Chapter V: Hail Destroyer

The lights dim, leaving a single spotlight at the ring, where The Herald of Destruction stands, microphone in hand. The masked advocate waits out the crowd's mixed response, then raises his mic.

The Herald: "Ladies and gentlemen, be upstanding for your Grand Champion-- OLETHROS!"

The crowd roars with a mixture of boos and cheers as the Cancer Bats' "Hail Destroyer" blasts through the arena, and the towering Murder Machine walks out, the Grand Championship of PANGAEA around his waist. Impassive as ever, he stares out over the crowd, from which a small outbreak of "Crush. Kill. Destroy." chants breaks out from his supporters. He stalks down the aisle and steps over the top rope before taking up position in the center of the ring, arms folded.

The Herald: "In Paris, the Predator Princess brought her best to bear, but was it enough to win the match?"

He pauses, and, even without a microphone in hand, Olethros' voice can be heard as he answers:

Olethros: "NO."

The Herald: "She fought her hardest, coming within an eyelash, but was it enough to take the Grand Championship?"

This time, a shout comes from the fans in attendance, echoing the same word that the champion bellows.

Olethros: "NO."

The Herald: "She was determined, she was aggressive, but was it enough to defeat the unbeatable?"

Once again, the fans echo the response, louder this time.

Olethros: "NO."

The Herald: "No! Of course it wasn't! Because what stands before you is no mere mortal! Ladies and gentlemen, it matters not who becomes the number-one contender to this title later tonight, they have simply declared themselves the next to be victimized by the Murder Machine, the Destroyer Incarnate, YOUR Grand Champion of PANGAEA-- OLETHROS!"

He stops and holds the microphone out to the champion, who takes it and, without breaking his unblinking stare into the camera, speaks.

Olethros: "May the best man win, for only the best are fit to face me. And when you do, you will look up into the face of your destruction, and the last thing you hear will be the beat of my litany--"

His voice raises into a powerful roar, and his words are echoed by those in attendance who support him--

Olethros: "CRUSH! KILL! DESTROY!"

In the back we get a shot of Ellis Straker sitting at his desk. We could hear the door open of screen which caught the proprietor's attention.

Ellis Straker: "Excellent. I am glad that you were able to come to see me."

Brooklyn Blake walks in to frame and stands before Straker.

Ellis Straker: "I've been seeing reports that you really want another shot at Armada. That's completely understandable given what he has done to you and your sister."

Blake's face lit up.

Ellis Straker: "That being said, Miss Blake, I do not reward people for whining on social media. If you wanted a match with Armada then you should have asked me."

Brooklyn Blake: "Sir...I..."

Ellis Straker: "I did not give you permission to speak."

Blake held her tongue and looked a bit put off by the proprietor's rudeness.

Ellis Straker: "You have been a shining example of heart and determination here in PANGAEA and I am inclined to give you your rematch with Armada on the next show..."

Blake went to speak again but Straker held up a finger to stop her.

Ellis Straker: "...that is, if you can defeat Karen Hardy tonight in the main event. If you can put her down, I will give you Armada. Deal?"

Silence from Blake.

Ellis Straker: "You may speak."

Brooklyn Blake: "Deal. But if I could ask one more favor?"

Ellis Straker: "And that is?"

Brooklyn Blake: "Should I beat Hardy tonight, I want my match with Armada to be 2 Out of 3 Falls. I want to show the world that I truly am better than him."

Ellis Straker: "Win tonight and I will make that happen. You may leave."

With that Blake nodded and moved out of frame.

Backstage Keegan Hightower was standing with Nika Lagunov. There were serious jeers from the audience when he appeared on screen but they eventually subsided.

Nika Lagunov: "Mr. Hightower, could you please comment on what happened between yourself and Ramona Holiday last week?"

Keegan Hightower: "I thought that it was pretty obvious why Ramona did what she did. She didn't get into the ring to defend Brooklyn Blake. She got into the ring because she wanted to get her hands on me, she couldn't control herself."

Nika Lagunov: "Some people are saying that you are scared of her? That weeks of hostility between you two has finally boiled over and that you may have pushed her too far."

Keegan Hightower: "Woah woah woah. Ramona didn't get into the ring last week to assault me. She got into the ring to finally make her move on me. It's no secret that she is absolutely in love with me. I could snap my fingers and have her in my hotel room. No problem."

Nika Lagunov: "Uh...right. Okay. Well do you have any comments on your #1 Contender's match tonight against Armada?"

