Ok, this is a huge announcement to any fanart creators. I'm fine with you liking my stories and willing to recreate some scenes but I can not be paid for any fancy fanart so I don't mind if you guys just ask for what book you can to create fanart for as long as it's not making me pay for it. It's meant to be fun and relaxing. I'm in college and I am paying for my classes so I can't pay for digital art at the moment. Thank you. Get ready for the Kara Melody chapter. Makes sure to have some tissues because this one is an emotional ride.
(The scene opens at Kara's Karaoke Club the day after Extermination Day. Angel, Andy, and Victoria were in the club with Kara who was working around the clock. All was good until a shark demon dressed like a talent manager came in and set his eyes on Kara.)
SHARK DEMON: Well, well, well, it's been a long time, Aria…
(Kara's eyes widened hearing her old name as she turned around.)
Charlie: Your living name was Aria?
Kara: It was…
KARA: (growled) What the hell are you doing here?
SHARK DEMON: I can't visit my old star?
KARA: I know you. You want something.
SHARK DEMON: Fine. I do want something. I want a cut of this club.
Kara almost pounced at the screen when Aasha, Vaggie, Husk, Cherri, and Monty all tackled her.
Monty: Easy lass! He's not worth it.
Kara got back into her seat.
Kara: Sorry. He just gets under my skin.
KARA: Are you insane!? No! I'm not giving you anything.
(The shark demon grabbed her arm.)
SHARK DEMON: (menacing) You took everything from me. You owe me for everything I've done for you.
Angel looked away. Molly saw this and held his hand.
Molly: It's ok, Tony. He's not here.
KARA: (slaps him) I. Own. You. Nothing! (Snaps her fingers then Odin comes in. She turns to him.) Get him out of here.
ODIN: With pleasure. (Grabs the shark demon and throws him out of the club.)
KARA: Thanks, Odin.
ODIN: Anytime. Are you good?
KARA: (nervous) Yeah I… I'm fine. I just need a minute. (Heads upstairs)
Angel: And I thought Val was horrible.
Kara: Trust me, my old manager was just as bad as Valentino. Only he wasn't greedy for lust, he was greedy for money.
(Andy, Victoria, and Angel saw everything.)
ANGEL: Who was that asshole?
(Becca who heard the question came over)
BECCA: Oh, so you met Kara's old manager, Mr. Wilson. That prick drained her of every penny she had. Only makes sense that he ends up in Hell as a shark.
ANDY: Yikes. That guy is a leech.
ODIN: That guy has some nerve coming here after everything he's done to Kara.
VICTORIA: What exactly did he do?
ANGEL: Honestly, I've been wondering myself. I mean, K's only told me bits of what happened.
MARTY: (By the bar) RIght. Kara's never told you the full story.
ANDY: And you know this how?
MARTY: Fellas, I've been working at this place since Nessa started running it.
ANGEL: Who?
ANDY: Angel's never been one for politics.
Henroin: (sighs) Of course.
Angel: What? It's boring…..
Arackniss: You are such a child.
Angel: Says the guy that could pass as a little kid.
Arackniss: You little…..
Monty: Are they always like this?
Spider Brothers: Shut up Monty!
ODIN: (sighs) Marty, you wanna tell them?
MARTY: (serves them drinks) Let me tell you the story of Kara Melody.
ANGEL: Won't you get in trouble with Kara?
MARTY: She won't mind. Besides, you are her friends. You deserve to know.
ANDY: He's right.
VICTORIA: I guess so.
MARTY: Let's just say Kara didn't always have the title of Overlord. She dropped down into Hell after her death, no one knew what she did or why a sweet gal like her ended up in hell. But one thing is for sure, that fox changed everything.
(The screen faded into a flashback from a few years ago when Kara Melody AKA Aria fell down into hell. Aria slowly wakes up, her vision blurry. She sees a blood-red sky with a glowing pentagram.)
ARIA: (weakly, confused) Where...? Where am I?
(She groans, holding her head, but immediately freezes when she feels something off. Instead of smooth skin, she feels thick fur. Aria moves her hands away and gasps upon seeing them—they are now fox paws with long red nails.)
ARIA: (panicked) What the hell?!
(Scrambling to her feet, she frantically searches for a reflective surface. Spotting a broken window in a nearby ruined building, she stumbles towards it. She looks into the reflection and staggers back in shock.)
