{The scene opens with Roxi and Keira headed home after a night out. Roxi is behind the wheel and Keira seated shotgun and looking out the windows of the car, filled with darkness as with the season change, the darkness comes faster.}
Keira – Time is just going too fast.
Roxi – I know. It does get darker as we hit fall.
Keira – I know THAT. I… I just meant with Nate.
Roxi – Yeah… *sigh* that too.
Keira – He’s already four. I mean, it’s just… I feel like there was so much we missed.
Roxi – We did miss a lot. But that was the whole reason we left four years ago from wrestling. To watch him grow and do all the things that… babies do.
Keira – But now he’s not a baby. He’s… not even a toddler anymore. He’s basically a little kid.
Roxi – Yeah, kinda skipped the toddler part.
Keira – Did he? Or did we?
Roxi – We tried to be there for everything, but sometimes you just can’t. I feel awful about it too. I wish I could go back and watch all of it over again. Or… in some cases just be there.
Keira – You know, he doesn’t act like he’s four.
Roxi – What do you mean?
Keira – He’s… he’s like an adult. He knows these words that are way above his age level.
Roxi – He gets talked to like an adult, so he talks like one.
Keira – I guess… that’s all he hangs around with.
Roxi – Well it’s clearly not a good time to have kids out to play right now.
Keira – You got that right.
Roxi – He’s growing and he’s getting smarter. And I am completely okay with that.
Keira – He’s trying to learn his ABC’s
Roxi – I heard you guys practicing the other night. He’ll get there.
Keira – I hope so. It’s a good thing and a bad thing.
Roxi – What do you mean?
Keira – I mean… it’s a good since we get to teach him something, but it’s a bad thing since he… is actually smart enough to know that already.
Roxi – He watched the tablet all the time. And that’s full of adults speaking to him. So, it’s just a case of practical application at this point.
Keira – Yeah. But it’s always nice to get to teach him things.
Roxi – Before he starts teaching us things.
Keira – Too late.
Roxi – I know.
{The couple share a laugh as they make their way to their home. They make the final turn before seeing their house, but unlike it usually is, it is not illuminated by outside lights.}
Keira – Did… Did your mom forget to turn on the lights?
Roxi – I… I don’t know, she normally does it.
{Roxi pulls up to the house, only to see the door unhinged and partially open.}
Roxi – Oh no…
{Roxi and Keira look at each other before they both book it out of the car and into the house.}
Keira – Nate?!
Roxi – Mom?!
{The two hear no response from this and panic begins to set in. The house is in disarray and several things are broken. Keira searches in one direction and Roxi another.}
Keira – Nate?! Nate where are you?!
Roxi – Nate? Mom?
{Roxi and Keira are getting hoarse calling the names over and over and tears begin to well up in their eyes. Roxi finally comes to the kitchen, while Keira searches a bedroom.}
Keira – Nate? Nate are you in here? It’s Mama…
{Keira hears movement from the closet and throws the door open. Nate having cried himself to sleep awakens in the darkness.}
Nate – Mama?
{Keira begins to cry as she pulls Nate from the closet and hugs him tightly.}
Keira – I FOUND NATE!
Roxi – IS HE OKAY?
Keira – Are you okay baby?
Nate – The lady scared me.
{Concern and anger grows on Keira’s face as Nate says this.}
Keira – What lady?
Nate – This mean lady comed over. Gramma told me to hide and seek.
Keira – Mean lady?
{Roxi comes rushing in and kneels down near Nate hugging him tightly as well.}
Keira – He says a mean lady came here.
Roxi – Nate, it’s okay. We’re here now. Did you see the mean lady?
Nate – No. Gramma told me to hide here. I hear’d them fighting.
Roxi – Okay. It’s okay. You did a good job. We’re very proud of you.
Keira – Yes, we are.
Roxi – Okay, you guys wait here, I’m gonna go find Gramma, okay?
Nate – Okay.
{Roxi heads back to the kitchen and continues to go through the debris. She doesn’t find anything until she hits the living room and literally taped and dangling is a USB device with paper wrapped around it. Roxi instantly takes it and plugs it into her computer in the next room. The USB contains a video file, and Roxi clicks on it. There is woman’s face, all too familiar to Roxi}
Roxi – Haven…
Mistress Haven – Hello Lady Bedlam… Or… should I Roxi? Do you mind? I didn’t think you did. It wasn’t easy to figure out your identity, but once I found out, you can color me shocked. To think that my enemy is a woman hiding who she really is, in more ways than one. As you may or may not have put together, the missing persons are all related to you. I obviously didn’t get your attention, but now that I have your poor mother… maybe I have it now. So now, it is your job, to save them. However, if you choose to leave them to die, your identity will remain a secret until I choose to do this again, and again and again. It will never end, if you don’t stop me. You had a chance on more than one occasion to do so, but you failed, and now… people you care about are in danger. So… let’s see what type of hero you really are. No doubt you have seen the paper on this drive. On it, is an address. You come there once you find this, and play Haven’s Game once again. Or… don’t. You don’t HAVE to save these people. After all, their relation to you is… minor really. The choice is yours.
{The video ends and Roxi is filled with anger. She screams as she heads to the bedroom where Keira is still with Nate.}
Keira – What’s going on?
Roxi – Mistress Haven has my mother. She kidnapped those missing people. I’ve got to stop her.
Keira – I’m coming with you.
Roxi – No. Stay here with Nate.
{Roxi kneels down so she is eye level with Nate.}
Roxi – Mommy’s gonna get get Gramma, okay? You stay here with Mama.
Nate – Okay.
{Roxi begins to usher Keira and Nate out of the room, but Keira stands in the doorway.}
Keira – I don’t like this.
Roxi – Neither do I, but I can’t let those people die.
