KISS is a copyright of the KISS Company.  This is for the purpose of 
fun, entertainment and sharing our love of KISS.  Original 
characters in this round robin are owned by the creators among the 
various writers who make up the KISS and the Battle of G.O.O.D. 
Versus E.V.I.L. round robin, and may not be used in other fiction 
unless permission is obtained by the creator(s) of character(s).


KISS and the Battle of G.O.O.D. Versus E.V.I.L. Part 42-A

Part 42-A

By Demoness

 

 

     Strange sights in New York City were so common no one took 
notice as the rare exotic bird flew from the underground tunnel amid 
the chaotic order of the road crew from Madison Square Garden 
through the streets of Manhattan.  The bird flew around the round 
structure, for Madison Square Garden is round and not square, flying 
high above the crowds arriving to fill the Garden to max capacity to 
say farewell to KISS as they played their final show.

 

The bird flew past the Garden across Eighth Avenue until it found a 
deserted darkened corner of a parking lot on Ninth Avenue and 30th 
Street.  Ana slipped through the parking lot, muttering to herself 
as she walked down 30th Street.  "Thought I'd get a chance to see 
New York City.  All I saw were the walls of the Waldorf.  Then I'm a 
damn prisoner on the way to the show."  She paused to take a deep 
breath of air now that she was free.  Only to make a face when she 
realized there was no fresh air in New York City.

 

Glancing around, she realized she was not in the best of 
neighborhoods.  "Great.  Why did they put the Garden so close to a 
bad neighborhood?" she asked as she passed a doorway that had a 
flaming garbage can before it.

 

"Because the bad neighborhoods sprung up around the Garden," a 
familiar voice replied from the other side of the flaming garbage 
can.  "Always happens when there's a train or bus station around.  
And Penn Station is beneath the Garden."

 

Ana walked around the can and noticed Gena sitting in the doorway, 
dressed in faded, worn jeans and a studded black leather motorcycle 
jacket over a plain black tee-shirt.  She completed the outfit with 
scuffed black cowboy boots.

 

"You're wearing that to the show?" Ana asked Gena in greeting.

 

"Thought about it," Gena laughed, moving to make room for Ana and 
gesturing for her to sit down on the step.  "Nah, these are my 
old 'bad bitch, don't fuck with me' clothes when I used to roam 
around here."

 

Ana remembered Gena was born and raised in New York City and only a 
few years before moved to Los Angeles.  Sitting down next to Gena, 
Ana asked, "What are you doing out here?"

 

Raising an eyebrow, Gena looked at Ana.  "I could ask you the same 
question," she replied.

 

Ana laughed.  "I could probably give you the same answer you'd give 
me then."

 

"Exactly," Gena nodded with a grin.  "Especially since it's no big 
deal being backstage for me.  When the guys are ready to leave the 
dressing room, I'll be back there."

 

"Wow, I wish I can be so jaded about backstage."

 

Gena shrugged and pitched something into the withering flames of the 
garbage can.  Flames shot out as the fire within raged in full.  "If 
you're not, one can ask why aren't you back there drinking in every 
precious moment?"  She laughed.  "Yeah I know - the same reason why 
I'm here.  I'd probably stay away from Gene most of the short time 
he's out of the dressing room anyway.  Seems there's some radio 
contest winners that need to be honored, high security or no.  It's 
a chance of a lifetime for them, meanwhile I know I'll see Gene at 
some point later."  She waved her hand and the flames lowered a 
bit.  "They're going to kill us if the guys find out we snuck out, 
you know."

 

Ana shrugged.  "At least Gene won't be happy if he knew you're not 
inside.  He wasn't happy when he was told you couldn't go into the 
dressing room with him.  I thought he was going to set the Superman 
curtain on fire."

 

Gena laughed.  "Quite touching to know he cares."  The flames seemed 
to dance in a circle around the edge of the garbage can.  "So how 
did you escape?"

 

"I flew," Ana replied.  "But I have no clue how I manage to take my 
clothes with me."

 

Gena snorted.  "I can change mine when I go from bat to human.  No 
clue how either."

 

"You fly out too?"

 

"I shimmered," Gena replied.  "I managed to finally learn to do that 
without making a big production of flames while I'm doing it.  Going 
batty is great for exercise, but to get places in a hurry, 
shimmering is the way."

 

"Oh, that's right, demon," Ana laughed.

 

"How ironic that I'm really the demon out of me and Gene."

 

"Well, actually you're really the Demoness."

 

Gena shook her head.  "I managed to find out a little.  Demons are 
male and female.  At least the upper level demons are.  And I 
shimmer.  Only upper level demons shimmer.  So I'm a demon.  Or half 
demon anyway."

 

"How do lower demons get around?" Ana asked.

 

"They're sent by upper level demons.  Lower levels are servants and 
the lowest ranks are slaves."  Gena shrugged.  "Once this is over, I 
intend to find out more about what I am."

