Somewhere else again

Johnny sprang up onto the windowsill, body tensed, hackles bristling. Shamus crouched next to him, pink tongue lolling between his front canines.

So, what are we going to do if we lose control of him, JC?

Johnny growled, The only thing we can do is run...run the fuck away...’cause you know how dangerous an angry vamp can be.

Shamus rumbled as he peeked through the dirty glass. Truth. I wish Patrick were here.

Well, kid...he’s watching over Pierre’s girl. He can’t be in two places at once. Johnny rubbed his nose against the glass then lifted a paw to scratch at the metal frame. He could see The Rev through the glass; the lanky vampire appeared to be having a heated conversation with Pierre who was chained to the bed.

Shamus grunted and rubbed the side of his face against left foreleg. Why’d you drag me along? I mean...I’ve just met the vamp once. I hardly know him.

Johnny shook his head hackles still up as Zacky, who had been sitting in the shadows, approached the window and carefully slid it open.

You were just there...Johnny had stopped by the little hideout in the city to find the younger Were playing cards by himself. And you looked bored.

Shamus flicked his tail in acknowledgement. True, I was. I’m sure this’ll make up for it though.

Johnny nodded his head then crawled through the space that Zacky had made, jumping down to the floor. The younger Werewolf slithered in behind him and looked toward the bed where Pierre was straining against his bonds.

Shit...you think those’re gonna hold?

Zacky bristled at Shamus’ tone. “Whoever the hell you are, yes. They’ll hold. We’re not stupid.”

Johnny stepped in fur bristling at his throat. He never said you were. This is Shamus, Pat’s half brother, but that’s really not-

“Yeah, yeah...okay. Not important.” Zacky cut him off sharply before looking to the bed. Pierre had slumped down on the mattress his big body relaxed for the time being. “Any idea what we need to do about Bouvier?”

Not sure. But, we need to get him out of here. Johnny frowned closing his eyes for a moment. Then they snapped open again and he growled softly. Shads has an idea...wants us to bring him back to our bus.

Zacky grumbled and turned to the bed; The Rev was already at the head detaching the chains from the board. Pierre groaned but made no move to retaliate. The younger male appeared somewhat sedated, a groggy expression in his eyes.

Shamus yipped in curiosity, Did you drug him?

The Rev cast a sour glance at the younger Lycan. “You can’t drug vampires.”

No?

“No. But, you can knock their central control out a little. It’s not a drug...more like...mind control.” The Rev grasped the ends of the bike chain whilst supporting Pierre’s weight against his shoulder. He nudged the younger male’s mind with his own whilst speaking in a low voice. “C’mon, Bouvier...shake a leg.”

Pierre’s lip curled faintly as he attempted to straighten his frame, but he was finding it difficult to stand. The Rev clucked his tongue and slapped him firmly on the shoulder. A jolt of energy shot through Pierre’s body, and his eyes blazed suddenly.

“What the fuck?” His lips peeled back from his fangs and he snarled savagely.

Zacky backed up, Johnny rumbled in his throat and Shamus fair nearly jumped out of his coat.

Damn...we should go, eh?

The Rev rolled his eyes and without further ado disappeared with Pierre. Johnny jumped after them, vanishing into the atmosphere. Shamus whined; Zacky looked down at him and touched his fingertips to his scruff.

“Come on, pup...we don’t wanna miss this.” With that the vampire whisked them away from the apartment block back to the Avenged bus; back to join the others.

Avenged Bus

Few moments earlier

“Gates! Get your ass out here now!”

Synyster grimaced as he put down the guitar he was tuning, poking his head out an open window. Peering into the darkness he attempted to find the source of the master vampire’s voice.

He jerked back as Shadows appeared directly in front of him. “Jesus...warn a male, why don’t you?”

Shadows snarled in response. “When I want a fucking comment, I’ll ask for one. Get off the fucking bus.”

“What? Why?” Syn started asking but then noticed Sherry who was hovering close by the Master’s shoulder. “What the fuck? I thought you were gonna off her?”

The female tensed at his question.

Shadows bared his fangs at his Lieutenant, and spoke in a low voice, the tone dangerous, “Serena is my fucking mate. She stays with me. And I don’t want any more fucking comments from you.” He grabbed the front of the other vampire’s shirt and tugged him toward the exit. “Now. Off. This area’s about to become a Hell Gate.”

The brown-eyed vampire froze. He dug in his heels and stared hard at Shadows. “What did you say?”

The master vampire grunted in frustration, but did not answer. He just gave Syn a cold look and with a single thought vanished him from the bus, dumping him on his arse several metres away under a tree.And stay there, Gates, unless you want to get fried.

Shadows breathed out roughly; then, closing his eyes he willed himself to the top of the bus. Sherry transported herself to the shade of another tree and stared toward the bus, biting her bottom lip hard. Synyster crawled over from the tree he had landed under and crouched near her, growling low. She cast a wary look his way but then looked back toward the bus.

