Max Payne Fan Fiction

[Mariamus]

She was getting sick of this... Ever since she had seen *him* she'd been out of sync. She had been stabbed, shot, tortured and captured more times in the past three days than she'd ever been, working for Vladimir.
And on top of that, she had been turned into an animal. No wonder Vinnie didn't fear her, she had been too vulnerable, too exposed. Her naked raw feelings exposed, pouring out like blood from a bullet-wound.
He'd always had that effect on her. He could always tell when something was up with her, and all he'd ever had to do was ask and she'd have poured it out to him.
All those years of pent up anger and frustration, buried feelings, all that had come out since she saw him.
She was getting tired of the game everyone was playing. She was merely a pawn, but a pawn everyone tried to control.

She opened her eyes and looked at Kit. He was curled up on the sofa, sleeping. How long had she been out?
She looked at the wire. He'd used the same old wire, but it was tighter now. But it wasn't digging into her skin...
She looked back at Kit, still sleeping.
Heather had healed her when she was tied with the same kind of wire... If Heather could use her powers, then maybe she could too.
Sadie knew from her over the top bomb knowledge, that magnesium would melt at 1202 degrees fahrenheit... Silver has a higher melting point, almost 1800 degrees. Could she even get the temperature that high?
It was worth a shot, but she couldn't burn the thing with her entire body, she'd just set everything on fire.
She concentrated, her wrists becoming hot, she could feel it as a warming sensation. It felt like a sopt of sun on her wrists, but the sheets on the bed were already starting to brown under the heat, a hole would form in them soon enough.
She continued raising the temperature and couldn't help but smiling a bit when the metal started to sweat, melting away.
She pulled her hands free and looked in the direction of the fox. He was still sleeping. Maybe she could burn him now in his sleep... He wouldn't feel anything but intense pain for a few seconds, then he'd be dust.

She crept closer, moving around him as to avoid his nose. He twitched a bit.
Sadie lifted her head and smelled the air. Someone was approaching, there were several new scents along with the stinking fish, lingering in the air.

Her sudden move had woken the fox, and before she knew it, she was covered in freezing water. She growled, but this time, she hadn't been a few hundred degrees hot, so the shock was less than permanent. She felt her temperature rising to a critical degree. The water evaporating before it hit her.
That only agitated him forther, making him flood her with water. If only he could hit her, stun her for a moment. She raised her hands and a bolt a fire pierced his water-wall. He ducked out of the way with a hiss.

[TheArtist]

*Mama stood in the doorway, peering at Ian. He made no move as though he heard her, but he had to know she was there.

"You sure you want to do this?" Doc asked her.

"If not now, when?" she replied.

"If we lose you, the Brotherhood might cease to exist."

"I know...but I have to take that chance."

"He may be ready at last," Shaman said, "This could be the only time he will listen."

"Very well," Doc said, "Please get out as quickly as you can if he refuses. If he so much as twitches, leave."

Of course, Ian heard the entire conversation. So, Mama wanted an audience, at last. He once thought that she fought rather dishonorably, like a thief in the night. She was the kind who would reach you through a crowd, bust your nose and then disappear again. He now saw that she was acting mostly on the defense. He knew full well of the curse of feeding on human flesh. His beast was so strong that it wouldn't take much for it to consume him. Through his research he had stunted the growth of it considerably, but there was no clear way to stop it or reverse it. He accepted it as nature's fate. Through the passing years he continued to grow more and more powerful. The beast was of fairytale proportions, which was unusual, but Ian had always attributed it to the increase of power.

He listened to Mama's familar shuffle, difficult on two legs. Mama had no beast form left, as Ian had locked it away through a spell long ago. He also made it so she couldn't hide in human form, either. That was why a meeting with her was so impossible. The Brotherhood made sure to keep her protected. She was a legendary warrior. In beast form she was almost unstoppable. They called her Mama at first because she called her beast, Mother of Strength. Now however, since she was one of the oldest, and taught all the new Chosen, her name took on a more familar meaning.

As her shadow fell upon him, he gazed up at her at last. Her brown fur had grayed in patches. Her eyes pierced through him, but they were benign. Still, after all he did, and all he would have done, this woman still did not hate him. Teachers never give up on their students.

"Ian," she whuffed.

"...You have your truce," he said simply.

[Mariamus]

Kit tried his best to cover the cheetah in water, but the water evaporated before it could reach her. Kit couldn't even get near her, the temperature was unbearable and still rising. He looked around him, backing away from her. The curtains started to curl in the heat before they caught on fire
"Stop it! You'll kill both of us!"
Kit screamed at her, but she just laughed.
"Fire won't harm me Kit... all you can do is run!"
Kit looked around. Everything was an inferno around him. He had to face it, he had lost control of the cheetah.
"Damn you!"

Vlad looked at the scene enfolding in front of him. the old hangar had broken into a wild fire, the metallic walls melting in the intense heat. Ebony crossed her arms and looked at the Russian.
"Looks like we are too late."
Vlad nodded slowly as the hangar started to crumble to the ground, the metal whining as it bent out of shape.
Ebony looked at him and got back into the car.
Vlad looked info the flames, and for a moment he would have sworn he could have seen a large cat sitting in the middle of the inferno.

[TheArtist]

Heather:

We all felt the blast before Honey sent her telepathic bulletin. It took us all a good chunk of time to work our way in. This was Vladimir Lem's turf, infamous boss of the Russian Mob, and he guarded it well, apparently much better now than the last time Max was here. Mona told me that was the man I saw in the light-colored suit when Raven rescued me from...

Anyway, I saw Peter change from a skinny geek into a majestic half-eagle. His hands became long talons to swipe the enemy right off their feet. Jesse was more than just a brawler, but fought using martial arts and whatever weapons he could find. I heard about his wind trick, but it took a great deal of concentration to stop a person from breathing, not to mention a whole group. To my surprise, I found out he was quite new at his wind power, and has had it only for about a year.

These guys were more organized than the last bunch. More than once they tried to block our exit. When the element of surprise was no longer something we had, that was when Peter came up to the front. Max and Mona were a formidable team. They could take care of themselves. I was the newest at fighting, though, and the others made sure to lend a paw or claw when needed. It bothered me, but I knew I needed the help. These guys weren't surprised by our gifts. They had been prepared for us. That might mean Honey and Vinnie were in danger, but her thoughts were ringing loud and clear as we got closer.

Suddenly another group blocked our path by moving one of the big metal crates right across the opening. I assumed Vlad wanted to get to Sadie first, but Max said that he and Mona were also targets.

When we had taken out the thugs, Peter whispered, "Stand back."

"Do your thing," Jesse said with a grin, then turned to us and said, "You might want to cover your ears for this."


I folded my ears back as best I could while covering them with my paws. Max kep looking behind us to make sure we weren't caught.

Peter stood in front of the block, took a deep breath, and screamed. The metal bent inwards from the force of it, eventually crumpling until we could move.

After my ears stopped ringing I could hear the cries of men behind the crate. They got the brunt of it, and were consequently deaf. Even Max and Mona groaned. Our pain was worse since we were part animal and therefore had keener hearing, but due to healing quickly we were able to get going much faster than the rest.

*Hurry, guys!* Honey thought-spoke, *You're almost here! Vlad's ahead of us and he brought friends!*

[Mariamus]

Sadie sat still for a long while, watching the fire. She could bend and curl it with a mere thought. She wasn't sure if anyone had ever seen a fire from this angle, not without twisting and turning in pain. Everything became scorched, the metal bending and moaning from the heat. She smiles and got up on her paws, walking slowly out of the room and down the stairs, the fire swept out of her way with every step she took.

