Chapter Text
31st December, 1999.
11:57pm.
A foot tapped on the metal floor of the car, careful not to accidentally hit the gas and zoom a hundred miles per hour towards the location. That’d be perfect, blowing their cover just as the new millennium arrived. The hotel was dazzling. The windows radiated warmth and it’s outdoor area glowed with fairy lights and a neon pool.
Watching the arrow on their watch became painful. Like several tiny clicks that chimed to the beat of their rapid heart. This was a risk…their first attempt. What other day would be better than new years?
They whispered, “Five, four, three…”
Meanwhile, the hotel’s ecstatic guests screamed at the top of their lungs, “TWO…ONE…!”
BOOM!
A Vampire’s super-sonic hearing solved multiple problems. They could catch complaints from the eighth floor. A plate could slip from someone's tentacle, and they’d be able to catch it just before it smashed. Another benefit, though he never wanted to hear it come true, was outside threats.
As his monster guests, friends, and family cheered on the New Year, Dracula whipped out his bat ear.
BOOM! FIZZZZZ!
He gasped, staring at the firework display across the forest in horror. His head whirled around, checking on Frank, who wasn’t the biggest fan of fireworks, or fire, for that matter. Luckily, he was submerged in giving his wife, Eunice, a big kiss to celebrate the new year. He also checked Wayne, his werewolf companion, who wasn’t cut out for loud noises as much as Drac was. Fortunately, he already immersed himself in chasing his wolf children, who found the candy trolley way after their bedtime.
Transforming into a bat, Drac slipped out the window whilst everyone was distracted. He wasn’t the biggest fan of the forest, but any threat would have to suffer his wrath if it tried to harm his daughter.
Speaking of her…
Unfortunately, a curious pre-teen Mavis tilted her head as her father flew through the window. Odd…he’d always tell her where he was flying to. With the confidence of a naïve teenager, Mavis followed him.
Nothing much roamed within the forest. Except a few ghosts and phantoms, but they were occupied with their own ghastly party. Curious eyes darting around, Mavis struggled to concentrate with hundreds of trees affecting her vision.
The young vampire settled onto the grass with a flurry of purple smoke. It was impossible to feel the cold, but even the mild breeze made her shiver. She used her hearing to track her Dad’s movements…
Oh, the silence. Horrible. Deafening for someone with super hearing.
“Dad…?” Mavis called out, “Dad, where are you?”
Whoosh!
Mavis gasped, glancing upwards. In the moonlight, a figure with large wings flew past, disappearing into the trees. After a few leaf crunches and twig snaps, the figure slammed onto the ground on their feet. With the pull of a string, the wings retracted. They stood tall. Shoulders broad. Target focused on Mavis.
From what she could determine, this thing wasn’t a fellow monster.
Crying out, Mavis bolted the opposite direction. She kept glancing back. Her undead heart jolted when the figure grew closer. Charging after her.
But she tripped, stumbling forward. She landed against a rock with an agonised “Ouch!”. Even with her powers, Mavis sat frozen as the figure approached.
She noticed the outfit much clearer: a juniper-coloured top and trousers, tailored with a tactical vest supplying a range of terrifying weaponry. Their face…indescribable. A black mask covered their features, with the exception of their ocean blue eyes.
They reached behind their back, retrieving a monstrous gun with a spear sticking out the front. She didn’t have time to investigate any markings or symbols that would’ve determined the attacker. Mavis clenched her eyes shut as the sharp tip hovered close.
But…nothing happened.
Mavis opened one eye, watching as the person lowered the gun. She heard their shuddery breaths as they stepped back, almost stumbling. Expressions were difficult to read, but Mavis spotted a tint of fear in the attacker’s eyes.
Before Mavis could speak, though she wasn’t sure what words could try escaping her mouth, the figure ran in the opposite direction. Mavis sat there, fingertips gripping into the soil.
“Mavis?!”
Mavis gasped, whirling her head around as her Dad appeared.
Drac lifted his daughter in a hurry, twirling her around in the air. “Mavis…you can’t leave the hotel on your own! What if you got lost? What if a human tried to–“
He stopped. Usually what followed afterwards led to sleepless nights and even greater fear for his daughter. There was only so much he could do to protect her, but terrifying her wasn’t the right method.
Mavis played with the hem of her dress, staring at the floor. “Sorry…I saw you fly out the window and…I got scared.”
Drac hugged her tight, leading her back to the hotel. “Don’t apologise, my little bed bug. I’m right here.”
As they travelled back, Mavis watched as the figures of her aunts, uncles, and other monster guests celebrated the new year. She smiled, eager as grew closer and closer to 118 years old. Her wish still stands: to go out and explore the world. Discover whether humans might’ve changed, or perhaps gone extinct? She didn’t know, she never witnessed an actual photograph of a human before.
Drac pecked her forehead with a smile. “Here’s to another beginning! I have some new plans for the hotel, and I need your help picking out the colours.”
Mavis grinned.
Meanwhile, the figure poked their head out from beyond the trees. They ambled close, keeping a great distance from the Count and his…supposed daughter? Clenching their fists, they cursed underneath their breath. If only luring a monster was as easy as they described. What happened to the neat old-fashioned fire pits when you needed them?
Glancing back, Mavis squinted her eyes. Back in the forest the figure stood, watching within the shadows. Mavis sank into her father’s shoulder. They didn’t hurt her…but what did they want? Where did it come from?
Who was it?