Ambrose Russo – Page 2 – The RM Universe

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1987
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
2775 Lebanon Rd
Manheim, PA

Steve Roberts drives his car off the exit on PA-72 onto Lebanon Rd to follow the signs for the Renaissance Faire. His mother has flown in for the weekend and they have spent the ride talking over how Master Warrior has remained rather low key since his battle with Beachum and Samso. “So why didn’t Dad come with you?” Steve asks his mother.

“Your father is off on a ‘top secret mission,’ he can’t even tell me where he is,” Dona replies looking over at her son as he drives.

“I thought Dad was retiring when you guys moved to Florida?” Steve asks.

“You know your father, some old friend calls for help and he’s on a plane,” Dona says with a smile.

“I never understood how you didn’t worry about him more on these ‘secret missions’ when Christine and I were kids,” Steve comments.

“I worried, I just always knew if he got killed I would always find him again,” Dona answers.

“Somehow I don’t think it would have been that cut and dry,” Steve says glancing over at his mother sitting in the passenger seat. “Would you please stop staring at me,” he adds looking back to the road.

“I’m sorry sweetheart, I just am so impressed how well you healed in less than a month,” Dona Roberts replies, reaching over to touch his arm.

“Stop making such a fuss, this is why I didn’t want you to see me right after,” Steve says turning his car into the parking lot. “I’m just glad that period of my life is over,” Steve tells his mother as they pull into the parking lot at the Renaissance fair. “All of the Shadows have been defeated.” “I’ve saved the city and proved myself a hero in the process.”

Changing the subject as they are directed around the parking lot by an attendant Dona asks her son, “How has Paddy been doing with all of this stuff?” “Didn’t you tell me he got suspended for breaking you out of the hospital?”

“Luckily for him Commander Olpere, covered with Commissioner Aspen, said she had ordered Paddy to get Master Warrior out of the hospital,” Steve explains. “The Commander has really turned her attitude around on Master Warrior of late.” “Unfortunately Commissioner Aspen has decided to take a more active role in the Elite Squad because of that fact.” “The only thing that is more surprising than Olpere’s support is how fast Market Street has been repaired.”

“Looks like everything’s coming up roses for you and your roomy then,” Dona smiles. “Huey Lewis and the News” comes on the radio bringing a strange spark to Dona Roberts’ attitude. “What is this song?” she asks.

“What do you mean?” Steve asks his mother. “It’s called, The Power of Love, from that Michael J. Fox movie where he travels back in time to meet his parents when they were in High School.” “Haven’t you heard it before?”

“Oh I’ve heard it before, I just didn’t know it was a Pop song,” Dona chuckles as she listens to the music and lyrics. Dona chuckles again, “I can’t believe all this time it was a song from that movie of all things.”

“What is the big deal?” Steve says. “It’s a song on the radio.”

“Nothing, nothing,” Dona says, changing the subject. “So have you met any interesting young ladies recently?”

Steve grimaces across at his mother as he turns off the radio, he should have seen this coming. “My love life is non-existent again if that is what you are digging at,” the son tells his mother. “Carol and I broke up a few weeks ago, she told me I was undependable.”

“No, I was just noticing that there are so many others who have been following in your footsteps of late.” “I was wondering if you have met any of them,” Dona asks, trying to sound innocent about her question.

Steve can tell his mother is up to something but he plays along. “I told you I’ve been friends with Sentry for over a year now.”

“I was thinking of someone a little more east coast,” Dona hints. “What about this new one in New York, what is it the papers are calling her, Miracle?”

“Oh Miracle Maiden, you really are paying close attention aren’t you,” Steve quires. “She only hit the News a few weeks ago.” Dona has a look on her face that he remembers from childhood when he would try to avoid answering his mother’s questions. “Yes, yes, I’ve met her and she hates my guts, calls me Showboat.”

“It’s better than Blockhead, isn’t it?” Dona asks with a giggle as they get out of the car. “Your sister is still pretty pissed off at you for not making it down for her birthday.”

“It may not show now but on her birthday I was in no shape to travel,” Steve tells his mother. The moment the words come out of his mouth he regrets them. He has spent the past month trying to keep his parents from worrying about him and that was the wrong thing to say to her. Dona smiles at her son making him feel even more uncomfortable.

“Well hopefully you will be able to make it down for Christmas,” Dona prods her son. “There may not be snow in Florida but we are still family under all the secrecy.” They are quiet for a moment as they begin to walk toward the admission gates. Both of them think over what has been said. “I’ve always loved the Medieval era,” Dona says, changing the subject again. “The Knights were always so surprised when I revealed myself to them.”

“So you didn’t spend all of your time wandering dimensions from Magic Island,” Steve comments.

“I went to where the sapphire ring led me to find your father,” Dona replies. “I spent a lot of time alone over the centuries, but it was always worth it to find my soulmate again.” The mother and son reach the gates of the fair where she takes his arm. Steve knows his mother loves to make people think they are a couple because of her youthful appearance. He doesn’t mind and that fact worries him sometimes.

“I’ve always thought it was incredible how you would search Dad out life time after life time,” Steve says after they pay their admission. “Wasn’t it strange each new meeting?”

“I found it exciting,” Dona replies smiling. “The ring would restore his memories of past lives but I found it fun to start fresh, to fall in love all over again.” “Something Artemis never understood.” “She was never much of a romantic after what happened with her and Hershel.”

The mother and son stroll through the shops and peddler carts along the path. “Let’s check this out,” Steve tells his mother, taking her by the arm into a Medieval Exhibition. Inside the building are display cases, historical weapons and artifacts on the walls and on freestanding tabletops. “Some of these things give me ideas for my Arsenal, but what is that thing?” Steve quietly says to his mother pointing at the one case.

“That is an Anti-Masterbating ring,” Dona giggles. “That is something you sure could have used when you were fifteen.” Steve falls silent as he turns away for the case his face flushed with pink. Steve never ceases to be surprised by the things his mother is willing to say to him. He decides it is best not to make any more components without knowing what he is asking about.

