New Emotions and Blood Author Psykorabbit2000 Scene 1 Atlantis Palace KING HWANG, QUEEN MEI LING, and ALLURA are sitting at a table. Several papers are setting on the table as well. King Hwang picks up on of the scrolls and opens it. He quickly reads it and nods. He rolls it up and hands it to Allura. King Hwang “This is a proposed outline for the trades between Atlantis and Aldebaran. I want it to be delivered directly to the Queen.” Allura (nodding) ”Yes your highness. I am sure that the damages from the last fight have been mostly repaired, so I should be able to speak with the Queen.” Queen Mie Ling (curious) ”I read the report about the battle. I noticed that there was no mention of what happened to the Aldebaran named Belle. I read what Master Oni Kinjite did to her and then there was no mention of what happened to her after that.” Allura (with a shrug) ”I’m not sure. I will ask while I am there if you wish.” Queen Mei Ling nods and studies Allura. Queen Mei Ling (thinking) Allura slowly stands up and bows to the King and Queen. Allura (bowing) ”I should be going. I believe the shuttle is ready and waiting for me to deliver the first shipments of trade, in good faith.” Queen Mei Ling (standing) “I will walk with you to your shuttle. I have a couple of questions for you.” Allura nods and waits for the Queen to stand beside her. They turn and walk out the door. A few moments of silence go by as they walk. Allura (calmly) ”So what are you questions, your highness?” Queen Mei Ling (while walking) ”Allura, have you given any thought to your future?” Allura (walking) ”Such as?” Queen Mei Ling “Don’t you feel the pulling of your maternal instincts?” Allura stops in mid stride and looks at the Queen in shock. Allura (stunned) ”What?” Queen Mei Ling (smiling) ”You know, have you thought of becoming a mother? I see you always devoting so much time to the throne and helping your dad. I have seen you leap in to the jaws of war with your dad with out a second thought.” Allura (still stunned) ”Me? A mother?” Queen Mei Ling (nodding) ”If not a mother, have you at least considered marrying? You are a beautiful young feline and I am sure it would be easy for you to find a husband.” Allura blushes at the Queen’s words and looks down the hall to make sure that no one is around to hear the conversation. Queen Mei Ling (concerned) ”Is this subject bothering your, Allura? I was positive that you and your dad would have talked about it before he was exiled.” Allura (taking a deep breath) “Your highness, dad and I didn’t get to talk about a lot of things before things happened. As for marriage, I don’t know. I have heard the guards mention that I am to tomboyish to really catch a male’s eye.” Queen Mei Ling (motioning for them to walk) ”Really? You remind me a lot about the stories of Great Priestess Ayeka. She was a fighter as well. Yet she found love and she had one kitten. Look how that kitten ended up. If you want, I could arrange for a small party for single males to come to the palace and you could meet them.”” Allura (shaking her head as they walk) ”Thank you, but no thanks. If I meet the right male, I want it to be on my terms” Queen Mei Ling (nodding) ”I understand. I just thought it would be nice to be able to show your dad his grand children when he returns form the exile.” Allura (muttering) ”With a twenty year exile, there is a good chance he would be meeting his great grand kids.” Queen Mei lIng looks at her, having heard what she said and nods. They round a corner and Allura’s ship is waiting for her ahead of them. Queen Mei Ling turns to Allura and gently claps her shoulder. Queen Mei Ling (gently) ”I hope you have a safe journey, Allura. As for our topic, I was only curious. I meant you no insult or sense of prying in my questions. I was only curious.” Allura (nodding) ”I understand your highness. It is a subject I have not given much though and maybe you’re right. As for the curiosity, remember what curiosity did to the cat?” Queen Mei Ling (ears slightly drooping) ”Yeah, it killed my uncle.” Allur (covering her mouth in shock) ”Oh stars! I didn’t mean to insult your family!” Queen Mei Ling (smiling) ”I guess we are even then.” Allura nods and walks towards the shuttle. Queen Mei Ling watches it take off and disappear into the evening sky. Scene 2 Allura’s Shuttle, space Allura is sitting in the pilot’s seat, monitoring the readings. Suddenly, the sirens start blaring and she looks up at the screen. Computer Voice (over intercom) “Danger! Danger! Sensors have detected a large anomaly approaching at speeds greater than Mark 3! Evasive measures are recommended!” Allura (punching keys and taking control of the shuttle) ”Great, I don’t need this right know!” She begins setting coordinates and preparing for hyperspace. Computer Voice “Impact in 10, 9, 8,…” Allura (angrily) ”Screw it!” She flips the hyper space and the ship leaps into hyper space, without coordinates in the navigation computer. The last thing Allura remembers it a wall of energy slams into her and everything goes black. On a dark planet… A young male Bat is standing on a cliff side watching the moon slowly cross the dark sky. He is tall and slender, dressed in fine clothing. He has his wings wrapped around him, as if a large leathery cloak. His arms crossed across his firm chest. His name is Andre Von Nightwings, son of Baron Nightwings the lord of the second house of the Planet Nocturas. He sighs as the second and third moon rise. Andrew (to himself) “It is time to feed, again.” His wings unfurl and extend to their full length, stretching. He adjust his collar as his wings stretch and then leaps off the cliff. He silently glides through the air towards a village of lower class peasants. He lands gently on a church steeple, standing by the religious symbol. His eyes slowly scan the streets below. Andre (thinking glumly) ”It is the same every damn night. I come here and search for a young female to feed upon and send her along her way, exhausted. I hate this life! These villagers struggle to survive, not being born of our lineage of bats and we treat them like cattle! I do any different; father will feed on me and replace me with another child!” His eyes fall on a female hare walking down the street. She has a shawl wrapped around her head and neck. Andrew slowly opens his wings and glides along above her. He lands on a tavern roof and sees her disappear into an alley. He drops over the side and lands behind her. She starts and turns around and takes a step back in horror. He slowly takes a hold of her shoulders, gently. Andrew (as his fangs extend) ”Forgive me, young lady.” The alley grows darker and no one hears the gasp of pain from with in it. A few moments later… Andrew gently checks the hare’s neck for a pulse. He finds one, steady. He stands and nods He leaps into the air and his wings catch the wind and he soars upward. The taste of the hare’s blood is still strong in his mouth. Suddenly his ears twitch and he immediately dives towards the ground. Just a mere foot or two above him, a