A bedroom. Dirty clothes are stacked nearly a foot high on the floor, trash either floating on the top or spilling out f the trash can in the corner. The bed is perfectly made and the objects on the table next to the bed are perfectly arranged.

RING

A man pulls himself from under the bed and blindly begins groping for the phone.

Man: What?

Nosferatu: Switch, come over here. I need your help.

Switch: Is this for you stupid "world domination" plan?

Nosferatu: Yes

Switch: No, you know I'm trying to get out of that whole "super villian" thing.

Nosferatu: You owe me, I could easily call the cops. Isn't there a reward for your capture?

Switch:...I'll be there in an hour.

He hangs up before Nosferatu can say anything else.

Rebecca: Did he agree to help?

Nosferatu: Of course he did. Now tell me where Cracker-Jack is?

Rebecca: He is currently being held in an asylum in New York.

Nosferatu: The states? Hmmm. We'll wait awhile before getting him then. Who else would be good...

Rebecca: If you are on good terms with Lucifer you might be able to convince him to lend you some of his minions. If you can gain an audience with him.

Nosferatu: Thanks. Now go make a cookie for yourself.

Organa had been tracking Nymph for months now, always just a step or two behind her. In their last battle Nymph let her next destination slip: the Crown Jewles of England. That was almost two days ago. Organa had informed the royality and they had secretly switched the jewles with fakes of exceptional quality. Organa then grew extra mass so that she appeared to be a man, a feminine man, and stood almost constantly with the increased guard.

[i]Where is she? Its never taken her this long to...[/i]

As if appearing on command a pink spectral figure walked through the wall.

Guards: Its her! Open fire!

Thirty guardsmen each empty their firearms into her. She giggles as the bullets pass through her and because of their richoet injure some of the guardsmen.

Nymph: All of you so deliciously afraid...except you.

She squints and stares at Organa. Then begins jumping up and down clapping.

Nymph: Organa! Are we going to play some more today?

Organa sheds her disguise only to grow layers of mass and tendrils, making sure to keep her "present" hidden.

Organa: Nymph I can't let you steal from these people. If you'll just come with me I can get you the help you'll need.

Nymph: No, they'll just lock me up and keep me from having fun! Give it up you can't catch me, no one can.

Nymph begins floating towards the crown jewles. Organa pulls her "present" out: a small teddy bear.

Organa: Mr. Snuggles wants you to come with me, isn't that right Mr. Snuggles.

Nymph's eyes widen at the sight of Mr. Snuggles who had fallen out of her purse during her last encounter with Organa.

Mr.Snuggles(Organa in a high pitched voice): Organa want to help you. Listen to her, she is nice.

Sadly that isn't what Nymph hears. As soon as Mr. Snuggles appears she hears(in a voice similar to Organa's): Help! She is a bad, bad woman. She hurted me.

Nymph: LET GO OF MR.SNUGGLES!!!!

Nymph lunges at Organa turning tangible. Organa, anticipating this, covers Mr. Snuggles in layers of her mass, and begins shedding and replacing every layer that Nymph touches.

Nymph: Give him back!! Give him back!!

Organa wraps Nymph in her tendrils and detatches them before being effected by Nymph's power. Nymph begins crying.

Nymph: I want Mr. Snuggles back.*sniff*

Organa: You'll get him back, once you get some help. I know some people who will help you...

Nymph: NO! I know what they do; its not help. All I want is Mr. Snuggles back.

Organa pulls Mr. Sunggles out.

Mr. Snuggles(Organa's high pitched voice): If she gives me back to you will you go with her?

Again Nymph hears something different: Just say "yes."

Nymph: Yes.

Organa places Mr.Snuggles into Nymph's hands, being careful not to make any skin to skin contact. Nymph smiles as she become intangible.

Nymph: I lied.

She runs and grabs the Crown Jewels. the leaves.

Organa falls to the ground, Nymph had played her by doing everything how she had expected, but she had played Nymph too. She had gone to the Reformers with Mr. Snuggles and had them put a homing device into him. She reached for the communication card they had lent her.

Organa: Math Devil, can you read me?

Math Devil: Organa? I read you.

Organa: Is the homing device working?

Switch: You mean SHE is step one?

Nosferatu: Yes, she is. Impressed?

Switch falls into a near by chair.

Switch: This crazy comic book plan might just work.

Nosferatu: Wait, it gets better. She tells me I need a number of people helping me. Which should we gather first: an Unseen or some of Lucifer's minions?

Switch: You know how I feel about the Unseen...

Nosferatu: Fine, I'll need about 3 pints of your blood then.

Switch: What?!

Switch: The ceremony required to summon Lucifer requires blood of a human, and look around how many human do you see here? I'm a vampire and she...well I'm not entirely sure what she is now, but it certantly isn't human. Here is a pitcher and a knife, take your time.

Captian Infinity stood above the recruits. From what he had seen so far some, like Thresher and Death Defier, showed promise others, like Pig-Lard, made him wonder. The number of those with promise made him whish he could add places onto the list to accomidate everyone. Over 200 people showed up to try out for the four spots on the Reformers Reserves list. We told four people and 200 show up? Word must travel quickly.

Captian Inifinty: Its time to seperate the winners from the losers, follow me to the training field.

He led them to a large field, several obsticals could be seen, but those were the least of its dangers. He sighed, it wasn't as good as the training room in the Reformers base, but it would do for them. Captian Infinity turned it to its maximum non-lethal setting.

Captian Infinity: Meet me to the other side.

Nosferatu: Done already?

Switch rubbed his arm where just moments ago a large gash had been.

Switch: Yeah I'm fine, thanks. You might want to check on step one, she doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Nosferatu: Oh, her? Don't worry, she heals when I tell her too or when her wounds become fatal. Rebecca heal youself, we can't have you looking horrible when the Prince of Darkness comes, now can we? Both of you clean yourselves up while I begin the ceremony.

A small church in Maryland. While the resident priest prepares for tomorrows service a man prays in the back row. Suddenly the man falls to the floor and begins having convulsions. The priest rushes to his aid, but by the time he reaches the man he is fine.

Priest: What happened? Do you need an ambulance?

Man: No I'm fine.

For the next thirty minutes the man again and again refuses the priest's aid, but eventually he leaves.

Man: Father, help me. Lucifer and his minions walk in Eurpope, and I have no way to get there.

A strong wind blows a piece of paper into the man's face. He pulls it away to see an airline ticket to Paris.

Man: Thank you, Father.

As Nosferatu finished the last word of the incantation he extinguised the 5 candles with Switch's blood then pours the rest onto the ground. For a moment nothing happens, then from the puddle of blood misty shapes begin emerging. As time goes on the shapes become more solid, and more demonic looking. Soon every inch of his wall is covered in such forms, their insane laughter drowning out all other noise. Then the blood begins taking the form of a man and rising off of the ground. When the "man" stands over seven feet tall the blood flies off of him and onto the walls. The laughter stops, replaced by a low moaning. Switch passes out.

Lucifer: Your pronounciation was so bad I almost didn't come. What do you want, and what will you offer me?

Nosferatu: I require the assistance of one or two of your demons. If successful I will give you half the world's souls

Lucifer: And when...IF you fail?

Nosferatu: You know what I have, what do you want?

Lucifer: Hmmm...Your soul is too black to serve any purpose. You fail, and never again will you be able to summon any creature not native to you planet, and your magic abilities will decrease.

Nosferatu: Agreed

Lucifer grabbed Nosferatu's arm and cut him all the way to the elbow. He spooned out some of the blood and dropped it onto the ground. Where the drops fell a pillar of flamesappeared.

Lucifer: Morning Star, Condor, meet the man who will temporarilly act as your master. Serve him well or suffer my anger on your return.

With that Lucifer and the shadows disappeared, the pillars of fire were replaced with two large demonic beings

Nosferatu: Now I need 2.1 million dollars...

Cigerette smoke and music both drift from the door of a bar on the outskirts of Rome. Nosferatu has left his allies to complete their tasks so that he can once again seek out the man known to him as "Hans."

Man: Mr. Johnson? Back so soon?

Nosferatu smiles.

Nosferatu: Hans, just the man I was looking for. Can we talk...in private?

Hans leads Nosferatu into a secluded room in the back, making sure to lock the door behind them.

Hans: Who do you need our invisible friends to visit this time?

Nosferatu: I'm afraid I need something a little more than just an assassination. You see I have this plan...

Nosferatu continues, carefully choosing his words and keeping the details as sparse as possible. Hans only smiles, nodding his head at certain points.

Hans: World domination huh? As always our friends will be willing to comply, for a price. Wait here, I need to consult with those above me, but I'm sure we can work something out.

Nosferatu: One last thing, I want the same one I had last time.

Hans: Yes, everyone does develope an attachment to their first one, I'll also see if he is avaliable.

Adam Cox sighed as he looked at the clock. 45 minutes and I've only moved 10 feet? Are all the tellers retarded or does everyone else have much larger paychecks than me He began tapping his foot. He began wishing for something, anything to happen, he immediately regretted his wish. A large chunk of the wall went flying into the bank, three employees weren't lucky enough to dodge it. A large man with the wings of a bird stepped through the opening. A security guard jumped up and fired several shots at Condor. The one that hits him appears to do nothing. Beams from Condor's eyes cause the man to explode.

Condor: I am Condor. I have been instructed to make this as easy on all of you as possible, no one tries to stop me, no on gets hurt. Where is that safe?

A teller point to the large door to the right. Condor walks into the safe and begins grabbing the money and putting it into a large bag.

Most of the people in the bank took the oppertunity of his back being turned to flee, but Alex slowly crept to the safe. With all his strength he slammed the door shut and discharged massive amounts of solar energy through it. I hope that at least stunned him, cause thats all I have for right now... Only his enhanced reaction time saved him when the safe door flew off its hinges to reveal Condor, most of his clothes ashes on his skin with several nasty looking burns and his money sack still in almost perfect condition, and many MANY piles of smoldering money.

Condor: I give you the chance to save yourself, and you assault me? Die!!

The beams surge towards Intrepid, but he manages to dodge each of them. Intrepid tried to kick Condor, but it was like hitting a brick wall, he was luck he hadn't broken his foot. Thus a stalemate was reached, Condor couldn't hit Intrepid, but nothing Intrepid could do, at this point, would hurt Condor. The battle would have gone on for several more hours, but it was interupted. A blast of energy tore through the ceiling and struck Condor. Condor was pushed deep underground, debris covered the hole. The man made a set of stairs from light and enterd the bank.

Alex: Thanks for the assist.

Avenger: No problem, but I doubt its over. Who is this guy?

Alex: Called himself Condor, has enough strength to tear a safe door off its hinges and throw it across the room.

Avenger: Look out!!

Condor lept from the hole and shot his deadly beams at Alex. Alex was too surprised to do anything, but Avenger made a shield that blocked the blast. Having both a shield of solar energy so close to him and a "skylight" re powered Alex and both he and Avenger shot Condor with their most powerful energy beams. They could hear and smell Condor's flesh burning.

Condor: You win this day, but we shall meet again, and then I will be victorious!!!

For a moment Avenger and Alex stand looking at each other, then they hear the police pull up.

Alex: A little late aren't they?

Avenger: They usually are. Go stand in the corner, I'll hide you from their sight and when they're gone you can go get your equiptment. That is if I'm right about your powers, why you were fighting him and if you want to help me.

Alex walked to the corner.

Hans returned to the room. His face looked less than happy.

Hans: I have good news and bad news.

Nosferatu: Bad first...

Hans: The Unseen you request is a sort of a free agent at the moment, he'll be negotiating the details of price with you personally. From what I was told he will ask about four times what you would otherwise be charged.

Nosferatu: And the good?

Hans: Due to you being a repeat customer, and the difficulties your prefference is causing should you decide to use him we will throw in another Unseen for free.

Nosferatu's cell phone rang.

Nosferatu: One second please. What?

Rebecca: All of the bank robberies were successful, but...

Nosferatu: I don't care about the "buts" how much?

Rebecca: Close to 21 million. But I really...

Nosferatu: Good, and what did I say about the "buts"?

He hung up before she could answer.

Nosferatu: Four times the normal amount? Fine set up a meeting with him.

Hans: I don't have to...

Behind Hans a man suddenly appeared.

Hans: Mr. Johnson I believe you remember Pyrus.

Pyrus: I want 17 million.

Nosferatu: That is quite a bit more than 4 times the amount, but I will pay it.

