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Episode 9: It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie August 6th, 1946. Los Angeles, California. Waverly Memorial Hospital Jack Thompson sat in bed looking through the files that Samberly had delivered to him. Police reports on the attacks in New York. The SSR case files on the incident at the Met Hospital. There had to be a connection. A man who looks like Sousa shows up and shoots him to get his hands on Carter’s file. Then Sousa shows up at Auerbach just as all the other agents are called out to assist at the hospital? Jack Thompson did not believe in coincidences. Especially when they surrounded Peggy Carter. He grunted as he adjusted his pillow, and some files and newspapers slid off the bed the floor. Cursing under his breath, Jack reached down and picked up the newspaper. He saw the picture on the front page and froze. It was a picture of Joseph Manfredi with his father. The caption read, “Joseph Manfredi and suspected mobster Silvio Manfredi refusing to comment on recent slayings on August 3rd.” Jack quickly consulted the files. He found an edition of the LA Times. It’s front page was a picture of the sheriff having a press conference to give their answers for the Arcade incident. In the corner of the picture, just within view of the cameras, was Joseph Manfredi, looking despondent at the passing of Whitney Frost. Jack checked the date of the picture. August 3rd. Either Joseph Manfredi was able to be in two places at once, or… “Son of a bitch,” Jack breathed. Then he threw the covers off him and scrambled to the chair where his clothes were set. Manhattan, New York City. The mansion of Silvio Manfredi. Count Nefaria sat in Silvio’s office, talking into the phone on his desk. “The situation here is developing nicely. I believe it’s time for you to return to New York.” Dmitri’s impression of Joseph Manfredi’s voice sounded low in response. “I wouldn’t have a problem with that, boss. I’ve been getting tired of playing nursemaid to these clowns.” Nefaria smiled. “You really have captured young Joseph’s voice perfectly. Have all of his men been accounted for?” “Yeah, there all here at the restaurant just like I asked ‘em, so’s Nonna. What do you want to do with her? Same as the rest?” Nefaria shrugged. “It’s a shame, but yes. No witnesses. Then take the private plane back to New York. Understood?” “Gotcha, count. See you in a few days.” “Good. See you then, Mr. Manfredi.” Nefaria chuckled and hung up the phone. Then turned in his seat to see Joseph Manfredi leaning in the doorway. The young gangster smirked at the count. “Hey, Nefaria? Are you talkin’ to me?” Nefaria cleared his throat and rose from his seat. “Forgive me, Joseph, but I don’t know what you mean.” “Oh, I think you do, count,” Joseph said dangerously. “I heard you saying something about my voice, and that ‘Mr. Manfredi’ stuff. You were talking to Dmitri, weren’t you?” Nefaria tightened his grip on his cane, keeping his voice calm. “Joseph, my boy. I understand you have a lot on your mind. Your father’s troubles, the tragedy with Miss Frost. You are jumping at shadows.” Joseph drew closer to Nefaria, not breaking eye contact. “You were setting up a hit! Who do you think you are giving out orders to that nut? He works for my pop, not you!” “Your father,” Nefaria said matter-of-factly. “Only sent Dmitri to take your place under my suggestion. As you can tell with your father’s issues with these vigilantes, Silvio is not the man he was. He requires a guiding hand to ensure the continued prosperity of the Maggia.” Joseph snorted. “Well, it ain’t going to be you. You’re two gorillas got trounced by Carter and those other freaks. And when my pop hears your making moves on your own with Dmitri…” “Have a care, boy!” Nefaria snapped. He paused, and took a breath to steady himself. “I only wish to advise your father. And I am willing to advise you, as well. You have a chance to regain a place of honor in the Maggia. It would be foolish to risk that by jumping to conclusions.” Joseph stared unblinking at the count, then smirked and turned to the door. “You don’t scare me, count. You are done. As soon as I let pop know.” The front door of the house slammed shut. Nefaria watched through the window as Joseph got in his car and drove off down the street. Hammerhead and Kangaroo stepped behind Nefaria as he continued to gaze forward. “Young Joseph has become tiresome. Follow him. Make sure he doesn’t reach his father.” Los Angeles, California. Polizzi’s. Jack Thompson pulled up to curb outside of the restaurant. He checked his loaded pistol then replaced it in his holster. He could feel the stiches in his chest tighten under the strain. He breathed deep to calm his nerves. And in the silence, he heard the sounds of multiple gunshots from inside Polizzi’s. Jack jumped out of the car and ran to the door of the restaurant. He grabbed the handle and slowly pushed open the door. The dining room of the restaurant was the site of a massacre. Five Manfredi family enforcers were dead, slumped over on tables and laid out on the floor. Each one had a bullet hole in their head. On the far end of the dining room, Jack could see a man that looked like Joseph Manfredi with gun drawn. He had his back to Jack and was pointing his gun at Nonna Manfredi who was kneeling on the ground, begging for her life. “Giuseppe! Giuseppe, per favore! Sei un bravo ragazzo! Non farlo per favore!” “Calmati,” the man said with barely any emotion. “Fai la pace con Dio. Questo e il tuo momento.” “SSR!” Jack shouted. “Put down your weapon!” Dmitri turned to see Jack and Nonna scrambled away, screaming in fear. Dmitri spun back and took aim at Nonna, only for Jack to fire a warning shot. Dmitri ducked behind a table and returned fire. Jack fired again, aiming for his opponents head. The bullet struck Dmitri in the cheek, sending him flying backward. Jack rose from his cover and slowly walked toward his opponent. He was lying still on the ground. Jack gave a soft kick to the body, causing the head to turn the other way and showing Jack Joseph Manfredi’s face. There was hole and scarring where Jack’s bullet had hit. But there was no blood, no bone. Just a white, ceramic-like material. “What the hell are you?” Jack breathed. ‘Joseph’s’ eyes opened and kicked the legs out from under Jack. Jack groaned as he looked at Dmitri discarded his ruined mask. “Me?” he said in a perfect imitation of Jack. “I’m Agent Jack Thompson of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.” OK: Can Jack capture the Chameleon? Or can Chameleon kill or elude Jack? Stay Tuned and Find Out! Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION August 5th, 1946. New York City, New York. The mansion of Howard Stark. Peggy flew back as Dottie delivered a kick to her chest. She tumbled over the couch but sprang up block another strike from Dottie. Hammerhead charged headfirst toward Benton. He swung with a right hand and the fist struck with a clang. Benton looked at his fist in shock, only for Hammerhead to knock him back with a punch of his own. “You should’ve backed up,” he snarled. He lowered his head and charged straight into Black Terror, running with him and crashing through a wall. “Benton!” Miss Masque shouted. She ran to the hole in the wall only to have Kangaroo leap in her way. “What’s your hurry, doll?” he said. He lunged toward Miss Masque, but she slid underneath him. Angie ran toward the stairwell, helping Jarvis to his feet. “Let’s go, Jarvis!” she shouted as she hurried up the stairs. “We got to get out of here!” Miss Masque reached the table where her purse sat. She pulled out a revolver, only to have Kangaroo’s fist engulf her hand. “Girlies shouldn’t play with guns,” he leered, raising his fist to swing. Miss Masque responded with a low blow that made the gangster howl in pain and release her. “I’m no ordinary ‘girlie’,” she shouted. She aimed her revolver, only for Dottie Underwood to crash into her. Dottie got up first, grabbed a vase and hurled it at Peggy. Peggy ducked and grabbed a floor lamp. She swung it and it connected with Dottie’s face. Kangaroo delivered a dropkick with both feet that sent Peggy slamming into the wall. Knocked silly, she fell to the ground. “Time to squash you like a bug!” Kangaroo growled. Black Terror and saw the gangster getting ready to jump. Miss Masque was still down on the floor. “Miss Carter!” he yelled, only for Hammerhead to deliver a right hand to his jaw. “You just stay outta the lady’s business!” Peggy looked up as Kangaroo leapt into the air and came hurtling down towards her. And then he stopped. Peggy looked in confusion, as the gangster seemed to be standing in mid air above her. Kangaroo swayed back and forth, as if he was trying to maintain his balance on an invisible surface. “Hey! Hey! What’s going oooooooon!” Kangaroo flipped backwards through the air and crashed through a coffee table. “Kang!” Hammerhead shouted. “What are you doin’?” Black Terror grabbed his arm and hurled him back into the lounge. “We aren’t supposed to get involved in their business. Remember?” Peggy lay frozen on the floor. She had the strangest sense, like the one she had during the fight with Miss Masque at the theater. Like there was someone else in the room. She squinted and could almost see something. A shadow? A shape? But then it faded into nothing. Dottie scrambled to grab Miss Masque’s revolver, only for Miss Masque to grab her ankle and trip her. Dottie spun on the floor and delivered a kick to Miss Masque’s face. She fell away as Dottie got the revolver and pointed it at Peggy. “I’m glad he didn’t kill you,” she said serenely. “Doesn’t he know that’s my job?” “Dottie Underwood!” Everyone turned to see Jarvis and Angie, standing behind Howard Stark’s ‘jitterbug’ invention. “I order you stand down and surrender!” Jarvis shouted. Dottie raised an eyebrow and smiled. “That’s sweet of you, Mr. Jarvis. But I think you’re in no place to make demands of me. Not while I have a gun to poor Peggy’s head.” Jarvis knelt down and started pressing buttons on the jitterbug. “Not at all. You do recall the device the incapacitated the men who had captured you? Would you like to feel it’s effects first hand?” Dottie’s confident expression wavered. She gave a look to Peggy then ran towards the window. “Kangaroo! Hammerhead! Move!” The henchmen lumbered after Dottie, as Angie turned to Jarvis. “They’re getting away! You said you knew how to use that thing!” “Of course I do!” Jarvis shouted. “Let’s see. Carole Lombard’s measurements were…” Black Terror looked on as Peggy picked Miss Masque to her feet and hurried to get behind the jitterbug. “What is he going on about?” “No time to explain!” Peggy yelled. “Get out of the way!” Black Terror ran to jitterbug just as the sequence was put in by Jarvis. Dottie crashed through the front window followed by Kangaroo and Hammerhead as the device fired a concussive blast that sent furniture and debris flying after them. Peggy ran to the remains of the window. Their attackers had gone. The only thing she could detect, was the sound of a car’s wheels screeching in the distance. Manhattan, New York. The laboratory of Doctor Jonas Harrow. Madeline opened her eyes to find herself tied to a chair. She was in a small, dark room with a mirror on the wall facing her. She pulled on the restraints but they wouldn’t give. “So sorry, Miss Joyce,” said Dr. Fennhoff, walking out of the shadows of the room. “But we sadly must take these precautions.” Madeline took a gulp of air to steady herself. “I don’t know who you are,” she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. “But you should know that I’m a lot stronger than I look.” “Oh, we know, Miss Joyce. That is why Doctor Harrow gave you several injections of sedative while you were under my sway. It was enough to, in his words, knock out several herds of elephants. But with your increased stamina they should simply reduce your strength to that of a normal, charming woman.” Madeline began breathing faster, and tried again to pull free from the ropes on her wrists and ankles. “Careful, Miss Joyce. You mustn’t hurt yourself. What did your mother always say?” “Gentle, gentle.” Madeline paused, looking surprised to hear the words coming out of her mouth. “And you should be aware,” Dr. Fennhoff went on. “That if you did manage to free yourself, we would have no choice but to render permanent damage to that… charming husband of yours.” Tears sprang to Madeline’s eyes as she stared at Fennhoff. “Where is he? What have you done to Bob?!” Fennhoff nodded thoughtfully. “Bob. Hmm. Of course. Naturally you would choose someone who shared a name with Dr. Benton. The file did note you were attracted to him. Something slipping through the conditioning.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Madeline sobbed. “I don’t want any part of this! Just let us go!” “Oh, we will, my dear. We will. But first there are some matters we would like to discuss with you. Specifically what happened on your squad’s final mission.” Madeline let her head fall back onto the back of the chair in resignation. “I’m telling you. I don’t know anything!” Fennhoff pulled out a small notebook, and flipped through it. “Actually, you do, Miss Joyce. Just a matter of jogging your memory.” He stopped at a page and pointed at an entry. “Ah. Here we are. Now let’s see. ‘One Life To Lose For My Country.’” Madeline instantly stopped crying. She sat up straight in the chair, a look of resolute calm on her face. Fennhoff gave a smirk of approval. “State your call sign.” “Miss America,” Madeline said in a firm voice. “Who are the other members of your squad?” “Black Terror. Fighting Yank. Miss Masque. Daredevil.” “Very good. Now, give me the details of what happened on your team’s final mission.” Madeline’s head twitched and she gave a short gasp. Then returned to her calm voice. “The squad was given orders by the Council of Nine to demonstrate our effectiveness on an enemy target. We were informed of a Nazi scientific facility reported 5 miles west of the town of Homburg. Our mission was to locate the facility, eliminate all personnel, and return to the states with any notes and equipment we could salvage.” “How many personnel were stationed in the base?” asked Fennhoff, checking the notebook. “20 scientists. 50 soldiers.” Fennhoff turned to the mirror and nodded, then looked back to Madeline. “Tell me about the attack.” “Black Terror, Miss Masque, and Daredevil engaged the troops on the ground. Fighting Yank and I provided air support, drawing enemy fire.” Madeline paused, then flinched and closed her eyes. “Go on, Miss America,” Fennhoff ordered. Madeline took a breath then continued. “The soldiers had a mortar. They fired at us. One of the shells struck Fighting Yank and exploded. He was stunned. He couldn’t maintain flight. He started spiraling out of control in the direction of Homburg. Black Terror ordered Daredevil to see to Fighting Yank while we dealt with our objectives.” “And did you complete your objective?” asked Fennhoff. “Did you eliminate all personnel?” Madeline continued to stare straight ahead, but bit her lip before continuing. “Yes.” “And what happened next, Miss America?” Madeline’s hands clenched and unclenched, as she started to subconsciously pull on the restraints again. Her voice was becoming more shaky, less sure. “After we had… eliminated all personnel in the facility… Black Terror ordered us follow after Daredevil. We… made it to the village… the village of… Homburg! The village of Homburg. Fighting Yank had crash landed and had been captured by the villagers. He had been knocked unconscious and locked in a cellar. Daredevil had… he… had engaged the villagers in combat. One by one he cut them down, until he got to the cellar door and opened it.” “And what happened then, Miss America?” Madeline was starting to hyperventilate, talking faster and more hysterical. “Fighting Yank… Bruce…His eyes. He was delirious. There was nothing but rage. The villagers tried to stop him, but… He was too fast, too strong for them. We tried to get him under control, but the villagers turned on us. They knew we were with him. They attacked us, and we… and we…” Madeline’s eyes grew wide in terror. Her body heaved with her sobs. “Oh God! God forgive me! We killed them! All of those people! We… I killed them!” Fennhoff shook his head and closed his notebook. “It was war. They were Germans. They were the enemy.” “They were civilians!” Madeline screamed. “They weren’t a threat to us! Not with our powers! Why?! Why did you do this to us?! Why?” Fennhoff stared dispassionately at Madeline, and she dropped her head and wept. “Just make it stop. Don’t ask me anymore questions. I don’t want to remember anymore. Make me forget again! Make it stop! Oh God, make it stop!” Fennhoff started rubbing his ring. “There, there, Miss Joyce. That will do for now. For now, just focus.” Madeline slowly drew calmer and sat back up in her chair. “That’s better. Just rest. Do not try to break the restraints. Just sleep.” Madeline’s eyes closed and she let her head drop to her chest. Fennhoff gently closed the door to the cell. He walked over to the men staring on the other side of the two way mirror watching Madeline. There was a man with brown hair in a brown suit, Count Nefaria, and Daredevil standing at attention. “Very impressive, doctor,” the man in the suit said. “You should be congratulated for your work.” “You flatter me, Mr. Wells,” Fennhoff said. “Whoever your masters hired for the conditioning of these subjects was skilled, but not and expert. A few visits with each of them, facsimiles of their costumes, and some violent stimulation. All that was needed to bring their powers to the surface.” Wells turned to Daredevil. “Is what she said correct? Is that what happened?” The masked man nodded. Wells shook his head. “And you had been on the run ever since. The Council certainly did smashing work on all of them. 5 super soldiers, long before Erskine was able to get his formula to work. If only Fighting Yank hadn’t gone rogue. We could have ended the war in months.” “And secured wealth and influence for the Council as well, eh, Mr. Wells?” Nefaria chuckled. “Now, the Council maybe no more, but we can still make some use of your friend. But after the fiasco at Stark’s, I’m sure that Agent Carter will continue to be an inconvenience to us. Perhaps our devil can see to her? Would Peggy Carter meet with you if asked her?” Fred Wells gave dangerous grin. “I know Peggy. I’m sure she would love to see her fiancé again. And then to meet her brother too. One last time.” Next Time: It’s A Sin to Tell a Lie!

