new to this organization, a Do Or Die match is exactly what it says on the tin. No pinfalls, no submissions... there is only one way to win, and it's by pulling your opponent's plug! Until that happens, the match won't end... no one's allowed to leave the arena until someone dies! Hazazz: I love it! I love the freakin' initiative! Madison must've really pissed her off if she's willing to go through with this one! Hot damn I'm ready for it right now! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3DyjrKD.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3DyjrKD.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IgIRL7m.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IgIRL7m.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="LpdTYqd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LpdTYqd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kHLQjve.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kHLQjve.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Beer Money Inc. vs. The Lucha Brothers ------- This was a bitter battle from the outset, as Roode and Storm knew what they were up against and agreed in advance to come out swinging, looking to take the fight to Penta and Fenix and keep them from getting out of the blocks. After all, losing the advantage for a split-second could mean the difference between life and death. And the two old friends were quick to let the fists fly, overwhelming the masked wrestlers with aggression. But of course any member of the Sole Survivors had aggression to spare, and they were slowly able to match Roode and Storm, trading vicious chops in for their punches. Before long they'd broken the skin, their chests bleeding and covered in welts, but it still didn't stop the fight. Still, the early onslaught had been endured and the two brothers had managed to take the lead. Penta tossed Roode into the marble barrier, and Fenix nailed a rana that took Storm headfirst into the stone. With Storm down, they focused on Roode... a ruthless superkick from Fenix was followed up with a Package Piledriver from Penta, dangerously contorting his neck against the ground. With him incapacitated, they moved onto Storm, who was still barely even stirring when they approached... but he was playing possum. He caught Fenix with a low blow that brought him to the ground, and managed to nail the surprised Penta with a clothesline. James looked out and saw Roode, still laid out near the marble wall. He was concerned, but knew the distraction could cost him, so he grabbed Fenix by the mask and used his power advantage, tossing him roughly into Roode's general direction. He figured if he took the fight closer to his partner, he could rejoin the fray after recovering. So he focused on that, kicking Fenix closer and luring Penta over as well. As he neared Bobby, Penta looked for another devastating chop, but Storm managed to back away from it and caught him with a kick to the gut that doubled him over. He looked for a DDT, but Penta managed to lift him off the ground and shove him away, which saw Storm land on his knees... just in time for him to catch a running knee to the face. This laid James out, his body splayed over his partner's. Storm rolled around and saw that Roode looked to be entirely unconscious. He glanced at his plug, glistening in the moonlight, a stark signal of how vulnerable he was. In spite of the disadvantage, he knew he couldn't leave his side... so he forced himself to stand and faced Penta and Fenix as they slowly marched towards him. He stood his ground, ensuring that he was between his opponents and his partner. James had his fists up, gesturing for them to come forward, yelling for them to bring it. He put forth quite the false bravado... one that diminished in a heartbeat the moment he heard the sickly sound of grinding metal and decompressing air. And he felt it as well... ...he turned around to see Roode standing there... holding James' plug in his hand. He looked no worse for wear, and it became clear right away that the Piledriver was, in fact, worked... he'd been played. "Y-You..." James muttered as he felt his feet slowly float off the ground. He was shocked beyond words. Roode's expression was a pure grimace as he coldly remarked, "...Sorry 'bout your damn luck." "You son of a bitch!" Storm howled as he reached forward, grabbing Roode and rearing his fist back, still fighting even as he was mid-ascent. But Roode caught him first with an uppercut to the chin, just as Penta grabbed at his ankles and yanked him away from the last thing that was tethering him to gravity. James proceeded to float up into the abyss, cursing his partner's betrayal until the bitter end... Winners: The Lucha Brothers, after Roode eliminated his own partner at the 9:38 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: WOOOOOW, LOOKIT HIM GOOO!!! Sivian: Ah, now that's a betrayal done right... does the heart good. Madison should be taking notes. Hazazz: Nyeheheheh, did you see the look in his eyes?! He never saw it coming! Haha, poor dumb bastard! He really trusted him! Sivian: Seemed willing to put his body on the line for him too... what a true fool. It's wonderful to see such an idiot get put in his place... Hazazz: Oooh, and now Roode's leaving with Penta and Fenix! Are the Sole Survivors another member stronger?! This is awesome! Man, what a show this has been already! Three matches in, we have two eliminations and the first Do or Die match has been announced?! Sivian: It's been a blessed one... and it only seeks to continue as up next we have... erm... oh. Hazazz: What...? This can't be right... this shouldn't be right... but we're supposed to have... the return of John Hennigan? I didn't think there was anything left of him... ugh, dammit, there goes my good mood. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Similar to Hazazz, the crowd was in a jovial mood, only to be disheartened a bit by the appearance of the first man out for this next match. He was met with disdain and confusion in equal measure... Those that recognized him booed right away, but many actually weren't aware that it was the same man they'd last seen Braun Strowman pick apart at Killer Instinct... It was pretty clear that something had... changed about him... <img alt="sY9zM1c.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sY9zM1c.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> The man they knew as John Hennigan indeed made his way out. For the first time, he'd seen fit to wear the entrance attire that he'd been given, the one he'd made famous as part of his look back on Earth. But they'd never seen it, and with it now glowing a strange, translucent green thanks to the wild splatters of a curious substance he'd adorned it with, he was quite a sight to say the least. He moved rhythmically, as though a beautiful song were playing and he was the only one who could hear it. He walked with his arms outstretched and occasionally twirled as he went over to the referee and got himself a microphone. Slowly, he pulled off the now green-tinted sunglasses, to show just how spacey his expression was, his eyes milky... he looked absolutely, positively... gone. "Ohhhh it is beautiful to be back... back in front of this wonderful audience..." he began with a smile, ignoring the boos and trash being tossed at him. "Yes... yes, make your voices heard. I know where your hatred comes from and I don't blame you. But I want you to know... I'm nothing like the man you've seen before. I'm nothing... like any man... you've ever seen before." The man sat down, crosslegged on the ground for a bit, a very zen pose as he went on, "At Killer Instinct... everyone thought that John Hennigan had been killed. And... you were right. That night, at the hands of a behemoth, he died... that beating was what it took to drive out that worthless spirit... allowing ME... to take it's place." He stood up and waltzed over - almost literally - to a rock formation and hopped up onto a stone, treating it like a pedestal. "Gone is the man you used to know! He was weak, frightened, pathetic... and he had no identity to speak of! All that he knew had been ripped away and every name he once clung to was no longer suitable. And so it only makes sense that he disappeared into his own mind. His body is all that remains... this vessel is now home to a new master... so now, now and forever, you shall know the man before you... as Johnny Galaxy!" He posed before the people, his fist up in the air as he swung his other hand across from his body in slow motion, pretending his hair was billowing in the wind. The boos had started to quiet down, but they weren't replaced by cheers. Frankly, the crowd had no idea what to make of this man... "...I promise... I promise each and every one of you, whether you like me or not... I will fight for you! And I... will kill for you." he added with a wicked grin, much to the crowd's applause. He looked up, that faraway look in his eye traveling an even greater distance as his gaze faded into the murky abyss above him. "Ahhh so beautiful... we all come from that pure darkness... and all shall return. Heheheheh... ahahahahahahaha!" He dropped the microphone and continued laughing maniacally on that stone, even as his opponent came out. <img alt="Jqu425k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jqu425k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Oooooooookay... Sivian: I'm... not sure how to react to this. But I do rather like how he ended that speech. Hazazz: Yeah, I-I do too, but... I mean, it's... that's John Hennigan, right...? <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="UWKAlTV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UWKAlTV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="sY9zM1c.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sY9zM1c.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Mark Briscoe vs. Johnny Galaxy ------- Mark looked just as confused as anyone as he walked out of the tunnel and slowly approached Johnny. He refused to even acknowledge his presence, just standing there on that rock and laughing the night away. For an uncomfortably long time, Mark just stood there and watched, scratching his head as 'Galaxy' didn't so much as glance down at him... but finally, he sprung into action when Mark least expected it, leaping down at him with a crossbody that took him down to the ground. The laughter stopped as Galaxy proceeded to rain down surprisingly vicious punches. The audience slowly got into it as the apparent reformed coward took the fight to the stunned Briscoe, laying in wicked, sweeping kicks to his torso, finishing with a brutal running knee strike to the face. Galaxy went for the cover and Mark barely kicked out. Mark struggled to his feet and from there, struggled to get an advantage. When he heard he was going to be Hennigan's first match back, he was prepared to put on the kid gloves... suffice to say, he wasn't anywhere near ready for this. Mark managed to survive for a while and eventually finally take the advantage, countering a Wheelbarrow Facebuster with a rather limp bulldog. By the time he finally got any offense in, he'd been battered, and he was already still worse for wear from the brutalizing he'd put himself through last week. Not to mention he was in little mood to fight after what had just happened to Storm... Still, he did his best, getting a few licks in on Galaxy before tossing him right towards the marble wall... only to see the rebranded wrestler leap up through the air and kick off the wall for his famed Flying Chuck kick! The crowd was outright behind his antics at that point, intrigued by his unique fighting style and supporting him as he climbed up the wall... he posed for them at the top before coming off with his signature finisher. He had to skip the split-legged part thanks to having no ropes, but otherwise, he nailed the Starship Pain, coming down much harder than usual onto Mark's prone body for the pin and the win! Winner: Johnny Galaxy, via pinfall after a Starship Pain at the 12:07 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: ...Wow. He truly has changed... Hazazz: For the better! Well I'll be... he's a straight-up warrior now! Sivian: I suppose that beating he took from Braun was a wakeup call. He knew if he kept going the way he was, he would never last in the IFL. Hazazz: Well this uh, Johnny Galaxy thing, it's off to a pretty good start... but why didn't he go for an elimination?! He sure made it sound like he would... Sivian: Who knows? It's hard to know what's going through that mind at the moment... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="npH8i8F.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/npH8i8F.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="ZXpNTpj.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZXpNTpj.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Colby Corino vs. Tomohiro Ishii ------- Colby looked a little uncomfortable, still not over what he'd heard from Malell, and the rowdy crowd didn't help matters. He hadn't really done anything to earn their ire, but he had it anyway, as they simply didn't see any value in the scrawny, helpless looking kid. And of course, they were all too pleased to see Ishii come out. Recent matches against Owens and Callihan had seen him drop from being their favorite fighter, but they were still fond of his rugged style. To Colby, it couldn't be more clear... one was there to be a warrior, and the other... He gripped his fists tight, before coming over to Ishii. They quietly agreed to work the match, but to Colby's frustration, Ishii was ignoring all of his attacks. The usual moment where he stopped to sell after knocking his opponent never seemed to come, though he perhaps didn't realize that he simply wasn't staying down long enough to let it happen, continually getting right back in Ishii's face. After a few minutes of trading, Colby noticed that Ishii was standing a meter or two in front of a rock formation. With his teeth grit, he charged in, legitimately tackling him and taking him back-first against the stone, much to the puro star's shock. Colby grabbed him by the head and started ramming him into the stone repeatedly, actually drawing blood from the notoriously tough Ishii's cranium. He was incensed, showing a side of himself nobody had quite seen before. Desperately, Ishii reached up and managed to scrape across his face to get him to relent. He then shot up to his feet and nailed him across the cheek with a one-two combo of staggering elbows that left him falling limply to his backside. Ishii took a moment to wipe some of the blood off the back of his head before glaring down at the uncooperative Colby. He proceeded to dart forward, going down for a harsh Sliding Lariat that actually knocked the youngster out. The pin was academic, and Ishii left the arena even quicker than usual afterwards. Winner: Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall, after a Sliding Lariat at the 6:41 mark <img alt="JBMHHGF.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JBMHHGF.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Hrm, an interesting one to be sure. Have to give it to Colby, he might not look like much, but he's got some aggression. Hazazz: Yeah, love to see the fire out of the kid! Obviously took Ishii off-guard too, though in the end, I don't think he can really do much to him... Sivian: With warriors like Ishii around, it's sure to see that Corino will never last long. But a nice effort, to be sure... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="DMMVCSQ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DMMVCSQ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="7AIIrbm.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7AIIrbm.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="Gw5iFzJ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Gw5iFzJ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="fJ38bie.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fJ38bie.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Frightmare & Tyler Bate vs. The Golden Lovers ------- Naturally, this match entirely between Pact-mates was thoroughly worked, though of course stiff enough that most couldn't tell the difference. And it was damned good as well, extremely fast-paced and hard hitting. Frightmare couldn't really keep up with the other three in terms of strikes, but made up for it with his dogged, undying approach and apparent love of pain. After several minutes, Omega had clearly leveled Bate with a Rain Trigger knee, only for the pin attempt to be broken up by a surprise Kneecolepsy (Standing Moonsault Double Knee Drop) from Frightmare. Kota was naturally on him in a flash after this and the two brawled until they were near some stones. After literally and openly begging him for it, Kota relented, stepping up to the stones alongside Frightmare and nailing him with a C4 right down to the ground, for the pin. The crowd wasn't pleased with Kota and Kenny winning, but for once, they didn't seem bothered by that. Winners: Golden Lovers, via pinfall, after Kota hit Frightmare with a C-4 off a stone at the 10:05 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Tch! Whatever, so the wimps beat a few other wimps... Sivian: I'll give you Frightmare, but Bate was a win away from headlining Killer Instinct... Hazazz: You lose to the "Golden Lovers", you're a joke in my book! Sivian: Well, it's true that they're- oh no, they're letting him have a microphone again... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="Gw5iFzJ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Gw5iFzJ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="fJ38bie.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fJ38bie.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Indeed, Kenny took up a microphone and began to speak over the increasingly loud jeers, "You don't like it?! You don't like it?! Well I'm done letting that get to me! We shouldn't have to cater to people like you!" Shockingly, this remark didn't cause the hatred to wane any, but Kenny looked to know exactly what he was doing. "Kota and I, we're done being pawns in this game. It's plain to see now that I was wrong... no one's coming for us. I don't know how any of this can possibly be happening and be broadcast across the goddamn cosmos without anyone stepping in to stop it, but if waiting gets us nothing... then you can damn sure bet that we're going to do something about it!" He found himself juking and jiving to avoid the various trash that was being thrown at him, but he still carried on, "We've already seen two lives end tonight and that's not acceptable! I will NEVER accept that I live in this kind of world! I promise you that we will do everything in our power to prevent another! We will tear this place to the ground if we have to!" The guards began to converge towards the Golden Lovers, but they didn't seem to be aware of this as Kenny passed the mic to his partner. "Malell! ...You will never win. As long as we are here, we will never stop fighting you." At that moment, they found themselves surrounded. The guards held their spears to them, forcing Kota to drop the mic, and the both of them back into the tunnel. Kenny smiled, seemingly pleased to have finally pushed the boss into some sort of reaction... <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Scum. Sivian: Yes, I do believe that about sums it up... