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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:31:58 GMT -5
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:32:32 GMT -5
The Dawn & The Dead [/b] Issue #4: “Redemption and Revival” Written by: Jayson Morriseau-Lussier Cover by: Jina B. Edited by: Brian Burchette[/center] |
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:33:13 GMT -5
Dedications: To Brian and Mark for approving this project. To Katie for helping with the first three issues and lending her talents to giving voice to this enjoyable labor.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:33:58 GMT -5
The moment that Wes had died her whole outlook on hunting the killer had changed. She knew that blood had been spilled and that maniac had to be stopped. Chances were likely that she would get back to Gotham City before he did. She had used her senses to track killers before, but this was a bit different. She didn’t know where exactly to start to look for him.
Mari had too much to do to worry constantly about Wes’ death, but she was lucky by the fact that she had people around her who were a good resource that could help her when no one else could. Mari’s cell phone was ringing as she picked it up and answered even though she didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”
“I hate the fact that I was only able to kill one of you.” His voice had become unmistakable.
“You’re lucky I didn’t get to you first.” She growled like the spirit of the lion in fused into her soul from the Tantu totem.
“I can arrange a nice little meeting.” He continued.
“How the hell did you get my number?!” She growled in response.
“When you are tracking your prey, you make sure you find out as much as you can about them.”
“You’re toying with the wrong person.” Mari sent a threat of her own.
“Is that so?” Percival responded.
“You’ll soon see.” She closed the line. She knew that her threats were pointless, but if it put him off balance just enough to gain an edge it would be worth it. She made her next call to Michael Holt who went by the name of the alias of Mr. Terrific.
“Michael can you put a trace on that last call to my cell phone.”
“Yeah give me a moment, Mari.” Holt responded. He pushed in a few commands into the mainframe. “Mari, I cross referenced all of the satellite links I have your caller in Gotham City on Kane Street and Finger Park.”
That shocked her. “He must have gotten back when I did.”
“Not sure whatcha mean, but if you need some help…” He offered.
“No! I have to do this on my own!” She exclaimed as she sighed. “Listen, I have a lot I am going through. I’ll explain when I see you again.”
“Okay, that’s fine Mari.” He closed the line.
She closed the line herself and took the Tantu totem in her hand as she called on the spirit of the cheetah and ran as fast as she could. She arrived at the park just moment later. She looked up at the two twin towers of Wayne and Kane that overshadowed the park.
“I know you’re here!!” Mari called out as she saw rustling in the bushes. She got ready in a defensive posture as she saw a cat run out that made her heart skip a beat.
Suddenly from behind she heard and then felt someone grab her from behind. A knife came across her throat as she fell to the ground with blood spilling on to her hands... as she grabbed at her throat and gasped for air. She fell to the ground and laid there for a moment as she saw blackness over take her, but she saw one last image as Percival stood over her.
“Sweet dreams, Love.” He laughed coolly as he watched her die.
Then she woke up…
Mari woke up as she grabbed at her throat. She had been startled by the dream. She then reached by her side and felt the cool sheets where her lover had been for such a short time. “Wes…” She whispered. She had just arrived in Gotham City a few nights before as she had contacted Wes’ family and they had begun to make burial preparations. The family had invited her to participate because she had made sure she had escorted the body back from Hong Kong to home. She promised her self with whatever it took that she was going to get Wes’ killer… no matter the costs.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:34:27 GMT -5
Androvich was certain that could survive but he didn’t know the extent of the skills that Vixen possessed but he did know that she was much more skilled than her lover had been. Bloodletting had been a dark passion that he derived and emblematic pleasure from the experiences time after time. He had chosen the name of ‘Percival’ because it allowed him to emulate the killer that had been in his community when he was a boy. He had learned that ripping opening the chest of kittens and cutting their heads off was just not enough. He had to take the life of someone and then lick the knife of his victim’s blood each and every time. Androvich had grown to hate women with feverish fortitude that allowed him to channel his energy in destroying Vixen or at least he hoped.
