Richard Montoya stands in front of a podium, outside of the white house as media stands at a distance with their cameras, recorders and questions. Vice President Anderson stands behind him as Richard speaks into the microphone.
"As you know, the Shadowhunters have made their presence known to the country of America, as well as our friends in the country of Mexico. Over the last few days, the ACW talent have been training in a hidden location in preparation for this big event where the fate of ACW hangs in the balance. The Shadowhunters are psychopaths and borderline terrorists for their actions. They have been watched closely by the government and unfortunately we let it get out of our control. However, we plan on squashing this under our feet with the help of the Hope Foundation, La Rebelion enterprises and the rest of the ACW roster. And I guarantee my country that they will or they will die trying. My Vice President has been negotiating with the masked man who put together this group. He has claimed that his name is 'V.P.' mockingly to Vice President Anderson. Anyways, 'V.P.' and the actual V.P. have decided on the match card for ACW: Into the Shadows in 24 hours, live on Pay-Per-View. The opening contest will see Freddy Escobar team with the soon to be debuting Alexis Espinoza….and…." Richard groans "Ash Russo to take on 3 members of the Shadow Hunters in a Mixed Tag Team Match that will have a Fifteen Minute Time Limit. Next, Natalia Rodriguez will take on Ivy in a match that will have a fifteen minute time limit. Next, in our third match Azriel will take on Edward Mercury in a match with a twenty minute time limit….for the ACW World Championship….It was a demand of theirs. Next, if needed, Detrick Cyrus will face Maverick in a match with a no time Limit….And in the main event, if needed, Jason Sabre will face Messiah in a match with no time limit." Richard announces as we cut to our 'heroes' in Ray Kiran's living room, minus Ash Russo.
"Oh no Yul, The Wrestling's Ace is fighting the Messiah! I heard that he was scary" Asher said to his Jamaican friend
"Sabre mon, you better go to church and start praying. Freddy told me that Messiah was a giant with no pupils. He can't even see and he beat Seth Sullivan. That's impressive." Yul said as Jason was on his HP laptop with the notepad that Jasper gave Ash laying on it. "Yo Ace, pay attention"
"He's been doing research the entire time." Alexis said.
"He knows that he's wrestling on Sunday and not taking a test right?" Sofia said.
"I should've been the one who faced Messiah." Azriel proclaims as he sits on the steps of the staircase, as far away as possible from the rest of the group.
"You know that 'V.P.' wouldn't want that. Messiah probably couldn't go twenty minutes with you. That's why he has Edward challenging for the title. He doesn't want to win the title. He just wants to survive you. Messiah wants to beat Jason and secure a victory for his team." Alexis explains.
"Our Vice President was a weak man and set us all up to fail." Azriel said.
"Me versus Maverick seems like a fair fight." Detrick said.
"Probably because Maverick won't be in the six man tag, so he was a leftover guy." Alexis predicts.
"At least that will be one win for us if the first two don't go our way and Azriel draws." Detrick said
"What if we draw with them?" Freddy brings up
"Why would you want to draw pictures with them Freddy? They are the bad guys!" Asher said.
"Freddy is also a bad guy. No one likes him." Sofia said.
"Caesar likes me." Freddy said
"Caesar likes anyone that pets him." Sofia said
"No he-" Freddy said, before seeing Caesar laugh like a child as Natalia pets his head. "I hate you all."
"And all of us hate you too including the viewing audience that watched you every week." Sofia said
"That's enough, both of you. All of us need to step it up and work together or else we're all losing our souls." Alexis said
"Me too? I'm not even booked despite being the cutest and most charming out of all of us." Sofia said, getting looks from everyone but Sabre. Sofia just shrugs. "You can give me looks, but you know that this wouldn't have been as fun without me."
"You shot my car, what's so fun about that?" Detrick asked.
"The part where I pointed my gun at your car and pulled the trigger. It was fun." Sofia said. "And also crashing through Despair's front door-"
"I'll have Maroa send you the bill after this." Azriel said to Alexis
"And when I shot up Freddy's bus." Sofia continued
"I'll also send you a bill." Freddy smugly said
"You'd need to be able to afford an envelope and stamps first. And according to your current bank account, you can barely afford the air you breathe." Alexis fired at him.
