CHAPTER 2: The Wise and the Ruthless

It was still morning as the kung-fu teacher surveyed his class; it comprised all ages, from children to adults, and even a few old folks like him. Right now, nearly everyone seemed agitated.

"Good morning, everyone" he said. "I'm afraid we can't begin with today's lesson quite yet."

His students looked at him, puzzled. A 9-year old boy asked: "Why, Mister Ci?"

"Because what I teach requires fineness; unless you are calm and focused, you're wasting your time here."

This time, it was one of the women who spoke. "How can we be calm? Our neighborhood has turned into a virtual warzone overnight!"

"Go on."

"Armed robberies, burglaries, muggings...There's been more crime here since yesterday than in the whole city!"

"It doesn't even make sense" chimed in another student, "My cousin says some monstrous being attacked and tormented him in the street at night, and almost gave him a heart attack, but it didn't even take his watch and wallet."

"Maybe it's race crimes?" suggested someone else. "I mean, nearly everybody's Hmong here..."

"I cannot answer all these question," said the teacher, interrupting their conversation, "but allow me to ask my own: What will fear accomplish?"

All were silent.

"It will only hinder your judgment and push you to act unwisely. To deal with this situation, you must first deal with your fear."

"But, mister Ci...Our lives might very well be endangered."

"None of us are immortal. Our lives are never safe, and yet, you seem calmer most days.

All of you, listen closely. Breath deep. Now consider: In the end, we all die. You'd rather this not happen soon, perhaps. You can feel the fear – something is wrong with your world. But whatever it is, it will be better dealt with with a cold head than with panic. Acknowledge the fear...And rise above it."

The students did seem calmer now. Mr Ci went on: "We will discuss this some more later. But now, let's begin today's lesson."

While Mr Ci was teaching his students, the world's most feared mastermind was talking on the phone to one of the world's brightest mathematicians.

"I have serious doubts about this, Warren. Even assuming that this project can work, I don't think I am the person you need for this. I have the social skills of a desktop computer."

"Isaac, I need you on this program. Putting aside the advantage of having your intellect on our side, I'm going to require at least one person that can stand up to me without fear. Everyone else there is going to know me as the archvillain who terrorized the entire world; if everyone's too scared of me to say when I'm making a bad decision, the whole thing could fall apart."

"So you want me to be the team's voice of reason."

"That's a way of putting it. Also, please consider that if you accept, you'll have the computer equipment and time to pursue your research professionally, instead of the few hours per week you have now between your personal obligations and programming work."

"Tempting, I'll concede. I'll consider it."

"Excellent. I'll leave you now; I must interview another potential recruit."

Ending the phone conversation, Checkmate Warren stepped in front of a modest housing and rang the bell. A short while later, the door was opened by a young blond man. He seemed cheerful enough at first, but when he recognized the man in front of him, his expression changed to puzzlement, then shock, the uneasiness.

"Ah, hello, sir...Are you..."

"Checkmate Warren. Pleased to meet you, Mr Cherrywood."

"Call me Nicholas" replied the young man, hesitatingly shaking Warren's extended hand. "How...How may I help you?"

"I am currently working on a certain project I believe could interest some people, including yourself."

"Come in" said Nicholas, still unsure of how to handle the situation.

As the cloud car landed in the problem zone, Wish looked around.

"Well, whatever the problem is, it's not obvious at first sight. So, I'm guessing it wasn't an earthquake or something simple like that."

"It could be No Heart", suggested Brave Heart. "We haven't heard from him in a while."

"The fire burned down half his castle. It's no wonder he's been busy" reminded him Bright Heart. "But tell me, don't the people in the crowd seem...preoccupied to you?"

Just then, a little boy who was walking hand-in-hand with his mother noticed them. "Hey! It's the Care Bears!"

"And Care Bear Cousins!" Brave Heart corrected him with pride.

"That's so cool! I should have known you'd come! You're going to solve everything!"

"We will do our best, but what seems to be the problem?" inquired Bright Heart.

