A/N - "Hello everyone, this is Tsukune Aono. We managed to rescue Author-san after the last chapter ended, and I apologize for what Moka-san did. Such a fate should befall no one, no matter what that person may or may not have done."

"Don't cover for him, Tsukune. I've had it with him making a mockery of me. If he's going to continue to put me in these compromising situations, then I'm ending the story here and now."

"W-w-w-wait a minute! You can't hold the story hostage, Moka-san! We have so many faithful readers, they'd be distraught if the story disappeared!"

"Why, so he can denigrate me further? Of all the atrocities he's committed against me, that dream sequence was simply unforgivable!"

"But that's all it was, Moka-san, it didn't actually happen."

"Would you really put it past him? Ugh, I hope I haven't been scarred for life from that debacle."

"Hey, it could've been worse."

"Oh, and how is that, Mizore?"

"He could've died your hair green."

"KHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHK!"

"Um, I'll be leaving now."

"GET BACK HERE!"

"Huh, I apologize for this, anyone. Just so you know, Author-san did manage to finish the chapter, though it was pretty hard with him in a body cast."

"It's alright, Tsukune, I took good care of Author-san while he recuperated."

"It would've gone much faster if you'd gotten above a D in English, Kurumu-san. Geez, what did he see in you anyway? Oh wait, I already know, scratch that, desu."

"What was that you flat-chested flake?"

"Oh gosh, here we go again. Hmm, give Author-san credit for being thorough, but it looks like there'll be one last chapter after this one. He apologizes in advance. And, as always, the author does not own either Rosario + Vampire, Castlevania, um Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is that right? Oh, and all the anime and manga that were referenced in the last chapter. If he did, it really would make a cool video game, I admit."

"As long as I get my happy ending with you, Tsukune."

"What, Moka-san?"

CAPU CHUUUUUUUUUUUUU!

Part I Chapter XXVI
The Darkest Hour

Deep below the academy building, a lone figure clad in a familiar blue uniform stood before a small altar. The ominous glowing of the console illuminated his form with an eerie luminescence. With the chaos that had erupted earlier in the day, the figure knew what would've happened, for a similar situation occurred nary a week before, something they couldn't have afforded at that juncture. He raised his gloved right hand, and concentrated his youki upon the silver cross inserted in the console before him. Though it remained stable, he knew he couldn't have maintained it for long periods of time, especially after the explosion he sensed above ground. Those his face remained stoic, he was inwardly terribly worried, for he knew the Rosario wasn't designed to withstand the titanic youki of Dracula. And with the Chairman's fate uncertain, the future of the academy looked exceedingly grim.

At that moment, the figure sensed another presence in the room, which had an otherworldly aura about it. Despite that, he felt no evil intentions, merely a great sense of curiosity.

"Oh dear," a male voice spoke in audible disappointment, "I thought I felt someone familiar down here. Hmm, must've just missed him."

The mustached man by the altar chuckled to himself in amusement. "Your timing is perfect," he spoke, though his attention never left the console before him. "Do you think you can fill in for me here?"

"Come again," the newcomer's voice asked.

The Bus Driver sensed the presence of the enigmatic man headed towards him, and then stood alongside the altar. "Just keep this thing stable for a while, would you," the uniformed man asked in his rough voice. "Can't afford to lose another one, they were supposed to last forever." He chuckled to himself.

The blonde man gave him a quizzical look. "You do realize what you're suggesting violates the laws of time, don't you," he asked pointedly. "That's what Zead did and look at the mess he's made. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that."

"But the third one might," the mysterious youkai responded.

"Oh heavens, I certainly hope you don't believe that."

The dark-haired man chuckled wickedly as he focused on the task at hand.

The newcomer sighed wearily. He appraised the situation, and though he didn't approve of the suggested methods, he understood their plight. "You do realize I could get in a lot of trouble back home if anyone finds out. I'm supposed to enforce the laws of time, not break them. If this was my world, I wouldn't even think of it, regardless of what Zead's done." He looked to the console, then to the man before it. "You're not going to tell anyone about it, are you?"

"Trust me."

The blonde man looked quite dubious at the comment, as he deemed the figure before him was anything but trustworthy. However, though it went against his better judgment, he nodded curtly. "Very well." He watched as the man moved aside, and he took his place. He concentrated his energy, and focused it on the cross. He could tell it would've eventually shattered because of the explosive release of Dracula's power, so he sought to delay the inevitable collapse of the instrument as long as possible. Though he didn't entirely understand the importance of the altar, he decided to ask such questions at another time. "I do hope you have plans of remedying this anomaly, not to mention Zead."

"Don't worry," the Bus Driver replied with an eerie grin, "we can have a replacement made soon enough. And the kids on their way to face Zead as we speak."

"Do you really think they can defeat him," the newcomer asked curiously.

The uniformed man chuckled, and took a puff of his cigar. "Regardless of the outcome, it's necessary to face him. They still need to find the Belmont, you can guess what'll happen if he gets a hold of it."

The otherworldly being frowned slightly, and nodded in response. "Indeed I do."

"Then I get that covers everything. You'll be hearing from us soon." With that, the youkai melted into the shadows and vanished.

The blonde man groaned to himself as he concentrated on his task. "How do I get in these situations? Zead, you've got so much to answer for, I don't know where to begin. But you've more than overstepped your bounds this time, there will be a reckoning for what you've wrought, I assure you."

The four girls headed back into the campus building, and made their way up to the highest level of the academy. Once they reached the top floor, they were greeted by a scene of utter destruction. The walls had blackened by some unknown phenomenon, the ceiling was gone, and the remains of several bodies lied before them. The scene would've been heart-wrenching under normal circumstances, but their concern over their friend took precedence over the chaos around them.

"Ruby," a weak voice spoke into the oldest girl's mind.

The dark-haired woman gasped as she recognized the voice. "Mikogami-sama," she asked mentally.

"Ruby, there is little time. Hurry to my office, recover the Belmont quickly."

The older witch kept going as he processed what her seemingly deceased superior had spoken. As she did, the image of an apparently ordinary whip appeared in her mind, coupled with a strange alchemic aura. Once she'd digested the information, she nodded sternly. "I will."

The girls hurried down the hall on the top floor. As they did, they noticed one body that was still barely alive. The figure was clad in the tattered remains of a tradition academy uniform, which revealed severe wounds, burns, and bruises. The wounded student's breathing was very shallow, an indication that the individual was in critical condition. The group's pace eventually slowed to a stop once they neared the fallen figure, amazed that anyone could've survived the devastation they just witnessed.

The figure turned its burned and bruised face towards them, and managed a wan smile. "Hey guys," he spoke in a weak voice, "glad you made it back." The student coughed weakly, as his whole body writhed in pain.

"No way," Kurumu spoke with a blank expression. "Senpai, what happened to you?"

Gin groaned as he looked towards his club members. "I was looking for Kuyou," he began, "but with this stupid riot, I couldn't sense him." He cringed as another jolt of pain shot through his body. "I followed a group of his goons here," he continued as he clearly struggled to remain conscious, "and then she appeared." His smile turned into a scowl as he looked away. "Yuriko."

Ruby's eyes went wide in response. "Yuriko Kamasutchi, the one Ririko mentioned at the clubhouse?"

"Yeah, she set me up, set up... Moka. And now... she's playing Kokoa... for a fool."

"Kokoa-chan," Yukari asked in shock.

