For Mature Readers Only

#1
July '02

Strange Tales Presents

Witches

"Lost Soul"
Written by Megan Curtis

The TV cast an eerie glow throughout the darkened room. The lighting flashed as the picture changed to show multiple scenes of horror.

Topaz entered the room slowly, glancing towards the darkened corners. "Dr. Strange?" Slowly she entered, momentarily distracted by the television.

"...reporters were on the scene today as paramedics removed the bodies of seven people. The causes of the deaths seem to be erratic, and vary from a broken neck to being burned. Police had no leads at press time..."

"Topaz-" A hand reached out of the darkness and was placed on the girl's shoulder. Topaz cried out and turned around to stare into a pair of female eyes.

Clea, Dr. Strange's wife, smiled at Topaz. "Forgive me for startling you." She waved her hands and a fire was started in the fireplace. It lit the room in a cheery glow. Clea reached for the remote and turned off the tragic news report.

"I need your help Topaz. You got my note?"

Topaz held the folded square out to her. "I thought it was from Dr. Strange."

Clea smiled ruefully. "Sorry to disappoint."

"Hardly." A smile lit Topaz's face. "How can I be of service to you, Lady Clea?"

She raised an eyebrow at the use of her title but smiled. "When I'm in this dimension I prefer to be addressed as just plain Clea." She took a breath and continued. "You saw that news report didn't you?"

Topaz nodded and glanced towards the now darkened TV set.

"It's tragic. Those people were killed rather brutally, and this is not the first time it has happened. There have been reports of it occurring in California, Alabama, and Illinois. I believe it is the same group committing all these atrocities. I want your help to find and stop them."

A look of surprise crossed Topaz's face. "I would be honored to help you in such a task but won't we be a little out numbered?"

"We will indeed. That is why I need you to contact these two women." Two folders appeared and hovered in front of Clea before she plucked them out of the air and handed them to Topaz. "I need them here in a week's time. This will be your first assignment. Can you handle it?"

Topaz glanced at the names on the files and then back up at Clea. "Consider it done."

"Excellent. Feel free to get started."

Topaz nodded and gave a slight bow before exiting the room. Clea watched her go and then gave a small sigh of relief. "I don't know why you wanted me to pick these three girls, Stephen, but I'll follow your advice." She was talking to the air, but a great distance away a man paused in his work to listen.

"You'll do fine," he whispered back. "I have faith in you my love."

Topaz was grinning as she surveyed the cowboy bar she had chosen to arrange the meeting in. Country music blared through the room. Men and women were on the dance floor twirling, spinning, and stomping to the beat.

For this evenings entertainment, Topaz had chosen to wear tan suede pants to match a maroon halter top with "cowgirl" blazed across the chest in gold. Matching maroon boots and a tan cowboy hat completed the outfit. Her long curly black hair hung loosely around her shoulders.

She had been attracting her share of attention for the last half hour as she stood leaning against the bar. A glass of Jack Daniels with diet coke was held loosely in her hands. The other women in the bar didn't compare to her.

Victoria Montesi noticed her the very second she walked into the bar. A soft whistle slipped through her lips. She had not expected the little messenger to be so breathtakingly beautiful, or so young. From the look of her she didn't look over the age of 18. Must have had a good fake to get in here, Vickie thought to herself.

There was no doubt in Victoria's mind that this was the girl she was supposed to meet with. The girl blended in with the locals as well as Victoria did in her light blue business suit.

Vickie didn't realize that she had been staring until the dark brown eyes of the girl met her own and widened in surprise and pleasure. Her lips broke into a smile as she said something over her shoulder to the bartender. Vickie made her way across the room as fast as she could without shoving people out of her way.

She was practically panting by the time she reached the girl's side. "Are you looking for me?" She spat out as the girl handed her a drink. A margarita by the looks of it. Whatever it was it made her feel even more out of place.

"Topaz."

"Huh?" Vickie had been momentarily distracted but brought her full attention back to the jailbait who had begun to walk towards a table on the edge of the dance floor.

"You'll have to learn to pay attention more closely Victoria Montesi. My name is Topaz."

Vicki stored the name in her head, knowing there would be now way she could forget this girl. Then the realization that she had just been lectured to by a teenager succeeded in pissing her off.

"I'm actually 24."

Vicki stopped in the act of sitting down. "Excuse me?"

"You asked how old I was. I'm 24."

