The "From The Pages Of..." Comics Universe RPG

[Carnage27]

~Land of the Rising Sun~

A tiny bell rings as I push the door open to the small shop located in a dark alley of Tokyo. I wrap the coat I have on closer to my body, and make sure my face is completely concealed by the hood I have over my head. The sound of my entrance brings a gruff, raspy, Japanese-speaking voice from inside, <<Who's there?>>

"My name is Leonardo...I come seeking the sword maker," I say with as much confidence and grit as I can muster. From everything Master Splinter knew about him, he only respects those that are strong and righteous. Those that deserve the swords he crafts.

"Humph!" the voice responds with a grunt. <<You have found him.>>

"I come with a request for a sword. I require it-"

<<I said you found him. Not that he would make you a sword,>> the voice responds. <<First you must prove you are worthy of one. Search out Usagi Yojimbo. Aid him on his quest, and then possibly you will receive that which you seek.>>
​

 

[Byrd Man]

Bullet holes explode against the wall. "I'm willing to entertain suggestions on just how to do that," Bond says.

"I'll show you pansies how." Casey pulls off his belt, pulling the pins on his grenades. "Might want to cover your ears, ladies."

"No wait!" It's too late as Casey throws his belt toward the guards.

A second later, and the hallway erupts in flames, the floor shakes, and the my ears start ringing. We all give Casey a look, and although I can't be sure, I think he's smiling under his mask.

"What was that you were trying to say?"

Face looks at Hannibal of disbelief. "Can you believe this guy?" He turns back to Casey. "Didn't it occur to you that we might needs those. Maybe keep one or two back for emergencies?"

"And what do you think that was? The gunfire's stopped, hasn't it? Lets get moving before the reinforcements arrive."

Sarah grabs my arm and tugs. "Come on, Chuck. We've got to go."

"No."

"What?"

I keep working at the computer. "I can't go. Not yet. I've flashed on a couple of these things. They're bad, Sarah. Really bad. I can't let any of them get out."

"I realize that, Chuck. That's why we're going to blow this place up. Take care of the diseases once and for all."

"But we don't know if No has a self-destruct. I was just taking a shot. Only comic book villains have self-destructs. That's the only reason I thought of it."

"Chuck, we can't stay here any longer. We have to move, now."

"I have to make sure all these bugs are killed. I have to. If any of them get out and hurt people, it'll be my fault."

"No, it won't. It'll be No's fault, not yours. Now, come on!"

She pulls my away from the computer, but I break free from her grip and slam the keyboard again. There's a flash as the latest set of bugs I moved to the incinerator get blasted. But I only got through about half of them. Only half.

Sarah grabs me again, and then another set of stronger hands latch onto my arms. "I'll make sure he comes along, Walker. You take point."

"Come on, Bartowski. Let's go."

Casey forces me out into the hall behind the others. There's bodies all over the hallway. Some are groaning, others aren't moving at all. "Is it wrong that I want to go home now?"

Casey mumbles, and the gas mask covers it up. But, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear he said "No, it's not."

B.A. and Bond take point, Casey and I follow them, Bartowski and Walker are behind us with Face and Murdock bringing up the rear. We travel down the hallway and up a flight of stairs without incident. The group travels down a long, doorless hallway with an entrance up ahead.

"How close are we, Bond?"

"The main control room is just through those doors."

"Alright, everybody hold up here."

"What's the plan, boss?"

"Bartowski, Casey, and Bond. Go in ahead of us. Bond because you know what to look for. Bartowski because you can do that....thing. And Casey because....well, because you're the only person you'd want to go with Bartowski."

"Damn straight."

"Double time, Major."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Honestly, it's been awhile."

Almost seventy years actually.

"But I managed to put away my fair share last time I did. Good to see it's still as easy to put them away as it once was."

"Easy?" I shake my head and rest my gun on my shoulder. "Dude. Who are you? You act and move like a hunter. A hunter who's been doing this all his life? But you're a cop."

"A cop who spent a dozen years in prison."

"He what?"

Sam joins our little conversation. "It finally hit me on the drive up. Charlie Crews. Framed for murder, jailed for a dozen years, pardoned, and the winner of a reported $50 million lawsuit against the county of Los Angeles and State of California."

My eyebrows go up. "You're worth 50 million bucks? Who do I have to not kill to get sent to jail?"

"The point my brother is trying to make, correct my if I'm wrong," I nod at Sam's sarcastic tone, knowing it's not being directed at me, "is just how the hell you can do what you can do? The two of us were trained to hunt from the time we were kids. But someone who spends all that time in jail, and being a cop, can't go hunting every night. They're going to get rusty. That's why hunters always live the way we live."

"Well said, Sammy."

