Hippacrites and his minions arrived back at base victories. The vampets were all there to greet their Lord. "My loyal servants, we were successful tonight in acquiring the last items we need to secure our success. The night is upon us! Soon the mortals and super powered beings of the Earth will fear us. We the true rulers of the night will take our places as supreme rulers of the planet and no one will stop us! We must work hard to prepare for tonight's ceremony. No mistakes can be made. No one can interfere with our moment of triumph so lets get busy!" The Lord preached.
His minions cheered loudly and saluted their Lord. They went quickly went back to work intent on completing their tasks before the appropriate hour. The drug still needed to be completed, the gas had to be contained, and the ceremony had to be set up. Hippacrites left Kraven in charge to handle those affairs. He wanted to check on his guest.
When he entered his private sanctuary he saw that Richie was physically and mentally drained from having his genetic code messed with for the past several hours. He barely had the strength to lift his head and look at his captive. "What do you want?" he managed to say before he started coughing up blood.
"I came to see how you are doing and to prepare you for your grand moment. I can tell by the smell of your blood that I was successful in turning your blood back to its former vampire glory. Everything is going according to plan. Tonight I will revive my brothers from beyond the grave and it will all be made possible thanks to your mate and your contribution." Hippacrites informed him.
"Am I supposed to feel proud by the fact that you plan to use me as a sacrifice to allow your evil brethren to walk this planet again? I may not be looking forward to death, but I don't plan to aid you in any way." Richie informed his captive before he started coughing again.
"Rest young hero. I need you to be in reasonable health for the ceremony. And don't worry I promise to make your sacrifice something we will remember through out history." Hippacrites boasted before turning from the cage to start preparations.
Richie glared hatefully at him. He had never hated someone so much before not even his dad. Not to the point where he wanted to kill them. But these were extreme circumstances. He really didn't want to die. He prayed silently that Arra and Virgil would find him in time to save his life.
Arra was just regaining consciences. Her eyes winced as the light blinded her and she put her hand to head to stop the pounding. She sat up slowly groaning. "How long have I been out?" she inquired.
"Hours, its five a.m. my dear. When the others came brought you back I thought you had been seriously injured. I'm glad that wasn't the case. Before you ask everyone is alright even Vivian who should be back to one hundred percent by tomorrow night." Persia told the girl. She helped her out of bed. "The rest of your clan are downstairs in the living room waiting for you. They need you right now."
"Thank you Persia. I think I can make it downstairs all by myself. I just need a minute to gather myself. Okay I'm ready lets go." Arra told the old women. Persia escorted Arra downstairs then left her.
"Hello everyone. I believe that Batman or Static has informed you about what Hippacrites has planned. We have to stop Hippacrites at all cost. So lets get cracking. We have to find out where he is hiding now!" Arra told them. Her violet eyes flashed with determination.
"We have fifty places to check out. We don't have the time to play divide and conquer. We need to figure out where Hippacrites is now. Otherwise its game over for the world." Static pointed out.
"We know that Hippacrites must be in a place that has labs. So that's like only twenty places but that still leaves too much ground to cover. If only we had more clues." Mark remarked.
Arra who had been slouching suddenly sat up straight. Everyone stared at her. Vivian who was the closet to her placed her hand on hers. "What is it? Arra did you figure something out?" she asked.
"What you said about clues it triggered something in my photographic memory. I was to busy worrying about being a good leader that I missed the most obvious. Hippacrites whispered something to me last night before taking off. He said that I had all the information I needed to figure out where he was and that I was given my first clue. He gave me this cloth saying it was my second and last clue." Arra explained playing with the cloth.
"Well what was the first clue?" Wonder Women inquired tentively.
"Remember when we captured those vampets and they refused to answer our questions. All we got was nonsense answers or so we thought." Arra began, "One of the vampets said that where the moon reflected and the sounds of horns could be heard was where we find his master."
"Reflections of moons and horns. That's sounds like the docks! The moon is reflected in the water and the horns we here our boat horns." Superman exclaimed. Looking at the map that left ten places. Still not enough time for a search and rescue mission. They needed an exact location.
"This fabric is used in medical facilities to handle drugs and when working in surgery. When it's left in storage it gives off a scent similar to moss. There's only one place on the map that matches all our requirements. Its right here, this warehouse is used by the hospital for storing medical drugs and producing medical equipment. It's large enough to fit his needs and its conventitly vacant at the moment. That's where Hippacrites is holed up." Arra determined.
"Alright lets go and rescue Richie and kick some vampanzee butt!" Static roared. Batman forced him back to his seat. "We can't just go charging in blind. Security will be at its peak while there in they're in the final stages of their operation. From our past experiences they're highly organized and won't be surprised."
"Batman right. The vampets are too cunning and strong to fight hand to hand. Plus we have a disadvantage on our side. Tonight is the full moon and weather we want to or not loup-garou must change. In our wolf form will be unable to communicate with you making it harder for us to work together." Gabriel explained unhappily.
"I can fix that. I'll use the Bloodstone on you so that we can all understand your wolf tongue. Now that still leaves us with a big problem. Backpack can download the schematics for the building and we can come up with a plan to take out Hippacrites but we still have to come up with a way to really stop him. Every time we go up against him or his vampets we come out wounded. There has to be a way to neutralize them." Arra said angrily pounding her fist into her palm.
"If only we could turn the vampets fully human again as well as Hippacrites. Then they wouldn't be a threat anymore." Superman mused.
"Isn't it possible? I mean this way they became this demons sounds a lot like a disease and Arra and her clan were turned human before so can't the same be done for them?" Wonder Women pointed out.
"Well Arra how about it? Could we whip up a cure?" Static pressed.
"I don't know. Vampirism isn't a disease. You must remember the story of how my people came to be transformed. We were humans who were suffering from a disease that Bloodstone transformed into a genetic structure that created my race. The only reason I became human again in the first place is because when Static and Sparkles fragmented the Bloodstone it no longer sent its power to us keeping us the way we where. I don't think it would work like that with the vampanzee and his men." Arra said unsure.
"But Hippacrites used science to recreate the vampanzee blood. The same blood the vampets have been drinking. Combining all your clan's blood together and exposing it to radiation as I recall made it. So it is a disease and like any disease it can be cured." Batman replied.
"How would you do and how long would it take to make the cure?" Superman inquired.
"I have a sample of Hippacrites human and vampanzee DNA. I can use certain chemicals to reverse the mutation returning him to normal. However the vampanzee sample is missing key sequences. I'll need to use vampire DNA to fill in the gaps. If this works all we have to do is inject our foes with the cure and a few minuets later they be back to normal. For how long it will take probably most of the day considering the equipment I have avaible" Batman told him.
