Powdered Sugre 53

Halloween Conclusion:

Garden Of Death

Leon counted to ten before he was tempted to throw his cell phone against the wall. "And here I was always told that Halloween was boring," Faith laughed earning a dour glance from Jill.

"Leon," Jill said her voice calm. "You go make sure that the Consulate is safe, check all entrances, if you know what I mean. Sofu and Count D have the shop well looked after. Lord D is there and so the children are safe."

"But that message, if George goes to the maze something bad is going to happen to Bikky, Jewel said so."

"You realize you are taking advice from a three year old?" Faith interjected.

"We don't have time to explain it to you," JJ said pushing a loaded clip into place. "I will go with Jill to the school, Leon you and Faith get to the consulate."

"Frankie and I will stay here," Alucard announced with a smile. "This time he will show himself. I can feel it."

"No," Francis narrowed his eyes. "Tell me," Francis leaned against the wall with his arms folded. "Where do you think the Royale are?"

"They went to the Obsidian Palace, the dragon heir is being born," Seras answered for Alucard was busy glaring at the ancient.

"They are not allowed near the birthing room," Francis spoke as if to a dim witted child. "They surround the palace. The Angel prince saw more than the Kami child, or at least he understood more. The beast wants the crown. He can not defeat Ryo and Laton fairly, he needs a bargaining chip."

"Oh no," Seras gasped running to the door. "Not the baby!" Before any one could call her back she looked to Alucard and vanished using skills he taught her.

"Dae wants the Lion Throne, why would he attack the dragon palace?" Azrial asked his brow furrowed.

"I did not say that it was Dae, did I?" Francis said in much the same way his friend Zarro spoke. Azrial frowned at Francis. "I did not." Francis was unperturbed by the glare. "Do not look at me like that, I hold age over your sire. You will show respect."

"My apologies," Azrial bowed. "Why do I feel as if you do not want me to go to the Obsidian Palace?"

"You would be correct," Francis smiled. "The scent of the new blood, infant human, will be strong due to it's mixing with dragon."

"I can control myself," Azrial glared.

"Doubtless you can," Francis offered an indulgent smile that infuriated Azrial. "Your acolyte, however, can not. Besides," Francis looked over at Marilyn. "You are needed here. I can trust Alucard to control Seras if need be. They are all the vampire needed there. Not to mention they have High Prince Nestoir there. We are needed to help High Prince Daphnus defend this palace. As you said. Dae wants the Lion Throne. He can not let this opportunity, when it should be most defenseless, pass."

Azrial smiled at Francis. "No, I dare say, he can not."

Break

Dee was still trembling from the wild flight upon the back of the dragon escort. They hit the ground running to the stairs knowing that no one was allowed to enter the upper chambers until after the child was born. Dee stumbled into Ryo's back as he suddenly stopped to stare at the glinting metal of the armored Royals and guards surrounding the palace.; "Damn baby," Dee laughed as he caught Ryo before he could fall from his larger weight slamming into his body. "Whats up?" Dee looked up and did not expect an answer as he saw why Ryo stopped running.

"What's all this?" Ryo asked Andy who stood in her silver and purple armor her sword at the ready.

"Never mind us!" Nestoir commanded before his wife could speak. "Get your butts upstairs." Nestoir shoved them behind him as Alucard appeared with Seras at his side. "Congratulations guys, I pray for a healthy birth." Ryo and Dee nodded confused but anxious to see the child they had all worked for. Shiny black stairs carved from the Onyx mountains from the where palace grew met their heavy footfalls as the wind picked up. Ryo gasped as a howling wind was heard and he looked out at the amassed Arcadian army at their doorstep.

"Come on, whatever it is, it's in hand," Dee pulled Ryo up the stairs. The howling grew louder and the hairs all over Ryo's head stood on end with the eerie chill of the call. The howl changed into a growl and they were met with Laton and Torcha prowling the lower chamber.

"What's going on?" Ryo asked as the growling seemed to buffet the sides of the Palace.

"We deciphered Angel's message and that of the Kami child," Torcha explained. "It is Cho Da Koen."

"The mercy you showed at sparing his life was a mistake," Laton shoved Ryo to the stairs leading to Alicia birthing chamber. "Now he has come back to take your crown and your child."

"My child," Ryo said his heart seeming to lodge within his throat as his blood began to heat to a simmer that he knew would go to a raging boil.

"Maintain your senses boy," Laton groused. "Something is not right with Cho, I saw him, he is no longer dragon. I don't know what he is. But he will fail. He says your mother's flight was uncalled for and that by rights of their previous betrothal you should be his son. In exchange for allowing your marriage to stand he will take the child."

"Good," Torcha said at the reptile glint in Ryo's eyes as smoke began to curl around him. "This time see that you end it. But first, your child needs birthing. Go support the mother." Ryo and Dee nodded going forward. Ryo checked for his weapons and smiled as he was armed. He gave them to Dee.

"But what will you have?" Dee asked concerned as he helped push the heavy door open. Ryo just smiled and Dee fell in love all over again.

"Ryo... Dee," Alicia sat up in the large bed where the doctor hovered. "I wanted Lord D, but they said no. I needed an experienced dragon. Especially in his condition." Alicia reached out for their hands and the female dragon in human form in deference to Alicia choosing to give birth as a human, frowned at them.

"This is highly irregular," Her eyes went to Dee with so cold a stare ice could have formed in his veins.

Dee stood to his full height while Ryo took Alicia's hand. "As we have said before, the heir creation was due, in part, to my making love to Ryo."

"The Prince's word stands," Alicia began to pant as her contractions started again. "Please, no more... on.... the...Ah!" Alicia squeezed Ryo's hand.

"Oh God, Alicia," Ryo grew worried as her face paled and she closed her eyes. "Are you alright?"

"I'm having a baby Ryo," Alicia spat the words at him. "Let's see you try it, then I will ask if you are alright. Better yet, ask Count or Lord, or Sofu D," She said when the pain passed. "They just might kick you. Yes, even sweet, gentle Lord D might kick you..Ah!"

"Whoa!" Dee breathed as the large tummy moved under the blanket.

"Gentlemen, please," Aliora, the doctor, said as both Ryo and Dee held on to Alicia's hand. Dee using his handkerchief to wipe the sweat that beaded on her brow. "Things are just starting, her water has not even broken."

"But she's in pain," Ryo said looking concerned while the doctor sat back in her chair.

"Oh... Ryo," Alicia sighed when she could. "I'm having a baby," She rubbed her large tummy. "How did you think it would get out?"

"I know, I'm not stupid, but, I care about you. I don't want you hurt," Ryo helped when Alicia shifted on the bed getting more comfortable.

"Oh, Ryo," Alicia smiled. "When I first met you, you were so contained, I thought of you as a caterpillar. I could see you were in love...MMM!" Alicia gasped squeezing his hand. "You were so scared, Ryo, I saw it." Alicia sighed. "Now you are a strong, beautiful butterfly. When I asked you to take my son, Leo's son, you..." Alicia smiled tears falling from her eyes. "Dee, you and Ryo, gave me the strength to go on. This is the least I could do. Besides," Alicia gave a smile. "I am looking forward to seeing our child."

"With two hotties such as you," Dee affirmed with a smile. "Can't be anything other than a knockout." Aliora raised her brows before lifting the blanket and kneeling between Alicia's spread legs. "Wow!" Dee leaned over. "Come here Ryo. It's been years since either of us has seen one of these, and I don't think we will ever get such a chance again."

"Oh...Dee," Alicia moaned. "Don't make me laugh."

"It's alright," Dee nodded standing behind the doctor. "I played football in college, I'm a good catch." Dee leaned down as if the child would come rushing out. Alicia laughed again tears leaking from her eyes. Ryo looked at Dee a smile on his face. He was glad that he had fallen in love with that man.

Break

"He comes," Alucard said to Nestoir standing next to the high prince his grin widened. "Finally, a true battle!"

"Master," Seras shouldered her large weapon.