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="vSimaHn.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vSimaHn.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="Es7bzMW.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Es7bzMW.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Tetsuya Naito vs. Baron Corbin ------- This began as you'd expect, with Naito as always playing avoidant, aggressively refusing to show any aggression whatsoever, and Baron being thoroughly unimpressed and continually annoyed. After a couple minutes of this, though, it became clear that this would never get the chance to become an actual match in any capacity... From two different tunnels, three of the Sole Survivors spilled out; Callihan, Alberto and their newest member, Bobby Roode. Roode snuck up behind Baron and clocked him in the back of the head. Meanwhile, Callihan and Alberto came from opposing sides on Naito to corner him. He avoided Sami's clothesline attempt, but ran headlong into a thrust kick from Alberto that took him down. The crowd went ape, as it became clear that the Sole Survivors were looking for two more victims to add to the night's total. Various Pact members tried to come in to stop them, having been tucked away in the tunnels themselves, on high alert at this point; but the moment the Survivors came in, the guards all converged in front of those very tunnels, blocking them off. The whole thing looked extremely coordinated... and it left Baron and Naito in a bad way. Roode looked to pounce and grab for Baron's plug, but the always healthily paranoid Corbin was atleast prepared enough to roll away from this. He shot up and the two of them started trading punches. Baron was able to overpower him after a few good licks and shove him away to try and gain distance. Meanwhile, Alberto seemed to be savoring chopping away at Naito's chest, holding him by the hair to keep him from running. Callihan then caught the prone Naito with a Bicycle Kick, nailing him square in the face and bringing him to the ground in a heap. Baron looked over to see Naito getting ganged up on and seemed to contemplate jumping in for a moment... but opted against taking the chance, instead heading off towards an exit. But he didn't see the guards blocking it until it was too late. And while he was trying to think of his next move, Roode had caught up to him, bringing him down with a chopblock. Callihan and Alberto rolled Naito onto his front, but he was still able to frantically struggle up to his knees. Just as Sami reached for a plug, Naito backflipped into him and caught him with a surprise Destino, only to be on the receiving end of another sharp kick from Alberto that seemingly finally put his lights out. He knelt down over Naito, about to finally eliminate him... but that's when, out of one of the few uncovered tunnels, out raced Zack Sabre Jr. and Marty Scurll! ZSJ managed to jump Alberto just before he pulled his plug and while the two of them wrestled on the ground, Scurll helped Naito to his feet and aided him to the back. The moment he saw he'd been freed, Zack tripped Alberto with a legsweep, just to give himself enough time to retreat as well. Alberto looked absolutely incensed... Thanks to his newfound friends, Naito had lived to fight - or not - another day. But meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Baron found himself all alone with Roode on his back, wailing on him with elbows to the back of the head, finally softening him up enough to pull his plug. Roode rolled off of him and watched him drift up into the ether. Baron struggled and groaned... but he didn't yell; for once, he simply didn't have any answers... Winner: Tetsuya Naito, via elimination, after the Sole Survivors interfered and Roode pulled Corbin's plug at the 8:41 mark <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Waah-ha-how! They are ruthless tonight, I love it! Sivian: Counting their aiding of Strowman, that's three eliminations they've accounted for in one night... we've seen some dangerous groups in the IFL before, but that's a rare feat to manage. Hazazz: We go from zero eliminations on one Bloodsport to three the next?! Hahah, you really never know when it'll happen! Sivian: Indeed... unfortunate they couldn't get Naito too, though. Hazazz: Aww, I know... why in the world is anyone helping that guy out? Sivian: Who can say? But with a faction like this running amok, I don't think I like his odds of lasting much longer. Hazazz: Eh, who cares about him, though? This has been an AWESOME night! And what a way to cap it off, the four way for the shot at Immunity! Let's get to it! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="mbMWDPH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mbMWDPH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="rvHNlOf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rvHNlOf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="NjAxbZU.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NjAxbZU.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="4N92MpZ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4N92MpZ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Sami Callihan vs. Alberto El Patron vs. Jay Lethal vs. Seth Rollins ------- The officials waited until Roode left - and, as if on purpose - until Callihan had gotten back to his feet to start the match officially... at which point, the guards blocking the Pact split apart and shoved Lethal into the battlefield, ensuring that he was the only one that made it in. Callihan and Alberto wasted no time going over to him and though he tried to take the fight to them first, coming out swinging, before long the numbers game was too much. Callihan had successfully tackled him to the dirt, where he held him down for Alberto to rain down wicked stomps onto his face. As a brutal two-on-one beatdown ensued, Rollins made his way out from the tunnel and rushed on over, catching Alberto with a running knee lift that knocked him down. Callihan sprung up and charged at Rollins, engaging him in a flurry of fists, and from there, a proper four way brawl had broken out. And a brawl as it was, a psuedo tag match really as Alberto and Sami refused to attack each other, forcing Rollins and Lethal to work together to survive... literally. Naturally, Sami snuck in a weapon as he is wont to do, basically a pipe this time. He managed to catch Lethal in the elbow with it, the shot landing with a sickening crunch that likely cracked a bone. This stunned him enough that he was able to follow up with a shot to the face, Lethal could only get his hands up to absorb some of the blow but was laid out nonetheless. This left Rollins alone for a time... they swarmed on him and, despite his struggling, Alberto was able to latch his arms behind his back long enough for Callihan to crack him viciously with a shot to the head... the blood coming from his forehead after that was sure as hell no blade job. Rollins slumped to the ground when Alberto released him, and it was all he could do to roll over onto his back to try and avoid elimination. The two started to lay in stomps and, once they were satisfied, roll him over to do the deed. Lethal had groggily managed to stand up several feet away and glanced over in time to see Alberto reach for the plug. Desperately, he charged in, and though Callihan tried to intercept him, he managed to tackle him right into Alberto, all three of them landing in a heap. Lethal looked over to see they were in close proximity to the wall, and fought up to his feet so he could do his usual handspring. Alberto and Callihan scrambled to their feet, only to be caught with a Double Lethal Injection! He could've probably gone for a pin, but opted instead to help Rollins to his feet. Rollins was winded, but not so much he couldn't thank him. Lethal replied, "No problem. I don't even wanna win that Immunity, we're still kinda against the whole idea." Rollins laughed and responded, "Well to be honest with you... I'm kinda not!" and proceeded to roll up Lethal. He kicked out hurriedly at 2, but came up laughing. "Okay, hold on, I did that out of instinct... do that again!" he instructed. "I'd much rather you have it than one of them!" Rollins nodded and went for another roll-up, but at two, the puppykitlet ref stopped short, and stood up, waving it off; clearly not happy with the intentional pin. Lethal sprang up, arguing that he allowed Madison to do it earlier in the night. As he did this, Rollins grabbed him from behind and spun him around into a Rain Trigger Knee Lift! This took him right to the ground and Rollins pinned him for real this time, but Alberto had managed to spring forward and break up the pin. Likely thanks to taking less damage in the pre-match brawl, Alberto was a bit more spry than Callihan, hence getting up first. He yanked Rollins up by the hair and looked to toss him right into the barrier, but Rollins managed to counter, tossing him into the wall instead. Out of the corner of his eye, Rollins saw Callihan stirring, but pretending not to notice as he slowly approached the downed Alberto. Callihan, with his weapon still in tow, charged Rollins and looked to clock him with it from behind, but Rollins managed to duck out of the way. Sami turned to be greeted with a kick to the gut from Rollins, who proceeded to yank his weapon away. He feigned hitting him in the face with it, and when he put his hands up to block, Rollins instead went low, blasting him in the kneecap with the solid steel. This put him down to a knee, where Rollins capitalized with a wicked Curbstomp! He went for the cover, but Alberto came in just before the 3 to break it up. And this time, Rollins couldn't counter when he went to throw him headfirst into the wall. Alberto rained down punches to soften him up, then made damn sure his head was pressed right up against the solid marble. A fierce side kick crashed into his skull with a terrifying crack... Alberto looked pleased with himself as he watched Seth slump to the floor. He momentarily checked on Callihan… in time to see that Terry Funk had somehow snuck by the guards and was now on him, raining down punches! He pulled him by the hair and planted him with a piledriver before Alberto could rush over to run him off! The crazy old man came back through where he came, not even paying any mind to the guards spears as he narrowly avoided them and ran back through the tunnel! Alberto actually started yelling at the guards for a bit, but eventually thought better of that. Throwing his hands up, he looked back over to Rollins, in time to see him struggling to use the wall to pick himself back up. He wasn’t quite unconscious but definitely on shaky legs. His knees wobbling, he looked to swing at the encroaching Alberto... but he didn't have to do anything to avoid it, his aim was off by a mile and he fell to one knee again. Alberto laughed, knowing for certain that he'd just given him a major concussion... He grabbed Rollins by the hair and slammed his face into the dirt. He knew he was puddy in his hands now, as he went for the plug again, but once more Lethal came in at the last second, yanking Alberto away. But before he could do anything else, Alberto pulled him and twirled into his Cross Armbreaker! Lethal didn't want the title to stay within the Sole Survivors, so he struggled mightily, even as he wrenched wickedly on the same arm that Callihan had struck with the pipe earlier! He was in searing pain and forced to endure the hold for a full minute... before he finally managed to find the leverage to roll to his side, rolling Alberto up in the process; and he didn't realize it until it was too late, Lethal had stolen the victory! Given Lethal's exposure as part of the anti-killing group last week, and Alberto's established murderous intent, the crowd was largely unhappy with this and of course the latter was pissed too. But as Lethal backed away, still favoring his arm and eyeing him warily, Alberto knew they'd likely seen all the eliminations they were going to see tonight. So he gathered up Callihan and carted him off, as Rollins' stablemates came out to do the same to him. Winner: Jay Lethal, via pinfall, after countering the Cross Armbreaker by rolling up Alberto at the 20:15 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: A wonderful battle with a breathtaking finish... I thought for sure Lethal was done for, but he's a scrappy one, no doubt. Hazazz: Yeah... I sure don't like the company he keeps, though. Or his attitude in the rest of the match! There's potential in that guy, but he wastes it by trying to play the hero! Sivian: It's a horrible thing, partner... but all the same, he's earned himself a title shot. We now know that Jay Lethal shall be challenging Kevin Owens for his Immunity some time in the near future! Until then, signing off, I'm Sivian... Hazazz: And I'm... whoa, whoa, wait a minute, don't fade out yet! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="EfvdvkB.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EfvdvkB.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Lethal stood alone, waiting for the others to leave before he dared turn his back. But just when he got to one of the empty tunnels, the guards changed positions to block it off. He was confused until he heard the voice booming from the other side of the arena... "Hey, wait just a minute, Lethal..." <img alt="rcbuLWf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rcbuLWf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> He turned to see Owens himself, slowly walking towards the center of the arena, with a microphone in hand. This perked the audience right back up in a hurry. "...Don't you go anywhere, because this show isn't over yet!" he announced, to a huge pop. "You've earned a shot at my title... that's good, that's great! Phenomenal for you! I'm excited for you, I really am! Yeah! In fact, I'm so excited... I don't wanna wait!" Lethal had slowly made his way to the center to look Owens in the eye. It'd been made clear that he wasn't gonna be able to run away so he stood his ground. Owens, for his part, just looked to the crowd, "What do you guys think?! Do you wanna see this match right now?!" Of course the crowd roared their favor of this. Lethal looked appalled, shouting, "You can't do shit like that!" Owens ignored him. "Well then what are we waiting for?!" he shouted, before decking him in the face with the microphone. He mounted him and rained down punches and, just like that, the match was on... <img alt="3HvW0Ja.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3HvW0Ja.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="EfvdvkB.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EfvdvkB.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="rcbuLWf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rcbuLWf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Jay Lethal vs. Kevin Owens ---- Immunity Championship ---- ------- Lethal had been battered for practically twenty minutes straight heading into the match with the fresh Owens, in addition to being jumped before the proverbial bell. So needless to say, the challenger was forced into a huge disadvantage, with Owens staying on him like a pitbull, refusing to let him even catch his breath. He pulled Lethal up and planted him with an argentine neckbreaker. He followed up by stepping back and running up for a devastating splash. If he'd gone for a cover, Lethal likely would've allowed it just to increase his chances of getting out of there, knowing full well his odds of winning are extremely low, and again, not really wanting the title in the first place. But Kevin didn't want that... he wanted a lot more than a win, and it didn't take Lethal long to figure that out. Still, it was a struggle just to get his hands up and lessen the devastating blows. At one point, Kevin pulled him up to his feet just to shove him into the barrier wall, where Jay found himself in a seated position up against the marble. Owens looked to crush him with a cannonball against the wall, but Lethal barely managed to roll out of the way in time to send Owens crashing painfully into it himself. Still, Jay was in no position to get up quickly; he was only up to a knee by the time Owens had shaken this off. Kevin went over to grab him by the hair, only to get caught with a low blow that doubled him over. Lethal fought to his feet and planted him with a DDT, but the cover barely netted him a 2 count. Knowing he had to take advantage after finally getting one over on him, Lethal grabbed Owens by the back of the shirt and forced him up. He tossed him over towards a rock formation, and though Owens caught himself, Lethal got him with a running dropkick to the small of his back that staggered him. He whipped him around and nailed the Lethal Combination, an STO Backbreaker into a Reverse STO that landed Kevin facefirst onto the stone! After his head bounced off the rock, Lethal swiftly went for the pin and this time almost came away with the victory! Still winded, Jay stood and took a moment to catch his breath, waiting for Owens to get up. He swiftly went in for a superkick, but Owens managed to evade this and grab Lethal by the wrist. He yanked his already injured arm up and slammed it down against the rock, making it all the worse. Entirely debilitated, he was a sitting duck as Owens doubled him over with a boot to the gut before picking him up for a Powerbomb, dropping him viciously, backfirst on the stone! Jay wasn't moving as he rolled off the rock... Owens hungrily eyed that plug... but out of the corner of his eye, he saw that one of the Pact-mates had finally found an open tunnel; Jay Briscoe rushed out to support his ally. Owens growled, knowing he was just a bit too close... he eyed Briscoe down as he instead just put a foot on Lethal's chest. Briscoe glared at him, but didn't make a move, knowing it was in Lethal's best interest for the match to end. The three count was made and, after a tense standoff, Jay Briscoe was able to assist Lethal to his feet and make his way back through the tunnel with him. Winner: Kevin Owens via pinfall, after a Powerbomb onto a stone at the 9:54 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Dammit! That close to another elimination, four on the night! What a beautiful thing it would've been... Sivian: Indeed, but what a genius move on Owens' part. Lethal was guaranteed a title match, but it was never stated when it had to take place... he took advantage of his weakened state to get the challenger out of the way with ease. Hazazz: Hell yeah! He'll be holding that title for a long while to come with tricks like that, mark my words! Sivian: Now then... sincerely this time, we are signing off! I'm Sivian. Hazazz: Hold on! Hold on, I bet it's gonna happen again, I bet it's gonna-! <div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