"There's been a crime-wave", the child's mother took it upon her to explain. "Since yesterday, there's been an unending series of violent crimes being committed in the neighborhood. Nothing like it has ever happened before."

"Shouldn't the police handle this?"

The mother sighed. "I don't think they'll be able to do much this time. It's complicated. Look, if you want a better picture of what's going on, you should probably talk to Mr Ci."

"Mr Ci? Who is that?" asked Wish.

"He's the one everybody in the neighborhood asks for advice when something's wrong", explained the mother. "He owns the Kung-Fu school down the street. You should ask him."

"All right. Thanks!"

Inside Cherrywood's humble abode, Nicholas was serving Warren some coffee.

"Thank you. Now, Nicholas, as I said, there is an important matter I believe you could take part in..."

Still unsure of how to deal with his unusual guest, Nicholas hazarded a guess. "Does it have anything to do with my...studies?"

"You are referring, no doubt, to the research you have been conducting as an amateur on magic for the last few years."

"You know about that?"

"Believe me, everybody who so much as gets an invitation into this program has had his background thoroughly examined by yours truly. Nicholas Cherrywood. Parents, circus employees. Orphaned at the age of 5. Adopted by parents' old friend, Mr Fettucini – who, as the circus's illusionist, teaches you the ropes of his trade. Still a child when you find a sentient book whose immense magical powers you channel, as it manipulates you into attempting to erase all positive feelings from the world. Difficult fight with the Care Bear Family, ended when two humans – still friends of yours, I believe – convince you to reject the Spirit Book and take a chance on friendship instead. Stay with the circus for several more years, becoming an able magician under Fettucini's care. Leave the circus due to a desire to settle down, choose to work solo. Apparently left curious after your unusual experience, you begin studying real magic. Having channeled the Spirit Book's power before, you were able to distinguish between the immense amounts of junk and the very few traces of real magic you could find, becoming an actual wizard, if not a very powerful one.

Opinion of anybody who knows you: Outstanding. Known for kindness, gentleness and reliability. Good with children. Volunteer at local orphanage. Am I forgetting anything significant?"

"No-no...That's pretty much it, I guess. But that doesn't explain what you want with me..."

"And that is why you're so uneasy", said Warren, grinning. "The world's most diabolical crime genius, who has come this close to taking over the world recently, has just shown up, out of the blue, at your very doorstep, apparently wanting to recruit you for some scheme. What could this cunning fiend want? Does this treacherous wretch wish to use your abilities for evil? Should you call the police? The Army? The Care Bears?"

"I...You were pardoned..."

"Irrelevant. I probably blackmailed the president, or threated to blow up Washington DC, or some other nefarious trick."

"You...you saved the world from the C-bomb..."

"A C-bomb I designed and built myself."

"The...The Care Bears said they trust you. What's good enough for them is good enough for me."

"Uh-huh. And you're willing to involve yourself with the infamous Checkmate Warren based on that?"

Nicholas stayed silent for a moment. "I...guess that depends on what you want. I'll hear you out, and make up my mind afterward."

"Now we're getting somewhere."

As Wish and the two others approached the building toward which they had been directed, Wish observed the people around them.

"Did you notice almost everybody is Asian? I'm pretty sure this is North America, though..."

"I'm guessing it's an immigrant neighborhood." replied Bright Heart.

"I'll say" said Brave Heart, admiring the kung-fu school as he knocked on the door. "Gotta love the Japanese style."

"I don't think it's Japanese..."

"Why not?"

"Too complex decoration. I'm guessing Chinese."

"Hmong, in fact" came a voice from behind the door as it opened, revealing a young woman who couldn't be older than twenty. "Welcome, and please do come inside."

"Um, thank you, Miss..."

"Ci, but please call me Sarah."

As the trio entered the school, they noticed that, despite the extravagant style the building had on the outside, the inside was pretty simple, albeit pretty. One very large room with a huge tatami, presumably for kung-fu practice, and a few smaller rooms, which apparently housed the Ci family.

Sarah was quick to serve drinks and make them comfortable before asking why they were there. Brave Heart chose to field that. "Our Caring Meter alerted us that something was wrong in this neighborhood. We came here, asked around, heard there was a crime wave the police couldn't help with, and were sent to ask Mr Ci."

