Wow…the final chapter. Yes, It definitely took really long to finish this story, but it's FINALLY done! Thanks a lot to LunaticPandora1, Raptor-Chick, ben revell, Rakai-Thwei, Oak Tree Woman, Maugen Ra, and DasNewfie for the reviews! I'll stop talk and let you read now!
Epilogue
"That should be enough…" Ivy murmured, popping the cap on the top of the pint-bottle that held Eve's blood. Eve pulled back her wrist and rolled down her shirt sleeve, trying to look as elegant as she could.
"How long will it take to get the cure out of that?" Ravyn asked, holding her burning stomach. The Turning powers had ironically saved her life, healing a good bit of the wound in her stomach and lung. When Eve, Tarn'se, and she had gotten back to the main battle zone, she realized that the wound had reopened during the walk back. Tarn'se had offered her some of his medical supplies to heal it quickly. Ravyn had naively accepted; damn, that stuff freakin' hurt!
"About an hour or so," Ivy replied calmly. Looking at Tarn'se she said, "You can tell your buddies to go back to your ship or whatever. You can meet up with them in a few hours." Tarn'se nodded and moved to join his group as Eve hopped to her feet, "Well, if that's all I'll be on my way." She grabbed Tarn'se's arm and looped hers around his, "Care to escort a lady out of this stinking alley?"
Tarn'se rattled in annoyance and walked quickly out of the alley, hoping Eve would let go of his arm quicker that way.
Eve, however, seemed to enjoy hanging on his arm and proceeded to do so as Tarn'se approached Far'hnde. Tarn'se reacted in a split second as Far'hnde spun and threw a dagger at Eve' heart.
Tarn'se spun, dragging Eve out of the path of the dagger and pushed her away, leaping forward to grab Far'hnde's wrist, "No! She has aided us; she goes free!" Far'hnde growled irritably but relaxed and did not pursue Eve. Tarn'se glanced around to find Eve had disappeared, most likely she had teleported.
"I will return to my pod and the ship in an hour or so," Tarn'se said, "I still need their cure." Far'hnde nodded curtly; when Tarn'se had returned, he had told the Arbitrator of his… illness and Far'hnde had agreed to let him stay and take the cure.
"Take your cure with haste; we must leave as soon as possible. The Elders need to know of these events." Far'hnde paused, thinking, "You can expect my support when you present your discoveries to the Elders personally."
Tarn'se dipped his head deeply, "My thanks, Arbitrator Far'hnde." Having an Arbitrator's support, especially coming from one as famous as Far'hnde, would undoubtedly aid Tarn'se when he told the Elders of the vampires. It was going to be hard enough trying to get them to believe him, being how bizarre the vampires were.
With a commanding roar, Far'hnde called the surviving clan members to him and cloaked, leading them away from the streets back towards their own pods, hidden in a secluded part of the city. Jaelre gave Tarn'se a waving farewell and Tarn'se gestured back; they would see each other again in due time.
As he walked back to the alley, Tarn'se heard Eve callout, "Thank you, dear hunter… I dare say, I would have been dead if it wasn't for you."
Tarn'se spun to see Eve standing a few feet away from him. With a grin, Eve tossed a tiny disk to Tarn'se who caught it easily. Eve tipped her hat at him, "I owe you one," and teleported away.
Tarn'se examined the small round coin in his palm curiously. Slipping it into one of the pouches on his belt, he decided to ask Ravyn what it was later.
"There we go," Ivy smiled, "Good as new." Ravyn glanced at the small drop of blood that welled out of the puncture mark in her skin. She was cured… after all she had done, she was cured.
Tarn'se held as still as a statue as Ivy gave him his injection. After testing it on a blood sample from each of them, Ivy was positive the cure would work.
Nathan sat in a chair, casually watching Ivy toss away the syringes and type something into her computer.
They were all back in the laboratory though the atmosphere had changed drastically from the last time they had been there. Ravyn glanced at Tarn'se who was absently fiddling with Eve's "favor" between his fingers; once Ravyn had explained to him what is was he said that he already had plans for it.
Ivy sighed and sat back into a spare chair, "Well, that was a success… now I need a vacation…"
Ravyn smiled at Ivy's joke; they all needed a vacation. Ravyn sighed and looked at Tarn'se, "Well, I guess you'll be going back to your home with your friends now."
Tarn'se's head dipped, "Yes, I must return."
Ravyn nodded and began to lead Tarn'se outside, closely followed by Nathan and Ivy. Once outside Ravyn narrowed her eyes curiously at Tarn'se, "So, are we ever going to see you again, or is this just a one time thing?"
Tarn'se pause, thinking, "You may not see me, but I can guarantee you will see a few more of my kind. Once they hear of the new prey here, there's nothing that will stop them from coming here. I will tell them to leave your group alone, though; they will only hunt vampires."
Ravyn shrugged, "Hey, it just makes our job easier. Maybe if we meet again I'll introduce you to some shape shifters."
"Shape shifters?" Tarn'se asked warily.
Ravyn grinned, "Yep… I'll see you around then." Tarn'se placed his hand on Ravyn's shoulder and she placed hers one his, though she had to stand on her toes to do so. Tarn'se repeated the farewell with Ivy and Nathan and began to walk away.
