Ch. 3 Nightmare

Three months latter…

Charlie Grice ran for his life, scared out of his mind.

Not ten minuets ago, he had secured one of the biggest drug deals of his life, and then a shadow came and murdered all of his associates. Only he had managed to escape and now he was running down a dark alley, trying to escape from the shadow that was chasing him.

Then, after rounding a corner, he came face to face with the very nightmare that had been pursuing him. However, it wasn't his face that Charlie was staring at. It was his chest where his eyes lay as a white skull stared evilly at him, as if starring into his very soul, filling him with fear.

Since he was so focused on the skull, he barely noticed the other man draw a holstered pistol and point it right at his forehead. Charlie took a step back, fell to his knees, and began begging the other man to spare his life.

The other man just glared at the scum in front of him, never once lowering his weapon. "Why should I spare you?" he asked. "You are responsible for the deaths of countless innocents."

"I didn't kill nobody." Charlie stated. "You sold them the drugs that led to their deaths. But I'll make sure that no more die by your hand ever again." He said this as he pulled back the hammer of his Colt .45 and squeezed the trigger, ending the life of another criminal.

'Every muzzle flash means one more monster gone.' He told himself as he walked away from the grisly scene he had created.

He walked down the street at close to midnight after finishing his 'rounds'. Due to how late it was, there were very few people out, save for some homeless people and a few stragglers making there way home.

But the few people who were out paid little attention to the man with four identical .45s (two on either thigh and the other two on either side of his torso.), a stainless Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum Revolver, with an extended ejector shroud (a.k.a. a Hand Cannon) holstered on his lower back, a M4X knife in a boot scabbard, and a distinct white skull on his Kevlar body armor. The only reason that people ignored him was because he was not a threat to them. He was their protector, the one who kept the darkness at bay; he was Heero Yuy, the Punisher.

He made his way to one of New York's many subway stations; again people seemed to ignore the passing vigilante. He went to the end of the platform, passed the 'DO NOT ENTER' sign, jumped onto the tracks, and began to jog down the tunnel until he reached a hatch in the opened it and climbed down the ladder that led to his 'home'.

A creature stirred and came to greet its master. It was Max, Heero's German Shepard that acted as his body guard while he slept, other than that he was Heero's faithful companion.

He petted the dog as he removed his gear, leaving him in his long-sleeved shirt, matching fatigues, and his boots, all one color: black. Heero made his way to the only armchair in his entire home, positioned in front of a small table and on the table was his laptop computer. He sat down and pulled the laptop into his lap and turned it on. Max came over and placed his head on the armrest and Heero began to scratch his ears before lying down at Heero's feet.

Heero started off by checking his mail and found that his armorer, Glitch, had gotten his hands on some new weaponry and that Heero should come over and take a look.

Just as Heero was about to reply, he received a phone call from Duo. He decided to humor his old friend by answering the call and Duo's smiling face filled up the screen.

"Hey, Heero," Duo said, still grinning. "Haven't seen you in while."

"What do you want, Duo?" Heero asked.

"Is that anyway to talk to your best friend?"Duo replied.

"Duo, answer the question." Heero growled, Max's head snapped up, thinking that someone might be endangering Heero. Heero put him at ease by rubbing his stomach.

"Okay, fine," Duo, said, holding up his hands in a defensive manner. "I asked Hilde to marry me and she said 'yes'." Duo, could hardly keep the excitement out of his voice.

"Congratulations, Duo," Heero said, with very little emotion in his voice. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Oh come on Heero. You know you have to come." Stated Duo.

Heero sighed, "Who's coming?" He asked.

"You know she'll be there. Trowa too." Duo said turning a bit more serious.

"I know but I still want a list of who will be there."

"Okay." Duo said and a list of names appeared next to Duo.

Heero scrolled down the list, stopping occasionally when he saw a name of someone from his past. Then a group of politicians's names came up. "Why are these politicians coming?" Heero asked.

"They're friends of Relena's," Duo said. "That doesn't bother you does it?" Duo asked, becoming a bit suspicious.

"No," Heero said.

"Okay, I'm sending you the address of where we'll be meeting and the date as well." Duo said as the invitation came up.

"Thanks." Heero said.

"No problem, man. I'll see you there." Duo said, then the screen went blank.

"Indeed you will, Duo," Heero said as he leaned back into the chair. "Five birds, one bullet."

"Relena," Hilde called as Relena walked into the lobby of the Brad Street Hotel.

