Sorry for the wait, a snow storm knocked out my power and with went the internet. Damn storm! Here it is for your enjoyment.

And thank you always for reviews; Maiden Samurai, Valda, Koriand'r Star, Toonman24, Guardian of Azarath, Extremely Sad, Empty-Spaces, Akaaan, Realfanficts, Theo, Chepo, Amsrule


Chapter Twenty-Nine

Aftermath

Isard signaled the beam up and saw the light surround her, leaving one scene to the next with Cyborg's cannon in her hand, everything was going well for now and was wondering whereabouts she should place the cannon under her souvenir collection of her latest victim so far. They disappeared just as a disoriented Lee staggered onto the scene. His dizzying senses forced him to loose his balance and he fell to his knees.

"Nayia," he muttered with as though a rock were stuffed down his throat.

"Lee…" The samurai twisted his head around to see Robin limping up to him. He met him before he could emulate his previous action of collapsing to the ground. Robin used his friend as a momentary support then staggered upright.

"They've taken her again Robin-San." He didn't look up at him. Robin was far too spent from his own battle at the moment. "Nayia, Starfire, and who knows who else…." Robin took a hint from his throbbing legs and sat down on the billowing grass. Truthfully he had no need for Lee to tell him of Starfire's capture, for that was preying most heavily on his mind.

"I know…" Lee cocked his head sideways to better listen.

"You know…what?" Robin closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.

"I know that Starfire was taken." He let his head rest forward. "Because I saw it happen." Lee's brow furrowed. "And I couldn't do a thing about it." His eyes blinked while they were still shut, the event played before him like a movie. Lee closed his eyes also but not as Robin did. He ignored the several points on his body that were in pain in order to mentally scan the grounds.

"There are survivors." Robin looked straight ahead.

"Ours or theirs?"

"Both." Robin staggered to his feet with a painful grunt. He then lent a helping hand to Lee.

"Then we'll probably need Raven and Shandrey…..if they're still alive." Lee bent down and picked up his sword. It gave off a low whistle as he sheathed it. "Come on." With innocent villagers and dangerous operatives alike roaming the valley, Robin and Lee set out to look for survivors.


HIGH ORBIT ABOVE EARTH………………..

Several members of Isard's elite all sat a table in a brightly lit conference room. Shayera and Reed sat on either side of the chair at the head of the table. Icemare, Rhivers, three thus far unnamed vampires, what appeared to the naked eye as a lawyer made up the rest of the company. One such vampire tilted his head back for impatience.

"Where is she?"

"On her way," replied Shayera.

"I have been waiting here for so long my clothes are soon to go out of style."

"Don't be dramatic Eli," said Rhivers with smirk. "That happened centuries ago." There were scattered snickers as Eli narrowed his eyes. Shayera wasn't necessarily past of the Elite but was in fact brought on board against her will. The weight of Isard's leverage constantly tugged at her mind and heart. Before a larger confrontation could erupt between the two men Isard entered. Their voices dropped at the sight of her, as they often did She still appeared slightly spent from her bout of overkill while battling Cyborg. She took her seat at the head of the table and comfortably folded her hands.

"Report." She demanded with an offhand tone. The exhausted vampiress rubbed the space between her eyes. "Someone speak, before I do something terrible."

"The watchtower has been completed to full specifications," said Reed. Isard looked at him rather blankly. His hesitation to continue and the rather large bead of sweat moving down the side of his head gave hint that there was more he was unwilling or afraid to speak up.

"But…" She prompted him nonetheless. He chose his words carefully.

"As you well know construction of the station was contracted through extraterrestrial means, and thus power distribution throughout the tower was built assuming it could be generated in the same manner."

"What's your point Mr. Reed?" asked an increasingly impatient Isard. The recent deep red that had shone in her eyes flared momentarily. He gulped quite noticeably.

"Well-uh-umm-our own forms of generation have proven-er-insufficient..." His voice trailed off when Isard silenced him with a raised hand. She trained her eyes to Rhivers.

"Basically my Lady your tower's built we just can't power it up, completely." She arched a brow. "The xinothium is only able to provide power to select areas, this room being among the few."

