A/N – Sorry for the long wait, life got pretty hectic over the past month or so. Writer's block didn't help, either. However, updates should come much more frequently after this. Hope everyone's enjoying the fanfic and thanks for reading.
I do not own either Rosario + Vampire or Castlevania. They are the licensed property of their rightful owners.
Part I Chapter VI
Will the Real Moka-san Please Stand Up
Tsukune was surprised to see the stranger in the chairman's office, but more so by Moka's reaction to him. She huddled close to the boy, who felt her trembling beside him. He surmised Moka had encountered the man before, and judging by her fearful demeanor, it hardly seemed pleasant.
"And you must be Tsukune Aono," the strange man spoke courteously. "Quite a famous figure on campus." He paused for a moment. "Or infamous, depending on your point of view."
The brown-haired youth wasn't sure how to respond. Though Colton made no hostile moves or gestures, Tsukune didn't feel safe in light of the shivering Moka beside him.
"What is he doing here," Inner Moka growled from within the Rosario, as the jewel glowed fiercely.
The human student was startled. Though he didn't hear the sealed persona clearly, he definitely felt her anger contained within the cross. He became certain the man before him was the same one the silver-haired woman mentioned the previous night. "I can't release her now," he thought to himself, "not with the chairman and Kokoa-chan here." He held tightly onto his friend's hand. "It'll be alright, Moka-san," he said quietly, trying to reassure the troubled girl. "I'm here for you."
The pink-haired girl turned and gave him a wan smile.
"How noble of you," Moka's sealed persona spoke. "I only wish I could share your optimism."
Up on Kokoa's shoulder, Koumori also trembled in Colton's presence.
"Knock it off," the younger vampire whispered sharply.
"I can't help it," the bat spoke timidly, "such a malefic aura."
"I'll show you malefic in three seconds if you don't stop cowering."
"Kokoa," Moka said hesitantly, "have you met Colton before?"
The orange-haired girl refused to acknowledge her older sister.
The bald man raised his nonexistent eyebrows in surprise, but said nothing as he turned towards the chairman. "Well, it seems all the relevant parties are gathered. Shall we proceed?"
"Yes." The robed man behind the desk turned his brooding gaze to the pink-haired young woman. "Akashiya Moka," he spoke in his hollow voice.
The older vampire cringed as the mysterious figure addressed her. "Yes, Chairman-sama," she replied tentatively.
"What were you doing last night?"
Moka looked down towards a part of the floor. "I... was trying to study," she began, "but I was so worried about Tsukune, I couldn't concentrate."
The man behind the desk hummed in acknowledgment.
"And just what were you studying, Onee-chan, hmm," Kokoa asked with a suspicious smirk.
"Your inquiry is unnecessary," the robed man interjected. "I and I alone am conducting this interrogation."
Moka and Tsukune winced at that, while Kokoa gave her head an indifferent toss.
"And what happened afterward," the chairman asked Moka.
The pink-haired girl sighed heavily. "The next thing I know, this horrible aura passed through my room, and then, zombies appeared and attacked me."
"Zombies attacking a vampire," the head of the school asked in an intrigued voice. "Quite a novel concept." He looked towards Colton. "Usually even the most mindless zombie wouldn't dare assault a vampire, is that correct?"
"As you said, chairman," the bald man replied.
The mysterious being turned back to Moka. "And you proclaim it actually happened?"
"Yes, Chairman-sama."
"And what evidence to you have to verify this?"
The pink-haired girl bowed her head and approached the desk. "They did this to me," she said bitterly, and pushed back her hair covering her left eye.
"Moka-san," Tsukune said sadly. He noted while the chairman didn't seem to react, Colton looked somewhat surprised.
"That's not true!" Kokoa interjected. "It was those useless people pretending to be her friends who did that! They ruthlessly assaulted her for no reason, like the losers they are!"
"Interesting," the man behind the desk mused. "And you actually witnessed this, assault?"
The freshman hummed nervously, her green eyes off to the side. "Well, they had her surrounded," she began defensively, "and, um, that stalker froze her feet to the roof. She had to crawl and grab her ankles, like the pathetic youkai she is."
"Kokoa!" Moka objected.
"Enough," the chairman interrupted, and turned back to the younger girl. "And what happened before that, how was the fight instigated?"
The vampire stammered for several seconds, while Kou covered his face with his wings. "What difference does it make," the orange-haired girl finally retorted, "they were ganging up on Onee-sama, I had to save her!"
The bat familiar on her shoulder groaned incredulously.
"I see," the glowing-eyed man responded. "And did your sister specifically request assistance?"
Kokoa stammered even more at that. "Th-th-that doesn't matter!" she spoke frantically. "I'm the only one who truly cares about her! Those reprobates only seek to bend her to their will, I couldn't allow that! She is a proud and noble vampire, she deserves better than that!"
"I agree. And as a proud and noble vampire, is it not true she would refuse to request assistance, even if her own death was at hand?"
The orange-haired girl's jaw dropped like a stone, and her eyes shrunk into little green dots. Koumori reeled back on her shoulder, groaning in embarrassment. "You should quit while you still have your head," the familiar remarked blandly, "dechu."
