IWO Penthos in Spring Friday Week 3 May 2020 Olympia, WA Attendance: 734 The Streets of Olympia, WA Heracles wanders along a quiet street somewhere in Olympia. Except for a loincloth, his skin is bare. He stops an old lady to talk. Excuse me, you seen a Nemean Lion around here? The lady shakes her head and dashes away, looking at Heracles with fear and suspicion. Heracles People are so rude these days. Damn it, where am I going to find the Nemean Lion? What does she even want with it? It was so much easier to find these creatures back in the day... Heracles He frowns and trudges along the pavement. A ginger tabby cat – a stray – runs across his path. He raises one eyebrow and shrugs. After the shenanigans last week, Artemis requested a one - on - one match against Hades with no nonsense. Hades accepted and both competitors came to the ring alone. The fight started in Artemis’s favour, but Hades swung it back with some devastating moves, including the Styx - One - Nine and the Original Death Lock. Artemis battled back, hitting the Immaculator and a Maiden Splash. Hades kicked out, but Artemis stayed cool and hit a Forearm Quiver that knocked the Dark King to the mat. She followed up with the Deadeye to win the match. Artemis vs. Hades Post - Match After the match, The Underworld appear from under the ring and begin a beatdown on Artemis. Apollo and Hermes rush down, with a drunken Dionysus in tow, but they can’t overcome the seven - strong faction and find themselves laid out on the outside. Hades calls for his minions to set up Artemis and he hits her with the Underworld Slam. Ares pulls out a bodybag and helps Aphrodite and Persephone put the unconscious Artemis inside. They drag her out of the ring and back underneath. Each member follows them until Hades is the last one left. He has a stoic, cold expression on his face as he slips behind the apron and disappears. Backstage Heracles steps through a metal door – the back entrance to the Olympia Arena. He holds a black rubbish bag in his hand, covered with a waterproof jacket. He looks left and right before sneaking down the corridor. He gets about twenty yards before Athena and Achilles step out from the gym. Heracles Oh... er... hey guys! Where have you been? Nowhere... What do you mean nowhere? You’re right here now, so you must have come from somewhere and you must be going somewhere. There’s no nowhere you could have been so you must have been in some somewhere. Be honest, man. Remember, Athena’s the Goddess of wisdom – she’ll know if you’re lying. Heracles Athena Athena Achilles Backstage So where have you been? Somewhere. Somewhere where? Somewhere... over the rainbow, way up high. Where the dreams that you -- No, seriously, where? Somewhere beyond the sea, somewhere, waiting for me. My lover stands -- Stop singing! WHERE have you been! Somewhere only we know. Is that a song? Yeah, It’s Keane. You know... I walked across and empty land... Heracles Achilles Athena Heracles Achilles Heracles Athena Heracles Athena Achilles Backstage That’s the one! I knew the pathway like the back of my hand... I felt the earth beneath my feet... Sat by the river and it made me complete... (together) Oh simple thiiiiing!Where have you goooooone ! I’m getting old and I need something -- SHUT UP! Both of you! You’re trying to distract me from the truth! It’s a good song, though. You’ve got a great voice, Heracles. But, yeah, tell us why you’ve been missing all night. And what’s that under your coat? Alright. Okay, okay, okay. I’ve been out buying a present. Heracles Achilles Heracles Heracles Achilles Athena Heracles Achilles Heracles Backstage A present? For who? For a special someone. Who? Someone? Someone who? Never mind, I’ll find someone like you... I wish for nothing but the --- WHO? It’s a secret! I can’t tell you, else it’ll ruin the surprise! So you’re soft on someone? Yes, but don’t go spreading it around. Fine. I think he’s telling the truth. Go deliver it, but be back here in ten! Heracles Athena Athena Heracles Athena Heracles Athena Heracles Achilles Heracles Athena Backstage Heracles dashes down the corridor, looking back to see Athena and Achilles going back into the gym. He pushes open a side door to find Hera inside, waiting. Finally! It ain’t easy, you know, finding and killing the Nemean Lion. So you did it? Yeah, you’re damn right I did it. Here. He throws the rubbish bag at Hera who catches it. She peeks inside and her