Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated to Castlevania. Konami has that honor. The original characters and story belong to me.

Castlevania

Millennium

By: Striker

Chapter Four: Hunt

A month had passed since Eric's group had fought Dracula's minions in the city of Tanner. Alucard had increased their training and had begun team exercises. During that time each person had gotten better. They had also grown mentally and emotionally during that time as well. Alucard had become pleased at how well they had improved and how they had begun to function as a unit. Gregory had watched as well and felt that it was time for the Belmont team to prove themselves.

The team had just finished running their night-time laps when Alucard called them to attention. "I have something important to say. It seems that your last battle with my father's forces has motivated you to become better. Your skills have advanced faster than I could have anticipated. You have also matured and have become adults. Because of this Gregory and I believe that the time has come to test your skills. Meet me in the meeting hall in ten minutes." Alucard left for the main building, leaving the team to wonder what the meeting was going to be about.

"What do you think is going on?" Kristy asked.

"I don't know." Eric replied. "Whatever it is, we should be ready for it."

"It could have something to do with Dracula." Cheryl said. "Alucard may want us to face some of his lackeys."

"It doesn't matter." Eric said. "We'll be able to deal with anything Alucard and Gregory throw at us."

Meanwhile Craig and Sophia were together as they usually were. Craig put down his sword and rubbed his shoulder. "Man, all this training really can wear you out."

"Want me to make you feel better?" Sophia asked, beginning to massage his shoulders."

"You know you always do." Craig said. They both began to giggle.

Amanda, Paul, Reis, and Drew were watching the scene go on. "There's something about this that doesn't seem right." Paul said.

"If you ask me it's kind of disturbing." Drew said. "I would understand if it was a human and a vampire getting cozy, but a Belmont and a vampire just seems wrong."

Reis slowly shook his head. "Alucard must be blind if he hasn't seen them."

"I know what you mean." Paul said. "They're hanging on each other every chance they get."

"I think the only reason this is being allowed is because Gregory is letting it." Reis said.

Amanda sighed. "Can't you guys just leave them alone? They're two people in love and nothing you guys say or do will change that."

"Like you and Eric." Paul said, winking.

"Yes, like Eric and me." Amanda replied flatly.

Kristy, Eric, and Cheryl walked over to the group. "God, are they at it again?" Kristy asked, seeing Craig and Sophia.

Drew nodded. "Someone should get a hose before they really get into it. Since when did this camp become a dating service? I can't wait to see who hooks up next."

"It could be Paul and Kristy." Amanda remarked.

Paul looked at Kristy and started to head for the main building. "I'm getting something to drink before the meeting." He said, sounding uncomfortable. "See you inside."

Kristy looked down at the ground. "Whatever. Just don't keep us waiting."

Cheryl watched the scene and turned to Kristy. "Is it me or don't you two barely talk to each other? For the last two weeks you two have been avoiding each other whenever you can."

"Back off Cheryl." Kristy snapped. "You should worry about your own personal life." Kristy stormed off leaving her friends confused.

"What the hell is her problem?" Reis said. "I'll never understand how any of you think." Reis left as well and headed for the main building. The others soon followed.

Cheryl stayed where she was with her eyes closed thinking about what Kristy had said. Eric walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." Cheryl replied, looking at her brother. "I'm fine."

"Is it about Alucard?" Eric asked.

"It's just that everyone keeps telling me that I'm wasting my time and that it's wrong." Cheryl replied. "Don't tell me that you're going to tell me the same thing."

Eric shook his head. "It's none of my business to try and interfere with your life. Whatever happens I'll be behind you. Honestly though, I don't know how Alucard will take this. Try to understand that this might not work. We better hurry; we don't want to keep the other waiting."

Cheryl nodded and she and her brother left for the meeting.

Gregory cleared his throat before speaking. "Alucard and I have been watching your progress and we have come to the conclusion that you need actual experience in battle. So far you have spared with opponents in this training facility. Your first real combat was in the city and in that you did well. Now it is time to see if you have what it takes to hunt down and destroy your enemies. There is a small town in Montana called Potsdale. People there have been attacked by strange creatures. You will go there and eliminate these creatures, if there are any. You leave immediately."