"Why thank you, Dean."

"So," I let the barrel of my shotgun fall casually to my other hand as things begin to click into place, "I've got to wonder if you're not quite normal..."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Easy?" I shake my head and rest my gun on my shoulder. "Dude. Who are you? You act and move like a hunter. A hunter who's been doing this all his life? But you're a cop."

"A cop who spent a dozen years in prison."

"He what?"

Sam joins our little conversation. "It finally hit me on the drive up. Charlie Crews. Framed for murder, jailed for a dozen years, pardoned, and the winner of a reported $50 million lawsuit against the county of Los Angeles and State of California."

My eyebrows go up. "You're worth 50 million bucks? Who do I have to not kill to get sent to jail?"

"The point my brother is trying to make, correct my if I'm wrong," I nod at Sam's sarcastic tone, knowing it's not being directed at me, "is just how the hell you can do what you can do? The two of us were trained to hunt from the time we were kids. But someone who spends all that time in jail, and being a cop, can't go hunting every night. They're going to get rusty. That's why hunters always live the way we live."

"Well said, Sammy."

"Why thank you, Dean."

"So," I let the barrel of my shotgun fall casually to my other hand as things begin to click into place, "I've got to wonder if you're not quite normal..."

"That statement was, dare I say...elementary," I say with a smirk. "We all got secrets, gents. I don't like to give away too much, but let me say this. I'm not as old as that piles of ashes that was Barlow, but I certainly have you two guys beat by a few...half centuries."

 

[wiegeabo]

B.A. and Bond take point, Casey and I follow them, Bartowski and Walker are behind us with Face and Murdock bringing up the rear. We travel down the hallway and up a flight of stairs without incident. The group travels down a long, doorless hallway with an entrance up ahead.

"How close are we, Bond?"

"The main control room is just through those doors."

"Alright, everybody hold up here."

"What's the plan, boss?"

"Bartowski, Casey, and Bond. Go in ahead of us. Bond because you know what to look for. Bartowski because you can do that....thing. And Casey because....well, because you're the only person you'd want to go with Bartowski."

"Damn straight."

"Double time, Major."

"Wait, don't I get a vote?"

"No. Now move it!" Casey grabs my arm and drags/pushes me forward. Bond takes point since he's the only one who knows where we're going.

We take positions on either side of the main doors. "You realize you just took an order from Colonel Smith, right Casey?"

"No, I..." Casey looks at me for a second, then at Bond. Bond just shrugs and covers a grin. "Sonova-"

"On three. I'm left, you're right." Casey nods. Then Bond gives a silent count with his fingers.

One

Two

...Three

The doors burst inwards and Bond and Casey move faster than you'd think possible. There's a lot of gunfire and flashes, and then it gets really quiet.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

...

"Get you're butt in here, Bartowski!"

"Oh yeah, right!"

I rush into the room. There are bodies lying everywhere. "Geez..." I don't know what disturbs me more. All the dead bodies, or that I think I'm getting used to seeing them.

"Ok...self destruct. If I was a self-destruct, where would I be...?"

My eyes cross....

"Uh, guys. I think I've found-"

"I would be obliged if you would not touch that."

I freeze in place. We all freeze. Apparently, one of the walls wasn't quite as solid as it looked.

"Hello again, Doctor."

"Mr. Bond. I thought we had come to an agreement. You didn't find your room comfortable?"

"Excellent amenities, Doctor. But not much of a view."

"Rather droll, Mister Bond. Now, if you and you're friends would care to drop your weapons?" One of the very large men next to Doctor No waves his gun.

Bond shrugs, and sets his gun on the floor. Casey growls. I'm not sure if it's his 'I'm can't believe I'm doing this' growl, or his 'I'm gonna try and take you punks out anyway' growl. Unhappily, he pulls the strap off his neck and puts his machine gun on the ground. I guess it was the former.

"And, now, if you would call the rest of your little group inside..."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Wait, don't I get a vote?"

"No. Now move it!" Casey grabs my arm and drags/pushes me forward. Bond takes point since he's the only one who knows where we're going.

We take positions on either side of the main doors. "You realize you just took an order from Colonel Smith, right Casey?"

"No, I..." Casey looks at me for a second, then at Bond. Bond just shrugs and covers a grin. "Sonova-"

"On three. I'm left, you're right." Casey nods. Then Bond gives a silent count with his fingers.

One

Two

...Three

The doors burst inwards and Bond and Casey move faster than you'd think possible. There's a lot of gunfire and flashes, and then it gets really quiet.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

...

"Get you're butt in here, Bartowski!"

"Oh yeah, right!"

I rush into the room. There are bodies lying everywhere. "Geez..." I don't know what disturbs me more. All the dead bodies, or that I think I'm getting used to seeing them.

