Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2003 12:13:49 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Marvel Knights: Apocalypse 4 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. This series in Marvel Knights crosses over heavily in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight." Look for Blade, Punisher and Ghost Rider to be featured heavily in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight." Any comments may be sent to authorjames2002@yahoo.com Thank you and enjoy. Other stories set in this universe: "Tales of a Superhero Band" "Tales of the New Phoenix" Chapter 4 Enter Elektra Cloak and Marvel Boy tucked their knees in the guts of the vampires that tackled them and, as they fell backwards, flipped the vampires over their heads. Cloak flipped himself up and turned to face his attacker. Marvel Boy rolled over onto his stomach and pushed up. His entire body lifted into the air and he spun around. He brought his leg forward and placed it on the ground, stopping his spinning and stood facing his attacker. Cloak brought his arm up and blocked the vampire's punch. He swung his elbow down and jabbed the vampire in the chest. Then he brought his fist up and backhanded the demon. Stepping so that his back was to the vampire, he reached around the vampire's neck and pulled forward, flipping the vampire over onto the ground. He staked the creature and it turned to dust. Marvel Boy kicked the vampire in the stomach. Then he spun around and kicked the vampire in the face. The vampire spun into the telephone pole. As it turned around, the mutant youth spun around and kicked the vampire in the face knocking it to the ground. He pulled out a stake, spun it around in his hand and staked the vampire before it could recover. The two young men turned and headed back into the alley to see the two women looking at each other. "Why are you here?" Dagger asked sounding a bit defensive. "I can to help. The Watchers' Council contacted me and told me the situation over here and asked if I could lend a hand. I don't refuse a chance to slay so I agreed. I just arrived a few hours ago." "So did I." The two men walked up on either side of Dagger. "Who is this?" Marvel Boy asked. "Cloak, Marvel Boy, meet Elektra." "Pleasure to meet you, boys," she said. "Elektra is a Vampire Slayer, too," Dagger added. "She's come to help out." "Of course, I'm not really dressed for slaying," Elektra replied. "I prefer less." "Um, less?" Cloak asked, appearing interested. "My ninja gear usually does just fine." "Ninja?" Marvel Boy repeated. "You mean..." "Yes, I'm a trained ninja. My Watcher was a master in the ancient art of ninjitsu. He trained me to be the perfect weapon against vampires. Being a trained assassin has its perks." "We have patrolling to do," Dagger said. "If you aren't dressed to fight, perhaps you should go home. Tomorrow night would be a good time to start helping." Elektra smiled knowing exactly what Dagger was feeling. Jealously could be very dangerous, also amusing if one wasn't the one feeling the jealousy. "That's fine. I will go see Whistler and update him on the vampire war." Elektra walked passed everyone and out the alley. The three mutants watched her go, but all had different feelings. Marvel Boy marveled at her training and ability to fight. Cloak enjoyed her physical beauty. And Dagger felt threatened of the new Slayer. The three returned to the mansion after patrolling. The rest of the night was uneventful. "Where in the hell are these vampires supposed to be coming from?" Tandy said to Whistler while pulling off her mask. "I hate waiting. It makes me jittery." "It makes me itch," Davey added. Cloak pulled off his hood. "Have you found out anything?" "Elektra arrived," Whistler replied. "She is with Harris going over the information she brought from the Council." "Is she legit?" Tandy asked. "Yes, she is a Vampire Slayer and the Council did send her. Evidently, a Watcher was in New York coordinating with the X-MEN and informed them you were there. The Council was afraid that Columbus was going unprotected." "Is she good?" "From her records, very good." "No. Not good at what she does. Is she good or bad? Good or evil?" "Oh. She's good. She's on our side." "That's a plus," Davey said. "She kicked ass! I'd like to see her when she is in full slay mode! You two would be awesome!" "Thanks for your vote of confidence," Tandy said. The Vampire Slayer went to the locker room and showered. Davey and Ty did the same and, moments later, they gathered around the computer with Whistler, Elektra and Harris. "The latest we've been handed from the Watchers' Council concerning the Vampire War is that several very powerful vampires are organizing the rest of the world's vampire species. There is a main leader, though