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Chapter 7: Who Run the World? Max stood in the courtyard of the temple. He watched as people slowly walked and spoke in hushed tones to each other, some working in a communal garden tending the soil. He could look out through the temple gates and see the peaks of the Himalayas stretching out before him. And he also saw her. The beautiful woman with the silver hair, wrapped in white silks. She strode briskly through the courtyard and went down a stone stair way. Max followed after her, trying his best to keep up. He reached the bottom of the stairway to find the woman had disappeared. Candles lit the way and corridors branched out before him. Max could hear a grunt of exertion coming from the left and turned. A large oak door was open just a crack to allow the sound to escape. He peeked around the door to see the woman, shadow boxing and throwing kicks. She leapt into the air and combat rolled back to crouch. She froze suddenly, then quickly turned her head to the door where Max was. Max jumped back in surprise, grabbing a hold of the door. “Sorry! Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” The woman rose to her feet, and looked up and down at her visitor. “Brother Max, isn’t it? You are one of the new acolytes. You arrived two weeks ago, correct?” Max nodded. “Yes, Sister Dansen. I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” Dansen raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “How do you know my name?” “I… was asking around. I saw you when the guides brought us here. Some of the other brothers told me.” Dansen turned her back to Max, and started going through kata poses. “And just what need would you have for knowing my name?” Max took a step in the training room. “I don’t know. I figure if I was going to talk to you, it might be nice to know your name first.” Dansen continued her practice, throwing a few thrust kicks towards the wall. “I would prefer you not to listen to other peoples gossip to learn about me, Brother Max.” “Fair. Soooo, how about you tell me about you yourself instead?” Dansen nearly lost her balance. She looked at the smiling Max in disbelief. “You are certainly persistent, Brother Max.” Max shrugged and walked onto the mat. “Hey, it’s a gift. So, why not? Where you from? How’d you join the Family of Kali?” Dansen went back to her kicks. “We are allowed to talk of such things. Nothing exists before we found the embrace of Kali.” “Come on. It’s just you and me. Why not?” Dansen paused for a moment, then continued her kicks. Max looked at her for a moment, then moved to her side. “How about this; how about we do some sparring? You and me. If I can take you to the ground, you have answer a question about your past life. You take me the ground, you can ask me anything about mine.” Dansen rolled her eyes. “Really, Brother Max. That is simply childish. I would never play games like that.” Max gave a knowing smile. “Especially if you thought you were going to lose.” Dansen froze again, and turned to Max. “I assure you, Brother Max. You would never pin me down.” Max took a fighting position, still grinning. “Prove it.” A faint smile flashed on Dansen’s face as she mirrored Max’s stance. “Shroud!” Shroud’s memories were interrupted by the sound of Dansen’s voice. He turned on the cushion he sat cross legged on to face her. “Yes, Dansen? Anything to report?” Danesn walked into the meditation space and stood to Shroud’s right. “Misfit, Digger, and Hangman are making the rounds picking up our cut from the gangs. Needle, Tick Tock and the Brothers are looking for any new leads on the Headmen.” “And what about Moth? Is she on her way?” Dansen gave a sharp exhale. “Yes, her and Russell were driven by Tatterdemalion a half hour ago.” Shroud turned away and closed his sightless eyes. “You don’t approve of my forcing her to go?” “I don’t believe it was necessary. Moth and the others would be more useful in the field then…” “Russell has still been on edge ever since you rescued us from the Headmen. And it would be good for both him and Moth to be out of the Tower for a while. And Tatter can keep an eye on them.” Dansen stared at the meditating Shroud. “Why did you send Tatterdemalion? If Moth was correct, then there shouldn’t be any trouble. Unless you have sensed something more to it?” Shroud took a deep breath and folded his hands together. “Simply a precaution, Dansen. I’m sure they will have a relaxing evening for a change.” “This sucks,” moaned Moth. She and Jack were in the backseat of a limo being driven by Tatterdemalion in chauffeur attire. As for themselves, Jack was dressed a black suit and blue tie, while Moth wore a blue sun dress. The limo passed through ornate gates and followed a winding drive way to the front door of a extravagant mansion. “I don’t believe this is happening,” she went on. “Just relax,” said Jack. “It’s just a party. You’re friend invited you. Nothing to get worked up over.” Moth shot Jack a glare. “You don’t know this girl. Lorina Dodson is barely an acquaintance. I had to put up with her parties all the time when I was with Jason in New York. I don’t know how she found my address here. And I have no clue why Shroud would make me come here!” “Well, if it’s any consolation, you do look very charming, Moth,” Tatterdemalion said smugly. Moth stared daggers at Tatter. “1: it’s no consolation. 2: you can’t say anything without sound like a creep. So 3: shut up.” Tatter shrugged and turned back to the wheel. “You do look great though,” said Jack. Moth opened her mouth to say something, then just sighed. “Let’s just get this over with.” Jack exited the car and held the door open for Moth. “I’ll be listening through the ear buds,” Tatter said. “I’ll enter if there’s any trouble.” “Thanks, mother,” Moth snarked. The limo drove back down the drive way to where similarly expensive looking cars were parked. Jack and Moth walked up the steps to the door. They could hear the bass of loud music drifting from the backyard. Jack rang the doorbell, and Moth adjusted her dress. Then she used her power to cause the hem of the dress to rise until it had morphed into a skirt. She nodded in satisfaction, then glanced up at Jack, who was enthralled by the new outfit. Moth grinned. “Now, I look great.” Jack was about to agree when the door of the mansion swung open. A woman with red hair dressed in a pink crop top and yoga pants stood before them. “Sybby!” she squealed. She gave a bear hug to Moth, who looked toward Jack with a piteous expression. “Hi, Lorina,” she said, desperately trying to sound enthusiastic. “Oh my god! I’m so glad you could make it!” Lorina rambled on. “I thought you had said something about moving out west! When I managed to find the address to the apartment, I just knew I had to invite my bestie!” Lorina released the hug, then gave a suggestive look to Jack. “And who’s your boyfriend?” “I’m… Jack.” “And he’s not my boyfriend!” Moth and Jack shot each other an awkward look. Lorina chuckled. “My, my, my. Curiouser and curiouser. Well, don’t worry, Sybby. I won’t steal your man. That’s what this whole party’s about! Come on in!” Lorina led them through the entryway and down the hall that lead toward the sounds of cheers and music. “Um, Lorina, what do you mean? What is the party about?” asked Moth. “My engagement, silly Sybby! Today I’m going to introduce all my friends to the man of my dreams!” Jack cleared his throat. “Congratulations. Where is he?” “Oh, he’ll be here in a little while. Good thing you two made it in time. You were almost late!” Lorina pushed the glass doors open to reveal the spacious backyard. A DJ stood at his equipment blasting pop music while Lorina’s guests danced, chatted, and swam in the pool. Jack’s eyes widened at the sight of some of the guests wearing rabbit masks. “You’re friend… er… Lorina sure throws an interesting party,” he said, waving aside a server offering a plate of hors d’oeurvres. “Jason dragged me to every one of them,” Moth muttered under her breath. “Lorina always has have some stupid “Alice in Wonderland” gimmick. Bunch of privileged pricks making small talk. It’s a miracle I didn’t became a thief sooner.” “Hey, take it easy,” said Jack. “You were able to save me from a mad scientist. I’m sure you can handle a party full of 1%-ers.” Moth was about to reply, when she was interrupted by a high pitched whine. Lorina had grabbed a microphone from the DJ. “Helloooo, everyone! Is everybody having a good time?” Cheers and applause rang out from the crowd. “Of course you are! Everyone knows my parties are always lit! But this one is going to be the best ever! Because I know you’ve been hearing the rumors, and I’ve thrown this party to tell you all… they’re true! I’m gonna get married!” More cheers and shouts of congratulations followed. “Thank you! Thank you! I just feel like the luckiest girl in the world! And I want to take this moment in time to introduce you to the man of my dreams! Come on out, honey!” The partygoers turned to the house where Lorina was pointing. The backdoor opened and the crowd gasped. Trudging into the backyard was a creature that resembled a 6 foot tall ape. The guests backed away as the creature walked past, it’s knuckles dragging on the floor. It reached the DJ booth, and Lorina wrapped her arms around it. “Isn’t he beautiful? Don’t be too jealous, girls!” Jack turned to Moth as the crowd started murmuring. “You said she was strange, but has she done anything like this?” “Hell no,” Moth replied. “Something’s not right.” “Is this some kinda joke, Lorina?” a male guest shouted. “What’s with the monkey?” Lorina looked insulted as she held the creature to her. “He’s not a monkey! He’s the man of my dreams!” She looked to the rest of the crowd. “Come on, ladies. You understand, don’t you? How could I resist a guy like this?” There was more murmuring and some laughter from the men, when suddenly one of the women who had been swimming in the pool started walking towards the booth. “Yes, Lorina!” she shouted. “He is beautiful! Let me get close to him too!” “Yes, Miss Dodson!” called out one of the servers, tossing her tray to the ground and running toward the booth. “Don’t keep him all to yourself! It isn’t fair!” To the amazement of the men, the other women in the backyard started moving toward the creature and Lorina. Jack stared at the scene in confusion. “Moth, I think we need to get going… Moth?!” He turned to see Moth slowly stepping toward the crowd. Jack grabbed her arm to hold her back. “Moth, what are you doing?” He could see the blank look in Moth’s eyes. She struggled to free herself from his grip. “I need to go him! Don’t you see? He’s so amazing! Let me go to him!” Jack dragged Moth toward the back door. “Moth, we need to go now!” “Hey!” shouted Lorina. “You can’t leave! My party isn’t over yet!” The creature gave a low growl. Lorina tilted her head as if she could understand. “Oh. Alright, dear. Now, ladies, my man says its time for a little party game.” She reached underneath the DJ’s table and pulled out a box. She lifted the lid, reached in and pulled out a knife in each hand. She carefully handed a knife to each of the women as the men shouted in confusion. “Okay, Lori, jokes over!” “Come on, Jackie! Get back here!” “We’re leaving now!” Lorina calmly held the microphone and looked to the now armed women. “Okay, girls. Time to play my fiancé’s game. Kill ‘em all!” The women spun around and giving a scream charged into the men, blades slashing. The men ran and shouted in alarm, but many were cut down and sent falling into the pool or fell bleeding on the walkway. Some managed to make it to the hedge on the edge of the backyard. They clambered up to try to escape. But the first man to reach the top of the edge was sent falling back into Lorina’s backward, with his head detached. Behind the hedge stood a row of Asian men in turbans and robes, and armed with long swords. Jack and Moth had made it inside, Jack still dragging Moth behind him. “Jack! Jack, slow down!” said Moth holding her head. “What are you doing?” “I’m trying to keep you from falling in love with a monkey,” Jack snapped, taking a second to recognize how ridiculous that statement was before continuing toward the door. The door swung open to reveal more men with swords. They filed into the lobby and brandished them towards Jack and Moth. The pair backed up towards a staircase as Jack muttered under his breath. “Tatter, we need you now!” Giving a cry the swordsmen charged toward them. Moth leapt into the air, letting her outfit be molded to form a set of wings for herself. Jack ducked the first swordsman and ducked into a side room. He moved a bookcase in front of the door and put his back to it. “Ok,” he gasped for breath as he heard the sound of someone banging on the door. “Not a full moon, but I could sure use some help here.” He ran to a window and pulled back the curtains. The waxing moon had finally broken through the clouds. Moth flew over the swordsman, causing the sashes that two of them were wearing to tie together and slam them into each other. Tatterdemalion, rushing to put on his scarf, burst into the entryway, and leveled two more swordsmen. “Is this what you young people do at parties like this?” he snarked. “Oh shut up!” Moth yelled, delivering a kick to swordsman’s face. “You need to get to the backyard! There’s some creature in there with Lorina! I think it’s controlling her and the other girls!” “What about Russell?” There was the sound of crashing wood, howling and screaming. “He’s fine!” Moth snapped. “Now move it!” OK: Tatterdemalion, Moth, and Werewolf by Night (Waxing moon so he’s slightly less strong.) Mandrill has control of a dozen women, plus is backed up by 20 Thugee. Game On!

