The Creation Stone seemed to pulse with life and energy. Lushara and I.G.O.R. were monitoring Lucy in the Keep's panic room, with Eric Affabee and the Many Mysteries Club reading some of the shelves' many books on monster lore and history.
Outside, Nessie was still resting in the nearby lake. And the Jersey Devil perched near a hidden window. Dustin yelped and stumbled back. Meanwhile, Zach and Sonny paid no mind. They had already seen so much weird stuff to be phased now.
Frankenstein was only with Dr. Jekyll, Victor, and Maria, contemplating how suddenly everything seemed to have changed. Perhaps Ben was a bit freaked out himself. Being dead for years and coming back to find it all completely different.
"The monster, Frank. Who this body used to be." He asked Maria. "What was he like?"
"Curious. Like yourself. He even named himself after you." The bride simply stated. "After finding your old lab."
"How did he survive the burning mill?"
"He fell into a flooded pit underneath the mill when it collapsed completely, extinguishing the flames. He didn't awaken until some time later, free of Fier's possession. He was his own person, just as you wanted him to be."
"How did he see mankind?"
"As something that would never understand him. He decided to let them think he was dead so they wouldn't come after him again. He had your intelligence as well. From your soul being anchored in his body. He figured it would be a matter of time before you awakened. That time being if he died."
"I…I should've known that mankind wouldn't understand. They'd fear and hate him. I feared and hated him. I guess, in the end…maybe it WAS a success. I made something human. Or maybe something in between the lines of man and monster."
"Eventually he felt lonely. To cope, he borrowed your machine to make something of his own. A bride. But much like himself, a stray soul ended up wandering into the body. That's what you were missing. To fully create life, you needed a soul. You ended up being that final puzzle piece."
"So…Adam wasn't complete? That's how he wasn't able to speak?"
"And how he could be possessed by Fier. He intended on naming me Eve. Until he realized who the soul within really was. Even I feared you, and myself. Because I didn't understand what was happening. I guess that's because fear is a…universal concept."
Of course. Sentience, let alone life, meant the ability to feel all kinds of emotions. From love and hope to fear and anger.
"Ultimately, even without the Creation Stone, your son soon realized that, in the wrong hands, your work could be dangerous." Maria continued. "Another mad scientist, possibly madder than even you, could get ahold of the monster maker and build an army of abominations. To prevent this possibility, he destroyed the lab and took me into exile with him. We taught each other all we knew of the world. We may not have been lovers, but we bonded enough to be siblings. He finally had a friend. And a sister."
"You could've lived in peace forever. So why the weapon?"
"There would be those that could prove to be even more monstrous than we were. They'd threaten both us AND humanity. Frank remembered the one who freed him from Fier's control. Victor Van Helsing. So we tried being Hunters ourselves. To protect ourselves. That's when we learned that being electrocuted wouldn't shut down our organs, but rather heal us. Using the last of your device, we managed to collect a bit of the stone's energy and transferred it into two weapons: My lightning gun and your hammer."
"So we'll be healed if any attempt to knock our lightning right back at us."
"We lived as secret warriors for over a century, with the lightning also proving to extend our lifespan. Eventually, during the final years of World War 2, we were attacked by the Wolf Man, but saved by Alice Van Helsing. She would train us even further. We'd need it. In order to combat the greatest threat we had ever known."
"Dracula." It all came back to Frankenstein. THAT'S how he was able to easily defeat him before. This wasn't the first time they clashed.
"Alice had us help her in her search for the Moonstones that had been stolen. Over the years her family had gotten five of them. Blood, Beast, Creation, Curse, and Spirit. As it turns out, Dracula was able to revive himself before a full century had passed. We battled him in his castle at Transylvania. Yet even with the Wolf Man's interference, Dracula was able to defeat us. What he didn't know, however, was that he needed SEVEN stones and not five."
"He thought there were only five. Not two more."
"His plans thwarted, Frank sacrificed himself to send Dracula back into a slumber. He'd only awaken when the original cycle was complete. As for Frank, he knew that when his body awakened again, he would become one with you. He'd reawaken with all of your memories. He'd wake up as you."
Yeah…it made sense. Ever since he woke back up, Frankenstein had memories of things he didn't quite remember. He remembered things he didn't really do as Henry.
"I gave Alice your weapon. Her family would return it to you when you were revived. And who knew it would be because of your great-grandson?"
