Generation 2, Chapter 37 - It's Time Part 4

Through the far reaches of time and space the cure spread. One fuzzy mind woke up after another. The deranged stopped in their tracks dropping whatever weapon in hand. One lonely individual locked away in a cell far removed from any other creature stopped it's blood curdling screams. Blinking she raised her hands where the nails had been broken to the quick from  her constant clawing of the walls of her cell. Shaking she blinked again as the cure seeped through her dull and fuzzy brain. Sliding to the floor she covered her head with her hands moaning "what have I done?"

On board the alien ship William cowered in a corner. The final spot he'd come to in his desperate search to put distance between himself and Erik. He could hear the terrified cries of his son. "Bryan it's going to be alright," he shouted to him seeking to comfort as he scanned the room for an escape that didn't exist. Should he surrender to the inevitable? He lunged to the left as Erik grabbed his arm.

Spinning him around Erik pinned him against the wall. Pressing into him William felt the air escape his lungs as Erik leaned in and crushed his lips into his. While Williams mind screamed in protest he was powerless to stop it.

Erik pulled his head back smiling in triumph "you're ..." Erik blinked shaking his head. Taking a step back he fell to his knees holding his head moaning in pain

William cautiously stepped around him to gather his son in his arms. While Bryan sobbed in his arms William watched Erik writhe on the floor. After several minutes he lay motionless.

"Is he dead?" Bryan asked in his ear.

"I don't know," William said watching the man in concern.

"If he is how do we get home?" Bryan asked "I don't know how to fly this thing."

"Neither do I baby, neither do I," William kissed his son's cheek before setting him down.

Grabbing his hand "don't leave me" Bryan begged.

Looking down at his young son "I have to check on him. He's the only one who can operate this ship."

"No dad please ...." Bryan pleaded "I'll figure out how to run this ship. Get us home."

Smiling down at him "Bryan I don't know where we are in the universe, do you?" Bryan shook his head eyes downcast. "Whether we like or not we need him."

Nodding his head glumly Bryan turned his head away unable to watch. William patted the top of his son's head marvelling at the similarity in color to his own. Bryan was his son and he whether he liked or not he was part Erik too. Taking large breath William walked towards the crumpled alien body. Kneeling beside him he tried to check for a pulse unsure exactly where to check.

As he touched the alien, Erik opened his eyes. William jumped backwards in fright. "Sorry my friend," Erik spoke calmly as he sat up. Smiling Erik stretched enjoying a clear head for the first time in months perhaps years. "Peter did it. Released the cure. My people are saved."

William took several steps backwards as Erik approached. A frown creased Erik's forehead "I truly am sorry my friend. I wasn't myself. I regret very much what I have done." Sighing "the damage is done though and we don't have time for elaborate apologies if we are to be in time to save Peter."

William stared at Erik a moment "how am I supposed to trust you?"

Shrugging "you don't have too but if you want to save your friend you'll help me." Not waiting for a response Erik went to the ships computer programming a new course. "We are going back" Erik announced "the good citizens of Oasis Landing aren't going to like it very much."

"Do you know where they were taking Peter?" William asked approaching Bryan and taking his hand.

"To the watchers I would presume," Erik said watching an instrument panel. "It won't be easy William. When we get back I want you and Bryan to go home."

"I agree that Bryan should go but I'm staying. Peter is my friend. I have to help him...."

"Dad no," Bryan clung to him "come with me."

"I would if I could," William hugged him close "sometimes we must do difficult things. This is one of those times. You must go home. Be safe. I have to stay here. To help my Peter. I can't turn my back on him."

"I love you daddy," Bryan sniffed into his shoulder

"I love you too my brave boy," William smiled into his eyes.

"William before we get there I must instruct on how to operate this weapon," Erik interrupted.

Reaching for the alien gun William sighed forcing his revulsion at bay. He disliked the idea of taking another life. Careful not to touch him he took the offered weapon from Erik. 

"It is set on heavy stun. It should immobilize not kill whatever you fire it on," Erik explained.