Steve Roberts & Patrick Berger’s apartment
1701 Tulip St
The Fishtown section
Philadelphia, Pa

While Steve is out for the day with his mother, Paddy has decided to spend his own day off at home watching football. His own love interest, Paula is out of town on a business trip, so he has no need to do anything else but enjoy some time alone. Before settling into his chair, Paddy voyages down to the mailbox to check for the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. As he leaves his apartment he is met with a rather big early morning surprise as David Rogers exit’s the apartment of Julie and Paula Snyder. At first he doesn’t know what to think seeing his roommate’s boss coming out of the apartment of his girlfriend and her daughter. Then it strikes him, “Holy shit, you’re Julie’s secret boyfriend!”

David Rogers grabs the man by the arm pulling him into the stairwell. “Keep it down!” he tells the man pushing him back against the wall. “It is a secret for a reason.” “Julie doesn’t want her mother to know about us!”

“Why, Paula would be thrilled to know Julie has a boyfriend,” Paddy shrugs off the man’s hand telling him.

“That is just it, she would like it a little too much,” David replies. The two men stare at each other for a moment. “Look, here is the deal,” David says, taking a deep breath. “I’ve real feelings for Julie, I want everyone to know we are together.” “Julie is just scared, she thinks that she isn’t good enough for me.”

“What?” Paddy says in shock.

“It’s just that..,” David starts to explain.

“No that!” Paddy says pointing over David’s shoulder to the windows that overlook the parking lot. The two men move closer to the window to get a better view.

“Who is that?” David asks as he sees the oddly dressed man poking around the parking lot looking in car after car.

“I haven’t the slightest, but I intend on finding out!” Paddy replies having become much more comfortable having weirdos snooping around than Steve’s newest partner. Paddy steps around David to head down the stairs with the other man close behind. By the time the men reach the parking lot the strange man is looking in Paddy’s car window and fumbling with the handle. Stepping out of the apartment building door wearing sweatpants and a white tank top Paddy shouts, “Hey you, Philly PD what are you doing?”

The guy dressed in a dark green jumpsuit with a yellow trimmed hood pulled down over his face turns to the two men. He lowers the hood revealing spiked hair and his thin face from under the shadow of the garment. Opening his mouth almost as if to scream no sound comes out of his mouth. The young man continues to stand staring at the men approaching him from the building. Both Paddy and David are instantly frozen in their footsteps.

“What the hell is happening?” David asks paralyzed in his tracks. “I can’t move!” Before Paddy can answer the question, David does feel his body move completely out of his control. The two men move to face each other, each raising a balled fist to swing at the other. The blows are precise and hard enough to knock each man unconscious by the other’s hand. Paddy
and David fall back unconscious to the pavement.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
2775 Lebanon Rd
Manheim, PA
The Medieval Exhibition

Coming to the end of the Exhibition Dona Roberts gets a rather concerned look on her face, it is a look her son knows all too well. “Mom, what is it?”

“It is just some of this jewelry that looks familiar to me,” Dona replies. “It is concerning to me.” “The Historical descriptions are wrong, so I have to believe that these are most likely reproductions.” Steve looks over the old looking necklaces, bracelets, and rings in the case. He has to admit one of the rings looks familiar to him too, like the one Madame Maria gave him. “If these were the real thing, they could be very dangerous in the wrong hands.”

“What kind of wrong hands?” Steve asks wondering if that is the uneasiness he too is feeling.

“Witches,” Dona states firmly. “These are items used for Witchcraft, talisman.” “Like I said there is no chance the real thing could possibly be here.”

As the Roberts leave the Exhibit the mother and son walk past a sign covered by a misplaced drape that reads, Exhibit on loan from the London Museum of Medieval Arts. There is another figure that watches the Roberts leave the strange displays. With them gone that person steps from the shadows. She is dressed like a gypsy blending in perfectly with the Medieval style of the Faire. She has paid no mind to most of the Exhibition making her way to the jewelry display. There are several pieces that draw her interest. The gypsy woman smiles at her windfall as she glanced at the couple leaving the room. Reaching under her shawl she draws out a ruby wand not unlike others displayed in the room. It glows over the case causing a burst of light to everyone in the room. When she is done a ring and hand painted egg are gone from the case, going unnoticed by everyone.

Outside Steve suddenly feels a pain at the base of his skull. He stops in his tracks looking around as he runs his hand over the back of his neck. “Baby, what is it?” Dona asks.

“It’s nothing Mom,” Steve says shrugging off the feeling.

“It’s not nothing, I can feel it too,” Dona replies. “Just not as strong as you do.” “It has always pained you more.”

“With all that has happened of late, I can’t depend on it,” Steve replied, trying to ignore his discomfort.

Dona takes her son’s arm holding it tighter than before as if she is trying to hold him up. “Your dreams, have you had any since you fought Samso?”

Still trying to shake off his danger sense Steve answers his mother’s question, “No, I slept like a baby since he beat my ass.”

Dona lets go of her son’s hand as she moves to stand in front of him, “I’ve never completely understood your dreams, but Danger Sense I know.” “You, we need to trust that.”

Steve Roberts & Patrick Berger’s apartment
1701 Tulip St
The Fishtown section
Philadelphia, Pa

Julie Snyder kneels over Paddy Berger and David Rogers who she finds unconscious in the parking lot. “Oh my God, have you two been fighting?” she exclaims lifting David’s head to see the bruise on his jaw.

David’s eyes open slowly to see his girlfriend’s concerned face. “I don’t know what happened one minute we were confronting a guy snooping around the lot the next we were taking a swing at each other,” David says holding his jaw.

Paddy sits up a few feet away reaching to hold his jaw as well. “You’ve got quite a right there,” he comments. “It was that kid, I’m pretty sure of it.” “We arrested him a while back and now the little shit has stolen my car!” Paddy shouts standing up.

“Did he do this too?” David asks as Julie helps him up. “Make us knock each other out?” “Why is he on the loose?”

“Little Shit escaped custody,” Paddy says heading back to the building. “I’ve got to get dressed, he’s not getting away again!”

“Wait, I’m coming with you!” David calls out following after Paddy leaving Julie standing in the lot alone.

“Good, I’ll need a ride downtown,” Paddy says taking the stairs two at a time.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
2775 Lebanon Rd
Manheim, PA
The Market Place

Steve Roberts finishes up in the “Knight’s lounge” by washing his hands. The pain of his Danger Sense has faded or at least he has suppressed it. The thought of taking another beating as Master Warrior is not something he is ready to do yet. As honest as he has been with his mother he has not told her that he has not even considered becoming Master Warrior since his fight with Domina. Attempting to be low key Steve steps outside where he waits for his mother to emerge from the “Damsel’s lounge”.

