SMSTSS 42: The Return of the Lady of Shadows! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST, Castlevania and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a two-part story. C&C are welcomed.
Special Note: This is the sequel to "The Lady of Shadows"
Author's Note: This was supposed a Halloween special, but real life got in the way.
Part 2
Contrary to popular belief, the vampire can roam the land during the daytime, albeit in a weaker state. Regardless, even when weakened, the vampire can still be a formidable opponent for the would-be hunter of these "fiends".
An excerpt taken from the diary of the pathologist Dr. Abraham Hellsing.
A week later…
With Ranma away on assignment, Usagi was alone to fix up their new vacation home, starting with the backyard.
"Honestly, I swear we DO NOT need a new home," Usagi grumbled to herself, as she moved her wheel-barrel—filled with garden plants and tools—to a spot in the backyard. She wanted to set up an automatic garden system so that the backyard could take care of itself from time-to-time…
"Okay," Usagi said, as she looked around the backyard. Next to the backyard was a pool. However, before assuming her work, she noticed a glint that was being reflected by an object from the bottom of the pool.
"Hmmm," Usagi said, as she goes over to the edge of the pool, and squats. She stares at the object, and then reached for that object while closing her eyes…
Whatever the object was, it began to float towards the surface of the pool. It then began to rise above the water before it floated into Usagi's hands.
"Interesting," Usagi said, as she examined the object. It felt warm to the touch…
"I didn't know there was a way to avoid the effects of holy objects, like crosses," said a voice from behind.
Usagi sighed, as she turned to face Jerry's 'ghoul'. She knew that she and Ranma were being watched for some time by their neighbors, but wanted Jerry to make his move before responding.
"Billy Cole…is it?" Usagi said, as she stood up to face the ghoul.
"Yes," Billy replied. "I've been asked by Jerry if you could come over for visit tonight."
"What for?"
"To establish the rules and boundaries, I suppose," Billy said. "After all, Jerry doesn't want another vampire pouching on his turf."
"I see. What makes you think that I care what he thinks? And besides, it's not like I will be living in Las Vegas year around."
"Just accept the invitation," Billy said. "We do want to keep things…civilized around here."
And, with that, Billy turns away from Usagi, and leaves, even as Usagi made faces behind Billy's back.
"It looks like it's going to be one of those evenings," Usagi sighed…
Later, that night, Usagi, dressed in a simple, yet stylish elegant dress, appears at Jerry's doorstep.
DING-DONG!
About a minute later, Jerry opens the door.
"Hello, Mrs. Saotome," Jerry said, as he smiles at Usagi. "Please, do come in…"
Hesitantly, Usagi does.
"Well, I am surprise that you would accept my invitation," Jerry said.
"Whether or not a would-be host will be friend or foe, I don't like the idea of being rude," Usagi said. "But I am surprised that you had invited me over to your home, instead of doing something…foolish."
"Oh? Like what?"
"Like…you or your minions attacking me."
"Oh. Well, I still might, but I am curious about you. But first…let's dine."
Usagi nods her head, even as she takes her seat at the dinner table.
"So, care for human or beast?" Jerry asked.
"Beast. I don't drink the blood of innocents."
"Come, now. There is no such thing as an innocent person. Well, maybe, except for babies, but they learn how to manipulate adults very quickly."
"I suppose you're right about that," Usagi said, as she accepts a poured glass of blood from Jerry's retainer. She then sniffs the glass of blood…
"It's not poisonous," Jerry said.
"My dear Jerry, just because vampires are monsters, that doesn't mean one should behave as such," Usagi said. "And from the quality of blood that I have in my hand, I say that I am drinking cow's blood…fresh from last week…and produce by a quality cow that was well-taken care of."
"Impressive," Jerry said. "For someone from the Tzimisce clan, you seem…different. I mean, I would think that you would appreciate the things I do."
"Ah," Usagi said. "So, just as I suspected. You're Gangrel attribu…or possibly an Anarch, although you don't come off as a type who would rail against the Elders."
"Right you are," Jerry said. "But…what about you? Again, you seem different from the rest of your clans, especially since you are of the Order of the Dracul."
"Well, I didn't become Dracul by choice," Usagi said, as she continued to sip her blood. "I married into the House Tepes by Vlad II, and worked my way up into a position of power. These days, though, I allow others to do the dirty work."
