Cap (N): The trial of Elektra - in more ways than one!

(Inside front cover. We see the usual Blurbs for Elektra, Nina, Daredevil, Lotus, and Kuroyama. The rest of the inside front cover relates what has transpired in issue #1. Page 1, panel 1. We see Daredevil holding Kuroyama's wrist, preventing Kuroyama from killing Mac.)

Cap (N1): He came in the nick of time.
Cap (N2): Kuroyama has been thwarted again.

(Panel 2. Kuroyama faces Daredevil.)

Kuroyama: YOU!
Daredevil: I had a feeling you'd come back to finish the job. I didn't expect it to be so soon.

(Panel 3. Kuroyama vanishes.)

Kuroyama: I will be back . . . count on it.
Daredevil: We'll be waiting.

(Panel 4. Go to a small prison cell. We see Elektra being shackled to a wall.)

Cap (N): Later . . .
Elektra: When my lawyer hears about this, he will –
Policeman (interrupts): Shut up! You have no rights here, Natchios. It's only a matter of time before you're sent to the electric chair . . . or die beforehand. We're putting you in solitary confinement for your own safety.

(Panel 5. Exit the policemen. Page 2, panel 1. Stick appears.)

Elektra: How can I do it, Stick? How? Any attempt to fight back is met with even greater resistance.

(Panel 2. Stick draws his open hand, palm side down, in a sweeping motion.)

Elektra: All right, I'll try it your way for awhile.

(Panel 3. Stick vanishes. Panel 4. Lotus enters, in her spirit form.)

Elektra: Can it be? After all this time?

(Panel 4. Lotus turns solid.)

Elektra: Lotus?
Lotus: I'm here to help you out, Elektra. However, you must cooperate fully with us.

(Panel 5. Elektra faces Lotus.)

Elektra: I have little alternative.
Lotus: Daredevil and I are working on things now. Your job is not to get into more trouble.

(Panel 6. Elektra is serious.)

Elektra: It's hard not to get into trouble when they put you in the same cell with a homosexual rapist.

(Page 3, splash page. Leave room for credits here. Lotus shifts into her spirit form as two policemen enter.)

Policeman: Who are you talking to!?!?
Elektra (1): Nobody.
Elektra (2, quietly): Because it's more intelligent conversation than you'll ever give me.

(Panel 4. Exit the guards.)

Guard: By the way, you're on toilet duty tomorrow.

(Panel 5. Lotus turns solid.)

Lotus: Nice to see your civil rights aren't being stepped on.
Elektra: They tell me that because I am an illegal immigrant I have no rights.

(Panel 6. Lotus is serious.)

Lotus: That's not true, Elektra. That is something they have made up. I'll get Daredevil to visit you.

(Page 4, panel 1. Lotus smiles.)

Lotus: Don't give up the ghost, Elektra. We may be down, but we're not out.

(Panel 2. Lotus shifts into her spirit form, and exits. Panel 3. Go back to Kuroyama. We see him sitting in a circle of mystical symbols.)

Cap (N): Meanwhile . . .
Cap (K1): Curse them all.
Cap (K2): They may have won the battle,
Cap (K3): But the war is far from over.

(Panel 4. Go back to Lotus and Nina. We see them sitting opposite each other in a meditation area. They are in a circle, with several crystals of various colors around them. They concentrate.)

Lotus: Allow yourself to relax, concentrate on finding your center . . . .

(Panel 5. They close their eyes.)

Lotus: Allow yourself to feel the energy of this area . . . .

(Page 5, panel 1. Go to their vision. We see Elektra, Nina, and Lotus in an empty area. It is dark except for the immediate area around them.)

Nina: Where are we?
Lotus: Inside your soul.

(Panel 2. The lights come on to show that members of the Chaste are there, minus Stick. They look around the place.)

Nina: Acolytes of the Chaste!
Lotus: Don't panic, Nina . . .

(Panel 3. An acolyte approaches Nina.)

Acolyte: Nina McCabe. . . look at your hands.

(Panel 4. Nina holds up her hands to show that they are soaked with blood, and dripping with blood.)

Nina: What the --!?

(Panel 5. Elektra holds up her hands to show blood on them.)

Acolyte: Our blood is on your hands.
Nina: I . . . I'm sorry.

(Panel 6. The acolyte is angered.)

