The first thing he notices when he became aware was the act that he was being smothered. Not the pillow to the head trying to kill you smothered, but the you fell asleep with someone and they partially rolled on top of you. Derek opened his eyes and his world filled with color mostly orange a lot of orange not his favorite color considering the source of the color he could adore it. Turning his head slightly he could see wind up clock. "3:21"

Claire woke up to the most wonderful feeling, some one was rubbing her spot. Only two people in the world knew where her spot was One of those two people was dead the other was currently rubbing her spot and nuzzling her tits. "Mmmm Morning master…"

Derek smiled squeezing the spot causing his partner to growl softly making her sit up across his waist. He could only admire her well toned body She was three times his age at the very least but, he didn't care part of him wanted to sleep the rest of the night with her and he knew she would let him law and age be damned. He knew better though for the past two years since his rescue he had been sleeping with her. "You better keep that little word to yourself."

Claire placed her hand on his chest feeling his heart beat through her palm. "It would be some much easier if you took the test." Leaning down she connected her lips to his, her slight muzzle making the kiss more interesting.

Taking his hand Derek began to stroke the back of the Denmother's neck even as her tongue twisted inside his mouth. They had bonded there was no getting around it neither was sure when it happened nor did they care. He could feel the bond like a chain connected to the back of his neck tying them together in knots. He had to stop though if he didn't leave they could both could get in trouble he could end up in jail or prison while she could be balled level five'd or used a power source. While an effort that Atlas would be proud of he shattered the kiss. "I need to go Claire my dirty MILF."

Claire groaned reluctantly sliding off the bed watching him climb out watching his muscles twist and turn as he gathered up his clothes. Taking her eyes on his behind she looked at her clock and swallowed down the urge to smash the infernal device in her hand. "Like clock work…"

"Hmm?"

Claire placed a fake smile on her face. "Nothing." walking to the bedroom door she wave her tail giving him full view of her rear. She knew it wasn't the booty that he watched his targets where up in more northern region.

Derek could help but, smile as he watched her saunter out of the room fighting the pit that had fallen in his stomach. "Yeah, like clock work." Pulling his pants on he felt sick leaving her every night like this, she deserved better, she deserved the ability to openly call him master in public, she deserved not to get woken up at three in morning just so her lover could sneak out without getting caught.

Claire walked into the communal shower that the civil service girls shared inside the apartment complex. She could just imagine how her master her lover was leaving now. She could just see it as he opened the fourth floor window and taking a flying leap onto the roof next door rolling in the gravel to cushion his fall. "Stupid stupid!" Turning on the hot water she allowed it to roll down her body. "Falling for him! He's just a kid!"

Derek popped up from his roll jumping over a vent using his parkor he reflexes honed from free running almost daily. "Bout' now she's blaming herself." Jumping off the edge of the building he grabbed the gutter using it to slow his drop. "Telling herself that she should do what most civil service girls do and go on a rotation." Dropping down to street level he scattered a group of rats that had gotten under foot causing a hungry Mweorrl to hiss at him before bounding off to give chase. "She shouldn't have to."

Claire shampooed her thick mane taking care to scrub it in. "I don't want to, I really don't, A woman like me shouldn't have to." place her head under the faucet she hid her tears. "I need to though, if, if we keep this up he could end up in prison or worse!"

"Right now she's getting dressed for another shift." Derek slowed his pace as he approached the entrance of a warehouse reaching into his jeans he took out a key. "all the money she should be earning, being used to line the pockets of league officials by calling it upkeep on the housing for civil service girls." Popping the padlock he entered the warehouse that he had changed into a work out studio using what ever scrap he could find.

Claire pulled up her uniform shorts as she looked out a window. "Know him he probably going to find some hole to curl up in to sleep the rest of the night." she ran her hands across the mattress that only a short time ago they shared. "he should have a warm bed and body next to him."

Climbing the steps to his loft which used to be the foreman's office Derek flopped down onto the mattress that rested on the floor burying his face in an old ratty pillow. "Just a little nap before I go to the performance street yeah that sounds, good," Before long he was snoring.

00oo00oo00

"Just like that!" Johnny cheered as he watched his Vampira break dance to the tune playing on his stereo. Taking his hands over his mouth he began to beat box in sink with her gyrations The crowd around the pair began to toss money into a hat that had been laid out.

"Master!" Gwen cried out as she grabbed Johnny's hand his signal to join. The two moved in synch do a set of flips on the cardboard mat that they had set out.

"Way to go Johnny!"

"You'll be a shoe in!"

"You got that contest in the bag both of you!"

Johnny grinned as he and Gwen kicked up into matching bows. "Thank you so much!"

At the back of the crowd a man with long white hair clapped along with crowd his priestly garb marking him as member of the church of a thousand gods. "What a wonderful performance as always Mr. Grace and Miss Gwen."

A cold chill ran down across Gwen's wings and spine she didn't like the minister and no amount of preaching could convince her otherwise. Glancing over at her master who nervously rubbed the back of his head she could tell he felt it to. It was just something about that man that felt off wrong and with the recent surge of disappearances.

Johnny grinned weakly as he looked at the minister a those thick black glasses which hid the man's eyes. It was unnerving just stand there looking at him that pale gray skin and white hair. "Thanks we try our best."

The priest laughed. "With such skills you really should give a performance at the church, I know you are devout young man."

"I wouldn't say we're that good." Johnny unclipped Gwen's ball from his belt looking for something anything to distract him and keep his hands busy and twisting that ball around was helping. "We're just couple of street performer getting ready for our first contest."

"Hey, I'd say reach for your dreams no matter how far away they might seem." Derek pushed his way through the crowd having come across the performance Glancing over out of the corner of his eye he could see the Priest for brief moment sneer at him before putting on a smile. "Just spread your wings and rise above the clouds."

