Elena had a bad headache when she finally came around. "What the Hell...?"

"Ah. Glad to sssssee that your finally awake."

It took her eyes a few moments to focus, but the serpentine form of Dr. Viper soon took shape in front of her.

"What did you give me?"

"Oh, itsss quite harmlessssss. Just made you sssssleep for a few hoursss..."

"Why? Why not just have your 'pets' kill me?"

"If I wanted my petssss to kill you, I'd have had my creationssss do sssso. Assss revenge for what you did! But, no. Bait worksssss better alive!"

"Bait? Huh. Bait for who? No-one knows where I am. Hell, nobody even knows who I am!"

She tried to move. Her hands were shackled to the wall above her head. Her feet however were still free. 'For a scientist, this guy doesn't seem too bright.' Then she realized something. She looked down at herself, and sighed in relief. She wasn't in shadow form, but she still wore the black body suit. The drug hadn't caused the main spell to break. She still had on the Shadow Cloak. That meant her face was still veiled as well.

"Perhapssssss not. But sssoon, ssssomeone will notice that your misssing."

She knew he was right. She had to get back by morning, or they would notice. And she knew that all Jake had to do was check her computer and he'd find the coordinates to where she was. Where the trap was. She hoped he hadn't done so already.

Anger and frustration welled up inside of her. She couldn't let that happen. Couldn't let this monster get them. How did she let him get her?

Then she felt it. Felt the 'beast' inside of her welling up again. "Emotion... that's what triggers it!"

"Huh? Triggersssss what?"

She didn't answer. She didn't fight it this time. This was her chance. She let the emotion take over. Let the 'beast' take over.

Viper's eyes went wide as he stared at the she-kat. Her claws began to grow, her fangs to lengthen and sharpen. Her muscles spasmed below her skin. Her slick, coarse fur lengthened, as did her ears. She grew, and the shackles that held her split. She was freed. Dropping down to all fours, the creature that was once the lithe she-kat now stared at Viper. Her eyes had a deep red glow, and she snarled, revealing the long, razor-sharp teeth.

Dr. Viper now knew what fear really was. He turned to run, and the werekat lunged. Viper was quick though, and he ducked out of the way. The werekat landed several feet from him as he turned toward the hidden panel door. The werekat turned her head and snarled when she had missed, but quickly spotted another target even closer. The mutated scientist from Pumadyne, still huddled in the corner by the machinery. A dark, sadistic grin formed on her face as she stalked forward. The mutation didn't move. Didn't look up. Didn't scream. And a moment later, didn't even live. With a powerful swipe of her claws, the werekat that was once Elena ripped the scientist apart. In mere moments, there was nothing left but a mass of blood and shredded flesh & bone, unrecognizable as ever having been anything kat-like.

Viper made it to the door and pulled the lever to open it. He hade ran through and the door began to close behind him. Almost away. But a large clawed hand caught the door just before it closed. The door was partially pushed back, and partially smashed through as Elena forced her way through the narrow opening. Her crimson eyes scanned the darkness. The snake was gone. She turned, and ran swiftly on all fours down the tunnel. After several minutes of running, and of fighting the beast within her, Elena skidded to a stop. She lifted her keen nose, catching the scent of the city above her. There was a grating in the ceiling. She reached up, grabbed the bars, and ripped them out from the stone. Climbing up through the opening, she came back to the upper level of the sewers, the dim light of the street lamps above filtering down through occasional storm drains and grates. She ran to the nearest grating, but then stopped.

She doubled over and screamed out. The sound was loud and piercing, no doubt heard by anyone still awake above, and possibly even waking up those who weren't. It wasn't a kat scream, but a bestial one. She fought. She fought the dark power inside of her, and slowly, finally, began to change back. She fell onto her side, breathing heavily. The Shadow Cloak fell away from her as she did. The spell had caused her felynthrope form to turn black as pitch rather than her normal light-chocolate color. And thankfully, the spell had protected her clothing from the change as well. The less she had to explain, the better. She lay there for several more minutes, then finally, shakily, got to her paws. Climbing the work ladder, she pushed the grating aside.