ARIA: (whispers, horrified) No… This… This can't be real.
Kara: yeah my reaction to falling into hell was a bit much.
Angel: Meh. You handled it better than the rest of us.
Andy: Yeah. I swear I was mistaken as a hellborn by some.
Aasha: Same here. Then again, I got plenty of attention from some handsome fellas.
Angel: Lucky!
Victoria: (covers her ears.) Make it stop. Please.
Arackniss: Tori, I lived with Anthony my whole life. Get used to it.
(Her once-human form is gone. Her body is covered in black fur, a long tail sways behind her, and sharp fox ears sit atop her head—one of them chipped. Her hazel eyes are now a piercing ruby red, and a single red streak runs through her shorter, dark hair. Even the tips of her tail are red. Her clothes, however, remain unchanged—her dress, bright red stilettos, and bracelets. Aria's breathing quickens. She grips her chest, hyperventilating.)
ARIA: No, no, no! This isn't happening!
(As she spirals into a full-blown panic attack, she doesn't notice the shadows creeping closer—several SINNERS, their grins wicked and predatory. One of them chuckles darkly.)
SINNER #1: Well, well… Fresh meat.
SINNER #2: And a pretty one at that.
(Aria looks up, startled. Her eyes dart between them as they inch closer.)
ARIA: (terrified) Stay back!
(The sinners laugh. Aria stumbles backward before turning on her heel and bolting down the streets of Pentagram City.)
Kara: Right I forgot about this.
Charlie: What do you mean?
Kara: How do you think I meant Striker in the first place?
Vaggie: This is where….
Kara: Yeah.
(Aria runs, heart pounding, taking sharp turns to escape her pursuers. She ducks into a narrow alleyway—only to find it's a dead end. She turns around as the sinners corner her.)
SINNER #1: Nowhere to run, sweetheart.
SINNER #2: Might as well make this easy for us.
(Aria clenches her fists, trembling. She shuts her eyes, whispering a desperate prayer. Suddenly—BANG! BANG! BANG! The sound of gunfire echoes. The sinners grunt in pain before collapsing to the ground—dead. Aria's eyes snap open, her breath hitching as she sees the fallen bodies. lowly, she looks up at her savior—a FAIRLY TALL IMP stands before her, lowering his smoking gun.)
Kara: I really wish I saw the signs.
Pentious: Welcome to my world.
Monty: What's that supposed to mean?
Pentious glares at Monty. Monty sinks back into his seat.
(The imp has pale red skin, bright yellow eyes with green rings, and a sharp-toothed grin with a gold tooth. His serpentine-like face is framed by a small black mustache and ivory-white hair. Two black-and-white striped horns curve from his head, jagged in pattern. His tail, marked with black stripes, has spines lining it. His attire screams Western outlaw—large gray sun hat, cowboy boots, a light red bandana around his neck. He wears a black turtleneck, a dark gray vest, a light gray jacket with black tassels, black fingerless gloves, and ripped ivory-white pants. The imp tips his hat slightly, smirking.)
IMP: You alright there, darlin'?
(He extends a hand. Aria hesitates but slowly takes it. He helps her to her feet.)
ARIA: (still breathless) Thank you. You just saved me.
IMP: (shrugging) Meh. Those sinners were my target anyway. Some fuckers thought it was fun to rape my client.
(He turns and begins walking away. Aria blinks, still processing what just happened. She takes a step forward, about to call out to him—but when she steps out of the alleyway, he's gone. Aria stands there, alone, her mind racing.)
ARIA: (softly) I never got his name…
(She looks around the unfamiliar streets, realizing she has nowhere to go.)
Angel: So you have a knight in scaly armor?
Kara: Not funny.
Angel: What? It was a good one!
Arackniss: Not really.
Angel: Oh please, Niss. You already have one.
Arackniss: Honestly, how are you and I related?
(Aria walks cautiously down the streets, eyes scanning for shelter. She spots a large building bustling with activity, demons unloading boxes. Curious, she sneaks around the back, trying to get a glimpse inside. Suddenly, a firm hand grabs her arm. Aria gasps and turns around to see a tall, slim female demon staring down at her.)
ARIA: (Frantic) I-I'm so sorry! Please, I'm not a spy or a stalker!
