Disclaimer: I do not own the Scott Pilgrim series or any of the characters mentioned in this story. All original characters and lines belong to Bryan Lee O'Malley and other respectable parties. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and not to be sold anywhere.
This is a work of fiction, any similarity or likeness to any events or persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
A/N: With finals and Fanime 2011 officially over, I now have free time to finish up this and other stories that I started halfway through my spring semester. Summer is a good time for stories and I have a lot of stories to tell. But first, let's finish this one.
Voice4TheMute Presents
"Do you guys here that?" Stephen asked as everyone in the waiting room perked their heads up. It wasn't loud…at least at first, but soon it got louder and louder. Stephen, Stacy, Neil, and Knives all moved towards the window that looked out of the hospital to see a black stretch limousine driving up to the front.
"Well, it's no ambulance. But who would come in a limousine?" Stacy said out loud as they tried their best to look down five stories to identify the person coming out of the limo. If it wasn't hard enough, flocks of people started to rush the car, all coming from the sidewalks as if they were following the it the entire time. Soon, it was hard to tell the person that came out of the limo from the people that crowded it.
"I…I can't see a thing. What's with the paparazzi? Who the hell is here?" Stephen asked as their heads started to dart around, trying to see who the famous person was.
"Envy…"
They all turned around to see Kim at the doorway, leaning against it.
In conjunction with TrixieStixs and paranioa456
"Envy? As in Envy Adams?"
"What is she doing here? I mean…why is she even here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Kim asked as she got off of the doorway and walked to an empty chair. "She's here to see Scott."
"Yeah but…why? I mean, she left him to be a big rock star." Stephen said as he sat back down. "She left Scott and me behind to go live it big. Why would she care about Scott now?"
"You really don't know women, Stephen. Sure, Scott and Envy's relationship may be over…but that doesn't mean that the connection isn't there. All relationships…no matter how messy, clean, hurtful, or enjoyable it was… it doesn't just disappear without a trace. Does it mean she still cares for him? I don't know…but if you knew someone that played a huge role in your life was dying, wouldn't you go see him?" No one responded right away. Mostly because they knew Kim was right. "…besides. I'm the one that called her."
"Wait, why?" Stephen asked.
"…maybe she needs to make her peace with him as well."
The Final Farewell 022: The Real Sadness
"This better be good Katie. You have some nerve calling me during my very busy schedule."
"It's Kim. And first of all, I wouldn't even dream of calling you if I didn't think it was important. Though killing your free time does seem like fun."
"Please get to the point. I have to be back in Montreal for a concert."
"…Scott Pilgrim is dying, Envy. He's at the Toronto Hospital in the main city."
I couldn't believe what I just heard. Was this some kind of sick joke? Some kind of trap? Maybe they were trying to pull a fast one on me so that they can talk to me or corner me to answer some questions. Well, whatever they're up to they won't get me that easily!
"What kind of joke is that? 'Scott is dying.' That is the most pathetic excuse to get me back in Toronto I've ever heard."
"Look Envy. I'm not saying you should come. Hell, I think everyone is better off that you don't come. I'm just saying, from a person that once held Scott close, that Scott is dying and if you want to see him before he passes on…"
"…"
"…then I suggest you get here ASAP."
And with that, the phone died and I was left alone in my room, my phone still pressed up against my ear. Was she really trying to pull a fast one on me? How did she get my number? I bet it was that gossipy bitch, Julie that gave her my number. I knew I shouldn't have given it to her. But her voice…something about it made it feel…real.
"Envy, the limo is good to go. Ready to go back to Montreal?" I heard my manager, Alex Ratul, say to me through my hotel door. I got up and walked to the door.
"Change of plans. I'm not going to Montreal."
"What? What about your show? We had a deal!"
"My friend is dying!" I yelled through the door. It was the first time I used that word in relation to Scott Pilgrim. It felt weird saying it, but it was an impulsive choice of words. "And I'm going to go see him!"
"Envy, you are on a schedule. If you duck out of this show, people will get upset. You'll lose fans. Popularity. Money."
"I don't care! Either I get to Toronto, or I don't go anywhere at all!" I yelled at him through the door. There was a moment of silence before I heard my manager's voice again.
"…fine! We'll go see your 'friend'. But only for thirty minutes you go that! Then back on the road!"
It wasn't the best bargaining I've done before, but it was a moral victory for me. Afterall, that was the first time I ever got what I wanted out of my manager in the years of knowing him.
"Envy? What are you doing here?"
