{We open with Roxi, staring at her laptop screen, running the name “Steve Walker” through every search engine and database she can think of. But due to the name being extremely common, finding a match for anything specific is turning up nothing. There’s plenty of matches, but they are from various locations, none of them fitting anything that would even come close. Roxi sighs, as Keira comes into the room, yawning as she taps Roxi on the shoulder.} Roxi – Hey.
Keira – It's 4am. I thought you finished your patrol a while ago.
Roxi – I did.
Keira – Then what are you doing? You need to get some sleep.
Roxi – I'm trying to find this name and help out Lt. Murphy.
{Keira glances at the screen and shakes her head.} Keira – Steve Walker? That could be anybody.
Roxi – Exactly. But I swear I’ve heard the name before.
Keira – So have probably like 50 million other people. Come on, please, let’s get some rest.
Roxi – I'll be there in a minute.
{Keira throws her hands up and exits the room, and Roxi continues to stare at the screen, trying to figure this whole thing out.} Roxi – Maybe she’s right. Maybe some sleep will help me figure this out.
{Roxi takes one last look at her laptop, and then she shuts everything down and closes it. She stands, stretches, and finally heads to bed, joining Keira.} Keira – You'll figure it out.
Roxi – Yeah...
{Roxi lays in bed, before drifting off to sleep.}
{It’s a few days later, and early in the morning when Roxi is drinking a morning coffee and making breakfast for her mother, Keira, and Nate. Keira stands next to Roxi rubbing her stomach as Roxi’s wrist communicator goes off in the other room and Keira butt bumps Roxi out of the way.} Keira – I'll take care of this.
{Roxi sighs and walks into her bedroom and answer it.} Roxi – Vision, it’s way too early for this.
Vision – Sorry Rox, Lt. Murphy is asking for you again.
Roxi – Can you tell him I’m still looking into the Steve Walker thing?
Vision – They found another body.
Roxi – Dammit. Alright, I’ll be there when I get there.
Vision – I'll let them know you’re on the way, I’ll text you the address.
Roxi – Thanks.
{Roxi ends the call and heads back to Keira in the kitchen and comes up behind her.} Roxi – I have to go.
Keira – But breakfast is about ready.
Roxi – I'm sorry. Lt. Murphy needs my help.
Keira – Is this still about the Steve Walker thing?
Roxi – I think so.
Keira – You know you don’t have to solve every case.
Roxi – It's what we’re here for.
{Roxi kisses Keira and rubs her shoulders.} Roxi – I'll be back soon.
Keira – Well, your breakfast will either be cold. Or eaten. Or both.
{Roxi gives Keira a knowing smile before going into her bedroom and putting on her costume and flying to the address after Vision texts it to her phone. Roxi arrives shortly to a field, near a hillside. A dead woman is cautioned off, the M.O. exactly the same as first victim. Roxi comes in, and Lt. Murphy is waiting.} Lt. Murphy – Anything on your end?
Roxi – The name doesn’t hit anything specific, it’s too wide. What about you?
Lt. Murphy – We confirmed the victim in the first killing was Norman Watkins.
Roxi – Anything stand out?
Lt. Murphy – Nothing. Average guy, divorced, two kids, lost custody, worked from home, clocked in and out at the same time every day. Your typical average Schmoe.
Roxi – So, that means our killer could have known him. There wasn’t blood at that scene. What about the wife?
Lt. Murphy – Air tight alibi. On a business trip out of time. Hotel reservations confirmed on the date of death.
Roxi – Maybe she hired somebody?
Lt. Murphy – But why would they bring the guy back to his house after killing him, and then leave this one in a field?
{Roxi shakes her head, then heads up to investigate herself. Once again, the body is mutilated, dismembered, beheaded, and the face cut off and replaced with a mask, sewn into the skin. Roxi kneels down where the same Medical Examiner is looking over the corpse.} Roxi – We have to stop meeting like this.
Medical Examiner – You're telling me.
Roxi – Anything different about this one?
Medical Examiner – Fits the same profile as the last one. Poor girl’s skin texture, I’d wager she’s no more than 25 years old.
Roxi – Any under the mask?
Medical Examiner – Haven't got that far yet.
