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The feed suddenly opens to static. Flakes and particles of black and white scramble and fly haphazardly, as an eerie, distorted white noise grows ever so louder. Suddenly, the noise coming from the static becomes vociferous, prompting the ringing of your ears as the hissing and commotion from the screen creates a buzzing sound in your earlobe. Another break, then another, and the screen finally becomes black; "POLITICIANS" is written in bold white letters, followed by a rapid slideshow with various images of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Rufus Frost, and finally Jonathan Collins before the picture returns to static again. The white noise remains at a reasonable, discernible volume, and soon a voice can be heard, blending in with the ominous white noise.

"...there are things that cannot be said... and if said cannot be heard... and if said are not spoken... you have no thoughts.... no ideas of your own... you have no identity... no knowledge of the unforeseen and the future.... you are what they tell you to be.... in your head.... in your ears.... you don't know.... but you do know.... there are no rules and regulations... no scriptures telling you to be a slave, but you wholeheartedly allow yourself to be manipulated and enslaved.... you choose to obey them.... so you can feel like your life has meaning.... so you can feel like you belong... I want you to feel.... WE want you to feel..... touch the screen."

A hand suddenly manifests from the static, appearing in the form of an outline, and a brilliant optical illusion that captivates the viewer, while also confusing them.

"...They're everywhere.... the master manipulators... the politicians... telling you how to think... what to wear... what to say.... how to live... their propaganda has no limits.... IT'S EVERYWHERE... look now.... its on the radio.... it's in your television.... it's corrupting your mind... those electric charges, the subliminal messages molding your brain and coercing you into acting in a desired manner... you listen and abide.... will you abide to this.... can we make you obey.... you're listening now.... LISTEN to the whisper in the wind!"

The screen suddenly goes black again, before it flashes to show a figure in a rocking chair, looking like a moving shadow as his body is silhouetted by a dim light that illuminates the picture. His hands are clasped together and placed in his lap. The figure suddenly stands, followed by maniacal laughter that too blends in with the white noise. The feed goes dark again, then another rapid slideshow, quickly displaying images of Hitler, Stalin, Jim Jones, David Koresh, Charles Manson, and finally Jonathan Collins.

"... want for you brother what you want for yourself... and what do you want for yourself? to be loved... to be understood... to no longer feel the pain... do you hate yourself... do you hate your brother... what is love and hate? do you love to hate?... do you HATE TO LOVE?... what is right and wrong?... who is to say what being good and evil is? who are you... is that what you are... is this what you've become? you love people... yet you hurt them, yet you make them feel pain... you love your brother... yet you disappoint him, yet you make him feel low, feel hallow, feel empty, but you LOVE them.... you love yourself... yet you HURT yourself... you live in depression... you try to vindicate yourself through others.... you spend money to watch us die.... you LOVE it... love the blood... love the pain... you are what you like... you are a walking paradox!"

The screen returns to black, before suddenly flashing in white and black, "DER MENSCH-IST" written in red, giving any elliptic person an episode before it flashes forward to a man at a chapel, sitting Indian Style surrounded by a circle of candles.

"...so many people in this cess-pool.... so many sheep... can they ALL see this... this broadcast... on your television... on your internet.... on your cellphone... it's everywhere... there's no escape... you can't escape yourselves... that NEED.... that DESIRE.... to be accepted... to be apart of something... you want to belong... don't you... be apart of a movement... follow leaders who will tell you how to live... who will govern your decision making, who will regulate your life.... who will CONTROL your mind... no?... then revolt.... finally realize your life... let this be the first breath of life you've ever experienced.... revolt against the politicians... reject their lies... refuse their propaganda.... we are your REAL heroes... the heroes that you've known are frauds... THEY'RE the puppeteers... become the master of your mind.... RAGE AGAISNT THE MACHINE... TAKE THE PLEDGE.... BECOME YOUR OWN MAN... YOUR OWN WOMAN... BREAK THE SHACKLES... BITE THE HAND THAT HAS FED YOU LIES.... WE ARE YOUR SAVIORS.... YOU ARE NOW APART OF THE CONGREGATION... WELCOME TO THE NEW AGE! LIBERATE YOUR MADNESS!"

The figure outstretches his arms in a crucifix pose, before a wind blows out the candles, returning the picture to darkness, and then finally it returns to the static disarray and the white noise.

'They Can't Tell US How to Think."




The array of red and white lights that have become synonymous with EXODUS span the RIMAC arena while "Galvanize" by The Chemical Brothers plays, highlighting the figures and forms of those in attendance for the show. The camera pans across the capacity crowd before coming back to focus on the stage, which is currently displaying default "EXPRO" graphics. That however is tentative, as they quickly fade out, causing some of the crowd to look around in confusion, buy mostly in anticipation, and finally apprehension as the screens light up with the "G&M" logo. Suddenly, the arena lights entirely black out as a brand new entrance theme echoes throughout the sold out spectrum -the masses of humanity, some partial and familiar with the origins, climb to their feet with praise, while others boo as 'Pulse of the Maggots' by Slipknot begins to play. As smoke billows around the entrance tunnel, the crowd continues to seemingly battle itself, as a majority of the audience boos and jeers vehemently, and vociferous, while a strong number of the spectators cheer their hearts out to battle the wave of negativity and detestation coming from their fellow patrons. The mixed reaction, is garnered by the two high profile individuals behind the music, the two men who hold the answers to the plethora of questions they themselves created. Suddenly, and finally, the leaders of the new future of EXODUS emerge, as a figure pushes through the velvet curtain, stepping from the shadowed hall and onto the lit and famed stage of the RIMAC. He stands motionless, a burlap sack concealing his identity, before he is accompanied on the stage by the Man in White himself - dressed as debonair as usual in an expensive white suit, in sharp contrast to the man standing beside him, dawning a grimy, greasy suit jacket tailored to fit, with a "Screaming Trees" t-shirt underneath, denim jeans and combat boots. In his hand resides a steel chair, and one can determine the identity of the aforementioned figure is none other than the Loaded Pistol. Behind them follows Kamigawa's messenger, Shinji Uchikawa, dressed to the nines as well. Their eyes fixate on the squared circle, but they quickly dash to the side as they gaze out into the arena, soaking in the tumultuous, electric atmosphere created by the San Diego crowd. They take their first steps onto the ramp, a stern, yet detached expression on Kamigawa's face as the trio makes their way down the steel incline. Fans in the front rows seem to shout things, possibly obscenities toward them, but their voices our drowned out by the deafening symphonic metal. Ryuji shakes his head as he ascends the steel steps on the hard camera side of the ring, Uchikawa following, while the man hiding under the burlap sack simply rolls into the squared circle. Kamigawa paces around the ring for a moment, while his counterpart grabs a microphone - the latter stopping in the center of the ring to glance at the "EPRO" logo on the said microphone, then shifting his eyes up to look out into the captivated masses. His gaze only lasts for a moment, as the music in the background suddenly fades out and the microphone nears his mouth.

Magnus Gunner: They've pulled the strings, and used their diction to cloud your vision, to create elaborate illusions to misdirect you, to fool you and distort your comprehension of reality. And you've held them with high esteem, you've worshipped them, you've idolized them, you love them like deities. Two weeks ago, a series of events transpired that has done more than just change the landscape. What occurred, what was witnessed, and spoken of, was quite simply, the first time your blinders had been opened. Two weeks ago, a light shined through the RIMAC, liberating you from your ignorance, from your mental affliction and the lack of clarity that has plagued your existence since the inception of THIS show. And through our actions, you were rewarded with clarity, you were shown the path to enlightenment, you were given the truth. And our actions, our motives, they've been coerced and influenced by your 'heroes' and their innate lust for all things lacking basic cognitive consideration.

The audience has their ears wide open, giving a mixed reaction to the opening spiel, with some of the older fans rejoicing and supporting while others feel quite insulted and offended by Gunner's words, chosen specifically and attached with a negative connotation - yet while they're voicing their displeasure and disdain for the man they've hated for so long, they are open enough to listen as he continues, Kamigawa merely standing behind him, nodding in approval.

Magnus Gunner: It was long ago that I realized that I'd been as foolish and childish as these 'heroes'. Long ago I realized that I too, was weak, like you all, that my underdeveloped frontal-lobe and un-mastered mind made me an easy target and prey for the types of individuals that have brainwashed you. I too was a puppet. I too moved on the every word, and followed the doctrines of men that I deemed 'Gods'. But they were false idols. They were liars, masqueraders, and deceivers, preying on my insecurities and persuading and manipulating me into thinking and acting in a desired manner -until I woke up from the illusion, and realized ALL of their words, all of THEIR actions were beautiful lies, and that what I believed was the truth and reality was actually an intricate façade. Because of it's multifaceted nature, their fraudulence evaded questioning, leaving me puzzled and mystified as I came to terms with it. However, it was my contention that the key to understanding their motives, overcoming their lies, was ultimately twofold. First, I had to recognize that their irrational movement was the perfect magnet to the feelings of alienation and anxiety that consumed myself and those who found their camp to be a safe haven -to be family. Second, and most important, in my displacement of reason by intuition and emotion, they were able to mold my mind, as your heroes have done to you, but now I know, that all mysteries and answers lead inward to the human ego, and the key to enlightenment is hidden in the back of our minds. I realized that I possessed the tools necessary to unlock the truth.

And the truth is that this world is in reverse...

Magnus rubs the burlap sack around his cranium, then gazes into the outskirts of the arena as his psychotic, yet profound idioms and thoughts echo throughout the arena.

Magnus Gunner: You haven't even pondered why you seek 'happiness', and have yet to realize that such desires indicate that you are by default, existing in the exact opposite. You exist in sadness, in depression, dull, angry, filled with hate, and enslaved. You exist as sheep, and have been conditioned by the words of these 'heroes' to think and apply yourselves under the illusion of what they deem as 'right and wrong.' And they have you believe that WE are evil, that men like Ryuji Kamigawa are selfish, heartless, and cold. Such perversion of words however is not limited to these politicians that seek to make you their mind-slaves, their drones by selling the lies and the abuse of life with benevolent smiles and frequent sycophancy. Rather, it has become the foundation of your very own vocabulary, and vernacular, as the words that you claim to 'live' without genuinely understanding what such syllables and sounds in fact imply within the realm of truth and reality that is intricately designed to abuse and harm you to continue to support the schizophrenic concept of 'living'. And is that not what you've wanted all along? To live? It was what I WANTED! I wanted to LIVE, to feel ALIVE, until I realized that I had been playing a game, that you've all been the subjects and cronies through each and every segment of this ridiculous series, each and every second that the clock has ticked, with EACH AND EVERY breath you've taken. With their WORDS, they've made you their disciples, they made me THEIR disciple, until I made the decision to question the charade, to unlock my intellectual potential, to MASTER MY MIND! I am no longer a slave of madness and insanity, I am the master of it... CHRISTUM FUROR... and the voice of reason. I am everything that each and every one of you has longed for. So many of you, filling these seats, bringing your children to this show, watching along at home, clinging to your childhood memories, clinging to the illusion because you're all afraid. When it comes to the concept of change, and when you need to open your eyes and STARE into the looking glass and finally QUESTION that which has been fed to you, you're all cowards, weak, quivering on the floor, under your beds, reaching for the spine you don't have, that you've never possessed, that you'll never acquire. But WE will be your spine. Your voice. Your truthsayers.

Gunner paces back and fourth, his tone becoming maniacal and authoritative, whilst the booing portion of the crowd voices their animosity, causing the Loaded Pistol to shake his head in a solemn vow of disapproval. Kamigawa smiles, and almost chuckles to himself, while Magnus continues on with his sermon.

Magnus Gunner: I forgive you for accepting and allowing yourselves to use words as pieces of information that you acquired as an already established association in order to name, validate, and vindicate your existence and the quality of things in separation of yourselves, without realizing that the very moment that you defined and named something according to the association of THEIR belief systems, and these images, symbols, and sounds, that you ACCEPETED and ALLOWED yourselves to surrender your MIND, wherein you packaged your life into a limited container that you've used to relate to others- because you longed for something to relate to, to feel accepted, to feel like you belonged. I forgive you for never questioning the extent that you've been limited to, based on the words and information that you've communicated and comprehended.

Magnus leans on the ropes as the reaction of the spectators grows louder, still somewhat split down the middle, yet becoming more and more negative, although some find truth in his egotistical claims. In the rafters the "Gods and Monsters" chants build up, meanwhile the eloquent madman goes on.

Magnus Gunner: I FORGIVE YOU FOR VILLIFYING ME...