"You knew I wouldn't want to fire this on anyone with the intent to kill?" William asked.

"I know my bonded one is a sensitive soul and would not hurt anyone to save himself. I am only making it possible for you to defend yourself without that concern." Erik sighed wishing things could be different between them. "If something should happen to me before we find Peter I need to show you how to reverse the damage caused to him."

Nodding William committed the procedure to memory. "Erik you're not planning on doing anything reckless because I can't reciprocate your feelings."

"No my friend it is a merely a precaution." Looking over at Bryan a smile lightened his alien eyes. "I will make sure you go home to your family William."

Landing near the time portal Erik ushered William and Bryan up to it. Hugging Bryan before sending him through alone William hoped he's see him again. A hand on his shoulder brought his attention back to the present. "Where to now?"

"Pete is being held somewhere in this building," Erik told him "by now the watchers are aware of our presence. There is an underground facility that the watchers use that they will be holding Emit and Peter in."

"How do you know that?" William wondered.

"I was quite close to Emit and suggested the underground facility," Erik replied back "there security appears to be quite lax. I have a feeling we are being watched from a far."

William followed Erik down a several flights of stairs. As they entered the underground facility a shot rang out and echoed through the hall. Pressing himself against the brick wall William tried to become with the wall at his back. His heart beating fast he followed Erik through the maze of corridors until he halted in front of a door. Erik whispered "this should be it. be prepared to duck and fire."

Nodding William took a deep breath hoping when the time came he would fire without thinking about what he was aiming at. It didn't seem to help knowing it was just going to stun them. Following Erik through the door William rolled to one side firing as Erik did the same. When the noise faded and the floor was littered with bodies William weakly stood leaning against the wall. He knew for sure he wasn't meant to be a hero.

"William come here," Erik spoke sharply. Opening his eyes he walked over to Erik who was inspecting a lock to a cell. On the other side of the bars Peter lay moaning on a bench. Emit walked towards them from where he had been. "What did you do him?" Emit asked the alien.

"I blasted him with a slow disintegration beam" 

"How much time does he have?" Emit asked.

"Not much. He must be near death now." Erik informed him refusing to look up from his work on the lock.

Emit peered closely at Erik smiling "the look suits you," he remarked.

"Would you have like me more if I looked more human when I had found you?" Erik asked.

Shrugging "you would have been less scary looking but no less good to me," Emit said with a smile. 

"You are the only parent I've ever known. I knew you would come for me."

"I might not have," Erik said looking up at him "I was effected by the insanity affliction. Peter fixed my ship, releasing the cure. It was like being born again. I could not leave until I helped fix what I caused. Stand back. There will be a small explosion."

Going to the bench Emit covered Peter with his body in case the explosion was more potent than intended. Debris peppered his back as the lock exploded. Checking on Peter while the others joined him "how is he?" William asked.

"Not well," Looking at Erik "we need to reverse this now."

Adjusting the settings on his gun Erik motioned for the others to stand aside. Peter convulsed as the beam hit him. William checked for a pulse "he's not breathing" he cried as he started CPR.

Emit turned to Erik " I thought the damage could be reversed."

"It may be too late the damage to advanced," Erik mumbled watching as William continued his efforts to resuscitate Peter.

"Come on Peter don't give up," William pleaded in between breaths "you have a wife and children waiting for you."

Peter's body stiffened as a wheeze escaped his lips. Standing  back William watched as Peter's eyes opened and closed until they managed to focus on him. "Wha .... What happened?" 

"How do you feel?" Erik asked.

"like I've been flattened by a steam roller" Peter muttered weakly "but better."

"Good. We need to go," Erik stated.

"We can't," Emit shook his head "they're holding several children hostage to control their families in Moonlight Falls. We've got to rescue them."

Standing Peter limped towards Emit "let's go save the children."

"No my friend. You're too weak," Emit protested. 

Seeing the stubborn set to his jaw Erik laughed "I see where you get that stubborn streak Emit. It's a strong family trait. You and William need to guard the time portal until Emit and I are able to locate and release the hostages."

