Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2002 07:54:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Marvel Knights 8

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 8 Planning

	Tandy ran into the apartment and found it empty.  'Everyone must be
busy,' Tandy thought.  'I wonder what they are doing.'  She walked over and
looked in the cupboard.  "Oh, look!  Doritos!"  Tandy grabbed the bag and
sat down at the nearby table.  As she munched on the chips, she thumbed
through the newspaper sitting on the table.

	Blade pulled up at the apartment complex and parked his motorcycle
outside the door.  His morning with Whistler was not as fruitful as he had
hoped.  He wanted Whistler to tell him exactly how Ahriman could be brought
down.  Granted Whistler gave some help in that area, the tricky part was
that it would be very difficult, nearly impossible.  'It would be a bit
easier if Tandy were with the group instead of being held prisoner by the
psycho,' Blade thought.
	When he walked past the main room he stopped, turned around and
went back.  Looking in at the table, he saw Tandy sitting looking at the
newspaper.
	"Tandy?" he asked.
	Tandy looked up at him.  "Blade?" she said giving him a weird look.
	"You're free.  How did that happen?"
	"I tricked Ahriman and his vampire groupies.  Wasn't too difficult.
I just used my brain."
	Knowing how difficult that was for Tandy, Blade just nodded and
walked over to the table.  "Did you find out anything that can help us?" he
asked as he sat down.
	"You know, Blade, it isn't becoming of you to pine over my safe
return.  Really, you should be more reserved."
	Blade just looked at her.  Tandy smiled at him knowing her
sarcastic comment hit him just the way she wanted.
	"It's good to have you back," he finally said.
	"See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"
	"Not really.  But you make it hard."
	"And where would the fun be if I didn't make life a little harder
for you?  See, I knew I could get your personality to change and grow.  I
think the word is 'evolvo'.  Or maybe it's 'evolve'?  Isn't evolvo or Volvo
a car?"
	Blade put his head in his hands.  Tandy was back.

	Johnny and Michael finally got dressed.  They both became hungry
and, since Johnny had no food in his apartment just yet, they had to go out
and eat.  They went down the stairs, climbed in Michael's Suburban and
drove off to a nearby restaurant.  They sat down and the two talked about
their past and present.

	In the parking lot, a gray van pulled up.  The commandoes looked
out through enhanced binoculars and watched the Punisher eat with his
newfound friend.  The head commando pulled up the handle of the radio and
called it in.
	"This is Heckler.  We have the Punisher in sight at a restaurant.
He's eating with another guy.  Do you wish us to confront the Punisher and
bring him into custody?"
	"Not yet," a voice replied.  "Get an ID on the Punisher's friend
and contact me.  We could use it to our advantage.  Follow them and make
sure they don't get away."
	"Understood.  Heckler out."  Heckler placed the radio back.  "Get
an ID on the Punisher's friend.  I want to know everything about him."
	"Yes, sir."
	The commando at the computer terminal took an image from the
binoculars and fed it into the machine, then ran the image through several
databases throughout the city.  One advantage to having the government's
backing was that they had access to the government's technology and
information.
	"The guy is Johnny Blaze.  He's twenty-six years old.  He has an
ex-wife and a son named Caleb."
	"Do we have their address?"
	"Yes, sir."
	"Get a unit over there.  We may have to take the woman and child
into protective custody."