The building was crumbling behind her when she came outside. She raised her head into the wind and smelled the air. She could sense Max's scent among the many different scents in the air. Max... and Heather.
"Wait a minute..."
A further search revealed another familiar scent.
"Gognitti?"
She blinked. Why was he here? Did he help them out of guilt? Did he feel like he owed her something? She snorted. Why did she even care. For what reason did she keep saving the little italian. She could have just let Vlad kill him, she didn't have to care.
She shook her head but stopped when another scent caught her attention.
A low growl escaped her.
"Vlad..."
She turned around and started walking in the direction of Vlad's scent. Max and the others could take care of themselves.
She was getting sick of Vlad's game. Where ever she went, he was there, breathing down her neck, every promise broken and every memory tainted by his new rotten self. He wouldn't stop before he had gotten what he wanted, or if he accidentally slipped into his own grave.
"I'll make sure to close the lid tight on your coffin Vova..."
She could smell Ebony near him, and a few dozen men spread out in the area.
She moved in the shadows of the buildings, creeping closer to Vlad's car. Two men were guarding the area, chatting with each other and enjoying a smoke.
Sadie changed back to her human form and got down on the ground. She groaned, catching the attention of the two guards. They moved closer and Sadie crawled closer to the light.
"Help..."
The two cleaners threw their rifles around their shoulders and moved closer.
"Jesus! Isn't that..?"
The other nodded and grabbed onto her shoulder, helping her up.
"Gimme a hand here, will ya?"
The other man moved over and put her arm around his shoulder.
"Not so scary now, eh Sparrow?"
Sadie started to grin.
"What's so funny?"
"Some birds fake injuries to lure the predators closers..."
The men looked at her, puzzled. It took a while for the meaning to set in.
"Holy shit!"
Sadie changed in their arms, Scaring the wits out of them. One man jumped away, but the other was caught helplessly in her big paws. She held him tight, her claws digging into his shoulders. The free man screamed as Sadie sunk her fangs into the neck of his partner.

Vlad raised his head and looked at Ebony.
"What the hell was that?"
Ebony raised her head and sniffed the air.
"Blood... I think your sparrow is here."
Vlad got out of the car and readied his Deagle. He noticed the guards lying on the pavement. One had gotten his neck bitten over, and the other lay on his side, his insides sprawled out over the pavement. It looked like his chest and abdomen had been ripped open by a big animal.
Vlad stared at the gruesome sight, he couldn't take his eyes off it. He had seen men with their heads blown off, but this... This was feral.
"They taste like canned beef..."
Vlad swirled around, staring into the shadows. A large cheetah made it's way out of the darkness.
"Not too pleasant... But I'm used to killing... You taught me."
Vlad took a step back as the cheetah moved closer.
"Milii?"
Ebony came out of the car and looked at Vlad. He turned his head toward her.
"Ebony, I think you neglected to inform me that my ex-fiancee is a ***** cheetah!"
Ebony raised an eyebrow.
"Does it matter?"
Vlad rolled his eyes. Female jealousy would be the death of him.
Sadie growled.
"I'm getting tired of your Vlad. I understand that you won't stop this farce before you get your way or I kill you!"
Vlad grinned.
"You already thought he was dead, what difference does it make if I kill him now? You were mad at him for so many years. I'm just stopping that ache."
Sadie extended her claws and got up on her hind paws.
"No, you're not stopping any ache. the only thing that'll be stopped is your heart!"
Ebony growled and jumped up on the car.
"Over my dead body!"
"Easily arranged, Ebony!"
Sadie raised her hand and a fireball erupted from her. Ebony didn't get a chance to flinch before she was knocked off the roof of the car and lay unconscious on the ground. Vlad fired his deagle at Sadie, but it melted right in front of Sadie, a shield of intense heat protecting her. Vlad's eyes widened.
"What the hell have you become?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Powerful, Vladimir... Powerful."
A dead silence fell between them. Sadie felt sorry for him for a moment. If he had just stayed the way he always had been. She cursed him for changing from the man she once loved. He would never change back... so this was it. She raised her paws and was about to cover him in fire when a mind-numbing sound forced into her sensitive ears. She screamed, changing back to her human form and covering her ears.
Vlad heard the sound, but it didn't bother him as much as it obviously did Sadie. He raised his gun and fired it.
Sadie felt the bullet penetrate her neck. Her shield was down, She fell to the ground, everything going black around her.

[TheArtist]

Heather:

"TAKE HER!" I heard someone command in a thick accent. The voice was strange and tinny, like if you heard it on an old radio or something. It was a miracle I could hear at all and so soon.

*They're getting away!* Honey thought-spoke.

"Aw, no ya don't!" Vinnie snarled, and fired at Vlad from behind. I could see them now, the rest of my team fanning out to try and cover the corners.

Vlad got hit in the shoulder, the same one that was in a sling. He roared with more rage than pain, and turned, firing back along with the rest of his thugs-for-hire. While we took a good many down, we were just too far outnumbered.

We all had to dodge flying bullets, but mostly Vinnie and Honey. She was able to create a telekinetic shield, and used herself as bait so the rest of us could take out a few of them while gaining cover at the same time. I had assumed both Honey and Vinnie as pretty timid, but they both pulled a heroic act.

Unfortunately, because there were so many of them compared to us, Vlad was able to slip away with Sadie. Once they were gone the thugs began to retreat. We let them, but not without some parting gifts. I allowed myself to use my newfound power a second time, well out of the way of the others. I managed to blow up an entire van, which was cool but kinda scary. It showed just how easily I could damage something...or someone if I wasn't careful. It was hard to control it. I could store in within myself and let it build, but once I released it, it was almost impossible to control the direction, since lightning travels so fast. I knew I was going to have to get it down tight, to a science if I were to ever use it.

"Well, that was cool," Jesse offered, grinning sheepishly. His face transformed when he smiled. Ah, but I've always been drawn to the strong, silent type. He was a wolf, but still a young man, though older than me. I knew he was quiet at first because he was a spy, and needed concentration to use the wind. This was the first time I had seen him let loose, like a crack in a mask showing what was underneath. He was a mystery, but a pleasant one.

I don't know why I thought of that. Raven wasn't even in the ground, yet. Still, Jaywalker helped me the most during the fighting. It was clear he wanted to look out for me. I thanked him for it. He just shrugged and high-fived Peter, who had returned to human form. Peter told me that because of Icegrim's blocking spells, he could only become half of his powerful self. Meaning, the scream I could barely stand was nothing compared to what he could Really do.

After the smoke cleared and the bad guys all left, we heard a distinctive wheeze where Sadie destroyed a warehouse. There, in the far corner, was a bedraggled, dripping-wet Kit.

[Mariamus]

"Wakey wakey little fraggle..."
Sadie opened her eyes slowly, peering up at Vlad, who was standing above her.
"Godmorning sunshine. Did you sleep well?"
"***** you Vlad."
"Oh, such attitude for someone who is very obviously beaten."

