Domi: A Praetorian Tale (Dark)
Yeah, Libby! You show that skanky mirror-universe you who's boss!!
There is an art, or, rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. --The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Were not really that different, you know, Domi told her double after Ms. Liberty activated the hard light hologram that would take her place as a Trainer while she took a short break.
Im nothing like you, Liberty said in a flat tone of voice.
Oh no? I saw the way you are with those young heroes. You look bright eyed and enthusiastic. Positively giddy. Domi noted with amusement the angry look that her counterpart gave her. We both know thats not the real you. Youre like me. You show whatever face the world expects of you.
I am nothing like you, Liberty repeated. Youre just an empty shell. Grandpa wants to save you, but theres nothing to save is there
Domi? She shook her head disgustedly. Youre like a spoiled brat, playing with her toys. Have you ever done anything in your entire life?
I made Statesman cry. Domi laughed.
She didnt see the blow that knocked her down, but she wasnt totally surprised by it, either. She laughed again and wiped the blood from her lips. See what I mean? What do you think your little heroes would think of you now if they saw you sucker punching me like that?
Liberty growled. This is a waste of my time. Grandpa must be getting senile if he thinks that youre worth the trouble.
Oh, Statesman and I have a very special relationship. She laughed again, a cruel mocking sound. He cares for me.
He pities you.
It bothers you, doesnt it? The thought that Statesman might love me.
Youre disgusting. Grandpa would never love a creature like you.
Why do you insist on calling him that? Does he look like a grandfather to you? Physically, hes a young, powerful man. Handsome, too. Surely youve noticed.
Shut up.
Or what? Youll hit me again? Im used to that.
I dont understand you, her double says again. You have a chance here for something better. Grandpa is trying to help you. You can have a new life here. You can be safe from Tyrantfrom what he does to you. Why are you acting like this?
Did you ever hear the story of the Scorpion and the frog? Domi asked her. The scorpion asked the frog to carry it over the river and the frog refused, thinking the scorpion would sting him. Why would I do that? the scorpion asked. I would drown. The frog agreed to take him over the river, but when they were halfway across, the scorpion stung the frog. Do you know why he did that?
Its my nature, her counterpart said softly. Grandpa told me that story when I was a little girl and asked about Recluse.
I am what I am, Domi said with a shrug.
Youre a fool.
Domi sighed. Perhaps. She looked at her doppelganger and smiled whimsically. Does Statesman still touch you?
Touch--?
He doesnt, does he? I bet he avoids being alone with you or spending much time in your company.
Liberty said nothing.
Its because of me, you know. Im his new little girl. She reached out and took both of Libertys hands and looked her in the eyes.
It was like looking in a mirror. The hair was the same. The lips were the same. The eyes
The eyes were the same shade of blue, but there was something in Libertys eyes that she never saw in her own when she saw her true reflection:
Love.
One glance in the eyes of Ms. Liberty told Domi that her counterpart had grown up cherished and protected, loved and happy. She had never known hunger or want. She had never lost faith in her mother.
Domi expected to feel disdainhatredcontemptfor her double, but she did not. Instead, she felt
sad. Im the scorpion. I cant be what he wants me to be. We both know that. If I stay, Im going to kill him. Its my nature.
Why are you telling me this?
She whispered the answer as though to hide the answerperhaps even from herself. Because he is the only one whos ever tried to help me.
She let their hands drop.
Ms. Liberty sighed and squared her shoulders. Come on. Were going on patrol.
What? Why?
Its my nature. Liberty tossed her hair back. Maybe youre right. Maybe you cant be saved. But that doesnt mean I cant try. She smiled softly. Grandpa expects me to.
I hate her, Domi told herself. She has everything that should have been mine. She thinks shes better than me. Im going to kill her. Im going to make her beg for her life just like my mother did.
She told herself that, but she knew that it was a lie.
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Blue's Assembled Story Links
In the end, Ms. Liberty had sent her back to her world. Back to her home.
Back to hell.
