Rosario Vampire Fan Fiction ❯ Two Guys, A Vampire, and a Monster Academy ❯ Challenge and Fear ( Chapter 16 )

Two Guys, a Vampire, and a Monster Academy

There may be among my fellow readers who wonder as to why it took me a bit long to get this particular chapter out. Well, beyond laziness and procrationation, I wanted to reignited my literary juices by composing several other fanfictions that have bumped around in my head. Many of which have been published and read by the time this little update came out. Don’t fret, I’m still focusing all of my creative energies into this story and its completion. However, it is at the end of this fanfiction is the question of what I will do with my time. Thus, I would like to see if my other story ideas have any interest between now and the end of this fanfiction from my ever loyal readers that convinces me to continue on.

In other news, congratulation to reviewer Weaver Chance for correctly guessing that the anime inspiration for last chapter was “Midori Days” or Midori no Hibi. As a reward, s/he get’s a coo...... where’d it go? *Searches bag* I could have sworn that I had a full bag of cookies to give out. Now I just have a bag. Oh well, I tried. Anyway, enjoy this latest chapter in the Two Guys, A Vampire, and A Monster Academy saga.

Oh and before I forget....

Disclaimer: I do not own Rosario + Vampire storyline, background, characters and similar media. Anything that sounds familiar to the readers is more then likely not mine, but originated from a source that I do not remember clearly. I may not be able to own my OC in this fiction.

By the way, if anyone can guess where I got the title for the fanfiction, they get a cookie :)

Chapter 16: Challenge and Fear

To say that the succubus and yuki onna were shocked and horrified when they spied the bandages that enveloped Tsukune’s body the day after the encounter with the Outcast Monstrels was to say that the universe was big. It was simply not a grand enough to portray the truth accurately enough.

“Oh it was nothing!” Tsukune chuckled nervously as he scratched the back of his head. “Though to be honest....Lou-kun and I were ambushed by uh.....what did they call themselves Lou-kun?”

“Outcast Monstrels or somethin’ like that.” Lou answered. “Well we didn’t really get away without a scratch, not all of us, but thankfully we’re still in one piece.”

Mizore then spoke out loud when a thought occurred to her. “Did any of them bite Tsukune-kun in the neck?” This brought the succubus’ attention to the issue as well. To put it in the simplest of words, the cousins were now in a tight spot.

“Did anyone try to attack my Tsukune-kun there, or was it-” Kurumu began.

“I-it’s nothing serious really!” Lou barely recovered. “The nurse was just being overly cautious, but everything’s fine now.” Tsukune nodded. Moka, however, could only look upon Tsukune with concern.

A thought then occurred in Yukari’s mind a moment before she asked. “Outcast Monstrels? Did you two beat them up?”

“Mostly him.” Lou gestured towards his cousin.

“And only after I was given Moka-san’s blood.” Tsukune added. “Why, is there something wrong?”

“The Outcast Monstrels are hybrid monsters, those whose ancestry are not so clear cut and they’re a lot of them. Not only that, but they also scheme a lot of things and it’s not a good thing to make them your enemies. Especially since they look down upon ‘pure bred’ monsters like ourselves and are appearing more frequently as of late.” Yukari warned. “You guys’ll have to keep an eye out, its obvious that they’ll retaliate after this defeat.”

To say that the cousins and vampire have taken this warning poorly would be a gross understatement. “....crap.” Lou cursed.

“Oh I wouldn’t know what to do if anything happened to Tsukune-kun!” Kurumu embraced Tsukune almost fearcely. Yukari held firm to Lou’s arm as well.

“You have to be careful too Lou-kun, for Moka-san and my sake!” Yukari pleaded, to which the American responded with his arms flailed in panic and ran in a circle and yelled aloud.

At the end of the school day, the cousins and vampire walked back to the student dorms almost in silence. The silence had caused the pinkette vampire to ponder the events of the other day enough to ask. “Tsukune, what really happened?” The cousins turned towards Moka. “Onegai, be honest.”

“About what?” Tsukune asked.

“That wound on your neck, it still hasn’t healed since that time I injected you with my blood.” Moka asked in concern.

“Naw, it’s healed by now, really!” Tsukune waved the inquiry away, though his lie was blatantly obvious to his American cousin and the pinkette vampire.

“Answer me honestly!” Moka demanded. “How will I answer to Kurumu-chan and the others about your body? I’ve injected my blood so many times into you that the ‘transformation’ might cause more harm then good to your body.” The cousins were unsure of what the vampire meant by the word “transformation”, but the tone in her voice was grave enough to cause concern.

“Th-that can’t be!” Tsukune forcibly laughed. “Yesterday, it got pretty weird but I’m alright now. I feel great!”

“Then let me see if it really healed or not!” Moka virtually begged as she reached out towards the bandages that covered Tsukune’s neck. “Take them off and let me see!”

