Blending In

I'll admit that this chapter isn't really something I'm proud of, but I think I say that about every other chapter. I think I could've done this better, but maybe it's good as it is?

I'll leave you to judge on that. I hope you enjoy it either way.

Things had been tense at first when the Ed's made it back with Eddy fully conscious, but things calmed down since it was obvious Eddy wasn't out of control anymore. Cleo had kept her distance, but even Eddy kinda understood why. Even if anyone did have any serious reservations, it wasn't like they had the time to argue.

They had to get to Stoker's castle after all.

They were nearing the last few uses of the teleportation crystal, something they planned to make count. A flash of light, along with some preparations, and they all appeared in front of the place. A small group instantly headed towards the front gate, most of them staying back and going through the plan once again.

Eddy frowned, giving Draculaura a look. "This is the place, right? We better not have come all this way for nothing."

The vampire clutched the keys in her hand protectively, nodding. "This is the place. It doesn't look like anyone's been here for a long time, though."

That was true. While most Monster architecture did consist of heavily creepy imagery and gothic themes, the place did look genuinely decrepit. Though it had been maintained for the most part through some type of magic, that didn't mean it had remained clean. And some of the magic must've failed, as some of the decorations or windows looked busted.

"This place has definitely fallen far." Apple may not have cared much for Monster architecture, but this was a sad sight to see. "I'm surprised he let it go this far. I would've thought Stoker would keep things up."

"This castle isn't even close to some of the wealthier vampires of the world, so I doubt he cares much about it as long as he lives in a palace." Cleo was right. Stoker's castle was an equivalent to a summer home compared to how some vampires lived. "And since he's got the Vampire's Heart here, so he's not going to encourage foot traffic. Let's just open it and get things ready."

Draculaura nodded, moving up to the locked gate. It had several chains, one for each key, each with their own magical signature to it. As she moved forward, the keys vibrated a little, as if reacting to it. However, something became clear to her almost immediately.

"Uh, guys?" Draculaura gulped, dreading what she was about to say next. "There are four locks here."

The group stopped, looking to check on the gate. Four locks were on it, sending a ripple of anger and disbelief at it.

"Are you kidding me?" Raven had to fight down the urge to let her magic go free. If they weren't able to open the gate, then they'd never be able to get inside. Thanks to the magic on the place, it was the only way they could get in. "What do you mean there's four? Did we go around the world for nothing?!"

"I wouldn't say that. We certainly have more leverage than Stoker does." Apple did feel some anger too, but maybe this was a mistake of some kind. Or a desperate rouse. "Maybe Ygor set it up to mess with us so we wouldn't try to get in."

"We both know that didn't happen. He spent way too much time on that security system." Raven had been calm about all of this, but she was starting to head towards her breaking point. "And none of those chains look new. That means we're missing one and we don't know where it is."

"I may actually have the solution for that."

The voice was almost met with an inordinate amount of ordinance for the interruption, causing the robed figure to come out of the forest with some trepidation.