"Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us. And on my soul, I swear... until my dream of a world where dignity, honor and justice becomes the reality we all share -- I'll never stop fighting."
- Superman (Action Comics, #775)
Hello SCW.
I have to take this back, and I have to tell a story because it’s been burning a hole in me for the past 4 months. 4 months, I have had to live with this and it’s been eating at me ever since November 7th. So, if you could, please bear with me as I tell this story.
High Stakes was supposed to be the end of a beautiful scenario. It was a great little thing that I had done. It was supposed to be how we kicked off 2022. I was going to beat Amber Ryan, and I was going to become the Bombshell’s champion for a fourth time. I would have gone through every bombshell and jumped through every hoop and overcome everything set in my path, and I would have ended Amber’s reign. It was going to be, and maybe it sounds a bit braggadocios', but it would have been a great story with its perfect ending.
I went over this story over and over in my head. I DREAMT about how this would all look, and I had everything planned out and it was going to be great. It was a moment that was meant to be. I KNEW in my heart, in my mind, that it would happen.
And then it didn’t.
My dream didn’t come true.
I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t plan for things to happen that way. I had this all written out a certain way and it just didn’t happen. And, I’ll be honest with you here, it absolutely rocked my world. Like, it threw me for a loop, and I acted in a way that I don’t normally act. It became the time I let the fear of something, change the way I do things.
And most people did not like it.
Because in my head, I figured “that’s it.” That will be it. I will have won all these matches, I will have put myself in this position, and then after this happened, I would be passed over. I got my one championship opportunity I seem to receive every year and then boom. Oh, you lost, well, time to move on. I let that get in my head and I was convinced that this was going to be the case.
Because I was there. I was in the ring; it wasn’t like I wanted it to be and I’m still annoyed by that as well. I put in that work, to get a match, one on one, with Amber. I won 5-6 matches in a row. I beat everyone I was put up against there, and I figured, okay, there’s no way they can deny me a one-on-one match. But then they did. Because not only did I have to win those matches, then they throw a number one contender’s 4-way match, and I have to jump on the pinfall to save everything that I had built up, and so, Crystal, after doing nothing, and not winning matches, she gets a draw, and she’s now in the match.
I didn’t like it, but that’s what happened. I tried to adjust to that, because that also wasn’t part of my dream.
Everything gets warped and I have to try and wrestle two people, instead of one. And in the end, I ended up on the short end of the stick.
So yes, I had that sinking feeling. So, I made my voice heard. I had to let people know, that I was going for a one-on-one match, and I still wanted it, and I still needed it. That triple threat match was not going to be the end of my story. And boy, it’s like I was asking for my weight in gold or something.
“Roxi’s asking for a handout.” “Roxi’s a charity case. Asking for these things. It’s unbelievable how far she’s fallen.”
I have been here, since 2013. I have never once complained about anything, or demanded anything from anyone. I was told once that if I won a match, I’d be in line for a title match, and not only did I win that match, I SAVED my opponent from a beating by the champion. And do you know what I got?
NOTHING.
I’ve been passed over before, and I let it slide. I am probably the only bombshell on the roster, maybe in the history of the division, that didn’t constantly receive multiple rematches. I don’t get them on random episodes of Climax Control. I don’t ask for them. I’ve been given a LOT by SCW. And at times, I have felt slighted, by SCW. But you know what I didn’t do? Bitch about it.
But, if anyone has the ability to complain about anything, it’s me. How many times, I have had so many people paint me as the symbol of evil, and I’m so many terrible things and I’m this awful person, and you know I said it last time. If that’s what I am to people, fine. I could stand here and complain about how ridiculous that is, but I’m not here to do that, today, I just needed to get it off my chest.
All I wanted, was this. What I have now. A one-on-one match, against Amber Ryan, for the bombshell’s championship, like it should have been, back in November.
And I completely understand the stakes here. I get it. My back is against the wall, I am facing the most dominant champion in SCW history, and my track record, which has been pointed out regularly to discourage me, against her isn’t great. I never said it was, and I know that regardless of what happens, people will continue to doubt me. And if I lose this match, then I will promptly be sent to the back of the line and I will have nobody to blame but myself. The odds are long, I’m well aware of that.
But despite that, I am more than ready for this match, and I plan on walking away the Bombshell’s champion, not just to shut everybody up, but to prove that I am still at the very top of my game.
Now that that’s out of the way, I’d like to do something a little different.
Normally, I talk about my opponent, and not TO them. But Amber is different, so therefore, I’m going to take this time to talk TO Amber.
Hello Amber.
You and I seemed destined to do this until one of us, physically can’t do it anymore. It seems one of us have to put the other out, and there’s no way to avoid that. But at the same time, I’ve never been a person who’s tried to take somebody out, no matter what the situation is. You on the other hand, have displayed an uncanny ability try and do just that. You and I both know that the things we have done to each other, probably took years off our careers. But you know what you and I also both know?
That those two pieces, simply don’t fit together. We’ve literally TRIED to end each other, and neither one of us, got the job done. You have made me hurt in places that I didn’t know could hurt that way, and I have taken chunks out of you each and every time. So, we seem to have reached this impasse. No matter what happens, we will get up, and we will fight each other again, and again, and again. It never ends. It is why the first time, I suggested that we put this on hold for a while. After that last woman standing match, we both needed it, I think you will agree with me. That road we were on, would have been mutually assured destruction. And I didn’t want that. Not because of what would happen to me, but because of what would happen to you.
You see, while you can sit here and say that you would happily take me out and you’d be happy, let’s not kid ourselves. It was YOU who said you made me better, and you know deep down, I make YOU better as well. We bring out the best in each other, and with as much pain and suffering that we have inflicted on each other, if you succeeded, if you managed to take me out, you know you wouldn’t be whole anymore. Like Superman and Lex Luthor. Like Batman and the Joker. Like Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner for goodness's sake. You and I are here because we are the best opponents. You can’t tell me that facing Myra Rivers or Crystal gives you the same satisfaction as it does to face me. Because we both know that’s just not true. As much as you may not want to admit it, YOU NEED ME.
And yes, I can 100% say that nobody has ever pushed me like you do. I would never deny that. Nobody gives me that violence, nobody gives me that fight, like you do. And you know you were just a little bit disappointed when Crystal was added to the match at High Stakes. You know it, and I know. Because it messed up what was supposed to happen, and now what was supposed to happen, is going to happen. And like I said, you know, I have what it takes, to beat you. I’ve done it before. But I will admit that even if I had won at High Stakes, I wouldn’t have felt like I really beat you. It would have been hollow inside, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Maybe it was all for this match, and THIS moment. The one we both really wanted, and the one you know puts your world championship in more jeopardy than anything else.
But you know that, don’t you? Of course, you do. I know you too well Amber. You’re not going to slip anything past me, or play anymore games with me. Because you know that we’re past that. We only needed one time of being face to face last week, and already the anticipation is through the roof. Because once again, we get to go out there and try and stop each other again. And it’s just the way we like it.
As I explained to you, I simply need you to bring your best. I need everything that you have given me for the past two years. It’s another reason I asked that we go our separate ways. Because we both needed time. We needed time to reach THIS moment. And now that we’re here, we can start all over again. Because that’s what I need, Amber. That’s what I want and that’s what you can give me. It’s a kind of magic, isn’t it? You and I, standing across from one another one more time. I’ve been DREAMING of this moment, and I know you have to. I’ve been ready for this, since High Stakes. So as ready as I am. I need you as ready as you can be. It’s why I stayed away, it’s why I told you I wasn’t going to do anything, but watch. All I want for you, is you, at your peak. You’ve got all the momentum on your side. You’ve got the single most dominant reign in this company. You’ve mowed down everybody, some people multiple times. And now, you circle back, and I’m here.
Just like I told you I would be.
