{We open backstage at CC300 as Roxi, Keira, Amy Marshal and Jessie Salco all walk backstage after their match. It is a collective of high fives and hugs all around for everyone, as they head back to their locker room and each take a seat, smiling and laughing at each other through rapid breaths from the satisfaction of the match. There is a moment of no real talking as each woman attempts to catch their breath fully, and they all share a knowing look at one another.}
Roxi – That was good.
Jessie – Hell yeah!
Keira – I'm really happy we could all do this. It just sucks it might be for the last time.
Roxi – You okay, Amy?
{Amy rubbed at her neck, nodding and chuckling.}
Amy – I've had worse. A lot worse from you guys too.
{Amy winks and sticks out her tongue.}
Keira – Are you saying you want some more?
Amy – I guess that depends on what you’re offering...
{Keira does the shame-shame finger to Amy as Jessie just shakes her head and Roxi chuckles.}
Jessie – I swear you guys are so weird.
Keira – Ah, don’t worry best buddy, there’s always room for more.
Roxi – Okay, before this gets too awkward, I just wanna say I’m really proud of what we did out there tonight.
Jessie – It was an awesome thing to be out and do that. We rocked the house, just like I knew we would.
Keira – Yeah, it was amazing.
{The four all stand up and share a group hug, a moment of joy washes over them as they do so. Oncei t breaks, The realization sets in.}
Amy – I guess that’s it...
Keira – Things are just... different now, you know? You’re a mom now, you have other things you need to worry about. As do we...
{Keira touches her stomach and sighs.}
Keira – I don’t know how things are going to be in the future.
Amy – Wait... are you...
Keira – No, but it’s been on my mind a lot lately. You know? I mean, none of us are getting any younger and time’s ticking away and all that. I just... I’m torn now.
Jessie – You still got plenty left if you want to compete. But if have other plans, I think this is a good way to you know... move on.
Keira – Yeah, I got into the ring with my friends and my wife and had a great time.
Roxi – That's all that matters. You can take the time and think about everything, we’ll always have this.
{Amy hugs Keira and kisses her on the cheek.}
Amy – But if you take too long, I’m gonna steal your wife.
{Keira smiles a bit, Roxi shaking her head.}
Keira – Very funny, Amy.
Amy – Oh, you don’t think I can?
{Amy rushes over and picks up Roxi and tries to carry her away, and Keira gives chase and every gets a big laugh out of it. Amy eventually just puts Roxi down as Jessie pats Keira on the shoulder.}
Jessie – You know... I’m getting kind of hungry.
{Keira hears the word and her stomach rumbles.}
Keira – FOOD! LET’S GO!
{Keira quickly picks up her bags and rushes out of the room as Jessie shrugs and follows. Amy looks at Roxi as she goes to pick up her stuff.}
Amy – She's right, you know. Definitely gonna miss this.
Roxi – I know.
Amy – Are you thinking the same thing she is?
Roxi – I can’t not think about it, but at the same time, I want to do some many other things. It’s a weird balance of things. I just have to focus on one thing at a time, and right now, I just wanna focus on tonight. Tonight was good and I am very thankful for it.
Amy – It was. You think we should find them?
Roxi – I have the keys.
Amy – Ha. But you know how they are, they will eat a lot.
Roxi – Yeah, they will. I guess we should catch them before they eat some place out of buisness.
{Amy throws an arm around Roxi and kisses her on the cheek as well.}
Roxi – I'm gonna miss you while you’re gone Amy.
Amy – You can always come visit, you know.
Roxi – But then I may not be able to leave.
{Amy shrugs.}
Amy – You make it sound like a bad thing.
Roxi – Hush. Come on, let’s find them before we don’t get any food.
{Amy and Roxi grab their bags and head out, the four headed for a meal together, somewhere, as the scene fades.}
{Roxi and Keira returned home and Roxi plopped herself on the couch to sit with Nate and watch TV, casually playing with Nate’s long hair. Keira was off in the couple’s trophy room, and Keira was pacing back and forth, looking at all the championships and awards. Roxi saw the light on in the room and also Keira’s shadow as she paced back and forth over and over in the room. Roxi finally got up after a while of watching this, and then walked over to the trophy room where Keira was headed back in her direction, continuing to pace.}
Keira – Hey.
Roxi – You're going to make a trench if you pace long enough.
Keira – Sorry, just... thinking.
Roxi – I know I said to take all the time you need and everything, but you can’t let it consume you like this.
Keira – I’m trying not to, but it’s hard. I just started to think about this trophy room and all the stuff we did, and it’s so amazing, but you know... most of this stuff if yours. You’ve done all this and I’ve... I’ve only done a small amount of things.
Roxi – Don’t be like that. Anything that says “Team Hero” on it, or your name, you are a part of. You did those things just like me. That’s why it says “TEAM” hero and not “Roxi Johnson and also Keira.” You are a big part of my success and your own success.
Keira – But you are a bigger part of my success. I wouldn’t be here without you. And it’s why I wonder how much longer do I want to go on and how many more fights do I want to have? How many more titles do I want to chase? It took me YEARS to win a world title, and that was a good feeling to have, but without your help, I wouldn’t have done it.
Roxi – I don’t think I was in the ring with you, helping you win matches Keira. I especially didn’t help you beat Alicia. You did that on your own. All I did was tell you that you could do it, and you did.
Keira – I know...
Roxi – Look, if you don’t want to do this anymore, that’s okay. I'm not going to sit here and hold it against you for making your own choices. If you really are serious about the 2nd child, then we can talk about that, but let’s give it some thought first before we make any decisions. Let’s face it, Nate is almost 5 and he’s going to be starting school soon...
{Roxi’s expression changes to one of sad realization once the words leave her mouth.}
Keira – It’s why I’ve been thinking about it so much. Nate’s going to be in school. It seems like those 5 years went like nothing. It feels like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms and feeding him his first bottle. And he’s... he’s like a person now.
Roxi – He’s always been a person, Keira.
Keira – You know what I mean.
Roxi – I know, but I’m just saying let’s not rush into having another kid running around when we still have Nate to take care of. It’s not like what we do is now over because he’s going to be 5.
Keira – I know, that’s why I am still thinking about... you know... walking away. Maybe it is that time now. I have... one major title that I want to really win, but you’re the one going for it, and I want you to win it. But maybe, if I’m home and you don’t have to worry about me anymore, things can be different at home.
Roxi – If that’s what you want to do, I will support it. You are my wife and I will always stand by you.
Keira – I know that, it’s just... it’s tough. I already miss the ring and we literally just wrestled last night. When they said it was hard to walk away... they weren’t lying. That’s why this is taking so long. I mean, it’s just... it’s one more championship. Being a grand slam winner... finally being put in that class... that’s it. But if I chase it, and I don’t get it... what does that say about me?
Roxi – It doesn’t say anything. It just says you loved competing. Let me put it to you this way, if you did everything else you wanted to do, aside from one thing, put everything else you did you can look back and enjoy, is that one thing that important?
Keira – I guess not.
Roxi – It’s not that important, I promise you. I was talking about this last week, and I’ll say the same thing here and now, it’s not the destination that’s important, it’s the journey. Let me show you exactly what I mean.
{Roxi walks over to see the case displaying Keira’s replica SCW Roulette championship.}
Roxi – Do you remember winning this?
Keira – Well yeah, of course I do.
Roxi – Good, why don’t you tell me about it.
Keira – I won the Queen of a day briefcase and I was able to cash in on any champion, and I picked my spot and I beat Crystal for it.
Roxi – And don’t you remember how fun that was, just being able to pick which champion, able to size up everybody and plan and strategize and then Crystal never saw it coming. And that was your first championship in SCW.
Keira – Yeah, it was pretty fun to do that. I enjoyed it a lot. People didn’t think I had a shot, but I proved them wrong. It was a great feeling to hold that gold.
Roxi – And what about this?
{Roxi points to the SCW Bombshell’s tag team titles.}
Keira – We worked so hard for those. We had to beat so many teams and then we had to beat the Fallen, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t think we were going to win that match. The Fallen were so good and we had to work our butts off for them. And then we took the titles to brand new heights. I mean, not only did we win, but we changed the whole division.
Roxi – You see? The journey is so important. Winning a championship is great, really great, in fact. But it’s the how’s and why’s that are the most important thing. You have been a part of some incredible journey’s, so don’t feel bad that didn’t reach one destination right away.
Keira – I know, but... you’ve been on every journey.
Roxi – I’ve had my share.
Keira – You have accomplished so much and I dunno, I still feel myself at times comparing myself to you.
Roxi – You don’t have to anymore. You are a champion and a great wrestler and more importantly a great friend. And also one heck of a mom.
{Keira blushes.}
Keira – Awww...
Roxi – Do you know what title that tag match was for?
Keira – It... wasn’t for a title.
Roxi – Exactly, but you’re going to remember it, aren’t you?
Keira – Always.
