Issue Nineteen ~ The Raging Climax
Chapter One
The Scarlet Dove stared down Dominion.
Her golden high heeled boots were planted resolutely, set wide with her long, shapely legs leading up to her curvaceous hips, which were wrapped in the white spandex bikini bottoms. A golden utility belt encircled her trim stomach, leading up to the white spandex bustier clinging to the voluptuous curves of her buxom chest. Thick waves of lustrous crimson hair fell about her narrow, rounded shoulders, leading to slender arms reaching down to delicate fists adorned with golden bracelets. Pretty green eyes glared out from under a white feathered mask, over ruby lips barely concealing the white flash of grit teeth, belaying the grim-set of her gorgeous face.
Across from her, Dominion's hazel eyes blazed. His face and head were cloaked in a black mask with white rimmed eyeholes, sporting horned designs at the corners. He was a bit taller than average, his build concealed by a suit of battle armor. The sleek metal plates were black, glinting dully as the servos of a strength enhancing exoskeleton hummed underneath. The gauntlets which fired deadly energy blasts buzzed eagerly, ready for the fight.
All around them the lobby of the Summit hotel descended into mayhem. A squad of highly trained FBI agents were engaged in heated battle with a detail of crooked cops. The sounds of gunfire rent the air. Fists and bullets flew alike. A chaotic chorus of angry shouting and grunts of pain tested the acoustics. Yet it all faded into a background bedlam for the heroine and her nemesis.
Dominion's lips curled in a snarl. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you, the fly always in my ointment."
"Your reign of terror ends now!" declared the Scarlet Dove.
"How very superheroiney of you," the villain scoffed.
"You built a criminal empire on my father's grave," she snarled. "I'll tear it down brick by brick if I have to!"
"As well you have," Dominion spat. "Played me for a fool back in that basement! But if you think my plans hinged on the Maddox persona...you're sorely mistaken!"
"I'm willing to bet your plans hinge on you not being in jail," the heroine shot back.
"You arrogant bitch!" the villain hissed. "It's almost cute how you still think you have the upper hand."
The Scarlet Dove scowled. "Look around you, dickhole, do you really think any of this ends with your plans succeeding?"
Dominion glanced around at the havoc unfolding around them.
"Your true identity has been outed," the heroine went on. "Your forces are dwindling, your lieutenants are all gone one way or another...and regardless of what your ultimate goal even was...I'm here to stop you! It's all over!"
With an enraged roar, Dominion punched his gauntlet at her, throwing a flash of energy. Her enhanced reflexes snapped into action and the heroine narrowly dodged the bolt. She dashed forward, whirling into a high roundhouse kick! The air sizzled around her and white heat shot through her leg. Starling screamed in pain, collapsing before him.
Shit! I forgot about his energy field,
she thought scrambling backwards.
Dominion rumbled with laughter. Lifting his fists to fire another bolt at her. Gun shots rang out, bullets ricocheted across his impenetrable shield, drawing the villain's attention. Agent Calhoun advanced slowly, emptying the clip of his Glock. Dominion fired a blast at the agent, Calhoun dove out of the way but still got clipped, spun in midair, then crashed to the ground. The villain turned back to Starling with a wicked grin.
More gunshots. Starling glanced back to see Wallace, struggling to sit up, his pistol shaking in one hand. Dominion growled the detective's name and took aim for another energy blast. The heroine quickly lifted her Taser bracelet, remembering that his force field didn't reach all the way to the ground. Lining up the two red targeting dots on Dominion's ankle, she tapped the trigger button and he went rigid! Energy surged at every joint of his armor, popping and crackling. His energy shield flashed brightly, then fizzled out with burst of sparks.
"Wallace, get your ass to cover!" Starling shouted scrambling to her feet.
"What about you?" he groaned.
"I'm the superhero," she winked. "I've got a reign of terror to end!"
Dominion reeled for a moment, the surge caused by her Taser had shorted out several of his systems. He pounded the control panel on his left gauntlet, trying to figure out which weapons he had access to. His force field was fried, completely overloaded.
"I'll destroy you!" he snarled, his gauntlets flaring back to full power.
Starling dove into the air, banking hard across the lobby, as the villain unleashed a barrage of energy blasts.
As Wallace dashed for cover another body slammed into his. He reeled away, nearly falling but able to keep his footing. It was O'Malley, the cooked cop was ginning maliciously, fists clenched. No clever quips, no words needed, the two men charged. Wallace ducked under a high looping hook, hammering a one-two combination into the other man's gut. O'Malley groaned, dropped his hands, and the detective clocked him hard.
As the officer staggered backwards, Wallace caught him by the lapels. With his free hand, he turned O'Malley's face so he could see the red and white heroine soaring across the lobby.
"Remember her now, jackass?" the detective snarled.
Before the corrupt officer could respond, Wallace's fist slammed across his jaw and he slumped to the floor, unconscious.
The Scarlet Dove flew upwards, rolling into a midair flip and coming straight at Dominion. The villain failed to adjust to her new trajectory and she nailed him full on, planting her golden heels dead center of his chest. He roared in outrage as the force of her momentum sent him sprawling!
The redhaired heroine dropped nimbly onto her golden heels, standing before the downed villain in her cockiest pose; feet wide, hands on her hips, chest thrust forward proudly. She felt a swell of confidence, sensing she had the clear upper hand now.
"Give it up, Dominion!" she demanded.
"Never you insufferable cunt," he growled trying to sit up.
The heroine strut forward and placed her foot on his chest to hold him down. "That's MISS Insufferable cunt to you!"
A shrill beeping signaled the reboot of his strength enhancing exoskeleton. The villain rolled suddenly, whipping her legs out from underneath her! Starling fell back with a surprised yelp. Dominion sprang to his feet, coming towards her in a rush.
The heroine rolled, avoiding a heavy downward stomp. She kicked up to her feet, launching a high roundhouse kick at his face. Her boot glanced harmlessly off his blocking gauntlet. Before she could reset, his hand shot forward, grabbing her by the throat!
Starling's emerald eyes bulged as his grip tightened, cutting off her air supply. Servos whirred as the villain lifted her off the ground with ease. Her long legs flailed, she grabbed at his wrist desperately. Suddenly her legs flew up in the air and the ground rushed up at her! Dominion slammed the heroine onto the floor with his enhanced might.
She might have screamed in pain, but all the air rushed from her body when she hit. Gasping and dazed, Starling curled into a fetal position.
"Boss, this ain't goin' well!" shouted one of the corrupt cops running up to him.