"You and Faith team up," Andy said lifting her sword. "Take care of the swarms, the children of the dead will try to break through our ranks so that Cho can go to the birthing room."

"He will have a deadly surprise," Chimera light her hands sending the flames the length of her sword. She knew that both Laton and Torcha awaited the dragon should he attempt it .

"The king and queen will not face the dirty hybrid," Alucard announced his nose wrinkled as the smell of the ghouls reached him. "The prince will finish the fight that was started long ago, when his mother ran. For us now..." Alucard bared his fangs. "This foe will get what's coming to him. Right... Janos!"

The tall man in thick furs looked to Alucard with a smile on his florid features. His beard and mustache were deep, dark brown while his eyes glittered with amusement. "Vlad, how nice to see you again. Tell me," Janos smiled his fangs growing long in anticipation of the fight. "How is your father, the dragon?" No words issued from Alucard as his hat covered his face only a deep terrifying growl was heard.

"Master?" Seras stared between the old vampire and her master.

"Stay out of this police girl," Alucard commanded pulling forth both of his guns. "You and the slayer had best go aid the Royale, secure the palace."

"The palace will fall, I have you outnumbered, boy," Janos taunted.

"Only by vile treachery and betrayal could you ever hope to stand on an equal footing with my father, let alone cause him injury. " Alucard smiled, "My father is just fine."

"You lie, I held his severed head in my very own hands," Janos spat the words pulling weapons of his own. He gasped when he realized what he had said.

Seras laughed looking back from where she stood with Faith and Andromache. "I have held master's head plenty of times. I don't think that works if his father is stronger than him, then beheaded probably just tickled a little."

"Janos..." Faith thought aloud. "That's John Hunyadi, he died centuries ago, he was a great Hungarian leader, father of King Matthias Corvinus."

John's laughter rang off the crystalline peaks of the mountain tops surrounding them. "Death?! My family has ever been denied death since your foul tainting!" John pointed a finger at Alucard.

"You murdered your own niece," Alucard growled.

"She was tainted by you," John pulled a large black gun from the folds of his velvet great coat.

"Your heart is as black as deepest pits of hell, soon you will go there," Alucard promised his maniacal grin on display. "And you can see the comparison for yourself."

"She ceased to be my niece, the moment she became your wife..." John snorted pointing his gun at Alucard and pulling the trigger. Alucard laughed dodging the black bullets.

"What trickery is this?" Alucard sniffed the mercury in the projectiles along with something else, something foul. Alucard shot at John laughing when he dodge. The rang of metal met his ears as the Arcadians met with the ghouls. Faith gasped as she staked them to no avail. Seras shoved the slayer aside blasting with her canon.

"Take this," Seras tossed a handgun to Faith who took it and began to shoot. "Heart or head!" Seras called firing at the circle of monstrous, drooling freaks surrounding the high princess and prince. Nestoir hissed his fangs growing long as his sword swung with deadly intent. He could hear it, the howl. It grew on the wind like a malignant wolf rabid with despair desperate for sustenance. The howl of a beast bent on revenge.

Break

Chris laughed as he walked into the maze. "The way this works is we are supposed to split up into small groups and see if we run across each other in the maze. In the end, the groups who found each other the most win a prize."

"Well how do they know if we found each other?" George asked looking at the well made plaster board walls that divided the large hallways of the high school leading into and out of the classrooms which were decorated with painted walls and scenes as well.

"We each get a bag of flags, we got a bunch of them wholesale," Rain explained. "When you meet a group, you exchange flags, the flags are counted at the end."

"It sounds like fun," Jhaymes laughed taking the bag and George's hand.

"Have fun," Chris waved as they walked to the door.

"Aren't you coming too?" George asked looking back at Chris.

"I can't, Catherin and I helped plan the maze, it wouldn't be fair." Chris laughed shaking his head. "When we worked on it, I thought of the shop. Don't let any promising looking door fool you." Chris laughed again. "And bring me back some candy, each class is loaded."

"Gotcha," Julie laughed and nodded. Ryan took his girlfriend and several other basketball players and their dates heading off while Julie went with Rain, Bikky, Jhaymes and George. Erick, Terry, Jeanne, Jorge and Peter entered as well while Aaron, Johnathan and their friends, took a bag of flags. George looked around at the many members of the general public that swarmed the haunted high school. He gasped as he saw a familiar face. Jon looked over at him his mouth watering at the deep blue long coat and white pants with a long cossack in teal over it. A small hat sat on his head with a butterfly seeming to sit on the brim with it's wings spread. Upon closer inspection Jon saw that is was shaped like a fairy. He laughed at George's whimsical nature. George smiled up at Jhaymes and Jon felt his blood heat with fury.

"Flags?" Jon looked down at the young girl offering him a bag after he had given her his six dollars. He wrinkled his nose. "No thank you," Jon hurried off patting his pocket. He would talk to George, and it would all make sense again. Yes, his life would make sense again as soon as he had George. Since George had left, the group was disbanded, the money was faltering and his sex life. Jon held in a laugh. Damn you Georgie, he thought as he heard that particular laugh he had come to know long ago. Damn you for leaving me. He ignored the small voice in his head that said that he was the one who pushed George away.

"Ah!" George gasped and laughed as they entered the first room and several 'dead' football players jumped out at them. "That's brilliant," He clapped his white gloved hands. George took the candy while Jhaymes exchanged scarves with Erick. They waved and headed off again entering the hall that was painted to look like a grave yard with the large painted facade of a crypt over the door to another room. Plastic fanged 'vampires' threatened them with bright red lollipops. George was laughing so hard he had to hold his side while Rain exchanged scarves with Aaron Novis. The boy frowned at him then looked over at Julie.

"When you get tired of this pretty boy, you know where to find me," Aaron called over to her. Julie rolled her eyes at him then wrapped her arms around Rain. "Whatever." Aaron huffed turning away, he dropped the flag that Rain had given him and Rain resisted the urge to wad his up and step on it.

"I won't stoop to his level," Rain placed the flag in the bag. Julie looked at Rain her eyes shining as he tossed his hair over his shoulder. She heard snide laughter and turned. Seeing no one, she held on to his arm and walked further in. She gasped at the elaborate monster that seemed to be painted on the wall. She leaped into Rain's arm as it moved and the costumed creature reached for her brandishing claws. "The theater department went over board on this one," Rain laughed keeping Julie well in his arms. He looked over to see that George had leaned closer to Jhaymes wary of the cellophane wrapped fudge offered to them.

"Don't worry sweetheart," Jhaymes leaned in close to George's ear. "I will always protect you." George laughed and opened his mouth for the fudge that Jhaymes placed between his carefully lacquered lips. "Eat up now," Jhaymes laughed licking his fingers after he took them from George's mouth.

"I'm not going to gain it all back in a day,"George grumbled. He waited for the younger members of their group to go ahead holding Jhaymes back. He inclined his head and smiled as the monster took the hint and left him alone in the room. "It's just." George sighed. "Am I not satisfying you now?"

"What!" Jhaymes exclaimed. "Just this morning, I thought I was going to die from pleasure," Jhaymes laughed holding George tight in his arms. "You don't have to gain it all back, just the uh..." Jhaymes lightly caressed George's bottom. He snatched his hand away at the sound of the door opening. "Oh um, wow this painting is awesome!" Jhaymes said loudly turning away from George.

"Oh like you weren't just groping him in a public school," Jon spat the words glowering at Jhaymes. "I at least had the decency to respect him enough not to feel him up in public."

"No Jon," George turned to face him. "You were coward enough to not want to be anywhere near me in public for fear someone might think you could quite possibly be gay." George grinned. "But it is nice of you to support the school. Perhaps I will have lady Chimera contact you about the reunion tour, and studio album next week." George smiled taking Jhaymes hand to leave the room before Jhaymes could become offended and batter Jon.