"There is a helicopter waiting out back." Alucard added. "Get your equipment and be on board in fifteen minutes. I will come with you."

The group got their things and arrived at the helipad behind the main building. A large Chinook helicopter was ready to go. Eric walked over to Alucard. "How did Gregory get this?"

"He owns several companies in the U.S." Alucard replied. "It is through his wealth and resources that we are able to train at this compound. To win this war we will need more than just your skill and strength. Now get on board, we leave soon." The team got on board the Chinook and soon they were on their way to Potsdale.

The helicopter landed in a clearing a few miles outside of Potsdale. Alucard exited the aircraft followed by the rest of the party. He waited until everyone was outside before he gave his instructions. "Most of the attacks have taken place north of the town. We'll start there and see if we can find where the attackers are hiding. This region is full of hills, so we may have to search caves."

"What if these monsters work for Dracula and this is all a trap?" Craig asked.

"This may all be a set-up to lure us out in the open." Kristy added.

"I doubt that very much." Alucard replied. "But that possibility cannot be ruled out. We'll start immediately. Keep up your guard and be ready to fight at any moment." Alucard led the group into the forest surrounding the clearing.

"What do you think could be running around here?" Paul asked, searching the trees.

"We could find vampires, werewolves, or worse." Drew answered. "My bet is that we find something worse."

Sophia grimaced as she looked at the trees. "This is going to be a problem. With all these obstacles I won't be able to use my blade at a distance. Amanda is going to have trouble with her bolts, not to mention Eric getting his whip tangled in the branches."

"Good thing we have close range weapons." Craig said, taking her hand and squeezing it.

"That's if you can hit the target." Paul joked.

"Stay alert two guys." Cheryl scolded. "We can't get caught with our pants down."

Reis was at the head of the group with Alucard. He saw tracks on the ground and held his hand up. "I see something, could belong to out targets." Reis walked over to the tracks and stooped down. The tracks looked like they were made by a large animal. "Looks like we're hunting werewolves."

Alucard joined Reis and studied the tracks. "There appears to be three sets. One of them must be the alpha. One set of these prints are bigger than the others. We may be dealing with a good-sized pack of between five to ten."

"All the victims were torn up pretty good." Reis said. "This pack must not be recruiting."

Eric walked over to the two men. "Where do you think they are?"

Alucard stood up and looked into the dark woods. "My guess would be a cave in the hills." Alucard turned to the rest of the team. "Be careful. Our opponents are werewolves and that makes this mission dangerous. For all we know they may be hunting us right now."

"Good thing most of us have silver weapons." Drew said.

Amanda made her way over to Eric's side. "This doesn't sound good. Maybe we shouldn't have come here."

"I'm sure we'll be fine." Eric said, trying to reassure his girlfriend. "If any of those werewolves are around Alucard and the others will know."

"We have company." Reis said. "I don't know where, but we have someone watching us."

"Great, where are they?" Paul asked.

Kristy readied her lance. "How many do you sense?"

"One person hiding in the brush." Reis replied. "I don't know exactly where…"

Before Reis could finish a man with black hair burst out from the wood and aimed a rifle at the stunned group. "You're not the one I'm after." The man said with a heavy southern accent. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing in these woods?"

"I could ask the same of you." Alucard countered. "We're here on business that doesn't concern you."

The man looked at each team member and their weapons. "Judging from the toys you have and the fact that four of you smell like vampires I'd say you are here for the same reason I am." The man lowered his rifle. "Name's Gene Baxtor. You could say that I'm a freelance hunter. I take it you folks are in the same business. Do yourselves a favor and back off. These bastards are mine. A friend of mine got killed by one of those pricks. I'm here to settle the score."

"One person against a whole pack?" Craig asked. "How the hell do you think you'll survive?"

"He's a werewolf." Alucard said. "That's the only way he could have told that some of us are vampires."

"It's kind of hard not to pick you out." Gene said to Alucard. "That all black ensemble makes you stand right out. Now, just to satisfy my curiosity, who are you people?"

