Dexter Morgan/Bio & Battles

After seeing his mother brutally killed and left inside the cargo with mangled corpse covered in blood at a very early age, Dexter Morgan was rescued by Officer Harry Morgan who arrived on the scene and taken the young child under his care after the tragic accident; At a very early age Dexter began to show signs of being a psychopath by killing the neighbour's dog when it's loud barking bothered his sickly mother, worrying about what would become of his foster son Harry Morgan began to teach Dexter on how to become "normal" and to focus his killing urges on those who "deserve" it in order to survive. Now in his Mid 30's, Dexter Morgan is a Blood Spatter Analyst for the Miami Police Department by day who moonlights as a serial killer vigilante by night.

Prologue
Soundtrack for this scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va3-PF09pXw

A chemical plant, the Everglades, 10:32pm

It was a long day's work and rest was needed. "OK, sir. You've got a meeting with the Governor tomorrow to discuss the potential future of this company and your wife has phoned in asking to bring home the groceries..." the secretary briefed Mr Tynsdale. "Ah yes, I mustn't forget those things..." Tynsdale grunted as he donned his trenchcoat. Outside the window, drips of rain were bucketting down on the swamps around him. "Do you have your umbrella here, Mabel?"

"Yes sir I do" she replied

"Good. May I duck under it to get to my vehicle?"

A clap of thunder rang out. Everything went dark. "Ah..." Tynsdale exclaimed "Well... getting out of this place shouldn't be a hassle..."

He suddenly craned his neck when he heard a sound. It was certainly unnatural but where it came from, he didn't seem to like it too much.

"Sir?" Mabel whispered.

"Get security here. Something's going on upstairs." Tynsdale beckoned his secretary, who immediately jogged out down the hallway, turning left before disappearing. Between the claps of thunder and lightning, Mr Tynsdale could only make out feet lightly tapping on the ceiling... or was it just rain?

He straightened his jacket trying to calm his nerves and soothe his heart. He looked outside and saw the rain pour incessantly, distorting the natural beauty that is the swamps. Goosebumps started to raise all over his body as if to tell him something's gone wrong. Taking his gloves off the window, Mr Tynsdale slowly crept out of his office.

The flashes of lightning were the only light source he had to rely on as he slowly made his way down the corridor. His heart started racing. Something was definitely wrong.

"Sir?" a voice rang out. "The security team has just been knocked out!"

"Mabel?" Mr Tynsdale shouted as he clutched the white wall next to him for support. His heart beated even faster, nostrils were flaring as if to signal danger.

Suddenly as the next flash of lightning struck a mysterious figure walked out into his field of vision. Like a phantom, it slowly moved towards Mr Tynsdale. In between flashes, Mr Tynsdale could make out some features of her but other than that, she was wearing a simple burglar's outfit. He collapsed to the ground in shock and anguish as the feminine figure made her way towards him.

"And Mabel's dead!" she said. Her face was now directly in front of him. A squeal escaped from his mouth as he stared into her soulless, blue eyes. He could feel her cold breath through the balaclava.

"Which leaves you..." Shion continued, a sinister tone being hinted at "...for easy pickings!"

Mr Tynsdale tried to scream but it was no use. She already placed a chloroformed cloth in his mouth leaving him blanking out.

The following morning...

Dexter stood by the stove of his kitchen, preparing his morning meal.

''They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day... I think so too... the way the meat and eggs fall into your pan and sizzle away... the flavours that burst out of nectarine juice and into your mouth... the aroma of coffee beans brewing to perfection... and the smoothness of metal that flows through your flesh and skin. Most humans don't take the time to stop and take in all these strange new delights.''

Digesting the food, Dexter closed his eyes in contemplation.

'Ring! Ring!'

''And then the phone rings... reality rushes back into your mind and then work begins. For me, that work tends to involve police coming across the scene of a murder and the Department asks me to help them.''

Upon hearing the call, Dexter drove away passing by the city and its sights.

''The places I get taken too are too ordinary... they dehumanise the soul and make humans work like machines... the yellow sun outside shines on the monotone coloured walls and the plastic objects... I do not understand why humans choose to live this existence with artifical colour clouding their minds... and yet I feel satisfied, like everything is meant to be...''

''A little variety doesn't hurt the soul when taken moderately... And today, I think I'm about to get a piece of this...''

Silverline Chemical Processing Plant, 8:32am

Dexter's car pulled up on the side of the road near a river. As soon as he got out, the stench that came from the swampy areas pentrated his nostrils which flared in disgust. With a little wince to this apparent odour, Dexter stepped out of the car. The river in front of him is serene and peaceful this morning. As the sun shines from behind it, the birds come flying out of their roosts and the stream of water moves ever so slowly.

''The Florida Everglades... home to some of nature's wildest animals... above all...''

Dexter turned around and in front of his car was the longest line of people he had ever seen.

...the media.

Paparazzos from all over the US flocked to see the terrible atrocity that happened at the Silverlines Plant. Addressing them was none other than Lieutenant LaGuerta, trying to ever be so gentle and yet so direct with the press.

"What happened here last night was a very heinous crime indeed. Vincent Tynsdale, the CEO of Silverline Industries, has indeed been kidnapped forcibly from his office. His secetary, Miss Mabel Jones, was murdered so that the kidnapper may get to him. Our hearts go out to the families of these victims..."

''Keep at it LaGuerta. Feed the machine.''

After blankly staring at LaGuerta for a few seconds, Dexter's attention was diverted to a strange-looking vehicle just near the entrance to the plant. It looked like a truck, had the parts of a truck and yet in the back, it strangely wasn't one. Coming closer to inspect this new gizmo, Dexter then got the attention of Sergeant Doakes and Detective Batista, looking as plain as ever.

"About damn you showed up Morgan!" Doakes grunted.

"Well at least the princess made it to our little ball, eh Dexter?" quipped Batista before he scruffed up Dexter's hair and patted him on the back. Doakes however was not impressed.

"So, uh, what's this thing we got here?" Dexter walked up to the boxed rear of the vehicle.

"This is the new toy that the Department lent to us. They call it a mobile crime lab..." Batista explained as he followed Dexter.

Dexter knocked his fist on the door.

''The cold metal here feels exactly like that of a prison bus. And yet strange enough it isn't a prison bus but some "mobile crime laboratory". I just don't get it with humans and their new innovations...''

A few seconds after the knocking, Vince Masuka clambered out of the door. "Dexter. Good to see you."

"Yeah nice to see you too, Vince." Dexter faked a smile of friendship as the two shook hands. "So, uh..." Dexter craned his neck to see inside this lab.

The interior of the place was furnished to look almost exactly like the forensics lab back at the station. Desks neatly arranged, the tools of the trade (microscope, computers and all) also placed conveniently close to them. Even the walls were painted white to give it that homely feel.

"...what are you doing in there?"

"What do you think?" Vince stepped back inside his new environment "Processing the evidence that has been collected at the scene, only this time a lot faster."

Dexter stepped inside and stared rather intently at the design and detail that surrounded him. So fake and yet so real. The homeliness of the mobile lab didn't seem attractive to him. Doakes and Batista stood by the door, blatantly staring inside as Vince gave Dexter a specialised tour of all the instruments within. Hearing Vince speak about forensics is like listening to a mother ranting to her child about the importance of cleanliness - the duo looked at each other in embarassment before returning their attention to Vince's speech.

"...and here is the laptop where all the data is processed. Right now I am looking a sample from the scene the other forensics team has pulled up..."

The screen on the computer flashed a bright red for a mere split-second, indicating something has gone amiss.

"What the hell?" Dexter squinted at the screen trying to read the error message.

"Oh umm... well..." Vince struggled to find the right words but instead of blurting it out, de simply dashed to the scanning machine; a sample bag containing a lone strand of hair. Nothing seemed unusual about it at first - maybe it was a green strand of fibre that fell from a wig or something. Dexter stood helplessly as Vince looked through the microscope again at his sample.

"This can't be right..." he seemed amazed at his discovery.

"Masuka!" Doakes shouted "If you're done playing f--king tour guide, I suggest Morgan come with us now."

"Whatever you say sir..." Dexter sighed as he stepped out of the lab and into the fresh open world.

Ascending the main stairs to the building, Batista explained "OK so the vic we got here is Mabel Jones, real stunner. 26 years of age, single with no kids... makes me wonder how she got the job as a secretary for someone as powerful as Mr Tynsdale."

''Yeah, it makes me wonder too... the female mind is so complex. Funny how I can understand Rita at all...''

"And our kidnapping victim?" Doakes irately asked.

"Psh. Everybody knows who Vincent Tynsdale and the Silverline Company are. Chemical engineers who work hard to improve healthcare. Now that's something I want to see..." Batista cheerily remarked. The trio have made their way past wide white metallic walls and now found themselves at the top of a staircase. Right below them was the crime scene - Mabel Jones, 26 years of age.

''Young classy female. Age 26. Hair as red as her own blood. Green eyes once filled with vigour and vitality, now cyan and iced over with death. Face chiseled to perfection....''

"Morgan? Would you mind telling us what happened?" Doakes asked. He noticed Dexter's eyes were gazed on the dead figure at the bottom of the steps.

As Batista looked at Dexter with a grin on his face, Doakes toughened up a little. "Morgan?" and soon the blood splatter analyst snapped out of his daze. "What's the matter? Got yourself a hard on?"

"Uh..." Dexter stammered.

"Just explain to us what the f--k happened." Doakes interrupted and with that, all three detectives descended the stairs, stopping just before the body.

"Well... Mabel was busy walking up these stairs..." Dexter began, first pointing to the main stairway just beside the body "then the attacker appeared behind her from there..." he then pointed to the set of steps directly in front of them "snuck up behind her and..." he descended the stairs, stooping slightly closer to the body for a thorough examination. "...slashed her neck, severing the carotid arteries instantly."

He stood back up and looked at Batista and Doakes, who didn't seem that impressed by the talk.

"Is that it?" Doakes questioned.

"Well I can also comment that the knifework here was sloppy..." Dexter explained as he tried to re-enact the scene/ "If I were doing this... then after I slashed the neck, I would've held her steady and left her lying on her back with me having a bloody hand. Instead we see this... a face down corpse soaked in a pool of blood."

"Now that's more like it, Dex." Batista commented. It was something in Dexter's explanation that seemed to stir up Doakes attention. Before he could say anything though, a voice rang out from above.

"Uh, Sergeant... we may have a problem..." Vince motioned as he leaned over the railing.

"Be right there, Masuka. Morgan, you get more photos of the scene. Batista, with me." Doakes grunted before heading off to the exit. With the shrug of his shoulders, Batista followed suit. Dexter blankly looked in their direction before returning to the task at hand.

''Another day... another chore of taking photographs. Still, the sight of death is what keeps me feeling alive...''

Dexter continued snapping photos of the scene, taking absolute care that he isn't contaminating it. Soon after, the body was taken away and everyone moves towards Mr Tynsdale's area - where to them, the real heinous crime happened. Dexter on the other hand, was done.

...

Back in my office, back in my artificially natural habitat looking at all the bits and pieces of the scene.

Dexter flicks through the numerous photos of Mabel's body and the wounds inflicted on it. Nothing he stated earlier has been refuted upon closer inspection - a single slash wound to the neck was all that the killer needed to get that (secretary) bitch out of the way.

Testimonies from the security guards turned up no leads - they described the culprit as wearing a burglar's outfit, and having eyes of a shade of blue. One of them, even though he himself was not sure, described the killer as having a feminine figure.

''To my colleagues, it seems as if the pieces don't fit together. In my mind however, they do.''

I remember seeing the face of a girl with similar attributes on the car trip back.

Down along the strip, Dexter drove on. He looked to see the lovely city of Miami buzzing with activity - beach-goers on the white sand, businessmen on their way to work... the late morning ride felt like a mirage. When he reached the traffic lights however, something hit him.

The cornerside cafe also was busy, both in and out with patrons happily gorging away at their delights. They were often seen in couples. Outside the door however, was a lone woman stirring her coffee, eyes fixated on it intently. She was wearing a wide-brimmed hat but Dexter can barely see the fringes of her hair - and the color bright green popped into his mind when he got the chance. At that exact moment, a waitress walked past her. She handed the lone woman a bowl of Caesar salad. When the waitress left, the lone woman turned to thank her before returning back to her meal. Her eyes were blue as Dexter noted. For a man with a mind fixated on killing people, the 30 seconds of observation was all he needed to come to one conclusion... ''she must be the killer and kidnapper. I can sense it''.

