Episode 21: Vendetta
Underneath the feet of Royal Woods were a huge network of sewage tunnels that snaked all through the underground, containing all the stink and meaningless. There was a man working in one one of the tunnels now. He wasn't alone because he was the only one working there, he was alone because he was the last man working his shift before quitting time. He's a black, seventy year old man who sometimes hate his job but he get paid very well, and is wearing a protective suit to protect him from dirty water. Waded through the filthy water towards a nearby light that was flickering on and off constantly as if teasing the man with the possibility of going out and leaving him in darkness. The sewage system had many lights so that the people who worked in them didn't have to work in the dark. He just had to fix this one light and he was done for the night. The sewage worker approached the light and unscrewed the light bulb. Once he was done, he screwed in the new one. The light now flashed, no longer flickering and almost dazzling the worker. He turned away from the light and sighed contently.
"That's done, now to get outta this shit-hole and back home." He muttered.
He quickened his pace, sloshing through the water quickly so he could get to the ladder that would take him up and out of the wretched tunnels and into the sweet fresh air up above. But as he nosily made his way across, he heard the growling sound again. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up straight. It was much louder, though given the echos, he wasn't entirely sure if he was really close to the thing growling or if it was far away.
"I-I-is someone h-here? The man asked, his voice wobbly, "I-if this is some stupid prank, it's not funny! Show yourself before you get in trouble!"
He soon quickly found out that HE was the one in trouble, not his growling stalker. Something very big and monstrous suddenly erupted from under the water and towered over the man, scaring him half to death. He glowered down at him as he begins to speak.
"I know. You were expecting an alligator lurking in the sewers." He laughed, "Well, sorry to disappoint you, Morty, or should I say...One-Eyed Jack."
Morty is now more scared than before. "H-how did you? Who are you?"
He snickered as he moving closer. "You'll find out soon enough."
"No! Keep away! No! NO!" He screamed as they echoed through the dimly-lit tunnels.
Later that night, in the Ace Cave, the news about the sewage worker's disappearance was already in the news. And of course, Ace Savvy along with Royal Flush, Wild Card Willy, and Cthylla were the first people to know about this headline. And how strange that this is the sixth kidnapping this month.
"Another kidnapped? Wow." Royal Flush said to herself.
"This one on the news saying it's the sixth victim. Last week was the fifth one." Wild Card Willy reminded.
Ace was thinking for a sec.
"You okay, Lincoln? Cthylla asks him.
Ace finally spoke. "Have you guys noticed all six victims are connected. Morty Creedman a.k.a. the original One-Eyed Jack, Jay Hasten a.k.a. Speed Run, Selina Pickles a.k.a. The Fat Lady (an alternate name of a single number 8 card), Hen Ledgers a.k.a. Joy Girl/Woman (alternate name of a Queen), Alexander Throne a.k.a. Knight, and Arthur Jefferson a.k.a. The Fly (alternate name of a joker card). All of them are original members of The Full House Gang.
Royal Flush gasped. "Pop-pop could be next!"
"Yes. But we need to know who's kidnapping the former Full House members." Ace said.
"Your grandfather and his team made lots of enemies in their youth." Wild Card Willy said, "One of their rogues who are still alive is getting his or hers revenge."
"It is possible." Ace said.
Ace search the database in the big computer to find the Pop-pop's old rogues information and address until he found it. He printed out the sheet which contains on what they need.
"Well, most of his rogues are pretty much dead, but I found out that their are two who are still alive." Ace said, "Wilbur, I need you to keep on Pop-pop while me and Lana go have a talk with them. If you see the kidnapper, call us and we'll be on our way."
"Right." Wild Card Wily nod.
"Alright. Let's move out." Ace said.
Meanwhile at an undisclosed cave, Morty was woken and realized that his arm's and legs are tied up in rope. "Where in the world?" He gasped to see his old friends tied up next to him . They're the same age as Morty but Hen is a little bit younger but still old. Jay, Selina (skinny), Hen, Alexander, and Arthur who are unconscious. "Oh no. Guys! Guys! Wake up!"
The others victims starts to wake up after hearing Morty's voice calling them.
"What-Morty?"
"Hey, Jay, it's been a while." Morty said to Jay. "So goes the rest of you."
"Same to you too, Morty." Hen smiled.