She had gone willingly, of course. She did not belong in that world where Marcus Cole could love his granddaughter without it being a sick and twisted thing. She was never meant to live in a world where her mother lived.
The others were waiting for her when she returned.
Mayhems eyes were lit up with anticipation, expecting Tyrant to berate her for her failure to obtain any truly useful information from her foray into Statesmans world. Her playthings Chimera and Malaise knelt at her side like the lapdogs they were.
Marauder covertly gave her a thumbs up while still keeping his face expressionless.
Neuron and Bobcat stood with their arms folded, Bobcat leaning against her lovers side. For a fleeting moment, Domi envied Bobcat; she knew that the catwoman was a fool to think that Neuron cared for her, but she found herself wishing that she too could believe in that kind of folly about someone
Anti-Matter
she could see nothing of Anti-Matters face, but his hands were clenched tightly to his side and he stared frequently at Tyrant as though in preparation for an attack.
He would die for me, Domi realized. He knows that he hasnt a prayer against Tyrant but he would attack him in an instant if he thought that my life depended on it. Please dont let him have to
And she smiled bitterly to herself as she understood that her fear wasnt for herself
Perhaps Jessica was right after all
Finally, there was Tyrant himself. He sat on his throne waiting for her. His face was impassive
she had seen him kill women and children with that exact same look on his face
or spare them. Dominatrix. You have returned.
Yes, my Emperor. She knelt to him, trying to see his eyes. Are you still there, Marcus Cole? Beyond the madness and the power, the passion and the fury
does something of Statesman live in you? Somewheresomehowdoes part of you actually love me?
You have failed me, Dominatrix. The secrets of the Freedom Phalanx remain beyond my grasp. We are no closer to defeating Statesman than we were in the past. What do you have to say for yourself?
I am sorry, my lord.
Is that all?
Yes, my lord. I have failed you. No one can dispute that. She felt suddenly very tired, exhausted down to her very bones. She just wanted an end to thislife or death no longer mattered, she just wanted it to be over. I did my best, but my double saw through me. I was unable to get close enough to Statesman to discover what we needed. I am sorry.
Tyrant raised his hand. It began to glow with power.
Mayhem licked her lips in anticipation.
Out of the corner of her eye, Domi saw Anti-Matter raise his hands, the sickly greenish glow forming around them even as Neuron was reaching forth to lay a restraining hand on his old friends shoulder.
Marauder looked at her and simply shrugged his shoulders eloquently.
Domi looked up, determined to look deathand her grandfatherin the eye as she met her last moment.
For a moment, those eyesso like her ownstared into hers.
Then he lowered his hand. Welcome home, granddaughter. He raised her to her feet and embraced her. Unlike some of my followersand he stared hard at Mayhemyou do not seek to deny your faults or blame others for your defeats. Failure is not a crime; it is simply a delay in our inevitable victory. Our time will come, Dominatrix. And when Statesman lies shackled at my feet once more, you shall stand at my right side!
Thank you, my lord. I will not fail you again.
Indeed you shall not. Now come, we must talk. I have missed our
conversations.
Domi sighed and squared her shoulders. As always, my lord, I am here to serve you.
Indeed you are, Dominatrix. Indeed you are. He took her hand and led her away from the others. And afterwards
tell me of Statesmans granddaughter. Tell me of Ms. Liberty.
Ms. Liberty? She blinked her eyes in surprise.
Yes. After all, Statesman took my grandchild away from me. Perhaps one day I shall return the favor
And in spite of what was to come, Domi found herself smiling. Indeed, grandfather. I think you would find meeting Ms. Liberty to be most
instructive.
This is my life. This is my world. I am not weak. I will not cry. No matter what happens to me, I will never cry. I am Dominatrix!
And no matter what changes may come, I always will be
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links
This is... wow.
Just wow.
And yet, this seems like it's all true. Every little bit of it seems like it's straight from the comics and the game.
What's funny about all this is I was just reading the comics that fit into this story. Spooky, no?