The dusky sun was setting when Gevaudan and his army began their longer-than-expected march on Anderson Science Center. Wolves were used to long distances when hunting, but in this situation, they were bringing more than their usual amount of armory and artillery. Stomp over step, the unorthodox group of canines -- including foxes, dingoes and jackals -- traversed a secret set of passageways, deep through the forest substructure. Upon reaching the other side, the battalion made its way alongside the forest's edge, next to fields of wild grass and flower.

Coerced into the war effort was a rag-tag collection of non-mongrels; dim-witted oxen pulling heavy carts of munitions, shifty weasels serving as field scouts, and a legion of horses carrying the military leaders themselves. The Wolf King himself rode upon a sleek ivory horse, commandeering from atop his high seating. The odd lineup and extra equipment made the transit slow, their travel taking well past the midnight hour. Despite this, the troops remained in good spirits; howling in the moment and crooning beneath a spotlight moon. They worried not about being heard, their trashing and trampling heard from several kilometers away.

At some point, a harrowing display of lights was seen in the distance.

"What is it, Master?" some of the smaller and younger mongrels asked in panic. "What is happening?"

Gevaudan calmly studied the scene. "It is a way to scare us."

Lights set up on poles were placed high up in the trees, illuminating the hospital and its surrounding campus, as if a grand event were being put on exhibition.

The lower mongrels squinted and blinked, stopping in their procession to look away and adjust to the change in shadows.

Gevaudan grabbed the nearest mongrel soldier. "Take the weasels, and put out those perimeter lights!"

Further away, at the Science Center, a couple of Human Protection factions gathered at the hilltop and awaited the incoming mongrel army. All of the scientists and students had already evacuated, but a fair amount of equipment was still left behind.

Among the HP officers was a man in tan and brown fatigues named Captain Samuel. The young but promising HPU leader sighed. He stood with the heel of his boot atop a large, dusty boulder. At the same time, he scanned the surrounding area in full flexion, his Captain's armband on full display. He rolled a thumb and adjusted the settings on his multiplex. Behind the device he frowned, watching the canine movements in the distance. Instinctively, he felt for the gun at his hip.

"They're almost to the perimeter, Sir," the lower ranking officer next to him said. "Less than 15 minutes away."

"Is everyone in position?" the Captain asked.

"Yes, Sir," the junior officer replied. "What're the plans with the boy, with Alessandro?"

Samuel stopped his survey and dropped the multiplex from his eyes. A wave of his dark ash hair fluttered as he exposed his boyish face to the wind. "He says that he wants to meet with the mongrel leader alone."

Silence, as the two Human Protection officers contemplated their thoughts on the matter.

"You question our involvement in this?" the Captain asked. He flipped an eyebrow as he eyed the other officer.

"Reasoning with animals is insane," the subordinate said. "I know we're obligated to help, but this mission endangers all of us. It's reckless."

"Nobody knows what will happen for sure," Samuel replied. He returned to his scouting. "We have to be ready for anything. It's possible the monster emerges and tries to take over at any time. Then we'll all be in danger."

"What's the Unit's directive in all of this?"

"For now, it's to support the boy's mission. We'll start with negotiation, try to avoid any unnecessary loss of life, but I am not holding my breath on anything."

The other officer paused. "And the girl has nothing to do with your decision in this?"

Samuel's eyes shifted. He ignored the inference.

"It's wrong to let your feelings affect your decision-making," the second officer said.

The Captain's face became stern.

"Stop talking about things you know nothing about, and stick to the issue at hand! We know we can't defeat the Canine army, but regardless, we have to give Alessandro a reasonable opportunity. If we can negotiate a deal, maybe we can end this war before it gets started."