Victoria's hand shot across the table and grabbed Topaz by the wrist. All her romantic thoughts aimed at this girl left her head. "I never asked you how old you were. You read my mind didn't you, you little bitch."

Topaz wrenched her arm out of the older woman's grasp. "I did not read your mind. I try not to enter the mind of a person who would easily take offense. Or are thinking thoughts that I might think are offensive. Although believe me, I'm flattered." Victoria got up to leave but Topaz restrained her. "You were broadcasting your thoughts loudly enough that I finally decided to answer your question. It won't happen again. Please sit down."

Vickie resumed her seat. She stared at the sugary drink in front of her and grimaced. She reached across the table and grabbed Topaz's Jack and Coke. In a few gulps it was gone and she slammed the empty glass on the table.

"Since I lack the convenience of being a mind reader, perhaps you can tell me what you want with me."

Topaz's gaze was momentarily distracted as two cowboys in tight wranglers walked by. She stared for a moment before giving a little shiver and a smile crossed her face. "Sorry, cowboys. Anyway, I don't want you for anything, but I do know an interested party who does."

Vicki gave a cool smile. "Aren't you just the little spy? Listen bitch, get on with it, I've got better places to be besides Hicksville."

Topaz gave another large grin and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "How have your powers been holding up? Any recent problems?"

"No...." It was then that Vicki began to piece together what was going on in Topaz's mind. "Dr. Strange sent you didn't he?"

"Not exactly-"

"What does that senile bastard want with me?"

"It's not Dr. Strange."

"Then who?"

Topaz wrote an address down on a napkin and threw it across the table. "Just be at that address in a week? Think you can handle that?"

Vicki stared at the address in frustration. "It's Strange's address! What the hell does he want with me?!"

Topaz's smile faded and became one of frustration. "Just be there! Shit! Do I have to explain everything?" The smile returned. "Care to join me?" She motioned towards the two cowboys who were shooting stray glances in the two women's direction.

Vicki followed her gaze and shook her head. "Not in this lifetime."

"Your loss." Topaz walked off to join the two men, a smile lit on her face as she animatedly joined their conversation. She didn't spare another thought on Vicki except for noting the way the other woman stuffed the address in her purse. Oh yea, Vicki would be there. Just one more and Topaz could take a much needed vacation. She hoped.

The sun shone brightly on the French villa. At the back of the Victorian styled house was a modern pool, it's crystal blue surface smooth and untouched except for the black-haired beauty that was cutting through the water slowly.

Lilith took a deep breath and sighed as she broke to the surface. Swimming always seemed to calm her. The cold water caressed her body as she rolled onto her back to stare up at the sun that could not harm her. She always smiled when she saw the sun because she knew that no one else like her could survive the exposure.

She also smiled over the fact that she was alive and of course that was always a reason to smile. It had taken patience and numerous spells but at last she had returned to her body and was living at peace in her French home.

That was until she saw the young girl standing on the edge of the pool watching her swim. Lilith stared at her for a moment. "You must be the stupidest person I've ever met. If your here to kill me I suggest you get on with it."

Topaz smiled and shook her head. "I'm not here to kill you, Lilith."

Lilith's eyes narrowed and then rolled with disgust as she began to swim towards the edge. "If you're here so that I can turn you into a vampire then I'm going to be very pissed off."

Another shake of the head. "That's not the reason either."

Something that looked suspiciously like curiosity flashed in Lilith's eyes. She climbed up the ladder and grabbed a towel off of her chair. The air was warm so she wrapped the towel around her hair rather than her body, which she was going to let air-dry. "What do you want then child? I must say that you've piqued my interest."

Topaz took what she hoped looked like a relaxed stance, arms crossed across her chest. Lilith's mind was a complete blank to her and it was causing her a little unease. She wasn't impervious to a vampire's bite but usually she got some sort of empathic reading from most vampires she met. It was unnerving to be unaware if she were about to become one of the undead.

"Since you've returned from the dead how have your powers been holding up?"

Lilith unwound the towel from her head and tried not to smile at the girl. Only the very edges of her lips curled upwards. "My powers are at their peak. I could use them all on you at any second and you'd be unable to stop me." She noticed how the girl gave an involuntary shiver. "Why do you ask?"

"My employer wishes to contract your services, and your presence."

This time a small laugh escaped her. "Are the Avengers so desperate that they are asking vampires to join them?"

