Dragon of The Night

Everyone knows the Lore of Vampires. Both the original and the retold stories.

Creatures of the night that feed on the blood of mortals. Their strength, speed and all senses heightened to such a degree, it makes humans look like bugs in comparison. In the place of these strengths, Vampires also hold incredible weaknesses.

The Sun will burn away their flesh, body and skeleton away into ash.
One strong thrust to the heart and they shrivel into a corpse.
And the Thirst for Blood…too long without it can send a Vampire into frenzy and will soon die…

But, since these tales have been told, it has always been known to be nothing but fiction, right?

Night has once again fallen down on the rebuilding city of New York, only two years since the Dragon Devil, Smaug, had scorched this grand island of Manhattan and was then put down by a hero.

2K-Dragon, Dragon Beastie and Avatar of all Beasties.

Tonight, the young man was walking among the construction and repair. Not entirely surprised that there was so much progress being done in only two years. Wasn’t even half way of course, and much of Central Park was still covered in patches of dirt and no trees in sight. But, it was getting there.

Since that day, the human public has grown to see 2K-Dragon less as a Rebel Beastie and more of a protector for any and all. Helping him to gain support for Beastie Rights and to cease N.S.R.

He made his way towards the Salvation Zone that was also being rebuilt for Beasties without homes. Hands in his pockets and a newly crafted blade of his own on his waist.

“Get baAARRRRRGHH!!” A scream echoed nearby.
“?!” 2K’s eyes shot up before he darted ahead, following the source. Was it a Rouge Beastie? An NSR Bot?!

He turned around into an alley and found a man in an overcoat, his back turned to him. Then, the man dropped a construction worker to the pavement. Blood covered the worker’s neck and spilled onto the ground.

2K growled as he drew out his new blade, lifting it towards the stranger. “Turn around, asshole! Now!” He shouted, eyes practically glowing.

First a slight turn of the head, then the rest of his body, the stranger did as 2K ordered. His face was pale, lips almost blue with the crimson color of blood dripping down the corners of his mouth. Shockingly, that wasn’t the striking feature of him. His eyes were a solid red, almost like glass. But 2K could feel them looking right through him. It wasn’t until he saw the large bat ears stretching out through the dark, slick long hair that 2K realized he was staring down a Beastie.

“Another rogue…” He grinded his teeth, bearing his fangs. “Who are you?”
“…Hmph.” The stranger scuffed and threw down his arm, swinging through his overcoat. Next thing 2K knew, the stranger was behind him.

“?!” 2K’s eyes widened as he turned only in time to see a fist slam into his chest. The wind getting ripped out of him as he flew back into the alley, crashing into a wooden bordered up wall. Tumbling until he got his footing. As he gripped his weapon, he heard the flapping of wings, dozens of them. He looked up and saw so many small bats heading right towards him, all acting like a hive of bees as they abruptly stopped.

They transformed into the tall stranger!

“The fuck?!” 2K fell back onto his rear and crawled away. “Since when can you bats do that?!”

The stranger started to snicker lightly, his eyes flashed at him. “This is the Hero, 2K-Dragon? Crawling away at the sight of a monster?”

“More trying to get some personal space…” 2K mumbled as he stood up and held up his sword again, igniting fire in his left.

The light shined onto the stranger, he glared at the flames. “You honestly think that will be enough?”

“Well… you teleport… turn into bats… and sent me on my ass in a second… so I’m willing to try just about anything at this point.” 2K shrugged, trying to make light of his situation. Bringing the fire up and arm lifted to the man. “You gonna tell me your name? Or should I go with Batty?”
“Cute…” He grumbled.
“Oh, simply adorable!” 2K shouted as he threw the fire at him, only to see him dodge the flames with ease and stood up straight right in the bewildered beastie’s face.
“My name is Sam. Not like you’ll remember it.”

Before 2K had a chance to react, he felt a crushing weight around his neck. Sam’s hand wrapped around his throat and lifted him off the ground. Dropping his blade, he tried to pull at Sam’s fingers, but to no prevail. The next thing he knew, he lost the air in his lungs as his back crashed into the concrete.

Twice.

Going limp, 2K hung from Sam’s hand before being pulled in close. One eye barely opened. The hell was going on? This guy was so much stronger and faster than Smaug… and he’s a bat. Why was he losing without even putting a scratch on him?

“You wasted my time…” Sam growled at 2K, exposing a long sharp fang behind his lips. “I suppose one more entrée couldn't hurt…”

Suddenly, his jaw opened wide and there were two of those fangs, sharp as razors. 2K could only stare in shock as Sam’s mouth drew close and sank his teeth in his neck.

2K’s body tensed up. A stinging, burning pain radiated from his neck all over his body. He clenched his teeth from it, wishing he could focus enough to turn Primal and harden his skin. It felt like time slipped away as his neck grew numb and he felt no strength or weight to his limbs.

Sam pulled away; his mouth covered in the dragon beastie’s blood and finally released him from his grip. Without saying a word, he turned away from the motionless 2K-Dragon.

Leaving him for dead…

Several hours passed, the sun would be reaching the horizon soon and 2K still lied in the alley, in a pool of his own blood.

