Montoya took a small sip of her wine. The taste was smooth, cool against the warmth of her mouth. She savored the flavor for a long moment before swallowing. She smiled at Damien.
"This is a very nice restaurant, Damien," she complimented her date on the choice of venue. "I think my Senior Prom in high school was the last time I went to someplace so fancy."
Damien smiled back. "The owner owes me a few favors," he laughed. Montoya laughed, also. "I'm glad you like it. I haven't been here since before..."
Montoya knew that the rest of the sentence was "before Cleveland" or some such. She flashed a warm smile to show she understood what he meant and took another sip of her wine. The following silence was soon broken by their waiter who set their food before them. He refilled the wine glasses before asking if they needed anything else and was on his way.
"So how are things heating up between you and Network?" Damien asked before noticing the look the appeared on Montoya's face. "Unless that's none of my business. I'm sorry."
Montoya wiped some food from her mouth with he napkin. "No, that's okay," she told her friend. "Truth is, I don't know what's going on there. Every time we have a conversation outside of 'work' we quickly get called back to duty."
Damien smiled as wide as he could without laughing. "That's life on a hellmouth, Montoya. Jump on your opportunities when you can because tomorrow you don't know what will happen."
"Hell, ten minutes from now you don't know what will happen," Montoya countered laughing.
"That is true. If we make it through this dinner uninterrupted I will be surprised."
Sarloch walked around The Master's lair. "I find it hard to believe, Heinrich, that you are weak enough to allow a couple of humans to drive you from your home."
The Master walked beside his old friend. "This is my home, Sarloch. And soon I will regain the power I once had. Soon, I will rip open the hellmouth and feast on the blood of those above."
"Always were one for melodrama," Sarloch snorted.
The Master stared long at the old wizard. "Do you think I lay it on too thick?"
"No," he answered. "It fits you like a glove."
The Master resumed his walk. They passed Tiesilead, crouched on a piece of machinery. "So are we going to allow these humans to interfere with all your plans or do we eat them?" the demon growled.
"Interesting," The Master said. "You two should be able to take care of them with little effort."
"Bah!" Sarloch spat. "I can do it myself. Just tell me where they are."
The Master turned around, facing the makeshift throne he had Xavier throw together. Standing by it was Packard. The vampire smiled. "Croaton Computers," he said. "That's where they live."
Network took a drink from his mug. The bitter taste of slightly warm coffee filled his mouth, making him wrinkle his nose. "Do you ever miss coffee?" he asked Paul.
"Not particularly," Paul answered. "Though I recall I was rather fond of vanilla shakes."
Network laughed. "It's a shame you can't enjoy the simple things in life anymore, Paul."
Paul cocked his head. "I do not understand, Nathaniel. I was led to believe nothing in life is simple."
"That's very true." Network stared at his monitor. His expression changed from lighthearted to grim. "Paul?"
"Yes?"
"What do you know about The Master's old gang?"
Paul's eyes flickered as he searched his database. "I know he led an army of demons and vampires that comprised of such as The Three, Angelus, Darla..."
"No," Network interrupted. "Before them. Way back when he first started out."
"I'm sorry, Nathaniel. There isn't a whole lot of information available on The Master's earlier years."
Network stared at the information on his monitor. "Do you have any information on a wizard named Johann Sarloch?"
Again Paul's eyes flickered. "I do not."
Network removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Sarloch was a wizard so old there isn't a date for when he appeared. He is very powerful and very deadly. A book I stumbled across a few years ago mentioned he was in league with a young vampire by the name of Heinrich Joseph Nest."
"The Master," Paul said, his voice sounding more hollow than normal. "What brings this to your attention."
Network turned around to face Paul. "He just walked in our front door."
Rick approached the cloaked figure standing in front of his security desk. "Okay, buddy," the guard said. "Let's see your ID."
