Avenging

Act IV

The Hate Monger and the Peacemaker

Chapter 1

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Standard disclaimer: I don't own any of the Marvel characters or other characters from the numerous animes which are within.

Here's a great reference guide for many character and objects in the Marvel Universe.

[.]

[Writer's Note: Some people have correctly pointed out I'm introducing rather a lot of characters at once. Many of them are one shots villain of the weekk in nature, which means you don't have to be too concerned about them. Some are cameos (as in the prologue, neither the FF nor CotF are going to return anytime soon, though the info they received will. This particular chapter will show off both new (and old) characters again. That will be explained in the end notes, as I don't wish to give too much away.

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Captain Japan burst through the doors and into the Avengers meeting room. "Okay, guys, what's the… emergency?"

Sitting at their meeting table was an attractive young woman, about the same age as him, with her long black hair tied into a ponytail that hung off the side of her head. She smiled warmly at him.

Captain Japan pointed an accusatory finger at her. "What did you do to my teammates?"

The girl raised a quizzical eyebrow. "I've provided them with a headquarters, operating expenses, and a weekly stipend."

"Err, that doesn't sound too evil."

"I should hope not. I'm Kodachi Kunou, your benefactress." She rose and bowed before him.

"Oh, pleased to meet you." He bowed back, then rose up. "This ain't the time for introductions. We got an emergency." Most likely it was another world beater, like the Mandarin, MODOK, or Master Vamp and his Allies of Evil.

Kodachi remained smiling. "I know. I'm the one who activated the signal."

"What's the emergency and where are the others?" Captain Japan asked.

Kodachi's delight grew. "It's an emergency only you can help me with. I need a dat… bodyguard, for a function tonight."

"I thought Iron Rose was your bodyguard."

Kodachi grew slightly flustered. "Ah, yes, well she's… indisposed. Therefore I'll require the services of someone else to protect me. If you can't make it, I'm afraid I'll have to call off the charity party. And the guest list is so large as well. I invited nearly everyone I could."

Captain Japan thought about that. Charities definitely fell under the 'paragon of virtue' standard he was supposed to be, and no doubt it was for a good cause. He proudly stated, "Sure, I can do it."

Kodachi gave a delighted clap of her hands. "Excellent." She snapped her fingers and a small army of tailors emerged from the rear entryway and descended upon Captain Japan.

He resisted the urge to start swatting them with his shield. "Hey, what's going on?"

She smiled beatifically at him. "They're fitting you for your tuxedo, of course."

"But I'll be wearing my outfit."

Kodachi shook her head. "Oh no, that will never do. You'll be incognito at this party."

"But my outfit already makes me incognito."

"You misunderstand. Your identity as Captain Japan is what you'll be incognito for."

"You mean I won't be wearing my outfit?"

"Goodness, no."

Captain Japan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Traipsing about naked is your partner's habit. You'll be wearing the tuxedo. It should be ready in about two hours. Where shall my limousine pick you up?"

Captain Japan sighed. This was not turning out the way he had thought. Now he was sorry he had agreed to the whole thing. But he had, and he wouldn't go back on his word even if he wasn't a paragon of virtue. Still there was no way he could let her know his secret identity. He was going to have to think fast.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"And here's the 'Cobalt Canon'," Fixer said.

"Is that the one that was originally made by some guy named Damocles?" Mentallo asked.

Fixer read the information sheet that was under it. "Yes. Is there another one on the inventory list?"

Mentallo looked at the electronic pad in his hand. "Yep. Three Cobalt Cannons, including this one. Also there's a Cobalt Cuffs System, a Cobaltronic ray, which is opposed to the Cobalt Ray Weapon, and a Cobalt Bomb."

"This is why I hate doing inventory," Fixer sighed.

Currently the pair were in Hydra's main storage facility (nicknamed the 'doohickey warehouse') where all of the odds and ends Hydra had accumulated over the years were tucked away for potential future use. Swords, ray guns, robots, and even chemicals, such as Formula 410 (which safely cleaned porcelain, enamel, glass, and all consciousness from the brain) and a host of other items both mundane and bizarre. Not that much of it saw any use, as evidenced by the dust that coated just about every inch of the room. The Imperial Hydra was very much a pack rat, evidently.

"This is punishment for not coming through on that whole mental device booster, isn't it?" Mentallo lamented.

"Most likely," Fixer agreed. "Beats being killed, or reassigned to the Antarctic base."

Mentallo's head jerked so suddenly he almost gave himself a case of whiplash. "Whoa, I sense something evil nearby."

Fixer panicked. "The Hydra Legal Division?"

"No. I mean the type of evil that feels like an inky cloud of darkness creeping over your soul, not the type that tortures you while overbilling you for it. It's in this direction." He navigated the aisles of the warehouse, moving unerringly until he stopped directly in front of some kind of bulky, weird-looking, golden helmet with a large 'V' symbol on the top.

Fixer looked closely at it. "It is garish, but evil?"

Mentallo nodded. "Definitely. It's like it's calling out to me, but it's 'voice' is muted."

