“-and then the school kinda was destroyed a little bit.” Amber said meekly. Cross sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“So, we have a supernatural terrorist attack on a high school, Leo perishing in the process, and that’s on top of the army of mutant vampires led by the insane magician at the abandoned mall.” She glared at Scott. “Last night. You called me last night.”

“Hey, we just found out about all this too, it’s been a hectic week.” Scott said cheerfully, downing yet another coffee. They had relocated to his secret lab, where Leo’s tarp laid on the operation table, attended to by Bones. Cross eyes the skeleton warily.

They had been even more unnerved by the two dozen other zombies initially filling the warehouse, but Scott assured them that they were completely necessary for the next step, and to deprive him of the tireless labor would endanger the plan. Not knowing what the plan was, but trusting the teen that had saved the town once already, Cross had let it slide.

“I don’t get paid enough to deal with this.” she muttered, then leaned against the locker. Amber decided not to mention that was where Bones was usually stored, and who knew what else was in there now. She had heard growling and rattling before Cross came in.

“Did you get the fish tanks? How about the bananas? Did you get the-” Scott asked eagerly, to Amber’s confusion, but Cross cut him off, trying to stave off a massive headache.

“I called up the boys who helped us with the cult. They’re bringing all they can, I got a text form Pete saying they would be here in about ten minutes. I presume they’re part of your mysterious plan?” she asked, eyebrow raised.

“Indeed!” Scott cackled. “Yes yes, oh what a plan it is.” He rubbed his hands together.

“Does it involve us dying horribly?” Amber deadpanned.

“It…could. But that’s something that hopefully won’t happen.”

“Right.” Cross interrupted. “And are you sure it was a good idea to drop off that…ugh, vampire home? I hate to have another one of them running around, but we could use all the help we can get. Even if he didn’t look like he could.” she said, recalling his rail-thin frame.

“Yeah, don’t worry about him. He’s definitely one of the good guys, he’s Nightfang.” Scott said. Cross bolted upright.

“He’s the vigilante!?”

“He’s dealing with some personal issues right now, it’s best he gets some time to relax and process everything,” Scott continued, as if he hadn’t heard her. “Besides, with his…convictions, he wouldn’t go for the next part of the plan anyway. I understand you two might have some reservations of your own, but please try to keep in mind it’s a temporary situation, and we’re all doomed if we don’t anyway. Remember, we’ve done stuff like this before, and it’s the best way I could think of on such short notice to protect everyone, and indeed keep people from realizing what’s going on. The less people who have knowledge of the supernatural, the better for all of us.”

“Scott, what’s the plan?” Amber said with mounting alarm. Scott snapped his fingers, and Bones brought out a couple of boxes. “What’re these?” She opened one, and unfolded a uniform shirt, pair of pants, boots, gloves, a hat, and a mask. They were all black, the only color being a skull design on the front of the low-cut shirt. Cross opened hers to find a similar outfit roughly her size. She frowned.

“What’s the meaning of this?” she snapped as Scott took an identical package from under the table.

“Well, it was a rush job and I didn’t know your measurements, but these won’t be under too much direct scrutiny. I’m just glad black hides the imperfect seams. A few of my helpers have been working on these all night.” he said, taking off his shirt and putting on a solid black one. He held out his arms, and Bones slid an equally-dark overcoat around his shoulders. “This is but merely step one of my master plan. But, that’s…not all.” He stood up straight, turning away from them. He was silent for a moment, trying to work up to something. “I…you know, I’ve realized something recently. I…I’ve been trying to be nice.”

“Huh?” He shook his head at her quizzical look.

“Do you get it? I’ve been trying to be nice. Thinking things over more, making sure I do the correct thing first off, trying not to act on my instincts. Less graverobbing, more relying on my friends, trying to have everyone work together, y’know, the whole, ‘lovable anime protagonist’ kinda thing. But…normal people don’t have to try to be nice like that.” Amber opened her mouth to speak, but Scott raised a hand to cut her off. “No. I been thinking about this for awhile. Please, let me get it out.” He began pacing nervously back and forth.

