Virgil stretched and yawned. Last night had been the first time in a long while. He was glad that he had headed in early last night instead of patrolling. He only hoped Richie hadn't stayed out to late. Getting dressed he rushed downstairs where he found Sharon using her powers to cook breakfast. "Morning Sharon. Man that actually smells edible."
Slapping him lightly with a towel Sharon said to him "Its much easier to do this with all these powers. I didn't even have to turn anything on. Just point and zap and I'm done. I like having these powers."
"Yeah I do too. Just make sure that Pops doesn't see you doing anything weird otherwise he'd freak. Of course in your case weird is your every day normal thing ha ha." Virgil laughed before getting zapped by a mega dose of electricity. "Hey! That hurts."
"Be quite Virgil. I could have made it worse. Listen I have a lot to do today. There's classes at the collage, then I'm volunteering at the animal shelter before I go to the rally to get people to sign up to donate or dance. So can we patrol together after dinner?" Sharon asked using her powers to get all her stuff to come to her.
"Yeah sure. Just remember if any crisis come your way its your responsibility to handle them. Well I better go don't want to be late for another boring day of school." Virgil told her grabbing his back. He was just about to leave when the phone rang. The caller id said it was the Foley's. Probably Richie just wanting to chat although it was strange that he didn't just use his Shock Box. "Hello? Oh hi Mrs. F. How are you this morning?"
"I'm fine Virgil. I was just calling to see if Richie stayed over at your house last night." Mrs. Foley asked mildly concerned.
"No he didn't Mrs. F. Didn't Richie come home last night?" Virgil asked concerned. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sharon looking at him concerned.
"No he didn't come home at all last night. When did you last see him?"
"Right after sunset. We were hanging out at our uh I guess you could call it clubhouse. He was working on some project when I left. I'm sure he's fine. He probably got caught up with his work and just lost track of time. When I see him at school I'll tell him your looking for him." Virgil tried to say lightly. Inside his thoughts were racing. What was going on?
"Well if he doesn't show up at school will you call me right away. I'll be at work today but you can reach me on my cell. 555-4521." Mrs. Foley said anxiously.
"Will do Mrs. F. Got to go or I'll miss the bus. Bye," Virgil said quickly hanging up the phone. He turned to face Sharon who had a worried look on her face. "Richie didn't come home last night. His mom's worried about him. Its not like Richie to just disappear like this. Did you talk to him at all last night?"
"He called around 7:00 saying he was going on a quick patrol. I assumed he was going straight home after that. You don't think anything happen to him last night do you?" Sharon asked. Her hands were shaking.
Virgil shook his head. "I don't know it's a possibility. I'll see if he's at school today and if he's not at lunch I'll go to his house and the gas station and see if I can find any clues. Well I got to go or I will be late for school. Already missed the bus I guess I fly to school."
Sharon stopped him. "Come on baby brother I'll give you a lift. We can talk more in the car." They left the kitchen and got in the car. It wouldn't start but with a little electricity from the two they were on their way. "Man I got to get this car fixed. After all it's going to be yours soon. So are you sure that Richie fine? I mean he could have been seriously hurt last night. I should have told him to head home or wait till one of us could have gotten there to help him."
"Richie can take care of himself. He's been doing it for years. Look Sharon I'm sure that everything okay. Nothing bad would have happen to him. He's way to smart to allow it. You just concentrate on your day and I'll concentrate on mine. Well were here. I got to go so see you later!" Virgil yelled slamming the car door and running into the building. Sharon smiled and drove off hoping that everything was all right.
Right away Virgil saw that Richie wasn't in school. He wasn't at his locker nor was he in homeroom. When he talked to Frieda and Daisy they told him they hadn't heard from him. Between classes he tried his Shock Box, but all he got was static. "That's it I'm going to check things out during lunch today. Lets just hope that I get back in time for Mrs. Pritchard stupid Lit class."
Meanwhile at Vampire Manor Richie was trying to sleep through the transformation from human into vampire. Limbs were lengthening, joints were on fire, and fangs were being developed. Not to mention his insides were undergoing a rapid change to allow his body use of his new powers while his brain was also improving vastly. He whimpered in pain and moaned out loud. Arra sensing her mates discomfort laid her arm around him to try and comfort him.