He walked through the concourse from the airport and saw the Christmas lights and decorations that ordained the halls. The time of the season disgusted him as he decided to ignore it as he made his way to the landing where the cabs were taking people to and from the airport. A prostitute came to him and showed him some of her leg as he acted, as he was interested. He motioned to a cab that was somewhat away from the others in the area and he got into the cab with the prostitute. He took his knife from his boot that he had been able to hide from the TAS and he quickly slit the throats of the cabbie and the prostitute. The woman wasn’t able to scream as they both quickly fell over dead as blood covered the interior of the cab. He got out of the cab and licked the knife clean.
“Just warming up,” He merely said as he walked away from the scene.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:34:54 GMT -5
Mari had finished her calls and checked he messages and saw that she had a message from Langley’s mother on her computer. She opened the message and read the message. Wes’ mother had sent her gratitude for all that she had done, but they wanted him to be buried in California. His will had said that he wanted to be buried in Gotham City so there was something of conflict that was going to have to be settled in the next couple of days. Wes had changed his will and named her as his executor before he had passed away. She was obliged to honor his final wishes. She knew that she was going to have convince his family in California since that he wanted to buried in Gotham which had become his adopted home. She sat back in the chair as tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“Having a hard time?” Her assistant put a hand on her shoulder.
“Yeah.” She said quietly.
“I am sorry, but I have the information that you wanted.” He placed a manila envelope on her desk.
“Thank you, Charlie.” She dabbed her eye as she opened the file. It was the profile of Androvich that she had been able to get from Batman. It detailed the crimes he was suspected to have been involved with since he was a young boy. He had been arrested as a juvenile and sent to juvenile hall. It had been determined at that time that he was bi-polar bordering on megla-mania. His abuse had been chronicled ever since the police had been called to his father’s home on multiple occasions. He had been removed by Social Services when it was determined that he would no longer be able to get the care that he deserved.
“Pretty horrible stuff,” Charlie muttered as he had read the part of the file she was reading over her shoulder.
“Yeah.” She stood up. “You get that if you don’t have a family.”
“True.” He looked at her. “So what are you doing to do?”
“I am going to bring him to justice.” She affirmed that with a nod of her head.
“But what if he kills you?”
“Then he’ll be damn lucky.” She patted Charlie’s back. “Don’t worry; if I get killed it’ll be because I wasn’t careful. Believe me after what he did to Wes, I am going to be.”
“I wish you wouldn’t do this.”
“I have to do this for myself and Wes, Charlie.” She looked at him. “No matter the cost.” She touched the Totem and called upon the spirit of the hawk and flew out of the window and began her hunt for justice.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:35:19 GMT -5
James Gordon looked at the scene as he looked at Harvey Bullock. “Looks like Percival’s back in town.” The murder scene was rife with blood smeared on the walls and just spoke of the horror that the victims must have endured.
“Reminds me of Zsasz.” Bullock chewed on his toothpick as he looked at Gordon. “But ahhhup I’d say so.” Vixen landed where the officers had gathered. “Has Batman been here already?”
Gordon shook his head. “Not yet I understand he’s still on assignment with the Justice League.”
Bullock blurted as he looked at Vixen. “Yeaaah we don’t need your kind here anyway!”
“I hope you have him house trained, Jim.” She snorted back with a little indignation towards Bullock. “I have information on who he is and where he’s from.”
“Let me guess courtesy of the Dark Knight?” Gordon smirked somewhat.
“All in the team.” She nodded as she handed Gordon Batman’s file. “My guess is that he’s been waiting for this moment to strike when the lull was the lowest.”
“I suppose so, but damn…” Gordon muttered.
“Yeah once this stuff hits the fan, you know that the papers are gonna have a field day!” Bullock exclaimed.
“To say the least.” Vixen affirmed Bullock’s outburst. She called upon the spirit of the cheetah and ran off at incredible speeds towards the heart of the city. Vixen had been one the few that believed that there could be a solution when all else seemed to fall away. She was still feel the touch her lover, but she knew those memories were fleeting if a person even tried to focus on the memories. Memories of those you lost could never really replace the people that had been there with you just a few short days prior.