who it is, the Council isn't sure." "Whistler, all I'm concerned about is Columbus," Tandy said. "What do their reports say specifically about Columbus?" "The attacks are soon to increase. That is all they said. Evidently some vampires are missing, presumably sent here to America to organize here." "Then we get organized. We keep in contact with other Watchers and Slayers to locate these vampire leaders." The others were shocked at the "take charge" attitude Tandy had. Davey had a feeling as to why she was acting the way she was. It was because of Elektra. Tandy felt threatened by Elektra. "There is nothing more to do tonight," Whistler said. "I suggest everyone get cleaned up and get rest. You have classes tomorrow as well as patrol tomorrow night." Everyone nodded. "I can take you home," Ty offered to Davey and Harris. "Thanks, Ty. That would be great." The three young men left the room leaving Elektra, Tandy, and Whistler alone. The tension permeated the atmosphere. "Elektra," Whistler said. "We appreciate you coming to Columbus to help. Lord knows we need all the help we can get with the vampires making themselves known. Tandy, why don't you show Elektra to her room." "Sure," Tandy replied, and the two young ladies left the Watcher alone. The next day, Davey and Tandy arrived at school. Harris was waiting outside for his boyfriend. "Hey, good-looking," Davey said rushing up to Harris and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Hey, sexy. Ready to get back to your school work?" "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that," he replied with a grin. "I've gotten all your assignments from the teachers. If you want, we can go over them at lunch." "Okay," Davey replied. "What do you think of Elektra?" Harris asked both Tandy and Davey. Tandy just "hmph"ed and walked past the two boys. "What's up with here?" "Slayer envy," Davey answered. School went by as normal; however, many of the students were somber. The events of September 11th took their toll on some. There were a few students who knew someone who had a loved one in the buildings. Later in the week a memorial was to be held for the victims in the city. The public schools were arranging the events. When classes ended, Tandy met Davey and Harris outside. While they talked, Ty pulled up in his car and the three youths got in. In a short amount of time, they arrived at the mansion, where Whistler and Elektra were training. Tandy's jealousy increased at this. She didn't want to share her Watcher with another Slayer. "It's about time you got here," Whistler said when he saw the four youths enter. "I thought I was going to send Elektra out on patrol all alone." "Like that would have been a tragedy," Tandy muttered. "What was that?" Elektra asked. "Nothing," Tandy replied. The computer system started beeping grabbing everyone's attention. Harris ran over to the computer immediately. "What the hell's that?" Ty asked. "Harris put an alert on the system. It lets us know when important information has been found." Everyone gathered around as Harris typed away. A message popped up from the Watchers' Council. "Attention Abraham Whistler," Harris read. "The identity of the vampire heading to your area is called Ambika. Her name in Hindu means 'goddess of destruction.' Be very wary of her." "Does it say what kind of vampire she is?" Ty asked. "No." "That makes it difficult," Tandy replied. "But not impossible to beat," Elektra replied. "You're damn right. Vampires are not invulnerable, though some can eventually get there. Patrol tonight and find out what kind she is. She may be arriving soon or arrived already and merely biding her time." Everyone nodded and went to the locker rooms to change. "You're wearing that?" Dagger asked as she pulled on her boots. She couldn't believe the skimpy outfit Elektra wore. "Yeah, is that a problem?" "It depends on what you are after. If you are trying to proposition the vampires, then you are dressed for success." "This is typical ninja wear." "Hardly!" Dagger said. "I've seen those movies! Their entire body is covered! Your entire body, on the other hand, is hardly covered!" "It keeps me flexible for fighting. Plus, if the demons see me and think I'm more tantalizing to their palate, they will leave everyone else alone. Then I can kick their asses." Dagger rolled her eyes. "Whatever you tell yourself." Then she placed her mask on and headed out the door. Elektra put her red bandanna on her head and headed out. When she entered the hub of the Marvel Knights' operation, Cloak and Marvel Boy just stared. "You guys look better with your mouths closed," Dagger said as she walked past. Harris looked up at Marvel Boy suspiciously. "Don't tell me you're going straight." "He wouldn't be the first one," Elektra said with a