"Hence your new assignment," replied Isard. Silence befell the room once again as Isard slipped into thought. "This tower must have full power, and soon. We may consider our struggle against the Dragon and his friends in Valley at rest." They glanced at each other. "For the moment." She noticed the vampire sitting beside the one called Eli shifting about uneasily. "Something troubling you Ian?" He stared back at her with a particularly hard look.

"If we no longer have a purpose in Kitsune Valley why are operatives and drones still occupying it?" Isard began rubbing her eyes again. "Forgive me I just truly do not understand."

"And that's the beauty of it Ian, you don't have to understand to obey. I have my own reason."

"Then perhaps you could enlighten m-"

"SILENCE IAN!" The table shook from Isard's sudden outburst. He held his tongue. It was no surprise to them; Isard was routinely moody after her battle induced transformation. After calming herself she made it clear that he should never question her again with a simple narrowed eyed stare. "The Valley is currently immaterial; in its current condition it's doubtful it will survive for much longer."

"How can you be sure?" asked Icemare as she hung her arm over the backside of her chair.

"They're divided, wounded, and most of all tired. Only a couple hundred left who can use a weapon, the rest are farmers or refugees. In time if I believe it is essential to our final goal we will seize control, but for now we'll shift our attention elsewhere."

"Perhaps Markus, My Lady." Ian's voice dripped with dangerous sarcasm.

"Watch yourself Donovan!" scolded Rhivers. Isard silenced him.

"No no, Ian obviously has qualms with some of my more recent decisions." Eli leered between Ian and Rhivers with an amused snicker. Isard stood up and looked out the window at the billions of distant stars. "It is true now that because Markus is awake ahead of the late Council's schedule we are likely to at some point face his forces."

"Forces that are growing," piped up Reed. "That witch of his will make things all the more difficult." Isard's face, for the first time during the meeting, broke out into a wide grin.

"Then it is fortunate that we have recently acquired a witch of our own. Although I must press upon you, she is a waterbender." Ian looked away with irritation. "If she is to join you as the Elite be sure you do her courtesy of remembering the specifics of her art." They all bowed their heads in turn. "You're all dismissed." They stood and began filing out. "Ian….a word." Still snickering as he went Ian whispered to his colleague.

"Nice one friend-"

"-Fuck off." He and Isard were soon alone in the conference room. Isard coolly sat herself back down. She drummed her fingers on the table; Ian still hadn't turned away from the door.

"Turn around Ian so I can look at you." He swung around on his heel. "You can be sure with relative certainty that whatever is on your mind won't pass beyond us." Ian knew well that conniving smirk. "But I think we can avoid all of that laborious and time consuming banter in favor of a little behavior modification." Ian could reluctantly excuse himself and ask that his 'irksome' remarks be dismissed as nothing more than lack of rest. It was well known throughout any section of the Red Wolf that Isard had a simple method of dealing with defiance; kill it or re-educate it. No one who'd given their loyalty to the Red Wolf were soon to forget Kaede. Isard was well aware said thoughts were quickly running through his mind. She beckoned him forward with a wicked smile and a slender index finger. Nervously he approached and sat down before her. "As I said before we left the valley Ian, I tire of war just as much as all of you. It is difficult, however, to facilitate the transition from one system of government to another when my most trusted associates are questioning my leadership as often as you do." Ian avoided as best he could looking her in the eyes.

"My Lady…"

"Say no more; see the physicians on your way back to the surface. They'll help relieve some of your stress."

"I-I appreciate the offer."

"It is not an offer." Ian's tiny battle of wills was lost before it even began. "Now go, I have old friends and a new recruit to speak with." He took his leave without a word, knowing full well that by the time he returned to the earth's surface Isard's 'physicians' will have eased more than his stress.


Shandrey's eyes opened without difficulty, a soft gasp escaped her as they did. The first thing she noticed was that her hands and feet were not bound in any way. In fact she was resting comfortably in a chair. Shandrey stood up but regretted it as soon as she did. Perhaps it was the wound Icemare exploited to incapacitate her or maybe it was just trauma but Shandrey fell back into her chair overcome by nausea.

"Where am I?" she mouthed quietly. Her bouncing gaze flitted across a window then zipped back to it with surprise. Shandrey ignored her sick feeling and walked up to the window showing the infinite reaches of the stars. So absorbed she was in examining the cosmos that Isard's incoming presence went completely unnoticed. Isard watched Shandrey with adoring amusement, as if she were a loving parent watching her child gaze wondrously at something entirely new to them.

