Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 08:04:51 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Marvel Knights: Apocalypse 2 Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. It has no intentions of resembling any real persons dead or alive. This is entirely from my imagination, with a little help from already established sources. This story is based loosely on the comic book character "The Punisher" from Marvel Comics. Other characters may appear from Marvel comics as well as DC Comics. Punisher and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics. Blade and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel copyright Joss Whedon, United Paramount Network and Warner Bros. Respectively. The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. I have written another story on nifty entitled "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". It is in the Celebrity/Boy Bands section. Batman may appear in this story once or twice, as the Punisher may appear in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". Any comments may be sent to authorjames2002@yahoo.com Thank you and enjoy. Chapter 2 Devastation The rest of the weekend went by uneventful. Ty and Davey enjoyed getting to know mutants their age. Tandy enjoyed it as well, but she also knew of Blade's secret, his feelings for the Punisher, feelings that couldn't be made known, especially now when Punisher's boyfriend was kidnapped by the mutant known as Apocalypse. So Blade suffered in silence, although not alone. Tandy would make her knowledge and support known to Blade in subtle ways. No one else noticed. Saturday night before the Vampire Slayer and two mutant partners had to return to Columbus, Tandy met with Blade outside by the shallow pool of water. He sat looking up at the night sky. "Hey," she said as she walked up to him. "Can I help you with something?" "I was actually thinking of asking you that. Can I sit down?" "I'd rather be alone." "Tough shit," Tandy said and sat down next to Blade. "Why can't you people ever listen to me?" "Because you have a habit of trying to do things alone. If we were to leave you alone, you'd get your ass kicked. So we pitch in and aggravate you while saving your butt." "I won't get my ass kicked if you leave me alone tonight." "Maybe tonight you need to get it kicked. Listen, I know what you are going through. I know how you feel about Punisher. It must be difficult for you since you are helping him look for his boyfriend." "That is only part of it." "Then what is the other part?" Blade looked at her. "I don't know why I feel the way I do. I shouldn't." "What do you mean? You're bisexual. You like both guys and girls. Yes, he may be involved, but you can't control your feelings. You just can't act on them." "That's not my problem." "Then what is it?" "I know what the Punisher has done. He has shot people in cold blood simply because he found them guilty and felt they deserved death. He treats human life with reckless abandon. How can I feel like I do toward someone like that?" "I can't answer that. Do I look like God?" "I didn't mean for you to answer that, Tandy. You wanted to know what I was struggling with. That is what I'm struggling with. I have developed feelings for someone who is a criminal in my mind." "We can't control who we develop feelings for. I think you should talk to him about why he does what he does. You don't have to say you want to jump is rippled body. As being a partner in our group, that is a question to which you deserve the answer." Blade pondered what Tandy said. "Wow, that actually sounded smart," Tandy replied impressed with her self. Blade looked at her. "I'm serious about this, Blade. Talk to him. Maybe finding out why he does what he does will ease your conscious." "Maybe I will," Blade replied. The next day, Ty, Tandy and Davey went to the airport, only to be turned back since the airline overbooked the flight. The next plane leaving directly for Columbus wasn't until Tuesday afternoon. Davey called his mom to let her know and then called Harris to talk to him. The rest of the day, as well as Monday, came and went with little information coming in. Professor Xavier had all his best people working on gathering and deciphering whatever information they had, but the process was very slow. Tuesday morning began like any other. Students went to their classes to learn from their teachers. Blade had been up just before sunrise to watch the sun come up. As he stood at the window, Weatherby stirred and sat up in his bed. "What are you doing?" he asked his partner. "Watching the sunrise." "You do that all the time. Why?" "It's beautiful." Blade turned to his gruff looking friend sitting up in his bed. "I could have been turned completely into a creature that could never look upon a sunrise. That possibility makes me appreciate what I have." Weatherby nodded. He pulled the covers away to reveal his naked body and morning pee boner. Blade turned back to the window before the sight did anything to him. "It is going to be a beautiful day," Blade replied. Blade looked over at the clock. It read 8:45. Weatherby climbed in the shower and started the water for his morning shower. Blade had already showered for the day. Moments later someone ran down the hall yelling, "A plane has crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center." Blade turned around and ran to the door. He opened it to see some students whose classes didn't start until 9:00 come out of their rooms. Tandy came out in her nightgown and looked at Blade. Weatherby came out of the bathroom, body glistening with the warm water