Armando's Commandos #6

Cast
Armando
Madeira Roberts
Kragen
Aminee Starlight
Deadpool
Meryl Silverburgh
Imai Katayo
Logan S. Gunn
Seras Victoria
Tony Stark/Iron Man
Bane
General Vulture
The Illuminati
Alexander Kross
Revolver Ocelot
Carari Grey
The Angel of Death
Peter Fargason
Wedge Antilles
Skids

#6 Trial by Vulture

Fade in: Resistance Base

We see Imai, Logan, Madeira, and Skids meet up with Seras at the front entrance of the base.

Imai: Thanks. We owe you one.

Seras: Don't mention it.

Iron Man lands next to the group, his helmet unfolding around his head and into his armor.

Iron Man: Ladies, and gentleman.

Seras: Where's Bane?

Iron Man: Lost him at the interstate.

Imai: What do you mean you lost him?

Iron Man: As in, no longer found.

Logan: How do you lose track of someone that big?

Iron Man: That's what I intend to find out.

Seras: He most likely had an exit strategy before he even began planning his attack. I think it'll be a while before anyone tries something like this again.

Madeira: What do you think he was after?

Armando: Legion's files.

The group turns to see Armando, Kragen, Meryl, Wedge, and Peter approach them.

Armando: Which unfortunately, he managed to get his hands on.

Imai: Dammit!

Skids: Could he be working for Vulture?

Peter: Vulture are much too proud to hire mercenaries to do their dirty work. If this was a Vulture attack it would have their signature written all over it.

Armando: Commander, with your permission I'd like to begin the search for Bane.

Iron Man: I'm coming, too. I still need to repay him for Hallowton.

Seras: Bane is as much an enemy of the Crown as he is yours. Once the Wild Geese arrive we'll assist in the search.

Imai: Let's not waste any time, then.

Cut to: Carari Incorporated
Carari's Main Office

Vulture soldiers stand in Carari's office as she looks at them from behind her desk.

Carari: I assure you, I am loyal to the Vulture. If I thought for even one moment that Aminee was planning an assassination I would have put a bullet in her myself.

Vulture Soldier: Nevertheless, we have orders to take you into custody, ma'am.

Carari: Flirtatious Surely we can come to some sort of understanding?

The Vulture soldiers don't budge, and Carari just sighs.

Carari: There's nothing more annoying than a man who's married to his job. Angel!

A large seven foot tall man enters the room. The soldiers aim their weapons, but he quickly knocks them down with a single punch causing them to drop their weapons as he grabs one soldier by the neck, lifting him up and throwing him into the other soldiers that gather enter the office. Taking them out one by one with punches, kicks, breaking bones with each strike as the Vulture soldiers all fall to the ground.

Carari: Looks like I'll need to relocate.

Carari presses a button on her phone

Carari: Book me a flight to Moon Valley. I need a vacation.

Cut to: Bane's Hideout

Bane enters an abandon building and tends to his wounds. After doing so he takes out a cellphone and sends a text message that says, “It's done.”

The phone buzz and we see the reply “Good work” from a “The Genius.” The Genius sends another text message that reads, “Is it ready?”

Bane enters a small lab where vials containing a green liquid and a power backpack are on the walls and replies, “Yes.”

Cut to: The Core
Torture Room

Aminee's screams fill the room before the torture device shuts down. Ocelot walks up to where she hangs from the machine.

Ocelot: How long can you hold out for? You must know by now that the Resistance is never going to come for you. Why protect them?

Aminee: You don't know much about loyalty, do you?

Ocelot: Smiles I know it will get you killed.

The doors open behind them and Alexander walks in with a couple of Vulture guards.

Ocelot: Mr. Kross, what brings you to my neck of the woods?

Alexander: I have orders to take Ms. Starlight into custody.

Ocelot: What for?

Alexander: The General believes she won't break. It's time for her to stand trial for her treason against Isafaro. The trial will be held today. Live.

Ocelot: Live for all of Isafaro to see, including its traitors.

Aminee: What?

Alexander: Bring her.

The soldiers unstrap Aminee and carry her out of the torture room.

Cut to: Courthouse

The Vulture soldiers lead Aminee with her arms and legs in bindings behind a court podium as General Vulture, the Illuminati, and Alexander look down from their judges' seats. Aminee looks up at them in contempt as the cameras begin rolling.

The Illuminati: Ms. Starlight, you are being tried for treason against your country, and the attempted assassination of General Koma Iz Vulture. How do you plead?

Aminee: Not guilty.

The Illuminati: You deny attempting to kill General Vulture after you were apprehended by Lieutenant Dragunov during the assassination attempt?

Aminee: No, of that I'm profoundly guilty. But what I'm not guilty of is being a traitor to this country. I'm not the one with military forces everywhere, or the one with an artificial intelligence watching our every move. The only traitor to this country is you!

General Vulture: ENOUGH!

Vulture stands up and slams his hands on the table.

General Vulture: I find you guilty and sentence you to death! FIRE THE NOVALITH CANNON!

Aminee: The what Cannon?

Cut to: Space

We see a space platform aiming its main gun at the planet and charging up a devastating attack for the planet surface.

Cut to: Courthouse

Aminee notices that the guards are backing away and decides to back flip just as the ceiling caves in and her original spot in the courthouse explodes by the space platform as thirteen men appears equip with lancer rifles with a chainsaw attachment. Aminee grabs one of the normal Vulture guard and use him as a human shield while the soldiers open fire with five shots bursts, destroying the chains on Aminee's hands and feet and allowing her to take the Vulture's guard rifle and fire back at the super soldiers. The bullets only hit their armor. Aminee runs backwards as she fires, dropping down between the pews for protection. They did little good as the super soldiers cut through the pews nearly sawing right through the Pop Idol's flesh.

Cut to: Sector Three Streets

Armando's team and Iron Man are searching the area for Bane when they see the TV screen on the building showing Aminee on trial.

Armando: That's Aminee!

Deadpool: My love!

They watch as Aminee back flips and a beam explodes her place in the courthouse, teleporting thirteen Vulture soldiers in heavy armor.

Armando: What the hell are those?

Meryl: They're no Vulture troops I've ever seen.

Madeira: They're going to kill her!

Armando: We're turning around.

Madeira: They're all the way to Sector Nine we'll never make it in time.

Iron Man: On it.

Iron Man takes off into the air.

Armando: Tony, wait!

Iron Man leaves the area without another word.

Cut to: Courthouse

Aminee crawls underneath the pews as the super soldiers take to tossing them up into the air with one hand. Aminee can see more of them to the left, right, and straight ahead blocking the door. With nowhere to turn Aminee fires at their feet, the bullets only making them move back a little bit before they crouch down and aim their rifles underneath the pews. Aminee hops up to the top of the pews and jumps from one to the next, jumping off the soldiers' heads and making it out of the courthouse to find an army of Vulture troops and tanks waiting for her on the outside.

Aminee: A little overkill, don't you think?

Cut to: Sector Three Streets

Armando: We need to head back to the base and take a chopper to Sector Nine. Vulture drones be damned.

A red dot shines down from the sky onto the Resistance's vehicles.

Skids: What's that?

Kragen: Red dot.

Armando: RUN!

The group flees from the vehicles as a beam shoots down from the sky blowing it to hell. Coming out of the smoke are the thirteen super soldiers from the TV up above, activating their chainsaws in the face of the Resistance right in front of them.

Cut to: Courthouse

Before the Vulture's soldiers can finish off Aminee, missiles rain down from the sky blowing up the tanks and taking out the soldiers on the ground. Aminee looks up to see Iron Man sweeping down to grab her and flying back up into the sky.

Iron Man: Pleasure to meet you, Starlight. I'm Iron Man.

Aminee: Are you a robot?

Iron Man: Laughs Trust me, sweetheart, I'm all man underneath.

Aminee: You'll have to show me later.

Iron Man: I'd like to show you back to my place.

Aminee: Is that right? Sees the little red dot on Iron Man's face. Watch out!

Before Iron Man can react the red beam blasts into him sending Iron Man and Aminee crashing into one of the rooftops below. Aminee rolls over to the side of the roof, turning her head to see another super soldier on top of Iron Man. Iron Man trying desperately to keep the chainsaw from reaching his face. Aminee gets up and runs at the soldier, jumping up on top of his back and wrapping her arms around his neck. The soldier staggers back trying to get Aminee off of him while Iron Man aims his laser right for the visor, breaking through it and blinding the soldier knocking him over the ledge with Aminee still on him. Iron Man gets up to his feet and flies off the building, falling down through the air and grabbing Aminee watching the super soldier fall splat on the ground.

Iron Man: Got ya!

Cut to: Courthouse

Alexander: General! You didn't tell me that you were testing the Novalith Cannon today.

General Vulture: I am the leader of Isafaro, Mr. Kross. I do not need to inform anyone when I am using my weapons. Your experiment was a success, Mr. Kross. You should be proud.

Alexander: Those weapons were for war, not a trial!

General Vulture: This is war, Mr. Kross! Let our enemy fear the skies, let them know that there is nowhere to run or hide. This Resistance wants independence. They want to be liberated. Little do they know that there is only one perfected method of freedom.

Alexander: And what would that be?

General Vulture: Death. I will see to it that every man, woman, and child who would oppose the Vulture will be liberated until only those loyal to Isafaro remain. Remember that, Doctor, when the doubts begin to enter your mind that you're on the right side.

