Chapter 11
Krakens, Mermaids, Vampires, Oh My!
Life is unfair.
Love is strange.
Tragedy happens in unimaginable ways.
Zings are lost, separated through time.
Through distance.
But love is never lost.
Love has hope.
Hope gives love strength to carry on.
No matter how long or far.
Hope and love never fail.
And that hope will lead to a lost love,
So zings may be together...
Again...
Forever.
"Johnny… Johnny… Johnny!" thought the small, blue eyed bat flying over the ocean as fast as her small wings could carry her. Mavis wanted to get to that island now! All she could think about was Johnny. That mermaid, Ianessa, her description of the man with red hair; unruly, unkempt, and a long red beard now, certainly sounded like Johnny without the long beard. But being over two years, anything was possible. Two years. Two long and lonely years.
Clouds started to build as she flew to the north. A couple drops of rain started to come down on her furry head. She wasn't fazed by the light and steady rain that followed but worried for Brett, Kent, and her new human friends. The seas were otherwise calm so there was no imminent danger to them. This brought relief to Mavis. She then continued her flight, concentrating on getting there as fast as possible. She was deep in her thoughts. Again not paying attention to her surroundings. She didn't realize what was happening around her until it was almost too late.
A splash was heard from the sea below the vampire. A dark tentacle came up to reach her. Seeing what was coming at her just in time, Mavis swerved out of the way with inches to spare. She spotted where that tentacle came from as the menacing head of the kraken known as Idris appeared out of the turbulent waters.
"You are going nowhere vampire!" Mavis heard in her head. More tentacles came at her. She was able to safely dodge, kick, or punch them out of the way. Soon it seemed more and more of Idris's tentacles came at her. He also tried to swallow her but she was just too quick.
"Stand still rat and I will make this painless for you!"
"Why are you doing this to me?" asked Mavis as she breathed heavy from dodging so much. She couldn't keep this up for much longer. She tried to get away but the kraken's tentacles made her redirect her flying away from where she wanted to go, causing her to fatigue quicker. Dodging one too many of Idris's attacks, she saw one tentacle and dodged it when in fact, there were two. It was too late. She got wrapped up in the second one after failing to see it and avoid it in time. She screamed in pain as the tentacle tightly squeezed her. She was now being drawn to the large sea monster's head.
Mavis was afraid at what she saw. A pair of red, menacing looking glowing eyes, large and lidless stared at little bat Mavis. She saw large, razor sharp teeth protruding out. She did not want to think or see how many other teeth this evil beast had. The rest of his body was as black as the night. If it wasn't for his shimmering scales, splotched all over his head and body, Mavis would have never seen him. She was terrified what was going to happen next. The vampire struggled to get free. Too weak from her aerial aerobatics, she had no way of breaking the strong grip of the kraken.
"Now, you rat, your story ends here… tonight." Idris said as he smiled at the vampiress's misfortune. Mavis's little heart sank. She didn't want this to be the end. She wanted to at least see Johnny one last time. On the other hand, if it wasn't Johnny on the island and he was actually dead, she hoped to be able to spend her eternity with him wherever she may end up at the end of all this.
The tentacle holding Mavis slowly got closer to Idris's face. His huge mouth opened showing thousands of razor sharp teeth, ready to shred anything. Mavis's fear was replaced with a sense of acceptance on what would happen next. She closed her eyes to spare herself from seeing her imminent death. Her mind just flashed back to all the good times from her first scorpion hunt with her father, her aunts and uncles, there werepups, friends. A first encounter, a zing. The first sunrise, the party. Her first kiss, heartbreak leading to a misunderstanding and forgiveness. First trip to Hawaii, visiting Johnny's family, them learning the secret, more trips, Hawaii again, and… the ring.
She was waiting for it to be all over in a second until the tentacle holding her suddenly let go of her. She regained herself and found out the tentacle was slapped away and Idris's head was pushed away by Drakon, just in the nick of time. With a roar Idris regained himself and started a power struggle of tentacles with his brother kraken as Mavis looked on in suspense.
"Back again Drakon to die? So soon?" Idris chortled.
"Why must you attack innocence when this is our fight, Idris?" yelled Drakon back at his brother. The behemoth sea beasts fought. Although Drakon was smaller compared to Idris, he was very strong and was able to hold the evil kraken from going after Mavis again.
Tentacles intertwined one another, each trying to gain supremacy. Some tentacles ran free from both monsters as they hit and slapped one another. Idris tried to use his sharp teeth as a weapon against his foe just to be struck back until he caught one of Drakon's tentacles. His sharp teeth ripped through Drakon's tentacle with ease. A roar of pain from Drakon told Mavis that it was a painful blow to him but he never backed down. In fact, it seemed Drakon got stronger from being enraged with pain.
Fighting around the water, the mess of tentacles and krakens drifted toward Mavis. Being in awe at such a spectacle of dueling sea creatures, the small bat wasn't aware she was about to be in the middle of the conflict. A split second, she saw a tentacle almost reach for her. Flying out of the way in time, she saw the kind blue eyes of Drakon glance at her, almost begging her something.
"Little Dracula! Go and save your love! Staying here will be foolish! Go and fly fast little Dracula!" Drakon said as he held Idris back.
"You should listen to him Mavis," said a soft voice below her. Mavis looked down and saw Ianessa. She did not lose focus on helping Drakon by channeling her abilities to the blue eyed kraken to strengthen him. Mavis's daze cleared as strength returned to her.
