aCe: WAR IS HELL

[Mr. Hyde]

BATTLE 27
RAVAGER MOTHERSHIP
10TH CYCLE-2120

While Murdok and Aegis decided to put their very existence on the line inside a Torture Chamber at the next battle, Godsend met in the shadows of the arena with his Dark Deacon, Grimcraft.

Godsend: What do you mean “They need some more motivation?”

Grimcraft: Well, the congregation is losing…um, losing…

Godsend: (seriously) Faith?

Grimcraft kept his head down and didn’t dare provide an answer.

Godsend: (gripping Grimcraft by the throat and slamming him into the wall) Are they watching tonight!? (Grimcraft nodded as best he could) Good! Then I shall make sure to give them all the ‘Faith’ they could ever need! And then some!

TRIPLE THREAT ELIMINATION TAG MATCH
Holocaust & Nemean vs. Darkness Falls vs. The Living Dead
Cremator and Noxious were frenzied for blood after the attack on Aegis and went right after Jakyll, never giving him a chance to fight back and quickly obliterating him with the ANTILIAN RUINS. Holocaust charged in behind Cremator but quickly found himself isolated as well, and the frothing and ravenous Noxious actually dented Holocaust’s head in a bit with 5 vicious OUTBREAK headbutts for the dominating victory!
WINNERS: THE LIVING DEAD

Hustler showed absolutely no fear as Hybrid stepped into the ring, and actually got face to face with the gruesome abomination, trying to size him up!

BATTLEFIELD TITLE
Hybrid © vs. Hustler
Both warriors brutalize each other, with Hybrid taking Hustler’s hardest punches right to the face and shrugging them off. Hustler remained determined and fought through Hybrid’s savage strength, using his pistols and brass knuckles to finally beat the monster down just barely long enough for a 3 count!
WINNER: HUSTLER (ROC ACHIEVES THE BATTLEFIELD TITLE)

While Hustler rose from his knees to his feet after the grueling duel with Hybrid, Gheist charged the ring and attacked from behind with a Lepus Stun Rod! With Hustler basically incapacitated, Gheist drew The Possessor but Nicodemus himself showed up on the scene, and with rifles drawn, an entire squadron of Ravager Troopers forced Gheist to retreat before Hustler could recover and strike back, possibly endangering spectators and soldiers alike.

When an angry Hustler made his way from the ring, 4 solid steel poles were erected in each corner of the ring as Shepard’s cross dagger, Scorch’s loaded glove, one of Sycophant’s leather straps, and Painmaster’s barbed steel whip were fastened to the very top of each one, almost making the ring some sort of religious shrine to brutality. The Specialists received a standing salute as they entered the ring to face Sycophant and The Painmaster, and as all four soldiers stared each other down, they prepared for the culmination of an entire years worth of bitter warfare in what could be their final, and what would be their bloodiest showdown ever.

FOUR WEAPONS OF THE FOURTH REALM MATCH
The Specialists vs. S&M
The outcome of this battle was academic. Only Sycophant and Painmaster were able to retrieve their weapons, and as such isolated Shepard. When Shepard finally made an opening, in desperation he scrambled for his own cross dagger but was intercepted on the top rope and fell victim to Painmaster’s brutal FACE FIRST CRASH for the Crusade victory.
WINNERS: S&M

Sycophant strapped Shepard up in THE TOURNIQUET while Painmaster lashed him with his diabolical bladed whip. Exodus and a banged up Hustler made the save, but with Aspin Northstar and Lance At-Las out of action, and Aegis, Hustler, and now The Specialists brutalized, the ROC forces were slowly being torn apart by Murdok’s Crusade. As Scorch recovered and began to check on Shepard, the look on his face cast doubt that action was indeed over on The Specialists and S&M front.

Grovel vs. Gheist
Hustler showed up immediately and distracted Gheist badly, allowing Grovel to come agonizingly close to victory! Gheist persevered and eventually got back on track, putting Grovel down with a SOUL SLAYER.
WINNER: GHEIST

Gheist knew it was coming but could do nothing about it as Hustler charged the ring and laid into him with a Gutarr Stick, drawing his pistols and preparing to attack! Nicodemus was once again forced to appear and order his Ravager Troopers to physically separate and remove Hustler from Gheist at gunpoint!

Exodus vs. Paganax
Exodus couldn’t do much to knock Paganax down, and the Heathen Chief was eventually able to claim victory with a PAGAN VOID.
WINNER: PAGANAX

Suddenly, Godsend appeared in a pillar of flames in the center of the ring carrying a steel chair! Before anyone knew what was happening, the King of Demons brazenly attacked Paganax, breaking the chair over the Heathen Chief’s head and managing to level him with the vicious assault! The Ravagers, Centrans, and especially Tribesmen in the crowd were shocked as Godsend then took it to Exodus, beating both warriors down and demanding that, since Paganax and General Rankor conspired to rob him of the Essence of Centra, Nicodemus should have to defend it against him at the next battle! Nicodemus had no choice but to answer Godsend’s almost suicidal attack on Paganax, but left the King of Demons with a cryptic and mysterious response, saying that he had spent much time in the Essence Mines, and that after Murdok’s shams and Paganax relentless attempts to take the Championship, that the Essence wished to declare who should challenge for it, and that starting at the next battle, the Essence of Centra itself will decide if Godsend is worthy, not Nicodemus nor the current holders of the Battlefield Title, the ROC!

After Exodus had made his way to the back and Godsend and Paganax had stormed out of the arena, several Ravager Engineers appeared to quickly construct the Cosmic Cage that would serve as the final battleground between Ventross and General Rankor. Taking care to wrap the entire structure in menacing barbed wire, the engineers made sure that escape from the cage would be impossible, and that the only way either combatant would leave was when one was forced to verbally consent to Unconditional Surrender. Both combatants were met with less than warm receptions, but as Ventross approached the cage, he could feel a difference in his people. For the first time in a long time, although many hissed, Ventross felt some sort of respect or support from them. It may have been silent, but Ventross knew it was there, nonetheless.

As the brave Ravager stepped within the cage, he focused on this feeling, for even though his callous exterior remained intact, the sight of being surrounded by steel and barbed wire did not sit completely well with him. But his apprehension turned immediately to disdain as General Rankor appeared, looking externally shaken about entering the imposing and dangerous structure. Rankor eventually locked eyes with his bitter foe, and this urged him into the cage as his hate for Ventross took over. A Ravager Referee, holding a microphone, was stationed within the cage with the warriors, as another Referee locked the structure closed from the outside.

Rankor: Are you pleased with yourself, Ventross? Here we are. No place to run. No place to hide. Just like you have always wanted. In this ‘Unconditional Surrender Match’. YOUR own creation. You think, that even if you force my surrender inside this cage, that you will have won? You should know me better than that. You will never be able to keep me from taking what is mine. You never have been able to, and you never will.

