He smiled as soon as he saw who his opponent would be for the next Warfare. None other than Elisha himself. The man from 10,000 bc. who looks, Acts, And smells just like a damn rat! The first thing he did was head for the mortuary on the outskirts of town. He made his way to the back where a freshly dug grave could be seen. Death Merchant walked over by it and the casket that was being held in place by two boards. A camera was focused on the grave site with a spotlight lighting it up. He walked over and stood in front of the grave and faced the camera.


Death Merchant
Elisha, You and I seem to be crossing paths a lot around here. In order for me to move up that ladder and up to the next level. I am going to have to go through you. I know your one sick and twisted individual but you know what. So am I! Only I have accepted the beast inside of me where you still struggle to figure yours out. You never will, It will eat at you like a cancer you can't get rid of. You will never know the beast that dwells inside of you because it scares you!


Death Merchant motions toward the grave behind him.


Death Merchant
Do you see this grave here? It has a special resident who is about to move in.


Death Merchant opened the lid on the casket as the camera zoomed in for a close up.


Crawling out of the casket were some of the largest Tarantula's you had ever seen. He stretched out his hand as one of them crawled up his arm. It crawled up to his mouth and gently pressed it's fangs against his lips before crawling back down and into the casket.


Death Merchant
My friends will be waiting for you Elisha. Their hunger for your blood is growing with every passing second. Elisha, You may be a big bad @$$ who thinks he's really tough, But uh. The gig is up dude. It's time someone pounded some sense into that hard head of yours. You need to get off the pity party there and be a man. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and realize life happens, $h!t happens. Get over it already.


He placed his arms inside the casket and laughed as they began crawling up his arm. Seven of them. The largest one which had crawled on him earlier was the Queen. Judging by the way she climbed onto his shoulder and turned towards the others. In unison they stood on their back legs and shot their webs towards her in salute.


Death Merchant
Are you afraid of spiders Elisha? They are just like you and I, Struggling to survive in their own world. They only attack those who appear as a threat to them. Can you feel them as I stuff you inside a casket just like this one. A casket full of creepy crawly things that will haunt your nightmares. If you think you had a bad night when you lost your tag team championship to G-Mac and Duke. Your really not going to like it when I close the lid and they begin attacking you, Shooting their venom inside your body. You will try to scream but no one will hear it. Not even the fly that sits above your face watching you writhe in pain....




.......





BAM, The poison eases your pain as your very life energy slips out of your body it becomes as cold as ice. Only one thing, I'm sure that the XWF powers that be will have Arachnids whose poison sacs have been removed. Do you know what that means? Not even death will be able to release you from the pain you are going to feel. Elisha, You have stepped into the biggest Hornets nest you could have thought of. I am going to make you wish you never would have become a professional wrestler. I am going to make you wish you were still some side show freak with the local carnival. Ooga Booga, B!tc#.

Death Merchant smiles as the Tarantulas crawl down his arms and back inside the casket. He gently closes the lid and walks over smiling at the camera as he shuts it off. He packs the equipment back to his vehicle and places it inside the trunk. After driving back to the hotel he finally gets a few hours of sleep before leaving to meet Mr. Johnson at the Station.


He shook hands with Mr. Johnson as John Black walked up and stood beside him. Death Merchant turned towards him.


Death Merchant
Yeah, JB. What's up?


John Black
I thinned out some of the trash that thought they were tough enough to be a part of our security team. The remaining ones are running through the 'Obstacle Course' now. Let's see how many are left standing after that!


Death Merchant
Awesome, I knew you were the right one to push them. Good work, we'll talk more later about our plans.


John Black turned away as Death Merchant walked into the studio with Mr. Johnson. They watched as the Joy and Payne entrance video was being tested on the X-Tron behind the set.


Mr. Johnson
Joy and Hunter will come out as if they are introducing their own show. After they sit down the Shows intro will play and the AoD will make their entrance. Everything is set up. While you are conducting the interview highlights from their matches and other Madness shows will play behind you on the screen.


Death Merchant
Sounds like everything is a go then.


Death Merchant walked away from the manager and sat down in one of the chairs. He pulled out his cell number and called Eve.


Eve
Death Merchant, I was wondering when you were going to call. Have you seen the news today? It seems like some hoodlum was found murdered out by the forest preserve. What was left of his body wasn't a pretty sight. He sure messed with the wrong person.


Death Merchant
Yes, Let's say it was an unfortunate incident. Listen, Last night when I was heading over to the Johnson Manor a young teen attempted to rob me to feed her brother and sister. I kind of felt sorry for her. They are staying in the abandoned warehouse along the bottoms. I want you to check into a place for them.


Eve
I know just the place. It's called 'Paradise Friendly Home' Out on Route 9. It's run by a couple who were left homeless when their mother ran out on them. The mother as it turned out was an heir to a fortune and they inherited it after she passed away. The place is like a country club. I've known the two for some time now. I will see what I can do.