shuttle streaks through the air and slams into the ground. Andrew (regain his balance) ”Stupid Pilots! Don’t they watch the flight paths?” He flips around and looks to the shuttle. He notices it is buried nose first into the ground and it is a style of shuttle he has never seen. He flaps his wings to maintain his position and studies the shuttle. Andrew (intrigued) ”Interesting, I’v e never seen that model.” He glides down and lands beside the shuttle. He circles it and finds the air lock. He tries the normal access codes for the shuttles he knows. None work. Andrew (to himself) ”Not one of ours and apparently not one of the traders either.” Suddenly an older bat lands beside him and Andrew turns and bows. Older Bat (gruffly) ”Who’s shuttle is it?” Andrew (politely) ”I do not know father. The access codes do not respond to it.” (he walks around and peers through the cockpit window) ”There is someone in there!” Older Bat (irritated) ”Of course there is fool! Open it! IF the codes don’t work, improvise!” Andrew nods and quickly makes his way back to the air lock. He raises his hands. The tips grow long claws and his arms swell in size. He sinks the claws into the air lock and pulls. Several seconds go by with him pulling. Suddenly the door bends outwards and finally slides open. Andrew drops to the ground exhausted. The old bat nods, approvingly. Old bat (gruffly) ”I can see that he feedings have finally started making you stronger. Now go see who is in there!” Andrew nods and stands up. He walks through the air lock and into the main bay. He carefully studies it as he walks along. He quickly makes his way to the cockpit. He forces the door open and carefully walks in. Lying on the control panel is the unconscious form he saw. It is a feline with long streaked hair. He gently feels for a pulse and finds one. Andrew (thinking) ”A strong pulse. Good.” He gently rolls the form over and discovers it is a female. Andrew (quietly) ”A feline female?” (Notices the sword strapped to her back) ”A warrior as well? Interesting.” He quickly examines her body and finds no wounds. He gently scoops her up and makes his way out. The Old Bat is standing there waiting. Old Bat (as Andrew walks out of the air lock) ”Took your time. “ (sees the form in his arms) ”Is she alive?” Andrew (nodding) ”Yes, I am going to take her to the Manor to wait for her to awake. She crashed on our lands, so shall I send guards to watch over the shuttle?” Old Bat (nodding) ”Yes, the spirits are becoming restless. I have a bad feeling about this next couple of days. I want double the guards watching this shuttle and I want the guards doubled at the Manor.” Andrew nods and leaps in to he air, his wings catching as much wind as possible. He quickly flies off into the night. The Old Bat looks at the shuttle and pokes his head into the air lock. He walks around and enters the cargo bay. He opens a crate and sees some writing on a package. His eyes narrow. Old Bat (hissing in anger) ”Aldebaran writing! Those witches are still alive?” HE turns and walks out the air lock. He leaps into the air and his wings snap out. He quickly soars off into the night. Scene 3 Nightwings Manor Allura slowly opens her eyes. She feels the throbbing pain behind her eyes and raises a paw to rub her temples. She feels something lying across her body and she feels extreme softness beneath her. She lowers her paw and looks around. She finds herself in a large bed with dark curtains hanging around it. She slowly sits up and looks around. There is a silken blanket laying over her and she is lying in the middle of the bed. She gently pushes down on the bed and it is a soft and gentle as a cloud. She looks behind her and sees large overstuffed pillows. Allura (as she slides to the edge of the bed) “Where am i?” She starts to get out of bed and realizes her clothing is missing. She quickly looks around as she holds the blanket over her body. The room is fairly large and spacious. There are shelves of books and chairs all around. There are a couple of candlesticks lit at various points in the room. The atmosphere is soothing and gentle. She turns as a door opens. A tall slender male bat walks in and gently bows to her. Allura (cautiously) ”Who are you?” Bat (with a gentle smile) ”My name is Andrew Von Nightwings, milady. I am glad to see you were not severely injured in your accident. May I ask you name?” Allura (watching him) ”My name is Allura. Where are my belongings?” Andrew (nodding) ”I brought you in here and had the servants remove your clothing and check for any wounds.” He raises a finger and Allura turns her head. She sees her clothes, nicely folded, floating towards her. The pile is gently set on the bed beside her. Her boots are set at her feet and her sword is set on the table beside her. Andrew (nodding to the space in front of Allura) ”Thank you and that will be all. Leave us.” Allura looked around and then back at him. Allura (curious) ”Who are you talking to?” Andrew (pointing to a space) ”One of our servants. Here on Nocturas, we use spirits as servants. It is easier than trying to keep enough different foods to feed all different types of life.” Allura looks at him and raises an eyebrow. Allura “Let me get this straight. You brought me here and had a spirit undress me?” Andrew (slightly blushing) ”It wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to do it.” (turns around) ”I was asked to bring you to meet my father. If you would be kind enough to get dressed.” Allura sat there and studied the bat. He was about half a foot taller than her and slender built. Allura shrugged and quickly pulled on her body suit. When she set the blanket aside, it folded up and set at the foot of the bed. Allura watched it float over and shook her head. At the sound of a slight cough from ANderw, Allura smiled. Allura (closing up the front of her shirt) ”I’m dressed, you can turn around.” Andrew turns around and Allura stands up and adjust her hair. Andrew studies her as she does this. Andrew (thinking) Allura adjust her boots and straps her sword to her back. She looks at Andrew and nods. He nods back and walks out the door. Allura follows him and studies the place as they walk. All the furniture is made out of dark polished oak. The carpet is plush under their feet as they walk. There are pictures of male and female bats hanging on the walls. They walk down a long hall and into a large room. Sitting behind a desk on the far end of the hall is the old bat from the landing site. Andrew bows towards him and Allura does as well. Andrew (indicting to the old bat) ”This is my father, Baron Nightwings. Father, this is Allura.” Baron Nightwings (thinking) (out loud) ”I trust you are well after your rough landing and that the servants have tended to your needs?” Allura “Yes sir. I do have to admit it is a little disturbing having spirits handle my clothing.” Baron Nightwings (nodding) ”We have always expected that the varying mammals we watch over will always aid us, even after their death. In return, we protect them.” Allura