(The demon remains silent and simply drags Aria inside the building. Aria struggles at first but eventually relents. She is taken to a luxurious penthouse. Aria's eyes widen at the extravagant decor, momentarily forgetting her fear. In her awe, she trips over her own feet. The silent demon, unfazed, helps her up and continues leading her through the penthouse until they reach a grand office. A woman sits behind a desk, reviewing documents. She looks up at the new arrivals.)
Vaggie: Is that, Carmine?
Kara: Yeah. Remember when I said I was a bounty hunter? I used to work under Carmella.
Alastor: (scoffs) You? Working under Carmella?
Kara: Something funny, Radio Demon?
Alastor: Never mind.
Husk: I didn't think Carmella had bounty hunters. She's the top weapons dealer in the city.
Kara: Normally, she wouldn't but she's had a few warehouse break-ins and demons selling her weapons on the black market. I actually offered to help her. I have gotten pretty good.
Angel: That would explain where you got your knife from.
Kara: I also have a custom angelic nail polish that I use on my claws. Sometimes I like to get my claws dirty and make my victims howl in pain.
Angel: (whistled) Beauty and deadly. Maybe I should get my hands on that stuff.
CARMELLA: Odette, who is this?
ODETTE: (Calmly) I found her in the back. She must be a new sinner.
ARIA: (Nervous) I'm so sorry. This is all so new to me. I didn't mean to—
CARMELLA: (Cutting her off, reassuring) Easy now. I'm not going to harm you. What's your name?
ARIA: (Still hesitant) Aria. My name is Aria. I was a singer until my death.
(Carmella observes Aria for a moment, then leans back in her chair, intrigued.)
CARMELLA: Well, Aria, I'm feeling generous today. If you need a place to stay, you can stay here. No strings attached.
(Aria blinks in surprise, hardly believing the offer.)
ARIA: Thank you... truly.
(Odette releases her grip on Aria, then gestures for her to follow. She leads Aria to a spare room where another woman is waiting. She looks similar to Odette but has a more relaxed demeanor.)
ODETTE: (Simply) This is my sister, Clara.
(Clara gives Aria a welcoming nod. Over the next few months, Aria becomes part of Carmella's circle. She assists Odette and Clara with deliveries, learns self-defense from Carmella, and begins to feel at home in Hell.)
Charlie: So you lived with them?
Kara: Yeah. Carmella and her daughters became my second family.
(The scene shifts to Kara's room. Aria hums a song softly, lost in thought. As she finishes, she hears clapping and turns to see Clara in the doorway.)
ARIA: How long were you standing there?
CLARA: Long enough to hear that amazing voice.
(Kara hesitates, then sighs.)
ARIA: I miss performing... It made me feel alive. But my ex-manager... he made me lose my love for it.
CLARA: (sitting on the bed) You should sing more. And have you picked a name for yourself yet? Your demon name?
ARIA: (thoughtful) My stage name was Melody. I was thinking... Kara Melody.
CLARA: (grinning) Kara Melody... I like it.
Monty: That explains the name.
Kara: Says the snake named after a play and movie called Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Monty: Hey!
Andy: (laughs) Brutal!
Angel: How did I miss that?
Arackniss: Says the guy named after a drug. That's Molly's thing.
Molly: Thank you!
Angel: Better than being named after a spider.
Arackniss threw some popcorn at Angel.
Angel: Hey! Watch the hair!
Arackniss: I've been waiting to do that.
Angel tried to throw some pasta at Arackniss but he missed and it hit Pentious.
Pentious: HEY!
Angel: Whoops.
Pentious: (cleans the pasta off.) Honestly...
(Years later. Kara, now an expert bounty hunter, chases a sinner who stole angelic weapons. She has him in her sights—until a gunshot rings out. The sinner drops. Kara turns sharply to see a familiar figure on another rooftop—Striker.)
KARA: (angrily) Hey!
(Striker glances at her, then makes a break for it. Karachases him, leaping across rooftops. She tackles him to the ground.)
KARA: (furious) That guy was mine!
STRIKER: (smugly) Didn't see your name on him.
(He studies her for a moment, recognition dawning.)
STRIKER: Hey, ain't you that little pup I saved a few years back?
KARA: (defiant) It's Kara Melody now. And this is my territory.