Steve knows how vain his mother can be, so he takes a seat on a bench next to a man holding a purse. He smiles at the man thinking how romantic. Although it is clear to him the man is embarrassed at holding his wife’s bag. Steve turns his attention to the Market Place where he spots the woman he has come to know as Madame Maria. “Madame Maria,” he calls out jumping up from his seat to approach the woman dressed like a gypsy. Steve Roberts has known her for months and now she shows her true color as she raises her hand to blow a handful of dust into his face. The effect is instant as his vision blurs and his head begins to spin. Steve Roberts staggers back, the witch’s magic overpowering him. “Live the past you now enjoy,” she whispers.

Steve Roberts feels dizzy for a moment as he closes his eyes tightly attempting to shake it off. “Good Sir, are you not feeling well?” Steve opens his eyes to see the face of a young boy who takes hold of his arm. His blonde hair styled in a bowl cut he appears no more than eleven years old dressed in the attire of the Renaissance Faire. “I am called Arthur,” The boy in the red tunic and grey leggings smiles. “How may I be of service?”

“Thank you, Arthur, I’m fine,” Steve replies bracing himself on the young man’s shoulder.

“Steve, Steve!” his mother shouts as she runs to support him. A blink of his eyes and the memory of the woman who stood in front of him is gone. “Steve, can you hear me?” his mother says taking him by the arm.

Looking around the boy too is gone. “The boy, Arthur, where did he go?” Steve asks.

“What boy, I didn’t see a boy,” Dona Roberts replies glancing around. “All I saw was you stumbling around the Market Place.”

“Just felt a little confused for a minute is all,” Steve tells his mother, not wanting to worry her. Whatever just happened it has passed now. He can only chalk it up to his quickened metabolism. He can’t help to scan the area for little Arthur. Just when he is about to give up as they enter the King’s Arena Steve spots the boy near the souvenir stand at the exit. The boy waves to Steve and he waves back.

Philadelphia Elite Squad
1st Precinct
Philadelphia, Pa

“I knew, I knew that guy!” Paddy says to David Rogers as he searches through the confidential Elite Unit Files. “It had to be him!”

David eyes the mugshot of Craig Donovan, doesn’t look very threatening at all without the strange haircut and outfit. “How old did you say this kid is?” he asks. “Looks about thirteen.”

“He would be seventeen by now,” Paddy says reading over the report made by Mark Zadlo and Steve Roberts a year ago. “He has the power to control mechanical equipment and human motor function to some extent.” “There is a chance that power has grown and expanded in the past year.”

“How do you catch someone like that?” David asks, finding it hard to believe what he is being told. But in the short time he has worked with Steve Roberts he has seen many strange things that he would have never believed two years ago.

“Detective Berger, wasn’t this the day you requested off?” Commander Olpere asks walking into the squad room alongside Commissioner Aspen who has been like a shadow to her for weeks.
“Yes, yes it was,” Paddy replies as he hits the power button on his computer to blank the screen. “Just stopped by to pick up my side piece,” He says, pulling open the drawer he stores his gun in. “David and I are headed to the range for some practice.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Commissioner Aspen says reaching out his hand. “Police Commissioner Mathew Aspen.”

The surprised Private Detective shakes the Commissioner’s hand replying, “David Rogers, nice to meet you, sir.”

“So you are non-personal, looking at classified Philadelphia Police Department material?” the Commissioner comments giving the man a hard gripping handshake. “Is that right Officer Berger?”

Paddy knows that the Commissioner is calling him Officer to make his point clear that he does not approve of what he has just witnessed. “No, no sir I was just showing David a FAX I got from his Agency,” Paddy stammers. “He is a Private Eye over in Jersey and I was telling him that the information he requested was not for public view.” Paddy slips his hand in the desk drawer to take something else, hidden in his palm, as he closes it.

“Well then I guess you two should be heading to the gun range,” Olpere says trying to get the two men out of the office.

As the two men head out of the office David asks, “So what did that gain us?”

“You’re the P.I. figure it out!” Paddy replies, slipping the hidden item into his jacket pocket as they head back to David’s car in the parking garage. “There was something different about the kid we met in the parking lot and the one arrested last year.”

David is stumped for a minute thinking about the mug shot of the seventeen year old. Surely this cop isn’t talking about the kid’s age. They really couldn’t see much under that hood he was wearing. In fact that whole outfit was rather strange, how did Paddy even recognize him? That’s it! “I assume you are talking about the jumpsuit he was wearing,” David suggests as they get back into his car.

“Bingo!” Paddy replies, taking the passenger seat. “Why is the kid suddenly suited up?” “It was rather eye catching in broad daylight too!” “My guess is that he is not on his own anymore, someone is helping him.”

“Helping him what?” David questions.

“Feeding him information for one,” Paddy replies. “There is no way he could have known where Steve and I live or the kind of car I drive.” “Clearly he was after something in my car other than the more expensive ones in the lot.”

“Then I assume we are not going to the gun range,” David says, starting the car.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
2775 Lebanon Rd
Manheim, PA
The King’s Arena

Inside the arena Dona and Steve Roberts take their seats in the wooden stands as the show begins. Steve still feels a little strange but says nothing to his mother as the show begins. He glances down to the front of stands where several young boys dressed like Arthur take their places at the end of the rows.

Then the Knights ride into the arena on large armored horses each carrying the banner of their kingdom to cheers from the gathered crowd. The voices echo loudly in Steve’s head as he tries to focus on the show of Equestrian skill. The banners each bear a different emblem but all appear very familiar to Steve but he has no idea why. One with a blue and gold star draws his attention more than the rest. The Knight rides a large brown stallion whose gaze meets Steve’s eye. As ridiculous as it sounds to Steve he feels a connection with the animal as it gallops past.

The show continues with a jousting tournament. The acting is good but Steve’s sharp eye can see that there is not real contact made or injuries incurred. Then that changes as all of the horses begin to rear up at once. One of the Knight’s helmets is thrown off revealing to Steve that this is not part of the show as he is thrown to the ground.

“Steve what is it?” his mother asks as he jumps up in the stands.

