CastleVania: Senshi For HIRE!!!!
Part 6
By: YingGirl. (yinggirl_the_sephiroth_hunter@hotmail.com)

Notes: Although I do not owe the rights of CastleVania SoTN, I do owe the rights to some characters. All other characters are based and owned by Konami. The story takes place in the modern time. Please enjoy.

Prologue 1

  I made my entrance known to the castle. I had no time to play silly games. If I didn’t find Alucard…everything I know will cease to exist. Everyone will die or be force to submit his or her soul to the dark vampire king.
  Why does the vampire king want mankind to perish? What have we done to anger such a powerful spirit?
  I didn’t want to know.
  I unleashed the legendary whip at the incoming monsters that stood in my way. Each time my whip managed to get rid of one of the monsters, two or three appeared right behind me. I could run for it…but why should I run when the enemy is watching my every move? I continued using my whip and the fire spells I learned from Caramel.
  Did members of my bloodline managed to go though these obstacles when they were summoned to fight the vampire king? This was a workout I’ll never forget…
  I wonder where the Angel of Death has taken Alucard? All I needed was a sign that would lead to his whereabouts. But for now, I had to rely on my own knowledge and which route this pathway leads to.

Prologue 2
  Darkness. The room was practically covered in it. It was almost as a lost love’s touch. The room crept in silence…but there was someone in this room. The half-breed was resting until he quickly rose from his slumber, dusting off shards of glass on his fine clothing.  His weapons were on him as if he was never touched.
  He then started to look around his surroundings. This room…it wasn’t a guest room…
  It was his room. He grew up in this place when he was small. It was his sanctuary, his “hiding place” from the children who teased him because he was different.
  Well, being part vampire and part human wasn’t easy for a kid. Even if you can mimic every move a human child can make…you can still never be one.
  He never had a chance to make any friends, expect for the familiars and two servants. He would run up here and jumped onto the bed, lying on it as he waited for misery to take his cursed life away.
  Then she will appear to comfort him.
  But she’ll never appear again. She is forever gone…and soon, the young Belmont will have the same fate as well.
  Why did he just stood there and watch? The only thing that was valuable in his life is gone. He couldn’t do anything…they will also kill him.
  He then noticed that someone else was in the room. He knew this presence very well. He turned around as he glared at the guest who is sitting on the window still. It was indeed the man who damned him in this cursed torment of good and evil…his own father.
  “Welcome back,” the count spoken while he looked back, “my dear son.”

***

  I continued my journey into the castle. Time wasn’t on my side. I enter a place that seemed like some sort of lab, expect the skeletons were walking. Yes, walking. These monsters weren’t very bright as they easily fell victim to my whip.
  It was kind of funny to see these skeletons become piles of ashes with one touch of my whip. I looked it once again. I will never let evil get a hold onto this whip.
  I continued my adventure as I entered another room. Strange, the writings in the walls look almost like guides found in occult books.
  I then heard a loud dropping behind me. The path I just entered was sealed off!!! But why? This room was fairly huge…what was going on? I jumped from pillar to pillar to reached the ground. I found out why I was sealed in this room…
  Two monsters were standing right in front of me.
  “It’s...” one of seemed to mutter, “the Belmont!!!”
  “But,” the other replied, “it’s a girl?”
  “Hey!!!” I yelled as I held up my whip, “I’m insulted!!”
   The two monsters backed away. I finally got a good look at the duo. One of them was holding the spear and looked almost as a skeleton of a dinosaur bird hybrid while the other was a winded demon monster. Yet, both of them were covered in burses…
  Could Alucard be the one who did this?
  “Are you…” I asked as I slowly approached the two, “all right?”
  The two monsters looked at me with confusion. They must never see a vampire hunter trying to aid them…or any human for that matter.
  “We were attacked,” one of them said, “by a ninja girl.”
  “She said we weren’t doing our job right,” the other cried out, “then she swung her sword at us. She was very fast.”
  I knew who that person was…Xia. She is a pain in the ass. I guess she decided to work for the count s so she can get back at me for stopping her plans. It seems I have to get Xia first if I’ll ever find any answers to the whereabouts of Alucard.
  Luckily while I came to this area, bats were dropping potions like crazy. I pulled out the ones I caught and then used them on the wounded monsters.
 They seem to back away but when they saw their wounds recovered, they both looked at me with confusion.
  “You…” one of them said as it looked towards me, “helped us?”
  “You were hurt,” I replied as taken out another potion to use, “anyone with a pure heart will do anything to help others. I may be on a mission that seems that I have to destroy the count, but I take it as I’m trying to stop him from hurting others…especially those he loves.”
  “Young Belmont…” the other monster replied, “with that notion, you will never defeat our master.”
  “But at least I know I have the power in me to do it.”
  The two monsters, both healed, still looked at me. They were still confused. I mean why shouldn’t they be? They had a Belmont aiding them than sending the two back into the pits of Hell.
  Then, something usual happened. A card was glowing in a room that was right above us. It seemed like it heard my voice as it almost recognized it. It then started to fly out of the room and downward towards us.
  The two monsters started to move away. The card appeared in front of my face. One side had a mystical incantation while the other side had a picture of a bat. I touched the card.
  The card began to transform.
  “What the?!!!” I cried out as I shield my eyes, only to watch what has happened.
   It was very usual; the card turned itself to a bat. But it was different than the other bats that hung around in the castle. It seem that this bat had a personality of its own.