It led her up to a warehouse somewhere just outside of downtown. Looking around, she saw a nearby street sign. "Westend pkwy. Great. At least I haven't gone too far." She started walking. It was eight blocks to where she had hidden her bike. She wasn't sure exactly how long the drug had knocked her out for, but it must have been at least four hours. Including that time she was unconscious, she spent almost the entire night in the deep sewers. Unfortunately though, she was not the only kat out on the streets so early.

"Hey there, gorgeous. What are you doing out at this time of morning? Kinda dangerous to be walking these city streets in the dark, isn't it?"

Elena glanced over at the kat. He was of large build, and dressed like a biker. But there was something else. She didn't like the look of him. She didn't answer, and kept walking.

Her ears flicked back at the sound of pawsteps behind her. She was being followed. It was the same kat. 'This is just what I don't need.' Placing her hands in her pockets, she ignored him, pretending not to notice. She kept walking, increasing her pace just slightly. She could hear him still behind her. Still gaining ground on her. She knew why she had that bad feeling about him. And she decided to do something about it. Elena broke into a run, and the big kat followed her. She didn't run as fast as she could have, she didn't actually want to loose him. It was her turn to set a trap.

Quickly, Elena ducked into a nearby alley. The kat was right behind her. "Where do you think you're going, gorgeous?"

"Nowhere, but I know where you're going." She gave a dark grin, then lept forward. The kat was to stunned to react, until Elena's boot hit him square in the chest, throwing him hard backwards into the wall of the alley, knocking the breath out of him. She didn't give him a chance to get up. She knew his victims never had a chance against him. Elena kicked again, this time connecting to the side of his head. The momentum caused the other side of his head to slam into a metal trash can. One more hit, her palm to his nose, and he was out cold. The Enforcers would have a nice surprise when they found this predator tied up and unconscious under a street lamp.

Elena wasn't far from where she had left her motorcycle. The sun was just starting to rise when she found it. The spell had fallen away, leaving it gleaming silver in the early morning light as she rolled it out of the alley. Putting on her helmet, Elena revved the engine and kicked up the stand. She then tore off down the empty streets, back to the other side of Megakat City, and the salvage yard.

The sound of the motorcycle outside woke Chance up. "What is doing that for so early?" He groaned and pulled the pillow over his head. The sound shut off. He was back to sleep almost immediately.

Elena ran inside and down to the hanger. She switched on the smaller monitor and ran her fingers over the keys, doing a quick systems check. She sighed. "Good." No-one had used the computer since she had last night. They guys hadn't found out where she went.

It was morning now and she was tired. But she could sleep later. The guys, particularly Jake, would be waking up soon. They needed to know what she found.

Jake and Chance both sat at the table in their small kitchen. Their breakfast was barely touched. Elena stood at the other end of the table, a can of milk in her hands. She had changed back into her jeans and a tank top.

Chance shook his head. "I can't believe you just went off like that without telling us, though. We know this city, Elena. We could have helped you find that place."

"I found it just fine, thanks. And one kat could sneak in easier than three."

"So, what did you find?" Jake took another sip of his milk.

"It's Dr. Viper."

They both looked surprised. Chance leaned forward, leaning an arm on the table, "Hold it, Viper's a biologist. He doesn't do robotics."

"Okay. Well then, how many other green kat-snakes that use mutated plant creatures are there in this city?"

They looked at each other. Jake nodded. "Okay, that's Viper."

"So what happened?"

Elena took another few gulps, wiping her mouth with the back of her wrist.

"He had set a trap. Apparently it was meant for the two of you. He wasn't expecting me. And he certainly wasn't expecting what I could do. I used my Shadow Cloak and spear, and managed to take down his creations. The snake took off, but he sent three robotic dogs after me. Thankfully, he sent them to capture, not kill."

"Hang on, he captured you?" Now Chance looked slightly worried. He knew what Viper was capable of.

"He thought he did. I have to admit I was unprepared for the situation, but he had no clue who he was up against. Unfortunately, he got away. But his help didn't."

"His help?"

She nodded. "There was another mutated kat. He looked like he may have once been computer technologist. And there was a patch on what was left of his clothing. Pumadyne. He was the one controlling the drones, and the hunting machines, at Viper's command."