"Are you Mr Ci's daughter?" asked Wish.

"His niece, actually. I'm afraid he's not home right now – my kid brother had an important ball game today, an uncle promised to come and watch. So unless the Mr Ci you're looking for is my dad, the math teacher, I'm afraid you're going to have to wait a while before talking to him."

"Ah. Well, I guess we can wait..."

"Actually, if you want to know what's been going on, I can fill in for my uncle. Tell you what: I'll give you a tour of the neighborhood, and explain what the problem is."

"That would be perfect! Thanks, Sarah!"

On a rooftop, Dr Fright and Weaver were making preparations.

"Are you absolutely certain it'll work?"

"For the millionth time, Fright...We've practiced it. The ropes are secure. Everything's arranged perfectly. Your trajectory's easy to control. You'll do it like a freaking falcon!"

"As long as I don't do it like roadkill."

"You know, for the master of fear, you sure are a coward."

"Is that so?" asked Fright, his expression changing from worried to sly. "I do believe you have, yourself, a few very interesting phobias, my dear..."

"Uh, back to work" replied Weaver, even more nervous than Fright was a moment before. Dammit all, she hated when Fright did that...But he had a knack for figuring out what people were afraid of. No wonder he had more clout than anyone else in Fearstorm...Heck, Risk-Runner was deathly afraid of that vampire, and Risk-Runner was the kind of guy who would, on a lark, rope-jump after a horror movie marathon.

Fright himself was on the phone, speaking to Zap, apparently. If there was anyone who resented Fright, it was Zap – the two of them were butting heads every time Fearstorm got together. Damn Zap's temper...

"We've located our mark, Fright. We're attacking as soon as they get away from the larger public."

"Change of plans, Zap. We have some more time than expected, so wait until they get home."

"You cannot change plans without consulting with me, Fright!"

"I just did. It's called adapting to the situation my friend. Or have you forgotten whose intellect is orchestrating this little operation?"

"Don't make me laugh, Fright! Without my intelligence..."

"Yes, it certainly took a lot of brains to design your weaponry. Unfortunate, of course, that it wasn't your brain..."

"Fright, you blood-sucking little..." Zap's angry tirade was interrupted as Dr Fright simply turned off the phone, leaving his colleague steaming in anger.

As they walked down the streets, Sarah explained the situation to her furry companions.

"This may not be a perfect neighborhood, but it's usually quiet enough...Well, at least compared to how it's been lately. Last night, there was a series of burglaries, a zillion muggings, several shops were robbed, and there was even massive vandalism...And when I say vandalism, I don't mean graffitti, I mean places burned down."

"That sounds awful" conceded Wish. "What is the police doing?"

"Not much. They tried to arrest the criminals at first, then found out those were actually big-names...Some bunch of supervillains. Fearstorm. So, the cops don't want to touch this with a ten-feet pole."

"That doesn't sound very brave to me" said the lion. "Isn't it their job?"

"Well, yeah, but you don't send the Army after No Heart. You don't send the cops after Fearstorm."

"Pardon my ignorance," said Bright Heart, "but...who is Fearstorm?"

Sarah stopped in her tracks, giving them a puzzled look. "What, you of all people don't know?"

Neither Sarah nor the others had the time to say another word as a blood-chilling laughter came from above. They looked just in time to see Dr Fright, seemingly diving or flying at them at top speed from the top of 5-story-tall building. Surprised screams were only beginning to form in their mouths when the vampire snatched Sarah and, conserving his velocity, rose up in the air, reaching the roof of the opposite building. Looking down at the defenders of feelings, he shouted out:

"It's been a long while, Care Bears! But this time, you will be crushed by the combined might of Fearstorm! If you want to get the charming lady back, we'll meet at the park. Farewell!"

And with another manic laugh, he jumped again, carrying Sarah with him. This time, they noticed there were thin metallic cables attached to him, allowing him to swing from roof to roof.

