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The plane flight was a long one for the Bleeder Champion. All Kermit had done for the first hour of his flight was stare out the window and at the black sky beyond it. While most of his fellow wrestlers were enjoying the night after Havoc and had plans to leave the following day, Kermit left Boise right after his match. He had no intention of staying the night in yet another empty hotel room. While the nightmares had stooped since he broke free from Raul's grasp, Kermit did not want to chance returning under the thrall of that demon. So he left from the arena straight to his private jet, already loaded and ready to go. Kermit hoped that Vegas, with all it's hustle and bustle would allow him to blend in and hide from Raul, until the mobster wanted to be found that is.

While he gazed over the gray clouds of night, Kermit thought over all the information Dante had told him. If the albino champion was to be fully believed, which Kermit did, then the mobsters movements over the past few months where not some random act of cruelty and manipulation. There was a purpose to it all. Somebody very powerful wanted Dante dead. But neither men knew who or really why. So they shared information for shared interest and parted ways, neither friends, but no longer enemies. There is something to be said about that. The one thing that troubled Kermit as he sat next to that window, was the talk of a war. Kermit was all to familiar with his world's version of war. But for all the mafia's supposed cruelty and ruthlessness, these forces of the Abyss where a new breed all together. Kermit knew he could do very little to help anybody in this regard, but he wanted to be prepared just in case. He broke his eyes from the pitch darkness outside his window, and began to write a list on some paper in front of him.

A list of weapons formed from the pen in his hand. Dante had told him about some weaknesses these entities possessed, but Kermit, being the ever planning mob boss he is, went beyond Dante's list of foils. Silver, holy water, bullets with crosses cut in them, bullets laced in garlic, incendiary grenades, flash bangs, anything and everything Kermit could think of or draw from various movies and shows he had seen. He didn't know if even have this stuff would work, but he wanted to be ready for everything. If he was correct in his assumption about Raul, then the demon puppet master would come after Kermit soon, with his whole hand showing. And Kermit wanted to be ready with a full hand of his own. His list completed, Kermit now faced a difficult task. He picked up the air phone's receiver and began to dial.

This is Foz.

"Hey Fozzie, it's Kermit." the mob boss answered after a few silent and long seconds.

Holy shit! Where the fuck have you been?

"Look Fozzie, it's been a rough few months. I will be back home after Endgame, but I need some help before then."

Look Boss, some hard shit has gone down since you dropped off the face of the fucking earth. Gonz fell off a balcony at YOUR hotel room, Janice is missing best we can tell, and our fearless leader hasn't been around or even talked to somebody here until just now. We need to know what the fuck is going on.

"Foz, I'm fine now and I heard about what happened to Gonz." Kermit took a deep breath as he tried to arrange his thoughts. Fozinini needed to know something, but Kermit couldn't tell him everything. The big man may not be the brightest, but he wasn't a fool. "Listen, some ghosts from the past have come back and they have been fucking me over lately okay."

Who?

Kermit's lie was formed in his head.

"Sbezzo."

But you killed that bastard Boss and we wiped out most of his crew. Why the fuck would anybody associated with him pick now to come after you now.

"Hell if I know. All I can figure is that I am pretty high profile. And remember Foz, we never did find Sbezzo's son. He could be calling the shots."

Okay, okay, so what did he do? Take Janice?

Kermit's silence answered Fozinini's question.

Gotcha. Fuck, he is really going after you. So he took Janice and had Gonz nearly killed. Why didn't you call us before?

"Too risky for Janice. Which is why you can't send any of the boys out here, even the Mayhem. I can't spook them or they might cap Janice and cut their losses. They want me to suffer I think, and to that goal they have been holding be hostage with her. But I am ending it in Vegas. I got a lead as to where they might have her."

Umm...that's fine and all but you have a problem.

"And what's that?"

They Mayhem are on their way to Vegas as we speak. And they are pissed at you Kermit.

"What? Why didn't you stop them!"

I tried. Gonz held them back as long as he could, but after his fall, Teeth assumed you'd gone nuts. He took Zoot, Floyd, and Animal and they are all riding out to find you. You know how much they view Janice as a kid sister.

But Kermit knew the real reason. Teeth has always coveted his blonde co-hort, and Kermit had felt the tension whenever the three of them where in the room. While Teeth would do as ordered, the mobster always suspected his rowdy underling was just waiting for the chance to snatch up Janice. And with Janice being gone, Teeth would blame Kermit.

"Well shit."

Ya Boss. I would get her back soon, otherwise you might have more than Sbezzo's brat to worry about.

"Will do. And on that, I am sending you a fax. This is a list of things I need delivered to me ASAP."

Okay, let me get to the fax.

Kermit got out of his chair and fired up his jet's fax machine as well. While he punched in the numbers, he really hoped Fozinini would buy this tale he was feed. Kermit needed to keep his boys away from this, and with the Mayhem after him now as well, this situation needed to be over quick. Teeth might be a brute, but he was a resourceful one too.

Ready Boss.

"Sending it now."

The machine hummed as it cycled the paper being fed to it. After a few moments, the paper had been processed and sent.

Jesus Kermit. Why the fuck do you need all this? Are fighting a war or staring in a B Monster Movie?

"Just get Honeydew on it fast. I want that stuff in two days max."

Sure Boss, what ever you say. But really reconsider this. I know your pride is hurt, but you got a crew at your disposal here. We are more than willing to take out Sbezzo's brat pack.

"Thanks Fozzie, but I will take care of it on my own for now. If I need help, you will be the first person I call."

Just be safe Boss.

The intercom clicked on in Kermit's on board office.

We are beginning our decent into McCarran Mr.. Gambono.

"Foz, I got go. The plane is landing. I will keep you posted."

Gotcha Boss. Take to you soon.

Kermit hung up his phone and returned to his seat. The bright lights of Las Vegas where beginning to show up in the distance, and Kermit found himself enthralled with their inviting glow. A smile crossed his face as the light came closer. This would all end there. Janice would be returned, Raul would die, and Kermit's personal redemption would be achieved. All in the City of Sin. The mobster had to chuckle at that as the plane descended.

-------------------------------------------------------

Two figure stood on the roof of the Excalibur Casino, ignoring the rain falling around them. Standing amongst the fake parapets, they watched the small lights of Kermit's jet enter into McCarran airport. One was skinless, with a foul odor exuding from his body. His eyes glowed red with hateful anger directed at the man who defied and tricked him. His partner, stood tall, covered in a heavy robe and hood. It was this one, that broke the silence between the two.

"Your quarry arrives." he spoke in deep tones.

The demon known to Kermit as Raul looked at his companion, fear dancing over his black eyes.

"I will not faaaaail this time. He will do my bidding and remove Daaaaante."

" It is too late for that. You had numerous opportunities to accomplish that task and you failed each time. Dante is firmly entrenched in this now, and Darkness is moving into his place as well. That can no longer be stopped by you."

"Then whaaaat aaaam I to do with him? He knows to much now."

" Exactly. Your incompetence has turned a useful tool into a temporary ally with the Light-bearer's child. This allegiance, not matter how short lived it may be, must be terminated soon. "

"Shaaaaall I kill the maaaaaan?"

" No. You still hold his weakness correct? Or have you failed at that as well? "

"No, I still haaaave her."

" Then use her to our advantage. She is still an advantage we have. "

"Aaaam I to force him aaaafer Daaaante?"

" Your failure to listen is matched only by your failure to succeed. Dante is beyond your concern. Focus instead on his allies. "

"Who?"

" Other pawns move into place. This man's former friends, and his new foe."

"Freyaaaaa?"

" She is one. The others come shortly. Do not fail this time or else you will suffer the full force of my wrath. This is your last chance. "

"Feaaaar not, I will succeed...."

But the cloaked figure had vanished, leaving Raul alone to watch the now landing plane.