As Ravyn watched the alien go, the silence was suddenly broken by Nathan shouting after Tarn'se, "Hey! Can I have your autograph?!"
-Two Weeks Later-
Tarn'se stood just outside of the Elder Counsel's meeting chamber. Arbitrator Far'hnde stood in front of him, while the rest of the Yautja that had fought and survived the vampire attack were lined up behind him.
His thoughts drifted back to when he had last seen the vampire hunters. Nathan had asked him for an "autograph" while Ivy had burst out laughing and Ravyn had strangely walked over to the doorframe and started hitting her head against it.
Tarn'se hadn't known what an "autograph" was, but he had given Nathan a small dagger and the young human had seemed delighted all the same.
The wide black doors creaked open, and the procession marched into the hall. The chamber was one of the most grand of Yautja monuments, the walls etched with depictions of Yautja battling all sort of opponents, from kainde amedha to the Black Warrior, Cetanu, himself. Elaborately woven tapestries, their fabric absorbing a reflecting heat also depicted more ritual scenes.
The Counsel hall was filled with Yautja. Those of high-rank, leaders, minor Elders, and Arbitrators, along with a few representatives of near-by residing clans were seated in chairs lining the pillared room. The other members of the clan stood at attention. Each Yautja watched the procession with absolute concentration; an announcement had been made that something very important would be presented here, but no one was quite sure what.
Far'hnde stopped directly in front of the dais that the thirteen Elders seats where positioned upon. The rest of the warriors fanned out behind the Arbitrator, each going down on one knee and bowing their heads in respect.
Far'hnde remained standing, but bowed his head as well, "Elder Counsel, I bring you both intriguing, yet disturbing news."
The head Elder rasped quietly, though every Yautja in the room could hear him, "What news do you bring, Arbitrator Far'hnde.
Far'hnde gestured to Tarn'se who was kneeling a few paces away from him, "Warrior Tarn'se would be better able to answer your questions than I; it was he who made the discovery."
The head Elder gestured to Tarn'se who stood and approached Far'hnde's position. Far'hnde backed away a bit, giving Tarn'se the floor to speak, "Elders, during my hunt upon earth, I came upon a new sect of humanity; a new species, perhaps."
Hisses and growls rang out from around the room. Surprise and confusion prevailed in the voices. The head Elder raised his clawed hand and the room fell silent again.
Tarn'se continued, "This new race of humans has had their genes twisted and mutated by a virus, turning them into stronger, more able predator. They possess many abilities rarely or, perhaps, never seen before by Yautja, including telepathy, telekinesis, and even a form of teleportation." This proclamation was met with some laughter and condescending tones. Tarn'se sounded like a raving lunatic.
Tarn'se ignored the murmurs and continued, "Also, they have remarkable healing powers. Nothing can kill them besides removing their heads, or destroying their hearts. But this virus that has so aided them had weakened them as well. Sunlight burns their flesh and they survive…" Tarn'se trailed off and took a deep breath in preparation for the audiences' reaction, "They survive by drinking the blood of other creatures."
As expected, hundreds of outcries echoed from the surrounding spectators, mostly of disbelief. The Elders shouted for silence and, after a few moments, the chamber was quiet again.
Tarn'se continued, "Also, as I was studying this new "species" of human, I came across a group of highly trained humans that hunted these creatures and gave them the name of "vampires".
"Sightings of these creature have never been recorded to my knowledge, but I assure you, they are very real and quite a challenge to fight. We may have a new prey more dangerous than humans to hunt now." Tarn'se stopped and stepped back, waiting for the Elders to speak.
"And what proof do you have, Warrior Tarn'se?" an Elder questioned, "What do you bring to prove your tale of these… mutated humans?"
Tarn'se gestured behind him, "I have firstly, the collaboration from my clan mates and Arbitrator Far'hnde as to the existence of these beings. Secondly," Tarn'se pulled out Nacht's skull and held it high, "This is the skull of one of their most powerful representatives that I personally fought. And lastly," Tarn'se paused, "I have a more… substantial example." Tarn'se lowered the skull of Nacht and fiddled with something in his left hand, soon freezing as if waiting for something to happen.
There was a long pause where no one moved or spoke. After a few tense seconds whispers began to break out and, eventually, the head Elder spoke, "Warrior Tarn'se, you say you have an example, but I see no…"
"Well, I've certainly never seen anything like this before!" a human voice cried out as Eve stepped out from behind a pillar, "Quite pretty this place is, though rather hot; with all the technology you guys must have, can't you afford a decent air-conditioner?" Eve was wearing tight black jeans and a neon-green shirt that sparkled with sequins, along with a black leather belt with silver studs, steel-toed boots, numerous silver bracelets and necklaces, and her infamous hat.
The Yautja screamed in shock as the guards that had been stationed sporadically through the chamber descended upon Eve. Eve merely raise a brow and teleported away. Startled the guards darted their heads around, looking for the human that seemed to disappear into thin air.
"What was that!?" one of the Elders shouted.
"A vampire," Tarn'se replied, looking around for where Eve had teleported off to.
