Shadow Samurai: Under the Big Top Part 3 




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The atmosphere of the circus was high with the start of the evening show.
Clowns, carnival players, and vendors were working the crowd around the big
top. Some of the animals that would be in the show were out as well. Kids and
parents gawked at the tall giraffes while other starred into the pens for the
lions who roared causing the kiddies to jump. They would immediately head back
to the edge of the viewing area though, eager to be scared again. Katy as she
walked through the crowd enjoyed the energy of the crowd getting her ready for
the show.

She wasn't dressed for the show yet. Still wearing a light blue shirt, shorts,
and her sneakers she walked through the crowd heading for her trailer to
change. The acrobat was also thinking about her activities for later that
night. During the day she had slipped out to head into the city of
Crawfordsville doing a final eyeball of her objective. The rare antiques and
valuables shop in downtown Crawfordsville held a collection of unique items.
Katy had dressed the part for her recon, wearing an expensive dress and shoes.
The store catered to the wealthy of the town, whose taste for fine and unique
things for their large homes kept the place in business.

While she distracted the salesperson with small talk Katherine had spied the
object of her desire. It was in an expensive display case for all to see on
the wall. Part of her family's legacy up for sale, it had nearly caused her to
break character. Katy held it together so that she could get out of the store,
but the urge to take what was rightfully hers was almost too much to resist.
Patience my dear, remember Katy patience is the greatest skill you'll need to
learn. The words from her trainer echoed during that time. She had been
patient and tonight it would all pay off.

"Katy!" it was David. He was running up from behind to catch up with her.

She smiled sweetly, "What's up Dave?"

"Mr. Henderson wants to do the knife throwing act tonight in addition to your
normal show." He informed her but clearly he wanted to say more putting his
hands in his pockets.

"Dave you want to ask me something?" Katy probed.

"Well ... I know I'm not good enough to be on the ropes with you but, could I
help with the throwing?" David wanted to become more involved in the show.
Although he was young the kid showed a lot of promise. The manager of the
circus gave Katy a lot of leeway so she could pick and choose who she wanted
in her act.

"Sure thing but you're going to do exactly what I say, understood?"

Dave's face lit up, "Of course Katy! I'll get my costume ready, see you in a
bit!"

She laughed at his excitement watching David peel off into the crowd, running
to his trailer to get ready. Katherine continued on her way too. Reaching her
trailer she went inside. Her costume was clean and ready for tonight's show.
Along with the colorful costume were her tools, the throwing knives plus lock
picks in their leather holsters to go around her thighs. That she wouldn't be
wearing in the show but it would get put to use later tonight.

Katy looked once again to the picture on her dresser, "Tonight I get back what
was yours." Picking up the photo she hugged it to her chest, "I'll take back
what belongs to us Dad."

...................

"She's good."

John looked to the small figure of the blue form of Sarah who was resting on
Emma's lap as they drove to the circus. He responded to her summation of the
rumored exploits of Orchid with, "You spent all day reading about this master
thief and all you can say is, she's good?"

Sarah shot John a glare who just smirked in response. Emma chuckled as she
applied a little fence mending, "I'm sure Sarah has more to say than just
that. What did ya learn?"

"As we learned first hand she has unparalleled agility backed up by peak human
endurance and strength. She's beaten some impressive security Emma, private
companies, mansions & estates, there are even rumors she broke into Buckingham
Palace and the Papal Apartments." Sarah informed them. She noted that John
raised his eyebrows at the last ones. He was now feeling a bit more impressed.
The guardian continued, "One thing I've noticed too is that she does two
things at every crime scene. Orchid never kills anyone nor does she steal from
anyone who can't afford it."

"Interesting, so her threatening you earlier, it was a bluff." John remarked
actually feeling a bit better that Emma hadn't been in danger.

"Looks like it." Emma remarked, "Sarah you're getting to something here."

"I am, reading about this thief reminded me of something." Sarah answered,
"Before I was betrayed by the Brotherhood & Sorority obviously I traveled in
some interesting circles. Picked up a lot of stories about demons, sorceress,
all sorts of stuff but also tales from the underworld. There were rumors of a
long running tradition of thieves. Nobody I met ever claimed to actually have
met somebody, they heard the story from a friend of a friend, but they were
out there."