The voice snapped me out of my trance as I saw Ramona Flowers, the girl that is currently dating Scott and also the girl that my lifelong friend Todd Ingram cheated on me with. Her face still makes my blood boil, but I guess I should give her the benefit of the doubt. Who knows what could be going through her head right now.
"I've come to see Scott."
"…why?"
"None of your business. Do I have to go ask the front desk for Scott's room number or will you be kind enough to give it to me?" I asked her, not wanting to wait around. Afterall, I'm on a time table now. Ramona continued to stare at me as I stared right back at her with the same intensity. Finally, she closed her eyes and turned her back towards me.
"Room 504."
"Thank you." I said to her as I walked towards the elevator and manage to catch an elevator right before it fully closed. I paid no attention to the people in the elevator that were adoring me, asking for my autograph, and taking pictures on their camera phone. My mind was set on seeing Scott.
Just because Ramona is here doesn't mean Scott is dying. He's probably overrating over something stupid…like he always does. There's no way to tell unless I see it for myself.
As the elevator made to the fifth floor, I headed straight to the room with the small posse of people that followed me from the elevator.
"Envy! I love you!"
"What are you doing here Envy? Are you seeing someone?"
"This place is a germ factory Envy! You need to get out of this disease hole and go somewhere that's clean!"
"WILL YOU STOP FOLLOWING ME?" I turned and yelled at the pack of people that were still following me. Usually these people don't annoy me. But this time…it was different. "I mean…please leave me alone. I'm here to see…a friend." I said to him as I saw that I was a few doors away from room 504. I made haste and quickly slipped behind the door and held it close with my body, making sure no one burst into the room.
"Envy! Who's in there? Is he ok?"
"Wait Envy! Let us in as well! We must keep you safe!"
"We love you Envy."
God damn, when did fans become sooo annoying?
"…Envy?"
The voice caught me off guard. I felt my eyes widen and my heart rate quicken as a familiar voice filled my head. I turned my head to see Scott Pilgrim looking at me, five or six machines currently monitoring his health…maybe even keeping him alive. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. Scott Pilgrim was dying. And here I am…completely unprepared to cope with it.
"Envy. What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? What am I doing here! I'm…" I started to yell but then I held it back. Scott didn't deserve a yelling. He was always oblivious to these things. But to be this dumb, even when his life is at stake, was hard to believe. "…I'm here to see you, you idiot." I said to him as I locked the door and started to make my way towards the chair that was next to his bed.
"Wow…I haven't seen you since Gideon. How've you-"
"Scott, what the hell is wrong with you? How did you end up like this?" I asked, interrupting his friendly ice breaker.
"I…I don't know. They told me that I got something that's slowly shutting down my body. Don't know if it's a virus or something. They didn't tell me much after that. Truthfully, I don't think they even know what is going on." Scott said to me as I took a seat next to him. I kept my arms and legs crossed as I stared coldy at him. "So you really came to see me, Envy?"
"…yes." I admitted to him. Now that I'm seeing Scott face to face, it was hard to keep the persona up. The persona of a fiercely independent person that is praised by many…hell, even worshiped. There was no need to be her…not in front of Scott. "A little red bird told me you were here."
"You mean a little blue bird." Scott tried to correct me but I shook my head.
"No…red. Definitely red." I said to him, averting my attention away from him.
"Well…Thanks Envy. It means a lot that-"
"Can you stop that? Please?"
"Stop what?"
"Envy. Stop calling me Envy. At least for today." I said to him. There was a moment of silence between us. He was confused but I couldn't tell for sure. I had my vision away from him. I knew if I continued to look at him in his weak, helpless state, then I would probably break down myself. "…It hurts sometimes when you say that to me."
"But you wanted me to call you that. Ever since college I-"
"Yes, I did want you to call me that. It had a nice ring to it. Envy Adams. It's just a stage name to disguise the true person behind it. I'm the envy of the world…people envy to be me. Envy Adams. The biggest thing to hit Canada since powdered milk." I vented as I kept my head low, thinking of what a name could do to a person's reputation.
"Ok…Natalie."
I felt nice hearing that name again. It felt really nice that Scott was saying it to me. The persona of Envy Adams was slowly fading away. The pop culture hit, Envy Adams, was slowly melting away…leaving behind Natalie V. Adams, the girl that once lived a very simple, if not dark, life. The sudden enjoyment of nerdy and anime-related things came back to me as I felt a smile crept up on my face as I looked back at Scott, feeling a lot better now that I can face him as the person I once was and not as the person that betrayed her best friends.