"A vampire?" the head Elder asked in shock, "You brought one here?"
"I'm guessing these guys are your rulers," Eve spoke inquisitively, appearing on top of the thick back of the head Elder's seat, "Damn, you guys must get uglier with age, as it is with all beings. Good thing I can't age, eh?" The Elders each yelped in surprise and shock, causing the guards to dart towards them. Eve grinned like the Cheshire cat and teleported again.
"Jumpy guys aren't they?" Eve said as she reappeared next to Tarn'se, draping herself onto his arm.
"Get off," Tarn'se growled shaking his arm a bit.
Eve stubbornly clung to him, "I can't understand a word your saying, hon. You'd best put on your translator… mask… thingy."
Tarn'se sighed and pulled his mask off his belt, Eve letting go of his arm so he could attach it properly. Once his arm was back at his side however, Eve latched back on.
"Do you enjoy attaching yourself to my arm?!" Tarn'se growled irritably, aware that damn near every Yautja in his clan was watching this bizarre human hang from his arm.
"You have a lovely arm," Eve purred, "And you should feel honored; I don't give out compliments that often."
Tarn'se sighed in resignation, and spoke to his clan, trying to ignore the hat-wearing vampire, "This is Eve, one of the vampires' most powerful… leaders. I fought her myself, and without the aid of a human hunter, I would have lost. However, due to a strange chance of fate, I saved her life, and by her own laws she owed me a favor that… what do you want!?" Tarn'se snapped at Eve who was continuously prodding him in the shoulder.
Eve tapped the jutting part of his mask, and scolded, "There's no need to yell. Unfortunately, you're timing sucks. I happen to be leaving for Europe in under an hour, so why don't you make it snappy and tell me what you need."
"I was going to before you interrupted me," Tarn'se growled, "Besides, can't you just teleport to… U'rop?"
Eve grinned, "I could, but I so love boat rides, now get back to your little speech so I can get going, though I do love hanging on your arm so; we'd make a perfect prom couple. Damn, I should've worn my dress…"
Tarn'se ignored Eve's babbling and continued, "As I was saying, she owes me a favor so I summoned her here to act as a demonstration of vampires and their abilities."
"Wait one minute sonny!" Eve said proudly, pulled away from Tarn'se, placing her hands on her hips, and pouting slightly, "I'm no dog that's going to perform tricks for you and your single-minded drinking buddies! I have my dignity!"
Tarn'se growled in frustration, "You are not going to do tricks; I merely wish for you to demonstrate your powers and abilities… in a non-destructive way," Tarn'se added quickly, noting the evil glint in Eve's eyes.
"Demonstrate my powers, eh?" Eve slowly surveyed her surroundings, taking in all of the Yautja that watched her with curious, and frightened, gazes.
Eve grinned, her fangs growing long, drawing gasps from those that could see them. Eve gave a high, keening laugh that sent shudders through all the Yautja present. With a wicked smile of fangs Eve turned to Tarn'se…
"Where should I begin?"
Damn, writing this story was fun. I'm kinda sad that it's over. Well, first off I need to thank all of my reviewers that helped me along with this (and jabbed me in the butt with pointy sticks at some points). Here's a list of the wonderful people: Raptor-Chick, DasNewfie, ben revell, LunaticPandora1, Rakai-Thwei, L. Byron, Chrosis, StormRaven333, Maugen Ra, Oak Tree Woman, Jjvalour, hao, not aqua, iconofcoolness, ZackOHolic, Warlordomega, Prairiefire, juju, shade, Prometheus FireBringer, SADDAMINSANE, resinense cascade, Queen of the Red Skittle, Deshwitat'slover, Lulliloo, Ox King, Anon, Justox, edward taylor, Setg'-in, nameless, the demon alchemist, Sl'askia?, Jade, Storm, Lord CrutchCricket, Stormseer88, Optimus Primal, Ki'aba, Christian Jones, Auryon, shardae, jj, Coranth, blazer01, Echo, Angelus288, sabor ice, bae'qeshel, The Aluminun Chef, Rafe Jones, Aqualung, Heart of Lies, and Quillian. Wow, that's a lot of people; then again, I've gotten over 10,000, yes, 10,000 hits on this story. Holy crap... -salutes- You guys rule!
Now, I have 2 stories still in progress. I'm started to get VERY tempted to reboot the "Predator: Ancient World" story. The only problem is I'm not sure where I want to take it yet so I must ask for more of that astoundingly-long-lasting patience of those fans. I'm probably going to start another story up soon, but I'm not sure which one, so I've decided to ask you guys!
"Predator 5: Ambassadors" is the third, and FINAL, part of my Predator series with my characters Saren'te and Jean. "Predator: Monsters" is, you guessed it, the sequel to "Predator: Hunters". So, which one do you guys want?
Well, that's enough babble. Thanks again for all your guys support and I'm dedicating this story to my cat Fluffy that died in the making of this story… He loved to hiss at me, but he was a great cat; I love ya, Fluffy! (Yes, I did have a cat named "Fluffy".)
Oh, BTW, please review and tell me what story you want next!
TOOTLES!
Bastet1023