Keira – That’s why you need me! I can help!
Roxi – It’s just me. I have to do this alone.
Keira – It’s suicide!
Roxi – Maybe. But you need to stay here… in case anything happens.
Keira – What?
Roxi – Listen to me. I don’t need you arguing with me about this. This is personal. I have to do this by myself. There is no other choice in the matter. Stay here, in case they come back.
Keira – …
Roxi – Don’t make this harder than it already is. Please.
{Roxi begins changing into her superhero costume and readying all her tools. She looks out the window, a frown on her face and a determined look in her eye.}
Keira – This is a trap. And you’re walking right in?
Roxi – I told you, I don’t have a choice. Stay with Nate. He needs you.
{Roxi walks over and kisses Keira on the lips. Before sliding the mask over her face.}
Roxi – I’ll be back.
Keira – …
Roxi – I love you.
Keira – I love you.
{Roxi opens the window to her bedroom and flies out as the scene fades.}
{Roxi arrives in the old run down warehouse as instructed. Her heart races as he is filled with anger and fear. She walks in, looking for anything suspicious. There is only a dimly lit cargo drop off which has a monitor set up. Roxi walks towards the light of the monitor and the monitor shows nothing but a black screen, until finally Roxi pushes the button on the monitor and it shifts to a room. There is a chair in the room that is turned away from the monitor.}
Roxi – I’m here.
{The Chair slowly turns and Mistress Haven wears a wide, satisfied grin. She folds her hands on the table.}
Mistress Haven – Welcome L.. Or, Roxi as it were. I trust you really want to see your friends and family again don’t you? Yes, I can feel your blood boiling. You played my game before, and you let complete strangers die. You had a chance to stop me before the Sin incident, and you didn’t do it. So, will you finally do what you have to do? I think I’ve upped the ante enough for you, haven’t I?
Roxi – Where are they?
{Haven smirks at Roxi’s, low, angry tone.}
Mistress Haven – Oh, I will take you to them. You are going to play my game one more time, and we’ll see how much of a hero you really are, Roxi.
{There is a certain joy that Haven gets from saying her name. It’s written on her face. Haven pushes a button and the loading bay door opens to a large box van sitting at the dock.}
Mistress Haven – This, will take you to them, and to play the game. But, there will not be any funny business, and no calling in reinforcements. So you’re going to remove that belt you use, right now. No gadgets. A good hero doesn’t need gadgets do they?
{Roxi doesn’t respond, she stares at Mistress Haven, until she removed her belt and wrist communicator, among other items, and places it on the ground. Haven sees this on the monitor and she pushes another button and several armed men swarm the room. All with guns pointed at Roxi, who doesn’t take her eyes off the monitor.}
Mistress Haven – Now, if you would be so kind as to get into the van, we can begin.
{Roxi continues to stare daggers at Haven before she is escorted to the van the men try to grab her arm to keep control, but she swat them away.}
Roxi – Don’t touch me.
{Roxi enters the fan and sits down on the floor in the middle. Being a box van there are no seats as the rear is strictly for cargo. The doors behind her slam shut and soon enough, the vehicle begins to pull away.
The drive is long, and all it does is make Roxi upset. She begisn to ponder what she’s going to do, and what lies ahead, but also concerned for the people who are in trouble. She hated the feeling of helplessness, but all she could do at this point, was wait.
Finally, the box van came to a halt. Roxi could hear talking, but couldn’t quite make it out. The door to the van opened slightly, and an object thrown in. The hissing sound make Roxi realize what it was. Gas. Roxi began trying to run the door open she the guards were doing their best to hold it closed. Roxi rapidly began coughing and the energy exerted was only speeding up the process. It wasn’t too much longer before Roxi was overcome by the lack of air. The guards heard the thump, and then the silence. After allowing the gas to dissipate. They opened the door and drug Roxi out, carrying her to where she needed to be to start the game.}
{Roxi slowly began to stir, she was unaware of how much time had gone by. She rolled onto her back finally getting full breaths of oxygen and pulled herself to her feet. The room was pitch black except for a bright light illuminating a small clear box to her left. Roxi cautiously approached it, pulling the box open and triggering some kind of mechanism. It then triggered Mistress Haven over a loud speaker.}
Mistress Haven – Ah, that little device indicates to me that you are finally awake. Welcome to Haven’s game. I know you’re just dying the play. But, you have to be ready to play. Are you ready?
{Roxi at first doesn’t answer.}
Mistress Haven – Oh… strong and silent? Well, in that case, I guess you’re not ready, and we can call this whole thing off!
Roxi – Okay! Okay! Fine, I’m ready.
Mistress Haven – Good. Very good. Now, you may notice that little box right over there. That, is how you start to play.
{Roxi approaches the box again, and inside it is a hypodermic needle. Roxi takes a step back.}
Mistress Haven – That little wonder, will neutralize all your precious super-powers. We’re evening the playing field. So, be a dear and inject that and we’ll get started.
Roxi – How do I know this isn’t just going to kill me?
Mistress Haven – Oh please.. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it by now. That will come in time, first, you’re going to fail to save those you care about. Now, unless you just want me to kill them now… do it.
{Roxi hesitates due to her abject fear of needles. Instantly she begins to shake and is extremely hesitant to even touch the needle let alone stab herself with one.}
Mistress Haven – Are we going to end the game before it even begins? Are you going to let people die before of a little… phobia?
{Roxi grits her teeth as she takes hold of the needle. She breathes heavily, and has to psyche herself up before she’s ready. She yells to herself as she takes the needle and plunges it into her shoulder and presses down on the plunger. Instantly, Roxi takes the needle out and tosses it aside before she falls to her knees, dry heaving. She lifts up her mask and vomits on the ground. Her eyes are heavy and vision blurry as whatever was in the needle takes effect. Roxi slowly stands up and braces herself.}
Roxi – There… d… done..