EBEZA · April 1, 2019

Wow! That sure escalated quickly! Great show, as always!

CuckstableCorbin · April 9, 2019

you killed captain clown

Zeel1 · May 2, 2019

<< .21 Help >>

“Hell of a night.” Alberto mused, with a smirk.

“Hell of a night...” Roode agreed, with a subtle nod.

The Sole Survivors were having their usual team meeting in the room that Owens once shared with Zayn and others. They didn’t bother to lock the door these days. With himself, Callihan, Alberto, Penta, Fenix and now Bobby Roode all gathered together in there, no one dared to enter or disturb them.

Compared to previous meetings, the mood was jovial, as even Owens seemed more relaxed than usual. “Great job out there, boys. Wasn’t quite expecting Braun to do the deed considering how things have been going, but it amounts to a lot of losses… few more weeks like that, and we’ll be the majority around here before you know it.”

“Well, yeah...” Fenix reluctantly added. “As long as, uh… that monster doesn’t go after us, his work is welcome, I guess.”

“Don’t… don’t worry about that, so much.” Kevin replied, choosing his words carefully. “We focus on the manageable threats, and the bigger guns won’t have any backup left by the time we go after them.”

“If that was your issue, I’m not sure what you were going after Baron for.” Roode noted. “I mean, he was pretty much the one guy here who had no friends to speak of, went out of his way to make sure he didn’t have allies. We probably could’ve left him for a long time.”

Owens paused to study Roode’s face. He knew he was being tested already. Roode may have been the newcomer in the group but he wasn’t going to follow unquestioningly. He was sharp… that was why they wanted him.

“Naito is a different story.” Kevin stated. “He’s got plenty of friends now and has proven strangely hard to take out. So we wanted to get the jump on him. Baron just happened to be in the match as well, and going two-for-one made sense.”

“Right.” Bobby smirked. “What he said… had nothing to do with it, then.”

Owens didn’t see the need to respond to that. Atleast, not before an unexpected intrusion… the door opened hastily, and the six men turned swiftly to see Madison Rayne make her way inside. She was putting on a determined look as she stormed in, but seeing their collective gaze melted her fierce airs away.

“What do you want?” Callihan hissed.

“Uh, well, I just wanted to stay in the loop, and I figured out we had a team meeting today.” Madison began. “I-I guess you forgot to send the memo about that, heh… wh-which is understandable, lot less convenient now! With uh… with the lack of technology… provided and all. I just, yannow, nobody told me about Roode joining either, um, welcome, by the way, Bobby! To… the Sole Survivors!”

“...What the hell are you going on about?” Penta mumbled.

“I… what?” Madison shirked. “I just, thought, yannow, now was a good time to reconnect with the team. Since uh… since I have a really big match coming up next week, I was just… wanting to know what the plans were for… for keeping our numbers up.”

The silence was piercing as they all stared her down, and shared disbelieving glances. After a few moments of nothing, Fenix sighed. “Really? I gotta be the one to say it? Fine...”

The luchador, currently bereft of mask, stood up and stepped forward. “Madison… you’re not part of our group. You never have been, it’s never even been in the discussion to add you before. And I really can’t imagine that it ever will be.”

“Wh-wha…?” Madison asked, her voice trailing. Her face was growing pale. “B-But we, uh… I turned on Charlotte to… w-we made a deal!”

“We made a deal to get rid of Charlotte, on that given night.” Penta explained. “That was all it was ever going to be. And even that didn’t work out.”

“B-But… but Roode, he...” Madison stammered, pointing at the group’s newest member. “He just joined! And what he did was, it was the same damn thing! Those matches were practically identical!”

“Oh I beg to differ.” Roode interjected. “I actually went ahead and did the dirty work myself at the end of the day. That’s pretty different from what you wanted to do.”

“He’s right.” Alberto concurred. “When you came to us with your plan, not once did you suggest being the one to pull the plug. You wanted that to fall on us. You were barely willing to even touch her. But when we came to Roode, he volunteered right away to finish Storm off himself. That’s the kind of person we want on our side.”

“I-Is that all…?” Madison laughed, nervously. She brushed her hair from her face, trying to hide the fact that she was also wiping the sweat from her brow. “If you need a killer, I can… be that. I can be stronger. If I have you guys by my side, I can-”

“No. You can’t.” Callihan cut her off. “Face it, Madison, you’re one of the weakest here. Physically, mentally… you have nothing to offer us, beyond a meat shield, and I can’t even imagine you’d be effective at that.”

“Honestly, I’d take Charlotte way before I thought about taking you.” Roode shrugged. “She’s a lot tougher. And atleast she can pretend to be unbreakable...”

Madison’s hands were shaking. She took a slow breath, trying to avoid hyperventilating. “L-Listen, I… just come out with me. Y-You don’t even have to do anything, even a distraction could mean the difference, I just-”

“It’s a one-on-one match, right?” Kevin asked. They didn’t seem to care to let her finish sentences at this point. “So you have a 50/50 shot. Take her out… prove you’re stronger. Maybe then we’ll talk.”

Gritting her teeth, Madison fought back tears as she shouted out, “H-Have you seen her?! She’s got death in her eyes when ever she spots me… and… and look at her! Look at me! Do you really think I can fight her?! P-Please, I...”

Swallowing whatever pride she had left, she sunk down to her knees, bowing her head as she pleaded, “Please… the only reason I ever did any of this was so I could have you on my side, t-to keep me safe… I can’t do this by myself. Help… help me. I need your help… I need you.”

Kevin coldly replied, “And that’s why we’ll never need you.”

She didn’t know what to say. It seemed there was nothing to be said, in the face of such wholesale rejection. She was shocked she wasn’t crying, but in the moment, she was emotionally dead…

“Out.” Sami growled. “Get out.”

She barely remembered standing up, turning around or opening the door. Next thing she knew, she was back in the hallway, her back to the door. She slid down it, to sit upon the floor, her hands grasping her head.

As reality came to her, her breathing began to quicken…

-----

The scene was tense and quiet in the main room, where the members of the Pact and the Honest Few met. These roster-wide became more and more awkward as the various factions that had formed within the IFL were becoming progressively isolated by the day otherwise.

Of course there was plenty of reason for that tension, beyond differing allegiances. Just a night prior, three more fell… none of them saw it coming. Since the only deaths up to that point had been at Killer Instinct, they had perhaps allowed themselves a bit of blind optimism towards the weekly Bloodsport shows, as if there wasn’t anything inherently safer about them. It was a delusion, a purposeful bit of silly hope to keep them going, one that had been thoroughly dashed in a single bloody night.

The thought that any regular show could bring about such a death toll was chilling. Their numbers were still fairly high… there were about fifteen of them gathered in that room. But already, it was impossible to ignore how much more crowded it used to be in there. Impossible not to notice the various empty seats, spots on couches that were once filled… every blank space proved devastating to look at.

And even beyond that, there was the thing that Kenny had brought to everyone’s attention. On the table before him, sat a newspaper. Weeks old, crumpled up, covered in God-knows-what, some sort of alien beverage. But still with enough legible text to send a deep drill of dread into the chests of each of them, as everyone in that room felt the need to read it for themselves. That it was even written out in a language any of them could understand was puzzling enough. But they could barely spare a thought to this after seeing the headline…

“Another Champion Crowned And Dethroned! Gohvia Wins IFL Series XLVI; Killed By Malell”

Certain details were harder to make out than others, but they all got the gist. The series just before their own, which horrifically finished in the very arena they find themselves repeatedly pushed into just a week prior to their arrival, was won by a centaur-like alien named Gohvia. Atleast, technically, it was…

But after his hand was raised, none other than Malell came down. Not to congratulate him on his victory, not to present him a trophy or his freedom or anything of the sort. But to challenge him. To prove he was truly the best, Malell demanded he face him in a fight to the death. The paper made it clear this was nothing new, nothing unique, not some personal situation gone awry… Malell did this with every single champion crowned.

And he killed… every last one of them.

All that violence, all that bloodshed, all that he’d forced them through… and at the end of it, not even the last one standing got to go home. They wouldn’t be allowed to leave unless Malell was defeated. And they’d all seen just how impossibly strong he seemed to be. For any of them to challenge him was a pipedream.

And so, there was silence, for the longest time, as they tried to come to terms with this reality.

Finally, Jay Lethal spoke. “Cena had the right idea.”

They confusedly glanced his way, as he just stared solemnly at the ceiling. He explained, “All along… we should’ve been trying to take the fight to him. Stand as a united front and challenge Malell all together… that’s the only hope we ever had. Or atleast, the best outcome we could’ve had. Die to him and his troops together right away, or die to him alone later, after… going through all this. Yeah, I’d take going into battle as a unit any day… we should… we should let the others know about this. If they knew what awaited them at the end of all this after they got rid of everyone else, there’s-”

“There’s no going through with that now.” Zack Sabre Jr. grumbled. “You can’t expect us to work with those guys. There’d be nowhere near enough trust for us to come together like some army. You’d have no choice but to be paranoid… it’d be so easy to just be the one guy to back out and let everyone else go to die, so you can get your win and your one-on-one with Malell, instead of having to deal with all the guards.”

“Sure sounds like you were quick to think of that.” Jay Briscoe scoffed.

“I’m quick to think about any way someone could **** me over in a place like this.” ZSJ replied, coldly. “I suggest you be the same way, unless you fancy a knife in the back.”

“What, you gonna be that guy now?” Bate asked. “You wanna take Baron’s place and be that guy now?”

“Everyone… stop.” Kenny demanded. He did so quietly, and yet, everyone listened, piping down in a hurry. He glanced forward at the leader of the Honest Few. The two groups were basically split on opposite sides of the room, with Kenny just across from Seth. “Listen, I wanted to ask… how… how are you feeling?”

“Pardon me?” Rollins replied, surprised.

“I saw what happened out there. I saw… how you were acting after Alberto got that kick in. You know the one.” Kenny hushedly explained. “That was… that was a concussion wasn’t it? One I’m sure they don’t give a shit to treat. Are you okay?”

Rollins’ brow furrowed a bit as he gazed intensely towards Omega, trying to pretend he only saw one of him. “...I’m fine. Right now, I’m more worried about your boy over there.”

Seth pointed over to Colby Corino, who sat in the corner. The youngster looked up, his eyes wide as though he didn’t expect to be called out. Rollins spat, “What the hell do you think you were doing out there? Give me one good reason why you wouldn’t just have a worked match with Ishii… you busted the dude’s head open!”

“I… I just wanted to...” Colby mumbled, his eyes darting back and forth, as he clearly wasn’t sure how to finish his sentence.

Fortunately, he wouldn’t have to. The heavy footsteps and equally heavy breathing of the still severely injured Terry Funk drowned him out, as the old-timer stormed into the room. He whipped his head around, scanning the place.

“He’s not… he’s not here, is he?” Terry growled. “Nah, he wouldn’t come to this meeting… he’s with those other… goddamn murderers. I’ll take them all on if I have to… to get to that bastard...”

Funk turned around and began trekking down the hallway. Kenny quickly hopped up to rush after him. “Whoa! Hey! You’re gonna try and take them all on by yourself?!”

“If any of you want to back me up I’m not gonna stop you.” Terry replied, without even looking back.

Kenny grabbed him by the shoulder and whirled him around. “Hey! Listen! This thing with Callihan, I… I get it. But you’re letting this go way too far. You keep pursuing him, we all know what’s going to happen...”

“One of us will die.” Terry grimly confirmed. “That’s exactly what I want, Kenny.”

“Terry, you took a pact with the rest of us…” Kenny reminded him.

“That was before!” Funk spat. “He...! He killed Tommy, Kenny! He killed him just for… God, just for standing up for me! Don’t you stand there and tell me it ain’t the right thing to do! I don’t care how old I am, I’m not too mature for a grudge, not for something like this. Somebodies’ gotta make that ****er pay.”

This was very much a Pact matter, and in respect of that, the members of the Honest Few opted to quietly make their leave from the room as this argument went on.

“Terry, please...” Kenny pleaded calmly, doing his best to defuse this situation, much as it seemed impossible. “We can’t let them change who we are. You’re not a killer. You’re not like them. You wouldn’t-”

“Tommy wouldn’t.” Terry interjected. “Tommy’s the one who volunteered first, I raised my hand to support him. If this is breaking our pact, then you can consider me out of the group. Atleast until I’ve got this taken care of. Until then… I won’t hurt any of you, unless you get in my way.”

Funk pulled away from Kenny and turned to walk… or rather, limp down the hall, once more.

“Can’t you atleast wait until you’re in one piece again?” Kenny asked. “Going in there against them all is suicide, especially in your condition. Just… if you’ve gotta go through with this grudge match, try and make this one-on-one when you do it, at the very least.”

Terry sighed as he stopped in his tracks. He didn’t want to acknowledge it, but he knew full well he was right, he probably wouldn’t even get to lay a hand on Callihan before he was taken down and in his state, it’d be easy for them to kill him with their bare hands. And part of him did want to take down all of them, but that one-on-one was definitely his endgoal…

“Fine...” Terry grumbled, as he turned back and walked glumly into the main room, to sit at one of the many empty seats. “Already waited way too goddamn long… but fine.”