Tsukune prevented her from the removal of the bandage to his neck as he gently pushed her away. “It’s none of your concern Moka-san. No matter what caused it, it won’t be a problem to my body eventually. So it has nothing to do with you.” To which Lou slammed his fist into Tsukune’s skull.

“You idjot! Do you even know why she’s so concerned?” Lou nearly roared.

“Why do you have to hit me every time?!”

“Because someone has to knock some sense into yah!” Lou argued. “Pinkie’s concerned because she’s blamin’ herself!” The revelation was like a punch that took the wind out of Tsukune’s body. “And from that reaction, I’ll take it that you now fuckin’ get it! Now tuck in them balls, turn around and apologize to Pinkie- Who doesn’t seem to be here at the moment...? What the hell?!” The cousins looked around themselves and found that they were down one pinkette vampire.

“Moka-san!” Tsukune cried out. Meanwhile, Lou scratched his head.

“I don’t get it. I mean Pinkie was right here!” Lou pointed downward to the exact spot that Moka had occupied. It was then that Lou noticed something out of place. “Helloooo.....”

“What is it Lou-kun?” Tsukune asked as he walked up to Lou.

“By the look of things,” Lou examined the displaced patches of dirt and earth. “While we were arguin’, someone took Pinkie with them. Obviously without her consent.”

“How can you tell?”

“Gramps showed me a few tricks in trackin’.” Lou began. “And from the number of unfamiliar shoeprints to Moka’s own and these drag marks here, one can only conclude abduction.”

“I never knew that you were that good at tracking.” Tsukune gasped in amazement.

“Let’s put it this way: I didn’t get the merit badge for trackin’.”

“You weren’t in the Boy Scouts.”

“It’s called a ‘joke’,” Lou then smacked Tsukune upside his head. “Keep up!”

“So can you find Moka-san?”

“Not through tracking,” Lou then pulled out the magic glasses. “But I will through this.”

“X-ray glasses?”

“Wha- NO! But these’ll bring us to Pinkie in no time!”

“How?” Lou sighed before he answered.

“Couz’, I gotta confess. Back when we first met Carrie, I got suckered into buyin’ somethin’.”

“The glasses? But that still-”

“It allows the owner to see Strings of Destiny.” Tsukune’s eyes widen from the revelation. “Yeah, that string.”

“Then why didn’t you tell-”

“Are you crazy!? Do you really wanna add fuel to that particular inferno?!” Lou then added. “Which, by the way, you are just as screwed as I am.” Before Tsukune could ask for clarification from his American cousin, the various monster girls of the Newspaper Club arrived and gave barely enough time for Lou to properly hide the magical glasses.

“Are you guy’s alright?” Kurumu asked the cousins. “We heard screaming just now.”

“We are, but Pinkie’s not.” Lou answered. “Someone or some people took her and-”

“Moka-san’s in danger?” Gin appeared seemingly out of nowhere, with the voice of one typical serial hero. To which the reaction of shock and surprise of the werewolf’s appearance was a heavy book back to his skull. “Itai! What was that for?!”

“For scarin’ the shit outta me, that’s what!” Then Lou thought of an idea just before he turned towards Yukari. “Sabrina, a leash and collar if you please?”

The little witch then summoned said items and handed them to the American. “There yah go, so do I get a reward in return ~Desu?”

Lou then turned back to Gin, obviously to avoid the little witch’s question. “Alright, now hold still-”

“What do I look like? A dog?!” Gin then held up a hand to silent the rest of the Newspaper Club from any response. “On second thought, never mind. I am NOT going to wear that like a flea bitten-”

“Oh yes you are, and you know why?” Lou began to explain. “Because the last time we tried to track Pinkie by your nose, we lost yah in the attempt and had to save your ass after you found the little vamp and then yourself in deep shit. You’re puttin’ it on!”

“I’m the Club President!” Gin declared. “And you can’t make me- ITAI!”

Lou caught Gin’s ear and twisted it painfully. “Well I got yah ear, so there!”

Some time had past and the group, with a leashed Gin in the lead to track the pinkette vampire’s scent, soon came across the remains of a poorly maintained school building. At one time, it may have been used as a gym building but now it was nothing more than rotted and rusted ruin that barely stood in place. Gin, after he analized the scent in the wind, pointed at the forgotten building, though in the style of a trained dog.

“Horn Dog, you got fingers. You don’t have to do that.” Lou joked as the other monster girls and even Tsukune chuckled. Gin, meanwhile, grumbled in frustration as he was released from the collar and leash.

Mizore scouted the abandoned school building ahead of the Newspaper Club, to identify locations to which the group may hide before they made their move to rescue the pinkette vampire. The yuki onna even relayed where Moka was held within the building and how.