Keegan Hightower: "Yes. I'm going to win. It's pretty straight forward. I will beat Armada then go on to defeat Olethros to become Grand Champion. This company needs a champion with a face, so why not the competitor with the most beautiful face of all?"

The camera closed in on Hightower's smirking face before fading to black.

It was time for the main event at this point. Blake's wrist was heavily taped after the combined attacks from Armada and Keegan Hightower the previous week. The contest began with Blake shooting on Hardy, taking her down at the legs. Blake went to float over into a head lock but Hardy got out of it.

Ramona Holiday: "Battle of the Blondes. I bet we see Blake really take it to Hardy, she wants a chance to face Armada again."

Blake hit the ropes and came back looking for a running crossbody but Hardy caught her. Hardy went for a fallaway slam but Blake was able to land on her feet. Blake then hit a springboard and went for a tornado ddt, however, Hardy held her up and sent her flying with a release northern lights suplex.

Duff Buckley: "After a few moments of back and forth counters it's Hardy's strength that wins out."

Ramona Holiday: "The woman is giant."

Hardy got Blake up and doubled her over with an arm wrench, working Blake's injured wrist. Hardy hit Blake with a stiff knee to the face that sent Blake staggering into the ropes. Hardy then rushed her and Blake low bridged the top rope, sending Hardy out on to the apron.

Duff Buckley: "Desperation move from Blake. She needed to create some separation as Hardy has already started to target Blake's bad wrist."

As Hardy got up on the apron Blake held the top rope and caught her with a high kick to the head. Blake then attempted to suplex Hardy into the ring but there was no chance. Hardy easily reversed it and lifted Blake over the top rope. Hardy then held Blake completely vertical for a few seconds on the apron and instead of dropping her on the outside, Hardy turned and fell back onto the apron!

Duff Buckley: "Oh my God!"

Ramona Holiday: "That was smart by Hardy. The fall to the outside mats would have hurt Blake but slamming her down onto the hardest part of the ring hurt a hell of a lot more."

Duff Buckley: "Brooklyn Blake is in agony!"

Blake laid on the apron, holding her back in serious pain as Hardy re-entered the ring. Hardy got Blake back into the ring and sent her into the corner. Hardy lifted Blake up onto the top rope and the climbed up their with her. It took a moment to position but Hardy eventually brought Blake off of the top rope with a superplex and floated over into a cover for two.

Duff Buckley: "Another big suplex from Hardy. She is really taking Blake apart here."

The two got back to their feet and Hardy went for a strike but Blake spun behind her and shoved her into the ropes. Hardy came back looking for a clothesline but again Blake evaded it but this time she was able to put Hardy down with the No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn! The crowd popped huge as Blake covered but only got a two count.

Ramona Holiday: "Brooklyn Blake isn't done yet!"

Blake was feeling the momentum as she went to apply the Brooklyn Bridge but Hardy was able to power out of it. Hardy then spun her ponytail at Blake and something caught Blake in the eye, dropping her to a knee.

Duff Buckley: "That metal ponytail holder just caught Blake in the eye!"

The referee separated the two competitors and the ref admonished Hardy, who in return swore that it was an accident. The referee checked on Blake and asked her if she could continue to which Blake replied that she could. As soon as the referee stepped out of the way Hardy charged in and nailed Blake with a pump kick to the side of the head.

Ramona Holiday: "Hardy is done fucking about. She wants to put Blake away."

Hardy mounted Blake at this point and laid into her with big shots. She then got Blake up and sent her hard into the corner. Hardy then came charging in but Blake got a knee up and then leapt out of the corner, catching Hardy with the Powerplay! Hardy's head was driven hard into the canvas.

Duff Buckley: "Brooklyn Blake is still in this match."

Blake went to capitalize but Hardy staggered back up to her feet. Hardy clobbered Blake with a lariat that turned the latter inside out and then went for a deadlift German suplex. Before Hardy could get Blake over, Blake rolled through with a victory roll and quickly transitioned it into the Brooklyn Bridge! After fighting for a few moments Hardy had no choice but to submit.

Winner: Brooklyn Blake (***1/2)

After the contest Armada came through the crowd and entered the ring with a chair! He smashed Blake in the back of the head with the chair and that earned him some serious boos.

Duff Buckley: "Why am I not surprised?"

Armada hits Blake with a few more shots and then opens the chair just enough to put her wrist in it.

Ramona Holiday: "This won't be ending well."

Armada then dropped a hard stomp onto the chair, sandwiching Blake's wrist. She rolled around the mat in agony as Armada stood beside her, looking quite pleased with himself. We cut.