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 10 Vampire War
"They've never been so aggressive before," Tandy stated as the group sat around the table looking to their Watcher for guidance. "They've always thrived in secrecy. Exposing themselves would only endanger their existence. It doesn't make sense."
"The vampire war that has been declared will put them in power. Making themselves known will only give their cause aid by other vampires who don't know what is going on, not to mention demons who would only gain by the vampire takeover. The world would plunge into chaos and darkness. It would be like it was thousands of years ago when fairy tales were real."
"Fairy tales were real?" Ty asked. "What's up with that?"
"Legends and fairy tales have some basis in reality. King Arthur and Camelot, Middle Earth and hobbits, all of it has some basis in reality, at some point in earth's past has happened. Mankind believes itself to be above supernatural and mystic stories when all of it was based in the far distant past. With as old as scientists believe this world to be, how can the ancient tales not have some basis in fact?"
The room was silent at the prospect of seeing stories of ancient nobility, knights and demons roaming free return to earth again.
"What can we do?" Ty asked. "There are only three of us. Elektra is nowhere to be found. And even if she were, four against an army of vampires? There's no way we can win."
"We still have the plan of destroying Ambika. Once she is dealt with, their organization will crumble. We would be more able to destroy small units of vampires than a vast army."
"True," Tandy said. "But what will keep any other vampire from taking control once Ambika's down? We might have to keep killing new vampire generals until all are taken care of."
"I will contact the Council. Maybe they have some help they can send our way. Until then, it's up to us.
"I want you three changed and out on the streets protecting the others."
"I have a car out front," Davey said. "So we can split up."
"Splitting up is fine so long as you keep in constant contact and don't roam too far away. You are a team and you need to watch each other's back. I suggest you converge on the mall from three separate angles. Many people are there as are most of the vampires, I'm sure. Once we secure the mall, we can move outward. After I contact the Council, I will join you out there. Harris, I will need you here to coordinate us. You can monitor the news broadcasts and keep us informed of what's going down.
"Hopefully, we'll run into the queen bitch herself. In that case, I have finished the drug. I've put the mixture in these needles and darts. One or two should do the job of rendering her suggestible and unfocused. From there you should be able to fight her affectively. Any questions?"
Slowly Harris's mother raised her hand.
"Yes?" Whistler said.
"What is going on?"
"Suit up everyone," Whistler replied to the others. While they were gone, Whistler took Harris's mother in hand and spoke to her of what has been happening. She had a hard time accepting the existence of vampires but was able to take Whistler's words for what they were.
Harris sat at the computer and typed away hacking into security systems across the city attempting to locate Ambika, to see if she was as active as her foot soldiers. His mom came back and sat down near Harris where she could watch the monitors and watch her son work. Whistler went to a smaller computer off to the side so he could have some privacy in contacting the Watchers' Council.
Marvel Boy, Cloak and Dagger exited the locker rooms and approached. Harris's mom was shocked at their apparel. She had never seen anyone dress so strangely, except in the comic books. Harris ignored her stares and kissed Marvel Boy.
"Be careful," he said.
"I always am."
With that Marvel Boy headed upstairs to take the Escort. Cloak and Dagger went to the Firebird. The engines roared and the shiny, black cars went out into the city to confront the vampire war.
Marvel Boy turned off of Interstate 71 onto a major road heading west. Several vampires stayed within the shadows of the buildings attacking pedestrians attempting to get away. Marvel Boy stopped the car and stepped out.
"Everyone!" he called out to get the people's attention. "Stay in the sunlight! They can't harm you there!"
Many of the people ran into the streets to stay in the sunlight. But some were not fast enough and were quickly snatched up by the vampires and bitten.
Marvel Boy reached into one of his pockets and found little vials of holy water. He smiled thinking of Harris and threw the bottle at a vampire. It shattered and covered the creature with the sacred liquid. Smoke came up from the vampire's face and it ran trying to shake off the burning sensation. Without paying attention, it ran into the sunlight where it burned up.
Marvel Boy smiled and headed toward the building. A vampire approached him and he backhanded it. Then, grabbing it by its shirt collar, tossed it into the sunlight. Two more vampires attacked. One punched him in the face. The other grabbed him and threw him into the building. He went through the brick and into the little shop to find patrons lying around bleeding to death from the wounds given by the vampires.
Marvel Boy looked around and started to pull himself up when he had some help. A vampire grabbed him and threw him through the ceiling to the second floor. As he reached the ceiling of the second floor, he grabbed a light fixture and stopped his descent to the first floor. He swung away from the hole and landed.
The door opened and the three vampires stepped in. Marvel Boy smirked at the vampires.
"I am soooo going to kick your ass," he said.
The vampires ran after him, but he was ready. He swung his arm out and connected with the stomach of one of the vampires. He spun away from the vampire and kicked a second in the stomach sending it flying through the wall into the hallway. The third vampire tossed something around his throat and pulled up lifting the boy off the floor. The mutant pulled trying to get away from the vampire's grip but it didn't work.