Moka laughed nervously, as a sweat drop ran down the side of her head. Tsukune mimicked her actions all but perfectly. Deep within the Rosario, Inner Moka groaned wearily and shook her head in disbelief. "Kokoa, when will you ever learn?"
The younger vampire lowered her head, as she glanced sidelong at the cross on her sister's chest.
"Kokoa," the sophomore girl said sadly.
The chairman cleared his throat, which got everyone's attention. "Now then, Akashiya-san," he spoke up, "just how did you, rectify the matter in your dorm room."
Moka sighed lightly. "I tried my best to defend myself," she spoke solemnly. "It's not they were too strong, I simply hate fighting."
"Even if your life is at risk?"
She nodded in response. "And as they fell, more appeared to replace them. The battle seemed endless, so I had no choice but to escape, and hopefully find Tsukune."
"What on earth for," Colton interjected, "if I may ask? How did you know he could've assisted in such a situation?"
"Why, because he's a, 'mere human,'" Inner Moka replied tartly. "Is that what you're trying to say?"
The pink-haired girl gripped her rosary, looked towards it and made a shushing noise. She looked up and saw the bald man had a quizzical expression on his face. She became hesitant at that point, fearful to reveal anything further.
"Answer the question," the chairman insisted.
The female vampire sighed and lowered her gaze. "Because, he's the only one I've met, who can remove this seal and awaken my full power."
"Idiot!" Inner Moka snapped. "Why did you tell him that? You don't believe he'll use it against us?"
"I didn't have a choice," Moka replied telepathically. "The chairman is right there."
Moka's alternate persona growled in aggravation, as the Rosario shook on its chain.
"You don't say," Colton replied in an intrigued voice, as he gazed at the shaking cross. "I mean to ask you about that yesterday. Most vampires I've encountered detest such symbols. Many of those cannot even touch such an artifact. It seems the rules are different over here."
Moka gave him a questioning look as he turned away.
"Moreover," the historian continued, "those over in Europe are only too eager to revel in their dark power. They are the masters of many dark arts, including necromancy. And the older and stronger the vampire, the larger and more powerful army it can summon."
"Could you possibly be any more obvious," Inner Moka asked with a deep scowl.
"But, I don't know anything about necromancy," the sophomore said defensively. "I've never wanted to, either. All I've ever wanted in life is a real friend, who can accept me for who I really am. Creating zombies would just scare people away."
"Moka-san," Tsukune said softly as he held her hand.
"Precisely," the chairman interjected. "The practice of such arts is strictly forbidden on campus, for it does nothing to further our cause. Just the opposite, in fact."
Kokoa made a face but said nothing.
"Not to mention the vampire community within this realm is very adept at handling such, individuals you've encountered," the head of the school continued. "I assure you, there are no known rogues on campus."
Colton held his chin as his face grew pensive. "As you say," he spoke in an offhand fashion.
"However, the events of last night have shaken the entire student body, as well as the faculty. The perpetrators must be found and neutralized, by any means necessary, hence your continued presence on campus."
"Of course."
Moka couldn't help but gasp. "You mean Colton is staying here," she asked fearfully.
"That is correct, until this crisis is resolved."
The vampire shivered more obviously beside Tsukune. Koumori squeaked timidly, for it was all he could've done to avoid screaming.
"There is no need to worry," the European man spoke calmly. "As long as you are innocent, you have nothing to fear."
Kokoa merely folded her arms under her chest. The rest looked anything but reassured.
Colton walked towards Moka and looked to the cross she wore. "I suppose I can see the wisdom in concealing your true nature," he noted. "However, many overseas would consider the thought of a vampire wearing a crucifix utterly blasphemous, since the two are supposedly mutually exclusive." He turned towards the window. "But, who am I to judge?"
"So now you're a fundamentalist on top of everything else," Inner Moka asked with a brooding scowl. "As if I didn't have enough reason to detest YOU!"
"Stop it!" Moka said sharply under her breath as she held the shaking Rosario.
Tsukune looked on in confusion. Though he couldn't hear Inner Moka's voice, he got the distinct impression she was aggravated. He surmised she had her own issues with Colton, which reaffirmed the fact that the earlier encounter with him was rather unpleasant, despite his current demeanor.
"Yes," the robed man spoke up, "let us keep a tight rein on our emotions, for this is not the time for undue outbursts which would only exacerbate the situation."
"Wise words, Chairman," Colton noted.
Inner Moka snarled within her counterpart's mind, livid at the man before her. The pink-haired girl felt her anger, and silently agreed. She reached out and gripped Tsukune's hand tightly, which made the human youth wince in pain. "Sorry," she whispered beside him.
"It's alright, Moka-san," the boy quietly replied. As he felt the vampire's grip weakening, he noticed her hand was trembling. He tightened his own grip, trying to reassure her before anything disastrous occurred.
The priest turned to the sophomore girl. "Continue, Akashiya-san."
"Yes, Chairman-sama."
Moka described what occurred as she searched the grounds for Tsukune. Apparently, she was attacked many more times by undead, which accounted for her injuries. What startled Tsukune the most was when she relayed she was also attacked by angry male students, who believed she was responsible for the attack on the dormitories. One of them resembled the student who broke down Tsukune's door the other night and was attacked by the fake Inner Moka. The brown-haired youth was appalled by what he'd heard, and better understood why the silver-haired woman was so incensed with him the previous night. He noted the chairman didn't seem to react, Kokoa crossed her arms and frowned darkly, and Colton looked intrigued.