“…nnngh...” 2K groaned as his eye barely opened, back in its human state. Clawing at the ground, he pulled himself forward to the debris of the wooden planks he was thrown through. He reached for one, barely able to firmly grasp it. Grinding his teeth, trying as hard as he could until he clenched tightly and pushed against it. Stabbing the plank into the ground and forcing his body to its feet, leaning forward, arm pressed against his stomach.

“….” Still trying to regain his breathing, his mind only said one thing over and over in his head.
“Have to get home…”

It certainly wasn’t an easy trip, almost tripping on his own feet as he pushed onward. Using the plank of wood the whole way back to a small apartment close to the harbor. Both his and Caitlin’s home.
2K nearly fell inside once he opened the front door and dropped the plank on the floor. Dragging his leg further to the living room and before he could try for the bathroom’s first aid kit, he fell unconscious onto the couch.

Morning came and the sun peeked through the windows, its rays glazing over the living room, stretching further inside until it landed on 2K’s hung arm on the side of the couch. As he laid there, dead asleep, the sun’s light started to burn and peel through his skin.

Suddenly his eyes opened wide and he leapt up. “OW! What the fuck?!” He fell off of the couch, onto the floor. “Geez that really….hurt…?” He looked at his arm, it was fine. But he felt it burn and… and the pain in his chest was gone. “…The hell?” He stood up, so quickly it almost made him dizzy. Looking at his body, he started to hear something. Water.

Water coursing through the pipes. Then a quick drop of water from the kitchen sink. When he turned to face it, it was like he was standing right next to it. He closed his eyes and held his head.
“What’s going on…”

Then 2K’s nostrils moved as he sniffed at the air. “What’s that smell…?” He sniffed again, drawn to it like a moth to a flame. The smell led to the bedroom, Caitlin was still in there, likely on her eight out of the twelve hour long naps. As he reached for the handle to carefully open in, like he’s done for so long, the handle was crushed easily in his hand. “You’re fucking kidding me…But that smell…”

He looked at the door, wanting to almost growl before he shook the feeling away. “Ok, calm down…you’re just experiencing very strange differences since getting your ass kicked… and being bitten on your neck… no way…” 2K ran to the bathroom, bashing into the door and denting it in. “…That can be fixed later…” Pushing the rest of it opened, 2K flipped on the light and looked in the mirror… he saw only the bathroom’s reflection.

“No fucking way…”

Caitlin slept soundly as 2K made his way in as quietly as he could without breaking the rest of the door and made his way to the bedside.

“Hey… Cait…” He nudged at her arm, whispering. “Cait, wake up…”
“No, Kyle…sleep good.” She groaned and buried her face into the pillow.
“Babe, wake up, please.” He nudged her again.
“…Meeeeh…” She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. “…Baby, why are your eyes both red and white?”
2K blinked then sighed. “…I think…I’m a vampire…”
“…I’m going back to sleep.” Caitlin turned away.
“Babe!” 2K shouted and tried to pull her back without hurting her.

Some time had passed until 2K-Dragon was finally able to get Caitlin to wake up, listen, and show how he was a vampire now. She freaked out the most when he put his arm in the sunlight.

“So what are you going to do now?” Caitlin asked, still rubbing his arm even after it healed.
“Gotta find a way to change back, can’t be a vampire.” 2K shook his head.
“But…how?”
“Well, most vampire stories have it that if you kill the one that bit you, you change back… I’m not exactly against that idea right now either…” He sighed and looked at the window, “I’m going to have to wait till sundown though… I’ll need help.” Holding a look of defeat, he groaned.
“…From who?”
“…Hell’s Hand…”
“Him? But why would he help? I mean…the whole beastie thing…”
“What sounds worse? A bunch of Beasties trying to just get their fair share…or a vamp dude running around, turning others into vampires?” 2K asked, folding his arms.
“The second one.” Caitlin nodded.

They stood there in silence as it set in that he truly was stuck in this apartment for an entire day before he can go to the NSR Commander.

“…Should I g-“
“No.” 2K shook his head.
“Hey! Let me finish!”
“I know what you’re gonna say. Ain’t happening.”
Caitlin puffed her cheeks, folding her arms. “You’re not gonna be able to see him till night. I can.”
“I literally can keep you from going, even before I became a dragon vampire.” He stood tall and looked into her eyes.
“Oh? Gonna see if you can control my mind?” She smirked and started to head for the bedroom door, to the living room, when a swarm of bats flew right by her and 2K stood at the door way.
“No…I’m gonna just stand here…something tells me I’ll be able to do this without a break.”
“Hmph! Fine… but I’m hungry, so excuse me.” She stomped and got 2K to let her leave and go to the kitchen to have her morning breakfast and coffee. Frustrated at him for again keeping her from getting involved. She knew why but genuinely felt 2K didn’t have to be the one to do everything… especially when it doesn’t even involve blowing stuff up!

As she went by, 2K felt a strike to his mind as he looked at her…only seeing red lines and a red orb in her chest. He was seeing her blood and heart as it beat inside her. That smell came back…it was her blood he smelled. He somehow blocked it out when he was explaining and understanding his situation to her.

He had to do it again. Closing his eyes tight, 2K looked away, ignoring the sound of her heart echoing through his ears. After concentrating, it calmed down and went away.

