Armin settled back and turned the radio up as he waited.

{After a few minutes, Dianne returns, sitting in the passenger's seat.}

Dianne: "Ready. Let's go."

Armin headed off to the prison. As they approached, it was clear that the place was still being carefully guarded, both by the king's men and Frederick's people. Ryder was lying outside in dragon form, armoured, his head resting on his forelegs.

'Damn, he actually looks almost intimidating with that dragon armour on,' Armin murmured, stopping the car and beginning to climb out.

Dianne: "Yep. It's a high quality set I nicked from an estate sale. Old bat's family had no idea what she had. Looks good on him."

Armin began to approach the prison. As they did, Ryder lifted his head slightly.

'Hey, guys. You're gonna be around when it happens? Or are you just here to talk to the old guy?'

Dianne: "We're here to see it through. People tried to spring him twice now. We're here to stop that."

'OK. Cool. It'll be nice to have you. I know you got dragged here unexpectedly last night, so it's good that you're already here.'

'Should we go in?' said Armin to Dianne.

{Dianne hefts her mace over her shoulder.}

Dianne: "Let's. Stay safe out here, ok, Ryder?"

'Sure. Just shout if you need me.'

The guards stepped aside to let them pass. As Armin stepped through the doors, he buttoned up the front of his coat to conceal his armour. He then walked quietly down the hall past the row of cells, looking for Sam.

Dianne: "Will do."

{Dianne walks inside, stopping in front of Sam's cell. Sam was sitting against the wall. He looks up in disgust.}

Sam: "Come to gloat? Laugh at the poor, helpless human in a metal box?"

Armin leaned against the wall opposite the cell, looking over with a mixture of curiosity, disgust, and smugness on his face.

'I just want to know what was going through your head when you started this. You got half your family killed trying to murder us. And for what? If it was about revenge, then I'd understand, but it isn't. None of us have ever wronged you. What's your problem?'

{Sam looks right at Armin.}

Sam: "It was the principal. You killed innocent people. You don't deserve the happiness you have. Neither of you do. Slaughterers of families, and you call me the madman? You're infinitely worse than I could ever be."

Armin pushed himself off the wall and looked right down at Sam.

'Let me ask you something, as one father to another. What if somebody came along, got ahold of Jerry and your wife, and threatened to torture and kill them, unless /you/ killed someone /else./ What would you do?'

Sam: "Gather the rest of my family and take this guy down."

Dianne: "And if you had no extended family?"

Sam: "......What kind of a sad idiot doesn't have family?"

'So, you have the option of fighting back. Being a hunter family, you've got weapons and experienced people. Now what do you think it was like for /me?/ A completely ordinary man who didn't have access to any of that, being told my family would die if I didn't obey orders? I had no choice.'

Sam: "You still did it. I don't know what to tell you, Armin. What about the people you hurt by taking their loved ones? What are they supposed to do? Where's their justice?"

Armin didn't say anything else. He moved away from Sam's cell and walked a few steps down the hall, empty of expression, lost in thought.

{Dianne glances over at Armin before continuing.}

Dianne: "He was forced against his will. Sargon was the real criminal. Armin is as much a victim as the people he was forced to kill."

Sam: "He was forced, you were not. What's your excuse?"

'She wasn't forced,' said Armin. 'But she was driven to clinical insanity by the murder of her daughter and then taken advantage of by Dolorus. She didn't have the ability to make rational decisions at the time.'

Sam: "Insanity, is it? Why are you not still insane?"

Dianne: "I woke up. It was a very painful process, coming this far. I worked hard to get here, to be myself again."

Sam: "No, I think you still belong in an asylum. You're still unstable. Just look at your behavior any time you feel threatened. You're still a danger to yourself and others."

Armin walked up to the bars again.

'You can't possibly convince me that you only attack people who 'deserve it',' he said. 'If that's true, then what's your excuse for threatening Pythia and Esme? A harmless healer and a literal infant?'

Sam: "She just killed some of my closest family. It was impulsive. I don't really mean them harm."

