This is my very first published fanfiction so...yay! Already working on chapter 2. I'd like to note that I stick to the Hellsing Ultimate version of things, with some changes. After Alucard kills Rip Van Winkle a speed boat is sent out to fetch him. The Last Battalion's zeppelins are intercepted before they reach England and all of Hellsing destroys them, so none of the deaths that occur after the fourth episode happened. Schrodinger was the only nazi to get away and doesn't hold any grudges. So yeah, and I apologize in advance for any OOC-ness. I do not own Hellsing.
The night flew past Courtney as she weaved her trusty motorcycle through the streets of England. She'd just finished a ring order, to be picked up the next day. It was a lovely thing of silver, etched with dolphins splashing about the waves. An anniversary gift a young man was giving to his girlfriend. As soon as Courtney had set it proudly aside to be presented to the client, her night job began. So now her long, charcoal grey, western style coat flapped out behind her followed by the whipping of deep red hair in its lengthy braid. The cool air didn't bother her despite the supremely short black skirt she wore, or the purple short-sleeved, off the shoulder shirt with black stripes, a yellow crescent moon and a smattering of stars decorating the front. Surprisingly her black newsboy hat with its silver cross pin managed to stay pulled down crookedly on her head as Courtney sped up, body bent forward in anticipation of killing vampires. Just a typical night for this twenty-five year old woman. It was better than being Batman, going out to save lives, protecting people from the evil's of the night; but without sending any to jail where they would undoubtedly escape to wreak more havoc. If only people realized how lucky they were. No one had been there to be her super hero twenty years ago. 'The moon was especially big and bright that night too.' Courtney thought, glancing at the giant glowing ball in the sky.
Traffic wasn't a problem as she neared the outskirts of the city. She'd heard strange reports on the news the past few days. People were going missing, households destroyed and families found dead from what police thought were animal attacks or a deeply disturbed serial killer. She'd pinned the abandoned meat storage facility as the source of the problem after a woman reported hearing strange noises. No one else had any leads. It wasn't too surprising that no one had connected all of the events yet, this was her life, the police weren't trained to look for signs of vampire activity.
"Ah well, best that no one figured it out. I hate having to explain myself when the police show up. Bloody idiots just get in the way." Courtney parked the bike and scanned the area. Nothing. Silence. Her well-trained senses told her all the monsters were in the building. "Hm. I've never killed five in one night before. Should be fun." Doing a few quick stretches, she tried not to dwell on the one vampire that felt stronger, more sinister...different. Drawing two silver daggers from the inside of her coat, Courtney took a few deep breaths, said a prayer, then silently entered the building.
Inside it was cold, dark and reeking of death. It took only a moment for her eyes to adjust since all the windows had been covered up. Courtney took note of the blood splatter that covered the majority of the room, but could see no bodies. Directly across from her were doors with a sign reading Deep Freeze on the wall. Stairs to the left went up to a balcony of sorts, empty offices could be seen through windows. Treading softly, her knee high black boots making barely a sound, she crossed the empty space watching both the doors and the floor above for any sign of movement. Opening one of the doors slightly Courtney held her breath.
Cow and human carcasses were hung on chains or strewn about the floor, most with large chunks missing. Her breath misted as she scanned carefully, trying to count the bodies. No, not enough bodies there to explain all of the disappearances. 'Which means there should be ghouls by the dozen.' Her mouth quirked with a mix of disgust and excitement. Stepping back out a sound could be heard directly above her. Shuffling, followed by groaning. Yup, the ghouls were upstairs. Swiftly moving up to the next level, Courtney was ready for the ghoul that came at her from the side. A quick jab through the head and it fell to the ground with a thump. More shuffled out from the offices to her left and right, drawn by the sound of their fallen comrade. Grinning, she spun, arms out, daggers slicing through rotting flesh to decapitate some. Following up was a lunge, thrust, and roll, her daggers singing through the air as the blessed things did their work. Ghouls were collapsing together to form small piles around her, it was impossible to keep count. In moments none remained. Then she heard the growl.