Mistress Haven – Well done. You passed one of the first tests. Now… let’s really get started.
{The darkned room illuminates as a large mechanical door opens, leading to a narrow passage.}
Mistress Haven – And off you go.
{Roxi blinks a few times and slides the mask down over her face before she continues. She takes a deep breath and wanders down the narrow passage. Before she makes it all the way down, a blast of flame shoots towards her. Roxi is luckily able to dodge most of it, but her mask catches. Roxi has to shed the mask and puts it out by stomping on it.}
Mistress Haven – Whoops. One final warm up. We all know each other, so there’s no need for masks, are there?
{Roxi sees the giant holes burned through the mask, so she simply leaves it there. She finally comes to the first person, Sydney Dunbar. Sydney is in a room with 4 doors. Inside she has all four of her limbs tied to a mechanical device that creeks as Roxi approaches it.}
Sydney – Help me!
{A monitor is near Sydney and it turns on, with Haven smiling.}
Mistress Haven – You remember Sydney, right?
{Sydney looks up and sees Roxi, straining to make her out.}
Sydney – R… Roxi? Roxi Johnson? Is that you?
Roxi – Yes.
Mistress Haven – Oh, I do love a happy reunion. Now, Roxi, you remember that Ms. Dunbar here was the captain of the gymnastics team. I think you were on it. And you… you wanted to be the captain didn’t you? Yes. Of course. And as we know the key to being a good gymnast is flexibility. So, let’s just see how flexible Ms. Dunbar is?
{The mechanical device starts whirring and pulling Sydney is all four directions that she is tied to, including sending her legs in different directions. She groans and starts to scream.}
Sydney – No! No! Ugaghhhh!
Roxi – STOP THIS!
Mistress Haven – The only person who can stop it, is you, Roxi. You have to choose the right entrance. Of course, choosing the wrong one will result in Ms. Sydney here…being pulled in many different directions. Choose wisely, you have 60 seconds before it all happens anyway.
{The monitor cuts out and Roxi sees the first door in front of her. She studies it, but makes the assumption that it would be too easy. She can see into the room, but all the door entrances are covered by a black cloth. Roxi walks to her right to the next door, and starts to open it, slowly, only for a gunshot to go off and whiz by Roxi’s head and shoulder, Roxi hits the ground to dodge, and the door opens fully, and the machine whirls and begins pulling Sydney in the four directions at her limb.}
Sydney – GWAHHHHH! HELP ME PLEASE! STOP IT!
{The door remains open but now Roxi knows they are booby-trapped. The machine continues to pull Sydney and it gets tighter and tighter with Sydney trying to resist. Roxi has 3 options left. But thinks for a spilt second.}
Roxi – The right entrance….
{Roxi takes a deep breath and charges, smashing herself through the window instead of the door. It breaks and Roxi is all cut up in a few spots. The machine whirls ever more, preparing to reach it’s full power until Roxi is able to shut it off, stabbing the button with a piece of broken glass. The machine shits down and Roxi resets it to its normal position, and uses the release mechanisms to free Sydney, who basically collapses onto the ground. She groans in agonizing pain.}
Roxi – Sydney, I’m going to get you out of here. Hang on.
{Roxi heads back to the room where she started, carrying the nearly crippled Sydney with her. She gently places her down and consoles her.}
Roxi – I’m sorry.
Sydney – Why did… why did this happen? Why me?
Roxi – You’re in the middle of this, and it’s my fault.
Sydney – Why… are you… dressed like that? Are you some… some kind of superhero?
Roxi – I guess we’ll find out. Please stay here. I’ll be back for you.
{Roxi walks away, before using a the light from the one door to check around. She checks the doors on each side, making sure they are locked. She goes back over to Sydney and picks her up, placing her in a dark corner, out of sight of anyone at first glance.}
Roxi – Stay here, don’t make too much noise. I need you to hold on for me. I know you’re hurt. I will get you medical attention as soon as I can. But I’ve got to find the others.
{Roxi stands up and heads back down to the first station, and then sees that a second pathway has opened up. She marches down that corridor and sees a new opening. She follows it to a door which has light on the other side, but is covered by a tarp of some kind. She studies it, and sighs. She sees that it is remotely operated. She slowly walks through the door, only for the door to slam shut and lock behind her. The room is brightly lit by a powerful lamp. Roxi looks around and realizes she’s not in a room, but a giant clear contraption. She walks up to the glass walls she is surrounded by, and pushes on them. She cannot see into the next room but it also illuminates, and she can see Rick, her ex-boyfriend, in the room with an oxygen mask attached to him. Haven appears on a projection screen to the side.}
Mistress Haven – Welcome to round 2. Way to go on maiming your first save. Now… here we have the ex. He was quite cooperative once he was here. He even admitted that the reason you broke up, was because he was smothering you. Well, now, you get a chance to fight back. But he also has the chance to get revenge. You see… he blames you for his downward spiral. And here you are together. Think of this as … an ant farm. Except… there’s not a lot of air. In fact, I’d say you have less than 10 minutes of air. And Rick… Well, his Oxygen may last a couple more minutes. So… you have a choice, hero. On one of the walls is a lever. And that level will fill the tanks with water. So, you can get revenge for him smothering you by well… basically smothering him. Or, you can drown him. Or… he can drown you if you want to be noble. Or… hehehehe. You can both wait out those 10 minutes and die together. I wouldn’t waste my breath is I was you.
{The feed cuts out and Roxi begins pounding the glass to get Rick’s attention. Rick slowly comes to and walks into the light. He strains to recognize her.}
Rick – Roxi… Roxi is that you?