Arra reached inside her coat pocket and withdrew several vials. Without hesitation she bit into her wrist with her fangs causing blood to trickle inside the vials. The others looked at her slightly disturbed by her actions. When she was done she spit on her wrist to close the wounds and handed the vials to Batman. "I hope that this is enough. Still how will we know if this works and doesn't have any unpleasant side effects?"
"I know, we can create weaker dose and give it to the three vampets we got. The police still have them in custody at the hospital trying to figure out what's wrong with them. If it works on them then a stronger dose should work on a vampanzee." Static suggested.
"That's a great idea Static. Okay lets get down to work. Everyone has a job to do. First off I'll fly back to the Manor and get the equipment Batman needs so he can get started on the cure. Meanwhile the rest of you should consult with one another to come up with a plan of attack." Superman ordered them. Everyone nodded and he took off. He returned ten minutes later with all the equipment Batman needed and set it up in one of the spare rooms. Batman began his work and everyone else worked on a plan of attack.
Backpack hacked into the city archives and came up with the blueprints for the building. He then created a 3D model for everyone to use. "Alright as we can clearly see there's three ways in to the building. One is through the main door; the second is through a service entrance on the right side and the last way is through the skylights. The docking bay doors are near to the main entrance, but they will be heavily guarded so I recommend against using them. Same with the skylight because they'll be expecting people who can fly to come in from up above." Arra pointed out.
"There warehouse also has a sophisticated security system which includes 340 angle cameras, motion sensors, they have the sewers monitored as well as the roof has defenses. Plus there's the fact that there's forty three vampets and one powerful vampanzee to deal with. This is not going to be an easy place to get into undetected." Vivian said coughing.
"Backpack can take care of the security system. Gear programmed him for stealth. He can slip inside through one of the windows and into the security control room which located in the east corner over here." Static assured them.
"The labs will be where the super drug and the gas would be stored. There located over here. We need to somehow lock the doors and make sure they don't have access to them. Without them the plan falls apart." Mark pointed out.
"We have a lot of open space to maneuver in. Still we won't to keep the battle in a contained area so we can keep track of all the vampets easier. We know that Hippacrites will be to busy with the doing the ceremony to be of any assistance. So I suggested we have the battle here in the practice area as they designated. It's next to the labs and on the far side is a private area that most likely is Hippacrites quarters. It fairly large so I would have to believe that's where Hippacrites will perform his sick ceremony." Gabriel informed the others.
"So we need to decide how were going to attack and from where. Since the skylight is out and busting through the back would just cause Hippacrites to run, we need to attack from the remaining sides." Superman surmised.
"My pack can make sure no one escapes from the warehouse. I'll have the males stay back and watch the outside. If we need help will howl for them. The females will be divided. Half of them will stay here to protect the elderly and children the other will be aid us. The Five, Mark, and I will join you inside the building." Gabriel stated.
"If you think I'm staying here to watch the cubs your wrong Gabriel. I am one tough bitch, and I want to sink my canines into the jerk who shot me. Besides as your mate its my duty to fight beside you." Vivian told him defiantly.
"Vivian your injuries. You're still recovering. It would be suicide to put you on this mission." Gabriel argued with her.
"It would be suicide to try and keep her out of this mission. Let her go Gab, she can control the beast inside of her and she knows how to handle silver related injuries." Arra told him sighing.
"We also have to figure out what were going to do with the vampets and Hippacrites when there turned back to human. The police will want them and will have the evidence at the warehouse and what we've gathered to give them. But I thing involving them with the attack will just put them at risk. I say we leave an annomysis tip for them to come by the warehouse at midnight. That will give us enough time to capture everyone and turn them normal. Also we need amble time to get medical attention to Richie." Wonder Women said.
"Alright so the werewolves will patrol the warehouse making sure that no one escapes and be ready to come to our rescue. The ones that will be part of the main assault will attack from the side entrance. At the same time we will attack from the main doors and Superman and Wonder Women will bust through the docking bay doors so that were all spread out. Our first goal will be making sure that the drugs and gas can't be reached. Who's up for that mission?" Arra asked
"Leave it to me. I'll use my static cling to seal the doors and to take out whoever is in the labs. Then I'll rejoin the fight. Don't worry I think I can handle this myself." Static informed Arra.
"Next we have to disarm all the vampets before we can proceed in capturing them. If Backpack's information is correct then they probably are storing the weapons over in this room. We need to destroy those weapons so that they're at a serious disadvantage." Arra commanded.
"The Five love wrecking stuff. Leave it to them. They may be a bunch of jerks, but they'll do as there told. Consider the weapons already gone." Gabriel told her.
"If we all work together we can help one another take on the vampets. There are about forty three vampets so each of us will try to take out three or four of them. We need something strong enough to secure them once their down so we can inject them with something. Any ideas?" Superman asked.
"We have several restraining devices that are made of steel alloys. The vampets may be strong but the steel restraints should hold them long enough for us to inject them. Plus we'll be keeping an eye on them so those with hands will be able to inject them with the cure." Mark added.
"That just leaves Hippacrites. Whatever happens the most important thing is to stop that ceremony from taking place. I know that this will sound selfish and maybe a little obsessive but I want to take out Hippacrites. I'm the only one who can stand up with him, I know how to stop the ceremony, and lastly I have a personal stake in this." Arra said listing her reasons.
"Its because you have a personal stake in this were reluctant to allow you to take on Hippacrites. What happens if you have to choose between Richie and Hippacrites? Are you willing to discard your "mate's" life for the safety of the city and the world? I'm not saying that it will come to that, but if worse comes to worse you'll have to choose." Superman informed her.
Arra glared at him. She drew her dagger and flung it at the wall. It embedded itself half an inch from his head in her drawing of Hippacrites. She walked over and retrieved the dagger. "See how I didn't hesitate to attack you to get to Hippacrites? I have lived for seven centuries Clark. I know the meaning of duty and the safety of the clan. I will not hesitate to stop Hippacrites even if Richie gets in the way."
"What about your promise not to kill him? Despite what he's done he is a human being not a monster. He should be tried by jury and pay for his crimes in prison. Killing him won't bring back the people who have died. Besides its much easier to kill someone than it is it save them." Static implored.
"Don't worry Virgil. Hippacrites will have his day in court. I'll make sure he doesn't take the easy way out of this," Arra told him. "Let's get back to work people we have a lot of work to do."
"What about the Bloodstone? You're the one wearing it. Is it wise to send you after him were he can get his hands on it?" Wonder Women asked her.