STRIKER (chuckles) Names Striker, little lady.
(Kara gets off him, crossing her arms as Striker flashes a charming smile. Her heart skips a beat, but she quickly shakes it off.)
KARA: Just stay out of my way.
STRIKER: (scoffs) No promises. (he tips his hat and leaves.)
Cherri: I think I sense a rivalry like with me and Edgelord.
Pentious: I heard that!
EXT. PENTAGRAM CITY – NIGHT
(Kara and Striker race across the rooftops, leaping from building to building. Kara glances at Striker, determined. Striker smirks and picks up speed, both locked in fierce competition.)
EXT. DARK ALLEY – NIGHT
(A bounty—a panicked sinner—tries to flee, but Striker appears from the shadows, spinning his revolver before delivering the final shot. He tips his hat just as Kara arrives, out of breath. Striker winks and walks away, leaving Kara fuming.)
EXT. BLACK MARKET DISTRICT – NIGHT
(Kara dashes through a chaotic marketplace, sliding over a table and landing in front of a terrified target. Before Striker can react, Kara fires first, taking down the bounty. She turns to Striker with a triumphant smirk. Striker scowls, adjusting his hat.)
EXT. INDUSTRIAL ZONE – ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
(Kara and Striker both spot the same target from opposite ends of the building. They sprint toward the bounty, knocking over crates and dodging gunfire. They both reach for their weapons—BANG! The target falls... but neither shot came from them. They exchange annoyed glares before storming off in opposite directions.)
VARIOUS LOCATIONS – SERIES OF QUICK SHOTS
(Kara and Striker burst into the same bar, spotting a bounty at the same time, groaning in frustration. Striker blocks Kara's path during a chase, only for Kara to trip him up and dash ahead. Kara and Striker stand back to back in the middle of a fight, reluctantly working together to take down a group of demons. They exchange an intense stare before storming off separately. During a stakeout, Kara and Striker unknowingly perch on opposite rooftops, spotting each other through their scopes. Both sigh in exasperation.)
Angel: Wow. You two really are competitive.
Kara: You have no idea.
(The scene changed to Kara's room. Kara rants to Clara, pacing back and forth.)
KARA: I swear, he is always one step ahead of me! It's like he's got a sixth sense for getting in my way!
CLARA: (Smirking) Or maybe you're just mad he's better at this than you.
KARA: (Scoffs) Excuse me?!
(Clara chuckles as Kara groans in frustration.)
CLARA: Come on. I'm sure he's not that bad.
KARA: Oh please. That smug walking cowboy cliche just enjoys taking my marks.
CLARA: Maybe he's trying to impress you.
KARA: Yeah, when pigs fly.
Lucifer: Like this.
Lucifer snapped his fingers and made a stuffed pig fly.
Kara: Very funny.
Lucifer: What?
Alastor rolled his eyes.
(The scene changed to Kara stepping outside for air and unexpectedly bumping into Stiker.)
STRIKER: (Jokingly) Yeez. Are you stalking me now?
KARA: (Scoffs) Very funny. Shouldn't I be asking you that?
STRIKER: What? I can't say hello.
KARA: (She hesitates, then asks.) You're from the Wrath Ring, right?
STRIKER: So?
KARA: I wish I could see it. But sinners can't leave Pentagram City.
(Striker looks around, then suddenly grabs Kara's hand and pulls her along.)
KARA: (Alarmed) Hey! What are you—
STRIKER: (Smirks) Givin' ya what you want, darlin'.
(Kara stares at the rusty, barely functioning elevator.)
KARA: This thing still works?
STRIKER Only if ya know how to use it.
(He presses a sequence of buttons. The elevator shudders to life and descends. The elevator doors open. Kara steps out, eyes widening at the landscape—the fiery sky, volcanoes, and rugged terrain.)
Husk: Woah. You really weren't kidding about the Wrath Ring being Western.
Lucifer: I've been telling Satan to upgrade his ring for years but that big guy is so stubborn.
Charlie: And a little old fashion.
Vaggie: I like it.
Angel: Yeah you would.
Vaggie: Shut up!
KARA: (Awed) It's... beautiful.
(Striker lets out a sharp whistle. A large, menacing horse, Bombproof, gallops toward them. The beast nudges Kara's face. She smiles, stroking its fiery mane.)