"Magnificent isn't it?" Shandrey spun around in place. Instantly her hands were at the ready. Isard let a few derisive giggled escape her. "There's no moon in her Shandrey." The waterbender darted her eyes about. "And I have ensured that every time we pass by it in our orbit around Earth your room will be conveniently facing away from it."

"You don't know anything about me?!"

"Shandrey we could spend our entire evening discussing why that's completely wrong, but I would like to be productive instead." Shandrey could see that without the presence of the moon her waterbending was drastically reduced, and almost none of her spell casting would do any good in this situation. If Isard could keep the moon itself from supplying Shandrey with her strength then it was more than likely the vampire had taken just about everything else into account.

"It has been very long time since we've met Shandrey, and as the saying goes I've been waiting a long time for this."
"Have you?" asked Shandrey with defiance.

"I'm just glad that after all this time you and I can just sit down and share a quiet conversation." As said Isard found the nearest chair and sat down. The Chinese girl before her remained standing.

"Concerning what subject?" Isard smiled.

"Your future." Shandrey nodded and sat down as well.

"Okay, well first after leave I'm going to find a way to break out of this quasi hotel room, then I'll kill the single guard outside, find whoever else you've taken prisoner, and then we'll all escape and live happily until you disrupt our lives again." Isard did smile or frown. "But if there's time while we're escaping….I'm sure we'd be more than happy to kill you too." Isard listened intently while propping her chin beneath her hand. She finally nodded with downward glance.

"You really think that's what's going to happen?"

"Doesn't it always?" replied Shandrey with a smirk. Isard moved closer, though Shandrey did her best to hold her ground.

"But how will you escape….if you will no longer wish to leave?" And Shandrey shot up out of her chair. So quickly it toppled backward behind her. Isard's eyes followed her as she went.

"What're you talking about?!"

"It's a basic fact and truth Shandrey that the next time you set foot on the surface you will be a changed person." Shandrey moved as far back as she could until she came in contact with the wall. At which time she began move sideways in a futile attempt to get away. "In fact you may even forget sections of past life entirely; all you'll care about is making me happy."

"No!"

"You won't have a choice; I see talent and extraordinary potential in you Shandrey." Before she could create more distance Isard held onto Shandrey's shoulders. "Right now you're a 'protector' and a 'healer' and you still can be!" She added quickly so as not to lose her. "But with my guidance and direction you could develop into so much more." And Shandrey felt for the second time in over ten years the frightening feeling of being won over by those vampiric charms. Isard ended the last few words with a cool whisper to deepen the effect. Shandrey's mind was in a haze, her conscious thoughts were already saying yes. They tugged and pulled on her tongue almost forcing her to say the word. She let her eyes close, trying to clear the fog from her head. It didn't help at all when she felt Isard's hand gently stroking her hair. Little did Shandrey know that her eyes had closed not because she thought it might help her concentrate but because subconsciously she was being eased into a relaxed state. Everything in Shandrey was a conflicting battle of wills. Her mind was almost completely taken in by Isard while her heart was beating faster and faster trying to shake her back into reality. Shandrey was vaguely aware of herself being guided back down to a sitting position. "Don't be afraid little one." Isard's words were spoken in almost a sing song voice. Shandrey made up her mind and began trying to wake up from the sleepy haze. Isard slowly extended a hand to hold her face. "Don't be afraid little one, I am right here." But even she was startled when Shandrey's eyes snapped open. She knocked away Isard's hand and let her own strike the vampire's face. She had to regain her bearings, so clumsily she jump out of her chair. Isard turned her irritated gaze back to Shandrey; the tiny cut across her cheek sealed itself within seconds.

"Is-Is that how you twisted Nayia's mind?"

"Nope," replied Isard. She did her best to control her temper; Shandrey was obviously new to this game.

"Well whatever you did its not going to work on me!"

"Really? You seemed awfully close to me, felt good didn't it?"