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While Kermit's sanity crumbled and grew over the past few months, Janice's remained. With all the trials and struggles in her youth she had learned at a very early age how to distance herself from the pain around her. Be it her Father's drunken assaults on her Mother, or the insults of bullies in her youth, or the death of her younger brother, Janice had devolved her own way to mentally escape from such hardships. Be it with flames, or with her imagination, Janice always kept hold of her mind. And when you are trapped in a room, no a cell really, you have to hold onto your mind more than ever.

She kept herself busy with planning her escape, which she long discovered was pointless. The room contained no doors or windows that she could tell. Food and drink would appear at timely intervals, so no guard she could attack or seduce. She was trapped. So she turned her attention to mental games she could play. Anything to keep her mind active and away from the place she was. Yet every morning she convinced herself that this would be the day she got out. If Kermit came for her, great. If she made her own way out, great. She just wanted to get out.

And burn the man who put her here.

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The streets bustled as they always do in this town. Not even rain can keep the tourists off the streets. With umbrellas out, they gazed at the bright lights that flashed over neon signs. They "Ooooo"d and "Ahhhhh"d over the structures of the themed casinos that appeared all over The Strip. And they gambled, making their transfusions into the lifeblood of this city. Kermit had been here too many times in his life to be distracted by the glowing signs hawking their tables anymore. He walked the sidewalk of The Strip as a precaution. He had no intention of being alone in his suite tonight, and figured the crowd of people weaving in and out of casinos, would serve as a deterrent to the demon he had angered. While it is said that even during the End of Days, people will still be gambling away in Vegas, Kermit hoped that he would get no trouble from Raul until the mobster was ready. Yet even on this lonely walk, he wondered how he could be ready. Sure Dante told him the mechanics of killing a demon, but the mechanics assumed one would be mentally ready for the assault. And Kermit was sure he was not. So while this walk was prudent in sense of security, it also allowed him the chance to think and to prepare himself for the upcoming battle. A battle he was convinced he would face alone.

He continued his trek as morning light struggled to break through the gray clouds hanging overhead. The Bellagio, Caesar's, The Mirage, and Treasure Island, all he passed as he walked north along Las Vegas Blvd. He had forgotten how long he had walked, nor did he care. His problem was not yet solved. And as such, he would keep walking.

And then, as if fate had seen his mental struggle, a light flashed as he approached Desert Inn Rd. A driver's timely turn had caused his headlights to reflect off a sign.

Guardian Angel Cathedral

Kermit stared at the sign for a moment, as the words Dante told him entered his head.

"Ok, now what if I told you that Hell does exist and so does Lucifer, Beelzebub, the angels and the whole blood nine yards?"

And what Kermit saw following those words, further convinced him that Dante spoke true. Yet now the other side of the coin was in question. If their was a Hell, then was there a Heaven? You can not have the Devil, without God. This was a sign to Kermit. Perhaps he hard found his path. And his feet decided before his mind conquered.

Amongst the glitz and glam of Las Vegas, this church stuck out as normal. Modest size and structure, it sat as a beacon of faith surrounded by the sin of Sin City. Kermit entered the front doors and found the inside reflected the out. Modest. No movement existed within this house of God. Mass was many hours to come, so Kermit was allowed total quiet and peace. He dipped his finger into the basin of Holy Water near the entrance and made the sign of the cross, something he had done merely out of habit in his earlier life. Now, the gesture seemed more meaningful and solemn. Down the center aisle he walked, stopping only to kneel before the figure of Jesus on the cross. He made another sign of the cross, before kneeling in a nearby pew.

And words he had not spoken in ages came to his lips, as fresh as the day he first learned them in his youth.

"Our Father, which art in Heaven,"

And here Kermit spoke the Lord's prayer, seeking guidance and redemption, not knowing if either would come.

"So which hotel room are we trashing man?"

Floyd was sitting atop his bike with the rest of the Electric Mayhem staring out on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Rain pelted them, as it had their entire ride out here.

"Well, if you were Kermit, where would you stay?" Teeth asked, his face spread in a gold capped smile.

"The most expensive place around this joint. But in a place like Vegas man, almost every casino round here can be expensive."

"So we check each one. Split up and start asking around if anybody has seen Kermit. Once we got a location, we meet up and take him to school. Nobody, not even him, can fuck with the Mayhem."

"ANIMAL BEAT KERMIT!!!!! ANIMAL BEAT KERMIT!!!!!!"

"Damn right man!" Floyd shouted as he revved his motorcycle before taking off towards the Strip.

"Zoot! Take Animal with you got it?"

Zoot merely nodded and drove off, Animal following behind him, still hooting and hollering. Teeth kept smiling as he revved up his bike and started after his pack. Kermit had Hell to pay and Teeth planned to deliver. No word from Janice for this long meant Kermit must have done something. Teeth was convinced that Kermit hadn't returned home in a vain effort to avoid the Mayhem's wrath over the loss of their member. But Teeth was smarter than Kermit, at least in his own mind. And the mob boss couldn't hide forever.

The rain was still falling hard, and Teeth was beginning to lose sight of his crew as they peeled through the Las Vegas streets. He squinted, trying to improve his vision, but rain seemed to fall harder. Within moments, he had lost sight of his fellows and pulled his bike over. He could barely see 10 yards in front of him now, not exactly driver friendly conditions. As he pondered what he was going to do, a figure appeared out of the rain walking towards him. Teeth drew his .357 and raised it at the stranger.

"Watch yourself man."

"Don't worry Dr. Teeth, I am only here to help." and as a non-threatening sign, he rose both his hands up, palms out.

Teeth looked over this stranger walking in, no wait, He was walking through the rain, and it looked like the raindrops were not even touching him.

"So, I take it you are here to find one Kermit Gambono right?"

"What's it to you?" he kept his pistol raised, as the figure in a dark business suit kept walking towards him.

"I can help you in that goal. Maybe even help you in your other goals?"

"Alright weird-o, stand back. I'm serious here!"

"So am I Dr. Teeth. I am very serious. Do you want her Dr. Teeth? Do you want Janice all to yourself?"

Teeth's gun slowly lowered.

"How did you know? Who the fuc...."

The dark suited man was right up to Teeth at this moment, his pale flesh clearly visible.

"I caan help you there Dr. Teeth. You waant Kermit out of the picture yes?"

Teeth could only nod as the strange man's words rang true inside his mind.

"I waant the saame thing Dr. Teeth. Together, we caan bring thaat aarrogaant maan to his knees."

"His....knees...." the leader of the Electric Mayhem repeated, his eyes glazed over.

"Aand when you haave him aat your mercy, you caan haave Jaanice."

"Janice...."

"Go to the New York, New York caasino. He is there."

The rain ceased its heavy fall, returning to a moderate drizzle. The strange man was gone and Teeth blinked his eyes several times to regain his focus. He remembered very little, but one phrase flowed and ebbed in his mind, planting itself deep within the anarchist's brain.

to his knees.

Teeth drove off in the direction of New York, New York with death on his mind. Behind him, Raul smiled wide, his fingers twitching and pulling the strings of his newest toy.

-----------------------------------------------------


They had walked in silence for several minutes. Freya not wanting to speak to her opponent and the man who tried to kill Dante, while Kermit kept quiet himself, his mind trying to figure out why this woman was here and what her angle was. Despite his recent self realizations, Kermit still was suspicious of the woman who saved his life as is the nature of his world. Nothing gets you nothing and everything has a price. The rain was still falling, yet both ignored it as they walked in a direction with no purpose. Kermit could hold his silence no longer.


"So I gotta ask. What's your stake in all this?"


"Just doing a favor." Was her only reply, and she kept on walking.


"Look, I am grateful that you saved me back there, but if we are going to work together in this it would be beneficial to both of us if at least acted like we could get along."