Roxi - Yes… Rick, we don’t have much time. These rooms are air tight.
Rick – Is this because of you?
Roxi – Yes. Rick, you need to listen to me. I’m sorry about what happened to you.
Rick – I… I loved you.
Roxi – I know.
Rick – First you leave me, and now this? What the fuck is this!
Roxi – We’re wasting time. You need to... you need to work with me. Otherwise we’re both going to suffocate.
Rick – Not me. I got this oxygen. Looks like it’s you who’s gonna suffocate.
Roxi – If that’s how you feel, fine. But that tank isn’t going to last long enough.
{Roxi begins to hit the glass, but without powers, it doesn’t have any give.}
Roxi – Solid…
Rick – Maybe if I outlast you, I can get out of here. And why the hell are you dressed like that anyway?!
{Roxi continues to look around, trying not to take in too much oxygen as she does so.}
Roxi – Rick… If you want revenge, the button is right over there.
Rick – What?
Roxi – If you kill me, then you can go free. That button… will fill this tank with water. Do it.
Rick – You’re crazy!
Roxi – It’s the only shot you’ve got.
Rick – I’m not gonna do that!
Roxi – Then we’re both dead. Rick… just do it. I hurt you, and I’m sorry… but… I can’t just suffocate. I’d rather drown.
{Rick walks over to the button to release the water, but doesn’t push it.}
Rick – How do I know this isn’t a trick!
Roxi – Do it… please…
{Rick hesitates, but finally pushes the button and the valves open up allowing the water to flow into the room. Roxi is ankle deep in seconds.}
Rick – I…
Roxi – Don’t. Save your breath.
{By this point, Roxi is now waist deep as the water flows in almost non-stop. It isn’t long before she’s forced to swim. Keeping herself above water for as long as possible while it fills. Eventually she pretty much out of room, and takes one last deep breath before submerging herself looking at the glass.}
Rick – No… I didn’t… NO!
{Roxi swims around, as soon the tank is full, and the water shuts off. Roxi frantically points to the button making a motions for Rick to push it again. And he does. The tanks again fills with even more water, and some displaces out of the tank. Roxi holds her breath as long as she possibly can until the glass between them cracks. It continues to crack as there is more water than space, finally giving way as Roxi begins to simply intake water and choke. She pretty much stops moving until the glass finally breaks and water explodes out of either side and back down the path. Roxi is tossed against the wall and lays on her stomach. Rick wades through the water as Rick checks her heartbeat and begins doing CPR with what little air he has. Eventually Roxi spits out a bunch of water and coughs.}
Rick – Holy shit you’re alive!
{Roxi doesn’t acknowledge it as first, having almost drowned she coughs and gasps for air as she stands up.}
Rick – Are you okay?
Roxi – Fine… come with me…
Rick – Are you sure?
Roxi – Rick… we both almost died… I’ve got to get you out of here.
{Roxi takes the oxygen mask and tosses it aside and leads Rick down the path wading through some standing water and back out to where Sydney is. Sydney is still sitting the corner with her limbs practically useless.}
Roxi – Stay… with her.
{Roxi says, still taking huge gulps of oxygen into her lungs. She is weary is begins stumbling back towards the path.}
Rick – Where are you going?
Roxi – To get the others.
{Roxi coughs and staggers back down the path and past the now exploded tanks. She treks onward past them and now to another door that opened up to the next station. Here, Dr. Keene has been strapped to what appears to be a patients chair at the dentist. Roxi continues to fight for oxygen as a monitor is right near Keene. It flickers on.}
Mistress Haven – Congratulations. You managed to beat my little game in round 2. This is another fun one. Are you ready? Poor Dr. Keene here has been poisoned. It’s coursing through his veins right now and if you have a chance to save the good doctor. In front of you are your favorite thing in the whole world… needles.
{Roxi looks at them in disgust.}
Mistress Haven – One of those needles contains the cure. The rest are well… various nasty things that don’t belong in the human body. I’d say the good doctor here has… 2 minutes before the poison kills him. So… are you going to overcome your fear… and save lives or… will you let him die? Good luck.
{The monitor turns off and the doctor comes to, screaming about his predicament.}
Dr. Keene – What? What is going on? Where am I?! What’s going on!
{Roxi rushes over to Dr. Keene, clutching his shoulders.}
Roxi – Dr. Keene…
{Dr. Keene struggles to adjust to the person touching him.}
Dr. Keene – Who? Who are you?
Roxi – It’s Roxi, You treated me when I was little.
Dr. Keene – Roxi… ye… yes that name rings a bell.
Roxi – I need your help to get you out of here. You’ve been poisoned, and one of these… needles has the antidote.
{Roxi points to the shelf of needles.}
Roxi – I need to know which one to stick you with.
Dr. Keene – I… I don’t know I’d need to see them!
{Roxi hesistates and doesn’t want to grab any needles, but knowing she can grab them one at a time, she grabs two handfuls of them. Dr. Keene studies them}
Dr. Keene – None of these are labeled!
Roxi – Dr. Keene! I need you to focus here! Do any of them look different?
Dr. Keene – No! They all look the same.
{Roxi rushes and drops them on the floor grabbing another handful, until she herself notices they are all the same clear liquid.}
Roxi – They… they’re all the same…
Dr. Keene – PLEASE HELP ME!
{Roxi turns around and starts looking around the chair the doctor is strapped too, and finds a needle behind the chair’s head.}
Roxi – Got it. No!
{Roxi watches as the needle slips out of her hand and onto the floor into the pile of needles.}
Roxi – Nonoonononono.
{Dr. Keene begins to cough up blood from the poison, and Roxi carefully reaches down, avoiding getting pricked by the needles already on the floor, picking up the one that looked different.}
Roxi – Hang on!
