Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest or any characters associated with the show. I am not making any money off of this.

The New Dynasty

Chapter 3

Quest Mansion, Maine

An eerie sense of dread seemed to lurk over the occupants of the Quest Mansion; even Bandit did not make a sound. Doctor Quest sat in stoic silence; his own personal demons waking from a dormant sleep that the doctor had hoped would remain hidden for the rest of his life. However, as much as he had tried to hide the past, even passing off the recent deaths of his former colleagues as mere coincidences, it had finally caught up to him. Now he was the last one left and whatever it was that had killed those before him could very well be out there now, heading for him and his family. He had to stop it. On top of the gnawing dread that had suddenly occupied in his heart, another wave of emotions fought for dominance within him; he had lied to Jonny, he had lied to his son. He had always told himself that it was for the best that Jonny not know the true nature of Rachel's death or those that were responsible for it, but a quick glance into his son's crystal blue orbs told Benton that he had made a mistake. Jonny had always had a right to know and now Benton was faced with trying to explain to his son why he had taken that right away from him. Benton could barely look the teenager in the eyes; the guilt and sorrow were too much.

"What do we do now?" Race asked. The sound of his voice slicing through the former stillness broke Benton from his thoughts.

Benton shook his head. He knew how he wanted to proceed, but he was unsure if it would be the right course of action. "Phil, you say have no idea where Zin's daughters are now?"

Phil crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. "No, Doctor, I'm afraid I have no definite information on their whereabouts at this time. What I do know is that they were admitted into the country on false credentials a number of months ago, but they became lost in the system."

"Great job on keeping track of a couple of known criminals." Race mocked.

Phil shot the man a dirty look, obviously unhappy with being accused of any sort of breach in protocol or procedure. "Last I checked, Race, I do not work for the INS. Its not my job to keep track of illegal aliens entering this country and if it was I sure as hell would have sent up some red flags when these two showed up."

"Well…" Race started.

Jessie cut in before the two men could engage in another heated exchange. "Regardless of what happened it seems logical to assume that they are here, in our country, and are somehow involved in these deaths."

Her statement seemed logical and it also had the desired effect of bringing the group back together. She stole a quick look at Jonny and saw that her best friend still appeared to be in a state of shock. Whether or not he had even heard the latest exchange, Jessie could not be certain.

Doctor Quest stood and looked at the group. "We need to act. If Zin's daughters are in fact coming after this family we need to be prepared for whatever it is that they have sent after the others." Here he looked at Corbin. "I want to head back to D.C. with you immediately in order to inspect the crime scene. Has an autopsy already been preformed on Har…Doctor Steinbeck?"

"It's scheduled for later this evening, but I can have it postponed until your arrival if you wish to be present."

Benton nodded his agreement. "Then that is how we will proceed. Phil and I will leave immediately…"

Race shot out of his seat and cut in on the scientist's next statement. Race knew where Benton was headed and he was not about to let this happen. "No way, Benton. If one person in this family leaves then we all leave. If there really is someone out there hunting this family then it makes sense for us all to stay together."

Jonny, finally speaking for the first time since taking in the new information in regards to his mother's murder, added, "Race is right, dad. There's no way you are leaving us behind; not this time. We need to be ready for anything."

Jonny wanted to add that he was ready to make the remaining members of the Zin family pay for his mother's death, but he knew that if he showed his true emotions his father would be watching him like a hawk; and right now Jonny needed to have the leeway to act on a moments notice.

Benton sighed, but knew that there was no point in arguing. "Alright, everyone be ready to leave within the hour. Time is of the essence now."

"Agent Roberts is waiting with the plane at the landing strip a few miles from here." Corbin said. "I'll make sure that he has it ready to go in an hour so we can leave immediately once we arrive at the airstrip."

Without another word, Corbin gathered up the documents he had previously handed to Benton and after securing them all back in his briefcase he headed out the door to make the necessary calls.

"Alright," Benton announced, "Be ready to go in an hour."

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Anaya Zin retrieved the worn, but immaculately preserved text from its secret hiding place in the small house that she and her sister currently occupied. The book was extremely old and heavy and Anaya took great care whenever she handled the ancient text.

The book had been given to Anaya and Melana by their father while on his death bed. Doctor Zin had survived the US airstrike on his secret compound, but he had been severely wounded and his staff of loyal physicians had informed the scientist that he did not have long to live. It was at that time that he summoned his daughters to his side and had informed them of the book that he had found while working on a joint government project decades before. He had told them where he had hidden the text and to what purpose he had used it. Zin informed his daughters of his plans to use the book in his plot to seek revenge on those that he felt had betrayed him throughout his life, however he had never been successful in recreating the rituals that where explained with the pages of the worn document. Zin's daughter had not had a chance to consult with their father again before he succumbed to his wounds and he passed away before they could return to him with the book.

Anger, rage, and fury then took over the two young women and together they had vowed to not only finish what their father had started, but to also pursue their own vengeance against those that were responsible for his ultimate demise.

