Fourth and Final
May. 6th, 2006 11:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
romyraHad to cut the final parts of the fic because it was too long.
Real end of the fic this way.
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Notes:
1) I bet you thought that Jason was Zechs in character,hmmmmm. **giggle** It started that way but my muse got the better of me and changed it, the physical description is Zechs but that's about it. Draakel will be an original character but I have a feeling that Zechs will push in from time to time.
Stay tuned.
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When the Night Calls by Romyra
Part Fourteen
The door slammed and Anita was quickly greeted by a pair of worried and more than a little angry eyes. " Where have you been?"
" Out with Duo, why? are you going to get jealous again Richard?"
" No…. but you could have called, you stayed out the entire night, even Jean-Claude was worried."
" Really? Well then, how nice. I'm glad that the two of you are becoming so close. Have you decided to cement your relationship as yet? You know that is what he is waiting for don't you?"
" Anita what's the matter? You seem very angry and you have no right to be, you stayed out while the rest of us worried and you didn't bother to call."
" Oh I'm sorry Richard, I didn't know that my whole life revolved around you. You will inform me the next time won't you?"
" Anita stop it there's no need to be sarcastic. I was just worried, I don't want anything to happen to you. Since you've met Duo, you have been distant."
" Richard, its' only been one day and one night, you're being paranoid."
"Anita…..if something was wrong you would tell me about it wouldn't you? You promised that there would be no secrets between us again. I can only help if you tell me."
Anita really didn't know what to say, the minute that she had walked in she had grown angry at Richard's barrage of questions. She had just spent a great night with her new family and now she had to face her own confused life. It really was frustrating, and Richard wasn't making it any easier.
" I would if I had to, but there is nothing wrong. I'm fine, never better."
Richard knew she wasn't lying but he couldn't be certain that she was telling the entire truth. The events of the months past had proven that Anita was anything but the best at what she did. Sometimes she even scared him, the power she welded was at times more than he could understand. She did things that weren't possible but she did them anyway. If Jean-Claude could ever really subdue her then he would be invincible as he himself would be through the power of the triumvirate.
" You're sure?"
" Yes, now would you please stop asking all these questions. I'm going to visit the were-leopards. I have to see Nathaniel and see how he's doing."
" Fine then, I just came to see if you were okay. I'm going back to work now."
" Good, I'll see you later. Bye"
" Good-bye Anita."
Anita went to take a bath and to prepare for her visit to see her other family. Moments later she was on her way to Lakeview, the home of the were-leopards. They all seemed to want to live together and even after getting real jobs that's where they all stayed. Nathaniel had been doing well the last time she had checked but she felt it necessary to keep an update on his well-being. She pulled up in front of the house and went up to the door. Before she could open it, the door was pulled open and she was greeted by an enthusiastic hug from Nathaniel.
" Hello Anita, its nice to see you."
Anita returned the hug as best as she could, she had been getting better at the amount of contact she had to maintain with the pard1 and for some strange reason seeing how Duo's family touched made her feel comfortable doing it. It also was really good to see that Nathaniel was well.
" Hello Nathaniel, its good to see you also. You look well."
" I've never been better, I have a job with Cherry and everything has been going great."
I didn't ask what he was doing, but what ever it was if it made him this animated and didn't pose a threat then I could live with it. I stayed for a few hours and talked to him, he seemed very happy and then he told me about someone he had met. The man sounded acceptable enough but I made a note to check him out at the earliest opportunity. I got Nathaniel to tell me all he knew and I soon had all the information that I needed. After all Nathaniel was mine to protect and I wasn't about to let anyone hurt him again.2
There was a sudden noise in the comfortable silence and looking down I saw that it was my beeper. I dreaded what I would hear but I knew that it was inevitable. However it wasn't about the case at all, it was Duo calling to see if I could come to the house immediately, they had news. I said my good-byes and left at once, whatever it was I had to be there and soon. The drive wasn't very long but the sight that greeted me as I walked into the living room was anything but what I had imagined. Everyone was paired off with their respective partners but what surprised me was the fact that Wufei and Jason seemed rather close together. They had just met and I didn't think that Wufei was the type to hand his affections out lightly. He wasn't as I soon found out, the news was anything but expected and naturally I was shocked.
" Sooo, what you're telling me is that Jason is the reincarnation of Wufei's long lost life-mate……,he's been looking for Wufei for the longest while and they've consummated their relationship so that they will now be together forever?"
" In a nutshell…..yes that's it exactly. Except they didn't just consummate it, they really consummated it." This was said with glowing admiration and not a little pride as Duo watched the lovers in question. Anita of course was simply stunned, this was unexpected but a bonus in itself. If there was anyone who could hold their own in a fight it was Jason or Draakel as she was told his other name was.
" A lycanthrope and a dragon, what next? Is there anything else I can expect to be hit with? A pregnancy perhaps?"
" Well Anita……Heero and I have been talking about it and we'd like to say that………."
Anita waited with an anticipative expression on her face," What? That what? Tell me"
"………..That……you have the most ridiculous expression on your face."
Anita's face fell as she realized that she had just been had again by Duo. His laughter filled the room as did everyone else's as they realized that Duo had once again eased a possibly tense situation.
" Jason? Are you okay with this? Jean-Claude and Richard are not going to be happy that you've suddenly chosen to remain with Wufei."
" That's alright, I've finally found what I was looking3 for and now that I have it I'm never letting go. Besides Wufei will attempt to kick the ass of anyone who tries to hurt me now."
Anita looked at Wufei and saw a small nod confirming what Jason had just said. They were good for each other, Anita did not miss the hot stares they both had for each other but under that there was love, simple and pure but love all the same. It was a beautiful sight.
This moment of bliss was not to last however, the only indication that something was going to happen was an uneasy feeling that everyone got at the same moment. Looking around to confirm what they had all felt they waited anxiously. They didn't have to wait long, with a gasp Wufei doubled over in pain and something else. Shudders ran through his form as he sought to battle the invisible foe that attacked him. The attack was over in minutes and everyone rushed to his side as he fell to the ground and curled up in pain.
" Wufei are you……"
"Wufei what was……"
"Can you stand………"
" Let me help ………….."
" Wufei please be all alright."
This last statement was said by Jason who watched anxiously as Wufei seemed to get his bearings and turned to face Anita. Keeping a tight rein on his emotions Wufei sought to say what he had to without screaming in defiance.
" Anita you'd better call the police, the last murder was just carried out and I'm afraid that the effects are going to be felt by me. We only have a few moments, I need everyone to listen to me. The ritual is complete and …."
A shudder ran through Wufei and he fell to his knees.
…….and there's only one way we can get to the scene first before the police get word of it." Words were becoming increasingly difficult for Wufei to pronounce, his every being was concerned with remaining sane enough to give the final instructions.
" I am going to be overcome by the mating lust in a few moments and please you must heed my warning,…….don't try to stop me, follow me to the scene and from there you must attempt to kill whomever carried out the ritual it’s the only way you can stop the lust and save me. I won't recognize you and anyone who attempts to stop me from leaving will be hurt. Beloved……… you must listen to me I don't want to be the cause of your death again. Follow me and attempt to destroy the one who performed the ritual, keep…… me away…… long enough to do it…….. and ………..please……… don't……. let ……..anyone……… die."
Wufei had to pant these last few words as he simply couldn't find the strength to resist the call. He fought it as hard as he could but he soon realized that he would have to go to the caller. He screamed as the pain of his refusal washed through him and then he felt nothing. The body was there but the mind turned inward. Dimly he felt himself move and burst through those in the room, he began to run his instincts taking him where the call was located. The trees whipped past him as he took to the air, long unused wings sprouted from his back and the wind whistled through them and the dragon rejoiced. Nothing mattered except getting to the caller, the dragon would reach his destination, nothing could stop him, he was invincible.
