Hippacrites surveyed his troops. They were truly a force to reckon with. Each of them looked ready to take on a whole army they had so many weapons strapped to them. "I despise the use of such weaponry. They are not the traditional ones used by the vampanzees. I really wish we didn't have to use them. Still they have their advantage. Kraven! Give me a progress report. I want to know exactly where we stand," he said leaning against the railing of the catwalk.
Kraven nodded his head submissively. "My men have completed their training ahead of schedule. We are most fortunate that's there's a weapons storage place close by. I am certain that we can carry out the mission without out failure my Lord. Added to the fact we have two labs here that we can use the items we will secure tonight and tomorrow I am most confident that everything will go ahead as planned." He stared at his lord waiting for permission to leave or if he needed him for anything more. He was Hippacrites most trusted lieutenant.
Hippacrites smiled very pleased by this news. "Excellent. I like you to program this data into the labs computers for me. I can't touch those things anymore. The information will aid us in our task. I must really thank Gear. It was his brilliant mind that figured out the complex mathematics formulas that we needed. I hope that your men are as good at science as they are at stealing stuff," Hippacrites told him giving him the computer disk.
Taking the disk he replied calmly "Rest assure doctor that I have six men who can do the job. Shall we finalize tonight's plan? After all we don't want anything to go wrong." Kraven said.
"Yes lets retire to my office." They went to Hippacrites private quarters. They passed Richie's cage. Richie was asleep at the moment trying to regain his strength after being mind rape. It was so much worse than when Brainiac took control of his mind. How much longer could he last?
"The plan is simple really. I need more blood carriers to feed on and store blood for the final phase of my plan. It's too dangerous for me to leave. Not with all those superheroes and werewolves running around. Send some of you men to do the job. Here's a list of names. Also I need you to secure the truck with the items I requested. It will be on a delivery run tonight so we only have one chance. Think you can do it?" Hippacrites challenged showing him the trucks route and everything else he needed.
Kraven studied the material carefully. He thought long and hard about whom would be the best person for each job. This was their chance to prove themselves worthy of their Lord. Nothing could mess this up. He nodded slowly ready to finally speak.
"It won't be easy, but it can be done. I'll leave Seth and Chris with you to guard our hostage. He must not regain his strength. Gear must remain weak and broken. The six men I mentioned earlier will also stay here prepping the lab for operation. Ten of my men will go get the blood carriers. They will make sure that no one tracks them back here. None of them will escape from our grasp. Fourteen others and myself will get the shipment you requested. The rest of the men will patrol the area spreading scent bombs to make sure those dogs friends of the vampire can't find us. They'll be to busy chasing there tails. If any superhero tries to stop us they'll have to answer to me and I will make sure their eliminated," Kraven said menacingly and he cocked his weapon, an arrow gun, to show he meant business.
"I knew there was a reason I liked you Kraven. You crave the power and domaince of the world same as I do. You and your men are definitely the chosen ones. Prepare the troops. You move at dusk save those who need to disperse the scent bombs. They move now."
Meanwhile back at the boarding house Wonder Women was pacing anxiously. It was nearly nine o' clock and the others still hadn't returned. "Were could they be? Arra can't survive this much direct sunlight. She'd be killed! You don't think anything bad happened to them do you?" She asked the room. Everyone could only shake their head in confusion. They hadn't a clue what to do.
"Batman wouldn't let anything happen to her. Static's with her too. I'm sure that they will return safely." Superman tried to reassure his friend. But inside he was worried to. Where in the world where they?
"We could send someone to look for the if that would ease your mind." Mark suggested helpfully.
"That won't be nessacery. I hear them approaching." Vivian said stepping onto the porch. They all glanced to the horizon trying to see their friends.
Static and Batman were on Static flying disk carrying a bulging backpack. Arra was levitating in the air next to them carrying her duffel, which was also bulging. They landed in the front yard without any difficulty. Arra didn't seem to be affect by the sunlight. "Hi guys. Sorry were late. We had to run a few errands before we returned."
"I don't understand. The last time you were exposed to sunlight you burned up faster than a baked potatoes. Why isn't harming you now?" Superman asked as she entered the house and setting her load down on the coffee table.
Arra tapped the silver belt around her waist. She unbuckled it and handed it over to him. "It's a light belt. This was one of Richie's greatest inventions. He invented it when were going after Ebon. He's a human shadow and the only way to stop him was to use light, but we needed a way to protect ourselves from the light so this was the solution. It's designed to block all forms of bright and ultra violet light from harming the wearer. He made sure all other wavelength of light could pass through the field safely. The only problem is the shield last only about ten fifteen minutes top. He could never find an adequate power source for continues use. Otherwise he would have patent these babies and sold them to people who needed them."
"Truly a remarkable device. Clearly Gear uses his brilliance for the greater good. Perhaps after this adventure you should hire him to work for your research and development team Bruce. He'd make a good addition." Wonder Women commented, "What else did you bring?"
"We mostly brought Gear's tech. Tracers, zap caps, ultra violet bombs, notes on the vampanzee. We hope they'll be able to help us." Static said handing over his backpack containing the mentioned items.
"I also brought one of Richie's shirt's and the vampanzee hair. I hope you'll be able to get a scent off them seeing as how they're a couple days old." Arra told the loup-garou as she gave them the items.
"The Five will track down Richie seeing as how they need something to do. Mark will go with them to make sure they behave. Renneta, Regina, Raul, and Rolf will search for the vampanzee. Stay in your skins. Avoid running around in your fur at all cost. We don't want animal control after us. Under no circumstances are any of you to take on this being by yourselves. Call us on the cell phones and will come. Tomas, Esme will go ask around town to see if anyone knows anything that might help. The rest of us will stay here try to narrow down where this beast is hiding. Any questions?" Gabriel demanded
"Why can't we fight? Were tough and not afraid?" William asked
"Because I got the scars to prove that none of us young loup-garou's can beat it! If you have any problems with the way Gabriel and Vivian run the pack take it up with me! If not then let's get going before I smack you silly. Finn, Gregg, William, Ulf get the scent and let's go." Mark ordered pushing the boys out the door.
"I know this may sound cruel but I got to start writing that article for the Daily Planet otherwise Perry is going kill me. I told him I was doing a story and I have to have one if I'm going to keep my job." Superman said changing into Clark Kent.
"Why don't you go to the police station and see what you can find out? Maybe they know something that can help us. If Hippacrites is using human servants they might have a clue." Arra suggested. He nodded and left.
"I better check this tech to see how we can use it in battle. I'll be in the kitchen. No one disturb me." Batman said taking the equipment to the kitchen.
"I'll help Batman out. Wonder Women why don't you help out Vivian in narrowing the field. Arra what will you be doing?" Static asked
"I'll be upstairs meditating on the subject. Perhaps the solution will come to me." Arra said her voice devoid of any emotion. She headed upstairs to the guestroom hoping that her curiosity would get the Bloodstone to work for her.
Diana gazed down at the map of Dakota City. They had one hundred and fifty probable locations of where Dr. Jordan Hippacrites was hold up. If they could narrow the field they have an easier time locating Gear. Diana bit her lip and crossed her arms in frustration. Sighing she sat down and said, "This is impossible. How do you find an enemy who manages to block both modern and ancient methods of location?"