Arthur turn to Selina. "Woah, Selina. I see you've lost A LOT of weight."
"Surgery actually. I've suffer minor heart attack awhile back." Selina said.
"Um, guys. As much as I want to have a nice reunion with my old friends, but where the heck are we?" Alexander asked them worriedly.
Jay looks around. "It seems that we're in a cave. Anyone got a good face on who kidnapped us?
"No. It was too dark for me to see.' Selina said.
"Same here." Arthur said.
Something bubbling in the water. The kidnapper rises out of the water which got the victims to gasped when they finally recognized.
Jen looks terrified. "No. It can't be. You?"
Meanwhile, an retire old supervillain name Snake Eyes is sleeping in his bed. He woke up when he felt a draft in room. The window is open which makes no sense since he never open his window; he puts on his shade, get up from his bed, and walk over to close the window. When he close the window, he got spooked after turning to see Ace Savvy and The Royal Flush standing in his bedroom.
Snake Eyes scoffs. "So, we finally meet faced to faced, third Ace. But I got to say, your grandfather is way better. So, you're here to beat up an old man."
Ace grabs Snake Eyes. "Listen up. We want some answers. Since you already know the Full House and Pop-pop's identity back in the day, do you know anything about the kidnapping?"
Snake Eye push him away. "Kidnapping? What are you talking about?"
Royal Flush step up. "Cut the crud. You hated them more than any other Pop-pop's rogues"
"Oh, yes, I do hated them for life. But you got the wrong person, kids. I would have have killed them along time ago, but I can't do that anymore and you know why?" Snake Eyes remove his shades revealing to them that he has no eyes. This grossed out Ace and Royal Flush. His eye sockets are stitch up. "You're bastard grandpa destroyed my snake eyes; the source of my power. Leaving me powerless forever as I survived daily with no eyes."
Royal Flush still disgust. "How the heck could you know you're surrounding without any eyes?"
"We're done here. Come on, Royal Flush." Ace said to Royal Flush.
Royal Flush nod. She opens the window and grappled out of his apartment.
"Oh, Ace, tell your grandfather "Thanks for ruining my life, asshole." Snake Eyes said.
Ace didn't say anything instead he grappled away.
Meanwhile outside of the retirement home, Wild Card Willy is still on lookout while using his binocular. Pop-pop is still sleeping in his bed as he snores.
Wild Card Willy sighed. "Still no sign of the kidnapper. Wonder if Lincoln and Lana have any luck."
Meanwhile with Ace and Royal Flush, they're interrogating Poker Face Jr. in Blackwoods. Poker Face Jr. was the son of the original and most powerful crime boss in Royal Woods...Poker Face Sr. After his father died, he took over the family business and rule over Royal Woods, until the third Ace stop him and send him in prison with no parole. Poker Face Jr.'s has no face; just a white blank expression that's it.
Poker Face Jr. looked at Ace. "You think I have something to do with this?"
"Your father and Snake Eyes are the only rogues that know their secret identities. He obvious told you everything before he died."
"Resulting you murdering our grandma!" Royal Flush yelled and pointed at Poker Face Jr.
"Because you're granddad killed my father!" Poker Face Jr. yelled back but then come down. "My empire went to the crapper thanks to you, my boys left me to work with other crime bosses out of Royal Woods instead of getting me out. Traitors. Everything I have is gone, and now I'm trapped in this hellhole for good."
"If you're behind this in any way, we will find out." Royal Flush pointed him.
"Like I said, I'm not responsible for the kidnapping. Whoever kidnapped them should hurry up and killed them already. He or she would do me favor." Poker Face Jr. snickered.
Ace and Royal Flush left Blackwoods and stand near by his bike.
"Another bust. "Now what?" Royal Flush asks him.
Ace then got a call from Wild Card Willy. "Hello?"
"Ace, I've spotted the kidnapper. He's heading inside the retirement home. I'm going to try slow him down until you guys arrived."
Willy hanged up.
"The kidnapper?" Royal Flush asks her brother.
"Yup. Let's hurry over there."
Inside the retirement home, security guards and nurses are on the floor unconscious. The kidnapper (dressing in a long trent coat and hat) have already succeed on kidnapping Pop-pop as he struggles to escape from his grip.
Pop-pop grunting. "Let me go! I don't know why you're kidnapping, I haven't done anything to you."
"You'll find out."