{Roxi slowly reaches and gently tugs at the mask again and is able to lift is slight, before the sewing gives. Under the mask, yet again, is a name, this time however, it’s written in what looks like a hand-written version of old English text. “Henry”} Roxi – Henry?
Medical Examiner – Your guess is as good as mine.
Roxi – This isn’t adding up. Something is missing from all this.
{Roxi slowly gets up, back to Lt. Murphy, who is chatting with a member of the CSI team.} Roxi – Well, things are getting weirder, but it looks like... a serial killer. But I’m sure you probably knew that
Lt. Murphy – The thought has crossed my mind. Super, this is detective Oliver, he’s with CSI.
Roxi – Good to meet you. Anything stand out to you?
Det. Oliver – Well, there’s no drag marks, but then again, the victim was cut into chunks, but it looks like it’s only one guy. This looks like just another dump site. No blood, aside from loose spatter. Nothing’s here that couldn’t blow away in the wind.
Roxi – What about the house, and the first victim?
Det. Oliver – There, we actually found some wood fibers on the first victim, but nothing that can point us anywhere. Wood is pretty common obviously.
Roxi – So, we’re getting nowhere with this. Great.
Lt. Murphy – We've cleared the wife, and until we identify this victim, we’re kind of just waiting for things to come to us. That’s how police work is done. We’re looking at every avenue of approach.
Roxi – So, we’ve got a serial killer who enjoys medieval levels of torture, and enjoys putting masks on people after cutting off their faces, and rearranging them like action figures.
Lt. Murphy – A sick bastard.
Roxi – That too.
Det. Oliver – We’ll get her down to the morgue and get some fingerprints or dental records. Hopefully we can get an ID.
Roxi – Oh, and... under this mask was the name “Henry” and not Steve Walker.
Lt. Murphy – Just “Henry”?
Roxi – Yeah, but it was written... in a medieval style. So... maybe there are two people?
Det. Oliver – Maybe, can’t be fun lugging body parts everywhere.
Lt. Murphy – But, if he’s got some kind of superpowers like you do...
Roxi – Yes, that’s a possibility. But he wants these people found. How did the call come in for the first one?
Lt. Murphy – Anonymous phone call. We tried to trace it, burner phone.
Roxi – So our guy is calling them in?
Lt. Murphy – Jogger called this one in.
Roxi – Maybe the call was too obvious. He’s covering himself. I hate to say we have to wait until he kills again. Maybe we can triangulate this, maybe this and the house are going to be at some meeting point?
Det. Oliver – That's an option. But it’s going to take some time. And a lot of luck.
Roxi – Well, I’ll keep working my end, and see if anything comes up from this, but these clues are just so... far apart. Nothing makes sense.
Lt. Murphy – You and us both.
{Roxi shakes her head and nods at the two cops before she finally leaves.}
{Roxi sits at home, later in the evening now. once again on her laptop, trying to find any corrilation between the names “Steve Walker” and “Henry” And the matches are incredibly vague and nothing connects anywhere, frustrating Roxi as she just keeps searching, now just hoping to find something. However, her wrist communicator goes off and Vision is once again calling her.} Roxi – Vision?
Vision – Lt. Murphy has a break in the case.
Roxi – Really?
Vision – They identified the female victim; they think they have a suspect.
Roxi – Alright, I’m on the way to the police building.
{Roxi ends the call and prepares to change when Keira walks in on her again.} Keira – Again?
Roxi – Sorry.
Keira – When are going to find time to train?
Roxi – I'll fit it in.
Keira – You keep saying that, but it’s important to keep that up, and you not doing it. You’re becoming too involved with this. The guy may just be a normal guy.
Roxi – That's true. But it’s our job to assist the police if they need it.
Keira – At this rate you’re going to run yourself ragged and not be prepared for the next thing.
Roxi – I promise, I will get that in.
Keira – Lucky for you, I have already done you a favor.
Roxi – A favor?
Keira – Oh yeah, this cruise, we’re still holding class.
Roxi – You got... all the students on the cruise?
Keira – Yes, pulling some strings, a week on the ocean and plenty of time to get training done.
{Roxi smiles and kisses Keira on the head.} Roxi – You think of everything.
Keira – One of us has to.
Roxi – You sure you want to come on the cruise?