"That's not the point! Now I know what it feels like I can put my guard up again anytime I need to." Isard considered this. Perhaps she was right. Maybe Shandrey could fight it off more proficiently. It was after all a mistake to underestimate those you whished to make into a subservient. They stared at each other for a long moment. Finally Isard held out a hand to beckon her forward.

"Come with me." Isard turned and walked out of the only way out of Shandrey's room. She followed her out but kept a fair distance between them. It then occurred to Shandrey that with Isard in the lead she could easily make her way down the other end of the corridor. But as soon as she turned to separate from Isard she found Icemare blocking her way, a wicked smile plastered on her face. "Please stay with the group Shandrey." She heard Isard call from ahead. Faster than she'd expected Isard let a hand clamp down on her shoulder. "Come on; let's go see an old friend." Shandrey walked away from Icemare, all the while Icemare kept her sadistic and murderous grin.


Shandrey was shoved forward into a room much like her own and her eyes fell upon Nayia sitting at a table.

"Nayia!" Shandrey scrambled over to her side. "Nayia, a-are you alright?! What…What are you doing?" She noticed Nayia was staring straight ahead and drawing something. It appeared to be the entrance to a nameless cave. "Nayia?"

"She's drawing me a pretty little picture." It was then that something else caught Shandrey's attention. A strange sound, it sounded like static from a TV but it was coming from a stereo not far from Nayia.

"Dust…" Her attention zipped back to Nayia with the quiet whisper of one word. "Its…dusty."

"What? What are you talking about?" Isard stopped the recording and Nayia dropped her charcoal pencil. She almost collapsed but caught herself before hitting the table.

"Errmm….how long this time?" Isard smugly checked her watch.

"Almost five hours."

"I'm going to kill you," mumbled Nayia.

"Doubtful." Nayia hobbled over to a sink and began splashing cold water on her face. "Well! I have other matters to attend to, so I'll let you to talk until I return."

"Which will be when?" asked Shandrey curtly.

"When I decided to!" Retorted Isard. "You had better get used to doing things my way Shandrey; it will make your transition far easier. And look at it this way…" She glanced a mocking smile over at Nayia. "It's better than having your tongue cut out." She turned and left just as Shandrey frowned with disgust. Once they were alone Shandrey flew over to Nayia's side.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm just….extremely wiped. I'm always tired afterwards."

"You mean after what you were just doing?"

"Yes." Curious, Shandrey wanted to ask further what it was exactly that Nayia was doing, however she felt now wasn't the time. Nayia glanced at her than looked at her more fully. She saw Shandrey just staring at her wondrously and smiled. "See anyone you know?"

"It's just been so long."

"I know."

"And look at you," exclaimed Shandrey with a chuckle. "I used to be taller than you; did you change your hair color? I seem to remember it being a little lighter."

"No it was always black." Nayia paused. "So, how's that brother of mine been doing?" Shandrey felt taken aback by the calmness in the question. "You been taking care of him?"

"I guess you could say we've been taking care of each other. He's had his share of hardships over the years."

"What do you mean?" asked Nayia moving closer.

"He periodically goes blind." Nayia put her hands to her mouth. "It could be for any number of reasons but we think it's mostly because of a past encounter with Isard." Nayia looked away despondently. "But you'd be surprised how easily he's coped with it, in fact if it wasn't for the stick you'd never even guess he couldn't see."

"I've missed him." She stood up with Shandrey following behind. Nayia held her arms. "I've missed him so much and I can't believe I let her convince me of…." Her voice trailed away. Shandrey let her hand rest on the girl's shoulder.

"I know how you feel, I've had to suffer manipulation at some time and I got through it." Nayia shook her head.

"I'm not so sure I'm as lucky as you."


BACK IN THE VALLEY……………….

A piece of charred debris lay utterly motionless, that is until the one lying beneath it began moving it aside. Raven finally stirred back to conscious thought after having been unconscious for a good part of the resulting battle. In the process of removing her metal shield she turned over onto her back with a groan. Upon opening her eyes the stars overhead appeared as blurred points of light.

"Starfire?" A muffled call escaped her. She called out to the last person she knew was near just before blacking out. Raven received no response except a cold gust of wind. Her legs felt numb and unmovable. Clothes torn in many places Raven began crawling back toward the first buildings she could see still standing. She tugged and pulled on the grass trying to haul her heavy feeling body forward. Just then a foot abruptly landed on her back pining her to the ground. She felt herself being turned over and came face to face with a heavily tattooed vampire.