“So, you gonna bite me too?” Caitlin asked with a smile.
“CAITLIN!” 2K shouted; face palming at her bad timing of the question.
“Please! You know I love vampires!” She pouted.
“Yeah, those weird ones who sparkle!” 2K replied rolling his eyes.
“HEY! I love the other ones too!”
“No! N.O.”
“You’re going to kill the guy anyway, not like we’re gonna stay like that.” She stated, leaning on the counter.
“For all we know I might be stuck like this.”
“And! You once said if you ever became a vamp, you’d bite me so we’d be vamps together.” She smirked, her checkmate then a frown came. “Besides…if you don’t then you’ll live…well forever…without me…”
2K almost felt his stomach get ripped out from those words and sighed. “……..If I don’t turn back…..I’ll turn you into a vampire.” He gave up, realizing his defeat.
“Awesome!” Caitlin nearly leaped for joy then ran over to give him a big kiss on the lips. “Thank you, baby~”
“…You’re welcome…” He grumbled after kissing her back.
“Hmm~ You know…we could see how strong you are in bed~” She tapped at his chest with her fingertip.
“…Seriously?” 2K arched his brow.

She just smiled, nodding but blushing too.

2K rolled his eyes. “Maybe…eat breakfast first.”
“What are you going to eat?”
“…I’m gonna be safe and assume drinking blood will fuck me over, so I’ll pass.” He nodded, and then hugged her.
Caitlin embraced him, nuzzling against him. “Even as a vampire, you’re still warm.” She spoke softly.

2K-Dragon smiled and kissed her head before letting her go back to her food and looked to the windows. Most of them were covered by towels and sheets thanks to Caitlin, but cracks of light still shined in. He growled a bit at it.

Finally…night had fallen again, and 2K-Dragon left to find Hell’s Hand. Knowing where he lived also helped. And this time, breaking in unseen won’t be a problem. During the daylight hours 2K had done what he could to practice his new power that came to him rather easily. Chalk it up to stories making it seem like you had to train. He learned how to move fast enough to run around the apartment before Caitlin could blink.

And not to mention, right now, he didn’t exactly feel the need to use his wings. Soaring through the air, he was moving as fast as he did with his dragon wings, in a form of dozens of bats. All as a one, a hive mind. Everything they saw, he saw. He hoped the people who might’ve seen him did’t get too scared.

Inside the large home of Justin "Hell's Hand" Kavanagh, the Commander had returned for the night after a long day of his usual work, rounding up Beasties. He walked around, all doors leading to the outside guarded by NSR Bots of his own. Making his way upstairs and to his bedroom, he opened the door and saw his counter mirror with only him and his door in the reflection. That’s when he flipped a switch for the bedroom light and saw 2K-Dragon standing right next to him.

“What the?!” Justin nearly jumped as the blue mark from his Super Soldier serum emerged and he reached for his revolver, only for 2K to stop him instantly.
“Don’t do that.” 2K shook his head.
“How did you get in here?!” Justin shouted at him, trying to pull away.
“Bats.”
“….” Justin stopped resisting and just stared. “Bats…”

2K nodded his head to the mirror; Justin looked…then shot his gaze back.

“You’re fucking joking.”
“Nope.”
“You’re a vampire now?”
“Yup.”
“…You turn into bats.”
“Basically.”
“…Do you go, ‘I vant to suck your bload?’” Justin smirked.
“I need your help.” 2K growled, letting go of him.
“Wait wait, what about garlic? Does that affect you? You don’t fucking sparkle do you?”
“Fuck off, asshole.”
“No! I need to know! Do you go Coco for Bloodypuffs?”

2K pushed him lightly, but his new strength sent the commander flying into the closet door. Even 2K stepped back from it. “Oops…”

Next thing he knew, a gun went off and shot him right in the chest. Only thing he felt was the pressure from it hitting him. And like his arm in the sun, the hole closed up quickly.

“…You’re really a vampire.” Justin growled, walking out of his closet.

Three NSR Bots ran inside. “Commander Kavanagh. Are you alright?” They asked, completely ignoring 2K-Dragon who stood literally right next to them.
Justin blinked. “….Fine….Any Beasties in the area?”
“No sir. The only people here are you and –Unknown-” The Bot looked to 2K-Dragon and silently stared, it was just a robot after all.
“….Then return to your post.” Justin holstered his weapon and swayed his hand.
“Yes, Commander.” The three Bots left the room and returned downstairs.
“See?” 2K pointed to them with both index fingers.
“…What do you need help with? A cure?”
“Something like that…”

2K walked with Justin through his home and to the small HQ of his own inside the large garage. Telling him the same he told Caitlin.

“I figured you’d be the best chance at tracking him.”
“A Bat beastie named Sam…If he was one of the early captures, he should be in the data base and easy to find…”
“God bless ‘Merika…” 2K rolled his eyes, tucking his hands into his pockets.
“…So you got the fangs, huh?”

2K glared and exposed them, hissing.

“Heh…alright let’s see…” Justin typed away on his keyboard, scrolling through information and details
2K gave him. Suddenly an image appeared.
“That’s him…shorter hair, but that’s him.” 2K nodded.
“Samuel Ramous. Beastie Class, Bat. One of our first, like I figured. Seems after he broke out we lost all traces.” Justin mumbled as he read more information. “Ok, even if he moves fast, he has to stop and be still to… feed. Hopefully a few cameras spotted him.” He went back to typing as 2K looked around.
“…”
“You blow this shit up after I find him and I’ll make sure to restrain you outside for the sun to kill you.”
“Just looking…” 2K grumbled, his mind read easily by Justin.
“…Fuck…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m finding him all over the country. As well as reports of people being attacked and having excessive amounts of blood loss. A lot of them are dead now though…”
“Guess that’s why he left me in the alley…must’ve thought he drank me dry.”
“Can’t say that wouldn’t have sucked.”