"Nothing is impossible Diana. My pack being alive is proof that supernatural creatures can survive but we can also be found if you just know where to look. Lets go over the facts again. He's near a tremendous power source, in a building that's lined with lead and is every kind of proof. Add to the fact we know it's near his hunting and targeting range that brings us to one hundred fifty places. But if we eliminate places that are frequented by people and isn't connect to him at all in any way we get a hundred and twenty." Vivian told her trying to sound helpful.
"Yeah your right. It also stands that it would have to be a large place to do whatever he's planning because villains always need space and according to his personal file he is paranoid so it need a lot of security. That gives us about one hundred places to search." Diana said crossing off the places that had been eliminated
The door swung open and they looked up as Clark walked in. He looked frazzled. Glancing at the clock they saw he'd been gone over an hour. "What did you find out?" Gabriel asked the Man of Steel.
"Not much I'm afraid. The police are very confused by these murders. They believe there the work of serial killer or a Bang Baby because of the disturbance caused last week. They had an annonaymes call telling that the killer is an insane doctor. I traced the call to Dr. Harris but I don't think anyone believes him. The pathologist is having a hard time figuring out what caused the bite marks and the loss of blood. They've even called in backup forces from other precincts, but I don't think it will be enough."
"The more police there are the harder it will be to stop Hippacrites without letting anyone get hurt. What's worse is if any of us are captured they will blame the murders on us even when the clues don't match up. We have to find Hippacrites and fast." Vivian said urgently.
Batman and Static came out of the kitchen carrying a now fully assembled arsenal of devices to take on the vampanzee. "Truly remarkable this device, the light cage is most ingenious."
"Batman and I figure that we should be the ones to use Gear tech because we have the most experiences with these kinds of things." Static explained. He held up one of the zap caps. "We reimbursed the zap cap coils. There now titanium steel coils coated with diamonds. I believe that they're strong enough now to contain a vampanzee."
Suddenly they heard a loud crash coming from upstairs. They looked at each other in confusion. "What in the world was that?" Wonder Women asked confused
"I don't know but it came from the guest bedroom. Lets go check it out." Vivian told them taking the stairs two at a time. The rest of the group followed her example hurrying to the guest bedroom.
They flung open the door to the guest bedroom and gasped. The room was littered with origami animals and the beginnings of a sketch. Arra had tossed her coat onto the bed and was now practicing her martial arts on an old punching bag. Right hook, left cross, followed by a right high kick.
She drew her knife and tossed it between her hands making sure she could use it with both hands. She jabbed the punching bag then front flipped over it switching in mid air. She whirled around with her dagger slicing a neat cut in the bag. Sheathing the dagger she drew her sword. She concentrated fiercely raising the sword up. She swung it down hard and fast neatly slicing the bag in half. Wiping the sweat of her face she sheathed her sword and surveyed her work still unaware of her audience until someone cleared their throat. Startle she whirled around nails ready, but stopped when she saw whom it was. "Charna's gut! Are you trying to scare me? What's up?"
"Um hi Arra. May I ask what your doing? I thought you came up here to meditate on the problem. Seems you were doing a lot more than that." Static said hesitantly.
"I did do some meditation. When I meditate I do art projects. Vivian's an artist like me so I used her art supplies, hope you don't mind. You like my origami collection? Anyways I've been neglecting practice and since I just fed on blood last night I thought this would be the best time to practice. My swordsmanship is a little rusty I hope that it gets better." Arra explained as she put on her coat. She made a strange sign with her hand right hand. She placed her right forefinger on her forehead and the two fingers on either side on her eyelids spreading her thumb and pinkie wide. She muttered something under her breath. "By Dracula's fang why are you staring at me?"
Vivian placed a hand on her hip and crossed her arms. "Your not one to swear much Arra nor are you one to make gestures like that in front of guest. Perhaps you should explain what your doing?"
"Yeah what's up with those strange gestures and your language is very different lately. But its definitely not cool you know?" Static told her.
She smiled and nodded. "Come in then and take a seat or stand somewhere in the room. You're blocking the door and that's a fire hazard. I'm not swearing if that's what bothering you. When I say Charna's gut or Dracula's fang you have to listen to my tone of voice. If I say it when I'm happy it means good luck, if I say it when I'm mad it means I'm furious. The gestured you just saw me do is called the death touch sign. In vampire society we believe that one who sacrifices everything for the good of the clan is most honorable. So we say when we do this, "Even in death may you triumph."
"But what about the gesture you made at Hippacrites last week? It looked like the symbol of the vampires only done on its side? Why did it make him so mad? What? What did I say that was so funny?" Static asked when Gabriel, Vivian, and Arra started laughing.
"You insulted the guy? Seriously girl what were you thinking?" Vivian said as she managed to calm down.
"Hey I didn't think he know what it meant. You see when you do that gesture like this it represents power, honor, and respect. The three things that mean most to a vampire in his entire life. But if you turn it on its side it means that your name will be shamed and dishonored in death. For a vampanzee that's too much to bear. Come lets go downstairs I hear the pack returning and I have an announcement to make. I had a vision courtesy of the Bloodstone." Arra said confidently.
"The Bloodstone is that powerful? Did it give you a clear idea of where Hippacrites is going to strike next?" Wonder Women asked.
"All I could see was shadows and feelings of uneasiness. Whatever they're going to do it's big. But I think with additional information I might be able to piece together his plan." Arra informed them.
They headed back downstairs where the pack members had gathered. The boys had collapsed on top of the couch and the adults were growling angrily at one another. The tension in the room was high. "What happened? I thought I told you to search the city for Richie and Hippacrites. What are you doing back so soon?" Gabriel demanded angrily.
"Do you think we come back without a good reason!" Raul snapped at him. He backed down as Gabriel approached him nails turned to claws ready to scratch him hard if he mouthed off again. "Sorry won't happen again."
"What happened Raul? Your not one to quit an assignment without finishing it." Odessa, one of the females who took care of the children said as she entered with food and drink for the famished members.
"Why don't the Five go first? They returned before we did." Rennata suggested.
Everyone turned to look at the five boys. Willem sighed and spoke up. "We first went to the kids house, then Static HQ before finally going to the spot he been snatched. We wanted a good strong scent to follow. The scent was mostly gone but we were able to track it."
Finn his twin picked up the dialog. "We were doing okay blending in perfectly. That's when we picked up a fresh scent. We got all excited. Mark wanted us to call you, but we voted to continue on the scent. We managed to go about another mile before something interfered."
"Interfered? What do you mean interfered?" Vivian demanded her eyes blazing.
"We mean that someone had deliberately created some sort of device that would mimic the scent of our prey and combine it with millions of others to confuse us. We tried I don't know how many times to isolate your friend Gear's scent, but it was no good. We lost it." Gregory explained to the group.
"Same thing happened to us. We discovered the remains of some kind of cylinder where the scent was coming from. We brought it back here for analyze." Regina said handing the device to Batman who began to exam it thoroughly.
"What do you make of it? I mean do you have any idea of what it is?" Superman asked his friend.
"Judging by what they told us and my examination I have to say it's a bomb of some sort. A very unique one at that I might add. It's designed to disperse highly concentrate gas of millions of different smells over wide area. Very effective weapon to use if you're trying to track someone down by their smell." Batman informed them pocketing the device to study later.
Arra punched the wall leaving a very nasty hole in it. She had been counting on being able to use the werewolves' super sense of smell to track down the vampanzee, now it looked like he outsmarted her. That infuriated her to no end. "Where exactly in the city did you pick up the new scent before you encountered that thing?"