Dianne: "Bullsh!t. You're just a racist bast.ard."

'And Dianne's not unstable. She doesn't attack anyone unless she has reason to.'

As he finished speaking, a serious-looking man walked down the hall. He was dressed in all black, and had a sharp axe strapped to his back. He didn't look at anyone, but went through a metal door at the end of the hall and disappeared.

{Sam eyes the man with acceptance before continuing.}

Sam: "So sure, are you? Just watch. Some civilian is going to tell her something insulting and she'll likely strangle them with their own entrails. Then maybe the king will consider putting her away."

'That's not going to happen,' said Armin. His mind went to Luxia, and how Dianne hadn't hurt her despite the fact that she'd cast an unpleasant spell on them without consent. 'You don't know her. You only know what she's done in the past.'

Dianne: "He's right, you don't know me at all. I've too much to lose to just let myself fly off the handle."

Sam: "I don't believe you. And that's where we differ, Armin. You're a gullible fool."

'And you're an intolerant bast.ard. Your son is ten times the person you are. He developed his own views, despite being unfortunate enough to have you as a father.'

Three guards approached Sam's cell and began to unlock it, keeping a close eye on him. '6PM. Come out and follow us, and don't try anything. We are armed.'

{Sam stands, following the guards.}

Sam: "Do you really believe that? Or is he just another potential parasite to you?"

Armin snorted out a dark laugh.

'What, did you think I'm out to try and Turn him? I can assure you that I don't do that for no reason.'

The guards led Sam down the hall, one in front of him and two behind. Armin started to follow.

{Dianne follows them as well, watching her surroundings carefully. Sam makes no further comment.}

The guards opened the metal door. Inside was a plain room with a smooth stone floor, a block in the middle, and a stone square for one to kneel on. The black-garbed man was waiting inside, boredly swinging his axe. He stopped quickly when they noticed.

'I'm sorry, but you can't come in here,' said one of the guards to Armin and Dianne. 'This isn't a public affair. Only officials and the condemned can come in. No spectators.'

Dianne: "Very well. We will wait outside."

{Sam follows the guard inside without protest.}

Armin lingered near the door with Dianne.

'Right, let's get this done quickly,' said the executioner. 'Other than whatever may be in your will, do you have any final messages or requests?'

Sam: "Yes. The only reason I'm dying today is because the king is afraid of her. I actually haven't done anything that bad."

The executioner looked unimpressed. 'Sorry, fella, but we all know you've assaulted and tried to kill multiple people, threatened a child and an innocent woman, and allied yourself with a known-to-be-prejudiced hunter clan. Nobody is buying that.'

Sam: "Trust me, she ain't innocent."

Dianne: "He means Pythia you moron."

Sam: "Oh. Then yeah, I did kinda do that. But it still doesn't warrant death."

'The king can do what he wishes with those who endanger his subjects,' growled the executioner. 'Especially subjects who helped save this city from the monster that was Sargon!'

Sam: "I helped beat Sargon too. Yet, I don't get any special treatment. Real considerate."

'You lost any right to special treatment when you betrayed your former allies to the Bloodrazor clan,' said the executioner. 'You renounced them, so we renounce you.'

Sam: "You could never prove that, but it's clear to me, you're just their fanboy. There's no convincing you."

{At that moment, there was a charged feeling in the air. Magic charge.}

The executioner was about to speak, but then halted, raising his axe. 'What was that?' he said, staring suspiciously at Sam.

Armin tensed like a wolf picking up a scent. He began to ease into the execution room, gripping his sword, eyes darting around for any sign of a portal.

{Dianne felt it too, readying her mace, looking about. A portal opened up inside the execution room. Out of it walked a mage, who immediately put a ward up in front of the entrance, stopping others from entering.}

Armin bounded forwards at the same moment the ward came up, getting knocked backwards. He jumped to his feet, showing his fangs.

//Ryder! We need to unravel a ward, if you've got anyone who can do that!//

'Who the hell are you?' he said to the mage.

