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| Morbius 2099UG Issue #10 "Path of the Loa, Part 2" Written by Jason C. Smith |
| The 2099 Underground is a project whereby a group of fans are putting together a series of stories continuing from Marvel's fantastic futuristic 2099! Ignoring the ignoble and inaccurate "2099: World of Tomorrow", we're exploring what we feel is the true spirit of 2099 as envisioned by then Editor-in-Chief Joey Cavalieri. Participation is open to all. Comments about this issue should be sent to the author. Or you can visit our message board and post your thoughts on the issue. Anyone wishing to join the mailing list should do so by signing up at Yahoo! Groups. It's free and easy! Simply type in the keyword "Ghostworks" and you're good to go. |
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| ""I'm your superhero We are standing on the edge." ----Thom Yorke, "Lucky" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Le'Osha was watching over the human flock of newly anointed voduns with a tired amazement. How long had this been going on now? And how long was it to continue? She hasn't practiced any voodoo for quite awhile, for she had been so busy attending her the ceremonies, which used to take second priority in her life. The power of the Loa, both the Rada and Petro, had been powerful. She could feel many a disturbance in the balance of her mystic heritage. . .and she had a deep feeling of dread. She didn't know what was going to happen, but it wasn't a matter for her to take action on. . .she could merely wait. As a group of Downtown voduns marched before the altar, one particular girl worked her way to the front. . .slowly at first, before finally forcing herself to the front. Le'Osha had been eyeing her with an uncanny patience for some time, for the tension she felt surpassed all reason. The crowd was used to the pushing and panic of the masses due to the sudden growth in attendance and they pain no mind to the young girl, frantically making her way to the Vodun Priestess. Finally, she was spit out of the pool of religious fanatics. She was panting. "Help me," she whimpered. Le'Osha looked at her with a strange pause, as the air grew hot and thick about her. The young girl opened her mouth as if to speak again, and the strain on her face helped convey the chore that this had become. She worked her mouth slowly, as if the thought of producing sound had become foreign to her. . .and indeed it had. Finally, a slow, deep voice sprang forth from her raw throat. Everyone around the young devotee began to flee, leaving her twisting and withering in agony, the main stage for all to look upon in awe. Le'Osha was neither pleased nor totally caught off guard. Most of those present were fairly new to the vodun faith, and possession would scare them at first. But the signs were extremely well defined, and one such as Le'Osha could easily spot such an event. She took a few steps forward, as the young girl's face bent into a new expression. . .one which was not her own. "Well, now, honey child," Le'Osha proclaimed, "who exactly am I speaking to?" A low growl came from the girl's mouth. "Samedi." Le'Osha's priest and priestess both let out a heavy sigh at the sound of the name. The Baron Samedi. . .the Petro Loa of the Dead had came to them. Le'Osha had more right than either of them to take to shaking in her boots, for she had experience with the good Baron in the past. It made her remember her father. . .and they were painful memories. "What do you want here," Le'Osha asked casually. "You know what I came for," the Baron said. He began to claw at the girl's face, which looked strange to the others watching. However, Le'Osha knew what he was doing. He was holding this poor girl, his cheval, ransom. He had finally come for her. Her nightmares had finally came into being. . .and what she felt wasn't what would be expected. She knew that the Baron Samedi wouldn't leave her. He couldn't leave the most powerful vodun on the planet alone, now could he? He had worked to take one. . .her father. . .and he had to finish the job. But the dread she had been feeling up until this day did not transform into the terror that it should have. She sighed. . .and the feeling was much more like that of relief. Her years of waiting was finally over. "I can't give into you, Samedi. You know that. Who would be left to teach all of these young followers? You?" And with this she spat in laughter. The first sign that this entity was lying now manifested. Samedi's anger was easily warranted, and this comment and mockery had no effect. Her eyes narrowed, and her breathing slowed. What kind of trick was this? The young girl began to pull her own hair. Despite the fact that she wasn't in total control, this entity wasn't strong enough to take her completely, for tears filled her eyes, and this was a sure sign that she was still somewhat in control. And this was more dangerous than total possession. This had the potential to fry her mentally. . .to toss her grey matter in a blender was the best metaphor that Le'Osha could grasp. She wasn't prepared to let that happen. There was something about this young girl. . .perhaps she felt responsible for her, since she was one of the new flock? Was there something else? "What do you want from me," Le'Osha sighed. She knew. She knew that he wanted her devotion. Finally, after watching the blood come to the surface of the poor girl's face, she could take no more. "Alright," she cried. "You want me. . .you got me! You just better hope that you can handle this poor gal. . .because no one can help you if you can't!" And what happened next has shocked her. . . The girl looked at her with a strange fascination. Her eyes no longer filled with tears, she was unaware of the blood on her sweet cheeks, she looked at Le'Osha and mumbled, "What did you say? What are you talking about?" The devil has left. She had made an empty promise to the Baron Samedi. . .and now she would have to fulfill it. A strange feeling crept up in the back of her mind, and she wanted to scream. In fact. . .she did. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Uptown, Nueva York The city has faced the burnt of an ancient thirst from beyond the grave in merely a few hours. Already panic has spread and the absence of the Public Eye can be felt for the first time in weeks. Even those who had let their insurance fade away into back taxes missed the reassuring smugness of the Fly Boys. Even Spider-Man had dropped from the sight of the public, as one of their most notable defenders, as if the absence of Alchemax had caused him to disappear into the confines of hero worship obscurity. But, tonight an entirely different, but yet eerily similar, force sets out to prey upon an all too panic stricken public. He's faced this hunt, this challenge many times before. And although it's growing increasingly harder to stay powered up, he enjoys the looks on his face's victims. It was an addiction. . .and an ironic one at that. He used to be the master of addiction, dealing drugs to the unwashed masses of Downtown. He was infamous as Jacen Boone, the Dealer. He grimaced at the name. Deep down the thoughts of addicting others, and becoming addicted himself troubled his soul. And his was a mighty desire indeed. One could scarcely pay for the blood of a pseudo-vampire. "Dealer no more," he said aloud. He looked down upon the lights of Uptown. His wings shielded him from the cold night currents. He no longer had to share the night sky with the rental cops of Alchemax. . .he had free reign. But, it wouldn't be long before he would have to venture to the depths of Downtown once more, for the taste of his "brother" Morbius' blood weighed heavily on his mind. He also had a score to settle. The Mighty Thor had been with Morbius, and for a brief second, he had tasted the blood of a god! The power of an Asgardian had quenched his thirst, and he wouldn't mind drinking from it again. He wasn't drawn to it like the sweetness of his fellow pseudo-vampire, but it was very interesting nonetheless. His large wings flew open, and he crouched as if ready for flight. His mind kept skipping back to what Thor and his Fenris had called him. . .the Angel of Death. Well, an addict could hardly make a proficient dealer, he told himself, and the Angel of Death was just as good a title as any. At least it beat some stupid twencen name, he mused. He flew through the night hair with a sinister smile. The Angel of Death was ready to deliver. And God help those in his sight. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Downtown, The Loa Temple Le'Osha sat outside of the Loa, her vodun temple, with an exhausted look on her face. The steps leading up to the temple were finally empty, although the various new members of the vodun faith still hung about the place. She had been battling the urge to simply walk out, for she was growing more and more frustrated with the continuing interest in the lost religion. Were the masses interest in the faith a blessing or a curse? She wasn't sure yet. One thing was for sure, despite the obvious attention that the outburst in voodoo would create, the Loa had their protector. Morbius wasn't one of them. . .not yet. . .but, he was still ever faithful to Le'Osha and would continue to provide protection for his Downtown brethren. Le'Osha leaned forward, placing her hands to her face, letting out a deep breath. She hadn't seen Morbius for hours, at least. She wasn't even sure of the time anymore. Her exhaustion continued to weigh heavily on her shoulders, as she once again turned to the urges dwelling up within her. Baron Samedi wishes her to succumb to his will. . .and she's running out of ways to counter the vodun entity. Sheer willpower was becoming more and more obsolete in her quest to regain control over her vodun ancestry. Her family had deep roots in the ways of voodoo, but she could not unleash Samedi. . .the stakes were to high. She would not allow herself to fall prey to the same trap her father did. . .she would not let Samedi destroy her life again, she told herself. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even hear, or notice, a figure hover above her. The figure touched down on the old steps with silent feet, and stood above her, watching for a moment. Finally, the silence was broken, and Le'Osha's train of thought was disturbed. "Ahem." The vodun priestess jumped up, tripping over the steps, and falling backward as she looked up and shouted, "What the Hel!?" "I'm looking for a woman, possessed by the Baron Samedi." It was then that she realized the gravity of the situation at hand. Apparently the outpour of new vodun followers had been noticed. The question was who had sent this person to the Loa? Was it some paranoid corp, or someone else? They were looking for her, and somehow this woman knew of Samedi and her past. Le'Osha looked up at the figure, observing her. She was a young female, with long black hair. Her