It was oddly quiet. Raiden could hear Snakes footsteps to his left, hidden in shadows. They were both crouched, weapons drawn. They rounded a corner and found themselves in a brightly lit room the size of a gymnasium. Snake stood, looking around, assessing their surroundings.

" Well...looks pretty clear"

The room was lined with doors, possibly hundreds of them. The area was quiet, and not a soul could be seen. Raiden stood now, sheathing his sword.

" are you sure they brought her this way?"

Snake nodded, eyes scanning every corner. He stepped forward into the bright light, looking above them. He sighed, pointing up.

" Raiden...this isn't good"

Raiden looked around, then let out a grunt of frustration.

" uhmm...nope"

They realised then that they stood in a giant stadium, bleachers lined the walls, and higher, near the ceiling were huge glass panels. Viewing boxes.

" something's going on...they wouldn't leave and leave her here alone. Watch your ass"

Raiden nodded, and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could utter a single sound, he heard the clattering of metal and a rumble of shifting gears. Both he and Snake fell backwards as a gate slammed down before them, cutting off their access to the arena. They looked through the bars, and noticed similar gates slamming down to close every entrance into the open area.

A loud buzzer rang out, and a door on the right side of the stadium clicked open, slowly opening. A figure emerged from within, and Raiden felt his heart skip a beat. He felt his knees grow weak and his breath came in short bursts.

Anna slowly walked out. She was somehow different, yet exactly the same. Raiden noticed she was battle scarred, and died a little inside. What were they doing to her...

In each hand she clutched a blood splattered ring blade, she handled them easily, as if it were an extension of her own arm. She walked with purpose and confidence. Her hair had been tied back in a tight, high ponytail, though a large chunk had escaped and was lying across her forehead, and falling in waves down her cheek and neck. She was dressed in armor. Black leather boots, coming up above her knees and stopping mid thigh. She had gloves to match, laced tightly at the elbow, the fingers reinforced with metallic armor, catching the light.

She still wore the pink ruffled skirt she had left the house in, but it was ripped up one side and splattered with blood, it's hem now jagged, strips of cloth hanging from it. Her torso was bare, save a black chest piece, protecting her vital organs. It was strapped around her shoulders and back, and Raiden could see her porcelain skin beneath it, bruised and bloodied.

She reached the middle of the arena and stopped, looking around. He saw her face, and a wave of sickness crashed through him. He missed the feel of her body pressed against his. A door to the left slowly slid open, and she turned again, exposing her back to Raiden.

On the middle of her back, between her shoulder blades, a device had been implanted directly to her spine. It glowed with a blue light, and two thick black cables lead from the device, and arched upwards, disappearing into the base of her skull, curved gracefully like angels wings.

Another buzzer, loud, and Anna turned, crouching quickly to the ground, her weapons held beside her, close to her body. Raiden saw the focus in her eyes, saw the fire behind her gaze, like a bloodthirsty predator. He sighed, heartbroken. She had already been turned.

A loud grumble, metal grinding on metal, and a looming shadow made its way into the arena. The gekko turned, scanning the open area, looking for its target. Finally, it turned towards Anna. Raiden gasped, suddenly on high alert.

" No! Anna!"

He reached out, panic pulling at his mind. He grabbed the bars that created a barricade between him and his girl. With all his strength he pulled, all his will concentrated on pulling the gate apart. The bars barely even moved. A yell ripped from him. He had to get to her. He felt a calming hand on his shoulder.

" Raiden...look"

"It'll kill her, Snake!"

Snake shook him, pointing out towards the arena." Raiden..."

Afraid of what he might see, Raiden looked up, and disbelief struck him like a train.

Anna was backing the gekko into a corner, advancing on it, her weapons held behind her, ready to attack. Raiden watched as it reared back on one leg, prepared to lash out at her. Quickly, she jumped back, ducked, avoided its blow. She moved like a cat. She had obviously been trained extensively in her time away from Raiden. She spun around, her blades taking a chunk from it's attacking leg. It let out a roar, and leapt forward, knocking her to the ground.

" Anna!"

Shrugging Snakes hand from his shoulder, Raiden pulled out his sword, gripping it in both hands as he brought it down in a arching curve, slicing a gash in the bars.
Dropping his weapon, he rushed forward, grabbing the bars, wrenching them backward. Once he had opened a big enough hole in the gate, he collected his weapon, heart racing.

Anna was on her feet, though shakily. She looked back, and Raiden saw recognition in her eyes. She smiled at him, and he sighed in contempt. She was still his Anna.

The gekko kicked out again, barely missing the back of her head. She let out a cry of surprise, rolling to her left. She flipped onto her feet, and jumped back, bringing her weapons out in front of her. In a long sweeping motion, she brought her weapons in front of her, and blood sprayed from the gekko, drenching Anna in a crimson waterfall.

The gekko fell onto its side, thrashing, trying to kick her. Anna stood up, wiping the blood from her face as a voice, terrifying and familiar, came over the loud speaker.

" Annastasia, finish it off."