{Dianne pulls Armin out of the way.}

Dianne: "Stand back!"

{As Dianne starts hammering the ward with her mace, throwing flames and sparks everywhere, a woman comes through the portal. It was Jerry's mother, with sunglasses and a revolver. she levels her weapon at the executioner.}

Anne: "Put the axe down, old man."

Sam: "Anne?! You're here to save me?!"

Anne: "Sam, shut up and get through the portal!"

'What the hell?' Armin exclaimed, vaguely recognising the woman and guessing who she must be. 'Hey! Are you siding against your own /son/ by protecting this lunatic?'

The executioner eyed Jerry's mother, then her gun, then his axe. He lowered it, but didn't drop it.

Anne: "Don't bring my son into this, Armin. He's lost enough as it is."

{By this point, the ward was cracking from Dianne's onslaught. The mage was straining to keep it together. Sam hurriedly runs through the portal, with Anne backing towards it.}

Mage: "We really...should be going..."

'Yeah, and it's /Sam's/ fault!' Armin growled. 'Do you think Jerry will be happy you saved him?'

From down the prison hallway, Joey, Frederick's only spellcaster, came running. The feeling of charged power hummed through the air once again, and he cast a spell that significantly weakened the ward, allowing Dianne's next blow to shatter it.

{Once Dianne shattered the ward, the mage darted through the portal. Anne pulls a dart gun and fires a shot at Dianne, which struck her in the neck between plates. Dianne yelled in pain, but charged into the room anyway. Anne ducks into the portal as it was closing, and the group was gone.}

Armin practically flew into the room, but still wasn't fast enough to get through the portal before it closed. He skidded to a halt, breathing hard and looking livid. However, a moment later he turned to Dianne, grabbing her shoulder and looking her over with concern.

Joey lingered by the doorway, looking alarmed. Ryder came running in behind him, gazing around.

{Dianne's movements began to slow. She pulls the dart out painfully, then stumbles a bit, gripping onto Armin.}

Dianne: "Armin...tranquilizer...."

{She then slumps forward, her legs giving out.}

Armin caught her, holding her up with slight difficulty. Meanwhile, Ryder, Joey, the guards, and the executioner were just looking on with alarm.

'Who were they?' said one guard. 'What just happened?'

'Ryder, help me get her outside,' Armin growled. 'I think if it was just a tranquiliser dart, she'll be OK...'

Looking concerned, Ryder came over, picked Dianne up, and started to carry her out, while Armin followed.

{Dianne drops her mace, now completely unconscious. The group left no clues as to where they went. They were just gone.}

Under Armin's direction, Ryder carried Dianne to their truck and buckled her into the passenger seat. Armin picked up the dropped mace and climbed into the driver's side.

'What are you going to do now?' said Ryder softly.

'Go home,' said Armin shortly. He seemed to have pushed his fury and frustration aside, but it simmered just beneath the surface. 'I'd ask you to stay and keep an eye on things, but there's nothing left to do now.'

Ryder stepped back as Armin shut the door and took off with a squeal of tyres.

//Well... better go inform Fred of everything... maybe he can find them...// the dragon thought.

(Dianne: "Don't forget Esme, Armin." :/)

{Dianne limply sat in the passenger's seat, completely unaware of anything that was happening.}

On the way back home, Armin stopped by Pythia's house. Not wanting to leave Dianne alone, he called out to Pythia telepathically.

//Pythia, it's Armin and Dianne. We're outside. Can you bring Esme out to us?//

{Pythia walks out with Esme, looking concerned.}

Pythia: "Armin, is everything alright?"

Armin opened his door, looking down at them.

'Define 'alright'. Sam Garvey escaped and Dianne got hit by a tranquiliser. Can you pass Esme to me, please.'

Pythia: "Oh dear..."

{Passing Esme to Armin, Pythia starts inspecting Dianne, climbing into the car with them.}

Pythia: "No heart palpitations, she's breathing alright...Hmmmm..."