Blessed with more patience then her sister, Anaya had spent all her time studying the text and learning not only what was contained within, but of the history of the cursed book as well. After numerous unsuccessful attempts at recreating the summoning rituals, Melana had attempted to convince her sister to abandon the book and gain their revenge the old fashioned way. Anaya had resisted and after convincing Melana that this was the way that their father had wanted it to be done, the more venomous of the two finally gave in. Still, Anaya had to keep an eye on her sister in order to prevent her from losing sight again, but once Anaya had successfully completed a summoning ritual and the subsequent death that followed, Melana had been satisfied.

The brutality of the first death had pleased the sisters immensely and they knew that their father would have been pleased as well. It was just unfortunate that Doctor Zin had not been able to use the text to kill his first victim, Rachel Quest. Zin had become impatient and had wanted to hurt Doctor Benton Quest in the most horrific sense imaginable, hence why he had chosen Benton as the final victim. Rachel Quest had died, but not at the hands of those that the book controlled. However, Doctor Zin had ensured that her death was not a pleasant one and the desired outcome, the downfall of Benton Quest had appeared to be a success. However, both Anaya and Melana had kept a close watch on the Doctor and once he overcame his grief for his deceased wife, he went back to the government and started working with them again. Anaya and Melana both believed that he had some involvement in the airstrikes that the US Intelligence agency, Intelligence One, had executed on their home. In the end, it gave the sisters even more reason to ensure that Benton Quest suffered the most brutal and horrific death possible, but not before the rest of those that were close to him were destroyed as well.

Book in hand, Anaya headed out into the chilly fall morning and headed for the small shack at the back of the yard. Upon entering the structure she placed the book down and laid her ceremonial shawl on the dirt floor in front of the hand drawn circle that adorned the majority of the floor space. Next, the young woman went and turned on the air conditioning unit that had been placed in the only window of the shack; it needed to be cold.

Anaya retrieved the book and knelt before the makeshift circle that she had reproduced exactly as the book had described. Opening the text, Anaya delicately found the correct page she needed and studied the text; a few changes were in order for the summoning because this time she would summon the most powerful and deadliest of them all, the ruler of those that she would command.

Anaya smiled at the thought of the coming night.

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Suitcase in hand, Jessie went to Jonny's room and knocked lightly. A barely audible muffle came in response to the knock and Jessie opened the door slowly, peeking inside.

Jonny sat on the edge of his bed, his back to the door. Jessie stepped inside and saw his suitcase sitting on the bed as well, apparently already packed.

"Hey, Jonny, you ready to go?" Jessie asked in a soft and gentle tone.

Jonny's head cocked slightly at the sound of her voice. "Umm, yeah. Sorry, Jess, I thought you were my dad."

Jessie edged around the bed until she could see what Jonny was up to. His shoulders were hunched and his head was low. Jessie could see that he was holding a picture of his mother, Rachel Quest. Jessie inhaled slightly and knew that she had to be strong for her best friend.

"How you doing?" Jessie asked, not really knowing how else to start the conversation.

Jonny shrugged his shoulders in response. "I don't know. I mean when you've been living a lie for so long it's hard to believe anything anymore."

Jessie sat down next to the blonde. "Jonny, I'm sure your dad was only trying to protect you."

Jonny turned to meet Jessie's eyes and the pain and anguish on his face appeared to transform in a manner of seconds. "Protect me? Protect me from what?"

"From Zin." Jessie replied, attempting to apply some reason that Jonny could see.

Jonny snorted in disgust. "He should have told me. I had a right to know." He paused as if he was still trying to organize his thoughts. "And you know what, Jess, he hasn't even told me how she died. How do I know that what he told me before, about her being ill, is true?"

"Jonny, you father is a good man."

"Don't defend him, Jess."

"I'm not. All I'm saying is that he must have had a good reason."

"That's easy for you to say." Jonny shot back.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"At least you still have a mother."

"Jonny, I don't think that is really fair." Jessie retorted; a little shocked at Jonny's tone.

Jonny huffed and stood, walking away from the girl. He shoved the picture into his pocket. "You don't know what its like to be hurt like this."

"Jonny, we all hurt for different reasons. We all have our own problems that we have to face."

Jonny turned back and facing her with a look of disdain he sneered, "Sorry, Jess, I don't buy it. You're little spat with your dad's love life isn't on the same level as this."

Jonny's word hit her harder then a slap in the face. "Jonny, I never tried to compare the two. I'm just trying to help."

"Save it, Jess. I don't need nor do I want your help."

Jessie had heard enough. Jonny was hurting, but that did not give him the right to treat her like he was. "You know what, Jonny, fine. If you want to deal with this on your own then I respect that, but I care about you and want to support you."

Jonny turned his back on her again. "I said I don't need it. Now leave."

Jessie fumed, but she knew that the conversation was over. Without another word she got up and left Jonny's room, slamming the door a little harder then she had anticipated.

Suitcase in hand, Jessie headed down the stairs; hoping for just a few minutes to collect her thoughts. She didn't even have that.