Alexander only looks at Vulture in horror.

General Vulture: I'm going to go play Angry Birds. I suggest you find some time to unwind before the war is knocking at our doorstep.

Vulture pats Alexander on the shoulder and leaves the courthouse with guards all around as the scene fade to black.

FIN

Armando's Commandos #5

Cast
Armando
Madeira Roberts
Kragen
Deadpool
Meryl Silverburgh
Imai Katayo
Logan S. Gunn
Seras Victoria
Tony Stark/Iron Man
Peter Fargason
Wedge Antilles
Skids
Bane
Deathstroke
Urdnot Wrex
HK-47
Aries
April

#5 The Fire Rises

The scene opens up to a war zone in front of the Resistance base. We see the Resistance soldiers firing at Bane's mercenaries who crash through the front gate with arm vehicles and tanks. The Resistance tanks coming into action to counteract the tanks Bane stole from the Vulture. Deathstroke aims his sniper rifle at the Resistance soldiers down below, taking a few of them out while the battle below drowns out his bullet fire, and the rest of Bane's team closes in on the base.

Cut to: Resistance Base Top Floor

Imai, Logan, Peter, and Wedge meet up with each other in the hallway as more snipers run towards the roof of the building.

Imai: What's going on?

Logan: It's Bane. His troops made it to the base.

Imai: Where the hell is Armando?!

Peter: It's too late to worry about them. The enemy is at our front door.

Wedge: I can secure the aerial crafts with the other pilots, make sure we have an escape route if worse comes to worse.

Imai: Fargason, if we called Hallowton for help how long would reinforcement get here?

Peter: It depends entirely on who they send.

Imai: Contact them. I'm sure the good people of Hallowton would like to pay Bane back for destroying their city. Logan, secure the front entrance of the base. We need to make sure the gate is as far as they go.

Logan: On it.

Wedge: What about you, Commander?

Imai: I'm going to greet our guests.

Wedge: I wouldn't recommend that, ma'am. As Commander your place–

Imai: My place is making sure this base doesn't fall. You have your orders now go and carry them out.

Wedge: Yes, ma'am.

As the four separate, a blue energy charges up in Imai's hand as she marches towards the enemy.

Armando, Madeira, Kragen, Deadpool, Meryl, and Skids exit the sewers and watches the battle at the base go on from behind an alley.

Armando: It's worse than I thought.

Madeira: What are we going to do?

Armando: Sneak up from behind and fuck them in their asses!

Deadpool: You stole that from Game of Thrones.

Armando: Game of what?

Deadpool: Excuse me, trying to have a private conversation with the author. Looks at the readers Some people, huh?

Armando: Move out!

Kragen hands Skids his HK45 pistol before the group runs out to meet the rear end of Bane's army. Armando leads the charge, firing from his minigun as Kragen unloads with his HK47 rifle, Deadpool with his twin pistols, Meryl with her FA-MAS, and Madeira magnetizes the enemy's weapons sending them flying out of their hands before they're mow down by the Resistance's bullets. Deathstroke watching it all from the scope on his rifle.

Deathstroke: Talking in his radio Armando's crew is here.

Bane: Good.

Cut to: The side of the Resistance base

Bane and his men manage to sneak by all the fighting to make it to the side, climbing up the walls on ropes while the rest of the Resistance are focus on cannon fodder.

Bane: Make sure they stay away from us until we're inside the base.

Deathstroke fires at one of the stationary vehicles causing a gas leak and then firing at it again igniting an explosion that forces Armando and his crew away from the Resistance's base entrance. They take cover behind an armor vehicle.

Armando: We have a sniper in the area.

Meryl: I hate snipers.

Deadpool: Leave him to me.

Armando: You have sniper training?

Deadpool: I don't need to be a sniper to find this asshole!

Deadpool runs out from behind cover, firing more from his weapons as he takes bullets from the enemy, not caring because he just heals from the damage. The entrance of the Resistance base opens allowing Imai and her squad to come out. Logan quickly closes the doors behind her as Imai's soldiers cover her, Imai herself allowing more biotic energy to flow through her as she uses it to lift up an enemy tank, ripping it in half and sending the halves right back into Bane's personal army. Armando and his crew run over to her side and assist in the clearing out of enemies.

Armando: What are you doing out here?

Imai: Defending my home!

Armando: Then we'll defend it together. Skids, can you create a barrier around us?

Skids: I can, but I don't know how long it will hold.

Armando: Hold it for as long as you can.

Skids extends her shield around the group defending the front entrance, rendering the enemy shots useless, only lowering the front of the shield so Imai and the others can fire back.

Cut to: Base Rooftop

Wedge joins the other pilots in securing the aircrafts as snipers set up on the roof. While this is happening, Bane, Wrex, HK-47, Aries, and April make it to the roof. Wedge is the first to see them and informs the others as he fires at them with his blaster. Aries and April are able to easily avoid the blaster bolts while Bane, Wrex, and HK-47 fires back. HK forcing Wedge to take cover behind his own helicopter as the two exchange blaster bolts with one another. Wrex picking off the other pilots while Bane takes care of the snipers. Aries and April continue inside the building leaving the door open for the others.

Wedge: Speak into radio We have enemies on the roof! I repeat, enemies on the roof! Fires more shots with his blaster at HK

Cut to: Peter's Office

Peter hangs up the phone as the door is kick in and he sees Aries steps inside.

Aries: Hey, old timer. Do you know where Logan office is? I wanted to pay him a little visit.

Peter: Down the hall to the left. Takes out a pistol and sends a silver bullet into Aries chest

Aries: Ow! What the fuck was that? It never burnt before.

Peter: Obviously no one has ever thought to hit you with silver, blessed ammunition before. Their mistake.

Aries runs at Peter, using her daggers to reflect the other bullets as she kicks the gun out of his hand and stands on her head, sticking his head between her legs as she flips him over through the air.

Cut to: Four blocks away

Deadpool kicks down the door leading to the roof Deathstroke is on.

Deadpool: Hey, asshole!

Deathstroke is instantly on his feet at the sound of the door going down. Pointing his rifle at Deadpool.

Deadpool: You have some nerve showing your face around here!

Deathstroke: Who the hell are you?

Deadpool: Don't give me that. You know damn well who I am, copycat!

Deathstroke: What?

Deadpool: The clothes, the weapons, Slade Wilson, Wade Wilson. Do you think we were born yesterday?

Deathstroke: How do you know my name?

Deadpool: Face it, you're just a bootleg copy of the original classic.

Deathstroke: Shoots Deadpool in the head

Deadpool: Falls down

Deathstroke: Idiot. Turns around

Deadpool gets back up to his feet and cut Deathstroke in half.

Deadpool: OH! ONE HIT KO! But I'm sure you'll be more than able to regenerate your butt, right? Right? No? You're dead? OH NO! Who will Arrow use in his show now? Give me that! Takes Deathstroke's rifle and starts providing cover fire for the Resistance

Cut to: Resistance Base Entrance

Armando and the others hear Wedge over the radio.

Armando: They're getting in!

Imai: Logan! Open up the gate so Armando can get in!

Armando: Made, Skids, stay with Imai. The rest of you come with me!

Logan opens up the gate allowing Armando, Kragen, and Meryl to enter.

Cut to: Peter Office

Aries is choking Peter with her legs. Peter doing his best to pry the legs away from his neck so he can breathe.

Aries: Say goodnight!

Peter: Grabs the knife that fell off the desk in the struggle and stabs Aries legs with it

Aries: Is force to release her hold and get up to her feet

Peter: Meet her there with his pistol aim point blank at her head and fires

Aries: Falls to the floor dead

Peter: Goodnight.

Cut to: Resistance Roof

HK-47 launches an explosive device that attach itself on Wedge's helicopter. Wedge quickly moves out of the way as the explosive go off, blowing up the helicopter, the fire spreading over to the other aerial crafts on the roof destroying the Resistance's escape route as HK-47 now draws closer to Wedge.

HK-47: Condescending Response: Oh, I'm sorry, sir. It would seem my high-tech explosive device has caused a chain reaction leaving you and your teammates in a very unfortunate position.

Wedge: Yeah... Ricochets his blaster bolt across the wall and burning helicopters, hitting HK-47 in the back of the head Left you wide open.

Cut to: Staircase

Armando, Kragen, and Meryl ascend the staircase to the top floor when Wrex greets them with gunfire. The three duck down and use the side of the staircase to defend from the bullets, raising their weapons and firing at Wrex's spot a few flights above of them. April jumps down behind them and Meryl tackles her. Meryl and April fall down the flight of stairs while Armando and Kragen continue their way up.

Meryl lands on top of April at the bottom of the stairs, punching April in the face until April rolls around on top of Meryl to do the same. Meryl bringing her knees up to April's gut and knocking her off in time for her to get up and brandishes her knife. Meryl swings her knife, but April catches her arm, twisting it back to Meryl's back and holding her in place, but not for long as Meryl elbows out of it and turns around with a high kick, April ducking underneath the kick and coming back with an uppercut to Meryl's jaw, smashing it on impact.

Higher up on the staircase Armando and Kragen continue to exchange shots with Wrex.

Armando: Go on ahead. I'll cover you.

