Hi, everyone. Welcome back again to One-Man. I know it's been a while, but like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the new Terminator Movie; I'm back. Speaking of films, we sadly lost another great actor this week in the form of Bob Hoskins best known for Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Rest in peace, Bob. But speaking of Terminator, I'm actually doing a double feature chapter today wherein we reveal something happening to Doug that previously happened to Ali which ironically ties in with some recent news of a certain star joining the new film. Read this chapter and the next and you'll see who I'm talking about. Hope you enjoy this little treat. Oh, and I own NOTHING. This is for fan-purposes only, so PLEASE don't sue!
I could hardly believe how popular I was becoming. I heard that the first super hero to go public got an overnight sensation. My popularity felt almost the same, but it was so much that I wasn't even focused on it.
Sure, there were some people in the government who disagreed with my ideas, but surprisingly, most of the city population seemed to accept me for a superhero. I had even yet to see a cop who whenever I intervened, raised a gun to my head. Fortunately, I was able to escape this crazy vigilante this one time and give him the old-school style Super Hero slip by kicking him in the head and then changing quickly in an alleyway. I had enough time to change and leave undetected. Let me tell you, it's all the more satisfying when the people who are chasing you walk past you. I almost had to stop myself from laughing at how much fun this was getting. Shortly afterwards, the cops came courtesy of Ms. Adriene and arrested him. I was getting into being seen as a superhero.
And the merchandizing.
Oh dear god the merchandizing.
Everywhere I went now I could see people selling One-Man T-Shirts, mugs, and even freaking calendars with photos taken of me from my heroics on the internet…There was even going to be a comic book series about me coming soon!
But all that couldn't compare to what I was about to find out today.
Right now, I was in the middle of lunch with Billy, when his iPhone rang.
"Gotta check this…" He said, reaching into his pocket and pulling his phone out.
He looked at it as his eyes widened.
"No. Freaking. Way." He said.
"What?" I asked, looking over his shoulder.
I read what was on there as my eyes widened.
….
Later…
"They're doing a movie about you?" Ms. Adriene asked, throwing a right punch to my head which I blocked.
"Yeah." I said, swiping my leg around, as she jumped over it, "I thought you'd be more happy for me."
"I am a little." She said, "But I don't want you to be focused on the merchandising. Remember what we talked about."
"I know, I know…" I assured her, as she did a karate kick at me which I blocked, "I'm just…this is supposed to be a motion picture film they're doing about me…One-Man…I just want to know how you handled it when you found out that someone was going to do a TV Movie about you."
Ms. Adriene sighed with a smile. One of the rare things she tended to discuss with me was the time someone decided to do a TV Movie based on her character, which is how she got the Black Widow comic signed by Scarlett Johansson. Apparently, some nut jobs were trying to attack the set, but Ms. Adriene managed to avert it with some help and ended up bumping into Scarlett a few minutes afterwards. It was then that Ms. Adriene made up a lie that she was interviewing a friend on the movie, and Scarlett actually gave her a few first-insider info about the film, and even was kind enough to sign the comic to her.
Ms. Adriene just shook her head before speaking.
"I'll be honest with you, Doug." She said, "I didn't know how to handle it, and I'm not sure I remember how I even did. It was just like…I hadn't been a superheroine that long, and already it seemed like people wanted to merchandize me. I was too inexperienced then to realize what it would all mean as my legacy."
I swung a fist at her head as she managed to block in with her palm and then twist my hand behind my back. I kicked her in the knee and she went down allowing me to do a backflip behind her and get her in a choke-hold.
"Nice work." She said, clapping her hands as I let go, "But why do I get the feeling you're going to ask me for something?"
"Look…" I said, "I heard they're going to announce the actor who's going to portray One-Man this Saturday."
"Uh-Huh." Ms. Adriene nodded, motioning for me to go on.
"But my parents don't get the channel they're showing it on…" I said, "So…would you mind if I hung out at your place and watched it?"
Ms. Adriene looked a little bit suspicious, but sighed.
"Well…" She said, "You did beat me again in our training, so alright. But you gotta promise you won't be obsessed over it."
"Right." I nodded.
…...
Third Person POV…
Meanwhile…
In a high-rise building, another training session was taking place. Although this was one that wasn't for heroes at all, and certainly wasn't as ethical.
The building in question was worth billions of dollars and had many different floors that contained various rooms ranging from factory areas to business rooms. However, one particular room was located behind a locked door that only the most privileged members of the building could enter if they had a certain key card to enter.
Behind the locked door was a gymnasium of some type, with a giant boxing ring in the center. Currently, the room was being used to train people but not for the greater good.