"Dexter?" Batista snapped him out of his train of thought "You OK man?"

"Yeah, I was just..." Dexter tried to make himself look busy "Going through these photos again."

He sifted through various photos before coming to one explicitly detailing the neck slash. "I think that looks like a mark from a hunting knife..."

"So your saying our killer went around with a hunting knife?" Batista enquired. "I gotta tell you man we can't say that's a fact for sure. But I'll take that into account."

"Thanks..." Dexter nervously replied before Batista walked away with a chuckle.

Now all I have to do is complete my homework.

...

Late at night, a few days after looking for and stalking his mystery girl - he finally has found the answer.

''Her name according to official US documentation is Sherry Smith. I know it to be Shion Sonozaki.''

Dexter took out his bag of knives and carefully unwrapped it.

''She's nothing more than a cowardly fugitive from Japan. Engaging in acts of amicide is one thing. Torturing her friends is another more gruesome matter - even that picture of a young girl nailed and whipped on a cross I can't get out of my head.''

Dexter carefully inspected each knife - his hunting knife, his bone saw, his cleaver, every one of them in the bag - to make sure it looked as pristine as he always has them before his latest kill.

''But the cherry on top is the fact that she is a fraud and a criminal accessory. Posing as her twin sister and framing her for the murders in her village; family connections to the Yakuza... all of what I said makes me and the Dark Passenger sick.''

He goes outside to check that no-one is out and about. The watch reads 12:00am. The full moon is out... and the Dark Passenger of Dexter's is about to have its thirst for blood quenched. Once he finished his surveyance, he got into the SUV, his hunting bag tucked in the passenger seat, and drove out into the night. Lights from the street lamps seemed to guide purposely guide Dexter on the right path - straight to Shion's supposed residence.

Main Battle
Dexter lay in wait in the SUV, looking through his binoculars at the old wooden two-storey house in front of him. All the windows were shut but Dexter could tell that the lights within were off.

''Ah the Angel of Death... how she can serenely sleep on a night like this... guess I'll be her bogeyman tonight. Oh wait..''.

Just then, the front door creaked open. There, head peeking out into the open, was Shion herself. Garbed in clothing similar to that of her sister as seen in the photos, she walked out for a brief while to take out the garbage before hastily stumbling back inside. As soon as Dexter saw the door close, he dropped his binoculars. This was it.

Dexter stepped out of the SUV and into the cold chilly air of the night. Slowly traipsing across the road, Dexter cautiously approached the front door. Without hesitation, Dexter slowly fiddled his lock-picking tool into the lock. In a few easy seconds, Dexter jimmied the front door open hoping to make sure no-one heard the door creak.

He glanced around the hallway, carefully treading on parts of the floor that were bound not to make a noise. There were pictures of Shion on the wall, not as a mad woman but as a cute innocent lady standing by her friends and family. The furniture in the living quarters also looked properly arranged, as if Shion had OCD or something along those lines.

Dexter continued down the hall hoping he would catch Shion just when she least expect it. There was no sign of her though. Silence filled the air as Dexter began to look a bit confused.

Suddenly, his hunch paid off. From the corner of his eye, a corner of the carpet was seen to be slightly folded over. Now that was not considered clean for someone like Shion, unless...

Dexter slowly tugged the carpet back towards the door and there it was. A secret door.

A door.

Without hesitation, Dexter slowly opened the big door, hands gripping the rusty handle as firmly as he could. He didn't lift the door all the way, just enough so he could slip down the stairwell that lay below it. Once he settled himself in the dark confines of the hallway below, Dexter slowly shut the door behind him, again not wanting to get her attention.

In front of was a dim yet visible light, slowly flickering with a little buzzing noise.

Dexter took a few steps closer, making sure the crunching rocks beneath him were not too audible.

"...Please. Let me out of here. I don't know what you are talking about!" a voice huffed out.

''Mr Tynsdale. He's still alive.''

Dexter wasn't wrong with that hunch. He heard the sound of a whip being stretched out ready for use.

...

Shion let out a soft chuckle as the leather on her whip snapped into shape. Maximum pain was all she was ready to deal with - even after 4 arduous days of torture, Tynsdale was not letting up.

She circled the poor man, chained to the cross that had the now dried blood of Satoko on it. Tynsdale, now almost in a very bad shape physically, was alert with worry as Shion flung her whip in a teasingly evil manner.

"So... you drove Satoshi to suicide because he figured out you were involved in the series of disapperances in Hinamizawa and was planning to blow the whistle..." she began to solemnly explain.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I never heard of Satoshi or Hina-whatever. Just please listen to me!" Tynsdale stammered in fear.

"Even after 4 days... of me constantly lying and hiding, you still stand strong... Well that's all gonna change." Shion chuckled some more before unleashing her fury with one whipping motion.

In a split second, Mr Tynsdale cried out with agonising pain. Puncture wounds appeared on his side and blood slowly trickled from within. Tynsdale squinted with pain when Shion applied a similar treatment to his other side.

"Why... are... you... doing this?" Mr Tynsdale wheezed as the pain got to him real quick. Dexter peered on as Shion slowly crept up to Mr Tynsdale, a hunting knife now visible in her hand.

"Because, sir..." Shion teased Tynsdale with his secretary's voice "I WANT VENGEANCE!"

With that shout of words, Shion plunged her knife deep into Tynsdale's chest, effectively killing him on the spot without a breath from him escaping immediately.

Sometimes its too late to save a life.

Having enjoyed her two hours of torture, Shion dragged the scarred and bruised body of Tynsdale off the cross and back into the makeshift cell.

Now's the time.

Under the cover of the dim light, Dexter slipped into the dungeon without a sound, even as he unsheathed his garrotte. Shion, her back turned to Dexter, gently walked back to a workbench where her weapons were stored. As Dexter slowly crept upon his unsuspecting victim, Shion took out what appeared to be a syringe of yellow liquid. She raised the needle to eye-level, making sure the syringe was ejecting C-130 liquid as fresh as the day she bought it.

Timing his breathing correctly as he stood dangerously close to Shion, Dexter wrapped the string on his garrotte tightly before...

"Ugh..." Shion gasped as a string of wire was wrapped around her neck. Dropping the syringe in fright, Shion struggled as Dexter tightened his grip around the choking tool. Grunting in pain, Shion instinctively reached for her pants pocket.

''Alright. Just at least three more seconds until...''

"AAH!" Dexter screamed in pain as a surge of electricity hit his thigh.

Coursing its way through his body, the shock caused Dexter to loosen his grip on the garrotte and collapse to the floor. With a look of surprise on his face, he stared as Shion coughed for air before turning around to face the Butcher himself. With an evil smile and a keen eye hidden amongst her green hair, Shion giggled an evil tune.

"My my, it seems you have caught me at my finest hour..." she bragged.

"I do that a lot," Dexter replied, fixated on her sinister stare "It is usually also their last."

"Not for me this ain't!" Shion yelled as she clutched a syringe of that yellow stuff tightly in her right fist. Before she could jab Dexter in the leg however, Dexter kicked it out of the way as he lifted himself back on his feet. The yellow liquid in the tube lay in a puddle beside Dexter's shoes.

"Oh I'm sorry. I seem to have kicked you out of your drug habit." Dexter sarcastically remarked. Shion grumbled in angst. Before she could do anything however, Dexter rushed up to her and grabbed the neck. Before long, the two are locked in a mini stare for a few micro-seconds before BAM! Dexter's head collided with Shion's, sending the latter flying onto her desk. Flat on her back, Shion desparately looked around her looking for something to counter her enemy's next move. She smiled when she saw the top of the shelf beside her.

Dexter drew out his hunting knife, hoping to finish the job as quick as he could. Before he could get up close, he felt a kick in the groin. It was weak but decent enough to knock him a few steps back... and to make him drop the hunting knife. Shion sat herself up, pointing the end of the katana towards Dexter.

''Oh great. A sword.''

Shion leapt up from the desk back onto her two feet, the burning rage still present in her eyes and a small sliver of blood dripping from her lip. With a moment's hesitation, Shion charged at Dexter, who simply stepped out of the way. Noticing the sudden move, Shion tried to swing her weapon at him. He ducked. She missed again.

Stupid...

Dexter threw some air punches to throw Shion off. She saw the punches, but she did not expect what was to happen next. She charged at him again, swinging the katana but he again stepped out of the way only to grab her by the wrist. Thinking quickly, Dexter wrapped his free arm around her scrawny neck before the two of them crashed into the dungeon wall. The thud shook the room. The dim lightbulb began to swing.

Shion was trapped in a headlock but she wasn't ready to give in. With all the strength she can muster in her hand, she points the tip of the katana towards the two of them.

"That's right. Go ahead and do something stupid to get yourself killed instead of me, huh?" Dexter hoarsely whispered into Shion's ear. Her grunts became more intense as she struggled to make her way out of the headlock.

Suddenly, Shion stamped her foot against Dexter's. As another short burst of intense pain streamed through his body, Dexter once more loosened his grip on Shion allowing for her to escape his grasp. As quick as she can, she swung her katana with great force. Thud! Instead of embedding itself onto Dexter, it instead cut deep into the thick wooden wall behind him.

Dexter slowly gazed at Shion trying to wring her sword free. Having caught his breath, he smirked at Shion.

"Too slow" he remarked. In a swift motion, Dexter kicked Shion's hands free from the handle. Staggering back as the katana dislodged itself and landed under the shelf, Shion wiped the sweat from her face before unsheathing her hunting knife. In return, Dexter took out a clean butcher's knife from his kit.

Rage ran through Shion's mind. She was not prepared to let this asshole stop her from her quest of vengeance. If he stands in her way... then he doesn't want to mess me up. Shion charged again at Dexter, holding her knife up high. Before she could stab him, however, Dexter held his butcher knife up just in time to parry. Next thing Shion knows, those same positions are reversed as soon as Dexter slashed down with his butcher knife except now, the parry turned into a struggle.

So it seems the tables have turned.

Like two dancers doing the tango, Shion and Dexter slowly paced their steps. Inch by inch, Shion was stepping closer to the torture table, and a possible dead end.

Time to end this.

Dexter clenched his free hand into a fist and held it back as far as his arm could reach. In all this determination however, Dexter failed to spot something out of the corner of his eye. Shion's free hand was slowly creeping its way towards a small sledgehammer on the table. The two eyes couldn't help but fixate on each other - viewing the icy cold demons within their souls. At last Dexter swung his fist back round, making sure it was to hit the jugular. However, Shion, quicker with her hands, swung the sledgehammer first... and coming straight into contact with Dexter's abdomen.

"OW!" Dexter yelped as he stumbled back and grasped his belly in shock.

Shion held her hammer high above Dexter's head, giving herself a slight chuckle. That singular moment of Shion's self-indulgence was all Dexter needed to formulate his next move. Discarding the butcher knife, Dexter quickly leapt forward and grabbed Shion by the wrist that held her hammer. Before she could react, Dexter threw another punch, landing it straight on her cheekbone. The force behind the impact was so strong that Shion was thrown over the table, landing in what appeared to be a dried pool of blood.

Dexter breathed heavily as he stood back up.

''That was some beating for a youth. Not good enough though...''

Dexter smiled as he walked over to the table. Peering at Shion's body over it, it looked as if she was knocked unconscious or worse. He figured that after all that intense pain, and that show of a crazy rage, it was best to kill her there and then. Make it look like a murder-suicide pairing. Catching his breath, Dexter noticed that he was still missing his hunting knife. Must have lost it with all the fun and excitement he had. Turning towards the desk however, he saw his trinket still laying there.

Suddenly a soft moan escaped Shion's mouth. She was not dead yet, but she was stirring. Dexter, acting quickly, leapt to retrieve his knife... but not before Shion picked herself up and gripped in her hand the spiked whip. Despite her blurry vision, Shion threw the whip at Dexter. The spikes embedded themselves onto Dexter's lower thigh, again causing him great agony.

