aCe: WAR IS HELL

[loneriders1]

Nice fed Hyde. Keep up the good work mister.

[Mr. Hyde]

May 17, 2008 12:56:07 GMT -5 @loneriders1 said:

Nice fed Hyde. Keep up the good work mister.

Im trying. Thanks for reading!

[Mr. Hyde]

THE SCENE: THE RAVAGER MOTHERSHIP

Tekaro slowly lays down the majestic Ravager shield that had been bestowed upon him and turns to face his former nemesis and now partner, Warfare.

Tekaro: I cannot think of a better partner to take to this battle than you, Warfare. You already know Cremator very well and you were always a formidable opponent.

For a moment, Warfare stares blankly at Tekaro, as if processing his words, and then suddenly the giant's face contorts into anger.

Warfare: Listen! I know you 'say' you have a vendetta with Murdok, but I swear to you, if you betray us I WILL-

Tekaro: (stepping into Warfare's face) Murdok has taken more from me than you could ever imagine. And then anger I hold within has been burning for more centuries than you could imagine. I plan on making Battle 11 Cremator's final stand, and I intend to unite this Essence. Either you are with me or you are against me.

Warfare: (not backing down) Oh, I'm with you. And if these things you're saying turn out to be lies, I'll be at your funeral, too.

Just as Tekaro begins to retort, Nicodemus walks into the room, looking as mighty as ever.

Nicodemus: (looking at the hostile positions of his soldiers) Attention! (the warriors break their glares and come to attention) You both have an exccessive amount of anger withing. That is why I chose to pair you together. At any other time, I would care not where you directed this anger, but until the Tag Essence is united in our possession your main focus shall be the defeat of Cremator and Noxious. Am I understood?

Warfare and Tekaro simultaneously nodded in agreement.

Nicodemus: (as he leaves) If you do not win at Battle 11, all hope for this dimension will be lost...and I will have no choice but to end it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SCENE: MURDOK'S THRONE ROOM IN HIS NEW ABODE, THE HAUNTED BONESHATTER CASTLE

Boneshatter Castle was a much different environment that Murdok's Tomb had been. The endless labyrinth of dank and dark chambers had been replaced by soaring and mystifying halls, constructed of the purest and whitest bleached bone. The enormous fortress stood like a ghostly apparition upon the swampy and gray marshes of Antilia and served as a ghastly beacon of power to all of the rotten creatures within miles of it.

In the throne room of this place, a large and majestic chamber, Murdok had gathered his forces. While he sat on his throne of bone, his Queen Trisis sat beside him. Before him stood Cremator and Noxious and leaning nonchalantly against a pillar stood Godsend. Seperated from the rest of the group, within the shadows of a corner of the room, stood two more figures. One defiantly and proudly gazing at the Dread Lord, and another, tall and lanky one lurking behind him.

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] Cremator, Noxious, my trusted subjects. You know what you must do?

Murdok did not expect much more than a grunt. He was pleasently surprised. The powers of the Essence were plain as day amongst his minions.

Cremator: (gravelly, scraping voice) Yesss, Murdok.

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] Your mission is the most important at the upcoming battle. If you unite the Tag Essence under our banner, then I can finally abandon this miserable drivel known as the aCe and we shall devour Centra Prime whole. As such, I will send with you my most beloved subject, my Queen Trisis. Complete your mission at any cost, my loyal soldiers! Do not let Warfare and that wretched Tekaro leave Antilia with their half of the Tag Essence!

The Living Dead both bowed, another sign of evolution amongst their minds, and listened as Murdok summoned the final piece of his forces. Like a lighbulb slowly gaining more radiance, a spectral man appeared beside Murdok's throne.

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] Gheist, the spirit assassin. You will not participate in this upcoming battle.

Gheist: Whatever you wish, Murdok. What would you have me do?

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] I want you to travel immediately to Centrapolis. Should Aegis survive what I have planned for him at Battle 11 (the figures in the corner snicker) I have a mission that you should enjoy greatly.

Gheist smiled and bowed as he began to fade away.

Gheist: If I'm getting paid for it, I'll be enjoying it, Murdok. I will await your orders.