"Wait a minute!" the cyan-haired girl interjected. "You mean that bimbo posing as Moka-"

"Yeah," Gin replied, "it was her... all along." His head fell back onto the floor. "I'm... such a fool. Never got a chance... to tell Moka... I'm sorry," he concluded as he passed out.

"Senpai!" Kurumu cried out as she dropped onto her knees by his side, and gently lifted up his wounded body. "Senpai, don't you dare die on me! You owe us all an apology, you big moron!"

The incognito werewolf made no response as the underclassman supported his body.

"Come on, you mangy mutt!" the shorter girl snapped. "Snap out of it, this is not funny, senpai!" Her body shook as she looked for any signs of life. She half-expected him to grab her butt or her breasts. She could've clobbered him afterwards, but at least she would've known he was alive. However, the older student made no such indication he was still among them.

"It can't be," Mizore spoke worriedly as she looked to the seemingly lifeless senior.

"Gin-senpai!" Yukari cried out in horror.

At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps came from behind them. They turned, and saw a third year behind them, clad in a karate uniform rather than the usual academy attire, a wide black belt around his toned waist. He had natural blonde hair, and a very rugged appearance. He definitely looked more like a warrior than a model. His eyes locked onto the fallen figure before him. "No way," he began with a startled look, "Gin, what happened to him?"

Kurumu tried hard to keep from crying as she looked to the motionless being in her arms. "What happens to all those Dracula no longer needs."

The younger witch looked gravely at her club leader. "Senpai may be the enemy of all women," she began, "but Dracula is the enemy of all life!" She turned back to the newcomer with a fierce expression, as she brought her clenched fists up. "As long as he lives, no one is safe, desu!"

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," the newcomer interjected as he gave the sophomore an intrigued look, "let's not ahead of ourselves. What's with all this talk about Dracula? T'ch, don't tell me you believe that nonsense, Kuyou just made him up to make himself look good, it's nothing more than PSC propaganda."

The girls became silent, and uncomfortably looked away. As much as they wanted to refute him, they knew it might've put Tsukune at risk. They wouldn't forget what happened on the roof, and surmised a good part of the student body believed Tsukune was Dracula. The last thing they wanted was causing any more trouble for the brown-haired youth who'd apparently fallen under the evil overlord's spell.

"Hey, what's with the silent treatment," the powerful fighter asked suspiciously. "Aren't you guys part of Gin's club? You should be reporting the news, not hiding it." Dissatisfied at the lack of responses, he looked to his fallen classmate on the floor. "Let me guess, Gin got in trouble with another woman."

"Was it that obvious," the purple-haired girl asked plainly.

"Mizore-chan!" Kurumu retorted indignantly.

The newcomer sighed in frustration, and ruefully shook his head. "Typical, he just never learns." He knelt down, grabbed him by his burned collar, and lifted him into a semi-sitting position. "You've really done it this time, haven't you, Gin? Sun-senpai's not gonna be happy about this, I wonder what she'll do when she finds out."

A pained groan came from the seemingly lifeless lycan.

"Senpai," Kurumu asked in concern.

"She just might sing you funeral dirge," the rugged student continued, "she warned you this would be the death of you. Maybe she should prepare by reading some Vogon poetry."

The senior cried out in agony as he regained consciousness. "Anything but that!"

"It is alive," Mizore interjected with a deadpan look.

The older student looked around, and saw one of his classmates with a roguish smile on his face. "Haiji, you are despicable!"

"Must be the company I keep."

The incognito werewolf groaned, and rolled his eyes into the back of his head. "Vogon poetry, not even Sun-senpai can make that sound good."

"So glad you're still with us," Haiji remarked. "Now what's all this nonsense about Dracula?"

Gin groaned wearily. "I'll tell you along the way."

"You'd better." He pulled the wounded student to his feet, and supported him with one arm. "I swear, you get into so much trouble this way."

"You're one to talk," the Newspaper Club leader shot back.

"Whatever, we need to get you healed up so you can apologize to senpai next time we meet her."

Gin groaned wearily, less than enthusiastic about his future prospects. With a great amount of effort, he turned his head so he could've looked to the others. "Hey," he spoke up, "you're going after that guy, aren't you?"

"Yes," Ruby replied with a determined look.

"Well don't hang around here for my sake," the injured youkai spoke in a self-deprecating tone, "Moka's already got a head start on you."

Kurumu hissed to herself, and clenched her fists by her sides. "He's right," she said sternly, and then looked to the others. "Let's go!"

The others nodded, and rushed down the hallway until they disappeared from sight.

Haiji looked back to where they'd fled. "You think they're gonna be alright?"

"Yeah, they took down the Four Flunkies last year, they'll be fine."

"Hmm, where's that guy who's always with them?"

Gin gulped nervously, as he realized he'd never asked about Tsukune. He hadn't seen him since the fight against Ririko, and wondered what had become of him. The group's silence worried him even further.

"Hey, you still with us," the rugged student asked.

The lycan was broken out of his train of thought, and decided to pursue the matter later. "Yeah, let's go." He limped down the opposite end, supported by his classmate. Though he didn't want to dismiss the matter, he knew something terrible had just occurred, and hoped he had to chance to inquire about it later.

A lone figure stood within the office on the top floor, clad in a white robe and habit as he looked out the cathedral windows. He pushed his senses down towards the holding cells under the academy, and saw his associate had gotten the needed signal and acted accordingly. A foreboding smile crossed his features, and his eyes glowed ominously, as he saw his plans were nearly complete.

Around that time, he sensed a powerful presence rapidly headed towards the office. He scryed beyond the door, and saw an incensed white-haired woman running down the corridor. He pushed his senses out further, and saw four other girls further back, as he stood near a fallen student on the same floor.

"Master," a deep growling voice spoke from behind him.

The robed figure turned slightly, and saw a pair of dark, nebulous forms behind him. "Let her pass," he spoke succinctly, "but deal with her friends."

"It shall be done," a scratchy voice replied.

The shrouded being sensed the two presences had left the office, en route to intercept the four girls once they got within range. "Splendid," he mused, "the final phase of our plans here are about to begin." He chuckled to himself, as he tightly clasped his hands together in anticipation.

The girls went forward until they reached the corridor that led to the chairman's office. No sooner than they did that a huge explosion came from the far end of the hallway. They immediately stopped their progress and covered their faces from the bolts of immense demonic energy that streaked towards them. After a few seconds, the eruption died down. The girls looked forward, and saw a huge cloud of smoke at the far end.

"What the hecht was that," a startled Kurumu asked.

"The barrier to the chairman's office," Ruby explained with an awed expression, "looks like someone just broke it down."

"Moka-san," Yukari spoke quietly.

"No surprise there," Mizore noted, "subtlety isn't one of her strong suits."

The older witch ruefully shook her head, as she silently agreed with the snow girl, but pushed the thought to the back of her mind. "Looks like we arrived just in time," she spoke to the others, "come on!"

The girls raced towards the office entrance. But before they reached it, a pair of black nebula appeared before them, coupled with severe malicious intent, which stopped them in their tracks. Within the nebula appeared two figures in black suits, a tall thin man with an almost conical looking head, and a shorter muscular man with blue and orange striped hair. All but Mizore recognized them as Colton's bodyguards, who they hadn't seen since the day the supposed historian first arrived at the school.

"I am not in the mood," Kurumu spoke viciously, as she immediately unsheathed her claws. "Move it or lose it!" she snapped, her face flush with anger and her voice thick with murderous intent.