“I have to help them!” Steve shouts as he reaches for his ear triggering the change to Master Warrior. The hero leaps up from the row of seats down into the arena. For the first time in his life Master Warrior acts without thinking. He moves into action scooping up one of the knights that has been thrown from his horse before he is trampled by the crazed animal. Carrying the man to the sidelines, Master Warrior flies to the aid of another actor who has already been pinned down by one of the mad horses. Soon he has all six riders to safety as he tries to corral the wild steeds.

Master Warrior touches down to stand in the sand at the center of the arena. The crowd cheers the hero as he looks to the raging horses that now move to circle him, galloping at a fast pace. The steeds become a blur to Master Warrior as he tries to focus on them. When the horses slow he can see that they have changed dramatically. No longer are they riderless horses but Centaurs. Each having gained an armored human torso where the horse heads were once connected. Six Centaurs now slowly circle the warrior at the center of the ring.

The fear he feels for himself is only outweighed by the confusion of what is happening. His mind never questions the impossibility of what he sees all he knows is that these dangerous beasts must be dispatched! Taking his Arsenal from his leg he creates a large golden mace that he raises over his head as he leaps into the air.

In the stands Dona Roberts watches in shock and confusion as Master Warrior swiftly moves to snatch each of the Knights from their mounts. She sees that the Medieval actors are as confused by her son’s actions as she is as he carries them to the side of the ring. Then the highly trained steeds come to a halt wandering aimlessly around Master Warrior as if looking for direction. Dona can’t even begin to imagine what is going through Master Warrior’s mind as he draws out his Arsenal in the form of a mace. When he begins to swing the deadly weapon at the defenseless horse, Dona knows it is time for her act.

Master Warrior swings his massive mace at the mid-section of a grey Centaurs hoping to make contact with one of the creature’s two weak spots. His blow would have been lethal had it not been blocked by the shield of another Centaur. The Warrior turns to face the interloper. It is a seventh Centaur that he had not seen before, unlike the other six this one is smaller. It is almost the size of a pony or mule. Also unlike the other it does not stand prone in a threatening pose. This smaller creature acts, battles forward to disarm him. That is something that Master Warrior will not allow!

Leaping from the stands in pursuit of her son, Dona Roberts moves to intervene in Master Warrior’s attack on a grey stallion. She manages to block the attack with her extended wristband shield but fears that she might not be up to the task at hand as a second blow from Master Warrior’s golden mace drives her back into a defensive stance. Having been the one who trained Master Warrior for nearly all his life Dona Roberts can almost predict his every strategy as he moves in for the kill. “Steve, what are you doing?” she shouts at him as she dodges the swing of his heavy mace. “It is me!” “Can’t you see that!” she shouted, coming to the conclusion that he can not. There is a strange glow in his eyes that makes it clear that her son is not seeing reality at all.

Master Warrior continues on the attack of the small Centaur all the while staying aware of the larger ones that surround him. This smaller Centaur is much more agile than any he has fought as it dodges his every swing. Then perhaps he needs to up the size of his attack. Lunging for one of the more docile creatures that guards the edge of the battle circle, he slides under it on the ground. From underneath he grabs the seven hundred pound Centaur, lifting it over his head as he stands back up. The beast struggles and kicks to free itself, but it is too clumsy to do so as Master Warrior holds it by its belly and front leg. Summoning up all of his strength the hero heaves the large Centaur at the smaller with perfect aim.

Always the calm and skilled warrior, Dona braces for impact managing to bring the horse to the ground with little injury to his majestic form. Setting the horse down she gives it a slap on the rump to send it galloping away. She hates to admit it but it is time to change from defensive to offensive mode. She spent years training her son in every fighting skill he would need to be a great warrior, but not everything she knew. A frontal attack is what he would expect, but not the only means of attack. It is clear that Master Warrior’s sight is somehow obscured, she needs to take advantage of that fact.

His attack diverted Master Warrior watches as the Centaur he threw leaves the arena returning to the stables. It makes no sense to him but neither does any of this as he charges again at the smaller foe. It would appear that the rescue of the larger Centaur was too much for the smaller as it collapsed to the ground before him. Standing over the groveling creature Master Warrior raises his mace to the cheer of the crowd, prepared to land the final blow. For a moment his vision blurs but it does not detract from his eagerness to end the creature at his feet.

On the ground at Master Warrior’s feet Dona Roberts continues her plan as she moves swiftly between her son’s feet and legs to come up behind him. It is clear to her that this crazed behavior has not allowed him to comprehend her true size. Whatever he is seeing could not slip through such a small space as he continues to stare down at the ground in front of him. She jumps up to grab the mace that easily slides from his sweaty hands. It is the weapon that is her greatest threat.

Moving swiftly before Master Warrior knows what has happened Dona gains the upper hand by brings the raging Master Warrior down to the ground confining him in a full nelson. She applied all of her strength to his neck just short of snapping it. “Steve, can you hear me?” she sobs into his ear as she pushes his face into the dirt. “You need to take control of the rage, push it down, resist this curse!” Even in the tight wrestling hold Master Warrior still fights to escape. When last they trained mother and son’s strength was evenly matched. But now fighting him it is clear that his strength has increased in the past two years. She needs to completely subdue him quickly.

To Master Warrior the smaller Centaur still lays on the sand. This new attacker is a mystery to him with the exception of the garbled voice in his ear. Reaching back to take hold of the arms he can feel the attacker’s strength waned. Master Warrior yanks his attack over his head toward the ground. The attacker’s hands grip his arms and suddenly he too is lifted from the ground. His body lifted in up to be slammed down hard onto his back. The force of the hit knocks the wind out of his lungs but only for a split second. Then he is free of the hold, but before he can catch his breath he is flipped onto his chest and a chokehold is applied.

“Steven Andrew Roberts you will fight off whatever it is that has taken hold of you!” Dona demands in his ear as she continues to choke him into unconsciousness. “Do you hear me young man!” The mighty Master Warrior loses his fight then as he falls limp in his mother’s arms. She looks up at the spectators who have just witnessed a hero attack an arena full of knights to be taken down by a mysterious woman from the stands. How is she going to explain any of this as security officers that enter the Arena, walking toward her and her son on the sand.

Unconscious on the ground Master Warrior’s mind is subdued allowing his body to heal as blood pumps faster through his veins. The human body does most of its healing while asleep. The amazon man is no different as the poison of the curse is flushed from his system in minutes.