and a towel wrapped around his waist. "What happened?" "Someone said an airplane crashed into the World Trade Center north tower." "Oh, God," Weatherby replied taking the towel off and tossing it in the bathroom. He ran over to the closet and pulled out a pair of pants, which he pulled on without underwear. He grabbed a black, sleeveless t-shirt and socks. Taking his shoes from the bottom of the bed, he and Blade ran out the door and down to the commons area. Young and adult alike were sitting on the couches, chairs and floor looking up at the large monitor. On the screen a news helicopter was showing the smoking visage of the north tower of the World Trade Center. "Look at the people in the windows," a student said out loud. No one had to ask which windows. All eyes went above the billowing smoke of the crash to see silhouettes of people's heads and bodies hanging out the windows. Weatherby kept an eye on the time. He was trained to observation techniques in remembering details. "What's that?" someone asked. Suddenly, another plane flew into the south tower. Flame and debris erupted from the other building and many in the room gasped. Weatherby looked up at the clock. It read 9:03. "Who would do such a thing?" Kitty asked as she stepped into the room. Kitty, who had joined the team Excalibur and had recently returned to the X-MEN, walked into the room and stood by the door. "I don't know," Blade replied. "Someone who wants to piss off America," Weatherby answered. The newscaster was in a panic repeating over and over what happened and speculations were rampant as to who was behind these attacks. Everyone watched in despair as the buildings smoldered. Tiny dots could be seen falling from the buildings. "What's that?" Jubilee asked. "People," Blade answered in coldness. "People?" "They are jumping from the buildings. Either the flames are too hot for them to handle or they refuse to die in the buildings. So they jump to their deaths." Many turned to look at Blade and the matter-of-factness with which he said those words. Blade recognized their looks and felt sorry for what he sounded like. However, he didn't apologize for it. He turned and walked out of the commons. "Blade," Professor Xavier said as he came down the hall. Blade stopped and turned around. "What." "Is everything all right?" "No. Two planes flew into the World Trade Center killing hundreds. People are jumping from the burning wreckage. No, everything is not all right." "I mean with you. Jean sensed some intense pain in you at the meeting Friday. We didn't have a chance to talk about it." "There is nothing to talk about." "Are you sure?" "Look, Professor. Many died moments ago, and many more will, I'm sure. Their families will never be the same again. I'm the least of anyone's worries right now." Blade walked past Professor Xavier and into the morning air. Professor X watched him. "Professor," Jean said coming up to him. "I know. What has happened is horrible." "What should we do?" "Open the school to anyone who needs a place to stay. I'm sure there is going to be much chaos today concerning these events." Jean nodded and headed off to tell the other instructors and staff what the Professor asked for. An hour later, the south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed and the country watched dumbfounded. The city was in chaos and the spirits of many were heavy-laden with such a tremendous burden. However, no one knew of the other attacks going on throughout the country and the world. Professor Xavier received a telephone call from the team Excalibur about something bizarre happening in England at several universities and boarding schools. Soon across the country, Professor X received messages from other mutants about events happening at universities, colleges and even some high schools. Dr. McCoy, a.ka. Beast took the data down to his lab and analyzed the information. What he discovered was astonishing. Professor Xavier was kept busy, though. He had organized for families who were evacuated from Manhattan and had nowhere else to go. Plus, he had students to comfort. A job like his could be overwhelming with tasks to do. Finally, Hank came out of the lab and went to Professor Xavier's office where the powerful mutant took a respite from the day's flood of chaos. "Hello, Professor. I've finished analyzing the information." "And?" "We have a problem. It appears that the minor attacks that no one is talking about are specific. The missiles contain chemicals that will change Homo sapiens into Homo superior." "Regular people into mutants." Hank nodded. "And not too long before, Apocalypse comes on the scene. Do you think the two could be related?" "I don't know. It is possible. But from what little we know, Apocalypse does not have the background in chemistry to do this." "He may have help then, if it is him at all. I think I will have a conversation with Eric Lehnsherr." "Magneto." Professor Xavier nodded. "He may have information that we do not. He isn't sympathetic to the plights of humanity, any way." "Very true." "If you will excuse me, I have some phone calls to make." Professor Xavier picked up the phone. Just before Hank left the room, he said, "This could be the dawn of Apocalypse." To Be Continued... This chapter is a little short, but this is a perfect place to end it. Please keep an eye on "Judgments of a Real Dark Knight" as I will be dealing with the Marvel Knights in that story. Most of the next few days' events for everyone will be together, so please read "Judgments" to know what is going on. Later, this story will continue when they branch off on their own adventures.