Seeing their hands together, George's finger gleaming with the ring, and his wrists cuffed with intricate bracelets he knew Jhaymes had made himself, Jon felt hot fury ignite his blood. Fury and lust. The lust had been boiling ever since he had peeked into the room and saw them leaning close together whispering. Jhaymes had palmed his George's behind through the many layers making the fabric mold to the pear shaped derrière. "George!" Jon called turning the lock in the door behind him. Jhaymes turned slowly to look at him his eyes narrowed as he heard an ominous click. "I came prepared this time, you see. I know I can't beat him." Jon shook his head holding the large pistol up aimed at Jhaymes chest. "Go lock that door George."

"Jon have you gone mad?" George stood still his large, light colored eyes wide as he stared at Jon.

"Lock the damn door!" George jumped and swallowed audibly.

"Listen, " Jhaymes said his voice calm his eyes never leaving Jon. "If you have an issue with me, fine. But I want you to let him go out that door."

"Jhaymes no," George hurried back to Jhaymes side.

"Do as I say, sweetheart," Jhaymes smiled careful not to touch George for fear of angering Jon. "Go outside and lock the door. It will be alright."

"That won't count as a phoenix death, Lord D is not here, I... I won't do forever without you," George shook his head uncaring if Jon heard him speak such secret things about Arcadia.

"Stop babbling nonsense," Jon growled bringing up both hands to hold the gun steady. "And don't you dare leave this room. Don't you see? Nothing is alright! It won't be alright until I am inside you. I have to have you, I need you. Now lock the door and come here."

"You're crazy," George shook his head. "You're married, I'm married..."

"I don't care! So help me, George, if you don't lock that damn door I'll shoot him dead!" George hurried to the door at Jon's deranged gaze. Just as he reached to turn the nob, the door was pulled open and Bikky, Rain and Julie entered laughing.

"What's taking you guys so long" Bikky asked. "I hope you are not making out."

"Yeah," Julie piped in. "The next room is like a psychotic amusement park with twisted clowns throwing candy at us." Julie stopped laughing as she walked into Rain's back. He turned and shoved her hard from the room. She landed on her bottom and heard the door lock but not before she had seen the angry man, and the gun he wielded.

Break

Alicia cried out in pain holding tight to Ryo's hand. Dee sat behind her on the bed rubbing her back in small circles as she had complained of discomfort. Ryo wiped the sweat from her brow as she breathed in small pants. Alicia screwed up her face and gasped. Dee stared down at the wetness that flowed onto the bed. "Now," Aliora smiled encouraging Alicia and smiling at Dee then Ryo. "The canal is lubricated and she had started to fully dilate, let's see this heir." Alicia nodded and took a deep breath. "That's right, child," Aliora nodded. "Get ready, on three." Alicia nodded closing her eyes tight. Ryo grew concerned looking sown when Aliora moved the concealing sheet aside and took position between her spread legs. Ryo blushed and looked away. Alicia laughed then gasped in pain.

"Ryo...it's okay, our child is coming out of there," Alicia laughed. "Right Dee?" Alicia asked leaning her head back against his chest. "Our child."

"Yeah," Dee nodded. "Our child."

"One, two, three..." Aliora coached and Alicia held tight to Ryo pushing with all her strength.

Break

John fell back from the force of Alucard's bullets, "So John, how does it feel to know that the happiest moments in your nieces life was in my arms?"

"You bastard!" John yelled firing the last of his rounds at Alucard who laughed.

"Police girl," Alucard called then threw his heavy guns at her. "Janos, let us be done with these silly human weapons."

"My thoughts exactly," John watched as Seras tucked the guns into her belt and went back to fighting the ghouls and children that surged against the ranks of the Arcadian army. "But then again your skill with a sword has never been that good, that's why you had to have the Boyars ambush my father. And why they handled my brother, you could not even think of taking him on while he could see you."

"Yeah," John grinned pulling a large sword from a sheath on his back. "So that was why I had to poke his eyes out."

"He's still angry about that?" Alucard laughed when John gasped. "Yeah, just the mention of your name causes rage. He murdered a whole village that claimed loyalty to you...last week." Alucard laughed when John held his sword as if to ward him off. "Are you scared....good," Alucard smirked pulling a dragon hilted sword from underneath his large red coat. "You should be." He growled the words and the sound of the clanging metal was loud in the night as the two titans clashed.

Andy looked up just then and gasped as Alucard's true prowess with a sword was revealed. "He really is amazing," She sighed before going back to her own battles.

Break

"Alright Jon," George said his voice shaking a bit. "These kids need to get out of here."

"Shut up George and get over here," Jon demanded.

George shook his head. "Jon, you don't know what you are doing." George cut his eyes to Rain. "They don't need to see you this way. Or me... or what you want."

"I will kill him" Jon yelled and George panted taking his inhaler out. "Don't you care?" He waved the gun in between the area of Jhaymes chest and face.

"You have lost your mind," Bikky said situating his body in front of Rain.

"Shut up boy!" Jon snarled. "George don't make me say it again."

George took a step forward, "Jhaymes," Rain spoke low. "It's just one human."

"Maintain humanity," Jhaymes commanded suppressing the winds Rain began to call. In Rain and Bikky's mind, Jhaymes continued. "If we unleash our fury upon a human the world would know that Arcadia is more than it seems. They are already suspicious about the location. An instance such as this should be handled with human abilities." Rain thought no words to Jhaymes his anger mounting at sage advice. Bikky knew Jhaymes was right, but it was a bitter pill to swallow. To have such immense gifts and yet be unable to unleash them. Rain said nothing but he sent an image of George in pain under the ministrations of Jon's brutal claiming. Jhaymes winced unable to bear the image. Closing his eyes he could not escape the sight burned into his brain.

"Then do nothing and watch that fool rape him." Rain said aloud as George made it to Jon. "No," Rain stepped forward his winds surging against Jhaymes hold the air turned bright green.

"Boy don't move!"

"Rain!!!" The sound of the gun shot was loud though it was nearly drowned out by the sound of Bikky calling his name. George stared in horror shaking his head.

"Jon... what have you done?" George whispered as tears fell from his face. "Oh... Bikky... No. Oh God, oh Bikky..." George tried to step forward but the cold press of steel at his temple. "Jon, do you realize you just shot a child?" George wept staring at the stranger before him.

"Bikky," Rain's voice was tremulous from his position on the floor underneath Bikky's large body. Rain recalled attempting to go to George, then the floor, Bikky yelling at him and a gunshot. "Bikky!" Rain called his voice louder as he thought of his brother. He felt warmth surround his lap and hand. Rain was almost afraid to look down knowing what the viscous liquid was.

"Rain... you okay?" Bikky asked his voice wheezed. "I know I'm heavy, I'll get off you." Bikky tried to move but only managed to fall over onto his back. "Ow, damn, never been shot before. That hurts. Ryo and Dee must be made of steel."

"You idiot!" Rain yelled as Jhaymes came crashing at his side.

"Rain here," Jhaymes took off his outer shirt. "Press this to his side. Looks like the bullet went through, the blood is not too dark. It might hurt like hell, but he'll live. Brave of you, young MaClean, to jump into that bullet like that."

"Not about to let him get hit," Bikky tried to smile. "I have more muscle." Bikky took as deep a breath as his pain would allow. "He's gone, Jon, that's not him." Bikky whispered his eyes closing in the sleep of the unconscious.

"Ha," Jon laughed at the sight of Jhaymes and Rain applying pressure to Bikky's wounds. "Hahahahaa! Come George, you see now, don't you? You see, I am serious." George got to his feet. "I don't see what the big deal is. Not like I've never had you before. What's one more time between old friends huh?"

"Jon, you've gone mad." George wept looking at his friends. "You've shot a child."

"I know, and I'll shoot one more if you don't get over here," Jon promised looking at the beauty before him feeling a ravenous possessiveness claim him. Jon blinked as it seemed that the butterfly clipped to his hat moved.

"No Ponchi," George took the hat off and tossed it onto a desk. "He'll squish you." Ponchi tinkled loud her anger at her size palpable.

