| Roll Call: |
|---|
 Black Diamond |
 Muskateer |
 Enchantress |
 Firestar |
 Lightburst |
 Thing |
Guest Starring: FIST |
 Huntress |
 Microwave |
 Night Owl |
 Willow Witch |
"This is a special CBI Warzone report, with your host Tony Kendall," the voice-over stated. The picture on the screen showed an aerial view of Central Park from the helicopter that the journalist was currently flying in.
"Below me is Central Park, where just a few minutes ago a powerful earth tremor was reported. Ah, we're coming into sight of it right now!", the reporter said excitedly.
The camera angle shifted rapidly causing the picture to blur. After the movement ceased, the picture focused in to view a large rift in the middle of Central Park.
"What we are witnessing is what appears to be a large split being formed in the fields of Central Park. As if giant hands had plunged into the ground and pulled them apart to reveal-- What is that?"
The camera zoomed in to focus on the bottom of the rift where some shiny black substance could be seen. There was a large hole in that leading further down.
"I am at a loss to explain what we are seeing, but that huge opening can only mean that there is something underneath it! Perhaps an underground chamber or maybe a lost tomb. I can only speculate at this time. We have unconfirmed reports that the mild earth tremor we felt less than fifteen minutes ago is related to this strange rift. Wait! Yes, I can confirm that PRIMUS is currently on the scene!"
As the viewers watched, several squads of PRIMUS Agents and Iron Guard operatives moved to surround the rift.
"We're going to set the chopper down so that I can interview the PRIMUS officials directly. We'll continue with this unprecedented coverage of Warzone after these messages from your local CBI stations..."
While the television viewing audience wondered what was going on in Central Park, a raiding party of fifteen super-heroes was already very much aware. Deep in the labyrinth-like DEMON Base, the heroes pressed on.
"Oh my... That's Lightburst!" The Enchantress blinked to make sure whether what she was seeing was real or not. But the figure on the table remained. The assault group that she was in command of was small, consisting only of herself, the monstrous Brute from the Freedom League, and the sorceress in training, Willow Witch of the Circle.
Using her magic, the Enchantress had located someone behind the corridor walls. Figuring that it was a hidden chamber, the powerhouse called Brute used his muscle to make a new entrance. A hole wide enough to see through was quickly created and the trio were surprised to find that long missing Avenger.
"Shouldn't we get him out of there?" The Brute gave the Enchantress a questioning look.
"How can we be sure that it's the genuine article?" Willow Witch was somewhat familiar with the DEMON policy of 'nothing is as it really appears'. "It could be a trap."
The Enchantress held her chin and considered thoughtfully. "If this chamber was directly out in the open, I might be more inclined to agree with you, Willow. Regardless, let us proceed cautiously."
The Brute took that as a 'yes' and renewed his pounding on the wall. Aided by his tail, the barrier was quickly beginning to crumble.
"We've got company coming!" Willow Witch could hear the telltale sound of metallic footsteps approaching.
"Erect a barrier," the Enchantress instructed the Circle student, but kept her eye on the rapidly growing hole Brute was working on.
"Gotcha!" Willow Witch used some of the debris to make a small pile of earth on the floor. Once more she began casting her sympathic magic. This time, the spell concluded with Willow ramming her earthen pile between her palms, causing it form a small wall. The floor of the corridor followed Willow Witch's lead, and it too rose upwards and formed an earthen barrier.
The approaching Demon operatives paused at the sight of the unexpected barrier. Then they opened fired.
"I don't know how long it will hold!", Willow Witch shouted over the weapons discharge, great concern showing in her voice.
"It does not have to withstand their assault for long," the Enchantress answered in a reassuring tone. By now, the Brute had made an opening large enough for them to pass through. "Quickly! Inside!"
The trio entered the chamber and then it was Gwen's turn to spell cast. She completed her spell seconds before the makeshift barrier was sundered. The Demonwarriors rushed past, seemingly oblivious to the large opening in the wall, and rushed from sight.
"There. That will give us some privacy," the Enchantress proudly stated. She turned her attention back to the prone figure in the center of the room. "Stay back. I'll check for active magicks."
