Holy crap. We got a lot of reviews for our first chapter of this. I didn't think it would be as popular as the last one. Many gracious thanks to clairec12344, Ad Hominem Argument, Completely Random Dissorder, daxy, speedfanatic05, Rebellwithoutacause, Queen Sunstar, kitsune, Scorpii, Shadowstorm92, and dana flame princess for reviewing. Really made our day!

Oh, and Shining's kind of been knocked out from the force of another story we were writing. She'll be back soon.

2. Threatening Life

"To hell with that!" Ryan Wolfe roared, hearing Eric Delektorsky's idea for a plan of action against the newly reformed demons outside of the lab. "I can't even get out of my house now because of these powers I got! It's all because Calleigh had to go off and die, playing heroine!" He hit the table, a rush of wind coming from the slap he landed.

Eric sighed and rubbed his head. Ryan was becoming more and more impulsive by the minute, and something told him that it wasn't a good idea to go out into the thick of battle. "Listen, Wolfe," he told him, trying to keep his voice steady. "We're just as worried as you are about this whole mess. It's just… I don't think it's a good idea for us to move on the militia when we're completely outnumbered and H is nowhere to be found."

Ryan snorted. "So you're saying let's all cower behind our boss."

"Boys!"

Alexx Woods and Natalia Boa Vista looked pleadingly at the two men arguing over the newest ideas for going after the darkness. It had only been a few weeks, but the team was falling apart, losing heart to the battle still coming. Natalia's eyes shone with tears as she stared at Ryan. "What has gotten into you?" she asked, holding a piece of cloth on her arm, which was bleeding brown. "Is it really that bad to argue with your allies at a time like this?"

"We're living new lives now," Alexx added, shooting daggers at Eric, who winced. "It's our job to try and protect the world from the evils that befall upon us. I know it's been taking some getting used to, but we have to hold onto faith. It's the only way we'll get out of this mess." She looked out the window. "Besides, Horatio's completely losing it."

Ryan grimaced. "How's that?"

"I saw a silver fox tail shooting out of him when demons arrived this morning on the beach, and the next thing I knew, he was looking at me as if I was his next meal."

Natalia looked aghast. Eric tensed up. "You think he's becoming… one of them?"

"No," she replied firmly. "Horatio's too strong for that."

Ryan growled angrily. "It's all Stetler's fault. That ass should go burn in the deepest pit reserved for bastards."

"Enough swearing, Wolfe!" Eric ordered. He looked around. "Now what?"

"Simple."

The three looked at Natalia, who was still holding her arm.

"We fight them."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Horatio screamed. One of the fox-demons seemed to smile and lick his lips, preparing to pounce on his prey. He never had the chance. Water daggers stabbed right through him. The other creatures howled in dismay at another comrade gone and leapt for the lieutenant, who swept one hand over his body. A large tsunami-like wave swept them away, leaving about thirty demons left.

He doubled over, clutching his sword. The sensation of the tail coming in was bringing utmost pain for the lieutenant as he gritted his teeth and attempted not to scream. What was going on with him? Why was he feeling like this? He didn't ask for this prophecy to come true. He didn't want this sort of thing to ever happen.

'Let go… Horatio.'

That voice… it sounded familiar. He racked his brain for any remembrance of the sound. As he thought more, the pain became harder to resist. He clutched his head, letting go of the weapon, allowing it to disappear. The demons still moved closer. It hurt so much. 'Make it stop,' he thought in desperation. 'Please… just make it stop. Make the pain disappear… please…'

'Never, my friend. It will never go away.'

He screamed harder, louder. The demons growled, licking their lips again. He thought once more, 'Make it stop… let the pain disappear… just make it stop…'

'A little longer. You're tougher than this, Horatio.'

Finally, he screamed, "MAKE THE PAIN STOP, DAMNIT!" He swung his arm out and lashed at one of the foxes, who growled in return. He stood up, his eyes blood-red, and grinned. His nails began to get longer, fox ears appearing. The tail no longer sent pain through him. It was adrenaline. A sort of pain that couldn't ever be painful enough to endure. He beckoned towards the creatures. "Yrt em," he hissed in a raspy tone. "I erad uoy."

The demons obeyed and leapt for Horatio, who slashed out and struck down practically ten of them at once. He grinned and doubled over again, eyes no longer red. They had returned to their normal intense blue, and his moaning began once again. 'What's happening to me?' he though, anguished. 'What am I doing?'

He feared his power was turning into something more. Something that could become a new threatening life for all his friends and family.

Horatio screamed again. And that little voice laughed again. 'I am the last demon there is, Horatio. And I'm going to make you become the very thing you desire… death itself. For I am Rizora. I am your personal demon. I am Stetler's friend and ally.

'I am your only hope for your friends.'

Whoa. Creepy. Well, I hope this was a good chapter. I'm coming out with a CSI: New York version of this soon. In the middle of the story, around Chapter 8, "Martyrs" will be released. Hope you all will go and read that!

Reviews are loved, gang!