"Saraaaah!" cried out Brave Heart. "You slimy, cowardly vampire...You won't get away with this!"

"Brave Heart, where are you going?" asked Wish.

"Trying to catch him!"

"He's already too far to follow. If we want to reach the park quickly, we should probably try this instead." And with those words, Wish caused a cloud car to materialize.

"Okay, point taken" conceded Brave Heart.

A short while later, the cloudmobile was circling the park.

"You know, I'm not sure I really understand what's going on" admitted Bright Heart. "We've only fought Dr Fright once, and that was two decades ago from his point of view. Why would he pick a fight now? I thought he was too cowardly for revenge."

"And what's that fear storm he and Sarah were talking about?" said Wish. "From what he was saying, it sounded like a group..."

"If it is, then have a though job ahead of us" said Brave Heart. "On the plus side, I can see Sarah! Look down below!"

Indeed, Mr Ci's niece was within line of sight. She was also tied to a tree, and apparently unconscious. As soon as the cloudmobile landed, Brave Heart rushed toward her.

"Be careful, Brave Heart, it could be a trap..." Bright Heart began to say, but the lion was already untying Sarah.

"You might say that" came a female voice from above them. All three looked up and saw a woman in sleek, black clothing standing on one of the upper branches of the tree Sarah was bound to. Her expression seemed both mocking and predatory.

"Who are you?" asked Wish, both worried and puzzled.

The woman, in reply, made an impressive backflip jump, landing on the branch of another tree. Looking at her audience, she spoke: "You don't know who I am? I'd be insulted, if I hadn't been working so hard on stealth. I am Weaver, Care Bears – one of the main members of Fearstorm!"

"Again with that name" said Bright Heart. "What is Fearstorm?"

Weaver laughed. "That's what you get for not being around for twenty years. But don't worry – after we're done here, there won't be a person in the world who won't be talking about us!

I could have killed you right here and there with my poison darts, Care Bears. But it's too early for that. Oh, don't worry about the little angel – we used something far less lethal on her; she'll be fine. We only wanted to draw you here so that we could work without your interference, and issue a challenge."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that while you're here rescuing the niece, the rest of Fearstorm is capturing the uncle. Mr Ci has something Fearstorm wants, and we'll make him talk soon enough. If you want to get him alive...Then you're going to have to beat all of Fearstorm together. I suggest you get all the backup you need. Toodles!"

With that said, she jumped off her tree...and the three realized she was attached to yet another steel cable. In only a few seconds, with agile swings, she was already gone from sight.

"Whoa. Acrobatic." said Bright Heart.

"I'll say. Um, Bright Heart, I think this is going to take the entire family. You call Care-A-Lot while Wish and I help Sarah."

"Got it."

Having dropped off his young nephew at his parents', Mr Ci was heading home. Though there were no exterior signs of it, he was plunged in deep thoughts about the recent situation. This recent crime wave...by notorious villains, no less...It was obviously part of some plan. Money? Power? The neighborhood wasn't wealthy enough for that. Almost everybody was either a first-generation immigrant from the early 80ies, or the child of such immigrants. Most of the first-generation immigrants had been farmers before coming, and many were poor and uneducated. Things were changing with the younger generation, but it would take a while before the neighborhood was wealthy enough to justify such criminal activity. The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced this was all about the Gemskull. If that thing was the indirect cause of all this suffering, he couldn't in good conscience keep it. He wasn't going to give in to the wicked and give it up, though; no, he would put it beyond their reach as well. Perhaps by throwing it to the sea...His ancestors wouldn't like him getting rid of such an artifact, but the lives and welfare of the people around him mattered more.

Such were the thoughts forming in Mr Ci's head as he entered his house. He had only taken another step before realizing something wasn't right. Some of the furniture had been moved, he could swear it. One of the tatami blocks was sticking up by half an inch.

Carefully, Ci stepped on the tatami. Had his house been added to the list of burglary targets? Had they tried to find the Gemskull, or maybe even succeeded?

"Good evening." The voice that said that would have sent chills down most people's spine. Ci turned around and saw Dr Fright, rolled up in his own cape up to the neck.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr Ci." The vampire's voice made each word and syllable sound ominous. "We believe you have something that we want."