eyes grow wide. Wow. I mean it isn’t as big as I expected but... I did your stupid task. Eleven more. Yes... and you know what? You wore the skin of the old Nemean Lion, so I think it’s only right for you to wear the skin of this one... Hera Heracles Hera Heracles Hera Heracles Hera Poseidon put the Throne of the Gods on the line in this match. Demeter claimed last time she would serve Poseidon if he defeated her. Theseus, Dionysus and Hephaestus joined Demeter and Poseidon on the way to the ring. Theseus clearly intended to stay in Poseidon’s corner, but the others seemed happy to support both gods. Poseidon’s bulky frame dwarfed Demeter’s petite figure, but she used speed and technique to make up for it. Both competitors seemed to hold back in the early goings, but Demeter quickly grew desperate. For a moment it seemed like Demeter would submit Poseidon with a cloverleaf. Demeter vs. Poseidon (c) Hephaestus Dionysus Theseus Poseidon battled out of the hold and set up the Big Wave. Demeter struggled free. The fight continued back and forth, until Poseidon gained an advantage. With a Tidal Slam, Poseidon had Demeter on her back. He went for a pin. 1...2... No! Demeter’s desire to earn the Throne of the Gods and summon a new daughter kept her in the running. Poseidon smiled. He kept up the pressure with a brinebuster and then hit the Big Wave (F - 5)! Demeter looked broken in half. Poseidon went for the pin again. 1...2... Again Demeter kicked out! Poseidon couldn’t believe it. Demeter rallied and hit a daisy cutter, a back body crop, and the Sow the Seeds (reverse STO). However, Poseidon reversed the Sow the Seeds into a Submersion Sleeper. Demeter kicked and flailed, while Poseidon looked upset he had to put her to sleep. Demeter passed out. The referee called an end to the match. Poseidon retained the Throne of the Gods! Demeter vs. Poseidon (c) A Hero is Summoned! Poseidon’s friends congratulate him. Demeter recovers and hugs him before taking a microphone. I tried. I did my absolute best, but I accept you as the winner. I am in your service now. You fought hard,Demeter . Forget about being in my service. I ain’t gonna have you bowing down to me – you’re free to do what ya want. One day we’ll help you find a daughter to be proud of. But for now, d’you accept us as your family? Hephaestus Demeter Dionysus Theseus Poseidon Demeter Demeter nods and hugs Poseidon again. They all usher him over to the Throne of the Gods at ringside and bid him sit on it. Theseus Last time you summoned me, Father. An inspired choice – will you summon another of your children this time? A Hero is Summoned! I got many kids. Some I’m real close to, some I’ve forgotten about. Thing is, after you, Theseus, I can’t pick any of ‘ em above the others. And anyways, we need somethin ’ else. I wanna create somethin ’ strong that’s gonna last a looong time. I know a little about making things to last. Making stuff ? What kinda thing are you gonna make? This place is founded on action, not arts and crafts. It’s funny. Y’all are makers. Hephaestus, you get the metal and the earth and slam ‘ em together and make great strength. Demeter, you make things from the soil and the sun - eternal cycles and all that. Dionysus, you make merry. You make the parties and the wine for all of us. And Theseus, ma boy, you make history. The only one who don’t make nothin ’ is me. I’m a destroyer. But tonight I’m making my legacy. Poseidon Poseidon’s friends frown, confused at his words. Poseidon sloshes back into the Throne and a wave of peace spreads over his body. He closes his eyes as the clock turns to 9.58. A hammer rings. A quill scratches on papyrus. A feather falls from the top of the arena and drifts into the ring. A medium - built, bearded man steps out onto the entrance ramp. It’s... Hephaestus Theseus Poseidon A Hero is Summoned! Highly irregular. I suppose I have been transported to some time in the future. These... contraptions you hold pointing at me are most intriguing. Some sort of picture capturing device? And this, a voice amplification staff ? And the lights in here – I’m shocked by the intensity and quality – they surely cannot be lanterns? Welcome to the 21 st Century. It’s gonna take you some time to get used to it, but I know you gonna love it here. Daedalus! Master designer and inventor, a man whose creations shaped the ancient world! Daedalus paces to the ring, looking a little confused. Daedalus Poseidon