[Roxi and the remaining heroes have tracked down Otto Heimlich’s location. ]
Roxi – This is the place?
Mr. Freedom – This is it.
Roxi – Good.
[Cautiously, the group enters and begins their search. Finding nothing of note, the group regroups in the middle of the room. ]
Roxi – Anything?
Mr. Freedom – I don’t think he’s here.
[ From the shadows, Otto is spotted and begins to flee. ]
Mr. Freedom – THERE! Savage!
[ The hero Savage morphs into a cheetah and runs down Otto and drags him back to the group. ]
Otto Heimlich – You have no right!
Roxi – Mr. Heimlich, I’m going to need a favor from you.
Otto Heimlich – I’d rather die!
Roxi – Or, we could just turn you in.
[Otto’s eyes widen. ]
Otto Heimlich – You wouldn’t…
Roxi – Try me.
[ A moment passes. ]
Otto Heimlich – What do you need?
Roxi – You’re going to open a portal for me to go back to my own reality. And bring Dorian Prime back here.
Otto Heimlich – It’s not that simple. I –
Roxi – It is that simple. Unless you want to end up in front of a firing squad, you’re going to do it.
[Otto sighs. ]
Otto Heimlich – He’ll kill me.
Mr. Freedom – We’ll be here. She’s the only one going back.
[ Otto looks around, then shrugs in agreement. ]
Otto Heimlich – I…I’ll need a few moments.
[ Time passes and Roxi stands waiting as Otto begins his ritual. ]
Otto Heimlich – This portal will only be open for a short time. You must do the switch as soon as possible.
Roxi – Fine.
[Mr. Freedom approaches. ]
Mr. Freedom – I.. I just wanted to thank you for helping us. You’re speech will be remembered, and we’ll share it with the future.
Roxi – It was nothing. And thanks for helping me out. I couldn’t have done this without you.
[ The portal opens as the two shake hands. ]
Otto Heimlich – Now!
[ Roxi dives through the portal and winds up behind Dorian as he is about to destroy a building. He turns and sees her. ]
Dorian Prime – What?!
Roxi – Sorry, but you don’t belong here!
[ Roxi grabs a surprised Dorian and tosses him into the portal. Afterwards, the portal closes. Roxi looks around and everything looks familiar. But she has to check. She opens his wrist communicator. ]
Roxi – Vision?
[ Vision appears on the screen. ]
Vision – Rox…what the hell happened?
Roxi – You’re never gonna believe it.
I did it. I’m back.
<HR>
[ Finally back in her own reality. Roxi sits on a rooftop peering out into the distance. She looks around for a few moments, taking in that the city is still in one piece, despite Dorian Prime being released. She stands and begins her patrol, dashing across rooftops with ease due to her athletic background. As she dashes around, she notices a familiar face standing on the adjacent rooftop. ]
What the? … Sgt. Hate?
[ Roxi stops in her tracks as Hate just stares at her, a knowing smile on his face. ]
Something's not right.
Roxi – Hate, what are you doing here? Didn’t I put you in jail?
[ Hate says noting, simply stands and staring. ]
Roxi – What is it this time? Money? Drugs?
[ Hate continues to keep the stoic approach ]
Roxi – Okay, the silent treatment, did I forget your birthday?
Sgt. Hate – No. I’m just taking in the night air. Not harming anyone.
Roxi – That’s a lie and you know it.
[ Hate throws his arms up in mock surrender. ]
Sgt. Hate – Okay, you got me. I was waiting for you.
Roxi – Awww, that’s precious. What gives?
Sgt. Hate – I was told to give you this.
[ Hate reaches into his pocket and produces a piece of paper. He folds it up and tosses it in Roxi’s direction. ]
Roxi – What is this?
Sgt. Hate – It’s from my employer. He wants to meet you. I argued with him about crushing you myself, but, the sad truth is, he wants to do it himself. He wants you to go to that address.
Roxi – Why should I believe any of this?
Sgt. Hate – The mere fact that I haven’t attacked you. If I was doing this my way, I’d of destroyed you by now. But, we’re doing this, his way.
