Angel’s Tears
Chapter Three — Graceless.
“I must say, Fox, this is quite the home you have here.” Persephone was grinning from ear to ear, her feet hovering ever so slightly above the ground. “Fancy artwork, beautiful garden... oh, and a curious laboratory to keep poor scientists busy with your dirty work.”
Angela seemed completely at peace, breathing softly as Persephone’s winds held her and her friend together on the wall, exactly where she wanted to be.
“Glad you like the place, Zephyr.” Celine coughed out as the turbulent forces blew Angela’s feathers against her cheek. “Think you could stop crushing me against it?”
“Hmm... yeaaah, I suppose I cooould. But I’m not really sure I wanna, ya know?”
Lucy was fidgeting with her lab coat as powerful gales surrounding Persephone blew it this way and that. “You aren’t hurting them, are you?”
“Aww, don’t worry. I couldn’t hurt Valkyrie if I tried.”
“And the Black Fox?”
“Well...” Persephone stretched the moment out, pretending to weigh her options. “Alright. Seems this one has a soft spot for you, Fox. Guess I have let you down after all. Promise you’ll play nice?”
Before Celine could respond, she was released from the wall and stumbled forward into Angela.
“It’s alright, Celine. I’ve got you.”
Persephone’s winds had blown the last of Angela’s ‘armour’ free, sending her top clattering to the floor. Celine couldn’t help but ire the view as her personal goddess held her close. No more silly pretenses of dignity by hiding behind a glorified metal bikini. Her firm breasts were on full display now, proud and unashamed. They would require proper attention once this nuisance had been dealt with.
Persephone waited patiently as the villainess took her time straightening her hair and making herself presentable again. Even now she was keeping her guard up. Something about Celine’s smile left the heroine feeling uneasy.
“Gotta say, Fox, the way Ange talked about you, I knew you were close. But I don’t really think this was an enemies-to-lovers kinda scenario.”
“So rude, Zephyr. Angela and I were sharing a wonderful moment together, and you completely spoiled the mood. But I’m a forgiving woman, so I’ll be generous. Just walk away and I’ll let you go.”
Persephone flicked her wrist and a fierce updraft lifted Celine off the ground.
“Hmm... nahhh. Somehow I get the feeling listening to you doesn’t end too well for me.”
Persephone’s winds carried her down the stairs with Lucy stumbling after her as Celine was left flailing in the air.
“Gah! You wretched brat. Put me down right now!”
“Kay!”
The wind died immediately, dropping Celine flat on her ass. She stared up at that infuriating impish grin. Damn sidekick. You have no right to interrupt my game with Angela like this. She rose to her feet once more, carefully backing away from Persephone as she finished descending the stairs. Alright, Celine, just calm down. Take a breath, wait for your moment. She’s nothing but an arrogant heroine, unfit to stand beside Angela. She’s just playing around right now. That will be her downfall. Soon enough, you will have this cutie on her knees. Then, you can repay her insolence tenfold. Yes... she will look beautiful worshipping her mistress. Oh, Zephyr, when I’m through with you, you’ll be begging for my forgiveness.
She hid her sneer behind a warm smile. The same smile which had won her so many friends in her public life as Celine Blackwood.
“Please allow me to apologise, Miss Zephyr. That was most unladylike of me just now. I’m sure, if we just talked, we could come to an agreement.”
“Well, when you put it so politely, how could I say no?” Persephone smirked.
“Come work for me. I could use a clever young woman like yourself in my line of work. I promise the life of a villainess is far more luxurious than a hero’s. Just think of it for a moment, my dear. Being waited on hand and foot. No longer being just Angela’s sidekick—“
“Partner!”
“Yes... sorry, partner. My point is, it could be your turn in the spotlight, your turn to take center stage.”
“Hmm, tempting, very tempting...”
Persephone tapped a finger against her chin, humming to herself contentedly. After a moment, she cast a sideways glance at Celine.
“Would this be before or after you use Angel’s Tears to make me your simpering lapdog?”
Celine’s eyes shot wide. This woman knew about the Tears. But the only person who could have warned her was... She glared at Lucy, who quickly looked away, trying to hide from Celine’s stare behind the small heroine.
“Oops. Was I not supposed to know about that?” Persephone was making no attempt to hide her amusement as she observed their exchange. “Sorry, but I guess your pet chemist doesn’t like you very much.”
She giggled and turned her attention to her teammate.
“Geeze, Ange, what would you do without me? You ok in there?”