2K lifted his hand at Justin’s head, to which Justin quickly pressed the revolver to 2K’s chest, over his heart.

“Should we see if a bullet does just as well as a stake?” Justin glared through the gaps between 2K’s fingers.

It took a beeping at the console to get them to finally lower their hands from each other and turned to it.
“What is it?”
“Got a match! He’s still in the city. In the reconstruction areas. I’m sending in a few squads.”
“I’ll meet them there.” 2K went for the door before it suddenly slammed shut. He slowly turned to Justin. “You’re fucking kidding, right?”
“You honestly thought I’d waste the chance to finally be rid of you?” Justin stood up, gun pointed again.
“You couldn't kill me before…what makes you think that this time will be any different?” 2K growled, his eyes glowing.
“I can’t lose. Only I know how to open the door. Kill me, and you’re trapped her to die. Even if you eat me, you’re stuck here.” He glared, pulling the revolver’s hammer back. “Best part, not even my Bots know you’re here.”
“Caitlin does.”
“!...”
“Kill me or trap me now, after I killed Smaug, this going to look really bad for you. Besides, she’d find a way to get me out if I can’t find a way first. She is very smart after all.” 2K smirked and folded his arms. His fangs exposed as he showed his teeth.

Justin just growled and stood there for a good minute before reaching for a button then tapped a few others quickly and the door opened back up. “Sometimes I wish the President just nuked the city when that bastard came on the scene.”

“I know you do…Hell’s Hand.” He growled back and the two ran out, Justin getting to the roof to get his private helicopter going, while 2K took to the air and he returned to the form of dozens of bats, soaring through the sky.

Justin’s helicopter caught up to the swarm. Looking out to the window, he saw 2K’s arm form and just flip Justin off before going faster.

“Vampire Asshole…” Justin scuffed and tilted the helicopter forward more to go faster.

Soon enough, they made it back into the city where they watched from the sky as NSR Bots were getting torn to shreds. But not by Sam. There were several others down there. 2K looked closer thanks to his heightened vision and saw no blood running through them. They were other vampires.

Justin took the lead by setting the helicopter to autopilot and quickly leapt from it, his blue mark showing again, his body hardening as he descended.

2K was right beside him, his upper half forming with the tail of bats behind him.

“Showing off?!” Justin shouted over the wind hitting them.
“Look who’s talking! I see five of them!” 2K shouted back.
“Good, more chances for me to see how to kill you as a vampire!”
“If they don’t kill you first!”

Boom! Both landed hard and with ease on the ground, looking up to the five vampires who snarled with grins at them.

“Here’s the plan, you distract them with your blood and maybe I’ll kill them in time.”
“Better, I kill all of you.”
“Come on, let’s be realistic.” 2K smirked.

As they bantered, two of the vampires screeched and ran at them, claws bare. They were coming at them fast as Justin drew out his revolver and combat knife, running from 2K’s side to go meet one of them halfway. 2K just stood his ground and readied himself. His eyes glowing bright as the vampire leapt from the ground and dived towards him.

Pulling back his fist, 2K threw it forward with all his strength and impacted the vampire’s face. You could hear the jaw dislocate before he was knocked out of the air and back to the ground.
In that time, Justin drew his opponent in and slashed at the face, making sure to avoid his claws and lunges.
When the vamp swung done his hand right to Justin’s face, he fired several bullets directly at the wrist, blasting the whole hand off! The vampire shrieked and stepped back to the others, regrouping and all five of them now hissing and snarling.

“They’re just animals…Likely first timers that he didn’t try to kill…” 2K stated, stepping over to Justin.
“Doesn’t matter. Even in the stories these bastards can die.” Justin reloaded his weapon.

2K nodded and drew out his sword and held it towards them. “Ready?”
“Like you need to ask…” Justin ran ahead with his own speed.

2K followed quickly behind him in his bat swarm form, only his head, part of his torso and the arm wielding the sword was solid in the charge.
The vampires screamed and shouted as they too charged in. Predictable creatures, same tactic.

2K-Dragon flew around two of them before coming back around and slicing one in half and slicing upwards on the other, but after they fell to the ground, they still moved! As Justin took down the first one through from throwing the knife into one of the vampire’s chest, dodging the second and third and throwing a punch against the bottom of the combat knife and plunged it into the vampire’s heart.
The bloodsucker screamed out in pain as their body shriveled away and fell to the ground, barely giving Justin enough time to grab the blade before the other two were on him.

“Fuck slicing and dicing! Go for the heart!” He shouted with the two vamps right behind him as he ran through a fort of pillars of a building being reconstructed.
“Got it!” 2K nodded and stabbed down at the vertically sliced Vampire’s heart, resulting in the same death.