"Middle of downtown, but that doesn't mean he isn't hiding somewhere else in the city." Ulf warned her.
"That narrows our search to seventy places. I don't understand something. From what you told us vampanzees are traditionalist not to mention they shun technology. How is Hippacrites able to use modern technology and still be claiming to be the reincarnated version of the Vampanzee Lord?" Wonder Women asked Arra confused.
"I don't know either. It doesn't make sense to me. He's followed every other rule about being a vampanzee. So it doesn't make sense to me why he can get away with this." Arra replied.
"Maybe its because he's a hypocrite and not to mention the most powerful vampanzee around. The only one for that matter I might add. You really think a bunch of humans working for him are going to question him if he bends a few rules?" Static asked the group. "I mean come on were dealing with a psychopathic freak here."
"That still doesn't help us plan our next move. He seems to be ahead of us by two steps. We need to make a plan of attack that covers all the bases. I wish Tomas and Esme would get back with their information. It would greatly help me with my vision." Arra said plaintively.
"Ask and you shall receive. Sorry where late traffic was murder, but we managed to gather some important information." Tomas said as he and his wife entered the room from the kitchen.
"I trust you didn't have to kill anyone for the info." Superman asked them.
"No, but we did have to scare a few people silly before we got the 411. Don't worry Gabriel they won't be telling anyone what they saw. This information is third hand so it's not the most reliable." Esme told her friends as she took a seat.
"Who cares just as long as it leads us closer to our target. What did you dogs sorry I mean wolves dig up?" Static asked anxiously.
"We discovered that there's a new gang in town. Almost a cult really. No one knows much about them except their very powerful and very efficient in getting what they want. The snitch said that their planning a big hit tonight. Two places will be attacked. Our informant wasn't able to tell us where exactly. Nor was he able to tell us where their base is or how large the gang is. Only that it started around the same time all this trouble began." Tomas explained sipping a cold drink.
"We were able to discover that one of the targets will definitely be in our vampanzee hunting zone so we can safely assume that he's going after more humans to feast upon. We have to stop him from consuming their blood otherwise he'll grow even more powerful than he already is." Esme stressed.
"Understood. So lets get prepared. Were going to end this hunt tonight. No matter what were going to stop Hippacrites and his servants. Okay everyone gather around the map. Each flag represents a different group. The blue flag represents group one which consists of Bucky and Lucien. You two are to go back to Hippacrites apartment and search it. See if you can turn up something Batman might have missed. The red flag is next to the hospital. He might go back there for more equipment or even more victims. Raul, Rolf! Take your wives and stake out the place. Under no circumstances are you to leave unless it's an emergency. Orlando, Persia you and a few of the females stay here with the kids and protect our home. I don't want any trouble leading back to the den. The rest of the pack will spread around the hunting range to monitor for possible attacks. Vivian, Mark, and the heroes will go with me and will patrol the city to make sure no one is using the this time of your absence to cause trouble. Will stay in touch via communicators. Anyone spots trouble call for backup and try not to get involved unless its life and death. We don't need a repeat of West Virginia do I make myself clear people? Good then let's have some supper then be on our way." Gabriel ordered around clapping his hands together.
Everyone tried to enjoy dinner which was steak and eggs, but their minds where on the mission. What terrible dangers would they face tonight? Would someone die or would they be victorious? Either way when they left the house that night they were ready for anything.
A semi truck with a huge icon of a purple cross in a green circle was cruising down the highway entering the city limits of Dakota. The driver was listening to country music and humming along. There was no sign of any trouble. Suddenly he was forced onto a service road by a smaller moving truck on either side. "Hey what are you trying to do!" He yelled out the window as he barely managed to stop his truck. He threw open the door and got out carrying a large wooden baseball bat. "What in the world where you idiots trying to do? Do you realize you could have gotten yourselves killed!" He swung the bat at the driver of one of the vans as he was exiting. He caught in one hand and crushed it to pieces. He gasped in horror as the back of the trucks opened up and out poured fourteen other people.
"Tie him up and unload as many boxes as you can into the trucks. Ron disable the GPS system in the cab. We'll be able to take the surplus with us then without being followed. Move out men, but keep a sharp eye out. We don't want to be caught off guard." Kraven ordered his men.
"This is the most boring patrol ever. Its like one o'clock in the morning and nothing has happened yet. Not even a mugging. Are you sure that your mother's informant had accurate information?" Static said into his Shock Box to Vivian who was patrolling the city streets.
"I'm positive Static. No one would dare lie to one of us. Just be patient. Something bound to come up. Mark report in. How are the other teams doing?" Vivian said into her communicator.
"I just finished checking in with them. Everything is running smoothly. So far no attempts have been made to secure prey at the hospital or the hunting ground. Nothing new turned up at the guys apartment so they're heading back to home." Mark replied.
"I just heard something. There's a semi truck being robbed on the highway about twenty miles from here. It might be our gang. Let's check it out people. Gabriel think you guys can keep up?" Superman asked.
"Don't worry about us. Will meet you there no sweat. A werewolf is very fast. Mark! Vivian! Let's go. Radio the pack for help then haul haunch." Gabriel ordered as he followed the League, Static and Arra towards the source of the disturbance.
The human servant's had almost finished loading half the boxes from the back of the semi truck by that time into their own vans. The driver had been bound and gagged so he couldn't cry for help. Kraven was pacing anxiously outside the cab waiting for a status report. "Come on Ron move it! How much longer is going to take to disable that thing?"
"Patience we don't want anyone following us do we? These things take time. I'll be done shortly." Ron shot back.
Kraven sighed and looked up at the sky. He saw Static and his pals heading this way. "Your time is up. Will have to take the truck the way it is. Let's move it people. Shawn! Jake! Take your cargo and go! Marco ride shotgun with Ron. I'll be on the roof making sure our guests don't interfere with us. Caleb and Cedric will also assist me. Stop gawking people lets move it already!" Kraven ordered. The men obeyed backing the trucks off the service road and back onto the highway. Kraven took aim with his arrow gun and shot at Arra.
Arra barely dodged the arrow. "Wow watch out they have weapons. They've tied the driver of the semi to a tree down there. Mark you think you could go free him while the rest of go after the gang?" she thought to telepathically to the group. Mark howled a yes and the chase was on.
"I don't believe that truck belongs to you. Time to wheel you in. Hope I can manage to stop this thing without breaking anything." Static said. He charged himself up and sent out a stream of electricity at the back of the truck's bumper. Gritting his teeth he pulled back trying to force the semi to stop. "Man this is way harder than it looks. I don't think I can hold on much longer. Ahhh!" he screamed as he went tumbling from the air towards the busy highway below.
Right before he got turned into a human pancake a huge wolf jumped into the air and grabbed his pants leg before whirling him to the side of the road. He licked Static face to make sure he was fine. "Go on Gabriel. Just give me a minute to recover. Its not everyday a Dakota's number one hero is rescued by a werewolf." Gabriel whined before complying as he ran after one of the vans.
Arra was in the air dodging arrows left and right. Next to her was Wonder Women carrying Batman and Superman who were also trying to avoid being turned into human pincushions. "Batman and I will take the men on top of the semi, you two go after the other two trucks. Stop them at all cost, but remember we don't want anyone hurt." Arra yelled at the adults. They nodded and did as they were told dropping Batman on top of the roof while Arra landed next to the leader of the group, a tall man with short black hair and brown eyes with enough weapons to kill twenty people.