[ Hate turns and begins walking away. Roxi peers down at the paper and reads the address. She intently watches as Hate jumps down from the rooftop in one motion, into a waiting vehicle and drives off. ]
This is obviously a trap. But, I’ve got to make up for last time.
[ Arriving at the address Roxi crept through the unknown hallway where she was. Perhaps this was one of her worst enemies holding this spot down for a new lair, and a new plan for world domination. She had to put a stop to it. She moved quietly, avoiding setting off any alarms or making too much noise. She didn’t want to get caught before she figured out what was going on.
She made her way down the empty hallways, keeping an eye out for any cameras. She didn’t see any. Finally she rounded a bend, and the hallway lead to one door.]
Roxi – Well, I guess this is it.
[ Taking a deep breath and opening the door slightly, and then creeping into it. It was also empty.]
Roxi – Huh. Weird.
[ She placed her hands on her hips, almost in disappointment. She quickly scanned the room with her eyes. Nothing. ]
Roxi – Pfft. This was a total waste of time.
I’ll bet Hate did this to throw me off while he plots the real caper.
Voice – Not quite.
[ A male voice from behind her said. He had crept into the room after she did. Lady Bedlam turned quickly, assuming a fighting stance. When she saw who it was, she relaxed. ]
Roxi – Wally? What’s the big idea? This is serious business. You can get hurt doing this.
[Wally’s face was turning red. He had always wanted to be a big shot, but neither the hero or villain world would respect him. Turning to crime was his feeble attempt to gain respect. And now Lady Bedlam was still treating him like a nobody.]
Wally – Shut up! I’ve captured you. All by myself.
Roxi – What? Captured? Come on, Wally. This can’t be your plan. I’m not captured at all. In fact, I can walk out of here any time I want.
Wally – This was all my plan. I did it. I’m going to defeat you once and for all. Right here. Right now.
Roxi – Wally…seriously. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m cutting you a break. You hired Hate for this?
Wally – No! We’re gonna fight right now!
Roxi – Wally, I…if you insist.
[ She threw her arms up and assumed a fighting stance again.]
Roxi – I hope you know this almost classifies as child abuse.
[Wally was no child. Sure, an overweight, fat man-child in his early 30’s. But he was far from a kid. He wasn’t athletic, he wasn’t mobile, he wasn’t strong and he couldn’t take a punch.
Wally put up his hands to fight too. Roxi looked as if she felt sorry for the poor kid. She was half-hearting this, trying to see if she could get Wally to not go through with this. ]
Wally – C’mon! Fight me!
Roxi – Okay… Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
[Roxi continued to circle Wally and finally threw her punch….and to her dismay, Wally caught her fist with his open palm. Shock and surprise etched themselves on her face under her mask. Wally smiled at her.]
Wally – Warned me about what?
[He effortlessly grabbed her arm and flung her across the room. She landed on her butt, more embarrassed than hurt. She quickly stood up.]
Roxi – Okay Wally. I’m done playing around.
Wally – Fine by me
[ Roxi slowly approached again, this time going for a side kick, but incredibly, Wally caught her foot. She hopped around on one foot looking at him, bewildered. He swung her around and she crashed into the wall. ]
What’s going on? It’s just Wally. I don‘t get it.
Wally – Had enough?
Roxi – Wally, this isn’t funny anymore.
Time to quit playing around.
[Roxi cautiously approached again, and this time, with lightning like speed, she threw a kick and overhand punch, and a spinning elbow…All of which Wally effortlessly blocked, and trapped her in an arm twist. He wrenched her arm, causing her to yelp in pain. ]
Wally – Did that hurt? I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you.
[He pushed her away and she fell to the ground. Her arm was aching, and she looked back at him as he was rubbing his hands together, ready for the next round.]
He’s toying with me. I can’t believe his strength. But this is Wally…
[She slowly got up, and dusted herself off.]
Roxi – Nice trick Wally. What? Take a strength hormone or something?
Wally – No. This is the real me! Now, come over her so I can finish you.
