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 9 Assault
The next morning Tandy awoke early. She went down to the lair and into the workout room. There she spent her first half hour stretching and exercising. Being a Slayer, she had all the strength and agility she needed. But in order to use those attributes to their fullest, she needed to workout and perfect them.
As she punched the punching bag, Ty came downstairs.
"Hey," he called out to get the Slayer's attention.
"Hey," she said with a slight edge to her voice.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Just fine."
"You don't seem like it."
Tandy didn't reply. She just continued her punching on the bag.
"Listen, I wanted to talk with you about what happened last night with Elektra."
"You don't have to explain."
"I think I do."
"Really," she replied stopping her punching and moving over to the gymnastics equipment, "you don't have to."
"Tandy, you seemed really upset by what happened. I want to apologize to you for it. I'm not sure exactly why you were upset, unless you were feeling jealous of her."
Tandy threw Ty a dirty look. "You mean because you stuck your dick up her pussy and you think I wanted it to be me?"
"I don't know," Ty replied getting defensive due to Tandy's bluntness. "You tell me."
"Listen," Tandy said flipping and landing in front of Ty. "My problems are my own. Why I reacted that way is no one's damn business but mine. I don't need you thinking I have a crush on you because I don't."
"That's fine," Ty answered. "But it doesn't explain why you were so upset. I think I should know."
"Well, tough shit, pal. My reasons are my own."
"Fine," Ty said turning around and taking several steps away.
"Good morning," Whistler greeted as he entered the gym. When he noticed the looks on his two charges faces, he stopped. "Did something happen?"
"Nothing happened," Ty replied walking past him. "I'm going to change and practice."
Whistler nodded then walked over to Tandy. "What's wrong?"
Tandy rolled her eyes and went back to work.
"Whatever," Whistler said. He turned and left the room to attend to the potion he was making to stop Ambika.
Ambika walked amongst her followers touching some on their heads, caressing the faces of others. Once in the middle, she turned, smiled, and addressed her followers.
"It seems our enemies have been rather naughty. They don't understand what we are trying to do. We have to make them understand. Go, my sweets. All of you. Attack and destroy the city. They don't want us to be in charge. Then no one will be in charge. Go!"
The vampires that were affected by sunlight went into the sewers. Those which were not went out the door. Soon throngs of vampires were invading the city through sewers and on the streets. Cars slammed on their brakes as gargoyle-like vampires grabbed pedestrians and ate them. Police pulled out their guns and open fire on the vampires but to no avail.
The soulless vampires flooded places of business to attack the people not in direct sunlight. Banks were invaded, the malls, movie theaters, nothing was kept safe from the assault of the creatures.
Jerry, the young man who met the Punisher in the gas station, walked down the corridor of the mall. One of the vampires was feeding off someone and he went into action.
"Hey!" he called out. When the vampire didn't respond, he ran over to it, not knowing it was a demon he would be facing off with. He grabbed the vampire by the shoulder and pulled on it to get it away from the young girl.
The vampire stopped feeding and turned to Jerry. Jerry's eyes widened at the bumpy forehead and yellow eyes. The vampire swung his hand and backhanded Jerry knocking him into the nearby display window. Jerry pulled himself up from the broken glass and mannequins. He wiped his mouth and wiped the blood from his nose.
"I don't know what in the hell I'm dealing with," he stated, "but this has got to stop."
Jerry reached down and grabbed an arm off one of the mannequins and headed after the vampire. He swung the arm like a baseball bat and hit the vampire in the head. The vampire turned around only slightly dazed from the attack. Jerry swung again and the vampire caught it. Using its vampire strength, it swung the arm and lifted Jerry off the ground. Jerry flew through the air to the other side of the corridor and smashed through the glass of another store. He lay there bloodied and in pain. His attempt was noble, but futile considering the strength of vampires.
Kevin, the young man who befriended the Punisher when Michael first moved into the same building, saw what happened and ran over to him.
"Are you okay?" Kevin asked as he knelt down beside Jerry.