Roxi – Because of the journey with Amy and Jessie. Nobody’s gonna care if there was a title on the line, when it was 4 people who busted their butts out there and gave them a good show and left them wanting more. That’s what I’m really getting at here. You don’t need to concern yourself too much with one title. If you want to chase it, fine, but... you know, you’re going to have to maybe beat me for it.
{Keira arches a brow, and puts her hands on her hips.}
Keira – Is that so?
Roxi – 100% I plan on winning the Internet championship in a couple of weeks so, you know, if you want a shot, I’ll be waiting for you.
Keira – You know, we do have to have one final match. Maybe that should be it.
Roxi – But you know, that doesn’t have to be for a championship.
Keira – Anytime. Anywhere.
Roxi – I’m looking forward to it.
{Keira wipes away some tears starting to form in her eyes.}
Keira – Thank you. I think I needed that more than anything.
Roxi – Anytime.
{Roxi and Keira share a hug and a kiss as the scene fades.}
{The new scene opens with Roxi sitting down to dinner as her wrist communicator goes off.}
Roxi – What in the world...
Keira – Always at the wrong time.
Nate – Mommy, that’s your phone.
Roxi – I know, baby... I’ll be right back.
{Roxi heads to the next room and pulls up the comm.}
Roxi – Vision?
Vision – Rox, sorry if I’m interrupting, but there’s... an issue at the asylum.
Roxi – What now?
Vision – It's... Amelia. She’s demanding to see you.
Roxi – I don’t have time for this.
Vision – She's threatening guards and staff, they think she has a hostage.
{Roxi sighs and swears under her beath.}
Roxi – Alright... I’ll be right there.
{Roxi ends the call and puts her costume in a backpack as she slings it over her shoulder. She walks out and then past the dinner table where Keira and Nate look confused.}
Roxi – I'm sorry, I’ve got to go... visit a friend, she needs help. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
Keira – Wait, what? What friend? Is something wrong?
Roxi – No.... Not yet. I’ll be right back.
{Roxi exits the house and when the coast is clear, changes into her superhero costume and teleports to the Asylum. Once there she rushes in, to be greeted by a guard.}
Guard – You work fast.
Roxi – I don’t have time to small talk or jokes right now, where is she?
Guard – Holding Area C. She’s been asking for you for the past hour, got one of our boys, Miller.
Roxi – Let's go then.
{The guard escorts Roxi down the hall and through several corridors and finally ending up in the holding area’s. Sure enough, Amelia is holding of of the guards at gun point, having taken his weapon. However, when she sees Roxi, she smiles and waves.}
Amelia – You came!
Roxi – Let him go. You wanted me, I’m here.
{Amelia unceremoniously dumps the guard on the ground, keeping the gun in her hand.}
Amelia – I've missed you.
Roxi – What do you want?
Amelia – I just want to talk.
Roxi – So talk.
{Amelia skips over to the table and sits down, pushing out a chair on the other side, and then reaching under the table and patting it invitingly.}
Amelia – Come on, sit down.
{Roxi catiuously approaches the chair and swipes at it, making sure nothing is there before she does take a seat.}
Amelia – You look good, you been working out?
Roxi – Get to the point, Amelia.
Amelia – You are being very rude, you know that. I hope you are not teaching Nate to be like that.
Roxi – You mention his name again, and I will end you where you stand.
Amelia – Oooh, I like that. But, we both know you won’t. So it’s an empty threat. I think we’re above that aren’t we?
Roxi – WE are not above anything. I put nothing past you, and I know you always have something planned. So if this is some kind of ploy, I don’t care.
Amelia – But you should care. You should think about me more. We’re friends. I know that sometimes friends lose touch with each other, but you really don’t intend to just leave me in this asylum forever, do you?
Roxi – Forever isn’t quite long enough if you ask me.
Amelia – Ouch. That’s harsh. You wound me with your words. I just wanted a visitor every now and again.
Roxi – Then try pen pals.
Amelia – Don’t act like you’re better than me, Roxi. I know you, I know you, better than you do. But you, you just think you know me.
Roxi – You’re trying to play with my head and I’m not going to let it happen. So either tell me what this is about, or I’m leaving.
Amelia – But that’s just it, this is what this is about. You and me. Just old friends, talking and catching up. How is N... Uh... your son?
Roxi – He’s fine.
Amelia – Good, that’s good. He’s getting so big.
Roxi – Knock it off.
Amelia – Okay, okay, how’s the wife then?
Roxi – Eager to break your arm again.
Amelia – Bones heal, LB. They really do. That was good time though. Did you ever catch that person you were after?
Roxi – Yes.
Amelia – So it wasn’t me, right?
Roxi – No, it wasn’t.
Amelia – See! I told you I was innocent! I think I deserve an apology for that.
Roxi – You broke into my house, Amelia. I am NEVER forgiving you for that.
Amelia – Now, that... that was a good time. I got to hang out with the boy, and I got to watch the happy couple, and the estranged parent thing you got going on, and that was a LOT of fun. He’s really nice. Your son I mean. I do wish I could see him again.
Roxi – You come near me, or my family ever again, and I will be willing break any rules I have.
Amelia – Oh come now, Box of Rox, you know as well as I do that I didn’t really do anything wrong. Sure some Breaking and entering, but that’s a slap on the wrist. You know, it was all worth it when I saw the look on your face. Whew... that was awesome.
Roxi – Shut up.
Amelia – Well, since you’re not going to ask, I don’t think I should tell you how my time has been.
Roxi – I don’t care.
Amelia – I mean, the food is... the food is okay, you know how sometimes you have those resturants that get all the hype and you go there and you eat, and it’s just... there. It’s like that. You know what I mean, right?
Roxi – This conversation is over.
{Roxi goes to get up, but Amelia points the gun at her.}
Amelia – It’s very rude to interrupt people.
{Roxi growls and slowly sits back down.}
Amelia – Now, that whole rennovation thing, it’s pretty cool. You know, the guards got a little weird there for a second, but it was worth it.
Roxi – You mean Coleman.
Amelia – Pfft. What an idiot that guy is. I can't believe people were scared of him.
Roxi – He physically attacked people.
Amelia – Oh no, people can’t handle a little force applied every now and again. Goodness. You’d think he was killing them. I mean, I think he tried a couple of times, but some of these people deserve it.
Roxi – Why didn’t you speak up and the hearing?
Amelia – Ha. I’m crazy, remember. Who’s gonna believe me? You?
Roxi – No, I don’t believe anything you say.
Amelia – Then why bother. Yeesh. Sometimes you disappoint me, R-… LB
Roxi – Yeah, well, I’m sorry, you’re going to have to get used to that.
Amelia – Still, Coleman did provide some good entertainment. He was useful while he was here.
Roxi – What are you talking about?
Amelia – Nothing, nothing at all, LB. I’ve only been trying to have a conversation with you this whole time, and you have just ignored me. It’s only when I have something for you, that you even bother. And that’s cold.
Roxi – What did you do to Coleman?
Amelia – What? Me?! The man was crazy before he came here, you saw it, right? I mean, that’s why he’s not here, right?
{Roxi groans, finally having enough of Amelia.}
Roxi – Listen to me, Amelia. I don’t care about you. You are in here, because you belong in here. You broke into my house, you hurt innocent people, and people close to me. You deserve nothing but the harshest punishment. I don’t care about our past, or our legacy. You only wanted me here, because you NEED me.
Amelia – How dare you!
Roxi – Oh yes, you need me. The Peek Twins have music. Hammer loves money. Even Mr. Distinguished has him old-timey world. But you? Without me, you’re just a crazy chick, looking for acceptance.
Amelia – You don’t mean that!
Roxi – I do.
{Roxi then flips the table onto Amelia, pinning her to the ground and swiping the gun away. Guards file into the holding area.}
Amelia – You can’t... you can’t leave me like this!
Roxi – I just did. Good-bye Amelia.
Amelia – Don’t you walk away from me! You can’t do this! I’ll be back for you!
{Roxi walks away and Amelia continues to scream threats and the scene finally fades.}
“I may have been conceived out there in the endless depths of space... but I was born when the Rocket opened, on Earth, in America. I'll cherish always the memories Jor-El and Lara gave me... but only as curious mementos of a life that might have been. Krypton bred me, but it was Earth that gave me all I am. All that matters. It was Krypton that made me Superman... but it is the Earth that makes me Human.”
- Superman (The Man of Steel, 1986)
Hello SCW,
I come to you, after a win, but that win wasn’t the most important thing that happened at the 300th Climax Control, not by a long shot. It was the memory made. Team Hero vs. Metal and Punk one more time was an amazing experience and I have to thank Jessie, Amy & Keira for helping make that night an even more special night. It is one that I will cherish for a long, long time. And being one of only two people to compete at these landmark shows doesn’t hurt either. Climax Control 400? Who knows, right? But I am proud to be part of Sin City Wrestling and helping make it what it is today. It brings back a lot of good memories, and some not so good, but they are the memories I will keep.
