The Hunt

Joseph was never known for his great intelligence, and when he saw the picture of his father in trouble he panicked. He panicked and ran outside, trying to make sense of the whole situation. Though he himself could have done nothing seeing as how he had no idea who took his father, where they were keeping him or why they did it.

So he ran across the street and to the home of the Hill's. Hank handled the situation as any rational person would have seeing as how Joseph forgot he was the Police. And in no time at all the Police arrived on Rainy Street, the first responder was none other than Stryker. He was off duty for the night but when he heard the call that there was trouble at his partner's house he put on his badge and drove over as fast as he could. He started by asking Joseph what had happened only to learn exactly what Joseph had. Next he went to Dale's friends Hank, Bill, and Boomhauer. The trio knew even less.

Nancy returned from work as well, so Stryker took her and her son aside to try and get a full grasp of the situation. But still even then they knew nothing more than the picture and paper allowed.

And all this sudden drama got Nancy all worked up and finally she broke down crying. So Stryker's interview was cut short as Nancy was taken inside by Peggy. That's when Stryker took Joseph aside.

"Don't worry about all this Joseph." He said." We're going to find your father. We've given the picture to forensics, if there's anything on it they'll find it." Joseph nodded half-heartily." Is there anything you know, about who might have taken him?" Joseph shook his head." When was the last time you saw him?"

"This morning." Joseph told. Even to Stryker that didn't seem out of the ordinary.

"He was going to work." Spoke up Bill. Stryker and Joseph turned to face Bill in his blue robes and slippers. The Army Sergeant walked towards the two police officers with Boomhauer." He was up early, earlier than usual."

"Yea dang ol man, Dale in a real good mood, had some dang ol' extermination job." Added Boomhauer.

"Did he say where he was going?" asked Stryker to them.

"No." Bill shook his head." But he records some conversation on his phone, maybe there's something there." Stryker and Joseph jolted up and quickly went into the basement. There they found Dale's 'Office' filled with poisons, guns, cigarettes and his show turtles. And sitting on the desk next to the phone was a recorder.

"Here goes nothing." Said Stryker as he clicked the button. And then the recording began, and there were dozens of conversations on there. Talks with Hank about being late in the alley, conversations with Bill about Beer and Pretzel combinations, there was even one call to himself. The recorder went on for hours as the two police were stuck listening to these but finally it happened.

"Hello Mr. Gribble." Said a unfamiliar voice in the conversation.

"Who is that?" asked Stryker.

"I don't know." Joseph replied. It didn't sound like any of his father's friends.

"I have a small infestation. I was wondering if you could handle it for me?" the conversation continued.

"This must be it!" Joseph sprang up.

"I'm located at 33 Applebe Street." The client said. The next few seconds of the conversation Dale accepted and then ended. There was nothing more after that.

"Applebe Street." Said Joseph." I know where that is." Stryker raised an eyebrow at him, he should know where it is since it was only a few blocks away." Let's go!" He said as he bounded up the stairs. Stryker followed after him and soon the two drove off with their sirens wailing. Hank, Bill and Boomhauer watched them pull out of the alley as they left.

Only a few lefts and a right they arrived on Applebe Street and it wasn't long before they found Dale's big white truck parked on the side of the road. The two quickly pulled over and began their investigation.

Together they approached the car from opposites sides, then pulled the driver and passenger's doors open shining their flashlights and pistols into the van. They found nothing but Dale's extermination equipment. So then they turned their sights on the next best clue, the house just behind them.

Joseph led the way with Stryker following him. They stood on opposite sides of the front door and then Stryker knocked.

"Arlen Police open up." He announced. But there was no answer." Police, open up." Joseph took the initiative now and kicked open the door.

"POLICE!" he yelled as he advanced into the room.

"Joseph, NO!" Stryker tried to stop him but he was to late as Joseph had already disappeared into the home. So Stryker followed after him. He found Joseph in the living room." We can't go in here, we're breaking the-"He paused as he stood next to Joseph to find a gruesome sight.

A family lived in this house. A man and his wife, their three children. They used to live in this house. Stryker suddenly forgot about this breaking and entering and looked on in horror at what they saw. Joseph could only think about where his father was and if he was responsible for this. His father killed just about everything that lived and breathed but never a person.

Just then the phone rang and brought them both back to reality. They looked into the kitchen to the ringing phone. Joseph felt strange. He didn't live here, he didn't belong here but he felt somehow this call was for him. He began making his way towards it.

"Joseph No-" But Joseph defied Stryker once again and answered the phone.

"Hello." He said meekly into it.

"Hello Joseph." A strange voice said on the other end. Joseph recognized the voice as the one on the recorder, the one his father had spoken to.

"Where is my father?" Joseph said quickly.

"Your father is fine." He answered as if he was expecting the question. Joseph opened his mouth to speak again but was cut off." Here he is just so you know." The line went dead and then Joseph heard his father's voice.

"Joseph." Dale panted.

"Dad." Joseph almost exclaimed." Where are you what's going on?"