You remember that, right? When you came hobbling in after your ankle was messed up. And I told you, that when you came back, and if you wanted to fight me, I would be here. So, here I am. Ready and willing to go to the depths of hell with you once again, and many more times if need be. I am THAT ready for this match, and anything that comes afterward. And you know that. And maybe that’s why you gave me that same look you always give me when we were face to face. Because it fills you, with that same excitement that it does to me.
Maybe you were right, that we aren’t as different, as people think, maybe even me. The difference now, is that I helped get you to this spot, I got to where I am, on my own, and I did it, by beating people like you, in this same position.
You, are just going to be the next one that I beat, and I take down. I’m going to beat you, and I’m going to take that Bombshell’s championship from you, and you know that. Above all else, you know that. And that’s what drives you after all this time. That you want to fight me and beat me, to stave off what you think you can stave off.
The roles have simply reversed Amber. When you came here, you were hunting me. And now, I am hunting you.
And I have become inevitable.
I know these words won’t sit well with you, and that’s okay. But you know that everything I just told you, is the truth. I am the truth, Amber. I have done it before, and I WILL do it again. The days are counting down and I’m saying these things to fuel you. To make you want to give me the beating of my life. I need Amber Ryan out to HURT me. To put me on the shelf, to end my career. I need THAT Amber Ryan. Because it’s that Amber Ryan that I need to beat, so there are no excuses, there are no what if’s, there are no “I wasn’t ready’s” or anything close to it.
It’s just you, and me, at Blaze of Glory, Amber.
And I WILL make my dream come true.
{The scene opens with Roxi lying in bed next to Keira. The two sleep peacefully until Roxi bolts up, gasping, and looking around, obviously awakening from a nightmare. Keira slowly rolls over as Roxi looks at her.}
Keira – You..okay?
Roxi – Yeah... just a... bad dream.
Keira – It's okay.
Roxi – Yeah, It’s okay... I just... Need some water.
{Keira rolls over and seemingly goes back to sleep. Roxi slides her body to the edge and puts her feet on the floor. She stands up, and begins to walk to the door, but out of the corner of her eye, she sees a figure, all in shadow in the corner of the room. She turns and sees the figure get larger, and begin to head towards her.}
RUN. RUN! MOVE! MOVE DAMMIT!
{Roxi is seemingly shouting at herself, but nothing happens as the figure inches closer and closer until... }
Roxi – Ahh!
{Roxi bolts up, gasping, and looking around, obviously awakening from a nightmare. Keira slowly rolls over as Roxi looks at her.}
Keira – You...okay?
Roxi – Yeah... just a... bad dream.
Keira – It's okay.
Roxi – Yeah, It’s okay... I just... Need some water.
{Roxi again scoots herself to the edge of the bed and stands up, and again as soon as she takes a step she spots the same figure in the corner of her eye. The figure again move towards her, and again Roxi doesn’t move. It comes closer again and again until}
Roxi – Ahh!
{Roxi bolts up, gasping, and looking around, obviously awakening from a nightmare. Keira slowly rolls over as Roxi looks at her.}
Keira – You..okay?
{This time Roxi doesn’t say anything as she springs out of the bed and looks around, now almost paranoid.}
Keira – What’s the matter?
{It takes Roxi a second but as soon as Keira flicks on the night lamp, Roxi relaxes a little.}
Roxi – I’m... I’m okay. Just... a nightmare.
Keira – You've been having those a lot lately. Not to mention seeing things and hearing things. I think you are a little too wrapped up in things. You need to see the doctor.
Roxi – You're right. I will in the morning.
Keira – Good. You alright to go back to bed?
Roxi – Yeah, let me just... get some water.
{Roxi exits the bedroom and heads to the bathroom, splashing water on her face trying to shake the bad dream. She gazes at herself in the mirror and takes a deep breath before she heads back to the bedroom, Keira is still waiting with the night lamp on as Roxi slowly gets back into bed. Keira hugs Roxi around the waist and snuggles into her, as Roxi slowly drifts back to sleep.}
{The next morning, Roxi is at the guild medical bay, laying on a table and being examined.}
Doctor – Have you been having these dreams frequently?
Roxi – Only for the past couple of months. Up until then, I haven’t really had a bad dream in a long time. Now they just seem to be popping up out of nowhere, and sometimes, even when I’m wake awake, I see things and have to do a double take to make sure I’m not dreaming.
Doctor – I see.
{The doctor continues to scan Roxi as machines record data and gives output. The doctor pulls out the readings and reads them to himself.}
Doctor – Well, as far as we can tell with this scan, you’re perfectly healthy. Your brain patterns look normal.
Roxi – So, I’m just going crazy then?
Doctor – I don’t think so. Usually this can be caused by anxiety or stress being high. It could be that you just need to relax and not stress yourself too much. I understand how being in your position presents a lot of stress, but I think you just need to take it easy for the time being.
Roxi – I have an important match coming up Doc.
Doctor – Well, try not to take that match too seriously. If these nightmares are continuing, and most frequent to being almost constant, I would say your stress levels are too high.
Roxi – I'll do what I can to take it easy.
Doctor – Good.
{With that, Roxi is unhooked from all the machines that were scanning her, and she soon returns home.}
{Back at home, Roxi simply relaxes while Keira is busy training with Cassie. Roxi’s mother sees her and sits down next to her, as they both watch Nate play with some Legos.}
Elizabeth – You okay?
Roxi – Just a little stressed, and a little tired.
Elizabeth – You should be in bed with the way you look, honey.
Roxi – I've just got some stuff to take care of first, I know I look like hell. My hair is a mess, I got bags under my eyes. I must be getting old.
Elizabeth – You will always be my little girl. I remember when you were small. I changed your diapers. How do you think that makes me feel?
{Roxi cracks a smile as she lays her head on her mom’s shoulder for a moment of comfort. Roxi raises her head and leans back as the pairs of footsteps reveal Cassie and Keira coming up from the basement gym. Cassie gives a wave to Roxi and one for Nate as she departs. Keira comes back into the living room, bending down and rubbing Nate’s head.}
Keira – How did it go?
Roxi – Doctor says I’m okay.
Keira – Hmm.. Interesting. How about you? Are you okay?
{Keira begins playing with Nate, making him laugh as she tickles him.}
Nate – HAHAHA! I’m okay! But you keep tickling me!
Keira – Oh, right.
{Keira stops and smiles, kissing Nate on the forehead.}
Keira – Are you hungry?
Nate – A little bit.
{Roxi slowly starts to get up, but Elizabeth stops her.}
Elizabeth – I'll take care of it. You rest.
{Roxi frowns as her mother gets up and takes Nate into the kitchen, allowing Keira to sit down with Roxi.}
Keira – You sure that you’re okay?
Roxi – I think so. Just need some time to relax and whatnot. Lately everything seems to give me some stress. I don’t know what it is. But, the doctor says I’m fine. He can’t find any patterns or irregularities with me. So... he says it’s just stress.
Keira – Well, let me handle making dinner then.
Roxi – Actually, there is one thing I need to show you.
Keira – Oh?
Roxi – Eliza's in the mental hospital, and... we’ll have to check on her after hours.
Keira – Have you heard anything different?
Roxi – No.
Keira – Poor Mr. Penny.
Roxi – I haven’t heard anything from him either.
Keira – You know you’re just adding to your stress level.
Roxi – Probably. But it’s not going to kill me.
Keira – I wouldn’t be so sure. You were pretty intense with that nightmare.
Roxi – I don’t even know what to call them at this point.
Keira – Still, I want you to relax, and not get worked up.
Roxi – After we visit Eliza, I promise, I’ll take it easy.
Keira – And no worrying about your match until then either.
Roxi – I don’t have much of a choice in that matter, do I?
{Keira shakes her head.}
Keira – You need to not let all of this get to you. You got what you wanted.