Fixer read the information sheet under it. "According to this it was purchased at an estate sale ten years ago. It originally belonged to an American, Paul Destine, a politician who ran for the presidency in the late 40's. Says he had almost supernatural charisma. Was a front runner until he announced to the world he could fly and promptly jumped off a building and to his death. Evidently he confused falling with flying." Fixer put the sheet back.

"We need to report this to the Imperial Hydra." Mentallo said. "And whatever you do don't wear it."

"Why would I wear something that hideous, let alone evil?"

"Everyone knows evil helms of power are incredibly seductive, the more ostentatious and ridiculous the more irresistible they become."

"I'm not going to put it on," Fixer assured him.

"That's a relief."

"I'm a scientist, so I'm going to find out what makes it tick." Fixer cradled the helm protectively in his arms as he took it off the shelf.

Mentallo sighed. This was not going to end well. He could feel it in his bones. At least there was one redeeming thing about the situation: there were no lesbians involved in it.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Four hours later Fixer and Mentallo found themselves standing in the Imperial Hydra's audience chamber. The leader of Hydra was seated behind an expensive antique desk that everyone knew bristled with hidden high tech armament that could kill anyone using a host of inventive means with the flick of a switch. Not too many people argued with management under those conditions.

As they waited before the Imperial Hydra, one of Fixer's passive scanners informed him there was some sort of incoming transmission being directed to their leader. It was a heavy information beam, more than a normal person should be able to process. Most likely it was some sort of remote, which implied the person before them was a robot. Oh well, it wasn't any of Fixer's business who was pulling the strings to the organization. All he cared about was getting paid and being allowed to use the labs to build whatever he wanted. The man behind the curtain could stay right where he was, as far as Fixer was concerned.

"All right, this had better be good," the Imperial Hydra warned.

Fixer held out the item that had drawn him to their leader's chambers. "While doing inventory we discovered this. After hours of research we determined that the helmet you see before you is in fact a casing, one which acts as shielding for what's inside."

"Like one of those annoying Russian dolls that has other dolls inside of them? I hate those things," the Imperial Hydra warned.

"A babushka doll," Mentallo provided.

"Oh, a name to my pain. Would you like one given to yours? I'm thinking 'electrical discharge." The Imperial Hydra's finger hovered over a button.

"No thanks," Mentallo said quickly.

Fixer returned to the matter at hand. "Here are the images we managed to glean." He showed a set of black and white sheets, similar to x-rays. "From this we can determine it's another, smaller crown."

The Imperial Hydra perked up noticeable. "Now that sounds interesting."

Mentallo said, "At this point I feel compelled to point out that the exterior is intended as shielding as well as camouflage, and that it might have been put around the 'insanely evil artifact' for a very good reason."

The Imperial Hydra scoffed. "Probably some namby-pamby do-gooder who had no idea of how to deal with real power. Now crack that baby open like a piñata and get to the goodies inside."

Fixer took out a cutting laser from his belt, adjusted it to its highest setting, and turned it on. It took several seconds, but it eventually cut through the casing. He continued moving the laser over the metal, bisecting it. He was almost halfway done when there was a loud cracking noise and the casing split in half the rest of the way on its own, as though some power forced it apart. With the casing gone, its contents stood revealed.

The interior crown was scaly green with seven snake heads on the top lying flat. Three were pointed to the left while three others pointed to the right with one facing forward. All of the eyes were pure red, yet malevolent in some indescribable manner.

The Imperial Hydra nodded in approval. "Seven heads. Obviously it was destiny for this item to fall in the hands of an organization named Hydra."

"The last guy to own it was actually named Destine and it didn't do him any good," Mentallo pointed out. "Now that the shielding's gone, it's giving off a serious 'wear me' vibe. Kind of like a psychic sledgehammer. Perhaps we should dump it somewhere safe, like an active volcano or the bottom of the ocean?"

The Imperial Hydra scoffed. "Don't be such a ninny. How much more dangerous could it be than a Death Spore Bomb?"

"Do you plan on wearing it?" Fixer asked.

"It really, really wants to be worn," Mentallo warned.

"Put an immensely powerful object of unknown origin on my head? That's up there with injecting yourself with untested drugs to make you more powerful. That happened to one of our researchers. He made a formula that was supposed to make one as strong as a gorilla. Since he was your typical skinny scientist type convinced of his infallibility, he used it on himself. Well, it worked all right, by turning him into a gorilla. We code named him 'Monster Ape'. No, I'll allow the privilege of wearing the crown to one of my subordinates. Not you two," the Imperial Hydra assured them as the pair tensed up. "I have a different type of lackey in mind." The Imperial Hydra hit a button to an intercom. "Send me Madame and Master Hydra."

Ten minutes later a pair of agents entered the room. One was a woman in a skintight suit of Hydra green, showing off an athletic body. She even wore green lipstick along with her merciless gaze.

The other was a man in the more standard green outfit of a Hydra agent, loose almost to the point of bagginess. He didn't wear a mask, and he showed off an unearthly pale face.

Both agents held up their hands and shouted out the Hydra slogan.