smile. "No, no, no, Harris. It's not that at all. I'm just amazed at her..." "If you continue with that statement," Harris interrupted, "no amount of mutant powers will save you from me." Marvel Boy quieted down and turned back to Whistler. "I'm surprised you are wearing something like that," Cloak replied. "Why?" "It isn't very concealing of your identity." "Not many vampires go out in the day time to see my face among others. It isn't a problem." "People don't always go to bed at dusk," Dagger said. "So there is a chance of running into people that might know you. But since you don't live here, that isn't a problem." "I want a standard patrol tonight. Question every vampire you run into. Who knows which of the damned beasts will be working for Ambika?" "Understood," Dagger said. "Let's head out." The four headed to the black sports car and climbed in. The car zoomed into the night leaving Abraham Whistler and Harris behind. Cloak pulled the car into a parking lot and they climbed out. Marvel Boy looked across the street and saw the museum down the way. He paused for a moment. "What's up with you?" Elektra asked. "The museum," he replied. Cloak and Dagger both looked in the direction Marvel Boy faced. "It's a building," Elektra replied. "It's also where a friend of ours was abducted by Apocalypse," Dagger said. "It's a reminder that the group isn't complete," Marvel Boy stated. "I miss them." "We all do," Cloak responded. "But we'll all be together in a while. Blade and Punisher are looking for Ghost Rider as we speak. It will work out." Marvel Boy nodded. "I suggest we split up," Dagger said taking charge. "Elektra and Marvel Boy head south. Cloak and I will go north. We'll circle around and meet near the capital. Everyone fine with that?" The group nodded and split into their smaller groups. "How long have you been a Vampire Slayer?" Marvel Boy asked. "Always," Elektra responded. "I know you're born like that. I mean, how long have you actually been fighting?" "Again, I answer always. I was taken in at a young age by an ancient order of assassins. They trained me to fight and kill. Later I met up with a Watcher who trained me to deal with vampires. Since I had the fighting skills down, there wasn't much else to do but teach me their lore and weaknesses. I've been fighting them ever since." "Do you have a Watcher now?" "No. I'm what you would call a wanderer. I move around a lot, battle vampires and demons, do things for hire." "Like what?" Marvel Boy asked. "You don't like her," Cloak said to Dagger as they headed up the road. "Really? Cause I thought she and I were best pals!" "No reason to get so sarcastic. I'm just saying. Why are you so jealous of her?" "What's there to be jealous about?" "Dagger, everyone can tell you are jealous. She's serious about fighting vampires. That's all she seems to enjoy. That naturally leads to Whistler liking her. She is focused on business. "You, on the other hand are all about having a life outside of slaying. That doesn't bode well for this kind of life." "Still," the Vampire Slayer replied. "Do you think she's prettier than me?" "Of course not," Cloak replied. Dagger looked up at him narrowly. "Yeah, right. Liar." She punched Cloak in the arm. "Ow!" "Serves you right for lying. Seriously, though, I understand her appeal. She wears hardly anything. She doesn't wear a mask or have a secret identity. Guys get off on the whole bravery thing." "Some do. Some like tough women and want their women to be domineering. But I'm not like that. Sure, the idea is erotic. What guy doesn't dream of being tied up by a gorgeous woman and made to be her play thing?" Dagger looked at him. "Well, Davey, I suppose. And Harris. And Punisher. Man, I need to get some straight guy friends." "I don't know about that. You exude enough heterosexual male for several guys." Cloak laughed at her. Suddenly a car exploded down the street. "What the hell was that?" Dagger asked no one in particular. The two ran toward the explosion. "Well, like..." Elektra began. Several vampires jumped down from a building rooftop and tackled the two knocking them to the ground. The vampires pinned them on their stomachs. "We deliver a message from her majesty." Elektra pulled out one of her Sai's and jabbed over her shoulder. Her weapon found its mark. The vampire jerked back in pain. Elektra was able to roll over and kick the vamp in the stomach, knocking it off her. Then she flipped up to her feet, pulling out a wooden stake and keeping her Sai in her hand. Marvel Boy reached up and grabbed the head of the vampire on him. He pulled hard flipping the vampire over his head and down onto its back. He rolled forward on top of the vampire and staked it. It turned to dust and he stood up. "What might your message be?" Elektra asked. To Be Continued...