Misty stared at the two people in front of her.

"What are you two doing here??" She asked as she looked hostilely at Ash before looking confused at Paul.

"We were sent here to help you for the competition preparation." Ash answered.

"I can handle it myself." Misty said crossing her arms. "I don't need help from a clumsy idiot." 

"She means, we can handle it ourselves." One more voice spoke as the owner put his hand on Misty's shoulder. 

"Oh hey Brendan, when did you get here?" she asked.

"Principal sent me to help you. Hope that wouldn't be a problem." He replied, eyeing her with a smile. Misty nodded. 

"Well if it's the principal, then no arguments here." She said before walking away backstage.

"HEY PRINCIPAL SENT US TWO TOO YOU KNOW!?!" Ash yelled, following her behind.

"I've heard rumors." Brendan started as he looked at Paul who was walking away. Brendan immediately came in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. "That a pesky little vampire dared to kill one of my men. During their hunting." He said gritting his teeth as he glared at Paul.

Paul looked at him finally, his cold eyes drilling holes in Brendan's. A dark purple aura emitted from Paul. It could have frighten anyone, But Brendan was unfazed. 

"Not only that, someone also stole two of our preys few days back." He said with a cryptic smile. 

"I hope you know the consequences of a vampire meddling with our business." 

"What do you want Werewolf? Spit it out." Paul said with spite.

"Tsk Tsk, impatient are we?" Brendan replied with a bitter laugh. "I just happen to find it quite amusing that the girls rescued were friends with each other." 

"So?"

"It seems like you're planning to protect them Paul."

"You have no proof it was one of the vampires who saved the two preys. Besides, one of your chap invaded our territory. He was bound to die." Paul replied with calm.

"So you don't care about the girls?" Brendan asked raising his eyebrow.

"Couldn't care less." replied Paul stoically before walking away. 

"That means we can have Misty as feast." Brendan replied with a smirk. Two vampires heard what he said. One wanted to kill him, another wanted to wipe the floor with him. Paul was the latter, but he moved on with stoic expression. Principal already informed him that he needed to get the participants name on the list, with their numbers and address. 

**************************

Paul had entered every competitors name minus one. He walked towards the girls room, knocked on the door. Dawn opened the door with a forced smile on her face and her nose red. 

"May I- Oh... You're..." 

"Paul." Paul replied. He concluded that May wasn't in the room. The other girl, Leaf, wasn't nearby either. The only breathing sound he could hear was of Dawn. That means, they were alone at the whole floor.

The classes were dismissed for the day. Students were allowed to compete and practice their vocals in the singing class if they wanted. 

"Contester's number and address." Paul said as he took out the register. He quickly added "Along with the name. Whatever it is." 

Dawn narrowed her eyes at him. 

"No thanks, you can leave!" argued Dawn before closing the door. Only to fail. Paul had put his foot in between.

"Out before I crush your foot" Dawn hissed.

"Your participation is mandatory. The Principal had told me herself. Along with your room number." He replied stoically. It was a lie though. The principal didn't told him anything. But he can't tell Dawn about his super hearing Powers.

Dawn glanced at him before sighing.

"I am not taking part in this contest. I am sick you see." she explained. Paul rolled his eyes.

"Using Hot liquid's temperature, Forgetting to alter your voice, Face red from crying. Sure." Paul stated as he noted Dawn's name and room number down. 

"I just need your number to sign you in. And your Last Name too." Paul said in his monotone. Dawn glared at him.

"How did you know My first name and All the things I did?" Dawn inquired. Paul blinked, his shoulders stiffened a bit. 

"Old trick in the book. Ash used it alot that it's easy to recognize." Paul closed his register and held it under his arm.

"How about this? Tell me why you don't want to take part and If I see it's a valid reason, I'll let you off the hook." He offered. Dawn stared at him, considering his offer.

He doesn't look like a type who go against their words. And getting him off the back when he had his mind on something? Appeared to be difficult too. And for some reason he seemed to have set his mind on Dawn participating in this contest. 

What sucks for her was, She didn't know how to lie. She isn't a master of it, and no way she could come up with one within this short period of time. And Paul looked like someone who could easily spot a lie within 20 feet radius, if that even made sense. 

And if he spot her lying, who knows she might get on his bad side? Dawn never did understood boys. Way to objective and simple. With their own rules and all. The last time she lied to one guy, that one took it to heart and hated her. Well, the only lie she told him was she had a boyfriend. And she got nasty looks and snarls, even was attacked by him. Good thing the other girls were fighters, that's how she met Leaf too. Leaf may be all tech girl, but she is incredible when it comes to reflexes and blows. 

