Full Moon High

Chapter 24: Cold Heart of Ice pt. 1

Darkness. All was dark. But then came snowflakes shaking down, bringing light to the darkness. And more color and motions followed, as a petit figure danced in a dress along the ice. A beautiful short-haired but a long braided ponytailed platinum blonde Caucasian girl dressed in a white shoulderless and backless gown was gracefully spinning around in the snow. A light shined down upon the figure, lighting up the stage before her. But when the light pulled back, it revealed she was just a figurine in a music box snow globe.

"This is how I shall always remember you," a droned voice spoke up, sounding like a young Darth Vader voice of sorts as a black gloved hand with a metallic back and finger tips carefully held the snow globe, as well as another hand gently caressing the glass, fearing they might break it. "Surrounded by winter and snow, dancing in it, making the white and darkness come alive. Forever young, beautiful, and alive. A beacon to my former life. A foolish promise of a future for you."

The hand that caressed the glass then pulled back, as it clenched into a tightened fist, as he breathed out, "Rest well, my cherished one." The voice trailed to a being hidden in the shadows, as he spoke up, "The monster who took you from me will soon learn that Revenge is a dish…" and then two red glowing eyes opened, and then shrunk into redden pupils, as he hissed, "… best served cold."

Late That Night

Eco-Corp

Eastern Warehouse

Eco-Corp, or more commonly entitled "The People Company" was devoted to helping humanity for anything whether it was for a new food supply, a new way of living or for preparing humanity for the colonization of Mars. Owned by the youngest of the heirs, Ferris Stagg, he ensured the company flourished in its business to help others. Next to Bio-Tech, Eco-Corp was its parallel twin. And like Bio-Tech, it had its run of the mill criminal break-ins. Which was happening right now.

Before the guards could act on it, a giant armored truck charged in, smashing through the gates. As they drove on in, two police cars were chasing after them. As they chased them, the driver looked at the rear-view window and saw the cops chasing after them. The driver called out, "We've got company, boss!"

"Keep your mind on your business," the droned voice of the red-eyed man spoke up, as he stood up in the back. "I'll handle this."

The truck's back door opened, as the figure held out his hands out at the approaching cars. Suddenly, two blasts of ice shot at the two vehicles, flash-freezing the vehicles in place. They swerved on the streets, until they crashed into a few beams around the place, as the car continued their pursuit. Not far from the location, two figures looked up on the rooftop, and sped off for the vehicle.

It sped towards the doors of the building, until finally, it crashed through, skidding ot a halt in the middle of the warehouse, as the men all got out, including a strange figure.

The man appeared to be of his 20s, possibly late twenties, medium but thin build of sorts. But his whole body was covered in black, light gray armor, with light blue glowing dials on his back spine, shoulders, elbow and knee joints, ankles, belt region, and ab section with tubes making up the abs. In his palms were light blue dial ports. From his neck to nose, he had a neck mask on, with glowing blue dials on his ears, and his mouth was a vented respirator mask. The only flesh that was shown was from his head to eyes, which were covered in black goggles and had red lenses with active computer details on it. His hair was ice white, and his skin was ice blue… which was odd though.

He looked to the warmly-dressed thugs, and called out, "Load the canisters of Liquid Nitrogen. Quickly, before a full force comes in."

The juvenile goons ran quickly, as they started loading barrel canisters of the said chemical onto the van, while the mysterious armored figure watched on standby. Two guards in the station office rushed to get their guns, as they saw what was going on. They were running to the door, until the door was suddenly blasted with a cold blast, freezing the door in place, as well as creating a barricade of ice on it.

The ice suit man ceased his freeze on them, as he turned to his cohorts, as he asked, "Are you done?"

They loaded one of the last of the barrels, as the ring leader spoke up, "Just a few more barrels, and we're good…"

Suddenly, two pipes being thrown at two of the thugs, knocked the canisters out of their hands. They all turned as two yellow and black blurs shot down, and landed on the roof of the van. It was none other than Queen and Scar, as Queen was crouched down on the roof, while Scar pulled out two metal batons from his back, preparing for battle.

Queen shot her finger out, as she demanded, "Freeze!"