The minute Wufei ran out the door, everyone sprang into motion, Duo and Heero followed him as they could both run4 and Trowa and Quatre took their car. Jason stayed behind with Anita, his every instinct telling him to run after his beloved and hold him down until this danger was past. He couldn't do that now however, he had a duty to his Lupa5 and he had to carry out that duty first.
Anita turned to Jason, now she would find out if he remembered anything of his past life. Anticipating what she would ask, Jason had the answer waiting.
" He isn't there anymore, his mind has turned inward while the body rushes toward the caller to satisfy the physical demand. If we can get to him before this demand can be satisfied we have a chance to stop it. Wufei's will is very powerful and this is where the danger presents itself, he is mine and he has no wish to be this caller's mate. He will fight the call and the backlash may drive him insane. If there were other dragons present he may have been subdued but he is the last and there is no-one powerful enough to subdue his rage. He has been in human form for so long it may take awhile before he can summon his dragon form. If we cannot stop him he will go on a rampage. There will be mass destruction until the body wears out and he falls unconscious. You know what will happen to him if this occurs. There will be calls for his death and the people will rise against all those of the supernatural. Anita this cannot happen. I cannot allow it ……..I cannot lose him again."
Jason did not know what to do, to find his love and have him threatened so soon made him so angry. He had to protect Wufei, there was no way he was going to let this caller have him. Anita listened in horror to what would happen if Wufei wasn't stopped, there was no time she needed back-up and not the kind of backup the police would provide. She took out her phone and called Richard, the sun had just gone down and she knew that Jean-Claude would be awake. It rang once, twice and three times, she anxiously waited for someone to pick up. After the sixth ring Richard's voice came over the line.
" Richard……., who's calling?"
" Richard it's me Anita, listen I need all of the strongest pack members you can find. Its an emergency, something bad is going to happen and its going to happen now. Put Jean-Claude on the line,……" There was a brief silence and then the phone was handed over.
" Ma petite….?"
" Jean-Claude, I don't have time to talk, I need you, Asher, Damian and any other strong Vampire to come to me immediately. I'll contact you through the marks, but you must gather them now. Let Richard explain, I have to go now."
Anita hung up, she felt the urgency that her calls had created and she knew that they would do her bidding. Now they just had to find Wufei and stop anything from happening. She ran to her car, thank God she kept herself armed at all times, she definitely would need the extra ammunition.
Duo ran behind Heero, his body twisting to avoid the trees as they sailed past him. They ran in perfect synchronization, their bodies flowed into the wind and they moved quickly and soundlessly behind Wufei. Seeing him with wings had been a shock but they had no time to marvel at the sight, his life was at stake. He hadn't recognized their presence but they kept out of sight, it was important that they save him. An enraged dragon wasn't easily controlled and Duo wasn't sure if they could handle him turning into a full dragon, the wings alone had astonished them, but none of them had ever seen Wufei's true form.
Quatre was worried, Trowa could see it in his eyes. He kept up a brave front but he knew that Quatre felt a lot more than the rest of them did. He was in love with Wufei and even though Trowa was his life-mate, he knew that Quatre held a special place in his heart for the man he had seen in Wufei. Nothing could break Quatre's heart, Trowa wouldn't allow it. He reached over and took Quatre's hand in his own, it was cold to the touch, icy and limp. Trowa caught Quatre's eyes and pledged that they would save Wufei whatever the cost, he was rewarded with the barest shadow of a smile as Quatre turned his thoughts inward and waited for what the night would bring.
The night called. Wufei answered, he had waited so long to be free, the call could wait, he wanted to experience the night. The trees beckoned to him, their branches lowering to touch him as though they were glad to see him. They probably were, it had been so long since he had communed with nature. Before, he talked to the plants all the time but taking human form had weakened him and he had stopped, but the real fear came from the fear at being caught and destroyed. Pain rushed through him, the call came again more insistent than the last time, he roared in defiance, but took off once more, he would deal with this annoyance and then he would return to the trees.
He came into a clearing, this is where the call came from. Wings retracted into his back and he waited and shifted around, the silence was broken only by the sound of his harsh breathing. Something moved and Wufei turned his head to follow the motion. Seeing the figure of the caller he moved in closer, he would deal with this nuisance quickly……….
He wasn't prepared for what he saw, he rocked back in amazement as the moon shone down into the clearing illuminating the person's face.
" NATAKU?"
End part 14
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Notes:
1) The pard is the collective name given to the were-leopards.
2) Nathaniel is one of the first were-leopards she ever saved. He had been raped and physically assaulted. His attackers had tied him up and then raped him while they cut him open. He is a pet and cannot take care of himself, he is accustomed to being dominated. He thought Anita would be his new mistress but she only wanted to protect him. Anita is the Nimin-Ra or the leopard queen of the pard. At the end of the eighth book, Anita and Verne, another alpha werewolf, try to help forge the were-leopards into a functional unit. This how I perceive Nathaniel to be after their help.
3) This line came from a very wonderful song and it was perfect for here.
4) Run in this context mean the ability to keep up with the speed of the lycanthrope. Anita was able to do it without knowing that she could do it, Duo however knows what he is doing.
5) Anita is the Lupa, the ruling female of the wolf pack and as such Jason has a duty to her before all else.
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When the Night Calls by Romyra
Part Fifteen
**It can't be……., I saw her die, I watched her blood flow without ceasing into the ground, I thought she was dead.**
" Greetingsssss, Hussssband mine I ssssseee that you didn't expect me to be the caller."
Lust forgotten, Wufei could only stand there in amazement as his first and only wife moved towards him. It couldn't be, she wouldn't have done those murders, she had been a gentle soul, there had to be some mistake. " What you don't believe I did the killingsssss? I did, and do you want to know why?, hmmm hussssband mine?"
Finding his voice, Wufei called out his own question.
" I saw you die, Why didn't you try to find me? I have lived with the guilt of your death for centuries and you have been alive all this time?"
" Sssssimple dear, I wanted revenge. You left me there on the ground while you cried your pretty eyessss out over Draakel. You never wanted me, you only wanted the child that I could give you."
" That's a lie, I loved you both with ever fiber of my being. I was devastated at the loss of both of you."
" Liar, I ssssaw you, you left and never returned. The only way I could finally bring you out wassss to invoke the calling ritual. But it’sss a modified ritual, it issssn't dessssigned to bring on the mating lussst. That'ss only what it appearss to be, the real ussse issss to trap you in a circle of paralyssisss ssso that you can be forced to watch your friendsss being killed by me. I will enjoy it, I will enjoy sssseeing your pain and your ssssuffering.
Wufei knew that she wasn't lying, he could feel the bonds of the spell she has conjured. The ritual had been changed, that was supposedly impossible and yet here he was at the mercy of an enraged dragon whom he had thought dead and gone for centuries. She looked insane, there were fiery lights in her eyes, eyes that had gone red in their intensity. He looked at her and he was afraid, this was a killer, there was nothing of the Nataku he had known, this creature wanted blood. He knew that the others were after him, they would all think that he was in the throes of lust, they wouldn't know that it was a trap until it was too late.
Desperation surged through him, no…... this could not happen, no-one else should die because of him, he wouldn't allow it. By the power of his will alone Wufei fought the spell that bound him and used all of his strength to roar out a warning on both levels. If Duo and Heero didn't hear him then Quatre and Trowa would feel him and they would be warned. Drained, he could do nothing more and he collapsed in the circle, Nataku's mocking laughter ringing in his ears.
" Do you really think that will sssave them? Sssave you? Husssband mine you are so foolisssh. You will all die and I will rule thisss pathetic race, no-one can ssstop me, I am eternal."
Her deranged laughter struck Wufei to the core, he prayed to all the Gods above that his friends could stop her. She could not be allowed to gain any sort of power, if it took his own life to prevent it he would gladly give it up, the deaths would stop no matter the cost.
