Chapter Two: Black as Night

[The Mighty Thor]

Watching the team’s reaction as Victoria voiced her opinions on the matter, Dan replied, “That’s the problem with these guys. ALL they know how to do is stay dead. And they have a tendency to make a lot of other people that way in the process. So don’t be too hard on the guys if they take this seriously. We have no choice.” But his words fell on deaf ears, for before he knew it, she was out the door in a huff. Turning back to the rest of the Watch, Dan questioned, “Is she always like that? Or did I accidentally drop a house on her sister and not realize it?”

Racing to meet adversity head on, Beast and Spider-man jumped into action. In fact they were so eager, they actually got to the small room before Wong and Blade did. And what they saw was not pretty. The half formed body of the Red Death writhed about the floor, unnaturally trying to reform itself into the vampire that had moments ago been a pile of ash. With Beast’s gamma powered strength and Spider-man’s indomitable faith to rely on, the two members of the Watch took up defensive positions, waiting for Wong and Blade to arrive.

Back in the library, Barry decided to join the party and get inquisitive. The question he asked was a tricky one, but Dan did his best to answer, “The Montesi Formula is an ancient spell that is designed to eradicate vampires. Dr. Strange was working to decipher it in its entirety before he was killed, but unfortunately he never finished it. Although the portions that he did interpret do the job. When read properly it works better than any weapon. It’s like instant sunburn for any vamp who hears it.”

Across the room, Vance did not want to ignore the pain he saw in Paige’s eyes, but he knew that this wasn’t the time to linger on it either. Besides, helping her to get her mind off her troubles would probably work better anyway. He grinned as he watched the girl tear the outer layers of her skin off, revealing the silver form beneath. With a wink in Dan’s direction, the young Punisher admitted with a smile, “I’ve seen worse. Now come on, lets go watch the show.” Grabbing her wrist he pulled Paige toward the staircase, but hesitated just long enough to flip a pistol in Tessa’s direction, “Make sure I get that back!” And like that, Vance and Husk were off up the stairs. The next thing Paige knew, she and Vance were standing outside the small room that had only an hour before served as a battleground with the undead. They were shortly joined by Norrin, and realizing that the others had the situation under control, the three watched as Beast, Spider-man and Blade kept the regenerated vampire at bay, giving Wong time to recite the formula, “Holo erasma rabis katerama lucem dei paradoxis satannicus belgrem!” As the last word was spoken, the vampire, who had only moments before been nothing but a pile of ashes, was reduced to dust once more as the Red Death was set ablaze by the spell, assured to never arise again.

Standing at the base of the stairs with Tessa, the still invisible Rogue, Victoria and Barry not far away, Dan yelled up to Vance and asked, “Did they get him?” The young Punisher wasted no time in replying, “Yup, Wong strikes another blow for the good guys.” But their somewhat jovial interaction was cut short by the reappearance of Castle from the upper levels of the building. With a stern, unamused look on his face, he barked, “Ok, we’ve wasted enough time dispatching one vampire. It’s time to move.” Knowing when to swallow his pride, the vigilante looked over the Watch and said, “Your numbers would be a welcome addition to the fight.”