Three doors down Cassandra was sensing the newest clan mates pain through the telepathic bond they all shared. It was causing her pain and affecting her dreams. Right now she was dreaming of a time in Vampire Mountain. It had been six months sense she been blooded and Demetra was talking with her.
Dreamland"You must always remember my child that you are special. We are a unique breed of humanity. It is our responsibility to watch over the humans we feed on. Blood can tell us so much about a person because a person spirit, their soul so to speak, is found with in their blood. We can taste a person soul when we feed upon them. If they're evil we will know because they will make us sick. You must always watch those who are evil. Kill them before they can cause any harm to anyone. If they are good make sure their safe and sound after your done with them. Never leave someone bleeding to death. Do you understand my little princess?" Demetra asked her gown sweeping the cold stone floor.
"I understand my Queen. I will do as you command because you are my teacher, my Queen, my mother. I will never forget your lessons and will always obey you." Cassandra told her bowing in her new Renaissance red dress.
"Come there's so much I have to teach you and we have so little time. Follow me." Demetra instructed as they left the room. A bright light filled her vision and suddenly she woke up.
Rolling over in bed she pulled back the curtains and glanced at her alarm clock. It was only 11:30 in the morning! Knowing that trying to go back to bed would be impossible she grabbed her bathrobe and slippers and went downstairs to the kitchen to get a snack. She found Merton up and munching on an apple. He nodded at her and tossed her an apple as they went into the dinning room to eat.
"Couldn't sleep could you? Richie pain is giving me a huge headache. What's worse is since he's new he's going to need more blood then the rest of us till he gets use to the cravings. He's already drank a packet along with the one we've had so now were down to eight packs of human blood. Maybe we shouldn't have blooded him so soon. I mean we don't even know what the situation is with his parents." Merton sighed.
Placing a hand on his she smiled at him. "We did the right thing. Richie is a much better choice than Kurda. He's pure of heart he won't betray any of his friends or us. Were about to score a big hit with this Metahuman blood and the blood drive so don't worry. As for his folks when he wakes up he'll decide what were going to do. Well I'm off see you later." Cassandra said grabbing the car keys and starting to bundle up.
"Were do you think your going? Its nearly noon and the sun is shining bright! You'll burn up if you go out." Merton warned her.
"Don't you think I know that? That's why I'm putting on twelve coats of sunscreen and covering every inch of my skin. I'm going to Richie's house to pick up some personal items and things he might need to invent stuff with. I'll be careful don't worry," Cassandra said trying to reassure him.
The minuet the lunch bell rang Virgil was off like a shot. Changing into Static he first headed to the Gas Station. He looked around but found nothing amiss. All the books were in neat stacks, the computer turned off, and the door had been locked. There was no clue to were Richie might have gone. "If only I could trace him somehow. Trace that's it! Backpack remote control has a built in tracker in it. Richie keeps it in his bedroom. I can get it and still make it back before sixth period!" Jumping onto his flying disk he was off.
Cassandra parked the car five blocks from the house. Pushing her sunglasses up she stepped out of the car slamming the door shut and began to walk to the house. Looking left and right to make sure no one was watching she used her super senses to determine that no one was home. Smiling she used one of her nails and undid the lock letting herself in.
Glancing around she notice a family photo. Picking it up she studied it. He seemed happy in it. Deciding she had some time she checked out the rest of the house. Richie's family life seemed okay, but he seemed happier when he was with his best friends family from all those photos. Entering his room she had to smile. It was such a typical boys room. Models, comics, computer, and who knows what else. "Well better start packing." Heaving a suitcase and a bag onto the bed. At super speed she began to pack what ever she thought he need.
She was halfway finished with all his electronic equipment when she smelled ozone. "What in the world? Static! Oh duh of course he come here searching for his friend. I got to hide!" Glancing around frantically she sprang into the closet just as Static arrived.
"Now where did Richie put that remote? It's got to be here somewhere. Man I thought we agreed that after that Brainiac incident he keep that thing close. Hey this isn't Rich's. Okay who's here?" Static said gearing up an electric blast in his hand.
Not waiting to be found she jumped out of the closet and flung off her extra protection. She didn't want her movement to be restricted. Her dagger flicked into her hand. She took in her surroundings ready for anything. "Looking for me Static?"