The vampire turned to the right jerking on Marvel Boy hoping that it would kill the boy. Instead, Marvel Boy ran with it and ran up the wall. After getting level with the vampire's head, he kicked off and flipped over the vampire. His action caused the vampire's arms to go over its head and Marvel Boy was released of the pull on his throat. After landing on the floor, Marvel Boy kicked the vampire in the back and it flew up against the all. In a fluid motion, Marvel Boy staked the first downed vampire, staked the second, then, after twirling the stake around in his hand, hurled it at the vampire he knocked into the hallway. The stake landed right in the vampire's chest and it turned to dust.
"Three down," Marvel Boy said as he dusted off his hands, "a few thousand more to go."
He jogged out into the hallway, scooped up the stake, and ran back to his transportation. In a matter of seconds, the little black car was zooming toward the mall.
Cloak and Dagger arrived at the mall and climbed out. They ran toward Lazarus department store knowing there was access to the rest of the mall from there. As the two entered the loading area shielded by sunlight, vampires attacked. The two easily dispatched the demons and headed inside where they faced off with more vampires than expected. The numbers overtook the two and, sensing Ambika's thoughts on not harming the heroes, took them toward the Commons where Ambika would be arriving.
Elektra looked through the skylight looking down on the Commons and watched as Cloak and Dagger were being lead to the stage. "Oh, great," she muttered.
"Talking to yourself," a voice said from behind.
Elektra turned to see the source of the familiar voice. "Randa?" she said. "Is that you?"
Standing behind her was a motley looking crew of individuals. Her friend from the Council, Miranda, now dressed in a bat costume.
"They call me Batgirl when I'm in this."
"Hey, codenames are still cool."
"Let me introduce you to my friends. This is Nightwing."
A late teen stepped up and waved. He wore all black with a blue bird on the chest. "Hey," he said.
"Mr. Freeze."
A college-aged man waved, smiling behind his glass-plated helmet and white, purple and blue suit.
"And Robin."
A young boy with a black bandanna that covered his eyes, long black and yellow cape and green pants smiled at her.
"Of course, you know Kara."
"Hello, Elektra," Kara said. "It has been awhile. Last I heard, you quit the Council."
"You know me, willing to lend a hand when needed."
"I'm glad you are helping with this war. It has been most stressful. Have you seen Abraham Whistler?"
"No, I haven't. Is something up?"
"We don't know," Batgirl said. "He contacted the Council just before heading out into this. We only got here minutes ago."
"How is the local Slayer doing here?" Kara asked.
"She and her wizard friend just got captured. Ambika, the head vampire in this area, hasn't shown yet, but she will. She would be the only one to stay the hand, or fangs, of these types of vampires from feeding. Give a vampire a Slayer's blood and they won't hesitate. Just ask Willian the Bloody."
"What the hell is this?" Marvel Boy said as he ran across the roof. "God, it looks like a freakin' comic book convention up here."
"Let me introduce you," Elektra said. After looking at the group, she said, "Better yet, let them introduce you. It would take too long for me to do it."
After everyone went around and shared their names, Marvel Boy looked down through the skylight. "God, I hope they don't kill Ty and Tandy."
"Yeah, that would be a waste of a perfectly good eight incher."
Marvel Boy, as well as the others, looked at Elektra.
"Okay, that was inappropriate, but I'm just saying."
"Okay, here's what we're going to do," Kara said.
Everyone huddled around to hear the Watcher's plan.
Down in the Commons, Cloak and Dagger were being bound hand and foot. They stood on the stage watching as the vampires would feed off victims and the two could do nothing to help.
"Well, well, well, looky what we have here," the female vampire said as she entered the area. "We got our Slayer and Magic man all tied up. Let's see if Houdini can get them out of this fix."
The two struggled attempting to get free but the knots were too tight.
Ambika stepped up and kicked them. "Naughty, naughty, we don't want you two getting away just yet. We have much more fun planned, and we want you to watch. Isn't that lovely?"
"Like hell!" a gruff voice sounded.
Everyone turned to see Whistler standing on top the elevator aiming a crossbow at Ambika.
"If it isn't the redneck hick," she said.
Whistler fired and the bolt hit Ambika right between the eyes. The vampire reached up and grabbed the end of it and pulled it out.
"That wasn't very nice. You could have ruined my hair. And I worked so hard to make it perfect for your deaths."
Ambika clapped her hands and several vampires went after Whistler.
The sound of whooshing was heard and several metal bats sliced through the vampires' necks turning them to dust.
"What?" Ambika exclaimed.
Batgirl, Nightwing and Robin swung down through the skylight to the top level and attacked the vampires. Freeze created an ice slide and slid down blasting several vampires as he went. Elektra dropped down from a rope and kicked Ambika knocking her off the stage. Then the Slayer attacked.
"Let's face each other," Cloak said to Dagger. "If we can face each other, I can use my mutant power for us to travel out of these ropes."