 

Ana gave her a strange look.  Gena laughed.  "Being I am half demon, 
I would think it wise to learn all I can to know what I'm up 
against."

 

"You're right," Ana agreed.

 

"This neighborhood is nasty," Gena mentioned, looking up.

 

"Then what are you hanging out here for?

 

"Sentimental reasons.  I liked to slum sometimes, get inspiration 
for my book.  C'mon, let's go somewhere more fascinating."  Gena 
stood up and waved her hand over the garbage can.  The fire went 
out.  Ana got up and stood next to Gena, who grabbed her arm.  Both 
women disappeared.

 

*** *** ***

 

The girls were finishing their slices of pizza as they walked along 
7th Avenue.  Gena pointed out a storefront.  "See that?  That used 
to be Playland.  You know, they used it in the first Marvel comic."

 

"Really?" Ana asked.

 

"Me and my friends used to go there often before the comic came out, 
then even more after," Gena laughed.  "Especially after they got the 
KISS pinball machine. We made up a red box, lined it and all, and 
made the talismen."  Her eyes took on a faraway look.  "Back then we 
wished we had super powers like KISS did in the comic."  She shook 
her head.  "Ah, silly childhood notions."  She shared a meaningful 
look with Ana.



"I wonder what the other girls are doing?" Ana asked.

 

"Who knows.  Keeping out of trouble, I hope," Gena replied, her gaze 
going fondly up to the lighted billboards and neon signs that was 
Times Square's trademark.

 

"Like we are?" Ana grinned.

 

"We're not making trouble.  Besides, against popular rumor, I don't 
look for trouble.  Trouble finds me."

 

No sooner did she finish speaking, she was overcome by a strange 
sensation.  The pendant of a large garnet set in an intricate silver 
setting glowed.  "Oh shit.."  Gena grabbed Ana's hand.  "Trouble 
with the guys."  She shimmered them back to the Garden. 

 

*** *** ***

 

Gena and Ana shimmered in the backstage area.  In sight was the 
dressing room KISS was using, and from the looks of things, there 
was a battle going on.  They tried to shove themselves through the 
various security who tried to get close.  Instead of assisting KISS, 
they did their best to keep Ana and Gena from getting past them.  
Gena grabbed Ana's hand and she shimmered them out before either one 
of them could be captured by the E.V.I.L. goons posing as Garden 
security.  

 

They shimmered into the dressing room, where they found some of 
their friends.  Elizabeth was off to the side, but doing nothing, 
looking pale and scared.  They ignored Elizabeth as they joined 
their friends.  Unfortunately there were five men between them and 
KISS.  Between the E.V.I.L. henchmen and KISS was a wall of flames, 
the men of KISS using their various defenses against the attackers.

 

Two of the men turned on the women and started to shoot lasers at 
them.  Gena noticing one of them aim at Ana, pushed her to cover, 
before throwing a fireball at the attackers.  The fireballs bounced 
off as if off a shield.  Suddenly a fireball shot toward Gena.  With 
a curse, she ducked and rolled out of its way.  She noticed all her 
friends' defenses had the same effect of not reaching their targets, 
only to be attacked by their own powers.  Ana stood off to the side, 
wishing she could help, but doubted any of her chances to do harm to 
them.

 

Gena moved off to the side, hoping to find a way around that they 
were all missing.  Stephanie looked as if she was about to take down 
Madison Square Garden if it would help.  No matter what she did, she 
could not bring any of the henchmen down.  Items went flying, 
shelves came down, and pieces of costumes were strewn around the 
dressing area.  

 

Gena felt a tugging at her mind, knowing it was Gene, and sensed his 
urgency to complete the firewall into a circle dividing them from 
the attackers.  Somehow the E.V.I.L. goons were preventing Gene from 
completing a task that should have come so easily to him.  She 
obliged, joining her flames with his, supplementing her own fire 
with a boost from Gene's taps, using it since she was a Gene 
acolyte.  She noticed Gene felt what she was doing and felt him draw 
from her own powers that an acolyte can give back, using fire as 
their common factor  Quickly she weaved the various ribbons of fire 
magic into one.  Suddenly the flames surged higher, reaching toward 
the ceiling as the circle of fire was completed.  None of the 
G.O.O.D. side was able to get past the shield within the flames, but 
the henchmen could not launch anything beyond either.

 

Ana turned into a bird and flew over the flames to get on the side 
with KISS.  Gena grabbed onto Stephanie and Desiree and shimmered 
them on that side too.  Cyn seemed to be somewhere else, hopefully 
not far.  Her healing abilities would not be of any use as a 
defense, but hopefully she was well and just waiting somewhere safe 
should someone get injured and need to be healed.

 

One of the henchmen took out a nasty looking device and pressed a 
button.  A section of the fire roared, causing an opening.  Another 
man tossed something into the break as the erupting flames shot 
toward Gene and Gena, knocking them off their feet.  She found 
herself under Gene.  He let out a gasp and a curse as he bodily 
shielded her.  