"Moka-san," Tsukune said reassuringly as he held her shoulders.
"And did you actually find him," the chief school administrator asked in his hollow voice.
"Yes, Chairman-sama. He awoke my other self in order to fight off those zombies."
The man behind the desk hummed in acknowledgment, and turned to the incognito human. "And what happened after that, Aono Tsukune?"
The brown-haired youth coughed nervously. "Yes, the other Moka and our friends fought against that huge monster which was summoning all the zombies. It was the hardest battle I'd ever seen since I came here, but they finally managed to destroy it. When they did, all the zombies disappeared."
"Interesting," the chairman spoke as he rose from his desk. "However, it was not just the dormitories that were attacked."
"What," Tsukune and Moka asked in unison.
Inner Moka and Kokoa looked shocked, while Colton managed to maintain his composure in light of the revelation.
"And before I continue, I demand none of what I reveal is spoken beyond this door. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Chairman-sama," Tsukune spoke up.
Moka merely nodded meekly, while Kokoa didn't react.
The head of the school turned to the cathedral windows in his office. "Late last night, the student library and the Tomb of Wisdom were also ransacked. The evidence we managed to gather indicates the perpetrator behind the attacks was a vampire."
"Tomb of what," the brown-haired youth.
"It is the sanctuary where our most distinguished teachers and administrators are buried. Entry into this tomb is strictly forbidden."
"I see," the sealed persona of Moka spoke within the Rosario. "So the attack on the dormitories was just a diversion."
"Moreover," the chairman continued, "many important tomes were stolen, and they have yet to be recovered."
"What kind of tomes," Tsukune asked hesitantly. "Books on black magic, forbidden secrets, that kind of stuff?"
The chairman slowly turned his head in the human student's direction. "Would you perchance know anything of the robbery?"
The brown-haired youth gasped as he realized what he'd just said. "No, not at all!" he blurted out, as he raised his hands and closed his eyes in embarrassment. "I'm just saying if I was a vampire, uh, rather a rogue vampire, uh, that's probably what I'd steal, too." He laughed nervously, desperately trying to soothe the others. He heard a menacing growl nearby. He turned, and saw Moka scowling at him, her usually emerald eyes glowing bright red, which matched the jewel in the middle of her rosary. He cringed as he actually felt Inner Moka's displeasure directed at him, and knew she would've held him accountable later on for his careless tongue. Needless to say, he hardly looked forward to the occasion. "I'm sorry, Moka-san," he spoke quietly.
Moka looked away, bowed her head and closed her red slitted irises. When she opened them again, they had changed back to emerald green again.
"Hmph, stupid human," Kokoa muttered. "Shows how little he knows us, and how unworthy he is of Onee-sama."
The chairman turned his mysterious gaze to Tsukune. The brown-haired youth shivered noticeably, as he saw the robed man's eyes glowed even brighter than usual, and wore a distinct frown on his face. "This is not the time for humor," the head of the school spoke, a rare hard edge in his hollow voice. "Do you know anything or not?"
Tsukune sighed gravely. "No, Chairman-sama. This is the first time I'd heard of it."
The eerie figure made no reaction. "Then tell me about the dormitory attack. Many witnesses have identified Akashiya Moka as the responsible party in question. What sayest you, Aono Tsukune?"
"That was not Moka-san," the brown-haired youth said firmly. "It was someone posing as her."
"And what evidence do you posses to support your claim?"
Tsukune gestured to the cross worn by the pink-haired girl beside him. "Right here. The Moka-san who appeared in my room destroyed the Rosario, or so I thought."
"Ah yes," the mysterious figure replied, "I can see how such an even would devastate you, considering everything you'd endured to obtain it."
Both Moka and Kokoa wore troubled expressions on their faces.
The human student nodded. "But when Moka-san came after me in the forest, and I felt the rosary in my hand, I realized I'd been tricked. Holding the Rosario brought me out of that nightmare."
The robed man walked by Colton. Tsukune noticed the bald man's brow was furrowed slightly.
"Very astute, Aono-san," the chairman spoke with a dry smile. "To discover the solution on your own is most commendable." He turned back to the brown-haired youth. "And just what became of this, charlatan?"
"I don't know. After we fought against her on the roof, she disappeared. We never saw her again."
"Uh, you fought her where," Kokoa asked with a wary expression.
"Uh oh," her familiar added.
"Kokoa," Moka asked in concern.
"I see," the robed man noted. "And did anything occur between the impostor and Shuzen-san?"
The orange-haired girl couldn't help but squirm, as did Koumori. Moka became even more worried at their reaction.
Tsukune emitted a deep sigh. "Yes," he finally replied. "She told Kokoa, to kill everyone except me."
"Kokoa!" Moka exclaimed, livid at what she'd heard. "Is this true?"
The younger vampire spluttered over her own words for several seconds, seemingly unable to speak anything coherent.
"Interesting," the chairman spoke as he returned to his desk. "And just why did she desire to spare you, Aono-san?"
The human student bowed his head. "I don't know," he responded solemnly. "All she said was she had, plans for me."
"WHAT!" Inner Moka shouted within the Rosario.