Kenny ran his hands through his hair, trying to calm himself, having had a bit of a mini-heart attack. He jumped a bit when a delicate finger tapped on his shoulder. He whipped around to see Madison, sheepishly standing in the doorway.

“Uh… is… is Charlotte in here?” she meekly asked, trying to hide somewhat in the hallway.

“...No. She didn’t show today.” Kenny replied, not looking Madison in the eye.

“Oh thank God.” she breathed a sigh of relief, before stepping out into the main room. “Um… I’m… I’m sure you all know that, uh… that Charlotte and I are going to be having another match this next week. A very, uh, a very… different… match.”

Even thinking about going into the details nearly caused her to break down, so she left it at that. The thick silence that permeated the room as they all had their attention locked on her confirmed to her that they all knew exactly what she was talking about anyway. Of course… even if they weren’t watching when it happened, something like this was always going to send major shockwaves.

“Well. I just think… y’know, I...” she stammered for a bit, before deciding to drop the calm act. “...Please help me. You’re-you’re all good guys, you don’t want to see anyone die, right? Y-You’re dedicated to preventing that as much as you can, right?! S-So naturally you’ll… all be there, t-to make sure I… I don’t… I-I don’t...”

“Madison, it’s… a Do Or Die match.” Frightmare glumly spoke up. “It doesn’t really seem like the guards are going to let either of you leave that arena until… someone pulls a plug. We hate it. We hate everything about it, but we’ve talked at length about it and it doesn’t seem like there’s gonna be much we can do.”

“W-Well if you can’t stop the match you can atleast back me up!” she pleaded.

“What, and help you eliminate Charlotte?” Bate asked. “You can’t ask us to do that.”

“Well if… if one us has to go, surely you can agree it should be her!” Madison demanded, a stomp of her foot. “I mean she’s the one who made this happen! She’s the reason we’re in this situation at all!”

“After you tried to get her killed...” Mark Briscoe added.

“Yeah, you… you kinda asked for this.” Bate mumbled, scratching his head.

“We can’t pick a side in this, Madison. That’s the only conclusion we’re able to reach, to just… let this play out on it’s own.” Lethal explained. “And I’ll be honest, if we did pick a side… I can’t say I think we’d side with you.”

“It’s not like we can trust you.” Kenny wearily noted. “You already broke the Pact when you did what you did. You tried to sacrifice her to save yourself. We don’t have any reason to think you wouldn’t do the same to any of us.”

Once again, Rayne shirked, unable to formulate a response. And so, she didn’t. She just turned and walked away, defeated. As she walked down the hall, through the corners of her eyes, she saw the walls start to close in on her…

-----

At night, Room 2 housed Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Zack Sabre Jr., Tetsuya Naito and Tomohiro Ishii. During the day, it’s where the Honest Few now have their own group meetings, since nearly half the team is situated there anyway.

After leaving the meeting room, they discovered Tomohiro Ishii there, in which their newest member was trying to converse with him. The lot of them swiftly gathered around him, looking to check on his condition. His head had been patched up. You had to look closely but it almost looked like some sort of white substance was visible at the center of the scarring, as if sealed with hot glue or something to that effect.

“You okay? I know you couldn’t have expected that one...” Rollins inquired.

Ishii nodded, and pointed to his leader’s head. “What about you?”

Rollins threw his hands up. “Why the hell is everyone asking me that? We’ve all taken a lot worse than what I got from Alberto out there, okay? I’m fine.”

Ishii just stared, stonefaced, not a hint of reaction.

The group continued to ask Ishii about what being treated was like, where they even took him. It was the second time it happened to him after all. But he was vague on the details. It seemed as though he’d been drugged so as to not notice his surroundings, nor the specifics. Like a fog that separated his trip to and from their treatment. He was only now becoming lucid again.

And that’s when, in what seemed to be a new trend, Madison Rayne barged in on the meeting. The stares she got here seemed more intense than the other times… she barely managed to work up the courage to speak her peace.

“O-Okay so… I know that you guys are all about… uh, eye for an eye, all that stuff. Take out anyone who tries to do it to you, yeah, I-I get that.” she began, taking a deep breath as she stood there in the doorway. “But yannow, t-technically… I never actually tried to go for Charlotte’s plug. I was… never gonna be the one to k-kill her myself. Whereas she is… definitely trying to… to do it to me… so when you really… when you really think about it, um...”

Madison is cut off, wordlessly, by the group around Ishii dispersing… to reveal Charlotte, standing in the back of the room.

She was still as a statue, looking right through Rayne. And all she could do in response was close the door and retreat into the hall.

“...Shit.” she cursed, wrapping her arms around herself like a straitjacket. “Shit, shit, shit, shit!” Her vision was starting to get hazy, clouded up by barely constrained tears.

As her breathing quickened, she glanced for a moment at Room 4. This room had basically been abandoned through various circumstance, and now it’s where Braun Strowman was staying, to keep everyone else safe… from him. She quickly gave her head a violent shake, to dispel the notion. The fact that she was even considering asking for his help confirmed just how desperate she really was, but she would never be brave enough to face him. After all, you never knew which Braun you were going to get.

So… she was down to this. She had one last person left to ask. And absolutely no reason to think it would work out in the slightest. With a deep breath, she walked off, her hands shaking with worry at this point.

It took an oddly long time to find him. There wasn’t really a pattern to where he stayed these days. Eventually she happened to see him there at the very end of the hallway and trotted up to him.

“J-Johnny…?” she spoke up, unable to hide the desperation from her voice.

The newly christened Johnny Galaxy was staring deeply at the wall, his body swaying back and forth like a blade of grass in the wind. He couldn’t have been paying her much less attention if he tried.

She grabbed at his arm and tugged gently. She meant to tug roughly, but her strength seemed to be leaving her. “Johnny! Johnny, please, look at me...”

Glacially, he turned over to look in her general direction, his eyes covered by the unnaturally green-tinted lenses of his sunglasses. He smirked, “Ahhh, a nubiiile… what brings you to my part of the comsos…?”

“I need… I need your help.” Madison shuddered, giving no thought to his strange phrasing. “God help me, I need somebody… anybody.”

“Ahhh… you wish to be imparted with wisdom...” the spacey Galaxy replied, his head slowly bobbing from side to side, as though the world’s slowest symphony was playing in his mind. “Of course, of course… of course, of course you do. For nothing happens in this universe without my seeing… without my express consent...”

She was puzzled, and far too stressed to care about decrypting this. She just tried to pretend she was in the middle of a normal conversation. “Y-You saw what happened, right? Charlotte challenged me to… th-that match. And I have absolutely no choice but to go through with it.”

“Destiny awaits us all.” Johnny spoke, his voice becoming progressively hushed. “None of us truly have a choice… our future is written in the staaaaars...”

Madison was losing her patience, gripping him by the collar of his paint(?) splattered fur coat. “Listen! Listen to me! I need your help! Okay?! I-I need you to be out there with me against Charlotte! I need you to fight for me so I can survive, alright?!”

“They all say it’s… so unlikely that this universe even exists. Literally astronomical odds that a single bit of matter would ever form and from it everything else… let alone go on to create the likes of us.” Galaxy went on, studiously ignoring her as he went on his own tangent. “Doesn’t it make so much more sense, then...to say it was never to chance at all…?”

“What the **** are you talking about?!” she hissed, trying to shake him, unable to stop the flow of tears as they streamed down her cheeks. “D-Don’t you get it?! Don’t you understand?! I’m going to die! I’m… I’m going to… oh God… oh God no...”

She ended up burying herself in his exposed chest, banging fruitlessly against his form with hopelessly weak fists. She had never been more powerless.

“Shhh, shhh, shhh, shhhhhhhhh...” Galaxy shushed, as he casually placed a hand upon Madison’s head, as though he were a priest about to dunk her for a baptism. “Fret not, nubile. For fate is not so cruel. Fate... fate is extremely fair.”

Madison, choosing to take these words as a bit of optimism, glanced up weakly at Johnny. He tilted his head towards her in such a way that his glasses lowered enough for her to see his eyes… milky, gone, as they stared right into hers.

“The dark abyssal of night will take us all, one by one by one by one...” he grimly informed her. “Rejoice… in knowing you won’t have to dread the wait for much longer.”

Terror struck her. Before she knew it, she was on her knees… time seemed to lose all meaning. When she looked up Galaxy was nowhere in sight… she was leaning against the wall as she sat upon the floor, in utter hysterics.

The reality had come crashing down, and it came down hard. There was no one left. No bridge left unburned. Nobody was going to save her...

EBEZA · June 25, 2019

I miss this diary! Zeel, more please!!!

joshspicer · June 25, 2019

I have to go back and reread all of this because it's clear there is a lot to this that's going to be nice to read.

Couple things on first glance: you bastard, you had Owens betray his best friend...again!

Roode doing it makes sense and the timing couldn't have been more perfect to portray Roode as truly evil.

Cena being literally the first to die is somehow poetic justice and a good indication that literally nobody is safe, worked or otherwise.

Sami showing himself as a sadistic prick was beautiful.

"...My reason... it came here with me."

Awwwww! Kota and Kenny need to live on for a long time. They are really the two protagonists that stand out.

joshspicer · June 25, 2019

Hey, I'm back.

Um, yeah, this is frickin fantastic. I would love to see more. For the love of God, I would love to see more.

EBEZA · June 26, 2019

Hey, I'm back.

Um, yeah, this is frickin fantastic. I would love to see more. For the love of God, I would love to see more.

ZEEL! MORE DEATH!

Zeel1 · June 26, 2019

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback a ton, and I'm glad you aren't forgetting about this, trust me, I haven't either. I actually think about it a fair bit.

It's just been a very hectic few months. Got my first-ever job, swiftly lost it, then quickly got another... had to move, which wasn't near as stressful as it could've been but still, an adjustment. And now my laptop of several years is busted, probably for good, which means that teeeeeechnically I don't have this save at the moment... but running a game alongside this was always a tad superfluous anyway, I don't exactly need it for telling the story. Even if I felt I did, I could remake the scenario pretty quickly and just continue like nothing happened, which I might do, it does make it easier to keep track of putting shows together and whatnot. But it's not a big of a hindrance as it would be for other types of diaries. This is just where I wanted to post the story so using TEW 2016 was sorta mandatory.

But yeah, can't really give an ETA at the moment, but I'll try and work it out soon. This is among my favorite things I've ever done and there are so many future moments I'm so excited for. I haven't once given thought to calling this off, I'm definitely going to atleast finish the first season and with any luck I can make this a reoccurring thing. Who knows, might could finish it before 2020's out and make that jump for the next one...

Maaaaaybe I can see if I can start work on this again in the next week or so? But I can't promise anything, other than I'll definitely try and this story will see it's conclusion. In the meantime, really appreciate y'all keeping it alive.

joshspicer · June 26, 2019

Take your time if you need to. That's a hectic schedule for anybody to have to adhere to and broken laptops/computers always suck.

EBEZA · June 26, 2019

This is among my favorite things I've ever done

And rightly so! It's incredible, to the point I think (with some character changes to avoid likeness issues, etc) this diary could work as a comic, or even a TV series! Great, riveting story telling!

I concur with the above comment though: take your time, I just get antsy when there hasn't been a post in a while.

