How many stories must be told?

Ashen Phoenix sat in the temporary base The Fears set out for him and his little group. The rest of them were arriving today. The first to arrive were two women and an ambiguous figure. They introduced themselves as, Mistress, Abomination and Crucible. Mistress is a woman wearing a cat-face mask and an incredibly skimpy outfit that just barely covers the important areas. Her visible skin is black as pitch and seems to stir unnaturally. She has also been equipped with gloves that contain four foot long scythe like claws extending from each finger. This weapon seems very unwieldy and strange. Abomination, who prefers to be called Abby, is a woman completely mummified with her hands stuck in a position covering a gaping bloody hole in her chest. There is a collar around her neck on which is attached, by a chain, a large pendulum blade. The last one, Crucible, is probably a man. He wears a fully hermetic suit comprised of a sealed gas mask attached to a metal plated hazmat suit. He doesn't speak, sound probably wouldn't be able to escape the sealed suit anyway.

Ater this two more members showed up These two were both male and went by the names Echo and Deadman. Echo was a man who's entire body seemed to be blurred. The only thing immediately noticeable about him was a strange pair of headphones on his head that seemed to have speakers facing out, presumably, as well as facing in. Deadman was a young man with incredibly pale skin and purplish smoke drifted out of his mouth with each breath. There was also a large hole in his skull where it had apparently been caved in by some sort of blunt object.

A few hours later the last member showed up. A young African American girl wearing a slightly too large for her size lab coat. Her eyes were grey and with a cheerful smile she informed them that she was to be in charge of their little group. This announcement was met with skepticism. In the face of such skepticism her smile grew and suddenly the ground beneath mistress shot upwards in the form of spikes impaling her, the ceiling collapsed down on Deadman and Echo, a section of the wall ate Crucible and Abby and Ashen were crushed by two sections of the wall that suddenly slammed together. Moments later everything was back to normal and the girl repeated herself. "I am Portia Augustine. I am to be in charge of this group." There was no skepticism this time.

Once everything was settled she informed them of their first mission. A couple of ex-elite servants who had turned against their master and allied with a renegade Fear. Splitting up they headed out on their assigned tasks.

Harold walked for days to reach an area as far from civilization as he could. He didn't know what would happen and wanted to make sure no one else would suffer. As he reached his destination the two people who had been following him who we know as Crucible and Abby stopped and readied to attack. Before they could a figure appeared in front of Harold. It was Jack. The two stopped curious about this strange meeting. It is also likely that they did not know who Jack was. Their memories having been erased and the only info they were given was what the fears had felt it was important to tell them in order to complete their mission.

Jack took a swig before turning his attention to Harold. "So, what is it you want?"
"I want you to give me some way."
"Some way to what?"
Harold hesitated.
"Some way to get vengeance on my mistress for this betrayal."
Jack smiled.
"I have a way to do that..."
"Tell me."
"There's a tournament. Not in this universe but another. A fight to the death. Winner gets what they most desire. I can get you in."
"What's the catch?"
Jack took a swig again then smiled.
"Well obviously the catch is that you have to win"
Harold smiled, but the smile was lifeless and dead.
"That won't be a problem."

The watching figures decided that they couldn't wait any longer and prepared to attack, but, as they rose from their hiding spots, Jack snapped his fingers and Harold disappeared. Where he disappeared to is another story and if you really wish to know you can find it here.

In another part of the world far far away The Muffin Man and his sister were heading home. Confident that there was nothing that held any danger for either of them they were willing to take shortcuts through more dangerous areas. It was as they were passing through an alleyway that they were attacked. Ashen Phoenix and Deadman appeared from the shadows. Deadman rushed at Megan but Muffin pushed her out of the way and slammed Deadman's head into the brick wall hard enough to break through it. While he was distracted though Ashen stepped forward slashing out with the scythe. Megan moved into the way catching the scythe by the handle and then placing her other hand on Ashen's cloak. At her touch the flame inside of him began to flicker and die and with it Ashen could feel his life fading. He tried to pull away but she held him with the scythe. Caught by overwhelming terror of this little girl Ashen kicked out slamming the heel of his boot into her skull and knocking her back as he turned fleeing into the alleyway. Muffin and Megan fled as well heading back to the home by a much safer route. Deadman freed himself from the wall some time later and headed back to base.

Dr. Malice and Portnoy Augustus were at the Doctor's home when they were attacked. The wall blew in as the two were talking and Mistress and Echo attacked. Portnoy ran and grabbed his gun firing on them. Echo touched his headphones the bullets stopping and slowly being stripped down to nothing. Mistress suddenly rose up on tendrils that sprouted from her skin and launched more tentacles at Portnoy. Dr. Malice pushed him out of the way the tentacles impaling Dr. Malice instead. He fell to his knees grabbing the tentacle and Mistress let out a surprised sound as the doctor's essence began to transfer to her. She split off the tentacles trying to stop it. It worked but while she was distracted Portnoy escaped. Dr. Malice's body was still trapped there but neither of them was willing to touch it now.

Echo ended up destroying the body. Using the sound from his speakers to strip it down until there was nothing left. They headed back to the base feeling strangely defeated.

Back at home Muffin received a call from The Liar. "The Fears have sent some one to hunt you all down. You need to get in contact with Malice, Portnoy and Harold. I'd come to see you but there's someone after me and it's too dangerous for me to come back and meet you yet." She hung up and Muffin contacted Malice getting Portnoy. They agreed to meet up.

The heroes have made contact with the villains. The stage is officially set. 

A distressing return

Harold arrived back at the place he called home just in time to see it burn. Smoke rose into the sky outlining the 4 puppets who stood before it. Harold approached restraining his anger and concern.

Harold: Mistress? What are you doing?

Puppet: This house was given to my servant. You are no longer my servant so you no longer deserve this gift.

Harold staggered back as if struck.

Harold: Mistress, what do you mean?! I am still your servant! I have always served you loyally and will continue to do so!

Mistress. You betrayed me by allying with The Muffin Man. He and by extension you attempted to destroy us.

Harold: That wasn't my fault! You know it wasn't! I had no part in that!

Mistress: The decree has come down. The Muffin Man and all his compatriots must be killed.

The puppets had slowly been forming a circle around him during the conversation. One of the puppets drew a gun. Harold heard it and reacted instinctively drawing his own gun and shooting it in the head then turning and firing at the rest. They went down and he began to run knowing that they'll get up in moments. As he fled a laughing voice followed him.

Wooden Girl: You were mine. You can't escape. You and your friends will be hunted for as long as it takes.

Harold continued running expecting the strings attached to his body to pull taut at any moment but they didn't. Eventually, some distance away, he finally stopped and began to plan. He thought that perhaps he should find Muffin and the others and warn them, but then he realized this was Muffin's fault and he wanted nothing to do with any of them. His thoughts turned towards a more malevolent ally as they had once before.