Chapter 26: Dracula's Decision

"Ivan?" Shadow went over to the body. It lay still and began to breathe. Shadow's eyes widened and he shouted at Dracula. "Vlad! You have to see this!"

Dracula ran over and gasped. Tears of joy came to his eyes and he said a prayer to the gods. Ivan groaned and sat up as he looked around.

"What...what happened?" He asked.

"What's the last thing you remember?" Vlad asked as he grabbed him and pulled him into a hug.

Ivan looked at Dracula. "I...I remember you asking me to come back to the family...and then darkness. What happened? Where is Maria and Sonic?"

Dracula looked down at the ground, so Shadow explained for him. "Mephiles took control of your body. Sonic is barely living as a forest, and Maria was killed when Mephiles attacked us."

Ivan's eyes widened; he remembered everything. "Oh God...what have I done?"

"It wasn't you, Ivan."

"It was! Mephiles was my split persona, so technically it was me! How could you accept me back after this? I wanted to take the throne...I still kind of do..."

Shadow looked at Dracula. Since he was the leader now, it was up to him. Dracula hesitated and looked at Ivan. It was true, he had done those things with Lucina and Tails, but it was only because he wanted to be accepted. The vampire king thought about it some more.

"You do seem to regret what you've done, and I want my family back..." Dracula nodded. "You can be accepted back."

Ivan smiled and hugged Dracula. "Thank you!" He exclaimed. "But what about Tails? She helped me and Lucina also."

Dracula growled at that. "If she didn't have a baby, I'd have her killed."

Ivan's eyes widened. "You...you're going to...kill her?"

The vampire nodded. "Yes, I am."

"But...why?"

"Because she betrayed us. First she was helping you, then she even went back to Mephiles."

"But she's my wife!" Ivan yelled.

Dracula glared at him. "Your wife, not Mephiles'. She could have waited until we had gotten you back before running off."

Ivan growled. Why was Dracula being so cruel? Was he now evil like he had been in the past? "In that case, you should kill me also because I betrayed you as well."

"I don't want to kill you," Dracula growled.

"I don't care!" Ivan yelled. "You kill Tails, you kill me as well! I can't live without her! Are you going to kill Damien too, and anyone else who betrayed you?"

Dracula snarled at Ivan and Shadow stepped between them. "Enough people have died. You said you didn't want to lose your family, but you aren't doing a good job at keeping them."

The vampire king glared at Shadow, snarling again. He hissed at the two, and spoke. "Fine. But if anyone betrays me again, they won't get another chance."

Ivan and Shadow nodded as Dracula vanished into red mist, heading towards the castle. The two other vampires sighed and followed it.

"How is Tails?" Ivan asked Shadow.

"She's fine," Shadow said. "She was taking care of Damien the last time I saw her."

Ivan nodded. "Do you really think Dracula will kill her? What's gotten into him? He's acting like he was when he first became evil."

Shadow shrugged. "Maybe Dracula's just naturally evil. I've been noticing it too."

The cat sighed; he didn't want Tails to die. They followed the mist into the castle, where it reformed back into Dracula. The human vampire looked at them.

"Let's get inside."

They followed him inside. The vampires looked around Castle Dracula and smiled. Dracula chuckled and walked into Tails' room, glaring at her in anger.

"Dracula," she said, looking up at him. "What is it you want?"

"I want to talk to you." Dracula put a smile on his face. "It's about Ivan."

"What about him?"

"He's back."

Tails' eyes widened in shock and she started to eave. Before she did, though, Dracula blocked the door and growled at her, his eyes narrowing. Tails backed away from him. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"There are other things I want to discuss with you."

Tails nodded hesitantly. "Of course, Lord Dracula. What is it you want to discuss?"

Dracula grinned evilly. "Your life."

The fox's eyes widened and she backed away as Dracula advanced on her. "Wh...what? You're going to kill me? But...why?"

"For your betrayal. What other reason would I have to kill you?"

Tails was shocked. "But what about Ivan and my baby? Ivan betrayed you also. What will happen to him and Damien?"

"Ivan told me I would have to kill him as well, since he won't live without you."

The fox frowned."Please, Dracula, don't kill me! I beg of you!"

"Why shouldn't I? Give me a good reason."

"Because...Ivan will be devastated if you did, and he'll have to raise our son by himself. I am sorry for betraying you, as is Ivan."

Dracula sneered. "It's too late for you to be forgiven," he snarled before attacking her.