"Don't get high and mighty there Queen." Freddy said. "I could easily leave you out there alone on Sunday"
"I have Ash on my side. Look, I don't like you. In fact, I despise you. You're an example of why people say condoms don't work. But I have to work with you and you have to work with me or we're both screwed." Alexis said.
"Shut up. I don't need to work with anyone. I don't even want to be here." Freddy said, before storming out of the room and into the kitchen
"Boss seems mad." Caesar said
"Why is he always like that?" Natalia questions before noticing Detrick walk up the stairs, past Azriel.
"Being angry must run in the family." Sofia said, before Jason closes his HP laptop and stands up. He sets the laptop down and walks toward the door.
"Where are you going buddy?" Ray Kiran asked
"We're not buddies and I'm going outside for a walk." Jason said.
"A walk to where?" Alexis asked.
"Some place that I haven't been in a long time." Jason replies.
"What about your research?" Alexis asked.
"I found nothing, so I have to turn to something bigger than the internet." Jason said
"What is that?" Alexis asked
"Faith." Sabre said, before taking his leave.
"Faith? The dude who sold his soul to Micah Hyde is turning to his 'faith' for help. Does anyone see something wrong with that?" Sofia said, before Azriel stood up.
"Jason is not a hound of Despair like Micah and Giselle would like. His allegiance is with us, but he still walks the line and struggles with his inner struggle." Azriel said, before beginning to walk upstairs, leaving Alexis, Sofia, Kiran, Yul, Caesar, Natalia & Asher alone.
(Ray Kiran's House- Ash Russo's Room)
Ash Russo lays on his bed, looking up at the ceiling
"Loneliness. Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. Loneliness is more than just the feeling of wanting company or wanting to do something with another person. Loneliness is a feeling of being cut off, disconnected, and/or alienated from other people, so that it feels difficult or even impossible to have any form of meaningful human contact. Lonely people often feel empty or hollow inside. I'm trapped in this house with many people, but I still feel loneliness. All these people don't understand my point of view. They didn't grow up like I did. Except for one, but he doesn't have the same views of that past that I did. The people who understood me, stood by me, they're gone. They are no longer with me. Now I must find beside a team that I don't want to be on, so a President I hate can save face."
Lost in his thoughts was Ash Russo. At least until he noticed Azriel standing in his doorway. He sits up in his bed.
"You will competing in a six man tag team match with Freddy Escobar and the Queen of the South." Azriel states
"Looks like I'm going to have to stand in between a warzone." Ash comments as Azriel turns around to leave. "Azriel…"
"We don't need to talk about the past Ash. You and I are two different people from the same situation. We stand together on Sunday, but we will be separated again once that event ends." Azriel said.
"Why did you stay with Micah Hyde when everyone else escaped that life." Ash said.
"Why would I? I was the King to the throne of Despair. My life was set in stone. Why would I walk away?" Azriel said.
"Because you know it's wrong." Ash said
"I know that the things we've done are evil. But if you were in the same position, you would've stayed too." Azriel said
"I would never." Ash replies
"Same stupid little boy. You never changed." Azriel said.
"I wish I could say the same about you." Ash said, before standing up from his bed and walking up to him.
"I lost everything and I found something. That something made me cold, but it made me known and feared across the world." Azriel said
"I lost everything and I found something too." Ash said. "But now I lost that something. I want it back."
"Don't be afraid to pull the trigger this time and maybe you will get it back." Azriel advises, before walking out of the room.
(Church)
Jason sits in the front row of the church. His head bowed, as the notepad is between his hands. Jason was alone. Nothing but him and the shrine to our lord and savior in front of him. Jason is praying. Praying because he has no answers on how to bring back everyone.
"A sinner raised by the house of god has return." Spoke a woman's voice. Jason opened his eyes and turned his head to see a woman walking down aisle. Her hair was platinum and in curls as it reaches down to her midback. Sabre stood up to look at the modestly dressed woman with innocent green eyes. He looked at the pale woman, trying to put a face to the name. She couldn't be any
"I don't know who you are." Jason said.
"You do know me." She said as she carried a basket of flowers. "We grew up together. It's been thirteen years since I last saw you Jason. I didn't expect us to meet again over here."
"I'm sorry. You look familiar but I can't put a name on that face." Jason said
"We were Twelve, the last time we saw each other. Before I got adopted. We used to play together in the back of this church. The sisters used to tell us to be respectful and not talk when the priest was talking." The woman spoke
"Reyna." Jason said, remembering the name and making her smile.
