A/N: Wow...2 chapters in 2 days! I'm amazed at how many hits I've gotten since yesterday! Thank you all and remember to hit the "Review" button on your way out!

Chapter 7 – Silent Night

The heiress jumped the gap between the buildings – mind racing furiously. She knew that she had been away too long. The remnants of the New York branch were dwindling rapidly against the creatures…and the branches around the world weren't doing so well either. Without her guidance, they would still fight well – but overwhelming the enemy with sheer force instead of cunning. It was taking too long to train up new members. It was time that they did not have – especially if they were to complete what was started. Ducking behind a wall, she thought back to the day of the invasion. It had all happened so fast. No resistance from anyone – except very faint yells from the sewers. Just another job, really.

And then the light had come. An all-encompassing white light…bathing everyone in a thick slime. Of course, her warriors had complained about it for a split second – before the first of the monsters came out. Her first thought was that the creatures had broken free of their trappings – but when more than thirteen came out she started to panic – but she kept calm. No sense worrying about the perceived end of the world unless you were all but defeated. Some of the first monsters to set foot in their world had died that day – victim to a thousand cuts across the belly, neck and legs. Too soon, they were forced back by the sheer number of creatures popping up everywhere. An ogre had squashed one of her best soldiers and two Chupacabra sucked the other one dry. They had retreated…with heavy losses. Twelve monsters were killed, but up to thirty warriors had been killed.

Sine that day, they had been literally living in the shadows. They scavenged whatever real food they could – but they were forced to kill the monsters for food most of the time. The heiress' mouth quirked up briefly. The meat wasn't really that bad. What it tasted like was dependant on the creature killed. Usually, they hunted Bigfoot, Gorgons and the occasional Cerebrus. For a time, they were dependant on eating fried Harpy, but that was before the ambush. And since she had no tongue…well – she could still eat, but she had to be very careful. The Turtles didn't really bother with her much – they had their own parts to play in the drama. She thought back to the first meeting with them…well, the first meeting with the "Exiled One"

Flashback

She patrolled the streets as she usually did around their latest settlement. Her second in command seemed competent enough. Apparently he had been around to see the defeat of the Shredder under the pier. Although he didn't speak much, he was a good fighter and tactician. She leapt to another roof before whirling around – blade drawn. The shaft of the katana was swiftly batted away by a single sai – the wielder not in the mood for a fight. The Heiress sheathed her katana and spoke – her lightly accented voice carrying a note of curiosity.

"Why are you here? Where are your brothers?"

The Exile laughed – a harsh sound that carried depths of sorrow, pain and regret. His eyes shone with a deep sadness and a hollow loneliness – something that carried in his voice.

"My brothers…well, I did something really bad. Something that's exiled me from my family and allies. I guess I'm trying to work out what to do now. I don't really have a purpose."

She stared at the turtle curiously. The clothing he was in was very familiar. The slate gray suit and the modified motorcycle helmet…it looked like the Nightwatcher. She shouldn't have surprised to discover that – but she was. She sensed a deep pain in him – a yawning chasm of self-loathing and hatred. She didn't press to what happened. He swallowed and turned to her.

"So…what are you up to? I doubt you're itching for a fight. None of your guys around here. Still remember the bruising they gave me a while ago. So – what's you doing now? Protecting the people or what?"

She turned to him and smiled. While protecting others didn't really appeal to her – or to the organization – it did make sense. The human race was on the verge of extinction. Monsters of all shapes, sizes and variations ravaged the lands. The general populace wouldn't really get anywhere by hiding…and the Turtles could only cover so much ground. She doubted they would go as far as the West coast, but she could be wrong.

It was time for a change

End Flashback

And that was the beginning of their crusade against the creatures. She remembered the early days as she raced to their encampment. They failed raids, the retaliations and the recruiting. They had become the protectors of the populace. It was too bad the Power Rangers were only a myth – they needed help badly. The Heiress finally reached the Foot encampment and found it undisturbed. She sighed with relief and took off her hood – revealing her scarred mouth.

There would be no more "easy" days for Karai or the Foot.