Now, it’s no big secret that Keira and I haven’t been doing a whole lot on the show lately, and there is a good reason for that. Time. No, this isn’t about health or age at this point, although we are all getting older as the days pass, but to be honest with you, I feel better than I have in a long time. I have learned over time to take care of my health and body, and so has Keira. So, rest assured, we’re not breaking down anytime soon. No, it’s more about what there is, that is left to do. For Keira, there is still the want and desire to be the SCW Internet champion to complete her own grand slam. Something a lot of people who have walked through the doors in SCW haven’t accomplished. Keira is so close, but she has become preoccupied as it were lately, with the idea of well, having another child. I don’t know if that’s in the cards just yet, but Keira continues to talk about it more and more, and I know when she does set her heart on something, she usually goes after it, full force.
As for me? I’ve been told time and time again at this stage of my SCW career, that I have nothing left to prove. I am already in the Hall of Fame, I have already done everything there is to do, outside of winning that dang Blast From the Past Tournament, and that eludes me for another year. And when I stop and think about it, they are pretty correct on this. My only real challenge now, is staying at the top for as long as I can. I’ve already achieved legend status, they say, so they questions come up now, as to why I continue to try this challenge, because, let’s face it, I won’t be able to do it forever, and that’s true. But I still have the mindset that I need to be at the top because I know I’m good enough to be there. I’m not going out there and embarrassing myself, I’m still able to compete at the highest level and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Now, winning that gauntlet match was fun and a good motivator, but I was sitting here and thinking about exactly what I wanted to really achieve. I would have been just as happy with Keira in my spot and I could have competed in Queen for a Day again and all that jazz, but here we are, and I stand here with another championship opportunity. And to me, nothing says you’re at the top, like having a championship. And so, my focus now fully turns to the woman who has made the Internet championship one of the most elusive and sought-after prizes to be won in SCW today: Myra Rivers.
Myra has been carving up the competition for that championship, and has broken the record for the longest reign. Shattered it, in fact. We’re getting close to a full year of Myra having that championship, and that is an amazing feat, but I expect no less from someone who has the skills and experience that Myra has. She has put her stamp on what she is capable of and continues to do defense after defense. So, it is safe to say right now that I am, perhaps the underdog in this match. Perhaps Myra is feeling that she is the underdog, but I’m not the one with the record-breaking reign and looking unstoppable. I’m the one who has to figure out how I’m going to be not just another one of Myra’s victories as she continues that reign. It’s no exaggeration that I have my work cut out for me.
Because unlike a lot of matches that I have these days, I don’t have that experience edge to fall back on. Myra has been here, in wrestling, longer than I have. She started in 2008, and I didn’t start my training until late 2010 and didn’t make my actual wrestling debut until 2011. So Myra has 3 solid years on me in terms of experience, I would have to go back to like 2011 to remember the last time I was walking into a match with that big of a gap. I am usually the old guard, but now, I am... lacking in that department. It’s a strange feeling, but not one I have forgotten. No, in this case, since we are roughly of similar age and experience, there isn’t going to be any fancy trick pulled, no old veteran moves to fool the rookie, there’s just going two experience warriors going out there, to see who is the best on that night.
But I do have some history on my side.
While I have competed in many places all over the world, and for a variety of companies, Primarily, I have made my home, here. I have fought, the best of the best, here. Right in that six sided ring and I have won my share of battles and carved out my legacy, here. And that very championship that Myra has right now, sitting in her grasp, I helped make it. I was the second ever Bombshell’s Internet champion, and you know, I’m still annoyed that I wasn’t the first, but that’s not really important now. I was the second champion, and the first Bombshell to hold it twice. People have come and tied that record now, but all those records are made to be broken at some point.
Much like streaks.
Myra can consider that a threat if she wants, that’s okay, she knows how this game is played, but it’s not so much a threat as it is a statement of fact. Streak's end, and a lot of the time they are rather unceremonious. Sometimes you just run into someone that just has it all going that night, in any sport. A team, an opponent you know in your heart shouldn’t be able to do the things they do, and on that night, it all works for them. It happens all the time. And then... just like that, it’s over and you’re left looking around and wondering what the heck happened. In an instant, it’s all gone, and the streak ends.
But I don’t think for one second that I’m just going to catch Myra on a bad night, nor do I think she’s going to overlook me. She’s said it herself that this is a match on her dream match list. One she’s wanted for a long time, and I am flattered and humbled that this is the case. I never figured at any point I’d be on some kind of dream match list from anyone. I just wanted to do my best and maybe have some success. But here we are, and the dream match becomes a reality.
And now, I have the overall sad task of turning this dream match, into a nightmare scenario.
I would have look back and think about... something that makes me sad, but I remember when I came here all those years ago, Misty was sitting at the top. Misty was in charge, ruling the division with an iron fist and able to be absolutely everyone was turned away, and I had to fight and wrestle one of the best matches I have ever wrestled to beat her and win the Bombshell’s championship for the first time. And as I look at Myra Rivers, I know I will have to do pretty much the same thing in order to beat her, like I did Misty back then.
Now, I’m not blowing smoke and I’m not just saying these things to praise someone, I’m just telling it like it is. I pride myself on being an honest person, and sometimes, I have to be brutally honest. And this is one of those occasions, so I’m going to say things that maybe Myra doesn’t want to hear, but at the end of the day, my goal is to win, and to do that sometimes, you have to tell people things they don’t want to hear, even if it’s the truth. This is one of those times.
Myra has said herself that she at one point prided herself on fighting and wrestling for all the right and just reasons, and then she fell from that and became a more calculating and selfish in order attain her goals. But being a parent made her look herself in the mirror and realize that that wasn’t the way she needed to be, and so for the past 2 years, she has gone back to what she originally set out to be.
I am all for redemption, I believe in second chances. Heck, I’ve given a lot of people who do not deserve it, more chances than I can count. That’s just who I am. And that all stems from when I went down that very same path, blinded by what I felt was a lack of compassion and understand from the people who were my friends. I became that misguided soul and they all brought me back. And I swore I wouldn’t go back to that life ever again, and there have been times I have been tempted, but I know in my heart that going down that path will only leave me with nothing. So, I completely understand where Myra is coming from in this situation. I get it, probably better than most. Being at what seems like a crossroads and not really being ready to make a choice one way or another.
But what I do see, isn’t a return to form, but rather a compromise.
As I said, harsh truths.
I see the passion, and the compassion, but I also see that everything is all well and good now with a championship around her waist. The days keep getting counted, as Myra appears to be secure in just being the Internet champion, and has made it her goal to win a certain amount of championships before she retires. Maybe it’s just a foreign concept to me, but I really don’t think this is a Rat race like that. Championships come and go. If you hold onto one for 5 seconds, or 5 months, or 5 years, the title of champion is bestowed upon you. And winning x amount of championships is a fun accomplishment and adds to legacies, I mean, a win for me, means I am the first 3 time Internet champion, so yes, there that feeling, but when it becomes all you really strive for, are you really striving for anything? I would think that someone as experienced as Myra would know that this business isn’t about who has the most of anything at the end. It’s part of it, no doubt, but not ALL. It’s more about leaving it better off than you found it. Did you make things better while you were there? I would say that outside of this lnternet championship reign, the answer is... no.
Now, I can’t and won’t speak for everyone else, and maybe I just wasn’t in the places Myra was, but doing my research didn’t really bring up the greatness of Myra Rivers elsewhere. We aren’t talking matches of the year, feuds or moments. We’re strictly talking about wins and losses, and championships won. Perhaps Myra and I do not have the same definition of success. I’ve never felt this has been completely about the numbers. They help, but like this entire thing has been about, it’s about memories. And if your memories are simply about when you win x, y, or z thing, then I don’t think you’re seeing the big picture.
I’ve tried very hard at this point in my career to make people understand that, some listen, some don’t. And I know Myra is trying hard. I commend that. Nothing I’ve said here is about making her believe she isn’t a great and talented wrestler, there is no question in my mind she is. It’s about opening her eyes and making her understand what she needs to know. I said that sometimes when it doesn’t go your way, you can slip and you can fall into those dark places. I’ve been there. But when I look at Myra, when I see where she came from, what she overcome and how she has moved, I can see that need to be the Internet champion as an attempt to justify or prove herself. And I fear that at Into the Void, me beating her and taking the internet championship will start that cycle all over again.
I can see it happening, and I don’t want that to happen. I’d like to avoid having that issue spring up, because I plan on winning the Internet championship. But at the end of the day, I just hope that Myra know that while I want to make it a nightmare scenario, the challenge isn’t easy, and the work that will be done will make the whole thing worth it. It’s like the old saying goes, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” We already know the match will end of of two ways, either Myra retains and continues her historic run, or I beat her and become a three-time champion. That’s the easy part. The journey, and the match that we will put on, is what I’m most excited for.