"My name is Eric Belmont." Eric said. He began to gesture to each person. "This is my sister Cheryl, my brother Craig, and my friends Amanda, Paul, Kristy, Alucard, Sophia, Drew, and Reis."

Gene's jaw almost dropped. "You don't mean Belmont as in the Belmont clan of vampire hunters? And you don't mean Alucard as in Dracula's son?"

"That's us." Craig said. "We must be more famous that we thought."

"That's the biggest understatement of, well, forever." Gene said. "All my kind has heard of the Belmonts. The single best family of vampire hunters in history. Everyone knows about your brawls with Dracula. Alucard's pretty famous as well. Didn't expect to find any of you out in the middle of nowhere. Those pricks must have pissed off the wrong people."

"This is a training mission." Alucard said. "We're here to stop the werewolves and allow these people to gain experience in battle. We don't care why you're here or your motivations." He turned to the rest of the group. "Let's go, we don't have time to waste."

Gene snapped his fingers. "I know, I can show you where the pack is. I've been sniffing them out, so to speak, and I think I know what rock they're hiding under. You guys can do what you want and I can get some payback. What do you say?"

"It would make things a lot easier for us." Eric said to Alucard.

"It would be better than stumbling around these woods and walking into a trap." Cheryl added.

Alucard thought for a moment. "He could be lying."

"Alucard's right, this could be a trap." Reis said.

"If this is a set up, at least we can be ready for it." Amanda said. "Besides, he seems like someone we can trust."

Alucard nodded. "You have a point." He then turned to Gene. "Lead the way, but for your sake you better be telling the truth. If you are leading us into a trap you will regret it."

Gene put his hands up in defense. "Hey, I wouldn't even think about doing something that stupid. Follow me guys, our targets are this way." Gene headed off into the forest followed by Eric's group.

"I hope we don't regret this." Reis said.

"So do I." Alucard replied.

The group hid in the bushes outside a cave set into a cliff wall. Human bones were strewn around the cave entrance. Paw tracks led to and from the opening.

"This has to be the place." Kristy said.

"If this doesn't scream "werewolf den" then I don't know what does." Drew quipped.

Paul snickered. "Why don't they just hang a sign over it?"

Sophia turned to Alucard. "What's the plan? Do we charge in or wait for them to come out?"

Gene's ears perked. "I don't think we have to wait too long for the second option."

Just then a werewolf wandered out of the cave holding a thigh bone. It bit into it and snapped it in half before crewing on the part in its mouth. It looked around and stopped, sniffing the air. It smirked before letting out a howl. "Whoever is out there come on out. You can't hide from me." Soon six other werewolves joined him.

The largest of the wolves walked over to the sentry. "What is it?"

"We have a visitor." The wolf replied to the pack leader as it pointed towards the bushes.

"Great, we've been spotted. What now?" Craig asked.

Before anyone could say anything Gene walked out of the bushes and towards the wolves. "Howdy, nice night isn't it?"

"What the hell is he doing?" Cheryl asked.

"He may have given us the perfect chance to strike." Alucard said. "Amanda, ready a barrage. On my signal fire. The rest of us will attack then."

Meanwhile Gene was busy distracting the werewolves. "I see you've been pretty busy. If I were you though, I might want to hire a maid. You don't want any animals getting drawn to this place."

"You're the one trying to hunt us down." The pack leader growled. "It appears that you are outnumbered. Maybe you should run home before you end up like your friend."

"What make's you think I came alone?" Gene asked. As soon as he finished Amanda fired several bolts at the wolves. At the same time Gene transformed into his werewolf form. Eric's team charged from the bushes and attacked the stunned wolves.

Craig struck the first blow, cutting one of the werewolves on the arm. The beast howled as the cut burned. Craig looked at his sword and back at the wolf. "I love this sword." The wolf growled and swiped at Craig, forcing him to dodge.

Sophia and Drew rushed one of the werewolves. Drew ducked a swipe and rolled behind the beast, slashing it in the side as he did. Sophia threw her blade, cutting the werewolf's leg and forcing the monster to its knees. Drew then stabbed the wolf in the back of head killing it. Reis faced off with another werewolf. The beast slashed him across the face. Reis responded by smashing the wolf in its face with his mace. It fell to the ground and Reis finished the job by crushing its skull with his mace. Alucard was busy dodging the swipes from the werewolf he was facing. After dodging a swipe to the head Alucard stuck with a series of slashes, slicing the wolf up before chopping off its head.