Before he could turn around, the horizontally sliced vamp had used his arms to throw himself off the ground and lunge onto 2K-Dragon! Digging his claws into 2K’s neck and back.
“Gah! You fucker!” He growled and quickly plunged his left hand up inside the vamp, setting him ablaze from the inside, destroying the heart! Fire came out of the creature’s mouth and eyes and he turned into ashes before he hit the ground.

Breathing a little from the wounds, which quickly healed, he ran to help Justin with the last two.

Inside one of the taped off buildings, Justin turned to face his chasers…they were gone.
“Shit!…Not this crap…” He grinded his teeth as he looked around, walking backwards slowly. Hide and seek. Or cat and mouse. He kept his eyes open, trying to listen as close as possible.
An I-beam fell down right behind him, diverting his attention to above from where it fell. Nothing. Then a few pipes falling  to his left. They were toying with him.

Walking around a corner, he suddenly saw a figure and shot it right in the head. It was 2K-Dragon.

“It’s me…dick.” He held a very unamused face.
“… Sorry. How’d you find me?” He turned away to look behind them.
“I can see your veins through the walls. And I can smell your blood too… ah, and hear your heart beat…so trust me…they see you. They’re just dicking with you.” 2K turned, now back to back.
“Can you see them?”
“Nope…”
“Perfect…” A large collection of planks of wood crashed down near them. “Just perfect…” Justin rolled his eyes.

They continued to search and try to block out the distractions and look in all other directions. Finally two loud crashes were heard and when they turned away from them, the two vampires tackled 2K and Justin to the ground. It turns out that their game wasn’t in their favor for doing so as 2K suddenly breathed fire right into his attacker’s face. He then swung his hand at the other to get it off Justin, watching him fire several bullets in the heart, blowing it away.

The last, healing from the burns screamed and ran away as Justin’s kill dropped to the ground.

“Don’t let it get away!” Justin shouted.
“So now we’re capturing them?!” 2K stood up quickly and watched it run.
“Shut up and go!”

Without wasting another second, 2K formed into his bats and gave chase, right on the vampire’s tail the whole way through the construction site. Making it back outside, 2K stopped short and stood there with eyes wide open. Justin caught up with him quickly, then shared his expression.

“How many bullets you got?”
“Not enough…”

The vampire they chased hissed with a large grin, behind him stood over twenty vampires. All snarling at Justin… looking very hungry.

“What’s the plan, Hell’s Hand?”
“I’m calling in more Bots…not sure if we can hold this many off though…”
“Can’t let them into the city though…” 2K shook his head.
“Agreed…But not much we can do dead…er…” Justin shrugged, lifting his revolver.

As the vampires leaned forward, the two sighed and tried to ready themselves.

All of a sudden, there was a great bright light all around them. All the vampires, including 2K, grunted and groaned from it. So bright, so warm. It was like a small sun. 2K squinted his eyes and looked to see what the source of the light was above them. It was Caitlin!

In her Primal form, she was using her Phoenix flames to shine brightly, giving credit to the name Sun Bird. Her light made the vampires cower and back away. They were escaping and Justin’s reinforcements weren’t here yet to stop them.

As Caitlin drew closer, the light grew brighter and was starting to burn. Even 2K tried to hide behind Justin’s shadow, attempting to block the pain. This was enough to finally get the vampires to all gather into a massive wave of bats and flee into the sky, going to who knows where.

After they all left, Caitlin reverted back to normal and ran over to 2K-Dragon, embracing him.

“Baby! I’m so sorry! Are you ok?” She nuzzled and kissed him.
“I’ll be ok…” He nodded slowly.
“I’m sorry! I tried to focus it on them…”
“No, you did the right thing. Thank you.” He smiled to her and wrapped his arms around her.
Caitlin smiled weakly before looking up to Justin. “Hey, Justin.” She nodded and waved.

Justin just rolled his eyes and folded his arms.

They waited there for nearly half an hour till more NSR Bots arrived with a team of researchers to secure the sight. Letting them gather anything they can from the corpses. The motley trio did have to answer many questions on the fact they were really vampires as well.

2K sat on the ground beside Caitlin and watched as Justin worked. It was an interesting sight, seeing him in action from an angle where their lives weren’t in danger. But that thirst started to act up as 2K coiled up, bearing his fangs as he growled.

“K-Kyle?!” Caitlin held his hand tightly
“So much blood around me…can’t focus…” 2K shook his head, trying to force the craving to subside.
“…You! Get a muzzle!” Justin ordered a nearby Bot and it ran off quickly.
Caitlin arched her brow. “Seriously??”
“Got a better idea to keep him from biting people?” He asked her, glaring at him.
“…” Caitlin just held 2K tightly in her arms, keeping him still.

The Bot returned with an NSR Beastie muzzle and handed it to Justin. He walked over and knelt down.
“Excuse me.” He looked to Caitlin to let go and move. She was hesitant but nodded and sat beside 2K.

“This is going to be fun to watch…”Justin smirked.
“Just put it on before your neck is in my mouth…” 2K growled at him and quickly the muzzled grabbed his mouth and locked behind his head.
“Sadly…it won’t shut him up…”
“Up yours.” 2K pushed him off now that the muzzle was fastened on him, even if he lost it, they were safe from him biting and feeding.

Justin was called away by one of the researchers, leaving Caitlin to gently stroke 2K’s cheek and head with her fingertips.
“I love you, Kyle.” She spoke softly to him.
“I love you too, Cait.” Replying softly as well, he reached and cupped her cheek in his hand, breathing slowly to regain control over his sight to see her face and not the blood running through her.

