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1947 HITS ARCHIVE: Feudin’ And Fightin’ - Dorothy Shay - YouTube

Episode 11: Feudin’ and Fightin’ August 8th, 1947. New York City, New York. The mansion of Howard Stark. Fred Wells woke up to find himself handcuffed to the chair he was sitting in. A cursory glance revealed that he was in a cellar, casks and bottles lining the walls. Before him stood Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter, and Dr. Benton. He looked down at the bandage on his shoulder, then back up to Peggy. “Very good work, Peg darling,” he said. “Would it be possible to avail myself of some of Mr. Stark’s stock? Or does his hospitality only extend so far?” Peggy took a step toward the chair, but Daniel held out a cautionary arm. “We’ve treated your injury. Unless you want a few more I suggest you tell us what we want to know.” Wells chuckled. “Oh really? And why do we have resort to such threats? Why not go to your friends at the SSR? Oh wait. Because they still want dear Miss Adams for the little fracas at the theater.” “How did you do it?” Peggy asked steely. “How did you turn these people into super soldiers?” Wells nodded to Benton. “You really should be congratulating the good doctor here. It wouldn’t have gotten off the ground if it wasn’t for his genius.” “What genius?” Benton asked. “What did you make me do?” “Oh, my dear boy. We didn’t make you do anything. You wanted to. Once the Council told you the possibilities of developing a super soldier serum, you practically jumped at the chance. And you weren’t particularly interested in where your subject came from.” Sousa crossed over to the chair. “The Council? You worked for Vernon Masters?” “Of course. Do you really think your War Department was all on board with the SSR? Hardly. If the Council could develop a serum before Erskine perfected his, well. The possibilities would have been limitless. On the battlefield and in Washington.” Peggy walked to the chair, and leaned over, glaring face to face with Wells. She pressed hard on his injured soldiers, making him grown in pain. “How many soldiers are there?” Wells gritted his teeth as he replied. “Five. Your brother, Miss Adams, Benton, Bruce Carter, and…” “Madeline Joyce.” Peggy turned to face Benton, who looked stunned at the words he was saying. “Madeline worked as Masters secretary. Bruce Carter III was an infantryman who had been recovering from shell shock. Miss Adams had been kidnapped from her USO show.” “And Michael?” Peggy asked. Benton held his head and squinted. “It’s all too blurry. They had brought him in, said that he had been given extra combat training. The idea was to take four different individuals, give each different amounts of the test serum I had developed, then examine the effects.” “Wait a minute,” interrupted Daniel. “You say there were four subjects. How did you get the serum?” Benton wiped sweat from his brow, looking at Wells in disgust. “I gave it to myself. I remember now. I thought at first I was doing important work for science, for my country. But slowly, much too slowly God help me, I saw what I was doing. Your precious Council was only interested in gaining power and influence for themselves. You didn’t care what the results of my serum would be. You just kept pushing me to complete the experiment. It didn’t matter that I had my doubts about the serum. For all I knew I might have been injecting poison into their veins!” Wells rolled his eyes. “And in a moment of misplaced chivalry, you injected yourself with your serum, satisfied that if the experiment was a failure and your subjects died, you would pay for overstepping your precious morality. But it wasn’t a failure! It worked! The serum gave you strength!” “And you trained us, and sent us to strike German targets to prove the effectiveness of your new weapons!” Benton snapped. Peggy turned back to Wells. “But in that case, why make them forget their powers?” Wells looked uncomfortable and cleared his throat. “There was a slight… hiccup.” “A hiccup?!” Benton roared. “It all went wrong! The conditioning you gave made us too aggressive! The first mission we went on, we wound up burning a German village to the ground!” Benton stopped short, frozen in shock. “And when it was over, the Council retrieved us, except Daredevil, who had disappeared in the chaos.” “The file!” Peggy said, turning to Daniel. “That must have been the massacre it was talking about! It wasn’t my file. It was Michael’s!” “An unfortunate incident,” Wells went on. “There were those on the Council who thought we should wash our hands of the whole business and eliminate all of you. But powers such as yours would be a terrible thing to waste.” “So, you had Fennhoff erase their memories and forget about their powers?” asked Daniel. “Sadly no. Fennhoff was a genius, and he’s been very helpful in giving the push our subjects needed to remember their powers. But some of the old conditioning meant to keep them all placid and calm is still there.” He grinned and stared at Benton. “What did mother always say, Benton?” “Gentle, gentle,” Benton said without thinking. Peggy and Daniel stared at him in shock. Benton’s eyes went wide. “My God.” Wells chuckled. “Good. Now how about…” A quick right cross from Peggy sent Wells back into unconsciousness. She whirled around to face Benton. “From now on, neither you or Miss Adams is allowed near him. Do you understand?” “Yes, Miss Carter. I’m sorry I…” “I don’t want to hear apologies, Benton!” Peggy snapped. “Who knows how many mental triggers you have in your head? Wells could very have you kill us all!” “Peggy, that’s enough.” Daniel said softly. But Peggy went on. “But at least your damned serum works, doctor! You turned four people into monsters! Women and men with lives that were meant for better things than being tin soldiers!” “Peggy!” Peggy spun to face Daniel, looking at her in stunned silence. Peggy gasped for breath, then turned and ran out of the cellar, tears welling in her eyes. Manhattan, New York City. The mansion of Silvio Manfredi. Count Nefaria strode into the meeting room of the Maggia, flanked by Hammerhead and Kangaroo. Silvio Manfredi sat at the head of the table with the heads of the other families. Behind Silvio’s chair were Dottie Underwood and the Enforcers. No one in the room looked particularly pleased. “Good evening, friends,” Nefaria said cheerfully. He moved to his seat, then looked around the room. “Silvio, where is that boy of yours? I would have thought he would be in attendance.” One of the mobsters coughed as Silvio Manfredi drummed on the table with his fingers. “I have not heard from Joseph these past two days. Since we haven’t heard from the authorities, I can only assume that he has been killed by these vigilantes.” Nefaria bowed his head solemnly. “I’m terribly sorry for your loss, Silvio.” Silvio glared across the table at Nefaria. “I am not interested in your condolences, Luchino. The Maggia was under the impression that your men…” “My men!” Costa interrupted. He fell silent after a stare from Silvio. “You assured us that with Doctor Harrow’s enhancements would be more than a match for these people! Instead, they were sent running with their tails between their legs!” Nefaria held out his hands and shrugged. “Losing the first battle does not mean losing the war, Silvio.” “Perhaps not,” Silvio replied coldly. “But it may mean it is time for a change of tactics.” Suddenly the door to the conference room burst open. Joseph Manfredi ran into the room panting for breath. His suit was torn and disheveled, his hair an unkempt mess. Silvio struggled to his feet. “Joseph! Where have you been, boy?!” Joseph pointed a long finger at Nefaria and his henchmen. “Why don’t you ask him?!” The other Maggia started murmuring amongst each other, and moving away from Nefaria. Nefaria rose and walked toward Joseph. “Joseph, my boy. Your father has been so worried about you.” “Shut up!” Joseph snarled. He started circling the table, not breaking eye contact with Nefaria. “You want to know where I’ve been?” he said to the Maggia. “I’ve been dodging these two jamokes! I overheard Nefaria calling Dmitri to set up a hit, and when I asked him about it, he sent them to try to kill me!” Silvio scowled at Nefaria. “Is this true, Luchino? You tried to kill my son?!” “Silvio, my friend,” Luchino said. “Please, listen to reason.” “Oh, I’ll give you a reason you son of a bitch!” Joseph yelled. He grabbed a gun out of a coat hanging on a hat rack and aimed it a Nefaria. Kangaroo and Hammerhead moved into position and the Enforcers and Dottie drew their weapons. “Stop this! Stop this now!” Silvio screamed, before giving a wheezing cough. Nefaria looked at Sivio, and shook his head. “The leader of the Maggia. You know why I hired Doctor Harrow, Silvio? Because under your leadership the Maggia has become just like you: old, weak. Unable to see what we can truly accomplish.” “Would you like me to kill him now, Mr. Manfredi?” Dottie asked. Silvio returned to his seat, grasping his chest as he attempted to catch his breath. He glared at Nefaria. “Yes, Miss Underwood. And may the devil take you, you… you traitor!” Nefaria’s eyes narrowed and he smiled. “I don’t deal with the devil. The devil deals with me!” Daredevil smashed through one of the tall windows of the room and landed on the table of the Maggia. All the mobsters took a step back in fear as guns were drawn and Nefaria gazed proudly at his living weapons. “Daredevil? Hammerhead? Kangaroo? Kill them all!” Who will win in this battle for control of the Maggia? Stay Tuned and Find Out! Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION Hammerhead yanked the door off the van and pulled Jarvis out as Kangaroo flipped off the roof. The back door of the van was kicked open by Howard as Daniel pulled out his gun. He opened fire, but Kangaroo easily leapt to one side to dodge the shot. Howard reached for the ‘zapper’ in his suit pocket, but the brute was already on them. “You ain’t goin’ anywhere!” he growled as he grabbed the ‘zapper’ and crushed it in his fist. Daniel swung his crutch and Kangaroo caught it with ease. “Mr. Stark! Agent Sousa!” Jarvis yelled, as Hammerhead shoved him into the van. “A little help would be appreciated, gentlemen!” Hammerhead started to charge forward, only for Black Terror to drop down in front of him. Black Terror delivered a blow to the body that lifted Hammerhead off the ground. He crumpled to the ground groaning in pain. Black Terror turned to check on a bewildered Jarvis. “I thought you were staying at the mansion with Miss Martinelli.” Black Terror offered a hand to help Jarvis up. “Would you prefer that I didn’t show up?” Jarvis grudgingly nodded. “Point taken.” Daniel was sprawling out of the van as Kangaroo jerked back on the crutch. He tossed Howard back into the van and leapt out to stand over Daniel. Suddenly, Miss Masque sprang into view with a flying kick to Kangaroo. Kangaroo grunted as he hit the van back first, then again when Masque delivered a spinning kick to his head. Masque retrieved the crutch and handed it Daniel. “Didn’t think me and Benton were just going to sit at home while you people risked your necks, did you?” Daniel grabbed the crutch and moved to his feet. “Peggy’s in trouble. Get in the van! We need to move now!” Masque nodded and helped Daniel into the back as Howard started to rise to his seat nursing his head. “I’m alright too. Thanks for asking.” Peggy dropped down to dodge the boomerang as it whizzed over head. She got to her feet just in time to leap out of the way of Daredevil as he swung the spike at her. She threw a kick, only for Daredevil to block the strike and catch her by the ankle. With ease he pushed off and sent her sprawling to her back, her head cracking against stone tiles. She crawled toward the fountain as the boomerang returned to Daredevil’s waiting hands. He slowly walked toward her as Fred looked on arrogantly. “It is a shame to see siblings quarrel. But don’t worry, Peg darling. It will all be over soon.” Daredevil reached Peggy, dazed as she leaned over the edge of the fountain. He raised the spike high to strike her in the back. Peggy instinctively rolled to the right, avoiding the spike as it clanged against the stone. She pushed off the fountain and delivered a right cross to Daredevil’s jaw. The masked assassin was shaken for a second, and Peggy capitalized. With a cry of rage, she grabbed Daredevil by the head, and slammed him face first onto the edge of the fountain. Peggy slammed him again and again, her grip so tight on the mask that when she pulled away she yanked the mask off with her. She reached into a pocket and drew her revolver and pointed it at the stunned assassin. Daredevil rose and turned toward Peggy, revealing his unmasked face to her. It was the face of a man with unkempt, brown hair. His face was taut with controlled fury and marked with old scars. In particular was the scar across his throat. But despite all of this, Peggy finally knew the truth. She stood facing Daredevil, gun raised, but now the shock registering on her face. “Michael?” she said barely audible. “Michael? What have they done?” “Now, now, Peg darling,” Fred said. “There is no need for tears. There’s something rather prodigal about this. You know, the son you thought was dead is alive and all that.” Daredevil slowly moved toward Peggy, who tried her best to keep her gun hand steady. “Stay back! Don’t come any closer or I’ll shoot!” “He isn’t really your brother anymore, I suppose,” Fred went on as Daredevil drew closer. “Under the watchful eye of Dr. Benton and the best mental conditioning money can buy, he is now a fully functioning weapon. A super soldier that I’d say would give your Captain America a run for his money.” “Please, Michael,” Peggy begged, steadying her grip on the revolver. “Don’t make me do this!” “He’s not going to stop, Peggy,” Fred sneered. “Your brother is mine now. He has his orders. And the only way he will stop is if you pull that trigger now.” Peggy stood frozen, a tear running down her cheek as she stared at the man that was Michael Carter. Fred sighed. “I always knew you didn’t really have the stomach for this kind of work. Daredevil. Finish this.” Daredevil threw his boomerang. Peggy dropped to her knees and fired. Daredevil fell to the ground. Peggy stared in horror at the prone body of her brother, then rushed to his side. “Michael! Oh God! Michael! I’m sorry!” Peggy wept. She checked his chest and found the bullet hole, but could see no blood. In confusion she turned to look to Daredevil’s face, just in time to see his eyes fly open and to feel the shock of a spike stabbed into her gut. Peggy cried out in pain. Fred applauded as Daredevil rose to his feet and Peggy gasped for breath on her knees, blood staining her dress. “Bravo, Daredevil. Now, take that spike and slit her throat.” Daredevil grabbed Peggy by the hair. Peggy looked up at him in terror. “Michael. Don’t.” The spike was raised high. A sudden crashing noise made Fred spin around. The moving fan rumbled across the ground towards them. Fred reached into his jacket for a pistol, only to scream in pain as a bullet from Miss Masque’s revolver hit him in the shoulder. Daredevil looked back at the pained expression on Peggy’s face. “Michael. Michael, it’s Peggy. Please.” There was a flicker of recognition in Daredevil’s face, only to roughly shove her down to the stone tiles. He grabbed the mask from Peggy’s hands, put it on, and took off running, leaping over the terrace and disappearing into the night. Miss Masque jumped off the side of the van and ran to where Fred had fallen. She held her gun at the ready as she bent over him. “He’s still alive. Did everybody see that shot? I really am getting good at this!” Howard jumped out of the van and stared in shock at Peggy’s prone body. Daniel hurried as fast as his leg could carry him as he rushed to Peggy’s side. “Peggy! Peggy, talk to me! I’m here.” Peggy grimaced in pain, pulling back her hand to show the blood. “Don’t worry, it looks worse than it is.” “Howard! Jarvis! Help me get her to the van!” Howard hurried over to Daniel and they gently lifted Peggy up between them. Jarvis looked on by the driver’s side door. Black Terror walked up to Miss Masque standing guard over Fred. Fred smirked up at the heroes as he clutched his shoulder. “Well, well. Dr. Benton, and Miss Adams, as well. It really is a reunion.” Black Terror hoisted Fred Wells to his feet. He glared at him as he gripped his lapels. “How do you know who we are? Who is the devil? What have you people done to us?!” Fred just gave a defiant grin through the pain. Black Terror delivered a hard right hand to the jaw, knocking him out instantly. He turned away and stormed back to the van as Peggy was loaded in the back. “Bring him,” he barked at Miss Masque. “He is the only person who can tell us what’s going on.” Next Time: Feudin’ and Fightin’!

