Chapter 20: Teaching the New-Blood

(In Dracula's castle)

Peter sat in 'his room' looking at the glass mirror. There was no reflection; he couldn't see how he looked now. It wasn't something he enjoyed. But his mind switched back to what he had seen not a few hours ago. He had found a secret room that was filled with items Dracula kept hidden from prying eyes. Some of the things he found he didn't understand. The papers he read talked about some ritual, people who wished to do something unknown, and something Dracula lost. He just couldn't figure it out.

(It's nagging my brain, but I can't figure it out. I really hope the others get here soon. I really hate it here!)

There was a knock at the door.

"Come out Peter. Dracula said from the other side of the door. "It's your house." Peter deadpanned.

He heard the vampire king sig, but then the familiar mist slithered into the room. The vampire physically manifested in the room.

"How can I help you?" Peter said, trying to make his voice sound like the stereotypical 'ring' you'd hear in a drive-thru. "It's time you started…" Dracula answered. "Started what?..." Peter said. "To learn how to use your new abilities." The vampire king answered. "Really?..." Peter said sarcastically. "Yes, I'm going to teach you myself." The vampire king answered. "Out of the kindness of your heart?" The newborn hissed. "Believe what you will. Come… Come..." With the hypnotical word, Dracula forced the newborn to follow him.

They walked through the halls for about 15 minutes before finally reaching the barracks. The vampires present bowed to their king and then went back to training. Many were sparring with one another while others were practicing using various weapons.

"Dă-ne niște camera (Give us some room)." Dracula said.

His soldiers moved aside and pushed/pulled away objects to give their king and the new-blood room to 'train'. They made an area about a 25 ft. long by 25 ft. wide area of cleared room. The vampire king walked over to one side and gestured for Peter to move to the other side. With a sigh of boredom he did. Dracula rolled his eyes.

"I believe in, how do mortals say it?... Ah yes: learning on the job." Dracula said.

Then Dracula used his speed to appear before Peter in a matter of moments and swing a punch. But Peter's spider-sense alerted him of the danger and he jumped out of the way. His spider-sense went off again as the vampire king aimed a kick at the newborn's torso. Peter bended out of the way of the attack. He waited for his moment before throwing a punch at Dracula.

'What the…' Dracula thought as this tingling feeling went off throughout his body.

While his mind was on the alien feeling, Peter's fist hit the vampire king's chest. Dracula hit the ground hard. The surrounding vampires snarled and it appeared they were about to attack.

(Oh no…)

"No! It's alright! This is the new-blood's training." Dracula barked as he got to his feet. 'Interesant (Interesting)… Is this the famous spider-sense?... This will prove quite useful.' Dracula mused in his mind. "You caught me off guard, good. But let's see if you can unearth your new powers while we spar, new-blood." Dracula said, before leaping towards the newborn.

Peter ran forward and he started feeling like his body was moving faster than normal. He found himself farther than he anticipated. Dracula was already on the ground; his attack had missed by 10 feet. Peter was shocked. The vampire king grinned.

"Let's try again. Rah!" Dracula snarled as he leapt at the newborn once again.

Peter ran forward and this time he felt the change in speed. He was clear of the attack, and he rushed at the king. The newborn felt like rushing wind as he raced forward. Dracula raced with his own speed and the two clashed in the middle. Peter and Dracula traded blows. Punches, chops, and kicks were thrown into the mix. Both dodged and countered each other, but it was clear that Dracula had the advantage.

"You've gained control of your speed. But what of your strength? You would fall before my feet if I intended to kill you." Dracula said as he kept hitting the newborn. "Is that what happened when I knocked you through the wall a week ago?" Peter countered. "Indeed, but I was weakened then. But now…" Dracula said, before he got a powerful punch in.

The armored fist hit Peter square in the jawbone and sent him flying. Peter growled as he got on his feet. He wasn't pleased with how things were going. Then he raced forward, and readied a punch. Dracula did the same. Peter could feel his muscles working hard, more so than usual. Then their fists connected. The shockwaves sent both skidding backwards. Dracula's eyes narrowed and he leapt at Peter. The newborn did the same.

"It seems it's even." Dracula called. "Nope!" Peter laughed as he unveiled his web-shooters.

The transferred spider-sense in Dracula went off. Dracula attempted to move out of the way, but it was too late. Peter' web-shooters sprayed out the webbing. The material engulfed Dracula and wrapped him in a cocoon. The cocoon dropped to the ground with a definite thud. Peter landed with ease on the ground.

"Looks like I caught a fly." Peter chuckled. "You dare!" A vampire snarled.

(Damn it)

The vampires started closing in on Peter. But the cocoon burst like a bubble and webbing flew everywhere as Dracula freed himself. The vampires stopped instantly. Dracula hovered in the air, his eyes locked on the nervous newborn's. The shrieking monkey sound went off in Peter's mind.

(Shit)

Peter expected Dracula to take his head off, to make an example… but he didn't. Surprisingly, the vampire king laughed. Not in an evil manner, but a 'normal' laughing manner. Peter and the vampires were confused, they didn't expect this.

"Very good new-blood! I haven't been bested like that ever!" Dracula chuckled. "Umm… Thanks?..." Peter mumbled, nervous energy in his voice. "You've done well. Quite the quick learner you are." The vampire king said as he slowly lowered to the ground.

The newborn rubbed the back of his head. Dracula raised an eyebrow.

"You should be proud, not many can learn to control their new powers within such time. It usually takes much longer to use these powers in the manner which you just displayed." Dracula added.

Peter was speechless; he didn't expect Dracula to praise him. But he then he thought it was a trick, that the vampire king would horrifically punish him later. He mentally shook himself to keep his composure… 'normal'.

"My king, teaching the new blood I see." A voice said from behind the gathered vampires.

All turned to see a man about 6 inches shorter than Dracula. His hair is golden blonde like the pedals of a daffodil and styled into a crew cut. The man's face is clean shaven and a pale caucasian color with the rest of his skin. His suit is finely pressed and is a tan brown in color which went well with his white dress shirt, red tie, and brown dress shoes. But what Peter noticed most about him is the man's red eyes. Several other people of various looks with the same red eyes stood around the strange man, and they bowed to Dracula.

"Ah, oaspeții noștri de onoare au ajuns (our guests of honor have arrived)." Dracula chuckled.

(Oh please no…)

To be continued…