Before we start, Happy New Year! Enjoy.

A week later, the League was in a small town in Spain. After much investigative work, they were able to pinpoint a port nearby as the one mentioned in the letter.

The League was scattered around town, learning anything they could. Nemo was dressed out of his captain's uniform, in a simple sailor suit. He couldn't wait to get back to his ship. The town was a mile or so inland so the Nautilus had to be left in the hands of his new first mate at the southern coast of Spain.

Nemo looked over the fruit stand in front of him. There were many different types: citrus fruits, grapes, figs, peaches, among others. The woman in charge watched him with anticipation. She spoke with a thick native accent.

"Is there anything in particular that you are looking for?" the woman said in Spanish.

"No, the captain wants to restock fruit for about six months." Nemo replied in the same language, "It should be a total of thirty crates."

The woman's eyes began to brighten. "I'll start packing your order right away!" she exclaimed, "Two big orders in one day, what are the chances."

"Excuse me," Nemo inquired, "did another ship come in earlier?"

"I didn't think one had come in but I got an order for ten crates of various fruits," the woman replied without looking up from her work, "I think they were going over the hill to the North."

"Is there anything over there?"

"Just remains of an old village, a couple collapsed houses and a weathered down church."

"I see…" Nemo pondered. "I'll make sure someone comes by to pick up the fruit."

"Well, there's the village," Mina stated.

The League was now at the top of the hill, looking down at the ruins of a small village. The few houses that were still standing looked as though they could collapse any moment. The only building that looked stable was the church in the center of the town. As they got closer, the decay of the buildings became clearer. The shadows casted by the afternoon sun only made the area more depressing looking.

"Cheerful place ain't it," Skinner remarked sarcastically, wrapping his coat tighter to protect himself from the wind. He was glad he had put on his black shirt and pants before going on this expedition. His glasses reflected the gloom and darkness around him.

Before anyone could answer, the snap of a twig was heard. All eyes quickly turned toward the church to see something just go through the door. They silently confirm their next move with a glance toward each other. The League slowly approached the church. Tom got his shotgun ready.

The inside of the church was more uplifting. Except for the center of the roof, some parts of the walls, and a few shattered stained-glass windows, the structure was completely intact. Only the first two rows of pews were still standing. Above, a second floor of seats circled around the back and sides of the church. The corners of wall between the seats were large tapestries. The front was the altar. Two doors stood on either side of it. A woman in her thirties sat in the pew in the first row closest to the center aisle on the left side.

The woman didn't seem to notice them walk in. She simply sat quietly, lost in thought. The woman wore a simple blue country dress, her hair wrapped in a light brown bandana.

The League moved cautiously toward her. They all froze when the woman stood up. A wind blew the bandana to the center of the aisle. The woman's flats made no noise as she walked over to it up. As she began to pick up her headpiece, the woman finally noticed the other people in the room.

"Oh," she startled, "I didn't realize anyone came in."

Her dark brown hair had fallen a few inches past her shoulders. Even with it hanging around her face, the woman still looked tan. Her brown eyes studied each member of the League as she tied and tucked her hair back, pausing as she spotted Jekyll, Nemo, and Skinner.

"What brings you here," the woman asked calmly, never taking her eyes off the group.

"We could ask you the same thing," remarked Tom.

"Accusing me of something before even knowing who I am," the woman teased, "where did you learn your manners?"

Tom's face turned an interesting shade of red.

"Perhaps you would do us the honor of giving us your name," Nemo inquired.

The woman gave the request some thought before answering.

"Ms. Keara."

"Don't suppose you have a first name," Skinner questioned with some mock chivalry.

"I'd rather not share that with some strange travelers I only just met in an old abandoned church," she replied, "especially those who seem to be hiding more than others."

Even if he wasn't wearing his greasepaint, Skinner's body language would have given away the slight shock he got from the comment. While the League tried to figure out where the conversation should go, the woman started to occupy herself by fixing little details in his dress: fixing the shoulders, smoothing wrinkles, etc.

"Well then…Ms. Keara, what brings you to a place like this," asked Jekyll in his nervous manner.

"The quiet," Ms. Keara answered without removing her attention from her dress. "There's just something about this place that help you think."

As she smoothed her dress, Ms. Keara noticed her shadow. Startled, she quickly looked up to see where the sun was.

"Oh dear," she muttered, "I'm going to be late."

"Late for what," asked Mina, "Are you going to catch a ship?"