"Ok...self destruct. If I was a self-destruct, where would I be...?"

My eyes cross....

"Uh, guys. I think I've found-"

"I would be obliged if you would not touch that."

I freeze in place. We all freeze. Apparently, one of the walls wasn't quite as solid as it looked.

"Hello again, Doctor."

"Mr. Bond. I thought we had come to an agreement. You didn't find your room comfortable?"

"Excellent amenities, Doctor. But not much of a view."

"Rather droll, Mister Bond. Now, if you and you're friends would care to drop your weapons?" One of the very large men next to Doctor No waves his gun.

Bond shrugs, and sets his gun on the floor. Casey growls. I'm not sure if it's his 'I'm can't believe I'm doing this' growl, or his 'I'm gonna try and take you punks out anyway' growl. Unhappily, he pulls the strap off his neck and puts his machine gun on the ground. I guess it was the former.

"And, now, if you would call the rest of your little group inside..."

"We can hear you, fool!" B.A. shouts as we come into the room, our guns and hands up in the air.

"Drop the guns. On the ground, now, if you please," No says in a cool voice.

"Sure."

Walker and my team oblige the scientist. Bond and Casey throw me curious looks, Bartowski is too scared to realize what's going on.

"The great Hannibal Smith. I know of your exploits, but I never thought of you as a equal opportunity employer."

He motions towards Walker. "Having a woman as a member of your 'A-Team.'"

"Don't let her fool you. She packs quite a punch. Isn't that right, Miss Walker?"

"Yes, sir. In fact, what was my call sign, again?"

"It's Alpha Mike Foxtrot."

B.A. and Face's eyes light up. So far, No hasn't noticed Murdock is missing.

"Silence. The time for talk is over. It is now time to watch as America goes up in flames."

 

[Carnage27]

The night air fills my lungs as I traverse the Tokyo skyline. The bright city lights make it hard to be an effective ninja in the city, but so far I've kept out of the public eye. The last few days have been spent searching for this Usagi yojimbo, but so far I've had no sight of him. Of course the city is humongous, and I don't have my contacts like I do in New York.

New York. The mere thought of the city brings worry to my heart. My brothers and allies are there, fighting against impossible odds. The news reports out of the city cite an exponential increase in crime, meaning the Foot have gotten more brazen since Shredder's aquisition of the ancient sword, something that doesn't bode well for any of us. But what makes it worse is knowing that I am their leader, and I'm the one on the other side of the world. I was the one who ran.

On a darkened rooftop, a flutter of movement catches my eye. i spin, to find myself staring at an empty space. I shake my head, believing it to be nothing more than my imagination. Turning around, I'm struck in the face by a swift kick that sends me sprawling. I shake my head and look up, seeing nothing but hearing a voice, "You're sloppy. Your methods may work in New York, but here the Yakuza have their own ninjas. Their own warriors that will pick you apart."

I feel another attack coming, and I throw my forearm up to deflect the blow, striking out with my other arm to take my attacker down. Instinctively, I reach for one of my blades and bring it to the neck of the other combatant, only to recoil in surprise.

As I stumble back, the other one stands, brushing some dirt off of his shogun-like garb. But he's not human. He's like...he's like my brothers and I. There, standing in front of me is a five foot tall, anthropomorphic rabbit. The shokc on my face suprises him, "What? You thought you were the only ones?"

I shake my head, "You know of my brothers and I?"

"Of course I do. I've seen the news reports. The people who are looked at as crazies in new York for talking about you. But I know better. And we aren't the only ones either. I've heard of reports from cities all over the Earth of beings like us. And most came about at the same time...who knows why, but we are here, and most of us are helping the humans," the rabbit says, looking over the edge of the roof at the city below. "And if we're doing it right, they'll never know."

"Who are you?" I ask, coming up beside him.

"My name is Usagi Yojimbo," he says, im a gruff voice that doesn't seem fit for his...furry look.

"I've been looking for you," I respond, floling my arms over my chest. "I need-"

"I know you've been looking for me, and I know why you're here. i've been following you for days, determining whether or not you are skilled enough to help me on the job."

"And?"

After a few moments of silence, he turns and heads to the other side of the roof, "Follow me. We start tonight."

 

[Eddie Brock]

OPTIMUS PRIME

Life. The most precious thing in the universe. Cybertron, our world, once teemed with life. Now, after being ravaged by years of endless warfare, Cybertron exists only as a shell of what it once was. But all hope is not lost, for we have discovered an abundant source of the life-giving energon in the most unlikely of places. A small planet called Earth.