ATTENTION! THIS IS A SANCTIONED MATCH OF THE TRANSDIMENSIONAL COMBAT COMMISION, ORDERED BY E.V.P. CROWLEY. NO FANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WITNESS THIS CONTEST BY ORDER OF THE 9. Both groups of ghosts have possessed a 13 floor skyscraper. The winner is whichever group forces the other out while terrorizing the most civilians. Loser will be sentenced to second death by the enforcer of the 9 Miss America. Game On!

ATTENTION! THIS IS A SANCTIONED MATCH OF THE TRANSDIMENSIONAL COMBAT COMMISION, ORDERED BY E.V.P. JARETH. NO FANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WITNESS THIS CONTEST BY ORDER OF THE 9. Sword Fight! Fight takes place in the ruins of an old castle. Both combatants start in light armor and unarmed. Blades of various types and strengths are scattered around the castle grounds for them to find and use. Loser will be sentenced to death by the enforcer of the 9 Miss America. Game On!

ATTENTION! THIS IS A SANCTIONED MATCH OF THE TRANSDIMENSIONAL COMBAT COMMISION, ORDERED BY E.V.P. MONGUL AND E.V.P. MAXIMILLION PEGASUS. NO FANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WITNESS THIS CONTEST BY ORDER OF THE 9. Young Justice season 2 version of Zatanna vs Dark Magician Girl at full strength in the Shadow Realm. Loser will be sentenced to death by the enforcer of the 9 Miss America. Game On!

The Hanging Tree’ James Newton Howard ft. Jennifer Lawrence (Official Audio) - YouTube

Chapter 9: Strange Things Did Happen Here On a rooftop of a three story building in L.A., Nekra looked out over the urban scene before her. She gently stroked the head of Mandril, who sat hunched over in front of her like a loyal dog, growling softly. Ushas and Shaya stood at attention behind her brandishing their weapons. The rooftop slowly began to be covered in darkness, and Nekra smiled as Shroud emerged from the shadows. “Brother Max. I’m sorry to interrupt your meditations, but I did hope you wouldn’t us paying a visit.” Shroud’s face was tight with restrained rage. “My name,” he intoned. “Is Shroud.” Nekra nodded, and motioned to her entourage. “As you wish, Brother. You do remember Sister Shaya and Sister Ushas?” She finished by patting Mandril’s back. “And of course Brother Jerome.” Shroud stayed where he was, and turned to face where Mandril snarled at him. “Hello again, Brother Jerome. Has Sister Nekra gotten you house broken yet?” Mandril attempted to lunge forward but Nekra tightened her grip around the nape of his neck. “There, there, Brother Jerome. Patience.” She looked back at Shroud with a smirk. “It is the will of Kali that our prodigal brother be allowed to wander for a little while longer.” “Why have you brought your damned cult to my city?” Shroud demanded. “We come to bring the blessing of Kali to the people,” Nekra proclaimed. “And prepare the way for her return. Kali has chosen this place as the site of the ultimate transcendence.” Shroud took a step towards them. “Your goddess has decided to return to the mortal plane in L.A.?” “Where better than Kali-fornia?” Nekra chuckled. Ushas and Shaya snickered as well, even Mandril growled in appreciation. Shroud simply stood motionless, glaring with sightless eyes. Nekra sighed. “As stolid as ever, Brother Max. But the point still stands. Kali believes this city will be more than fitting. Given that so many of her children are present. Kali thanks you for that.” Shroud’s hands folded into fists. “I chose to bring my agents here to unite them under one cause. To prevent the ‘blessings’ your blasted goddess from creating the chaos she wanted.” “And yet you’ve created chaos in spite of yourself, Brother,” said Ushas. “So many criminals have been killed, so much destruction.” “Kali accepts the offerings of all her children,” Shaya chimed in. “Even those that have strayed from her embrace.” Shroud turned back to Nekra. “I will not let you or your followers destroy my city. It is under my protection.” “And how do you propose to protect it, Brother?” Nekra asked mockingly. “With that band of monsters and murderers?” She paused then allowed her smile to grow. “Or perhaps with the traitorous Sister Dansen?” Shroud flinched, and Nekra went on. “Oh yes. We know you have her here. Sister Shaya and Sister Ushas have been arguing over who will get to rip out her heart.” Shroud rushed toward Nekra. Ushas and Shaya held their flail and nunchakus at the ready. Shroud stopped in front of Nekra, who stared unblinking at his masked face. “But, then, she did give it to you all those years ago. Didn’t she?” “You will not hurt her, or any member of my team,” Shroud hissed. “They are not pawns in Kali’s game. And if you try to bring her here, I will kill you myself.” Nekra’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Oh, Brother Max. You seem to have forgotten so much of Kali’s teachings. Perhaps I can jog your memory.” Nekra delivered a back hand strike to Shroud that lifted off the ground and flying towards the edge of the roof. Shroud tumbled through the air and landed on his feet, screeching to a halt. He looked toward Nekra, who was casting aside her robes to reveal a black version of Dansen’s unitard. Her muscles began to bulge, her teeth grew longer and pointed, and the calm expression on her face was replaced with a look of pure rage. OK: Ushas, Shaya, and Mandril cannot interfere. One on one, full strength, full power. Last person standing wins. Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION Barton charged toward Fritz with sword raised. A deluge of bees flew out of Fritz’s arm and swarmed around him. Barton cried out in pain as Percy rushed to his side. “Hold on, Bart!” He reached to his sleeve and pulled out a seltzer bottle. A spray of water sent the insects retreating back to Fritz. “Always kicking hornets’ nets, aren’t you?” asked Percy, creating a second seltzer bottle and tossing it to Barton. “Ah, shut up and fight!” he grumbled. “You cannot fight the will of Kali!” Ernest proclaimed. He slowly moved forward as Fritz started hovering in mid-air. Percy and Barton summoned their clouds to fly out of his reach. “Don’t let him touch you!” Percy yelled. “I know! I have eyes!” Barton snapped. “You worry about Bee Movie, I’ll take care of that guy!” Walrus had a vice grip on Hangman’s head as White Rabbit menaced him with the umbrella gun. “So sorry, executioner,” she said, poking him the face with the end of the umbrella. “I know the queen will need you to chop off people’s heads. But I guess she’ll just have to find someone else!” “I’m Hangman, you stupid, little ARGH!” Hangman’s tirade was interrupted as Walrus tightened his grip. “Don’t be mean, Mr. Executioner! Just be quiet while White Rabbit kill you!” Hannibal tackled White Rabbit to the ground. “Okay, lady,” he said as he tried to pin her down while reaching for his handcuffs. “Time for you to go back to Wonderland.” White Rabbit kicked out with her legs and Hannibal flew back into a table. White Rabbit kipped up to her feet with wild look in her eyes. “Everywhere is my Wonderland, mister!” She gave a bounding leap towards Hannibal with the umbrella ready to swing. Hannibal caught her by the wrist, and threw him over his head. She tumbled through the air and crashed into a corner booth. “Hey, White Rabbit!” Walrus called. “What should I do?” Hangman’s eyes closed, not merely in pain. The enchanted rope snaked across the floor and slid up the oblivious Walrus’ leg. Before Walrus could realize what was happening, the Hangman’s noose had wrapped around his throat and levitated over his head to tighten it. Walrus started choking and gasping for air, and was forced to let go of Hangman. Hangman fell to his knees, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. Hannibal looked to see Walrus suspended in air, and his face turning blue. “Hangman!” he shouted. “Stop! You’ve got him! Let him go!” Hangman stared coldly at Hannibal. “He’s a criminal. He dies today.” “Hangman! Let him go! He isn’t like the Headmen! If you kill him, you better kill me next. And if I die, Terri will make sure the LAPD shuts you down!” Hangman fumed, but the rope unwrapped from Walrus’ throat, letting him crash to the floor. Hangman then rose to his feet and ran towards Barton. He swung his sword at Ernest who caught the blade and yanked it from Barton’s grip. “That costume may protect you, mon frere,” he said. “But not for long!” He reached out with both hands only to have them tied together by Hangman’s rope. Barton delivered a backfist to Ernest, who stumbled back as Hangman and Percy moved behind him. White Rabbit staggered the booth and ran past Fritz, his bees buzzing angrily as they attempted to dry themselves from the seltzer. “Let’s get out of here, Walrus! We are running late!” Walrus slowly moved up to on knee. “Late? For what?” he coughed. White Rabbit shoved him as hard as she could towards the door. “It was a reference, idiot! Move!” “They’re getting away!” shouted Hannibal. “Never mind that,” said Hangman, his grip tight on the end of the rope attached to Ernest. “We still got this one. I’m sure an evening with Dansen will tell us all we need to know about him.” Ernest spit on the ground in disgust. “Bah! I shall never be in the same room as the traitor! Unless it is with my hands around her throat! Until that day…. Brother Fritz! Allez!” Fritz rose into the air again, the swarm filling the room. The Night Shift covered their faces and dropped to the ground to protect themselves from the stings. Hundresd of other bees started spiraling around Ernest, and managed to lift him up with Fritz. The swarm smashed through a window and carried the two into the night. “All praise Kali!” they shouted, as the Night Shift and Hannibal stared after them in the sky. The door slammed shut behind Jerome, and Ushas and Shaya moved to either side of the chamber. “Hey. It’s kinda dark in here,” Jerome said. “Don’t worry, Brother Jerome,” said Nekra. “We will provide proper illumination. Sister Ushas?” Ushas lifted two nunchaku from her belt and began quickly spinning them before striking them on the ground. From the place where the nunchaku strike, a ball of light rose up and expanded until the entire room was lit. Jerome stepped back, and saw at the other end of the chamber, carved out of obsidian was a statue of the goddess Kali. Nekra, Ushas, and Shaya bowed to the idol, and Jerome awkwardly followed suit. “Sooo,” he said, turning to the women with a grin. “Are you lovely ladies here to give me my blessing?” Nekra shook her head, as Ushas and Shaya shared an amused look. “No, Brother Jerome. Kali has chosen you. Kali will bestow the blessing herself. Kneel before Kali.” Jerome looked back at the statue warily. He laughed nervously. “Yeah, listen, just what sort of blessing is this? I thought that we were gonna…” “BROTHER JEROME!” Nekra’s shout wasn’t the only thing that made Jerome take a step back. It was her face. Her eyes were filled with fury. Her teeth seemed to become sharper like fangs. Then after a few seconds, as Nekra began to breathe and collect herself, the monstrous features began to subside. She gave a cold smile to Jerome. “You will receive your blessing. It is the will of Kali. Sister Ushas? Sister Shaya?” The two acolytes grabbed Jerome by his arms and forced him to kneel before the statue. He struggled to free himself as Nekra raised her hands to the sky and faced the statue. “Oh, Kali. She that is passion! She that resides in silence! She who is pure! She who is mother! She who is the ultimate! You have commanded your servants! We have brought you your chosen! Let him accept your blessing, and be reborn!” The light in the room began to fade, as darkness began to spill from the mouth of the statue. Jerome screamed in terror but Ushas and Shaya held fast. The darkness quickly surrounded Jerome, swirling around him as he begged for mercy. Eventually, patches of fur could be seen sprouting over his skin. His face cracked open to reveal the painted face of a mandril. Jerome’s cries were now growls and grunts. Nekra looked to the ceiling and smiled, as if noticing something was looking down at her. “We’re coming for you, Brother Max.” The Shroud shook himself out of his meditation with a start. Dansen took his hand. “Shroud? What is it? What did you see?” Shroud quickly rose from the cushion and swung open the door, striding down the hallway. “She’s coming.” Nagan drummed his gorilla fingers on the table. The other members of the Headmen plus Wyndham sat with him. “How long must we wait?” Nagan grumbled. “Patience, Dr. Nagan,” said Wyndham. “We must wait for our leader to fully analyze the data provided by Miss Dodson and Mr. Carpenter.” Chondu got up and paced around the table. “Bah! The White Rabbit and the Walrus? Honestly, why did he choose them as specimens? They were lucky to get away from that fiasco at the restaurant!” “It was not a fiasco, Chondu,” The Headmen rose from the table, as the man who was George Tarleton, former employee of AIM, entered the room. He was still seated in the chair that he had been imprisoned in, but it had now been converted to allow him to hover. His enormous head was held in place with metallic supports, held together by the band that ran across it. “MODOK believes that operatives White Rabbit and Walrus were effective in dealing with the Night Shift.” “Does MODOK have any thoughts concerning those other two creatures?” Nagan snidely asked. MODOK hovered toward him and glared. “Do not question MODOK directives, Doctor Nagan. You may have developed the technology may have granted me this form, but it does not mean you are my superior. My intellect surpasses the combined IQ of the Headmen. And my power is certainly enough to deal with a poorly constructed hybrid like you.” Nagan turned away, and MODOK went on. “MODOK believes the appearance of these other super powered beings was a coincidence. Our primary objective must be to deal with the Night Shift. Then we can worry about other variables. MODOK therefore demands continued work on enhancing our soldiers, including Project: Spider. Understood?” “Understood, MODOK,” Wyndham said. The other Headmen echoed their agreement. But though Nagan mouthed his consent, in his mind, he continued to curse the day of the accident that created MODOK. And longed for the day where he would resume full control of the Headmen, and use the shattered chair of MODOK as his throne. Next Time: Strange Things Did Happen Here!