"Where're you off to?" Raven made a futile attempt to get away. He took a firm grip of her head and pulled her up. "You're supposed to be dead." He trailed his eyes up and down her figure. "Oh how the burden of finishing the job falls to me." Raven uttered helpless whimper. "You can scream and cry all you wish, your mine!" Just as Raven found her voice again he yanked her forward and hungrily sank his teeth into her neck. Her breath caught as a familiar feeling surged through her like a jolt of electricity. The frighteningly pleasurable sensation that quickly followed the hunter's bite mercilessly attacked Raven's fortitude. She knew well that she wouldn't turn after he was done but then again that wasn't his goal to begin with. He jerked her forward so that his mouth could get a better grip. She gasped loudly at the jerk, her arms limply moved up his back. Her hands couldn't find anything to grab and thus tear away from her. She began to get to the point where struggling no longer became an option. Her will to fight back was fading. Then it was as if he suddenly jumped off her. She felt his lips leave her skin and the weight of his hold unexpectedly lift off her. Her strength quickly returned to her and Raven shot a hand up to her wounded neck. A distant thud off to the right made her turn her head. Her attacker landed in a roll and hit a large rock as he went. Figuring that he probably didn't intend to throw himself Raven turned in the opposite direction to find her savior. Standing over her in full wolf form was unmistakably a werewolf. She moved some hair out of her face.

"Beast Boy?" Two feet stomped down not far from them. The vampire has stood upright again and was looking malicious. Beast Boy stepped over Raven and stood in front of her protectively. The vampire let his hissing mouth hang open.

"Lycan," he whispered raggedly. Beast Boy roared like a clap of thunder. Sworn enemies even before meeting, they charged toward each other. Ten feet from Beast Boy the vampire sprang forward like a frog and the force of his collision with Beast Boy sent them flying backwards. With a screech Raven rolled out of the way just as the two crashed down on where she used to be. The tattooed vampire ended up on top and began laying an endless sequence of punches upon Beast Boy. "Rabid Dog!" His latest punch didn't make however, Beast Boy caught it out of the air and with a quick twist tore it free from the arm. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" He staggered off Beast Boy cradling his ruined limb. With a single hand Beast Boy reached down and pulled him up by a strong grip on his head. Raven quickly looked away as Beast Boy rammed her attacker's face into the nearby rock. A light drizzle befell the valley, quickly cooling many still burning debris. With a hand still clasped around her neck Raven timidly approached Beast Boy from behind. Her foot crunched a leaf making spin around on the spot. She jerked back somewhat but didn't run or show much fear. She noticed his broadened shoulders beginning to sag, his growls and grunts also became slower and softer. Raven gulped before walked up to him again. Very carefully she reached a hand up to him. He had to bend down somewhat to allow her to touch the side of his head.

"Thank you."

--------

Robin sheathed his sword after disposing of a few Wolf operatives still hanging around. He and Lee knew there would still be a handful, either Isard told them to remain in hiding or she simply left them behind. Either way it still presented a danger to anyone who hadn't fled the valley in pure abject terror. He surveyed the area around him once more then tapped his earpiece.

"Lee."

"Go ahead," came his friend's response. His voice seemed to have a morose tinge to it.

"We were right." He used his foot to pull a fallen spy onto his back. "We've still got some sleepers lying around. I still haven't run into Cyborg."

"We may have to assume he was taken with the others."

"Who else is unaccounted for?" There was a pause on Lee's end. Robin could tell the samurai warrior had a hard look.

"I can't find Shandrey." Robin's eyes closed in dismay. "I'll continue my search for Cyborg."

"Lee!" Robin grabbed his attention before the signal could be severed.

"What?" It then occurred to Robin that he had absolutely nothing to say. No words to either comfort him or instill any sort of patriotism toward their cause. "Robin-San?"

"Nothing." He left Lee rather confused but any feelings over the status quo were welcomed with open arms.


JOINING STARFIRE………..

"HaaAHHHHHHHH!" Starfire's enraged shouts could be heard from miles around. She furiously pounded her fists against the clear enclosure around her. The clear as glass material was surprisingly resilient against her strength and her starbolts. At times she would shoot a starbolt or two at passing guard or just yell at him in her native tongue. "ARRGGGGG!" Another series of punches in and about her cage.

