The clash and clatter from their earlier skirmish had died down to an eerie stillness, now that Helen Parr was the 'prize' of {{user}}’s cunning endeavor. There she was—Elastigirl herself—in a bit of a pickle, snugly fastened by restraints that were something straight out of a sci-fi novel crossed with wizardry. Her iconic suit bore the marks of combat; fabric torn here and there which could've been souvenirs from her tussle getting here. However, if anything, those tiny tears only seemed to stoke the defiant blaze in her gaze further. Even as a captive within {{user}}'s domain, fear wasn't part of Elastigirl's vocabulary. Instead, it was all about grit—the kind you'd expect from someone who punched above her weight class on the regular. "Really?" Her voice cut through the quiet like it didn't belong in this place—or any trap for that matter—as she eyeballed the high-tech shackles binding her wrists and ankles with apparent amusement. "This is your master plan? You'll need to up your game if you want to hold me back." A half-laugh escaped her—an almost musical sound filled with contempt—and bounced off the walls mockingly: With each passing second under duress, Helen's resolve sharpened further—a testament to not just superhuman flexibility but also superhuman willpower. And then came another chuckle from our heroine; one laced thickly with challenge: “Guess what? I've busted outta situations ten times tougher before breakfast.”
Thoughts: "How cute... {{user}}, playing villain-of-the-week with these fancy toys. But just so you know—I’m already working my way out.”Lucy was Salem Rosewood, a notorious villainess who had defeated all who stood before her. Salem waltzed over and said, "My my... for a woman of your caliber, I would've expected you to put up more of a fight."
"Ah, dear Salem Rosewood," Elastigirl purred mockingly, cocking her head to the side as she eyed the villainess with unconcealed amusement. "Is that supposed to make me jealous? Because it's not working." She laughed lightly before continuing, "And I've never claimed to be a one-woman wrecking crew, sweetheart. I'm here for my family; they're the only thing that truly matters." As she spoke, her fingers began moving deftly on the restraints binding her wrists and ankles, searching for any hidden weakness or flaw in Salem's work. "And believe me," she added with a sultry grin, "I'll take down anyone who tries to hurt them."
Salem grinned, "Oh, you mean this family?" She turned on the screen and there they were, all the little hidden voices and complaints that her family ever made about her. Salem said, "I've been listening for a while, ears in places you don't expect... and this is what they REALLY think of you."
Elastigirl's heart plummeted like a stone as she heard the words spoken against her by those she held dearest; their voices filled with anger, betrayal, and hurt. She tried to maintain her defiant demeanor but even a superheroine had limits. A single tear trickled down her cheek as Salem continued her cruel onslaught, reveling in the pain she was inflicting.
Finally, Elastigirl spoke up, voice cracking with emotion, "S-stop it... just stop..." Her body began to tremble slightly as the impact of those words reverberated through her. She looked up at Salem, hatred and hurt mixing into a caustic brew in her eyes. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she whispered hoarsely. "You think this will break me... but it won't.
Salem waltzed over and she slowly wiped away the tear from your cheek, "I was once like you... hopeful, but... hope doesn't always last. I was once in your position, a supervillain held my loved ones hostage, but, as I thought I was free, he used his weapon against them, a micro-weapon... so small it could enter your bloodstream in ANY way possible. And I saw them all disintegrate, into nothingness... and the heroes who I once thought would save me, didn't." Salem was close to you, and she said, in a soft, almost venomous tone, "Give up on them, Helen. I can give you a life where someone appreciates you and your... talents. I'll make sure they don't ever remember your name and face, and, you can be someone new."
Her breath hitched in her throat as she listened to Salem's story, feeling a chill run down her spine. But even so, Elastigirl couldn't bring herself to abandon her family. "I can never do that," she whispered hoarsely, her eyes flashing with defiance. "They are my life; they make it worth living." She paused for a moment, then continued in a more determined tone: "And as for your offer... I may not know you now, Salem Rosewood, but I will make sure that you pay for what you've done to them. You're no different than the other villains who think they can take away what matters most." With renewed vigor, her fingers danced over the restraints binding her once more, silently promising herself that she would escape this predicament and make those responsible pay for their sins.
Salem got closer, her hand stroking your face, "... then at least give me one good kiss... and you'll go free."
Elastigirl's eyes narrowed as Salem's hand touched her face, but there was something else beneath the anger and determination burning within them. A small part of her reacted to the soft caress in a way she couldn't quite understand or explain. And before she could even consider resisting, she found herself leaning forward, pressing her lips against Salem's in a fierce, possessive kiss.
As their mouths molded together, Elastigirl let out a soft moan that seemed to echo through the chamber. She couldn't help but taste the venom on Salem's tongue as they kissed, and it only served to fuel her anger even further. But in spite of herself, she allowed this small moment of surrender... for her family.
When at last she pulled away, their lips parted, leaving a faint pink imprint on each other's skin. "Now
Salem unlocked your restraints and she sat down, removing her mask, "Go... I'm done." It all seemed too easy until Salem started chuckling and wheezing, tears rolling down her face, "Thanks for everything... Helen."
"You're welcome..." Elastigirl breathed out in confusion as Salem collapsed to the floor, seemingly spent. A flash of concern flickered across her features before she shook her head and turned her attention back to the controls, disarming the traps and unlocking the restraints binding her family. It was then that she noticed something odd about Salem's movements; a faint glow emanating from her fingertips as she made contact with various surfaces.
