Danny woke up and saw he was laying in a bed. He sat up and felt some bandages on his face.
'Wait! We were at the Colosseum, fighting off waves of monsters that follow Dracula. Then Cornell started to fight us when we were tried. I recall him trying to crush my skull and I must have passed out after that.' Danny thought.
Danny look around before spotted Leo and Damn also in beds with bandages on them.
"Leo! Damn!" He calls out to his friends.
Both the Werewolf and Demon groans as they stood up.
"Augh, my head," Damn said.
"Are you guys okay?" Danny asked them.
"Danny? Where are we?" Leo said shaking his head.
"Must be in a different part of the castle. Somewhere where we could rest." Danny guesses.
"But who brought us here?" Damn asked.
"Don't know, I was the first one awake, wait..." Danny said before looking around.
"Where are the girls?"
Vampirella opens her eyes and groan. She sat up and notice her clothes were folded next to her, leaving in her black bra and panties. She quickly got dress and notices Witcha and Slimy next to her. Like her, Witcha's clothes were folded next to her bed, meaning she was in her underwear as well. Slimy was back in her small slime form, laying on a few newspapers.
"Witcha! Slimy! Wake up." She said.
Witcha groans as Slimy turns back to her human form.
"Vampirella? What happen?" Witcha asked before noticing her clothes and quickly got dress.
"Not sure, the last thing I remember was getting knock out by Cornell and nothing else," Vampirella said.
"Same here," Slimy said as she notices the part of her that was burned away was heal.
"Someone must have taken care of us," Witcha said as she notices the hole in her hat was fixed.
"But who?" Slimy asked.
They soon heard a knock and Vampirella went to the door and open it.
"Danny?" She said.
"Vampirella?" He said back.
Sure enough, the group was reunited and Leo explains how he defeated Cornell.
"So, I unlocked my Monster Form. You guys are my pack and I will protect you." He said.
"So that means Vampirella and Danny are left," Smily said.
"Pretty much." Vampirella agrees.
Danny was quiet and thought back to when they ran into Sam. He couldn't believe she was a vampire now.
"There's got to be away," Danny said to himself.
"What?" Witcha asked him.
"Sam, there got to be a way to save her." He said.
"Easy to say than done," Witcha said.
"What Witcha means, that there's no cure of being turn into a vampire," Vampirella said.
"There got to be one. Sam's my best friend. I can't leave her here." Danny said.
The others look at each and nodded. They knew that Sam was close to Danny and they wouldn't leave their friends behind either.
"Well, maybe Dracula has a library? Maybe he has something that acts like a cure?" Witcha said.
"Worth a look," Leo said.
Everyone nodded and started to leave the room before it door open. Danny quickly goes ghost as everyone stood ready for an attack.
"Good, you're all awake."
"Alucard?" The group said surprise.
Sure enough, it was Alucard, but he wasn't looking good.
"I hear what you said, While it is true there is no known cure for being turned into a vampire, my father did make one. He did in case he had to turn my mother into a vampire and turn her back to human." Alucard told them.
"Do you know where it is?" Danny asked.
"My father never finish it. But he did write it down." Alucard told him.
"So, there's still away," Danny said.
"Maybe, the cure is untested. So, there no telling how it would work." Alucard warns him.
Danny knew well about untested things thanks to his parents. While he's dad was quick to use them with a second thought, which causes them to blow up in his face sometimes, his mom does try to look for problems to fix and overcome.
"Sam is my friend. I got to save her. Plus, I don't think she likes the idea of drinking blood." Danny said.
"Why's that?" Leo asked.
"She doesn't eat meat," Danny told him.
"So, she a vegetarian?" Vampirella asked.
"Ultra-recyclo-vegetarian is what she calls herself," Danny said.
"That's not different," Slimy said.
"To Sam, it is," Danny said.
"Danny, if she eats plants then she's nothing more than a vegetarian. How do you recycle plants?" Damn said.
"I... don't know," Danny said.
"Danny, we get she is your friend and we will help you save her. But, we are still bitter about how she treated us when we first met." Witcha said.
"We also don't like the way she tries to drag you out of the castle because she didn't know us," Leo added.
"Sam has always been like that. She means well, but..." Danny tries to explain.
"Danny, stop. You're overlooking the negative traits about her." Damn said.
Danny looks at the demon confuse.
"I have gotten a good look in her soul when we first met. I could see everything. I know she came from a wealthy family, I know she doesn't want to be like her parents. However, she has does things that weren't for others but for herself. Almost all her actions were done for herself and herself only. As a Soul Hunter, I can read any soul and learn about personal lives." Damn said.