The warning was heard by Heero and Duo, immediately Duo gave their location to Anita, every move was important now. They had only one chance to save Wufei without anyone other than the caller dying. Quatre and Trowa were on their way and they all prayed that they would be on time. Anita relayed the location through the marks and waited until she felt the confirmation that Richard, Jean-Claude and the others were on their way before she turned her attention back to the road, they were close now and nothing could be allowed to happen. Quatre stiffened next to Trowa and said in horrified disbelief," It's Nataku, she is the caller, Trowa we must hurry, this is not good at all."
Trowa nodded once and accelerated, this threw a new light on things. The appearance of Wufei's once thought dead wife shook his composure and he became afraid.
Heero burst through the clearing and was met by a sight that shocked him to his very core. Wufei lay in a circle of blood, his body a tattered mass of shredded skin, his assailant looked up and smiled with bloody teeth that horrified Heero. Duo looked at the sight once in horror before his face locked into a mask of pain and intense anger. Heero watched in shock as the creature dropped Wufei's body and turned so that he could finally see its face. All thoughts fled as he saw the face presented," No……it can't be…Wufei showed me her death. That cannot be……Nataku?"
Nataku looked up, everything was going as she had planned, finding Wufei after so long felt so good. Finally she would have her revenge, she had waited so long for this day. He had to suffer, she would make sure he saw his friends die before she killed him. It was a pity that she couldn't have found Draakel, that would have made her revenge complete. To convince Wufei that his long lost love had returned and then had died again because of him would have been so divine. That sort of anguish really gave her pleasure, oh well she would just have to make do with his friends. She brushed a hand across her lips, she had wanted to taste Wufei once more before she killed him and she had gotten carried away but no matter, he only looked dead, he still had a few moments before she did away with him. She turned her attention to the person in front of her.
Heero's anger grew as he watched the condition of Wufei's body, he had done nothing to deserve this and this creature would pay dearly for what she had done. He let his control slip and sought his other form, he would do away with this creature quickly. Nataku watched in disbelief as a True born appeared in front of her, there had been no warning. The person had appeared human and now he was changing right before her.
Heero bowed as his spine lengthened and split to reform and shape his new body. Clear fluid spilled out of his skin as it stretched and changed colour. Fur spread across his skin as he grew to a height of 7 feet, his bones lengthening and his body shifting to accommodate his new mass. His mouth opened in a silent scream and fangs sprouted from both his upper and lower jaws. His eyes opened and closed and opened again to reveal glowing orbs of power. His hands clenched as talons grew out of them and then the transformation was complete, where there had been a young human man there now stood a True born, a powerful adversary. Nataku smiled, at last a real challenge.
Duo moved to the side of Heero as he watched the transformation, no matter how many times he saw it, it still amazed him and frightened him to see the power that his beloved possessed. He sent out a call to Anita and was relived to learn that she was only a few minutes behind them. He turned his attention to the sight before him. Nataku smiled as she took in the sight, a True born after all this time. She held up a hand and as he watched in puzzlement she made her move. Unlike Wufei she only wore her human form to move about, she had her dragon form with her at all times. This time was no different, she leaped up into the air and let the transformation take over.
Wings sprouted from her back as her spine cracked and began to grow. Her torso shifted and flowed outwards as her body lengthened, her arms and legs became strong stumps of power as the weak human limbs grew and formed into thick arms with long talons at the fingertips. Her legs grew outwards and bent inwards to shift her weight, claws grew and clicked dangerously. Her tail sprouted from the end of her spine and lengthened to help her flight. Her wings grew up and out and ended with talons at the end of them, her body shifted and finally turned a scaly shimmering green. Her jaw grew out and opening her mouth, sharp teeth and upper and lower fangs could be seen forming. She was huge and Duo watched in fear as she dove towards Heero.
A warning shriek tore threw the air as Heero dove out of the way, and came up behind her, using the backlash of air he jumped up and landed on her back and began to tear into her scaled skin. She roared her defiance and shook her body from side to side to dislodge Heero. He held on as she began to twist around in the air. Keeping his claws in her hide, he began to bite her neck in the hope that he could sever an artery and incapacitate her. Blood streamed from her sides and back as Heero ruthlessly tore into her trying to kill her. With an unearthly shriek she rolled over in the air once more and raced towards the trees, a last minute tactic to save herself. The trees caught in Heero's fur and dragged him from her back, as he landed with a heavy thump Duo ran to his side. Duo was afraid, Heero bled from all manner of wounds where her talons had caught in his fur and he had to force himself not to ask Heero to stop fighting. He watched as Heero shook himself and turned to face him.
" She's verrry powerrrful but weak, we can kill herrrr." Heero's words were growled as he fought to keep a rein on his emotions. He was very sensitive to the emotions around him and Duo's fear and helpless anger did nothing but enrage him further. With a nod to Duo, Heero went after Nataku again.
Anita burst into the clearing followed by Jason, they took in the sights before them, a bloody and battered Wufei lay in a circle, A very large lycanthrope and a Dragon fought in midair and Duo stood to the side watching with fear etched on his face. Anita shook her head, she knew this scene all to well. She just hoped that things would be alright. Jason looked on in horror, his beloved was still alive but there was no way that he could reach him. Another dragon was a shock to him, but it wasn't as big as a shock to see that the dragon was Nataku and he looked over to Anita to see her reaction. She looked stunned but not overly surprised. He turned his attention to the fight before him, Heero looked as though he was gaining the upper hand until a well placed blow knocked him off of his feet. Nataku's head smashed into him and he went sailing into a tree that knocked him unconscious. Duo gasped and ran over to him while Nataku looked on triumphant.
" You can't hope to defeat me, I have bessted your champion and now you will all die."
Anita had no ideas, this was taking a turn for the worse and she really didn't want anyone of her new family to die. She ran to the circle that bound Wufei, it was a circle to keep him in and to keep anyone else from entering. She didn't know what to do, she couldn't break the circle. Jason watched as Anita came to realize that she could do nothing, and made his decision. Silently apologizing to Wufei for doing this, he ran towards Nataku. Changing as he ran he quickly used the advantage of surprise to attack her. He raced up her body and latched onto her neck, where a wound had already been made by Heero. Nataku roared in pain and tried to attack this new foe. Wufei's friends were all supposed to be humans, this was not how she had planned this. Everything was turning out wrong, she roared in pain and sought to gain an advantage over this new challenge.
Quatre, Trowa, Richard, Jean-Claude and all those she had requested as backup burst through the trees into the clearing and stopped, all were struck speechless at the sight before them. An extremely large Lycanthrope lay against a tree while a beautiful and worried young man took care of him. A young man lay in a circle all bloodied and battered while Anita stood just outside, a helpless look on her face. A Dragon and a Lycanthrope that appeared to be Jason fought in mid-air and both seemed to be losing. Richard was struck dumb by all this, but the sight of Anita looking helpless really threw him for a loop. He was accustomed to an enraged Anita, a scared Anita, a confused Anita but he had never seen a helpless Anita before tonight. He went to her side and stood there as she looked down into the circle.
" I can't break it, I've tried everything but it won't open."
" Its all right we'll figure something out, we always do."
Looking up into Richard's eyes, Anita smiled and nodded, she felt better but she was still worried.
Quatre and Trowa raced over to Duo, Trowa took Heero into his arms and held on as Heero tried to reverse the change. A few moments later and an exhausted Heero slumped forward into Duo's arms. Duo thanked Trowa gratefully as Quatre went to work on Heero's body. This really was turning out to be a bad night.
Wufei swam up out of the darkness and opened his eyes. He blinked to clear his vision, and the first thing he saw was Jason attacking Nataku, he would recognize his beloved's power signature anywhere. He watched in horror as Nataku drew blood from Jason and he did the same to her. He knew something bad was going to happen and within moments it did. Jason was thrown off balance and Nataku plunged talons into him and ripped him open. Wufei screamed in disbelief as Jason's body plunged to the ground and landed with a sickening crack. That sight gave him the power to break the spell that held him, as Anita and Richard watched in stunned shock, Wufei got up and raced towards Nataku.