Fallout 4 Soundtrack - Bing Crosby - Accentuate The Positive [HQ] - YouTube

Episode 8: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive August 5th, 1946. New York City, New York. The mansion of Howard Stark. “Just when exactly are you planning to show up at the office, Miss Carter?” Peggy winced slightly as Acting Chief Flynn’s voice pierced through the telephone. “I’m sorry, Chief Flynn, but…” “Acting Chief!” Peggy took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady as she sat on the couch in the living room. Robert Benton, Diana Adams, and Angie sat around the room, watching in anticipation. “Acting Chief Flynn. But you did tell me to take time off. I’m just following your instructions.” “Well now I’m giving you new instructions! We’re up to our necks in paperwork here! The mayor is having us run clean up on that Stilt Man fiasco, suspected Maggia are flocking to the city like it’s a convention. And we STILL haven’t found that nutty actress!” Peggy looked over at Diana, sipping a cocktail. “Oh, you mean Diana Adams? You don’t have any leads?” Diana coughed and choked on her drink while Angie stifled a laugh. “No, we don’t,” grumbled Flynn. “But we have the situation under control. If she tries to leave town, we’ll get her for sure.” “Don’t worry, Acting Chief,” said Peggy, winking at Diana. “I’m sure she’ll turn up eventually.” “Spare me the sympathy, Carter!” snapped Flynn. “You just make sure to be in the office tomorrow morning at 8 sharp!” Peggy was about to reply only to hear the slamming of a phone being slammed down and the line going dead. “Good day to you, too, Chief,” Peggy said as she hung up the phone. “You are too much, English,” Angie chuckled. “That Flynn guy would have steam coming out of his ears if he knew that that lady he’s looking for is on the other end of the line!” “Well, I don’t think it was that funny!” Diana pouted as she refreshed her drink. “I wasn’t trying to be funny, Miss Adams,” Peggy explained. “You are still wanted by the SSR. I need to know what they know so we can keep one step ahead of them.” “Fair point, Miss Carter,” said Dr. Benton. “But this is still a dangerous game. I just wish we could tell you more about how we have these… abilities.” “Maybe you can,” Peggy said. She rose from her seat and walked over to a table where her purse sat. She reached in and pulled out a picture of a bald man in a white suit jacket and a bow tie. She handed the picture to Dr. Benton. “Take a look at this. Have you seen this man before?” Dr. Benton squinted at the picture, then shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s very strange. It’s as if I’ve seen that face before, but it’s as if something’s stopping me from knowing where.” He handed the picture to Diana, who looked bored but examined the picture anyway. A flash recognition appeared in her face, but then she frowned. “Same here. Maybe at the theater? On the street? He doesn’t look like much to me.” Peggy took back the picture. “His name is Johann Fennhoff. He’s an agent of an organization called Leviathan. He is an expert in hypnosis. When I encountered him before he was able to use his abilities to kill two SSR agents.” “Are you saying this Fenhoff guy hypnotized these to two to give them powers?” asked Angie. “Maybe not the powers,” said Peggy. “But both of you and our boomerang throwing friend seem to have been conditioned to forget you have powers, then use them expertly when threatened. Perhaps Fennhoff or someone with his abilities found you, and tried breaking down those walls for you to access those powers again.” “But where did we get these powers in the first place?!” Diana cried. “I don’t want to live in hiding with a bunch of cloak and dagger nonsense in my head!” Dr. Benton walked to Diana’s chair and put and comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Diana. We’ll be able to figure this out. Miss Carter will help us.” Peggy looked at the pair with thoughtful expression. “Are you sure you can’t tell us anymore, Dr. Benton?” Dr. Benton looked insulted at Peggy. “I don’t have anything to hide from you, Miss Carter. My only desire is to make sure Miss Adams and any others like her are given the help they need.” “But Diana was saying that she could trust you,” Angie said. “Maybe there’s something else that you might have forgot. Something that you could…” “I’m telling you, I remember nothing else!” Dr. Benton’s outburst silenced the room. He looked at Diana, then cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, ladies. I have been under a lot of strain. If you want answers, why not ask this Fennhoff person?” “That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear,” Peggy replied. “I’ve been in contact with Daniel Sousa and Howard Stark. They should be arriving at the prison where Fennhoff was confined today. Then we’ll know whether or not he was in any position to be involved in this business. Don’t worry, they won’t let us down,” “Ha!” Diana laughed dryly, and sipped her cocktail. “Howard not letting me down. That’ll be a first.” Peggy smiled as the doorbell rang. Jarvis hurried out of the kitchen to the door. “Really, Mr. Jarvis, I could get that,” said Peggy. “It’s not bother, Miss Carter,” said Jarvis, brushing himself off as he approached the front door. “You feel free to continue your strategizing.” Jarvis opened the door and froze in the doorway, a look of terror on his face. Peggy turned to him in concern. “Mr. Jarvis?” Jarvis grunted in pain as the kick to his midsection sent him falling backward into a suit of armor. Dottie Underwood strode into the mansion. She smiled sweetly at Peggy. “Hey, Peggy. Did you miss me?’ Arlington, Virginia. Steadworth Prison. “We’re pleased to have you come to pay us a visit, Chief Sousa.” The guard led Daniel Sousa and Howard Stark down a stone corridor lined with steel doors. “We don’t get many visitors. Well, we don’t get any visitors.” “The SSR just wants to check in on your prisoner, Pierce,” said Daniel. “Your reports have been thorough, but we wanted to see if Fennhoff has been giving you any trouble.” “Oh no trouble at all, sir. Me and Domenetto keep our eyes on him around the clock.” Howard looked behind him and saw the outline of the guard in question. “Yeah, sure you guys do great work. But, um, where are the other guards?” Pierce looked confused. “Other guards? There are no other guards.” Daniel and Howard shared a look. “But there is supposed to be a whole squad stationed here at all times,” said Daniel. “Oh there was, sir. But the squad had been recalled. They received their orders months ago. Domenetto and I were told to stay here. Makes sense, really. Shouldn’t need a whole bunch of soldiers to watch one prisoner who doesn’t even leave his cell.” Howard was about to say something when Daniel nudged him. “Correct, Pierce. That does make sense. Carry on.” Pierce nodded and moved further down the corridor. “I don’t know about you, Sousa,” muttered Howard. “But I’m beginning to feel the way I did when Rita told me Orson wasn’t going to be home.” “You’re right. Somethings off here. Did you see Domenetto? Both him and Pierce seemed confused at the very idea that other guards would be needed.” Howard grinned. “Then I guess we’ll just have to keep our guard up.” Daniel rolled his eyes as the two reached the door where Pierce was waiting for them. “Here it is, gentlemen. This is Dr. Fennhoff’s cell.” Pierce banged his fist against the steel. “Hey, doc!” he shouted. “Company’s here!” There was silence from the cell. Pierce shrugged and turned back to Howard and Daniel. “I suppose he’s resting. Maybe you can come back later.” Daniel took a step to the door. “Sorry, soldier. I need to see him now.” Instantly Pierce had drawn his pistol and aimed it at Daniel. “Please step away from the door, sir,” he said in strained tones. Daniel held out a hand to Pierce. “Stand down, Pierce. We just need to see Fennhoff.” “No! You can’t! I have my orders!” Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “Orders from who?” Sweat beaded down Pierce’s face. His eyes began to have manic look in them boarding on hysterical. “I… have… orders! Step away from the door, or I will shoot!” Daniel slowly moved aside from the door. “Alright, Pierce. Whatever you say.” Daniel swung his crutch, knocking the gun from Pierce’s grip. Daniel lunged forward and pinned Pierce to the wall with the crutch. “Howard!” he yelled. “The door!” Howard pulled out two circular devices from his coat and placed them on the door. Pierce pushed the cane away, knocking Daniel off balance. “Domenetto!” he screamed before swinging a punch that Daniel blocked. The tumblers in the lock clicked, and the cell door swung open as Domenetto ran towards them gun drawn. Daniel swung his crutch to the head of Pierce, then ducked into the cell. The cell was completely empty. A steel frame held a thin mattress and small basin of water were all that were inside. “Hold it right there!” Domenetto commanded, pointing the gun at Daniel’s head. Howard pulled out the ‘zapper’ and jammed it into Domenetto’s neck. The guard convulsed and twitched until he fell to the ground unconscious. “Well, look at us being a team,” Howard said. “Don’t start,” Daniel said, exiting the cell and moving back down the corridor. “These men must have been compromised by Fennhoff. He’s in the wind. We need to get in touch with Peggy.” New York City, New York. The mansion of Howard Stark. Peggy stood at the ready, with Diana and Dr. Benton flanked her. “Angie, get out of here now.” Dottie quickly drew her pistol. “Now, now. There’s no need to be rude. I thought you’d enjoy having the old Griffith gang together again.” “I take it you know this woman?” Dr. Benton asked. “Sadly, yes,” said Peggy not breaking eye contact with Dottie. “What do you want, Dottie?” “Oh, I don’t want anything from you, Peggy,” Dottie said slowly moving into the room. “Let’s just say I’m representing some men who have a problem with your masked friends here.” “You? Working for the Maggia?” Peggy scoffed. “How the mighty have fallen. Leviathan’s top spy becomes Silvermane’s errand girl?” “Think what you like, Peggy. And just in case you think you are going to stop me from leaving here… Boys?” The imposing figures of Hammerhead and Kangaroo walked into the lounge. “What you want, Miz Underwood?” Kangaroo asked. “Be a dear and escort Doctor Benton and Miss Adams to the car.” Dottie turned her gaze back to Peggy. “Then leave Miss Carter to me.” Jarvis leapt up and pushed past the henchmen and grabbed Dottie’s arm. “Miss Carter! Run!” Dottie easily shook Jarvis off her and judo threw him to the floor. “As gallant as ever, Mr. Jarvis.” Peggy charged forward and delivered a punch to Dottie’s face, as Diana and Dr. Benton followed after her. Angie ran to the kitchen and slammed the door, as the battle was joined in the living room. OK: Can Peggy, Black Terror and Miss Masque hold off the Maggia’s hit squad? Or can Dottie and her henchmen succeed in capturing one or both of our heroes? Stay Tuned to Find Out! Game On!