{Keira looks almost confused by this question.} Keira – It's a cruise. Why wouldn’t I?
Roxi – I was just saying after what you said before about needing a break...
Keira – That’s why I’m bringing all the trainees along. Keeps me occupied, and on task.
Roxi – Fair enough. Look, I gotta run. I don’t want to keep them waiting.
Keira – Just... be careful.
Roxi – Always.
{Roxi gives Keira a loving smile before she puts on her costume, and sets off, blowing her wife a kiss as she does.}
{Roxi arrives at the Police Headquarters, on the roof, with Lt. Murphy and Detective Oliver present, and waiting. Murphy takes a drag from his always readily available cigarette as he waits, crushing it out as he watches Roxi land.} Roxi – Gentlemen.
Lt. Murphy – We had a lead.
Det. Oliver – Our female victim is Emily Jones. And as luck would have it, she actually told people where she would be, and who she would be with.
Roxi – So, the person who may have killed her.
Det. Oliver – Exactly. We had an address and phone number of the place she was headed to, and we’re moving in now.
Roxi – Well, what are we waiting for?
Det. Oliver – We're trying to clear the name and make sure it’s real.
Roxi – What name?
Det. Oliver – Emily Jones was apparently going to visit... John Smith.
{Roxi blinks.} Roxi - You’ve got to be kidding me.
Det. Oliver – No, I’m not.
Roxi – Just give me the address, I’ll check it out.
Det. Oliver – There's a protocol.
Roxi – Do you see the way I’m dressed right now? I really don’t use protocol like you do. Besides, if this is a super powered person, you’ll need me to go in first anyway.
Lt. Murphy – You make a good point.
{Detective Oliver pulls out his phone and gives Roxi the address.} Roxi – Give me 10 minutes, and then it’s your show.
Lt. Murphy – You got 5.
Roxi – I’m on the clock.
{Roxi takes off, headed towards the address she plugged into her phone.}
{Roxi arrives at the address she was given, quickly scouting out the area and finds not much going on. She sneaks around, looking into the windows of the house which has lights on. There’s a grown man dancing in his underwear, the music muffled by the walls and house. However, Roxi notices a knife in his hand, and there is some banging and commotion in another room. The man begins walking towards the noise, a smile on his face widens as he turns the corner, whatever he is looking at, makes more noise.} Man – Hello!
{Roxi puts two and two together and springs into action, and bursts through the door. The man sees her, and his face grows with anger, and he doesn’t hesitate to stab the woman in the chest. Roxi rushes over and tackles him to the ground.} Roxi – You monster!
Man – It wasn’t me!
{The words force Roxi stop for a second. His tone of voice has changed, and it is one of seemingly genuine fear and innocence. The man has covered up, the knife out of his hands and he offers no resistance.} Man – You have to believe me! I didn’t kill that girl!
Roxi – I JUST SAW YOU STAB HER!
{Roxi takes out her zip ties out and zip ties the man’s hands together, and ensure he can’t get away. She stands up to check on the woman, who is bleeding out and Roxi tries to keep some pressure on the wound. The man doesn’t bother struggle in his zip ties.} Roxi – You must be Joe Smith.
Joe – Yes! I am Joe Smith! But you have to believe me about that stabbed girl! I’ve never seen her before in my life!
Roxi – What?! I just... I saw you stab this woman! You did it front of me!
Joe – It wasn’t me! It was Steve!
{It finally dawns on Roxi exactly what the man is trying to communicate, as the police, led by Detective Oliver enter, guns drawn.} Joe – You have to help me!
Det. Oliver – What happened?
Roxi – We need an ambulance for this woman! She’s bleeding out and I can’t stop it. I think … he hit the lateral artery. And I think we’re... dealing with a man who has a disorder.
{Roxi continues to apply pressure and give any sort of aid she possibly could while waiting and color is just draining from the woman’s face and body. Roxi tries to keep her talking and she is eventually untied from the chair and taken to the hospital in an ambulance. John is arrested and take away as well. Detective Oliver and Roxi go over the house and notice the powerful aroma in the air.} Detective Oliver – You smell that?
Roxi – It's bleach. The whole house smells of it. I think he really enjoyed cleaning his house.
Detective Oliver – Or wiping away evidence.