Roxi – And now, I have to live up to everything I said. I have to fight Amber again.
Keira – Yeah, but at least this time you know it’s coming.
Roxi – And that makes it all the more dangerous.
Keira – You can’t become obsessed.
Roxi – I’m not the one threatening to break people’s backs.
Keira – Fair enough, but you know what you have to do, and how you have to prepare, there are no need to over-analyze the match. It’s pretty straight forward.
Roxi – I know, but if I don’t win...
Keira – STOP. You’re already stressing about it. Let it go. You know what you have to do, and more importantly, you know who you are, and what you’re capable of. So don’t let anybody else dictate what you think or how you act. You do it, because you know what you’re doing.
{The inspiring words bring Roxi some comfort as she smiles and kisses Keira.}
Roxi – Thanks.
{Keira smiles, but then tries to quickly get up and get her words out.}
Keira – Oh, and wehavetogetdressesforKrystalswedding.
Roxi – WHOA, WHAT?
Keira – The wedding? You know, we’re going to Krystal’s wedding.
Roxi – I thought I wasn’t supposed to have any more stress.
Keira – Whoa, we don’t have to do anything about that. We really don’t. We’re just guests. And friends. We’re not even part of the wedding party.
Roxi – Ugh. I don’t like it when you spring things on me like that.
Keira – Well, things have been sprung on me all the time, you know. I didn’t realize we had a damn gym until Jenny said something.
Roxi – Yeah, I heard that too. Why do we have a gym?
Keira – Because Jenny just bought it and put it in our name. She figures we’re going to start training wrestlers now.
Roxi – Are we?
Keira – I don’t know. I mean, I’m training Cassie, and that’s one thing, but a school? I don’t know about a school.
Roxi – I have had Holly over for more training, so... maybe we are starting this whole training thing.
Keira – It’s really weird that she did that though. We have a whole gym downstairs and that works just fine.
Roxi – To be fair, it is... a little close to everything else.
Keira – I guess that’s true.
Roxi – Well, we’re figure it out later. Right now, I think it’s time to eat.
Keira – I am starving.
Roxi – What else is new?
Keira – What? I have a high metabolism, you know that.
Roxi – Yes, I do.
Keira – And you don’t even have to worry, I will even cook tonight.
Roxi – I'll call the fire department.
{Keira frowns.}
Roxi – I'm kidding. Come on.
{Roxi and Keira head into the kitchen as the scene fades.}
{It is after hours, at the Shady Acres mental hospital. Roxi and Keira are in costume and slide the window open outside of Eliza’s room. Where she lays whimpering and occasionally letting out small cries. Keira looks at her and is concerned and nervous.}
Keira – What's wrong with her?
Roxi – Nobody seems to know. All she does is this.
Keira – Must have driven Mr. Penny insane.
Roxi – It’s why he brought her to the hospital. And they brought her here.
Keira – And nothing has helped her?
Roxi – All they can really do is sedate her. She’s not...dead or unconscious. She seems like she’s... stuck.
Keira – Stuck where though?
Roxi – In hell, from the sounds of it. All she did was scream and cry when she wasn’t sedated.
Keira – You mean this is better than it was?
Roxi – Yeah.
Keira – And there’s nothing they can do?
Roxi – Can’t use the paddles, they will kill a person who’s alive. An adrenaline may give her an actual heart attack.
Keira – She’s... just trapped until she wakes up?
Roxi – I suppose, so. Yes.
Keira – Man, I feel so bad for her.
Roxi – She’s fighting an uphill battle.
{Roxi and Keira sigh as head out. Keira however stops Roxi.}
Roxi – What?
Keira – Why did you show me Eliza?
Roxi – Because you need to know. You’re my partner and all.
Keira – But she’s just... I mean she’s our neighbor and all, but...
Roxi – Keira, this could be something that is important. It’s not normal, you’ve seen it for yourself. Why would I keep this from you? If you see it in the future, you’ll need to know at least what to look for.
Keira – You’re talking like you’re not going to be.
Roxi – I didn’t mean it that way, sorry. I plan on being around for a long time, don’t you worry. I just wanted to be sure you saw Eliza.
Keira – What about Mr. Penny?
Roxi – We’ll have to keep an eye on him.
Keira – Yeah, he must be so heartbroken.
Roxi – Well, when something happens to someone you love...
Keira – Yeah... I know.
{Roxi and Keira do leave, just as Eliza’s cries and whimpers get louder.}
Keira – I see what you mean.
{The screams now go back to where they would normally be. Blood-curdling loud.}
Keira – What in god’s name...
Roxi – Come on, we have to go. The orderlies and nurses will be here soon.
{Roxi and Keira make their way out of the window, closing it behind them and getting out of direct sight from the window.}
Keira – After hearing that, I think I need to keep a close eye on Mr. Penny. There’s no way he could deal with that. Those screams...
{Keira turns away from Roxi, her own memories bubbling up.}
Keira – It's like she was being tortured.
Roxi – People are doing everything they can to try and help her. There’s not much we can do now. Come on, let’s go home.
{Roxi and Keira depart, not before Keira takes one last look at the window, before the fly away, the scene fading.}
{The new scene is Roxi once again visiting Amy Jo Smyth. She knocks on the door and AJ answers shortly thereafter, her safety goggles still on.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Is the world ending yet?
Roxi – Not that I know of, why?
Amy Jo Smyth – That’s usually when you come around, red.
Roxi – Actually, I’m not here for anything like that.
Amy Jo Smyth – Oh.. Wait, are you a robot?
Roxi – No.
Amy Jo Smyth – Are you sure?
Roxi – You know, I feel like we need to start over. Hi, AJ.
Amy Jo Smyth – You haven’t answered my question.
Roxi – Didn’t think that would work. No, AJ, I’m not a robot. I just came to talk to you.
Amy Jo Smyth – Really?
Roxi – Yes, really.
Amy Jo Smyth – In that case... Hello, Roxi darling, what brings you around?
Roxi – I can’t tell if that’s more of the cop or the scientist.
Amy Jo Smyth – Well, right now, I’m sciencing.
Roxi – What are you sciencing?
Amy Jo Smyth – A home-made Defibrillator!
Roxi – AJ... I feel like that’s wildly and unnecessarily dangerous.
Amy Jo Smyth – Of course it is! But that’s what science is.
Roxi – What are you even defibrillating?
Amy Jo Smyth – Anything. Just to see if it works.
Roxi – And does it?
Amy Jo Smyth – The battery was a little...disappointing. But come check out what happens to these soda cans!
Roxi – Can we talk about something first?
{AJ looks genuinely disappointed.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Ugh. I guess.
Roxi – It’s actually something you wanted to talk about.
Amy Jo Smyth – Wait, really?
Roxi – Yes.
Amy Jo Smyth – Well damn, let’s do this
{AJ lets Roxi in, and they go to her kitchen table and sit down. A familiar smell hits Roxi’s nose.}
Roxi – Is... Anya here?
Amy Jo Smyth – She was. She comes and goes.
Roxi – I thought so.
Amy Jo Smyth – Anyway, what's on your mind, Red?
Roxi – I wanted to tell you, since you asked about it before. My... former boyfriend.
Amy Jo Smyth – Oh yeah... Ted, right?
Roxi – Yes.
Amy Jo Smyth – Yeah so... what happened?
Roxi – Ted was... nice to me in the beginning. He was loving and caring and I thought I would spend the rest of my life with him. He always bought me things, asked me how my day was. He made me feel... special.
Amy Jo Smyth – Okay so?
Roxi – Well, I found... handcuffs in Ted’s car. And he was... like a kid’s party magician on the side and I never thought anything of it after a while. Until he...
Amy Jo Smyth – He didn’t...