Kragen rushes up to the top of the steps as Armando draws out Wrex's fire. Kragen manages to make it to the top and slams the butt of his rifle into Wrex's head, following up with a strike to the stomach. Wrex comes back with a good arm smack across Kragen's face before throwing him over the railing. Kragen holds on for dear life, his rifle falling all the way to the bottom of the staircase. Wrex slamming his fists into Kragen's hands to make him fall. Armando makes it up to the top, ramming his shoulder into Wrex knocking him down, bringing the minigun to Wrex's head and unloading upon his skull. Armando gets up from Wrex's corpse and helps Kragen up, the two continuing down the hall to search for Bane.

Back at the bottom of the stairs, April brings a knife to Meryl's throat, threatening to slice it open. Meryl sees Kragen's rifle and quickly grabs it slamming it into April's back to force her off her from the ground. Meryl grabs April's knife and slices it across her throat, watching the blood flow from the wound as April chokes and then dies staring up at Meryl.

Cut to: Resistance Entrance

Imai uses her biotics to overload the weapons of the enemy while Madeira's electricity soars through the air frying anything it touches. Despite their best efforts, Bane's army continue to overrun the base. Just when all hope appears lost, they see a figure flying through the sky. Closer inspection reveals it to be Iron Man with an aircraft next to him. Iron Man targets several of Bane's troops and fires missiles at them, one of the missiles being a tank missile to destroy the tanks and other armor vehicles on the ground. Seras falls from the aircraft with a large gun on her back, landing on the roof of the base and open fires on the remaining soldiers forcing them into a retreat. With the assistance of Seras and Iron Man, the rest of the Resistance on the ground succeeds in forcing Bane's troops back.

Cut to: Imai's Office

Bane enters Imai's Office, looking through her desks and stealing multiple files, among them, the Legion's file the group recently attain from the Vulture. As soon as Bane steps out he sees Armando charging head first into him. Armando rams into him, forcing him back a few steps before Bane slams his knee into Armando a few times to get him off. The two exchange blows, both large men, both being able to take as much as they can dish out. Bane slams Armando into the wall, and Armando kicks Bane back into the wall on the opposite side, jumping up and slamming himself into Bane again, this time sending him through the wall back into Imai's office. When Bane gets up, he lifts a running Armando up and over his head sending him crashing through the desk. Kragen enters through the hole in the wall and swings his knife over Bane's mask, cutting out a piece of it. Bane grabs him by the head, holding him up against the wall and attempts to smash his skull in before Armando shot Bane's back. Bane grunts, and throws Kragen into Armando before leaving the office.

Meryl reaches his position and starts firing at him with her Desert Eagles. Bane throws his jacket into the direction of the shots, unloading with the gattling gun on his back to force Meryl into a retreat. Bane runs back to the roof to meet Seras. Bane runs to the right, firing off more rounds of the gattling gun as Seras fires back caliber bullets of equal size, Iron Man providing support from the air. Bane leaps off the ceiling and glides through the air breaking through the window of the building across the streets and disappears into the darkness. Iron Man follows him.

Cut to: Imai's Office

Armando looks through Imai's Office to see what Bane was after. Kragen and Meryl comes back into the room after following Bane out onto the roof.

Armando: Well?

Meryl: According to Seras, Iron Man is after him now. What did you find in here?

Armando: He took Legion's file, as well as other classified data Imai was keeping in here. For what purpose I can only guess. What's the status on the rest of Bane's squad?

Kragen: Dead.

Meryl: And the army retreated once Seras and Iron Man arrived.

Armando: This isn't over until we find Bane and get those files.

Kragen/Meryl: Yes, sir!

FIN

Gabrielle #10

Cast
Gabrielle
Zora C. Manson
Xena
Fukari
Callisto
Joxer

#10 Callisto

Fade in: Jherrazad Tower Infirmary

Gabrielle, Fukari, and Joxer are standing over Zora who is still recovering.

Fukari: We can't stay here. Once the soldiers return and see you no longer have the Kasul they'll turn on you without a second thought.

Gabrielle: Not a very loyal bunch, are they?

Fukari: On the contrary, their loyalty to the Kasul is second to none.

Gabrielle: Zora is in no condition to travel. As long as they still think I have the sword, they won't give us any problems.

Fukari: How do you plan to do that?

Gabrielle: Joxer, give me your sword.

Joxer: Why?

Gabrielle: Give me your sword!

Joxer gives Gabrielle his sword.

Gabrielle: All I have to do is paint this black and keep it in its sheath. Joxer, look after Zora. Fukari, you may want to leave. I might be able to convince them I still have the Kasul, but if they see you wandering around free they may get suspicious.

Fukari: Agreed. I have some business back in the desert, anyway.

Gabrielle: And Fukari, thank you for coming here to help me.

Fukari: Don't get sentimental on me now, Gabrielle. I like you better when you're trying to kill me.

Fukari takes her leave, and Gabrielle exits the infirmary, finding some black paint and painting Joxer's sword before putting it in the Kasul's sheath.

Cut to: Throne Room

The Jherrazad soldiers enter the throne room where Gabrielle is waiting atop her throne. They kneel before their Empress and lower their heads.

Jherrazad Soldier: Forgive us, My Empress, but we were unsuccessful in finding the Blind Assassin.

Gabrielle did her best to fake her anger, slamming a fist against her armrest and standing up.

Gabrielle: You show the same incompetence as the two Generals I killed.

Jherrazad Soldier: We are prepared to surrender our souls to you.

Gabrielle pauses for a moment.

Gabrielle: No. You're not worthy of feeding the Kasul. Get out of my sight!

Jherrazad Solider: Yes, My Empress!

The Jherrazad soldiers stand up, bumping into each other while they hurry out the door.

Gabrielle: That wasn't so hard.

Cut to: Jherrazad City Streets

Callisto enters the city and looks around at the people. She grabs one of the civilians by the neck and looks at him.

Callisto: What is this place?

Jherrazad Civilian: Guard! GUARD!

Callisto: Ah, ah!

Callisto draws the Kasul and holds it up to his neck.

Callisto: Play nice and I won't have to gut you.

Jherrazad Civilian: You have the Kasul! This is the Empire of Jherrazad, but if you have the Kasul than that means Empress Gabrielle–

Callisto: Gabrielle? Where is she?

The civilian points to the tower. Callisto lets the civilian go and makes her way for the tower.

Cut to: Tower Infirmary

Gabrielle walks in to see Zora resting in bed. She grabs a seat by her side and sits down next to her. Gabrielle takes Zora by the hand and holds onto it tightly.

Gabrielle: I need you to come back to me, Zora. I don't know how much longer I can convince them I still have the Kasul if they don't actually see it. I was never as good as Xena when it came to tricking people. Of course, you don't even know who Xena is. I think you'd like her. She taught me everything I know. You're a fighter just like her. I know you'll jump back from this. Zora, I need you–

Jherrazad Guard: Distant Intruder at the gate!

Gabrielle quickly stands to her feet and runs out of the infirmary.

Cut to: Tower Gate

Guards are standing with their muskets on Callisto when Gabrielle comes onto the scene. Joxer being the last one on the scene not believing his eyes.

Gabrielle: Callisto.

Callisto: Gabrielle, it's so wonderful to see you again. Did you cut your hair?

Gabrielle: Shoot her.

Callisto: Now, now, Gabby. Why would they want to shoot their Empress?

Callisto draws the Kasul showing it to the guards.

Gabrielle: It's a trick.

Jherrazad Guard: Then show us yours!

Callisto: Yeah, Gabby. Show the little man your big sword.

Gabrielle pauses, unsure of what to do before looking towards Joxer.

Gabrielle: Grab Zora and get her out of here!

Joxer runs back inside the tower as Gabrielle draws the fake Kasul and starts swinging at the guards, staying out of their muskets line of fire as she knocks them to the ground one by one.

Callisto: My turn.

Callisto jumps over the Jherrazad guards, landing next to Gabrielle and swinging the Kasul to meet Joxer's blade.

Gabrielle: Callisto, you need to lose that sword!

Callisto: And why would I want to do that?

The two continue to parry.

Gabrielle: The sword is evil! It corrupts anyone it touches!

Callisto: Sounds like my kind of weapon.

The two parry more, their blades meeting each other over their heads, down by their knees, and at the middle of their bodies. The guards reload their weapons and aim at Gabrielle who backflips away and takes out the chakram.

Callisto: What are you doing with Xena's chakram?

Gabrielle launches the chakram at the guards, the chakram smacking them on the heads and bouncing off the walls. Callisto reaches out to grab it, but half of it comes undone and continues to Gabrielle's hand while Callisto looks at the other half.

Callisto: That's different.

Gabrielle and Callisto jumps over each other, landing back to back and turning around striking one another with their half of the chakram. Gabrielle manages to reattach the chakram, now wrestling Callisto for it, kicking her repeatedly in the stomach forcing Callisto to lose her grip. Gabrielle exchanges the chakram for her sais and strike Callisto, Callisto quickly using the flat end of the Kasul to block the strikes and bringing the Kasul down forcing Gabrielle to leap away from its reach.

Callisto: When did you get good at fighting all of a sudden?

Gabrielle: Things change, Callisto.

Callisto: We'll see about that.

Callisto releases her battle cry and charges at Gabrielle to continue the fighting.