"I don't know,I-I think it's the government. I think they've black bagged me. Call Octavio- No, call Hank. Joseph! JOSE-" A commotion was heard and Dale went suddenly silent.

"Dad!" Joseph yelled.

"Quite the character your father." The original voice said.

"What do you want?"

"You've made quite the commotion by calling your fellow officers. Call them off, tell them your father was returned and that it was a simple misunderstanding. We'll get in touch with you after that."

"And if I don't?" Joseph said trying to act tough. But the answer was obvious.

"It won't be in your father's best interest." Said the voice. Then the line went dead. Joseph gripped the phone and starred at it as if he was crushing it in his hand. Then with one great swing he slammed it down.

"Who was that?!" Stryker demanded." What did they want?" Joseph was silent and bit his lip nervously. The deal for his father's life required him to call off the police, all the police. And for his father's life he would do it.

"That was my Dad." He told." He's back home, it was all a stunt." Despite his best at trying to lie his voice betrayed him.

"No, no who was that!"

"Call everyone off." Joseph managed to say." Let's look into this instead." He pointed to the murder in the next room. Stryker moved in to try and grab Joseph but the young man turned and walked away. He walked out of the house and to his Dad's truck. The keys were still in the ignition so he started it and drove it back home.

Meanwhile on the edge of town was the base of the Black Dragon.

Kabal just hung up the phone after finishing his conversation with Joseph. He turned away from it now to see Jarek, Kobra and Kira with their prisoner Dale Gribble who was bound and blinded.

"Take him back to the holding cell." Kabal pointed to Dale. Kobra pulled Dale to his feet and did just that.

"What did the kid say?" asked Jarek. The Leader of the Black Dragon led the way into the next room with Jarek following behind him.

"I told him to call all the Police off. I believed he got the message. We just-" He walked into the next room but the second he did his legs suddenly flew out from under him and he fell onto his back.

When he looked up again he felt something pressed against his throat. Looking at it, it was some kind of pole and holding it was a woman in a revealing green outfit. Looking over Jarek had been knocked to the ground and disarmed by her as well, the woman stepping on his back.

"I told you we'd be checking in." said a familiar voice. Kabal tilted his head around to see Princess Kitana sitting in his chair with her legs crossed and hands rested on one knee. " This is my bodyguard Jade." She stood up and walked over to him. Kabal kept his eyes open for any other attackers about." Now that we're all caught up, What progress have you made in capturing Earthrealm?" She motioned for Kabal to stand up.

"I-" Kabal began but was quickly struck on the head by Jade.

"Address the Princess properly." She said.

"Princess." Kabal began." I am –" They suddenly stopped as the clip-clopping sound of heels against the floor was heard. Looking to the door everyone saw Kobra and Kira stumbling in. Pushing them along was a woman dressed much more revealing that either Kitana or Jade but in all red.

"Sister." Said a girl who looked just like Kitana except for the purple cloths and shorter hair." Lookie what we found."

Kitana rolled her eyes and sighed." This is my sister Mileena." She pointed out to Kabal." And her bodyguard Skarlet." Mileena was always jealous of her sister and more so now that ever since she'd earned such great favor with their father. So when she heard her sister was preparing to go to Earthrealm once more Mileena wasted no time in inviting herself on the mission.

Kabal looked the four over briefly. Looking at them it appeared the pairs were plausible seeing as how similar the Princess and her guard dressed.

"Sister." Mileena spoke up." Look what we found." She raised her arm and showed the prisoner Dale Gribble in her hands.

"What is that?" Kitana asked curiously.

"A new play-toy." Mileena hissed in Dale's ear which caused him to squirm. He wiggled like a worm in her arms until she let him go, causing him to fall onto the floor. Mileena found that delightful and busted into a cackling laughter, her bodyguard Skarlet stayed silent as the grave.

"And what pray-tell do you plan to do with this?" Kitana asked to Kabal as she walked over and stood over Dale. She stood over him and poked his stomach with her heel.

"Don't touch it my lady." Spoke up Jade." You don't know where it's been."

"That my dear Princess." Kabal said as he advanced on Kitana but was stopped by Jade once more." Is my ticket to taking down the law in this little town."

"Do tell."

"I have no armies or countless bodyguard as you appear to." Kabal grumbled." I have only the people in this room." He motioned to those around him." To win I'll have to use this." He pointed to his head, indicating his brain. Kitana slowly turned around and faced him, taking in everything he said.

"Then let's hope it works well for you." She said." Or else this thing." She pointed at his forehead won't be there for long." Then quick as a flash she pulled a sharp metal fan out and used it as a barrier between the two of them. Then she turned and fanned herself with it." That'll be all Jade." And as her mistress instructed Jade left and followed after her.

"Come Skarlet." Mileena said to her bodyguard. Skarlet took her knifes away from Kobra and Kira and then followed Mileena out. But before they left Mileena gave Dale on sharp kick to his side. Nobody said a work until her cackiling laughter stopped echoing down the hall.

Once again Outworld had reared it's ugly head and entered into the Black Dragon's Affairs.