"Right! Thank you Ianessa!" Mavis said as she quickly flew herself toward the northern island of Azelea and hopefully to Johnny.
Brett, his brother Kent, and crew looked over at the other ship that sail alongside them. The moon was full and shining through the clouds, just enough to see what that other ship had on it. They were in shock and surprised at seeing creatures that looked like crabs, but stood upright like humans. All of them were nervous until Barney decided would be best to introduce. Since the ships were sailing so close, Barney grabbed a rope and swung himself over to meet the humans.
"Ahoy humans!" said Barney to the startled humans. "Who be in charge?"
Brett felt a lump in his throat as he tried to gulp it down. It was strange to meet a new creature. Ever since knowing Mavis was a vampire, his mind and imagination wondered about other mythical beings that were real. And he was right. With only a few seconds of hesitation, Brett stepped forward to greet himself.
"I am. My name's Brett and you are?" asked Brett.
"The name's Barnacle Barney. You can just call me Barney." Barney held out his claw as what appeared to be a request for a hand shake. Brett reluctantly but still put his hand out and shook the crustacean's large, red claw.
"What brings ye humans out this far?" asked Barney.
"My brother was lost at sea out here. Well… may be alive now on that northern island. We were on a voyage to his memory," replied Brett.
"Ah. So you are the brother of the man that Miss Mavis is engaged to?" said the crustacean. Brett just nodded his head. "I'm sure all of you have never seen someone like me before," said Barney as she spoke to the rest of Brett's crew. "Don't worry lads, we are friendly. But I must ask you not share information about us or so help me, we will find you and cut you like fish." Everyone gulped the words down hard hearing the threat and being compared to fish. "And I'm sure no one would believe you either way so this encounter is taken to the grave with you. I have been watching all of you sail this fine vessel and I am impressed with your skill and for that, you have a friend of the sea. Now let us all help Miss Mavis find your brother, shall we?" Brett gave a smile and nod of appreciation for the positive comments.
"Right. But what about Mavis's father, Dracula? He seemed like he wanted to suck our blood," Kent spoke up in concern.
"Oh don't worry about him. Misplaced anger is always his specialty. I will make sure he stays on my ship for you." Barney replied.
"Thank you," said Brett sighing in relief that he will keep his blood for the time being.
"But for right now, I think we better steer away from that kraken battle. You do not want to be caught in one of them."
Brett looked out in front of them and saw the battle raging on. He sprang into action as Barney returned to his ship. Both ships started to change course to avoid the fight. And just in time.
Mavis quickly retreated from the feud of the giant krakens, dodging all of the tentacles and hoping she came out in one piece. Glancing quickly behind her, she was now away from being an innocent bi-standard. The small bat sighed in relief as she saw the island over the horizon was drawing closer. The rain started to pick up a little more. "Almost there," she thought to herself as she saw the outline of the beach. Almost there.
Her mind once again raced on. This time they were thoughts on how she would approach Johnny. Would he recognize her at all? And what did this mermaid do to him? Not paying attention, something hit her and hit hard. It was wet, like someone lobbed a water balloon at her in midair. Stunned and unable to keep herself in air, she tumbled to the water, unable to correctly gain control of her decent. Hitting the water hard, she felt more pain, worse than she felt possible. And that was just from hitting the water from altitude. In instinct, she transformed into her vampire form underwater and quickly swam to the surface. The pain subsided quickly and she was fully alert of where she was, just right off the beach.
Hearing an evil cackle come from behind her, she twisted around, using her keen vision to see who or what was laughing. There she stood, a blond girl wearing a grin from ear to ear, enjoying how Mavis was suffering.
"Awww. Look how the little bat girl struggles to keep her head above water," Azelea said in a evil, pouty voice. Anger rose up in Mavis's veins as she started to clench her teeth and form fists. This had to be the one. The mermaid that had kept Johnny all to herself and making Mavis believe she was alone again.
"Where's Johnny!?" yelled Mavis.
"Johnny who?" said the mermaid obviously playing dumb as she put her hands up in the air like she really didn't know.
"Don't you dare play dumb with me sea witch! Where... is... my... FIANCE!" screamed Mavis.
"Oh? Oh… THAT Johnny. He's forgotten all about you so you just go back to your little bat cave or whatever you call home and forget about him. He's mine, little iddy bitty, bat girl."
Mavis was shocked at what Azelea said. Did Johnny truly forget about her? That can't be! It's impossible! They are zings together! A sad expression came over Mavis's face and Azelea used this to her advantage.
"Awww. Poor little batty girl. Are you gonna cry. Boo Hoo!"
Mavis sad expression changed to an irritated one. She had enough of these mermaid's lies and mischief. Jumping out of the water in a quick splash, Mavis transformed into her bat. At the time, it seemed like a good idea, letting her pure emotion control her actions. Not knowing transforming into a bat again would be the worst mistake she made. Suddenly she felt a jet of water hit her. The pain and pressure of the water was too great. She fell once again into the salty water with a splash.
"Tisk, tisk. I don't think so puny bat," taunted Azelea. "You're in my domain now. You can't get away with transforming into a weak little bat." Azelea closed her eyes and laughed at Mavis's feeble attempt. After Azelea finished her evil laugh, she didn't see Mavis had resurfaced. The mermaid looked all around searching for the vampire. She then turned toward the island where she saw splashing and the head of Mavis.