***

  The count quickly rose from his seating as he looked forward for a small welcoming. He smile could have been craved out of stone. The young damphile stepped back as he pulled out his weapon, ready for battle.
  “Where is the Belmont father?!!!!” the damphile snapped, “What have you done with that human girl?!!!!”
  “Nothing my dear boy,” the count calmly replied, “absolutely nothing.”
  “I don’t trust you father. Tell me where she is or I shall be the one to send you back to once you came.”
  “My, and I thought you might be the curious type. But since you always seem to shun me from everything I do to you…I’ll tell you where she is. She’s in the castle, wastefully running around like there wasn’t a care in the world.”
  “That isn’t like the young Belmont!!!!”
  “Are you certain?”
  The damphile paused. He knew that the Belmont wasn’t ready. She will act like a mere child. The visions of her limbless body being ripped to shreds attacked his head. How could he ever prepare her for such a battle?
  “Even you doubt that the Belmont will succeed,” the count cackled with glee, “this will be the greatest event in history: the last vampire hunter…is nothing but a weak feeble minded girl!!!”
  “That is not true!!!” Alucard cried out, “She just need a little patience!!”
  “My own patience is growing thin. I’ll let you wander and go find the Belmont…if my servants don’t manage to get rid of the pest.”
  The count turned his back as he exited the room. He had no pity for his words, nor did he care for what was about to happen.
  Alucard wanted to just go after him and finish him once and for all…but he couldn’t have the strength to do it. What was pulling him always?
  He sat on the bed, his own bed. He can only ponder and hope those visions of the Young Belmont being ripped to pieces were not the outcome of this final confrontation.

***

  After leaving my new friends, I continued onward towards my journey. Some monsters are just a little mis-understood, not all of them are bad. I continued walking down yet another place filled with monsters, but this time I had a little company, the bat card.
  The bat was showing off his greatest feats of flight. Whenever an enemy appear, he made a charming squeak and dashed towards the enemy as he gave it a fearful wing-smash.
  I wonder if this bat knew anything about Alucard or how he grew up. But I couldn’t interpret his speaks.
  Apparently, that’s what I called him, Squeaks. Okay, so it sounds silly to call a bat “Squeaks”. Well, it’s even more hilarious when you’re a Belmont who seeks aid from a bat!!!
  We continued on our route as we passed along some knights. These guys did not seem like the friendly type from King Author. They unleashed their axes at us. I moved to the side and let loose my whip to give a smacking. The bat squeak as he flew strait towards the knight in hopes to knock them down. The knights yelled in terror as their armor shatter to pieces.
  “Looks like we make a team Squeaks,” I said as I looked at the bat, “maybe with your help I can hopefully find Alucard and we can take care of the old count once and for all.”
  The bat shyly blushed a shade of red as he squeaked.
  “Don’t worry old friend,” I replied, “I’m sure there’ll be someone waiting just for.”
   I pat the bat nicely. Maybe I could ask Alucard if I could keep this bat as a pet. He is very cute and enjoyable to be with.
  We entered another area. This time, a stone tablet was on the wall. It kind of reminded me of the Aztec Calendar. Whoever designed this castle must have some taste in sculpture.
  Then, the tablet began to open. It shined some sort of light. It was too bright!!! The bat squeaks, trying to shield himself. I had to cover my eyes. Why was it doing it? I really don’t want to know.
  Finally the light stopped and the tablet sealed itself again. I lowered my arms to see what was going on. The bat was squeaking in confusion.
  I turned around.
  It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t be.
  Right in front of us was a young gentleman who has the same exact features as Alucard. It seemed all effort would be rewarded. But, something didn’t seem right. The bat was ready to attack this visitor. And how did Alucard get here in the first place? Was Death all along playing a joke on me?
  Something else was strange about this guy…on his forehead is imprinted the letters and numbers “LVL 10”. Now why would Alucard get a tattoo on his forehead? And why of that description? 
  He then laughed at me.
  “So you’re the young Belmont,” he said while holding his laughter, “I was going to expect somewhat more of a challenge.”
  “Hey!!!” I yelled back. Something told me that this wasn’t the Alucard I know of.
  “A Belmont with a soft heart…only to be crushed by the darkness. If you weren’t so cute with that whip of yours, you’ll be dead by now.”
  “Who the hell are you to say such rude comments?!!”
  The bat was squeaking angrily at this person, almost that he agreed with me.
  “What manners did I forget?” he asked as he bowed towards me, “And even in front of a young lady…perhaps willing to become my bride.”
  “In your dreams!!!” I growls as I tighten my whip. I am going send this guy back to where he rightfully belonged.
  He stood up as he gave out a sly smirk.
  “I am Doppelganger 10” he replied, “I take the form of the young vampire prince to protect the Outer Walls from intruders. And also to get rid of a pesky Belmont who cheated his death.”
  “Cheated his death?” I asked.
  “That must be you. Or else you wouldn’t be running around with that old whip.”
  “Hey!!!!”
  He smirked at me as he taken his fighting position. He looked at me with eyes full on demanding.
  “Time to die,” the Doppelganger chanted, “Young Belmont.”

