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An Introduction to the Fabulous Flying Fox
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3a
Episode 4a
Episode 7 |
Episode 7: "Showdown With Sylph"With psychic help from her vampiric friend, Sylvia Hanninah, Raven has finally been able to break through the mental barrier that had prevented her from remembering the truth of who she was before Mistress Sylph brought her to Hawaii. She now knows that she and the criminal Flying Fox are in fact one and the same. As might be imagined, she finds this revelation extremely distressing. The notion that Raven Gold used to be a man is not something she wants to accept. Despite the memories that have flooded into her, despite her certain knowledge that it was Sylph who made her female, Raven continues to find it impossible to imagine herself as male. She knows she's a woman, and is convinced that there must be more to her story than this. Indeed, while on her psychic journey into her own mind, Raven found two mental barriers, only one of which has thus far been opened. Perhaps, if she can bring down that second barrier, she'll find the rest of the answer she seeks? Unfortunately, because it was a vampire who assisted her, Raven is already weak from loss of blood. Sylvia is worried that any effort to go farther than Raven has already gone might cause her serious emotional and physical damage. Moreover, there's a serious problem in that Sylph has just shown up in her half-demonic form with six armed DEMON agents backing her, demanding that Raven be turned over to her. Despite her weakened condition, Raven has no intention of giving herself over to Sylph. The criminal Flying Fox made that mistake, and look what it got him! Thus, instead of surrendering, Raven fights. With Sylvia there to help, Raven doesn't have much trouble dealing with the DEMON agents, but dealing with Sylph is another matter altogether. The instant she comes into physical contact with the demonic Sylph, Raven's own demonic side begins to manifest itself. As Sylvia watches in amazement, Raven becomes the bat-winged succubus we glimpsed during her encounter with the Mental Master. For a few moments, it looks to be a fairly even match between the demonic Sylph and the demonic Flying Fox. Then, for some reason, Sylph starts laughing and decides not to push the matter any farther. As she vanishes, she congratulates Raven on winning her freedom, but warns her that freedom all too often comes with a price. The last thing she suggests is that Raven would do well at this point to go with Sylvia and leave Hawaii, because from here on in, after Sylph's people take care of one more piece of business, Raven Gold will have no more friends, and no one left to protect her. After Sylph is gone, it takes a great deal of effort for Sylvia to stop the demonic Raven from trying to feast on the souls of the fallen DEMON agents. Only after Raven regains control of herself and reverts to her human form does the horror of what almost happened hit her. Sylvia assures her there's nothing to worry about, but Raven's not convinced. If it happened once, it could happen again. Sylvia assures her it's not going to happen unless Sylph triggers it, and given that she almost lost a one-on-one fight Sylph's not likely to trigger it, particularly if Raven leaves Hawaii and comes with Sylvia in search of a cure. But Raven doesn't want to leave. Despite what Sylph said about her not having any friends, she still has one. Even if Heather, Belen, and Josie work for Sylph, even if Jackson Andrews isn't what he appears to be, Raven still has her relationship with Steven . . . Lord . . . Oh, no! In a sudden panic, remembering what Sylph said about taking care of one more piece of business, Raven knocks Sylvia out of the way and flies straight to the hospital. She's relieved to find that Steven is not only alive, but on his feet and about to check himself out. She throws herself into his arms and showers him with kisses, telling him how much she loves him. He's a bit bewildered, but seems pleased by this expression of devotion. He tells her he's been thinking long and hard about this and has reached a decision. He says life is too short to waste any more time. He shows her a ring and tells her he wants her to be his wife. She's taken so completely off guard that she responds with her heart, not her head. She doesn't hesitate to say yes. Of course she'll marry him. As the hospital staff applauds, Steven slips the ring onto Raven's finger. But after he takes her home with him, and her initial rush of emotion wears off, Raven finds herself worried that she's just made a big mistake. Yes, the part of her that's a woman is completely in love with Steven Lord. Yes, that part of her wants to be his bride. But now, thanks to Sylvia, Raven knows there's another part of her that's going to fight this development tooth and nail. Taking a deep breath and stelling herself for what she knows instinctively is going to be a very difficult fight to subdue the masculine instincts of her other self, Raven gives her new fiancé a long and passionate kiss. And as Sylph receives word from her spy at the hospital that Steven Lord and his superheroine girlfriend are now engaged to be married, she smugly congratulates herself on the success of her strategem. By the simple act of taking away Raven's every other option, Sylph forced her into the arms of Steven Lord. From this point on, however it may turn out in the long run, sweet Raven has made her choice. She's decided she wants to be a woman. As far as Sylph is concerned, her vengeance on the male Flying Fox is now complete. |