Billy Anderson vs. Byson Kaliban vs. Dangerous Dan vs. Franklin Fredrickson vs. Lilliana Primrose - Paramount Championship Bloodbath Match - Infernalia 4

Franklin spits on the face of Billy Anderson, mumbling angrily as he places the steel chair beneath his head. Stomping down on the head of Billy Anderson twice to keep his enemy down, Franklin looks up to the nearest corner and takes in a big gulp. He slowly but surely makes his way up the bottom then middle rope, looking for his trademark Hard Times Bonzai Drop. Just when he’s about to drop the lead on the Unstoppable One, Lilliana Primrose rises in a flash.

Franklin Fredrickson falls lifelessly to the canvas, his entire body frame rocking the ring as he crashes, throat slit from ear to ear, facial expression one of utter shock. Lilliana Primrose stands above him, a mischievous smile on her face and a long, pointed piece of glass digging hard into the flesh of her right hand.

The crimson flow of Fredrickson drips from his throat down to the canvas, the small steel grates within it draining every drop down to a vent system specially made by the Amoralists. Lilliana tilts her head to the side as she tightens her grip on the piece of glass, giggling as she skips around the body of Franklin.

—

Franklin’s Return - Infernalia 6

Jaiden again shows resolve by clambering to his feet and launching at Cain and Valentine, taking them by surprise. He manages to momentarily get the upper hand on the two of them before a chrome-enhanced arm grabs him by the arm and flings him with ease, sending Jaiden smashing into the stone wall of the building. The Prince crumbles in a heap on the floor as the trio approaches, led by the cyborg version of Franklin Fredrickson assumedly brought back to “life” by the Amoralists.

Jaiden gets unsteadily to his feet, his left arm visibly hanging limp to his side.

Jaiden Rishel: “Fuck…”

Jaiden barely sees the wooden crate fly through the air, crashing into the skull of the Cyborg, who doesn’t register the assault and keeps moving forward. Franklin secures Jaiden by the throat, lifting him with ease and slamming him against the stonework. Jaiden spits blood at his assailant, barely seeing him through stunned eyes. Franklin slams again, Jaiden going limp in his grasp. 

—

The Challenge Is Made - Infernalia 7

Then…a slow clap echoes from the middle of the stage. The Living Legend Alex Cain steps forward. Wearing an arrogant grin like the world is something he’s already beaten twice, the five time CWF World Champion strolls down the ramp with a microphone in hand. Behind him, Fredrickson stands eyes unfocused, face unreadable. Cain looks amused more than impressed.

Alex Cain: “Falls Count Anywhere… tornado tag…”

He shakes his head, smiling wider.

Alex Cain: “You Highlanders always did love drama. Always loved the big drawn out speeches. Always loved pretending you’re the storm instead of just the losers standing in the rain that you are. You want Ascension? Fine.”

He suddenly grabs Franklin Fredrickson by the chest plating and SLAPS it hard, a metallic THUNK echoing through the arena. Franklin winces but keeps his attention towards the Highlanders in the ring. Cain leans into the mic, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Alex Cain: “We’ll see you at Ascension.”

The crowd erupts into boos as Cain taps Franklin’s chest again, laughing under his breath. Inside the ring, Jared Holmes finally tilts his head, like he’s watching a decision being made somewhere far beyond the Colosseum. Freddie Styles climbs the turnbuckle and spreads his arms wide, shouting something inaudible into the chaos, but all eyes are on the ramp. Dan Highlander raises his mic one last time.

Dan Highlander: “Ascension… you wanted a war.”

Caledonia steps beside him.

Caledonia: “You’re going to get one.”

—-

Present Day - Anthropolis

Your screen remains black for a long moment, damn near long enough for you to get your lazy ass off the couch and change the channel, but slowly a low hum rises through the background, keeping you frozen in fear. A flickering of light and the screen comes to life to show nothing but barren, bright white painted concrete walls. An empty, sterilized chamber buried deep within the Colosseum.