{Meanwhile, Barnabas appears to Frederick as he hears of the attack.}

Barnabas: "Fred, I know where they are. Or, at least where they were."

'She pulled the dart out quickly,' said Armin, watching them while he held Esme still. 'Is everything good?'

Fred was in his living-room, with Ryder. The still-armoured dragon had just explained what happened at the prison. Both turned to look at Barnabas in surprise, but Fred hid it faster.

'Yes, Barnabas? What information do you have?'

Barnabas: "I followed them throught the portal. They were hiding in an abandoned parking garage in the industrial district. 1736 Burr Rd. they have a mage, a light mage, a portal mage, and Jerry's mom. Also, she's a vampire."

Pythia: "She seems alright. Ok, take her home and keep an eye on her. If her condition changes at all, call me immediately, ok?"

Ryder and Fred exchanged glances.

'So, the sunglasses weren't just an odd style choice?' said Ryder.

Fred grabbed his notebook and began scrawling things down. 'That's an interesting development... her becoming a vampire must be a relatively recent thing. Do you know anything else?'

Armin nodded tersely. 'Thank you. Don't worry. I'm taking her and Esme home now.'

{Barnabas shrugs.}

Barnabas: "Just that she was apprehensive of Sam learning that she was a vampire. And that the mages were absolutely terrified of Dianne."

Pythia: "Ok. Have a safe trip home."

'I think we ought to investigate this garage. Since they have a light mage, you and Dianne aren't going. We'll need Joey, since mages are useful for combating other mages... And some vampires, I think... I could ask Armin, but he's a bit unpredictable...'

'We also need to tell Jerry everything,' said Ryder. 'He probably doesn't even know his mother's a vampire.'

Armin drove home in silence. Esme crouched beside Dianne, gazing at her dismally.

When they got back, Armin went around to Dianne's side and lifted her out. He carried her up to the house, signalling Esme to follow. With difficulty, he took Dianne upstairs to the bedroom and rid her of her armour.

Barnabas: "Yeah. He'll just get himself killed. I should head back to Dianne, make sure she's ok. Have fun with chasing the goons."

Fred waved a hand dismissively. 'Yes, go. We don't need you for this. Thank you for the information, though. Ryder, can you go and explain everything to Joey; ask him if he's willing to do this?'

After Ryder left, Fred picked up the phone and dialled Jerry's number.

{Meanwhile, at an undisclosed location, Anne and Sam were talking.}

Anne: "What the hell, Sam?! You couldn't just let this one go, could you? My nephews are dead, and it's your fault."

Sam: "I had to. It's the job! Was I supposed to to just let the bad guys get away?"

Anne: "They're not bad, Sam. Didn't you hear a thing Lucci said?"

Sam: "Lucci?! Since when do you trust him?"

{Jerry picks up rather quickly.}

Jerry: "Hello?"

'Hello, Jerry. Have you heard anything about what happened at your father's execution yet?' said Frederick.

Once he'd gotten Dianne's armour off, Armin made her comfortable on the bed. Leaving Esme to entertain herself, he pulled up a chair and sat beside her, not intending to leave.

Anne: "You're f$%king impossible, Sam! For god's sake, your arrogance is tearing this family apart!"

Sam: "Why did you save me, then? What's this about?!"

Anne: "I saved you to force you to retire. You're done. No more hunting, that's it."

Sam: "Anne...But the job's not done..."

Jerry: "No. Why, what happened, Ryder? Is everyone ok?"

{Dianne was still unconscious, sleeping with a peaceful expression. She didn't seem close to waking.}

'Well, before he could be executed, someone made a portal into the prison, and a woman came in. It was your mother, Jerry. She took Sam through the portal, and they're both gone. Dianne attempted to follow but was shot by a tranquiliser dart. Everyone is alright.'

Jerry: "Sh!t! Well...Do you know where she went?"

Anne: "No, shut up! Shut up about the job! You're done! No more! You're coming home and retiring, that's it! John, open the portal, let's go."

{As the portal opens, Anne takes her glasses off, revealing her blood red eyes.}

Sam: "Oh, Anne..."

