Heaven Sent: The 7 Blocks
Part II: "The Bittersweet Fruit"
by Quamp ([email protected])
(Page 1, panel 1. A school in Fort Worth. Kyle Taylor is sitting in an office with Lotus next to him. He is in his usual outfit. She is in a nice dress. They are opposite the principal, an older man in a suit and tie. The principal looks them over.)
Caption (N):�The next morning from when we left off, Kyle Taylor is being enrolled in a Fort Worth school.
Principal: I'm still not clear as to how he ended up in Fort Worth, Ms. Jones.
Lotus: After his parents died, Kyle was kidnaped by some bad people. They've been brought to justice by me. We have contacted his relatives, and they say they are unable to care for him at this time. I've been temporarily made his guardian until his relatives can take over his care. He was taken from his home in Fate to here. We found him in a warehouse off of Pineapple.
Kyle: What she said.
(Panel 2. The principal stands up.)
Principal:�Well, I will send off for his records, that should be here in a few days. In the meantime, we're going to get you set up with a nice set of courses. Now, let's see what we've got available...
(Panel 3. The principal types something into a computer.)
Principal: Hmm... there's a very limited choice here... but I think we can get you into some classes.
Lotus: I'm not picky about which classes he gets, just as long as he gets a good education.
(Panel 4. The principal smiles at Lotus.)
Principal: We assure you, we'll give him the best education Fort Worth schools have to offer.
(Panel 5. Later on, we see Kyle with several books in hand going to a classroom.)
Caption (N): After the registration, Kyle Taylor heads off to his first class of the day, which is in the fifth period...
Kyle's thoughts: Well, I'd better make the best of this...
(Panel 6. Kyle enters a classroom, to see that the students are ethnically diverse. There is but one seat open way back in the back of the room. The teacher is an older woman with white hair and wrinkles. She looks over at Kyle.)
Teacher: Well, what do we have here?
Kyle: Uh... hi. My name's Kyle Taylor, and I just transferred into this school.
(Panel 7. Kyle hands the teacher a piece of paper, which she reads.)
Teacher: Hmm... well, my name is Ms. Brangus, Kyle Taylor. Just have a seat in the back, all right?
Kyle: Uh... sure...
(Panel 8. Kyle sits in the seat in the back.)
Teacher: Well class, as you can see, we have a transfer student here. Why don't you tell us about yourself, Kyle?
(Page 2, panel 1. Master Bane and Shiva are going down a darkened hallway. He is in his usual attire and in the wheelchair; she walks beside him.)
Bane: There have been some developments in the case of Kyle Taylor.
Shiva: Oh really?
(Panel 2. Bane smiles slightly.)
Bane: He's been enrolled in a school in Fort Worth. Fortunately, one of his classes has someone in it that is in with our side....
(Panel 3. Bane hands Shiva a picture of a young woman about Kyle's age. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and looks extremely mean and petulant.)
Bane: This is Melissa Stannum. Go to Fort Worth and make contact with her. She will make stopping Kyle a whole lot easier...
Shiva: Hmm... Doesn't look impressive.
(Panel 4. Bane smiles an evil smile.)
Bane: Better not let her hear you say that. She's been practicing the dark arts.
Shiva: A magic user, hmm? She'd better be good.
(Panel 5. They stop in front of a doorway.)
Bane: Whether or not she improves is up to you, Shiva. I want you to aid her as much as possible. Teach her everything you can. Whatever you do, Kyle Taylor must be stopped.
Shiva: That is a given. Well, no time like the present to meet this witch, is there?
(Panel 6. Shiva vanishes in a puff of smoke.)
Bane: May the dark forces be with you, Shiva.
(Page 3, panel 1. Back in Fort Worth, school has let out for the day. Kyle is walking home with Samantha by his side. They are walking down a suburban street.)
Caption (N): After school...
Kyle: I just hope mom doesn't mind this.