She stood on the ledge as she saw the comings and goings of shoppers from Shrek’s Department store. She knew that she had a lot of investigation to do, but she was hopeful that it would lead to a break in the case soon.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:35:49 GMT -5
Androvich had chosen to strike frequently has he had brutally murdered his victims to demonstrate that he could be as ruthless as Liu Chen. He used her business contacts in Gotham City to reorganization her businesses. He had been able to call a meeting with all the heads of her organization. Some of the people that had chosen not to show up by returning his invitation he had been able to brutally kill them. Most all of them knew that Chen had been killed so he knew that he was going to explain the composition of the organization now and he knew he would demonstrate his authority with them.
The head of Chen’s domestic operations went by the name of Joey Sharky. “So we’re here.” Sharky blurted out as they convened a quorum.
“Yes, and for that I am glad for that.” Percival nodded from the shadows as he leaned in closer as the light hit his eyes as the sinister view of madness was clearly on display. “The problem that I see with this organization is that it is in disarray.”
“It wasn’t like that before she was killed!” A younger member of the quorum spoke up loudly.
“No it was run a much different way with her leaving complete faith in this group.”
“Why wouldn’t she??” Sharkey blurted out.
“Because while she placed her faith in people who would still from her… it showed weakness on her part. That makes her death so much more sweeter.”
“You’re a madman!” The youngest member of the group spoke up again.
“Maybe...” Percival took a knife from his jacket. He quickly threw the knife as it embedded into the crook’s chest and pierced his heart and instantly killed him. Blood squirted out from the wound. Sharkey looked at him complete horror. “If anyone has a disagreement with my proposals please speak up!” He looked all five people gathered at the table.
Sharkey remained quiet and then spoke up. “What did you have in mind?”
“Good.” Percival clapped his hands together as he gave a exaggerated grin as he looked at them all. “Now we can get to work!” Percival’s henchmen came in and trained guns at the table as he laid paperwork down before them with ink pens. “If you need a hand to sign them, I can provide that.” He took out the severed hand of Liu Chen that had mummified somewhat and placed it on the table and saw Sharkey nearly get sick. “You’re insane!!”
“BINGO!” Percival grinned. “Now please sign the paperwork.” He curled a growl. “I am running out of patience.” With that the group complied with Percival’s demand as he assumed full control by assuming control of Chen’s front companies.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:36:26 GMT -5
Matt had his arm around his girl Yvonne as they just walked out from the ‘Stones concert. “God that was soooooo good.” Matt exclaimed as Monique giggled.
“Did you have a good birthday, Mattie?”
“Oh hell yeah I did!” he looked back at her.
Suddenly a couple of hoods jumped out of the shadows as the couple started to round the corner. One of them was carrying a gun and the other was carrying a knife. “Put your effin hands up or I am going to blow your head off!!!” The gunman growled at both of them.
“Please don’t kill us!” Monique screamed out as the other thug put the knife to Matt’s neck.
“Tell’er to shut’er piehole or I’ll cut’cha throat!!!!”
“Monique we’re going to be okay!” Matt screamed out as he tried to get her to calm down. Monique did as her lover asked as the men pushed Matt against the wall.
“Good girl.” The gunman pointed the gun at Monique’s forehead. “Now empty out’cha pockets and put your hands over yer heads.”
“Please don’t kill us!!” Monique screamed out again.
“Shut-up, bitch!” The thug with the knife reached out and was poised to strike her, but Vixen had jumped down from the building ledge above and she grabbed the thug’s arm and thrust him against the brick wall as he dropped the gun. She called up on the spirit of the elephant from the Tantu totem and she flung the other thug against the adjacent brick wall. He dropped to a heap his hand went limp and dropped the gun at her feet. The first thug had recovered enough to grab the gun and aim it at Monique’s head. Vixen did a somersault and knocked the gun from his hand. He reached for the knife and made a swipe at her throat, but she was able to avoid the swing from his arm. . She called upon the spirit of the cheetah and quickly lurched at him. The crook was quick enough to slash her arm as Vixen screamed out in pain. She hand leapt into the air and landed a boot into his face as the crook finally crumpled to the ground by his ‘friend.’ She screamed at Monique and Matt as the teenagers ran off as she had told them to get out of there.