Acolyte: Sorry!? You have taken the most precious gift ever from us. . . you took our lives!

(Page 6, panel 1. The Acolyte strikes Nina, sending her back.)

Acolyte: Blood for blood!
SFX: CRACK!

(Panel 2. Another Acolyte strikes Elektra, sending her back.)

SFX: POW!
Elektra: UHN!

(Panel 3. Lotus intervenes.)

Lotus: Stop - !
Acolyte: Stay out of this . . . it is none of your concern.

(Panel 4. Lotus is serious. Focus on her face.)

Lotus: When you hurt a friend, it is my concern.

(Panel 5. The Acolytes advance.)

Acolytes: Life was taken without cause.
Lotus: The puppets cannot be held responsible for what those who pull their strings make them do. Trickery is one of the dark side's most powerful weapons.

(Panel 6. The Acolyte strikes Lotus as Nina and Elektra stand.)

Acolyte: An friend of my enemy is my enemy too!
SFX: Whok!

(Page 7, panel 1. Lotus stands.)

Lotus: Stop them, Nina.
Nina: What?

(Panel 2. The Acolytes start to beat on Elektra and Nina.)

Lotus: They are your guilt over having murdered everyone. I cannot control them. You can.
SFX: WHAP!

(Panel 3. Nina throws several acolytes off of her.)

Nina: Leave us alone!!

(Panel 4. Nina faces the Acolytes.)

Nina: I wish I could take back what I have done . . . of all the things I have done, it is the one I feel the most shame for, and the one I wish I could undo. I know nothing I can do will make up for what I have done.

(Panel 5. The acolytes are serious.)

Acolyte: There is only one way to make up for what you have done . . . bring down the Hand.
Nina: I . . . I cannot do that alone.

(Panel 6. Lotus is serious.)

Lotus: You are not alone. You have us, Nina.
Acloyte: The power is out of balance . . . the Hand must be dealt a serious setback for the balance to be restored.

(Page 8, panel 1. The acolytes disappear.)

Acolyte (As he vanishes): The balance must be restored, the sooner the better . . .

(Panel 2. Go back to the circle. We see Lotus and Nina come out of their trances.)

Lotus: Well, they have spoken.
Nina: I will do what I can.

(Panel 3. Lotus smiles. Focus on her face.)

Lotus: That's all we can expect of you.

(Panel 4. Go over to see Matt Murdock in a suit and tie. He is facing a policeman.)

Matt: As Ms. Natchios' lawyer, I demand to see her.
Policeman: I guess you didn't hear. Elektra attacked and injured another inmate. She's being held in solitary confinement.

(Panel 5. Matt grits his teeth.)

Matt: What do you mean she's in solitary?
Policeman: She made an unprovoked attack on a cellmate. That woman is now in the hospital with several broken bones. I am under strict orders not to let anyone see her. . . for their own safety.

(Page 9, panel 1. Matt is confused.)

Matt: She has a right to see a lawyer.
Policeman: Which she gave up when she attacked another inmate. Now, unless you have other business here, I have other things to attend to.

(Panel 2. The policeman exits.)

Cap (D1): There's something else going on here.
Cap (D2): Something that is more than meets the eye.
Cap (D3): Something that merits deeper exploration.

(Panel 3. Enter Lotus. She is wearing a pleasant blouse and a miniskirt.)

Lotus: So, how is everything going?
Matt: It's more like how is everything not going. Elektra supposedly attacked someone, so they're holding her in solitary confinement.

(Panel 4. Lotus concentrates.)

Lotus: Hmm. . . I think we've got someone behind the scenes interfering with things. Did Elektra have many enemies?
Matt: Definitely. She had so many of them I couldn't count them all.

(Panel 5. Lotus is serious.)

Lotus: That does make things a problem. However, we can narrow things down a bit . . .

(Page 10, panel 1. Go back to Elektra. We see her in her prison cell, sitting on the bed.)

Cap (N): A little later . . .
Cap (E1): This is driving me insane.
Cap (E2): Someone is manipulating things from outside.
Cap (E3): Matt should have been here by now.

(Panel 2. The cell door opens.)

Policeman: You've got a visitor, Natichos.

(Panel 3. Enter the Kingpin.)

Elektra (Surprised): YOU!
Kingpin: You seem surprised. You shouldn't be.