"So if it isn't infamous vampiress that I've heard so much about. Rather disappointed really. I thought you would pose more of a threat. You seem like ten minutes work. Oh how rude of me not to introduce myself. I'm Kraven, your executioner." Kraven told her mockingly.
"Enough talk human. Why are you working for Hippacrites? Can't you see he's a monster?" Arra asked readying her knife. She had to be very cautious. The truck was going about seventy miles per hour. One false step and she be history.
Kraven waggled his finger at her. "That would be telling if I answered your questions which I won't. You'll have to defeat me to get any answers." He told her. He yelled into his communicator for Marco to get his lazy butt out of the cab and help take care of a little problem. It seemed Static had recovered and was resuming the pursuit. He needed to be dealt with. "Now shall we battle?" Without waiting for an answer he charged her.
Superman was following a red moving van along with Vivian. She was on the side of the highway trying her hardest to keep up. Growling menacingly she jumped straight through the cab window at the driver biting his arm trying to force him to pull over, but his partner just shot a net at her. She landed on the side of road battered and beaten howling in pain.
Superman dove from the sky at the truck. He grabbed the back of the truck and landed dragging his feet in order to stop the truck. It swerved all around the highway for a good half mile before it stopped. Ripping off the doors to the back he was caught off guard as some kind of powder was thrown in his face blinding him. Three men jumped out the back throwing grenades at him and socking him in the stomach. For humans they were amazingly strong. Not as strong as him, but definitely stronger then your average human.
Wonder Women had flown ahead of her truck and landed in front of it punching the engine in forcing it to halt. She ripped off the door to and received a massive shock of electricity. Gabriel leaped at the other man in the passenger seat only to be met halfway by some force that pushed him back. "Repair the engine. I'll deal with Miss Warrior Princess." Jake yelled at his buddy as the rest of his men got out of the truck. They each fired a taser line at her shocking the living daylights out of her. This was not good.
Batman was calmly surveying the two goons who surrounded him. One of them was leveling an arrow gun at him while the other one had two spheres in each hand. He held two batarangs in his hands and waited for them to make the first move. He didn't have to wait long. The one with the arrow gun fired four arrows at him while his buddy simotanesly threw his spheres, which turned out to be some kind of gas bomb at him. Not deterred he expertly threw his batarangs slicing arrows in half and hitting the hand of the other man making him wince in pain. He switched on his heat sensing equipment in his cowl and proceeded to kick butt.
Static had recovered and was shooting small jolts of electricity at the tires trying to cause a blow out. But the guy on dangling from the side of the truck kept interfering by throwing shrukiens at him. (Ninja throwing stars.) "Man who are these guys? They have more weapons than the military and the National Guard put together. Whoa watch the hair!" He shouted as one star cut of several of his dreadlocks. "You're going to pay for that."
Arra was using all her speed and strength against Kraven, but it was no good. He seemed to match her move for move despite him being a human. She couldn't understand it. He smelled of human, but he also smelt faintly of vampanzee. Blocking these thoughts from her head she flirted at him punching right then left. He blocked her punches and she swiped her right leg knocking him onto the ground where he tripped her up. She did a handspring back to her feet to avoid being punctured by the arrow gun. Front flipping over him she kicked him in his back as he got up sending him five feet. "Ready to give up yet?"
"I'm just getting started. Most impressive your skill with the martial arts. However it won't be enough to save you from me." Kraven told her as he went into side roll kicking her with his feet. She managed to cut his silvery body suit pant leg before she went flying off the truck. Using her levitation powers she zoomed back onto the truck launching her nails at Kraven who back flipped out of the way. "Is that the best you can do?"
Superman had recovered his eyesight and was now engage in one of the toughest fight of his life. No matter how fast he swung at the humans they seemed to avoid him. They shot several rounds of ammunition at them, but they simply bounced off. "Screw this. We have a deadline to meet. Let's get out of here. Blind him again and let's motor." Shawn ordered his men throwing down a bag of powder along with the rest. Superman tried to shield his eyes but it was no good.
Wonder Women had gotten up and was using all her amazing agility to send those arrows flying everywhere. She whirled her lasso at the group, but they jumped out of the way and back into their repaired truck. She wanted to go after them but her brain told her to check on Gabriel and the others to see if they needed help. Gabriel was still in his fur. His front leg seemed to be fractured, but otherwise okay. He whined at her and tossed his head at the semi. She understood and went flying after the speeding semi.
Batman was almost done kicking his opponents butt. They may have had super weapons and been highly trained, but they were no match for him. He kicked them off the side of the truck where they knocked into Marco. He shot out a grappling line tying all three men together before they hit the pavement. He signaled Static to try and stop the truck again. This time with Wonder Women help he did.
"You have no where to run Kraven. Give up and I might go easy on you." Arra said using her hypnotic eyes to try and make him do as she said, but he resisted her. He smiled and jumped off the roof and onto one of the moving vans along with the driver of the truck. "See you later demon!" He yelled as he disappeared into the night.
Arra stamped her foot in frustration. "Man we almost had them! I can't believe this! Is everyone okay?" she asked as she levitated down to the street. The rest of the party made sounded off saying they were okay despite getting the crap kicked out of them by a bunch of humans.
Vivian and Gabriel shifted into human form and Static tossed them a couple of T's to put on. "That was strange. What the heck happened? How did a bunch of superheroes, a pair of werewolves, and a vampire get their tails kicked by a bunch of scrawny humans?" Gabriel demand wincing in pain due to his fractured arm. It would be better by tomorrow thanks to his healing powers.
"I don't know. I was blinded by some kind of gas they threw at me. I couldn't use my X-ray vision at all. It makes no sense. I found one of the containers. Take a look." Superman said shaking his head to stop the spinning. He gave Batman the container who looked it over and shrugged. He didn't recognize it at all, but Arra mentioned she smelled magic. The gas was probably laced with magic powder specially designed for him.
"Those won't ordinary humans. They were way to fast, strong, and agile. Not to mention they had enough weapons to supply a whole army. I mean I didn't recognize half of them." Wonder Women stated.
"Why don't we ask our prisoners what's the deal is. I mean I smell that their human, but they also have the faint scent of vampanzee in them not on them." Arra said striding over to the three unconscious men. She took one look at them and hissed. "There vampets!"
"Vamwhat? What is a vampet?" Static asked confused.
"A vampet is a human servant training to be a vampanzee. You can always tell because of the three scratch marks on their right cheek. Victims have them on the left. Also look at their fingertips. The bruises forming underneath them indicate that their drinking vampanzee blood and they haven't been blooded." Arra explained.
"What else can you tell us about these creatures?" Batman asked in an even tone.
"Well it wasn't uncommon for a vampire or a vampanzee to live a few years as an assistant to a full blooded vampire. Assistants were half vampires learning the ways of our people. In vampanzee society they would have humans who would serve them a year before becoming half vampanzees. They have some powers. Mostly they're faster, stronger, and a little more agile than regular humans. There also one hundred percent loyal to their master. The bad thing about vampets is they don't have to follow the same rules as vampanzees." Arra told them.
"What do you mean they don't follow the same rules?" Superman asked.
