Castlemania: Sympony of the Night

Alucard made his way through the thick forest, galloping at full speed towards Castlemania.  Crows were flying out of the trees and leaves were blowing past him as Alucard continued on his path.  He had not laid eyes on the old castle, or Equestria for that matter for over 300 years.  Alucard could see the castle coming into view as he ran faster, making it just in time before the castle gates closed. A failed attempt at trying to keep Alucard out of the castle.  The first thing Alucard's golden eyes saw were that of a large timber wolf guarding the entrance inside.  The creature locked eyes with Alucard, ready to attack him.  The dhampir did not back down, prompting the wolf made of wooden logs to lunge at him.  Alucard was prepared for the attack as he slashed it across the chest with his sword, blue flames surrounding the blade as he did.  The wolf's body had been torn by the sword, getting a howl of pain from the timber wolf.  It could not survive the burning of its wooden body as the flames from the Alucard Sword spread across it, killing the creature in the process.  Alucard continued forward into the castle's halls.

The area itself was an elongated hallway with roughly three or four sections complete with standing pillars, tattered curtains, large square windows, and white plaster walls.  Alucard had not been in this castle for a very long time, yet could recognize the foul, familiar stench of rotting flesh from anywhere.  More timber wolves and even undead ponies were waiting for the dhampir, but went down rather easily with only one hit from Alucard's blade as he continued forward through the castle halls, his Twilight Cloak flowed as he walked.

At first glance, it would seem Alucard had pretty standard gear and equipment, but looks can be deceiving.  Alucard's cloak was known as the Twilight Cloak.  It was a cloak as black as night with a lining as red as blood.  The cloak was enchanted, giving Alucard extra defense.  Next, was his sword, strangely called the Alucard Sword.  The sword had a crimson hilt and a straight blade, blue flames surrounded the sword whenever Alucard used it.  This sword was special to the dhampir, as it was a gift and heirloom from his mother, and was possibly one of the most powerful weapons to exist in Equestria.  Alucard was an excellent swordsman, and the Alucard Sword was his personal weapon of choice.  Not only could Alucard swing the sword incredibly quick, but he had also mastered a technique he could use while wielding it.  Another heirloom he obtained from his mother's side of his family was the Alucard Mail, and Alucard Shield.  The shield was capable of blocking any projectile attack thrown in Alucard's direction, while the Alucard Mail made him resistant to the three main elements, fire, ice, and lightning.  Like his cloak, the mail was enchanted and gave Alucard extra strength and defense. The dhampir also wore the Dragon Helm.  A magical helmet shaped like the head of a dragon. Alucard also wore an enchanted necklace around his neck, called the Necklace of J. It's magical enchantments also increased Alucard's power.  Alucard continued forward, slashing at enemies that came his way, but as he was about to enter the next room of the castle, he heard a hallow laughter as he stopped dead in his tracks.  Knowing who's laugh that belonged to.

Appearing in front of Alucard was a large, floating, skeletal unicorn. The unicorn wore a large, black robe around him and held a scythe in his hooves.  Alucard narrowed his eyes as he looked up at the skeletal pony before him, a pony he knew as Death.  Nightmare Moon's most trusted servant and adviser.  Why a being as powerful as the Grim Reaper himself took orders from the dark alicorn, Alucard did not know.  His thoughts were cut off by the sound of Death's voice.

"Ah, Alucard.", Death greeted the dhampir.  "It's been a long time since I've last laid eyes on you.".  Alucard did not respond, continuing to glare up at the skeletal pony. Death continued. "Why have you of all ponies entered these castle walls?", Death asked. His large scythe slumped over his shoulders.

"...I've come to put an end to this.", Alucard answered, his eyes narrowed.  Showing no signs of fear or hesitation, as Alucard did not fear the reaper before him.  The dhampir had faced off with Death centuries ago alongside Trevor Belmont.  If a battle were to begin between the two here and now, under the light of the full moon. Alucard would be ready for anything Death could muster, as this was not the first time his blade slew down the skeletal pony.  Death scowled, or what looked like a scowl, at Alucard's reply.

"Still befriending ponies, I see.", said the Grim Reaper. "Very well, I'll not ask you to come back to our side...". Alucard once again, said nothing.

"...but I demand you cease your attack!", Death said. Looking straight into the alicorn's yellow eyes with his dark, lifeless ones. "If you will not behave, then you will begone!", he continued, pointing towards the way Alucard came with his skeletal front hoof.

Alucard shook his head, refusing to back down. "You should know by now that I take orders from no one...", Alucard said. "...So I will do neither. Step aside, Reaper." he continued.  Death growled at Alucard for his stubbornness and insult.

"You shall regret your poor choice of words...", the bitter pony said, venom in his voice. "...The next time we meet, You will not be so lucky!", at that, Death extended his fore hoof and actually stole all of Alucard's equipment.  His sword, shield, chest piece, and cloak were all taken away from the dhampir, causing him to grunt in surprise from the suddenness.

"What?!", Alucard exclaimed in suprise, He did not see that kind of trick coming.

Death merely gave out a hallow laugh as he disappeared. Leaving a now weakened Alucard by himself once more.  Despite his weakened state, Alucard knew he could still hold his own in a fight.  He trotted forward, determined to stop whatever Death and any other of Nightmare Moon's servants had planned, and to get the relics Death had stolen from him back.

Most specifically, his deceased mother's sword....