STRIKER: (Amused) Huh? Bombproof has never taken a shine to someone that quickly before.
KARA: (Smugly) Guess I just have a magic touch.
(Striker climbs onto Bombproof, offering his hand. Kara hesitates, then takes it and climbs up behind him. She instinctively wraps her arms around Striker as Bombproof takes off at a breakneck speed. Kara blushes but tries to ignore it. Striker takes Kara to a hilltop that looks over the ring. Striker helps Kara down. She gazes at the breathtaking view.)
Victoria: You were really in love with him.
Kara: Yeah. That's why the betrayal was painful.
(Striker suddenly wraps his arms around her waist. Kara stiffens, and before she can react, he leans in and kisses her. For a moment, she melts into it—but then she pulls away, flustered.)
KARA: I can't do this!
(Striker looks at her, confused.)
KARA: I've never been in a real relationship. My whole life, people used me—for my looks, my money. No one got to know the real me. I've kept my heart closed off.
STRIKER: And you think I'm like that?
KARA: No, no. I just... I have trust issues.
(Striker watches her for a moment, then nods.)
STRIKER: Fair enough.
(Kara backed away from Striker as the music in the background played)
KARA:
It's a bad idea, me and you
STRIKER:
Easy darling.
BOTH:
It's a bad idea, me and you
(Striker walked slowly towards Kara.)
STRIKER:
I've never known anything so true
BOTH:
It's a terrible idea, me and you
KARA:
You're from Wrath
STRIKER:
You're from Pride
KARA:
You're my rival
STRIKER:
You never had a real lover
BOTH:
It's a bad idea, me and you
(Striker wrapped his arms around Kara as she blushed.)
Let's just keep kissing 'til we come to
(The two started kissing for a bit until they pulled away. The two started dancing.)
Heart, stop racing
Let's face it, making mistakes like this will make worse what was already pretty bad
Mind, stop running
It's time we just let this thing go
It was a pretty good bad idea, wasn't it though?
It's a bad idea, me and you
It's a bad idea, me and you
Hold me close while I think this through
Yeah, it's a very poor idea, me and you
Heart, stop racing
Let's face it, making mistakes like this will make worse what was already pretty bad
Mind, stop running
It's time we just let this thing go
It was a pretty good bad idea, wasn't it though?
I know it's right for me
It's the only thing I've ever done
What if I never see myself ever be anything more
Than what I've already become?
(Kara slowly gave in to the siren song of love. She really liked Striker and maybe she could see a future with him.)
KARA:
I need a bad idea
I need a bad idea
BOTH:
I need a bad idea
I need a bad idea
Just one
Heart, keep racing
Let's make mistakes
Let us say "so what?" and make worse what was already pretty bad
This secret is safe
No reason to throw it away when there's love to be had
Hold me tight as I tell myself that you might make sense
And make good what has been just so bad
Let's see this through
It's a pretty good bad idea
Me and you
(As the song ends, the two of them pull away, breathless. Kara looks at Striker, her resolve crumbling.)
Kara ignores the enter song.
Angel: And I thought Val was a snake.
Kara: Valentino is more of a big baby. He's nothing compared to Nessa.
(The scene moves forward to when Striker betrays Kara. Striker takes Kara to a run-of-the-mill sex club/diner. Inside, it was dark and very dingy. There was a staging area upfront with sex poles for the stars. Sitting in the back with Overlord Nessa, a black canary sinner who's non-binary dressed from the early 1900s. Striker and Kara sit down close to the stage.)
KARA: Strikes, why did you take me here?
STRIKER: I need a favor. (lowers voice) My next bounty is in this club but the only problem is that the bounty here is the Overlord that owns this place.
KARA: (shocked and whispered) Are you nuts? Killing an Overlord? Are you trying to sign your second death?
(The club buzzes with energy as the next act is announced. Striker leans in, brushing a strand of hair from Kara's face, his voice smooth but laced with persuasion.)
STRIKER: You wanna help me, don't you, sugar? Just one little song. Keep their eyes on you while I handle business.
(Kara eyes him warily, but a thrill rushes through her. Performing? That's easy. The plan? Not so much. But she doesn't want to let Striker down.)
KARA: (sighs, rolling her eyes) You owe me big time, cowboy.