"A li'll piece o' jewelry" added Risk-Runner as he came out of a closet, gun in hand. "Ya know, you really shouldn't be collecting those anyway. What would people think?"

"It would do your health no good to oppose Fearstorm" added Zap, coming from behind the curtains, his machinery-coated arm aimed at Mr Ci.

"Simple suggestion: Don't play hero" added Multi-Shot as he came in from the kitchen, arms and canons aimed.

Mr Ci looked at his four assailants. Apparently, they hadn't been able to find the Gemskull. He took some comfort in that. If the legends were true, then letting it fall in villainous hands could spell disaster. Apparently, the hiding place he had chosen was good enough to elude them...But what if they tried to torture him? Threaten to hurt more innocents? Ci quickly decided that his best hope was to fight. Having him cornered, out-numbered and out-gunned, they wouldn't expect resistance, and he might have a small chance at winning, in which case the problem might be solved. At least as likely, they would kill him, and then he couldn't tell them where the Gemskull was. His family could explain to the authorities about the threat. And then, there was the risk that they'd win and capture him alive. He figured it was a risk he'd have to take.

The one with the gleam of insanity in his eyes would have to go first. Not only was he armed with a gun, he was also careless enough to get close. Crossing his arms, Ci slowly took a step in Risk-Runner's direction.

"What's the deal, Fu Manchu? Cat got your tongue?" said Risk-Runner. He said no further mockery as Ci's arms uncrossed, his right hand knocking the gun out of the bandit's grasp. His left hand formed a fist and punched Risk-Runner in the stomach. Leaving his opponent no time to react, Ci grabbed him and threw him in Zap's direction. Risk-Runner stumbled and managed not to fall, but was hit by Zap's electric blast.

Ci thought quickly. The most dangerous enemy right now was the armored one, but he was too far to attack, and was keeping his distances. The closest foe was the vampire. He had to gamble that Multi-Shot wouldn't risk gunning for him while he was in melee range of his teammates.

The old man made three quick steps toward Fright. In truth, he wasn't stepping so much as sliding his feet on the tatami. A look of shock and fear had already formed on Fright's face by the time the fists hit him – first at the chest, then the face. Ci's movements were not exceptionally fast, but they were precise. Catching the vampire, he hoped to use him as a shield to get closer to the one in armor – but Multi-Shot took a few steps back, returning to the kitchen. Still making split-second decisions, Ci decided to focus on the closer opponents. Still using Fright as a shield, he rushed toward Zap instead. Risk-Runner was still up on his feet, even though the electric current had been strong enough to sing his clothes and hair; Zap was aiming for Ci again, but the old kung-fu teacher threw the vampire at him. While Zap was trying to disentangle himself from Fright, Risk-Runner, smiling like he was having tremendous fun, sent a punch at Ci. Ci, despite some surprise at his foe's resilience, easily parried with his left arm and punched Risk-Runner in the face. Again, there was no expression of pain on Risk-Runner's face, but he was nevertheless forced to stumble a few feet backward. Ci turned toward the two others; Fright still seemed disoriented from his earlier punches, but Zap was preparing to attack. Sliding his feet into position, Ci kicked him in the stomach. He immediately reprimanded himself – a kick to the knee would have been a better way of putting his opponent out of commission. Nevertheless, it seemed he had attained his goal, as Zap fell to his knees, the breath knocked out of him.

Two shots resonated simultaneously. Ci felt a searing pain in both his legs as he fell to the ground, unable to stand. Multi-Shot had hit him in the legs from across the room.

"I can't believe you people" complained the armored mercenary. "Am I the only professional one here!"

"Nice shots, dude" said Risk-Runner, completely unfazed by the attacks he had been subjected to.

"Nice shots!" exclaimed Zap. "You could have gotten me killed!"

"I don't miss, Zap. Not at this range anyway."

Ci considered his options. With severe wounds in both legs, he didn't seem to have many...