Azelea dove into the water and swam as fast as she could. Within no time, she caught up with the struggling vampire. Azelea put herself between Mavis and the island, quickly lunging forward with fist extended. Impacting Mavis in the stomach, the painful blow knocked the air out of Mavis's lungs. She felt herself moving backwards with a ton of pressure on her stomach thanks to Azelea. She couldn't breathe. She was under water with no way of going for air. Soon the backwards movement stopped. The vampiress was able to lift her head above water and took a gasp of air.
Azelea slapped Mavis, multiple times making sure she didn't have a chance to fight back. At one final and strong blow, Mavis fell, slumped in the water. Grabbing the vampire's arm, Azelea hoisted the defeated Mavis up as she breathed heavy and was fading in and out of consciousness.
"Now, now," said Azelea. "You didn't ask for permission to set foot on my island. And even if did, I wouldn't allow you on it anyway," she smiled manically looking at the soaked vampire. Her hair all messed up and thrown around her face with her make-up running down her cheeks.
"Now I'm not going to kill you. I'm not that type of person. I'm just going to let you float away to never return. Forget about Johnny. Johnny is mine." Looking behind Mavis, Azelea saw two ships coming this way. Azelea turned Mavis around to the direction of the ships. "Look, here comes your friends. Leave and forgot about this place. Turning Mavis around once more, she looked the vampire straight into her eyes.
"You don't exist to Johnny. Johnny has me and me only. He is in love with me." Azelea paused a moment and continued in a whispered, evil and sheepish voice. "Oh, and he… kissed… me." Azelea just started to laugh at Mavis's misfortune as a single tear escaped from her eyes as they looked in shock.
Mavis felt something inside after hearing that Johnny had kissed someone else. Was it true? Could he had actually moved on or was this just a ploy and the mermaid was controlling his mind? A very strange feeling came over her. It was a rage she had never felt before until now. Soon she felt one of her arms was free. Taking advantage of this, she quickly grasped at Azelea's neck and squeezed just enough for her to feel pain. On instinct, Azelea let go of Mavis's other hand and tried to pull herself free from Mavis's grasp to no avail. Letting go of Mavis's other arm would have caused them to drop into the water but it didn't. Soon, Azelea felt herself rising as Mavis levitated them above the water.
As her deep blue eyes widened, they changed color to a dark, glowing red. Her teeth clenched together, lips parted, showing off her fangs to the mermaid. Mavis roared at Azelea. The vampiress's mouth wide open showing her long fangs as she continued her roar at the sea witch. Azelea's hair flew back like she was in a huge wind storm. Stricken with fear, Azelea just stared at the vampire's fangs.
Getting closer to the island, Barney and Brett's ships neared the fighting women. Dracula saw this and was about to jump into action until Barney came up to the Count and put his hand on his shoulder to hold him back.
"This is their fight lad. Let'em be. It's best to just watch."
"But what if my Mavy gets hurt?" asked the concerned father.
"Don't worry. You'll know when to help her. Just let them go."
"Yeah! Let them fight! This is gonna be good!" said Griffin as he looked through a pair of binoculars. "Oh, nice hit Mavis!" Dracula gave the invisible man an evil glare at his eagerness to see Mavis fight.
"GO MAVIS!" yelled Frank as he sat down and ate some popcorn. Dracula just slouched and frowned at their behaviors, knowing their niece could be in trouble.
"I can't believe you guys! Your niece is in trouble and this is all you think about? A cat fight?" They all looked at Drac with blank expressions. Dracula glared down at them but that did not seem to faze them. Everyone turned back around at the fighting, hoping they didn't miss anything. Dracula gave up with a grunt and covered his whole body with his cape as he slouched even further. He just looked on at the fight. As concerned as he was, Barney was right. This was Mavis's fight for Johnny and she needed to win it.
After her full fanged, blood raged roar, Mavis's anger rose further as she strengthened her grip on the mermaid's neck. Mavis came closer to the struggling mermaid's face just so Azelea could hear her. "You pitiful, poor excuse for a guppy! How dare you keep Johnny away from me!" Mavis slapped Azelea across the face. In doing so, she also let go of Azelea's neck at the same time, launching the mermaid far and fiercely hitting the water. Mavis dove into the water after the mermaid and shape shifting into a deadly great white shark. Swimming as fast as possible, Mavis attempted to attack the mermaid again but Azelea recovered enough to dodge the charge and in the process, hitting Mavis. This caused her to shift back into her usual self.
Reaching the surface for air, Mavis saw Azelea coming for her and was ready to hold her back. Both struggled for supremacy but seemed more like a stalemate at the moment.
"You slimy sea eel! I can't believe you thought you could keep my fiancé for yourself!" yelled Mavis at the temptress. It was very uncommon for the vampiress to be so vocal with insults. She was raised better than that. However, losing a loved one and find out they are alive because of a selfless person.
Struggling under the vampire strength, Azelea tried to break the vampire's spirit. "You are dead to him! He thinks you're dead and buried on the island! Just be glad I allow a drawing of your face on his little cave wall!" All lies thought Mavis. She knew the mermaid manipulated Johnny and Mavis knew this was just to weaken her or distract her.