Separating William and Peter made their way to the portal "where's Bryan?" Peter asked looking around for the boy.

"We sent him home before coming to get you," William explained.

"You should have gone with him," Peter stated keeping an eye on the door he was guarding

"Erik said the same thing," William chuckled "I guess I have a my own stubborn streak."

"If anything goes wrong" Peter said quietly "make a run for the portal I'll cover you."

"I won't leave you," William protested.

"You have too," Peter shook his head "I can't run. I'll only slow you down. One of us has to make it back."

***

Silently the room filled with supernatural beings. Percy's eyes widened with fear as did everyone else's. A man stepped forward and began to speak for the group. Percy couldn't hold back the involuntary flinch at the sharp fangs within the speakers mouth.

"I am Alessandro Elder of the Vampires and King of Moonlight Falls. We do not wish you harm. Very much the opposite. We want to live in peace among mankind. We have grown weary of being haunted for the lies told about us in your myths and legends. We are not blood thirsty monsters."

Swallowing hard Adam spoke up "what do want from us?"

"We want your help," Alessandro stated "the one you call Logan has taken our children to ensure our cooperation. We have no choice but to comply with his demands even though it means the destruction of everything we know. We want our children back." He turned to those assembled in the room with him. They nodded as he continued his proposal "we can't release you but we can give you the ability to save yourselves."

"How?" Percy asked curiosity overcoming his fear. He yelped as the wolf elder growled at him. "This pup would make an excellent pack member."

"You mean to save ourselves we have to become like you," Adam said watching Alessandro.

"That is correct," Alessandro stated.

"Why can't you just give us the key to this cell and let us go?" Adam asked "Why do we have to change who we are? We have families to go home to."

"If our children were not in danger that might be possible." Alessandro stared at Adam before continuing "how the world accepts you will determine whether we open Moonlight Falls up to humans. Recent events have shown us that our isolation left us vulnerable to Logan's attack to spread fear, hate and resulted in the loss of our children. By turning you we will be able to see how the world will react. I am sorry but this is the price for your freedom."

"Is there a way to reverse the effect?" Adam asked trying to see every angle.

"We are not a disease," an old woman shouted at him.

"We watched the world accept aliens maybe they are ready to accept us as well. If not you and your families are welcome here." Alessandro told him.

"Can we have a moment to think about it?" Adam asked.

"There is no time," Alessandro informed them "we need to start the process now. Logan will return in a week expecting to find your corpses."

Nodding Adam accepted his fate "what do we need to do?"

"We will have representatives of each of our members come to you," Alessandro turned to leave.

"Wait" Adam called after him "my brother and his boyfriend can't be turned. That is my condition to this proposal."

Anger flashed through the vampires eyes as he rushed the bars. Adam stood his ground refusing to flinch or back down. "Why should they be exempt?"

"Kyle is a pregnant halfling and Elliot is his mate," Adam stated sensing he could not back down in the face of the furious vampire. 

The vampires eyes turned toward the boys holding each on the floor. A smile played across his stern features "that does alter things. Our charter with Midnight Hollow would not allow turning one of their own."

Adam sighed in relief only to be startled when the vampire continued in his booming voice. "You are brave to stand up to me to protect your brother and his mate. Your bravery will be rewarded." Turning to address the assembled individuals he announced "I have found the chosen one whose bravery in the face of the unknown is strong. I claim this one to become my son and heir to the throne. Prince to this dimension and all other dimensions connected through Moonlight Falls. He will lead our people back to peaceful coexistence with humans and all other supernaturals. He will replace the son that was lost." Snapping his fingers he commanded "bring him."

"Adam you can't," Elliot protested.

Shaking his head Adam said "what choice do I have?"

"I will take the pop," the werewolf growled.

Sensing Percy's fear as men stepped in to take him. Talking straight at the old wizened creature in front of him Adam tested his position as the adopted son of the Vampire Elder/King of Moonlight Falls. "I you take him know this he is my chosen advisor. Where I go he goes. His pack duties will be second to his duties to me."