"George, pretty George," George gasped as Jon stroked his face with the gun. George trembled, "No more has to be hurt. Take your pants down."

"Jon, don't do this," George shook his head and Rain turned to come to his aid.

"Move boy and I'll shoot you too. This time I'll kill. You too Jhaymes, don't move, he's mine now," Jon grabbed George with his free hand. "Drop them," Jon commanded tugging at the waist of George's pants.

"Okay, don't hurt anyone else, please Jon, don't hurt anyone else." Rain sobbed closing his eyes as George lowered his pants.

"That desk, lean over it," Jon shoved George against the teachers desk in the room.

"Rain," George said his voice carrying across the room. "Through the adoption on Arcadia, I am legally an uncle to you right? And Arcadia places a significant amount of honor on the elders, so please, do as I say and close your eyes."

"You think just because I can't see I don't know what he's doing to you?!" Rain snarled the words not letting up on the pressure to staunch the flow of Bikky's blood. "I know, I know more than anyone."Rain shook his head at Jhaymes who held on to the other side of Bikky's wound. "It's not love like Ryo and Dee have. Not what you and Jhaymes have. It is brutal, and violent, and painful. If you say you love George, how can you do that to him?"

"I never said I loved him," Jon laughed unzipping his pants. "I said I wanted him, I need him. If I don't have him the world will cease. Can't you see it? I have to have him. I need it!"

"Ah!" George gasped at the painful grip of Jon's hands biting into his sides. Rain gasped lowering his head to Bikky's chest pressing his hands down hard on the bleeding. George bit his lip to keep his mouth closed. Rain did not need to hear him cry.

Break

John laughed as he fought Alucard. "Is this it?" He asked as his sword sang loud as it crashed against his. "Is this what legends are made of?"

"You have lost this battle," Alucard announced as John sword slid into his neck until his head hung at the side. John wondered why the creature before him smiled. Heaven looked up from her position near Andy her claws bared as she battled the monstrous horde of fiendish ghouls making their way to the Obsidian Palace. Faith held her arm where it bled but continued to fight.

"You may have been touched by the blood of my family, but you and I are different," Alucard laughed his head still hanging by a tenuous slip of flesh.

"Master!" Seras called turning her canon on John.

"Protect the palace Police girl!" Alucard called over to her. From the billowing blood an arm appeared and tendrils of wispy smoke emitted from two fingers that wrapped around the neck of a ghoul that was sneaking up behind him. Seras turned her canon just in time to fire on the legions of un-dead that tried to approach the shining steps.

" Eat Harconnen, filth!" Seras growled reloading while Andy's lightning swarmed over the crowd. Faith whistled at the smoking piles of dust that were once vampirish ghouls. When the rain of lightning passed, Seras fired again.

"What do you mean different?" John asked when Alucard began to melt into a bubbling pool of his own blood.

Eyeballs swirled around and his voice seemed thick with mirth as he spoke. "We are very different you and I." Alucard materialized again, this time in a black suit with long black hair down to his calves his grin spread out over his face still clean shaven but a close enough resemblance to his father as to cause a shiver to run up John's already cold spine. "Care for a demonstration?" Alucard laughed pulling Nestoir to him. "Do you mind highness?" Nestoir smiled and cut a small wound onto his arm. He flung his arm causing several drops to land on John who screamed in agony. John stared in horror as Alucard, no Vlad, the son of the mighty Dragon of the Carpathians bit into the wound on Nestoir's arm drinking the blood that poured forth. How was this possible? He was not even able to stand the touch of a single drop and yet here Vlad seemed to be drinking his fill of the sweet smelling mixture falling from the prince.

"Enough you glutton," Nestoir snatched his arm away.

"Master?" Seras looked again while the other warriors battled on. "Master can drink Arcadian blood."

"No shit!" Faith gasped having learned that Arcadian blood was poisonous to vampires. Heaven could not even partake and she was part angel.

"Mmm...." Vlad licked his bloody lips before uproarious laughter left him. Long and loud he laughed; then, again he began to melt. "You want this gift?" Vlad asked from his puddle of gooey blood as he slithered to John's feet. John began to back away screaming as the blood covered the tops of his boots, climbed up his legs and circled his waist. John seemed to scream louder as the serpentine coil of crimson banded his chest, twined about his neck then covered his head. "Take it!" Vlad yelled entering Johns mouth. "Your treachery shall be met with vengeance the likes of which you have never known before. Seeping into your pores, your petrified organs, you will know the extent of my wrath and be grateful for it. Mircea would have done far worse." John went down screaming as he exploded. Fragments of his body falling like rain on the hordes of demon ghouls below. Alucard stood from the wreckage holding his wide brimmed hat. He smiled then placed it back on his head.

"Master!" Seras clapped before tossing his guns back to him with several clips. Alucard nodded his thanks before rejoining the fray.

Break

Julie stared at the door. No, she thought as Rain had protected her from whatever was taking place inside the classroom. "I have to help him," She got to her feet pounding on the door. She heard yelling. "I'll get the police," she called, but felt the buffeting of strong wind. She wondered if they had even heard her. Julie turned to run down the hall and gasped as she was met with several painted facades. "No," She cried turning first right, then left. Running blindly she became lost in the maze. The sound of the gun shot startled her. She heard several screams as other students heard the sound. Julie gasped then looked to the nearest window and leaped out. She had to get help, she had to.

Break

Azrial stood his ground at the gates of the Arcadian Palace protecting the Lion throne. "Marilyn, you are not ready for this fight. Get to the room and stay there," Azrial commanded. "They come."

"Is that an order?" Marilyn asked looking out at the acid spitting creatures that dared set foot in the presence of the mighty edifice. "Master," As always the term was added as an after thought.

"If it needs to be," Azrial said looking to Francis. Marilyn nodded vowing to stay inside only so long as the palace was safe. If needs be he would show Azrial that he could fight as well. " I am not trying to be cruel Mari," Azrial softened his voice in the sensual way he knew Marilyn would respond to. "I just want you somewhere away from harm. You are barely old enough to fully appreciate having your abilities, let alone trained enough to use them." Marilyn nodded hating to admit that Azrial was correct he walked away his head held high. "We are out numbered." Azrial said to Daphnus as Dae and Florian showed themselves riding above the crowd on black steeds smoke billowing from the creatures noses and eyes glowing red. Francis moved beside Daphnus looking over the rampaging creatures that encroached upon the palace.

Azrial wondered why Daphnus and Francis both smiled. "Dae," Daphnus called a greeting. "How are you?"

"Good," Daphnus nodded. "You should see my harem. I have the most delectable specimens."

"We never did have the same taste," Daphnus wrinkled his nose. " What you call delectable, I call disgusting. Ah well, tomato tomato, right? Tell me," Daphnus chuckled as he recalled that Hamanosuke was nothing more than a bed toy to the fearsome demon. "What makes you think that todays venture will be any more successful than your previous failed attempts to take the palace?"

"I know you split your already divided forces, the Obsidian is under attack, the pet shop is locked down, so is the consulate. A few human detectives can not make up for the royale who have gone to your stations on other parts of the world. I know you have them in Ireland and Jerusalem and Eastern Europe."

"You do," Daphnus nodded. "Well, our forces in Eastern Europe have returned and brought back a friend," Daphnus admitted laughing as he thought of Hunyadi going up against the son of the man he betrayed.

"There now Dae," Dae gasped at the lilting accent he heard moments before the flaming haired prince made his presence known. "Were you no counting on me to ever return to me 'ome 'ere?"

"Prince Deipyros," Daphnus greeted trying not to show the trembling in his body. "How nice to see you again. If you ever feel stifled here, there is room amongst my warriors."

"I would rather take off me own 'and than extend it to the likes of you," Deipyros laughed.

"Hi!" Tisiphone called waving. Her long blond tresses fell over her face as she moved. "Guess who's back?" She giggled moving aside for two visions in pink and black. Aside from their figures there were no differences between their faces and Daphnus.