Ventross: And how do you figure that, worm?

Rankor: Because YOU are a soldier, and I am a tactician. I have always been one step ahead of you, and even now, the trend continues.

Ventross: Keep lying to yourself. It’s what you do best. I have backed you into a corner this time. There is no escape. I will force you to surrender to me, and you will be banished from the Planet Primus Faction forever! Your Judas Syndicate is far too weak to stand on its own, and it will fail, leaving you without the Essence of Centra, and with absolutely no way to ever get your hands on it again!

Rankor: (laughing with disgust) You poor little imbecile. You have no idea what is afoot in this dimension! And by the time you do, it will be far too late! (scowling now) The time for talk is over. Do your worst, Ventross. Because you can rest assured that I will do the same!

Ventross: (roaring and getting into fighting stance) No retreat! No escape! You will pay for every indiscretion, and you will give me your UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!

Rankor: (roaring back) When the smoke clears, just remember, THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED!

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER MATCH
Ventross vs. General Rankor
The name of this game was violence. Rankor tasted the cage first, but soon after, Ventross charged sternum first into the turnbuckles, and a faint popping sound was heard as his injuries from the last battle gave way to something presumably much worse. This gave the general the opportunity he needed by pulling out a hidden pair of brass knuckles and going to work, eventually suplexing Ventross into the cage and watching as his victim was actually hung up in the dreadful barbed wire! Rankor demanded Ventross’ surrender, but after a desperate refusal walloped Ventross over the head with his microphone. Ventross took a bad beating, suffering several gashes on his head and body, but used Rankor’s own momentum to send him slamming into the cage! The barbed wire ripped the General’s bicep open deeply as Ventross attempted to make a comeback, having his demand of surrender refused several times. Ventross sent Rankor into the cage several more times, but the Treacherous Dog dug his claw into one of Ventross wounds to save himself! After that, he removed his own heavy combat boot and leveled Ventross with a strike across the face with it! Ventross responded with a shot to the groin and whipped Rankor to the turnbuckle, charging in and once again crashing painfully ribs first! Ventross began coughing up large amounts of blood as Rankor grabbed his boot and drove the toe of into Ventross’ severly damaged ribs! Rankor kept up the pressure as Ventross screamed in agony! Rankor grabbed the referee’s microphone and shoved his boot into Ventross again, demanding surrender, but getting a large wad of bloody saliva in his face as Ventross gagged and passed out! This was too much for the Ravager Referee, and on Ventross’ behalf, he ended the match and declared that by losing consciousness, Ventross had surrendered!
WINNER: GENERAL RANKOR

The Mad Designer was pleased with winning the bloody showdown, but was obviously not content with simply getting Ventross banished from the Ravager Army as Avarice and Flatliner appeared and entered the cage, forcing the Ravager Referee out and beginning to assault the downed Ventross! Avarice planted the unconscious body of Ventross with the 7TH SIN before all 3 members of the Judas Syndicate wrapped Ventross up in the barbed wire on the cage, suspending him in mid-air up against the cage wall and wrapping a strand of wire around the former Shield’s throat!

Like some sort of twisted sacrifice, Ventross was hung there and many spectators actually cheered as the Ravager Army rushed to ringside, but gasped as Nicodemus stopped them all in their tracks in the center of the Entrance Aisle! Nicodemus, Warfare, and Tekaro all watched coldy as General Rankor began to beat Ventross’ body with a chair! Nemean and Holocaust wanted to help, but Nicodemus would have none of it, and actually ordered his men to turn their backs to Ventross as the Judas Syndicate continued to attack! NuBorn Destruction followed ther commander loyally but Holocaust and Nemean stood wavering in the aisle, unsure of what to do. Finally, Nemean dropped his head and followed his comrades, soon bringing Holocaust to follow him as The Ravager Army turned their backs on Ventross in his time of most urgent need!

In the end, the Judas Syndicate was left to their own devices, as the ROC could barely protect themselves, let alone a rogue Ravager, as well. Rankor and his cohorts left the ring and it was left to Ravager Engineers and Medics to untangle the bloody and brutalized body of the former Ravager Shield and cart him out of the arena on a stretcher. Many of the Centrans, and even most of the Ravagers stood in respect for the warrior as he was wheeled away, covered in blood, no longer a soldier, but definitely a casualty of war.
--Ventross is severely injured and has been dishonorably discharged from the Ravager Army Faction

After the dreadful cage had been removed, Avarice & Flatliner and NuBorn Destruction appeared for the final battle of the night. Most of the spectators were too shocked about what had just transpired to react much to either team, and as he wiped a bit of Ventross’ splattered blood off of his hands, Avarice just could not resist the urge to open his mouth.

[glow=red,2,300]Avarice:[/glow] You sure have a way with best friends, Warfare!

Warfare: (simmering) Keep talking, pretty boy. Keep it up.

[glow=red,2,300]Avarice:[/glow] I mean, you let this one (pointing to Flatliner) be driven insane and imprisoned by his own suit of armor. Then you try to kill him, but don’t have the balls to, and then you let him be incinerated alive. And now on top of all that, you just stood by and watched me wreck your ‘best’ friend, Ventross, and probably give him brain damage for life. With friends like you, who needs enemies? (as Tekaro scowls at Avarice and grips his spear tightly) I’d watch myself if I were you, Tekaro.

TAG ESSENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
[glow=red,2,300]Avarice & Flatliner ©[/glow] vs. NuBorn Destruction
As usual, momentum swung back and forth wildly in this match with both teams being put in danger quickly. Flatliner saved Avarice after a RING OF DESTRUCTION from Tekaro, but Warfare leapt into the ring and a wild brawl erupted, sending all four men to the floor. Avarice got the upper hand outside while Flatliner and Warfare continued to battle, and even after two 7TH SIN’s Avarice was unable to put Tekaro away! Avarice’s usually calm exterior suddenly gave way to frustration as he lost his cool at being unablt put Tekaro away, grabbed Tekaro’s own shield, and began to batter him mercilessly with it, totally ignoring the referee and getting his team disqualified!
WINNERS: NUBORN DESTRUCTION by DQ
STILL TAG ESSENCE BEARERS: AVARICE & FLATLINER

Avarice quickly regained his composure after taking a wicked running forearm from Warfare that knocked him right out of the ring. The Blackheart gather the Essence Championships and Flatliner and arrogantly retreated, almost trying to brush off the fact that NuBorn Destruction had gotten under his cool and collected skin. But as much as Avarice was frustrated, Tekaro and Warfare were even more so, as both men stood in the ring defiantly, beckoning the Essence Bearers to come back and finish the fight.

[Alexander Ubel]

Great Card Hyde! Especially enjoyed the interaction between Murdok and Aegis. The Rankor/Ventross match was everything I was expecting.