The Brute stayed near the opening, to make sure that none of the Demon agents came back. He found it hard to believe that they could have missed the large hole he had battered into the side of the corridor. Sighing, he wondered just how he got stuck with a pair of mystics.
Willow Witch simply obeyed orders. She was used to it, as the Enchantress still associated with the Circle from time to time. The younger students of the Circle were trained to defer to those more advanced. Willow genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to work with graduates of the Master.
Gwen completed her initial scan and then cast a second spell that seemingly was directed at Lightburst. The results seemed to satisfy the Enchantress. "All clear," she announced.
The three heroes approached Lightburst. He was still in costume, but it has now dirty with numerous tears in it. Cuts, scratches, and dried blood could be seen beneath the tears.
"There was a spell in operation that pinned Lightburst down, but I have removed it." Gwen tentatively pulled back one of Lightburst's eyelids. The eye itself appeared glazed over and did not respond. "He's been heavily drugged."
"But is it really him?", Willow questioned.
The Enchantress nodded. "As near as I can tell. Unfortunately, I was not on hand when Lightburst initiated the conflict with PRIMUS at the Avengers Mansion. But I'm confident that I can identify the real Lightburst." (Editor's Note: As seen in Avengers #8)
"Then we had best get him out of here." The Brute reached down and lifted the still unconscious hero up, gently placing him over his shoulder. "Now which way do we go, Enchantress?"
"It seems to me that we've broken into a concealed area of the base-- one known only to the Morbanes." Gesturing to the normal exit, the Enchantress added, "We may be able to come on them from behind---" Unexpectedly, the Enchantress stopped in mid-sentence.
"Oh...", Willow uttered, seemingly out of the blue.
The Brute was more confused than ever. "What is it? What's going on?"
"My worst fears--", the Enchantress took to the air once more and flew out of the chamber.
"Huh?"
Seeing the Brute's confusion, Willow Witch provided him with an quick explanation. "She sensed what I sensed. The Morbanes have summoned a real demon..." The pair quickly ran after the Enchantress.
"Good evening. This is Allen Kingston live and on the scene of a major story now breaking in the Central Park area."
The picture showed the handsome reporter, as always stylishly dressed in a suit and tie, standing in the bowels of an underground parking ramp.
"The full details on what has transpired here are sketchy at best. We have learned that a force of heroes, apparently a partnership between the Avengers and the Freedom League have spearheaded an assault on what we currently believe to be a hidden base for the criminal organization known as DEMON."
Allen stepped to the side of the picture to allow full view of the action going on behind him. In the background, PRIMUS Agents were escorting DEMON Operatives into waiting vans. The reporter and his cameraman moved forward.
"We are now witnessing what appears to be DEMON agents being placed into custody. I will attempt to interview the Officer in Charge to find out exactly what is going on."
The pair continued onward and entered into what had been a hidden garage in the depths of the parking ramp. More PRIMUS agents were around, and even more DEMON agents were being escorted out. A guard force of PRIMUS agents halted the reporters' advance.
"This is a secured area!", the PRIMUS agent stated.
"Allen Kingston, World News Network. Can you comment on what is transpiring here?"
"Not at this time. There will be full press conference later. Now, please vacate the area."
"Thank you," Allen said and he turned back to the camera. "Officials at this end remain tight-lipped as to the exact details of the action taking place. We'll have live coverage of the press conference as it happens. Right now, we'll take you back to the studio."
Back at the security checkpoint, five jaws dropped together as one. The monitor showed a nearly blinding field of light. Something moved in the light, making a disgusting squishing sound as it began to emerge. An eyestalk peered out first. Then another, and another and then finally a tentacle, then three. It got worse as more of the creature came forth.
"Oh no...," Aureole said quietly.
"What is that?!", PRIMUS Corporal Lewis wondered out look. He was in command of the PRIMUS support operation on this mission. Already, they had captured several dozen Demon Operatives. But this was far beyond anything Lewis had ever encountered before.