“Kinky- ITAI!” Gin yelped in a loud whisper in pain as Lou slapped upside the werewolf’s head.

“So what’s the plan ~Desu?” Yukari asked the American.

“Well it’s safe to assume that them Outcast Monstrel guys’ll be expectin’ Couz’ an’ I, but not you guys.” Lou began. “Meanin’ that you guys are our ace in the whole- No, I am NOT gonna explain it! No time!” He interrupted Kurumu before she asked. “Just stay hidden but keep within hearin’ distance when we need help. We don’t need to beat em, just enough of a distraction so that one of us with sharp enough claws can cut the chains and get the fuck outta there.”

“So how do we know?” Mizore asked.

“Signal’s ‘peaches’,” Lou answered just before he turned towards Kurumu and Yukari. “And for the love of all that’s holy, remember it!” The two monster girls blushed in embarrassment as Mizore remembered the day she was rescued by her new friends.

“What’s the signal again?” Gin joked, only to have another concussion from the American’s hand.

“Peaches!” Lou whispered loudly. “Now stay hiddin’ till we call.” Lou then turned to Tsukune. “Now let’s get Pinkie.” Tsukune nodded and pocketed Lou’s gold band before the cousins entered the abandoned building, ready for whatever the Outcast Monstrels have planned. At least, that was the plan.

The Outcast Monstrels assembled within the building then turned their attention towards the cousins. One of their number, a smooth buzz-cut youth that also sported two prominent scars upon his face who was the obvious leader, approached Lou and Tsukune.

“You came to our home without being invited just to save a friend under our care.” The Outcast Monstrel leader smirked as he turned back towards the chained up pinkette vampire.

“Tsukune! Lou! You shouldn’t be here! You shouldn’t have come! Run!”

“You’re either very brave, or very stupid. Which will it be?”

“Yeah, I changed my mind- ACK!” Lou turned to retreat and would have ran if not for Tsukune who grasped hold of the American’s collar to halt his action which nearly caused him to fall as well.

“Lou-kun, we can’t back out now.” Tsukune reminded Lou. “We still have to save Moka-san.”

“Yeah, you’re right Couz’,” Lou then fixed his shirt and tie before he stood back up tall. “I’ve made a commitment and I have to see through it to the end. Oh boy, this is gonna hurt...”

“What are you talking about? You’re the Fallen Angel out of the both of us.”

“Oh right, I remember now.” Lou snapped his finger, which nearly caused the Outcast Monstrels to nearly collapse from the American’s delayed realization alone.

“I do have to wonder though, you were not threatened by one of our own, yet you cast us as enemies-” The Outcast Monstrel leader began.

“Bull shit I wasn’t threatened!” Lou interrupted. “Even if I wasn’t there for Saizou’s little ambush there, you fuckers tried to hurt my cousin here, MY family! And you even went so far as to kidnap a close friend of mine. A very precious friend of mine.” Moka blushed from Lou’s words of her alone. “I’m makin’ it mah business!”

Many of the Outcast Monstrels were impressed by the American’s determination and loyalty. “Though, uh, before we really let the shit hit the fan an’ all, you are.....?”

“Midou Kusabi, of the Outcast Monstrels.” Midou answered. “Though I would have to apologize for the late Komiya Saizou and his rash actions. Though then again I may have to be grateful that I’ll be able to face not only a pure bred vampire, but a fallen angel as well.”

“Yeah well you should have kept a closer eye on your little rag tag group of thugs here if they’re able to do- wait, what did you mean by ‘the late Komiya Saizou’?” Lou asked.

“The little insubordinate member of our group is no longer among the living.” Midou answered, which caused the cousins to gulp reflexively.

“We’ve might have bitten more then we can chew here Couz’.”

“Well, it’s really not that much different than earlier battles.” Tsukune reminded his cousin, though under heavy and cold sweat. “The stakes are just as high.”

“Yeah, you do have a point.” Lou thought the reminder over. The cousins then shifted their form to a battle stance.

“As much fun as a two-on-one fight sounds, I only desire to fight the vampire cousin.” Midou stated before he pointed towards Lou. “You’re next after I’m done with him.”

“Why him?” Lou asked.

“Yeah, why me? Why not Lou-kun?” Tsukune gestured towards his cousin.

“Oh you back stabbin’ cock bite!”

A flash of supernatural aura smashed itself against all of the monstrels within the forgotten school building, nearly caused them and Tsukune to trip yet Lou was unaffected. “I really hate you guys, you pure breeds and especially you vampires.” Midou’s body shifted and changed horrifically and brutally into something that was strange and alien even to monster eyes. “With your dignity and being well off as you look down upon us monstrels!” He then raised a monestrous clawed fist and swung it towards Tsukune. “That very fact drives us to prove ourselves against you brats! We are the ones who have the higher worth of existence!” The Monstrel leader roared as the clawed fist slammed into the ground, the force of the blow ripped open the wall that Tsukune once stood before a moment earlier.