Cut to: Tower Infirmary

Joxer enters the infirmary and grabs Zora, holding her over his shoulder as he leaves the room to have Jherrazad guards block his path. He turns around to go the other way only to have more Jherrazad guards block his path. He looks around, the guards gaining on him, as he slips to the right causing the guards to run into each other as Joxer escapes down the stairs.

Cut to: Tower Gate

Gabrielle and Callisto battle continues. Gabrielle stays out of Callisto's range and connects with the hilts of the sais against her chest.

Callisto: What's the point of a weapon like that if you're not even going to use it properly?

Gabrielle sweeps down to trip Callisto, but Callisto spins around to the side and kicks Gabrielle onto the ground as soon as she gets up to her feet.

Callisto: Xena still has some things to teach you, I see. Where is my old friend, anyway? It's weird not seeing you two joined at the hip.

Gabrielle: Xena is dead, Callisto.

Callisto: What?

Gabrielle: Her body was turned to ashes in Jappa.

Callisto: No... No! I was supposed to kill Xena!

Gabrielle: It's over, Callisto!

Callisto: Oh no, Gabrielle. If I can't kill Xena then I'll kill her stupid little sidekick!

Callisto thrusts the Kasul, releasing a fireball from the tip of the blade and blasting it into Gabrielle's chest knocking her several feet through the air.

Callisto: Ooh, I like that. Let's see what else this baby can do!

Callisto slams the Kasul into the ground causing a massive earthquake that causes the tower to tremble, buildings in the city to collapse and people to fall to the ground hanging on for dear life. Gabrielle is unable to get back to her feet while Callisto laughs at the sight.

Callisto: This thing has been dying to come out!

Callisto rushes Gabrielle with super sonic speed, running back and forth to Gabrielle, striking her again and again, finally knocking her over with the final strike. Joxer comes out of the tower with Zora in hand and sees Gabrielle being beat up by Callisto.

Joxer: Gabrielle!

Callisto spots Joxer.

Gabrielle: Joxer, run!

Joxer tries to leave, but Callisto fires a block of ice at Joxer knocking him down to the ground, Zora rolling out of his arms and starting to come to.

Callisto: Today must be my lucky day. I get to kill the sidekick and the sideshow!

Callisto stands over Joxer aiming the Kasul for his throat.

Callisto: Now, how can I prolong your suffering the most?

Gabrielle: Leave him alone, Callisto! This is between you and me!

Callisto: Oh, you're wrong, Gabrielle. This is between you, me, and everyone you care about.

A weak Zora slowly reaches out for the wand that fell out of her pocket.

Callisto: Maybe I can give him the plague?

Listens to the Kasul's whispers.

Callisto: Oh, that's really good.

Zora grabs the wand and lifts it up.

Zora: Lumos Maxima!

Callisto turns and cover her eyes from a blinding flash of light. Gabrielle uses this moment to throw the chakram, disarming Callisto, and then running at her and jumping through the air delivering a hard kick to Callisto's chest knocking her into the desert sand. Gabrielle helps Joxer up to his feet and the two go to grab Zora.

Gabrielle: We need to leave now!

The three escape Jherrazad as Callisto is still on the ground suffering the aftermath of that kick. Jherrazad soldiers surround Callisto and try to help her only for her to slap their hands away.

Jherrazad Guard: My Empress, what may we do to assist you?

Callisto looks up at the guards angrily.

Callisto: After them, you idiots! I want Gabrielle and her friends dead!

Jherrazad Guard: At once, My Empress!

The guards run over to the camels. Callisto gets up to her feet and grabs the Kasul in her hand, climbing up on a camel and leading her new army on a charge after her enemy, letting out her familiar battle cry once again as they leave the city.

Cut to: Jherrazad Desert

Gabrielle, Zora, and Joxer are walking along the black desert, Gabrielle keeping a hand on Zora's shoulder as they move along.

Gabrielle: Good job back there, Zora. We couldn't have done it without you.

Zora: D-don't mention it.

Joxer: Now what do we do?

Zora: Tori and Zira shouldn't be too far off. Fukari was going to help Tori with her blindness in the desert. We could–

Gabrielle: No, Zora. You don't need to be in the desert any longer than necessary. We need to find a town so you can finish healing.

Zora: I'll be fine.

Gabrielle: My mind's made up, Zora. We're going to a town and you're going to get some more rest.

Zora: Has anyone ever told you you're as stubborn as a mule?

Gabrielle: Yes.

Gabrielle looks out into the distance, and we cut to Xena smiling at the three as they walk through the desert.

Zora: Are you ever going to tell me what you see when you're staring out into space?

Gabrielle: Maybe some other time.

Joxer: I'll tell you what I see, a great big pile of grapes ripe for the picking.

Gabrielle: That does sound good.

Joxer: A couple of apples, some oranges, and a nice juicy steak!

Zora: I just want a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Gabrielle: Now, when you say every flavor?

Zora: I mean EVERY flavor.

FIN

Armando's Commandos #4

Cast
Armando
Madeira Roberts
Kragen
Deadpool
Meryl Silverburgh
Wedge Antilles
Skids
Bane
Deathstroke
Urdnot Wrex
HK-47
Aries
April

#4 Morlocks Massacre

The scene fade into Isafaro Sector Three. The Resistance chopper is circling the area seeing the chaos below as Bane's group engages the Vulture troops in the area.

Armando: How is it looking down there?

Meryl: Watching the battle through her binoculars at the open helicopter door They're fighting with the Vulture troops. Head shots only.

Armando: So they know about the virus. Of course, Bane is an intelligence specialist.

Meryl: They're armed with military weapons.

Madeira: Vulture's?

Armando: Not possible, all Vulture's weapons have an ID lock. Only the owners of the weapons can use it.

Meryl: Lowers the binoculars and looks back at Armando There are ways to override the ID lock on automatic weapons. Bane could have found himself a gun launderer.

Wedge: Captain, I don't want to rush you, but Vulture's drones are going to be in the area if we don't hurry.

Armando: All right, get us behind those buildings over there. We'll come down unseen and sneak up on the soldiers while they're fighting, then you get back to base. We'll take the sewers home. If my hunch is correct, Bane will be using the sewers system to get to Sector Four.

Wedge: I can hold off the drones, sir.

Armando: That's an order.

Wedge: Yes, sir.

The helicopter flies behind the buildings and Armando's crew parachutes down to the street. Wedge takes off, getting between the drones that came to blow him out of the sky and causing them to blow each other up on the way out. Back on the ground Armando and the others follow the sound of gunfire.

Armando: Stay out of sight. We'll let Bane's men and the Vulture kill each other while we search for Bane.

Deadpool: But I want to shoot these guys!

Armando: Finger off the trigger, Wade! We only engage them if we have no other choice.

Kragen: And Bane?

Armando: We take him out. It's payback time for Garrus.

Kragen: Lead the way.

Meryl: We can find him faster if we split up.

Armando: No. Bane's plan back in Hallowton was to divide and conquer. We stick together. No matter what.

Deadpool: Aww! You really do care.

Armando: Walks on ahead without a word

Madeira: Is there anything you say that doesn't piss people off?

Deadpool: Is it my fault that I get the best lines?

The scene cut to the battle between the mercenaries and the Vulture troops. The mercenaries open fire on the Vulture troops and quickly get behind cover before the Vulture soldiers can retaliate. A tank clears a path towards the mercs, firing its cannon at their cover destroying it, taking several of Bane's soldiers with it. The survivors throw a chaff grenade on the ground, taking out the tank's cannon momentarily as the mercs move back.

We see one mercenary hiding out in a building, aiming a large weapon at the tank down below. He fires once, and the shot begins to melt through the armor of the tank. He fires a couple more times, and the tank becomes scrap metal in a matter of seconds while the other mercenaries finish it off and advance towards the rest of the Vulture troops.

Deadpool: I want one of those!

Meryl: Keep your head down!

Armando locates the manhole and opens it up. The group enters and begins looking through the sewers for any sign of Bane. As they move closer to Sector Four, they start to find a trail of bodies. Kragen comes to a stop causing the rest of the group to look at him.

Armando: You know these men?

Kragen: Morlocks.

Deadpool: Please tell me their hot leader isn't dead.

Madeira: Who could have done this? Bane or the Vulture?

Meryl: Could be either. Vulture would have more than enough reason to wipe out leftover experiments.

Armando: Let's keep moving.

Cut to: Sewers Entrance

A couple of the mercs come up to see the open manhole.

Mercenary: Talks in his radio They took the bait, sir.

Cut to: Undisclosed Location

Bane: Good. Now make them regret their mistake.

The merc lights a match and then drops it into the sewage below, igniting it and causing a giant fireball to begin to chase Armando's group. Deadpool was the first one to notice it.

Deadpool: FIRE!

The others look behind them to see the fireball coming and immediately take off in a run.

Deadpool: Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency. The radical MC HP's got the melody.

Armando: Shut up, Wade!

The group continues to run away from the fireball, making a sharp turn to the left as the fireball runs on ahead.

Armando: Is everyone all right?

Madeira: I'm okay.

Kragen: Nods

Deadpool: Let me help you up, madam.

Meryl: Fuck off!

Deadpool: Did you mean fuck on?

Meryl: Ugh.

Armando: Looks like they were expecting us. Let's not stick around to see what else they have in store.