Kara: I really should have seen this coming.
Aasha: Isn't that the day Striker stabbed you in the back?
Kara: Sadly... yes.
Aasha: You sure I can't skin him into a new pair of boots?
Kara: Aasha...
Aasha: What? I'm just saying, he'd make a good pair of boots.
Angel: Make me a pair too.
Aasha: Sure. And maybe a coat from Valentino's Wings? I mean, it's not like he can use them.
(She steps onto the stage, gripping the microphone. The dim, sultry lights cast an ethereal glow around her. The club falls into silence as the first few melancholy piano notes drift through the air. She closes her eyes, and the past begins to claw its way back to her—Aria's story, her real story, unfolds.)
Kara looked completely nervous.
Angel: You ok?
Kara: Yeah. Just... memories.
KARA:
It's not simple to say
Most days I don't recognize me
That these shoes and this apron
That place and its patrons
Have taken more than I gave them
It's not easy to know
I'm not anything like I used to be
Although it's true
I was never attention's sweet center
I still remember that girl
(The screen goes to a flashback to Aria's small-town talent show years ago. A young Aria, barely 18, stands on a makeshift stage in a school gym, nervously gripping a microphone. The audience is small—mostly locals, parents, and friends—but when she sings, the room falls into an awed hush.)
Cherri: Even as a human, you look smoking.
Kara: Thanks.
KARA:
She's imperfect but she tries...
(Aria, now polished and dressed in a sleek dress, sings in front of a room filled with music executives. At the back of the room, a well-dressed Agent who is Mr. Wilson watches, a calculating smirk forming on his lips.)
AGENT WILSON: (leaning to his assistant) She's got it. Get her a contract.
KARA:
She is good but she lies...
(Aria, exhausted, leans over a microphone, struggling to hit a note in the recording booth late at night. The Producer shakes his head behind the glass.)
KARA:
She is hard on herself,
PRODUCER: Again. We don't have perfection yet.
(Aria swallows back frustration, forcing herself to push through.)
KARA:
She is broken and won't ask for help...
Charlie looked like she was gonna cry.
Lucifer, Angel, Alastor, and Vaggie looked like they wanted to strangle those people.
(Aria stands on stage, accepting an award at the Glitzy Music Awards Show, flashing a dazzling smile as the crowd cheers. Camera flashes explode around her. Yet, behind the smile, there's a flicker of emptiness in her eyes.)
KARA:
She is messy but she's kind,
(Aria sits at an exclusive industry party, surrounded by A-list celebrities and executives. Mr. Wilson leans in, placing a small vial of pills into her palm.)
AGENT WILSON: It'll help you keep up, sweetheart. Trust me.
(Aria hesitates before forcing a smile, clinking glasses with him.)
KARA:
She is lonely most of the time...
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie...
(Backstage at a concert years later, Aria sits alone in her dressing room, staring at her reflection—hollow, exhausted. A platinum record hangs on the wall. The cost of fame has sunk in. Her smile fades as she looks at the bottle of pills next to her.)
KARA:
She is gone, but she used to be mine.
Angel felt bad for how Kara was treated in her past life.
Andy understood Kara's abusive stardom life.
KARA:
It's not what I asked for
Sometimes life just slips in through a back door
And carves out a person
And makes you believe it's all true
And now I've got you
And you're not what I asked for
If I'm honest I know I would give it all back
For a chance to start over
And rewrite an ending or two
For the girl that I knew
(The flashback went to a cheap nightclub where Aria, looking drained and weary, performs in a rundown venue—far from the stadiums she once filled. The crowd is rough and indifferent. She clutches the microphone, her voice trembling as she pushes through, eyes darting to the leering faces in the front row.)
KARA:
Who'll be reckless just enough...
Angel: Yikes...
Molly: (smacks Angel's head) Really, Tony?!
Angel: Ow! What was that for?!
Molly: You know why.
KARA:
Who'll get hurt...
But who learns how to toughen up
(Aria stands before Mr. Wilson in his office, who callously flips through financial reports.)
ARIA: (desperate) Where's my money? I earned that!
MR. WILSON: (not even looking up) You? Nah, sweetheart, I made you. Every dime goes through me. (He finally looks up, smirking.) Besides, you owe me.
KARA:
When she's bruised... And gets used by a man who can't love..."