The floor was freezing. Sadie looked around, finding herself in an empty freezer. Vlad smiled.
"Stroke of genious... Fire is beaten with water, right? I've made sure the room is cold enough for you to freeze to death if you don't use your powers. But, if you start a fire, the oxygen in the room will be sucked out, and replaced by a very toxic gas."
Sadie growled.
"So it's either freezing to death, or painful strangulation by gas?"
Vlad nodded, touching her cheek.
"Too bad it had to end like this... You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Sadie moved her head away.
"I feel sorry for you Vlad, all that rot under your skin must've finally reached your brain. You changed into the very thing you saved me from in the beginning. You crossed the line, and your skull has grown so thick, you won't listen to reason even if it was screamed into your ear. If you think I love you even the smallest bit anymore... you're wrong."
Vlad laughed, but Sadie didn't need her enhanced nose to tell that she had just broken his heart, his eyes told the story just as clearly.
"Sadie..."
She looked into his eyes. They burned all the way inside her. She felt that for a moment, he was the same old Vlad.
"Vlad..."
He looked into the wall as Ebony spoke his name.
"It's time..."
He nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry Sadie... I have to kill your brother now. You're only here because you are the perfect bait."

Sadie could tell he was lying. Every time he had seen her, she could find a bit of hope in him that she would come back to him. Ebony turned and left, Vlad cupped her face.
"Beautiful Sadie... It won't hurt for long."
He kissed her, Sadie didn't fight him off, but she didn't reciprocate it either. He looked her in the eyes before he got up and left, a sadness had overtaken them. Sadie felt bad for him again, he'd gone too far off his old path. No matter how much he wanted it, he could never go back.

Ebony walked in, looking at Sadie.
"Here's a little payback for the fireball you threw at me."
Ebony held up a hose and sprayed Sadie with cold water. Ebony turned off the hose and smiled.
"Have fun."
Sadie looked at the door as it closed.
"You'll pay for that in due time Ebony."

Sadie sat against the wall and raised her body temperature. Warm enough to stay alive, cool enough not to start a fire. She would have to find a way out soon.

[TheArtist]

Heather:

Kit looked awful, like he had been through the world's worst washing machine. He sputtered and sneezed, and look as though he could hardly stand. Max raised his gun and pointed, but after about a second, lowered his arm and looked at me. Bastard. He knew I should be the one to...

And I knew then that I could. But what would be the point? It won't bring my father back. It won't undo the rape. It wouldn't take away the fact that I am no longer truly human.

"Stand up," I snarled to him. He raised his head, his eyes burning with a mix of hate and terror. He jerked back, standing but just barely, reeling from trying to balance himself. He was panting hard, backing away, but he wasn't going anywhere.

"Why isn't he disappearing?" I asked.

"...he's tapped out," Honey said, "He had to hold himself in a bubble of water in order to wait out the fire. With that much concentration, he's far too worn out to use anything else, especially since it's a power he keeps only in reserve."

Kit hit the wall of a warehouse and collapsed. He was shaking.

"...Well?" he said, "Get on with it. Finish me."

My inner beast was sorely tempted, but I was not. I roared, grabbed him by the collar of his soaked trench and punched him in the face as hard as I could. Again, I pulled him up and and punched him down. Again, I struck and again.
One for my father. One for the rape. One for the little boy who lives down the lane. I left him on the floor, kicking him in the ribs until he coughed up blood. I struck him until my arms and legs were lead, until my lungs screamed with exertion. The others just stood by watching. They knew I needed to do this. I powered down to human so he could hear my every word.

"You killed my father, played games with me and everyone," I huffed, " You made me sick and practically raped me yourself."

Kit sputtered a laugh, "That's an idea...if I could stand to be near you." He screamed when I kicked him square in the chest, but laughed again.

"You can't do it, can you?" he wheezed, "You can't even kill me."

"What's the point?" I asked, beginning to cry, "Why should I reward you with death? I want you to take your own medicine, you piece of sh*t. What a wimp you are, Kit. You like to dish out pain, but you can't take it!"

He growled, bloody foam leaking out of his mouth, and I knew at last I had hit a nerve.

I knelt back down beside him. "That's it, isn't it?" I whispered. He swiped at me but I caught his wrist easily.
"All this anger inside you? You're no warrior. You're not strong at all, and it kills you. I bet people have bullied you all your life. Then one day you find out you can do things, things that others can't. That makes you feel better, but you soon realize that you're not alone. There are others, and most are stronger than you, faster than you, and more powerful than you. What can you do? Splash a little water and disappear! Big freakin' deal!"

"Shut up, bitch!" Kit rasped.

"That's it, isn't it?" I repeated, "You're weak, you're nothing, and you know it."

Naked rage burned raw upon his face, causing tears. He took a shaky breath.

"I...HATE...you!" he got out.

My power crackled lightly up and down my arms. I held his hands down and lowered myself until we were nose-to-nose. Kit's eyes were as big as dinner plates. Lightning and water don't mix.

"I don't, Kit," I said, "you know why?"
Kit gulped and waited, confusion clearly on his face.

"I'm done with you. You're so pathetic, no wonder you have no power. You use up all your energy by hating so much. I'm done hating you. I'm done chasing you. It's over. It's not worth it anymore."

I let him go and stood. I felt as though a great weight had lifted off my shoulders. I felt better than I had in years.

"You-you can't," Kit spluttered.

"Watch me," I replied and turned my back to him.

"NO!" he shouted, "Don't you dare walk away! DON'T YOU DARE JUST DISMISS ME! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"

He tried to rise but was still too weak.

"Let's go," I said.

"You sure about this?" Max asked. The shock on his face was incredible. He was so sure I was going to kill Kit without a word, I didn't have to smell it.

"It's done," I said, then turned to Honey. "Where to?"

"I kept getting 'Inner Circle', when trying to scan the mind of the man who took Sadie," she said.

"Not the apartments," Mona said, "but...oh, f*ck. I know where he took her. The last of the Inner Circle. His house. It's a f*cking fortress."

"I'll get the gang together," Jesse offered, and grabbed his cellphone.

Behind me, I could hear the fox's obscenities. What a pathetic monster, worse than Kaufman. Kit had a brilliant mind and was a master trickster, just like his namesake. Kitsune was a Japanese name, a mythical creature, usually a woman, who could become a fox that could lure and deceive the minds of men. I knew keeping him alive would probably haunt me later, but I just couldn't kill the poor bastard. I actually felt sorry for him.

Jesse relayed the info and it was planned that all groups would meet at the mansion and fight as one unit: The Dominion, the Brotherhood, and the Rogues. IceGrim had at last called a truce. Once Kit heard that, he was silent for about 5 seconds, then began screaming again. He was nothing without being able to trick someone. We left him where he lay, in a puddle of his own making.


*********
Heather...Heather, come back! ...why...why...*snicker*I'll kill you for this...I'll make you regret this day, my beautiful, foolish child, oh yes...why couldn't you just kill me? *giggle* ...make you suffer...I could have taken you, lovely "Angel", once that pathetic freak was done...I want...nice little girl...*giggle* Let go of me, will you? How dare you...well, I won't...I'll never let go...never. I'll Make you hate me. ...Heather...Heather....why? WHY?!

[Mariamus]

Ebony watched Vlad disappear up the stairs. Woden was hiding in his panic room, and there was no way in.
Ebony looked back down the stairs to the basement. Sadie would die eventually, but it could take days.
"Let's just speed things up a bit..."
Ebony moved down the stairs and found the controls to the gas.
Ebony growled a bit. Sadie had power over her. If the bird ever decided to forgive Vlad, he would toss Ebony out like yesterdays trash.
"I will not play second chair to you ever again..."
Ebony flipped the switch and listened to the gas seeping into the freezer.
"Goodnight Sadie..."
Ebony turned and walked upstairs. Sadie would be dead soon enough. No amount of healing power could take being exposed to such a poisonous gas for very long.