"I'm not from the Avengers. My employer is a bit more magical rather than superhuman."

Lilith's eyes narrowed as she began to pay attention to the girl a bit more. "If you've come from Dr. Strange, you had better start running for the door now."

Topaz resisted the urge and continued on. "It's not Dr. Strange." She held out a trembling hand. In it she held a small business card. "Please be at this address in two days. Everything will be explained to you."

Lilith took the card and regarded it slowly. The name scrolled across it was most definitely not Dr. Strange's, although the address was. "You're sure that she sent you to get me?"

"I would not have wasted your time if I wasn't told specifically to get you." What she really wanted to say was that she wouldn't have come within five miles of this place unless she was told to.

"Very well. You tell your employer to expect me to meet with her at this appointed time." Her face broke out into another smile. "You can leave now, I wouldn't want to keep you from any of your other appointments."

Topaz nodded and walked towards the door. She tried to maintain her breathing and walk at a leisurely pace but when she heard the laughter behind her the fear reflex kicked in. Lilith's grounds were large and covered several miles in diameter. Her house was in the very middle. Topaz had never run so fast in her life. When she reached her car she didn't even wait for the door to close before she was screaming at the driver to drive as fast as he could. Away from the house and most importantly, away from Lilith Drake, the daughter of Dracula.

What had once been a school was now a ramshackle husk. The fire had succeeded in destroying the inner guts of the building. Over the past few years the walls had begun to crumble and fall in on themselves. Only one wall remained strong enough to stand on it's own. Teenagers had held parties there and placed layers and layers of graffiti on it's cracked hull.

Tonight, teenagers were not in attendance for fun and games. 17 cars were formed in a semicircle, their headlights shinning off the cement. The building was surrounded by trees, making the headlights virtually undetectable from the main highway only a mile away.

Two weeks ago, Liz McConel would have told you that she was the luckiest girl in the world. She had earned a 4.0, been elected secretary of her sorority, received 4 scholarships, and was dating the guy of her dreams. Two hours ago, everything had changed. Her boyfriend had agreed to take her to the local museum to see a special Revolutionary War exhibit.

They had never made it to the museum.

A hand had reached from the darkened backseat as she got into the car. The world had tipped on end and darkness encompassed her site. Two minutes ago however, Liz had opened her eyes in a dreary haze. The situation and the pain she was in quickly assaulted her senses and she squeezed her eyes closed again, praying it would all be over soon.

She was lying on an old football field from the looks of the space. Her boyfriend Carl was slamming himself into her, twisting her nipples to a painful degree. Two other boys she didn't recognize were tying ropes to her wrists and ankles.

She opened her eyes again but turned away from the sweating Carl. There was a girl a few yards away from her that seemed to be in the same situation. She however was faced towards the ground and was unable to see the orgasmic glee on the face of her rapist. He kept yelling Kelly so Liz assumed that was her name. The two girl's eyes met and Liz could see the pain and humiliation she felt mirrored in Kelly's eyes.

Carl had finally finished and removed himself from her. He stood up and zipped his fly, glaring down at her. He slapped her across the face, hard enough to draw blood. "That's for never fucking me you little whore. You put out for every other guy you ever dated but me. I'M YOUR BOYFRIEND! Your pussy belongs to me you fucking cunt!"

Tears were streaking down her face and all she could do was nod. He moved to kick her but a hand reached out to stop him. An older man wearing a dark blue cloak stood between her and Carl. "That is quite enough. Tie her up like the others."

Liz was stripped of what remained of her clothing and dragged by her wrists a few feet before finally being picked up and carried. She was tied up to the cement wall and stood like a sacrifice before the crowd of people that had gathered.

Kelly was tied up to her left and to the right was another young girl, this one couldn't have been over 15 years old. Liz could see blood and bruises on her legs and knew that she too had been raped.

Slowly the car headlights were turned off and large bonfires were lit in another semi-circle formation.

At first Liz thought that is was only men that surrounded her, but as the fires were lit, a few women's features were bathed with the firelight. They were staring at her with the same hatred and disgust as the men were. They were saying something to her and the other two girls, but she couldn't' quite catch what it was.

Suddenly sparks flew from the bonfires and the same man who had kept Carl from kicking her, stood in the middle. Rather than being relieved to see the man she felt a surge of trepidation. It wasn't so much that he had saved her from being kicked; it was that he had saved her for something else. She did not think it would be good.