"I can't… believe he let you kiss him. Eww! You kissed him with those… slimy fish lips. So gross!" commented Mavis as she had this disgusted look on her face.
"And I'm surprised you didn't scare him away with those buck teeth you call fangs!" Azelea fired right back. She got a slap in on Mavis's face, causing the vampire's head to turn roughly. Slowly, Mavis head turned toward Azelea. Her eye's red with anger as Mavis landed a harder blow to Azelea's cheek, causing her be thrown a short distance. Without hesitation, Mavis was right behind, shape shifted back into a shark. With blinding speed, the vampire shark caught Azelea off guard, head butting her right in the stomach, causing the mermaid to slightly scream in pain as the air was knocked out of her from the hard blow.
Mavis turn back to herself, rose to the surface for air while pulling the sea witch up with her and began to slap and punch her viciously. "You manipulative temptress!" SLAP! "Slimy eel!" PUNCH! "You're just… GARBAGE!"
The mermaid was stunned and starting to bleed from her attack. Finally, Mavis flew up into the air as a bat, transformed back, performed a slow back flip as her upward momentum slowed and gravity took over. Facing downward, she had a fist out, ready to strike. Azelea slowly regained some consciousness only to look up and see the vampire girl falling straight down, aimed at her. The mermaid's eyes widened with fear as there was no time move. As Mavis's fist impacted with Azelea's face to the side of the nose with such force, it pushed her underwater deep. Blackness crept over the mermaid as she became unconscious to the world.
With the finishing blow to the temptress, Mavis came up for air. She sighed deeply. Cold and wet, her hair messy and smelled of salt. Aches and pains found their way to her brain, letting her know mermaids could be vicious. Looking around, she was not far from the beach. Hearing a sound in the water close to her, she found the beaten Azelea, unconscious and unable to move. Anger was all Mavis felt as she looked at this sea witch. She tried to keep Johnny from her and to all herself. And she did it in a manipulative way. Controlling someone for personal desire was something Mavis frowned on. Although angry at Azelea, she couldn't keep her in the water, floating helplessly. She swam over and grabbed Azelea by the hair and dragged her to the beach.
Azelea was beginning to wake up. She felt the sharp pain on her head like her hair was being pulled. Feeling her head and for her hair, she realized, someone was pulling her hair through the water. That vampire! The pain was growing as she also felt the coarse, wet sand under her back. The mermaid realized she was on the island as it became harder and harder for the vampire to pull her up the beach. She couldn't think straight and could not reach her to stop her. Azelea just clenched her teeth from the pain and cursed at the pain grew. Thinking it would never stop, Azelea finally felt that her body stopped moving. Relief came to her hair and scalp but still painful.
Mavis slumped over and fell into a sitting position on the sand. Worn out from flying, swimming, fighting, and dragging. She breathed heavy. Closing her eyes, raising her head to the sky, she breathed easy knowing she had won something… she made it. She made it to the island. And with what energy she would have left, she would search for him. And she would get all the answers she needed from this mischievous, low life of a mermaid that caused all this heart ache for two years.
Noticing Azelea regaining her alertness, Mavis wasted no time and got up. Still standing, she looked down at Azelea with a scowling face and asked the most predominate question on the vampire's mind.
"Where's Johnny?" Azelea opened her eyes to see the vampire staring her down. She didn't want to talk, let alone have to answer this low life bat.
"Johnny's mine now! Go away and find someone else you rodent!" replied the grumpy mermaid.
Mavis knelt down, took Azelea's arms and straddled between her legs and the mermaid's body. Mavis grabbed Azelea's neck and asked again in an unpleasant tone.
"Where… is… Johnny!?"
Azelea stared up at Mavis and gave a devilish smile but did not say a word. With Mavis's patient wearing thin, her eyes turned from the natural deep blue to a deep and shallow grey as her anger grew. She slowly tightened her hold around the mermaid's neck, making it harder for Azelea to breath as she choked and coughed.
"I want Johnny back! NOW!" yelled the vampiress.
"You're nothing to him! You don't exist to him! He's mine now and I'm not giving him up!" yelled Azelea in between coughs and weezing.
Mavis's eyes just turned to a bright, glowing red as she roared right in Azelea's face again. "WHERE… IS… HE!?" Mavis asked as she started to shake Azelea by the throat.
"STOP!"
Mavis stopped. Azelea passed out again from viciously being shaken and being choked. Her eyes turned back to their original blue as she heard a familiar voice she hadn't heard in years. It was a little raspier than back then but the still same voice of a man she missed dearly.
Walking out of the protection of his cave, the red head with his long beard decided to take a walk on the beach to think. He couldn't sleep for the past few days thinking about that dream he had of the same girl. She haunted his dreams and now when he was awake ever since finding that small cross. And she actually seemed more real in this dream. Calling him by his name (which he wondered how she knew) and telling him to hold on that she was coming for him. Who was she? Why did she look so familiar like he had seen her years ago? It was all just too strange.
It was just like she was nothing more than a stranger passing by out on a street. Almost like his memories faded from a long forgotten past. Feeling she was more than a friend but he couldn't think straight. It's like there was a wall in his mind. A wall where some memories were trapping behind. Trapped away from him, causing his head to hurt. He just walked along, listening to the waves swell and hit the beach. Carrying his self-made spear as a walking stick and for protection. He looked up at the thinning clouds, to the moon as it started to show through more and more. It gave him some light to see where he was walking.
