The Vampire of Cosium~ 4 - Fan tribute

The Vampire of Cosium ~4

*During the time period before Teen's Play/Child's Play and "Vampire of Cosium 1-3", *

    Two soldiers snored as they sat outside of the castle gates one evening. The sun had just set beyond the horizon, giving the sky a beautiful shade of orange. It was a perfectly warm evening, making it hard to blame the snoozing soldiers.
As they slept, a hooded figure walked up to them, his face hidden in shadow. The figure cleared his throat, waking the guards. The guards woke with a start, pointing their spears at the newcomer. The figure didn't flinch, "Good evening."
One of the soldiers looked him over, "Evening. What can we do for you, stranger?"
The figure lightly pushed aside the tip of the spear pointing at his face with his finger, "I am here to speak with the king."
The other soldier spoke, "Afraid you can't. The king left Cosium for a meeting."
The figure sighed, "Just my luck." He turned from them, "Now what? Should I wait?"
Another man, tall with eyes like embers, walked over, "What is going on here?"
One of the soldiers answered, "This stranger wished to see the king."
The figure turned to him, "Do any of you know when he will return? I really must speak with him."
The man spoke, "Probably tomorrow morning." He looked suspicious, "Why do you wish to see him?"
The figure sighed, "Its a private matter." He turned to walk away.
Suddenly, the man grabbed his arm, stopping him, "I would very much like to know who you are, stranger."
The person tried to pull away, but couldn't, "Let go of me! You have no right to..."
The man grabbed his cloak and pulled it off. The two soldiers gasped is shock as the person was revealed. It was a grey hedgehog with red spines and blond bangs. Though, what shocked them were the fangs in his mouth, the wings from his back, and the demonic power in his red eyes.
He was a vampire.
The vampire pulled himself out of the man's grip, "How dare you? I come peacefully and this is how I'm treated? I thought the people of Cosium were better than this?"
The man grinned coldly, strangely pleased to find he was a vampire, "So I was right. Wonderful." He pulled out a deadly crossbow with flaming arrows, which made the vampire gasp and step back in fright.
The man grinned, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the great Hunter Farbane. I've been waiting for a chance to hunt a vampire a long time." He grin became deadly, "Don't disappoint me." He knotched an arrow.
The vampire didn't waste a moment. He took off running before a shot could even be fired. The man grinned, "And so it begins!" He tore after the vampire.

    Reggie the Vampire hit the ground hard, tumbling through the patch of flowers in the Royal Garden. He groaned and sat up, pulling an arrow from his side. He watched the wound heal up right away. All injuries he got were already healed, though small burns healed slowly, since vampires had a harder time healing from fire.
Reggie scoffed and got to his feet, "That creep. Who does he think he is? I haven't even done anything!" He looked around and gasped, imediately enchanted by the lovely garden under the bright moonlight.
"Good evening." Reggie spun around in fright, but gasped in amazment. There stood the most beautiful woman Reggie had ever laid eyes on. A white hedgehog with emerald green eyes wearing a beautiful blue gown and a gold tiara.
She smiled, a basket of flowers in her arm, "You must be the new servant."
Reggie wasn't sure what to say, "Uh... I, uh..."
She giggled, "You don't have to be shy."
Reggie snapped himself out of it and gave a bow, "My appologies."
She smiled, "Well, welcome to the castle. As I'm sure you know, I am Queen Sapphire."
Reggie cleared his throat, "I'm Reggie, your highness."
She smiled kindly, then looked back at the castle, "I'm afraid my husband isn't here right now, but I could help you get settled in. I'll show you around and maybe we can find what job you can do. Ok?" She smiled at him.
He was silent a moment. He realised at that moment that she had no idea that he was a vampire. Did she even know what a vampire was?
He smiled, "Sure. Lead the way." With that, she led him inside.