Johnny laughed as other members of the crowd whistled praising him tell them to reach for the top. "Come on everyone we haven't entered our first contest!"

Derek chuckled as he watched as the future coordinator tried not to embarrass himself in front of the crowd while out of the corner of his eye he watched the Priest disappear. His revelry was cut short when the cold chill of killing intent marched up his spine. "hehehe sorry I'm late again aren't I?"

The gleem of a meat clever to his throat answered his question as a soft female voice whispered into his ear. "This is the third time this week your late Mister Greymore my master is very angry." The Amazonwu held her body firmly against Derek's pinning him on the spot at her master's request. While legally she knew she couldn't hurt him that didn't mean she couldn't scare him and keep him pinned.

The wu's master growled angrily walking to the into the view of Derek revealing the man to be short easily shorted than his red headed wu. He looked to be in his late forties dressed in the uniform of butcher his sterling white apron already stained and caked in the blood of kattle that he brought in for slaughter. He had the face of someone from Edo league that was always contorted into an angry face which was not directly locked onto Derek. "You!" The accusing finger. "Are late again!" For such a small man he could growl with the best of them. "You come to shop now! Start days work! Finish no come back again Fired! This last Day!"

Derek gulped his Adam's apple rubbing against the edge of blade. "yes Mister Tanaka." With his response made the Wu released him from her deadly grasp allowing him to rub his throat. With Derek's hands free the butcher tossed him a blood stained apron. "last day of work,"

Escorted by the wu and being lead by the butcher Derek was lead unceremoniously toward the butcher shop to carve up some kattle.

00oo00oo00oo

"alright everyone we've got a problem." A man stood in front of a large corkboard with numerous pictures on it. That man was the chief of police in Sapphron city and he was currently in the middle of a tirade. "Once again people have started to disappear not just here either all over the league."

A brave or foolish officer raised his hand. "Couldn't the disappearances be caused by feral attacks they have been on the rise lately with pirates attacking the coastal towns."

Claire eased her self into the room finding a seat in the back with the rest of the pokegirls like the rest of them having no say in investigation. Leaning over to nearest girl she tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. "What's going on?"

The Spidergirl leaned back. "The Commissioner is going on a tirade on the missing persons case, and Moroson that dick is suggesting that most of if not all the disappearances are being caused by ferals and pirates."

The commissioner tossed a rather thick file at Moroson who had the good luck to duck allowing the file to bean a Jenny who had tried moving closer to front so she could hear better. "Shut up Moroson! If these disappearances weren't bad enough among those just about everyone who was taken was already a victim of that very thing before."

Hearing this Claire listened more intently already the wheels where turning connecting the dots to the kidnappings two years ago. "Could that same group be, no they where wiped out before we got there before."

The commissioner sat down in chair at the front of the room rubbing the bridge of his nose. "What's worse is that," Growl in frustration he stood up again. "I want you all to look into this dismissed." The officers filed out starting with the human officers then the pokegirls all but one. "Claire I want you to stay a minute I want to talk to you."

"Sir."

As the door to office finally clicked closed he stood looking at the numerous photos lining the cork board arranged in some pattern. "Claire up until now I've turned a blind eye at what you and that Greymore kid have dooming it's been good for you you've walked around the building with purpose again something that you haven't had since your partner died."

Claire stayed in her chair not letting on how much her gut was twisting in knots she wasn't a rookie anymore and wasn't going to show it. "Sir, I have no idea what you're talking about, While I have been looking after," He voice caught as she almost said the M word. "Greymore," She just barely managed to choke that out she hoped he hadn't caught that slip. "Nothing has come of our interactions."

He didn't turned around not letting her see his expression. "I'm just warning you that he might be in danger." turning around his stony face staring back at her. "As I've already stated most of disappearances where of those who where taken before. While Moroson might have a point concerning feral attacks but, the numbers are far to high to be anything else. I just"

Before he could finish his sentence a uniformed officer in glasses burst into the room panting heavily. "Sir, there's been another attack downtown warehouse district!"

Claire ears perked up as stood looking at the officer. "Attack?"

"Damn, not another." The commissioner quickly grabbed his jacket sliding it onto his shoulder. "Claire your with me Oficcer Howard lead the way."

"Yes sir." The officer in question lead them out of the room at rapid pace with Claire giving the Commissioner a questioning look with his response being a explaination as they got moving.

00oo00oo00

Normally the scene of a crime would have been taped off for investigation not this one though as most wouldn't consider what happened a crime at least in the eyes of the league. The creature on the ground looked like a mummified corpse covered in a thick layer of fur it's eyes had sunken into it's skull. The creatures bones shapes where easily seen through it body. Numerous old scars marred the body but, a new set had been created in it's neck in form of four holes.

All around the poor dead creature where signs of a battle and the clear loser was on the ground. Claire had seen some grizzly scenes before but, she had never expected this. "Are you sure it's not the work of a Vampire?"

The commissioner kneeled down next to the body looking it over but, not touching it. "Why don't you tell me?" He looked up at Claire. "Does this look like your typical feral vampire attack?"

Claire conceded the point shaking her head. "if it was feral the victim wouldn't be shriveled up like this." Kneeling down on one knee Claire took a whiff of the body. "A feral vampire would gorge herself yes but, only to a point and I don't smell any of the toxin that unvaccinated vamps leave behind as a transformative." Looking around she could see the signs of a battle. "While all signs point to a vampire attack even tame ones don't drain this much blood."

"damn." Standing up the commissioner slammed his fist into the wall. "The sixth attack in past two weeks. They won't let me investigate because in there words it would be a waste league resources to look into the deaths of some pokegirls!"