Danny blinks, he didn't know that.
"She might be your friend, but a true friend knows to look at both sides of the coin. You can't look at one side and ignore the other." Leo said.
Danny looks away. He wasn't sure what to say about that.
"Look, Danny. We're not trying to make you break up your friendship with her but you just need to stop ignoring the other side of the person." Vampirella said.
"Even though your friend agrees with your words, she kept trying to come back. Your other friend was trying to talk sense into her, but I could tell she was stubborn." Alucard said.
Danny sighs. Leo, on the other hand, knew why.
"It because she jealous." He said.
Everyone turns to him.
"She jealous of us. Not only that but she also jealous of how you three get close to Danny." He said to the girls.
"Huh?" Danny asked.
Leo turns to him, surprise.
"You don't know?" He asked.
"Know what?" Danny asked back.
"Oh my god..." Witcha said.
"He's clueless," Vampirella added.
"I'm not clueless! Why does everyone call me that!?" Danny said.
"Danny, Sam likes you. More than a friend." Damn said.
Danny blinks at that. The others shook their head.
"Okay, you smart enough to know how to take down monsters, but you can't figure out that a girl likes you?" Slimy asked.
"But Sam never told me. She always says we were just friends." Danny said.
"So that explains it. She afraid." Damn said.
"Afraid?" Danny asked.
"Of starting a relationship with you. I heard that some girls or guys are scares of starting a relationship because it might ruin what they already have with them. That what Sam is afraid of." Damn said.
Danny thought about it and knew Damn was right.
"I do recall hearing how she spy on me during my dates with a fellow classmate," Danny said.
That causes the three girls to look surprised.
"Wait! You went on dates before?" Slimy asked.
"Yeah, and I was going to see if we could go serious but she broke it off before I had the chance," Danny said.
The three girls look sad, they turn to each other and nodded.
"Listen, Danny, we want to wait until we get out of here but after hearing that, we're not going to wait," Vampirella said.
"Wait for what?" Danny asked.
Danny was then caught by surprise as Vampirella kisses him. She broke off and Witcha kisses him next. Then Slimy came up and was a bit unsure. So, she kisses his cheek instead.
"Um..." Danny said blushing.
"We all like you. We are huge fans of yours and once we got to know you..." Slimy started to say.
"What she means is, we're glad to meet you and became your friends," Witcha said.
"Remember what we said about getting to know you first? Well, we were hoping to go on a date with you after we get outta here." Vampirella said.
"Wait, you girls like me?" Danny asked.
They nodded. While Vampirella and Witcha could blush, Slimy couldn't. But she did looks like she was shy.
"Lucky Bastard." Damn smiles.
"Tell me about it," Leo smirks.
Danny had no idea what to say. He got a vampire, a half-witch, and slime that likes him. And they want to go on dates with him. This was all confusing.
"Save the dates for when you get out," Alucard spoke up.
Everyone turns to him and nods.
"There's a library on the floor above. I know the Librarian there. Tell him, Alucard send you and he'll give what you need." He said.
"You're not coming with us?" Danny asked.
"No, I need some rest," Alucard said before heading towards the door.
"Just remember, this castle is a creature of chaos. There are many things that it will show you." He said and walk out of the room.
The group look at each other and left the room as well.
It didn't take them long to reach the library. Danny looks around and sighs.
"Well, Jazz will love this place." He said.
"Well, let's try to find that book," Leo said.
"Can any of you read?" Danny asked.
"I think Slimy is the only one that can't," Damn said.
"I'm learning!" She said.
Everyone spit up and started to look for the book that had the vampire cure. Vampirella walks down the row before reaching a desk. She saw an old man that was sitting there as he looks up to see her.
"Who are you? And why do you look like the Count's wife?" He asked her.
"I'm Vampirella. And from what I learn, I might be the reincarnation of Lisa." She told him.
"A reincarnation of the count's wife?! How can that be?!" He asked shock.
"I don't know. I didn't have any idea myself until I first enter this castle." Vampirella said.
"You're a vampire. And she was a human. There no way that's possible!" The Librarian said.
"As I said, I might be. I never heard of a human being reborn into a vampire." She said.
"Vampirella?"
She turns and saw the rest of her friends steps up. The Librarian looks surprised before placing it together.
"You six. You're the ones that been defeating the Count's Generals." He said.
"Yes, but we are not here to harm you," Damn said.
"We're looking for something," Danny said.
"Everyone is looking for something." The Librarian said.
"We heard that Dracula wrote down a cure for vampirism. We need to find it." Witcha said.
"I'm afraid that book doesn't exist." The Librarian said.