Too bad he was hung by 2123 or I might have been tempted to bring him back to my aCe fed.

[Mr. Hyde]

Aug 12, 2008 22:34:07 GMT -5 Alexander Ubel said:

Great Card Hyde! Especially enjoyed the interaction between Murdok and Aegis. The Rankor/Ventross match was everything I was expecting.

Too bad he was hung by 2123 or I might have been tempted to bring him back to my aCe fed.

Thanks! I love the General Rankor character, and I wish he hadn't been executed. But, I have to admit that his death was as poetic a death as a villain can hope for.

I'm still hoping that one day Osk finds a way to bring the General back, for one more go around. I try to do as much as possible with him, but with Paganax, Godsend, and Murdok all running around at the same time, I don't feel as if I can give him the real chance to shine as a villain that I want to.

Ventross/Rankor is one of my favorite feuds, and that match was great to play. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it!

[Mr. Hyde]

THE SCENE: THE COMMAND DECK OF THE RAVAGER MOTHERSHIP

Gazing into the front plate of the One Essence Championship, Nicodemus stood by his Commander's Chair.

[glow=teal,2,300]Nicodemus:[/glow] Just as you have told me, I now trust unto you to choose my opponent for the next battle. (holding the title in the air) Show me! Reveal to me the next Challenger to this One Essence Championship!

As the title began to reverberate in the Ancient One's hands, he brought it back to his eye level and watched as the shining reflective surface of the faceplate began to create it's own reflection. Lights and colors not present inside the Command Deck swirled within the material of the Championship, and through the arcane and mysterious kolaedoscopic mist came the answer to Nicodemus command. It was an answer the Ancient One was not expecting, but he was well aware that to ensure the Essence would continue to bestow it's ultimate power, he would have to comply with its wishes. Reluctantly, but resignedly, Nicodemus consented.

[glow=teal,2,300]Nicodemus:[/glow] If this is your wish...then it shall be so.

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THE SCENE: A HIGH CLIFF JUST OUTSIDE OF FATALIA CITY, ANTILIA

Murdok, the Dread Lord, stood with his arms outstretched and his face to the gray and blotchy Antilian Sky, chanting in tongues both strange and dark.

Since his return to Antilia, Murdok had taken many trips around the cold and dead planet, often wandering off right into the dangerous and silent night. Discreetly, Gheist and The Painmaster had made sure to keep track of his movements, but neither had seen the Plague Harvester do this before. Acting as if they had just happened upon him at the top of the cliff, both warriors approached their employer. Murdok stopped his chanting immediately, and with much more caution than before, both soldiers continued until they stood beside him.

Murdok: I was wondering when you would reveal yourselves to me. (Painmaster and Gheist looked shocked) Do not worry, your unwelcomed accompaniment was not offensive. However, I so easily detected you, Gheist, that I wonder if I was cheated in our contractual agreement.

Gheist: (flutstered) I-I'm sorry, my lord. I did not-

Murdok: (turning to Gheist and laughing) HahaHa! Do not worry yourselves! For my goal is close at hand, meaning you two shall recieve your payment just as soon.

Painmaster: Your goal to murder Aegis? Speaking of that, should you not be preparing for the brutality of your conflict within the Torture Chamber with him?

Murdok: (becoming very serious again and turning forward, away from his subjects) No. My preparations for this battle came every second I was locked away within that damnable coffin at the bottom of the sea. But even more than that, Aegis' death is only the icing on the cake of what will be my ultimate victory. (smiling again) You see, the ROC believe that my Crusade is over, and that I have turned all my attention to Aegis. But this is false. Once I have paid my debt to the one who freed me from my watery grave by taking out 'The Bravest of Ramparts', my Crusade shall carry on, I shall step foot inside the House of Centra Parliament Building, and this (stretching his arm forward and slowly raising it) shall be my bridge to glorious victory!

Painmaster and Gheist turned their head outward and downward to the large and dank marshlands on the outskirts of Fatalia City. On the same ground where they had stood only a few cycles ago and planned to take Aspin Northstar captive, a sudden rumbling occured as the muddy soil began to somehow bulge out. Their eyes widened as they watched the ground literally explode in ageyser of mud as SOMETHING gigantic began to rise, as if from a gargantuan grave.

They watched intently as the structure completely blocked out their view of the corroding city, and began to see through the mud and soil the shape of countless enormous and ancient cannons. With a thunderous crack, almost like the snapping of a bone, her sails unfurled, flinging a tidal wave of dirt forward. Seemingly peeling themselves off of her decks and planks, The Painmaster and gheist watched with bewilderment as innumerable ghouls, zombies, and monsters began to take up the very same positions they had held in life so vigilantly.

Without wind of any kind, as there was never any to be found on Antilia, the massive, torn, and tattered sails began to beat and flap forcefully, and as pockets of sludge fell from her sides and orafaces, her damned crew began to operate her and repair her, getting her ready for her final voyage. With a hearty laugh, Murdok turned to his subjects as they could not take their eyes off of the collossal warship that had just been born from the depths of the planet of Death. With a putrid smile the Dread Lord addressed them.

Murdok: Aegis' death and enslavement to me within the Torture Chamber will only be the beginning of the fall of Centra Prime. My Crusade has come full circle, and after the death of the corporal, I will introduce the entire Dimension of Centra to my secret weapon: this is the appropriately named, DEAD NEMESIS!!!

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THE SCENE: ROC COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, THE BARRACKS

Scorch: This whole luvsuckin' business is just plain sick! All of this bullshit wit tha Torture Chamber and Trisis is crap, Aegis! We shoulda put a bullet in Murdok's ugly motherluvin' face instead a puttin him at tha bottom of tha sea!

Aegis: (smiling a bit) You all are the best soldiers a commander could hope for, but its time that you stop paying the price for my wrongs. First it was Trisis, then it was Aspin, now Lance, if I do not give him what he wants; and if I don't fight him and defeat him on his own terms, he will not stop until he kills you all.

All of the ROC, even a still recovering and very much still tormented Aspin Northstar, were gathered around their corporal in somber vigilance.

Aspin: Don't do this for me, Aegis. I-I'm just a soldier. Nothing more.

Aegis: (placing his hand on Northstar's shoulder) You are much more than that, friend. We are all soldiers, but WHAT we are does not decide WHO we are. For two years we have fought this war inside a ring, and for two years, we alone have tried to bare the burden of the fate of our home. But, I say, it is time for our fate to stop being a laborious one. I'm not just stepping into the Torture Chamber for myself, or for all of you, and not even just for Trisis. I'm going to war with the Dread Lord himself inside a Torture Chamber for all of us! For me, for you, for the ones who died and are dying on our moons, for the citizens trying to survive through the rubble and ruin that is life in this Dimension! That is who I am going to fight for! Murdok expects my death, and he certainly has all the opportunity he could ever want inside the Chamber, but I don't care if I have to rip his head from his shoulders with my bare hands, I'm not going down without taking him with me!