--------

May roamed around, exploring the garden behind the school. It had a huge fountain in between, the grasses were trimmed and the bushes were cut in shapes of Pokemon. The ones that weren't touched bear Fruits, berries or flowers. She sighed. Even though the view was beautiful, she wasn't able to enjoy it at all.

"Something the matter May?" A voice behind her spoke. She turned wide eyed, her hair following the suit. Her sapphire eyes met Drew's emerald ones.

"Um....Yeah... You see." May began fiddling with her fingers. "There are few questions I need to ask you....And something else You need to know." Drew leaned in.

"Is it about me?" His voice was deep, soft when he whispered in her ear. May shivered.

"Kinda... MORE LIKE your spec-"Drew placed a hand on May's lips and shook his head. It wasn't save to talk here for them. Werewolves have incredible eyesight and Vampires have incredible speed and hearing powers. 

Drew Grabbed May bridal style before heading off at a lightening speed. Before even two minutes passed, they were at the Old Castle. 

"So what's the question?" Drew Asked. May shivered remembering how she was nearly chased to death. Memories came flooding in of the previous night

"Remember the time in cafeteria." May said as she looked around. Even though she was here for the second time, she didn't exactly notice anything at all after her near to death experience. The stairs were wooden but painted gray. Objects and Furniture were old and ragged. There were gargoyle made and decorated everywhere. The ceiling decorations looked like they could fall anytime. The Window glasses were red painted. The walls were gray with..... Blood tinted on them. It looked like hands covered with blood were desperate and the slide down the wall, leaving it's mark till eternity. 

"What about it?" Drew asked raising an eyebrow. May snapped back into reality

"Well you see, It appeared as if you all could hear us while we were just whispering.. So I was wondering, what sort of powers do you guys posses?" May asked as she looked at Drew for explanation

"Incredible Speed, Incredible Hearing. Goodish Reflexes." He replied.  

"Oh and do you guys like? Eat and Drink human food too?" 

"Once in every month or two. Other than that, Raw flesh and blood." 

"Oh.." May grimaced. 

"Well, um...  do you all.... Like Werewolves and Vampires...have some leader?"

"Let's..... Not talk about that. But yes, there are leaders." 

"Okay...." 

"So why did you join the Horror High." Drew asked.

"To find answers to two questions. Why Pokemon were extinct and what's happening in this city." She replied

"I'd not know though. The only thing was that they got extinct with us vampires and werewolves." Drew replied. May looked at him doubtfully.

"Wait bu-" 

"How about a small tour here?" Drew asked. May looked at him and nodded. Something told her she shouldn't question more than she did. 

**********

"Well, and that's why I don't want to sing. It feels like I'm betraying her. The day she died, it brings me too much pain to even think about singing. Even though I do sing from time to time when I am alone but.... I just can't....It will bring back haunting memories to me Paul. I can't do this." Dawn exlpained as a tear slide down her cheek. Paul wiped it with his thumb.

"Would your mother like you to be like this?" He asked softly. Dawn shook her head. 

"You're your mother's daughter. She was fighting till her last breath for you, gave it her all to make you happy. Improved on your singing skills too. Don't take Singing as a painful memory. Take it as the only way you could connect with you mother in the heavens, if it existed. It is said Music is another way to communicate with the Gods."Paul looked outside the window before continuing. " Your Mother wrote songs, make them famous for her. So that people won't ever forget her. She lives in you Dawn, your her blood. Her blood flows in you. Don't hold yourself back because of your past helplessness. She wouldn't want that."

"Rise for her, Make her proud. Make her happy. And as far as you've told me about her, she seems the kind to be happy when her daughter is happy and fighting." Paul said as he looked at Dawn, waiting for her to decide. Dawn had told him how his mother died and what she was like. He won't admit it, but he was envious of her. He never had a mother, and the father he has wasn't caring at all. His father recently hit his bare back with hot steel only because of the girls suspecting something was odd about them. Paul wouldn't dare tell his father about what happened with May. And he hoped, she would too. 

"6677xxxxxxxx Dawn Berlitz." Dawn spoke out. Paul nodded and noted it down.

"See you at the auditions today." 

"Oh I'll win it. Will you be rooting for me?"

"If your voice is worth listening to." He said before exiting the room.