The humans in Eric's team were holding up just as well. Eric lashed one of the werewolves several times. The wolf lunged at him and missed its target. Cheryl slashed the wolf twice and avoided a swipe. Eric took advantage of the wolf being distracted and wrapped his whip around its leg. He pulled, yanking the wolf's feet from under it. The wolf landed on its back and Cheryl sank her one sword through its heart. Paul and Kristy were taking turns swinging at another werewolf. The beast kept dodging each blow and swiped at both of its attackers. Kristy smacked the wolf in the side of its head with her lance. The wolf growled and reared back to hit her. Paul slammed his ax into the wolf's stomach, causing it to howl in pain. Kristy then stabbed it through the heart with her lance. Craig continued to fight with his enemy. He cut the wolf across the chest and rolled out of the way as the wolf brought its claw down. Amanda hit the wolf in the face with a bolt, which allowed Craig to kick the stunned monster in the back and knocking it face first to the ground. He then stabbed the wolf through the back, killing it.

While this was going on Gene fought with the pack leader. Both wolves rolled around, biting and tearing at each other. Gene managed to get on top of the leader and went to swipe at its face. The leader shoved Gene off of him and got up. He then knocked Gene to the ground with a backhand and pounced on him. Gene brought up his feet and caught the leader in mid-air. He then catapulted the leader into the rock wall of the cliff. The leader hit hard and fell to the ground. Before the leader could recover Gene pounced on him and tore out his throat. Gene spit out the meat and howled.

"Gross, but quite effective." Paul said.

Gene wiped his mouth. "Damn, looks like you guys wiped them all out. You defiantly live up to your reputation."

Drew saw the scratches on Reis's face. "Nice wound Reis. If you ask me it gives you character." Reis just groaned and pulled his mace from the dead wolf.

"This was easy." Craig said. "I thought this was supposed to be a challenge."

"These were only common werewolves." Alucard said. "These are nothing compared to my father's generals. Just because your skills have improved enough to handle lesser creatures don't think that you'll have an easy time with the enemies you faced in the city. Minotaur, Medusa, and the others are still more powerful than you. You did well, so let's go home."

"Do you mind if I come along with you?" Gene asked. "I could be of some help and I have no place else to go."

"We could use him." Eric said. "He appears to be a good fighter. It wouldn't hurt."

"Fine, you may come with us Gene." Alucard said. "Welcome to the team."

A crow flew in through the window of Dracula's cold lair and landed on the Death Knight's shoulder. "My lord, our enemies have returned to their hideout. They were in some battle. They may be exhausted."

Dracula, who was seated at his throne, stood up. "Now is the time for us to attack. The Belmonts' guard will be lowered and they will be too weak to fight. Prepare a unit to attack their base. This will all end tonight." Dracula's followers quickly began to mobilize for the attack while Dracula laughed evilly to himself.

Eric's group made their way to the dorms. Before they entered Alucard spoke to them. "You all did well tonight. However, do not get overconfident. The following battles will not be as easy. Tomorrow we continue our training. Goodnight."

Everyone entered the dorms as Alucard walked away. Eric turned and saw Gene looking around the compound. "This is some place you have." Gene said.

"It's not much, but we call it home." Eric said. "I'll show you to a spare room we have."

"Hey, you were serious when you said I could join you guys?" Gene asked, hoping Eric would say yes.

Eric nodded. "You were a great help to us earlier and we need all the help we can get. Alucard said it was alright, so let me formally welcome you aboard." Eric held out his hand.

Gene shook it excitedly. "You won't regret this at all." Gene said.

Later that night after everyone had gone to bed Cheryl made her way outside. She saw Alucard in the middle of the field practicing. "What are you doing out here at this time of night?" Cheryl asked playfully.

"I don't need sleep that you require." Alucard replied flatly. "You should be asleep now. Go back to your room."