“I’m... wonderful.” The normally stoic heroine sighed heavily, still staring at Celine with adoring eyes. She hardly even noticed as Persephone poked a finger into her cheek.
“Oh wow, she really did a number on you, huh? Miss Lucy, think you could take a look at her?”
Lucy did as she was told, relieved to have an excuse to escape all the suffocating tension. She pulled a small penlight from her lab coat and ran it across Angela’s eyes.
“How do you feel, Miss Valkyrie? Any pain? Stress?”
“No. I feel... relaxed? Safe...” Angela’s answer came out soft and slow.
Lucy continued her examination, poking and prodding Angela like a prized specimen.
“Pupil dilation, normal. Respiration, lowered but stable. Response to physical stimuli suggests—”
“You see, Zephyr?” Celine interrupted, “She’s fine. I would never hurt my dear friend.”
Persephone’s playful attitude quickly fell away. This woman had managed to hurt THE Valkyrie, and she wasn’t even pretending to be ashamed of it.
“This won’t be permanent, Fox. I WILL reverse it. I suggest you do yourself a favour and cooperate.”
Winds swirled beneath Celine once more, lifting her off the ground and leaving her suspended in midair. This time, the villainess did not struggle; rather, she welcomed the sensation. That’s it, cutie. Pretend you’re in control.
“Black Fox, it’s time for you to bow out. I’m hereby arresting you for kidnapping, coercion, conspiracy to—”
“Yes-yes, I’m a very bad woman.” Celine dismissively waved her hand. “You must be so proud to have captured me. I’m sure the news will love to hear how the great Valkyrie and her sidekick have finally brought the nefarious Black Fox to justice.”
“PARTNER!”
Celine looked delighted. It seemed she had found a kindred spirit in Persephone. This was just what she needed.
“It hurts, doesn’t it? To always be second best. To always go unappreciated.”
“She does appreciate me. We’re equals. I’m the one who tracked you down, not her.”
“But that’s not what the headlines will say, is it? No-no. You work so hard, Persephone. But you’ll always be the cute one.”
“Stop it.”
“The one who’s useful,”
“Stop it!”
“but never the hero.”
“SHUT UP!”
Gotcha.
Celine was flung high into the air, but a golden blur instantly shot after her. Before she could fall, she found herself cradled in Angela’s muscular arms.
“Angela, my hero.” Celine patted her saviour on her cheek. “It seems little Zephyr doesn’t care for me. Who knows what she might have done if not for you.”
The Amazon turned to her smaller companion. Her eyes, once glassy and unfocussed, now burned into Persephone with anguish.
“Persephone... how could you? Celine is my friend, and you... you tried to hurt her!”
Persephone stepped back, realising how dire the situation had become thanks to one foolish outburst. Even naked, Angela seemed to radiate power. How was she already this compromised? They had only been separated for a few minutes.
“Ange, listen to me. You’re not yourself right now. Whatever she’s told you can’t be trusted.”
Celine let out an overly dramatic sigh as Angela lowered her back to the floor.
“The poor dear seems confused, Angela. Could you hold her down for me so we can sort this out? I’m oh-so frightened of what she might do otherwise.”
The heroine’s response was instant. With a single beat of her mighty wings, she barrelled into Persephone, sending them both flying into the ceiling in a flurry of wind and feathers.
“Ange, snap out of it. Look what you’re doing!”
But Persephone’s cries fell on deaf ears. Her only answer was the mockery of the very woman she had come to arrest.
“I don’t think she’s listening, darling. Perhaps you’ve upset her, somehow.”
“Shut up! Ange, LISTEN TO ME!”
She conjured a downward gust to slam Angela into the floor. She’d been hoping to buy some time, but the Valkyrie wasn’t even fazed. Already, she was rising to her feet.
Persephone unleashed a series of quick, successive bursts upon her teammate, hoping to keep her grounded until she could figure a way out of this. Every shot landed, but for every blow, Angela would just get back up.
As Persephone released another blast, Angela beat her wings, somehow sending the attack back at the smaller heroine and knocking her off balance. Before she could recover, Angela took to the air once more.
“Wha? Since when could you do that!?”
“Infuriating, isn’t she?” Celine laughed, delighted to finally witness Angela’s power from the winning side. “Sorry, sweetheart, but this is one fight you aren’t going to win. Angela was facing down gods when you were still in high school. Oh, but don’t let that stop you from trying.”