"What do you mean by a tradition?" Emma asked looking down at Sarah as John
made a turn.

"A family of thieves, some say they went back all the way to the founding of
America. Others say that they came over during the 1900s with waves of
European immigrants. In any case the story was always this, a family where the
parents passed down the skills of theft to their children. Those kids then
passed down the trade to the next generation."

"You would think something like that would come to attention of the police."
John added in, "Hard to keep that under wraps."

Sarah nodded in agreement, "You'd be right. The FBI have tried to find
evidence of the family but it seems they've closely covered their tracks.
There never seems to be a concrete trail to follow. The crimes we can
attribute to Orchid are scattered around the country along with spots across
the world. There's no pattern to any of it, it was the same with the tales I
heard. These thieves strike in one place but are gone hitting somewhere else
the next week."

"Well we know Orchid is hanging out here for a bit, otherwise why go to the
trouble of testing herself against Shadow Samurai." Emma concluded, "Question
is what is she after here?"

"It's something we should do some brainstorming on." John said but he
continued as he parked the car, "But for now, we have some fun."

Emma smiled as she looked at the bright lights, festive sounds, and happy
people heading into the circus. Placing the Shadow Stone in her purse she got
out of the car taking hands with John as they walked in. Sarah decided to
engage in a bit of meditating moving into the mystical space within the Shadow
Stone. She wanted to relax herself along with giving Emma & John the privacy
their date deserved. There would be plenty of time to work out what Orchid was
after later.

..................

The circus was a great idea.

Emma enjoyed a chance to just relax and spend time with John. They had been
through so much in the past few months that it just felt so good to feel him
put his arm around her shoulders, hold each other close, scream together on a
ride, and enjoy some kisses in the make out tunnel. Of course though as they
walked to the big tent John couldn't help but joke, "Alright that was a bit
too cliché."

She playfully smacked him, "I didn't see you complaining. In fact you would
have been happy if our little cart had been stuck a little bit longer." Emma
let his hand slide just under the hem of her skirt, brushing her black tights.

John chuckled leaning in to give his girl a kiss. They followed the crowd into
the big top, holding their hands all the way to their seats. Emma instantly
loved the atmosphere as the groups of families and couples settled in to await
the show. Some clowns along with other talented performers were moving through
the crowd or through the main arena. One guy pretending to be a sad clown came
up to them. John offered him a candy they had bought but that didn't work.
Emma then decided to try her charms blowing a kiss to the clown. The clown
perked up with a big grin happily running away.

"I think you did that to me just last week." John teased.

"Quiet you." she lightly tapped him, "The show is starting."

John gave her a sad clown face in response which was then rewarded with a
kiss. The couple stopped kidding around as Emma settled against John's body
ready to enjoy the show. The lights inside the tent dimmed as things properly
began. A classic Ringmaster with bright red coat along with black top hat
appeared highlighted by a spot light shinnying from above. He had a hidden
microphone somewhere because his voice echoed through the speakers without any
visible means.

"Ladies, gentlemen, children welcome to the most amazing show on Earth!" he
announced. Claps and cheers followed which he waited to diminish before
continuing, "We have act that will amaze and shock you! Animals from across
the world who are trained by the bravest handlers! Stunts that wow you!
Welcome all to the circus!"

The darkness was broken with two columns of flame which were ignited by a pair
of fire blowers which caused the crowd to jump with excitement. Performers
dressed in a variety of costumes appeared as the lights were turned on. They
were followed by a parade of animals as the opening act began. Emma and John
looked at another with a smile as Emma rested her head on John's shoulder, as
they held hands together in her lap.

.........................

"Wonder what's easier, teaching to elephants to dance, or getting students to
write papers that make sense?" John joked.

"The elephants of course." Emma answered back with a laugh.

The Ringmaster had returned and began to introduce the next act, "Now I hope
you enjoy the aerial acrobats of our fabulous flying troop."

As the crowd applauded the acrobats came out a mix of men and women in
colorful costumes. Emma was looking forward to seeing what the highly trained
acrobats could do. She watched as a pair of leotard clad girls came out
followed by the last of the performers a young man wearing a mask and, "No way
... "

"What?" John asked as the performers began to climb the tall poles going up
into the tent.