Zooming out, we see the room is not so empty after all; as the man of the hour sits there, strapped down to a mechanical table, an unnamed Watcher standing beside him watching every movement. Franklin Fredrickson looks up, showing no panic whatsoever.  

His chest rises slowly, breaths taken in and out with mechanical precision. His eyes open, but they don’t immediately focus on anything in the room. Instead, they drift in waves, as if they’re searching for a stage that no longer exists.

A very familiar deep voice cuts through the static.

Alex Cain: “You ever notice how resurrection always sounds better in theory?”

The Living Legend steps into the frame, hands in his pockets as he smirks. The Big Man eyes up his partner for Ascension, circling around him like he’s inspecting a delivery that he never ordered.

Alex Cain: “They told me you were the answer. The Facetious One. The joke that survived every punchline.”

Cain stops his movement abruptly, looking Fredrickson dead in the eye.

Alex Cain: “But you don’t look like a joke to me.”

Cain’s hands move in a flash, taking a hold of the straps holding the Facetious One down and ripping them apart with one massive showing of strength. A shocked and bewildered Franklin can do nothing but look on, entranced by every word coming from the Hall of Famer.

Alex Cain: “You look like someone who’s been misunderstood. Whenever the chips were down and Rish or whatever faceless puke running this place needed someone to fall back on…you were always there. Whenever they needed some comical relief because Elisha was making things too dark and scaring the kids away? You were always there. Franklin, you were…no you are a mainstay in Championship Wrestling Federation. You may have picked up a few pounds and lost yourself along the way over the years…well centuries, really…but that is precisely why we’re here today.”

Franklin sits up from the table that he was formerly held down on.

Franklin Fredrickson: “Oh? To do what?”

Another smirk from the Living Legend as the wheels have truly begun to turn in the veteran’s head.

Alex Cain: “To find yourself.”

—-

Present Day - Anthropolis, Continued

Franklin Fredrickson and Alex Cain now find themselves smack dab in the middle of the Colosseum, standing alone in a wrestling ring that would normally be surrounded by dozens if not hundreds of Watchers, thousands of fans, droids flying everywhere and fanfare of all kinds. 

But not today.

Today the Colosseum sits quiet, the people of Anthropolis out doing whatever every day things they have left to do after the Amoralists took all hope from them. Probably out walking their robot dogs or something, who the fuck cares?

Anyway, as I was saying, empty ring with Cain and Fredrickson standing within it. The two Amoralist anchors stand side by side, looking out at what would normally be a sea of fans and simply relishing in the quietness of the moment. There are no droids. No Watchers keeping an eye on the restless crowd. 

It is just the Living Legend and the Cyborg themselves, deep in thought as they stand side by side just feet away from one another.

Finally Cain breaks the silence, turning to his new associate.

Alex Cain: “It wasn’t long ago that you were standing in this ring debuting for CWF. I mean yes, long ago in a technical sense being that we’re in 2326 now, but it seems like only yesterday where you came in here as the brash upstart, so full of himself that you wouldn’t even think twice to bash someone like Caledonia’s skull into the pavement for just looking at you funny. You fought Jarvis King to some of the most legendary matches in the company’s history, dude…what happened to you?”

These words trigger something in Franklin. Flashes of the past run through his mind in fast forward. The Facetious One standing on a stage during one of his headlining acts, getting booed furiously and having banana peels, full soda cups, and stuffed animals thrown his way. 

Some grandma even throws her panties. 

Gross.

Memories of auditions for shows and movies that Franklin was never able to obtain. A career that could have been, should have been, but never was. 

Franklin’s start into professional wrestling and his debut match in Championship Wrestling Federation. Most saw Frankie as a joke from the very beginning and were quite vocal in saying that, but the Facetious One made them eat every piece of word play they threw his way. Victory after victory, and Franklin took himself from being a failed comedian to being a successful professional wrestler. 

And he had the Paramount Championship to show for it.