Roxi – That too.
Detective Oliver – So, what did happen exactly?
Roxi – Joe here... was dancing around in his underwear and had a knife, as soon as I came in the door, he stabbed her. I took him down, and he... just changed. Like he was seeing me for the first time. He acted like he didn’t know what was going on. Despite the fact that he looked into my eyes and stabbed the woman.
Detective Oliver – So... are you saying he might have DID?
Roxi – I mean... if you think about it, it stands to reason. He even told me Steve did it, and not him. As if Steve was another person.
{Detective Oliver jots all it down and puts his notebook in his pocket.} Detective Oliver – You really think the man has alternate personalities? And that one of them did the killing while the others aren’t aware of it?
Roxi – If his “Steve” the same Steve that is cutting off faces and marking masks, then... he’s either a hell of an actor or he’s got DID.
Detective Oliver – Convinced you, did he?
Roxi – Yeah, I guess so. I mean, either that or he’s completely insane. I watched him stab that woman. I watched him do it, and he flat out told me that he didn’t do it. He sounded like he had no idea about anything.
Detective Oliver – Well, I supposed we’ll have to bring in some medical people to double check that. But at least... I guess we got our killer?
Roxi – Let’s hope so.
Detective Oliver – Well, thanks uh... I guess you’ve got that secret identity thing going.... So the super hero name?
Roxi – It’s Lady Bedlam, but... you can just call me Super like your boss does.
Detective Oliver – He doesn’t seem to like you very much.
Roxi – I thought things were improving.
Detective Oliver – Ouch.
Roxi – It's fine. Saved his butt a few times so, he’s warming up to me. Let me know if that woman survives. She may be able to answer some question, and help us even more.
Detective Oliver – You got it.
{Roxi finally exits, but even she knew her job wasn’t exactly done.}
{As the days passed, Roxi felt more and more unsure about everything, she continued what was a fruitless effort now to look up Steve Walker, and Henry, and now, John Smith. Literally the most common name in the world. Roxi was invited to speak with John in interrogation. John is handcuffed to the table, and appears timid as Roxi sits down in front of him.} Roxi – John?
John – Yes?
Roxi – John, I need to get some information from you.
John – Sure. Sure... I’ll... I’ll help anyway I can.
Roxi – You need to tell me why you stabbed that girl.
{John wags his finger, and shakes his head.} John – That... that wasn’t me. That was Steve.
Roxi – Who is Steve?
John – Steve lives in here with us.
Roxi – Us? How many are in there with you?
John – There's Steve, and Vincent, and Henry & Paula.
Roxi – So you’re aware of them?
John – Yes... jeez, it’s my body.
Roxi – Then why did Steve stab that woman? Because Steve is getting you in trouble and I don’t want that for you.
John – Steve just... he gets mad about everything. He lost his wife and he never really recovered from that.
Roxi – John, I need to speak to Steve.
{John pauses, looking Roxi in the face with a worried look.} John – He doesn’t want to talk. He’s still upset.
Roxi – I can’t help you if I can’t talk to Steve. I’m trying to help you, John.
John – I don’t want him to do anything else bad.
Roxi – Trust me, just let me speak to him.
John – I'll try.
{John pauses and says nothing, and seems to undergo a transformation. He lowers his head and lifts it up, and a smiling John greets her when he lifts his head back up.} Roxi – Steve?
John – No milady, my name is Henry!
Roxi – Henry...
“Henry” – Henry, royal knight of the high order of King Richard! And you must be a court jester dressed in such robes.
Roxi – No...not quite. But, Henry, yes?
“Henry” – At your service, milady.
Roxi – So, you’re a knight?
“Henry” – Oi, valiant warrior and fighter for the crusades of the crown.
Roxi – I see... Henry, let me ask you a question, what happens to those who betray the King?
{“Henry” gives the traditional “stiff upper lip” and looks on proudly.} “Henry” – They are tried for treason! Those convicted are Hanged! And we put their head on a pike to show all traitors their fate!
Roxi – Interesting. So you would know about those who Steve has done this to?
“Henry” – I don’t know of this Steve, milady.
Roxi – There were two people killed recently in the way you just described, Henry. You mean to say you don’t know about that? Because Steve is getting blamed for this. You didn’t draw, quarter, hang, or behead anyone recently, did you?