"That's Sub-Zero to you, monster," the figure, now revealed to be Sub-Zero, proclaimed, as he held his palms out to them.

Suddenly, ice blasts shot at the two, which they quickly dodged out of the way. Once Scar landed on the next end, he threw one of his batons at him. But Sub-Zero shot his palm out, shooting a blast at the projectile. The baton froze in the air, with the speed slowing down as it clanked on the ground nearly two feet from Sub-Zero's boots.

The ice-wielding villain looked at the male werewolf, as he stated, "This is a personal vendetta. It doesn't concern any of you."

"It does when it's breaking and entering," Queen stated, as she charged at him again.

Sub-Zero's eyes narrowed angrily, as he shot out, "Since you ally yourselves with my enemy, you've sealed your fate."

Sub-Zero shot ice blasts at her from left to right, while she easily dodged or jumped over them. Scar pounced right at him, blindsiding him with a punch, disorienting himself long enough. However, the metallic suited ice man regained his footing, as Queen delivered a powerful jump kick at him, sending him skidding into a wall. The Ice Man managed to get back onto his feet, as he shot an 'icy' glare at the two running werewolves at him. He charged his palms, and then clammed them together over his head, causing a massive blast of cold that enveloped the room. Once it was done and over, the whole room looked like it was an outside winter wonderland that had been converted into a massive kitchen freezer.

"Exercise will keep you warm for so long" Sub-Zero taunted.

The wolves attempted to charge him again, but the cold criminal slammed his fists into the ground. This created massive and sharp ice stalagmites to try and skewer them, as they suddenly shot out of the ground closing in on them like daggers. They both landed, but Queen was noticing it beforehand. The cold was penetrating their fur coats, as she started to feel cold chills and hot sweat. Indications that they would soon slow down to the massive cold.

Even Sub-Zero was taking notice of it, as he walked towards them both. "Slowing aren't we? That would be the hypothermia setting in." Scar noticed Queen was weakening, as he gently grabbed her and led her back, as the Ice Man still approached. "We all know the symptoms all too well. Reaction times slow down, reflexes become sluggish. Hallucinations, lack of consciousness… and then the Big Chill."

And then suddenly, he shot a powerful blast at the two, entrapping them in ice, as it got thicker and thicker. The ice grew until it shattered the roof, causing it to fall around the ice, as Sub-Zero finished as the ice finished forming. He walked back to the van, as the crew was done with what it was that they did. He stepped in, and looked back at the ice block, as he muttered, "Have an ice evening. Unless you both catch your death of cold."

He then closed the door behind, as the van drove out of there before anything else could happen.

Deep in the ice ball, Ashley managed to shake herself awake, shaking of all the cold and tired. "Ugh, now I know why they call him Sub-Zero," she groaned as she rubbed the back of her neck. She blinked as she looked around, simply to find Scar, "Scar? Scar?! Derek?"

She spotted him, down and out on the ground, in human form. Apparently he had taken the brunt of the attack, hitting his head hard, as he looked pretty down and out. Realizing in his human form, he would freeze to death, despite his healing abilities. She crawled to him, as she gently shook him, as she tried to wake him, "Derek? Are you…?"

"Nnnnno tttttime. Gggggget us out..." Derek weakly spoke out, as he began to pass out.

Ashley, realizing the situation, snapped out of her shock, "Right!" she immediately hopped up onto her feet, and used what lighting she could create to break herself and Derek free. She shot a massive bolt through the ice, melting a semi-perfect tunnelway big enough for them to crawl through. She then went for Derek, as she scooped him up by his arm, having him lean on her.

"Just hang on, Derek!" Derek didn't respond but he was still shivering and barely conscious. "I'm not about to let you freeze to death after you saved me."

She managed to carry him out of the ice cave far enough to get some warmth. Once she got outside and far away from the scene into the forest, she saw that Derek had fallen asleep.

She gently laid him down, and shook him, "Come on, Derek! Wake up!" But it didn't work. She gently pulled him against a tree, and looked at him determined. "I'm not about to let you die, Derek. I won't let you. Not after you saved someone like me."