Samantha: I'm sure she won't, Kyle. Even though your mom is suffering right now, she cannot be destroyed in hell.
(Panel 2. Samantha suddenly turns around, startled by something we can't see.)
Kyle:�What is it?
Samantha: Someone's there...
(Panel 3. Samantha has her sword in hand now.)
Samantha: All right, show yourself!
(Panel 4. Pause while Kyle and Samantha look around. Panel 5. Samantha puts away her sword.)
Samantha: I sensed something evil nearby... I didn't get a good enough feeling of it to determine what it was...
Kyle: Well, we've got to get home. Training cannot wait.
(Panel 5. Down the street a bit we see Melissa Stannum walking home. She holds some books in her hand.)
Melissa's thoughts:�Stupid math homework. I've got better things to do than algebra!
Voice (from off panel): Melissa Stannum...
(Panel 6. Shiva appears next to Melissa in a cloud of smoke.)
Shiva: You will come with me now.
Melissa: I'm not impressed by amateur theatrics. what do you want?
(Panel 7. Shiva looks grimly at Melissa.)
Shiva: A young man has entered your school by the name of Kyle Taylor. He must be destroyed, or all the darkness will suffer.
Melissa: So why should I care? What's in it for me?
(Panel 8. Shiva smiles sinisterly. Melissa is unimpressed.)
Shiva: Power. I will make you the most powerful witch in your coven.
Melissa:�Ah, I get these offers every day. Everyone promises, nobody delivers.
(Panel 4. Frustrated, Shiva strikes Melissa, sending her flying backwards down the street.)
Shiva: I'll show you power!!
SFX: WHAM!
(Panel 5. Shiva stands over the fallen Melissa. Melissa looks at Shiva with fear in her eyes.)
Shiva: Now, you will help me defeat Kyle Taylor once and for all... or you will die. Do I make myself clear?
Melissa: Uh... right...
(Panel 6. Melissa stands up.)
Shiva: Now, I've got a plan that will help us kill him for our mutual boss...
(Page 4, panel 1. Texas Patrol headquarters. Kyle arrives at the entryway to find Spyre there. Samantha is with Kyle.)
Kyle: Hi, I'm home.
Spyre: Howdy there. Lecita's waiting for you in the briefing room.
(Panel 2. The briefing room. Lotus is standing there as Kyle and Samantha enter.)
Lotus:�Ah, welcome back, Kyle. Now, I decided today I'd let you get to know the members of the Texas Patrol here. They're all going to be helping you out more or less.
Kyle: Oh, O.k...
(Panel 3. The three of them walk out the door.)
Lotus:�The first one I want you to meet is Esteban. He rarely gets to be with young men his age. I'm sure he'll be glad to get to know you.
Kyle: You have someone my age on your team?
(Panel 4. They are walking down a hallway.)
Lotus:�Well, Esteban's about a year older than you are, Kyle. However, he earned his doctorate in medicine and helps out with the healing around here. In the field, he's known as Sonnos.
(Panel 5. They enter the infirmary, where Sonnos is examining a young African-American woman. She looks very ill.)
Lotus:�He runs a free clinic here when he can for those who can't afford health care when he gets the chance.
Sonnos: I'll give you a prescription that medicaid will cover. Just be sure to follow the directions exactly, señorita.
(Panel 6. The young woman exits, and Sonnos looks at Lotus and Kyle.)
Sonnos: Ah, you must be Kyle. I am Esteban. It's good to meet you.
Kyle: Likewise.
(Panel 7. They continue to talk.)
Lotus: Kyle is a chosen one like me. He's going to liberate his parents from hell.
Sonnos: Well, good luck, amigo. Say, you into football? I've been looking for someone to play with.
Kyle: Well...
(Panel 8. Lotus does an aside with Kyle.)
Lotus: Esteban hasn't been in the USA too long. He's from Mexico. He means soccer.
Kyle:�Oh...