The two psycopaths lay on the floor, struggling to break free. Dexter's eyes widened as he saw the damage the whip was going to do; his skin and the denim over it began tearing away like strips of paper. He stamped his leg whip-side down on the floor in the hopes that was going to stall Shion. Sure enough, it did, and now Dexter looked for a way to break free.

Shion continued grunting as she tugged as hard as she could on the whip, even getting her own hands bloodied after gripping onto the spikes. The determined face of hers turned to surprise and urgency when she saw the man in front of her produce a sharp serrated saw. Dexter began aggressively cutting away at the leather on the whip. Not wanting her prey to get away, Shion continued tugging. Teeth clenched, Dexter put all his might onto getting out of the possible wound-trap he was in.

The spikes dug deeper into his skin. His flesh felt like it was going to break free any second. He hacked away at the whip as best as he could. Shion licked her tongue in delight as she drew the whip closer to her. Suddenly Snap! The whip broke. She cried in horror as her opponent got back onto his feet, the small slice of studded leather still stuck to his lower thigh. Dexter looked at Shion with a mixture of rage and pain in his eyes. His face was covered in spatters of blood but he didn't care. If she was going to play dirty, he was going to as well. Now, the fight is over. It's time to end this madwoman cleanly. Dexter slolwy walked over to Shion, standing right above her.

Shion looked up at the golem in front of her. That look in his eyes suggested that she was going to suffer badly. Her anger melted away into innocence as her expression became more pitiful.

"Please..." Shion quietly whispered. Tears were beginning to stream down her eyes.

"You're a sick cold-hearted murderer. You shouldn't deserve pity" was all she heard before a kick turned everything upside-down and black.

...

Dexter had won. It had almost cost him his life. Now what was he going to do? His veins were pulsing with adrenalin, hoping to mask the excruciating pain he just undergone.

What are the others going to say if they see me in a bad condition?

Dexter stared at the hallway behind him before eyeing the dungeon around him. Bodies of others lie in a stone cell just next to the cross. A putrid smell began to penetrate Dexter's nose. The sound of flies buzzed in his ears. Inside, Dexter was just about to feel sick.

''No-one must know... or should they?''

Breathing heavily, Dexter slowly walked back towards the hallway. His legs, tired from all that movement, seemed like they were going to collapse on themselves; but Dexter still kept going. Ascending the ladder, he found himself back in the light of Shion's own hallway. All that he needed to do now was to purge his skin of blood and hide all the wounds - especially the puncture wound in his thigh.

...

Her heart raced. Her lungs began to fill up with air. In a matter of moments, Shion was awake. Her head throbbed. Her nose and mouth bled. She opened her eyes; and there he was. The Bay Harbor Butcher. All cleaned up. She peered down at his thigh. The whip marks were evident and yet blood doesn't seem to be drawing onto the trousers. She again looked up at the sinister face in front of her. It smiled.

"Nice to know you're awake, Ms Sonozaki" Dexter said.

Shion tried to move her hand. Nothing. Her legs gave the same response.

"Do you feel it? Of course not," he continued to circle Shion's motionless body "It's because I injected a spinal epidural on you. You won't feel a thing but certain death."

Dexter knelt down beside her. Sprawled out in the open, in the same condition as it was when he kicked her onto her back. Shion looked at her hands. The whip of hers, still in one hand; the hammer and katana however, were missing.

"Oh don't mind the housekeeping. It's all there to create an illusion." Dexter whispered as his rough hands handled her face. His hunting knife became visible to her eyes. It shines with an unnatural feel. Dexter sways it to and fro in front of her eyes. Shion became fixated on it as it slowly descended onto the skin of her neck.

Dexter smiled when the knife dug itself in. Her heavy breathing became apparent as the first signs of blood appeared. Carefully, he dragged the knife a few inches up her neck, being cautious not to break the jugular veins yet.

Shion could not withstand the pain, yet she felt powerless to scream. A cold shiver ran up her spine as Dexter slowly whispered in her ear.

"There is one thing I must ask. Why do you do it?"

Shion can only turn her head and swell up in tears.

"You won't understand..." Shion huffed out "I don't think spoken words... can express the reasons..." her breathing became more drawn out as Dexter cut an incision on the other side of her neck.

"Just go... into my... study..." she gargled as blood began to enter her mouth "The answers... are there..."

Looking up at the light, Shion knew this was the end of the road for her. As she closed her eyes, she whispered "Satoshi..."

Dexter made one final slash to the carotid arteries before standing to inspect the scene. There she lay. The body of a Japanese femme fatale. Her icy cold eyes looking towards the heavens. Her green hair drenched now in her own blood. To Dexter it was almost a juxtaposition of Mabel's body, but unlike her murder, Dexter left the room and the body untouched for a purpose. How successful that may end up Dexter could not tell but all he knew for now was that his work was done.

However, something in his mind kept playing back in his mind. It was as if he didn't get the answer he deserved. Go into her study she said before she died. Maybe that was where Dexter should be. He felt uneasy about this, but as he walked back towards the door, he resigned himself to the choice.

...

He stared at the door. Hinged onto it was a sign that said 'Do not Enter'. However the door was slightly ajar, revealing a room that seemed to be like all the others - clean and orderly.

Let's hope you aren't lying to me.

Slowly, Dexter pushed open the door and soon, he was overcome with awe. The study floor may have been clean but the desks in front of him lay in an awful mess. Sheets of paper were messed up on the top. More ominous to Dexter as he stepped closer was a giant cork board filled with polaroid images and newspaper clippings. Stuck in the middle was the image of a young blonde adolescent boy with a word that now made sense of what Dexter heard in the dungeon: Satoshi. Dexter stared intently at his beaming face. There was a piece of red string tied around the peg that led to an article. This one had the word MISSING in its usual newspaper print.

So this was about love...

Dexter continued following the red string around the board. Newspaper images flooded Dexter's mind as he carefully studied their faces. All of those cheerful expressions, extinguished by Shion's hand; and from the picture on the desk, framed and gilded, was all of them - having a good time as friends. So what could have possibly drove this woman to kill them? And what has it got to do with Satoshi?

He scavenged through the papers on her desk. Certain words stood out in the text that spelled out something. Baby. Love. I miss you. Three x's. Signs that pointed to Satoshi... as Shion's lover. So maybe this was a crime of passion. Dexter kept looking through the scattered papers until one more stood out. It was not conversational or typed out by a journalist, but it was formal and clinical. Dexter's eyes widened when he saw the briefing. She was infected with a disease that drove her mad - the Hinamizawa Syndrome.

"Oh my god..." Dexter muttered under his breath. He had finally put the pieces together - Shion, infected with this disease, killed her friends when she thought that they were responsible for Satoshi's disappearance; but why Tynsdale unless... he was in some way responsible.

"So... you drove Satoshi to suicide because he figured out you were involved in the series of disapperances in Hinamizawa and was planning to blow the whistle" the words of Shion echoed through his mind. A crime of passion has turned into a conspiracy hunt. That was all Dexter needed to know. He looked back down at the medical paper. He suddenly smiled as if he had an epiphany.

I have set her diseased soul free

Dexter turned to walk out of the study but he stopped in his tracks at the sight of a list on the back of the door. A list that had the crossed out names of her Japanese friends. A few more Japanese names were also inscribed onto it, linked together through one single word - Tokyo. Dexter's mind then became piqued as soon as he notice Mr Tynsdale's name crossed out from the list... but two other names aren't. Perhaps maybe she isn't finished with her quest of vengeance; and why not? She could have been one step closer to solving a mystery plaguing her town.

I guess I have to carry on her burden

Dexter looked back at the study desk.

''But not yet. Not now.''

He gathered all the papers in a neat row. The photos find themselves detached as Dexter unclipped the board from the wall.

No one must know...

Dexter brought the little trinkets into his SUV, again, his careful eyes making sure no-one spotted him.

...

Back at the house, Dexter stood in front of a contained fire he lit in his shed. Burning within it lay the pictures and newspaper articles that led Shion on her quest for personal justice and closure. He looked up once again at the moon and down at his camera. All of what he needed to re-learn was stored in a little chip only he will ever have access to.

''Tonight was a good night. And soon again will the Dark Passenger be hungry.''

Winner: Dexter Morgan

Expert's Opinion
This was considered by most voters to be a very close fight but in the end, all the votes slid towards Dexter due to his domination of X-Factors trumping over Shion's marginally superior weapons

To see the original battle, weapons and votes, click here

Battle vs. Fuminori Sakisaka (by MrPacheco101)
Fuminori Sakisaka and his companion-the mysterious young girl known as "Saya"- escape from their nemesis Koji Tono and Ryoko Tanbo in Tokyo, Japan to Miami,FL in order to live out a "peaceful" existence together.

Several months later a string of gruesome murders plauge the sunshine city of Miami; each crime scene leaving a severed human limb laying on the ground covered in some kind of liquid secretion and a horrifying story to tell. The Miami Metro Police Department are left stump on what to do, but it seems these killings have sparked the interest of America's favorite serial killer next door who happens to be leading his own private investigation on the matter. What connections do Fuminori and Saya have in the murders? What terrifying secrets will Dexter uncover? One thing is for sure, whatever Dexter uncovers...will be something beyond his control.

Optional Soundtrack Playlist:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-bOEGPIp50&list=PL8182EEB7D4CFCBD7&index=1&feature=plpp_video

[An abandoned looking house off the everglades.]

A black cat is seen walking across the railings- silently pressing its feet against the peeling white paint- in search of something, swaying its tail side to side. Earlier a strange, intoxicated scent hits the feline’s sensitive nostrils; leading to its designated location. The creature hopes it is something sweet to fill its belly, or maybe a nice juicy mouse to gobble on. Unbeknownst to the creature someone… or something is watching it from afar. A soft screeching sound is heard, causing the cat’s ears to move on contact; the feline turns around to see where the sound was coming from and finds the patio door slightly open for some odd reason. Thinking it as an open invitation, the cat jumps off from the railings to check what’s inside the barren looking home. The sly creature enters the house slowly- putting one paw after the other against the old, creaking wooden floorboard- so its presence will not be detected. The cat looks around the presiding area; the intoxicating scent still lingers in the feline’s nostril becoming ever so present. Suddenly a large shadow slow begins to cover the feline intruder. The cat turns around and…

A loud eerie shriek is heard.

[Meanwhile…]

Young Fuminori Sakisaki is seen driving across a paved dirt road in the Everglades; the former medical student had just back from a 2-day “hunt” in the city. His eyes grow tired of seeing the endless road of flesh and blood, the only thing dwelling in the young man’s mind right now is getting back home so he can see his beloved “Saya” once more. “What’s on the radio today.” Fuminori said to himself. Fuminori turns the fleshy knob on the radio from side to side-causing the entire blood soaked fleshy inside of the car to shake from the vibration of the static- hoping to find something to make the long trip back home more bearable; the young Japanese youth puts it on a very popular station around Miami, and hears the eerie, gurgled up sound of what’s suppose to be English. “Hmm.” Annoyed, Sakisaka changes the channel again, only to hear the same gurgled up language from before. Fuminori then turns off the radio. “It’s always the same thing.” He said. After 20 minutes of driving Fuminori arrives at the abandoned house. “Home at last.” He said with a smile, looking at the twisted mounds of red flesh he calls home. Fuminori gets out of the car and opens the trunk, filled with black heavy duty garbage bags covered in specs of blood; He opens up one of the bags, revealing them to be filled with globs of jiggling jelly green flesh. “This should be enough to last us.” Fuminori said.

Fuminori opens the front door and takes a step inside the dust- filled place. “I’m home.” He called out.

“Welcome home Fuminori-san.” A gurgled up voice said. The young man turns his head to the side to see where the voice is coming from; a large, blob like figure is seen standing in the shadows. “Yes I am…” The figure slowly starts to step out into the light ”Saya.” Revealing itself to be a young girl in a plain white dress with long blue green hair and yellow eyes, her mouth is smeared with some kind of green liquid. The young man gives Saya a weird look.

“What is it?” She asked, in a nice, soothing voice.