"Things were so simple back then. We were all freshmen, doing our own things. I just wanted to be left alone but my annoy roommate wanted to go out and 'see the world' as she liked to put it. Crazy, sightseeing, live-in-the-moment, type of girl Julie was. She did her best to include me into her little 'plans' and 'parties' but I've always been resilient to them. I just wanted to sit in my room and keep my life simple. As least that was the plan until I met you guys."
"Stephen and I met you through Julie. He brought us back to your room to see you eating Pocky and looking at web comics. You're room as so cluttered with nerdy stuff and your hair was amazingly long…" Scott said as I shook my head, mostly embarrassed on how I looked and acted back then.
"Truthfully, you two were as 'guy-ish' as anyone can get."
"What do you mean 'guy-ish'?"
"I mean you two were talking about girls, staring a band, talking about music…you know, acting like guys. Julie saw you two as a ticket to popularity. Boy was she off by a long shot. I saw you two as just meat heads that hung around Julie."
"Well she did feed us from time to time. And she was the only one that would hang out with us on campus. She really liked the idea of the band." Scott said to me as I nodded.
"She was completely sold on the idea. But she couldn't play. Well, correction…she couldn't play in front of a crowd. She had some basics of piano. You know…like everyday knowledge of a piano. Notes, how to read music, that kind of thing. She also had a keyboard in which she used to play for fun in the dorm room. She really wanted to join you guys but as the time, she really didn't feel comfortable playing in front of people…let alone me. Kinda ironic when you think about it."
"But then we heard you're singing one day."
"And that's when my life did a full back flip." I said, sighing a bit. "That's when my quiet life started its incline to becoming one of Canada's top signers and performers. You guys were walking back to the dorm room and you caught me singing to a song with my headphones on. You guys instantly started talking to me, wondering if I took any acting or singing lessons…"
"Then Stephen asked if you wanted to join our 'band'." Scott said.
"Heh, if you could consider it a band. Guitar, drums, vocals. No other instruments. Just three people with the desire to play. I was taken back by the offer. I never would have considered starting a band. I didn't even know the first thing about them. But I reluctantly joined because…" I started and then looked up at Scott. We made eye contact, but it was Scott that broke the connection.
"…yeah…"
"Never been in another relationship other than Todd. You just…I don't know…you just seem like a good guy. Maybe not as crazy or wild as Stephen, but you took things as they come. You rolled with the punches that life gave you. Lived in the moment, but cautious about the future at the same time. You had this eagerness about you that I liked…and I wanted to get to know you better. It may be a selfish reason to join the band…but then again what action isn't motivated by selfish desires. So I had Julie teach me the basics of her keyboard and I joined you guys, thinking it would be a healthy hobby to get into…and to get to know you better Scott."
"…but you betrayed us in the end."
It hurt to hear him say that. There were other words to describe what I did, but 'betrayed' was probably the worse yet accurate word to describe it.
"If you were in my shoes…" I started but then unable to finish my sentence. I knew Scott wouldn't have sold out his friends like I did. He wasn't doing it for the fame or the money. He and Stephen wanted to play. "…nevermind." I said, rubbing my face with my hand. "I guess what I'm trying to say is…I'm sorry." This caught Scott off guard. It must have. He didn't respond for a good two minutes.
"…you're sorry?"
"Take it at face value or not…but I am sorry. You know…for the band and stuff…" I said, looking away from him. "I actually owe you a lot more than you would know. It was because of the band that I got to where I am today. I'm not saying that what I did was ok. All I'm saying is that what I did…I did it for the band."
"So signing to a major label, adding more people to the band, abandoning Stephen and me…?"
"I'm sorry Scott. I really am. Whether or not you believe me is up to you."
"Well…by the sound of your voice you don't seem sorry." Scott said to me as I saw him shift his body away from me. It hurt to see him react that was towards me. But he has every right to act that way. I did asked people to join the band to add variety…I did sign the band to a major label…I did abandon Stephen and Scott to move the band forward. I took the dream and idea of a fun, rocking band away from them and molded it in a way that would benefit me. It was a selfish act…but then again what act isn't selfish. I looked at my watch and saw that my thirty minutes were almost up. Even though I didn't want to go, I still had a job I need to do.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry Scott…and thank you. Without you or Stephen's band idea, I wouldn't be where I am today. Also…I wanted to say sorry. For…everything." I told him as I got up and headed towards the door. "I just…wanted to make sure I saw the guy that knew me before…well, me."
