A/N: Thanks to Love.Always.Alice.and.Jasper, Cara Mascara, Booth-Bones4life, Niffer01 and guardian music angel for their reviews!

Not much to say this time. Weird, huh?

Review and Enjoy!

Talia sensed Vargssen seconds before he came hurtling out of the dense trees, but by then in was too late. Aaron was between her and the trees, and there was now way she could get to him before the rogue. She could only stand and watch as the blood spurted, filling her nose with the scent of coppery death.

He shouldn't be dead. She disliked Aaron, true; but she would never have wished this on him, even in her darkest mood. He wasn't part of this, but now he was dead and it was their fault. He was innocent.

Talia and Will quickly moved in front of the shocked Caleb and Pogue, shifting into their mind-forms as they did so. Their bodies were now unmistakably human in shape, but decently covered by a layer of thick, silky fur. Their ears were still high on their heads, there eyes still wolf. Their jaws were slightly distorted, making room for razor-sharp teeth, ready to rip and tear, just like the claws on their hands.

Not many could stop the shift halfway through like that, and even fewer could maintain it for any length of time, but Tal and her brothers had never had a problem with it, always known for their precise control.

"Impressive," Vargssen commented from his similar form, Aaron's blood dripping from his jaws. One of the benefits of a half shift was the ability to talk, though the voice was always lower and more like a growl than anything else.

"Why did you kill him?" she asked, knowing it was pointless. "He had nothing to do with this!"

"On the contrary my dear. You heard him, he was going to expose us Shifters, I was merely doing my civic duty," he replied mockingly.

"You bastard," Will growled, hands clenching, trying to retrain himself. The other Coyote and Collins were around here somewhere, and they didn't want the two showing up when they were occupied in a fight.

"Now, now. There's now need go calling names, whelp," Vargssen grinned back.

Before they could say anything else, Chase came strolling out behind them, followed by the biggest coyote Tal had ever seen. He was in mid-form and stood nearly seven feet tall, his shoulders nearly twice as wide as Will's. He looked like a fucking Viking!

"Well what to we have here? Two little princes and their hunting dogs. To bad they'll have to be put down," Chase sneered, licking his lips. "Just like you. It won't be as good as fresh power, but you will beg me to take your powers when I'm done with you."

"Never," Caleb ground out, obviously desperately wanting to blast Chase, but waiting for Will's signal.

Chase smiled darkly. "We'll see."

And just like that, the fight began.

Will dove for the coyote, knowing Talia had the rogue. Despite his sister's abilities, he didn't like the idea of leaving her to fight him. But he had both the agility and the strength to take on the coyote, so he stood a better chance.

They circled each other, measuring strength, skill, just by watching how the other moved. Then they suddenly the met in a blur of snapping teeth and flying fur. Will got a few good hits thanks to his speed advantage over the slower coyote, but every time he blocked, he felt the power of the blow reverberate through his bones, knowing a few good hits from this guy would be enough to knock him out.

As they fought, he could feel the others fighting around him, and saw a watery-looking ball of power hurtle into the trees behind them. Though he was aware of everything around him, his attention was full focus on he beast in front of him.

Bring it on.

Pogue dodged left as Chase sent an energy ball his way, barely managing to avoid it as it went flying past. Calling his own power, he shot one at Chase, which he easily deflected. Caleb was doing he brunt of the attacking, while Pogue kept distracting Chase, splitting his focus.

Chase was handling it easily though, obviously having picked up some tricks in his time away. They continued exchanging volleys, neither side gaining the upper hand. Pogue could feel the power flowing through him, and knew this fight was going to take a few years off of his life; though he continued, knowing he had no choice.

Caleb suddenly went flying, landing on the ground, but he was back on his feet before Chase could get another round off.

"Getting tired, are we?" he sneered, sending another ball Pogue's way. He wasn't so lucky this time, as the energy hit his shoulder, sending burning pain shooting through him, bringing him to his knees.

He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain, and push himself to his feet, already calling another missile.

The rouge had learn from their last fight. He wasn't blindly charging at her, but instead was binding his time, only striking when he had a chance of hitting her. So far, she'd been able to dodge most of his swings, although she had a nasty scratch on her right forearm. It wasn't bad, she was more worried about her tattoo than anything else.

Still, she had one advantage over him, he'd never fought her in her fur before, and she was willing to bet that in his arrogance, he'd underestimate her, and give he the opening she'd need.

She was right.

She feigned left, but spun right at the last minute, lashing out with her sharp claws as she got behind him. He cried out, arching his back as four angry red lines welled up across his back. He spun round to face her, his face twisted in rage.

"You'll pay for that bitch!" he growled, baring his teeth.

She just smiled.

Will was winning. He was bleeding from half a dozen different bites and scratches, and the entire left side of his cheek throbbed from when the coyote had managed to backhand him; but still, he was winning.

He'd gotten in an admittedly lucky shot to the brute's right leg, missing the important stuff unfortunately; but doing enough damage to slow him down even more. It was only a matter of time before Will spotted his opening.

The coyote swung a clawed had at him, but Will ducked at the last minute, so close that he felt the movement against his head. The coyote lost his balance thanks to the injured leg and Will ducked behind him, snapping his thick neck before he even knew what hit him.

