Spike + Vampire: Highschool of Monsters (Freshman)

Dreadmire Academy's Dueling Arena

The fear that Spike felt hit him like a tsunami of freight trains. The light in the arena was being pushed back by a more menacing-looking Jack Volgaroth's demonic power while he hovered in the air. His one Demon eye glowed in a threatening red light and his fanged smile gave off an aura of sheer sadistic madness. Spike actually gulped at seeing his opponent.

"Yeah... this is not going to be easy, huh?" Spike mentally asked himself. Jack once again spoke in his deepened hollow voice.

"Shall we give our lovely audience what they came here for?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Let's do this, Jack!" Spike called, charging up his power. He then lunged at Jack.

Jack expertly dodged out of the way and simply stared at Spike after he missed and landed back onto his feet. Jack chuckled evilly.

"Having a bit of trouble there, buddy?" Jack asked mockingly. "I suppose that it's now my turn."

Before Spike could do anything, he was suddenly met with a fist that drove itself into his gut with the full crushing force of a cannonball. The second thing he became aware of was him flying backwards and hitting the wall with enough force to crack the wall behind him. Spike was now stuck to the wall as Jack was floating over to him, cracking his knuckles. Spike had to channel his magic to heal his body. His ribs reformed, his spine straightened, and the bones in his arms and legs were pulled back into the flesh of arms and snapped back into place. He then detached himself from the wall and rubbed his stomach.

"You know, I could feel your fist touch my spinal cord from that punch," Spike said through gritted teeth. "I can see how you became so feared."

"Thank you. I have grown up fighting monsters ranging from centuries-old vampires to invading English forces during one of the many wars of Europe," Jack said, returning to his normal voice. "I am no stranger to combat. In fact, I quite enjoy this."

Spike then launched himself at Jack again. This time, his punch connected to Jack's jaw and sent him flying back. Jack was smashed down to the ground and left in a crater. The entire time, Jack kept his cursed smile on his face. Jack stood up and touched his bleeding lip to look at the blood on his fingers. His eyes widened at seeing his own blood.

"Ha! You're the first supernatural being that's actually made me bleed, Spike! I must say that I was right to engage you like this!" Jack said.

Both Spike and Jack zoomed towards each other and locked their hands together. Spike and Jack glared at each other with the intensity of warriors. Jack then tilted his head as he spoke to him.

"Since we're here, I have to ask, why me? Why did you seek me out for a duel?" Jack asked. "There are plenty of others in this school that are strong in their own right."

"I have a specific question for you and this was the only way I can guarantee that you'd answer me honestly," Spike replied.

"Well you'll have to beat me to do that!" Jack said. He then pulled Spike to him and kicked him in the chest.

The force of the kick shattered his ribs. He would've flown backwards again if Jack wasn't holding onto his right hand. He was smiling with sadistic eagerness.

"Hold on, I'm not done kicking your ass yet!" Jack yelled.

Jack proceeded to kick and punch Spike until his organs were the equivalent of mashed potatoes and his bones were nothing but shards. Even with magic, it would take a while for Spike to heal from injuries this extensive. Jack finally dropped Spike to the ground and walked over to his head and looked down at him.

"I think I can guess what you want to ask me," Jack said. "Let me guess, you want to know if I've been behind the unfortunate events at the school, right?"

Spike couldn't even move his head to respond, but Jack looked sure of himself.

"I'm going to assume that I'm correct. Though, if I may ask, why would you care about monsters?" Jack asked. "You were raised by humans your whole life and were even attacked by monsters. So why bother helping creatures that would devour you entirely?"

At this point, Spike was well enough to stand on his feet again. His jaw snapped back into place and was able to speak.

"Because... I have seen them in their fullest. I have seen them laugh, cry, and love. I can see that humans and monsters are more similar than different," Spike said. "As the son of their creator, I will always fight for them."

Jack Volgaroth visibly reacted to Spike's words. He stood there with widened eyes and a furrowed brow, as if he was confused by what he just heard. Even his smile faltered slightly. The gears in Jack's head were obviously turning to respond to his opponent's words. Spike took this opportunity to channel all of his power into his fist, even tapping into his holy demigod power.

Spike shot forward with the speed of a bullet and connected with Jack's left cheek. He maneuvered the punch to where Jack would be driven into the ground with great force. Jack was smashed into the ring so hard that cracks formed from the floor to the walls of the ring. Light returned to the ring as Jack was laying in unconscious in a crater. Spike looked around to the shocked faces of the spectators. Then they erupted into great cheers. Spike looked down to see Jack's eyes flutter open and slowly sit up. Professor Flintheart stepped in-between them.

"The winner of the last duel is Spike Roman!" Flintheart called. "Spike, claim your prize!"