Wings sprouted from his back and his arms formed into talons as he sought to bring about her destruction. As soon as he was in reach of her he attacked, the rest of the change followed as Wufei tried desperately to kill the creature that had taken his beloved from him. His talons found their way through her hide and with a wet crack, they plunged into her neck which Wufei ripped out. He listened in satisfaction as he heard he gasp of disbelief right before she died. He let go and jumped away from her body as it fell to the ground and then he silently landed.
All was quiet as the new Dragon moved toward the fallen body of Jason1. He was beautiful, his body was a rich iridescent blue that shimmered in the moonlight. Blood glistened on huge talons and a large tail swept across the clearing behind him. Wings of the deepest blue were now folded into his sides and his large head was bowed with grief. His eyes were of midnight black and shone with unshed tears. His horns were of the palest white and his bared teeth and fangs shone out of a red mouth that was opened in pain.
As he moved towards Jason, pain filled Wufei's heart and curling himself around his beloved's body he opened his mouth and roared his grief to the moon. All present shivered in response as the extent of the Dragon's pain reached them and pierced them to their very core. All was quiet, the dead silence broken only by the sounds of approaching police vehicles and yet no-one moved.
The silence was then broken by a shout from Duo, all eyes turned towards him as he raced to Anita's side. With a surprised expression on her face as he whispered to her, all watched as they both moved towards the body and the Dragon before them. All assembled watched in disbelief as the young man reached up to stroke the Dragon's brow in a reassuring motion as Anita settled down next to Jason's body. The two people then bent down and seemed to begin a ritual, a ritual that all hoped would make things alright.
Jean-Claude looked on in surprise as he saw the people that Anita had spent most of her time with. A very different and a very powerful Lycanthrope had just changed into the young man called Heero that he had met a day ago. A Dragon had just been killed while another Dragon lay in mourning over the body of Jason. Anita and Duo had just gone over to this new Dragon with no fear whatsoever and were attempting some sort of ritual. These events all seemed to hold great promise for him and looking on he began to formulate ways to get them all involved with him.
Duo hoped this would work, while everyone had reacted in stunned disbelief at Jason's death, he had remembered the incident with the little girl and shouting over to Anita he went to her side and suggested that they see what they could do for him and Wufei. Wufei for his part was still in shock over the second loss of his life mate and he could do nothing as Duo reached up to comfort him. Anita sat down and extended her senses over Jason's body, amazingly enough he was still there, fighting to hold on. It was as though he knew that they were going to try and help him. Duo sat on the other-side of Jason and took some of his blood and smeared it over his hands and lay them on the chest of Jason.
Anita had said that Jason was still there, weakening by the minute but holding on. With a prayer to all the powers that be, Duo focused his power on Jason and began to call him back. At first it seemed as though it was not working but them Jason gasped and opened his eyes. Looking up he smiled and said weakly," hey what took you guys so long?"
The twins laughed joyfully even as they began to cry in relief. Reaching down to Jason they hauled him up and into their arms. Looking up, Jason smiled into the shocked face of Wufei. " Hello beloved, we seem to be falling into each other's arms quite a lot. We really need to stop doing this."
The only answer he got was a very wet slurp as Wufei ran his tongue across Jason's now very alive body. Wufei roared his joy to the moon even as he began to shrink into his human shape, stunning all those around him again.
The two lovers latched onto one another as Heero, Trowa and Quatre made their way over to them. They all touched Jason and Wufei, simple touch communicating what words could not. As the police pulled up, the other lycanthropes and vampires faded into the night, and Anita took out her badge. It was the end of another nightmare, the night had called and they had answered, a new threat had been defeated and their home was safe once more. It was all they could ask for, for now.
The End.
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Notes:
1) All Lycanthropes change back to their human form at the moment of their death or when they have exhausted themselves to the point of unconsciousness. In the books, Lycanthropes are able to heal life-threatening wounds, even those as severe as a ripped off limb etc. Anita as Lupa and Richard as Ulfric would have been able to save Jason had they both reached him in time but Anita by herself could not do it without releasing the munin. That was another problem they didn't need so Duo had to do it. For the purpose of this fic, Jason's wounds were too serious to be healed and so he died but held on long enough to be recalled by Duo.
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When the Night Calls by Romyra
Epilogue
Everything had turned out all right in the end, although everyone from Vampires to Lycanthropes were insatiably curious as to what the hell was a Dragon doing in West Key. They were supposed to be extinct, that little tidbit had been blown all to hell and now everyone wanted a chance to talk to Wufei and find out what had really happened to the rest of his clan. It got so bad that Heero took matters into his own hands or rather his own talons.
He called all the curious and changed in front of them, he then proved that he was indeed stronger and more powerful that all the Ulfrics, (read alpha werewolves) combined. He then politely asked all those assembled to leave Wufei alone, so that he could enjoy life with his life-mate. Oh yeah and Jason and Wufei had this big formal ceremony and proclaimed their everlasting love to the world, as they pledged themselves to one another again. Anyway Heero scared the crap out of all those who came to the assembly, and they all promised on pain of death to leave Wufei alone. That done he changed back and thanked them all for coming and asked them not to be strangers to his family. He then left, needless to say the preternatural community had gossip for weeks.
Duo and Heero have been helping me with the marks, I am now more powerful than Jean-Claude and Richard a fact that brings me no end of pleasure. Thanks to my brother and his lover I can now enjoy sex without falling down into an abyss. However I haven't tried anything as yet, I wouldn't want the boys to get trigger-happy. Quatre and Trowa are still around, they adopted a little boy and a little girl who both had been orphaned at birth. Quatre says he sees something happening that involves to two of them and he wants to be there when it happens. As it turns out they were True born twins and that amazed the hell out of Heero who thought that he was the last True born. Duo is overjoyed at being a God-father and the two of them spoil the twins rotten.
Wufei and Jason are inseparable and they follow each other no matter where the other is going. Jean-Claude was annoyed that none of the members of my new family would volunteer to be under his wing. The fact that my brother is a Resurrector really surprised him and I really thought that he would have gotten the hint especially when Trowa showed him his wings and told him to bugger off and leave Quatre the hell alone. The look of amazement on the faces of everyone nearly killed me. You could see that they were dying to ask questions but one look from Heero and they abandoned that idea.
Well onto the crime scene, Nataku changed into her human form when she died and I was able to convince Dolph that there was no other involvement on the part of my brother and his friends. They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He watched me suspiciously for a long moment before giving up and leaving. Duo has special permission to work with me whenever I think that I need him. Which is most of the time, Richard still gets jealous whenever I go out with Duo, but I don't really care he needs to stop being a stick in the mud.
Dancing and clubbing with Duo has been a trip and Jean-Claude is amused to no end, especially when Duo insists on dancing with him. He of course always gives in, Duo can be very persuasive when he wants something. He also likes it when Heero gets jealous, apparently the sex is great when Heero feels that he has to mark Duo as his. I have been woken up at all hours of the night as they go at it and Duo graciously allows me to live vicariously through him.
Life has never been as strange as this and I must say that I enjoy everything that comes my way. Nathaniel has been taken under Trowa's wing so to speak. The gentleman in question had been Trowa from the start, he just didn't know how to tell me but with Trowa being a part of my family now I was fine with it. He is doing better, the best that he has ever done and I have Quatre to thank for that. He took one look at Nathaniel and smiled that soft smile of his and began to share him with Trowa. I think that they have all never been happier.
So there you have it another chapter in this world and in this life that is mine. Just so you know Heero and Duo have been playing havoc with my senses I do believe that I will start to make-up with Jean-Claude and/or Richard or maybe with the two of them, who knows? Having a brother like Duo has changed me and I like it, I do, I really do. As far as I am concerned the next few years will be the best ever and as Duo said we have all the time in the world.
The End…
Final notes:
1) They have all the time in the world because they are all bound to creatures who are immortal, at least in the sense of being able to live forever. Even though they can be killed, long life is a definite factor. Besides, the fact that everyone is so powerful really helps in the avoidance of unwanted wars and this always furthers a life span.