"Infidels!" the taller man spoke in a scratchy voice. "Why do you oppose the sovereignty of Lord Dracula?"

"He is the antithesis of everything the academy stands for!" Ruby proclaimed. "We won't stand by and let him destroy Mikogami's dream!"

"What she said," Mizore added. "This world's not big enough for the both of us," she went on, as her hands turned into icy claws, "so get lost."

"Our Lord is the King of this world," the shorter man replied in a deep, menacing voice, his nose crinkled in contempt. "All who oppose him will die." Twin blasts of intense smoke shot from his nostrils as he narrowed his red eyes into deadly slits. "This means you, in case you weren't taking notes."

"We won't die!" Yukari retorted defiantly. "We'll beat you, Colton, and Dracula! We won't bullies like you rule over us or anyone else, desu!"

"Impudent youth," the taller man shot back angrily, "DIE!" He grew taller, and his neck and face elongated, completely losing its questionable human appearance. He burst out of his suit and trousers, which revealed a lanky saurian body, covered by sickly light brown skin that resembled dead flesh. His hands turned into deadly claws, which held a trident with a very long shaft. His shoes burst open and revealed a pair of long, taloned feet. His neck was bent down so he could've seen his enemies, his face comprised of an overextended beak, deeply sunken eyes and fangs. Beside him, his companion also grew in height and musculature, until he too burst free from the confines of his dark suit. His skin had turned light blue, his face extended into a reptilian appearance, with two short horns atop his head, and deadly fangs that protruded from beneath his lips. A pair of leathery wings, similar to those of a pterodactyl, appeared and the transformed monster used them to take flight, his taloned feet hovering above the ground.

The armed beast launched itself at Yukari, its trident aimed squarely at her chest. The younger witch gasped in surprise, and quickly evaded the blow meant to impale her. He quickly recovered and reared back for a slashing attack, but Ruby moved in and blocked the attack with her wings. She then blocked a thrust from the beast's weapon, followed by a reverse slash. Yukari moved out of his line of sight and raised her wand aloft. "BRONZE POTS!" she shouted, and five washing basins appeared and smashed the monster repeatedly upside the head.

Ruby then floated back, and raised her own staff overhead. "BEGONE!" she called out, and a bolt of lightning shot from the jeweled core of her wand and struck the saurian beast, which was decently wounded from the attack. However, the monster quickly shook off the effects, and aimed his trident towards her. A small sphere of energy appeared at the bladed end of his weapon, and shot forth towards the witch, who floated out of its path.

Yukari gasped in surprise, shocked that her opponent actually possessed long-range attacks. She then jumped back, and aimed her wand at the best. "HAPPY HEART!" she shouted, and a slew of iron tarot cards rained down on the monstrous creature, who was decently wounded from the attack.

Kurumu took to the air as he confronted her nemesis. Unlike him, her arms were free in flight mode, so she surmised she had the advantage. As she swooped towards him, the draconian beast peppered her with a slew of small fireballs. The succubus cried out as they burned against her, though she wasn't too seriously hurt.

"Heh, should've known he breathed fire," Mizore commented from the ground. "Here, have some of this." She raised her arm towards the flying beast, as sizable icicles shot from beneath her sleeve towards the monster. Unfortunately for her, the winged creature exhaled more fireballs which neutralized her attacks. "Hmph, pretty tough," the snow girl noted.

But before she could've retaliated, the winged creature swooped down and grabbed the snow girl with his taloned feet. He lifted her off the ground and began crushing her shoulders with its iron grip. Kurumu immediately moved in and slashed at the creature's chest while his attention was diverted. The beast screamed in pain, and released Mizore who fell to the floor. The cyan-haired girl slashed him two more times before he retaliated with another wave of fireballs. The flying girl deftly moved aside, and managed to miss some of the attack, though she was still injured regardless.

Suddenly, six ice kunai struck the winged monster right in his well-muscled abdomen. He looked down and saw Mizore below him, her hands transformed into icy claws. It landed on the floor, and launched a rapid volley of fireballs at the snow girl, who quickly dodged out of the way. The monstrous creature then took to the air again, and heard a feral growl from nearby. He looked towards his comrade, and flew towards him. He then grabbed the saurian creature with his feet, and lifted him into the air.

"What are you up to," Kurumu demanded as she flew towards the enemies. However, the winged creature unleashed another volley of fireballs, which forced the succubus away. The beast hovered high above where the other girls were gathered, and growled as he released his partner. The armed monster charged up his trident on the way down and drove it into the floor, which released a powerful wave of energy that knocked everyone on the floor twelve feet back.

The cyan-haired girl growled in aggravation and swooped down to the others, who were still recovering from the effects of the attack. "Is everyone okay," she asked nervously.

Mizore gave her a reproachful look, and encased her in ice with a thought. "You could've helped us out, perverted breast girl."

"This is not the time to bicker!" Ruby said sharply. "If we fight amongst ourselves, we're already defeated. That's how they've maintained the upper hand."

Yukari pouted in response. Though she was also annoyed that Kurumu hadn't saved them, she saw the wisdom in her fellow witch's words. "Alright, let's take this from the top, desu."

"I suppose," the snow girl replied with an indifferent shrug. But before she could've released the frozen teenager, she saw the saurian beast had taken aim with his trident. He fired another shot at the girls, who scampered to avoid the attack. Mizore grabbed her friend's body and leaped out of the way.

Ruby was the first to recover. Her wings glowed with a bright lavender aura. She then raised her staff, and a slew of deadly father shot towards the saurian creature. It was lacerated repeatedly by the deadly bombardment, but then twirled its trident and deflected the rest of the attack. The winged beast snarled at the witch and dove towards her, its taloned feet extended.

"Wide open!" Mizore called out, and cast four large icy shards at the approaching creature, who barely managed to avoid the attack, but his own battle plan had fortunately been thwarted, for the time being.

"Hold on, Kurumu-san," Yukari spoke as he raised her wand. A kettle appeared over the frozen girl, and poured boiling water onto her. The ice quickly melted, and the sophomore was freed from her icy confinement.

The succubus shivered slightly as she shook off the effects of being frozen. "Thanks, Yukari-chan," she spoke gratefully.

"Glad to have you back," the younger witch replied, "now let's clobber these idiots, desu!"

"Gladly," the succubus spoke with a fierce look, as she unsheathed her claws and took to the air again. Once she did, her winged nemesis instantly targeted her. It spewed another volley of fireballs that the voluptuous youkai avoided. She quickly realized he always launched eight fireballs per volley, and then he had to catch his breath before he could attack again. She flew towards him at top speed as he recuperated. "REVENGE KICK!" she shouted, as she somersaulted forward and drilled both of her feet into his stomach. It knocked the wind out of him, as well as send him hard into the wall, which cracked from the impact. It fell to the floor, stunned from the powerful attack.

"Nice shot!" Mizore commented in approval, and then concentrated her own youki. "ICE GLACIERS!" she shouted, and a slew of frozen spikes erupted from the floor and skewered the downed creature, who screamed in pain from the assault.

"Oh that had to hurt," Kurumu remarked with a smirk.

Seriously wounded, the winged beast roared in anger, as a fiery aura surrounded him, which melted the icy spikes that wounded him. Moreover, his skin changed from light blue to orange.

"Uh oh!" the younger witch cried out worriedly. "Looks like we just made him mad, desu!" She cringed at the increased power and murderous intent of the draconian creature. To make matters worse, she felt another killing intent headed towards her.

