The weapons had been destroyed. The defenses were down. The entire Cryptid Keep was now gone. Reduced to nothing but rubble.
Abraham Van Helsing The Second heard himself cough as he got back up on his knees from the rubble. Shortly after, I.G.O.R. rose as well, still sparking.
"Ow." He said sarcastically before running an area scan. "Alright, who's not dead?"
The question seemed to answer itself. Van Helsing saw all of his old and new allies alike still very much alive. But he was silent. All of this could only mean one thing…
He examined his new scar. Fresh, and bloody. But healing was one of the last things they had time for.
"No…the stone…" Cory fell to his knees, weakened in body as he was in spirit. "It's gone…"
"Lucy…Randy…my poor babies…" Lynne sobbed. Ellie and Dina only comforted her with matching sadness.
"That's it…" Dylan sighed. "Dracula has all seven Moonstones now. It's…it's over. We've lost…"
In a sense…they had every right to give up. Another base gone. Two friends had suffered a fate worse than death. All their efforts, all for nothing.
Van Helsing, however, felt FAR different. No, he wasn't crying tears of grief. Those were tears of RAGE.
His fists were so tightly clenched that the nails poked through the skin, drawing forth blood. His teeth were gritted so tightly it felt like they were about to crack.
Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer. The defeated Monster Hunter let out the loudest scream of sheer anger he ever unleashed.
"FUCK!"
He punched the ground so hard the soil exploded, and the only sound left was his angered panting. And for once, Lisa didn't have the energy to playfully scold him about watching his language.
No, they were all void of such emotion now. This was serious. Now was no longer the time to play around. It never had been.
Cory only de-armored and looked at his amulet. And he found himself questioning himself.
Was he worthy? Worthy of its power? Worthy to wield the title of Hunter? Or was he never ready? Had he just been over his head this entire time? Should he have remained as someone ordinary?
He had a choice. Keep the amulet, or put it down. But he didn't know. He didn't know what to do anymore. Whatever choice he made, it might end up being even worse than most of the wrong choices he had ever made.
"One…hour…"
Wordlessly, Cory looked up with confusion at Van Helsing's words.
"We…we have SIXTY MINUTES until the moon is at the midnight position. Only one hour until he fires that Moonstone Machine to harness their power and bring about the Eternal Night. And we're already wasting time."
"W…What?!"
Cory thought it was impossible. He looked at his phone. The time was…11:00 P.M.!
"We…we still have time!" Lisa gasped. "W-We can still stop him!"
"Bigfoot, Sasquatch, take the monsters and rally those who can fight all across the Mystic Realm." Van Helsing ordered. "Billy, you, Mirpo, and Sammy alert the Galactic Government. Sins, warn your Makai clan back in Nether. Hannah, you and Sarah warn the Reapers in the Shadow Realm. Dylan, you take the humans and superheroes back home to defend Hollowville. Super Duper, rally every hero from your world to defend both theirs and ours. Kruu, head back to Atlantis. Mobilize your people. I.G.O.R., head back to the mansion and ready its defenses with E.M.M.I. Make some repairs, then come right back here."
"Wait…w-what about YOU?!" Cory asked.
"I'm headed to Transylvania. Dracula's Castle. To finish this once and for all. You, Lisa, Dina, Lynne, Ellie, Dr. Griffin, Jekyll, Ben, Frankenstein, Psari, and Maria are all coming with me."
"What?!" Dina gasped. "But…we can't! That's suicide!"
"Got any better ideas? And no, surrender is NOT an option."
The lizard girl only fell silent.
"Good. Because one way or another, you're GETTING your girlfriend and her brother back."
"M-ME?! But how? The cures are gone…"
"Well, you'll just have to figure it out."
"Figure it out?! How?!"
"Alright, move out! And hurry, we're already running out of time!"
Van Helsing opened various portals, one of them leading to Transylvania, and he donned his Monster Armor before heading through. Cory only looked at his amulet…and armored back up again.
"Well, this is it." He told Lisa, who did the same. "For real. Ready?"
"Hell no. You?"
"Far from it. But we'll have to suffice."
They followed him through the portal as the others followed and headed to their respective areas.
It was time…to prepare for a war that would determine the fate of not just THE world, but ALL worlds.
…
"So, it is true. I have indeed detected odd readings in Sol III."