At this point, Aegis stepped away from the group and stood by the window.

Aegis: If Murdok wants war, we will both do battle! If Murdok wants blood, we both will bleed! And if Murdok wants death, then we BOTH SHALL DIE! But I am NOT leaving the Torture Chamber until this is over, because one way or the other, my home will be safe, the Crusade will be over, and I will be with my wife once again! At least one of us will die within the Torture Chamber! But If it is indeed I who will be sent to hell for the things I've done, then you can be damn sure that after all he has done, Murdok is coming to hell with me!

[Mr. Hyde]

BATTLE PLAN

BATTLE 28
CENTRA PALLADIUM, PALLADIUM MOON
10TH CYCLE-2120

NuBorn Destruction vs. S&M
*With more important duties on their plate tonight, The Specialists have pit Sycophant and The Painmaster against the dominating and ferocious duo of NuBorn Destruction*

NON-TITLE MATCH
[glow=red,2,300]Avarice & Flatliner[/glow] vs. The Living Dead
*The ROC does not want to give Planet Primus any advantage in their battles with The Ravager Army, and so if NuBorn Destruction must fight, Avarice & Flatliner have been made to do so as well*

Paganax vs. Gheist

BATTLEFIELD TITLE
The Specialists © vs. Darkness Falls

Exodus vs. Hybrid

ONE ESSENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
TRIPLE THREAT ELIMINATION MATCH
[glow=blue,2,300]Nicodemus ©[/glow] vs. Hustler vs. Godsend
*Unexpectedly, the Esence of Centra itself has deemed that Nicodemus must battle both Godsend AND Hustler, whom was never defeated for the Essence but was instead stripped of the ultimate prize after Gheist's assassination attempt on Antilia*

TORTURE CHAMBER MATCH
Aegis vs. Murdok
*The Torture Chamber has long been used to decisively end the most brutal of conflicts. But as a genocidal Plague Harvester and a stalwart Rampart of Centra clash within it, the Torture Chamber will become a chamber of horrors. If Aegis wins, Trisis will be turned over to him from Murdok's control, but if Murdok is victorious, Aegis must allow Trisis to tear him to shreds, and enslave him to Murdok forever. Due to the potential for traumatic events surrounding this battle, Aegis has placed it at the end of Battle 28, so as to free the rest of the ROC from distraction in their own imperitive conflicts on this night*

[Mr. Hyde]

WARNING:

You might want to pack a lunch before beginning to read the next post. War and Peace has nothing on this.

Seriously, it's long. Be prepared.

[Mr. Hyde]

BATTLE 28
CENTRA PALLADIUM, PALLADIUM MOON
10TH CYCLE-2120

With a circumference of 36 feet and a height of 16 feet, the Torture Chamber hung over the Ravager, Tribesman, and Centran crowd within the Centra Palladium like a great black and steel storm cloud. The Chamber was circular and domed in shape, constructed out of nearly 2 miles of hand-forged, solid steel chains, and featured one, impenetrable, bullet-proof pod inside of it. Weighing 10 tons and designed to neatly surround the ring far below it with unforgiving steel girders and brutal walls of chains, every inch of the Torture Chamber was designed to do only one thing: punish organic flesh.

With it’s square shaped maw hovering above the arena, the sadistic structure was eagerly anticipating, and almost salivating, for the final battle of the night, when Corporal Aegis would put his life on the line within it. Although the monument to suffering had long been used to end the most brutal conflicts in the universe, truly, with lives literally at stake, and the fate of an entire Dimension hanging in the balance, everyone inside the Centra Palladium on this night knew that the upcoming clash of Aegis the Rampart and Murdok the Harvester would be the most important battle ever decided within the cold and black confines of the solid steel Torture Chamber.

NuBorn Destruction vs. S&M
Even after splitting him open badly, Tekaro and Warfare were unable to put The Painmaster away. As NuBorn Destruction’s usually seamless teamwork began to break down, Tekaro became extremely frustrated, grabbed his spear, and began mercilessly whaling on Painmaster, getting his team disqualified for the second battle in a row!
WINNERS: S&M by DQ

As a bloody and battered Painmaster made his escape alongside his companion, the still fuming NuBorn Destruction refused to leave the ring, knowing that Avarice & Flatliner were on their way out. The Essence Bearers soon arrived, and Avarice immediately led Flatliner to ringside, taunting Warfare and Tekaro about being disqualified not only at this battle, but at the last as well. It didn’t take long for NuBorn Destruction to lose it and go on the attack, forcing Avarice & Flatliner to fall all the way back to their own Entrance way before finally and begrudgingly leaving the arena floor!

NON-TITLE MATCH
[glow=red,2,300]Avarice & Flatliner[/glow] vs. The Living Dead
Avarice used his slick technique to keep the match in his team’s favor for the majority of the fight, but Cremator somehow put together enough motor skills to roll Noxious out of a pin attempt and on top of Avarice! Avarice managed to kick out of the surprising predicament, but has no experience fighting the tireless undead, and was completely taken off guard by Noxious OUTBREAK headbutts which led to Avarice’s nose being broken and the Blackheart being defeated!
WINNERS: THE LIVING DEAD

The sight of Avarice’s blood sent Noxious into a frenzy as the ghoul tried to once again attack and assault Avarice! Avarice fought back, and Flatliner soon appeared and ripped Noxious away from the Blackheart, tossing him across the ring. However Avarice now realized that his nose was broken, and at the notion of his face possibly being damaged in any way by Noxious, Avarice’s calm and cool exterior exploded! With his bloody face contorted into an ugly sneer, the Blackheart went on the attack against Noxious, gripping the zombie in the Crown of Thorns and trying to tear his rotting face off! Flatliner spotted NuBorn Destruction charging the ring, and grabbed Avarice by the waist, physically pulling him off of the shrieking ghoul, gathering the Tag Essence Championships, and once again retreating back to the Planet Primus Locker Room!

Paganax vs. Gheist
Paganax dominated Gheist for the majority of the battle, but the Spectral Assassin survived a PAGAN VOID and somehow came out of nowhere with his Spectral Slash and placed his feet on the ropes, barely escaping defeat and stealing victory from the Heathen Chief!
WINNER: GHEIST

Gheist ran for cover quickly as Paganax came up furiously, grabbing the Centran Referee and hurtling him out of the ring and into the crowd! Centra Guard and Ravager Troopers all tried in vain to calm the beast down, but his shoulders and skull began to erupt in flames and smoke as Paganax went on a rampage, attacking the security forces! All of the Tribesmen in the stands began to go wild in response to their king, and it appeared that a full-blown riot was about to begin! Paganax began to roar with frustration over losing the Essence of Centra and now with being cheated by Gheist, and began to roar for Nicodemus!