"I just wanted to talk to you about something." Cheryl said, looking at the ground. "I was wondering if you have someone special in your life right now, or if you would want someone like that?"

Alucard sighed. "I can tell where you are going with this. I've dealt with this issue many times before. What you wish for can never happen. What you think you feel for me is nothing but a simple crush. Sadly it must stay that."

"How can you say that?" Cheryl said, caught off guard by Alucard's response. "This is more than a crush, I love you. And maybe this can work out. All we have to do is try."

"There have been many women who have felt the same way about me that you do." Alucard said sorrowfully. "Every time I had to turn them away. Some of them I did develop feelings for, but for someone like me love is a luxury I can never have. I swore to myself that I would end my bloodline with me. For that reason for most of this century I have been in hibernation. We could become lovers, but in the end both of us would suffer. I would have to watch you grow old and die and you would have to watch me never age. For those reasons this can not be."

Cheryl hung her head. "So what am I supposed to do?"

"When this is over and my father is sealed away for another hundred years I shall leave." Alucard replied. "In time you will find someone else whom you shall grow to love." A cold feeling suddenly ran over Alucard's body. "Cheryl, get the others and arm yourselves, quickly."

"Why?" Cheryl asked.

"Just do it." Alucard snapped. Cheryl ran towards the dorms confused and frightened. Alucard raised his sword and looked around. "I knew it would be a matter of time before you appeared." Alucard spun around and found his father standing in the middle of the field. "Father."

"You disappoint me son." Dracula said. "We could have ruled this world together but you sided with my enemy. You bring shame to this family."

"Mother would never have wanted you to do this." Alucard spat. "She wanted you to forgive the humans. Not destroy them."

"They killed her, and for what, a god that doesn't even care about them." Dracula sneered. "I sworn that I would oppose God for all he has done to me. And if that means crushing his children then so be it."

Just then Eric's group rushed out of the dorm and gathered around Alucard. "Is that him?" Eric asked.

Alucard nodded. "That is my father, Dracula."

"So you are the Belmont children." Dracula said. "After looking at you I find it hard to believe my followers were not able to finish you off. And I see they have friends, both human and some traitorous vampires. It doesn't matter how many people you throw at me for you shall all die." The front gate burst open as the Bone Dragon pushed its way through. It was followed by Medusa, Death Knight, Minotaur, and a small army of skeleton warriors and lizard men. Death and the Harpy swooped down from the sky. Dracula pointed at his enemies. "Kill them all."

Gene transformed into his werewolf form. "I'll take big, tall, and hairy." He said, charging the Minotaur.

"Come on Fido." Minotaur growled. The two monsters collided and began to pound on each other.

"The flying bitch is mine." Sophia said, locking eyes with the Harpy.

"Reis, deal with the Death Knight. Drew, take Medusa." Alucard said. "I'll fight my father."

"Your opponent will be me." Death hoarsely said. He swooped at Alucard and swung his scythe. Alucard blocked just in time.

Paul raised his ax. "I'll take the walking boneyard." He ran up to the Bone Dragon. "I hope I know what I'm doing." He swung his ax at the Dragon's head. The creature reared back and breathed a stream of fire. Paul rolled out of the way. "Great, I had to pick the walking flamethrower."

"I'll take on Dracula." Eric said. "The rest of you take out the grunts."

"We'll help you after we take out these leftovers." Craig said. He ran up and smashed several skeletons. Cheryl and Kristy followed suit while Amanda began to fire bolts.

"Be careful Eric." Alucard said. "He's not like any other enemy you have faced."

"You should worry about yourself." Death exclaimed. He swung several times at Alucard, all of which the Dhampir blocked or dodged. He then threw a sickle which Alucard knocked away.

"You've gotten slow." Alucard sneered. "I was expecting more of a challenge."

Death chuckled. "Ask and you shall receive." The monster moved with blinding speed. Alucard saw Death disappear and look around for him. He felt a presence behind him and turned just in time to block a downward strike from a sickle. The point stopped right above his face. "Your time with the humans has made you soft. You can not beat me."

Alucard wrenched the sickle away with his sword. "We'll see."