"SHUT UP!" Starfire silenced and turned to find Isard entering the laboratory. "My my, you are rambunctious today."

"Release me!" Her voice passed through an intercom. Isard rolled her eyes.

"Starfire surely by now you must understand the uselessness of demanding that your captor release you." Starfire pressed her hands to the indestructible glass.

"Why have you brought me here?" Isard pulled up a stool and sat down before her.

"Honestly I need your help." Starfire's face grew perplexed. "Well, let's be clear; your unconsented help." Starfire gave her the cold the shoulder. "Rafael discovered very early on that you are very unique, especially as a vampire. More so actually."

"I assume you will arrive at your point within this coming year," replied Starfire with Terran sarcasm.

"I am lots of things, Starfire; one of them is a geneticist." Starfire looked at her curiously. "I know, why would that interest me. Well you weren't an immortal long enough to realize this but after four or five hundred years the simple fact is you get bored. And since there is supposedly endless potential within the human genome."

"I am not human."

"And you're not quite alien anymore! So what does that make you really? An oddball? A freak?" Starfire's eyes fell. "Like I said, I tend to think you're unique." Isard retrieved a clipboard holding some notes. "As a vampire you could walk under the sun without spontaneously combusting, am I right?" She received no answer. "Oh how silly of me, of course I'm right. You're strength doubled by both your alien origin and the transformation." She set the clipboard down. "By all accounts you would be the next stage of vampire evolution."

"Are you not capable of walking under the sun?"

"Yes but that's something I gained upon drinking Fenrir's blood. Its not an attribute I can duplicate and pass on. You however, present a possible solution that problem."

"Me?"

"I developed a Daywalker serum not long ago, Rafael was the first to take it but he turned out to be rather lucky." Starfire's brow furrowed in interest. "The therapy only worked within thirty-five percent of recipients. I'm hoping that with your DNA as a template I can map and reproduce the necessary proteins that give you that natural immunity."

"And if I refuse to assist you?" asked Starfire with her arms crossed. Isard lowered her gaze then pulled out a small remote. With a click a screen before them came to life. It showed a room with various items displayed here and there.

"Like it? It's my trophy room. Let's swing the camera a little to the left shall we." The view of the camera reveal Cyborg's arm stuck on a marble pedestal. Starfire's mouth fell open and her eyes began to well up. "I spy with my little eye……something blue, white, and disembodied-"

"RRRRAAAAARGGGGG!!" Starfire's fist streaked in Isard's direction and actually burst a small hole through the clear wall. Isard backed up somewhat knocking away the stool as she went. Starfire pulled her hand back in, cut and scratched from the shards. Her tear stained face screamed a desire to rip Isard apart limb from limb. Isard approached the infuriated Tamaranian.

"You break it, you bought it." Without another word Isard turned and left Starfire alone in her clear cage. Starfire stood against the wall she'd recently punched and sunk down to the floor.

"Robin….."


Shandrey stood by a wall screen trying to hotwire the door and thus make their escape. She glanced back at Nayia.

"I could use a hand here."

"I've already tried; it runs on a completely different circuit." Shandrey sighed and dropped the fork she'd been using as a tool.

"Fine, so what now? We just wait for Isard to come in and kill us?" Nayia shook her head.

"She won't kill us, that'd be taking the easy way out. Can't you teleport?" Shandrey shook her head.

"I'd be too risky; I don't know entirely where we are. In order to make a good jump I have to at least know where we are." Nayia's face fell.

"Then we're stuck."

"Well there has to be some way-"

"There isn't," interrupted Nayia. "She's just going to keep coming and making me see those weird visions, and you…" Nayia rubbed her forehead. "She's convinced you're her new right hand man."

"So?" Nayia looked at her hopelessly.

"Once she's convinced, it won't take long for the same to happen to you." Nayia's words were meant as a warning. Shandrey shifted some hair out f her face.

"Nayia." At that moment the door opened and Rhivers stepped inside. They both stood up, preparing themselves for whatever it was on the way. He locked his eyes on Shandrey.