“I’ve been trying to be a bit nicer, a bit more sociable. May not have always succeeded, but I’ve tried. I-I guess you could say I’ve been trying to do what Kevin does, in kinda my own way. And let’s be fair, it’s worked before. But Brian, and the Serpent…they’re gearing up for big, big things. And…and I just can’t think of a nice way to make it through this.” He turned back to her and smiled, and Amber had never seen him look so sad.

“Kevin was meant to do this, you know. He was meant to be a superhero. You can see it in his eyes. There’s nothing but conviction. He’s the kind of pure good that you don’t see everyday, the kind of light that can’t be corrupted, stained, or snuffed out. He’s got the right stuff, even if he’s going through a hard time. Me, though? I’ve realized something watching him. Him and Leo, you know how freaking amazing he is too. Watching them, I realized I’ve only been playing at being a hero. I don’t got what they got. My first reflex, my instincts, my methods…they’re quite a bit…darker, than what a hero’s should be. I…no matter what I want, I-I don’t think I can change that. But…but that’s okay.” He nodded to himself. “I’ve decided…that I can accept that. So I’m going to do what I must, how I must. I’m never going to be Luke Skywalker, or Frodo. Steve Roger’s right out. If we’re talking Sauron, though…” He pulled up the black hood, as Bones started darkening around his eyes with makeup. He took a deep breath and faced Amber and Cross, trembling slightly but forcing himself to stay still.

Amber had tears running down her cheeks. The weary, depressed sadness in his voice nearly broke her heart. This…self-depreciation. He was her savior, the teen who had stood up to the devils and had laughed and carried the day with his brains and his guts. To hear him say he was no good…was unacceptable. But…her own voice died in her throat. Cross shifted uncomfortably, way out of her element. It was clear to both of them this was an issue that had been festering for some time. There would be no quick fix, and Amber couldn’t think of anything to say to make him feel better.

“I’ve seen, I know what a superhero is. I’m not one of them, I know. But, but I’m still set on having this town standing at the end of this. I’ve failed to keep things under wraps a bit, so the only thing left to do is go big. So, if the super heroes aren’t up for the job…” A grin broke across his face, wide and white. His heart started racing as his mind cleared, and his nerves started to fray in anticipation at what lied ahead. He felt like laughing, elated as there was no longer anything holding him back. He grinned to tell the world the biggest, baddest necromancer who ever lived was here. He picked up a skull mask and placed it on his face. The eyes were entirely black, save for two unnatural glowing toxic emerald green pupils. “Let’s show ‘em what a super villain can do!”

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Kevin opened his door and stumbled inside, hungry and worn out. It wasn’t even eleven in the morning yet, and already the day had been too long. The greasy blood from Gulm had already been digested, his little show throwing Will around requiring far too many…calories? He supposed the blood was still converted into calories, to heal from. He rubbed his shoulder; Kevin suspected even vampires didn’t make it a habit of pulling stunts with their bodies like that. Of course, he’d only realized what he’d done halfway through hoisting him up. It had been so easy to get angry and hulk out like that. Lost in his thoughts, he absently entered his kitchen.

“Kevin!” He suddenly found himself embraced in a hug and showered with kisses. “Oh my God! Are you okay? What happened? Are you alright?” his mother frantically asked.

“Whoa, whoa, slow down.” he said, peeling her off of him. “Mom? What’re you doing here? Don’t you have work?”

“Don’t be a moron.” she said, lightly swatting his head and kissing him again. “It’s all over the news, the school’s been destroyed! I hurried right home to wait for your call, if you weren’t home in five minutes I was gonna tear across town to get you! You had me so worried, what happened?” She peppered him with questions as they moved into the living room.

“Err, the school’s not destroyed, mom.” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. He considered. “Well, maybe a few of the rooms…”

“Holy…” she huffed, collapsing onto the couch. “Oh my God. Was anyone hurt? Are you all right?”

“Yeah mom, I’m fine. Uh, not too sure what happened, but apparently there was a, gas leak? I don’t know, but they evacuated everyone before anything happened, so no one got hurt. I don’t think class’s happening any time soon though.” She hugged him again, holding him close with everything she had. He smiled softly and hugged her back, resting his cheek on her hair.