She then pulled off his shirt and backpack, exposing his top naked. She then undid the threat lines of her front top, undid her belt around her waist, arms, and legs, stripping down, until she was completely naked. She then transformed back into wolf form, and gently rested on his chest, trying to use her body warmth along with her fur and electricity to warm him up again.

She gently cradled his face on her chest, and looked down at his unconscious form. She had a sad look on her face, as she silently confessed to him while he wasn't awake, "You know, I've made so many mistakes, choosing popularity over my friends, getting involved with jerks like Roland," and then sniffled a little, as she smiled sadly, "… and yet you chose to put yourself at risk for me." She gently brushed a strand of hair on his face with her white furred claws, as she rested her face to his, whispering, "Come on, Derek. Don't die, please."

An Hour Later

After an hour from the assault at the factory, Derek began to stir awake. "Urgh, where am I?"

He groggily looked up, seeing the starry sky in the forest. He then gazed back at the factory warehouse, and saw the police force surveying the scene. It was then that it all came flashing back to the fight where that ice lunatic knocked him out and encased him in an ice cave. It was also along with Ashely, as he suddenly awoke.

"Ashley-"He tried to get up, but felt something weighing him down next to the tree, as well as on his lap. "Hey, why is my chest heavy?" He looked down to see Ashley asleep, human, and bare naked on him, with her breasts used as a pillow for him.

He looked stunned to say the least on that, as he gulped, but noticed her still frame. The moon wasn't full but the light on her hair shined, making her rather… pretty. 'She got us out of there. Maybe she's not just some popular girl,' Derek thought, as he looked at her face. She seemed totally at ease on him and relaxed.

'She's actually kinda cute like this,' Derek thought, as he gained a small blush and then a surprised look as that came to realization. 'Wait, where did that come from?' He shook his head, snapping out of it as he thought sternly. 'Now's not the time for this.' He gently shook her to wake her up, "Ashley, wake up. We've got an ice man to stop."

Ashely started to wake up, allowing a cute moan to escape her mouth, causing Derek to blush again. She stirred awake, as she blinked, "Derek? What?" She had a sleepy but confused face until she remembered everything. She suddenly got up, hugging him to ensure he was alright, "Oh thank God. I was worried when you were out and cold." She then pulled away from the hug, and looked at his flustered face in concern, "Derek! Are you all right?"

Desperate to hide his blushing face, Derek transformed back into a werewolf, as he gently stood up along with her, "Yeah, thanks to you. It's already been an hour and this Sub-Zero guy got away. We'll have to tell the others about this." But then he looked down at her for a moment, but turned away, "Also you may want to go wolf again. Or at least get dressed."

Ashley had a confused look until she realized she was human again… and completely naked, as she covered herself in embarrassment. She noticed that Derek was still staring at her, until she flipped out with a high kick, "Don't look for crying out loud!" Derek was in a daze on the ground from the kick, as she immediately got dressed, and transformed. But she stopped once she was fully dressed, as she realized she knocked Derek out cold again, "Oh dear."

The Next Morning

Norwest Estate

Grande Study

After the events from last night, the next morning, the entire pack met up at Norwest Estate's Study Hall. Mostly because they didn't have a secret hideout or a lair of their own, like a batcave or fortress of solitude, this or Talbot Hall were the best place to go. The library was huge in the main mansion, as there were a lot of shelves to house even the biggest piles of books to come. Apparently, Mr. Norwest loved his American literature as well as foreign and long lost text. Though it was daytime, so the place was pretty much empty, allowing the six to talk amongst themselves on the objective at hand: the Ice Man.

Peter thought about it, as he asked, "So this Ice guy, Sub-Zero…"

"Lamest name for an Ice villain," Mikey pointed out. This earned a row of stares from him, and a confused one from Kylie, as Mikey shrugged, "What? I think the name Sub-Zero's kinda lame; it's been used, and it'll give the wrong impression that everyone will think he's a hero instead of a villain."

Everyone just stared for a few seconds, but snapped out of it, as Peter went over just to make sure he heard right, "This Sub-Zero's got some vendetta?"

"He seemed pretty determined if he was willing to kill us," Derek pointed out, while hiding the embarrassing moment between him and Ashley, whom they didn't bother to tell or talk to each other about.