Hans looked shocked at how he was just throwing money around, even the Unseen's body motions seemed to convey some amount of shock.

Nosferatu’s lair is only luminated by soft candle light. Rebecca, Condor, Morningstar and Switch work in silence, even the slightest noise might disturb their "master’s" mother, and lead to questions they would prefer not to answer. Earlier Condor, Morningstar and Switch all went out and robbed banks. Each had been instructed to keep the numbers of injuries and casualties as low as possible. Morningstar did the best, the only injuries anyone from his bank received were sprained ankles received while running. Condor only had one causality, but due to heroic interference brought in the least amount of money. Switch brought in the most money, but judging from the number of bullet holes in his clothes several dozens of innocent people received his wounds. Twenty one million dollars, and seventeen of it going to an Unseen. Both Rebecca and Switch didn’t like that they were being brought into this thing. They had already loaded up two suitcases and were now filling an duffel bag.

Rebecca:*whispering* Ok thats seventeen.

She picked up the suitcases and Morningstar, assuming the shape of a man, grabbed the duffel bag. The two of them then left the basement using the storm doors. Rebecca, though she wanted nothing more than to run, pulled out a cell phone and as soon as the other end picked up said "We’re ready." A portal opened infront of them and stepping through brought them to a murky room, judging from the smell they were near a bar. Nosferatu, looking oddly weak, sat an one end of the table, three men sat at the other. Rebecca didn’t recognize one of the men, but the two to either side were obviously Unseen.

Nosferatu: Do you trust me, Hans, or should she count it out for you?

Captain Infinity was impressed at how the recruits were doing. Many of them knew this course was too much for them and joined together. If only they would decide to stay together as a team the Reformers wouldn’t be so busy and the world would be a better place. He had to take back his doubts about Pig-Lard. Despite his grotesque appearance, and horrible manners he just plowed through the entire course, slowed only by the flame throwers. Several hundred started the course, less than 30 were left.

Captain Infinity: I’m turning up the danger level. It is lethal now, but this is a line of work where you will be putting your life on the line for people who will distrust, maybe even hate, you as much as those you fight. Now you don’t have to worry about dying, instead of a fatal attack you will be teleported to an infirmary. I’ll see the survivors on the other side.

Captain Infinity flew into a air for the better view.

Organa: Captain?

CI: Organa? Good to see you here. How goes the hunt for Nymph?

Organa had used her bio-mass to grow bat wings and seeing Captain Infinity in the air decided to stop and talk to him.

Organa: Math Devil hasn’t told you?

CI: No, I’ve been out here all day.

Organa: What’s going on?

CI: Reserves try-outs. You interested?

Organa: How many times have you asked me that?

CI: Well another wouldn’t hurt no would it? Anyway what does Math Devil know that I don’t

Organa: The homing device doesn’t work while she is intangible, so I was heading to Reformers HQ to wait. I figured at least then I could use the teleporter to get close to her rather than fly

from my location to hers.

CI: Hm. Good plan. I really need to thank you for taking on her case. How is it that you are immune to her power?

Organa: No, I am effected by her power. It started alittle over six months ago...

I was in the mall trying to relax when she ran out of a jewelry shop. The shop owner started screaming about being robbed. Not thinking she had any powers I just tried tackling her, but I passed right through her. Several others tried the same thing, she giggled as each of us slammed into the ground. Though the exit was less than 100ft away she didn’t try to get away, she seemed to be having too much fun watching us hurt ourselves. I didn’t like being the object of anyone’s ridicule, and seeing her enjoy other’s pain brought me over the edge. I massed up the full extent of my powers. Her eyes went wide, not with terror like so many others who witness my transformation, but with joy. She started talking, I wasn’t really paying attention, but I sounded like Some psychological garbage about why someone would want to be a superhero. I tried a direct assault again. A punch to the jaw sent her into the Sears. I however dropped to the ground at almost the instant of contact, my bio mass still standing. Captain, I won’t lie to you, the next few hours I was the happiest woman on the face of the planet; to this day I have dreams about feeling that good again. When I awoke I was in a hospital made with people like us specifically. Life seemed so dull then that I actually considered suicide. Thats when you showed up. You told me I was the only person to touch her and survive. Then you handed me every scrap of information you had on her and asked for my help in capturing her. Her story broke my heart, I get alittle broken up just thinking about it. I decided to do everything in my power to help her. For days I stayed in that hospital trying to figure out how to capture someone I couldn’t touch. Then, entirely by accident, I heard my answer. My roomate was watching a documentary on lions and I heard that a lion’s mane acts like armor because it has weak roots so that should something bite at its neck only hair would be pulled away. I decided to try creating my bio-mass in such a way that it would peel away from me at the slightest touch. It took days to develop the technique, but eventually I made it work. It isn’t perfect, I still sometimes her touch’s effects, but it is better than nothing.

CI: Amazing. We could really use you with the Reformers...

Organa: Captain!

Song dodged and ducked as best she could, though she was faster than her opponent her lack of experience kept her from doing any real damage. The Smashing Pumpkins sang, drowning

out the entire sound of battle. They didn’t provide the power-up that Backstreet Boys did, but it should be enough. Something inside her clicked and she blocked both an attack aimed at her head and her thighs at the same time. Just yesterday I couldn’t even block one, now I block two? She continued to block for all of two more attacks, then a strong knee brought her down.

Song: Ugh...I though you said you would take it easy.

Sarah: I’m sorry, I just thought with the way you were blocking my attacks that you were getting the hang of it. I didn’t hurt you did I?

Sarah’s voice dripped with concern and an almost motherly love, something usually absent from her voice.

Song: No, I’m fine. I wouldn’t have even been phased had I been listening to a better group.

Sarah: You don’t need a better group, the whole "powers increase with the more you like the music you hear" part of you power is probably psychological. Besides I wouldn’t be able to phase you with causing serious harm if you listened to your favorite.

Song stayed on the ground for a little while. Psychological? Maybe she is right, since training began the Pumpkins do seem to pump me up a little more... Song streched her neck some and stood up again.

Song: Lets go again.

Deep in the Alps lies a valley that human eyes have seen maybe three times in the history of humanity. At the heart of that valley lies the Golem. Its travel to this place had taken several decades. By our standards of time years had passed, but to it only days had seemed to pass. It felt the "Urge." Evil stirs in mans world. It turned and began walking towards Paris.

Rebecca: 16,999,800...16,999,900...17,000,000. Its all there.

Her fingers were bloody from counting all the money.

Hans: I guess they're all yours. Pyrus you already know, the other just call "Unseen." I hope they do as well as you hope.

Hans left the room, making sure to close it as he left. Nosferatu wrote his address on a napkin.

Nosferatu: I have no doubt you want to take your money somewhere safe. Do so then meet me here. You on the other hand follow me.

Nosferatu spoke an incantation and make a hand gesture. A portal opened, and he appeared to grow weaker. He motioned Rebecca, Morningstar and the Unseen through it. Before he joind them on the other side he turned and said "Should you not show in 2 days both my people and the Unseen will be hunting you."

Pyrus had hoped such a high price would have discouraged the man from hiring him. And that woman, Rebecca Freehold? So close to escaping the Unseen than he gets pulled right back in. He looked at the address and sighed.

Nosferatu: Rebecca, tell me where the Ring of Trewim is located. I believe tonight we will claim that item.

Rebecca: But you need nine...

Nosferatu: Shh! I feel that fate has ordained my victory. But I feel I must keep the ball rolling, no sense in slowing or stopping when so much is going my way, now is there? Like bath bubbles to the drain the others will find their way to me. Now about the ring?

Over the next thirty minutes Rebecca told Nosferatu everything about both the ring, its location and the type of security used to guard it. Anything she tried to withold was brought out with the next question.

Nosferatu: So they only have humans guarding it? Are there any of heroic nature near by?

Rebecca: At this moment, no. But the future is vague, it seems most likely that there will be some there.

Nosferatu has some options; storm in guns blazing, or rely on stealth. Each had its advantages and disadvantages. Storming in meant getting it soon, but it also meant their appearence on the news, public exposure he dreaded at this point. Stealth kept his plans secret from the public, but those hero types are usually more perceptive about people trying to sneak around. If the general public knew about this he would be in trouble, the superhero community on the other hand was just as dangerous, but had less numbers.

Nosferatu: Morningstar and the Unseens will get it for us.

He waved his hand and a dome appeared around him and those he mentioned. While those outside of the dome saw that he and morningstar talked, they heard nothing. Morningstar and Nosferatu seemed to have an argument of sorts before Nosferatu opened a portal for them. Morningstar teleported himself. Rebecca prepared herself, opening portals expened great energy and he would soon use her blood to "refuel."

Song's training increased rapidly. Though she used her powers to increase her speed and strength beyond her trainer's when she started she hadn't been able to last a minute against an unarmed Sarah Freehold, now just days later she was lasting almost ten minutes against Sarah armed with a dagger. She smiled as she blocked low and attacked high. To her surprise her attack hit. Sarah's face streched with the blow. Song realized her small victory was meaningless, though her opponent would most likely have been KO'ed by such an attack Sarah had let herself be hit. While Song worried about hitting her, Sarah struck at the walkman. Song alreadt felt herself weakening.

Song: You tricked me...

Sarah: So? You think any opponent you fight will play fair? You parade around with that walkman expecting it not to get attacked? Be serious.

There was an edge and anger to Sarah's voice that frightened Song. Sarah had always behaved so much like a nice older sister, this just wasn't like her.

Sarah: I'm sorry about the Walkman, lets go get you a new one. Less bulky this time, the last one was too big a target.

The edge disappeared from her voice, remplaced once again with the warmth and love Song was used to hearing. The suddeness of the transformation firghtened Song.

Avenger waited on the fire escape outside the apartment of Adam Cox in London.

Avenger: So, whats your name?

Adam:*from inside* Ad...Intrepid.

Intrepid joined avenger outside.

Intrepid: So now what?

Avenger: He said there would be a next time. I'm guessing that means that he is working for someone with a big plan of some sort. People like that like to keep the ball rolling, so to speak. We wait, they'll do something soon enough.

Morningstar hated assuming human form, it made him feel so dirty. How dare that mortal command me as though he were my equal! Lucifer himself treats me with more respect than that man. As soon as my lord allows it I will slay that one, slowly. Morningstar couldn't see his partners, but he could feel the two emotional absenses next to him. They reached their target, a gem shop near the heart of London. Morningstar slowly appeared to look at several of the trinkets, but he knew where the one he wanted was, and judgeing by the two emotional absenses near it they were waiting. The plan was that while he caused a distraction one would lift the glass, the other would grab the ring and they would be gone.

Morningstar: Excuse me, how much is this one.

Sarah took Song to a store in London, and she picked out the smallest walkman, and the smallest set of headphones. The way the two of them were talking and laughing caused the cashier to mistake them for family. When they were getting back into Sarah's car Sarah began stareing at a gem shop.

Sarah: You got your Backstreet Boys with you? Put it in and set it to loop. Follow me.

Intrepid and Avenger both stood on his fire escape, each still unsure as to what to do, neither usually worked as a team. Avenger looked as though he was asleep, Intrepid stared off into space. A commotion in the street below cause both the heroes to jump and stare below. Two women were running into traffic trying to get into a jewlery shop. Intrepid recognized one from a news report he had seen.

Intrepid: Hey, that one in the front...isn't that Sarah Freehold?

Avenger made a ramp of light

Avenger: Come on, if she is in that much of a rush some Unseen must be near by.

Intrepid: Unseen?

According to plan Morningstar began screaming about how outrageous the prices were, everyone's eyes were glued to him. No one even noticed the bell clanging as the door opened. Morningstar found himself knocked down as a woman ran towards where the Unseen were. He noticed her legs streched abnormally.

Morningstar: A hero, we've been found out!

Whether or not they heard his warning, each of the Unseen was ready for her. Spikes grew out of her flesh and she bagan tyring to impale each of them. Each dodged or blocked her attacks and simulataniously attacks with a double spin kick to her head. She staggers, but doesn't go down.

Song: Get out! All of you. Someone call the cops, or the army or something.

Morningstar: Enough of this ruse!

He assumes his demonic form.

Morningstar: You should not have interfered. Now you must die!

Song froze. Though BSB played so loud she could hear what the monster said, his intent was clear. She knew she had the training, she just didn't have the killer instinct Sarah had. Maybe if she was hit first then she could bring herself to attack.

Intrepid dashed through the door straight into Morningstar the force pushed Morningstar through the wall behind him.