"What do you mean?" Jerry asked.
"I respect the duality of humankind to know that there will always be good and evil in this world," Usagi said. "That is why I respect the rules that govern our kind, and have pushed to add special protections for the humans that serves both our needs and desires…"
Pause.
"So, you see, Jerry. I'm not going to stop you from doing what we by nature are designed to do. However, and I will tell you this much, if a human finds out about my nature, and seeks protection, I will grant it. And you don't have to worry about me bending the rules or anything. I will respect your territory while I am here."
"I will keep that in mind," Jerry said, as he took one more sip of his wine. "Oh, I do have to say this: you're right on both counts. I am Gangrel attribu AND an Anarch. And since you're here…"
SNAP!
Suddenly, the chair Usagi was sitting in had her bound.
"What is the meaning of this?" Usagi said.
"I will do whatever I want, starting with the drinking of your blood," Jerry said, as he suddenly leaped into the air, over the table, and pounced on the Moon Princess. He exposed his fangs, and bit into Usagi's neck.
CHOMP!
Although Usagi felt herself getting weakened, she was not at all defenseless. She summoned her vampire powers, and-
FWOOMP!
Her body immediately formed into a living mist, which was an ability that the Draculs has perfected.
"You can't escape!" Jerry said, as he wiped the blood from his lips. "I have this place sealed!"
Usagi was not about to let Jerry win, so, rather try to escape the house, she noticed a crack in the floor…
FWOOSH!
"Damn!" Jerry said, as he tried to cover the crack. He never thought to make sure that the inside part of the house was also sealed up…
Nevertheless, Usagi managed to escape into the basement area, where other victims of Jerry's hunger were sealed away…
"We feed!" said one of the victims, as they all tried to gang up on Usagi, who had just reformed her body
"Hsssss!" said Usagi, as her instincts for self-preservation enhanced the vampire aspect of her being. That did much to scare off the younger vampires.
Tired from her ordeal, Usagi felt that she had no choice but to merge with the ground in order to recover.
"Must rest," Usagi said, as she lay on the cold dirt in the basement. Within moment, after closing her eyes, Usagi's body broke down, before dissolving completely.
A few days later, Ranma returns home from his trip abroad, and that's when the fun began...
"Ah, home," Ranma said, as he sets his bag down onto the floor of his home, near the front door. He was surprised to see the mail being neatly stacked on the floor, but thought that Usagi might have skipped out of town on business at the last minute-
KNOCK-KNOCK!
"Hello?" said a voice from behind.
"Hmmm?" Ranma said, as he cautiously opened the front door, revealing one of his neighbors. "Mrs. Brewster?"
"Ah, please, call me 'Jane'," Jane Brewster said. "I wanted to check to see if everything was okay?"
"Why would you say that?" Ranma said with a frown.
"Well, I suppose to go shopping for roses with Bunny a few days ago, and, for some reason, I never heard anything from her," Jane said. "Strangest thing is that she left her garden tools out in the open in the backyard."
"Oh, is that right," Ranma said, suspecting that something had happened to Usagi, and knowing who was responsible for it. "Where is your son?"
"Well, he and that stage magician, the one with the public access show, went over to Jerry's house for some guy stuff, I suppose," Jane said. "But, um, maybe help you with anything, since your wife isn't here at the moment…?"
Ranma rolled his eyes. He knew exactly what Jane Brewster had in mind. Not that he was against engaging in adult activities, but business came first.
"Some other time," Ranma said, as he looked up into the skies. The sun was going to set in about an hour, and he needed to act fast so that he could save Jane's son from what was about to happen…
"Oh, I see," Jane said with disappointment. "I'll just go back home, by myself-"
Suddenly, Ranma scoops Jane into his arms, and gave the woman a passionate kiss…
"Whoa," Jane said breathlessly. "But, what about Bunny?"
"Usagi doesn't care, as long as she likes the other woman," Ranma said. "And…she likes you, knowing that you have a good heart and a solid head on your shoulders."
"Really?" Jane said with surprise. "I…I don't know what to say…"
"Say that you have a bottle of champagne ready, because, after tonight, I'm going to celebrate with two women at the same time," Ranma said with a knowing smile.