Sophia threw her blade at the Harpy. The monster moved out of the way and rushed the vampire. She hit Sophia dead on and knocked her back. The blade hit the ground a few feet from where Sophia landed. The red-head ran for it, but the Harpy was quicker. "No you don't." The Harpy taunted as she grabbed Sophia and threw her past the blade. The Harpy quickly picked her up by the throat and lifted her into the air. "Is that all the pretty little vampire can do?"

Sophia smirked and retrieved a knife from her boot and cut the Harpy across the chest. "I learned a few things since the last time we fought." The Harpy let her go. As soon as she landed she jumped up and tackled the Harpy to the ground before punching her in the face. "Time to rearrange those looks of yours." The Harpy shoved her off and got back into the air. The two females then prepared to attack again.

At the same time Drew circled Medusa. "Come on you ugly bitch, let's see what you got."

"I'll turn you into a statue." The monster screeched. "She fired an eye blast at Drew. The vampire side-stepped the blast as it flew past him and hit a lizard man.

"Talk about friendly fire." Drew said.

"I think I'll let you meet my pets." Medusa sneered. Two snakes jumped from her hair and slithered towards Drew. They jumped to bite only to have Drew cut them up. Medusa sent more snakes the Drew sliced apart. He then ran at Medusa and jumped over her head. As soon as he landed on her back he sunk his claws into her hide. Medusa screamed and tried to shake him off. She succeeded in knocking him off with her tail.

Drew landed and rolled to his feet. "That has to sting. Someone's going to need some band-aids."

Meanwhile Reis and the Death Knight sparred with each other, smashing their weapons together. "I see you are strong." The Death Knight said.

"So are you." Reis replied. They clashed weapons again. This time the Death Knight pushed the weapons down and backhanded Reis. Reis shook off the blow and punched the Death Knight back. Both let go of their weapons and began to punch each other. After several shots which dizzied them both grabbed their weapons and smashed them together again. "Something tells me we'll be at this all night." Reis said.

Eric swung his whip at Dracula. "This is for my parents you murdered."

"Don't blame me; blame your ancestors who cursed you with this destiny." Dracula said. "Now accept your fate and die." Dracula fired a ball of energy that Eric barely managed to dodge. Dracula then levitated and flew at Eric with his fingers extended. Eric quickly snapped his whip at Dracula and landed a hit. The vampire recoiled from the wound. "Ah, the Vampire Killer Whip. So you think you can master it? I will make sure you die before you can fully use its power."

"What are you talking about?" Eric said. "I already have."

Dracula laughed evilly. "You have not. You hold back because you are still afraid. You're fearful that you will loose." Dracula suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind a bewildered Eric. Eric turned only to get hit by the Count. "And your inexperience is showing. You think killing a few pathetic weaklings will prepare you to face me. It will take years before you are even near my level of power. It is a shame that your parents didn't train you sooner." Dracula began to slowly walk towards Eric. The young man struggled to his feet in a daze. As Dracula neared Eric quickly snapped the whip up and hit Dracula in the face.

The Count reeled back as Eric stood up and grinned. "You're too cocky. No matter my family beat you every time. You underestimated us." Eric wrapped his whip around Dracula's leg and yanked him off his feet. Eric then drew a knife that was strapped to his belt. "Time to end this!" Eric exclaimed as he dived at the vampire.

Dracula turned to mist just as Eric stabbed him. He reformed and clapped his hands. "Bravo on that futile attempt. My son has taught you well, be not well enough." Dracula charged Eric with blinding speed and rammed into him. Eric was sent flying several feet. Dracula advanced chuckling as Eric weakly snapped his whip. The Count grabbed the whip and tore it out of Eric's hand. He looked at the whip as it burned his hand and cast it aside. "How pathetic that the fate of your family lies with you. Now, it shall end."

Amanda saw the danger Eric was in and ran towards him. "Craig, Cheryl, Eric's in trouble! We have to help him!"

"We'll clear a path, you help him." Craig said. He and Cheryl began smashing through the enemies between them and Dracula.