"I'm traveling around with some friends of mine," Ms Keara responded as she had her eyes correct themselves. "We're planning on camping around the area"

"Do you have enough provisions," Nemo asked.

"I'm quite sure we have plenty," Ms. Keara laughed.

"About ten crates worth," Nemo intrigued.

Ms. Keara started to stare suspiciously at Nemo. "What gives you that guess?"

"A merchant that sold me some fruit mentioned another order."

"We plan on traveling around for a while."

"And where is it that you are heading?"

"I don't see what concern that is of yours."

"She says I'm the one who had no manners and then starts exploding at us," Tom snickered. A smirk found its way to Skinner's face.

Ms. Keara eyes became noticeably darker.

"It would be best if you stayed and answered some of our questions," Mina responded, somewhat coldly.

"I have to get going," Ms. Keara said defiantly, "so if you would please let me by."

"That wasn't really a suggestion," Mina growled as her eyes turned red. She lunged toward Ms. Keara to try and prevent her from running off.

At this, Ms. Keara stepped to the side and let Mina tumble on the steps that led to altar. While Mina tried to catch her balance, Ms. Keara ran towards the rest of the League, all of whom but Jekyll were prepared for a fight. As Tom took aim, Ms. Keara grabbed Skinner's coat from the ground. Nemo swung his sword towards her only to find his head covered by the coat as she flipped over him. As Ms. Keara started off again, she tripped. This caused Tom's shot to just barely missed, grazing Ms. Keara's left arm. Ms. Keara spun around Tom, preventing him from taking another shot. After brushing by Jekyll, Ms. Keara quickly climbed up one of the tapestries. By the time she got into the upper seating area in the back of the church, Nemo had gotten free and Mina had regained her composure and rejoined her teammates underneath the seating area Ms. Keara was currently occupying.

"Could you have been any more helpful," Tom remarked.

"I didn't have enough time to figure out what was happening," Jekyll remarked.

"Man, she moves fast," panted Skinner's voice.

Ms. Keara seemed to be catching her breath as well. Suddenly, she looked toward the front of the church and relaxed when she saw who it was.

"Hey, yous still…" a voice entered with a very thick African accent. The League turned to see a young man entering from one of the doors by the altar. He was dark-skinned and wore a beige adventuring outfit with boots that rose slightly above his calves. His matching tri-corner hat kept his almost pure black hair half hidden, which fell in ringlets halfway down his neck. The man's face was disciplined, even his brown eyes never gave anything away anything. In his right hand, he held a Winchester rifle. Tom couldn't help but feel that there was something familiar about this man.

"Well," the man sighed, "dat 'plains whah you're late."

"Yeah," Ms. Keara replied, "sorry about that El."

"What's she doing, what's she doing," a voice exclaimed. A young woman ran into the room. Her long blond hair flowed behind her, her blue eyes open as wide as they could get. Unlike El's face, her face showed every emotion clearer than crystal.

"Aw," the woman complained, "she gets all the fun."

Although she was in her early twenties, the woman's dress had a ruffled apron in the front that made her looked much younger. It didn't help that she was wearing black ballet flats. She also wore a large white overcoat. The dress however…

"It looks like a rainbow throw up on you," Skinner blurted. In fact, the dress, even the apron, was splattered with every color that had ever existed and beyond.

"Thanks," the woman chimed. "Wait… who said that."

Henry…

"Shh," Jekyll thought back quickly. Now was not the time to start that conversation.

"They wished to ask some questions," Ms. Keara explained as she fiddled around with a locket that lay in her hand. When she opened it, a small sigh escaped her lips.

"I feel we are beginning to outstay our welcome," Nemo stated, "so we shall be going."

Some loud thuds were heard from the way the League had come from. As Nemo started towards the hallway, he bumped into a man a few feet taller. Nemo walked away to get a better look at the newcomer. The man was wearing a large black hooded overcoat that almost covered his large black boots. When he put his hood down, his face was a horrific sight. His skin had a yellowish hue. A glowing, crescent-shaped scar wrapped around his right eye.

"Plaze stay," El insisted, "we have some questions also."

Henry, the elixir…

"We would love to but…" Tom started as he reached for his pistols. In a slight panic, he looked down to find that one of them was missing. A whistle came from above their heads. The League looked up to see Tom's pistol being swung back and forth by the nozzle.

"Missing something," Ms. Keara snickered.

"When did she …" Tom thought out loud. The rest of the League gave each other confused looks.

"She really does get all the fun," the young woman complained.

"Perhaps we should start with de questions," El said with a slight shake of his head.

