Action scenes... so much work
Her chest ached, her throat both parched and raw, her hair clung to her forehead like her battle suit clung to her frame – but she felt powerful. Buttercup had gone up against fire and come out with mild scorches. Compared to that, Sedusa would be simple.
The femme fatale was sprawled along the wide extended steps at the entrance of Townsville Bank. It wasn't a 'pose' exactly, with anyone else it would be called a 'slouch', but Sedusa had an air about her – it seemed like she was modelling for a double spread in a magazine.
Buttercup picked up her pace. She'd end this with one kick, before Sedusa could even say 'you chipped my nails'.
"Men, front and center please," the temptress drawled, tipping her head to survey the green puff. "We have company."
Buttercup slid to a halt in front of the two men.
She wasn't impressed with the hired help. Fights were only worthwhile if there was a real challenge. "You're dragging this out Sedusa," she said, craning her neck to see beyond the wall of muscle. "It'll end with my fist in your face – whether I fight these guys or not. So let's fast forward."
Sedusa rolled her shoulders, sighed, and then settled back into her position. She remained relaxed, calm. "You're that powerpuff, aren't you? The girl who was on TV a while back. I remember, you wore those god awful strappy heels," she tutted, "sweetheart, hasn't anyone told you that straps do nothing for those shins of yours? They looked incredibly chunky on television."
What the hell was this? "I don't want your fashion advice. And I definitely don't need it." Buttercup was already certain she'd get a thrill out of punching this woman.
Sedusa laughed. "You just don't realise you need it. Take your hair for example. Is it some sort of bob? Did you take a razor blade to your ends? Why is it so limp?"
"Enough of this crap," Buttercup was done entertaining Sedusa's antics, "sweetheart." She stepped forward, and Sedusa's henchmen stepped in her path. Buttercup snapped her fist out, feigning a punch, and then swung her knee up. Henchmen 1 blocked her attack. Henchman 2 threw a cross hook.
Buttercup sprung back. His fist swept past, causing her damp fringe to scatter. Her heart beat quickened to a speed faster than that of when she was running; Sedusa hadn't compelled average strangers. There was a certain force and fluidity to their movements that suggested skill.
"Oh, look at those confused little frown lines. You'll develop wrinkles well before your thirties." Sedusa flicked a finger at her henchmen. "Meet Kyle and Darius. They served in the marines a few years ago, both were working fulfilling jobs and had loving families – but now they'd do absolutely anything for me!"
Buttercup poised on the balls of her feet. Marines. That was on a completely different level from Ace, and Butch, and anyone she'd ever fought without her powers. She wasn't certain her skills could match up. Maybe she'd returned to the Puff's too soon. Maybe she needed more training.
Buttercup paused. Kyle and Darius looked quite air headed. Their expressions were slack jawed, and their eyes disengaged. Even their current demeanours were like that of someone who'd just been dragged out of bed. Buttercup found it difficult to believe they were currently marine level fighters; they looked like empty vessels. Maybe Sedusa's influence was hindering them in some way.
"Of course, I had to speak for hours to train them," Sedusa continued. It irked Buttercup that she was so chatty and casual, like they were long lost friends. "…those men do not know how to treat a lady. So, I should advise you to leave right now. Before my boys make that option disappear." She trailed a red acrylic nail across her throat.
Buttercup raised her fists. They could be marines, monsters, or freaking tarantulas, whatever. She couldn't run. Her pride wouldn't allow it. "I don't take threats well Sedusa. I actually prefer to give them."
Buttercup snapped her leg up, slapping Kyle's chin with the toe of her boot. His head snapped back, but he recovered quickly, shoving his foot into Buttercup's gut. She staggered. The breath knocked out of her. Buttercup wheezed and wiped the drool from her mouth.
She'd expected to knock him out with that kick, so she'd been off balance for a split second afterwards. If Kyle was any kind of experienced fighter, she'd be on her ass by now; he should have swept her feet out from under her. It was odd. He wasn't fighting at full efficiency, as if he couldn't access his full range of skills, as if his judgment was dulled.
…It probably was. Sedusa's 'suggestions' must be the loudest thing in his head.