We'll let her have a revolver.

Peggy Lee "Why Don't You Do Right" - YouTube

Episode 10: Why Don’t You Do Right? August 6th, 1946. New York City, New York. The mansion of Howard Stark. A chill came over Peggy as she held the phone to her lips. “Fred? Where are you now?” “I’m staying at a hotel in New York. While I was here I overheard some rather disagreeable chaps talking in the hall. I could only make out bits and pieces, but I heard one of them mention something that sounded like ‘Maggia’. Isn’t that the group of criminals in the papers?” Peggy looked nervously around the room, as Jarvis and Angie looked on worried. “Did those men see you?” “I didn’t think they did. But ever since then I’ve had the strangest feeling someone’s been following me. That’s when I remembered that you had accepted the post with the SSR. I have a feeling they will want to know what I know. It sounded like the Maggia were planning an all out offensive to find these masked characters they’ve been talking about on the radio.” Peggy cleared her throat to steady herself. “Well, then. If you want my advice you need to get yourself to the SSR headquarters at…” Fred’s voice cut her off. “No, Peggy. I don’t want to be seen going into that office. I will turn myself over to you. Please meet me at the Bethesda Fountain tonight at 9. Then I will explain what I know. I need to dash. Would love to chat some more, darling, but you know how it is. Until tonight.” With a click of a receiver, Fred was gone. Peggy slowly hung up the phone. “Miss Carter?” Jarvis asked concerned. “What was all that about?” “Yeah, English,” chimed in Angie. “Who’s the guy?” Before Peggy could reply, the door of the mansion opened and Daniel Sousa and Howard Stark rushed in. “Jarvis!” Howard barked. “Did you forget how to answer a phone?!” Jarvis rushed to his side. “Mr. Stark! I’m sorry, sir. I wasn’t aware that you called.” “We rang this place yesterday afternoon and we got no answer,” explained Daniel. Angie gave side eye glance to the still ruined living room. “Um, we were a little bit busy.” Daniel turned a saw the still shaken Peggy. “Peg? What’s going on? What happened?” “And more importantly,” said Howard, with a dropped jaw examining the damage. “What have you done to my living room?” Manhattan, New York. The laboratory of Doctor Jonas Harrow. Bob Frank regained unconscious to find himself in a nightmare. Leather straps around his neck, chest, wrist, waist, and ankles held him in place on a gurney. His breathing quickened as he looked around the dimly lit room. He could hear the screeching of unknown animals coming from a shelf lined with cages. “Maddie!” he yelled into the dark. “MADDIE!” A screen was pushed aside and Dr. Harrow shuffled into the room. “You! You there!” Bob shouted. “Where’s my wife?” Harrow continued pulled an IV closer to the gurney. “Oh, your wife is just fine, Mr. Frank,” he leered. “She is truly a special woman. A perfect specimen.” Bob pulled on his restraints, but they didn’t budge. “If you’ve hurt her, I swear to God I’ll…” He groaned in pain as Harrow inserted the needle into his arm. “Such spirit! Yes, you will be an excellent subject.” He walked past the rows of cages, and opened one. He stabbed a hypodermic needle into the creature inside and it snarled in response. Harrow quickly drew back and shut the cage. He walked back to the IV, as Bob’s struggles weakened. “The count says that I am free to conduct an experiment on you,” he said as he inserted the blood from the hypodermic into the drip. “I gave him strength with my first two subjects. With you, he shall have speed. And if it doesn’t work… well, I guess I’ll just have to ask for a new subject.” Bob Frank had already fallen back into unconsciousness. New York City, New York. Central Park. Peggy slowly paced around Bethesda Fountain. None of her allies was particularly comfortable with her meeting with Fred Wells, and neither was she. It had been years since she had broken off their engagement, shortly after she had received word of Michael’s death. And now, he calls out of the blue about Maggia? All too coincidental. “Can you hear me alright, Howard?” Peggy said. Her words were picked up by the microphone in the necklace she wore, and were transmitted to the moving van where Howard, Daniel, and Jarvis listened 50 feet away. “Loud and clear, Peggy. Told you this thing works like a charm!” Daniel gave a suspicious look. “Do I really want to know why you put a radio transmitter in a woman’s necklace?” “Just a precaution. When I was seeing Helen Forrest.” “Actually, it was Georgia Gibbs, sir,” chimed in Jarvis from the driver’s seat. Howard looked perplexed. “Did I? I could of sworn I gave her the negligee with the mic hidden in the…” “Gentlemen?” The three men turned to face the monitor in response to Peggy’s voice. “This is a thrilling discussion, but could it wait until after our business is done here? I think I see Fred. Listen carefully, and be ready to assist on my word.” “Don’t worry, Peggy,” Daniel said. “Just be careful. Fennhoff may have gotten to Wells to try to target you. First sign of trouble you call us in.” “Understood, Daniel. I mean, uh, Chief.” Daniel turned embarrassed to look at a bemused Howard. “Glad to see I’ve been a good influence on you.” Fred Wells briskly walked towards Peggy. He opened his arms wide to give her a hug. “Peg, darling. It’s been too long.” Peggy held him at arms length. “We don’t have time for this, Fred. I need to know what the Maggia are up to. Too many people are in danger.” Fred smiled and shook his head. “Look at you, straight to the point. You haven’t seen me in over 5 years, and this is the welcome I get?” “This isn’t a game, Fred,” Peggy said irritated. “What do you know about the Maggia?” Fred rolled his eyes and sighed. “You were so much more calm and reserved when we were engaged. So unlike your brother.” Peggy grabbed Fred by the wrist and pulled him in close. She glared at him, barely keeping her voice level. “Leave Michael out of this!” “Oh, Peg, I’d love to, but I can’t. You see, he was the reason we got together. What better way for me to observe a man, than by proposing to his sister?” Peggy let go of Fred and stepped back in shock. “What are you talking about?” Fred adjusted his coat and gave a satisfied smirk. “Really, darling, your time with the SSR hasn’t improved your skills of deduction as much as I thought. Did you really never think once why I was so willing to give you up after you broke off the engagement?” “I... I thought you understood. That I couldn’t just sit behind the lines. That I had to fight, for our country, to honor Michael’s memory.” Fred chuckled and walked around Peggy to the fountain. “Oh yes, that delightful scene. But what you chose to do with your life in the SSR really meant precious little difference to me. I already got what I wanted.” Peggy’s blood ran cold as she answered. “What did you want?” Fred turned back to face Peggy. “Why, your brother, of course. Would you like to meet him?” Daredevil leapt off of the terrace and dived towards Peggy, delivering a strike with his boomerang. Peggy fell back, clutching the side of her head, feeling blood. She gazed up as Daredevil stood next to Fred Wells. “Isn’t this a charming family reunion? Daredevil, would you kindly kill her, please?” Back in the van, Daniel spun to face Jarvis. “Peggy’s in trouble! Drive! Quickly!” Suddenly there was a loud thud as the indentation of a pair of footprints crashed into the roof of the car. “What the devil?” Howard shouted. “Um, sir?” Jarvis whispered. Howard and Daniel looked out the windscreen just in time to see Hammerhead charged toward them and slam headfirst into the front the van, tearing through metal. Daredevil drew nearer to Peggy, who struggled to her feet. “I was sure you would be impressed, dear,” Fred called to her. “We knew your brother’s record made him perfect for us. He just needed a little… coaching to make him the man he was meant to be.” Daredevil held the boomerang in one hand and one of his spikes in the other. Peggy was breathing heavily, but she readied herself. “I don’t know who you are, or what your game is. But if you are my brother, after I’m done with you, I’m going to kill the man who did this to you!” Daredevil hurled the boomerang and Peggy charged ahead. Who will win this battle of a family reunion? Stay Tuned and Find Out! Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION August 6th, 1946. Los Angeles, California. Polizzi’s. Dmitri’s punch sent Jack clattering into a table where the some fallen Manfredi’s still sat. Jack grabbed the tablecloth and hurled it at Dmitri. Dmitri was able to knock it aside, but it blurred his vision for just enough time for Jack deliver a punch to the gut. He threw another punch to Dmitri’s head, and instantly shouted in pain as his hand made contact with the helmet. Dmitri grabbed him by the neck of his coat, and started delivering repeated kidney punches. Jack could feel the stiches giving way. “Very foolish, agent,” Dmitri said, still imitating Jack. “You know you aren’t fully healed. Why don’t you lie down?” With a quick judo throw, Jack was sent sprawling to the ground. Dmitri picked up a knife off the floor and moved in on the downed agent, his gun just a few feet away from his grip. “I’m ashamed that I allowed myself to be careless with you when we first met, agent,” Dmitri went on, menacing him with the knife. Jack continuing stretching across the floor to reach for the gun. “I shall not repeat that mistake. This time, I will make certain you are dead.” “Man,” Jack groaned. “I never realized…” Dmitri paused, looming over Jack. “Realized what, agent?” Jack gave a defiant look. “How annoying my voice sounds.” Jack finally grabbed the gun. He rolled to his back, aimed and fired. The impact sent Dmitri staggering backward, clutching his shoulder. The knife clattered to the ground. Hate burned in the eyes behind the mask as Jack rose to his feet. “Now, you are going to tell me what I want to know. Who are you working for? Why do they want the Arena Club key?” “You have no idea what is coming for all of you, agent,” Dmitri hissed. With his free hand, he threw a chair at Jack, who raised up his hands to his face to shield himself. Dmitri grabbed a suit coat from one of the dead and tore out of the restaurant. Jack chased after him, but when he ran out the door, he could see groups of tourists and civilians making their way on the sidewalk. Dmitri had vanished. “Damn it!” Jack fumed. He heard the door of Polizzi’s open, and turned to see Nonna Manfredi walk out. Her face still glistened with tears. Jack holstered his gun, and held his hands out to Nonna. “Miss Manfredi, look. I, um. I know you don’t care for the cops but if there’s anything you can tell me about…” Nonna took Jack’s hand and looked into his eyes. “Please,” she said. “Can… you… find… my… Giuseppe? Help… my boy?” Jack was caught off guard, but nodded. “You have my word. I’ll figure what’s going on.” Nonna took a deep breath then nodded. “Si.” New York City, New York. The mansion of Howard Stark. Angie watched as Jarvis sifted through the wreckage that remained after the battle. A wardrobe had been moved in front of the broken window, and shattered furniture covered the floor. She gave a weak smile as Jarvis deposited the remains of a Ming vase into a garbage can. “Gotta admit, my tap dancing practice in the kitchen didn’t make as big mess as this.” Jarvis raised an eyebrow at Angie, then sighed. “Very perceptive, Miss Martinelli. You make less a disturbance than a band of murderous assassins.” Angie cleared her throat and walked over to Peggy, sitting in the last functional chair in the house. “You doing alright, English?” Peggy didn’t answer, continuing to stare at the hole in the wall that led to the kitchen. Angie patted her on the shoulder. “Hey, English. Peggy.” Peggy snapped out of her train of thought and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Angie. I was just… lost in thought.” Angie sat down on an end table next to Peggy. “I shouldn’t have let you get involved in this business,” Peggy went on. “It’s getting much too dangerous.” “Don’t start that again,” said Angie, waving it off. “I’ve had my share of danger. One time my cousin Ralphie dared to jump from the roof of apartment to the roof of the one next door. I managed to make it with a running start.” Peggy rolled her eyes and smiled at Angie. “And what about Cousin Ralphie?” Angie shrugged. “Eh, he missed. Did a swan dive into the dumpster. I had to take out the garbage even after he got out of traction.” Peggy chuckled, and Angie grinned. “Glad to see you’re still among the living.” Peggy exhaled and leaned back in her chair. “This whole affair is just getting more and more complicated.” “You’ll figure it out, English,” said Angie. “I’ve seen what you can do. You can help Diana and the doc.” “It’s not just that, Anige,” said Peggy. “I can find a way to keep these people safe. But there’s something more. Something I can’t explain. At the theater, during the fight with Miss Adams? She shot at me from point blank range. And she didn’t hit me.” “Well, you’ve always been pretty lucky, English,” said Angie. “It wasn’t luck. She couldn’t have missed, not with her training. And yet, the bullet didn’t even strike the ground. It ricocheted off something that wasn’t even there.” Angie looked uneasy. “Okay, that’s pretty strange.” “And again, during the fight here. That giant man should have crushed me, but something stopped him in mid-leap. Perhaps there’s another person that was part of the same program as Doctor Benton and Miss Adams? Someone with the power of invisibility?” Angie gave a cheeky grin. “Or your guardian angel?” Peggy was about to reply when the phone rang. Jarvis put down his dustpan and picked up the phone. “Howard Stark’s residence. Yes, Miss Carter is here, but she is indisposed at the moment. Shall I take a message? Sir, I must ask you to calm yourself.” “Who is it, Mr. Jarvis?” Peggy asked. “A gentlemen who seems determined to speak with you. A matter of great urgency. He’s getting rather rude. Shall I hang up?” Peggy rose, quickly walked over to Jarvis, and took the phone from him. “Don’t worry, Mr. Jarvis. I will see to this.” Jarvis shrugged and returned to this work. Peggy lifted the phone to her face. “This is Miss Carter. Who is this?” “Hello, Peggy. It’s so good to hear your voice.” Peggy’s face went pale. She instantly recognized the voice on the other end of the line. “Fred? Fred, is that you?” “Yes, Peggy, it’s me. And I need your help.” Next Time: Why Don’t You Do Right?