Real end of the fic this way.
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Notes:
1) I bet you thought that Jason was Zechs in character,hmmmmm. **giggle** It started that way but my muse got the better of me and changed it, the physical description is Zechs but that's about it. Draakel will be an original character but I have a feeling that Zechs will push in from time to time.
Stay tuned.
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When the Night Calls by Romyra
Part Fourteen
The door slammed and Anita was quickly greeted by a pair of worried and more than a little angry eyes. " Where have you been?"
" Out with Duo, why? are you going to get jealous again Richard?"
" No…. but you could have called, you stayed out the entire night, even Jean-Claude was worried."
" Really? Well then, how nice. I'm glad that the two of you are becoming so close. Have you decided to cement your relationship as yet? You know that is what he is waiting for don't you?"
" Anita what's the matter? You seem very angry and you have no right to be, you stayed out while the rest of us worried and you didn't bother to call."
" Oh I'm sorry Richard, I didn't know that my whole life revolved around you. You will inform me the next time won't you?"
" Anita stop it there's no need to be sarcastic. I was just worried, I don't want anything to happen to you. Since you've met Duo, you have been distant."
" Richard, its' only been one day and one night, you're being paranoid."
"Anita…..if something was wrong you would tell me about it wouldn't you? You promised that there would be no secrets between us again. I can only help if you tell me."
Anita really didn't know what to say, the minute that she had walked in she had grown angry at Richard's barrage of questions. She had just spent a great night with her new family and now she had to face her own confused life. It really was frustrating, and Richard wasn't making it any easier.
" I would if I had to, but there is nothing wrong. I'm fine, never better."
Richard knew she wasn't lying but he couldn't be certain that she was telling the entire truth. The events of the months past had proven that Anita was anything but the best at what she did. Sometimes she even scared him, the power she welded was at times more than he could understand. She did things that weren't possible but she did them anyway. If Jean-Claude could ever really subdue her then he would be invincible as he himself would be through the power of the triumvirate.
" You're sure?"
" Yes, now would you please stop asking all these questions. I'm going to visit the were-leopards. I have to see Nathaniel and see how he's doing."
" Fine then, I just came to see if you were okay. I'm going back to work now."
" Good, I'll see you later. Bye"
" Good-bye Anita."
Anita went to take a bath and to prepare for her visit to see her other family. Moments later she was on her way to Lakeview, the home of the were-leopards. They all seemed to want to live together and even after getting real jobs that's where they all stayed. Nathaniel had been doing well the last time she had checked but she felt it necessary to keep an update on his well-being. She pulled up in front of the house and went up to the door. Before she could open it, the door was pulled open and she was greeted by an enthusiastic hug from Nathaniel.
" Hello Anita, its nice to see you."
Anita returned the hug as best as she could, she had been getting better at the amount of contact she had to maintain with the pard1 and for some strange reason seeing how Duo's family touched made her feel comfortable doing it. It also was really good to see that Nathaniel was well.
" Hello Nathaniel, its good to see you also. You look well."
" I've never been better, I have a job with Cherry and everything has been going great."
I didn't ask what he was doing, but what ever it was if it made him this animated and didn't pose a threat then I could live with it. I stayed for a few hours and talked to him, he seemed very happy and then he told me about someone he had met. The man sounded acceptable enough but I made a note to check him out at the earliest opportunity. I got Nathaniel to tell me all he knew and I soon had all the information that I needed. After all Nathaniel was mine to protect and I wasn't about to let anyone hurt him again.2
There was a sudden noise in the comfortable silence and looking down I saw that it was my beeper. I dreaded what I would hear but I knew that it was inevitable. However it wasn't about the case at all, it was Duo calling to see if I could come to the house immediately, they had news. I said my good-byes and left at once, whatever it was I had to be there and soon. The drive wasn't very long but the sight that greeted me as I walked into the living room was anything but what I had imagined. Everyone was paired off with their respective partners but what surprised me was the fact that Wufei and Jason seemed rather close together. They had just met and I didn't think that Wufei was the type to hand his affections out lightly. He wasn't as I soon found out, the news was anything but expected and naturally I was shocked.
" Sooo, what you're telling me is that Jason is the reincarnation of Wufei's long lost life-mate……,he's been looking for Wufei for the longest while and they've consummated their relationship so that they will now be together forever?"
" In a nutshell…..yes that's it exactly. Except they didn't just consummate it, they really consummated it." This was said with glowing admiration and not a little pride as Duo watched the lovers in question. Anita of course was simply stunned, this was unexpected but a bonus in itself. If there was anyone who could hold their own in a fight it was Jason or Draakel as she was told his other name was.
" A lycanthrope and a dragon, what next? Is there anything else I can expect to be hit with? A pregnancy perhaps?"
" Well Anita……Heero and I have been talking about it and we'd like to say that………."
Anita waited with an anticipative expression on her face," What? That what? Tell me"
"………..That……you have the most ridiculous expression on your face."
Anita's face fell as she realized that she had just been had again by Duo. His laughter filled the room as did everyone else's as they realized that Duo had once again eased a possibly tense situation.
" Jason? Are you okay with this? Jean-Claude and Richard are not going to be happy that you've suddenly chosen to remain with Wufei."
" That's alright, I've finally found what I was looking3 for and now that I have it I'm never letting go. Besides Wufei will attempt to kick the ass of anyone who tries to hurt me now."
Anita looked at Wufei and saw a small nod confirming what Jason had just said. They were good for each other, Anita did not miss the hot stares they both had for each other but under that there was love, simple and pure but love all the same. It was a beautiful sight.
This moment of bliss was not to last however, the only indication that something was going to happen was an uneasy feeling that everyone got at the same moment. Looking around to confirm what they had all felt they waited anxiously. They didn't have to wait long, with a gasp Wufei doubled over in pain and something else. Shudders ran through his form as he sought to battle the invisible foe that attacked him. The attack was over in minutes and everyone rushed to his side as he fell to the ground and curled up in pain.
" Wufei are you……"
"Wufei what was……"
"Can you stand………"
" Let me help ………….."
" Wufei please be all alright."
This last statement was said by Jason who watched anxiously as Wufei seemed to get his bearings and turned to face Anita. Keeping a tight rein on his emotions Wufei sought to say what he had to without screaming in defiance.
" Anita you'd better call the police, the last murder was just carried out and I'm afraid that the effects are going to be felt by me. We only have a few moments, I need everyone to listen to me. The ritual is complete and …."
A shudder ran through Wufei and he fell to his knees.
…….and there's only one way we can get to the scene first before the police get word of it." Words were becoming increasingly difficult for Wufei to pronounce, his every being was concerned with remaining sane enough to give the final instructions.
" I am going to be overcome by the mating lust in a few moments and please you must heed my warning,…….don't try to stop me, follow me to the scene and from there you must attempt to kill whomever carried out the ritual it’s the only way you can stop the lust and save me. I won't recognize you and anyone who attempts to stop me from leaving will be hurt. Beloved……… you must listen to me I don't want to be the cause of your death again. Follow me and attempt to destroy the one who performed the ritual, keep…… me away…… long enough to do it…….. and ………..please……… don't……. let ……..anyone……… die."
Wufei had to pant these last few words as he simply couldn't find the strength to resist the call. He fought it as hard as he could but he soon realized that he would have to go to the caller. He screamed as the pain of his refusal washed through him and then he felt nothing. The body was there but the mind turned inward. Dimly he felt himself move and burst through those in the room, he began to run his instincts taking him where the call was located. The trees whipped past him as he took to the air, long unused wings sprouted from his back and the wind whistled through them and the dragon rejoiced. Nothing mattered except getting to the caller, the dragon would reach his destination, nothing could stop him, he was invincible.
The minute Wufei ran out the door, everyone sprang into motion, Duo and Heero followed him as they could both run4 and Trowa and Quatre took their car. Jason stayed behind with Anita, his every instinct telling him to run after his beloved and hold him down until this danger was past. He couldn't do that now however, he had a duty to his Lupa5 and he had to carry out that duty first.