I just don’t want it soured and having Myra look at this as a failure with a loss. Or look at it as not living up to the hype or living up to some idea. There will be two women in that ring at Into the Void looking to show they are the best at what they do. We both want to show everyone that it doesn’t matter your age or experience, if you can go, you can go, and nothing changes that. It’s about the fireworks and the moment. It’s about the memories.
And the memories we make on this journey will last far longer than any championship reign.
I will guarantee it.
Our scene picks up where we left off with Roxi having returned home after an unwanted reunion with Amelia. She has a look of disgust on her face as she returns through the door and fakes a smile to Keira, who gets up, walking up to Roxi and whispers to her.
Keira – What happened? Where have you been?
Roxi – … The asylum.
Keira – What? What for?
Roxi – Amelia.
Keira growls under her breath.
Keira – That bitch...
Roxi – I know how you feel.
Keira – What could she have possibly wanted.
Roxi – To talk.
Keira – Talk? Talk about what?
Roxi – I don’t know. She just wanted to bring up the past and make me remember when she broke in.
Keira clenches her fist and her knuckles crack.
Keira – Don’t remind me.
Roxi – I didn’t want to remember either, but that’s basically what it was.
Keira – You mean... she just made small talk, about our encounters?
Roxi – Yes. I mean, it’s as if she just... wanted someone to talk to.
Keira – It’s never like that with her. There’s always something. Some plot. Some motive. Some kind of plan.
Roxi – The only thing that struck me the entire time was she... I don’t know she seemed to just accept this whole thing like it was just something normal people do. She seemed fine and content. Hell, the last time we even encountered her she gave up without so much as a fight. She’s been there this whole time, not doing anything.
Keira – Come to think of it, you’re right. It’s like she’s right where she wants to be. She hadn’t done anything in months. She’s got to be planning something.
Roxi – I don’t know what it could be though.
Keira – Wait, that guard that you took down...
Roxi – Coleman?
Keira – Yeah, did she try and escape when he was there?
Roxi – Not that I know of.
Keira – Didn’t other try to escape?
Roxi – The Peek Twins did escape. There were some other attempts but the Twins were the only one to get out.
Keira – That worries me more than anything. She has opportunity to escape. She had to have been at least thinking about it.
Roxi – Maybe, I’m not sure. But if she was, and maybe she was abused by Coleman, but she didn’t care. But then again... she’s never feared death, or any consequence for her actions.
Keira – No, she knows YOU won’t kill her. Anyone else... not so much.
Roxi – You’re not going to do it either.
Keira – So long as she stays far away from me, and far away from here. I’m sorry, Roxi, but if she does anything to try and hurt you, and especially Nate, I will not be held responsible for turning her into a greasy smear under my boot.
Keira has a serious look on her face. Deathly serious as she folds her arms, staring back at her wife.
Roxi – That’s not what we do.
Keira – It’s not what YOU do, Roxi. I’m not talking about killing anyone else. I’m not talking about Haven, or Hammer, just her.
Roxi – I know how you feel. Trust me I do, but that’s not who we are, and that’s not how we do things. She’s in the asylum, and with any luck, that’s where she’s going to stay.
Keira – If she called for you, if she talked to you, she’s going to do something. You know it, and I know it. I can feel it in my bones, and I’m not one to take any threat lightly. You know what she said when we both talked to her last time.
Roxi – That if she was planning something, she’d make sure we knew.
Keira – Exactly, I consider this a warning, and I refuse to walk around, living my life, looking over my shoulder. Especially given how I feel now. If she makes one move, I’m not going to hold back.
Roxi – Look, we don’t know, and she’s in the asylum right now. She is of no threat to us.
Keira – Yet...
Roxi – We cannot think like that. She didn’t do anything and she’s got you on edge.
Keria still stares at Roxi intently.
Keira – Because I know when I’m being threatened, Roxi. I know what she’s done and I know what she’s capable of. So no, I’m not just going to take this random outburst lightly. Not on your life.
Roxi sighs, and pulls Keira in and hugs her tightly.
Roxi – You know I love you, and you know I will always stand by you, and I will do everything I can to keep you, and this family safe. But even if we want to, or we could even justify it, we don’t take lives, and we don’t live in fear. If anything, ANYTHING happens to you, or anyone else I care about, I will never forgive myself.
Keira – And I feel the same way about you, I’m just not going to let it happen.
Roxi – Look.. I... I just want to forget that that ever happened. Don’t worry about it. Don’t let it get to you. We have plenty of other things to concern ourselves with, rather than someone who can’t do anything to us right now.
Keria signs and she looks away and shakes her head.
Keira – It’s not the only thing I’m worried about.
Roxi – What are you talking about?
Keira – Roxi, I... I don’t know how to say this, but, ever since the end of Sin... things have just been so different that... I think I’m getting weaker.
Roxi – Weaker?
Keira – Yes, I’m training just as hard, but I’m getting tired quicker than I normally would. I’m just not feeling as strong as I used to. I think something may be wrong with me.
Roxi – Hmmm... We might need to get you checked out then.
Keira – Maybe, I don’t know what’s going on. I...I don’t want to be a liability in a battle.
Roxi – You’re not. You may just need to learn to adjust, but you should also not train as hard as you do. There is a such thing as overtraining, you know.
Keira – I know the difference. I’m barely getting warmed up anymore and after a solid hour my arms are like Jell-O and I don’t feel like I’ve made any progress. The combat bot actually got a hit in on me the other day. Maybe... maybe... I’m just getting too old.
Roxi – Age is a number, Keira. Nothing more. We’ll see about your physical health, but you know, the last few transformations you’ve undergone, you’ve barely been able to handle them. I think your body may just be getting tired of carrying the amount of energy and power in your body, but that’s just my opinion, I’m not a doctor.
Keira – Sorry if I gave you something else to worry about.
Roxi – You didn’t. I’ll always worry about you, you’re my wife, and I love you.
Keira – I love you too. It’s getting late, and your food is getting cold.
Roxi – Alright, I’ll grab a quick bite and I guess we have some alone time.
Keira winks and does the kitty claw at Roxi.
Keira – Rawr.
Roxi – Not like that.... behave yourself.
Roxi shakes her head and she and Keira share a kiss as the scene fades.
The new scene opens the next night, after Nate had been put to bed. Roxi and Keira are in their bedroom and Keira sits in the edge of the bed, clearly thinking about things as Roxi opens the closet and pulls out her costume. Keira looks at her and lays back in the bed sighing.
Roxi – What’s wrong?
Keira – I feel like sooner or later you’ll be the only one doing that.
Roxi – You can still go on patrol with me, you know.
Keira – I don’t know anymore, I feel like I’d just get in the way.
Roxi – Nonsense, you’re more than capable of handling anything I can. You still have more than enough strength if the situation calls for it.
Keira – But for how much longer?
Roxi – Until you decide to do things like this.
Roxi sighs as she starts putting on her costume.
Keira – I just don’t want to be a liability.
Roxi – Don’t you remember your first night doing this?
Keira – Yeah, I remember you yelled at me for trying to do too much.
Roxi – Right, and you see now, that you don’t make those mistakes anymore? Last time all that was protecting you was a magic sash. You don’t even need it anymore. You’re far stronger than you were then. You’ve learned a lot, you’ve applied it.
Keira slowly sits up and nods, a small smile crossing her face.
Keira – Yeah, I guess I have.
Roxi – Look, if you want to come and do a patrol with me, we can, if you’re okay and you’re that worried about it, I’ll do it myself.
Roxi goes and opens the window to her room, and Keira stands up, a nervous, but confident smile on her face.
Keira – What’s the worst than can happen? If anything, we can take anything down together.
Roxi – There ya go.
Keira slips on her costume and the two soon are flying over the city headed on their regular patrol, checking to make sure everything is running smoothly around it. They fly around, high above and taking in the lit-up city at night, even though things are closing down and there is curfew, and there’s still not too many people out and about at this point. Roxi and Keira make it to the Sunshine skyline bridge, both taking a moment to sit on the bridge and look over the water, and the skyline.
Keira – I forgot how beautiful this all is.
Roxi – Yeah, life gets pretty crazy sometimes, but if you stop and look around, you find things like this.
Keira – Everything just looks so peaceful. It’s been a while since it even looked like this.
Roxi – But seeing it like this now, makes it all worth it.
Keira – Yeah.
The two superheroes are cuddled up on the bridge, until both of their wrist communicators go off.
Roxi – Because of course that happens now.
Keira – Would you ever expect anything different?
Roxi – I guess not.
Roxi answers.
Roxi – Go ahead, Vision.
Vision – Rox, is it just you?
Keira – No, I’m here too. Hi Vision, it’s nice to see you too.
Vision – I was going to say, we may need both of you.
Roxi – Why? What’s going on?
Vision – I wish I knew. We have surveillance footage of Mr. Distinguished near the old waterfront warehouse.
Roxi – Okay?
Keira – The guy who wants literally everything to be fancy? So what’s the deal now?