He also worried for Azelea. Normally she was with him by this time during the night. But she never came back and it was odd. Sure there were some times where she was away like this, doing whatever she had to do and didn't return until morning. But tonight felt… different. Something wasn't right in the air. The red head felt it was just him worrying too much until hearing a bone chilling roar near him, up a little way on the beach. He ran in the direction of the noise to see what it was about.
Coming up to where he heard the noise, the red head saw a couple silhouettes near the water, one on top of the other. The silhouette on top looked like it was choking whoever lay there helpless. He got a little closer and saw the all too familiar outline of a tail fin. Azelea's tail fin. He yelled as loud as he could to stop whoever this was from hurting the mermaid… his friend.
"STOP!" he yelled. Not expecting an answer or whoever this was from stopping, he was readied himself for a fight if need be. The red head was shocked and surprised that this dark figure did in fact stop.
"That voice! I know that voice!" she said in her head. In complete shock, she looked up in the dimly lit moonlight, hidden by thin clouds. With her vision tuned to seeing so well in the dark, she saw the shape of a man standing about four to five inches taller than her, maybe. Mavis let go of Azelea and stood up from her slowly and cautiously so not to cause panic in the man. She slowly moved away from the now unconscious mermaid and slowly walked into the shadows of the trees, keeping her back away from him.
The red headed man pointed his spear toward the stranger, not knowing what she was doing with Azelea. What he found strange when she looked up at him was she was completely covered in darkness, except for her eyes. Those deep blue, glowing eyes. Almost like in his dream but it can't be possible. She moved away from his mermaid friend and slowly walked to the shadow, always watching him as he slowly worked his way to the unconscious mermaid.
"WHAT WERE YOU DOING TO HER!?" asked the man angrily. The dark figure didn't speak. It was like they were afraid to speak. Still pointing his man made spear at the shadows, he slowly walked over to Azelea.
"What did you do!? Why did you do this!?" he said angrily. Certainly not the person Mavis remembers but considering the circumstances, she would he upset too. He reached the mermaid and bent down to check on her.
Why can't you just leave us alone!?" he yelled more. "Go back to where you came and leave us alone!" This hurt Mavis to hear. But she was not going to give up that so easily. She knew this was Johnny. Deep down, something told her this was her zing. And this witch of a mermaid, somehow did something to his mind to control and manipulate him. Although his mood would surely change once he heard that voice, that sweet voice from his locked away past and in his dreams. When he heard the shadows finally speak, he brought up his head and was in total shock.
"I didn't kill her if that's what you think. I would never do that and you know it," Mavis said as she watched him check the sea witch. She saw the shock and surprise in his face and she knew. She knew he remembered her voice. This was a great start the vampiress thought.
"That voice… it's just like the one in my dream," the read head said aloud to himself. The shadow heard this and replied back.
"That's because it was me," said the shadow.
"If that were true then you would look like her. Come out from the shadow and let me see if you dare. Show yourself then!" Scared at what he might see, the red head brought his spear up again and pointed in the direction of the voice. Slowly, he heard her take a deep breath and exhale through the quiet, crashing waves. With eyes closed, she walked out of the shadows and into the moonlight. The clouds cleared giving the brightest light possible from the full moon. Her hair, her slender body, her puffy cheeks. They all looked like the same girl from his dream. She opened her eyes, immediately he saw a faint shimmer and sparkle in them as he saw big, deep blue eyes. Just like the ones in his dreams. She even smiled a little at the red headed man with the addition of his long unkempt beard, showing off a hint of small fangs as she saw the very same sparkle in his eyes all those years ago.
"You?" he asked.
"You," was her reply. Something he heard years ago and now gave him a headache as he brought up suppressed memories.
"Fangs? Vampire?" he asked as she just smiled and nodded at him sheepishly.
Mavis was happy. It was working. It seemed his memories were returning slowly. She had to keep helping him remember with subtle hints of the past.
"Vampire with the… fangy fangs?"
"Hair real cute with the bangy bangs," added Mavis. She took a step forward toward him as he let his guard down.
"Sunrises? On a roof?" he asked.
"Was the most incredible thing I have ever seen," she added taking more steps toward him. He dropped his spear and also walked toward her.
"M…ma…vis?"
"That's my name," she said in a goofy tone. "And you are Johnnystein."
Johnny stopped a minute to think about it and let another headache pass.
"Mavis," he paused trying to remember something. "No that can't be. It's a trick. I found your grave in the woods. It's got to be a trick! So evil trying to steal my soul and deceive me!"
Mavis lifted her left hand and showed the large blood red ruby to Johnny. Just as he saw in his dream.
"I'm not here to steal your soul, Johnny. Remember who I am? I'm your zing Johnny. Your… zing! Remember the ring? Do you know what I named it?" asked Mavis with a smile on her face, knowing she was getting Johnny back. She wanted to cry but it had to wait. She was close to helping Johnny restore all of his memories. He thought long and hard about the name. It was something special between him and her.
"My heart. Your zing?" he asked still confused. Mavis giggled back at him as she got arm's length from him.
"Close enough. Johnny's heart," she corrected as she started to give him affectionate glances. She was nervous. Just as much like the first time they met. "Should I try and kiss him? Will he remember more? Is it too soon? Ugh! It's like we are starting over again. This is so hard!" Mavis thought to herself. She continued to give him affectionate glances as she continued to close the gap.