stands there and listens to him talk, but notices the discomfort on Andrew’s face. She returns her focus to Baron and nods. Allura (nodding) ”I see. Don’t think that I am trying to judge your ways. There are several races and several cultures. If I may ask, how badly was my shuttle damaged on landing?” Andrew (coughing slightly) ”It was damaged and I ended up damaging it a little further getting you out.” Allura looks at him and nods. Allura (with a shrug) ”How badly was it damaged?” Baron Nightwings (pointing to Andrew) ”My son damaged your airlock when he pulled it open to get you out of the shuttle. Andrew, you will take her there and see what she needs to fix her shuttle.” Andrew nods and turns to Allura. Andrew (politely) ”If you will follow me, I will show you to your shuttle.” Allura nods and they walk out of the room. Neither of them sees Baron Nightwings glare at Allura. Baron Nightwings (thinking) Outside… Allura looked around as Andrew walked in to gather a few items. She saw some fruit trees and walked over to them. She studied one of the fruits and felt that she had seen it before. She heard a heavy footstep behind her and turned around. Three was a large baboon standing behind her. What she noticed first was the state of its body. The flesh was hanging off its arms and face. Its eyes were sunken in and dead in appearance. It opened its mouth and she saw that all of its teeth were rotten and busted. Allura steps back in shock and it reaches for her. With out even thinking, she whips her sword out and takes the baboon’s head clean off its shoulders. The body falls over and she stands there horrified, as she watches it stand back up. It turns to her again and starts to reach for her. Andrew (walking up) ”Enough! She is a guest!” The body stops and steps back. Andrew walks over and picks up the head. Andrew (handing the head back to the body) ”Here, pull yourself together and go do patrols.” The body puts its head back on and shambles off. Andrew turns to Allura and she is standing there in horror and shock. Andrew (smiling weakly) ”I guess I should have told you about our guards. Sorry.” Allura (shocked) ”You use zombies as guards! That is sick!” Andrew lowers his head and nods. Andrew (quietly) ”I know, but it is custom and has been practiced for several thousands of generations. My ancestors believed that once our servants physical bodies died and their spirits were no longer in them, we could do what we wanted with the bodies.” Allura looks at him in utter shock and disgust. Andrew looks away from her. Andrew (quietly) ”It is a life I have grown to hate.” (looks at her) ”It will be faster to fly, if you will trust me, or we can walk.” Allura shakes her head and clears it quickly. She looks at Andrew again. Allura (with a smile) ”They say that faster is better.” Andrew nods and offers her a paw. She takes it and he pulls her in close. He gently scoops her up and leaps into the air. They quickly soar across the dark country side. After about ten minutes, they land beside the shuttle. Allura looks around and sees several more zombies standing around. She shivers slightly and walks up to the air lock. She looks at it and then at Andrew. Allura (thinking) ”He did this? He has to be as tough as a Betelgusian Berserker to be able to do this!” She shakes her head and walks inside. She walks up to the control panel and starts flipping a few switches. Andrew walks in with her and looks around He sits in the copilot seat and watches her. Allura (leaning back in her chair) ”Well, the navigation computer is up and running. My accelerator is out of fuel, but working. The computer says that I was struck by something and it tore my fuel tanks open. So I don’t know how far I flew, before I landed.” Andrew (curious) ”So, how about the rest of your shuttle? I mean, you are sitting nose first in the ground.” Allura looks at him and raises an eyebrow. Allura (curious) ”I mean? You talk differently when you aren’t in front of your dad?” Andrew (looking down) ”Just because I live this life doesn’t mean I like it. I actually hate it.” Allura turns her seat around and faces him. Allura (interested) ”Tell me about your life. The computer is running a check on the hull and it will take a little while.” Andrew (looking out the window) ”It is a dark life. My family has been in control of these lands for several thousands of generations. They have treated those who live here as cattle. They are used to sate the hunger that is within all of us. I try to fight the hunger, but eventually I have to give in.” Allura (nervous) ”What is this hunger?” Andrew (looking at her) ”The hunger for blood. My people have a tendency towards vampirism. We can feed on normal food, but our bodies crave the taste of blood. It makes us stronger. It is a curse.” (he gets up and walks down the corridor) ”I have been fighting with it for three hundred years, since it was awakened in me.” Allura (following him) ”You actually feed on blood?” Andrew stops and looks at her. He nods quietly and looks out the air lock. Andrew (quietly) ”I hate it. Every time I try to talk with the villagers, they are afraid of me. They think that I am there to feed on them.” (he lowers his head) ”They think I am like my ancestors.” Allura (gently) ”What were they like?” Andrew (quietly) ”They would feed on a mammal until the mammal was dead and then use its body as they wished.” (looks at Allura) ”I don’t feed on the villagers like that. I only take as little as possible. I have only fed on one until she died, but that was my first time and I didn’t know how to control myself.” Allura (quietly) ”Can you control yourself now?” Andrew (nodding) ”For the most part, but if I wait to long then it is harder to stop.” They stand there and look at each other in silence. Several moments go by and then there is a beep from the cockpit. Allura jumps slightly and shakes her head and walks into the cockpit. There are a few sheets of paper, which she picks up. Andrew walks in behind her. Andrew (curious) ”Good news?” Allura (after reading) ”Well, it seems that there are no hull breaches and I can use the nano- bots to fix the door and tanks, but it will take close to ninety-six hours to do this. After that I can empty my reserve tanks into my main tanks and leave. So I am looking at about four and a half days until I can fly.” She looks up at Andrew and he nods. Andrew (with a smile) ”Well, that is good news. In that case, consider yourself a guest of Nightwings Manor for the time it takes for your ship to be ready to fly again.” Allura (smiling) ”Which room do I use?” Andrew (smiling back) ”The one I put you in. It is the guest room after all” Allura laughs and folds up the papers. Allura (chuckling) ”Oh, I get a comfy bed!” Andrew laughs as he hears this and they walk out the airlock. He gently takes her in his arms again and scoops her up. He leaps into the air again and they soar through the night sky towards the Manor. Scene 4 NIghtwings Manor Baron Nightwing is standing in his office window. He sees his son returning with Allura in his arms. His eyes narrows as he sees that her arms around his neck. Baron Nightwing (glowering) ”I will not tolerate her if she attempts to be with my son! No son of mine will be with a witch!” (he turns to a spirit behind him) ”I want you to watch over him and tell me everything that happens!” He turns and watches them land. Outside… Allura steps away from Andrew. Allura (pleasantly) ”I was wonder something. Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Andrew (folding his wings around him) ”I have one sister. My mom didn’t live through my birth.” Allura (quietly) ”I’m sorry to hear that.” Voice (from the house) ”Don’t worry about it to much. We’re better off without her.” Allura and Andrew turn to the house. Standing on the front porch is a female bat. She is wearing a snug blouse and pants. Her chestnut hair is pulled back in a ponytail. She walks up and nods to Andrew. Female Bat (teasing) “So little brother, is this the off worlder you rescued? Andrew (smiling) ”Allura, I would like you to meet my older sister, Emily. Emily, this is Allura. Her shuttle slammed into the planet. She will be staying with us for about four days.” Emily nods and offers a paw to Allura. Allura shakes it gently. Emily (pleasantly) ”It is a pleasure to meet you, Allura. I was a little curious about who it was that my little brother rescued.” (looks at Andrew) ”I wanted to warn you. Something has seemed to put father in a bad mood, so watch your step.” (looks at Allura, smiling) ”It is a pleasure to meet you. I wish I could stay and talk, but I have to go deal with the mayor of the village. He seems to think that the taxes are too high again and I get the wonderful privilege of trying to settle things between the Manor and village.” Allura nods and watches as the young female bat leaps into the air and spreads her wings. Andrew watches his sister for a few seconds and turns to Allura. Andrew (smiling) ”Well, as a guest of the Manor, what would you like to do to pass your time?” Allura (smiling) ”Why don’t you show me around? I would love to learn more about your family and people.” Andrew nods and heads towards his home. They walk in and head down a hall. Andrew (while walking) ”Our people are a special breed of bats. We are born as normal bats, but as we grow older our body changes. We end up developing the Hunger. When the hunger awakens, we age at a greatly reduced rate.” Allura “What are the benefits of the Hunger?” Andrew “Well, each time we feed the Hunger, we become stronger. We can store the strength up in us or use it immediately.” Allura (nodding) ”I see. Is that how you were able to pull open my air lock?” Andrew (nodding) “Correct. The older the bat, the stronger he/she is. Where I was barely strong enough to pull open your air lock, my father probably could have torn the entire door off.” They turn a corner and Allura sees several statues and pictures along the walls. Allura (looking around) ”What is this room?” Andrew (respectively) ”This is the Hall of Ancestors. This is where we keep track of those of my family that have made an impact on Nocturas in one way or another.” Allura (gently taking Andrew’s arm) ”Can you tell me about them?” Andrew looks down at her and smiles. He motions towards the hall and they walk in. A few hours later… Allura is sitting on a bench outside. She watches as a moon sets. She looks over as she hears a footstep and sees Baron Nightwings landing beside her. Allura (politely) ”Greetings, Baron Nightwings.” Baron Nightwinds glares at her. Baron Nightwings (coldly) ”Don’t play innocent with me, Aldebaran! I know who you are and don’t think I forgot what happened all those years ago! I’m watching you!” Allura (raising an eyebrow) ”Excuse me? Aldebaran? I think you are mistaken.” Baron Nightwings (almost yelling) ”I am not mistaken! I know an Aldebaran when I see one! All of you witches are the same! You deceive everyone to get your way and I won’t tolerate it here!” Allura starts to stand, when Andrew walks through the door. Andrew (noticing his father) ”Is everything alright, father?” Baron Nightwings (keeping an eye on Allura) ”Everything’s fine, son. Why don’t you take Miss Allura down to the village and have a pleasant meal in the diner.” Allura (watching Baron Nightwings) ”Sounds like a lovely idea. I would like to see the village a little.” Andrew (with a shrug) ”Sure, I was going to ask if you wanted to go there for dinner anyways.” He offers his arm and Allura takes it. She notices the expression change on Baron Nightwings face as she does. They turn and walk from the house. To Allura’s surprise, Andrew walks her around to the front of the house and there is a carriage there. He opens the door and gently helps her into it and climbs in himself. He pushes a button and the carriage gently glides down the countryside. Allura (looking at Andrew) ”I don’t think your father likes me for some reason. And he keeps thinking I am an Aldebaran.” Andrew (surprised) ”You’re not an Aldebaran?” Allura (shaking her head) “No, I am an Atlantean. We are usually mistaken for Aldebarans. We come from Atlantis.” Andrew nods and smiles. Andrew (smiling) ”I humbly ask for your forgiveness for a mistake such as that.” Allura (smiling) ”Fair enough. You have answered a lot of questions for me today. It is only fair enough I answer questions for you now.” Andrew sits back and looks at her. His eyes trace her slender body and gentle face. His eyes fall on the sword on her back. Andrew ”Tell a little about your sword. I notice you seem to relax when it was given to you.” Allura (removing the sword) “It was given to me by someone I loved.” Andrew ”Oh, I see. Who might this person be?” Allura (quietly) ”He was my first real boyfriend. He started teaching me how to sword fight. He was one of the best.” Andrew (concerned) “You speak as if he is dead. Is he?” Allura (quietly) ”He was killed by another Atlantean. The other one was angered by the attention I was receiving. This sword iss all I have left of him.” Andrew gently reaches over and takes one of her paws. She looks up and he sees the sadness in her eyes. Andrew (smiling) ”At least you still remember him. What was his name?” Allura (quietly) ”His name was Alexander. He was one of the best sword fighters on Atlantis.” Andrew (thoughtfully) ”Alexander, a strong name and from what you say, a strong cat as well.” Allura gently wipes a tear from her eye and Andrew squeezes her paw. He slowly moves over and sits by her and gently puts an arm around her. They ride the rest of the way in silence with Allura in Andrew’s arms for comfort. Later that night… Andrew walks Allura to the room she is staying in. Andrew (at the door) ”If you need me for anything…” (points to the door across the hall) ”..my room is right there.” Allura nods as she looks at her feet. Andrew gently puts a finger under her chin and lifts her head. Andrew (concerned) ”What’s wrong?” Allura (quietly) ”I have an awkward favor to ask, but I am afraid to ask.” Andrew (smiling gently) ”Go ahead and ask.” Allura (embarrassed) ”I