Intrepid: Not today demon!

Light shone through the hole signaling that Avenger was handling Morningstar. Intrepid rushed to where Song was.

Intrepid: Get out of here, this is no place for people with powers, maybe not even much of a place for those with...powers?

He touched her shoulder to try and turn her, or get her motion started only to feel instead of soft human flesh, a hard dense muscle structure.

Intrepid: Ok, stay then, we might need the help.

Intrepid turned and saw Sarah Freehold fighting air?

Avenger: Intrepid, I could use some help here.

Song stared at where Sarah stood, stunned both by the sight of seeming nothingness striking her and the savageness her friend displays. Something was wrong, Sarah's attention no longer seemed split, now she focused only to her left. Song fell to the ground, thanks to an invisible backhand. As she got up she saw a man dressed only in black standing above her. He tried to smash her head with his foot, but she rolled out of the way, turning her roll into a sweep that left him on the ground. He twitched while on the ground and got up, his eyes seemed different somehow...

Sarah and the Unseen were evenly matched, but that would only be temporary, he would tire, she would not. He had to take this fight to a place where he had more room. With one hand and his leg he blocked several attacks and the from the other a jet if fire destroyed the wall behind him. He heard the screams of those below as flaming rocks fell on them. He then jumped out of both an attack from Sarah and the building then he rode a pocket of hot air to the roof top. Sarah stepped out and began looking for where he had gone to, but by cancelling his Unnoticed ability he prevented her from seeing him at the cost of being seen by everyone else. He dropped from above and put her into a head lock, he was twisting her neck trying to break it. He heard the sweet sound of bones snapping, but her body never went limp.

Sarah: Coward! Face me! I will avenge my mother!

The Unseen put his mouth close to her ear and whispered: I'm the one who killed her.

Almost immediately he regretted saying that. Her body folded in on itself and began squeezing the life out of him.

One chance, never tried this before. Solid flames....

Creating solid flame was exhausting, creating it where he couldn't see only made it worse. He filled several of her bones with solid flame and felt her grip loosening. He created a geyser of flame around himself. Sarah was launched into the air, no one saw where, of if, she fell to the ground. The Unseen could only fight exhaustion for so long before he passed out, the ring which cancelled his power fell off his finger.

Between Avenger and Intrepid Morningstar was having a hard time. Each possesed will power capable of resisting his emotional control, and the fact that their powers were both sunlight based, and thus neither lost energy because he was so close to his allies attack didn't help either.

Morningstar: Hey in there you have the ring?

Voice: Yes!

Morningstar: Good!

Morningstar smiles as he teleported to Nosferatu's lair.

Intrepid: Another coward?

Avenger: Inside quick!

Song valiently struggles against what appears to be nothing, but her inexperience keeps her from doing the serious damage she should be doing to her opponent.

Song: Wanna help me? He seems to be getting *uhg* stronger...

Avenger and Intrepid both leap at the Unseen, but both collide with Morningstar's chest.

Morningstar: He is sending a portal for you. Where is your friend?

Unseen: Don't know, don't care.

Morningstar searches the battlefield, but finds no trace of the other Unseen. He turns as the portal closes and the heroes all look at him.

Morningstar: Good-bye, we will meet again.

Before any of them can even take one step he disappears.

Intrepid: Again?

Song dropps to the ground, both from exhaustion and grief, she saw Sarah's body go flying into the air. Avenger stares at where Morningstar had once stood.

Nosferatu's lair. Nosferatu sits in a throne like chair, the arm rests partially broken when he gripped them in his rage. The Unseen who returned and Morningstar stand infront of him, recieveing the full force of his fury.

Nosferatu: YOU DID WHAT?!! I send you out with a small task: sneak into a store steal a tiny ring. Should be simple for two "masters of stealth" and a minion of Hell. Is it? Obviously not! Two ****ing walls broken, glass broken, or warped from heat in over 30 meters in all directions, asphault broken, cars smashed, more than 200 injuries and alteast 27 casualties. I wanted low profile, and you ****ing make the 6 o'clock news in how many countries Rebecca?

Rebecca: Five.

Nosferatu: Five ****ing countries! More before this day is through. Did you atleast get the ring?

The Unseen stepped forward and handed Nosferatu the ring. Nosferatu looked closely at the ring turning it time and time again inspecting it from every angle. His rage subsided.

Nosferatu: It appears you can do something right. Where is the other one?

Morningstar: When I returned to tell them of the portal I couldn't find him, or the woman he had been fighting.

The rage returned.

Nosferatu: Seventeen million dollars and he doesn't even survive ONE encounter! Never again. You are lucky I don't kill you now just on the principle of the thing. Why didn'y YOU search for him? Rebecca tell me of those who so easily handed my elite their asses.

Rebecca: Two warriors powered by solar energy, Intrepid and Avenger. Intrepid is new to this, but Avenger has connections to the high level people. Song was the younger inexperienceed woman, her powers increase depending on how much she likes whatever song she hears. And then...my daughter Sarah Freehold, an imortal with the ability to strech her body.

Nosferatu: How high level?

Rebecca: He is on good terms with the Reformers, and they can reach almost any superhero in the world.

Nosferatu: Time for a fasle alarm then. Quickly we have precious little time.

Adam Cox's apartment. Avenger and Intrepid had brought Song there. She was still in shock. She couldn't believe that Sarah was really gone. She sat on Adam's couch, not listening to anything. Intrepid and Avenger sat at his table.

Intrepid: Yeah, a demon was there, but it wasn't Condor. Maybe its just a coincidence?

Avenger: I doubt it. They could have stolen every diamond and gem in that store, but they only grabbed one.

Intrepid: It would make sense that the bank hiest was to pay for the Unseen, but what would the ring be used for. What do we do now, wait more?

Avenger: No, its time we take more decisive action. Mind if I make a long distance phone call?

Captian Infinity was descending to congratulate the last survivors, Death Defier, Thresher and Pig-Lard, when his Reformers alarm went off.

CI: Organa, keep them here, I'll be back as soon as possible.

Organa landed and tried explaining the situation to the three men, none were happy with it, but they all decided to wait for awhile.

Captian Infinity sped towards base, the familiar red glow shoed the long range sensors reading his retnia and opening the door before he crashed into it. He flew directly to the communications room.

CI: Whats going on?

Math Devil: Incoming distress signal from deep space. Its authentic, but so scrambled we can't trace its point of origin. We do know that its only a malfunctioning reactor; very dangerous, but very slow.

CI: Ok, lets go.

Captian Infinity began running towards the Reformers space craft, but none of the others moved.

Math Devil: You can't go. You drew the short straw; you have to stay and train the reserves.

Captian Infinity: Fine, but report in with me when you get there.

Math Devil: Will do. Come on Reformers.

Captian Infinity remained by the launch pad as the shuttle entered orbit. Why did I have to agree to drawing straws to train the recruits?

Captian Infinity barely heard the phone ring from the launch pad. Few people had the number to this phone, so it was probably important.

CI: Hello?

Avenger: Captian Infinity? I think we have a problem in Paris.

Over the next few minutes Avenger explains what has happened to him, Intrepid, Song and Sarah and answers Captian Infinity's question as best as possible.

CI: You were right to try calling in the Reformers, however, I'm the only one currently on the planet. The others were called away on a deep space emergency.

Avenger: Can you call in some of the reserves?

CI: I know I can get three, maybe four people to help. I'll try the others though. Well be at your location in a day or two.

Two hours later...

Captian Infinity was more almost finished with the list of reserves, and he had only been able to recruit Nutzoid. Three names left: Landslyde, Eternal and Ohm. He tried Landslyde first. Lanbdslyde appeared in the moniter, the background revealed that he was a desert somewhere.

Landslyde: Captian? You need something?

CI: We have a little trouble in Paris. Can you help out?

Landslyde: I'd love to Captian. I'll be there in a couple of days.

CI: Thanks, see you there.

Now for Eternal. Eternal appeared in the moniter, the area behind him appeared to be that of an old castle. Eternal had sweat dripping down his face.

Eternal: Not the best time Captian.

CI: Sorry for disturbing you Colin, but there is a problem in Paris...

Eternal: I'll do what I can, but Osiris is giving me a...

A white blast destroyed the communication card and ended their conversation. Captian Infinity couldn't help but laugh alittle; even though he was fighting his most dangerous foe Eternal still answered the Reformers call. His good mood ended as he forced himself to see the situation in another light: someone with some agenda and powerful allies was operating in Paris, and they had no idea, who he, or she, is or what the plan is. And so far he had only gathered two people to help. He didn't even get to speak with Ohm. He tried contacting him twice, but Ohm never responded.

Death Valley. The earth moved like water under Landslyde's mental influence, and he moved like a surfer over its surface. He was tired from the intense training he had been doing, but he just couldn't say no to Captian Infinity after all they had been through. A sound caused him and the wave of earth he rode to grind to a halt. The sound of spurs?

Sound of Apocalypse: ...3

The earth beneath Landslyde was reduced to powder, but another rose to cushion his impact.

Landslyde: You? Here? How?

Eternal winced as a magic blast seared off his hand and destroyed the communication card at the same time.

Osiris: I could understand talking with friends while fighting mortals and demons, but I believe a fellow Immortal deserves you full attention. And now that I have it how about telling me how you got here?

Eternal: You mean you didn't bring me here?

Nosferatu sat exhausted in his chair.

Nosfetatu: Rebecca, I hunger.

She came to him and placed her bare neck directly infront of his mouth, he almost drank her dry.

Nosferatu: Ahhh...much better. Heal yourself and tell me where Metallion is.

As Rebecca spoke the color returned to her face.

Rebecca: He is in a high security prison more than three miles below the earths surface.

Nosferatu: Hmm...

He draws a circle of chalk around himself and begins chanting. Within five minutes his chanting slowed, and then stopped.

Switch: What is he doing?

Morningstar: Traveling to someplace in spirit form. He'll not be able to preform any non-ceremonial magic for a while afterwards, but he won't be physically drained afterwards.

Condor: More waiting? I remeber a time I would have killed people for making me wait...

Morningstar: It wouldn't be so bad if I had an idea of what the plan is, hell maybe some of us could point out some flaws in it or help improve it.

Condor: You really think so? He appears to be a vampire, so he must have spent years on this plan. It could be perfect.

Morningstar: I could still improve upon it, he is only human afterall...

At this point Switch falls to the ground laughing.

Switch: Years? Perfect? You guys are so off the mark. I have read comic books where the villians had better plans for world domination. A half retarded chimp on crack with a dull crayon during an epileptic fit could improve on his plan, especially on his demand that we keep the body count low.

Rebecca: If you think his plan is so bad why are you here?

Switch: Because its simple, too simple to fail if we're careful, and as far as I'm concerned killing people is about as careful as we can get.

Rebecca: But he has already diverged from his "simplicity" in many more ways than he had antcipated, its getting complicated now.

Switch: Only because we allowed those heroes to live.

Condor: I agree. Had I been there I would have killed them.

Morningstar: Really? How are those burns?

Condor: They serve to remind me the horrors that await me should I fail again. That is why I would have killed this time.

Morningstar: So tell us this plan.

Switch: Its not mine to tell, if he wants you to know it then he'll tell you.

Metallion, a robot composed of liquid hyperium and laced with one of the most toxic poisons known to man. It had taken the effort of many, many people to subdue him long enough to place him in a chamber designed specifically for his containment, several of those people were shut in the chamber with him. A monument was being built to honor their sacrifice, but that still didn't put David to ease. He had watched them die on the closed circut camera used to moniter Metallion, he heard their screams. At night he still heard them. When he had been recruited to work for FLAG Phelps had promised adventure, and intrigue; instead he got to watch a moniter showing him a room than three people other than him even knew existed. Fun! He was about to drift off to the nightmares again when he saw something strange on his camera; a misty human form appeared in Metallion's prison! He quickly hit the button activating the microphone, a feature they had added after he complained about the dreams.

Man: So you are Metallion? Not quite as impressive as I had hoped, but you will do. I offer you freedom, all you have to give me in return is serve me until my plan is completed.

Metallion: Let me get this straight, you insult me, then ask me to become your lap dog? No, I'm tired of always serving these people with their "master plans" all it ever gets me is trapped in places like this.

Man: You won't escape without my aid.

Metallion: I think I will.

Man: I'll give...

Before Nosferatu could finish his offer Metallion's arms turned into blades and sliced through his body.