Bright Heart turned off his communicator. "Tender Heart is bringing everybody he can as soon as possible. That'll be over 75 of the family."

"Good. But we'll need to find those Fearstorm guys first!" said Brave Heart.

About then, Bright Heart's communicator rang. "Bright speaking. Yes?"

"This is Checkmate Warren. I believe something's going on?"

"Warren! W...Hold it. How did you know?"

"I may not work with the underworld nowadays, but I still have contacts. Apparently some unusual events are going on in an area some of your family members are visiting at the moment."

"Actually, I'm part of the mission there" replied the raccoon. "We've encountered some difficulties. Does the name 'Fearstorm' ring a bell?"

"How could it not? Fearstorm is essentially a club of minor villains."

"Beg your pardon?"

"Allow me to put it to you this way: There is a certain unofficial hierarchy to crime. At the bottom of the ladder, one may find the nameless cohorts of common criminals, assonance not intended. Those are the people who commit the vast majority of crime in the world, and, on good days, are dealt with by the police. Somewhat above them are the minor villains: People such as Dr Fright or Sour Sam, who are not exactly a threat to civilization, but are powerful or unusual enough that the authorities generally choose to ignore them. Above them are the major villains – the people who actually are a threat to the world at large. No Heart and Professor Cold Heart are the best examples. Finally, on the top ladder are the archvillains – the kaisers of evil, nigh-unstoppable fiends. In that category, you may find a certain grandmaster who has been referring to himself in the third person for this entire sentence.

The truth of the matter is that, of all the people I have just described, the minor villains are the ones most discontent with their position within the hierarchy. While they consider themselves to be above the common criminal, they do not get the same respect and fear that a major villain can hope to attain. Fearstorm was founded a certain number of years ago as an association of minor villains – the unstated goal being the improvement of their lot to, hopefully, that of recognized major villains. Its active roster totals five blackguards: The first is the infamous Dr Fright, who brings in experience, planning and a mastery over fear; I believe some of you are already familiar with him. Second comes Zap, a former technician at a military research base who stole an experimental weapon capable of projecting electric current at distant targets – the same effect as my electro-lasers. Zap is renown for a short temper, making him almost as feared among his teammates as Dr Fright; it is said that the two constantly clash for authority.

Third comes Weaver. A female cat-burglar of great skill, she has specialized in the use of climbing instruments that allow her to climb on walls or swing from building to building on metallic threads. She has also been known to rely on poison darts.

Fourth comes Multi-Shot. A talented hit-man, he, like Zap, somehow came in possession of an experimental weapon – in his case, a full-body armor with rotating guns installed on the arms. Doubtlessly the most professional of the group, he has become the world's deadliest mercenary.

Fifth comes Risk-Runner. He started out as an armed robber, and reports suggest he was somewhat insane to begin with. He turned into something far more horrific after a bullet lodged itself into his brain during a fight with the police; he survived, but lost the ability to feel pain, together with his survival instinct. He can take any injury without blinking, and won't feel so much as a hint of fear when faced with a threat to his life.

There is a sixth member, though you needn't worry about him. I am referring to the scoundrel you know as Sour Sam."

"Sour Sam is part of this too!"

"Technically, yes...There are some indications, however, that even his fellow Fearstorm members give him no respect. Defining yourself as an evil cook doesn't exactly elicit sheer terror, and his imprisonment probably didn't help any either."

"...I didn't know Sour Sam was in jail."

"You should really keep better tabs on your enemies."

"You may be right. But right now, we're going to have to deal with those people."

"Care to explain the situation?"

Bright Heart gave the mastermind a brief run-down of the recent events. After thinking it over for a few seconds, Checkmate Warren gave his reply:

"I think I see Fearstorm's angle...By defeating the Care Bear Family, they hope to establish themselves as the equals or even the superiors of the major villains. Though I admit I fail to see what they want from this Mr Ci..."

"Well, thanks for all your help" said Bright Heart. "At least now we'll know what we're getting into."

"Actually, your situation can be resolved with minimal, even virtually-nil danger to yourselves" replied the mastermind. "All it would take would be the application of the following strategy: First, you ought to..."