She turned towards the creature, bringing her blades above her head. With an animalistic yell, she brought them down in an arching slash, tearing it open, exposing flesh wires and bringing another spray of blood. It finally stopped moving.

Raiden climbed through the bars, into the blinding light of the arena. As he approached her, she turned, a smile gracing her features. She stayed where she was, watching as he approached. Once again, Raiden felt a hand on his shoulder, this time firmer, stopping him.

" Raiden she might look like Anna...but you don't know how much control they have over her. Watch yourself"

Raiden nodded, acknowledging the warning, but he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was still so beautiful, that hadn't changed. She still held the air of innocence, but with the spirit of an untamed lioness. He was still drawn to her. She fascinated him. He closed the distance between them, still holding his sword, slightly wary of her. Though he had his guard up, he couldn't fear her. Whenever he looked at her, all he could feel was his love for her. He remembered the night they spent together, the feel of her touch, her kiss, sleeping next to her, undisturbed.

He reached out to her with a trembling hand, running his fingers down her cheek. Her eyes had changed somehow. They were still a striking, sapphire blue, but somehow they had changed inside. She leaned into his touch, her eyes sliding shut and her full lips pulling into a sweet smile.

" Anna, are you okay? What did they do to you? What-" a metallic clang cut him off, and he spun around, raising his weapon. The gates all around the arena were sliding up, opening the doors on every side. A dark figure stepped forward, into the light. Anna's father came forward, eyes locked on Raidens face.

" I was hoping you would come"

" What did you do to her?"

Her father let out a laugh, a deep, hollow sound, echoing off the walls. Raiden felt Anna stiffen next to him. He pushed her back, behind him, using himself to shield her from danger.

"Raiden...it has already happened. She belongs to us now"

The air crackled, as if electrified. Raiden could feel the power radiating from this man like lava spewing from a volcano. He felt uneasy, anxious. He would have to fight for her, something he was prepared to do...though he had no idea how.

"Well, I'm taking her back."

Viktor let out another spine chilling laugh. Raiden looked over his shoulder, and saw that Snake was nowhere to be found. Cursing under his breath in disbelief, he turned back to face his foe. There was no way Snake would just leave him alone to fight this battle...and Raiden couldn't help but wonder what he was up too. He felt Anna grab his hand, and his heart skipped. He looked over at her, and was melted by the hurt and scared look on her face.

" Raiden...I love you. I-I...I'm so sorry"

She lashed out, wrapping her hands around his throat with a bone crushing strength. Denial struck Raiden to the very core, he took a step back, staring into her face. He saw tears racing down her cheeks, saw her choking back sobs...and out of the corner of his eye, saw her father approaching them, one hand raised like a claw.

" Anna...stop..."

Her grip tightened, silencing him. She let out a breathy moan, shaking her head.

" I can't..."

Her father was quickly approaching, a wicked smile transforming his face.

" Don't you see, Raiden? She is under my control. She will kill you. I told you, boy...not to mess with me..."

Raiden felt the darkness covering him, the lights flashing dangerously, flickering in and out of the blackness that threatened to move in, suffocating him.

" Hey, asshole! Catch!"

Suddenly a familiar voice rang through the stadium, and Raiden felt Anna's hands fall away. Viktor let out a yell and leapt backwards. Anna screamed, and Raiden felt himself being pushed.

" Raiden! Raiden move!"

Anna's voice brought him back to reality, and he looked around. 10 feet to his left a very familiar grenade with white painted letters spelling out MKultra...

" Raiden!"

He twisted around, grabbing Anna around the waist as he turned, sprinting towards the fallen body of the gekko. He dove behind it, dragging Anna along with him as an explosion rocked him to the very core, shaking dust from the ceiling and pushing the gekkos body back, pinning Anna and Raiden against the cement wall of the arena.

Raiden pushed the gekko off of Anna, pushing her against the wall. He spun her around, studying the device implanted in her back. He grabbed it, and without a second thought, began to pull. She screamed, her hands reaching back, pulling and clawing at his wrists.

" Stop! Raiden stop, it hurts"

He shook his head, and continued to pull.

" it has to come off."

He watched as her skin began to bleed and pull away. He hated hurting her, but there was no other way. He heard a chuckle behind him, and the gekko slid across the arena, slamming into the wall on the other side, and before he knew it, Anna's father was behind him.

" that is connected directly to her spine, and implanted into her brain. If you rip it out, she will die."

Raiden released it as if burned. He could feel the rage fill him, and he began to shake. He turned, facing the cyborg before him, and he could feel the anger consume him like a roaring flame.

"I'm walking out of here tonight, and I'm taking her with me."

Her father hung his head, a smile on his mouth.

"You may leave at any time. That girl works for me now"

Raiden lunged, planting his fist squarely into Viktors stomach, and knocking him backwards.

" I vowed to protect her...to save her from a life like mine." He advanced on Viktor, seething, adrenaline pumping.

" I want better for her, because I love her. Because I don't want her to hurt like I did. She is your daughter! How could you do this to her"

He reared back to kick him, when he felt something snaking around his neck. He looked down, and noticed Anna had flipped onto her hands, and had wrapped her legs around his neck.