Metallion: NO! HOW MANY DIFFERENT WAYS DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU?

Man: Fine, you have made you point. Don't expect freedom when I control those who control your cell.

The man disappeared. David picked up the phone and dialed Interscope headquarters.

David: Get me Phelps, I have some tape she has to see.

An asylum in upstate New York. A full moon is out. Full moons always make the patients alittle crazier, so additional people were there tonight. A boy who was known only as Cracker-Jack had been a model patient, whether by choice or medication the staff didn't care, until tonight. Tonight he howled like a wolf at the moon, often wolves responed to him.

Guard: Its 10:30. When are we gonna quiet animal boy down?

Guard: Give him another five minutes, he has been at it for over an hour, he should exhaust himself out by then.

How wrong they were. He didn't calm down. Infact he had been calling all the meat eating animals for miles around all night, and now they roamed the asylum's grounds, waiting for a chance to attack. Their chance came in the form of a strong man known only as Killjoy. Killjoy plowed through the walls. Wolves, bears, crows, and wolverines rushed in shortly after him. Most of they attacked nearby guards, but several searched out the one who summoned them. The inmates noise before was silence compared to their noise now. Killjoy did as he was told and followed them to a cell.

Killjoy: You Cracker-Jack?

The man inside nodded.

Killjoy: I'll let you out, but you have to help me with something. Ok?

Cracker-jack nodded. Killjoy effortlessly pulled the door from the hinges.

Killjoy: Now we gotta find one more guy, follow me.

Killjoy was followed by Cracker-Jack who was running on all fours leading a wolfpack. They went to the area that the "hardcore" crazies. Killjoy opened a door at the end of the hall revealing a man in a straight jacket strapped to a bed.

Killjoy: You Nutjob?

Man: Turn down the speakers.

Killjoy:...close enough

Killjoy moves to untie Nutjob, only to find all the knots are already undone.

Nutjob: The monkeys rally tonight! To me my monkies!

Killjoy, Nutjob, Cracker-Jack and his wolves all leave the asylum, and on a hill in the woods find the form of the man who called them all together.

Nosferatu: Excellent. It all comes together. Wait here, a portal will come for you shortly.

Nosferatu returns to his body.

Nosferatu: I just had a wonderful idea. Rebecca, for the time being you will be my magic. Open a portal to where I just came from.

Thaough she wishes nothing but to say "no," or create her own way out, but she is forced to obey. She opens the portal and three man walk through.

Chapter 7: Funny Presence should mention mommy....

The basement door opened.

Nosferatu: Its my mom! Morningstar, look human! Condor, stand in the corner slouch and hide your wings! Nutjob, stop drooling on yourself and try looking sane! Cracker-Jack, send the wolves to the stairs to the storm enterence and act human! Everyone else act normal!

His mother walked down the steps and look shocked at the number of people in her basement.

Mom: Oh, I didn't realize you had company. I thought maybe we could have done something tonight. Help yourself theres Cokes and chips upstairs.

Nosferatu: No, mom its ok. Everyone was just about to leave. Just give me afew minutes and I'll be up.

Her face brightened. Ever since he had quite his gardening job at the Freehold's he had been spending all his time down in the basement. She thought it would be good for him to get out.

Mom: Ok, I'll be waiting upstairs.

As soon as the door shut, Nutjob, Killjoy, Cracker-Jack, Condor and Morningstar all began laughing. Switch and Rebecca both try to hold back their laughter.

Switch: This is why I told you to get your own place before trying this.

Nosferatu: SHUT UP!

The only one who quits laughing is Rebecca.

Nosferatu: Rebecca, hurt them. Quietly.

Six balls of white light surround Rebecca then one at a time strike at one of the people in the room. The force of the assault brings each of them to their knees, Switch tries to scream, but no noise escapes his mouth.

Nosferatu: Now I will be enjoying myself tonight, and instead of letting you have fun as well you have a job to do. Rebecca, where are the Crown Jewels now?

Rebecca: Which ones?

Nosferatu: The ones recently stolen from the Tower of London.

Rebecca: A woman by the name of Nymph stole them. She is on a small island off the coast of Ireland.

Nosferatu: Go there, find her and try to recruit her. Under no circumstances are you to harm her. Get the jewels, or get her and the jewels, I don't care which. Switch you're in charge, Rebecca obey him as you obey me.

Nosferatu then climbed the stairs to go out with his mom.

Switch: So ummm open a portal or something.

As soon as Jason Reed stepped off of the plane he again felt evil walking the earth, and saw live news reports from a battle field where two heroes battled a demon on the street. Jason rushed to that place, and arrived before the end of the battle, but he couldn't see to any of the injured people due to walls of solar energy blocking anyone from entering or exiting. The deomon disapperaed and the heroes enterd a jewelry shop. A have of heat passed over where Jason stood and then the walls disappeared as the heroes feld to a nearby apartment. Jason rushed to the side of one of those injured during the battle.

Jason: Hold on help will be on the way.

Jason did all he could to help the man, but nothing he did seemed to ease his pain. SO Jason did the only thing he had left to do

Jason: Father, I beg of you help this man heal from his wounds.

Almost immediately the man's wounds closed and his pain seemed to cease. Jason didn't like showing off his abilities in such ways.

Man: Thank you. I'm a doctor, so you do whatever you need to do and I'll see what I can.

Jason looked to the apartment the heroes had retreaded to. Part of him wanted only to go there and find out what was going on, but the cries of the injured brought kept him with the injured. Oddly it felt as though an evil was still present.

It was hours later before Pyrus awoke, still on the rubble from the battle earlier that day. When he tried to lift himself he discovered that his leg left arm, his right arm and several ribs were broken. He grabbed his ring from nearby and began limping towards the hospital.

Captian Infinity returned to where he had left Organa, Death Defier, Thresher and Pig-Lard. Death defier and thresher sit bored while Pig-Lard is restrained by Organa's biomass.

CI: What happened here?

Organa: After about an hour he wanted to leave, I had to make him stay. What took so long?

CI: Well...

Captian Infinity explains to them abouth the Reformers leaving, getting the phone call from Avenger, and trying to call in the reserves.

CI: ...and besides Landslyde, Nutzoid and you three everyone was either busy, or away from the cards.

Death Defier: *cracking knuckles* First day on the job and we're seeing some action. YES!

Organa: How does this effect me and Nymph.

CI: Well if you were in the reserves I could get you clearence to set up the teleporter to bring you back to base when she becomes tangible again and then you would have to manually enter in the new coordinates so that you can follow her.

Organa: *sigh* Fine sign me up...

It was four hours before he reached the hospital. He had shed his mask, but kept his arm and shin guards on to help hold the bones in place. The hospitals were all still flooded with the injured, but he forced his way to the desk.

Pyrus: Need help.

The nurse looked at him gave him a number and told him to wait his turn. He dragged himself to a nearby chair and waited. A man sat next to him.

Man: You were involved with that incident downtown weren't you? Not on the side of good eith were you?

Pyrus: I was just walking when a wall fell on me.

Man: A wall? I'm sure that explains the fingernail scratches down your face. I'm willing to bet that the angle of the break will be consistant with being struck, not being crushed. Am I right?

Pryus: I was walking and a wall fell on me.

Man: Ok stay with your story, but don't be surprised when the police appear outside your room. I doubt even someone like you will be able to do much to them while pumped full of pain killers and in a cast. If you decide to talk to me, I'll be over here.

Pyrus realized that in his current condition the man was absolutely right, the police would have him. No ID, no fingerprint records, no family he would be in trouble. Then if he was caught the Unseen would "silence" him. The man got up, but Pyrus grabbed his arm.

Pyrus: I'll talk, but you have to keep the police away from me.

Man: I can do better than that, I can have you walking out of here in a few minutes.

Pyrus nods. The man lays his hands on Pyrus and says a prayer. Pyrus shakes as his bones set themselves and heal. When the man walks away pyrus feels completel refreshed and an odd feeling, something he had never felt before: remorse. He left the hospital determined to mend his ways and set some of his evils right, starting with Nosferatu.

The Unseen rode a pocket of warm air back towards France when something on the horizon caught his eye; the Reformers jet. He was tossed like a leaf in the wind as the jet passed, then he turned around and began following it.

Pig-Lard: Let me get this straight, you work us nearly to death running that training field only to let the chick in just by saying she wanted in? Fuck that, why couldn't we get that deal?

Pig-Lard had already asked this question, last time he used more four letter words. Death Defier, Organa, Thresher and Nutzoid didn't even look up from their files this time.

CI: I already explained this to you, she has been doing this type of stuff for longer than the three of you combined. She has proved herself on numerous occasions, you haven't. Now use what little time we have left to read up on the few opponents we know we're up against.

Pig-Lard snarled, but opened the file he had been given.

Nosferatu ate with his mom an a near-by diner. Despite his moms protests that they spend some time "bonding" there had been little talking between the two.

Mom: So who were those people?

Nosferatu: Oh...just some...friends from...school.

Mom: I didn't like to looks of some of them, looked to me like alot of them were on drugs. Like that tall boy in the corner, or that boy on the floor scratching behind his ear, or the one drooling on himself...

Nosferatu: Mom! They're ok, none of them are like that. They are just alittle off.

Mom: And one girl for six guys? She wasn't pulling the train was she?

Nosferatu barely stopped from correcting her head count, realizing that the Unseen had remained unseen.

Nosferatu: No, mom, she's not like that.

Mom: If they're "not like that" then tell me what they are like.

The Reformers jet hovered over Intrepid's apartment, its presence masked by Avenger. Pig-Lard and Thresher climbed down a ladder of sloar energy, Organa and Captain Infinity Flew down and Death Defier jumped.

Avenger: Captain glad you could make it. Who is here and who is expected?

CI: Organa, Death Defier, Thresher, and Pig-Lard. Landslyde should be coming. Any leads come up while we were getting here.

Avenger: No.

Pig-Lard: Wait a minute. So you're brought us to Paris to fight some evil shit we don't know and we have no plan? What the fuck is this shit? Ameture houre? I thought you were Captian Infinity not Joe Newbie.

Death Defier: That's Pig-Lard, if you hadn't guessed. A real joy isn't he.

Switch, Rebecca, Morningstar, Condor, Nutjob, Killjoy, an Unseen and Cracker-Jack stepped out of a portal onto a wind swept beach.

Switch: I guess we should split up and find this Nymph. Be back here in an hour. Remember you don't hurt, or touch her under any circumstances.

They all turned to go off in different directions.

Switch: No, you're staying with me, I don't want him blaming me for losing his newest toy.

Nymph laonged in a cavern deep beneath the island admiring the jewels she had stolen over the years.

Nymph: Company? Are you sure Mr. Snuggles? Is it anyone I know?

She floated through the ceiling into the forrest above and began looking for her company.

It was a small island and soon several of the people had met and formed small groups; Rebecca, Switch and Nutjob and Condor, Morningstar, Killjoy and Cracker-Jack, the Unseen travelled by himself. Nymph watched the Unseen, unaware that he too was watching her. His silent motions bored her and she quickly moved on, he followed her.

Alex Cox's apartment seemed cramped with so many people in there. They all sat around, unsure of what to do.

CI: Ok, what do we know about this guy?

Intrepid: He has demons working for him.

Song: And Unseen.

A hint of the hatred Sarah had for those men touched SOng's voice.

Avenger: The demons suggest magic, and the Unseen suggest money. Osiris?

CI: Not unless he can run whatever is happening here while dealing with Eternal

Intrepid: Dark?

Organa: No, he uses a more hands on approach.

Thresher: Could it be that Epitome guy briefly mentioned in the files you gave us Captain?

CI: If it was we would all be dead by now. This seems too slow paced by him.

A feeling of unease and uselessness filled the room, each eyeing the others, unsure as to what to think of the new people. A knock on the door snapped them all awake.

Intrepid: I'll get it

He rushed to the door removing his mask and throwing on a robe as he opened the door just wide enough to poke his head out. He expected his landlord, or reporters, but instead saw nothing. Then he looked on the ground and saw a card.

Intrepid: Captain, I think you need to see this.

He handed it to Captain Infinity. The card was filled, fron and back, by small, neat handwriting. It told the name of the mastermind, "Nosferatu", and the names and some of those working for him, Condor, Morningstar, Switch, an Unseen, and a woman named Rebecca. And an address. After reading it to himself, Captain Infinity read it to the group.

Captain Infinity: Its not much, but its all we have.

Nymph began approaching Switch, Nutjob and Rebecca.

