By the Icehole

Note: This story takes place before “Elektra: Redemption”

(Front cover. We see the members of X-Force beaten, battered, and bruised, except for Siryn. All are in their uniforms, and all but Siryn’s uniform is torn in some fashion. Siryn wears a mechanical device about the size of a cigarette pack on her neck.)

Siryn: I go away f’r a week and the world goes t’hell!
Domino: It’s... not like... we didn’t... try...

(Page 1, panel 1. A hospital in San Francisco. We see Meltdown lying on a gurney, broken, beaten, bruised and battered. She has an arrow in her stomach, and wears her uniform, which is in rags. A nurse is pushing her to an operating room. The nurse wears operating clothing.)

Nurse: Get Doctor Parshigan here stat!! This one looks very tricky.

(Panel 2. Enter a doctor of Hindu origin, wearing a suit, tie, and white lab coat. They go towards an operating room.)

Parshigan: What is the status?
Nurse: The patient has lost a large amount of blood. We’ve barely managed to stabilize her enough to operate on. She was found on the street like this after a bunch of ninjas attacked her and her colleagues. They’re in similar shape and here too.

(Panel 3. They go inside the operating room.)

Parshigan: Scrub up, nurse. This looks like we’re in for a long operation.

(Panel 4. Go over to see Moonstar being tended to. Moonstar has 3 arrows in her, one in each arm and one in her left leg. She is in her uniform, which is in rags around her. She also has numerous cuts and bruises, and a deep slash in her stomach. A doctor and a nurse stand over her, wearing operating clothing.)

Doctor: Status, Mr. Johnson.
Nurse: Doctor, the patient has lost a lot of blood. It’s a miracle that she’s not dead. She was attacked by several ninjas who were too fast for her. She has multiple lacerations and arrow wounds.

(Panel 5. Go over to see Sunspot in a similar fashion. A doctor and nurse stand over her as well.)

Nurse: We’ve got a John Doe here, he was attacked by ninjas who beat him severely with his friends. He’s stable for the moment, but slipping...
Doctor: We’ve got our work cut out for us.

(Page 2, panel 1. Earlier that day. We see the members of X-Force backed into a corner of an alleyway, ready to strike. Missing is Siryn. All of them are in their uniforms.)

Cap (N1): And how did they get that way?
Cap (N2): To answer that question, we must go back to early that afternoon,
Cap (N3): In the Chinatown section of San Francisco.

Meltdown: Back off, pal! X-Force doesn’t take kindly to people who threaten us!

(Panel 2. We now see them facing agents of the Hand, along with Nina McCabe, and Kuroyama.)

Kuroyama: You have interfered with the Hand, X-Force. For that, you must die.
Domino: We have a thing about killing people - we don’t like it, and we don’t like others to do it either. You know killing is wrong.

(Panel 3. The Hand advances on X-Force, as they ready their weapons. Kuroyama readies his sickle and chain.)

Kuroyama: There is only one penalty for defying the Hand... death.

(Panel 4. Meltdown readies two explosive balls.)

Meltdown: Many have tried to kill us all, and all have failed.

(Page 3, panel 1. The Hand attacks X-Force, who fight back.)

Kuroyama: I would not be so eager for death if I were you!

(Panel 2. We see Proudstar strike an agent of the Hand.)

SFX: POW!

(Panel 3. Kuroyama strikes Meltdown with the side of his sickle as she throws an explosive bomb at another ninja.)

SFX: WHAM!!!

Kuroyama: The chant, my brothers... we must be assured of victory this day.

(Panel 3. Domino clashes swords with Nina McCabe. In the background until further notice, we hear the Hand ninjas chanting “Kuroyama.”)

SFX: CLANG!!
Domino: You don’t look like the rest of them... what’s your game, sister?
Nina: I am your doom!

(Panel 4. Nina gives and elbow to Domino in her jaw while clashing swords.)

SFX: WHOK! Clang!
Nina: I have been magically enhanced enough to defeat almost anyone.

(Page 4. Panel 1. A ninja slashes Moonstar with his sai as Moonstar strikes another ninja with her psi arrow.)

SFX: SLASH!!
Moonstar: UHN!!!

(Panel 2. Kuroyama slashes Meltdown and Sunspot with his sickle.)

SFX: WHISH!
Sunspot: ¡Mae de Deus!

(Panel 3. We see several archers poised and ready to strike.)

Kuroyama: Forward, my brothers! Victory shall be ours today!

(Panel 4. Meltdown tosses a bomb into a ninja’s cloak, which goes off as she goes down with an arrow in her stomach.)

Meltdown: UHN!!
SFX: Boom!