Claire growled under her breathe she hated that being treated the property just because some damn pencil pusher who couldn't see past his nose thought of her as nothing more than a weapon or a tool to be used and discarded. Taking a whiff of the air she smelt something familuar it was similar to what Derek smelt like when he was angry. Not quiet the same but, similar enough she could track even among the various smells of the city. There was one small problem Derek didn't always produce that smell and if who this was produced it in a similar manner the trail could end abruptly. "Sir if I could I would like to pursue this investigation off the record and on my own time?"

The cmmissioner placed his hands in his pockets mulling over his options his lips curling inward as he went into deep thoughtt on the matter, Between this, the kidnappings, and the information he was getting from the other cities he had a lot on his plate just figuring this one out would be a big help. "Alright Claire you have my permission to investigate on your own time but, the missing persons case it the priority." Walking away from the grizzly scene he took out a cigar. "if you solve this one I think I give you reverence into you know what."

Claire walked up beside him breathing out a small flame onto the tip of the cigar. "Those things could kill you."

"That's what my wife tells me all the time." taking a drag off the cigar he blew a ring of smoke. "Then again a lot of things could kill me in this city."

00oo00oo00

As morning turned to evening Derek walked out of the butcher shop pulling off his apron tossing it into the trash. "Won't be needing that any more." As he walked he counted what little money he had. "Guess Claire's right I do need to take the tamer's exam.

"it'd be helpful yes." Claire smiled slapping a file into Derek's chest. "I need some help."

Derek smiled taking the file flipping through it's pages. "oh, the big powerful Denmother needs my help in an investigation." Each photo he saw made him blanch it wasn't like he hadn't seen gore before his mother's brains had splattered in face as a matter of fact but, to see corpses drained of all fluids like that it unnerved him. "So uh how do you want me to help I'm no good at dissecting things I chucked when I had to cut open a frog."

Claire reached to his neck and began to play with it making it look like she was escorting him to the precinct. "Nothing that bloody or in this case dry there was another attack earlier this morning near the warehouse district." The hairs on the back his neck stood up under her palm. "I want you to put your ear to the ground and see if anyone knows anything."

Derek nodded closing up the file handing it back to her. "Yeah, I'll look into it." His gut did back flips as he thought of how close to home the attack had taken place. Part of him wondered if he'd have to stop laying around and do something.

Claire saw the look on his face and knew just knew the next words out of her mouth would set him off but it was clear he had to know. Taking a side street she lead him into a back alley in order to talk to him without prying eyes, taking a sniff of the air as well as looking at all sides she stopped. "Master…Derek There's something you need to know, There've been several kidnappings as of late." Seeing his blank face she continued. "Someone or some group has been targeting people who where taken by the same group that took you two years ago."

Derek held it in, all the pain, all the fear, all the rage compressing it into a tight ball his fist clenching tight. Only she could see his eyes starting to glow lines running down his face he knew she had seen it before suppressing every nerve in his body. Taking a deep breathe he washed it all away sealing it away in depths of his mind his face returning to normalcy. "You're right I really need to look into it." Smiling perversely he reached up to her blouse and undid the top button. "You really should display more cleavage!"

Grabbing him by the shirt she hefted him up to eye level pulling him into a kiss. "You smell like rotten Kattle, but taste like mint." Dropping him unceremoniously onto the ground she stepped over him.

Derek laughed as stood up dusting off the grim that had been applied to his pants when he was dropped. "What can I say I've popping mints all day." Waving back at her he hummed a little tune. "I wonder if my neighbors know anything Micky D should know a thing or two."

Claire walked out of the alley at the opposite end as him the folder tucked under her arm. "guess I'll pay a visit to anyone who lives close to those attack sights see if they saw anything."

00oo00oo00

As sun sunk slowly under the horizon the priest stood in front of pipe organ facing the entrance of the church watching as a man stumbled toward him half drunk. The priest sneered at the sight of man in ratty clothes another homeless rat had made it's way into the church seek refuge or a hand out. "Welcome son have you come to confess your sins to the thousand gods?"

The rat laughed as he dropped into one of pews of the prerevenge war church. "Yeah, father." The rat belched vomiting up a piece of corn that had gotten stuck in his teeth. "I'm drunk! You're place looked like good place to sleep."

The Priest put on a wicked soul devouring smile. "no, son you will find no rest for the wicked or the righteous for we must all do the lords' work." As he said the words the sound of lightt chirping and screeching came down from the rafters above. "My dark Bride," A woman dressed in a elegant black wedding dress came out the train of her dress a deep velvet red. "And I," Taking her hand the Priest removed his dark glasses keeping his eyes closed. "Must feed our children."

The screeching became louder causing the rat to look up hearing the sound of scrapping along the large wooden beams. "the hell." Dozens of golden eyes gleaming eyes stared down at him and as he looked at the priest the Priests eyes where identical. Scrambling out the pew the rat tried to run grunting along the way.

"Feed." At the single simple command numerous man sized bat creature swooped down on the rat massive fangs emerging from there mouths ready to tear into the man's flesh. One of them landed in front of the door crawling on it's hands and clawed feet it and it's fellows came upon the rat.

00oo00oo00

Derek hung back hiding behind a dumpster, what choice did he have as several feet in front of him his contact was currently standing with a Bunnygirl and her tamer who didn't look to good. From what Derek could see the man was shaking not from fear. "Looks like Donny is back to dealing again not smart Donny not smart at all."