"Yukari-chan!" Ruby's voice called out.

The youngest of the group turned and saw that the saurian beast had caught up to her. She instinctively put up a shield of tarot cards and jumped back, which just barely deflected the monster's overhead slash before it was scattered.

The dark-haired woman rose into the air, as the wings grew larger. "Stay away from my fellow witch!" she shouted towards the armed beast, as she began to flap her extra appendages, which created a strong gust of wind. The beast braced itself, and used its weapon as a shield.

Yukari watched her elder's attack, and an idea came to her. She aimed her wand at the monster struggled to maintain his footing against the powerful breeze. "Take this!" she shouted, and a kitchen sink appeared between Ruby and the monster. The gust pushed it forward, and it smashed right in the armed beast's face. The impact proved to be a fatal distraction, as he lost his footing and was blown back into the far wall.

The flying monster growled angrily as it saw what had just occurred. It rose up into the air, and launched huge fireballs as it spun counterclockwise. All the girls, especially Mizore, scampered to avoid the wild attack, as the fireballs exploded against the walls and floor. After that, the creature flew down the hall towards its comrade.

"Oh no you don't!" Kurumu snapped, as she foresaw what he had planned, and began to pursue him. However, he enemy turned around and launched a volley of huge fireballs towards her, which forced her to lower her altitude.

The draconian creature hovered over his comrade, grabbed his shoulders and lifted him off the ground.

"Oh crap," Mizore spoke worriedly, "not that again."

"We'll have to outmaneuver them," Ruby replied, then turned to the snow girl. "Try to draw their fire, I have an idea."

"Okay," the blue-eyed girl spoke worriedly, but decided to trust the older girl, who'd already gone ahead. She looked up to Kurumu, and pointed towards the floor. Her friend quickly took the hint, flew back and landed near the group. "Stay here for now," the yuki onna relayed, "Ruby has a plan."

The cyan-haired girl made a sour face, but didn't protest further.

Mizore ran forward and shot a slew of icicles towards the creatures. Though they all missed, it was exactly what she wanted. The winged beast responded with a slew of large fireballs that made her quickly scamper away. She noticed that Ruby had flown low and to the side while the monsters focused on her. She watched as the witch rose up behind them. She raised her wand aloft, and a slew of deadly feathers shot from her wings and nailed the draconian beast. The dagger-like feathers cut through his wings and he lost his grip on his compatriot, who unceremoniously crashed onto the floor.

"Neat," the impressed snow girl remarked, and quickly ran to the downed creature. She watched as his comrade fell atop him, and she tried not to chuckle. She concentrated her youki and slammed her claws onto the floor. A huge pillar of ice erupted under them, lifted them into the air, and smashed them into the ceiling. She watched as they toppled onto the floor in a heap.

"Yahoo!" Kurumu exclaimed as she pumped her fist into the air. "Now that's a plan! Flattened flunkies anyone?"

Her celebration was cut short as she heard enraged growls from the fallen creatures. They were both badly wounded, but they still managed to rise from the floor. The saurian's weapon was broken, and quickly discarded. The draconian beast's wings were all but shredded, which made flight impossible.

"No way," the cyan-haired girl uttered in disbelief, "they're still alive?"

"Seems that way," Mizore replied, "guess they want to go down fighting."

Ruby noticed her enemies had regained their footing, and raised her wand aloft. "MAGICAL SURROUNDING SEAL!" she shouted, and two lightning bolts crashed down on the beasts, who were wounded further from the attack.

The formerly armed beast growled from his injuries, eyed the purple-haired girl and launched himself at tremendous speed. The snow girl tried to dodge, but was hit in the side by the monster's hard beak, and knocked to the floor.

"Mizore-chan!" Kurumu cried out. She watched for a moment, and snarled as she saw the beast had Yukari in his sights. Without another word, she flew towards the younger girl and stood protectively before her. The monster immediately charged towards her, and the cyan-haired girl leaned her body to the side, let the creature near her and then wrapped her arm around his beak. She was forced back several feet, and the young witch dove to avoid being bowled over.

"I'm tired of you people," the succubus spoke through clenched teeth as she struggled with her opponent, "picking on the weak! I won't stand for it anymore!"

Yukari watched as her classmate struggled with the saurian beast. But at that moment, she noticed the orange-skinned monster had converged on them, and took in a deep breath. "Kurumu-san!" she cried out.

The well-endowed youkai turned and gasped as she found herself in the monster's line of fire. The beast expectorated a volley of huge fireballs, but a wall of ice quickly arose and blocked the oncoming assault. The fireballs exploded against the shield, which slowly cracked and then buckled under the attack, but it kept the succubus safe regardless.

"Impossible," the trapped creature exclaimed.

"Shows what you know," Mizore replied with a wan smile, as she panted heavily on one knee.

"Hm, what she said," Kurumu added with a fierce grin, reared back with all her inhuman strength and hurled the saurian beast hard onto the floor.

"Wow!" Yukari exclaimed, amazed that her friend possessed such strength. Though it paled when compared to S-class monsters, that made it easily dismissed, which caused her enemies to underestimate her, much to their peril.

"Impertinent creatures," the monster with the damaged wings growled, "I shall tolerate your existence no longer!" He reared back, and a huge fireball appeared in front of his mouth.

"Uh oh," Kurumu remarked with a wary expression.

"This is bad," Yukari added.

"Move it!" Mizore called out. "I won't be able to block this one!"

Suddenly, black tendrils shot forth from behind the creature, and wrapped around its waist, neck and arms. He cried out in pain, and his fireball dissipated. The child prodigy looked behind the beast, and saw her fellow witch with her feathers elongated into tendrils, which bound the draconian beast. "Ruby-san!" she exclaimed happily.

"Hurry, my friends!" the dark-haired woman called out. "End this now!"

Kurumu and Yukari nodded, and they approached the bound creature. Mizore finally got to her feet, confident that the battle was in hand. It was then that she heard a fierce growl behind the others. She turned, and saw the saurian beast had regained his footing, his deadly beak aimed at Kurumu. "Behind you!"

The succubus turned and saw the monstrous beast, who's just launched himself towards her. Without a second thought, she grabbed Yukari and pulled her out of the way. The monster sailed by, and his beak inadvertently impaled his comrade. The winged monster was shocked that he'd been nailed by his partner. The saurian beast screamed in anguish, as did his companion. The girls watched as their bodies caught fire, while they continued to scream. Their flesh was burned away, until only their skeletons remained, which crumpled onto the floor in a broken heap of bones.

Kurumu somberly bowed her head as she looked to their remains. "How pitiful," she began, "they're so eager to die for Dracula, but he won't do the same for them."

"Is this the fate of all who serve him," Mizore asked. "Then, what'll happen to Moka, and Tsukune?"

Everyone gasped and looked to one another, dread on all their faces. The thought of such a fate befalling their close friends mortified them to no end.

Suddenly, the ruined hallway began to shake. The girls watched as a familiar-looking statue arose from the floor.

"What the hecht," Kurumu asked with a peculiar expression. "How long was that hiding there?"

"Don't complain," Mizore muttered, "we could use a pick me up before we fight Colton."

"Very good idea," Ruby interjected, a bit weary from the fight with the two bodyguards.

"I wholeheartedly agree, desu," Yukari added, happy that the bullies had been toppled.