Suddenly Master Warrior wakes with a start to his mother’s disturbed half smiling face. “Better?” she asks.

“What happened?” he asks sitting up.

“We need to get out of here!” is her reply as she moves to help him stand.

Looking around the arena he sees the result of his seizure and the arriving security guards. Taking his mother under her arms he tells her, “Hold on.” Master Warrior sails up into the sky over the arena carrying his battle weary mother. He heads out over the Faire toward the parking lot to retrieve his rental car.

“I think you might have just damaged your cred,” Dona tells her son. “Has this happened before?”

“No I remember what it was now,” Master Warrior replies as he spots a familiar face again on the ground. Touching down a few feet away from Madame Maria who is also crossing the parking lot to find her car. “It was you!” he announces pointing at the gypsy woman as he sets his passenger to the ground. “You blew dust in my face.” The moment he says it he realizes that it was not Master Warrior she attacked.

“Hello Medea,” Dona Roberts says, stepping up next to her son. “You are looking young, younger than the last time I saw you 2500 years ago.”

“I knew he was the son of an amazon when I tasted his feet, but I had no idea which one,” Madame Maria replies with snarl. “How fitting it was you.”

Master Warrior is surprised by the exchange between the two women. “What are you talking about?” he asks.

“This is the witch who helped us imprison Queen Orana long ago!” Dona tells her bewildered son. “It would seem she has found a key to immortality.”

“You foolish amazons truly did believe that I would help you imprison your vile Queen for vengeance alone,” the newly revealed Medea chuckles. “She deserved to die for all she had done, but I found a way to get a reward if she lived in imprisonment.”

Master Warrior looks at a large lump in Medea’s pocket. “Have you taken another reward?” he asks.

“Most likely one of those talismans I told you about in the exhibit,” Dona suggests.

Gwynmont warehouse
12 W Oregon Ave
Philadelphia, PA

“What is the significance of this place?” David Rogers asks as he turns off his car on the street outside of what appears to be an abandoned warehouse.

“If there is one thing I learned working with Steve Roberts it is that all things are connected somehow,” Paddy explains checking the gun in his ankle holster. “You yourself told me that Ambrose Russo had come by your office, tried to imply Steve was up to no good.”

“So what?” David replies watching a broken window on the building.

“If Russo is striking out on his own, he will need his own thugs,” Paddy justifies. “This was a chop shop a few years back that Russo was running for old man DeScalo.” “It would be the perfect place to take my stolen car, who would look for it here?”

“Except you, of course,” David replies. “Sounds like it could be a set up.” “What is to stop that kid from taking control of our bodies again?”

“I thought of that,” Paddy says reaching in his jacket pocket. “Here take these and put them in your ears.” Paddy hands David a small plastic case containing two ear plugs. “When we had the kid in custody we learned that his powers are based on sound.” “These plugs I took from the office should keep him from taking control of us again while still allowing us to communicate with each other.” “The right one has a built in com system,” Paddy explains as he checks a second gun in a shoulder holster. “I’m sure they are expecting someone else, they will be watching the sky not the ground.”

“What does that mean?” David questions taking the earplugs from the case having no idea about Steve Roberts other identity.

“It means they will be distracted,” Paddy suggests trying to cover his tail for the slip up. “We need to split up, they will not be expecting two of us.” “Do you have a gun?”

“Never been much of a gun guy,” David tells his new unexpected partner. “I prefer my fists.” “You’re a cop how are you going to explain being here and shooting someone?” “Off duty, no less.”

“I guess we are just going to have to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Paddy says as he slides the plugs into his ears getting out of the car. Holding his finger on the small button on the plug in his right ear he asks, “Can you hear me?”

“Load and clear,” David responded, mimicking Paddy’s motion. David has used devices like this before in his line of work, but never with such a high sound blocking capacity. Working with the cops might have its advantages after all.

“Take this too,” Paddy says, handing David a roll of duct tape. “If you catch the kid tape his mouth shut as tightly as you can!”

The men split up each entering the building on different sides hoping to confuse anyone who may be expecting only one invader on foot.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
2775 Lebanon Rd
Manheim, PA

The three powerful combatants stand in the parking lot, the truth finally revealed. The two women have known each other for a very long time as both allies and foes. The third is Master Warrior and he is still slightly dizzy from the curse put on him by the woman he knew up until moments ago as Madame Maria Stroud. It is his mother that revealed Madame Maria as the witch known as Medea from ancient times, as well as suggested that the witch has stolen a powerful mystic talisman.

Medea has made it clear to them that she is up to no good as she pulls a large egg from the pocket of her patchwork skirt. She holds it aloft mumbling some strange words. Master Warrior recognizes the egg from the exhibit, it was labeled, “Dragon’s Egg,” obviously a fake he holds it as no threat. He looks to his mother and by the look on her face she does not share his sentiment.

Finishing her incantation Medea tosses the egg to the parking lot in the aisle between the parked cars. “Another illusionary curse?” Master Warrior comments, “You will not fool me twice!” The large egg cracks open releasing a swirl of green smoke that has the smell of sulphur. A breeze blows over Faire ground parking lot to clear away the smoke but not the odor. Then the huge reptilian feet crash up onto the hood of a minivan. The mother and son lay their eyes on what appears to be a fifteen long Iguana as it rises from the smoke of the shell. The creature’s long tail swishes sending cars tumbling end over end.

“Master Warrior this is no illusion this is real!” Dona Roberts confirms to her son as she slides the gold armband on her bicep down to her wrist. “You get that witch I’ll deal with this beast!” Raising her arm a large golden shield extends from the bracelet on her wrist.

“No, I should take the creature on,” Master Warrior argues.

“There is no time for that now!” Dona insists. “I have fought these demons before, only that witch can put it back, you need to catch her NOW!” Dona then leaps up into action bringing the sharp edge of the shield down hard on the enormous lizard’s head leaving a large gash in its scaly hide.

Master Warrior does as he is told, taking flight up over the parking lot. He spots Medea jumping into an old Dodge Dart. The old car is rather fast as it pulls from the parking lot to flee as he gives chase. Master Warrior easily over takes the car as he turns to play a game of chicken with it. He flies full speed ahead anticipating that the woman will swerve before colliding with him. His assumption is wrong as he swoops up over the car at the last minute. Swerving back around he knows he can not let her get out of this lot to the highway. A new tactic is required.