 

"Gene?" she asked concerned, trying to get out from under him.

 

"Don't move," Gene growled.

 

Gena knew something was wrong.  She managed to move her head to look 
up beyond Gene in time to watch as the henchmen made a charge 
through the opening, as the pseudo-security guards rushed into the 
room.  As the henchmen went for the others backstage, Gene rolled 
off Gena, allowing her to roll a few feet from him.  He was getting 
on his knees, swaying.  The fire barrier disappeared.  Gene gestured 
with his hand and a henchman went up in flames.  The man let out a 
scream, then the flames went out.  Gene let out a cry as flames 
burst out on him.  Gena let out a roar as she waved her hand in 
Gene's direction to put out the flames, hoping it was in time before 
he suffered any real damage.  She glanced away in time to see a 
henchmen race with Peter toward Gene.  She threw a white hot 
crackling fireball at the henchmen as Peter stepped in front of 
Gene, who was trying to get up and not having any luck at it.  She 
ducked when she saw the fireball vanish before it touched the 
henchmen before a fireball came for her, as he lunged for Peter.

 

Letting out a string of curses, she jumped up.  Knowing Gene was 
injured, she roared, "You bastards!" and shot more fireballs at 
them, not taking the time to get to her feet.  She managed to take 
one down, weaving stronger magic with them, reaching into dark magic 
of her demon side.  Unfortunately it was not enough to take down any 
of the others as the fireballs harmlessly disappeared before 
reaching the other targets.  Another goon went down with a yelp from 
an attack from behind, thanks to Paul.

 

Stephanie tried to fight using her rage, only to find herself frozen 
by what she reflected as being immobilized by rage.  Eric Carr and 
Ace charged to get to Peter and help him with Gene, while Paul tried 
to defend them.  Two of the goons rushed for Gena, who was making a 
scramble to get to her feet.  Gena clenched her jaw and fists and 
flames burst out, setting several men in flames.  She threw a shield 
up around her in hopes to prevent a backlash attack on her.  She 
felt satisfaction as the smell of charred flesh filled the air.  She 
willed the fires hotter, they glowed a bluish-white, burning her 
victims until only ash remained, as she started to feel the drain of 
the backlash flames from her attack batter at her shield.  Out of 
the corner of her eye, she watched as Ace ducked and rolled to avoid 
an energy blast that bounced off a henchmen come back to him..  
Completing the roll, Ace went up on one knee and cast off a vicious 
cloud of energy in the direction of that henchmen.  The cloud 
gathered around the henchmen, who started to scream, amidst the 
horrid sound of hissing and crackling.  From the cloud, another 
broke off and headed for Ace, who teleported out before it could 
reach him.  Taking example from Ace, Gena shimmered out and back at 
another spot across from where she stood.  She noticed Ace on the 
other side of the room, preparing to launch another attack.

 

Peter was still in battle, shielding Gene, who was still down, 
sprawled on his face.  Paul turned on the henchmen going for Peter.  
A vicious look of deadly hatred on his face, Paul unleashed his 
powers on the henchmen.  One man went down with a scream, jerking on 
the floor.  The other avoided it, still advancing for Peter. Ana, 
about to lend assistance to Peter, let out an agonized cry of 
protest as Paul let out a wretched yell and crumbled to the floor.  
Stephanie's mouth dropped, then snapped closed, her jaw tight.  She 
shot back at them with her Rage.  This time, the strength of her 
fury and fear for Paul overcame the strange paralysis.  She took 
several men down along with part of the ceiling.  None of the 
henchmen noticed Stephanie.  One henchmen's attention was on Ana, 
who was snarling and ready to change.  He saw her as the cause for 
some of their men going down, and remembered their orders to bring 
her back alive.

 

Ace advanced again, shooting another bolt of energy at the henchmen 
who was advancing Ana.  The backlash was quicker than Ace 
anticipated and was almost on him before he had a chance to react.  
He twisted,  trying to get out of the way and ended up tumbling to 
the floor, letting out a cry as he was hit in the side with a 
tendril of crackling energy.  He knew he was hurt, but not as bad as 
if he had taken the full charge.  Before he had a chance to discover 
if he could get up or not, one of the henchmen ran over to Ace.  
Grabbing Ace, he disappeared, Ace along with him.  

 

Another henchmen on the floor, presumably their leader and the one 
Paul took down,  gasped out, "Get the one with the Rage!"  The 
closest henchman grabbed for Ana before she had a chance to change 
and also disappeared.

 

Stephanie let out a yell as the walls shook, along with the floors.  
It vibrated throughout the Garden, as half the remaining men were 
slammed against a wall with the sound of bones shattering, and they 
fell into a pulp.