Once the formalities were complete, the Imperial Hydra spoke. "Now listen up. I'm looking for an agent to lead a special mission, one that needs someone really evil to run it. You two come highly recommended, so I'm going to ask you a few questions and your answers will determine who gets the assignment." The Imperial Hydra pulled out a questionnaire and began reading from it. "What's the largest amount of money you made using an evil scheme? Madame Hydra?"

"I used a convent as a front for a drug smuggling and prostitution ring that made millions," Madame Hydra answered primly.

The Imperial Hydra turned to the other applicant. "Master Hydra."

"Please, call me Orochimaru," he asked.

"Nice name. Unsettling, yet friendly in a creepy way. Now, what's the scheme you came up with?"

"I once sent out a chain letter that made me hundreds," he offered.

The Imperial Hydra grimaced. "Ah yes. I've always hated those things. You know they're a scam, but you're so afraid of receiving bad luck that you send money anyway. Very evil indeed." The leader went to the next question. "What is the greatest number of people you've killed at one time? Orochimaru?"

"I once blew up a Japanese restaurant because of poor service."

The Imperial Hydra nodded. "I know what you mean. Every time I order drive thru from fast food franchises they always get my order wrong, even if it's only one thing. It takes everything I have not to order every McDonalds razed to the ground." The Imperial Hydra turned to the other applicant. "Madame Hydra?"

"I once blew up an entire village because I was bored."

The Imperial Hydra wrote the answer down. "Next question. What's the evilest act you take the most pride in? Madame Hydra?"

"I've killed over a hundred people in the human testing phase of the new poison I've created."

"Inventive. Orochimaru."

Orochimaru pulled out his sidearm and shot Madame Hydra in the head. "I once killed a coworker because we were in competition for the same job opening."

The Imperial Hydra nodded. "Thinking outside the box. I like that. I like it a lot." A button on the desk was pushed. Loud speakers blared as the leader said, "Attention, clean up in the Imperial Hydra's office with a mop." It was shut off and the Imperial Hydra returned to Orochimaru. "You're definitely evil enough for the job. But before I give you the mission profile, there's just one little thing I need you to do."

With a snap of the fingers Fixer and Mentallo stepped into the room, the Serpent Crown borne on a wheeled serving cart, next to a tea set. They stopped in front of Orochimaru.

"You're offering me tea?" Orochimaru asked.

"No, although you're welcome to some. It's that crown I need you to wear. It's the perfect adornment for a strike leader."

"That's a relief. I've always been more of a coffee man myself." Orochimaru donned the crown. As he did so he jerked suddenly, tilting his head as if listening to a far off voice.

"How do you feel?" the Imperial Hydra asked.

"As though my horizons had suddenly been broadened."

"His pupils just became vertical slits. Did anyone pick up on that?" Mentallo asked.

"They better to see you with, my dear, that's all," Orochimaru assured him as he shot a slender tongue out that licked the underside of his chin.

"Excellent," the Imperial Hydra said. "Now on to your mission. It's a money-raising venture against the greedy capitalist imperialists of both the East and West, since I don't want people to think Hydra discriminates. It's a hostage/ransom thing, so you have wide discretionary powers, and feel free to use your nifty new helmet however you see fit."

"With pleasure," Orochimaru hissed.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kodachi internally grimaced at how things had turned out. Really, and she had thought it was a wonderful plan. Finally she had worked up the courage to land Captain Japan for herself. The first step in getting him alone with the bogus emergency worked like a charm, as was manipulate… convincing him to go out with her sans uniform. She had assumed the rest of the plan entailing him falling in love with her after basking in her company would go as easily.

It had taken her four hours to choose the right dress, a high-necked gown that accentuated her lithe form while being tasteful. It was perfect. While she would have liked to show some bosom, there was the little matter of the device affixed to her chest to keep the shrapnel out of her heart. While she had miniaturized it as much as she could, it was still visible, and a dress that peeked too low would have shown it. She really needed to consider designing a surgical implant for under the skin. A variation of an artificial pacemaker would be ideal. But that was for later. At the moment Captain Japan was what really mattered.

Her limousine had picked him up from Avengers Mansion and brought him to her. However, when he arrived things had not gone quite as she had expected. While his tuxedo was perfectly fitted to his muscular frame (and showed off his great ass), he had shown up with freshly permed hair, a bushy mustache, and large aviator style sunglasses. She saw more of his normal face with his mask. When she asked him why he looked that way, he had explained he had to maintain his secret identity –even to her! Kodachi had not been happy about that at all. This was when they were supposed to 'let it all hang out' (well, perhaps not *everything*, at least until the third or fourth date). When she had asked him his name, he informed her to address him as 'C.J.'. Really! Still, she had not informed him of her dual identity yet, so she couldn't demand it of him, and some men did not appreciate a woman's guiding hand, so she would have to take what she could have… for now.

That included attaching herself to his arm in front of the crème-de-la-crème of the rich and famous she had invited to this party. She had pulled out all the stops, hiring only the best facilities, caterers, and even snared the musical duo of Chiaki and Noda, two of the most sought after musicians in all of Japan. Not that she thought she could buy her Captain's attentions, he was much too heroic for that, but flaunting it didn't hurt either.