“Don’t hurt me!!” The crook looked up at Vixen. Vixen was holding her arm as the wound wasn’t very deep but it had pissed her off enough that she was angry.
“Why were you trying to kill them?!” Vixen screamed at him.
“He told us to!!”
“WHO! I am losing my patience!” Vixen retorted.
“The new boss!” The crook was almost begging for his life now.
“Who is that?!” She put her boot into his throat.
“He calls himself Percival.” The crook cowered before her.
Her eyes grew wider she reached down and punched him out as she gathered the other heap and tied them up. And started to walk away as she held her arm and saw a figure in the shadows. She was startled by it. Batman appeared from the shadows as he handed a bandage from his utility belt. “Playing a dangerous game with a dangerous killer.” Batman started.
“Stow it.” She looked at him as she bandaged her arm. “How long were you there?”
“Long enough. He’s getting ready to take over the East coast.”
“What are you going to do about it?!”
“Advising you since you’re the one chasing him.” Batman responded.
“You’re an ass.” Vixen looked at him with a narrowing of her eyes.
“You’re not the first one to make that observation.”
“I might need help.” Vixen finally admitted.
“You know who to contact then.” Batman took out his grapple gun as he fired it at the highest ledge that overlooked the alley and he took off into the night sky. She just shook her head as she saw his cape form haunting shape of the bat.
She shook her head. “Yeah I know who.” She muttered as she flew up into the night sky herself, as she knew that finding him was going to be more difficult if he had assimilated Chen’s organization already.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:36:58 GMT -5
The funeral procession had already gathered at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church as the family had finally relented and did not contest Wes’ funeral wishes. Mari had a veil that covered her eyes as Wes’ cousin Martie Langley had come over and decided to try and reach out to her, because he knew that her cousin had been involved with her. “I am sorry that this happened to you.” Martie began.
“I am sorry for your loss too.” Mari looked back at her. Mari hugged as the two women shared a moment and Mari withdrew slowly. “I am sorry for the funeral wishes…”
“No it’s fine.” Martie looked at her. “What Wes wanted wasn’t really a surprise, but who had placed in charge was.”
“I didn’t even know he had done that.” Mari looked at her and looked down.
“He must have really been in love with you for him to even think about that in the short time he knew you.”
“No kidding.” Mari admitted. “I hope that we can get to know each other…”
“I am sure we can.” Martie hugged her again and the two women reassembled as the funeral service had commenced. The church had given permission for Wes’ remains to be buried in the grounds. As the sacraments were given Mari had lowered her head in respect for the ceremony, but her thoughts were on trying to bring in the killer that had caused so much pain. She knew that her efforts had stirred Percival and his machine because she had gotten closer to his organization with the help of The Batman indirectly. After a few minutes holy water was sprinkled on the ground and into the grave as the casket was lowered into the ground. Mari reached out one last time and touched the casket and kissed it.
“Goodbye, love.” Mari said to herself. She looked and saw that the family had gathered around her. She stood up and hugged all the family members that had decided to show up. It only reaffirmed her burning desire to see Percival brought to justice…. no matter the cost.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:37:31 GMT -5
Androvich was in the process of the transformation from mere killer to a trueborn psychopath. He saw as he had asked Joey Sharky come to see him. The meeting had proved to be more than he had originally thought. He knew that things were not easily forgiven, but he knew that there was more than administration than mere threats. He was happy allow to hear from Chen’s former lieutenant.
“I assume you’re here to tell me something I need to hear?” He cleaned his knives as he saw Sharkey sit opposite from him from the desk that he sat at.
“Chen wouldn’t have ever put our organization out in the open like you’ve done, Percival.” He began. “But, considering that we’re now shipping in more drugs than we’ve ever done in the past, I can’t argue with the results.”
“Arguments aren’t my favorite part of negotiations.” He nodded as he allowed Sharkey continued.
“Is it true that you’re going to take over the Boss’ territory?” Sharkey looked at him seriously.