"Vampanzee are strict traditionalist and very set in their ways. They never lie and when they give their word they keep it. Vampires don't lie, but neither do we always tell the whole truth. Also vampets can use modern weapons. Vampires and vampanzee only use hand to hand weapons and even then vampanzee are stricter than us. They won't touch spears or sharpened boomerangs. Vampets are not as hard to break in interrogation as vampanzees but it will be difficult. They've been stripped of the human fears and morals."
"How can they be stripped of those emotions?" Wonder Women asked curiously.
"The vampanzee blood inside of them takes away emotions that would interfere with a life of preying on humans. They have no fear, regret, and remorse. Nor do they have sympathy, pity, or compassion for their victims. They also have been trained to kill themselves in event of capture. Still we must try to find out what they know." Arra told the group. She turned and walked over to the now conscious trio. "Hi boys care to answer a few questions?" she asked baring her fangs.
"We will never betray our lord and master to a she devil like you. You will get nothing out of us monstrosity." Cedric the blond haired one spat at her struggling to break free from his restraints.
"Where is Hippacrites? What is he planning? Tell me about Gear now!" She demanded trying to hypnotize them but they weren't following for it.
"You will never stop our Lord. He is the supreme ruler of the night. He will rule over all you pathetic mortals stomping you into extinction if you fail to obey him." Caleb screamed at her.
Arra dragged one nail across his throat drawing blood. "I'm getting annoyed and fed up with your insolence. Tell me what I want to know right now. Why did you try to steal this truck? Why does Hippacrites need the Bloodstone?"
"You will figure it out vampire. When the moons reflection brightens the darkness and the sounds of horns stop calling you will discover what you want to know. That's all we have to say to you!" Marco informed her and his buddies and him refused to say another word.
Arra breathed knock out gas onto to them to make them go to sleep. "That was loads of help. Maybe we could figure out what they meant if we saw what they were trying to steal. Static can you open the back of the truck? We don't need to ripping off anymore doors off their hinges."
"Sure I can." Static replied using his powers to unlock the doors with one finger. He blew on it and grinned. "I got the Midas touch you know." Everyone groaned unhappily. They weren't in the moods for jokes.
Opening the doors everyone entered the truck. There were hundreds of boxes each with the same icon on them as the truck. When they opened them they got the shock of their life. It was medical drugs! Thousands of different drugs ranging from chemotherapy to antibiotics. According to the inventory list over half the shipment had been stolen. What in the world did Hippacrites need with all these drugs?
Gabriel communicator beeped and he answered it. "Mark what is it? Is the driver okay?"
"He's okay. Shaken up and pretty freaked by what's happening, but otherwise fine. Where you able to stop those humans?" Mark asked
"Negative. They got away and with over half a shipment of medical drugs. Hold on the rest of the packs calling. I have to check. This is Gabriel report. What is it?" Gabriel demanded
"Gabriel, this is William. Bad news I'm afraid. The five and me were at the homeless shelter watching over the populace when ten men came in and grabbed a bunch of people. We managed to rescue five and injure several of them, but we couldn't stop them from taking the rest. They were vampets! Can you believe that? The people had the marks on their cheeks. They're probably on their way to be slaughtered by now. We would have pursed them, but they released more scent bombs. Sorry we couldn't do more." Willem reported sadly. Gabriel shut the communicator off and snarled. This was bad.
"We should probably call the police to pick up the vampets. I rather that we get them back at the den, but if they escaped it could mean trouble. Will tell the police to keep them on suicide watch." Vivian suggested. Everyone nodded and left.
Hippacrites paced the warehouse angrily. He glanced at the clock on the wall angrily. He's team was overdue. "Where are they? What's keeping them so long?" Suddenly the garage doors opened and in drove three trucks. Kraven jumped out of the first one and walked over to Hippacrites bowing.
"Well how did your mission go? Was it a success or not?" he demanded.
"My Lord our mission was ninety percent successful. Before you get mad let me explain. We were able to steal more than half of the drugs you needed. We would have stolen the entire truck, but those heroes's showed up. We managed to get them off our tail, but we didn't finish the job. We also have good news. We manage to capture the blood carriers. They came to us like lambs to a slaughter. My men had fun beating up the bunch of mangy werewolves. The bad news is they captured three of my men." Kraven told him.
"That's worse than bad it's horrible! Do you realize what will happen if those heroes get them to talk? We can't risk it! We have to retrieve them!" Hippacrites shouted.
"Relax my Lord. Its unnescearry I assure you. My men are trained vampets. They are willing to give their lives for our cause. Besides this work to our advantage seeing as how the message had to be delivered. I fought Arra. If she's a smart as she is deadly she'll figure out where we are, but only when where ready for them. I promise you that there isn't anything to worry about." Kraven reassured him.
Hippacrites smirked happily. "I suppose your right. Everything is going according to my brilliant plan. Have your men take the drugs to the lab and start processing them. None of them get a break until their finished their jobs understand? I want the final product to be tested for any side effects. I won't have my plan ruined by a failed product. Now place the blood carriers in the holding facility. I'll be there in a moment to finish them off. I'll need help storing the extra blood. I think perhaps your men and you have earned a treat, your first real taste of human blood. I have to get something from my office. I'll be right back," he said to him.
"Consider it done. Elliot! Bring the victims to the to holding area. If any cause trouble punish them." Kraven ordered his men waving his arms. Elliot and his men dragged fifteen people out of the back of the truck. They were blindfolded, gagged, and chained. They struggled to break free, but it was useless. They were doomed.
Hippacrites stalked into his room and barked at Seth and Chris "Status report on the prisoner!"
"He's been pretty quite for the last hour. Earlier he tried to use his power to copy and paste himself but we put an end to that." Seth replied calmly.
"Yeah we cut him up pretty good. We didn't do any permit damage boss. Well go assist Kraven now." Chris responded leaving the vampanzee gazing at his prey.
"Well well we are being pretty naughty. Trying to escape like that. I thought that the fight had been beaten out of you. I must tell you I'm glad that I was wrong. I'm about to go shed some blood. I was wondering if you would like some of it to drink. There's plenty to go around." Hippacrites laughed.
"Your sick you know that. You're a doctor for Christ sake! Your supposed to help save peoples life not take them! If you think I'm going to ingest human blood your insane! I'm not a vampire anymore you sicko. And even when I was one I made sure to take good care of my victims making sure they were safe. The human race doesn't need your kind of evil!" Richie screamed at him trying to kick him.
"The human race created this monster. The vampires may be the vampanzee creator, but the humans the blood carriers are the true evil. They don't care about anyone but themselves. Their selfish monsters that don't understand that true power belongs to us select few. You and I have unique gifts my boy. We have the right to rule over the weak. I once thought that it was my duty to create a race of super powered humans for the next stage of our evolution, but I was wrong. This is my destiny and yours is to assist me in bringing around this new world order."
"Your insane, mad, and crazy! Arra and the others will stop you. I hope that you rot in hell for your crimes. Your going to be caught and your going to pay for all the evils you have committed." Richie told him darkly.
"Crazy or a genius? History will decide what I am. If I win I'm remembered as a genius. If I lose I'm crazy. Doesn't matter to me boy because I already know the answer to that question. As for your mate Arra, her love for you will aid me. She'll make sure nothing happens to you and that will force the others to surrender. Love is such a pathetic emotion. Now I'm off to enjoy my meal. I'll talk to you later child." Hippacrites told him running one long claw under his chin before leaving him alone in the dark.