“You got something there.” He said, pointing around the mouth. Saya touches her mouth and sees specs of green greed fluid around her finger. The young girl’s cheeks turn to a bright red, embarrassed Saya quickly wipes all of the green fluid away. Fuminori starts to chuckle causing Saya to chuckle also. “ Sorry… I had myself a little snack before you came.” She embarrassingly explained. “It’s alright.” He said with a smile. A short moment of silence fell upon the two lone figure. “Well… If you’re still hungry I brought some of those fresh things from my trip, in fact there’s a lot in the trunk.” Fuminori said, breaking the silence. Saya gives him a warm smile and nods. “Yes, I would love to.” She said.

Fuminori and Saya are seen feasting on the fruits he had harvested, their teeth tearing into the blob like flesh. The two didn’t mind about cleanliness, in fact the entire dining table is covered in the globs sticky green fluid.After finishing up his meal Fuminori looks at Saya. “ How’d you like it?” he asked. Saya takes a huge gulp of the rest of her meal. “It’s delicious!” She exclaimed. Fuminori chuckled. “Glad to hear it.” He said: then came the silence. Suddenly a sly smirk appears on Saya’s face. “You Fuminori-san…” She said in a soothing eloquent voice, trailing her fingers around the table.

“What?” He asked.

“It’s been such a while.” She said.

“What do you mean” Fuminori said, confused on the situation. Saya’s sly grin sudden becomes wider. “Well, ever since we left Tokyo Fuminori- san…” She gets up from the table and slowly walks towards the young man. “We never have been intimate in such a long time.” She climbs on top of the young man’s lap her, staring at him seductively. Fuminori’s cheeks suddenly turn a shade of red. “Well I…” Saya pressed her fingers against his lips’ silencing him. “Don’t say anything.” Saya began. “Let us recreate the world, let’s turn it into aparadise.” She then presses her lips against his lip, wrapping her long slender tentacles around the young man’s neck- catching Fuminori by surprise. He then embraces his young lover, caressing her large, blob like body with his arms ever so tenderly. All of Fuminori’s despairs of living in this gruesome, horrid hellhole washed away; for now…all Fuminori wants to do is be with his beloved Saya.

Forever and ever.

...

Tonight’s the night.

Dexter is seen grabbing his father’s trunk from his closet, opening it to reveal his bag of knives. He picks up one of the blades, running his finger along the smooth bladed edge before putting it back.

My Dark Passenger is dying to be out again and tonight… I will appease his thirst.

Dexter then walk towards his bedroom window, staring at the blood red moon hanging in the pitch darkness.

''Tonight’s a very special night also. It’s the night of the blood red moon. I wonder why it blooms on this evening out of all the others. Is it because some random trajectory in the atmosphere that causes moon to glow a certain color? Or is it just a certain night where all the monsters come out to play. Even though I want to learn of this world’s mystery, the only thing I desire the most is to know is… what is he doing tonight?''

Dexter flashes back to the time where the time he saw that man. Six o’ clock a.m. police get a dispatch at a public park where a male jogger found a piece of severed arm laying across the concrete sidewalk. Detectives Joey Quinn, Angel Batista, and Deborah Morgan arrive thirty minutes to the crime scene while Vince Masuka and the rest of the forensic team follow several minutes later. Dexter on the other hand arrives a lot later.

The three detectives stand around the crime scene.

“Another murder by The Cannibal. Same M.O. Same sick display.” Angel said.

Deborah looks at the high amount of bloodstains around the severed limb. “Seemed like the sick-f—k didn’t mind making a bigger mess than before.” She remarked.

Vince picks up the severed arm with his gloved hands. “ The victim appears to be female.” He said looking at the slime-covered arm. “See.” Vince points to the victim’s fingers. “Blue-violet…kinky.” He said with a chuckle. “Geeze Vince… do you have to make a gruesome sound perverted?” Deborah snipped, causing Quinn to snicker. Vince gives Deborah a mean stare. “Alright you two. Calm down and get back to work. We have to find who did this. Quinn get some information from the jogger who call, be sure to get whatever information you can. ” Angel said, Quinn obliges and walks off. Masuka and Deborah both muttered something under their breath.

Dexter looks at blood spatters all around the vicinity.

''For serial killers the ritual and kill are the most important things to their lives. In fact it’s the only thing that makes the complete inside, but these murders are beginning to make re-think on what I know.''

Dexter looks at blood patterns with an odd curiosity.

''All these kills look so…sloppy. The blood patterns look so disarray and free. As if he did this in the moment. This one was done in the park, a very public place where there can be witnesses. So far these kills do not make a profile on what to find on this guy.''

“Dexter.” Angel said.

“Hmm?” Dexter said, coming out of his thought.

“Mind telling us what happened here.” The Cuban detective said.

“Oh right. The victim was standing over here.” Dexter points to the area where there was little to no blood. “The killer came up from behind and knocked her down there.” The blood analyst then points to the area where the blood spatters start to become more apparent. “He then repeatedly slashed over and over again with a knife. Blood spattering over here and there.” Dexter points to the west where there are long stands of blood hitting grass and to the east where the blood spatters across the tree. “And judging by the rigid marks on the stump of the limb, he probably used the same knife he killed the victim and used it to dismember her piece…by…piece.” He said.

“Well I guess our guy didn’t mind getting messy.” Angel remarked, causing Dexter to slightly chuckle. “Yeah.” He said. “Hopefully we’ll get this son of a b—tch and bring him to justice.” Angel said.

I agree with you on that Batista, only instead of him going to court he’ll be laying on my table.

“Totally.” Dexter said with a fake genuine smile.

Sad to say that this one wasn’t as clean and proper like my other victims.

Something catches Dexter’s eyes; he turns his head to the side and sees someone standing from afar. He focuses his vision towards that image, revealing it to be a young man, mid to late 20s, short brown hair, and ruffed up clothing. Although the eyes…

Those eyes…

The one thing that caught Dexter’s attention were the man’s eyes. They looked so blank, so distance, so…cold. As if the world he lives in was a burning hellhole. And than it hit him.

That’s it

It hit him like a ton of golden bricks falling from the sky.

It must be it.

He feels so sure that this is the answer he seeks. To him… this is the solution the insolvable problem. Or simply… This was his Dark Passenger giving him the signal that another predator is in the midst.

“He’s the killer.” Dexter mumbled. Suddenly the man turns his head towards the blood spatter analyst’s direction. “Shit!” Dexter turns his head away, hoping that the man didn’t catch a glimp of his face. He then turns his face back into the same direction and finds the man gone.

“He vanished.” Dexter said. Hopefully he didn’t catch my face.

''Ever since that day, I’ve followed that man for several weeks. His name is Fuminori Sakisaka, a Japanese immigrant who moved to Miami, a man who wants to live to good ol’ American Dream, or simply someone who’s hiding a very dark secret.''

Dexter is seen typing on his laptop.

I’ve searched for some information on our friend Mr. Sakisaka and found something quite interesting.

Dexter then clicks on a link, leading him to a newspaper article.

''Two weeks after Mr. Sakisaka’s departure a newspaper on his daily route finds the Sakisaka’s residence front door wide open. He takes a look inside and quickly calls the police. 20 minutes later, Police arrive on scene and discover something quite unusual.''

Dexter then clicks on the image of the residence living room.

Police found the walls covered in some kind of slimy substance, quite similar to the substance found on the severed limbs of The Cannibal’s victim.

Dexter clicks on the photo of the bloodstained refrigerator.

''Not only that the police also found pieces of human flesh stored in the refridgerator. Guess Mr. Sakisaka wanted to keep some leftovers.''

“That’s all I need.” He said with a smirk.

[Dexter flashes forward to the present time.]

“There’s no time to waste.” Dexter grabs his bag of tool and heads towards the front door.

He maybe hunting for new victims tonight, so I must get him when he’s off guard and nothing will stop me from doing what needs to be done.

Dexter’s hand were on the knob. Suddenly he hears the cries of a child, stopping him from turning the knob. Dexter then turns around and walks towards a bright yellow room; Dexter’s son Harrison Morgan is seen standing inside his crip, sucking on his two fingers while staring blankly at his father. A warm smile appears on the killer’s face.

Except for maybe a little bedtime story.

Everglades, midnight.

“I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”

Fuminori steps outside and locks the front door. He walks over the steps and reaches into his pocket, grabbing his pair of keys; he opens the door to the car and starts it, driving off into the long winding dirt road. Unbeknownst to the foreign killer, a SUV is seen hidden under a pile of green leaves where Dexter lies there… Waiting. The socioapath’s eyes followed the car until it became nothing.

''He’s gone. Time to move.''

Dexter pulls out his lock-picking toolcase and opens the car door. He puts the picket in the door lock. Dexter starts to play with pick, toying it around in different directions until suddenly… a click.

Bingo.

Dexter puts his picket in the case and puts it in his pocket. He turns the knob clockwise and slowly opens the door. Dexter then takes a step inside the pitch-black room; Suddenly a strong smell hits the killer’s nostrils, causing him to cough violently.

''That smell. It’s…horrible''

“Jesus Christ!” He blurted out as the stench entered his lungs. Dexter gets on his knees and covers his mouth with his hand. Dexter then calms down and takes a deep breath after his body got used to the stench.

I’ve never coughed so bad since I changed Harrison diaper for the first time, but that smell… where is it coming from?

Dexter gets up and reaches for his right pocket, grabbing a small flashlight and lights it up. He then flashes it up the cobweb covered staircase.

So far all I can tell is Mr. Sakisaka isn’t really a…

Dexter flashes the light inside the living room and finds the entire place covered in thick, gooey green/yellow slime tracks. “My God.” The blood-spatter analyst stares in aw and shock at what he discovered. He then takes a step inside to take a closer look.

I’ve never seen anything like this before.

Dexter presses his gloved hand over the slime track on the couch. He presses the slime with his index finger and thumb. “It looks like the secretion found in the bodies.” An evil grin appears on his face. “He is the killer I’m looking for.” Dexter said.

''I’ve always imagined a killer’s mind to be filled hate, lust, rage, and disorented. To see it come alive though, is a real… fascination.''

Suddenly the same strong smell hits Dexter’s nostril again, causing him to cough slightly.

That smell…

He then flashes his light at the entrance to the kitchen.

It’s coming from the kitchen.

Dexter soon enters the kitchen and flashes his light to get a better view of the place. The tile floor, chairs, and table were found covered in the same slime tract found in the living room. He soon flashes the light at the refrigerator, and finds it covered in blood.

“Blood.” Dexter said.

And most likely human.

He puts his hand on the handle and slowly opens the door, causing it to slightly creak. Dexter takes a look inside and finds a… human head placed on a plate covered in it’s own blood. The blood spatter analyst then finds a human hand in one of the cupboards, fingers inside the pockets, and intestines put inside bowels. “He’s been keeping them cool.” He said to himself.

It’s seems Mr. Sakisaka had found a new way in getting a new food source.

Dexter looks to the right and sees a small child’s hand within the clumps of human flesh.

And it appears children are excluded either.

A gesture of disgust and rage appeared on the serial killer’s face.

I hope Sakisaka catches a good meal because it’s going be his last.

[Squeegle. Squeegle]

What was that?

Dexter hears a squeaky noise coming from behind and turns around.

Someone is here.

He flashes his light at the entrance to the living room and catches something shiny. The serial killer walks towards the shiny object and flashes the light on it more, revealing it to be a slime tract.

A slime track?

“It’s fresh.” Dexter said. He flashes the light more, revealing the slime track to be leading in some kind of direction. Dexter follows the slime tract to the staircase; he then flashes the light up ward revealing to tract to be leading him in somewhere upstairs.

Whatever this trace is leading me to, I’m going to find out soon enough.

Dexter slowly walks up the stairs step by step before reaching the upper floor. He flashes the light at the slime track, leading him to a door covered in slime.

''The trace ends here. I wonder what will be inside.''

Dexter places his gloved hand on the knob and turns it. He slowly opens the door, revealing it to be… an empty bathroom.

Empty?

Dexter flashes the light over some parts of the bathroom, revealing them to be spotless and clean. “There’s nothing here.” Dexter said.

''Could it be that this slime track was some kind of ruse? Or was it some ki-''

Something suddenly wraps itself around Dexter’s neck and starts to squeeze. “Urk.” The serial killer begins to gasp for air as the thing around his neck starts to squeeze his neck harder. Dexter looks above him and sees a black mass with a visbly large eye staring at him.