Already Kodachi and her escort drew many stares from the guests, which delighted her to no end. This was much more fun that always being locked away in some stuffy lab designing the 'next big thing' in modern warfare.

As they made another circuit of the ballroom, the disguised Captain said, "This is just a stupid party. What am I supposed to be guarding you from anyway?"

"Oh, the usual. Kidnappers. Radicals. Helmut Zemo's wandering hands."

"That guy did have cat-like reflexes," 'C.J.' agreed, recalling how he had nearly managed to touch-brush both Kodachi's breasts and ass simultaneously. If Zemo went the super-villain route, 'The Human Tentacle' was probably the perfect name.

A high feminine voice called out, "Dachi-chan!"

Kodachi jerked as if struck in the face by a cattle prod, and then slowly turned to the caller. "Blast," she hissed under her breath.

The 'incognito hero' looked at the girl that had called out Kodachi's name. She appeared about his age, with aristocratic features that were shared by the man she was holding hands with, the family resemblance between them unmistakable. "What is it? Party crashers?"

"Oh, if only it were someone so desirable. It's Ryoko and Shuutaro, the Mendou Twins," Kodachi thought about it a moment. "Well, technically they aren't twins, but they're together so often they might as well be."

She had put up with Ryoko's crap in particular for far too much a portion of her life. The problem with the rich and privileged was that they generally only allowed their children to mingle with other children of the rich and privileged, as though lack of money was a contagious disease. And frankly most of Kodachi's contemporaries were spoiled brats, Ryoko first and foremost among them. She wasn't a physical bully, but she had an acid tongue and haughty attitude. The one time she had actually become outright frightening was when her brother, Shuutaro, had paid what Ryoko deemed too much of his attention to Kodachi. Not that Kodachi liked the pompous twit: he reminded her far too much of her missing brother. At least he didn't run around with a bokken and pretend he was a samurai.

Kodachi's frown was replaced by a strained smile. "Ryoko, dear, so nice of you to drop in."

"Oh, I could hardly pass up an opportunity to attend one of your parties, since they're so infrequent. And that's a nice dress you have. It covers you up nicely."

Kodachi's eyebrow twitched. She had a better body than Ryoko, she just couldn't display her wares in that manner. "I see you have a nice dress as well, especially for it being off the rack."

"It's a Dior original," Ryoko assured her, then turned to Kodachi's compatriot. "I see you've hired a new bodyguard."

"Actually he's my escort for the evening," Kodachi 'corrected'. "This is C.J., who is quite the man." She felt her Captain jerk at the statement, and went on before he could say an awkward statement. "A pity you couldn't dig up anyone other than your brother to take you."

Ryoko mirrored Kodachi's motion by putting her arm through Shuutaro's snuggling against him even more closely. "I'd only date a man who could compare to my brother, and I haven't found one yet."

Shuutaro finally entered the conversation. "And I feel the same way about finding a woman superior to my sister. Mendous don't settle for second best." He turned to C.J. "So, I understand you're one of Kodachi's test subjects for the new line of steroids from her recent pharmaceutical acquisition?"

"I do not use steroids," The hero assured him, as well as reminding himself snobby blowhards were not super-villains you could go around beating the hell out of, no matter how popular it might make you. "You could probably afford to put in a few hours at the gym."

Shuutaro gave him an appalled look. "And have people think I work for a living? Hardly, I'm going for the 'indolent, decadent rich' appearance."

"And you pull it off wonderfully, brother," Ryoko said as she all but genuflected in his presence.

Before the verbal sparring could continue, a girl, European in appearance, took Shuutaro's arm in an affectionate manner. Ryoko shot the girl a look a truly evil glare. Kodachi recognized her as Justine Hammer, another child of the rich, though from what Kodachi had heard her powerful father, Justin Hammer, was not exactly thrilled with her behavior. She wasn't an official black cat of the family, but nor was she held as the heir apparent.

"Mendou-kun, so wonderful to see you," Justine said, as a larger man followed her over, though his attitude was deferential rather than that of an equal.

"It's good to see you, Justine, though you are a behaving a bit friendlier than normal." Shuutaro grabbed his sister's hand as she raised it up, looking like she was about to point an accusatory finger at the newcomer.

Under her breath Justine said, "That damned Zemo tried cornering me so he could show me his 'Death Ray.' Really, just because our fathers do business together he thinks he can take liberties."

"Oh no. He does it because women get within arm's reach," Kodachi informed her.

Justine finally seemed to notice the others, though she remained attached to Shuutaro's arm. "Nice bodyguard," she said to Kodachi in reference to the C.J..

"Escort!" Kodachi hissed. Why was it everyone thought she couldn't land a man as hunky as her Captain?

The large man that had arrived with Justine spoke in English. "I could just rip out off his arms. It comes with super strength."

Justine rolled her eyes. "My 'escort'," she explained to the others, which obviously translated into 'bodyguard', which irritated Kodachi even more. Justine said to him, "Just because you were formally known as 'Man Brute' doesn't mean you should continue to act like one. You can't kill guests." She gave a questioning, almost hopefully glance to Kodachi.

