Disclaimer: Do I hafta....fine. I don't own X-Men Evo but I do own Blade.

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Return of the Shadow Chapter 5: New Enemies

"Blade?" Blade turned his head from the ocean view and locked eyes with Malkios and Kara.

"Where's Kyrina?" Malkios shook his head.

"Playing with some of the mutants. You know her." Blade chuckled.

"She always did make friends fast." Blade turned and looked once again at the ocean. "I sense this is no social call. Why have you come?"

"You've checked on them. It's time you considered retaking what is yours."

"Is it truly mine?"

"He'd want you to have it. You were always destined for it."

"What about my younger brother? He's a true-blood."

"It is YOU the Dragon chose."

"You're making assumptions, Malkios. I don't have the mark."

"Nevertheless, you are the most fit to rule. Face it, Azriel. Your brother is insane." Red flashed in Blade's eyes.

"Do not call me that name again. Not until I am ready to have it."

"It is your name."

"We'll see about that." Blade sighed deeply. "Gather those loyal. Tell them to prepare and wait for my signal." Malkios bowed and faded into the mist, leaving Kara alone.

"Why don't you want the power? Most would kill for it."

"That only affirms my belief that many of our kind are truly stupid. I saw what it did to my father."

"You're afraid of it."

"...."

"Don't try to hide it from me. I know you better than anyone else." Kara slowly walked up to Blade and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What we once had...we could have again." She tilted her head up and gently pressed her lips to his.

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"You are sure?"

"Undoubtedly, my lord. The one known as Blade Shinigami is a descendant of him. He can claim full ties to the throne." The young vampire sitting at the magnificent golden throne pressed the tips of his fingers together. Long silver hair flowed over his shoulders and framed his sharp face. Glowing red orbs glowed in the oppressive darkness of the throne room of his castle.

"This could be a problem."

"Shall I terminate him, my lord?" A predatory grin spread across the vampire's face, revealing long, sharp fangs.

"No. Make him come to us. If he is truly of the Blood, he could prove an excellent challenge. Take what is most precious to him and he will come."

"By your will, Lord....no King Dreyfus."

That night, a black ship set sail from Europe and made all speed to the unsuspected town of Bayville, USA.

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Blade idly twirled the dagger in his hand. School had been closed since Duncan's death and his status as a mutant branded him as a pariah. No mutant now set foot outside of the Institute. Classes were now taught by Beast, Storm and the Professor. Blade had finally stopped holding back, letting his true genius show. He grinned at the memory of the stunned faces of the staff as they watched him score perfects on tests reserved for PhD subjects. Had Blade gone to college, he would have easily finished his Doctorate in over twelve subjects within four years. Now, he himself taught classes, along with Scott and Jean. Malkios, Kara and Kyrina had long since left. It was late evening and he stopped by the window and watched as the students, Scott and Jean play a game of Ultimate Frisbee. He no longer indulged in games, preferring the solitude of the gazebo and forest surrounding the Institute.

"Blade?"

"Hey, Rogue. Why aren't you playing with the others?" Rogue snorted.

"Y'all are kidding, right?" Blade chuckled. "Actually, Ah've been meaning to ask ya a question. What did ya mean bah 'People of the Blood'?" Blade sighed.

"It's the oldest story of our race. It began long ago, in the medieval era. A man by the name of Vlad Tsepesh was said to have made a pact with Satan. In return for the blood sacrifice, Satan gave Vlad and his followers the powers of the ancient Dragon, a being of great powers. It transformed them into something completely inhuman. They dubbed themselves People of the Blood and became the first vampires. In fact, Vlad changed his name to honor the Dragon. He became Dracula, the King of Vampires. Dracula itself means 'Son of the Dragon' in Transylvanian. It is the history of the vampires." Blade looked suddenly thoughtful. "Come with me." They traversed the mansion until they reached his room. Blade opened the door to reveal a room that would not have looked out of place in the Dark Ages, save for the computer, TV and stereo in one corner. He walked over to his bookshelf and began searched. Rogue stared, fascinated at the sheer volume of literature.