"You don't have to be concerned. The Bloodstone protects itself from evil. It can't be forcefully taken from its keeper. The only way he's getting his filthy hands on it is if I give to him or I die. Neither is likely to happen." Arra assured her.
For the next several hours they went over the plan. They ran sceneries, accounted for every variable, and covered all their bases. They wanted to make sure that each person knew what they had to do and when. No mistakes could be made. If there was even one slip up it could mean disaster for the rest of the world.
Around eleven Arra slipped away from the planning to relax. She went to her room to finish her painting. Half an hour later she was done. Smiling she left the painting to dry why she made lunch for everyone. After making sure everyone was fed she headed back upstairs to check on Batman's progress. She grabbed her painting and tried to shake off the wooziness she felt. It was Saturday and she needed to feed, but she couldn't feed on anyone here and there wasn't time to go hunting. She could only hope her powers held. Straightening up she knocked on Batman's door. "Enter."
"I brought you lunch. I hope you like ham sandwiches. You should take a break; you've been working for the last eight hours without out any rest. I know that your friends say you can go days without sleep, but I have to disagree. You need to take a break." Arra told him kindly setting down the tray of food.
"No time for a break. I have to figure out this cure and soon. I don't understand it. I've made antidotes to poisons before and it's never been this hard." Batman told her. He turned back to his work running another sample through the microscope.
"Maybe its because your searching for a cure to a disease that isn't truly a disease. As the leader of this clan I am ordering you to take a fifteen minute break. The solution to the problem will come to you. I have complete faith in you. You aren't called the World's Greatest Detective for nothing. I mean that's what your superpower is. You keen sense of observation and the fact you trained your body to respond in a way no normal human could." Arra insisted. She parted her lips to show her fangs to show how series she was.
Sighing in defeat Batman turned to face her and the two of them began to eat their lunch. It was strange, only a short while ago these two couldn't stand to be in the same room as one another and now it was like they were old friends. "Thank you for the sandwich. Its delicious."
"Your welcome. I tried to make them like your butler Alfred does, but I don't have access to all your memories. Now tell me how is your project progressing? How much longer till we have a possible cure?" Arra inquired.
"Another hour maybe two. Its difficult process to figure out which chemicals to use in the cure. Thanks to your blood I was able to fill in the missing codes to the vampanzee blood. So now all I have to do is find an agent that will attack the vampanzee blood cells and convert them back to their original human code. The problem is find the right agent and measuring how much dosage should be given. But for every problem there is a solution. How goes the planning?" Batman said in his calm voice to her.
"Everything is working out all right. I've already used the Bloodstone on our wolf friends so once the moon rises will be able to understand them. Going over the plan a million times is giving me a headache, but its nessacery if we are to rescue Richie. I hope I don't let anyone down. I couldn't stand it if I failed." Arra confided in him.
"You won't fail. You know what's at stake and have lived through similar experience in your life. You know what Hippacrites is capable of. You can do this so don't think about failing because you will then. Remember Richie is counting on you and so are we." Batman replied.
"I know but I don't want to repeat what happen centuries ago. Even though I know it wasn't my fault and nothing could be done I still feel responsible for the death of my family, my clan mates, and my mate Larten. I don't think even you could understand this pain. You've only had to live with your parent's death for a couple of decades, I've had to live with it for seven centuries." Arra told him sadly.
"It doesn't matter how much time passes the pain is still there. We feel responsible for the ones we loved deaths because we survived. But both of us, you and me, have found ways to work through it." Batman told her quietly. He knew that she feared another death on her conscience because of the part of his mind that belong to her.
"Well thanks for listening and taking a break. If you need any help I'm sure Backpack will be glad to assist you. Oh before I forget I have something for you. I've been working on it since Wednesday although I didn't have a definite idea of what it would be until Thursday. Here it's for you. Origami isn't the only art style I know. I'm quite a good painter." Arra told him handing over the painting. She had hastily wrapped it in brown paper.
Batman took the package and stared at it for a moment. Why had she done this? Was it a her way of saying she had forgiven him for his actions? He then tore the paper off and stared dumbstruck at the painting. It was very well done and divided into three sections. The first section showed him as a young boy with his parents in front of the theater smiling. The middle section was him just starting out as Batman with Alfred; the last section was of him and his Bat family. Nightwing and Batgirl stood on either side of him smiling with Robin in front of him grinning. Arra had painted him with a hint of a smile. The title of the painting was Family. He traced the images and he could feel tears forming. "Thank you. I don't understand why you did this, but thank you."
Arra smiled and gently told him, "I painted this because of what I saw in my mind after the spirit transfers wasn't a man who shuns the light freely, but a man who uses the darkness to protect himself and the ones he loves. Your family understands and that's why even when you think you're alone your not." And with that comment she left him alone to finish working on the cure.
After that Batman worked harder than ever to find a cure. The lab equipment bubbled and sizzled as he tried again and again to find a solution to their problem. He wasn't one to easily get frustrated but this was taxing him. Why couldn't he figure this out? Finally fed up he call downstairs to see if he could use Backpack. Finally around two he was done. He had found a cure or at least he hoped it was. He told Backpack to start producing more of the cure then went downstairs.
In the living room the human members of the group greeted him. It seemed the loup-garoues had gotten nasty with the rise of the full moon so close so they decide to leave for a while. "I believe I've found a solution to our crises. This formula I invented attaches itself to vampanzee cells and then with the help of some chemical agents reverts them back to their normal form. I have with me three milder dosages to test on the vampanzee. I'll have to monitor them for a few hours after administering this to make sure there are no ill side effects. Hopefully this works because if it doesn't then we don't have time to look for another." Batman informed them holding up a vile of light blue liquid.
"I'll call Dr. Harris and inform him that you're coming. He might object to the use of an experimental drug, but I'm sure he will understand once you explain it to him." Superman said already heading for the phone.
"Hold up please. Your not going anywhere without me and that's finale. If this cure works we might be able to obtain valuable information for our mission with the vampets turned back to human." Arra informed him. Before anyone could protest she was already pulling on her heavy clothing and covering her self with sunscreen. Once she was done both of them left heading for the hospital.
Dr. Harris was closely monitoring his three patients. They had repeatedly tried to kill themselves in any way possible. Normal drugs and conventional therapy were not helping them. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep them here before the police removed them. "What am I going to do? Nothing works and I'm running out of options."
"Perhaps we can be of service." A voice said. Dr. Harris jumped and clutched his heart to stop the pounding. He was amazed at the way Batman and Arra seemed to simply melt from the shadows. "Don't do that please. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"Sorry doctor, but we don't have time for pleasantries. We need access to your vampet patients now. We need to test this cure on them right now and monitor them for the next few hours to see if there's any side effects. And we need to do it with out anyone seeing us or interfering." Arra informed him.
