Epilogue

Christmas Eve had come to Los Angeles, California. Excitement and merriment were in the air...even at the creepy castle of Myotismon and Christine. They were happily chatting with Dan and Lois as Christine held baby Vlad on her lap. Nick and Erin were playing with their little nephew...who, by this time, knew a few words! Although his vocabulary was limited, Vlad was surprisingly skilled at using hand signs and body language to show whatever it was he wanted.

"Who's a silly baby?...who's a silly baby?!" Nick teased, making little Vlad giggle. Then the baby clapped his hands and began chanting, "Bat, bat, bat, bat, bat, bat!" Erin laughed. "What is that all about?" she asked. "Oh...that was his first word: bat." Myotismon answered. "We were so proud of Vlad when he said his first word. And I think because of that, he's just...really taken a liking to that word." Christine added.

"I tell ya, Myotismon...son...I can't believe my wife and I didn't want to give you a chance." remarked Dan, a bit of remorse in his voice. "Yes, things have gotten much better since you took over our worlds...for all of us." Lois agreed, "I can't think of anything that could make this Christmas better."

Myotismon smiled. "Oh, don't worry about it anymore. It's all in the past now. But as for something making this Christmas better...well...there is one thing that would make it better for me." "Oh? And what's that?" Lois wanted know.

Myotismon opened his mouth to answer, but before he could talk, Lucemon rushed into the room looking surprised. "My lord...!" he cried, "...we have found your mother and father!"

Everyone, especially Myotismon, looked up in shock. "You...are you certain of this?!" asked Myotismon eagerly. Lucemon nodded. "Yes! Quick! Come! They are downstairs in the main hall!"

Hearing this, Myotismon wasted no time jumping up from his seat and rushing to the main hall. The others followed him.

Carrying her baby, Christine followed Myotismon down the stairs into the main hall. Her family came behind her.

When Myotismon came to the bottom of the stairs, he was frozen with amazement and couldn't seem to find the will to move.

Standing there in the hall was a large creature with the lower body of a horse, covered with dark, reddish-brown fur, and with silver claws on the feet instead of hooves. A tail of golden hair hung behind it, and black demon wings protruded from the upper back . In the front, sticking out from the lower torso were what looked like two, grey, eyeless monster heads with sharp fangs. The creature's upper body was in humanoid form His skin was pale blue just like Myotismon's, his eyes were blood red, silvery claws stuck out from his fingers, a mane of long, golden hair hung down his back, and a blue helmet rested on his head, with a matching collar surrounding his shoulders.

Next to the strange monster stood a beautiful, blonde woman in a deep purple gown. She looked human, except for deep purple demon wings sticking out of her back, matching claws protruding from her fingertips, and very pale skin. Tears sparkled in her blue eyes like stars. Both she and the strange monster began to smile in joy, revealing long, sharp, glistening canines.

"Myotismon...who are these two? You seem to know them." Christine spoke up. "And they seem to know YOU, too. What's the deal?" Erin added.

Myotismon's lavender lips trembled and tears came to his blue eyes as he tried to speak. "Th...this is...GranDracmon and...Lilith." he answered, his voice beginning to break, "They are my...parents!"

A wide smile spread across Lilith's face. "Myotismon!" she cried joyfully, running up to her son and throwing her arms around him. She began to cry. "Our little boy...we've finally found you!" she sobbed.

GranDracmon's voice was breaking as he tried to speak. "My son...you...you've grown...you live! So many centuries...Lilith and I thought all hope was lost. But here you are!"

At this point, GranDracmon could no longer hold back his tears. "Oh, my son! We've missed you so MUCH!" Overcome by great happiness, GranDracmon raced up to Myotismon and embraced him snugly.

Myotismon could hardly believe it. He had been separated from his parents for so long...and now, he was seeing them for the first time in so many years. He was smothered in emotion as he embraced his parents tightly and let his tears come.

Seeing this, Christine turned to her family and said, "Come on...let's go. They need some time alone." The DeMarcos agreed, and left with Christine.

It was about an hour or so before the reunited vampires were able to stop crying and calm down. "If only words could tell you how much I have missed both of you." Myotismon said with a sniff. "Oh, my son...don't worry. We can tell." Lilith replied. "You must have had such a terrible time." GranDracmon stated.

Myotismon smiled. "I did, Father...at first. But I was able to find a happy outlook on my life. And it is all thanks to my Christine...the Maiden of Love, she has been called. She is such a gentle, forgiving and compassionate woman to others...myself included. One moment, and I shall call for her."

Turning to the stairs, Myotismon called up. "It's all right now, Christine. We have had our time. Do come back, you and your family. And bring Vlad, too. I would love for you to meet Mother and Father." "Okay. We'll be right down." Christine called back.