"Hilde," Relena called back, as she set her luggage on the floor and made her way towards Hilde. The two embraced just as Duo came over to greet her as well but in a slightly different way. Just as Hilde and Relena released each other, Duo swept Relena of her feet and spun her around a few times before setting her back down.

"It's nice to see you too, Duo," she said, breathless from laughing so hard. "And congratulations to you both."

"Thanks, Relena. Where's Trowa?" Hilde asked, looking around for him.

"Oh, he's getting the other bags," Relena said. Just as she finished saying this, Trowa walked into the lobby, holding the other bags.

"Hey Trowa," Duo called. "Over here." Duo waved his hand for Trowa to come over. Trowa walked over and set down the bags. As soon as he did, Hilde wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a welcoming hug.

"Hello, Hilde, Duo." Trowa said to both of them. "So, where is everybody?"

"Oh, uh," Duo stuttered for a moment.

"Quatre and Dorothy will be here tonight and Wufei and Sally will be here tomorrow morning."

"So when is the wedding suppose to be?"Relena asked.

"At about 3, tomorrow," Hilde said.

"And where is it going to happen?" asked Trowa.

"Maxwell Church," Duo replied.

"Is anyone else we know going to be there?" asked Relena.

"Well, Anne and Mariemaia should be there," Duo began counting them off."Zechs and Noin, will probably be there, Catherine will definitely be there, and then there's Heero-"

"You invited Heero?" Relena blurted out.

"Yeah," Duo said. "Why, what's wrong?"

"She probably doesn't want me to be there." A voice said from behind them.

They all turned around to see Heero there, standing in with his hands in the pockets of his black, leather trench coat.

Relena stared at him, mouth agape. He was wearing exactly the same outfit that he was wearing when he told her that he was leaving, most notably the skull shirt he was wearing.

"Hey, Heero," Duo called. "I didn't expect you would come."

"Then why did you invite me?" Heero asked.

"Well, I still wanted you to come," Duo replied. "Cool shirt," Duo added. "Where did you get it?"

"A friend gave it to me," Heero said.

"Oh, okay," Duo, replied. "Hey, how did you get here so fast?" Duo asked. "I called you only yesterday."

"I live here." Heero said.

Hilde's eyes widened a bit. "You live here." It was a statement, rather than a question. "How do deal with all the crime?"

Heero turned to look at Hilde and said, "You'll find out." Then he picked up his only bag, stepped into an elevator, pressed the button and then was gone.

"What do you think he meant by 'you'll find out'?" Hilde asked as she lay in bed with Duo.

"I don't know but it creeped me out too. I mean Heero's acted weird before but not like this. You know he hasn't left his room since he got here." Duo said.

"Maybe you should go talk to him." Hilde suggested.

"He's probably already asleep," Duo countered. "You have a big day tomorrow."

"So do you," She countered back. "But knowing Heero, he's probably still awake." Duo sighed and got out of bed.

"Don't stray to far." Hilde warned.

Duo smiled, "Never."

Heero was busy sharpening his knife, he had a big day tomorrow, more of the corrupt to punish. Just then he heard a knocking at the door. He put the knife away, got up, and answered the door.

"Duo," he said once he saw who was on the other side of the walked away, leaving the door open, silently inviting Duo in.

Heero sat down on the bed and asked, "What is it, Duo?"

"Nothing," Duo said. "I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Well, I'm doing fine, okay," he said.

"Oh, okay then." Duo turned to leave but stopped when Heero spoke again.

"How did Trowa and Relena meet?" he asked.

"Oh, uh," Duo thought for a moment. "Trowa's sister, Catherine, introduced them to each other."

"I see," was his only reply.

Duo turned to leave again but was stopped by Heero's voice once more. "One more thing Duo, I might not be able to make it to the ceremony, but I will be there for the reception," Heero said.

"Why?" Duo asked.

"I have something to take care of but I guarantee I'll be at the reception," Heero stated.

"Promise?" Duo asked.

Heero extended his hand and said, "I give you my word."

Duo took Heero's hand into his own and shook it. Duo smiled, Heero half-smiled back. Duo made his way outside the door and closed it behind him.

Heero's smile faded instantly, he got up of the bed, walked over to the table were his laptop was, sat down and started it up.

After awhile, a scrawny looking man with brown hair and glasses. "Heero," he said quickly. "I've been waiting since noon. What took so long?"

"Never mind that, Glitch," Heero said. "I need intell on the bodyguards of the following: Senators John Keene and Helen Heyer, District Attorney James 'Jim' Garrison, Judge Robert Bethell, and Councilman Douglass Fowler."

"Anything else, Heero?" Glitch asked. "Perhaps a Cheeseburger with some fries and a shake."