“Please don’t struggle.” The thing said in its gurgled up language. “It will all be over.” The thing’s tentacle arm tightens even more on the serial killer’s neck.

Dexter didn’t bother listen to the thing’s words or to even know what it looks like, in fact the only thing on his mind now is getting out alive. Dexter pulls out his knife from his pocket with his free hand and cuts the thing’s tentacle off, causing its grip to come loose. The creature screeched in pain as greenish blood spew from the wound; Dexter falls to the ground in all four, coughing as fresh air flows into his lung. The serial killer hears a slumping noise coming from behind and slowly turns around…

The black mass from the ceiling stood up and began to take form, tentacles wiggling all over its body. The rest of its outer appearance is covered by the shadows.

Dexter looks in awe and shock over the sheer size of the 6-foot tall being.

I didn’t care what it looks like.

The creatures slowly began to crawl towards the fallen serial killer, who slowly scooted back.

I didn’t want to know what it was.

“Resistance is futile. Just except your fate.” The creature gargled up.

The only thing I want to do now is kill it.

The creature opens its mouth wide- revealing its row of razor sharp teeth- and spews out some kind of greenish-blue liquid. Dexter shifts to the left, causing the liquid to hit the tile floor. With his knife in hand, Dexter gets up and charges at the tentacle being. He raises the blade up in the air and stabs the creature, causing it to squeal in pain. Dexter pulls out the knife and starts stabbing the thing multiple times, plunging the knife deeper and deeper into its pulp-like flesh. Green blood gushes out from the wounds. Dexter raise the knife once more to plunge into the creature’s flesh, but is caught by surprise when the creature grabs his arm and throws him against the wall.

Dexter slumps slowly onto the ground, his arm supporting his fall. Dexter slowly lifts his head up and sees the creature slumping towards him-His knife still stuck in the reature's flesh- Green blood drips from its fresh wounds.

How is it still alive?

Dexter then felt something he had never felt in his entire life…fear.

How can it still walk?

His eyes widen in terror as the creature came closer and closer.

No…stay away.

“Pleased don’t be afraid. It will all be over soon.” It said in a gargled up English. The creature’s large, yellow-colored eye stares at the serial killer, sending chills down his pine.

GET AWAY!!!!!

All of a sudden Dexter lunges at the creature and pushes it away, catching it by surprise. The creature stumbles back and falls onto a puddle of green-blue liquid it spewed out earlier.

“Graaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The creature screeches in pain as the green-blue liquid contacted with its pulpy flesh, causing in it to burn and bubble. Taking his chances, Dexter quickly rushes outside as his opponent writhers in pain and closes the door. Sweat drips from his body and quickly soaks into his shirt. He leans against the door and takes a huge breather. “What just happen?” He said to himself as he fumbles his hand over his short, brown hair.

Was that thing I fought real or an illusion?

“Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Before he could recount the events that happened, Dexter snaps into the real world by a loud scream. He lifts his head and sees an ax coming right at him. “Oh sh-t!” Dexter quickly moves to the left, causing the axe to plunge into the wooden door. He turns his head to the side and sees his victim Fuminori Sakisaka wielding the axe.

It’s him.

The Japanese man pulls the axe out of the door and turns to face Dexter. His eyes looked wild and intent. His hair is all wild and unkept; his hands grip tightly over the axes wooden handle, intent on killing the tentacle monster that stood before him.

“What have you done to my SAYA!!!!!!!!!!!!?????” He screamed.

Saya?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Dexter calmly responded. “The place looked abandoned and I need a place to stay. I didn’t know there were people here.” He slowly reaches for his left back pocket, but realizes it’s not there.

''Shit. Not now.''

“You’re lies won’t fool me. I know what you freaks are up to.” He said insanely. “You’re trying to take my Saya away. Well…it’s not gonna happen. NOT EVER!”

What is he talking about?

“Now DIE!” Fuminori lunges at Dexter and takes a swipe at him with his ax, but Dexter quickly moves to the side causing him to miss. Fuminori quickly recovers and attacks the tentacle being once more. Dexter grabs part of the ax’s handle before it could hit and tries to pry it away from the maniac foreigner. The two killers are soon caught in a desperate struggle to see who will get the ax first.

“Die you freak!” The Japanese man yelled at the tentacle beast as tries to pull the weapon from its slimy tentacle grip.

“You first.” All of a sudden Dexter pushes himself and Fuminori off the second floor, causing them both to tumble down the staircase. The two killers crash into the ground hard, causing the ax to be tossed to the side.

Dexter slowly picks himself up from the ground, groaning each time he moves a muscle.

Bad idea.

He turns his head to the side and sees Fuminori doing the same thing. Fuminori also turns his head to the side and sees his tentacle beast opponent staring at him. They are soon caught in a timeless moment as their eyes met one another.

Not moving one inch of their body.

Their eyes staring deeply into one another, waiting for one of them to make the first move.

At the last moment Fuminori quickly dashes to the kitchen with Dexter following in pursuit.

Can’t let him get away.

Fuminori quickly enters the kitchen with Dexter not too far behind; he grabs a butcher knife from the knife holder and turns around, slashing the tentacle beast in the chest. Leaving a small gash in the middle of the chest area. “Gah!” Dexter gasps in pain. He puts his hand over his chest and sees the blood from the chest wound smeared all over his fingers.

Fuminori then tries to stab his opponent in the stomach, but Dexter grabs him by the hand and twists his arm. Causing Fuminori to drop the knife onto the ground. Dexter then punches Fuminori square in the gut, causing the delusional killer to gasp in pain. The serial killer lift his opponent’s head up and slams it against his knee. Breaking Fuminori’s nose. He grabs the Japanese man by the collar and throws him against the refrigerator; Dexter walks towards his beaten opponent. Seeing his adversary coming close to him, Fuminori quickly elbows Dexter in the stomach from behind. Dexter groans in pain. Fuminori quickly turns around and punches Dexter in the face. He follows it up with another punch in the face before pushing him against the table; Dexter quickly falls to the ground. Fuminori picks up the butcher knife and walks to his fallen opponent who is slowly trying to get up.

Dexter turns his head and sees Fuminori standing behind him, knife in hand and his face all in a bloody mess.

“You could’ve just left. You could’ve left us alone, but no. You just had to keep us away forever!” Fuminori raises the knife in the air. “So now…you die!”

Not a chance.

Dexter takes hold of the chair he was leaning on and slams it into his’ opponent’s left side, catching him by surprise. “Umf!” Fuminori tumbles to the ground by the surprise attack. Dexter grabs his garrote in his right pocket. He walks up behind his fallen opponent and tries to wrap the garrote around the opponent’s neck, but Fuminori quickly turns around and slashes Dexter in the cheek

“Gah.” Dexter staggers back against the table.

Fuminori gets up from the ground and turns to face his nemesis. “Graaaah!” The crazed man charges at the serial killer and tries to stab him in the chest, but Dexter grabs his hand mid-way. Fuminori tries to push the knife into the killer’s chest, but gains little to no progress in the struggle. Suddenly, in a turn of event Dexter pushes himself against Fuminori, leaning the blade towards his direction instead. All of a sudden Dexter pushes himself and Fuminori against the wall.

Fuminori’s eyes widen as he felt the blade slide into his chest. His breath suddenly cuts shortly afterwards. Slowly, Fuminori loses grip of the knife stuck inside. He slumps his head, dead.

It’s done.

Realizing his opponent was now in the afterlife; Dexter loosens his grip on the knife and lets the deceased Fuminori slump onto the ground. Dexter stares at the corpse of his fallen enemy for a brief moment before picking it up.

Dexter opens the front door and carries Fuminori’s corpse over his shoulder to his parked SUV hidden behind the bushes. He opens the trunk and throws the dead body inside before closing it.

That takes care of that, but…

Dexter turns around and looks at the old, brood looking house standing before him.

There’s one thing I must find out.

Dexter takes a step inside the house and grabs the axe lying on the floor; He looks at the tall, crooked staircase with strange curiosity. He slowly walks up the steps- creaking and splintering each time he put his foot down- not knowing what will be up there and enters the second the floor. Dexter stops walking and stares at the bathroom door. The mark from the ax still remains on its tattered frame. He turns the knob slowly and opens the door. The serial killer’s eyes widen in shock.

I was right…

The creature lied there twitching. Mortally wounded from stab wounds and severe acid burns caused by its acidic saliva. Its lumpy burnt flesh heaves up and down from its heavy breathing.

''It was no Illusion. The thing that I fought is as real as the blood and flesh attached to my own body, but what is it? And how is it connected to Sakisaka.''

Dexter walks up to the fallen creature, ax in hand. The creature looked up with his half-lidded eyes and sees Dexter standing in front of it.

“Are you the one called Saya?” He asked.

The creature breathed heavily before answering. “Where’s …Fuminori-san?” It gargled faintly.

“That’s not important at the moment. If you want to know his whereabouts I suggest you answer a couple of questions. Now… are you Saya?” He said.

The creature hesitated before answering. “Yes.” It gurgled.

“Good. Now… What are you? Why are you here?” Dexter asked.

Saya takes a deep heavy breath before answering. “My time…grows very near. As much as you want to know… what I am and why I’m here…the time I am now given… will not feed your growing desire.” It gurgled once more. “Now please… tell me where’s my Fuminori?’ it asked.

''Why does it care for Fuminori’s welfare than its own? Could it be… that they’re lovers?''

Dexter stood there silently for a moment before answering the creature’s question.

“He’s gone.” Dexter said coldly.

A sense of shock and disappointment appear over the creature’s eye before the feeling of acceptance washes it away. “I see.” The creature said solemnly. “Then please…do me this one favor.” The creature slightly coils its tentacle over Dexter’s leg.

“Kill me.” It pleaded.

Dexter is shocked to see the creature pleading him to take its own life away, rather than pleading him not to do it.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because… at least we can finally be together peacefully in the afterlife than we did as we lived.” It gurgled.

Dexter hesitated for a moment.

''To think… a creature seen through nightmares could have more human emotions than I couldn’t obtain in a lifetime. It makes me think if I’m the real monster people should be afraid the most.''

Dexter makes his decision.

“As you wish.” He obliges.

Dexter raises the axe up in the air. “Rest in peace.” And lets it fall down. Blood spatters over the bathtub.

Nobody must know.

Dexter walks towards a door located in the kitchen, revealing two gallons of gasoline hidden at the bottom.

Not Batista.

He pours the gasoline all over the living room and kitchen.

Not Deb.

Dexter pours some of the gasoline over the staircase and second floor.

Nobody must know.

Dexter then makes a trail leading to the outside before the final tank gallon becomes dry. He throws away the tank gallon and reaches for his pocket, grabbing a set of matches. He takes one out and lights it.

''For who knows what dire consequences may come if what was here to be discovered. Good thing there isn’t a hell. Otherwise it would’ve broken loose.''

Dexter throws the light at the trail of gasoline, causing it to set aflame on impact. The trail of flames follows into the house, setting everything inside ablaze.

Dexter watches the house burn slowly as the flames reach towards the crimson, red moon in the pitch-black sky.

Better to let the unknown stay unknown.

Winner:Dexter Morgan

Expert's Opinion
Dexter Morgan won this match in spite of the longer reach of Fuminori's axe due to his superior training and experience. Specifically, Dexter had martial arts training, while Fuminori mostly just attacked violently, but not with any particular tactics or technique. Dexter also took a distinct advantage in stealth, as well as a slight edge in intelligence.

To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.

Prologue
Soundtrack for this scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va3-PF09pXw

A chemical plant, the Everglades, 10:32pm

It was a long day's work and rest was needed. "OK, sir. You've got a meeting with the Governor tomorrow to discuss the potential future of this company and your wife has phoned in asking to bring home the groceries..." the secretary briefed Mr Tynsdale. "Ah yes, I mustn't forget those things..." Tynsdale grunted as he donned his trenchcoat. Outside the window, drips of rain were bucketting down on the swamps around him. "Do you have your umbrella here, Mabel?"

"Yes sir I do" she replied

"Good. May I duck under it to get to my vehicle?"