	Davey took the bus up to the apartment.  He wanted to check in with
Blade to see if there was any news on Tandy.  He would then have to go home
and spend time with his mother.  She felt so bad about what had happened
with the F.O.H. that she wanted to make it up to her son.  And Davey was
more than happy to oblige his mom.
	The bus dropped him off down the road and he walked the short
distance to the apartment.  As he approached he saw Blade's motorcycle
sitting by the doorway.
	'Blade's here.  That's a good sign.'
	A motor revved and tires screeched.  Davey turned and saw Ty's car
pull up and Ty climb out.
	"Hey, little man.  How was school?" Ty asked.
	"Horrible.  Harris thinks I don't love him."
	"Do you?"
	Davey thought for a moment.  "Yeah, I do."
	"Then the question remains: what are you going to do about it?"
	Davey smiled.  "I have a plan that I'm working on."
	Ty smiled at Davey in return and they entered the apartment complex
looking for Blade.  To their shock, when they arrived at the main room,
they saw Blade sitting at the table talking to Tandy.
	"Tandy!" the two young men exclaimed as they ran in and hugged her.
"Thank God you're okay!"
	"I missed you, too, guys."
	When Ty and Davey released her, Tandy turned to Blade and said,
"See, they know how to express themselves.  And it doesn't kill them."
	"Any way..." Blade went on.  "What happened while you were with
Ahriman?"
	"It was so scary.  In fact, I would like to talk to Whistler about
it, too."
	"He said he would be by later."
	"Good."  Relief was evident on Tandy's face.  "After Ahriman got
me, he kept telling me how we were linked, how deep down my powers were
from the dark side or whatever you want to call it, just like other
vampires.  I kept denying it but then he took me on a hunt."
	"A hunt for what?" Davey asked.
	"Vampires.  He took me to a wooded area and forced me to reach deep
down inside and listen with my very soul.  It was such a Zen experience."
	"I'm sure it was," Blade said impatiently.
	"But I felt something.  I became something.  I could sense the
vampires from a distance.  My strength increased and my speed increased.
And when I fought the vampires, I became cruel and I actually enjoyed
inflicting pain on the demons.  It was freaky!"
	"Whoa," Davey whispered.
	Ty and Blade looked at Davey, rolled their eyes, and turned their
attention back to Tandy.  "How did you escape?" Ty asked.
	Tandy filled them in on the rest of the story and they reflected on
her words.  Blade more intently on Ahriman than the others.  He knew
Ahriman's strengths and weaknesses.  He didn't want the others to be
intimidated by what Ahriman could do.  They didn't need to know.  Not yet
at any rate.
	"What do you think I should do, Blade?" Tandy asked.
	"We'll keep an eye out on patrol.  But we do not engage.  None of
us.  We are not ready to fight him.
	"While you are in school, I can keep an eye out.  Ty, maybe you can
put up a mystical barrier around the school to alert us if Ahriman shows
up."
	Ty nodded.
	"Until then, we hold tight and stay cautious."
	Davey nodded and left the group followed by Tandy.  Ty stayed
behind and waited until the two younger ones left.
	"What's going on, Blade?  Yesterday you were gung-ho about us
training with Whistler to fight Ahriman.  Today you want us to avoid him.
What's up?"
	"Whistler found out some more specific information about Ahriman.
Let's just say it doesn't look good for us if we were to get into an
all-out fight with him.  I don't want Tandy or Davey to know yet.  I want
to find out some more weaknesses.  Maybe Whistler's contacts in Europe can
get us the location of Ahriman's sister and he will leave peacefully."
	Ty nodded in understanding and agreement.

	"Tandy," Davey said to Tandy as she came out of the room.  "Can I
talk to you?"
	"Sure."
	The two went into another room and Davey sat down.  "I have a
problem."
	"With what?"
	"Harris."
	"Oh, you decided he didn't look good enough for you, huh?  I knew
that was coming."
	"No!" Davey replied rather forcefully, a bit more forcefully than
he wanted.  "I was hanging out with Larry and Charlie and they made
comments about Harris.  Now Harris thinks I never cared about him.  He
believes I picked my friends over him."
	"That's what you usually do, Davey."
	"But it's not like that any more.  I think...I think I love him,
Tandy.  And I want to win his trust back."
	"What can I do for you?" Tandy asked.
	Davey smiled.

	Ahriman looked through the local newspaper.  "What could be going
on that would be a good intro to the world's newest ruler?"
	His lackeys stood around and said nothing.  Ahriman did not expect
them to say anything.  It wasn't their place, not unless they had some
really good useful information.
	"Well, well, what do we have here.  A parade.  I always love a
parade.  It is for celebrating people with differing sexual identities.  I
thought society was supposed to be advanced.  It doesn't look that advanced
to me if people need a special parade to celebrate their difference.  I
mean, why take pride in how one is born?  It is a fact of life if one is,
let me find the word...ah, here it is...it is a fact of life if one is
gay or lesbian or bisexual.  There is no reason to be proud."
	Ahriman considered his words for a moment.  "On the other hand, I
guess I can see being proud of something that makes one unique and special.
Like me, for instance.  I've been blessed with good appearance.  I've had a
wonderful life with my sister, until she was taken from me.  Now, all the
good that has been done will be countered by my loss.  If people will repay
my good with evil, I repay their good with evil.  And I will get my sister
back."
	Ahriman stood and went to the balcony.  He closed his eyes and
stretched out his mind seeking all the minds close by.  "I will set this
town on fire if it will not have me as its leader.  I will rule and find my
sister or I will cause unspeakable evil to come to these people.  No one
will keep me from my happiness.  No one."

