SaiyanWarrior200: Reptile is in the form he took during MK: DA, because that is the coolest form ever.

Tykedyke: Great pen-name.

Chapter 4

"Calm down," Bat-wings whispered with her soothing voice. "I didn't come here to fight. There are more guards about. You have to remain quiet. Blink if you understand."

Reptile obliged, and Bat-wings slipped off him. The weight hadn't left his chest for more than a moment before he dove for his sword and rolled to his feet. He growled loudly, recalling how Bat-wings had used him, Bat-wings had betrayed him. How he hated Bat-wings.

But he couldn't kill her now. An inevitable fight would attract guards, something Reptile couldn't afford. Instead, he backed away, his sword held out in front of him. He hated the thought of retreating, but simple survival out weighed any distaste.

"Wait," Bat-wings soothed. "The Edenians will lockdown this area. They'll search every house, every person. You'll never escape. But if you come with me, trust me, I can help you.

Muscles in Reptile's neck clenched together, forcing saliva up his throat. Bat-wings ducked beneath the acid. Reptile ran, using his arms as second legs. The vampire cursed loudly as her wings beat the air and she left the ground behind.

Though Bat-wings could overtake Reptile by pure speed, it was the Raptor's agility and stealth that allowed him to escape her. He darted through alleys and dove into shadows. He made sharp turns and doubled back until Bat-wings wasn't sure where to look. Finally, turning to the sky, he was sure he'd lost her.

Reptile returned to his erect posture and caught his breath. Bat-wings had spoken the truth. The town was crawling with sentries determined to capture him. If he tried to attack them, they'd no doubt overwhelm him.

He decided the best course of action would be to keep moving and remain hidden. The humans would grow tired of this search by morning. They'd thin their numbers and those that still patrolled would be bored and oblivious.

Suddenly, as he moved through the alleys and shadows of Edenia, a bright, blinding ball of fire erupted from the ground. His vision suddenly died and all he could see was white. He swung his sword blindly, but only managed to cut though air. So he stopped, and listened.

Heavy metal armor clanged behind him. Reptile spun and, to his delight, made contact with something. The white and spots were starting to fade, but not fast enough. He would have to press the attack. He beat his sword upon the armored creature, preventing retaliation. He hit and thrashed the armor, knowing he was doing no real damage.

The opponent suddenly gained a footing. With an armored wrist he knocked Reptile's blade aside. Next, he brought a fist into the Raptor's chest, winding him severely. Enraged, Reptile tacked his opponent. Scaly hands clawed his opponent's helmet away and clutched a fleshy throat. Reptile squeezed. The opponent struggled against him, but the Raptor held strong, pushing harder until blood began to drip from the neck. Reptile squeezed until the struggles beneath him had all but ceased.

Vision returned gradually and Reptile saw the creature beneath him. A Seido guardsman, he snarled. These order zealots had had long been allied with Edenia. Queen Pail-eyes must have called them in to aid with the Raptor's capture.

"He's down here," a voice shouted. "I saw a flash."

Damn-it. The battle must've attracted more guards. Reptile could hear them coming from all sides. He was surrounded. They wouldn't bother trying to take him alive, not now. They'd simply try to kill him.

At his feet, a man-hole to the city's sewers scraped open. From out of the opening, Bat-wings appeared. "Come with me if you want to live."