Vampiric Pedigree

Disclaimer: All characters © SEGA/SonicTeam. Except Moonlight, who’s mine.

Author’s Note: I like vampire fics, so I thought I’d try my own. Just remember that the vampies in this aren’t stereotypical because I wanted to do –something- different :P The rating is a safeguard for future chapters. Also my chapters tend to be short, so sorry if you prefer chunky chapters of doom.

Edit- I've gone through and corrected some spelling errors. And before anyone asks, yes, I did sorta nick the skin problem excuse from Doctor Who :P

The large building stood on the main high street of the Metropolis City, with a sign outside showing the words ‘Moonlight Restaurant: Opening Soon’ in a soft text. There were a few trees planted in small circles of earth outside, lining the path to make the restaurant look attractive

Inside the building was unfurnished, having only recently been finished, but the walls were painted in cream and there was a crimson carpet on the floor, which together gave the room a rich feel. Two people stood in the room, looking at a wall. One was levitating a paintbrush near his hand, and the other was observing the work. The one with the brush was a silvery-white hedgehog, and his spikes were arranged in a star-like pattern on his forehead, whilst two protruded from the back of his head and down to his waist. He had a ruff of long white fur on his chest, which lead up and around his neck and formed into a furred spike between the two stiff ones on his back. He wore knee-length black and green boots with golden bands around the tops, and matching bands covered the cuffs of his gloves. He looked at the supervisor with his amber eyes. The mahogany coloured mongoose looked back with dark brown eyes. His long hair was pulled back in a bunch, held together with a rubber band. He wore a white t-shirt covered with a loose grey jacket, and black boots, and he nodded.

“Thank you Silver. But do you think you could paint this wall a slightly lighter shade?”

“Umm… sure, it shouldn’t take too long. Hang on while I mix the paint, Moonlight sir.”

“No rush Silver.”

Silver jogged over to where the paint tins stood on top of a sheet, and crouched down, selecting colours and mixing them together by levitating small amounts from one tin to another. Moonlight watched him for a few moments, then walked over and crouched next to him. Silver ignored his presence, as he had a habit of watching him mix the paints. At least when this job was finished he’d be able to ask Blaze out and not have to fuss about the paint going blotchy.

“That looks about the right colour Silver.”

“No no, this is still darker than it should be. There’ll be hardly any difference when it’s on the wall.”

“Ahh.” The mahogany mongoose nodded and smiled “So what are you planning to do when this is done?”

“I… I wanna try ask this girl I like out… But I’m not too good at that…” Silver blushed faintly “I just hope I don’t make myself look like an idiot.”

“Oh I’m sure you won’t.”

“Really?” Silver looked at Moonlight, then back at his paint. “… Oh, I think I got the colour right. I’ll just go finish that wall then.”

“No rush.” The restaurant owner put his hand on Silver’s shoulder, and the white hedgehog froze. He hadn’t shaken the owner’s hand before, as the mongoose had said that he had a skin problem, but now it was in contact with his shoulder he realised that it was deathly cold. “Just stay there for a while.”

Silver found himself unable to move, as if his own telekinetic powers had been twisted in on himself. He was freezing like ice and he couldn’t move to push the hand away. The mahogany mongoose leaned close to him and grinned, so that the white hedgehog could see the unnaturally large canine teeth. Silver felt his head tilted upwards, and cold fingers parting the long fur of his ruff. Silver couldn’t turn his head away or move to see what Moonlight was doing, and struggled against the force of whatever was holding him.

“Don’t resist me. It won’t hurt for long.” Moonlight smiled coldly at Silver. “I did say that you wouldn’t have to worry about looking like a fool in front of your friend. You won’t have a chance.” He grinned again when he saw the fear in the white hedgehog’s eyes. “You’re going to be a delicious prey.”

Silver screamed as the paralysis vanished when the fangs sunk into his neck, and tried to push the creature away with his telekinesis, but the psychic power faltered and failed. He couldn’t pull away from the tight embrace he was held in, and the teeth that gripped his throat strongly. His cry cracked and went silent after a while, and he fell limp, collapsing in the creature’s arms. For a short time longer, the mongoose remained with his jaws locked on Silver’s neck, but soon let go and lowered Silver to the floor. As his victim lay there the mongoose stood up. He looked down at the lifeless hedgehog and licked his lips. The young creature had been a source of interest, as extra-sensory powers always added more flavour to the prey. Moonlight lifted Silver up and ran out the back way, lowering the young hedgehog down to the ground in the alleyway. It wouldn’t do to have a dead person lying around his soon to be opened restaurant. And if anyone asked he could just make up some story to cover it. No one needed to know the truth.