"No, you can't." She hoped Justine was joking. Her father was known for his ruthlessness in business dealings, and he might have had people crushed more than figuratively.

Another man walked over to the gathering. He was an American in his late twenties with dark hair and mustache. On his arm was a striking redhead in a dress what showed off her rather obvious attributes. Kodachi identified him as Tony Stark. Finally, someone that did something. He was a genius in his own right, rivaling her own, and he owned his own business. Stark Industries was a rival thanks to its Japanese branch, and the two of them had bid on the same projects on a number of occasions, breaking even on landing them.

"Greetings, Miss Kunou. Nice mustache," Stark said to the hero in only slightly accented Japanese as he kissed Kodachi's hand.

C.J. felt pride at his disguise being so excellent that everyone thought it was a real mustache.

"Mr. Stark, I wasn't sure you could come," Kodachi said as he kissed her hand. Tony Stark was quite striking, though a second to her Captain. Not a distant second, just second.

"I was in the country and it wouldn't do my playboy image any good to skip out on a party, even one thrown by a rival. Or to not have at least one attractive lady at my side. Allow me to introduce Bethany Cabe."

Kodachi noticed her Captain pay far too much attention to the buxom redhead. Really, what was it about large-breasted bimbos that men found so appealing, like that Bucky trollop? Blow up dolls had the same appeal, and were nearly as dynamic conversationalists.

A waiter approached bearing a tray full of wine. "It's Bollinger," Kodachi informed them as she accepted a glass, her Captain doing the same.

Stark's eyes lit up, but just as he was reaching for it Cabe cleared her throat meaningfully. "Club soda for myself. I'm driving."

"No chauffer?" Shuutaro asked as he took a drink.

"For a Ferrari? That would be as disgraceful as driving it under the speed limit." He laughed at the joke.

Another voice joined in, saying "And here I was hoping to beat you to the prettiest woman in the room for a change, Stark."

All eyes turned to another American, this one with no accent in his Japanese whatsoever. He was in his late forties to early fifties, slightly overweight. On his arm was a beautiful Asian woman and while her attributes were not as noticeable as Cabe's, they still made Kodachi feel a bit intimidated.

Not that she paid the woman much attention. Kodachi's surprise was genuine as she said, "Mr. Jones. I'm delighted you came." She had sent the invitation to him largely as a formality. A man as important and influential as Hugh Jones rarely attended parties, and even then it was usually only if large business proceedings were at play, which, despite their contact with one another, had not happened.

"So this is your 'heavyweight', Ling?" Cabe said to the Asian woman.

"Told you I had the bigger whale this time out," Ling said.

Ha! Whores, Kodachi thoughts to herself. She wouldn't be surprised to find out Tigra was an acquaintance of the pair.

Hugh Jones, the head of Roxxon Energy Corporation, gave Kodachi a short bow. "Given our recent dealings, a transpacific flight is hardly an inconvenience."

The caught Stark's interest. "I didn't know you two had any dealing together."

"Perhaps we should have one ourselves," a new voice ventured.

Kodachi felt her teeth grind as yet another beauty approach the gathering, one that had no shame displaying her wares either. The furry slut would be quite at home with this lot, although in the case of Sunset Bain at least she had accomplished something. Baintronics had been a relatively small firm until the miraculous inroads in robotics they had made over the last year. They were quickly become a force on the market, and some said in underground markets as well.

A man with a face that could have been made of stone stood next to her as she said. "It is Tony Stark, isn't it?"

"Indeed Ms…. Bain, I believe." He kissed her offered hand as well.

Ryoko looked at them curiously. "Wait a minute. Weren't you two dating last year?"

Stark nodded. "It's a little game we play. Whenever we run into one another we act like it's the first time we met."

"Wouldn't that make marriage rather awkward?" Shuutaro ventured.

Sunset looked over Cabe. "I see you brought a nice little toy to this soiree." Cabe's only reaction was a narrowing of the eyes, though Bain didn't react to it. "My own is Aaron Stack, and he's a fully functional toy."

Her companion didn't react to the comment. Kodachi thought the man might be dead. Perhaps that was the only way a man could stomach the haughty bitch.

"I can't help noticing that an S-F 202 Grenade could triple my share of the market."

All eyes turned to the latest newcomer, a striking woman with long flowing black hair and a gown that flaunted attributes which rivaled Cabe's. Despite being Kodachi's age, she had an air about her that reeked of perceived superiority to all things under god, and maybe an even standing with him. At her side a slender, though handsome Japanese man about the same age as her.

Stark was the first to respond. "Greetings, Ms. Stane. Mr… Shaw, I believe."

"Shinobi Shaw." The man bowed formally.

"It's Stane-Daitokuji," Biko corrected. "Part of the concession on selling to my late father was that he take the Daitokuji family name as well as the family business."

"My condolences on his death," Jones said. "He was a formidable businessman."

"You mean he was a bastard," Biko corrected without a shred of remorse. "And that carried over to his family life as well. Of course many say the same thing about me."

Justine said, "Has anyone noticed the disturbing number of grisly demises of company owners of late? It makes me glad I'm only the dilatants offspring of one."