Anne: "If you can't love a vampire, then consider this a divorce."

'I received a report that they're hiding on the old industrial site. I'm going to send some people down to investigate. We don't know what will happen yet, but we're going to take a look. There's another thing you might not know. Your mother is a vampire, apparently.'

Jerry: "...What?!"

'You didn't know, then. Good. I'm glad you weren't withholding that information from us.'

Jerry: "How d-Where d-...Damnit, where in the industrial district is she? I'm going to go talk to her!"

'That's unrealistic. You can't go charging in there to talk to her. I'm sending people to scout the place out and try to take down Sam, if he's still there. You'll ruin the operation.'

Jerry: "Damnit, Fred, it's my f$%king family! I'm going down there!"

{He abruptly hangs up on him. He doesn't seem very happy about this.}

Fred stared at the phone in his hand.

'I didn't even tell you the address...'

He started to gather weapons and equipment and head outside. He was going to go down there himself, with Joey and Ryder.

{Jerry gets into his car with a small radio looking device. It was a police scanner. Turining it on, he listens to the guard chatter.}

Jerry: "Alright, where's the address?"

While Jerry was making his own way, Fred, Ryder and Joey were heading to the industrial site.

'They might not be here anymore,' said Ryder. 'I bet they wouldn't hang around.'

'No, but we have to look anyway.'

{Ryder was correct. They were long gone. Unlike the last two attempts, this group was very experienced and prepared.}

When they arrived on Burr Road, they left Ryder a distance back while Fred and Joey quietly slipped into the old garage, using a spray to neutralise their scent. However, the place was deserted.

'...They're gone,' said Fred after making sure they weren't hiding anywhere. 'As I thought they might.' He pulled out his phone and texted Jerry.

<There's no point in coming. They're not here anymore.>

{Jerry was nearly there when he received the text. He pulls over, then proceeds to angrily and frustratedly slam his fist against the steering wheel. He hadn't been able to get in touch with his mother for a while and he wanted answers. But, alas, those answers would have to wait. Discontent, he starts to drive home.}

Fred wasn't happy with how things turned out either. He considered Sam a threat to his allies and wanted him dead. But he took it in stride, returning home with his team.

Armin stayed with Dianne. He hoped she might wake up for dinner, but if she didn't soon then he would have to make something for Esme alone.

{Just as Armin was ready to make Esme something, Dianne begins to stir. She slowly opens her eyes, turning towards Armin.}

Dianne: "....Armin?....What....what happened?"

Armin blinked and shifted closer to the bed.

'Hey, careful. You got knocked out by a dart in the execution room, do you remember?'

{Dianne closes her eyes, trying to remember. She seemed very lethargic, as the tranquilizer had not completely wore off.}

Dianne"...Yeah...Jerry's mum....Did we...catch them?..."

'No. They got away,' he said shortly. 'Hopefully now Sam's free, they'll shove off and never interact with us again, but if they do...'

{Dianne sighs, feebly reaching to pat his hand.}

Dianne: "...t's ok...everything is going to be ok..."

'If you say so... Well, it's late, and I was just about to make something for Esme... You up to eating?'

Dianne: "Yes...I think I can keep food down...but you'll have to carry me downstairs..."

'Alright, I'll take you down there, and we can eat in the rec room.'

He stood up, kicking aside the armour on the floor. Both his armour and Dianne's were down there. He picked her up with a grunt and began to walk downstairs.

Dianne: "Thankssss....I feel exhausted..."

{Closing her eyes, she gripped onto him as he carried her down.}

Armin smiled, half-sadly, and took her into the rec room, setting her down on the giant beanbag. He switched the TV on, and Esme came padding in.

'So, what do you want?' he asked. 'I can either order a pizza, or make some fried fish. Don't trust myself to try cooking anything else.'

Dianne: "Pizza sounds nice...we're going fishing over the weekend, so we'll have that later..."

{Dianne starts sitting up, rubbing her eyes in an attemp to rouse herself.}

(posting new room)