Unseen: Behind you!

Switch and Nutjob turned quickly, Rebecca took her time.

Nymph: Hi! I'm Nymph, who are you?

Switch: I'm Switch, this is Rebecca and thats Nutjob.

Nymph: Why are you here?

Switch: We're looking for you, you have something we need.

Nymph: Well its mine, so you can't have it! What is it?

Switch: The jewlery you stole from England recently. We just need it for a short time so we would give it back, or you could even come with us and on;ly let us use them when we need to.

Nymph: No! they're mine. *she blows a rasberry, then giggled*

Nutjob: However sky waters the moon, and furthermore CD doughnuts pokemon.

Nymph: Really?

For thirty more minutes Nutjob continued his meaningless rambling, Nymph hanging off his every word. Every person heard his talking and gathered there. When he finished Nymph stood silent for a moment. Then...

Nymph: Ok I'll come with you, but no one touches my stuff until you need to.

Switch: Thats fine. Follow us. Rebecca, take us back.

Captain Infinity and the "Reformers" arrived at the address just as two people walked in the door. Their jet once again hidden thanks to Avenger.

Captain Infinity: Stay here, use the weapons if you need to.

He flew down to the house and knocked on the door. A pale young man with long black hair opened the door and gasped at seeing Captain Infinity. He quickly turned on the porch light, steped out and closed the door.

CI: Are you Nosferatu?

Young man: So you found me. Every bit as impressive as I've been led to believe. Please sit, make youself comfortable.

CI: Answer my question.

The man takes a seat, though in the subordinate position his manner makes him appear the dominate of the two.

Nosferatu: Yes, I am Nosferatu. And you are the legendary Captain Infinity. Now sit, I'm sure you have much to ask me.

CI: Not today, I'm taking you in.

Nosferatu: On what charges? Have I committed a crime worthy of your attention? I think not, so this must be a social visit correct?

CI: You are the mastermind of a plan to conquor the world, a threat to every man, woman and child on this planet. I have to end that threat.

Nosferatu: Can you prove it? I know you don't really have to have any proof in your profession, but should the press get word of you abducting an innocent...well can your Reformers take on the military might of the world? That is something that could happen.

Captian Infinity took a seat.

CI: Alright, I'll play your game. Why are you doing this?

Nosferatu: Well, IF, I were going to conquor the world there could be several reasons behind it. The power of it, maybe the fact I could do a better job than those already running it maybe I just want my father to see that I'm not worthless.

CI: If you could do a better job then why not try doing it the right way.

Nosferatu: You know my name, doing things the "standard" can be dangerous to my type of people, if I were to do what you are suggesting I am.

CI: We're watching you, if you're smart then you'll stop while you still are "innocent."

Nosferatu: Good-bye Captain. I fear we may not be on such terms should we meet again.

Nosferatu entered his house.

Mom: Alex, who was that?

Nosferatu: Just some salesman who wouldn't go away.

He entered his basement. He saw his search party, joined by Nymph, had returned, and so had the other Unseen.

Nosferatu's laughter suddenly ceased as he put his hand through the wall.

Nosferatu: How did he find me? I was no where near any of our operations.

Behind him Rebecca began to answer, but he continued, cutting her off before she caould say a word.

Nosferatu: It doesn't matter now though. Our secrecy must be doubled. From now on consider everywhere outside of here as enemy territory. They're watching us now.

The room was silent save for the sound of Nymph playing with Mr. Snuggles and Cracker-Jack wrestling with a wolf

Switch: Hold on, who found you?

Nosferatu: Captian Infinity. Rebecca, tell us who is with him.

Captain Infinity returned to the Reformers jet. His face seemed calm, but his movements showed inner fury.

Pig-Lard: So did you was my time...again.

Death Defier: Shut up Pig, everyone is tired of hearing you complain.

Thresher: Was that him?

CI: Yeah.

Pig-Lard: Then why the fuck did you let the bastard go?

Captain Infinity: What can we prove he has done? Some of use are more suspect than him.

Captain Infinity didn't name names, but everyone knew he was talking about Avenger. During the battle against Morningstar Avenger had created walls of solar energy to prevent more people from entering the battlefield, but at the same time trapped those already there inside. The press had had a field day with that.

Intrepid: So what do we do now?

CI: Its become a waiting game. He knows we know who and where he is, and we know he hasn't completed his plan yet. Organa, land the jet in that empty lot three blocks down, Avenger keep us invisible.

Morningstar: Thats all? Those people are hardly even a threat. I believe that me and Condor could defeat them all with minimal help from the rest of you.

Nymph: He is overconfident isn't he Mr.Snuggles? Yes he is. Yes he is.

Nosferatu: Prehaps one at a time, maybe even en masse without a leader, but they have a leader. You would fall. We have two options at this point they are watching us, waiting for us to make a move. We have time before the final step can be implemented, so we could try to out last them. However their more powerful teammates can only be detained for so long. Or we could press on, and hope to keep them in the dark longer. I believe we must act now and sieze the final object. Rebecca, tell me of the tribal statue.

Rebecca: It isn't the statue you need, its a small skull in its center. The skull was once the prized posession of an African tribe, but for some reason its powers that once provided ample food and shelter turned oin them and began killing them in their sleep. The tribes witch doctor somehow caused a tree, whose wood was capable of absorbing magic, to grow around the skull and---

Nosferatu: Not its entire history, just where it is now.

Rebecca: It is to be auctioned to raise money to build a hospital. Starting bid 140 thousand, but there is a man willing to spend upto 15 million on it.

Nosferatu: Who is up for more bank jobs?

Many of the current Reformers have fallen asleep. Captian Infinity and Thresher both stay awake watching the house and the sensors. Avenger remains awake to keep their jet invisible. A beeping draws their attention.

Thresher: Captian what is that?

CI: A primative magic sensor. Math Devil started working on it after an incident with Osiris, but he got distracted by some "unsolvable" equation and never finished it. Lets see how good he made it.

Captian Infinity begins pressing buttons, swearing under his breath about how hard it is to work. It takes him nearly 20 minutes to find what he wanted to find.

CI: Two teleportation spells. One to Texas and another to California. Wake them up and tell them to strap in. We're going to Texas.

Nosferatu: Have they left?

Rebecca: yes.

Nosferatu:Where?

Rebecca: Texas.

Nosferatu: Open a portal to texas again. The Unseen, Condor, Morningstar, Killjoy and Cracker-Jack will go there. Fight smart, set traps, do something deserving of your reputations. You'll have about thirty five minutes to prepare. Don't assume your physical strength alone will win you this night. Everyone besides myself and Rebecca will be going to a Suntrust in Nashville. You need only hold them off until I send word that our mission has been accomplished. If I hear anyone did something stupid I will personally kill that person.

A desert plain near the American Texas border. A portal open and several people step out. The demons Morningstar and Condor both flex their wings, the suns heat reminding them of home. Cracker-Jack begins gathering snakes and lizards from their hiding places. The Unseen flash each other hand signals then disappear. Killjoy squits as his eyes adjust and looks around.

Killjoy: How are we supposed to "fight smart" when we have nothing to use. *looks over at Cracker-Jack* Well most of us.

Morningstar: The lack of supplies gives us all the supplies we need. You're strong enough to dig a hole under where the portal was and hide under a layer of dirt. The Unseen are...doing what they do, and Cracker-Jack has his army at the ready. Condor and I will take to the sky.

Condor and Morningstar flap their winga and soon are specks on the blue sky.

Killjoy: Fuck you.

Captain Infinity puts the jet into hover mode. The engines quiet, but the magic detector long since went silent.

CI: We're here. I don't see anyone, but sensors show three people near-by. This is only a brief stop. Who wants out now.

Death Defier: I'll go.

Pig-Lard: About time fucking we see some action.

Nutzoid: Count me in.

Intrepid: Me too.

The four of them jumped from the jet and began scanning the area for any opponents. Nutzoid created a Freddy Kruger-like monster.

Pig-Lard: I thought he said they were here.

Killjoy: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

He bursts out from the ground tackeling Pig-Lard. the force and weight of the two causes a crater where they land. Suddenly the Freddy Kruger thing bursts into flames and Intrepid, Nutzoid and Death Defier were assaulted by Unseen. The monster disappears as Nutzoids shield raises. Death Defier jumps, flips and ducks to avoid blasts of fire while trying to land a blow on an Unseen. A sloar beam from Intrepid brings the Unseen close together and Death Defier rolls between them, delevering a strong elbow to each of them. Nutzoids shield lowers and a massive python binds the Unseen, from knees to neck, together. Pig-Lard and Killjoy continue to punch at each other, neither doing much damage to the other. Death Defier gets close to the Unseen and begins poking them.

Death Defier: These are Unseen? Don't seem too special to me

Nutzoid: *pulls out a communications card* Captain, we have tken two Unseen prisoner and Pig-Lard is busy with another strong guy. How are things coming on your end?

Nutzoid's communication card melts and Death Defier begins screaming in pain.

Nutzoid: Stop drop and roll!

Beams of fire shoot from an Unseen's eyes, turning dirt, plants and even rock into ash. Death Defier's incredible agility is the only thing that saved his life. Nutzoid begins having the python constrict.

Morningstar: Such a troubled boy. I can feel your pain. Your father he hurt you much didn't he?

Whether it was the demons words, of his emotion manipulation Nutzoid began losing concentration and the python disappeared. Nutzoid's powers have long been tied to his emotional state, so it is no surprise when his powers begin to go haywire. Monsters, easter bunnies, Santa Clause, pumpkins, Victoria Secret models all begin appearing and disappearing as Morningstar raises and lowers the boys feelings of helplessness. Morningstar pushes those to hieghts he only imagined while in hell, and is enthralled as Nutzoid's will breaks.

Morningstar: You don't want to be like your father do you? Fighting us is something he would have done.

Nutzoid has gone through years of threapy toget over the mental damage his father caused him, and wouldn't even listen to Morningstar under normal conditions. These aren't normal conditions though. With his feelings of helplessness so high he sit, tears in his eyes, hanging on Morningstar's every word.

Morningstar: Help us, and we will help you, I promise.

Nutzoid nodded

Morningstar: Good, why don't you create something truely scary?

Pig-Lard and Killjoy continued to battle, each blow sending its recipient several feet into the dry ground.

Pig-Lard: Been a long time since someone could stand up to me like this. I'll have to break out a Cuban once I finish you off.

Killjoy: Fat chance!

Before either man could do anything else snakes and lizards leap at Pig-Lard. Most bounce away, their teeth shattered, but some are pulled into his lard.

Pig-Lard: Oh you want some too?

Pig-Lard launched the reptiles back at Cracker-Jack. Cracker-Jack, still in shock from seeing his "pets" so mistreated barely dodges. Then he begins physically assaulting Pig-Lard. His blows serve only as a minor distraction, but that distraction is enough for Killjoy. Killjoy rushes Pig-Lard and using the full extent of his strength lifts Pig-Lard off the ground and falls backwards. Pig-Lard uses this position to his advantage and just lays there, allowing his fat to suffocate Killjoy. Cracker-Jack still jumping around punching, kicking, scratching and biteing Pig-Lard.

Pig-Lard: I can taste the Cuban already

Condor dove into Intrepid.

Condor: We have a score to settle, and this time you won't have your little friend will you?

Intrepid recovers quickly and enters a fighting stance.

Intrepid: Don't need him out here.

Intrepid charges up his sword and rushes Condor. Condor mearly catches the blade and, pulling it from his hand, throws it aside. Intrepid begins firing solar energy at Condor. Condor has spent too much time away from Lucifer, and the solar beams harm him even more than before. COndor uses his Evil Eye. Intrepid dodges out of the way, but doesn't quite make it. His body expands, but doesn't explode. His bones audibly break ans a squish noise is heard as he returns to normal size. The pain is too much, and he passes out. Condor views the battlefield and rushes to help Killjoy.

Death Defier finally finishes putting out the fires that almost consumed him and winces as he stands. He feels his jaw break as two unseen fists meet in unison on opposite sides of his face. As he is thrown into a knee he sees several teeth fly out of his mouth. Then he seesa one of the bastards. He unleashes Devils Illusion on him. The Unseen falls to the ground, visions of his mother's, and his own death fill his mind. While most of him suffers because of this, part of him enjoys the show. Death Defier struggles to stand.