"Remember trips around the world? Remember how we met? I don't want to be a stranger to you anymore Johnny. It's been too long. I just want to be the one you need again. Your world… and life. All for free. I just want the things we had, the things we used to be." Johnny just stood there and stared at Mavis as tears filled her eyes. Johnny lost grip of his spear as she continued. "Please Johnny remember me. You are my universe, you are the air in my lungs, the skies where I float and fly. Please? Please let us go back to when it was only you and me. Please?" Mavis finished by holding out her hand to him, beckoning Johnny to take it and go with her.
He put his hand to his head as she felt more pain. Something was trying hard to make sure he didn't remember anything. His locked memories were trying to come out but were being suppressed, causing a battle in his mind to radiate into headaches and migraines. But he was trying to remember. Or at least something wanted him to.
"A broomstick? On a flight of steps?" he asked in riddles as he continued to run his hand on his head to help quell the headache.
"Yes," she said in a whisper as she batted her large eyes at him. His eyes went wide at what he was seeing. She was getting real close to him, he slowly backed up but she still advanced. Arching his back away from Mavis, she still advanced.
"Uh, Mavis? I'm crazily scared right now," he said as he tried to run away but couldn't. Almost like an unseen force was holding him, making him and wanting him to be this close.
"Maybe that's a good thing," she replied back closing her eyes as she leaned forward into Johnny, feeling his beard around her smooth cheeks then contacting his lips with her own. His face was shocked, eyes wide with fear. But for an odd reason, his mind liked this. It reminded him of his past. Then it hit him. All at once, many of his memories returned. The sunrise, Mavis, Hawaii, rock concerts, Italy, Paris, Mavis, Dracula, Frank, Wayne, Murry, Griffin, Mavis, Brett, Kent, Janet, Mavis, Mom, Dad, London, Japan, Mavis, Hawaii, Mavis, the beach, the ring, Mavis… SHE SAID YES!
It was a lot for his mind to handle. A sharp pain in his head came over him. Light headed, his knees soon gave out. Mavis noticed this and caught Johnny from falling. She was concerned. Was kissing him too much? As she slowly lowered him, she knelt down and sat on her heels with Johnny's head resting in her lap. He was unconscious. She was scared at what happened all of a sudden. Was he okay?
"Johnny? Are you okay?" she asked as no answer was given. She became scared and stroked his long hair on his head and put her other hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating. She sighed in relief for that at least. But why was he not waking up? "Johnny, wake up. Please?" she pleaded as tears started to stream from her eyes. She looked down at his face. Even covered with mostly hair, he still had the adorable face she fell for all those years ago.
Not known to Mavis but Ianessa was in the shallow water, creeping up to the beach to check on her sister. And just off the beach, two boats rowed onto the sand. Brett, Kent, and friends on one while the other was from Barney's boat that housed Dracula, Frank, Griffin, Wayne, and Murry. They all watched Mavis hold Johnny close as she took him up and hugged his limp body. She cried into his shoulder as she held him closer, begging him to wake up.
"Johnny. Wake up… wake up," whispering into his ear. Still nothing came out of her fiancé other than breathing. She ended the hug and placed his head back on her lap. Dracula came up from behind and placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
Softly, he asked, "Mavy, is he…?"
Lifting her head, she looked back at her father with tear stained cheeks and glistening eyes. "I don't know Dad. He's breathing but… I… I don't know." Mavis broke down into tears as she held Johnny even closer. She mumbled, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," to him as she cried into his shoulder.
As Mavis turned away, she just silently cried with her head bowed toward Johnny and her eyes closed. Miraculously and not known to Mavis, Johnny opened his eyes slowly. Letting his vision clear up, he heard the crying of the one he loved. Everyone saw Johnny's eyes open, especially Drac but did not say a word. Shock came over the group of monsters and humans as Johnny lifted his hand to Mavis's cheek. Gently, he placed his hand on her cheek. She didn't think anything of it, only thinking it was her father trying to console her until he spoke quietly and gently.
"Don't cry, Mavis." Mavis's eyes flung open, mouth wide open in shock as she slowly looked down. Seeing nothing but red hair and gentle looking hazel eyes is all she needed to know, Johnathan Loughran, her fiancé and her zing was back. He was back with her. She gasped in delight as her shocked face turned to pure joy.
"JOHNNY!" she yelled as she brought him up into another hug. So ecstatic, she hugged too hard. With a thin voice, "Mavis, I can't breathe sweetie." Mavis heard this and let go of Johnny as they made eye contact.
"Sorry," she said. Helping him stand up, they looked at each other and stared for what seemed like eternity until Mavis broke the silence with her favorite question.
"You?" she asked.
"You," Johnny replied back as they stared for a few more seconds then tilted their heads for their very first official passionate kiss. Wolf whistles and calls were heard from everyone except for Drac who just smiled seeing his daughter happy and his best friend alive. Johnny waved his arm downward to tell the audience to stop.
"Dudes! I've been stranded here for… how long have I been here?" asked Johnny.
"Over two years," Mavis replied with a smile.