Nicodemus, with the One Essence Championship securely around his waist, promptly answered, and Paganax demanded that he be allowed to challenge for the Essence. Nicodemus calmly explained that the Essence itself had picked his challengers, and that all Essence Bearers after him should follow suite, lest the strange material decide to stop providing its ultimate powers. Nicodemus told the Fire Beast that, for whatever reason, the Essence of Centra does not deem him worthy to be a challenger, and that perhaps the Heathen Chief should prove that he can stand, fight, and be victorious on his own if he wishes to draw the attention of fate made manifest, the Essence of Centra. This infuriated Paganax even more, but the Heathen Chief could do nothing as Nicodemus turned away from him and returned to the Ravager Army quarters. With one final roar of frustration, Paganax ordered his people in attendance to settle, and made his way to the Planet Primus quarters, intent on finding a way to garner the attention of the Essence of Centra.

BATTLEFIELD TITLE
The Specialists © vs. Darkness Falls
The bloody rivalry between both squads from a year ago seemed to still be fresh in each soldier’s mind as both teams knew each other very well, and were able to capitalize big on each other’s mistakes. Jakyll took a real pounding, and the end came when Krypt hit the ropes, intent on delivering a dropkick to Scorch. Shepard tackled Scorch out of the line of fire, and Krypt absolutely leveled his own partner! Shepard tackled Krypt to the arena floor as Scorch capitalized, unloading several high-impact, punishing maneuvers, before ending the battle with a well-measured TRAILBLAZER!
WINNERS: THE SPECIALISTS (ROC RETAINS STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE)

Exodus vs. Hybrid
Exodus took a lot of punishment, and was actually able to briefly put Hyrbid in danger, but Nicodemus’ monster was too powerful and Exodus eventually fell to the POISON DRIVER.
WINNER: HYBRID

No one stood when Nicodemus appeared. And he noticed this immediately. Under the intensely silent glare of the entire crowd, Nicodemus entered the ring. Shortly thereafter, Godsend appeared in a tower of flames, and with his usual arrogance combined with his newly shown venom, addressed the Essence Bearer.

Godsend: I think I received a better reception, Ancient One. Looks like they’re still a little ticked about what you let happen to Ventross.

[glow=blue,2,300]Nicodemus:[/glow] (just as bitterly) What happened to Ventross does not concern you, demon! Hold your tongue!

As Godsend was about to retort, the entire Centran section of the crowd stood in support of the arriving Hustler. The Savior of the Streets jumped brazenly into the ring and stood boldly in the center of the ring, staring down the Demon that tried to kill him and his compatriots on Mecatoid, and the Commander that turned his back on Ventross in his time of most need.

Hustler: You say da Essence chose me, Ancient One?

[glow=blue,2,300]Nicodemus:[/glow] Indeed.

Hustler: Why?

[glow=blue,2,300]Nicodemus:[/glow] Possibly because you were never defeated for the Essence of Centra.

Hustler: Das right. I never lost da Essence. It was takin from me. And now ima take it back. (Nicodemus and Godsend look at each other and then at Hustler) And ima kick both you [censored] to da curb ta do it!

ONE ESSENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
TRIPLE THREAT ELIMINATION MATCH
[glow=blue,2,300]Nicodemus ©[/glow] vs. Hustler vs. Godsend
The battle went back and forth, to and fro, for several minutes, with no man gaining an advantage. Eventually, Godsend was dispatched to the outside of the ring, and wisely slunk to the ground, letting Hustler and Nicodemus go to war. Hustler was able to use his PISTOL WHIP, but Gheist suddenly materialized at ringside! Hustler turned his back on the downed Nicodemus to deal with the Spectral Assassin, but the power of the Essence compelled Nicodemus on, allowing him to come up behind Hustler and hit a powerful Commander Clothesline and eliminate the Street Soldier with a NUCLEAR WINTER. As soon as he had recovered, Hustler became furious and stormed back to the ROC Quarters, looking as if he still wanted a fight. Godsend jumped Nicodemus as soon as Hustler was eliminated, but the Ancient One continued to fight back, overcoming Godsend’s trickery and putting him down with 2 NUCLEAR WINTERS!
WINNER AND STILL ONE ESSENCE CHAMPION: NICODEMUS

With nuclear coils crackling around him, Nicodemus slowly rose to his feet and took the One Essence Championship. Casting a knowing, intense, and angry glare at the Ravagers in attendance, the Ancient One made his way back to the Ravager Army Quarters, thinking deeply and wondering whom the Essence would choose next to challenge him.

An eerie hush fell upon the arena as the gigantic Torture Chamber structure began to descend. At an agonizing pace, the blackness of the steel enclosure made its way to the arena floor, swallowing up the ring beneath it and finally settling into place, imposing, punishing, and apathetic.

Murdok appeared first, with Gheist, Painmaster, Sycophant, Cremator, and Noxious in tow. As The Painmaster and Sycophant restrained Trisis and brought her to the Chamber, Gheist could not help but go a bit slack-jawed as his head tilted back, taking the entirety of the tremendous structure in. Several Centran Referees opened the large chain-link door and the Dread Lord intently and unwaveringly walked inside, dragging Trisis behind him and forcing her into the single force pod. Confidently, but seriously, Murdok walked into the center of the ring and awaited his bitterest of foes.

Every member of the ROC accompanied Aegis to ringside. The still traumatized and recovering Aspin Northstar was visibly uncomfortable being so close to Painmaster and Sycophant again. The Disgusting Due made sure to glare at him from across the large span of the Torture Chamber. The large door to hell swung open once more, and Aegis stood before it, almost as if facing down a great steel giant. With tears clearly in his eyes, Lance At-Las, still wearing a neck brace, placed his hand on Aegis’ shoulder but Aegis did not realize. His eyes were locked and his mind was set on the Plague Harvester gazing down upon him from the center of the dangerous structure.

With a deep breath, the Bravest of Ramparts ascended the short stairs and placed foot on the steel girders surrounding the ring. The gigantic door was swung back into place, heavily bolted and latched, and the spectators began to simmer, as there was now no turning back.

Murdok: Welcome to the only grave you will ever know, Corporal. Do you have any last requests?

Aegis: Just one: tell me who set you free. Who brought you back from the depths of death at the bottom of the Tarkanian Sea? What kind of worthless garbage do you have lurking in the shadows, helping you out?

Murdok: Alas, you ask the only question I will not provide the answer to. A magician never reveals his secrets, and neither does a witchdoctor.

Aegis: Then I guess there is nothing left to say. It’s time to put up or shut up. You want to kill me? Here I stand! Either finish me off, or run while you still can!