A clap of thunder rang out. Everything went dark. "Ah..." Tynsdale exclaimed "Well... getting out of this place shouldn't be a hassle..."

He suddenly craned his neck when he heard a sound. It was certainly unnatural but where it came from, he didn't seem to like it too much.

"Sir?" Mabel whispered.

"Get security here. Something's going on upstairs." Tynsdale beckoned his secretary, who immediately jogged out down the hallway, turning left before disappearing. Between the claps of thunder and lightning, Mr Tynsdale could only make out feet lightly tapping on the ceiling... or was it just rain?

He straightened his jacket trying to calm his nerves and soothe his heart. He looked outside and saw the rain pour incessantly, distorting the natural beauty that is the swamps. Goosebumps started to raise all over his body as if to tell him something's gone wrong. Taking his gloves off the window, Mr Tynsdale slowly crept out of his office.

The flashes of lightning were the only light source he had to rely on as he slowly made his way down the corridor. His heart started racing. Something was definitely wrong.

"Sir?" a voice rang out. "The security team has just been knocked out!"

"Mabel?" Mr Tynsdale shouted as he clutched the white wall next to him for support. His heart beated even faster, nostrils were flaring as if to signal danger.

Suddenly as the next flash of lightning struck a mysterious figure walked out into his field of vision. Like a phantom, it slowly moved towards Mr Tynsdale. In between flashes, Mr Tynsdale could make out some features of her but other than that, she was wearing a simple burglar's outfit. He collapsed to the ground in shock and anguish as the feminine figure made her way towards him.

"And Mabel's dead!" she said. Her face was now directly in front of him. A squeal escaped from his mouth as he stared into her soulless, blue eyes. He could feel her cold breath through the balaclava.

"Which leaves you..." Shion continued, a sinister tone being hinted at "...for easy pickings!"

Mr Tynsdale tried to scream but it was no use. She already placed a chloroformed cloth in his mouth leaving him blanking out.

The following morning...

Dexter stood by the stove of his kitchen, preparing his morning meal.

''They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day... I think so too... the way the meat and eggs fall into your pan and sizzle away... the flavours that burst out of nectarine juice and into your mouth... the aroma of coffee beans brewing to perfection... and the smoothness of metal that flows through your flesh and skin. Most humans don't take the time to stop and take in all these strange new delights.''

Digesting the food, Dexter closed his eyes in contemplation.

'Ring! Ring!'

''And then the phone rings... reality rushes back into your mind and then work begins. For me, that work tends to involve police coming across the scene of a murder and the Department asks me to help them.''

Upon hearing the call, Dexter drove away passing by the city and its sights.

''The places I get taken too are too ordinary... they dehumanise the soul and make humans work like machines... the yellow sun outside shines on the monotone coloured walls and the plastic objects... I do not understand why humans choose to live this existence with artifical colour clouding their minds... and yet I feel satisfied, like everything is meant to be...''

''A little variety doesn't hurt the soul when taken moderately... And today, I think I'm about to get a piece of this...''

Silverline Chemical Processing Plant, 8:32am

Dexter's car pulled up on the side of the road near a river. As soon as he got out, the stench that came from the swampy areas pentrated his nostrils which flared in disgust. With a little wince to this apparent odour, Dexter stepped out of the car. The river in front of him is serene and peaceful this morning. As the sun shines from behind it, the birds come flying out of their roosts and the stream of water moves ever so slowly.

''The Florida Everglades... home to some of nature's wildest animals... above all...''

Dexter turned around and in front of his car was the longest line of people he had ever seen.

...the media.

Paparazzos from all over the US flocked to see the terrible atrocity that happened at the Silverlines Plant. Addressing them was none other than Lieutenant LaGuerta, trying to ever be so gentle and yet so direct with the press.

"What happened here last night was a very heinous crime indeed. Vincent Tynsdale, the CEO of Silverline Industries, has indeed been kidnapped forcibly from his office. His secetary, Miss Mabel Jones, was murdered so that the kidnapper may get to him. Our hearts go out to the families of these victims..."

''Keep at it LaGuerta. Feed the machine.''

After blankly staring at LaGuerta for a few seconds, Dexter's attention was diverted to a strange-looking vehicle just near the entrance to the plant. It looked like a truck, had the parts of a truck and yet in the back, it strangely wasn't one. Coming closer to inspect this new gizmo, Dexter then got the attention of Sergeant Doakes and Detective Batista, looking as plain as ever.

"About damn you showed up Morgan!" Doakes grunted.

"Well at least the princess made it to our little ball, eh Dexter?" quipped Batista before he scruffed up Dexter's hair and patted him on the back. Doakes however was not impressed.

"So, uh, what's this thing we got here?" Dexter walked up to the boxed rear of the vehicle.

"This is the new toy that the Department lent to us. They call it a mobile crime lab..." Batista explained as he followed Dexter.

Dexter knocked his fist on the door.

''The cold metal here feels exactly like that of a prison bus. And yet strange enough it isn't a prison bus but some "mobile crime laboratory". I just don't get it with humans and their new innovations...''

A few seconds after the knocking, Vince Masuka clambered out of the door. "Dexter. Good to see you."

"Yeah nice to see you too, Vince." Dexter faked a smile of friendship as the two shook hands. "So, uh..." Dexter craned his neck to see inside this lab.

The interior of the place was furnished to look almost exactly like the forensics lab back at the station. Desks neatly arranged, the tools of the trade (microscope, computers and all) also placed conveniently close to them. Even the walls were painted white to give it that homely feel.

"...what are you doing in there?"

"What do you think?" Vince stepped back inside his new environment "Processing the evidence that has been collected at the scene, only this time a lot faster."

Dexter stepped inside and stared rather intently at the design and detail that surrounded him. So fake and yet so real. The homeliness of the mobile lab didn't seem attractive to him. Doakes and Batista stood by the door, blatantly staring inside as Vince gave Dexter a specialised tour of all the instruments within. Hearing Vince speak about forensics is like listening to a mother ranting to her child about the importance of cleanliness - the duo looked at each other in embarassment before returning their attention to Vince's speech.

"...and here is the laptop where all the data is processed. Right now I am looking a sample from the scene the other forensics team has pulled up..."

The screen on the computer flashed a bright red for a mere split-second, indicating something has gone amiss.

"What the hell?" Dexter squinted at the screen trying to read the error message.

"Oh umm... well..." Vince struggled to find the right words but instead of blurting it out, de simply dashed to the scanning machine; a sample bag containing a lone strand of hair. Nothing seemed unusual about it at first - maybe it was a green strand of fibre that fell from a wig or something. Dexter stood helplessly as Vince looked through the microscope again at his sample.

"This can't be right..." he seemed amazed at his discovery.

"Masuka!" Doakes shouted "If you're done playing f--king tour guide, I suggest Morgan come with us now."

"Whatever you say sir..." Dexter sighed as he stepped out of the lab and into the fresh open world.

Ascending the main stairs to the building, Batista explained "OK so the vic we got here is Mabel Jones, real stunner. 26 years of age, single with no kids... makes me wonder how she got the job as a secretary for someone as powerful as Mr Tynsdale."

''Yeah, it makes me wonder too... the female mind is so complex. Funny how I can understand Rita at all...''

"And our kidnapping victim?" Doakes irately asked.

"Psh. Everybody knows who Vincent Tynsdale and the Silverline Company are. Chemical engineers who work hard to improve healthcare. Now that's something I want to see..." Batista cheerily remarked. The trio have made their way past wide white metallic walls and now found themselves at the top of a staircase. Right below them was the crime scene - Mabel Jones, 26 years of age.

''Young classy female. Age 26. Hair as red as her own blood. Green eyes once filled with vigour and vitality, now cyan and iced over with death. Face chiseled to perfection....''

"Morgan? Would you mind telling us what happened?" Doakes asked. He noticed Dexter's eyes were gazed on the dead figure at the bottom of the steps.

As Batista looked at Dexter with a grin on his face, Doakes toughened up a little. "Morgan?" and soon the blood splatter analyst snapped out of his daze. "What's the matter? Got yourself a hard on?"

"Uh..." Dexter stammered.

"Just explain to us what the f--k happened." Doakes interrupted and with that, all three detectives descended the stairs, stopping just before the body.

"Well... Mabel was busy walking up these stairs..." Dexter began, first pointing to the main stairway just beside the body "then the attacker appeared behind her from there..." he then pointed to the set of steps directly in front of them "snuck up behind her and..." he descended the stairs, stooping slightly closer to the body for a thorough examination. "...slashed her neck, severing the carotid arteries instantly."

He stood back up and looked at Batista and Doakes, who didn't seem that impressed by the talk.

"Is that it?" Doakes questioned.

"Well I can also comment that the knifework here was sloppy..." Dexter explained as he tried to re-enact the scene/ "If I were doing this... then after I slashed the neck, I would've held her steady and left her lying on her back with me having a bloody hand. Instead we see this... a face down corpse soaked in a pool of blood."

"Now that's more like it, Dex." Batista commented. It was something in Dexter's explanation that seemed to stir up Doakes attention. Before he could say anything though, a voice rang out from above.

"Uh, Sergeant... we may have a problem..." Vince motioned as he leaned over the railing.

"Be right there, Masuka. Morgan, you get more photos of the scene. Batista, with me." Doakes grunted before heading off to the exit. With the shrug of his shoulders, Batista followed suit. Dexter blankly looked in their direction before returning to the task at hand.

''Another day... another chore of taking photographs. Still, the sight of death is what keeps me feeling alive...''

Dexter continued snapping photos of the scene, taking absolute care that he isn't contaminating it. Soon after, the body was taken away and everyone moves towards Mr Tynsdale's area - where to them, the real heinous crime happened. Dexter on the other hand, was done.

...

Back in my office, back in my artificially natural habitat looking at all the bits and pieces of the scene.

Dexter flicks through the numerous photos of Mabel's body and the wounds inflicted on it. Nothing he stated earlier has been refuted upon closer inspection - a single slash wound to the neck was all that the killer needed to get that secratery out of the way.

Testimonies from the security guards turned up no leads - they described the culprit as wearing a burglar's outfit, and having eyes of a shade of blue. One of them, even though he himself was not sure, described the killer as having a feminine figure.

''To my colleagues, it seems as if the pieces don't fit together. In my mind however, they do.''

I remember seeing the face of a girl with similar attributes on the car trip back.

Down along the strip, Dexter drove on. He looked to see the lovely city of Miami buzzing with activity - beach-goers on the white sand, businessmen on their way to work... the late morning ride felt like a mirage. When he reached the traffic lights however, something hit him.

The cornerside cafe also was busy, both in and out with patrons happily gorging away at their delights. They were often seen in couples. Outside the door however, was a lone woman stirring her coffee, eyes fixated on it intently. She was wearing a wide-brimmed hat but Dexter can barely see the fringes of her hair - and the color bright green popped into his mind when he got the chance. At that exact moment, a waitress walked past her. She handed the lone woman a bowl of Caesar salad. When the waitress left, the lone woman turned to thank her before returning back to her meal. Her eyes were blue as Dexter noted. For a man with a mind fixated on killing people, the 30 seconds of observation was all he needed to come to one conclusion... ''she must be the killer and kidnapper. I can sense it''.

He then hears the door to his lab opening, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was Batista.

"Dexter?" Batista said.

"Yeah." Dexter replied, turning his chair to face the detective. "What do you have so far on the crime scene?" The portly detective asks.

He sifted through various photos before coming to one explicitly detailing the neck slash. "Judging from the marking of the wound... I'd say our perpetrator probably used something with a slightly rigid edge. Possibly a hunting knife."

Batista paused for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Dexter replied.

Batista nods his head." Alright, keep up the good work." He says with a smile before going back out and closing door.

"Gotcha." Dexter mustered up a genuine fake grin before turning back to his lab.

Now all I have to do is complete my homework.

...

Late at night, a few days after looking for and stalking his mystery girl - he finally has found the answer.

''Her name according to official US documentation is Sherry Smith. I know it to be Shion Sonozaki.''

Dexter took out his bag of knives and carefully unwrapped it.