The old werewolf growled looking towards the Elder Vampire Alessandro who said "you heard my son. Do you wish to add the boy to your pack under those conditions?"

"Release him" the man growled "I rescind my claim."

"I claim him," a well dressed man spoke loudly in the now silent room. "The prince will need a well trained wizard by his side. I will teach him the difference between white and dark magic in order to protect the prince, realm and dimension. May they grow strong together."

Loud cheering erupted in the room as Percy whispered in Adam's ear "what do I do now?"

"I don't know. I'm playing this by ear," Adam smiled at  him "whatever we do we're doing it together."

"That's not very comforting," Percy retorted.

"It's better than being turned into a werewolf isn't?"

"I guess," he grumbled as two individuals came to escort him towards his destiny.

Adam was escorted to an elaborate throne room where Alessandro was seated next to an exquisite woman "this is my wife Selene."

She stared at Adam before turning to her husband "he is brave and has overcome many things in his young life." Adam snorted causing both to look down at him "you find my comment amusing." Selene stated.

"I wouldn't call thirty-two young" Adam began.

"It is but a drop in the sea of time" Selene said "humans live such short lives compared to us."

"I know your immortal," Adam mumbled.

"Myth pure myth," Alessandro laughed "there are so many fallacies you humans tell about us. We live a long time but we do eventually grow old and die."

"You're the walking undead," Adam closed his mouth as Selene rose in displeasure.

"Do I look dead to you?" she shouted at him. Shaking his head Adam quickly apologized. Sitting down again Selene smiled at him "we will work on your faulty knowledge of who and what we are. First we must begin the process."

"Come here," Alessandro commanded. Adam stepped forward heart pounding in his chest. Bearing his fangs Alessandro bit into Adam's neck followed in succession by Selene. "With this bite we bind you to us and us to you. Where ever you are in time or space we are connected. When you call we will come. The essence which is you remains the same. Your human family is yours still. Mother, father, brother, sister, wife, son and daughter. Their love for you and yours for them holds you true and does not change but makes your stronger. What you were still is and what you will be enhances what you are. You are son of Alessandro and Selene. Prince of all vampires here and elsewhere in time and space, dimension or universe. All will bow to you and do your will or face our wrath."

"Bring forth the chosen advisor" Alessandro commanded. Percy was brought before the throne to stand beside Adam. Eyes wide with fright Percy sought calm in a place he could not breathe in. Adam turned to him blood trickling from the bite on his neck and smiled. A sense of well being and peace fell over Percy calming him. 

Alessandro was handed a ceremonial dagger standing he approached the men "with this dagger I let blood flow from you to your advisor." With a swift and deft hand he slashed their wrists. Selene stepped forward bringing their wrists together "As your blood mixes and becomes one so do you also. You are bound together through time and space. In this dimension and in all others. Where one goes the other goes. When one is hurt the other hurts. It is an unbreakable bond till one or the other dies."

As Alessandro finished the ceremony both men collapsed on the floor. "Take them back with the others."  Alessandro instructed.

"It's not a fitting place..."Selene protested.

"It is necessary," Alessandro turned to placate his beloved "if Logan returns before it's time they must appear as if nothing has happened."

"As always my love you are right," Selene watched as her newly bonded son was lifted and taken away. "It is good to have another son. To be a family again."

"Are you disappointed it is not one of our flesh?" Alessandro asked in concern.

"No my sweet," Selene smiled with tears in her eyes. "That is not possible now. The illness robbed me of that joy as it robbed our son of his life."

Turning to his wife anger flashing in his eyes "I promise you my beloved I will hunt down the vile creature who infected you and our child. I will find the dimension he is hiding in and bring him back to face his punishment."

"I believe you," she sighed "in the meantime I will teach our adopted son what he needs to know." Standing she descended the throne turning back towards her husband "will our son be safe from our enemies? Will he be safe living among humans? Will we ever be accepted in their world?"

Sighing Alessandro spoke quietly "I hope so my sweet. If not we will need to be prepared to move swiftly if something should happen to him."