Chapter : {Four}

Several years ago...

Tom Marvolo Riddle's eyes darted around the dingy French pub and he wondered, not for the first time, what he was doing here.

Not in the pub, specifically, but here in Europe hunting some ridiculous Muggle legend that couldn't possibly be true. He had other business to attend to. More important business. Immortality business.

But the horcruxes were coming along slowly, and if there was any chance – any chance – that this... Castlevania was not some sort of Muggle delusion, well, Tom Riddle just had to find out.

This Lord Dracula... not even the wizards knew quite what he was all about. From what Riddle could gather through ancient lore and hearsay, Dracula appeared along with his castle once every hundred years. Well, roughly every hundred years. VERY roughly every hundred years.

And rumors persisted, everywhere, of a castle mysteriously appearing somewhere out in a barren French countryside.

Riddle was not certain what he hoped to gain from this Dracula, if he existed. Perhaps there were lessons to be learned. After all, it was said Dracula was in command of Death himself. A true Dark Lord, to be sure, and one Tom might perhaps learn from for his own intentions.

Or, Riddle might be there to destroy the vampire and rid himself of the one true threat to his rise to power that he was aware of. (Dumbledore, the menacing old fool, doesn't count. He will die in so much pain... and soon.)

Tom Marvolo Riddle was truly not sure which was the case.

If Dracula was even real.

Tom shook his head and took another sip of the slosh that they tried to pass for beer. He would kill – literally, kill – for some genuine French wine in his cup, but the people that knew the things he wanted to know tended not to frequent the sort of places that knew the first thing about fine beverages.

A whispered word from the corner of the room caught Tom's attention.

"...Castlevania..."

Riddle muttered an incantation that enhanced his hearing under his breath. Trying not to be obvious, he cocked his head a bit to make out four figures huddled around a small circular table in a very unlit pocket of the bar.

"...suicide mission, Genya," he heard one of them saying. "There's no chance we're all coming out of this alive."

"We all don't have to," the one called Genya responded. "We only have to ensure that Julius lands the killing blow. Nothing else matters."

"But Genya-"

"He's right, Yoko," another voice solemnly chimed in. "I might be the last Belmont. We have one shot to end this forever. We can't blow this one, no matter what it costs."

"I know, I just-"

"Shh!" Genya interjected. "We're being listened to."

Riddle was taken aback, though he tried very hard to show no visible signs of such. How could anyone detect his magic here? The man was certainly no wizard...

Riddle risked a glance back at the corner. Genya was staring directly at him.

With no other recourse, Tom beckoned the man to come sit beside him at the bar. Genya obliged, and sat down in the stool.

"You were spying on me and my companions," said the man. "I do not appreciate that."

"My apologies, but you were discussing something I have taken an interest in."

"There is nothing in Castlevania for you but death. Go home."

Riddle sneered. "You will not presume to command me around, stranger."

"You are obviously in possession of great power," said Genya, "But believe me when I say mine is greater, and even greater still is Castlevania. So do not threaten me, and do not presume to have even an inkling of the horrors within that place. Go home."

"I have heard your companion's plot to destroy the lord of the castle. If you provide me with information, I will keep what I have overheard here to myself."

Genya laughed. "He already knows we are coming. There's nothing you could say that would help or hinder us. This is the way things have always been."

"Then I suppose we have nothing to offer each other." Riddle stood up to leave. "I wish your companions luck, believe it or not, but I do hope you will wait to slay the vampire until after I have had a chat with him. Good day."

Riddle exited the pub with a smile. Things couldn't be more perfect. If this little ragtag group could actually destroy the Lord Dracula, then Riddle could very well get everything he wanted; Dracula's knowledge and his death. He could have his cake and eat it too.

"Which reminds me," muttered Tom to himself, "I really must get some cake before I depart."

It didn't take much torture for the farmer to tell Riddle the precise location of this new mystery castle. Of course, that did not stop Riddle from continuing to torture the man for some time, something which he found so enjoyable he might still be doing so if not for the fact that he was in a slight race against these vampire hunters as to who would reach Dracula first.

"I shouldn't have stopped for cake," mused Tom. "I would have had more time for torture. Torture is better than cake."

The mighty castle loomed before him, and it was most unimpressive. From what he had heard, he was certainly expecting far more. Although it was slightly impressive, he had to admit to himself. It was quite large. And the dark and dreary spires would certainly inspire terror in lesser mortals. Fairly impressive, he supposed, as he now could make out the intricate architecture of the imposing and hideous gargoyles and other stone creations adorning the walls that he could not be positive were not truly alive.

Okay, it was totally awesome and he wanted it.

"Time for that later," mused Riddle.