Emma didn't answer as she looked at the last of the female acrobats. Dressed
in a magenta and pink costume the outfit, minus the mask, looked exactly like
Orchid. Emma was dumbstruck as she watched the woman climbed to the top of one
of the poles, standing proudly in a spot light. A rope was in her hand as she
waved to the crowd. John was still wondering what was bugging his girlfriend,
"Emma? You've got that stare off into space look."

"It's her." She whispered.

John furrowed his eyebrows watching as the magenta clad woman swung down the
rope flying through the open air. He had just noticed there was no net below
the performers making her stunt even more dangerous. At the high mark of the
arc the young lady released the rope and somersaulted over and over. Just as
she started to dip, the woman reached out grabbing the hand of another acrobat
who had swung over from the other side. The two swung back to the pole the
magenta maiden's partner had come from as Emma finally elaborated.

"It's her John, she's Orchid." Emma wanted to point but resisted. She reached
down for her purse.

John looked back at the girl who was supposedly Emma's thief. Thinking about
how Emma had described the thief he began to see the similarities. Meanwhile
Emma had pocked the Shadow Stone holding it in her hand. Closing her hand
around it she used the mental link to talk to Sarah, Sarah, I need you.

Emma what's wrong? Sarah responded. She was going to make herself appear but
Emma stopped her with a quick command.

No, we're in public, stay in the stone. Sarah I found her!

Confused Sarah asked, who?

Orchid, she's performing at the circus right in front of us! Emma let a bit of
her indignation slip through. She couldn't believe the gall of the thief.

Sarah focused as she concentrated, Emma do me a favor look at who you think is
Orchid.

Emma wanted to ask why but did so. She looked just in time to see the acrobat
fall backwards off the latest platform she was on. The whole crowd spoke with
excited voices wondering what she was up too. As she fell, Orchid's body
pointed downward but she tucked her legs in flipping herself into a tumble. At
this point John noticed a rope launched from the opposite pole. A third of the
way before hitting the ground the acrobat grabbed the oncoming rope seemingly
without looking. It stopped her instantly and she swung low over the ground.
Releasing the rope as it reached its apex; Orchid tumbled again, landing
perfectly on the wall that surrounded the arena. By luck she was doing it just
a few rows down from Emma & John.

An odd feeling came from Emma's eyes as she felt like somebody was looking
through her. The feeling dissipated after a moment and Emma asked, Sarah was
that you?

Yeah sorry but it's a little trick I've been working on. I figured in a fight
it might be good for me to be able to see what you see, Sarah explained, think
of it as ... Shadow Vision.

Emma agreed with the idea she just hoped it would feel less weird next time,
So Sarah am I crazy?

No, that is her. I can't believe it she's performing in the same damn costume!
Sarah too felt a little anger at how much Orchid was showing off.

They had missed out on the rest of the acrobats by being so focused on Orchid
but the show wasn't over yet. Emma watched as a large target was being rolled
out from the edges of the tent. It was a circular bull's-eye painted red and
blue. There was a wooden X-frame built in as well with restraints at the four
points. Orchid had hopped off the wall once it appeared, heading to the
target. The Ringmaster was also back announcing what was coming up, "Now I
hope you all enjoy the pin-point knife throwing skills of Katherine."

Orchid, Katherine, bowed to the crowd as a pair of circus hands brought out a
table loaded with throwing knives. They saw the young man who had the half
mask going out to the target. He was soon strapped into the target. The
Ringmaster continued, "This young clown will be the one Miss Barton tests her
skills against."

Katy had picked up the first of the knives. Balancing it in her gloved hand,
the brunette took aim at the target. The whole tent was quiet as Katy threw
the first of the knives. It landed inches away from the clown's left arm.
People murmured in wonder as she picked two knives now. Emma watched as with
one hand the thief took aim again. Both knives were flipped out flying first
closely together before they separated and landed on either side of the clown,
each one the same distance, a few inches from the performer's body.