really don’t want to sleep alone tonight. The memories of Alexander usually bring up nightmares.” (she looks down quickly) ”I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” She puts her paw on the door to open it, but Andrew gently takes it in his paw. She looks up at him, embarrassed. Andrew (smiling) ”I have room in my bedroom for you to sleep. My couch is more than large enough for a slender feline like you to sleep on, if that will help you.” Allura smiles weakly and nods. Andrew gently guides her over to his room and opens the door. He leads her over to a large stuffed couch. Andrew “A pillow and blanket please.” The closet door opens and a pillow and blanket float out of it. They float over and are set gently on the couch. Andrew sets the pillow to one end and lays the blanket out. Allura smiles at the sight. Andrew steps back and bows to her. Andrew (kindly) ”I hope this will help you. Perhaps tomorrow we can find a better event to do, than dig up bad memories.” Allura (smiling) ”Thank you, Mister…” Andrew (cutting her off) ”Just call me Andrew.” Allura nods and quickly hugs him. She then lay down and wrapped up in the blanket. Andrew watched her and waited until she was lying down. Andrew (out loud) ”All candles out.” Suddenly the room is pitch black. Allura hears him walking across the room. Allura (absently) ”Don’t you worry about smacking your shins on something?” Andrew (out of the dark) ”Not at all. I’m a bat, remember?” Allura smiles and nestles down in the couch a little farther. Allura (thinking) Scene 5 The next morning Allura slowly opens her eyes and see that he room is only slightly lighter than it was when she went to sleep. She slowly sits up and looks around. Andrew is sitting at a desk, going through a book. He looks up as she sits up. Andrew (smiling) ”Did you sleep alright?” Allura (sleepily) ”Yes, I slept like a baby on this couch. Thanks for letting me. I hope your father doesn’t mind.” Andrew (shrugging) ”One of the rules of Nightwings Manor is we are suppose to help the guest be comfortable. That and I know that my sister has had villagers up in her room for more than just sleeping.” Allura chuckles a little as she slides her feet to the floor. Suddenly the door slams open and Baron Nightwings storms in. Andrew (standing up) ”What’s wrong, Father?” Baron Nightwings (pointing at Allura) ”What is *she* doing in here?!” Andrew (patiently) ”She was upset and didn’t want to be alone last night. So I let her sleep on my couch.” Baron Nightwings (facing Allura) ”I want you out of my house, witch! You are no longer welcome here!” (turns to Andrew) ”I forbid you to see her anymore while she is on this planet! No son of mine is going to have anything to do with an Aldebaran!” Andrew ”She isn’t…” Baron Nightwings (yelling) ”I don’t want to hear your excuses! If you’re going to use her, fine! Feed on her, fine! I don’t care! I want her gone in less than thirty minutes! Emily will take her back to her damn shuttle and you will have nothing to do with her!” Allura quickly pulls on her boots and stands up. Allura (coldly to Baron Nightwings) ”Don’t bother with an escort.” (gently towards Andrew) ”I’m sorry Andrew, but I guess *Atlanteans* are Aldebarans to your father. It was nice to meet you though.” She walks out the door and down the hall, passing Emily and out the front door. Andrew runs out into the hall and sees the door shut. He turns to his father. Andrew (trying to control himself) ”What was that for? She was one of the first mammals not to be afraid of me for what I am!” Baron Nightwings (fuming) ”She is an Aldebaran! They are nothing but trouble in a physical form! I will not let you defile our lineage with her!” Andrew (shocked) ”What?! You think that is what we were doing last night? I just met her and she isn’t an Aldebaran! She is an Atlantean!” Baron Nightwing (growling) ”My decision is final! She is to have nothing to do with you or you with her! Besides, the problem will end soon enough!” Baron Nightwings storms out of the room, past Emily. Andrew is shaking with anger and rage, but doesn’t say or do anything. He just walks over and sits on the couch. Emily walks in and sits by him. There is an awkward silence. Finally Emily breaks the silence. Emily (quietly) ”You like her, didn’t you?” Andrew (quietly) ”She was different. Yeah, I like her.” Emily (quietly) ”I have some bad news, brother.” Andrew looks at his sister, waiting. Emily (looking down) ”Dad gave the order to the guards around her shuttle….to kill her.” Andrew just sits there shocked. Andrew (shocked) ”What?!” Emily (quietly) ”He made me deliver the message myself.” Andrew (confused) ”Why you ? He can communicate with the guards via tele…” (his eyes widen in realization) ”He wanted you to deliver the message, so you couldn’t tell us and you wouldn’t know about any plans he had!” Andrew suddenly lunges for the door and out into the hall towards his dad’s office. Meanwhile… Allura storms across the dark plains towards the shuttle. She wipes a tear from her eye as she walks. Allura (to herself) ”It figures! I find someone I like and someone else has to ruin it, again! First my dad kills Alexander. Then the Toads take Dallion from me! Now some blind bat who thinks I am an Aldebaran steps in the way of another possible relationship!” She kicks a rock as she walks, but doesn’t pay attention to were it lands. Neither does she see the group of zombie rising behind her, in silence. At the Manor… Baron Nightwings’ door smashes open as Andrew comes barging through. Baron Nightwing looks up in anger. Baron Nightwing (starting to stand) ”What do you think you are doing?” Andrew (yelling) ”You demon! Not only are you driving her out of the Manor, but you are going to kill her as well?! She didn’t do a damn thing to you!” Baron Nightwings (walking around the desk) ”Our customs say all enemies of the family are to be killed! She is an Aldebaran and Aldebarans are enemies of this house!” Andrew (yelling back) ”Since when?!” Baron Nightwings (in Andrew’s face) ”Since they killed your mother! This house has stood on its customs for countless generations and it will continue to stand on them! She is an Aldebaran! There is no such thing as Atlanteans! We will follow our customs for as long as I live!” He turns and starts walking away from Andrew. Andrew (fangs extending) ”Yeah, we will follow *all* of our *custom*! Including the young will feed upon the old!” Before Baron Nightwings can react, he is tackled to the ground by Andrew. In the hallway, Emily stops as she sees the tackle. She stands there in horror, when she hears the scream of pain as fangs sink in. Then she hears the screams from all through the house as spirits and zombies break free of their eternal control. The screams quickly become cries for revenge and Emily begins running towards the door. Meanwhile… Allura dives aside as the large hand smashes downward. Her sword whips around and takes the arm clean off. The zombie stops and looks at the stump and then attacks her again, with the other arm. Allura dives