I FORGIVE YOU FOR MAKING ME YOUR MARTYR....

I FORGIVE YOU FOR CRUCIFYING ME...

The crowd has now come to a cowed silence of sort. No boos or cheers, just inclined ears clinging to every word.

Magnus Gunner: I forgive you for being brainwashed by the IWAKUMAS, the FROSTS.... the ROURKES.... but must importantly, I forgive you for being taken by the cult of personality, for being bamboozled and mislead by JONATHAN COLLINS, the ultimate politician, the PROFITEER OF VIOLENCE and his coalition of liars and frauds. He is no GOD. He is no IDOL. He is no HERO. Kliff Ulysses is no entertainer, he is no savior. Jones.... Cochrane.... The Turks.... Cannon... Lenton.... and ALL of these LIARS that you cheer because you've been conditioned to do so... THEY ARE NOT YOUR HEROES! They are the opposite.... they are the selfish ones... they're the ones who have pursued self-gratification by any means necessary. They're the ones that have resorted to savagery and brutality to satisfy and appease their hunger for blood and carnage... THEY'RE THE ONES that would sell your souls and send you down the river to acquire gold! And they've hidden their motives. They've confused you, and misguided you, made you believe in them, idolize them, to massage their egos and their GOD complexes! But I have not. From day one, I have told the truth. From day one I have never misdirected you from my motives, and my goals, or confused and befuddled you in regards to the means by which I would FULFILL them... I am that belligerent inclination in your mind when you've been ridiculed, insulted and put down by the holier-than-thou, and the self-righteous, the sensation you get when you clench your fists as you're being admonished and juxtaposed by those who believe that they're perfect, that they're better than you... I'm the sparkle in your eyes when you see something that you can't have, something that has eluded your grasp, something that rests in the hands of another but know deep down that you are the one who deserves it!

I AM A MONSTER. AND THIS IS MY FACE! THE FACE OF YOUR TRUE HERO... THE HERO YOU DESERVE... BUT THE VILLAIN YOU NEED!

He vigorously removes the burlap sap, as twisted smile resting on his visage as he backs toward Kamigawa.

Magnus Gunner: What occurred two weeks ago, what happened to Kliff Ulysses, and what will transpire in the immediate future, is the result of me taking a keen interest, and finding an emotional and mental bond with someone that has TOO chosen to question the lies... who has TOO chosen to lift the masks and facades of these masqueraders... who TOO is your ONLY HERO! And I made not of this, and all things considered, as the only GENIUS in professional wrestling, I deemed it more sensible than to rather do battle to no end, to join forces, where tougher we crown ourselves rightfully at the top of the ladder, where we control the future, where we the leaders of the NEW AGE!

Magnus' partner in crime extends a hand, and the Loaded Pistol graciously gives up the microphone to his partner, with Shinji encouraging his mentor on.

Ryuji Kamigawa: As Mr. Gunner uses words that are out of the comprehension of most of you here not clad in the logo of Gods & Monsters, allow me to briefly summarize some of his comments -- with some thoughts of my own, because everything that was just said is the gospel that leads me here before you today, finally, mercifully, blessedly...free.

Ryuji's arms extend, mirroring Gunner's familiar crucifix pose.

Ryuji Kamigawa: Months ago, Jonathan Collins begged me to find my reason for fighting. Something worth fighting for. I have found several, but as I declared at the time, EXODUS Pro Wrestling would be that reason. That, in spite of what many of you may believe, has not changed. Even now, with the Gods & Monsters logo tattooed into my flesh, I fight for EXODUS. I fight for a future denied the company because you all are willing to accept lies in the place of truth, and word over deed. I misspeak. Not all of you. THEY see this place for what it truly is!

Kamigawa points into the rafters, into the throng of black-shirted fans, who rise at his gesture.

Ryuji Kamigawa: These brothers and sisters, our comrades at arms who support us with their voices and wearing our emblem do so because they demand better! They are as much a part of Gods & Monsters as we are, for they inspire our actions. They are the few, the proud, those brave individuals willing to accept us as we are for we are the only people in this company, from top to bottom, who have never once lied to them!

Even as the boos came down, Ryuji smiled -- the grin of a man who had truth on his side...and planned to use it for all it was worth.

Ryuji Kamigawa: Magnus and I are not good people. We make no secret of this. We do not hide it, nor are we ashamed of that fact. We certainly do not placate them with pithy falsehoods. And yet, somehow...listen to them!

On cue, the chants rise from the rafters of the arena, at full throat, mixed with boos from every other corner that seek to drown out the G&M faithful.

KA-MI-GA-WA! *clap clap clapclapclap*
KA-MI-GA-WA! *clap clap clapclapclap*
KA-MI-GA-WA! *clap clap clapclapclap*

Ryuji Kamigawa: They respect us! Revere us as the gods and monsters that we are for being just that – gods and monsters! We do not hide our aggression and rage behind the face and voice of a seraph! We do not profane with our actions the same Jesus Christ we claim to worship and spread the gospel of! We do not bicker like children over the fate of this company like grade-schoolers over a favored toy! THEY understand that! And for it, they embrace us, just as someday you too will all embrace...this.

The jeering of the capacity crowd not wearing G&M shirts makes that seem...unlikely, somehow.

Ryuji Kamigawa: And when you are ready – when you too tire of being fed falsehoods and platitudes by those who conceal their fangs behind kind smiles and catchy phrases, we will have one of these ready and waiting for you, free of charge, outside the RIMAC Arena. My messenger will have them. All you must do is ask.

Uchikawa smiles, raising up the Gods & Monsters shirt in his hand...and promptly gets booed out of a building for the first time in his young professional career.

Ryuji Kamigawa: We are not Fiona Rourke. We are not Heather Halliwell. We are not Christian Kane, Jerry Matthews, or Blake Jones, and we most certainly are not Jonathan Collins, Nicholas Gray, or Edward Nair. We are not a Seikigun nor a LEGION. We are simply what we claim to be: GODS AND MONSTERS. Gods & Monsters, you see, dwell inside of us all. Just waiting for the right moment to come out. That moment is here. That time is now. And until this company realizes its sins, the Loaded Pistol, the Monster in White, and the Messenger of God all promise one thing.

Gunner drops to one knee, arms extended wide in the crucifix pose as Kamigawa hands the microphone off to his so-called Messenger, then stands behind his partner, arms folded, glaring at the camera through his sunglasses.

Shinji Uchikawa pauses, milking the moment for its dramatic value, and then says the four simple words that might well serve as the G&M mission statement.

Shinji Uchikawa: All...will be Hell.

"Pulse of the Maggots" begins to play once more in the RIMAC, even as the three Gods & Monsters remain posed center-ring, soaking in the boos of the unfaithful and the adulation of their fellow G&M members.

Dick Morosi: This is...one Hell of a combination, really.

Seth Ericson: And they have the backing of a not insignificant portion of our crowd, Dick. Fans who've been here at the RIMAC, week in and week out, brainwashed by Magnus Gunner's rhetoric.

Dick Morosi: Gods & Monsters are here, regardless of what you believe of them, to remake this company in their image, folks. And given the raw talent Kamigawa and Gunner possess, they might be here for a good long while.

Seth Ericson: And they have a chance to make massive statements tonight, both of them! Kamigawa gets one half of the Tag Team Champions, along with Kliff Ulysses! On top of that, Gunner is in tonight's main event, going up against the other half of the champs, Sally Talfourd!

Dick Morosi: We'll also see a new number one contender crowned when Adrien Cochrane, Zero McHannon, and Blake Jones all meet in a triple threat match! On top of that, later tonight we'll get an update on the condition of Fiona Rourke, who looked to have suffered a bad knee injury two weeks ago at the hands of Jerry Matthews.

Seth Ericson: And that's exactly why Jerry won't be present in the arena tonight! For now, let's go to the ring for our opening match! Sinc Mercier goes up against Chris Marks and Wulf Erikssen!

“Lowlife” by Theory of a Deadman starts playing on the arena as our first match of the evening is set to begin.

David Zinkus: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a triple threat match! Introducing first, from Oakland, California, weighing in at two-hundred and sixty pounds! CHRIS “THE FILTH” MARKS!!

Dick Morosi: As Chris Marks comes from behind the curtain, keep in mind that we haven’t seen a whole lot of action out of Chris Marks in the ring on his own. We’ve mostly seen him backstage or doing something with Adrien.

Seth Ericson: Let me tell you everything you need to know about Chris Marks. He’s powerful. He’s street smart. He’s tough. And he’s trained by one of the most skilled guys on the roster. He is not someone to sleep on.

Chris Marks enjoys the rather mixed reaction as he walks down the ramp, reveling in every boo and cheer sent his way. Once he rolls into the ring, he gets on one of the corners, raises his arms, and mutters something that those who can read lips are glad it wasn’t audible. As soon as Marks climbs another corner, the lights go out. Only the video for Sinc’s entrance is shown. After the words, "Hooray for me I'm The Lucky One!" Blue Pyro fires out to the right of the crowd and to the left at the same moment. The lighting is a bright blue. The camera then blurs into Sinc raising his right hand high into the air as if grabbing a microphone and after a moment of waiting, Sinc begins walking down the ramp in an arrogant strut grinning smugly at the crowd and eying them in a bittersweet stare pointing to random people here and there acknowledging them.

Dick Morosi: This new wrestler from nearby Windsor gave International Champion Johnny Cannon a run for his money last show.

Seth Ericson: He could turn into something. I want to see more of him before I decided if I think he will or not.

He then quickly runs up the steps and enters the ring through the middle rope flicking one leg in the air in a taunt. He walks around the ring continuously eying the crowd and then stops suddenly in the center of it. He does the same gesture he did at the start of the ramp and the lighting turns into a single blue spotlight on Sinc. A microphone then slowly comes down into his hand and he announces his presence to everyone in confidence.

Sinc Mercier: Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls, I hail from WINDSOOOOOOOOOOR, CALIFORNIA! I weigh in tonight, at two hundred...and FORTY POUNDS...I am...SIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCC!!!!!!!! MERCIIIIIIIIERRRRRRR!!!!

Seth Ericson: I do like his style.

Sinc drops the mic and lets it hang. He then walks up to the post diagonal of him and raises two fists into the air following by a pounding of his chest and points to the audience once again. Chris Marks gives him a bit of a glare as he continues to egg on the crowd for more cheers. The lights return to normal. He then reverts to his respective place in the ring. The two men from California’s eyes meet until “Barroom Hero” by the Dropkick Murphys starts blaring.

David Zinkus: And their opponent, from Romford, Essex, England, weighing in at two hundred and twenty four pounds…the Bar Room Hero, WULF ERIKSSEN!!

Once the opening words of the song echo around the arena as the entranceway becomes illuminated in red and white light. As the music kicks in, Wulf enters the arena with a bottle of beer in his hand, escorted by Stacey-X. Wulf walks about the entranceway, drinking from the bottle whilst saluting the crowd, as Stacey eggs the crowd on, clapping her hands. He then downs the remainder of the bottle, before smashing it over his head. Following this, he sprints to the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope. He climbs one of the turnbuckles, and raises an arm in salute to the audience, as Stacey walks down to ringside. Wulf then turns to face his opponents, cracking his knuckles as he waits.

Triple Threat Match
Wulf Erikssen vs. Chris Marks vs. Sinc Mercier

DING DING DING

The two Californians hit a double clothesline on the Bar Room Hero. Once he gets up, Sinc Mercier plants him with a DDT, but Chris Marks then hits a German suplex on Sinc Mercier.

Seth Ericson: Shouldn’t turn your back to Chris Marks. He’s an opportunist to the tee.

Dick Morosi: You can say that again. And this time, Sinc isn’t turning his back to him and dropkick to his knees. Chris Marks is down.

Seth Ericson: You would think he would have learned how to take those seeing as his mentor is known as the Dropkick King.

Marks is down on the mat, but before Sinc Mercier can do anything about that, Wulf Erikssen is back and sending Mercier out of the ring to have Chris Marks to himself. Marks gets back up and is sent right back down after a beautiful bulldog. Wulf brings Marks to his feet again, sends him against the ropes. Once Marks rebounds back to Wulf, he is drilled to the mat with a thrusting spinebuster. Wulf Erikssen hooks the leg.

ONE!!



TWO!!




THR…NO!!

Dick Morosi: That’s the difficulty of these triple threat matches. Once you put one guy down, the other guy stops you from winning.

Sinc Mercier denies the pin with a quick stomp. Mericer lands a quick facebuster on Erikssen as Chris Marks rolls out of the ring to catch his breath. Erikssen gets back up and counters a spinning punch attempt with a Grendel Suplex. Wulf crawls for the pin attempt, but Marks drags him out of the ring by the foot.

