The Digidestined meet Dracula

( By Amanda Kennedy )

The night was dark and cold, sending a chilling breeze through the air. Matt held onto Gabumon tight, hoping that them being alone would be all right tonight. It had been two long days since Matt had left the group to follow his own path and find his own destiny with only his digimon at his side. He shivered in the darkness, wishing silently that he could fall asleep like his friend, but this feeling wouldn't leave him. It was so strange, he felt frightened even though he didn't know why. His partner was slumbering peacefully, like he should be. But sleep eluded him, keeping him wide- awake. The wind howled through the trees of the digital forest, making the young man wish he were home in his own bed.

Above him the midnight sky held a glimmering white moon, full and majestic. It seemed as if someone had painted the stars into the sky. It would've been beautiful if it weren't so cold. The only warmth the boy had was from his fury digimon, and it wasn't enough to make him comfortable. He sneezed for maybe the fifth time, turning his head away from his companion so he would not to wake him. The longer the young Digidestined boy was lying awake the more he wished he had the heart to wake Gabumon up. But the wolf like creature needed his sleep. His job was to protect the bearer of Friendship, and if he did not have his rest, he wouldn't be able to digievolve to do so. Matt knew the rookie level needed his strength, or he would've awoken his digifriend right then.

" I almost wish the others were here. Almost. " The blonde boy thought as he closed his colbat blue eyes once more. " At least then I might have someone to talk to since I can't sleep. But I don't think I'm ready to go back to them just yet. I need to find myself before I go looking for them. I need to know what's wrong with me. "

Again, Yamato shivered. Pulling closer to the Gabumon, he tried to ease his mind into a rest. And then he tried his hardest to go to bed in the cold night. His body relaxed, and slowly but surely, the child of Friendship fell asleep next to his digimon.

Eyes of ice watched from up above. The boy was vulnerable, all alone with only his digimon, a digimon that was not going to be a threat. What an easy target, alone and asleep, the child had made this easy for him. A sneer crossed his thin lips as he watch the bearer of the Crest of Friendship snuggle up against the fury digital monster. He had no idea what threat loomed above him. If it wouldn't wake the chosen child, he would've laughed an evil laugh that would've echoed throughout the forest around them. Instead, his sneer just grew wider.

With all the grace of an angel, the dark figure slowly descended to the ground, landing several feet away from the sleeping pair. The boy stirred slightly, as if he felt the figure's sinister presence and was trying to get out of the cavern of sleep that had taken him so long to enter. It only made the shadow let out a low, barely audible chuckle. They were at his mercy as long as he acted quickly.

Matt twisted in his sleep, the Crest around his neck glowing dimly under the fabric of his green shirt. The figure was smirking over him, kneeling down next to his digital companion. The pale hands of the mysterious figure took one of Yamato's arms and gently unwrapped it from around the Gabumon. Slowly, he did the same with the other until the boy was no longer embracing his digifriend. Then he carefully rolled the boy onto his back, almost as if to make the boy look up at him, although his eyes were closed. Matt's breathing was deep, and the sinister figure could hear every beat of his young heart. The glow of the moon made the child's sandy blonde hair seem to shine, and his innocent face was so peaceful in the dim light. He was almost like a fallen angel, deep in a soft slumber.

Unknown to the poor Digidestined, or even his digimon, was what the evil creature had planned for the child. He was the target, and being so far away from his friends made him wide open for an attack. But that's not what the dark being had planned for the Guardian of Friendship. It was something very different.

His hand slowly moved to the boy's high shirt collar. In one swift movement, he pulled the thin cloth away, exposing the Digidestined's neck. His eyes of ice made out the vein right away. It was pulsing, bringing blood to the boy's whole body. The evil figure's eyes were fixed on it hungrily, watching with every inch of his concentration. The boy's heart, his soul, his very life force was flowing through that vein. With the softest touch imaginable the shadow ran a slender finger over Matt's neck, as if needing to feel if the vein was really real. He smiled in spite himself; he'd waited so long for this. Fangs glittered from within his grin, sharp and pointed like knives. They loomed over the child's soft skin, ready to strike.