-+-+-+-

Blaze the cat paused in the high street, and Cream the rabbit looked up at her friend. The lilac cat frowned and passed the young bunny the bag of shopping. When asked what was wrong Blaze simply ran along the road towards the restaurant, where she knew that Silver had taken up a part-time temporary job as a decorator. Cream ran after her, flapping her ears to take off and fly, catching up outside the restaurant. Blaze’s tail was twitching anxiously, and her fur was flickering with fire.

“Blaze? What’s wrong?”

“I… I heard… Silver screaming for help in my head… Something’s wrong.” Blaze shook her head and walked over to the door. “Stay here Cream.”

“Okay Blaze.” Cream nodded and watched the cat go inside. “Be careful!”

Inside the unfurnished store Blaze looked around, apparently calm but with her tail waving nervously. She walked across the carpeted floor towards the paint cans at the far end of the room. The brush was lying just off of the sheet, leaving scratchy streaks of cream-coloured paint on the red carpet. Blaze frowned. That was suspicious, because Silver caught any drips in his telekinesis and put them back on the wall. He’d never leave the wet brush on the expensive looking carpet. She crouched down to look at the paint tins. The paint was still wet on the rims of the tins, so they hadn’t been there unattended too long. Glancing back at the brush she watched a drip slowly ease itself off of the bristles and onto one of the streaks on the carpet.

“He hasn’t long put these down. Or dropped them.” Blaze muttered to herself, and stood up, looking around. “Silver?” She called. “Silver? Are you there?”

When no one answered her the cat decided to walk through into the back rooms. Just as she was about to push the door open, it swung inwards and hit her in the nose. She yelped and backed away, rubbing it, and glared at the brown-red mongoose that had just stepped through. The mongoose blinked at Blaze, who straightened and folded her arms.

“Are you mister Moonlight?”

“That I am. What are you doing on my property, cat?”

“I’m looking for my friend, Silver. He was painting this place for you.”

“Ah, you must be the friend he always talks about while working.” Moonlight’s expression softened and he smiled. “Uh, I think he went out back to put a paint tin in the bins. Ah, but…” The mongoose frowned and rubbed his head. “… He isn’t back yet?”

“How long ago did he go out?”

“About ten minutes.” Moonlight nodded. “Yes, about that. I was getting myself some food when he went out. I just now finished, I’d have thought he’d have come back.”

“You didn’t check on him? Well don’t you think it would be intelligent to go see if he’s alright?” Blaze’s question was more of an order, and she glared stubbornly at the mongoose, flicking a fireball from hand to hand.

“Yes, of course. If you would kindly put that fire out and follow me, we’ll go try to find Silver.” Moonlight nodded towards the flames in the cat’s hands, clicking his tongue. This kid was lucky he’d just eaten. He’d never tried a pyrokinetic before, but didn’t doubt it would be interesting.

“Fine. But you should be aware that I don’t trust you. I can pull these flames up instantly if I need to. So you had better not be up to anything or you’ll be in ashes.” The flames vanished and Blaze glared warningly at him.

“Such a spicy little temper. You would do well to learn some manners.” Moonlight shook his head and opened the door again. “Come on.”

Blaze growled and followed him cautiously, waving her tail in wide sweeps. The floor in the back area was wooden and polished, and the walls were painted white. The mongoose walked out of a door leading outside, and Blaze rushed after him when she heard a gasp of what sounded like horror. She skidded and froze, looking down at her friend laying amongst a few knocked over trashcans. Silver’s fur had lost its shine, and when Blaze crouched down and removed her glove to touch his forehead, she felt that he was freezing cold. She shook his shoulder.

“Silver? Silver?!” The lilac cat flattened her ears and tried finding a pulse. “Silv! Damnit, Silver!”

“Miss kitty…”

“Blaze, I’m afraid that I don’t think he’s-“

“Shut up! He has to be okay!”

“Miss Blaze, you must realise-“

“I told you to shut up!” Blaze dropped to her knees and buried her face in Silver’s fur. “Silver! Silver, you can’t leave me!”

“Blaze…” Moonlight frowned down at her.

“Silver…” Blaze continued to ignore him and cried into the fur.

Moonlight shook his head and grabbed hold of Blaze’s shoulders, pulling her away from Silver. The cat’s hand brushed the long fur away from the hedgehog’s neck, revealing the wound, and her grief was instantly pushed aside with confusion and shock. Blaze stared at Silver’s throat, running her thoughts over what she had heard about that type of wound. Only vampires came to mind, but she constantly dismissed that as ridiculous.

Moonlight looked over her shoulder, following her gaze, and growled lightly in his throat. If he wasn’t careful she’d put two and two together. He’d have to do something about that.