As Gheist dissappeared completely, Murdok turned back to the rest of his troops.

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] This will be the final battle of the aCe. Afterwards, all of the blood and war that it may take to satiate you, my brave soldiers! (standing now) WE SHALL CONSUME THIS DIMENSION IN DEATH!

[Mr. Hyde]

BATTLE PLAN

BATTLE 11
RUINS OF ANTILIA
2nd CYCLE-2120

Ventross & Nemean & Holocaust vs. General Rankor & Paganax & Flatliner
*It is not known exactly how Ventross is informed of battles now, but he was not happy to have to team with other members of The Ravager Army. Although, he will take any chance he has to get at Rankor*

The Light Brigade vs. Darkness Falls

HANDICAP MATCH
Aegis vs. Painmaster & Sycophant
*Murdok has decided to send his newest and most disturbing of henchmen after Aegis*

NON-TITLE MATCH
[glow=green,2,300]Murdok ©[/glow] w/ Trisis vs. Hustler
*Murdok wants to personally welcome the 'Savior of the Streets' to the battlefield*

FOR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Godsend vs. Grovel
*Murdok continues to keep his Strategic Advantage secured*

TAG ESSENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
NuBorn Destruction vs. Living Dead w/ Trisis
*If NuBorn Destruction cannot unite the Tag Essence for The Ravager Army, the aCe will fail and one way or the other, Centra itself will be decimated*

[wildcat]

This is one sweet fed.
Great story, excellent write ups and terrific booking.
FAN'A.C.E.'TASTIC!!!

[Mr. Hyde]

May 17, 2008 17:22:29 GMT -5 @wildcat said:

This is one sweet fed.
Great story, excellent write ups and terrific booking.
FAN'A.C.E.'TASTIC!!!

Thanks for reading! and thanks for the compliments!

I'm trying to keep focused and work my way all the way through to all Centra Entertainment, but reading your fed and other guys' feds around here REALLY makes it hard to not just jump right into it!

[Mr. Hyde]

BATTLE 11
RUINS OF ANTILIA
2nd CYCLE-2120

Murdok sat with heightened anticipation within his spectator’s box. Peering out above his masses of undead, he could almost taste total victory in this war. A putrid smile spread across the Dread Lord’s face as he viewed a Ravager Shuttle landing off in the distance. He knew that within that shuttle was one half of the Tag Essence and one half of his destiny to conquer the dimension of Centra. With the greatest of confidence, Murdok took his queen’s hand in his, placed his free hand on the Essence Championship around his waist, and closed his eyes, patiently awaiting the arrival of his fate.

Ventross & Nemean & Holocaust vs. General Rankor & Paganax & Flatliner
Paganax and Holocaust do most of the in-ring fighting until Holocaust tags out to Ventross who storms the ring, taking the win with a MERCY KILLING on Paganax.
WINNERS: VENTROSS & NEMEAN & HOLOCAUST

The Light Brigade vs. Darkness Falls
Aspin and Lance gut out a ton of punishment as Aspin makes a diving tackle across the ring for Lance to take the sudden comeback victory over Jakyll with the MARS MANHANDLER!
WINNERS: THE LIGHT BRIGADE

Murdok stood up to applaud S&M as they made their way to the ring. The Painmaster had his whip named Enslavement with him as he dragged the lanky and silent Sycophant to the ring. Aegis arrived in the arena and entered the ring cautiously, not sure what to expect from either opponent. Aegis glared a hole through Murdok as the bell sounded.

HANDICAP MATCH
Aegis vs. Painmaster & Sycophant
It is immediately apparent that Murdok has acquired a force to be reckoned with as Aegis gets battered and bloodied. The stalwart Rampart battles back, gaining enough momentum to get Painmaster down for a deathjump! But as Aegis is climbing the buckle, Sycophant uses his extra long legs to deliver a wicked boot to the face, knocking Aegis from the buckle and into a match ending FACE FIRST CRASH!
WINNERS: S&M

Murdok makes a thumbs down gesture, much like the Ceasar’s of Earth’s ancient Rome, and Sycophant begins to strangle Aegis with one of his suit straps! Sycophant drapes Aegis over the ropes while choking him as The Painmaster grabs Enslavement and begins to whip the leader of the ROC! It only takes a few lashes before Scorch and Sheperd are on the scene to make the save. S&M don’t back down, instead attacking The Specialists, receiving the worst of things!