The large male growled even more, then spoke roughly to her, “Gonna tell me what the hell is going on?”

Sherry trembled and pointed with her chin. “Watch, my lord.”

The male followed her directive and fixed his gaze upon the master vampire. A sensation the lieutenant hadn’t felt in many centuries flooded his nerves and a cold shiver ran down his spine.

Shadows stood, feet spread atop the double-decker bus. He scanned the darkened horizon before tugging his top off. Then he held his arms out on either side of his body, palms facing upward. He squeezed his eyes shut, head tilted back, mouth opening in a silent call. Moonlight glinted off the pure white of his elongated fangs. Saliva gleamed at the deadly tips. The lunar light bathed the tattoos on his bared torso; the deathbat splayed across his abs seemed to move beneath the glow.

And then the glow intensified, deepening to a burgundy colour like that of matured wine. Blood red flashes burst out around his tall frame.

“Holy shit!” Syn exclaimed his breath quickening. “What the hell is he doing?”

Sherry swallowed hard before answering her voice barely audible. “Calling on the Fallen One.”

Syn moved to stand next to her in a flash. “Are you fucking for real?”

Before Sherry could answer, there was a soft flash of light as The Rev appeared with Pierre straining menacingly in his grasp.

“Yeah, she’s for real, Gates,” The Rev managed to get out whilst wrestling the bigger male to the ground and sitting on him.

Pierre snarled, clicking his fangs together. “Bitch...”

Synyster’s pupils dilated in shock. “Crap, this is whack.”

The Rev rolled his eyes then looked to the top of the bus. Pierre, who had gone still beneath him, followed his gaze as well and rumbled in the back of his throat. Shadows was still bathed in moon glow, but now he was looking toward them a strange look in his eyes. Then he lifted his eyes to the heavens and shivered staring at a point far in the distance. A point of red light pierced the clouds and zeroed in upon the master vampire.

Synyster stated gruffly, “This is crazy. Does he know what he’s doing?”

The Rev snorted but he did concede, “No more than Vengeance did decades ago.”

Pierre blinked and twisted his head round to look at the elder vampire. The Rev ignored him, barely giving him a slight push in the small of his back, a warning for Pierre to remain still.

“What’re you saying?” Zacky appeared with Shamus and Johnny, the younger werewolf looking decidedly anxious.

The Rev glanced over to the three of them, focussing on the vampire. “You. Calling the Fallen One.”

Zacky grimaced; he remembered the outcome of that incident, and he knew that what he had done had destroyed the integrity of the vampire species. But the one who had been most adversely affected was Shadows. Unintentionally, the younger vampire had sold the soul of the Master Vampire to the Devil in the hope that it would alter their fortunes.

But all it ended up doing was screwing them all over completely. It had lead to a myriad of circumstances, which had drawn the Master Vampire deeper and deeper into a life he would never have lived if he had had the choice.

That was one decision that Zachary Baker should never have made. Even he realised that it had been a major misjudgement on his part. He sighed wearily and looked toward the bus where Shadows was poised beneath a shaft of red light.

“This could get ugly. I didn’t know what in Hells name I was doing back then.”

The Rev snorted as he said, “Yeah, but you’re not Matthew.”
“True. Still, the devil still managed to trick him.”

“But, only ‘cause you sold the master’s soul to him.”

Zachary shook his head, his snakebites flashing in the ever burgeoning red glow. “That was not my intention.”

The tall vampire frowned at the younger one, but then swung his head back toward the bus, just as Shadows let out a low, menacing snarl. The Rev stiffened, and at the same time he felt Pierre’s body tense below him. He glanced down at the large male and scowled.

“Sit tight, Bouvier. This could be your salvation.”

Pierre sneered, “Yeah, right.” He surged under The Rev. “Get off me.”

In response to his demand, The Rev shifted again, settling all his weight on the other vampire’s back. Pierre grunted frustration evident in the sound.

The elder vampire just smirked. “Suck it up, Bouvier.”
Pierre growled but then stopped when a voice spoke from the shaft of light. He looked toward the bus again. Shadows had straightened; his lips were peeled back from his fangs, which were elongated, bared in fighting mode. Hovering in front of him was a darker shadow, flashes of red and green light crackling across the surface of the figure. The shadow spoke, the voice distorted, sounding like many different voices; it sent uneasy tingles down the spines of all who were present.

“Matthew Charles Sanders, first of the Masters. You dare summon the Lord of the Dark?”

Shadows gritted out savagely, “Yes. Damn you, I have a problem I wish to rectify.”

The shadow pulsed with energy an amused tone in its next words. “A problem; and what pray would that be?”

The Master Vampire drew his body up to its full height and pegged the malevolent figure with a hard stare, eyes burning bright. “I want my soul back. And then I want you to fucking fix my son.”