Applause broke out at the accuracy of Katy's throws but was soon replaced with
cries of surprise. Katy had picked up three knives in each hand. Holding them
up, she took aim once again. John admired the young guy's courage, since he'd
be squirming like crazy. Then in a flurry of moves Katy rapidly fired off all
the knives. They impacted within seconds of each other and the whole crowd
went wild. Four of the knives had landed at the straps which held the clown
in. They had cut him loose without even breaking his skin. The final two
knives had hit on either side of his head millimeters from his ears.

"Whoa." John muttered as she finished.

"Yep that's Orchid." Emma concluded.

Through their link Sarah agreed, It's her for sure, question is what do we do
about it? Can't transform and start a fight in front of all these people.

No we can't, Emma agreed. She looked to John, "I hate to do this but we've got
to go."

"Actually remember we were supposed to meet a performer." John began but Emma
cut him off.

"I know and I really love all this John ... " now it was her turn to be cut
off.

"Emma, we're supposed to meet her, Katherine Barton." John finished.

Sarah summed it up for Emma, oh boy.

.........................................

The show had been a huge success, with the crowd happily applauding the final
acts in the show. Katy had a small roll to play in the final act being part of
the airborne element. It had been a breeze but she had been feeling anxious.
She wanted to get ready for her jaunt out as Orchid but the manager had
informed her that it was her turn to be part of the after show meeting. Katy
wanted to complain but kept her mouth shut. The after show meet & greet was
where select performers met with people who had paid a bit extra for the
experience. Usually it was groups of families whose children wanted to meet
the circus people. There were also young couples where the guy (usually) was
showing off for their date. Katy suspected this what was had motivated the two
professor looking types, well at least the man.

"I hope you enjoyed the show." she began with as she walked up to the couple.
The guy professor was attractive, tall, athletically thin, with a definite air
of geek but cool. Had she been interested Katy would have considered him for a
date. His girlfriend too seemed to be an intelligentsia but it didn't play
down her looks. She had rich red hair, there was an air of geek in her but
also...strength. Again had Katy been interested the young lady would be worth
an invite back to her trailer. What surprised her though was in the woman's
eyes there was a hint of, annoyance?

"It was great." the man said with a hint that everything wasn't.

Katy eyed the woman with a smile but she was carefully evaluating her. Upon
further reflection she saw that the redhead was not looking at her with
annoyance but studying her closely. The two stared into each other for a few
quiet moments before the redhead spoke, "It was amazing, I can't believe you
were so skillful with those knives."

She's trying to be polite, Katy could tell but not figure out why, "Thank you.
It's taken me years of experience along with some good eyesight."

The redhead seemed to glance away for a moment, almost as if she was listening
to someone else. She smiled thought focusing back on Katy, "It shows, you are
so nimble and graceful."

"I've had some good teachers." Katy explained. What have I done to you
Professor? Katy wondered. There was something familiar in the eyes of the
redhead but Katy couldn't place it. It was as if she was meeting somebody she
had robbed.

As if he could sense something building the man smiled, offering his hand,
"We'd love to stay longer but we need to get going, besides I'm sure there are
some kids who are dying to meet you."

Katy saw that there were but she kept her focus on the two of them, "Well I'm
glad you had a good time, have a safe drive back." She offered her hand to the
redhead. The other woman smiled taking the hand and shaking, each of them
giving the other a strong squeeze.

...................

As they headed out of the tent Emma let out a held in breath of frustration,
"I can't believe I just shook hands with her."

John had a reassuring arm around her. It was also there to stop Emma from
running back and getting into a fight with the thief, "I know but one has to
keep up appearances. Though everybody could tell you were a little hot under
the collar Emma."

"I know but....ugh." Emma shook her head as John hugged her with his wrapped
around arm. She smiled at him appreciating the support. They got into his car
more for a quiet place to have a meeting than anything else. Placing the
Shadow Stone and thus Sarah over the center console the two women debated what
to do.

"We can wait for everyone to clear out then take her down." Emma suggested.

"Problem is she's not a demon Emma." Sarah pointed out, "We can't dispatch
her, in fact we'd be trying to arrest her. No offense but its not like we have
much actual law enforcement experience."