Tsukune gasped and backed away, for even he clearly heard her voice at that juncture.
"What sort of depraved machinations did that miserable harlot have for my Tsukune!" Moka's alternate personality demanded, as the cross shook violently. "This is your doing, isn't it, Colton! How dare you meddle in my affairs! I'm going to tear you apart like I did your little pet last night!"
"Moka-san, no!" Tsukune called out, as he grabbed the Rosario. "It's too dangerous!"
"Why should I spare him, Tsukune? Don't you realize he's the one behind this?"
The brown-haired youth desperately tried to steady his hand so he didn't inadvertently release the seal. He felt the vampire's rage within his mind, and even saw a mental image of Inner Moka with the same incensed expression she wore the previous night. "Please, Moka-san, the chairman or Kokoa-san might get hurt. It's not worth it."
The sealed persona's expression softened slightly, but still looked very angry. "And how do you know he's not involved with Colton," she asked mentally. "Does he really act like a trustworthy individual? Even worse, Kokoa has been targeted as well. I cannot let this slide. You know that, Tsukune."
The boy sighed at that. He knew well of Inner Moka's pride and honor, and knew she would've taken such assaults on herself and her sister personally. He also knew his current predicament, and sought to avoid a possible catastrophe.
"I know, Moka-san," he finally spoke in a quiet voice as he looked to the Rosario. "I also know you'd try to stop me before I did anything foolish. I'd be just as foolish to do otherwise for my precious friend."
He heard Inner Moka's gasp within his mind. The image of her looked startled for a moment, and then regained its composure. As if edifying that, the Rosario trembled less vigorous until it finally became still again.
Tsukune looked into the face of the pink-haired girl beside him. "Are you alright, Moka-san?"
The young vampire smiled affectionately. "I am now," she replied. "Thank you, Tsukune."
The robed figure lowered himself back into his seat. "It is admirable you stand by her in such times, Aono-san. Remain watchful in the coming days."
The brown-haired youth gulped nervously, even though he knew he'd been complimented. The glowing gaze of the mysterious head of the school had always mad him uneasy. "Yes, Chairman-sama."
The chairman turned towards for Kokoa, who immediately stiffened in response. "As for you, Shuzen-san, your lack of restraint as well as sound judgment nearly cost us five valuable students, as well as my assistant. That I cannot ignore." He looked towards the door. "You may enter."
The door opened seemingly on its own accord, and in the doorway stood Nekonome. "Yes, Chairman-sama."
"Escort your charge back to the dormitory. She shall have a week to consider the ramifications of her actions."
The feline teacher's ears flattened against her head. "Yes, sir."
"What," Kokoa asked the blonde woman approached her. "Wait a minute! I'm the daughter of the third Dark Lord! You can't do this to me!"
"You are also supposed to keep silent about that," the chairman interjected. "Pray he does not recommend or employ additional punishment."
The orange-haired girl gasped in horror as she remembered the spanking she received earlier in the school year. As she stood in shock, she felt her collar grabbed from behind.
"Right this way, Shuzen-san," the feline woman spoke, trying to sound cheerful despite the current circumstances.
"Kokoa!" Moka called out as she watched her younger sister dragged out of the room.
"This is not over!" Kokoa announced as she passed through the doorway. "I will never give up, Onee-chan!"
The door closed behind them with a sense of finality. Both Tsukune and Moka cringed as the sound of the closing door continued to echo throughout the room.
"That was nothing," the chairman said ominously. "The fate of the true culprit will be far more severe." He grinned darkly at the two teenagers. "But rest assured, should you be innocent, you have nothing to fear."
"Yes, Chairman-sama," Tsukune hesitantly replied, though he looked anything but reassured.
"You are dismissed."
The door opened once more. The coupled bowed before the school official and headed out of the office.
"Let me go!" Kokoa shouted as she was dragged down the hall. "I command you to release me immediately!"
"I can't do that, Shuzen-san," Nekonome replied. "The chairman's edict was very specific." She looked back to her charge, a disapproving look in her green feline eyes. "But assaulting a faculty member? Royal vampire or not, that's going too far."
"So what," the unrepentant freshman shot back, "it's not like that stupid woman is important or anything. No one will miss her if she's gone."
The blonde woman hissed in aggravation. "It's that attitude that led to your suspension, Shuzen-san. What am I supposed to tell your family? They'll be very upset when they hear about this incident."
"I couldn't care less what they think. I only came here to rescue Onee-sama from this substandard establishment and bring her back home where she belongs."
Nekonome's ears perked up at that. "You intend to tell your older sister what's best for her," she asked in disbelief.
"Shut up!" the young vampire snapped. "You don't know anything! You should mind your own business, woman, this is not your concern!"
"Well said, my young sibling," an unseen voice spoke from nearby.
"Who said that," the feline teacher spoke in confusion as she looked about.
Kokoa looked in her direction, and saw the outline of a familiar figure before her. Its' eyes glowed red, and the freshman felt a substantial demonic aura emanating from it. "Sleep," the figure spoke, and the still confused Nekonome yawned and collapsed onto the floor. She curled up into a ball, and her tail popped out from under her skirt.
The orange-haired vampire looked down at the sleeping woman on the floor. She blinked repeatedly as she attempted to comprehend the scene before her. She then looked to the insubstantial figure who'd incapacitated Nekonome. "Come with me," it spoke, and led the way down the hall.