 

Gena reached deep, deeper than she dared, drawing power from a tap 
deep within the earth, from a center she never drew from before.  
She felt the tainted power fill her, knowing where instinctedly she 
reached and drew from, not caring, only wanting to hurt and kill 
those who were still remaining of those who dared to hurt and take 
Ace, to grab Ana, and injure Paul and Gene.  Especially Gene, who 
was still not moving, whose agony she felt threefold.  They were 
going to pay, all of them.  Her vision wavered for a moment, and 
when it returned everything was tinged with red, as she felt a 
bloodlust she never thought was possible before.  She lived for the 
kill, tingled in anticipation of the deaths she was about to cause.  
She raised her arms high and flames consumed the men still not 
down.  Flames of orange and yellow, of red and black, of a silvery 
blue and pure white.  From Gene there was a cry of ecstasy.  There 
was nothing but ashes within a few moments.

 

Desiree turned in her direction and let out a scream.  Peter's eyes 
opened wide.  Even Stephanie took a step back.  Gena gazed at her 
still outstretched hands, and let out a gasp.  Her skin was no 
longer the golden bronze that she returned to New York City with 
from years of living in Los Angeles, but was in patterns of red and 
black.

 

"W-well," Stephanie stammered, forcing herself to make contact with 
Gena's eyes, which where pitch black, with swirls of red.  "The 
demon is set free."

 

Gena glanced in the mirror.  Her skin was red and black, her form 
made of sinewy, lean muscles.  Her face was red with a black pattern 
like linked diamonds starting over her left eyebrow and going 
diagonally down and to the right.  The right eye was lined in 
black.  She laughed uneasily.  "I've always been told that red and 
black were my best colors."  

 

An eerie quiet came over the backstage area for a few moments, the 
only sound was from those gasping to catch their breath.  The 
silence broke as Stephanie, who ran over to Paul and knelt next to 
him.  Cradling his head on her lap, she let out a cry when he still 
did not respond.  "Somebody help him," she pleaded.

 

With a thought, Gena's vision wavered for a split second.  She gazed 
at her arms again and sighed in relief.  She rushed over to where 
Gene was.  He managed to roll onto his back.  She slid to a halt 
next to him, hovering over Gene, tears of fear in her eyes.  "Gene?" 
she moaned.

 

Gene shook his head, looking up at her with pain filled eyes, then 
managed a weak grin.  "That's giving them hell," he whispered.

 

"Where's Cyn?" Eric asked, quickly accessing the damage of the  
destroyed dressing room.  An unsteady Gena was helping a groggy Gene 
to sit up.  He doubled over, holding his arm and Eric noticed the 
pool of blood where they were.  Peter was looking pacing the 
dressing room, looking from the injured to the destruction, 
appearing like a caged animal.  

 

Desiree looked from her own assessment to Eric.  "What the hell were 
they using?" she asked.

 

Eric went to answer when Bruce, Singer, Vinnie and Mark came rushing 
in.  Vinnie and Singer were supporting Andre, who slumped 
ungracefully to the floor once they got in the dressing room, taking 
the other two for a tumble.  They all looked battle worn.

 

Eric glared at Vinnie.

 

"Dammit!" Peter growled.  Everyone turned to Peter.  He glared at 
first Stephanie, then Gena.  "You could have left one alive and in 
one piece so we can question," Peter said.

 

"I had nothing to do with this," Vinnie protested.

 

"Vinnie was too busy using his powers along with the rest of us, 
trying to keep us alive and E.V.I.L. from grabbing Mark," Bruce said 
to Eric.

 

"They wanted him more than the rest of us," Vinnie scowled.  "But 
thanks to Mark, we found Andre."

 

"Yeah," Singer added.  "Mark went to crawl into a speaker case and 
that's where he found Andre."

 

Various members of the crew raced backstage.  "Sorry," Spiro 
gasped.  "It was like a force field was up keeping us away."

 

Eric and Bruce nodded.  Eric glanced at Andre, who was still out 
cold.   "He just seems to be sleeping," Bruce commented.

 

"Paul's hurt bad," Peter exclaimed, who was checking everyone for 
injuries, starting with the two obvious worse ones.  "He was shocked 
or something."

 

"Empathic overload," Eric corrected grimly.  "It seems they used 
your gifts against you."

 

"Well, Gena and I got hit with more than fire and energy balls," 
Gene said, pain in his voice.  He carefully held up a sphere the 
size of a softball, covered with razor like spikes.

 

"Where did it get you?" Peter asked, frowning as he knelt next to 
Gene to investigate closer.  "That's one ugly looking weapon."

 

"Modern day mace," Gene snorted.  "I got it on my arm and side."  He 
held up his injured arm which was covered with blood.  He had a 
nasty jagged tear going across his arm.  Both his arms and chest 
were burned, and his face was as red as if he had a bad sunburn. 

 

"Stay still so I can try to stop the bleeding," Gena admonished, her 
voice tight.  "Peter do something about his arm.  One of those 
things was meant for me," she said quietly, sparing a hand to run 
her fingers through Gene's hair, and rested her head gently on his 
shoulder blade.