(Panel 4. The Kingpin smiles.)

Kingpin: Oh, Dear dear Elektra . . . how the mighty have fallen.

Elektra: What do you want, Fisk?

(Panel 5. The Kingpin is serious.)

Kingpin: Well, that is a tough question . . . for you, I want you to die.
Elektra: And you're the one who has arranged this confinement.

(Panel 6. The Kingpin rests on his cane.)

Kingpin: I have to make sure that you loose your case . . . and get sent to the chair. You are a loose end that needs to be tied up.
Elektra: Violating my civil rights will get me off the hook.

(Page 11, panel 1. The Kingpin turns away.)

Kingpin: You still have to prove that in court, my dear.

(Panel 2. Exit the Kingpin. The door slams behind him.)

SFX: SLAM!
Cap (E1): Now we know what is going on.
Cap (E2): I've got to have Lotus come in.
(Panel 3. Go back to the Kingpin. We see him entering a limo.)

Kingpin: Home, Keith.

(Panel 4. The Kingpin gets settled into the limo.)

Cap (W): Well, that end is about to be tied up.

(Panel 5. Nothing happens.)

Kingpin: I said home, Keith.

(Page 12, panel 1. The privacy screen lowers to show Lotus in the dress from earlier there. The Kingpin is shocked.)

Kingpin: YOU!

Lotus: We are but pawns in a much larger game, you and I. If you want something very desirable, you're going to have to play ball with me.

(Panel 2. The Kingpin is serious.)

Kingpin: What do you want, Jones?
Lotus: The Five.

(Panel 3. The Kingpin cocks an eyebrow.)

Kingpin: You've peaked my curiousity.
Lotus: Elektra is needed to bring the downfall of the Five. You've been known to secrety want the downfall of the Five. If you want what they have, you've got to let Elektra go.

(Panel 4. The Kingpin thinks.)

Kingpin: The Five are very powerful, Jones. Do you seriously think you can defeat them on your own?
Lotus: Of course not. However, like you, I have connections of my own. Join my alliance, Fisk.

(Panel 5. The Kingpin is serious.)

Kingpin: I will have to think about it.
Lotus: We go on with or without you. If you are with us, then you will have an easier time to move in once they are delt with, otherwise. . . we will have to consult one of your compeditors.

(Page 13, panel 1. The kingpin is serious.)

Kingpin: There are too many variables in this, Jones. I need to consult others. You will have my answer in the morning.
Lotus (1): Right. Tomorrow it is then.
Lotus (2): Computer, teleport now.

(Panel 2. There is a bright flash of light. Panel 3. We see a man in a chauffer's outfit where Lotus was.)

Kingpin: Home, Keith.
Keith: Very good sir.

(Panel 3. The next morning. We see The Kingpin sitting in his office. He is talking on the phone.)

Cap (N): The next morning. . .
Kingpin (1): Profits from the holdings in South America up?
Kingpin (2): How much?
Kingpin (3): Good. I could use some good news.
Kingpin (4): Put it in the Swiss bank account. I'll talk to you next week.

(Panel 4. The Kingpin hangs up the phone.)

Cap (W1): That should make up for the losses in Southeast Asia.
Cap (W2): Loses caused by the Five.
Cap (W3): Still, I have to worry about the computer simulations. . .

(Panel 5. The phone rings.)

SFX: Ring! Ring!
Cap (W): I was not expecting a call.

(Panel 6. The Kingpin picks up the phone.)

Kingpin: This is the Kingpin.
Lotus (from the phone): Well Fisk, have you made a decision yet?

(Page 14, panel 1. The Kingpin is serious.)
Kingpin: I have run numerous computer simulations. Your odds of even reaching the Five is infinitesimal at best. The odds of you bringing them down is even smaller. Even if I was to lend out all my resources, you stand little chance.
Lotus: We have special connections . . . ever hear of the Butterfly?

(Panel 2. The Kingpin blanches.)

Kingpin: How do you know about them?
Lotus: I have my ways.

(Panel 3. The Kingpin thinks.)

Kingpin: I will need to review the simulations.
Lotus: You have until noon. We need Elektra out as soon as possible.

(Panel 4. The Kingpin hangs up the phone.)