Freya stopped and turned to Kermit, who instinctively tensed up. After seeing this young woman take out a vampire, Kermit figured it would be best to stay on his guard until some kind of arrangement could be made.


"Understand this Kermit. I am not here for you. You have done nothing since you showed up in this organization to show me that you deserve any sort help from me. You've sent lackeys after me, you tried to kill Jason, who is a good friend of mine, and frankly, your "business" disgusts me. So never think I am here for you."


Kermit bowed his head slightly causing a small stream of water to fall from the tip of his fedora.


"And I deserve that."


Freya was a little shocked, but she held it in. After all, this man is known for his tricks and dirty tactics. How could she trust him?


"You're bloody right you do." And she started to turn away.


"However." Kermit spoke up, raising his head. "If you are not going to do this for me, and I don't blame you for not, then do it for her."


Freya halted midturn. Slowly she turned back to Kermit.


"Who is her?"


"Dante didn't tell you?"


Freya gritted her teeth. She knew there was something Dante forgot to tell her. All this cloak and dagger stuff was beginning to wear on her.


"No he didn't."


Kermit just nodded.


"Short story, Janice was taken from me by a demon. Long story? Well, that will require us to get out of this damn rain and get some hot coffee or any similar drink. I can feel my bones freezing."


Freya looked into Kermit's eyes. Dante told her nothing, and she is supposed get this information from a known liar?


"You don't trust me enough for even some coffee?"


Freya's eyes told Kermit her answer all too clearly.


"Look, how can I get you to trust me? I'll pay for the coffee if that's a start?"



"Fine." She replied, face still hard. "You want my trust? That is earned not bought. So how can you prove to me that I can trust me?"



"Outside of saving your life, nothing jumps to mind. Figure you would need something that major huh?"



"Then you'll just have to deal with this until you do. But I agree with the coffee. This rain is pretty cold."



"Well at least it's a start."


Freya laughed as the two continued walking.


"And it is just start. I wanted to win and lose a fortune in this town. Figure yours would do just as well."


She kept laughing as she walked down the Vegas Strip, leaving a stunned and annoyed Kermit behind her.

"So what did you want to drink?"

Kermit and Freya were in the bar area of the New York, New York Casino. It was busy and Freya was being jostled by the crowd.

"Whiskey mac," She replied, giving an angry glare to a large, tuxedoed man who had just pushed her out of the way.

"Mac? Is that your tag partner rubbing off on you?" Kermit asked, signalling to the barman.

"You mean Stephen? He hasn't been around for a while." She wiped water from her neck where her hair was dripping. "No, whiskey mac is a drink."

"Is it a British thing?" Kermit gave the barman the order.

Freya shrugged. "It's warming."

The pair found a table set back slightly from the others. Kermit placed her drink on a coaster and slid it across the table. Freya sat down, folding her legs underneath her. She took a sip of her drink, which made her cough.

"Is it ok?"

"Yeah, it's got a bit of a kick though." She watched Kermit swirl his own drink around its glass. "Come on then, long story time."

Kermit looked at her. "It's a weird story," he said slowly.

Freya lent in over the table. "I just saved your ass from a vampire, I know weird."

"Ok." He took a deep breath. "You know Janice?"

"I don't think we met but I know of her."

"She was taken from me from a demon who I thought was my father. He had me believe that the New Hellfire Club had taken her. That's the reason I shot Dante." He paused to sip some of the amber liquid in his glass. "Raul... the demon played me, he made me believe you were all evil." Kermit stopped again, his brow creased. "You...you were a beast... like a Hellhound."

Freya shifted uncomfortably but didn't say anything.

"Dante helped my escape," he continued, "my mind is my own again." He subconsciously rubbed the shoulder that Dante had filled with buckshot. "But now I need to get Janice back, but I don't know how. I need Raul to get her, he knows where she is, but... I.."

"You don't want to see him again." Freya finished for him. She picked up her glass and sipped at it thoughtfully. "I don't think Jason would ask me to keep an eye on someone he thought would hurt me."

"But..."

Freya put her drink down. "Ok, seeing as you were honest with me, I'll be honest with you. I'm not Jason. I'm not Darkness. I don't know what I can do to help you, I can kill a few vampires," she noticed people at the tables nearby looking so lowered her voice, "but I'm not sure what I can do with a demon... I can't summon them, and if he's got Janice...." Freya waved her hand in the air, "...elsewhere, then we have problems."

Kermit looked like he'd just been struck. "So we give up?"

Freya shook her head. "No, of course not. I just need to think." She stood up.

"Your going to think now?"

"No, I'm going to the...what's the phrase? The little girls room." Freya walked away, leaving Kermit by himself at the table.

He sat playing with his glass again, pondering the possibility of having to see... that thing... again, or possibly not ever seeing Janice again...

His heart wrenched at the thought and he knew more than ever that that was not an option. He stood up and emptied his glass, the alcohol burning the back of his throat, and then put it back onto the table heavily. If Freya couldn't help him then he was going to have to get Janice back alone. He left the bar, crossed the lobby and went back out into the rain.

He didn't get far before figures stepped out of the shadows. Kermit drew himself up and reached for his gun.

"Leave it, Kermit." One of the figures stepped forward to where Kermit could see him. Gold teeth flashed with the reflections of Vegas lights.

"Teeth," Kermit nodded at his employee.

"Cut the crap, Kermit, what have you done with Janice?"

Kermit saw the rest of the Electric Mayhem behind their leader. He removed his hand from where his gun was holstered. "I haven't done anything to her."

"Then where is she?" The Doctor asked with a snarl.

Kermit paused. These were men of the real world, how could they cope with demons, vampires or whatever else was out there? How was he coping?

"She's..." What was he going to say? In the clutches of evil? Trapped in an alternate universe? "....gone."

"Gone? Gone where?" Teeth stepped forward, and the Mayhem followed suit.

Kermit knew he couldn't take them all on. He wouldn't even be able to get his gun out in time with the group so close.

"I'm waiting, Kermit..."

"She left."

"Liar! She wouldn't leave without telling me." Teeth was going red in the face. He launched himself at Kermit. The pair fell to the ground, fists flying. Kermit caught the retired Hells Angel across the temple with a big right hand, sending him reeling back onto his knees. Kermit was up on his feet in a heartbeat and, before anyone could react, slammed his knee into his henchman's face, knocking him out cold. He straightened and tugged his suit jacket straight where it had gotten creased in the fight. "See, you pick up a few things being a pro. wrestler..."

He was expecting the others the jump him, but they hadn't moved, their eyes fixed to a point just behind him.

He turned and found a blade pointed at his chest.

"Bought some friends to play, huh, Kermit?" Freya asked.

"They...he," he said, nudging Teeth with a foot, "are looking for Janice."

"I thought she was with you?"

"No, we just went through this, she's with.."

"No," Freya interrupted, "I thought she was your girlfriend."

"She is."

"So what's it to..." Freya stopped herself. There was something between the two men, something Freya didn't think she wanted to get involved in. She lowered her knives. "What are we doing with him?" She asked, nudging the unconscious man.

A gurgling laugh made her jump. The Mayhem picked up their leader, but once standing he pushed them away. He fixed Kermit with a white gaze, his eyes still rolled up in his head, and his jaw hung loose. Most of the group took a step backwards.

"Kerrmiiit..." the voice that came out of the gilded mouth didn't sound like that of Dr Teeth's. "Cooomme meeeeeet meee son.... I haaaave Jaaaaaanice."

"Where?" Kermit asked through gritted teeth.

"Waarehouses near the airpoooort. Yoour giiirl will find uuus."

The stolen body slumped back to the pavement. The Mayhem, and Kermit, turned and stared at Freya.