The memories recede from the Cyborg as he comes back to reality, a smile once again gracing the face of Alex Cain as he looks back at him knowingly.

Franklin Fredrickson: “You’re right. Long gone are the days of failed punchlines and being laughed out of the room. I will not allow the decision of our Lord Anhellica to revive me to go in vain. Cain, my friend, you have lifted the vale and truly allowed me to see the truth for what it is. 

The Highlanders, Jaiden, Mitaxia, all of the forces that stand against the Amoralist army…they all have one thing in common. They’re fighting on the wrong side of history. And not only that, they all seem to think they’re doing this noble and heroic thing by trying to put an end to our tyranny, but if they only knew the truth in the matter…maybe they wouldn’t be so quick to stand against us?”

Alex Cain: “And what truth are you speaking of?”

The Cyborg smiles back at the legend now.

Franklin Fredrickson: “That this was never meant to be a war in the first place. Amorality is for the good of the people. Every last fan throughout Anthropolis. Every “last warrior” that steps foot into the Colosseum. You know as well as I do because you have a deeply rooted history with her, Anhellica has only the best intentions for her people.”

Alex looks away momentarily, remembering all the years of CWF’s past where both him and Anhellica as her former self Angelica fought many wars together and apart, both of them showing truly heroic feats throughout their time. He snarls away the thought, focusing instantly back on the task at hand.

Alex Cain: “That was a long time ago, man. I’m not sure Anhellica still holds most of those ideals true…”

Franklin scoffs at very thought.

Franklin Fredrickson: “I won’t even consider the thought as an opening line! I know deep within Anhellica that she wants only good things for the CWF wrestlers and all of Anthropolis. I mean…why the hell would she even bring me back if not!?”

Alex raises an eyebrow but before he can respond, Franklin continues.

Franklin Fredrickson: “So this is what we’re gonna do, champ. You and I are going to make one last trek down to this here beautiful squared circle come May twenty ninth and we’re going to show the Highlanders what legends are truly made of. 

The Highlanders? Cute. They fight like honor is a shield…but this is a war, not a family reunion. Nothing says Ascension like two people cosplaying as destiny. 

We’re going to make Caledonia squeamish as we pound the fucking guts out of her husband right in front of her. You’re going to make the pathetic championship reigns they have between the two of them look like blips in the history books. And me…I’m gonna do what I always do.”

Cain smiles, smacking the chest plate of his partner to get him going.

Alex Cain: “And what’s that!?”

Franklin looks on in a serious tone.

Franklin Fredrickson: “I’m going to prove once and for all that the Facetious One is a name not to be taken lightly. Franklin Fredrickson is no joke. 

Falls Count Anywhere? 

Perfect. I never liked ropes with my happy endings anyway. 

Tornado tag? 

Make sure to bring Twister with you, because ole’ Frankie is ready to play. 

I honestly don’t care if Eris, Lord Urkel, your creepy cousin Edward or whoever you want to bring with you to the ring come Ascension- the ending doesn’t change. When the credits roll and the critics on rotten tomato talk about whether or not the Highlanders story was enough to win an Oscar? All they’re going to remember is this.”

Franklin smacks the heavy chest of Cain back, the enthusiasm rolling through Franklin as he points to both himself and the Living Legend.

Franklin Fredrickson: “Your story? It doesn’t end with a happy ending where you can just go back to 2026 and one day tell your grandkids how you valiantly saved the entire world. At Ascension, we put an end to the little fairy tale you’ve been playing out. You got a hurricane and an earthquake coming at you May 29th. Can you weather the storm? It’s going to take a lot more than a time machine named after a corny acronym or even an entire football team of Dan Highlander’s can provide you. 

So get your asses to Discordia and ask the best AI you can find what it’s going to take to get the job done against two of the biggest, most legendary forces CWF has ever seen. Because you idiots asked for this war, now you suffer the consequences.”

The Living Legend nods his approval as he looks back at his new Cyborg friend. He’s ready, is the only thought running through Cain’s mind as the camera fades to black.