Murdok: (getting into fighting stance) HA! You, giving ME the chance to run? I think not! You have no idea how long I have waited for this!

Aegis: (getting into fighting stance) Then it appears the waiting is over for both of us! You will regret not taking your chance to flee, because whether I am killed, or whether I tear your head from your body with my bare hands, I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS!!!

Murdok: YES! YES! YES! This is what I wanted! This is what kept me alive in the maddening darkness at the bottom of the sea! Give me all you have got! Fight for your life! Give me your last breath in the form of a struggle! I am going to take your life, Aegis! I am going to wrest it right out of your chest! And you will fight with every fiber of yourself, yet still be powerless to stop me!!!

Aegis: You are mistaken, Murdok! Because I am not fighting for my life! (Murdok seems confused as Aegis raises his hands into the air to the spectators) I AM FIGHTING FOR ALL OF OUR LIVES!!!!!!!!

The ROC at ringside, the Centrans in attendance, the Ravager spectators, and even the Tribesmen of Primus all cannot help but cheer, roar, and screech in support as the whole arena stands for this final battle!

Aegis: And you may be able to take the fight from me and kill ME, but you WILL NOT and CANNOT take the fight from all of them!!! (looking briefly at the wild Trisis) My home will be safe, your Crusade will be finished, and I will be with my wife again! MY life may be forfeit, or I may live to fight another day, but no matter what happens, YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THIS TORTURE CHAMBER ALIVE!! YOU HAVE COME HERE TO KILL ME, BUT I HAVE COME HERE TO DESTROY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TORTURE CHAMBER MATCH
Aegis vs. Murdok
FALL ONE
Murdok pounds Aegis as he tries to get into the ring. Murdok attempts a running spear but Aegis dodges it and Murdok crashes face first into Trisis retaining pod! Murdok quickly recovers and unloads once again, hitting Aegis with a POWER OF THE PLAGUE, but the Rampart kicked out! Murdok grabbed a chair off of one of the chain walls and swung with all his might, but Aegis again dodged him and the chair rebounded off the top rope, cracking Murdok in the skull and allowing Aegis to hit a picture-perfect RAMPART’S REVENGE for a quick fall! Aegis was pinpoint accurate with the move and busted Murdok’s nose!
AEGIS LEADS 1-0

FALL TWO
Murdok springs up angrily and rips at Aegis’ eyes! Temporarily blinded, Aegis falls victim to an onslaught of high-impact maneuvers and pin attempts, even another POWER OF THE PLAGUE, but kicks out of all of them! But the damage is done as Murdok easily locks on the CENTRA TAKEOVER, and Aegis wisely submits after only a small amount of struggling. The Bravest of Ramparts knows he must conserve his body, mind, and spirit at this stage of the battle.
MURDOK LEADS 1-0

FALL THREE
Murdok continues his assault, but Aegis fires back, taking the Harvester off guard and beginning to unload his most powerful maneuvers, targeting Murdok’s already busted nose! The battle becomes pitched after that as Murdok fights back, actually back body dropping Aegis out of the ring and onto the steel girders! Neither man can gain an advantage until Aegis executes an Opening Salvo out of nowhere, drilling Murdok in the nose and capturing a surprise pinfall! Neither soldier has been able to extend their lead past 1 fall as of yet!
AEGIS LEADS 1-0

FALL FOUR
The pitched battle continues as Aegis looks to extend his lead, but whips Murdok into the ropes and puts his head down! Murdok responds with a vicious jab to the throat and delivers a piledriver in the center of the ring, quickly follwing it up with a CENTRA TAKEOVER!
MURDOK LEADS 1-0

FALL FIVE
Murdok keeps up a suppressive attack, and gets nasty by powerbombing Aegis out of the ring and onto the steel girders! Murdok stalks his prey and as Aegis stumbles back into the ring, LEVELS him with a destructive POWER OF THE PLAGUE! Murdok has successfully pushed his lead!
MURDOK LEADS 2-0

FALL SIX
Aegis’ constantly injured head and neck are undoubtedly heavily damaged at this point, and Murdok gets a sick smile across his face. Lifting the limp body of Aegis up once more, Murdok flashes an arrogant grin to Trisis and hefts Aegis up on his shoulders again, spike powerbombing him right out of the ring and down into the unwavering steel girders! All of the ROC at ringside go berserk as they fear desperately that Aegis has been paralyzed! Murdok drags Aegis back into the ring by the head and covers him, for the sickening 1-2-3!
WINNER: MURDOK

The sounds of women beginning to cry could be distinctly heard in the dreadfully silent stands. As per the stipulations of the match, the heavy chain door to the Torture Chamber was kept bolted and Trisis’ force pod was opened. Almost giddily, Murdok grabbed Trisis by the arm and forced her into the ring.

Murdok: (pointing to Aegis’ limp body) Do it, wench! Eat him alive and enslave him to me!

With joyful viciousness, Murdok pushed Trisis down beside her husband and stood behind her overbearingly, ordering her to attack! Trisis wild eyes darted back and forth from Aegis to her own decaying hands and to the anguished faces of the ROC at ringside as Murdok began to get angry. With a thunderous crack, the Dread Lord struck her in the back of the head and then threw her at Aegis again, shouting for her to attack! Slowly and apprehensively Trisis reared back and bared her fangs, but the Queen of the Damned suddenly spun around and chomped down on Murdok, right in between his legs!

With a shriek of pain, Murdok grabbed Trisis by the head and launched her out of the ring and onto the steel girders! Grabbing the same chair that he had ineffectually tried to use at the beginning of the battle, Murdok stalked Trisis with murder in his eyes and raised the chair high above his head, ready to strike and ready to crush Trisis’ skull!

CRACK!

Murdok fell to his knees as Aegis broke a Gutarr Stick right over the back of his head! Confused, Murdok spun around to see Aegis, who barely knew where he was or what he was doing, swing the broken Gutarr Stick again! Murdok stumbled back from the force of the blow as Aegis struck again, and again, and again, causing Murdok to tumble backwarda and fall back first into the bed of barbed wire! With the Dread Lord screaming in pain and effectively neutralized, Aegis raised the jagged and sharp Gutarr Stick above his head and prepared to drive it through Murdok’s skull, piercing his poisonous brain!

But Aegis’ attention was diverted, as the door to the Torture Chamber suddenly swung open as Cremator and Gheist stormed in! The Crusade had attacked the ROC at ringside and taken the keys from the Centran Referees! Cremator lunged with fangs bared but got a mouth-full of Gutarr Stick as Aegis used it to block the attack! Cremator pinned Aegis to the steel floor of the Chamber, and as the Rampart tried to push Cremator away, he spotted Gheist dragging Trisis from the Torture Chamber! Powerless to stop Gheist, and nearly dead from the Torture Chamber Match, Aegis watched as Cremator began to easily overpower him! Just as Cremator was about to take the first bite of the Bravest of Ramparts, a white powder filled Aegis’ view as Shepard came to the rescue with his Anti-Virus powder!