Cap (W1): The Butterfly changes everything.
Cap (W2): I may have to give in.
Cap (W3): Then again, if it does work, Profits in Asia will soar like never before.
(Page 15, panel 1. Go over to see Elektra in front of a magistrate. Matt is next to her. She is in a nice dress, with a bandage on her cheek and a black eye. Matt wears a suit and tie.)

Cap (N1): To make a long story short,
Cap (N2): The Kingpin agreed.
Cap (N3): And Elektra was put before a magistrate in the Kingpin's pocket.
Magistrate: Your civil rights have been clearly violated. The state has no choice but to drop all charges.

(Panel 2. The magistrate bangs her gavel.)

SFX: Bang!

(Panel 3. Lotus and Nina, wearing nice dresses, approach Elektra.)

Lotus: The battle is half over.

Elektra: And the hardest part is next.

(Panel 4. We see Elektra, Nina, Lotus, and Daredevil in their uniforms. They are in the hospital room of Mac Stuart.)

Cap (N1): Several hours later.
Cap (N2): Elektra visits Mac Stuart.
Elektra: Mac, it's me.

(Panel 5. Mac looks up to Elektra.)

Mac: Elektra?
Elektra: Mac, I have something to tell you. . .

(Panel 6. Elektra is serious.)

Elektra: I have to go away, and there is a chance I may not come back. I want you to know. . . no matter what, I love you.
Mac: I. . . understand.

(Panel 7. Mac sits up.)

Mac: I love you too, Elektra.

(Panel 8. They give each other a quick kiss.) SFX: Kiss.

(Page 16, panel 1. Elektra, Nina, Lotus, and Daredevil disappear in a flash of bright light.)

Mac: Good Luck, Elektra.
Lotus: Computer, teleport now.

(Panel 2. A Japanese pagoda in longshot.)

Cap (N1): The island of Salakin, northern Japan.
Cap (N2): A very secret enclave.
Cap (N3): It is here where the Five are.

(Panel 3. Go into a courtyard. We see Elektra, Nina, Daredevil, and Lotus teleport in.)

Lotus: We are here now.

(Panel 4. Lotus pushes her X badge.)

Lotus: Fly like an Eagle, my sisters.

(Panel 5. Enter Kuroyama, with about 3 Hand acolytes. Kuroyama is now back to normal.)

Kuroyama: What the --!? You!!
Nina: I've been put on the right side again, Kuroyama . . . and nothing will send me back.

(Panel 6. Kuroyama draws out his sickle on a chain.)

Kuroyama: You have fufilled your death warrants!!

(Page 17, panel 1. The Hand attacks everyone else. We see the Hand members with weapons drawn.)

Kuroyama: DIE!

(Panel 2. Lotus, Elektra, Nina, and Daredevil fight back. Lotus strikes a Hand member with a kick. The others are fighting Hand members. Nina fights Kuroyama.)

SFX: POW!
Nina: Using people will always boomerang on you, Kuroyama.

(Panel 3. Nina slashes Kuroyama in the face with her sai.)

SFX: SLASH!
Kuroyama: UHN!
(Panel 4. Daredevil strikes a Hand acolyte in the knee with his club.)

SFX: CRACK!
Acolyte: UHN!

(Panel 5. Nina thrusts her sai into Kuroyama's chest. At the same time, Kuroyama slashes Nina's cheek.)

SFX: SLORCH!!

Nina: I know better now.
SFX: SLASH!

(Panel 6. Nina thrusts a crystal into Kuroyama.)

Kuroyama: NO!!

(Panel 7. Kuroyama emits a burst of light upwards.)

SFX: WHOOSH!!

(Panel 8. They look around as Kuroyama falls.)

Lotus: The Five know we're here. We have to act quickly.

(Page 18, panel 1. Go over to see a mass of people in black robes fighting people in white robes.)

Cap (N1): Meanwhile, outside. . .
Cap (N2): Members of the Butterfly join acolytes of the Kingpin.
Cap (N3): Together, they attack the Hand.

(Panel 2. Go back to Lotus, Elektra, Lotus, Nina, and Daredevil. We see them running down a breezeway.)

Lotus: The Five are trying to escape. We have to hurry.

(Panel 3. They run into about 15 Hand Acolytes.)

Acolyte: This is where you die.
Lotus (1): Famous last words.
Lotus (2): However, we can't waste time on you.
Lotus (3): Teleport us!