{Roxi jams the needle into the Doctor’s arm. He continues to cough up blood until he leans back, finally regaining his composure.}
Roxi – Are you okay, Dr. Keene?
{Dr. Keene breathes and clutches at his chest for a moment, before he breathes normally.}
Dr. Keene. Yes… I think so.
Roxi – Let’s get you out of there.
{Roxi unstraps Dr. Keene and assists him in walking back to the original part of the room where Rick and Sydney are.}
Roxi – Dr. Keene, Ms. Dunbar is going to need help. Please see if you can do anything for her. I’ve got a couple more people to get to.
Dr. Keene – Young Roxi… I remember now. You were such a helpful little girl. Is… that why you’re wearing that?
Roxi – Something like that. Please stay here. I’ll be back.
{Roxi walks down the hall past everything now, and another room has opened, and this one, a rather large area. Roxi walks to the middle of the room, or what she assumes is the middle, and a giant spotlight shows on her, and Haven appears on a large projection screen.}
Mistress Haven – Welcome, to round 4. You have surprised me on how much you care for these weak people. Now… here we have Mr. Fuller.
{A curtain draws back and Eddie is in a water tank filled to his waist with water.}
Eddie – Help me! Help me please!
Mistress Haven – Now, the game of the game is simple. Uh… Hammer, if you would.
{The giant, human brick wall Hammer emerges from the other end of the room.}
Mistress Haven – Mr. Hammer is wearing a heart monitor. You have 5 minutes to kill Hammer. And… every 30 seconds that Hammer isn’t dead, Mr. Fuller here… will get a nice taste of electricity. Shame he’s all wet. At the end of five minutes, either Hammer is dead, or Mr. Fuller. Or… I suppose you could be dead. But I know you’ve killed before. You won’t have a problem doing it again.
{Hammer instantly begins charging at Roxi, who has to dodge out of the way. He comes at her, swinging wildly but Roxi is able to skillfully dodge the lumbering fists and swipes at her. Roxi tries to figure out a way to slow Hammer down, until Hammer his her with a headbutt. This knocks Roxi backwards and Hammer begins opening up with hard blows that drive Roxi down to the ground, and then Eddie screams as a shock runs through his body. Hammer takes a moment to enjoy it, before heading back over to where Roxi is trying to pull herself up. A swift, hard kick to the ribs sends her flying across the room. Hammer snatches Roxi up, and her battered and bruised arms and face now showing some blood Hammer swings with more punches and Roxi manages to block a few before a couple get through and send her crumbling to the ground. Another shock hits Eddie, who is screaming in pain. Hammer is again distracted by the sound, and Roxi takes advantage, reaching her legs up, in a desperate attempt. Hammer catches her, but Roxi begins squeezing as she wraps her legs around Hammer’s neck. Hammer starts to go down as Roxi tightens her vice-like grip and eventually Hammer collapses, and Roxi jerks his head and neck to one side, effectively putting him to sleep. Roxi then removes the heart monitor from around Hammer’s arm, skillfully and without Haven seeing her tuck it away. She stumbles to her feet, and stagger over to Eddie is. Haven pops back up on the screen.}
Mistress Haven – Great work, killer. Now your crush can go free.
{Eddie is dropped out of the water tank and splats on the concrete ground. He screams again as Roxi staggers towards him.}
Mistress Haven – I have to admit, you’ve impressed me, Hero. One test left. See you soon.
{Roxi finally makes it to Eddie, bloody and sweaty and still wet from the water tank.}
Roxi – Are you okay…?
Eddie – No my… Jesus… you look like hell. Wait… aren’t you… Wait Roxi? Roxi Johnson?
Roxi – Hi Eddie. Can we talk about this later please?
Eddie – I… I think my foot is broken.
Roxi – Come on… I’ll help you.
{Roxi slowly gets back to her feet and offers up a hand and helps Eddie to stand, keeping the weight off his broken foot. They slowly hobble back to the original area. Roxi gently helps Eddie to sit with Sydney, Dr. Keene & Rick.}
Roxi – Got … another one for you.
Dr. Keene – Roxi… good lord what happened to you?
Roxi – I got my butt kicked.
{Roxi spits out the blood and turns headed back through the same door.}
Dr. Keene – Roxi what the hell are you thinking? You’re lucky you’re even walking! You need to rest.
Roxi – No time… She’s got my … my mom.. I’ll be… back.
{Roxi staggers back through, walking to the next area. She can barely stand and falls, crawling her way a few times headed to the last area that has opened up. Roxi barely makes it there, and is barely holding herself up. Her vision is blurred as she waits as Mistress Haven appears in person, Wheeling Roxi’s mom towards them strapped to a wheelchair.}
Mistress Haven – Well well well… you made it. Now, you have to do the right thing, Hero. In order to save your poor mother here… you have to kill me. It is the only way to win. You have to finally do what is necessary to win. You’ve killed tonight anyway, so you should be fine, right? Right. Let’s begin.
{Roxi basically collapses in pain as she tries to start advancing towards Haven. Haven chuckles as she marches forward.}
Mistress Haven – Tuckered out? Well, unfortunately Mother will not be able to sing you a lullaby.
Roxi – Bring… it… on…
{Haven attacks a pretty much defenseless Roxi, who can barely offer any resistance. Haven strikes repeatedly and just tosses Roxi around. Haven enjoys the beating she puts on Roxi, who is barely moving after mere moments.}
Mistress Haven – Is that all you have? Is this were the hero dies?
{Roxi is barely able to move as more blows connect.}
Elizabeth – STOP THIS! CAN’T YOU SEE SHE’S NO MATCH FOR YOU!
Mistress Haven – She never was. But don’t worry, I’ll kill her, and then kill you.