"It's nice to see you again. You've changed a lot." Reyna said.
"Life has been hard for everyone." Jason said
"Hard enough to kill a man? How can you show your face and ask god for a favor after that." Reyna said.
"I didn't kill him. He was alive when I beat him. He died an hour later because he made a bad decision" Jason said.
"You made a bad decision Jason. You sided with Micah Hyde. That man is wicked." Reyna spoke
"I know he is, but there is more to the story than the public knows." Jason said.
"Did you come here to beg for forgiveness?" Reyna asked
"No. I never ask for an I'm sorry. I came to ask for some help." Jason said, before standing up and handing her the notepad that was on the last page that Jasper wrote on.
"B...K….and some type of drawing in between." Reyna said, looking at it. "Is this a riddle"
"It is and I need a answer to it." Jason said, before the two hear footsteps approaching. They both turn their heads to see a 6 foot man approaching. Standard mesomorph body type. Olive skinned, square jaw and black coloured eyes. Black hair styled in a slicked back wet look medium length undercut with short back and sides similar to Charlie Hunnam in King Arthur. Jason and this man made eye contact as he approached. At that second, Jason knew something was up with this guy.
"He is a friend. I met him a few years ago, he's really nice." Reyna whispered as the man approached to ease him.
"Jason Sabre, but you probably knew that." Jason said
"I come from Belfast Ireland. You have quite the following there. My name is Flynn Horde." Flynn spoke
"I'm not going to lie. There's something about you that I can't put my finger on." Jason admits as the two continue to eye each other.
"Destino….I feel him inside of you." Flynn said. "That's what this war with the Shadowhunters is all about."
"How did you know?" Jason said, shocked.
"You and I have a lot in common." Flynn said, before noticing the paper in Reyna's hand. He signaled for her to hand it over, which she did. He looked over it for a second. "Break the symbol. That gold thing that they carried holds everyone's soul."
"How do you know?" Jason asked as Flynn gave him a serious look.
"I came here a week ago because of the Shadowhunters and what they were the sake of the planet, trust me and don't ask questions. I know what I'm talking about." Flynn said. Jason nods.
"We'll meet again one day." Jason said, looking him in the eyes. "And maybe on that day, I can figure out what is wrong with you."
"We all have demons Jason. Yourself included." Flynn said as he watched Jason walk away from him and out of the church.
"So that's why you wanted to come here." Reyna said before Flynn began to walk away. "Where are you going?"
"Thank you for the help Reyna, but my work here is done. I'm going home." Flynn said
"You never stay, just to be with me and hang out." Reyna said
"I wish I could, but you know that I can't. At least until I can kill my own demons." Flynn spoke, before leaving the church, not even looking at her and leaving Reyna alone.
(Kiran's house- Back Porch)
Natalia sits on the porch of Ray Kiran's house sitting at the table on the outside, in front of the large yard that has a beautiful garden in the backyard with a visible in door pool house in the background. The sky has darkened at this point as Detrick Cyrus approaches. Natalia notices him before looking away, deciding to play with the straw for her lemonade instead.
"We haven't talked to each other in a while. How was your vacation?" Detrick said
"It was okay." She said, not looking at him. She stirs the ice in her lemonade with her straw. Detrick sighs as he sits in a chair across from her.
"It's okay Natalia. I lost at Final Destination too." Detrick said
"I failed us. More importantly, I failed our master. He died and his last memory of me is losing on the night that Hope was supposed to stand tall." Natalia said
"His last memory of you is you not giving up. Erin had to throw in the towel to stop from continuing." Detrick said
"I could've won if she didn't. Master Pantera would've died knowing that his student was a Champion." Natalia said
"I had the same feeling. You're not the only one who failed Master Pantera at Final Destination. Hawk lost the Wildcard Championship match and I couldn't beat Azriel for the ACW World Championship. The doctor told me that Pantera watched that match before he passed. The last match he ever saw was his student, who he passed his torch and life work to, failed to beat the student of his rival. I have to live with that feeling. It's the same feeling that you have. I know you're hurt." Detrick said
"I'm sorry Detrick, but right now I can't go back to Hope. That loss. I wanted that to be the moment where I beat my demons and confronted my fears. Diamondust was like a symbol of everything bad that's happened to me. I couldn't beat her and I couldn't beat her on the day that my mentor and hero died." Natalia said as tears began to form in her eyes.