"Now hold up just a minute. I can't let you go injected experimental drugs into my patients systems hoping that it will cure them. I could lose my licenses for that. Plus these vampets as you call them are criminals and under the law I can't allow any harm come to them till they've been booked for their crime. That's the first rule of medicine may I remind you, first do no harm." Dr. Harris argued with her.
"Believe me doctor if you don't let us try this on them more than your licenses can be lost. We are talking about the lives of millions of people here. Hippacrites is crazy both you and I know that. I understand your legal obligations, but what about your obligation to community. If you don't help us more people will suffer because you failed to act. Please trust us." Batman told him giving him one of his famous stares.
Sighing in defeat he motioned for the two of them to follow him. After dismissing the guards and turning off the security cameras he let them in the room where the vampets were being held. Each of the three men was in a straight jacket and restrained to the bed with monitors hooked up to them. But even that wasn't holding them. They were all ranting and raving about the resurrection of the true masters of the night. "We've tried to sedate them, but they fight off the drug. Restraining them is next to impossible. All they seem to do is either try to commit suicide or rave about nonsense."
"There hasn't been a straight jacket invented that could hold a vampanzee or a vampire. Since vampets are humans who have drank vampanzee blood the rule applies to them as well." Arra explained.
"You're a vampire for Gods sake Arra. Couldn't you just use your fangs to siphon out the vampanzee blood in them? You know I don't want to use them as guinea pigs." Dr. Harris told her nervously.
"Sorry doctor, but vampanzee blood is poison to me and vice versa. So you all ready to administer the medicine to them Bats?" Arra inquired. While she and the doctor had been talking he had been preparing the injection gun with the cure.
"Ready. Lets hope this works." Batman told her firmly. He strolled over to the closest vampet who happened to be Cedric. The blond man twisted and turned trying desperately to get out of his restraints. He snarled at the Dark Knight and attempted to bite him. Batman hand shot out and held the struggling man in place with a vice like grip. Taking the gun he whispered. "Injecting patient number one with cure at two thirty," as he injected him in the arm. Letting go he stepped back and watched.
Cedric stopped struggling and seemed to calm down. He slumped back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Batman didn't hesitate; he just gave the other two the injection and rejoined Arra and the doctor. "Now we monitor their progress until its five thirty. Lets pray that this worked"
At first nothing seem to be happening. Then slowly the monitors began to change. Heart rate seemed to fluctuate and for a minute Dr. Harris thought they all had a heart attack, but then everything went to normal. Pulse was getting slower and they seemed to be getting weaker. Arra gasped as the scratch marks on their cheeks disappeared. After fifteen minutes they seemed perfectly normal. They looked at one another in confusion, like they had no idea how they got there.
"They seem to have become normal humans again. I'm going to remove the straight jackets, but I'll keep them in restraints and on the monitors. The slightest sign of danger and I'm calling in the rest of my staff clear?" Dr. Harris told the two heroes. They nodded and he proceeded to do just as he said.
Arra walked over to the men and stared directly in their eyes. "Do you recognize me?" she questioned
"Yes, you're the vampiress that Hippacrites is after. You're the keeper of the Bloodstone. You're not going to stop Hippacrites. He's got all his bases covered." Cedric informed her.
"What are your weapons capabilities and what kind of training have you received?" Batman questioned. He tried to intimidate the men, but he wasn't afraid of him. It seemed his human emotions hadn't returned yet.
"We are not afraid of you imposter. Your emblem may be of the bat, but we are the true worshipers of the creature. For your information we have access to more prototype military weaponry than you can imagine. As for are training, lets just say that we can out do you any day of the week." Caleb laughed in his face.
"What are your weakness and what are Hippacrites? How good of a fighter is he? Does he use traditional or modern weapons? What can you tell us about your relationship with him?" Arra demanded angrily. She added a bit of her hypnotic gaze into her questioning hoping that their in their state of mind they were susceptible to it.
Marco was the one to answer her. "You think we betray our Lord? You may be the last vampire, but were not afraid of you. Hippacrites is the greatest and that's all you need to know. Once he has the Bloodstone your doomed."
That's was all they got. The former vampets refused to answer any more questions. No matter how hard Arra and Batman pressed they refused to reply. Arra walked over to the other side of the room in disgust. She was going to observe them for the rest of the period from over here. Her colleagues joined her shortly. "I recommend counseling for them, but I doubt it will work. These men knew what they were doing and it was wrong, but they did it anyways. Their competent to stand trial."
The rest of the time was past in silence. Batman monitored the men's condition carefully. He wanted to make sure there were no ill side effects to the treatment. He was not happy by the turn of events, but at the present moment there was nothing he could do. Finally it was five thirty. "Nothing strange has happen and in my expert opinion nothing will. They're perfectly normal. The cure works. Keep watch over them doctor and call us if anything changes. We have to go tell the rest of the team." Batman informed them. With a swish of his cloak they were both gone.
By the time they arrived back at the house it was almost nightfall. The entire pack had convened outside on the front lawn. Everyone else was watching from the front porch. Static waved them over. "So is the change any different when the full moon is on the rise or what?" he asked
"You'll see Static. Just be patient its almost time." Arra instructed him. Both turned and stared at the pack. Arra noted that Static seemed to have gotten use to the packs nakedness. Suddenly it was dark and the moon peaked out from the treetops. The moonlight hit the pack and suddenly they began to change.
Fur sprouted all over them covering them instantly. They fell down on all fours unable to stand as their knees reversed direction. The tail was next thing to appear and they wagged it with pure joy. Finally their heads changed. The muzzle jutted out from their mouth. Ears crawled all the way from the side to the top of their head. Large and powerful teeth emerged. The transformation from human to beast was complete. They were now werewolves. The pack let loose a howl and headed for the woods. Vivian marched over to the observes and spoke. "Were going for a run, but when its time to go just summon us and will be back in a heart beat." Her voice was hoarse because in reality she was growling.
They nodded their heads and she took off. They headed back inside to go over last minute planning and wait for the cure to be finished. Batman filled them in on what happened at the hospital. They were stunned by the vampets loyalty to Hippacrites even though they were human again. "So at least we know that there's a way to cure them. Are you sure that it will work just as well on Hippacrites as it did on them?" Superman inquired
Batman gave him a look that said you doubt me? "It will only take a few more hours for the lab to finish processing enough of the cure for us to use. I'll go check on the progress see if I can't speed it up."
"In the meantime I think we should all familiarize ourselves with the use of injection guns. Each of you will have one and a couple vials worth of the cure. Don't break the gun or the vials because you're not going to be able to refill." Superman said handing each one of them an injector gun. But when he came to Arra she baulked and pushed it away.