Reggie let her give him a tour. As they walked, Reggie thought to himself. Maybe this was just what he was looking for. If he worked hard and proved himself, maybe they would listen to him once he revealed the truth. Plus, it was the only way he could get close without worrying about that hunter. He just hoped the queen didn't realise the truth first.

   So, for the next couple days, Reggie worked at the castle. Or at least, he tried to. Sapphire gave him different jobs to try, but he wasn't very good at most of them. Being a vampire, he didn't understand a lot of the jobs or how to do them. But he tried, and Sapphire seemed to admire that about him.
Though, he had to be very careful. After all, vampires couldn't stand sunlight, meaning no outdoor jobs during the day. Reggie managed to find decent excuses not to do the outside jobs she would offer, and since she was so unjudging, she never questioned them. Reggie almost felt guilty keeping the truth from her, but he knew he had a job to do and it couldn't be done if he told her too soon. He swore he would tell her at some point, but it would have to come later.
He also had to worry about Farbane, who was still hunting for him. Why he was so determined to get Reggie, Reggie couldn't imagine. Could the citizens of Cosium really be so cruel?
Then he would think of Queen Sapphire and how kind she had been to him, and knew that couldn't be it. How could she ever be cruel? Though, would she change if she knew the truth? That was Reggie's greatest fear of all.
One night, Reggie and the Queen were walking down the hall when they heard a voice that made Reggie's heart skip a beat, "Your highness, I must speak with you." It was Farbane coming up the hall behind them.
Reggie managed to bump a table and knock over a vase, shattering it against the floor. Reggie acted embaressed, "Oh, I'm so sorry, my queen. I'll go get something to clean that up." He hurried off before Farbane could get a chance to see him and recognise him.
Reggie turned the corner ahead and stayed there, out of sight. He sighed of relief, glad he managed to get out of there just in time. Then he listened with his strong hearing to hear what was up.
He heard Farbane talking, "Your most beautiful highness, forgive my interuption."
She spoke as kindly as ever, "Its alright, Farbane. What can I do for you? Did you find the vampire?"
He sighed, "Not yet, I fear. I do appologize. I know how you charish your three sons."
Reggie became worried, knowing where this was going, as Sapphire sounded confused, "My sons? What would this vampire have to do with my boys?"
Farbane spoke, "Do you not know what vampires do to children, you majesty? They kidnap them and then drink their blood under the full moon's light."
Sapphire gasped in horror, "What? You mean... it would take my sons?"
Farbane sighed, "I'm afraid so, madam. And being the princes, they are at greater risk." He sounded confident, "But fear not, I will not allow that to happen. I will slay this monster before it can bring your sons any harm. I swear it." With that, he turned and walked off, leaving Queen Sapphire alone in the hall. What he told her was spiraling around in her head.
Reggie snapped her out of her thoughts as he walked over with a broom, "My queen? Are you alright? You look pale."
She sighed and sat in a chair next to the wall, "Not really."
He thought about what he could say to ease her fearful heart. He spoke softly, "Is it about what he said, my queen?" She nodded, not thinking about how Reggie could have known since he wasn't there.
He smiled, "Then you have nothing to fear. He was wrong."
She looked at him, "He's wrong? How so?"
Reggie started sweeping the mess, "Vampires actually don't drink the blood of babies. They can't. The blood is too pure. It would kill them before they could even get a taste. No vampire would take such a risk as to bite a child."
She looked hopeful, "Really?"
He smiled at her as he dumped the pieces in the garbage, "I garuantee it. No harm will come to your boys. Not at a vampire's hand, I assure you."
She sighed, "I certainly hope you're right. Truth is, I don't know anything about vampires. We don't have vampires in Atlantis, and I have yet to see one here in Cosium."
Reggie shrugged, "Personally, I think that hunter guy is overeacting. The vampire has been in Cosium for days, and I have yet to hear that its done anything to anyone. I should think it would have run off by now. If its hanging around, why? If its as evil as he says, then why hasn't it done anything?"