"Fang Girl? I thought that your kind hid from the sun." Static said in confusion. He clearly wasn't expecting her. But if she was here that meant she knew something about Richie's disappearance. "I'm only going to ask you once. What are you doing here?"
"I don't have to answer you Static. I have a name you know. Cassandra. What you going do Static fight me? In case you haven't noticed were in a very small space with limited room to maneuver in and you can't fly. I on the other hand may have to avoid the sun and can use the full extent of my powers, but I'm still more powerful than you. I offer you one chance to avoid this battle." Cassandra offered him. She truly wanted to avoid a fight at any cost. During the day her powers were much weaker and she didn't want to leave evidence of her presence in the room.
"To late vampire. I don't know what your doing here, but when I'm through with you your going to wish you hadn't gotten out of your coffin today. Heyah!" Static shouted throwing a burst of energy on her.
Cassandra dodged the blow and sprang into action. Using one of the three martial arts disciplines she knew she forced Static into a corner. Hoping to use her breath to knock him out and escape she was surprise when he used a nova burst to blind her.
Static watched as Cassandra stumbled around the room blindly. She knocked into the dresser and had it fall on top of her. He used his powers to get the thing off her. He walked over to help her up when she shot her nails at him. "Stay back Static! I don't want to hurt you."
"You're the one whose going to get hurt Dracula wannabe! Let's see if you can handle my static cling!" Static shouted pinning her to the wall. He smiled. "I've got you stuck to the wall. Now you have to answer my questions."
Cassandra looked at him and grinned. Her fangs glistened unnaturally in the light. "Do you really thing you're the only person who can manipulate static electricity?" she asked. Concentrating hard she began to vibrate. A blue light surrounded her suddenly. Static watched shocked as hers canceled out his own power. "How how?" He stuttered.
"It's quite simple really Static. When I flirt I build up a huge charge of static electricity. I usually use it to keep me warm, but instead I manipulated it to cancel out your powers setting me free. Now where were we?" she asked smiling. "Oh yah I was kicking your butt!"
Launching herself into a handspring she kicked him in the chest with her feet pushing him into a wall. She whirled her dagger at him, which he knocked away with his powers. Undaunted she shot her nails at him. He tried to avoid them, but ended up stuck to the wall. "Let me go you monster!"
Picking up her fallen dagger she thrust it under neck. She glared at him. "Shut your mouth. I don't want to hurt you. That would mean breaking a vow that a friend of mine made. You should consider your self lucky Static. Gear has made it impossible for us to attack anyone he considers a friend or family." She hissed. Static glared at her. He pointed a finger at the windows drawing the curtains apart. The sunlight spilled onto Cassandra hand. "Ah! It burns!" she screamed dropping her weapon. Static watched in horror as a large burn appeared on her hand. She was withering on the floor in pain. He immediately closed the curtains.
"You are the monster. The last time we fought you were an honorable opponent. Why did you just now battle like that? It was cruel and dishonorable." Cassandra said grabbing her dagger with her left hand and massaging her right.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know the sun would hurt you that much. Let me down from here and we can talk. I like to know why you here." Static said trying to sound sincere.
"You know why I'm here Static. Gear lives here. I'm just getting some of his things. I know your worried about him, but don't. He's fine."
"If he's with you he can't be. I want to know what you did with him right now!" Static yelled struggling, "If you've hurt him I'm going to make you pay. Just as I'm going to make sure you pay for your friends attack on Sharon Hawkins."
"Temper temper. That will get you nowhere. Tell you what I'll do. If you know anything about my kind then you know that if I give my word I have to keep it. I give you my word that your friend Richie Foley aka Gear is safe and alive." Cassandra told him. She held her hand out in the vampire salute to show she was being truthful.
"Am I supposed to believe that you're telling the truth? How can I accept the word of a nosefaruto?" Static asked angrily.
"Nosefaruto? You have been studying. However I'm surprised you doubt my word. My word is my life. I have to go now. My nails will fall off in a few minutes then you can leave, but I clean up the room first. Wouldn't want anyone to know you were here would you?" Cassandra asked laughing. As she turned to walk away she started to telepathically call out to her clan mates.
Static wasn't about to let her leave that easily. He had to stop here from leaving. With a huge effort he zapped her. Suddenly they both screamed. Images flashed through both their minds. Cassandra dropped to the floor. Static withered in pain on the wall.