Sadie scrambled to her feet when she heard the gas pumping out of the outlets. She moved over to the door and pushed her hands against the cold steel. She would have to melt her way through. She pushed against the door, the gas was already getting to her, making her weaker. She gasped, her body lighting on fire. Her hands melted halfway through the door before she collapsed on the floor in a seizure. The pain was blinding her as her body ran out of the remainder of her strength.

The gas-leak stopped suddenly but Sadie didn't notice. She didn't notice the door opening either.
"Sadie!"
Strong arms seized her, pulling her out of the freezer.
"Is she alright?"
"She's poisoned..."
After a while, Sadie stopped convulsing, her body healing well enough without the gas in the air. She opened her eyes and looked up.
"Ian?"
He nodded.
"Yes, luv..."
"How did you find me?"
"Keen sense of smell, beautiful. I can't forget your scent."
"We have to get out soon..."
Sadie turned her head.
"Raven?"
"The one and only."
"I thought you were dead?"
"Long story."
Sadie put her hand on Ian's cheek.
"You look so tired."
He nodded.
"I don't have much time left."
Sadie moved her hand through his hair.
"What do you mean?"
"The wolf is taking over. It won't be long before my feral side take over completely."
Raven looked at him.
"Dad..."
"It's OK. it's just the way it's going to be."
"There must be some way to stop it! Mama might know something!"
Ian looked down at Sadie.
"I have to ask something of you, luv. When I change completely. I need you to kill me."
Sadie didn't get a chance to reply before Raven spoke up.
"No! I won't allow it! You have to... You can't..."
Ian looked up at Raven.
"I'm sorry. but there is no cure. I have fed upon the flesh for too long. There is no stopping it now."
Raven paced, looking at Sadie.
"Say something! Tell him not to do this! We'll find a cure!"
Sadie looked at Raven with sad eyes. She felt sorry for him. Ian had finally changed for the good, and he would be gone. His final shred of humanity would soon lose to the beast inside. She looked at Ian.
"I'll do it..."
Raven stared at them. Both seemed to take it so easily. He turned, not wanting them to see the tears welling into his eyes. He wiped his eyes, wishing that Sadie had come along years earlier, then maybe his father wouldn't have to die this way.
Ian looked at Sadie with a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Thank you luv..."
Sadie moved up and kissed him, holding him there so he wouldn't see her tears.

[TheArtist]

Previously:

"Is it because of your son, Ian?" Mama asked.

"That...and more," he whispered.

"What, then?"

"You bloody know what, Mama."

"...Oh, God. It's close, isn't it? I knew it was soon, but..."

" But nothing," Ian replied standing, agitated, "The veil that separates us is as thin as gauze. He is pacing inside, but patient. I'm...I'm beginning to fear sleep."

"No...can it be that easy? Oh Ian, why didn't you come to us sooner?"

"Hell, it wouldn't have done any good! I was...hoping...I was blind to it until Raven came to me. He told me he was leaving and I...I didn't just want to stop him. Hell, I didn't even want him just dead. I wanted to destroy him. My son! He never raised his voice to me. Never. I held myself back as much as I could, making myself give him the silver poison instead of tearing him apart. But Mama, I could feel...him...bearing down on me. He was angry at what I did. He felt...I don't know... cheated somehow."

"Ian, I'm so sorry," Mama soothed, "but if you truly are that close to turning, you know what you must do."

Ian grimaced as though he had just swallowed castor oil. "I know...but I've worked so hard for all this. I was...I was so sure I was right."

"That's why it's so easy for me to forgive you, son."

"But the others...they will surely kill me."

"No, they won't. Roxy's been relaying the news to everyone. The first one who strikes you will answer to my claws."

"Maybe it's better if they did...after I do it. I won't last much longer after I release everyone."

"You'll stay long enough to reunite with Raven."

Ian froze, thinking he misheard, but looking at Mama's expression made him realize he heard right.

"What...do you mean?"

"Doc was able to catch him in time."

"Catch...but...the poison!"

"Do what you must, and I vow to fix that," Mama said, staring at him fiercely.

"You...yes. Yes! How could I have forgotten?" Ian cried. He rushed over to his bookcase. Even though most of them hadn't been touched since the club was set up, Ian knew exactly which to pick up almost without looking. He flipped a few of the yellowed pages, careful not to damage them as they were so old.

At last he stopped and took a deep breath. He spoke aloud ancient words he thought he'd never say, releasing all the magic he had once bound, uncrippling the abilities of his lifelong enemies. His words rippled through time and space, awakening the old energies of the ritual, restoring all to their former glory and strength. It was quite a rush. Even Mama stumbled, unused to moving so freely, transforming into her hulking beast form.

"Now..." Ian whispered hoarsely, "I know you hid this from Heather to both compel her to fight, and to bargain with me."

"She will be angry," Mama admitted, "but at least he will live. Besides, I believed Doc when he told her that she would die if she tried. Her healing is very strong but very new. I won't burn out."

"Very well," Ian growled, clearly tired but still alert,"I have released all. Now please, give me back my son."

"Actually," Doc said, entering the room,"now that I can scan him more clearly, Mama will not have to use as much of her power as we originally thought."

Ian eyed Doc, a brilliant man and formidible opponent even when he was blocked. "What do you mean?" he asked the old lion. "And who's we?"

"We...as in us," Shaman said next.

Ian's eyes bugged out of his head. "I was told you were dead."

"A grossly inaccurate rumor, then," Shaman said with a wry smile.

"What is it?" Mama asked. Ian realized she was in the dark as much as he.

"Well," Doc began, "it seems that Raven retained a piece of the healing Heather performed on that detective. He was in range. Rather like osmosis, or, to be morbid, like a blast radius of a bomb. Her healing effected everything around her, and whatever else was close enough received a piece of that healing. She brought a full-grown man back from fatal injuries, nearly killing herself in the process.
Her body naturally gave up in order to protect itself since it was the first time. More instinct, you realize. To make a long story short, Raven isn't as far gone, and has in fact, been quickly bringing himself back. However, he can only go so far before starting to burn his own energy again, so we will need Mama to help him the rest of the way."

Ian marvelled, both at Heather's power and Mama's willingness. He had been so wrong, and soon, he would pay dearly for his mistakes. But Raven will be safe, and whole, and will live on.

"After this, we must find Sadie," he said softly.

Shaman looked at him and nodded. "You want her to do it, don't you?"

Ian knew what the old stag meant without saying it. "It must be her. She's the only one who will make it swift."

Mama's cellphone rang, and for once she could pick it up without someone there to help her. It was Jesse with the update. Mama wisely chose not to reveal that Raven was alive, though she knew Jesse had his doubts. She did relay the truce to the team and organized a setup to coordinate the three groups together. They would need every last paw. Mama supressed a bittersweet smile. A war would happen after all, just not the one they had anticipated.

When what was left of Ian's Dominion had gathered, Ian spoke to them. His voice strong and firm, he betrayed no hint that anything was wrong, that he was weak in any way, except that he admitted to being wrong. As predicted, there were the few who weren't really convinced, but because they feared IceGrim's power, were ready t follow his orders anyway. It was Tank that was the first to shake Ian's hand, and after that, the mood lightened considerably. Especially when Raven was revived...

Ian quietly spoke to Doc about the twins, two jackals, brother and sister, whose beasts had taken over. They had been loyal, and Ian simply couldn't bear to dispose of them. They were once an excellent team for cleaning up messes, making sure no trace was left behind...and soon it was known why.