"You mean Usagi, um, is like that?"
"Why do you think I said she likes you? Anyway, I'll be back…"
With that, Ranma goes across the street to confront Jerry Dandridge about a certain matter called "respect".
BAM!
"Knock, knock!" Ranma said, after kicking in the front door. He scans the living room, and sees that he was suppose to be walking into a trap. Too bad Ranma was looking forward to springing the trap.
"You know, you could have just waited for me to open the door," Jerry said, as he and his ghoul Billy stood near the entrance to the rest of Jerry's house.
"Considering how disrespectful you have been to my affairs, I figured that I can return the favor," Ranma said evenly. "So, what's the game? Create an army of minions to take over Las Vegas or something? I hope you know that there are certain interests already in play in the 'City of Lights'."
"Why do you think I'm creating my minions?" Jerry sneered. "For too long, vampire kind has played by the rules that were set. Let's just say that I'm bigger than that."
"So, you must be either a Sabbat or anarch jerk-off with a power complex. Great."
"And what do YOU know about my kind?"
"Well, I just happen to be the 'Sorcerer Supreme', so I am familiar with every paranormal and supernatural element on the planet," Ranma said. "But I like to think that I'm the top cop when it comes to keeping power-craving 'leeches' in check…among other things."
"Well, see about THAT," Jerry sneered. "And while I deal with those other two, Billy can deal with you."
With that, Jerry leaves Billy behind to deal with Ranma.
"Look, I have no beef with your master, but I will go through you if need be," Ranma said.
"I know, but I was created to protect Jerry's interests," Billy said with a sigh, as he shifts himself into a fighting stance. "I apologize for this."
"So, am I," Ranma said, as he shifts into a loose fighting stance himself.
Meanwhile, below, Charley and Vincent, surrounded by vampires, who were being held back by a sliver of sunlight that had managed to make its way into the basement area, were pondering what to do next.
"First Eddie, now Amy," Charley said. He then turned towards Vincent.
"What are we going to do?"
"How should I know?" Vincent said. "Up until a day ago, I thought vampires weren't real."
"But, according to your calling card-"
"THAT was a gimmick for my act!" Vincent said. "And if vampires are real, what else is also real?"
"How about ancient gods, angels, demons, magi, fae and werewolves, for a start?" Jerry said, as he descends down the stairs.
"You," Charlie said.
"Yes, me. I find it curious that you would want to go after me, when I explicitly said that as long as you stay out of MY way, I would leave you and yours alone."
"Oh, I guess my best friend being dead is not a big deal."
"I didn't kill your friend Eddie. You're the one who stabbed him with that stick of yours. In fact, I became HIS friend after you decided to reject him in order to be part of the cool crowd."
"And what about the other children you have turned?" Vincent said. "What about them?"
"I gave them a new lease on life," Jerry said, as he decides to pull up a seat. "And technically, a seventeen year old is NOT a child, at least, in my opinion. They will be young, and powerful, and ripe for debauchery, if they want to engage in such a thing."
"And Amy?"
"Same thing, only that was because YOU had to get into my business," Jerry said, as Amy, Charley's girlfriend, crawled to place her head on Jerry's knee. "In fact, I might just turn your mother as well. Normally, I would prefer to do such a thing to a person in the prime of his or her lifespan, but your mom still has it going on…where it counts."
"You son-of-a-!" Charley said, as he was about run towards Jerry, only to be stopped by Vincent.
"Don't!" Vincent said. "He's goading you into making a mistake!"
"He has already done that, charlatan," Jerry said.
Rumbling sounds could now be heard throughout the house.
"What the hell is that?" Charlie asked.
"That would be one of our neighbors," Jerry said. "Apparently, he thinks he could save you two, and his wife Bunny, before sunset. Thankfully, Billy is strong enough to delay his arrival…"
Jerry then notices that the sunlight beam had shifted positions.
"Well, time's up," Jerry said, as he stands up.
"Stand back!" Vincent said, as he raises the cross.
"Naw," Jerry replied. "Besides, thanks to the level of disbelief in this world, faith is at a premium, and you two lack it."
"How does that even work?" Charlie said.