(Page 5, panel 1. Back in the briefing room, Lotus and Kyle meet up with Starshot.)
Caption (N): Later on...
Starshot: Me name's Starshot, but ye can call me Sara.
Kyle: It's nice to meet you.
Lotus: Sara's from Ireland. She's my primary student here.
(Panel 2. Starshot gives a friendly smile to Kyle.)
Starshot: Well, if ye need any help in anything, just let me know.
Kyle: I will. Thanks.
(Panel 3. Lotus and Kyle stand up.)
Lotus: Well, that's most of the team. We've got a couple more, but right now, Mindpath is doing some maintenance on the training room.
(Panel 4. Dormira enters.)
Starshot:�Oh no....
Lotus: Well, you're going to meet her sooner or later...
Kyle (to Dormira): Hi. My name's Kyle Taylor.
(Panel 5. Dormira looks harshly at Lotus.)
Dormira:�Why do you have a normal child here? That is child endangerment.
Lotus: Meet one of the two biggest samadhis of my life at the moment. This is Dormira. She won't tell us her real name, she won't smile, she won't do anything with us except fight.
Kyle: So why is she here?
(Panel 6. Dormira gets face-to-face with Lotus.)
Dormira:�I will not be ignored! I should have you arrested for child endangerment right now!
Lotus: Dormira, he's here solely to train because he's going to go on an important mission from God. I will see to it he comes to no harm here.
(Panel 7. Dormira storms off.)
Dormira: You and this God thing. When he gets killed, I hope you will be proud then.
Lotus (to Kyle): Don't mind her. She's the quintessential Dorothy Petulant. She was thrust upon us by the state to monitor our activities. When I look into her soul, I see nothing but a lifetime of trauma and misdeeds done to her. Well, since the training room's down, you'll have some time to do your homework.
(Panel 8. Kyle looks over at Lotus.)
Kyle: Well, I don't have any homework today... I just got registered this morning, remember?
Lotus: Well then, just relax for tonight.
(Page 6, panel 1. Kyle's room. We see him sitting on the bed, reading a book.)
Caption (N): A little later...
(Panel 2. Samantha enters, wearing only a bikini. She is holding a towel in one hand and has a bottle of sun screen in the other.)
Samantha: Hey Kyle. I'm going to sunbathe. Want to join me?
(Panel 3. Kyle looks up, and is immediately dumfounded.)
Kyle: Uh...
Samantha�(smiles): I'll take that as a yes.
(Panel 4. Samantha walks off.)
Samantha: I'll be waiting by the pool for you. I really need someone to rub my back with sun screen.
Kyle: Well....
(Panel 5. Samantha exits. Kyle merely looks dumbfounded. Panel 6. Lotus enters.)
Lotus: Say, have you seen Samantha anywhere?
(Panel 7. Lotus waves her hand in front of Kyle, who snaps out of his trance.)
Lotus: Uh... hello? Anyone home?
Kyle: Huh? What?
(Panel 8. Lotus rolls her eyes at Kyle.)
Lotus: Where's Samantha?
Kyle: Oh... uh... she was just here a minute ago...
(Page, 7, panel 1. Lotus folds her arms.)
Lotus: Did she happen to mention where she was going?
Kyle: Uh... I don't know...
(Panel 2. Lotus unfolds her arms.)
Lotus: Well, she's your guardian angel, you go find her.
Kyle: Uh... right....
(Panel 3. Kyle exits.)
Caption (L): Nice kid, but not too swift on the uptake sometimes.
(Panel 4. Pool side. Samantha is sitting on a chaise lounge, waiting for Kyle.)
Caption (N):�And so...
(Panel 5. Samantha looks around the place.)
Samantha's thoughts: Where is he? I told him to come out here.
(Panel 6. Kyle enters, not really paying attention to Samantha.)
Kyle: Samantha, Lotus was looking for -
(Panel 7. Kyle stares dumbfounded at Samantha again.)