Vision – I... I don’t know. The footage just shows him as being there, nothing happening. It’s as if he waiting for something.
Roxi – This doesn’t sound like a major emergency.
Keira – I mean, maybe he’s getting set up with something.
Roxi – Or set up for something...
Vision – That's exactly my thought, he’s not doing anything. He’s just... there. Maybe some kind of meeting has been set up.
Keira – I mean, if this is scouting out Mr. Distinguished, I don’t see why we both need to be there.
Roxi – If you want to go, you can go, I’ll check out the waterfront.
Keira – Oh no, I came all the way out here, I’m not leaving when it gets a little interesting.
Roxi nods, smiling under her mask as Keira can see it and smiles back.
Roxi – We’re on it, Vision.
Vision – Right.
Roxi ends the communication and She and Keira head off to the waterfront, and sure enough, they can see Mr. Distinguished, in his easily recognizable top hat, cane, and coat and tails. He is simply checking his pocket watch until Roxi and Keira just land in front of him.
Keira – Okay Mr. Fancy-Pants! What are you doing there?!
Mr. Distinguished is startled at first, but the appears relieved.
Mr. Distinguished – Ah, it’s about time you two tomato’s showed up! Thank the lord you did and I can be done with this mess!
Roxi – What mess? What are you talking about?
Keira – And did you say you have tomato’s?
Mr. Distinguished – No, you troublesome Vamp! I only have this! I have been instructed to give this to you!
Mr. Distinguished reaches into his coat pocket and produces an envelope. He simply hands it to Roxi, who examines it.
Roxi – What is this?
Mr. Distinguished – It's a letter, you wretched ragamuffin!
Keira – Can I hit him?
Roxi – I know it’s a letter, what’s in it?
Mr. Distinguished – I don’t have the sharp claws on that one. I was just supposed to give it to you.
Roxi – Who gave it to you?
Mr. Distinguished – Some other Vamp, I tried to make my play but she gave me the wind I tell ya! But they... they got the the scoop on me... Applesauce!
Keira – Okay... Am I the only one who is just lost, right now?
Mr. Distinguished – You should really get to know your onions, I tell ya!
Keira – And hungry...
Roxi – Why did the give this to you?
Mr. Distinguished lowers his head, turning away in shame.
Mr. Distinguished – They've sent the Bruno. They played me for a mark. I don’t need anyone spilling on me and being a wet blanket for my business.
Keira – WHAT? SPEAK ENGLISH!
Roxi – I think he’s saying he’s been blackmailed.
Mr. Distinguished – And how!
Keira – So who’s the person blackmailing you?
Before Mr. Distinguished can answer, he is knocked back at the loud crack of a gun explodes. Roxi and Keira duck and take cover, but Mr. Distinguished it hit. He’s already laying in a blood of blood, unmoving. His body slumped against the wall.
Roxi – Sniper?
Keira – Did you see anything?
Roxi – No.
Roxi and Keira wait for a few tense moments before Keira begins to peer out of her cover, and slowly makes her way over to Mr. Distinguish’s body, and carefully checks for a pulse.
Keira – He’s dead.
Roxi – Stay down... our shooter may not be finished.
Keira – We don’t have to worry about bullets!
Keira stands up and flies off, looking all around for any sign of anyone being in the area. A quick glance and nothing catches Keira’s eye, she comes back down at Roxi is looking around for any clues as to what just happened.
Roxi – Great... I’m gonna need a light.
Roxi goes into her utility belt and pulls out a very powerful flashlight and begins examining the bullets entry wound on the chest of Mr. Distingusihed.
Keira – That’s a big entry wound.
Roxi – Yeah... armor piercing most likely.
Keira – Let me check around the area.
Keira heads off, looking around the area for clues to try and figure this out. Keira checks for any audio or video equipment, or perhaps any sort of timer or anything that could have triggered the event to occur. She returns shortly as Roxi studies the area and the bullet’s final impact against the wall.
Roxi – Yeah, armor piercing. Judging by the wound and the bullet hole, a very large caliber round, maybe... a winchester or 30.06. Trajectory looks to be....
Roxi traces with her finger and then points where she thinks the line is.
Keira – It was behind us, that’s for sure.
Roxi – Yes, who,ever was shooting could have taken the time, but if I’m right.... hmmm..
Roxi starts walking towards the roof of surrounding buildings.
Keira – You want me to the call this in?
Roxi – If you could... I have a very bad feeling about this.
Keira – I’ll get to it.
Roxi continues to look and study the area, eventually flying upwards onto one of the roofs, and then looking down, but she can’t see Keira due to other buuldings blocking her view.
Roxi – Higher...
Roxi flies up and continues to look around, onto one of the taller buildings that appears to be tall enough, but there are several objects like a glass ceiling, roof balconies in the way again.
Roxi – It came straight through; it can only be.... higher?
Roxi turns and looks up and not much is higher up that isn’t several hundred yards away, which would make the shot a ridiculously difficult one. Keira soon joins Roxi on the roof.
Keira – It’s all called in and the police and the ambulances are on the way.
Roxi – Good.
Keira – Any luck with the shooter?
Roxi – No. This spot at the first one there’s too many things in the way, or blocking the view. So, unless they were shooting from that tower way over there.
Roxi points off into the distance.
Keira – All the way over there?
Roxi – Yeah.
Keira – Why wouldn’t you take an easier shot?
Roxi – That’s the point. That middle tower right down the road over there is about the same size as this building, but the trajectory I’ve mapped would mean it would just hit this building.
Keira – Hmmm... Well, we should check out the building off in the distance at least, but... did you ever look at the letter?
Roxi – No... I guess we can check it out.
Keira – Careful...
Roxi pulls the letter out of her belt and examines it. Checking for any substances the letter could be laced with, and tracing with her finger for anything out of the ordinary. Satisfied, she carefully opens the letter and it’s a computer font letter.
Roxi – Dear heroes, Welcome to open season. I’m going to solve all your problems, my dear hero friends. I’m going to do what you won’t. Turn the animals against each other. I’m going to be a hero just like you. You can choose to be the real hero and join me, or you can become the villains and try to stop me. The choice is yours. I’ll see you at the end of the game. Good luck. Signed, a friend.
Keira – What the hell does that mean?
Roxi – It means someone is playing a sick game. Mr. Distinguished was a bad guy through and through, but he didn’t deserve to die.
Keira – Wait...
Roxi – What?
Keira – The letter said turning the animals against each other. Meaning... another bad guy killed Mr. Distinguished! This person is manipulating the villains of this city of take each other out.
Roxi – And from what Mr. Distinguished said... he was being blackmailed.
Keira – You understood that?
Roxi – I like history, it’s just early 1900’s slang.
Keira – Well... now he’s... been bumped off, I guess.
Roxi – Yeah, but we need to find out who did it.
Keira – To the large tower then.
Roxi and Keira head over to the large tower, the distance is incredibly far from where Mr. Distinguished was shot, but sure enough, when Roxi and Keira land, there is large casing near the edge.
Roxi – This... is where the shot came from.
Keira – And the shooter is probably long gone.
Roxi – We can’t let this go cold.
Keira begins to look out towards the waterfront warehouse.
Keira – Do you have binoculars?
Roxi – Yeah, here.
Roxi reaches into her belt and pulls out some binoculars and hands them to Keira. Keira looks and focuses, shaking her head.
Keira – It doesn’t make any sense how the shot came from here. There are too many things in the way.
Roxi – I doubt this bullet casing is up here via coinsidence.
Keira – The shot is nearly impossible...
Roxi – Let’s look around.
Roxi and Keira begin looking at the area, Roxi using a UV light on her flashlight and finding some finger prints.
Roxi – There.
Keira – Someone was up here, and looks like they were trying to use this railing to steady themselves.
Roxi – Hmmm..
Keira stands and mimics the shooters body position, but shakes her head.
Keira – Even if they were perfectly centered, the shot wouldn’t work. It would have to go through several objects.
Roxi continues using the UV light, and sees a boot print off to the side on the railing.
Roxi – Not if they were standing on the railing.
Keira stands on the railing and steadies herself. She looks through the binoculars again.
Keira – Maybe, but there’s only one boot print. And there’s really very little room to adjust... We’re talking one high level sniper.
Roxi thinks for a moment, and she nods to herself.
Roxi – Quickscope.
Keira – 360 No-scope is more impressive.
Roxi – No... Quickscope, the sniper. He’s a vigilante, hitman for hire. He’s the only one who could possibly have pulled this off. One boot print, and the little amount of room...
Keira – You think he made this shot standing on one foot on this balcony? That’s is a trick shot.
Roxi – Not on one foot... he jumped.
Keira – Jumped?
Roxi – The fingerprints indicate he tried to steady himself, but he didn’t have the angle. But if he was either standing on one foot or... took a jumping shot, he could have done it.
Keira – That would be ridiciulous.
Roxi – He’s that good.