When Christine came back downstairs with her baby and family, Myotismon introduced her. "If I may, Mother and Father...I would love for you to meet my beloved wife, Christine DeMarco. It is she who showed me that there are those who care about those like us. We've had quite an adventure."

Christine smiled. "Hello." she greeted politely, "I'm so glad you've found your son, and I'm delighted to meet you." GranDracmon nodded. "And a very beautiful woman you are, Christine. My son is very fortunate to have found and gotten to know you." "It puzzles me as to how my husband and I can ever thank you for the kindness and care you have shown our son." put in Lilith. Christine shook her head. "No special way is needed." she said gently, "Just a plain old 'thank you' works for me."

The Myotismon gestured toward the precious cargo in Christine's arms. "And this..." he added, "...is our little boy, Prince Vlad."

GranDracmon and Lilith softly gasped in awe as they looked upon the twitching, cooing baby. "Oh!" Lilith exclaimed quietly, "Oh, hello...hello, sweet little punkin!" "Hello, little one. Such a beautiful baby boy you are...and how about that? You look like your father!" GranDracmon said affectionately.

Curiously, Vlad looked at his mother and father and pointed to the newcomers. Christine giggled. "Why, those are MY parents." Myotismon told the baby, "They are your grandparents on MY side of the family."

Shortly, Christine had just finished introducing her vampiric in-laws to her family, when DemiDevimon flew into the room, looking very excited. "Hey, gang!" he cried in exhilaration, "Come look outside! You'll never believe it!"

In a quick manner, Myotismon, Christine and their family headed outside, and were greeted by a sight that was very rare to sunny California...it was snowing!

Already, snow had blanketed the ground and was sparkling and glowing under the brilliant light of the full moon, and snowflakes danced in the air and lightly dropped the ground. Everyone began to laugh in amazement and happiness as they gazed upon the beautiful sight.

Little Vlad grinned widely and clapped his small hands. "Yes, that's snow." his mother said sweetly, "You like the snow?" A look of concentration came onto Vlad's face as he tried to repeat the word. "S...s...sn...SNOW!" he managed to say. At that, applause came up around him.

"YAAAAY!" Christine praised. "That's right, my little love bundle! That is snow!" Myotismon said endearingly. Then he said to the others, "Well...I'd say this will be quite a merry Christmas!" To Lois, he added, "This is what I wanted: to be reunited with my parents." "Aww...well, wish granted!" Lois said with a grin. "And you got a bonus, too." Dan put in, "Snow is a rare thing here in southern California!"

"I can't think of anything else that could make this better, my Angel of Darkness." Christine said happily to Myotismon. The vampire smiled. "Nor can I, my Sun, Moon and Stars. I think we're well covered for Christmas!"

A warm feeling of happiness and contentment filled everyone as they cuddled together and watched the snowflakes dancing under the moonlight.

Myotismon: Christine darling?

Christine: Yes, love?

Myotismon: It looks like our audience has come to the end of our tale, but there is something to be learned from our journey, is there not?

Christine: Ohhh, there IS! There is indeed! Unfortunately, the kind of happy worlds that Myotismon and I rule over do not exist. There is great pain in the world, and it is because of hatred, judgment, and cruelty. And worse...if it happens to the wrong person, that someone CAN become a danger to others. Then you end up in trouble that could have easily been prevented. But you can make your world a better place by casting aside hatred and misjudgment...and spreading kindness and love.

Myotismon: Not everyone is the same. You will come across those who are different from you. And that's perfectly all right. If we were all the same, the world would be a very boring place!

Christine: Judging someone by outward looks, race, gender, age, abilities, disabilities, etc...that's not the way to go. We are to judge others by their hearts...by how they act.

Myotismon: Let's think about it: you all have feelings that are the same. And you are all human beings, and you share the same planet...and there are so many other things that different people can all have in common. If you try looking at what's the same about someone instead of only looking at what's different, who knows what wonderful thing could happen between you and that person?

Christine: Don't jump to conclusions and assume you know everything about someone...because you don't. Get to know someone well. You may be surprised at what you find. Misjudging and bullying instead of trying to get to know someone...that is NOT the way to go. It doesn't make you cool. It puts you FAR BELOW such a status.

Myotismon: Remember...NO ONE wants to be cast aside like rubbish, and to do so is NOT the right thing to do. No one can do everything, but everyone CAN do SOMETHING. Being different NEVER means that one is not capable of doing a great thing. And after all...YOU certainly wouldn't like it if YOU were mistreated for being different.

Christine: So please...end the hatred, and treat others like YOU would want to be treated, no matter how different or strange they may be.

Me: Well said, guys! Well said! If I wasn't different because of being an aspie, I might have never written this story or even been interested in this site. Much thanks to those who read my stories. I hope you enjoyed Christine and Myotismon's journey...AND that it was a better vampire/love story than...you-know-what!