Donny as he was called grinned as he held out a small vile with a pink substance in it. "Dream maker guaranteed to make you squirm and got enough kick to scratch that ich." Donny was pleased wit himself his new bosses would be please with how much he was pushing the product. He could see that man was a an addict and the nervous looks the Bunnygirl was giving told him soo much more. Wait she was looking over his shoulder she could see something.

Derek smiled as he walked down the alley his hands in his pockets the Bunnygirl had heard him there was no point in him hiding anymore. He could see Donny turning to face him a look of fear, nervousness, frustration and maybe a little smidge of hope. "Donny dear ole Donny hows it hanging?"

Donny put on a smile for his customer who looked ready to bolt at any second on the inside he was seething he knew at any second would drive the patsy off. "D-man how you do'n?" Donny walked up to Derek shaking the vile of the narcotic. "Want some I'll cut the price for yeah."

Derek smiled at the Tamer who was getting ready to bolt winking at him and the Bunnygirl before placing his attention on Donny. "Donny boy oh donny boy." Curling his fingers like a snake coiling up to strike Derek cocked his head sideways . Before Donny even realize what was happening Derek lashed out heaving Donny up against the wall. "I've got some questions for you my favorite pusher."

Donny bemoaned his luck as he watched the tamer bolt with his bunny girl in tow disappearing between the narrow corridors of the warehouses. Turning his attention back to Derek he couldn't help but, get annoyed with his current position both physically and financially. . "Hey hey easy now aint no reason to get uppity."

Derek snorted trying to hold back a laugh. "did you just say uppity? I mean seriously? Who uses uppity?" Tightening his grip Donny was hefted up a couple more inches he was now being forced to stare at the top of his head. "Now as I was saying I need to the know what you know about some recent attacks recently."

"I don't know nothing." Derek released his gripped causing Donny to drop. Nearly loosing his grip on his product he glared at Derek getting eye to eye with him. "So we done? Cause I've got a business to run."

Derek cocked his head again grabbing Donny by the collar. "no we're not." With a great pull he dragged Donny over to the dumpster before lifting the lid. "you'll tell me who knows something or you're going to take a dive in a dumpster understand?"

Feeling brave Donny knocked Derek's hand away even as flies began to buzz around them the smell of dead rats rolling up there nostrils. "Unless you want some stuff I aint telling you nothing."

Derek sighed and pushed Donny into the dumpster covering the drug dealer in refuse. "I warned you." Reaching into the dumpster pulling out what was left of a chair leg and used it to pin Donny down. "If you don't answer me in timely manner I'm going to use this to beat your face black and blue." Even as he made the threat he smiled tapping the piece of furniture on Donny's face.

Donny grunt hoping that his right hand didn't just smash into what he thought it did, he could swear to the thousand gods that his leg had a stapple in it from chair. "Fine, Nero he might know something he's been making some pretty weird deals lately. Saw him talking to that Kumagawa kid right before he left."

The hairs on the back of Derek's neck stood on end when he heard that name, Kumagawa. "Your sure about this Nero? He might know something." Pressing the leg of the chair into Donny's head he pushed down. "You better not be telling this to me just to get me off your case got it? If your arm I will find the biggest dildo I can find and ram it up your ass if you're lying to me."

Donny nodded as he felt the leg tap him in the head with each word. "Yeah, I'm tell'n the truth." He could see the look on Derek's face and couldn't blame the guy Kumagwa was insane everybody knew that didn't help that Derek was around the same age. Rumor was that Derek was shagging a cop it was pretty much common knowledge that he had tamer's disease. "Now can I go see a doctor I think yah dropped me on a box of nails."

"Fins your own damn doctor." slamming the lid shut looked into the sky listening something was coming he could hear it. Ever since he was five years old he knew he had a lot better hearing than most people had to sleep in sensory deprivation tank till he was twelve had sell it for the funeral cost. Then when he was taken his hearing was even better than before he would swear up and down that he could hear radio signals. Now though that hear was telling him something was coming four somethings with wings not of feathered kind.

The three creatures scanned the ground using there massive pointed ears and larges eyes, they where a scouting party hunters bringing back prey for the nest. The dark sky and clouds covered there search there hunt hiding them from prying eyes. There just now the leader of scouts caught sight of prey human, yes a treat humans always tasted best though the last one had been debatable. They could see him down on the ground sitting on the lip the could hear another in the metal container screaming and pouding away. Time to feed, time to capture.

Derek sat calmly on the lid of the dumpster listening to Donny pound away on the plastic cover trying to get him off. He could see them even as they tried to hide themselves in the shadows , something about them sparked something inside of Derek. As they came closer he could make them out they had fangs massive almost a foot long fangs unable to be hidden by the skin which seemed to be pulled far to tight on there faces. "Donny I know you can hear me do me a favor stay quiet and in the dumpster trust me I'm saving you life." They had wings long leathery wings formed from the webbing of there overly long fingers.

The leader of the troop hissed as it landed on the roof of one of warehouses that formed the alleyway folding it's webbed hands around it like a cloak to protect from the cold. The prey could see them while it wasn't the first time it still made them angry it took away from the ambush. The other two came down there finger shrinking the webbing peeling away leaving them to crawl on all fours as they dug claws into the sides of the building crawling along it.

Derek clench his fist placing himself in fighting stance trying to watch the three creatures. "Easy does it." The first creature behind him howling it's mouth open wide fangs extending a full two foot spinning around he round housed the creature as the second lept on his back forcing him into a roll. Bighting down on his jaw he held back a scream of agony as he felt a pair of fang dig into his shoulder. Fighting with all his strength with the creature on his back he stood only for the first come at him from the front sinking it's fangs into his other shoulder. Roaring out a belt formed on his waist at it's center a red turbine began to spin.