(In a hotel room, ARIA, barely conscious from drugs forced on her, lies limp on a luxurious bed. Mr. Wilson's son, a young, cruel man, buttons his shirt, stepping away from her with a satisfied grin. Aria blinks in a haze, realization slowly dawning. She trembles, covering herself with shaking hands as he laughs and leaves.)
KARA:
And then she'll get stuck... and be scared of the life that's inside her..."
(Aria, in her dressing room, stares at herself—her hollow, once bright eyes now haunted. Her hands clutch at her arms, nails digging into her skin as she fights the panic rising in her throat.)
KARA:
Growing stronger each day, 'til it finally reminds her...
(In Alabama, on March 6, 2010, this was Aria's last concert. On stage, she sings for thousands, but her voice wavers. She barely holds it together. The crowd cheers, oblivious to the storm raging inside her.)
KARA:
To fight just a little, to bring back the fire in her eyes...
That's been gone... but used to be mine.
Charlie: Is this...?
Kara: My final concert. Before I snapped
(After her last show, she marched towards Mr. Wilson backstage and dragged him into her dressroom, shaking with rage and grief.)
ARIA: (voice cracking)I'm DONE! You've ruined me!
MANAGER (calmly, amused) You're not going anywhere, sweetheart. You signed with me.
Andy: I'd love to knock that guy down a peg or two.
Kara: Too late. I... I took care of it.
KARA:
Used to be mine...
(The sounds of gunshots were heard. The camera turned to Aria, panting, holding a shotgun, staring down at the lifeless body of her manager, blood splattered on the walls.)
Lucifer looked at Kara and then back to the screen.
Lucifer: You... You were sent down to Hell, because of him?
Kara: (nodded) Yes...
(Aria, still shaking, grabs a bottle of pills, and uncaps it with trembling fingers. She looks into the mirror, tears streaming. Her eyes flicker with something—regret? Relief? But it's too late. She throws her head back, swallowing the pills in one go.)
KARA:
She is messy but she's kind...
(Her body slumps, the pill bottle rolling out of her grasp. The room falls deathly silent.)
The entire room went silent. Some were shocked, some grabbed tissues.
KARA:
She is lonely most of the time...
(Cops rush into her dressing room, finding her cold, lifeless body sprawled on the ground.)
KARA:
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie...
(A grainy news broadcast flashes on a television screen in a bar. The ANCHOR shakes her head solemnly.)
NEWS ANCHOR: Pop sensation Aria—found dead in her dressing room. Fans mourn the tragic loss...
KARA:
She is gone... but she used to be mine.
(The scene changed back to the present in the club. Kara stands frozen, her eyes brimming with tears as the final note lingers. The audience claps drunkenly, unaware of the painful story behind the song. In the shadows, Overlord Nessa smirks, swirling a glass of dark wine in her gloved fingers.)
NESSA: (softly, to herself, amused) Oh, darling, you sing your pain so beautifully.
(Kara blinks, wiping at her eyes quickly, forcing herself to stay composed. She steps down from the stage, navigating the chaotic crowd toward the dressing room. Before she reaches the door, a familiar voice stops her in her tracks.)
STRIKER: (leaning against the doorframe, smirking) Hell of a show, songbird. Real moving. Almost had me shed a tear.
KARA: Thanks. (whispers) I thought you...
STRIKER: Actually... Nessa and I talked, they had a much better idea.
(Kara looked shocked and then worried.)
KARA: What did you do?
(Striker just grins wider, stepping aside as Nessa emerges from the shadows behind him. Kara's stomach drops.)
NESSA: (sweetly, stepping forward) Oh, darling. You really should be thanking him.
(Kara's blood runs cold.)
KARA: (whispering, in disbelief) No...
(Nessa holds up a parchment scroll, the paper glowing with eerie red sigils. Kara's signature is at the bottom—but she never signed anything. Her breath catches as she sees Striker's name just above it, his signature looking far too smug.)
Angel: He... He actually sold you to an Overlord.
Kara: Yeah... I was so stupid for falling for him.
Angel: (Puts a hand on her shoulder) Hey. It's ok. Look, Val played me for a sucker too. He and Striker will do anything to get what they want.
Kara: (sniffled) Thanks.