"The twin princesses,"Dae mouthed the words recalling a previous deception of theirs where they had infiltrated his very own home and found out the plans he had spent centuries putting into play. Even upon his discovery of their clever ruse they had eluded his grasp. "Slippery little bitches!" Dae snarled fighting the attraction he felt at the mere sight of them standing beside their brother not deigning to even speak to him.

"The keepers of the pet shop are the very owners themselves," Daphnus smiled knowing that Lord D was well protected he smiled at Hama who sat upon his mount with his eyes downcast. His misery he wore like a cloak. Dae looked at him and his body trembled anew with revulsion. "It may as well not exist for all you can access it." Daphnus taunted with a chuckle. "Now, we don't have to do this. I feel a little bored right now. We have defeated you so often there is not much fun in it anymore. You can leave."

"I will not be defeated," Dae held his ground. He had made it! Damn it he was on Arcadian soil with an amassed army that would never have made it otherwise. The last time he had been on these lands he had made to an island on the outskirts, now he was very near to the steps of the palace. He had never been this close before, he could not let this opportunity pass. He could almost see it, shining bright and dazzled with jewels. The hallowed chair that Zarro himself never dared sit upon. And Dae was here, he could take it. He would. "The Lion's throne will be mine!"

"You damn fool," Daphnus turned away to mount Faldor. "There is no reasoning with him. Let's just kill him and be done with it for now."

"Yes your highness," Faldor said his enormous body shaking with mirth as his golden hooves pawed the ground. Huge black wings fanned against the night sky while his golden horn pierced the air with his eagerness to be off.

"There is nothing I need to know," Daphnus informed his Royale and thus the rest of his forces. "Leave none alive." Francis smiled pulling a sword free he leaped from the balcony moments before Azrial. They both landed and began to cut through the demons as the two armies clashed.

Break

George swallowed bile as Jon's hands stroked his bottom. "Jon don't do this," George shook his head tears leaving trails on his cheeks and the desk underneath him.

"Shut up George," Jon said leaning into him. Rain began to breathe heavily and it was all Jhaymes could do to suppress the wind building inside the angry teenager.

"How can you just sit here and do nothing while he is forcing your husband?" Rain demanded his cheeks flushed with bitter rage. "Release me then and let me do it! I won't kill him, just get him off of George."

"And when he wonders how you managed it?" Jhaymes countered. "When he alerts the authorities that the wind moved at your command, then what?" Jhaymes whispered furiously. Rain broke down into tears. "It is hard, but this changes nothing," Jhaymes said aloud, his eyes locking onto George. "He is still my own heart. And I will die without him. I love him today, and tomorrow. I will always love him no matter what. Georgie sweetheart, this is nothing, it means nothing. I love you. I always will. No matter what he does to you. I will always love you."

Rain began to sob then leaning over Bikky's prone form. "Shh, Rain, you're not hurt are you" Rain gasped sitting up to look at Bikky. "You're okay, right?"

"Yeah, but he shot you Bikky," Rain cried.

"Okay, I'm okay, don't cry, you know how red your nose gets when you cry." Bikky sighed trying to sit up.

"No don't move," Rain held his brother down. "We have to keep as much blood in you as possible. You've already lost much."

"Where's George?" Bikky tried again to sit up.

"I'll be alright," George assured him then gasped as Jon leaned into him. Jon tried, he shifted, he stood on the tips of his toes. With a savage growl he yanked George back and threw him to the floor.

"Get on your knees," Jon shoved the gun to George's temple. "Look, it's just one time right? No more injuries, no death. And your husband said he'll still love you, so just relax and let me in."

"You do realize you are doing this in front of children? You shot a child and now you would do this..." George gasped when Jon pulled him behind the desk.

"Now they can't see," Jon said nodded. "It's alright now."

"Do you really want to hurt me this way, Jon?" George asked looking behind him at the man he barely recognized.

"Why are you over here Jhaymes?" Bikky asked looking up. Breathing was getting hard to do, but he tried. "That man is going to rape him."

"Bikky we have to keep pressure on your wounds, you could bleed out and die." Jhaymes wept and in that moment Rain saw how much this was killing him inside. "Do you think I want that mad mans hands on my sweetheart?"

"It's not his hands I'm worried about," Rain grumbled and again Jhaymes had to redouble his efforts to contain the boy.

"Ooph," George gasped as Jon shoved himself against him. Jon grimaced, then tried again. He pushed... and pushed. George looked back then his brow furrowed as Jon pushed again and could not gain entrance. Jon backed away wetting his fingers then trying again. Grimacing at the rude touch George nearly fell over at the brutal thrusting that got nothing accomplished. Jon tried again growling when George did fall over. "Jon, stop please," George pleaded backing away glad his long shirt and coat kept him from being exposed even though his pants were gone.

"Shut up George," Jon yanked him back, sitting his gun down he pushed George's legs apart. He crawled over him trying again with the same results. No matter what he did, or how hard to pushed he could not get inside of George. George placed his hands on Jon's shoulders and stared in wonder as his wedding band glowed in the darkness. He stared transfixed for a moment then he looked over beside his head. He saw the gun. It just lay there. Jon gasped and stared in horror at the barrel of the gun that George held to his face. "Georgie..."

"Get off me," George demanded his hand shaking as Jon seemed confused.

"Give me that," Jon reached for the gun and George pulled the trigger the bullet went above his head but it got his attention. "Georgie."

"Don't you Georgie me," George huffed.

"George, Sweetheart," Jhaymes called his eyes overflowing.

"Jhaymes just go," Bikky shook his head. "I'm alright." Jhaymes was torn. He could not leave the boy and yet that second gunshot was more than he could handle.

"I am sorry Bikky," Jhaymes released his hold on Bikky and Rain. Instead of Rain sending his wind to harm Jon, he increased the air pressure outside of Bikky's wounds. Jhaymes leaped over the desk knocking Jon aside. He pulled George to his feet as Jon struggled to stand.

"Georgie, put it down and come here," Jon reached for him.

"Jon it's over," George shook his head. They were all startled at the sound of the pounding on the door.

"Police, open up!" The pounding continued.

"Georgie, just meet me somewhere and we can..." George shook his head as Jon seemed deranged to him. The police began to batter the doors. Two swift hits and they came in with their guns and paramedics. Jill took in the scene then rushed to Bikky as the paramedics were lifting him onto a stretcher. She wished she could just take him to the shop, but too many detectives and police officers, not to mention Julie and the other students that were crowding the scene had seen him injured. This was one wound he would have to deal with. JJ sighed pulling out his cell he called the shop to make sure that Lord D was feeling up to going into the hospital.

"See Rain," Bikky sighed as he was swarmed by EMT's. "I'm alright."

"Dummy," Rain wiped his tears with his bloody hands. "You got shot."

Break

Leon shot so many demons they began to blur to him one into another. Faceless hordes of enemy to be cut down. He thought of Count D at the shop, of Aoi, of Kurayami. Lord D and the twins, Kibo and Shinrai. He thought of Sofu and Aurora. They could not fail here. "Daphnus, I think we almost got them," Leon called looking down when his cell phone buzzed. It always amazed him that he got perfect reception here on this strange place. "Jill," Leon fired several more bullets before he picked up. "Jill, hon. Kind of busy right now," Leon saw a demon going up against Deipyros only to be cut down by a long emerald studded broadsword. "What!" Leon gasped killing the demons that thought to encroach upon him while distracted. "Daphnus, I have to get to the Obsidian Palace... NOW!"

"What?" Daphnus called over watching as bright beams of pink light emitted from Althea and Amalthea.

"I have to talk to Ryo and Dee, Bikky got shot!" Leon sat the phone down.

"The hell you say?" Daphnus gasped. "Alright, guys," Daphnus called. Tisiphone and the others hurried over. "Time to stop humoring Dae."

"What happened, I was just starting to have fun." Tisiphone giggled.