The young man watched as Jack got to his feet rubbing his head. He looked to Spike with shock in his eyes. Spike looked him dead in the eyes and asked his question aloud.

"Jack Volgaroth, were you the one who betrayed the school and led the Hunters here?" Spike asked.

Everyone was murmuring in surprise at that specific question. Jack locked his eyes with Spike and gave him a deranged grin.

"I... I am the one who brought the Hunters here," Jack replied.

Now the monsters in the audience were gasping and shouting. Jack ignored them and continued smiling.

"It was also me who caused the outbreak of the Moonrage Virus in the school and caused you to get ripped apart by those infected," Jack said. Spike glared at him.

"Why did you do it?" he asked.

"To be honest, I was testing you. I wanted to see if that prophecy about the Guide-Light truly applied to you," Jack replied. "The story of the Guide-Light who faces great challenges to bridge the worlds of humans and monsters. And you sure passed my tests with flying colors."

"Innocent monsters died, Jack!!" Spike shouted, angry now. Jack simply glared and grinned.

"You know the old saying 'one can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs'?" Jack asked. "After all, they're all fine."

Another voice came from behind them both. It was Sombra. He had a few other Inquisitors with him.

"Jack Volgaroth, you are under arrest for betraying your fellow monsters and biological terrorism," Sombra said. "Please come with us quietly."

Jack jumped up into the air and sprouted bat-like wings made of pure shadow from his back. He was trying to escape by flying away! Before anyone could do anything, Zariel caught him midair and tackled him to the ground. Zariel then pinned his hands behind his back and manifested handcuffs to place on Jack. She pulled him to his feet and handed him off to the Inquisitors.

"He's all yours, gentlemen," Zariel said. Sombra bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for the assistance, Lady Zariel," Sombra said.

As the Inquisitors were taking him away, Jack turned back to look at Spike. His permanent grin was sinister.

"I'll be seeing you again, Spike! Don't make any mistake about that!" Jack called before he was escorted out of the ring.

Spike stared after him until the doors to the arena closed. Then the crowd rushed Spike and hoisted him up. Rumble changed into his true Wendigo form and called out over the cheers.

"Hail Spike! The Knight of Dreadmire! Our greatest hero!" he called.

"Hip-hip, hooray!" the crowd shouted. Twilight flew up into the air and called out herself.

"Let's have a party on the last day of school this year to celebrate!" she called.

The crowd voiced their agreement and carried Spike outside. That night was one of eager revelry. The headmaster even canceled all classes for the night to allow the students and staff to celebrate their hero. Meanwhile, two masked girls from Jack's pack of followers looked from Spike to each other.

"So what do we do now?" one asked. The second one held up a thumb drive.

"That's obvious. We do what the boss told us and move forward with the plan," the second said.

The girls then left the crowd and headed to their dorms. Spike and the crowd didn't even notice them leaving.

• + +

(Epilogue)

Dreadmire Academy - The Last Night of School (2 Weeks After the Fight)

The entire school was a buzzing hive of excited students and teachers ready to begin their summer break. Spike and his friends had been having a great time doing things such as playing video games, watching anime, and even running around in the woods around the school. The last day was especially auspicious since Lamashtu herself was holding a special ceremony in the gym.

All of the students and staff were seated in front of the far end of the gym looking at a makeshift stage that had been constructed for the ceremony. Several Inquisitors were lined up at the back of the stage and Lady Lamashtu was standing in the center of them while Grand Inquisitor Sombra was holding a box in both hands. Spike had walked up the steps and onto the stage to stand in front of Lamashtu and Sombra. Sombra spoke into the small microphone on his uniform.

"We have all gathered here to honor and recognize Spike Roman, who had shown both bravery and valor in the face of the bitter enemies of monsterkind! May his name and face be remembered always in the annals of monster history and his deeds be fondly honored!" Sombra said before addressing Spike directly. "Sir Spike, in recognition of your heroic deeds, it is my great pleasure to present you with the Nyx Medal of Bravery!"

Lady Lamashtu opened the box in Sombra's hands and presented Spike with the medal. It was a singular plate of gold that had been carved into a crescent moon with a bat's wing flaring out from the inner part of the moon held onto a thick black ribbon. She smiled at Spike as she looped the medal around his neck. Lamashtu was the next to speak.

"Sir Spike Roman, if you should ever need anything, you need only ask," she said. "You could have any job you want in the monster world. You're going to go far in the world, I can tell. And there's also something I'd like to give you personally for your bravery."

"And what would that be, milady?" Spike asked. Lady Lamashtu grinned mischievously.

"This," Lamashtu said.

In front of everyone there, Lamashtu grabbed Spike by the collar and pulled his head down to her. Spike was instantly surprised by the Vampire Progenitor pressing her lips to his in a deep kiss. He could hear gasps of surprise from the gathered crowd as Lamashtu's tongue wrapped around his own. After leaving a small cut on his bottom lip with her fangs, she pulled away. Lamashtu looked up at Spike with half-lidded eyes.