''She's nothing more than a fugitive from Japan. Engaging in acts of amicide is one thing. Torturing her friends is another more gruesome matter - even that picture of a young girl nailed and whipped on a cross I can't get out of my head.''

Dexter carefully inspected each knife - his hunting knife, his bone saw, his cleaver, every one of them in the bag - to make sure it looked as pristine as he always has them before his latest kill.

''But the cherry on top is the fact that she is a fraud and a criminal accessory. Posing as her twin sister and framing her for the murders in her village; family connections to the Yakuza... she's more than meets the eye.''

He goes outside to check that no-one is out and about. The watch reads 12:00am. The full moon is out... and the Dark Passenger of Dexter's is about to have its thirst for blood quenched. Once he finished his surveyance, he got into the SUV, his hunting bag tucked in the passenger seat, and drove out into the night. Lights from the street lamps seemed to guide purposely guide Dexter on the right path - straight to Shion's supposed residence.

Main Battle
Dexter lay in wait in the SUV, looking through his binoculars at the old wooden two-storey house in front of him. All the windows were shut but Dexter could tell that the lights within were off.

''Ah the Angel of Death... how she can serenely sleep on a night like this... guess I'll be her bogeyman tonight. Oh wait..''.

Just then, the front door creaked open. There, head peeking out into the open, was Shion herself. Garbed in clothing similar to that of her sister as seen in the photos, she walked out for a brief while to take out the garbage before hastily stumbling back inside. As soon as Dexter saw the door close, he dropped his binoculars. This was it.

Dexter stepped out of the SUV and into the cold chilly air of the night. Slowly traipsing across the road, Dexter cautiously approached the front door. Without hesitation, Dexter slowly fiddled his lock-picking tool into the lock. In a few easy seconds, Dexter jimmied the front door open hoping to make sure no-one heard the door creak.

He glanced around the hallway, carefully treading on parts of the floor that were bound not to make a noise. There were pictures of Shion on the wall, not as a mad woman but as a cute innocent lady standing by her friends and family. The furniture in the living quarters also looked properly arranged, as if Shion had OCD or something along those lines.

Dexter continued down the hall hoping he would catch Shion just when she least expect it. There was no sign of her though. Silence filled the air as Dexter began to look a bit confused.

Suddenly, his hunch paid off. From the corner of his eye, a corner of the carpet was seen to be slightly folded over. Now that was not considered clean for someone like Shion, unless...

Dexter slowly tugged the carpet back towards the door and there it was. A secret door.

A door.

Without hesitation, Dexter slowly opened the big door, hands gripping the rusty handle as firmly as he could. He didn't lift the door all the way, just enough so he could slip down the stairwell that lay below it. Once he settled himself in the dark confines of the hallway below, Dexter slowly shut the door behind him, again not wanting to get her attention.

In front of was a dim yet visible light, slowly flickering with a little buzzing noise.

Dexter took a few steps closer, making sure the crunching rocks beneath him were not too audible.

"...Please. Let me out of here. I don't know what you are talking about!" a voice huffed out.

''Mr Tynsdale. He's still alive.''

Dexter wasn't wrong with that hunch. He heard the sound of a whip being stretched out ready for use.

...

Shion let out a soft chuckle as the leather on her whip snapped into shape. Maximum pain was all she was ready to deal with - even after 4 arduous days of torture, Tynsdale was not letting up.

She circled the poor man, chained to the cross that had the now dried blood of Satoko on it. Tynsdale, now almost in a very bad shape physically, was alert with worry as Shion flung her whip in a teasingly evil manner.

"So... you drove Satoshi to suicide because he figured out you were involved in the series of disapperances in Hinamizawa and was planning to blow the whistle..." she began to solemnly explain.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I never heard of Satoshi or Hina-whatever. Just please listen to me!" Tynsdale stammered in fear.

"Even after 4 days... of me constantly lying and hiding, you still stand strong... Well that's all gonna change." Shion chuckled some more before unleashing her fury with one whipping motion.

In a split second, Mr Tynsdale cried out with agonising pain. Puncture wounds appeared on his side and blood slowly trickled from within. Tynsdale squinted with pain when Shion applied a similar treatment to his other side.

"Why... are... you... doing this?" Mr Tynsdale wheezed as the pain got to him real quick. Dexter peered on as Shion slowly crept up to Mr Tynsdale, a hunting knife now visible in her hand.

"Because, sir..." Shion teased Tynsdale with his secretary's voice "I WANT VENGEANCE!"

With that shout of words, Shion plunged her knife deep into Tynsdale's chest, effectively killing him on the spot without a breath from him escaping immediately.

Having enjoyed her two hours of torture, Shion dragged the scarred and bruised body of Tynsdale off the cross and back into the makeshift cell.

Now's the time.

Under the cover of the dim light, Dexter slipped into the dungeon without a sound, even as he unsheathed his garrotte. Shion, her back turned to Dexter, gently walked back to a workbench where her weapons were stored. As Dexter slowly crept upon his unsuspecting victim, Shion took out what appeared to be a syringe of yellow liquid. She raised the needle to eye-level, making sure the syringe was ejecting C-130 liquid as fresh as the day she bought it.

Timing his breathing correctly as he stood dangerously close to Shion, Dexter wrapped the string on his garrotte tightly before...

"Ugh..." Shion gasped as a string of wire was wrapped around her neck. Dropping the syringe in fright, Shion struggled as Dexter tightened his grip around the choking tool. Grunting in pain, Shion instinctively reached for her pants pocket.

"AAH!" Dexter screamed in pain as a surge of electricity hit his thigh.

Coursing its way through his body, the shock caused Dexter to loosen his grip on the garrotte and collapse to the floor. With a look of surprise on his face, he stared as Shion coughed for air before turning around to face the Butcher himself. With an evil smile and a keen eye hidden amongst her green hair, Shion giggled an evil tune.

"My my, it seems you have caught me at my finest hour..." she bragged.

"I do that a lot," Dexter replied, fixated on her sinister stare "It is usually also their last."

"Not for me this ain't!" Shion yelled as she clutched a syringe of that yellow stuff tightly in her right fist. Before she could jab Dexter in the leg however, Dexter kicked it out of the way as he lifted himself back on his feet. The yellow liquid in the tube lay in a puddle beside Dexter's shoes.

Shion grumbled in angst. Before she could do anything however, Dexter rushed up to her and grabbed the neck. Before long, the two are locked in a mini stare for a few micro-seconds before BAM! Dexter's head collided with Shion's, sending the latter flying onto her desk. Flat on her back, Shion desparately looked around her looking for something to counter her enemy's next move. She smiled when she saw the top of the shelf beside her.

Dexter drew out his hunting knife, hoping to finish the job as quick as he could. Before he could get up close, he felt a kick in the groin. It was weak but decent enough to knock him a few steps back... and to make him drop the hunting knife. Shion sat herself up, pointing the end of the katana towards Dexter.

''Oh great. A sword.''

Shion leapt up from the desk back onto her two feet, the burning rage still present in her eyes and a small sliver of blood dripping from her lip. With a moment's hesitation, Shion charged at Dexter, who simply stepped out of the way. Noticing the sudden move, Shion tried to swing her weapon at him. He ducked. She missed again.

Dexter threw some air punches to throw Shion off. She saw the punches, but she did not expect what was to happen next. She charged at him again, swinging the katana but he again stepped out of the way only to grab her by the wrist. Thinking quickly, Dexter wrapped his free arm around her scrawny neck before the two of them crashed into the dungeon wall. The thud shook the room. The dim lightbulb began to swing.

Shion was trapped in a headlock but she wasn't ready to give in. Her grunts became more intense as she struggled to make her way out of the headlock.

Suddenly, Shion stamped her foot against Dexter's. As another short burst of intense pain streamed through his body, Dexter once more loosened his grip on Shion allowing for her to escape his grasp. As quick as she can, she swung her katana with great force. Thud! Instead of embedding itself onto Dexter, it instead cut deep into the thick wooden wall behind him.

Dexter slowly gazed at Shion trying to wring her sword free. Having caught his breath, he smirked at Shion.

In a swift motion, Dexter kicked Shion's hands free from the handle. Staggering back as the katana dislodged itself and landed under the shelf, Shion wiped the sweat from her face before unsheathing her hunting knife. In return, Dexter took out a small knife from his pocket.

Rage ran through Shion's mind. She was not prepared to let this asshole stop her from her quest of vengeance. If he stands in her way... then he doesn't want to mess me up. Shion charged again at Dexter, holding her knife up high. Before she could stab him, however, Dexter held  knife up just in time to parry. Next thing Shion knows, those same positions are reversed as soon as Dexter slashed down with his knife except now, the parry turned into a struggle.

Like two dancers doing the tango, Shion and Dexter slowly paced their steps. Inch by inch, Shion was stepping closer to the torture table, and a possible dead end.

Dexter clenched his free hand into a fist and held it back as far as his arm could reach. In all this determination however, Dexter failed to spot something out of the corner of his eye. Shion's free hand was slowly creeping its way towards a small sledgehammer on the table. The two eyes couldn't help but fixate on each other - viewing the icy cold demons within their souls. At last Dexter swung his fist back round, making sure it was to hit the jugular. However, Shion, quicker with her hands, swung the sledgehammer first... and coming straight into contact with Dexter's abdomen.

"GUH!" Dexter gasped as he stumbled back and grasped his belly in shock.

Shion held her hammer high above Dexter's head, giving herself a slight chuckle. That singular moment of Shion's self-indulgence was all Dexter needed to formulate his next move. Discarding the knife, Dexter quickly leapt forward and grabbed Shion by the wrist that held her hammer. Before she could react, Dexter threw another punch, landing it straight on her cheekbone. The force behind the impact was so strong that Shion was thrown over the table, landing in what appeared to be a dried pool of blood.

Dexter breathed heavily as he stood back up.

Finally.

Dexter smiled as he walked over to the table. Peering at Shion's body over it, it looked as if she was knocked unconscious or worse. He figured that after all that intense pain, and that show of a crazy rage, it was best to kill her there and then. Make it look like a murder-suicide pairing. Catching his breath, Dexter noticed that he was still missing his hunting knife. Must have lost it with unnessecary struggle he had to endure. Turning towards the desk however, he saw his trinket still laying there.

Suddenly a soft moan escaped Shion's mouth. She was not dead yet, but she was stirring. Dexter, acting quickly, punches Shion square in the face knocking her out completly. "Lights out." He said.

...

Dexter had won. It had almost cost him his life. Now what was he going to do? His veins were pulsing with adrenalin, hoping to mask the excruciating pain he just undergone.

''I should've done more research. Such a stupid mistake.''

Dexter stared at the hallway behind him before eyeing the dungeon around him. Bodies of others lie in a stone cell just next to the cross. A putrid smell began to penetrate Dexter's nose. The sound of flies buzzed in his ears. Inside, Dexter was just about to feel sick.

''Wasting my time here. I have work to do.''

Breathing heavily, Dexter lifts Shion over her shoulder and slowly walked back towards the hallway. His legs, tired from all that movement, seemed like they were going to collapse on themselves; but Dexter still kept going. Ascending the ladder, he found himself back in the light of Shion's own hallway. All that he needed to do now was make sure she doesn't wake up again and hide all the wounds - especially the puncture wound in his thigh.

...

Her heart raced. Her lungs began to fill up with air. In a matter of moments, Shion was awake. Her head throbbed. Her nose and mouth bled. She opened her eyes; and there he was. Deviously Dreadful Dexter. All dressed up in what appears to be greyish-green jumpsuit with a black apron and gloves, in a room wrapped up in clean plastic.

"Nice to know you're awake, Ms Sonozaki" Dexter said, looking down with a tint of glee in his eyes.

Shion tried to move her hand. Nothing. Her legs gave the same response.

"There's no point in struggling. I made sure of that." he continued to circle Shion's motionless body "W-who are you." She murmured

"Who am I?"Dexter knelt down beside her." That's a good question." Sprawled out in the open, were pictures of her friends back in Himazawa hanging in the walls. "What is this?" Shion said, looking at the wall.

"That?" He said looking back. "A memoir of sorts." Dexter stands up and walks behind the young woman. "Of all the victims you killed." Dexter leans next to her ear. "The innocent blood you shed." He whispered.

Shion can only turn her head and swell up in tears.