(Panel 5. The archers unleash a volley of arrows, striking the members of X-Force.)

Kuroyama: Your defeat is certain, X-Force... surrender and we will let you die with honor.

(Page 5, panel 1. Proudstar makes a diving kick onto Kuroyama, but Kuroyama does not budge.)

Proudstar: Put a sock in it!

(Panel 2. Kuroyama sinks his sickle into Proudstar’s stomach. Blood flies everywhere.)

SFX: SKLURCH!
Kuroyama: You cannot possibly hope to defeat us, X-Force.

(Panel 3. Domino goes down with an arrow in her leg.)

Domino: UHN!!!

(Panel 4. A ninja delivers a karate kick to Sunspot’s arm, breaking it.)

SFX: SCRACK!!
Sunspot: AH!!!

(Page 6, panel 1. Domino tries to kick a ninja, who catches her foot.)

Ninja: Bad move, white one.

(Panel 2. Kuroyama breaks Domino’s leg with the butt of his sickle.)

SFX: CRUNCH!!
Domino: AAAIIIIEEEE!!!!!

(Panel 3. We see the members of X-Force all on the ground, broken, bleeding, and seriously hurt.)

Kuroyama: Enough, my brothers... they have been wounded enough to die a slow, lingering death... and we have other matters to attend.

(Panel 4. Exeunt the Hand Ninjas.)

Nina: And tell Elektra she was a poor teacher!

(Page 7, panel 1. Go back to the present.)

Cap (N1): Fortunately, they were spotted immediately.
Cap (N2): Otherwise, they would have died on the spot.

(Panel 2. We see Siryn being wheeled out of a hospital by Banshee.)

Cap (N1): Meanwhile, across town...
Cap (N2): Theresa Roarke has been fitted with an artificial vocal box.
Cap (N3): However, she will find that her troubles are only just beginning...

(Panel 2. Siryn stands up as they exit the hospital.)

Siryn: I’m fine, da. It’s just something I have t’get used to.
Banshee: Aye... but yuir powers were based on yuir vocal cords... I donna know if they’ll work now.
(Panel 3. Siryn flies up into the air.)

Siryn: I’d say they still work. Well, it’s been good t’see ye again, but me friends need me.
Banshee: Of course, Theresa.

(Panel 4. Siryn lands, and gives her father a hug.)

Siryn: We’ll see each other again, da. I promise.
Banshee: Of course, love.

(Page 8, panel 1. Go back to the Hand. We see them in Chinatown again, having cornered a young couple.)

Kuroyama: You have betrayed us, and the penalty for betrayal is death.

(Panel 2. Kuroyama slashes with his sickle, killing both of them instantly.)

SFX: SLASH!!

(Panel 3. We see their bleeding and broken bodies on the ground.)

Kuroyama: Come, my brothers... glory awaits one and all.

(Panel 4. San Francisco hospital again. We see Meltdown and Domino sharing a room together. Both are still unconscious, and now wear numerous bandages and a hospital gown. They are in beds, beneath the sheets.)

Cap (N1): The operations were successes.
Cap (N2): Although Domino’s surviving was called “a miracle” by the doctors.

(Page 9, panel 1. Go back to Siryn. We see her arrive at X-Force headquarters.)

Cap (S1): Strange that the gang wasn’t there to see me back.
Cap (S2): I hope they’re all right.
Cap (S3): Maybe it’s one of Bobby’s jokes again.

(Panel 2. Siryn opens the door to see two Hand ninjas ransacking the place.)

Siryn: What in the --?!
Ninja: [we have been discovered! Kill her!*]
Cap (N):: Translated from the original Japanese.

(Panel 2. Siryn sonically screams at the ninjas.)

Siryn: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ninja: [get her!!]

(Panel 3. The ninjas are thrown back into a wall, which activates their death phosphors.)

Ninja: Kunoichi! [She has signaled our doom!]
Siryn: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

(Panel 4. Siryn stops screaming as the ninjas burst into a bright light. Siryn covers her eyes as they do this.)

SFX: FLASH!!!
Cap (S1): Och, that’s bright.
Cap (S2): But who were they and why were they here?

(Page 10, panel 1. The light disappears, leaving only the robes of the dead ninjas.)

Cap (S1): Och, that smell...
Cap (S2): It’s worse than Bobby’s dirty clothes...

(Panel 2. Siryn checks over the robes of the dead ninjas.)

Cap (S1): Burned up completely.
Cap (S2): But who were they...?
Voice (From off panel): They were agents of the Hand.

(Panel 3. Siryn turns to see Elektra in the doorway. Elektra wears her uniform, and has her sais sheathed.)