Roxi – No, he... he didn’t. He tried, but I fought him off. This was before I had powers mind you, so it wasn’t as easy as it would have been now. But there was a struggle and.. Well we both fell and..
{AJ can see Roxi becoming emotional about the incident and almost uncomfortable. She consoles her.}
Amy Jo Smyth – You don’t have to tell me the rest, red. It’s okay.
Roxi – No, I need to tell you, because I need to ask you something.
Amy Jo Smyth – ...
Roxi – We fell on his steps he had leading ot the kitchen, I whacked my head on the floor and he... he broke his neck landing on the steps.
Amy Jo Smyth – Jesus...
Roxi – I didn’t mean to... to kill him or anything...
Amy Jo Smyth – You acted in self-defense.
Roxi – The police came and, my roommate at the time said they found some very disturbing things. So he would have been taken to jail, but... he’s dead, and I woke up in the hospital.
Amy Jo Smyth – You did what you needed to do to live, Red. You shouldn’t feel guilty about it.
Roxi – But I do.
Amy Jo Smyth – He was going to rape you, or kill you, or both, Roxi. That’s not something you have to take, nor should you. If he was alive today, I’d of shot him myself.
Roxi – That’s what I wanted to ask you about.
Amy Jo Smyth – … Wait what?
Roxi – I mean, clearly, you’ve... shot people, right?
Amy Jo Smyth – Yes.
Roxi – Have you ever... killed anybody?
{AJ sighs.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Yeah, and it’s not an easy thing to deal with.
Roxi – Have you ever felt like... someone deserved it?
Amy Jo Smyth – I’ve shot people to protect other people. That’s what I’ve always told myself, I guess. I never shot anyone strictly to kill them no. That’s now how I do things, but if I were standing in front of someone who did something horrible to me, I can’t say if I’d feel...guilty about shooting them. If somebody was hurting you and I could stop it, and if I had to kill them, you’re damn right I would. Because you are important to me. But that’s more an emotional thing. I’m not going out there looking for people to shoot.
Roxi – I guess I’ve just felt guilty about it this whole time. I mean... I killed him. It wasn’t on purpose, but I killed him.
Amy Jo Smyth – You did what you had to stop something that could have been even more horrific. That’s what you did. And I for one, don’t think you should feel guilty about that.
Roxi – Why can’t I shake that then?
Amy Jo Smyth – Because you are... you’re a good person Roxi. Above all else, you put up with a lot of shit the rest of us wouldn’t. You let it slide and you see the good in people. I mean, shit, look at me.
Roxi – You’re not a bad person, AJ.
Amy Jo Smyth – I’m not good either. I’m just the bitch with a lot of guns. I’ve done a lot of dumb things I don’t care to remember.
Roxi – I guess that makes two of us.
Amy Jo Smyth – Yeah. You uh.. You want some coffee?
Roxi – Sure, and then... I guess let’s defibrillate some soda cans.
Amy Jo Smyth – Now you’re talking.
{AJ pours out the coffee and the two enjoy the moment as the scene fades.}
{The scene shifts the day before Krystal’s wedding and Roxi is doing her match prepartion and training in the ring. It has to stop however, when her wrist communicator goes off. She shuts down her training machine and walks over and answers.}
Roxi – Vision?
Vision – Rox, I just wanted to let you know that it was made public that Eliza Penny passed away.
Roxi – Oh... Dammit.
Vision – She never woke up. And... have you seen her file?
Roxi – Yes. I have.
Vision – Then you know who she was.
Roxi – Yes. I do. It’s just a coincidence perhaps.
Vision – I sure hope so, but it still is a bit of a shock.
Roxi – I know. It pretty much hit me as soon as I heard about it. But I don’t understand what or how it all happened.
Vision – Early COD was labeled as heart failure.
Roxi – She was... like 29.
Vision – 28 to be exact.
Roxi – But she wasn’t connected to her father at all. So, again, if this was done on purpose, it makes no sense.
Vision – Well, there’s still more digging to do on this, but, I don’t know if they told the husband yet.
Roxi – Me neither, I guess at some point he’ll find out.
Vision – But they won’t tell him everything.
Roxi – I think at this point, the less he knows the better. Hell, the less anybody knows the better.
Vision – Have you told Keira?
Roxi – About Eliza? No. All that the truth will do at this point is ruin her reputation for what it is now, and... Really, I don’t think Mr. Penny needs to know either. So... I guess just keep it under your hat for now.
Vision – Will do.
Roxi – Thanks for the update Vision.
{Roxi ends the call and leaves heading upstairs to take a shower, and when she does, she stares at the dress she’ll be wearing to the wedding, and possibly the funeral with the scene fading.}
{Finally, after the wedding, Roxi is shown as she was sitting on the edge of the bed preparing to go to sleep. She looks exhausted from the wedding, but she slips out of her dress and puts on some pajamas. She lays back on the bed before pulling Eliza’s file from under the bed, and reading it to herself.}
Roxi – I'm sorry, Eliza. I should have watched over you more closely. Hopefully, we can find out what happened to you, and make sure it never happens to anyone else.
{Roxi sighs, before standing up and going to check on Nate and Elizabeth, who are comfortable sleeping in their beds. Roxi smiles to herself, before she returns to her room, and much like them slips into bed and pulls the covers over her, determined to get a good night’s rest for the first time in a while. The scene fades out one last time.}
Wake up, Roxi...
{Roxi sits up, but instead of being in her bed, she’s on the ground surrounded by darkness and silence, outside of her own breath. She stands up, trying to get her eyes to adjust to see any light, but there isn’t any. She is startled by a voice calling out to her.}
Voice – Welcome.
Roxi – Who are you?
Voice – Surely, you recognize me?
{The male voice in the darkness snaps his fingers, and the whole room illuminates. Roxi is blinded by the sudden change of light, and it takes her a moment to have her vision come back to normal. She finally states at the man. He is familiar to Roxi, who gasps audibly at the sight of him.}
Roxi – Clint?!
Clint – It is good to see you. I’ve been here for some time, but I had to wait until I was done with other business.
Roxi – What?
Clint – Mrs. Jakobsen.
Roxi – Eliza...
Clint – You did know, didn’t you? You knew who she was, and yet, you never told anyone.
Roxi – Because she wasn’t her father!
Clint – Always so forgiving. Forgive and forget, right? You seem to have forgotten our trip to Germany. Our mission. The one you left me to die in.
Roxi – YOU TOLD ME TO LEAVE!
Clint – And you did. And then you promptly forgot all about me. Much like many people in your life. I have been through the memory banks and there’s so much you’ve let go. Too many painful memories. But yet, so many secrets.
Roxi – Shut up.
Clint – And yet, you will happily lead this life of lies, and why? Because you wish to convince everyone you are something you are not. I’ve seen and heard you. You lie so easily.
Roxi – I need to protect those I care about.
Clint – And yet... you’ve failed. Time and time again. It’s almost ironic.
Roxi – You... you used Eliza to get to me.
Clint – Of course. As soon as you knew she was in the hospital, I knew you’d come. And all it took was a little prick, and soon I would be inside your head.
Roxi – YOU KILLED HER!
Clint – Driven to the point of madness. Once she was broken, it was simply a matter of time. And now, I have you to play with.
Roxi – Go to hell. Is that what this is all about?
Clint – Yes, and no. Today, I will have my revenge. And I will break you, Roxi. So, let us begin.
{Clint waves his hand in Roxi’s general direction and Roxi’s superhero costume is instantly now her attire. Minus her mask. Roxi looks at her arms and torso, unimpressed by this.}
Clint – There's the hero. Now, you need to save the day, don’t you?
{A giant door materializes in front of Roxi. She eyes is suspiciously.}
Roxi – What is this?
Clint – Go on, be the hero.
{Roxi cautiously moves to the door. She tries to take a breath, but instead, a familiar smell hit her nose.}
Roxi – Fire?