Seth Ericson: What is Chris Marks doing here?

Dick Morosi: Chris Marks whips Wulf Erikssen into the barricade!

Marks slides back into the ring, only for Sinc Mercier to connect with his spinning punch. Mercier follows it up with a kneeling piledriver. Cover by Mercier!


ONE!!



TWO!!



THR…NO!!!

Wulf Erikssen is the one to break up the pin this time. Erikssen lifts up Mercier and brings him back down with a pendulum backbreaker. Marks gets back up only to be hit with a vicious headbutt. Mericer is back up and side shuffle kick, but Wulf dodges it and hits a headbutt on him as well. Wulf is about to pin Sinc again, but Marks is back up and hits a vicious kick to the midsection of Wulf Erikssen. Erikssen is bent over and Marks attempts to take advantage of this to hit one of his mentor’s finishers, the Dream Breaker.

Dick Morosi: Marks is going for the Dream Breaker. This could be the end.

Seth Ericson: Sinc is back up.

Sinc drills another dropkick to Marks’s knees, making him and Wulf fall to the mat. Marks gets back up, hits a kick to Sinc’s midsection, lifts him in the air.

Dick Morosi: X Marks the Spot? No wait, Sinc wiggled out!

Seth Ericson: Don’t turn around, Chris!

Dick Morosi: Sinctastic! Sinc Mercier hits his finisher on Chris Marks!

Seth Ericson: This one is probably…wait, WULF ERIKSSEN IS COVERING MARKS! Sinc Mercier doesn’t even see it yet!

ONE!!


TWO!!


Sinc finally sees what’s going on…


THREE!!

Sinc Mercier gets the stomp just a second too late.

DING DING DING

David Zinkus: Here is your winner, WULF ERIKSSEN!!

Dick Morosi: A BIG win for Wulf Erikssen here as he and Lenton look to make a statement as they try to secure a shot at the Turks!

Seth Ericson: A big win via stealing! Sinc was the one who had the match won!

Dick Morosi: Sorry Seth, that's how it goes in triple threats, you gotta be aware of your surroundings at all times! And either way, Wulf Erikssen is the one on top tonight! We'll see you in a bit!

Winner: Wulf Erikssen

The cameras cut to the backstage area where Edward Nair is walking down the hallway with a man holding a briefcase walking slowly behind him. The resemblance between the two men is a bit obvious, both having the same pointed noses, and dark eyes. As the two men turn the corner, they run into Tom Matheny.

Tom Matheny: Edward Nair? What are you doing here? I thought you were gone.

Edward Nair gives a scoff. The man standing behind him gives a similar scoff.

Edward Nair: Good to see you, Thomas. But if you must know, as my lawyer here, Stephen Nair, will be glad to point out for you, the paper work EXODUS Pro signed to get on to FX has made it very difficult to get rid of me. As it turns out, I’m still an executive liaison to this company. My set back with Nicholas Gray becoming the owner hasn’t changed that.

Tom Matheny: Stephen Nair? So your lawyer is your…

Stephen Nair: …son. My client is my father.

Tom Matheny: Okay then…

Edward Nair: I’m on a tight schedule, Mr. Matheny. I don’t have time to try to catch you up. We have some business to take care of. Follow me, Stephen.

Stephen Nair: Yes, sir.

We cut from this worry to the parking lot outside the RIMAC, finding Darrin Stearns and Jonathan Collins waiting. They look around and back to one another, shrugging.

Darrin Stearns: The show's started, so he should've been here by now.

Jonathan Collins: I know, I know, I texted him to let him know it'd look best if he was here on time, but he didn't reply.

Darrin Stearns: Well he needs to get here soon. We need to discuss this Stephen Nair situation...

As he finishes saying that, a horn honk makes them both turn their heads to the side, as a long stretch limo pulls up in front of them, passing them for a few moments before the rear door finally reaches them. They both stare at it in confusion as, from the driver's seat steps a woman in full circus girl attire, who walks to the rear of the limo, opening the door and removing a cargo bag, which she places on the pavement in front of Darrin and Jon before getting into the limo as it drives off. The two look down at the bag, but before they can register, another limo is pulling up.

Jonathan Collins/Darrin Stearns: What.

From the driver's seat of the limo steps a man in a bear suit. He waves to Jonathan and Darrin before walking around to the back of the limo, popping the trunk and removing another cargo bag, which he places next to the first one. He extends his hand to Darrin, who slowly takes it and shakes, and then repeating with Jon. He waves to them again before placing himself into the trunk, at which point the limo drives away. Jon and Darrin stare. They both turn their heads and look down where the other two limos came from, waiting for the one that would obviously be carrying their friend. Nothing comes.

Nicholas Gray: Man it took these a while to get here!

The two men jump and spin around, finding Nicholas Gray behind them, carrying a cup of delicious hot chocolate. He waves.

Nicholas Gray: Hey guys! You didn't have to wait on my bags for me.

Jonathan Collins: ...where have you been?

Nicholas Gray: What do you mean? I've been here since 5am, man. Been making sure everything's ready for the show, and overlooking them making my office.

Darrin Stearns: That's great and all, Nicholas, but why couldn't you reply to your phone?

Nicholas Gray: Oh, it's in my office.

Darrin Stearns: And you couldn't check it at any point today? Hell, where IS your office anyhow?

Gray looks behind him at the RIMAC, face scrunching up in confusion.

Nicholas Gray: ...good question.

Before either Jon or Darrin can question him on this, Gray steps past them, grabbing his bags and wheeling around to face them with a grin.

Nicholas Gray: Regardless! Come along, guys, it's time to go to work! Stupid people still want the company, we must take care of them!

Gray ushes the two off inside the RIMAC as we cut to commercial.

We come back from commercial, and Edward Nair storms through the backstage area, pissed off from what just happened earlier tonight. And standing in the hallway, for the second time tonight, is Adrien Cochrane.

Adrien Cochrane: Hey, Ed! So how did the big contract signing go?

Edward Nair keeps walking without saying a word.

Adrien Cochrane: So were you saying something about owning all of us now? Were you making threats about making me have to play curtain jerker for the rest of my career? Something about making me so miserable that I would come to you begging to get out?

Edward Nair: Shut up, Cochrane!

Adrien Cochrane: You don’t see what you did wrong, do you?

Nair stops for a second and turns to Adrien.

Edward Nair: What?

Adrien Cochrane: Look at what you’ve done, Ed. You’ve burned bridges left and right. You’ve pissed off almost everyone here. Did you expect to be some sort of karmic Houdini? What happened out there, you did to yourself.

Edward Nair: I’m not finished with this!

Adrien Cochrane: Well, Eddie…

Cochrane slams the double door of the RIMAC Arena, leaving Edward Nair locked out of the arena. The fans cheer.

Adrien Cochrane: Good-bye!

Cochrane dusts his hands off playfully as we cut back to Dick & Seth as we prepare for the Main Event.

Dick Morosi: I think Adrien Cochrane took out the trash for the night.

Seth Ericson: I was starting to like Nair! He was going to get me a correspondent job on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell!

Dick Morosi: That's synergy, folks. Next thing you know, I'm on Wilfred.

Seth Ericson: I love that show!

Dick Morosi: And I love pro wrestling! And we've got a huge main event that involves that and ladders! It's the Turks meeting Magnus Gunner and Kliff Ulysses and it's next!

Once more, "The Quiet Place" by In Flames starts to play, and the crowd starts to jeer as a clearly exhausted Magnus Gunner starts to come down the ramp again. He doesn't get far this time as in retribution for earlier, "The Running Free" by Coheed & Cambria starts to interrupt, leaving them to look uneasy at one another as they make their way into the ring, staring one another down, looking like they're ready to badmouth one another.

David Zinkus: Entering the ring for this Lethal Lottery final is team number one....it is the team of "The Ultimate Entertainer" Kliff Ulysses and..."The Loaded Pistol" MAGNUS GUNNER!

Their heated conversation comes to a halt as "Conquistador" by Thirty Seconds to Mars interrupts things. Sally Talfourd and Andreas Lasiewicz come down the ramp, the crowd excited to see this team one more time. Singing along at the appropriate times, the duo nod as they realize the large task ahead of them, leaving them to once more look at the challenge ahead of them. Nodding in confirmation to one another, the two make their way into the ring.

David Zinkus: And now entering the ring is team number two! They are Sally Talfourd and Andreas Lasiewicz...THE TURRRRRRRRRRRKS!

Lethal Lottery Finals: EXODUS Pro Tag Team Championship Match
Magnus Gunner & Kliff Ulysses vs. The Turks (Andreas Lasiewicz & Sally Talfourd)

Seth Ericson: Here we go, folks! Our first ever FX main event!

Gunner and Ulysses exchange a quick glance – and then promptly charge the opposition! Gunner and Andreas and Kliff and Sally pair off quickly, the competitors exchanging strikes to the roar of the crowd.

Dick Morosi: And we're off to a flying start!

The sadistic Magnus Gunner is the first to pick up a ladder on the floor. Hoisting it lengthwise, he turns to take it back into the ring, only for Sally Talford to run and baseball slide it right back into his face! Andreas takes advantage of the distraction, grabbing another ladder on the floor and slipping it into the squared circle.

Seth Ericson: And there's an example of how tag team prowess CAN work in this match. Andreas and Sally know each other well, and like each other. They've been planning strategy, no doubt, and if they can keep this a CONTROLLED brawl, I think they've got it made.

Andreas moved to set up the ladder in the middle of the ring, but Kliff heads over quickly to cut him off with a quick forearm to the head. Magnus Gunner, still rocked from the ladder driven into his face, looks up to find Sally flying at him off the apron. Ducking, Magnus evades the impact of the dropkick, allowing The Last Magician to splat on the concrete floor.

Gunner wastes no time following up, either. Grabbing hold of Sally's leg, he drags her over to the ladder, picking her leg up in the air and then DRIVING it down hard onto the steel ladder. Sally screams in agony, music to the sadistic Gunner's ears.

Dick Morosi: And here, counterpoint, is how Kliff and Magnus can win this match. If they make this two one on one matches, and one of them can incapacitate their opponent, this mismatched team of ex-friends could very realistically BE OUR WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.

Back in the squared circle, Kliff and Andreas continue trading blows, the Godfather scoring with a big kneelift and a forearm to the jaw before simply winging Ulysses into the standing ladder. It falls, as does Kliff, awkwardly to the canvas

With Ulysses down, the Pole moves to set the ladder back up. Stomping Ulysses in the head, Andreas quickly begins to ascend the ladder.

Seth Ericson: Andreas has the first opening of the match!

Rung by rung he goes, and for a moment, it seems that the simple move was enough.

There's one problem, though, and it's incoming as we speak.

JAVELIN LADDER FROM MAGNUS!

Catching Andreas in the jaw halfway up, the Turk falls awkwardly, landing on his side, unable to protect himself on the way down to a huge cry of shock from the fans.

Dick Morosi: Good LORD! Gunner's as good with a ladder as he is a chair!

Seth Ericson: That he is, and he's keeping himself and Kliff in this contest!

Gunner himself rolls back into the squared circle, looking to take advantage of the downed Turks. Sally is up a bit later, albeit gingerly, limping after Magnus after his attack on her leg. Gunner attempts to ascend the ladder, only getting a few steps up before Sally is on him, climbing up his body awkwardly, clinging like a Doberman.

Finding purchase on the ladder, she grabs his neck, using it as a fulcrum to take him off the ladder with a twisting neckbreaker, sending both competitors right back to the canvas, Almost immediately, Sally grabs at her ankle, having seemingly twisted it on the way down.

Dick Morosi: The Danger Zone from the Last Magician, but she seems to have picked up another leg injury! That ankle, and on the same leg as the knee Gunner was working over!

The South Korean works to try and test the leg, hobbling over to the ropes, pulling herself back up to her feet.

Well, she's on her feet until the resurgent Ulysses kicks it out from under her, prompting jeers from the crowd, and a shrug from the Humanoid Typhoon, who points up the ladder at the tag team straps.

Seth Ericson: Attaboy, Kliff! GO back to your roots!

Dick Morosi: The crowd's not happy with him, but he's right! The belts are on the line! It's no DQ, and Sally's the most agile competitor in the match! If she can't climb, that's a HUGE disadvantage for the Turks!

