A/N: I honestly have no excuses for not updating this story other than I forgot I posted it. Lol. Anyways, there's a bit of a time skip in this chapter.


Chapter Three

"What are your names?" Rosario asked softly.

After his embarrassing show of emotion they's moved to the small kitchen, the female moving around the kitchen to put on some tea while her nest-mate sat beside him, watching him with worried blue eyes.

"I'm Vilerio Potts an' that's my twin sister, Virginia."

"Pepper." The girl corrected and the Prince fought not to smile. They reminded him of some of the changelings he'd encountered during his travels.

"I am Rosario." He introduced softly.

Vilerio frowned, and tilted his head. "What are you?"

The young prince flinched and looked down. He didn't want his chevaliers to reject him before he even got a chance to know them...but he wouldn't force them to stay with him.

"I am a chiropteran. It is a variation from what your kind calls unlike them we are not susceptible to sunlight. There are three different types of Chiropteran; Queens, Chevaliers, and normal Chiropteran. Queens are born chiropterans sired directly into the main line. All born chiropterans are female, barring myself. There can only be two queens at a time. Their blood serves as poison toward each other, working as a eliminator so that the stronger queen may survive. However it also serves as the catalyst for creating the other two types of chiropterans." He paused, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear.

"Chevaliers are males, or in Pepper's case, females turned into chiropteran using the blood of a Queen. Their DNA must be compatible with the blood of their donor for it to work. They are the only ones capable of impregnating a Queen and are charged with the protection and nutrition of the one that changes them."

"So kinda like knights?" Pepper asked curiously and he nodded.

"Yes. Other than Queens they are the only Chiropterans able to maintain a human form They are also the only ones able to switch forms. Normal Chiropterans, or Mice, are bat-like in appearance and are Humans that were either turned by a queen whose blood was not compatible to there's or killed by a Mouse. There have almost no will-power of their own and are ruled entirely by their blood lust."

Vilerio frowned. "Which one are you?"

Rosario frowned slightly. "My mother was a Queen. I am a Prince, however I am a strange case, being the first male born to my kind."

"And us?"

"Chevalier."

Pepper pursed her lips, then she smiled and bowed. "Thank you for saving us. We are forever in your debt."

Vilerio nodded in agreement.

"What ever you wish from us, it is yours."

The prince gave a tremulous smile, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I don't want to be alone anymore."

The twins smiled back at him.

"Then you won't be."

A relieved sob left his lips.

"Thank you." He whispered and they pulled him into a warm embrace.

"Thank you."


Malibu, California, 1917

"Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Rosario nodded. In the month since he'd turned his Chevaliers he'd come to see them as his own children, something that went both ways. They worried endlessly about him, whether he was resting and eating. It was a very tedious thing. In some ways he was very glad to be entering his sleep.

Pepper would be traveling and learning the world while he slept while Vilerio would be joining his mother's Chevaliers to watch over her, as Rosario had stated that he didn't trust them. He had dyed his crimson hair a pale blond color and would be joining them under the name of Solomon Goldsmith.

Smiling softly, his kissed both of his children's cheeks and leaned up against the wall of the building he'd purchased for this purpose. Pepper murmured something but he didn't hear as The Sleep finally dragged him under.


Malibu, California 1938

He'd been awakened too early.

Rosario snarled violently as his cocoon was forced open and he was yanked from it. A red haze clouded his gaze and he roared in anger, throwing those who had dared interrupted his sleep away from him before pouncing on their prone forms. Moments later blood splattered the walls and floors of the room around him and he sat in the center of the room crooning softly to the broken forms beneath him. A gentle hand landed on his shoulder and he looked up with a snarl, only to calm as the scent of the person reached his nose.

Vilerio. Hatchling.

He yanked the boy closer sniffing him for any wounds before sinking his fangs into the tender flesh of his throat.

"You shouldn't be awake, my Prince." His childe whispered stroking his hair and he rumbled in agreement.

"Rest." The blonde intoned and slowly he slipped back into the embrace of the Sleep.


Malibu, California 1969

Howard Stark was a very curious man. As a scientist it was in his very nature to question and observe things he didn't understand. He wanted to keep them and investigate them as was the case when he came upon a slender young man lying unconscious next to a large alcove in the abandoned stone building only a few blocks from his mansion. A clear, viscous fluid coated the inside of the cocoon and the boys naked form leaving no doubts as to where he'd come from. Long dark hair was splayed around his prone form and he had no doubts it would pool at the child's feet if he stood. The only thing he had was a tattered blue ribbon which was tied around his wrist.

He went to shake the boy awake only to gasp as one of the teen's small hands wrapped around his wrist in a steel grip that belied his small stature.

"Who are you? Where am I?" He monotoned, looking up at him with empty bi-colored eyes.

Howard sighed. "You're in Malibu California. I found you here unconscious. Who are you? Where are your parents."

The boy frowned. "I don't know." He glanced down at the ribbon around his wrist. "I remember anything."

Howard nodded, inwardly smirking. Perfect.

"You can stay with me and my wife. She's always begging me for a child."

The boy stared up at him, then slowly shrunk until he was a child no older than 3.

"From this day forward you shall be know as Anthony Edward Stark."


As the years passed it became apparent to Howard that Tony was a genius. The child memorized everything Howard sat in front of him and learned at a pace unheard of among humans. He'd even started creating weapons and improving the current ones for Stark Industries.

It also became apparent that the boy was undeniably insane.

He hated humans with a passion and he refused to call either of them anything associated with parental affection. Instead he claimed that he only needed Mother, and that soon they would all bow to Her. He made it a point to kill any and all scientists Howard hired to assist with the experiments, especially after regaining his memories.

At the moment, the boy was calm, sitting in the metal room given to him by Howard working on some blueprints for Stark Industries. As he work, a soft trill left his lips, enchanting and haunting and sending chills down the spine of all who heard it. Every few moments he shivered and tensed gritting his teeth.

Howard pursed his lips and entered the room, causing him to look up.

" ." He greeted, then smiled. "Did you bring more toys? Perhaps more snacks?"

The CEO fought the fear that tried to worm its way down his spine. When he'd taken the boy in ten years previous he hadn't had any idea what kind of monster he was. He hadn't expected the boy to eat the scientists he killed. Instead of showing the fear that had his heart racing in his chest he tossed a thick booklet in the boys direction.

"It has been decided that I can't keep you hidden forever. Due to this you will be going to school. That booklet is a placement test to see what level schooling you need."

The boy giggled, fangs glinting in the dim lighting.

"As you wish, father."

Howard clenched his teeth, then turned and left the room, Tony's insane giggles haunting his retreat.

A few days later the results of the test came back and Howard had to fight not to show the relief that so desperately wanted to escape him.

He was finally getting rid of the Boy.

Tony was going to college.

TBC...