“Hey! We got something!” Justin shouted and waved them over.

They got up and went over to the makeshift tent that was set up, one of the vampires sprawled on a table.

“See this?” The NSR research chief asked, pointing to some hardened soil on the shoes and pants of the dead vamp. “It matches the wet dirt and rocks from beneath the city.” She held one of them up for them to see.
“The subway.” Justin nodded.
“Yes. The Second Avenue Subway. Still being built.” Says the chief.
“How can you be so sure?” 2K asked, arching his brow.
The chief almost glared at the vampire beastie. “Because it matches reports of the missing workers and accidents that just seem to happen down there, and it’s hidden from sunlight. A place for easy meals for patient…vampires.” She had a hard time saying the word.
“They’re not being patient anymore…” Caitlin sighed.
“Well with all the work that needs to be done up here, can’t see a subway as a priority.” 2K shrugged.
“So, judging by the evidence, it’s likely they’re held up close to the further point where work was last done… that’s pretty deep…” Justin sighed. “Caitlin, you’re going to be coming with us.”
“I am?” Caitlin asked, almost with a smile on her face.
2K slammed his hand down, the table smashed into the ground. Making Caitlin and the Chief jump back a bit. “You’re fucking joking now for sure, right? It’ll be bad enough bringing you, a human in there but you want to involve Cait? Who is, not to mention, also full of blood?!”

Justin folded his arms and stepped closer to him. “You want to stay like this for another few days? While the vampires are coming to the surface to feed and spread?”
“…”
“I didn’t think so…we don’t have the time to craft ultraviolet rays onto my Bots. And since we don’t live in Underworld, UV ammunition doesn’t exist… she at least can use her fire to nearly produce a second Sun, and we’re going to need that.”
“This is my Cait we’re talking about here…” 2K glared, his eyes glowing, memories of Sarah dying in his arms because of Justin flooding in.
“Kyle… babe. I can do this… you know he’s right. If you were ever going to have to let me go with you…now’s that time.” She put her hand on his shoulder, rubbing it with her thumb. “Please.”
“…” 2K grinded his teeth behind the muzzle but sighed heavily. “Stay close to me… I say run, run. Please, Cait. Promise?”
“Promise.” Caitlin nodded with a smile.
“Touching…” Justin rolled his eyes before getting on his communicator. “I want all Bots issued auto rifles. Sights lock onto the Heart. We leave in an hour.”
“Oh! More than enough time to pack some Trail ‘Mix!” Caitlin smiled wide, to which Justin just stared. “Not for picky over here, just some skittles or something for him.” She laughed.

Justin scoffed at her before walking away.
“…And you still think you can make him friendly. After everything he’s done and how he acts.” 2K sighed.
“Better than just killing each other…” Caitlin folded her arms and the two turned away, walking out of the tent and heading back to their apartment to get ready.


9:50 p.m.
“Time to hunt for some vampires.” 2K smirked a little, as Caitlin, Justin, himself, and a large branch of NSR Bots behind them moved onward to confront Sam. Not exactly a comforting sight, but at least they weren’t aiming their weapons at him or Cait.
“We got a long time till sun rise, that’ll give reinforcements a chance to mow any down that try to escape.” Justin stated and looked at the large tunnel opening. “…Let’s get moving. Forward!” He ordered to the Bots and with that, they and the small army behind them marched on inside.

They must’ve traveled for over an hour, no stopping, not till they found a lead.
And they did.

At the last digging site, there was a ‘cave-in’ of some kind nearby, a large hole. Justin blinked so his eyes could see in the dark and took the lead. After a moment he came back and waved to them, time to be as quiet as possible. Even if the vampires would be able to smell them.

2K was able to see just fine and Caitlin stayed close to him, letting him lead, not wanting to use her fire as a torch just yet. As they got in deeper…blood started to be seen on the rocky walls.
“Yup… we’ve found them…” 2K whispered and they pressed on.

It started to get cramped and the Bots had to huddle up, but they stayed close by, monitoring all angles.

“Heh heh heh heh… I must say, I’m impressed. This is the first time we’ve had mortals come into our home…and with all that clanking in here, it sounds like those scrap heads made by the great Hell’s Hand.” Sam’s voice echoed throughout the small cave.
“…” Justin stayed silent as he looked around with 2K and Caitlin. “See him?”
“No...” 2K looked around, only seeing shadows.
“Me neither.” Caitlin shook her head.

Then the laughter came back.
“And yet… I hear another one with you…but I cannot see your blood…nor hear your heart…”
“Heh, that’s because you sucked at killing me, Batty.” 2K smirked.
“2K-Dragon… I was wondering why your body wasn’t discovered by the mortals up there… how are you enjoying yourself as one of us? Did you enjoy the taste of blood?”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t drink.” He snickered.
“What…?” Sam’s voice shook.

Suddenly, they heard flapping and raced further inside of the cave, coming across a large open area of the cave, covering a good distance. That’s when they saw figures hanging from the stalagmites covering the ceiling. Bat Beasties…all vampires. They opened their wings, eyes blood red and fangs as sharp as the next.

“Oh shit…” 2K muttered behind the muzzle.