"I know, seems like it's been a while since we trounced him,"Deipyros chuckled sending leaf shaped blades over the crowd of demons clamoring to get to the top.

"Yeah but, we need to get to the Obsidian Palace," Leon said reloading his gun. "I've got to get to Ryo and Dee."

"Laton and Torcha will eat anyone approaching the birthing chamber," Tisiphone shook her head as the twin princesses came over. Leon always felt awed when they stood near their brother. Daphnus was older, but for all the facial differences they may as well have been triplets.

"Come now Tisiphone," Amalthea said with a smile.

"I am sure they would not eat him," Althea laughed a little. "Probably." She added the qualifier when she thought of the fierce dragon queen and king.

"At least we know Laton will not," Amalthea turned to glower at the determined demon that stomped through the crowd trying to get to her side. She pulled a sword and ran him through.

"He does not like the taste of human, now Torcha," Althea laughed slicing a demon in half.

Tisiphone looked out at the crowd. Dae had brought a large number. She frowned knowing that it must have been Cho Da Koen who helped the beast enter their lands for sure he could not have done it alone. Not this close at least. "With Nes and Andy at the Obsidian, you can't do the Arcadian Lights." Tisiphone said with a sigh. "How will you get them all?"

"Call Clarisande up here," Daphnus ordered leaning over Faldor's back, he put his sword away. The large creature brought his wings up to shield his prince from any attacks. When Daphnus was again sitting up, Faldor brought his wings down with a crash on the heads of the demons that had surrounded him. "Angel, you as well," Prince Angel uncased his mighty golden wings and hovered above Daphnus. Tisiphone likewise pulled forth her silver wings flying beside Angel. "We are going to unleash everything into Angel's orb, arrows, blades, beams, you name it, put it in. Angel will fly above with Tisiphone as his guard. Althea, Amalthea and myself will act as cattle prods and herd them all into place. Clarisande will make a shield over the humans here. I would ordinarily ask Angel, but he is about to be busy." Daphnus laughed glad that Nestoir was not there to tell him he was being wordy at an inopportune moment.

"If that's the plan, let's go," Leon looked again at his phone not believing what Jill had said. He had to hurry and get to the palace. Ryo and Dee had to know.

Break

"Papa," Aoi walked over to Count D with a grace that seemed unnatural in the three year old child. "Making circles will not make Daddy come home."

"What?" Count D looked down at his daughter.

Sofu laughed from where he sat with Kurayami, lady Aurora at his side. Though he randomly tested the shields, the shop was held in place. Nothing had disturbed them here. Leon had done the right thing in insisting that D remain here. "The child is tired of your pacing." Sofu said. He looked over into Lady Aurora's lap where their son's head lay. She dragged a brush gently through his hair. He wrinkled his brow curling over as if with stomach pains. Only three months and already he was suffering. Sofu sighed at the thought that his son, while the only Kami survivor of a live twin birth, could not handle the act of pregnancy. He would have to do research to see if there was some way to impede future implantation. Lord D trembled in his mother's lap as his stomach roiled.

"Are you ill?" Aurora asked careful not to shift him.

"Umm," Lord D managed to nod. Kibo and Shinrai began to weep Aurora hauled him to a lavatory.

"Shh... Soon you will meet your brother," Count D patted his younger brother's awed at their very existence. "Papa is alright." The two small children crawled into D's lap and he looked up at his daughter who sat playing with her orb. She made twinkling lights dance in the air and her uncles laughed with delight.

Break

Aliora dragged a sleeve across her brow. She looked up to see Ryo wiping Alicia's brow with a cool cloth that Dee had handed him. Both men then took up position, holding her hands as she panted and cried out. Alicia squeezed and Aliora smiled that the prince and his consort did not wince or snatch away from the strength of a dragon in pain. Alicia gasped tears falling from her eyes as she pushed. "That's it!" Aliora cheered warmed by the obvious caring that both Ryo and Dee had for the mother. "The heir is crowning."

"Okay," Ryo nodded not sure what Aliora meant, but sure it was painful from the screaming Alicia began to do. He was so sorry. Ryo never meant to cause Alicia so much pain. She had had a child before, surely she had known what to expect. Tears stung his eyes as he thought of her readily agreeing to do this again. For him and Dee. "Oh... Alicia," Ryo leaned his forehead against hers. Dee leaned down pressing a kiss to Ryo's head, then to Alicia.

"We've got it, Baby, It's okay," Dee whispered in his ear. Amidst the pain, Alicia smiled. Dee gasped as she gripped he and Ryo both her hands like tiny vises. Sweat poured down her face and body as she cried out.

"Push."

"Push."

"Push."

Three voices rose together and Alicia cried out pushing with all her might. Aliora watched as a tuft of dark hair emerged followed by pink skin. "Keep on, almost there, my lady." Aliora coached watching in joy. Alicia panted, closing her eyes she held on to her friends and pushed. "Yes, that's it, the head is clear," Aliora reached down helping to guide the child free. "Oh, your highness," Aliora looked up with shining eyes at Ryo, Alicia's final screams still ringing in his ears, he saw her lips move, but could not understand the words she said.

"A girl," Dee told him laughing as he looked at the pink cheeked child squalling in Aliora's hands. "Baby, it's a girl." Aliora, with hands swift from experience, cleaned the child and handed her to Ryo. "Father," Aliora called over and Ryo seemed in a daze as she handed him the surgical scissors. When tears blinded him, Dee was there to wipe them. When his hand shook, Dee steadied it and together they cut the child free. Alicia gasped laying back while Aliora began to stitch and clean.

Ryo sat with his daughter in his hands. As if she recognized him, the child ceased to scream and instead gazed up at him with eyes so dark they appeared black. "I thought all babies eyes were blue," Ryo sighed looking at her, his heart so full he thought it would burst.

"Remember what Laton always says," Dee smirked as he rubbed his finger over the hair at the crown of the tiny head. "Human absolutes don't work here." Dee leaned over and kissed Ryo. Their lips lingered a moment before Ryo carefully carried the child over to Alicia.

"Is she beautiful?" Alicia asked reaching her trembling arms for the child. Dee sat behind her once more supporting her weight while Ryo sat beside her placing the baby in her arms.

"Was there ever a doubt?" Dee asked for Ryo was busy wiping his eyes on the handkerchief that Aliora gave him.

"The child will be wanting a feeding," Aliora bowed to the prince, his consort and the duchess. "May her life be rich with happiness and treasure beyond all imagining." Ryo nodded accepting the well wishes, for he knew that dragons valued treasure.

"I am grateful for your assistance," Ryo inclined his head regally. Aliora bowed herself out of the room. She smiled at the king and queen as she told them the good news of the dragon princess, born this night. Alicia was just placing the child to her breast as the entire Obsidian Palace began to quake.

"Ryo!" Alicia looked up as their daughter began to drink.

"Don't worry Alicia," Ryo got to his feet. He leaned in close and kissed the small brow of his infant daughter. "Dee stay with them." Dee nodded and swallowed past the lump in his throat as Ryo left the birthing chamber.

Break

Alucard stopped firing as what was left of his heart lodged in his throat. Andy was pinned down under the onslaught of several demons. Though her sword swung with precision, for every one she cut down at least three took it's place. Alucard looked for Nestoir and found him battling a large monster with four heads all of which were either spitting acid or fire. Alucard dashed across the bloody field. His guns firing. Just as a large beast was setting to land on top of her, Alucard picked the princess up into his arms. "Vlad," Andy gasped holding her side where she had landed hard on the ground. Her armor appeared battered and bloody. Sniffing her quickly, Alucard discerned that most of the blood was not her own. A small cut on her forehead bled sluggishly, but she was alright. Relief lightening his face into a smile, he dropped her at her husband's side.

"Do your duty," Alucard commanded. He fired both of his guns at the creature. "I've got this, you take her inside."