“Oh shit....” Lou cursed just before a thought crossed his mind and he crossed his arms to ponder. “I don’t know why, but I think I saw him in a video game once.” The statement had caused everyone who heard to trip and fall.

“N-Now isn’t the time for that kind of stuff!!” Tsukune yelled back at his American cousin after he recovered from the shock.

“Yes,” Midou agreed as he raised his clawed fist towards Tsukune. “We still have this to finish. So which will it be then, vampire? Receive or avoid, I won’t hold back with this next blow!”

“Damare!” Moka’s cries were enough for the Monstrel Leader to pause in his actions. “You’re opponent is me!” Midou then turned towards the pinkette vampire who now wept tears. “The vampire you seek to fight isn’t Tsukune, it’s me....!”

“Nani?!”

“This time too, it was all my fault.... Everything is my fault.... I am the wrong who is at fault! So if there’s someone you want to hit, then hit me! Take it out on me and not on Tsukune!” Moka cried out.

“Pinkie! You’re not helpin’ our situation here!” Lou scolded.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself Moka-san!” Tsukune reassured the pinkette vampire as he felt the blood in his veins boil. “It’s not your fault! Lou-kun and I have been living up to now because of Moka-san so you shouldn’t say things like that!” He then rushed towards Moka. “Moka-san has not done anything wrong at all!” His path, however, was blocked by Midou.

“Ah shit! PEACHES!” Lou called out and the Newspaper Club came to aid just as Tsukune dodged Midou’s charged blow and appeared by Moka’s side. “Alright, let’s take names and kick ass!” Lou announced just before he changed into his Fallen Angel self, the force of the transformation itself was enough to knock down the unprepared Monstrels. The Newspaper Club then took advantage of the distraction as they dispersed to fight the other Outcast Monstrels.

“Tsukune...?! When did you-” However Tsukune felt the familiar pain upon the side of his neck as he collapsed in pain. “Tsukune?! What’s wrong?!” It was then that the pinkette vampire noticed that Tsukune held her rosario.

“Whatever happens to me, I will always be grateful to Moka-san...” Tsukune weakly stated in gratitude.

“Not attacking me from behind will be your last mistake you bastard-” Midou’s claw was halted when the biological armor was halted by the heavenly blade of the fallen angel that was Louis McCorray. “Nani?!”

“It’s now my turn to dance- HEY!” Lou yelled out as Ura Moka performed a roundhouse kick against Midou’s face as she used Tsukune as a pivot. “It was my turn!”

“I have legitimate reason to fight him as well, Louis.” Ura Moka reasoned with the American.

“Okay, fine! We’ll tag team it!” Lou groaned. “Just don’t hog all the fun alright?”

“Are you alright, Moka-san?” Tsukune asked.

“As much as your words have made my heart feel lighter, there is something that must be said about that wound and what it will mean for your future.” Ura Moka began.

“Huh?” Tsukune asked as he felt the bandage of where the wound hid and he felt the familiar liquid warmth of his own blood.

“Wait, you know what that wound means?” Lou inquired the silver haired vampire.

“Hai, his body is breaking apart.” Ura Moka warned. “It is at its limit. If I continue to inject more blood into his body, he will die, or worse.”

“What do you mean, ‘worse’?” It was then that the cousins noticed droplets of water from the ceiling when they landed upon their heads.

“It won’t matter if you leave for the human world.” Ura Moka advised. “Your body will recover, little by little over time, but that also means leaving the academy as well.”

“But if I leave-” Tsukune began when Ura Moka interrupted.

“You must never get involved with the supernatural world ever again.”

“But then wouldn’t that mean that I won’t see Moka-san again.” Tsukune blurted out in disbelief.

“It can’t be helped then.” Ura Moka stated. “Besides, Omote will be the only one troubled from this. After all, whatever happens to you two or the others has nothing to do with me.”Tsukune simply stood there speechless.

“Yeah, it’s kinda cute that you’re coverin’ the fact that you kinda care about us with this whole ‘I don’t care’ anti-hero altitude and all. But you need us for just a tad bit longer cuz’-” Lou was interrupted when Midou’s form erupted from the pile of rubble his body occupied just moments ago and rushed towards the vampire.

“Chatting as if you won the fight already? You are all nothing but fools!” Midou roared as he swung his clawed fist towards Ura Moka. The force of which was enough to shatter the ground the silver haired vampire stood upon and a good distance behind. “That’s thanking you for the kick earlier. And this, is what they call the coup de gras!”