Currently, there was a lone woman mercilessly beating upon a large man who looked like he might have been both pumping iron and using steroids at the same time. The woman was thin, yet well-built, and wore a costume which consisted of black gloves and boots along with a black-colored full-body suit. The suit had a belt drawn across the waist, and in the center of the suit was a large 'B' written in red.
Although the girl seemed much lighter than her opponent, she was mercilessly beating upon him by hitting him in places like the neck, kneecaps, and elbows. She was tactically disabling him with a series of pressure points, which were working with a well-placed punch or kick to the certain area.
As she slammed a her foot into the man's kneecap, she heard the sound of clapping, as she stopped.
Looking behind her, she saw a man dressed in a long white coat and hat to conceal his face. This was the man who gave her these benefits.
"That'll be all." He said, "I think it's time we begun the first phase of our operation."
"Sweet!" The Bitch smiled, "So what's our first move?"
"Our first move is that we take down the newest so-called 'Super Hero' who has popped up in Florida." The Man said, reaching into his pocket and revealing a photo of a super-hero.
The Bitch looked at it and saw it was someone with tan skin, wearing a white shirt underneath a jean jacket, with a white eye-mask and red sneakers. He also had a red cape attached to his back.
"This is One-Man, he is apparently the first super hero ever to appear since the ban on Superheroes."
"I know." The Bitch said, "I heard about it on the news recently."
"But that was after you retired, wasn't it?" The man asked, "So, if you don't mind…"
He sat down with her and took out an old tape recorder.
"What's that for?" The Bitch asked.
"It's a testimony, if you will." He said, "I'm building an army and people need to see why they don't have to be afraid of not being a supervillain anymore. So if you would, please; explain your backstory. Starting from the beginning."
The Bitch sighed as she began.
….
The Bitch's POV…
"I don't have that much to say. I was just a girl in High School as a freshmen when this all began. I wasn't popular, but I wasn't bullied. I was just of the ones who didn't exist. I guess some people would take that as a blessing.
One day, I met a guy named Jim. He was sweet, and best of all, I was actually able to talk to him! I finally had a friend.
My parents were overly-religious, however, and thought I was messing around with him. I was too young to understand that they didn't want me to make any bad decisions in life. But I was the one who was acting the fool, as I constantly ignored their protests, and I kept seeing him.
One night, on my graduation, I decided I would finally do it with him. Like I said, I was young and I wasn't thinking this all the way through. All we did was just make love in his bedroom all night while his parents were gone.
It was during the summer that I realized what had happened. I kept getting morning sickness and it only meant one thing. I was now pregnant with his kid.
My parents learned of this and threw one of the greatest fucking rages in the world. They threw me out of the house, and I went to Jim's to try and make a life with him. Unfortunately, he had to drop school and one day got a bad case of a cold by working for a fast-food joint as one of the movers."
…
Third Person POV…
"Which is where you became involved with The Motherfucker." The Mystery man explained.
"Yes." The Bitch said through her gritting teeth.
…
The Bitch's POV…
"At a young age, I actually took a martial arts class. I also happened to know Chris D'Amico as he would always pass by me in my school whenever he and his Dad came to make sure drug deals were going on okay when nobody looked.
I guess Chris found out about me because when my water broke, he actually came to me as the so-called 'Motherfucker' and actually got me to a hospital which allowed me to have my baby. He then told me that if I worked for him, he would actually pay for me and Jim so we could both live like millionaires.
How could I refuse that?
I took the name of 'The Bitch' and ended up fighting American Woman per-Chris's instructions. Of course, Chris failed to mention to me that I was just shooting practice for his cousin.
I confronted Chris about this, and slapped him across the face. In retribution, he threw me out, giving me a one-way ticket here. He made it a point to also put a hit on me saying to his guards that if I ever came back to New York, I'd be shot on site. I never even got a chance to say goodbye to Jim or my husband."
…
Third Person POV…
"Tell me," The man asked, "Are you at all familiar with the works of William Shakespeare?"
"Not really," The Bitch admitted, "I mean, I know the guy, but I don't read a lot of his works."
"There's an old phrase of his that your story makes me think of." He explained, "In his classic tale of 'As You Like It,' there is a scene from the first part of the second act which says 'Sweet are the uses of adversity. Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head; and this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.'"
"I don't understand." The Bitch admitted.
"It's alright." The man admitted, "What I'm getting at is that you and I are not that different. I too understand what it is like to be cut off by a superior from the ones you love."
"Really?" The Bitch asked.
"It's one of the reasons I sought you out." The man said, "No person just quits as quickly as you did."
The Bitch smiled.
"Thank you." She said.
