*Chapter 1: Count Shadow*

In Romania, Transylvania, the home of vampires, there is a hedgehog named Shadow. He is the count of his castle and a lone vampire. Shadow has been a vampire for many centuries, and never found his bride. All his life, he's a lone vampire, except he had some allies in his castle and outside.
The first vampire friend he made was Rouge. She's been a vampire as long as he has. Only she's a vampire, she is a jewel thief and sometimes drink from innocent mobians. Shadow didn't like the idea of drinking for those who aren't worth his time, yet if mortals test his patience, he will drink their blood. Shadow only hunts animals to satisfy his thirst.
The only mortals who knew about Shadow and Rouge vampire lives were Sonic and Sally. One night, Shadow found the chipmunk and a blue hedgehog being attacked by wolves in the woods. He jumped in to save them and uses his hypnosis to lure the wolves away. The two mobians were shocked to see a vampire, but grateful to be saved by one. Shadow knew he couldn't have witnesses, yet he couldn't kill them or turn them into vampires. Sonic and Sally swore they will never tell a living soul and after some time, they become friends with a vampire. Shadow usually never trusts a mortal mobian, but he could rely on the couple. He is glad he didn't have to kill them or turn them.
The town was feared by vampires and have items to use to protect themselves from those evil blood-sucking creatures. Garlic, crosses, and sunlight are the only things that could stop a vampire. And never invite a vampire in the house. The vampire hunters are the echidnas who come around at night to find one vampire who bothered to come around to feed off of mobians. The leader of the hunters is Knuckles. He will be sure no vampire will be around town to harm another mobian.

One night, Shadow is on the rooftop of his castle, looking at the view of the town as the cape flows behind him. His red eyes glow as he stares. The moon was full and the cold wind hits. Rouge flew down to stand beside him.

"Aren't you gonna hunt, Shadow? I'm getting thirsty." Rouge asked. "Unless you want me to hunt."

"No. I will. I'm just thinking." Shadow told her.

"About?"

"...Nothing. You wouldn't understand." Shadow said. He was about to jump, but Rouge stopped him by grabbing his arm.

"Tell me. I'll understand." She said with a small smile. "I'm here for you. We've been together for years. We're friends, aren't we?" Shadow sighed a bit. His cold breath was seen. Shadow crosses his arms.

"Rouge, do you think I need to...find a...bride?" He asked. "Because I've been alone for many years and never once found the one. If I did, how could she love me? She would just run away."

"Ah, so you decided to find yourself a bride, huh?" Rouge asked. "Well, you are the count. It should be easy for you to find the right girl. You just need to feel it."

"Like how?" Shadow asked. "Feel my undead heart beating?"

"Well, that. And you will feel a spark. Like lightning." Rouge said. "I never found a soulmate for me, but trust me, I know the laws. I thought you knew about the vampire mating laws."

"I...never thought of them." Shadow said. "I have doubts. I'm not gonna lie to you, Rouge, but when we first met, I thought I was going to feel it, but we aren't meant to be." Rouge couldn't help but to giggle. Shadow sneered at her. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. I never thought you already fell for me before." Rouge said.

"I didn't say I was-"

"I was kidding." Rouge said. "Look, you just need to go out there more often and see if you can find the mate. But don't rush by turning her into a vampire. She needs time. Always wait for her to accept to become like you." Shadow didn't say a word, but nodded. He jumped off the rooftop and transform into a bat to fly to the woods to hunt prey. Rouge watched with a smile. "Hm. He finally decides to have someone. About time."

XX

Shadow flew through the dark trees. He starts to sniff the air and found a fresh deer grazing in the grass. He transformed back into a hedgehog and land on his feet. Shadow quietly cowers down to peek through the bushes to see the deer not too far from him. His eyes glow as hunger took over. He could smell blood. The deer hears a faint sound. Before it could move, Shadow lunges at it and bite down on its neck, pinning it down to the ground. The deer let out a whimper as Shadow's fangs sunk into the neck. Shadow felt the deer grow limp and pull his fangs away from the neck. Before he could lift up the deer, he turns his head to see a blue hedgehog standing by the tree.

"Evening, Shadow. Another night for a hunt?" He greeted with a smile.

"As usual." Shadow said with a neutral look in his eyes. "What are you doing here at this time?"

"I thought I come around to see if you are ever around and here you are." Sonic replied. He is wearing a blue suit with white trim, black boots, and a gold ring on his finger. "It has been a while since I last saw you."

"I was busy." Shadow told him as he carries a deer in his arms. Sonic walked alongside him. "Are the vampire hunters still in town? In patrol?"

"Of course." Sonic said. "Knuckles wanted to search in the woods, but his crew told him it'd be too risky."

"At least they are smart." Shadow grumbled.

"Well, Knuckles wanted vengeance." Sonic said. "He lost his wife. A vampire killed her."

"You know it wasn't me or Rouge." Shadow said, turning to the blue hedgehog. "We aren't the only vampires in Transylvania. And you forgot to bring a cross again, didn't you?"

"Shadow, I know I was supposed to, but you and Rouge are the only vampires I've been seeing around. Maybe the others are in hiding somewhere." Sonic said. "And Nicole is working on magic on jewelry. When someone wears it, they won't be hypnotized by a vampire."

"Oh joy." Shadow sighed. "What's next?"

"A vampire can wear a ring to go out in a sunlight." Sonic told him with a grin. Shadow faced him. "I'm serious. Nicole can do that. But only to a vampire she completely trusts, so...you're going to ask her to make you something."

"Nicole is a witch. How could she trust me?" Shadow asked.

"If you want, I could take you to her tomorrow night. If she sees that I trust you, she will trust you." Sonic said. "It'd be better to see you around during the day." Shadow wouldn't mind being in town during daylight. He wanted to feel the warm sun, but he didn't want to burn. Rouge would like the idea as well. "Well, send me a letter if you decided. I'll leave you alone." Sonic walked away to return home.
Shadow carries the deer and walk out of the woods.

*Author's Note: This is originally supposed to be for Nightmare Before Christmas, until the reviews say it didn't make much sense, so that one is gone. I guess I am back writing Sonic again since the story itself will have a lot of characters. Next year will be the 30th Anniversary of the blue blur.
And no, these vampires don't sparkle. Yet, some vampires will wear certain jewelry to be in the sunlight. Inspired by The Vampire Diaries.
Thank you for reading and please review!*