Keira – Even if he was... we’ll never find him now, if he jumped off this roof, or fell off, he’d be a greasy spot on the pavement.
Roxi looks around, and the door to the roof access is ajar.
Roxi – There, he may have left back into the building.
Keira – Great.
Roxi and Keira head over to the door and look inside, and it’s nothing but a dark hallway, leading to the some stairs. Roxi shines her flashlight in, and catches a glimpse of another body. This one is laying on the ground, arms folded.
Roxi – Oh damn it.
Keira holds the door open and Roxi shines the light, looking for a light switch. She finds one and turns that light on, revealing the body in fact belongs to Quickscope himself. His torso, arms and legs have several bullet wounds. The walls and ground are littlered with bullet holes and shell casings.
Keira – Damn...
Roxi – Well... that confirms that Quickscope shot Mr. Distinguished.
Keira – But who killed him?
Roxi and Keira slowly approach the body, his high caliber sniper rifle near his body. His arms folded over his chest, and two pennies covering his eyes.
Keira – Charon’s Obol...
Roxi – Payment for the Ferryman.
Keira – He could have been murdered by a religious cult.
Roxi – There aren’t those around here, that I know of.
Keira –Wasn’t there that one with the guy who wrote the book?
Roxi – Jones... We’ll have to consider it a possiblity.
Keira – This just keeps getting better and better.
Roxi begins to search Quickscope, taking no pleasure in doing so.
Roxi – I’m sorry.
Roxi opens up Quickscope’s Jacket and begins patting him down, inside the coat, is a manilla folder. Roxi pulls it out and hands it to Keira. Keira quickly opens it and begins reading.
Keira – This is the profile of Mr. Distinguished. This looks like the hit order itself.
Roxi – So somebody made arrangements for Mr. Distinguished to be hit.
Keira – Looks like it. Wait, the game... This was all arranged. Someone was blackmailing Mr. Distinguished to give us the letter, and ordered Quickscope to kill him right after the job was done.
Keira quickly goes through the files inside the envelope, and finds a picture of a woman.
Keira – You ever seen this person before?
Roxi – No.
Keira – Why would this be in here it wasn’t related to Mr. Distinguished? There wasn’t a... Mrs... Distinguished was there?
Roxi – Not that I know of.
Keira continues to flip through the thick folder, finding more pictures of people she doesn’t recognize. She looks confused for a moment.
Keira – Who are all these people? Why would...
Keira’s eyebrows raise.
Roxi – There weren’t for Mr. Distinguished.... They were for Quickscope.
Keira – Pictures … of his family... more blackmail.
Roxi – Someone has a lot of dirt, and a lot of leverage on these people.
Keira – Did you find anything of note?
Roxi – Well, looks like Quickscope walked right into this. This was an execution. He’s probably got 50-100 bullet wounds.
Keira – This sick bastard is blackmailing these people into killing each other. So now... what do we do?
Roxi – Well, there’s two suspects to look at, at this point... That Taylor-Jones guy... or Louie.
Keira – The Louse that runs that underground crime ring?
Roxi – The very same.
Keira – Why him?
Roxi – Well, you know that Charon’s Obol is a religious thing. Greeks, Irish, and Sicilians more commonly use this today... Louie is Italian. I don’t think Taylor-Jones is either.
Keira – Meaning Louie may have ordered the hit, because they told him to, and he might be in danger.
Roxi – Exactly.
Keira – Well, we better get going.
Roxi takes a moment to call in to the police and report the next body, before Roxi and Keira continue on and the scene fades.
The scene is now inside Louie’s underground production area, where he overlooks his loyal followers preparing to box and ship weapons and drugs around the city. Louie wears a smile on his face and a nice 3-piece suit, but it’s quickly wiped away when Roxi and Keira bust in through the ceiling.
Louie – Oh dammit, it’s the damn super bitches.
Roxi – Shut up.
Louie – Whoa, what’s gotten into you?! You can’t just come breaking through my walls and my ceilings! I got right you know!
Roxi growls herself as she uses her super speed to race up to Louie and grab him by the collar.
Roxi – You killed the sniper.
Louie – Hey! Hey! What are you talking about! I ain’t do no-UGH!
Roxi quickly slugs Louie in the stomach. She watches him cough and gasp for air in her grip.
Roxi – Don't lie to me, Louie. I know you had him killed.
Louie held his hands up, still coughing.
Louie – Okay! Okay! It was an order! I wouldn’t do it if they didn’t make me!
Roxi – WHO?!
Louie – I don’t know. I got an envelope
Roxi – Where?
Louie pointed to his desk.
Louie – It's on the desk.
Roxi – Check it...
Roxi motioned to Keira, who calmly walked to the desk and looked at the folder.
Keira – Same thing as Quickscope.... a file on the target and the location they would be. It’s a domino effect.
Roxi – Which means you’re next...
Louie – What? What are you talking about?
Roxi – Quickscope has the same type of envelope you do. And he killed Mr. Distinguished.
Louie – Oh... the fancy boy? He got it too?
Roxi – And this is chained together correctly, you are the next target.
Louie – Ain’t nobody getting in here.
Keira – We did, and that means someone else can.
Louie – Who could possibly...
From the outside, two guards walk in with their guns, but soon enough they fall down, both having knives jammed into their back. Stepping forward is Lei, who was Amelia’s bodyguard.
Roxi – Lei?
Lei – I have come to kill this man. Do not stand in the way!
Roxi – Wait... we need to talk.
Lei - THERE IS NO TIME FOR TALKING.
Keira – Hey!
Lei looks over and Keira is already powering up.
Keira – You're going to listen, and we’re going to get to the bottom of this, because we don’t need anyone else dying, tonight!
Lei – If I do not complete this mission, My mistress will die.
Roxi – Amelia?
Lei – Hai.
Roxi – Wait, they won’t kill you?
Lei – They have threatened to kill her.
Roxi – Nobody else needs to die tonight.
Lei – I will not let my mistress die, I will complete my mission.
Louie – Keep her away from me!
Roxi – You must have a folder too...
Lei looks confused as she nods.
Lei – Hai.
Keira – Let me see.
Lei reluctantly pulls the folder from her gear as Keira begins to look through it.
Keira – Exactly the same. Target location of here, and personal information.
Roxi – But the only difference is... you weren’t a target, Lei. Amelia was.
Lei – She is being held in the asylum. They know I am loyal to her to death. I do not fear death.
Roxi – But you fear hers...
Lei sighs and puts her hands on her hips, angrily scowling as she lowers her head.
Lei – I must complete my mission.
Roxi – No, we’re going to pay Amelia a visit.
Lei – But I must!
Roxi – No... I have a feeling your mistress or whatever, is behind all this to begin with.
Lei – You lie!
Roxi – Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.
Roxi releases Louie and points at the crates.
Roxi – I'll be back for those.
Louie – You ain’t shutting me down!
Louie snaps his fingers and several guards run into the room, guns drawn.
Louie – I took out the sniper, I can have you all taken out too!
Keira finally has had enough of the talking and marches forward, her hand extended, at the crates.
Keira – No more negotiations. You might want to tell your men to move.
The energy grows in Keira hands and the men who were preparing the crates all scatter. Keria the shoots her energy blast and the weapons and drugs explode. Louie screams as if he has been shot himself.
Louie – NOOOO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS!
Keira then grabs Louie herself and jerks him to his feet.
Keira – Pray that I don’t ever come back here and find stuff like that again. Otherwise, you will need the pennies.
Roxi – Come on, we don’t have much time to waste.
Lei – I must go with you! What if they have killed her?
Keira – She makes a valid point. What if the game doesn’t stop with Amelia. What if someone kills her, and this just continues?!
Roxi – Alright, fine. But no funny business, Lei. You make one false move and you will be in jail and you’ll never seen Amelia again.
Lei – Do not threaten me.
Keira – Lady... just give me a reason.
Roxi – That's enough. It’s time we put an end to this little game before anyone else dies.
Roxi leads Lei outside, followed by Keira, who is keeping a close eye on her. Keira holds onto Lei and to Roxi and Roxi teleports them all to the asylum.
Roxi, Lei and Keira end up at the Asylum and march quickly down the halls, leaving to the high-risk cells. Roxi walks up to the guard stationed there.
Roxi – Amelia Lambert.
Guard – She's in the day room.
The Guard walks them down the hall of the cells and past them to the a more open area, complete with a television, several board games and comfy looking chairs. There are two guards in close proximity, along with an orderly. All be herself, sitting alone, is Amelia, playing chess. Roxi, Lei & Amelia, approach her.
Roxi – Why?
Amelia turns and a big grin crosses her face.
Amelia – Oh, hey! I was hoping you might show up!
Roxi – What was the purpose of the lives you help cost tonight? Why did you do this?!
Amelia – I'm so glad you brought Lei.
Lei immediately bows in respect.
Lei – Mistress, I am sorry for this mess.