She thought about it, "I suppose that is a good question." Then she looked curiously at Reggie, "How do you know so much about vampires, Reggie?"
He smiled, "I travel a lot, so I've heard a lot of different stuff." Which was entirely true. He didn't know that stuff off the bat when he became a vampire. Like everyone else, he had to learn along the way.
Queen Sapphire stood up with a smile, "Well, thank you, Reggie. You've ease a mother's fears."
He gave a bow, "Of course, my queen."
She started down the hall, "I had better go see to the soldiers before I go to bed. It should be my last time before my husband returns tomorrow. Goodnight, Reggie."
Reggie gave a bow, "Goodnight, my queen." Once she was around the corner, he sighed. If he could just keep up the act until the king arrived, maybe he'd have gained enough trust from the queen not to be exacuted on the spot.
He walked out to the royal garden and took a deep breath of fresh air. He looked around to make sure no one was looking and made his wings appear. He smiled and flew up to a high ledge and sat there. He looked over the kingdom, a vast sparkling of lights and sound. Reggie smiled, "Cosium really is a beautiful place, even if some of the people in it aren't as flattering."
Suddenly, there was a sharp pain in his side and a painful burning. Reggie grabbed the flaming arrow and pulled it out as three more flew at him. He tried to fly out of range, but one hit his wing, causing him to fall out of the air. He fell crashing to the ground in the garden. He groaned in pain as the burn didn't heal like the cuts or other wounds.
He got to his feet as he heard soldiers coming. He looked around fast, trying to find somewhere to hide. Then he noticed a window, one that was partially open a floor above. Reggie hurried and managed to fly up, even if very poorly with the burn.
Reggie silently through the window and closed it quietly behind him. He sighed as he saw Farbane below run in another direction with several men.
Reggie backed from the window and noticed something in the dark. Being a vampire, he could see perfectly, no matter how dark it was. He found he was standing right next to a beautiful, extravagant baby crib. He gasped is fright as he noticed the baby prince moaning, about to start crying.
He tried to think fast, but also kept very quiet, "No, no, don't cry! Please don't cry! Please, please don't cry!" Then he thought of something, "Oh, hey, do you want to see something pretty? Yeah, you like pretty colors, right?" Baby Silver seemed slightly calmed by Reggie's voice.
Ever since Reggie arrived at the castle, Silver and his brothers seemed to take fairly well to him, even if he didn't know the first thing about being around children. In fact, they were the first children he'd ever met since becoming a vampire. He didn't know why, by even shy little Silver seemed to like him, letting Reggie hold him during the queen's meetings.
Reggie made his beautiful gold staff appear, giving the room a soft yellow glow, "I got a little present for you." He waved his staff softly and a small pink light appeared in the air. Baby Silver watched the light with big, curious gold eyes as he sucked on his pacifier.
Reggie smiled and picked the orb of light out of the air and handed it to Silver, "Here you go, little guy. Just for you."
Baby Silver reached out for it, his little hands grasping for it. Reggie let him take hold of the light and hold it up to his face, lighting it up in the pink glow. He was so entranced that the pacifier slipped out of his mouth.
Reggie smiled, "Good boy. You hold on to that, ok? You stay nice and quiet and its all yours." He stepped back, but jumped in fright as someone gave his black vest a small tug. He spun around to find two little hedgehogs watching him.
Prince Sonic, the one who tugged him, smiled, "Can we have fireflies too?" His brother, a Prince Shadow, nodded.
Reggie sighed, "Tell you what. You don't tell anyone I was here and I'll give you two your own. Ok?"
They smiled, "Deal!" They quickly shushed each other.
Reggie sighed and made two more appear. One blue and one red. Sonic snatched up the blue light, "Dibs on blue!"
Shadow looked disappointed, "I always get red." He picked up the red one.
Reggie smiled despite himself and snapped his fingers, making the red one start softly changing colors. Shadow smiled, "Hey, it changes colors!"