There was little time for talking. They had to gear up for the final battle. After that, Mama promised to show the Dominion the principles of what it truly meant to be a Chosen. Once that was done it was anybody's guess. Ian knew he and the elders wouldn't live long enough to see what will happen, but for the first time in ages he felt a certain contentment, a true feeling of right, and good, despite his circumstances. The only one missing was his little sparrow, or cheetah, now.

Sadie...

[Mariamus]

Sadie didn't want to let him go, but Ian moved out of her embrave and smiled to her, wiping away the tears on her cheek. She looked up at the ceiling, new scents mingled in the air, many of them were unrecognizable. She recognised the familiar scents of Max, Heather, Mona and Vinnie. Ian caught the scents too.
"We didn't come alone... Your brother has set out to kill Lem."
"Let him... I've had enough of this cat and mouse game. Let's go."
Ian helped Sadie to her feet and looked at Raven, who was still sulking in the corner. He felt sorry for his son. He hadn't set a good enough example to Raven, but he knew he'd do his best to be a better man in his final time.

"Ebony... Payne is here. I need you to take care of the rest. Payne is mine. Just lead him and Sax here... I'll take care of them."
Ebony transformed and disappeared into the shadows. She would happily sink her teeth into anyone who would try to stop Vlad.

Max pulled Mona over the railing. He looked at her.
"I'll jump down first."
He crawled over the railing on the other side and sunk down. A door burst open somewhere behind him.
"It's Payne! Kill him!"
Max let go of the railing and fell down on the cement beneath. Mona covered him until he had found cover. A door burst open to her right and she aimed and fired at him, watching him drop to his knees with a bullethole in his face. Mona looked at Max.
"I'm going in!"
Max didn't get a chance to interfere before Mona had ducked inside, out of hearing range.

Ebony watched the little tv screens in the security room. She wanted to find Heather. She circled the cameras in the gardens when she noted movement on a screen.
"Ian..."
She smiled, baring her fangs. The smile disappeared from her face when Ian moved and Sadie followed behind him.
"Damn you! How many times do I have to kill you?"
Ebony moved into the shadows with a snarl.

"What is your nose telling you?"
Ian looked at Sadie. He held her hand and smiled.
"We're close... He's not far from here."
"I can't smell him too well with all this gun-powder in the air."
"You'll learn."
Ian smiled. Sadie lifted her head and sniffed.
"Vinnie is here too... I wonder why?"
Ian laughed.
"You still haven't figured it out?"
Sadie looked at him oddly.
"Figured what out?"
"He likes you..."
"Come off it!"
"He does! It doesn't take a good sense of smell to figure it out. You like him too, don't you?"
Sadie looked down.
"I know you do."
"It doesn't matter."
"I think it's perfect."
"What?"
"I won't be around for long. I gave you the Italian when we agreed to work together, and I insist that you keep him when I'm dead."
Sadie looked at Ian with an offended expression.
"You're not even dead, and you already speak of me with someone else? You certainly plan ahead."
"He's proven himself worthy."
"I don't..."
Ian turned around and took Sadie's head between his hands.
"I know, but it's neccesary. The beast can take over tonight or in a year, I don't know, but I don't want to go without telling you how I feel."
Sadie took his hands.
"How do you feel?"
Ian smiled, his thumb tracing her fingers.
"I love you."

"How sweet! Lovebirds in the midst of the flames."
Sadie and Ian turned their heads. Ebony stood at the end of the hallway. Sadie pushed Ian away.
"You two go! I have a little bone to pick with her."
Ian was reluctant to go, but Raven dragged him away.
"Don't worry, she'll find us!"

Ebony moved into a dark shadow, emerging from it in her panther form.
"How do I persuade you to just drop dead?"
"Jealous much, Ebony? Are you afraid I'll take Vlad away from you? You can keep him, I wouldn't touch him with a five-foot pole!"
"Maybe not, but if you don't die, you'll kill him, and I want to keep him just for a little while longer."
"He is an expert lover, and he used to be a good man... But you know he has to die."
Ebony roared.
"No! You will die now, I'll see to that!"
Ebony jumped at Sadie, her long claws extended, gleaming in the light. Sadie held out her hands and a wall of flames appeared in front of Ebony.
"Not likely!"
Ebony turned and saw another sea of fire behind her. She wasn't about to admit defeat. She charged and jumped through the fire in front of her. The firery walls behind her disappeared and Sadie shot a fireball at her. Ebony dodged it and jumped at Sadie, who changed into her cheetah form.
Ebony's claws dug deep into Sadie's back, but Sadie retaliated by ripping Ebony's thigh. blood gushed out of the wound and Ebony jumped back with a shriek. She limped away, trying to find an angle to attack from. Sadie was over her faster than a lightning strike, her teeth digging into Ebony's neck.
"Damn you Sparrow! Vlad will kill you for this!"
Sadie chuckled.
"Don't worry. Vlad will join you in hell soon enough!"
Sadie bit down hard, Ebony's neck snapping in two. Sadie dug her claws into Ebony's throat and, in one violent motion, she severed Ebony's head from her shoulders.
Sadie stepped back and watched Ebony's body change from the black panther form to her human body. Sadie sighed and turned, walking in the direction of Ian and Raven.

[TheArtist]

Heather:

Mona was right. Woden's place was like a castle. If I thought walking on the carpet of those fancy apartments was dicey, I felt like we were mice trespassing in a mousetrap factory here. Even so, there was no time to marvel at the architecture, for as soon as we got there we were being shot at.

Our group decided to split up in pairs, hoping to confuse the enemy and also to give them multiple moving targets instead of just one group. Jesse stayed with me, Peter with Honey, and Vinnie was to wait for the rest of the Chosen to arrive, which they did, and quickly.

There was a sort of finality in the air. The reign of IceGrim had fallen. For some reason I didn't want to leave Max, but I didn't have a choice. Mona's scent kept changing, I think that's why. I wasn't too sure with all the scents of death and fear and gunsmoke, but she was torn, that much I'm certain. Did she want to protect Max? Was he in her way? Did she care but the fact that she felt that way make her feel weak?? I just couldn't put my finger on it. She knew I was looking at her but she kept staring straight ahead.

Once we got there it was utter chaos. I tried a few bolts but once we got inside it became far too dangerous. I kept seeing IceGrim's people, and it took me awhile to remember that they were allies, not the enemy.

Jesse and I got close to IceGrim. I smelled Sadie, so he had to have gotten her out. He must've insisted on coming along, despite the danger. Jesse relayed to me why he surrendered, but I sensed he was holding back. During a lull I asked him about it, and he told me that Mama was brought back to full strength. While that was all well and good, it wasn't Jesse who was holding back something, but Mama.

I sniffed the air. I heard voices.
IceGrim.
Sadie.
And...

Jesse and I looked at each other.

"It...can't be," I breathed.

"Stay alert," he warned.

Good idea, because the firing began again in earnest. How much did these guys get paid to want us so very dead??

It was hard to focus, with that very real scent so damned close. It wasn't my imagination. It couldn't be, because Jesse smelled him too.

Raven.

Oh, Raven...

A caw rang out. He smelled us. Oh, God.

This was no street fight, or going after the Mob. This was corruption to the highest level. This was war, real war. I could die at any second. Any of us could. Max, Mama, even the old stag Shaman was here, I could feel it.

An explosion rocked the place. That's happened so many times this week, you'd think I'd be used to it. It came from the basement. Fortunately, we were going in the opposite direction. Up.

