Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2003 19:51:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Marvel Knights: Idol 5

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 5 New Venues

	The next day came with Whistler, Blade, Michael, Johnny, and Tandy
watching their friends depart.  They gave Davey and Harris a "good luck"
before departing and a "hope you learn a lot" for Ty.
	Once the planes were in the air, Blade turned to Tandy.  "Sorry
things didn't work out the way you planned with Ty."
	"Well, it wasn't going to last, really.  I mean, I shoot out light
and he swallows things into darkness.  How good a mixture is that?"
	Blade looked over at the Punisher and said, "I know what you mean."
	The group headed back to the mansion, with Tandy riding with Blade
and Whistler, Michael and Johnny in the Suburban.  As they headed back,
Tandy asked Blade about what he's been doing at nights.
	"I've met someone," he replied.
	"Really?  What's his name?"
	"HER name is Tia."
	"Oh, sorry.  I keep forgetting you swing both ways.  How did you
meet her?"
	"At the Pub, two nights ago.  I was sitting by myself and she asked
to sit with me."
	"Since then you've been going out with her every night?  Geez, is
everyone having sex but me?"
	"We're not doing that.  I've been helping her look for her brother.
He was in the area a few months ago, as far as what she's said, and she
lost contact with him."
	"How is that going?"
	"Very slow.  But she and I are getting to know each other.  She
seems nice."
	"That's good.  Do you need any help looking?"
	"No, you'll have to get back to your training and slaying.
Punisher and Ghost Rider will have to go with you.  With Ty and Davey gone,
we're going to need muscle and magic replacements."
	"Michael's tough, don't get me wrong.  But he's nowhere Davey
strong."
	"Yeah, but we have to take what we can get."

	When they arrived at the mansion, Whistler asked Tandy to meet him
in the study.
	"Close the door," Whistler said as Tandy entered.  "Have a seat."
	Tandy sat down on the couch feeling as if she were called to the
principal's office.  "What's going on?" she asked.
	"Don't be so damned scared.  It isn't bad news."
	"Yay?" she said questioningly with a smile.
	"It's about what happened the other night with you and Ty."
	"Oh great, am I going to get a lecture on sex, too?"
	Whistler's eyes crinkled.  "I was referring to when you sensed the
presence of the vampires."
	"Oh.  Then let's just forget that sex part."
	"Gladly," Whistler said as he picked up several books and sat in
the chair near Tandy.  "I've been doing some reading on the subject as far
as Slayer's were concerned.  There are only a handful who have been able to
do what you've done."
	"The light daggers?"
	"The sensing, Tandy, the sensing.  Focus, damn it."
	"Sorry."
	"Now, as I was saying, there have only been a few Slayers ever to
reach that point in their abilities.  It could mean you've tapped deeper
into the source of a Slayer's power.  Either that or your mutation is
evolving.  Remember, the light daggers have the effect of showing an evil
person the possibilities of being good, as well as making them feel remorse
for the wrongs they have done.  A vampire might not be exempt from that.
Granted, they are soulless demons, they also possess a human's body as well
as the memories that come from the person.  We are going to have to monitor
your abilities when you go patrolling tonight."
	"Oh, yippie," she replied unenthusiastically.  "At least I get out
for a while and beat things up.  That should cheer me up."
	"That's the spirit," Whistler said as he stood up.  "Meanwhile, I
want you to read the pages I've marked.  Study how the Slayers described
their experiences and see if it sounds like what happened with you."
	Whistler walked out of the study leaving Tandy with her reading.

	While Tandy met with her Watcher, Blade asked Michael and Johnny
downstairs to talk about the changes happening within the group.
	"Since Marvel Boy and Cloak left," Blade said, "we're going to rely
on you two more than we did before."
	"You never really relied on us at all," Punisher said.  "How many
times have we actually fought demons with you guys?"
	"Once or twice," Johnny answered.
	"Regardless of how little you've done it before, we're going to
need you more so now.  Johnny, your mystical abilities are going to come in
handy on patrol, as well as your supernatural strength."
	Blade turned to Punisher who spoke up before the Daywalker could
speak.
	"That leaves me out."
	"What do you mean?" Johnny asked.
	"I don't use magic like you or Cloak.  I don't have supernatural
strength, like Marvel Boy, Tandy, and our friend Blade, here.  So where
does that leave me?  Out.  It doesn't matter.  I don't mind.  There are
plenty of human scum for me to punish while you do your important 'save the
world' shtick."
	"You are important," Blade said to Punisher trying to sound
convincing.
	"You saved me," Johnny replied.
	"And you blew up Sinister's database.  You are very important."
	"I think you misunderstand me," Punisher replied.  "I don't give a
flying fuck if I contribute to your cause or not.  My main purpose is the
same as it was before I met the Super Friends, to punish those who exploit
the innocent.  Whether I accomplish my goal by helping you or going my own
way, my goal is still my own."
	Michael turned and walked out of the room.
	Johnny turned to Blade.  "He's been back and forth ever since I was
freed of the spirit's control.  One minute he's loving and happy to have me
back, the next minute he's worried about his goal, his 'mission' as he
calls it.  Honestly, I don't know which one he loves more, me or punishing
others."
	"I know he loves you," Blade stated.  "Right now he's in conflict
with which one to take precedence over the other."
	"I wonder if he will pick me or not."
	"I don't know.  All we can do is hope he gets his priorities
straight."
	Johnny nodded in agreement.