Buttercup gingerly pressed a hand to her torso. And paused. She'd been taking shallow breaths, expecting the pain of a broken rib or the throb of bruised flesh. But there was nothing. She stood to her full height and pressed harder.
Nothing.
Buttercup examined Kyle's massive size 14 sole, and grinned. Brute force be damned. She couldn't be harmed. She had a protective battle suit, and her opponents had limited fighting judgment. She was untouchable. "Here's a threat Sedusa, tailored just for you." Buttercup popped her joints. "I'm going to come back there and rip the hair right out of your scalp. Nice and slow." She declared. "We'll see if you're still chatty when you lose the one thing you've pinned all your self-worth on."
Buttercup sprang forward and struck Kyle with a roundhouse kick. He raised his forearms, but the resounding thud was satisfying to hear. It'd leave a bruise. He threw a punch and Buttercup skipped to the side; his arm was quick.
She was relieved he wasn't at 100%.
She was insulted he wasn't at 100%.
Kyle punched out. Buttercup skittered from side to side, ducking under his swings and skipping away from each hit.
Damn it. He had speed. And stamina. And Buttercup's movements were beginning to drag. She stepped back and a twinge flared in her ankle. She flinched. Her eyes were shut for only a second, and Kyle's fist cracked against her cheek. She felt the groove of each knuckle. She felt her nose give and blood trickle and her eyes water, and Buttercup cursed until her throat grew sore.
She stumbled back and tripped. The concrete scraped her damaged palms raw, and Buttercup was beginning to wonder if they'd ever be recognisable again. She pressed her hands to her nose to staunch the blood flow. A stalling gasp slipped from her lips as she adjusted to her new breathing arrangements.
Sedusa tutted. "Arrogance, child, is a deadly thing. Just look at yourself. You'll probably live with a crooked nose for the rest of your life."
Ha. She'd had a crooked nose before meeting this guy.
"Of course, we could just kill you," Sedusa added. "I'm sure that it'd be a huge relief considering your future appearance."
Buttercup scooted back with each of Kyle's steps. Her chest was heaving, it was difficult to regulate her breathing, and there was blood in her mouth, and blood on her palms, and each time she tried to stand she freaking slipped.
And then he was towering over her.
"Farewell sweetheart, it's been a pleasure." Sedusa sang.
Buttercup's hands were trembling, from anxiety or anger, she wasn't sure. She smiled up at Sedusa, certain that her teeth were stained red; all she could taste was copper. "Give me some credit. I've lasted this long as a puff– I'm not easy to kill."
Buttercup drove her feet forward, ramming her soles against Kyle's kneecaps. There was a snap. He wailed, an ear piercing cry, and then crumpled to the floor writhing against the concrete. Buttercup wiped her nose with her sleeve and slowly hauled herself up.
Darius was a few feet away, wearing a vacant expression. He hadn't moved an inch from his spot.
Buttercup stepped in Sedusa's direction and he came alive, repositioning into a fighting stance like he was mimicking the M.O. of a security light.
The puff scowled. Sedusa was right there. This fight needed to end.
She moved quickly, lowering into a sweep kick. Darius regained his footing, but was reeling back. Buttercup pounced, slung an arm around his neck and let her legs give way. He fell quietly, and at first slowly, like a tree being axed.
Buttercup trapped him in a headlock as he yelled and struggled. Sedusa clapped, smiled, and then rose to her feet.
"Don't move," Buttercup yelled.
"I'm afraid I must. My legs are falling asleep," she said, tapping her fingers along her thigh. "Seems like it's time for this meeting to end."
Buttercup tightened her grip on Darius, his arms were still flailing, he hadn't passed out yet. "You said you wanted to kill me. So come on."
"And you said you were going to rip my hair out," Sedusa fluffed her mane and stepped into her car. "I see we're both liars."
Darius finally went limp in Buttercup's arms. She dropped him. This was her first mission. She was meant to win this one, hit the headlines with a bang, and prove herself –
Heat tingled on the back of Buttercup's neck. It began as a pleasant hum, but grew into a searing sting. She spun around.
A tunnel of flames was heading her way. Her eyes watered and her skin prickled. She lurched back, but the flames were just a foot away.
She didn't think her suit was fireproof.
But, so much fun