DD: Bring--

His witty one-liner is cut short as the Unseen delivers a Matrix style triple kick. Death Defier shoots his fire beams where he felt the kick coming from. To his horror the fire bird is forced apart, not even touching the Unseen. The Unseen responds with his own fire blast. Death Defier rolls out of the way, but his landing is off and his head connects with a rock, knocking him out.

I don't know what came over me earlier, but I'm operatin at full capacity now. Time for him to die!

The Unseen prepares to deliver a devistating punch then Pig-Lard lands inches away from him. The Unseen is thrown into the air and lands with a thud. He loses conscienceness.

Pig-Lard: Nice move disabling your own teammate like that.

Condor: He'll get over it.

Pig-Lard begins "running" at Condor. Condor uses his evil eye on Pig-Lard. In his weaken state the eye isn't as effective as it should be. Pig-Lard stops in his tracks and momentarily expands as though something is inside him trying to get out. Several of his bones are heard to crack. Pig-Lard gets up and continues to advance at Condor.

Morningstar looks up at Nutzoid's creation; a man in blue jeans and a t-shirt stained with blood.

Morningstar: Is this your father?

Nutzoid nods

The large man steps on Pig-Lard, driving him deep into the ground.

Morningstar: Good. Thats the last of them. You stay here and rest. Condor begin collecting everyone. You did good Nutzoid.

Nutzoid smiles at the praise, his father never prasied him. Condor begins gathering the fallen forms of his teammates. One Unseen recovers from some type of mental attack, Killjoy is sleeping off his oxygen depravation, Cracker-Jack nurses a broken arm he recieved from a glancing blow from Pig-Lard. No matter how much he searches he cannot find one of the Unseen.

Morningstar: Again!

The reformers jet hovers over the spot where the other portal should have opened, but their sensors detect no life.

Organa: It was a trick.

CI: Damn!

Though the engines are dangerously close to over heating Captain Infinity turns the jet around and flies towards where his teammates were left.

When the Unseen awoke Captain Infinity stood over Pig-Lard's body. Beams of white energy came from his fists and Pig-Lard became whole. Death Defier and Intrepid stood near Infinity, no doubt each recently under went a similar experience.

Pig-Lard: Sensors show three people? What the fuck! Can you not count? There were five.

CI: What happened here?

Pig-Lard: The were waiting for us. Five of them, not three. Death Defier and Nutzoid took on some Unseen for a while, then Death Defier was left to deal with the two of them by himself when Nutzoid began talking to one of the demons. The other demon took on Condor. And I fought some strong guy and an animal boy. Condor took out Intrepid, Death Defifer went down to an Unseen, and, you'll love this part, I was taken out by Nutzoid.

CI: I want to talk to each of you seperately. Leave out no details. It could take a while, but the engines need time to cool off.

Nosferatu: You lost him again! Can you not do anything?

Morningstar: He is the one who can't go one battle without being knocked out. Besides I brought a replacement.

Nosferatu: Yes you did, but he will be just as bad, maybe worse. He isn't in an emotional state to fight.

Nymph: I could brainwash him, then we wouldn't need to keep manipulating his emotions to control him. The hard part, breaking him, has already been done.

The room stared at Nymph. This was the first time she had ever spoken like an adult, not a little girl and she hadn't giggled once.

Nosferatu: Ok. Do it.

As soon as the engines had finished cooling Captain Infinity began taking off, leaving some of his teammates hanging from the door during take off, Death Defier didn't seem to mind though. Again he landed in the empty lot three blocks from Nosferatu's home and began watching the sensors. He really hated being this in the dark as to an opponents moves. Why couldn't Nosferatu's arch-nemesis show up and reveal everything? For now all they can do is respond.

Organa: Captain, you're tired. Get some rest. You'll think better then.

Captain Infinity continued to watch the sensors for awhile. Normally he wouldn't deprive himself of sleep like this or be so on edge, but with the Reforemes gone and most of the reserves busy or unresponsive.... He shook his head to clear his thoughts. I keep up like this I'll be useless when the time comes.

CI: You're right. Wake me should anything important happen. Organa you're in charge until then.

Thresher: We have movement.

Thresher quickly brought the picture to the main screen. A woman, average height graying hair, exited the house and caught a bus into the city.

Thresher: Should we wake him?

Organa sat down and began reading different scanner reports.

Organa: No, he just went to sleep and she is registering as having no powers. Thresher, Song, Avenger and Death Defier follow her. Find out everything you can about her, but don't make contact with her, try to keep her from even seeing you.

CI: You did what?

Organa: I had them follow and find information about a woman we saw leaving the house. Sensors showed her to have no powers so I thought the potential threat was to low to bother you with.

CI: Not what I would have done, but since everyone is ok....What did you find out.

Captain Infinity told them to stay behind. He was still on edge because a boy had made the Reformers, in one form or another, look like fools. He knocked on the door.

Nosferatu: Rebecca, who's at the door.

Rebecca: Captain Infinity.

Nosferatu: All of you stay here. Don't leave for any reason other than to save your lives.

As soon as the door opened Captain Infinity grabbed the boy by the shirt, pulled him from the building and pressed him against the wall, his feet well off the ground. Nosferatu mearly smiled.

CI: Care to let me in on the joke, Eklund? I don't see what is so funny about you making the Reformers look like amatures, or kidanapping one of our members.

Nosferatu: How do you know my name?

CI: We followed your mother.

Nosferatu: My mother?!

Everyone's eyes were glued on a moniter in the Reformers jet. A brief cheer erupted when Infinity grabbed the boy and pressed him against the wall. Their joy turned to horror in a split second though.

Captain Infinity would remember this moment forever. In seeming slow motion the grinning boy's face transformed into a snarling monster. Huge teath suddenly appeared and his finger nails became claws, his face contorted with rage, his anger giving his face some color. Captain Infinity saw this sight for less than a second before he was thrown into the sky. Captain Infinity stopped himself and dove at Nosferatu. Nosferatu grabbed his arm and threw him into the street, breaking the asphault, and some of Captain Infinity's rib, in several places

Nosferatu: This is between you, me and our teams. Leave her out of this!

Nosferatu began to close the distance between the two of them. Captain Infinity chose this moment to fire a low powered cosmic blast. It tore a hole through Nosferatu, but he kept coming. He lept at Captain Infinity slashing his chest. Captain Infinity rolled away from him Another blast, however, this one poorly aimed and traveled straight towards the Eklund residence.

Nosferatu: NO!!!!!

He jumped infront of the blast, this time his torso was severed from his legs. His body landed in the path Captain Infinity made when he landed after the second throw. Villian or not Captain Inifinity rushed there to see if he was alright. He gasped at what he saw; not the beast he had been fighting, instead he saw the boy who had answered the door with blood dripping out of his mouth.

Nosferatu: Good show Captain, but if I were you I'd get out of here. Our fighting will have drawn a crowd, or the police or something and the only evidence they have of a fight is this trail my body lies in, and the dead body of a local boy. I can see the headlines: "Captain Infinity stops in Paris suburb to slay boy." You could finish this now if you want, but I doubt you will. Two weeks from now the Eiffle Tower. Be there. We'll be waiting.

Nosferatu then assumed a look of horror and stopped moving. Captain Infinity heard people stirring from their houses. He couldn't let them get a positive ID on him so he flew back to the safety of the invisible jet.

In addition to the nine he had left the other Unseen had returned. Nosferatu imagined that he could smell failure on him. He held a stack of papers and a duffel bag.

Nosferatu: What are you doing here? You failed me twice, you're lucky I don't kill you here and now.

Unseen: I could say the same thing. Page 12, paragraph 3 example 6.

The Unseen threw the papers to Nosferatu. Nosferatu recognized it as the contract he had made with the Unseen. He read what he had been asked to.

Nosferatu: Oh, so I violated our contract by leaving you twice, but you did just fine by being KO'ed twice?

Unseen: Against super powered opponents, yes. Had they been normal people then I would be at fault.

Nosferatu: Fine, I violated the contract what are you gonna do about it? You so much as raise a hand to me and...well look around you. What do you think will happen?

The Unseen threw the duffel bag at Nosferatu.

Unseen: Its 10 of the original 17 million.

The Reformers, with the exception of Pig-Lard, wh was asleep, and Captain Infinity, who had been doing something on the ships computer since he had returned, continued to watch the house. Most jumped when they heard a knock on the jet door.

Death Defier: Aren't we invisible?

Avenger: We should be.

Thresher: Sensors aren't showing anyone nearby.

Song: What do we do, Captain?

He didn't respond though, he was focused on something on his compter screen.

Song: Organa?

The knocking came again.

Organa: Open the door.

An Unseen walked and was immediately wrapped in Organa's bio-mass, and a solar chains. Pig-Lard continued to sleep, and Captain Infinity was still typing at the computer.

Organa: What do you want?

Unseen: I'm here to help you. If nothing else let me talk to Captain Infinity.

Thresher: Prove it.

The Unseen ignited Organa's bio-mass and surrounded Avenger with fire.

Unseen: If I wanted out of here, I doubt you could stop me.

Song: Kill him!

Captain Infinity:*never looking away from the computer* No, let him speak.

The Unseen told of how he was hired Nosferatu's contract violation. He told how he had been ordered to make Nosferatu pay, but couldn't because he had been so outnumbered.

Captain Infinity: Ok you can come with us, but try anything and you will wish you had taken your shot a Nosferatu. What do you know of his plans?

Unseen: He told us little. All I know is there is a tribal statue for auction he wants.

Captain Infinity's computer beeps.

Captain Infinity: Well I found out what is so important about the Eiffle Tower.

Death Defier: What?

CI: Have you ever heard of ley lines and EM lines?

Death Defier: No.

CI: They are lines that criss cross the globe, people with the right knoweledge can increase their magical or psychic powers exponentially on those lines. The Eiffle Tower is constructed where both a lay and an EM line meet.

Death Defier: Oh crap...

CI: It gets better. Outer space also has these lines, and those are even more powerful than the Earth based ones. In two weeks the Eiffle Tower meets one of those outer space lay lines.

Organa: Does Nosferatu know how to use this power?

Switch: Why the fuck did you tell him where we would be? I thought you wanted little opposition, not an all out superhero brawl?

Nosferatu: I had been unsure as to the point of contact before, now I do. Unfortunately the time of contact would be when tourists are crawling all over the place, and I can't have that. The good Captain and his friends will rid us of them.

Condor: How? Tell them to leave? Our appearence would have done that.

Nosferatu: No, you fool. Watch the news, and you'll understand.

Reporter 1: Tragedy occurred earlier today in a local neighborhood. Captain Infinity, leader of the superhero group the Reformers, brutally killed a, as of now unidentified, boy. This days after the hero known as Avenger trapped dozens of people in the middle of a battle. Are the heroes turning against the innocent? In this reporter's opinion yes.

As he spoke a crude video tape rolled. In it Captain Infinity used his cosmic blast on a young man, severing him in two.

Reporter 2: In a related story the morgue where the young man's body was taken is the site of another tragedy. When the morning shift entered for work today all the workers from the night before were found slain and drained of blood. Police have yet to reveal if anything had been stolen, but urge everyone to run from any of the "heroes."

Rebecca: Oh my god...

Nosferatu: This way he will clear out the tower for us.

Condor: Won't people come in to search it when they are defeated?

Nosferatu: I had planned a spell to create an illusion to fool the public into believeing that the heroes hadn't fallen, but now Nutzoid can create the neccessary illusion.

Morningstar: Very well planned.

Switch: But how did you know he would even come here again?

Nosferatu: I knew he would come because Nutzoid works for us now. Now excuse me, I need to reassure my mother that I am not the dead young man, and then I need to go buy a statue.

In the Reformers HQ...

Pig-Lard: I go to sleep for a couple hours and a guy who was trying to kill us is now working for us? So you just let any jack ass in here now? Fuck no! If thats how your running this thing now then I should just leave.

Death Defier: I have to agree with Piggy here.

Thresher: I, too, must agree.

Intrepid: Ditto

Song: Me too.

Pig-Lard: Piggy?

Organa: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You have any problems with the Unseen, take them up with him once the battle is over.

Captain Infinity nodded as she spoke.

CI: You're not going anywhere. Like it or not right now you are Reformers, the last, maybe the only chance this world has. You want to leave, you'll have to go through me. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Captain Infinity tried his hardest to look imposing, but with on arm protecting his broken ribs, and still bleeding wounds on his face he did a poor job. They still backed down.

CI: Ok, we know he is after a statue, but we have no Idea where or when he is going to try for it. We should just let him have this one go. We'll only exhaust ourselves trying. Instead we need to learn to work as a team, and train for the battle we know is coming.