{Haven mocks Elizabeth until she turns back around to see Roxi standing on her feet.}
Roxi – Bullshit.
{Roxi with a desperate final wind, attacks and tosses Haven around, giving her a vicious beating, and pinning her to the ground, before she systematically breaks both of Haven’s arms.}
Roxi – You will pay for everything you’ve done. But I want you to know… you failed. Sydney is going to make it. The Doctor will make it. Rick will make it, and Eddie will make it. You underestimated their wills to live. And mine.
Mistress Haven – But I didn’t… stop you from killing!
Roxi – Hammer’s fine.
Mistress Haven – WHAT?! NO! THE HEART MONITOR IS STOPPED!
Roxi – Once it was removed from the wearer, it stops automatically. You just got out smarted. Now… you’re going to get what you deserve.
Mistress Haven – Are you going to do it? Are you finally going to stop me forever?! DO IT YOU MURDERER!
Elizabeth – Roxi? Please don’t do what I think you’re going to do.
{Roxi turns to her mother and shakes her head.}
Roxi – Sorry mom, some things just have to be done.
Mistress Haven – Do it… you coward!
Roxi – I won’t kill you.
{Roxi stands up, angrily grabbing Haven’s leg and snapping it at the ankle}
Mistress Haven – GHAAAAA!
Roxi – But I don’t have to save you.
{Roxi wheels her mother out of the area and leans on as she finally gets everyone out. Roxi sits with everyone panting and exhausted.}
Roxi – Are you… all okay?
{The group nod in affirmation. Roxi stands up and hugs the wall.}
Roxi – I’m sorry I got you all dragged into this. I wish I could … take it all back… I wish that you could not be bothered by something like this. It’s… it’s all my fault and I’ll… understand if you… wanna tell the world everything you saw here. It was never my intention. … I’m sorry.
{The four other survivors look at each other and then back at Roxi. Dr. Keene clears his throat.}
Dr. Keene – I think I… speak for everyone here that… we were all kidnapped by some crazy woman in there, and…
{Dr. Keene nods.}
Dr. Keene – We were saved by a superhero.
{Roxi nods, breathing heavily.}
Roxi – Thank you. Now I… I need to get you guys out of here…
{Roxi unties her mother from the wheel chair and her mother stands, pointing at her watch, and hitting a button.}
Elizabeth – I’ll call the cavalry.
Roxi – Thanks.
{Roxi stands, leaning against the wall until she feels it hit her system.}
Roxi – Precious… healing. That must mean…
{Roxi moves around and shows no signs of wear and tear.}
Roxi – The effect was only temporary.
{It isn’t long before Keira and the police arrive. They tend to the victims and being out Hammer and Mistress Haven on a stretcher. Keira is carrying Roxi’s belt and other items as she whisks her away to avoid the police.}
Keira – Here… I think you dropped these.
Roxi – Thanks.
Keira – Good think we gave your mom a homing beacon.
Roxi – Yeah.
Keira – Are you okay?
Roxi – I’ll live.
Keira – What about Haven?
Roxi – She might.
{Roxi opens her wrist communicator as it goes off and sees Vision}
Roxi – Vision.
Vision – Good to see you again Rox.
Roxi – It’ll take more than that.
Vision – So you’ve proven. Anyway… I’m just.. glad you’re safe.
Roxi – Me too.
{Vision reacts as an alarm comes to his attention.}
Vision – Looks like we’ve got a robbery on 48th. Bank.
Roxi – We’re on it.
Vision – Rox, I can –
{Roxi simply shuts down the wrist communicator, reattaches her belt and pulls out a spare mask. She slides it over her face and looks at Keira.}
Roxi – Ready?
Keira – You just… went through all that… and now you want to do more? I can handle it.
Roxi – I know you can. But as you know… the mission continues.
Keira – Sit this one out, I’ll take care of it. Nate’s with Chris… He’ll need you.
Roxi – You got it. I’ll be around if you need me.
{Keira lifts up Roxi’s mask and kisses her, before she flies away headed to stop another crime. Roxi breathes a sigh of relief, turning back to see the others getting helped.}
Roxi – The mission continues.
{Roxi then flies off as the scene fades.}
“Hello. I came to talk. I've been thinking lately. About you and me. About what's going to happen to us, in the end. We're going to kill each other, aren't we? Perhaps you'll kill me. Perhaps I'll kill you. Perhaps sooner. Perhaps later. I just wanted to know that I'd made a genuine attempt to talk things over and avert that outcome. Just once.”
– Batman (The Killing Joke)
Hello SCW.
I come to you now, on the path that I have chosen for myself, and it is not even close to the one of least resistance. My conduct the past two weeks has been… unbecoming. I haven’t been myself and for that I apologize. But it is the choice I make because it’s what I have to do now. I have ignored friends that are important to me, shut them out when they tried to rationalize what exactly I am doing. I just need you all to trust me on this. I know, it seems like a suicide mission, and that the last time I went head first into a fight with Amber Ryan, clearly, it didn’t end well for me. And now with this falls count anywhere stipulation going into Violent Conduct against the same Amber Ryan, yes it appears even more like history is going to repeat itself. I’ve heard friends and fans say things to me like “You’re playing right into her hands” and “This isn’t the way you win this fight.” And while that advice and those words are meaningful to me, because I know that people care, we’re beyond that at this point. I know this looks like a hopeless situation. That I am overmatched in this scenario. That Amber Ryan is a killer and I’m just sending myself to the slaughter without being lead there.
But, I’ve looked at that match over and over. I tasted my own blood, and there’s a good chance it will happen again. I got beat up for the vast majority of the match and again, there’s a good chance it will happen again. But what I saw, what I felt, and what I learned about that match, is something that maybe you guys didn’t see. But what happened, has made me more determined than ever to fight Amber this way.