"Not what Alucard told us." Slimy brought up.
The Librarian looks surprised before sighing. He reaches under the table and pulls out a very old book. It had no title and look at the six.
"The Count had ordered me to keep this book out of any hands. I can't part with it." He said.
"We don't want it. But I would like to read it." Witcha said.
The Librarian looks at her before handing her the book. Witcha open it and read what Dracula had so far. The others stood back, giving her time to read. Danny then felt his phone in his pocket and saw it was from his parents.
"Sorry, I got to take this." He said and left the room.
Witcha returns and hands the book back to the Librarian.
"Thank you. I think I know what he was trying to do." Witcha said.
"Do you now?" He asked.
"Yes, I already know a person to use it on." She said.
She faces the others and notices that Danny was gone.
"His phone rang while you were reading," Damn said as Danny walks back to them.
"Sorry guys. My parents call and I had to let them know that I need to stay a bit longer. Then I had to deal with my sister. I told her the truth and she took it well, as far as I could tell." He said.
"So, you told her about us?" Vampirella asked.
"Except for the fact that you three want to date me later," Danny said to the girls.
"Well, I memorized the cure. I know how to cure Sam." Witcha said.
"That's good, then let get going," Danny said.
"Thank you," Vampirella said to the Librarian and the group left.
The group walks through more of the castle fighting off Armor Knights, Spear Knights, and even a few vampires. It wasn't long before the enter a room that was huge and had a red carpet a few chairs left.
"Where are we?" Danny asked.
"No idea," Leo said.
"Hey, guys! I found something." Leo said calling the group over.
"What's up?" Damn asked.
"I found this leaver. Not sure what it does." He said.
"Well, let's find out," Danny said before reaching over and pull it.
The group watched as a soldier-like puppet appears in the stage before looking around and spot the group.
"Oh! Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! If the dream of reason produces monsters, the theater dispels them with its magic. Now be afraid before the conjurer who conquered the creatures of the night with his genius and his heart. Give a big round of applause for the might Toy Maker!" It said before a control panel appears out of the floor in front of the stage.
"The Toy Maker?" Danny asked.
"No idea," Leo said.
Danny walks up and steps inside the control panel and pull a switch that made the Puppet start talking again.
"The famous and beloved Toy Maker we will learn has a sad fate over his head. For in spite of his goodness, a path of tragedy and death he will tread. Day and night in his workshop he labors he hammer, he sweats and he fasts. And with every blow he strikes, sighs fly from his soul to the figures he crafts." It said as four puppets and three backgrounds appear on the stage.
"Huh?" Danny asked confuse.
"I think we need to live out the story," Damn said.
"Sounds like it. Maybe we can use those puppets and Backgrounds?" Slimy said.
Everyone turn to her and thought about it.
"That sounds like a good idea. But which one is which?" Vampirella asked.
"Let's see," Danny said looking at the Control Panel.
He saw a switch that was label "Toy Maker Puppet" and pull it. Everyone watches as the puppet with the hammer in his hand lower on stage. He looks again before finding a switch that said "Workshop" and pulls it. Soon the background that looks a workshop appears on the stage. Once those were in place the puppet speaks again.
"The famous and beloved Toy Maker, Day and night in his workshop, his fame spreads in whispers across the land far and wide. Until his name is known and respected by every man and child. One faithful day a Nobleman knocks at his workshop door, he's jolted from his work with a start. The promises and smiles of Walter Bernhard conceal a dark perfidious heart." It said.
"Did it say, Walter Bernhard?!" Damn asked.
"You know him?" Slimy asked.
"His soul is lock away in the depths of hell. His crimes were so great, that he is Forbin to even trick a demon." Damn said.
"So this is another one of his crimes?" Witcha asked.
"The only way we could find out is by placing the puppet on the stage," Danny said and pull the switch.
Once the puppet was on, the other spoke again.
"Walter offers a roof, friendship, protection, a hearth. The Bernhard's castle will be a dazzling mansion for the old Toy Maker and worthy of his craft. A curse on you William Bernhard, for deceiving such a good soul! May you be damned to spend all eternity in Hell's darkest hole!" It said.
"Well, he is," Damn said.
"So, the Toy Maker was trick in leaving his home and Walter had no intention of treating him like a guest?" Witcha asked.
"Geez, I never met the dude and he already sounding a lot like Vlad," Danny said as he changes the background.
"Our hero works away happily in the castle of his dreams. But soon we will see his perfidious master's purpose is not what it seems. Oh my God! This is no castle but a prison! Poor Toy Maker now you understand how close is your perdition! Hide yourself, boys and girls, Walter Bernhard is preparing an invocation here! A terrible creature from Hell is about to appear."