Shepard draws a wooden sharpened cross and begins to stab Sycophant in the head with it, drawing blood, and suddenly making the lanky man go CRAZY! Sycophant obliterates Shepard and along with Painmaster leaves The Specialists and Aegis beaten and bloody in the center of the ring, much to Murdok’s delight!

S&M join their leader up in his spectator’s box and Sycophant must be held back from attacking again as The Specialists and Aegis are forced to drag themselves from the ring. Along with The Light Brigade, Hustler helps his new teammates from the ring and then returns to the ring, pistol in hand, ready to fight. Murdok is brought to the ring as Hustler stands defiantly in the center of the ring.

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] (smirking) The last whelp who looked at me like that was devoured by Cremator and Noxious.

Hustler: Shut the f up! Get yo dead ass in here right now and let’s do dis!

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok[/glow]:(in the ring) Oh, this is going to be exquisite. [/color]

NON-TITLE MATCH
[glow=green,2,300]Murdok ©[/glow] w/ Trisis vs. Hustler
Murdok could not have been more wrong. Murdok tossed Hustler from the ring early on, only to see the Street Soldier jump back up and charge him! Murdok was not prepared for the Savior of the Streets and as a result, the Plague Harvester got absolutely destroyed! Hustler busted Murdok open with his PISTOL WHIP and despite all of Murdok’s attempts to regain offense, Hustler continued to beat him down again! Murdok eventually made himself an opening, and proceeded to level the Street Soldier with no less than 4 POWER OF THE PLAGUES! Suddenly, a bloody Aegis appeared at ringside and made a move for Trisis! Murdok let go of his pin on Hustler and ordered several of his ghouls to attack the leader of the ROC, but during the skirmish at ringside, Hustler recovered, pulled a pair of brass knuckles from his boot and KO’d the Dread Lord to achieve the most shocking pinfall in the history of the dimension!
WINNER: HUSTLER

Aegis continued to battle toward his wife as ghouls began to file out of the stands to attack him! The Specialists and The Light Brigade rushed to ringside to help as Hustler tried to fight his way out of the mass of undead as Battle 11 degenerated and the entire zombie crowd went on the attack! The Ravager Army suddenly showed up on the scene as Godsend, S&M, and The Living Dead showed up, making the entire arena erupt into a gigantic melee! Somehow, Hustler was able to reunite with his teammates and The ROC and The Ravager Army are forced to retreat, and are actually chased from the surface of the planet!

It takes hours of deliberations before Battle 11 can begin again! Murdok is noticeably absent from his Spectator’s Box this time around. The stone arena is once again packed with undead, although quite a few were killed during the brawl, and The ROC and Ravager Army re-land their shuttles and prepare to carry out the final 2 fights of Battle 11, with the hopes of combining the Tag Essence Championships and keeping Murdok from absolute victory.

FOR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Godsend vs. Grovel
It takes a long while to restrain the savage creature, but Godsend decides to have some fun and defeat Grovel with the SPEAK OF THE DEVIL.
WINNER: GODSEND

Godsend smirks as he kicks the downed Grovel and turns to leave the ring. His eyes are suddenly drawn to a figure at ringside whom he knows was not there at the beginning of the match and whom he immediately feels to be a supernatural entity. The figure is Exodus of the ROC. The heavenly warrior never takes his eyes from Godsend as he slowly enters the ring. Godsend backs up, with a sour look upon his face, and waits for the angel to speak his mind.

Exodus: So, we finally meet face to face, Serpent.

Godsend: One: who the hell do you think you are? Two: what the hell do you think you’re doing coming to ringside during my m-

Exodus: You are weak, demon.

Godsend: (stunned) Excuse me?

