The days blurred together. CLay felt empty, a shell of a body with nothing inside. Jason continued his interrogations, determined to get answers that Clay didn't have. As usual the guard hauled him from the cell, too weak to fight against the routine. The straps settled into their familiar places and Clay prepared himself for another round of intense 21 questions. The guard left, but Jason didn't appear for several minutes.

He studied a pile of papers in his hands intensly, and after several minutes of murmuring and shuffling he finally glanced at Clay.

"Good morning!" Jason said cheerfully. Clay was immediately on edge. He had seen Jason in all kinds of moods, but he had yet to see him this cheerful. It was like taking a bite of an unknown fruit.

A dangerous fruit.

"Micheal, get these crude restraints off. What are we, animals?" Michael came and unstrapped him, then stood without a word.

Confusion and wariness made him tense. What happened to the annual questions? The cuts and bruises on his body reminded him that he shouldn't complain.

"Come." Jason strolled out of the room and he reluctantly followed.

Jason led him farther down the hallway than he had been before. Despite himself he became curious as the cold, hard floors and harsh florescent lights were replaced by lush carpet and warm lamps. He began to spot people with ironed ties and shiny shoes. He blushed self-consciously as they stopped and stared as he walked past, though Jason and Michael took no notice.

Eventually Jason stopped beside a polished wooden door and lead him inside. Small cages were stacked around each wall and Jason peered into each one with glee. Clay looked and gasped. Inside each cage was a miniature dragon. Tiny horns curled around their heads, their leathery skin pulsing with heat.

"They've just started to produce fire," Jason explained. "Soon we'll have to move them to more fire-proof enclosures." Jason grinned at Clay's shock. "You've been very helpful in creating these creatures, Clay. Why, you're practically the father!"

"H-how?"

"You're blood. We studied it and found that it contains traits of reptile and avian, crossed together and fused to make something now. We extracted the nucleus and placed them within eagle and crocodile embryos. Your DNA slowly took over the embryos natural cells, replacing were born." Jason grinned smugly. "There has always been debate in my field about the existence of dragons. Until now I never believed it possible. And this is just the beginning. When the world sees that we can create-or should I say, recreate-, they will practically throw their money at my feet. And just think of the advancement of science, what we could accomplish in the future!" Jason worked himself into a frenzy, face flushed and eyes gleamed. Clay found himself taking a step back. His eyes roamed the room, reluctant to meet Jason's eyes. They settled on a nearby desk.

And the ring that dominated the space.

Clay bit back a gasp of surprise. It was Darkstalkers' ring, the ring that had started this whole mess.

The ring that could get them home.

He glanced at Jason, who rambled on while rifling through his papers. Very slowly he inched toward the desk and reached out. An ominous click made him freeze. Jason glared at him, and he held outstretched what could only be a weapon of some sort.

"Step away from the desk, of you please." He spoke calmly. Clay did as he was asked until his chance of getting home sat feet away.

Jason stared at him. "When we were in the woods the night you arrived, I stumbled upon this, lying in the grass." He paused. "That's what caused that bright light, isn't it? It's what brought you here?" Clay said nothing, but Jason must have sensed an answer.

"This is how this is going to go." The weapon remained unwavering at his head. "You want that ring so you and your friends can go home, and I will be willing to give it to you. But I need something in return. To continue on with my research, I need a bigger specimen. A grown specimen." He paused for dramatic effect. "In return for your freedom, one of you must allow me to use you in my experiment."

Clay blanched. "Help you how?"

"By allowing me to use their body." Clay shook his head with horror. "How can you ask that?! Give one of my friends up?! Never!"

"Never say never, Clay." He clapped his hands and Michael reentered. "Take him back to the cell." He turned back to Clay. "I will give you 2 hours. Think very carefully about what I said." Michael grabbed him by the arm, and Clay allowed him to steer him out.

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The cell was quiet. They had been relieved when he had returned unharmed, but quickly fell silent as he recited his story.

Starflight finally spoke. "There's got to be another way."

"Well, genius, figure it out then," Tsunami snapped. Starflight looked hurt.

"Guys, please don't fight," Sunny begged. "Snapping at each other won't cooperate."

Glory answered. "Then we wouldn't have the ring and he would probably just take one of us by force."

"How do we know that after he gets what he wants he'll fulfill his end of the deal?"

Clay shrugged. "We don't. But feel free to throw out any suggestions."

No one said anything.

"I'm going to do it," Clay stated. He fought to be heard over the shouts of protest. "If Jason is true to his word, you'll get the ring and you can go home."

"No!" Tsunami shouted. "You've already taken the brunt of his attention. I'll do it."

"You are a princess and Glory has a kingdom to run. I'm the weakest of the group, so I'll do it."

"Starflight, you're not weak," Sunny said softly. Starflight shot her a weak smile.

Clay slammed his hand against the wall and the bang made everyone jump. "This is not up for discussion. The only one he has shown any interest in is me, and I want to keep it that way."

The cell vibrated with the cacophony of their indignation, each one telling why they should be the one to take the risk.

Despite the noise, no one missed the quiet voice who stated, "I'll do it."

Everyone stared at Jewel, who shifted nervously. Clay opened his mouth but Jewel raised her hand. "Before you try to be all heroic and stuff, hear me out. You've sacrificed so much for all of us, Clay. I don't know what my father-" She spat the word out like poison. "Wants from you, or what this science experiment is. But maybe I can appeal to his better nature. If there's any left."

"Absolutely not," Clay practically snarled. "I will not risk losing you." He blushed as the words rolled out like a boulder going downhill. "The only reason you're in this mess is because we dragged you here. You should have remained happily in the dark, and I would do anything to go back and make it so."

Jewel penetrated him with sad eyes. "Clay, you know that I was never happy with my life. I don't know what a ring has to do with all this, but it must be worth it. And I will make sure you get it. Don't think I can't handle him, Clay."

Clay stood stone still, but after several minutes of silence he reluctantly nodded.

Jewel sighed with relief. "Get some sleep," she suggested. "We're all going to need it."

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Clay awoke hours later to the click of the lock. An unknown guard entered the room with weapon drawn.

"Which one of you is coming?" he questioned gruffly. Jewel stood silently.

If the guard was surprised that his boss's daughter was the one volunteering, he showed no sign. He inclined his head to the door. "Let's go."

As she walked past to her fate Clay briefly reached out and touched her hand. She gave it a quick squeeze, but all too soon her warmth was gone as she followed the guard.

And the door clicked shut.