Kidnapper was heading back to the front entrance but then stop when Wild Card Willy appeared standing his way."
"Put him down!"
Kidnapper snickered and keeps walking but then soon pick up the pace in a full charge smacking him across the wall. That hurt a lot but Wild Card Willy suck up the pain as he quickly recovers, and stop kidnapper by wrap around his leg tripping him over making him drop Pop-pop..
"Are you okay?" He asked Pop-pop while reeling the kidnapper in.
"I'm good."
Kidnapper growls and slash the rope.
"Oh boy."
Kidnapper breaks free and dash over to grab Wild Card Willy, and slam him on the floor hard.
"No!" Pop-pop cried.
Kidnapper turn back to get Pop-pop. Wild Card Willy never expect to be this strong-he's strong as Pain, he has to get up and stop him but he couldn't because he's badly hurt; all he could do is throw a tracking device onto his back before passing out.
Later, Ace and Royal Flush arrived at the retirement home too late as they gasped to see a masquerade in here but thankfully their not dead just out cold when they check their pulse. What got them more shock even more is spotting their injured friend as they quickly rush over to him.
"Don't worry, Willy. We'll get Card Counter to fixed you up. Just stay with us." Royal Flush pleaded.
Ace is calling Card Counter to set up the medical bay in the cave. Noticing a piece a gray scale on the floor by Willy's feet, he picks up and now is going to learn who the kidnapper is.
Meanwhile in the cave, the kidnapper rises out of the water while carrying Pop-pop who's wearing an oxygen mask in order to breath under water.
"We're home." Kidnapper said taking Pop-pop's mask off, and toss him over his other kidnapped victims.
Pop-pop is shock to see "Guys?" Pop-pop shock to see his old friends tied up as well.
"Hey, Albert." Morty said.
"The cards are fully decked." Kidnapper chuckles.
"What do you want with us?" Pop-pop asks.
"Why, a good old fashion of revenge," Kidnapper grins widely revealing that his has razor sharp teeth. "And I'm going to enjoy it."
At the Ace Cave, Card Counter is almost finishing up patching Wilbur while Royal Flush and Cthylla watches as they hope he'll be okay. Ace is looking at a scale he found and look into it using his microscope.
"Are you sure he'll be fine?" Cthylla asks Card Counter.
"Yes. Luckily for him that slam wan't fatal." Card Counter said while her putting equipment back in her med kit.
Royal Flush turn to check on her brother about the scale. "Anything, big bro?"
"Actually, I do." Ace said. "The cellular structure is human, but the texture of it is almost like...a fish."
"A mutant?" Royal Flush guessed.
"Maybe," Ace holds out his tracer. "With tracking device Wilbur planted on him, we find the kidnap victims and the kidnapper."
"Alright. Let's get going. Who knows what that creep is doing to them?
Ace and Royal Flush runs off to the boat.
"Good luck and be careful." Cthylla waived.
Out on sea, but not to far away from Royal Woods, Ace and Royal Flush are inside the Ace boat as it sets on auto pilot. The destination is pointing underwater and that's were they going as the boat dive under water and then stop when they find a big hole cavern beneath Royal Woods. The two puts on their oxygen mask and gather other oxygen masks to put them in his bag as he carries it, exited out of the boat, and swim into the hole. They rises out of the water and spotted the Pop-pop, and the missing victims.
Selina spotted their rescuers. "Albert, it's your grandkids."
"Ha-ha. Kiddo and Lana. Good to see you." Pop-pop smiled.
"Shhh."
Ace and Royal Flush walked over and united all of them.
"Let's get you all out of here before-
Bubbles rumbling from the water.
"Too late." Royal Flush said.
The kidnapper rises out of the water revealing his true self. It looked like an over-sized over-developed man, about 8-9 feet in height. but at the same time, he looked sharkish in appearance. He's some sort of freakish hybrid, having the anatomy and muscle structure of a man but placoid scales, two shark fins on his arms and one of his back, his head literally a shark with sharp teeth. He only wore a pair of black trousers that ragged up his thighs.
"I should have known you be here," He growls "But it doesn't matter."
Royal Flush is surprised. "The kidnapper is a SHARK?!"
"Card Shark." Card Shark corrected the little brat.
"Wait. Thee Card Shark?" Ace turns to Pop-pop. "But files said he's been deceased for years."
