SHADOW OF THE IMPALER-A HANDSOME FELLOW…
It is now that I-I, Dracula-should bring in a key moment in our story…
The crowd cheered as Misty Waterflower stepped out from behind the curtains onto the diving board in her mermaid costume. She was glad that they couldn't see the chaos behind the scenes as she struggled to pull on the tight "tail" and somehow manage to be able to acknowledge their applause in person. She jumped off the board after taking a deep breath and swam around the "mermaid princess's" Water-Pokemon friends.
The act went on, as it always did, and she could finally get into that clam, pull on her oxygen-extractor, and wait for her cue. And while she waited, her mind turned inevitably to her friend in Pallet.
Brock, Ritchie, and herself had stayed on for a few months, but Ash had obeyed Professor Oak's wishes and agreed to stall his journey for a while. Ritchie had his own ambitions in the league, Brock went off to learn more about being a breeder, and Misty declared to anyone who listened she had better things to do than stick around while Ash took his time as always. Nobody seemed to believe it, not even Misty herself.
Ever since she met the boy from Pallet, she had seen him rise to every occasion to prove himself…but to who?
She had asked him that one night as they lay under the stars. Brock was sound asleep, and Pikachu snuggled against Ash's chest contentedly.
"Dad," he answered, his eyes brimming with admiration and pride.
"Who is he?"
"A great Pokemon trainer. One of the best."
"What's his name?"
He was silent at that, and began absentmindedly stroking Pikachu, the latter purring happily at the unexpected attention.
"Well…I don't know…" he answered, "But Mom has told me about him for years. He's always sending us money for us to live on, and Mom says he was proud of me and that he was always saying his son would be a great trainer, just like him."
Misty was silent at that. Her younger friend didn't know his father, and yet sought to gain the man's approval. Suddenly, Ash didn't seem so random, so erratic; now, the vision of a house that appeared as if a tank had been driven in, repaired, and driven out again was replaced by the image of that red-haired woman (Ash carried a picture of his mother with him) holding a little boy clutched to her chest as she pointed out some items in a photo-album.
The giant clam opened again, and she swam out again…
…to see two green eyes on the most gorgeous face she had ever seen stare out at her from beyond the tank. She hesitated only a little. Sure, men could be handsome, but then, they'd turn out to be full of crap.
Forgive my chuckle, but if only she knew…
If anyone had asked his name, he would have said Randy. His hair was black, and tied back in a ponytail. He was unusually attractive, causing the blonde at the ticket office to practically squeal with joy when his hand brushed against hers as he took his ticket. He wore a long black coat, with a navy-blue shirt and khakis'. He smiled to no one in particular as he sat in his seat, allowing all girls within eyesight to think that they had a chance with him. He applauded when the red-head had appeared, thinking that she wasn't so bad looking. Interesting.
After the show was over, "Randy" went out into a neighbor's garden, pulled up a few white roses. He dusted away some fake dust and proceeded inside.
He knocked lightly on a door marked with a star, albeit the star was smaller than the other girl's. The door opened to reveal the young star of the show.
"Yes?"
The man smiled and made a little bow.
"A wonderful show, Miss. Waterflower. Please," he held up the flowers daintily, "Accept these from a grateful, poor soul."
She opened the door wider, and cautiously accepted them. She walked over to her dresser, while Randy entered her room. She was out of her costume, wearing a bathrobe and a towel around her head. She laid them down on the dresser and turned to the man, making sure the door was opened wide enough, she didn't want to be left alone too long with this stranger.
"I'm sorry, poor soul, you said."
"Yes," Randy turned to her from looking at a picture taken at the Indigo League, his face full of anguish, "My brother, you see. Many years ago, we had an argument and he disappeared. I heard from a friend that he was around here and I just want to see him and apologize, but I can't find him anywhere."
Misty had to feel sorry for him she had to admit.
Ah, well. One more good deed won't hurt, will it?
"Is there anything I can do to help? Anything at all?"
Randy was silent, then he broke into a grim smile.
"As a matter of fact…"
She only blinked for a moment when he suddenly appeared beside the door and slammed it shut. With horrifying speed and incredible strength, he grabbed her, cupped a hand over her mouth, and shoved her against the wall. She screamed against his flesh, and he put on a slightly comforting smile and shook his head with his eyes closed.
"No, no, my dear. I'm not going to rape you, most certainly not. I am a gentleman!"
He opened his eyes and Misty screamed even louder and struggled with a strength she never even suspected existed: the stranger's eyes were now red. He smiled at her and leaned back a little, opening his mouth as if for a great yawn. His canines grew longer until they were menacingly long and sharp. He then faced her again.
"No, indeed. I accept your offer: you can help me a great deal. I can finally see my older brother again after all these years.
And with that, he bit her jugular vein and began to drink…