Elsewhere, the Canines' well-known person-of-interest -- Alessandro -- was standing off from the crowd, alone. Despite support from the Unit, a neutral zone had developed between him and the others. From the corners of his eyes, he saw them assembled in huddles, staring. He heard their whispered conversations; hush-hush, gasp-and-glare. He saw the way they avoided him. He had become a pariah, and he felt an uncomfortable tension spreading through the camp.

Likewise, a familiar feeling was pervading Alessandro's being. His head ached, and an ill anxiety was squeezing his chest. He took a couple of deep breaths, but the feeling would not go away. He gripped his swelling hands. He craned about the location, stretching his neck, searching for -- and ultimately hoping for -- an intervention, but could not find who he was looking for.

"Don't worry. I'm sure Elliot will arrive soon enough."

Instead, it was Mimi who had appeared.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. She smiled and gave Alessandro a brief embrace.

But the hug was unusually intense. Alessandro lingered.

"Love protects... " he said in Mimi's ear.

Mimi froze. "What?"

She tried to separate from the boy, but his hands locked onto her arms.

"Love always trusts... "

His eyes began to glow a neon blue as he drifted into her eyes. He drew up close again, his breath misting in the night air.

"Love hopes."

"Aless, what are you saying? Are you okay?"

He was even closer now, in Mimi's face, far into her personal space. Unrestrained. Unrestricted. So close he could practically taste her. He opened his mouth.

"Love always perseveres... "

"Aless, what's wrong?" Mimi pulled away.

He angled toward her and whispered, "Love never fails, Mina."

He lurched forward, grasping Mimi in full desire and kissed her on the lips.

Except that Mimi strained backward, her lips closed; as if Alessandro were kissing a mannequin, an inanimate doll.

At that, Alessandro ceased his seduction and found Mimi looking at him with questionable regard. He released his hold and backed away, hissing, his incisors showing.

Mimi grabbed his arm.

"Who's Mina, Aless? Why are you acting this way? What's happening?"

Aless' face was stunned. He stumbled backward, breaking the hold on his arm.

"Aless?" Mimi said.

He covered his face with a forearm and pointed at her.

"You are without your necklace... "

Mimi reached up and touched her neck.

"You came to me for intimacy," the vampire said. "You came to me out of love!"

Mimi's forehead was stern.

"Aless, you mistake my feelings!"

"Do not deny your feelings for me!" he said, as he clutched for her arm. "Do not deny destiny at my side!"

The teen vampire leaned forward again.

At that, Mimi produced a silver dagger, hidden at her hip, gleaming brightly in the midnight light. There, embedded in the wooden handle, was Mimi's silver cross.

"Let's just keep it at friends, shall we?" Mimi responded.

The vampire smirked. "A wooden stake, my dear? For my heart?"

Mimi kept the dagger's point aimed.

"Aless, I know you are battling that demon inside of you. Everyday, it threatens your being. Forget this battle with the mongrels! Let me get you out of here!"

She stepped forward, knife in hand.

Alessandro stiffened and shuddered. He closed his eyes and looked away.

"Let's find a way to help you!" Mimi said.

Alessandro shook his head. "No!" He threw himself backward and clenched his head in his hands.

"This battle doesn't have to happen!" Mimi cried.

"No!" Alessandro said, breathing hard. "I was born for this! It is my destiny!"

The young vampire collapsed to the ground.

For a while, the two remained separate at their positions.

Alessandro looked up, and Mimi studied him closely. For a moment, she thought she had heard less aggression behind his words, and his eyes had lost that cold, icy look. She lowered her dagger slightly.

A longer pause ensued.

Alessandro reclined his arms, and his breathing slowed.

"Thank you for not abandoning me, Mimi," Aless said, after a while. "I apologize for my lack of strength."

Mimi looked at Alessandro in a canny way. She could not always be certain of his sincerity. She knew one thing however.

"Aless, you've saved my life before," Mimi said. "And, on more than one occasion. You've saved Eliot's life as well and the lives of countless others. I know there is goodness inside of you! If there is anything I can do to help you, I promise I will."