Auctioneer: Sold for $14 million to the gentleman in the back!

Nosferatu's lair....

Switch: Did you get it?

Nosferatu: Was there any doubt?

He opend the bag and revealed the statue. It was a deformed statue of a man, about a foot high and 4 inches wide. Ugly was the best word to describe it. Nosferatu turned it on its side and broke it, quickly catching the small rat-like skull that fell free.

Nosferatu: Now we wait.

Reformers HQ....

A mechanical doctor in the infirmary stitched his wounds and set and wrapped his ribs. Captain Infinity talked to Math Devil.

CI: ...So thats what is going on here. How goes everything there?

Math Devil: We'll be here for another month at least. Some of us could return though if you need us, but then the repairs would take longer...

CI: No, finish the job first. I think we have enough power here to do this, we just need to learn to work as a team.

MD: You sure you don't need any help?

CI: If you can think of a way to lessen the power he is going to get tell me right away.

MD: Will do. Math Devil out.

Captain Infinity had segmented the training room so that each set could spar without distractions. First Song and Organa...

Organa had to used much of her mass to match Song's strength. The girl's speed and strength was amazing! Organa found herself on the defensive as often as not. Her style seemed reminicent of Sarah Freehold's; not as refined, as fluid or natural as Sarah's, but much better than Organa had expected. Organa decided not to hold back anymore. She fully massed, forming morningstar heads on her fists. Now lets see how good you really are...

Song struggled as her opponent began attacking again this time slower, but stronger with spiked fists. Minutes later Song noticed a pattern, right, right, low left, and tried to take advantage of it. When Organa went low Song preformed a jump kick for Organa's head.

She fell for it! A tentacle mas formed from Organa's back and grabbed Song before the kick connected. The mass detatched itself, but continued to hold Song. Organa removed the girls headphones.

Organa: How long had you been training with Sarah?

Song: Since I started going to the boarding school where she taught, almost a year.

Organa: How much of that was actual combat training?

Song: About a week or two...

Organa: Let's take a break to catch our breath, then we'll start again.

Avenger and Intrepid double teamed Pig-Lard because he was physicall the closest to either of the demons, their powers complimented and recharged each other, and Pig-Lard was likely to be double teamed. Avenger formed large handcuffs from sloar energy on Pig-Lard's hands and Intrepid unleashed a solar bolt at him. Pig-Lard's lard vibrated from the force of the attack, but Pig-Lard himself barely seemed to notice. He grunted as he threw himself at Avenger. Avenger rolled out of the way unformed his handcuffs and formed a cage around Pig-Lard. He threw a handful of charged pennies into the cage. Pig-Lard screamed the burst through the cage and thrust Avenger into his lard. Intrepid unleashed another solar blast. Pig-Lard laughed off the impact, but as his lard vibrated Avenger was shaken loose.

Pig-Lard: Hey! No fair.

Intrepid: We're only training, that was just too close to a fatal attack.

Intrepid went to make sure Avenger was ok. As they stood up Pig-Lard charged.

Flames flew through the air, both from Death Defier and Pyrus. Pyrus appeared to be on the defensive using his flames to keep Death Defier at a distance while blocking Threshers attacks. Death Defier ran towards Pyrus, but a wall of fire stopped him. He paused for a moment before doing a cartwheel through it. He stopped again to put out the flames that clung to his clothes. Thresher had formed poles on his arms that extended and retracted like jackhammers, had this been a real battle they would have been blades. Pyrus easily turned each them aside and kicked Thresher in the jaw. The blow didn't hurt Thresher, but the rapid turning of his head jarred his neck. Pyrus blakflipped into a kick to Death Defier's face.

Pyrus: You attack as individuals, attack as a team.

Thresher nodded at Death Defier and then rushed Pyrus. Pyrus, as Thresher had hoped, turned to avoid Thresher's charge, taking his eyes off of Death Defier. Death Defier unleashed Devil's Illusion. Pyrus ducked below its path.

Pyrus: Good. Do more like that.

Death Defier: Is he just playing with us?

Good choice of words Death Defier. Just going by their reputation one would think that, but his vitals make me doubt that. They distrust him so much that this probably gives me the best idea of what they will do in combat. Now to test the total team effort. Captain Infinity pressed a button. The walls dropped and each group was confronted with the others. Tiles on the floor turned to reveal armor. He turned on the intercom.

CI: The people you were fighting are now your teammates. Go all out, you won't injure each other as long as you have the armor on. It will protect you from all injury, but when you take a fatal blow it will lock up and keep you from moving.

They took a moment to suit up. Then akwardly looked around making sure everyone was done. Then Pig-Lard charged into Death Defier. His body flew accross the room, his armor locked up half way to the wall. Intrepid and Avenger began attacking Song and Organa. Avenger neutralized Organa's tendrils so quickly that she gave up on them and just bulked up to take the fight to a physical level. Intrepid and Song traded blows, his doing less damage to her than hers did to him. Occasionally Intrepid or Avenger would shoot a "stray" solar blast to recharge the other.

Pig-Lard decided to screw the hole "team" thing and turned on Thresher and the Unseen, he didn't care what that guy wanted to be called. He punched Thresher directly in the chest and expected his armor to lock up immediatly, but it didn't. Thresher used his gauntlets to hook into Pig-Lards forearm, and the force of the punch caused the blades to make huge gashes in Pig-Lard's forearm.

Pig-Lard: AAAHHHH!!!!

He began slamming Thresher into the floor. Then the smell of bacon filled the room as Pig-Lard's armor locked up.

Pyrus: Next time find a way to distract him that won't get yourself killed.

Captain Infinity was pulled away from the screen into the training room by Math Devil's voice.

Math Devil: Captain are you there?

CI: Yeah I'm here.

MD: I think I know a way to lower the power Nosferatu will recieve.

CI: How?

MD: Magnetism and electricity are pretty much the same thing, so if you could draw a large amount of electricity from the planet, or disrupt its flow that will throw the EM lines off without serious damage to the planet.

CI: Do we have a huge battery?

MD: You don't need one, Ohm would be sufficient if positioned on the North Pole. Landslyde could get the job done should he cause massive earth quakes at the South Pole.

CI: That's great, but Landslyde has yet to show up and I can't reach Ohm.

MD: Have you tried actually going to their last known locations?

CI: No, I've been a little busy. Since we have the time now though...

Nosferatu: Rebecca check the blocks on the Reformers reserves. Make sure Captain Infinity can't see or contact them.

A red aura surrounds Rebecca and remains for several minutes.

Rebecca: Its done.

Nosferatu: Excellent.

Captain Infinity reset the armor and directed them to all attack the survivors; Pyrus and Organa. He then leaves to see if he can find Ohm or Landslyde.

Reformers HQ; T minus 23 hours....

Math Devil: Captain did you find Ohm or Landslyde?

Captain Infinity: No. No matter where I checked I couldn't find them. Tracking abnormal seismic and electric activity only lead me to this guy. Will he do?

Captain Infinity sent Math Devil the profil on the man he spoke of.

MD: He might, if he goes all out. Will he do it?

CI: I hope so...

Nosferatu's Lair; T minus 15 hours...

Nosferatu grew more and more irritable as the day grew closer. He had spent the last four days pacing, mumbling something under his breath. In the cornor Condor passed out with a loud thud.

Nosferatu: DIDN'T I TELL YOU NOT TO MAKE A SOUND? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!!

Morningstar: He is weak. Too long has he been away from Lucifer.

Nosferatu: Fine return to Hell, but be back in 14 hours.

Morningstar: He won't be at full power by then.

Nosferatu: I DON"T CARE. BE BACK BY THEN OR MY DEAL WITH YOUR MASTER IS OVER!!

In a puff of smoke the demonic pair disappear, a burning smell hangs in the room. Nosferatu stares at where they had stood. Then he shakes his head slightly and returns to his pacing.

Reformers HQ 10 hours remaining...

Captain Infinity removes the bandages from his ribs and streches.Good as new... He turns on a moniter to the training room. This time Pig-Lard and Pyrus fought everyone else. Pyrus had almost always been in the outnumbered team. Looking over the vitals from their training sessions Captain Infinity thought that he had been allowed to win several of those times. Everyone wanted a piece of him, especially Song. He only hoped they would watch his back during the real thing.

CI: Ok, thats enough. Everyone rest up, its almost time.

Pig-Lard: Hey Cap! If this armor can protect us from all damage why don't we use it in combat?

CI: Unless you can get Nosferatu and his people in here using their powers for a couple hours the armor is worthless.

They all left the training room, each tossing their armor aside. They all searched the base and found a place to sleep. Captain Infinity, though, sat near the communication moniter and phone, waiting.

Less than 10 hours away.... When is he going to let me know if he is in or not.

Nosferatu's lair, fifteen minutes remaining.

Morningstar and Condor had returned almost an hour too late. Condor still didn't look like he was at 100%. If Nosferatu had noticed he didn't show it. He continued pacing and mumbling.

Killjoy: AAGRH! I tired of waiting. Tell me plan!

Nosferatu paused, a low growl rose in his throat.

Nosferatu: Tell them Rebecca.

He began his pacing and mumbling again.

Rebecca: He is increasing his magic power to the point where he will be able to traverse time and thus alter time however he wants.

Morningstar: What? A simple time travel spell? He could have done that without those items.

Rebecca: Any idiot with a spell book and patience can travel back in time, but they most likely won't find the exact moment they wish to find; only someone with true talent or power can go to any moment at whim. An idiot couldn't change the past significantly though. History doesn't like being changed; kill Edison, for example, before inventing his lightbulb and someone else will invent it within years of when Edison did it. Nosferatu will have power enough to go beyond those laws.

Morningstar: So...base, so plain. I had hoped for something more grand...

Nosferatu stopped his pacing and stared at the ceiling.

Captain Infinity and the current Reformers, execpt for Pig-Lard, wondered around the upper levels of the Eiffle Tower. Pig-Lard was too tall and too fat to enter the tower. They had been waiting for over an hour. When was he going to make his move? Suddenly Intrepid and Avenger threw aside their disguises and began attacking Condor as he exited a portal that appeared infront of them. The tourists began screaming and fleeing.

Tourist: Its Avenger! Run!

Tourist: They travel in groups, theres hot to be more near-by.

Frenchman: Run away!

The tower and Nosferatu's basement emptied. Time slowed, almost to a stop when Nosferatu and his companion exited the portal.

Organa barely had time to gasp at seeing Nymph with Nosferatu before her movements slowed to almost a stop. From the corner of her eye she saw that her other teammates were also trapped much the same way she was, but oddly enough their foes were also effected. Then Nosferatu and a woman stepped from the portal, their movements seemingly in fast forward. The woman walked first to Nypmh and took something from her, then went to the others freeing them from the spell. Helpless... Then the woman made a gesture and Organa felt her own movements return to normal. Huh?

Nosferatu: Excellent, Rebecca. How satisfying is it weilding the extra power this place provides?

Rebecca: ...

Nosferatu: Fine. Free them from the spell then bring me the Crown Jeweles. Keep them from killing our guests. Maiming is good though.

Nosferatu began climbing to the very top of the tower. Rebecca wanted to shout insults, or throw things at him, anything to harm him physically or mentally; but she couldn't. She freed Nymph from the spell first so that she could get the Crown Jeweles from her, Nymph reluctantly gave them to Rebecca, then she removed the others. She smiled as she had an idea

Rebecca: Don't kill them while they are all but helpless.

She then freed the Reformers from the spell as she climbed to join Nosferatu.

Rebecca: Here they are. Oh, and I freed the Reformers.

Nosferatu: You did what? How? Why?

Rebecca: You told me to free them from the spell, you didn't specify which 'them.'

Nosferatu: ...most vunerable when feeling most secure. Fine. I will remember this insubordination Rebecca, that is for another time. Now, however I have other matters to attend to. Defend me with your life. Grow claws, wings whatever you need to protect me from the Reformers.

Pig-Lard stared at where his allies were. Something was going on, he just knew it. The sound of heavy footsteps caused him to turn. A clear monster was walking towards the tower.

Pig-Lard: Another one of Nosferatu's lackeys.

Pig-Lard punched towards the monster's chest as hard as he could. The creature was pushed back mearly inches and it didn't flinch, make any noise or show any damage. Pig-Lard rubbed his hand slightly. What the hell is this thing made of? Diamonds?