"I'm in an extraordinary amount of pain."
"I can imagine. That was freaking insane. How in the world can that guy be so strong?"
"He didn't look right. His face was messed up."
Kevin looked over at the throngs of similar looking beings attacking and wreaking havoc throughout the mall. "It looks like the world is coming to an end. Come on; let's get you some medical help."
Kevin helped Jerry to his feet and the two snuck passed the fleeing people.
"Wonderful," Ambika said as she saw through the eyes of her followers the destruction going on. "Soon I will join you."
Harris went downstairs after his morning shower and saw the breaking news on TV. The anchorman of one of the local networks spoke seriously of something happening all over town.
"...mall patrons fleeing from the mob causing the massive devastation. Officials are urging citizens to remain in their homes to keep safe. The chief of police is on hand in city hall to address the situation."
The image shifted to the Columbus chief of police standing in front of the seal of the state. Several microphones were shoved in his face as he addressed the surrounding people and the viewers of the broadcasts.
"We are asking everyone to find shelter and lock themselves in. We aren't sure exactly what we are dealing with at the moment, but as soon as we know, everyone will be informed."
"Sir," an out of sight newsperson asked, "what about the rumors that bullets are not harming these people?"
"I cannot comment on that now."
"What about the dragons that are attacking people on the streets?" another asked. "Where did they come from?"
"Again, I cannot comment on that now."
Suddenly a loud crash caused the camera to shake. It panned over to view two winged vampires attacking nearby persons and police officers and feeding.
"Oh God!" someone screamed.
The speakers on the television filled with screaming as the camera turned and shook, the scenery moving by quickly. The cameraman fled with the rest of the people from the attacking demons.
Harris's eyes widened in disbelief. Those were the same type of creatures that attacked the school. 'I wonder if Davey knows about this,' he thought. He went to the phone only to discover his mom using it.
"Mom, I need to call Davey!"
"Hold on, Harris," she said. "I'm trying to get a hold of your father. The phone lines seem to be down at his office."
Harris sighed and ran upstairs to his room. He unplugged his computer's modem and plugged in the phone. After dialing Davey's number the phone rang twice then was cut off.
"Harris, did you do something?" Harris's mother called out.
"No, mom. The phone lines are dead!"
Harris heard the doorbell ring and headed downstairs. His mom opened the door to see a stranger standing there looking frantic.
"Can you please help me?" she said in a desperate voice.
"What can I do for you?" Harris's mom asked.
"I need to get inside. Something is going on out here."
"Sure, come in," Harris's mom invited.
The young woman entered. "Thank you so much."
As his mother closed the door, Harris noticed a blanket lying on the porch with a small amount of smoke emanating from it. Harris looked at the woman who stood next to the mirror.
'No reflection,' Harris noted to himself.
He turned and grabbed the crucifix hanging on the wall and turned to the stranger. He held it up and the woman backed off.
"Harris!" his mother said. "What on earth are you doing?"
The stranger's face changed to that of a vampire. Harris held the crucifix up slowly backing the demon into the kitchen. The vampire swung her hand and caught Harris's wrist causing him to drop the cross. Then the vampire punched Harris in the chest and he flew backwards into his mom. They slid into a small stand in the hallway smashing the wooden shelf to pieces. The vampire snarled and moved closer to feed.
"Ouch," his mom said pulling out a pointed piece of wood. "That poked me."
Harris noticed it and grabbed it from her. He held it up to the vampire ready to strike and it jumped backwards. The young boy climbed to his feet and moved toward it. The vampire backed off slightly realizing the boy wouldn't have the strength to slay it.
"You can't beat me, boy," the vampire said. "You are a weak, fattened meal ready for me to feed."
"Weak my ass," Harris said swinging his leg up and kicking the vampire between the legs.
Even though the creature was demonic, the body it possessed still had nerve endings. It clutched itself in pain. Harris then shoved the stake into the vampire's chest and snap-kicked it. His foot connected with the stake and pushed it further into the vampire. The impact also pushed the demon further into the kitchen and it fell backwards onto the floor landing in a ray of sunlight coming through the window. The vampire screamed as it burst into flame and turned into dust.