John had to agree and he added in, "Plus, she didn't steal anything Emma. Sure
she and you tussled but she didn't take anything. You can take her down bring
her in but..."

"Yeah...nothing to hold her on." Emma thought about it. She glumly realized
that she was more demon slayer as opposed to crime fighter. After all Emma its
not like some drunken frat boys you stun and leave for... Emma's eyes widened
as a smile broke out across her face, "What if we found some evidence?"

"What do you mean?" Sarah inquired.

"We find where she keeps her stuff in the circus. If we find anything
incriminating then we can take down Orchid and call the cops." Emma was
feeling confident in her plan ending it with a smile. Sarah thought it was a
good idea, John less so.

"Emma what if she doesn't have anything or goes out why you two are here."

She thought about it, "We'll be alright, we know what we're up against this
time. If we don't find anything we'll head straight back I promise."

He still didn't like it but John knew that once Emma set her mind to something
she tended to stick with it. Leaning in he kissed her on the cheek, "Call me,
I'm going to set up at the 24 hour diner." John glanced at Sarah with an
unspoken request, keep an eye on her. Sarah nodded to the unsaid thought in
agreement. They pulled out of their parking spot with John driving away from
the circus. After getting a fair distance from the big top he pulled the car
over by the neighboring woods. Emma hopped out with the Shadow Stone in hand.
There she transformed into her black leotard, shorts, tights, and flats. Now
with the Shadow Sword in hand and a blue Sarah perched on her shoulder, the
superheroine Shadow Samurai was ready to stalk back to the circus.

John had gotten out of the car coming around to wish his girlfriend luck.
Wrapping his arms around her he told Emma, "Be careful."

"I will." she kissed him with a slow tender touch of her lips. John forgot
about his worries for a moment caught up in the sensation of the fact her was
smooching with a superheroine. Finished they broke the kiss with Emma slowly
disengaging from John. Taking one last look at him she moved into the forest
with a dash.

...............

The collection of circus vehicles was quiet under the glow of the full moon.
Emma was perched on the edge of the encampment watching the grounds from a
tree. She had waited an hour for the last of the circus workers had headed off
to what seemed like a post circus dinner on the other side of the tents. Emma
liked that everybody had cleared out from the collection of trailers. It would
make her snooping around much easier. As she waited on the tree limb the
thought of John waiting at the diner entered her head. She knew he had been a
bit leery to leave her behind but John had still helped. Part her wondered
though whether she should be making John worry. No, Sarah and I have got this.
We've got the element of surprise.

So clad in her black Shadow Samurai costume, Emma finished her scan of the
surroundings, "Looks clear..." she said in a low voice.

"I'd say so too, if Orchid is keeping up appearances then she's with everybody
else at the party. If she's off to commit her robbery or whatever she has
planned then she's not here either." Sarah summarized. She was on Emma's
shoulder watching the circus grounds with her.

"Right, alright let's do this." Emma told her spiritual partner.

Sarah disappeared into the Shadow Sword while Emma leaped down to the ground.
Carefully she moved across the flattened grass which had been pushed down by
all the vehicles that went with the traveling circus. Shadow Samurai made sure
she was using the parked trailers, trucks, and cars for cover. Not quite able
to help herself Emma hummed a few bars of the sneaking music from the Metal
Gear games. Of course she didn't have any special radar to allow her to see
anybody coming. Normally Sarah could sense demons or other magical sources but
in this case they were working blind. Orchid plus the other people in the
circus were normal so Sarah couldn't use her special talents. Luckily though
Emma's superheroine experience had given practice in sneaking around.
Carefully she listened for anybody who had decided not to hang out with their
coworkers. Luckily though there wasn't any signs of stragglers.

So far so good, Emma thought to Sarah.

Yep any sign of Orchid's trailer yet? The Shadow Guardian asked back.

Emma had been reading the names on the different trailers so far no Katy
Barton. They eventually reached the edge of the trailer park where a larger
older trailer was parked. A nice wooden sign hung from the side was labeled
BARTON. Smiling Shadow Samurai whispered, "Bingo."

Look's like there is a top opening for a skylight or air, we can get in that
way, Sarah responded. She had tapped into Emma's senses again this time not
feeling as much as a presence behind Emma's eyes.