Spoiler

The fearless leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, sits quietly in his alternate form. He waits for the other Autobots to answer his call by arriving at this location. While he waits, he considers the situation at hand. The Decepticons have arrived on Earth. Optimus had always assumed this day would come, but he never truly prepared himself for it. What would Sentinel do? Optimus asks himself, thinking about his mentor.

"Penny for your thoughts, Prime?"

Spoiler

Ratchet, chief medical officer of the Autobots, pulls up alongside his longtime friend. Ratchet had been in the trenches with Optimus before the latter was given the title of Prime, and as such he had seen more than most of the Autobots' leader. Therefore, he was able to tell that something was troubling Optimus.

"Ratchet, good to see you, old friend," Optimus says warmly. He transforms into his robot mode and watches as Ratchet follows suit. Optimus extends a hand and Ratchet takes it, shaking firmly. "I'll explain everything when the others arrive."

At that moment, the next Autobot arrives.

Spoiler

Transforming as he comes to a stop, the Autobot known as Hot Rod smiles at his elders. "Hey, Ratchet. What's up?" he asks casually. He turns his attention to Optimus. Nodding respectfully, he says, "Prime." Hot Rod scratches his head, explaining, "Bumblebee should be right behind me. I challenged him to a little race."

Spoiler

"You cheated!" Bumblebee announces as he rolls into the meeting place. Transforming on the spot, he fold his arms and frowns at Hot Rod.

"Now, now. No one likes a sore loser," Hot Rod replies with a smirk.

Spoiler

The Autobot known as Hound is the next to arrive. He transforms quickly, announcing, "Sorry that I'm late. I was enjoying a little off-roading when you called, Prime." Optimus gives him an understanding nod, and Hound looks at the other assembled Autobots. "Just waiting on Ironhide, then, are we?"

"Not anymore."

Spoiler

"Prime, so good to hear from you!" Ironhide bellows as he transforms while still moving. He comes to a halt, kicking up some dust as he does so. He looks around, quickly realizing that all the Autobots are here. "Well, I'm here now. What did you call us all for, Prime?"

Optimus looks at his troops. Loyal, battle-hardened, trustworthy. He had fought alongside each and every one of these Autobots at some point, and he could attest to their character. It made him uncomfortable that they revered him so greatly at times. To Optimus, he was just one of the crew. "Autobots, our worst fears have been realized. The Decepticons are here."
​

 

[Carnage27]

He stands in the shadows like a ghoul, silent and deadly. Watching the man pace back and forth in the spacious hall of the home of the leader of the Church of England, waiting for the opportune moment. The one in the shadows knows the other has fear in his heart, worrying that his worst fears have been realized.

Bishop Anthony Lilliman stops pacing and sits down on the side of his bed, attempting to relax. But it was to no avail. The manner in which Prothero was killed chilled him to the bones, and the rose left on the body meant one thing: the secret of Larkhill had been discovered. And Lilliman knew his time was soon. And then Susan would fall, and the rule of Norsefire would come to an end.

"Maybe I would be better off dead," the Bishop says to himself.

"Whether you will be better off or not is not the question, Bishop," the man in the shadows says. "It is how much you will suffer in the next life."

The priest stumbles off of his bed and rushes for a drawer containing a six-shooter revolver and child pornography. V acts quickly and pins the drawer shut with one of his knives, "Not so fast, Bishop. No need for this to get ugly."

V pins Lilliman to the ground, pressing his boot to the Bishop's throat, "I am but a messenger of god, here to deliver his divine justice. And according to him you have been a very, very bad boy."

"So, you did survive," the priest manages to spit out. "When Prothero was killed I had feared it was you. You've no messenger from god. You're a monster. And if I'm going to hell, you'll certainly join me."

"Yes, of course I will, Anthony," V replies with an excited malevolence in his voice. "Along with all the people waiting for you to get there from Larkhill, and all the little girls you have violated throughout your too long reign as leader of the Church."

The look of fear in the Bishop's eyes are unmistakable, and V takes joy in that fact. He slips his hand into his cloak and retrieves a communion wafer and forces it into the Bishop's mouth, before pressing it closed. The priest struggles for a few moments before the poison takes hold of his body, and white foam begins seeping out of the corners of his mouth.

"Enjoy the afterlife, Bishop. I hope you burn for what you've done."

Before V leaves, he retrieves his knife, and lays a rose on Anthony Lilliman's chest.
​

 

[wiegeabo]

"That statement was, dare I say...elementary," I say with a smirk. "We all got secrets, gents. I don't like to give away too much, but let me say this. I'm not as old as that piles of ashes that was Barlow, but I certainly have you two guys beat by a few...half centuries."

Sam and I look at each other...and aim our shotguns squarely at Crews. "Half centuries? So, what are you? Demon, rival vampire?"

"Shapeshifter, ware-wolf?"