"I don't know, something about faith being able to focus the human psyche via an object of power, or something like that," Jerry said with a shrug. "Not that you two will live to learn more about it, after I feed you two to the new help…"
Charlie looks on, even as he sees Amy standing there, barely clothed.
"I'm sorry," Charlie said, as he embraced for what was to come…
Suddenly, two pairs of hands jut from the ground, and grabs Jerry's ankles.
"What the hell?" Jerry said, as he was pulled into the ground. "Arrgh-!"
FWOOMP!
"What?" Vincent said, as a figure emerges from the spot where Jerry was pulled into.
BOOM!
Charlie sees a feral-looking Usagi, as she licks the blood from her clawed fingers.
"Oh, my god," Charlie said, as Usagi turned to stare at the boy with strange eyes. Usagi then turned towards Amy and the other vampires, before walking over to them.
"Stay away from her!" Charlie said.
"Wait," Vincent said.
"But-"
"Do you think we are in the position to stop her, if she means harm?"
Charlie wanted to say something, but knew that Vincent was correct in his assessment of the situation.
Meanwhile, Usagi gathers the vampires that had been under Jerry's control.
"How can we serve you?" Amy asked.
"You do so by being free to make your own choices," Usagi said, as her crescent moon mark appeared on her forehead. It glowed with power, before morphing into the symbol of an eye, the mark of the vampire gift from the clan known as the Salubri.
"Now, be free," Usagi said, as light poured from the eye on her forehead, and showered the vampires that were kneeling before her. "I cannot cure you of the physiological effects of being a vampire, but the beast within you will no longer be within YOU."
"Whoa," Charlie said, as he and Vincent witnesses a noticeable change in Amy's and the others' demeanor.
"Now, that, is what I call a miracle," Vincent said with a smile.
BAM!
Jerry's ghoul, Billy, goes flying through the fortified door, with a stick in his heart, even as Ranma steps through the entrance way.
"What did I miss?" Ranma asked.
Billy tries to get up, but to no avail. He then reaches out to the spot where Jerry was consumed by Usagi.
"I've failed you, my master," Billy cried out.
"You can serve me, William," Usagi said. "According to tradition, committing the act of diablre—the consumption of another vampire's essence—means that I get Jerry's stuff…and servants."
"No," Billy said. "I will die with my master, for I loved him more than life itself…"
And, with that, Billy crumbles into dust.
"Damn," Ranma said. "I hate when this happens. I only meant to immobilize him long enough for him to surrender."
"That's what love is, really," Usagi said, as she goes to her husband's side. "Love is the ability to surrender one's self to another."
"I see," Ranma said, as he notices Charlie and his girlfriend hugging each other. "So, what now?"
"Well, I may have cured them of the symptoms of being a vampire, but the effects of what Jerry did will be there for the rest of their lives. Sure, the effects of mortality will be diminished, but it will be up to them to live good lives."
"In other words, if they give into their 'dark side', they'll be vampires again," Vincent said.
"Correct," Usagi said.
"And, I take it that you are a vampire?"
"Dhampire, actually," Usagi said. "I long since gained the strengths of a vampire, but none of the weaknesses."
"Like walking around during the day unaffected?"
"Something like that, although, to be fair, some vampire clans can develop an immunity to sunlight naturally."
"Oh, I see…"
"At any rate, I need a bath," Usagi said, as she turned towards Vincent. "You mind if I borrow your overcoat?"
"Oh, sure," Vincent replied, as he gave Usagi his overcoat to wear, in order to cover herself. "I'll just…stay here to clean up things."
"Whatever, and thanks," Usagi said. She then turned towards her husband.
"Coming?"
"Sure," Ranma said. "Man, I can't wait until I get home to unwind…"
Upon returning home, the Saotome couple gets a surprise.
"You don't mind if I had let myself in, do you?" Jane said seductively, as she lies on Ranma and Usagi's master bed, wearing lingerie.
Usagi slowly turns towards Ranma with a quizzical look.
"Um, Happy Anniversary?" Ranma said.
"Really?" Usagi replied.
"Belated?"
"You know, you're unbelievable sometimes…"
Tbc.
Next Time: We wrap up this story featuring the magi, and the world they live in, even as Ranma and Usagi party with the Munsters…while the horde of the undead descends upon the American capital. See you then…