" Good-bye, child of Friendship, " The dark being hissed, leaning in for the vein, fangs ready to pierce through Yamato. " Sweet dreams for eternity! "

Abruptly, blue light burst out from the Crest of Friendship, and Matt's eyes flew open. He saw the creature leaning in for him and screamed. " GABUMON! "

Instantly the rookie digimon was awake and on his feet. He caught sight of the shadowy form standing over his chosen child, and reacted viciously, releasing an icy attack on the evil creature's back. " Blue Blaster, ha! "

The shadow was thrown back, away from the Digidestined. Matt hopped to his feet, running to his companion's side. His breath was caught in his throat he was so terrified. His knees were weak and he was ready to collapse from shock. Gabumon held him close for a moment, still shaken from that scare.

" Matt, are you all right? ", the digimon demanded in concern.

" Yeah, but what kind of digimon is that? ", the boy cried, fear in his voice. He pointed a brown-gloved hand at the shadowy figure as it stepped closer to them.

Moonlight illuminated him, casting visibility over the being. He looked almost human. He had pale skin, and sharp fangs that glittered like diamonds. He wore a dark gray suit that looked very old fashioned. Like from movies that didn't even have sound. A black cape swirled behind him, all the way down to his ankles. A sneer crossed his young, human like face. " I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Yamato, but I'm not a digimon. I am a vampire. "

" A v-vampire…, " Blue eyes wide, the young Digidestined took a step back from the smirking teenage menace. His heart rate had increased in seconds, and the vampire could hear it's pounding in his chest. Matt looked down at his digital partner, his fear very visible on his young face and even in his body language. " I didn't know that vampires existed in the Digiworld! "

" Oh, but we do. ", the vampire sneered, taking a step forward. " Or at least, I do. It's such a shame that your crest had to wake you up. The vein in your neck looked so tasty, I couldn't resist a bite. Such a shame, I'm so hungry too. "

" Stay away from him! " Gabumon leaped into the air, anger in is tone. As the boy's digivice began to screech, the rookie level began to glow.

Gabumon digievolves to……. Garurumon!

The white wolf digimon snarled as he tried to tackle the vampire to the ground, but the teenage evil was faster. He leaped out of the way; letting the champion digimon hit the ground and tumble in the dirt. Laughing, he smirked at the blonde boy across the clearing from him.

" You actually believe that you can defeat the son of Dracula himself? ", the dark figure chuckled, his icy eyes piercing. " You've got to be kidding me, boy. Not even all of the Digidestined combine could stop me! "

" We'll see about that! ", Garurumon exclaimed. " Howling Blaster! "

The vampire quickly wrapped his cape around his whole body, and it miraculously shielded the digital monster's attack. He then stood, facing his adversaries with a glare of excitement in his eyes. The vampire literally enjoyed the challenge of having to go through Garurumon to get to Matt. It livened it up a bit.

He then put a hand to his lips, and when he removed them, a blast of fire shot out of his mouth striking the striped white and blue wolf. He was thrown back into the trees, letting out a cry of pain. Matt was instantly tense, waiting anxiously for his partner to get up. He clenched his fists in worry trying not to panic.

" You are fools, protectors of Friendship! I am Daven, the son of Dracula! I am more powerful than all the Dark Masters put together. " The vampire shouted as the wolf slowly rose to his feet to rejoin the battle. " You and your little pet aren't going to be able to stop me! You might as well give up, Yamato. I am your master! "

" Howling Blaster! " Garurumon fired again, charging at the evil creature threatening them. As his icy blast made Daven cry out, he slashed his large claws at the teenage monster connecting with his head. Daven was thrown back, but he hit the ground laughing. His cackling echoed far and wide.

" You actually think that HURT? ", the vampire scoffed as he threw a bolt of fire at Garurumon's side. It tossed the wolf onto its side moaning in pain. Daven could not stop laughing, not even when he struck Garurumon again.

" No! ", Matt screamed in concern for his friend. " Garurumon! "

" Oh, don't worry, boy, I won't kill him. ", the vampire sneered over at the child, his fangs glittering. He grabbed the wolf by the face, holding him down with amazing strength and unbelievable skill. He forced the beast to look into his eyes that were now a blazing red. Matt stood there in disbelief, and he couldn't force his body to move. Suddenly, the protector digimon's eyes flashed red as well.

" Now, my pet, " Daven grinned, showing off his sharp teeth. Garurumon stood at his side like a well-trained dog. The vampire pointed to Yamato with a smirk. " Bring me that Digidestined. I want him alive, and hopefully in one piece. Go, Garurumon! Bring me the bearer of the Crest of Friendship! "

To be continued