"Glitch," Heero growled. "Just do it!"

"Okay, Okay," Glitch, said. "God, can't you take a joke?" Then the screen went blank.

Heero took out his knife and began sharpening it again, 'Tomorrow, they'll know who I really am."

The next day…

"Hi, Jim," Relena greeted her friend.

"Hey, Relena," Jim greeted back. The two shared a quick embraced before Relena showed him to his room.

"Do you know when everyone else will be here?" she asked. "About the time of the reception." "Okay see you there," she departed.

Heero watched from around the corner, he could have killed him now but he needed them to all to be in one place and it appeared that he would have to wait until tonight at the reception. The only fortunate thing was that none of the guards were innocent and tonight, he will show no mercy.

Later that night…

True to his word, Heero had not shone up for the ceremony. And now, here, at the reception he was nowhere to be found but Duo decided not to let it get him down. After all, he was a married man now and everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves.

At the newly-wed's table was Hilde and Duo in the center; to their lefts was Trowa, Relena, and her friends: first there was John Keene, a young man with black hair and brown eyes, who was sitting between Relena and Helen Heyer. She was a woman of stunning beauty, with long blond hair and dark green eyes. Sitting across from Senator Heyer was Councilman Fowler, a heavy-set man with dark skin. And finally; Quatre, Dorothy, Wufei, Sally and at the end of the table was Judge Robert Bethel, blond haired and blue eyes accompanied a handsome face. Also there was Jim Garrison District Attorney, he was quite handsome with brown hair and blue eyes, were to their rights (Zechs and Noin couldn't make it until tomorrow).

As everyone was conversing, Senator Keene stood up, taped on his glass with his knife to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone," he addressed. "I just like to say how happy I am to be here and how happy I am for this young couple."

Everyone began to clap. "And I also like to express my gratitude to my good friend Relena, I hope that you'll invite me for your-" Suddenly the lights went off,

"Hey, what happened to the lights?" he asked.

Then, he saw something that filled him with fear. "Oh, God!"

That's when the nightmare began. A bright red flash blinded almost everyone in the room. However, Relena was one of the few who wasn't blinded. But she wished she had been, because the sight she saw shall never be forgotten.

There, standing on the table, holding a flare and a large knife and clad in body armor, was the Punisher.

He set the flare down on the table walked over to Senator Keene and cut his head almost clean off his shoulders, splattering blood on Relena and Senator Heyer.

Fearing for her life, Heyer produced a pistol from her purse but before she could do anything with it, Heero had gotten his hands around her and snapped her neck.

Fowler soon followed her as Heero drove his knife into his skull, then picking up the silverware of the now deceased councilman, Heero through the fork into Robert Bethel's eye, killing him. Then he threw the knife at Garrison, slicing his neck open, blood spewing fourth like a fountain. With that accomplished, Heero retrieved his knife from Fowler's cranium and sheathed it in his boot scabbard.

Suddenly, the lights came back on and the guards came pouring into the room.

Heero drew two of his .45s and began firing at the oncoming guards, killing a good number of them.

He holstered his .45s, knelt down and drew his Magnum. Even though it had five shots, he was able to kill more if they were lined up.

Just as he ran out of ammo, a few guards came in brandishing assault rifles; Heero barely had time to dive out of the way, leaving the Magnum behind. He managed to get behind an upturn table and return fire with his pistols. Just as he thought he was gaining the upper hand, more guards showed up. He contacted Glitch through an earpiece and told him to kill the lights again and just a few moments later, the room was plunged into darkness once more. Even though everyone else couldn't see the battle, they could here the screams and the sickening sound of bones breaking but no gunshots.

Suddenly, just as quickly as the lights went off, they came back on. Heero strode back into the room; he walked towards the front table, which everyone was standing behind, fearful for their lives.

Heero appeared to be looking for something, "Hn," it seems he found it. He bent down and picked up his Magnum.

He opened the chamber, ejected the empty shells and began reloading it. While he was doing this, it seemed a wounded guard went unnoticed as he began to crawl for his gun.

Just as Heero finished reloading, the guard had picked up his sub-machine gun and pointed at Heero's back. Suddenly, Heero turned around and fired one shot into his skull, causing to practically explode.

He then holstered his weapon and turned to face his 'friends'. They either had a look fear or just not understanding, Heero stared back at them with narrowed eyes. Then, he spoke for the first time that night, however, everyone there will be forever haunted by these words, "This is just the beginning."

Then he pulled out a flash bang grenade, pulled the pin, and tossed it. When every ones vision returned, Heero was gone.