The wing flapping returned and a tall bat beastie landed in front of them. It was Sam.
“You have not yet tasted blood?”
2K glared at him. “No… the last thing I need is to catch a disease.”
“You survive our encounter…and you deny-”

Suddenly Sam was fired upon by the Bots and fell off the ledge; Justin was in no mood for the cliché of the bad guy ranting.
“Fucking hate ramblers…”
“…Thanks… almost got caught up in that chat…” 2K nodded, before hearing all the other vampires screeching loudly and taking flight.
“Fire at will!! Caitlin! Now!” Justin ordered.
“Right, Kyle!” She nodded and turned to 2K-Dragon to find cover.

But before that could happen, Sam’s hands reached out from the ledge and grabbed both 2K and Caitlin’s legs and pulled them down! Justin shouted out to them as they fell!

2K caught Caitlin in his arms and his back crashed onto the rocky floor. “…Ow…” He shook his head as he held her. “Cait, you ok?” He asked, not wanting to let her go.
“Yeah…” She nodded and sat up to look above them, hearing Justin’s shouting and gunfire echo down to them. “We don’t seem to be that far down…”
“Not yet!” Sam shouted as he appeared before them, wings stretched out.
“Sam…” 2K growled as he stood up. “All it takes is one good stab and you’re done.”
“Heh, you think that’s the case? Just kill me that easily?” He snickered. “Gonna be hard when I do this…” He suddenly turned into bats and swarmed 2K and Caitlin, landing a few cuts on Caitlin’s body before she flailed her arms out, blasting fire around them and get Sam to fly away. He was now hovering over them.

2K stood up, ready to take flight after him, until he froze. The smell, it was stronger than ever. He turned to Caitlin and saw her arms and neck covered in small cuts, but just enough to expose blood.
“…” He stared at her, eyes wide. Irises glowing.
“K-Kyle…?” Caitlin backed away from the look he was making.
“…Smells so good…” He was becoming lost in a trance.
“It’s ok. You can control it.” She nodded to him.
But that barely fazed him as he stepped closer to her, his hand reaching up to the muzzle and ripped it off with ease, making Caitlin suddenly shake. She knew this wasn’t him, he was losing control and she quickly reached for her canteen, full of her healing tears to try and close the cuts before he did anything. But it was all for nothing as 2K lunged onto her, pinning her down. Staring right into her eyes.

“Kyle! Stop!” She shouted trying to thrown him off, but her strength was nothing compared to his right now. She couldn’t bring herself to look back at his glassed eyes. His thirsty eyes…
Leaning in, 2K slid his tongue along her neck until he tasted a small bit of her blood on it. Bringing the blood into his mouth and rolled his tongue around.

Caitlin closed her eyes tight when she felt her tears build up. She wanted 2K to bite her this very morning…but this wasn’t the same. He was going to feed on her.

Sam watched with a large grin on his face.

2K looked back down to Caitlin and moved towards her neck, fangs bare and ready…then he stopped and his body shook. He was looking down at a round scar that was between her neck and shoulder.

His mark. His Dragon bite.

“…Ca…Catlin…” His eyes shifted back and forth from being glassed over.
“Kyle?!” She shot her eyes open and looked up to him, cupping his face in her hands.
“…Do it…quick…” He grunted, letting go of his grip on her arms.
Caitlin hesitated but nodded then within a flash, her body shined with light and fire as she went Primal, her wings greatly radiating the bottom of this cave.  

Both Sam and 2K were sent flying back from the flash. 2K slammed into a wall of rock behind him, and Sam crash landed onto the floor.
Caitlin had to cease the light to keep from hurting 2K and ran to his side, returning her hands to his face, softly holding him. “Kyle, are you alright?”
“Yeah…I’m sorry Cait.” He looked over to her.
“No it’s ok. You didn’t mean to…”

They both looked over to see Sam getting back up, growling.
“Caitlin…stay back…” 2K told her, and for the first time, he shifted his eyes to their dragon form, with the red as bright as ever before. Snarling loudly.
Caitlin nodded and stepped back, ready to jump back in if she needed to.

2K stood up straight and stretched out, bringing fire to both hands and roared loudly. Sam hissed and snarled in response, readying his claws.
The two charged at each other and swung their arms forward and clashed. 2K’s fire erupting in Sam’s hand, but it healed faster than it had burned. Using this as a perfect chance to dig his claws into 2K’s hand, holding it tightly in his clenched fist.
“?!”  2K growled and spun his body to try and throw him off, but no luck. Instead he pulled him closer, grabbing his overcoat and slamming him into the ground.

Sam yelled out then used the wings on his arms to slice across 2K’s face. Cutting deep, but barely fazed him as the wound quickly closed back up and he grabbed Sam’s wing, spinning and throwing the bat beastie away into one of the walls.
“Gah!” Sam cough out before landing on one of his knees. “You don’t drink blood..yet you’re this strong…how?!”

2K growled. “I’m a fucking dragon and you’re a fucking bat. Trust me…you were outmatched the second you didn’t make sure I was dead in that alley!” And to both prove his point and to end this once and for all, 2K flexed out and his body shifted into its Primal form and roared loudly.

Sam backed up slowly.

2K’s tail smacked the ground and flapped his wings hard and went at him fast, throwing a hard punch across the face. Then to his gut. Then an uppercut to Sam’s jaw.