The wizard tossed his hood back, revealing his skeleton-like features and glowing red eyes. With a wave of his hand, Rick burst into flames, his screams filling the empty lobby. Without paying any attention to the burning security guard, Sarloch hovered past the desk and towards the elevator.
Damien answered his cell phone on the third ring. Montoya watched as his face darkened as the person on the other end talked. "We're on our way," he finally said and put his phone away.
"Back to work?" Montoya asked, already knowing the answer.
"Network and Paul are in trouble," was all Damien replied.
The elevator doors opened and Sarloch hovered into the hallway. He glanced down the long hall, his eyes catching a light emanating from a room near the end. Slowly he made his way to that room.
The inside of the room was filled with a bright, white light. Computer equipment filled one side of the room, wires connecting to a central work station. Against the far wall was an enormous monitor. Sarloch surveyed the room, but found no signs of life.
"Looking for someone?" he heard a voice say from behind him. The wizard turned around, only to have a crossbow bolt buried in his chest. Sarloch looked down and removed the bolt.
Network stared at the ghastly figure before him. With a snap, the wizard broke the bolt he a hand and waved the same hand at Network. The crossbow was ripped from his hand and hit the wall with such force that it shattered.
"Um, Paul?" Network said, his voice wavering.
Sarloch looked to his left just in time to see a large metallic fist crash into his face. The wizard flew back, crashing into the work station.
"You need to run," Paul told Network. "I'll hold him off as long as I can."
"I don't..." Network tried to say before Sarloch sprung to his feet.
"RUN!" Paul's hollow voice boomed. Network took off, not taking the time to look back.
Sarloch stood before the bulky robot. "What is this?" the wizard asked himself. "Artificial life forms? Most interesting. You are the most advanced Golem I have ever seen."
"My name is Paul," the robot said, raising the larger of his arms. A stream of fire shot out, engulfing the wizard in flames.
Sarloch seemed unfazed by Paul's attack and walked through the fire. Paul switched from flamethrower to the built-in crossbow and launched a volley of bolts into Sarloch's chest. The wizard blocked most with magic, but a few connected, penetrating the old, taut skin beneath the cloak.
The wizard pulled the bolts out of his chest and tossed them aside. "Many have tried to slay me with various weapons over the years, golem. I am beyond death now."
With a wave of his hand, Sarloch ripped Paul's weapon arm from his body. Paul screamed, his voice hollow and distant. With another wave, the wizard removed Paul's other arm, forcing another mechanical scream from the robot.
"Interesting," Sarloch said to himself. "This golem feels pain."
"I...am...no...golem," Paul forced through the pain he felt. "I...am...a...man!"
Sarloch laughed. "You are mistaken," he said. And with a final wave of his hand, the wizard blew Paul into pieces.
Damien and Montoya entered the lobby of Croaton Computers. They didn't get past the front door when they stumbled upon the smoldering corpse of Rick.
"Oh, god!" Montoya screamed.
Damien knelt down beside the body, not sure why he was checking to see if he was alive. "He's dead," he said, more out of shock than knowledge.
"You think!" Montoya snapped. "Where's Nathan?"
The elevator bell rung announcing that a car had arrived on the ground floor. Damien stood up and motioned himself in front of Montoya. He felt her put a hand on her shoulder. The elevator doors opened...
...and Network burst into the lobby. "Run!" He yelled. He blew past Damien and Montoya grabbing them by the arms as he did.
"What's going on?" Damien yelled. "Where's Paul?"
Suddenly, the elevator exploded in metal and fire. All three hunters turned to see Sarloch rising from the elevator shaft, the fire casting a beautiful glow about him. His glowing red eyes glaring at the hunters.
"I don't think he can help us anymore," Network answered. He pulled his friends arms again and the three ran out into the night.
This isn't good, girl.
Tell me something I don't now.
Montoya glanced back as she ran from Croaton Computers. The cloaked wizard was hovering, actually hovering, towards them at a rather alarming speed.