As the dead Shifter dropped to the ground, Will stood panting, taking in the scene around him, trying to decide when he was more needed. The three witches were fighting furiously, tossing those energy balls back and fourth, floating through the air. Caleb and Pogue seemed to be holding their own, and Will didn't know how he could have helped them, so he turned his attention to Talia.

She was trading blows with the rogue, neither of them getting in any good hits. He was about to join her when he saw the rogue lash out, his hand meeting her cheek and sending her spinning to the ground, unconscious. Will speed toward them, watching in horror as Vargssen stalked over to his little sister, readying himself for the killing blow.

But as Vargssen leaned over, grasping her hair to pull her up, her eyes suddenly flew open, a vicious smile on her face and her claws ripped deep into his unprotected belly. He took a stunned step backwards, but before he could blink, she was at his throat, ending him.

As soon as Chase saw that his partner was dead, he disappeared, transporting himself far enough that the wolves wouldn't scent him. Without Vargssen, he knew he didn't stand a chance against them all, knowing that if he stayed, he'd die.

At that would not happen, not for Chase Collins. Not today.

He was smart enough to know when to cut his losses, and this plan had failed. But he had others. And although he might not be able to set things in place before Reid's Ascension, but he could still give him a birthday present to remember.

He smiled, his eyes glittering with dark pleasure.

He knew just the thing.

Reid and Tyler had felt when the others began to Use, exchanging a worried glance at the sheer power being accessed.

"It's started," Tyler murmured to the girls, who were sitting in the car, doors open to the night air.

"They'll be fine," Jess assured sounding more confident than her weak smile suggested she felt. Tyler went over to her and silently took her hand, giving her a reassuring smile.

An agonising wait later, Caleb and Pogue finally came through the trees, Sarah running straight into Caleb's waiting arms, while Alex stood awkwardly back, giving Pogue a relieved smile. Reid felt his gut clench. She wasn't there, she couldn't…

"It's okay man, she's fine, they needed to Shift back and get dressed," Pogue quickly assured him, seeing the panicked look spreading across Reid's face.

Reid shut his eyes in relief. Thank God.

"Well?" Jess asked impatiently, hopping from foot to foot.

"We got all the Shifters, but Chase got away," Caleb said, his voice filled with anger. "But…"

"What?" Sarah asked, sensing the pain in her boyfriend's voice.

Caleb exchanged a sorrowful look with Pogue. "Aaron Abbot was there, he had overhead us, followed us. The rogue killed him." He swallowed thickly, obviously remembering.

Sarah gasped, clutching at Caleb. "Oh, God!"

"It was quick," Pogue murmured.

There was a pause as they all took it in.

Then Alex spoke. "If Chase got away, I assume that means you'll be seeing him again?" she asked, wondering what they would do.

"That would be a yes, and a lot sooner than you'd think," Chase said as he materialised a few feet away. Reid and the others tried to attack, but they couldn't move, they couldn't even blink. "Neat trick don't you think? I picked it up a while back. It doesn't last long, but it'll be long enough for be to give Garwin here an early birthday present."

Just as he finished speaking, Talia and Will walked out of the trees, Talia laughing at something funny her brother had said as she fastened her belt.

Will was pulling a t-shirt over his head as Talia glared at her belt, fiddling with the buckle. They were only distracted for a moment, but it was more than enough time for Chase, as he waved his hand always casually towards them.

Reid was powerless to do anything but watch as Chase sent a wicked-looking broken branch flying towards them. Talia looked up, a fraction to late, her eyes widening as the branch hit its mark.

Everything was silent for a moment, the Chase said, "Happy birthday," before disappearing again.

Reid suddenly felt himself freed, and he ran over to Talia, watching as she slumped, her brother catching her and lowering her gently. Her hands shakily rose to he chest, where the two-foot long branch had impaled her. Reid fell to his knees, gently pushing the hair back from her face.

Wide eyes darted to him, and she struggled to say something, but all that came out of her mouth was foamy blood. "Shh Babe, you'll be fine," he murmured, smiling at her desperately. She just shook her head, grabbing his hand almost painfully with her own. Suddenly her back arched once, then she collapsed back into her brother's arms, eyes shut.

"Oh God," he heard Sarah whisper behind him.

White-hot rage flowed through him. Collins was going to die. Tonight.

Tyler held a sobbing Jess as he watched his best friend disappear in search of Chase. Will suddenly stood, lifting Talia carefully and moving towards her car.

"Will!" Jess sobbed.

"She's still breathing, barely," he said tightly setting her carefully in the backseat. He got in the driver's seat and slammed the door. "Stay here, call for a clean up. I'll call you, okay?"

"Will…" she began, eyes hopeless.

"I CAN'T JUST DO NOTHING!" he roared. With a shake of his head, he took off, speeding into the darkness.

They watched for a moment, then Caleb turned to Pogue. "Find Reid. Get him back here now." Pogue gave a tight nod then disappeared, following Reid's trail.

Tyler looked at Jess, hugging her tight. "She'll be fine, she heals fast remember?"

"No, she won't," Alex said quietly. They all turned to her, but it was Jess that spoke, her tone desolate.

"She healed before because she shifted, but if she heals with splinters in her, it will trap them inside her and her d-death will just be slower and more painful." She shook her tear stained face. "The nearest healer is an hour's drive at least. She'll bleed out in half that time."