Marvel Spotlight (Marvel;Re)/Talon of Blood

Talon of Blood is a Marvel;Re short story, part of the Marvel Spotlight label. Morbius, the Living Vampire, stars as the protagonist of this story as he is summoned to the Principality of Madripoor by its head of state, Tyger Tiger, to investigate a mysterious massacre that has ensued in the nation. This one-shot is written by Jacky 50A, with input from GazzaB9.

Synopsis
Something has been unleashed in Madripoor, and now much of the island-state's population has to die to pay the price of a fool's folly. Michael Morbius, better known as Morbius, the Living Vampire, has been hired to investigate the source of this calamity in the rich district of Hightown. Little does he know that what he is about to encounter is unlike anything he has ever faced...

Transcript (Unfinished)
=== Lowtown, Madripoor === 06:00 PM Walking down the middle of an empty road in the dark, Morbius, the Living Vampire, coldly observes his surroundings. Being the only person currently walking the streets of Madripoor easily makes him the center of attention of the locals, who are seen huddled up in their various settlements, from huts to motels. Some even observe the Living Vampire from the sewers, peeking through the storm drains. The Greek pseudo-vampire knows this but ignores them, silently making his way to a building identified as Madame Joy's Brothel. Standing in front of the dimly-lit building, Morbius snarls and thinks to himself.


 * Morbius: "Every rendezvous point there is, and she picked a brothel. Whatever."

Morbius proceeds to knock on the door three times, but only silence greets his act. He wastes no time and speaks in a volume loud enough to be heard by the crowded inhabitants of the brothel, but quiet enough to not be heard as a shout.


 * Morbius: "This is Morbius, the Living Vampire. Your leader asked me to handle your problem. You've got nothing to worry about."

After several seconds, the door opens and Morbius is greeted by a boy with an eyepatch.


 * Boy: "(Takes a good look at Morbius) You a superhero from the 'States?"
 * Morbius: "(Sigh) Are you really going to make a mess out of that, chump?"
 * Boy: "You know we, Madripoorians, have our own superheroes, right?"
 * Morbius: "Seems to me that you all got slaughtered by whatever's prowlin' out there."
 * Boy: "Hey, just sayin'. Never heard of Morbius the Living Vampire myself. You know Wolverine?"
 * Morbius: "Yeah. Tough mutant, Canadian, has six claws, and a mean brawler. Didn't ask him to help you, instead?"
 * Boy: "If you're asking me, I'm just as dumbfounded as you are in this. Ms. Tyger should have the answers you need. Come on."

Morbius enters the brothel and is led by the eyepatch boy to the third floor to an office. Along the way, he sees many different Madripoorians, from farmers to businessmen, getting their wounds tended by prostitutes and surviving doctors. In the many occurrences he sees, Morbius witnesses a woman shooting a heavily wounded young man in his 20s with a gun equipped with a homemade suppressor. The Living Vampire is baffled by this as he listens to the gunshot as clear as crystal despite its reduced sound.


 * Morbius: "(In his thoughts) Was that an euthanasia, or an exaction of revenge?"

On the top floor, Morbius enters the office and meets the brothel's titular owner, three other people the same age as the eyepatch boy, and the official ruler of Madripoor herself: Tyger Tiger.


 * Tyger Tiger: "Mr. Morbius. You have no idea how glad we are to see you. I take it you had a pleasant flight?"
 * Morbius: "You could say so, yeah."
 * Madame Joy: "So this is the vampire you were referring to, Tyger? I thought he'd be a little thicker."
 * Whisper Doll: "(Chuckles) Madame, not everyone can be as voluptuous as you are. Even vampires!"
 * Madame Joy: "Oh, you flatter me, my dear!"
 * Gazing Nightshade: "Ms. Tyger, I do not mean to doubt you, but are you sure he is up for the task?"
 * Morbius: "Well, she just told me to come here because there's a... monster that needs to be handled. I happen to be a expert of monsters myself, so I may be able to help. Frankly, I thought you would have contacted me because you require my medical skills."
 * Hexadecimal: "(Turns to Tyger) You didn't tell him what we're up against, did you?"

Morbius immediately turns to Tyger and raises an eyebrow.


 * Morbius: "This is outside my field of specialty, isn't it?"
 * Hexadecimal: "I mean, I get why she got you, because we're pretty sure that whatever metallic monstrosity that was tearin' apart Hightown a few hours ago could never expect a supernatural opponent like you. Nuh-uh, don't bother us with your pseudo-vampire schtick."

TBA