"Warlock, ghoul?"

"Shoot him later, or shoot him now?"

"Now might be good."

 

[Byrd Man]

Sam and I look at each other...and aim our shotguns squarely at Crews. "Half centuries? So, what are you? Demon, rival vampire?"

"Shapeshifter, ware-wolf?"

"Warlock, ghoul?"

"Shoot him later, or shoot him now?"

"Now might be good."

"I'm immortal, guys," I say with my hands raised in defense. "About ninety years ago, a girlfriend of mine took me on a little trip to Africa and I took a swim in a pool. That pool turned out to be the fountain of youth. I go into the pool in my early seventiese and pop out rejuvinated and looking not a day past thirty."

A smile forms on my face. "I'd tell you who I used to be....but chances are you won't believe me."

 

[Catman_prb]

-VWORP- -VWORP- -VWORP-

The TARDIS door opened and Amy Pond stormed out, her arms crossed defiantly.

"They tried to burn me!" she shrieked.

"It's not my fault that they think red hair is a sign of witchcraft!" the Doctor said, holding his hands up in a defensive position.

"You could've warned me!"

"Yees, I probably could have, but where's the fun in that?" the Doctor said, grinning. The grin faltered as Amy continued glaring at him.

"Yes well...an error in judgement perhaps," he mumbled, then paused "This isn't Leadworth,"

Amy frowned "Yes it is. It says right there. Leadworth, population 1,272,"

The Doctor muttered something about backwater hovels, then inspected the 'Welcome to Leadworth' sign. There was a round bullethole in it. He looked up at the barbed wire that was on the top of one of the buildings, a square brick hut.

"Why would you need barbed wire," the Doctor said slowly.

"I dunno, vandals?"

"This is Leadworth, no vandals, try again,"

"Look Doctor, what are you-"

"You! Over there! Let me see your papers,"

A man was approaching, some type of machine gun held in one hand, and a red armband with the initials NF on his left arm. The black uniform had an unfortunate Nazi-esque effect. It was then that the Doctor noticed the banner handing from a window.

"What on earth is Norsefire?" he mumbled.

"You! Hands where I can see them,"

"Ooh dear,"

 

[The Question]

"We've landed, Master," said The Rani, forcing out her ally's name begrudgingly. "The Doctor and that Amy girl have left The TARDIS."

"Really? Splendid? We can get started then. When and where are we, by the by?"

"Earth. Britain. 2010."

"Get on the airwaves. Learn what you can about everything that's going on here. We've got a lot of planning to do for The Doctor's surprise party."

 

[Carnage27]

​

Usagi and I scramble up the side of a wharehouse in a darkened part of Tokyo. I've followed him through the most circuitous route to our destination, one I'm sure that was intended to test me. I managed to keep up with his jumps, turns, and twists the entire way, but I was hard pressed to match his speed. I'd hate to use the old "Tortoise and the Hare" analogy, but that's the best way to put it. And on top of the speed, he's the quietest ninja I've ever run into. As we run, I take the time to study his movements, attempting to learn as we go.

As I reach the top of the building, Yojimbo motions for me to take cover behind an air conditioning unit, and then to survey the roof. I do so, and find the roof being patrolled by two men. With another nod, the two of us roll from cover and spring into action.

Coming out of a tight roll, I spring off my heels and onto one of the guards. He attempts to bring his gun around to fire on me, but I snap his neck before he has the chance, placing the body down slowly to ensure the firearm doesn't discharge accidentally. Looking up from the dead guard, I see the rabbit dispatching his own opponent.

The two of us then crouch beside a skylight over looking a group of seated men, with one pacing in front of the assembled group, obviously dolling out orders, "Listen, we've got another shipment coming in, and this time I don't want any problems, got it? They need to be moved quickly, and quietly. No more disturbances."

"But, sir," one of the men raises his voice, "what if the rabbit interferes again? I mean he's been everywhere lately. We haven't gotten a clean job off in months."

"The ****ing rabbit again? I thought I told you to quit that ****. There's no ****ing rabbit running around taking us out. It's just a guy. And guys can be killed. Now get outta here and do your job."

As the group below begins to disperse, Usagi and I head back towards Tokyo proper. Once we're far enough away, I ask, "Who and what the hell was that?"

"That," Yojimbo says, "was the Black Dragon criminal ring. They've been accepting shipments of Chinese children to sell as slaves, which they in turn transport to the buyers across the world. It's sickening."

I clench my fists in rage. Is there no honor left in the world? Selling children into slaves? It's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of. Luckily, I can change that.

"What do you need me to do?"

 

[Carnage27]

"And how goes the attack on Denver?" Dracula muttered.