The rain was still pouring as Freya waited by the front of the casino, taking advantage of the cover. She rubbed her arms to try and warm them up; she was soaked through and starting to feel cold. She was receiving odd looks, probably something to do with the two long knives hanging at her sides. Eventually a black sedan stopped at the end of the carpeted runway. The door opened and Kermit leaned out.

"Ready?"

Freya jogged around the back of the car and jumped in the back seat. It was bigger that she'd expected inside, but a large black bag was taking up a lot of the seat.

"So what did you bring?" Freya asked.

Kermit pulled out a large gun. "It has exploding ammunition. Think it'll do the job?"

"If they survive that they almost deserve to live. Shame that they're already dead."

Kermit replaced the gun and sat back into the leather seat. "Do you do this a lot?"

"What? Go for a ride around Las Vegas with my opponents?"

"No. The vampire thing."

Freya shrugged. "Only when I come across them. I don't hunt them out or anything."

"Do you run into them a lot?"

Freya raised an eyebrow at Kermit's curiosity. "Have you heard the theory that there are only six-hundred people in the world?"

"Not that I can recall..." Kermit wasn't sure where this was going.

"Well, people say that there are only six-hundred people in the world in reality, because everyone always seems to run into people from their hometown when they're on holiday. If you ask me though, there are actually ten-thousand groups of six-hundred people and all those people only ever meet the other ones from their group. So it just looks like there's only six-hundred people in the world. Everyone outside your group is just an extra with no connection to you."

"And this answers my question how?"

"When you're a bit...other... you tend to meet other other-like things."

Kermit thought on this. He'd wanted to see how far the rabbit hole went, that's what he'd said to Dante, but there didn't seem to be a bottom. It just seemed to keep branching instead.

He came out of his reverie as he felt the car slowing. Freya leant back as if she'd just been speaking to the driver.

"I think it's best if we walk from here. We might be able to surprise them."

The pair got out of the car into the drizzly rain. Kermit held up a hand to stop the rain from getting in his eyes.

"Where now?" He asked.

Freya looked around. "That way," she said, pointing down the road. She leant down and had a few words with the driver. She tapped the roof and the car reversed away from them before driving off the way they'd come.

"Where the hell is he going?" Kermit demanded.

"He's not a part of this, it's not right for him to be here." She fixed him with her green eyes. "Do you really want to be the one responsible for anything happening to him if he stays?"

"No..."

"There we go then." Freya started walking though the rain.

"Stop," Kermit called out. He picked up his bag and followed Freya. "How are we meant to get back?" He swept his hair back from his forehead where the rain had plastered it.

"Do you have legs?"

"Yes, but.."

"Do you have a mobile phone?" Freya interrupted.

"Yes, but..."

"Then we'll be fine." She carried on again.

"Kermit wasn't happy with how Freya was treating him. He was used to being the one in charge, giving the orders.

The rounded a corner and Freya dropped behind a low hedge, pulling Kermit down behind her.

"What's the problem?" Kermit tried looking over the hedge.

"Well, I think the building we want is that one," she pointed over to the left.

"You think?"

"The rain is making things difficult."

"So what was the point of bringing you along?

"Excuse me?" Freya narrowed her eyes.

"You think you know which building Janice is in? I would have been better to let the Mayhem loose over here."

"Maybe you should have," Freya said icily, " but I don't think they could have coped with those." She threw out her right hand and pointed. Kermit followed her extended finger.

A number of creatures were moving towards them, crouching low like predatory beasts. Their rotting, papery skin was a purplish grey and sloughing off in places and their almost entirely white eyes darted back and forth in desiccated faces. They wore nothing but dark, filthy rags. Freya drew her knives from her belt.

"You may want to get that shiny gun of yours."

"We're going to fight all of them?"

"Yep."

Kermit didn't look convinced. "Aren't vampires supposed to be really strong and hard to kill?

"Sure," Freya shrugged, "but these are just thralls. Some people call them ‘ghouls'. They're just mooks."

"Right..."

She could smell Kermit's worry. She looked over to the roof of the building they were aiming for. "Looks like we're being watched."

Kermit looked up. Raul was stood on the rooftop. Kermit squinted though the rain, he could just make out a smaller figure next to the demon.

"Janice...." he breathed. With out another word he jumped the hedge, shooting at the nearest vampires, turning them to ash. Freya, slightly surprised at Kermit's sudden reaction, jumped over after him, and followed him into the fray.

The sounds of combat filled the night as one by one vampires fell before the ferocity of Kermit's rage, and the skill of Freya and her blades. Kermit shot at random, anything that moved found itself filled with lead projectiles, and just as quickly the mobster would find a new target. Chaotic anger, that's how Kermit fought. His skill with guns was as to be expected by one in his line of work, but his movements were guided with passion, not experience. As opposed to Kermit, Freya was a mask of skill and the type of calm that only exists in battle. While the mob boss fired insults and bullets, Freya was quiet as her blades danced through cursed flesh. She found herself picking through Kermit's scraps as the two fought their way into the warehouse. He, in his single minded quest for Janice, would only fire into a vampire as long as it stood in his way. Once it fell, he moved forward and found another foe to unleash his anger on. Yet bullets had minimal effect on such creatures and merely stunned and hurt them, which the exception of the unlucky few who happened to have their faces blown apart by the explosive rounds Kermit fired. The lucky ones would rise; too strike Kermit from behind, only to have their vile lives, and heads, severed by Freya and her knives. For several minutes, the two formed a whirling dervish of death to all who stood opposed to them.

Inside, the grunts and yells where drowned out by the sounds of gunfire echoing off the walls. Several times Kermit would stop his rain of bullets to reload, and Freya would leap ahead of him, keeping the approaching vampires at bay. Once she heard his gun click, she quickly backed up behind the mobster, not trusting him to even recognize friend from foe in his current state. Rage twists the mind in such a way, and she knew Kermit had not been the most stable person lately. Better safe, than sorry. After awhile, the two stood alone in the warehouse, breath heavy, sweat sparkling off their brows. The slaughter was finished; the enemy had no more resources to throw. Freya, without a word, pointed to a ladder heading up to the roof. Kermit nodded, and dropped his automatic to the ground. As he walked with speed and determination to the ladder, he checked his trusty .45, making sure the weapon was ready to execute his revenge. He began to climb, Freya following.


"Hello my son" came the raspy voice of Raul.

Kermit came out onto the roof glaring daggers at the demonic form being showered in the heavy rain. He held Janice, shivering in a nightgown, by the throat close to him. The rain seemed heavier up here for some reason, it pelted Kermit and Freya.

"You are NOT my father." Kermit replied, his voice cutting.

Freya took a position off to the side, attempting to stay out from between the two foes.

"Staaay where you aaare child!" Raul shot at Freya. "I know your type aaall too well. Do not think I will ignore your presence."

"Let her go." Kermit said, hand on his .45 pointing at Raul. "Let's make this simpler instead of hard."

Raul laughed, it's mocking tone throaty and grating.

"You reaaally think I will give her up? You aaand I haaave business first my boy. I aaam still quite upset aaat your faaailures aaand demaaand you even the debt."

"And how can I settle this debt then. I am getting tired of you and your games."

The demon smiled, reveling his toothy maw.

"I waaant aaa life. Yours? Hers?" he said squeezing Janice neck slightly. "Or hers."

Raul pointed at Freya, who emitted it slight and subtle growl, which went unnoticed to Kermit.

"So son, whose life will you give? Let me taaake Jaaanice and I will snaaap her neck right now. Give me your life, you just end it yourself now. Or the girl's, simply shoot her where she staaands. Those aaare your only options in this. Maaake your choice."

Kermit's first consideration was Freya. Not out of spite, or hate, but simply because it was his nature. He should live and get what he wants. And that was Janice. But Kermit fought down that instinct. There must be a fourth option, and Kermit knew what it was. Kill Raul. Easier said than done. The demon has proven very unaffected by his bullets in the past.