"You. What did you do to me? I feel strange. Its like we exchange spirits Mr. Electric. No matter. I have to go. But I leave you with an important message. There's an old saying I like. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I always learn from my history. That's why I never make the same mistake twice. See you later Static will meet again," Cassandra told him. She grabbed the suitcase and bag. Then she put back on her extra clothes and left. Five minutes later he heard a car pull away.
Static fell to the ground as the nails disingrated. "Man what did she do to me? Man I got to get back to school. Better make this a quick clean up." Using his powers he cleaned the room up and left. He'd have to search for clues some other time.
By the time he got back to school sixth period was already in session. He tried to slip into Mrs. Pritchard Lit Class but no luck. "Mr. Hawkins! You better have a good excuse for being late to my class for the third time this month."
"Uh I got stuck in a bathroom stall Mrs. Pritchard. I'm sorry I'll try to be on time next time." Virgil said trying to sound believable. He took his seat while the teacher glared at him.
"That's okay Mr. Hawkins. You can make it up by reading your poem you were supposed to look up. You know the one that had to come from the end of the Middle Ages to the middle of the Renaissances. Well stand up and speak." Mrs. Pritchard ordered.
Virgil stood up and began to sweat. He hadn't done the assignment at all. He had completely forgotten. He opened his mouth to make some excuse when out of his mouth a poem sprang. "Creature of the Night," Taking a deep breath he began. "I am a wrapped warmly in the blanket of the night. Where ever I go I spread misery and fright. I hunt you down without making a sound. You never even knew I was around. Cherry, rose, crimson, there all colors that describe my favorite blood red. For that is the food for the undead. I am the greatest power. You can never avoid my attack. So don't even try to fight back. I am a creature of the night. You know me as a vampire!" Virgil recited dramatically. The class looked at him in awe. "Uh Cassandra Masters 1355. Thank you," Virgil said shyly before sitting down.
Everyone started to clap and he heard a wolf whistle. That poem had been dark and mysterious. It certainly didn't sound like something you heard from the Renaissance. "Mr. Hawkins stay after class for a minute please?" Mrs. Pritchard asked. She then went on to the next student.
"Man that poem was awesome Virgil! Where did you read it?" Daisy whispered to him excitedly.
"Yeah it totally rocked!" Frieda exclaimed.
"Ladies I have no clue where that poem came from," Virgil told them honestly. That was the truth. Where in the world had that poem come from? Its like it just popped into his head. After class he talked to the teacher. She told him that poem could only be found in one book and that it was located in a museum in France! How in the world did he know it? Virgil couldn't tell her.
Things got stranger still. For his last class he acted more mature, more logical which surprised his friends. Also as he was leaving school for the weekend he passed some kids playing chess. He watched them for a moment before intervening and winning the game in three moves. What on earth was happening to him?
While Virgil was having difficulties at school Cassandra had arrived back at home. The burn on her hand wasn't healing very well despite the aid of her healing saliva. "That is the last time I go out in the sun. I must be crazy girlfriend. Man why am I talking like this? Hello is anyone up?"
"Were in the living room sis. Come and join us!" Kathren yelled. Cassandra walked into the room and smiled. "I guess I wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep." Merton was working on a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle, Kathren and Siba were playing with the X-box, Selena was doing push ups, and Vanez was polishing his sword. Arra and Richie were still sleeping. "Hey Cass! Glad your back. Did you get everything Richie might need?"
"What do you think? Siba catch," She yelled tossing the bags at Siba who caught them one handed. "Go set up his room would you?"
"I live to serve. See you later!" He yelled as he flew out of the room.
"Cassandra what happen to your hand? It's burned badly. I thought you wore protection!" Merton said as examined the wound. She took her hand back glaring at him. "It's a minor wound. It will be better by nightfall. I'm a big girl Merton. I don't need you babying me."
"Still you should put something on that to help it heal. Did you run into trouble while you were out?" Selena asked as she bandaged Cass hand.
"Static was looking for his partner. We had a slight altercation. I think he did something to me. I keep acting like him and my mind feels woozy. He did zap me hard while I was trying to contact you."
"Maybe you got some of his spirit in you. Who knows and who cares. What we need to do is decide how were going to train our newest member. He may know how to fight like a superhero, but he doesn't know how to fight like a vampire." Vanez stated.