Cut to: Sector Three Streets

Mercenary: Still talking through the radio It's done.

Bane: Do you have their bodies?

Mercenary: No.

Bane: Then do not assume it is finished until you have their burnt corpses in your hands.

Mercenary: Yes, Boss. Turns off radio Come on!

The two mercenaries enter the sewers.

Cut to: Morlocks Hideout

Armando and his crew finds the bodies of Annalee, Leech, Healer, Tar Baby, Erg, Ape, Sunder, Caliban, and Callisto at the Morlocks hideout. Armando kneels down next to Callisto and looks her over.

Deadpool: No! Not the hot one!

Meryl: This was a massacre.

Armando: But why go after the Morlocks? The Vulture left them unattended for all this time, so why go after them now?

Madeira: Maybe it wasn't the Vulture.

Kragen: Bane.

Armando: That still doesn't answer the question.

Deadpool: A distraction duh!

Armando: What?

Deadpool: What's the best way to get some goody-goody off your trail? Kill a bunch of innocent people and leave their bodies laying around.

Skids: Comes out of hiding and sneaks up on the group with a pistol in hand.

Meryl: As much as it disgusts me, I think Wade is right. This was just the decoy so Bane could get us off his scent.

Armando: He killed an entire group of people that had nothing to do with this war just as a decoy?!

Skids: Don't move!

The group turns to see Skids holding them at gunpoint.

Deadpool: Whoa, Skids, haven't seen you since When Worlds Collide episode three. How's it hanging?

Meryl: Do you ever shut up?

Deadpool: Not my style.

Skids: Are you working with Bane?

Armando: No. We're with the Isafaro Resistance. We're trying to stop Bane and his gang of thugs from doing anymore damage.

Skids: I don't believe you.

Armando: Maybe you'll believe him.

Kragen: Steps up in Skids' line of vision

Armando: He was here before with Tori and Garrus. Do you remember?

Skids: Yes. You brought those Vulture troops down to the sewers. Then they came, and killed everyone!

Armando: I'm sorry for your loss. You aren't the only one here who loss someone because of Bane, and you have my word that we're going to make the men who did this pay, but you need to put the gun down.

Skids: Drops the weapon

Madeira: How did you survive?

Kragen: Shields.

Madeira: What?

Skids: I have a deflection field that protects me. That how I was able to escape without any harm. It all happened so fast, I wasn't able to protect them!

Madeira: Don't blame yourself. Go to comfort Skids, but her hands are unable to touch her because of Skids' force field

Skids: Hugs herself and cries

The two mercenaries who are on their trail catches up and aims their weapons at the group.

Kragen: Over there!

Armando and the others see the mercenaries as they begin to fire. They quickly get out of the way of the bullets, Skids' shield helping to deflect some of the shots away from the group as they run. Meryl, Deadpool, Kragen, and Armando firing back at the mercenaries forcing them back behind cover.

Armando: Flush them out!

Kragen: Throws a grenade at the mercs

The mercenaries get out of cover before the grenade explodes. The two groups exchanges shots with one another, Deadpool getting hit several times in the head and chest only for his body to heal almost instantly as he keeps shooting at the mercs without a care in the world.

Deadpool: Having a healing factor rules!

Madeira: Uses the electricity from her guitar to magnetize the mercs bullets, hurling them back into the soldiers

Skids: Skates on the surface of her barrier and charges at the two, knocking them down to the ground with the bottom of her shield. She grabs one of them and begin punching him repeatedly in the face

Armando: Runs over to Skids Skids, that's enough! That's enough, Skids!

Skids: Looks back at Armando, letting the merc go, standing up and going over to the rest of the group

Armando: Picks the merc up and slams him into the wall

Meryl keeps the other merc at gunpoint to keep him from trying anything.

Armando: Where's Bane?

Mercenary: Says nothing

Armando: Slams him against the wall again Where's Bane?!

The group hears a beeping noise. Armando unbuttons the mercenary's shirt to find a bomb strap to his chest, counting down to zero.

Mercenary: BURN IN HELL!

Armando: RUN!

The group make a run for it as the mercenary explodes. The explosion threatening to consume them all, but in the moments to pass, they find themselves not harm by the explosion, looking to find that it's because of Skids shield.

Armando: Good work.

Skids: Thanks.

Meryl: We need to get back to the base.

Armando: Agreed. We already gave Bane too much time.

The group leaves the Morlocks hideout.

Cut to: Sector Four

Bane, Deathstroke, Wrex, HK-47, Aries, and April stands on a rooftop looking down at the Resistance base below. Bane's army marching towards the base with ground vehicles accompanying them before coming back on Bane's face, and the scene fade to black.

TO BE CONTINUE

Gabrielle #9

Cast
Gabrielle
Zora C. Manson
Xena
Fukari
Ares
Callisto
Joxer

#9 Internal Struggle

The scene opens up on Jherrazad Tower. We see the ground floor, the dungeons, the infirmary, and finally the throne room with Gabrielle. Nobody else is present inside the tower. The only person left is Gabrielle sitting alone on her throne with the Kasul in her hands. Inaudible whispers echos in the air as Gabrielle keeps the Kasul close to her side. Looking straight ahead into space not making a sound herself. Gabrielle stood up from her seat, entering her bed room and closing the door behind her. She comes out on the balcony and looks at the city below. Men, women, and children, walking back and forth with their heads down in fear. Gabrielle feels a sudden breeze hit behind her and a voice calls out to her.

Xena: Gabrielle.

Gabrielle turns around to see Xena standing in the bed chamber smiling at her.

Gabrielle: Xena?

Gabrielle moves closer to Xena and gently lay a hand on her cheek. Xena holds onto Gabrielle's hand lovingly, closing her eyes while Gabrielle caress her cheek.

Gabrielle: Is it really you?

Xena opens her eyes as Gabrielle lowers her hand.

Xena: Yes, Gabrielle. It's me.

Gabrielle: I thought I lost you.

Xena: You never lost me, Gabrielle. I've been here the whole time.

Gabrielle: It's been so long since I've seen you, that I almost forgot.

Xena: I know.

Xena looks at the Kasul. The Kasul releases a low growl in Xena's direction, and Gabrielle sheaths the blade.

Gabrielle: They've all turned against me, Xena. Zora. Joxer. I thought I could count on them, but I was wrong.

Xena: Gabrielle, no one has turned against you. The blade in your possession is poisoning your mind. Turning you against your friends.

Gabrielle: You too?

Xena: The Gabrielle I know would never consider taking over a city, even as a last resort. You have to get rid of that sword.

Ares appears in the room and approaches the two.

Ares: Why? Gabrielle seems fine to me. A little less goody-goody, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Xena: Ares.

Ares: Hi, Xena. It's been a long time.

Gabrielle: You can see her, too?

Ares: You're not the only one here who loved Xena.

Ares moves over to the other side of Gabrielle opposite of Xena.

Ares: But believe it or not, I'm here for you. You should keep the blade. Use its power to your advantage. Because you're right, Isafaro, Hallowton, they won't respect anything less than brute force.

Xena: Ares only plans to use you to achieve his own end. You know this better than anyone.

Ares: It's true, I've had my schemes in the past, but I promised Xena a long time ago I'd leave you to lead your own life in peace. Think of this more as a friendly suggestion. Keep the blade. How else are you ever going to get home, now that the remaining Kari survivors are dead?

Gabrielle: He's right, Xena. I don't have any other way to get back.

Xena: War isn't the answer.

Ares: Isafaro has all the resources you need to study the tower, but they'll never just give them to you. Your only choice is to take it by force. You'll be doing this continent a big favor.

Xena: That's how it's start. You fight for the right reasons, and then you lose what remains of yourself. If you let Ares take you down this path you may never come back from it.

Gabrielle: We used to fight all the time.

Xena: Not like this. Gabrielle, if our roles were reversed and I was wanting to use the blade's power what would you tell me?

Gabrielle: Get rid of the sword. Then you'd tell me to trust you.

Ares: That is true. You would tell her to trust you.

Gabrielle: I need time to think.

Gabrielle leaves the bedroom.

Ares: That's all right. You take all the time you need.

Xena: This isn't over, Ares.

Ares: Oh, I think it is.

Ares teleports out.

Cut to: Jherrazad Desert

Fukari, Zora, and Joxer are walking through the desert on their way back to the Jherrazad Empire.

Zora: Are you sure it was a good idea to leave Tori and Zira back at the campsite?

Fukari: We need someone to hold the fort while we're gone. Who better than them?

Zora: I just hope that monster doesn't attack them.

Fukari: I think Beelzebub has another target in mind.

Zora: How do you know?

Fukari: Call it an educated guess.

Joxer: So, what's the plan?

Fukari: The plan is to go in, knock some sense into your friend, and then get out.

Zora and Joxer comes to a stop.

Joxer: That's a plan?

Zora: Might be the only plan we have.

The three make it to Jherrazad to see no guards are on duty.

Fukari: As I expected. Gabrielle sent all her men out to find me and left no one to defend her.

Ares appears in front of the trio.

Ares: I wouldn't be so sure about that.

Joxer: Ares!

Zora: Who?

Joxer: The God of War. He was always causing trouble for Xena and Gabrielle in the past.

Ares: Gabrielle sends her regards.

Ares fires a ball of electricity at the three. They jump out of the way as the ball hits the wall behind them, and the people in the city begin to run and panic. Joxer gets up and draws his sword.