"It went well," a voice replied from a speaker on the wall. The group he was apart of valued secrecy above all else, even when they were meeting. They all knew who each of the others were, but most of each one's lieutenants had no idea, nor did the thousands of servants each had in their employee that the group even existed. "It was merely a test to see whether the new weapon supplied to us worked to it's specifications."

"And?" the Vampire Lord asked, obviously a bit impatient.

"It worked as well as we could have hoped. Ten eggs nearly wiped out a major United States city before the weapons were destroyed by the BPRD and the MIB. We've deemed the project a success and are ready to move ahead with a more...large scale test, should we decide to go that route."

"What about England?" another voice inquired. "What is the status report."

"The vigilante terrorist has still not been located, and two prominent Norsefire party members have recently been found murdered. I've dispatched some men to deal with the problem, and am certain we will maintain control of the country," Dracula respondsed with confindence that betrayed his internal feelings. He truly felt that this man could and would bring down Norsefire. The group so far had been powerless to stop him, and more of the people of England would fall in line with him.

In fact, Dracula felt as if the organization's hold on world events was loosening by the day, as more and more beings across the planet rose up against them. Dracula himself had had two of his best lieutenants destroyed by the Earth's resurgent hunter community, something the vampire had taken a great interest in recently.

On top of that, more masked heroes were springing up in New York, Central City, London, and the BPRD agents such as Hellboy. They were a menace. They gave the huddled masses hope. They fostered the spirit of law and order into politicians and citizens alike. But the worst thing was that they were hard to find. And therefore hard to kill.

"I think we're done here," Dracula said, standing and turning to leave his meditation chamber. "Contact me if you need anything."

He had planning to do.

 

[wiegeabo]

"I'm immortal, guys," I say with my hands raised in defense. "About ninety years ago, a girlfriend of mine took me on a little trip to Africa and I took a swim in a pool. That pool turned out to be the fountain of youth. I go into the pool in my early seventiese and pop out rejuvinated and looking not a day past thirty."

A smile forms on my face. "I'd tell you who I used to be....but chances are you won't believe me."

"The Fountain of Youth? Are you kidding me?"

"Dean..."

"I've heard some crazy, out of this word stories before..."

"Dean-"

"And seen things that would make your eyes pop out of their sockets..."

"Dean."

"Just how stupid do you think we-"

"DEAN!"

"WHAT?!"

"...the Fountain of Youth is real."

"...you're ****ting me."

"Although it's location was lost centuries ago. Not even the hunter network knows where it is."

 

[Byrd Man]

"The Fountain of Youth? Are you kidding me?"

"Dean..."

"I've heard some crazy, out of this word stories before..."

"Dean-"

"And seen things that would make your eyes pop out of their sockets..."

"Dean."

"Just how stupid do you think we-"

"DEAN!"

"WHAT?!"

"...the Fountain of Youth is real."

"...you're ****ting me."

"Although it's location was lost centuries ago. Not even the hunter network knows where it is."

"The man's right. I just happened to get lucky. My ex took a dip in the pool a few millenniums ago and knew how to get us there."

I start to slowly drop my hands. "So what do you say, fellas? I may never age but I can still be killed. I'd really like to see a few more centuries before I call it in."

 

[wiegeabo]

"We can hear you, fool!" B.A. shouts as we come into the room, our guns and hands up in the air.

"Drop the guns. On the ground, now, if you please," No says in a cool voice.

"Sure."

Walker and my team oblige the scientist. Bond and Casey throw me curious looks, Bartowski is too scared to realize what's going on.

"The great Hannibal Smith. I know of your exploits, but I never thought of you as a equal opportunity employer."

He motions towards Walker. "Having a woman as a member of your 'A-Team.'"

"Don't let her fool you. She packs quite a punch. Isn't that right, Miss Walker?"

"Yes, sir. In fact, what was my call sign, again?"

"It's Alpha Mike Foxtrot."

B.A. and Face's eyes light up. So far, No hasn't noticed Murdock is missing.

"Silence. The time for talk is over. It is now time to watch as America goes up in flames."

My eyes don't cross.

But they do go wide.

At first, I think I heard wrong. I'm almost sure I did. But then I see Face and BA throw a look at each other. And Hannibal is smiling a little more than he usually is. And even Casey looks...less angry. And Murdock...Murdock is gone.

Sarah's expression confirms it.

"Heh. Hehe." No and his men look at me.

"Ha. Hahaha. Hahahahahahaha..." I bend over laughing hard. "Oh man. Oh man, that's priceless." I wipe the tears from my eyes.

"What is so funny?" No doesn't seem amused at all. He motions to his men. "Watch them closely. They're going to try something."

Everyone lifts their hands a little higher, making sure the guards know they aren't going to make any kind of move.