Amelia – Don't worry Lei, you don’t have anything to be sorry about.
Roxi – Answer the question, Amelia!
Amelia gets a confused look on her face.
Amelia – I didn’t do anything, Lady Bedlam. Not in the slightest. I’ve been here, waiting for my time to expire.
Roxi – Then if you didn’t set up the game, who did?
Amelia – What game?
Roxi – Don't play games with me, Amelia.
Amelia – But I like them... see? Chess is a thinking person’s game, right? You have to be two or three steps ahead.
Lei – Mistress, what is our plan?
Amelia – Lei, I know we’re a team, but we have to be apart for a little while longer.
Roxi – If you aren’t behind this, then who is? Who is pulling the strings?!
Amelia – It's not me. What have I always told you, Lady Bedlam?
Roxi cocks her head, confused.
Roxi – That I...
Amelia – Yes?
Roxi starts to think about what Amelia has said.
Roxi – You're right, it’s not you, Amelia.
Amelia – See! I knew you’d see it my way.
Keira looks confused.
Keira – Wait what?
Amelia – I'm not the one you’re looking for, but I do appreciate you bringing Lei here so we can have a little time together.
Lei walks forward and bows again, as Amelia stands up and hugs Lei tightly.
Amelia – I miss you, Lei.
Roxi’s eyes widen as she figures out what’s going on. She instantly tries to break it up, but it’s too late, Lei begins to groan and spit up blood. Amelia callously begins stabbing Lei multiple times. Roxi breaks it up as Lei stumbles and falls back, clutching her stomach and chest.
Roxi – Get the doctor!
Roxi and Amelia struggle over the knife and Roxi knocks it out of her hand and it falls harmlessly as the Guards rally around Roxi to subdue Amelia. Keira tends to the fallen Lei, who reaches out for Amelia.
Lei – I am... sorry... mistress...
Roxi is able to subdue, Amelia, until Amelia grabs the fire exstinguisher and sprays it all around Roxi and the guard. Roxi backs away, trying to keep the stream of nitrogen and carbon dioxide away. Amelia is able to make a run for it.
Guard – Don’t let her get away!
The guards chase after Amelia as Roxi coughs for a few seconds, her breath taken away. Keira holds Lei as the medical staff arrive. And begin to work on her. Keira then rushes over to Roxi.
Keira – Are you okay?
Roxi – Fine...
Keira – What did you mean when you said Amelia didn’t do it? She just stabbed her bodyguard!
The guards who were chasing Amelia slowly come back in, looking around for her.
Roxi – Where is she?
Guard – There's no sign of her. We can’t let her escape, we thought she might have doubled back.
Roxi – Put this place on lockdown.
Roxi goes to the window and opens it, getting air, but preparing to step out, until Keira stops her.
Keira – You need to explain this to me.
Roxi – Amelia isn’t behind this... She’s just part of it.
Keira – What?
Roxi – That's wasn’t Amelia.
Keira shakes her head.
Keira – What?
Roxi – Amelia knows who I am, she’s never called me Lady Bedlam. Ever. She knows who you are, and you didn’t even get acknowledged. And Lei... obviously we saw what happened there. That... was not Amelia.
Keira – So... where is Amelia then?
Roxi turns and looks back at Keira, even through the mask, Keira can see the worry in her eyes.
Roxi – Go home.
Keira – What about you?
Roxi – I'll be fine. But I need you at home in case anything happens.
Keira – ….
Roxi – Please.
Keira nods and she teleports away. The guards are scrambling around.
Guard – The lockdown... it’s not working.
Guard #2 – Is it a glitch? This is a bad time to need tech support.
Roxi – Have someone keep an eye on the cameras. I need to get to the roof.
Roxi walks through the corridors and notices the elevators are now not operational, and so she races up the fire escape stairwell, the only one leading to the roof. She kicks the door in and heads out onto it. And there, standing on the edge, is Amelia.
Roxi – The game is over.
Amelia – The game is just beginning Lady Bedlam. You have no control over when, or where it ends.
Roxi – I know you’re not Amelia. Knock it off.
Amelia – Why would say something like that?
Roxi – Fine... I guess you’ll need to prove it.
Amelia – This isn’t enough?
Roxi – Not for me.
Amelia – You’re just mad I won the game.
Roxi – You didn’t win anything. Now you have to prove who you are.
Amelia – Pfft. That is a dumb game.
Roxi – It’s easy. What’s my name?
Amelia is visibly flustered.
Amelia – Lady Bedlam, why are you trying to play this game.
Roxi – No, I’m not asking you that. What is MY name?
Amelia – I already told you!
Roxi – You’re not Amelia. Now it all makes sense.
Amelia – You think you figured out the game?!
Roxi – Yeah, I have. The chain started with Mr. Distinguished, but he’s not a killer. Never has been. So, you used him as the start. And the whole chain was based on gathering personal information. Amelia wouldn’t have access to that kind of information. You scared all of those people into doing your dirty work, because you wanted to be a hero. It said so in the letter. And there’s only one person that ever wanted to do that.
Amelia – What are you talking about? Of course, I did.
Roxi – And now, the lockdown of the building, the easy disappearance... You are not Amelia. The game, is over, Cypher.
Amelia stands, hands on hips, and then the angry growl turns into a smile, and Amelia shape-shifts into Cypher, the true form.
Cypher – I have to give you credit Lady Bedlam, you managed to figure it out, a little faster than I had anticipated.
Roxi – People died tonight because your sick game.
Cypher – Only bad people, Lady Bedlam. Only bad people. People cheer when bad things happen to bad people. You must know that. I believe people call it “karma”. It’s an odd belief, but tell me, who is going to miss those men who died tonight? A fool who still believes it to be the 1920’s? A vigilante sniper? A mob boss dealing weapons and drugs? And this insane woman’s bodyguard who will go to extremes to defend her? These are people that this world will not miss. I have, effectively neutralized many of the very same criminals and villains you must be tired of dealing with by now. I have made your life easier, Lady Bedlam. You must see this.
Roxi – There’s nothing but death. The people you have killed tonight could have been rehabilitated.
Cypher – You don’t even believe that, Lady Bedlam. How many times have you fought with these criminals, sent them off to jail, sent them to this asylum, and they escape and the whole pattern starts over again. This is a fool’s errand and your statistical probability of survival drops each time you face theme criminals. Eliminating them now frees up time and manpower your guild could easily use more effectively.
Roxi – And you think that those people dying makes you justified? That is proves some kind of point? This is what you never understood. You have all that knowledge and information, but you’re more machine than human.
Cypher – I simply have the will to do what you do not.
Roxi – You used information to manipulate people, because you calculated that this was a good thing. You turned people against each other for some sick game. You are just a cold, calculating, machine. Whatever human that may have existed once, you have erased. You took lives tonight, and that simply takes a part of your humanity.
Cypher – That is illogical.
Roxi – Maybe, but it’s something that makes me, me, you are as fake as you Amelia impersonation.
Cypher – Enough! I have done the world a great service tonight! I have ended reigns of terror! And if you cannot see that and objectively see the good, you are just as big a problem as anyone else.
Cypher then charges Roxi and the two begin to grapple for a dominant position, but Roxi simply tosses Cypher down.
Roxi – You are outmatched and you’re not going to win. Tell me, how much did Amelia promise you?
Cypher – She simply promised me that chance to be the hero. And I took it.
Roxi – She played you for a fool.
Cypher – You know nothing.
Roxi – I know that she would have gladly left you in this place in hers. She doesn’t care about you. Whatever deal you made, you’re not getting anything out of it.
Cypher – I already have what I wanted.
Cypher charges again, throwing punches that Roxi dodges and then tosses him back again. Cypher then gets up and slips, falling off the edge of the building and catching himself, holding on for dear life. Roxi rushes over and looks down, and extends her hand.
Roxi – Grab my hand.
Cypher – What?
Roxi – Grab my hand, I’ll pull you up.
Cypher – Why would you do such a thing? You have no reason to save me.
Roxi – You’re right, I don’t. But despite all the terrible things you’ve done tonight, this is what I do. Now grab my hand!
Cypher – This is... so... illogical.
Roxi – Come on!
Cypher looks up and grabs Roxi’s arm, and she pulls him up and to safety.
Cypher – Why would you save me?
Roxi – It’s my job.
Cypher – I will never understand you, Lady Bedlam.
Roxi – People are complex. You don’t become a hero by killing the bad guys, or those you deem bad. You become a vigilante. We don’t get to decide who and how and when people should die, simply because they are bad people and do bad things. We are not above the law, and not above judgment.
Cypher – You must see the positive aspects of this...
Roxi – I see people having died to make you feel justified. Killing is easy. And even now you don’t feel for those people. You see what they’ve done, and believe yourself to be right. I could walk into this asylum and kill everyone. I could do that. But then what? Sooner or later, there is no one to fight, there is no one to quench that new found thirst, and then... you begin to justify why you are right in taking lives. And soon, you just start doing it to make yourself feel better. That’s not a path I’m EVER going to walk on.