[ Roxi cautiously approached, knowing the strength of her opponent. But this time, he rushed her with a tackle that send her flying across the room, and even to his own shock, through the wall, into the next room. Rubble and debris flew everywhere, and there was no sign of Roxi anywhere. Wally walked into the room, and effortlessly tossed a few piles of rubble before seemingly unearthing a semi-conscious Lady Bedlam. Her red hair now protruding through a large tear in the mask. Her costume was ripped open, revealing her bra underneath. She was barely moving. Wally dragged her body out from the rubble back into the original room. She lay there, writhing in pain.]
Wally – Now, I’m going to end this.
[He snatched her up by the hair and costume. She stood defenseless and he threw punches to her face. Each blow was like a sledgehammer. She moaned, groaned, and cringed in pain with the force of each blow. First the face, then the gut. After each blow, She collapsed to the ground, his free arm holding her and pulling her back up, ready to deliver more punishment.]
Roxi – W…Wa…Wally…
[ Another blow to the face. Roxi was out on her feet. Wally then pulled her up for another punch, but simply let her go as she collapsed to the ground. She wasn’t going anywhere. Wally finally measured his last blow, a solid boot to the face that put Roxi out of her misery. Wally slung Roxi’s body over his shoulder and walked out.
He had beaten her. ]
[Roxi slowly awoke, still in a lot of pain from the beating she received. Her eyes slowly began to focus, but the room was spinning, and nothing was clear. The room was dimly lit, and her arms were tied over her head with handcuffs. As she starting stirring, she noticed she had now been unmasked, de-belted, and de-booted. Nothing was sacred to Wally. She looked around and could see very little. And for the first time, really ever, Roxi was in a state of panic. She was scared. She had been beaten, soundly, in that fight with Wally. He had done this to her, and she was now caught, with no real plan for escape or for that matter, survival. Roxi tested the cuffs. They were tight, possibly brand new. She wasn’t going to break them.
Wally then smugly entered the room looking at her.]
Wally – Well, that was certainly fun. Oh don’t worry, I didn’t …you know.
[ Roxi scoffed in disgust. ]
Wally – But I did a thorough check. Oh yes. You are defenseless now.
Roxi – Just let me go…
[ Wally scoffed at her. ]
Wally – Let you go? Ha! I spent a lot of time planning this, and now, I’ve got you right where I want you, and I’m just supposed to let you go?
Roxi – Wha…what...do you want from me?
Wally – My face on the one dollar bill. Hehehe. No, that was a joke. I want you to do something for me.
Roxi – What?
Wally – I want you to admit defeat. Admit that I beat you.
[ Roxi looked away from Wally in defiance. She panted as she pondered the request. It made her angry, filled her with rage. But it subsided because the simple fact was…he was right. He did beat her. But admitting defeat was not in the hero vocabulary. You never give up. You never surrender. You try to find something, anything to get yourself out of a hopeless situation.
Except this time, there wasn’t anything. No hope. She realized that she had one alternative option: keep him talking, and maybe he’d slip up. ]
Roxi – And if I do…you will let me go?
[ Wally stroked his chin, in mock thought. ]
Wally – Perhaps.
Roxi – Then what good is my surrender? You’re just going to kill me anyway.
Wally – Kill? Heavens no. I’m not going to kill you. Why would I want to do that?
Roxi – What do you gain from this then?
Wally – The personal satisfaction that I beat you. The defeat of a superhero looks good on a resume. More importantly, keeping you alive, means you live with it for the rest of your days.
Roxi – You’re insane.
Wally – I’ve been called worse.
Roxi – And…if I don’t surrender?
[Wally chuckled.]
Wally – Then you rot down here. You may have your pride, your dignity, but you will simply be left. Perhaps I’ll let you watch while the city burns. I’ll let you see what I do, and you will be helpless to stop it. So really, the choice is yours. Live with the deaths of thousands on your watch, or live with the shame of defeat. I hope you make the right choice.
Roxi – I’ll never admit it..
