SUPERHEROINE TEAM UP PRELUDE: BLACK SCORPION by Valereya James, http://valereyajames.deviantart.com/ Sweat glistened off Darcy Walker's toned body as she clung to the metal bar above her. She exhaled, slowly, building her strength and resolved. Tightening her grip, she arced her body and pulled up. Letting out a grunt when the bar was level with her heaving bosom, she slowly lowered herself down. "Thirty-one." She grunted and prepared for another rep. Being a detective by day and crime fighter by night meant keeping her body in tip-top shape, and she did just that. She had her hair pulled back tight in a bun and wore only a sports bra and booty shorts. She made a mental note to buy another pair of shorts, as these ones showed too much cheek. "Attractive, who are you dressing to impress?" A voice broke her concentration. Darcy looked to see Argyle, bent over the open hood of the Scorpion Mobile. She had no idea he was even here but the sweat glistening off his black skin showed he must have been there for a while. "How long have you been gawking?" She asked, pulling herself up for another rep. "I think since number 15. I didn't wanna break your concentration. By the way, those shorts are a bit short." "Thanks." She said, lowering herself down. Normally she would take offense, but she shared everything with Argyle. She owed a lot to him, seeing how he came up with most of her gadgets and vehicles. Argyle once led a life of crime, but tried to go straight. His past, mostly his brother, the Gangster Prankster, always seemed to be catching up with him. As Black Scorpion, Darcy helped Argyle put that past behind him, and in return he offered her his services. "Just giving her a little tune up, I can't have you breaking down while you're out catching bad guys." Argyle turned back to his work. Darcy lifted herself for another rep, her biceps screaming in protest. Argyle was her most trusted confident, and thus far was the only person who knew of her secret hanger down her under her apartment. Hi-tech computers, state of the art gym equipment, crime fighting gadgets, cars, her Black Scorpion outfit, you name it. All of it crowded the large space around her. The only way down was a secret entrance in her living room or a secret alley entrance that Argyle used. Darcy continued her pull ups, all the while listening to Argyle tinker, mentally kicking herself for letting her guard down. "Okay, should be good to go. No break downs for you anytime soon." "What would I do without you Argyle?" "Not much. Now, I gotta head out." Darcy let herself drop. Argyle had closed the hood of the Scorpion-Mobile and was grabbing his jacket. Although he was a few years older than her, his eyes carried the weight of his years in crime. He was in shape and proved he could handle himself in the past, he even taught Darcy a trick or two. "What? Going out? That's new." Darcy grabbed a water bottle. "Well one of us needs a social life. I can't be down here all the time." Argyle shrugged on his jacket. "You've never had one before. A hot date?" "I'll tell you when you finally ask your handsome detective friend out." "Detective Rafferty and I are just colleagues." "I thought after what happened a few months ago things would be different." Darcy stiffened. He was referring to the strange situation with the prison and the DA. A situation where Black Scorpion was kidnapped and at the mercy of her enemies more than she would care to admit. "That's behind us." she said. "I'm sure. I'm just saying, even just having a friend, it would do you some good." With that, Argyle nodded and headed towards the exit. Darcy waited until she was sure he was gone. Something's wrong. Argyle had been sneaking off a lot these past few weeks, and he was acting differently, more secretive. Gangster Prankster had tried to come back into Argyle's life several times before, but as far as she knew, Prankster was still locked up. But still, she had a bad feeling.Darcy looked at the large glass case in the center of the bunker containing her Black Scorpion outfit. It was time to go to work. *** As Black Scorpion, Darcy felt less like she was wearing a costume and more like it was a second skin. Her costume was skimpy, consisting of a black, armored thong leotard, knee high boots, elbow length gloves, and a black mask covering the upper half of her face. Her hair was braided to resemble a Scorpion's tail and flowed along her back. She knew Argyle would recognize her car or the Scorpion Mobile, so she kept to the rooftops. Argyle was moving along the sidewalks below, constantly looking over his shoulder. Something is definitely wrong. She braced herself and jumped from one rooftop to another, putting herself ahead of him. She peered down on the street, making sure to keep to the shadows. Night had fallen and thankfully the streets of Angel City were empty. Argyle kept walking and crossed the street. Damn. He was heading uptown now, the opposite of her. She would have to come off the roof to keep following him, and that meant risk of exposure. She sighed and headed for a fire escape on the far end of the roof. *** Black Scorpion tried to cling to the shadows and alleys as much as she could as she followed Argyle uptown. Thankfully, he ended up taking an alley himself. Black Scorpion stayed far behind him, crouching behind an old dumpster while peering out to see where he was headed. At the end of the alley was an old body shop. By the looks of it, it was long abandoned, the paint was chipping, windows broken, and dark inside. Argyle walked up to the decaying front door and pushed it open before being swallowed by the darkness inside.Black Scorpion frowned, this situation seemed to be getting worse. She emerged from behind the dumpster and slowly approached the