The group was approaching the house. Arra was muttering angrily under her breath. They had a solid lead to Hippacrites and they had handed them straight over to the police! She was willing to bet that they would either A) kill themselves to prevent the truth from being discovered, or B) escape back to their cowardly master. "Ugh! I can't believe this. We should have demanded custody of those prisoners and brought them back here for interrogation regardless of the danger."
"Yo Arra calm down before you break a fang. It will be okay I swear to you. Right now we need to concentrate on finding out what a maniac wants with all those medical drugs. It doesn't make any sense to me." Static said trying to comfort her.
"We should run all the names through the portable Batcomputer. It can probably tell us what those drugs can do once combined together. All I know is that much drug is worth a small fortune on the black market." Batman said coolly.
"I don't know. I don't think that this is about money. Hippacrites stole drugs and medical equipment from the hospital. It must add up to something. We just have to figure out what, till then lets run a background check on those vampets. Maybe they belong to a local gang that Hippacrites has hired. If that's the case we can greatly narrow our search area." Wonder Women suggested.
"Good idea. Right now though we need to tend to our injured and see if we can figure out our next move. Is there any hope that those people that were kidnapped last night could be still alive?" Superman asked hopefully.
Vivian shook her head. She knew that the odds of them still being alive were astronomical.
They had just arrived at the house and everyone was talking at once. Gabriel ordered everyone to shut the hell up or they get a good smack. Persia began to tend to his wounds. Arra was still frustrated. "We have to do something! I refuse to sit by and let this continue!"
"Well maybe if you were a better leader this wouldn't be happening." Batman told her. Everyone gasped at him as he continued angrily. "From the start you've been making mistakes. Forgetting you're vulnerable to sunlight, keeping information from us, and finally demonstrating poor anger management skills. I can't believe I supported you in this adventure. I'm greatly disappointment."
Before anyone could blink he was kicked so hard in the chest he crashed through the door down the steps of the porch sprawled onto the front line. Arra strolled onto the porch breathing heavily. "You have insulted me, treated me with mistrust and disrespect, and lastly challenged my authority. This can't and won't be tolerated at all. You have given me grief for the last time. You wish to challenge me to battle then lets get it over with it!" Without another word she launched herself at him fangs bared.
Everyone ran out to the porch jaws dropped as they watched Arra and Batman duke it out. Arra front flipped right into his chest forcing him back. Landing on her right hand she spun around kicking him with her feet. He grabbed her foot and pushed to the ground throwing several batarangs at her. She sliced them in half and shot her nails at him. He drew his cape up to protect his face before tossing a bolo tying her up. Bursting free she levitated into a tree just as he shot a grappling hook. It hooked around the branch and he swung up kicking her to the ground.
"We've got to stop them before someone gets hurt! Come on!" Static said starting to race down the stairs before Mark knocked him to his butt. "No one may interfere with a challenge. Look around you. Batman has the advantage that he can move around in the daylight and Arra has to continuously use her spit to heal her burnt skin, but Batman doesn't have Arra's experience or powers."
Arra drew her dagger and plunged it into his cape pinning him. She cupped her fist around her mouth ready to use knock out gas when he threw a smoke bomb. Arra's enhanced senses worked against her. Batman began throwing fast punches at her. She grabbed blindly at his chest and tossed him over her head. She turned to face him, "You're going to pay. I'm going to use my telepathy to find out why you hate me so much and what drives you." She told him closing her eyes and placing her fingertips on her temples.
"Okay that's enough. I don't care what you say I'm going to stop this." Static yelled shooting electricity at the two opponents. That's when something strange happened. The Bloodstone glowed a deep ruby red. It absorbed the electricity and red light connected them and suddenly both people were screaming as they started glowing ruby red. They collapsed to the ground. Static and the others raced over to the two checking them for injuries.
"What happen to them? Are they alright?" Wonder Women demanded.
"There fine trust me. We have to get them inside then I'll explain what's going on." Vivian told them. Superman picked Arra up while Static dragged Arra inside. They placed them both onto a futon and turned to Vivian. "What the heck is going on?" Static demanded.
"Do you recall what I said about the Bloodstone having a conscious? The Bloodstone sensed that these two share similarities, but refuse to get along. If we are ever going to stop Hippacrites we have work together. We, that is my pack have smelled that Batman suffers from a great personal pain same as Arra." Vivian began.
"You can smell that?" Superman asked startled.
"Yes I can. You see the Bloodstone has decided that a spirit transfer is in order to solve this problem. Think of it as a Vulcan mind meld. You Static experienced one with Cassandra. Usually this only happens if you drain someone of their blood completely. Vampires do that only if there asked to. Cassandra was friend's with William Shakespeare and she did it with him to prevent some of his more famous works from being lost. I believe Cassandra was his inspiration for Juliet. They are both right now experiencing the memories and truth about what happened. And its time I told you. Sit down this will take awhile and they're going to be out of it." Vivian urged them. Although they were anxious they obeyed and listened attentively as Vivian began a story. Meanwhile Arra and Batman were expercing the strangest sensation in their life.
Batman looked around him trying to figure out where he was. All around him gray mist surrounded him preventing him from seeing anything. "What did that vampire do to me? Is this one of her tricks. I don't sense anything malignant." Suddenly the mist disappeared and he found himself in 13th Century French village. He began walking through town trying to make sense of what was going on. "I really hope I didn't time travel again. What?" he asked confused as two little kids, a boy with black hair, violet eyes and a girl with brunet hair, brown eyes ran straight through him. "I'm in a memory." He realized stunned.
The kids started speaking. Although he spoke French their words were instantly translated into English. "Pierre try and catch me!" the little girl laughed running all around Batman before hiding behind a rock.
"Marie come back here! Mama and Papa will be worried about us. We have to head back." Pierre shouted as his sister.
"There you two are. I've been searching all over town for you." A voice said exhausted. His eyes widened as he looked at the source of the voice. It was Arra! Her hair may have been short and her clothes were very different, but it was her! She laughed gaily picking up her younger brother and sister. "Come on you two Mama and Papa are waiting for us back at the store."
He followed him back to their store. A young woman with violet eyes and black hair was helping a man with brown hair and brown eyes sell clothes. Their names were Jean Luc and Belle Sails. He observed the family for awhile. They seemed content and happy. Arra seemed to be eager to help and she read stories from her Bible to comfort her siblings. Batman smiled slightly. The scene reminded him of his parents.
Suddenly the mists surrounded him again and the scene changed once more. The village was in flames; bodies piled high disease ran rampant. It was a few years before the Black Plague, but already this place was doomed. He saw Arra attending faithfully to her mother who was practically gone. "Arra, my dear where is your father and siblings?" her mother asked her weakly.
"Dead Mama. Don't you remember? This disease must be a cure from God. Why are my friends and I not affect at all Mama? I should be suffering same as you instead I'm healthy as can be." Arra asked her mom taking her hand in hers.
"I don't know my sweet child. Perhaps you have a great destiny to fulfill. My time on Earth is short. I won't survive much longer. You must promise me that if by some miracle you find a way to survive you will take it. You have been spare for a reason my Arra. Don't pity me." Her mom whispered before she slipped into coma. A few minutes later Demetra came and took her away. Batman could feel Arra's agony at leaving her mother to die alone in the house, but what choice was there?