(Panel 4. Lotus, Elektra, Nina, and Daredevil disappear in a flash of light. Page 19, panel 1. Lotus, Elektra, Daredevil and Nina appear in front of the Five. Standing between them and a helicopter.)

Lotus: [Stop!!*]
Cap (N): * Translated from the original Japanese.

(Panel 2. We see the Five for the first time. They are large Japanese men, whose faces are obscured by hoods. They are identified by the captions.)

Cap (N1): Sight.
Cap (N2): Sound.
Cap (N3): Smell.
Cap (N4): Taste.
Cap (N5): And the leader, Touch.
Lotus: Beware, they all have special powers.
Touch: [You have signed your death warrants!]

(Panel 3. The Five attack the others.)

Lotus: [The cosmic balance will be restored, Touch!]
Touch: [You will never see that day!]

(Panel 4. Sound sonicly screams at them, making Elektra and her friends clutch their ears.)

Sound: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

(Panel 5. Lotus shifts into her spirit form. The Five start to go around Elektra, Nina, and Daredevil.)

Sound: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Elektra: Must . . . resist . . .

(Panel 6. Lotus puts a hand into Sound's throat, causing him to gag.)

Sound: EEEEEEEE -- Erghk!!

(Page 20, panel 1. Elektra, Nina, and Daredevil recover.) They are face to face with the Five. Lotus removes her hand as she turns solid. Sound clutches his throat.)

Lotus: One down, four to go.
Touch: [You are far from winning!]

(Panel 2. Sight emits a flash of light, blinding Elektra and Nina.)

SFX: FWASH!

(Panel 3. Sight makes a dash for it, but Daredevil throws his club, striking Sight in the spine. This causes Sight to fall down.)

SFX: WHOK!

(Panel 4. Elektra and Nina recover.)

Lotus (coming back to the others): Two down, four to go.

(Panel 5. Smell discharges a noxious smell, affecting Nina, who falls back.)

Nina: Gag!

(Panel 6. Elektra, concentrating, strikes Smell with the hilt of her sai. This sends Smell down.)

SFX: WHACK!
Lotus: Three down, two to go.

(Page 21, panel 1. Nina strikes Taste, sending him back into the fallen Smell.)

Nina: Not this time!

(Panel 2. We see Touch at the helicopter.)

Touch: [Too bad, there were five of us, and there will be Five again!]

(Panel 3, from out of nowhere, a bo staff strikes Touch in the jaw.)

SFX: WHOK!

Touch: UHN!

(Panel 4. Stick pulls Touch out of the helicopter.)

Stick: And then there were none.

(Panel 5. Enter several members of the Butterfly.)

Woman: [Look! The Five are down!]
Nina: I really had expected them to put up a bigger fight.
Elektra: Stick! You're not dead!

(Panel 6. Lotus faces Nina.)

Lotus: They have not fought for years, and are out of practice. They were content with having others do their dirty work.
Stick (To Elektra): Reports of my death were greatly exagerated.
Woman: Jessie? Is that you?

(Page 22, panel 1. The woman looks Stick over.)

Woman: It is you! It's been a long time, Jones.
Lotus (apprehensive): Jessie Jones? As in Lt. Jessie Jones?

(Panel 2. Stick faces Lotus.)

Stick: What of it?
Lotus (emotional): Dad . . . .
Elektra (surprised): Dad? (Panel 3. Lotus and Stick embrace.)

Lotus: They told me you had died in Vietnam . . . I'm so glad you're not dead.
Stick: Lecita . . .

(Panel 4. Later. We see everyone back in New York, at the release of Mac Stuart from the hospital.)

Cap (N1): Three days later.
Cap (N2): Mac makes a full recovery.
Nina: Well, all's well that ends well.

Stick: Not completely.

(Panel 5. Stick is serious.) Stick: The Hand was delt a serious setback, like the Chaste, but both will be able to rebuild again.
Lotus: What is important is that the cosmic balance has been restored. So what's up for you next?
(Panel 6. Elektra gives a light smile.)

Elektra: Mac and I will continue to run the dojo here. Nina: Your father and I will return to Japan, and rebuild the Chaste.
Lotus: And I will return to my team. We may not get together again, but if we do. . . watch out.