"What's going on here, dechu," Kou asked suspiciously. "Is that really Moka-sama?"
Kokoa didn't respond at first. She wasn't sure how to respond. On one hand, she was grateful that her would be keeper had been neutralized. On another, she was certain it was not her sister who'd saved her, and wanted answers about the previous night. With a hard look, she followed the figure towards the girls' bathroom. The figure passed through the door without opening it, which made Kokoa even more suspicious. She was very certain Moka didn't posses such abilities, though she immediately saw the benefit in them.
Once Kokoa entered, she saw several girls unconscious on the floor, or on the toilets. Any other time, she would've been amused by the scene. But at that juncture, her mixed emotions interfered with any enjoyment she would've otherwise derived.
"Pay them no heed," the figure spoke, and fully materialized into the form of Inner Moka. "It's not like they're actually important," she continued, and turned to face her. "Are they?"
"You are not Onee-sama," Kokoa said sternly, as she folded her arms over her chest.
"And she is," the older girl countered with a thin smile. "What kind of sister avoids the only person who truly cares for her, and consorts with lesser beings who barely make adequate servants? What kind of royal vampire chooses the company of a lowly human over her own," she continued, as her smile faded. "Humans are nothing more than cattle to be fed upon, you know that as well as I. So why does she stubbornly resist her calling?"
The orange-haired girl looked away at that. Though she agreed with much of what the silver-haired woman said, she privately wondered if she honestly meant it, or was just toying with her. She planned to get excessively violent if it was the latter. As she looked back, she saw the fake Moka standing beside the bathroom mirror, and saw she cast no reflection. Her green eyes widened at that, for though she was certain the woman was not her real sister, she became curious of her true identity, for she possessed traits she believed were simply derived from silly human superstitions.
As she pondered the issue, she remembered the words Moka had spoken to her the first day they met at school. "The sister you knew so well is no longer here." She clenched her fists by her side, as her frustration with her older sister surfaced yet again
"You think so as well," the woman spoke up, "don't you?"
"What do you think you're doing," Kokoa asked sharply. "Onee-sama will kill once she finds you! And thanks to you, I got suspended from school for a week!"
"The school was built on flawed principles. Coexistence, absurd. Such is a fantasy of those who posses no concept of the real world." The woman placed her hands on her hips. "Humans and monsters have been enemies for thousands of years, and shall be enemies for thousands more long after we have passed on." She took three steps towards Kokoa. "But very soon, a new era shall come to this world, and we shall finally ascend to our true place of prominence."
"What sort of era," the younger girl asked suspiciously.
The evil woman smiled, which revealed her deadly fangs. "One in which vampires rule over all other lifeforms, especially those pitiful humans. They claim to be the dominant species, they claim to be divinely chosen by God, but that travesty shall soon be corrected, and the humans shall be exposed as the defective species they are."
"Hold on," Kokoa interrupted. "We may not think highly of humans, but that doesn't mean we want to destroy them all."
"And how many of our kind have been slain by humans," the woman asked with a resolute expression. "How long will you or your delusional sister turn a blind eye to the threat they pose to us?"
"Impossible!" the orange-haired girl shouted. "Humans can never defeat vampires!"
The older vampire didn't so much as flinch. "You've never heard of the Belmont clan, have you?"
Kokoa gave her a confused look, clearly unfamiliar with the name.
"Then watch and learn." She gestured towards the mirror, and the image within faded away, and revealed a darkened landscape, filled with various forms of undead. Zombies lumbered across the dead earth, while skeletal knights marched forth, prepared to strike down anyone foolish enough to cross their path. Lightning illuminated the area, and revealed a single man with a brooding stare, a leather whip on his hands. He reared back with his weapon, and lashed out towards the zombies. One by one the roaming undead were struck down with punitive ease. The skeletal knights swarmed him, but he became bathed in a pillar of light, with several crosses rotating around his body. The undead around him were completely decimated.
"For almost a thousand years," the woman mentioned, "the Belmont clan has been the scourge of all youkai everywhere, especially vampires." Mist rose up from the earth, as an ancient vampire in a black cloak appeared. Lightning flashed again, and it revealed his lifeless countenance and empty stare. He rushed towards his enemy, but was struck full in the chest by the brooding man's whip. The man flew a bluish flask at the vampire, who screamed in agony as he was bathed by holy water. He was whipped repeatedly, and his body burned to ashes on the ground.
Koumori was horrified at what he'd witnessed. He never imagined a vampire could've been so easily defeated, especially by a human.
"Th-th-that was just some nameless nobody!" Kokoa said defensively, trying to hide her fear. "There's no way they could do that to Tou-san, or Onee-sama! They're hundreds of times stronger than any mere human, they'd eat those posers for breakfast!"
"Or die trying," the silver-haired woman responded. "Are you willing to take that chance?"
"Impossible!" the freshman girl shot back. "They can't die! They're too strong to die!"
"Many vampires felt the same way, yet they perished before those barbaric Belmonts. And let me assure you, if they ever find this place, they will not rest until it is reduced to rubble."