Currently, Ashley had a newspaper on the table, as she pointed something out, "Lately, several Eco-Corp labs have been broken into. Different locations, and different items were taken. At first, I thought these items were just random equipment that didn't have any kind of significance."

Maria then asked, "And now…?"

"Separate, they're not much, but when you bring them together in the correct configuration…" Ashely explained, as she concluded. "A source I have at Bio-Tech explained that they combine to create a cannon capable of generating intense cold."

They all looked in shock at that, as Kylie chimed in, "A giant Freeze Cannon. Now that's cold."

They all stopped, as they looked to her, as Derek arched an eyebrow, "Ice puns? Really?"

Kylie shrugged, "Hey, Mikey's not the only comedian in this group. That and I figured we needed the pun once in a while."

"But who's the target," Peter asked. "I mean, I know they've targeted Eco-Corp, but I doubt they have a whole grudge against the company."

"I wouldn't be surprised if they were," Ashley confessed, as this got everyone's attention. "Although, the company's heir, Ferris Stagg, might be a more accurate target."

Peter seemed stumped on that, as he asked to confirm, "But I thought he was getting that Humanitarian of the Year award?"

Ashley groaned, as she folded her arms around her head, and crashed into the said table. The others looked to each other, but Derek had to ask, "Someone mind telling me what's going on?"

"Ever since Roland and she broke up, her dad tried setting them up together," Maria explained, as she reached over to calmly comfort her friend. "To say the least… he bugs the hell out of her."

"Bugs? BUGS?!" Ashley shot up, glaring at all of them in anger. "He's a downright, egotistical monster! How dare someone like him get a Humanitarian Award at all! If I weren't a werewolf, I'd say he wasn't a human!"

Peter blinked, "Is he that bad?"

Ashley sighed, as she rubbed her forehead, "Bad is hardly the word to describe him, Peter. He's barely tolerable, utterly detestable. He has no sympathy for anyone except himself."

Knock Knock

Everyone stopped the conversation, as they heard the door open, and a young maid walked in, pushing in a snack tray. She was a young Caucasian lady of sixteen much like the other girls present, with purple short cut hair that touched her shoulders, with orange colored eyes, and a smile that would make any man melt; she was slender with a C-cup chest, and wore a rather well made maid outfit uniform.

She pulled up to everyone, as she greeted them, "Hello. You must be Lady Ashley's friends. I'm Megan Onsen; Lady Ashley's personal maid. I figured you all could use some snacks."

They all took a snack or two, as well as some beverages, she provided while they said their thanks to Megan, to which she smiled and nodded to them, "You're welcome. You'll all need to keep your strength up with all that night work you do now."

before anyone could eat or drink, they stopped at what Megan said, as they try to hide their surprise. While Ashley had an expression of dread as she knew what Megan was referring to. Derek kept his cool but looked in Ashley's direction, to which she noticed, as he seemed pretty annoyed, 'She didn't...'

Peter, on the other hand, was sweating up a storm, as he thought, 'Okay, don't panic. She may be referring to something completely different.' Clearing his throat, and wiping his brow, he nodded up a story, "Yes. I mean we all do a lot of homework at night after school. We all thought of getting together as a study group."

Mikey nodded, "Just call us the Breakfast and Dinner Club of Shepard High."

"No. I mean when you are all out at night with Lady Ashley," Megan casually replied, still having a smile on her face.

Everyone is shocked even more that they try to hid except for Ashley and Derek who keeps looking at Ashley.

'She didn't,' Derek groaned continuously in his head.

"You mean at night when she's helping her father's charity events and appearing at events with him for support," Kylie asked, the cup of tea shaking in her hands.

Megan, who still had a smile on her face, shook her head, as she calmly and politely replied, "No. I mean when you are all out preventing crimes from occurring."

Everyone was shocked even more as Derek put his hand on his face finally realizing it, 'She did.'

"You mean preventing crimes of fashion while out shopping for the latest styles and preventing bad ones from getting out," Mikey asked, as a nervous smile on his face appeared, as he tried to hide their werewolf night life.