Anita turned to Jason, now she would find out if he remembered anything of his past life. Anticipating what she would ask, Jason had the answer waiting.
" He isn't there anymore, his mind has turned inward while the body rushes toward the caller to satisfy the physical demand. If we can get to him before this demand can be satisfied we have a chance to stop it. Wufei's will is very powerful and this is where the danger presents itself, he is mine and he has no wish to be this caller's mate. He will fight the call and the backlash may drive him insane. If there were other dragons present he may have been subdued but he is the last and there is no-one powerful enough to subdue his rage. He has been in human form for so long it may take awhile before he can summon his dragon form. If we cannot stop him he will go on a rampage. There will be mass destruction until the body wears out and he falls unconscious. You know what will happen to him if this occurs. There will be calls for his death and the people will rise against all those of the supernatural. Anita this cannot happen. I cannot allow it ……..I cannot lose him again."
Jason did not know what to do, to find his love and have him threatened so soon made him so angry. He had to protect Wufei, there was no way he was going to let this caller have him. Anita listened in horror to what would happen if Wufei wasn't stopped, there was no time she needed back-up and not the kind of backup the police would provide. She took out her phone and called Richard, the sun had just gone down and she knew that Jean-Claude would be awake. It rang once, twice and three times, she anxiously waited for someone to pick up. After the sixth ring Richard's voice came over the line.
" Richard……., who's calling?"
" Richard it's me Anita, listen I need all of the strongest pack members you can find. Its an emergency, something bad is going to happen and its going to happen now. Put Jean-Claude on the line,……" There was a brief silence and then the phone was handed over.
" Ma petite….?"
" Jean-Claude, I don't have time to talk, I need you, Asher, Damian and any other strong Vampire to come to me immediately. I'll contact you through the marks, but you must gather them now. Let Richard explain, I have to go now."
Anita hung up, she felt the urgency that her calls had created and she knew that they would do her bidding. Now they just had to find Wufei and stop anything from happening. She ran to her car, thank God she kept herself armed at all times, she definitely would need the extra ammunition.
Duo ran behind Heero, his body twisting to avoid the trees as they sailed past him. They ran in perfect synchronization, their bodies flowed into the wind and they moved quickly and soundlessly behind Wufei. Seeing him with wings had been a shock but they had no time to marvel at the sight, his life was at stake. He hadn't recognized their presence but they kept out of sight, it was important that they save him. An enraged dragon wasn't easily controlled and Duo wasn't sure if they could handle him turning into a full dragon, the wings alone had astonished them, but none of them had ever seen Wufei's true form.
Quatre was worried, Trowa could see it in his eyes. He kept up a brave front but he knew that Quatre felt a lot more than the rest of them did. He was in love with Wufei and even though Trowa was his life-mate, he knew that Quatre held a special place in his heart for the man he had seen in Wufei. Nothing could break Quatre's heart, Trowa wouldn't allow it. He reached over and took Quatre's hand in his own, it was cold to the touch, icy and limp. Trowa caught Quatre's eyes and pledged that they would save Wufei whatever the cost, he was rewarded with the barest shadow of a smile as Quatre turned his thoughts inward and waited for what the night would bring.
The night called. Wufei answered, he had waited so long to be free, the call could wait, he wanted to experience the night. The trees beckoned to him, their branches lowering to touch him as though they were glad to see him. They probably were, it had been so long since he had communed with nature. Before, he talked to the plants all the time but taking human form had weakened him and he had stopped, but the real fear came from the fear at being caught and destroyed. Pain rushed through him, the call came again more insistent than the last time, he roared in defiance, but took off once more, he would deal with this annoyance and then he would return to the trees.
He came into a clearing, this is where the call came from. Wings retracted into his back and he waited and shifted around, the silence was broken only by the sound of his harsh breathing. Something moved and Wufei turned his head to follow the motion. Seeing the figure of the caller he moved in closer, he would deal with this nuisance quickly……….
He wasn't prepared for what he saw, he rocked back in amazement as the moon shone down into the clearing illuminating the person's face.
" NATAKU?"
End part 14
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Notes:
1) The pard is the collective name given to the were-leopards.
2) Nathaniel is one of the first were-leopards she ever saved. He had been raped and physically assaulted. His attackers had tied him up and then raped him while they cut him open. He is a pet and cannot take care of himself, he is accustomed to being dominated. He thought Anita would be his new mistress but she only wanted to protect him. Anita is the Nimin-Ra or the leopard queen of the pard. At the end of the eighth book, Anita and Verne, another alpha werewolf, try to help forge the were-leopards into a functional unit. This how I perceive Nathaniel to be after their help.
3) This line came from a very wonderful song and it was perfect for here.
4) Run in this context mean the ability to keep up with the speed of the lycanthrope. Anita was able to do it without knowing that she could do it, Duo however knows what he is doing.
5) Anita is the Lupa, the ruling female of the wolf pack and as such Jason has a duty to her before all else.
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When the Night Calls by Romyra
Part Fifteen
**It can't be……., I saw her die, I watched her blood flow without ceasing into the ground, I thought she was dead.**
" Greetingsssss, Hussssband mine I ssssseee that you didn't expect me to be the caller."
Lust forgotten, Wufei could only stand there in amazement as his first and only wife moved towards him. It couldn't be, she wouldn't have done those murders, she had been a gentle soul, there had to be some mistake. " What you don't believe I did the killingsssss? I did, and do you want to know why?, hmmm hussssband mine?"
Finding his voice, Wufei called out his own question.
" I saw you die, Why didn't you try to find me? I have lived with the guilt of your death for centuries and you have been alive all this time?"
" Sssssimple dear, I wanted revenge. You left me there on the ground while you cried your pretty eyessss out over Draakel. You never wanted me, you only wanted the child that I could give you."
" That's a lie, I loved you both with ever fiber of my being. I was devastated at the loss of both of you."
" Liar, I ssssaw you, you left and never returned. The only way I could finally bring you out wassss to invoke the calling ritual. But it’sss a modified ritual, it issssn't dessssigned to bring on the mating lussst. That'ss only what it appearss to be, the real ussse issss to trap you in a circle of paralyssisss ssso that you can be forced to watch your friendsss being killed by me. I will enjoy it, I will enjoy sssseeing your pain and your ssssuffering.
Wufei knew that she wasn't lying, he could feel the bonds of the spell she has conjured. The ritual had been changed, that was supposedly impossible and yet here he was at the mercy of an enraged dragon whom he had thought dead and gone for centuries. She looked insane, there were fiery lights in her eyes, eyes that had gone red in their intensity. He looked at her and he was afraid, this was a killer, there was nothing of the Nataku he had known, this creature wanted blood. He knew that the others were after him, they would all think that he was in the throes of lust, they wouldn't know that it was a trap until it was too late.
Desperation surged through him, no…... this could not happen, no-one else should die because of him, he wouldn't allow it. By the power of his will alone Wufei fought the spell that bound him and used all of his strength to roar out a warning on both levels. If Duo and Heero didn't hear him then Quatre and Trowa would feel him and they would be warned. Drained, he could do nothing more and he collapsed in the circle, Nataku's mocking laughter ringing in his ears.
" Do you really think that will sssave them? Sssave you? Husssband mine you are so foolisssh. You will all die and I will rule thisss pathetic race, no-one can ssstop me, I am eternal."
Her deranged laughter struck Wufei to the core, he prayed to all the Gods above that his friends could stop her. She could not be allowed to gain any sort of power, if it took his own life to prevent it he would gladly give it up, the deaths would stop no matter the cost.