red, pouty lips were wearing a grim expression, which was hardly enough to darken her brilliant face. Her stance conveyed an atmosphere of superiority. She held her hand up, which was glowing with an eerie green fire. Yes, Le'Osha thought, I'm in deep trouble, and Morbius is nowhere to be seen. She could only think of one thing to say. . . "Sorry, we're closed," she cried. The stress and sincerity of the situation finally broke through, and she began laughing loudly at the situation. Her tears of fractured amusement quickly turned into the tears of complete hopelessness. She was loosing it. Strange looked down at her, and frowned. Hardly what I expected, she thought. She leaned down beside Le'Osha, and began to comfort her. She cast a glace at the hysterical priestess and a sense of alarm came over her. The robes that Le'Osha was wearing marked her as someone important in the vodun hierarchy, and Strange needed all the help she could get, and a hysterical priestess was hardly going to prove prosperous. Her hand began to radiate a soft blue light, as she closed her eyes. She reopened them, and slowly moved her hand over Le'Osha's face. As she did so, she whispered aloud, "Rest." Le'Osha's eyes closed as her hand passed over them, and likewise, the cries ceased as her hand floated over the priestess' mouth. She had fallen into a deep sleep. She slowly picked her up, and carried her into the temple. Two people in robes were at the altar, and they quickly turned to see the young Sorceress Supreme holding the slumbering body of their priestess. Aiesha and Elgan both ran down the aisle, their robes flapping behind them. Aiesha reacher her first, and looked up at Strange with a glowing curiosity in her eyes. Elgan looked at her suspiciously. Strange sighed, and realized that she hardly wanted to take the time to explain the situation to the two voduns and said, "I found her out on the steps. My guess is that she passed out ‘cos exhaustion. Look at those shocking bags under her eyes! She musta been working for days!" Elgan looked at her, and said, "Well, we have been rather busy." Aiesha ran forward, clearing a place off to lay Le'Osha down. Strange followed and laid her down easily. The two voduns stood together, looking down upon their fallen leader. Strange's hand began to glow a fiery red, as she turned her back to the assistants. She ran her hand over Le'Osha's face once again, this time awakening her. She woke up as if she had been asleep for days, fully rested, and in complete control of her mental faculties. She recognized Strange from their encounter outside, and laid her head back with a heavy sigh. "I don't know who you are, but you've got me. No use trying to lie, Damballah watch over me," she whispered. "I'm not looking for you," Strange said in bewilderment. "But, perhaps you can help me." Le'Osha said up with a confused expression. She had mentioned the Baron Samedi before, but yet she didn't know about her struggle? She looked at her with narrow eyes. "Who are you," she asked. "And what do you know of Baron Samedi?" Strange sat down beside her and said, "Well, my name is Strange. I'm guessing that you're the vodun priestess, Le'Osha, right? You might say that I'm mystically inclined to find this person. A woman has been on a murder spree during my stay here in Downtown, and all signs point to possession by the Baron Samedi. A very evil character, as I'm sure know." Le'Osha looked at her and said, "More than you know. It seems as if I've heard the name Strange before. Does it have anything to do with the fabled Doct--" "No relation," Strange interrupted. The two laughed, although as if fated, that laugh did not last. A loud voice could be heard bellowing outside the church. The two of them began to run toward the front of the temple, in order to see what the commotion was about. As they opened the large double doors, they found the person that Strange had been looking for. He was standing at the bottom of the steps, holding a bottle of twencen alcohol in one hand, and a cigarette in the other. His hair was in a mess, and all over his head. He was wearing a ragged, pink dress and bright red lipstick covered his lips, and much of the rest of his face as well. He was screaming and cursing, throwing rocks against the temple, calling for Le'Osha. "There's your girl," Le'Osha said turning to Strange. "It would appear so. Uh, you, like, wanna help me out with this?" And before the two could plan any further, the girl's mood changed, with Baron Samedi taking complete control over her, forcing her up the stairs, charging the women. Strange leaped out of the way, but never hit the ground as she sailed up above the scene. The Baron grabbed Le'Osha by the throat, forcing her into the wall. Le'Osha cried out, remembering the increased strength that the possession of Samedi could provide. The Baron often pushed those he possessed over the edge both mentally and physically. She began chocking, as Samedi applied pressure to her windpipe. Strange leapt on the Baron's back, throwing her arm around his throat, chocking him in turn. He let go of Le'Osha, and grabbed Strange's arm, throwing her over his shoulder and through one of the double doors. Apparently, Strange wasn't as well versed in the Samedi possession as she let on, Le'Osha thought. Strange, the Sorceress Supreme, stood with her energy flowing from her hands in a spectacular display of magical power. She was about to unleash the eldritch flames onto the Baron, when Le'Osha grabbed