"But he didn't get away? What did you do with him?"

"I..." She hesitated. She didn't want them to find out about what had happened. About what she had turned into. About what she now is. "There was an... accident. He's dead, and the computer system destroyed."

Jake looked at her suspiciously. "What kind of accident."

Elena shook her head. "I'd rather not discuss it."

"Elena, if you..."

"I said I'm not going to discuss it!" She clenched her fists. Her hands suddenly started bleeding as she felt the claws lengthen and dig in. She was going to loose it again! No! She had to keep control. Had to calm herself.

Jake and Chance both were taken by aback by her sudden outburst. This was a side of the she-kat they had never seen. That they didn't even know that she was capable of.

She stood there, her eyes clenched shut, her fists shaking. Her body was trembling as she fought to control her breathing. Fought to control herself. The blood oozed between her fingers and dripped down onto the floor, forming tiny puddles.

Chance stood up and took a step towards her, then hesitated. "Elena, please. Calm down."

She snapped her eyes open and glared at him. "I'm fine! It's just been a stressful night!"

"What? Hey, I didn't mean..."

"Just leave me alone for now, Chance."

Turning quickly on her heel, Elena turned and stomped back downstairs, tossing the can into the trash as she did. She then went down into the hanger below, and back to her computers.

Jake watched her go, then looked to his friend.

"What was that all about?"

"I don't know. She's been acting kinda strange lately."

"No kidding. Want me to try and talk to her?"

"Probably not a good idea. I tell ya Jake, when it comes to dealing with the kat-scum in this city, I've never had any problems dealing with it. But this... I just don't understand she-kats."

Jake gave a small chuckle. "I don't think any guy does." He then headed down the stairs after her.

Elena's ears flicked backwards as she heard the sound of the hatch opening and someone climbing down the ladder.

"What's up with you?"

"Stay out of this, Jake. You have no idea what's going on."

"You're right, I don't. And that's the problem! This isn't like you. You've been acting strangely for the past few days. Ever since.."

"What? Ever since what, Jake?" She jumped out of the chair and turned to face him, her eyes fierce. "Since the attack? Since I was in the fight of my life against a felynthrope? A werekat? No, I haven't been the same! I was almost killed, and there was nothing I could do about it!"

"But you stopped it, Elena! You killed it! And you survived!"

"Yeah, well who says there won't be more! That was just one! With a second downtown to lure you guys away from here! More could be sent! Then what? Then what am I supposed to do, huh?"

"What's with you? I've never seen you like this?"

"Never? Oh please. You've only know me, what, nine weeks? Ten? I've lived for almost eighty years, Jake! There's a LOT to me that you haven't seen! That you don't know! That you can't know!"

Her fists were clenched again. More blood dripped. Jake was getting real sick of all the blood lately. Of all the killing. And her sudden burst of temper was really starting to bother him. He was getting fed up with it all.

"No, we haven't known you for very long. But whatever is going on with you, you need to stop trying to take your anger out on us! Straighten up, Elena! Before something happens that we're all going to end up regretting!"

She threw up her hands to her head. Her heart pounded. Her head was throbbing. She could feel the blood pulsing, heard it thundering behind her ears.

"JAKE STOP! You have no idea what you're doing!"

Her anger was getting out of control. Her frustration. Her fear. Her emotions. She couldn't control them. Couldn't control herself. Couldn't control it.

"What I'M doing? What about what YOUR doing? What about what...?"

"AAAAHHHHH!" With a loud yell, she suddenly bent over, arms gripping tightly over her gut.

"ELENA?"

Jake took several steps back, starring at his friend in shock.

Chance had heard the scream. He jumped down into the hanger, completely ignoring the ladder. "What was...?" He couldn't say anything else. Only stare at the sight before him.

Elena was doubled over, her muscles growing, her form changing. Her tail grew thick, her ears long. She unclenched her bloody hands, the muscles so tense that it seemed as if they would burst though her skin. Her claws were growing, long and sharp as daggers. Her entire body grew, ripping out of her clothing. It wasn't Elena anymore.

Jake backed up several more steps. "She's... she's become one of them?"