Each of the girls touched the statue, and sighed in relief as the energy released from the idol healed their wounds and restored their auras. The cyan-haired girl seemed exceptionally overjoyed as she was being restored. The other girls gave her very peculiar looks, as it reminded them of when Kurumu had been thralled atop the roof.

"What," the succubus asked, somewhat confused by the suspicious glances.

"Never mind," the snow girl replied dismissively, "let's catch up to Moka."

"Gladly," the younger witch added. She muttered a few choice words under her breath before they headed towards the office.

Ayumu finally exited the tunnel, and found herself in the familiar region of the academy grounds. Once she did, she saw the crimson nighttime sky through her windshield. She wondered how it had gotten so late in the day, but then got a strong feeling of foreboding as she continued down the path. She immediately knew something was terribly amiss, and quickly looked for anything that resembled a parking area.

The former countess soon reached the academy parking lot. As she looked for an open spot, she gasped as she saw a Winnebago amongst the cars. She quickly parked her own vehicle and jumped out. She inspected the vehicle in question, and saw a sizable amount of rust upon it. She was silently amazed the vehicle could've been driven in its condition. The incognito vampire crept around the back, as she looked about for anyone in the area. Though she saw no one, she couldn't shake the ominous feeling within her heart. She soon reached the back of the large vehicle and knelt down. She glanced behind her once more, and looked to the license plate. Even in the ruddy nighttime atmosphere, her jade eyes read the plate number. She gasped in horror as it was identical to the plate number Kuroshiro had relayed to her, which belonged to the vehicle involved in both massacres. Moreover, it was definitely an American plate, registered in Texas.

The pink-haired woman growled in anger at what she'd discovered. "She's here," she spoke under her breath, as her anger swelled within her chest. Between the murder suspect and Tsukune, she couldn't decide who infuriated her more. She clenched her fists, as she rose to her feet with a vicious growl. The enraged mother turned towards the academy, as she scanned for the suspect's presence. Though she couldn't get a clear sign of her aura, the vehicle was proof enough of her presence. "You'd best not lay a finger on Moka," she snarled through clenched teeth, "or I'll rip off your limbs and burn them before your very eyes. You'll never murder another child as long as I live!"

She winced in chagrin, as her vampire mindset had again returned to the forefront. As much as she wanted to personally tear them apart, she knew such behaviors were unacceptable in the human world, and she definitely didn't want her daughter to emulate them. Fortunately, the seal Issa had created kept her personality and powers in check so she wouldn't have attracted unwanted attention. Though Moka was basically a prisoner, at least she was safe from the Council's notice. But she wondered how long it would've remained as such.

She quickly cleared her mind of her troubling thoughts, and looked towards the academy building. Once she did, the foreboding feeling grew massively. She realized something terrible had occurred, or was possibly still occurring within the damaged school. Without another thought, she ran headlong towards the campus building.

The shrouded being inside the office raised his nonexistent eyebrows as he heard a loud disturbance that came from outside the office door. He pushes his senses outside, and saw a familiar woman had reached his chamber and sought to break down the barrier he'd placed over the door. He wasn't overly surprised at the identity of the perpetrator, though he was a bit perturbed that anyone had reached the office door alive. He looked in amusement as the intruder repeatedly kicked at the magical obstruction. He admitted he'd never known anyone bold enough to attempt to break down a barrier with their bare hands. Nevertheless, the sinister being was rather relaxed. He strode back behind the desk and looked out the cathedral windows, as he felt the situation was well in hand.

After several intense seconds, the door that led outside burst open with a resounding explosion. He casually looked over his shoulder, and watched as an enraged female vampire slowly made her way into the office. Her fangs were bared menacingly, and her shoulders heaving in unbridled anger, as a malicious aura surrounded her exquisite form.

"Hello, my dear," the robed figure began in an eerie voice, "what brings you here today? Do you have an appointment?"

"Enough of your games, Colton!" the white-haired woman snapped viciously as she lashed out to the side. "You have more than sealed your fate this time," she concluded in a low, threatening voice.

"Oh," the intrigued being asked, "whatever are you talking about?"

"Don't play stupid with me!" the vampire retorted angrily, as she slammed her hand on the heavy desk before her. "As if you hadn't disgusted me enough with what you've done to Tsukune. Attacking him in his sleep, poisoning his mind and desecrating everything he cherishes, and now trying to turn the whole school against him!" She glared menacingly at the robed man, as she brought her right hand up, and dangerously bent her elongated fingers. "But even worse than that," she continued through clenched teeth, "is the dishonor you've committed against me. Spreading lies about me, calling me an agent of Dracula, claiming I longed for his return. Even claiming I'd-" She growled in anger and disgust, too repulsed by what occurred to verbalize it. "I AM NOT A PLAYTHING!" she screamed in her seemingly infinite rage, as an ebony and crimson aura surrounded her. "NO ONE DESECRATES MY BODY AND LIVES!"

The robed figure simply watched as the super monster's sclera darkened to a sickly orange color, and her fangs lengthened noticeably. Even more so, he felt the raging power of his master within her, screaming to be unleashed. He also noted the seemingly imperceptible changes to her body as a result. His grin broadened wickedly, for though it wasn't exactly what he had planned, he was certain the possibilities he foresaw from the recent development could've been very beneficial in the coming days.

Suddenly, the white-haired woman groaned in pain and held the sides of her head, as she fought to suppress the unholy energy within her. The shrouded being was rather intrigued that she'd managed to resist Dracula's power, more than he could've said for the others. And though he was also a bit disappointed, he also knew the issue was anything but resolved. He chuckled to himself, as he knew it would've been a serious obstacle to her, and yet a great boon to him.

"What's wrong," the sinister man asked with a lightly amused smile, "I thought you had come to avenge your precious friend. Wherever did all that motivation go? How do you expect to achieve your goal if you deliberately hold yourself back?"

"Enough games," the female vampire snapped irritably. "You really think I'd fall for such an obvious ploy? You don't know who you're dealing with, Colton." She knit her brows tightly together, as she got her breathing under control. "Or should I say, Zead," she finished with a contemptuous sneer.

A slight look of annoyance crossed the figure's features, as he looked off to the side and solemnly closed his eyes. "So you've met Saint Germain, have you," he asked in a different voice. "No matter, it's far too late to stop what's been set in motion. Our lord," he went on as his gloved hand reached for his cowl, "has returned." He took hold of his habit, gently removed it and let it fall by his side, which revealed his bald head. He turned back to the woman, and smiled at her as he opened his dull gray eyes. "You should feel honored, Moka Akashiya. For it was through you that Lord Dracula has risen once more, just as he ordained."

"Get over yourself!" the super monster snapped indignantly. "Dracula's been dead for centuries, there's no way he could've possibly known about me!"

"That is where you are mistaken," the shrouded being with a raised index finger. "Our lord has known of you long before you were even conceived, my dear, and he has a very long memory. He does not forget those who interfere with his plans. And now, there's nowhere left for you to run."

Moka gave him a scathing glare in response. "You have a lot of nerve accusing me of cowardice," she spoke in an enraged, yet even voice. "You think I'm some weak-minded waif who'll flee and call for help at the first sign of danger? That may be true of the 'other Moka,'" she spoke pointedly, "but it doesn't describe me in the least! I am a royal vampire, born to fight and conquer! I am the envy of all other life-forms, no one can ever compare to me, especially not you and your false god!" she announced proudly, as her youki flared menacingly around her body. "And for your unending assaults against Tsukune and myself, not to mention being so infuriatingly annoying, I will be your death!"

