[center][b][color=fff200][sup][h1]T H E  I R O N  F I S T[/h1][/sup][/color][/b]

[b][color=fff200][sup]Issue #8: [i]Nothing will come of Nothing[/i][/sup][/color][/b][/center]
[COLOR=fff200][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]Staten Island, New York City[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]December 25[sup]th[/sup], 2018  |  7:00pm |  Rand Residence[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[color=fff200]"Thank you, Colleen. Yeah, I'll let you know. Merry Christmas.[/color]

Daniel Rand lingered with the phone remaining on his ear for a few moments. The previous night had been wild. The two had managed to cripple the Golden Tigers severely. The most concerning part of the night, however, was the discovery of a cluster of Golden Tiger corpses. Colleen didn't know who could possibly do it... but Danny knew deep down who was responsible.

So when he heard the doorbell ring, he wasn't surprised to find Davos on the other side of the door. [color=cc0000]"I'm taking them down tonight. Are you in, brother?"[/color]

Danny hesitated in the doorway, gritting his teeth for a moment. After the pause of a few seconds, Danny gave a nod and opened the door wider, letting his close friend into his home. They had a long night ahead of them.

[COLOR=fff200][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]Chinatown, New York City[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]December 25[sup]th[/sup], 2018  |  11:11pm |  Rand Residence[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]
There were no signs of Christmas in the dimly lit warehouse Danny found himself in. His hands were wrapped in chains behind his back, and was forced to his knees. His face was bloated and bruised from the beating he had endured, and Davos looked similar. Both of them had been unmasked, and now disabled as they were forced to kneel before a man lounging in a large chair in this rather empty room. He was covered in tattoos, and was wearing a fur coat while lacking a shirt. Several of his teeth were now golden, a sign of poor dental hygiene at the very least. He gave a small smile. [color=gray]"It would take more than one punk to take down my men. So there are two [i]'Iron Fists.'[/i] Fascinating. No matter."[/color]

Almost on command, a few Golden Tigers were dragging in a resisting prisoner. It was a police officer, seemingly a rookie judging by his youthful appearance. He was gagged and bound, tossed to the ground at the feet of the leader of the Golden Tigers. Danny took the time to look at Davos. [color=fff200]"Once out, we disar-"[/color]

[color=cc0000]"No. We slaughter him."[/color]

[color=fff200]"That's not the way of-"[/color]

[color=cc0000]"The way of the Iron Fist? You know [i]nothing[/i] of the Iron Fist. You have proven that much."[/color]

[color=fff200]"If we kill him, we're no better. We need to be better than they are."[/color]

[color=cc0000]"So you suggest we do nothing? Let these scum continue their actions? Nothing will come of nothing."[/color]

[color=gray]"Strike them. It seems they know not their position."[/color]

A few Golden Tigers moved closer to Danny and Davos, delivering swift blows to their faces. Chaka, in the meantime, grabbed the police officer by the collar and dragged him closer to Daniel Rand. He flashed his golden teeth briefly, squatting down next to his enemy. He placed his fingers upon the fleshy neck of the police officer. Almost instantly, the officer's skin began to gray, and he choked for life as if it was being pulled from him. Yet... Chaka was doing nothing more than lightly touching his skin. It took only seconds until all the life was gone from the officer, and he slumped next to Daniel Rand. Chaka got up, kicking aside the corpse as he went around behind Danny and Davos. [color=gray]"Well... I showed you mine. Show me yours, if what they say about you is true."[/color]

Danny looked towards Davos, then back to the ground. His right hand clenched into a fist around a small bit of chain before glowing. Almost instantly, the chain snapped, and chaos broke out. Chaka immediately began swinging with his fists towards Danny, who was doing his best to both free his arms and dodge any wild swings from his opponent. The few Golden Tigers nearby began to crowd Danny. Davos cracked his left arm, managing to get his left shoulder out of socket enough to slacken the chains and free his hands.

Danny had just managed to free his hands to swing his Iron Fist towards Chaka. It was anticipated, though, and the leader of the Golden Tigers managed to clasp his hand about Daniel Rand's wrist. The skin began to gray momentarily, before returning to its original color. The golden light of the fist began to fade instead. Davos was able to spring into action, rushing up to two of the Tigers and taking their extra knives, slitting their throats in a fluid motion before flinging the dagger in Chaka's direction. The villain was forced to spin about to dodge the attack, and Davos moved in to kill the other Tigers. Daniel grimaced at Davos' actions, but had little pause before having to face off against Chaka again.

Blow was met with block, and block with blow. Chaka, Danny, and then Davos all traded their martial arts prowess and skill. Davos and Danny were admittedly more than a match for even the leader of the Golden Tigers. They seemed to be holding back in part, not knowing what their partner would do. Finally, Danny went to make his move, his fist lighting up and moving towards Chaka's right leg. Upon impact, the sickening crack forced the villain down to his knee as he shrieked in pain. Davos took this as his time to strike. Almost unceremoniously, the dagger struck Chaka between the eyes, parting flesh and bone like butter.

Danny had been late in stopping Davos. His left hand failed to catch Davos' hand, only grasping it as the dagger was already in Chaka's head. Davos simply shook his friend's clasp, beginning to walk towards the exit where the sounds of shuffling feet were drawing near. Daniel looked down at his best friend's... no... brother's work. He slowly rose to his feet, looking at Davos. [color=fff200]"No... no... I thought you were better than this."[/color]

Davos turned slightly, the rougish smile of the two boys' childhood returning to his lips. [color=cc0000]"I expected more of you, brother. You've proven you are no Iron Fist. So my service to you has ended. Enjoy your life of opulence... I have work to do."[/color]