AND NOW (finally) THE CONCLUSION Shroud screamed in agony as Ohn increased the shocks. His darkness was beginning to fill his tube and travel through a series of pipes into another chamber. “Very good!” Ohn said gleefully. “Now all we need to do is provide the proper stimulation to cause the Zero Matter to assume it’s other forms!” The door to the lab opened and Chondu’s mechanical legs carried his head inside. “Dr. Nagan would like a progress report on our guest.” Ohn was about to answer when Wyndham quickly spoke. “We are able to induce a state that allows us to force the subject to activate his powers. As yet, Dr. Ohn’s teleportation theory is still theoretical.” “Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I take a look inside this one’s mind? Perhaps it may give is insight on his allies, as well as his powers.” “Er, I’m not sure,” Ohn stammered. “He is in a lot of pain. How could you possibly read his…?” “Just check the instruments, Ohn,” Wyndham snapped. “Leave the rest to Chondu.” Chondu gingerly stepped past the Werewolf’s cage and stood before Shroud’s prison. He closed his eyes as Shroud continued to fight to resist Ohn’s equipment. “Your will is strong, subject,” Chondu murmured. “But not invincible. Let’s see. Yes. I can see your allies. First in your thoughts is… a lady with silver hair. Dansen. You have feelings for this woman?” Shroud slammed his fists against the tube and grimaced in pain. “Ah yes. Very strong. And also a strong desire to protect Mr. Russell, and the one who calls herself… Moth? Yes. Sybil Dvorak. Percy and Barton Grimes. Arnold Paffenroth…” An alarm starting blaring through the laboratory. “What the hell is that?” Wyndham shouted. “Remain here, Dr. Wyndham,” Chondu said as he clattered to the door. “You continue the experiments with Dr. Ohn. We shall deal with this.” Through the halls of the underground bunker of the Headmen stormed the Night Shift. Digger and Misfit charged into crowds of mercenaries and tossed them aside. Hannibal and Terri hanged back and watched as Tatterdemalion, Hangman, and Needle all viciously dispatched any who stood before them. Orb gestured toward the mercenaries. “Come on, you punks! Get up and fight!” His shouts were cut short as Needle’s blade was stabbed straight through the eye of his helmet. 8-Ball swung his pool cue only to have it blocked by Digger’s shovel. “You are gonna be so dead, freak!” he snarled. “What do you mean ‘gonna’? I already am!” 8-Ball ducked under the blade of the shovel, charged up the cue, and delivered a shot right to Digger’s chest. He was sent flying down the corridor and into a wall. “Laugh that one off, wise guy!” Moth’s wings swiftly carried her over 8-Ball to snatch the pool cue out of his grip. “Take ‘em, Tatter!” Tatterdemalion leapt onto 8-Ball and placed his gloved hands on his helmet. The helmet began to turn red with heat and 8-Ball howled as his head began to boil within his own helmet. A pumpkin shaped grenade exploded sending mercenaries and the Night Shift scattering. Jack O’Lantern flew toward the fray only to be met by the Brothers Grimm on their clouds. Percy pulled a rope out from his sleeve and threw the end of it to Barton. The flew towards Jack O’Lantern then veered off, still holding the rope between them. It clotheslined Jack O’Lantern and sent him falling off his hovercraft and right into waiting fist of Misfit. “Where to next, Tick Tock?” asked Dansen. Tick Tock closed his eyes and concentrated. “If we take the left, we are guaranteed to encounter more guards. I say our best bet is to the right.” “Actually, your best bet is to turn back now.” Nagan and Ruby Thursday stepped out from behind the corner. “So glad you all could join us.” “What have you done with Shroud and Russell?” said Dansen coldly. “Oh I assure you, my dear, your friends are being well cared for as they give their lives to science. And so will you. Dr. Thursday, if you please?” A dozen tendrils sprung from Ruby’s sphere and lunged toward the Night Shift forcing them to scatter. Misfit charged with a roar toward Nagan who leapt over him and grabbed hold of a pipe on the ceiling. “You are a dumb animal, primitive,” he said as he flipped on top of Misfit and wrapped his hands around his throat. “I am the perfect combination of genius intellect and brute strength.” “You’re a frickin’ monkey!” Misfit choked. Digger swung his shovel and caught Nagan square on the head. He turned to Dansen and shouted. “Keep going! Leave ‘Planet of the Apes’ and Miss Mad Ball to us!” Dansen nodded and ran down the hallway, followed by Hannibal, Terri, Tick Tock, and Moth. Hangman’s rope tangled itself in the tendrils approaching him. He drew a knife and pulled it back to swing, when he was distracted by a clattering from above him. He looked up just in time to see Chondu crawling on the ceiling before pouncing down on him. Hangman dodged the spider-like metallic legs as he looked up in shock at the head perched on the platform. “It is useless to resist, invader!” He raised his legs for another strike only to have them parried by Needle. Tatterdemalion grabbed a hold of the back legs and the metal started to burn red. Within seconds, the acidic touch had caused the strut to break off in Tatterdemalion’s grip. Hangman and Needle shoved forward, causing Chondu to tumble to the ground, his remaining legs waving in the air. Hangman glared at Needle and Tatterdemalion. “I would have gotten him.” Needle and Tatterdemalion shared a look, before leaping out of the way the Ruby’s tendrils. The sounds of blaring alarms, shouting, and running footsteps were heard outside of the laboratory. Wyndham turned to Ohn. “We need to evacuate. We must stop the experiment.” “But we’re so close!” Ohn whined. “I’m detecting something developing in the canister! Just turn up the amperage another 50% and we’ll have it stabilized!” Over the cries of pain of Tarleton and Shroud, Wyndham shrugged and made the adjustments. Something did seem to be developing in the canister that was collecting Shroud’s Darkforce energy. With a final spark of electricity, the shape became clear. It was the shape of the tattoo scarred into Shroud’s face. Ohn and Wyndham looked on in amazement as the projection contracted, then suddenly expanded and shattered the canister. Bolts of black lightning shot out of the image, causing electrical equipment to explode. Another bolt struck Tarleton in his chair, and his screams for mercy were reduced to a high pitched wail. Ohn peeked out from behind a desk, a look of sheer joy on his face. “I did it! I did it! We made the portal!” “Shut it off, you idiot!” Wyndham yelled as Hannibal, Terri, Tick Tock, and Moth ran in. “Shroud!” Moth shouted. “We need to get him out of there!” “What the hell is that?!” Terri said, pointing at the portal. “We don’t have time for that!” Tick Tock yelled over the roar. “My visions predict that within 40 seconds that… thing is going to collapse and explode!” Hannibal darted for the control panel next to Shroud’s prison, only for Ohn to leap onto his back. Hannibal struggled to get the scientist off of him. “No! No! You can’t take him! This is my project! You can’t take him away!” “Get off, Frankenstein! Didn’t you hear? We’re all dead unless I get him out of that machine!” While Hannibal tried to free himself, Moth ran to the Werewolf’s cage. She looked at the keypad then at Terri. “Are you attached to that jacket?” Terri stared at the jacket she wore in confusion. “I got it as Christmas present. Why?” “Don’t worry. If this goes wrong, I’ll buy you a new one.” The jacket started unravelling and the threads snaked into the cracks of the keypad. Terri could only stand and glare at Moth as the remnants of the jacket hung loosely to her. “You could at least have asked.” The Werewolf snarled and Moth looked at it. “Take it easy, Russell. Just a second.” Unobserved, Wyndham slowly stepped out a side passage and disappeared. Hannibal finally flung Ohn off his back, but in the struggle his gun had slid from his holster to the ground. Ohn quickly scrambled to the gun and aimed it at Hannibal. “I’m very sorry, sir,” he said. “But your gloomy friend isn’t going anywhere.” With the sound of snapping plastic and electric surges, the keypad Moth was picking at fell apart. The bars of the Werewolf’s cage lowered into the floor. It looked at the mad scientist with the gun, then at Moth. She nodded. “Sic ‘em.” The Werewolf charged toward Ohn with a howl. He turned and froze in terror as the beast drew closer. “Oh no. Nonono! Good boy! Nice doggie! Be a good doggie!” The Werewolf leapt forward and battered Ohn with his paw. The scientist was sent sprawling into the Shroud symbol, then disappeared. There was the sound of Ohn’s screams, then the symbol folded in on itself and collapsed, vanishing into thin air. The Werewolf sniffed the air where his prey had vanished in annoyance. Hannibal returned to Shroud’s tube and pressed a few buttons on the side of it that caused the tube to rise up into the ceiling. He caught Shroud as he collapsed toward the floor. “Take it easy. We got you.” Shroud turned his sightless eyes toward Hannibal. “Well, detective. I see I wasn’t wrong in choosing you to be a part of my organization.” “Swell. Make me employee of the month. Right now we need to get to the others and get you out of here.” “Hannibal!” Hannibal turned to Terri and carried Shroud with him. She was standing next to the upturned chair that still housed Tarleton. He sat unmoving and unbreathing, while the electronic equipment buzzed around his now enormous head. “What have they done to him?” Terri asked in shock. “Another of the Headmen’s experiments gone wrong, I fear,” said Shroud. “But Mr. King is correct. It is time for us to make out exit.” Hannibal’s team ran back down corridors to where the rest of the Night Shift did battle. Ruby Thursday’s projections had morphed into razor blades that she swung at the Brothers Grimm. They dodged them on their clouds as Moth flew to them. “We’ve got Shroud and Russell! Make with the magic!” Percy nodded. “Right then, everyone! Get close together! Time to go!” “Oh come on!” Misfit grunted, as he and Digger traded blows with Nagan. “I’m just about to get this guy!’ “Misfit!” Shroud shouted. “Now!” Misfit shrugged then delivered a final punch that sent Nagan flying into Ruby. The Night Shift gathered in the center of the hallway as Percy and Barton each pulled out a silken handkerchief from their sleeves. They threw them towards each other and the two handkerchiefs melted together to form one enormous one. “Make sure you focus, Barton,” Percy said. “Or this isn’t going to be a long trip.” “Oh shut up and let’s do it already!” Barton grumbled. The Brothers Grimm threw the giant handkerchief into the air and flew their clouds under it. The entire Night Shift stood covered in the cloth. “How pitiful,” said Chondu. “Do they really think they can outwit us with parlor tricks?” “Allow me to finish them, Dr. Nagan,” hissed Ruby. “Oh by all means, my dear,” said Nagan. “Deliver the final blow!” Ruby raised her arms and her sphere produced dozens of blades. They all stabbed into the cloth, but no outcry was heard. Ruby pulled back her blades and took the cloth with it, revealing that the Night Shift was gone. Chondu looked in confusion as Ruby’s tendrils slammed the floor in frustration. Nagan’s eyes narrowed on the spot where the intruders had been. “Very well, Shroud. You have won. This day.” Ohn opened his eyes to find himself inside of a cage. He groaned and held his head. His white lab coat had disappeared, and now his entire body was white and covered with black spots. But he was too busy nursing his headache to notice. That nasty Werewolf had hit him, he had fallen backwards toward the portal and then… Ohn looked up through the bars of the cage to see that he was in a lavish sitting room. A curtain blocked the view to the rooms beyond, and in front of him was a couch. Lying on the couch were two Asian Indian women, wrapped in silks, one red one purple. They smiled and looked down on Ohn, who looked up at them in confusion. “Umm, hello?” “Hello,” the women said in unison. “I am Sister Ushas,” the woman in purple said. “I am Sister Shaya,” said the one in red. Ohn stayed on the floor of the cell, neither his confusion or his headache improving. “Am I… dead? Or dreaming? I think I had dreams like this before.” The two women chuckled and rose from the couch. “Oh no, brother,” said Ushas. “You are very much awake.” “And alive,” chimed Shaya. Ohn rolled over to his side and rose to his feet, using the bars of his cage to steady himself. He looked at the bars and the sudden realization hit him. “Why am I in here? You can’t put me in here! Where am I?” “Patience, brother,” soothed Ushas. “This is the will of Khali. In preparation of your blessing.” “Blessing? What are you talking about?” The sisters glanced at each other and smiled knowingly. “Your blessing, brother,” said Shaya, gesturing to him. “See?” Ohn finally looked down, and saw his newly gotten spots. He yelped in terror. “What have you done to me?” he said, scratching at himself in a vain attempt to rid himself of the spots. “Get these things off me!” “But they are your gift, brother,” said Ushas. “Your gift from Khali.” “Well, I don’t want a gift from Khali or Cardi or whatever his name is!” Ohn snapped. “Get me out of this cage! Now!” The sisters simply stared and smiled as the scientist banged on the bars of his prison. Unnoticed by Ohn, a black spot began to form on the ground beneath him. “Do you hear me?! I don’t want to be in this cage anymore! I want to get out nooooooooooooow!” Ohn took a step backward and fell into the spot. It closed in on itself just as another spot appeared on the ceiling of the room. Ohn fell out of the spot and landed with a thud on the couch. He rolled off it and clattered to the floor. Ushas and Shaya stood over Ohn and nodded to each other. “The Mother is wise and generous,” said Ushas. “All praise for her blessings! All praise to Khali!” Ushas raised her hands to the sky and looked up in blissful reverence. “All praise to Khali!” said Shaya, following suit. Ohn remained on the floor, looking up at the two women as the worshipped. “Umm, yay?” Next Time: Who Run the World?

