Chapter 20: Champion

Disclaimer: I do not own Castlevania.

Simon and Sonia ran for the tallest tower, hoping to come in time to help Alucard fight the tricky devil forge that was on his way to complete some rights when they ran into a large Minotaur that charged at them with a large axe. They ducked under the axe and then proceeded to both stick a dagger in each of his feet. The Minotaur pulled each foot up from the dagger with a mighty tug and then proceeded to resume chasing both of them with its axe raised above its head and as it came close it brought it down on the two who instantly moved out of the way, but before it could bring its axe back up, Vampire Killer wrapped around its ankle, pulling the monster off balance before h drove a dagger right between its eyes. They waited for a second, letting the silence fill the air of the corridor of the tower connector as they observed any movement in the creature that would give an indication of the creature being alive. After two minutes they were convinced it was dead and ran towards the tower, all other enemies had long since been dispatched by Alucard so it was very easy for them to run all the way up to the tower. The real trouble got as soon as they reached the tower and saw an object flying right at them with a great speed, forcing them to do a quick reflexive jump. As soon as they jumped, however, arrows started shooting out at them, but Simon was able to use his whip to block any attacks that were thrown at him and Sonia.

"It would appear that you have been able to best that monster, Mobius," said a voice from above them that belonged to a smirking Leto, who was holding a stone in his hand. "I thank you for that, for if you had not done that I would not be able to suck his soul and his power into this stone and use it for my own. Unfortunately, instead of thanking you I must kill you, but because you helped me so much I will only give you a swift painless death."

"Well it seems like you finally worked up the gall to face me, Leto," said Simon as he strode towards Leto and moved his head slightly to avoid the ball of fire that was thrown at him. "You're aim is just as terrible as Mobius's, you still pale in comparison to Dracula."

"You will not be so sure of yourself, Belmont, when I have you lying on the floor I pieces!" exclaimed Leto as he called further upon the power of the stone and let loose a swarm of bats that shot out at Simon, who simply froze all the bats. Sonia fired an arrow at the frozen swarm and every single last bat shattered into a million pieces.

"First your fireball missed, now your bats have cracked under the pressure, you're slipping, Leto," said Simon as he took his whip out and then cracked it at the Devil Forge, who avoided the attack by jumping away. "You should really stop running away, Leto, and face your fate, maybe then you're master will save you."

"My master is dead and I will be his steward until his return," shouted Leto before he made another maddening leap at Simon who waited for Leto to get close before stabbing his dagger into Leto's chest and kicked him away.

The Devil Forge flew back and hit the wall hard as he gasped in pain at the sudden attack. When he regained his senses his hands felt familiar warmth on his chest and he looked down to see the blood flowing, his eyes widened with panic and he started to breath heavily. His vision started to fail him as he was going into shock and he didn't notice the footsteps that were coming toward him, but he finally calmed down when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Lord Dracula, thought Leto as he looked up into the smiling face that he knew was his lord, even if the face and hair were a bit different. Leto gave one last smile before his eyes finally glazed over with his death and he was happy right then, to be able to see his master one last time.

"Well, Dracula, you finally show yourself to us after all this time," said Simon as he brought his whip to the ready, but Dracula seemed to be only focused on placing the dead Devil Forge into a coffin that was among other coffins.

"When did you find out about that," asked Dracula, no longer using the name of D. Schneider, his tone a bit amused at the fact that Simon had figured out his name puzzle.

"Sonia guessed it when we were climbing the stairs and then it was confirmed when I noticed that the crest that hold up your cloak had the initials D.T.," replied Simon as he smirked at Dracula. "Dracula Tepes."

"Yes, I am Dracula, though weak as I am from being called only by the disturbance and the use of this body has taken some of my strength," replied Dracula before he held out the stone. "Even this stone lacks the full power to help me regain my full strength and the best I can manage is a bit of sword play right now, but I have no interest in winning this time."

"Is that so?"

"Right now I only wanted to make sure that certain things were in order and I will now only fight you because it would be dishonorable to flee and I would hate the idea of being a sitting target for that whip of yours."

"I understand Dracula," said Simon as he unsheathed his sword as well and prepared to do combat with Dracula, who was unsheathing his own sword as well, a rapier by the look of it.

Dracula, though not at his full strength, was still quick on his feet and was easily able to maneuver his sword with his great strength, though weakened as he was. Simon, now having fought not stop for hours, was feeling the pains and aches of his previous battle so he was in just a bad a shape as Dracula as when they fought. When Dracula stabeed, Simon would parry and crack his whip with his left, but Dracula would then let go of his sword to move away while calling it back to his hand. It was the one thing that was giving Dracula any bit of an advantage over Simon, but Simon knew this and so he planned to capture the swod and disarm Dracula. This was a problem however, for whenever Simon tried to do this, the swod would turn into a hell flame that threatened to melt Simon's sword. The two fought on until they had crossed swords thirty times and then Dracula decided that he would try and call upon the weapon of his servent, Death, to attack Simon.

The problem with this was the fact that Dracula had not kept track of his own son who was at that moment breaking out of the barrier that Leto had trapped him in and was now fighting Death. When the scythe would not come, Dracula began to worry about his chances of winning this time, for even though he wouldn't be disappointed if he lost in the state he was in he still wished to rid himself of the Belmonts once and for all. Bringing his hand back, as if to hurl a fireball at Simon, Dracula called upon another one of his swords and attacked Simon with it, each sword moving flawlessly at Simon. Simon managed to keep up with the attacks, blocking each blow with his whip and sword before moving Dracula ever closer to a window curtain while feigning weakness. Dracula was too secure in his chances of winning so that he did not see the curtain that he cut, revealing the sunlight from the outside. The sunlight burned at his skin, causing him to become weaker until he was then brought down to his knees, but instead of cursing it all he merely laughed as Simon raised his whip in the air and cracked it down on the Lord of Darkness, destroying Dracula for the third time.

"We must go now," said Alucard as he looked at the two vampire hunters and motioned for the door as the ceiling started crumbling around them. Simon grabbed Sonia's hand and raced out of the door with her and they escaped from the castle, watching it crumble from the distance as they watched on.

Months later, Simon found himself waving goodbye to Alucard, as the dhampire wished to continue his sleep until he would be called upon again and he smiled as he saw that Simon was all dressed. The two shook hands before they departed and Simon let out a silent prayer for the dhampire that someday he would find inner peace. Then he raced back to the Belmont manor so that he could find his own inner peace as he donned the ceremonial dress for what would be the most important moment of his life. Everyone was waiting out in the yard of his manor as he came down to where the mayor and village priest were, the two talking to each other about certain matters that Simon knew he would have to solve someday. This was not his primary concern as his real concern lay with the woman who was coming down the aisle to begin the ceremony. The priest said his bit and then Simon and the woman both exchanged words to one another as they stared at each other and then the priest asked Simon the most important question.

"I do," said Simon as he looked into the eyes of the woman. The priest then turned to the woman who was not going to back down either.

"I do," said the woman and the priest smiled at this.

"I now pronounce you man and wife," said he priest as he brought their hands together. "You may kiss the bride."

Simon kissed his wife and then parted to look her in the eye and said, "I love you Sonia."

"I love you to, Simon," replied Sonia.

Author's note: Well this is my first castlevania fan fic and I hope I did well.