Zeel1 · August 15, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2355056&postcount=56" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .22 Do Or Die <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2373069&postcount=68" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div> <div style="text-align:center;">IFL Bloodsport VII</div> For once, there wasn’t a cacophony of guttural screams to open the show. Instead, the assorted aliens were partaking in a ritualistic endeavor in which the thousands of them stomped their feet, tentacles or equivalent against the marble flooring. The pounding was in unison, steady and fervent, echoing out into the abyssal reaches of space… This was a tradition, one that the audience developed on their own. It was how they always heralded the arrival of a Do Or Die match... Sivian: Welcome back, fiends and perverts alike, to the domain of beautiful brutality. Hazazz: AAUUUUGH, it feels like it’s been ages! How can a single week seem so damn LONG?! Sivian: Well, weeks are significantly shorter back on your home planet, partner… Hazazz: Ah, yeah that’s true… but no, that’s not why! It’s because I knew this time we didn’t have to sit and hope for a slaughter! Heheheh, on this week’s show, we have a definite! Sivian: You’re absolutely right about that. Tonight, for the first time in this series, we have a Do Or Die match! Charlotte made the challenge to Madison Rayne, and as always it was considered to be accepted automatically. Longtime viewers will know exactly what this is, and for those that don’t, it’s very simple. A winner will be decided only after they pull the opponent’s plug, sending them cascading up into the vast emptiness of space. Hazazz: Dammit, how many times do I have to tell you not to get me so f**king horny at the table?! Uggggh this is gonna be amazing! Hahaha, there ain’t nothing quite like a sure thing! I’m too amped, let’s get this started already! Sivian: Easy now… that match is of course our main event, but first-- oh my, what’s this now…? <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="FIJbDfk.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/FIJbDfk.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> The stomping gave way to the usual raucous cheers as they saw their hero Kevin Owens emerge from one of the tunnels, his Immunity Championship proudly - or perhaps just protectively - wrapped around his chest and locked across his plug. He usually had a quiet, cold ferocity about him but on this night, he looked much more eager to storm out there, much more openly furious. No one was sure why, but they were happy to find out… After aggressively ripping the microphone away from the bipedal axolotl that acted as the night’s referee, Owens shouted out to his adoring faithful, “You wanna see death tonight?!” As always, the answer was a resounding yes. “Great! Great… because I can give you that.” Owens growled. “In fact… I NEED to give you that.” The crowd erupted once more with this. But from the look on Owens’ face, this was much more than a quest for disturbing cheap pops. He really meant it. “See, there’s something I’ve been holding back for way too long. Something I’ve wanted to address for weeks, but thanks to this title here, I’ve been preoccupied. So far, I’ve always had to worry about my next title defense.” Owens explained, his thinly contained rage finally beginning to bubble over. “That’s why… I did what I did last week. See, I was supposed to defend this title tonight as well, but I got ahead of that. I got it out of the way at the last Bloodsport, so this time… this time I fight for me! You hear me?! THIS ONE IS FOR ME!” He took a moment to start pounding the microphone against his own face, delighted at his own bruise and the crowd was getting into a frenzy. Finally, he just came out and said it. “Tyler Bate! Get the f**k out here!” he shouted. “It was supposed to be you! At Killer Instinct, you were the one! You were the one who was supposed to die! But you were too much of a damn coward… you just, you couldn’t just face me could you? You couldn’t just die, could you?! And that’s… that’s why… wh-why… nggh you son of a bitch, I’m gonna set this right! Tonight is your last night, you hear me?! Get out here and fight me!” Owens threw down the microphone and stormed around, gesturing for his impending arrival. This was of course a classic pro wrestling scenario, and it seemed a classic IFL scenario as well, as they were fully on-board. As Kevin impatiently paced back and forth atop the dirt, eyes darting between the various entrance tunnels, the world watching waited for Bate’s arrival… ...and waited, and waited, but it didn’t come. The young man did not emerge. After a full minute passed, finally a figure walked out and Owens’ gaze locked onto it… but he was disgusted to see it wasn’t the one he was looking for. <img alt="NjAxbZU.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NjAxbZU.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Jay Lethal made his arrival to a symphony of boos, his face one of determined anger. He obtained a microphone of his own, as Owens stood frozen, staring bullets through the stalwart member of the Pact. “Owens, you don’t tell us what to do. You may have Immunity but that doesn’t mean you have any authority. And if you want Bate… then you’ll have to wait.” Lethal stated, to a deepening rage from the crowd. Jay had to pick his words carefully, knowing it wouldn’t be good for Tyler to paint him as a coward. “Tyler doesn’t… he doesn’t think you’re worth his time. But me, I got plenty of time for a fight tonight.” Kevin hollered, “You had your shot!” loudly enough that, even without a mic, he wasn’t quite inaudible. “Oh, this isn’t about your title. I don’t want Immunity… I just want a crack at you, Owens. A legit one this time.” Lethal declared. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what happened last month. Before you showed the rest of the galaxy what you were capable of… you showed me. You were lording over me when I had my guard down and… if you were left to your own devices, I know I wouldn’t be standing here right now. That isn’t something I can let go of, Kevin… tonight I’m getting my pound of flesh.” Lethal tossed his mic away and, whether the crowd liked it or not, it was him who stepped up to Owens in the center of the arena. Kevin was seething, but the official seemed to have no problem signalling for the start of the match. <img alt="Jqu425k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jqu425k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Hmph… don’t care much for Lethal but atleast someone had the guts to come out and fight! Sivian: Just what did Owens mean about Tyler Bate? It was meant to be him…? It seems we’ve missed something. Hazazz: Hey… when it comes to violence, I’m not one for asking ‘why’! Heheheh… take ‘em down, Kevin! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="EfvdvkB.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EfvdvkB.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="rcbuLWf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rcbuLWf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Jay Lethal vs. Kevin Owens ------- Last week, Lethal was spent from the word go, having gone through a rough fatal four way match before even seeing Owens. This time around, the playing field was much more even and though Lethal preferred being a peacemaker, there was a part of him that really wanted to knock the taste out of Owens’ mouth at this point. Especially now that he seemed to have it out for the Pact’s youngest member… So, mad though Owens was, Lethal was prepared to face him this time. The two locked up and began trading blows immediately. Of course that wasn’t at all to Lethal’s advantage, but he knew Kevin wasn’t thinking particularly clearly. In standing and banging with him, he got him dead focused on aiming for Lethal’s head, convinced that he’d just eat the blows. So he was able to catch him off-guard when he ducked a shot and dove in for a takedown. Owens pounded on Jay’s back as he came in, but couldn’t stop from being brought to the ground. This left him relatively helpless as Lethal got in a half dozen clean shots on his face, before the much larger Owens managed to shove him off. Lethal got up to his feet first in the ensuing scramble, and rushed him again, this time shoving him into a rock formation. It didn’t crumble, seemingly sturdier than most others. Lethal reared his fist back, and Owens got his hands up to block his face… but this was another little diversion, as Lethal instead aimed a precise low dropkick to Owens’ knee, slamming it awkwardly into the stone behind him. Owens cried out in pain as he collapsed to the ground. As the two men fought, slowly both factions spilled out into the arena. The Sole Survivors and the Pact each circled the battle, ready to aid in/prevent an elimination at a moment’s notice. If either combatant noticed, neither showed it, much too enthralled in the fight. Lethal swiftly grabbed the now damaged leg, and lunged forward, using his own momentum to slam that leg into the stone once more. As Jay stood up, the increasingly rabid Kevin tried kicking him away, but this just made it easier for him to grab onto his wounded leg. He proceeded to go into an old classic, applying the figure four leglock. He winced a bit, as even applying this hold as a shoot was actually pretty painful, but he had it in tight and Owens flailed in anguish. He refused to give him the satisfaction of tapping out, however. Instead he reached out for the stone, grasping it and using it to roll them both over. In one decisive motion, he rammed the legs of both Lethal and himself into the rock, causing mutual howls of agony. When this didn’t cause him to break, Owens simply did it again… and then a third time, hurting himself just to spite Lethal! Pissed, Lethal broke the hold and shot up so he could climb the rock formation. Owens’ leg was in too much pain for him to evade in time, and Lethal knew it, so he went ahead and flew off with a Hail To The King elbow drop, burying the point of his elbow into Owens’ chest. He covered him, but the stubborn Owens kicked out at 1. Lethal stood and began laying in some stomps, but Owens surprised him with an upkick - using his injured leg no less, ignoring the pain - his shin ramming between Lethal’s legs in a bit of payback from last week. Lethal doubled over, clutching himself as he remained standing over his opponent. Owens sat up and made use of the momentum to unleash a destructive headbutt, nailing Lethal on the crown of his head! They were both woozy from that one and Lethal collapsed. The ruthless Owens stood again, grabbing the dazed Lethal by the cornrows and positioning him in a seated position against the stone. He stepped a few yards back, so he could get a running start. A wild Cannonball slammed Lethal hard against the unforgiving stone - this one just had no give whatsoever! Owens was stinging from this as well, but he didn’t seem to care. He dragged Lethal away from the rock and pinned him… but Jay narrowly kicked out! Owens shouted out in frustration, yelling at Lethal that he’s not even the one he wants and that he should just stay down. He yanked him up and tried to position him for a powerbomb… but Lethal slumped to the ground to escape and started scooting away, aimlessly punching the air as if he were truly out of it. Owens got cocky at the sight of this, and advanced… but that was exactly what Lethal was hoping for. A well-placed front kick caught Owens in his banged up shin, threatening to snap his leg in two, and proving that Jay had much more of his faculties about him than he led on. This doubled Owens over and he had to hold onto the stone for balance as he stood on one leg. This put him in prime position for Lethal to reach out and pull him into an inside cradle. The leverage was just too much, he was pinned too deep and couldn’t kick out. Lethal scored a win over the Immunity Champion, and swiftly made his escape. Jay went over to his group and they all made their exit, as Owens’ boys flocked to him just the same. Their leader was outraged… not least of which because, as he looked out to the members of the Pact, he realized that Bate hadn’t even shown his face in this capacity... Winner: Jay Lethal, by pinfall, after an inside cradle at the 11:13 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Lethal slipping by Owens once again. He’s not particularly easy to beat, and even harder to take out, it seems. Hazazz: I know! It’s so disappointing… he has the potential to be such a great killer! I can see it! Sivian: You’re certain you’re not just saying that because of his name? Hazazz: That’s only part of it! Anyway speaking of a natural born killer, here comes Ishii! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="0K4vhmf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0K4vhmf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="EGLglZe.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EGLglZe.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Marty Scurll vs. Tomohiro Ishii ------- This match, secretly pitting two members of the Honest Few against one another, is of course an entirely worked one. Some parts of the crowd could see through this but largely they were able to convince them, as Scurll allowed Ishii to bash him around as much as he wanted. Marty tried hitting back as stiff as he could manage in response, but it simply wasn’t his style so it didn’t look that great. So Ishii took the advantage again and never gave it back. After a particularly ruthless headbutt, Ishii covered Scurll, with the whole arena convinced he was beaten. But Marty kicked out! A couple of head-rocking lariats followed but still he survived! In the end, it took two consecutive Brainbusters from Ishii to get the win! This was effectively done, as Ishii came out looking good as always and made Marty look damn tough in the process. Just to further save face, Ishii went for Marty’s plug, all part of the plan of course - Marty countered by grabbing Ishii’s hand and doing his fingersnap gimmick, giving him time to limp away. Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall, after two consecutive Brainbusters at the 8:31 mark <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Ahhh, dang! He was finally gonna do it… but that Scrull dude has more grit than I thought! Heh, man what a beast Ishii is, though... Sivian: ...Hrm. Hazazz: “Hrm”?! What do you mean, “hrm”?! Ishii’s the best! Sivian: Yes, of course he is. Well, it’s time for our next match now and-- Hazazz: Man, Funk looks like Hell! Heheh, what makes that old bastard keep coming back out here?! Sivian: Well he doesn’t exactly have a choice... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="W6oSkBK.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/W6oSkBK.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="sY9zM1c.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sY9zM1c.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Terry Funk vs. Johnny Galaxy ------- Terry Funk hobbled his way out, looking largely uninterested in this match, not to mention wildly unprepared physically, but he was never one to back down regardless of his condition. Galaxy, for his part, strolled on out like a megastar in his own mind. The audience was atleast more warmed up to him than last time, but it would likely take a while for them to get their hatred for his former incarnation totally out of their minds. The match was signalled to begin and Terry put up his dukes, but he was so slowed from injury that he knew he had no real prayer of jumping in and hitting the extremely mobile and much fresher Galaxy. So he instead stood and waited for him to make the first move, hoping that he could manage a counter-attack on his warped adversary. But Johnny didn’t make a move either… or atleast, not an offensive one. His arms flowed up and down and he seemed to be gazing at his hands… he refused to take off his sunglasses, but one could only imagine the faraway look that would’ve been in his eyes. He just moved, as though made of water, whilst the beleaguered Funk stared on, utterly puzzled. Boos started to slowly pour in as neither looked particularly interested in fighting… but unfortunately for Terry, Galaxy was so quizzically distracting that he didn’t notice the pounding footsteps behind him until it was too late. Callihan rushed in and caught him with a wicked elbow to the back of the head that landed him facefirst onto the ground. Terry tried to force his way up, but Sami laid in stomps to his arms, legs and back until he was debilitated. He knelt down, a knee grinding against Terry’s side as he grabbed him by the hair and yanked his face out of the dirt. With his other hand, he brushed against the plug that kept Funk tied to the alien world’s gravity. “It’d be so f*cking easy, Funk… you realize that?” Callihan hissed. “So goddamn easy to kill you right here.” Funk glared up at Sami, his eyes glazed… but still defiant, he spat right into Sami’s eye. Callihan jolted up, holding his eye, enraged. From his jacket he pulled his usual club and walloped Funk over the back of the head with it… he was out cold. Sami spat on his limp frame in return and walked away, uttering, “So damn easy… you’re not even worth killing.” As Galaxy’s head tilted to and fro, eventually his eyeline finally came to rest on his opponent… who was now entirely unconscious. Barely aware of what even happened, Galaxy shrugged and rolled Funk over. He laid out atop him, his arms spread in a pose of great salvation, staring straight up at the deep abyss in the sky as the official counted the three. Winner: Johnny Galaxy by pinfall, after Sami Callihan interfered and attacked Funk, at the 3:22 mark <img alt="gGQm0Nt.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gGQm0Nt.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Ohhh, that was excellent. Classic, truly. Hazazz: What? How can you say that?! The guy had a perfect chance to eliminate his top rival and he just let it slide! Sivian: True, but what a message it sends. It tells Funk that he sees him as that little of a threat, as though he could simply take him out any time he felt like it. But more importantly, it’s the kind of thing that would truly shake those watching from the warrior’s chambers… especially Funk’s hideous Pact-mates. Hazazz: Harrumph… I guess… just seems against the spirit of things is all. Sivian: One thing’s for sure: Sami Callihan has been in complete control of every situation he’s walked into thus far. I’m eager to see where we go from here. Hazazz: Well if you ask me, then… eh? Ugh. If you ask me, these guys coming out are worthless! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="evhIhfq.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/evhIhfq.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="E7L4i6U.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/E7L4i6U.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> A solid array of boos are levied as the Briscoe Brothers, known allies of the Pact, make their way out. If they had been familiar with the two’s work back on their homeworld, they might’ve noticed the stark contrast. There was no loid boisterousness to them, merely a quiet intensity. Jay Briscoe took up a microphone, his eyes steely. “...Bobby Roode. Two weeks ago, my brother and myself… we were up against you and James Storm. And I had a feeling, during that match, that something was off about you. Because while the three of us were mourning in the only way we could on this shithole of a world, wearing out our bodies to cleanse our souls… you stood back and watched. You were appalled… you had no idea what we were doing. And you wanted no part of it. Because you couldn’t understand what we were feeling… you didn’t feel that pain, man. Everyone’s lives being torn apart around you and you didn’t feel shit.... I think on some level, I knew. I just wanted to be wrong...” The Briscoes entirely ignored the crowd, who became increasingly seething at their passing empathy. Indeed the very idea was significantly more offensive to them than an insult could ever be. Mark spoke up, “Bobby, I don’t believe in a man fighting another man’s battles for ‘em. But Storm… he’ll never get the chance. He’ll never be able to get revenge. F*cked up as this whole situation with Charlotte and Madison is, atleast she gets a chance at payback. But Storm can’t even get that much… all ‘cause he trusted your ass. Somebodies’ gotta make you pay. And I don’t see why it shouldn’t be us.” Jay proceeded, “In case it ain’t clear enough yet, we’re calling you out here. You and any of the other cronies… face us. I goddamn dare you.” <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Hah! Please, Roode did the right thing! And he'd end these bastards for sure! Sivian: Well, looks like he'll get the chance to prove that. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="evhIhfq.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/evhIhfq.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="E7L4i6U.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/E7L4i6U.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="rvHNlOf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rvHNlOf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IgIRL7m.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IgIRL7m.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> The Briscoe Brothers vs. Bobby Roode & Alberto El Patron ------- Roode, somewhat begrudgingly, comes out with Alberto El Patron in tow. In contrast, Alberto looks ready to scrap. Both of the brothers Briscoe are ready to go after Roode, who swiftly backed away from their advancement. This in turn helped Alberto pick them off with well-placed kicks. He got a particularly sharp kick in on Mark Briscoe’s right arm, bending it awkwardly at the elbow. As he went down to try and work in a Cross-Armbreaker, much to Mark’s struggle, Roode dove onto the prone Jay and started laying in punches. But Jay just ignored the blows and shoved him off of him. Roode stood up straight and started laying in stomps… and Jay clearly feels them all, yet gets up to his feet anyway, blinded by fury. Roode seems a bit shaken as he continues trying to lay in punches, but Jay catches him with a wicked shot to the throat that halts him cold. A stiff (duh) clothesline follows and he gets in a full mount to rain down strikes, catching Roode good enough to leave some bruises. Meanwhile, Mark rolls up Alberto to counter the dogged attempt at a Cross-Armbreaker, getting a 1 count and forcing Alberto to break the hold to escape. Alberto stands and lays in some stomps, but is distracted when he notices how much Roode is being pounded. He starts heading over, but Mark sprang up faster than he expected, catching him with a chop block and taking him to the ground. It really seemed that the Sole Survivors underestimated the fire of the Briscoes on this occasion, as Mark crawled over and cinched Alberto into a headlock, driving his fist into his forehead time and again from this position. Meanwhile, Bobby frantically tried to escape the mount from Jay, reaching up to violently rake Jay’s eyes, finally getting him to halt his attack. Bobby threw Jay off, then nailed him with a kick, the toe of his boot once again targeting the eyes. Bobby hoisted Jay to his feet and tossed him gutfirst into a rock formation. He hit it solidly with a resounding thud… yet bounced right back to lay Roode out with a clothesline! But as he hopped on Roode again, Mark found that trying to put a headlock on an actual MMA fighter and olympic-caliber wrestler was perhaps not the smartest move, as Alberto swiftly countered out of this and back suplexed him hard against the dirt. This time he was out enough that El Patron was able to rush over and catch Jay with a running knee to the ear, knocking him off of his partner. This caught him so flush that blood could be seen trickling from that ear. Alberto seemed quite content seeing this, taking his time dragging him up to his feet… but Jay caught him by ruthlessly biting his fingers! As Alberto yelled out in pain from this, Jay delivered a solid knee to his groin which laid him out! Jay turned back to Roode who remained on the ground, shaken by the look in the bleeding Jay’s eyes. He didn’t seem to want anything to do with the furious Southerner. But it turned out, he was just stalling… as before Jay could get to him, Penta El Zero M came rushing in out of nowhere to blast him with a running forearm shiver! He wasted no time hoisting him back up and planting him with a Package Piledriver! Suddenly Roode gained a surge of courage, hopping up and laying in stomps to the fallen Jay. Mark Briscoe fought to his feet and tried to charge at Penta, but the luchador countered, grabbing his wrist and forcing him to the ground! He singled out the arm, leaned back deep and did his damnedest to snap his already wounded arm! While this didn’t really break it like it might in kayfabe, it sure as hell came close. Bobby Roode meanwhile rolled Jay over to go for the plug… but that’s when the Golden Lovers emerged to make the save! Unsurprisingly, Rey Fenix was ready in wait to back up Penta and this match quickly deteriorated into an all-out brawl between the two groups from there! Amidst the carnage, Alberto managed to roll Mark Briscoe into a Cross-Armbreaker, and the pain was such that he had no choice but to tap. This was perhaps also motivated by wanting to put a stop to the carnage, as an elimination could happen any time in such a situation. The fight continued from there, with hands being thrown for several more seconds until Kenny and Kota managed to drag Jay away from Bobby. Jay pointed to him as he was forcibly taken away, promising that he’d be after him again. For his part, Bobby didn’t look too excited about that... Winners: Bobby Roode and Alberto El Patron, by submission, after Alberto made Mark Briscoe submit to the Cross-Armbreaker, thanks to interference from Penta El Zero M at the 10:45 mark <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Quite the brawl there. I’ve become accustomed to mayhem like that closing the shows. Refreshing to see it happen right in the middle of one. Hazazz: Hell yeah! That chaos oughta be the whole damn show! Sivian: We’re certainly getting there! And though the Sole Survivors got the win there, it’s clear there are still major issues between the Briscoes and Bobby Roode. Hazazz: Yeah, what’s up with that, anyway? I mean who would want to avenge a guy like James Storm? That dude’s last act was standing over Roode like he was gonna defend him with his life… how revolting. That’s not the conduct of an IFL warrior! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="g8tL1Fo.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/g8tL1Fo.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="wSnUGvD.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wSnUGvD.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Colby Corino vs. Frightmare ------- This was a fairly quiet match by IFL standards, as the crowd wasn’t much impressed with either man. Colby’s sudden violence against Ishii last week, even causing him to bleed, was nice but seen as a one-off fluke by most. And Frightmare’s masochistic shtick was atleast enough to keep him from getting lynched, but it didn’t seem primed to make him a huge star in their eyes. Knowing this, they went in with the agreed upon intention to work a quick match, one with Frightmare as the winner, thanks to Colby drawing the short straw. Still, Colby fully intended to work stiff while he could and Frightmare saw no issue with that. Frightmare attempted to throw hands and get an advantage on occasion, but Colby no-sold and kept going, eating him up in wrestling terms. This still didn’t upset his opponent much as it simply allowed him to play up his gimmick of enjoying the pain. But after Colby knocked Frightmare to his backside, he reached down and tore at his mask, legitimately trying to take it right off. To this, Frightmare finally put up a real resistance, frantically slapping Colby’s hands away and adjusting his mask as he slid backwards. From his body language, it was clear he was shaken. Colby grit his teeth, every muscle in his slight frame tensing, much to Frightmare’s confusion. “Is this a game to you?!” he growled. Before his opponent could answer, Colby caught him with a very real kick right between the eyes that laid him out flat. Colby yanked him roughly to his feet and tossed him against the marble wall, not holding back in the slightest. Frightmare gasped, “Wh-what are you doing?!” but Colby responded with a wicked superkick, bashing his head against the barrier… and then another and another and another in rapid succession! By the time he was done, Frightmare was woozy, mildly concussed, as he sank to a seated position. Colby dragged Frightmare by the ankle to put him flat on his back and covered him. “Just stay down.” Colby seethed. Frightmare didn’t understand where this was coming from but he didn’t want to fight. So he simply acquiesced and allowed himself to be pinned. Colby stood up quick from the pin, not even allowing the referee to raise his hand as he stormed away. But he did note the increased fan reaction… Winner: Colby Corino, by pinfall, after a series of Superkicks against the marble wall at the 5:58 mark <img alt="gGQm0Nt.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gGQm0Nt.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Well well, the fire from Corino burns brighter every week. Hazazz: That’s a real pretty way to say he’s kicking a lot of ass! Sivian: Indeed. It’s taken him a while but it’s nice to see the young man is adapting to the battlefield. Hazazz: Same here! It’s nice to know he’ll atleast put up a fight before he gets eliminated! Heh! Sivian: And up next, this should be a very fun one to watch folks… Hazazz: Eh, wait, you actually read your format sheets?! Weirdo. Well, let’s see what we have, I guess, uh… oh. Oh. Oh wow, this is amazing! Sivian: Yes, I think this would even be worth hearing from him first... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ziOrRQo.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ziOrRQo.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Tetsuya Naito emerged and the crowd nearly gives itself collective whiplash, going from a cool content to vile disdain within a heartbeat. They didn’t know what the commentators knew, about what was coming. Naito did, yet somehow he seemed unaffected, just smiling at the utter hatred being poured on him. Perhaps against his better judgement, he took up a microphone. “This place is truly in a sad state. We just watched a child beat up another. My former dream opponent, the mighty John Hennigan is now a shell of himself. And then you have my opponent tonight… could you get any less threatening? I mean truly, he’s...” Naito found himself interrupted by the roar of the crowd as it abruptly turned to a huge ovation. For once, he took note of the audience, whipping his head around to see the man emerging from the tunnel… <img alt="5Rj2bn9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5Rj2bn9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Naito didn’t freak out, but he atleast took this seriously enough to drop the mic and keep his gaze transfixed on the encroaching behemoth that was Braun Strowman. From the look in his eye it seemed all too clear that he wasn’t the cuddly man they knew backstage. <img alt="XOXFuwL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XOXFuwL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: GET HIM! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="vSimaHn.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vSimaHn.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="5Rj2bn9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5Rj2bn9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Tetsuya Naito vs. Braun Strowman ------- Suffice to say, Naito made use of his quickness like usual, evading the grasp of the giant Braun. Strowman wasn’t your typical lumbering big man though, and managed to stay within about arm’s reach of him. This was aided by the fact that Naito was scrambling on his backfoot as Braun ran straight towards him. But due to this he wasn’t paying too much attention to his surroundings and ended up backed against a wall. As Braun reached out towards him, Naito took a big risk and ducked down to slide between Strowman’s legs, ending up on the other side of him. He smiled, having not been sure at all that such a thing would work. <div style="text-align:right;">”Run… don’t stop… running…”</div> Naito took a moment to glance up at Strowman’s back, just out of curiosity. He saw that Strowman’s shirt had a hole in the back of it where his plug poked through. Braun turned to find Naito, who remained prone on the ground for whatever reason. Braun reached down to grab him by the hair and force him up in one ruthless yank. But Naito timed this out and pushed off the ground with his hands and feet at that very moment. Using Braun’s strength to give his hop an extra boost, Naito managed to clock him in the face with a furious single legged dropkick, the bottom of his boot crashing into Stromwan’s nose. <div style="text-align:right;">”Don’t fight… run…”</div> Naito landed on his feet as Strowman staggered back into the marble wall. On a regular man, that would’ve almost certainly been a knockout blow. In fact if Strowman were in his usual state he might’ve been rendered unconscious himself but in that moment, he merely seemed inconvenienced by it. Still Naito followed up with a low dropkick to the monster’s tree trunk leg, bashing it against the marble. Trying to chop down a larger opponent was generally considered wise, but this seemed to do exceedingly little to Braun. So little in fact, that by the time Naito sprang back up, he was prone for a counter-attack and received one as Strowman clubbed him in the back of the head. This took him right down to the ground and may have even knocked him out, atleast for a split second. <div style="text-align:right;">”God no, God no, please…”</div> Strowman grabbed Naito by the hair and forced him to his knees. His body seemed entirely limp in his hands. The crowd’s ovation reached a deafening decibel as Braun reached towards Naito’s plug… but suddenly, Naito sprang to life, kicking against the wall to perform what looked like a Destino attempt! Of course such a move wasn’t going to bring down Strowman, but Naito found himself hanging on his back with one arm around Braun’s neck… and he found himself face-to-face with the monster’s plug! With The Honest Few’s creed in mind, Naito made a grab for it!<div style="text-align:right;">”End it...”</div> But Braun was shockingly quick to repel this with a brutal back elbow blast to Naito’s face, his head whipping back unnervingly from the impact. This was enough to force Naito to release his hold on Braun’s neck and he fell limp to the ground once more. This time, he didn’t seem to be faking it. And Braun revelled in picking up Naito’s limp carcass. With an unholy throw, Strowman tossed Naito several feet through the air and he crashed right through a rock formation, crumbling it into rubble. Strowman stormed over and mounted Naito, pounding his face with fists, quickly busting open his lip and a cut above his eye. But somehow, wounded as he was, Naito had the wherewithal to smack his hand against the ground repeatedly, and the ref counted this as a tapout!<div style="text-align:right;">”Someone… help him…”</div>Strowman stood straight up and eyed the referee. That poor axolotl backed up meagerly, trying to calmly explain that submitting to strikes is in fact a legal finish in the IFL. This allowed the battered Naito the chance to catch him low with an upkick, before desperately combat rolling backwards to gain some distance. Naito zipped up to his feet, but swiftly stumbled to his backside. Meanwhile, Marty Scurll, Tomohiro Ishii, Zack Sabre Jr and Seth Rollins spilled out from the back to scurry over to their stablemate. For whatever reason Naito asked them to let him handle Braun himself, but now that the match was over, they knew he needed them to get out of there alive. ZSJ and Rollins stared Braun down as the other two helped Naito to his feet and carted him off. Strowman glared but backed away. As he was being helped to the back, Naito smirked and glanced back to see Braun disappearing into a tunnel. But he also spotted someone else in a different tunnel, out of the corner of his eye, watching on… the distinct silhouette of Johnny Galaxy. Winner: Braun Strowman, by submission via strikes, at the 11:29 mark <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Whuh… HOW?! Sivian: Testuya Naito… what a slippery one he is. Like him or not, his evasive skills are one to behold. I’m reminded of the great Éalú from the IFL’s halcyon days… Hazazz: Oh geeze, don’t compare Naito to him! Ugh, no one could ever eliminate that guy! I want Naito dead dammit! Sivian: I have to call it like I see it, partner. I don’t like it anymore than you do. But we may have to deal with Naito for this entire competition at this rate. Hazazz: Uggh no, no… not gonna think about that! I’m just gonna focus on, uh… oh, the Lucha Bros! Nice! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="4N92MpZ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4N92MpZ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="qI99sk8.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qI99sk8.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="LpdTYqd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LpdTYqd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kHLQjve.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kHLQjve.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Seth Rollins & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Lucha Brothers ------- Seth Rollins and Zack Sabre Jr stuck around in the arena as their opponents arrived. This one was frenetic and dangerous from the outset, as Fenix and especially Penta were all too ready to go for an elimination, or atleast do a ton of damage. And of course the banner members of the Honest Few were quite prepared to turn that tide against them if need be. The Lucha Bros ran in, and Fenix did manage to take down Rollins but ZSJ ended up catching Penta in a reverse headlock to stop him in his tracks. Fenix rained down fists on Rollins’ face, but ZSJ hip tossed Penta right onto his brother to put a stop to that! As they both collapsed in a heap and Rollins rolled out of the carnage, ZSJ looked to put Penta into one of his complex holds… but Rey was back up to break that up before he could get very far. ZSJ scrambled up but caught a wild spin kick to the ear from Fenix before he could get all the way to his feet. Fenix helped him the rest of the way up, before dishing out a crisp snap suplex. Rollins approached him from behind, looking to take advantage, but Fenix was paying attention and caught him with a surprise pele kick, the toe of his boot nailing him flush between the eyes! Rollins dazedly fell onto his back, that blind kick caught him remarkably well… so Fenix opted to focus on Zack Sabre Jr, keeping him down on the ground with stomps and more sweeping kicks. Penta made his way to his feet and saw a prone Rollins, grinning wickedly to see him so helpless. He yanked the unconscious Rollins to his feet and shoved him closer to some of those old faithful rock formations. Meanwhile, Fenix laid in more stomps on ZSJ… only to get his ankle caught! The submission specialist tripped him up, forcing him to the ground and began singling out that leg! Fenix desperately kicked up towards ZSJ’s face and one caught him clean under the chin, staggering him. Fenix sprang up into almost a headstand, wrapping his legs around ZSJ’s head and headscissoring him back into the dirt. As this went on, Penta roughly slammed Rollins headfirst into the stone. His apparent concussion issues weren’t gonna be aided by that, nor Penta’s next move, as he decided to leap up into the air and give Rollins a curbstomp of his own! But Seth had enough life in him to evade this, and Penta ended up stomping his own foot painfully against the solid rock. As he staggered back, Rollins sprang up, used the stone as, well, a stepping stone before leaping into a wild knee lift that crashed into Penta’s nose and knocked him onto his back! And several yards away, Fenix was climbing up a rock formation of his own, looking to launch himself into a moonsault to finish ZSJ off… but ZSJ managed to coil his legs around the airborne Fenix’s head on the way own, locking him into a triangle choke! Meanwhile, Rollins picked Penta up and positioned him on his shoulders for a powerbomb! He rushed towards the marble wall, planning to toss him right into it, but Penta was still with it enough to deliver some solid elbows to Rollins’ forehead. This not only stopped him but caused him to collapse in a heap, letting Penta fall harmlessly to the dirt. It was clear his head was becoming increasingly fragile… and Penta sought to make it all the worse, pulling Rollins to his feet, and planting him ruthlessly with a Package Piledriver! Not content, he picked him right back up and leaped up as high as he could to deliver a second one, even more crushing than the last, the top of Rollins’ head driven into the ground, his neck compressed. All the while, Fenix struggled mightily in the triangle choke. Zack Sabre Jr grabbed one of the luchador’s flailing arms, contorting it and twisting it, forcing it painfully towards the ground as his legs continued to squeeze on Fenix’s neck! He could take no more and furiously tapped out! ZSJ sprang to his feet and scanned the field to see Penta kneeling over the fallen Rollins. Penta grabbed hold of Rollins’ plug and tried to figure out the technique to pull it out… but ZSJ made it to him in time, grabbing him by the wrist and forcing him into a snug hammerlock! He yanked him to his feet and shoved him away. Penta stared a hole through ZSJ, but glanced over to see his brother tending to his wounds… Penta and ZSJ each decided helping their partners to the back was a more important goal on this occasion. Rollins was so out of it he wasn’t even responding to ZSJ’s questions as he aided him through the tunnel… Winners: Seth Rollins & Zack Sabre Jr., by submission, after a modified triangle choke at the 14:37 mark <img alt="Jqu425k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jqu425k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Always a delight to see the Lucha Bros, such a lovely brand of violence. Hazazz: I’ll say! They never seem to win but they’re awesome to watch! Sivian: They’re not really trying to win, partner. They only care about softening up the opposition and taking them out. Hazazz: My kinda guys! Heheh, and… and… oh man. Oh man, do you hear that?! It’s starting up again! Sivian: Of course. That stomping is back, the very same cadence that we heard to start our program tonight. The crowd beckons for the Do Or Die Match… Hazazz: Yes! YES! Let’s get this thing started! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="D0Ufe0i.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/D0Ufe0i.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="6Ii4Oh7.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6Ii4Oh7.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> --- Do Or Die Match --- Madison Rayne vs. Charlotte Flair ------- Madison slowly, hesitantly, shakily walked out. Her face was dour, tear-stained… she was terrified. It was as though she was walking into her own grave, and she was painfully aware of it. Tauntingly, Charlotte seemed to be taking her time coming out, letting Madison stand there in the center of the arena and seethe and shudder to herself. The audience took to taunting her, as her body language was so apparent that even those in the cheap seats knew she had zero confidence in her own survival. Finally, Charlotte stormed out. She seemed the complete antithesis to Madison. Confident, determined, without a hint of hesitation. Her face was bereft of fear, but this time it wasn’t a mask. She was too driven to get revenge to spare even a passing thought to the possibility of losing here. Her life was on the line just as much as Madison’s was, but she couldn’t have been more confident that she was the one getting out alive. Charlotte stepped up to look Madison in the eye, and of course Rayne couldn’t help but take a step back, her hands raised in fear. “W-Wait, wait… please… we can talk this out! I-It’s not too late!” “Like hell it’s not.” Charlotte growled. “Since the moment you stabbed me in the back… it’s been way too late, Madison.” “Just let me explain! I was never… I didn’t mean… I just wanted to get out of this damn place alive, Charlotte.” Madison pleaded. “I just wanted to keep on the good side of those, those killers, they-” “You’re no better than any of them.” Charlotte cut her off. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. This match is happening and they’re only gonna let one of us go free. So shut the f*ck up and fight me.” Rayne bit her bottom lip, her fist tightening, quivering. It was obvious Charlotte was letting her take the first crack, for whatever reason, and she knew it was a terrible idea to go for it. But it’d probably be an even worse idea to let her start instead… so she sucked it up and threw a punch, somewhat wildly, in the vague direction of her face. With startling ease, Charlotte caught this, grabbing her by the wrist. Madison wasn’t exactly famous for her fast hands. Charlotte proceeded to squeeze and twist her arm, and the pain was enough to send her down to a knee, howling. With a pump her leg, Charlotte rammed her knee into Madison’s face, sending her head whipping back. But since Flair kept hold of the arm, Madison couldn’t go down to the ground, instead remaining in that same position… for another bone-crunching knee. This one seemed to break her nose and Charlotte let her fall to the dirt. As she writhed in pain, Charlotte yelled, “Get up!” and punctuated her command with a ruthless stomp to Madison’s solar plexus. She wheezed, the wind knocked out of her as she rolled to her front and desperately picked herself back up. Madison dove at Charlotte’s midsection, trying to take her off-guard, but all she managed to do was take her back a step as Charlotte hooked her in a front facelock. With a pivot of her hips and a powerful pull, she tossed Madison by the head right back to the dirt. Charlotte didn’t wait this time, reaching down to grab Madison by the hair. She began to forcefully drag her, kicking and screaming, across the dirt over near the barrier wall. She yanked her up to her feet and shoved her into the wall, Madison’s back bouncing off the marble. Just as she was seizing up from this, Charlotte caught her with a wicked spear that rammed her significantly harder into the wall. Rayne was screaming in agony as Charlotte grabbed her by the hair and thrust her back to the ground. With Madison down on all fours, Charlotte momentarily gazed at the plug on her back. But she decided not to go for it, delivering a furious punt kick to her ribs instead, flipping her and sending her rolling a couple feet. She waited for Rayne to rise, but she made no attempt to. She just sobbed… her tears darkening the dirt. Angered at the display, Charlotte again yelled, “Get up!” “...Wh-why…?” Madison wept, looking up at Charlotte with tear-filled eyes. “We… we b-both know that you’re… going to kill me. And there’s nothing… I can do… why don’t you just, get it over with?! Isn’t that r-revenge enough?!” “This isn’t about revenge.” Charlotte clarified. “It’s just like I said… I have to destroy my weakness. I can’t afford to show you mercy.” “Y-You… you idiot...!“ Madison snapped, her teeth grit in rage, even as tears continued to fall. “You think… you think you have any idea… you want to talk about being weak?!” Rayne forced herself up to her feet, wincing all the while. “L-Look… look at me! I’m f*cking… I’m 5’3. 120lbs. And I love being in the ring but I don’t even wrestle like a shoot fighter! I don’t… God, I don’t belong here, don’t you get it?! I have no place here! I c-can’t fight, I can’t survive this… I knew from the beginning, I was never going to survive this! Everyone here is afraid of what might happen, but I knew, Charlotte…” Madison took a step towards Charlotte, her anger seemingly overriding her terror for the moment. “Do you have any idea what that’s like?! God, you f*cking… you don’t even know what weakness is!” As Madison yelled, she threw her hands towards Charlotte repeatedly. That’s all one could call the motion, as they couldn’t be called punches or slaps. She just found herself pounding fruitlessly on Charlotte’s chest and shoulders. Charlotte took a breath as she simply took these blows, to basically no effect… and she realized that, indeed, the two of them were never quite in the same plight… She reached forward without warning, grabbing Madison by the back of the head to end her ‘assault’, and with one powerful shove, she threw her facefirst this time into the marble wall. She was unconscious before she even hit the ground. Charlotte stepped over her and sighed as she pulled out her plug. She turned and walked off, not wanting to see her limp body as it rose… Winner: Charlotte Flair, after pulling Madison’s plug following a shove into the barrier, at the 9:40 mark <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: AHHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA LOOK AT HER GO! Sivian: There is nothing like the sweet irony of watching a fallen fighter rise to their demise... Hazazz: Ohhh every match should be a Do Or Die match! Hahahahah, mesmerizing... Sivian: They wouldn't be as special if that were the case, partner. Not to mention it'd make for a very short series... in any event, for Hazazz, I'm Sivian, signing off from another great edition of Bloodsport. May someone you know die soon. See you next week! <div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