 

Peter took a towel from Gena and went to give her a hand with 
Gene.  "Those burns, especially on his chest, looks nasty," Peter 
commented through gritted teeth.  He saw in Gene's eyes that he was 
feeling the injuries more than he was letting on.

 

"Oh God," they heard Cyn's voice as she entered with SiLK.  Between 
them was Elizabeth, who was unconscious.  Sappho was at SiLK's side.

 

"We caught her running out," SiLK said as Cyn ran over to Paul.  "Or 
should I say Sappho did."

 

"It looked suspicious to me," Cyn drawled, looking at Paul.  "I mean 
everyone is running this way and there she is running away from it."

 

"I guess Sappho thought so too," SiLK smirked.  "Anything I can help 
with here?"

 

A sudden slew of curses came from Gene, his voice filled with the 
pain he was feeling.

 

"Oh stop being a baby," Gena muttered, knowing but not wanting to 
think about how badly he was injured.

 

"Stop squirming, you idiot," Peter snapped, as Gene jerked his arm 
away from Peter.  "You're losing too much blood."  Suddenly Gene 
slumped forward.  "No," Peter grumped, steadying him.  "Don't you 
dare pass out either."

 

"Let him," Eric observed, his eyes going from Gene to Cyn with 
Paul.  Stephanie still hovered close to Cyn.  "Maybe if he's out 
cold, he'll start cooperating."

 

"He's shivering," SiLK observed.  "Shock?" she asked concerned.  
SiLK looked over to see how Cyn was doing with Paul, and sent up a 
prayer that she'll be able to help Paul, and in time to help Gene.  
She wanted to ask Cyn what was happening, but knew her friend needed 
her concentration.  She exchanged a look with Stephanie, both women 
sharing the frustration of waiting.

 

"Gene!  No!" Gena cried out.

 

"C'mon, lay him down so we can do what we can until Cyn is ready for 
him," Peter snapped.

 

"E.V.I.L. has Ace and Ana," Eric announced. 

 

Those who entered the dressing room late looked up to Eric.  Except 
for Cyn, who hovered over Paul with her eyes closed.  Her mouth was 
moving as she muttered wordlessly.

 

"And we have no idea where they relocated," Bruce stated sullenly.

 

Eric nodded.

 

"What about the show?" Spiro asked, his eyes on first Gene, then 
Paul.

 

Eric shrugged.  "We're supposed to go on in a half hour.  Even if we 
do attempt it without Ace, we still have Paul and Gene to worry 
about."

 

"Paul's going to be fine," Cyn announced, relief in her voice.  "But 
he's not going to be in any shape to do the show.  He needs to be in 
a bed."

 

Eric nodded.  "Are you okay?" he asked Cyn, his eyes narrowed as he 
studied her.

 

"I'm okay," she assured him with a tired smile.  "Just let me see 
what I can do for Gene."

 

Paul was sitting up, leaning against Stephanie as Cyn got up and 
went over to Gene.

 

"You're going to have to let him go," Cyn gently said to Gena.  

 

Gena looked up at her, tears in her eyes.  "Just help him," she 
pleaded.

 

"Now hon, that's what I'm here for.  Now stand back a little."

 

Peter stood up and carefully took Gena by her arm to help her on her 
feet.  "Are you hurt?" he asked her.

 

"Just shaken somewhat, thanks to Gene." Gena replied, wiping her 
eyes.  "I probably look like a raccoon."

 

"What happened?" Paul asked in a shaky voice.

 

"Ace and Ana are missing.  You need bed rest.  So will Gene once Cyn 
fixes him up," Bruce replied, summing it up efficiently.

 

"How?" Paul asked.  "I mean how did this happen?"

 

SiLK, kneeling on Paul's other side from Stephanie, looked over to 
Elizabeth, who was slumped in a corner with Sappho standing guard 
over her.  "I have a feeling you need to ask her."

 

"And we were attacked with.?" Paul further inquired.

 

"My best guess is that they used a mirror attack on us," Eric 
stated.  "Used your own powers against you."

 

"Great," Paul moaned.  "What about the show?"

 

Eric shook his head.  "I don't see how we can.  They have Ace.  
Meanwhile you are in no condition to do a show.  I doubt Gene is 
either."

 

They heard a groan, then Gene mutter, "So much for that freakin' 
amulet."

 

Gena's eyes narrowed as she looked down at Gene, then slipped from 
Peter to slide down to the floor next to Gene.   "Is he going to be 
okay?" she asked Cyn.

 

"So long as he rests up for a while."  She looked over to 
Gene.  "You went into shock.  But I noticed it was more than shock.  
There might be something on those spikes like a slow poison or 
something.  I think I countered it all.  But I can't replace blood 
instantaneously.  You're going to be weak for a while until you rest 
up and let your blood finish what I started."