“Henry” – Not for some time, no.
Roxi – Okay. Listen, Henry, I’d love to hear more about the knights and everything you do, but I need to talk to Steve about all this.
“Henry” – I say again, I do know of any Steve. If they too are a warrior with honor, they would only execute those who betray the crown.
Roxi – Okay. I understand, I’ll be back in a second, okay?
“Henry” – As you wish, milady.
{Roxi gets up and leaves the interrogation room, Lt. Murphy stands there, hand in his pockets as Roxi rubs her face.} Lt. Murphy – Guy's nuttier than a fruitcake.
Roxi – Maybe... But that did give us some information, and... I think we might have a way in.
{Roxi takes a moment to collect herself, and returns to the room and sits down again.} Roxi – Henry, you know that some people have been executed, and pretty much how you said traitors do. So, really, you’re in a spot of bother, at is were. Because the way they died, means that you would suffer for it. You can’t go around and execute people like that.
{“Henry” takes offense.} “Henry” – I did no such thing, and I will have my good name sullied!
Roxi – I'm afraid that’s where we stand. I’m sorry.
{Roxi stands up and scoots her chair in prepared to leave when “Henry” lowers his head and another personality emerges, this one, very angry. Roxi turns, and sits back down.} Roxi – You must be Steve.
“Steve” – Your god damn right.
Roxi – And you killed those people.
“Steve” – Of course I did! I murdered them to prove the point I needed to.
Roxi – And what was that point?
“Steve” – That the world thinks you’re nobody until you’re gone. You didn’t care about that stupid man, or the broad until I killed them. Didn’t know what they looked like, or what they did, until they were gone. You took them for granted, and I made them somebody.
Roxi – You took away their lives for a really stupid point, Steve. You cut off their faces didn’t you?
{A wide grin cross “Steve’s” face.} “Steve” – I took away their humanity, made them as anonymous as you make yourself with your stupid mask. I’d cut that thing off you if I had the chance.
Roxi – Why the mask?
“Steve” – To make them as faceless as they were when they were alive. They were hiding in plain sight, afraid to step out and be something. You’re doing the same. That stupid costume, it hides who you really are.
Roxi – Maybe you’re right, Steve. But now, you’re going to go to away for a long time, and you will be just as faceless as them. But why did you write Henry’s name inside the mask?
“Steve” – Who the hell is Henry? I did it all. I killed them both and I cut their faces off. I’ll be famous for a long time, super bitch. A lot more famous than you.
Roxi – I see. Tell me about your wife.
{“Steve” is none too happy with this line of questioning.} “Steve” – You want to make jokes?! I told you what you wanted to hear right! I killed those two bitches and I’m damn proud of it.
{Roxi nods and almost smirks to herself.} Roxi – And I hope you enjoy what about to happen to you, Steve. Now let me talk to John.
“Steve” – John can go fuck himself.
Roxi – So you know about John?
“Steve” – Of course, I have to bail him out of so many situations because he’s too scared. He could be somebody, and he just can’t. Because he doesn’t have the balls. I’ve always been there, he just never let me out, so I had to force my out, and make him the man he should be.
{Roxi doesn’t say anything. She just nods, and stands up, and exits the room. Once again Lt. Murphy is waiting.} Roxi – What do you think?
Lt. Murphy – It's a confession.
Roxi – I know... But, it’s a little too easy of a confession. Maybe the others can shed some light.
Lt. Murphy – You want to keep talking to this nutcase?
Roxi – Yeah. I do. I’ll be back tomorrow.
{Roxi leaves, heading back to her home to continue the interrogation the next day.}
{And on the next day, Roxi is there again, sitting down in front of John, who is looking around the room, almost like he’s taking a mental picture.} Roxi – John?
John – Hmm? Were you talking to me, you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Vincent. And...
{“Vincent” looks down and see’s he’s handcuffed to the table.} “Vincent” – What’s going on?
Roxi – I see. Vincent, what is it you do?
“Vincent” – I'm an artist. I love to draw. Do you like to draw?
Roxi – Sometimes, yes. Have you drawn anything lately?
“Vincent” – I can’t as I... can’t seem to use my hands, um... why am I handcuffed? What is going on? Am I in trouble?