If they think it will give them a better chance against Miss America, why not? Lol.

ATTENTION! THIS IS A SANCTIONED MATCH OF THE TRANSDIMENSIONAL COMBAT COMMISION, ORDERED BY E.V.P. ANDREW RYAN AND E.V.P. DAVID XANATOS. NO FANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WITNESS THIS CONTEST BY ORDER OF THE 9. No weapons or holds barred. Last woman standing, wins. Loser will be executed by the enforcer of the 9 Miss America. Game On!

ATTENTION! THIS IS A SANCTIONED MATCH OF THE TRANSDIMENSIONAL COMBAT COMMISION, ORDERED BY E.V.P. RASSILON. NO FANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WITNESS THIS CONTEST BY ORDER OF THE 9. 2 out of 3 Falls. Determined by pin or submission. 1st fall: Hand to hand. 2nd fall: Weapons. 3rd fall if needed: Last person standing. Whoever doesn't answer the count of 10, loses. Loser will be executed by the enforcer of the 9 Miss America. Game On!

ATTENTION! THIS IS A SANCTIONED MATCH OF THE TRANSDIMENSIONAL COMBAT COMMISION, ORDERED BY E.V.P. VINCENT KENNEDY MCMAHON. NO FANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WITNESS THIS CONTEST BY ORDER OF THE 9. The two combatants enter a nightclub with a wild party going on inside. Whoever is able to get the most people to hang out with them, wins. Loser will be sentenced to death by the enforcer of the 9 Miss America. Game On!