Joxer: I don't believe for a minute Gabrielle sent you!

Joxer charges at Ares, but Ares smacks him away with his arm and into one of the shopping stands nearby. Ares looks towards Fukari and Zora.

Ares: A blind woman and a child. I don't like your odds.

Fukari throws shurikens towards Ares, but Ares grabs both shuriken and drops them to the ground.

Zora: Caeruleus Accendo!

Blue fire comes out of Zora's wand and hits Ares right in the chest. Ares takes the hit and laughs.

Fukari: Zora, I'm going to keep him distracted. You get to Gabrielle.

Zora: What am I supposed to do then?

Fukari: You're her companion, you traveled together. Think of something!

Fukari charges Ares with her Katana raise, Ares take out his own sword and the two begin to clash in the middle of the street as Zora uses the shopping stands to sneak on through and head for the tower.

Cut to: Throne Room

Gabrielle wanders through the throne room looking weak, and paranoid. She clutches the Kasul to her chest and keeps looking over her shoulder expecting someone to sneak up on her. She can hear the whispers from the Kasul and swings at thin air.

Gabrielle: They want my sword. They want my sword! They can't have my sword!

Gabrielle turns to see a Zora slowly walking up to her. Zora comes to a stop when Gabrielle sees her, Gabrielle wrapping an arm around her sword.

Gabrielle: You want my sword.

Zora: I only want to help you.

Xena walks into the room and watches the two.

Zora: Gabrielle, please! That sword is changing you. You're not yourself.

Gabrielle: Everyone needs to stop saying that! You don't know me. None of you know me!

Zora: I know you'd never harm an unarmed person.

Zora slowly takes out her wand and drops it to the floor, slowly approaching Gabrielle with her hands up.

Zora: I know you'd never hurt a child.

Cut to: Jherrazad Streets

Fukari and Ares continue to parry. Fukari delivering several kicks to Ares, Ares moving back just enough to avoid the first couple, and ducking underneath the third. Ares gets in one good uppercut with his free hand, sending Fukari several feet through the air and into the ground with his strength. Ares stays on the offense, coming up and swinging his sword down just as Fukari was coming up, raising up her Katana to meet his sword.

Cut to: Throne Room

Zora continues to slowly approach Gabrielle.

Gabrielle: Stay back! Don't come any closer!

Zora: You need to put down the sword.

Gabrielle: No. I need it.

Zora: No, you don't. You made it this far without the sword. You can make it even farther without it.

Xena: Listen to her, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle looks at Xena. Zora follows her eyes, but can only see thin air.

Gabrielle: We need it to find a way home.

Zora: We'll find another way.

Gabrielle: How can you be sure?

Zora: Look at everything we've been through so far. Together I know we can find a way home.

Gabrielle: I thought I was just a muggle?

Zora: You've shown me that being a muggle isn't such a bad thing.

Cut to: Jherrazad Streets

Fukari throws a sonic grenade by Ares feet. When it explodes it slightly irritates Ares as he clears out his ear

Ares: You trying to give me an earache?

Fukari: No.

Ares takes a step forward and a claymore mine explodes underneath him sending him crashing back through the air.

Fukari: I needed time to set the mine.

Cut to: Throne Room

Zora: Just put down the sword, and we can get out of here.

Gabrielle starts to lower the sword. The Kasul lights up in a red glow, taking control of Gabrielle's arm and thrusting the blade into Zora's chest.

Gabrielle: NO!

Zora screams in pain. Gabrielle fights for control of her arms, pulling the sword out and throwing it away. Zora falls forward, and into Gabrielle's arms, Gabrielle dropping to her knees as she holds Zora close.

Gabrielle: It's gonna be okay, Zora. It's gonna be okay. We're going to patch you up, and you're going to be fine.

Zora: It hurts.

Gabrielle: I know, Zora. I know. I'm sorry.

Gabrielle looks over angrily at the Kasul. She stands up, grabbing the Kasul by the hilt and taking it through her bedroom into the balcony. Sensing that Gabrielle is no longer on its side, the blade begins to devour her soul, but Gabrielle fights it long enough to spin around with the Kasul still in hand, and throws it all the way out into the Jherrazad Desert.

Cut to: Jherrazad Streets

Ares stands up in time to see the Kasul flying through the air from Gabrielle's throwing arm. He looks on angry and teleports out of the area right before Fukari's Katana could strike him. Fukari runs over to get Joxer and the two proceeds into the tower.

Cut to: The Infirmary

Gabrielle carries Zora into the infirmary and lays her on the bed. She starts to tend to Zora's wound.

Gabrielle: Stay with me, Zora. It's going to be all right.

Fukari and Joxer enters the infirmary.

Joxer: What happened?

Gabrielle: Zora was helping me come to my senses, and the Kasul took control of my body and made me stab her.

Fukari: She's lucky to be alive. Where's the Kasul now?

Gabrielle: I tossed it.

Fukari: You tossed it?

Gabrielle: I threw it in the desert.

Fukari: You threw the most dangerous weapon in Jherra in the desert?!

Gabrielle: The sand will bury it, and it'll be lost to time. It's over, Fukari.

Cut to: The Jherrazad Desert

We see the Kasul sticking out of the black sand. A pair of feet approaches the blade, and a hand grabs the hilt. The Kasul allows itself to be wielded, and as the Kasul lifts up, we see the face of Callisto looking over it. Pressing her ear to the flat end of the blade and hearing the whispers as she smiles, and everything fade to black.

FIN

#20 Black Desert

Cast
Tori Jacobs
Zira Firestone
Lord Beelzebub
Nats
Zora C. Manson
Fukari
Joxer

We open up in the Jherrazad Desert. Tori and Zira walks across the black sand as they search for the Blind Assassin.

Zira: I'm hot.

Tori: It's the desert. What were you expecting?

Zira: I've been in the cold for years, I'm used to the cooler climate.

Tori: We should cool down once we find some caves. If we find some caves.

Zira looks over to see Jherrazad soldiers riding through the desert in the distance.

Zira: Tori, there are Jherrazad troops beyond the horizon. A whole flock of them.

Tori: Where are they headed?

Zira: Nowhere near Moon Valley as far as I can tell, but that many Jherrazad troops is never a good sign.

Tori: Can you get a read on them?

Zira: They're too far away for my powers to work.

Tori: We better find those caves.

Cut to: Zora and Joxer

Zora and Joxer treks through the desert, Joxer looking exhausted as Zora presses on keeping a lookout.

Joxer: What are we going to do? We've been walking for miles, let's face it. We're never going to find her.

Zora: Sarcasm That's a nice attitude to have. What happened to the “do anything” Joxer the Mighty you're always sprouting off about?

Joxer: He died of a heat stroke ten miles back.

Zora: Wait. Look.

Zora and Joxer sees Tori and Zira up ahead.

Zora: It's the people from Moon Valley. We're saved!

Zora starts off in a run, but Joxer grabs her shoulder and pulls her back.

Joxer: What make you think they're gonna want to help us?

Zora: Do you have a better idea?

Zora and Joxer approaches the two. Zira spots them and notifies Tori.

Zora: Let me do the talking.

Tori: What do you two want?

Zora: We're not here to fight.

Zira: Yeah? Why is this place crawling with Jherrazad soldiers?

Zora: They're searching for Fukari.

Tori: Why?

Zora: She was a prisoner in Jherrazad until she escaped. You were right about the Kasul. It's already changing our friend. We were hoping to find her to help us save Gabrielle.

Zira: How did she escape?

Zora: I let her out.

Tori: You're in luck. We're looking for the same woman. We'll cover more ground if we look for her together.

Zira: Can we trust them?

Tori:You're the psychic.

They can see Jherrazad soldiers heading towards their position

Zira: We better get moving. Those soldiers are heading right for us.

The four runs off as the scene fades out.

Fade in: Caves

Tori, Zira, Zora, and Joxer walks through the cave.

Joxer: We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Joxer. Joxer the Mighty!

Zira: And I'm Zira the Magnificent.

Joxer: Ahh, has a nice ring to it. What do you say after this you and I–?

Zira: No.

Joxer: You haven't even heard what I was going to say.

Zira: Trust me, I don't need to.

Zora: Are we really going to find Fukari in these caves?

Tori: I may not know Fukari, but I know what it takes to survive in the desert. These caves are the only shelter from the heat of the day, and the cold of the night. If Fukari wants to survive she'll be here.

Zira: It's getting darker.

Tori: Welcome to my world.

Zira: We're going to need more light. I can–

Tori: Zira, no. It will hurt you.

Zira: We don't have any alternatives.

Zora: Lumos!

The tip of Zora's wand lights up lighting the way in the caves.

Zira: Spoke too soon.

Tori: What was that?

Zira: Zora just gave us some light from her little stick.

Zora: Wand.

Joxer: Careful, she's sensitive about her little stick.

Zora: It's a bloody wand!

Tori: Get between us, Zora.

Zora stands between Tori and Zira providing light as the group walks deeper into the cave.

Zora: I'm sorry.

Zira: For what?

Zora: The fight back in Moon Valley.

Zira: Don't worry about it. You were only helping your friend. I was just a stranger to you.

Zora: I'm afraid by the time we get back to Gabrielle she'll be a stranger to me, too.

Tori: Don't worry. We'll save her.