The drawbridge lowered itself as he approached, saving him the trouble of finding a way in. He supposed Dracula wasn't actually all that interested in keeping people out of the castle. The trick was probably keeping them in.

Stepping through the massive portal, Tom found the interior to be even more impressive than the outside. It was like someone had taken his worst nightmare and twisted it into a thousand knots, and then sent it to hell and back.

"This is absolutely what my evil lair is going to look like," said Tom gleefully.

"You... are not expected."

Riddle turned to see a giant skeletal figure in a long, flowing cape and holding a massive scythe. "So the rumors are true, then," Riddle smiled.

"Why are you here?"

"I seek information from your master."

"Ah," said Death. "Then you are Lord Voldemort, and you are expected after all."

"What?" Tom was at a loss. "I have not made that name known yet. ...How do you know that name?"

"The master knows," said Death. "And the master waits for you."

Tom was yet again impressed with the elegant architecture and scope of the throne room, although this was less intimidating/frightening and more imposing. He presumed it an appropriate chamber for the Lord of Darkness. And for himself, as well.

Dracula sat in a towering throne at the end of the room, one leg crossed above his other. In one hand he held a goblet of red liquid, which Riddle presumed to be blood.

"Lord Dracula," said Riddle respectfully. He would acknowledge the vampire's title and stature, but he would not bow to him. He would not bow to anyone.

"And you as well, Lord Voldemort" Dracula nodded to him.

"Forgive me, but how do you know of me? Of... my name?"

Dracula smirked. "When one is dead, one finds themselves with a surprising amount of awareness. I am but recently returned, and I am soon to leave again as my son and his allies are already on their way. Yours is a very violent soul. It... drew me. I have watched you for some time."

"Even that time that I..."

"Especially that time."

Riddle wasn't entirely sure he was comfortable with the sexual implications of that statement.

"Come," said Dracula. "You must be tired from your journey. You may use my chambers to rest."

"I intend not to stay long. I merely wish to ask you a few things and I will be on my way..."

"Yes, that is fine," said Dracula. "But I wish to see my guest is well rested before I bore him to death with my prattle."

"...Very well, Lord." Two skeleton guards arrived on either side of Riddle and escorted him towards the back of the throne room. Tom began to get a very uncomfortable feeling that he was getting more than he bargained for by coming here.

INSERT HOT STEAMY GAY BOY SEX HERE

Riddle awoke to an empty room. He wasn't exactly sure how long he had slept, and he wasn't exactly sure he cared. He hastily threw on his clothes and crept hesitantly out of the room.

Dracula was back where he had first seen him, on his throne drinking blood.

"... Lord Dracula?" asked Tom hesitantly.

"Hmm? Oh yes, you. You're still here, are you? Shall I have someone show you out?"

Tom frowned. "What? But... last night... I mean, I thought we had a deal. You were to tell me..."

Dracula laughed. "I suppose this is your first lesson, young Lord Voldemort. People are only useful for as long as you have a use for them."

Riddle gritted his teeth. "You used me? You. Used. Me."

"And you're surprised?"

"After everything that I-"

"You are still alive, you insolent whelp." A flash of anger crossed Dracula's face. "THAT is as far as my gratitude goes. Now begone."

Riddle began to protest, but Dracula flicked his wrist and Tom suddenly found himself to no longer be where he once was. Instead, he was at the foot of the castle, apparently just in time to see Genya and his compatriots arrive at the castle.

"You," said Genya.

"Yes," grumbled Riddle. "Me. Alive and well, as you can see."

"So you are. And did you get what you came here for?"

Riddle thought for a moment. He had learned a lesson. A very uncomfortable one, but all the same... "Yes. I suppose I got what I came here for."

"That is fortunate," said Genya, "for in a few days time this castle will no longer exist in this world."

Riddle kicked a stone at Castlevania's foundation. "Good riddance."

With a nod, Genya returned to his companions as they walked solemnly through the entrance to the castle.

"Hey Genya," Riddle called out after them.

"Yes?"

"Do me a favor and stab your father in the balls. A lot of times."

Genya nodded. "You're not the first, you know."

"I figured."

Without another word, the group disappeared into the castle. Tom waited for a moment before turning to leave. He was pretty much fed up with France anyways.

Time to get back to the important things.

Important-ish Author's Note:

Okay, I lied. Roman got inspiration for this chapter and wrote the largest portion of this as well, and when he cut out that scene and wrote, "Insert steamy gay boy sex here," well, I found that too hilarious. (He's straight, you know.) So.. yeah, if you're all too disappointed, I'll include the scene after the next chapter or something.

Warnings: Character Death, Violence, Sexual and Homosexual content, OOC, AU, OC, Vampire fic, more warnings to be added as they occur.