The mists surrounded him once more sending him into a twist. When he finally managed to stop spinning the mist had cleared right into for him to see a sword coming straight down on top of him!
He threw up his arms instinctively to protect himself, but the sword passed straight through him. He then remembered this was just a memory. All around him he saw vampires fighting vampanzees in a cruel death match. He spied Arra, wearing black and gold armor, fighting a vampanzee twice her size. Next to her was a boy with orange hair in black and red armor.
After killing her latest foe she turned to the boy and said, "I hate this Larten. I hate the killing and this bloodbath. Why must we do this? Isn't there another way?"
"I know that you hate the fighting Arra, but it must be done. The Vampanzee Lord must not be allowed to escape. If he does this war will continue even longer than it already has. We must fight on to save what's left of our race and the humans. Be strong my love and remember, we did not start this war they did, but by the Gods of the vampires we shall end it." Larten told her gently.
Arra turned around to resume the fight when out of nowhere a vampanzee appeared. He drew back his clawed hand ready to gorge her eyes out! She screamed as his hand came closer to her face. That's when Larten jumped in taking the hit. He blindly swung his sword out impaling the vile spawn. Arra kneeled to assess the damage. "Larten! Are you okay my mate! Please let me look at it!"
"I'm fine I'll have Selena look at it later just go! Find the Lord and finish him off." Larten ordered her clutching his face. Arra obeyed and a short while later the Lord was dead vowing that he would return one day.
Selena was attending to Larten injury when Arra found him. "Will he be alright?" she asked anxiously.
"He'll have a scar for the rest of his life. There's nothing I can do about that. He's just lucky that it wasn't any closer to his eye or he'd be blind." Selena informed her.
"But now what do we do? Victor and Demetra are in hibernation and we are the last of our kind. What will become of us?" Siba asked.
"I don't know Siba but we will survive and one day everything will be the way it was. Come let's pack up and leave this dreadful place." Merton said gently.
Batman observed all this quietly. He had seen that Arra was quite the warrior and not a bloodthirsty monster. Maybe he had judged her to harshly. Her heart certainly wasn't into the killing. She also felt responsible for her mate's injury even though it wasn't her fault. He was still mulling over these thoughts when the mists took him away to a southern plantation.
By the time he could see again Arra was already in a confrontation with a young blond hair youth. She seemed greatly agitated by his presence. "Leave me alone Kurda! I don't understand you. We rescue you from the orphanage, give you a home, and the powers of a vampire all on Larten request and this is how you repay him? Staying out till its nearly dawn, you've been hot tempered, not to mention giving me the creeps. I don't know if your breaking our Code or not but I swear if you are you'll pay."
Kurda grabbed her by the wrist. "You waste your time with Larten. I would be such a better mate. Why don't you forget him and these ridicules charges?" he leaned in to kiss her but she scratched him with her nails. He let her go and she stormed off. "You'll pay for this dearly Arra." He whispered under his breath.
The scene changed once more and Batman watched in silence as the vampires began to dance around their parlor save for Kurda. He was nowhere in sight. He was wondering where he was when he heard angry shouts drawing closer to the house. He walked to the window as the others rushed straight through him. What they saw shocked them. Kurda was leading a mob towards the house and it looked like they were ready to kill some vampires.
"Quickly we must get everything out of here before they reach us. Take as much of our things through the tunnels and don't stop for anything. If anyone tries to harm you have permission to defend yourself. Now go!" Cassandra ordered already rushing off.
"What about Kurda? He's betrayed us!" Larten demanded angrily.
"We don't have time for that right now. We'll deal with him later now move it!" Vanez shouted.
Everyone was almost out of the house when the angry mob arrived. "There's the demons house. Burn it straight to the ground! I'll go straight inside and bring out the body of one of the blood suckers responsible for the towns deaths!" Kurda yelled enthusiastically. The mob cheered and threw their torches onto the house. Within moments the house was engulfed in flames.
Even though he knew this was just a memory and he that he normally didn't panic in situations like this Batman couldn't help, but be a little scared. He saw Arra and Larten rushing from room to room searching for a way out. He wanted to help them, but he couldn't. He was just an observer.
"We… must… get out of here. Or we will… die." Arra coughed.
"I know but where do we escape to? The mob's out front and the passage ways are blocked." Larten told her.
"You don't escape old friend. That's the point. Tonight I end this conflict. You were a fool to blood me Larten. I used these powers for what they were meant for and looks where you've ended up." Kurda told him as he walked calmly through the flames at the two.
Arra pulled him away from Kurda reminding him they had to escape. They raced to the back of the house. There was a large window in the kitchen. They both threw themselves through the glass crashing to the ground. "Go find the rest of the clan. I have to go back and finish Kurda off. He must not escape to continue his evil deeds." Larten ordered her running back into the flaming house.
"No Larten come back! The fire will finish him off and you'll die if you stay in there!" Arra shouted. She opened her mind up to their link. The rest of the clan arrived a few minutes later to see the house collapse on itself killing both Kurda and Larten. "NOOO!"
"We must flee Arra. The mob will continue the hunt for us if we don't leave. If we are to have any chance at a future we must leave now." Kathren told her placing her left hand on her shoulder and doing the death touch sign with her right.
"We can't leave! If we leave will never be able to recover Larten's ashes to scatter to the four winds. He'll be trapped on Earth as a ghost never reaching Paradise!" Arra screamed, but they dragged her away. Inside she was blaming herself.
"It wasn't your fault Arra. You didn't know this was going to happen." Batman tried to tell, but he knew it wouldn't help her even if she did hear him. He felt responsible for his parent's death even though it wasn't his fault.
The mists surrounded him one final time and he was surprise to find himself in Static and Gears headquarters. What was he doing here? He got his answer when he turned around and saw Richie on the floor clawing at his head and Arra trying to comfort him. "It will pass. Just ride it out. That's it its all over. Richie you have to complete the telepathy halo or your powers will never be under control."
"I know, but I have to finish my others projects. Project Cadmus is up to something and I have to figure out what if I'm going to be of any help to the Justice League." Richie informed her.
"Why do you want to help them? They tried to kill you! They have know respect for you and might I add that if they found out what's happen to you they keep you locked up forever in that space station of theirs. I don't want to lose you to a bunch of heartless adults." Arra told him harshly.
Batman wasn't surprised by her harshness. What did surprise him is that a part of him felt she was right. But what Richie told her made him see that maybe she wasn't so bad of a person. "Helping others no matter what your past is the right thing to do. I know it would be dangerous to tell them how I got the information, but in the long run it will be okay." The mists swirled around him and he was gone.
Arra was in a red cocoon surrounded by swirling gray mists. She had no clue what was going on. "What did you do to me? What's your game?" Arra asked holding the Bloodstone in her hands.
Instead of answering her she was dropped in front of a theater. She pushed herself off the ground and tightened her coat. She blinked once then twice. Everything was in black and white. She was in a memory and one that was stripped of color. She strolled down the street following a couple with a young boy. The Bloodstone surrounded the boy in a red aura.
The couple stopped as some punk stepped out of the shadows raising a gun at them. Arra drew her dagger and leapt over him wheeling it around her head. She stabbed at the man only to have it go straight through him. "What? I don't understand? No!" she screamed as the bullet passed straight through her and killed the couple leaving the boy alone crying. Arra wanted to comfort him but she couldn't.