"Guys?" Montoya said, her voice weak from fear.
They didn't get a chance to answer. Sarloch scattered them with a blast of magical energy. Montoya landed on her back and quickly rolled over, looking around for Network and Damien.
Network had knocked over the hot dog vendor's cart that was always out front of Croaton Computers and Damien had hit the side of a building. He was slowly getting to his feet while Network was trying to untangle himself from the hot dogs and condiments that covered him.
This seems familiar.
What do we do?
You know what to do.
No.
Are you serious? Where is your bad girl self now? You keep messing around like this and Damien and Nathan die.
Montoya walked towards Sarloch, stopping in front of him. "I've faced worse than you, grandpa."
"Montoya!" she heard Damien yell her name. "What are you doing? Run!"
"Little girl," the wizard said. "You will die."
"I'm afraid not."
What is wrong with you, Montoya?
I'm you. I can do this.
I think not.
Montoya screamed and swung at Sarloch, hitting him in the chest. He barely moved.
"Is this a joke, girl?" Sarloch spat. He hit Montoya in the chest with a blast of energy that knocked her back about fifty feet into a crowd of people that were leaving a bar.
"Montoya!" Network yelled, jumping to his feet and running towards the unconscious girl. He tried to wake her but couldn't. "Damien! This isn't good."
Damien jumped at Sarloch, only to be sent through the air with a wave of the wizard's hand. The hunter skidded across the sidewalk on his stomach before coming to a stop next to Network and Montoya.
"I think she's dead," Network said.
"Good," Damien replied. "She's about to have some company."
Sarloch hovered above the three hunters, glaring down at them. The people on the sidewalk fled screaming. Even more ran out of the bar, not wanting to get involved in anything that seemed strange.
A ball of energy started to form between the wizard's hands. "The Master sends his regards," Sarloch said.
Montoya's eyes flashed open. She pushed Network off of her, sending him sliding a good ten feet across the sidewalk. She stood up, a certain cock to her hip, and glared long and hard at Sarloch.
"All right, asshole," she said. "Let's do this."
"This is a very nice restaurant, Damien," she complimented her date on the choice of venue. "I think my Senior Prom in high school was the last time I went to someplace so fancy."
Damien smiled back. "The owner owes me a few favors," he laughed. Montoya laughed, also. "I'm glad you like it. I haven't been here since before..."
Montoya knew that the rest of the sentence was "before Cleveland" or some such. She flashed a warm smile to show she understood what he meant and took another sip of her wine. The following silence was soon broken by their waiter who set their food before them. He refilled the wine glasses before asking if they needed anything else and was on his way.
"So how are things heating up between you and Network?" Damien asked before noticing the look the appeared on Montoya's face. "Unless that's none of my business. I'm sorry."
Montoya wiped some food from her mouth with he napkin. "No, that's okay," she told her friend. "Truth is, I don't know what's going on there. Every time we have a conversation outside of 'work' we quickly get called back to duty."
Damien smiled as wide as he could without laughing. "That's life on a hellmouth, Montoya. Jump on your opportunities when you can because tomorrow you don't know what will happen."
"Hell, ten minutes from now you don't know what will happen," Montoya countered laughing.
"That is true. If we make it through this dinner uninterrupted I will be surprised."
Sarloch walked around The Master's lair. "I find it hard to believe, Heinrich, that you are weak enough to allow a couple of humans to drive you from your home."
The Master walked beside his old friend. "This is my home, Sarloch. And soon I will regain the power I once had. Soon, I will rip open the hellmouth and feast on the blood of those above."
"Always were one for melodrama," Sarloch snorted.
The Master stared long at the old wizard. "Do you think I lay it on too thick?"
"No," he answered. "It fits you like a glove."
The Master resumed his walk. They passed Tiesilead, crouched on a piece of machinery. "So are we going to allow these humans to interfere with all your plans or do we eat them?" the demon growled.