Ulysses grabs the ladder his partner javelined into the ring, setting it up in the corner. With Sally down and in pain, he clasps on a front facelock, attempting to suplex Sally back into the ladder. She blocks, though, going dead-weight to drop out of his grasp...and revealing her charging partner Andreas who DRILLS Ulysses in the face with a running leaping knee that drives him back into the ladder!

Seth Ericson: Peacemaker! Out of bloody NOWHERE from the Polish Spirit!

Dick Morosi: Sally and Andreas watch each other's back – while Kliff and Magnus are simply fighting to not lose! Big difference, but both approaches have proven somewhat effective so far in this contest!

Andreas grabs the ladder, tipping it over along with Kliff, so it lands on top of the former WEAPON. The Silver Eagle moves back to the initial ladder, straightening it out in the center of the ring. Sally Talfourd tenaciously limps over to the ladder atop Kliff, climbing on top of it to keep him pinned down as her partner begins to make the ascent for gold.

Seth Ericson: The Turks may have solved this thing! Sally has Kliff at bay! Magnus is still down, and Andreas is going up, up, up!

Rung by rung he climbs, until his fingers are pawing the gold.

And then, his fingers are moving in space back, back, and away from the titles, courtesy of Magnus Gunner lifting the ladder's opposite side up, tipping back...back...

In that moment, Andreas knows his landing will suck.

And so it comes to pass that the Turk clears the top rope, body splattering on the mats at ringside with an audible, sickening thud.

“HOLY SHIT!”
“HOLY SHIT!”
“HOLY SHIT!”

Dick Morosi: THE POLISH SPIRIT JUST GOT OBLITERATED! Gunner... I think Gunner might have pulled this off!

Sally Talfourd jumps up, well, hobbles more to the point, to try and take out the intruder, only for Magnus to drop down low, chopblocking her in the bad knee. Gunner quickly rolls her out of the ring, and removes the ladder from Kliff's body, reaching a hand down to his former friend.

Seth Ericson: No. No way. No chance in Hell...

Kliff warily accepts it, and the two men walk towards the ladder, each man climbing one side, the tag team title belts looming overhead, closer and closer by the moment.

Dick Morosi: They've got it! The Turks have been subjugated! Kliff and Magnus are literally seconds away from winning the tag team championships!

Magnus's hands touch the titles, and he smiles at Kliff, who also reaches for the gold.

Moments later, though, Gunner simply...drops, leaping back down to the floor, with a shrug up at his partner.

Seth Ericson: The...the Hell? Gunner's...he just walked away from the belts!

Dick Morosi: It doesn't matter, though! Kliff's up there! All he has to do is grab the belts, and...!

It happens fast, almost too fast for anyone to see what really happened, so let's break it down.

Sally Talfourd, hobbling all the way, managed to pick up a ladder from the floor. Much as Magnus Gunner had to her partner, she javelined the butt end of it into Gunner's back, sending Magnus forward.

Into the ladder.

And down came cradle, Typhoon and all.

Seth Ericson: Gunner ate the ladder, and Kliff just fell to the canvas! Gunner's just standing there, no, scratch that, he just left the damned ring!

Dick Morosi: Talfourd's up! She's got a bad wheel, but she's climbing in the ring, and trying to get that ladder set up! Andreas is down, Kliff is down, and Magnus has checked out of this contest! She's the only one left! It's all in her hands now!

Andreas begins to stir on the floor, as his partner sets the ladder back up. Hobbling on her bad wheel, she manages to get her good leg on the rung of the ladder, beginning to pull herself up the ladder, using her upper body strength.

Seth Ericson: Talfourd trying to will her way up the ladder! Gunner not lifting a finger! Kliff's moving, just a bit! Can he get there in time?

The Polish Spirit staggers over to the apron, clearly still dazed from his fall. Rolling in the ring, he manages to spot Kliff, sitting up, just as Sally goes painstakingly slowly, rung by rung. Dropping levels, Andreas joins his hands, SMASHING Ulysses in the face with a basement Polish Hammer. Both men lay motionless after the mighty blow, spent from their recent falls.

And with that time, it's enough for the Last Magician to pull off her greatest trick, and unhook EXODUS' richest tag team price.

DING
DING
DING!

Dick Morosi: I...the Turks are the champions, but...

Seth Ericson: I guess teamwork wins the day after all!

David Zinkus: Your winners of this contest, and NEW EXODUS PRO WRESTLING WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...THE TURKS!

Dick Morosi: The Turks did it, but I can't even...Gunner and Kliff had this won! Literally had it won, and the insane Magnus Gunner literally cost himself the tag titles!

Seth Ericson: More importantly to Gunner, I'm sure, he cost Kliff Ulysses the tag team titles.

Sally falls off the ladder, belts in her grasp. She hands one over to the prone Andreas, and both raise their belts triumphantly in their hands. Given the nature of EXODUS Pro, neither complains too loudly about the circumstances that have brought them here, to the pinnacle of tag team wrestling.

As they celebrate, though, the Loaded Pistol stalks the ringside area, eyes darting from the Turks to Kliff Ulysses to the group of G&M shirted fans sitting high up in the rafters.

Winners and NEW EXODUS Pro Tag Team Champions: The Turks (Sally Talfourd & Andreas Lasiewicz)

The Turks are many things: EXODUS Pro Champions, talented wrestlers, and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

“Stupid” is not among those descriptions, and so with Magnus Gunner grabbing hold of a steel chair, the pair jump down from the ladder to continue their celebration in a location without a stark raving madman about to be swinging a steel chair

Dick Morosi: The Turks are leaving Kliff Ulysses to the wolves here!

Seth Ericson: So? I don't think Andreas has ever claimed he's a nice guy. He defended EXODUS from LEGION. He's done his part. This is a personal rivalry.

Dick Morosi: I know, but still! Compassion! Something like that!

Seth Ericson: They just went through A LADDER MATCH! Would YOU want to fight Magnus Gunner after a ladder match if he was armed? No? Rest my case!

Indeed, Sally and Andreas wear the wounds of war as they make their way out of the ring gingerly, their championships draped over their shoulders. They lean on one another for support, Andreas walking with a bit of a limp courtesy of Gunner's focused leg assault, Talfourd's head still ringing from one too many ladder shots.

Meanwhile, Gunner rolls inside the ring with a crooked scum-ridden smirk beneath trails of sweat as he hoists his steel equalizer aloft in dominance -like an idol to a forgotten god. He observes manically, the acute discomfort of Kliff Ulysses, who has barely made it to a firm stand, leaning heavily into the top rope. Ulysses staggers from the ropes, prompting the insane-chair wielding maniac- into action.

*CRACK!*

Dick Morosi: Good God!

The chair finds a home, a landing pad across the side of Kliff's left knee, immediately resulting in him collapsing upon it like a knight before a royal king. With what remains of his energy, with what's last of a second wind powering through his veins, Ulysses wobbles back up, angering the deliver of the sadistic chairshot, further progressing the Michigander's current state of madness. With more desperation becoming apparent to the Ultimate Entertainer, it only results in a grave mistake as he tries for a strike to protect himself, to fend off his assailant, only to miss pathetically, drawing pity induced furrowing of brows from the Loaded Pistol. Gunner quickly strafes around his wobbly brother, leaving the weakened, battered and defenseless Ulysses to only catch air, and in lew of his back being exposed and vulnerable...

*CRACK!*

A sickening chair shot is delivered with deadly precision, with malevolence and enmity across the bareback of the Kliff Ulysses, a howling scream of pain and agony being expelled from his aching lungs, his body lowering it's standards to resemble that of a punching bag. With what force exerted to the back of him, he is reduced to a knee- Gunner towering over him with a sadistic glow as he callously raises the chair overhead. With a politician-grade smirk, he swings the chair down with tremendous vigor, smashing the aforementioned weapon of mass destruction across the Kliff's spine once again, leaving him sprawling and prone in a heap of sweat, the EXODUS original full tilt in cries of anguish and pain, music to the ears of the psychotic man who brings the chair to his side and marvels at the destruction he has caused.

Seth Ericson: Gunner's...I'd say off the deep end, but WHEN has he ever NOT been off the deep end? He's been playing with a forty-five card deck since day one in EXODUS!

Stepping over the downed body of Kliff, Magnus suddenly pivoted on his heel, and SLAMMED the chair right into the small of Ulysses' back one more time, cackling insanely as Kliff's cries vanish, the Ultimate Entertainer silenced by the agony he's enduring, his face hidden in the canvas as he succumbs to the trauma.

Dick Morosi: Another shot! This is inhuman! For the love of God, someone get out here!

Seth Ericson: Who's crazy enough to confront an ARMED Magnus Gunner? The man does more damage with a chair than anyone I've seen in this sport!

There is, it seems, only one. His name is Ryuji Kamigawa, and he emerges from behind the curtain. His eyes immediately lock onto Gunner, and the roar of the crowd alerts Magnus that an unexpected interloper is in fact here to interrupt his fun.

Dick Morosi: This...these two guys are practically built for violence, aren't they?

Seth Ericson: A little bit. Kamigawa's made no bones about how upset he is with his current slump – which continued tonight – and I think he's out here to take it out on Magnus Gunner!

Gunner steps back, brandishing the chair overhead as Kamigawa slides in under the bottom rope. Between the two men is the twitching form of Kliff Ulysses, the line in the sand preventing all out war from breaking out. Ryuji slowly climbs to his feet, standing tall and menacingly, glaring at Magnus who stands mesmerized with chair in hand, the former beginning to ball his fists before holding them out in front of him. Another cheer of support uproars through the RIMAC as the fans watch, proudly of the hired gun whom seems to finally be choosing a side -finally taking a stand against men like Magnus Gunner who want nothing more than to bring misery to those around him.

Dick Morosi: This...the crowd's gonna come unglued, any minute now!

The group of fans bearing the G&M logo, at the top of the arena, rise to their feet in anticipation of what will inevitably be an historic, pulse-pounding collision. Magnus smiles maniacally, sort of, raising a hand to acknowledge them, then turning to Ryuji.

Magnus Gunner: I knew you'd come, Kamigawa. Of course I knew. I know everything. I'm omniscient. I see every point of view. I know your move, before you do, and I know the truth my friend. And yes, I've heard the rumors, Ryuji. You're no God. You're an ex-yakuza. A former gangster and an ex-con back home, and you dare to juxtapose ME? You dare compare yourself to MAGNUS CHRISTUM FUROR?!

A small handful of gasps come up from ringside fans, as Dick and Seth exchange looks at ringside.

Magnus Gunner: You can pretend to be whatever you want, but the one thing that you cannot pretend to be is better than ME. You are beneath me? A whore, prostituting himself to the highest bidder. You serve no purpose in the grand scheme of life. You're a spoke, among many spokes on the wheel. You blend in with this wayward society. You fit in wit the rest of the masqueraders, pretending to care about what these people thing. And now you're out here, pretending to care about this man's wellbeing! HE IS A LIAR! HE IS A FRAUD? And you stand before ME, the ANOMALY, raising your fists!? The audacity! But alas, I knew you would come here Ryuji. I knew you would stand before me, it is your destiny. And where you come from, you believe in such concepts. In fact, you have a tradition, right? When you're called out, you take off your top and show your tattoos to the world. The source of your pride, right? Or in your case, a reminder of a life you want to forget, a life that you cannot HIDE FROM ME!

The chair dangled from Magnus' right hand, Ryuji not flinching in wake of the madman's sermon.

It was the LEFT that reached up and paintbrushed the Man in White, prompting “Ooohs” from the crowd in attendance.

Magnus Gunner: I command you to remove your mask Kamigawa! Show the world your TRUE face... show the world your shame, Ryuji!

Kamigawa's glare becomes more intense as he steps forward, Gunner's grip on the chair becoming tighter as he readies for a mighty swing, should the Man in White take one more step forward.

Ryuji Kamigawa: I am ashamed of NOTHING!. You wish to challenge me with the rites I once lived by. So be it, but know that henceforth, nothing will ever be the same.

On his knees, Kliff Ulysses struggled to come to the aid of the man who had come to his own aid, as Kamigawa discarded the microphone over his shoulder. Large fingers worked quickly to unbutton the tuxedo jacket and whip it off, the vest and shirt beneath soon following, uncovering a brilliant tapestry of tattoos.

Seth Ericson: I'll...be damned. Gunner was right.

Dick Morosi: How can you tell?

Seth Ericson: Look at his back, man! Have you never seen yakuza tats before?

Indeed, Ryuji Kamigawa's back is inked with the image of two entwined Eastern dragons, one black, the other silver.

It's not that tattoo work, done over a decade ago, that truly matters, though.

Dick Morosi: Wait a minute...wait a goddamned minute, get a shot of his front, camerapeople!