Almost upon impulse, both Lou and Tsukune jumped before Ura Moka to absorb the blow meant for the vampire. The trio then found themselves against the far wall of the abandoned building as it shook violently. It could not take anymore such blows to itself before it collapsed. “Yeah, that wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve done- Couz’!” Both the American and the vampire turned to see that Tsukune did not escape the blow unscathed as a large piece of rubble imbedded itself into Tsukune’s shoulder blade.

“Baka!” Ura Moka nearly slapped Tsukune before she shook his shoulders. “Why did you have to do that?! You’re body is on dangerous ground right now, my blood can no longer heal your wounds! You cannot help me, especially not in your condition where you can barely take care of your own body so know your place! Your help is not necessary at all so don’t get involved in my quarrels ever again!”

“That might not be the smartest of moves there Xena,” Lou advised. “I’m pretty sure that these Monstrel guys have done their homework and-”

“Whatever happens, do not let Tsukune move from this spot.” Ura Moka ordered. “I will make sure that Tsukune returns to the human world safely after I deal with the idiot.”

“Xena wait!” Too late, Ura Moka has begun her attack upon Midou. “Shit! Now what the fuck am I gonna do?!”

“Lou-kun, the water-!” Tsukune groaned in pain just as Yukari, who had just dispatched her own foes and rushed to the human’s aid.

“What do you think I’ve been tryin’ to do?!” Lou then turned towards Yukari. “Good, you’re here.”

“I can heal Tsukune’s wounds with my-” Yukari began.

“No time! You gotta find the source of water of this place and make sure that it ain’t turned on!” Lou ordered.

“They wouldn’t-”

“I have a feelin’ that they would if it means a victory for themselves, now get goin’ before our chances of livin’ are gone!” The little witch then rushed to locate the source of water to the old structure. It was after Yukari left that Ura Moka returned.

“Can Tsukune stand?” Ura Moka asked the American. “We’ll have to leave-”

“Fight’s not over Xena, they gone one more ace up their sleeve.” Lou warned the silver haired vampire.

“So this is the legendary ability of vampires, hehehehehe.... to convert supernatural aura into strength, such a simple concept yet so powerful. Powerful enough to be considered a kill shot, but then I must wonder what the cost of such power is?” Midou pulled himself off the ground.

“What are you talking about?!” Ura Moka roared in her demand.

“That’s what I’ve been tryin’ to warn yah Xena, this place is rigged against vampires- Aw shit!” Lou barely had enough time to shield Ura Moka from the spray of the sprinkler heads above. It would appear to the American that either Yukari did not find the water source fast enough, or that there was enough resistance to halt her ability to cut off this tactical advantage.

“Vampires have been known to have the greatest of strengths, the greatest of power, yet in exchange they also have the most weaknesses among all monsters.” Midou counted upon his fingers. “Christian Crosses, Silver Bullets, and from what I have researched and see before me, water is the greatest of your weaknesses. Its natural purification ability saps the very source of your strength until you are no more! So what do you think of this ‘shower room’ that we’ve prepared especially for you?!”

“And this is where having friends that are water resistant such as Couz’ and I pays off.” Lou smirked.

“I can fight my own battles! I don’t need your help-” Ura Moka protested.

“Just shut up and let us help Xena!” Lou ordered just as he used his ethereal wings to block a blow from Midou’s clawed hand. The words alone were enough to cause Ura Moka to blush. “Look, despite what your pride or whatever is tellin’ yah, you don’t have to act like the lone wolf of the group. You got friends that’ll help yah wether you like it or not! Besides, we already got a dog and he’s a huge pervert.”

“Hey!” Gin began his protest before he had to recall back to his own fight with three Outcast Monstrels.

“I am more than capable of handling myself in a fight!” Ura Moka countered.

“Not in the ‘rain’ you can’t.” Lou corrected as he continued to block and parry blows from Midou. To the vampire, the fact that she was so utterly helpless to do anything beyond that of some maiden in distress aggravated her to no end even though the situation dictates that she could not do more then allow herself to be protected. Her vampire pride simply could not allow such logic to keep her from the fight, to defend herself and defeat her foes. That was the reason that ran in her mind as she dashed out of the protective ethereal wings and into the downpour and the pain of the water upon her flesh caused her to howl in pain despite her efforts to push down the pain so that she may fight.

“Xena, what are you- GACK!!!” Midou used this momentary distraction to shove Lou out of the way far enough so that the American could not help the now damaged silver haired vampire.

“I’ll thank that stupid ‘pride’ of yours with this!” Midou roared as he swung the clawed fist to deliver the final blow. However, when the smoke cleared, it was revealed that it was Tsukune who took the blow. “I-Impossible, he’s still standing after an attack like that?!”

“Moka-san....” Ura Moka barely was able to catch Tsukune’s broken form.