"Interesting," The Master said. "You two should be able to take care of them with little effort."
"Bah!" Sarloch spat. "I can do it myself. Just tell me where they are."
The Master turned around, facing the makeshift throne he had Xavier throw together. Standing by it was Packard. The vampire smiled. "Croaton Computers," he said. "That's where they live."
Network took a drink from his mug. The bitter taste of slightly warm coffee filled his mouth, making him wrinkle his nose. "Do you ever miss coffee?" he asked Paul.
"Not particularly," Paul answered. "Though I recall I was rather fond of vanilla shakes."
Network laughed. "It's a shame you can't enjoy the simple things in life anymore, Paul."
Paul cocked his head. "I do not understand, Nathaniel. I was led to believe nothing in life is simple."
"That's very true." Network stared at his monitor. His expression changed from lighthearted to grim. "Paul?"
"Yes?"
"What do you know about The Master's old gang?"
Paul's eyes flickered as he searched his database. "I know he led an army of demons and vampires that comprised of such as The Three, Angelus, Darla..."
"No," Network interrupted. "Before them. Way back when he first started out."
"I'm sorry, Nathaniel. There isn't a whole lot of information available on The Master's earlier years."
Network stared at the information on his monitor. "Do you have any information on a wizard named Johann Sarloch?"
Again Paul's eyes flickered. "I do not."
Network removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Sarloch was a wizard so old there isn't a date for when he appeared. He is very powerful and very deadly. A book I stumbled across a few years ago mentioned he was in league with a young vampire by the name of Heinrich Joseph Nest."
"The Master," Paul said, his voice sounding more hollow than normal. "What brings this to your attention."
Network turned around to face Paul. "He just walked in our front door."
Rick approached the cloaked figure standing in front of his security desk. "Okay, buddy," the guard said. "Let's see your ID."
The wizard tossed his hood back, revealing his skeleton-like features and glowing red eyes. With a wave of his hand, Rick burst into flames, his screams filling the empty lobby. Without paying any attention to the burning security guard, Sarloch hovered past the desk and towards the elevator.
Damien answered his cell phone on the third ring. Montoya watched as his face darkened as the person on the other end talked. "We're on our way," he finally said and put his phone away.
"Back to work?" Montoya asked, already knowing the answer.
"Network and Paul are in trouble," was all Damien replied.
The elevator doors opened and Sarloch hovered into the hallway. He glanced down the long hall, his eyes catching a light emanating from a room near the end. Slowly he made his way to that room.
The inside of the room was filled with a bright, white light. Computer equipment filled one side of the room, wires connecting to a central work station. Against the far wall was an enormous monitor. Sarloch surveyed the room, but found no signs of life.
"Looking for someone?" he heard a voice say from behind him. The wizard turned around, only to have a crossbow bolt buried in his chest. Sarloch looked down and removed the bolt.
Network stared at the ghastly figure before him. With a snap, the wizard broke the bolt he a hand and waved the same hand at Network. The crossbow was ripped from his hand and hit the wall with such force that it shattered.
"Um, Paul?" Network said, his voice wavering.
Sarloch looked to his left just in time to see a large metallic fist crash into his face. The wizard flew back, crashing into the work station.
"You need to run," Paul told Network. "I'll hold him off as long as I can."
"I don't..." Network tried to say before Sarloch sprung to his feet.
"RUN!" Paul's hollow voice boomed. Network took off, not taking the time to look back.
Sarloch stood before the bulky robot. "What is this?" the wizard asked himself. "Artificial life forms? Most interesting. You are the most advanced Golem I have ever seen."
"My name is Paul," the robot said, raising the larger of his arms. A stream of fire shot out, engulfing the wizard in flames.
Sarloch seemed unfazed by Paul's attack and walked through the fire. Paul switched from flamethrower to the built-in crossbow and launched a volley of bolts into Sarloch's chest. The wizard blocked most with magic, but a few connected, penetrating the old, taut skin beneath the cloak.