"I can't touch it. It's a gun not a hand to hand combat weapon. It's against my code to use such weapons. No bows and arrows, no slingshots, no guns period." Arra said defiantly.
Static looked at her incrudensly "Arra are you joking? We don't have time for this! In a couple hours we are going head to head with the most dangerous guy we have ever faced in our entire lives! We have to battle hordes of vampets, lock down two labs containing dangerous substances, and lastly have to battle an insane maniac and your balking over your culture?"
"Static leave her alone. You must respect her beliefs even if you don't understand them. I know I do." Batman told him as he rejoined the group. "The cure is proceeding as fast as possible. It will be done around ten thirty eleven the latest. Arra can you use syringes?" Batman asked her holding out two syringes.
Arra nodded and pocketed them inside her coat. "Thank you for understanding. You seem to be the only one who gets my belief. Now as for your Virgil," she said spinning around to face him. "I pride myself on my abilities and my beliefs. I've spent seven centuries perfected my sword technique while guns and other projectiles fascinated humans. Let me tell you something important. I can beat anyone who use a gun with my sword. So don't question me again. Remember why we are doing this."
Hours later the cure was finally prepared. Everyone loaded up with what they needed and they called back their wolf friends from the woods. Everyone went over the plan one more time. Arra stood up and decide it was time for a last minute pep talk. "Tonight we fight the final battle in a war that I though ended six centuries ago. Tonight you will be called on to use your powers not only to stop a crazed vampanzee and rescue a fellow hero, you are also being called forth to avenge the deaths of those who have died. We will bring justice to the ones who have paid for one man's insanity. Let us never give up. Now lets go. Backpack heel!" The little robot obediently obeyed her and latched itself to her back. He totally clashed with her, but she wasn't complaining. She grabbed Gear's helmet and nodded.
It was around eleven by the time the group arrived at the docks. The group landed on the rooftop of a warehouse across the street. "Since the place is lead line and soundproof we can't use X-ray vision or super hearing to find out where everyone is. Anyone else got an idea?" Superman asked.
"One. Batman do you have anything in your fancy belt that can detect heat signatures? I know Gear's helmet has that capabilities but only in a limited scope." Arra told them.
Batman nodded his head and produced a set of binoculars. He passed them around to everyone so they could see where everyone was. Combined with Gear's helmet they managed to figure out where everyone was. "So now that we know their positions its time to take out their security force so we can fight them." He said simply.
"Right. Backpack hack into the security system and reroute it to your secondary drive. That way we control what they see and hear. Static disarm the laser perimeter. Esme, Tomas you take the rest of the pack and dispense with any ground security that we may encounter us. Radio us when you're finished." Arra commanded
The pack acknowledged her and went on the patrol. Meanwhile Static worked his magic on the building taking out the laser perimeter. Backpack worked as fast as he could to do his task, but he was slower without Richie's mind assisting him. Finally they where done. It was eleven twenty five. Synchronizing their watches they moved into the position.
Meanwhile inside the vampets were talking and laughing. They were in the mood for celebrating. Soon it would be midnight and the entire world would be there's. Nothing would stand in their way. Only one person was not celebrating. Kraven looked at his men in repugnance. "What's the matter with you? We must stand vilgint. Arra will be here soon to rescue her beloved and we must be ready to stop her! And that's not going to happen with you all acting like a bunch of frat boys."
"Relax Kraven enjoy yourself. Everything is under control. I've been monitoring the security all night and there hasn't been one disturbance. We have all the drugs and gas we need when are Lord completes the ceremony and finally we have enough firepower to take on anyone stupid enough to try and stop us. So would you relax and join the party already?" Shawn asked holding out a soda.
"I don't party. I will do my duty and stay alert until the appointed time. With only half an hour to go how can you even think to party? Don't tell me it's easy. You have a job to do so get back to it!" Kraven roared
Suddenly the main door exploded off its hinges and Static, Batman, and Arra appeared through the smoke. The docking bay doors were punched inward and in flew Superman and Wonder Women. With out turning around they heard the side door being torn to pieces as a bunch of werewolves bound inside the building and surrounded them. "We heard there was a party going on so we decided to be the party crashers. Hope you don't mind." Static joked.
"Get them! Don't let them get to our Lord! Get the Bloodstone! Whatever you idiots do don't break that stone!" Kraven ordered already firing his weapons.
The loup-garous sprang into action. Their powerful jaws bit down on the hands of the vampets. They began to rip and tear them. It was a frenzy as fur flew everywhere as they pounced on their victims. All though their instincts urged them to kill they held back. These people needed to stay alive.
Superman took a deep breath and blew out hard scattering five of the vampets. They retaliate by tossing several gas bombs at him. Soon a thick wall of gas surrounded him. He used his X-ray vision and saw that the vampets were charging up their laser rifles. Not waiting for them to finish he spun around clearing away the cloud then shot at them with his heat vision. They went sprawling across the floor and he went flying after them.
Wonder Women was flying straight through her vampets. She grabbed two of them by the back of their shirts and flew up to the ceiling where she deposited them on a light fixture. "I'll be back for you later." She was flying back down to the frenzy when she deflected several arrows. Whirling around her lasso she tied up a few vampets. "Hera give me strength." She prayed. She tightened the lasso and kept tightening till they passed out. Only then did she undo her lasso and flew off to help her friends.
Five vampets had cornered Batman. They each had either an arrow gun, a laser, or both pointed at them. They were smirking at him. "You have no where to run freak. Give up and will make your end quick and painless." Steve, the leader of the group, taunted him.
"You don't know how tired I'm to hear that. Its you who should surrender. I'm only giving you one chance." Batman offered. The vampets laughed at him. He was crazy! "Get him and make it as painful as possible!" Steve told them.
"I warned you. Now you're going to get it." Batman said calmly. He released a hidden bolo tying up Steve. The other four took aim and fired. Through a fantastic gymnastic display he rolled out of the way and threw four batarangs at them disarming them cleanly. Next he dropped a smoke bomb to confuse them. He then launched into a fury of karate moves knocking them unconscinces. He then handcuffed them before looking around to see who need his help.
Static zoomed across the room zapping weapons left and right. He released a large burst of static clinging holding in place five vampets. "That's what I call static cling. Wow oh no." Static said trying to avoid being hit by shrukiens. They were coming from the three people guarding the labs.
"I need to get to those lab doors shut. If they have access to the drugs and Bang Baby gas it will be chaos. But how?" Static thought. But how was he going to accomplish this? The vampets seemed unstoppable. No matter what they threw at them they kept getting back up. Suddenly a light bulb went on in his head.