Kor Hunter was much more excitable at the appearance of the disgusting monstrosity. "By the shimmering sands of Salkadin, 'tis one of the demon dogs of a Dire Lord!"
The Huntress could only stare at the screen. She was not easily impressed, but this viscous, puss-dripping thing was something else altogether. "Oh, my God..."
"I say," Kor Hunter continued seemingly unphased by this development, "this day gets more momentous by the second!"
A sudden movement was barely picked up on the screen before the picture went black. "Musky, we've lost the picture!", the Huntress said, pointing at the screen.
"I'm on it!" The sword-swinging Avenger renewed the security camera cycle, but the image did not return. "Several of the cameras appear to be down. I can't get them back. But we've also got to do something to help Di out." Muskateer considered what to do. The image on another monitor showed that Black Diamond's assault group had their backs against the wall. Suddenly it came to him. "Maybe we can help both groups at the same time." Muskateer leaned over and helped himself to a couple of Kor Hunter's arrows.
Kor noticed Muskateer pulling arrows out of his quiver. "May I ask what your intentions are, my comrade at arms?"
"You may ask," Muskateer answered quickly, moving over to the wall. He grabbed a microphone and worked the controls to the console once more. "Huntress, you may want to take that helmet off right about now. Huntress?"
"Hmmn...? Sure, why...?" She didn't get to finish her question as a horrible screeching sound filled the air and also came over the intercom on her helmet. She dropped the metallic piece of armor as if it suddenly had become red hot.
Muskateer had run the jagged metal arrow tips he grabbed from Kor along the wall and amplified the horrific sound through the intercom linked to all the DEMON agents in the base. Most of the Demon agents on the view screen grabbed their heads in pain and surprise.
"You are so evil!", the Huntress said with an approving smile.
"I aim to please," Muskateer answered. He ran the arrows along the wall again, showering sparks as they went. "Once more for good measure." Seeing that the mind-numbing assault had its desired effects, he handed the arrows back to the impressed Kor Hunter.
"I haven't heard a wail such as that in many days. It doth remind me of the blood-curdling scream of the Whipper Wails," Kor began.
"Don't you mean whippoorwills?", the Huntress asked.
"Oh no, the Whipper Wails twere a gift from the powerful mage Argent, the Silver Sorceress of the Shining Sea, to Koptar, the King of the Golems. Ah yes, I remember it well..."
The Huntress and Muskateer shook their heads in unison.
Elsewhere, FIST and Black Diamond were quite surprised to see their swarming attackers all suddenly convulse and scream in apparent pain. Most of them grabbed at their helmets, or even pulled them off their heads.
"What's the deal?" FIST paused for a moment, confused by this sudden turn of events. "I was just beginning to like being beat on."
Black Diamond was not about to let the sudden reprieve get away from them. "We can figure it out later, FIST. Just let them have it!" Black Diamond smashed the closest Demonspawn to the floor with a vicious two-handed blow.
"I'll enjoy that." FIST opened fire on the milling throng of agents, downing some and sending others running for cover. For a moment, the heroes could catch their breaths.
"They'll recover soon. We need to even up the odds a little." Diamond moved over to where Night Owl had fallen. Ignoring the electricity from the bolos that stilled entangled the young heroine, the Avengers leader tore the metallic cords, freeing her. "Up and at'm, Night Owl," she said, shaking the young woman to consciousness.
"Huh?... What...?" Night Owl rubbed her head, blinked, and looked around. Further away, Speedster and Firestar had both sat up dazedly. Firestar leaned against a wall for a moment as she cleared her head.
"Let's get moving people. No time for lying down on the job." Black Diamond launched herself at a group of returning Demon agents, sending them sprawling in all directions. The others quickly followed up her lead and attacked the reeling Demonspawn.
With the tide turned against them and momentum clearly on the side of the heroes, the few Demonspawn who withstood the counterattack quickly beat a hasty retreat. In just a few moments, the heroes were alone in the corridor.
"Well, whataya know?", FIST said looking at the others. "I thought we were dead meat for sure."
"Not much of an optimist are you?", Night Owl questioned.
"You'll have to forgive my teammate", Speedster said to Night Owl, moving up along side her and Firestar. "He's not usually this upbeat."