her arms, trying to force them away. "That there may be the Baron, but it's still someone else's body," she cried! Strange looked at her with innocent eyes, as she hadn't thought of that. Once again, she was jumping into action without thinking about the consequences. She turned to Le'Osha, but was caught off guard as she caught a punch from the right. . .Samedi was upon them again! Strange touched her face, and looked at the Baron. She was surprised. "That hurt," she cried out. She ran toward the Baron, grabbing him by the dress, and using all her strength to throw him away from Le'Osha. Can't have the last vodun priestess murdered, Strange thought. As she did so, Samedi grabbed her, and they began to struggle. They fell backward and began to roll down the stairs leading up the temple. Le'Osha watched on in horror at the site. Finally, once reaching the bottom, they sprawled out onto the concrete. Strange tried to get up, but found how weak she was. She had never faced a physical confrontation quite like this. The Baron got up first, and kicked Strange in the ribs, cursing the entire time. Strange could feel the rumbling coming up from within her. She had to fight it, for she would be a danger to all if she were to. . . . . The Baron advanced toward her, but stopped for a second at the sound of a growl springing forth from Strange. Strange's features began to contort and warp out of control, as if a totally different entity was springing forth from her insides. A thick line of drool fell from her chin as her former expression of pain and frustration quickly morphed into a look of sinister hate. Her eyes shined with an intense look of disgust at the possessed man. And without warning Strange attacked. Le'Osha watched on in horror, as she had no idea what was transpiring before her eyes. Her former savior had turned into a devil right before her very eyes, and she grew even more bewildered. She still didn't know why the possessed man was attacking her temple, and now she had another seemingly possessed person to deal with. She watched in anguish as Strange grabbed the Baron by the throat, forcing him backward into the ground, the possessed man's head cracking on the aged pavement. She flung herself upon him, strangling him with her sharp claws, and attempting to gnaw on him like a rabid animal. He quickly knocked her off with a backhand, sending her crashing a few feet away. He turned to Le'Osha. . .coming for her. The Baron Samedi was finally coming for her, she thought. She stood her ground firmly, not willing to cower before the entity that had once stripped her family's pride in the vodun faith. . .the one who had taken her father, and pushed him to the extreme. She would not give in. She looked her dress clad foe directly in the face and said, "What do you want?" "I've come for you, Le'Osha. Either you give in to me, or I'm going to grind your precious temple into dust," Baron Samedi snarled. With a heavy sigh Le'Osha faced the truth. . .her chances were null. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nueva York, Uptown The dark figure boasted a large grin, full of fangs, and stained with blood. He had finally returned to the large population of man, to feast, and prey upon the common man's greatest fear. The fear of the bat. One of the only legends to last through the winding years, and many centuries. It was if it was meant to be. . .others had arisen, and many pseudo killers now existed. But the one and only original had finally returned. Count Dracula was in Neuva York, and he was hungry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Loa Temple, Downtown The Baron Samedi wasn't just attacking Le'Osha. . .he was punishing her. Her bloodied face was a testament to his growing frustration. He had never faced anyone with so much willpower and he wasn't about to start giving up with this one, he thought. He smacked her again, placing a large bruise on her cheek. . .one of many deep scars. Strange, still possessed, sat back as if wondering which one to attack. The followers of the Loa were finally gone from the sight, perhaps now questioning their new found faith. Le'Osha was doing everything she could to hold on to that faith. And finally, that leads us to our new arrivals on the scene. . .finally, the Son of Downtown, the infamous pseudo-vampire, Morbius glides down to the scene with a startled look on his face. He's holding the unconscious body of one Abraham Lincoln, bounty hunter, in his arms. His hunger is showing in it's full glory as patches of blue hair can be seen all over his body. Also, his fangs and claws mark his need for energy. . .for blood. But the deciding factor would have to be the great wings that keep him and his sleeping foe adrift. But, despite all this, the woman floating next to Morbius makes his condition look like an everyday sight in the eyes of any observers. Her dark, exotic skin somehow manages to illuminate the scene, simply adding to her unholy splendor. Her black hair is as intoxicating as a midnight rain, her very essence causes great disruption to those around her. Anyone would were to gaze upon Marie Laveau at that moment would instantly understand why Morbius was taking his time entering the battle scene. But, finally, one simply bit of dialogue catches his ear, and brings the hunger and rage swelling back up into his chest. And it went something like this. . . Strange looked upon the possessed man and snarled, "I hate you vodun parasites. You think you can control