Exodus: You waste your effort with the weakest this plane has to offer, yet you have the nerve to walk this dimension as if you are a mighty beast. If you truly had the power you claim to have, one would think you would be proud of it, and use it to strike down the strongest of foes. Instead, you fail to show it, and fail to prove that you are anything more than a fool.

Godsend: I don’t think I like you, choirboy. No, scratch that. I don’t like you. You don’t think I have any power?

Exodus: No. I do not.

Godsend: And I guess YOU do, because you’re from the higher planes and you have devoted yourself to God and blah, blah, blah? Am I right?

Exodus: Correct.

Godsend: (grinning) Alright, then. I need another workout. You think you’re better than me? You think you serve the winning team? I’ll show you differently. (erupting into flames) Get your head out of the clouds and let’s fight, ASSHOLE!

Exodus nonchalantly leaves the ring and calmly turns back to Godsend, who has extinguished his flames and is looking on in bewilderment.

Exodus: Battle 12. You put Strategic Advantage on the line. Then we’ll fight.

Exodus then turned and calmly walked away yet again, leaving Godsend furious and confused as to why he was not able to control the situation!

TAG ESSENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
NuBorn Destruction vs. Living Dead w/ Trisis
Both teams battle back and forth in a veritable stalemate! Noxious begins to take over on Warfare, eventually tagging Cremator in and hitting the ANTILIAN RUINS! Tekaro, shield in hand, leaps into the ring and bashes Cremator right in the face with it, luckily not getting DQ’ed! Cremator and Warfare battle back and forth until Warfare makes the hot tag to Tekaro who leaps in and resumes his furious battle with his former partner! Cremator is able to tag in Noxious who battles Tekaro, and then Living Dead uses brutal double-team work to take advantage again. Cremator pummels Tekaro, but Tekaro battles back and whips Cremator into the corner, coming in for a charge when suddenly Cremator, in a display of frighteningly evolved intelligence, pulls the referee in front of him, sandwiching and injuring the official! All 4 men brawl in the ring now until S&M appear and begin to beat down NuBorn Destruction! The entire Ravager Army files out of their locker room to rescue their allies and The Specialists lead a charge of the ROC to the ring as the rest of Murdok’s Crusade storms the arena and General Rankor and Paganax lead a charge of the Planet Primus team against the Ravager Army, creating another gigantic melee! When the Ravager Referee comes to, he has no choice but to disqualify anyone who will listen!
WINNERS: NO CONTEST BY DOUBLE-DQ

Murdok himself suddenly appears, and in a furious bark commands his zombie masses to once AGAIN attack from the bleachers! The ROC, Ravager Army, and Planet Primus teams now scramble to break their brawls and run for their shuttles as the Dread Lord, in angry embarrassment and disappointment orders his zombie hordes to end the Battle for Centra right here and now by murdering all of the competition!

With a shocking loss pinned on the One Essence Bearer, Murdok and the Tag Essence still torn asunder, one thing is crystal clear: the aCe must go on! Although the Adversaries barely escape with their lives, it is evident that they will have to return to the putrid planet in just 2 weeks to face the wrath of the Dread Lord at Battle 12!

[Mr. Hyde]

I just had to say this- Hustler is a MONSTER!!!

In his match with Murdok, 22 tokens in total were inflicted,
16 of which were on MURDOK ALONE!!!

Hustler=Badass

[Mr. Hyde]

THE SCENE: MURDOK'S THRONE ROOM, BONESHATTER CASTLE

The Dread Lord sits heavily in his throne of bone, his jet black eyes attached to the mysterious object lying his hands. Several thoughts race through his head at once as he broods, alone, in his mighty chamber. Wondering who exactly would have the nerve to deliver such a strange object to his fortress, Murdok slowly brings the black rose in his hands up to his face, as if examining it more closely.

Just then, Murdok felt the one prescence in the dimension he feared, and brought his head up, meeting eyes with Godsend.

Godsend: You summoned?

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] (setting the rose aside) I did. I want you to deliver Gheist's orders to him at once. Tell him that after his mission is complete, he should return here with haste, as I have need of him at Battle 12.

Godsend: Am I really the one who needs to do this? I'm busy right now, can't you send Cremator or one of the countless other-

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] GO!