aside and darts towards her shuttle. Suddenly she hers the screams from the zombies as well. She stops and looks around. Several zombies start rising from the ground She raises her sword and readies herself. Allura (quietly) ”Alright Alexander. It is time for our last fight together!” The nearest zombie lunges for her and she lunges at it. Several others quickly follow in pursuit. To Her surprise, Allura sees zombies attacking zombies! She ducks as one swings at her and another zombie tackles the one that attacked her. Allura starts running through the carnage as the undead start fighting each other. Several moments go by and she hears the flapping of wings. She looks up and sees Emily flying towards her. Emily swoops down and snatches her out of the carnage. They soar up and hover for a second. Allura (looking at Emily) ”What’s going on?!” Emily (gasping from strain) ”Andrew attacked our father! The balance of power is disturbed!” Allura (confused) ”What does that mean?” Emily (flying towards the Manor) “Either Andrew is going to kill our father or be killed by our father! There can only be one in charge!” They fly towards the Manor as quickly as Emily’s wings can carry them. Scene 6 At The Manor Emily quickly approaches her home. Suddenly the wall is smashed out and Andrew skips across the ground. Baron Nightwings storms out, with blood flowing from his shoulder. Baron Nightwings (yelling) ”You stupid fool! I watch over you from birth! Take care of you and raise you to the best of my skill! Protect you from our enemies and this is how you repay me!” He leaps forward and Andrew launches himself into the air. Blood is spraying form a gaping wound in his forearm. They soar into the air and face each other, wings beating to keep them up. Allura watches this and taps Emily’s arm. She quickly points higher and Emily nods. As they climb higher, Allura watches as Andrew and his father collide in mid air. They slug and claw each other. Blood sprays everywhere and the grounds soon take on a crimson tint. Andrew is knocked back across the air and comes to a stop in a tree beside the Manor. His father comes swooping inward. Allura sees her chance and shoves herself free of Emily’s grasp. She falls through the air and slams into Baron Nightwings’ back. She quickly wraps a tendril around his body, collapsing his wings and they tumble to the Manor rooftop. There is a loud crash as they smash through the roof and disappear from sight. Emily (flying to her brother) ”Stars, she is a crazy cat!” Andrew groggily looks up as he sees a figure landing on a branch beside him. His eyes focus and he sees his sister. Emily (kneeling by him) ”Dad messed you up good.” Andrew (struggling to get up) “He’s to strong! Where is he?” Emily (helping him to his feet) ”Your friend Allura tackled him through the roof!” Andrew stumbles and Emily barely catches him, before he falls out of the tree. Andrew (gasping) ”He’ll kill her! I have to help her!” Emily (holding her brother up) ”Your not strong enough or in good enough shape to beat him!” (she raises an exposed wrist) ”Take it!” Andrew (staring in shock) ”Are you crazy!? You know what will happen!” Emily (nodding) ”The Hunger will reach into you further! It will make you stronger! Besides, he didn’t show mom any remorse as he drained her, while she gave birth to you!” Andrew stands there shocked at what his sister just said. Andrew (stunned) ”What?” Emily (firmly) ”Dad killed Mom! Her and the mid wife! He knew that the Hunger would make him stronger! I’m sure we’re just snacks he is waiting to be ready for his hunger for more power!” Andrew (anger building) ”He killed Mom?!” Emily (nodding) ”And he is going to kill Allura!” (shoves her wrist into his face) ”Feed damn it!” Andrew opens his mouth and bites down. Emily cries out in pain as the fangs sink into her flesh and she feels the blood being drawn out. Scene 7 Inside the Manor Allura scrambles out of the rubble, tendrils extended from her shoulders and from under her arms. The tendrils shove the rubble aside as she climbs out. She looks around. Voice (hissing) ”I knew you were an Aldebaran! Now you will die, bitch!” A large chunk of rock is launched at Allura. She deflects it with two of the tendrils. Baron Nightwings lunges from behind her an slashes at her. Instincts make Allura dive to the side, but her sword is knocked across the room. She rolls to her feet and looks around. Baron Nightwings is crouched on the ground, smiling. He extends a paw to the ground and gently touches it. Allura crouches, waiting. Suddenly a hand made of solid rock erupts from the ground under her and grabs her in a crushing grip. She gasps in pain as it squeezes her. The four tendrils grip the hand and start pulling. Baron Nightwings (arrogantly) ”Go ahead and try to best that spell, witch! I will enjoy watching you suffer!” The tendrils pull harder and harder. The harder they pull, the harder the hand squeezes. Allura throws her head back as she screams due to the pain of her rib cage being shoved in on itself. Suddenly, the wall explodes inward and a winged figure shoots through the air. A wing rips through the rock arm. The hand explodes outward, as the tendrils are suddenly stronger than the rock itself. Allura drops to the ground, gasping and coughing up blood. Suddenly a pair of legs appears before her. She looks up and Andrew is standing before her, facing his father. There is a red glow coming from his skin. His father hisses at him and they lunge at each other, colliding in the air. They tumble around the room, ripping and tearing into each other. Suddenly a group of zombies rise out of the ground and head towards Allura. Allura tries to stand, but collapses on the ground again, in pain. Allura (calling out) ”Alexander! I need your help! Defend me from those who wish to harm me!!” On the other side of the room, her sword’s blade begins to glow. It quickly reaches a burning gold hue and rises. It begins spinning, using the handle as a pivot point. It spins faster and quickly becomes as a buzz saw and rips through the air. The zombies’ bodies explode as the sword rips through them and scatters the remains across the room. The sword spins around Allura and takes up a protective positioning above her. Meanwhile… Andrew slams his fist into his father’s mouth. There is a cracking sound. He pulls his fist back and one of his father’s fangs fall out. His father staggers back and looks down in disbelief. He suddenly lunges forward and grabs Andrew around the throat. He lifts him off the ground and slams him into the stonewall. Andrew cries out in pain from the blow. Baron Nighwings (in pain) ”Yield and I will let you live!” Andrew (through clenched teeth) ”Yield to you? After you lied to me my whole life?! You killed my mom and blamed it on the Aldebaran race! What was the mid wife? An Aldebaran? What did she do wrong?” Baron Nightwings (glaring at his son) ”So you know? Fine!” He draws his arm back and balls up his fist. Suddenly there is a buzzing sound and a golden disc slices through his arm in