Megan shook her head, as she pondered a moment, "I don't know about that." But then she giddy smiled, as she replied, "But I think the uniform she wears at night looks really good on her. Especially with the tail."

Everyone nervously looked at Ashley, while Derek just looked at her with an annoyed look on his face.

Ashley sighed in defeat, as she slumped her shoulders, as she looked to them, and answered, "Okay, I've been meaning to tell you all, but I wanted to wait until the right time. Megan saw me transform a few nights ago before the Red Lotus incident at the museum."

"What?" Peter asked. "What happened?"

The two girls looked to each other, as they both looked ot the others, and replied at the same time, "Well…"

The Night before the Red Lotus

Megan was walking down the hallway, carrying with her freshly cleaned and pressed dresses on a coat hanger cart. She was pushing to towards her mistress's room, as she stopped at the door. She gently knocked on it, as to prevent from barging in, "Lady Ashley? Are you in there? I brought some clean clothing." No reply, which was strange since Ashley was in her room the whole time after school. She knocked again to be sure, "Lady Ashley?" No answer again, as Megan shrugged, "I guess she's either asleep or she went out." She smirked, "I remember when she tried to sneak out one time."

She quickly placed in a skeleton key to unlock the door, and opened the door, pushing in the cart first. She smiled, as she patted herself on the back, "I wonder what her expression will be when she sees her dresses as so? I think I did pretty well on the dry…"

But as she pulled the cart to the side, and her smile faded to a stunned shocked expression.

For before her, halfway getting dressed in what appeared to be a black and white spandex outfit, was a strange humanoid animal standing on two legs, with yellow and white fur. Ashley had transformed and was halfway getting dressed, with her top part down, while she was currently slipping it on, with her arms slipping in to the arm holes and was about to bring the shoulder straps up to cover her breasts in the V neck line and fasten the string guards… when Megan had entered in.

Ashley currently had a shocked expression on her face, with a twitchy left eye. The two were silent for a moment, until Ashley nervously smiled, and waved at her, "Eheheh… uh, hi?"

"Eh… hi," Megan weakly waved. And then fainted on the floor.

Ashley covered her chest, as she looked down at Megan's fainted form, and sighed, "This is going to be a doozy to explain."

Present

Everyone just groaned in despair on this new info, whole others looked in shock. Though Derek face slapped himself in dumbfound, as he groaned, "Ugh. This is the reason I live alone."

But Megan waved it off, as she calmly put everything in perspective, as she defended, "Oh! No no, it's alright. I'm the only one who knows, so I made sure that anyone else who works here's not aware of it."

Peter folded his arms, as he sighed, "Well, at least you took it better than Mikey did. He screamed his head off, and thought that I ate 'me'."

Mikey shot up, looking offended by that, "Hey! I honestly thought your wolf form was someone else and that it ate you."

Pete smirked, "Yeah, but you freaked out while she fainted. It only shows that she calmly accepted it, while you went nutso the first time you saw me."

Maria looked over to an embarrassed Mikey, and replied, "No wonder you were screaming your head off in the boys locker room that day."

Kylie looked over to Megan and politely asked, "So you're really okay with the whole werewolf thing, as well as the werewolf superhero lifestyle for Ashley?"

Megan nodded, as Ashley defended her, "It's true. When she woke up, she was a bit startled at first, but once she realized it was me, and was more curious than fearful."

Everyone still looked unsure, as Peter asked to confirm, as he looked to Megan, "Are you sure you're all right with knowing this, Megan? I mean, it's a very unique secret."

Megan shook erh head, as she calmly stated, "It's all right." She then smiled at Peter and the others, Besides, it was thanks to all of you that her father's company didn't fall apart when that snake man attacked."

Everyone looks confused except for Maria, as she asked to be certain, "You mean Professor Python, right?"

Megan nodded, but then realized, "Oh, there's something else I was coming over to tell all of you. Mr. Norwest was aware of your friends being over, and wanted to know if they'd like to join the party. Tonight's the night where Mr. Norwest is attending the award for Humanitarian of the Year to Mr. Ferris Stagg."