	The airplane landed in Orlando, Florida as the sun was setting.
Harris's mother, Harris and Davey disembarked and went through security
with their bags.  Once the bags were retrieved, they headed out to the
taxis that were waiting for the young singing men.  Davey, Harris and Ryan
climbed in the car.
	"I'm so happy to be here," Ryan said.  "My friend is here already.
He came right from our home town.  I volunteered to help out with the other
auditions.  I thought it might give me extra points in the competition.
Plus, I can't forget the opportunity of meeting hot guys!"
	Harris's mother as well as Harris rolled their eyes at Ryan's
comment.  Davey said nothing.
	The taxi ride to the Marriott Orlando Hotel in downtown Orlando
took about 20 minutes.  When they arrived, they were ushered to the lobby
to get their room assignments.  The two young men were to stay in a room
together, with Harris's mother staying in a room down the hall.  She was
reluctant to let the boys stay alone, but one of the directors said they
would be getting up early and coming in late some times and that it
wouldn't be fair for her to be disturbed.  She agreed and let the boys do
their thing.
	When Harris and Davey entered their room, they were awe-struck.
The rooms were lavished with full amenities.
	"Oh...my...God..." Davey said as his jaw hit the floor.
	Harris's eyes widened in disbelief.  He dropped his bags and ran to
the window spreading the curtains and gazed at the view from the 12th
floor.  Davey came over and looked out as well.
	"I'll bet Batman has an awesome time here," Davey muttered.
	"What?" Harris asked.
	"I said 'I bet Batman has an awesome time here'."
	"Batman?"
	"Yeah, I met him in New York during the whole 11th thing."
	Harris's eyes widened.  "There is a Batman?  And he lives in
Orlando, Florida?"
	"You better believe it," Davey smiled.
	"Have you seen him with his mask off?"
	Davey nodded proudly.  "But I'm not at liberty to say who he is."
	"Does he know Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass?  I think I remember
you saying they were in New York, too."
	"Of course he does.  He probably protects them from nut jobs."
Davey knew that Batman was the same man married to Lance Bass.  But he
wouldn't divulge that information to anyone.  It wouldn't be right to
spread another man's secret.
	A knock came at the door and Harris went over to answer it.  Ryan
stepped in and looked at Davey ignoring Harris.  "Meeting in the Expo
Center in ten minutes."  Then he turned and left.
	"That was rude," Harris stated.
	"What?"
	"He completely ignored me.  He's being a shallow ass."
	"Are you sure?  He seemed fine to me."
	"That's because you're a hottie.  He probably can't understand why
someone gorgeous like you wants to be with an ugly, fat guy like me."
	"You are not ugly, Harris.  And it doesn't bother me that you are
overweight."
	Davey walked up to Harris and kissed him.  "Now, let's unpack and
get downstairs.  I can't wait to see what is going to happen."

	Ten minutes later, the two young men entered the Expo Center.  They
found a place to sit, Ryan was saving them for the two, and waited as the
director came out on the stage.
	"Hello, gentlemen.  We would like to welcome you to Orlando,
Florida, and the final competition for the formation of the all-gay boy
band."  Cheers rose up in the room.  It took some time before the youths
calmed down, and the emcee continued.  "You will be split off into smaller
groups, as there are around fifty of you, where you will practice and
train.  In two nights, you will perform solos and then you will be weeded
down to twenty-five.  From there, you will be assigned groups every two
days and perform until we get the right combination for the band.  In your
rooms you will find itinerary for the next few days as well as your song
assignments and times and locations of training.  The rest of the day is
yours to acclimate yourself to the area.  Don't wander too far off.
Enjoy!"
	Talking burst forth in the room.
	"I'd like to introduce my friend to you two," Ryan said.  "This is
Caleb."
	"Nice to meet you," Davey said shaking his hand.
	"Definitely," Caleb replied.
	"Pleasure," Harris said reaching out his hand.
	"I'm sure it is," Caleb stated half smiling and reluctantly taking
the boys hand.
	Harris's spirits fell just a little bit more.
	"We were thinking of going shopping for a while and then hitting
the clubs tonight.  Want to come?"
	"Sure, we'd love to," Davey said grabbing Harris's arm.
	"Um, okay," Ryan said.

	Dagger, Punisher and Ghost Rider suited up for patrol.  Ghost Rider
mounted his motorcycle while Dagger rode with Punisher.  The two vehicles
went out into the night searching for the demons that stalked the night in
search of victims.  It wasn't long before they saw a group of youths in
need of rescuing.
	A small, young man was running down High street near Ohio State
University with a group of youths behind him.  Ghost Rider was the first to
respond.  He accelerated his motorcycle and headed after the youth.  He
shot right past the group and grabbed the young man and hoisted him onto
his bike.
	"You're safe," he said.
	The boy looked up and screamed when he saw Ghost Rider's face, or
lack thereof.
	"I won't hurt you," Ghost Rider said trying to reassure, but the
boy wouldn't listen.
	Ghost Rider pulled over and released the boy as he was struggling
against Ghost Rider's secure grip and trying to jump off the motorcycle.
Ghost Rider watched the direction the boy went.  He turned toward the group
that had been chasing the boy and saw two split off running down a side
street in the direction the boy headed.
	"Perfect," Ghost Rider mumbled and headed after the boy.

	"Don't run them over!" Dagger said to Punisher as he headed for the
gang.  "Pull up along side them!"
	As he moved his Suburban closer, Dagger rolled down the window and
climbed upon the door.  She maneuvered her legs around and, as Punisher
neared the gang, she leapt off tackling two of the hoods.  Punisher shot
ahead of the group, spun the vehicle around and stopped.  He swung the door
open and climbed out, weapon in hand.

To Be Continued...