The image in the mirror changed again, and Kokoa saw a demolished Youkai Academy, still smoldering after an unknown attack. The gravestones were all destroyed, and the grounds were littered with the bodies of dead students, all transformed into their true selves but seemingly for naught. Many were burned beyond recognition, some killed by multiple slash wounds, and even more beaten to a pulp, as a single man holding a blood-covered whip in his hand stood alone amongst the carnage, a remorseless look in his eyes.
"No," the orange-haired girl said incredulously, "that's not possible. No human could defeat that many monsters." She actually found herself trembling as she watched the scene in the mirror.
"And if you think your father or your sister will fare any different," the woman said in a challenging voice. The image in the mirror changed again. Kokoa saw Inner Moka charging the man, her eyes glowing with hatred. However, the man threw a familiar flask into the air, and a heavy rain came down. Moka screamed in agony, as smoke rose from her body. The orange-haired girl was horrified, as she realized she'd been doused by holy water. Without hesitation, the man lashed out repeatedly with his whip as the silver-haired woman in the mirror was still being burned. Suddenly, her body was immolated in a towering pillar of blue flame, and crumpled onto the ground.
"ONEE-SAMAAAA!" Kokoa shrieked. She collapsed onto her knees, devastated by what she'd witnessed. Never in a million years did she imagine her older sister could've been defeated. Even though she knew it was just an image projected in a mirror, the sound of Moka's screams terrified her to the very core of her being.
"Now do you understand what we're up against, child," the woman before her asked. "The Belmonts destroy everything they deem unnatural, and the humans hail them as heroes. Coexistence is a fantasy of deluded souls who cannot face the harsh reality around them."
"Kokoa-sama," Koumori spoke, desperately trying to console his sobbing mistress.
The orange-haired girl finally rose her tear-streaked face off the floor. "How can we stop this," she asked in a broken voice. "How can I save Onee-sama?"
The older vampire held out her right hand. "Come with me, Kokoa," she spoke with an inviting smile. "We can discuss the finer details later."
The freshman slowly rose from the floor. Though she knew unequivocally the woman before her was not her sister, it made no difference to her if she couldn't save her sister from the threat of the Belmonts. As she approached the silver-haired woman, her image wavered and melted away. Kokoa embraced her tightly, and sobbed as she felt a powerful magic surrounding the two of them.
"Wait for me!" Koumori called out as she flew over and landed on his mistress' shoulder. In a flash of crimson light, all three individuals vanished.
Tsukune and Moka sat alone at a table during lunch. The day had gone rather smoothly, as well as expected in a school for monsters. They were both perplexed that math class had been abruptly canceled, though after their unpleasant encounters with Ririko, neither of them were overly distressed by her absence.
Moka sighed sadly to herself. "Oh Tsukune," she began, "I can't believe Kokoa's been suspended. And all because of that fake me." She tightly clenched her fists. "I swear, if I ever find that impostor again, I'll make her rue the day she toyed with my sister." She gave the human student beside her a vexed glance. "And with you, Tsukune."
"Moka-san," the brown-haired youth spoke in awe. He saw the pink-haired girl shared the same stance as her alternate persona concerning those who hurt her loved ones. He gently laid his hand over her fist. "It'll be alright, Moka-san. I'll be right by your side. I won't be fooled by that fake Moka-san again."
The young vampire sighed in relief. "I am so glad to hear that," she spoke with a light smile. "I feel so fortunate to have you by my side, Tsukune." She leaned beside him in her seat.
"Moka-san," Tsukune said in awe as he felt the pink-haired girl beside him. He laid his arm across her shoulders, and heard a contented hum in response. He also moved closer, as he sensed his precious friend harbored no grudge against him for avoiding her the previous day. He was very happy to have regained the young vampire's favor. And though he was reluctant to interrupt the moment of bliss, he remembered what she'd spoken before school. "Moka-san?"
"Yes, Tsukune?"
"Just what is it we're supposed to do today?"
The pink-haired girl turned to face him. "That man you saw in the chairman's office," she began seriously. "Ever since he came here, terrible things have happened. Those nightmares of yours, that zombie attack, maybe even the Rosario itself."
Tsukune gasped at that. "It was him," he asked in shock.
"It was working fine before he came," Moka insisted, "But who knows what will happen if he isn't stopped." She disengaged from her friend, and tightly wrapped her arms around herself. "I just can't stop shaking whenever he's nearby."
"Moka-san, what did he do?"
The sophomore girl lightly shook her head, though not enough to have exposed her left eye. "He seemed to know I was a vampire on first sight, and he spoke of the darker side of vampires, which you've probably heard from rumors and old legends."
As Tsukune thought about what she'd relayed, he recalled the events of the previous night, and quickly made the connection. "Are you saying he was behind that attack?"
Moka nodded fearfully.
"But Moka-san, why didn't you say anything to the Chairman?"
She buried her face in her hands. "I, I was afraid he might've hurt Kokoa," she said in a trembling voice. "I wasn't expecting to see her there, I had no idea he was after her, too. I'm so sorry, Tsukune."
"Moka-san," the brown-haired youth said sadly, and held her close to him. "Don't blame yourself. None of this is your fault. We'll clear your name, I promise."
The pink-haired girl smiled in response. "Thank you, Tsukune. And thanks for not releasing the seal back there, I might've done something I would've regretted later. I'd, never forgive myself if Kokoa got hurt."
