I'm working on fixing Under the Windmill chapter 2. In doing so, this idea came along... Sooooooooo. Here we go!


Dracula reached up for Anna's mask, it pleased him to no end that she was so utterly under his control. She would be such a lovely bride, and as she was the last of the Valerious, it would end that threat once and for all.

"Van Helsing?" she breathed as he leaned in for a kiss. He hesitated at the sound of his enemy's name, then smirked and brought his lips down anyway. 'So Gabriel, she is yours, is she?' the Princess stirred under his fingers. He hoped Gabriel was watching.


Van Helsing crept up the stairs, though he was in costume he still felt like he stuck out. A feeling he didn't like, it made him edgy, more then usual anyway. Carl walked along beside him, even more nervous. Van Helsing was proud of the little Friar though, he'd done remarkably well for his first time in the field.

"So how exactly are we going to find Anna at a masquerade ball?" Carl asked as they stopped. Van Helsing ignored him, from where they were he could see the entire ballroom. A woman in a red dress stood out among the crowd, he knew it was Anna. He wasn't sure how he knew, he just did. Then he noticed her dance partner, and his hands tightened on the railing.

Carl turned in time to see Van Helsings eyes flash an eerie amber color,

'Well that can't be good' he thought. He wondered what had set his friend off, he scanned the room. And found the Princess as Dracula bent to her neck, he heard a growl from Van Helsings direction.

Anna twisted away angrily, Carl sighed, glad she hadn't been bitten, yet.

"Carl, I need you to do something for me" Van Helsing said, Carl heard a tone in his voice that clearly said 'trouble'.

"I'm not going to like this am I?"


Gabriel watched Dracula like a hawk as he waited for his cue. He saw Carl creeping toward the Vampire slowly, much to slowly for Van Helsing.

Dracula dipped the Princess, Gabriel growled again, his eyes flashing that odd color again. He almost shook in anger as the Count ran his hand over Anna's chest. He knew then that he would relish killing the creature, even more so then before.

Carl was in position, finally, Gabriel's heart leapt to his throat as Dracula's canines elongated.

"Now Carl, now" he breathed, preparing himself for his task. Carl shoved the fire breather standing behind Dracula, just as he performed his dangerous little trick. Fire blew across Dracula's back, catching his clothing on fire, he dropped Anna on the floor and spun on the man.

The timing couldn't have been better, right on cue the acrobat came flying in Van Helsings direction. He was removed quickly and quietly, Van Helsing leapt into his place. He then realized how high up he was, just as he jumped for the other wire. He couldn't help but bellow a bit as he flew through the air, this was one thing that hadn't been covered in his training. Leaping from the safety of the swing he fell to the tightrope below him.

He wished he could apologize to the poor men walking the rope as he cut it. Swinging down he felt almost giddy, it was, well, fun. He saw Anna get up and come charging his direction. She held a white-gloved hand up as he sailed into her, clutching her tightly to his chest. Van Helsing was very proud of himself, he'd even managed a good landing! Anna stood against the wall, looking dazed. He shook her, a little more then concerned.

"Anna! Anna wake up!" he cried, shaking her again. She just stared blankly ahead, 'we don't have time for this!' his mind cried. Throwing caution to the wind he kissed her, hard. Her eyes flew open, he pulled away, she stared up at him,

"Thank you."

She then proceeded to rip her jewelry and decorations off. It was then that Van Helsing noted how quiet it had become, even the music had stopped.

"Gabriel, oh Gabriel..." the Counts voice drifted up, Anna's eyes lit in fury at the sound. Van Helsing leaned over the balcony, Dracula looked up at him,

"Oh Gabriel" he finished. Van Helsing grabbed Anna's wrist, ready to bolt for an exit. The Vampire smirked up at them,

"Welcome to my Summer palace" he said gesturing to the grand hall. A rough scream echoed through the halls, the main doors burst open. In came Igor, and behind him, chained to a slab of wood, was Frankenstein.

"No!" Gabriel hissed, smacking the banister, Anna's eyes were focused on the Count. You could almost feel the hatred radiating from her. As if by some silent cue, the entire crowd turned and pulled their masks off. Their mouths stretched and their eyes glowed an awful yellow. They roared and hissed as Dracula laughed and applauded.

"Goodbye, Gabriel" he said cheerfully, then waved at them dismissively. Anna moved to a suit of armor and yanked its hand off, along with the heavy mace it was attached too. Gabriel had no idea what good that was going to do them, but he doubted it was going to help much.

He grabbed Anna, scooping her into his arms, she threw the mace into the crowd. Seeming at least, somewhat satisfied when it smacked a Vampire in the face. Gabriel raced down the hall, hundreds of hissing undead behind him, Anna peered over his shoulder.

"You know I can run on my own" she commented conversationally. He shifted his grip in response,

"I won't risk losing you again" he replied. They shoved through a set of huge doors that slammed shut behind them. Anna jumped from his arms, Carl came racing around the corner holding some odd contraption.

"Now I know what it's for!" he said triumphantly, placing it gently on the ground. When he looked up, both monster slayers were rushing at him.

"Where are we going?!" he yelped as they each grabbed one of his arms and continued toward the window.

"Through that window!" the yelled in unison, leaping through the huge window. Glass rained down with them, they hit the water below with an enormous splash. An explosion went off above them, bones joined the glass.

Van Helsing surfaced, followed by Anna and then Carl. Gabriel grinned at his friend,

"Carl! You're a genius!" he shouted.

"A genius with access to unstable chemicals!" Carl sputtered back, spitting out water. Gabriel turned and caught Anna's gaze, he smiled at her, she nodded.

He may have lost Frankenstein, but he had his Anna. And right now, that made him feel the slightest bit better. She would not be taken from him, he hadn't failed her.


I know it's a weird ending, but oh well...