 

Gene looked over at Paul, who was being helped into a chair by SiLK 
and Stephanie, with Singer assisting them.  "We're going to have a 
riot on our hands, you know."

 

Paul sighed.  "We don't have much of a choice.  We can postpone."

 

"And do all this all over again?" Bruce asked.

 

Gene shrugged.  "We can come up with another way to say farewell.  
But I think before we do, we need to take care of Buttercup and 
E.V.I.L."

 

"I'm with Gene," Eric stated.

 

"We need to find Ace and Ana," Gena remarked.

 

"We will," Eric said, trying to convince himself.  At Gene's raised 
eyebrow in question, Eric added, "So far we got back everyone who 
got nabbed so far."

 

"Doesn't mean we did not lose anyone," Paul reminded Eric.

 

"Hey now," SiLK snapped.  "This is not going to help them one bit."

 

"Enough with the negativity," Gena added.  "We have enough forces at 
work around here that you don't want to give any manifestations to 
such horrid thoughts."

 

"She's right," Stephanie replied.

 

"Well until we know what we can do for the missing, we should do 
something about the injured with us," Cyn stated.  "Paul and Gene 
need to go back to the hotel."

 

"Is that safe?" Bruce asked.  "I don't feel good about that."

 

"Wait a minute!" Singer exclaimed.  He pinned Gene with a 
stare.  "What amulet?"

 

"Excuse me?" Gene asked.  Singer did not notice several sets of eyes 
on Gene, warning him.

 

"When you came to, you said something about an amulet," Singer 
reminded him.

 

"I did?  You believe the muttering of a half-conscious man?"  Gene 
replied smoothly.  Singer continued to glare at him.

 

"It's my fault," Gena stated.  "I made him an amulet before we left 
for the show and I guess I didn't do a good job on it."  She 
fingered the garnet pendant around her neck.  "At least mine 
worked.  That's how I knew there was trouble in here."

 

Eric smirked, shaking his head.  "And Gene is embarrassed because he 
hoped his would work."

 

"I'm embarrassed because it didn't," Gena snapped.

 

"Well, with Ace gone for the time, looks like you're our teleporter 
back here," Eric stated to Gena.

 

Gena snorted as she helped Gene to his feet.  "I don't teleport.  I 
shimmer."

 

"Excuse me, demon," Eric chuckled.

 

"Now if only Gene can get over to Paul without falling on his face, 
I could get them two out of here.  Then start moving everyone else," 
Gena stated to the room in general.

 

"I'm fine when I'm sitting," Gene said through clenched teeth, 
fighting the waves of dizziness."

 

"Then that tells you when I get you settled, you don't need to be 
running around," Gena warned him.

 

"I need to, but at the moment, I can't," Gene grumbled.  "How are 
you holding up, Paul?"

 

"I just feel incredibly exhausted," Paul replied, his voice 
reflecting his exhaustion.  "We're going to have to cancel the show, 
then change our location," Paul pointed out.

 

Gene looked at Spiro.  "You know what you need to do."

 

"Yeah boss.  I know.  Just worry about getting out of here and I'll 
take care of the rest," Spiro said.

 

"Thanks," came from Paul.  "I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but 
I'm glad we made a back-up plan should we decide to cancel."

 

"I'm glad I talked you all into choosing Spiro to tell the key 
people and having people prepared just in case," Eric 
stated.  "Including removing us from the area before the 
announcement is made."

 

Gene frowned.  "I'm worried that some fans might get hurt if others 
start a riot."

 

"Our agents will do their best to prevent that from happening," Eric 
assured him.  "But we need to start moving."

 

"Okay you two.  Time for a little trip," Gena said, grabbing Paul's 
arm.  "SiLK, I'm taking you along too to baby-sit them while I come 
back to evacuate the rest of us."

 

"Where are you going?" Eric asked.

 

"I know a place that they don't know about," Gena smirked as SiLK 
called Sappho to her.  "I trust someone here can handle her?"  Gena 
pointed to the unguarded still unconscious Elizabeth.

 

"I'll keep an eye on her," Stephanie offered.

 

 "Be back as soon as these two are settled in."  Then Gena, Gene, 
Paul and SiLK shimmered out.

 

"As much as we should be looking for Ace and Ana," Peter stated to 
the others, "my guess is Elizabeth is our best bet to get answers we 
need."

 

The others nodded their heads.  "But I don't dare try to wake her up 
here," Eric said.

 

"What if she wakes up on her own?" Bruce asked.  "Hopefully she's 
not too injured to come to.  We need her.  And if she's really 
innocent, then she doesn't deserve this."

 

"Yeah," Eric agreed.  "Even if she's not, she still is innocent.  
Chances are she didn't have a choice if E.V.I.L. programmed her."  
He let out a sigh as he glanced around the dressing room.  "Everyone 
stay put here until Gena gets you out.  I'm going to check on some 
of us still unaccounted for."