Classic IV - Spooky - YouTube

Chapter 8: You Always Keep Me Guessin’ Max delivered a kick to Jerome’s groin. He crumpled over in pain as Max kipped up to his feet. Jerome shook his head to gather his senses then snarled at Max. Max tried to land another kick but it was caught by Jerome who tossed him aside against the stone wall. Dansen leapt on his back and her arms around his neck in a choke hold. He waved his arms until he grabbed fistful of her hair and flipped Dansen off him. “Stay out of this, babe!” he snapped, moving towards Max. “This is between and your knight in shining armor over here!” Max yanked a tapestry off the wall, and hurled it, covering Jerome. Jerome tore through the fabric just in time for Max to deliver a punch to his face. The big man fell to the ground, and in an instant Max was on top of him, fist raised to strike again. “Brothers! Hold!” Everyone turned to the doorway. Standing there was a statuesque woman draped in black silk robes. Her skin was white with albinism, and her black hair was tied into a single ponytail that reached down below her waist. She was flanked on either side by two women in purple and red robes. Dansen scrambled to her feet and bowed her head. “Sister Nekra. I apologize for this disturbance.” Nekra strode into the room, giving a disapproving look to Dansen. “Are you the cause of this, Sister Dansen?” Jerome pushed Max off him and rushed to Nekra. “I was just trying to get a fighting lesson, sister. But then Brother Max jumped in attacked me!” “That’s a lie!” shouted Max. “Calm yourselves, brothers,” Nekra soothed. “We are all children of Kali. Kali does not wish us to fight amongst ourselves.” “But Jerome is lying!” Max argued. “Dansen didn’t want to be with him!” Nekra looked back to Dansen. “Well, Sister Dansen?” Dansen kept her head bowed and took a deep breath. “I made a mistake, Sister Nekra. I behaved inappropriately.” Max was taken aback as Jerome leered at him. Nekra closed her eyes, and the other sisters drew close behind her. She opened her eyes and smiled at Jerome. “Brother Jerome, I have good news for you.” Jerome looked confused. “Um, you do? What kind of good news?” “The best kind, brother. Kali has spoken to me. You have been chosen to receive her blessing.” The sisters behind Nekra raised their hands above them. “All praise Kali! All praise Kali!” “You’ve got to be kidding!” The three women stared unblinking at Max. “Why would Kali give him a blessing after what he’s…” “Brother Max,” Dansen said with a strained voice. “Do not question the will of Kali. We must obey her commands in all things.” Nekra nodded to the other sisters. “Well spoken, Sister Dansen. Sister Ushas? Sister Shaya? Escort Brother Jerome to the chamber to receive his blessing.” Jerome looked very pleased as the two attractive woman took him by both arms and walked with him out of the room. He looked behind him at the fuming Max and chuckled as disappeared into the hall. Nekra bowed to Dansen and Max. “Please remember your words, Sister Dansen. And you remember them as you, Brother Max. Kali’s blessings upon you.” After Nekra had left the room, Max whirled to face Dansen. “What was that about? Why didn’t you tell them the truth?” Dansen picked her robes off the floor and started to put them on. “I cannot speak against someone who Kali has chosen. That is not the way of the temple.” “Well, maybe Kali has made a mistake! Or maybe Sister Nekra did.” Dansen turned toward Max indignantly. “Sister Nekra is the voice of Kali! She guides us in her teachings! She will lead us on the glorious day of Kali’s return!” Max shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t know about that. I only came here because I wanted to learn how to fight.” Dansen scoffed. “Of course! You don’t truly believe in Kali! You’re no better than Brother Jerome! He’s only interested in finding women, and you’re only interested in training. Why? So you could make up for not being able to save your parents?!” Dansen stopped short, seeing the hurt expression on Max’s face. She looked away from him. “I think you should leave, Brother Max. And do not approach me again.” Max took a step forward, then turned and walked out, leaving Dansen standing by herself in an empty room. “Hannibal? Earth to Hannibal?” Hannibal King looked across the table at Terri. They were sitting in a French restaurant that Terri had been telling him about. He never could pronounce the name, but it was French so it probably sounded less interesting in English. All around the dining room were guests being ushered to their seats and engaging in quiet conversation. “Huh? Yeah?” he asked. Terri rolled her eyes. “Typical. The one night we have off, you ask out for dinner, then you just sit there staring into space.” Hannibal adjusted his tie then moved the salad around his plate with his fork. “I’m sorry, Terri. I’ve just been thinking.” “About Shroud?” Hannibal tapped the plate with his fork then set it down again. Terri sighed. “Look, it’s over. You haven’t heard from those freaks in weeks. Ever since what happened at the Headmen’s lab, no messages, no leads on Tombstone, nothing. They dragged into their world, then they let you go.” “But why? Why would Shroud ask me to help and then just let me and you walk away? Maybe it’s some kind of test; he wants to see if we go to the department and tell them what happened.” Terri gave a small laugh. “Yeah, because I would really want to go to DeWolff and tell her that I was kidnapped by Tombstone and rescued by a bunch of monsters. She would have both our badges and put psych watch for weeks.” There was the sound of shouting coming from the front door, then the maître-de came flying into the dining room and crashing into the table next to Hannibal and Terri’s. Everyone in the dining room looked to the doorway and collectively dropped their jaws. In the doorway, stood a woman in a one piece swimsuit, a blue plaid trench coat, and a pink bowtie. Her face was painted white with whiskers and she had headband with bunny ears. She was accompanied by an extremely large man in a brown bodysuit, who had what looked like tusks sticking out from his mask. The woman twirled her folded umbrella and pointed it at the customers. “Good evening, all! This is a stick up! Allow me to introduce myself! You can call me… The White Rabbit!” Her large companion nudged her with his elbow. “What about me?” White Rabbit rolled her eyes and hissed under her breath. “I’m getting to you! Shut up! You’re ruining the moment! Ahem. And my friend, the greatest force of mass destruction alive: the Walrus! Now, we’re already running late, so if you would be so kind as to hand over any valuables, we will be on our way without causing you much bodily harm.” Terri looked at Hannibal incredulously as other patrons started laughing at the sight of the bizarre pair. “Do you think this is a test too?” Hannibal stared at the would be robbers. “Well, they sure aren’t any member of the Night Shift I saw.” Walrus looked around at the laughing crowd. “They aren’t giving us their money, White Rabbit.” White Rabbit groaned and waved her hand dismissively. “Then show them we mean business, moron!” Walrus nodded and lumbered to an empty table. He picked it up with ease and hurled it at one of the booths, forcing the people eating air to run out of the way before the table crushed them. Terri and Hannibal drew their guns and aimed at Walrus. “Freeze!” shouted Terri. “LAPD! Stay where you are! Get down on your knees now!” White Rabbit yawned. “Blah blah blah. Sorry, but we can’t. You see, we’re not ourselves today. But the best way to explain it… is to shoot it!” She twirled the umbrella and pulled a hidden trigger. Explosive bullets struck Hannibal and Terri’s table, forcing them back. Walrus stomped toward them with fists raised. “Now we got ‘em! Oh yep! We sure do!” “Think again, lardbutt!” Walrus turned behind him to see two men in business suits rising from a table. Another stood up from a booth next to them. “Who are you guys?” Walrus rumbled. “Just some people…” Barton Grimes said. “That want to tell you a story,” continued Percy. “Or just kick your ass,” finished Hangman. Barton and Percy raised their hands to their faces