"Everyone close your eyes tight!" Static ordered his friends. Although they were all locked in combat they obeyed him. Static withdrew a piece of wire from his coat and wrapped it around his fingers. "I know how light sensitive your eyes are so I hope you don't mind if I brighten things up. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. You can't hit what you can't see!" Suddenly a brilliant flash of light flooded the room. The vampets screamed in pain as the light blinded them. They where withering on the floor. That's all the distraction they needed.
Static shot a burst of electricity at the robotic arms near the packaging area. Directing them he with his hands he grabbed a hold of the three vampets guarding the doors. Then he magnetizes the doors making it impossible to get inside.
Meanwhile Arra was locked in combat with the only vampet who had headed Static warning. Kraven refused to go down. He shot at her and she slashed the arrows apart with her nails. She then shot a round at him before flirting at him. "You are going to get out of my way Kraven. NOW!" she ordered through a two hundred pound barrel at him.
Kraven dodged it and handspring into her chest knocking her back. She bit him in arm but didn't suck. He released some sort of powder trying to lose her but she used her enhanced senses to find him. She slashed him with her sword but he deflected with his gun. "Impressive really. You are a one of a kind. But I can't allow you to get to my Lord's chambers. The Ceremony will be complete. Your mate's death will be remembered as the seed that lead to our rise." Kraven told her.
Arra continued her sword attack forcing Kraven back, but he held his ground. He used his own super strength and speed to attack her forcing her to lose ground. "Your pathetic. A real vampire would have beaten me by now. I think I should destroy you now and then deliver the Bloodstone to my master."
"Your welcome to try. I warn you I'm a force to reckon with." Arra informed him. She then gave him a hick kick in the face followed by a rabbit punch. She spun around and double kicked him. "I'm just full of surprises."
"So am I Arra. You are done for." Kraven laughed at her. He then proceed to attack her with a flurry of kicks and punches he knocked her sword out of her hands. Before she could recover he cocked his gun. "Say good-bye Arra." He told her aiming for her heart.
Suddenly a set of powerful jaws clamped down hard on his hand and began to shake him. Vivian had a hold of him and refused to let go. He screamed in pain and reflexively he shot the arrow at her just as Arra was leaning down to pick up her sword. If she stood up she be hit.
Suddenly the arrow shattered as a Batarang hit it. Arra was surprised but smiled at Batman who merely nodded before returning to the fight. She picked up her sword and brushed it off. "Vivian! Keep Kraven busy. I have date with a doctor." She yelled as she ran to the far side of the building stopping only long enough to retrieve the Batarang.
"No problem Arra. This guy is going to suffer for injuring me!" Vivian growled as she raked her claws all over him. She was attempting to injure him the same way he did her, but she would settle for making him suffer.
Arra raced across the room jumping over vampets and kicking them out of the way. When someone got in her way she used her knock out breath to get them out of the way. With one last burst of speed she burst through the doorway unsure what she would find on the other side of it.
Arra gasped as she looked around the room. She recognized it as the one from her visions but it had been drastically changed. The cage, torture devices, and equipment had been removed from the room and the walls to Hippacrites private quarters had been knocked down making the room seem huge. On floor were two dozen black candles burning brightly on top of black archaic symbol drawn in chalk. She knew what the symbols represented. They were gateways for the dead and the candles light the way. The incense burning above the doorway was to protect the spirits of the dead from harm. To the right on a large table were hundreds of purple pills along with a biohazard container, which contained the gas. Also on the table were small cups of blood. On the far side of the room was a large alter with a blood red cloth covering it. In the center near the edge were three symbols of the vampires. The three symbols consisted of a fang, a bat, and a statue of one their gods. These would be used to allow communication with the Gods so the Ceremony could happen. On the left side of the alter were two crystal goblets. One was filled to the brim with human blood the other empty. Next to the goblets were the rolled up charts. Hippacrites had already used them to position everything. Right behind the symbols and to the right was a small stand where the necromancy book was wide open. Hippacrites was behind the alter chanting away holding the athema. And there lying on the alter held in place was Richie.
"Richie! Hippacrites I command you to stop what you're doing at once! The Ceremony of Resurrection will never take place. Release my mate and surrender at once and I will spare your life." Arra command him getting into battle stance.
Hippacrites stopped chanting and smiled. "I knew you come Arra. You are as smart as your mate claims to be. He never doubted you not for a second. As you can see I couldn't break him. Now down to business. I want the Bloodstone and you will give it to me." Hippacrites indicated with one claw.
Even though she was at least twenty feet away she could still see Richie clearly. What she saw broke her heart. His clothes were torn in several places and his hair had been ripped out in several places. There were burn marks, open wounds, electrocution burns, bruises and broken bones. Her ears told her that his internal systems were had all but shut down. He was dirty and smelled awful. She couldn't even begin to imagine the torture he had faced. He turned his head and moaned weakly. "Arra."
"Hang on Richie. I'll get you out of this." She telepathically thought to him. To Hippacrites she said "You are going to pay dearly for the pain you've caused Hippacrites. Your not getting your purple hands on the Bloodstone. The only way that's going to happen is over my dead body."
"That can be easily arranged. Look around you. You're nearly out of time. In seventeen minutes the moon will be at its peak and I will no longer have to keep my word. I can and will kill your mate. So why don't we avoid that and you just give me what I want. Its not like you can stop me." Hippacrites critized her.
"Wanna to bet? Heyah!" Arra flung both her dagger and the Batarang like a pair of boomerangs. They whirled around the room snuffing out each of the candles before knocking over the goblets and shredding everything else. After cutting the incense they returned to her hands where she quickly sheathed them. "Backpack go!" she ordered. The little robot jumped off her back and on top of the table. It produced a force field around the area cutting off Hippacrites from his precious treasures. "I've destroyed the Ceremony now what are you going to do?" she challenged him.
He laughed at her naivety. "Your are such and innocent. Just because you destroyed the Ceremony doesn't mean its over. Once it's begun it can't be stopped. There are only two things left to do. Offer the Gods the vampire blood and use the Bloodstone to call forth my brethren."
"Not if I can stop it! I've still got fifteen minutes left and I'm going to stop you once and for all!" She shouted before she took to the air sword ready she ran in the air straight at him. She brought it down hard but he blocked it with his athema. With his superior strength he forced her back. Ripping the restraints off he grabbed a hold of Richie so he could use him as a human shield. "Let's play."
Arra flirted at him full speed and whipped her sword around intending to behead him, but he blocked it with his claws. Before she had a chance to recover he clawed her ripping her clothes apart in several places. He then slashed her with athema cutting her in several places. She retailed by giving him a right hook and shooting her nails at him. Most missed but one nailed him in the leg. Unfortunately one of her nails also hit Richie in his arm. He cried out in pain.