"That won't happen, I know you two better than that. And one day, we'll resolve our differences with your sister."
"Oh, Tsukune, I want that almost more than anything."
The human student raised an eyebrow in response. "Almost? What do you want more, Moka-san?"
The female sophomore giggled lightly. "You know," she said in a coy voice, "Tsukune."
"Moka-san."
"Tsukune," the vampire spoke softly as she leaned closer.
"Moka-san," the brown-haired youth replied as he reciprocated.
An ominous feeling arose near them. They froze in place, looked beside them, and saw several angry male students had surrounded their table. Tsukune recognized many of them from his floor in the boys' dormitories. In the lead was the same boy who broke down his door the previous night. The sealed vampire hid behind her friend who stood protectively against the assembled students before him.
"Move it, Aono!" the large boy demanded. "We're taking out that little bloodthirsty wench, here and now!"
"Why are you doing this," Moka asked fearfully. "I've done nothing to hurt any of you!"
"Don't give me that! You were the one who summoned all those things last night!"
"And you thrashed all our buddies!" another student added. "Saizou's barely hanging by a thread thanks to you!"
Tsukune winced visibly. He recognized him as one of Saizou's associates from the previous day.
"Oh, now you remember, don't you, Aono," the boy asked snidely.
"She tried to kill us all," the large student snapped, "including you! And still you protect her? We should smash you along with her!"
"No!" Moka cried out. "Leave Tsukune out of this!"
"Fat chance! After all the trouble you two caused, you deserve whatever you get!"
"It's just as I told you," a voice from behind the boys spoke. "Vampires think they're superior to everyone else. Now they think they can wipe us out and get away with it. Well, it's time to show these elitist pigs they can't just walk all over us."
The band of unruly students looked behind them and moved aside. Standing fifteen feet away was a mean looking young man in the traditional school uniform, sans his tie. His bleached hair was cut very close to his head, which had two thin scars. He had a pair of black marks under his empty eyes. His right arm was behind his head.
"Midou," one of the boys spoke fearfully, and backed away.
"You folks clear out, I'll handle this little menace personally."
"Just a minute!" the huge student protested. "We all want to thrash this demon, why should you have all the fun?"
"I wanna piece of her after what she did to Saizou!" another student insisted.
"All vampires care about is destruction!" a third boy interjected. "Not just humans, but the rest of us youkai! Let's take 'em all out!"
"This is ridiculous!" Moka interjected. "What has Colton been telling you?"
"That Euro bigshot," the scarred newcomer asked. "This has nothing to do with him. This is all about you, vampire, so drop the act so we can get this party started."
"This is not an act!" the pink-haired girl insisted. "I don't want to destroy anyone, why can't we just get along?"
"Ha! That's as good a pitch as any. You're not foolin' us anymore, we know what you're really like. Time to pay for your sins, toots."
"Stop it!" Tsukune called out. "That was not Moka-san! Why can't you see that?"
"Don't even waste your breath, you're obviously under her spell. She commands, you obey, that's how they work."
The brown-haired youth looked visibly insulted. "I am not a slave! I'm her friend, and friends look out for one another."
"That's what we're doin'!" another of the students interjected. "Avenging our fallen friends! Get ready to meet your maker!"
"No! I won't let you hurt her!" Suddenly, Tsukune felt a sharp pain in his neck. He winced as he felt the pincers inside his choker digging deeper into his skin.
"TSUKUNE!" Moka cried out, shocked by her stricken friend's plight.
The large boy in front took the initiative and backhanded Tsukune across the face, which sent him sprawling into the far wall of the cafeteria. Students seated for lunch scampered away from the chaotic scene before them. Others backed out of the area, trying not to get caught in the action.
Satisfied, the burly young man turned to the pink-haired girl, who looked fearfully at the hateful throng gathered before her. The huge student pointed a meaty finger at the girl. "You're next."
"NOOOO! TSUKUNEEEE!"
The brown-haired youth struggled to get to his feet as the angry students converged on Moka. The side of his face throbbed from the attack, but the pinching in his neck had ceased, for the moment. As he regained his footing, he saw the boys grabbing and punching at the vastly outnumbered vampire. "MOKA-SAN!" he cried out, as he painfully began walking towards the battle.
"You stay where you are, little man," the scarred newcomer smugly remarked as he blocked his path. "Unless you think you can get past me."
"Why are you doing this? Moka-san was the one who saved the school last night."
"Yeah, that's what she wants everyone to think. Vampires love toying with people, trying to play both sides, gives them a sick sense of pleasure. Well it's time this little charade was brought to an end. You think you got what it takes, bring it on, Aono Tsukune," he said, his hands motioning in a challenging fashion. "Just try and save her."
Tsukune glared at Midou for his stubbornness and cocky demeanor. Suddenly, the pincers in his choker dug into his neck again, and he winced in pain.
"Heh, what a letdown," the thin student remarked. "And I thought you'd at least try to fight me, but I guess the odds really are against you. Sucks for you, Aono."
"Moka-san," the brown-haired youth said helplessly.
Moka was assailed on all sides, and tried her best to defend herself. It saddened her that her opponents were fellow students, rather than mindless zombies and skeletons, so her heart wasn't into the fight. However, she knew she'd been separated from Tsukune, which she surmised was their strategy the entire time.