{She charges towards it and breaks through, and it’s a sight all too familiar to her. The Peterson warehouse, where she fought Harold Peterson, and her best friend Claire nearly died. Roxi sees this, and here the anguish cries for help.}
Claire – Aghhh!
Roxi – Claire? Claire! Claire I’m coming!
{Roxi tries to get up and run, but the whole scene comes to a stop, except Roxi who cannot make any progress. Clint just comes up behind her shaking his head.}
Clint – Poor girl. Dragged into this mess by her best friend.
{Roxi boils over with anger and takes a swing at Clint, but it misses.}
Roxi – I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!
Clint – Like you did your friend?
{Roxi stops, more tears welling up in her eyes as she still felt all the guilt from this incident.}
Clint – Her screams of pain are your fault. She sacrificed for you, and you forgot about her. You should share her pain.
{Roxi is confused as she looks at Claire, only to be impaled on a metal rod, much like Claire was in the building. She drops instantly, holding her side and ribs, the pole protruding from her.}
Clint – Make it right. Save her, hero.
{Roxi gasps in pain, as the fire and the screams just resume as if they never stopped.}
Claire – Help me! Please!
{Roxi tries to get up and walk hurriedly, but the pain is intense and her body burns and spurts blood. She drags her body towards the fire, but it never seems like she’s making progress.}
Roxi – Claire... I’m coming … Just hang on!
Claire – Help me!
{Using a rush of adrenaline, Roxi finally makes it to Claire, hurting and screaming herself as she uses the rush of energy to remove the pole from her own side, and then one from Claire’s. Roxi collapses from blood loss and tries to get herself up, but it’s too late as the flames around Claire begin to catch her on fire.}
Roxi – CLAIRE!
{Claire screams are the stuff of nightmares as she is burned as Roxi cannot get to her. Soon Claire’s screams stop as Roxi clutches at her side and angrily pounds the ground, standing up and in sheer primal mode begins destroying everything.}
Clint – You failed. Again.
{Outside the dream, Keira is awakened by Roxi’s whimpering and outright screams. She sees this, and instantly thinks of Eliza. That’s all that Keira needs, having heard enough of Roxi’s whimpering and yells, and transmits her to the Guild medical bay.}
Keira – I NEED A MEDIC! NOW!
{A doctor walks up, confused.}
Doctors – What's going on?
Keira – SHE'S TRAPPED! IN HER DREAM OR SOMETHING! I DON’T KNOW. SHE NEEDS HELP!
{A team of medical staff rush over and help Roxi onto a gurney, and wheel her away, with Keira following close behind.}
Keira – Just hold on, Roxi... please.
{Back in the dream, everything disappears and Roxi lays there sobbing. Roxi struggles to stand up in the pitch black, only for another door to pop up. and she is in front of a younger version of her mother, sitting at a bar table, a glass filled with ice and a large bottle of liquor in front of her.}
Roxi – Mom...
{Roxi takes a step forward as her mother raises her hand.}
Elizabeth – Bartender, I’ll have another.
{Clint slides in, with a sinister grin. Roxi walks forward, trying to intervene, but when she reaches for the bottle, her hand goes right through it. She tries to get her mother’s attention but nothing happens. Clint pours the drink in the glass and serves it Elizabeth.}
Clint – Here you are my dear, drown your troubles.
Elizabeth – Thank you.
{Elizabeth sighs as a chair, flies in behind Roxi, forcing her to sit at it. The arms wrap around Roxi’s arms and legs, effectively tying her to the chair. She is scooted right up to the bar and tries in vain to free herself.}
Clint – Rough day?
Elizabeth – Ugh. You have no idea. I tell you these kids today are nothing but a pain. All they do is disappoint.
{Roxi is forced to watch as Clint serves her mother drink after drink.}
Roxi – Stop it! Stop it!
{Roxi angrily tries to escape the chair, but she can’t. As shot after shot is consumed by her mother, right in front of her.}
Clint – These are all on the house.
Elizabeth – Thank you. These kids just drive me to drink. Always whining and begging for my attention. Always wanting my approval. Sometimes I wish I never had kids.
{Roxi can’t help but start to cry, hearing the horrible remarks from her mother, while Clint relishes them.}
Clint – What a disappointment this child sounds like.
Elizabeth – You have no idea.
{Roxi is helpless and has to watch as her mother’s physical appearance begins to change, her face puffing up and the red cheeks appearing. A smile from her mother reveals damaged teeth and paler skin. Elizabeth starts to flat out deteriorate right in front of Roxi, who can do nothing to stop this.}
Roxi – STOP THIS! STOP IT NOW!
Clint – Look at what you’ve done to your poor mother. You caused this. You couldn’t help your mother. Some hero you are.
{Clint revels in this as Roxi can only angrily growl and try and lunge for him, but she is unable to break free. When she looks over at her mother, she’s practically melted with sores and rotting skin. Roxi violently tries to get out, finally breaking free with one arm, and grasping desperately, but by this point, her mother is nothing but a hunk of flesh.}
Roxi – MOM! NOOOOO!
Clint – So close. But we’re not done.
{Outside, Keira can only watch as Roxi continues to scream, and she bangs her fists on the table.}
Keira – I have to get in there!
Doctor – It's extremely risky. You may become trapped as well.
Keira – I DON’T CARE! I HAVE TO BRING HER OUT! I HAVE TO TRY!
Doctor – I can’t in good faith -
Keira – DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT FAITH! THERE MUST BE A WAY!
Doctor – Only one that’s even viable.
Keira – DO IT! NOW!
{Everything goes black as Roxi falls out of the chair, sobbing and angry. She is all alone in the darkness. chains wrap themselves around each of her limbs and pulls her back, trying her down to an X position. She cannot break the chains as Clint approaches her and the world illuminates again. An all-white room.}
Roxi – I'M GOING TO KILL YOU. I SWEAR TO GOD IF IT’S THE LAST THING I EVER DO, I WILL KILL YOU!
{Roxi is hysterical and crying as she tries in vain to break away, but can’t. Clint simply shakes his head.}
Clint – No, you... will be broken.
{Roxi struggles to breathe and shakes her head in disgust.}
Roxi – You will pay for... for this...
Clint shows utter distrain as he slaps Roxi across the face.}[/b]
Clint – I'm tired of your mouth. All I have ever heard is that heroic garbage you spew like vomit. In fact, that’s what you’re going to do now.
{Clint snaps his fingers and the chain are loosened and she falls to the floor. She tries to say something, but she instantly vomits. Every single time she tries to do anything other than breathe, she just vomits uncontrollably and is left in the fetal position, unable to move.}
Clint – You see. I am in control. I own your mind. And I WILL break you. I will torture you for all eternity. And drive you to well beyond the brink of madness. You will be NOTHING but my play toy for a long, long time.
{Roxi dares not speak, just lying there gasping for air and groaning. Roxi can only try and think of a way out, but the pain is too intense for her to think clearly.}
Clint – Hmmm... how should we do this... You know, you should be happy I’m doing this for you. No more trying and failing. No more thinking about saving the day and keeping secrets from people and all that stuff. You know you don’t want to do it. You should be happy! In fact, you should be cheering!
{Roxi is instantly placed back on her feet, now clad in cheerleading outfit, complete with pom-poms and she just starts cheering, doing a routine.}
Roxi – Give me a C! C! Give me an L! L!
{Roxi continues as Clint watches in amusement. From behind him, a pistol is heard cocking.}
Clint – Well, who have we here?
{Roxi’s good friend Amy Jo Smyth is there, pointing her pistol at Clint}
Amy Jo Smyth – Let her go! Now!
{Clint chuckles as he simply turns back to Roxi, who is still cheering.}
Roxi – Give me a T! T! What’s that spell?! CLINT! CLINT! CLINT!