I prayed for the last time. In fact, I don't remember if I actually said anything. I just had a sort of half-plea in my head when the world blew up in front of my eyes. I must have been knocked out for a few moments, because when I came to, I was alone. Jesse was gone, and I heard no one. Well, not for a while, anyway. I heard approaching footsteps, and I feigned death. Peering through my lashes I saw him, Vladimir Lem, running as though the devil was chasing him.

I realized that one was. A devil called Max Payne. He was the only one who kept his head through all of this, even though it had nearly killed him to do it. True, I had healed him twice, but there were plenty of times when I wasn't there and he could have died easily. He was a tormented soul, with an odd sort of luck similar to mine. Everyone around him seemed to die except him. Not true here, especially if Raven was truly still alive.

As the Russian raced past I managed to slice his leg, severing his Achilles' tendon while playing possum. He screamed and nearly fell over. Lem was moving too fast to see that I did it, but he paused long enough to throw a grenade in my direction. Now, I was in trouble. If I moved, Lem would see me and open fire. If not, I would surely be just as dead.

If I could wait for just a few seconds more...

Again, the footsteps...

Oh, no.

Max!

[Mariamus]

Sadie was making her way back to Icegrim when she could smell Vlad not far from there. She lifted her head, trying to catch his precise direction. She didn't get much out of it before an explosion rocked the building, knocking her off her feet.
"Dammit!"
She got up, sniffing the air. She could only barely find his scent in the middle of all the smoke and fire.
It took a while before she could sense his smell, and he was coming right by her.
"Heather..."
Sadie saw Heather lying on the ground. Vlad came storming past her, but Sadie noticed Heather's movement as she sliced his leg. Vlad screamed in surprise and stopped for a very short moment. He threw a grenade towards Heather.
"Damn!"
She hadn't planned on blowing cover yet, but Max's scent was getting stronger, along with his hasty footsteps. Sadie jumped out, swiping the grenade off the floor. Vlad saw her and opened fire. Sadie hugged the grenade as it blew. She sealed in the explosion in her hands and released it toward Vlad. He ducked and fired again before he raced out of sight.
Sadie dropped down on the floor. She panted, a few bulletholes in her chest. Her breathing was raspy from the blood in her lungs. She had to wait for it to heal before she could go back to Icegrim.
"Thank you..."
Sadie moved her head and looked at Heather. She was the one who had spoken.
"Fringe benefit. I get to act cool with fire and save lives at the same time."
Heather couldn't help but laughing a bit. Sadie got up on her feet and growled, raising her hair when the door burst open. Max aimed, but didn't fire.
"Sadie?"
She just nodded. Max holstered his gun and moved toward her.
"You're bleeding..."
"It'll stop in a minute."
Sadie laid back down, resting her head on her front paws. Max knelt down in front of her, his hand hovering above her head. She looked at him.
"I don't bite... Not much anyway."
Max lowered his hand and ran his fingers through the spotted fur. Sadie rewarded him by purring as well as a cat her size could muster.
Heather watched the two. The scene seemed so surreal in the midst of all the death and destruction.
Max put his arms around Sadie, holding her tight.
"I'm sorry I doubted you."
Sadie chuckled, an odd sound for a cat.
"So you figured it out, eh?"
Max nodded. Sadie got up on her feet as he released her from his embrace. Sadie rubbed her head against his and started to walk away.
"I have to go. You two have a mission to accomplish, and I have someone to guard."
Sadie turned her head at Heather before leaving.
"Oh, and by the way... Your nose isn't lying to you, Heather.
She ran up the stairs in the direction of Ian's scent.

[TheArtist]

Heather:

Crap, I was torn. I mean, Sadie just saved my life. The killer had become my savior, so to speak. On the other hand, Lem was still out there, and Max was determined to go after him, I could tell by the antsy way he was standing. I kept reminding myself that Max was more than capable of holding his own, but out of all of us, he was still the most vulnerable.

Or was he? Sadie quickly explained how she was getting back to Ian, about him being so close to becoming feral permanently. She said that if that happened, that he wanted Sadie to be there and end it before he got out of control.

It was horrible, but at last I could understand the danger. When Sadie told me my nose wasn't lying, I knew I had to see Raven. Sadie might even need my help. With all the crap going on, Ian's changing might easily be triggered here.

Max and I looked at each other. I saw pride in his eyes, a rare light in the darkness that usually made up his countenance. He gave me a quick hug, nodded to Sadie, and ran in the direction Lem went.

I followed Sadie, keeping close without crowding her. I may have a natural stealth due to my now padded feet, but Sadie was incredibly skillful. Of course, being an assassin, she had to be.

Her newly found skill of fire seemed easier for her to control than my lightning was for me. Fire does tend to be well, fluid, and thus, easier to see. Lightning is so fast, the eye has trouble following it, as I said. I picked up what weapons I could, determined not to be babysat.

At last we caught up with Ian, or IceGrim in beast form, rather. He was struggling, no doubt about it. When I saw Raven I almost dropped my gun and ran to him.

"Y'urr h' alivve," I said stupidly. Duh, I should get an award for how many times I've stated the obvious.

Raven grinned wide, in human form. "Glad to see you are, too!"

"Ian, you shouldn't be here anymore," Sadie warned, "With all of that gunfire and sh*t, you could lose it any moment, now."

"I'm all right, luv," IceGrim protested gruffly, "My beast just knows our enemies are all around and he won't calm down until they're destroyed."

"Exactly," Sadie retorted with a growl, "If we don't get you away from here, he might come out and hunt them down...us included."

While they argued, Raven and I just stared at each other.

"How?" I managed to say.

"Doc kept me in a stasis spell until Dad unblocked everyone's power. Then Mama Bear was able to do the rest, which wasn't much since what you gave me helped, too."

"...What h'I gave yoo'h?"

"Yeah. See, when you healed Max for the first time, I was still knocked out, but close enough to you to feel and absorb part of what you did."

"Oh...so'h, so'h Doc...lied to-o'h me?"

"Not really. You would have died trying to save me at that point. You would have burned out from trying."

I frowned.

"Don't be mad at him, Heather. He knew what he was doing."

At last I nodded, and was about to discuss our next strategy when two wet paws wrapped themselves around my throat and waist. A voice hissed, "You should have killed me when you had the chance, little girl."

"HEATHER!"

Sadie rushed toward me, but stopped short of Kit's outstretched paw.

"Don't dare try anything, hero! I might just let her drown."

"h'I gave yoo'h a ch-h'ance, ba-'hasstard," I snarled.

"And I'm very, very grateful, Miss Du'Pre. Let me show you how much!"

"Kit... Let...her...go." IceGrim said.

"Make me!" Kit said, giggling.

[Mariamus]

Sadie growled at Kit.
"Let her go! She may have chosen to spare you, but I won't think twice about killing you!"