Persephone swiftly darted around the room, firing continuous blasts which no longer found their target. She desperately needed to keep her distance, but it was clear Angela was closing the gap. Her aerokinesis was incredibly versatile; everywhere was her weapon to wield, but none of it allowed her to put a dent in her more experienced partner. No amount of brute force would work, and she had never trained for anything more refined.
Before long, Angela managed to grasp Persephone, pulling her into a tight bearhug. Two massive arms wrapped tightly around the smaller heroine, pinning both her arms to her sides. She almost fully enveloped her captive as the two dived towards the ground.
“Ange, stop! STOP! This isn’t you.”
At the last second, Angela twisted, taking the brunt of the impact as the floor shattered beneath them. As the dust settled, Celine’s vile laughter rang throughout the room. Slowly, Angela rose from the crater, carrying a still squirming Persephone in her arms.
Celine started slowly making her way towards them through the debris, still laughing as she clapped her hands condescendingly.
“This is what I get for welcoming you girls into my home. Look at what you’ve done to the place.”
She gestured to her once grand foyer, surveying the damage the two had caused.
“What will I tell people did all this? Tsk, tsk, little Zephyr. You’ve given me such a headache. But I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it up to me soon.”
Persephone was starting to panic. Her struggles became more frantic against Angela’s iron grip.
“Ange, don’t let her do this. We’re partners, ? A team. We can’t let it end like this!”
For a moment, something flashed behind Angela’s eyes. “Don’t be scared, Persephone. Celine would never hurt you.” She softened her hold, hoping to comfort her partner. Persephone obviously didn’t understand. She must still think they were in danger.
Tears began to spill down Persephone’s cheeks. Her struggles became more frantic as fear overtook her. With a mighty shriek, she tore her hand free and thrust it towards Celine.
In an instant, the villainess’s laughter died. She had expected a desperate blast to knock her away. Some final, pathetic act of defiance. Not this. This was raw, unrestrained power. The entire room seemed to buckle and tear around her. Windows cracked, floorboards shattered. The air was being ripped from the entire foyer, spiralling into a single funnel centered around Celine, and the walls of this tornado were closing in around her.
“N-now hold on.” There was no dignity in Celine’s voice now. “Let’s not be too hasty, Zephyr. We can still—”
“Call Ange off right now, Fox. RIGHT NOW! OR I’LL... huh?”
The heroine felt a light sting in the side of her neck.
“Miss... Lucy?”
A wave of her hand sent the chemist stumbling away, and a small needle clattered to the floor.
“Wha... what was...”
Lucy’s head was lowered, hiding her face as the winds dissipated. A chuckle slowly rose from her, building into full laughter, loud, menacing, and completely at odds with the diminutive scientist Persephone had seen mere moments ago. She stood straight and pushed up her glasses.
“Nerve agent. An old project of mine designed for Valkyrie before I realised there was no way to ister an injection to someone with unbreakable skin.”
Persephone felt herself going limp in Angela’s arms. She tried to make sense of what was happening.
“Why... WHY? I saved you...”
“It should only last a few minutes, don’t worry.” Lucy dismissively walked past the heroine without even looking at her, idly patting her head as she did. “She’s quite harmless now, Valkyrie. You can put her down.”
Angela hesitated. It was true, Persephone didn’t seem upset anymore. But every fibre of her heroic instincts was screaming to get Persephone as far away from this woman as she could. Still, she had helped protect Celine. Perhaps she should trust her, at least for now.
She gently lowered Persephone to the floor, laying her on her back.
“Ange, please... You have to get out of here.”
“Don’t worry, Persephone. Celine will fix everything. You’ll see. I’ll be here the whole time. I’ll keep you safe.”
Celine was standing frozen in place. Lucy was marching towards her with a wicked sneer, the same sneer Celine had seen many times in the mirror whenever a plan had come together. Her eyes were flicking between her lieutenant and the needle at her feet. She didn’t know what to make of this situation at all. Zephyr was incapacitated, but not by her design. She was supposed to be the mastermind here. She was supposed to be the one with the plan.
A cold thought came to mind. She’d seen this look on Lucy before. That wild, hungry stare from her more ambitious days. Had she tired of her leash? Had she decided to indulge in her old ambitions? Surely she wouldn’t be so stupid as to try something while Rapture City’s number one hero was right next to her. Unless... was there something about the Angel’s Tears she didn’t know?
Before she could gather her thoughts, Lucy completed her approach. She reached out and adjusted the jacket, which had slipped from Celine’s shoulders, back into place. “She’s all yours, boss.” She then stepped back a safe distance from the Tears and took her place at Celine’s side, exactly where she belonged.