Amy Jo Smyth – I said let her go!
{Clint is rather annoyed as he turns back around, and begins walking towards AJ, who tries to maintain her reactionary gap, but Clint closes too fast, take the gun AJ and shoots her right in the chest. AJ slumps over. Roxi catches sight of what happened, but she can’t stop cheering. Even through tears welling up in her eyes as more and more of her friends and family rush to help her, she can do nothing but do a cheering routine, forced to cheer Clint on, as he one by one, murders all of her friends.}
Clint – Look at them. All of them. You did nothing to help them.
{Clint finally releases Roxi from being stuck cheering and she crumples to the ground in a heap. With her superhero outfit once again on, she is sobbing, and desperately crawling towards the bodies of her friends, until Clint simply snaps his fingers and wipes them all away. He simply looks down at Roxi with nothing but distain.}
Clint – Why? Why are you even crawling? Do you still think you can win? Do you still think you can fight me?
{Roxi continues to crawl, towards what, she doesn’t even really know. She looks at Clint through the tears in her eyes, trying to get to him, to stand up. To fight.}
Roxi – I.... don’t... care... what it takes... I.. WILL KILL YOU...
{Roxi is able to stumble to her feet, uneasy and filled with nothing but rage and sorrow. She lets out a primal scream before charging at Clint, but it simply leads to Roxi stumbling and falling through a curtain. And suddenly she’s in the aisleway of an SCW arena. Clad in her superhero gear, the crowd audibly gasps, as she falls back down. She looks around, and there’s nothing but jeering and boos.}
Crowd Member – She's been a faker all this time!
Crowd Member #2 – I can’t believe she would lie like that!
Roxi – No... I...
{The boos only get louder as Roxi stumbles back, as garbage is hurled in her direction, everyone having turned on her for lying and being exposed. Clint is dressed in a tuxedo, in the ring, playing the ring announcer.}
Clint – Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s give a big hand to... Roxi... The FRUAD! She’s been lying to you for years! Keeping secrets from you! Deceiving you! We cannot allow this to stand!
{Roxi looks around nervously, trying to think of something to do, but she is mobbed by the fans, and lifted up. She is held in place and carried to the ring and dumped, unceremoniously into the ring.}
Clint – Well? Come on Roxi, this is your big chance. You’ve got to fight back. Or will you fail the fans like you have everyone else?
{Clint stands waiting as Roxi can barely pull herself up. She stares daggers at Clint and charges him. The rage boils over as Roxi throws punch after punch, as hard as she possibly could muster. But, all it leads to is Clint laughing at her.}
Clint – Come on... You’ll have to do better than that. You have to make me FEEL it.
{Roxi screams as she throws punches even harder with every ounce of force and anger, she can must. Clint goes down and Roxi gets on top of him, punching away through tears of anger and sorrow. She closes her eyes in her fit of rage, but the punching doesn’t stop. It seems like it’s never going to stop until the grunts stop from Clint, and now sound different.
Voice – Roxi... stop... please...
{Roxi opens her eyes, and she is no longer punching Clint. She’s punching Keira.}
Roxi – KEIRA?!
{Roxi stops, seeing her bloody and battered wife no moving, her eyes open and vacant. Roxi breaks down again looking at Keira’s face. She gets off of her as she touches Keira’s face and tries to see if Keira is breathing, which she isn’t.}
Roxi – Keira... NONONONONONONONO... PLEASE... I’M SORRY... I...
{From behind Roxi, Clint is right there over her shoulder.}
Clint – Let's be honest... you wanted to do that. You’ve wanted rid of her bumbling. You drug her into this, and now... you’ve taken her out of it. Bravo.
{Roxi simply screams as the wrestling arena disappears, and Clint grabs Roxi by the hair and pulls her up, punching her repeatedly and then in one motion, breaks her arm.}
Clint – There, that makes up for the pain you caused.
{Roxi crumples to the ground, screaming in even more pain. Clint walks around Keira’s body, looking like a disappointed parent.}
Clint – Look at what you did. What would young Nathaniel think of this?
{Roxi’s eyes widen hearing her son’s name. She looks up and standing next to Clint is Nate, looking at Keira’s body.}
Roxi – Nate... Please don’t... PLEASE... DON’T DO THIS...CLINT, I’M BEGGING YOU...
{Clint turns with a sick smile.}
Clint – You beg? You can beg better than that! But this isn’t up to me, this is up to Nate.
{Nate turns to Roxi, pointing at Keira.}
Nate – Mommy... what’s wrong with Mama?
{Roxi can’t answer without bursting into tears. She tries crawling towards Nate, who just looks at her.}
Nate – Mommy, did you hurt Mama?
Roxi – Nate... I’m sorry... I’m so sorry...
Nate – You're BAD Mommy!
{Roxi just continues to break down reaching out for Nate who turns and looks up at Clint.}
Nate – I don’t want her to be my Mommy anymore...
Roxi – YOU SON OF A BITCH!
Clint – Don't blame me. Look at what you did, Mommy.
{Nate grabs Clint’s hand as they both turn away from Roxi, who starts just openly weeping, screaming so much that she’s just drooling on herself.}
Nate – I want to live with you, Uncle Clint.
Clint – Of course. I will never hurt you like your Mommy.
{Roxi’s head just drops, hearing the words and she is so angry, yet, unable to do anything. Finally, another door opens, but this one isn’t one made by Clint, and through steps the actual Keira. Keira sees Roxi and rushes over towards her.}
Keira – ROXI!
{Keira consoles Roxi, but Roxi is at this point, more than a mess. She’s just bawling her eyes out, arm broken and covered in vomit and blood.}
Keira – I'm going to get you out of here!
{Roxi at this point is just mumbling incoherently, finally looking at Keira.}
Roxi – GO.
Keira – I'm going to get you out, come on...
{Roxi uses her unbroken arm to touch Keira’s face. She shakes her head at Keira.}
Roxi – I'm so sorry... I failed you... It’s over...
Keira – No, it’s not. Can you walk?
{Roxi then forcefully grabs Keira, shaking her head.}
Roxi – I’M A BAD MOMMY... I LET THEM ALL DIE! I'M SO SORRY!
{Keira can’t believe what she’s hearing, looking into Roxi's eyes and seeing the despair. But she hears Clint clapping for her. Keira turns, the vision of Nate, and Keira’s dead body no longer there. She stares daggers at Clint, her anger boiling over.}
Keira – YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH!
Clint – Ah, the wife. The partner. You must realize that you can’t save her. I am in control of this dream. It’s my rules. I can torture you right in front of her.
{Keira looks over at Roxi who is still crying in a heap. Keira turns back to Clint.}
Keira – I know you can. You make the rules. A Dream Master. But this, this isn’t your dream. It’s Roxi’s dream. And I know the only way to truly stop it...
{Keira looks over at Roxi and her eyes water, before looking at the pendant ring on her finger she had made, and the one on her finger. She sighs and pulls Roxi up, and places both hands on Roxi’s head, and sighs.}
Keira – Is to kill her.
Clint – You wouldn’t dare!
Keira – That's the rules, you’re bound by them aren’t you. If she dies, you need another host, otherwise, you die too. And if that’s what it takes, then I’ll do it.
Clint – You'd kill the one you love to stop me? You’re a bigger fool then you look.
Keira – It's why you haven’t just killed her, and it’s why you’re going to keep her alive. If you really wanted revenge, you would have done it by now. I know what I have to do. I have to do what you can’t.
Clint – You stupid bitch. I can do anything.
Keira – Except kill her. I don’t know what you did to her, but you’d continue as long as you wanted to. You NEED her.
Clint – I will enjoy making you suffer and making her watch!
{Keira turns to Roxi, and kisses her on the forehead.}
Keira – For the greater good.