The wizard pulled the bolts out of his chest and tossed them aside. "Many have tried to slay me with various weapons over the years, golem. I am beyond death now."
With a wave of his hand, Sarloch ripped Paul's weapon arm from his body. Paul screamed, his voice hollow and distant. With another wave, the wizard removed Paul's other arm, forcing another mechanical scream from the robot.
"Interesting," Sarloch said to himself. "This golem feels pain."
"I...am...no...golem," Paul forced through the pain he felt. "I...am...a...man!"
Sarloch laughed. "You are mistaken," he said. And with a final wave of his hand, the wizard blew Paul into pieces.
Damien and Montoya entered the lobby of Croaton Computers. They didn't get past the front door when they stumbled upon the smoldering corpse of Rick.
"Oh, god!" Montoya screamed.
Damien knelt down beside the body, not sure why he was checking to see if he was alive. "He's dead," he said, more out of shock than knowledge.
"You think!" Montoya snapped. "Where's Nathan?"
The elevator bell rung announcing that a car had arrived on the ground floor. Damien stood up and motioned himself in front of Montoya. He felt her put a hand on her shoulder. The elevator doors opened...
...and Network burst into the lobby. "Run!" He yelled. He blew past Damien and Montoya grabbing them by the arms as he did.
"What's going on?" Damien yelled. "Where's Paul?"
Suddenly, the elevator exploded in metal and fire. All three hunters turned to see Sarloch rising from the elevator shaft, the fire casting a beautiful glow about him. His glowing red eyes glaring at the hunters.
"I don't think he can help us anymore," Network answered. He pulled his friends arms again and the three ran out into the night.
This isn't good, girl.
Tell me something I don't now.
Montoya glanced back as she ran from Croaton Computers. The cloaked wizard was hovering, actually hovering, towards them at a rather alarming speed.
"Guys?" Montoya said, her voice weak from fear.
They didn't get a chance to answer. Sarloch scattered them with a blast of magical energy. Montoya landed on her back and quickly rolled over, looking around for Network and Damien.
Network had knocked over the hot dog vendor's cart that was always out front of Croaton Computers and Damien had hit the side of a building. He was slowly getting to his feet while Network was trying to untangle himself from the hot dogs and condiments that covered him.
This seems familiar.
What do we do?
You know what to do.
No.
Are you serious? Where is your bad girl self now? You keep messing around like this and Damien and Nathan die.
Montoya walked towards Sarloch, stopping in front of him. "I've faced worse than you, grandpa."
"Montoya!" she heard Damien yell her name. "What are you doing? Run!"
"Little girl," the wizard said. "You will die."
"I'm afraid not."
What is wrong with you, Montoya?
I'm you. I can do this.
I think not.
Montoya screamed and swung at Sarloch, hitting him in the chest. He barely moved.
"Is this a joke, girl?" Sarloch spat. He hit Montoya in the chest with a blast of energy that knocked her back about fifty feet into a crowd of people that were leaving a bar.
"Montoya!" Network yelled, jumping to his feet and running towards the unconscious girl. He tried to wake her but couldn't. "Damien! This isn't good."
Damien jumped at Sarloch, only to be sent through the air with a wave of the wizard's hand. The hunter skidded across the sidewalk on his stomach before coming to a stop next to Network and Montoya.
"I think she's dead," Network said.
"Good," Damien replied. "She's about to have some company."
Sarloch hovered above the three hunters, glaring down at them. The people on the sidewalk fled screaming. Even more ran out of the bar, not wanting to get involved in anything that seemed strange.
A ball of energy started to form between the wizard's hands. "The Master sends his regards," Sarloch said.
Montoya's eyes flashed open. She pushed Network off of her, sending him sliding a good ten feet across the sidewalk. She stood up, a certain cock to her hip, and glared long and hard at Sarloch.
"All right, asshole," she said. "Let's do this."