The realization struck Kermit sharply. He was hurt in the past, just not they Kermit expected. But the bullets did do something. A plan formed in the mobster's mind.

"You aaare taaaking to long son. I might maaake thaaat choice for you if you draaag your feet."

Kermit looked into Janice's eyes and made a noticeable blink. He then shifts his eyes quickly to his left hand, planted firmly at his side with four fingers pointing down. He smiled softly, to which Janice blinked deeply. She got it.

4

He wiped his gun towards Freya, causing his companion to draw back, blades up.

"So you're gonna shoot me huh? Freya snarled.

"Should I? After all, Janice is my girl and I am not exactly the type to die a hero's death. You seem the only logical option right?"

Freya bared her teeth and held her knives ready.

"I am not that easy to kill. And besides, are you going to give this bastard what he wants?"

3

"Good point."

He snapped his gun back towards Raul and Janice.

"Or maybe I should shoot her? Better I kill her than let you have the satisfaction."

"O that would saaatisfiy me even better than ripping her throaaat out myself." Raul laughed.

2

Kermit pointed the gun at his temple.

"Then there is always taking my own life. End it quick with a bullet. Somehow always knew it would be hot lead that put me down."

Freya was anger, yet confused by Kermit's actions. She had heard Dante mention the mobster fragile sanity, but she had to wonder if this was it. No, this was careful and timing consuming. Time consuming? He's buying time! But for what, the green eyed woman had no clue. No re-enforcements were coming, no ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Why buy time?

1

"Then there is option four."

"Aaand whaaat might thaaat be son? Kill everyone? I would most enjoy thaaat."

Now it was Kermit's turn to laugh, his trademark bravado shining.

"No, nothing like that. But somebody here will die."

0

"Like YOU!" he shouted.

Janice flung her head back hard into Raul's chin, stunning the demon briefly, but just enough to loosen his grasp around her. She kicked back, knocking the demon in place normal men would find very painful. She pushed herself forward off the move, and fell to the ground. Kermit's .45 opened up the instant she was away and out of Kermit's shot. The mobster charged forward, gun blazing. Each shot knocked Raul back farther from Janice.

Freya's reaction was lightning fast. Her feet danced along the roof of the warehouse causing little sound. Her blades had their mark, and she had her target. And a small part of her was relieved her blades would spill demon blood instead of Kermit's. She leapt as Kermit reloaded, and got between the demon and Janice, rushing to his lover's aid. Her blades bit deeply into Raul's flesh, hurting him and causing his to howl in rage as he fell to the ground. Freya withdrew her blades and went for another stab. Raul's arms grabbed Freya before she had a chance.

"Not aaa chaaance wolf." he hissed before throwing her from off of him. Freya twisted in air, landing on her feet with the grace of a gymnast, preparing for another assault.

Kermit embraced Janice deeply, tears welling in his eyes despite his attempts to hide them. Janice held him tight.

"Not done yet." He whispered.

She smiled.

"Of course not." She said softly.

"I have a gift." Kermit pulled away from his embrace and opened his jacket. An AN-M14 hung from his holster.

"You always knew how to win me over." She said taking them. She kissed her lover deeply, which Kermit responded in kind. Once she parted, the smile returned and her eyes lit up in their familiar manner. "Let's help your friend."

Kermit nodded, and turned towards Freya and Raul, who were engaged in heated combat. His gun was useless with the two of them so close to each other. So he decided the direct approach was needed. Charging, he launched his body right into Raul's, knocking his off step. Freya took the opportunity to slash out at the demons face, cutting him deeply. Blood spewed out of the wound, yet his hand grabbed onto Kermit and pulled him close.

"You die first!" Raul screamed as he brought his other hand forward, claws out.

The talons dug into the flesh of Kermit shoulder, where Dante had shoot him recently. The pain was immense, yet Kermit bit back his cry of agony. He flew his head forward, cracking it against the skull of Raul. Freya was there to capitalize on the maneuver, plunging one of her blades so deep into the chest of the demon that she cut clear to the other side and into the roof. Kermit rolled off and dragged himself away from what he knew was coming.

"WHORE!!!!" Raul screamed at Freya, as he tried to remove the blade keeping him pinned. "I will eaaat your still beaaatin heaaart!"

Freya calming backed up, other knife in her hand twirling.

"Aaand you Kermit! Your deaaath will be slow!"

A shadow appeared over Raul, as Janice stood over him.

"Forgetting me?" she said coldly. "You only kept me locked up for what seemed like an eternity. I have to repay you for that, like, torture."

She calmly held an AN-M14 over the demon. With deliberate ease, she pulled the pin.

"Burn Dad." Kermit remarked, a smile on his face.

Raul's eyes went wide as Janice dropped the grenade on the demon's chest. Freya, Kermit, and Janice booked it, leaving the screaming Raul behind.

"THIS WON'T STOP ME! I WILL HAAAVE YOUR SOU..."

The explosion of flame cut him off mid sentence. Fire erupted on the roof and burned for several minutes, ignoring the heavy rain falling around it. The smell of charred flesh stung Freya's nose so bad, she had to cover it with her hand and turn away seeking fresher air. She turned to see Kermit and Janice silent. They weren't watching the demise of the demon that tormented them for months. Their eyes were closed, holding each other tightly. There all stood, in the rain, Vegas lights cutting through the darkness around them.

Their feet splashed in puddles, sending drops of water flying away from the impact. Kermit and Janice, both shocked and a little frightened by what they had just witnessed, had reached the relative safety of the Vegas Strip. Surely the creatures they had seen would not be so bold as to attack them in the middle of all these tourists. They both stopped to catch their breath for a moment, and Kermit could not resist looking back behind them. And even though they were not pursued, Kermit had a nagging feeling he could not shake. Nor could he break his gaze from where they just fled.

"So, now what?" Janice asked, he voice shaking as the cold of the rain on her barely clothed formed began to set in.

Kermit didn't answer as he tried to explain this uncomfortable feeling to himself.

"Kermit?" she grabbed his arm and shoke him slightly. "You there?"


Kermit understood why he could not turn away. Guilt. He felt guilty for leaving Freya by herself, a strange feeling for the mob boss.

"Inside my jacket is my wallet, hand it too me please." he finally said.

Janice, a little worried at her man's calm tone, reached inside the jacket she wore and retrieved the wallet. Kermit opened it and pulled out a key card.

"New York, New York. Executive Suite number 7. Go there."

"Wait, what? Don't tell me you're going back."

Kermit just looked at her, his eyes telling her the answer to her question.

"You can't be, like, serious? Did you see what happened? She's, like, a werewolf or something Kerm, and her brother is one too. Plus that big thing looked like it could rip somebody in two! You can't go back."

Kermit sighed, and pulled Janice to his chest and held her.

"I have to Jan. She helped me save you. Without her assistance, can we be sure you would even be alive right now."

Janice broke the gentle embrace and looked harshly at Kermit.

"Are you blind? What part of "she's a werewolf" did you not understand? What's to say she doesn't, like, wolf out and rip you a new throat?"

"And if she wanted to do that, then she would have taken the countless other opportunities that existed before now. Look Jan, she saved you, and by proxy, saved my life as well. I owe her repayment for this debt."

"But you can't pay that with your own life Kerm!"

"And I don't intend too. Just go to the hotel and get changed. I kept your bags with me this whole time, so at least you can wear something more fitting than just a nightgown and my jacket, no matter how hot I may think it looks." saying the last part with his trademark sly smile.

Janice responded by punching him in the arm.

"Fine, if you owe her, then I guess I do too. But I don't like this."

"Neither do I. Go to the hotel, get changed, and find whatever you think we will need from my duffel bag."

"And how am I supposed to find you if you go tearing off after her?"

Kermit just pulled his cellphone out of the pocket in his slacks and smiled.

"Text message." was all he said.