Firestar gave the Freedom Leaguer an 'are you serious' sort of look. "You call that upbeat?"
"I know we all would like to take a moment to collect ourselves," Black Diamond stated, "but..." Just then, her comlink signal went off. "On second thought, everyone take five." While she didn't want to admit it to herself, or worse, appear as haggard as she felt to her teammates, Black Diamond did need a moment to catch her breath. "Yes?", she said into the comlink.
"Hey, Di," Muskateer's voice said. "I trust you enjoyed the concert."
"I thought that might have been you," Diamond answered. "Thanks for the help."
"No sweat, fearless leader. Just doin' my job and making you look good for leaving me back here." Muskateer paused for a moment. "And enjoying it as much as I can. But that's not why I called."
"I had hoped this wasn't just a social chat."
"Well, if we hafta talk shop, then there's a big fugly bag of puss that just dropped in, courtesy of the Morbanes. Ben's group could use some help, I'm guessin'."
"Can you help us find their location?", Black Diamond asked.
"Vaguely. It's hard to figure this place out, but if you head the way you were going and take the next left, you can't miss it."
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, can you pick up a gallon of milk on the way home?"
Black Diamond just sighed and cut the com signal. "Alright, everyone. Let's move!"
"It's a demon!", Black Fire screamed. The young Circle student had seen much in his short life. Friends turned into drug addicts, kids gunned down in the street, gangs running rampant. His life in the inner city, hellish as it had been, did not begin to prepare him for this.
The creature moved out of the light and into the open. It didn't resemble anything even remotely human. The demon was a pulsating puddle of goo that sprouted a multitude of eyestalks, tentacles, and mouths filled with sharp, pointy teeth.
"What a revoltin' development this is!" Ben Grimm had seen many strange things since the incident that had transformed him into the Thing. This beat them all. Hands down. "And here I thought I had an ugly kisser!"
"Destroy them all!!", the voice of Lady Darkness screamed from elsewhere in the room. The bright light that heralded the creatures' arrival had obscured the sight of the Morbanes for a few moments.
Microwave was frozen in place, the sight of the creature seemingly more than her mind could comprehend. Black Fire was likewise rooted in place.
"Great," the Thing stated eyeing his frozen companions. "Okay, it's jes me n' you, butt-ugly!" The rocky hero advanced on the pulsating puddle that was the demon.
Unexpectedly, the creature shivered visibly as if cold. Several tentacles exploded out of the main puddle and shot off in different directions. Some of the tentacles reached towards the two security cameras that were in the room. They ceased functioning with a touch. Four other tentacles shot backwards and touched each of the Morbanes.
"Stop!", Lord Evil shouted in vain. "I command you to stop!"
The demon heeded him not at all. All four of the Morbanes appeared to weaken, several dropping to their knees.
"I don't get it," Microwave stated, coming out of her momentary haze. "What's going on?"
All at once, the demonic puddle leaped to the edge of the room, bounded down one of the other exit tunnels, and faded from sight in mere seconds.
"Man, this is really, really weird." Black Fire made his way to the Thing's side. "It was almost like-- like it was afraid of us."
"That tears it!", the Thing shouted. "Now I've really been insulted. The nerve o' somethin' that hideous callin' me ugly!" The rocky Avenger advanced on the Morbanes, who were all as equally surprised by this sudden turn of events as were the heroes.
Lord Evil quickly made his way to Lady Darkness' side. "We must leave!"
"Not this time! No more running! This time, I destroy them!" Lady Darkness concentrated, bringing the awesome powers of the Stone Crown into play.
And nothing happened.
"My power! My power-- it's gone!" A look of sheer terror and panic came over the normally reserved face of Lady Darkness.
"My, my. Such a thing couldn't happen to a nicer person." Everyone turned to see the Enchantress lead her group into the chamber from a tunnel behind the Morbanes. Gwen actually had a sinister smile on her face. Willow Witch followed the Enchantress, with the Brute, still bearing Lightburst, bringing up the rear.