Shadow Samurai moved across the open ground to the trailer. With a push of her
strong legs, Emma leaped to the top of the boxy home. Landing on the top with
a quiet touch of her flats, Shadow looked around for anybody who might have
spotted her. Not spotting anybody Emma decided to drop down inside. Her first
thought after landing inside was that Orchid was not the neatest person. Sarah
too must of noticed it and shared, "Reminds me of Stephanie's room."

"Rei's too. You'd think after getting human form she would be, well neater
than it is." Emma remarked as she sheaved her sword and began looking through
the trailer. Going through everything Shadow noticed that Orchid, Katy, seemed
not all that different from anybody else. She didn't know what she expected to
find, jewels, stolen money, or something else but most of what was inside the
trailer were personal things. Coming upon the girl's dressing table Emma found
a framed photo. It was from the eighties an old Polaroid but the figure was
clear on it. A man dressed like a magician in a black tuxedo outfit was
smiling into the camera. Looking at it she saw there was a reflective mirror
in the picture as well. It had caught the picture taker in its reflection.

She had brown hair, a thin body, wearing pink and magenta a little version of
Orchid's outfit. Emma was realizing who the picture taker was when she heard,
"Hmm guess I have a new appreciation for somebody who has had their home
broken into."

Crap! Shadow Samurai prepared to move but she felt a sharp pressing stab in
the small of her back. Emma at first worried it was a blade but quickly
realized that it was in fact a pair of fingers. She tried to reach for the
Shadow Sword but found, she couldn't move. Her eyes widened behind her mask as
Orchid began speaking.

"Amazing thing the human body." Katy told Shadow Samurai from behind. She was
standing with her fingers pressed into the small of Shadow's back. Still
without her mask but in costume the thief gently reached for Emma's sword, "We
had a old school Japanese warrior monk as part of the show a few years back.
He was cool, great moves even for as old as he was, showed me a few things.
Included teaching me about pressure points."

Sarah...I can't move a muscle...I'm frozen, Emma worryingly sent.

The reply didn't make her feel any better, Emma, I can't....uhhhhh.....ugh.

Sarah? Emma wondered what was wrong.

Orchid beat the guardian to it, "He explained to me that the point throughout
our body distribute our energies. Blocking these points can disable or even
hurt someone. I've got my fingers pressed against a real important one right
now Shadow Samurai, and my guess is it's not just paralyzing you at the moment
but your powers as well."

Sarah confirmed this fact as she struggled to help Emma, She's right...you
powers they're being blocked...I've been trying to fight it but....I can't
change anything. Our connection its frozen too.

"How...did you...get in here." Shadow asked. Emma wanted to stall for time to
try and come up with a plan.

"Same way you did, although I was very quiet." Katy glanced down at her
stocking clad feet. The light pink tights had allowed her to sneak right up on
Shadow Samurai without making a sound. She had spotted the superheroine after
she had sneaked away from the post show party. Katy had been planning to just
head right off on her mission but the arrival of the Shadow Samurai had
changed her plans, "I thought I told you to stay away Shadow."

"You're...a criminal....my job is to bring you in." Shadow replied fighting to
try and move.

Katy smiled as she took away the Shadow Sword. Placing it aside she moved her
free fingers to a new spot on the heroine's tights clad thigh, "Dedicated to
the core I like it."

She pressed her fingers into the soft spot on the back of Emma's thigh. Shadow
sighed as the strength in her legs gave out. Dropping to her knees, Emma felt
lightheaded as the newest pressure point attack rendered helpless. Apparently
because of the new attack Orchid didn't need to keep her fingers in place on
her back. Emma tried to raise her arms but these too lacked any strength. She
wasn't able to tell if she was still paralyzed or just weak from Orchid's
latest attack. The thief moved around the knelt Shadow Samurai, standing in
front of her arms crossed as she looked the heroine up and down.

"Question is now what to do with you." Orchid asked the heroine.

Emma looked up with her blue eyes, since her head was dipped slightly,
"You...won't get away...with what you have planned."