By now, Gheist was halfway up the Crusade Entrance Aisle with Trisis, but turned backwards to see Hustler in hot pursuit! Gheist’s jacket flapped backwards powerfully as The Possessor burst forth, slicing Hustler right across the stomach, as he was unable to evade it! Dropping to his knees, Hustler drew one of his pistols and emptied the clip, blasting Gheist to the ground with bullet holes in him!

As Trisis began to run from the smoking carcass of Gheist, she turned to see Painmaster and Sycophant in full sprint, making sure to stomp Hustler on the way and grabbing her right back up in their arms! Hustler was bleeding badly and could do nothing but serve as a springboard for Aspin Northstar as he fearlessly launched himself at Painmaster and Sycophant! Northstar crashed into the Disgusting Duo and once again Trisis was knocked to the floor!

Back at the Torture Chamber, Murdok agonizingly ripped himself out of the barbed wire! With huge pieces of his rotting flesh missing, the Dread Lord nearly crawled to the Chamber Door. Just as he was about to exit it, he heard a feral scream from behind him as Aegis came flying out of nowhere with a Stun Rod! Murdok just barely slammed the huge door closed and made sure to latch one of the latches as Aegis just barely missed him! Screaming for Murdok and battering the chains with the Stun Rod, Aegis tried desperately to break down the wall that separated he and the Plague Harvester by mere feet! But to no avail as Murdok stumbled backwards up the Crusade Entrance Aisle, with Noxious and Cremator coming to his aid halfway. Almost dragging their Dread Lord, The Living Dead were soon joined by The Painmaster and Sycophant, who had recaptured Trisis, and Gheist who was holding the entire ROC at bay with The Possessor.

Quickly, S&M and Trisis and The Living Dead and Murdok disappeared into the Crusade Entrance Way. Seeing this, and quickly becoming overwhelmed, Gheist hastily followed suite, disappearing from sight and completing the full route of the Crusade Forces! However this victory was barely a consolation prize as Aegis fell to his knees still locked within the Torture Chamber. Screaming for Murdok, but no longer able to stand, the Bravest of Ramparts slammed his hand into the steel girder. On a night that was supposed to be the end of Murdok’s Crusade, and the Final Battle of two rival Commanders, both rivals remained alive, although barely, Trisis remained in captivity, and the Crusade carried on. Nothing had been solved.

[Mr. Hyde]

I went through all the trouble of making my own Torture Chamber Chart, and it was only really rolled on once.

Disappointment.

Actually, I found the whole Torture Chamber Match disappointing. I mean, it was fun to play, and I hope that it was fun to read, but it just wasn't anywhere near what I was hoping for my first Torture Chamber Match. Disappointment.

[Mr. Hyde]

THE SCENE: SYNDICATE HEADQUARTERS, PLANET PRIMUS

[glow=red,2,300]Avarice:[/glow] So...what is supposed to happen here?

Avarice, Flatliner, and a still heavily bandaged General Rankor had all gathered around a solid steel table top. They had heard Nicodemus talk of allowing the Essence Championships to choose their challengers, but as the Judas Syndicate now stared at the coveted weapon/artifacts layed across the table, it became clear that none of them had any idea how exactly to go about doing this.

Rankor: I don't know. Maybe...just ask them who you should defend against. (Avarice casts a demeaning look on the General) It's worth a shot, Blackheart.

[glow=red,2,300]Avarice:[/glow] Fine. (looking to the Tag Essence) Who shall Flatliner and I defend you against at Battle 29?

All 3 members of the Syndicate intently gazed into the glowing green faceplates of the Tag Essence Championships, waiting for something, anything, to happen. But there was nothing.

Just as Avarice opened his mouth to make a wry remark, the Essence Championships sparked to life.

Rankor: HA! I told you it would work.

Even more intently now, the Judas Syndicate stared into the Essence Championships as both faceplates began to swirl and glow with abstract and arcane colors not present in the room. Slowly, figures began to materialize in the lights, and as Avarice and Rankor leaned closer in to watch the spectacle before them, the next challengers to the Tag Essence Championships were revealed! At Battle 29, Avarice and Flatliner would face...





...Outside the Syndicate Headquarters, and behind a sizeable plateau, Paganax stood patiently and quietly. Suddenly he heard the scampering of claws in the rough Primus soil, and in a matter of seconds, the Heathen Chief was joined by his most trusted soldiers, Krypt, Jakyll, and Grovel.

Paganax: Well?

Jakyll: (In their native tongue) There are several panels and vents on the south side that are weakened and seemingly vulnerable. They would be perfect points of attack and intrusion.

Paganax: (native tongue) Excellent, warriors. (turning to view Syndicate Headquarters) If the Essence wishes for us to stand and fight on our own, then we shall do just that. And we shall begin by ridding ourselves of this menace and crutch that we call the Judas Syndicate!

==============================================

THE SCENE: CENTRAPOLIS CITY PRISON

The prison guards had seen his type countless times. Writers, journalists, independent researchers, even a few brave university students had all entered the halls of the Centrapolis City Prison with that same awed and at the same time disgusted look upon their innocent and unexpecting faces.

He was tall, lanky, and awkward and dressed in a homely dress suit. He carried a briefcase and his dark hair was slicked back wetly. He had a gaunt face, and long and narrow mouth, and and clear blue eyes, framed heavily by thick black glasses. In common terms, he was a typical nerd. And he had that look upon his face.

Guard: Here we are. (opening the heavyily bolted door) You just go sit down inside, and remember, I can hear everything going on. If you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, I'll be there to bail ya out quick.

The nerdy researched looked warily into the wide room with the solitary chair in the middle of it. It looked like a cell itself, instead of just a visiting area for an actual prison cell.

Gentleman: (stepping cautiously through the threshold) Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

The awkward gentleman sat carefully in the chair and set his briefcase beside himself on the floor. On the walk to this room, he had come across the most perverted, deviant, and downright evil creatures that resided in this facility; but he was about to meet something that topped them all.

The gentleman rifled through his papers on his lap for a few moments, while staring at the solid wall before him. Eventually, he heard a small noise from the other side, and heard a slight buzz as the one communicator panel on the wall activated. This small piece of equipment would be his only means of interaction with his requested companion, and it was definitely for the best.

Gentleman: Hello? Are you there sir?

For what seemed like an eternity, the silence in the room was earsplitting. And then, a response or more accurately, a croak, came through the communicator panel.

Voice: I am here.

Gentleman: (swallowing hard) Ex-excellent. My name is-

Voice: I do not care what your name is.

Gentleman: Alright. Well...I'd like to ask you a few questions. If-if that's alright.