THE BOTTOM LINE "Congratulations to all, ladies," Elsa said grandly to the assembled competitors in the courtyard. "I trust you had fun?" There was a loud cheer and laughter from the princesses. "I thought so," said Elsa smiling. "But we still have some business to see to. Will the winners of the 3-way fights please step forward?" Belle, Mulan, Snow White, and Pocahontas did as they were asked. "Although your teams were eliminated early," Elsa said. "You 4 were able to find your own paths to victory. Please accept this gift as a remembrance of your victory today." Elsa gestured and snow and ice began to swirl around the heads of Belle, Snow White, and Pocahontas until it crystalized into a tiara on each of their heads. "And for you, Mulan, here is a gift for your victory." The winds circled around Mulan, forming a tiara and necklace as well. "Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, Chel, Fiona, and Astrid. Please step forward to accept your reward." The winds swirled around them and bestowed them their own tiaras and necklaces. Chel looked at the icicle looking diamonds on her necklace. "This stuff isn't going to melt, is it? Owch!" Chel held her side where Fiona had jabbed her elbow. "Chel!" "What? it's a reasonable question!" Elsa cleared her throat and went on. "Ahem. Odette, Anastasia, and Mavis. You were undefeated in this tournament. All three of you played incredible. Congratulations to all." The wind circled around the team, fading away to reveal their tiaras, necklaces, plus new dresses. "Oh, they're beautiful!" gushed Odette. "Thank you, Elsa!" Mavis held out the skirt of the dress slightly uncomfortably. "Yeah, thanks. Not really much of a dress girl." Anastasia gave her a hug. "Don't worry. You deserve this more than anyone! You were amazing! We never would have made it as far as we did without you." Mavis blushed and smiled. "Thanks, guys." "And finally," said Elsa. "Anna, Moana, and Raya. Please step forward." The three competitors stepped in front of Elsa. Elsa gave an approvingly look to Anna. "Sister, you, Moana, and Raya had more fights than other team in the tournament. You lost in round 1, but you didn't give up. You stayed focused and you achieved victory. Congratulations to all!" The icy winds circled the team, crystalizing into the other gifts but a scepter for each competitor. "Thanks, Elsa!" said Anna. "Not just for the gifts, but for coming up with this idea! Maybe now you remember how much fun snowball fights are!" Elsa gave a look to the sky, missing a wink Anna gave to Moana and Raya, who ran back to the line. "Well, it's certainly easier to manage than having you all running around the castle like a herd of reindeer," she said, not paying attention to the whispers and giggles coming from the princesses. Anna looked over her shoulder, then back to Elsa, turning her back to the crowd. "But didn't you want to join in? I mean, you watched every fight. Didn't you want to give it a try?" "Oh, really, Anna," said Elsa. "I wanted to visit the castle to relax, and give you a nice snowfall. Besides, with my magic it wouldn't be fair." Anna gave another look to the line, watching the princesses trying to roll up snowballs as quietly as possible. "Really? I mean, Mavis had powers and we were able to get her out." Elsa rolled her eyes. "It's not the same, Anna. I have the power to control snow. There's no way I could be hit with a snowball." Anna looked behind her again. All the princesses were holding snowballs, grinning in anticipation. "Oh, is that so?" she said, then darted behind a snowbank. "Yes, Anna, that is so. And... where did you go?" Elsa turned around to see 23 snowballs flying towards her. Instinctively she raised her hands and every single projectile stopped midflight. With arms still upraised, she looked at the princesses who all looked sheepishly back at her. "Well, all of you still haven't had enough snow, have you?" The princesses shuffled their feet and laughed nervously as Elsa gave a dangerous smile. "Alright then. You want more snow? Have some!" Elsa sent a gust of wind into the courtyard behind her, causing hundreds of snowballs to start to form and rise into the air. The princesses took off running, laughing and screaming as the snowballs hurtled down at them. They ducked behind trees and snowbanks until they all made it to the safety of the castle and slammed the door shut. Elsa gave a proud smile and lowered her arms, allowing the remaining snowballs to plop down to earth. She dusted off her dress and called out behind her. "Very clever, Anna. Sorry it didn't work. But it's like I told you. No one can hit me with a snowbaMMMPH!" Elsa had turned around just in time for a snowball to hit her square in the face. She spluttered out the snow and wiped it off her face as Anna emerged laughing from behind the snowbank. She ran up to Elsa and hugged her. "Happy Holidays, Elsa." Elsa looked down annoyed at her sister, until her expression softened to a smile and she returned the hug. "Happy Holidays, Anna." AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF US HERE AT CBUB!

With the score tied, I will cast the final vote. The battle starts with Team 2 throwing as many snowballs as they can at Mavis to try to get her out early. They manage to tag her twice. Mavis dodges the rest of the snowballs, but they wind up hitting Odette instead, who quickly gets the 5 hits to eliminate her. Anastasia jumps into the fray to distract Team 2 while Mavis looks for higher ground in the courtyard. She manages to tag Anna before Moana and Raya pelt her with snowballs to eliminate her. Mavis then swoops down and blitzes Anna with snowballs, eliminating her. Raya and Moana run for cover, Moana managing to tag Mavis again before she is eliminated. It is down to Raya (2 hits) and Mavis (3 hits). Mavis chases Raya into the corridors of the castle, landing 2 more snowball hits (4 to 3). Raya dodges another snowball and lands a hit of her own (4 to 4). Raya hides in the courtyard behind a snowbank and lets Mavis go past her. She uses her whipblade to catch Mavis and bring her to the ground, stunning her. In that moment, Raya tags Mavis with one last snowball to eliminate her. Anna, Moana, and Raya win the Snowball Battle Royal!

We have reached the finals of the Snowball Battle Royal! Odette, Anastasia, and Mavis are currently undefeated, thanks to Mavis using her vampiric magic to give them an edge. Anna, Moana, and Raya had a rough start, but gradually learned to work together to make it to the final fight. Can they score a final victory for the princesses of the Kingdom? Or will the team of outsiders brought in by Elsa steal it? 3 v 3 Snow Ball Fight! The competitors can take the battle anywhere in the castle grounds. Get hit by 5 snowballs, you’re out. Whoever gets out all three of their opponents, wins the tournament! Vote for who you think wins and stay tuned to find out which team goes all the way to the end to win the tournament. For the blog post that is the inspiration for this rumble, click here! Calm Before the (Snow)Storm - broadwaybeyonder - The Electric Ferret Message Boards For the match that I wrote that also used the castle set up, click here! Match 16928 Snow White vs. Cinderella - CBUB Rated Matches - The Electric Ferret Message Boards Game On!

With the score tied, I will cast a final vote. Anna eliminates Chel. Astrid and Fiona double team Anna to eliminate her. Moana eliminates Astrid. Fiona eliminates Moana. And Raya tags Fiona with a final snowball to eliminate her. Anna, Moana, and Raya win, and advance to the finals!

AND NOW (finally) THE CONCLUSION. Bob ran for the door as his wife and the lunatic with the cape crashed through the walls of his house. He looked back in amazement as Madeline took blow after blow, only to stay upright and deliver a shot herself. He swung the door open, and stopped short. There was a short, bald man in a suit and tie standing at the doorway. “Mister, you better run!” Bob yelled as he grabbed the man’s arm and ran for the car. “Don’t worry, Mr. Frank,” the man said calmly. “Everything is well in hand.” Bob stared at the unconcerned man, trying to jog his memory. “Wait. Don’t I know you? You’ve been by my house. You wanted to talk to Maddie…” “There, there, Mr. Frank,” Dr. Fenhoff said, adjusting his ring as Bob stared helplessly. “Everything will be alright. Just relax for me, would you? And focus.” Fighting Yank lifted the radio and threw it Madeline. She threw a punch that shattered it into the fragments before flying straight into Fighting Yank. An uppercut sent her attacker colliding into the ceiling headfirst. He fell into another punch that sent him crashing into the fireplace. Madeline flew over to him in an instant, and began raining down punches to his head. She screamed in rage as she continued the assault, blood starting to fly from Fighting Yank’s mouth. She lifted him up by his sweater and pulled her arm back to land a final blow. But then she froze. For a moment, Madeline’s eyes were opened to what she had been doing. Her eyes were wide in terror as she looked at the Fighting Yank, his face battered and bloodied. Bruce. That was his name. Bruce. She slowly let the unconscious Fighting Yank ease down to the floor. She knelt next to him, touching his face and seeing the blood on her hands. “Bruce,” she said started to sob. “What happened to you?” “Please, remain where you are, Mrs. Frank.” Madeline spun around to see Dr. Fenhoff standing in their living room, accompanied by two gunmen and Bob. Madeline could see the glazed look in his eyes, the same way they looked at the circus. She leapt to her feet and charged at the intruders. “Whites of their eyes,” Dr. Fenhoff intoned. Instantly, Madeline stopped in mid-swing. She stood at attention and looked forward unblinking. Fenhoff stepped forward, examining her face and nodded to his henchmen. “Excellent. Our friend was correct. The code phrases still work, even if the mental blocks have degraded. Collect Mr. Carter and bring him to the car. We have a long drive ahead of us.” The henchmen walked past Madeline and picked up Fighting Yank. “What about this guy, doc?” one of them asked, nodding toward Bob. Fenhoff smiled at him and adjusted his ring. “Oh, I’m sure Mr. Frank would like to go on a trip with his wife. You would like that, wouldn’t you, Mr. Frank?” Bob’s face remained expressionless as he replied. “Yes. I would.” August 3rd, 1946. Manhattan, New York City. The mansion of Silvio Manfredi. “We should just kill them!” Bruno Karnelli pounded his fist on the table to emphasize his argument. “Yeah? And how you figure on doing that, Bruno?” Angelo Libris snorted. “You can barely keep your own house in order. How you expect to kill guys you can’t find?” “I don’t have take that from you, you piece of…!” “Enough!” Silvio Manfredi raised his voice above the argument. The other crimelords fell silent. Silvio cleared his throat before continuing. “The matter of these masked vigilantes is of great concern to us all. Several members of the Manfredi family have been lost in attacks by these men.” “And just what are you goin’ do about it, Silvermane?” asked Frank Costa. “You’re the head of the table. It’s your job to stop punks like this!” Karnelli nodded and glared at Manfredi. “Maybe it’s time we get new leadership!” Joseph reached for his pistol. “Why don’t you just try it?” “Please, gentlemen,” Count Nefaria said smoothly. “Let him speak.” Silvio Manfredi nodded in appreciation. “Thank you, Nefaria. A great deal of the activity seems to have taken place in the area of Hell’s Kitchen. With the help of my new associate Miss Underwood, my Enforcers will find and eliminate all of these meddlers.” Libris stifled a laugh, and Silvio stared at him imposingly. “Something amusing, Angelo?” “Well from what I hear, your three stooges already tried it with one of these freaks and got their hats handed to ‘em. What makes you think some broad is going to make it any different?” Silvio was about to reply when Dottie crossed from behind his chair over to Libris. She smiled down sweetly on the crimelord. “Well, gee, Mr. Libris. I wouldn’t want you to think I wouldn’t be good for this job.” Libris looked around the table and chuckled as he looked up at Dottie. “Listen, doll, if you want something to do for me than I can ARRRRRGH!” Dottie had quickly drawn a knife from a holster on her leg and jammed it into Libris’ hand, pinning him to the table. His bodyguard moved towards her but a kick from Dottie sent him slamming into the wall. Dottie leaned in close to Libris as he face contorted in pain. “Is that good enough for you, Mr. Libris?” she hissed. Libris nodded furiously, nothing coming out of his mouth but groans of agony. “That’s enough, Miss Underwood,” Silvio Manfredi said. “Release him.” Dottie shrugged and yanked the knife out of Libris’ hand. He clutched it in pain as his bodyguard rushed to wrap it up and stop the bleeding. “An impressive display, Silvio,” said Nefaria. “But if I may?” Manfredi motioned to Nefaria, who rose from his seat to circle the table. “As all of you are aware, I myself have been the victim of one of these attacks. We are not dealing with someone we can simply kill or bribe. These individuals are stronger, faster. Able to defeat any opposition. Which means that if we are to ensure their defeat, we must have power of our own.” Joseph Manfredi looked unimpressed at Nefaria. “And just who was you planning to do that? Captain America?” The crimelords chuckled, as well as Nefaria. “Not quite, Joseph. But I did call on the services of a man who has made it his life’s work to unlock the potential of humanity. Doctor Jonas Harrow.” The amusement of the Maggia leaders instantly turned to sounds of protest. “Harrow?! That nut?!” “He’s out of his mind!” “He did a surgery on one of my boys and turned him into some kinda monster!” Silvio rose from his seat, held up by Joseph. “Quiet all of you! Luchino, I appreciate your offer of help, but I must agree with the rest of the Maggia. Do you think it is wise for us to go to him for help?” “If you will permit me, old friend,” Nefaria said. “Then I can demonstrate the fruits of Doctor Harrow’s labor, and how they can assist us with our current problem.” He motioned to the door and his bodyguard opened it. Two men entered the meeting room. One was dressed in brown pants and leather vest and the other was in a green pinstripe suit. But the oddest thing about the pair was the top of the man in green’s head was completely flat. Costa leapt to his feet and pointed. “What are you tryin’ to pull, Count?! Those are my boys! They went missing weeks ago! What has that quack done to ‘em?!” “Calm yourself, Frank. Doctor Harrow has merely improved them. May I present to you Hammerhead and Kangaroo. And if your curious about their names, then don’t worry. A demonstration can be arranged.” Nefaria nodded to his bodyguard, who charged toward the man in the leather vest. Kangaroo leapt over his assailant, letting him sprawl on the floor. He then landed with a hard stomp on his back. Kangaroo then leapt the length of the table to the other side of the room. The crimelords murmured their amazement, as Hammerhead walked to the table. He reared his head back, and slammed it down hard on the table. The headbutt smashed through the table and cracked it down it’s center, and Hammerhead looked up at the Maggia leaders completely unharmed. He grinned as he knocked on his flat head, a metallic sound ringing out. “Metal skull, metal bones. Let me at that stick throwing freak, and jam that boomer-whatever down his throat!” Nefaria looked to Silvio Manfredi with a smile. “Do I have your interest, Silvio?” Joseph touched his father’s shoulder. “I don’t know, pop. We don’t need freaks to catch freaks!” Silvio shrugged Joseph’s hand off his shoulder. “Don’t be too hasty, Joseph. Nefaria is correct. If we are to make certain that these meddlers are dealt with, we must use all means at our disposal. All those in favor?” The other crimelords raised their hands in agreement. “Very well,” Manfredi said to Nefaria. “Your… projects will assist Miss Underwood. She will give the orders and her orders come directly from me. And these two men better be worth it, Nefaria.” Nefaria gave an elegant bow. “I assure you, Silvio. They will follow their orders to the letter.” Next Time: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive!