"But Kerm, you're out of ammo, and I used the only grenade you had to take out that, like, demon bastard. What are planning on using to rescue her? Harsh language?"

"A lot has changed while you were gone hun. I can hold my own in a straight up fight. Or at least hold them til you get back."

"Then I will hurry." she pulled his head to hers a planted a quick kiss on his lips. "Don't die on me. We have a lot of catching up to still do."

Kermit smiled before jogging back to the alley. He felt surprisingly calm for a a man about to charge into a fight between werewolves and some big ugly beast. Yet despite his outward appearance, he was scared shitless. Demons , and vampires, and now werewolves had all enter into his life in the past few months. That was a lot for to fully digest. Plus, a new nagging voice came into his head. His father's voice. While Raul was dead and gone, much like the demon that had impersonated him, Kermit knew exactly what his father would say about this current plan of his.

You got what you wanted out of the arrangement, why bother risking your neck for the likes of her. Let her die or go missing. That way, you wont lose your title at Endgame. Win/Win situation my boy.

The old Kermit would have done that without a second thought. Hell, he would have shot Freya in the head, right between eyes in fact, if it meant getting Janice back. But that Kermit, like the demon who posed as his father, was dead. This new Kermit was not going to let Freya handle this situation alone. The new Kermit owed her, and he intended to pay back the debt. Plus, do unto others as the saying goes.

Reaching the alley, he slowed to a creep. Back to the wall and moving very slowly, he peeked down the alleyway. The large creature was lumbering away, almost out of sight. A chill shot down Kermit spine at the sight of that thing, and he once again wondered if this was a smart idea. Trying to stay as quiet and hidden as possible, he went into the alley.

"No sign of Freya" he murmurs under his breath.

And that meant only one thing. Kermit went, against his better judgment, further down the alleyway in the direction that monster went. Where it is, Brandon (or was it Branson? Bronson? Doesn't matter really) would be. And unless Kermit missed his mark, Freya would be there too.

-------------------------------------

The construction yard was quiet tonight. The heavy rains that had been pounding the city over the past few days forced a break in the normal 24/7 construction of the new casino, as rare an event as the recent rainfall. A rare event that allowed Bronson a chance to play with his new toy before delivering her to Skaar. Freya, still knocked out, was tied tightly to a chair inside the finished part of the first floor, inside from the pounding rain. Goth loomed over him, clearly angry at Bronson's detour. He rumbled a low growl to express his frustration.

"Oh calm down. Skaar will have my sister soon enough. But I am sure he wouldn't mine if I have a little fun with her first."

Goth stayed in his spot defiantly. In a low, almost empty voice, he spoke.

"Skaar wants her now."

"Give me half a hour. That's it."

Goth had two orders that contradicted each other now. On one hand, Freya had to be brought to Skaar, yet on the other, Skaar told him to follow Bronson and protect him.

"If you want something to do, how about you go outside stand watch. Just get out of here and let me enjoy my family reunion."

Goth reluctantly lumbered out of the first floor office and into the rain, deciding that he could wait for Bronson to finish. He could wait for that. After surveying the yard with his eyes, he slowly began a patrol, while Bronson finished the last knot on his sister's bindings. Freya's brother brought the back of his hand hard against her face in a painful slap.

"Wake up sis!"

The shock of the vicious backhand broke Freya from her unconsciousness. It took all of a second to realize where she was and who had hit her. Daggers shot from her eyes as she glared at her brother.

"Aww...I was kind of hoping it would take a few more smacks to wake you. Oh well, I suppose it's better your awake anyway. More fun for me."

"You always were a coward Bronson. Tying me up so I can't kick your arse only serves as more proof."

Her verbal attack was answered with another smack across the face.

"First, you will watch your tongue before I rip it out. And second, you call me a coward? I see myself more as a man who seeks the right advantage. Much like you do come to think of it. Paling around with Darkness, or Dante, or whatever other male that will give you attention. And that new guy back there. Is he the latest comfort you seek? And with that fetching young thing with him, is she part of your quest for acceptance too? Why sister, I never knew!"

His mocking laughter filled the room, bouncing off the wall adding more insult to it's tone.

"So dear Freya.." he pulled up a chair to face Freya and sat down. "how are things going for you in this pursuit?"

"Like you care." Freya spat.

"O but I do. I want to hear about how hard it's been for my loving sibling. Tell me, what pain have you suffered? What heartache?"

No response came from Freya. Bronson was being the sadistic bastard he always was, and she would not play into his game by answering his questions.

"Nothing? Come now, brothers and sisters have a bond you know. You should feel open to tell me anything. After all, we are family."

"You are not my family." she responded coldly.

"I see. Well, I guess I should have expected that one, since you had me kicked out of our family after all."

"You did that yourself."

"NO!" he roared. "You did that to me runt!"

Freya bit her tongue at the insult. She couldn't let him know he can get under her skin.

"And speaking of the pain you caused me, I think it's only fair that I pay you back."

He reached out and grabbed her talisman, ripping it off her neck. He a vile grin, he turned the ancient rune upside down and shoved it hard into her chest, hard to make Freya grit her teeth as she could feel her sternum burning in pain.

"Well I don't know about you, but I feel safer already." he said mockingly as he put a thick and heavy glove over his right hand. "And now that the pleasantries are over, we can begin the more enjoyable part of the evening."

With deliberate calm, he slowly opened a leather pouch lying on the ground. Reaching his gloved hand in, he smiled at Freya and winked before pulling out his hand, fist closed.

"You know what sis? Despite our problems and differences, I do care. And to show you I care, I got you a little present. Do you want to know what it is?"

Freya could feel it already. Small beads of sweat formed on her brow as Bronson open his gloved fist revealing a necklace of pure silver.

"You would look so pretty with this on." he said, an evil smile forming on his mouth.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Kermit knew he was screwed. The giant monster Freya called Goth was patrolling around the empty construction yard and no matter where he went, Kermit could not enter the partially completed building that he saw Bronson cart Freya into. Either Goth would see him, or Bronson would alert this bodyguard. Kermit had to eliminate Goth from this equation before he could get to Freya. And to make matters worse, he had to do it soon before something terrible happened to the brave woman or werewolf, he wasn't sure what they liked to be called.

His cellphone vibrated with an incoming text message.

rdy where r u?

He quickly gave her directions to the sight, knowing it would take too much time to wait for her. But Kermit loved having back-up plans. Janice's response came quick.

kk omw

He smiled as he put his cell phone away. But it quickly faded when he once again thought about how to get rid of Goth. His eyes scanned the yard, looking for anything he could use as a weapon. Nothing easy to wield caught his eye, yet building materials where stacked everywhere. Beams, bricks, sheet metal, all the things you would expect. But nothing of much use to the already injured Kermit. The wound in his arm that Raul opened up was still sore and Kermit knew it would hinder him this night. So, what did he have. A small pocket knife, not much there. A yard full of construction materials, could be useful if he had time to set it all up, so nothing much in reality. However, maybe he didn't have to kill Goth. Trap him, cause him to flee, or otherwise incapacitate him, all of those options could work. But again Kermit wondered at the how.

Goth snapped his head up and sniffed at the air. He turned his large head towards the mobster's vantage point and growled.

"O fuck me..." Kermit mumbled as the massive monster made a beeline towards him.

Kermit took off running as fast as he could know full well he could not outrun the beast behind him. He saw one of the partially constructed buildings in front of him, a good ten stories in height. If he could get up there, he might be abl....

Kermit was lifted off the ground as the sudden impact of Goth's body into his propelled the mobster into the air. He landed hard in the soft and muddy earth, wind knocked out of him. Before he could rise and get his bearings, Goth's massive hand was around his neck. Kermit struggled to breathe as the monster lifted him close to his face. The stench of death that exuded from Goth's mouth was almost overwhelming, and Kermit felt that he would pass out from the stink.