For a few moments, the gray-eyed man looked thunderstruck at what his accuser had spoken. As he mentally processed what he'd just heard, he began to chuckle. It rose into amused laughter, until the man threw his bald head and emitted a thundering gale of megalomaniacal laughter that lasted twenty seconds.

"Oh yes," an unseen female voice spoke sarcastically within the suddenly perplexed vampire. "Brilliantly done, Ura-chan. You've definitely got him trembling in fear now, what do you plan to do for an encore?"

The white-haired woman was instantly annoyed by the mental barb she just received. "Silence!" she spoke aloud as Colton continued to laugh uproariously. "H-h-h-how dare you mock me! Who's side are you on, Omote?"

"Gee, good question. You call me weak-minded when your supposed death threat fails miserably? Did you forget he was Dracula's right-hand man, I doubt he's suddenly going to keel over and beg for mercy, Ura-chan."

"H-h-h-how is this even possible?" Moka demanded in a spluttering voice. "You should be unconscious!"

"Why, so I wouldn't hear you insulting me again? Or maybe you were hoping I'd overlook the part where you tore off your clothes? I mean, I really like Tsukune too, but please, Ura-chan, show some decency here. Oh, I know I'm going to have nightmares about that little stunt of yours."

The female vampire growled in embarrassment and aggravation, as her cheeks blushed bright red. Unbeknownst to her, Colton had overheard the entire conversation, and chuckled to himself. He knew she wished her counterpart would've been corporeal at that moment so she could've strangled her for her acerbic comments, in front of their enemy, no less. And, coupled with her earlier comments about being the death of him, amused him more than he had been in a very long time.

"ENOUGH!" the white-haired woman screamed in rage. "It's bad enough I have to deal with this idiot and his even more idiotic master, but lecturing me in front of them? You've embarrassed me for the last time, Omote! Once I'm done with these simpletons, YOU'RE NEXT!"

"Oh my," the supposed historical researcher noted dryly, "so now you're threatening yourself? Your chances seem to get more comical by the moment, and you're going to defeat Lord Dracula? Foolish girl, you've already lost and you don't realize it. The more you struggle, the more you play right into our hands."

Moka screamed in demonic rage, her face a mask of anger and hatred. She then reached over the desk and grabbed the far end, as well the end closest to her. With her demonic strength, she lifted the heavy desk overhead, adjusted her grip, and smashed the furniture down towards her enemy with a monstrous roar. The room shuddered as the desk crashed onto the floor, as broken pieces of wood and metal scattered about the area.

Moka hunched over where she stood, as she breathed heavily. She groaned in pain, and held the sides of her head.

"Ura-chan," the hidden persona spoke worriedly.

"I'm fine," she curtly replied, as she grit her teeth together.

A split second later, the robed man reappeared in the far corner of the room. He watched as his opponent struggled to get her emotions under control. He knew she was afraid of losing all control and becoming completely consumed by darkness, just like her companion. He also knew that little twinge of doubt and fear would've ascertained his victory. "Oh dear," he remarked, which got the stricken woman's attention, "that's quite a temper you have. You really should get a hold of it."

Moka bared her fangs in anger as she charged her opponent. Colton saw she was headed off to his left, for he surmised would've been an assault from the rear. As she passed by him, he glided off the opposite side, phasing out of his robe, which was kicked away almost immediately afterwards by the vampire. "Missed again," he mused with a smirk, clad in the attire he wore when he first came to the academy.

The super monster glared at him viciously, reared back and aimed at knife hand strike at his throat. But before her elongated fingers made contact, the bald man's image elongated, grew thinner and vanished. He then reappeared in another corner of the room. He sensed the conflict within the girl, though he knew prematurely incurring her wrath might've jeopardized the mission, so he sought it best to allow his opponent to defeat herself with her own troubled emotions.

He furrowed his brow, and a hand held sickle materialized in the air. It spun down towards the distracted vampire. However, she soon turned in its direction, reached out and caught it in midair. Colton was rather impressed, for he'd never seen an opponent bold or skilled enough to grasp his projectiles in such a fashion. He watched as Moka hurled it to the side, and it smashed through the window and disappeared.

The sophomore spun back towards her opponent. "Is that all you've got?" she demanded heatedly. "These childish tricks are useless against me!"

"Are they indeed," the European man asked curiously.

At that moment, sickles began to appear sporadically in the various parts of the room, but all of them were targeted at Moka. The white-haired woman growled in aggravation, and lashed out with her deadly claws at the oncoming projectiles. She deftly grabbed one sickle, and hurled it at Colton himself, who quickly disappeared from sight. The bladed implement got stuck in the wall behind where he once stood and vanished.

Colton reappeared just Moka behind and nailed her with a hammer blow to the base of her neck, which made her slightly stagger forward. As she did, an oncoming sickle slashed across her shoulder. With a vicious growl, she unloaded with a massive reverse roundhouse kick, but her opponent leaned back enough to avoid the crushing attack. Undaunted, the vampire performed a high kick, but the European man dodged it again. It annoyed him that he found himself mimicking Saint Germain's evasiveness, but he deemed it a necessary step towards the completion of his plans. As he dodged, he sensed a familiar alchemic presence within the room. Unfortunately, the vampire's tenacity interfered with his senses and forced him to focus on the battle alone.

Moka aimed another knife hand strike towards her opponent, but the supposed researcher caught it in his gloved hand. He grinned slightly as he tightened his grip on the vampire's wrist. She looked about and saw several sickles headed towards her. Colton was certain she would've been quite injured after the attack, but the white-haired woman concentrated her fury and unleashed a huge burst of her youki which eliminated all the sickles and forced the European man to shield his face. Moka quickly got her hand free, took hold of his own, and unloaded with four hard kicks to the midsection. He then nailed him with a high kick right to his chin, kept hold of his wrist and hurled him over his shoulder.

The bald man landed hard on the floor, but quickly arose. As he got to one knee, he saw the vampire headed towards him again. He quickly realized what she had planned and caught the kick that was aimed at his head. He then pushed back forcefully, which sent her sprawling back, but she managed to lean back into a somersault, got her hands onto the floor, and then used her momentum to make an elegant landing.

The sinister being regained his footing, and sternly gazed at his opponent, who defiantly returned his stare. At that moment, he got a troubling sensation from outside the office. With a quick mental glance, he realized the life-forces of his associates had just dissipated, which meant Moka's friends would've soon arrived. His lips tightened noticeably, irritated that they hadn't delayed the others any longer. He looked back to his opponent, who clearly sensed it as well.

"Hmph, took them long enough," the white-haired woman spoke with a dismissive smile as she flicked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Can't they do anything without me?"

"Such high regard you have for your compatriots," her opponent dryly remarked.

"Say what you will, Colton, this night will be your last." She game him a wry smirk. "Are you prepared to get serious now, or should I let you embarrass yourself even further? If these little butter knives are the best you can throw at me you might as well quit."

The bald man gave her an ominous look. "You have no idea how much you're going to regret those words, child."

A few moments later, four young girls made their way into the office. Colton recognized them as the same ones he encountered in the tomb the previous night when he posed as the chairman.

"Sorry we're late," the cyan-haired girl spoke first, "those small fries were more trouble than I thought!"

"At least they gave us a good workout," the seemingly expressionless girl added.