Elena, now a large, powerful werekat, lifted her head slowly. A thick black mane of hair hung over her eyes, and down her back. She was breathing hard, her jaws open to expose the long, fierce-looking fangs. Werekats, unless directed by a sorcerer, tend to attack whatever targets are closest to them. Her glowing red eyes starred straight at the smaller ginger-furred kat.

"Aw crud..."

"Jake! Run!"

Chance made a dash for the glavotrix as Elena lunged forward towards Jake. The athletic kat dodged out of her way, but Elena was far more agile than the other werekats had been. She spun in mid-air, one of her powerful hind legs catching Jake in the back. He was thrown forward, three thin rips now in his shirt, and turning red with blood from the cuts on his back underneath. He quickly rolled over and was about to jump back up onto his paws when Elena, with unnatural speed, came forward again and pinned him down with a powerful clawed hand. She snarled, her eyes full of Hellfire. Her other hand was lifted above him, claws extended. One swipe and it would be over.
The swipe never came, as in the next instant she was thrown off of him and into the far wall by an octopus missile fired from the hand-held missile launcher. Jake jumped to his paws and ran over to where Chance stood. Chance dropped the now empty launcher and tossed Jake the other glavotrix, his own already on.

Just like the other werekat did in the city, Elena managed to easily break herself free of the missile's grasp. She dropped back down onto all fours, snarling at them.

Chance and Jake both aimed their glavotrix. She lunged again.

"Sorry, darlin'."

Chance fired two rounds of sleep gas mini-missiles while Jake fired the steel mesh net. It was the same method they had used on a giant mutated frog a few years ago, and they hoped it would work on her as well. At first, it appeared to have done so. Elena crashed to the ground and didn't move. At least for a few moments. But then she growled and began to get back up, her eyes still glowing. She shook her head, then grasped the mesh netting in her claws.

"Oh no..."

With a quick jerk, she ripped the net apart, then stood up on her hind legs, glaring down at them.

Chance looked to the smaller kat. "Well, bud. Any ideas?"

"Yes. Keep her busy."

"What?"

Jake turned and ran back up the ladder.

Chance glanced over his shoulder as his friend left, then looked back to Elena. He opened the glavotrix's defense shield. "Keep her busy. Right."

Elena lunged again. Chance dodged out of the way, using the shield to block the swipe of her powerful claws. They left a dent in the shield, something he didn't think was even possible. She swiped her claws low, trying to trip him. He managed to jump over the attempt, but again she spun around quickly, and this time succeeded in kicking his legs out from under him as he landed. Chance fell flat on his back. Elena went for him with her powerful jaws, but he shoved the shield up just in time, slamming it hard against her face. She stumbled back, momentarily dazed from the impact. It gave Chance just enough time to get back to his paws and scramble out of the way.

"Come on, Jake!"

He held up the shield as she ran for him again. Several swipes of her claws left deep dents in the shield, knocking him back several steps with each blow. With the final swipe she grabbed the edge of the shield, and pulled the glavotrix off his hand, tossing it aside.

"Crud!"

She turned and kicked, hitting him hard in the chest and sending him flying back, slamming into the wall. Chance had the air knocked out of him. He coughed, trying to breath. Looking up, he saw Elena only a few feet away, starring at him with those glowing red eyes, snarling.

"I guess this is it..."

Suddenly Elena stood up straight and screamed, that same ear-piercing scream they had heard before. Chance rolled out of the way as she fell forward. A bright purple glow surrounded her, and she writhed on the ground, screaming in pain. He turned to look towards the ladder. Jake held the Astral Stone in his hands, a powerful beam of energy and light shooting from it to Elena.

Finally, the screaming stopped. Elena lay motionless on the ground. Slowly, her form shifted back to normal. Jake dropped the stone and fell to his hands and knees, clearly exhausted. Chance carefully walked over to the she-kat. She was still alive, but unconscious. He pulled his shirt off and put it over her. Her own clothing had been shredded when she changed.

Jake gripped the railing next to him and carefully pulled himself back up to his paws.

"How is she?"

"Alive. Doesn't seem to be hurt."

"And you?"

"I'll be fine."

"You sure?"

"I'll... be... fine!"