"You are the man in the alley?"

Kermit could still barely breathe, let alone talk.

"Yes, I think you are."

Kermit hand fiddled in his pocket trying to reach his pocketknife. Once he had it, he flipped out the four inch blade and stabbed the massive hand of Goth out of desperation. Goth laughed in a throaty sort of way at Kermit's vain attempt to injure him. With a swing of his arm, he tossed the mob boss across the yard and into a steel gurter. Kermit back exploded in pain at the impact. Gritting his teeth, he moved past the pain. He had to stay away from the large beast running towards him at all costs. Thankfully, he mused, the animal had throw Kermit right where he wanted to be, next the building he had his eye on. He got to his feet quickly and ran a few yards to the side ladder spanning the building's height. His relief at reaching his destination was short lived, as Goth leapt into the air and caught the side gurter with his left hand, while bringing his right hand, in a fist, right at the exposed mobster. Kermit flung his body off the side of the ladder, hanging on with one arm to not only avoid the monster's blow, be retain his grip. The beast's heavy fist buckled the steel of the ladder knocking Kermit off it and onto the third floor of the building. He rolled to his feet just in time to see a large meaty fist bearing down on his face. Had the impact been filmed in slow motion, ESPN would have run the clip for years. Kermit could feel his mouth cave in, his skin and bones seemed buckle beneath the force of the impact. He flew backwards and flipped in the air, landing in a sickening thud on the floor. In all his life, Kermit had never been hit that hard.

Goth grabbed the injured man and lifted him up.

"The hunt is over male."

Goth dove his open mouth towards Kermit with the obvious intent to rip the man to shreds. Yet Kermit would not go down that easy. He vowed that Goth would not have a live meal out of him. With fury and speed, Kermit snapped up and shoved his knife into Goth's eye, which went wide at the sight of the impending metal. Goo and blood flew out of the socket as Kermit's small blade dug deep into the skull. Goth howled in pain and dropped the mobster to the ground. Kermit hurried back to the ladder, please that the attack did as much damage as it did to the lumbering beast. Now the big brute would be blind in one eye, which gave Kermit a little bit more breathing room in this encounter. He began climbing up the ladder, yet paused a brief moment to see, in his horror, that the eye he thought he destroyed, was beginning to reform itself within the socket. Goth snarled at the one that caused such pain, and with heavy steps, made his way towards the frightened Kermit.

With all his speed, Kermit climbed that ladder, desperate to reach the top. The pain and horror had dulled his mind. In a normal frame, Kermit would no the stupidity of getting to a high place with the angry Goth behind him. The creature showed skill in climbing and had the strength to fling Kermit off the very roof, but the mobster was running off of instinct right now. Fight or Flight. Those where he only two concerns.

A hairy hand grabbed hold of his ankle. Kermit looked down wide eyed to see a grinning Goth, eye nearly reformed, looking up at him. A hard yank pulled him from the ladder and, letting gravity do the work, Goth let the mob boss swing and fall into the side of another steel gurter. Kermit's ribs erupted at the impact.

"Fly male."

With a heavy swing, Goth flung Kermit high into the air, towards the roof he was trying to reach. Goth's strength allowed him to toss Kermit onto the roof several stories above with relative ease. Another hard impact, and Kermit tried to will his broken body to move, to no avail. The beating Goth had inflicted had broken him. A crawl, a slow crawl was all he could muster. A loud thud behind him, told the weakened man that Goth had completed his ascent. The warg lifted Kermit up by the back of the neck, like a mother dog picking up her puppy.

"Anymore tricks male?"

Kermit couldn't help himself. He laughed. In the face of death, life in danger, all the mobster could do was laugh. Goth eyed his curiously, a bit taken back by this sudden action. But Kermit kept laughing, the blood flowing from his mouth splattering the roof and mixing with the rain. Goth had had enough of this strange man. He tossed Kermit down, and crouched for the killing pounce. A few shakes of the laughing man's neck with his maw would snap his spine, and silence him. He readied, as Kermit drew himself up, still laughing. Still distracting the monster while he got a survey of the situation. That's why he laughed. He found a way out that would eliminate Goth, and save his life. And it was all because of laziness.

Goth's legs sprang forward, propelling him towards Kermit who suddenly ceased his laughter and rolled out of the way. The quick reaction stunned Goth for a moment, all Kermit needed as he jumped to his feet and ran as fast as his battered body would take him towards the edge of the building's roof. Goth rose and began to follow his fleeing prey. No more tricks this time, Goth vowed, he would rip the throat out of this pest. Kermit reached the edge, and as he expected, the safety line what at his knees. He turned to the incoming Goth and rose his hands out, flicking his fingers in a "Come on!" motion.

"That's it you ugly motherfucker! Come get me! COME ON!"

The taunts made Goth angry, which made him careless. He charged full steam at Kermit, fully intent on killing the mobster with a single blow. And in the second before Goth had reached his defiant prey, Kermit leapt down off the roof. His hands grabbed the safety line as he fell, gripping it right as it connected with Goth's ankles. The force of his charge, with the sudden tie up around his feet, sent the beast head over heels over the edge and off the roof, falling ten stories to the ground below. With all his strength and might, Kermit pulled himself up to the roof, knowing the fall would not stop Goth for long, so Kermit went to the next part of his hastily created plan. The part that tied it all together and made him laugh. Some worker at the site got very lazy when it came to the pallets of bricks nearby. Be it eagerness to go home, or just plain carelessness, he had left his fork lift, pallets loaded and all, up on the roof. And as Kermit suspected, the key's still in it. He fired it up, thanking his luck, and drove it forward, into the other pallets lining the building's roof. With the push, tons of bricks began to fall the ten stories to the ground.

Goth looked up to see a rain of red bricks coming straight for him. His speed could not move him out of the way fast enough, and in short order, the warg was buried beneath a large pile of building materials. Kermit watched from the roof as this happened, his breath staggered, the pain in his body roaring at him. He looked up at the dark and rainy sky.

"You couldn't have sent that kind of luck to me sooner?" he asked.

-------------------------------------

"What sister? You do not like my present? Is it not lovely?" Bronson taunted, waving the silver necklace in front of Freya's face. She could already feel the effects of the silver on her, and while she struggled to get out of Bronson's bonds, she could barely move a muscle, let alone a shift.

"Maybe if I just put it on you, you will appreciate the beauty of......"

His sentence was interrupted by the loud sound of a door being kicked opened. Bronson snapped around towards the figure in the doorway. The man's right eye was swollen shut and blood flowed from his nose and mouth, which were both bruised and maybe broken. He was propped up against the door jam with one arm, his other, was holding his side, trying to stabilize the broken ribs contained inside. His shoulder oozed blood, a recent and annoying wound that always seemed to get re-opened. His body and clothes where caked in mud, dirt, blood, and sweat. He was a beaten and bloody man, yet an aura of confidence exuded from his very being.

"Hi Honey." Kermit said, eyes locked on Bronson and flashing his trademark cocky smile "Daddy's home!"

Bronson sneered at the bruised, bleeding and filthy Kermit who was standing in the doorway.

"Well, sis, your friends are more stupid than I thought." He turned to the still grinning mobster. "You should have listened to her and stayed away, human."

Kermit shrugged. "Probably." He looked at Freya. "I thought you said you'd be ok."

"I am," Freya growled, struggling in her chair, causing it wobble. Bronson laughed at Freya's struggles. He placed his free hand on the side of her head and pulled her hair away from her ear.

"I think the necklace will have to wait until you've seen you wannabe hero dispatched." He straightened up and let out a shrill whistle.

"Your doggy friend won't be coming," Kermit said, swaggering further into the room.

Bronson's jaw clenched, the news that a mere human had waylaid the vampiric warg was not something he thought Skarr was going to be happy with.