Something was wrong even there stronger prey would go do either because of the draining or the venom that would paralyze them but, this new prey was fighting. The two creatures also realized that something was wrong the venom wasn't working the prey's blood it tastes like liquid fire scorching there throats and his body was changing.

"Get off!" Derek body was bathed in bright light searing the creatures eyes with it's brightness. With sheer force of will grabbed the creatures by their throat with his white gloved hands before tossing them into the side of the dumpster imprinting there bodies into it. The gapping gashes in his shoulders where covered over by a black body suit his chest armored in green segments.

The leader of the scout party screeched seeing the grasshopper styled figure that had been prey for them. Spreading it's winged hands it let out a gargling hiss watching as blue eyes looked up at as it dived down to kill this prey.

It's attack path was obvious as the nose on someone's face there was no changing course there was only attack. That was mistake cart wheeling the now armored Derek smashed his booted heel into the creature face bringing it smashing into the ground caving it's face in with the sheer force of the blow. Spinning on his finger tips Derek stood his back to creature as it's body bubbled up like balloon exploding.

The two creatures that where still alive crawled on there hands and knees there fingers extending the webbing forming once more. They weren't stupid by no means the leader of there troop had just been slain by this prey. They knew enough that if the prey realized they where still around they would be next to be executed taking flight they quickly rose into the air.

Derek spun around just as they took to the air his crimson scarf swaying as he did. "Oh no you don't." He didn't take time to think about the distortion in his voice as he dug a divot into the side of the dumpster leaping off it. His flight took him over the first of the two creatures landing on it's back he kicked off of it rupturing it in half causing it explode midair projecting him farther up. Placing his booted legs together he began to rapidly spin like a drill driving his feet into the last creature's face drilling right down the middle before digging into the watching as the creature exploded in the air. "End"

Donny was scared very scared to poin the had already released the contents of his bows into his shorts easily when he felt the dumpster's position shift a body shaped dent in it's side. Then he heard that weird electronic voice screaming outside now he couldn't even see. Before panic could set in he kicked at the lid with each failed kick his terror built. With the effort he finally shattered the lid into opening allowing him to crawl out. What he saw scared him more than anything because Derek was standing in the middle of a rain of flames two gapping holes in each shoulder which where quickly scarring over.

Derek smiled as he turned back to Donny the clawed and torn shirt just hanging off his body. "Excuse me while I pass out from pain."

Donny watched as Derek's face turned contorted into grimace before his body crashed face first into the pavement. "D, D, wake up! What the hell happened out there." Reaching down Donny felt Derek's fevered head. "Shit!" Hooking his arms under Derek's he tried to haul him across the ground only to discover that Derek was far heavier than he looked.

00oo00oo00

Claire was tired she could admit that but, it wasn't the first time she had gone without sleep. She could go a lot longer without sleep than humans that didn't mean though that she didn't tired. There it was again that smell like tanned leather and glycerol place in a blender. The smell was old and mostly gone again which in other words meant that the trail had gone cold. "Damn it."

Climbing out of the rat hole of a condemned building Claire once again took out the map. "Location four a bust." Taking out a felt tip marker she placed and x over the location. "This was where the Doggirl had been found. Reaching between her breasts Claire took out the photo of the Doggirl she had been where a collar around her neck. "The other attacks might have been ferals but, she had a master. Which means." Quickly putting the photo away she slammed her fist into her palm. "The tamer registry! I need a way to narrow down the search though."

With speed and strength imparted to her by genetic engineering that created all pokegirls Claire bound her way to nearest pokegirl clinic. With her speed it didn't take her long to end up a large three story building. Mounted between the two uppermost windows was a large red and white circle the two half divided by a grey line with a another circle at it's center. As she approached the entrance she could see a bronze plaque beside the doors EST: 162 AS.

As she made her way into the building she was greeted by the Inguene that had placed on duty. It wasn't long before Claire pulled her weight as an officer and was given access to the Tamer data base which included all humans that owned pokegirls in the league. With a few strokes of the key she had managed to narrow the list down to a few hundred who currently had registered Doggirls on file. "Still to many for me to do anything with."

Curious the inguene put the tamer's test that where due to be taken soon away in a filing cabinet. "What are you looking for?"

Claire tapped her fingers on the table that the bulky terminal rested. "I'm trying to get a list of current pokegirl owners who have owned a Doggirl at any time."

"Just Doggirls?" When Claire nodded the Inguene walked up to the keyboard and selected the option of owners who currently had Doggirls. "Still to many 142 tamers, pet owners, watchers, and Cooridinators currently have Doggirls."

Claire nodded. "Yeah, still to many to list, wait why not three or less girls?"

"I could." Typing on the keys once more the the numbers went down. "76 entries I could try something else." Claire nodded again. "Let's try narrowing down the cities" Queuing Sapphron, Fight, and Celaboner the list shrank considerably. "24."

"Print it I have a way to narrow it down at the office." Claire leaned back in the chair closing her eyes listening to the sound of the printer rolling up each sheet of paper into a tight stack. "something just something."

"Finished!" The inguene announced proudly as she tore the paper only the seam handing to Claire.

With print out in hand Claire thanked her before heading to the office. Even as she began to run she noticed a set of expolsens in the warehouse district. "what the, he's there!" Folding up the paper Claire made her way to the warehouse district.

As she arrived what she saw did nothing to help her mood as she saw Donny dragging Derek down the alley even as she smelt that smell again this time it was fresh. All of that slipped by even as her anger flared up coating her body in a heat arura. Jerking Donny by the neck she hauled him high over her head. "All trash what did you do to him!" Then the smell hit her like a ton of bricks. "Did you piss yourself and crap your pants?"