"Vampyres and their Poweres. Daemons of Lore. Creature of the Night. Lycanthropes. Jeez, Blade. This is a pretty impressive collection. Ah take it ya lahke monster stories."

"They're real accounts. Fiction's on the right. Ah, here we go." Blade blew on a dusty, leather-bound novel. "This is a copy of the original diary of Vlad Tsepesh, written by an old monk with rheumatic fingers, if I remember correctly. I want you to have it." Rogue took the book and gazed at it reverently.

"Ah don't know what tah say..."

"Then don't say anything. Just read it."

"Ah'll return it as soon as Ah can..."

"Keep it. It's yours."

"Thanks."

"No prob."

CRASH!

"The hell was that?" Blade was no longer listening. He rushed to a nearby trunk and threw the heavy lid open. He pulled out a silver Desert Eagle and strapped a bandolier of extra magazines around his waist. He then pulled out his katana and strapped it to his back. Just then, Professor Xavier's voice mentally echoed through every mutant's mind.

"X-Men, report to the Danger Room immediately. We are under attack."

"Get down!" screamed Blade as he shoved her onto the ground and fired at the door, holing the wood and nailing the man behind it. He reached over and opened his eyelids, revealing dull red eyes.

"Thought so."

"What the hell's goin' on?!"

"Vampires. They're attacking the mansion.

"Whah?!"

"I don't know. Get to the Danger Room." Blade calmly began to walk down the corridor in the opposite direction.

"What about you?" Blade turned briefly and smiled. His crimson eyes glowed in the darkness.

"I'm gonna give them one hell of a welcome." He twirled on his heel and raced down the corridor. Rogue took a deep breath and began to run towards the Danger Room.

"Ugh!" A heavy shadow fell from the ceiling onto her. He clamped a handkerchief over her mouth and let the chloroform in it lull her to sleep. She passed out in his arms. The shadow coalesced into a tall vampire. He leered at Rogue's beautiful face and pulled down her collar, revealing her white neck. He gently kissed her neck, only to find his strength drain from him. He leapt back, surprised before gingerly picking her up again and rushing out the nearby window.

BANG! Blade rounded the corner and fired a full clip into the throng of vampires in the front hall. The empty magazine clattered on the floor as Blade calmly reached for another clip. Just then, two more rifle wielding vampires rounded the corner and opened fire. Blade dropped the gun and disappeared into the shadow. He reappeared right behind them and drew his katana. They didn't have enough time to register his presence before their heads were separated from their bodies. A nagging feeling suddenly struck him.

"Rogue..." Blade dashed across the grounds to the Cliffside. He stopped short in watched helplessly as a large yacht raced away into the darkness. He clenched his fist in anger before returning to the others.

"They took Rogue." Students gasped and Logan growled. "I'm going to get her back, don't worry." Blade pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number in. "Malkios. It's me. Gather the others and prepare to strike immediately."

"We're comin' too, kid."

"No. You'll be killed. You don't stand a chance." Beast lumbered up to Blade.

"I'm willing to guess there's something you're not telling us. Since it now concerns Rogue, we have a right to know." Blade sighed deeply.

"Rogue was taken by the vampire warriors of Dreyfus, self styled Lord of the Vampires. I plan to head to Transylvania and bring her back."

"There's more, isn't there?"

"You're very astute, Mr. McCoy. While I was away, I found out who I really am." Blade stood up straighter and taller. His eyes blazed crimson and transformed him into a terrible demon.

"My name is Azriel Dracul, eldest son of Vlad Tsepesh, also known as Dracula, successor to the Vampire Throne and it is long past time I took back what is mine."

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The secret's out! Blade's royalty! And the story will be brought to a climactic finale in one or two chapters (dunno which yet). Thanks again for all the reviews.

Sayonara

Dark Merlyn