"Hold it."

"Is there a problem?"

"Warren...Please, please don't take this the wrong way, but..."

"...but you don't trust me enough to rely on my strategies again, considering my track record of manipulating those I advise toward serving my own goals."

"I don't mean to..."

"It is perfectly reasonable. After all, here I am, coming to you out of the blue at the very precise moment you are getting attacked by an organization that would fit in perfectly at the Arkham Asylum, and begin offering my advice. It could, for all you know, be yet another trick."

"Warren...If it was just us, I'd take your advice in a heartbeat. As far as I'm concerned, you've earned my trust, and I believe the same can be said of the others. But...it's not just us. There are other people involved who might get hurt by Fearstorm, and that means we have to be extra-careful."

"Meaning you trust me enough to entrust your lives to me, but not enough to entrust other people's lives."

"...yes. I hope you..."

"...no, I do not feel offended. As I said, this is perfectly logical. Regardless, I am glad to have been of even a limited help to you."

"...Thank you, Warren."

"You're welcome."

With that said, Warren – who was inside his helicopter at the time – turned off his phone and sighed. "Oh well. Guess I'll have to resort to different methods. Thankfully, I have a plan B..."

Inside an abandoned church, Fearstorm was gathered around Mr Ci. Despite his injuries, his captors had decided to tie him to a chair.

"You're telling me this old man gave you so much trouble?" Weaver seemed to find the whole thing hilarious. "I swear, you men can't fight worth zip."

"Hilarious" said Zap. "In case you forgot, our client himself said he was dangerous. My stomach still hurts...And just for that, old fool, I hope to make your interrogation extra-painful."

Mr Ci didn't seem impressed in the least. "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else: you are the one who gets burned, as said Buddha."

"Religious quotes aren't going to help you out of this one" said Dr Fright. "But unlike my colleague I do not intend to torture you. Not out of pity, no; because you're old and wounded, and I think you'll die even faster than you'll talk. But there are other ways to make you tell us where the Gemskull is."

"You are wasting both your time and mine" replied Mr Ci matter-of-factly, with no hint of arrogance nor defiance in his tone. "I fear neither you nor what you can do to me."

"Then you might want to think about it again" said Weaver. "We are Fearstorm! Nothing can stop us. We've defeated you and every police force or underworld rival who were unlucky enough to get in our way!"

"The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them, as said Lao-Tzu."

"Again with the quotes", said Risk-Runner, apparently bored. "Ya know, guys, this just isn't going fast enough for me."

"Nothing ever goes fast enough for you" replied Multi-Shot. "In case you forgot, without the Gemskull, we don't get paid, and that's half the reason I'm here."

This time Mr Ci seemed at least curious. "What would the other half be?"

"Why," said Dr Fright, "Proving our might to the world! After our task here is done, all will recognize Fearstorm for the force that it is!"

"The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has, as said Confucius."

"I've had enough with your irrelevant chatter!" said Zap. "Now listen closely, old man: You may not fear for your own life, but let me assure you, we can do quite a lot of damage to this community. See what we've done overnight? Imagine ten times worse, every day, for months, until nothing remains! Unless you cooperate, all will fall before Fearstorm!"

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety, as said Benjamin Franklin."

The five villains remained silent for a moment. It was Dr Fright who broke the silence first: "Oh, we don't have the time for this – the Care Bears will find this hideout sooner or later. Multi-Shot, Risk-Runner, you two stay here and watch over the prisoner, while the rest of us search that dojo of his for the Gemskull. We'll come back if we can't find it quickly enough."

Zap was fuming. As usual, he had confronted Dr Fright on the matter of authority. Were it not for that blasted vampire, it would be him, Zap, who would be running the show. The others feared his electric weapons even more than Multi-Shot's guns, if only because Multi-Shot was cold and professional, while Zap was temperamental and aggressive. But then there was Risk-Runner. Crazy loon...No matter how close Zap had come at times to frying him dead, he still treated him as a joke. How was he supposed to frighten someone like that?