Coming up behind the forest green Dart Master Warrior raises his arsenal in the form of a battle ax to bring it down on the trunk of the car. The heavy sharp weapon slices through the metal body of the car and its rear axel sending it fishtailing out of control. Random pieces of the old car fly in all directions as its back collapses onto the pavement. The drive axel severed the car drags slowly to a stop spinning sideways.

Then Master Warrior sees him, the young boy, Arthur from inside the Renaissance Faire. He stands in the path of the car, a look of shock on his face as the vehicle flips onto its side to roll toward the boy. “Shit!” Master Warrior shouts at the sight of the boy in the path of certain destruction. Master Warrior races through the air at top speed to outrun the crashing Dodge Dart. He barely reaches the boy in time to scoop him up from his sure death. The boy trembles in his arms as he flies him to safety.

Meanwhile, Dona Roberts wishes she had a sword as she fights to contain the Dragon. It is not fast moving but its size makes it incredibly destructive to everything around it. Dona is little more than a fly to the oversized Iguana as it trudges toward a group of people exiting the Faire. Its tongue slithers in and out of its mouth as it walks giving Dona an idea. Using the edge of her shield she slices across the dragon’s tongue severing it.

It is now that the beast takes notice of the amazon who attacks it. The giant reels back on its hind legs with a bizarre howl of pain at the loss of its tactile tongue. Its head stands nearly ten feet tall giving Dona the opening to its tender underbelly that she needs.

Across the lot, Master Warrior returns to the crushed car to retrieve the witch. The old Dodge Dart has come to rest on the passenger side all of the glass broken from its windows. Landing on the dented side of the car he tears off the door, tossing it aside like so much garbage. Master Warrior is expecting to find the bloody and injured witch pinned inside the vehicle but to his surprise he finds nothing. There is not even a drop of blood on the inside of the car to show him that she was even in it. She has escaped!

Gwynmont warehouse
12 W Oregon Ave
Philadelphia, PA

As Paddy enters the warehouse nothing seems out of order, it is clearly a storage facility. The overhead lighting makes it clear to him that there must be some kind of security patrol, most likely one to three rent-a-cops. But the last time here was here it appeared much different, which makes him wonder what is in these shipping containers. When this place was busted as a chop shop everything was confiscated by the Philly PD, including the building. Paddy did manage to find out that the PD is still holding the lease as a crime scene, before Aspen and Olpere came in. This place should still be empty!

The off duty cop creeps around the large metal shipping containers with his gun drawn. He resists the urge to pry the padlock of one open. If anything happens here today he has to keep an appearance of legitimacy. With David Rogers trying to find another way into the building he has to take his time. For a minute he questions his suspicion of this being Ambrose Russo’s home base until he finds his way to the office section of the building, it is clearly in use. He can hear the raised voices of men arguing, although he does not recognize any of them. He moves in closer to the office trying to stay hidden from view.

From his position, squatted down under the office windows, Paddy can now make out that they are speaking Chinese. He can only assume that what the men are saying has nothing to do with his car or Master Warrior. It would appear that this is a very different kind of smuggling operation from when Russo ran this place for DeScalo. He looks back to the shipping containers, most of the ones he can see have labels from the far east, like China and Taiwan. Whatever these men are up to they surely wouldn’t want to draw police attention to it. Paddy knows that he has to find David and get out of here to call this in.

Standing up to leave Paddy hears the words, “Hold it right there and drop the gun!” Paddy lowers his hand holding the gun to his side as he turns to face the voice. He is again surprised at the sight of Atlas DeScalo holding a gun on him. He is Nicholas’ younger brother and believed by many to be a screw up and his father’s greatest disappointment. Paddy stares down the overweight, out of shape young man who smells of beer and whiskey. Atlas DeScalo may be close to half his age but Paddy considers the idea of trying to take the guy down.

“Let go of the gun,” another voice says from behind Paddy as he feels the gun pulled from his hand. Turning he finds Ambrose Russo behind him. It becomes clear to Paddy now that Russo isn’t venturing out on his own, he has simply chosen the other brother to follow. “Officer Berger, how nice to see you,” Russo says with a smile. “It would appear that I did not underestimate you.”

“Where is Master Warrior!” the mantic Atlas asks, pressing his gun under Paddy’s chin. “You promised me this guy would lead Master Warrior here!”

“What is this about Russo, what have you been playing at for months?” Paddy interrogates.

“It is quite simple actually, Mr. DeScalo here is sick of taking orders from his brother, so I agreed to help him with his little coo,” Russo explains.

“Let me guess with Nicholas out of the way I will be child’s play for you to get rid of this punk,” Paddy suggests bravely staring Atlas in his blood shot eyes.

“Shut up, pig!” Atlas shouts to give the off duty cop a punch to the gut. Berger lurches forward coughing from the blow. “Where is he!” “Where is Master Warrior?”

“Not coming,” Paddy chokes as he stands hunched over.

“He’ll be here soon enough,” Russo smiles, grabbing Paddy by the arm to drag him over to one of the shipping containers. Atlas takes a ring of keys from his pocket to open the padlock on the container. The moment the large metal doors are opened the stench overwhelms the cop’s senses. Daylight reveals the contents of the container.

There must be fifty people inside, all of the Asian in appearance and all of them dead. The smell of decomposition makes it clear that they have been that way for a while. “In you go!” Russo says shoving Paddy inside the grotesque scene. As the other two men close the doors, Paddy doesn’t even have time to protest as he vomits on the floor at his feet.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
2775 Lebanon Rd
Manheim, PA

Dona Roberts fights to distract the oversized Iguana dragon as her son, Master Warrior pursues the witch who released it. She knows all too well how dangerous these demons are even without the destruction of the multiple cars it has destroyed in the parking lot. Luckily none of the cars have been ignited, that would bring a whole new problem. Right now her only goal is to wound the creature to the point of incapacitation until it can be reimprisoned. Her only weapon is a shield and a piece or twisted metal from a wrecked car.

Without warning Master Warrior returns to bring his battle ax down on the distracted dragon’s neck. Severing its spinal cord causing the huge Iguana’s scaly head to drop to the ground. The prominent lack of blood at the decapitation relieves the hero as he believes it was not truly alive. Pleased with himself he glided through the air to land at his mother’s side.