The mists surrounded her and then she found herself in cave with bats. The boy had turned into a young man and he was with a butler training to take out bad guys. He wanted to make sure no one else suffered. The mists sent her a few years into the feature and she saw three people joined him in the fight. Now she understood. "I'm ready to wake up."
In the real world Vivian had just finish telling the tale to the group when they heard a groan. They turned around and saw Arra getting up. She pressed one hand to her forehead and said in a voice eerily similar to Batman, "What happened to us and have you finished analyzing the data?"
A voice replied confidently and full of zeal, "Isn't it obvious? We've had a successful spirit transfer. No we are linked forever sharing the better part of each other. As for you second question no I don't think they've run the data. Am I talking like a teenage girl?" Batman asked horrified.
"I think I'm going upstairs to sketch and paint." Arra replied hurriedly. She ran as fast as she could. Batman refused to speak to anyone. Everyone just shrugged and went to work until hours later they got a police bulletin saying that Alva Industries had been broken into. The werewolves stayed behind so Alva wouldn't find out about them.
At Alva Industries people were running around screaming. The vampets had blown a hole in the side of the building and where armed with laser rifles. Security was on them in a second but they were just knocked out and those indoor flyers were disabled. "Come on we have a job to do. Team A get the chemicals and don't forget the safety equipment. Team B lets go to the data lab. Move it people move!" Kraven ordered.
Kraven and Ron blew the door to the data lab. There were three people in the room. "You don't have clearance!" one of the personal shouted before they were blasted back. Ron then locked the other two in a closet and hurried over to the computer consul. He loaded a CD into it and began to hack into the system "We should have the desired information within minutes if the brat's computer virus works."
"His chemical formula works so I don't that this will work as well. Just hurry up. I have a feeling are old friends will be here soon to shut us down." Kraven told him.
Down in the labs the rest of the vampets were loading loads of barrels full of chemicals and safety equipment into the back of a truck. They were almost down when someone zapped their weapons away. "Don't you gangbangers know that playing with guns is a good way to get yourself killed?" Static asked.
"It's those hero's! Five of us take them on the rest finish the job." One of the vampets yelled. Each hero soon found them paired up with a newly super charged vampet. Since their first drink of human blood they had access to even more of their vampanzee power.
Arra gave her opponent a tornado kick in the chest sending him sprawling to the ground. He jumped back up and threw a smoke bomb at her blinding her. She used her ears to listen for the attack and manage to slash part of her attackers body suit. She saw a piece of paper flutter down before she delivered a karate chop forcing the vampet to the ground. "Stay there you freak. Tell me where Kraven is!" she demanded. The vampet kept his mouth shut. Arra kicked him the stomach and listened closely. She found her target and rushed to the data lab.
Ron had just finished retrieving the data they needed from the computer banks when she arrived. "Stop right where you are. You two are going nowhere." Arra said pointing her sword at them.
"I was hoping we run into you Arra. I wanted another chance to fight you." Kraven told her. He raised his laser rifle gun and fired. She rolled out of the way. "Ron, round up the others and get our cargo out of here. I'll deal with the pests."
Arra jumped at him slashing her sword. He drew up his gun to defend himself. The two weapons made a loud clang as they struck each other. The two parried and whirled around for another attack. She kicked him in the chest. He fired at her narrowly missing her. "You're never going to beat me. You're going down hard!"
"Maybe I am and maybe I'm not!" Kraven said cocky like. He flipped over her and ran down the hall heading for the elevator. Arra didn't pause. She just pursued him hoping he wasn't heading to way she thought he was going.
Meanwhile down in the lab the team was doing a good job against the vampets despite them being powered by human blood. Batman had used his grappling cable and tied two vampets together while Wonder Women knocked some heads together. Superman blew them away with his super breath and Static trapped one of them in a pressure chamber. They weren't going anyway. "Ready to give up yo?" Static asked
"I think not." Kraven called out. Everyone spun around. Kraven had his gun pointed to Alva's chest. Arra was behind him stopped dead in her tracks. "Any of you makes one move and he's dead."
"What are you up to Kraven? I can be there in a millisecond to free your hostage." Superman told preparing to free Alva when Batman stopped him. "We can't risk it. That gun is set at level ten and the slightest movement could set it off. You may be fast, but you wouldn't be able to stop it from killing him."
"Don't just stand there do something!" Alva shouted before Kraven elbow him in the gut. "Shut up if you won't to live you jerk." He ordered. "I'm in no mood for this. I want my men and I to be allowed to leave this facility without being followed and with our catch. If you do your going to regret it because you will never see Gear again. Now what is your answer?"
"We can't just let him walk!" Static yelled. "But if we don't your friend might die as well as Alva. Superman it's your decision." Wonder Women said.
Superman sighed in defeat. He saw Arra eager to take out Kraven, but she also knew it would be disastrous in the long run. Sighing she nodded her head. "You win. We won't follow you. Just give us Alva."
"I don't think so. Not till my men and I are far as possible from here." Kraven told them. He edged to the truck, freeing his men along the way. Finally they got into the truck and left throwing Alva to the ground and shooting up the place to distract them. By the time they could see again they were gone.
"What is the matter with you people! You let them get away with several millions dollars worth of chemicals and they broke into my computer database! I'm ruined! I'm filing a lawsuit! You're going to hear from my lawyers. As for you Arra you're going to go to jail for this and your not going to walk out of this time." Alva screamed. Arra strolled over to him and grabbed him by the tie jerking him down.
"You are going to forget I was ever here. You are going to assist us in finding out what they took and your not going to complain or file a lawsuit." Arra said putting a hypnotic suggestion in his brain. He woke up from his trance and went over demanding a list of what was stolen.
Batman and Arra went to the data lab to see if they could isolate what data was stolen. "This is very difficult. They used some kind of super virus to locate specific information then they used another virus to destroy the rest of the database so no one would know what they took. I can't figure out what they took because I don't know what virus they used." Batman told her.
"I recognize this virus! It's the Omni Virus with a few modifications. Gear developed this one. He was going to use it on himself if his powers ever got to out of control. Those vampets must have some how gotten the virus from him. You have to know he would never willingly assist evil." Arra told him. She looked at him desperate for him to believe her.
"I believe you Arra. Seeing through your eyes I know you wouldn't lie. There's nothing more I can do here except make a copy of the database and check on the others. Lets go." Batman told her.
The others had just finished their task and turned to face them. "According to Alva several highly dangerous chemicals were stolen from the lab along with hazmat suits and biohazard containers. They were smart. Making sure that they were safe from any of the chemicals nasty side effects." Wonder Women informed them.
"We also learned that the chemicals when combined together could make hundreds if not thousands of different products. But unless you have the company's chemical formulas their useless to you. But I guess they got those from the lab." Superman said tiredly.
"I also found this piece of paper. I think one of the vampets dropped it. I don't know what it is, but it looks important. But I can't read. Its written in some kind of alien language. You recognize it?" Static asked handing the paper to Batman. He shook his head. He didn't recognize it.
"That's vamperic! The language of my people!" Arra exclaimed grabbing the paper.
"Can you translate the note for us?" Superman asked.
"I don't know it could take time. It's been centuries since I've had to use it and besides only the high scholars used it. It was much easier to use human language, but I will try."
Across time the vampets had arrived back at the hideout. They already were moving the chemicals to Lab 2. Hippacrites smiled happily. Tomorrow he would leave the hideout and attack. He couldn't wait to fight Arra again.