body shop. The entire area around it seemed quiet, too quiet. Could Argyle be leading her into a trap? No, he would never. They had been through too much together. There had to be something else going on. She quickly approached the door, slipping inside. The old body shop was dark. A decaying desk and file cabinet, and chairs were strewn about. But at the far end was a light. Black Scorpion allowed her eyes to adjust and then moved towards the light, finding a stairwell leading down, the light illuminating from the basement it lead to. And raised voices rose up to greet her. Black Scorpion pressed herself against the wall and descended the stairs. Each step she was made was slow and deliberate, she didn't want a creaky staircase to give away her position. The voices got louder, and she recognized Argyle's as one of them. She reached the bottom of the stairwell and peeked around the corner. The basement was filled with vintage cars of every make and model. It was well lit and well kept. Several men stood in the center of the room, their backs to her. She darted out from the stairwell and crouched behind an old VW, peering over the hood to scope out the situation. Argyle paced, having a heated conversation with a well dressed man, dark hair slicked back along his head. Six very large goons surrounded them. The Well Dressed Man ran his finger along a car. "Do you like my collection? This is just a small sample really. I have many more garages like this all over town. Thing is, anybody of my stature can have a car collection, all it says is that I have money and time. I want more, I want power." "I told you, I'm not doing it." Argyle said through gritted teeth. "I know," said the Well Dressed Man, "But if you don't, she dies. As easy as that. I have a feeling that my request isn't going to prove a challenge for a man like you. I don't know why you're being difficult." Who was she? These people must have someone close to Argyle, but who? As far as Black Scorpion knew, he had no family, no girlfriend. Or did he? How did he have the time? "I'm done with this life. I've warned you once." Argyle stood his ground. "Yes, your powerful friend. I'm not scared. You should be though. I am not an enemy you want. I'm willing to pay you handsomely, the girl is just incentive." This had gone far enough. Black Scorpion crept closer. "You'll regret this." Argyle said. "No, I'm sure I won't." said the Well Dressed Man. "No, you will." Black Scorpion stepped out from behind the car, fists up. Argyle's eyes widened. "What are you doing here!" He screamed at her. "Run, I got these guys." Her eyes narrowed. "We'll see," the Well Dressed Man yawned, "Get her." The goons attacked. Black Scorpion ducked a massive fist and landed a punch in a goon's stomach. Before he could retaliate, she landed a kick on the side of his head, knocking him down. Another one lunged at her, she flipped up onto the hood of a car and spun, kicking him with both feet. Suddenly one came from behind and bearhugged her. She shot her head back, slamming it into his face. The goon fell back as another approached. The goon shot out a fist, which Black Scorpion dodged and sent a foot into the back of his knee. As the goon fell, she placed another kick to the side of his head. Argyle moved to help her when a goon grabbed him, holding him in a full nelson. He fought but the meathead was too strong. With a swift combination of strikes Black Scorpion knocked down two other goons. One goon managed to attack her from behind and punched her against her lower back. Black Scorpion grunted in pain from the kidney punch. The Goon swung a punch at her head. Black Scorpion ducked low and kicked her leg backwards, the goon collapsed tot he floor as her boot hit his jaw. Two more goons came at her. Black Scorpion leaped forward and knocked the first goon down with a knee to his face. As she landed she spun around and connected a spinning kick which toppled the second goon. Argyle tried to help but was held immobilized by the goon and could only watch while Black Scorpion fought the goons. "Black Scorpion, look out!" Black Scorpion turned towards Argyle. Behind her, one of the goons was up, a taser in his hand. Argyle's cry was the distraction the goon needed. He jammed the taser into Black Scorpion's bare ass cheek. Jolts rocked her body, every nerve exploding at once. She collapsed, still conscious but without control of her body. The Well Dressed Man clapped. Argyle fought but the goon held firm. Black Scorpion felt sensation returning to her body. She tried to get up but as a a goon grabbed either arm and pulled her up. They bent her over a hood of a car and pulled her arms behind her back. "Good show Black Scorpion, but I have to thank you for playing into our hands so well." "What?" she asked, still groggy. Her wrists suddenly cried out in pain, she could feel the goons tying them together. "You're a fool, a damn fool." Argyle was shaking his head. The goons pulled the bound Black Scorpion off the car hood and pulled her towards the Well Dressed Man. "Well Mr. Argyle, here is your incentive." He said. "What is this? Who are you?" "You see, I heard of Argyle here's past association, and I sought him out, wanting him to assist me with an armory of my own. He said no, so I had to find a way to motivate him." "The girl? The one you kidnapped?" Black Scorpion asked. "Oh dear me, you are dense. No, you are the incentive. I had Argyle followed, find out where he's been spending his nights. I told him that unless he didn't cooperate, you would suffer the consequences... Detective Walker." Black Scorpion stiffened. The Well Dressed Man smiled. The goons moved her towards a wall, well away from Argyle. One of them moved behind her, a white cloth in his hand. "I had a