“Why...?! Why did you do that?! Even after all that I’ve said, why did you-”

“When you said that it was none of my concern, I got frustrated.” Tsukune confessed. “To me, both you and Omote Moka are important to me.... That’s why I wanted to protect Moka-san....” He was able to say before he coughed up blood.

“God damned it Couz’!” Lou cursed. “Why’d you have to go and do somethin’ that stupid!”

With no other option, Ura Moka gently laid Tsukune’s broken body upon a pile of rubble nearby. “With this broken body of yours, how could you protect me at this academy? That should be clear enough for you. That’s why I said that you weren’t needed, so hurry up and go back to the human world!” With those words, she injected him with her blood one last time in an attempt to save his life. However, nothing happened.

“Wait, I thought you said-” Lou began, however Tsukune then stood up upon his two feet with empty crimson eyes and strange, tattoo-like markings that webbed out from the unhealed puncture wounds. “....I’ll take it that this is the ‘worse’ that you were talkin’ about, right Xena?”

“Well this is interesting, being able to stand there drenched in water yet have all the powers and strength of a vampire yet were as weak as a human just moments ago.” Midou smirked after he recovered from such a blow to his world view. “I have no idea what you really are, Aono Tsukune, but this’ll be interesting in deed!” Tsukune could only growl in response, more interested in the new body he found himself rather then his surroundings. The rubble fragment was then ejected from his body as Midou rushed towards him with a killer’s intent and the clawed hand raised.

“Don’t!” Ura Moka warned. “If you provoke him now-” Midou was unable to head the warning as Tsukune’s simple punch sent the Outcast Monstrel leader into flight before a cinematic crash into the ground.

Nearly all within the forsaken building paused in the battle once they witnessed Tsukune throw Midou as if he were but fluff of feathers. “What happened to Tsukune?” Kurumu inquired both the American and the vampire.

“No idea, you’ll have to ask-” Lou began.

“The worse possible outcome has happened.” Moka spoke in dread as Tsukune performed a feral, unnatural roar that shook the foundations of the building itself before he lunged towards Midou and smashed him into the ground repeatedly akin to what a toddler would do to a rag doll. Upon his face was the most sadistic smile ever witnessed by any monster.

“H-holy shit! He’s gonna kill him at this rate!” One of the Monstrels yelled out, a spark that caused a flood of Outcast Monstrels that were not unconscious to aid their fallen leader. However, the act was in vain as one Monstrel had his arm snapped in half at the elbow when Tsukune smashed him into the ground before used as an impromptu club to toss the other Monstrels away. Another Monstrel found himself unable to feel any sensation below his hips as his spine was snapped in half by a powerful blow from Tsukune’s knee. Two more Monstrels found their limbs dislocated from their joints, barely ripped from their sockets when Tsukune flung them into the ground. One unlucky Monstrel found his neck chewed upon by Tsukune’s fangs as he feasted upon his blood before a blow to the stomach knocked the poor fellow into the ground. It was nothing short of a massacre as Tsukune performed one more feral roar before he befell the now helpless Monstrels.

“Wh-what’s gotten into Tsukune-kun...?!” Kurumu gasped.

“He’s now under the control of the vampire blood in his body.” Ura Moka answered. “By our nature, vampires are a warlike species, to seek ‘blood and slaughter’. His body was weak enough for the blood to destroy his mental state until nothing is left than a mindless animal. A ghoul.”

“Yeah, that sounds worse.” Lou commented before he recalled the current situation and covered Ura Moka from the rain with his wings. “Pamala, look and see what’s holdin’ up Sabrina with the water!”

“H-hai!” Kurumu flew off to locate Yukari. Moments later, the sprinkler heads no longer sprayed water into the building.

“So how do we get Couz’ outta this Ghoul- where’d she go?” Lou looked around to find that the silver haired vampire now did battle with Tsukune. “Xena, what the fuck?!” Tsukune received the blow of Ura Moka’s kick, but it wasn’t enough to knock him out as he jumped back to his feet and roared at the vampire.

“Forgive me, I no longer have a way to save you.” Ura Moka apologized as she rushed towards Tsukune with another blow. “There is no other choice but this, please don’t think ill of me.” He recovered from the blow, but was barely able to counter when the silver haired vampire went on the offensive. Her fist smashed through a piece of rubble that was meant for Tsukune’s heart when he dodged the blow.

“Are you tryin’ to kill him?!” Lou yelled.

“Yeah, Tsukune-kun could have died from that!” Kurumu roared.

“Tsukune is effectively dead right now.” The revelation shocked the Newspaper Club. “There are only two outcomes to one who received too much vampire blood into their bodies: Death, or degenerate into a Ghoul in Tsukune’s case. Those who become Ghouls no longer have any will beyond the need for blood and carnage. And because I caused all of this, I must be the one to end it. It will be a far better fate then to let him run free to kill and devour monsters and humans alike.”