As they walk, strange markings appear on the walls of the cave. This grabs Zora's attention who gets a closer look at them.

Zira: What is it?

Zora: These are the same symbols from the tower.

Tori: The writings of the Karians. What is it doing here?

Zira: You never seen them here before?

Tori: No. Not in any of the caves I've been to. We best keep moving.

The four continue on until they find an elevator with the same symbols on the doors as the cave walls.

Zira: Looks like an elevator, or some kind of lift.

Tori: Guess the only place to go from here is down.

Joxer: You know what? Someone really should go back and stand guard at the entrance of the cave. I volunteer.

Joxer walks right into a wall

Joxer: On second thought, I'll stay with you guys.

Zira: Can we even get it working?

The four examine it. Zira tries pulling on the levers, Zora attempts using her wand to get it to work and Joxer touches the symbols. As soon as he does, the elevator activates and begin taking them down.

Zora: I can't believe it.

Joxer: No puzzle is too great for Joxer the Might–!

The elevator shakes, and falls the rest of the way down crashing at the bottom. When the smoke clears, the four get out of the elevator.

Tori: Is everyone all right?

Zira: I'm fine.

Zora: Me too.

Joxer passes out.

Zora: He'll be fine.

The three look around to see a shrine with candles all around them.

Zira: We're in a shrine of some kind. We don't need that light anymore, Zora.

Zora: Nox.

The light from Zora's wand extinguishes.

Zira: There's a chest over here.

Tori: Be careful, Zira. We don't know what's all inside here.

Zira: I don't think there's much one can put into a small chest.

Tori: Looks can be deceiving.

Zora: You're just going to open up a random chest you find in a cave?

Zira: Somebody has obviously never played the Legend of Zelda.

Zora: The Legend of what?

Zira opens the chest and finds a scroll inside. She picks it up and unfold it.

Zira: It's a scroll.

Tori: What does it say?

Zira: It's not in English.

Tori: Of course.

The scroll's words suddenly convert into English.

Zira: Wait, it's changing. Dear traveler, if you are reading this then it means you have found the tomb of the gods, from within lies truths the Lord wish you neither see nor hear. This is the beginning of your damnation. You will surely be pitied from this day forth, forevermore.

Tori: How morbid.

The room shakes, the candles blow out and the walls spin around and around. A stand with a globe on top of it comes up and casts a white light on the shrine and images begin to appear with voices coming from the walls. Joxer gets up in time to see the images play out.

Hooded Man: You mean to tell me–?

Nats: It is as I say. Lord Yahweh was but once a man like you.

Tori: What?

Hooded Man: How is that possible?

Nats: In the dawn of creation came the Trials of Fate, a great conflict between good and evil that spread throughout the realms like a wildfire! It was destined to consume the worlds from the first days right down to the last days of man! In the first Trial on Genesis a man by the name of Jeho stood out above the rest as worthy to the Creator and became the first god.

Hooded Man: Would the first god not be the Creator?

Nats: The Creator is, as his namesake implies, the Creator. Neither god nor man, for they are both his creations. The Creator cannot be comprehended, the Creator just is. Jeho from that day forth called himself Lord Yahweh! He created an army of angels to do his bidding. The first angels were his very close friends. I stood among them. My human name was Nats, but as I evolved I took on a new name. Lucifer.

Zira: Lucifer?

Nats: At first I could not complain. I was given things no mortal man could have ever imagined when Yahweh created his kingdom, but soon things began to change. Yahweh grew addicted to the prayers and worship of man. He grew to become an envious and jealous god! All those that did not worship his name was sent to the fires of the Netherrealm to burn forever! I was the only one who wanted to see his corruption. I was the only one who stood against him with an army of his own creations! Then we were cast out of heaven and onto Genesis.

Tori: You won't hear that in Sunday school.

Hooded Man: I have followed the teachings of Veneficus for many years. My people and I have been cast out of Aircano because of the teachings of this corrupt god! Once word reaches their ears it will change everything. A new dawn is at hand!

Nats: Yes, brother. A new dawn is at hand.

Nats walks over to a black box on the shrine.

Hooded Man: What are you doing?

Nats: And on the Eighth Day, God created the Ancients. The first he would call his prophet, the second his will, and the third, the omega. In one form or another they existed by his commands. His strongest warriors far outweighing the creations of man and that of angels. They would become his equals.

Nats slowly opens up the black box.

Nats: You will be the harbinger of my ascension! I will send forth your terrors into the heavens!

Nats opens the box, and terrors come pouring out causing the hooded man and the others there to fall to their knees clutching their heads. Even Nats is brought down to his knees and screams in pain.

Zora: What's happening to them?

Tori: The Nightmare.

The globe breaks ending the images on the walls as the entire room shakes violently. The four backs away from the shrine as it moves down like an elevator. Moments later, it starts coming back up, and above the shrine is a large beast that towers over the four.

Tori: Who are you?!

Lord Beelzebub: You do not know me? You do not know me?! I am the evil that chokes this world in its darkness. The face behind the blood red moon on the battlefield. I am in the soul of every devil that wanders Genesis. The one that wields the seven deadly sins within the palm of his hand. I AM BEELZEBUB!

Tori: Why does every villain need to monologue?

Zira: We need to get out of here.

Lord Beelzebub: There will be no escape for you. I have been dormant for a long time, and I require a blood sacrifice.

Tori: The only blood that will be spilt today is yours.

Beelzebub roars at the group. Joxer moves to protect Zora while Tori and Zira prepare to attack. Two grenades flies through the air and latches onto the chest of Beelzebub. They explode and knock the demon back as Fukari comes out of the shadows.

Fukari: Run!

Tori and the others head back to the elevator.

Lord Beelzebub: You insult me with a human guise?

Fukari: I'm going to do a lot more than that.

Beelzebub forces Fukari to turn into her demon form, her skin becoming purple, wings growing from her back, and horns atop her head as she charges full speed ahead at Beelzebub and collides with a loud crash, slicing her Katana through the demon's stomach.

Lord Beelzebub: Power.

Beelzebub feeds off of Fukari's demon energy and uses the strength to strike Fukari so hard he sends her hurling back into the lift with the others, just in time to join their ride to the floor above. The group escapes the cave and continues to run as far away as possible.

The scene cut to the black desert in the middle of the night. Zira and Joxer coming back with firewood that Zora sets ablaze with her wand to provide warmth.

Fukari: So, you want me to train you, and you guys want me to save your friend?

Tori: That's the long and short of it.

Fukari: I'm popular today.

Zora: What was that form you changed into back there?

Fukari: My demon form. I'm half demon on my father side. I only change into that form when I absolutely need to, but good ol' Beelzebub was able to change me without my consent.

Tori: It seems every time I enter a cave here I release some type of beast.

Fukari: You're bad luck.

Zira: I still can't believe it. God, Satan, all the angels, they were all human. What I can't understand is why? Why appoint men as gods?

Tori: That's what I intend to find out. Yahweh, Beelzebub, the Ancients, the tower, they're all connected somehow. But first thing first, will you help us?

Fukari: What's in it for me?

Tori: We'll be in your debt.

Fukari: You're already in my debt. I saved your life, remember?

Tori: And if we weren't working the elevator at the time, you wouldn't have been able to get away from Beelzebub in time.

Zora: Please, Fukari. We need you.

Joxer: Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Fukari: Gabrielle may already be too far gone. Are you prepared for that?

Zora: We still have to try.

Fukari: At first light we'll head back to Jherrazad, and I promise to do what I can.

Zora: Thank you!

Fukari looks at Tori and stands up.

Fukari: As for you, follow me.

Tori stands up and follows Fukari away from the camp.

Fukari: The blind leading the blind.

Cut to: Cave Exit

Lord Beelzebub emerges from the cave and looks up at the stars in the sky. His eyes coming down to see the second sun still burning in Aircano over the horizon.

Lord Beelzebub: Your star will shine bright no longer, Yahweh.

Beelzebub begins his march for the ruins of Aircano as the scene fade to black.

FIN

Armando's Commandos #3

Cast
Armando
Madeira Roberts
Kragen
Aminee Starlight
Deadpool
Meryl Silverburgh
Imai Katayo
Logan S. Gunn
Peter Fargason
General Vulture
Revolver Ocelot
Sergei Dragunov
Wedge Antilles

#3 From All Sides

The scenes fade in on a pair of lights looking down at Aminee's place on the torture device. Restraints holding her to the device as she tries to break free, voices sounding off over head getting closer and closer.

General Vulture: It's a shame. A beauty like this? She could have had the whole world eating out of the palm of her hand. Instead she chose to lie with the dogs.

Ocelot: Anything to sell another record.

The device stands up, and Aminee finds herself face to face with General Vulture, Ocelot, and Sergei. Vulture approaches Aminee, looking into her eyes as his hand caress her cheek. She turns her head away from him as best she could, showing only disgust by the sight of him.

General Vulture: You don't know what you're missing.

Aminee: I think I have a fairly good idea.

General Vulture: I don't need to know why the Resistance sent you to kill me. That much is obvious. What I am curious about is the Resistance's sudden interest in the Legion project. If you think the report is going to hold the secrets to beat her, then you're wrong. And I know Imai isn't the type to experiment on people, being an experiment herself.

Aminee: I'm not telling you anything.