"What do I have planned?" Katy asked in reply. When Shadow didn't answer she
smiled a bit, "You don't know what I'm after do you? That's why you were
sneaking around. Of course I'm curious how you found me but that doesn't
matter. I'll be gone soon enough."

"Running away...to the circus?" Emma joked.

"Something like that. Obviously I won't be able to hang around here once you
report in to the authorities." Katy knew she couldn't leave just yet, but she
couldn't just leave Shadow Samurai to a nap as she had before. The heroine
would wake up and come after her again, Katy knew it.

Emma watched as Orchid reached for her dresser. She tried to see if Sarah had
made any progress, Sarah...any change?

No...uhhhh, Sarah weakly answered, That last one...took as much....out of
me...as you....Emma...I'm sorry.

Don't...I should have....waited, Emma sent back. She had let her pride get the
better of her and now they were in trouble. By this point Orchid had retrieved
what she was looking for. It was white handkerchief embroidered around the
edge with the same magenta color as Orchid's costume. It looked like there
were initials at the corner of the handkerchief but Shadow couldn't make them
out. Emma was able to read the label though on the bottle Orchid had also
retrieved from her drawers. A brown bottle it was labeled with something Emma
recognized from the CU science labs, CHCL3. Better known to the world as
chloroform. Orchid picked up the bottle and uncapped it.

"Normally I use my knives for this kind of stuff but usually my target isn't
already disabled and in front of me." Katy told the watching superheroine.
Emma's eyes widened a bit as she watched Orchid pick up the handkerchief and
brought it to the lip of the bottle. Tipping it carefully the thief drizzled
the soporific onto the white cloth. Emma struggled to move somehow managing to
raise her bent legs slightly but collapsed as the pressure point rendered her
sluggish. As she finished dosing the cloth Orchid noticed the Shadow Samurai's
attempted resistance.

"Impressive, most people wouldn't be able to move for hours. I guess its those
powers of yours helping out." she pulled the now soaked chloroform cloth away
from the lip of the bottle. Putting it down Orchid began walking towards
Shadow, "Let's fix that."

Shadow Samurai wanted to move but Emma couldn't as Orchid came by. Holding the
cloth in her right hand, Katy used her free left one to brush Shadow's neck
The touch was soft and caused Emma to sigh slightly as Orchid's gloved finger
caught her skin just above the turtleneck. Katy took position behind Shadow
Samurai, sitting on her knees. Still using her free left hand, the thief ran
her hand over the superheroine's lovely form. Emma was helpless as the soft
gentle caress of Orchid's fingers went over her leotard clad abs, side, and
brushed her chest. Shadow Samurai's breath rasped a bit at the sensual contact
and the nervousness Emma felt. Orchid seemed to pick up on this and
reassuringly spoke to the heroine.

"Don't worry Shadow Samurai I'm not going to hurt you. I just need you to
sleep for a little bit while I prepare your 'accommodations'." Orchid's hand
dipped lower sliding past Emma's sash and onto her shorts, "You know if you
just breathe it in, not trying to fight it, the trip to dreamland can be quite
pleasant."

Orchid's fingers brushed first the top of Shadow Samurai's thigh but then
slipped down heading for her inner thigh. Emma took a sharp intake of breath
as she felt Orchid caress her sensitive tights. John had jokingly called it
Emma's weakness but now it wasn't her lover giving a soft tender touch to her
legs, but a criminal adversary about to deliver a chemical nap to her. Orchid
smiled as the expected intake of breath from Shadow Samurai came from her
touch. Gently she placed the chloroform soaked handkerchief over the
superheroine's nose and mouth, just as she had been taught. Always over the
nose & mouth Katy, her teacher had told her, so they can't escape sweet smell
that will send them to dreamland.

Shadow Samurai found this out first hand as Emma unintentionally &
uncontrollably took in a large whiff of the chloroform. With a shock Emma
realized that Orchid had touched her leg on purpose, so I would take a deep
breath of the stuff! She cried out with a muffled protest as the cloth was
pressed against her face. Only her masked eyes visible above the handkerchief,
the blue eyes were now wide as Emma breathed in the weakening chloroform.
Orchid wrapped a gentle arm around Shadow Samurai's waist pulling them into a
tight but soft embrace.