"I'm not leaving," Andy shoved away from her husband she raised her hand sending bright lightning over the scales of the creature causing it to turn over and rear up. "Now Nestoir!" Andy called to which Nestoir drove his sword deep into the belly of the beast. Alucard joined in firing round after round from both guns. The creature howled it's final throes before it crumbled into the ground, melting. Alucard gazed at the bubbling mass of goo with disdain.

"This blood reeks more than usual," Nestoir said as Andy gagged.

"Hunyadi," Alucard said simply looking over the debris of corpses that littered the steps leading to the palace as well as the mountain crags below. "If his blood is in these creatures, destroying his body was a farce, he will be able to return unless I get everyone that has his taint."

"Do you have to do it, or just so long as they are dead?" Andy asked looking up to see Ryo on the top most step leaving the palace with his hands already aflame and his eyes blazing with a rage he had never before felt. It consumed him with the need to destroy that which threatened his family. It was an unpleasant sensation and he wanted to be done with it.

"Dead is dead, what matters who accomplished the deed?" Alucard shrugged, an elegant gesture that seemed out of place with the creature, but bespoke his upbringing as a prince.

Nestoir looked up at the large green scaled dragon that flew in lumbering circles over Ryo. "It matters."

"Not as graceful as you used to be," Ryo stood his ground not bothering to follow the creature with his eyes, preferring instead to mark his travel by scent alone. "And you are in desperate need of a bath. You smell of death. In fact," Ryo sniffed then recoiled swallowing bile. "You smell as if there is no life within you. You're... you're dead!" Ryo stared in horror at the monster that circled overhead.

"I have more power than you, halfbreed," Cho called down staring at Ryo who watched him with the same loathsome disdain that his mother had showed when he staked his claim for her hand. She knew he would win the battle of a dragon claiming. "Just like your coward mother ran, will you?" Cho taunted snarling as he could smell the birth of the child. It emanated from the palace like a beacon. The scent, sweet with new life, lingered on Ryo like a cloak making Cho's mouth water. Maybe he would not keep the child but devoir it instead. Would that not be perfectly fitting for this fluffy halfbreed? "We don't have to do this." Cho lowered himself to the ground and Ryo did not back up from the creature that towered over him like a menacing behemoth in the chilly night air. "By rights, the child your mother bore should have been mine. As it is, I have no desire to claim a halfling male who submits to a human. A male at that," Cho spat and the ground sizzled at Ryo's feet. Cho frowned when Ryo did not move; his eyes narrowing instead the pupils taking on a reptilian slant. "I will take the child."

"You will have to kill me first," Ryo issued the challenge.

"I have no trouble with that," Cho raised a mighty claw prepared to strike Ryo down where he stood.

"I think you might have more trouble than you bargained for," The paw crashed down loosing rocks and debris to blow about. Cho gasped. Ryo wasn't there. Cho growled in anger as he looked down at his claw to see Ryo standing on top of it.

"Nimble little pederast, aren't you?" Cho shook his claw. Ryo jumped aside until he stood in between the massive forelimbs. He raised his hands and released a mighty wave of flames full into Cho's face. Ryo heard nothing but the howling of his own rage. Amidst the effort of releasing his flames he heard a sound that, for a moment, did not make sense. Was Cho laughing? Ryo lowered his hands to see the scales not even smoking. "I told you," Cho raised his claw. "I have more power than you." Ryo saw it, but it was coming too fast. Cho's claw slammed into the side of his body swatting him like so much garbage to be swept aside. Faith gasped sure that a hit from such a creature would surely kill. Cho laughed again turning his back to Ryo, he swung his tail wide as he spread his large, leather like wings. He began to pump them prepared to go retrieve the child. He felt a heated tugging and looked back to see Ryo had a grip on his tail.

"Do not go near my baby," Ryo coughed and spit blood from his mouth.

"You sound just like a female," Cho groused turning to glare at Ryo. "But I think it fitting."

"You must be terribly embarrassed to have lost so easily to me before," Ryo smirked. "You didn't even singe my wedding ensemble." Ryo shook his head planting his feet he began to wind the tail. Cho gasped when he felt himself being pulled back. "You gave up your life, and for what?" Ryo held on to the tail as he jumped over Cho's claws. "To become a lowly slave to a vampire in league with a filthy demon? Or did you think they wanted to help you gain the throne out of compassion for your plight? The truth is, Dae is hoping you will win, so that he will have a strong foothold in Arcadia. You would be a puppet, merely a stepping stone."

"You think I don't know that?" Cho laughed at Ryo's shocked expression. "This place needs to fall. It will be my final act of revenge."

"You bastard!" Ryo yelled running to the creature. Cho laughed rearing up.

"Your highness!" Ryo looked up to see Alucard hovering above. "Use this," Ryo caught the gleaming dragon hilted sword. Cho snapped at Alucard catching only the tail end of mist around his head as Alucard went back to watch the fight with the rest of the Royale while the salamanders cleaned up the aftermath of the battle.

"That toy will do you no good," Cho taunted as Ryo held the blade.

"Maybe, maybe not," Ryo laughed palming the sword. "Care to find out?"

"You can't even touch me with that," Cho raised up on his hind legs his wings spread out behind him dwarfing Ryo who seemed tiny next to the massive creature.

"I'll do more than touch," Ryo grinned.

"Are you hitting on me" Cho asked coming down with his paws on either side of Ryo.

"Dee is more of a man than you will ever be." Ryo looked down where his gender had been displayed when he reared up. "Even when in this form. I need more than a pencil to get satisfied."

"Reptiles..." Cho began to explain his face contorted in rage.

"Yeah, well, no wonder my mother ran," It was not the first time Ryo had taunted him that way, and, Cho vowed that it would be the last. He swiped at Ryo again only the have the nimble human leap away and slice at him with the sword. It bounced off his scales leaving not a dent in the armor plating. Cho laughed his nails scouring the ground they stood upon. Ryo changed the angle of the sword slipping it in between the scales. He gagged at the smell that was released from the puncture he had made. "Man, you stink," Ryo shot flames along the sword. Cho growled snatching his thickly scaled arm away before the flames could reach him.

"You... brat!" Cho snarled his voice thundering around the mountain. "I'll rip you limb from limb!"

"What?" Ryo frowned jumping aside from the massive creature. "No fire today? You know I can overpower you," Ryo raised the sword that sang with the brilliance of his flames. Cho snarled his reptilian features twisting with the need to feast upon the flesh of the halfling dragon prince. "Wait, I get it," Ryo laughed. He heard the sound of the hooves running towards him. The wings beating in the sky but he ignored them as he faced his opponent.

"Ryo!" He heard his name called. But he was alright. He did not need help, all he had to do was end this. Tears stung Ryo's eyes at the burning rage that consumed him. He hated feeling this way. This mindless need to destroy, to kill. "Ryo..." His name was called again.

"I've got it!" Ryo called over his shoulder. "He can not use flames. Dragon fire is passion, it is pure, like life. He is dead, for more power he gave up his life. He is not a dragon, now he is only a beast fit to be put down." Ryo did not take a moment to glance at Leon behind him who was riding a Pegasus and calling out to him. Cho growled at the words and attacked Ryo with all his strength. He swung his claws trying to catch the small human only to feel biting frustration as he moved away. His nose felt the sting of the sword that slid between his scales and he was singed by the fire that emitted from Ryo's hands.

"Ryo!" His name was called again after he avoided a snapping bite from Cho's teeth. "We have to go to the Crusaders Hospital on earth, it's where they took Bikky. Too many humans saw him Injured, we can not use Lord D's magic." Ryo battled on, Alucard's sword making nicks and dents in the abominable beast. "Ryo!!!"

"What?!" Ryo turned around to glare at Leon just as Cho flew over head. He descended from the sky his mouth open wide over Ryo.

"Bikky got shot!" Were the last words that Ryo heard before he vanished into Cho's yawning mouth.