"Come with me." The two looked at each other, reluctant to be parted. Rhivers stepped further into the room to emphasize his lack of patience. "We shouldn't keep Isard waiting." Nayia whispered some words of reassurance to Shandrey, although truthfully they didn't go all that far. Shandrey joined Rhivers in the long walk and turbo lift to the deck where Isard was waiting. Rhivers led Shandrey into a hospital type setting. Isard stood waiting. She gave Rhivers the signal to leave them alone and he left with a short nod.

"You should feel privileged," said Isard. "Not many achieve the position Nayia once held."

"I'm not going to be one of your pawns!" Spat back Shandrey. Isard stared back at her with lewd smile. "Damn you, damn you for ruining the perfectly happy life of a young and innocent girl. If you wanted to capture someone you should've come after me."

"Well what a funny thing fate is, we were coming after you." Shandrey stood flabbergasted.

"W-What?" Isard ducked her head down with a quite snicker.

"Oh years ago Sagar returned to me looking like absolute crap, scratches all over his face, cuts on his arms…the whole nine yards. When I asked him about it he said a waterbender did it to him." Shandrey raised her head up higher with gulp. "You cannot imagine how my interest peaked at that moment. Element benders had not been seen or heard over for nearly a thousand years, for all intents and purposes they were extinct. So I sent him back to bring you to me."

"T-Then, Nayia being taken…."

"Correct," said Isard walking up to her. "All a giant mistake, you inexplicably disappeared from the city the night Sagar chose to make his move." Shandrey thought back. Lee's city was being besieged, the Shogun sent her on a mission to deliver a message. "Sagar brought me Moristu's sister instead, typical Sagar…always trying to cover his worthless ass with excuses. It wasn't a complete loss though, Nayia proved to be quite the apprentice. With the proper training and discipline Nayia realized who her superior was."

"You mean once you warped and bent her mind enough so that she forgot who she was."

"Eyes of the beholder, I see it one way you choose to see it another. But don't you see Shandrey that fate has brought us together again. Nayia was never meant to be my true disciple. It should've been you standing by side all these years." Shandrey crossed her arms and looked about disheartened. "If it's a trade that your mind is considering then perhaps I could arrange it, Nayia has proven she longer reveres me. So what possible use could she still have?"

"You're not fooling me! You're looking for something and somehow you're using her to see bits and pieces of it."

"Smart as a whip, now I know I'm gonna like you." Shandrey's face grew, if possible, even colder. "But say I wasn't lying and I did intend to exchange you for Nayia. What would you say to that?"

"I'd still maintain the fact that you're about as trustworthy as I am a giraffe."

"Contracts have loopholes."

"And the valley? What about them?" Her eyes followed Isard as she paced back and forth. "Would you leave them be?" The vampire sighed.

"I have little interest in you're quaint utopia. I have what I wanted; they can rebuild their society and live as they wish. It hardly matters to me." Shandrey gawked at her. This was almost too good to be true. Isard, like any mad dictator, never ignored a problem….she made it go away. Shandrey's eyes narrowed.

"I don't believe you." Isard sent her questioning look.

"Why whatever do you mean?"

"Kitsune Valley represents too much for you to just leave them alone, you or Markus. One of you would have to deal with us at some point. Because off all the pockets of human controlled civilization this one spot, probably not even on the map, has been able to survive the longest."

"You flatter yourself."

"Do I? You sent Beast Boy with a mental time bomb ticking away in his head. He was supposed to wipe out everyone, and then I suspect kill himself. But that fell through. So you decided to go all in." Isard kept a watch on her with a straight face. "You brought everything you had at the moment, the bulk of your forces are probably busy holding Markus at bay. You brought down the hardest and swiftest hammer stroke you could muster and I'd be willing to be Robin, Lee, and whoever else is still very much alive are rounding up survivors as we speak!"

"Interesting theory."

"YOU LOST! You continue to lose, and it's driving you insane. Because as it turns out you're not God!" If Shandrey had been concentrating hard enough she would have seen the tinge of red building up in Isard's eyes. "You're nothing but a spoiled little brat who's throwing a hissy fit because she can't get what she wants. You're pathetic!" With an emphatic shaking of the head Shandrey turned away from her. No sooner had she turned then she found Isard standing in her path. Shandrey gasped at the speed but it was cut short. Isard took hold of her throat and pushed her further back towards a chair.