Sonic was surprised, "Aw, no fair! I didn't know it changed color, Shadow!"
Shadow, smiled, "Tough luck. I guess you'll have to stop taking dibs all the time." Sonic hmphed.
Silver smiled as he shook his around, "Ah!"
Shadow smiled, "Silver likes his light too."
Reggie waved them off, "Ok, you have your lights. Now, go to bed."
Sonic smiled, "Ok." He and Shadow walked to their beds as Reggie slipped out of the room.
Before he closed the door, he looked back at the little boys. He watched them playing and giggling with their new toys. He couldn't help but smile.
He closed the door quietly and looked around. No sign of anyone down the hallway. Reggie sighed, "Awfully quiet. Shouldn't there be guards outside the room of the princes of the kingdom? Especially with a vampire around. If I were any other vampire, they would never have survived the encounter." He snuck down the hall, staying silent and careful.

     Later that night, about an hour before dawn, Reggie was surprised to hear a carriage outside. He sat up from the hammock he'd hung up in one of the unused rooms of the castle and walked over to the window. There rode in a beautiful carriage through the castle gates. Reggie could imagine who it was, "He's back earlier than expected."
He grabbed his vest and bandana and put them on. It was now or never to do the right thing. He was ready to do what he came to do.
He opened his door and gasped. There stood Farbane with a cruel grin, "Found you."
Reggie slammed the door and ran for the window. Farbane's men broke down the door and hurried in. Before Reggie could fly out, the men caught him and held him back. Reggie struggled against them, "Let go of me! Let go!"
Reggie started getting loose, being stronger than most of them. He knocked a couple aside and made his staff appear, which he knocked a few more aside with. Though, they got a few hits in too, seeing as Reggie didn't have much room to fight and he was blocked from the window to escape. He gasped in pain as a couple shot fiery arrows at him.
They managed to grab him and beat him a few times, even leaving a dark spot around his left eye and a scar across his cheek. He hissed as he fought back. Though, Farbane didn't look worried at all. He simply watched with an evil grin.
Then Farbane walked over and covered Reggie's mouth from behind and pulled out a burning hot dagger. Reggie's cries of pain were muffled as Farbane stabbed him in the back. He pulled it out and stabbed him again. After the third time, Reggie collapsed to the floor, unable to move or make a sound.
Reggie's hands shook from the pain as Farbane chuckled, "Look's like I win." He turned to his men, "Bring him. Its time we showed the world what we're really up against." The men grabbed Reggie's arms and dragged him out.

   Queen Sapphire smiled at her husband, "I'm glad you're home."
King Kaze smiled as he hugged her, "I'm glad to be home. I hate being away from you and the boys."
Then Farbane walked in, "And not a moment too soon to return, sire. I have finally captured our villain." Behind him were his men holding Reggie. Reggie, thanks to the burns, wasn't healing from any of his injuries, making him quite a sight.
Sapphire gasped in horror, "Reggie!" She hurried over, but two soldiers crossed the swords, stopping her.
Kaze looked serious, "What is the meaning of this?"
Farbane gave a bow, "I have found the vampire, your magesty."
Kaze was surprised, "Vampire?"
Sapphire looked at Reggie, confused, "But you... you're not..."
Reggie looked up at her, thoughtful and calm, "I'm sorry, my queen."
She was surprised, "You... you're a vampire?"
Reggie opened his mouth to explain, but Farbane brought his boot down on Reggie's back, slamming him to the floor. Farbane spoke, "I saw it leaving the princes' room tonight. I fear he was hoping to bring them harm. Luckily, he knew I would catch him, so he held off."
Reggie hissed and called Farbane something in another language, but Farbane held him there, putting pressure to his back wounds. Farbane pulled out his sword, "We must destroy it, your highness. If we don't, it may kill us all."