[ Wally sighed, got up and walked away. He shut the door behind him, and Roxi was practically in the dark. She struggled and wriggled and bucked in every direction, she made no progress. There wasn’t anything she could really do.
Time seemed to have no more meaning. Roxi was all alone, and hopeless. She was desperate. And when she was her most desperate, she finally came up with an idea. It was not going to be pretty, but it was at least something. After tilting her head and putting a lot of her own hair in her mouth, She took a deep breath and pulled with her left hand and wrist against the cuff. She tugged and stretched, gaining minimal ground, but she knew what had to be done. She pulled and grimaced and moaned in pain as the cuffs pulled skin off her hand, digging into her flesh. She took another mighty deep breath and pulled. Straining, moaning, grunting, in a lot of pain as finally, the audible “crack” was heard. Roxi’s eyes widened in pain as the force has broken her thumb. Her left hand slipped out of the cuff and dangled uselessly as she yelled in pain, but muffled it by biting down on her hair. The right hand dropped from the position still in okay shape, but with the cuffs still on. She felt around for what she could, finding a piece of cloth. She stuck it in her mouth, and yelled in pain. The important part was she was free, but she was in a lot of pain, and still in the dark.
But she finally caught a little bit of a break. Wally hadn’t heard her, so she would have at least the element of surprise on her side. She stood up, and slid behind where the door would open. She paused and waited. ]
This has to be done right. Now to get him here.
Roxi – Okay Wally, you…you win.
[ She yelled at the top of her lungs, and soon the approaching footsteps of Wally were heard. ]
Wally – Are you ready?
Roxi – …Yes.
[Wally slowly opened the door and turned on the light. Roxi was concealed by the door as Wally peeked in, and noticed Roxi was gone. ]
Wally – What the?
[ Roxi kicked the door back into Wally’s face, and as he stumbled back, Roxi charged and dipped her shoulder and ram him into the way, Wally hit the back of his head on the wall and slumped down, disoriented. Roxi kicked him in the face and ran out the door, desperately looking for an escape. She turned back and closed the door, then ran down the corridor to where she assumed Wally had come from. She shouldered the door open and her items were laying on a table. ]
Finally.
[ She frantically grabbed her belt and opened one of the pouches. Inside was a distress beacon. She pushed it. A brief moment of relief washed over her. But she still wasn’t out of trouble. She had to do something. And for the one of the first times in her life, she knew she had to hide. She could not, especially in her current condition, fight this enemy. Roxi looked around and made her exit and ran to an empty room and closed the door behind her, used the push button lock and slid down. ]
Somebody…help me.
[The time passed slowly, as Roxi just hid, trying to keep herself alive. She couldn’t figure out why all of this was happening, but she was waiting and hoping that someone would come to her rescue.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, a group of heroes finally discovered her and rescued her. Wally was taken in custody by the guild and Roxi spent days in the rejuvenation tank mending her wounds. When she came out, she returned home.
She sat at home, like a bump of a log, doing nothing but watching day time television. Vision finally appeared on her computer screen. ]
Vision – Are you okay?
Roxi – No.
Vision – I know this is tough. I think the guild is going to give you some time.
Roxi – I don’t need it.
Vision – I don’t understand.
Roxi – It’s over, Vision.
Vision – What are you talking about? What’s over?
Roxi – My career. It’s done. I can’t do this anymore.
Vision – Is this about Wally?
Roxi – It’s about everything! I just can’t do it anymore okay? I can’t. It’s all finally caught up with me. I’ve failed. I can’t cut it anymore.
Vision – You just need to think clearly. It’s a rough stretch.
Roxi – No Vision, for the first time in a while, I am thinking clearly. This isn’t a rough patch, this isn’t a streak of bad luck. This is what was bound to happen. I’ve failed so many times. Clint. Claire. Andrea. It all makes sense.
Vision – Rox, you’re only human.
Roxi – I’m supposed to be the hero. And it’s quite evident, I’m not. Not anymore. So you can tell the Guild I’m done. Lady Bedlam is no more. It’s time to stop, before someone else get hurt.