"Richie! Man I've got to be more careful." She thought as she continued to fight using a combination of martial art moves. Hippacrites managed to block them and counter with a few of his own. He sank his fangs into her neck when they were both locked in hand to hand combat, but she managed to wiggle out. He seemed to have some supernatural hold on Richie. He charged her and hit her with his shoulder sending her flying into the wall. "Time to take this to higher ground." He told her. He dragged his prisoner up the ladder to the catwalks.
Arra flew up to the catwalk and readied herself for round two. She tried to kick him in the chest, but instead she got Richie. She flipped over to attack him from behind but he grabbed her by the leg and sent her flying over the edge. She snagged one of the lights and spun around biting it clean off. She flung it at him nailing in the head. He stumbled backwards and she pulled two bars off the catwalk and flung them at him nailing him in the feet. "Ready to give up yet?" she demanded
"Not even close my dear." Hippacrites grinned evilly. With his inhuman reflexes he grabbed her by the chest and rammed her into the wall bashing her head in the process. He began to crush her making it impossible for her to breath. "Richie if you can hear me you have kick him in the groin. It's the only way he'll release me." She thought to him weakly.
Up to this point Richie had been hanging in the crook of Hippacrites arm like a dead weight. He was so damn weak he could barely think. He knew that he needed to do something to help Arra, but he didn't think he could do anything. He weakly gazed up at her and saw that she was turning blue from lack of oxygen. Mustering all the strength he could he lashed out and kicked Hippacrites where it hurt the most. The vampanzee roared in pain dropping his prey.
Arra jumped on top of him forcing him to the ground. She started to breath knockout gas on him when he roared and pushed her off of him ripping her hair in several places. She flipped in the air landing on her feet. She glared at him hatefully blood spilling from open wounds. She twirled around in the air kicking and hitting him till she was on the right side of the catwalk again and he was on the left.
"Do you trust me?" she thought to Richie as she used her sword to block the onslaught of Hippacrites attacks. He was getting more deadly with each attack and she couldn't block each one. She was getting major damage done to her. Richie nodded his head slightly. He was ready for anything knowing Arra would do the right thing.
Arra then sliced at Hippacrites legs with her nails forcing him to bend down. While he was down she took the opportunity to make a clean slice of his upper chest narrowly avoiding Richie's chest. It didn't cause major damage but it did force him to loosen his grip on Richie.
Arra rushed to pull him to safety when Hippacrites kicked her in the left leg hard. She crumbled to the ground as it gave out. Her leg was definitely broken. "It seems that you are uninterested in keeping our arrangement. Therefore I've decided to not hold up my end of the bargain." Hippacrites informed her. She looked at him confused. What was he talking about?
"Say good-bye to your mate! Its his time to die!" Hippacrites shouted. She cried out and tried to stop him but she couldn't move. She watched in horror as Hippacrites took his athema and plunged it straight into Richie's heart! The boy gasped in surprise and his eyes went wide in pain. Blood started pouring out as soon as he removed his weapon. He tossed him over the edge sending him plunging to the ground twenty feet below. Arra tried in vain to grab him. "To the Gods of the Vampires I offer this sacrifice. The blood of a noble warrior to pay tribute to you and your cause. May his blood strengthen you and give you power so that I may resurrect those long gone." Hippacrites intoned his face held up to the sky. He looked down at her. "Now all I need to complete the Ceremony is the Bloodstone and I still have five minutes to spare."
Arra stared at the body of her beloved. Tears streamed down her face. She couldn't tell if he was still alive or dead. Growling with rage she forced herself to stand. Ignoring the pain in her leg she charged her adversary sword raised above her head screaming. Right before she could bring it down on him and slice him in half he smacked it right out of her hands sending it flying. It bounced of several guardrails before spinning to a stop a few feet away. She gasped in surprise. "Guess you didn't think about what would happen if I disarmed you and made you defenseless." Hippacrites chortled.
"I am never disarmed nor am I defenseless!" Arra shouted in defiance. She launched herself into a series of handsprings and flips and kicked him square in the chest before she back flipped out of the way throwing her dagger straight at his heart. It went zooming straight at him not wavering at all when he caught it half an inch from stabbing him. He broke it in two dropping the pieces to the side. She gawked in horror. Her dagger had never failed her before.
Drawing her knife from her hilt with her right hand she readied herself for one final assault. Her knife was going to hit its mark or she was going to kill him regardless of her promise not to. She ran as fast as she could leaping into the air intent on stabbing Hippacrites in the shoulder. Suddenly his hand shot out and grabbed a hold of her wrist crushing it. She flailed around attempting to kick or hit him with her other limbs.
"I grow tired of this. Time to end this once and for all." Hippacrites told her. He snatched her knife from out of her hand and spun around holding her arms in vice grip pressing her body against his making it impossible for her to move her legs. She squirmed around in an attempt to get out when he stabbed her on the left side with her own knife! "Ahh!" she cried in pain as he gutted her insides. He pushed her away once he was done still holding her bloodstained knife in his hand. She staggered around brushing across several rails before she got turned around and fell flat on the ground a two feet from her sword.
"So this is how it ends. Three minutes left and I'm the ruler of the entire world. You've been such a big help to me. But now your usefulness has ended. I'm going to finish what I started and take what's rightfully mine." Hippacrites informed her dropping her knife and walking towards her with his athema poised. He was going to drive it into her head finishing the job.
Arra was in great pain. She couldn't move her body at all and she was bleeding out all over the catwalk. She had failed in her mission to stop Hippacrites and save her mate. What could be worse? "Let him kill me quick." She thought.
"You can't let him win my darling. He must be stopped." A women's voice echoed through her mind.
"Mama?" she asked weakly. What was going on? She hadn't heard her mother's voice in seven centuries and now just before she died she was hearing it. Did this mean she was already dead?
"No you're still very much alive. I know you're in a lot of pain Arra, but you must finish what you started. You've been asking yourself for awhile now who you are and you are my special little girl who never gives up." Her mother's voice told her gently.
"But how do I beat him? I don't have the strength to move." Arra asked. She could see Hippacrites getting closer by the second.
"Look inside yourself and find the strength. The love for your friends and mate should be enough to help you. Now get up and finish off this vampanzee jerk." Larten's voice told her this time.
Gritting her teeth in pain she forced herself to her knees. It was getting harder to breath and her senses where all messed up. She forced herself to look up. Hippacrites was almost on top of her. "Your time is up!" He yelled. "Think again doctor." Arra whispered somersaulting over to her sword. Firmly grasped in her hands she swung it at him high. She could have decapitated him but instead settled for ripping a gapping hole in his chest. He stared at his wound in amazement. He fell backwards to the ground muttering incoherently.
