Marvel High

Matt Murdock, Natalia Romanova, Tandy Bowen, Tyrone Johnson, Felicia Hardy, and Peter Parker all sat around in a daze. Dr. Strange had already left the room to consult meditate on the issue. The Hellfire Club was going to attack the X-men with a small army, the Brotherhood, and three of the best human assassins the world had ever produced. Not to mention the powers of Shaw and Frost.

"I have to get dressed," Peter said when he looked at his watch.

"Peter, you are dressed," Felicia said confused.

"No, in my other outfit," he said pointedly.

"You can't be thinking of going out there!" Natalia protested. "Elektra Natchios is the greatest fighter in the world, your powers be damned."

"I have to," he said resolutely. "Its my responsibility."

"Damnit Peter," Felicia yelled at him. "For once, forget responsibility, and just think of yourself."

"I already did that!" he yelled back. No one here, not even Felicia knew the story he was going to relate. "I did that once already! It cost me the only person who ever felt like a father to me! I won't let him down again! I have the power to save lives, its my responsibility to do so!"

"Not against Elektra. She'll tear you apart!" Felicia screamed back.

"No she won't," Matt said suddenly, but quietly. He had been silent for some time. He stood and walked to the stairs as Peter had done.

"Vhat do you mean Matthew?" Natalia asked.

"Peter isn't the only costume here," he stated simply. "And Elektra is my responsibility. She and I…" he paused, and pain could be felt in his silence. "We were in love once. It feels like another life. But I know Elektra Natchios. I can fight her."

"You're both mad!" Felicia accused.

Peter walked back down the stairs and took Felicia's face in his hands. "I'm not asking you to go. And I promise I'll come back…"

"In how many pieces," Felicia interrupted.

"But I have to go," he said firmly.

Both Peter and Matt ascended the stair case. Tandy and Tyron stood up, and moved to the staircase as well.

"Not you two too?" Felicia said disbelievingly.

"My girlfriend will be there, I have to protect her," Tandy explained.

"Where she goes," Tyrone gestured to Tandy. "I go. Even if its to dance with the reaper himself." They too ascended the stairs.

Natalia and Felicia were left in the living room to think things out on their own.

Peter was the first to descend in his black costume.

Matt followed not far behind. His costume had red pants that clung tight to his legs. He wore a yellow shirt that was obviously armored, and had red DD emblazed on the center on his chest and had no sleeves. His arms were bare except for red gloves on his hands. His hood came up from the neck of his armored shirt and was the same bright red as the pants. It covered his face down to his nose. His mouth, and nostrils and ears were left open for obvious reasons. Also where the mask was cut out for his eyes were mirrored lenses. On top were two little nubs of horns on his hip was holster for his Billy club.

Tandy and Tyrone were next down the steps. Tandy was in a tight one-piece white jump suit. The sleeves extended down her arms and were drawn to points across her hands where they connected to a ring on each of Tandy's middle fingers. There were four opening on her chest, one pointing up and closing at her throat, one pointing down and closing just after her navel, and two pointing out across the tops of her breasts. She wore a simple white strip of a mask.

Tyrone was almost a shadow standing there in his large dark cloak. The cloak itself frightened Felicia. It was almost as if it were alive. Tyrone's face was almost indistinguishable from the black of his cloak. It was as if he had gone through a physical change. "We're ready," he said. Even his voice was deeper. It was almost as if this level of connection with the force that gave him his powers changed him entirely.

"Fine!" Natalia finally called, she grabbed the bag she had brought and marched into the nearest bathroom. She quickly emerged in a tight black jumpsuit. With a odd belt around her waist and the needle-bracelet exposed. She tied her shoulder-length hair back into a short ponytail. "Lets do 'dis." She said.

"Are you sure," Dare Devil asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I am sure," the Black Widow assured him.

"You will be careful," said a voice, making them all jump. They turned to see Dr. Strange watching them. "I wish I could help you, but I may not intervene in this matter. Know that my prayers go with you."

"Thank you doctor," Spider-Man said. "Cloak, you drive the Van."

"They'll destroy you all!" Felicia pleaded.

"Then that will be," Dare Devil said. "But justice cannot sleep while the wicked play." With that they left and the Black Widow shut the door.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need," said Dr. Strange, returning to his meditative room. "I must meditate on all of this."

The vans in the parking lot of Bayville High were not as benign as they looked. They were unmarked white vans, but inside waited a horrifying fighting force. One held, Bull's-eye, Elektra, Emma, Shang-Chi, and "Slymm".

Emma wrung her hands nervously. Her mother was observing the mission. Now that Emma was the Black Bishop, her mother would be looking for any reason to remove her from the equation. Emma knew her mother had always believed her to be a threat.

Scott reached hand over and took hers. "Relax," he said gently into her ear.

She looked up at him. Why was he trying to comfort her?

"No one will hurt you," he assured her. "They'd have to come through me first. I'll protect you." As he said this he leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek.

Emma had never felt anything like this kiss. She had kissed before, but always hot passionate kisses that lead to things more serious. His kiss just now was for no other reason than to say he loved her. He was gentle with his love. He had not even pressed the issue of sex with her. She had never had someone protect her who wasn't her subordinate or sleeping with her. What had she taken? She had redirected his feelings for Jean Grey. Was this real love? Was this what it was really all about?

She shook off her uncertainty as it was announced that it was time. Emma's face returned to its normal cold razor sharp glare. She, and the others in the van got out and walked in. Classes were already in session, which is just how they wanted things. The hordes of henchmen spread throughout the school setting charges, in case things went south.

The assassins, Shang-Chi, and Scott flanked Emma as she strode into school. She got to the center concourse, only to be confronted. Cloak and Dagger and the Black Widow stood in her way, looking as menacing as they could. "Our team is spread throughout this school and already engaging your troops." Tandy announced.

"Isn't that nice," Emma responded sarcastically. "Troops, over take the Black one, Shang-Chi drop the blond, and Elektra, be so kind as to remind the little turn-coat who is number one." The plan worked as she wanted it to, the three broke apart. But, the noise attracted the people in a near by class room.