Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. It has no intentions of resembling any real persons dead or alive. This is entirely from my imagination, with a little help from already established sources. This story is based loosely on the comic book character "The Punisher" from Marvel Comics. Other characters may appear from Marvel comics as well as DC Comics.
Punisher and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics.
Blade and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel copyright Joss Whedon, United Paramount Network and Warner Bros. Respectively.
The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice.
I have written another story on nifty entitled "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". It is in the Celebrity/Boy Bands section. Batman may appear in this story once or twice, as the Punisher may appear in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". Any comments may be sent to authorjames2002@yahoo.com
Thank you and enjoy.
Author's Note: This storyline will be the final installment for "Marvel Knights". I hope you have enjoyed the run as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Many issues that have come up in the last storyline will be resolved in this story line. Again, I hope you have enjoyed its run. Thank you.
Chapter 13 A Few Steps Closer
"That's just gross," Tandy replied as the Knights stood around the study talking about the deaths of Ryan and Caleb. The only ones not among them were Dr. Strange and Michael. They remained in the lair to study the blood and determine what caused their deaths. "I mean, just thinking that their cocks exploded."
"That's painful!" Ty stated. "I can't even imagine what it felt like! My God..."
"Look at this," Michael called over the Dr. Strange. "I saw several distinct elements in their blood that aren't natural to the blood content. One is a type of narcotic that induces euphoria. The other appears to be a variant of what Viagra does. But it isn't the exact make-up of it."
Michael moved away from the microscope and Dr. Strange stepped up. He looked through the machine and stared for several minutes. His right hand moved over and he picked up a pencil and began to write as he viewed the contaminated blood.
"No doubt some of it might be the virus which infected Davey. I'll have to run more tests. But I see the elements you speak of. It does seem that something was put in his blood a short while before he died that did increase his stamina, as it were."
Moments later, Dr. Strange's head popped up and he looked at Michael. "I know what this is."
In the study everyone listened as Dr. Strange told them of the chemical compounds found in the blood sample of Ryan and Caleb.
"Michael was the first to spot something different about their blood on a molecular level. Blade could smell the difference, which clued us in that it was a resource of information. But it took looking at it to see there was something more and what the something more was.
"The first, and most obvious identified component, was the virus which infected Davey. Due to the fact Ryan and Caleb were carriers; this could be the purest form. We should take the opportunity to study it further and, perhaps, find a cure.
"The second is an opiate chemical compound and it works like ecstasy and morphine. The drug, when it entered the system created a euphoric state and decreased any inhibitions. These young men felt fantastic for a long time as the drug had a very strong concentration.
"The third drug in the system was a derivative of drugs used in the medication Viagra, only this was more enhanced."
"How enhanced?" Marc asked.
"Taking one dosage of this stuff was like someone taking an entire pill bottle of Viagra," Michael answered. "They were hard and could not get soft."
"Precisely. Blood continuous flowed into the penile gland and the pleasure induced by sexual arousal could not be satiated. Some blood was found on their bodies and on the sheets mixed with their semen. This tells me that there was blood in their ejaculate. Most likely, their bodies needed to expel something to relieve the pressure and there was no more semen in the testicles. With the amount of blood flowing into their glands, their bodies automatically forced the blood out."
"Damn," Ty whispered.
"How they died was the fact they were handcuffed to the bed. Nothing was stimulating their penises in order to reach orgasm. The blood continued to flow swelling their penises until there was no room left and they simply exploded. No doubt they survived for a bit afterwards. Their deaths were due to blood loss. Their blood drained out of their bodies through their genitals."
"This is horrid," Whistler said. "Who in the hell would be able to do that?"
"And the question is why someone would do that."
"Harris has the motive," Tandy quickly interjected.
"We all have a motive for it. The question is who the most likely person is to do something like that."
Eyes looked from one to another until they all converged on Michael. He looked at everyone and became instantly defensive.
"It wasn't me. I don't think I'm nearly that inventive in punishment."
"It could be any number of their fans," Ty stated. "Any number could have wanted to bone the boys and the boys turned them down."
"But are they intelligent enough to create the chemicals to do exactly what was done? Probably not," answered Strange. "It takes great intelligence and resourcefulness in order to find the chemicals, mix them in the proper proportions and create the specific dosage needed for how long those two youths suffered."
"Is there any way to find out?"
"We could start with local drug pushers," Michael answered. "The two probably got it here. There weren't any residual elements of the compound in their system. If they had taken it before, there would have been traces of it as it broke down in their system. Odds are it is someone who is in town."
"Then we'll have to hit the clubs first," Ty stated. "I doubt they would have gotten something off the streets."
"We'll split up and check out all the clubs. Maybe someone saw something."
"And if the pusher is out there," Blade said, "we'll catch him."
After dusk, the Marvel Knights went out. This time, however, they did not change into their costumes. The best way for them to get close would be to dress as clubbers. This reminded them of the time Ty and Davey went out to the Axis attempting to discover the one drawing vampires to the club. It made them miss Davey all over again. The teams consisted of Blade and Michael, Ty and Tandy, Johnny and Marc, and Dr. Strange and Whistler found a central location to monitor them and provide back-up.
Ty and Tandy entered the Axis and looked around. "I remember when Davey would come here all the time," Ty said as he took in the environment. "He enjoyed the music and dancing so much."
"Not to mention all the hot, queer boys gyrating on the floor," Tandy added.
Ty nodded and the two chuckled at the good memory of their friend. "I'll ask around," Ty suggested. "You can talk with those at the bar."
"Yeah. And I'll check out the back, too. Maybe some stuff is going on back there."