However, Kurumu placed herself in between Tsukune and Moka whose hand was raised to strike. “Stop! Don’t do it!”

“Move!” Ura Moka ordered. “Do you want to die?! It’s dangerous to be here when Tsukune’s like this!”

“How can you say stuff like that, pretend to be strong and cold hearted?! I can see that your arm is shaking!” Kurumu pointed out. “I don’t want to hate you, you’re always there to help us out. But if you keep this up, even if it is you, then I’ll never forgive you if-”

“Baka!” Ura Moka yelled. “I told you to move because it’s dangerous!”

“Oh shit!” Lou cursed as he barely pulled Kurumu out of the path of Tsukune’s lethal slash. She was still wounded, but it was not as serious if the American did not try to save the succubus. Tsukune then lifted the blood stained hand to his nose and growled in pleasure from the scent alone. A growl that almost sounded like laughter.

Ura Moka then took this momentary distraction on Tsukune’s part to strike a blow, only to have Lou pull his cousin away and restrain his arms. “Louis! This must be done!”

“I don’t know how things are done on the vampire side of the issue, but Tsukune’s still my cousin, he’s sill family!” Lou struggled to keep Tsukune in place as his limbs flailed about in an attempt to free himself. “There has to be a way to get Tsukune out of this! There has to be!”

“There is no other way!” Ura Moka roared as she dashed towards Tsukune for the final blow only to have Lou fly out of the way of the attack. The Newspaper Club could only watch in horror of the whole affair as the American silently prayed, begged for anyone to intervene.

“TSUKUNE!” Ura Moka yelled out as Lou’s one mistake was enough for her to take Tsukune’s life, however she found her limbs and body bound by strange ribbons that emerged beneath the cloak of one of the two strangers that appeared.

“And all the trouble it took to get me here.” One of the strangers cloaked in white sighed as he jumped to the ground and approached Tsukune. From within the darkness of the hood glowed eerie eyes.

“Wait, isn’t that guy the principal?” Lou questioned as the stranger cloaked in white chanted as he revealed a rosary.

“Wait, what are you going to do to Tsukune?!” Ura Moka demanded just before the white cloaked stranger placed the rosario upon Tsukune’s forehead. The sight of the Newspaper Club was flooded with intense light.

The moment the white cloaked stranger had placed the rosario upon Tsukune’s forehead, the strange web-like tattoo mark that grew from the bite wound faded and the wound itself healed as the body grew limp from unconsciousness. Lou was barely prepared to catch the now slumber form of his cousin as he gently lied him upon the ground.

“Wh-who are you people?” Ura Moka asked the two strangers.

“Don’t worry, we’re not your enemy.” The second cloaked stranger revealed herself to be the witch Rubi. “He’s an exorcist that came to save Tsukune-san.”

“Rubi-san!” The Newspaper Club exclaimed almost in union.

“It’s been a while since we last met. This is simply returning the favor for what you guy’s did back at Witch Hill.”

The American then turned towards the priest-like monster. “So, uh, Principal Exorcist-”

“Chairman.” The Exorcist corrected.

“Whatever. So how are we gonna keep Couz’ here from goin’ berserk like that?” The Chairman simply revealed to the Newspaper Club a rather elegant set of chains and lock that bore crosses.

“This should seal young Tsukune-kun’s vampire blood from reverting him into a ghoul.”

“Tenmei Mikogami, you know as well as I do that the lock is only a fleeting and temporary solution at best.” Iblis spoke as, once again, his sudden presence surprised the Newspaper Club.

“Would you stop doing that?!” Lou complained to his d’jinn brother after he recovered from the shock.

“What do you mean?” Ura Moka inquired the ha-Shay’tan.

“The so-called ‘Holy Lock’ that this academy’s chairman intends to use as a solution is a fragile one at best.” Iblis explained. “If anything should happen to the device in question, it will free the dai’mon blood within him into that ghul once more. Any undisciplined use of the aura to strengthen his own abilities will cause unintended damage. And even if the ash’a lives a full life as a human, the moment his body faces death the lock will simply fail and he will become a ghul once more and he will have to face a second death.”

“And what do you propose?” Mikogami asked the d’jinn.

“It’s quite simple really.” Iblis explained. “Currently his soul is barely attached to his flesh, trapped in limbo between this Realm of the Living and She’ol, the Realm of the Afterlife. One simply liberates the displaced soul from She’ol and bind it to his material body so as to make the seal more concrete.”

“So where’s Couz’s soul?” Lou asked.

“Unfortunately, and in no part to Tsukune’s will mind you, he is upon the periphery of a great depression. A ‘prison’ if you will upon She’ol where the damned and sinful suffer for their less than divine actions committed in life.”

“So is Tsukune-kun in hell or something?” Kurumu blurted out.