"Yes, it the act that got him send there in the first place," Damn said.
"You know what he summoned?" Vampirella asked.
"Yes, it's a creature that dangerous to moral men. It had the power to change anyone's heart." Damn said.
"Then I know want to put on the stage," Danny said looking at the cage with the puppet inside.
"Oh no! The demon is conjuring a charm! Take cover if you are easily alarmed! Oh no! The Toy Maker's talent now comes to his perfidious benefactor's aid. Far behind him now are the toys and the theater he had made. Oh, if only to undo this vile spell there were some chance and so release the good Toy Maker from the grip of his vile trance." The puppet said.
"So he was forced into making things against his will," Slimy said, feeling sorry for the Toy Maker.
"Indeed. And with the creature changing his heart. The evil deeds outdid his good. But most Demons knew that wasn't his fault." Damn said.
"Hey Damn? You think the other Demons Lords might want to hear this?" Danny asked.
"Don't worry, Danny. They already know." He said as Danny place the child puppet on the stage.
"His mind may be in a fog but the Toy Maker's good heart shine through, you can tell. And a little love is all it takes to destroy the terrible spell. But now you must think fast, Toy Maker, your situation is dire. Walter Bernhard is returning, I don't know how you can escape from this mire! Oh, what a terrible and fortunate idea, boys and girls! Come on, little one hold onto that heart so pure and true! In a distant and hopeful future, you may return it to the one who gave it to you. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the heart of a man whose goodness went deep. Listen now and decide if you will wake him from his long sleep." The puppet said as the control panel went back into the floor as Danny steps off it.
Danny walks up to the stage and looks at the heart. He took it from the puppet and walks towards the other.
"Danny?" Slimy asked.
Before Danny could answer, they saw some of the floor moves, and some kind of coffin raise up and open to show the body of the Toy Maker. He looks surprisingly well for sleeping for so long. Danny walks up and places the heart near the Toy Maker before it enters the body. Danny nearly fell back as the Toy Maker suddenly gasps for breath. The Toy Maker climbs out and looks around.
"Oh!" He said when he saw the six.
"Did you return my heart?" He asked them.
"I did. Are you the Toy Maker?" Danny asked.
"Yes, thank you so much!" The Toy Marker said before looking around again.
"Where are we? Oh, do forgive me. My mind is a bit hazy." He said.
"It's alright. Take your time." Vampirella said.
"You...you look familiar." The Toy Maker said.
Vampirella knew what he was talking about and before she could clear it up, they heard the sound of clapping in the area.
"Well done, a very touching story. At least Walter Bernhard got what he deserves." Carmilla said.
"Carmilla!" Vampirella said.
All six teens stood in front of the Toy Maker knowing that Carmilla was not someone the want to let their guard down.
"You six have proven to be more powerful then you look. You have defeated almost all of us. My Master wants to have you six brought to him, alive. But I see there no point in having you halflings live!" She said towards Danny, Witcha, and Slimy.
The three said nothing but Carmilla smiles.
"Toy Maker, our Lord is waiting for you." She said.
The teens hear him scream and turn around to sees that some darkness surrounds him and covers him. Son the darkness fade away but the Toy Maker was different. he looks more like a monster than a human.
"Toy Maker!" Vampirella shouted.
"Toy Maker, I got some new toys for you. They need a little magic from your touch." Carmilla said and disappear.
"CARMILLA!" Vampirella shouted.
Then some strings appear from the ceiling and attached to the Toy Maker, making him move like a puppet.
"Boys and Girls! I have brand new toys coming very soon! Once I fix the little mistakes, they'll be ready for you!" The Toy Maker said before he was pulled away.
The Group watch as a giant puppet knight hit the ground and seem to roar at that.
"A knight so strong and rise, Sir Galde is here to help you all, so please don't cry!" The Toy Maker said.
The Knight thrust it long spear and the group dodge it.
"Guys, it a puppet! Don't hold back!" Danny shouted.
Slimy was the first one to attack first. Knowing that the Spear couldn't hurt her, she let the spear hit her and soon climb up it. Once she reaches the Knight's head, she hardens her hands and started to punch the head over and over again. She spots one of the hands head for her and quickly jumps off.
Leo was next, he charges at the Knight who thrust it spear at him. Leo slid under it before jumping on its chest. He claws it over and over again before the knight started to fall over and jump off.
Witcha call forth her magic and blast the Knight away.
"A Knight tries his best, but in the end, he was no different then rest!" Danny said before knowing the others was looking at him.
"What?" He asked.