Sensing Murdok's growing frustration and anger, Godsend bowed quickly at turned to leave the chamber.

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] (stopping Godsend) And if you fail me at Battle 12 against this Exodus, you will pay dearly. Am I understood?

Godsend: (leaving the room with anger etched onto his face) Understood.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SCENE: THE HOUSE OF CENTRA PARLIAMENT BUILDING, CENTRAPOLIS

Hustler shocked the dimension, and most of all Aegis, when he stood toe-to-toe so defiantly with Murdok at Battle 11. Just one week from Battle 12, Aegis had taken Hustler on a special trip to the House of Centra Parliament Building in Centrapolis. They stood together on one of the ornate balconies of the building and looked out over the city.

Aegis: (looking into the distance) We had to quarantine another region of the city today. That officially makes more than half of Centrapolis overrun by the Plague.

Hustler: Dis is bullshit, Aegis.

Aegis: I know. (turning to the sky, particularly the Palladium Moon) But with most of our military tied up in the fighting on the moons, there isn't much we can do to protect down here. However, (turning to Hustler) there is something YOU can do.

Hustler: I beat that pussy Murdok already. I can do it again at Battle 12. And that dumbass thinks goin at it in a lumberjack match is gonna help? Please, son.

Aegis: (smiling) I made an excellent choice in you, Hustler. But, I have to warn you, he didn't know what he was up against last week. At Battle 12, he will. Do not underestimate him, or any of his minions that may be a t ringside. You have to be aware at all times. We'll be there to help, but-

Hustler: Ima do what I do, Aegis. Don't worry bout Murdok. You just make sure the boys take care of things outside the ring, and I'll take care of things INSIDE the ring.

Aegis: (turning to Hustler) That is exactly the kind of attitude that is going to cost you, Hustler. (Hustler looks insulted) You're one hell of a fighter, but this is different than anything else you've ever done. You won't just be fighting Murdok now, you'll be fighting the Essence as well. He will be like an entirely different opponent this time around-

Hustler: Aint nothing he can do to me that will stop me! (getting hostile) And yo attitude is what's kept the ROC from steppin up in this war! You so busy thinkin bout Murdok and what HE can do, you not thinkin bout what YOU can do! You all look like damn folls out there, cause you forgot who you are, man. I wouldn't be here right now if you couldn't kick ass! I dont let weaklings cover my back!

There is a tense silence as Hustler's words sink into Aegis.

Aegis:...You're right. We-

Hustler: (lunging at Aegis) GET DOWN MAN!

Hustler tackles Aegis to the ground just as a miniature saw blade, humming with power comes slicing through the air above them! Aegis and Hustler get to their feet and look in the direction of the blade, only to see it stop in mid-air and came right back at them!

Both heroes run inopposite directions as the blade veers to the left to chase down Aegis! Aegis gets to the balcony exit and leaps throught the open doorway as the blade shatteres THROUGH the door itself and passes by Aegis momentarily, again changing direction and coming at him!

Aegis runsa at the incoming blade and then leaps through a door on the right side of the hallway, closing it behind him and crouching. CRASH! the humming weapon slices throught the door above the corporal and makes a wide arc throughout the room, cutting down curtains, candlesticks, and slicing through furniture as Aegis bounds out of the room and back onto the balcony.

The strange weapon, noticeably slower and less noisy, follows close behind, seeming to make one final lunge at the leader of the ROC! Aegis hits the ground just barely avoiding the saw blade, and then watches with bewilderment as it sails off into the distance from whence it came.

As Aegis begins to stand again, Hustler approaches from the other side of the balcony and crouches with his commanding officer.

Aegis: (panting) What the hell was that?

Hustler: (a bit shaken) I know what you mean now, Aegis.

Aegis: What?

Hustler: You said don't underestimate Murdok and his Crusade. I seen that weapon before when Shepard and I first met Gheist. That...that was The Possessor!

A few streets away from the Parliament Building, the spectral assassin caught the powerful blade easily and ducked behind the ledge of the office building he had taken position on top of.

Gheist: First assignment, first failure. (looking at The Possessor) We don't miss, Hustler. And next time, we WON'T!