Sapphire looked at Reggie, "Is this true?" Reggie was about to answer, but cried out in pain as Farbane put a litle more pressure on his wounds.
Farbane spoke, "I know you don't wish to believe it, your majesty, but it is a deadly demon that must be destroyed before it can destroy us."
Sapphire seemed to ignore him, her eyes still on Reggie, "Tell me."
Before Farbane could speak again, Kaze spoke, "Let him answer." He walked over and put an arm around his wife, "She asked a question and I want that question answered. By him." He looked at Reggie, "Well?"
Reggie sighed, "Yes, I am a vampire." Farbane was about to speak, but Reggie cut him off, "But!" He sighed, "I didn't lay a finger on your sons. I never laid a hand on anyone since I got here. I have done nothing wrong. I came entirely in peace."
Kaze spoke, "And why did you come?"
Reggie smiled weakly, "I had hoped to come to Cosium to meet with you, your highness. Though, when I heard you weren't here and a hunter attempted at my life when I arrived, I knew I had to stay hidden for my own safety. That's when the queen offered to let me work here. I knew it would be the best way for me to accomplish my goals, so I excepted."
He looked up at Sapphire, "My queen, I never came to hurt anyone. Especially not you or your family. Not after the kindness you've shown me since I arrived." He glared up at Farbane, "Though, I can't say the same for everyone in this room."
Kaze thought about it, then turned to Farbane, "Release him."
Farbane was shocked, "Wh-what? But, sire..."
Kaze cut him off, "Do as I say, Farbane." Farbane knew he had no other choice, so he had Reggie released.
Sapphire helped Reggie to his feet, "Are you alright, Reggie?"
He smiled, still healing slowly, "Yes, I'm alright. Thank you, my queen." He turned to Kaze, "And to you, your highness." He gave a bow.
Darren spoke, "But then why were you in the boys' room?"
Reggie sighed, "Farbane spotted me outside. It was the only place for me to hide before he could catch me. The window was open and there was no guards." He looked annoyed, "Which was a bit disturbing when a "dangerous" vampire was still lurking around."
Sapphire looked at Farbane, angry, "You took the guards from the boys' room? I know I allowed you to use the guards you needed to find the vampire, but you shouldn't have left my sons alone like that! If Reggie had indeed come to hurt my children, he would easily have done so!"
Reggie sighed, "Sadly, she's right. If I were any other vampire, that would probably have been the result. A vampire may not be able to bite them, but they can still hurt them if they really wanted to."
Farbane was lost for words, "Well, I... I just... I mean..."
Kaze spoke, "You not only failed to take care of this threat, but you also put my children in danger." He sighed, "Farbane, I remove all your privilages here in Cosium. You may take your hunting work elsewhere." He smirked, "In other words, you're fired."
Farbane was shocked, then he glared at Reggie. He pulled out his sword and charged at Reggie, "A hunter never loses a target!!" Though, Reggie was far from caught off guard.
Suddenly, the sword was countered by Reggie's staff. Reggie looked deadly, "Not a wise move." He countered every one of Farbane's swings without trouble or concern. Reggie knew exactly what he was doing as his staff gave him power.
Then Reggie ducked back, swung his staff to trip the hunter, then stood over him with the red glowing tip of his staff at Farbane's neck. Reggie spoke cooly, "Leave, and don't come back."
Farbane growled angrily, but other soldiers held their swords at the ready. Farbane knew he was outnumbered and surrendered. The soldiers took him and led him out of the castle. Reggie sighed, tired from the wounds that were still healing.
Sapphire and Kaze walked up to Reggie. Kaze smiled, "Sorry about Farbane. If I knew this would happen when he came to work for me, I would have turned him down. I never meant to keep your kind out entirely if there were those who weren't evil."
Reggie smiled, "Its alright, your highness. I can understand. You simply wished to protect your kingdom, and your family."
Kaze rubbed his chin, "Though, I am curious. What did you come to discuss with me?"