It is Kliff Ulysses, looking at Kamigawa, who sees it first – and then he looks at the demonic Magnus Gunner's t-shirt, and the “G&M” logo imprinted upon it.

By the time Kliff whirls back to face Kamigawa, it's entirely too late, the mercenary already having driven a size thirteen boot into the midsection of the already wounded Humanoid Typhoon.

Seth Ericson: He's...he's got that logo tattooed on his chest!

As Ulysses falls back to his knees, there's finally a good shot of the beastly ogre tattooed over much of Kamigawa's torso. Around its wrists are manacles with short lengths of broken chain.

Most importantly, though, etched into the ogre's chest are the three symbols now being chanted from the rafters by Magnus Gunner's group of fans: G&M.

Dick Morosi: Kamigawa's part of this! But wait, earlier tonight...?

Seth Ericson: A ruse! How long do you think Kamigawa's had that logo tattooed on his chest? It could be weeks! Months!

Kamigawa wastes no time, setting Ulysses up in powerbomb position. Hoisting Kliff up, crucifix style, he backs up into a corner, poised to charge for the opposite corner.

Dick Morosi: Kamigawa no Kachi, damnit! I didn't—I didn't see this coming! Kamigawa's never been the most gentile sort of person, but not this! Not Magnus Gunner! LEGION I understood! He was getting paid, but why Gunner?

Ryuji charges, tossing Kliff Ulysses forward earlier than he normally would for his crucifix bucklebomb. The reason why is soon apparent: a looming Magnus Gunner, swinging his beloved steel chair in a downward arc.

*CRACK!*

The sound echoes throughout the RIMAC as the chair impacts with the back of Kliff Ulysses' head. Moments later, his body hits the canvas, insult to injury as the EXODUS faithful begin to boo, drowning out the now-barely audible screams from the rafters.

Seth Ericson: Good LORD! Kamigawa and Gunner just...they ASSASSINATED him! Magnus Gunner has destroyed his former best friend for the second time in an EXODUS Pro ring, and for what? What the Hell's going on with these two guys, Dick?

Dick Morosi: I get the feeling that there's a lot more than meets the eye here, Seth. And I don't like it. Not one little bit.

That feeling would get no better for Dick Morosi. Not when a cackling Magnus Gunner dropped to his knees, extending his arms (and the killing steel chair) out in his infamous crucifix pose. Not when Ryuji Kamigawa stood behind Magnus, arms folded low over his sternum, low enough that the “G&M” carved into his flesh with ink and needles was visible.

And certainly not when the G&M shirted fans found a new voice and roared above even the most passionate dissenters in the RIMAC Arena, screaming three words at the top of their lungs.

“GODS AND MONSTERS!”

*CLAP-CLAP- CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!*

“GODS AND MONSTERS!”

CLAP-CLAP- CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!*

“GODS AND MONSTERS!”

*CLAP-CLAP - CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!*


The Turks were the EXODUS Pro World Tag Team Champions. But even now, on the heels of LEGION's death from the company's landscape, a new threat seemed to have arisen from its ashes.

One of many questions left was simple: would more besides Kliff Ulysses be burned by Gunner and Kamigawa's flames of vengeance? This was the coming storm Magnus Gunner had predicted, and a storm that had immediately changed the landscape in EXODUS -just as predicted by the Loaded Pistol. And like Ryuji Kamigawa, we all understood... understood that for EXODUS, it's darkest hour had not yet ended. As the two continue to posture after their deed to Kliff, we fade to copyright!

We come back from commercial with a graphic for next week's main event. It's a triple threat main event for the #1 contendership to the World Title...Adrien Cochrane meets Blake Jones and Zero McHannon!

Dick Morosi: That's a huge main event for our next show in two weeks! Adrien Cochrane, Blake Jones, and Zero McHannon will be going up for the right to face World Champion Heather Halliwell at our next event, No Church In the Wild, live on iPPV on September 22nd!

Seth Ericson: Those are three of the hottest guys in EXODUS right now, Dick. Cochrane is undefeated in singles competition, Blake has been on fire since getting named captain of the former Seikigun, and Zero McHannon is easily one of the top guys in the company as we speak.

Dick Morosi: We'll see that match in two weeks, but let's go to the ring now for a semifinal match in the Lethal Lottery! The Young Guns will be going up against Kliff Ulysses and Magnus Gunner...next!

"Bones" by Young Guns starts to play once more and the crowd gives another excited cheer for the team of Blake Jones and Sylar Drake. They make their way out to the ring without their jackets this time, knowing they've got a lot to do and a tall order in this match. Getting to their corner, Jones and Drake take a deep breath and start talking strategy.

David Zinkus: This is a semifinal match in the Lethal Lottery tournament! Entering the ring is team number one...Blake Jones & Sylar Drake...THE YOUNG GUNS!

The crowd cheers for them both and it instantly gets louder as "The Running Free" by Coheed & Cambria starts. Suddenly, Kliff Ulysses bursts out from the back to huge cheers, bringing the crowd to its feet one more time. Walking down the ramp, his music is suddenly interrupted by "The Quiet Place" by In Flames. Kliff turns around, almost annoyed by the fact he was interrupted by his own partner, and Magnus Gunner walks down to the ring with a purpose, bumping into Kliff and not caring as he marches down to the ring to stare down both Jones & Drake while he waits for Kliff to get to the ring and take his spot in the corner.

Semi Final Match
The Young Guns (Blake Jones & Sylar Drake) vs. Kliff Ulysses & Magnus Gunner


Jones and Ulysses give each other a cordial handshake in the middle of the ring as the bell sounds to begin the match.

DING DING DING!!

Seth Ericson: And now we have our semi-finalists. Quite shaking hands and let’s go, fellas!

Dick Morosi: Jones starts off with a spinning elbow on Kliff. Kliff gets back up only to find himself on the receiving end of a dropkick from Blake Jones.

Seth Ericson: Kliff does a roll to get back up a bit quicker. Veteran move there. Gunner slaps Kliff on the back as Kliff bounces off to throw his forearm into the chest of Blake Jones. Gunner is the legal man now, boys!

Magnus Gunner enters the ring without Jones noticing. Blake Jones grabs Kliff to go for either a suplex or a DDT, but he is quickly German Suplexed by Gunner. Gunner throws a few stomps on the downed Blake Jones before backing up and hitting a leg drop on the young star. Gunner gives a menacing look to Sylar Drake on the apron as the fans start to stir a bit as the one non-fan favorite takes control of the ring. Gunner lands a second big leg drop before turning Jones over for a cover.


ONE!!




TWO!!!



THR…NO!!

Jones is able to get his shoulder up off the mat.

Dick Morosi: Near fall by Magnus Gunner.

Seth Ericson: Put him against anyone not named Fiona Rourke and this man is hard to beat.

Blake Jones attempts to crawl to his corner but Gunner drags him into his own corner by the foot. Tag to Kliff Ulysses. Kliff locks Jones into a sleeper hold on the mat. Blake rolls over, getting on the top of Kliff and throws another elbow. Kliff releases the hold after the elbow connects. Jones makes a diving tag afterwards and here comes Sylar Drake!

Dick Morosi: The fans are going nuts as the San Diego Bay Champion makes his first appearance in the match.

Sylar throws a swift kick to the midsection of Kliff Ulysses. He follows up with a snapmare and another kick to the center of his back. The fans continue cheering for the Young Guns. Drake bounces off the ropes, knocking Gunner down off the apron, and hits a hurricanrana on a rising Kliff Ulysses. He hooks the legs to get a pin attempt out of the move.

ONE!!




TWO!!!



THR…NO!!

Kliff breaks out of the pin attempt. Sylar tries the same move, but Kliff sidesteps and lands a huge neckbreaker on Sylar Drake. Kliff’s turn for a pin attempt.

ONE!!



TWO!!!




THR…NO!!

Dick Morosi: Near falls all over the place. This time Sylar gets out of it.

Seth Ericson: Talent is all over so it’s to be expected, Dick.

Dick Morosi:Sylar Drake is getting back to his feet and Kliff is back on his. Sylar tries a clothesline but Kliff ducks. Kliff tries a dropkick, but Sylar sidesteps. Sylar tags in Blake and now Kliff tags in Magnus. Magnus Gunner viciously tackles Blake Jones. Magnus locks in an armbar on Jones in the center of the ring. Jones is able to roll out of this one too. After bouncing off the ropes Blake Jones is able to hit his Fame Asser!

Seth Ericson: That had to hurt. Cover by Blake Jones!

ONE!!



TWO!!!




THR…NO!!

Dick Morosi: Jones isn’t discourage by the kickout and leaps on the ropes to hit his signature Lionsault.

Seth Ericson: Jones is going to try another cover. Could this do it?

ONE!!


TWO!!!








Could Jones do it again?


THR…NO!!!

Dick Morosi: Magnus Gunner is able to get up once more. Blake Jones is wondering how he can put away Gunner.

Seth Ericson: He’s looking at the top rope…

Dick Morosi: He’s climbing. He’s LEAPING!! The EQUALIZER!!

Seth Ericson: GUNNER HAS HIS KNEES UP! OUCH!!

Blake Jones rolls in pain from Gunner getting his knees up to counter his finisher.

Seth Ericson: Gunner is crawling to his corner. He got the tag to Kliff! Jones is trying to get up but Ulysses looks like he’s got him right where he wants him. This doesn’t look good for the Seikigun Hero…

Dick Morosi: A Farewell to Kings! Kliff got his TKO variant! This could be over.

ONE!!




TWO!!

Sylar Drake is sliding in the ring…


THREE!!!

…but he is just a second too late. Drake pats Kliff on the back as the referee raises his arm in victory and tends to his partner.

Dick Morosi: This unlikely duo is heading to the finals!

Seth Ericson: People forget that before they exploded into this hatred, the two of them were former friends and partners, but they're two of the best in EX-Pro history! Now it's them against The Turks in the finals!

Dick Morosi: The Turks and the team of Gunner and Ulysses are going to square off in our main event, but we'll see Johnny Cannon against the debuting Sinc Mercier after this commercial break!

Winners: Kliff Ulysses & Magnus Gunner

The cameras cut backstage, where the "Loaded Pistol" Magnus Gunner immediately steps into the feed. Wearing a pair of denim jeans, combat boots, and a "Screaming Trees" t-shirt, the Michigander saunters down the hall, hitting his steel chair across the ground repeatedly to send onlookers in retreat. A twisted smirk comes across his visage as he feasts his eyes on Shinji Uchikawa, who seems to be walking aimlessly, possibly waiting for Ryuji Kamigiwa. Ever the trouble maker, always one to make his presence felt, Gunner begins to follow him.

Just as he made to pursue Shinji, his way is suddenly blocked by Kamigawa himself. Mildly curious, Ryuji steps in front of his protégé, as the demented grin on Gunner's face changes to one of disdain and overt hostility.

Ryuji Kamigawa: Going somewhere, Magnus? I couldn't help but notice you were approaching Tsukai no Kami -- MY Messenger. Surely you must be lost, for one should know never to trifle with one of my associates.

Gunner furrows an eyebrow in bewilderment, lifting his chair over his shoulder in a fashion that it comes close to Ryuji's face. However the Man in White doesn't flinch, merely standing his ground and staring into the cold-blooded pupils of the man on the other end of the conversation.

Magnus Gunner: You're going to have to be more specific Kamigawa, for I don't exactly know who this Kami character is. From the way he's dressed I assumed he was just another one of these mongoloids who's taking himself a little too seriously.

Ryuji frowns in wake of the Loaded Pistol's disrespect, but manages to keep his composure.

Ryuji Kamigawa: He is the "Messenger of GOD", and as such, he is a man far outside of your chosen sphere on this planet.

Magnus scoffed, looking past Kamigawa's large frame to the character he was shielding, before turning his attention back to the well-dressed man standing in front of him.

Magnus Gunner: Another one who suffers from the GOD complex I see. You are no GOD Kamigawa, certainly not from your track record here, certainly not how you've flamed out in such fantastic fashion against these mere mortals and homo-sapiens. What you are my misguided friend, is a lost man, and a perpetrator of truth, a profiteer of falsehood. You're an adulterer of this company. The only thing GOD-like, are the acts that I perform, as I smite down people like you... when I tear away your flesh masks, destroy your facades... vanquish the unbelievable, the intangible, the impossible... and deliver you into the lake of fire... but ironically enough Kamigawa, I'm not GOD either, nor am I the devil that people have made me out to be. Instead of a lake of fire, I have THIS. For people like you THIS is purgatory. This is my pitchfork.