“I can say that is one of the goals.” He nodded.
“Good.” Sharkey nodded. “What are you going to do The Bat?”
“Eventually I’ll find a way to exterminate him, but I am not worried about that quite yet.”
“Well you should be…” Sharkey started to reach for his jacket and produced a batarang. “Now!”
Vixen dropped down from the rafters and grabbed Percival’s arm as Sharkey had pulled away his disguise and revealed that it was really Batman who he had been dealing with. “One of the problems with changing things is you never know what you’re changing into.” Vixen looked at Percival as her eyes were gleaming in true anger.
“I didn’t know you would get a new boyfriend.” He took out of knife and flung at Vixen’s head. She used the power of the Tantu and dodged the knife with the speed of the cheetah and then looked at Batman.
“I wouldn’t date him in a million years.” She snarled as she sent a roundhouse kick to his face. Percival gathered himself quickly as he bolted from the room that Batman was in.
He ran up to the rafters… as the light from the searchlight from the Gotham P.D. was shined at the very top of the building. “Got all the angles covered I see.”
Vixen had followed him up to the roof. “No where to go, Androvich.” She glared at him.
“I loved it when your little boyfriend screamed in pain when I ripped his throat open.”
She did not flinch as she looked at him. “He did not. You forget I was there you bastard.”
“And it was a pleasure… that kill made me the happiest of them all.”
“I can’t wait to see you strapped to the table with needle going into your arm… and watch your life drain from your face.” Vixen growled.
“I refuse to give you that gift darling.” He got on the ledge.
“What are you doing!?” Vixen reached out as she saw him start to lean over the side of the building.
“I told my father when I cut his throat and watched him die as I dug the heart out of his chest that I was never going to be caught or I would kill myself if I did.”
“You’re a coward.” She looked at him.
“Maybe so, but I will take those lives with me… Goodbye sweetheart.” He jumped from the side of the building.
Suddenly she called up on the spirit of the eagle as she jumped from the side of the buildings herself and grabbed him in mid-air as he struggled to try and get away from her. “LET ME DIE!!!!”
“Yes you’re going to die… but lethal injection.” She landed on the ground near the Gotham Cops. But, before the cops could cuff… he raised his arms to the sky. “I am ready, father!!” Suddenly he burst into flames as his body was consumed by flames and suddenly a million bats filled the sky as his body disappeared before the cops and Vixen. It was an unholy mix of shrieking and flapping of wings that filled the skies over them.
“I will return to this World… and I will take ALL of your souls.” His voice disappeared as the ethereal nature dissipated.
Bullock looked at Batman as he had landed by Vixen. “You sure you didn’t put him up to that?”
“Hardly, Detective.”
“What was that about?” Vixen looked at Batman.
“Pure evil, Mari… which I don’t think we’ve seen the last of it.” Batman responded simply. “Gotham is safe for now.” He looked at Gordon and nodded. “Til later, Jim.” Just like that he disappeared into the night as he fired a grapple gun and flew into the night…. Vixen shook her head as she joined the Darkness and flew back to her home. She knew that her life had been forever altered which she had been changed.
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:38:06 GMT -5
~**EPILOGUE**~
One Month Later:
Mari had been sick for the last few days and had to cancel her showings because she hadn’t been able to get out of bed. Dr. Pieter Cross looked at the test results. “Well, I happen to know you don’t have the flu, Mari.”
Wes’ copy of The Dawn and The Dead had been opened up to his favorite chapter that she read from time to time, but she had placed it on the counter as she had walked to Dr. Cross with frown on her face. She was grumpy as she had her hair in curlers. “I don’t want to stay in bed Pieter, can you please get on with it?!”
Cross looked at over his night vision glasses at her. “You’re pregnant, Mari.”
“I’m what?!” Mari dropped her jaw open as she looked at her friend….
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Post by starlord on Mar 4, 2008 19:38:51 GMT -5
The End?
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Post by Admin on Mar 5, 2008 2:41:43 GMT -5
If you wish to comment on this issue, please CLICK HERE to visit the letters page. |
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