"Here, here," Shuutaro said, raising a glass then lowering his sister's arm as it lifted toward Justine yet again.

"Thish shtuff is good," C.J. said as he swayed slightly.

"Indeed, Captain High Tolerance," Shuutaro quipped.

"How'd you know I wash a Captain?" he asked.

"Good taste in facial hair and drinks. I used to be a Captain Morgan man myself," Stark joked.

On Kodachi's part she could only stare at her escort in horror. Her Captain was inebriated? He only had two glasses. Surely one of his fortitude could imbibe more than that with no ill effect. On the other hand if he was rendered in such a state she would be able to take advantage of him using her feminine wiles. She did want him to respect her in the morning, though. To ply him with more drinks or not?

Her indecision was proven secondary as a loud crash emanated from the entryway of the ballroom. Two dozen armed men in green outfits and masks identifying them as Hydra agents stormed into the room. A trio of women followed, Titania and Letha in their wrestling tights while Poundcakes wore a chainmail outfit with oversized boots and a metal helmet which covered most of her face. Mentallo and Fixer hovered in on the one-man anti-gravity platforms they had used in the 'Takeover of Nerima' plan. Following them was a large ape with a nametag clipped to his fur that had the printed words 'Hello, My Name is' followed by in red magic marker, 'Monster Ape'. The final person to join the group was obviously the leader, a pale faced man, his skin scaly, wearing a gaudy crown with snakes on it.

Orochimaru shouted so everyone in the room could hear. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce this is the point in the party where you are to give generously to our charitable organization. Since you are all men and women of both influence and affluence, the contributions will be in the sum of five million each that will be deposited electronically into the account numbers you will be provided with. In exchange you will all be given the gift prize of… your lives."

The plainclothes hero said, "It's about time something happened. Now I can shed this ridiculous disguise!"

Kodachi was both thrilled and excited that her Captain was willing to give up his secret identity for her welfare.

He jumped up on a table, ripping off his sunglasses and mustache. "Foul villains, prepare to be beaten by the greatest Avenger of them all. Captain Morgan!"

"Here, here," Shuutaro agreed, downing the rest of his drink in one gulp.

As everyone else stared at 'The Captain' in confusion, Mentallo ran a telepathic scan of the room's occupants to gauge the potential resistance. Oh ho, the attractive redhead with Stark was a bodyguard, and the woman with Jones was her partner. Hmm. Oh good, that was business partner, not sexual partner. Moving on, uh oh, that brother and sister would be a problem unless they were gotten out of arms reach of one another. And, Captain Japan was incognito at that party. That was potentially worse. He was about to alert Orochimaru when a particularly strong thought came from one of the guests. He read it

…And his heart froze.

He turned to Fixer. "We don't stand a chance of winning! We have to leave right now!" And flew out of the room as thought he demons of Hell were on his tail.

Fixer hesitated a moment. What the hell had sent his partner packing? The Imperial Hydra would not be happy about them fleeing a mission without a valid reason, and he sure didn't see one. You couldn't run when one random drunk said he was going to beat on you. On the other hand, his psychic partner had seemed terrified.

He went with Mentallo's judgment. Oh well, they would simply hang together if it was something stupid.

He caught up to Mentallo. "What the heck was that about?"

Mentallo told him.

"Oh god! That was there? I heard AIM had sold it, but I had no idea that was who had purchased it. Why didn't I see it?"

"Because it can make itself into a duplicate of anyone if it's around them long enough." Luckily being able to tell the Imperial Hydra who owned it now should keep them in his good graces, or at least what passed for them. Running inventory for the rest of one's life was a hell of a lot safer than being annihilated with ones own power.

Xxxxxxxxx

Orochimaru scowled in distaste at the cowards who had deserted him. Set would see to it they were dealt with once this mission was over. The Hydra agent seemed to have a natural affinity with the Elder God for whom the crown was a link. Lacking the casing, the Serpent Crown was truly unfettered for the first time in ages. Oh yes, Orochimaru had a plan in addition to the kidnapping and ransom. Before he released each of these pompous billionaires each would have the crown adorn their heads, and once their minds had touched Set's, they would forever be in his thrall. Having control of a goodly portion of the business world would be the first step to true global domination.

But first it was time to retake control of the situation by disposing of that would be hero. "Titania, take care of that drunken fool."

"With pleasure." The Idakaya Bomb Bar was specifically designed for drunken louts, even if this one hadn't hit on her.

Titania went over to the swaying idiot and brought her arm back in so she could clothesline his head off.

Instead he reacted with lightning speed, bringing a fist up dead on target and catching her right in the jaw. The guy was a true powerhouse, and she had been so convinced he was genuinely drunk she hadn't considered defending herself. The blow knocked her senseless.

"Titania!" Letha cried out. With feline grace she bounded across two tables and aimed a drop kick at her mentor's attacker. For some reason, rather than trying to move, he held his arm up in front of him, like he had an invisible shield.

Her blow caught him clean in the gut, knocking him off his perch. She landed on a table, then crouched and pounced upon him, but he had enough of his senses to roll out of the way, and, in a show of remarkable agility and coordination, got to his feet.