Gunner pulls the chair down from his shoulder, caressing it with his free hand, a twinkle of malice and twisted look of deep rooted satisfaction and fascination etched on his mug as he tries to intimidate the Kamigawa. Once again, Ryuji shows no fear or trepidation of the Loaded Pistol, or his iconic weapon.

Ryuji Kamigawa: Tough words from a man I defeated, Gunner. My record over the past month may not inspire fear -- but two losses matter, Halliwell and Rourke. I was not pinned in the tag match, nor made to surrender in War Games. And, should my memory inspire, you lost to both Heather and Fiona as well. Only difference is that you also failed to defeat me.

Gunner stares blankly into Kamigawa's eyes, before nodding and then laughing in his usual dementia inspired fashion.

Magnus Gunner: Quite to the contrary my misinformed friend, you didn't BEAT Magnus Gunner. Though the man you defeated resembled the flesh and bones that stands before you, what you vanquished was an imperfect form that could never resemble the monster that currently inhabits this vessel. No Ryuji, I didn't LOSE to Kliff Ulysses. Once again, like those who have preceded you, and many more that will come after, you are ignorant, and unable to make sense of situations in the grand scheme of things. While my brother may have gotten the DQ decision at ENDGAME, it was ME, Magnus Gunner, who left standing on his two feet. That's because our battle, has NOTHING to do with wins, and losses, and bragging rights. What we're competing for, is something INTANGIBLE, something ABSTRACT, a concept you can't grasp, or put around your waist. It's the same thing that transpired between Fiona and I. Though on the surface, in your ignorance, you might deem my failure to defeat her for the World Title my greatest showing of futility, it was actually my greatest success!

Ryuji is now the one to hold the look of confusion.

Magnus Gunner: You see, I'm not defined by these trophies, these championships. I've been a "champion" in my career. It doesn't motivate me to do what I do Ryuji. I could win this tournament title with Ulysses, and then just as quickly as I had my arm raised in victory, I could throw those belts in a dumpster fire. No. I have a duty to the people of EXODUS, who cannot think for themselves, and have been conditioned to think in a desired manner. Though they may deem my methods heinous, and though the may view me as a villain, I'm the only hero they've ever known. With the intellectual prowess I posses, being the master of my mind and the man that can infiltrate the mind of those around me to unlock their hidden secrets, and remove the disguises of these masqueraders, the only thing that matters to me is the truth. My burden, my albatross, is to show the world, the REAL, TRUE versions of people. And I did that to Fiona. I revealed her to be a selfish, heartless, malevolent witch. I showed the world she could care less about these PEOPLE, that her sycophancy was an elaborate scheme, and a ruse, to get them to worship her. Despite popular belief from the unintelligent, and undeveloped minds, I DEFEATED Fiona Rourke, while you on the other hand, failed miserably, just as you did twice against Heather Halliwell, just as you did at ENDGAME when you failed the LEGION. You once were a formidable opponent Kamigawa, you were once feared, you were a walking wrecking ball of destruction, but now all you have is your money, to wipe off your tears, but it can't wipe away your shame!

Gunner tugs at Ryuji's suit-jacket with his chair, visibly aggravating the Japanese superstar. Kamigawa slaps the chair away, prompting Gunner to step forward and two immediately become embroiled in a chilling stare-down.

Ryuji Kamigawa: You know, once upon a time, I thought you understood the way this place worked. I thought you...

Uchikawa looks on, torn between fight and flight, eyes flitting about as if to find security to break up what seems to be inevitable.

Ryuji Kamigawa: But...no. Alas, you are simply insane. Delusional. Out of your mind. People such as yourself may feign genius -- the line between genius and insanity is razor thin, but your status has been laid bare. You have, I must admit, taught me much in spite of yourself. Much of what you say about EXODUS Pro Wrestling is true. Your insane ramblings bear kernels of truth. Accidentally, of course. You are the crazy man who sees with clear eyes for moments of lucidity -- and spends the rest of his time derangedly seeking validation for his existence. You are the drunk at Dekedan that I put down every night of my life for three years -- and if you EVER touch my tuxedo again, Loaded Pistol, I will strike you down where you stand because this article of clothing is worth five times more than your meaningless existence.

Gunner's twisted smile disappears; he now wears the face of a man who is in a completely volatile stare right now, as his lips are tight and trembling from anger, his nose flaring instinctively, jaw clenching with an animalistic vehemence in utter repulsion to the Man in White. Kamigawa doesn't make a move, but instead continues to glare at the Michigander, nearly shaking from indignation. Gunner's hand clenches tightly around one of the chair legs, as a physical altercation appears inevitable between the two combustible elements. With his voice a little more emotional, a little more insane, the eloquent madman addresses the apparent challenge.

Magnus Gunner: If you wish to have your funeral, it can be arranged Kamigawa, as early as tonight even, should you not be paid off to leave poor Adrien Cochrane to the fend for himself like the money hungry mongrel that you are. Nevertheless, I'm glad, enraptured even, that you know how dangerous, and intimidating I am with THIS chair. But I caution you, and warn you, not to think of the chair. Just think about me, the man who swings it, the man who laughs as it cracks your skull, and drinks your tears and revels in your anguish as it leaves you incapacitated... but alas, I don't have the time to talk any longer, it's nearly recess, and there's only a few teams ready to play a deadly game...

Gunner brushes past Ryuji, making sure to bump him slightly on the shoulder, before he can completely walk away however, Kamigawa grabs him by the arm, prompting Magnus to promptly, and sharply turn. Another stare down ensues, as Kamigawa stares coldly into the Loaded Pistol's eyes.

Ryuji Kamigawa: I look forward to seeing you on the playground then.

And with that he releases the twisted, chair-swinging madman Gunner smirking slightly as he heads down the hallway. With that, we cut back to Dick & Seth.

Seth Ericson: Is it just me, or is Magnus Gunner out of his damn mind?

Dick Morosi: I can't really argue with that, but I also can't argue with how great this final first round match is. With the process of elimination, we're looking at Kliff Ulysses and Magnus Gunner meeting Zero McHannon and the returning to EXODUS Pro Christian Kane! Let's go to ringside!



The guitars and drums of the timeless Bon Jovi classic kick in throughout the arena as Christian Kane makes his way through the curtain and onto the stage. Pink and gold lights focus on the Canadian Sensation and flash rapidly, drawing attention to him as the lights quickly begin to illuminate his silhouette.

David Zinkus: Currently in the ring, team number one...the team of Steve Lenton and Wulf Erikssen! Now coming down the aisle, from team number two...he is THE HANDSOME DRIFTER...CHRISTIAN KANE!

With a smirk Kane instantly proceeds to strut down the ramp as he slicks back his hair. He stops at ringside, attracting attention his 'FUCK YOUR DOLPHIN' t-shirt with a grin before smirking and pushing the camera to the side. The grin turns into a disgusted scowl as the fans in the RIMAC arena let Kane know exactly what they think of him as the music continues to play before the song is replaced by..."Nobody Likes Me" by Deuce! Zero McHannon slowly starts making his way out, getting down to meet Kane as he nods, agreeing that these two will do just fine as a team. The two slowly start to make their way into the ring as they both keep a sharp eye on their opponents while doing so. Suddenly, as they get into the ring...

The arena goes dark and the crowd livens up. Smoke slowly begins to billow from the stage as the music picks up. The guitar riff cuts through the air as the drums kick in.

All non-believers stand aside in fear
A new day's marching through the door
How could you ever think you'd make it here?
Did it bleed? Was it sore?
Through the struggles you've endured.

A spotlight hits the center of the ring, slowly making its way down the aisle to the stage.

You've come so far from innocence
Provided all the consequence
Only what does it matter now?

Kliff Ulysses explodes from the curtain at the chorus, greeting the audience with open arms to raucous cheer and applause.

Cause you're going home
You're running free
As only you would be if you never owed them anything

He cheers out to the fans. Going down the way touching them, high fiving them, and even hugging one as he triumphantly makes his way down.

And now you've found your way out
In the trust you've seen your path on home

Ulysses rounds the corner to the right, continuing his way of engaging any fan available as he takes his long path to the opposite side of the ring.

Spend your time well before you go
Here in hell

Kliff leaps up onto the apron, ascending to the top turnbuckle and looking out to the fans with that memorable grin on his face as he rolled back over into the ring, leaning back into the turnbuckle waiting anxiously for...

A brief flash of silence passes through the arena as the stage is shined on by red light, the house lights dimming and filling the arena with darkness. The crimson hues float over the entryway and ramp, absorbed by the somewhat blank canvas of the squared circle. Suddenly the tranquil and quiet ambiance in the arena is poisoned by the sound of "The Quiet Place" by In Flames which rumbles onto the P.A. system. The aforementioned arena is quickly filled with boos and waves of hatred filled jeers as the curtains begin to sway ever so slightly; all eyes feast themselves upon the said commotion at the entryway, followed by a sudden increase in the crowd's negative uproar which signals the emergence of the Loaded Pistol.

David Zinkus: Fighting out of Detroit Michigan, he stands at six foot-four inches tall, and weighs in tonight at two-hundred and forty pounds... he is "The Loaded Pistol" MAGNUS GUNNER!




As his name echoes through the venue, the velvet curtains are ruffled from their suspension with the brushing of white hockey-tape covered hands. Magnus is revealed to the teaming masses of humanity with a pair of black knee pads and boots, along with a pair of denim shorts and a Stone Temple Pilots T-shirt, half soaked with water that drips from his jet black locks. Gunner stands still and tall at the apex of the ramp, his face black, his wavy hair covering his face as his head hangs askew whilst he poses in the crucifix. Magnus begins to march down the aisle, removing his shirt and carelessly tossing it to the floor in the process as he proceeds to walk with a slow, methodical, fatigued-appearing amble, with his shoulders relaxed and arms dangling loosely, his weight shifting from foot to foot to cause him to somewhat sway - idiosyncrasies that go unmatched yet unnoticed to the untrained eye.

"Judge me now
Used to be afraid to let it show, bow down
A king in my own mind
Everything's in place so much brighter from today"

Gunner knees up onto the apron, slowly pulling himself up with the aid of the ropes. He turns to look at the camera, his eyes staring directly into the lens which captures his smoldering soul, and then into the outskirts of the arena, the jeers and boos of the patrons merely deflecting off of his aura. He slowly marches along the apron before climbing the turnbuckle. His head is lowered, as his fists are planted into the top padding; as he sits on his perch a top the ring he takes a deep breath, thought after thought rushing to the surface of his cerebral, twisted, demented thoughts and plans he intends to carry out to torment his adversary.



Magnus climbs down from the corner and drops down into the ring, his feet landing on the canvas with a slight thud. He slowly backs into the corner and crouches slightly, his cold-blooded eyes unblinking as his theme fades away.

First Round Match
Zero McHannon & Christian Kane vs. Magnus Gunner & Kliff Ulysses

Zero and, after some staring at Kliff, Magnus both step into the ring to start things off. The two men step up to one another, staring the other down. Zero, in his infinite cockiness, shoves Gunner. Gunner looks at him, looks at his chest where he was shoved, and then slammed an elbow into Zero's head. Zero takes a step back, blinks, and steps back up to him and elbows him back.

Magnus responds eloquently with another elbow.

Zero queries him on his response with an elbow.

Magnus theorizes on the query with an elbow applied to the face.

Zero elbows his theory, and his face, at the same time.

Magnus just elbows him for it.

Zero gives him another elbow, shouting at him "is that all you got?!"

Magnus responds by rapidly hitting Zero with both elbows, sending him stepping back. Magnus steps to him to continue, only for Zero to grab him by the back of the head with one hand and repeatedly slam his elbow into his face, letting go and spinning around, hitting him with a Rolling Elbow, sending Magnus to the mat! Zero wastes no time, hitting the ropes and upon coming back, slamming Magnus' head into Zero's knee!

Dick Morosi: Zero McHannon off to a hot start against the Loaded Pistol! Cover!

Seth Ericson: Only 1 though. They're both scrambling to be the first on their feet, Magnus is up and he hits Zero with a-

Dick Morosi: LARIIIIAAATTTTTOOOOOOO!

Seth Ericson: ...calm down.

Zero quickly as he can gets back to his feet, only to get disoriented by a hard European uppercut, with Magnus dashing around the Chosen One, locking his arms around his waist and giving him a German. Magnus quickly picks him up and slams his elbow into his face once more. Zero stumbles, but responds with an elbow of his own, and they're off again, rapidly and repeatedly slamming elbows into each other's faces as the crowd goes wild. Finally, Magnus begins to slam his into Zero quickly not giving him a chance to respond, with the only thing Zero can do is shove Magnus back. Before Magnus can adjust, Zero nails him with a dropkick, sending Magnus back into his corner!