Ashley sighed, groaning at this, but looked to her maid, exhausted from hearing the news, "Tell him we'd be happy to accept the invite."

But then Peter thought about it, and asked, "Um, is it okay to invite someone who's not here?"

Later That Day

Elsewhere

Somewhere in the dark, a tv screen was showing the Norwest Manor as guests were arriving for the celebration. Among them was a young man of eighteen, Caucasian and slim, wearing a black tuxedo with a purple overcoat, short blonde shiny hair, blue eyes, and a face that showed he was smug with himself. He was Ferris Stagg, the young heir of Eco-Corp.

"And let me say that these robberies at our pharmaceutical warehouses will be looked in, but for now, tonight is the people's night," Ferris Stagg replied, as he walked to the Norwest Estate.

"And there you have it, folks. Words of wisdom from the man who will be receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award," Gumba finished his interview.

Suddenly, the TV that showed the broadcast was blasted with ice, destroying it on the spot. Watching the TV was none other than Sub-Zero, who frowned, as he seethed with dead rage, "Humanity. Compassion. Charity." He got up, as he sighed, blowing ice air from his filters, "Where were those pretty words when she needed to hear them?"

He got up, and walked towards the thugs who assisted him. There, on a truck platform was a massive cannon being constructed, with four glass tubes being connected, and filled with light ice blue chemicals. Sub-Zero stopped seven feet from them, as he demanded a report, "Status?"

"The cannon's nearly completed. We should be ready within the hour," the head goon stated.

"Good," Sub-Zero nodded, as his eyes glowed bright red. "I too have my own good wishes to bestow on Mr. Stagg."

Late that Night

Norwest Manor

The place was packed full as like the night during the auction that helped Peter meet Rose. And once again, the place was packed again, but this time had Peter and the others walking about. The boys were dressed in black tuxedos which were on loaned from the staff, but nevertheless, they looked pretty good. The ones noticeable and among Peter and Mikey were Kylie and Maria.

Maria was wearing a very sexy black dress with no back and showed off her cleavage. The skirt stopped at mid in her thighs with the outer thighs cut up to her hips, and in black heels.

Kylie, was rather stunning, despite the gothic punk style of her dress. Her hair was done in a ponytail with the ribbon at the end of her hair, and it was resting on her right shoulder. She was wearing a black corset dress that showed her cleavage, with a long black skirt with a purple center on it, with black high heels. She also had on black gloves that had no fingers and that stopped at her elbows, but was extended in black net sleeves connecting to the shoulders of her dress, with a black and purple choker around her neck.

Walking among the crowd was Ashley, as she was in a stunning ensemble. She wore a white dress with only a single strap on her left shoulder; it looked like someone had folded it making it an origami dress of sorts, with white shoes. Though some of those who saw her thought she was very attractive.

But she had her eyes on Derek, who looked very handsome in his tuxedo. She walked up to him, as she smiled, "I see you decided to stay after all, Derek."

He didn't turn his eyes away from the crowd, "It was pretty obvious that Sub-Zero's targeting Ferris Stagg. Seeing as he'll be here, I don't have to go and survey all over Eco-Corp for an attack."

She frowned, as she sighed, "You really don't know when to lighten up, do you?"

Derek shook his head a little, "Not when there's a maniac loose out there."

But then she arched an eyebrow, almost interested, as she asked, "So what do you do when you can have some free time?" Derek didn't answer at the moment, but merely turned from her. She sighed, knowing he was ignoring the question, but then smiled as she saw Christie walk into the room.

Christie was wearing a shoulderless red dress with flour petals at the end of her skirt, with ended under her knees. She also wore black pantyhose and red shoes. Her hair was done up into a pony tail, and she wore no glasses. In truth, if he had not remembered she was his friend, Peter would downright fall for her due to how stunningly beautiful she looked at the moment.

She broke away from Derek, and walked to her friend, as she stopped aside from her, to which Christie didn't notice her, as she looped her arm around her, "Christie, glad you could make it."

A little startled by her appearance, Christie seemed a bit out of place, as she confessed, "Well, I wasn't sure if I should have been here at all, I mean…"

"Nonsense," Ashley shook that off. But then smiled, as she saw a familiar face, "Besides… I know someone who's anxious to see you again."