"Yes, Senator Talos." Billy stated. "Dracula threatens all sentient life. If Earth falls, the rest of the universe, let alone the galaxy, won't be far behind."
"Then it seems we have very little time and options."
Talos rose from his throne and began addressing the soldiers.
"All from across the stars. You have all fought well, and with honor. We have all lost something. Friends, allies, families, homes, even entire planets. No one could ask any more of you. And yet, I must. This is our darkest hour. And this is beneath even the Supreme Court, Infinity, and Omni as a whole. The only threats they face are those BEYOND our universe. Only WE can save ourselves in a situation such as this."
The soldiers only stood ready.
"Time is short. I shall not waste any more of it. Assemble your squadrons and your fleets. The beings of Earth are counting on us as their last hope…"
…
"SO…IT HAS BEGUN…"
"Yes, my lord." Primor bowed before Lucifer Satan. "Dracula has corrupted your heir and her brother. He will use her to overthrow you and rule our world with an iron fist."
"I CAN FEEL THE DARKNESS GROWING. BUT I GROW TIRED OF WAITING. WE TAKE THE BATTLE TO HIM!"
The Makai King rose and stomped forward, conjuring his pitchfork. Primor only followed him as they headed outside the fortress, seeing all of Nether's ten circles mobilize.
"WHERE ARE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS?"
"The Seven Deadly Sins are getting help. Every last bit of it. Dracula will be sending his monsters into the Mystic Realm in order to get here."
"THE NEXUS BETWEEN REALMS. WE WILL MEET THEM THERE…"
The king spread his wings and flew off. Primor quickly dashed across his hellish home to spread the message even further.
He had to hurry. The seconds were being ticked away…
…
All of H.E.R.O. stood in their secret headquarters. Every superhero in the world had gathered, with Super Duper flying above them.
"I come to you now with a dire warning concerning our future." He began. "We face a crisis in many different worlds. This is no ordinary evil scheme. This threatens to bring about the end of all we fight to protect. Times may be dark. But we are the universe's greatest hope. Look around you. A gathering of noble superheroes new and old."
"So, you newbies out there, listen up." Arach-Kid stated. "You may be a LITTLE intimidated because you're just starting out. But you're one of us now, so you'll have to fight too."
"All worlds are under attack. Starting with a pocket dimension within Earth known as the Mystic Realm. By a horde of monsters unlike any we have ever faced before. I was there, and I fought against the endless onslaught."
"They kept coming, so I kept web-shooting. Not gonna lie, I was magnificent. But also beaten up a lot in the process."
"Despite the sacrifice of many brave comrades, we failed, I failed, to stop this darkness from obtaining the last of seven powerful stones needed to bring about an age of eternal darkness. Where nowhere is safe. And where no one is free. In one hour, that nightmare will become a reality."
"So, yeah. Everything will be gone. Your stuff, my stuff, but most importantly, MY stuff! Oh, and humanity and justice and heroes and all things good. All thanks to the God of Monsters, the Lord of Darkness, and the Nightmare To End All Nightmares!"
"Today, we know our enemy. His name…is Count Dracula." Super Duper continued. "I know that, like all citizens and innocent civilians, you look to me in times of greatest peril. But not even I can save this day alone. I need your help. ALL of you. The League of Good Guys, Y's Guys, everyone."
"Which means if I don't see you guys out there, I'll kick your butts myself. No pressure."
"It is time to prevent this injustice. To stop this terrible moment from coming to pass. To save TRILLIONS of lives before even one is lost!"
"Worst case scenario, you die. But who knows? Maybe you won't. Because we're taking the fight to him. The only way his ugly friends are getting to the real world and ours is through the Mystic Realm. So we're gonna catch him off guard there. Meanwhile, some of us will have to stay here AND on Earth to clobber any ugly mug that DOES manage to get through. We split up, which is normally a bad thing, but we're superheroes. We've always won AND saved the day COUNTLESS times. What's one more, for old time's sake?"
"So I ask you," Super Duper asked. "Who! Will! Stand! WITH ME?!"
"YEAAAAAHHHH!"
He raised a fist and had the other heroes yell their battle cries. It was music to the Arachno-Sapien's ears.
"Uh huh! Yeah! Right? That's what I thought!"