The warning was heard by Heero and Duo, immediately Duo gave their location to Anita, every move was important now. They had only one chance to save Wufei without anyone other than the caller dying. Quatre and Trowa were on their way and they all prayed that they would be on time. Anita relayed the location through the marks and waited until she felt the confirmation that Richard, Jean-Claude and the others were on their way before she turned her attention back to the road, they were close now and nothing could be allowed to happen. Quatre stiffened next to Trowa and said in horrified disbelief," It's Nataku, she is the caller, Trowa we must hurry, this is not good at all."
Trowa nodded once and accelerated, this threw a new light on things. The appearance of Wufei's once thought dead wife shook his composure and he became afraid.
Heero burst through the clearing and was met by a sight that shocked him to his very core. Wufei lay in a circle of blood, his body a tattered mass of shredded skin, his assailant looked up and smiled with bloody teeth that horrified Heero. Duo looked at the sight once in horror before his face locked into a mask of pain and intense anger. Heero watched in shock as the creature dropped Wufei's body and turned so that he could finally see its face. All thoughts fled as he saw the face presented," No……it can't be…Wufei showed me her death. That cannot be……Nataku?"
Nataku looked up, everything was going as she had planned, finding Wufei after so long felt so good. Finally she would have her revenge, she had waited so long for this day. He had to suffer, she would make sure he saw his friends die before she killed him. It was a pity that she couldn't have found Draakel, that would have made her revenge complete. To convince Wufei that his long lost love had returned and then had died again because of him would have been so divine. That sort of anguish really gave her pleasure, oh well she would just have to make do with his friends. She brushed a hand across her lips, she had wanted to taste Wufei once more before she killed him and she had gotten carried away but no matter, he only looked dead, he still had a few moments before she did away with him. She turned her attention to the person in front of her.
Heero's anger grew as he watched the condition of Wufei's body, he had done nothing to deserve this and this creature would pay dearly for what she had done. He let his control slip and sought his other form, he would do away with this creature quickly. Nataku watched in disbelief as a True born appeared in front of her, there had been no warning. The person had appeared human and now he was changing right before her.
Heero bowed as his spine lengthened and split to reform and shape his new body. Clear fluid spilled out of his skin as it stretched and changed colour. Fur spread across his skin as he grew to a height of 7 feet, his bones lengthening and his body shifting to accommodate his new mass. His mouth opened in a silent scream and fangs sprouted from both his upper and lower jaws. His eyes opened and closed and opened again to reveal glowing orbs of power. His hands clenched as talons grew out of them and then the transformation was complete, where there had been a young human man there now stood a True born, a powerful adversary. Nataku smiled, at last a real challenge.
Duo moved to the side of Heero as he watched the transformation, no matter how many times he saw it, it still amazed him and frightened him to see the power that his beloved possessed. He sent out a call to Anita and was relived to learn that she was only a few minutes behind them. He turned his attention to the sight before him. Nataku smiled as she took in the sight, a True born after all this time. She held up a hand and as he watched in puzzlement she made her move. Unlike Wufei she only wore her human form to move about, she had her dragon form with her at all times. This time was no different, she leaped up into the air and let the transformation take over.
Wings sprouted from her back as her spine cracked and began to grow. Her torso shifted and flowed outwards as her body lengthened, her arms and legs became strong stumps of power as the weak human limbs grew and formed into thick arms with long talons at the fingertips. Her legs grew outwards and bent inwards to shift her weight, claws grew and clicked dangerously. Her tail sprouted from the end of her spine and lengthened to help her flight. Her wings grew up and out and ended with talons at the end of them, her body shifted and finally turned a scaly shimmering green. Her jaw grew out and opening her mouth, sharp teeth and upper and lower fangs could be seen forming. She was huge and Duo watched in fear as she dove towards Heero.
A warning shriek tore threw the air as Heero dove out of the way, and came up behind her, using the backlash of air he jumped up and landed on her back and began to tear into her scaled skin. She roared her defiance and shook her body from side to side to dislodge Heero. He held on as she began to twist around in the air. Keeping his claws in her hide, he began to bite her neck in the hope that he could sever an artery and incapacitate her. Blood streamed from her sides and back as Heero ruthlessly tore into her trying to kill her. With an unearthly shriek she rolled over in the air once more and raced towards the trees, a last minute tactic to save herself. The trees caught in Heero's fur and dragged him from her back, as he landed with a heavy thump Duo ran to his side. Duo was afraid, Heero bled from all manner of wounds where her talons had caught in his fur and he had to force himself not to ask Heero to stop fighting. He watched as Heero shook himself and turned to face him.
" She's verrry powerrrful but weak, we can kill herrrr." Heero's words were growled as he fought to keep a rein on his emotions. He was very sensitive to the emotions around him and Duo's fear and helpless anger did nothing but enrage him further. With a nod to Duo, Heero went after Nataku again.
Anita burst into the clearing followed by Jason, they took in the sights before them, a bloody and battered Wufei lay in a circle, A very large lycanthrope and a Dragon fought in midair and Duo stood to the side watching with fear etched on his face. Anita shook her head, she knew this scene all to well. She just hoped that things would be alright. Jason looked on in horror, his beloved was still alive but there was no way that he could reach him. Another dragon was a shock to him, but it wasn't as big as a shock to see that the dragon was Nataku and he looked over to Anita to see her reaction. She looked stunned but not overly surprised. He turned his attention to the fight before him, Heero looked as though he was gaining the upper hand until a well placed blow knocked him off of his feet. Nataku's head smashed into him and he went sailing into a tree that knocked him unconscious. Duo gasped and ran over to him while Nataku looked on triumphant.
" You can't hope to defeat me, I have bessted your champion and now you will all die."
Anita had no ideas, this was taking a turn for the worse and she really didn't want anyone of her new family to die. She ran to the circle that bound Wufei, it was a circle to keep him in and to keep anyone else from entering. She didn't know what to do, she couldn't break the circle. Jason watched as Anita came to realize that she could do nothing, and made his decision. Silently apologizing to Wufei for doing this, he ran towards Nataku. Changing as he ran he quickly used the advantage of surprise to attack her. He raced up her body and latched onto her neck, where a wound had already been made by Heero. Nataku roared in pain and tried to attack this new foe. Wufei's friends were all supposed to be humans, this was not how she had planned this. Everything was turning out wrong, she roared in pain and sought to gain an advantage over this new challenge.
Quatre, Trowa, Richard, Jean-Claude and all those she had requested as backup burst through the trees into the clearing and stopped, all were struck speechless at the sight before them. An extremely large Lycanthrope lay against a tree while a beautiful and worried young man took care of him. A young man lay in a circle all bloodied and battered while Anita stood just outside, a helpless look on her face. A Dragon and a Lycanthrope that appeared to be Jason fought in mid-air and both seemed to be losing. Richard was struck dumb by all this, but the sight of Anita looking helpless really threw him for a loop. He was accustomed to an enraged Anita, a scared Anita, a confused Anita but he had never seen a helpless Anita before tonight. He went to her side and stood there as she looked down into the circle.
" I can't break it, I've tried everything but it won't open."
" Its all right we'll figure something out, we always do."
Looking up into Richard's eyes, Anita smiled and nodded, she felt better but she was still worried.
Quatre and Trowa raced over to Duo, Trowa took Heero into his arms and held on as Heero tried to reverse the change. A few moments later and an exhausted Heero slumped forward into Duo's arms. Duo thanked Trowa gratefully as Quatre went to work on Heero's body. This really was turning out to be a bad night.
Wufei swam up out of the darkness and opened his eyes. He blinked to clear his vision, and the first thing he saw was Jason attacking Nataku, he would recognize his beloved's power signature anywhere. He watched in horror as Nataku drew blood from Jason and he did the same to her. He knew something bad was going to happen and within moments it did. Jason was thrown off balance and Nataku plunged talons into him and ripped him open. Wufei screamed in disbelief as Jason's body plunged to the ground and landed with a sickening crack. That sight gave him the power to break the spell that held him, as Anita and Richard watched in stunned shock, Wufei got up and raced towards Nataku.