others through your foolish rituals and rites. . .well, NOT ANYMORE!" And with that Strange leapt at the pair of them, claws lashing into any flesh within her reach. This action caught Morbius off guard, as he thought that the monster was speaking to Le'Osha, but when he saw the creature spring into action, he knew that it wasn't a matter of who was against who. . .this creature was attacking the temple! Morbius laid Lincoln down on the cold cement ground, and took to the air with his wings flapping their silent song of flight. He burst into the mix, shoving Strange out of the way, and grabbing Le'Osha in order to get her out of fighting situation. He dropped her off on the temple's roof, before flying head first into battle with the two possessed entities. This wasn't the first time he had defended his Downtown followers, and it wasn't going to be the last. He landed before Strange, and extended his arm in a sweeping arc, slashing away at her chest. Strange caught the blow, and sneered at him, grabbing his arm, pulling him in close, attempting to bite him. The Baron grabbed them both, forcing Strange backward hard. She crashed to the ground and took a moment before trying to get up. "Well, well, if it isn't Le'Osha's little freak savior," he said. Morbius paid no attention to him as his hunger pushed him to the edge. He was lashing out at his foe, bringing the blood of the possessed man to the surface. Morbius' hunger only made him more savage as he watched thirst fully as the blood seeped into the man's dress. He continued to rip away at the possessed man's flesh as Baron Samedi merely laughed. He couldn't feel the man's pain, but he was enjoyed the thoughts of ripping Morbius apart and taking Le'Osha, who was the most powerful vodun bloodline currently in existence. He grabbed Morbius by the hair, forcing his knee into his face. The blow brought Morbius' own blood to the fight. He smashed his head into the old asphalt, cracking it further. Marie Laveau simply watched on in interest as she saw Morbius' blood spring forth from his nose. She made no attempt to stop the action, but she merely watched in anticipation. What was going to happen next? Could she really just sit back and watch the vodun Loa take apart her only link to Downtown and the remaining voduns? As she continued to watch, Strange was on her feet again, diving at the two. Morbius managed to dodge the assault of the possessed Sorceress Supreme. He smashed his wings into the Baron, knocking his balance off. As Samedi tried to catch himself, Morbius lashed out with amazing hunger and speed. . .slicking his chest open. As the blood poured into the open air, the hunger took hold of Morbius, and wouldn't let go. He continued to beat the Baron down. The Baron was actually beginning to struggle to get up. If the possessed man was killed, then he would be cut off from the Earth realm again. As he continued to drive his fists into the Baron's swelled face, Strange came up behind him. He threw a backhand into the face of Strange, knocking her back. The Eye began to glow with a fiery light, and Strange's features returned to normal, with a twisted look of frustration. Marie Laveau watched on as Morbius brought the nearly deceased body of the man close to his face. He tried to say something, but his words were merely mumbled from his fang filled mouth. He leaned forward, slowly sinking his teeth into the flesh of the possessed man's neck. As he began to draw the blood, the energy, from the man, the Baron screamed out in pain. His life line to the real world was being severed. Strange and Le'Osha looked on in sick amazement. Le'Osha was worried about the state of mind that Morbius was in, and Strange looked on, for she had knowledge of such things. As Morbius continued to suck more and more of the energy of the possessed man, the Baron Samedi screamed out, "Le'Oshhaaaaaaaaaaaaa----" And there was a dreaded silence. Strange looked on with a wide mouth, and Le'Osha began to silently cry to herself. She knew the things that the Son, Morbius, had been through much in his short life. Perhaps more than any one person deserved in an entire lifetime. He skipped the stage of life where he was able to wallow in teenage angst, and went straight ahead into a new category. Murder. As Morbius looked up, blood poured from his mouth, and his teeth were stained with a crimson coat of fluid. He was more content with his hunger than he had ever been. But as he looked onto Le'Osha, and then to Marie Laveau, tears began to swell in his eyes. The wings, fur, claws, and other vampiric characteristics faded into obscurity. But, the tear filled, swollen eyes, and his blood stained teeth, face, and hands remained the same. He began to claw at his chest, spreading the blood over his shredded leather shirt. He wished he had claws once more. . .so that he could dig into his own chest. And as he continued to dig with blunt fingernails, his mind went black with numbness and understanding. And it was that moment that the pseudo-vampire let go of his illusion. He was not a hero. He was not an adult. He was not a vampire. His realization hit fast and hard as he fell to his knees, sobbing aloud. He was a child. And worse yet, he had become what he had fought so hard against. He was a murder. Next issue: What Else Could Possibly Go Wrong!? Well, it gets better, as we have more Strange 2099 (thanks Omar!), and find out who that mysterious figure stalking Nueva York is!!! Like I have to ask you to be here!!! |