Voice: Your kind always do want to ask questions. You have the morbid need to satisfy your own perverted thoughts and the overhwelming desire to learn about the dark side, yet do not have the fortitude to see it for yourself. So instead, you must live vicariously through me, while at the same time condemning me and my ilk to permanent confinement and exile. Worthless and useless creatures are those that rely on others to live out their truest desires.

An eerie silence descended upon the room for the longest moments of the awkward gentleman's life. He was afraid to speak, and the voice on the other side of the wall was apparently unwilling to.

Voice: If you must carry on with your damnable inquiries, please quicken the pace. I am missing my noon feeding.

The awkward gentleman loosened his tie a bit and swallowed hard again, finally getting up the courage to continue.

Gentleman: So...so as I understand it, you are the one named Bloat...correct?

Voice: Indeed.

Gentleman: Good-good. Good. Now for my next question...are you guilty of the crimes you have been sentenced for?

Bloat: (cold, almost as if actually dead) I am a serial killer, yes.

Gentleman: I see...and you have taken the lives of, in total, 11 innocent people?

Bloat: No one is innocent.

Gentleman: Right...but-but you have...killed 11 people?

Bloat: Correct.

Gentleman: And the condition these people were found in after you were through with them...was indeed half-consumed and completely gutted?

Bloat: Yes. Most people keep their leftovers in a refrigerator. Unfortunately I have developed the bad habit of leaving MY leftovers splattered and dismembered across the street.

Gentleman: Leftovers?

Bloat: Yes. The corpses the police have found were only the remains of those whom I could not consume completely.

Gentleman: But-but you just told me that you have only killed 11 people.

Bloat: And I was correct. I have killed 11 people...but I far surpassed that benchmark nearly a decade ago.

Gentlman: I-I see. So...exactly how many lives have you taken, then? If-if you can remember the number.

Bloat: Oh, I remember the number. Like most remember their own name. I also remember each ond every face and each and every scream for mercy. It's amazing the myriad of sounds that a living creature can make while being eaten alive. Truly remarkable.

Gentleman: So-so how many have you killed? 20...30?

Bloat: The number is dear to me. Some strive to attain Championships and Gold Medals...I strive to take a life. So I will not reveal the number fully. Suffice it to say...there are not enough fingers to count on in this entire cell block to correctly pinpoint my tally.

The awkward gentleman quickly tried to do the math in his head. The Block was smaller than most as it contained the most dangerous of criminals. But still, it contained 25 prisoners. With roughly 10 fingers per prisoner that would put the count somewhere above-

Bloat: Do not forget to add myself, yourself, and the 10 or so prison guards who patrol this area to your calculations, stranger.

The gentleman once again tried to do the math but wuickly lost his equations and, not wanting to feel even more stupid in the midst of what appeared to be the intellectual stilleto on the other side of the wall, quickly moved on to his next question.

Gentleman: So...if I may ask...why do you feel the need to kill? Especially so many?

Bloat: All the worthless creatures of the universe will die eventually. And most simply expire in futility, passing on in the quietness of the night. But, when I feel the flesh part, and hear the victim screaming, and see the blood running, and taste the succulent bones...there is nothing better. It is better than sex. Much, much better. Although so very often just as noisy and just as messy. So, instead of dying in the night, making no use of the small amount of time they have left in this world, why is it so wrong that they should be generous with their time, and do what is natural and inevitable, while at the same time helping others to live more freely? We only die once...usually. So why not make that one moment something really REALLY special?

The gentleman had taken to chewing hardly on his left index knuckle while Bloat spoke. Causing this small amoutn of pain had always managed to keep the gentleman calm, even since he was a small boy, and he certainly needed it now.

Gentleman: So...so you have been in relatively solitary confinement for several years now with no light and severely restricted sound and contact. Has-has this experience changed you any? What...what would you do if you were released today?

Bloat: If I were released today...I would kill tonight. If I ever got out of this maddening imprisonement...ahhhhh...I would not stop until the bodies could be piled to the sky. Men, women, children, no one would be safe. I would slaughter from dusk til dawn, and still not have my fill. All these years without blood on my hands or bones in my belly...make Bloat a very, VERY eager boy.

Just then, another voice entered the room via a wired speaker. It was the prison guard outside the visiting room.

Guard: Sorry pal...time's up. Come on out of the room. It's time for the freak to go back into the hole that we dragged him from.

Quickly, the awkward gentleman packed his things and stood up.

Gentleman: I-I'm sorry to leave so soon, Mr. Bloat. But it appears our time is up. Thank you for your time.

Bloat:...you're lucky that I can't kill any longer.

With that the awkward gentleman flung open the visiting room door and walked briskly into the hallway beside the prison guard.

Guard: I told ya guy. (gesturing to the visiting room) The guy is a nutcase.

Gentleman: So-so I see. Thank you for your assistance, officer.

The guard led the awkward man back through the rogue's gallery of the Centrapolis City Prison and out of the main visitor's entrance. The Gentleman took a deep breath of the Centrapolis air as he exited the facility. The air was pungent and smoky, but it still smelled better than the bowels of the prison, where the stench of rotten hearts and putrid souls was overwhelming.

Briskly, the awkward gentleman walked to his cruiser and got in, setting his briefcase in the passenger seat and taking out his cellular transmitter. The man dialed and number and put the device to his ear, waiting for the calming voice on the other end.

Painmaster: (answering the phone) I was expecting you to call a bit later. But, I guess the guards do not let him out too often for too long. What is your report?

Sycophant: (all traces of nervousness gone) He's ready, he's willing, and he's perfect...master.

[Mr. Hyde]

BATTLE PLAN

BATTLE 29
CENTRA PALLADIUM, PALLADIUM MOON
11TH CYCLE-2120

Aspin Northstar w/ Lance At-Las vs. Grovel
*Inspired by Aegis and the plight of his fellow Ramparts, Aspin is determined to return to battle, even though he has not fully recovered from his ordeal*

Nemean & Holocaust vs. Darkness Falls

Paganax vs. Gheist
*Hustler decided that Paganax should have the chance to avenge his wrongful defeat from Battle 28*

BATTLEFIELD TITLE
CENTRA DEATH MATCH
The Specialists © vs. S&M

Hustler vs. Godsend
*Hustler and the ROC hope that if Godsend can be defeated here, Hustler will be chosen as the next challenger by the One Essence*

Exodus vs. Hybrid

TAG ESSENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
TRIPLE THREAT TOWER OF TABLES MATCH[glow=red,2,300]Avarice & Flatliner (c)[/glow] vs. NuBorn Destruction vs. The Living Dead
*Once again, the Essence has chosen multiple challengers for the current Bearers to face. Although the ROC can no longer name the participants of the battle, they can certainly name the stipulations. And in a war of attrition, with 3 opposing teams in the fight, this set of stipulations serve the ROC perfectly*