Death Merchant
Awesome, Let me know as soon as you hear something.


He hung up his phone and sat for a while just relaxing, Enjoying the calm before the storm. He knew his match against Elisha wouldn't be an easy one. The guy may be a lunatic but he could be dangerous if he were to make a mistake. He would need every bit of stamina to get through his onslaught and bring him down. He couldn't wait for it to be Wednesday already. It was going to be such a thrill. He could feel the adrenalin racing through his veins.


It wasn't much longer when Hunter Payne and Joy walked into the studio. Hunter seemed to be all smiles while Joy looked as if she had something bothering her. The two of them come onto the set as planned and the cameras begin rolling.


Joy
Welcome everyone to the Joy and Payne show. Do not try to adjust your sets, we really are THAT good looking.


Joy and Hunter sit down as the intro for Tales from the Dark Side begins playing. Death Merchant and Night Rider walk onto the set and sit down. Death Merchant turns and smiles at the camera.


Death Merchant
Hello out there creepy crawlers everywhere and welcome to another edition of XWF Tales from the Dark Side. We are the Angels of Death and our special guests this week as you can see. Are none other that Joy and Hunter Payne. Hunter, Thank you both for being on today's show. First off I want to discuss the big match coming up for you at Mega-Madness. A big Monday Night event that some say could be the match of the year. Your thoughts on the event?



Hunter Payne
I have the distinct honor of of stopping this little Extreme Revolution in its tracks when I take on the leader of this joke of a Revolution, Tron Turner, and I'm pretty sure his lacky Cami Langston will be at ringside. So I'm always prepared for that.
With them you always have to be on your guard. They are nothing but a bunch of chicken$h!ts.


Death Merchant
How do you feel about the big rivalry that has developed between the Madness and Warfare programs?


Hunter Payne
Gotta go with Madness Mr. Death. I bleed Madness, I couldn't work on Warfare, in fact the only time I competed on Warfare was against you I believe.


Death Merchant
As I recall our match was a pretty good one. You earned my respect that night. I haven't really done much on Madness, I plan on making an appearance there sometime just to check out the competition. Just like I have a match Sunday for the Saturday night group. I like to keep an eye on what's going on around here. I think that each show has it's high points and low points. warfare is just on a roll right now but Madness has been pretty crazy itself. Hell, I just like the competition period. It doesn't matter which show they come from. Joy you seem awfully quiet over there?


Joy
It this new thing our couples counselor wants me to do. Hi Dr. Price! Anyway he wants me to work on my attitude. So I figure, if I have nothing positive to say don't say anything at all.


Death Merchant
Is this a new Joy we're seeing? You seem a little more rough around the edges with that attitude. I like it!


Joy
No, Just something I'm trying. I really don't like it.


Death Merchant
Hunter what do you think of this quiet Joy?


Hunter Payne
She just started, but I love it already.


Joy
But I did figure out why I don't stay quiet more often.


Death Merchant
Why is that?


Joy
Hunter is soooo boring!


Hunter Payne
No!


Joy
You want to know what these people care about? Joy Giovanni! In your little talk you didn't mention me once! This show doesn't deserve to have me on it! Joy out!


Joy walks off set.


Death Merchant
Wow.


Hunter Payne
I know. Total bitch right?!


Death Merchant
Is she always like that?


Hunter Payne
Yep. Hey don't you have a match coming up?


Death Merchant
Yeah, They have me taking on Elisha in an Arachnid Casket Match. Sounds awesome doesn't it! Only problem is neither one bothers me at all. Spiders are wondrous creatures. We could learn a lot from the way they live.


Hunter Payne
Elisha, That's Eric Rex right?


Death Merchant
Yeah, Somewhere inside that mixed up mind of his. The guy is no slouch in the ring though. That's for sure. I'm going to have my work cut out for me. I think I can take him though. He has a tendency to burn himself out pretty quickly. By the time I am done with him he is going to find out just how out of shape he really is. I can't wait to hear his screams as I lock him inside the Casket and the Spiders begin having their fun. He fears them and they will sense that. It will drive them crazy with rage. What a treat Elisha is in for!



Hunter Payne
It's really been a blast but I need to head out of here and take care of a couple things. Thanks again man. I'm Out.


Hunter Payne walks off set and out of the studio as Death Merchant looks seriously into the camera.


Death Merchant
Elisha, Eric Rex, Or whoever the hell you feel like being that day. It doesn't matter because I am going to kick every one of your sorry @$$es. You just don't get it do you? This is more than just a match for me, This is a way of life! This $h!t is what I bleed and sweat for! This, Is what it's all about! you will understand it a little better while your closed up in the Casket. You'll have plenty of time to figure it all out! This is my neck of the woods here boy. Your going to find out I'm not someone you want to mess with! See you in the ring boy, If not before then.


Death Merchant laughs an eerie laugh as the camera fades to black.