Alana

"Damn it! They're not working!" Gene cried as he fired his gun.

"Casters don't work against me. Time to die Gene Starwind," Alan said and raised his sword. A beam of light hit the sword causing it to shatter into thousands of pieces.

"What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were taking care of her."

"She wanted to come back Gene," Jim said.

"Alan…" Alana said coldly and Alan grinned.

"What's he done to you sis? Has he made promises to you? Has he touched you in places only I know about?" Alan asked and Gene hit him.

"That's none of your damned business!" Gene growled as Alan hit the wall.

"Leave the room Alana," Alan said as he stood up and wiped the blood from his mouth.

"No," Alana said and her brother glared at her.

"Leave the room."

"I'm not going."

"Then it's bedtime."

"You don't control me any longer."

"It ain't working boss," Sanders said and Alan's eyes grew wide.

"Take that damned necklace off of her!" Alan commanded.

"Necklace…" Gene said and glanced at Alana's neck.

The pendant shone brightly as Alana gazed levelly at her brother. Sanders made a move in her direction and she waved a hand, sending Sanders flying into the small group of pirates. Alan gazed wide-eyed at his sister as he pressed his back against the wall.

"No Alana…" Alan protested as she raised her hand.

"You've used me for the last time," Alana said, her voice low and dangerous.

"Gene do something!" Jim cried and Gene looked at him.

"Why? The bastard deserves it," he said.

"If that pendant keeps absorbing her energy at this rate, we'll all be killed!"

"I'm the only family you have. Don't you remember? We're all we have," Alan protested.

"You used me. A true family would never do that. Your love of money was more important than our relationship. I'm not going to forgive you for what you've turned me into. I'm better off alone than to be in your company any longer," Alana said as a beam of energy started to form in front of her hand.

"Gene let's go!" Jim cried and grabbed Gene's hand.

They got out just as the apartment exploded. Gene stood in the midst of raining concrete and metal shards and clenched his hands. Jim lay a hand on his arm and Gene glanced at him.

"There wasn't anything you could do, Gene," he said.

"I know," he sighed.

"Gene look!"

Alana stepped out of the debris, still wearing the necklace. The pendant shattered from the energy overload and Alana collapsed on the ground. Gene ran to her side and shook her.

"Jim what's her reading?" he demanded.

"She's dying," Jim replied.

"Gene…" Alana whispered and Gene looked at her.

"We'll get you help. Hold on," he said and she weakly smiled.

"It's too late for me Gene. At lease I can't be used anymore. Thank you for everything Gene. I didn't know you for very long but I wasn't lonely with you," she sighed and closed her eyes. Gene ran a hand over her face and pressed her lips together. He gently laid her body on the ground and sighed. Jim laid a hand on Gene's shoulder and patted his back.

"Come on Gene. Let's go," Jim said softly.

"Can't we restart her or something?" Gene asked.

"No Gene. There's nothing we can do. At least she died happy and free."

"Yeah. For once in her life she wasn't alone."

He stood up and gazed at the lifeless figure of Alana. He wished that he had known her better. She had stood her ground and faced her fears. She didn't run away or submit when she had learned that her brother was using her. She had been noble in coming between Gene and certain death. He watched as raindrops started to fall on her face, gently washing away the blood and sighed. He turned to Jim.

"Let's go home," he said and turned away from the scene.