"Nor does he know how to hunt like one of us. When he wakes up not only does he have to learn all this plus everything else about being one of us, but also he has to start pulling his weight around here. He has to contribute to the clan. Do you think he's up to the challenge?" Merton asked politely.
"I know he is. From these weird visions I'm getting from that spirit transfer Static and him have tangled with some pretty tough dudes. I bet he could take on a full-grown vampanzee alone. Now why don't we give Siba a hand in setting up Richie's room so we can start preparing dinner for tonight? I have a monstrous craving for pancakes," Cassandra told the other getting up from the floor and racing out the room with the others in hot pursuit.
Virgil walked inside the abandon gas station exhausted. He collapsed into a chair and held his head. "Man what is wrong with me today?" he asked himself out loud.
"Aside from being a goofball? Of hand I say nothing. Hi little brother what's up?" Sparkles asked walking through the door. Virgil looked at her in surprise. "Why are you in uniform? Did you forget your street clothes or something?"
"Ha ha very funny. You wouldn't believe the day I've had. I stopped two armed robberies, helped out at a car crash, and got a cat out of a tree. It has been one strange day. But enough about me what's wrong with you? Did they serve meatloaf during lunch today?" Sparkles asked as she began to change back into her street clothes.
"I wouldn't have the slightest clue. I skipped lunch period today. Now before you start yelling at me for skipping school hear me out. I was trying to find out more about Richie's disappearance. I found no clues here so I went to his house to see if I could locate Backpack's remote. You wouldn't believe who I ran into." Virgil told her. He sat up straighter as his headache began to diminish.
"I'm sure your going to tell me." Sharon said sarcastically.
"Cassandra. She was one of the vampire's from the blood bank. She was collecting Rich's personal belongings. We fought hard. I tried to put a tracer on her, but she did something to me right after I zapped her so I could put it on her. Somehow I've gotten a piece of her floating around up here. Weird things have been happening to me all day. I can't explain it and it's driving me crazy!" Virgil explained.
Sharon looked at him amused. "Sounds like an improvement to me. Hmm if that girl was there and from what I gather she has something to do with Gear's disappearance than it's up to us to find out where he is. Did she say anything else that might help us?"
"No. Nothing that seems important. Wait a minute she did say something. She said those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat. She said something about learning from history and never repeating her mistakes. I wonder if she meant something by that. Wow something happening. I can see things in my head. Images like memories that don't make sense." Virgil told his sister while he clutched his head in agony.
"Sit down. Relax and tell me what you see and hear. It could be your experiencing one of her memories. It might be a huge help to us. Okay got my notebook and pen. Start talking Virgil and don't skip on any of the details." Sharon told him.
Virgil moaned a bit. He leaned back in the chair and his eyes went wide. Suddenly a bright light flashed in his mind. All of a sudden he was someone else in a very different time.
Flashback: French Mountain Range, 1355.
Running as fast as he could he climbed up the mountain path. He was panting hard and the weight of his sword and dagger slowed him down. His midnight black and blood red armor protected him from most injuries he suffered as he tracked his prey. A small pendent on a gold chain swung on his neck. He took a moment to rest and tie his long brown hair back in a French braid. Now wasn't the time for distractions. With a quick glance behind him he ran on.
"I don't have brown hair and I don't wear armor that protects my chest like this. Wait I'm seeing through the eyes of a girl! Now that is strange!" Virgil thought.
He no she came to a stop behind a stack of boulders. She was panting hard. For the past three nights she had been tracking a trio of vampanzees who were terrorizing the French town of Bristol. Reports of bodies drained of blood and throats slashed had reached the Vampire Council. Victor had sent her to deal with the problem. She had already slain two vampanzees. She only had one more to deal with.
"I must find the last vampanzee and slay him. I better be careful. Sunrise is in one hour." Cassandra whispered to herself. She steadied her breathing and took a deep breath. She listened to the night air and heard her prey. It sounded like he was devouring his latest victim. Gripping her dagger she counted to three before jumping on top of the boulders. "Murlough! Stop right there!" she yelled.
Murlough the vampanzee looked up and snarled. His bright purple skin was covered in blood. The blood matched his red hair, eyes, teeth, and nails. He wore nothing more than a simple pair of brown pants and blue shirt. "Vampire! So my wayward cousins send a little one to deal with me. Tell me something child do you really think you can defeat me?" Murlough asked as he dropped his prey.