“Oh no!” Dona shouts to Master Warrior’s surprise. “What have you done?”

“Looks like I took down a dangerous monster to me!” Master Warrior replies.

“No, no you haven’t,” Dona says with fear in her eyes, something he has rarely seen. “You’ve made it worse!” “Demons can not be killed, only imprisoned!” The duo turn to the large corpse lying in a puddle of gasoline its severed head close by. The head begins to shimmer and then turns to mist that swirls back around the body. The gasoline is quickly absorbed into the open neck of the defeated beast as the mist settles into place to reform the Dragon’s head.

Raising up from the broken blacktop the Iguana dragon is whole again. This new head is different, behind its jaw and eyes there are now gill-like slits. “When a dragon appears to be killed it comes back stronger!” Dona explains as the creature begins to gag and cough like a cat with a hairball. “You’ve given it a new power!” Then the dragon lets loose with a huge belch that spews out a tide of flame that washes out over the lot full of cars. The heat of the fire causes an old Pinto to explode almost instantly.

“Holy shit, Mom you could have told me that before you sent me after Madame Maria!” Master Warrior shouts as a second car explodes as the fire spreads out over the lot.

“There wasn’t time!” the mother defends. “Where is that witch?”

“Gone, escaped!” Master Warrior replies as he leaps forward to change his arsenal to a thick roped bola that he swings to release at the Iguana dragon. The golden weapon finds his target spinning around the dragon’s muzzle to stitch it tightly closed. Next he lands a right uppercut under its scaly chin to send it up into the sky. “What are we going to do with this thing?” he shouts.

“I’ve got an idea,” his mother replies as fire trucks arrive from a nearby station. “Keep it busy, but don’t kill it again!” Retracting her shield, Dona Roberts turns to run back toward the crowd of patrons that stand outside the Faire gates watching the unbelievable display. She takes a tremendous leap up over the spectators and the gates all at once.

Meanwhile in the parking lot, Master Warrior returns to the job at hand as the firemen begin to do their job before another car can explode. He looks up to see the wingless dragon plummet back down toward an empty part of the parking lot, its claws scratching at its muzzle to free it of the bola. The creature hits the field with a large thump that shakes the ground for a mile.

Taking to the air Master Warrior sores up over the dragon, he can see it is groggy from the fall but not unconscious. Taking aim he comes down hard on its head with both fists, hoping to hit it right. His mother has made it clear to him that killing it will only make it stronger as his fists crash into its hard skull. The impact causes a huge plume of smoke to escape the dragon’s large nostrils.

Landing to sit on its back Master Warrior can feel that the dragon still has a heartbeat deep inside its scaly body. Just as he takes relief in the creature’s defeat its large spiky tail swings across behind him sending Master Warrior tumbling feet over head several yards.

Master Warrior rebounds quickly back to his feet as he sees the dragon struggle to return to its feet. It turns trying to focus on the man, but then its attention is drawn to the crowd of people that move in closer snapping photos. “Get back!” Master Warrior shouts at the curious Renaissance Faire patrons. Could they possibly believe this is part of the show? Then something else crazier happens: the dragon shrinks slightly. Going from ten feet to nine it is still frighteningly dangerous but now it is able to slip the tangled bola from its snout.

Master Warrior watches as the dragon takes a deep breath as it eyes the crowd of people. The hero reacts instantly, by lunging forward to grab the beast’s long tail. He swings it up and away from the crowd just as the flames begin to spew out. The bystander cries out, Master Warrior hopes it is in fear and not awl as he slams the dragon to the ground igniting the dried grass.

Gwynmont warehouse
12 W Oregon Ave
Philadelphia, PA

Outside the warehouse David Rogers finds a fire escape that leads to the roof of the building. Jumping up onto the ladder he begins to climb using only his arms at first.

On the roof David comes upon the young man who stole Paddy’s car. He appears to be on lookout with a pair of binoculars pointed to the sky.

“Okay kid, let’s just take this easy,” David says approaching the costumed young man from behind.

Dropping the binoculars to his side the young man turns around. “I am no kid,” he says with a smile. “I am High Frequency and you are a fool!” “You’ve given away your only advantage, surprise!” Then he opens his mouth to release a wave of sound that can not be heard by human ears. Dogs in the surrounding neighborhood began to bark and howl.

David stands motionless as the High Frequency sound washes over him. Then he smiles, “I’ve got more than one advantage Hi-Fi!” David steps closer to the boy who screams louder, still having no effect on him. A right cross to High-Fi’s jaw takes him out. Crouching down next to the unconscious young man David pulls the roll of duct tape from his back pocket. Holding him up in a sitting position David wraps the tape around High-Fi’s face and head to seal his mouth. Laying the kid on his side David tapes the boy’s hands behind his back and then around his waist.

Now what? he thinks as he stands up to look around the rooftop. Then he spots a skylight at the center of the roof. He runs to peer down into the warehouse where he watches as Paddy is ambushed by two men. He can’t hear much but it is clear that Paddy has met these men in the past. The bulkier of the two men take the off duty police officer by the arm leading him to a shipping container and tossing him inside. David doesn’t have the authority to arrest the men or anything but he can help the cop.

Spotting a rooftop access door David runs to it hoping it is unlocked, luckily it is and he starts down the metal stairs inside. As quietly as possible David walks across a catwalk two stories above the warehouse floor to spy on the two men that ambushed Paddy. He gets close enough to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“This better work Russo!” Atlas, the younger of the two threatens. “Kidnapping this cop with nothing to show for it will piss my brother off to new levels!” “You know the deal he had with Roberts.”

“That is why we have these human trafficking idols to take the fall,” Russo responds. “I promise you Master Warrior will show up to rescue him!”

Master Warrior? David ponders, why would he show up to rescue a Philadelphia cop when he doesn’t even know he is missing? Wait, is that what Paddy was talking about when he said they would be expecting someone to be coming from the sky? Moreover what is this deal this guy’s brother had with Roberts? Is that what Russo was talking about when he came to Jersey? What is really going on here? David watches from the catwalk as the two men walk away. He knows that Paddy needs to explain what is going on here.