plan in place to abduct you at your most vulnerable but you saved us that trouble now." "You should have let me be." Argyle glared at her. "So, Mr. Argyle, you will build me an array of vehicles similar to what you've supplied Black Scorpion with. I will keep her as insurance, and once you've delivered the product, you two can go along your way." "You think I'm gonna believe you." Argyle grimaced. "You have no choice. The cars, or the girl dies." "Don't listen to him Arg-Ummmmph! Mmmmmph!"Black Scorpion was cut off by the goon wrapping the white cloth around her mouth, gagging her. Black Scorpion twisted her head as she felt the gag knotted at the back of her head. "Now, boys, take Argyle to the work site, show him what I want. The others, take Black Scorpion someplace safe. She's our new guest." "Glmmmpupph! Smmmphggllump! Mmmmph!" She screamed at him under the gag. "Such language does not become a lady." The Well Dressed man smiled. "Mmmmph! Ummmph! Glummpmmmph!" She fought as the thugs moved her towards a waiting car. She looked back to see Argyle being ushered into another vehicle, along with The Well Dressed Man. She couldn't believe it. After her ordeal at the prison, Black Scorpion swore she would never be a damsel in distress again. She hated being bound and hated being gagged even more. She bit into the thick cloth muffling her cries, wanting nothing but to rip the constricting gag away and spit it in her captor's faces. "Grrrrummph!" One goon got in the car. Black Scorpion fought and kicked as the other one tried to push her in the car as well. "Come on man!" The goon in the car yelled. "I'm trying!" The goon lifted Black Scorpion. She placed one foot on one side of the door and another on the other side, bracing herself against the car, pushing back as the goon attempted to push her in. "Mmmmmph! Ummmmph! Mmmmph!" She pressed back, keeping the goon from shoving her in. "Come on, she's just a girl." "Grrrrmmmph!" She screamed at the sexist remark. "No she isn't, now help me!" "Grrrrmmmph!Mmmmluuuumph! Black Scorpion kept trying to kick off from the car, but the goon inside grabbed her feet with two massive hands. She tried to wriggle out, but the two were able to get her inside. Another goon sat behind the wheel and started the engine. In the back, the goons placed Black Scorpion in a sitting position between them. "Time for a ride." "Ummmph! Mmmmph!" The engine started. At the far end of the basement, a massive door opened. Black Scorpion watched as the car containing Argyle and the Well Dressed Man drove off. After a minute, their car followed. "Mmmph! Mmmmmmph!" "I thought gags were supposed to keep them quiet?" One goon asked. "I guess not, though I got something that will work." The goon to her right reached into his pocket. The car pulled out onto the street. Black Scorpion looked around, seeing if she could signal for help, but it was deserted. The goon to her right pulled out a syringe. "A little something to help her sleep." He smiled. "Mmmmph! Mmmmph!" She moved away, but the other goon grabbed her shoulders. "Time to count your sheep, babe." "Mmmmph!" The goon held up the needle. "What do we do after this?" Asked the one holding her. "We get her to the place, and get her out of those clothes." The one with the needle smiled. "GRRRRRRMMMMPH!" Black Scorpion screamed under the gag and sent a knee into the goon's crotch. He cried out and dropped the needle. Black Scorpion kicked the goon again, sending him back against the window. The one behind her attempted to control his captive but Black Scorpion elbowed him in the ribs. As he fell back, she knocked her head back into his face. "What the-" The driver turned to see the commotion just to find one of Black Scorpion's boots heading right for his face. *** What was left of the car rested against a telephone pole. After being kicked, the driver lost control of the wheel. The front end was smashed in. The driver lay limp on the wheel, the horn blaring. One goon's head hung out a shattered passenger window, his face covered in blood. A door swung open, a shaky leg stretched out onto the glass covered concrete, a henchman. Blood flowed down the henchman's face from a gash on his nose, which was bent and misshapen. The henchman stumbled out of the totaled car, gasping and groaning. He bent over, trying to collect himself when suddenly a black boot appeared between his legs, moving up quickly, slamming him in the privates. The henchman cried out and fell. Black Scorpion sat up in the back seat. The two surly henchmen had cushioned her during the crash thankfully, though she was still banged up. The bound superheroine stepped out of the car. "Ummmph..." She mumbled into her gag, looking for a way to get free. Her head head pounded, her legs covered in cuts and bruises. She groaned through her gag. Not her best escape attempt but it worked. Then she saw the broken glass on the ground from the windows. Black Scorpion squatted down and grasped one of the shards with her bound hands. She started cutting through her bonds with the glass, while never taking her eyes off the the henchman. The henchman was groaning and crawling away at a snail's pace. The ropes fell away from Black Scorpion's wrists. She stood up and ripped off the gag, letting out a gasp of relief. The henchman was still trying to crawl away. Black Scorpion stalked over to him, her eyes on fire. She placed a boot on his back. "Not so fast." She said, using her other foot to roll the henchman over. "Please don't hurt me lady, I'm sorry." he pleaded. Black Scorpion bent over and grasped his mangled nose, the henchman cried out in agony. She tried not to smile. "Tell me everything." She growled through gritted teeth. TO BE CONTINUED IN BLACK SCORPION/PHANTOM LADY TEAM UP!