"Two yea… TWO YEARS!?" he said in shock but continued. "Anyway, let me have a moment with my fiancé. That's if you still are, right?" asked Johnny in a concerned tone. Mavis just smiled sheepishly and nodded, confirming to Johnny he still had his zing and she had hers. Dracula came up in a flash and grabbed Johnny in a hug as he spun around in circles
"DUDEMAN! You are okay!" Dracula sniffed the air around Johnny and dropped him in disgust. "Ugh, Dudeman, you need a shave and shower with some clean clothes. You smell worse than that shirt in your backback!" said the Count as he pinched his nose shut with his thumb and finger. Everyone laughed at Dracula's reaction, even Johnny. As everyone including Brett and Kent came up to their little brother, greeted him and asked him questions, one person asked about the mermaid.
"What about that mermaid over there? Was she the one keeping you here against your will?" asked Kent.
"What mermaid?" Johnny looked over at the mermaid lying on the sand still. "Oh, Azelea. Nah, she's cool. She helped me survive while I was here and was trying to find a human ship to let them know I was here." Mavis and Dracula frowned at his explanation. He surely did not know Azelea's true nature.
"Johnny," said Drac with a serious tone, getting the wild red head's attention. "She took control of your mind, manipulated, and seduced you." Johnny's jaw dropped at the news, certainly not knowing that happened at all.
"What?" he asked in surprise and confusion. Aside from his normal, laid back self, Johnny was upset and looked at Azelea lying there. He never dreamed what he thought to be a good friend helping out would stoop so low. He stormed over to her as she started to wake up. Azelea saw Johnny standing above her. She smiled at his furry face but the smile was not returned.
"Please tell me it isn't true Azelea. Please tell me you didn't control my mind and manipulate me. Please tell me you just helped me survive and looked for a ship so I could be rescued, Please!?" Johnny yelled and pleaded as Azelea's smiled turned to a frightful frown. Ianessa looked at her sister as like she saw the gears turning in her head.
"Azelea, you better tell the truth," the younger mermaid said to her beaten sister. Azelea looked up at Ianessa, then at Johnny, only to turn her head away in shame and closes her eyes as tears formed.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly.
Johnny looked upset more than angry now after seeing her cry. It was very low and sinister to control someone's mind for person gain. Johnny knew this and was disappointed.
"How could you do that to me Azelea? Why?" asked Johnny. There was no answer from the mermaid for a moment, just that her head slumped down even lower than before. She quickly got the courage to speak to him, hoping to salvage a friendship at least.
"I really like you Johnny and I was lonely. You always talked about… her and that made me sad." Mavis just scowled at this remark. "I wanted you to be happy. Oh, Johnny. We were so happy together. Please? I don't want to lose you. I don't think I could bear to look at another man if you leave me. Please don't hate me Johnny. Please don't leave me."
Johnny stared down at her tear filled face as she waited impatiently for an answer. Johnny's face softened up a little and he just sighed. "You know, I liked you Azelea." She started to smile after hearing this. "You helped me survive all these years here. I am grateful for that. But you were just a friend. What you thought we had, what you manipulated me to do was false… I'm sorry but I have to end it here." Azelea's smile faded, tears quickly filled her eyes again as she covered her face and started to sob. "You caused me and my family more suffering than you could think of," said Johnny as he gestures to Mavis, Dracula, his brothers, and the rest of the Drac Pack. "And I already have someone. She is my zing, if you can understand that. And there is nothing in this world that will tear me away from the woman that I love." Pausing briefly, Johnny looked at Azelea crying as she suffered from this heart break. He didn't want to do this or say these things to her but he was left with no choice. What she did was way worse. "I'm sorry, Azelea. If we ever see each other again, which I hope we won't, please leave me and my family alone."
Johnny turned around to walk toward Mavis, giving his zing a hug. Azelea screamed in between her tears, "But I loved you!"
Johnny stopped and turned around to look at the mermaid, "Azelea, it was a fake love and you know it. Someday, you will find someone all to yourself without having to manipulate them." Johnny again turned around and walked away again. "So Mavy, how 'bout we go back to Hawaii and California to see my family?"
Mavis looked at Johnny and excitedly gave him an open mouth smile but realized one thing. Her father. She knew she upset him and maybe disappointed him. She frowned and looked at him with a pouty bat face.
"Now, now. There's no need for that face," said the Count. He came up to her and put his hands on her shoulders, "Mavy, what you did scared me. I thought I would lose you again and that is something I could not bear or even cope with. But… I had time to think. And seeing you out here in dangerous situations, you have shown that you can handle yourself. You're an adult now. You can make you own decisions. Whether they are right or wrong, I will not know. Only you will know. And you will learn from those mistakes. That's what will make you stronger." He paused and smiled at both her and Johnny. "With both of you looking out for each other, I know you will make the best decision possible for each other in life. It is time for me to remember and live up to my promises. I will never come between you and your zing. Go my coffin cake and make your own paradise and be careful." Mavis smiled at her father as he smiled back, taking his hand and placing it under her chin. She hugged him, deeply burying her head into his chest.
"Thank you Daddy," she said in a muffled tone from his shirt. "I love you and I'm sorry."
"I love you too deadums and I am sorry too. And you," said Drac as he looked up at Johnny. "Keep my daughter safe and never cheat on her again or I will suck the blood out of you!"
"DADDY!" yelled Mavis as she slapped his chest.
"I would never cheat on my Mavy! That mermaid seduced me! That's not my fault!" Johnny said as he waived his hands in the air at Drac trying to defend himself.