and shouted in unison. “Once Upon a Time!” They transformed into the forms of the Brothers Grimm, summoned their clouds and flew to Terri and Hannibal’s side. Hangman pulled on his hood, and threw his noose like a lasso. White Rabbit sprang through it with a mighty leap and opened fire at him. “You guys again!” Terri shouted. “Shroud wanted to make sure to keep an eye on you,” Percy explained as Walrus trudged toward them. “And that you didn’t do something stupid!” Barton snapped as they all jumped out of the big man’s way. He crashed through their table and went on running through the doors in the kitchen with a clatter. “Leave these two to us!” Percy shouted. “Get the civilians out of here!” Hannibal and Terri nodded, then turned to the frightened guests still hiding at their tables. “All of you!” yelled Terri. “Follow me to the emergency exit! Move!” Terri led the crowd behind her, as the sounds of battle followed them. Hannibal noticed two men sitting at a booth watching the fight calmly. “Hey! You two! This isn’t dinner and a show!” Hannibal called to them. “Move it!” One of the men slid a glove off his hand and rose to his feet. “I assure you, monsieur,” he said. “We are exactly where we need to be.” A waitress ran past the table to get to the exit, and the man grabbed her by the wrist. The girl screamed in agony, twisting her arm to try to free herself from the man’s grip. But her screams grew weaker and weaker, until her legs collapsed out from under her. Finally, the man let go, leaving a lifeless husk on the floor. White Rabbit looked annoyed at the macabre scene. “Hey! Did the Headmen send you guys too?! They said this was our assignment!” The man removed his other glove and nodded to his friend. “Not at all, mademoiselle. We have an assignment of our own. To all of your petty leaders. All praise Kali! Brother Fritz?” The other man cracked his neck and had a demented look in his eyes. “All praizzzzzzze Kali! All praizzzzzzzzzzz!” The man’s skin begin to rise and fall on his face, as if something was moving underneath it. Suddenly, the skin fell away, revealing countless bees swarming around in a human shape. Hannibal stood frozen as he shouted to the Brothers. “You wouldn’t happen to know who these freaks are, do you?” Percy’s terrified voice rang clear through his mask. “No idea.” Barton clapped his hands together and drew a sword from his sleeve. “But it’s going to be fun trying to kill them!” OK: All combatants at full strength. The Night Shift is Brothers Grimm and Hangman. Hannibal is still not a vampire. Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION Tatterdemalion dodged swinging blades of the thugee. He swung his weighted scarf and it snagged the wrist of one attacker. With a quick tug he had sent him banging headfirst into a stone Venus statue. The Mandril roared and pointed at him, and the spellbound women lunged for him. Moth soared over the hallways as thugee shouted to each other. Some hurled knives at Moth, which she easily avoided. “You know what your worst mistake was, creeps?” she said. “Dressing up in those robes!” Instantly the silks that the thugee wore sprung to life. The hapless swordsmen cried out as the threads in their outfits tightened around their throats. Moth suspended herself in the air to admire her handiwork. Only to scream in pain as a knife clipped her left leg. The shock caused her to lose focus and her wings to collapse. She tumbled to the tiled floor and the thugee began to surround her. But the Werewolf ran down the hallway on all floors and barreled into them. A few slashes of his claws and the thugee were killed. The Werewolf bared it’s teeth as it looked at Moth, gasping for breath as she used her powers to transform one of the silk scarves the thugee wore into a bandage. “I’ll be fine. Go to the backyard. Help Tatter.” The Werewolf grunted and charged toward the sounds of battle in the backyard. Tatterdemalion was having his hands full. The dozen women lunged and stabbed at him with their knives as the Mandril and Lorina watched. “Ladies!” he shouted, as he dodged one of the servers. “I don’t wish to harm you!” The Mandril growled as Lorina stroked his fur. “Good. It’ll make it easier to kill you!” she said blandly. “Then me and my hubby to be can get on with collecting all this stuff left behind by those other losers. Weddings are expensive you know.” A howl from the backdoor brought the fighting to a halt. The Werewolf bounded past Tatterdemalion and headed straight for Mandril. Mandril leapt over the DJ table and struck the Werewolf on the back of the head with both hands. Moth limped to the door to see the sight of Tatterdemalion still dodging the women. “Let me give you some air support, old man!” she shouted. “No, Moth! Stay back!” Tatterdemalion shouted. “If you get too close, you might get hypnotized too!” The Mandril beat his chest as he stood over the fallen Werewolf. “Get him, honey!” Lorina shouted. “Beat the nasty, dog thing!” The Werewolf sprang up and rammed head first into Mandril, sending him colliding back first into the platform the DJ table sat on. The platform started swaying back and forth, and Lorina stumbled. “Baby! Help meeeeeee!” With a splash Lorina landed in the pool. The Werewolf looked on as she coughed and spluttered. “What…. What’s going on here?” she asked. Then she looked up at the Werewolf, silhouetted against the moon. The Werewolf gave a mighty howl and Lorina screamed in terror. She scrambled out of the pool, her hair a mess and her outfit soaking wet. She ran to the backdoor, where Moth was biting her lip to keep from laughing at the sight. “Sorry about your party.” Lorina glared at Moth. “I might have known it was you, Sybby! You were always causing trouble in New York! Now you come to my home! Bring a bunch of animals and weirdos! Well, just wait till I call Daddy! He’ll have his lawyers make you pay through the nose for this!” Lorina stormed past Moth, who looked on bemused. “You’re welcome for saving your life!” she called after her. “Moth!” Tatterdemalion shouted. “Can you use your powers on the other women? Corral them together?” “From here? I guess. Why?” Two women swung their blades at Tatterdemalion, clipping his robes. “Stay still so we can kill you for our man!” one of them snarled. “Just do it!” Tatterdemalion yelled back. Moth closed her eyes and held her hands out in front of her. As Tatterdemalion continued to dodge and block his attackers, they were unaware that long threads of their clothes were coming undone. Tatterdemalion leapt over their heads to get out of the crowd, and some of the women tripped up on the strands as they tried to pursue. Within moments, the crowd was completely entangled, yelling in rage and slashing at the threads, which nimbly slid out of the way. Mandril took notice of his thralls and roared instructions, but the Werewolf pounced on him, taking a bite from his neck. With the crowd completely ensnared, Tatterdemalion shouted to Moth. “Get in the air! Send them into the pool! Then dive in yourself!” Moth looked skeptical at him. “You trying to live out a fantasy or something?” “Moth! Trust me!” Moth took a deep breath, winced in pain, and reformed her wings. She rose into the air to a height where she hoped the Mandril’s powers would not affect her. Then the threads tying the women together rose into the air with her. The women cried out in alarm as they hung in the air like marionettes for a second over the pool, before the threads started to recede back into their clothes. One by one the woman dropped into the pool, with Moth diving in headfirst. The Mandril snarled in frustration and threw the Werewolf off of him. He ran with leaping strides toward the hedge and leapt over it with ease, followed by the remaining thugee. Moth broke the surface of the water gasping for air, surrounded by the rest of the party guests who were slowly coming back to their senses. Tatterdemalion offered her a hand. “Excellent work, Moth,” She slapped the hand away and clambered out of the pool on her own. “Yeah, yeah, yay for me. What kind of Girls Gone Wild idea was that anyway?” “After Miss Dodson fell in the pool, she seemed to be released from that creature’s