 

"Be careful, Eric," Cyn said, getting up to go to him.

 

"Don't worry.  We have agents around somewhere.  I'll get them to 
round up the others."  He smiled at Cyn, then left the dressing 
room.  

 

Cyn let out a sigh, wishing for this nightmare to be over.  
Hopefully then, her and Eric could have a somewhat normal life 
without her worrying about losing him again.  She glanced at 
Stephanie, who still seemed shaken from how close Paul came to 
getting killed.  She remembered SiLK's and Gena's anguish of worry 
from almost losing a loved one.  "I'm going to see what I can for 
Andre," she announced.

 

Weary heads nodded.  Peter was packing the few personal belongings 
they bought along with them to the show.  The rest of their stuff 
would be packed by the crew as usual.  Singer and Mark went to the 
other dressing room to gather all personal belongings bought 
backstage with the band members to bring back to that room.

 

"They changed their game," Bruce said thoughtfully as his tired eyes 
settled on Cyn and Andre.

 

Peter stopped what he was doing.  "What do you mean?" he asked.

 

"They tried to kill some of us.  I don't think Gene and Paul were 
meant to be hurt as a warning.  They're supposed to be dead.  Last I 
heard, we're more useful alive."

 

"You're right," Peter mused.  "Buttercup must be desperate and 
decided to finally be rid of us at any cost.  That's not good.  
Worse, what does that mean for Ace and Ana?"  He started to frown, 
clenching and unclenching his hands.  "We need to find them fast."

 

"That's not good," Stephanie agreed.  "Unless we find a way to play 
that to our advantage."

 

"There's a thought," Peter mused.  "If he's desperate, it means he's 
in a corner."

 

"But remember he's more dangerous now if he's trying to kill us," 
Bruce pointed out.  "Where's Lorie?"

 

"On her way back to the hotel," Eric's voice replied.  Bruce turned 
to see Eric enter the dressing room.  "Some of them were on the 
other side of the backstage, so they went into the audience trying 
to get around some other way," he explained.  "Where's Eric and 
Mark?"

 

"Next door, getting our gear together," Bruce replied.

 

"I said not to leave," Eric snapped.

 

"It's only next door," Peter said.  "Relax Eric.  They'll be back in 
a few minutes.  Besides, it's not as if we're any safer sitting 
around here."

 

"We're in numbers here," Eric remarked.

 

"Great," Stephanie murmured.  "More ways for our defenses to be 
turned into attacks against us."

 

Bruce pointed to Stephanie.  "She has a point, you know."

 

"Dammit!" Peter exploded.  "So basically we don't dare use our 
powers against them?"  He let out a snarl.

 

Gena shimmered into the room.  "Next," she announced, glancing 
around the room as if looking for a victim.

 

Stephanie smirked and shook her head.

 

"Anyway, I have G.O.O.D. agents taking the others back to the hotel 
to pack up," Eric said.  "We're looking into another hotel to stay 
in until a more permanent location is worked out.  Hopefully 
something of a safe haven where we can all regroup and see what we 
can do about finally getting Buttercup and bringing down E.V.I.L.  
As soon as the arrangement are made we're all leaving."

 

"Are we staying in New York City?" Cyn asked.

 

"For a while, I think.  This is a big city.  Hopefully we can lose 
ourselves as effectively as Buttercup seemed to have.  At least 
until we come up with a better plan."

 

"I need Peter," Gena stated.  "Get your gear.  Where's Gene's and 
Paul's?"

 

"With mine.  I got it all," Peter replied.

 

"Great.  Cyn, come with me too," Gena said.

 

"Are they okay?" Stephanie asked, tensing.  She studied Gena's face.

 

"Yeah.  They're settled in, with Sappho on guard to keep them in 
bed, and complaining about it.  I guess that means they'll be just 
fine."  Gena grinned.  "But someone else needs to come with us.  I'm 
not moving people one at a time.  I can take a few per trip."  She 
looked over to see Cyn stopping by Eric as she placed a hand on 
Peter's arm.

 

"You're not taking us to hell, are you?" Peter asked, flinching a 
bit as Gena touched him.

 

"No, I'm not taking you to hell," Gena snapped.  "Now stop that.  
I'm not going to hurt you."

 

"Go," Eric told Cyn, placing his hands on her shoulders.  "I'll be 
along as soon as I can.  No one is going to attempt crazy heroics.  
We're going to work as a team to get a solid plan."

 

Cyn nodded, biting her lip.  "Hurry," she said, smiling up at him.

 

"See?" Gena asked Peter.  "If Eric trusts Cyn with me."

 

"Stay safe so I know I have someone waiting for me," he said softly, 
then tenderly kissed him.

 

"Let's go," Gena announced.  "Everyone will be together soon 
enough.  If everyone stops delaying me."

 

"She's got a point," Eric said.  He hugged Cyn before gently pushing 
her in Gena's direction.

