Author's Note : I am sick of not writing anything on this story. So right now, I'm rolling up my sleeves and diving in, hoping that it comes out alright. So without further ado, let's get this show on the road.

Disclaimer : I own nothing.

Chapter Five - Welcome Back!

There were only two horses that rode into the desolate town of Tinsoara that wintry day. Anna rode with Van Helsing on his horse, while Carl had his own. The villagers lifted their heads with wonder, and then hardened with suspicion. Van Helsing dismounted first and helped Anna to the ground, while Carl literally fell of the back of his horse. Straightening himself, he ran to catch up with them. When he rejoined them he whispered

"What are we doing here again?"

"We are here to dispatch whatever is killing the local villagers." Anna replied lowly. Carl knew better than to continue questioning and continued to stroll down that streets with the hunters. Just at that moment an old man's voice rang out,

"Welcome to Transylvania." They turned to see a weathered old man, with short cropped grey hair, and a fine combed goatee, wearing all black. He was carrying a spade and looking at them through thick eyeglasses. He looked at them and turned to the people of the town

"One of you fetch Teresa." Then turning back to the group he said

"Greetings, I am Richard Solbury, the local undertaker. Sorry for any discomfort, the people around here have been more wary of strangers as of late."

Anna nodded and said

"You know much about?" He shook his head and said

"Only that the victims are drained of blood, I know because I'm also the local doctor. Speak to Teresa, she was the one who saw them up close."

"Did she?" Van Helsing said.

"Aye, they took her father, Clarence Winter's life, a few days ago, he was good man though, so he is with God now."

So far Carl remained silent throughout this whole exchange, siltently comparing this undertaker to the last one. He decided that so far he liked this one better. At least he didn't greet visitors by measuring them for their coffins. Just then everyone in the crowd parted, allowing a young woman no older than twenty-one through. she had short blond hair that fell to the tops of her ears, with bright green eyes, and well shaped pink lips. She wore a green sea captain's coat over a white peasant blouse and tight fitting black pants similar to Anna's, and tightly laced dark brown riding boots. She narrowed her eyes and said with a heavy German accent,

"Well, well, what do we have here? A wanted murderer, a monk, and his whore."

Van Helsing visibly tensed while Carl stood angrily and said

"Friar! Not monk! F-R-I-A-R!" Anna spoke next, though in a slightly calmer tone than Carl's

"Well for starters he is a Monster Hunter, not a murderer, and I am his wife."

At those words the girl gave a harsh laugh and said

"Ha! Ja, and I am Queen of England herself! I have no time to deal with you wench, or your rohling. So if you would kindly leave now, maybe I won't kill you."

It was Anna's turn to laugh

"For your information, I fought Dracula and his Brides, and defeated them with the help of my husband and his friend. Also add bashees, gargoyles and werewolves, to that list, and you tell me again if you think you have a chance of winning in a fight with me."

The girl jaw tightened, and she was about to reach for her holstered gun when a shout rang out from the well.

"Teresa! That is enough!" They turned to see a tall young man, about twenty-eight standing on the well. He had fiery red hair and beard to match. He had soft hazel eyes, and wore a white shirt underneath a black leather vest, with black pants and tall riding boots. He stared down at them and said

"I apologize for my sister's behaviour, we have suffered a great loss not to many days ago and she has been more snappish as of late."

"Snappish is an understatement." came Carl's mumbled reply. If the man heard him, he didn't say anything and said

"I am Ranger Winter, and that is my sister Teresa. As spokesmen of this town since the untimely death of my father, I must ask you to remove your weapons."

Van Helsing and Anna immediately moved for their weapons.

"You can ask, but we will not comply." came Van Helsing's quick reply. Ranger's eyes narrowed

"You refuse to obey the laws around here?"

"The laws of men mean very little to us Sir Winter." Anna said. Ranger said nothing, but pulled out a shotgun instead.

"Very well, if you need to be forced then forced you will be." Carl gave out a shriek and Van Helsing pulled out his pistols. Anna however said

"Please Sir Winter do not fight, we were sent by the Vatican to help you."