"Oh, oh," the woman exclaimed, "Pick me, pick me!"

"Yes," El sighed, "Ava…what's your question?"

"Who said the thing about my dress," Ava inquired, twirling her dress.

"The same guy who wears makeup," laughed Ms. Keara. The League looked up again to see Skinner's makeup case. They began to check their belongings.

Henry, check for the elixir!

Jekyll quickly felt the pocket inside his jacket. In a state of panic, he looked up to see Ms. Keara uncap the vial. She put the opening to her nose.

"Don't…" Jekyll screamed.

"Why would I want to," Ms. Keara gagged, quickly recorking the vial.

"Enough games," Nemo exclaimed as he drew his sword.

"So much for diplomacy," El sighed before flipping quickly to a very commanding tone.

"Mo, get to Jas," he started.

"On it," Ms. Keara confirmed. She slid down the tapestry closest to her and landed on her feet behind the strange man. Before leaving, she examined the collection baskets. Picking up the best looking one, Ms. Keara put something into it.

"I believe these are yours," Ms. Keara said as she skid the basket under the giant's feet, towards the League. The basket stopped at their feet. Inside were four items: Tom's gun, Skinner's make-up case, Jekyll's vial, and a locket.

The items whose owners were known were returned. Skinner's make-up case was put alongside his coat. Tom picked up the locket and examined it.

"I can't figure how she got this from you," he stated as he handed it over to Mina.

"That's because it's not mine," Mina replied.

"Then whose…" Tom started when Nemo reached over and took the necklace.

"I'll hold on to this," was all Nemo said as he cradled the locket in his hand. After few seconds, he put it around his neck, where it remained hidden under his uniform.

While this was going on, the other three people in the room waited.

"Are you ready yet," Ava asked impatiently.

"We are now" Tom said as Jekyll uncorked his vial.

"Yay," she cheered, "now it's my turn to have some fun."

"Would yous like de first move," El offered.

"Here it is," Jekyll said as he started to undo his tie.

Jekyll's body began to feel like it was on fire. He lunged backwards and let out a scream. No matter how many times the League had seen this, it always surprised them. Everyone else in the room just watched in horror as Jekyll's clothes tore apart as he grew bigger. When it was finally over, what looked like a large gorilla had taken place of where Jekyll had been. When he stood up, he was slightly taller than the man who stopped Nemo earlier.

"You ready, Hyde," Skinner asked, although everyone knew the answer.

"Aren't I always," Hyde chuckled back in such a way that it cause the other group to shrink back in fear.

"Ava, get in de other room" El ordered shakily, "NOW!"

After a few seconds to figure out what was going on, Ava quickly ran back through the door closest to her. Seeing a fun way to start off, Hyde began to run towards the door. The giant immediately charged at Hyde, who saw this just in time to toss the attacker into the altar.

"Adam," El commanded, "boost."

The giant gave quick grunt as he got out of the rubble. After giving his head a shake, he kneeled down and cupped his hands together.

"Boost ready," was all the giant said.

El ran over toward Adam and got tossed up to second level. After a tumble down the upper pews, El ended up just barely grabbing onto the ledge.

"A bit much there, Adam," El gasped.

"Me bad," Adam apologized quickly before turned his attentions back to Hyde. The two then began to throw punches at each other.

"Skinner, you and Tom go after the girl," Nemo directed before joining, "the rest of us will handle these two."

Tom and Mina wish each other luck with a nod. Tom cut through the battle and got to the door. Skinner was already opening the door.

"Right this way, sir," Skinner joked.

As soon as they both had entered, Skinner closed the door. The room was area where the pastors got ready before a mass. The room was entirely sound. There were tables around the walls cluttered with religious items and covered with dust. A large mirror hung on across from the door. In the center of the floor lay a large white coat.

"Well," Tom stated, "we know she's in here somewhere."

Searching around the room, they found nothing. The only sign that she had even been in the room was her coat. Looking down, Tom could make out some footprints in the dust on the floor. They led straight to the mirror.

"Strange," Tom muttered as he peered in. He could see the whole room. The whole room was gray with dust, except for…

Tom quickly turned around and fired at the table to the right of the door. The bullet went straight into woodwork.

"Watch it there Tom," Skinner hollered, "you nearly hit me."

Tom was too puzzled to make a reply. He looked back in the mirror. He was sure he had seen her right by the table. As he inspected the mirror, he was slammed into it. When he finally composed himself, the mirror was shattered and Skinner lay next to him, covered with bloody scratches.