Harris's mom looked at her son with new respect. He turned, reached down and helped her up.
"Harris," she said, "what was that?"
"That was a vampire, mom."
"A what?" She couldn't believe her ears.
"It was a vampire. There's a lot I need to tell you, but I don't have time at the moment. Listen very carefully."
After Harris explained as quickly as he could all that he had witnessed, shared with her about Davey and the Marvel Knights, he told her he had to find Davey to make sure he and the others knew.
"Whatever you do, mom, don't let anyone in. Keep the doors locked."
Harris's mom nodded.
"I love you," her son replied. He leaned down, kissed her on the cheek, and ran out the door in search of his boyfriend.
Davey had already heard what was going on and had headed out to find a way to the mansion. He ran down the street heading north along High street when a vampire reached out from a store and grabbed him. Davey swung his arm around wrapping the vampire's arms in his. Then he lifted up and snapped the demon's elbows. He reached over with his right hand and grabbed the vampire by his shirt. Turning, he pulled the vampire out and tossed it into the middle of the street where it burst into flame.
The people running didn't even notice a person burst into flame and turn to dust. They were too busy running for their lives. Davey saw another vampire feeding off a person near a car. He ran over to the vampire and grabbed it by the head. After snapping its neck, he jerked the head clean off the shoulders. The head turned to dust in his hand as the body fell to the ground and decayed rapidly. He checked the victim and found the young girl had been killed.
"Oh no," he whispered.
A set of car keys fell from her hand and he reached down to pick them up. There was a keyless entry control on the key ring. He pressed the "unlock" button and the car he was standing in front of unlocked.
"I've got transportation," he replied. He climbed into the driver's side of the black Ford Escort ZX2 and turned the ignition. The radio exploded with the sounds of NSYNC's Celebrity. He put the car in gear and pulled out. Turning in the intersection, he headed toward Harris's house. He had to make sure his boyfriend was safe and then take him and his mom to Whistler's where they could regroup and create a plan.
Harris headed down the street seemingly against a current. The people fled the other way trying to avoid the dragon-like vampires. He was surprised when a black car pulled up next to him and the window came down.
"Harris!" Davey called from the driver's seat. "Get it!"
Harris got in and kissed his boyfriend.
"Are you okay?" Davey asked.
"Aside from slaying a vampire and having to explain everything to mom, I've never been better. How are you?"
"Freaked," Davey replied. "Let's get your mom and get to Whistler."
Harris nodded and the car took off toward his home.
A half hour later, the Escort pulled up in front of the mansion.
"I can't believe all this!" Harris's mom exclaimed as she climbed out of the backseat.
"I know it's unreal," Davey said. "But it is true."
The three entered the mansion to find the upper levels empty. Davey led the way downstairs to the lower levels. Whistler was working on the elixir when he noticed Davey.
"Hello, Davey. What brings you here so...who the fuck is this?"
"This is Harris's mom," Davey announced.
"Why in the hell did you bring her here?"
"In case you didn't know," Harris replied, "all hell has broken loose."
"What are you talking about?"
Harris walked over to the computer and accessed one of the television satellite broadcasts. "Look what's going on," he said.
Tandy and Ty walked in from the gymnasium and saw Harris, Davey and Harris's mother.
"Hey, what's up?" Tandy said. Her words drowned out in her throat though when she saw the images of downtown Columbus unfolding on the monitors.
"It's been going on for the last hour or so," Harris said. "Vampires have invaded every business downtown. The casualties are going to be high on this one."
"The war has begun," Whistler said.
To Be Continued...
Indeed, the war has begun. This chapter has been intense, and the Knights haven't even begun their counterattack. What do you think of this chapter? I'd love to hear from you!
Also, this storyline is coming to a close. Should I continue with Marvel Knights or just let it end with the vampire war? I want to know what you readers want. I have some ideas, but if no one really wants or cares for this story to continue, I will end it.