"Now we're ready for the main event!" the youngest of the group declared exuberantly, and then turned to the European man. "You're going down, Colton!" she spoke as she brandished her wand. "We don't need you or Dracula to tell us how to live! Get lost or we'll do it for you, desu!"

"And that should concern me, why," the supposed historian asked with a bemused expression.

"Because there's nowhere left for you to run," the older witch spoke with a determined look, "your sinister plans end here, Colton." She knelt down behind the shortest girl, and leaned close to her ear. "Yukari-chan, could you keep him busy for a moment? There's something I must do here, won't take long."

The brunette turned to her with a confident smile. "Sure thing, Ruby-san."

The bald man looked suspiciously at the pair, and watched as the oldest of the group began to search the office. He heard the whispered conversation, and wondered what she sought. But before he could've acted on his suspicions, he felt a large metal object had collided with his head, which distracted him from his current train of thought. As he focused on the group, three more similar objects, which he saw were simple bronze washing basins, flew towards him and nailed him upside the head. He was more annoyed than actually injured, but he was still alert enough to see the succubus charging at him, her right claw at the ready. He teleported out of harm's way just as the attack came crashing down towards him.

He reappeared in a far corner of the room, and began to summon his sickles again. They rained down in random directions, since there were so many enemies in the room. The purple-haired girl flicked one of her frozen talons, and a small shard of ice shot forth and destroyed a sickle that drew near her. The succubus wasn't so fortunate, as a harvesting tool sliced across her knee.

"Why you!" the cyan-haired girl snapped, and slashed at another sickle with her claws.

"You okay, Kurumu," the snow girl asked.

"I'll be fine," the voluptuous teenager retorted irritably, as she absently rubbed her knee. Though her movement wasn't overly hindered, it still proved to be a nuisance to her. "What a pain," she grumbled.

"Just watch out for those things."

"Watch out for these things, too!" Yukari added, as she raised her wand aloft. A small stream of iron tarot cards came crashing down towards Colton, who found himself trapped in the corner. The bladed implements damaged his coat, but any wounds he might've suffered appeared superficial at best, as red streaks were seen on his face and neck.

As the bald man recovered from the last attack, he sensed the same alchemic presence from before, and it was close to his proximity. He looked to his right, and saw the remains of the Chairman's desk. He also saw Ruby sifting through the debris, and a disturbing notion came to him. "What are you doing?" he demanded.

The older witch gasped, as she realized she'd been spotted. As she was temporarily immobilized by her shock, Colton raised his right hand upwards, as a slew of sickles appeared overhead. He lashed out to the side, and the sharp implements spun rapidly and streaked towards the witch, who barely had time to dodge the oncoming projectiles.

"Ruby-san!" Yukari cried out instinctively.

"So it was here all along," the nefarious man remarked with a dark gaze, as he looked to the witch who was still getting to her feet, "no matter," he continued as he held his right arm out slightly. Once he did, a long blade emerged from under his sleeve.

"Crap!" the purple-haired girl spoke under her breath.

"That weapon!" Kurumu exclaimed silently.

"Never again," the ersatz chairman spoke with a determined look as he advanced menacingly on Ruby. "I shan't allow that foul weapon to threaten Lord Dracula again!" he shouted and slashed down towards the witch, who produced her wings and glided out of harm's way.

The dark-haired woman then focused on her enemy, and raised her own wand aloft. "MAGICAL SURROUNDING SEAL!" The jewel in the middle of her staff glowed brightly, and a huge bolt of lightning crashed down upon the oncoming enemy. Colton reeled back in pain as the electricity coursed through his body. His metallic weapon conducted the lightning, and wounded him further.

"Keep him occupied!" the witch's voice called out to the others. "I just need a few more moments!"

"Sure thing, Ruby-san!" Yukari's voice responded.

As the bald man shook off the effects of the last attack, he heard the witch's hurried footsteps, and was certain she was going to search for the Vampire Killer again. But as he turned to pursue her, he felt a certain coldness below him, followed by a freezing sound. He looked down, and found his feet had been encased in ice, and thus frozen to the floor. But before he could've tried to free himself, he felt a magical presence above him. He looked up, and saw what appeared to be a kitchen sink, which smashed down onto his hairless scalp. As he sought to shake off the cobwebs from the stunning attack, he heard a fierce battle cry. He looked forth, and saw the succubus flying towards him at incredible speed, her deadly claws exposed. She slashed hard across his chest, which actually wounded him modestly. She gave him another swipe with her claws, which injured him further. Incensed by the barrage of attacks, Colton reared back with his blade and unloaded with an overhand slash. However, his agile opponent deftly dodged the attack, which struck up sparks on the floor. As he righted himself, he saw Moka headed towards him at top speed. She spun around in midstep and unloaded a thundering reverse back kick, which knocked him free of his icy manacles and sent him halfway across the room.

"I found it!" Ruby's voice exclaimed from the rear of the chamber.

Colton immediately came alert once he herd the witch's words. He raised himself off the floor, and saw the dark-haired woman, with the coiled Vampire Killer in her hands. "NO!" he shouted as he headed towards the chairman's assistant. But before he reached her, he unwillingly stopped in place. The cold sensation told him his feet had encased in ice once more. "Hmph," he remarked with a dark scowl, "not this time." His body became immaterial, and he walked out of the icy manacles below him.

"Oh crud," Kurumu spoke with a chagrined look, clearly taken aback by her enemy's solution to his former problem.

Moka growled indignantly, clearly livid at how easily he'd escaped his confinement. She unleashed a high kick, which released a powerful cutting wave of air. The blade harmlessly passed through Colton's insubstantial body, and slammed into the far wall. A huge gash was seen where her attack had struck.

"Pitiful," the sinister being remarked in an unimpressed tone, and held out his right hand. Spectral blue energy gathered in his hand, as nigh imperceptible beams of light arose from the floor in a straight path. He thrust his hand up, and five huge columns of blue light shot up from the floor. The white-haired woman screamed in pain, as she was caught within one of the pillars. She hunched over visibly, as smoke arose from her burned body.

"Moka-san!" Yukari cried out.

"Why you!" Kurumu snarled angrily. She rushed forwards and slashed repeatedly with her claws, but her attacks inflicted no damage whatsoever.

"It's no use," the young witch spoke sadly, "physical attacks can't hurt noncorporeal beings."

Colton callously waved his hand to the side, and the succubus was telekinetically thrown into the wall beside her, which cracked visibly under the powerful impact.

"Kurumu!" Mizore called out, deeply concerned for her classmate. Gathering her courage, she turned to her enemy, and shot two beams of frozen energy from her hands. Unfortunately, her bolts passed through Colton's body, and struck the far wall, as ice began to form upon it. "Darn it," she cursed under her breath.

The spectral adversary threw his arm out behind him, and the snow girl was hurled back towards the far wall. She slid down onto the floor, dazed from the intense assault. Satisfied that she wasn't a threat any longer, he turned back to the two witches by the ruined desk. He almost pitied the younger girl, who trembled visibly as she stood between him and the dark-haired woman who held the accursed whip he despised so much.

"Foolish child," he began in a foreboding voice, "what can you possibly hope to do against me?" The insubstantial being held out his right hand. "Enough of this farce, give me the Vampire Killer, and I might spare your lives."