Donny was scared shitless which all things considered wasn't saying much he'd seen some scary angry girls in his life a gun happy Mini-top, a pissed off Nurse joy, a sour Boobisaur but, none of that compared to a fully evolved Denmother about to light him on fire. "Nothin!" franticly he tripped over his own words beads of sweat seeping into his clothes. "He tossed me in a dumpster then he passed out I swear! Don't kill me!"

Claire growled and tossed Donny down the alley causing him to howl in pain as the pavement scraped against his back. She didn't care as she walked over to Derek picking him up. "I better not see your face again trash or you're going to learn what garbage feels like." Picking up her master Claire cradled the sleeping form in her arms all thoughts of going down to the station wisped away.

Donny crawled up off the ground watching slightly shocked as the Denmother coddled Derek in her arms. Part of him wanted to be envious Denmother's where considered very powerful and to see one act like a love struck Growlie. Another part wanted to go to police and tell them he was attacked but, he knew that at some point Derek would come down on him hard. Making his choice he limped off favoring his leg.

Donny walked through the maze of warehouses till him came to a stack of pallets low enough for him to work. Raising his leg he saw area where the wood staple had been partially driven in. "Damn him." Working his finger in he slowly pulled the staple out wincing with every tug."

"you smell like piss and shit."

Donny head shot up like lightning, he didn't know that voice turning his eyes then his head Donny came face to one the beautiful sights in his life. She was lusterious as the pale bright moon in a black wedding dress her neck seemed to go on forever. 'Aint you a the most gorgeous piece of ass I've seen."

At speed that almost seemed impossible the woman had cleared the few dozen feet between them and wrapped her fingers around his throat heaving him into the air. "I have one simple question rat who killed my children."

Donny had one thought at that moment he could only wonder what it was with people and heaving him up by his throat what did he do so bad that warranted so many choke lifts. "Lady I don't know fuck!"

The woman smiled revealing her shiny vampiric teeth. "I will ask one more time, who was it that killed my children."

Donny once again realized how crappy his life was as he looked down at the Vampire that held him aloft. She had asked him what had killed her children while he didn't know outright who had done the dead he really wanted a change of pants and could make an educated guess. "Derek, Derek Greymore."

"Good boy." Instead of dropping Donny the vampire eased him back onto the ground. "Aside from the smell you have a strong pulse." Gently stroke his neck she could feel his breathing catch even as she leaned in before he could bolt she sank her fangs into his neck.

Donny's entire body went ridged as pain rocketed up his spine then down it then back up, he could feel his blood being drawn out his heart rate increase as he began to panic. His throat seizing up, his vision blurring the world became drown in a sea of red.

The vampire removed her fangs from his throat licking that last few drops of blood from her lips she could already see the yellowing of the skin around the twin bight marks the foaming at holes "now be a good boy." Taking his still convulsing body she tossed him into the running sewage..

00oo00oo00

Morning came as it always did light pouring in from the windows causing Derek to curl up in the sheets surrounding him body. Sheets and a bed there was something wrong with that all Derek had was a mattress with a single tattered quilt he had hand sown. Peeking out from the sheets letting his eyes adjust he found himself in an all to familiar room. "mmm…Claire's room, and it's morning."

Claire walked into her private apartment seeing him curled up at the center of the bed annoyed that he was around. She couldn't help but, giggle at the sight of him all curled up like that. "You look like a caterpillar"

Derek hearing her giggle and comment twitched inside the sheets at the center of the bed. "I resemble that remark." Taking another glance around he faced her again. "Not that I'm complaining about the view," He was staring directly at her chest. "Don't you think that bringing me here was something of a bad idea. Especially if a league inspector pops in?"

Claire rolled her eyes placing her arms under her breast pushing them up watching as his eyes moved up following the actions. "I know the risks, and you're worth it." Sitting down on the bed Claire suppressed a giggle as he moved on his knees next to her still wrapped in the blanket. "I need to know master," She could hear him sigh leaning his head on her shoulder. "What happened in that back between those warehouses."

Derek knew the question had been coming he didn't want to answer not even Claire knew what he could do. Take a deep breathe he gathered his thoughts sitting up he began to explain what had happened. He could see the growing shock in her face with each word that spilled from his mouth. "Well?"

Claire brain locked up she couldn't believe what she was hearing if he had been some stranger she didn't know she would have called him a liar. If she hadn't known his blood curses and gifts she would have said he had monster out. Now things where beginning to sink up his increased body weight in comparison to his actual size. His faster than any normal humans reflexes and hand eye coordination. If all the other people that where kidnapped where like him it wasn't any wonder that they where being taken. All of that though didn't add up to current mystery though. "What where those creatures that attacked you, they weren't pokegirls from the way you describe them."

"you took that better than expected."

"I'm still processing, now answer the question."

Derek nodded collecting his thoughts. "If I had to guess from the way they exploded that they where Cyborgs."

"A scouting party." Claire stood up and beginning to pace the room ignoring the fact that he was staring at her chest. "If they where only scouting party that means they have a leader or at least someone who created them. I need to head down to the station." Walking toward her door she placed a hand on the handle before looking at him. "I would tell you to stay here and stay safe but, you won't listen to me will you?"

Derek smirked. "you couldn't stop me,"

Claire unlocked her room door. "At least get something to eat before you head out. Your clothes are in the top drawer of the dresser." Opening the Door Claire walked out closing the door behind her.

Derek slid off the bed unwrapping himself from the sheets before walking into the bathroom to examine his shoulder where the bat creatures had torn into his shoulders. "Not even a scar." Rolling his fully healed shoulder he grabbed onto the sink. "What am I anyway? Who am I kidding I'm a freak even among freaks. Maybe Claire's right. I should become a tamer."