"We thought as will, kiddo. After he reveal himself to us."
Ace turn back to Card Shark. "How the hell are you alive?"
"And how do you become like this?" Royal Flush asks.
"Well, since you're all going to die, why not. This happens around the late 1950's..."
*Flashback*
The Card Shark back then was a regular guy in a shark costume with "S" logo on his costume. But he wasn't alone, he brought in his own henchmen who also dresses as shark referring them as "The Shark Gang". They're carrying a barrel of toxic waste over by the beach pier which is closed off do too that it was infest with sharks.
"We were paid by Poker Face Sr. to dump the barrels into the water, until a certain group show up."
The Full House arrived at the scene. Ace Savvy and One-Eyed Jack looks the same as Lincoln and Clyde's costume, Knight wearing a blue armored suit holding a Spades shape shield and a sword, Speed Run wears a distinct blue costume with a white stretched from his left shoulder to his right hip where it met a white belt in the same style. He also wore white gloves and shoes. Black briefs. A blue mask with a small ace printed on his forehead that comes with the goggles. The Fat Lady who is an obese woman with incredible strength wearing a purple leotard with a number "8" on it and black shoes, Joy Girl with a short blonde hair, and black choker on her back. She's wearing a pink one piece that's cut from the shoulder down her stomach, and reveal her navel. She also wears a black mask that covers hers, gloves and boots. Finally, The Fly wears an expressively gaudy costume themed like a fly, his helmet is a fly shape head that covers half of his face, and fictional wings on his back.
Card Shark's henchmen open fired on them but since The Fat Lady in front of her team, she absorb the bullets to bounce them off hitting some of the goons and one of the barrel that leaks into the water.
Speed Run dashes in full speed grabbing all the goons guns and disable them.
The rest of The Full House begins to fight the goons. Ace throws some punch one Card Shark, and with an uppercut causing Card Shark to tumble backwards but stay on his feet. Card Shark took out his gun and open fired on Ace, but Ace quickly disarmed and kicks him in the chest. Which resulting him to to be fly of the pier and landed in the polluted water.
Card Shark screamed while calling for help.
Ace is going to do something but got jump one of his goons.
Card Shark continues calling Ace or any of The Full House members to save him. No one couldn't save him because their to busy fighting his henchmen as he slowly sinks into the water melting. And what's worst, the sharks were near by and follows him but they never came back.
Later, Card Shark rises up to shore. But he looks...different. He rome around the empty part of the Royal Woods.
"Whatever in these chemicals hand change. With the completion of those nasty sharks that swam by. I have no memory of who I am or why am I until..."
A bunch of street gang are playing poker here in the alley, but gasped to see the freak version of Card Shark. "AHHH!" The street gang make a heist.
Card Shark look down on the cards. The cards look very familiar-like he faced a group who are playing cards before. This cause him to remember of who he was and did he become like this. A homeless man in a trent coat and hat arrived at the wrong place and the right time which caught the attention of Card Shark. He growls. Seconds later, Card Shark leaves the alley in his new outfit.
"I remember everything...well half of it. But I know that it was The Full House who made me like this, and I want my revenge. So I come up with the plan, I stalk you everytime you're in active of heroism until I'll learn your secret identities," He snickered. "I also decided to wait until you all become old and weak so then I can then strike."
*Flashback over*
"And know here we are." Card Shark finishes his backstory.
"So, Why haven't you come after us much sooner when we become old?" Morty asks him
"Some scientist (Dr. Kuttler) caught me by surprised when I wasn't looking. He prison me for years so he could experiment on me until I manage to escape. Don't know who is or why, but I don't care. I just want resume my revenge."
"Well, you're not going to lay a finger on them." Ace said. "I'm taking you down."
Card Shark laughs. "You? Don't make me laugh."
Ace turn to Royal Flush. "Royal Flush, get them out of here. I'll take care of him."
"Bro, no. I can't leave you here to face that monster."
"I'll be fine, sis. Now go."
Royal Flush nod. She give them oxygen masks and tells them to follow her into the water as they all dive in.
"Hey!"
Ace throws an explosive card on to his back which effected him a little bit getting his attention.
"You're fight is with me, fish face!"