He began walking towards the wall and stopped ten feet in front of her. He stared at Liz but was addressing all three. "I am Goodness. Your souls have been corrupted. My loyal servants have nominated the three of you for salvation." Cheers rose up from Goodness's loyal followers. He stared at the three women for a moment before speaking. "You have committed the worst sin, worshiping the dark lord. I find you guilty of witchcraft."

Liz stared at him as he spoke, only half listening to the words. He was a tall man, almost 7 feet by the looks of him. He spoke like a young man, but he appeared to be near fifty. His jet-black hair had tints of gray throughout it adding to his age. The dark midnight blue cloak he was wearing was trimmed with silver symbols and lettering and dragged behind him as he took a few steps towards Liz.

"What say you, Liz? Do you admit your sins and ask forgiveness?" Liz could not think of a response. Her only thought was focused on how much she hurt.

Goodness stared at her and nodded. Looking behind him he addressed the mass, "we have broken her." Liz could hear Carl cheering loudly.

The man moved towards Kelly and stopped in front of her. "What say you Kelly?"

Liz twisted her head in time to see Kelly spit in his face followed by a loud and resonant, "Fuck you." He wiped the spit from his face and then slapped Kelly across hers. Before anyone could react he had reached out and twisted her head to the left. Liz heard the sickening snap as Kelly's neck broke, killing her.

Goodness backtracked, passing Liz without giving her a second look. He stared at the younger girl intently with a mix of sympathy and disdain. "Jessica, what say you?"

A sob broke from Jessica's throat. She could barely talk she was so hysterical. He took a step closer to her and traced a finger along her cheek, leaning in closely. "All we want to do is help. Your mother brought you here so we could help you. Admit that you are wrong and you will live. Is that so hard?"

Bile rose in Liz's throat as she watched Goodness wedge himself firmly in between the younger girl's thighs. Jessica gave another loud sob. Somewhere Liz found her voice. "Step the fuck away from her asshole."

The crowd gave a collective gasp and turned their attention to Liz. They knew that she was in no position to issue any kind of an order. She knew she was in no position to issue orders. She was in no position to piss off whoever this man was. All she knew was that she had to protect Jessica.

Goodness stepped away from Jessica and started walking towards Liz. "That was a very stupid thing to do Liz." His eyes began to glow a sickening green and flared as he came closer to her. "I was ready to forgive you. Carl saw such potential in you, it's a shame really." He closed his hands on either side of her face.

And in that moment Liz knew she was dead. A small moment of peace settled over her but it was interrupted when the bonfires erupted into even larger explosions of flame.

Four women entered the semi-circle of fire. One of them was blonde with a ring of fire framing her hair. She stepped away from the other three women and pointed at Goodness. "Back away from her. Now."

Goodness released Liz and turned around to stare in amusement. "More witches." He took a few steps toward them and gave them a mocking bow. "What is your business here?"

Clea pointed towards the wall. "Let them go. I'll only ask once."

"I don't think that will be a possibility. Clea isn't it? I believe I've heard about you. You're Dr. Strange's whore, aren't you?"

While Goodness had been talking, the witch killers had closed ranks and were slowly approaching the four women. Boasting of having 50 members on the grounds, they expected to win this battle easily.

Clea had been aware of the approaching numbers and knew she had to time things to perfection. She turned her head slightly and whispered a plan softly under her breath. Vicki and Topaz tried to hide their surprise but Lilith just rolled her eyes. "Sure leave all the hard shit to the vampire. No loss if she gets butchered." Clea just turned back to glare at Goodness.

"I told you I'd only ask once."

He glared at her and made a small gesture with his hands. "I think I have a better idea." The mass of people surged forward to overwhelm the women but instead were knocked on their asses.

Sweat broke out on Topaz's face as she kept the crowd held back with a telekinetic barrier. "I've got about five seconds until this doesn't work anymore."

Lilith grinned, "Let me finish off these idiots. Go deal with the witches."

Vicki started running towards the wall, Topaz right behind her. Ten or so cult members tried to block their path but Vicki landed a few well placed kicks to knock them back. They reached Jessica first who was silently sobbing and was so hysterical she didn't realize what was happening. Vicki untied her and helped her down, slapping her a few times to calm her down. She took off the jacket she was wearing and draped it over Jessica's naked body.

"I need you to be strong for a few minutes more. Can you do that?" Tears were still pouring down Jessica's face but she nodded solemnly.