[ Angrily, Roxi closes down the computer window. She walks into her bedroom with her costume laying on the bed. She looks at it, and picks up the items and throws them into the closet. She breathes seemingly a sigh of relief. ]
<HR>
This is it. I’m free. My life as a hero is over. No more secrets, no more hiding. Exactly like a normal person’s life is supposed to be.
But it really wasn’t Wally who did this. It was Gothika. She changed me. She made me see exactly what I was doing wrong and this is how I should fix it. 3 different times, she’s left me laying in the ring, licking my wounds, and thinking that there was something I was missing. She had me thinking that I was just a step behind and that if I did something differently, I could win. None of that was true. If anything, I was doing too much. I can’t play the hero anymore. I’ve failed against Gothika. I can’t beat her like this. I’m not going to demand or request any title shots against her any time soon. I shouldn’t be in consideration for any title shots at this point. After these two attempts ended with Gothika doing as she said she would do, standing over my broken body, it’s time to face the truth. It’s over.
Now it’s time to move on with my life and career. To just be normal. It’s time to have fun, get drunk, get laid, do things regular people do. Why not? Havent’ I earned it? I played the hero for so long, my idea of fun was getting into fist fights with super powered criminals. What kind of life is that? It’s not a life I want to live.
So I choose to do what needed to be done.
And simply walking down this street right now, I feel different. I feel normal. No more prowling around on rooftops, and trying to be something I’m not.
Now I signed up for the Blast from the Past tournament a while back, after making it to the finals last year. But there’s no Gabriel this time, and everything has changed. So I think I’ve picked the perfect time to make mine own change. It’s me and Argento. Not a bad pairing since he was at one point Roulette champion. But we have the unenviable task of facing not only Emma Rose, who just won the tag team titles from Misty and Vixen, but the world champion himself, Giani Di Luca. More of a reason to doubt my own chances, but the odds haven’t been in my favor for a while. I’ve let down too many people in the past, and I have to start making up for that with this match. Winning the Blast from the Past tournament is something I had a chance to do last year, and I let down Gabriel. I’m not going to do that with Argento.
I teamed with Emma Rose before and it was quite successful, and I saw that she was very skilled in the ring. She’s packing gold right now and I have a feeling that it’s just the beginning for her. And now I’m tasked with holding up my end and beating her in the ring. I feel confident I can do that, but that would not have been the same if I was that old me. I would be marveling at her skills and just loving the fact that I get to test my own abilities against her. But now, it’s all different. There’s no need to sugarcoat this anymore and play nice.
I know I can beat Emma Rose now because of the weight off my back. I was weighed down trying to save the world and play nice. I tried, and that life just isn’t for me anymore. Now, I have everything I need to just concentrate on winning this match. No worries, no villains hoping to kill me prior. Everything is just the way it should be. And me being focused, is exactly why I believe that we will win. I’m here for the long run Argento, you can count on me. Emma Rose is a fine wrestler, but I will hold up my end and be better than she is. And although some will call it an upset, we can win despite all of that.
Giani is the world champion for a reason, and he really has built a reputation and a legacy, but Argento, all it takes is one off night, and a champion can be beaten. I know that all too well. We only need one chance Argento. One chance can make all the difference. Then all bets are off.
So I am prepared for this match. It’s a fresh start, and a new beginning. No more worries. My new career starts now, and what a better way to kick it off, then with a win.
The hero life is all but over.
The winning life has begun.
<HR>
[We flash to a bar, with Roxi sitting at the bar, a bowl of pretzels in front of her as she looks out at the mass of people having a good time. The bartender eyes her and heads down to her end.]
Bartender – You okay?
Roxi – Better than ever.
Bartender – Don’t think I’ve ever seen you in here before.
Roxi – I’ve never been in here before.
Bartender – You new in town?
Roxi – Been here for a long time. Just…never checked this place out.
Bartender – So, why the long face?
Roxi – Things have been hard lately.
Bartender – Story of a lot of people in her tonight. Drink to forget.
Roxi – Is that why they do it?