[Mr. Hyde]

BATTLE 12
RUINS OF ANTILIA
2ND CYCLE-2120

By now, the sight of Murdok’s undead masses crammed into the stone amphitheater had almost stopped intimidating the other Adversaries. However, after the events of the last battle, along with the hope that Murdok would lose his Essence Championship tonight, all of the members of the ROC, Ravager Army, and Planet Primus teams had taken extra precautions on this night. Nicodemus, Aegis, and Paganax had all been sure to keep a contingent of their own troops hidden within their shuttles should trouble arise. If things got out of hand this time, Murdok would have a true clash of military forces on his hands.

FOR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Godsend vs. Exodus
Exodus controls most of the match and makes Godsend look foolish as he easily thwarts all of the demon’s attempts to make a come back! Exodus batters Godsend with all of his most powerful maneuvers, but cannot get the pinfall, so he heads up top for a deathjump! Godsend moves just in time to watch Exodus crash and burn, and then proves himself a true serpent when he grabs a handful of tights and pins the stunned Angel for the 1-2-3! Godsend barely escaped with Strategic Advantage here.
WINNER: GODSEND (MURDOK’S CRUSADE RETAINS STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE)

Nicodemus vs. Flatliner
With a terrifying half-human half-machine shriek, Flatliner charged Nicodemus. Nicodemus was ready and obliterated Flatliner, shutting the killing machine down at every turn and becoming particularly nasty en route to victory.
WINNER: NICODEMUS

Nicodemus had no idea what happened next as he felt himself spun around, caught in a front headlock, lifted up, and spiked headfirst into the canvas! As he tried to regain his bearings, Nicodemus gazed up at the gray Antilian sky and saw a figure in a jet black cloak standing over him. He watched as the figure gently placed a black rose upon him and took down it’s hood.

Avarice: (as Nicodemus goes unconscious) I just wanted to deliver that one in person.

ELIMINATION 8-MAN TAG
The Specialists & NuBorn Destruction vs. The Living Dead & S&M
In a very, VERY back and forth battle, Cremator and Noxious prove to be tough foes to handle as they get more agile and more intelligent with each match. Shepard draws first blood by taking out Noxious, and then Tekaro takes down Sycophant. The Painmaster storms the ring and uses his deadly FACE FIRST CRASH to eliminate both Shepard AND Scorch. Tekaro and The Painmaster battle fiercely, with Tekaro using the RING OF DESTRUCTION to isolate Cremator. Cremator unleashes a relentless assault, but NuBorn Destruction is able to use the numbers advantage and Warfare finally hits THE BIG PAYBACK for the victory!
SURVIVORS: NUBORN DESTRUCTION

General Rankor and Paganax came down to the ring for the next match, however Grovel, the third member of the team tonight, was not with them. For a few moments, both leaders stood inside the ring as if awaiting their ally, and then Paganax let out a mghty roar that drew Grovel to the ring.

The veteran Tribesman of Primus approached the ring in a frenzy, pointing noticeably at Rankor and ranting in his native tongue. Grovel leapt into the ring and got right into the General’s face as Rankor began to grow visibly angry. Suddenly, Grovel leapt upon Rankor and began to claw away at him! Paganax actually looked stunned, and Rankor definitely was, but not for long as the Traitorous One quickly launched Grovel away, sprung to his feet, drew his pistol, and fired!

Grovel dodged the shot and a zombie at ringside took the ineffective blast in the chest. Rankor shifted his aim to Grovel’s head and Grovel prepared to charge, but before anyone could do anything, Paganax grabbed them both by the throat and lifted them into the air! The Heathen Chief seethed with rage as his teammates dangled in mid-air!

Paganax: (roaring) DOES HE SPEAK THE TRUTH, RANKOR!

Rankor: (gasping) NO! gack-no he does not- he lies!-gack!

Paganax growled a command to Grovel, and launched the creature right out of the ring! Grovel began to drag itself away, as Godsend looked on from high in the stands, laughing at what he had done. Paganax now drew Rankor up to his face, and roared at the Traitorous Ravager. Rankor seemed to be apologizing, but was quickly slammed into a corner of the ring.