Yes, Amber beat me up.
Yes, Amber bloodied me.
Yes, Amber got her hand raised.
All that is very true. But you know what else is true?
Amber Ryan couldn’t keep me down.
Try as she might, Amber couldn’t do it. She did exactly what she said she would do and she beat me up. I got hurt in places that even shocked me. She left me in a pool of my own blood. But she didn’t stop me. She gave me everything she had, and she didn’t stop me. I came forward, and I kept coming forward. And if Amber doesn’t have Brass Knuckles in her pocket, then maybe the outcome is entirely different. Just maybe I beat Amber, and then the whole notion of me coming into this match doesn’t seem as crazy as one would think.
But, the fact is, that Amber had brass knuckles. And the fact is Amber will have more than that to play with when falls count anywhere at Violent Conduct. And while that worries some people, and outright scares others, it doesn’t intimidate me. Amber did her worst, and I’m still standing, and I was coming for her at the end of Summer XXXtreme, not the other way around. She was trying to finish me off, but she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t get the job done. The referee, whether I like to admit it or not, did the right thing in my own mind. His judgement was probably better than mine was at that moment. But that just seems to happen every time I am around Amber. My better judgement goes out the window and I feel this urge to just fight. I feel the urge to just destroy Amber, and I know in my mind now, that that’s exactly what she wants, and what I have been warned about.
And something just makes me not care about that.
I know that my friends mean well, I do. I know they care and they want the best for me, physically and mentally. But for this test, for this opponent, it has to be different. I have to ask that you stay out of the way on this one. This is something I have to do, and I have to do it alone. I will keep you all close and in my heart, but out there, on that battlefield, it’s just the way it has to be. I have to fight, because I know I can win.
Amber isn’t the first person to beat me the first time we wrestled. A lot of people got me the first time I wrestled them. But I have learned and adapted over time. It’s another reason why I am taking this road to fight Amber. It takes time to get a feel for what you’re in for. Remember, Alicia Lukas beat me the first time, and hasn’t done so since. Joanna’s pumped now, but to be fair, I was more concerned about this match upcoming. I have become consumed with fighting Amber and beating Amber. And until that is accomplished, that’s all that matters to me.
Because at the end of the day, there is no one else, is there? This battle, this war that has been brewing for years, it can only end one way. I wouldn’t be who I am, I wouldn’t be the hero that people call me, if I had to step back and say that something was too tough, and that I simply can’t do it. That’s never been my attitude. Yes, at times, maybe it feels like I’m running my head into a brick wall, but I always think and I will always believe that with enough force, that wall breaks. I mean isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? I’m the hero, I am supposed to take this challenge, this obstacle, this monster, whatever you wish to call her, I am simply going to call her Amber, but I’m supposed to stand here and take this fight. I’m supposed to, because I’m supposed to show you that there’s always hope, and there’s always a way. That’s what I do. That’s what I’ve always done. Amber isn’t the first, she won’t be the last. And the cycle will go on and on and on. I am living the hero’s monomyth every single time. And maybe, in the end, the overall war… it’s unwinnable. I know that right now, I’m fighting wars I know I can never truly win.
But it’s the little victories that encourage me to keep trying.
And now in my heart right now that my war with Amber Ryan, is one war I can win.
And it’s one I will win.
And while I completely understand what people have said to me, and how they have warned me with everything that has happened… I know what I’m doing. I’m going to be in a lot of pain. I’ve dealt with it before. I am no stranger to pain and the hurt that comes from dealing with people in the ring. You have seen it before with me. People have done their very best to break me and all of them… ALL of them, have failed. Amber did not break me, and she won’t break me. I made a promise to all of you, friends, family, fans and supporters alike. I made the promise to you that I would not stop fighting in the face of adversity. I would not stop standing up to any and all challenges, simply because they appear to be insurmountable. Every time Amber knocked me down, I got back up. Every time she wished I would stay down, I got back up. When she was walking away, thinking she had done the job she needed to… I got back up.
And it made Amber mad. It angered her that she couldn’t actually beat me. She couldn’t get the satisfaction she wanted from Summer XXXtreme. No, she had to take what was given, and it was, as she knows in her heart, a hallow victory. She was the one hitting me with everything but the kitchen sinks and was left wondering why she couldn’t do it.
Amber didn’t break me. Amber just woke me up.
It is rare that I choose to put this kind of thing out there, and it is rare that I have to do what I’m going to do. I promised all of you that I wasn’t going to stoop to Amber’s level and at the end of the day, I never want to. I don’t enjoy the fact that every time I’m near her, I know it is a battle to literally try put each other down for a very, long time. I don’t enjoy that. I simply understand where we are and where we’re headed. It’s why this match is a falls count anywhere. Because simply put, the ring… isn’t big enough.
The amount of pain and suffering that’s going to happen is enormous. The blood, sweat and tears, spilled? Immeasurable. Yes, I will fully admit that what needs to happen in this match is that I have go someplace I’ve never really been before. I have to go to the edge of my limits, and then take that step over, past all of them. And quite frankly it’s going to be bad. I’m going to be hurt, all over again. But I have never stopped trying simply because of a little hurt. I have never asked for quarter to be given to me. I never have expected anyone to feel sorry or pity for me. Because I know that this is what I do. I made this choice.
I made the choice to fight Amber the first time
I made the choice to continue to get up every time she knocked me down.
I made the choice to keep fighting, despite everything that happened to me.
And I accepted this match, knowing full well what I’m up against.
And I am fully prepared for it.
Because I actually learned just a touch about Amber that fills me with many emotions.