The shadow darkened, if that were at all possible. Shadows tensed, muscles coiled ready for anything. The others were all in similar states of readiness. Synyster moved away from Serena, crouching hand on a knife he had hidden in his back pocket, fangs showing slightly. The Rev pressed a hand in the small of Pierre’s back, the other male growling low in the back of his throat. Zachary remained where he had initially materialised, Johnny and Shamus, both still in wolf form, crouching on either side watching on with twin expressions of apprehension.

The shadow laughed coldly, the sound sending chills down the spines of all who were present. Then it responded in harsh tones.

“And, how exactly do you propose I do that? None of this is my doing.” It turned its presence toward the other vampires and lifted a clouded limb, pointing at Zachary. “This is his doing, my young Master Vampire. If you have not forgotten? He summonsed me...and threw you into this mess.”

Shadows snarled, “What are you saying, that I must sacrifice my own to fix this?”

The shadow laughed a deep rumbling sound. “No. But he is the one who must needs to confront me.”

The master vampire closed his eyes then swung around, leaping off the top of the bus and crossing toward the younger vampire. Zachary swallowed hard as Shadows approached.

“Master...”

Shadows stared hard at him, then looked toward the figure atop the bus. Then back at the green-eyed male.

“Baker.” His voice was low, raspy. “We have to do this.”

Zachary squeezed his eyes shut for a long moment. Johnny, crouched next to the young vampire, yipped low. Shadows looked down at him and grimaced.

“Johnny...” He shook his head and looked back at Zachary. “C’mon. I promise...after all this...”

Zachary shook his head, eyes snapping open. “I’ll do what has to be done. Fuck...I’m sick of all this. And, he’s right,” he nodded toward the shadowy figure, “this was my fault originally. And, if I’m the only one who can set things to right.” He paused, clearing his throat roughly whilst giving each of the others a quick look. “Then, I’ll suck it up and face it.”

Shadows let out a breath he hadn’t even realised he was holding. Reaching over, he clapped a hand to Zachary’s shoulder, squeezing hard. “Thank you, V. You don’t realise-”

“I do, Matthew. I know.” The younger vampire cut him off gently. Then turning toward the bus, and steeling himself, he went forward to face his destiny.

Simple Plan Bus

Same time

“David, get out of the way!”

David practically fled out of his skin at the sound of Patrick’s voice, just as he and Seb materialised in the middle of the bus. The bassist held a hand to his chest and turned to stare at them. Before he could make some sort of protest though, his gaze fell upon the figure cradled in Pat’s arms.

“Lachelle?” David held a hand to his mouth.

Pat gave a curt nod. “Yeah, move aside. I gotta get her into a bunk.”

“Oh, right.” David stepped to the side, peering at Lachelle’s slumbering figure. Her long blonde hair fell in a way which hid the damage that had been done to her. Not that there was much bruising left. Pat and his sister had taken care of that. Healing was something Werewolves were quite proficient at.

David trailed Seb and Pat as they headed for the sleeping area. He hung back, observing as Pat gently laid Lachelle in one of the spare bunks, tucking the blanket around her slender figure. Once he was done, he stepped back, leaned against the opposite bunk and gave a deep sigh.

David rubbed at the tip of his nose. “How...is she?”

Pat glanced at the bassist, but said nothing.

Seb shook his head. “She’ll be okay, right, Pat?”

Pat’s head tilted down slightly in acknowledgement. Then he decided to at least give a small answer to his friend’s inquisitive look. “We got to her in time. She’ll pull through. At least physically.” He pursed his lips. “Mentally and emotionally...well, I have no idea how she’ll be.”

David nodded then slapped his hand against the wall. “Fuck. I can’t believe...Pierre...”

Pat gave him a look. “Yeah? Well, that’s the way it is. I just fucking hope that Shads can fix things.”

David frowned. “You trust him now? I mean, I thought this was his fault?”

Pat’s lip curled. But, he didn’t answer this time and just looked over at Lachelle a strained expression on his face. The bassist made to say something else, but Pat stopped him, holding a hand up.

“Don’t, David. Circumstances have changed.” He lowered his hand by his side again. “It’s...things have changed.” Pat shook his head, not wanting to elaborate. David sensed this and didn’t press. Instead he pulled himself up onto his bunk and leaned back.

“So, what now?”

Pat smiled grimly. “We wait.”

“Ugh,” David snorted. “I hate waiting.”

“Yeah, me too buddy.” Pat sighed and glanced at Seb. The younger man tilted his head, then looked toward David.

“Where’re the others?”

“Downstairs. Watching a movie. I think.”

Pat breathed out roughly. “Right, well let’s go join ‘em. Nothing else we can do.”

“No?” David frowned. Pat nodded and headed for the steps. Seb followed without a word. David watched after them for a long moment; then, heaving a sigh traipsed behind them.

Notes