Paganax: (billowing smoke) WE DEFEAT AEGIS! THEN, YOU ANSWER TO ME!

Rankor nodded vehemently as Paganax let him go and got on the ring apron. Shortly afterward, Aegis appeared, ready to once again fight against all odds.

HANDICAP MATCH
Aegis vs. Paganax & General Rankor
Aegis gives Rankor a pounding, forcing the General to make a desperate tag to Paganax. The Heathen Chief unloads on Aegis, and almost puts the Rampart out. Paganax eventually throws Aegis to the floor and leaps from the apron with an attempted flying double axe-handle, only to have Aegis whirl around and launch a large stone right at his head! Paganax goes down hard and Aegis rolls him back into the ring, hitting a big RAMPART’S REVENGE! Rankor easily made the save, but as the General reached the apron, Aegis ran at him with a forearm and knocked him off! Aegis went up top for another RAMPART’S REVENGE, only to have Rankor spring back up and launch him off of the turnbuckle! On the way down, Paganax leaps up and crushes Aegis with a devastating PAGAN VOID for the win!
WINNERS: PAGANAX & GENERAL RANKOR

Paganax exited the ring and Rankor followed as the Heathen Chief marched back toward the Planet Primus locker room, barking and ranting in his native language at Rankor. The General, following behind Paganax, seems to be trying to explain himself, but his face is twisted into a defiant sneer as he and Paganax disappear into the stone stadium.

Watching from his spectator’s box, Murdok laughs at his fallen foe, Aegis, as the brave leader tried to pick himself up off of the canvas. Between the tremendously difficult matches, the post-match lashing from Painmaster, and now the shattering effects of the PAGAN VOID, Aegis is slow to get up and looks very much like a broken man. Murdok leans over to whisper something to Trisis, and then stands up, turning around and beginning to exit his spectator’s box in order to prepare for his match later.

Aegis: (just to his knees, still on the canvas) MURDOK! (the Harvester stops in place) MURDOK! LOOK AT ME YOU COWARDLY SON OF A BITCH!

Murdok was amused by his nemesis’ cries.

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok[/glow]: (only looking back, but not turning his body) I’m sorry, Aegis. But it pains me to look at such at a pitiful sight as yourself. You are broken, Aegis. And soon, you shall be dead.

Aegis: (just to his feet) Are you afraid? Is that it, Murdok? (Murdok now turned around) First, you send your assassin after me. He didn’t kill me. For the past 3 battles, you’ve set me up in these handicap matches. They haven’t killed me. So, you must be wondering, Murdok…what EXACTLY will it take to kill me?

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] (smiling) I-

Aegis: (defiantly screaming) YOU WILL NEVER BE RID OF ME, MURDOK! I WILL PURSUE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THIS DIMENSION AND ANY OTHER YOU MAY RUN TO! I WILL HAUNT YOU, AND LIKE I SAID ONE YEAR AGO, I WILL SEND YOU BACK TO THE GRAVE!

[glow=green,2,300]Murdok:[/glow] (turning and leaving the box) I am a god, Aegis. You are a man. Gods do not die. Men do.

The Light Brigade vs. Darkness Falls
Lance and Aspin use quick and concise teamwork to quickly put away Jakyll with a MARS MANHANDLER
WINNERS: THE LIGHT BRIGADE

With Hustler and a limping Aegis at the front, a contingent of ROC made their way to the ring for the final and most important battle of the night. Hustler, pistols at the ready, leapt into the ring with a purpose while Aegis, Exodus, Shepard and Scorch took their places at ringside, awaiting the arrival of Murdok.It was very possible that this was all just a ruse to trap the ROC alone within the amphitheater, so all of the brave Ramparts made sure to be on their toes.

Suddenly, all of the ghouls in the stands stood up at once! The Ramparts immediately went on the defensive as Shepard drew a handgun he had been hiding. But when the zombies simply stood in place and Murdok, still seated in a stone throne and being carried to the ring by a mass of the undead terrors, arrived, it was clear that the Rampart’s had overreacted. If a trap was waiting, it had yet to be sprung.