	As the sun set, Blade, Cloak, Dagger and Marvel Boy headed out on
patrol.  They pulled their vehicles into an alley and parked them.  As they
disembarked, Blade stood in front of them to address them.
	"I want everyone to be careful.  Ahriman is a very dangerous
vampire.  I'm waiting for Whistler to return with information about his
weaknesses.  Until we get the info we need, keep away from him.  Do not
engage him in any way.  Do I make myself clear?"
	Everyone nodded.
	"Good.  I've experienced his power firsthand, as has Dagger.  I
don't want Cloak or Marvel Boy to experience it."
	The two young men nodded and the group headed out on patrol.  As
they came to the main street and spread out, Marvel Boy heard a strange
flapping sound.
	"Something's up," he said to anyone who would listen.  "Do you hear
that noise?"
	"Ssh," Blade replied.
	All were silent as the sound of beating wings got louder and
louder.  Suddenly, about thirty feet in the air, several winged creatures
flew.
	"Oh my god," Cloak said at their sight.  "What is that?"
	The creatures were gray in color with bat-like wings, pointed teeth
and large black eyes.  Their hands had three fingers, one of which was an
opposable thumb, all were clawed.  Their feet had two large toes in front
and one toe in the back, all were clawed.  They were slightly larger than
the average man.
	"Lanithro demons," Whistler answered as he climbed out of his car.
"I thought I would find you here causing trouble."
	"No time for small talk," Blade said.  "Do they have any special
weaknesses?"
	"Kill them like you do anything else.  They are tough, though."
	One of the creatures swooped down and picked Marvel Boy up in his
claws.
	"Marvel Boy!" Cloak replied.  "Malleolus!" Several darts of fire
shot from Cloak out at the Lanithro demon.  Cloak turned to Dagger.  "See,
I can do that, too."
	Dagger smiled at Cloak.
	"Consequi," Cloak called out.  Energy flowed out of his hand and
wrapped around Marvel Boy, catching the youth before he could get hurt.
Cloak lowered his friend to the ground.
	"Look out," Whistler called out.
	The Lanithro demons turned and came toward the group.  Everyone
dropped to the ground as they swooped by attempting to grab someone.
	"Into the alley," Whistler ordered.
	The group stood and ran into the alley as the Lanithro demons made
a second attempt at grabbing them.
	"It looks like a family has come to town," Whistler informed.
"They must be protecting something or someone."
	"Could it be Ahriman?" Blade asked.
	"I don't think so.  Ahriman isn't one to get involved in magic.  In
all actuality, the species of vampire Ahriman is of cannot perform any
magical spells or incantations.  The closest they have to magical powers
are those which come naturally to them over time."
	"Like..."Dagger said.
	"Telepathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis.  Mostly powers that deal with
their mind.  The species Ahriman is from tend to be very intelligent and
resourceful."
	"So we rule Ahriman out as the one behind this new group of
baddies," Cloak summarized.  "What now?"
	Dagger stood as a Lanithro headed into the alley.  She created a
large energy around her hand and threw it out.  A large light dart flew
into the air and hit the demon.  The light dagger paralyzes the creature
and it falls to the ground.
	"Good work," Whistler praised.
	Dagger smiled and clapped her hands.  "Yay me!"
	The demons screeched loudly.
	"They aren't very happy," Whistler said.  "Look out."
	Every jumped to the corners where the buildings met the alley and
flattened out, making it harder for the Lanithro to grasp anyone.  The
demons, however, did not have any intentions of grabbing the demon hunters.
Instead, two grabbed the fallen Lanithro and picked up.  After several
cries in the humans' direction, the Lanithro flew off into the night.
	"That was very strange," Blade said.  "I've never dealt with them
before, or any other kind of demon before.  Usually all we deal with are
vampires and the occasional crazed witch or wizard."
	"Welcome to my world," Whistler responded.  "I've dealt with all
kinds of things."
	"Looks like you are the one to have around any more," Cloak
replied.
	"That's a good thing," Marvel Boy said.
	After several minutes of waiting for the Lanithro to come back,
Whistler stood.  "I think it is safe to come out.  They don't seem to be
returning."
	Everyone stood and looked around.
	"Now we have something else to investigate," Blade replied.  "Ever
since you showed up, we've had more intense things to deal with.  Why is
that?"
	"It's not my fault," Whistler replied.  "I guess my timing is just
impeccable."
	"Let's get some patrolling done," Blade replied.
	The group went out in search of vampires to slay.

To Be Continued...