Finding the stairs to the floor David cautiously makes his way through the warehouse to the container Paddy is trapped in. The padlock on the shipping container doors is a large one, even if he had a gun David isn’t sure he could shoot off this lock. Maybe he can find some kind of tool, a pry bar of something.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
2775 Lebanon Rd
Manheim, PA

Master Warrior has the Dragon pinned face down to the ground, a thick golden strap made from his arsenal around its throat as he tries to choke it out again. Its fire breathes flaring up from the dirt around its muzzle. The strength of the dragon is incredible as it fights to escape capture. At first it tried to shrink again from his grasp, then it did the opposite. The speed at which it grows returning to its original ten foot size was more than the hero can compensate for. The dragon bucks up and swishes its head, throwing Master Warrior from its back.

From across the lot Dona Roberts returns carrying a large wooden box, Steve recognizes the box from the exhibit it contained a glass sphere. Running towards her son she tossed the sphere aside. The dragon again lurches up charging at Master Warrior. The woman whose appearance hides her age jumps between her son and the rampaging demon. She holds out the box wide open shouting the inscription on the lid, “Let magic unleashed be forsaken.” “Locked away within ’til reawakened.”

“Mom, what are you doing?” Master Warrior shouts watched in amazement as the dragon shrinks again to vanish into the box. When his mother turns to face him there is another glass sphere resting on the red silk pillow inside the box. “How did you manage that?” he asks in surprise.

“I didn’t, it is the box,” Dona explains as she closes the lid to close the latch. “I recognized the box in the display case.” “It has the power to trap magic.” “It isn’t the same as banishing the demon but it will hold for now.”

Master Warrior jogs over to retrieve the discarded sphere. Carrying it back to his mother as the police arrive. “What about this one?” he asks. Then almost instantly upon asking the question he has a premonition of the danger that Paddy and David are in.

“Whatever is in it can only be released by a powerful twist of destiny,” Dona explains. “I’ll take it along with this box to the Mystic Museum for safe keeping,” she tells him, not realizing that he can not hear what she is saying. As his premonition ends Master Warrior gazes into the glass sphere that now glows brightly in his hand. Before he can speak a word he vanishes leaving his mother to deal with the police.

Gwynmont warehouse
12 W Oregon Ave
Philadelphia, PA

David Rogers breaks another bent paper clip trying to pick the lock on the shipping container. As he works to open the door that he knows Paddy Berger is trapped behind he can’t help but smell the noxious odor coming from inside. Then there is a strange bright light cast over his back from behind. David turns prepared for a fight to see Master Warrior appears out of nowhere. In his left hand he holds the softball sized glass sphere that glows dimly.

“Master Warrior!” David exclaims, “What are you doing here?” “Moreover, how did you get here?”

The hero looks at his friend and then around the warehouse having no idea how he got there. “Beats the shit out of me,” Master Warrior replies more honestly than he usually speaks while in costume. “What is going on here, where is Officer Berger?”

“He is locked inside this shipping container and I’m not sure what is happening inside but it can’t be good,” David explains.

“Step back,” Master Warrior instructs as he reaches out with his right hand to take hold of the lock. Feeling an odd surge of power he yanks the lock to rip the doors from the container. The rush of air from inside the container is horrendous as it washes over them.

The two men standing in the warehouse stagger back gagging as Paddy hurries forward out of the container of death. Still feeling ill Paddy reaches out his hand to touch Master Warrior’s shoulder. “Thanks buddy,” he says, trying no to vomit again.

Holding his hand over his mouth and nose David bears witness to the apparent close friendship between the cop and the hero. He must admit that he too has met Master Warrior a few times in the past year and the hero has always seemed more comfortable with him than he expected.

“How did you know we were here?” Paddy asks, still trying to gather his senses.

“I’m not sure, I think it was this thing,” Master Warrior says holding up the glass sphere. Suddenly a bullet skims through the air, shattering the sphere releasing its contents over the dead bodies in the shipping container. “What the hell!” Master Warrior shouts turning to see Atlas Descalo pointing a gun at them. “I suggest you put that gun down DeScalo!” Master Warrior threatens.

Atlas DeScalo’s face changes to a look of fear, but it is not of the hero who threatens him. He motions his gun at the men or so they believe until Master Warrior’s sharp ears pick up low moans coming from behind them. It is then that Atlas DeScalo uncharacteristically flees the scene.

Looking over his shoulder Master Warrior can not believe his eyes. “Get back!” he shouts pushing his two friends back away from the container. The three men are shocked as they spy the corpse in the shipping container struggling to rise up from the floor of the metal box.

“Jesus Christ!” Paddy exclaims. “I know they were all dead!” The reanimated corpses twist and creak as their rotting muscles and flesh try to work correctly. The zombies stagger forward as Master Warrior shields the others. He raises his hand holding up a sword. The Chinese corpses at the front of the container hold their places at the edge of the doorway.

Unseen by the men standing in the warehouse something else happens inside the shipping container hidden by the group shielding it. Nearly all of the corpses have risen up, some to guard the rest that clamor around one. The youngest, the strongest, one that was last to die. The slime that spewed from the sphere on the corpses draws back from the others toward that target. As the slime moves from the others it brings with it the building blocks that are needed to reconstruct the decomposition of the target. As the target is rebuilt the corpses crumble to the floor of the container, one by one.

Master Warrior is prepared for battle as the zombies sway and moan at the edge of the shipping container. “What the hell is going on here?” David shouts at the sight of the animated corpses.

“It’s going to be okay,” Paddy tells David, putting his hand on the private detective’s shoulder. “I’ve seen Master Warrior deal with the worst!” There is a look of confusion on David’s face over how these two men are handling this situation.

They watch and wait as the glowing fluid from the sphere draws down to the floor, vanishing from sight as the final row of corpses crumble back to the floor of the container. For only a second Master Warrior sees a stern young Chinese man glared at him from inside the container, then there is a flash of blinding light.

“What the fuck just happened?” David shouts as the light fades to reveal the pile of decayed corpses on the floor of the container. “I saw those dead people come back to life!”

“I know it is a lot to handle,” Paddy says, “I saw it too.

Master Warrior turns to address them, “The important thing is that we are alive and they aren’t!”

When the police arrive Ambrose Russo and Atlas DeScalo are nowhere to be found, but Paddy’s car is parked in the lot bringing up many questions about his involvement in the death of the people in the Shipping Container.