Kyle: You...
Samantha: Who's looking for me?
(Panel 8. Samantha snaps her fingers in front of Kyle's face.)
Samantha: Hello? Who's looking for me?
SFX: Snap! Snap!
(Page 8, panel 1. Samantha looks crestfallen and grimaces at Kyle.)
Samantha: Wonderful. He's turned into a drooling zombie. I was afraid this would happen.
(Panel 2. Enter Lotus.)
Lotus: Ah, there you are. Are you ready for phase 2?
Samantha: Already started, Lecita. This time, however, I was a little too successful...
(Panel 3. Lotus looks over Kyle.)
Lotus: That definitely is a problem. He won't last a minute in the second circle of hell if he's like that with you.
Samantha: True. I had a hard time there myself.
(Panel 4. Lotus waves her hand in front of Kyle.)
Lotus: Earth to Kyle Taylor, come in Kyle.
(Panel 5. Kyle finally snaps out of his trance.)
Kyle: Huh? Wha...?
Lotus: You know, you wouldn't last 30 seconds in the 2nd circle of hell.
(Panel 6. We see Kyle thinking of the time he accidentally tore of Samantha's death robe in Heaven Sent #1.)
Lotus: There is a huge difference between love and lust.
Kyle: Well, it's just that she reminded me of a little.... accident we had when I first met her.
(Panel 7. Lotus stares deep into Kyle's eyes.)
Lotus: Love can never be based on idealization of your partner. It will never work. It must be based on trust and desires for romantic contact. You have a lot to learn about love before you're ready for it.
Kyle: Yea, I guess so...
(Panel 8. Lotus walks away.)
Lotus: Well, most of what you learn about love can only be done through experience. I have to go now, the chief has an
assignment for me.
(Page 9, panel 1. Samantha looks over at Kyle.)
Samantha:�So Kyle, would you mind rubbing my back with sun screen?
Kyle: Huh? Oh, sure.
(Panel 2. Samantha is now on her back, and Kyle is rubbing her back with the sun screen with one hand, holding the bottle in the other.)
Samantha: So Kyle, what do you think of me?
Kyle:�Well, you're really cool...
(Panel 3. Samantha turns her head around, and looks at Kyle.)
Samantha�(in a heart-shaped word balloon): I mean, what do you really think of me?
Kyle: Well...
(Panel 4. Samantha looks a little hurt.)
Samantha: Don't you think I'm beautiful?
Kyle: Well, yea, but... aren't there rules against a guardian angel fraternizing with the person she's supposed to be protecting?
(Panel 5. Samantha smiles at Kyle.)
Samantha: Of course not. Say, why don't you get changed into swimwear and join me here?
Kyle:�Well... all right... if that's what you really want...
(Panel 6. Back with Shiva and Melissa, The two of them are concocting a potion. They are in a lab standing over a boiling cauldron.)
Caption (N): Meanwhile...
Melissa: This lust potion of yours had better work.
Shiva: He will see you as someone he cares for. Someone he will want.
(Page 10, panel 1. Shiva tosses what looks like a gizzard into the cauldron.)
Shiva: No mere mortal can resist the attraction of this...
(Panel 2. The cauldron emits a puff of smoke.)
SFX: Poof!
Shiva: There. It is done.
(Panel 3. Using a ladle, Melissa pours some of the mixture into a test tube.)
Shiva: Just put it on before you go to the class with him in it. Use some weird pretense to talk to him - I don't care what.
Melissa: Right. I'll have that bozo wrapped around my little finger before class is over.
(Panel 4. Master Bane enters.)
Bane: Well, young one, how goes things?
Melissa: We just finished the potion of lust, gramps.
(Panel 5. Bane scowls at Melissa.)
Bane:�My name is Master Bane! You will address me by that!
Melissa: Fine, Bation. Tomorrow we will get him to love me.