Wings sprouted from his back and his arms formed into talons as he sought to bring about her destruction. As soon as he was in reach of her he attacked, the rest of the change followed as Wufei tried desperately to kill the creature that had taken his beloved from him. His talons found their way through her hide and with a wet crack, they plunged into her neck which Wufei ripped out. He listened in satisfaction as he heard he gasp of disbelief right before she died. He let go and jumped away from her body as it fell to the ground and then he silently landed.
All was quiet as the new Dragon moved toward the fallen body of Jason1. He was beautiful, his body was a rich iridescent blue that shimmered in the moonlight. Blood glistened on huge talons and a large tail swept across the clearing behind him. Wings of the deepest blue were now folded into his sides and his large head was bowed with grief. His eyes were of midnight black and shone with unshed tears. His horns were of the palest white and his bared teeth and fangs shone out of a red mouth that was opened in pain.
As he moved towards Jason, pain filled Wufei's heart and curling himself around his beloved's body he opened his mouth and roared his grief to the moon. All present shivered in response as the extent of the Dragon's pain reached them and pierced them to their very core. All was quiet, the dead silence broken only by the sounds of approaching police vehicles and yet no-one moved.
The silence was then broken by a shout from Duo, all eyes turned towards him as he raced to Anita's side. With a surprised expression on her face as he whispered to her, all watched as they both moved towards the body and the Dragon before them. All assembled watched in disbelief as the young man reached up to stroke the Dragon's brow in a reassuring motion as Anita settled down next to Jason's body. The two people then bent down and seemed to begin a ritual, a ritual that all hoped would make things alright.
Jean-Claude looked on in surprise as he saw the people that Anita had spent most of her time with. A very different and a very powerful Lycanthrope had just changed into the young man called Heero that he had met a day ago. A Dragon had just been killed while another Dragon lay in mourning over the body of Jason. Anita and Duo had just gone over to this new Dragon with no fear whatsoever and were attempting some sort of ritual. These events all seemed to hold great promise for him and looking on he began to formulate ways to get them all involved with him.
Duo hoped this would work, while everyone had reacted in stunned disbelief at Jason's death, he had remembered the incident with the little girl and shouting over to Anita he went to her side and suggested that they see what they could do for him and Wufei. Wufei for his part was still in shock over the second loss of his life mate and he could do nothing as Duo reached up to comfort him. Anita sat down and extended her senses over Jason's body, amazingly enough he was still there, fighting to hold on. It was as though he knew that they were going to try and help him. Duo sat on the other-side of Jason and took some of his blood and smeared it over his hands and lay them on the chest of Jason.
Anita had said that Jason was still there, weakening by the minute but holding on. With a prayer to all the powers that be, Duo focused his power on Jason and began to call him back. At first it seemed as though it was not working but them Jason gasped and opened his eyes. Looking up he smiled and said weakly," hey what took you guys so long?"
The twins laughed joyfully even as they began to cry in relief. Reaching down to Jason they hauled him up and into their arms. Looking up, Jason smiled into the shocked face of Wufei. " Hello beloved, we seem to be falling into each other's arms quite a lot. We really need to stop doing this."
The only answer he got was a very wet slurp as Wufei ran his tongue across Jason's now very alive body. Wufei roared his joy to the moon even as he began to shrink into his human shape, stunning all those around him again.
The two lovers latched onto one another as Heero, Trowa and Quatre made their way over to them. They all touched Jason and Wufei, simple touch communicating what words could not. As the police pulled up, the other lycanthropes and vampires faded into the night, and Anita took out her badge. It was the end of another nightmare, the night had called and they had answered, a new threat had been defeated and their home was safe once more. It was all they could ask for, for now.
The End.
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Notes:
1) All Lycanthropes change back to their human form at the moment of their death or when they have exhausted themselves to the point of unconsciousness. In the books, Lycanthropes are able to heal life-threatening wounds, even those as severe as a ripped off limb etc. Anita as Lupa and Richard as Ulfric would have been able to save Jason had they both reached him in time but Anita by herself could not do it without releasing the munin. That was another problem they didn't need so Duo had to do it. For the purpose of this fic, Jason's wounds were too serious to be healed and so he died but held on long enough to be recalled by Duo.
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When the Night Calls by Romyra
Epilogue
Everything had turned out all right in the end, although everyone from Vampires to Lycanthropes were insatiably curious as to what the hell was a Dragon doing in West Key. They were supposed to be extinct, that little tidbit had been blown all to hell and now everyone wanted a chance to talk to Wufei and find out what had really happened to the rest of his clan. It got so bad that Heero took matters into his own hands or rather his own talons.
He called all the curious and changed in front of them, he then proved that he was indeed stronger and more powerful that all the Ulfrics, (read alpha werewolves) combined. He then politely asked all those assembled to leave Wufei alone, so that he could enjoy life with his life-mate. Oh yeah and Jason and Wufei had this big formal ceremony and proclaimed their everlasting love to the world, as they pledged themselves to one another again. Anyway Heero scared the crap out of all those who came to the assembly, and they all promised on pain of death to leave Wufei alone. That done he changed back and thanked them all for coming and asked them not to be strangers to his family. He then left, needless to say the preternatural community had gossip for weeks.
Duo and Heero have been helping me with the marks, I am now more powerful than Jean-Claude and Richard a fact that brings me no end of pleasure. Thanks to my brother and his lover I can now enjoy sex without falling down into an abyss. However I haven't tried anything as yet, I wouldn't want the boys to get trigger-happy. Quatre and Trowa are still around, they adopted a little boy and a little girl who both had been orphaned at birth. Quatre says he sees something happening that involves to two of them and he wants to be there when it happens. As it turns out they were True born twins and that amazed the hell out of Heero who thought that he was the last True born. Duo is overjoyed at being a God-father and the two of them spoil the twins rotten.
Wufei and Jason are inseparable and they follow each other no matter where the other is going. Jean-Claude was annoyed that none of the members of my new family would volunteer to be under his wing. The fact that my brother is a Resurrector really surprised him and I really thought that he would have gotten the hint especially when Trowa showed him his wings and told him to bugger off and leave Quatre the hell alone. The look of amazement on the faces of everyone nearly killed me. You could see that they were dying to ask questions but one look from Heero and they abandoned that idea.
Well onto the crime scene, Nataku changed into her human form when she died and I was able to convince Dolph that there was no other involvement on the part of my brother and his friends. They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He watched me suspiciously for a long moment before giving up and leaving. Duo has special permission to work with me whenever I think that I need him. Which is most of the time, Richard still gets jealous whenever I go out with Duo, but I don't really care he needs to stop being a stick in the mud.
Dancing and clubbing with Duo has been a trip and Jean-Claude is amused to no end, especially when Duo insists on dancing with him. He of course always gives in, Duo can be very persuasive when he wants something. He also likes it when Heero gets jealous, apparently the sex is great when Heero feels that he has to mark Duo as his. I have been woken up at all hours of the night as they go at it and Duo graciously allows me to live vicariously through him.
Life has never been as strange as this and I must say that I enjoy everything that comes my way. Nathaniel has been taken under Trowa's wing so to speak. The gentleman in question had been Trowa from the start, he just didn't know how to tell me but with Trowa being a part of my family now I was fine with it. He is doing better, the best that he has ever done and I have Quatre to thank for that. He took one look at Nathaniel and smiled that soft smile of his and began to share him with Trowa. I think that they have all never been happier.
So there you have it another chapter in this world and in this life that is mine. Just so you know Heero and Duo have been playing havoc with my senses I do believe that I will start to make-up with Jean-Claude and/or Richard or maybe with the two of them, who knows? Having a brother like Duo has changed me and I like it, I do, I really do. As far as I am concerned the next few years will be the best ever and as Duo said we have all the time in the world.
The End…
Final notes:
1) They have all the time in the world because they are all bound to creatures who are immortal, at least in the sense of being able to live forever. Even though they can be killed, long life is a definite factor. Besides, the fact that everyone is so powerful really helps in the avoidance of unwanted wars and this always furthers a life span.