Kit laughed, digging his claws deeper into Heather's throat.
"You can't beat me! I've become stronger... faster! I'M BETTER THAN YOU!"
Sadie watched him. the water poured off him every time he spoke. he held on tighter to Heather, blocking her from air. Sadie didn't have too much time to act.
"No you're not. No matter what you think, you'll never be as strong as I am. I surpass you... you will always be weak!"
Kit growled, his eyes flying around the room as he tried to find a way to verbally prove he was better than her.
He didn't even notice the water on his body getting hotter. Sadie snapped at him as the water started boiling on his body, causing a severe burn he couldn't flee from. Heather tore loose as Kit screamed in pain, trying to make the pain stop.
Heather moved in between Sadie and Ian. Kit dropped to the floor, his screams fading until he was quiet and motionless. Burns from the boiling water covered his body. The smell was awful. Sadie looked up at Heather.
"Are you ok?"
Heather nodded, although the awful smell of Kit's burned body made her want to puke on the floor.
"We should keep moving!"
Raven looked at them.
"Dad... I think Sadie is right, we have to get you out of here before the beast takes over..."
Ian turned and started walking.
"No.. let's move on!"
Sadie watched Ian and the others move down the hall.
She looked at Ian. He was so stubborn. His human form wouldn't see the light of day ever again if she couldn't stop him... Her dark eyes became shiny, the tears were quickly absorbed by her spotted fur. She made a move to follow them when a sream rose behind her. She just had time to see Ian and the others turn and look in horror before Kit jumped at her from behind. He knocked her head into the floor and grabbed onto her throat, the water spraying from him. He was out of control. Ian barked.
"RELEASE HER!"
Kit growled.
"I am getting sick of your games! I will kill every single one of you! And YOU Heather!! You... I will gut you and eat your insides while you watch!!"
Ian took two steps closer. Sadie growled angrily.
"Let me go Kit! Haven't you had enough already?!"
Kit big down on her neck.
"No... No more speeches!"
He dug his claws into her neck and ripped her throat open, blood poured out, her trachea exposed for a split second before the blood poured into her lungs. Ian watched in horrer as Kit released her. Her body convulsing and going still as she lost the fight to get the blood out of her lungs.
Ian roared in anger. Raven moved back as Ian changed to his beast form, towering over the laughing Kit.
"Don't worry Ian!" Kit laughed almost maniacally.
"You can always take her to a taxidermist and have her stuffed!"
Ian jumped at Kit, screamin in anger. His entire body cold as ice. Kit raised his hands and released a waterfall worthy of the niagara falls over Ian.
"I've never been this powerful! You are no match for me!! I'll kill you all!"
Ian was swept back in the flood. Heather watched Sadie's body on the floor. Ian was too enraged to reason with, murder in his eyes, he charged at Kit again just to meet another flood. Heather grabbed onto Raven.
"Stay out of the water at all cost..."
Raven took a step back.
"What are you going to do?"
"You'll see..."

Heather sighed. Kit would never change. He was too far gone into the dark, mad depths of his own mind. Ian charged again, this time freezing the water that flooded against him. Heather yelled.
"Ian! Stop moving!"
As if by a miracle, the beast listened and moved away. Kit answered with another flood, forming a pool around his wet body.
"You can't win Heather! I'll enjoy eating your insides!"
Heather growled and raised her hand.
"I've had enough of you Kit..."
Even her beasts fear of the water couldn't stop her from moving closer, stepping into the pool.
"You'll die just like your new friend over there!"
Heather growled, an electric blue light forming around her. Ian moved away from the water, but Kit was too mad to see he was being set up.
"DIE HEATHER!"
He moved his hand, wanting to flood heather, but she raised her arms, sending the equivalent of a thousand lightning bolts through her body and into the pool. In a split second, Kit realised what was happening, but by then, it was all too late.
"NOO!"
The electricity seared through his body, all the water on him leading it into every creak and pore on his body. He screamed like a banshee when the skin curled off his body, his muscles tensing so much it crushed his bone before peeling off like elastic bands. It was like he imploded, his eyes going blood red before they blew out of his head and he slumped to the floor as nothing more than a crisp pile of hardened flesh. Heather looked at the bloody water and unrecognisable pulp of what used to be Kit. She turned and moved directly into Raven's arms, covering her face. She felt safe in the winged embrace.

That was, until a growl emitted behind her. She raised her head and saw Ian standing there. still in his beast form. His eyes no longer seemed to hold any more human emotion, only a feral lust for blood. Raven held onto Heather.
"Dad...."

"Go... I have to keep my promise!"
Ian turned his head and looked at Sadie. She had finally healed. She got up and blocked Ian's path to the two young ones.
"Sadie..."
"GO!"
Raven nodded and pulled Heather along. She didn't want to leave Sadie. She had saved her life, and she couldn't even repay the favor.

Sadie watched them leave before turning her head to Ian.
"I wish it hadn't been this soon..."
Only a growl answered her as Ian charged at her. Sadie jumped out of his way and raised her paw, cutting a muscle in his rear leg. He roared in pain and anger and turned at her. He wanted to jump, but the wounded leg made it impossible. Sadie sighed, fighting back tears.
"I'm so sorry Ian..."
She jumped as he tried to do the same, biting down on his neck and knocking him backwards. He fought to get her off, but the small cat was stronger than it seemed.
She put her paws on his chest and ripped. She knew it wouldn't help. She jumped off him and moved back.
"I can't do it... I can't kill you Ian. Come back to me... Please come back to me..."
He got up slowly and turned. His eyes told her that he would never be human again. She sat still as he jumped at her with massive force. Sadie raised her fiery front paws as he toppled against her.

Sadie watched Ian's eyes. Shock and disbelief screaming in his eyes. He started changing and Sadie knew he was dying now. She changed to human form and pulled her hand out of his chest. Her burning paws had gone right through, cauterizing the wound all the way to his heart. She had burned it too much. Ian, now in human form, looked up at her. He gasped as he drew his last breath. Sadie put her hand on his cheek as he whispered to her.
"Thank you... Luv..."
She nodded and kissed him on the lips as he exhaled.
She looked at him. Even in death he was beautiful. She covered her mouth to stop the sob that escaped her, but she couldn't stop her tears. She pulled him into her arms as she cried for him.

[TheArtist]

Heather:

At last. At last, my vengeance was sated. Kit was destroyed, and my conscience could be clear. Deep down I knew that walking away would not solve anything. I wanted to play hero but it was a lie. At least I could return the favor for Sadie, though I felt I needed to do more to repay the debt.

Ian...a day or so ago I wouldn't have cried for that man, but now I did. It was dangerous because my tears blinded me, but I couldn't help it. Raven was making strange garglings in his throat. I knew he was worse off than I was, but we both decided to head towards Max.

We saw the rest of the gang here and there, and we were slowly but surely winning the war. How did I know? Simple. I saw more of us than them.

I kept hearing explosions. They were so frequent, they were almost rhythmic.

"MoLOtoVs," Raven said to my half-formed question.

Lem was a bomb-lover, according to both Sadie and Vinnie.

It was never hard to find Max. All we had to do was follow the piles (Piles!) of dead bodies he left in his wake. If we all live through this, we'll all need a shrink.

Soon, we heard yelling. Vladimir Lem was up in some weird balcony, jeering and cursing at Max, who was firing like a maniac...well, a maniac with a singular purpose, anyway. Both looked ready to go at any moment, both looked like two hardened boxers at the final round, and both were shot up pretty bad but still going.

Max knew what he was doing. He was shooting the supports of the huge chandelier in the center of the balcony, weakening it every moment. Lem was bound and determined to blow him up. Raven moved but I stopped him.

"You'd make too big of a target," I said. He converted to human.

"What's your plan, then?" he asked.

"I'm thinking!" I hissed.

Finally the last support gave way, and the whole balcony came crashing down...almost. The glass and metal floor was just strong enough to catch it.

Max was stunned, but not for long. Lem started laughing, and Max started shooting again. He couldn't have much ammo left, so I had to do something.

I could fire a bolt, but I had to be sure I had enough control for it to go straight where I wanted it to. True, I was tired, but I knew I still had enough juice to do the job.

If I had stopped to think about it, I probably wouldn't have done it.

Max:

Suddenly a blur of gold raced past me.

"Heather?!"

She raced toward Lem like a bat out of hell...or was that a cat out of hell?

Heather:
Lem's face seemed to move in slow motion. First, surprise, then anger, then horror rolled across it.