joshspicer · August 15, 2019

What kinda shit is Johnny planning, especially when related to Naito? Have expected Naito to know what Braun was thinking (real Braun) given his tendencies so far.

Stable warfare continues on but things are getting interesting within the multiple factions.

Meanwhile, Corey finds himself enamored by the positive reactions he's getting, to the point where he actually desires it over his own humanity and sense of violence.

Now that the idea of a Do or Die match is active, people are probably gonna callin shots for it more often.

Related, but Charlotte is absolutely going to be next on the docket.

And welcome back man, seriously.

Zeel1 · August 15, 2019

Thanks~

It's nice to get another chapter done. No idea when I'll be able to do the next one but it'd been too long. Next two shows are major ones, I can tell you that...

EBEZA · August 16, 2019

Hazazz: AAUUUUGH, it feels like it’s been ages! How can a single week seem so damn LONG?!

Same, Hazazz, same!

I love this little fourth wall break, self-awareness is something I really enjoy in my entertainment!

Speaking of entertainment I enjoy, this was another excellent show! As I was reading the Do Or Die match, part of me expected a swerve (maybe the Sole Survivors eliminating Charlotte to remove the bigger threat?), but I'm not mad that it went the way it did!

Zeel1 · August 25, 2019

Okay so I've been a bit sheepish about mentioning this. But uh, I got myself in a position where I needed a source of income pretty badly and didn't have it. No job to speak of, not really anyway. So I needed to dedicate myself to writing other stuff, freelance work and such. I really, really wanted to keep working on this though. So I figured I needed a way to somehow make it into a theoretically profitable thing, even if minorly.

Obviously it's got a ton of real people involved, playing characters that are owned by companies at that, so I can't exactly sell it as-is. Going in and changing the names seemed lame to me, you'd lose a lot of the built-in history some people have, like Owens and Zayn or the Golden Lovers. And it'd just turn everyone into a stand-in character which, eh. I might one day make a version of this with actual original characters but it's not really in the plans right now.

But yeah, that being said, I can't directly profit from it. So what I did instead was, I set up a Patreon where the story is also (very, very slowly) being rolled out in a modified form. It's entirely free on there, the idea is simply that people could give tips if they wanted. I feel weird about linking, I've put it off for a long time but uh... it's never gotten even the slightest bit of attention on there so I knew I'd have no other choice but to eventually.

So it's here. For the foreseeable future, the chapters will still be posted here first. Nothing will really change. But if you feel the need to support me, you can. Anyway hope you enjoy today's chapter, and also hope you don't mind that it's a bit recappy in places. It's been a while since we've had regular updates and it's touching on stuff that's been hanging in the background for a bit.

<< .23 It Should've Been You >>

Jay Lethal and his Pact-mates hurried their way through the tunnel after his win over Kevin Owens, for a fairly distinct purpose. They knew the Sole Survivors would not be far behind. And indeed, no sooner than they sat down did the Immunity Champion come storming in, his troops backing him up closely. Owens looked absolutely furious as he scanned the room.

Tyler Bate was trying his best to stay scarce as he sat there in the corner, his friends in the Pact converging around him. But none of this helped, as Owens locked his gaze on the young man. He pointed directly at him and howled, "Just what the hell were you doing back here, huh?! What was so important that you couldn't come out and fight me, Bate?!"

Kenny Omega stood up, as did Kota Ibushi, Jay Lethal, The Briscoes, even Frightmare, to block Owens' path. Kenny spoke up, "Back off, Kevin! I don't know what you're thinking here but you don't have any reason to single him out! And he sure as hell had no reason to go out there."

"Oh don't give me that! Bate knows exactly what this is about!" Owens shouted.

"The hell are you talking about?" Lethal interjected.

"What, you don't know?" Owens scoffed. "What's the matter, Bate, you never told them? Huh?! Never told your friends about what a coward you are?!"

A few sideglances came Bate's way. He just bowed his head in shame. Still, the Pact-mates knew which side they were on and stood in defense of the young man.

Weeks prior, a mini tournament was held at Killer Instinct to determine the Immunity Champion. The four involved discussed beforehand and agreed on winners, though Owens knew from the beginning he wasn't going to heed the plan. Per random drawing, their usual tactic, Bate was meant to head to the finals. But after Owens advanced over Ishii in the first match, Bate got cold feet.

Even back then, before Kevin showed his true capacity for murder, before the Sole Survivors revealed themselves, Bate was squeamish about facing the increasingly erratic Owens. When he relayed this to his opponent, Sami Zayn, Sami opted to take the win and face him instead, assuring him that Owens wouldn't bring any harm to his closest friend.

Indeed, since then, Bate hasn't told a soul about this. The only other two who knew were Ishii, who rarely said a word even to his own stablemates, and Kevin himself...

"Tell them." Owens spat. "Tell them how it should've... it should've been you! Tell them how there's not one good reason for you to be standing here right now!"

Kevin started to advance, growing increasingly rabid by the second. Even his fellow killers were beginning to hold him back now. Fenix cried out, "Hey! Come on, he's not worth it! He's not worth it! Let's just get out of here!"

Fenix, Penta & Alberto escort Owens through the room whilst Callihan led the way, leering at anyone who dared look at them funny. Roode followed close behind as if serving as backup. The members of the Pact cleared a path for him, but made sure to keep between him and Tyler, looking to protect him.

