With rapid strokes, Tangerine's pen softly etched out scentence after scentence as her meticulous cursive covered the page. Glancing momentarily at the grandfather clock, she noted that she'd been at work for a little over three hours. Time, however, didn't matter to her. Not anymore at least. It was too important that she complete the manuscript and complete it fast. Dipping her quill pen into the ink a final time, she signed her name with an elaborate flick of her wrist. She collected the papers, instinctively tapping them into order, and slipped them into a black envelope. Beside her, a crimson candle had flickered throughout the night and bringing it over the envelope, she allowed a molten tear to fall. Slipping a ring off her hand, she pressed the insignia into the was, sealing the package. For a moment she paused, staring down at the cooling AN that was laced in a circle of feathers. But only for a moment because in the instant that followed, she heard a small tap outside her door. Grabbing the envelope she puprosefully toppled the candle and leapt for the window. The candle's flame caught fire with some stray books and then snaked towards the bookshelves that circled the room. As she reached the window, pearching on the sill, the door splintered down the middle and a metal gloved hand fumbled with the lock. Screeching open, the door revealed a solitary figure, his cloak billowing in the light of the fire. Tangerine regarded him with flames dancing in her eyes and then slipped out the turret window. Her feathered wings glowed eerily in the darkness as far below her, people scurried in the courtyard of Hellfire Castle. An energy blast erupted from the turret window but she twirled skyward laughing and it fizzled into the night. "Tonight it ends. Its all over," she shouted at the figure. "You're mistaken. Tonight it finnaly begins," he whispered. ------ "Didn't you hear me!?! I said _three hundred_, you fool! Not two hundred! How are we going to have a party with only two hundred bottles!?! Fix it immediately!" roared Nemesis the Black Queen. Hurridly the servant dashed from the room, leaving her alone in the dimly lit ballroom. I'm surrounded by incompetants, she thought as her black heels strode onto the dance floor. "Well? Are you going to join me or just lurk in the shadows all evening?" questioned the Black Queen as she unfastened her black cloak and set in on a chair. "E-e-excuse me your highness. I meant no disrespect. I bring a message from the Red King," stammered the Hellion, Slider. "Of course you do my dear, of course you do," replied Nemesis as she deftly grabbed his hand and spun him onto the dance floor. Reflexes kicked in as his feet danced a waltz which hers had begun. "So what does Ryan have to say of late?" "He knows your plot, highness, and warns you to stop now before it is too late." "Oh does he now?" "Yes." "Then tell him this: The Black Queen does as she pleases and beware her wrath!" With those words, Slider was momentarily blinded and rubbed his eyes. Though he could not see her, her shoes echoed throughout the chamber as her cloak rose from the chair and swirled into invisibility, leaving Slider alone on the ebony wood. ------ The Black Beast practically purred as he gazed down into the valley. Below in the waist high grass, Bastion and Nate argued over who was leading the mission. "I only agreed to work with you because I'm sick of Black Beast taking me out in training sessions!" said Bastion. "And he'll take us both out if you don't be quiet and listen!" replied Nate. The two were members of the Marauders and the Upstarts respectively and here, in the outskirts of the BHC grounds, they were engrossed in a training session. After teaming up, the they'd already managed to take out Johnny Blaze and then Exile but in several pervious sessions, they'd both been defeated by the Black Beast and frankly the two were sick of it. "Just follow my lead and we'll be fine. He can't hope to match my insect control and your super strength. Once we find him he'll regrett it big time,"continued Nate. "Yeah!" said Bastion, his courage returning. However, before the two could put whatever plan they were concocting into action, a huge paw slammed into Bastion's gut, sending him wheezing into the grass. Nate reached out with his mind intending to call up a swarm of wasps he had meet earlier that day but the same paw careened into his chin, toppling him towards Bastion. As Bastion struggled to stand, Nate came hurtling into him, and the two crashed back onto the ground. Letting out a low growl, the Black Beast pounced on his prey, waiting for them to give up. With a grudging sigh, both of them muttered "uncle" which was replied to with an astounding howl from their shaggy captor. "Good work Beastie," congratulated Kasumi as she waded through the grass. "Those are just the kind of moves we like to see. As for you two, I can't say I'm too pleased. Meet Psishot back a base for some more training tomorrow... at six sharp," added Kasumi, Leader of the Upstarts. The two young men grumbled some more, but didn't argue as they started the walk back to the dorms. By their side, the Black Beast pranced happily, which only added to their general annoyment. Kasumi too up the rear as she picked off a menacing red ant and gave Nate a scowl. By now the sun had begun to set and the shadows had lengthened around them. All of a sudden the Black Beast gave an inquiring yelp and dashed off into the darkness. "Whats gotten into him now?" muttered Bastion, as he looked towards where Black Beast had gone. "Wait a minute, I think I see something. Just give me a moment to adjust to the darkness. Yes, I definetly see something... or maybe someone, but they keep disapearing and reappearing. Should we investigate?" "Probably not, but Black Beast is already there and we've got to keep him safe. Behind me you two and be careful," said Kasumi as the three advanced into the forest's gloom.
Chapter Two