Lord Evil began spell casting but produced no visible results. "It cannot be...!", he uttered in disbelief.
The lesser Morbanes tried to cast spells of their own, but likewise their attempts were futile. The Thing's group advanced on them. The Demonpriests tried to fight, but were quickly subdued, hardly being able to stand up to superheroes bereft of their magical abilities.
Lady Darkness turn and ran, but didn't get far before being overtaken by the flying Enchantress. "Oh, no you don't!" Gwen grasped Lady Darkness' shoulder and forced her to turn around. "I'm actually going to enjoy this!"
The Enchantress balled her fist and struck Lady Darkness across the face! The Demon priestess teetered on her high heels for a second and then fell over. The Stone Crown was knocked loose and tumbled from the Morbane's head. It landed a short distance away and Gwen watched it for a moment as it rolled in a circle several times before coming to rest on the floor.
Gwen shook her hand in pain. "Ow! That hurt!"
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't a' believed it!" The Thing had joined the Enchantress. "I never knew you were so violent, Red."
"Not normally, Benjamin," the Enchantress explained, flexing her hand. "But sometimes it is simply the right approach toward solving a particular problem."
Bending down, the Thing picked up Lady Darkness and tucked her under his arm. The latex-clad villainess pounded on the rocky Avenger, but he paid no attention to her meager blows. "Unhand me, you behemoth! I'll-- I'll--!"
"Pipe down!", the Thing told his prisoner. "'R I'll show ya a real punch."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me, Witch!" Lady Darkness seemed to think better of the Thing's threat and kept her mouth closed.
"So what happened to the demon?", Willow Witch asked. "We sensed its arrival."
"It was really weird, Willow," Black Fire explained as he approached. "It touched the Morbanes, apparently draining their power, and then fled. It was as though it was scared of us!"
"That is most unusual," the Enchantress said in agreement. "Demons are usually antagonistic, voracious, and generally ill-tempered. At least we located our erstwhile teammate."
"All n' all, a good day's work." The Thing made his way over to the Stone Crown. "This the doo-dad that's got everyone all worked up?", he said regarding the artifact.
"That's the Stone Crown?" Willow Witch had heard of the powerful artifact before.
"And it's mine!", Lady Darkness screamed. "I'll tear your minds apart with it!"
"Hush up!"
"I'd be careful with that, Benjamin," the Enchantress offered. "It's supposed to only affect mages and mentalists."
"That may be, Red, but let's get rid o' the darned thing already." The Thing raised his foot and stomped on the Stone Crown, shattering it into dozens of pieces!
"NOO!!", Lady Darkness screamed. She tried to squirm free from the Thing's powerful grasp, but could not get away. Resigned to her fate, she turned to Lord Evil. "This is all your fault! If you weren't such a coward we would have won!"
"With all due respect, my love," Lord Evil said in an condescending tone, "shut up!"
"Wait a minute," the Enchantress said, a look of realization crossing her face. "Where's the demon?"
"It ran off that way," Microwave pointed down the passage the strange creature had fled. "Is there a problem?"
"Most definitely! Thanks to these Morbanes, we've got a real demon loose in New York City!" The Enchantress' worst fears had been confirmed. Not only did the Demonpriests summon a real demon, but it was now free to roam!
"This is starting to make sense," Willow Witch rationalized. "Since it drained its summoners of their powers, they can no longer control it."
"Or send it back! We have to find it!" None present had ever seen the Enchantress so concerned before. "Black Fire, Microwave come with me!" The Enchantress flew down the passageway that the demon had fled down, followed shortly by Microwave and then Black Fire.
That left the Thing, Brute, Willow Witch, and the still unconscious Lightburst alone with the four Morbanes.
"It just goes to show you," the Thing stated. "It's always something!"
A moment later, the Speedster raced into the room and screeched to a halt. Black Diamond flew in, followed by Firestar and Fist, with Night Owl bringing up the rear.
"Did we miss all the excitement?", Black Diamond questioned. "What happened to the creature?"
"Di," the Thing responded, "Ya don't wanna know..."