"Sorry, tripped," Skinner explained, although they both knew there was more to it than that.

Things weren't doing much better in the other room. While Nemo and Hyde worked together against Adam, Mina was trying to get to El. She hoped she wouldn't have to do anything more than flying against him. She didn't like using her vampiric abilities unless she absolutely had to. It didn't help that he shot at her when even they were at least ten feet apart. Although she was fast enough to dodge the bullets, this fight would get nowhere unless she got closer. Finally, she was able to land underneath the balcony, where she was out of range, and began to climb her way up.

Below, the wall shook as Hyde was thrown against it. Standing up, he glared back at the battle. Nemo was using his best swordsmanship on this thing and only giving scratches.

"There's no way I'm losing," Hyde roared to himself, "to a SMALL FRY."

This "small fry" was occupied with blocking Nemo's attacks, though he had just pushed Hyde aside. Seizing the chance, Hyde ran towards his distracted opponent and threw a punch at the head. Adam was thrown against the wall on the other side.

The shock caused Mina to slide down a few inches. She could hear El getting nervous above her. As she climbed over a broken section of the upper landing, Mina could see him scanning the room below, trying to spot where she was.

As Mina stood up, some of the ridge broke off and tumbled down to the floor below. Hearing the sound of the rocks, El immediately turned around and looked at her with surprised expression.

Mina pounced towards him. El had only enough time to fire one bullet into her shoulder before being pushed off the ridge. El prepared himself for when he would hit the floor, only to be saved lasted second when he was caught by Adam. After slamming into a wall, Adam unrolled himself to allow El to get back on his feet.

Mina rolled her shoulder in order to estimate how much damage it had received. Afterwards, she jumped down in order to join the other members that were with her in cornering the duo in one of the front corners of the building. Hyde had his crooked smile drawn upon his face.

A second later, Hyde's face was covered with an expression of pain as he covered his ears. Although the other members of the League could hear anything, it seemed that Adam was being bothered by something as well. A small whistle began to go off in El pocket.

"We need to get going, Adam," El told his friend.

"Av…" Adam started.

"Let's hope she'll be behind us," El confronted. "Right now we need to get to de door."

Adam looked back at him at first with a questioning expression, then a smirk spread across his face.

Hyde, who was still half-distracted by whatever sound was in the air, prepared himself for a fight. Adam charged toward Hyde, a battle cry screaming from his throat. Hyde flew backwards and crashed through the pews behind him. Adam stood a few feet away from where he started.

Hyde stood up and wiped the blood from the side of his mouth. He glared back at Adam. A moment later, his eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and pain. Adam started a second charge when Hyde started to change back.

Jekyll had completely changed back in time to see Adam about a foot away, still charging. Jekyll almost forgot the hold up his pants as he braced for the hit. Only a few seconds passed but it seemed like an eternity for Jekyll. Opening on eye, Jekyll saw that Adam had stopped about two steps away.

"Little help would be nice."

Adam turned back towards El. Although El was an excellent shooter, he had been easily overwhelmed in close-combat. He was just barely able to keep up with attacks that were being thrown at him. Nemo swung his sword straight toward the top of the lad's shoulder. This was swatted away in a clumsy manner, though the blow ended up breaking the gun. As Nemo prepared to strike again, a force pushed him into the nearby wall.

Turning around, Nemo looked around the room. Adam had picked Mina up and was now throwing her into a wall the other side of the room. She collapsed on the ground, passed out. Jekyll, who had stood up by this time, ran over to check on her. El was moving, half walking and half limping, toward the front door.

Suddenly, a bullet hit the wall a few inches away from El's head, causing him to pause for a second or two. This had come from Tom's rifle. He, and presumably Skinner, had entered from the other room. Adam backed slightly, joining El by the front entrance.

"We need to get outta here," El said after looking the current situation over.

Within a second of hearing this, Adam hoisted El over his shoulder and ran toward the door. Tom grabbed his pistols and aimed for the giant's legs. Before he could take one shot, a wooden board floated from one of the broken pews hit him in the head, knocking him out. A sound of shock from Skinner was heard on the other side of the room. While Jekyll moved toward Tom, Nemo ran toward the door the other two had exited through.

Nothing had changed much outside. The sun was setting, giving the sky a variety of different shades of oranges and reds. Nemo scanned the area all around him. There was not a single sign of where the people they were just fighting had gone.

With a slight sigh, Nemo walked back inside the church. His companions needed to get back to the Nautilus. They would need the rest.