NESSA: (mock sympathy) He's such a dear, you know? Signed your soul over to me personally.
(Kara stumbles back, heart hammering. She whirls on Striker, her voice shaking with rage and betrayal.)
KARA: You—YOU SOLD ME OUT?!
(Striker just shrugs, twirling a knife between his fingers.)
STRIKER: Ain't personal, sugar. Just business.
(Kara lunges at him, but in a flash, Striker sidesteps smoothly, gripping her wrist and twisting it behind her back. She grits her teeth, hissing in pain, but Striker just leans in, his breath warm against her ear.)
STRIKER: (low, smug) Shoulda known better than to trust a hellborn, doll.
(Nessa laughs lightly, sipping her wine.)
NESSA: Oh, don't be so dramatic, darling. You were mine the moment you set foot in my club. Striker simply... expedited the process.
(Kara struggles, but Striker's grip tightens.)
KARA: (furious.) You bastard!
STRIKER: (mocking) Flattery'll get ya nowhere, sweetheart.
(Nessa steps closer, her sharp nails tracing along Kara's cheek, lifting her chin so their eyes meet.)
NESSA: (purring) Now, be a good girl... and accept your new reality.
(Kara's breath trembles as she stares into Nessa's cold, predatory eyes.)
KARA: (softly, broken) You son of a bitch.
(Striker finally releases her, shoving her forward slightly. Kara stumbles but catches herself, eyes burning with betrayal and rage. The club's lights flicker as her anger swells, but Nessa only smiles, fully in control. Kara clenches her fists, knowing at that moment—she is truly trapped.)
Charlie: I'm sorry that happened to you, Kara.
Kara: It's ok, Charlie. Honestly, I wouldn't have had the club and everyone in it if I hadn't shown up.
(The scene changed to the Karaoke club in the now with Marty finished telling the story.)
MARTY: And that's the full story.
ANGEL: Wow. I guess me and Kara are more alike than I thought.
VICTORIA: And I thought my life with my sister was hell.
MARTY: Everyone's got their own personal hells.
(Angel saw Mr. Wilson the shark demon sneaking back into the club and went upstairs.)
ANGEL: Hold that thought.
(Angel went upstairs. He saw the shark demon barge into Kara's room. Angel took out his Tommy gun and went inside to find Mr. Wilson trying to kill Kara. He fired a shot at Mr. Wilson's hand.)
Kara: Nice shot.
Angel: Hey, I did the same thing to Molly's exes. It seems only fair.
Molly: I knew it!
MR. WILSON: (shouts in pain) What the...? (Sees Angel Dust.) Well, well, well, Angel Dust. Didn't know Valentino's favorite pet was here.
ANGEL: Get the fuck away from Kara now before I blow your brains out!
MR. WILSON: Oh please, we both know you won't do it. Not unless you want me to tell Val...
(Mr. Wilson's words were cut off when Kara slashed his gills then Angel shot Mr. Wilson up until he was a bloody corpse.)
KARA: Thanks Angel. I'm sorry I dragged you into my mess.
ANGEL: Hey, I've killed worse men before I was dead. Should have seen what me and Niss did to Molly's exes.
KARA: Let me guess, drowned them?
ANGEL: (scoffs) Please, that was Niss's thing. I might have burned a couple of them or cut off their...
KARA: OK, I think I got that part. Thanks for saving me.
ANGEL: What are friends for?
Molly: (furious) Oh you are so dead!
Angel: That's other me!
Molly: Still!
Arackniss: I'd start running if I were you, Tony.
Molly: Don't think you are off the hook, Sal!
Arackniss/Angel: See ya! (both of them bolted out the door.)
Molly chased after them.
Charlie: Should we...?
Henroin: I wouldn't, Princess.
Andy: Now I know where the saying, "Nothing scarier than a scorned woman" comes from.
Lucifer: Technically that came from Lilly.
Vaggie: Really?
Charlie: Yeah. You'd be surprised how many times Dad ended up sleeping on the couch or in one of the guest rooms.
Lucifer: (nervously chuckles) Not my best moments.
Henroin: Been there with my wife. Where do you think Molly and Anthony get their anger from?
Lucifer: Yikes.
Monty: Should I be nervous with Arackniss's anger?
Henroin: Considering you left my son to die in a destroyed building? Yes.
Monty: Shit.