The zombies beneath the Plague Harvester made a bridge of flesh for him to enter the ring. As he climbed he strode mightily to the center of the ring, and for the first time, let his coal black eyes settle on Hustler. Hustler was shaken, and even as the now blackened Essence of Centra began to ooze from seemingly nowhere around Murdok, the leader of the Blue Steel stood his ground. Outside the ring behind Murdok appeared Godsend, The Painmaster, Sycophant, Cremator and Trisis.

Without any words, the bell rang, and the most important fight of Hustler’s life began.

ONE ESSENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
LUMBERJACK MATCH
[glow=green,2,300]Murdok ©[/glow] vs. Hustler
Both warriors came out swinging, just pummeling each other back and forth for about 5 straight minutes. Murdok took the advantage eventually, and locked Hustler in the CENTRA TAKEOVER. Hustler battled out of it and the two soldiers engaged in a visceral, highly back and forth brawl, with Murdok seeming to have more offense in than Hustler. But suddenly, Hustler started to fire back strong and Murdok got blasted from Hustler’s powerful punches, and then rocked by back to back to back Curb Jaws! Murdok, feuled by rage and the Essence, fought back. By now, Hustler was out of gas and had taken a huge beating, so Murdok threw everything he had at the Street Soldier, only to see Hustler continue to come back for more! Enraged, Murdok powerbombed Hustler to the outside where the rest of his Crusade attacked! The ROC lumberjacks rushed in to make the save, and as the referee attempted to restore order and see if Hustler had survived the brutal assault, Aegis, with a large stone in hand, leapt into the ring! Murdok turned around as Aegis BLASTED him right in the face with the stone, shattering it upon impact! Murdok went down hard and Exodus tossed Hustler into the ring! Hustler, with all of his might, drug himself over to Murdok’s body, covered him, and got the 1-2-3! Murdok has been defeated!
WINNER AND NEW ONE ESSENCE BEARER: HUSTLER

Hustler drew his head up to see the blackened oozing Essence suddenly turn into a cobalt blue and begin to attach to him like pieces of steel armor! The fighting outside of the ring continued between the Crusade and The ROC, but suddenly attention was drawn to the sky overhead as a loud, glowing, miniature sawblade came slicing through the air!

Hustler barely had time to react before The Possessor, let loose by Gheist who was standing at the top of the arena, cut right through his bullet-proof vest and sliced all the way through his midsection. The Ramparts of Centra had felt hope for but a few moments before they watched a comrade be cut down in the center of the ring. At this moment, Nicodemus with NuBorn Destruction, Holocaust, and Nemean came down to the ring and began to fight off the Crusade as Aegis, Exodus, and Shepard scooped Hustler’s badly bleeding body out of the ring and made a retreat. Murdok just began to recover from Aegis’ earlier attack, and quickly realized what was happening. With a mighty roar he ordered all of his undead to attack!

Murdok: KILL THEM! LET NO LIVING CREATURE ESCAPE THIS ARENA!!!

As a flood of lifeless ghouls crashed into the ringside area, Nicodemus called for his backup. At the same time, Aegis, Exodus, Shepard and Scorch had just gotten Hustler out of the coliseum. With Hustler’s blood all over him, Aegis found once again what he was truly capable of.

Aegis: Shepard, Scorch, get Hustler to the shuttle. Send the Centra Guardsmen out. Take the shuttle out of here and head to the Ravager Battleship in orbit! I think they will still help us!

Scorch: But-

Aegis: But nothing! Now go! (as Shepard drags Scorch to help him get Hustler out) Exodus, we’re going back in!

Exodus: Gladly.

Aegis: We’re going to save Nicodemus and The Ravagers inside there! And…I’ve officially given us permission to use lethal force on ANYTHING that stands in our way! Zombie, sicko, demon, “God”, it doesn’t matter. If it is in our way, we kill it. Understood?

Exodus: (smiling) Understood, ready, willing and more than able!

Aegis: (seeing his armed Centra Guard approaching) Just like old times, Atman. (taking out two pistols and handing one to Exodus) Just like old times. NOW LET’S MOVE IT!