Freya tried to take advantage of Bronson's momentary lack of concentration by throwing her head back and unbalancing herself. She knocked Bronson backwards and landed heavily, trapping her hands underneath the back of the chair. Kermit jumped over Freya and ran into Bronson, throwing punches into the leaner man's gut.

Bronson twisted away, giving himself some room to retaliate. He was faster than Kermit expected and the mob boss had to go on the defensive. Kermit managed to keep the flurry of blows at bay, looking for an opening. He swept his leg low in an attempt to unbalance the manic man, but Bronson seemed to know what was coming and shoved Kermit back.

"You cannot win against me, human. My race has always been superior to yours; you will tire and then you will die."

Kermit only grunted by way of reply. His swollen eye was almost completely shut and useless to him, leaving one side vulnerable. He was running entirely on adrenaline now, his ribs aching, and he felt light-headed from blood loss. Somewhere behind him he heard Freya flip her chair onto its side, but his attention was firmly on the man in front of him.

"Ready to give in yet, human?"

Kermit roared as he charged at Bronson again, his momentum pushing Bronson backwards. A large pane of glass had been left propped up on one wall, ready to be put in place when the works recommenced. Kermit kicked hard into Bronson's gut, sending him reeling back and crashing into the sheet and the wall behind it.

There was an audible crack as the back of Bronson's head hit the wall. The sound of glass jingling as the shards were spread about died as quickly as it had started, and was mainly lost under the downpour outside.

Kermit dropped to his knees and held his hand to his head. His breathing was ragged and white dots were dancing in front of his eyes. It gradually became easier to breath. A hand was placed gently on his shoulder.

"Janice." He said softly, touching the hand.

"I'm afraid not." The hand pulled itself away, and Kermit looked up into a freckled face.

"How'd you get free?" he asked, creasing his brow.

"Well, you were so busy fighting I had to sort myself out." Freya nodded over to the chair where she'd been that was surrounded by glass shards. The frayed rope made her method of escape clear. "Have you seen my knives?"

Kermit looked at her, just managing to focus. "No... no I haven't seen them."

Freya put her arm under his shoulder and pulled Kermit to his feet, supporting his weight.

"What will you do with him?" Kermit mumbled, both eyes now closed as he stumbled forward.

"Without my knives, not a lot."

Kermit nodded, not really taking in what Freya had said.

"Did I miss much?" Janice was standing in the doorway; a large bag slung over one shoulder.

"A bit." Freya untangled herself and leant Kermit against the table.

"What happened to you?" Janice hurried over to Kermit and stroked his face where it was cut and grimy. Kermit mumbled something inaudible and leant his head against her shoulder. Janice glanced over at Freya with a suspicious look.

"Do you mind if I borrow something?" Freya nudged the weapons bag on the floor with a toe.

"Help yourself."

Freya rummaged through, eventually picking out a pistol.

"What are you going to do?" Kermit's voice was hoarse.

"What needs to be done."

Freya walked over to where Bronson was lying. He opened his eyes as the glass crunched beneath her feet.

"Think you can do it, sis? You don't have the guts."

Freya pointed the gun at Bronson's head. "You really don't know me, do you?"

"I know you well enough." Bronson struggled up, using the wall for support.

"Freya," Kermit had moved steadily towards where they were standing.

"Stay out of it, Kermit."

Bronson grinned at her. "You're not going to do this."

"Sure I am." Freya used her thumb to take off the safety. "I'm not letting another one of you traitors get away."

"Traitors? I just want to make our people strong again."

"Strong? We are strong," Freya stepped close, highly aware that she couldn't smell her brother even at this proximity, "we just don't want to join the guys that want to wipe out everything."

"You don't know what you're talking about. That Slayer has warped you."

"No one warped me, Bronson - I haven't changed, and neither have you, more's the pity. Every time you tricked me, got me lost, turned my friends against me. You and the others, every time I turned around one of you was there, ready to ruin things for me. Now you've just extended that to everyone on Earth, apparently."

"You had it coming," Bronson snarled, "wandering around like a human. You're a disgrace..."

"I'm a disgrace?! I am no different to you, except I don't go around creating abominations!"

"You're wrong!" Bronson caught Freya across the face with a fast backhand. He slumped against the wall, exhausted from his injuries. His body was a mess of tiny cuts where he had been thrown through the glass. "You don't know anything," he finished weakly.

Freya stepped back, lifting the gun again. "This is for the best," she said.

"No, you can't do this." Kermit tried to pull Freya's arm away.

"It needs to be done."

"You can't kill your own brother. He's family."

"No he's not. He doesn't have a sister, she's dead. Isn't that right?" The last part was directed at Bronson.

"My little dhampyr has been telling tales then. I wasn't lying though; the sister I should have had, the daughter my parents deserved, died a long time ago, when you failed to be what you should have been."

"The Clan didn't seem to think that last time I was there." Freya smiled slightly at her brother's reaction to the news of her going home. "I wouldn't try going back, with or without your friends. They know what you've been up to now, the other ‘prodigal son' decided to go psycho and ruin whatever plans you made."

Bronson grimaced. "Well that's Fenris for you," he growled.

"Come on Freya, this is enough." Kermit sounded calm. "You can't kill family."

"Kermit, what do you think he would have done to you? Did you think I was going to make it passed niceties with his new pals?"

"That's not the point: family is family."

"He's not my family," Freya said angrily, "I have a Clan at home, I have the NHFC, they are my family. This fucker," she waved the gun slightly, "is neither of those."

She pulled the trigger, but Kermit was quick. He grabbed her arm and directed it towards the ceiling, causing the bullet to go wildly astray. Bronson wasted no time in changing to his lupine form, jumping past them and bounding through the door as Janice leapt away from him in fright.

Freya turned on Kermit, anger burning in her eyes.

"What the fuck did you do that for?!" she shouted.

"You can't kill your own family."

"Do you know how many people you just killed?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes it fucking does." Freya almost screamed at him. "You know how many times he's nearly killed me? The first time I found out that there was something odd was going I was six. I'd gone downstairs late one night for a drink. Bronson was there, I remember feathers all over the place, Bronson diving at me, and that's about it. That's when Bronson was moved out to one of my aunt's, where my parents hoped he would be ok. He tried to ‘teach' me to swim by throwing me into a river. I almost drowned. I only didn't because Reric was worried about getting punished and dragged me out. If he has no problems with creating that... thing out there, who knows what sort of stuff he'll do."

"But..."

Freya looked at him incredously. "Do you have any brothers? Any sisters?"

"No."

"So how can you lecture me on family?" Freya rolled her eyes. "Brothers and sisters fight, it's natural: the more violent the species, the more violent the fights. This fight should have ended, it's like natural selection."

"I know about family, Freya," Kermit said in a low voice, "family is the most important thing in the world to a man like me. Sometimes they piss you off, and sometimes they hurt the rest of the family, so you send them away, or you arrange something, but you never kill them - you never pull the trigger yourself. It's not...it's not right..."

"You didn't seem to mind blowing up your dad just before..."

"I thought you said that wasn't him?"

They stood off for a moment, Kermit swaying slightly from side to side in his exhaustion, Freya balling her fists at her side. Finally, she shoved between Kermit and Janice and walked to the only bits of furniture in the place. She laid down the gun and picked up the wooden necklace Bronson had taken from her before. She tied it back around her neck, gave Kermit one last look, and walked out of the building alone.

Janice put her arms around Kermit who relaxed into them.

"How'd you get mixed up in all of this," she whispered.

"I don't know, I really don't know."

Janice stepped back and took hold of Kermit's hands. "Come on, let's get you back to the hotel."

"What about Freya?"

"You can worry about the match another night."

"I meant now."

Janice shot him a look. Kermit smiled, his little firebug was back.

"You're right," he conceded to her unspoken rebuttal, "I'm sure she can look after herself."