Dick Morosi: This is quickly getting really good, folks, Magnus and Zero just unloading on one another, and I don't think that'll change when Magnus gets back in an-wait!

Seth Ericson: Kliff Ulysses just tagged himself into the match! Magnus looked pissed!

Dick Morosi: Kliff has hopped the ropes into the ring, but is instead staring down an angry Loaded Pistol. This match might go off the rails here any moment, everyone...

Seth Ericson: But Zero from behind, small package!

1...

2......

KICK OUT!

They both spring to their feet, charging at one another and lariating each other. Kliff is the quickest to respond from that, quickly kicking Zero in the shin, another to the thigh, and a final one to his side, leaving Zero doubled over. Kliff grabs his arm and whips him into the ropes, with a big boot for Zero when he comes back around...but Zero ducks under! He twists around Kliff, gets his arm around his waist, and gives him an exploder suplex!

But Kliff is nowhere near the level needed to keep him down, so he's up at the same time as Zero, Zero charges, Kliff catches him and flips him onto his back, locking in an armbar! But Zero is quick to grab Kliff's leg and yank it out from under him, getting on top of him in a mount and getting ready to pound him down. But before he can start Kliff flips them both over, getting into the same mount Zero almost had him caught in, but Zero slides out as they're flipping as the crowd goes wild!

Dick Morosi: This is crazy! Two of EXODUS' best going at it move for move and no one has the clear advantage!

Seth Ericson: Zero's got Kliff's arm, he's whipping him into the ropes, but Kliff spins and it's Zero getting whipped!

Dick Morosi: Kliff catches him as he comes back, belly to belly, but as he's moving Zero just plants himself down!

Seth Ericson: Zero's clutching Kliff now, he's trying to force Kliff off his feet for that belly to belly but Kliff isn't letting either of them move! They're stalemated!

Dick Morosi: And they know it, they're staring at each other and...HEADBUTT TO ONE ANOTHER!

Seth Ericson: Oh god I think I got a concussion just from seeing that...

Dick Morosi: They're both stumbling back now, holding their heads, trying to shake the cobwebs out.

Seth Ericson: I don't think it's coming very easily, they're both looking at their partners.

Dick Morosi: And indeed they're moving to tag them in! Magnus Gunner vs. Christian Kane, this'll be amazing!

…When all the sudden before either can tag their partners in, the lights go out inside of the RIMAC Arena, the crowd suddenly jumping in anticipation and the cheers beginning to grow louder as the lights continue to be out, a certain amount of confusion inside of the ring.

Seth Ericson: Um, guys? Anybody wanna tell me WHY we didn’t pay the light bill on our debut show on FX?

Dick Morosi: The lights have gone out here at RIMAC and we have no idea what is goin- wait a minute…do you hear that?

A few more seconds pass and the lights are still out of action inside the arena, causing more confusion amidst the competitors in the ring as camera lights flash, some people even bringing out cell phones to see if the lighting of it will give them enough clue as to what is going on. The flashes from around ringside can catch Christian Kane glancing around, leaning near the ropes and wondering what is going on before the lights gradually turn back on, the entire ring being clear outside of Christian Kane…

…And one other man.

Dick Morosi: WAIT A MINUTE!

Seth Ericson: No way…

Standing there in a pair of denim blue jeans, a pink “Christian Kane is Not a Jigglypuff” t-shirt, the bearded men with wavy dark brown hair has his fists clenched, brown eyes narrowed and the cameras can definitely see the goosebumps emerging from him as the crowd inside of the RIMAC Arena absolutely erupts as they finally realize who it is!

Dick Morosi: IT’S CHRIS STRIKE!!!!

Confused by the reaction from the crowd, Christian Kane eventually turns around and as he sees exactly what is currently in front of him, he freezes on the spot, his face going pale as the crowd’s reaction is at a damn fever pitch. Kane stands rooted to his spot for a few seconds, slowly beginning to regain some color in his skin, but shaking his head vicariously, uttering curses that aren’t exactly audible to the viewing audience as the man across from him finally manages a grin before replying with something of his own in an entirely different language…

And a rather new octane is reached as Strike and Kane immediately take a step forward and begin trading punches in the center of the ring, both men refusing to give an inch to one another before Strike begins to gain the advantage, backing Christian Kane into the ropes before taking a few steps back and hitting Kane with a massive, stiff lariat in which the momentum is plenty to take both himself and the Handsome Drifter over the ropes and to the outside of the ring…where, in another few moments, the brawl between the two men continues!

Seth Ericson: These two are going at it on the outside and Dick, what in the hell is going on here?! What is Strike even doing here in EXODUS?!

Dick Morosi: It’s well-known that Strike and Kane have had bad blood for ages, but this war is EXPLODING here at ringside and the two are brawling all the way up to the ramp and at this rate, Zero may very well be missing a tag team partner!

The brawl between Strike and Kane continue, the cameras catching a glimpse of Kane managing to level Strike with a swift kick to the right knee that slows him down, giving Christian enough time to move up the ramp…but not quite enough to slow Strike down as he breaks on a run for Kane shortly afterward, hitting him with a running forearm to the side of the head that sends the Canadian Sensation stumbling up and further, as the two men fight their way up the ramp and beyond the reaches of cameras! McHannon is screaming for Kane to come back! He's starting to get into the ring, angry that Kane has brawled off, but suddenly a hand touches his shoulder, it spins him around...FAREWELL TO KINGS! Ulysses hits the Farewell to Kings and he rolls Zero over for the cover!

ONE...

TWO!





THREE!

"The Running Free" starts again, and the crowd is cheering as Kliff grins, pumping his fist as he realizes both him and Gunner have advanced onto the next round! Both men are staring one another down, but the match is over and they'll live to see the semis!

Dick Morosi: Kliff Ulysses and Magnus Gunner have surprisingly moved on!

Seth Ericson: Not just surprisingly, but...well, let's just say they owe a MASSIVE assist to Chris Strike! Strike has come out of nowhere to not only debut in EXODUS Pro, but brawl with Christian Kane!

Dick Morosi: Very true. We'll be back after this commercial break with the semifinals of this tournament!

Winners: Magnus Gunner & Kliff Ulysses

Dick Morosi: Interesting stuff there with Sylar Drake and Blake Jones.

Seth Ericson: You think? Those two bore me to tears, I miss the days of entertaining wrestlers like the Silver Squid and Christian Ka---oh wait, HE'S BACK!

Dick Morosi: As exciting as it was to see Christian Kane return to EXODUS at Endgame, we have a bigger situation on our hands. Nicholas Gray is now the Owner and CEO of EXODUS Pro!

Seth Ericson: HOW ON EARTH?!

Dick Morosi: I'm sure we'll all get questions answered later tonight, but for now...we've got another match in the Lethal Lottery. Let's hit the ring, so take it away, David Zinkus!

David Zinkus: The following is the next match in the Lethal Lottery!

The camera cuts to the EXOScreen as the roster rolls through and through finally settling on...BLAKE JONES! The next person continues to roll through and through and it lands on Sylar Drake! The newly dubbed "Young Guns" have been selected as "Bones" by Young Guns begins to blare throughout the arena, prompting the audience to explode in cheers. Through the curtain steps out Blake Jones and Sylar Drake, known as the Young Guns. The two men are dressed in their matching tights and matching black jackets as they stare out at the audience from the stage, Blake on the right and Sylar on the left. After a few seconds, both men form a gun, Sylar with his right hand and Blake with his left hand, and point it up to the roof, "shooting" the lights out. The arena is now filled in darkness and the music has stopped. Suddenly, the jackets the two men are wearing light up, their first names first, followed by their last names underneath it. The lights go back and forth simultaneously between the two jackets (both men's first names flashing at the same time and same with the last name). Then, the power comes back on and the music starts up once more as the two men head down the ramp towards the ring.

David Zinkus: Entering first, at a combined weight of 373lbs, they are Sylar Drake and Blake Jones... THE YOUNG GUNS!

Halfway down the ramp, the two men stop high fiving the fans, share a small stare and nod before forming a gun with the same hand they used at the stage and shoot at the ring, one big blast of pyro blasting off, quite possibly scaring some of the fans. We apologize to those fans. The two high flyers then run the rest of the ramp down and slide into the ring. They head up to a nearby corner each, Blake to Sylar's left. They both do yet another formation of a gun, but when they "pull the trigger", they "shoot" at certain fans before back flipping off the turnbuckle and landing in their feet near the center of the ring. The two young guns remove their jackets and hand them to a nearby crew member before walking over to their corner and going over their game plan.

Dick Morosi: These two seem to be enjoying their recent success and are using it as a coming out party for this tag team.

Seth Ericson: And maybe rightfully so...let's see who their opponents are first!

David Zinkus: And their opponents...

The EXOScreen starts to roll, but before it does, Josh Turner's "Long Black Train" begins to play, "The Evangelist" Jerry Matthews strides down the aisle in a suit and tie. In his hand, he carries a Bible and begins his regular sermon as he ventures down to the ring. His spiritual liaison, Deacon Jeremiah, accompanies him to ringside with an offering plate, ready to collect money from any believers in the crowd. As he gets to the ring, he climbs through the ropes and removes his suit. He then raises his Bible in a preachy manner to the crowd as they boo incessantly.

David Zinkus: Weighing in at 275bs, from Redemption, Alabama, USA, being accompanied to the ring by Deacon Jeremiah... “THE EVANGELIST” JERRY MATTHEWS!

Dick Morosi: Jerry Matthews has a bone to pick with both Drake and Jones, as he views them as followers of the man who seems to be our ex-Director of EXODUS Pro, Jonathan Collins.

Seth Ericson: Well if he hates them for that, and Drake for taking his San Diego Bay Title from him, I can only imagine he loathes his partner. Speaking of...

The EXOScreen looks to roll for his second partner, landing on...FIONA ROURKE! Suddenly, the opening guitar riffs of "The Ocean" by Tonight Alive start to fill the PA System as the lights go out.



As the chorus starts and the arena lights come back up, she stands up and flips the hood off her face as she yells to the skies to get the crowd energized, sparkling pyro raining down! She starts to make her way down the small ramp, slapping a few hands. Seeing a young fan at the bottom of the ramp, she goes over and touches foreheads with the young fan, whispering something to them before she removes a glow necklace from her neck and giving it to the fan. Fiona starts to climb into the ring, sliding across the apron on her knee as she hangs off the rope, looking out toward the crowd as she soaks in their cheers and applause! She stands on the apron quickly before grabbing the rope to slingshot herself in before landing on the canvas on one knee, dropping down with a hand touching the mat as she looks down, almost dropping down in a superhero like pose, gaining cheers of approval of the crowd! Fiona starts to nod her head to the beat of the song as she looks over at he opponents knowingly before she climbs a turnbuckle as she uses her free hand to point to all of them in a salute, only to get more cheers from the crowd! Hopping down from the turnbuckle, she starts to unzip her hoodie in preparation for the match.

Dick Morosi: And THAT is our former World Champion, "The Strong Style Seraph" Fiona Rourke! If you haven't seen her wrestle before, you are in for a treat. As quick as a hiccup and as hard hitting as any man or woman on the roster, Fiona Rourke's Shinigami finisher has made her one of the most successful athletes in EXODUS Pro, and that's why she'll be the first EXODUS Pro Triple Crown winner if she and Matthews can win the tournament tonight.

Seth Ericson: Too bad Jerry's not as interested in helping her achieve his goals as he is spreading the word of the Lord.

First Round Match
Jerry Matthews & Fiona Rourke vs. The Young Guns (Sylar Drake & Blake Jones)

The foursome all move to the centre, and square off. Sylar and Blake extend their hands. Jerry looks upon the pair with distain, as Fiona shakes Sylar’s hand. Blake looks up at Jerry, beckoning with his hand, but only gets a massive boot to the gut from the Evangelist for his trouble. The bell rings. Fiona starts yelling at Jerry, but he just ignores her. Sylar charges Matthews, but the big man catches the brit, and uses his momentum to whip him hard into the ropes, sending him falling to the outside. Shaking her head angrily, Rourke backs into the corner, whilst Jerry advances on the still winded Blake, hauling him up and sending him into the ropes with an Irish Whip. Blake tries to regain control as he rebounds back, but only receives a Big Boot for his trouble. Jerry helps up a groggy Blake, and sends him straight back down with a Knife Edge Chop. He pulls Jones to his feet again, dragging him to the corner. Fiona reaches in for the tag, but Matthews fobs her off.