"Like I said Shadow Samurai, just breathe it in." Orchid smiled as she now got
to hold the heroine close.

As if the power of the pressure point attack had been lifted Emma could move
her arms now. She reached for the gloved hand which was covering her face with
the chloroform cloth. But she was disappointed to learn her once impressive
enhanced strength was gone. Emma wondered if it was still being affected by
the second pressure point attack but quickly it didn't matter either way. Her
head was becoming cloudy as the chloroform worked on weakening her body. While
her hands managed to grab at Orchid's own, they slipped off as her fingers
lost their grip. Shadow Samurai felt her whole body starting to soften up as
the chloroform sapped her strength.

Emma...fight it... Sarah urged. But the guardian was no help still trapped in
the Shadow Sword. Helplessly she could sense as Emma's body began to slip
closer to unconsciousness. Even if she could have used some sort of magical
attack on Orchid, Sarah was imprisoned by the effects of the pressure point
attack and its messing up of Emma's energies.

Orchid kept a close eye on Shadow as she continued to weaken in her grasp. The
heroine's body was slowly slumping, depending more on Katy for support to stay
upright. Her arms had dropped to their sides, hands resting palm up but
providing no support for the swooning superheroine. Katy tilted herself back a
bit allowing Shadow Samurai to further slip back. Orchid adjusted her own
position so that she rested on her bum, legs curled up but titled to the side.
This provided the perfect resting spot for Shadow Samurai's head as it titled
back resting on Orchid's pink clad legs.

Feels....like...a pillow, Emma absently thought as her eyes half closed
struggled to stay focused. She was resting on something soft and warm. Her
bare neck could feel nylon but she didn't know what to make of it. Half awake
she realized that she was now resting on her back party. Shadow's own legs had
curved much like Orchids, bent and lying on their side. The beautiful thief
was now looking down at the superheroine. A sweet seductive smile on her face.

"Now I see why this was his favorite way of dealing with people. You do look
so fetching drifting off to sleep." Orchid told Shadow Samurai.

Emma sighed under the cloth unable to speak as the fumes had nearly defeated
her. Much to her shock though the cloth pulled away. The fresh air she slowly
breathed in giving some relief but Shadow's head still felt like it was lying
on soft pillows, warm and inviting her to sleep. Orchid brushed her face with
a free hand. The chloroform cloth hovering close by though, "Shadow Samurai,
is anybody going to be looking for you?"

Orchid's free hand touched Emma's temple. Shadow felt a slight tingle as her
mind suddenly felt like it had to answer, "Yes..."

The Sleeping Beauty Point, Orchid thought with a smile. A pressure point when
touched could cause anyone to spill their guts. Provided of course they were
almost knocked out, "How much longer till they come looking for you?"

"Don't...know....he's.....probably worried." Shadow Samurai answered her voice
weak as each word was a struggle to get out. Yet she still spoke, the power of
the pressure point forcing Emma to speak the truth.

"I see, your love?" Orchid asked.

"Yes...."

Katy thought about that, he'll come looking for her for sure. Well if he's
hunting for Shadow Samurai then he won't be looking for me. Deciding not to
change her plans Orchid switched tactics, "Now tell me will this chloroform
keep you unconscious?" Katy knew her little drug cocktail on the knives worked
but best to make sure this would too.

Emma felt so weak but it was a good weakness. Didn't hurt like a Light Stone,
just a soft warm blanket that wanted her to sleep. There was no other possible
answer for the captured Shadow Samurai, "Yes...."

Orchid smiled. Gently the thief went down and kissed Shadow Samurai on the
lips. Emma sighed as the soft lips touched hers again. Just as before Orchid's
kiss was sweet tasting. Holding the kiss for a few moments the thief
eventually broke away. Orchid then pressed the cloth back in place. Shadow's
eyes widened as she took in a fresh dose of the chloroform. But Emma couldn't
fight it if she wanted too. The damage was done, she was too weak, too sleepy,
and swimming in the sensual bliss of the kiss. Quickly the mighty Shadow
Samurai surrendered to the soporific.

As the heroine's dark mane covered head slipped to the side, Orchid gently
told her, "Sleep peacefully Shadow Samurai."

TBC