(Panel 6. Bane, angry, shakes his fist at Melissa.)
Bane: That's MASTER Bat - Bane!
Shiva: Oh, calm down, Master Bane. She will serve our purpose here...
(Page 12, panel 1. The next day, Kyle and Samantha are walking to school.)
Caption (N): The next day...
Kyle: Well, let's hope that I can make some new friends today.
Samantha: I know you will, Kyle.
(Panel 2. Samantha nervously looks around.)
Kyle: Is something wrong?
Samantha: I sense something evil nearby... Well, I can't seem to pinpoint where it is.
(Panel 3. In class, Kyle is sitting at his desk. Nearby, Melissa is at her desk. Kyle is busy paying attention to the teacher and writing things down; Melissa looks at Kyle with contempt.)
Caption (N): Later on...
Melissa's thoughts: So this is the bozo that's going to lead the forces of good here. He's very unimpressive.
(Panel 4. The teacher continues to talk in the background as Melissa sneers at Kyle.)
Melissa's thoughts: I hope this lust stuff works... He'd better fall for me. I think I'll enjoy recruiting him... then breaking his heart.
(Panel 5. Melissa puts some of the elixir on her wrists.)
Melissa's thoughts:�You're mine now, Kyle.
(Panel 6. The bell rings.)
Teacher: Class dismissed.
Melissa (to Kyle): Hey, got a moment here?
(Panel 7. Kyle gathers up his books, and stands. Instead of Melissa there, we see Cindy, the babe seen in H.S. #1.)
Kyle:�Sure, what do you want?
Melissa: I was wondering if you would like to join my study group. We meet after school tomorrow.
(Panel 8. Kyle smiles at Melissa.)
Kyle: Sure. Say... what's your name, by the way? You look a lot like this girl I once saw.
Melissa (in a heart-shaped word balloon): Melissa. See you then!
(Page 13, panel 1. Melissa meets up again with Shiva. They are in the hallway, and other kids mull around in the background. )
Shiva: So is he yours yet?
Melissa: I got him to be in a study group with me. By the demons, he was so sweet and kind... I had to strain to keep from throwing up.
(Panel 2. Shiva stares coldly at Melissa.)
Shiva: I do not need to remind you how important he is to our cause.
Melissa: Yea... but the kid can be pretty clueless though. I turned on the charm and he didn't respond.
(Panel 3. Go back to Kyle. We see him walking down a hallway. Behind him is a door marked with the following sign: "Art: Ms. Chilico")
Kyle's thoughts: Well, only here two days and I've found someone who likes me. This could be pretty good after all.
(Panel 4. Kyle continues to walk down the hallway. The door behind him reads "English Composition: Mr. Ossman.")
Voice (from off panel): Hey dude!
(Panel 5. A young guy about Kyle's age enters. He is in a t-shirt and blue jeans. The sign behind Kyle reads: "Home economics: Ms. Rigel")
George:�The name's George. I saw Melissa invite you to join her study group.
Kyle: Well, yea... I hope she can help me learn.
(Panel 6. George looks grim-faced at Kyle. They are in front of a door that reads: "English Composition: Mr. Noppen.")
George: I'm warning you. Stay away from her... she's evil.
Kyle:�She didn't seem evil to me.
(Page 14, panel 1. George shakes his head at Kyle.)
George:�She never does... until it's too late. Do yourself a favor and don't associate with her.
(Panel 2. George goes into a classroom marked: "Algebra - Ms. Nagaman.")
George: Gotta go - catch you after school, o.k.?
Kyle: Sure.
(Panel 3. Kyle heads into a classroom marked "American History - Mr. Ansala.")
Kyle's thoughts: Well, I'll worry about that later. I've got to make it in time here...
(Panel 4. Later on, Kyle is walking home. he has a backpack on his back.)
Kyle's thoughts: Man, they love piling on the homework at once, don't they?
(Panel 5. Samantha enters.)