The huge student in front grabbed her throat, and reared back for another massive blow. Moka acted first and attempted her other self's patented high kick, but her aim was a bit low. The attack still connected, and the boy howled in agony, as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. "Tsukune!" she cried out as she elbowed another student aside and ran past them.
Midou heard her cries and immediately began his transformation. His right sleeve bulged by his side, and his face became visibly distorted, as a strange carapace covered a good portion of it. As he reared back, his sleeve burst open, which revealed a massive clawed hand.
"MOKA-SAN!" Tsukune screamed, and immediately lunged past Midou towards the approaching girl. As he did, he screamed as an enormous fist slammed into his back, which sent him flying into Moka. Both careened across the cafeteria, and into the far wall, which cracked from the impact.
"What's going on in here?" a stern male voice demanded. "Stop that at once!"
Midou turned and saw Kotsubo had appeared on the scene. "Oh yeah? Just try it, pops!" He reared back with his oversized fist, but the gym teacher saw the attack and ducked at the last second. As he did, a growing bulge arose from the red-haired man's back, and soon a swarm of tentacles shot out from his gym attire. Two of them snagged the rebellious youth's legs and slammed him onto the floor.
Moka was the first to recover from her collision with the wall. Though she took the brunt of the impact, she was more worried about Tsukune, who groaned weakly as he laid limply against the pink-haired girl's body. "Tsukune," she said anxiously, "Tsukune, wake up! Please wake up!"
An enraged bloodthirsty roar resounded from nearby. Moka looked, and saw the large student from before had recovered, and his eyes were filled with hatred. "That's it! Now I'm really mad!" With that, his already massive form grew even larger, and his features changed from humanoid to bovine. Two curved horns emerged from the side of his head. His legs became double jointed, and his shoes burst open, revealing huge hooves rather than feet. His suit and shirt were shredded, exposing an incredibly powerful physique under blackened skin. He roared in inhuman rage as his transformation was complete. "KILL THEM!" it bellowed in a beastly voice.
Moka gasped, and quickly scooped up Tsukune in her arms. She got to her feet and leaped away as the minotaur's enormous fist smashed down towards her former position. As she looked behind her, she saw many of the other students were also removing their human disguises. Clearly hatred had gotten the better of them, as they changed into gargoyles, a weretiger, and a reptilian creature that looked like a cross between a velicoraptor and a bipedal dragon. Fortunately, most of the innocent bystanders had fled, leaving only the combatants.
The draconic being belched a huge blast of acid. Moka immediately leaped away as several tables began to dissolve from the attack. She grimaced as the stench of the melting furniture reached her sensitive nose. The minotaur lowered its horns and charged at the couple. She quickly evaded as the huge beast charged right through the wall. She gasped as another body went flying across the cafeteria. She became even more frightened when she saw it was Kotsubo, who limply slid down the far wall, and crumpled into a heap on the floor.
"What a joke," Midou remarked, "no way I'm gonna lose to seafood." He smirked with his distorted face as he looked to Moka. "Looks like you're all alone now. No one's gonna save you this time."
"Stop it!" Moka screamed at the advancing monsters. "Attack me if you want, but leave Tsukune out of this!"
"What are you doing," Inner Moka spoke through the Rosario. "Do you really think they'll spare you at this juncture?"
"I don't care," the pink-haired girl shot back as tears ran down her face. "I'm so tired of this pointless fighting. I just want everything back the way it was."
"Moka-san," the brown-haired youth in the vampire's arms said weakly
"Tsukune," Moka asked as she felt the boy had stirred.
"I won't... let them... hurt you." He grimaced in obvious pain as his reached up with his left hand. "No matter... what... I'll always... be... by your side... Moka-san."
"Tsukune," the young woman said sadly.
The brown-haired youth finally opened his eyes, and managed a weak smile. With his shaking left hand, he took hold of the Rosario. Though Moka knew he wasn't dying, it brought horrible memories from the previous year, when he nearly perished in her arms. Suddenly, his arm fell limp by his side, but not before a familiar metallic snap was heard.
At that moment, an enormous amount of demonic energy erupted within the cafeteria. The approaching monsters stopped in their tracks, and some covered their faces. Most of them knew what was occurring, and though they wanted to have continued the attack, the immense demonic aura kept them at bay. What they found unnerving was Moka's agonized screams, which was uncommon for her when she transformed. They heard the voices of both Mokas intermixed together, and that made them shiver even more than her usual transformations.
Once the surge of vile energy subsided, the group of monstrous youths looked forth. They saw a familiar woman with long silver hair, still holding the body of Aono Tsukune in her arms, facing away from the hostile band behind her. She dropped to her knees and gently laid the boy on the floor. "You little fools," she began in a cold, hostile voice. "Had you assaulted me alone, I would've been more merciful." She slowly rose to her feet, and turned towards them, revealing her slightly scarred and brooding visage. Her burning red eyes bored into the violent students before her. "You can forget that now."
Hoboy, looks like the funk's gonna hit the fan yet again. Will the school survive the upcoming brawl, and just where has Kokoa gone?
"Wouldn't you like to know? Heh heh heh heh heh heh."
Lovely. Anyway, tune in next time for Part I Chapter VII Rule of Chaos