Seth Ericson: I love this. Jerry has complete control, he doesn’t even need Fiona’s help.

Dick Morosi: As good as he is, he can’t win this match alone.

Smiling, Jerry lifts Blake bodily into the air, before bringing him down onto his knee with an Inverted Atomic Drop! He smirks at Jones on the mat, and grabbing a handful of hair starts to pulls the young man off the deck. Blake lets rip with a desperation punch to the gut. It doesn’t seem to have much effect on Jerry, who just stands there and lets Blake struggle to his feet, holding onto him to steady himself as he does so. A quick forearm to the gut from Blake, and Jerry’s had enough, as he stands Jones straight up and hits him square in the chest with a Knife Edge Chop. Blake recoils like he’s been shot, staggering back and into the ring ropes. He rests there a moment, whilst Matthews saunters over to him, grabbing him by the hair on the back of his head, pulling him back to his feet.

Seth Ericson: You’ve got to hand it to the Evangelist. He’s giving the Young Guns a sermon here.

Dick Morosi: Matthews has definitely done a good job isolating Blake from Sylar, but he needs to know he can’t win a tag match by himself.

Jerry straightens Blake up, and hits him with a Piledriver, sending him back down into the mat. Smiling at the prone body of his competitor, he strolls over to his corner and as invites Fiona to reach out for the tag. As she does so though, he pulls his hand away, shaking his head as he does so. He turns back to face Blake, watching him slowly climb back to his feet, using the ring ropes for support. No sooner is he back to a vertical base when Jerry charges, sending him flying back into the corner with a hard Shoulder Block.

Dick Morosi: This is sick, Seth. He’s completely cut Blake off from Sylar, and is just picking him apart in the corner.

Seth Ericson: These kids wanted to step into the ring with the likes of The Evangelist, they need to learn the consequences of their actions.

Matthews sends Blake to a sitting position with a hard kick to the midsection. He pulls him up, Jones again struggling to mount a counter offense with a forearm of his own to Matthews’ gut, with no effect. Jerry smirks, goes to grab Blake, and is caught off guard by a wild kidney punch. Rage flashes across Jerry’s face, as he sends Blake crashing back down to the deck with a Hammer Of God!.

Dick Morosi: I think Blake’s gone. He’s been picked apart by this vulture. The ref needs to stop this.

Seth Ericson: I hope he doesn’t Dick, because this is great! Ha!

Jerry stares daggers into the back of Blake’s head as he once more uses the ring ropes to get to his feet. As he reaches an upright position, Matthews runs forward and takes him down with a massive Clothesline to the back of the head. Sylar is reaching desperately into the ring, willing Blake on, shouting him on, but he’s just too far. Jerry looks to the crowd, raising his arms in defiance of the jeers. Once more, Jerry pulls Blake to his feet, and manhandles him to the nearest corner. Setting him up, arms over the ropes, he lets rip with another Knife Edge Chop, reddening the chest of Jones. As Blake recoils, Matthews runs wildly at Drake, causing him to jump off the apron. Matthews smiles smugly, grabs Blake, and Irish Whips him into the opposite ropes. As he recoils back, Jerry goes for the Big Boot, but Jones ducks it, running past Jerry into the opposite ropes. As he rebounds, Sylar slaps him on the back and slips into the ring, the ref signalling he has seen the blind tag. Jerry goes for another Big Boot, but Blake catches the foot, sending Matthews off balance as Sylar runs up and strikes him with a massive Enzuigiri.

Dick Morosi: What an Enzuigiri! Jerry was getting cocky, and Sylar Drake just made him pay for it.

Jones quickly hits the deck and rolls out of the ring to recuperate, as Jerry staggers, not quite hitting the deck. Raging, Jerry charges Sylar with a Running Clothesline, only for him to duck it. He looks over his shoulder as Matthews rebounds of the ropes, and hits him with a Pelé Kick as he returns. Jerry backs into the corner, but Sylar charges him, assaulting him with repeated Forearms. It’s not enough, and with a massive roar Jerry shoves Sylar hard, sending him flying backwards across the ring. As he gets back on his feet, Jerry charges at him, only to be met by an Infinity Kick out of nowhere!

Dick Morosi: Here’s their chance. Sylar just needs to let Blake regain his strength, and he’s doing an admirable job of taking out his frustrations on Jerry.

Seth Ericson: I wouldn’t rule out my boy yet, Dick.

Sylar bounces to his feet and slams the top turnbuckle a few times to drum up support as Jerry gets to his feet. As the crowd begins to clap, he turns and charges Matthews, who picks him up and hits him with a Hammer Of God!

Seth Ericson: Told you. Both Young Guns now feeling the Hammer Of God!

Sylar rolls about on the mat, whilst Jerry poses in the centre of the ring, posing for the crowd. As he signals for the end, Blake slides back into the ring, and hits Jerry in the back of the head with a Elbow Strike. Matthews stumbles into the ropes, only for Blake to follow him, trying the Irish Whip, but Matthews reverses, locking Blake up. With a massive display of strength, Jerry hoists Blake up into the air, holding him there for what feels like an eternity, before bringing him down to the mat with a Savior’s Wrath!

Dick Morosi: Both Young Guns out on the mat. I guess even Seth could predict how this is going to end.

Seth Ericson: You know it Dick. Jerry Matthews showing the world on FX why he’s one of the best performers in the world.

With both Sylar and Blake on the mat, Jerry celebrates in the middle of the ring, like he’s already won the match. He drags both of his competitors to the centre of the ring, and goes for a simultaneous double pinfall.

ONE

TWO

THR...

Both Blake and Sylar get a shoulder up. Jerry is astonished. He looks down in disbelief. Disbelief quickly turns to rage. He drags Sylar to his feet, and hurls him into the Rourke/Matthews corner. Quickly, he follows up by hauling Blake upright, and sending him after, getting both men stacked up in the corner. He looks at them, rage clearly on his face, and charges the pair, going for a massive Avalanche. The Young Guns dodge, each man diving either way, sending Jerry flying into the corner, Fiona strikes, tagging herself in on the dazed Matthews and vaulting into the ring over his slumped body. She stands there facing both men, daring them to charge her. Sylar moves first, going for a surprise Superkick that hits nothing but air as she ducks, taking Blake out with a Low Dropkick to the knees. She recovers faster than Sylar, taking him out with a swift Rolling Elbow as he recovers from the missed kick. The crowd cheers in delight, but their roars quickly turn into gasps as Fiona is sent crashing down to the mat, as Jerry Matthews takes her down with a massive Inverted DDT!

Dick Morosi: Did... did Jerry just attack his own partner?

Seth Ericson: I guess he didn’t like being tagged out Dick?

Jerry wastes no time, savagely attacking Fiona with a series of stomps all about the body. One seems to connect awkwardly with her knee, causing it to clasp at it in agony. Sensing blood, Jerry goes to work on the knee, ignoring Fiona’s screams and the ref’s protests.

Dick Morosi: Why is the ref not stopping this?

Seth Ericson: I don’t know Dick, I don’t think the rulebook covers too much about when a tag partner attacks another.

Looking down on the three fallen wrestlers with disgust, the Evangelist signals to the Deacon that he is done. Jeremiah comes around, and spreads the ropes to allow Jerry to leave. To a chorus of boos, the two men leave the arena.

Dick Morosi: They’re leaving? What happens now?

Seth Ericson: By my math, Fiona and Sylar are the legal competitors at the moment. But I don’t know with Fiona’s knee...

Sylar and Blake are back on their feet, and see the stricken Fiona. Unsure of what to do, they look to the ref, who just shrugs. Sylar shakes his head, indicating he won’t battle Fiona in this state. The ref seems uncertain, and checks on Fiona. She shakes her head vigorously, and tries to stand. Blake and Sylar help her up, to cheers from the crowd. As soon as they let go, however, she stumbles, her knee giving way, causing the Young Guns to catch her.

Dick Morosi:The Young Guns, true gentlemen.

Seth Ericson: The ref looks like he’s made his decision. And judging my Fiona’s face, she’s not happy with it. He’s whispering in David’s ear.

Zinkus nods grimly.

David Zinkus: Ladies and Gentlemen, the referee in this match has ruled Fiona Rourke unable to continue. Therefore, your match winners are the team of Blake Jones and Sylar Drake... THE YOUNG GUNS!

Dick Morosi: No celebrating in the ring here, as the Young Guns console Fiona, and the EMTs come out.

Seth Ericson: We don’t need the fans to see this. We’re on TV now. Run commercials, a segment, whatever. Do it.

Winners: The Young Guns

We cut to the backstage area where Tom Matheny stands by next to the Handsome Drifter, Christian Kane.

Tom Matheny: Backstage here at EXODUS Pro on FX 1 and standing next to me at this time is a very controversial man who deals in extremes, it must be said - Christian Kane. Thanks for giving me your time right now Christian, because what just happens you have to think, pertains to you, does it not? The man who signed you is out, and Nicholas Gray is the owner of our great company! Your thoughts?

A small chuckle escaping his lips, Kane rubs his chin momentarily before speaking.

Christian Kane: You know Tom, I thought this would happen. Actually, I knew this would happen. I am all seeing and all knowing. I foresaw what just happened from a goddamn mile way. Before you ask, yes, I had some stuff with Nair planned. Big things were going to happen, big things were promised - but I was let down, and you know what? That’s okay.

Tom Matheny: Wait...you’re...fine with this!?

Christian Kane: I died for these people’s sins, Tom. They were okay with talent like me going to waste. They were okay with monotony - bland wrestlers doing bland things match after match after match. The fans didn’t want me. So I left. I caved in, Matheny. Christian Kane caved in. But I meticulously sought after ways to make things better and when Nair contacted me I thought EXODUS could be saved! We struck a deal and your Golden God returned! But I don’t need Nair. I don’t need a souped-up contract. I don’t need ANYTHING to save you people but me, myself and I! It’s world title or bust, and I promise you that by the end of my tenure in this company, you will all be saved.

With that the Canadian Sensation walks off camera and we go elsewhere. As the cameras go off in favor of a video feed, the lens focus solely on three familiar faces and the faces of a trifecta of men whose own days within EXODUS Pro may look to be at an end given circumstances at the time of the taping. However, the three of them are currently not showing it, as Jonathan Collins, Nicholas Gray and Darrin Stearns sit in a round table, a stack of papers on the middle of the table next to them - the screen reading in a full, white caption as “Day Before The Show - EXODUS HQ.” The way the camera angle is at, it catches the glimpse of the right shoulder and part of the back of someone else’s head in a different spot on the table to the three men. Jonathan Collins is the first to look forward at the man across from them.

Jonathan Collins: So, let me get this straight...just so we’re all on the same page. You’re not...signing with us with the idea of getting to be a guest star on FX’s “Justified” along with our current EXODUS Pro World champion, Heather Halliwell?

: Nope.

Jonathan Collins: And you’re not at all interested in a spot in an episode arc for Archer, like our resident high-profile contract signing in Christian Kane or a Zero MacHannon.

: ...Nah.

Jonathan glances over at Nicholas and Darrin, almost not knowing what to make out of it along with the discussion of topics discussed prior to the cameras being privy to their conversation.

Jonathan Collins: Okay...and...listen, I understand you’ve got name value. I’ve just...I’ve had bad experiences bringing in “name value” recently. What are you asking for out of this?

: I have unfinished business with a man whose name we’ve already discussed. That and quite frankly, unlike some of the “name value” that was brought in and that ditched out, I tend to be fairly easy-going. The terms on the contract I set out are about the same as you guys have done for some of the newer faces around the block. I have my financial security, I’ve got my accolades...I’m just here to settle my business and to just wrestle. Nothing more, nothing less.

Jonathan nods for a moment, looking over at the remaining two, inaudible words being spoken between all three.

Jonathan Collins: Alright, I think we can do business. You’re not asking for a lot, you’re not completely unreasonable, and we like your shirt. The papers will be ready for you at tomorrow’s show if you’re willing to stop by for a few minutes and sign them.

: That won’t be a problem. Just...I ask you to not be surprised if I do show my face at a certain point in time tomorrow night. I’d much rather send my message to him sooner than later. After all...I owe him that much.

Jonathan Collins: Then I think we’ve got a deal. I’ll see you tomorrow then.

Collins nods and reaches his hand over to offer a shake as he starts getting Nicholas and Darrin to gather their things up before they head out.

Jonathan Collins: Welcome aboard, friend. EXODUS Pro just got a little more interesting.

Jon's asleep, so yeah.