"You and your kind have terrorized this town long enough. I have already slain you friends. Make this easy for yourself and surrender and I'll make your death quick and painless," Cassandra informed him. She tightened her grip on her dagger.
Without warning Murlough jumped on top of her sending her straight through the boulders demolishing them. Drawing back his fist he punched her in the face breaking her nose. She struggled but it was no good. Vampanzee were stronger and faster than vampires. Drawing her leg back she kicked him in the groin. Murlough gasped in pain and she rolled away in pain as he let her go.
"You won't beat me you monster. I won't let you!" she yelled shooting her nails at him. Murlough swiped them away with his claws. She levitated into the air knowing vampanzees had lost the ability to levitate but had gained a new one. Because vampanzees drained all their victims' blood they absorbed their spirit and that persons abilities.
She flung her dagger straight at him hoping to slice his throat wide open. He caught the dagger and broke it in half. "I drained some jugglers recently. You are seriously outclassed my lady." Murlough jumped into the air and grabbed her leg. He swung her around swinging her around bashing her head into the boulders. She crumpled to the ground and moaned in pain. She was covered in blood.
"I will take great satisfaction in killing you. This necklace snapped off you. Who would have believed that you're a princess of my most hated foes? Not to mention one of Victor's little chosen ones. When I destroy you my Lord will reward me greatly," Murlough laughed at her, he held her pendent in the air dangling it just out of reach.
Cassandra struggled to her feet. She drew her sword and used it for support. Her entire body rang out in protest. She brushed back her hair from her face. She would not give up. "May Damon take pity on your soul as I slay you. I will never allow such a monster like you report back to your Lord, that you defeat me. I am Cassandra Masters and you better pray. Because I'm the last face you'll ever see!" She growled. She partially collapsed to the ground panting hard.
Murlough grew his claws long. He approached his wounded prey ready for anything. The blood from his last meal still dripped from his fangs. He drew back his claws ready to bring them down on her neck.
Cassandra struck hard and fast! Using every last remaining bit of energy in her body she swung her sword upward and forward. She sliced his head cleanly off. It rolled to the ground as blood spurted from the body as it landed on the ground. He was dead. Cassandra collapsed to the ground satisfied that she had done her task. Her eyes closed as she passed out.
When she woke up she was being attend to by two other Vampire's Generals. Mika Vlat and Paris Skyler. They were two of the oldest vampires still alive. "Mika? Paris? Where where am I?" Cassandra asked weakly. She tried to move, but found that impossible.
"Shu don't try to move. Your right arm is broken and you have three cracked ribs and a concussion. You need to rest and recover your strength. You're in one of our safe houses. Victor is here and he's anxious to hear how you're doing." Paris told her.
"Your lucky we found you before the sun rose. Other wise you would be one dead vampire princess right now." Mika joked to her. He was cleaning her armor and fixing her dagger. Her sword lay to the side still covered in blood.
Victor appeared in front of her and knelt down next to her. "My child, how are you feeling tonight? I was so worried that we lose you. The rest of the clan is hurrying to check on you. Did you defeat our enemies?" He asked concerned.
"All of them have been slain. We have nothing more to worry about. This war won't go on forever." Cassandra told him. She closed her eyes and Virgil woke up panting. He looked at a stunned face. "You get that?" he asked weakly. She nodded still shaken by what he had described.
"So that's what she meant by history. Hmm Richie mentioned that the vampires had become organized by the middle of the Middle Ages. And just now I recalled an event where I was fighting a vampanzee. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Virgil asked his sister.
"I get where you're going. Richie was trying to figure out everything about the vampires. If we were able to piece together the mythology of vampires in every country then cross reference it with known instance in vampire history and regular history we might be able to track them. Maybe even find them and understand everything there is to know about them! Lets get cracking Virgil and remember no slacking!" Sharon yelled at him grabbing a book and started to read.
Two hours later they had everything labeled, filed, and documented. On a huge chalkboard a timeline had been set up. All the material was laid out in organized patterns. They finally had everything they needed on the bloodsuckers. "Richie wasn't kidding. There is a grain of truth to every vampire myth. I've also organized every country in the worlds beliefs about vampires or related creatures." Sharon said sitting down exhausted.