It fills me with some anger that Amber has done horrible, mean-spirited and twisted things to me, or to simply get my attention. It angers me that I wasn’t able to fully extract the revenge I wanted to for that fireball at Summer XXXtreme. I won’t sugarcoat it by saying once I had Amber, and I was choking her out, part of me really didn’t want to let go even if she tapped out. Part of me wanted very much to put her out and keep that hold on as long as possible to really drive that point home. Part of me would have been so satisfied with seeing her fade away, and that fire in her eyes die. But the other part really knew that it wasn’t going to end there, even with that. And the other part also remembered that I am not in this business to hurt people like Amber. I’m not here to end careers to help my own. And I’ve done a really dang good job of adding to my career and my legacy simply by winning. Did she make me want to throw it all away? Yes. She did. But that’s not the way I do things.
It also filled me with some regret that I even had those thoughts. To feel like I really need to hurt someone is a really awful feeling for me. I’ve never been out to do that. I’m just hungry to win, not to hurt. As André Gide once wrote, “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” And I know I am not that person. Maybe it’s who I might have to become, but I would hate myself even more if I had to. I am, who I am. Amber is not the first person to see me, and watch what I do and how I treat the world, and assume that it’s all an act. That I really don’t care for the people I care for. That all of this is an elaborate ruse. I have questioned this numerous times because it simply doesn’t make any sense. I’m not sure what exactly I’m gaining by treating everyone like a human being. People have brought up the subject or moral superiority. That somehow I get this… victory because people do bad things to other people and I don’t approve. I have simply been a bit of humble pie for some people who are very quick to point out the flaws in others with harsh, quick judgement, while never taking a look in the mirror at their own lives. Sometimes, I suppose it is simply a shock that I can do the same thing they do. There’s just a lot of hypocritical souls out there. Perhaps they want to look and judge people because they feel like they need to, in order to make themselves feel better about where they are.
I know I can look myself in the mirror, each and every day and be happy about the person I am, and what I have done in my life. I have made mistakes, I have made poor choices, I’ve never said that I didn’t. But I chose to learn from those errors, rather than hide them, and point my finger at someone else, hoping that the eyes of judgement go to them, instead of me.
And that’s where the final feeling comes in.
I felt sadness.
I felt sadness knowing that what happened at Summer XXXtreme… was Amber doing what I guess she thought she had to do. Because she doesn’t know any other way. Sure, she could play a nice person when it suits her. She’s a chameleon. She can gain your trust, she can make you believe that she can make changes and be a completely different person if given enough time. And this then became my fault because I didn’t take Amber at her word, right away, when she told me the same story.
A snake may shed its skin, but it’s still a snake.
A ploy, again, to make me the hypocrite. I must be the bad guy because I didn’t trust someone at face value. When that person has a history of not being genuine, and of not being on the level wants me to accept they’ve changed, I will, provided there’s proof. And Amber only did it to get to me. And multiple times, Amber has embraced the idea that it is the right thing to do. Many times we have all seen Amber embrace this attitude of being the monster, of being the anti-social sociopath. But apparently, because I knew this, and I took everything she did with a grain of salt, I’m the bad guy.
This is who Amber really is. So it makes me sad because for a little bit there, I wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, she had make that change to be a better person. But the moment I did, I got burned. Literally.
So, in a way, all this, has made me pity Amber. Because this all feels like one desperate cry for attention. The lashing out, the anger, the jealousy, the violence. All of it screams of someone who simply wants to be noticed. And it baffles me why that is. Amber is a multi-time hall of fame wrestler. She’s won countless championships. She walked in here with a ton of fanfare and she proved she was deserving of it in the short amount of time she’s been here. And yet, still we have this to deal with. Still seeking some sort of blanket recognition. Like a troubled teen or something. I don’t get it, but I have to deal with it.
So, that’s why I made the choice I made to just fight Amber. Just give Amber exactly what she wants. She wants a fight, so I will give her a fight, and we will be the hell out of each other at Violent Conduct.
But that’s where it gets tricky, doesn’t it? Amber would very much enjoy that fight, and deep down, maybe I would too. I know what I have to do, and it will not be easy. It never is. But what Amber wants is to prove what no one else has been able to do. That I, given enough push, can descend to that level and revile in the chaos. And if that does happen, then Amber already has won in her eyes. This has always been about how I need to be corrupted. That I can’t enjoy hitting someone with something like I’m going to do on Sunday. There’s plenty I can do to her, just as she can do to me. But apparently, I need to let it all go because deep down I’m just as much a monster as Amber, and that I am trying to hide it, while Amber has embraced it. And the moment that I lose that grip, then it’s over and I don’t come back. It is the ultimate goal for Amber. It all comes back to trying to break me.
And deep down, Amber knows she can’t do it. She knows that at the end of the day, no matter what she does, she won’t stop me, and she won’t break me. Not that it will stop her from trying, but she will. So the question becomes what do I do? Do I embrace the bit of Amber’s mentality that exists and enjoy trying to hurt her? Do I go into that abyss one more time knowing that last time I almost didn’t come back?
Maybe. Maybe not.
I know what I have to do. And I have to apologize up front for it. I just hope that all of you understand what I have to do, and that you are willing to forgive me. Just know that while I go into this match alone, having distanced all of you from this carnage, I also go with all of you by my side in spirit. And I know that I’m going to walk away from this match with a clear conscience, and a clear heart. I know, that just like last time, I will not stop.
And I most importantly, I know I will walk away the winner.
I have never been a monster, but I have been known to slay a few. And I will do it again. I won’t be the monster, I will be what I have been for a long time…
The Hero.
"I'll tell you something about glory. A hero doesn't want it. The best day of my life will be the day the world doesn't need me anymore. But until that day comes... I'll never quit fighting for what's right."
— Superman (Superman: Man of Tomorrow Vol 1 15)