"You guys aren't gamers, are you? Nah, I didn't think so." I know, this is completely unlike me. But if you're going to go out, go out with style, right? "Me? I'm a big gamer. Love the first person shooters, if you can believe it. So, I'm not too surprised you didn't pick up on it."

"...It?"

"Yeah. Alpha Mike Foxtrot." I smile.

"Adios, motherfu-!"

The far wall explodes as a helicopter crashes into it. From inside comes a heavily accented spanish voice."

"Luuuucyyy. I'm hoooome!!!"

 

[Byrd Man]

Everyone lifts their hands a little higher, making sure the guards know they aren't going to make any kind of move.

"You guys aren't gamers, are you? Nah, I didn't think so." I know, this is completely unlike me. But if you're going to go out, go out with style, right? "Me? I'm a big gamer. Love the first person shooters, if you can believe it. So, I'm not too surprised you didn't pick up on it."

"...It?"

"Yeah. Alpha Mike Foxtrot." I smile.

"Adios, motherfu-!"

The far wall explodes as a helicopter crashes into it. From inside comes a heavily accented spanish voice."

"Luuuucyyy. I'm hoooome!!!"

In the chaos, we all scramble for our guns. In a flash, BA, Face, and Casey all grab their weapons and take out No's guards. Bond, armed with his pistol, charges the Chinese scientist and knocks him out with a well-placed left-right combo.

"I don't even want to know how that crazy-ass fool got a helicopter!"

"I just clicked my heels three times and said 'there's no vehicle like a Huey!' over and over again until one appeared."

"No is out for the count," Bond announces as he slings the skinny man on his shoulders.

"Rockabye baby, in the tree tops. When the br-"

"Can it, Murdock."

Turning away from the group, I hit another channel.

"Captain Sparrow, we're in position. You're clear to take-off. We'll meet you at the rendezvous point on the mainland."

"Right you are, love."

"Murdock, get the chopper ready to take off again. Bartowski, it's your time, son. Let's blow this place sky high."

 

[wiegeabo]

"The man's right. I just happened to get lucky. My ex took a dip in the pool a few millenniums ago and knew how to get us there."

I start to slowly drop my hands. "So what do you say, fellas? I may never age but I can still be killed. I'd really like to see a few more centuries before I call it in."

"I believe him."

I just stand there trying to wrap my head around everything. I'm vaguely aware of Sam tugging on my arm, and I let him pull me towards the cars

"C'mon, Dean. The vamps are dead and LA's relatively safer than before. Let's get back to Bobby's and deal with his situation for a while."

"Wait, wait, wait." I pull my arm from Sammy's grip. "I gotta know one thing. If you're not Charlie Crews...who the hell are you?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

OPTIMUS PRIME

"Here?" Ratchet replies.

"On Earth?" Hound adds disbelievingly, continuing the medic's thought.

The leader of the Autobots merely nods. For years, these soldiers fought in a conflict with seemingly no end in sight. Then, upon arriving on Earth, they were given a chance to live a peaceful life. Granted, it was not easy to adjust to such an uneventful existence - much less this far from Cybertron - but at least they would see no more loss, no more suffering.

"Well, good," Ironhide chimes in with a gruff chuckle. "My cannons were beginning to rust, anyway."

Clearing his vocal sensors, the youngest of the group, Bumblebee, asks, "How many of them, Prime?"

"I detected over twenty individual lifeforms," Optimus announces.

Hesitantly, Ratchet asks, "And Megatron?"

"Is with them."

A meaningful silence falls over the Autobots. They could handle the Decepticons. It wouldn't be easy, but they had endured greater hardships. But Megatron was the problem. The ruthless Decepticon leader always seemed to give his troops an edge over the Autobots. Sentinel Prime himself died at Megatron's hands.

"I'm with Ironhide," Hot Rod says without prompt. Standing up a bit straighter, he explains, "Our only hope is to take the fight to them, before they can get settled in."

There's a mutter of hesitant agreement among the group.

"No," Optimus replies with a resounding finality. "We are outnumbered and overpowered. Even in their current state, the Decepticons still hold the advantage in sheer numbers."

"What then, Prime?" Ironhide asks dissentingly. None of the Autobots would dare disrespect Optimus, but Ironhide was among the select few who were willing to wear their emotions on their tailpipe - even if it meant arguing with their leader. "We sit on our bumpers and wait for the Decepticons to find us?"

"What about Earth? The Decepticons will seek to destroy human life and drain this planet of its energon. You always say that 'freedom is the right of all sentient beings.' Don't we have a responsibility to defend it?"

