Isabel sat on the ground with her legs crossed. She placed her hands on her knees with her palms open and facing up. In the back of her mind, she recalled the rage that flared out of her the previous day. It terrified her to think she still had so much power inside of her, and she wasn't sure if she could control it. She wanted to use these powers to save people. How could she do that if there was a risk they would be caught in the crossfire if she became consumed with anger again? She had to better understand the potential of her abilities. Not only would it protect those around her, but it would take her a step closer to defeat Albatox and Baerock.

She focused on her hands. Her palms brightened, turning a light shade of red as she felt her skin heat up. Beneath her skin, her blood boiled and surged through her body, igniting a fire in her that threatened to overwhelm her. As she focused, she thought back to before she was taken, when she heard her mother crying out for Jon. She still didn't know their fate. Was he dead? Who else might be dead? Isabel didn't want to think about it, but she figured that the only way for her to learn to control this power was to tackle it head-on. If she didn't push herself, she would never become strong enough to escape.

The longer this went on, the more she could feel something brewing inside of her come to the surface. Her teeth scraped together, catching her lip and drawing blood. A low growl rumbled out of her mouth and a small fire erupted from her hands. She swiftly clapped them together to stop the flames. She panted and took a moment to calm down. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck as she separated her hands and saw that the heat was gone. She let out a tired sigh. If she didn't learn to control this power soon, she might lose herself again. And without something to keep her grounded, she worried about what she might become.

She heard someone approaching her cell. She rose to her feet and waited for the Doctor's arrival. By now, she recognized the sound of his frantic footsteps as he couldn't wait to come to her to continue his tests. Isabel was at least thankful that she was no longer strapped to a table to be experimented on. However, that was only because the Drakes had her right where they wanted her. If she caused trouble, they could easily kill one of their prisoners as an example. This was their domain. Unless Isabel improved quickly, that fact wouldn't change.

The door opened and the Doctor stepped inside. He stared at her through his goggles. ''I'm glad to see that you are awake.''

Isabel huffed. ''Because you can't wait to start taking more of my blood?''

''No,'' he looked down the corridor he just came from and closed the door behind him. ''Because I want you to be the first to know that I've done it.''

She narrowed her eyes. ''Done what?''

He slowly approached her. ''I have created a replica formula. Do you know what that means?''

Isabel believed that she did, and she still wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. ''You can give someone else abilities like mine?''

''Precisely,'' he proclaimed excitedly. ''After so many years of mistrials and failures, you have been the key to my success. You were the perfect patient zero.''

Suddenly, the Doctor was swept off his feet as Isabel grabbed his collar and rushed him against the wall. She easily pinned him up, pressing her arm against his neck. She was careful not to crush his neck as he struggled and failed to break free. ''Give me that formula! Now!''

''I don't have it on me,'' he coughed. ''I knew you wouldn't appreciate my genius. I knew you would try to destroy it. Just like…''

She noticed his hesitation and pushed her arm down on him harder. ''Keep going.''

He grunted, both in pain and frustration. ''You remind me so much of my old lab partner. He was also an idealistic fool.''

''Maybe I'm idealistic because we have something that can give us a fighting chance against the Dragons, and you want to use it to make us better slaves.''

''What you call slavery, I call enhancement. We can become followers of Gods. Real Gods. Not fables and superstitious beliefs. We can go to other worlds and rule…''

His sentence was cut short when Isabel pulled her arm away and let him slump to the floor. He coughed violently and rubbed his bruised neck. Isabel paced around the room. Her eyes glanced over to the door. For a brief moment, she considered running around this place to find the formula. But, there was no way she would find it before the Drakes spotted her and sacrifice a life to keep her in line. There was only so much she could take. It enraged her whenever she saw the Doctor. Even though she hadn't seen his face yet, she knew it was a face that she wanted to punch.

''I want you to be the first to know about something too,'' she growled. ''I'm going to get out of here. I'm going to kill Albatox and Baerock. I'm going to stop the Dragons and take back our world. Somewhere in that order, I'm going to make you pay for all that you've done.''

''All that I've done?'' he rose to his feet, still rubbing his neck. ''I have created the perfect hybrid. You are the living proof. You owe everything to me.''

''I don't owe you shit!'' She snapped. As she advanced towards him, he cowered against the wall. ''I'm going to return to my people. I don't care how long it takes. I will get out of here.''

He scoffed. ''Well, even if that dream of yours were plausible, you wouldn't have to travel far. Your people are nearby.''

Isabel's stern image faltered for a second. ''You're bluffing.''

''No, no, it's the truth,'' he said. ''A distress signal was sent out across multiple frequencies…by your mother.''

''My mom?'' Isabel gasped. Her heart sank as she feared the worst. ''What are the Drakes going to do?''

''Nothing,'' he replied, confusing Isabel. ''They are not a threat. No one will come to help them. None are brave enough to attack a stronghold protected by two Drakes. Albatox and Baerock do not need to trouble themselves with such a minor issue. Right now, they merely want you to entertain them in the ring. And they have something special planned for you in the next match.''

Isabel lowered her gaze to the floor. She was thankful that her mother was still alive. While she would have wanted to hear more information, she thought that them keeping their distance was for the best. However, how long would Albatox and Baerock leave them? There would eventually come a point where they would go after the survivors. Isabel had to become strong enough to stop them before that happened.

She glared at the Doctor. ''Tell them they can throw whatever they've got at me.''

XXX

As Isabel walked out into the arena, she found it strange that the Doctor was still following her. Unlike before where he scarpered away the moment she entered the ring, he remained close to her side as if he was waiting for something. Looking up, she saw that Albatox and Baerock were in the same seats as before, watching on with great interest. Around her, people watched on from behind the fence. Isabel wasn't sure if her eyes were deceiving her, but she saw a mixture of emotions ranging from hope to fear. Isabel wanted her powers to grow, but she couldn't afford for them to become too much for her.