Dagger nodded and the two worked around. When they faced each other, Dagger felt something long and hard poking at her midsection. She looked up at Cloak in shock. He smiled at her. Then, poof, the two disappeared from their bindings.
They reappeared a few feet away with Dagger still looking at Cloak in wonder.
"Even in the face of death you can still have an erection?"
"Hey, hot girls get me that way."
"But Elektra just showed up, how can you have..." Realization struck. "You think Ambika's hot?"
"No, silly. You."
"Me?" Dagger replied. She couldn't keep her thoughts on it too much more as the vampire starting attacking civilians because they couldn't reach Cloak or Dagger.
Cloak and Dagger sprang into action and attacked. Stakes, fists, arrows and feet flew knocking vampires down, staking and dusting the demons.
"Hold it right there!" Ambika said stepping back up to the stage.
All fighting stopped and everyone stared. Ambika held Elektra in the air by her throat.
"It looks like I'm the one holding the cards. If you do not stop, I will snap her neck."
Dagger looked across the Commons at Cloak. He nodded and looked up at Whistler on the third level. He nodded and looked over at Marvel Boy, who nodded and looked back at Dagger. Dagger's eyes met Cloaks again and she turned to face Ambika.
"You may have gotten some silly dressed friends to help you. But you can't win without losing your friend."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Dagger said stepping up. "She isn't my friend. Do you know what that bitch did?"
Ambika was surprised at how Dagger spoke. She wasn't expecting a Slayer to speak like this about another Slayer.
"She came in here and took my life. She slays better than me, she looks better than me and dresses better than me. Hell, she even had my friends eight inch cock shoved up her kootch. Do you know how that feels?"
Dagger was up to Ambika now, closer than she thought she could get. "It feels like getting poked by needles."
Dagger pulled out the needles filled with the drug and jabbed them into Ambika. Ambika growled and backhanded Dagger, knocking her into the middle of the Commons. Cloak, Marvel Boy and Whistler let loose and threw the needles at Ambika. Most of them went into her skin depositing the drug to weaken her. Her grip relaxed and she dropped Elektra to the floor. Elektra was weakened by the beating Ambika gave her.
"No!" the vampire screamed. "You can't do this to my party! I'm leaving!"
"It's your party, cry if you want to," Elektra said. She pulled out one of her Sai's. "Just don't go anywhere." The Slayer plunged the Sai through Ambika's foot and into the stage so she couldn't run away.
"You want to be the center of attention?" Dagger said from the middle of the Commons area. "Then have the spotlight."
Dagger's mutation went into effect and she began to glow. It had never manifested this intense before, but it really glowed within. The beam of light burst forth from her entire body and hit Ambika's body, covering it from head to toe with light.
"NO!" Ambika cried out as her body caught on fire and she burned up before everyone's eyes.
Dagger's outstretched fingers emanated the light as well and the small beams swept across the room illuminating both human and vampire. The humans felt euphoric as that is what her light does to natural creatures. However, to preternatural creatures and supernatural creatures, when her light is intense enough, it slices and burns. Some of the vampires caught fire while others were decapitated.
Once all the vampires were beaten, Dagger collapsed to the floor. Cloak went over to attend to her and found her awake, just exhausted.
"Man that kicked my ass."
Cloak laughed and helped her up.
Back at the mansion, everyone sat and told their adventures during the Vampire War to one another. Everyone marveled and congratulated for a successful campaign against the enemy. Harris's mother still had a hard time accepting everything, but Whistler tried to help.
"You look good," Kara said to the Southern Watcher, "for a redneck hick."
"And you don't look so bad yourself, for a stuck up bitch."
The two laughed obviously having known each other for awhile.
"It's been too long," Kara said.
"They don't let us visit anymore. You would think that with the speed we can travel now that visiting other Watchers would be possible. But no, the stingy little bastards. They don't want to pay for the air fare."
After a long visit, the computer beeped a familiar beep. The Watchers' Council was attempting to contact them. Harris went over and flipped the switch.
"Hello, Quentin."
"Hello, Whistler. I see Kara is with you."
"Quentin," Kara said stepping next to her comrade.
"We've just heard news from Tokyo. Johnny Blaze has been freed of the spirit controlling him."
The room filled with shouts of joy from Tandy, Ty, Harris and Davey. The others smiled and celebrated as well, having been told the story of what was going on with Blade and company.
"However," Quentin said, "They are not out of the woods yet. The young man who was being controlled still remembers where he was and what happened to him. They are coordinating now to attack the mutant behind some of this chaos, the mutant named Apocalypse."
The End
Were you surprised to see everyone from Orlando show up? What did you think of the end of Ambika and how she was defeated? This is the end of Marvel Knights, for now. Coming soon, after the end of Apocalypse in "Judgments", look for "Marvel Knights: Idol" to start. It will open with the return of Blade, Punisher and Ghost Rider, and the villain will be someone you have been expecting but probably forgot about. I would like to know what you thought of this storyline. Please, email me and tell me your thoughts.