“Oh, Kevin…Kevin, Kevin. I’m so glad you’re alright. I-I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”

“Shh…it’s okay, mom. I’m fine.” He looked down at the woman in his arms, her tears starting to stain his shirt. He swallowed. He’d never really considered what would happen if he got hurt trying to bring evildoers to justice. He was all she had. And…now Will was gone. He nodded resolutely. She deserved to know.

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“Hey, mom? Uh, th-there’s, um, something I-I gotta tell you…” he nearly whimpered. His tongue felt entirely too dry for this.

“Oh! Right!” she exclaimed, suddenly breaking free. “You must be exhausted. I’ll go get us a pizza, how ‘bout that? Sound good?”

“That…sounds great, mom.” he said, unable to deny her. This…this wasn’t the right time to tell her he was a vampire. He sighed internally; looked like another fun night on the toilet. She grabbed her keys and grabbed him to kiss the top of his head.

“You just relax, sweetie. I’ll take care of the rest for today. Just watch some TV for now and try to relax.”

“Can do, mom.” Kevin said, flopping on the couch. He turned the TV on, but paused as his mother entered the room again.

“Forgot something.” she said, embarrassed.

“Figured.” he grinned. “What was it?”

“This.” Her mouth stretched and bit down into his arm, sending a searing wave of pain through his whole body. He started to scream, but she whipped her head around, her newly-strengthened neck muscles tossing him like a ragdoll and smashing him into the floor. The only good part, if it could be called that, was the impact tore the flesh in her mouth from his arm, making him shriek in agony. She hissed and flexed, her extra arms springing from her sides.

“M-Mom!?” Kevin cried, holding his arm. He couldn’t believe it. He shook his head, eyes never leaving her, tears streaming down his face. Her glowing red eyes regarded him, narrow and hard.

“Hssssshhhh. What’s wrong, sweetie? I thought you wanted to be a vampire.” she said, sending chills down his spine. He had to look away. Without the hissing, she sounded exactly the same.

“N-No, mom…m-mom…why you?” he sniffed. “W-Why y-you, mom? How?”

“Will was very thorough in explaining everything to Master.” she said, her lime-drooling mouth waving back and forth. Kevin’s blood ran cold as he recalled Will’s words: ‘You had no chance. We can be anybody, anywhere. There is no escape.’

“Don’t be shocked. I know you’re scared, I was too. At first. But you’ll love it after the process is complete. I can’t tell you how great it is to serve the Master.” She sighed, shuddering in pleasure. “It is an ecstasy far beyond anything I have ever experienced. Far greater than having you, even. But, even though you’ve been bad, trying to fight against Master, He is magnanimous and willing to give you a chance. He has ordered me to convert you. Isn’t it great? My baby boy, serving under Master.”

Kevin shook his tear-stained head. This couldn’t be real, this was not happening!

“N-No, mom! C-Can’t you see, he’s b-brainwashed you? Th-This isn’t right! I-I’d never join Brian! He’s evil!” he gasped, holding his arm. The wound throbbed, and he felt a burning sensation spreading out from it. His mother narrowed her eyes in wicked glee.

“Oh, I know what he’s done. And I’m very grateful. I never realized just what was missing from my life. I never realized how dull everything was before. But now, I’m truly alive. And you shall l know the joy of serving as well, Kevin. It’s your destiny. It’s already begun.” He looked from her fang-filled mouth to his wound in abject horror.

“N-NO!”

“Yes!” she cackled, clapping a set of hands. “My oh my, what fun we shall have! Trust me, a mother knows best, after all.”

“M-Mom…” he sobbed, unable to find anything else to say. No. That wasn’t quite true. He sniffed, knowing what had to happen next. He’d never imagined this could ever happen. Even Superman would be daunted and hesitate.

But he still wouldn’t let it keep him from doing the right thing.

“I-I’m sorry, mom. I-I never thought this would, this could happen. But I know deep inside you hate this, or you would if you were in your right mind. Brian is scum, and I will kill myself before I allow this venom to turn me into anything like you are. But before that happens, I will stop him and his twisted plans.”