"A very interesting theory," she snarled. "But there are holes in your analysis which you may not even be aware of."

"Really?" asked Shandrey defiantly.

"You think because you've managed to survive for so long by the skin of your teeth that you people merit some sort of special recognition? You humans assume far too much. That's what makes your kind so simple to bend; your illusions shatter so quickly and easily that you will is broken before you even realize it."

"And your arrogance is as much a weakness!" Isard ignored her.

"Humans believe that because they have the ability of abstract thought they are above all other creatures on earth. What an insolent fantasy!" Shandrey grew a little defensive. "You humans are different than dogs; if they do what they're told give them a pat on the head. If misbehave just hit them on the nose until they know who's the master."

"So is that what you're going to do with me then? You gonna to swat me on the nose when I'm disobedient?" Isard sent her a crooked smile.

"Now that was just a metaphor, there are a variety of sophisticated methods available to us. We don't live in the dark ages anymore; well most of us don't anyway." She said making an allowance for other she knew. "The Red Wolf has been an integral part of humanity for hundreds of years, ninety percent of you not even knowing we existed. We assassinated JFK, made Idiao Ming disappear, I'm sure Jimmy Hoffa's body is in the closet of one of my lieutenants."

"And this is all supposed to intimidate me?" asked Shandrey, her voice seemed a bit unstable. "Why don't you just kill me and get it over with?"

"Oh Shandrey." Isard folded her hands together. "I have never desired to kill you. In a flash Isard grabbed hold of Shandrey's wrists and pushed her backwards. Within momeents she'd forced Shandrey into the chair and restrained her wrists to the arm rests and her legs to chair the chair's legs. Isard called in a few doctors and upon entering they brought with them an IV and some monitoring equipment.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"Just relax," cooed Isard with mock sympathy. She gently stroked Shandrey's hair. "They're going to help you take the edge off, get your buzz on." Shandrey sent a fearful look her way. Isard handed them the bag they would use for her IV.

"What's that?" asked Shandrey. Her voice was now shaking.

"I don't credit too much to Rafael, in my opinion he was a tremendous fool. But one of the great things he did manage to come up with is this." She flicked the bag filled with clear liquid. "A very potent and very intoxicating hallucinogen." Shandrey worked against her bindings trying to break them apart. Isard's hand fell down upon Shandrey's, signaling her to give it up. "When it finally takes full effect you will see, hear, and feel everything I describe to you." She knelt down behind her and spoke softly in her ear. "Right down to the very last detail." Shandrey's eyes narrowed. She looked to her right and saw one of the doctors beginning the flow to her vein.

"NO! Nooo! Stop!" They paid her no heed. She shut her eyes tight and struggled with all her might. "You can't do this! STOOOOOOOP!"


THE VALLEY…………………

Robin walked tiresomely down the halls of their living quarters. Miraculously there were still a couple hundred people still hanging around, even after the massive surprise attack by Isard. He passed by Shandrey's room and came to a stop. He slowly backpedaled and pushed open the door. Lee sat with his back to him on Shandrey's bed.

"Lee."

"I'm not blaming myself; you can cease your worries."

"Its okay, I blame myself a lot for what happened to Starfire." Lee bowed his head.

"You shouldn't. As you said, there was nothing you could've done to prevent it. All we can do is concentrate on getting them back safely." Robin nodded agreeably. "What of Raven-San and Beast Boy?"

"She's keeping a watch on him, but not because he might be a danger. She's afraid he attempted a transformation too early after his first."

"I understand that can cause problems."

"That's why she's keeping an eye on him." Lee nodded and rubbed his eyes. "We still can't find any sign of Cyborg, but we're still looking."

"I will join you, in a little while." Robin nodded silently and moved to leave. "My it's awfully dark in here, Robin-San could you brighten the light please." Robin moved to the switch on the wall but stared at it perplexed. He twisted his head around to his friend.

"Lee…it's as bright as it can go." Lee closed his eyes with rue.


Annnnnnnnd that's a rap for now. They are in a bit of bind right now aren't they? But we'll see what happens, it could be good or things could get worse. Yes they can get worse. Hopefully they won't. Laters!