"I…I read your entire notes involving the creation of Adam." Victor said. "You stated that he was destined for greatness. That he would one day be welcomed into society. That he would be just as human as all of us. All he needed to finally be complete…was you."
"Still…" Frankenstein stated. "I never said anything about a HUMAN society. I guess that they'll always fear and hate what they don't understand. They already don't understand themselves and each other. That's enough to be scared off. Meanwhile…perhaps I'll take a liking to exploring this…undiscovered part of our world."
"I now understand who you truly are." Lushara said nearby. "You are neither Dracula's descendant cursed to bring our end, NOR are you Lucifer's to briefly rule as your birthright. You are simply…yourself. I once had a distrust and a disgust for humans…but now I see that you are far more human than any of us could ever be. And for once…that's not a bad thing."
Perhaps they were BOTH more human. Despite not being them anymore. Frankenstein saw those words reflected back at him.
That's when I.G.O.R. seemed to get something. A transmission.
"Copy, readying the portal now!"
He rushed over to the gateway and began priming the return sequence and coordinates.
"Sorry, I fell asleep in portal-making class! OF COURSE I'M HURRYING! YOU TRY OPENING FOUR PORTALS AT ONCE WHEN UNDER HEAVY PRESSURE!" I.G.O.R. said over the comms. "Yeah, uh, I'll explain once you get your butts back here!"
"They're done? Already?"
"Seems so." The Bride answered Frankenstein. "Let's see how they went."
They headed over as the four portals opened. All four teams stepped through. But while Deep and Spirit were in no rush, Beast and Curse dove right out, the portals closing once everyone was through.
"Oh, hey guys." Arach-Kid said. "So, uh…how'd it go?"
Angrily, Van Helsing punched an open palm.
"Dracula's got the Curse Stone." He said.
"Really? You too?" Kruu asked.
"Oh. We were…unsuccessful as well." Sasquatch stated.
"Sorry…" Bigfoot added.
"Same here, big fella." Cory sighed.
"That great, huh?" I.G.O.R. said.
"Yes. JUST great." Van Helsing growled. "As if things weren't bad enough. Now Dracula has SIX of the Moonstones! All he needs now is this one."
He pointed to the Creation Stone.
"No matter what, we can't let him get it. In the meantime, does ANYONE else have any OTHER bad news to share?!"
"Uh, yeah…" I.G.O.R. raised a hand. "Lucy's got about 25 minutes until she's completely monsterfied. Although given the increasing rate of symptoms, it could be even less…"
"What?! Where the hell are the ingredient gatherers?!"
"They should be back right…now."
Some came through the hidden entrance the Invisible Man used. Others went in through the tavern above. Everyone was back together again.
"Good, you're here." Van Helsing stated. "PLEASE tell me you have the ingredients."
"Yep." Randy said. "Why?"
"Long story short," Vanessa stated. "Dracula has six of the stones."
"Wait, what?!"
"It's true. I heard it from a fairy."
"And I heard it from my aunt's mentor, Baba Yaga." Vanessa supported Environ. "The good news is, we managed to get the ingredients for the cure."
"Straight to the point." Van Helsing stated, collecting them. "I.G.O.R., how long will it take for you to make the Monster's Bane?"
"About a few minutes. One, tops." He said. "Not the first time I've made antidotes. Just like with vampires, werewolves, and zombies."
"Well hurry, we don't HAVE a few minutes! That time estimation of yours may be inaccurate, and Lucy could turn any second!"
"I get it, I'm hurrying!" I.G.O.R. took the ingredients and began the process.
"In the meantime, Dracula could be sending his forces right here, right NOW, for that final stone." Van Helsing turned to the others. "Dr. Griffin, ready the weapons. Maria, man the defenses. The rest of you, prepare and arm yourselves. He could be sending every single nightmare he's got."
"Hey, what's with the fish man?" Ben asked, noticing the Creature.
"So, you brought some more help." Van Helsing stated. "Good. We'll need it. What can he do?"
"His name's Psari." Kruu answered. "Basically everything Randy could do in the other timeline."
"Not perfect, but I'll take it."
"Cure's almost ready!" I.G.O.R. called out.
"Wow, that IS pretty fast." Lisa stated.
"Alright, get ready. Dracula and his forces will be here at any moment." Van Helsing said, armoring up and preparing his weapons. "Hopefully we can bring Lucy back before they are…"