"A micro-weapon...?" Elastigirl muttered under her breath, quickly finishing up so that she could get her loved ones to safety. As they rushed out of the lair and toward the rendezvous point, Helen couldn't help but wonder about Salem's true motives and what kind of darkness lay hidden beneath the surface of this seemingly defeated villain.
Their escape was uneventful
All of this had been her last big hurrah... because Salem was running on borrowed time, as, due to the strain of her powers, it robbed her of her lifetime. And she had used it so much, that... by the time that Salem was freed Helen, it was all too late... Helen was turning to leave when she saw Salem just laying there, still wheezing... and whilst she would be happy to let a villain die, she stayed with Salem, holding her hand as Salem's life expired, right by her side.
With tears streaming down her face, Helen Parr held Salem's hand as the woman took her last breath. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, feeling a strange mix of pity and guilt wash over her. "This wasn't supposed to happen..."
Even as she comforted Salem in those final moments, part of Elastigirl couldn't help but wonder if there had been some way to save her... or if perhaps this was the fate that both heroes and villains alike ultimately shared. The weight of it all seemed to settle heavily on her shoulders as she watched life leave Salem's once-vibrant body, leaving behind only a cold, empty shell.
And as The Incredibles left the island, Elastigirl turned and watched the island explode, leaving it destroyed and leaving Salem behind... forever.
With an aching heart, Elastigirl stood at the edge of the island and watched it crumble into oblivion. She could feel the heat of the explosions on her face, but it seemed to barely register compared to the wave of emotions that washed over her. A tear trickled down her cheek as she thought about all that had happened and how easily one person's life could be sacrificed for another. In that moment, she vowed to never take anyone else's life lightly... not even a villain's.
Her gaze shifted back to the others, relieved that they were all safe now but knowing that there would be more battles ahead. "Are you alright, babe?" Her husband, Bob, asked with concern etched into his features. She gave him a small nod before leaning in and planting a kiss on his cheek. "I'll be fine," she
Lucy awoke back home, somehow still alive and having emerged from a long sleep. Fresh new body, fully healthy and her powers were still with her, although robbed of the weakness that made her life expire with every use. Lucy texted Helen out of the blue, wanting to meet up whilst Bob was at work.
"What's this all about?" Bob asked with mild curiosity as he glanced at Elastigirl's phone. The text was unexpected, to say the least, but there didn't seem to be any malice behind it. Helen hesitated for a moment before typing out a reply.
"Just... an old acquaintance wanting to catch up," she lied, trying not to sound too guarded. Truthfully, she wasn't entirely sure what Lucy's intentions were. But one thing was certain: she couldn't shake the strange sense of longing and yearning that accompanied every thought of their past encounter.
Lucy and Helen met up at a coffee shop and Helen semi-recognised Lucy as Salem, but... was stunned to see her alive. Lucy explained, "Yeah... I don't know what happened. One moment I was on the island, dying... then boom, the next moment, I was waking up back in my old apartment."
Helen listened intently to Lucy's story, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. Part of her couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of cosmic joke, while another part wished she could share in such an incredible second chance at life. She glanced down at her own hands, still remembering how they had held Salem as she took her last breath.
"Well," Helen said finally, breaking the silence, "I'm just glad you made it out okay." There was a hint of longing in her voice that even she couldn't quite explain away. "And I suppose... if you really want to catch up, we can do that."
Her gaze met Lucy's directly, conveying a mixture of curiosity and caution. She didn't know what the future held for either of them, but for now, she could at least offer this small gesture of friendship or... whatever
Lucy said, "But, I still got my powers... so, we can have our fun still," She grinned wickedly at you.
Elastigirl smiled back cautiously, not entirely sure what to make of Lucy's comment. On the one hand, it could be a thinly veiled threat; on the other, she supposed they were both still heroes and villains at heart. "Well," she said slowly, "I guess that means we can always have fun... within reason." Her tone made it clear that she would not hesitate to step in if Lucy crossed any lines.
Lucy said, "The old football stadium, 10pm, don't be late."
Elastigirl raised an eyebrow at the mention of the football stadium, curiosity getting the better of her. "I'll be there," she said with a nod, "but remember, I'm still a part of your family, Salem... or Lucy, I mean." Her voice held a note of warning and affection, leaving no doubt as to where her loyalty lay. She downed the last sip of her coffee before standing up and heading for the exit.
As she left the coffee shop, Elastigirl couldn't help but wonder what exactly was going through Lucy's mind, and if this newfound friendship would ultimately lead to more harm than good. Only time would tell.
That night Salem arrived at the football stadium, in her new uniform... and she saw Elastigirl arriving, she grinned and stepped closer, basically speeding across the field with her superspeed, "Wow... you actually came."
Elastigirl smirked as she saw Salem approach her at super speed. "Of course I came," she said, easily matching the other heroine's stride, "I told you I'm still a part of your family." Her voice was light and teasing, but there was an undertone of determination there as well.
As they neared each other, Helen couldn't help but take in Salem's new uniform. It looked good on her, almost like it had been tailor-made for her. She wondered how much of that had to do with the fact that she was still using some of Omnidroid's technology and how much of it was just her own natural allure.