Christie blinked at that, as she asked, "What?"

But then she realized what she meant, as the two stopped at the back of Peter… who turned around, but seemed a bit surprised that Christie made it, as he smiled, "Hey, you made it."

Christie smirked, forgetting feeling out of place, as she nodded, "You look great, Peter. Never pictured you in a tux before."

Peter blushed a little, as he complemented her back, "And… I've never seen you look so pretty… in a dress. This is a first."

Christie felt a little embarrassed at that comment… and flattered, as she blushed and smiled rather giddy. She giggled a little, as she backed away a little, "Oh, hehehehe. Well, um... thank you, Peter..." but then accidentally bumped into someone. She quickly turned around and apologized, "Oh! I'm so sorry. I'm feeling rather… clumsy…"

But she was lost in thought, as she gazed at the one she had bumped into. He was an eighteen year old Caucasian man of average height, with very pale skin, combed black hair to the left, spiking at best, and red eyes, with dark rings under them. He was dressed in a black tuxedo like everyone else, but had a red shirt instead of a white one. Around his neck to where his tie should have been was a plain silver cross with a red gem imbedded through its center. In truth, he looked like a gothic hunk… if Christie fell for him.

But in more likely, she was just stunned by his presence. Though he quickly apologized to her, "Oh, my apologizes. I didn't mean to…"

"Oh no, it was my fault entirely, Mr…."

"Ddraig. Vali Ddraig of Red Clinics," the young man introduced himself to Christie. "And you are?"

Christie smiled, a little on the bashful side, introduced herself, "Christine. Christine Argent."

"Argent," Vali allowed the name to roll on his tongue, as he graciously took her hand. He smiled as he explained, "I believe that's French for 'Silver', am I right?"

"Oui," Christie smiled, as he kissed her hand, as she blushed. "Vous si gentil."

Vali seemed to smile at that, as he complimented, "That's pretty impressive, Miss Argent; you speak very fluent French."

She nodded, "Yeah, but I stink at Hebrew, since I'm Jewish on my grandfather's side."

"Christie," Peter asked, as he caught up to them, but stopped as he noticed Vali. "Oh, hi. You are?"

"Peter, this is Vali Ddraig of Red Clinics," Christie introduced, and then turned to Vali, "And this is my best friend, Peter Talbot."

Peter graciously took his hand, as they shook on their first meeting. Vali nodded to him, "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Talbot."

"Peter, please," Peter asked. "Mr. Talbot's my grandfather."

Vali nodded, but then spoke up on a different subject, "Well, may I ask your opinion on these rumors about… werewolves among Everett?" That question caused the two to go silent on their own reasons. Peter was innerly worried he was found out, but then this Ddraig guy made it even more unbearable, as he asked, "I mean, civil liberties are being trampled on in your city; people living in fear. All because of a pack of wolves that roam the city. They think they're above the law."

Peter pulled his hand back, as he felt insulted on that, but covered it as he stated, "You know, the papers and news criticizing those who think they're above the law is a little hypocritical, wouldn't you say? Considering every time either the police or the fire department save a cat out of a tree, they write or report a puff piece editorial about their actions as minor events, but seemingly debut the actions of urban myths as something majorly important… and a threat to their peace."

Vali merely shrugged, "Most of the world doesn't share your opinion, Mr. Talbot."

Peter finally sighed, as he calmly looked to Vali, liking him less and less now, as he finished, "Maybe it's that a few people who care like me… well, we just have a bad history with people who can't see past a person's appearance and ignore their actions."

The two were silent on the matter, staring each other down, as the two were silently starting to get irked on their own presence. Christie, on the other hand, was looking back and forth, looking worried, as her mind was racing, 'Oh no. Are these guys fighting over me? That's got to be the reason; why else would Peter be staring at this guy like he's gonna kill him, and the same with Ddraig.' She cringed, as she tried to think of a way to stop this fight before it turned into fisticuffs, 'Dammit! What am I gonna do?!'