"Natalie, wait."
"Yes Scott?"
"Was it really all for the band?"
"…of course. It was all for the band." I said to him. "Good-bye Scott. I'll be back in Toronto in a month. Try to stay alive." I unlocked the door and opened it, only to be greeted by the paparazzi again.
"Envy! Who's in there? Was it a friend? Tell us!"
"We love you Envy!"
"Envy, is it true that the person in there has terminal cancer and his last dying wish is for him to see you in person?"
Reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I could no longer be the exposed, soft person I was in that room. I had to become Envy Adams…the iconic image of Canada. A cool, sophisticated, bitchy person who thrives from the cries of her fans. It's my job to entertain. At least…now it's my job to entertain.
"It was a favor for a friend. That is all." I lied to them as I pushed my way past the crowd and started to walk down the hallway. The crowds of people were slowly coming up behind me. I quickly turned my head and glared at them which easily halted their progress. One of the most beneficial things about being popular is that a simple glare can ward off pesky fans. "I'm heading to the restroom. Don't you dare follow me!" I lied in a menacing way so that I can have a peaceful walk back to my car. The pack of people nodded in agreement as they slowly started to disperse.
What wrong with me. I can't even admit to the people that I'm visiting a dying friend. Have I really developed a split personality? Scott…the last person to see the true me.
"I couldn't help but overhear your little performance."
I heard a voice coming from an empty hospital room. The voice was familiar. But what was more familiar was the voice that responded.
"And who exactly are you? And why are you spying on me?" I heard myself respond. I walked into the empty room to see myself and another person standing in front of me.
What is going on? Have I lost my mind?
"Well, it's hard not to spy on you when you and your band are playing that loud in the dorm rooms." The man responded to the vision of me. She had long hair, a red and white striped shirt, and blue faded jeans. It was my outfit of choice back then…back in college.
"That's not answering my question. Who are you and why are you here?" I heard myself interrogate the man in front of her.
"I'm sorry. My name is Alex Ratul. I work for a record label company in Montreal. My friend on this campus informed me about a band that has a good beat going for them and a very talented vocalist so I came here to scout."
"You're with a record company?"
"That's correct. And I must say…I am impressed on what I heard so far. I mean, there is room from improvement, but I am digging your voice. Its pitch perfect. Any kind of training behind it?"
"N-no. No training. Just…singing I suppose."
"Well, let me get right to the point. I'm sure you're a busy college student. I'm interested in you guys. Kid Chameleon, right? I think you guys have potential. If you can get your guitarist and your drummer to refine their technique, then you guys have a shot at stardom."
"Really?"
"Yeah. But you do have to…um…work on your appearance. No offense, but your clothes reflect who you are. I'm not saying that you look bad! Just saying…maybe it's time for some 'cooler' looking clothes. Sell some of these things around your room. Maybe it's worth a few bucks."
I slowly backed away from the room as the visions of my manager and me faded away. I remember that day. I was in my room when someone knocked on my door. Alex was there and he basically offered the band a record deal. I wanted to tell the others…but to tell them to play better…it was hard to do. Afterall, it's their band. Who am I to tell them to play better? I kept walking down the hallway towards the elevator when another pair of familiar voices echoed out of a hospital room.
"Hmm…I like the variety that was added to the band."
"Yeah, I had to call in a few friends to help out the band. Made some changes on the line up. But hey, now we have more than just guitar and drums, right?" I heard my voice say to Alex again.
"Indeed…indeed. The music is more refined and you are singing like the beautiful songbird that you are. But…the guitarist and your bass player. Stephen and Scott? They seem to be…lagging behind like the rest of them."
"But…they're the founding members of the band. I mean…can't there be an exception for them?"
"Well…I'll let it slide for now. But if they don't improve next week, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to reconsider my offer to you-"
"No! Please! I'll…I'll talk to them. You'll see! They can be better. Just don't reconsider the deal. I'll get the band ready. Like you said, we have a shot at stardom, right?"
"We'll see…"
I quickly walked toward past the room. I didn't want to hear anymore. The reminder of what I did in the past was slowly catching up. The sins of my past were trying to punish me for my decisions. I wanted to escape. I had to get out of there. I had to move before…!
"Envy…" I heard Alex's voice call from a room. I didn't bother to stop this time. I kept on walking. But the voices didn't go away.
"Yes Alex?"
"There isn't an improvement from those two."
"…I know."