" Anna..."

He was wrenched backwards, slammed against a wall. Dazed he looked up, in time to see Anna flip back onto her feet and come toward him. She reached down, grabbing his head in both hands. She began to squeeze, and Raiden began to scream.

He pushed her backward, off of him, and she landed on her back with a grunt.

Instinct compelled him to help her up, but he fought it. He heard scuffling to his left, and drew his sword as he glanced over. Snake came into view, a missile launcher resting on one shoulder.

" Keep your girl busy, and break that thing on her back. I'll take care of her old man"

Raiden nodded, and sprinted to his right, sheathing his sword. As expected, Anna followed him. Her father stayed rooted in the middle of the arena, focusing on his control of his daughters mind. Raiden stopped and turned, reached out and grabbing Anna in a bear hug, pinning her arms down to her sides.

Raiden heard the missile launched, and Anna went limp in his arms, Viktor yelled something unintelligible, and Raiden saw him grab the missle in midair without touching it.

Taking the opportunity, he dropped Anna to the ground, flipped her onto her stomach. He rammed his fist into the implant on her spine, trying to break it, without breaking Anna's back. He slammed into it again, and heard a crunch. He also heard Anna scream, and an explosion behind him.

He felt Anna tense beneath him, and with one strong push, bucked him off of her. She jumped to her feet, advancing on Raiden. She kicked out, Raiden ducked. She dashed to her right, and crouched to the ground. She flipped backwards, rolling towards Raiden, who realized she had picked up her ring blades.

He drew his weapon, circling her. She circled to her left, never taking her eyes off of him, she clutched her circled blades close to her sides. Raiden watched the gleaming metal, eyes periodically darting back to her face, studying her, attempting to predict her movements.

Without warning, she dove forward slashing in a cross towards his face. He fell backwards at the last second, saving himself literally by the skin of his nose. A gash opened across the bridge of his nose. He cursed at droplets of blood fell down his face, startling in its contrast to his milky white skin.

Viktor let out a chuckle, pleased to see he had drawn blood.

" if you give up now, Raiden, I may let you live. I'll even let you see Anna before I rip out your programming and I replace it with my own."

Raiden glared at him, ducking as Anna charged forward again. He saw Snake approaching once again, and jumped backwards, getting behind his target.

He kicked low, in a sweeping motion, knocking her feet from under her. He grabbed her weapons, hurling them across the room, away from her. He pinned her to the ground, planting a knee in her lower back. He heard another missle launch, and again she went limp.

He heard Viktor scream behind him, and another explosion. He rammed his fists against The demon on Anna's back, and smiled as chunks of the metal fell away, sparking, revealing wires and LED lights.

Anna tensed again, rolling. Raiden rolled with her, legs wrapped around her waist, catching her wrists in his hands.

" Snake! I've almost got it!"

He heard scuffling behind him, and a click as the launcher was reloaded.

" Good! This is the last one I've got, make it count"

At that moment, Anna pushed him off, leaping to her feet. She spun around as he stumbled to his feet, catching him in the jaw with her boot heel as she kicked up, sending him flying back.

She ran at him, a wild yell coming from her as she approached. Raiden got to his feet, ducking as she swung. She stopped then, stiff. He watched, confused, as she reached down, grabbed her ankle and pulled her leg up to shoulder height before his eyes.

Raising his eyebrows, he watched as she ran her finger down the side of the sole of her boot, flipping a lever. With a click, a serrated blade popped out from the toe of her boot. She ran a finger down his cheek, her thumb across his chin, and leaned in to kiss him.

Raiden craved her touch, was dying to feel her warmth, and wrapped his arms lovingly around her waist. He leaned into her, basking in her glow. In a flash, she dropped her foot, and brought her arms up to the side of his head.

She slammed into his temple with her elbow, and kicked out as he fell, the blade in her boot wedging perfectly between 2 armor plates. He screamed, but twisted as he dropped, reaching up to her shoulder blades. He grabbed a handful of wires from within the device on her back and ripped them free before he hit the ground.

Viktor let out a strangled cry of frustrated as Anna stumbled backwards, dropping to her knees. She crawled to Raiden and cradled his head in her lap. Raiden heard another launch, and an explosion, a scream... Then silence. Raiden lifted his hands to his side, felt blood soak his fingers. Snake rushed over, tossing the missle launcher to the ground as he reached his fallen comrade.

" Raiden. How bad is it?"

Raiden lifted his hand in front of his eyes, sighed when he saw blood dripping from his nails. He coughed, groaning in pain.

" it looks pretty bad...doesn't feel too great either"

Anna let out a muffled moan, grabbing his hand in both of hers.

" Raiden...please don't leave me..."

He smiled at her, lights flashing in his vision. He saw the shadows dance around him, but concentrated on Anna's beautiful features. He reached out a quivering hand, running his fingers through her hair, breathing in the scent of her perfume, mixed with the smell of burning wires and rocket fuel.

As the air turned gray around him, swirling in clouds surrounding him, he stared into her eyes, studying her spirit behind them.

" Anna..."

The darkness covered him then, and his pain slowly ebbed away.