Siryn: Who... who are ye?
Elektra: My name is Elektra. Your friends have stumbled onto a war that has lasted for centuries. They aren’t the first victims, but they may be among the last.

(Panel 4. Siryn approaches Elektra.)

Siryn: How do I know I can trust ye? I’ve heard you’ve stacked up a reputation as a cold-blooded killer.
Elektra: I am a friend of Logan... but your friends need you now. Come, I will take you to the hospital where they are.

(Page 11, panel 1. Elektra and Siryn go out as we see another Hand ninja looking at them.)

Cap (Ninja1): She has shown her face.
Cap (Ninja2): She will be ours again.

(Panel 2. The hospital. We see Elektra and Siryn arrive there.)

Cap (N1): Later, after Elektra has filled in Siryn on what has been going on here...
Cap (N2): The two of them arrive at the hospital.
Siryn: I see now. So where does that leave the rest of us?
Elektra: You can either walk away and be hunted down by the Hand... or you can fight and maybe get out of the war all together.

(Panel 3. They enter Meltdown’s room to see a ninja swinging a katana at Meltdown. Meltdown herself is wearing a hospital gown and numerous bandages.)

Siryn: What the --!? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Panel 4. The ninja is knocked into the wall, where the death flash activates. Elektra and Siryn cover their eyes.)

Siryn: Shield your eyes!
SFX: FLASH!!!!

(Page 12, panel 1. all that is left of the ninja is his robe, and the bad smell.)

Siryn: Och... that smell...
Elektra: It’s a phosphate compound that results from their burning. We’d better check to see if any of your other friends were similarly threatened.

(Panel 2. They stand in the hallway.)

Cap (N): A check of the rooms later...
Siryn: Nothing. So how do we stop the Hand?
Elektra: That is a good question, Siryn. I have been playing this by ear for so long, I haven’t been able to make any plans....

(Panel 3. They go into Domino/Moonstar’s room. Domino is starting to wake up.)

Elektra: This one is about to waken...
Domino: (very weakly) Uhn...

(Panel 4. We see a completely black panel. Panel 5. We see gray, fuzzy, and out of focus shapes. Panel 6. The shapes become clearer, but still gray and fuzzy.)

Elektra: I think she can understand us now...

(Page 13, panel 1. We see Domino open her eyes.)

Siryn: Welcome back t’the land of the living, Dom.
Domino: Uhn....

(Panel 2. Domino tries to move, but cannot.)

Siryn: Don’t try to move, Dom. You’ve got several severe injuries.
Elektra: The doctor said it was a miracle that you lived.

(Panel 3. Domino relaxes, facing Siryn.)

Domino: Threat... menace to the world... ultimate ninja... unstoppable...
Elektra: Yes, I know who you are talking about... his name is Kuroyama, and he is part demon. It will take a lot to defeat him.

(Panel 4. They continue to talk.)

Elektra: We are going to need some holy relics for the job... and fortunately, one of them is touring here....

(Page 14, panel 1. San Francisco museum of art. We see several holy relics from a church behind several glass cases.)

Cap (N1): San Francisco museum of art.
Cap (N2): This week they are having a special exhibit.
Cap (N3): From a monastery comes their holy relics.
Cap (N4): Including the relic that is important for this story.

(Panel 2. We see Siryn and Elektra, now incognito, in the museum. Both of them wear pleasant, modest dresses.)

Cap (N1): And so they come.
Cap (N2): Sure, they could ask permission.
Cap (N3) But would you believe them?
Siryn: So where is it?
Elektra: Over there.

(Panel 3. They come to a 6-inch wooden cross that is in a glass case.)

Siryn: (quietly)That’s it?
Elektra: (quietly)The cross of St. Felix is one of the most powerful forces of good we have available. It’s said to be very old.

(Panel 4. Siryn faintly screams.)

Siryn: (faintly) Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

(Page 15, panel 1. Siryn stops screaming.)

Siryn: Let’s go.

(Panel 2. Outside the museum. Siryn and Elektra stand there.)

Siryn: They’ve got a few infrared detectors there, and some other defenses.
Elektra: The floor is rigged as well. Unfortunately, most of my training is in assassination, not theft.
(Panel 3. Siryn smiles slightly.)

Siryn: It’s been a long time, but I still remember most of me thieving skills.

(Panel 4. That evening at the museum. The place is dark and closed.)

Cap (N): And that evening...

(Page 16, panel 1. Elektra and Siryn stand on the roof of the building, clad in black spandex bodysuits with their faces covered.)

Elektra: I’ve disabled the outer security systems. Now, let’s go inside.