Race stepped into his daughter's path and Jessie could tell by the look on his face that he had not forgotten her behavior from the night before or this morning.

"We need to talk, young lady."

Jessie rolled her eyes visibly at her father. "We don't have time for this, dad."

"Yes we do. We still have a few minutes before we have to leave. You're behavior as of late has been unacceptable and downright disrespectful."

Still hurt by Jonny's refusal to accept her help, Jessie was not in the mood to deal with her father's lectures. "Well, I'm not the only one whose been acting a little disrespectful now am I, dad?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're behavior has been pretty sly lately and I'm not the only one whose recognized that."

Race shook his head, "Do not try to bring my professional life into this discussion."

"Why not, dad? Even your boss saw what you did." Jessie shot back.

"Do not think for a minute, Jessica, that you can use that against me. Frankly that is none of your business."

"How convenient, dad." Jessie spat. "You just dismiss whatever anybody else has to say in regards to what you do if their opinion doesn't please you? Nice try."

Jessie pushed past her father and without a glance back in response to his repeated demands that she not walk away from him, Jessie continued. Heading straight for the door, Jessie only stopped long enough to open the front door, step through, and slam the door behind her.

The cold air hit her body and blew her radiant red hair swirling in the wind. The air was bitter, but it felt better then being inside that house. Right now, Jessie did not want to deal with her father.

Spying the I-1 agent in his car Jessie headed straight for the vehicle. Without being invited she moved to the passenger side of the vehicle, opened the back door, tossed her suitcase inside, closed the door and clambered into the passenger seat.

Corbin was jolted awake by the sound of the car door slamming shut and he glanced at his new passenger with an air of confusion. "Can I help you?" He asked after Jessie sat down and did not say a word.

"Probably not; after all you are a man." Jessie said as she put her seatbelt on and started fiddling with the stereo, making it very apparent that she intended to ride to the airport in this particular vehicle.

"What?" Phil responded. He had known Jessie since she was born. He knew how intelligent she was, but she was also plagued with the combined stubbornness and arrogance of both of her parents.

"What is it with men?" Jessie asked, but Phil did not think she was speaking directly to him. "You try and help and they blow you off. Then just because I'm only sixteen dad things that he can tell me how to act, but then go off and act like a fool himself."

Phil groaned in response to Jessie's outburst and leaned his head on the top of the steering wheel. He had only gotten a couple hours of sleep on the plane and he was still exhausted. The last thing he needed was dealing with a scorned teenage girl, but he knew that getting her out of the car would be an almost impossible task.

"You haven't married again, Phil?" Jessie asked.

Phil wished the girl would just stop talking, but it was no use. He leaned back and looked at the teen; she really did resemble both her father and mother in so many ways.

"No. Why?" Phil muttered.

"Well, if your divorce was any where near like my parents was I'm sure you understand."

"Jessie, if you're mad at your dad for whatever reason, why are you telling me?" Phil pleaded.

Jessie shrugged, "I don't want to bother Doctor Quest, not with all that has just come out, Jonny won't listen, and Hadji is in India and until I get a chance to call my mom you're the only one left."

Phil stared at the teen for a few moments and then leaning his head back against the headrest he groaned under his breath, "Why me?"

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The air grew cold as Anaya recited the chants that were necessary to call forth the creature that would carry out the Zins' horrific plans.

Anaya forced herself to show no signs of fear as the being would surely sense it immediately upon its arrival and feed off of it. Anaya knew that she had to remain fully in control with the being, but just the sight of it could drive the strongest of men completely mad. It was too horrific to describe, but Anaya was determined to remain in control; she could not risk allowing it free reign over her and the world that she was currently bringing it into.

The air grew colder and a faint blue light filled the edges of the summoning circle as Anaya recited the final passages. She could feel its presence approaching and she knew that she had been successful in summoning one of the most powerful and deadliest being that the ancient text had described.

Bowing her head, Anaya felt a rush of bitter air spew forth from the circle and it felt as if her bones had frozen instantly. Before her stood the massive form of the one she had just summoned and she raised her gaze to stare into the creature's massive and deadly maw.

It did not speak in the sense that humans communicate, but Anaya heard its voice inside her head. It spoke in its native tongue, but somehow, just as with the others, Anaya was able to understand.

"Why have you summoned us from out slumber?" The creature demanded.

"I command you now." Anaya spoke out loud, knowing that the being could hear her.

"No one commands me." The being's voice boomed inside of Anaya's head and she unwittingly flinched at the ferocity in its speech. She cringed at the thought of its power and that it wasn't even the most dominant of those described within the evil book.

"I have the text as you can see. I am in control." Anaya retorted, displaying the artifact for the hideous abomination that stood before her to see.

The creature seemed to be contemplating her last words and Anaya watched its fiery red eyes, filled with the fires of Hell itself, with as much control as she could muster.

After a few moments of silence the creature finally spoke again, "What do you wish of me?"

To Be Continued…