After taking a shower and getting cleaned up Derek opened up the top drawer of the dresser. "She knows me to well." Taking out the dark green shirt he slid it on followed by the black jeans. Joining the outfit was a pair of steel toe boots and black leather jacket which he half zipped up. Taking out the dark red beret he placed it on his head followed by putting on a pair of black fingerless biker gloves. With the ensemble complete he tipped his hat slightly. "Time to move."

00oo00oo00

So the day went Claire went to office using the records at the department she managed to narrow the list of pokegirl owners with Doggirls cross reverencing it with people who had gone missing recently. Narrowing down the list to scant three she proceeded into the city to ask around. While Derek made his way through the city asking about creatures that had been spotted late at night. Another persons fate soon became tied to there's as Johnny made his way to the church in order to get a blessing as his first contest was in three days.

Claire entered the office ignoring all else as she approached the missing persons office run by someone she would rather not deal with. Forcing the door open she found him using his night stick to beat his Jenny in the face "Jericho!"

Jericho quickly looked away from his handy work toward a very annoyed Claire. "Mother? What the hell do you want."

"Gretchen, go fetch us some coffee black." The Jenny in question nodded at Claire before making her way out of the office hiding her bruised cheek behind her hair.

Jericho growled as he dropped down onto his chair in the missing persons office. "What the fuck do you think you're doing ordering my bitch around." Taking his night club tapped it against the desk annoyed..

"if wasn't working a case." Claire growled under her breathe before walking up to the filing cabinets rifling through there contents. "I'm cross referencing she shut up and sit down I can still put you over my knee."

Jericho slammed the cabinet shut nearly smashing her fingers with it. "By whose authority do you think you have that you can just waltz in here and do what ever the hell you want." Jericho couldn't give a shit if Claire had given birth to him she was pokegirl and he was human. "Your property and I'm a citizen so explain now or I turn you in for assault and we all know what happens then."

Both mother and son turned there heads as they heard the sound of coughing. "She's in here by my authority." The Commissioner walked into the office. "Any questions can be directed at me, Understand officer?" When Jericho nodded he sat down only for the commissioner glared at him forcing him up with just a glare. "Claire has there been a break in case?"

Claire nodded pulling open the filing cabinet again rifling in the files that where arranged alphabetically by last name. "I was looking at the pictures in the file when I noticed that one of the victims was actually wearing a collar."

"In other words she might have had an owner."

At that moment Gretchen returned with two coffees one that Claire took as did the commissioner who noticed that Jericho was glaring at her so he kicked him in the shin shaking his head making Jericho seethe in his own juices. Claire looked at her list of names and the names of those who had gone missing recently. "And if I don't miss my guess one of those missing persons had her as pet." Rifling in the files she came across her matches. "Got it, now if we could just figure out what the connection was."

The commissioner put down his coffee and began to look at the files with Claire while Jericho and Gretchen looked over there shoulders. "Are you seeing this?" He began to point out the listed religion on the missing persons file. "Church of Thousand gods."

Claire nodded seeing the same pattern as well. "And there just so happens to be a near by Church with a new priest in attendance."

The priest smiled as he watched the doors of his church open. "Welcome child, welcome what brings you to this humble house of the gods."

Johnny scratched the back of his neck nervously as he approached the rails surronding the large organ at the rear of the church. "well, I was wonder, if you know, could you give me a blessing." Rubbing his arms Johnny tried to smile. "I mean we have a contest coming up and."

The priest stepped down from dais coming to the same level as Johnny before putting his hand on his shoulder. "now, now child you don't have to ask you already have it." A evil twisted smile seeped across the priests face. "Now if I may ask where is your partner in this endeavor."

"oh Yeah!" Johnny reached onto his belt pulling off the softball sized pokeball containing his partner. "She's right here should I, well, should I release her?"

The Priest grabbed at Johnny's wrist rather harshly. "Why child there is no need for you to release her." His grip was like death warmed over cold and harsh to the touch. "You both have my blessing in this matter and I wish you well in all things."

Johnny rubbed his wrist as the Priest released his hand. "Thanks," Turning away from the Priest he began to walk away and toward the exit. "I think." Taking Gwen's ball he turned it over before placing it back on his belt. Just as he was about to reach for the handle of the door he felt a cold clammy hand wrap around his throat from behind.

The Priest smiled as he tenderly rubbed Johnny's neck. "now, child you asked for my blessing correct." Johnny slowly nodded feeling the Priest's nails press to his throat. "Excellent and I am prepared to make you one of my children." He could feel Johnny go stiff as a board as he pierced his neck with his claws. "walk with me child."

Like an obedient child Johnny found himself obeying the words of the priest even as he felt his body racked with pain. He could only comply when he was brought to his knees in front of the organ watching as the priest began to play the instrument the upper part of the keys unfolding to revealing dozns of mechanical arms. Johnny felt a cold chill run down his spine as the armatures began to poke and prod his body.

Even as the priest played the vampire bride came out of the shadows watching with an almost serene smile as the machinery did it's work. "What are we to do about Greymore?"

The Priest still playing his dark tune smiled revealing his fangs once more to the world. "we shall wait my love, for he shall come to us." As his fingers glided across the keys injectors pierced into Johnny's flesh a mechanical arm stripping him of Gwen's ball. "For we are the children of Shocker shall become gods in the world that is to come. Once he has fed on the blood of his own he shall become but, one of our children one of the army that shall rule this world."

"you guys don't dream small do you?" The vampire bride quickly turned to entrance of the church seeing Derek standing at the entrance. "So is there a way to reverse the process?"