Optimus could sense the uneasiness among his troops. It was natural. The situation did seem bleak, but Optimus learned long ago to always have hope. Once you lose that, you've lost everything. "I will not let the Decepticons destroy Earth like they did Cybertron," Optimus assures them. "I have sent a distress beacon to all nearby Autobots to come to Earth."

"But Prime, we've been calling the Autobots since we found this planet," Bumblebee announces. "None have responded before."

Ironhide grunts in agreement. "This backwater sinkhole is located in the middle of nowhere," he says hopelessly. "Even if there were Autobots in range of the distress beacon, there's no guarantee they'd come."

"Perhaps not, Ironhide," Optimus concedes, "But there is no other feasible option." He turns to face the sky, hoping his brothers are out there somewhere. "We can only hope that they come soon."
​

 

[Byrd Man]

"I believe him."

I just stand there trying to wrap my head around everything. I'm vaguely aware of Sam tugging on my arm, and I let him pull me towards the cars

"C'mon, Dean. The vamps are dead and LA's relatively safer than before. Let's get back to Bobby's and deal with his situation for a while."

"Wait, wait, wait." I pull my arm from Sammy's grip. "I gotta know one thing. If you're not Charlie Crews...who the hell are you?"

"Who am I?"

I clear my throat, letting my accent slip.

"I figure who I am is...elementary. It doesn't matter who I am or what all call myself, but what I've done. I've been through two world wars, fought the forces of evil more times to count, and worked with some very extraordinary gentlemen."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Who am I?"

I clear my throat, letting my accent slip.

"I figure who I am is...elementary. It doesn't matter who I am or what all call myself, but what I've done. I've been through two world wars, fought the forces of evil more times to count, and worked with some very extraordinary gentlemen."

"Uhhh...sure." I turn and give Sammy the crazy look as I step behind him. But Sam doesn't pay attention. In fact...I think his face goes a shade paler.

He recovers and clears his throat. "I read all those books. They're fiction."

"Huh, what? What books? I didn't read any books with this guys."

"You didn't read any books except comics."

"And I'd still have those comics if I hadn't let you read them all! So who is he?"

"It's impossible."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Uhhh...sure." I turn and give Sammy the crazy look as I step behind him. But Sam doesn't pay attention. In fact...I think his face goes a shade paler.

He recovers and clears his throat. "I read all those books. They're fiction."

"Huh, what? What books? I didn't read any books with this guys."

"You didn't read any books except comics."

"And I'd still have those comics if I hadn't let you read them all! So who is he?"

"It's impossible."

"Well, once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.I wasn't always relegated to the works of fiction. It happened in the 50's. The propaganda machine that was in charge of the English government seen fit to delegate me as an "un-person" and all factual events and details of my life was put down as fiction."

I pause and look at the two young men.

"Gentlemen, I am Sherlock Holmes. It's been a pleasure meeting with you and working with you."

 

[wiegeabo]

In the chaos, we all scramble for our guns. In a flash, BA, Face, and Casey all grab their weapons and take out No's guards. Bond, armed with his pistol, charges the Chinese scientist and knocks him out with a well-placed left-right combo.

"I don't even want to know how that crazy-ass fool got a helicopter!"

"I just clicked my heels three times and said 'there's no vehicle like a Huey!' over and over again until one appeared."

"No is out for the count," Bond announces as he slings the skinny man on his shoulders.

"Rockabye baby, in the tree tops. When the br-"

"Can it, Murdock."

Turning away from the group, I hit another channel.

"Captain Sparrow, we're in position. You're clear to take-off. We'll meet you at the rendezvous point on the mainland."

"Right you are, love."

"Murdock, get the chopper ready to take off again. Bartowski, it's your time, son. Let's blow this place sky high."

"You've got it, Colonel." I slap my hand together and rub them in anticipation. "Here we go." I look around the room.

...and my eyes don't cross.

"Well, Bartowski?"

"Right, I'm on it. I can do this." I put my hands against the sides of my face and shoot them out towards the computers. "Flash!"

...nothing.

"Come on...flash!"

"What's this fool talkin' about, Hannibal?" B.A. gives me a small shove, which darn near sends me flying. "Come on, sucka. Stop your jibberjabber and blow this place up. We gotta get outta here before more guards come."

"Hey!" Casey grabs B.A.'s arm and they stare each other down. "If anyone's gonna kick the kid's butt, it's gonna be me."

GULP

"Chuck." Sarah's voice instantly grabs my attention. She puts her hands on my face and I darn near melt into the floor. "Chuck. Calm down. Focus."

"...whatever you say..." She gives me a smile that could put a man in a trance and I lean my face closer to hers...

SLAP

"...I'm going to say OWW!" She grabs my face again and points it towards the computers.

"What do you see?"

"I see-"

...my eyes cross.

I smile. "I see how to blow this place to hell."