Ok, let's start off with the disclaimer, since I always forget that

Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis or anything to do with it, much to my misery. I do own Kaie though.

As a side note, I love Beckett, which is why I'm ignoring 'Sunday' but this is set some time into the fourth season, which hasn't even aired yet, so I've no qualms about contradicting the plot:) Besides, I need Beckett for the plot.

I think that's everything… so enjoy!

Prologue

The creature clicked and screeched to its companions as they followed their leader through the great ring, into a wooded area. There was no scent of the prey the creature was hungry for, or at least, there was no strong scent that gave it hope that it would feast that night, for it was night in this land.

The leader called for them to hurry, for he was weary and wished to find a place for them all to rest. So the creatures moved on, clicking to each other in what would have been interpreted as idle chat. About prey.

The creature became aware all at once of a strange silence. There were no creatures save themselves in this place. It was empty of animal life. That was not normal. The leader seemed to have detected the same anomaly as he halted and motioned for the army to do the same.

The creatures clicked and screeched among themselves, working together to determine what the problem was. Then one of their own let out a screech of pain.

One of them was writhing and clawing at its head, screeching so loud it echoed through the woods. The other creatures drew away in confusion, watching as its movements became slower, more difficult. It was almost as if it was…

Before the others astonished eyes, their comrade turned into stone. A lifelike statue, but a statue nonetheless. But they had no time to try to understand what had happened, for there were more screeches of agony as, one by one, they were transformed into stone.

The first creature turned to its leader, asking for him to save them. Their father must know what to do! But he just stared in shock with his expressionful face as the thousands of his offspring were transformed into solid stone.

The first creature wailed as it felt its body begin to change. It was unbearable, it was incomprehensible. The creature tried to run, tried to climb out of its own body, but it was unable to and soon its mind was reduced to stone and it never thought again.

The leader, the father, watched as his children were changed, unable to do a thing because he had no idea what was happening… what had just happened. His children, his powerful, dangerous children were standing in movements of agony, some were contorted into shapes that shouldn't have been possible, all frozen. The leader reached out and touched the nearest one, hoping to feel warmth of life under the surface. But all he felt was cold hard stone.

Then his hackles rose and he knew he wasn't alone.

"What are you? And how dare you do this?" he growled.

"I am more than you could imagine. And I dare because I can." cooed a voice that was light and clear, like stars shining on a cloudless night. At least that was the image the father got from it.

"Why not kill me with them?" the father demanded, sounding almost broken-hearted. There was a soft sound that was like a giggle and a sigh, and the leader gasped as he felt invisible ropes wrap around his middle, and drag him across the ground, away from the statues. He struggled but to no avail.

With a grunt he was knocked onto his back and a tall figure loomed over him and said,

"Because I've been looking for a new pet to play with. You'll do."

"You cannot do this!" he growled

"Oh but I can." The figure crouched down and straddled his hips. "That's the beauty of it. You're mine because I'm not going to give you any other choice."

The leader grunted, "I will never be yours! I will kill you."

"Well… we'll just see, won't we my pet?"

Reviews are always appreciated!

Night's Darkness