“We prefer to call it under a different name.” Iblis corrected.

“I don’t care whatever you call the place.” Lou began. “It can be called ‘Disneyland’ for all I know, but if Tsukune’s soul is trapped there and if I gotta go through hell itself to save him from this fate then get the fuck outta my way!” The Newspaper Club nodded in agreement.

“Are you sure you want to perform such a quest?” Iblis asked his reincarnated brother. “It will be wrought with danger and horror beyond what your mortal mind can safely comprehend.”

“Just show me the way.”

With a flick of his wrists, Iblis summoned a great black gate that passed through dimensions and realities into existence. It’s summon sent ripples through existence just as a stone causes ripples in a pond. Upon the gate were artistically crafted sculptures of both human and monsters in agony and pain. Those sensitive enough to the supernatural could feel dread and despair radiate from the structure.

“So what’s this thing any-” Lou was unable to complete his inquiry as a thunderous voice echoed throughout the minds of the Newspaper Club assembled at the abandoned gym building.

‘Through me, the way into the city of woe:

Through me, the way into everlasting pain:

Through me, the way to the forsaken and lost.

‘Justice it was which moved my creator:

Divine Power made me,

And Highest Wisdom with primal Love

‘Before me, none are made but the eternal; eternal I endure.

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!’

The gate then slid open to reveal pitch darkness, yet from within the fabric of shadows came the cries and woes of unfortunate souls. “This is the gate of Tartaros. It will allow you to retrieve young Tsukune’s soul from eternal damnation and save him from the curse of Ghul life.” Iblis announced.

Suddenly, the ghoul form of Tsukune had awaken despite the seal of purification that Mikogami placed upon him earlier. As if driven to a singular goal, Tsukune rushed into the hell gate and fade into the shadows within.

“Tsukune!” Lou called back as he gave chase after his cousin and he too entered the gate. The Newspaper Club would have followed after the American if it were not for a certain djinn.

“Why do you stop us?” Ura Moka inquired. Her answer was that of Iblis reveal of the Rosario with Lou’s ring that surrounded the crimson gem at its center.

“You will know what to do when the time comes.” He then hands the unsealed vampire the altered rosario. “The choice in if your young friend is absolved or contemned will be reflected upon its use.”

Unsure of the cryptic message, Ura Moka simply nodded and the Newspaper Club rushed into the darkness. “Oh and before I forget, watch that first step.” The warning was ill timed as the Newspaper Club suddenly found themself no longer upon the ground, but within the air and the sensation of rapid decent flooded their senses.

“Everyone grab hold!” Kurumu offered as she unfurled her wings as a way to slow the decent of the Newspaper Club. It was by that time that they noticed that Rubi had joined the group as she held aloft the young witch and werewolf.

“Rubi-san, you’re here as well ~Desu?” Yukari gasped.

“I wanted to help Tsukune-san find his soul as well.” Rubi grunted in response as she attempted to hold aloft two extra passengers. Just then, the group glimpsed what was best described as a nude man on fire as he yelled in pain and suffering as he approached the bottom of this strange pit.

“Wh-what’s going on?” Mizore did not have the opportunity for her inquiry to be answered as several more inflamed bodies fell around them, screamed in terror and agony. These poor souls were not limited to human males and females, but also other monsters as well such as orcs, trolls, goblins, sirens, and mermaids yet these were just a sample of all the beings that descended into this strange abyss.

Soon enough, the Newspaper Club found themselves upon stable ground that was best describes as a composition of stone and living beings that struggled to free themselves yet the task itself was futile. Each begged the Newspaper Club to free them as maggots, worms, snakes and wasps covered what limbs that were free. They soon found themselves near the tops of cliffs that overlooked a great sea with what could be presumed a cyclone just off to the distant horizon.

“Where the hell are we?” Gin asked.

“Is it not obvious?” Iblis asked from behind the group, who did not react to his sudden presence well.

“What are you talking about?” Ura Moka demanded.

“We are within a great pit that resides upon She’ol, the realm of eternal woe and pain. We now stand upon the great cliffs of Ere’bes that boarders Acher’ontas, the river of pain. The periphery if you will.” Iblis waved his hand before the nightmarish scenery that made the monsters of the group tremble in fear. “Welcome to Tartaros.”

Now THAT’s a twist worthy of M. Night Shyamalan himself! How’s that for a twist in the ol’ tale eh? The Rosario gang first found themselves to fight to save our pinkette vampire and now they must descend into the very depths of hell itself to save Tsukune’s soul! Will they succeed in their task? What horrors will they face in the very pit of damnation? What revelations will they encounter as they survive the great circles of hell? Will they be strong enough to face Cell’s tournament-

Son of a bitch, I did it again.

As always, flames and brutally honest reviews will not be tolerated.