control. Maybe it produces some kind of pheromone that…” Moth waved him off, and pointed to crowd of partygoers, screaming in fear at the sight their boyfriends stabbed and a werewolf at the DJ booth. “We can do the science crap later. Right now, let’s just get out of here. Russell!” The Werewolf ran on all fours as the partygoers scrambled out of it’s way. Moth took flight and Tatterdemalion hurried to keep up after them. “I suppose the Shroud will disappointed this party wasn’t particularly relaxing for you,” he shouted up to Moth. Moth gave a short laugh as they reached the car. “Actually, compared to other Lorina Dodson’s parties, it wasn’t that bad.” Max landed flat on his back with a thud. He gasped for breath as Dansen stood over him looking unimpressed. “I thought you would take it easy on me,” he coughed. Dansen folded her arms in front of her. “And I thought you had received better training. I get to ask you a question now?” Max sighed and nodded, still lying on the floor. Dansen walked around him. “Very well. What was your name before you came to the Temple?” Max rolled over to his side, grimacing in pain. “Fine. My real name was Maximillian Coleridge. Mom named me after a great uncle or something.” Dansen paused. “Coleridge? Wasn’t there a rich couple named Coleridge? They were in the news. They were…” Her voice trailed off as Max rose to his feet. “Killed. Shot during a drive by shooting while their son watched.” Dansen’s expression softened. “I’m sorry. But how did you…” Max quickly took a step back and took a fighting position. “Ah ah ah. If you want to know more, you’ll have to get me down again.” Dansen sighed and mirrored his stance. They circled each other for a moment, then Dansen delivered a kick that Max dodged. She threw a right punch and Max caught it, judo tossing her to the mat. Dansen slammed her hands on the mat in frustration and glared at Max. Max shrugged and grinned. “Guess it’s my turn.” Dansen muttered under her breath and turned away. “Alright then,” Max said, putting a finger to his face in thought. “What did you do before you joined up with the Family?” Dansen rolled her eyes. “I was a dancer.” Max chuckled and Dansen whirled around again. “What’s so funny about that?” “Sorry, it’s just, a dancer named Dansen. Kind of on the nose, isn’t it?” Dansen got back up to her feet as Max went on. “What kind of dancing did you do? Ballroom? Ballet? Hip Hop?” He gave a suggestive smile. “Exotic?” Dansen returned the smile and went to her stance. “That will cost you another fall, Brother Max.” The two resumed their combat, Max blocking Dansen’s strikes. She delivered a kick that swept his legs out from under him. Max grunted in pain. Dansen looked worried down at him. “Are you alright?” “Yeah, yeah. You just knocked the wind out of me.” He held up a hand, and Dansen took hold to lift him up. Only for Max pull and send Dansen falling down to the mat next to him. He rolled over, pinning her shoulders to the mat, but she quickly reversed and ended up straddling his chest. Dansen looked at Max with mock disapproval. “You cheated.” Max shrugged. “Can’t say I mind the results.” Dansen chuckled, then stopped, starring into Max’s face. “Is this a private training session or can anybody join in?” The brash voice interrupted the moment, as Dansen and Max looked to the door to see a man with black hair in robes similar to their own. Dansen quickly got off of Max and allowed him to stand up. “I was assisting Brother Max in his self-defense lessons, Brother Jerome,” Dansen said, attempting to regain her composure. Jerome smirked at her. “Really? Didn’t look like he wanted to defend himself, did you, Brother Max?” “It’s none of your business either way, Brother Jerome,” said Max defiantly. Dansen started moving for the door. “If you would excuse me, brothers, I need to attend to my other duties.” Jerome roughly grabbed her wrist as she past him. “Hey, why rush? I wanna self defense lesson too.” “Brother Jerome, let go of me,” Dansen commanded. Jerome laughed. “Oh please. This is why I came to this dump in the first place.” He turned and winked at Max. “Some old temple, filled with the strongest, hottest babes on the planet? It’s like heaven!” Max took a step forward. “Let her go. Now.” “Look at you, being all chivalrous,” sneered Jerome. “You had your fun. Now let me have mine!” Dansen delivered a punch to Jerome’s gut, who groaned in pain and released her. He spun around and snarled at her. “You’re gonna pay for that, bitch!” Max grabbed Jerome’s arm to stop him from lunging at Dansen, but Jerome quickly broke his grip before delivering a kick to Max’s knee. Max fell to the mat, looking up at Jerome moving in to strike another blow. “Now you’re gonna get it!” Lorina stormed down the sidewalk as the Geo Metro pulled up to the curb. She swung the door open as the fat driver turned to look at her. “Thank you for choosing Lyft. My name is Hubert. How are you doing to…” “Just shut up!” Lorina snarled. “Just drive, and don’t talk to me!” Hubert shrugged and started driving his car down the street. Lorina sat fuming to herself. How dare Sybil screw up her party. It was all her fault. People always said how weird she was. Maybe that monkey thing was one of her weird friends. That was only solution. Lorina suddenly noticed that car was slowing down. “Hey!” she shouted to the driver. “Albert or Qbert or whatever your name is! Why are you stopping? I need to get to the airport now!” “Sorry, miss,” he said. But it looks like there’s a pile up ahead.” Looking through the front windscreen window, Lorina could see two black SUVs blocking the road. In front of the vehicles were two men in long brown coats and sunglasses. They walked along either side of the car, and opened the doors. “They’re going to rob us!” Lorina screeched. “Do something!” Hubert threw his hands over his head. “Please don’t shoot me! I don’t have any money!” The two men simply sat in the backside with Lorina. “Don’t be alarmed, Miss Dodson,” one of them said smoothly. “My name is Professor Wyndham, this is my colleague Professor Warren. We would like to make you an offer.” “Listen, mister. I don’t need to go to college! Just leave me alone!” “We’re not here to offer you a college, Miss Dodson,” Warren said. “We are here to offer you something much more valuable.” Lorina looked at the men in confusion. “You see,” Wyndham explained. “We know about the terrible incident that took place at your house today. A disgraceful scene. All brought about by a certain Sybil Dvorak and her friends.” Lorina pounded her fist on the armrest. “I knew it! I knew she was behind all those freaks at my party!” “And I’m sure you would like to get even with her for this betrayal,” Wyndham went on. “But to truly make them pay, you will be needing power of your own,” chimed in Warren. “Something that the individuals represent would be more than happy to provide.” Lorina stared suspiciously at Wyndham. “How much is this gonna cost me?” Wyndham shook his head and smiled. “Oh, it will cost you absolutely nothing, Miss Dodson. All we ask is that you teach Miss Dvorak and her friends a lesson they will never forget.” Lorina thought for a moment. “So you are saying you can give me powers like those weirdos? And it’s free?” Wyndham and Warren nodded together. Lorina clapped her hands and giggled. “Great! This’ll be awesome! Sybby will be so surprised!” “Umm, excuse me?” The three people in the backseat looked at Hubert. He cleared his throat again. “Uh, is there any chance I could get powers too?” Lorina rolled her eyes. “Puh-lese. What would a fat slob like you want with powers, anyway?” Hubert sheepishly shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I’ve just always wanted to be a super hero.” Lorina burst out laughing and Warren snorted. “This matter does concern you, sir. I suggest you stick to driving this alleged vehicle of yours.” “Now, professor,” interrupted Wyndham, looking thoughtfully at Hubert as their henchmen moved the SUVs out of the way of his car. “Perhaps our… friend can be of use to us after all. I’m sure the Headmen and MODOK can find a way.” Next Time: You Always Keep Me Guessin’!

It's A Sin To Tell A Lie - The Ink Spots - YouTube