"Never!" the smaller girl spouted defiantly, though her fear was clearly evident. She aimed her wand at the ruined desk, and the broken fragments began to rise into the air. She then pointed her staff towards Colton, and the broken pieces of wood and metal assailed her enemy. Unfortunately, the debris harmlessly passed through him and inflicted no damage. However, amongst the fragments were a few magical talismans, that made the spectral being involuntarily wince as they passed through him, and detonated when they landed behind him.

Colton immediately turned towards the eruption of magical energy, which just barely missed him. He judged the magnitude of the explosion, and realized he might've been decently hurt if he'd been caught in the middle of the detonation. He turned towards the younger witch with an incensed look. "You insolent child!" he snapped, and slashed upwards with his blade, which released a wave of spectral blue energy that collided with the preteen and knocked her hard into the wall behind her.

"Yukari-chan!" Ruby cried out as she saw the younger girl's plight. She knew if she been flung back a few feet to either side, she would've gone sailing through the window and down to the ground far below.

"And now it's just you," Colton mused, which got the witch's attention. "Care to listen to reason? Mikogami is gone, there's no one left who can stop me."

The dark-haired woman was clearly frightened, as she trembled nervously. And then, she looked off over the ghostly being's shoulder. Her eyes went wide in comprehension, and she nodded with certainty. Her actions annoyed the European man, though he did sense another presence just outside the room. However, he quickly deduced it wasn't the chairman, so he didn't deem the individual a threat. He turned his attention back to Ruby, and saw she'd held the whip under her right arm. She then reached behind her back with her left hand, and produced a large black tome. He felt a great deal of magic within the book, and looked at her suspiciously as she flipped through the pages.

"Is this supposed to be your last stand," he asked in an annoyed voice. "How pitiful, intelligent beings know when to submit to powerful rulers, yet still you fight on? T'ch, the world will be much better off without this worthless establishment."

Ruby ignored his taunts, and stopped two-thirds of the way through the book. Her lavender eyes focused on the right hand page. She began chanting in an arcane tongue that had long been forgotten. However, Colton understood it well, and recognized it as a sealing incantation. His scowl became more pronounced, as he'd never felt so insulted in his entire existence. The very thought that a mere incantation spoken by a teenage witch could've possibly contained him was more than ludicrous to him. As he watched, a large circular sigil appeared in front of the witch, surrounded by a ring-like frame, which contained six focal points and various arcane runes. "You must be joking," the insubstantial being spoke disdainfully, "you'll need something a lot stronger than that to bind me."

Ruby then produced her wand, and aimed it at the sigil. "QUADRA DEIMOS INCARCERUS!" She pointed at the top focal point of the seal, moved down to the upper left, then the lower right, down to the bottom point, over to the lower left, then to the upper right, back to the top point, and straight down to the bottom of the seal. A glowing quickly traced in the direction her wand had moved, and then a demonic horselike image appeared in the center of the sigil.

Colton grunted, as he felt strong magical energy around him. He looked down, and saw a much larger version of the seal the dark-haired woman had just created. The energy was designed to immobilize him, even in his noncorporeal form. Though the strength of the magic was noteworthy, he knew it wasn't nearly enough to constrain a being of his level. "Fool!" he called out. "This won't hold me for long." Within the seal, he saw tendrils of magic that sought to act as manacles. He thrust them aside, as he saw the witch hovered around the seal, until she was right behind Colton, who kicked away a manacle that grasped at his ankles. He quickly grew weary of constant magical assaults, and crossed his arms over his chest, as he concentrated his dark energy. With a rising growl, he unleashed his unholy power in one massive burst, which tore the seal to shreds. The resulting dispersement of magical energy blew out the cathedral windows and scattered the broken pieces of the desk all over the room.

The insubstantial being scowled after he'd freed himself from the seal. As he looked about for the witch, he saw her near the entrance, supported with two gloved hands by an inhuman being, who wore a blue driver's uniform. A sinister grin was seen just below his mustache, and his eyes glowed beneath his cap.

The newcomer chuckled wickedly as he regarded the dark-haired woman. "That was a big risk you took there," he remarked. "Did you find it?"

Ruby looked back at the man who stopped her from being blown out of the room. "Yes," she replied courteously, and handed the Vampire Killer over her shoulder.

The mustached man took hold of the article, and chuckled lightly as he placed it behind his back. "Good work."

Colton was seething inside as he watched the scene before him. "I don't believe this!" he thought to himself. "Outsmarted by mortals?" His fists clenched by his sides, he dashed towards the entrance where the strange pair stood. The newcomer motioned for the witch to move aside, and she complied. The uniformed man quickly backed out of the office, concentrated his own dark energy, and released it with both hands. Colton saw it was some form of barrier, though he didn't plan to be stopped by such a trivial obstacle. He quickly rethought his opinion when he collided with the barrier and was forced back. He slashed at the obstacle repeatedly, but found his attacks were ineffective. "What is this?" he demanded.

"I think you know," the strange man replied with a proud grin, "it's a special barrier designed to bind ghosts and other spiritual beings, like you."

The bald man snarled at the inhuman being for his arrogance.

"Hey," the newcomer called out, "I got him pinned down, you kids think you can finish things up?"

"We will," Ruby replied firmly.

"He is so going down," Mizore's voice added.

"We're through with his games!" Kurumu's voice declared.

"We won't let him toy with anyone else, desu!" Yukari called out from the back.

"Your time has come, Colton," Moka spoke in a cold, threatening voice.

The mustached man chuckled as he concentrated on sustaining the barrier. "Glad to hear that, but try not to make too much of a mess, this is the Chairman's office after all. Though I fear I might be asking for too much." He laughed wickedly as he focused on his task.

The bald man become fully physical again, and looked to the five girls who drew close. Though they were wounded, he saw they still had the will to fight, which had begun to irritate him. "To think I'd be outsmarted by such minute beings again," he remarked with a sour expression, "this is intolerable!"

The purple-haired girl looked somewhat surprised. "When did we do it the first time," she asked curiously.

"It matters not," the sinister man spoke ominously, as he channeled his dark energy into his blade, "rest assured, it shall not happen again." Without another word, he slashed upwards, and a large gash appeared before the group, which seemed to split the actual space within the room. The gash pulsated with dark energy, as small swirling lights were seen within. It grew larger, until it seemed to engulf everything inside the chamber. The girls screamed as they encountered the strange phenomenon. Once it filled the entire room, the tear in reality all but closed itself shut, and left an empty office behind.

Outside the office, the Bus Driver frowned as he witnessed what had just occurred. "Hmph, should've known he'd pull something like that," he remarked. He took a puff from his cigar, and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "I do hope those children have resolved themselves, because the real horror," he continued, as he looked over his shoulder, "has yet to begin."

Oh crud, dramatic enough for you?

"You seem to love drama a bit too much."

"I think I agree, Ura-chan. Nothing's, going to happen to me, is it Author-san?"

"Of course not, Moka-san, you'll be fine, really. What do you think could happen?"

"Don't put anything past him, Tsukune. Even in a body cast, his warped mind is as active as ever."

I heard that!

"Hey, don't be such a party pooper, Moka-san. We're approaching the grand finale here, we should celebrate. Care to pose for some year-end photos?"

"Care to have your spine removed through your mouth?"

"That... sounds... painful."

Yeah, it is. Anyway, what's going to happen to the girls now? Even though they saved the Belmont, who's going to save them? And where has Tsukune been all this time?

"He's staying right here with me, aren't you, dear Tsukune?"

"Um, Moka-san?"

Oh gosh. Anyway, tune in next time for Part I Finale Death of a Dream