"You! What have you done to our ghouls?" The red eyes were first, then the vampire came closer. He wasn't very tall, young, blonde and angry.
"Isn't it obvious? I killed them." Courtney dismissed him and rolled her shoulders.
"Impossible, a mere human, let alone a woman, like you couldn't-" The vampire never finished his sentence as a dagger embedded itself in his forehead. Retrieving the weapon from the dust pile she spat on it, "I could, and I did."
Down a hall and around the corner she paused. The second vampire came out of an office, blood dripping from his mouth and hands. He looked identical to the previous one, only taller. "Hey, Sloppy!" Courtney called out. Slowly the vampire turned towards her, expression instantly becoming hungry. Ah, her adrenaline pumped blood, hot and thick, through her body. 'Must be too hungry to be wary of me. Moron' She thought as the vampire charged her. Moving faster than him, she swung and the arm he was reaching out with fell uselessly to the floor.
"Bitch!" He snarled in rage, striking at her legs. Falling back on her hands she used the momentum to kick the vampire in the head, then brought it smashing back down into the floor. As he moved to spring she raised a dagger to ram into his skull, which then proceeded to explode. Blood spattered her front and she moved automatically into a defensive crouch.
At the other end of the hall stood a tall man in red; a gun smoking in his outstretched hand. She took in the sight of him. A red, wide, floppy brimmed fedora sat atop a head of shaggy black hair, bangs hanging down to partly cover orange, heavily tinted, wire framed glasses which resembled goggles at the side. His charcoal suit seemed to emphasize his height, with a white shirt and a red cravat. White gloves, brown riding boots and a full-length red frock coat, that showed off broad shoulders, completed his ensemble. It came off as very Victorian, but ultimately unique.
Courtney opened her mouth to greet this strange man. The clouds outside had cleared, and moonlight came pouring in through a window whose cover had fallen off. The glint of fangs, exposed by a wicked Cheshire cat grin made her freeze. 'How is this possible? I should have known right away what he was! I should have sensed it.' Then she did.
Power radiated from the vampire in waves, enough to shock her back to her senses. It was apparent when he finished assessing her as she'd done to him, as he knocked his glasses down a bit on his nose to look over the rim at her with devilish red eyes. She narrowed her own hell smoke grey ones at him, over black rectangular, frameless sunglasses. It burned her that she'd failed to realize what he was sooner. He'd snuck up on her, stolen a kill, and now had the nerve to just stand there looking so...
'No Courtney, don't get taken in by his looks. He's not human.' She mentally berated herself.
"Human, what are you doing here?" The vampire asked, his voice was dark and seductive. It sent shivers down her spine.
"Apparently the same thing as you." Keeping her voice level was difficult as anger bubbled up. This vampire had to be doing something to mess with her.
"Oh really? That's very interesting. How many have you killed?" The gun was lowered, interest starting to spark.
"A bunch of ghouls and one vampire. Would have been two except someone stole my kill." Courtney couldn't help the irritation that slipped out.
The vampire chuckled, "Actually, that would be kills. The other two are already dead." He corrected her.
"What about the fifth?" She tried to block out the sound of his amusement, ignoring the disappointment of not being able to finish the job herself.
"Fifth?" His head tilted ever so slightly.
"I sensed you, the one I killed, the two you killed and one other." Her breathing stilled momentarily as he took a step forward.
"So, you can sense vampires. A rare talent for mortals these days." Another step followed his words, grin stretching wider. Courtney didn't retreat or shy away; instead she'd leant forward in her crouch, grip tightening on the daggers she held. Waiting. "Don't worry about Police Girl, she's out there taking care of the ghouls you missed." He paused, "I wonder if there are any more surprises to you." Then shot at her.