"I cross referenced regular history along side with theirs. If what I remembered was a memory I have determined along with all of Richie notes that vampires have existed since the dawn of humanity. Around 1008 there was a huge disagreement among the vampires. Some of their members didn't like leaving the blood carriers alive after they fed on them. They believed they should die. They also wanted to take over the world. So three hundred members broke away and became their own separate race. In scientific terms two hundred years isn't a lot of time for evolution but with already mutate DNA the vampanzees came into an existence. The war lasted from 1308-1408. All vampanzees were destroyed and all but a handful of vampires were killed. From then on I can track their movements. Well there's not much we can do tonight. Tomorrow is Saturday, lets go to the junkyard and practice. Till then I have homework. Lets go." Virgil told her using his power to turn off the lights.
Richie rolled around in the bed. He clutched the sheets and moaned. He sat up suddenly panting. He realized he didn't need his glasses. He turned to his right and saw Arra watering her plants. She was wearing a yellow bathrobe. "Good evening my love. Did you sleep well?" she questioned.
Richie rubbed his teeth hard trying to stop the itching. His fangs had grown in and he wasn't use to them yet. "I had a strange dream. I was in a plantation house and it was on fire. I saw two boys one Larten, the other I have no idea who he was, were fighting. The house collapsed on top of them. Was that how he died?"
She nodded her head and wiped her tears away. "Kurda the only other person we blooded betrayed us. He was an orphan that we took in on Larten request. He revealed what we were to some plantation owners who burned the house down. Larten killed Kurda and perished in the flames. I didn't even get to perform funeral rights for him. There were no ashes to scatter to the winds so his soul may enter Paradise. Now go take a shower and change clothes in your room. Siba set it up earlier its right across the hall from me. Then join us for dinner were having pancakes in the dinning room. Bye." With a quick kiss she was gone.
Richie enjoyed his long hot shower. He could already sense some of his vampire powers. He tried to control some of them but he didn't do so well. He knew through his telepathic bond with Arra that he had a photographic memory, which was neat. But what Siba had done to his room was even cooler. After fetching Backpack and putting on fresh clothes he hurried downstairs to dinner or breakfast depending on how you looked at things.
"After breakfast your going to be trained in the way of the vampires. You have much to learn Richie. For to long you've depended on your inventions to fight. I will be teaching you how to fight with weapons while my sweet Selena teaches you how to fight unarmed. Kathren will teach you about our culture while Cassandra and Arra teach you to use your powers. Merton and Siba will help you with anything else you need. You will not rest till we go to sleep tomorrow is that understood?" Vanez asked, Richie nodded his head in agreement. So after cleaning up the dinning room they started their training.
Saturday came and both Static and Sparkles were in the junkyard practicing their powers. Sparkles were getting more control over her abilities. She could magnetize things, create electromagnetic pulses, and nova burst. "Can you believe this baby brother? Only a few days ago I was a normal teenager. Now I'm one super cool superhero. So have we come up with a way to stop these creatures and save Richie? I heard his parents filed a missing person report last night." Sparkles said using her powers to cling stuff to the chain fence.
"Yeah they're seriously tripping. I don't know what to tell them. Mr. And Mrs. Foley? The good news is I know that your son is alive; the bad news is that a bunch of vampires have him. I have no clue how were going to beat them. Garlic only was used to repel the scent of the dead, religious symbols banish them only because of their own religion and that the Catholic church sanctioned it, and they have to invite you into their home not the other way around. Unless we can find a weakness they got us beat." Static admitted
"Well through all my readings I kept coming across a mentioning of a stone of great power. It was called the Bloodstone. It contains blood of every vampire that ever walked the earth. It can be use to find a vampire and magnify their powers tenfold. If we could destroy it we might save Richie." Sparkles suggested.
"I hope your right because the blood drive/charity dance is in one week. You know their bound to strike there. Lets hope we can stop them in their tracks fast even if we have to use stakes." Static said.
Richie had been up for hours. He had finally learned to control his new abilities and was ready. He had finished modifying Backpack and had started on his new inventions. "Look out Dakota City. Gear is back and he's ready to take on some Metahumans. Hmm I wonder if Bang Baby blood taste like cherry Kool-Aid?" he asked laughing loudly.