Magico and the magicians readied forth portals to Earth and the Mystic Realm. Super Duper, Prince Thunder, Princess Power, and Arach-Kid headed through the one to Earth, eventually making their way to Hollowville. Halloween was still in full-swing, and they met up with Dylan, Eric Affabee, Ironheade, the Many Mysteries Club, and the humans.
"Having some problems?" SD asked.
"Well, we can't just tell everyone that monsters will be attacking!" Zach Cooper stated. "They won't believe us!"
"We don't need to." Arach-Kid stated. "They wanna think this is part of a show? Then we GIVE them a show."
"And if they DO end up running and screaming, that's when the REAL fun begins." Super Duper added. "Some of OUR friends are headed here as well."
"Along with the Galactic Government. I just heard from the other me." Billy Deep replied. "Is everyone else gonna be at the Mystic Realm?"
"Yep. Man, I'd LOVE to see that showdown…" Arach-Kid sighed.
"In case the Eternal Night DOES happen," Princess Power added. "Then we'll hold out while the Transylvanian team tries to bring it to an end."
"But should we fail…" Prince Thunder says. "It will be an HONOR to fight to our last breath…"
"Hopefully we live to fight another day." Super Duper stated. "It's never a pretty sight when the GOOD guys lose…"
…
All across the world, the forces were mobilizing.
"Rise, Atlantis!" Kruu rallied. "We fight on the surface to protect the seas!"
"All fallen souls will rise under the Dark Lord's command when the Dark Hour comes." Jack The Reaper stated. "Realmwalkers…they cannot take the Shadow Realm. Hold fast in the Mystic Realm…"
"Blood brothers and sisters!" A troll warlord, Doomgar The Slayer, called atop his direwolf. "Hear my final words! This is our purpose! This is our end! We fight and die on the First Land! The Final Battleground!"
"FOR GLORY!"
The trolls and orcs charged from their camps. Fairies flew from their forests. Gnomes and goblins crawled from their caves.
With a war cry, the Amazons readied themselves for battle and rushed from their rainforest.
Queen Equestra took to the skies with a war whinny, her unicorn warriors following. Miles away, the alpha dragon let out a ferocious roar as all dragons flew off.
Meanwhile still, Gira rose from his slumber in sheer primal rage. The Kaiju King let out a bellowing roar that rose for miles. All giants across the Mystic Realm awakened and roared, rampaging off to obey their alpha.
Bigfoot and Sasquatch walked upon a massive field with their monster allies and the villagers. The old Okash looked upon the battle that was to come.
"Beyond these lands is the Nexus Gateway." He stated. "A system of portals powered by the Ancient Magic of this realm. It is how our ancestors discovered all the realms and dimensions in the universe. We hold fast. Defend that gateway until we fall."
"Fall?"
"Yes, Big. And I have enjoyed our time together…"
Another portal opened. And I.G.O.R. emerged, now with a new arm and equipped with battle armor.
"Is…is that alien tech?" Freddy asked.
"Yep! Future AND Martian." The robot replied. "Pretty cool, right? Oh, on your left."
More portals began to open. What Big saw was ASTONISHING.
"Wow…"
"Looks like help has finally arrived…" Sas smiled.
From one blue gateway, alien ships big and small entered. From a fiery one, Makai warriors marched. Atlanteans from a watery one. Realmwalkers and Reapers from a spiritual one. Superheroes from a green one. Even an E.T.I.G. stepped forward!
Some, Sasquatch remembered, would be back in their own realms. As a second line of defense should the monsters reach the Gateway.
It was then that even MORE arrived. Trolls, orcs, goblins, gnomes, Amazons from El Dorado, Yetis from Shangri-La, fairies, unicorns, dragons, and lastly, Kaijus.
"Is that everyone?" Grady asked.
"What, you wanted MORE?" Primor replied.
"Sasquatch!" Doomgar only chuckled. "Of all the faces to see in these final moments, never would I have thought that YOU would be among them. Shouldn't you be back at Vorsheer waiting for the storm to pass?"
"We are here…to NOT run away!" Sasquatch cried. "Should this really be our last battle, we all die together!"
"Ha! Very well. When does the darkness approach?!"
"In only one more hour." Sasquatch said. "Midnight is nearly upon us. Our only hope rests within Helsing…"
"Then let them come! We will take as many as we can with us before he can bring an end to the Eternal Night!"