Amanda got a clear shot at Dracula and fired several bolts. The projectiles hit Dracula, who turned and fired a bolt of his own with a look of disdain on his face. Amanda froze and almost got hit if it wasn't for Cheryl tackling her out of the way. The bolt slammed into a skeleton, shattering it. "Thanks." Amanda said.

"No problem. Just looking out for my future sister-in-law." Cheryl replied with a smile.

"What?" Amanda asked.

"Since it seems you are eager to die, I will show you what happens to those who interfere." Dracula said, extending his hand.

"Cheryl, Amanda, get out of there!" Craig hollered.

Alucard heard Craig yell and turned towards his father. "Oh no, I have to save them." He said. He knocked away Death's scythe and punched him in the face, sending the specter sprawling to the ground. Alucard rushed his father with his sword ready. Dracula sensed his son and turned to mist. After Alucard passed through him he reformed and gripped his son by the next as the Dhampir turned.

"You have gotten in my way for the last time." Dracula said. "I am finally going to do something I should have done long ago." Dracula squeezed his son's neck. He then felt intense pair shoot through his side.

"Let him go." Cheryl said, her sword imbedded in Dracula's side. She withdrew her sword, forcing Dracula to let go of Alucard and grip his wound. Craig and Amanda joined her as she faced the Count. "Now you're going to have to face us."

"So be it." Dracula sneered.

Gene slashed Minotaur across the face. The beast gave him an uppercut and sent the werewolf flying. Gene managed to land on his feet and looked up to see Minotaur charging him. Gene hurdled Minotaur in the nick of time. Minotaur tried to stop, but found he couldn't and yelled. Gene saw the direction that Minotaur was heading. "This is going to be fun."

Drew stared down Medusa and thought of his next move. He then heard a noise and looked past her. "You may want to turn around."

"Do you think I'm going to fall for one of your tricks?" Medusa scoffed. She heard the Minotaur's bellowing and turned just as the beast crashed into her. "Get off of me you idiot." She hissed at the dizzy Minotaur.

"I told you to turn around." Drew said.

Paul dove out of the way of the Bone Dragon's snapping jaws. "I'm getting tired of you." Paul smacked the beast in the head, a move that caused it to breathe fire at its target. Paul rolled out of the way and jumped back as the Bone Dragon brought its claw down at him. The Dragon prepared to spray fire at him again when Kristy's lance hit it in the eye socket.

"Hurry up and kill that thing." Kristy said.

"Thanks, I own you one." Paul said. He ran next to the Dragons left side and drove his ax into its ribs, cracking three. The monster swung its tail at him, but Paul blocked the shot. Kristy yanked her lance out of the Bone Dragon's eye and stabbed it the neck. The Dragon tried to claw at her but she got out of the way. "We really pissed if off." Paul said, joining her.

"At least it knows that we mean business." Kristy replied.

The Death Knight swung at Reis's head and missed. He then blocked one of Reis's strikes. "You are foolish to think that you can defeat me, young vampire."

Reis blocked a blow from the Knight. "Want to bet?" Reis pushed the Death Knight away and swung at his sword with tremendous force, knocking the sword out of the Knight's hands. He then grabbed the Death Knight. "I think it's time you got closer to your partners." He threw the stunned Knight at the Bone Dragon. The Knight slammed into the Dragon's right side, breaking several ribs. "That'll teach you to underestimate me." Reis said.

Paul whistled and turned to Reis. "Thanks for the assist."

Reis picked up his mace. "Who said I was helping you? He was just starting to piss me off."

Sophia threw her blade at the Harpy. The monster evaded the blade and kicked Sophia in the face. "Still think you can be me? You got lucky before, this time I …" Before she could finish Gene tackled her.

"Maybe you should see what's going on around you." Gene said. "You'll live longer."

The Harpy shrieked. "Get off of me you filthy mutt." She shoved him off her and got to her feet. "I'm going to neuter you."

"I think I'm the least of your problems." Gene said, pointing past her.

The Harpy was going to say something when a wolf with red fur bit into her arm. The Harpy screamed as she tried to get the wolf off her. The wolf let go and began to circle her. "So the little vampire turned into a wolf. It still won't help you." The Harpy sneered.