"You finished yet Vick?" Topaz had a telepathic wall thrown up to protect them as well as Liz. Several of the cult members had tried to break through trying to fight them or kill Liz before she could be saved. Topaz was shaking with the strength it took to keep the barrier up. Her mind was still trying to cope with all the hatred that the cult members were projecting. "We need to get to the other girl now!"

The three women ran the few feet to Liz and began to untie her. It was easier for Topaz to maintain the shield around the smaller area. It was the next little part that was going to be difficult.

Liz wasn't as upset as Jessica. She was just mad. Topaz handed her a long shirt to conceal her nudity. She accepted it gratefully and slipped it on. "We need your help with this next part." Liz nodded with understanding and accepted the gun Vicki placed in her hands. "Ever fire one of these?" She nodded again and tried not to role her eyes. "I'm from Idaho. What do you think?"

Topaz and Vicki both grinned and thanked their lucky stars that Liz was in a mental state where she could be helpful. Vicki patted her on the back and tilted her head in the direction of Jessica. "I need you to protect her. She can't defend herself right now but I have to protect Topaz. Can you do it?"

Another nod and Liz turned the safety off of the gun. "Got anymore rounds?" Vicki handed over several full magazines.

Liz grabbed Jessica's arm and held the gun at her side. Topaz started to run towards Kelly's dead body. Liz and Jessica were right behind her with Vicki taking up the rear. As they ran towards the end of the wall Vicki checked on the progress of Clea and Lilith.

Lilith was coated in blood. She had pulled out a wicked looking broadsword and was making short work of any cult members that dared to challenge her. Four had made eye contact with the vampire and were now fighting their fellow cult members under her hypnotic command. For some reason they kept attacking her even though they could only expect death at her hands. A few of the smarter ones had turned their attention away from Lilith and were focusing on the four women near the wall.

Topaz had untied Kelly's hands and legs and was slowly lowering her to the ground. She held up a shield as Vicki began to chant and repair the broken vertebra in her neck. She made eye contact with Topaz when she was finished and nodded. "Get to work, I'll keep you covered." She turned her back to Topaz and the corpse and stared with determination at the four cult members being held back by the telekinetic shield. She raised her gun waiting for Topaz to shift her concentration and lower the shield.

"Now!"

Four shots rang out and four cult members died. The shots drew the attention of a few more who made their way over to the wall. They had no weapons in which to defend themselves and died where they stood.

Topaz meanwhile had her eyes closed and her breathing became shallow. She was chanting softly under her breath. It was always difficult to find a spirit and return it to its body. Especially when many spirits were joining it in death. "Kelly!" Topaz could see the shadowy figures floating by. A few turned towards her but she held them back, knowing they were not meant for this body. Suddenly a girl began to approach her. "I'm Kelly. What do you want?"

"I get the question a lot," Topaz mumbled. "It's time for you to go back. I'm here to save you." She held out her hand and slowly Kelly took it. A smile playing across her face. "Good. This place sucks." In the next second she was gasping for air and trying to sit upright.

Topaz opened her eyes and glanced around. Vicki turned back to her as she fired a few more shots. "You've got her?"

"I've got her. Where is everyone?"

Liz still held the gun tightly. She had only fired one shot and killed the man who had been sneaking towards them along the wall. She was staring at the newly revived form of Kelly. "How'd you do that?"

"It's a gift." Topaz was exhausted but tried not to show it. She was glad the fight was ending because she could not hope to battle anyone in her state.

Lilith approached the group. Blood was dripping down her face and it covered her sword. Four of the cult members were following her, adoration upon their faces. "How'd we do?"

She jumped back in surprise as Liz let out a gut-wrenching scream and leapt at one of the zombies. Hatred was written across her face as she began to pummel the zombie figure that was once Carl.

Vicki moved to stop her but Lilith just shook her head. "No, let her get it out of her system. It will just fester if she doesn't let it out." It looked like Vicki was about to argue but then she noticed the battle that was still raging on the other side of the field. Lightning bolts were lighting up the sky as Clea used all the power she had against the evil man known only as Goodness.

At first, Goodness had thought that he could beat the sorceress. His master had given him unbelievable power and it was with unhidden glee that he began the fight.

Clea had transported from the circle to his side and then hit him with such a powerful bolt of energy that he had flown to the other side of the field. He had managed to get his force field up before she could hit him directly with another bolt. However, he soon came to realize that she was ready to destroy him if he faltered even once.