"This is Tony Kendall continuing our special Warzone coverage. We are now reporting live from the grounds of Central Park. So far, PRIMUS, in cooperation with local law enforcement agents, has cordoned off the area. Thus far we have yet to receive any official explanation about just what is transpiring in Central Park this evening."
Tony's cameraman scanned the area. He was perched in the limbs of a tree to give him a view into the blocked off area. The cameraman zoomed in on the rift. Law Enforcement officers in the area were inexplicably backing off.
"Hold on, viewers. Something is happening at the rift. I can't tell what from this vantage point..."
The demon suddenly leaped out of the rift and splattered on the ground with all the grace of a spitball. It shivered visibly and everyone around it screamed in terror!
"What the hell is that?!"
The demon accelerated and scampered off away from the crowds, forming tentacles to use like legs. It was quickly out of sight before anyone had even regained their composure.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is absolutely incredible! I cannot even put into words what that-- creature was. Perhaps it was some ancient evil long imprisoned in the earth for all eternity. I can only speculate at this time."
The picture showed a chaotic scene as people watching ran in terror. The PRIMUS operatives weren't in much better shape. A unit was dispatched to pursue the terror. Unexpectedly, the Enchantress, Microwave, and then Black Fire flew out of the rift.
"We can now see just what the creature was fleeing from. The Enchantress of the Avengers has just risen from the rift. She's not alone. I can make the other woman out as Microwave of the Freedom League. The identity of the black man is not known to me. But I can assure you, good viewers, that I will find out!"
The Enchantress pointed off in the direction the demon had fled and accelerated after it, the other two heroes following. They were out of sight in moments.
"This is Allen Kingston on the scene of a joint operation between PRIMUS, the Avengers, and the Freedom League in taking down an installation of the organization known as DEMON. We are hearing reports that the fighting is now basically over. As I speak, I can see members of the Avengers begin to emerge into the parking ramp."
Allen and his cameraman moved closer and merged with other reporters. PRIMUS agents were the first to come into view as they escorted the Morbanes into a van. Brute was the easiest to spot as he towered over all. Slowly, the heroes came into view.
"Oh great," Muskateer sighed. "It's feeding time for the piranhas."
"I'll deal with the media," Black Diamond stated. "The rest of you can return to the Mansion."
"Works for me," the Huntress replied.
"Oh no, you don't!", Night Owl interjected. "I want in on this!"
"As you wish." Black Diamond advanced on the media, Night Owl and Corporal Lewis in tow.
In the background, Lightburst was loaded into an ambulance and driven off.
"Black Diamond! Black Diamond!" Linda's name was being called by at least two dozen reporters. Film was rolling, the cameras snapping shots, and tape recorders running.
Corporal Lewis moved to the front. "I'll be brief. We have learned that the robbery staged by Lightburst and Crusader was actually pulled off by DEMON Operatives in disguise. Likewise, the clash between the Avengers and PRIMUS was also orchestrated by DEMON."
"As you can see in the background, we have located the real Lightburst. He's been a captive of DEMON throughout this whole affair. All charges in this matter are being dropped."
The center of attention shifted to Black Diamond. "Black Diamond! What comments do you have?"
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I will keep my comments short. I'm dog tired right now, as the DEMON forces put up a terrific battle. I am personally dismayed at how quickly the Avengers were written off in the media. Granted, things did not look good for us, but all the facts were not in either. As that saying goes, the reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated."
"Black Diamond, what will the Avengers do now that you've been disassociated with the Government?"
"We will do what we've always done, what we were created to do: Assist the local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime and tackle problems beyond their power to handle. Thank you."
The reporters shouted other questions, but the exhausted heroine ignored them. Ceasing the opportunity, Night Owl leaped to the front. "Alright, boys, let's rap!"
Hours later at the Avenger's Mansion, the victory party was beginning to wind down. The Enchantress and her companions had reached the Mansion less than forty minutes after the rest of the team.
"Why the long face, good lookin'?", Muskateer asked the Enchantress. "I mean, we kicked their tails today."
"We lost track of the demon," the sorceress reported in a gloomy tone. "It fled into the sewers. We must locate it!"