"Like I said, if you ever need anything, you need only ask," Lamashtu said. Spike could only stand there dumbfounded.

"Grandmother!!" Twilight shouted, getting between Spike and Lamashtu. "Please don't do that!"

"Come on, dear, I can't help it," Lamashtu said. "I'm allowed to like those who catch my eye. And you know it's been 1,000 years since I've last been with a male."

The two vampires had their little spat while Spike simply walked away to leave them to it. He got off the stage and walked amongst the crowd. Teachers were shaking his hand while lots of students were asking for his autograph. A lot of female, and even some male, students even approached him and gave him their phone numbers before giving him suggestive winks. He had to move through quickly to avoid getting crushed and finally managed to escape them. He ran into Sombra with Celestia and Luna at his sides. Celestia chuckled and ruffled Spike's hair as if she was his mother. It wasn't unwelcome, though.

"Looks like you're even more popular than ever, young pup," Celestia said.

"Ha! Thanks, Miss Celestia. Who would've thought that I used to be afraid of being eaten when I first came here, and now I'm the hero of monsters and the son of Nyx herself," Spike said, looking at the crescent moon outside the window. "Sure has been a crazy year, especially with Jack causing trouble. To think that he was willing to hurt his own kind like that just to watch me like a bug in a jar. By the way, whatever happened to him?"

Sombra dropped his smile and looked to Celestia and Luna with worry. He then looked back to Spike.

"Jack was deemed too dangerous and insane to be kept in a normal monster prison, so he was taken to Wunderheim," Sombra replied.

"What's Wunderheim?" Spike asked.

"Wunderheim Asylum for Criminally Insane Monsters. It's the highest security monster forensic psychiatric hospital on the whole planet," Luna said. "It has everything they need to detain and rehabilitate him. I wouldn't worry about him getting out and causing trouble anytime soon, Spike."

"What about the masked girls that followed him? Wouldn't they be mad that their boss is gone?" Spike asked.

"I had them all sent to a special therapy clinic run by a Witch we know. Apparently, these girls were all mentally ill or emotionally hurt and vulnerable," Sombra replied. "If I had to hazard a guess, I think Jack was able to manipulate them to get them to follow him. Like a cult leader would."

That genuinely hurt Spike. Jack was willing to prey on the weaknesses of others to get them to follow him and use them like his own little puppets. At least Jack was gone now and they were at a place where they could get the help they needed.

"Well I hope those girls get better. I'm just glad we have nothing else to worry about, now," Spike said.

+

Wunderheim Asylum - Alaska

Two white-clad orderlies in human form held Jack Volgaroth as he was being led through the corridors of the more than famous Wunderheim Asylum. The steel-gray complex had numerous rooms that held some rather interesting patients, some of which were famous for the acts they committed while in the throes of madness. And now Jack himself was a new patient.

Jack was no longer wearing his long black coat and school uniform. Now he was wearing a collar with a golden glow, a holy object to prevent him from using his magic. His attire was changed further by wearing a straitjacket with a pair of white scrub pants and slippers. The orderlies led him to his room, Room 1313, and opened the door.

The inside of the room consisted of a single bed, a barred window, padded walls, a dresser, and a desk. The orderlies sat down Jack on the bed and one of them spoke.

"You'll be meeting your main nurse and your psychiatrist tomorrow night, Mister Volgaroth," the orderly said. "Get some sleep and we'll come to get you then."

"I'm looking forward to it with bated breath," Jack said.

The orderlies left Jack in the room with the lights off, since it was the time when the patients should be sleeping. As Jack was lying down on the bed, a male voice came from the door to his room.

"Hello, Lord Volgaroth. I'm Franz, one of the janitors here," the voice said. "I saw that video you posted on the shadow-web."

Now Jack was interested in this janitor. He turned his head towards the door to speak directly to Franz.

"I take it that you're with me on the subjects I spoke of?" Jack asked.

"I am, my lord. Those cowards in the Harmony Faction may be willing to condemn you as a villain, but we of the Shadow Faction wish to follow you," Franz replied. "There are others here who wish to follow you, my lord. I will help in any way I can."

Jack heard Franz walk away from the door, leaving him alone in the dark. He looked up at the padded ceiling with a satisfied smile on his face. Jack had potential followers here, all thanks to his video. This made Jack almost giddy. Everything was going exactly as planned. Now he was in the perfect place to really enact his plans. He then thought back to his beloved foe.

"You must feel pretty proud of yourself, don't you, Spike?" Jack thought. "You beat the villain, save the day, and think yourself a knight? Oh no. I have plans for this world, and I'll make sure you won't be there to see it."