We have reached the final snowball fight before the finals. The team of Odette, Anastasia, and Mavis have already advanced and are waiting to face the winner of this final eliminator. In the first round, Anna had attempted to teach Moana and Raya how to snowball fight. Unfortunately, their inexperience caused them to be swept by Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida. In the eliminator bracket, the team’s first opponents would be Mulan, Jane, and Kida, who had competed in a hotly contested round one fight. But with Anna’s help, Moana and Raya were able to use their own agility to get the advantage and get their first win. Raya secured the win against Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora, and finally, the team scored a redemption win in a rematch with Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida. Chel, Fiona, and Astrid drew a lot of attention to their first fight. After fierce back and forth between Chel and Kida, Astrid was able to tag Mulan, allowing them to advance to round two. They had an easier time with Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida, but then were decimated by Odette, Anastasia, and Mavis. Can Anna, Moana, and Raya represent the princesses of the Kingdom and earn their way into the finals? Or will Chel, Fiona, and Astrid get a second chance and ensure the finals of the snowball battle royal are between the two outsider teams? 3 v 3 Snow Ball Fight! The competitors can take the battle anywhere in the castle grounds. Get hit by 5 snowballs, you’re out. Whoever gets out all three of their opponents, advances to the finals! The losing team will be eliminated from the tournament. Vote for who you think wins and stay tuned to find out which team goes all the way to the end to win the tournament. For the blog post that is the inspiration for this rumble, click here! Calm Before the (Snow)Storm - broadwaybeyonder - The Electric Ferret Message Boards For the match that I wrote that also used the castle set up, click here! Match 16928 Snow White vs. Cinderella - CBUB Rated Matches - The Electric Ferret Message Boards Game On!

Pocahontas, Esmerelda, and Megara made a statement in their first round match by sweeping Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine. But they were completely outmatched by the team of Odette, Anastasia, and Mavis. Then they were all tagged out in their first eliminator against Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida. After this collapse, these three competitors have got some business to settle with each other before the tournament is over. It’s every snowballer for themselves! Get hit by three, and you’re out. Last competitor standing, wins! For the blog post that is the inspiration for this rumble, click here! Calm Before the (Snow)Storm - broadwaybeyonder - The Electric Ferret Message Boards For the match that I wrote that also used the castle set up, click here! Match 16928 Snow White vs. Cinderella - CBUB Rated Matches - The Electric Ferret Message Boards Game On!

Many had doubts about how far the team of Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora would go in the snowball fight tournament. And Snow White being eliminated so quickly during their first match up with Odette, Anastasia, and Mavis seemed to confirm those doubts. Shockingly, Cinderella and Aurora rallied to eliminate Odette, only to have Mavis blitz them with her vampiric powers to tag them both with snowballs. Sent into the eliminator bracket, the three managed to completely sweep Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine, with Snow White and Cinderella still holding onto a grudge after the prank they played on them over the summer. The next match up was a close battle with Anna, Moana, and Raya, which ended with Raya using the skills taught to her by Anna combined with her fighting ability to eventually score the deciding snowball hit. Now, the three competitors are having their final bow. It’s every snowballer for themselves! Get hit by three, and you’re out. Last competitor standing, wins! For the blog post that is the inspiration for this rumble, click here! Calm Before the (Snow)Storm - broadwaybeyonder - The Electric Ferret Message Boards For the match that I wrote that also used the castle set up, click here! Match 16928 Snow White vs. Cinderella - CBUB Rated Matches - The Electric Ferret Message Boards Game On!

Monster Mash (Lyrics) - YouTube

Chapter 6: I Was Working In The Lab… Shroud surveyed the laboratory from inside the tube he was trapped in. Across from him the Werewolf clawed at his own enclosure. To his left, however, was another man strapped to a large, metallic chair. “Please, please!” he begged desperately. “You! You with the face! Please! You’ve got to get me out of here!” Shroud raised a hand to his face, feeling that his mask and hood were gone. The man could clearly see the blank eyes and the scarring that covered the upper half of his face. “Where are we?” he asked, his voice sore. “Where are we?” The man laughed hysterically, then suddenly became panicked again. “This is where they do their experiments. Where they put us to learn how to create more creatures. Like that… thing in the cage!” Shroud could sense the Werewolf’s fury as it slammed against it’s cage. Shroud reached up and touched the wall of his cell, and instantly received an electric shock. He drew back in pain as the door to the laboratory opened and Dr. Wyndham and Dr. Ohn walked in. “So, how are our new subjects?” Ohn asked cheerfully. Shroud didn’t reply and Werewolf simply growled. “Now, now, there’s no need to be bad sports about this,” Ohn said. “It’s an honor to be chosen by the Headmen. Just imagine! Wants we discover the secrets of your powers, we’ll be able to duplicate them for the highest bidder! Of course, you both will probably be dead, but you’ll live on in spirit! And science!” “Enough of your prattling, Ohn,” Wyndham said bored. “For the moment, let us turn our attention to Mr. Tarleton.” Tarleton renewed his struggle with the chair’s restraints. “Please! I’m telling you, I just worked for AIM as a janitor! I don’t know anything about what Killian was up to! I don’t know nothing about Extremis!” “Don’t worry, Mr. Tarleton,” Wyndham said nodding to two lab techs who moved to either side of the chair. “You may not have given us information. But you will still be useful as our subject. Dr. Ohn?” Ohn was distracted looking at the chair. He snapped out of it and pressed a button on his iPad. “Oh yes, Dr. Wyndham!” The chair suddenly hummed to life, as electricity shot from it directly into Tarleton’s head. He screamed in agony and Shroud slammed into the cell wall but all he received was a shock of his own. “That’ll do you no good,” Ohn lectured. “That is the same material they were using to contain Zero Matter in the 40s. I figured you used similar stuff. It is odd. We’ve heard reports of someone matching your description in New Orleans, right down to the outfit. But he could use the Zero Matter to teleport himself. If we could copy that power in you… ha ha! This will be fun!” Shroud slumped back in the tube, the repeated shocks taking their toll. Meanwhile, at the Tower of Shadows, the Night Shift was in the living room screaming and arguing with each other. With the exception of Needle, Hannibal and Terri, all the other Night Shift-ers were debating who was to blame for their trouble. “I can’t believe this!” ranted Hangman. “We have a man who can see into the future, and we still got ambushed and outplayed!” “My powers only look a minute ahead,” Tick Tock said haltingly. “By that time it was too late.” “So what good are you?!” “You’re one to talk, creep!” snarled Misfit. “All you got is that stupid piece of oversized dental floss!” “Hey, don’t be like that, Misfit,” snarked Digger. “The floss is with him!” “Say one more stupid joke, and we’ll see just how much pain a corpse can be put through!” “All of you be silent!” Dansen yelled over the room. Suddenly a gunshot rang out. All the Night Shift turned to face Hannibal, who had shot his gun at the ceiling. Dansen nodded. “Thank you, detective.” Hannibal shrugged and holstered his gun as Terri looked at him in shock. “Just what kind of nightmare have you gotten me into, Hannibal?” “We cannot go on like this,” Dansen went on. “We need to decide our new course of action.” “Look at you, talking like you’re running something,” Barton Grimes sneered. “I was Shroud’s second in command. Leadership of the team falls to me.” Barton got in Dansen’s face as Percy tried to hold him back. “And I say the leader of this gang should be the people with most power. Not some screw loose ballerina.” “And you think it should be you and your clown of a brother?” Hangman barked. “It takes more than power to run this gang. I should be in charge and I say our new course of action is hitting Tombstone hard!” “But what about Shroud? And Jack?” asked Moth. Hangman shrugged. “Casualties of war.” “I don’t believe this!” Terri shouted. The Night Shift all turned to look at her and Hannibal. “Um, Terri, better just stay out of it,” Hannibal whispered. “Hell no!” Terri snapped. “I’ve been dragged into this because of you and this freak show you got here! And I have something to say about it!” She turned back to the dumbstruck Night Shift. “I know Hannibal has told me a little bit about you people. You’re criminals, thieves, even killers. But apparently he left out that you were idiots and cowards!” The Night Shift bristled at that as Hannibal put his head in his hands. “This Shroud guy is your leader. And right now these Headmen people have him and an innocent man prisoner, getting ready to do who knows what to them! So how about you stop sitting around yelling like a bunch of children, and actually use your powers to do something?!” Digger and Misfit snorted with laughter. “Please, lady,” said Misfit. “Do we look like the Avengers to you?” “No,” Terri said coldly. “The Avengers wouldn’t hesitate for a second to save one of their own. Especially the one who brought them together in the first place.” The room fell silent again. Dansen turned to the Night Shift. “Well? What say you? Do we allow the Headmen to get away with humiliating us? Or do we get our revenge?” Moth, Tatterdemalion, and Needle nodded. Tick Tock sighed. “I suppose I could track his communicator. It could at least give us a general location of where to look.” “You’re not seriously listening to this?” asked Barton. “You have no idea what the Headmen have waiting for you!” “Which is why they might need a little magic, brother,” Percy interrupted. Barton rolled his eyes and shrugged in agreement. Dansen looked at Hangman, Digger, and Misfit. “And what about you three?” Digger looked over at Terri. “Great speech. 10/10. I’ve always wanted to fight mad scientists to save a werewolf. I’m in.” Misfit and Hangman remained silent. Hannibal cleared his throat and stepped forward. “I’m sure you two will be able to find lots of people you can beat the hell out of.” Misfit looked at Digger and nodded with a grin. “Hey? Why not? I want to get a look at these Headcases myself! Show you how easy you can bust ‘em up!” Hangman glared at Dansen, then sighed and folded his arms. “Fine. You win. What’s the plan?” OK: The Night Shift: Dansen Macabre, Moth, Tatterdemalion, Tick Tock, Needle, Digger, Misfit, Brothers Grimm, Hangman, Hannibal King, and Terri Lee, all at full strength. If they can find and rescue Shroud and Werewolf, they will be able to join the fight. The Headmen: Gorilla Man, Shrunken Bones, Ruby Thursday, Chondu the Mystic, Jack O’Lantern, 8-Ball, and the Orb, plus 50 mercenaries, all at full strength. If the Night Shift can rescue Shroud and Werewolf, trash the lab, and defeat the Headmen, they win. Game On!

After both of their teams were eliminated after two straight loses, both Belle and Mulan were given a chance to redeem themselves in three way snowball fights. Being no stranger to having snowball fights with Beast, Belle was able to use that experience to tag Jasmine and Ariel. Meanwhile, Mulan was able to outmaneuver Jane and Kida and quickly eliminate them. Now they will go one on one to determine which of them is the better snowballer of the first two teams out of the tournament. Get hit by three snowballs, and you’re out. Last competitor standing, wins! For the blog post that is the inspiration for this rumble, click here! Calm Before the (Snow)Storm - broadwaybeyonder - The Electric Ferret Message Boards For the match that I wrote that also used the castle set up, click here! Match 16928 Snow White vs. Cinderella - CBUB Rated Matches - The Electric Ferret Message Boards Game On!

3 v 3 Snow Ball Fight! Eliminator! The competitors can take the battle anywhere in the castle grounds. Get hit by 5 snowballs, you’re out. Whoever gets out all three of their opponents, wins! The losing team will be eliminated from the tournament. Vote for who you think wins and stay tuned to find out which team goes all the way to the end to win the tournament. For the blog post that is the inspiration for this rumble, click here! Calm Before the (Snow)Storm - broadwaybeyonder - The Electric Ferret Message Boards For the match that I wrote that also used the castle set up, click here! Match 16928 Snow White vs. Cinderella - CBUB Rated Matches - The Electric Ferret Message Boards Game On!