"Natalia…" Detrick gently whispered as he reached over and touched her hand, only for her to pull away and stand up.
"I'm going to bed." Natalia said, before leaving Detrick alone on the porch. Detrick leans back in his chair, cupping the back of his head with both hands and letting out a deep groan. A moment passes before he hears someone approaching. He straightens up as Alexis approaches with two bottles of Modelo in her hand.
"You look like you need one." Alexis said, handing him one, before taking a seat.
"Thanks." He said, before snapping the cap off and raising his bottle toward her. "Salud"
"Salud." She repeats before they clank glass bottles and drink. "It's been a rough time for you."
"Dealing with my brother, losing my friends, trying to get Natalia back, working with my rival and my car getting shot out. Yeah, not so fun." Detrick said, before putting his beer down.
"Sofia was just having fun. That's how she is. I bet that when she shot Freddy's windows and tire, that you thought it was cute and funny." Alexis said, getting a chuckle
"A little bit." Detrick admits.
"Speaking of Freddy, he used to work for my dad when he was younger." Alexis said
"I know. You're father was Ricardo Espinoza. One of the most feared drug lords and businessmen of all time. Somehow he never got incarcerated, before his death." Detrick said
"He was smart. He taught me and my brother everything we know." Alexis said
"Speaking of your brother, how is his business?" Detrick asked
"Let's cut the small talk. I'm not here to talk about my older brother. I'm here to talk about your brother. What the hell is the relationship between you two?" She asked
"Freddy is very jealous. We are the same age, but I was always looked at as the better brother. Before our dad passed, I was clearly his favorite child. Freddy loved me, but he always held a sense of resentment to me. He had a chip on his shoulder and would constantly act out and as a result make an ass out of himself. He actually tried to get into Hope, but he couldn't make it past the screening process to get to the test because he couldn't get one positive review from teachers or people who worked with him." Detrick said
"That's why he's such a egomaniac and has such a short fuse." Alexis said.
"I guess. He blames everyone but himself for his shortcomings. He looked at how good I was doing and thought he deserved it when he didn't want to work for it. That's why he joined your side." Detrick said.
"I bet he's regretting it right now." Alexis said.
"What's done is done. He is irredeemable at this point. I can't save my brother and he doesn't want me to either, nor do I ever want to. He's a piece of shit." Detrick said
"You didn't need to say that. We already know." Alexis said as she takes another sip of her beer.
"So, now you know about me and Freddy. I want to know about Alexis and Freddy." Detrick said
"I won't tell you everything, but once upon a time, Freddy made a mistake." Alexis said
"Taking money from your dad and running? I knew about that." Detrick said
"Yeah." Alexis said out loud. But in her head, she thought "Not that."
"Anyways, we should get some rest. Tomorrow is the big night." Detrick said
"One time and never again." Alexis said
"Hope...Despair...Anarchy...The Drug cartel….and Freddy." Detrick chuckles as he stands up and the two begin to walk away towards the house as Go Hard or Go Home by Wiz Khalifa starts to play
I feel like the sky is falling down
Ain't nobody here to play around
Push it to the edge, I won't back down
'Cause it's time to go hard or go home
One way up, no way out
I give it all, all for the family
We stay up, no bail outs
Give it all, all for the family, family, family, fa-fa-family
We see a montage of Sofia shining her up her gun as she notices Alexis walking in. Alexis hugs her. Then we see Azriel sit on the lazyboy chair in Ray Kiran's basement. We then see Ash Russo on top of the roof looking down at Jason Sabre who is walking toward the front door. Jason sees him and the two nod. We then see Freddy pulling out his wallet and looking at a picture of him as a child with what looks to be an unmasked Detrick, although cake seems to be covering Detrick's face. Freddy then closes his wallet as Caesar walks into the room. Natalia is seen tossing and turning in bed. Detrick is seen looking at the white panther as he walks toward his room, before him and Jason cross paths in the hallway. The two stop and make eye contact as the music stops. Detrick extends his fist and Jason just shakes his head no, before walking into his room, leaving Detrick hanging. Detrick puts his fist down as sighs as we fade to black.