As Letha looked at him, she suddenly recognized him. "You're that guy that ruined Poundcakes' date."

He stared at her. "And you're that chick that was a pretty good fighter. Too bad thunderthighs ruined it."

"Well not this time!" The two began fighting.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Orochimaru scowled at the display. Really, what use was the glorified wrestler when she couldn't even take care of a single drunken idiot? He turned to one of the men next to them. "Shoot him."

"Letha is in the way, Sir," the agent said.

"Shoot them. Shoot them both. On stun, though. I don't want a stray shot to kill one of our hostages, at least not until after they've paid their ransom."

Kodachi overheard the command and saw several men aim their weapons at the pair, who were too caught up in their fight to notice the guns aimed in their direction. She cursed her lack of foresight in not bringing her armor along, but she had truly believed she had nothing to fear with her Captain at her side. And romance had been the primary objective of the evening. Now what was she to do? Heroically throw herself in the path of the oncoming beams? While it sounded noble, it sounded even more painful, and it wasn't like she would stand a chance to do anything.

A hail of gunfire took the decision out of Kodachi's hands. She turned to see Cabe and the Ling girl had overturned two tables and pulled out a pair of guns from under their dresses while their charges were under cover, though Stark seemed to be protesting. They were shooting with dangerous accuracy, each shot striking a Hydra agent. It was then Kodachi recalled the name of Cabe, and a Ling McPherson. They were a bodyguard agency, highly recommended as she recalled. Well, no doubt they whored themselves out as well, though at the moment their bodyguarding was the more important skill set they were bringing to bear.

The gunfire attracted the attention of the Hydra personnel, and a hail of energy beams saturated the area. Apparently Justine didn't care for the attention as Kodachi saw her order her bodyguard into action. Several stray blasts struck him, but he barely flinched. It was only when he met Poundcakes that his progress was halted, the large girl kicking him while he tried hammering her with his fists. Biko and Shaw sought cover elsewhere, Shaw placing himself in front of the girl. Stack was standing before Bain, who seemed nonplussed by all the gunfire around her, as though assuming her date could withstand the withering fire. Kodachi swore she saw several of the shots arc away from them.

It was then the Mendous stood up, Ryoko's left hand in Shuutaro's right. She announced "Your drink seems to have ended up all over my dress. I'm really quite put out. Let us put an end to things, brother dear."

"Well put, sister."

The pair leveled their free hands at the cluster of Hydra agents. A red beam of energy emanated from Ryoko's hand while a blue one came from Shuutaro's. The red beam struck the floor, melting it and causing all the men standing upon it to fall downward, while the blue one struck in the midst of another group, the impact sending men flying everywhere.

That turned the tide of battle as the remainder of the Hydra personnel, not anticipating super-powered resistance, began to run for it. Even Monster Ape grabbed the semi-conscious Titania, followed by running into Captain Japan from behind and making like Faye Wray with Letha as he leapt out a window with the pair. Kodachi assumed it was over, as only the leader of the group was left standing.

And then beams of energy emanated from the seven serpent heads on the crown. One caught Shuutaro, hurling him from Ryoko's hand. Rather than shooting the leader, she cried out in distress and went to help her brother. Another leveled both Poundcakes and Justine's bodyguard, while the remaining blasts forced everyone, except the still standing Bain and Stack, to run away.

"I got you, Snake Head," the costumeless Captain Japan shouted, using near inhuman agility to dodge a number of blasts aimed at him. Once next to the leader he began pounding away. Kodachi's heart hammered at her chest as her future boyfriend saved the day, pummeling the fiend who had tried to ransom her. It made her want to swoon, were she not made of sterner stuff.

Just as it appeared the leader was incapacitated a random blast from the helm clipped the hero in the head. Stunned, the Hydra leader fled out the way he had come in.

Kodachi rushed over to her fallen hero, who was recovering quickly. How was she to approach him? Damsel in distress relieved at her hero saving her? Concerned comrade? Hmm. The latter seemed the best, and if it failed, she would do the former.

By the time she had decided the Captain was on his feet, rubbing his head. "Are you all right?" she asked.

The hero scowled. "Yeah. Darn it, that grappler chick got away again. One of these days we got to have a fight without any interference so I can prove I'm tougher once and for all."

Seeing him in such foul spirits, Kodachi decided to cheer him up. "You were the one who put a stop to the leader when everyone else failed."

That brightened his mood considerably. "Yeah, you're right. I did save the day." He turned to Kodachi and looked her in the eyes. "I got to confess something to you."

Kodachi felt her heart nearly rip out of her chest it beat so hard. A love confession after only one date. Yes! It was her dream come true.

He continued. "At first I thought this whole bodyguard crap was going to be the most boring thing ever – who wants to hang out with a bunch of rich snobs stuffing themselves with fish eggs and boozing it up like a bunch of drunken lushes-- but it actually turned out pretty good. I'm glad I came. It was a great party. Thanks for inviting me."

Kodachi sighed on the inside. Too bad, she was hoping for him to confess his love for her, but she supposed it would take at least two or three dates, and he was obviously sincere in having a good time. It really had been a near perfect evening, she thought as the sirens of fire engines, police cars, and ambulances headed toward the party. There was only one burning question in her mind.