Pyrus and the Unseen squared off. Unseen tradition demanded that they fight; no honor, or money, is lost losing to another Unseen.

Unseen: You know the rules?

Pyrus nodded as he assumed a fighting stance. It was a stupid question, every Unseen knows the rules: you don't kill another Unseen and until first blood no powers, only skill. The Unseenassumed another fighting stance and the began stareing each other down, looking for a weakness.

Organa ran towards Nymph was.

Organa: Nymph, stop this before its too late.

Nymph: Organa! I'm so happy you could be here! Nosferatu's going to take over the world. I'm going all the gems I want! Aren't you so happy for me?

Organa: No. This is wrong.

Nymph: No? She isn't my friend is she Mr.Snuggles. That's what I thought.

Nymph turns tangible and lunges at Organa. Organa creates a large tentacle and attempts to grab Nymph with it, but she is teleported to Reforemers HQ. She slams her fist into a nearby wall, denting the wall. She begins to re-enter coordinates for the Eiffle Tower.

Pig-Lard pounds the diamond creature again and again, it barely moves, and doesn't retaliate. A glint from the sun refracting through the creature termorarily blinds Pig-Lard. The creature begins moving again towards the tower.

A rain of blades fall on Captain Infinity. The blades easily pierce the platform, but Captain Infinity rolls out of the way. Captain Infinity moves towards the source of thew attack, Nutzoid.

CI: Stop this, Chris. What have they done to you?

Nutzoid: Nothing that hasn't been done to me many times before, it just stuck this time.

A featureless monster appears between Nutzoid and Captain Infinity, the metal floor giving way slightly under its weight.

Nutzoid: Enjoy.

Avenger and Intrepid begin attacking both Morningstar and Condor. Avenger begins shooting solar energy and throwing garbage from the floor at Morningstar. Intrepid finds his sword to be more damaging against Condor than it was last time. Morningstar and Condor both seem to be going down. A loud gunshot is heard. Condor grips his chest and takes to the air. Another gunshot. Condor struggles some, but remains in the air. A third gunshot. Condor falls towards the ground, but before impact his body disappears. The gunshots came so quickly that Intrepid could only watch. When he turned to where his friend had been fighting Morningstar, that battle had quickly turned for the worse. Morningstar towered above Avenger, who sat on the floor as Morningstar said something to him.

A man ducked back into a window across from the Tower. He rubbed his shoulder, how many years had it been? He looked at his rifle, still in perfect condition despite not being touched for years. A demon destroyed, God's will done. But another remains.

Man: Heavenly Father, guide my aim and strengthen my bullet.

He returned to the window and began aiming at the other demon.

Death Defier couldn't resist the oppertunity. He saw a pack of animals, including wolves, snakes, lizards, wolverines, and an animalistic boy, so he just had to dive in. As he jumped in he released his fire energy. The scent of burning animal fur and the sounds of animals screaming in pain greeted him, but not for long. Cracker-Jack screamed in anger at seeing his pets harmed and his scream drowned the other noises out. Then the big guy showed up. Death Defier barely dodged his punch which trapped his hand temporarily in the bend metal.

Kill-joy: I kill you!!

Cracker-Jack: Grrrr...

Death Defier smiled, this was going to be fun.

Nutjob leapt at Song, the arms of his straight jacket acting like small whips. She blocked and dodged everything he tried to hit her with. Then she stumbled and his straight jacket arm wrapped around her wrist. Nutjob capitalized on this and quickly twisted her arm behind her back. He grabbed her head and began twisting. To make matters worse her least favorite song on the CD bagan playing. Blindly she began groping for the CD player's buttons, but since it was on the otherside of her body and the position her body had been twisted kept it just out of her reach.

Thresher and Switch both stood where they had been when freed from the spell. They looked around, and though only moments had passed they were the only ones who hadn't started attacked another.

Thresher: Why don't you just surrender, I'll make sure the authorities are easy on you.

Briefly Switch regrets turning back to crime for Nosferatu's little "campaign," but now they are so close to success. What would Nosferatu do to him if he surrendered and then the Reformers lost...

Switch: Why don't you just surrender and I'll make sure Nosferatu goes easy on you.

Switch saw one of the Unseen do a flying kick and tries to imitate it. It is an ungly looking kick, the Unseen briefly stop their battle to look in horror. One makes a gesture to the other that roughly translates: "Where did he learn that? Crappy karate movies." The continued to look on for a while before they continued their own battle. Switch's kick connected to Thresher's chest. Switch's leg broke on impact, Thresher barely had to take a step back to avoid falling.

Thresher: I really don't want to fight you. I'll still accept your surrender.

Switch: Bite me.

Switch moved his injury to Thresher, who barely caught a hand rail to keep his balance. Putting his weight on the other leg Thresher stood up.

Thresher: Last chance.

Switch: Fuck off!

The Unseen moven in dance-like precision. Each moving just enough to dodge the others attacks. Such a battle would have normally lasted until either passed out from exhaustion, but Pyrus couldn't let it last that long. He decided not to block or dodge on attack. A knee to his stomach forced the air from his lungs, and a small amount of blood began trickling from his mouth.

Pyrus: First blood.

In hand to hand the two were near equals, but Pyrus' power surpassed his foe's. A dome of solid fire surrounded the Unseen while another consumed the oxygen within the dome. The Unseen used his power negation field to disperse the domes and force the battle back to a hand to hand level. The Unseen pressed his attack, ignoring the voice in the back of his head calling for blood. Their fight continued for ten more minutes then the Unseen just stopped.

Unseen: Enough. Your powers are almost back to full power and they out class mine; you win. The Elders demand Nosferatu's punishment. Lets go.

Pyrus smiled as they began climbing to the top of the tower

Man: STOP!

Pig-Lard took his eyes off the creature to look at the man. The creature again began walking towards the tower.

Pig-Lard: Who the fuck are you to be telling me "stop?"

Man: I'm a messenger from a higher power, and that creature isn't your enemy.

Pig-Lard: How do you know?

Man: Look at what he is doing, does that really seem threatening?

The creature was pushing at one of the legs of the tower. Pig-Lard looked somewhat confused at this action.

Man: He is trying to move the tower. Why don't you help him?

For some reason Pig-Lard found himself compelled to do as the man said. He began pushing on anpother of the legs.

Organa appeared almost directlty on top of Nymph. Nymph snarled as she lunged for Organa's throat. Organa jerked out of Nymph's path, but lost her balance. Large clumps of her bio mass shot from her body, knocking the still tangible Nymph to the ground.

Organa: Please Nymph, let me help you.

Nymph: I'll let you help me, but first you have to catch me.

Nymph turned intangible and began floating away from the tower. Organa looked around the battlefield. Death Defier seemed to enjoy fighting Cracker-Jack, a big guy and Cracker-Jack's animals. Captain Infinity was taking out yet another of Nutzoid's creations, and Avenger and Intrepid had Morningstar on the ropes. She couldn't see Song or the Unseen, no surprise there though.

Organa: I'm sorry, but I've got to go after her...I'll be back if I can.

Organa sprouted wings ang began flying after Nymph.

Song strained for her CD player's skip button. He vision was fading because of how Nutjob was gripping her head, but she kept trying, then miraciously she hit it. As the first chords of her favorite song began playing her strength increased dramatically, so much so that her straining reach turned into a throw that launched Nutjob over the edge.

Song: NO!

Evil though he may be Song couldn't bare to be responsible for his death. She ran to the edge to find him barely hanging onto the edge. She extended her hand for him to grab onto. He stared at it for a moment then grabbed it and pulled with all his might. Because she was surprised by this course of action she fell, but managed to grab onto a side. Her body slammed into the metal structure of the tower, her CD player moved ahead to a song she didn't really like, she began to feel her strength leaving her. Try as she might she just couldn't bring herself to take one hand off the tower to change to song.

Nutjob: Run skips together bubblegum! Bubblegum!

Captain Infinity breathed hard as the fourth of Nutzoid's creations fell before his cosmic blasts. Captain Infinity no longer sdaw his former ally, now he just saw another of Nosferatu's soldiers. Nutzoid just smiled.

CI: That *gasp* all you got.

Not waiting for an answer Captain Infinity unleashed a powerful blast of cosmic energy, Nutzoid's shield just deflected the blast.

Nutzoid: Good night, Captain.

Notzoid's face contorted briefly, Captain Infinity though he saw a...wink? A box appears around his head, and soon he loses consciousness.

Pig-Lard: Hey how about lending us a hand?

Jason: I'm sorry, I have only human level strength, but prehaps I can help in other ways. *kneels and begins looking into the sky* Almighty Father I beseech thee aid these valliant warriors in their quest. Make the tower move as though it were on wheels.

As soon as his prayer ended the tower began moving. Golem and Pig-Lard pushed the tower almost 200 ft, then the Golem stopped. It looked at the tower then began walking back the way it came.

Pig-Lard: That's it?

The combatants all lost their footing when the tower began moving. Song and Nutjob suffered the worst, the sudden movment caused them to lose their grip. SOng it the skip button on her CD player as she fell and hoped it would give her the durability needed to survive such a fall. Nutjob laughed the entire way down. She hit the ground and created a small hole where she landed; he hit the ground bounced four times then ran off into the streets of Paris. Song was lifted fron her pit back into the daylight

Sarah: Didn't even skip did it?

The top of the Eiffle Tower...

Nosferatu was in the middle of his spell when the tower began moving. Though exhausted he jumped up immediatly.

Nosferatu: Something is wrong. Quickly Rebecca we must leave.

Rebecca opened a portal back to his basement.

Below Nosferatu Switch sees them leaving. Shit! He failed, just like everyone else...

Switch: Is that offer for surrender still good?

Thresher: No.

Thresher formed chains from his gauntlets and attempted to trap Switch, but just as the chains began tightening Switch was replaced by a man from the streets below. Switch's final words hung in the air: Can't let you catch me, I'm going straight. I mean it this time.

Avenger recovered from Morningstar's emotional manipulations and now him and Intrepid fought the demon. He swatted them like flies, than a strange lokk appeared on his face.

Morningstar: Heh. His "perfectly simple" plan has failed. My work here is done.

Morningstar dissapeared in a puff of smoke.

The remaining Reformers surrounded Cracker-Jack, his few remaining animals, Killjoy and Nutzoid.

Avenger: Give up, you don't have to fight us.

Killjoy: Kill!!!

Killjoy began running at Avenger, preparing a massive punch. He never connected. Nutzoid jumped infront of his fist, his forcefield taking the full force of the punch. Then a block of cement appeared around the feet of Killjoy, Cracker-Jack, and his animals.

Cracker-Jack: Whaaa?

Nutzoid: I've been psychoanalyzed and electro-shocked so many times that once they stopped the emotion manipulation the brain washing didn't work.

Captain Infinity stood up.

CI: Say that all you want, but I just want to be sure. We'll be running more mental scans on you and send you to be de-programed.

Death Defier: Thats great, but what was with the tower moving?

Jason: I'll answer that. Pig-Lard and the Golem had to move the tower off away from the ley lines. It wouldn't have been possible had someone, or something, not been causing the lines to fluctuate. The question who or what was causing such a disturbance?

CI: That was my ace in the hole. Have you heard of the Rock? I couldn't find eith Landslyde, or Ohm, so I found a middle ground.

Thresher: So what do we do with them?

Nosferatu's Lair....

Nosferatu: Something was wrong, it didn't feel right from the beginning. What was it?

Rebecca: The Crown Jeweles were fake...

Nosferatu: Fake! Why didn't you tell me!

Rebecca: I tried, but you never gave me a chance. Also someone was altering the flow of energy through the ley lines.

Unseen: There's still the matter of how you will pay for contract violations.

Nosferatu turned and saw the Unseen looking at him. One holding a pale white sword, the other holding a sword of flame.

Nosferatu: Rebecca, get them!

As Rebecca unwillingly lunged at the Unseen, one of them actived his power nulling field. One lost his sword, but still managed to casually toss Rebecca aside. She stayed down gripping her side in pain.

Unseen: You owe us. Pay up.

Nosferatu: Will the ring and skull suffice?

Unseen: Yes.

They collected the objects from him and left. Almost as soon as they left shadows bagan hanging from the walls and a wailing filled the room.

Lucifer: Now the matter of my payment.

He reached into Nosferatu's chest and pulled out a white sphere; the physical manisfistation of his magical power.

Lucifer: Our business is done. Good-bye.

The shadows and Lucifer disappeared and Nosferatu sank to the floor, a tear gathering in his eye.