Card Shark let out a thunderous bellow that almost seemed to make the ceiling shudder and he charged towards Ace. Ace was out of the way before Shark even came close, leaving him to thunder straight past him into the wall. The impact hurt Card Shark a bit but the wall had been cracked by the slam. Now Ace had something else to worry about. This cavern was unstable and could collapse if Card Shark got too careless.. He whipped out another card and threw it straight at Card Shark's back again. Card Shark turned around in retaliation, his teeth clenched together, and Ace threw another card at him. The card stab him between his eyes, making the beast cry out in pain. Now that's he stunned, Ace ran towards him so he could jump in the air and kick him in the chest, sending him staggering back and then he kicked out one of his knees, bring him down onto the other. As Shark knelt down, Ace began whaling down on him as much he could, unleashing a rapid round of fisticuffs in hopes of bring down his scaly opponent.
But Card Shark wasn't effected much by the punches. They barely seemed to faze him even. "Is that the best you could do, kid?" Card Shark got back on his feet and swiped a huge hand at Lincoln. He hit him so hard that he whisked him off his feet and sent him flying onto a different wall which got him hurt. Then the predator lumbered towards his prey, hands open and jaws open wide. He grabbed Ace by the shoulders and banged him against the wall, causing more cracks. Shark pinned Ace against the wall, hissing with glee as he prepared to close his mouth around Ace's head and bite his head off. Ace grabbed his jaws before they could reach him and he used all his strength in keeping them open.
Shark fought hard to close his jaws, pushing hard against Ace's hands. Ace grunted from the effort, pushing back against Card Sharks's jaws. Then Ace got an idea, he took one of his hands away from Card Shark's face and jabbed a finger into he ye. The resulting jab was so hard that Shark flinched and let go of him, clutching his eye in agony.
"Now I got you." Ace threw a card at Card Shark which explodes a puff of smoke, he ran for it just as the smoke hit the shark-man. Card Shark was then shrouded in clouds of smoke blinding him and giving Ace the perfect chance to escape. He ran for it, leaving Card Shark to flail around blindly as the smoke clouded his vision. He ended up crashing against the wall several times, thinking that he was kitting Ace. His powerful tore some support that keeps the cave steady, scattering them all weakening the walls. The cracks expanded, reaching the ceiling and causing it to start crumbling down. The smoke began to clear and Card Shark noticed that Ace jump into the water.
"YOU WON'T ESCAPE FROM ME!" He bellowed, swim after room. "As soon as I kill you, then I'll go back and finish off Albert and the others!"
But then Card Shark realized that he was making a big mistake. He had caused a lot of damage to the walls and the ceiling and now it's weakening the tunnel even more causing it a cave in. A terrible noise boomed through the cavern as the ceiling and walls began to fall apart. Ace spotted rubble falling down and dodges them while swimming forward. Card Shark chased after him, not caring that his lair was falling apart around him. Bricks crumbled down and rubble showered down. Card Shark was hit by most of the rubble but he refused to let it slow him down as he getting close to Ace. Unfortunately, a big boulder save Ace hitting Card Shark as it weighing him. He let out one final desperate roar as he was weighed down by the rubble and disappeared into the depth.
Ace had exited the tunnel, and then turn around to look at what had happen. All he saw was a pile of rubble blocked the cave entrance. He swam back to the boat and got back inside.
"Lincoln!" Royal Flush hugs her brother. She is super glad that's his brother okay.
"Kiddo, you're okay! Thank goodness." Pop-pop smiled.
"What happen to Card Shark?" Arthur asks Ace.
"He, uh, didn't make it." Ace murmured, "No way he could have survive the cave in."
Selina sighed. "Well, at least it's over."
In an alternative dimension, in a flaming destruction of Royal Woods, we see Ace Savvy and The Full House who are fully grown adults were badly beaten by these robots calling themselves "Harvesters". Ace is the only one is moving and he mange to get on his knees. "W-why?!" He weakly asks.
The Harvesters step a side for their leader to arrived out of the portal. She was in a silhouette at first as she walk close to Ace until she reveal herself to be...Lisa?
"Power." Lisa grins. "Absolute power."
A/N: Welp, Card Shark is dead. But the biggest shock is the ending of the chapter. Why the ending cut to a different world? Why is Lisa evil and have her own robots? Well, you'll have to find out at the end of January. Until then, thank you all for reading my latest chapter. Remember to fav, follow, and review on what you think of this chapter. See ya.