a spray of blood. Baron Nightwings gasp in shock and pain as the disc shoots past him. It suddenly stops in mid air and launches itself upward. He looks up in time to see Allura reach the peak of her leap and the sword slaps into her paw, handle first. In one smooth motion, she glides through the air and lands on the other side of Baron Nightwings. She lands in a crouched position. Baron Nightwings (sneering) ”Nice try, but you missed, you stupid….” He stops in mid-sentence as he sees the blood on the sword blade. His eyes widen as he remembers that when it stopped in mid air, the blade was clean! Allura (looking at him defiantly) ”Did I?” He quickly turns his head to his other arm, in time to see the blood spray from a perfectly smooth cut. Andrew pulls off the hand around his neck and lunges to his father. Allura quickly turns her head and closes her eyes suddenly, there is utter silence. A paw gently touches her shoulder and she looks up. Andrew is standing beside her, battered and bloody. Andrew (quietly) ”It’s over. Let’s go.” He gently takes her paw and pulls her to her feet. He then puts an arm around her, as well as an injured wing, and they walk out through the hole he made. Outside, Allura sees Emily stagger towards them. Andrew catches her in his other arm and she looks up at him. Emily (weakly) ”Is it over?” Andrew (nodding) ”Yes, I think we need to rest for now.” Emily nods and stands up a little straighter. Emily (quietly) ”Remind me to never to do that again.” They turn and walk into the undamaged part of the Manor. Several zombies begin to clean up the mess and removing the corpse. Scene 8 That night Allura rolls over in the bed and opens her eyes. Andrew is sitting on the side of the bed, wrapped in bandages. Allura (sleepily) ”You look like a mummy, you know that right?” Andrew (nodding) ”I guess the village doctor did go a little overboard. How are you feeling?” Allura (rolling onto her back) “Now that I got a chance to rest, yeah. I feel a lot better. How is Emily?” Andrew (with a small shrug) ”She is being Emily. Denying that she needs to rest and handling events with the village.” Allura (looking at him) ”How about you?” Andrew is silent and looks down at his feet. Allura reaches over and gently touches his wing. He looks at her and shrugs. Andrew (quietly) ”Hard to say. I killed my father. How am I suppose to feel?” Allura smiles and pats his wing. Allura (warmly) ”You will get use to the feeling. You won’t ever forget it, but you will come to accept it.” Andrew nods and stretches his wing. He tucks them in against his back. He looks at Allura. Andrew (quietly) ”So you’re going to leave as soon as your shuttle is fixed?’ Allura (nodding) ”I should head back to my planet. There is a war going on and my planet might need my help. Plus I have to keep an eye on my dad and makes sure he survives his punishment.” Andrew (raising an eyebrow) ”Punishment? What did he do?” Allura “Defied the throne of our world. He was exiled for twenty years.” Andrew nods and looks around again. Allura (calmly) ”What’s wrong?” Andrew (looking away) ”Not much. I just wish you could stay longer.” (gets up) ”Anyways, Emily wanted me to tell you to meet her in the dining room. I’ll talk to you later.” Allura watches him as he leaves. Allura looks out the window and shakes her head. She gets up and quickly gets dressed. A few minutes later… Emily looks up from her paperwork as Allura follows a zombie into the dining room. The zombie shuffles off and Allura walks over to her, shaking her head. Emily (curious) ”Something bugging you?” Allura (with a smile) ”Just never thought I would follow a dead body to the dining room. Anyways, Andrew said you wanted to see me.” Emily (shaking her head in disbelief) ”Andrew handed over the head of the house to me. I was wondering if maybe you knew why? He won’t say to me.” Allura sits in a chair and thinks. She remembers how he was acting in the room. Allura looks at Emily. Allura (quietly) “Has your brother said anything about me?” Emily smiles as she sets down a paper and cups her chin in a paw and smiles at Allura. Emily (mischievously) “Apparently more than you know.” Allura raises an eyebrow and leans forward. Allura (intrigued) ”Any you can share?” Emily leans back in her chair and laughs. A little while later in the study… Andrew is flipping through a book. He is half heartedly reading and the expression on his face shows he is thinking about other stuff. He closes the book and leans back in his chair. Andrew (quietly) “Put it away.” The book floats through the air and returns to a set of shelves. Andrew (to himself) ”Why didn’t I say something to her? I missed my opportunity and she will be leaving here in a couple of days.” He is so far in thought, that he doesn’t her the door open. Allura quietly walks in and shuts the door behind her, quietly. She tip toes over and sits on the sturdy oak table in front of Andrew. She quietly places herself so she is sitting right in front of him cross legged and waits patiently. A few moments go by and Andrew raises his head. He opens his eyes and finds himself nose to nose with Allura. Allura (smiling) ”For being a bat, there are times you don’t hear so well.” Caught completely off guard, Andrew leaps back in shock and falls back into his chair. Andrew (shocked) ”Don’t do that!” (calms down) ”Did you talk to my sister?” Allura (nodding) ”Yeah, I did.” (reaches out and grabs the front of his shirt, pulling him towards her) ”Why didn’t you tell me how you felt about me?” Andrew (squirming slightly as she pulls him forward) ”I wasn’t sure how you would react. I mean we just met and I’m a bat, you’re a cat….” Allura (pulling him right up to her face) ”And your blood is as red as mine is.” She leans in and kisses him. A few seconds go by and she pulls back. Allura (blushing slightly) ”Besides, my mom fell in love with my dad when they first met.” Andrew just sits there, looking at her. He blushes slightly and smiles at her. Andrew (quietly) ”I never did ask, but who is your father?” Allura (gently cupping his chin in her paw) ”He is known as Kinjite, the Forbidden One.” Andrew’s eyes widen in amazement. Andrew “Your father is the Kinjite of ancient Aldebaran legends?” Allura (raises an eyebrow) ”You know Aldebaran legends?” Andrew (nodding) ”Yeah, there are hundreds of legends in their histories! Is he really your father?” (Allura nods and smiles at him) “I’m sorry, but you don’t look old enough to be his daughter and I thought Aldebaran males didn’t live that long.” Allura (rubbing his chin gently) “They don’t. My dad isn’t Aldebaran either. He was born on their planet and imprisoned for some actins he took.” Andrew (nodding) ”I see. I guess there are a reason then why I didn’t tell you about my feelings then.” (he gently removes her paw from his chin) ”I mean, you’re a daughter of a cat of amazing powers. I’m just the son of a bat who killed his own wife for power.” Allura (nodding) ”True, but it isn’t up to our parents who we develop feelings for, now is it?” Andrew shakes his