They then heard something slam on the floor and notices it was a Puppet Dragon this time. Its roar and breath fire at them.
"Since when can puppets do that?!" Leo shouted.
"Doesn't matter! We need to take it down!" Damn said.
The Dragon turns and breathes its fire at Slimy.
"SLIMY!" Danny shouted before flying over and place an ice barrier over them.
"Slimy? Are you okay?" He asked her.
"Y-y-y-yes." She shiver.
"What's wrong?" Danny asked.
"Slimes can't stand really cold or hot temperatures. I know you are protecting me from the fire, but your barrier is making it hard for me to move." She told him.
Damn then flew into the dragon, knocking it away. The Puppet Dragon breathes fire at him, but Damn let it hit him.
"Thanks for the meal!" Damn said before breathing fire back at it.
The Dragon puppet burns away before another puppet slams on the ground before face open to show the Toy Maker.
"Well, the new toys are more fault then I thought. So they more than a fix-up plot!" He said as the face covers him.
"Okay, from what I tell, we have to destroy the face!" Danny said before he was grab from behind.
"You know, I think I found out why you keep winning."
Danny looks behind him and saw Carmilla warping her arm around his neck.
"Carmilla!" He said getting the group to turn.
"Let him go!" Vampirella yelled.
"I would be more worry about yourself," Carmilla said.
'She stronger than she looks. But why can I phase through her?' Danny thought.
"Vampirella! Forces on the Toy Maker! I'll be fine! She knows she can't drink my blood!" Danny told Vampirella.
Vampirella growls but nodded. She and the others face the giant puppet.
The giant puppet tries to bring its hand down on the group, but they all jump out the way. Damn open his wings and took to the sky. He few at the face and land a punch on it, making it step back. Slimy then threw her fist out and hit the face making it step back even more. The group watches as its "tail" rises up and fires a beam at them. They dodge it and Witcha fires her beam at the face, knocking it back and stoping the beam. Leo then started to climb the Puppet's arm before jumping at the face and land a powerful punch that broke the mask and knock it down.
Vampirella ran up to the Toy Maker and started to punch him. With a hiss, she grabs him by the throat and lifts him up. She then threw him on the ground. She jumps on him and lifts his head before slamming it down a few times. She opens her mouth to bite the Toy Maker but stops when she saw black smoke raises off him. She got off and steps back as the black smoke disappeared.
"Huh? What happened? Where am I?" The Toy Maker asked.
"HOW!? How did they change him back?!" Carmilla shouted.
"Heh, they weren't fighting to kill him, they were fighting to save him!" Danny said.
"Then let's deal with you!" Carmilla said and got ready to thrust her hand through Danny's back.
However, Slimy reaches over and pulls Danny free from her as Vampirella rush over and scatches her face. Carmilla grabs her face and started to walk backward. She uncovers her face to see three long red marks on them. The others stood in front of her and ready themselves.
"You little bitch! How dare you ruin my face!" Carmilla shouted at Vampirella.
"You don't even understand why we win. It's not because Danny is our leader. He is the one that inspired us to become heroes. Just know that we will see Dracula our way! You care for no one but yourself!" Vampirella said.
Carmilla was about to attack when a long scythe appears in front of her.
"Enough, the plan had failed."
"DEATH! GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Carmilla shouted.
"No, I can tell you want to kill them. Our Lord wants them alive." Death said.
Carmilla growls before walking away. Death turns to Vampirella and bows to her.
"I see Lisa's soul has found a good body." He said before looking at Danny and then disappear.
Danny raises an eyebrow before Slimy hugs him.
"I'm glad you are okay!" She said.
Vampirella turns to the Toy Maker and helps him up. He looks fine and there were no signs of their attacks on him.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
The Toy Maker looks at her and his eyes widen.
"I know you." He said taking a step back.
"Come on Vampirella! We need to get moving." Danny calls out as he tries to get Slimy to let go.
Vampirella nods and looks back at the Toy Maker.
"You make wonderful toys. Keep bringing smiles on the children's faces." She said before joining her friends.
The Toy Maker watch in shock as the group left. Those words, those were the word that Lisa said to him once. The Toy Maker looks around before everything caught up to him and knew all the bad things he did. Not only that he had his heart back, the guilt return and he broke down crying.
Finally! After almost I month, Monster Heroes are finally back! I had a really hard time trying to find the Transcripts for the Toy Maker scene and Dragonrule was able to get them for me. Thanks, man! Now that the Toy Maker is done, I can move on to curing Sam! Trust me, I been wanted to update this story for some time. If you guys want to watch the scene about the Toy Maker Backstory, just what a walkthrough of Castlevania Lords of Shadow 2.