***

  Alucard couldn’t take it any longer. The fate of the Belmont must rest on his shoulders. He knew she wouldn’t make it. Why did she enter the castle? Was she so foolish enough wanting to die??
  “I will give anything, even my own life. Don’t worry, even if you become wrapped in darkness, I’ll be there to pull you out.”
   Those words struck his head…she wasn’t coming into this castle because of him? Was she?
  “You need my help to enter the castle and I need your help in training me to defeat the count. I forgive you for not aiding me. But next time when I ask, can you please give some assistance?”
  She was coming for him. That Belmont. She’ll, she’ll….
  Alucard somewhat blushed. His pale cheeks perked up with a shade of red running across.
  He shook his head. He wasn’t falling in love to this girl. It would be purely ridiculous for someone of his status to fall in love with a growing young lady.
  He stood up. He had to get in contact with the Belmont. He removed from his vest some cards. Yet one of them was missing!!!
  The Bat Card.
  Perhaps his father must have taken it and placed it in the castle somewhere. He’ll find it eventually. The bat card wasn’t important, yet it was helpful at some times.
  What was a vampire without an aid of a bat right beside him?  

***

  The doppelganger unleashed flurries of sword swipes at us. I jumped and leaped side to side to avoid his attacks. The bat squeaked as he swooped around, constantly wing smashing at the doppelganger.
  I unleashed my whip at him, trying to smite his face. He didn’t manage to avoid my whip. He growled slightly, looking at me.
  “You hurt me Belmont,” the doppelganger hissed, “do you do this to all your friends??”
  “You’re no friend,” I replied as I held onto my whip, “friends never attack each other.”
  “Then I’ll send you screaming into Chaos!!!!” He then lunged at me.
  I didn’t know what happen, but I can remember I was slammed against the wall. The pain started to affect my body immediately. I slide down from the walls, leaning against as I sat on the floor. The bat squeaked at me. Was he worried for my safety too?
  Then, the bat started to attack the doppelganger. He wasn’t a happy camper with this small winged rodent constantly hitting him.
   The doppelganger growled as he thrown the bat to the other side. The bat gave out a cry as he fell onto the floor.
  I looked at this impersonator of a man…who is a monster in disguise.
  “You demon!!!” I yelled out, “Why did you hurt the bat for?!! He was just trying to help!!!”
  He looked at me, without any emotion.
  “He shouldn’t be helping humans,” he replied while he was looking at me, “humans are our prey. It sickens me that Count Dracula’s finest bat, which he raised by himself, to aid the humans…just like his own son. But, we’ll get them back, even your own friends are on our side.”
  “What?!!!” I cried out.
  “It’s true. The Belmont’s line is over. Everything will be back to normal…once I get rid of you!!!”
  “NOOOOOOO!!!!”
  Within that cry, a light started to shine from my pocket. The doppelganger backed away as he shield his eyes. An object appears right in front of my face.
  It was the vial of holy water that I taken from the top of Alucard’s cabinet. Could this help me defeat this monster?
  I didn’t realized but I was standing and pointing my finger to the roof.
  “You wanna hurt humans?” I asked as I looked at the doppelganger, “Then prepare to feel my wrath!!!!
  “No!!!” he cried out while backing away, “Please no!!!!! Can’t you forgive me?!! I don’t deserve this!!!”
 “HYDRO STORM!!!!!”
  It started to rain in the room, but the raindrops were stinging the doppelganger repeatedly. He started to scream, hoping to get away from this dreadful rain.
  Yet when the rain stopped, he was gone as well.
  “People who chosen the path of darkness,” I said while I was still standing, “shall be destroyed by their own ways.”
  I turned to the bat. I went to it as I lower myself to pick him up. He squeaked, trying to tell me he was all right and he was only wounded.
  What was the point of fighting? If I continue to fight…I might loose not only Alucard, but this bat and my friends as well. Why would my friends join the forces of evil? Did I neglect them?
  There was something else on the floor. I picked it up as well and looked at the object. A library card? What was it doing here in this castle?
    Without any warning, the card teleported us out of this area.

TO BE CONTINUED.