Cypher – This is – UGH!
Another bullet is fired, this one from the same roof, Roxi looks over and Cypher is hit, down and bleeding. The gun, is being held by the actual Amelia.
Amelia – Congratulations, LB! You figured it all out!
Roxi – Amelia! You were behind this!
Amelia – uh, duh! I told you, you needed to think about me more. And then you very rudely left before we could finish talking. All you had to do was talk to me, and we could have avoided all of this.
Cypher – Why....
Amelia – Oh come now computer boy, It was all part of the game.
Roxi – Cypher was the real final target...
Amelia – Yay! You are so smart, LB! What do you think I’ve been planning this whole time? You think I was silent because I had reformed? You just think you know me.
Roxi – All of this... senseless murder...
Amelia – I know...is it fun?!
Roxi growls as she charges Amelia, but Amelia fires off shots, causing Roxi to dodge. Amelia then rushes to the edge of the roof and waits. Roxi rushes over and grabs her by the collar.
Roxi – You monster!
Amelia – At least I can admit it.
Roxi hears something in the distance, and then looks over to see a helicopter heading straight for them. Gunfire reigns down as Roxi let’s go of Amelia and has to take cover. The helicopter gets closer to the roof and a rope ladder is sent down. Roxi looks up and can see Lei piloting the chopper.
Roxi – One step ahead...
Amelia – Well... it’s been fun, But I’ve got to go... Game....OVER!
Amelia steps onto the rope ladder, and it flies off, Roxi looking to give chase, but turns back to Cypher.
Cypher – I am... sorry...
Roxi – Not as sorry as you’re going to be. She loose now! All because you wanted to play hero! Ugh... We’re going to get you fixed, and then... you’re going to spend every waking movement you have... to help me track her down... Anyone else dies after tonight... it’s on YOUR head.
Cypher – I didn’t know...
Roxi – Dammit....
Roxi helps Cypher up to take him back for medical attention as the scene fades.
“The most important weapon in your arsenal will be your ability to adapt.”
- Batman (Batman and Robin Vol 1 24)
Hello again SCW,
I come to again, a week of preparation under my belt and the confidence to know that I can make history in a few days, and that is great. I also come to you with a new understanding of what I have to be able to do. I have to be able to beat someone on a roll. This is not something new to me or anything like that, but it is a sudden change, and well... really, it’s something I seem to struggle with. When I sat back, I made so many crazy mistakes back in the day and I tried too hard to be something I wasn’t. Maybe I was putting too much pressure on myself, I do that a lot. Maybe I just felt I was bigger than I really was, and that ending up costing me. I remember when Delia was the hottest thing since sliced bread and she had that Bombshell’s championship for a long time. Right before that... I tried to stop the Mean Girls right before it started, and I didn’t quite get the job done.
I should have beaten Alicia Lukas the first time, but I didn’t. I lost, and I had to regroup and even then, I also had to deal with 4 other people plus Alicia. It was crazy. I should have even Prudance's undefeated streak, but I didn’t. I have missed a lot of opportunities in my career, and I get that, and I’m not going to hide from it. I took those losses maybe a little too personally, because maybe, even in those times, I felt like I was maybe better than I was. I felt that maybe I was just too good, and rushed into every challenge headlong, eager to prove myself, and it led to mistakes, and my downfall. I had to learn to adapt to these situations because quite frankly, I couldn’t rely on just being the “good one” as they say, alone. That was always the need. I needed to live up that “Superhero” status I put on myself, and when I didn’t, I felt like I let the world down, mainly because it was what I expected.
I’ve learned now, and over time, to temper those expectations now. I know who I am, and I know what I can do. It just took me this long to realize that. I know that sometimes, I may lose a match here or there, and I’m still struggling with some of those losses, but for the most part, I know that there’s more along the horizon. I know that there’s more that I have left to do, and winning isn’t everything. It’s okay to fall down, you learn from it. I’ve tried my best to learn from those mistakes.
But, the point is, history is clearly not on my side for this right now. I am the underdog, and Myra Rivers appears to be unstoppable. And given my history, I don’t know what to expect at this point. I am not doubting myself, because I know what I’m capable of, I’m just saying if we’re looking at this whole match within the context of history and current situation, I’m not looking good, I’ll tell you that much, right now.
But thankfully, we do not go by simply “what’s on paper”
If we went by what’s on paper, maybe I would win all the time, I dunno. Maybe I would have won all those big matches I lost or something. But we don’t live in that kind of world, and nothing about this is an absolute certainty. All I can really tell you is that I’m certainly going to try my best to become the Internet champion. And I know that Myra Rivers will give me everything she’s got in order retain that championship, and that’s cool. That’s what I want, that’s what she wants, and that’s the main goal here. We both have to go out there and give it our all. And hey, maybe some people believe on paper that I have this match in the bag, but I can tell you that that is not a theory I subscribe to. I have no delusions that I’m just going to walk into Into the Void and just win without one heck of a fight. There is a reason that Myra has broken, heck, shattered the record for being Bombshell’s internet champion. She’s good. No, she’s very, very good.
I’d go as far as to say she’s great. From what I have seen, she is fully capable of beating anyone at any time. And yes, I will include myself in that statement. But the things is, I am capable of doing just the same. I have shown it time and time again. And you know, despite the fact that I’ve rushed in headlong to many situations, I always seem to find myself in the big situations over and over. I will tell you right now, I feel that pressure. It’s that good pressure, the type that makes you stand up and go, well... it’s on now. I have been feeling it all this week, because I have an opponent that is unlike many others, but an opponent that while in name and physical appearance are different, I’ve faced ring veterans many times in my career.
Amy Jo Smyth is one of my best friends and she is a very savvy veteran in and out of the ring. She’s done so much and I know she’s always been amazing in the ring, even when the appearances were not as frequent as they once were. Winning the Olympus Trios Championship with her and Keira was amazing. But she was able to teach me a lot even though I have been in wrestling for going on a decade. She’s never stopped teaching and being a mentor. I’m very proud to have her as my friend. She has been doing this for a long time, and when I stepped into the ring with her, it was a huge learning experience. I learned about grit, and sometimes, you have to go above and beyond what you think your limits are in order to win at the end of the day. Sometimes you have to reach down in places you didn’t think ever existed, and pull out that last little bit and keep going. She’s been one of the people that taught me that you can’t give up when the work gets hard. Because the work, will ALWAYS be hard. She always said the only easy day was yesterday. She may have stolen that from somewhere, but still, she says it a lot.
Now, I’m not staying that AJ and Myra are the same, because they are not. I’m saying they are veterans who know what they are doing and I clearly will have to be on my toes. But hey, I have been doing this for almost 10 years, so it’s not like I need to be told that, though sometimes just hearing it makes it stick. So yes, Myra has been doing this long enough that if I am not careful, my night can end very quickly. I’m not trying to give away a strategy or anything, but let’s face it, this match, more than likely will not be won on a fluke. At least, that’s not what I’m shooting for. I’m not trying to have some wacky roll-up win the match or anything like that. No, I want a good match, with a clear winner, and either way, history is made. And either way, everybody wins.
Well, I guess that ending is with me winning. At least I’d feel that way. I would still consider and do consider beating Myra to be a major accomplishment and I hope that she feels the same way about beating me. But I’m not saying everything is perfect if I win, because while Myra would still have the single greatest run with the championship to this point, the fact is, it would be over, and obviously, Myra doesn’t want that to happen. But I’ve said it before about streaks, once they end, the fun seems to be sapped, and I mean, good luck trying to match that again. Losing a streak can take it out of you if you’re not careful. It can make everything seem like you are a failure because you get to that one point and you feel so good and everything is clicking and then... you just don’t anymore. Then you can get the opposite and that’s a slump and then you feel like you’ll never win again. A lot of things can happen if I beat Myra. My hope is that she is proud of what she accomplished and understands that I wasn’t ever trying to just beat her to end a run and make her look bad. I’m not trying to just step in and ruin things for her. That’s just not what I do.
I just know that once that pain of loss fades, Myra can look back and then... who knows, maybe she’d be in line for an actual shot at the Bombshell’s championship. I’d personally love to see Myra get another chance to dance with those lights on bright. Probably just as much, if not more than me. And no, I’m not trying to push Myra into a spot, because I’m afraid of Amber or anything. Amber knows if the match gets made, it’ll be on again, I’m not ducking that fight by any means.
This is the match that I earned, and I intend to make the most of the opportunity. It means I have to end a very long streak and title reign, it means I have to be at the top of my game to do so, and it means it’s going to be a fight to the finish. But it’s a fight to the finish, I truly believe I can win. It’s is going to be tough? Sure, grueling? Maybe. But it’s going to be a heck of a match, no matter what.
I very much look forward to seeing Myra at Into the Void, and let’s just see who comes out the winner.
I will be ready.
I will see you all there.[/i]