“You…you…ungrateful brat!” she snarled, her features contorting in rage. She shook, her nails making shreds of the floorboards. “I generously extend this invitation to you, and you…REFUSE!? How…how DARE you! If you won’t see how glorious the Master is, I have no need of you, you bastard!” She screeched and charged. Kevin put up his arms but the wounds, exhaustion, and reluctance to hurt her meant she pushed him through the wall. “Die, you pig!” She picked him up and threw him into the coffee table. He coughed, feeling pain explode in his lungs. “Rrrragh!” She hoisted him up and hurled him through the ceiling like a javelin. “I’ll kill you!”

Up on the second floor, Kevin groaned and rolled over. This was it, he was too injured; he could see her shadow coming up the stairs like a spider. What could he do now?

“Got you…” she hissed softly, salivating, rubbing two of her hands together like an insect.

“M-Mom…p-please, no…” he whimpered, sobbing. She opened her mouth wide enough to bite off his head. There was no mercy in what she’d become.

“May I come in?” someone called from the window.

“Huh?” Kevin’s mother started.

“Yes!?”Kevin cried. The glass shattered and a dark blur shot into the hall. His mother bit at it, but her lips were severed in a spray of blood and drool, and she was kicked down the stairs. Genevieve was there, holding a short, curved blade.

“I’m just in time.” She said, kneeling over him and examining his wound. “How long ago were you bit?”

“Like a minute?” Kevin replied, fuzzy-headed. What was she doing here?

Genevieve grimaced and sunk a hypodermic needle into his wound, eliciting a howl.

“Don’t be such a girl, you’ll live. Err, if you were alive. Master Harvaste developed this serum to counteract their venom.” She explained, the plunger sending a bright blue liquid into his body. He sighed as the burning sensation dulled and lifted, but she wasn’t done yet. From a leg holster she drew another syringe, and gave him an injection of blood. “Right now, your body’s fighting to keep its shape. We’re lucky I got here when I did, this venom acts fast. The blood will help, but you should take it easy-” There was a horrid screech from downstairs, and they both glanced down the steps. Mrs. Bachelder was nowhere to be seen. “Ah crap. Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” she said as Kevin pushed himself to his feet.

“Gotta-gotta finish this.” he said unsteadily, swaying back and forth. The serum and blood had helped, but he was lightheaded and woozy. “I…I…th-that’s my mom down there. I-I have to be the one to e-end this.”

“No, you don’t. Stand down and let me handle this.” Genevieve commanded. She glanced down at her blade, which seemed far too small to take on something that big. But Lord Harvaste had entrusted this mission to her. She gripped it tighter. “I’ll take care of this. You shouldn’t have to do this.” she said gently. She started down, when her wrist was caught in a surprisingly strong grip.

“No,” he said hoarsely, wiping his eyes. “I…s-she’s my mom. My dad split before I was born. W-Will’s gone over to their side. A-And now…she was all I had left. Now even she’s been taken from me. Please, I have to do this.” he begged. Genevieve could feel his tremors in her arm. She was uncomfortably reminded of a cold spring night over forty years ago, when Lord Harvaste had come across a young girl in a similar state. She looked down the stairs again, then sighed and cursed.

“Damn it. Fine. Here.” She pulled down her collar and offered her neck. Drink, it’ll help you. But only a little. Lord Harvaste would kill me if he knew about this.”

“Th-Thank you…I…”

“Hurry up, she’s still after us!” Genevieve snapped. Kevin slid his fangs out and bit into her jugular to her hiss of pain.

His eyes immediately shot open. This was nothing like what he’d experienced before. If blood were the sweetest food of the gods, then the blood of a vampire was ambrosia liquor, refined and aged to perfection. It quenched, it burned, it soothed; sliding down his throat into his belly, it sated like nothing ever before. And yet, and yet! Her blood was beyond divine! There was nothing he desired more than another sip. Nothing would stand in his way to get it.

“Easy now, e-easy.” Genevieve said, trying to keep calm. She recalled the horror stories Gregor had told her of the vampires who had tasted other vampires’ blood, turning into addicted monsters, feral and ferocious. And the blood they consumed only gave them more strength to take more, and more, and more. She’d had faith in the boy’s conviction, but now she was flagging. “Ah!”