A relieved sigh escaped Celine’s lips. Lucy hadn’t fallen back into her old habits after all.
“Lucy, don’t you EVER scare me like that again. Also, what the hell just happened?”
“The plan, Cel. The plan happened. I played my role as the scared damsel, waiting for a big, strong hero to rescue me. I just decided a bit of...” a dark grin spread across Lucy’s face as she pressed her heel atop the needle and crushed it beneath her, “improv was required for my role.“
“So you risked exposing the Angel’s Tears to this brat and defied my direct orders to stay hidden?” Celine’s arm shot out, grabbing Lucy by her lab coat. “Oh, Lucy, you backstabbing treacherous bitch, I could KISS you right now!”
Lucy’s smirk vanished as her face lit up.
“Yes, well... I suppose thanks would be in order. How about you start by apologising for that embarrassing performance you put on just now? Pleading with a hero, Cel? I thought you had standards.”
“Oh screw off.” Celine snarked, shoving her lieutenant. “Villains don’t survive as long as I have without brains, beauty, AND humility.”
“So thaaat’s why you keep me around. I cover the first two so you can focus on the third.”
“That’s it! You asked for this.”
Lucy’s eyes were blown wide in surprise as Celine pulled their lips together. But she soon met Celine’s challenge head-on, opening her mouth and letting their tongues dance between them.
She could feel the Angel’s Tears washing over her, but she didn’t care. She kept kissing Celine as fiercely as she could. She deserved this, dammit. Consequences be damned, she deserved this.
When they finally broke the kiss, her face was as bright as her hair.
“That... was not workplace appropriate.”
But she was already moving in for a second round. No way was she about to let Celine get away with just a quick tease.
Persephone was still squirming on the floor. She could barely even raise her head and had to listen to the two villains making out mere steps away from her. She turned pleadingly to her partner, hoping to rouse some echo of the hero she knew must still be in there. But her gaze was only met with a tender stroke on her cheek. It wasn’t fair; everything felt so heavy, and nobody would help.
Her panic rose as she heard two sets of heels approaching her.
“No! Don’t you dare.”
Celine lowered herself on top of Persephone, straddling her midsection.
“Look at her, Luce. Just... look at her.”
The sweet scent of Angel’s Tears enveloped the two women as the jacket settled over Persephone’s sides. Celine leaned down, pressing their chests together and gripping her prey by the chin.
“So much power in this tiny form of hers, and not a damn thing she can do with it now.”
She planted a gentle kiss on Persephone’s cheek.
“No. I won’t let you...” Persephone tried to twist away from the villainess’s grip. She hated this warm feeling that was spreading through her.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” Celine placed a second kiss on her other cheek. “This is what happens when you play in the big leagues.”
Persephone could feel her strength returning to her, giving her a glimmer of hope that the nerve agent might be wearing off. Despite this, all she could manage was continuing to wriggle under the villainess. She tried desperately to hold on to her anger, to her fear, to anything that would keep her from succumbing to this woman.
This horrible lavender, it must be the Angel’s Tears. How did I miss this? The slight disturbances in the air around her... she’s been wearing it this whole time. This... oh gods, this is how she broke Ange, and now she wants to do the same to me.
She tried to force Celine off her, tried to blow her away. But she simply couldn’t; worse, she wasn’t even sure how much longer she would want to. She could sense the Tears all around her, being drawn in with every breath, filling her lungs, working its way into her system. Lulling her into a lovely-
“No, NO! Miss Lucy, you can still stop her. Please! I’ll do anything.”
Lucy simply began circling the fallen heroine with a cruel, satisfied look on her face.
“Hmm... pupils dilating, respiration slowing, now wheeere have we seen this before?”
“Hear that, Persephone? Nothing will stop this.” Celine teased between her kisses, slowly trailing down Persephone’s neck, savouring every moment of her triumph. “Nobody is going to save you. Not Lucy, and certainly not my Angela.”
Lucy continued observing as her masterpiece worked upon the heroine’s mind, slowly reducing her to a docile servant just like her mentor. This had turned out better than she could have imagined. She could not deny it; she loved watching Celine break these heroes.
“How’s she taste, Cel? I bet she’s sweet.”
“Mmm, let’s find out.”
Celine claimed Persephone’s lips in a full kiss, forcing her tongue inside. The heroine tried to push against it, but she couldn’t find the strength to do so. Her body wouldn’t listen to her anymore.
