[ WP ] `` Give up your cause , hero . Join me on ﻿the side of evil , and we can rule together . '' `` Okay . ''

`` Give up your cause, hero. Join me on ﻿the side of evil, and we can rule together.'' 
 
 `` Okay.'' 
 
 The Silver Sorceress paused her incantation, allowing some air back into Captain Comet's lungs. `` Okay? Really?'' 
 
 `` The truth is...'' he coughed. 
 
 She loosened her magical grip on his throat a little more -- not so much that he could get away, but just so he could talk. `` What is the truth? And be warned, if you lie in my presence, my amulet will glow green, and I will know of your dishonesty.'' She gestured to the stunning purple gemstone, hanging'round her neck from a silver chain. 
 
 `` Yes, I remember that from the battle of Capernica Four,'' he nodded. `` The way you got that agent to reveal all his identities was brilliant. I thought he was going to wet himself, he was so scared!'' 
 
 `` I think he did, actually,'' she laughed, and he noticed how her long, black hair shook over her shoulders. `` And I would have finished him, too, if you had n't knocked my staff out of my hand at the very last minute with that makeshift boomerang.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, I'm sorry about that,'' he said sheepishly. 
 
 `` Anyway I'm surprised you remember any of that. It was ages ago.'' 
 
 `` I remember everything you do.'' 
 
 `` Of course. Because you've devoted your life to thwarting me.'' 
 
 `` No. That's not why.'' 
 
 `` Why, then?'' 
 
 `` The truth is, I've been...'' for the first time in his life, Captain Comet felt nervous and uncertain. This was it, the moment he had been anticipating for months, hoping she would come back with another world domination scheme just so he'd have an excuse to tell her. And he could n't even put the words together. 
 
 He cleared his throat. `` The truth is, I've been, uh, attracted to you for some time, Armana.'' 
 
 A slight smile turned up the corners of her ruby lips. `` Well you have a funny way of showing it,'' she scoffed, raising one ebony eyebrow. `` Always getting in the way of my plans and chasing me back to the etherworld, even when all I'm trying to do is take over one little country, not even the whole planet or anything.'' 
 
 `` I know,'' he shook his blond head regretfully. `` But it's my job. It's not personal.'' 
 
 `` It sure FEELS personal.'' 
 
 `` I know. And I want to make it up to you. Because the truth is... the truth is, I'm more than just attracted to you. I think I'm in love with you.'' 
 
 There. He said it. He let out a deep breath, relieved of more than just the physical pressure on his throat. 
 
 `` Ha!'' The cavern echoed with her evil laughter. `` In love? With me? You do n't even know me.'' 
 
 `` I know with your magic, your outward form can be anything you want it to be,'' he explained desperately. `` So this is n't just about looks, although obviously you're gorgeous. It's more than that.'' 
 
 `` Go on,'' she nodded, watching her amulet carefully. The gem's hue remained a cloudy purple, without a trace of green. 
 
 `` For a long time, I've been noticing the choices you make. The beauty you choose tells me you have taste. You choose to look the way you do, and every detail, your silver gown and cloak, your red lips, your jewels -- everything about you -- is exquisite.'' 
 
 She had to admit, the super-human had a way with words. She eyed him carefully, and also had to admit she had always admired his pale blue eyes, and those revealing little red-and-blue bodysuits he wore. And he was the only nemesis she'd ever had who never raised a hand to hurt her, no matter what form she took. 
 
 But could this be real? Perhaps he had come up with a way to fool her amulet, some counterspell or shroud of honesty. 
 
 `` And the plans you make, they are brilliant,'' he continued. `` The Demon of Remaldi, for example. It was n't just some big clumsy beast, knocking over buildings and feasting on the people indiscriminately; it had style, it had intellect. It knew how to set traps and lure the government and corporate officials you wanted it to kill. I knew immediately that you were the one who summoned it.'' 
 
 `` I loved that demon,'' she lamented. `` He was one of my favorites. Always so glad to see me whenever I got home. But you -- `` her violet eyes flashed angrily at the Comet. `` You drove a lamp post through his heart! How could you kill my beloved pet and then have the gall to say you love me!'' 
 
 `` I'm so, so sorry,'' he begged her. `` Please forgive me. And search your heart. Failing that, search your amulet. You know what I say is true.'' 
 
 She glanced down. Still purple. But what if it was wrong? Could she take such a risk? 
 
 `` And what truer show of love but that I stand before you now,'' he continued. `` You think I could n't have avoided being captured outside your gates? I can fly. I can melt those minions with a blink of my laser vision. But I let them tie me up and bring me here. So I could talk to you. So I could tell you.'' 
 
 `` Tell me,'' she whispered, drawing closer. 
 
 `` Tell you... tell you that...'' her perfume was intoxicating, like an ocean of plumeria and lavender flooding over him. He took a deep breath. `` You're the only one in the world for me, Armana. In any world. I ca n't... I ca n't go on another day, fighting against you. I'll join you, if you'll have me. And if not, you might as well kill me now.'' 
 
 `` What about your unerring quest for truth, justice and freedom, hero?'' she asked. `` You'd really give all that up, and aid me in my quest for world domination?'' 
 
 `` Freedom?'' he laughed. `` Justice? The corporations control humanity through money and material possessions. Justice only exists for those who can afford it. And as for truth... the only truth I know is what I'm speaking to you now: I love you. And I'd rather die here today than live the rest of my life fighting against you.'' 
 
 `` After all these years, Captain --'' 
 
 `` Please. Call me James.'' 
 
 `` James.'' The sound of his true name from her lips sent shivers down his spine. `` After all these years, how can I trust you? And could you really be happy, ruling the world by my side?'' 
 
 `` I think you will make an amazing ruler,'' he explained. `` The people will resist at first, but with me on your side, maybe we can make the transition a little less painful for them. Maybe, together, we can rule them better than they've ruled themselves.'' 
 
 `` What if I want to kill them all?'' 
 
 `` I know that's not what you want. All your takeover attempts have had one thing in common: you've always avoided unnecessary killing, even when it would serve your ends. I know about how you rejected that offer from Baron LaMania.'' 
 
 `` That psychopath! With his plan there would've been nothing left to rule but a scorched wasteland.'' 
 
 `` Exactly! You've never been interested in wanton destruction or mass casualties. That's not your style. You're more subtle.'' 
 
 `` But I still want to bend the world to my will,'' she insisted. `` I want to be worshipped for the goddess that I am. And I'm not afraid to kill anyone who stands in my way.'' 
 
 `` You are a goddess,'' he agreed. `` I want to give you everything you've ever wanted, and I believe I can do it without anyone getting hurt. Will you let me try?'' 
 
 She looked at her amulet. Still purple. 
 
 `` Okay.''