I saw him raise his arm as I leapt toward him, his other hand clutching the metal railing, which is precisely what I was hoping for.

I grabbed onto the the railing and let him have it. I lit up like a Christmas tree.

Max:

Lem screamed, dancing like a posessed marrionette. Heather held him there for several long seconds before releasing him.

"Who are you?" he choked to her. She changed to human.

"The nightingale, when not unconscious."

I saw a brief flash of lust in his eyes. Damn, an old dog is still an old dog, even in death.

"Max..." he said, turning toward me, "It's...it's not fair. I...I was supposed to be...the hero."

And with that, my second nightmare was over.

Heather:

Max collapsed like a ton of bricks. He was exhausted and hurt. Raven and I managed to get him on his feet when he whispered, "Mona!"

I had never even seen her in this crazy place, but Max knew right where to find her. She did not look good, shot from behind.

I felt the tiniest stab of jealousy, but I knocked it aside, resolving to put it away forever. What I felt for Max was nothing more than a crush, I knew that now.

Max ran a hand through his hair, certain it was too late.

"Let me try," I said.

"You're not too drained?" Raven asked.

"Get Mama, just in case," I replied. Raven complied, swooping down the stairs in a hurry.

"Heather..."Max growled, his throat dry from battle, "don't do it if you think you can't."

"Don't worry," I said, "Truth is, I won't know until I try."

My hands pulsed with power as I settled them on her wound.

[Mariamus]

Sadie knew he was coming before she saw him. He was treading lightly, almost sneaking up behind her. He put his hand on her shoulder and she finally turned and looked at him.
"Is he dead?"
She nodded and got up slowly.
"I... I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
"It's ok... I had to kill him."
Vinnie did a double take.
"You... you killed him?"
She nodded and looked back down on the body.
"Help me carry him outside."
Vinnie didn't question it, he just helped her carry Ian's body out to the garden. She arranged him neatly on the ground. Her movements were gentle, as if she was afraid to hurt him.

Max watched as Heather tried to heal Mona. She sighed, trying her best to gather enough strength to heal her.
Tears formed in her eyes. She couldn't disappoint Max. She had to save Mona, but the healing just wouldn't get strong enough.
Heather was about to give up when she felt a big paw on her hand. She looked up and stared into Mama's gentle eyes.
"Let me help you."
Heather nodded and felt Mama's strength go through her hand. The wound started to heal and Mona slowly opened her eyes.
"Max?"
Max jumped to, helping mona to her feat and embracing her. He didn't care what people would think when he kissed her. She was worth everything.

Heather watched the scene with a smile. with Mama's help, she wasn't even tired after healing Mona.
Mama looked at her with a little smile. Heather didn't even know that Mama hadn't helped. She knew Heather had the strength, but too many doubts to focus. She would find out eventually, smart as she is.
Heather suddenly realised that all the other chosen were moving. Mama lifted her head.
"Ian..."

The whole herd of animals started migrating. Max and Mona followed Mama into the garden. Vinnie was standing near a wall, watching Sadie kneeling next to Ian.
Mama stopped when she saw the young woman.
"Oh Ian..."

Sadie lifted her hands above Ian's chest and a ring of fire surrounded both bodies, engulfing them. Max stepped forward.
"Sadie!"
He was stopped by an unlikely candidate.
"No. she needs to do this."
Max looked at Vinnie, who was holding him back.

Sadie looked at Ian as the fire started to eat away at his body. She gave him a kiss on the lips before raising the temperature to a white blaze, incinerating Ian's body.

[Thug]

James:

Am I dreaming?...
The world is a nightmarish black until I find thbe strengh to open my eyes. I'm in New York, although I haven't seen the outside world in days.. Weeks?.... Time seems to speed up, slow down and comepletely stop all at the same time if you only able to see four walls, a toilet and a bed. I'm laying on the bed, with the never ending sensation of sea sickness. travilinng on the imaginary vessil that is playing havoc with my stomache.
I shakingly lift my right arm up from the bed, so I can see my wrist. Damn it! They took my watch! I slam my arm down on the thin matress in anger and frustration. I quickly regret that action as it sends waves of pain all over my body. Suddenly, I hear metal sliding against metal. I cautiously turn my head sideways to see the door to my clausterphobic world open. A figure walks over to my bedside.
"Am... I... dream...ing?" I ask the shadowy figure. my voice is deathly weak.
"No... This is my dream... It is progressivily becoming reality." A man's voice. Through the shadows, I can make out a long point of a needle; The man points it towards my now throbing arm.
"I will achieve what Horne couldn't of have... Whith this... Man and beast will transform into 1! The instincts of the ultimate preditor with the intelligence of man... This... This is the bigining of the new evolution of man!" The man leans over and plunges the neddle into my arm. My world becomes dark... Again....

[TheArtist]

Heather:

To my surprise, Jesse began baying mournfully but oddly on-key. Soon, many others joined him. It was eerie and weird, but strangely comforting, too. I watched Mama Bear wipe a tear with a paw. Doc roared, tipping back his large head, exposing his canines. This was the end of an era. Even Shaman cried. Many took turns speaking words of encouragement, or to place the bodies of their fallen comrades into the pyre.

I saw Roxy dump the remains of Ebony into the blaze. Thanks to Sadie and all the explosions, there wasn't much left. Roxy's face was hard, mask-like. I heard her mutter under her breath.

"You just couldn't keep out of it, could ya, y'old bitch?" she gulped, "Well...now you don't have a choice. I hope at least you and Swiftie are happy now. So long, friend."

No one was surprised when Doc tossed in Kit's body. No one said anything, either.

I watched as Max seemed to absorb the funeral dirge, holding Mona, his eyes closed. A weight seemed to lift off his shoulders. Mona's eyes were open. She turned her head to look at me, nodded, and turned back.

Raven's grip tightened. His tears flowed freely. He was a soft heart, but, after all that I've been through, I think that's a good thing. He...he wasn't afraid to be vulnerable, and that takes a type of bravery that I'm not familiar with. I think I'm willing to learn.

From far away we heard the sirens. We knew what had to be done. Max was willing to stay, but Mona was not. He didn't want to let go of her, as if doing so would cause her to vanish again. She smiled, kissed him, and told him he would know where she'd be.

Sadie did the same, promising to contact him when it all blew over. Max's eyebrows shot to the top of his head when she walked towards Vinnie, but in the end he just shrugged and Smirked.

He then turned to me.

"Heather, I promise I will go to Wisconsin myself and clear your name," he said, "I looked at your file. It's all circumstancial. They've got nothing on you."

I didn't know what to say...except, "Thanks."

We hugged. "Now get going,." he said.

Arm in arm, Raven and I walked the darkened streets, listening to the mixed roar of fancy cars and motorcycles, the Brotherhood and the Dominion racing away together into the night.

"What now?" Raven asked. Good question, even though he meant it as rhetorical...sort of.

"I don't know," I admitted. "I've been running for so long, I don't know what to do now that I don't have to."

"Mama said the Dominion will be our new headquarters until things are settled," Raven replied, "Since I'm inheriting everything, I could use a good bartender."

I snickered. "Do you still want to do a comedy routine at happy hour?"

"Sure," Raven said, "I'll just make sure you sing some Marilyn Manson on Karaoke Night!"

I groaned. "That's it! I'm going to force you to sing an opera!"

"I admit it! I can't sing!"

"No, but I can make you sing soprano!"

"Oookay, no Manson...how about Gwar?"

*Groan.........*




THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




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