Roxi – People are dead, Vincent. Do you know about John? Or Steve? Or Henry?
“Vincent” – Heaven’s no. I hope they are okay.
Roxi – That depends. I need to know what you use to draw.
“Vincent” – Well, like any artist, you give me a canvas and some tools and I’ll give you something given enough time. I... I need to insist on asking why I’m handcuffed though. I haven’t done anything
Roxi – Maybe. Maybe not. I want to help you, but I need to know what you use to make your art.
“Vincent” – Oh, a brush, a spray can, a pencil, a pen. You know, stuff like that. I really wanted to be an architect.
Roxi – And why is that?
“Vincent” – To help make buildings and designs and leave an impact on the world. Art can’t be a dying art, you know.
{“Vincent” gives a sheepish laugh.} Roxi – Okay Vincent. I’ll be back in a moment, I just need to figure something out.
{Roxi leaves again, heading outside the room. Lt. Murphy and Detective Oliver are there as well.} Lt. Murphy – I still say the guy’s got a screw loose.
Det. Oliver – It certainly seems that way.
Roxi – I'm not a psychatrist or a psychologist, but it’s just... it seems too easy. But then again, I don’t know what it’s like to live with something like that. John appears to be the only one who is aware of any of the others. The rest of them seem blissfully unaware of anything. As far as I can tell, he... he has DID.
Det. Oliver – The insanity defense barely works. We’ll bring in some medical experts then.
Lt. Murphy – People are dead, and this guy gets a trip to the nuthouse?
Roxi – If they deem him insane. He’s fitting all the symptoms. It still seems wrong. I need to think about this some more. What about the last girl, the stabbing victim?
Lt. Murphy – In critical condition at Tampa General.
Roxi – She may be the key to all this. But, I don’t think this is my thing anymore. I think this is in your hands.
Lt. Murphy – Well, at least he’s not destroying the table or snapping the cuffs.
Roxi – Not yet. But call me if he does. I’ll be on vacation, but I’ll check in before I go.
{Roxi shakes the Detective’s hand, and Murphy’s before she departs, the scene fading. But Roxi can still feel something is wrong...}
“I'm sorry, you think defeating me is that simple? Have you seen my resumé? I've fought mutants, gods, aliens, technomalogical wackjobs, street hoods... Hell, I fought my own costume. You think it's that simple? Bring it on."
- Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 #369)
Hello SCW.
Things have been different lately. I don’t know, lately, I just get this vibe. I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach and maybe, it’s made me a little paranoid. I’m getting these looks from people. Faces full of doubt. One person came up to me as I was finishing up working out before I headed to the arena for Climax Control last Sunday. And they said to me “See you later, I’m gonna be praying for you.” Another person said, “This was a great run, but you know, all the runs come to an end sometime”. And you know, that ate at me. I guess that everyone is just telling me right now, that it’s all over.
This is the end.
I’m just a lamb being led to slaughter. I can’t possibly handle Masque De Lune. Nobody can. She has beaten every single woman she’s come up against. She’s making believers out of everybody. People are telling other people don’t challenge her. Don’t try and fight her. Because everybody is just going down.
I suppose I should just hand the Bombshell’s title over now, because hell, this is a forgone conclusion because Masque is undefeated and I’m just going to be another victim as she rises to the top of the division, and rules it with an iron fist. Or... prosthetic fist as it were.
This is it for me. It was a good run and I’m just in the wrong place at the right time for Masque. There’s nothing and nobody that can stop the Rapture. When it’s over, pin my medals on my chest and box me up and ship me home so I can get a proper burial.
I mean, I guess it was high time that I faced the truth of this whole thing.
So, I’ve been going over everything in my head and I took some time to get away from it all and just head on down to the beach. I listen and watched as the waves crashed into the sand and the tide went in and out. And I started to think about everything while totally at peace with everything in my life. Because goodness knows, after Summer XXXtreme, it’s all over. Everything is going to change.
I had to face the truth.
And the more I thought about it, the happier I was.
You see, when I think about what Masque and I have to do to each other at Summer XXXtreme, it really becomes very simple. What I have to do... is nothing.