General Vulture: I didn't think you would, but my friend here knows plenty of ways to get you squealing like a pig. I'll see you again, when you've decided you want to talk.

Vulture and Sergei leaves the room while Ocelot steps up to the control panel.

Ocelot: That was quite the performance you put on for the soldiers.

Aminee: Really? You didn't look very impressed.

Ocelot: I mean having them believe they actually had a fan amongst the civilians and celebrities who despise them. Many of them would have gladly threw the other under the bus for a chance to lay in bed with you, and you made them watch you take off with the General. A lesser man would have been pierced by that knife on your person. He would have died right there in bed naked, but not Vulture. He's hated by too many people to ever let his guard down. Even in moments of pleasure.

Aminee: If you love him so much why don't you marry him?

Ocelot: Not one for small talk, I see.

Aminee: Not with you.

Ocelot: Then let's cut to the chase. Why do the Resistance want Legion's report? What's their plans regarding Hallowton and Hellsing?

Aminee: Blow me.

Ocelot: I'm afraid you're not my type. This device sends several dozen volts of electricity all throughout your body. If it's just for a short time it won't kill you. Should the author see it fit to kill you here, you won't be brought back to life. All right, let's get started.

Ocelot activates the machine, and in seconds the whole machine is flowing with electricity, electrocuting and causing her to look up into the air screaming in pain.

Armando punches the desk in Imai's office.

Armando: Which one of you gave the order?

Logan: You need to calm down.

Armando: Aminee was instructed by me to get in, distract the guards and get out while Wade got the file. She wouldn't have tried to kill Vulture unless one of you gave her a direct order. Who was it?!

Imai: You have the file?

Deadpool: Right here, madam!

Armando: Hold it, Wade. No one is seeing that file until I get some answers.

Imai: I didn't give her the order!

Logan: Neither did I.

Armando: I don't believe that for one second.

Logan: I told her to be careful, and she asked “where's the fun in that?” If you ask me Ami had this planned from the start. She was always arrogant in everything she did.

Armando: So, you did talk to her.

Madeira: Stop it! All of this fighting isn't going to bring Aminee back!

Meryl: If we start turning on each other now then the Vulture has already won.

Imai: The file.

Armando signals for Deadpool to give Imai the file. He puts it on the table and Imai looks it over.

Imai: According to this the child is capable of telepathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and necromancy.

Armando: That would explain where those zombies came from when Sector Twelve was flooded.

Kragen: And Tori's visions.

Imai: They collected DNA samples from multiple demons and transferred it into her body. This resulted in her being able to hear thousands, and thousands screaming souls, that's why they called her Legion.

Madeira: I don't understand. Why would she be hearing voices?

Kragen: Stolen lives.

Imai: Vampires believe that blood is the currency of the soul. If you take a person's blood into yourself, you take their essence. To think she was only eight years old when they experimented on her. She must have been so scared.

Meryl: Those bastards!

Logan: Our intelligence places her in Sector Eleven. The sector has already been closed off and evacuated by the Vulture, but there are still people trapped in the city. We need to save them and do what we can to stop that thing before it gets any further into Isafaro.

The door slides open and Peter enters the room.

Peter: We have another problem as well. Bane has been spotted in Sector Three with an army of highly skilled mercenaries getting closer to Sector Four.

Kragen: Bane...

Madeira: We're being hit by all sides here.

Imai: Legion is still pretty far from us, we should take care of the situation in our backyard first. We need more time to study up on Legion, anyhow. Armando–

Armando: Aminee is still in the Core. We have to go get her.

Imai: Armando, I know how you feel, but the Core is impenetrable. Aminee was our only shot to get in and now that's gone. Breaking into the Core to get her back is a suicide mission.

Armando: You want me to just leave her there?

Imai: No, I want you to think of the majority instead of one member of your squad. If Bane makes it to us nothing else we do will matter. You saw first hand what he did in Hallowton, I don't want that happening here. Aminee is a strong woman, she'll hold out as long as it takes for us to rescue her.

Armando: You better be right. Looks at Logan before leaving the office with his team.

Meryl: Sarcasm That went well.

Deadpool: You kidding? Tori and Gabrielle's crossover fight had less hostility.

Meryl: I see sarcasm isn't your strongest suit.

Deadpool: I make up for it with MAD SKILLZ!

Meryl: Did you just say skill with a Z?

Madeira: Looks at Armando What's our next step?

Armando: We make sure Bane doesn't get to Sector Four. Get your equipment ready, we head out in fifteen minutes.

Cut to: The Core Torture Room

The electricity fade out, and Ocelot walks up to Aminee.

Ocelot: You're tougher than you look.

Aminee: Breathing heavy Sorry to disappoint you.

Ocelot: I'm curious, what makes a successful Pop Idol decide to turn traitor to her own country?

Aminee: I figured “Fuck Vulture!” would sell more records.

Ocelot: I wonder how well your manager would hold up if we were to get her in here.

Aminee: Carari had nothing to do with this.

Ocelot: Maybe not, but a woman like that? She's bound to have a few secrets to share.

Aminee: Am I going to be a bastard when I'm your age?

Ocelot: With that mouth you won't see a single gray hair.

Aminee: Hallelujah!

Ocelot turns away from Aminee, two soldiers enter the torture room and knocks Aminee out. They unstrap her and drag her out of the room. Aminee wakes up later in a small cell with just a bed, toilet, and a sink. Aminee stands up, looking out the small window on the door to see the two guards on the other side with rifles in their hands. Aminee turns around and stretches.

Aminee: May as well make myself comfortable.

Cut to: Resistance Base

Armando makes it to the helicopter where the rest of his team is waiting.

Armando: Commandos, roll out! Sees Wedge Who are you?

Wedge: Salutes Wedge Antilles. I've been appointed as your new pilot.

Armando: How long you've been flying?

Wedge: All my life, sir.

Armando: Welcome aboard, Antilles. We can always use more experience behind that cockpit.

Wedge: You can call me Wedge.

The group enters the helicopter and Wedge sits in the cockpit.

Wedge: All you have to do is say the word.

Armando: All right, according to Commander Fargason, Bane was raised a prisoner in Sector Nine's maximum security prison living out his father's life sentence. He was also the only man to ever escape. He went under the radar and became a mercenary, becoming known both for his brute strength, and his intellect. Bane single-handedly matched wits with the likes of Hellsing and Devil May Cry, and he was the man who took Garrus' life.

Kragen: Closes his hand into a fist

Madeira: Notices Kragen's hand

Armando: Now he wants to come into our backyard and repeat what he did in Hallowton? He's going to have another thing coming. Wedge, get this baby in the air.

Wedge starts up the helicopter and they take off into the air for Sector Three.

Cut to: The Core Holding Cell

Aminee: Continues to exercise

Vulture Guard #1: Opens up the cell door Come on, Starlight. Ocelot wants you.

Aminee: Flirtatious Don't you boys want to have me to yourself first?

Vulture Guard #1: C'mere! Roughly grabs Aminee and drags her out of the holding cell

Aminee: Sarcasm The ladies must love you.

Vulture Guard #1: Shut up!

Aminee is put back on the torture device and the guards leave her alone with Ocelot.

Ocelot: How are you liking your new home?

Aminee: Hard bed, dirty toilet, lousy paint job on the walls, and there's hardly any clean water out of the sink.

Ocelot: We don't waste our resources on prisoners who won't be around long. It's still not too late to start answering my questions.

Aminee: Just get it over with. I could be stretching right now.

Ocelot: I don't think you understand your current situation, Ms. Starlight. You're locked up in the greatest military facility Jherra has ever seen. Your infiltrating the base was a fluke, a one in a lifetime chance that you blew the second you tried to take a knife to General Vulture's heart.

Aminee: Can you blame me?

Ocelot: There isn't going to be a rescue. Right now Commander Katayo is probably deciding what to do with the information she acquired. No leader worth their salt will send their men on a suicide mission to save one soldier.

Aminee: My friends will come for me.

Ocelot: Will they? How long have you known them? It couldn't have been too long given that you were just recently on tour. Your friend didn't hesitate to leave you behind.

Aminee: There was nothing he could do. No sense in both of us getting captured. I'm ready to die if that what it comes to.

Ocelot: Such a shame. Turns on the device

Aminee: Starts to scream

Ocelot: Ms. Grey has come to think of you like a daughter. It's a shame that her once great prized possession is shortening her lifespan for a lost cause. Stops the machine

Aminee: I'm nobody's possession.

Ocelot: Not one worth keeping, anyway.

Aminee: We'll beat you.

Ocelot: Victory or defeat, you won't be around to see it. Turns on the device again

Aminee: Cries out in agony as the voltage gets stronger

Ocelot: Turns off the device again Is it freedom you fight for? Justice? Or did the men at the Resistance make you an offer?

Aminee: Fuck you!

Ocelot: Activates the device

Aminee: Screams louder from the pain

Ocelot: Would they show you the same courtesy if it were their lives on the line?

Aminee: You're wasting your time trying to get me to turn on them.

Ocelot: We'll see. Increase the voltage and the length of the session and turns on the device once more

Aminee: Passes out from the pain

Ocelot: Sleeping on the job?

Ocelot resumes the torture, waking Aminee up upon activation. He leaves the room, allowing the electricity to continue to soar through Aminee's body as her screams echo through the Core and the scene fade to black.

FIN