He heard her. He stopped sucking, every cell in his body screaming in protest. Robotically, he uncurled his hands and leaned away, breathing hard and fast through his nose.

“Ow. H-Hey, you okay?” she said, seeing him stand stock-still.

“I…will…be.” he said, grinding his jaws together. The urge to grab her and drink again was almost overpowering. Almost, for anyone who wasn’t…a superhero. He reached slowly into his pocket.

Genevieve felt a tremor run through the hall, and raised her blade. The floor exploded, and a hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her through the wood.

“Gotcha!” his mother crowed, hanging from the ceiling and hurling Genevieve into the rubble below. Kevin pulled his mask out.

“Rrahh!” Genevieve jumped up, bruised, and started climbing the wall herself. Mrs. Bachelder hissed and leapt, flying towards her like a truck. Kevin stared at it, then slipped the mask on.

“Dieeee!” Mrs. Bachelder assaulted the other vampire, rearing up and throwing all four hands. Genevieve slashed and parried best she could, but the hands kept slapping and punching, outnumbering her and healing nearly as fast as she could cut them.

Nightfang descended from the hole.

“Mother.” he said, his deep voice carrying over the chaos. She stopped attacking and turned.

“Ahh, yes. Your little outfit. It was cute when you were four, but you’re a little old to be running around with your underwear on the outside, don’t you-”

Without appearing to move, he was there. She blinked in surprise, his hands encircling her head, tears darkening the mask.

“I will set you free.” With all of his dark might, he wrenched his hands as hard as he could, spinning her head around like a car tire, a sickening snapping accompanying it. Her body fell to the floor.

“Holy…” Genevieve said, wide-eyed. “You got her.”

“Not yet.” he said gruffly, adjusting his grip. “These things can survive nearly anything if the head’s not completely destroyed. I will not allow my mom to remain like this.” He recalled, with all too perfect clarity, how Scott explained that vampires didn’t have souls, and that death meant oblivion. “She would want it this way.”

With a roar, Nightfang twisted and pulled, her limbs thrashing and flailing, her mouth biting and screaming curses at him. With a powerful, unforgiving jerk, the abused neck finally gave out and his mother’s head separated from her shoulders. He stared down into her red eyes as the light left them, blood and venom dripping from her neck. Trembling, he cradled her head and sobbed.

Wordlessly, Genevieve went over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Nightfang leaned into her and cried.

“You did the right thing.” she murmured softly, keeping an eye out. On the very edge of her hearing, a police siren wailed closer. She hated to do this, but it had to happen. “Listen, I know you don’t wanna hear this right now, but we have to move. The police will be here shortly. I’d rather let you mourn, but we can’t be found here.”

“No, it’s alright.” Nightfang said, gently placing the head on the ground. “She died earlier. This was just a monster wearing her skin.” He went to the kitchen and dug out some lighter fluid from under the sink. He began splashing it around the room and the body. “She keeps-she kept a lighter for the cigarettes I wasn’t supposed to know about in her dresser. Could you-?”

“Yeah.” Genevieve retrieved the lighter as he finished, picking up a piece of paper as kindling. “How…how are you holding up?” she asked gingerly.

“A lot better when we bring the monsters who did this to her to justice.”

“Ahh.” There was nothing really more to say.

“Where’s Harvaste?”

“Um, I’m not really sure. He said something about gathering allies and he’ll meet me later, and went off on his own like he always does.” she said with a helpless shrug.

“Allies?” Nightfang asked.

“I’m in the dark too. He hasn’t been in this country for over forty years, and barely talks to anyone, us included.” The sirens grew closer. “We should go.”

“Yeah.” He turned to his house, his mother. He thought he’d just cried all the tears he had, but he felt his eyes sting once again. “Goodbye…mom. Let’s go.” He turned away and hurried out the door. Genevieve lit the paper and tossed it, igniting the room. Flames quickly licked and consumed the couch and rug, soon building to an inferno.

She directed him to her motorcycle, and with a revved engine they left his house behind, soon to be conflagrated into ash.