He had been unaware that his minions had fallen to the assault of the other three women. It was when he chanced a glance over in that direction and noticed that none of his followers were fighting and that there seemed to be a few cars missing from a few of them fleeing but there were also many corpses lying around, that he lost his concentration.

The bolt that Clea threw was not a large one but it had the force behind it to get the job done. She watched as Goodness screamed in agony as his body erupted into flames. He rolled around desperately but the magic behind the bolt would not let the flames be extinguished. Clea turned away as he was engulfed and his screams faded as his lungs were consumed by the flame.

Liz could not stop hitting the zombie like figure of Carl. Exhaustion had not set in yet and she turned to look up at Lilith. "Turn it off."

She looked back in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"The hypnotism or whatever it is that you are doing to him. Turn it off. Turn him back into Carl. If I'm going to kill him, I want to give him a fighting chance."

A flash of respect went across Lilith's face but it was gone just as quickly. She waved her hand across Carl's eyes and they went from a crystal haze to dark clarity. He was momentarily dazed as he came out of his hypnotic state. Liz turned her attention back to him and began to hit him again. She threw a few punches before he shoved her off him and got to his feet.

"What the hell are you doing bitch?" He stared at her in disgust.

Vicki took aim but Liz waved her hand. "Put it down. I don't need any help to get rid of this asshole."

Carl's face lit up in laughter. "Yea right. Your nothing but a little pussy. Fuckin' cunt. You didn't even fight me. You wanted it."

Liz momentarily saw red and couldn't remember anything that happened next. When her vision cleared there was a pile of ashes where Carl had once been.

Clea had reached the group, watching and feeling the power that radiated from Liz as she killed the man who had caused her such horror. Liz was shaking as Clea slowly approached her. "Liz, are you all right?"

She stared at Clea in helplessness. "I-I don't know what just happened."

"You killed the bastard," Lilith summed up.

Vicki hit Lilith's arm and shook her head, then turned to address Clea. "What do we do now? Send these girls home?"

"No!" Jessica finally spoke up but was shaking her head. "I don't want to go home."

Kelly nodded in agreement. She had taken a jacket from one of the corpses and was staring around in disgust. "I can't go home after all this. What if it happens again?"

Clea regarded the three girls who had been through so much in a short time. "I know of a place where you all can be safe. If you'll let me, I'll take you there."

Liz, Kelly, and Jessica stared at each other and then at Clea. Small smiles lit their faces. "As long as it's safe, we'll go." Liz spoke for the group.

The seven women began to walk out of the field. Vicki was supporting Topaz who was still weary from her exertions. Kelly and Liz were helping Jessica walk out as well. There was a small circle burnt into the ground off to the edge of the trees and Vicki stopped walking when they reached it.

Clea and Lilith were bringing up the rear talking softly.

"What are we going to do now Clea? Is that all you wanted out of us?"

Clea shook her head and gave a small sigh. "If only it were that simple. There are so many women and men all through the country whose very lives are in danger. I don't know what force is threatening them but I require your help until I find out. Will you stay?"

Lilith stopped walking just out of earshot from the other women. "Clea, I'm going to be honest with you. I was enjoying myself until your little messenger showed up. I may hate your boyfriend, but I'm beginning to think you're a little different. As long as you stay that way, I'll help you."

Clea nodded in agreement and moved towards the circle. Lilith followed and smiled at the other women for a moment. "Looks like your stuck with me."

They didn't get the chance to respond because Clea waved her hand to begin the transport. Sirens were heard in the distance but the only sound in the field was that of a small black Raven that flew over the corpses and disappeared into the night. The only witness to the beginning of a new war.

Yo. There it is. I hope you enjoyed it. Send me feedback because I love it. I just want to thank Chris Munn for asking me to write for this site and for letting me do this series instead of Moon Knight. (You're the bomb.) I also want to thank Mike McGee for actually giving a rats ass about this story. (You da man.) And I want to give a universal "Thank you" to both of them for being such good writers that I want to be as good as them.

And of course thanks to anyone who reads this because I like the characters and I'm pretty sure it's going to be a blast!

Also thanks to Carl for dumping my best friend and giving me inspiration to kill you in fan fiction. Bastard. Let that be a lesson to you!

-Megs

Next issue: So.... What the hell is this series even going to be about? The answer to that and more next issue. It's good though, I promise. Would I lie?