“Hard to say.” Celine licked her lips, absolutely delighted by tonight’s events. “Between yourself, Angela, and now this little cutie, I must be spoiling my appetite.”
Angela exhaled, relieved to see they weren’t fighting anymore.
“Thank you for working things out, Celine. It’s good to see you two getting along.”
“Oh yes, sweetheart. Persephone and I are going to get along just fine now.” Celine continued tenderly kissing Persephone’s cheeks, tracing her fingers along her throat as she did. “Juuuust fine.”
Lucy rested her arms around Angela’s shoulders, noting how the powerful woman trembled slightly beneath her touch. Curiously, she saw Angela’s hands were slowly clenching into fists. Perhaps some small remnant of the heroine still understood what was happening. No matter; that could be easily fixed soon enough.
“Don’t worry. Just watch.” Lucy whispered. “Soon, very soon, it will be your turn again. We’ll take good care of you both from now on.”
“Thank... you.” Angela shuddered as a chill ran up her spine. This woman really did make her feel uncomfortable. But if Celine trusted her, she could trust her as well. So she continued to watch in silence, and before long the only sounds in the foyer were those of Celine’s kisses and Persephone’s whimpering.
“Aww, you poor thing. You’re crying.” Celine began brushing her fur sleeve across Persephone’s face, treating her to wave after wave of fragrant perfume. “Let me wipe away those tears.”
Celine could barely contain herself. She had finally defeated Angela AND she was getting her pretty sidekick as a bonus. With both of them under her control, nothing in Rapture City could stop her. Not now, not ever again.
Persephone wasn’t even trying to push her off anymore. As Celine leaned close, she heard the faintest moan mix amongst Persephone’s whimpers.
“Aaaand...” She planted one final kiss on the tip of her nose. “Mine.” She had won.
She got off her pacified heroine, dusted herself down, then snapped her fingers twice.
“Angela, get your adorable sidekick off my floor, quickly now.”
Angela promptly took a careful yet firm grip on Persephone’s arm, not wanting her to panic and try to run away. To her relief, Persephone made no such attempt. After helping her to her feet, she turned to Celine, silently asking what she should do next.
“You’re almost ready, you two.” Celine stepped between them, running a hand possessively up their arms. “Come now, Persephone, come and rest your head on my shoulder. Let the soft fur erase all your worries.”
Persephone whimpered as she instinctively nestled against the Black Fox. She could practically feel herself sinking into the plush fur, like it might swallow her whole and never let her go.
“I don’t... want...”
“Shh, sweet thing. Just relax... Breathe in... Let the Tears finish their work. Soon you’ll be just like Angela, and this will all be over.”
“No... please...” She took a small step back, never quite letting go of her captor. “Miss Fox, I’m sorry. Please don’t—”
“Now, now.” Celine cupped her hand under Persephone’s ear. “It’s time to ‘bow out,’ brat.”
Persephone giggled, a tiny smile forming on her lips as Celine guided her back into the silky fur.
“You’re the worst, ya know that?”
With one heroine subdued, Celine wrapped her spare arm around the other’s waist. “The other shoulder’s for you, Angela. Come here, my girl.”
Celine soon had both heroines blissfully snuggling against her. She continued running her fingers through Persephone’s short hair while resting her own head against Angela’s.
“Beautiful, aren’t they, Lucy? I don’t think I’ll have time for the gala tonight. I’m taking these two lovelies to my bed to celebrate their downfall.” She let out a long sigh. “Angela and I have sooo much catching up to do.”
She was beyond delighted. Here she was standing in her ruined foyer with both invaders curled at her sides, their soft breaths steady as the Angel’s Tears brought them deeper under her thrall. The moment was simply magical. She allowed herself a moment to bask in her victory.
But all good things must come to an end. She stepped forward, escorting her two new thralls to the stairs. “Come along, my pets. I have a wonderful night in store for you.” She paused to look over her shoulder. “You coming, Luce?”
Lucy’s brilliant mind was already racing, calculating the perfect response. Say yes. Say yes. Say yes. “Bad idea, Cel. Just this mild exposure to the Tears is slowing me down. If I ed you...” Fuck!
“Oh, of course.” Celine laughed at her oversight. “Well then, pop by your lab and take a healthy dose of your counter-agent. Boss’s orders. You’ve more than earned it tonight.”
Lucy was practically glowing. She could only think of one way to answer.
“Gotcha.”