"And we will," Black Diamond assured her. "Right now, let's unwind and celebrate the downfall of DEMON. From what I've heard, it seems like your creature wants to get away from people."
"That could be true. I just wonder what its intentions are? I still have an extremely bad feeling about this. Plus, we never did encounter the Chameleon."
"That is true, but given the nature of his powers, he could have easily evaded us."
The Freedom League had already departed and the Circle was getting ready to leave. The gallant Kor Hunter was saying his good-byes in his own, unique style. He currently held the Huntress' hand in his. "Alas, fair maiden, our mission doth come to a close, much to my sorrow. Until we next meet, I shall hold your memory dear to my heart."
"Now I know where the term 'silver tongued devil' comes from," the Huntress said with a grin.
"No doubt!", Firestar piped in. It was nice to have others around who were close to her age. She, Night Owl, and Willow Witch seemed to have hit it off. The Huntress was all right as well.
"Alright, break it up!" Night Owl forced herself between the two. "Okay, Archer let's see if you can put your words where your mouth is."
Kor was slightly taken aback but recovered quickly. "And what may I do for such a fine flower of womanhood?"
"How about a night out on the town?", Night Owl purred seductively. "I've been hearing what a ladies man you are and I want to find out for myself. The night is still young and I live for the night."
"Indeed, fair one. Such a challenge cannot be ignored! Let's us continue the celebration!" Arm in arm, Kor and Night Owl departed the Mansion.
"I don't think that she realizes what she's in for," Willow Witch muttered, watching the two depart.
The Huntress put her hand on the blonde sorceress' shoulder. "Neither does he, Willow, neither does he."
"I'll say one thing about Night Owl," Firestar added, "She's certainly no wallflower."
Willow turned to face the other girls. "Okay, whoever gets the dirt first contacts the others. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Firestar and the Huntress said in unison.
"Oh, Willow Witch," Black Diamond said approaching the young sorceress. "Do remember to fill in the hole you made in Central Park."
"Right. I'll take care of it on the way home."
The rest of the Circle departed shortly after. Firestar had retired for the evening, leaving only Black Diamond, Muskateer, and the Huntress left chatting in the Library.
"I've been in contact with the doctors caring for Lightburst. They say that he'll make a complete physical recovery from his ordeal. It's his mental state that they are worried about."
"I can understand their concern," Muskateer innocently responded.
Black Diamond ignored the remark. "It's been a long day and I desperately need a shower. Thanks for the assistance, Helena."
"Any time, Linda."
"'Night, Di," Muskateer offered. The heroine waved back to the pair, and made her way to her quarters.
"Well," the Huntress said to Muskateer, "I should probably change clothes and beat it myself." The heroine took a few steps and then looked back. "Oh, I just wanted to say 'thanks'. I heard that you put a pretty good sized hole in that walking tin can for me."
"Oh that. Yeah, I guess I did. Don't mention it." Muskateer dismissed the comment with a half-hearted wave of his hand.
Muskateer obviously didn't appear interested in chatting about the incident, the Huntress thought to herself. "I'll seeya around." The Huntress started to head out, when Muskateer realized that she left her car here at the Mansion.
"Helena?", Muskateer called after her. "You want a ride home or somethin'?"
The Huntress was pleasantly surprised at the invitation. "If it's not an inconvenience: sure!" In spite of his pretences, maybe Muskateer really wasn't a bad guy after all.
"It's not like there's anything worth watchin' on the tube this late on a Sunday night anyway." He wasn't sure why he made the offer, but the Huntress had been a big help lately. Muskateer just couldn't let her walk home this late, especially after everything they'd just been through together.
"And here I thought you were trying to be nice," Helena said with a smile. "Just let me change and I'll be ready to go."
"Hey, chivalry ain't dead yet!"
Epilogue:
Deep in the sewer system, the puddle of eyes, tentacles, and teeth came to a halt. It was tired from all the fleeing it had done. It eyed its surroundings and found them to its liking. Yes, this was much nicer than home. Cooler too. But the beings here were just so hideous!
Undaunted, the creature decided that it would rest for a time and then explore its new home...