(Panel 2. We see Siryn flying over the cross of St. Felix.)

Cap (S1): Steady, Teresa.
Cap (S2): Almost there....

(Panel 3. Siryn lifts the case, and takes the cross.)

Cap (S): Got it!

(Panel 4. We see Siryn outside, with Elektra. Siryn holds the cross of St. Felix.)

Siryn: We got it. Let’s go.

(Panel 5. Siryn takes off holding Elektra as the alarms go off.)

SFX: RRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!
Elektra: And not a moment too soon.

(Page 17, panel 1. Next day, in the hospital. Elektra stands in the room of Moonstar and Domino, holding the cross.)

Elektra: The cross does have the power to heal... when used properly...

(Panel 2. Elektra concentrates, and a green glow comes from her outward.)

Siryn: What in the world...?

(Panel 3. Go down to see a bunch of doctors working on a patient in an operating room.)

Nurse: It’s too late, doctor. The patient has expired.
Doctor: #$&*...

(Panel 4. They see the green light enter the room.)

Doctor: What is going on?

(Panel 5. They see the patient is now healed.)

Nurse: Doctor, I’m getting a pulse....
Doctor: He’s not dead after all. Quick, stabilize him!

(Panel 6. Go back to Elektra, who stops the light.)

Elektra: You and your friends should be all right now.
Siryn: I... I donna believe it! I got me voice back!

(Panel 7. Go down to see a member of the Hand in black in a corner.)

Ninja: The woman has the cross as we feared. She will use it to harm us.

(Page 18, panel 1. Later. We see all the members of X-Force out of the hospital, and wearing their uniforms. They are outside their home.)

Cap (N): The next morning...
Elektra: The Hand knows I have the cross. They will come, but we are ready for them now.
Voice: (from off panel) Trinkets will not save you now, kunoichi.

(Panel 2. They turn to see several Hand ninjas along with Kuroyama there.)

Kuroyama: The darkness will always be more powerful... You will have no choice but to give in...
Elektra: The light will always conquer the darkness, Kuroyama.

(Panel 3. The Hand attacks, but Elektra and X-Force defend themselves.)

Elektra: Siryn - get the holy water.

(Panel 4. Siryn flies up as we see Sunspot strike a member of the Hand, sending him down.)

Sunspot: This time it’s very different.

(Page 19, panel 1. Meltdown hits one of the Hand ninjas with an exploding bomb, causing the ninja to burst into light.)

Meltdown: Woah! Bright light - bad smell!

(Panel 2. Reenter Siryn with the holy water as we see Proudstar knock one of the ninjas down.)

Siryn: Ready up here...

(Panel 3. Kuroyama clashes sword to sickle with Elektra.)

Kuroyama: Surrender, Elektra... you know you cannot beat me.
SFX: CLANG!!
Elektra: Alone, perhaps... but I am never alone.

(Panel 4. Proudstar picks up Kuroyama, taking him off his feet.)

Proudstar: Now!!

(Page 20, full-page panel. While Proudstar holds up Kuroyama, Elektra sticks the cross of St. Felix into Kuroyama’s chest. Meanwhile, Siryn pours the fountain of holy water onto Kuroyama from above.)

Kuroyama: NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
SFX: HHHIIIISSSSSSSSS!!!!

(Page 21, panel 1. Proudstar throws Kuroyama away, as Kuroyama dissolves.)

Kuroyama: Curse... you... kunoichi... I’ll .... see... you... rot... in... hell...

(Panel 2. Elektra and the members of X-Force shield their eyes as Kuroyama disappears in a blinding flash of light. The other Hand members flee.)

SFX: FWASH!!!!!!

(Panel 3. All that is left is the cross of St. Felix.)

Meltdown: Is he gone?
Elektra: He has been returned to the realm of hell... but others will rise to take his place.

(Panel 4. They turn away from the scene.)

Cap (N): Thus the Hand moves one step closer to its downfall....

(Page 22, panel 1. X-Force headquarters. We see Elektra and X-Force there. All are in their uniforms.)

Moonstar: We couldn’t have done it without you, Elektra.
Elektra: I could not have done it without you, X-Force.

(Panel 2. Elektra goes off.)

Elektra: We may meet again, if fate allows...

(Panel 3. Go back to the museum. We see the curator put the cross of St. Felix back in place.)

Cap (N): Meanwhile, across town...
Cap (Curator 1): Nice of that woman to have found it for us.
Cap (Curator 2): But I have to wonder how she got it back?

(Panel 4. The curator closes the case.)

Curator: Activate security systems.
Cap (curator): Well, the cross is back, and that’s what’s important.