Reggie smiled, "I hoped to perhaps start a sort of alliance between my kind and the citizens of Cosium. I figured if I could earn your trust, then maybe others would follow our example. Not all of my kind are evil or murderous." He shrugged, "At least, not anymore than the people outside of our dark woods."
He gave a bow, "Your majesties, it would mean a great deal to me and to my cause if I may continue to work here for you as your humble servant. This way, I can prove to both the people of Cosium and to my kind that the two can indeed live in peace."
Sapphire and Kaze smiled at each other. Kaze looked at Reggie, "We would be happy to have you, Reggie."
Sapphire tapped her chin, "Though, we still don't have a suitable job for you."
Kaze smiled, "We'll figure something out. For now, I hereby make you, Reggie the Vampire, an honorary citizen of Cosium. I hope it can at least make up for what Farbane's put you through."
Reggie smiled, "Thank you, sire."
Darren chuckled, "A vampire living in Cosium. I'm sure no one ever thought they'd see the day."
Sapphie smiled, "Well, I'm sure many didn't think they'd see the day that a princess from Atlantis would marry the prince of Cosium."
Kaze smiled, "Cosium does have that effect, doesn't it?" They all laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Reggie smiled, "The next day, the king's brother did a spell that protected me from sunlight, which was good since I later gained the job of the Royal Messenger of Cosium. Can't very well deliever messages if I burn up and die in sunlight."
The lovely young vampire woman with Reggie giggled as she listened to his tale. Her long black hair hung in waves while her blue eyes had a ring of red. She wore a slender blue dress as she sat on her large bed.
Reggie continued, "It was actually after seeing me in flight that King Kaze realised my potential as a messenger. I happen to fly far faster than any horse could run on the ground. Its a job I certainly enjoy."
He sighed, "Things certainly have been... interesting, since I started working for the royal family. I have run into a few other troublesome vampires, but nothing I couldn't handle. Plus, the assassin who lives in Cosium has been quite helpful." He chuckled, "I was even introduced to the citizens as the Vampire Ambassador at one of their royal parties."
She smiled, "I'm happy to hear things are going well for you, Reggie. When you told me you would leave for Cosium, I was worried I would never see you again. Now, after these years, you return. Successful, no less."
Reggie chuckled, "Yeah, it has been a while. I was given time off, so I thought I'd come pay you a visit,..." He smiled, "..princess."
She smiled cleverly, "So, now that you've come and told me of things in Cosium, how much have you told of us to them?"
Reggie hesitated, but smiled, "I'm taking it slow. They don't know much of our side."
She chuckled, "Is that so? Well, I'm sure Leon will be glad to hear that."
Reggie smirked, "Yeah, I'm sure. Mister Paranoid will love to hear that. Certainly wasn't too happy about my plans last time I was here."
She stepped off her bed and walked over, "Don't mind him. He'll come to understand one day." She took Reggie's hand, "I do hope this works, Reggie. I would like to see things different."
Reggie smiled kindly, "I'm sure they will. One day. I'm just happy to see someone else looking forward to a new future. I was starting to think I was the only one."
She brushed aside his bangs, "Nonsense. I think you understand vampires better than they understand themselves. Lost."
Reggie shrugged, "I guess it takes one who's been there to know one, huh?"
The girl giggled, "Seems Zarok knew exactly what he was doing when he chose you."
Reggie sighed and looked out the open window, "I certainly hope so."
He smiled, "I should be going. I'm sure the princes are still awake, waiting for me to come tell them the story I promised to tell tonight."
She kissed his cheek, "Take care, Reggie."
Reggie flew out of the window and gave a bow, "Until we meet again, princess." With that, he flew off for Cosium.
Though, he didn't see the vampire watching from below in the shadows. The black hedgehog hissed softly as his sharp red eyes watched Reggie go. He scoffed and walked off, a deadly sharp knife in his hand.

THE END