Samantha: Something's wrong here...
Kyle:�You said it. I don't know how they expect us to do all of this in one night...
(Panel 6. Samantha stares grimly at Kyle.)
Samantha: No - I mean with you. Someone evil has been trying to tempt you.
Kyle:�Evil? Tempting me?
(Panel 7. Samantha pulls a small vial out of her robe.)
Samantha:�Clean up your soul, Kyle. This holy water should do the trick.
Kyle: All right... if you say so...
(Panel 8. Samantha pours the holy water on Kyle's head.)
Samantha: Begone, evil energy!
(Page 15, panel 1. Samantha pockets the empty vial.)
Samantha: So who have you been talking to today?
Kyle: Well, outside of class, there was a guy named George and a girl named Melissa... George said that Melissa was an evil witch... do you think he is right?
(Panel 2. Samantha nods.)
Samantha: She's got to be it.
Kyle: She wanted me to be in a study group with her tomorrow afternoon.
(Panel 3. Samantha smiles a sinister smile.)
Samantha:�Well, the one thing she didn't count on was me. Take your sword with you when you meet her again tomorrow.
Kyle: All right.
(Panel 4. Kyle has his sword in its sheath on his back. He is in a classroom, alone.)
Caption (N): The next afternoon...
Kyle's thoughts: Well, this is it... we'll see if Samantha was right.
(Panel 5. Melissa enters, now disguised as Cindy. She is attired in a low-cut blouse and short miniskirt.)
Melissa: Well Kyle, are you ready?
Kyle: Yea.
(Panel 6. Kyle and Melissa sit down next to each other in adjacent desks.)
Melissa: What's with the sword?
Kyle:�Erm... well, I take sword lessons to keep in shape. I've got to go straight from here to that class. Well, the
assignment was for the poem Sonnet 12 by Keppenburg. Have you read it yet?
(Page 16, panel 1. Samantha appears, sword in hand. She is looking over Melissa.)
Samantha's thoughts: That George guy was right... she radiates evil. I have to stop her.
Melissa: Well... no. We should read it together.
(Panel 2. Kyle has his book open and is reading. Melissa, however, is staring at Kyle.)
Melissa: So, you just moved here... where from?
Kyle: Fate, originally.
Melissa's thoughts: This boy is an idiot! How could God choose someone like this to represent him?
(Panel 2. Kyle continues to read as Melissa gets closer to him. Samantha is not amused by Melissa's behavior, and her face shows it.)
Melissa: So do you have a girlfriend now...?
Kyle: Well... in a way, yea...
(Panel 3. Samantha rears her sword up to strike Melissa. Melissa and Kyle are oblivious to this. Melissa leans forward at Kyle, letting him take a look down her dress, but he does not.)
Melissa: So what is she like?
(Panel 4. Samantha brings her sword down at Melissa, but it gets blocked by another sword. The wielder of this sword is off panel.)
SFX: CLANK!
Voice (from off panel): Not this time, Sammy.
(Panel 5. Samantha is standing opposite Shiva. Shiva has the sword in her hand. Samantha has a shocked look on her face.)
Samantha:�Shiva!
Shiva: Now, is that any way to greet an old friend?
(Panel 6. Kyle and Melissa look at Shiva and Samantha clashing swords.)
Kyle: I knew it! You're trying to tempt me into evil!
Melissa: Damn! Looks like we have to do this the hard way here...
SFX: CLANG!
(Page 17, panel 1. Kyle draws his sword just in time to block a magic missile by Melissa.)
Melissa:�Since you won't come quietly, we're going to have to take you down by force!
SFX: Zapt!
(Panel 2. Kyle dodges Melissa's next missile, and it ends up hitting the chalkboard. Meanwhile, Shiva gets pushed into some desks by Samantha.)
Melissa: Your parents are in hell, and they will stay there forever!
SFX: ZAP!