"Well…I really think you guys are good. And I WANT to sign you guys. But those two are holding you back. If you want this offer…"
"I get it…"
"I'm not being the bad guy here. But the company won't allow anything short of greatness. You understand. You're a dime and dozen. I'm sure you're friends will understand. This is your big break. If anything, they should be excited for you."
"But Stephen and Scott…"
"Don't worry about them. Worry about yourself! You're going to be big! You're going to be famous!"
I didn't want to hear anymore. I found myself running to the elevator and rapidly pressed the down button, hoping the elevator will come soon. But more voices echoed throughout the hospital.
"You asked him to join? Cole? Are you serious?"
"He's a good drummer, Stephen. We want to be good, right?"
"What am I going to play?"
"You can play bass. Stephanie is switching to bongos and viola."
"Come on you stupid elevator. Come faster!" I yelled at the closed door while repeated pressing the button.
"We're signing it. He's coming over here in like fifteen minutes."
"I don't want to sign it."
"okay, sure. See you later, then."
"This was my band! I started it! You just joined it! As founder, I veto the stupid contract!"
"Well, it's you know, completely out of your hands."
"Damn it! I knew I should have run for band president instead of secretary!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha. Get a haircut, okay? Just go away."
"You know, I started this thing to meet chicks and have fun! When did it turn into a 'band'? Did I just meet the wrong chicks?"
"I'm sorry Scott…but he wouldn't sign you guys if you stayed. I had to get you out of the band somehow…" I whispered to myself as the elevator finally came. I quickly got inside and pressed the lobby button. "But I knew you still had feeling for me. I knew I had to end it…"
"I…uh…I got a haircut. See?"
…
…
…
"Get out of my life, Scott."
I felt it. The cold reminder if what I had to do to get to where I am. The people I stepped on…the sacrifices I had to make to myself and other people. Why I had to end it with Scott. I felt the cold reminder as it slowly fell from my eyes and down my cheeks.
"Dammit…I didn't mean to be a bitch to you Scott. I didn't want to kick you out. I just wanted to move the band forward. It was all for the band. It always has…"
"…Natalie? Natalie Adams?"
"Hey Lawrence. I know it must be weird for me to be here."
"Well…you did break my brother's heart and he's yet to get over you. What are you doing here? Scott's not home right now."
"I…um…I wanted to give him this."
"What is this? Is that a guitar?"
"Sort of. It's a bass guitar. A Rickenbacker 4003…"
"A Rickenbacker 4003? That's like… over two thousand dollars. Even more!"
"Yeah. The venue that we did a few nights ago paid well and…I just wanted to make amends."
"Natalie. I really don't think a guitar will make amends. I mean, you did a number to his psyche."
"Look. I'm not saying what I did was right. I just….I just want to clear my conscious. Just take the guitar please. Give it to him, say that it's yours. Just please take it. I…I can't stand what I did to him. And I know that after today…I may not be able to do this again."
"Natalie. Why are you doing this?"
"…because Scott is probably the last person that has see the real me. The real Natalie V. Adams. After today…I start my tour around Canada as Envy Adams. I'm not sure if I'll ever be that girl in the past. Just…give it to him ok? You don't have to tell him it's from me. Just give it to him."
I wiped away the tears that were still coming down my face before feeling the elevator coming to a halt. I quickly reached into my bad and took out my sunglasses and put them on, hoping it will hide any signs that I was crying. As the door opened, I was attacked by the paparazzi once more.
"Envy! Envy! We heard you were going to do another tour around Canada! Is it true?"
"Who did you visit? Was it a friend?"
"Envy! Can I have your autograph? Maybe even a lock of your hair?"
"Get away from me you peons. If you want to see me, call my manager." I said to them as I forcibly pushed my way past the crowd and headed to the limo. But no matter what barrier I put up…no matter what persona I take…I couldn't stop the tears that were escaping my eyes.
All I wanted was to move the band to bigger and better things. It was going to be Stephen, Scott, and I making it big together.
It was all for the band.
It always was.
To Be Continued…
Well! There we go! The Envy Adams chapter! Truthfully, this was a difficult chapter to right since…well, there was only one book devoted to her and for the most part, she was a hateful bitch. When analyzing this chapter, I was thinking to myself, "were Envy's intentions good?" Hopefully this chapter will paint her as a good girl rather than the bitch that she was depicted. Anywho…
Super special shoutout to ApellaZant, a very talented Scott Pilgrim writer. He has beautifully written stories up right now, some even referencing my stories so please go check it out. You won't regret it.
Until Next Time…!