All I have to do, is beat the big baddie that everyone is afraid of. The one with a precious streak, a precious championship, a precious plan and a goal to take the Bombshell’s championship from me. This is nothing that I haven’t done before. There’s not one thing Masque brings to the table that I haven’t seen, or heard before. I’ve ended streaks. I’ve foiled plans, and taken on the most hated Bombshell on the roster, all of those things before. I’ve ruined people goals of being the Bombshell’s champion many, many times before. So, Masque is no different from anyone else.
Oh, but I hear them say “Masque is different! She’s bringing the RAPTURE!” The only thing that makes Masque different is wearing a mask and having a fake hand. Period. What? Am I supposed to intimidated by and unpinned record? Those things can go on for a long, long time. They can. They can become the stuff of legend. And then the number grows and grows, and then one day, it ends. Whether you’re a champion, challenger, on a hot streak, whatever the case, it ends. It all ends. Winning streaks are great, but it doesn’t matter to me that Masque hasn’t been pinned. There’s a first time for everything.
Or I am supposed to be intimidated because Msaque has this grand plan and it involved hurting Amber Ryan? Or the fact that all of a sudden that is being blamed on me? I mean, why not? A bunch of other things that I have zero to do with have been blamed on me before that. I got accused of giving my wife handouts. I got accused of being a terrible friend. I got accused of abandoning people. I got accused of just about everything under the sun, so why not blame for what Masque did to Amber Ryan. Makes as much sense as anything else spewing from Masque’s mouth. I'm used to it.
This is what we call “moving the goal posts” this is what many megalomaniacal people do when they are confronted with facts. I beat Amber Ryan in a wrestling match, but yes, I’m the reason she’s in the state she’s in now. Despite that before SCW, Amber and Masque were on opposite sides, and had the exact same relationship before Amber and I even met in Boardwalk. But yes, me beating her for a championship in a completely different company is really what triggered this. Despite again, the fact that I beat her before this, before she was champion, but that didn’t seem to bother her, or Masque very much. But sure, let’s just go with that.
And I’m sure the goal posts will be moved yet again whenever Masque tries to come up with something that has even a remote connection like that’s a big “gotcha” moment. Much like the plan Masque has had now changes and she has to do things because apparently Amber wasn’t good enough, and that was the plan all along, right? It obviously wasn’t, but again, why let the truth get in the way of a good story, am I right? We just keep changing things and moving things around and hoping that no one notices. As I’ve said before, I was born at night, but not last night.
Oh wait, I know what it is. Masque speaks in a way that has you believing thw words. It may not make a lot of sense, but there are so many words that it makes you think, combined with the results, that this is all true. She must be a prophet, a soothsayer. I know it may break where her heart used to be a little more, but I’m not buying what she’s selling.
Yes, I have heard the eloquent ways Masque has spoken. The words blending together and they form those long-winded sentences. You see, many people fail to understand Masque because of it. And I’ve heard the pretty words like before. And really, it just boils down to a very simple message. Masque can tell everyone I fail to understand, and no one understands, that’s perfectly fine. But once again, she is mistaken, as she has been for quite some time. I understand everything. It’s written as plain as the mask that adorns her face.
I’ve heard it all before. Those who say so much, yet say so little.
All of it, is just filler for a clear lack of a message. It’s piling on words to sound smarter than she really is. I’ve heard this very language before. Masque needs to feel like the smartest person in the room, and maybe sometimes she is, but I have a nose for BS and it reeks from her. It radiates like the all-too-familiar stench of desperation. All that Masque has needed is someone to listen and not think. Manipulating people into thinking that this is some sort of grand plan. The reality is, it’s not.
Masque can tell all about heroes, as I’m sure she will with me. It’s going to be the same story I get about how great heroes failed and stories of how the good guy is a fool and that this hero, will fail. I’m going to fail because her plan is too strong, too far gone, and I will be the final piece that falls into place. I’ve heard a few villain speeches in my time, so I’m sorry if I’m spoiling anything.
Masque simply wants to be the Bombshell’s champion. This is now an addition to her plan, because the truth is, she didn’t even accomplish her goal in the first place, and so, I had to be dragged into it. She didn’t finish Amber Ryan. The recovery may be long, and it may be painful, but I saw the look in Amber’s eyes, in no way shape or form has Masque succeeded in any grand plan. Now, once again, we’re moving the goal posts because of course we are. This wasn’t the plan at all. It was to destroy Amber to rebuild her. Oh, of course it was. How silly of any of us to think that this isn’t the actions of a person who is just making it up as they go along. The only thing missing is Masque monologuing and saying “you only THINK that was the plan.”