...Well, obviously, Fright had found a way. His knack for finding people's phobias worked even against Risk-Runner, making him the only person who could exert authority on that lunatic. No matter what Zap did, no matter how superior he was, Fright always held that one advantage – and was, thus, in better control of Fearstorm than Zap.

Perhaps it was time to modify his methods. While the rest of them were often swinging from some job to another, searching for something to keep them afloat another month, Multi-Shot seemed to always have some lucrative hit he was working on. Without a doubt, the mercenary was the most professionally successful of them. Perhaps Zap ought to take a page from him. For that matter, perhaps he ought to look into upgrading his lightning gun. He was almost positive Multi-Shot had received his armor from Control; perhaps he could negotiate something of his own...

Zap's musing was interrupted as his phone vibrated. Few people had his number; he answered.

"Yes?"

"Zap, I presume."

"Who's that?"

"Your newest client."

"As interesting as that sounds, I'm afraid that'll have to wait a little. This is not a good time."

"On the contrary. This has to do with your current operation. I suggest you discuss with me from a spot where your colleagues cannot hear you."

Pretexting to search the garden, Zap went outside, leaving Fright and Weaver inside Ci's house. He was thankful it was already dark outside; he didn't need people seeing them.

"All right, this should be safe. Now, who are you? Your voice sounds familiar."

"It ought to. I made the news not that long ago, when I hijacked every TV station you could name."

Zap's insides felt like they were forming knots. "You – you're..."

"Checkmate Warren, evil mastermind. You are Zap, master of electricity."

"How – how did you get this number?"

"I keep tabs on everyone noteworthy. Fearstorm qualified, if only barely."

"Was that a compliment or an insult?"

"Take it as you will. I am not calling you at this hour to exchange pleasantries, Zap. I need you to do something, and I need it now."

"I am in the middle of a job..."

"Which involves, among other things, the elimination of the Care Bear Family."

"How can you know all this stuff!"

"Oh, that part was easy. The Care Bears themselves told me what happened."

"..."

"Don't sound too surprised. I have been in their confidence ever since the C-bomb incident. They are rather quick to trust, you know."

"Well, if you're calling to ask me to spare them, you're wasting your time. Their elimination is my ticket to the big league."

"Who said anything about sparing them? I just need you to give them some additional time."

"Word is that you and the Bears are working together nowadays. Are you denying that?"

"Zap, think for a moment. Can you imagine Checkmate Warren, greatest criminal genius in all of History, becoming an ally of the Care Bear Family?"

"I...No. But you did work with them that one time..."

"To undo the damage caused by the C-bomb. That was in my interest; not much point in ruling over a destroyed world."

"But you've been going legit ever since..."

"I had lost most of my resources. Now, thanks to my partial cooperation, some of the authorities are dropping their guard. This leaves the matter of the Care Bears; for now they trust me, but were I to be caught in a new nefarious scheme, that would change. Furthermore, they are at least partially to blame for the failure of my great master-plan, and I am a man who holds grudges."

"Are you trying to tell me you want the Care Bears dead?"

"I most certainly do not want to be seen killing them. However, your current operation presents me with an excellent opportunity: Fearstorm actually wants the credit for killing the Care Bears. If I handle them, and you take the credit, then I can go on with my plans with the satisfaction of having taken care personally of my former foes, and Fearstorm makes it into the big league. A perfect match, no?"

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Delay their deaths. I assume Dr Fright is planning some kind of deathtrap. Sabotage it and let the Care Bears win; I'll handle them myself, but I'll never tell anyone it was I who killed them."

"So everybody assumes it's our doing. Clever, but why should I do it?"

"Three words: One. Million. Dollars."

"...All right. But you will destroy them, right?"

"Rest assured, I can handle the Care Bears with little difficulty."

Notes: The Hmong are an ethnic group that originates from the mountainous regions of Southern China. Many families came to America from Laos after the Refugee Act of 1980.

Arkham Asylum, in case anyone didn't know, is where Batman's regular enemies are incarcerated. Presumably, the writers of the Batman comics were making a reference to Arkham, the location of some sinister events in H. P. Lovecraft's horror novels.