Dracula began to fight Cheryl, Amanda, and Craig. He found it difficult as each time he avoided one of their attacks the other two hit him. He soon found himself getting weaker. "Death, kill the Belmont boy."

"Yes my Lord." Death said.

Amanda ran towards Eric. "Leave him alone." She fired a few bolts, but they did not affect the specter. She got between him and Eric and charged up one more bolt. Before she could fire Alucard stepped in front of her and blocked Death's scythe.

"Check on Eric, I'll fight Death." Alucard ordered. He began to duel with Death. Cheryl saw Alucard fighting and threw one of her swords at Death. The blade sunk into his side as Death screamed. He pulled the sword out, giving Alucard enough time to slash the specter across the chest.

Amanda checked on Eric. "Are you OK, can you hear me?

Eric, who was still dazed, tried to shake out the cobwebs. "I feel like a truck ran over me. Where's Dracula?"

"Your brother and sister are fighting him." Amanda said.

"They have to get away, he's too strong." Eric said as he tried to stand up.

At the same time Dracula took advantage of Cheryl's distraction with Alucard to grab her by the throat. "It's foolish to throw away your weapon." Craig buried his sword into Dracula's side, but the Count batted him away. He then threw Cheryl at Alucard. Alucard only had time to prepare himself before Cheryl crashed into him. "Now that you are out of the way, it is time to finish what I started." Suddenly Eric's knife pierced Dracula's chest just above his heart. He looked towards where Eric was to find that the young Belmont had used the last of his strength to throw the knife. Dracula pulled the knife from his body and fell to his knees, his wounds finally having an effect. He looked at his minions to find them defeated or in trouble. "Death, get us out of here. Don't think this is over, next time you will all die."

Death nodded and opened portals near Dracula's minions. The monsters quickly retreated into the portals. Everyone breathed a sign of relief. Sophia turned back into her human form and spit out the Harpy's blood. She saw Craig and ran over to him. "Are you hurt badly?"

"I'm fine." Craig replied, picking himself up. "Whoa, what happened to you?" He said when he saw the blood around her mouth.

Sophia wiped her face. "I had a little snack, but I think I got food poisoning."

"Are you all right Cheryl?" Alucard asked.

Cheryl shook her head. "Yeah, given the circumstances. How's my brother?"

Amanda helped Eric up. "He'll be fine."

"Alucard, you were right." Eric said. "He was too strong. I'm not ready to fight him, none of us are."

"Then you must get stronger than him." Alucard said. "And we must be prepared for him to attack again."

"But how did he find us in the first place?" Paul asked.

"Isn't it obvious, we were followed." Reis said. "It must have been when you went to the city. One of his soldiers must have trailed us here. I bet Dracula was plotting this for days."

Gene surveyed the battleground. "The good news is that we're all alive. They could have crushed us all like bugs." Gene's ears picked up and he looked to his right.

"What is it now?" Kristy asked.

Gene smirked. "Leftovers." He tore towards the shadow of the dorm building, causing a lizard man to run for its life. Gene pounced on it. "Looks like we got a straggler. I bet he can tell us where his boss is."

Alucard walked over to the monster and crouched down. "You will tell me where my father is and how he found this place. If you don't you will die."

"It doesn't matter." The monster replied. "You will kill me anyway. I will never betray my master."

"Reis, Drew, interrogate this creature." Alucard ordered. "I want to know where my father is hiding. I must find Gregory; it is no longer safe here."

"I'm already here." Gregory said, approaching the group. "I saw the whole battle. Several of Dracula's minions tried to kill me. My assistance took care of them. I knew that eventually Dracula would find this place. I have another secure location ready. We can leave immediately."

Alucard nodded. "While we pack Reis and Drew will question the prisoner. I want this to be done within the hour. Those who need rest can take this opportunity to recover."

"Just one moment." Sophia said. She threw her blade at the roof of the dorm, cutting the Death Knight's crow in half. "Now we can go."

Author's Notes: Another big, beautiful battle. Dracula finally flexes his muscles. One last chapter and this baby is over. Lot's of things going on and they all come to a head in the conclusion. You better check it out.

I'm not crazy; it's all the other people who are insane.

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