To many people, 2K having to hunt down a vampire after becoming one himself, it would sound like a long adventure and one grand final battle. But this was a Beastie that has been trained for two years how to used every muscle he had in each blow. How to make his fire a heavy hitter rather than a simple wave of heat. Then for several years, he fought against Hell’s Hand. N.S.R.. An inverted duplicate. An ancestor risen from the grave. A man of dark magic. And only two years ago, against a Dragon Devil Beastie.

With only Caitlin as a witness, 2K displayed easily, with both he and Sam being Vampires…all that remained was their raw strength…and 2K-Dragon outmatched him, by nature and nurture.

Grabbing hold of Sam’s long hair, 2K slammed his knee into the Bat’s face and pulled on both large ears before bringing him close to his face, and bashed his head into Sam’s. Watching the vampire stumble back.
“You bastard! I’ll rip your head off and drain every bit of blood your body has left. Then I’ll let my slaves have the scraps!” Sam shouted.
“Not likely…” 2K growled and stood firm. Waiting…
“Die! You scum!” Sam shouted and flew at him with brute force, both hands with claws ready.

But out of nowhere, a sharp stabbing pain came surging throughout his body. He looked down to see what it was. 2K’s tail had impaled him. Right into his heart.

“You…I just want-“ He tried to growl but 2K put his hand over the vampire’s mouth.

“I don’t care.” And like that, 2K dug his claws into Sam’s cheeks. Sending a wave of fire down Sam’s throat, both his tail and now his fire were cooking this bastard into a crispy dinner on a stick.

Sam attempted to scream through 2K’s hand before he was charred from the inside.

Just like that…the vampire was dead. That was easier than even 2K thought, but this wasn’t a silly movie with a grand finale, this was practically another day for 2K…

He turned back to normal, and when Caitlin took sight of him…that red glow was gone from his eyes. The fangs, missing.

2K looked up at Caitlin and shrugged. “…How do I look?”
“Back to your handsome self!” Caitlin cheered and ran over to him, embracing him tightly.

Afterwards they flew back up to see Justin and the NSR bots, some on the ground in pieces but most standing tall beside their captured. The Vampire Bat Beasties had changed back into regular beasties.

“2K-Dragon. Caitlin.” Justin nodded to them both. “Thanks. Let’s collect and move out.” He shouted and the order was given to capture surviving beasties. But, 2K couldn’t stop them; they were as rogue as it got for 2K to think about and just turned away.

2K looked over at Justin once more…the man he hated so much for everything he’s done…and in order to make sure Caitlin stayed safe, he just walked past him. “See you on our battlefield…ass.” He growled.
“Yeah. See ya, dick.” Justin responded.

And with that, 2K-Dragon and Caitlin left the construction site of both the tunnel and buildings nearby. They were both holding the other’s hand, fingers entwined.
“So…what now?” Caitlin asked.
“Go home and get some sleep!” 2K laughed, breathing in the air. “Ah! Much better…Heh, come on, let’s go home.” He smiled to her.
“I’d like that.” Caitlin leaned into his chest and nuzzled before 2K took Caitlin in his arms and flew into the air, heading home to put this nonsense behind him.



EPILOGUE

Nearly two decades had passed since that night and it was Halloween! In the large home of the Draco family, Caitlin was in the kitchen with her daughter, Sophia Draco. Both of them putting goodies and candy into baggies that Caitlin and 2K were going to be giving out to the trick-or-treaters.

“So, what are you and Oliver going to be doing tonight, hun?” Caitlin asked her daughter about the Halloween date with her longest childhood friend, turned boyfriend.

Oliver Saint…The bastard son of Prophet Scarecrow.

“We’re going to see some houses, then see a cool vampire movie that just came out today!” The young teen beastie exclaimed with joy. A lot of excitement for the night.
“Vampire movie?” Caitlin arched her brows, then her brain was stuck by a memory. “You know, vampires are real.” She nodded.
“…Mom, I’m not a kid anymore…” Sophia groaned.
“No it’s true! It all happened so fast that day, but your father was bitten and turned into a dragon vampire!”

2K rolled his eyes. “Oh god…No. She’s crazy.”
“Hey! You better help me prove to our daughter that vampires are real!” Caitlin pouted. “Your dad became one and almost bit my neck… why didn’t you?!” She pretended to sob before getting back to her goody bags. Then an idea sparked her mind. “Wait, I’ll just call Justin!”
“He won’t answer.” 2K sighed as Sophia walked over to him.
“Has mom lost it?”
“A little.”

With that, Caitlin picked up her cell phone and quickly went through contacts to find Justin’s number. Once she did, she couldn’t have pressed the dial harder.

Ringing~

“Hello, this is Commander Kavanagh.” Justin’s voice came through the speaker.
“Justin! Help, I need you to tell my daughter that all those years ago, we fought and killed Vampires! Right?!” She asked loudly until all she heard and abrupt end. “Justin hold on-Wait!! NOOOOOOO!” Caitlin shouted out to the ceiling. Shaking her fists.

“Yup, mom has lost it alright...” Sophia sighed with her father as he sat beside her, rolling his eyes.

“Yup…Vampires are so real….” 2K spoke sarcastically as he leaned back in his couch and watched the TV.

THE END