"Relax Dudeman. I was just… joking with you," replied Dracula as he smiled at the human. Everyone laughed as Mavis just shook her head slowly at her father but still smiled.
"Shall we get going then?" asked Brett.
"Yes, let's get going," replied Mavis.
As all of the monsters and humans were saying their farewells, Azelea was still hurt and angry. Ianessa saw this.
"Why did you do it Az? You know it's against Daddy's law," said Ianessa.
"I don't care about that. I don't have to explain myself to you little sister!" she snapped back as she turned and looked at Mavis and Johnny. They looked so happy together and that's what made Azelea jealous. She wanted that feeling and she didn't want to wait.
"I hope you learned your lesson dear sister. Come on Az, we better get home," said Ianessa as she started to swim away.
Azelea still looked on at the couple in anger. Her teeth clenched, her hands formed to fists, she wanted to make sure Johnny paid for what he said to her. She yelled as she used her magic to blast a water ball straight at Mavis.
"IF I CAN'T HAVE HIM, NEITHER WILL YOU!" she yelled, getting the attention of Johnny who saw the water blast coming straight for Mavis. Ianessa also saw the blast and tried to stop it but was too late.
"AZELEA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" she yelled. She used her magic to weaken it just in time. Now she hoped everyone got out of the way in time. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
As the water blast hurdled for Mavis, Johnny saw it. "MAVIS!" he yelled as she turned around and saw what was flying towards her. Just in time, Johnny pushed her away and against the boat, causing her to lose her footing and fall in. The water blast struck Johnny in the back and pushed him against the boat. Mavis was horrified and screamed his name, "JOHNNY!" Mavis helped get him in the rest of the way and tried to wake him. Brett and Kent quickly climbed into the boat and rowed as fast as possible to the 'Sea Jewel.'
"AZELEA, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" yelled Ianessa as she slapped Azelea until she was stunned. "I can't believe you! Not only have you hurt the man you loved, you kept him hidden from his fiancé and family! Worrying them! How dare you call yourself a protector of the sea! You truly are nothing but a slimy eel! Now wait until father hears about this!" Ianessa threatened.
"NO! Please don't tell Daddy! I'm begging you! I'm sorry Ianessa, I didn't mean to hit Johnny!" Azelea pleaded to her sister.
"And if you hit Mavis with such a powerful blast and killed her, would that be any different? Do you think Johnny would like you then?" Azelea just looked at her sister with a sad, blank stare. "You're so pitiful. GO HOME AZELEA!" Ianessa threatened using a water blast of her own at her sister just to get her to swim home. "And I'm telling dad!" Ianessa quickly swam to the boat to see what damage Azelea could have done.
"Johnny! Johnny! Wake up!" Mavis began to panic. She just found her zing and she didn't want to lose him again.
"Mavis, calm down for me," said Brett "I promise, he will be okay. I'm not about to lose my little brother again. Please take a deep breath. Is he breathing? Is he bleeding?"
"Yes he is breathing," she said as she looked over his body and made sure he was not bleeding. "No bleeding."
"Good. Now, please stay calm, we will get him back to the ship and have the doc look at him, okay?" Mavis nodded her head as tears streamed down her face with Johnny's head resting on her lap. Dracula came up and landed as a bat on the side of the boat near his daughter and soon to be son-in-law.
"What happened, is he okay?" Drac asked in panic.
"I… I don't know Dad. All I saw was a blast of water coming for me… then being in the boat. And… Johnny," Mavis broke down as tears dropped from her face onto Johnny's.
"Mavis! Quickly, let me see Johnny," said Ianessa as she jumped up on the other side of the boat and hung over just enough to reach Johnny. She put her hand on his forehead and closed her eyes. A tense few moments past by as Mavis, Drac, and Johnny's brothers looked at Ianessa and Johnny, back and forth. Finally, Ianessa opened her eyes and looked at Mavis. She gave a reassuring smile to Mavis.
"Mavis, he will be fine. He was hit pretty hard and stunned. She used a very powerful spell on that water blast. If I didn't weaken it in time, he would have been killed, you would have been killed," the mermaid said.
"That witch!" Mavis said. "How long will he stunned. Will he be okay after he wakes up?"
"Maybe days or a week or two. I'm not quite sure. But once he does wake up, he should be back to normal," said Ianessa as she gave another smile to Mavis and Brett.
"A week or two!?" Brett yelled in surpise.
"It was a powerful stun spell, normally reserved for large sea creatures to stun them. On a human or… vampire, it would have killed instantly. Just keep him comfortable and resting. He will be fine in no time," smiled the mermaid at Mavis.
"Th… thank you Ianessa. I hope we meet again someday," said Mavis.
"I think we shall. And don't worry about Azelea. I will take… care of her for you. I'll make sure she does not bother you again." The mermaid got down from the boat and watched as the boat neared the 'Sea Jewel.'
"Farewell Ianessa!"
"Good luck Mavis!"
As Brett and Kent started to set sail, Mavis and the ships doctor looked after Johnny. As the doctor looked him over, he classified Johnny as being very healthy with just a small case of being malnourished. Mavis, Brett, and Kent could only hope and pray that Johnny would recover just like Ianessa said. It was only a matter of waiting it out. Mavis did not leave Johnny's side, always sitting by him, reading to him and sleeping in the chair next to him. She hoped… and soon her "sleeping beauty" would awaken so they could at least start their lives over again. Together.