A/N: Here's chapter 18. Hope you enjoy! I think I'll have one more chapter to wrap things up. Please tell me what you think. Again I used some things from the movie, so if you recognize it it's from the movie and not mine.

18

The Final Battle

Anna took Verona's outreached hand and said, "What? How?…I saw your dead body." Verona pulled Anna to her feet and said, "I don't have time to explain." Verona looked around the room and said, "Where's the cure?" "Carl has it." Verona turned to the door and said, "Come on we don't have much time." Anna turned and followed Verona out of the room.

Dracula stood in front of the now transformed Gabriel. He looked at him in disbelief. How can this be? He began backing away from Gabriel when he heard a high-pitched scream in the back of his mind. He turned away from Gabriel and said, "Aleera?" He heard her scream again and knew what was happening; Aleera's time had come. He threw his arms in the air as he yelled, "Aleera…no!" He slowly turned back to Gabriel, eyes red with anger, and said, "This was your doing. Now you will pay with your life."

Gabriel stood as he saw Dracula transform into his true form. He lunged at Dracula hoping to end this quickly, but Dracula dodged his attack. Dracula began to fly up when Gabriel grabbed his wing and pulled him down. Dracula screeched and landed right on top of Gabriel, digging a talon deep into his shoulder. They both struggled to get free. Finally, Gabriel managed to kick Dracula off of him. Dracula flew across the room and slammed into the opposite wall.

As he hit the floor, he transformed back into his human form. He laid there for a moment before moving. He groaned as he felt his burning face that was now dripping blood. He sat up and glanced at Gabriel who was ready to charge. Gabriel began to run at Dracula when he too transformed back into a human. Dracula glanced through the window at the cloud-covered moon.

Dracula slowly rose to his feet and said, "We are both part of the same great game, Gabriel. We do not need to find ourselves on opposite sides of the board. Together we could rule the world; cover it in darkness." Dracula began walking towards Gabriel. Gabriel began backing away and said, "I will never join you. The order sent me here for a reason, and that was to kill you. I will not fail, I never fail." Dracula laughed and said, "Oh Gabriel, listen to yourself. You can't possibly believe that. You have failed. You've failed her twice. You have done nothing but fail."

Gabriel felt the curse return and looked at the moon. He watched the clouds move away from the moon as he transformed back into a werewolf. Dracula turned and flew at Gabriel. Gabriel had no time to react and was slammed into a spike that dug deep into his leg. Dracula flew back away from Gabriel and landed on a platform high above the castle floor. He watched as Gabriel pulled the spike from his leg. Gabriel limped as he walked to the other side of the room.

Carl ran down the bridge dodging Igor's attacks. Lightning was still crashing into the bridge making it hard to walk. Carl just kept on running. Up ahead he saw a wooden spear. He ran to it and grabbed it. He turned to see Igor in his face. Igor jabbed the rod at Carl. Carl dodged the attack and hit Igor on the back knocking him to the ground. Igor stumbled to his feet and grabbed Carl. Just then, another bolt of lightning struck the middle of the bridge causing part of it to collapse.

Carl grabbed a hold of the ledge and tried to pull himself up, but Igor was hanging on to his leg. Carl kicked Igor in the face several times, but it had no effect. The creature still had a firm grip on his leg. Carl could feel his grip loosening. He couldn't hold on for much longer. He then heard a voice, "Carl hang on we're coming." "Anna?" said the friar. "Hold on Carl."

Carl kept on kicking the creature in hopes he would let go. Carl's tired hands gave out and his grip on the bridge was gone. He began to fall, but then he felt someone grab his arm. He looked up and saw Anna. "Anna, pull me up." Anna turned and said, "Verona, I can't pull him up on my own." Verona ran to the edge and grabbed the friar's other arm. "Now pull", said Anna. The two women pulled Carl up on the bridge, bringing Igor with him. Anna drew her sword and thrust it deep into the creature's chest knocking him backwards. Igor stumbled a little before falling off the bridge.

Carl slowly got to his feet and said, "Thanks Anna, Verona." The friar stood there for a moment and then looked at Verona. His eyes grew wide and he jumped back. Anna grabbed his arm and said, "We'll explain later. Where's the cure, we need to get it to Van Helsing." Carl pulled it out and said, "Here it is." Anna grabbed the cure and ran to find Van Helsing followed by Carl and Verona.

Gabriel held his leg and looked for Dracula, who was watching him from above. Dracula shrieked and flew towards Gabriel and grabbed his arm. Dracula flew up taking Gabriel with him. Gabriel heard his arm snap under stress. He grabbed Dracula's foot with his other hand and tore deep into his flesh with his claws. Dracula screeched and let go of Gabriel sending him crashing to the floor. Dracula flew to the other side of the room before falling to the floor. Both creatures changed back into their human forms.

Anna, Verona, and Carl arrived seconds later. They stood in the doorway trying to spot Gabriel and Dracula. "Look there he is", said Carl pointing to Gabriel. "I don't see Dracula…maybe Gabriel killed him", said Anna as she began to walk into the room. "No", said Verona grabbing Anna's arm he's still here." "How do you know?" asked Carl. "Trust me. I just know. Stay here." Verona took a few steps into the room trying to spot Dracula.

Gabriel turned his head towards Verona and said, "Verona? Is that you?" Verona looked around one more time trying to spot Dracula, before running to Gabriel's side. "Gabriel", she said as she knelt beside him, "Come on, you have to get up." She took Gabriel's good arm and pulled him to his feet. She started to lead him out of the room when she heard Dracula. She looked to her side and saw him flying right for her and Gabriel. Gabriel grabbed Verona and threw her to the ground.

The moon slowly peeked out from the clouds. Gabriel changed once again as Dracula slammed into him. They rolled across the floor struggling to overpower each other. Gabriel rolled over on top of Dracula and bit deep into Dracula's neck. Dracula threw him off and watched the hideous creature melt into black ash.

Gabriel then turned his gaze to Verona who was still on the ground. He ran towards her ready to attack. Just then, Anna ran out in front of him. He slammed into her and knocked her to the other side of the room. "Anna, no", said the frightened friar. He pulled his silver stake and said, "God forgive me." He ran towards Gabriel ready to strike. Gabriel turned and grabbed Carl's arm. Carl looked at the werewolf and saw the vial that held the cure sticking out of his abdomen. Carl dropped the stake and Gabriel let go of him.

Gabriel roared as the fur shed from his body. He turned to see Verona getting up from the ground. He ran to her and said, "Verona, I'm sorry." She took him in her arms and said, "It's all over. It's finally over." They turned to see a weeping friar. Walking to Anna. "No", he said quietly, "You cannot die. Anna." He knelt beside her and felt her wrist for a pulse. Gabriel and Verona walked up beside Carl. "Is she…" asked Gabriel. Carl's face had a sigh of relief when he said, "No she's alive." The friar carefully picked up Anna and looked at Gabriel. Gabriel nodded and said, "I agree let's get out of here." Carl led the way as Verona and Gabriel followed, glad that it was all over.

So what do you think? Was it okay? Also, do you think there should be one more chapter? Please review and let me know. I'd like to thank all of my reviewers once again. They are really helpful.

Thanks

P331