"You won't understand..." Shion huffed out "I don't think spoken words... can express the reasons..."

Dexter chuckles, amused by her plead. "Oh I understand. In fact..." Shions' breathing became more drawn out as Dexter cut an incision on the left side of her cheek with a scapel. "That's why you are wrapped under my table. And soon..." He then takes a drop of her blood and places it between a slide, looking with demented curiosity as it expands underneath the glass. "You will be cut up into nice, equally disposable pieces."

"Please... just go... into my... study..." she begs. "The answers... ar-" Before Shion could finish speaking, Dexter suddenly tapped her mouth shut." Sorry to cut the conversation, but we both know we're just waisting time." He said. Dexter then grabs a sleek knife from his kit and placed it against his victims' neck.

Looking up at the light, Shion knew this was the end of the road for her. As she closed her eyes, the final thought racing into her mind was... Satoshi.

Dexter made one clean slash to the carotid arteries before standing to inspect the scene, watching the torch of life slowly burn out in her eyes. The ritual was complete. There she lay, the body of a Japanese femme fatale, her icy cold eyes looking towards the ceiling, her green hair drenched now in a pool of her own blood. To Dexter it was like nirvana watching it happen in his own eyes, as if everything came together in one brief, but blissful moment. All that was the left now was the disposal of the body. Dexter grabbed the electric bonesaw from his table of tools and turns it on and begins the process.

...

Dexter placed the last of the dissected limb into the black garbage bag and places it next to several others inside the corner of the room.However, something in his mind kept playing back in his mind. It was as if he didn't get the answer he deserved.

''Go into her study she said. What does that even mean?''

Maybe that was where Dexter should be. He felt uneasy about this, but he resigned himself to the choice.

...

Dexter walked back into the hallway, he then stares at a door at the end of the hallway. As he walked closer, he noticed a sign that said "Do Not Enter" hinged onto it. "This must be it." He said.

The door was slightly ajar, revealing a room that seemed to be like all the others - clean and orderly. Slowly, Dexter pushed open the door to see what was inside. The study floor may have been clean but the desks in front of him lay in an awful mess. Sheets of paper were messed up on the top. More ominous to Dexter as he stepped closer was a giant cork board filled with polaroid images and newspaper clippings. Stuck in the middle was the image of a young blonde adolescent boy with a word that now made sense of what Dexter heard in the dungeon: Satoshi. Dexter stared intently at his beaming face. There was a piece of red string tied around the peg that led to an article. This one had the word MISSING in its usual newspaper print.

''So this was about him... but why him?''

Dexter continued following the red string around the board. Newspaper images flooded Dexter's mind as he carefully studied their faces. All of those cheerful expressions, extinguished by Shion's hand; and from the picture on the desk, framed and gilded, was all of them - having a good time as friends. So what could have possibly drove this woman to kill them? And what has it got to do with Satoshi?

He scavenged through the papers on her desk. Certain words stood out in the text that spelled out something. Baby. Love. I miss you. Three x's. Signs that pointed to Satoshi... as Shion's lover.

''Maybe this was crime of passion. I see some all the time at work, but never something so complex like this.''

Dexter kept looking through the scattered papers until one more stood out. It was not conversational or typed out by a journalist, but it was formal and clinical. Dexter's eyes widened  in curiosity when he saw the briefing. She was infected with a disease that drove her mad - the Hinamizawa Syndrome.

"I see..." Dexter muttered under his breath. He had finally put the pieces together.

''Shion, infected with this disease, killed her friends when she thought that they were responsible for Satoshi's disappearance; but why Tynsdale unless... he was in some way responsible.''

"So... you drove Satoshi to suicide because he figured out you were involved in the series of disapperances in Hinamizawa and was planning to blow the whistle..." the words of Shion echoed through his mind. A crime of passion has turned into a wild conspiracy hunt. That was all Dexter needed to know.

Interesting.

Dexter turned to walk out of the study but he stopped in his tracks at the sight of a list on the back of the door. A list that had the crossed out names of her Japanese friends. A few more Japanese names were also inscribed onto it, linked together through one single word - Tokyo. Dexter's mind then became piqued as soon as he notice Mr Tynsdale's name crossed out from the list... but two other names aren't.

''She wasn't finished with her quest of vengeance; and why not? She could have been one step closer to solving a mystery plaguing her town. Too bad she's in a garbage bag.''

Dexter looked back at the study desk.

I guess this mystery will remain a mystery.

Dexter goes back into the kill room and gathers the trash bags inside, he then opens the front door of Shion's house and looks around, making sure nobody was around. He then walks to his SUV and opens the trunk, putting the bags inside before closing it. Dexter starts the car and proceeds to drive towards the Marina. While on the road, Dexter recollects his thoughts about tonights' kill.

The night didn't turn out good for me, your Dearly Demented Dexter, but it quickly became the most... interesting ''evening I had in a while. I've learned that a disease can turn an innocent person into a demented monster, a small Japanese town shrouded in conspiracy, and that sometimes the human desire for love can lead to a string of grisly murders. As one person said a long time ago...''

Dexter then turns towards the audience.

"Life is full of surprises."

Winner: Dexter Morgan

Expert's Opinion
This was considered by most voters to be a very close fight but in the end, all the votes slid towards Dexter due to his domination of X-Factors trumping over Shion's marginally superior weapons.

To see the original battle, weapons and votes, click here.

Prolouge
Rorschach's Journal:

There's another vigilante like me out here, I know it now. The police have been investigating the disappearances of every major serial killer in this city. They're dead. I know it, they don't. I saw someone leave the apartment of Moloch with something over his shoulder. I went in and Moloch was gone. I followed that persons car to their home, and I have them cornered now. Time to end this.

End of entry

Dexters Thoughts...

Rorschach kicks down my door. I know who he is, he just doesn't know me. Good, and he won't get to. I sneak behind him, garrote at the ready, when he whips around and sees me. He kicks me in the chest, sending me crashing into a table. "Your terror ends tonight," Rorschach says, and he grabs a butcher knife. I lunge and tackle him, but he throws me off, prepared for me now. Let it begin now....

Battle
Rorschach lunged forward, and drove his fist into Dexters gut. Dexter grabbed it, and with all his strength, flipped him over. Rorschach scrambled for his butcher knife, but Dexter wrapped his garrote around his throat. In a mad struggle, Rorschach hacked blindly with the knife and hit Dexter in the arm, causing him to loosen his grip. Rorschach tossed Dexter off him and pulled out his can of hairspray. As he ran to where Dexter was laying, he fired his Colt, sending Rorschach scrambling for cover. Dexter pulled himself up, and began to look for his attacker, when suddenly, a hook slammed into the picture next to him, and it was ripped off the wall, slamming into his head. Dexter fell to his knees, holding his head, when Rorschach came out of the shadows and let loose with the hairspray and lighter. Dexter, back on fire, dashed for the bathroom. He quickly turned on the shower and leaped in, when Rorschach kicked down the door. Suddenly, he heard a click and saw Dexter with his Heckler and Koch, soaking wet. Dexter fired hitting Rorschach in the shoulder and sending him tumbling out the window. He hit the ground hard, and then he came up with a plan when he saw Dexters shed.

Dexter gathered his surgical equipment and prepared a plan of how to dispose of Rorschach's corpse. He walked down the stairs and went outside, only to see that there was no body. Suddenly, Dexter heard the sound of a powersaw going off and turned around just as Rorschach sawed into his arm. Rorschach kicked Dexter to the ground as he screamed in pain, then drove the butcher knife into Dexters chest, killing him. Rorschach limped off into the night, victorious.

Winner: Rorschach

Expert's Opinoin
TBA

To see the original battle, weapons and votes, click here.

Battle vs. Amanda Young (by Pygmy Hippo 2)
Gideon Meat Packing Plant

Dexter Morgan groggily woke up and soon realized that something was wrong. He felt his head and touched metal. The last thing he had been doing was investigating the Jigsaw Killer case and like a certain detective had wound up in the game. He had fallen asleep in his bed but could tell this wasn't his home. He worried about his son before the television crackled to life, revealing a puppet.

"Hello Dexter, your son is fine. You think you're more than a common murderer just because you target other killers. You've caused the death of your wife and brother in your pursuit to satiate a Dark Passenger. But it will end tonight, life or death. Make your choice. The device on your head is called a reverse bear trap. It will tear open your head in two minutes and twenty seconds if you do not find the key from the correct Jigsaw Box."

The television turned off again leaving Morgan to get up and look for the Jigsaw Boxes. The first one was in his room which he presumed was the bathroom and he stuck his hands in it. The pain was tolerable for Dexter and he pulled out a key, only to realize it didn't fit the lock. Billy laughed before the Bay Harbor Butcher walked upstairs, barely missing the Pig looking behind a corner while crouched.

Another wrong key and a laugh as Morgan found another Jigsaw Box in what he assumed was the Killer's planning room. He realized something had happened when he didn’t hear the ticking anymore. Dexter turned to see Amanda Young in her full Pig outfit. She clicked her hidden blade out and roared as she lunged, the Bay Harbor Butcher barely getting out of the way in time. He quickly used his jujitsu training to it's full potential and unleashed as good of a beat down as he could while almost blind, causing Amanda to squeak in pain repeatedly.

Morgan ran downstairs while she recovered, the final Jigsaw Box in a room that had a closed metal door. He went as fast as he could and got the key out, finally removing the reverse bear trap as Young lunged again. He judo flipped her this time and went into the freezer, finding his hunting knife in a pig's carcass and his garrote along with his syringe on a crate.

Dexter crouched down to avoid detection as he tried to remember the lay-out for a sneak attack which proved useless when the Pig stabbed him in the back. Yelling in pain, he elbowed her but Amanda grabbed his leg and plunged the hidden blade into his thigh. Desperate, he stomped hard on her hand with a audible snap as she squeaked. Limping away, he went into the basement and tore off some of his pants to treat his wound.

Morgan hid in a locker and waited for her. Sure enough, Young crouch-walked down the stairs and opened the opposite locker. He rushed out and wrapped the garrote around her neck, sending her into a panic as she felt herself losing conciousness. She slamned into a wall and turned around to stab nothing. He pulled his hunting knife out and stabbed her good arm before being sent backwards with a backhand.

Amanda slashed his chest with the hidden blade but he grabbed her arm afterwards and pulled hard, dislocating it. This seemed to be the first thing that incapacitated her and Dexter sliced into it. Now groaning on the floor, she couldn't prevent him from shoving the syringe in her neck. Her veins filled with tranquilizer as she fell unconscious.

He only thought one thing. She started this game, now it's time for me to finish it.

Kill-Room

The Pig woke up groggily but without her mask. She realized something was wrong when she couldn't move. Pictures of her previous test subjects were on the walls along with her reverse bear trap. She only felt shrink wrap as the Bay Harbor Butcher opened up a bag of tools, pulling out a hacksaw. He then stood over her with his hunting knife raised and held up her mask.

"Hello Jigsaw, don't worry I kept your mask safe."

"I'm not Jigsaw, I'm his apprentice and you, you are just meat, unworthy of winning the game."

"Is that so? I thought I won and even though you aren't who I was expecting, I know who you are Amanda."

"You don't know anything! You waste your life on petty murders while our games required some effort."

"Well, those wounds you gave me are troublesome and I wouldn't say that a self-harming junkie turned glorified serial killer isn't wasting her life."

"He will find you and he will test you again! This time with no escape!"

"But not now."

Dexter plunged the knife into her chest, puncturing her heart. Amanda glared at him with hate before her eyes rolled back. He pulled it out and cleaned it before grabbing the hacksaw, starting his routine with the neck.

The Bay

The waves were calm as the trash bag that contained what was left of Amanda Young was thrown into the sea. Dexter Morgan slowly walked away, making the dock's boards creak. She hadn't been the first to wound him and she certainly wouldn't be the last. All in all, just another night.

Expert's Opinion
While Amanda Young was a great ambush killer and trap-maker, she suffered in a direct fight. Dexter Morgan's martial arts training and experience in direct fights enabled him to get around her longer blade and superhuman physicality. His knowledge of anatomy also helped immensely to end the fight quickly and he was smart enough to easily get out of the reverse bear trap.

To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.