At this point, Sasquatch didn't think it was even possible. But then again…they HAD to try…
…
It was a dark and stormy night. Possibly even more darker and stormier than any night that had ever come before. Lightning crashed and thunder boomed as the downpour continued. The Gill-Man seemed to be enjoying it. Van Helsing only looked around.
"This is it." He said. "Transylvania. The heart of monster territory…"
"I can already see our destination." Lisa added. "Right through those dark and spooky woods. Nothing new there."
Aside from the storm, nothing else could be heard, as Cory noticed. No people, no animals, no wind even. As if the world was embracing its fate…
"Do you feel it?" The Invisible Man asked. "A void? The absence of life? Of souls?"
"Dracula must've taken over the entire village." Frankenstein added. "Turned everyone there into his undead slaves."
"Looks like someone has been here." Cory stated. "Werewolves tracks. And traces of hellfire."
"Drac must've portaled his new hybrid minions here to try and kill the Wolf Man." Ben stated. "Tried giving them a home advantage."
"This whole region is a grave." Maria stated. "Soon…this will be every single place in the universe."
"Blurrr…."
"It's okay, Fishy." Lisa stated. "We just need to stop that device from firing before midnight. THEN we're okay."
They continue moving through the woods, towards Dracula's Castle. Once, it used to be called Bran Castle, as Van Helsing recalled. Where Vlad the Impaler used to rule when he was alive.
Suddenly, he froze. Something akin to the wind was whispering through the stormy mist. Calling his name…
"Vaaaaannnnn…..Hellllsiiiiiiing…."
The voice made the party freeze. The monster hunter only stepped forward, beginning a summon. The creature needed to answer his call…
Sure enough, she did. Sensing the great evil, Queen Equestra stepped forth, clad in her armor.
"Woah…THAT'S a unicorn?!" Lisa gasped. "It's…so…AWESOME! Ohmygod, I can't believe I just said that…"
"Such…unholy presence. A black rider approaches…" Equestra stated.
"She can talk…I never thought I'd like unicorns so much…"
It was then that a black figure in the mist revealed itself. A black horse hoof stomped on the ground. Glowing red eyes glared as the nostrils flared. And on the black horse's back was a figure. Holding a sword. Clad in Revolutionary War soldier clothing.
With no head.
"No way…" Cory gasped. "That's…The Headless Horseman…"
"No Halloween decoration, this time." Van Helsing said, pulling out a sword of his own and mounting Equestra. "This is the real deal. I'll deal with the bodyguard. Get to that castle!"
Cory nodded, and the party began taking off. Helsing then turned back to the Horseman.
"Grimwald Hallow." He addressed its true name. "I know you can hear me."
The headless figure said nothing. And then, the top of the head burst into flames, forming into a fiery pumpkin-like skull.
"Abraham…I came for you…" The Horseman spoke in a deep ghostly demonic tone.
"To what? Cut off my head like you did so many others? I know who you are. You'll find me not like the others. You're almost like Dracula, Hyde, the Invisible Man, and Frankenstein. People thought you were just a work of fiction. Yet here you are. Real like every other monster."
"Yes…they say…that I have shed innocent blood. Well…what's blood for? If not for shedding? You've done it yourself. We are BOTH killers. Yet you did not…tell…EVERYONE…who you really are?"
"It helps when no one will believe you. Now the Devil you serve takes a new form. The form of the vampire king. You think you can stop me from saving the world like my bloodline had done before?"
"You are already too late, Van Helsing. You will be…my victim. I will split you from your groin to your gullet. Should your head never come off."
"It's a shame I can't return your head. That cannonball shattered the skull to pieces."
"As if I have any need for it once again. In death…I have never felt more alive. Yet your steed…is unlike any other. I wonder…is it as fast as Daredevil?"
"You do not frighten ME, demon!" Equestra spoke, unfurling her wings with her horn glowing. "I will send you AND your ride back to the depths of darkness from whence you came!"
"Is that right? I am the writing on the wall. The whisper in the woods. Without these things, I am nothing. My legend shall live forever. So now, once again…heads…will roll."
And with that, Daredevil let out a ghostly neigh as the riders readied their swords. And the laughter echoed through the woods as hoofs were heard hitting the ground.