Far Out!

What if...?

[Content alert: surreal headcanon, angst, mature themes (nothing graphic, though)]

What if Scarlet suddenly, tragically, disappeared on a heist mission one day?

As usual, Herb would be waiting at the fortress, but she doesn't show up at the expected time (give or take a few hours). When it's clear she's gone missing, he launches an extensive search. Does everything within his power to find her. Stays up countless nights and runs himself ragged. Unfortunately, her trail seems to have gone cold.

Despondent, he returns home. The fortress feels terrifyingly empty. Cold.

He never found proof that she died, but as the weeks and then months pass, he starts to lose hope. Not so much hope that he considers giving up altogether, but he wallows in a kind of emotional purgatory and just can't figure out what to do.

Until one day, he does.

Herb misses her so very much that he builds an android Scarlet.

The project takes months to complete. The lab explodes with blueprints, raw materials, research books, and tools. He pours all of his grief and desperation into a robot that looks almost exactly like her. Her artificial skin is flawless. Fabrice supplies him with the perfect wig in the shape of her famous bouffant. Her eyes shine with emerald brilliance, yet they lack a certain twinkle.

He doesn't intend for this creation to take the place of his flesh and blood wife—never. He simply craves the comfort it—she—can bring. Yes, he had photographs of her and countless home movies, but they fell far short of the mark. He needed to see her. Touch her. He wants a version of her that would inhabit time and space right by his side.

He uses sound recordings from her TV commercial and other audio sources for android Scarlet's voice mechanism. He builds another red rocket dress for her to wear. The rest of the outfit is the same as well.

There's a lot of trial and error as Herb attempts to build a life with android Scarlet. Many, many awkward moments ensue. Routines that never required even half a thought now involve hundreds of steps and careful planning, such as spending leisure time together, dancing, or eating a meal (well, Herb eats, but android Scarlet can only simulate the act). He has to teach her how to talk, how to walk, how to think.

And how to pretend to sleep. Herb can't bear the thought of letting her out of his sight for even a second. He sleeps a little better with android Scarlet by his side, but only marginally.

Down in his lab, he often makes adjustments to her programming so she can process more information and learn how to be more human. Sometimes they spend the whole day there, with wires sticking out of her bald android head while he fiddles with her various components.

He tries to teach her about heists and the history of the villain world, thinking she might enjoy the excitement and the prospect of stepping into the role of the world's greatest supervillain. It's only partially successful, however, because he's not the master thief in the relationship. Eventually, though, her mannerisms and habits become eerily close to those of her predecessor. Herb is exhausted by all the effort required to maintain her, but at least it's keeping his despondency at bay.

Then one day, the real Scarlet returns.

Through no fault of her own, she was trapped during the dangerous heist. Maybe an adversary imprisoned her to keep her out of the game. Kept her alive in case he could use her as leverage for one of his nefarious schemes. Or she could have been stuck in the wild somewhere and without any resources it takes her months to find her way back to civilization.

Scarlet's a survivor, though, so she finally makes it back home to her one true love.

She stumbles through the door, overjoyed to be back at long last. Immediately seeks out Herb. He's simultaneously shocked, relieved, and thrilled at her return. Their reunion is epic, emotional, intense. A river of tears. There are also fireworks, rainbows, and never-ending hugs.

Herb forgets about android Scarlet, but she didn't forget about him.

From the shadows, she witnesses the reunion. Is she sentient by now? Does she understand why Herb made her? Maybe she developed feelings for him, or maybe she's just confused about why he's got his long arms wrapped tightly around this strange woman—a woman who looks exactly like her.

The appearance of the real Scarlet creates dissonance within android Scarlet's programming, so, seeking guidance, she steps into the light and approaches them.

Scarlet sees the android first. Her eyes go wide. She pulls out of Herb's embrace, shocked beyond belief.

Herb is like, "I can explain...."

Scarlet recovers. Shakes her head. Gives his arm a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to say anything. I understand."

He heaves a sigh of relief.

Android Scarlet silently studies the exchange. Her inscrutable expression makes it difficult to know how she's processing the surreal scenario, if at all.

Scarlet cautiously approaches her mechanical twin.

Despite his wife's reassurance, Herb's feeling a little guilty. This situation is pretty strange, and definitely unexpected. Even though he's a super genius, his intense grief made it difficult for him to think straight. He never thought about how the real Scarlet would feel about coming home and discovering a robot placeholder.

Herb announces he'll dismantle his creation.

Scarlet shakes her head. Reaches out and gently lays her fingertips against the android's cheek.

"She's beautiful," Scarlet says. "Don't destroy her."

"What do you have in mind?" Herb asks.

"We'll keep her. We'll give her purpose," she responds.

Scarlet smiles deviously, thinking of the fun they can have with two Scarlet Overkills terrorizing the world.

Then, as if sensing her thought, android Scarlet smiles back.