head and looks into her eyes. Allura (quietly) ”Why don’t you tell me something you like about me.” Andrew (quietly) ”Your eyes. When the light hits them, they sparkle in a way that makes them seem like a collection of stars. I noticed it when you first looked at me.” (he reaches up and brushes her hair out of her face) ”They shine with life and defiance.. Compassion and courage as well. I get the feeling; they have seen more than you will ever admit.” A small tear runs down Allura’s cheek and Andrew brushes it away. Andrew (softly) ”What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?” Allura (shaking her head gently) ”No, you didn’t. It is just that those where almost the same exact words Alexander said to me the night before he was killed. Yet they still stir up the same feelings that they stirred up for him.” Andrew (gently) ”What was your response to them and is it the same for me?” Allura leans forward and gently wraps her arms around Andrew’s neck. She pulls him towards her and kisses him deeply. Andrew gently wraps his arms around her, as well as both of his wings. In the dining room… Emily looks up as a spirit tells her what is happening in the study. She smiles and stacks the papers. She pats them and they float into the air, over to a small file cabinet. The drawer pull open and they are placed in it. Emily (leaning back in her chair) ”Finally my little brother finds someone to love. Took him long enough.” She gently closes her eyes and relaxes. Scene 9 At Allura’s shuttle, a few days later Allura is sitting in the pilot chair, going over the star maps. After a few minutes, she gets up and walks to the repaired air lock. Emily and Andrew are standing outside of it. Allura (walking up) ”Well, according to the computer, I’m not to far off from my course. IT says I will have enough fuel to make it to Aldebaran. The Queen will let me refuel before I head out.” Emily (nodding) ”That’s good to hear. How far are we out of your routine flight paths? Will you be able to come back and visit?” Allura (looking down) ”It isn’t a great deal out of the way, but I won’t be able to return for a long time. The war is putting a strain on our forces and I will be needed to fill the role of my father, until he can return home.” (shakes Emily’s paw) ”It was nice to meet you Emily. When Genus is freed and Atlantis can settle down some, I will come by and visit.” (looks at Andrew for a second) ”Well, I guess this is bye Andrew. It was nice to meet you.” They shake paws in awkward silence. Allura turns and walks into the shuttle to begin warming up equipment. Andrew stands there looking at the open air lock. His face has an expression of being torn between two decisions. Emily walks up and puts a paw on his shoulder. Emily (quietly) ”It’s more than like, isn’t it?” (Andrew nods silently) “And to think, you just met her. Now she is already leaving.” They stand there and hear the engines powering up. The air lock slowly begins to shut. Emily squeezes his shoulder. Emily (quietly) ”You two better come back and see how this place turns out!” With that, she shoves Andrew through the air lock, right before it closes. She watches as the shuttle lifts of and quickly disappears into space. Emily (mentally) ”Go see the sun at lest once, brother.” In space… Allura is sitting in the cock pit in silence. She wipes a tear from her cheek as she looks at the empty co pilot seat. She gets up and turns to the door. It slides open and Andrew steps through it. Allura stops shocked and covers her mouth. Allura (stunned) ”Andrew?” He steps up and gently takes her in his arms. Andrew (quietly) ”Emily made the choice. She pushed me in right before you took off. Otherwise I wouldn’t have made my choice in time.” Allura hugs him tightly and sighs. Andrew (quietly) ”How long until we arrive at Aldebaran?” Allura (smiling) ”A couple of days. Then it is about a week to Atlantis from there.” Andrew (smiling) ”Plenty of time for us to get use to being together.” Allura (smiling) ”Let’s hear it for auto pilot.” Scene 10 Atlantis, several days later Andrew is sitting in the medical facilities. Otacon walks up to him with a glass tube of liquid with a reddish tint. Otacon (patiently) ”Try this serum and see if it makes the Hunger you speak of, subside.” Andrew takes the bottle and drinks it. He waits a few seconds and nods. Andrew (handing back the bottle) ”How did you get the mix right?” Otacon (calmly) ”I did some research and found that the craving wasn’t really for the red blood cells. It was for the plasma among the red cells.” Andrew (curious) ”Plasma?” Otacon (nodding) “Correct. When you put blood in a bottle and spin it at an extremely high speed, it will separate. There is clearish liquid that is among the red cells. This is plasma. I exposed that blood sample I took from you to some plasma and had excellent results. So I asked around for a donor who would be willing to donate plasma to make that serum with.” Andrew (concerned) ”This won’t hurt anyone, will it?” Otacon (shaking his head) ”No, mammals generate plasma at high rates. I could take a liter of plasma out of an Atlantean and it would be replaced in about forty eight hours.” Andrew (nodding) ”So how many did you have to ask?” Otacon (smiling) ”Actually the first one I asked agreed to it.” The doors slide open and Allura walks through them, with a bandage on her upper forearm. Andrew raised an eyebrow as he looked at the bandage. Otacon (bowing to Allura) ”I believe I will leave you two to talk alone.” He walks out and Allura stands in front of Andrew. Andrew (quietly) ”So you agreed to what he said?” Allura (smiling) ”Andrew, my heart is a serious thing. I would go through anything to help you. My dad taught me that those you love are worth any sacrifice or risk” (she gently kisses him) “We should get you set up with a room at my family’s house.” Andrew nods as he stands up. Andrew “I am sure you probably have guest rooms” Allura (nodding) ”Yes, we do. Or you could sleep in my room, like you offered me. There is just one little detail.” Andrew (looking at her) ”What is that?” Allura (smiling wickedly) ”There is no couch in my room.” Andrew (laughing) ”Touché!” (puts an arm around her waist) ”Whichever you want, my love.” They walk out of the medical facility and into the morning sun. At the palace… Queen Mei Ling is standing on her balcony watching the morning sun. She glances downward and sees the couple walking along, the bat shading his eyes. She smiles as she watches them. Queen Mei Ling (to herself) ”Guess I won’t need to set up that party after all.” She turns and walks into her room, smiling. On Nocturas… A small spirit is leading a dark robed figure into a cave. The spirit indicates to a coffin and the figure nods. It reaches up and wipes off the name plate. Raspy Voice (reading name plate) ”Baron Antonio Nightwings.” (chuckles slightly) ”You nap is over, old bat. Time to get to work.” Two zombies rise out of the ground and lift the coffin up. The figure turns and walks down the tunnel, followed by the zombies. THE END