The entire time, Owens refused to take his gaze off of Bate, who was trying not to look petrified, and only partially succeeding. As he walked past him, he seethed under his breath, “I promise you… you’re dead.”

As the Sole Survivors made their way into the hall and to their room, every head in the main room turned to look at Tyler. For a few tense moments, he tried to hold it in… but there was no way to avoid it. He slumped his back to the wall and slid down it, tears streaming down his cheeks as he buried his face in his hands.

“Hey. Tyler, man, you’re gonna be okay...” Mark Briscoe spoke up.

“Don’t… don’t let him get me...” Bate pleaded, looking up at them, sobbing. “I don’t… I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go...”

It was then that the same realization hit them all. Amidst all this bloodshed and betrayal, this chaos and carnage, this peril and paranoia… here was Tyler Bate. Like a high schooler drafted into a war.

Just a kid, in the middle of all this...

-----

Colby Corino walked through the hall, his teeth grit, his fingers quivering. When he came into the room, his eyes didn’t rise to greet a single person.

Kenny stood up and called out to him. “Colby! Hold on a second. We really need to talk about what you’ve been doing out there.”

Colby just completely ignored him and kept walking. Kenny reached out, gently grabbing his shoulder. Colby violently ripped away from his grasp. For a moment he sneered at Kenny as though he were about to take a swing. He saw only concern in his leader’s eyes…

Colby calmed down, but still didn’t say a word. He just turned and kept on walking. None of his allies seemed too pleased with this…

-----

He leaned against the wall, the strange green liquid streaming slowly down his chest. He was shrouded in shadow, the only one in his room… still he gazed up, as though he could see the night sky…

“Ahhhh what a glorious night… the Nubile has returned to her birthplace… to the birthplace of all of us...” he sighed, his smile a mile wide, open and gaping. “That sheer, pure darkness in the sky… it was where we spawned and it is where we shall all disappear. Ahhhhhahahaha… hahhahahhahahha...”

Back and forth, back and forth, his head slowly bobbed to the right and then to the left and back again…

“Still I have not yet achieved my first liberation… oh whom oh whom might I set my eye on…? Who is the first that I send into that vortex…?”

He stared upwards, imagining the abyss that hung over the IFL coliseum. As though trying to get a clearer look, he took two fingers and pulled his eyelids open to peak at the night. Somehow, his smile yet grew…

“The Herald… but of course. You call to me… you can’t help but beckon to me… even before I was born you wished to face me. Hmhmhmhm… it’s as though you’re begging to fade away… you want me to end you.”

Slowly Johnny Galaxy rose to his feet. “...I humbly agree to your request...”

-----

Nobody watched the main event. Charlotte didn’t want her friends in the Honest Few interfering, and they were so confident that Madison would have no allies that they didn’t see much point in hanging around to see it. The Sole Survivors had already begun their meeting shortly after the Lucha Bros returned from their match. Those in the Pact just couldn’t bare to sit and watch someone die. And the others just saw no reason to care.

So nobody knew who won until they saw her come through the tunnel. But nobody was at all shocked to see Charlotte.

She too was exceedingly quiet as she came in. But unlike Colby, nobody rose to address her. In fact, most just avoided eye contact entirely as she walked by.

They didn’t miss anything. There was nothing in those eyes…

-----

Owens paced back and forth, still in a fury. His allies are just watching him, largely dumbfounded.

"Dude, what's going on with you and Bate?" Roode asked. "I mean I get it, you've got a grudge but... is this really the most important thing right now? We can take someone like him out anytime."

"He's right. We've got much bigger threats to deal with that than little niño." El Patron added. "If it were up to me, we'd be looking to get rid of Zack Sabre Jr. first... we need to plan for-"

"Don't you get it?!" Owens yelled. "He's... my friend had to die because of him!"

Callihan shook his head. "I thought we were past this..."

"You agreed to focus on what's best for the group." Penta noted.

"And I have! God, that's all I've done for the past two weeks! I've kept my Immunity title, I've recruited a new member and we've had four eliminations in that time... I had one night with nothing else going on. So I went for Bate." Owens replied. "Because he needs to die..."

"Kevin, look, I get it. You blame him for what you had to do to Sami." Bobby spoke up. "But you've gotta understand that... you were always going to have to get rid of him anyway. And I know he was important to you but, you didn't do anything wrong. None of us, none of us are doing anything wrong! We're just doing what we have to do to survive."

Owens cut his eyes at Roode.

"...R-Right?" Roode asked, becoming nervous in his steely glare. "Like, I mean... everyone... everyone's gonna be out for blood eventually. Anyone here, anyone would stab their best friend in the back if they're cornered long enough. At the end of the day, you've gotta watch out for yourself. The others, they're just lying to themselves. Eventually they'll understand, they're no better. We're just... we're just beating them to the punch, right?"

"Is that what you've been telling yourself?" Owens growled.

"I... I mean it's the truth!" Roode responded. "Like, you're not gonna like hearing this, but let's be honest. Zayn... he'd have turned on you eventually. Stuck here long enough, surrounded by violence long enough, he'd have snapped. He'd have tried to take you out if you didn't do it first."

"You're wrong..." Owens shook his head. "He had the chance and he didn't take it."

"Well, hey. That was after one month." Roode shrugged. "If he had enough time... it'd be inevitable. And look I know how you feel. It's not like I wanted to turn on Storm. But it's the same thing, he'd have got me if I didn't do it first."

"You're wrong." Owens echoed.

"Uh, hey, can we not-" Fenix tried to intervene.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Roode asked, ignoring Fenix. "I knew James Storm better than anyone else here! And I liked the guy but saving his own skin was his top priority, that's why he banded up with me! But if betraying me could earn him another day, I promise you, he wouldn't have hesitated!"

"You don't know what the f*ck you're talking about!" Owens shouted, getting into Roode's face, taking him off-guard. The others tensed up, as if they were about to go to blows. "He wasn't going to betray you, Roode, you're full of shit!"

"And what makes you so damn sure of that?!" Bobby spat.

"Kevin, don't-" Alberto tried to interject.

"Because we came to him first!" Owens shouted.

There were a couple of audible groans as Fenix and Alberto just looked away. Otherwise, there was a stiff silence for a good few seconds. Penta looked on grimly, not pleased with this either. Callihan remained stonefaced.

Roode, on the other hand, was in quiet disbelief. "...Wha... what did you just say?"

"We agreed not to mention this, but now I think you need to hear it..." Kevin sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "We went to Storm first. We made him the exact same offer we made you. He could've been in this group instead... you could've just as easily been the one to die. But he said no. He turned us down. He knew he'd have had an extra bit of safety in numbers and he had to know he was making himself into our enemy in the process. But he wasn't willing to sell you out. And that's why he's dead, and you're still here."

Roode was aghast. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He took a step back as he sputtered, "B-But... why would... how could he...?"

"Because you're wrong." Owens flatly stated. "Because the others aren't like us. Look, I... believe in what we're doing. I think it's the only way out too. That doesn't make us right... that doesn't make us good guys. We're the ones that are able to get out of here because we're big enough bastards to do it. That's what sets us apart... nothing else."

Roode's gaze lowered. He seemed shaken up by the revelation.

"So... like a bastard... I'm going to put all the blame for all this on Bate." Owens grumbled, as he turned and walked off. "And once he's gone... my every regret goes along with him."

The others watch as their leader makes his leave. Penta, Fenix and the Lucha Bros make their leave. Callihan stays behind and turns to Roode, who seemed frozen in place.

"...He's right about one thing." Callihan spoke up. "We can't pretend to have the moral high ground. That's the kind of thinking that'll get you killed. If you want to have any chance... you need to embrace what you are."

"...I... need some time to process this." Roode replied, in a near whisper.

Zeel1 · August 26, 2019

By request, I added a little section on factions in <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2330643&postcount=2" rel="external nofollow">this post</a>. Made little logos for them all too!

Zeel1 · August 27, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2373069&postcount=68" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .24 Entry III <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2374801&postcount=76" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div>

"You want to know why you're here...?"

"Ngh..."

"...some are brought in to be destroyers..."

"Stop it..."

"...and some... are brought to be destroyed."

"No..."

"You're here to be fresh meat. You're here because, quite simply, we needed victims."

"YOU'RE WRONG!"

"Hey... Colby! COLBY!"

Colby Corino shot awake, in a cold sweat, being shaken. He was surprised to see Frightmare standing over him. In the dark, in that mask, it wasn't really the most welcome thing to jar awake to.

"Wh-what the hell are you doing here...?" he groaned, pushing his hands away.

"I... I heard you from the main hall." Frightmare quietly explained. "You were having some kind of awful nightmare."

He glanced over at the Briscoe Brothers, who Colby was rooming with. They were incredibly sound sleepers apparently. Funk and Dreamer used to be in that room as well, but...

"Ugh... thanks, I guess." Colby grunted, running his hands through his hair.

"Dude, are you okay?" Frightmare asked.

Colby grimaced, looking away from him. "I'm fine..."

"You sure haven't been acting fine." Frightmare replied. "You busted Ishii open for no reason two weeks ago. And now you try to knock me out? Eat me up out there and make me look bad? What the hell, man?"

"I've changed up how I work. Deal with it." he hissed.

Frightmare shook his head. To Colby's disgust, he sat on the bed next to him. "Listen. We all saw what happened with Bate last night. It's obvious that he's... just too young to be going through all this and it's breaking him. And you're barely any older than he is. And I'm, worried about you too..."

Frightmare couldn't have expected the fury that lit up in Colby's eyes when he said that. He was going to keep talking but it became clear that was a poor idea. Colby leaned in to get into his masked face. He still wasn't trying to wake the Briscoes but his voice turned to a growl. "You think I'm just as weak as he is, don't you? You feel sorry for me?! You just, you just see a victim when you look at me, don't you?!

"I... n-no, that's not what I was-"

"Why the f*ck are you spending any time worrying about me? Now that Madison's dead, you're the weakest one here!" Colby seethed. "Try to hide your f*cking tears behind that mask... is that why you still wear it? Huh? Does it make you feel brave?!"

"Colby, where is this coming from...?" Frightmare sullenly asked.

"Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you're just a goddamn idiot." Colby continued. "Maybe you still don't get the situation you're in, maybe you're still in denial. Refusing to let anyone see you unmasked, are you kidding me?! You're still a goddamned luchador through all this, is that how you think?!"

Frightmare just bowed his head, not sure how to respond.

Colby sat up and kept laying into him. It was becoming progressively difficult for him to not raise his voice. "I'm not... I'm not a victim... you are! The only reason you're still here is because nobody fears you! Or they've just forgotten about you! But eventually the day will come and there won't be a damn thing you can do about it!"

In the background, Mark Briscoe seemed to start to stir. The two of them both noticed this and Colby muttered, "Just... just get out of here."

Defeated, Frightmare retreated back to his own room. He sat onto his bed... it was hard to tell, but he was almost definitely crying as he grabbed for his journal.

No one gets it. No one gets me. For the longest time, even I didn't...

We're all falling apart here. Bate broke down after Owens threatened him. He's as scared as any of us, he's just showing what we're hiding. Atleast, that's how I look at it.

Colby... I barely recognize him. He's nothing like the shy kid who got dragged into this place two months ago. God, two months of this... not even that long really. But it feels like I've spent a lifetime here. Anyway, we all have our own ways of trying to adapt, and Colby, he's... clearly going off the deep end. He's insecure. He knows he's young and small. One of the most feeble-looking here. He thinks the whole world looks at him as a target, like he has no chance of saving himself. No means of fighting back against any of them. So he lashes out.

It's not his fault. None of this is anyone's fault but Malell's...

This far in, I'm still being questioned about my mask. I must really be a joke to a lot of these people by now. But at first, even I barely understood why I kept it on. Why I refused to let anyone see my face.

But now I know. I've found my reason. It's not because I'm trying to hide anything or because this is all a game to me. It's... just...

This is what I did back on Earth. This is what I did when things were normal. Ever since I got the gimmick, nobody in wrestling had ever seen me unmasked. Nobody that knew I was Frightmare anyway. Once you break that, there's no turning back. It's a permanent shift.

I want more than anything to go back to normalcy. And I guess... as long as I keep this mask on, as long as I keep up the tradition, I figure I can still go back and everything can go back to how it was.

As long as I keep this mask... I won't change, like Colby has. I won't break like Bate or any of the others have. As long as I keep this mask, I keep myself. And I... I can keep some form of hope. Hope that I can go back to my old life. Hope that I can start living again.

It's... a pretty stupid thing to cling to. But it's mine. It's all I've got.

So I'm keeping it... until the end.

<div style="text-align:right;">Signed,

Frightmare</div>

Little did Frightmare know, as he wrote in his journal, he was being watched...

In a hidden off control room, there were a multitude of screens... every room in the building displayed via cameras so small as to be unnoticeable. But they painted a clear picture.

The whole place was shrouded in shadow in the night, but there was an infrared quality to the video feeds that made this a non-issue. And as Frightmare finished up his entry, Malell watched.

His eyes were uncanny. He could make out every single word he wrote down.

And as he read it... a wicked smile crossed his face.

joshspicer · August 27, 2019

Malell's gonna somehow get Frightmare to lose his mask and that'll cost him, whether by match stipulation or by his distraction.

EBEZA · August 28, 2019

I still adore this diary. Money's very tight for me at the moment, but I will definitely be thinking about pledging to your Patreon as and when I have some spare money...

Zeel1 · August 28, 2019

I still adore this diary. Money's very tight for me at the moment, but I will definitely be thinking about pledging to your Patreon as and when I have some spare money...

Much appreciated. It'll never be mandatory or anything, but always welcomed.

Zeel1 · September 2, 2019

So I've been working on this next show for the past few days but it's been taking a while... mostly because it's ended up being much bigger than intended. It's main feature is a one night 8-person tournament where the winner gets a shot at Immunity. And this was meant to go by relatively quickly but... I'm a sucker for tournaments and it actually does contain some big matches so uh, can't really help myself. So yeah it's gonna end up being a fairly major event unto itself...

That being the case, I figure I can go ahead and show off the brackets. Feel free to make predictions~

EBEZA · September 2, 2019

Wow, predictions for this are so tough, because the presentation is so unique! This isn't "hmmm, how would he book this tournament?" it's "how would these eight people react and fight with their lives on the line?!" I'll just wait to be surprised! <img alt="

" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Sign In

Intergalactic Fighting League: Survival of the Fittest!

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Join the conversation