Courtney dodged and crouched again. When he started walking whilst firing, her instincts took over, dodging the bullets that flew at her with surprising speed. Gaining ground, she ran straight at him, and he fired several more. Quickly and fluidly she bent her body backwards, sliding forwards, skinning both knees. The bullets flew harmlessly by before she righted herself and swung. One dagger sliced into his side, the other, his face. He batted her back into a wall. Expecting it; she sprang off, driving both daggers into his heart.
The vampire took a step back but was fine, laughter building up in his chest. Shock rattled Courtney. 'He should be dust, dead, gone! Not laughing at me!' She backed up, ready to defend.
"You're quick, more so than some of the vampires I've killed. I'm a little impressed." He slid both daggers out and threw them at her with deadly speed. Never breaking eye contact, she snatched the handles from the air, one pointed an inch away from her heart. Both of them had raised weapons again when footsteps were heard. The vampire looked past Courtney and used a finger to push his glasses back up.
"What is going on here?" a female voice snapped. Turning just enough to see who was speaking without leaving herself open to attack, she answered.
"Just making England a safer place, but for now it's not safe for you to be here. Turn around and go home." Tucking both daggers into her coat, Courtney pulled out a silver revolver.
"Excuse me?" The woman sounded appalled, as if unused to being spoken to in such a manner.
"I said leave, go, now!" Courtney cocked the gun and ran at the vampire again, who did the same. Bullets went flying, and physical blows were dodged. Terrified and exhilarated she couldn't stop the grin that spread across her face, a pale imitation of the vampire. He was faster and stronger, but never went for a kill shot, toying with her instead. 'How arrogant.' was all she could think, reloading while ducking another punch.
"You will stop this instant! That is an order!" The impatient command brought the vampire to a stand still, just in time to get shot in the head. Assuming it was over, Courtney turned to tell the woman that she was an idiot. Before a single word could be said hands shot out, knocking her gun away and slamming her into the wall. She inhaled sharply from the pain of her left shoulder dislocating and the sight of those red eyes a very long arms length away.
"How are you not dead?" She ground out as the vampire clamped a hand around her wind pipe then lifted her two feet off the floor.
"Your toys are effective against these low-level vampires, but it'll take a lot more than that to kill me." The vampire brought his face closer, inhaling slightly. Courtney glared, a growl building up in her throat, then shot her head forward. Clamping her jaws down hard and tight she ripped out the front of his throat. The hold on her loosened and she dropped to the floor, grabbed her gun, and before anyone could do or say anything, ran. Pain never registered as she tore down the stairs, hopped on her motorcycle and sped off. It had sunk in that the woman was working with the vampire, otherwise he never would have responded to an order, and that the vampire in red was too much for her to deal with. For now. Best to retreat; live to fight another night.
Back at the factory the vampire had recovered from the unexpected assault. Throwing his head back; delighted laughter burst forth. She'd torn out his throat! With her teeth! It thrilled him, that fiery fighting spirit, the glee he'd glimpsed in her eyes as they fought. Some humans still managed to surprise him.
"Who was she, Alucard?" The woman interrupted his thoughts, laughter dying down to a dark chuckle.
"Who indeed. A fearless, deadly and fascinating woman who can sense vampires and fights like a demon. A huntress." The vampire, Alucard, looked over, grinned, "As that is all I know, shall I follow her? Just say the word my master; Sir Integra." Anticipation dripped from each word spoken.
"She can sense vampires? A rare thing." The woman, Integra, thought it over. Gloved hands pulled a cigar from the pocket of her dark suit, with a white dress shirt and simple red cravat decorated with a silver cross. Placing it in her mouth she lit it, striking blue eyes assessing Alucard through round wire frame glasses. "You are to hide your presence from her, do NOT approach or be seen. Find out her name and where she lives, then return. Now go!" Integra turned, her floor length blonde hair swishing, and strode back down the hall.
Alucard grinned, all teeth. "As you wish."