Break

Upstairs all was quiet save for the occasional sigh from the sleeping infant in Alicia's arm. Dee gasped as it felt as if a part of him vanished leaving a gaping hole in his heart. He grabbed his chest as tears fell from his eyes. "Ryo..." Dee scooted away from Alicia who lay sleeping sound with the child. He opened the door ready to leave to find that Laton and Torcha were doing the same their tails grazing the window ledge as they departed. "Wait!" Dee called after them, hoping to get a ride to Ryo's side.

"Stay with the mother and child!" Torcha called back and Dee looked down to the scorched earth below and gasped at the evidence of carnage before him. As he looked, a familiar, beloved form was no where to bee seen. Dee swallowed hard, breathing in rapid pants to avoid a panic. This would make sense. Ryo was just... Ryo was just... he did not know, but Ryo was somewhere.

Break

Leon gasped as Andy screamed. Cho stood as he hand landed with his mouth pressed to the ground. His throat bulged as if attempting to swallow. Inside his mouth Ryo blinked several times as consciousness returned to him. What? Where was he? What had happened? Cho, yes he was fighting Cho Da Koen. He wanted his child. The baby. The beautiful little girl who even now slept in bliss knowing that he would protect her. And Bikky, oh no! Ryo's mind surged as he felt a new determination fill his veins and overpower everything within him. Bikky had been shot before human eyes. His son! Not his son. Cho gasped at the temperature in his mouth. Ryo could not raise his hands, he had made sure of it. Cho squeezed his cheeks trying to squash the man in his mouth.

Ryo twisted first right, then left. He struggled anger blinding him to all but the need to end this. He had to get to Bikky. He had to protect his children. He had to protect Dee, he had to defend his crown and his honor. His mother's honor. He wore her crown, he would bear the burden of this fight. Ryo threw his head back his eyes wide the pupils mere slants glowing with a diamond brilliance in the cavern of his moving prison. Cho gasped. No, he thought with fear his entire body trembling as his mouth heated. No, it was not possible. Not for a halfling! Ryo opened his mouth releasing a battle cry full of fury and anguish. Cho gasped backing away from the flames that erupted from Ryo's mouth with the force of a volcano.

At the windows ledge Dee watched the gigantic serpentine form coil and uncoil as if in pain before it backed away. Faith gasped watching. Hadn't Ryo said that he was unable to use flames because he was dead? "That is fire in it's purest form. The element itself. Only a living dragon could emit such flames." Alucard said with a smile. "The little prince is delightful. These flames are not an ability born of a physical strength, no!" Alucard's grin widened as Cho was lifted from the ground by the force coming from his own mouth. "These flames are the passionate cry of the heart!" Laton and Torcha both halted in the air, their wing beats buffeting the spectators below. Ryo stood rigid his head back and his mouth open. A beacon of fiery light issued forth lighting the night. As Ryo stood he felt a ripping pain in his back, but he ignored it. The only thing that mattered was getting to his son. Wait, Rain! Ryo thought. If Bikky was shot, where was Rain?

"Holy shit," Leon whispered staring at his friend. "Ryo."

Ryo felt a new weight hang from his back but it did not matter. All that mattered was ending this. Tears coursed from his eyes as flames burst from his mouth. Cho growled a scream as he was filled to capacity with Ryo's flames. His scales bulged and loosened exploding from his body and embedding deeply into the mountain side. "Baby!" Dee called down. Ryo turned around the weight at his back lifting him from his feet. He gasped turning around to see the shock on Dee's face. He looked around at the Royale and company seeing similar expressions of shock. On his grandparents, as well as shock joy was mingled. Ryo sighed and flexed his wings... wings?! Ryo looked up and saw, above him, large spiked tops of leathery wings. He moved and they went with him. He shook and they shook. They were attached. "No, don't panic!" Laton called landing beside his grandson as he sank into the ground.

"I guess he really is gay after all," Faith laughed wincing as her bleeding arm was bound. Seras looked over at her confused. "He fainted."

Ryo was slow to awaken, he was warm, too warm. He opened his eyes sure that he was being digested. Cho had eaten him. He knew it. And Bikky, Bikky! He had to get up. "Dee," Ryo sat up then gasped he turned around. The movement was easy, nothing holding him back. "The wings. Was I dreaming? No," Ryo shook his head bringing an unsteady hand to his brow. "I spit flames and grew wings."

"Yes, Snap Dragon," Torcha smiled. "This night you have made us all proud. The beast is no more. You have protected your family, and your right to the crown." Torcha placed a kiss on his brow. "Now go," Torcha helped him to stand to his feet. "Your plane will arrive at midnight tonight in the human earthen city of Los Angeles." Torcha sighed, "we have to maintain humanity in this one." Torcha growled smoke coming from her nose. Laton patted her dainty hand.

Break

George watched his eyes wide as Jon was dragged away screaming for him. "Wait!" Jhaymes stood tall. "He attacked Arcadian royalty. As a knight and consort, I am making an official international arrest. He will appear and stand trial before the king!" Jhaymes stepped up his frown in place. "You may keep him in a cell in your jail for the time being, but as soon as possible, he will be taken to the detainment center on Arcadian soil."

"Can he do that?" One of the other detectives asked Jill who nodded. Though her nod was solemn, her eyes shone with approval.

Break

Ryo and Dee dashed down the hall with Andy, Leon and Count D. Upon his return to the shop Leon had gasped to find Lord D incapacitated by his heaving stomach. Though incredibly ill and in pain, Lord D had still tried to come with them. Sofu had to restrain his son as Count D went instead. The halls, Ryo would forever hate the halls of the hospital. He recalled the many times he and Dee had made such a journey. But he looked over at the hair hanging over Dee's brow. Their entire life together had been one long journey. Though some times were hard, many, no most, were full of joy and he would always treasure them. "Dee, Ryo!" George wept as he got to his feet. "I am sorry, I am so sorry."

"What for?" Dee said as Ryo looked for a doctor. "What did you do?"

"Jon came after me, but he shot Bikky." George sobbed as Ryo came back with a doctor that could tell them of Bikky's condition.

"You gave Jon a gun?" Ryo asked his eyes wide. "How irresponsible of you. Knowing how crazy is."

"I did not know he was crazy," George shook his head. "And I would never give him, or anyone, a gun."

"Then this is his fault and no one else's," Ryo said kind as he looked at the doctor. "Please, how is our son?"

"He came out of surgery an hour ago." The Doctor smiled. "He will be just fine. There is some internal bruising, and the stitches will hurt, but the bullet went right through the muscle. Painful yes, but not deadly. He is a lucky young man. A few more inches to the right and there would have been no saving him." Dee thanked the doctor as Ryo went into the room. He approached the bed to see Bikky laying attached to several beeping machines. Beside his bed, Rain sat with his head lowered tears pouring onto his hands where they sat folded in his lap.

"It's alright Rain," Dee placed a hand on the slender shoulder. "Bikky will be okay."

"He was shot!" Rain sobbed throwing his arms around Ryo. "He was shot because of me."

"What?" Ryo looked down into the bright green eyes overflowing with tears.

"He was protecting me," Rain confessed.

"Stop it Rain," Rain gasped at the raspy voice. They turned to the bed to see Bikky working his eyes open. "I told you. I'm alright. Hey Ryo..." Bikky smiled though he felt an unpleasant tightness in his side. His brain fogged and he knew that the medications he was were strong indeed. "What was it? What did Alicia have."

"A girl," Ryo sat beside the bed taking Bikky's hand. "She had a girl, you have a sister."

"Bet she's pretty," Bikky sighed feeling tired all of sudden. "What's her name?"

Before Dee could tell him that they had not decided on one, Ryo smiled. "Her name is Angelina Joy MaClean."

To Be Continued

Author's notes: Finally, Halloween is done. So sorry that it is over a month late. But the next chapter will be Thanksgiving and I hope to have Christmas done soon. I am going to try to have it done before Classes start in January. Thank you so much for your time and effort. I hope that you are willing to let me know what you think. Your continued support is encouraging during these stressful times.

Ja Ne

Chi