"Gentlemen!" Someone clapped to get their attention, causing the three to look, as Ferris Stagg stood before them, "Mm, Vali Ddraig meets Peter Talbot. Ah, I love it! I love bringing people together! How are we?" He then reached for Ddraig's hand, as he shook it, "Good to see you again."

"Ferris," Vali shook back. "Congratulations on the Humanitarian of the Year award."

"Well, I haven't received it yet, so it's too soon for congratulations just yet," Ferris smirked, and then turned to Christie and Peter. "Ferris. It's a pleasure to meet you both." He kissed Christie's hand, but once he shook Peter's hand, he pulled back, as he chuckled at Vali, "Ouch. Wow. You have quite a grip there, Mr. Talbot. You should definitely not pick a fight with this person."

Outside

The valet was standing by for the next guest to arrive, but didn't come close to prepare himself as a truck pulled in. the passenger door opened to reveal Sub-Zero, as he got out. The valet calmly held his hand out with a smile, "Keys, sir?"

But Sub-Zero merely looked down at him, his eyes glowed red with anger. The Valet took the hint as he gulped, as he calmly backed away and ran inside. The truck's back opened up, revealing the freeze cannon setting up, as the thugs were gearing it up for the ready. It hummed to life as it glowed blue, as the cannon's nose pointed and aimed for the mansion.

Sub-Zero then looked at the building, as he proclaimed, "If revenge is a dish best served cold, then put on your Sunday finest. It's time to feast!"

Back Inside

Ferris Stagg held the award in his hands, after moments ago he had been graciously awarded it. Standing next to him was Nathan Norwest and Ashley, as they presented him the award. Once he graciously took it, he looked over to everyone, and finally looked to the crowd, as he began his speech. "People caring for people. That is the foundation on which Eco-Corp has been striving to follow in these past few years after my father's retirement," Ferris stated. "That is why Eco-Corp is called the People Company."

A thunderous applause echoed through the ballroom, as they congratulated Mr. Stagg on his achievement. Mikey and Kylie were applauding as well, as Kylie whispered, "Guess this Sub-Zero guy's a no show."

Derek walked up to them, as he asked, "Anything?"

"Not so much as a temperature drop," Mikey replied. But then looked over to Peter, as he saw him and Christie standing side-by-side together, and smirked, "Though it's probably due to all the heat over there."

Derek looked over, and frowned, "I seriously don't like this."

Kylie blinked, as she looked over to him, and asked, "What is with you, Derek? Christie's an okay girl. Sure, we haven't told her about our double lives, but she hasn't…"

Derek shook his head, "It's not her. It's just something about her name that rings a bad memory with me. Argent."

"So it's French for Silver, so what," Mikey asked. He noticed the looks on their faces, as he sighed, "Yes, I know a little bit of French."

At the moment, Maria walked up to them, as she calmly stated, "We should suit up. Right now."

The others blinked, as Kylie asked, "Why? You saw something?"

Maria shook her head, as she breathed out, showing everyone her breath was showing. Which they all knew would only happen when the temperature dropped. It was even noticeable, as the whole place was getting colder and colder. Even Mr. Norwest stated it, as he shivered a little, hugging himself, as did Ashley, as he commented on the microphone, "Brrr. Ah, can someone turn up the heat? It's freezing in here…"

Suddenly, the wall behind them blew up with ice shooting all around, as shards and stalagmites shot, blowing a hole in the wall behind them. Mr. Norwest and his daughter crashed on the ground, as Ashley was getting up, helping her father to his feet. Ferris ran off the stage, as the ice settled down, while the crowds were in a panic. At that moment, thugs with strange packs and guns ran in, shooting out ice beams to freeze the doorways, as fast as they could. And at that moment, while the guards were rushing to the hole in a futile effort to stop whatever was going on, Sub-Zero walked in.

As one of the guards attempted to stop him, he backhanded the guard, sending him flying, and then shot out a blast of ice, freezing not just him, but a few unlucky guests in an arch of ice.

Sub-Zero angrily looked on to the crowd, as he called out, "Bring me. Ferris. Stagg! NOW!"

Next Chapter: Cold Heart of Ice pt. 2

For those of you who didn't take French class, 'Vous si gentil' means 'You are Sweet' in French.