{Keira begins using her energy, as Clint rushes to stop her. Once Clint grabs a hold of Keira, Keira touches the ring.}
Keira – NOW!
{In a flash, Roxi opens her eyes and gets up, screaming and in hysterics. Everyone is in the medical bay, as Roxi sees Clint, and her entire demeanor changes to one of pure rage. She charges over as Clint is getting up, unsure of what happened, as Roxi grabs him. Keira gets up as sees what’s happening.}
Keira – Roxi!
{In the blink of an eye, Roxi and Clint disappear.}
Keira – Oh shit...
{Roxi having teleported them to seemingly the middle of nowhere. Roxi is so full of rage and anger that she’s trembling as she screams, tossing Clint onto the ground and mounting him. She has full use of her powers, and she throws one punch and Clint’s head completely just splatters everywhere. Not content, Roxi continues to beat the lifeless corpse of Clint with everything she has. Punch after punch, the bones breaking under the amount of power Roxi uses. She finally stops after Clint is obviously dead, but she picks up the remains, taking them high into the air. She stops, and let’s out a rush of energy that let’s out across the night sky. The blinding light and results wave of energy is incredible, and once it clears, there is nothing in Roxi’s hands. Clint had been completely disintegrated. With all that done. Roxi comes back down to the ground, and falls to her knees and then into the fetal position, sobbing and crying.
Keira finally is able to locate her, based on the energy used and tries to console her.}
Keira – Roxi... I... I’m here. I’m going to get you some help. Please just speak to me...
{Roxi only sobs in response to this. She just can’t deal with everything she has endured. Keira scoops her up and teleports her back to the medical bay of the Guild.}
Keira – Someone has to help her!
{The doctors and medical team rush to assist, trying to get Roxi to do anything results in Roxi no responding or doing anything. She just lays there, crying. Keira is heartbroken listening to her cry.}
Doctor – She's going to have to be sedated.
{Keira can’t stand to listen as the doctors sedate Roxi. She teleports away, trying to think of how best to help Roxi.
It is the next day, and Keira makes a visit. The same familiar house of Amy Jo Smyth. A lot less subtle than Roxi, Keira bangs on the door as AJ eventually opens it, her shotgun drawn.}
Amy Jo Smyth – WHO THE FUCK... Oh... Keira?
Keira – AJ, I need your help.
Amy Jo Smyth – What? Girl, I almost shot you.
Keira – There's no time. I need to know if you have any science stuff to help Roxi.
Amy Jo Smyth – Where is she?
Keira – Being treated by the Guild.
Amy Jo Smyth – The what?
Keira – It’s where we do hero stuff. I don’t really have time to explain everything.
Amy Jo Smyth – Well, you’re going to have to. Plus, I think you’re guys’s science is way more advanced than mine.
Keira – What about like... dreams or nightmares.
Amy Jo Smyth – That's neurology. I’m not a brain surgeon, Keira. I’m a chemist.
{From behind AJ, Anya, otherwise known at Pet, sticks her head from under AJ’s arm, to see what’s going on.}
Pet – What the hell is going on here? I was trying to be a good girl and there’s all this racket. I demand an apology for this.
Amy Jo Smyth – Anya, be quiet.
Keira – Look, I just need to figure out how to help Roxi.
{Anya pushes past AJ and is now interested.}
Pet –What did you do to my smile maker?!
Keira – Pet, I swear to God, I will drop you right where you stand, if you ever say anything like that again.
Pet – I always knew you would hurt her. She belongs with me!
Amy Jo Smyth – Anya, shut up and go inside.
Pet – I am concerned for my friend. You should have brought her here. I would have worked my magic.
{Keira stares at Pet disgusted, but she begins to think as Pet gets all grindy on AJ in order to get past her.}
Keira – Wait! That’s it! AJ, do you know where... Kat’s compound is?
Amy Jo Smyth – Who?
Keira – Katalina.
{Anya growls hearing Katalina Starr’s name.}
Amy Jo Smyth – No, but Anya does.
Keira – I need to know where she is.
{Anya gets a cocky smile on her face as she turns to Keira.}
Pet – I know where the bitch is, and I can give you the address, BUT... what’s in it for me?
Keira – Pet... I will break every bone in your body...
Amy Jo Smyth – Alright, calm down. Anya, we will tell Roxi you helped get her better, I’m sure she will appreciate it. She may even come to visit you.
{Anya perks up hearing this.}
Pet – Really?
Amy Jo Smyth – Yes, but we need the address!
{Pet simply reaches into her bra and pulls out Kat’s dungeon business card. AJ takes it and hands it to Keira.}
Keira – Thank you. I have to go.
Amy Jo Smyth – Let us know how it turns out.
{Keira turns and leaves waiting for AJ and Pet to shuffle inside before she teleports away, and then back to the Guild. She sees Roxi is still gently weeping, and she takes her and teleports her to the address to Kat’s compound. Keira, holding Roxi knocks on the door, which is answered, by Summer, the maid.}
Summer – Oh, hello Ms. Keira, and Ms. Roxi.
Keira – Summer, I need to speak to Zoey and Kat, please. It’s urgent.
Summer – I shall relay the message.
{Summer disappears for a few moments, before returning.}
Summer – I shall escort you to the parlor.
{Summer does just that, leading Keira to the parlor, where Zoey and Kat are seated, seemingly in the middle of a conversation, until they see Roxi basically dangling from Keira’s arms, and they both stand up.}
Kat – Oh dear, what has happened?
Keira – I need your help. More specifically, Zoey.
Zoey – What can I do for you? Or... For her?
Keira – I need someone who knows magic. Like... MAGIC.
Zoey – I think you may be confused about the type of magic I -
Keira – Zoey, I’m desperate right now! Please!
{Zoey glances over at Kat, who nods.}
Kat – I think you are need, dearest. Roxi is a friend of ours.
{Zoey sighs and turns to Keira.}
Zoey – Follow me.
{Zoey leads Keira, still carrying Roxi into her personal room complete with a lot of magic related items and a long table in the middle.}
Zoey – Lay her down there.
{Keira lays Roxi on the table, and she instantly curls up into a ball.}
Zoey – What exactly do you need?
Keira – I don’t... I don’t know what she saw, but her nightmare, it’s... made her like this. I don’t think she can shake whatever it is she saw. I need something that can help her.
{Zoey thinks for a moment, and begins going through some books she owns.}
Zoey – I don’t know if I have anything to make bad dreams go away.
Keira – She just needs this one. Like this whole day.
Zoey – You mean, she needs a day erased?
Keira – Zoey, if you saw the look in her eyes that I did, you wouldn’t ask that.
{Zoey picks out a different books and skims through it, with Kat coming in to supervise}
Kat – I hope all is well.
Zoey – I will need you both to strap her down.
Kat – My pleasure.
Keira – Not the time, Kat, please.
Kat – Apologies, Love, I meant nothing by it.
{Keira and Kat strap Roxi to the table as Zoey places the book down.}
Zoey – This should wipe her mind of everything from the past 24 hours. Hopefully nothing else.
Keira – Hopefully?
Zoey – It's magic, Keira, it’s not some kind of computer program.
Keira – I'm sorry, just... if you can.
{Zoey prepares some candles and finally places a hand over Roxi’s eyes and head}
Zoey – sruoh ruof ytnewt morf yromem evomer!
{There is a flash of light, and Zoey’s eyes glow as she speaks, and then Roxi’s body jolts, and then silence. Zoey nods and closes her book.}
Zoey – That should do the trick.
{Keira shakes Roxi a few times, and Roxi slowly opens her eyes, seeing Keira.}
Roxi – Keira?
Keira – Roxi!
{Roxi looks and sees herself strapped to a table, and Kat and Zoey look at her as well.}
Roxi – What... is going on?
Zoey – We wanted you over for dinner.
Roxi – I think you skipped a step.
Keira – Roxi, are you okay?