3 v 3 Snow Ball Fight! The competitors can take the battle anywhere in the castle grounds. Get hit by 5 snowballs, you’re out. Whoever gets out all three of their opponents, wins! If the losing team loses again, they will be eliminated from the tournament. Vote for who you think wins and stay tuned to find out which team goes all the way to the end to win the tournament. For the blog post that is the inspiration for this rumble, click here! Calm Before the (Snow)Storm - broadwaybeyonder - The Electric Ferret Message Boards For the match that I wrote that also used the castle set up, click here! Match 16928 Snow White vs. Cinderella - CBUB Rated Matches - The Electric Ferret Message Boards Game On!

Fallout 3 Soundtrack - Mighty Mighty Man - YouTube

Episode 7: Mighty, Mighty Man August 3rd, 1946. Los Angeles, California. Waverly Memorial Hospital “The movie world was saddened today following reports of the death of Whitney Frost.” Jack Thompson sat in bed looking at magazine and listening to the news over the radio. “Whitney Frost, the starlet who had captured the hearts of millions,” the announcer went on. “Had recently suffered a nervous breakdown, requiring her to be institutionalized at Metropolitan State Hospital. Though authorities have been tight lipped about the details, they have confirmed that the hospital had been the site of an attack that left several doctors, nurses, and patients injured and dead. At this moment, the only confirmed name is Whitney Frost.” “Good,” said Jack, turning a page in his magazine. “One less psycho in the world.” There was a knock outside of the door, but Jack continued flipping through the magazine as he answered. “Come in!” Samberly peeked his head inside and walked in, carrying a small, white box. “Evening, chief,” he said in an enforced cheerful tone. Jack didn’t look up from the magazine. “What do you want, Samberly?” The scientist cleared his throat. “Oh, nothing, chief. I just came to give you this box of fudge, that I… well, actually it was Rose who…” “Just set it on the table. I’ll be sure it eat it later.” Jack looked up to see Samberly, shuffling nervously. “Is that all?” Samberly coughed again. “Well, I mean, chief. The thing is there might be a small problem. I mean, it could be a huge problem, but…” “Samberly!” Jack snapped. Samberly gulped as Jack glared at him impatiently. If you have something to say, say it!” Samberly took a deep breath before continuing. “Well, chief, there was a call at the office for you. It was from Chief Sousa. From London.” Jack tossed the magazine on the side table. “What did he say? Anything about Nick Driscoll?” “I’m sorry, chief. He did mention a Driscoll, but he said that he had been killed.” Jack let his head fall back against the wall. “Damn. All this over a redacted file.” “But, chief, that’s not the problem.” Jack looked annoyed at Samberly. Samberly instantly showed shock as he tried to back track. “I mean, uh, it is a problem about your friend dying and all, but… The problem is that I’m not sure how he could have done it.” “Done what? Died?” “No. Called.” “Called who?” “Me.” Jack took a deep breath then motioned to Samberly. “Samberly? Come a little closer.” Samberly took a step next to Jack’s bed. Jack grabbed a hold of Samberly’s tie and pulled him across the bed. “Now, Samberly,” Jack said dangerously. “Tell me what the hell you’re talking about!” Samberly flailed helplessly for a moment before answering. “Chief! Chief Sousa. He couldn’t have called from London. Because he was at the talent agency yesterday!” Jack loosened his grip on Samberly’s tie. “It was during the attack at the hospital,” Samberly gasped. “He came in and said he found a lead on a… thing that I had been investigating for him. And he asked me to give him the… thing, so I did.” Jack’s expression dropped. “A pin? And Arena Club pin?” Samberly was taken aback. He looked at Jack in shock. “Yes. How did you know?” Jack pointed to the door. “Get to the office now! I want everything we have on Whitney Frost! That includes anything involving Joseph Manfredi! I’ve been sitting in this bed for too long. Time to get to work! Move it!” Samberly quickly scurried to the door, pausing to look at Jack. “Chief? Did I do something wrong?” Jack looked balefully at Samberly. “Well, Samberly, I’m pretty sure you haven’t done anything right.” Collinsville, IL. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Frank. Madeline stood before the stranger who held her husband up by the throat. “Please,” she begged. “Let him go!” “NO!” the man yelled. “Not until we talked.” His voice suddenly softened. “We could always talk, remember? They let us practice flying together. The two of us, alone above the clouds.” “Please, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” “Maddie, just get out of here!” Bob wheezed. “He’s crazy!” “SHUT UP!” the man snapped. “You say another word and I’ll snap your neck right here!” “No! Please!” Madeline pleaded. The man looked back to Madeline. “We were meant to be together. Miss America and Fighting Yank. We fought together! We killed together!” “I’ve never killed anyone!” “LIAR!” Fighting Yank roared. Miss America has obviously been compromised. Proceed to Doctor Benton for check up. “Stop talking!” “Nobody said anything,” said Madeline, her breathing becoming more shaky. “Please, what do you want from us?” Fighting Yank closed his eyes, flinching in pain. “You have to remember. You have to make sense of it all. I keep seeing them. Hearing them. The screams. The blood. So much blood.” He opened his eyes and glared accusingly at Madeline. “And you were there. You left me behind! You let them lock me away! How could you do that to me, Madeline?” Madeline started sobbing in fear. “Look, I don’t know you. I’ve never met you. Please let my husband go! We won’t tell anyone about this! Just go!” Fighting Yank held her gaze as Bob’s hand fumbled around the frying pan on the stove. “Not without you, Madeline. You’ll make it all make sense. And then we’ll be together. Just like we were supposed to.” Bob finally took hold of the frying pan and swung it at Fighting Yank’s head. The clang of metal against skull reverberated around the kitchen. Out of surprise rather than pain, Fighting Yank dropped Bob to the floor. He looked up at the terrified Madeline. “Maddie! Run!” Fighting Yank grabbed him by the leg and hurled Bob across the kitchen. He crashed into the refrigerator door, and within seconds Fighting Yank was over him with fist raised. “She doesn’t belong to you!” he screamed. “You can’t protect her! I will!” The fist rushed toward Bob, who closed his eyes tight. But no impact came. Bob opened his eyes to see Madeline grabbing a hold of Fighting Yank’s arm, preventing the blow from landing. “That’s. Enough!” Madeline shouted. She threw Fighting Yank to the floor behind her, shattering the tiled floor. Bob looked in shock at his wife. “Maddie? How did you…” “No time for that, Bob! You have to go!” Fighting Yank rose to his feet, staring disbelieving at Madeline. “Why did you do that? After all we’ve been through?!” Miss America has been compromised. You must complete the mission. ‘Over there! Over there!’ Fighting Yank gripped his head and groaned in pain. “There’s no way I’m leaving without you!” Bob yelled as he pulled himself up with the refrigerator handle. “Honey, I don’t know what’s going on, but I know that between the two of us I’m the only one who stands a chance with him! Now go!” Fighting Yank’s head suddenly jerked up as he fixed his maddened eyes at Madeline. “TRAITOR!!” He flew toward Madeline crashed through the kitchen wall into the living room. “Maddie!” Bob yelled, but Madeline was already on her feet. She kicked off her heels and let herself rise off the floor. “You’ve invaded my home, you hurt my husband,” she said glaring down on Fighting Yank. “I might not know who you are, but I know you’ve just made your last mistake!” OK: Can Miss America subdue the maddened Fighting Yank? Will Fighting Yank have Miss America and Bob at his mercy? Stay Tuned and Find Out! Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION Dansen groaned as she tried to push herself off the ground. “Dansen!” Digger ran to her side and offered her his shovel. She grabbed a hold of it and let Digger lift her to her feet. “Tick Tock… where’s Tick Tock?” Dansen moaned holding her head. “He’s still breathing, surprisingly,” said Digger, looking over his shoulder as the short man sat propped up against an old Mustang. “He’s tougher than he looks. Well, he would have to, wouldn’t he?” Dansen wasn’t listening. She was already running toward the sounds of explosions in the distance. “Get Tick Tock back to the Tower! I’ll get Shroud!” Digger watched Dansen disappear behind the cars with an annoyed look on his face. “Why am I always the one having to babysit this geek?” The Werewolf clung onto the bottom of Jack O’Lantern’s hovercraft. Jack O’Lantern raised his gauntlet and fired an electric shock that made the Werewolf howl in pain. It let go of the hovercraft and began to plummet to earth, but cables shot out from the base of the hovercraft and wrapped around the Werewolf’s arms. It hung limp from it’s restraints as Jack O’Lantern called to 8-Ball. “I’ve got the beast! Let’s go!” 8-Ball swung his pool cue at Hannibal, who just barely dodged it. He pulled out a pool ball shaped grenade and hurled it at the detective to leapt aside. But the resulting explosion sent him sprawling to the ground. “Hannibal!” Terri yelled. She ran towards him but was blocked by the Orb. “You stay right there, lady,” he sneered. The eye of the Orb pulsed as Terri held up her hand in a futile attempt to block it’s gaze. Shroud dived onto 8-Ball, delivering blows to the body. 8-Ball charged up the pool cue, but Shroud was ready for it. He caught the cue, jabbed it into 8-Ball’s gut, and used his force to throw him over his head and into the cars. The Orb turned and saw his fallen comrade. “Get up, moron! Beat this guy!” The distraction was all that Terri Lee needed. She delivered a running kick to the Orb’s privates, instantly making him double over in pain. She quickly grabbed his arm and used a judo throw to take him to the ground. “Don’t mess around with an officer of the LAPD,” she coughed as she stood over the fallen henchmen. “Miss Lee!” shouted Shroud. “Run that way! My associates will get you and Mr. King out of here! Go!” Hannibal was slowly climbing to his feet and grabbed Terri’s arm to guide her out of the clearing. Shroud was about to follow, when another missile launched by Jack O’Lantern impacted right behind him. Shroud was sent flying into the air and crashed hard to the ground. 8-Ball readied his pool cue and stood behind a burned out Chevy. “Hey, goth boy! Guess what? Call me Oprah! Cuz you get a car!” He slammed the pool cue into the car door, and the vehicle flew through the air and landed with a sickening thud onto Shroud. The three henchmen gathered around the wreckage. “I got ‘im!” cheered 8-Ball. Dark smoke started to emerge from the car, only to fade away to reveal Shroud trapped under it unconscious. The Orb directed it’s gaze at him. “Amazing! If I’m ready this right, this guy’s still alive!” Jack O’Lantern circled around the clearing, still carrying the struggling Werewolf. “Well then bring him along. I’m sure the Headmen would appreciate seeing what makes this guy tick!” Hannibal ran passed wrecked cars and dragged Terri behind him. She could barely keep up. “Hannibal! Wait! Stop!” Hannibal slowed his pace but continued forward. “We don’t have time. I need to get you to the others.” Terri dug her heels in and Hannibal jerked to a stop. “What others? Hannibal, who was that? And that thing? That animal?” Hannibal shook his head. “Terri, you know about that phone I gave you? The one I asked to give a once over? Well, it was his.” Terri’s jaw dropped. “You had me do a phone dump on a werewolf?!” “Detective?” The two detectives turned to see Dansen run out from behind an SUV. “Where is Shroud? And Russell?” Hannibal started running with Terri again, going passed Dansen. “They were caught. The Headmen have them. Right now we got to get out of here. By the way, Dansen, this is Terri. Terri, Dansen.” Terri looked stunned as Dansen as they continued to run through the maze of cars. Dansen lifted the watch on her wrist to her lips. “Needle? This is Dansen. Shroud and Russell have been captured. It was a trap.” Her voice came out of the watch on Needle’s wrist. Misfit was punching a gang member repeatedly in the face. “You don’t say?” he said sarcastically. “Like we don’t have that problem!” Doctor Bong swung his gauntlet and caught Misfit square on the jaw. The bell wearing madman stood over the fallen brute. “Feel the wrath of science, abomination!” he shrieked. Hangman leapt onto Doctor Bong’s back and wrapped his rope around his neck. “Misfit! Hold him!” he barked. Misfit took hold of Doctor Bong’s arms as Hangman tightened the rope. The doctor failed his arms in an attempt to strike his helmet, but he couldn’t break Misfit’s inhuman grip. In a matter of moments, he went limp and fell still. Percy Grimm caused a pie to magically appear in his hands. He hurled it at the gang member approaching him, striking him in the face. The man started screaming in agony, clutching at the remnants of what was his face. “Mmhmm. Got to love to acid filled pies,” said Percy. “Just like Mom used to make.” Barton pulled out a sword, but he was quickly knocked down by a large thug. The man grabbed a hold of the sword and stabbed it into Barton’s chest. Strangely, the blade simply collapsed into the hilt like a stage prop. “Now you see, that’s not how that works,” Barton said, grabbing the sword out of the confused thug’s hand. “You do it like this.” Barton drove the sword into the unfortunate man’s heart, and this time the blade went through his chest and out his back. Bushwacker fired his gun arm at Needle who dodged out of the way. He swung his needle blade but Bushwacker blocked it with his gun barrel. “Needle! We need to regroup!” Dansen’s voice called over the radio. “Get your team out of there! Now!” Needle’s eye glared out from the hood, but he nodded. He shoved Bushwacker off him, then tapped a button on his watch to signal to Dansen. Then he turned and waved the blade to the other Night Shift-ers, and headed for the door. “Don’t tell me we’re running again from these punks!” Hangman grumbled. Percy and Barton summoned their clouds and leapt on, allowing Misfit and Hangman to join them. “For once I agree with you, man,” Barton said. “We could taken all of them!” The clouds rose up and out through the roof of the funeral home. When Shroud finally came to, his senses told him he was trapped in a large, plastic tube. Outside of it were the Headmen, with a man with a gorilla’s body standing in front of them. “Ah, the famous Shroud,” he said. “Welcome to the Scientiatum of the Headmen. I am Doctor Arthur Nagan. I am very curious to see what we can learn from each other.” Shroud gazed unimpressed at the gorilla-man. Nagan nodded to Chondu. “Perhaps your powers can give us a peek at the innerworkings of this mind.” Chondu’s spindly, metal legs carried him to the tube. He gazed at Shroud, who’s sightless eyes stared right through him. Chondu focused all his mental energy, but after a few minutes took a step back from the tube in frustration. “This one has received training in the mystic arts. I cannot pierce his mind. It is extraordinary!” “No matter,” coughed Dr. Morgan. “We can always learn the secrets of his powers on the examination table.” Nagan turned to the assembled scientists. “Which of you will discover this information for the Headmen?” One hand shot up in the air above the crowd. A man in a bowl cut and a lab coat stumbled forward. “Oh! Me! Me, sir! I mean, doctor. Sir! Sir Doctor!” Nagan raised an eyebrow at the nervous man. “And you are?” “Ohn, sir. Johnathan Ohn. It would be an honor to work on this project!” Nagan waved a dismissive hand. “Very well. You will proceed with the examination.” “Oh, thank you, doctor!” “Under the supervision of Dr. Wyndham.” “Oh. Thank you, doctor.” Wyndham nodded to Dr. Nagan. “We will not fail you, doctor.” Nagan’s eyes narrowed as he turned back to Shroud. “See that you don’t. We shall learn how to duplicate the powers of this one and Mr. Russell. Or the next autopsy you will be sitting in on will be your own!” Next Time: I Was Working In The Lab… !