Arra walked over to him using her sword as support. "You have caused much pain Hippacrites. You stalked my family and me, experimented with our blood, killed over a dozen people. You also have stolen, kidnapped, and have brought madness to people. You don't deserve to live. You should be killed for what you've done." She informed him halting in front of him. She raised her sword above her head the blade facing down straight at his head. "You are a monster Hippacrites and monsters need to be slain." She remarked simply bringing her weapon down.
He closed his eyes expecting to die. When he didn't he open his eyes and saw the sword imbedded by the left side of his head. He looked at her confused. She withdrew her sword and sheathed it. "I'm not like you Hippacrites. I won't dishonor myself by killing you. That would just be wrong. Instead you're going to be judged for your crimes. Dr. Jordan Hippacrites you are under arrest for crimes to numerous to name. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford one then one will be provided for you. Have you understood these rights as I have read them to you?"
Hippacrites just groaned in pain. Arra leaned down and spat on the wound several times to close it. She also spread a little on her gaping wound. Then reaching into her pocket she brought out a syringe full of the cure and inject him with it before she cuffed him. Then picking up the rest of her weapons she stood up and looked down at the body of her mate.
Outside in the main room the rest of the group was just finishing administering the cure. The former vampets were cursing left and right at them but the Five were keeping them from getting to rowdy. Many had tried to escape but the loup-garous on the outside had forced them back in. Static was giving the last dose to Kraven who looked at him with pure hatred. "You are a fool. You may have stopped us now, but someday the Immortals will rise once again to power. Then you will bow down to me oww!" he screamed as Static zapped him to shut him up. "That's the last of them."
"Good we should go see how Arra's doing. Gabriel, Vivian what is it?" Supermen asked seeing the two werewolves go stiff. Mark sniffed the air and gave them a look of sadness. "We smell someone near death and the scent is human." Vivian replied.
Without hesitating everyone but the Five raced across the room to the Hippacrites private quarters. They flung open the door and all let out startled cries. Arra had just levitated to the ground next to her mate. She took his body in her arms and smiled. Amazingly the fall hadn't broken his neck and he was still alive, but just barely. "Richie its over. You're safe from harm now. I told you I would protect you."
"Thank… you for… cough… saving me Arra. I knew you would. No.. Now you…have… to say goodbye." Richie told her coughing up blood.
"What are you talking about? We can get you medical attention or I could turn you back into a vampire. You're not going to die." Arra said frantically.
"I'm to far gone to be saved Arra. Turning me into a vampire would just kill me. Promise me you'll tell my parent's the truth. I want to be remembered as both their son and a hero." Richie told her faintly.
"No you can't die on me. You promised you always be there for me. That's what this promise ring represents. Richie please don't die on me. I can't be responsible for another mate's death. If you die I'll die." Arra told him.
"I'll always be there for you. I love you." Richie told her before his heart gave out and he died in her arms.
"Richie? Richie! Je t'aime! Je t'aime! Don't die please." She cried clutching him close to her body and clasping the Bloodstone in comfort. She began to cry and everyone else started to. Vivian, Mark, Gabriel let loose a mournful howl. The watches beeped signaling midnight.
Amidst the crying the light of the full moon came through the skylights. It swept across the room hitting everything that had been part of the ceremony turning the room gold. Suddenly a gold light hit Arra and the Bloodstone shone brightly. A small wisp of red light pulsed out from the stone and into the body of Richie. Everyone but Arra stopped crying as he glowed crimson for several seconds.
Arra was still crying when she felt something brush away her tears. "Don't cry Arra. Everything will be alright now." A voice said. Arra stopped crying and looked up. Richie was gazing straight at her he was giving her a lopsided grin. "Everything is going to be just fine my omnipotent one."
"Omnipotent one? No one calls me that but Larten? Larten Horston is that you?" Arra asked in amazement and confusion. The others just stared at both of them. Richie got to his feet and helped Arra up.
"In the flesh or so to speak. I know you must have a lot of questions, but you must be limited. I don't have a whole lot of time." Larten told her gently.
"How is this possible? Is Richie alive? Please explain this to me." Arra asked hurriedly. She held him tightly afraid to let go. He might vanish right in front of her if she did.
"This is the Resurrection Ceremony. Hippacrites didn't complete it you did. You asked that your mate's life would be spared so I was sent. You see I did stop Kurda, but since I had endangered the clan I couldn't reach Paradise. I had to be judged but you guys never did the Ceremony. Good thing to because a lot could go wrong. But now everything will be all right. Your new mate, Richie, has a chance to survive." Larten informed her.
"How? We all saw him die. His soul is gone." Wonder Women demanded.
"I've stopped his soul from going to Paradise. You see if I give up my life force to him in a complete spirit transfer, it will heal his body enough for you to get him medical treatment. Please you must do as I say or he could really die." Larten pleaded.
"But if you give up your life force doesn't that mean you won't go to Paradise or be able to be reborn?" Static asked
"Yes but it will be worth it. Arra I know that you feel responsible for my death, but it wasn't your fault. It was mine and mine alone. I know that you also feel guilty about taking another mate but I don't blame you. Richie is perfect for you. He is smart, funny, and caring. He is also brave, courage's, and faithful. You share so many interests and he will never hurt you. Now that I'll be apart of him you can still have me. See I told you I would always there for you." Larten told her taking her hands in his.
"Larten I don't know how to thank you. I love you and I always will." Arra said giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Suddenly a look of concern appeared on Richie no Larten's face. "Arra your injury."
"What?" she said confused. She looked down and saw that her wound had opened up again and she was bleeding all over the floor. She fell to the ground along with Larten who could no longer keep Richie's body awake. The gang raced over to check on them.
"She's in shock from blood loss. Richie's was slipping into coma. We need to get them back to the Watchtower now for medical attention or their going to die." Batman said trying to stop the bleeding.
"But we can't just leave Hippacrites and his followers here alone. When the police get here they could claim frame up. We can't let that happen not after all our hard work." Superman said checking over Richie.
"I'll stay and inform the police what's going on. You guys go and get them help. I'll meet up with you later after everything is sorted out." Wonder Women said to them.
"Got it. Static keep an eye on your friends. Vivian, Gabriel, Mark your coming with us. J'onn this is Superman. I need you to beam eight up now. We need two emergency medical teams standing by. Get us out of here now!" Superman urgently said into his communicator. A brilliant blue beam surrounded the eight of them and they were gone leaving Wonder Women behind in the warehouse.