How could she make the second date top this one?

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Orochimaru staggered away from the sound of sirens. He had underestimated his mastery of the Serpent Crown and the mental energy required to harness its power. The force blasts had taken a lot out of him, and those sledgehammers that drunken idiot called fists had taken their toll as well. It had taken the last of Orochimaru's mental strength to summon the final burst to throw the fool from him and make an escape.

But it was a temporary setback at best. A day, two at the most, and he would be far more in tune with the Serpent Crown as well as replenishing his mental energies. Then it might be time to let the Imperial Hydra in on the wonders of being a servant to Set. All it would take to get his foot in the door was donning the Serpent Crown but once and all would be well.

Orochimaru turned a corner and encountered three people. Or more appropriately, two people and a yellow ball with a face on it that held a plastic bag with DVDs in it. The boy was a teenager with dark hair that exuded angst (even more than the typical teen). He wore a blue jacket with a fan on it and seemed vaguely familiar. The dark-haired girl appeared about the same age, dressed in a skimpy pink kunoichi outfit. While the boy radiated angst, the girl held an aura of perpetual cheer about her. Even her headband had a smiley face on it.

The boy took one look at Orochimaru and said, "You!" It wasn't the sort of you that was in the vein of, "You just won a million dollars," nor was it, "You need to feed the meter." It wasn't even, "Mr. Yu, so nice to drop by." It was, "You aren't going to exist a moment longer."

Orochimaru hated that one.

Lacking any weapons, and unable to summon the energies of the Serpent Crown, Orochimaru went with wheedling his way out of things. He waved his hand before the boy's face, "I am not the terrorist you are looking for."

The girl and yellow ball said in a droning tone, "You are not the terrorist we are looking for."

The boy's response was, "Of course you are!"

Damn, two out of three wasn't bad, though. "I am certain that whatever you resent me for is totally out of proportion with what I actually did."

"You blew up my family's restaurant with them in it!"

Of course! That was it. Orochimaru had just mentioned that incident. "Would it help if I assured you they had it coming?"

In response Sasuke inhaled deeply, and then exhaled a steady stream of fire that would have put napalm to shame. Orochimaru died instantly and was incinerated within seconds, the faint smell of roasted snake and a pile of ashes the only indication he had been there.

xxxxxxxxx

A hand popped out from Onsokumaru's body and reached up to touch Sasuke's shoulder. "Now have you come to the realization that the path of vengeance leaves one empty inside?"

"Are you kidding? For the first time in years I feel great. It's as though a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders, and I'm filled with a satisfaction that boarders on ecstasy."

"But you're not smiling," Shinobu pointed out.

"Sasuke Uchiha smiles on the inside."

"You're just staying angsty so the girls continue to flock to you, aren't you?" Onsokumaru accused.

Sasuke remained silent.

Onsokumaru sighed. "In any case, I've led you to the man you wanted to kill, as I promised. Now you have to keep working for me."

Sasuke turned on him. "We were out on your weekly porn run and we just happened to run into him."

"'Ninja Girls Go Wild' is not porn!" Onsokumaru insisted. "It's a valuable tool in assessing potential recruits. Sort of like the ninja equivalent of a combine in college football."

"How does knowing a ninja girl's breast size help recruit them?"

"It tells us what size uniforms we need to order."

"But mine are always too short and too tight," Shinobu pointed out by fingering her low cut, tight top.

"No, they're just right," Onsokumaru assured her, drool escaping from his mouth.

Shinobu was about to say something else, then turned and pointed at the pile of ashes that had once been Orochimaru. "Look. That snake crown is sitting there, unmarked by the flames."

"Let me see it." Hands extended from the sides of Onsokumaru and stretched out to pick up the crown. He placed it on his head. Instantly his red orbs turned into vertical slits and his yellow surface took on a scaly composition. To no one in particular, he said, "Yesss, I sssseeee, SSSSSSet." He paused, as though listening to a voice only he could hear. "No, I don't have to hissss my essssesssss. I thought it would be a nice touch." He paused again, "Ultimate power? Well, let me sssssee." He pulled a mirror from out of nowhere and gazed at his reflection. "Sorry, while it's tempting, there's no way I can pick up babes wearing something as hideous as this." He lifted the crown off his head and tossed down a nearby sewer.

He turned to his companions. "Now let's go watch those recruiting films." And continued heading to his headquarters with his two ninja associates in tow.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[End chapter]

Yay! We're back. Yes, this one was a bit loaded with new characters, but most of them were camouflage for the one really important one in the set so don't let it drive you too crazy. I'm trying to keep who Mentallo probed a mystery at the moment, though there are probably some people who suspect based on previous chapters. A No Prize to those who know what Mentallo and the Fixer ran from and figured out who owns it, given the clues in previous chapters. The Mendous abilities are identical to Fenris (the Von Strucker twins). Heck, I even wrapped up Sasuke's little subplot from way back in Act II.

Next chapter will have a little plot development that will make things a little more difficult for Ranma.