The priest chuckled as he finished his playing Johnny having fully transformed into a creature like the ones that attacked him earlier. "why yes," Standing up he watched as the sun lowered behind Derek. "If you can get through our children." Snapping his fingers they dropped down from the ceiling the very same creatures that had attacked him in far greater numbers.

Derek placed his palm out to face the creatures. "I know who I am." The belt formed around his waist the turbine spinning rapidly even as the first three leaped toward him from the pews. "I am me." In brilliant flash of light a white gloved hand tore into the creatures destroying them.

The Priest laughed as he saw the smoke clear and the transformed Derek stood in fighting stance one fist clenched the other hand streaked across in a chopping motion. "Hehehe you are one of the lost sheep." Even as the priest walked down the dais his features began to change. "Waiting for the day to rejoin our flock as a future ruler of this world." Even as he spoke his body bulged out becoming more like the other creatures only more muscular and triple the size. "You will either join us willingly or in pieces."

Two of creatures leapt into the air diving down extending there talons out in order to tear into Derek. They wouldn't get the chance as Derek timed his moves perfectly grabbing them both by there faces slamming them hard into the cement floor cracking it in the process. Charging up to the giant bat monster that was the former Priest he ducked down and using his massive leg strength leaped over the monster right in front of the Vampire and the transformed Johnny. "Are you still you?"

Johnny looked up at Derek with his tear caked swollen eyes. "k-k-kill me…"

Derek kneeled down picking up Johnny just as the bat monster was about to smash them both only a jet of flame scorching his back. "Yeah, no there has to be a way to fix this."

Claire popped her neck as she marched into the church with a purpose a aura of red heat was around her body. Her flame thrower causing smoke to curl out from her mouth her eyes smoldering with a rage. "Don't you dare touch him."

"what the hell." The Commissioner stood at the entrance of the church in full body armor wielding a shot gun. From his perspective he saw the giant bat monster wearing a leather belt with a golden buckle facing off against another monster that looked like an insect cradling another bat creature. "What's the hell is going on here."

Derek smirked under his helmet before tossing Johnny at the commissioner who scrambled to catch him. "here you go chief." Derek saluted the officer before focusing on the giant bat monster. "Shall we dance."

The bat monster spread it's wings. "Deal with the intruders I will take care of this insect!" Diving at Derek he took to air with him clutched in his massive hands. "I will crush you like the insect you are."

The vampire bride hissed as she formed a rapier from her very own blood swinging it back and forth. Claire reached for a small cylinder from her shorts extending it into a night stick igniting it in a coat of flame. "Leave the bitch and her peons to me."

The commissioner twitched as he was left with the transformed Johnny. "What am I supposed to do with this thing?"

"just hold onto it."

The commissioner growled in protest jamming the barrel of his elemental shot gun into the mouth of one of creatures the had dived at him. "Like I get to baby-sit." Pulling the trigger the creatures head exploded into a shower of electrical sparks. "Could be worse I could be doing paper work."

High in the sky Derek found himself struggling to get free from the grip of the bat creature. "Hey big and ugly what's word for someone falling from a couple thousand feet in the air." Derek drew back his leg kicking the creature in gut loosening it's grip.

The bat creature laughed as it shifted it's grip due to being kicked ignoring the pain from Derek's kick. "Death!" Rearing it's arm back he hurled Derek toward the ground with the full force of it's massive arms.

Derek watched as the ground quickly grew closer he needed a way not to die looking to his side he saw the rapidly rising form of one the few high rise building in Sapphron or in Indigo the Silph Co building. Taking his chance he flipped over kicking off the building using his leg strength to propel himself upward.

Just to make sure Derek was going to hit the ground the bat creature dived down rocketing down only to late did he realize that Derek was rising up his boot smashing into his chin sending him in a backwards spiral.

Derek flipped into his kick rotating his body in such a way he came eye to eye with the creature. "Say good night." Using his rotational speed Derek delivered a powerful side kick into the creatures back his leg tearing into the creatures body.

The bat creature howled in pain even as it could feel it's body exploding it managed to spew out it's venomous voice. "You are nothing."

Derek landed on the roof of a near by building's gargoyle his scarf flapping in the wind as he watched the creature melt into a fireball repeating it's venomous words. Below unknown to him a Cameragirl and her tamer flashed a photo of him as he watched the fire fall and fade.

00oo00oo00

Derek watched and whistled as Johnny and Gwen performed on the field created for the coordinator contest . Beside him Claire was holding a news paper with a picture of transformed Derek with the headline of a mysterious pokegirl spotted in the city skyline a new menace. Turning his head Derek smiled. "I hit the news stands."

Claire rolled her eyes at him before turning her attention back to contest which had moved on to it's next stage. "If it weren't for that anti-toxin inside that machine Johnny would have been driven insane and after 24 hours been stuck as one of those creatures. After the Anti-toxin was administered the Commissioner had went back to the church and found it burnt down."

Derek shrugged his shoulders having no clue what had happened to church. "Wasn't me, I went home to get some sleep." Leaning back in his chair Derek grew curious. "what ever happened to that Vampire?"

Claire smirked. "Trust me that's one bitch I'm glad that got the level five treatment." Leaning back she began to play with his hair. "She was shipped off to Ruby where I'm sure she'll make a fine trophy for someone. That reminds me, how did you know to go to that church I sure didn't tell you."

Derek grinned letting her play with his hair. "Oh I asked around about any strange things going on. Got told that people who where going to that church where disappearing so I figured I'd look into it and bam I caught the guy gloating of all things." Getting a semi-somber look on his face he looked up into the sky. "I've been thinking, and well, I'm going to take the tamers test."

Claire tickled the back of his neck. "About damn time master."

00oo00oo00

Tamer: Derek Greymore

Age: 18

Rank: N/A

Harem: N/A