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION The clowns opened fire at Miss America but the bullets ricocheted off of her body. She smashed into one clown and threw a punch that sent another into a booth. Bruto the Strong Man grabbed her by the ankle with both hands. He dug his heels into the ground as she looked down from him from midair. “Pretty trick, woman,” Bruto grunted. “But no trick can get you out of Bruto’s grip.” “I don’t know,” Miss America snarked. “I think I like it here.” She swung her free leg and kicked Bruto in the head. The giant instantly was seeing stars and released the hold. Miss America flew down and caught hold around Bruto’s waist. Then she accelerated and charged into the remaining clowns and Teena, using Bruto for a battering ram. Within moments, the crooks were unconscious on the midway. Miss America dusted her hands, then took off into the air towards the big top. She tore through the canvas ceiling and hovered near one of the tent poles. Below her was the still hypnotized crowd, sitting in silence. The Gambonnos swung in on a trapeze, Luigi hanging upside down with Ernesto holding on to his brother arm with one hand while aiming a pistol with the other. Miss America flew past them and snagged the pistol out of Ernesto’s grip. The brothers turned back in shock as Miss America crumpled the weapon in her fist. “Shouldn’t be playing with guns this high up, fellas,” she said. The Gambonnos expertly leapt off the trapeze onto a platform, while Miss America quickly flew to the tightrope and yanked it free from it’s moorings. Flying swiftly around the Gambonnos’ platform, Miss America wrapped the rope around the brothers until they were tightly bound to the tentpole. Miss America landed in the center ring, gazing up at her handiwork. Then she looked down at her hands, and the small blemishes on her costume where bullets had impacted. Her face became taut with confusion. “What am I doing?” Madeline asked, her voice beginning to shake with worry. “How am I…” Miss America’s confusion was cut short with the feeling of something slithering up her leg. Princess Python’s giant snake, Precious, had caught her. Miss America tried to untangle herself but the reptile had already started tightening it’s grip. She could the coils constrict around her ribs and dangerously close to her neck, as the sounds of Precious’ hissing filled her ears. Princess Python looked on with a smile of smug satisfaction. “You’re tough, lady. But in a few moments, Precious will crush the air from your body. And then we’ll make sure you won’t get up again. Ready, Rajah?” Miss America could hear the thud of giant footsteps. Making it’s way into the big top, was a bull elephant. It trumpeted ferociously as it took a position just outside the center ring. Rajah himself sat on the elephant’s back and waved down below. “All is ready, Princess. After Precious has done her work, Shiva will see to it that this infidel will be nothing more than a red, white, and blue stain on the sand.” Miss America strained as she managed to free her right hand and take a hold of Precious’ head. The snake snapped it’s jaws mere inches from her face. She fought to rise to her feet as Princess Python gasped. “Impossible! Precious! Kill! Now! Kill!” But Miss America had already freed her left hand, and landed a blow to the snake’s head. The force of the blow caused Precious to loosen it’s grip and Miss America started flying toward Rajah and the elephant, still tied up in the snake. Miss America jammed Precious’ fangs right into Shiva’s leg, causing the elephant to trumpet in pain. It reared up on it’s hind legs, sending Rajah tumbling off it’s back with a cry. The elephant charged through the center ring and out the main entrance, dragging the snake with it. “Precious! Baby!” Princess Python wailed. Miss America got to her feet as Princess Python charged toward her. “You hurt my Precious, you flying freak!” She pulled her arm back, but Miss America caught her before the slap landed. “Two lessons, sweetheart,” Miss America said with a steel tone. “Always keep your pets on a leash, and keep your hands off other people’s husbands!” With that, Miss America punched Princess Python and sent her flying into the tentpole. She slid to the ground and fell unconscious. Miss America heard the sounds of applause as Ringmaster walked out from behind the bleachers clapping his hands. “Spectacular! Bravo! Encore!” he said with a patronizing smile. “You are incredible! Just what this circus needs!” “Save it, mister,” Miss America snapped. “I found the woman. The one your power didn’t work on. I saved her from your minions and I instructed her to call the police. They’ll be hear any minute. Give up and tell me how to free these people. Now!” Ringmaster tipped his hat to her and adjusted it so it pointed at Miss America. “Oh, I don’t think the police will be concerned with me. Not while they are dealing with you. Look at my hat. Let it absorb you into…” Before he could finish, Miss America had taken flight, yanked the hat off Ringmaster’s head, and smashed between her hands. Sparks and smoke flew from the hat as the felt fell away to reveal the electric device beneath. Miss America tossed the destroyed machine to one side and stared at Ringmaster with a smile. Ringmaster gulped. “Oh…” One punch from Miss America and Ringmaster fell to the sawdust floor. Miss America quickly grabbed him by the collar and flew over to the tentpole. She tied Rajah, Princess Python and Ringmaster to the pole with streamers from the bleachers then flew out through the tear she made in the canvas. A few minutes later, Madeline Joyce-Frank walked back into the big top, and took her seat next to Bob. The crowd in the tent was starting to stir as the hypnotic effect wore off. Bob blinked as he tried to take in the sight of the circus members all in various states of being tied up and unconscious. “What…what happened?” he asked. Madeline gave him a hug. “Oh Bob! I was so worried! They were crooks! All of them! They were trying to rob from us!” Bob looked around at the crowd as people started crying out, discovering that their valuables were missing. “It was like you were all in a trance or something,” Madeline went on. “But I had gotten away. Then this strange woman just flew in and…” “Wait a minute. Flew in?” Madeline looked at Bob’s confused expression, then started to chuckle as the sound of police car sirens drew closer to the tent. “Well, maybe we can just let the police sort it out.” August 3rd, 1946. Manhattan, New York City. Outside the mansion of Silvio Manfredi. Silvio and Joseph Manfredi accompanied by their bodyguards approached the doors of the Manfredi mansion. They were followed by a swarm of reporters and photographers, all shouting questions. “Any comment on these Maggia attacks, Mr. Manfredi?” “Have you heard about the fight between the devil and Stilt Man?” “Are you concerned that you may be a target?” “Shut up, you bunch of vultures!” Joseph snapped, raising a hand to his face to shield his eyes from a cameras flash. “I’ll make you eat your cameras!” Silvio placed his hand on Joseph’s arm to calm him, then turned and stood on the steps to face the crowd. “I am well aware that certain newspapers have claimed my involvement with the Maggia. It is a sad statement that in this country, a land of opportunity, if a man with Italian blood in his veins is successful, it must be by illegal means. No, I am not afraid of being a target by masked freaks. I am a businessman who is responsible for thousands of jobs in this city. For the hundredth time. I am not, nor have I ever been, involved with organized crime. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s late. I need my rest. Good night gentlemen.” Silvio turned to the door and Joseph followed, but then a reporter shouted out. “Any thoughts on the alleged death of Whitney Frost?” The crowd fell silent as Joseph turned around in shock. “What did you just say?” The unfortunate reporter cleared his throat, realizing the awkwardness of the moment. “There have been reports of some sort of violent disturbance where Miss Frost was institutionalized. She has been rumored to be among the victims. Since you and her were um, close, would you care to make a statement?” Joseph stood frozen for a second, a look of disbelief on his face. Then he took a deep breath and stepped toward the reporter. “A statement? Sure. I’ll make a statement.” A right hand from Joseph sent the hapless reporter flying into the crowd, leaving them sprawled on the sidewalk. “Joseph!” Silvio said urgently. “Inside! Now!” The bodyguards ushered them all inside the mansion and slammed the door shut. “That bastard Dimitri!” Joseph raged. “That faceless son of a bitch! He was supposed to keep things under control! ‘Loyal to Maggia’, my ass!” “Be quiet, Joseph!” said Silvio, taking hold of his son’s shoulders. “I don’t have time for you to be throwing a tantrum!” Joseph shoved Silvio’s hand away. “A tantrum?! Whitney’s dead! How could Dimitri let that happen? To hell with the meeting! I’m going back to LA right now! I don’t care if I have to hitchhike!” Joseph stormed to a side door, only for it to open and Dottie Underwood to block his way. “Sorry, Joey,” she said with her sweetest and dangerous smile. “But I think Silvio will be needing you here.” Joseph considered reaching for the pistol in his coat pocket, but thought better of it. He glowered at Silvio as Dottie walked him back to his father’s side. “The family is what matters, Joseph,” Silvio wheezed. “That is the one thing you never could learn. Now let us get to the business at hand.” Dottie walked ahead of the Manfredis and opened the door. It was a study with a long, rectangular, oak table. Sitting at it were the 6 heads of the Maggia families, including Count Nefaria, along with their bodyguards. Silvio Manfredi walked into the room, with Dottie pulling the chair at the head of table for him to sit. She smiled at Joseph, who just grumbled and took a seat to his father’s right. Dottie remained standing behind and to the left of the chair, and Silvio surveyed the room. “Very well, gentlemen. Let us begin.” Collinsville, IL. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Frank. Bob pulled the car into the driveway and slowed it to a halt. He got out of the car and held the door open for Madeline. “Well, I’m sorry that the circus was more excited than I thought it would be.” Madeline gave him a kiss on the cheek, and gave cheeky grin. “No need to apologize. I’m sorry I ruined your chances with the snake lady.” Bob pulled Madeline in for another kiss. “Her name was Princess Python,” he said as Madeline laughed. “Besides, I can always see her again. In about 20 years. Or whenever they let her out. Now let’s get inside. I can start on making you a great dinner to give your birthday an ending that will make up for all of this nuttiness.” “You go on ahead,” Madeline said. “I think I’d like to be out here for a minute.” Bob nodded. “I get it. You’ve had quite an eventful day. Good thing that flying woman you were talking about was there to buy you time to call the cops. Go ahead and take your time.” Giving her one last kiss on her forehead, Bob bounded up the driveway and into the house. Madeline looked up at the sky, then back at the car. The white giftbox that held her costume was still sitting on the backseat. It all seemed impossible. And yet, not only did she fly and fight, but she did it like she had been doing it for years. Sure, she had dreamed of flying, everyone did. But she never had done anything violent before in her life. She had always followed her mother’s advice: gentle, gentle. Suddenly there was a crash from inside the house. Madeline turned and shouted toward the door. “You alright in there, Bob?” she teased. “Do I need to get the flying woman to save you from the kitchen?” There was no reply. Madeline was suddenly gripped with the same feeling she had a circus. Something was wrong. She ran to the door of the house and flung it open. She ran to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. There was Bob, her husband, being held up in the air. His captor was a man in a tricorn hat, a mask, a cape, and a white sweater with the American flag on it. The stranger looked at Madeline as his left hand tightened it’s grip on Bob’s throat. “Hello, Madeline,” said Fighting Yank. “We need to talk.” Next Time: Mighty, Mighty Man!

Are we sure these guys aren't related? There is definitely a family resemblance with the chins. I'll give to the Count. With Mac's troubled history, people will be more likely to buy something from a friendly vampire.