(Panel 3. Kyle strikes Melissa with a foot to the jaw while blocking her next magic missile with her sword.)
Kyle: Not if I have anything to say about it!
SFX: POW!
(Panel 4. Kyle knocks Melissa down with a punch to the stomach as Shiva and Samantha continue to fight in the background. Melissa crashes into some of the school desks.)
Kyle: You know they are not supposed to be there... and I will free them!
SFX:�WHAM!
(Panel 5. Melissa is lying on a bunch of broken desks, out cold. Kyle rushes toward Samantha and Shiva.)
Kyle:�Now... you think you can take both of us on at once?
(Panel 6. Distracted by Kyle, Shiva gets a fist across the jaw from Samantha.)
SFX: Wok!
Samantha:�The arrogant wielding of power leads to corruption, and a downfall. You always knew I was better than you,
Shiva. But you never could admit it to yourself.
(Page 18, panel 1. Shiva rushes over to Melissa.)
Shiva: This battle is yours, Samantha... but the war is far from over!
(Panel 2. Shiva and Melissa teleport out.)
Kyle: They're getting away!
Samantha:�Let them go, Kyle.
(Panel 3. Kyle sheathes his sword, as does Samantha.)
Kyle: Who was that you were fighting?
Samantha: Her name is Shiva. She is a demon. We... have met before.
(Panel 4. Samantha and Kyle walk towards Kyle's books.)
Samantha: Gather your books... we've got to return to the headquarters and report this to Lotus.
(Panel 5. Texas Patrol headquarters, in the briefing room. Lotus is sitting in opposite Samantha and Kyle.)
Caption (N): And so...
Samantha: Lecita, things are getting pretty thorny. I have had a run-in with Shiva.
Lotus: Shiva? Who is that?
(Panel 6. Flashback to Roman times. Samantha, dressed in a slave's toga, is pouring a pitcher of water into a glass for Shiva. Shiva is also in a toga.)
Caption (S): She is the daughter of the man that owned my mother and his wife. Unlike me, she lead a life of extravagance and greed.
(Panel 7. Shiva has Samantha combing her hair.)
Caption (S): Shiva was also notoriously vain.
Shiva: <Be careful with that! I want to look my best for the Senator's son!*>
Samantha: <Yes, mistress.>
Caption (N): *Translated from the original Latin.
(Panel 8. Shiva is now in hell, surrounded by flames.)
Caption (S): When she died, she went to hell, naturally. But she struck a bargain with Satan.
(Page 19, panel 1. Shiva is now seen killing a young man in a toga.)
Caption (S): If he would make her eternally young and beautiful, she would gather as many souls as she could for him. Satan agreed to this deal. since that time, she and I have clashed too many times to count.
(Panel 2. Fade back to the present.)
Samantha: Shiva's killed millions of innocent people for Satan since then. If she's on Kyle's case, this could be trouble for everyone.
Lotus:�Yet I sense some other malevolent force at work here... someone has to be around to counterbalance what I am doing.
(Panel 3. We see George in front of a tract home, taking a sackful of garbage to the curb.)
Caption (N): Meanwhile...
(Panel 4. Shiva appears in front of George. George's face is filled with fear.)
Shiva: You warned him about her... that was a very bad thing to do.
(Panel 5. We see Shiva swinging her sword at a helpless George.)
George:�No! Please! AAAAAHH!!!
(Panel 6. George is now on the ground, dead and bleeding. The sack of garbage is next to him.)
Shiva: You are not the chosen one... but Satan will snack on your soul tonight.
(Page 20, panel 1. Back with Kyle and Samantha, it is in the evening. Kyle is readying himself for bed and Samantha is nearby.)
Kyle: Well, Good night, Samantha.
Samantha: Kyle, I have something I want to ask you...
(Panel 2. Samantha smiles at Kyle.)
Samantha: Just what do you think of me?
Kyle:�Well, you're sweet, you're kind, and you fight very well...