Bartender – Some of ‘em. Not all.
Roxi – I’d like to forget a lot of things.
Bartender – Pretty girl like you? What kind of problems do you have?
Roxi – Don’t get me started. It’s complicated.
Bartender – Fair enough. But you’ve been here for a long time now, and you’ve finished 3 bowls of pretzels. Seems to me like you want to forget, but you don’t want to drink. So why come here?
Roxi – I… I don’t know. Seems like a regular thing to do.
[ The bartender sighs and shrugs before filling up a glass. He slides it in front of Roxi’s place.]
Bartender – Here. One for you. On the house.
[ Roxi stares at the drink, eyeballing it as if it were some sort of science project. She calmly takes the glass in her hand and swishes it around in the glass.]
Bartender – It’s not wine. It’s just a beer.
[ Roxi stares back at the bartender, unsure of what she’s going to do. Finally, a young woman walks in and makes a beeline for Roxi, just as she turns the drink up towards her lips. ]
Woman – No!
[ She snatches the drink away from Roxi and places it back on the table.]
Woman – What are you doing?
Roxi – What are you doing?
Woman – I know you. It’s why I came back.
Roxi – What in the heck are you talking about?
[ The woman leans in, whispering so only Roxi can hear her. ]
Woman – I know who you are.
[ Roxi leans her head back stares at her.]
Roxi – That’s nice.
Woman – You’re Roxi Johnson.
Roxi – Maybe. What does it matter to you?
Woman – I came here to help you.
Roxi – I don’t need any help.
Woman – Judging by this place. I caught you in the nick of time.
Roxi – What are you talking about?
Woman – You are better than this.
Roxi – Says you. Who are you to judge me?
Woman – I told you, I know who you are.
[ The woman again leans in. ]
Woman – Lady Bedlam.
[ Roxi’s eye widen as she instantly gets up and exits the bar, and begins walking away. The unknown woman giving chase. ]
Woman – Stop.
Roxi – Leave me alone.
[ Roxi turns around, when they are away from the majority of the people ]
Roxi – Listen, I don’t know who you are, or how you know anything about Lady Bedlam, but forget it. I’m just fine thank you.
Woman – You gave up on her didn’t you?
Roxi – Maybe I did. Why do you care so much?
Woman – I have to tell you something. It’s important. My name is Dea Jaa. And I am from the future.
Roxi – Of course. Why not.
Dee Jaa – You don’t believe me?
Roxi – Well, it’s not the strangest thing I’ve ever heard, but still.
Dee Jaa – I’ve seen your future. It’s why I’ve come back. Something happened between your realities and now, everything seems to have changed.
Roxi – How do you know that?
Dee Jaa – Because the Roxi Johnson from the future isn’t like this. She’s a hero, one of the greatest of our time. But with the rifts altering the future, My Roxi is…different now. Something changed.
Roxi – Yeah, I woke up.
Dee Jaa – No, that’s not it.
Roxi – That was sarcasm.
Dee Jaa – Oh. Sorry. But you see why I came back. You are special, and you need to go back.
Roxi – This is ridiculous. You are not from the future, and I’m not special. Is this is some act by the Guild, then you can save the rest of your speech. I’m done.
[ Roxi turns to talk away. ]
Dee Jaa – You can’t leave!
Roxi – Watch me.
Dee Jaa – No!
[ Without thinking, Dee Jaa just speaks. ]
Dee Jaa – You’re going to go home and watch Golden Girls on your DVR. It’s the one where they have bowling competition, it's Dorothy and Blanche vs Rose and Sophia.
[ Roxi stops and turns around. ]
Roxi – How…did you know that?
Dee Jaa – Sorry. I had to say something. I just thought that was a small thing and not to give anything big away.
Roxi – Big?
Dee Jaa – I can’t disrupt the future too much. I just need you to listen to me.
[ Roxi looks around, sighs and shrugs. ]
Roxi – I’m listening, but until you prove something more concrete than a lucky guess o the Golden girls.
Dee Jaa – Thanks for being a friend to me.
Roxi – … Come on.