"We don't need help!" came the shrieked response of his sister Teresa. It was then she felt Van Helsing nudge her and whisper

"Get your sword ready." At the same time the turned and said, stealthily pulling out his crossbow,

"Oh really?" And pointed it at Ranger. Who promptly ducked, as a brown haired female vampire swooped down over the spot where he'd been standing. Anna unsheathed her sword, while over the terrified screams of the villagers, she heard Teresa saying

"Hurry, hide!" Carl cried out and ran over to the nearby church, and crouched down, hoping to go unnoticed. Anna leapt up immediately and with a swift upward movement slayed the vampire with her silver sword, made by Father Devon back at the Vatican as a wedding present. She would have to properly thank him for it when they got back. Just then her thoughts were interrupted by more shrieking as three more vampires, two females and a male, headed their way.

"Dammit!" she heard Ranger and Van Helsing curse. They both ready their weapons, and aimed for their targets. Anna watched as a chestnut haired vampire landed in front of her and said

"Greetings my dear, I am Alina."

Anna moved forward, like one in the trance of a vampire might do. Alina smiled, this was so easy...until Anna rammed her silver sword straight through her heart. Her smile vanished and she crumbled to dust. As for Ranger and Van Helsing, they also were fairing pretty well. Carl had handed Teresa a bottle of Holy Water, which she in turn palmed off to her brother Ranger. The two of them hastily soaked their arrows and bullets with the Blessed Liquid and took aim and fired. The other two vampires went down with a ear piercing shriek. When they were gone Van Helsing turned to Ranger and said

"Were those it, were those the ones that killed your father?" Ranger was staring at the ashes and said

"No these were different...the one who killed him said he was..." He never finished that sentence, for through the chilly winter air, came a voice all had hoped never to hear again.

"So glad to see you again my ancient friend." Van Helsing turned around, as did Anna, Teresa and Ranger. Carl stayed huddled in his corner by the church. And there he was, standing on top of a large stone storehouse, was the man who had haunted Van Helsing's nightmares for over a year. Robed in black military attire and riding boots, with black hair and eyes, surrounded by three gorgeous women, was Count Dracula himself. He had risen again.

End Chapter Five.

German Translations :

Rohling - Brute

Author's Note : Cliffhanger! I always wanted to try that. Tell me how you like this new addition. Also the term 'ancient friend' came from the Van Helsing video game. And now for my thanks to the reviewers.

Rhea : No I didn't and I'm glad I didn't. Hopefully you'll like this new addition as well as the last one.

island-surfer : Aw, well we all have our moments when we're totally clueless. I know I do. I might use your idea someday in another story. You never know. Oh and thanks for reviewing on my other story, I'm glad you liked it.

MJ-Skywalker : I'm glad to meet another fellow Gabriel and Anna shipper. Why did I bring Dracula into the play? Well because I really couldn't see writing a Van Helsing story without him.

Lord Harven : Thank you! I thought I ought use a different language in this story, to give it a little more spice. I chose German because it one of my nationalities, also it was one of the few languages that can be translated easily online. I love Anna too! I'm glad to see I'm not the only who had problem with that banshee sequence. I'm glad you like Dracula's lines, I like how they turned out too. Well as you can see Ranger and Teresa have met Van Helsing and Anna. Yes poor Clarence, and no I'm not bringing him back. Sorry! Your welcome and I will update as much as possible. I'm gad you really liked that line. I do too!

alias101 : I'm glad you like my story and I will update as much as possible.

Mariposa Gema : I'm glad you think it's exciting, but in a way it is a lot like the movie. But then its supposed to be like that. Thank you for your review and hope you like this next addition.

And for all of you I want to ask you if you would do me the favor of reading my other stories

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

and

The Brides of Dracula

I have barely gotten any reviews on these stories, and that dissapoints me. So without further ado, goodbye and happy reading.

Signed,

Fortune Zyne.