(Panel 3. Samantha gets close to Kyle.)
Samantha:�No, I mean... what do you think about me?
Kyle: I told you, you're sweet, you're kind... you fight well... I would hate to be one of your enemies.
(Panel 4. Samantha gets angry at Kyle and holds up a fist. Samantha's head gets large and speed lines fill the background.)
Samantha: Kyle Taylor you are so freaking clueless!!
Kyle: Huh??
(Panel 5. The background is back to normal and Samantha is gritting her teeth at Kyle.)
Samantha: I'm talking about us! You and I, a couple!
Kyle: Oh...
(Panel 6. Kyle looks confused.)
Kyle: Aren't there rules against that kind of thing?
Samantha: Of course not. So what do you think about it?
(Page 21, panel 1. Kyle takes Samantha's hand.)
Kyle: A guy would be very lucky to be your lover... but I really think that rescuing my mother comes first.
Samantha: That can wait until tomorrow. We've got tonight, Kyle.
(Panel 2. Samantha lets go of his hand and puts an arm around him.)
Samantha: I'd do anything for you, Kyle.
Kyle:�Well.... I really should be getting to bed now. I have to be up early for school tomorrow.
(Panel 3. Kyle returns Samantha's arm.)
Kyle: However, I feel very lucky to be in love with an angel.
Samantha:�Only love?
(Panel 4. Samantha separates from Kyle.)
Kyle: Yes... only love.
Samantha: You passed.
(Panel 5. Kyle looks even more confused than ever.)
Kyle: Huh? What do you mean?
Samantha: I was trying to tempt you into doing something with me. But you resisted.
(Panel 6. Kyle looks hurt.)
Samantha: You're nice, Kyle, and I'm sure you'll find someone for you... but there are rules against an angel falling in love with her charge.
(Panel 7. Kyle rushes from the room.)
Kyle: I can't believe this! She did this - didn't she!?
(Panel 8. Kyle enters the briefing room to find Lotus standing there.)
Kyle:�You! You did this!
(Panel 9. Kyle points a finger at Lotus.)
Kyle:�You manipulated Samantha to have her fawn all over me! Why!?
SFX: Point! Accuse!
(Page 22, panel 1. Lotus merely smiles.)
Lotus: "When you point a finger at someone, three fingers point back at you."*
Caption (N): * Dr. Leroy Eider.
(Panel 2. Kyle merely stands there, confused. We see a note over his head.)
Lotus: I told you hell is divided into 7 sections. Section 2 is lust. True divine love is limitless. It is what I have been sending you all this time. It is up to you to learn the lesson.
(Panel 3. Kyle merely looks confused.)
Kyle: Lesson?
Lotus: Learning is part of why we are here, Kyle. You fell in love with your guardian angel, but when you did, did you make it real, divine love?
(Panel 4. Kyle thinks.)
Kyle: Uhm... well...
Lotus: You are new to the stable of chosen ones. Experiencing divine love is something you have done all your life, but you are only now becoming aware of it. Divine love is not based on something physical like the person's appearance. Divine love is based on trust and desires for intimacy. Divine love does not come with judgmental attachments. That is the only love that truly lasts.
(Panel 5. Kyle thinks, stroking his chin in contemplation.)
Kyle: Well, I guess so...
Lotus: Good. Now go finish your homework.
(Panel 6. Kyle exits.)
Samantha:�He is learning much faster here.
Lotus: Yes... he'll be ready soon to take that final journey. However, the next temptation may prove his undoing.
(Panel 7. Samantha looks hard at Lotus.)
Samantha: What do you have planned for him?
Lotus: Greed and Envy. Those two lessons go hand in hand. Kyle must learn to respect what others have, and not to desire them. With Shiva in the picture, we will have to speed things up.
(Panel 8. Focus on Samantha's face.)
Samantha: I hope he's ready for that....
-To Be Continued?-