Now, she comes at me, as if I have to share the blame. This is classic cult mentality, and everyone who knows me, knows that I once fell into that same trap, and so, I am keenly aware of it when I see it. No, it can’t be Masque’s fault, it must be mine for beating Amber Ryan. I made her do what she did. But it was also part of the plan all along. I see the pattern, plain as day. A charismatic person developing an army and manipulating that army into following her vision, while giving up who they are. All of them try, and sooner or later, all of them fail, because people start seeing through them. And Masque is becoming incredibly transparent as we speak.
I swore to all of you that I wasn’t going to every have that happen to me again, and now, it’s rearing its ugly head once more, so yes. I stand right here, waiting for the Rapture, because I know it’s a hollow wish of a desperate woman who has done nothing but exhibit all the traits of a cult leader.
So, it begs the question, what happens if her plan fails?
You see, I’ve just laid out to you the person I have to beat.
But Masque, has to beat ME.
But you know, who am I?
I’ve only done just about everything is to do here. I am one of the people who made this place what it is today. I have won this championship, that so many strive for, four different times. I have faced and beaten the vast majority of wrestlers who came into SCW, and tried to take it over and make it theirs. Everybody who has tried me, has found out the hard way, I do go away and I’ve even harder to take down. You can run down the list and friend and foe alike; I take all this very seriously.
How many people have been waiting for me to slip out and finally have someone who beats me and I don’t come back stronger and better? How many people are still talking about me every chance they get because they just wish that they could finally be the one, who shuts me down forever.
And that list is still growing.
And the funny part is, I don’t have to mention anyone’s name. They know who they are.
And when the chips are down, when this new force enters SCW and nobody knows what to do with it, and all hope appears lost as we are poised to enter some era of dark rule or someone ruling with an iron fist... who’s the one that usually steps up?
That, would be me. I am the hope.
And then, I bring it back to the open air all over again. I’ve been in this spot plenty of times. I am at home, right here facing down someone like Masque. So, you know what, I’m good. I’m not feeling the pressure of this match.
All the pressure of this match is on Masque. The unbeaten streak, the championship she tosses around like it means nothing, the grand Rapture plan. All of it, has to go PERFECTLY at Summer XXXtreme. She is clearly the one with more to lose. Yes, the Bombshell’s championship is on the line, but at the end of the day, Masque stands to lose the streak, her championship, and her plan is she doesn’t win. Not to mention how it’s going to look to everyone else when she loses.
All of the momentum, all of that build-up, and then... poof. It’s gone. Just like it, in an instant. Masque must take this championship from me, for everything to work. And if it doesn’t, then she’s just another failed contender. Even more than that Masque has to beat me or she is one of the biggest failures in the history of the Bombshell’s division.
Much like I did, Masque has to face the truth.
And that is exactly what I am.
I am the truth, staring directly through those eye holes in her mask. I look past all the smoke and mirrors and I have laid out all the cards. Masque can tell me all she wants about how I don’t listen, and I don’t understand, but every word I’ve uttered has been the truth. Go ahead, you can search through this entire thing, play it back in slow motion, put the captions at the bottom of the screen. Masque will do what cult leaders always do, deflect, spin, and move the goal posts. It’ll just be in very well-constructed rambling sentences to help her. And in the end, it will be for nothing.
I listened, and I understand perfectly. I just see through all the bullshit because I’ve been there before.
I have built my legacy, my career, on beating people like Masque. I have made this my house, by beating people who come here and disrespect it. People would kill for that Bombshell’s Internet championship, and Masque treats it like garbage. That is the level of disrespect she has shown, and so, I will take that from her, along with everything else, at Summer XXXtreme. I will watch all of it fall to pieces.
I am the truth, and I hurt.
I am the hope, and I live.
I am the champion, and I will stay that way.
But please, call me the Hero. It’s a role I gladly accept. I will be that hero again. It’s what I do.
But we’re just getting started.