Ty nodded and the two split up.
Tandy walked over to the bartender and sat down.
"Can I get you something?"
"Yeah, I'm looking for someone." Tandy reached into her back pocket and pulled out the pictures of Caleb and Ryan as the bartender approached. "Have you seen these guys?"
The bartender looked over the pictures. "They look familiar. I might have seen them in here before." After closer examination, realization struck. "These are the guys from the boy band! Yeah, I remember them! They were in here last night!"
"Really? Did you see them with anybody?"
"Shit loads of people. Guys were trying to grab their cocks and asses. It was a crazy house. About an hour before they left, though, someone led them to the back. I didn't see who it was. The person was wearing a long black coat or something, and a hat. They were in the bathroom for about a half hour and then the guy with the black coat left. These guys came out a little later, danced on the floor and were all over each other. I was just waiting for them to tear each other's clothes off and start fucking on the floor."
"You mean 'hoping'."
The bartender just looked at Tandy. "Anyway, they left. That's the last I saw of them."
"Did you notice how tall the guy was? What his build was?"
"No. His coat covered him up."
"Thanks for your help," Tandy replied.
The Slayer turned around to see where Ty was. She couldn't help but smile as a guy was rubbing Ty's arm and trying to convince him to go home with him. Ty was being polite in saying 'no' but it seemed the guy wouldn't have it. Suddenly the club got quiet as Ty yelled out, "No, I'm not going home with you! I'm not gay!"
Tandy busted out laughing.
Someone from the crowd called out, "Keep telling yourself that, honey." That statement caused the rest of the club to laugh.
The guy turned and left and Ty walked over to Tandy. "Having any luck?" the Slayer asked.
"With the guys, no, although it isn't for lack of them trying. A few people said they saw the guys in here dancing and then they disappeared into the back."
"I got a similar story from the bartender," Tandy replied. "I wonder who this mysterious cloaked guy is."
"Too bad they don't have video surveillance."
"Let's tell the others. Maybe Whistler will have a plan."
The two nodded and left the club.
Johnny and Marc exited one of several clubs on their list to check out. So far, they had not uncovered any new information about Ryan and Caleb.
"I wonder if the others are having any luck," Marc stated.
"I hope they are," Johnny replied. "This is getting on my nerves."
"At least you are getting hit on."
"But you're straight, Marc."
"Getting hit on is still flattering no matter who it is doing it."
Johnny chuckled. "Too bad most straight men aren't like that. It really pisses me off sometimes how macho this society can be."
"There are worse ones. Believe me."
"Let's head to the next one." As the two walked down the street, Johnny asked, "So what do you do, normally? How did you get your abilities?"
"It's a long story. I was an archaeologist who became a mercenary who got imbued with powers. The stages of the moon determine my strength."
Johnny nodded. "I guess we all get our powers unnaturally as well as naturally. I'm sort of the same way. I performed a spell to rescue Michael and became possessed with a spirit of vengeance."
"So I've noticed," a dark voice said.
The two turned to see D'Spayre standing across the street. "Did you think that your garb would hide your identities from me? I can smell you across the city. I know exactly where you are and what you feel. I know the very thoughts of your despair. They flow to me and feed me."
Johnny took a step forward and instantly turned into Ghost Rider. "You cannot win, D'Spayre! You will be beaten again!"
"The spirit of vengeance speaks to me. I'm surprised. You were always so tight-lipped before."
'The spirit and the demon must know each other,' Marc thought. 'Time to get some help.' Marc slipped down the alley and called the rest of the Knights to come to their location. "There's about to be a throw-down between Ghost Rider and D'Spayre. And it seems they know each other."
Ghost Rider stepped out into the street as did D'Spayre. One would think they were related as Ghost Rider's head was nothing but a skull and D'Spayre's face appeared to resemble that of a skull, though not completely.
"Do you really wish to do this?" D'Spayre asked. "Think of all the deaths that would be caused. I really don't want to destroy my meals. I could live here for decades!"
"You must be stopped."
"Oh, very well, if you insist."
D'Spayre held his hand out. A swirl of clouds formed around it and took form into that of a metal quarterstaff. Ghost Rider took his chain off of his shoulders and spun it around. As it spun, it turned into a quarterstaff as well. The two looked at one another and readied to fight.
"The last time we did this, several hundred years ago, I kicked your ass."
"Not this time, D'Spayre."
D'Spayre swung at Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider blocked and D'Spayre spun around connecting with his flaming head. Ghost Rider stumbled to the side.
"The first strike of many more." And D'Spayre attacked again.
Ghost Rider blocked as D'Spayre swung downward. Then Ghost Rider brought his staff around and hit D'Spayre in the stomach causing him to hunch over.
"Good shot," D'Spayre said. "You won't get another."
The staffs whizzed through the air as each force demanded attention. Blow after blow became louder and louder as each being swung with all his might. D'Spayre brought his staff down and Ghost Rider dove out of the way rolling to his feet. D'Spayre's staff hit the roof of the car and caused the vehicle to fold in on itself. Ghost Rider swung his staff and hit D'Spayre in the back. D'Spayre slumped to his knees. Ghost Rider swung again, this time aiming for his head. D'Spayre ducked at the last minute and Ghost Rider's staff went through the car cutting the roof off from the body of the vehicle.
"Our weapons are equal," D'Spayre replied. "Let's be rid of them and fight hand-to-hand."
"I'm game."
D'Spayre's weapon disappeared as Ghost Rider's became a chain that he wrapped around his shoulders. The two beings glared at each other and then leapt at one another.
To Be Continued...