"Good." The Man said, turning off the tape recorder, "Now let us discuss our plans for One-Man…"
…
Abby's POV
Abby's Apartment,
Later That Saturday…
I smiled as I worked on a report for college on my laptop.
Doug was there also, having gotten the permission from his parents to hang out. He was finishing up some math problems as I worked also. We had the TV all set and ready to show the premiere unveiling of who would be playing One-Man.
"So…" Doug asked, "I know we don't usually talk about this, but I just gotta know…Scarlett Johanson; how did you meet her?"
I chuckled as I looked over at the comic which I had decided to put on my windowsill. Scarlett's words were still written on there with the words 'To Abby; The Best! Scarlett Johanson."
"Well," I said, "Basically, after I found out the fact that she would be playing me, some...people informed me that someone tried to attempt attacking the American Woman TV Movie Set. To make a long story short, me and these people got sorted out thanks to some help, and before I could leave, I heard someone call out to me. I turned and saw Scarlett walking towards me. You know, this, though, Doug."
He smirked.
"It's just amazing that you got to meet her before the Avengers. That one never gets old no matter how many times I hear it." He explained, "Is she as awesome in real life as she is in the Marvel films?"
"She signed my copy didn't she?" I smirked.
Finally, the news report came on and the talkshow host appeared on the screen.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen;" He said, "The moment that you've been waiting for. We are bringing to you the news of the One-Man Movie. Apparently, the identity of the actor playing the real-life superhero has been kept a secret for a while now. People can finally stop speculating as we are ready to reveal the actor's identity here tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the actor who will play One-Man on the big-screen…"
Suddenly, there was a burst of static.
"WHAT?!" We both asked.
"What happened?!" Doug asked, worriedly.
"I don't know!" I declared.
Suddenly, an image came into view. It was one I had hoped I'd never see again.
"What?" I asked, "No…"
"This is a message to One-Man." She said, "You don't know me, but I know you…You can call me 'The Bitch.' I've traveled a long way, and endured much to be here. However, I have only one request for you. I've heard you're a pretty good fighter. But I'm not buying it until I see it myself. So I ask you to please come to the Floridian Wonders Hotel Construction Site currently being built by Jamille Drive. If you fail to show up, then know that the lives of five construction workers with family members will be on your consciousness after 9:00 tonight."
With that, the TV turned off, and we had already missed the announcement.
But I didn't care about that right now. One of my old enemies had returned and was challenging Doug to a fight.
….
Doug's POV…
I looked at Ms. Adriene, as her expression seemed as if someone had walked all over her grave.
"Ms. Adriene?" I asked, "Are you okay?"
"No." She said, shaking her head, "I am far from okay."
"Who was that woman?" I asked.
"A face I hoped to never see again." She replied.
"You know her?!" I asked, amazed.
"She was the second supervillain I ever faced." Ms. Adriene replied, "I haven't seen her since one night I almost wish never happened."
I wanted to ask what she meant, but my conscious told me not to, so I let it drop for now, and focus on the other problem at hand.
"Ms. Adriene…" I asked, "That woman…she said that there were hostages she was holding."
"And we're going to rescue them." Ms. Adriene replied, "I was hoping some more time had passed before our first supervillain, but we're going in, Doug."
I nodded. I hated the fact that we missed the announcement of who would be playing me, but that didn't matter right now. Innocent lives were being put at risk and it seemed like me and Ms. Adriene were the only ones who could stop it.
…
Third Person POV…
Meanwhile, a mysterious figure was running past the street, trying to get to where the construction site was.
He was dressed in a Japanese robe, and wore a white hood which concealed his face. On his back was a Katana held in a holster. He had started up his own website a few days ago, in order to start up his own Super-Hero career.
It was only just recently that he found out about this challenge to Florida's new super hero, One-Man, and because of it, he figured One-Man would need all the help he could get.
….
Meanwhile…
In another area across town, there was a man leaving his house when he stopped. His motorcycle was gone.
"Honey?" He asked, "Where's my motorcycle?"
….
Meanwhile…
Said motorcycle was currently being driven by a young girl. She looked around 13-Years-Old, wearing a green one-piece swimsuit underneath green pants, with green gloves, and a sparkling green overcoat. Her long red hair seemed to flow in the wind as she weaved her way in-and-out of traffic, trying to get to the location she heard that One-Man would be at.
For she also knew that he would need all the help he could get.
Two new heroes were about to collide with One-Man's world.
….
And there we have it! One-Man is ready to face The Bitch, and we have two new heroes entering the fray. These two characters are about to become part of One-Man's life, and starting with the next chapter, we're about to learn a whole lot more about them!