Roxi – Outside of being tied up inside Kat’s house without knowing why, yes.
Kat – Pfft.
Roxi – No offense.
Kat – Oh no, everyone must be tied up at all times in my house.
{Kat goes on, walking out of the room still yelling at no one in particular.}
Zoey – I better go calm her down.
{Zoey chases after Kat, while Keira unhooks Roxi. Keira catches Zoey’s attention who turns back. Keira mouths “Thank you” to Zoey before she disappears.}
Roxi – So, you want to explain what’s going on?
Keira – In time. For now, I’m just glad you’re back.
Roxi – Uh... sure. Man, I must have been more tired than I thought.
Keira – I'm just glad the nightmare is over.
{Roxi is confused by all this, and the scene fades.}
“You can never escape me. Bullets don't harm me. Nothing harms me. But I know pain. I know pain. Sometimes I share it. With someone like you.”
- Batman (Batman Vol 1 407)
Time continues to tick away and we inch closer and closer to the biggest match in my career. I don’t say that to be hyperbolic, I say it, because it is true. For the first time, really ever, I have to think about the consequences of the outcomes of this match. I have think about how it will look if I win, and if I lose. I normally don’t do that, but given the importance, it makes sense to me to do this.
If I win, then I can sit here and tell you that I did what people have been unable to do for a long time. Basically, a solid year. For a year, nobody, myself included, has been able to beat Amber and take the championship from her. People have come close, but nobody has been able to finish the job. And with each passing day, that task seems all the more impossible. But you all know me, you know my story, and you know how I’ve dreamt about this match, and not only dreamt about it, but visualized myself winning it. Because I know that I can. Very few people are seemingly giving me a chance, and making this whole thing seem impossible, but they just added some motivation to what I’m going after.
So, for those people I supposed I owe a thank you for the extra motivation. I have heard all the noise, seen all the silly hastags like #AnybodyButRoxi and that really only makes me smile, considering who is is coming from and the type of people that are using it. Of course, it died a very quick death, but people wanted to make it a thing. So, I will help them out and make it a thing. It really just tells me that people are nervous, and they are worried that I might be able to pull this off. I was the last people to actually beat Amber and all of a sudden, when I bring up that fact, people who are doubting me, ended up with doubts in their own mind. They didn’t think I knew that. They didn’t see that as something that should be brought up. But everybody wants to jump on Amber’s bandwagon, and at the same time, they want to wrestle her too. I guess this is just the thing where everybody wants to be that one, right? People have had their chances one on one, I have not. I am taking this chance now, and if you think I am not prepared, you are mistaken.
So, if I win, I can, really justifiably rub it in everyone’s face who doubted me. It’s a thought that has crossed my mind a few times, but do I really want to be that petty? Maybe I should be, because it hasn’t stopped anyone else from doing it to me, right? People are bringing up my record against Amber, because want to use my words against me when it comes to Amber, people just can’t let me succeed, and so the ability to say “I told you so.” is quite tempting I must admit. But I feel like I should be the bigger person in this whole thing. This match is going to be hard enough as it is, without the added pressure of these folks deciding to laugh in my face, when I’ve already done more than any of them, so this really shouldn’t be an issue, but of course, it is.
And then I think about the future, possibly Amber coming back after me, Obviously, either Myra Rivers of Mikah after winning the Blast from The Past. But I said to start 2022, that I was trying to face every single woman I could in 2022, so yes, I am very much looking forward to either, Myra or Mikah in the future, I love the prospect of this. I am thinking about these kinds of things like that, because I believe I can win.
Now, of course, there’s always a chance I lose. And then, everyone was right, and I will go to the back of the line and earn my next chance down the road. I have no issues admitting I was wrong, and that I failed to do something. I know right now I have some pretty long odds. As I said, Amber has taken everything and turned it on it’s head. Things are different now, and we seem to be in the middle of the greatest Bombshell’s title reign in history. She has taken on all comers and she has beaten them all. So yes, there is a distinct possibility that I will lose this match, and then everybody gets to rub it in my face, and tell me that asking for a handout or whatever they want to call this, was my undoing and I am not what I once was. That my dreams were all for nothing. And I would have to live with that for a long time. And you know, I am prepared to do that. That’s what this match means to me. That’s how important it is.
But while we might be in the midst of the greatest Bombshell’s championship run in history, it is, to be fair, not the first time I have heard that. I have seen many people claim to be unstoppable, claim to be untouchable, and get a string of victories that makes them feel like they are justified in saying it.
I have heard it before, and I have stopped it.
Nobody in their right mind, thought I was going to beat Misty when I did. Too much, too soon. I was punching above my weight class. I was not supposed to be able to do that. Misty was unstoppable at that time. She was the division. She was everything.
And I beat her.
When Alicia Lukas was running rough shot over SCW, I had to come back, and then when she was at her peak, when she was the top of the food chain and had put together one of the best years in the history of SCW...
I beat her.
So, I am no stranger to toppling people when they believe themselves to be untouchable. And thus, I have all confidence in the world I can do it again.
But where are my manners?
Hello again Amber.
I do hope you are well. I do hope you are preparing to fight me with everything you have once again. There is a reason I have not said anything or mentioned you on twitter, and I would assume the same reason you have done the same with me. So, there are no distractions from one to the other. We don’t need to use those kinds of things to get the advantage over one another. We don’t need to use the tricks from the past that may have worked once. You and I both know that that kind of thing just isn’t required. It wouldn’t work anyway. So, you can rest easy, because this Sunday, I won’t have a glitter bomb trying to get you to open it. Don’t need to use it, don’t want to use it. Maybe you feel in the back on your mind that’s the only reason you lost to me to begin with. But I don’t have another one, and I don’t plan on bringing one to the match.
No, we’re past all that. It’s just you and me. If you want to use your brass knuckles, or fire, or mist, or thumbtacks, go for it. I think you know at this point that it’s not going to stop me anymore, but if you want to rely on them, you go for it. You do what you feel you need to do to retain that championship. I think you’ve earned that right. But I know right now, you are satisfied either. You have a referee stoppage, and burying me under a pile of rubble to beat me. And then a triple threat match. You and I both are not satisfied with that. This is the chance we both really have wanted.
And yes, Amber, I will say thank you now, since everyone wants to make this as an act of kindness on your part. As if you gave this to me. You wanted to put that out there yourself, as if this was the truth. The brass decided I was a viable contender and presumably the only one who can stand up to you. And your greatest challenge. You don’t have to admit it, but you know deep down it’s true. When we fight, when we go to war, the whole place changes. I will always respect that about you. You do, bring out the best in me, and I bring out the best in you. I make you go places you rarely go, and you make me go places I don’t want to go. But the difference, I may not like to go to those places, but I am becoming more and more comfortable in going there, and soon enough, I won’t mind going to those places with you as often as you think we need to.
As I have said before Amber, if you wish to fight, when all this is said and done, I will be here, and I will be waiting for you. I will always be ready to fight you. The only difference is, the next time that this happens, after Blaze of Glory, I will be the SCW Bombshell’s champion.
You know it's coming Amber. You know that when you face off at Blaze of Glory, I will beat you. I know I have planted that seed in your head, just like I did the others who doubt me. I saw it in your eyes. You blinked, Amber. You know in your soul that as I speak to you right now, I'm not just another challenger, I'm not just another opponent, I am THE opponent, and the one who will take you down, and end your title reign. No matter what you do, no matter what you say, I saw that look in your eyes. I saw that look of concern. Because you know what's coming.
I will topple your reign, just like I have all those who believed themselves above. This is what I do. And there is nothing you can do about it. I will make sure my dream comes true, and it becomes your nightmare.
Blaze of Glory is where your reign started Amber.
Blaze of Glory, is where is will come to an end.
Sweet dreams, Amber.
I will see you there.