Although the military had kept the death of Iron Man and Captain America under wraps, an intense sense of impending crisis still swept across New York. Even ordinary people who were ignorant of the truth felt a certain signal looking at the gloomy New York sky.
Inside the headquarters of the New Warriors Team, Nightingale was sorting out his weapons, whilst Fungi Man stood next to him, frowning, "Are you really planning on going out? Don't forget, those who attacked us are still looking for us."
Fungi Man sighed, "Last time, I was spotted by reporters from the Daily Bugle, just for going out shopping. My photo was wildly circulated, and my true identity was revealed. My family, friends and teachers all called me with questions, but I couldn't answer them..."
With a look of anguish, Fungi Man closed his eyes, "I've been having nightmares these last few days, I'm sure you have too. If you go out now, things may not only not get better, we might come under more attacks..."
However, Nightingale was busy wiping his arrows, "But we must strike. Don't forget why the New Warriors Team was established in the first place. We're not here to perform in TV shows, we're not actors!"
"Now, with Spider Man dead, Captain America missing, and Iron Man not in New York, the absence of these three superheroes has shattered many people's confidence. They believe they cannot handle the super villains."
"We can't rely on the police. The New York Police Department is made of ordinary people. Even if they possess some firepower, how could they handle super villains like Nitro and Cold Heart? It's not their job. They don't have the abilities, hence they have no responsibility."
Nightingale looked at Fungi Man, "But we do. So, we must act."
"If there's anything I've learned from past events, it's that no matter what the rumours say, we shouldn't let them hold us back."
"What if we hadn't shivered in fear in the base and had continued doing good to clarify things, or just honed our skills? Maybe Captain America wouldn't have died."
Fungi Man's gripping fists trembled, he stuttered, "He always appears in my dreams. I clearly remember the last thing he mouthed before he died was for us to get away. I really..."
Fungi Man started to shake all over, while Nightingale glanced at the rest of the team who were still playing cards inside the base, "The team I've put so much effort into building, maybe it's time for us to break up."
"This period has finally made me realize, this isn't a game, it's a life-and-death struggle."
"What we've seen in those videos of Spider Man easily defeating villains, behind his antics and wisecracks, lies an unimaginable determination."
"Therefore, we must act." Nightingale gripped his bow tightly, "Take on their responsibilities, fulfill their unaccomplished duties, battle against those evil forces hiding in the dark that ordinary people can't handle, until every last drop of our blood is shed."
Fungi Man swallowed and said, "Regardless, I will stay. I hope I can live up to the name of 'New Warriors' and justify Captain America's actions of sacrificing his life for us."
Nightingale glanced at the computer screen beside him, "Recently, there have been frequent disappearances in New York. I don't think it's a coincidence. I've traced the trails of some peculiar creatures. I suspect they're vampires."
"Vampires?" Fungi Man wrinkled his brow and said, "After the battle on the Brooklyn Bridge, weren't they wiped out? ...Wait a second, it seems a group of vampires escaped, but they haven't been seen for a while...why would they suddenly..."
"Do you think the deaths of Spider Man and Captain America were accidents?" Nightingale asked Fungi Man, who then fell silent, some words left unsaid.
Nightingale continued, "One crisis after another, key figures dying one after another, evil organizations that were already on their decline re-emerging, could all these incidents really be a coincidence?"
"Or could some lurking force just waiting for the right moment have finally made its move?" Nightingale took a deep breath, grabbed his compound bow on the table, "Get ready. Perhaps, another great battle is about to begin."
With his voice still echoing, the chill wind at night swept across every corner of every street in New York, and a shrill scream like a sharp sword crossed the sky and pierced into the cloud layer, under the extraordinarily bright moonlight.
People found that the stars in the sky started twinkling. Perhaps it was not the stars fading and brightening, but some flying creatures blocking the starlight.
Their dark wings and sharp fangs made everyone who saw them scream in fright.
"Vampires! They're vampires!!"
"The bats are back! Quick! Call the police!!"
"Vampires have reappeared in large numbers near New York! They intend to attack the city again!!"
"A name's being circulated amongst them, I heard it, I heard...it's...Dracula! The progenitor of vampires, Dracula!!!"
At the New York Police Department, George grabbed his pistol and as he stepped outside said, "Everyone get ready, those damn bats are back!"