Once she was at the center of the ring, she turned to the Drakes. ''Well? Are one of you going to fight me? Or is there more chicken blood in you than Dragon blood?''

Baerock hissed. ''You're walking on thin ice, human.''

On the contrary, Albatox wasn't bothered by her taunt in the slightest. ''This next test will be quite the challenge for you. I would recommend you choose an ally to assist you in this fight.''

Isabel blinked in confusion. Why would they allow her to ask for help? She didn't want to take the bait. ''Whatever you're planning, I can handle it myself. I won't put anyone else's life at risk.''

''This isn't a choice,'' Albatox responded. ''Choose someone. Or, we will pick for you.''

Isabel had a theory on what they were planning. They knew that if someone else was in the ring with her, she would have to put half her focus into protecting her ally while fighting whatever beast was waiting for her. In the distance, Isabel could see the dry blood left behind by the person who tried to save her before. She didn't want a repeat of that. However, she didn't know anyone here. Who could she choose? Then, she remembered someone. She searched around. Many ducked their heads, hoping that they wouldn't get picked. When Isabel found who she was looking for, she was glad to see the person didn't flinch.

''Adira!'' She called out and pointed to the tall woman.

Adira was already walking to the gate before it opened. She marched into the ring with her head held high. ''I am happy that you remembered my name.''

''I hope you're not mad at me for choosing you,'' Isabel said. ''I didn't know who else…''

''It is fine. I'm glad. I love having the chance to taunt the Drakes by living another day and killing their pets,'' she walked over to the Doctor, glaring at him with venom in her eyes. ''Are you going to give me a weapon?''

''Of course.''

The Doctor pulled out a syringe from behind his back and injected a red fluid into Adira's neck.

By the time Isabel realized what was happening, she rushed forward and knocked the Doctor away, sending him flying. However, it was too late. Adira dropped to the ground, screaming in agony. She clawed at her neck. Blood and the fluid trickled out of the dot. Isabel could see veins bulging all over the woman's body. She rolled to the floor and quaked violently.

''What did you do?'' Isabel screamed at the Drakes.

Baerock smirked. ''Made your next fight fairer.''

Isabel shook her head in disbelief. ''No, this can't be happening.''

She turned back to Adira, who was still convulsing on the ground. Isabel spotted the Doctor crawling along the floor in the distance, heading back down the corridor. She wanted to chase after him and tear him apart, but she was too scared to leave Adira's side. It looked like she was dying. The people around them watched on helplessly as Adira's stopped moving and lay motionless on the ground. Isabel listened carefully. There was only complete silence coming from Adira. She was dead. And it was Isabel's fault for choosing her.

Then, there was a heartbeat.

And another. And another. Adira's chest rose and fell slowly. Her eyes shot open and she got onto her hands and knees, trembling and sweating profusely. As she finally got to her feet, she turned to Isabel. ''What's happened to me? I feel strange.''

''You should have the same abilities as her,'' Albatox stated. ''You will provide us with a test to see if the Doctor's research has paid off.''

Isabel advanced towards him. ''You can't do this!''

''We've already done it!'' Baerock cackled. ''You two will fight to the death. If not…''

He raised his heated hand and pointed it to one side of the crowd. The people rushed to get away, but there were so many huddled together that they just ended up stumbling over each other. Baerock edged closer to them.

''Wait…'' Adira cried out. When she and Isabel locked eyes, she sighed and nodded. ''We will fight.''

''Adira, no.'' Isabel pleaded.

''I'm sorry. But, I cannot lose the only family I have left.''

''But, we can fight the Drakes together…''

''And if we're not strong enough?'' she questioned. ''I am truly sorry. I cannot take that risk. If we do what they say, only one of us has to die.''

Isabel wanted to plead her case. However, as she turned back to Baerock, she knew that she wasn't going to get close enough to stop him before he killed people in the crowd. Isabel wondered what it would be like if the roles were reversed. If Baerock threatened the colony, would Isabel comply with their demands to prevent a single death? Despite all the harshness and cruelty that she suffered growing up…Isabel knew that she would do exactly what Adira was doing.

When she turned back to face Adira, the tall woman leapt towards her and closed the distance in the blink of an eye. Isabel raised her arms to block Adira's strike. They both stumbled back from the incredible impact. Isabel's arms were numb and Adira's legs wobbled. She was trying to comprehend her enhanced speed. Isabel remembered what it was like when she discovered her abilities. She could see herself in Adira. That's what made what she had to do hurt even more.

''I also have family waiting for me,'' Isabel said before charging at Adira.

The two clashed, sending tremors around the whole stadium. They locked arms and tried to outmuscle each other. Isabel pushed with all her strength, forcing Adira to take a step back. However, Adira looked towards the people watching and pushed back, regaining ground.

They were both on equal footing.

Before he disappeared down the corridor, the Doctor saw their feats of strength and smiled beneath his ruffled mask.

XXX

HELLO MY SWEET SUPERSTARS! WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS NEW CHAPTER? THE DOCTOR HAS REPLICATED THE FORMULA AND GIVEN IT TO ADIRA. DO YOU THINK THAT ISABEL WILL BE ABLE TO CONVINCE HER TO STOP THE FIGHT AND HELP HER? OR WILL SOMETHING ELSE HAPPEN? I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PREDICTIONS. IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO READ PEOPLE'S REACTIONS AND SEE WHAT THEY THINK WILL HAPPEN NEXT. THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE HERE VERY SOON. I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING. STAY SAFE AND TA-TA FOR NOW.