 

"Yeah, move it people.  I know I'm one of the last ones out of here 
and I want to be gone already," Vinnie said.

 

"Don't worry, Vinnie.  I won't forget you," Gena laughed as she 
placed her other hand around Cyn's arm and shimmered out.

 

"Somehow I didn't like that laugh," Vinnie mumbled.

 

Bruce and Eric exchanged glances and burst out in laughter.

 

*** *** ***

 

"Well, at least you did something right," Buttercup stated softly.  
It was too soft, warning of far more danger.  "At least you got the 
bitch with the Rage."  He turned to face the men assembled before 
the rickety desk of his makeshift office.  "Along with Frehley."

 

"The spell worked," the chosen spokesman reported.  "We were able to 
turn their defenses into our attack against them.  We got Simmons 
and Stanley.." 

 

"Great.  But I want Simmons alive and here, along with Gardenia.  I 
want to break that bitch and break her hard.  But not so much that I 
can't use her.   I have plans for our two guests.  We're halfway 
there.  Oh, to think of new names now.  I want a recap on Stanley 
and Simmons.  Keep our little Rager under for a while.  With her, I 
need to rethink my plans.  We're going to relocate soon, taking 
our 'guests' with us.   Make sure Frehley is ready for travel."

 

"What about the other one?" one of the men asked.

 

"Ana is mine."  Buttercup licked his lips.

 

*** *** ***

 

"Nice place," Bruce remarked with a smirk, looking at his 
surroundings.

 

"I'm was planning on remodeling it while I was here," Gena stated, 
sitting at the kitchen table.  "It wasn't in great shape when I 
moved to Los Angeles.  It got worse with no one living in it.  I'm 
supposed to be staying here for a while overseeing the start of 
renovations."

 

"You could get a nice amount," Eric agreed.  "Especially if you turn 
it back into the 2 apartments it originally was."  The dwelling of 
discussion was the Victorian manor Gena called her childhood home in 
the Midwood section of Brooklyn.

 

"When my parents bought it, they wanted it for single family usage.  
So they had it converted," Gena explained.  "I still have the place 
in Greenpoint, but that is being rented out for a nice sum of 
money.  Seems dad was into real estate.  Even if we did start off in 
a little tenement in Williamsburg."  She shrugged, as the thought 
finally came to her of how that had actually come about, and 
determined when time allowed, she was going to look further into 
it.  She had a feeling it had to do with the other side of her she 
had recently discovered and was determined to know more about.

 

"It's a place other than backstage for now," Stephanie said.

 

"I have a shield up.  It should still appear as the abandoned house 
it's been for these last few years," Gena assured them.  "It should 
be safe enough."  She looked at everyone sitting in the 
kitchen.  "There's twelve rooms.  I have Gene and Paul in two.  So 
make yourselves comfortable.  There should be room enough here until 
we get word we have a new location."

 

"We'll meet up with the others then," Eric explained.

 

"Where's Elizabeth?" SiLK asked.

 

"With the others," Eric explained.  "Gena took Elizabeth and Bruce 
there.  Once I'm sure you're all settled, I'll be there for a while 
as she gets questioned.  Too bad some of you didn't leave anything 
left of the flunkies for us to question.  Anyway, having Lorie 
around is a huge help."

 

"I'm going to check in on Gene," Gena said.  "I have a feeling he's 
not resting like he should be."

 

"Maybe someone should sneak up and slam something against the door," 
Peter chuckled.  "That'll teach him about listening in when he 
should be in bed."

 

"He knows better than to leave the room," Eric laughed.  "If he 
survives Gena, the rest of us will finish him on the count of 
stupidity."

 

"He's too weak for that yet," Cyn said with a laugh.  "And until he 
gets some rest, he'll continue to be."

 

"He better get himself well," Peter frowned.  "We need everyone we 
can right now."

 

"Paul's out cold," SiLK announced.

 

Stephanie nodded.  "I don't think he has a choice after what 
happened to him."

 

"Fortunately I can do something for him when he wakes up with the 
headache he's going to have," Cyn stated.

 

"I suggest the rest of you get comfortable and relax, if not sleep," 
Eric stated.  "Gena, can you drop me off at the Waldorf?  It'll be 
quick.  I'll let you go right away so you can fuss over Gene."

 

"Thank you," Gena sighed.

 

"But let him rest," Peter warned with a grin.

 

Gena glared at Peter and snorted indignantly for a reply.  Facing 
Eric, she asked what was on everyone's mind.  "What about Ace and 
Ana?  How are we expected to relax with them gone?"

 

"I'm going to question Elizabeth, and we have agents out already 
looking for clues.  We'll probably pull together a party with some 
of you at some point.  But I won't pick anyone who looks exhausted 
or ready to crack under pressure.  That won't help anyone, including 
Ana and Ace."

 

There were complaints, grumps and groans, but everyone reluctantly 
agreed.  Then Gena grabbed Eric and shimmered them out.