Defective Perfection: Chapter 2
~Seravy
He can't remember the last time that he actually felt disturbed; a pure human sensation caused by their petty fears and ignorance. He was a vampire, a proud existence that reigned over everything that was impure and only two beings were ever able to rise above such low classification. One of them being a mere human.

The papers may lie, his childe may be deceived but the severed link between his master and him was undeniable. What was even more disconcerting was that it took him days to notice, as if someone had clogged his entire system with blessed silver bullets.

Again and again, he questioned Celes about his activity for the past five days and as she gave probable and detailed recollections, he couldn't seem to remember any of those details, like a gap within time that never existed but did.

The Tower that held the last Hellsing stood with ancient determination, obtruding what would have been a clear night sky. The moment he saw it, every aging stone upon this tall structure screamed at him warningly.

He took a step forward and it burned. The Tower of London was clearly before him and yet it got no closer as cold thunder suckered on his immortal flesh. No matter how he fought it, something nostalgically powerful within would easily invade his mind and win. And pain refused to release him until every drop of his power was drained.

Celes's scream of panic roused his numbed senses and he found himself lying limply on the gray gravel.

"Master!"

Blood trickled down the corner of his eyes and mouth from internal damage that his body was slowly repairing as he examined where he had touched. Pink lines crackled on the invisible wall, waiting expectantly. Magic from the Dark Continent no doubt. Nothing special, just a mere barrier invoked by a simple incantation which he failed to notice, combined with an intensity that was beyond the spell's capabilities. It was usually used for catching mice back in the medieval times.

"Are you alright, Master?"

Celes cringed at her master's constricted face as he ignored her question and removed himself off the degrading ground where humans have trampled upon during the day.

"What was that?"

"A barrier."

"Barrier?" she asked with panic, "Then Integral-sama—"

"Go back to the library and hide."

Celes opened her mouth but immediately closed it before another word was allowed through. Something was terribly wrong, she could feel it vibrating through her spine. She would have liked to help but knew better than to question her master. She began to softy sprint back to Helena's home, occasionally turning her head for sparse glances of the Tower of London.
**************

Unlike his former comrade, he was not connected to his master through mind, body and blood. The only thing that bound them was duty and a promise. His hands stung along with the other wounds that he had suffered from the crash. But a few second-degree burns, cuts and a broken leg were nothing compared to his hatred of this helpless state. A limp now stained his walk while his lungs occasionally trapped his breathing from the smoke that burned his lungs. Deep scars that extended its damage into the nerves left little skin on his hand untouched. He raised them into the light, the chains on his wrist weighting heavily. Would these hands, soiled and too battered for love or fighting, still be able to hold a comb or button buttons? Or maybe pour a cup of fresh tea, or tie the laces on black leather shoes? Most importantly, were they still capable of protecting her? Sometimes, he wondered if he spoiled her too much. He carried out all of her most secret and intimate tasks, surrounding her like air. What he would give just to see her at this moment, everything at its usual pace. It was only in these moments did he despise humanity and he would gladly give it up just to know his master's well-being.

The natural light of stars and darkness crept its way through the single window of his cell. Stripes of shadow cast from solid bars of metal painted the four walls that surrounded him and without specific orders, he shall stay here.

A sudden chillness then snuck into the air and he knew he was here.

"How nice of you to visit, Alucard-sama."

A chunk of shadow separated itself from the wall to form Walter's unexpected guest. They only had one thing in common, or so they believed, but it was more than enough to overcome the millions of difference that they shared. That single reason delivered careful amounts of trust, making them agreeable partners in crime.

"Something unexpected has occurred."

"My, this doesn't happen everyday in our line of work."

The pale face of his master's "pet" shone amidst the night and surprisingly, Alucard did not find his feeble humour amusing which he usually did.

"We must leave immediately."

His words were solid without his daily dosage of elusive sarcasm. Walter caught the gloves that were thrown in his way and slipped them over his hands. All he needed was a raised finger and the cuffs around his wrists fell apart in fragments.

The leather felt foreign but with practiced ease, he flicked the long ends of wire around the window's bars and with just a slight tug, the metal slid out the opening and fell upon the bed. It must have been bugged because an annoying siren now echoed in his room and probably straight into security. The opening was a little too small so he enlarged it and slid out. Gravity pulled him towards the patch of grass that was ten stories below but Walter changed his course and whipped his wire around the flagpole that held Britain's emblem. He landed and winced while Alucard sat waiting for him on top of a police car with a couple of guards cowering in the corner. He knew better than to kill them considering their situation.

"Lead the way," said Walter.

The wind of the night wisped the vampire away, leaving behind a brief message that was meant only for his ears and Walter knew he had to hurry as well. Intrusive footsteps disrupted the silence but he was, in another sense, a creature of the night, a fact that Alucard knew well.
Walter Cumm Dolneaz would have been a perfect candidate for immortality but Sir Hellsing Senior's taming had maimed him with a misconception that the ancient vampire failed to comprehend. He gave him a chance forty years ago and even after forty years, the Shinigama's decision remained the same.
If that old butler had taken his offer, the emergency would probably be solved by now, and they would all be home, sipping tea or rather blood. But Walter's refusal was also the source of his respect which was what Alucard had chosen. It was his principle to look forward and never back and Hellsing's noseferatu quietly waited for Shinigami Walter.

Ironic as Alucard never waited for anyone, especially not time. It had always been his co-existing weapon and yet his eternal companion had just turned against him. Every second that passed he wanted turned back and yet he needed time to tick away, both a crucial part in his master's safety.

The cool winter breeze ruffled his coat. Any impatience was neatly tucked behind his eyes that were overlooking London. Alucard could feel him approaching, rapidly and a patrol car with the lights swiveling on the roof, soon pulled by a side, tires screeching to an abrupt halt. The annoying siren was then turned off, and Walter, dressed in complete London Police uniform, stepped out.

"Always wanted to try that."

The stiff black hat looked odd on his head. It was obvious that it belonged to someone else, as the navy pants fell far below his ankles although his light blue shirt was rather refreshing compared to his orange prison uniform. But Alucard couldn't care less as to what Walter was wearing as he returned his gaze back to the Tower of London.

"How long?"

Walter smiled and ran his gloves through the fine lines of platinum. The Isis Incantation was a simple spell. All he had to do was reach the center of the location and destroy the crystal that harnessed the power of the barrier.

"15 minutes. I just don't compare to my younger days."

He had to be lenient with his estimation as obstacles had to be taken into account. Walter had known the vampire since the first day he joined Hellsing and to be summoned by the No Life King, it meant that the path up ahead would indeed by a challenge.

To be continued…


OMAKE 4:

In an attempt to have Integra (14 years old) to join the ranks of vampires, Alucard decided to use the power of peer pressure, something almost all teenagers are susceptible to… if used correctly that is.

Alucard: You can't join my ACASV club (Alucard's Cool and Sexy Vampire Club) because you are not a vampire! NEH NEH NEH NEH NEH!!!!! NEH NEH NEH NEH NEH!!!!!

Luckily, strong Little Integra was able to resist such temptation.
OMAKE 5: Role Models

This is what you get when the only role models you have are an insane bloody-thirty vampire and a shinigami/bulter, teaching you how to get far in life.

Alucard: Want *spots a really cool gun on some hellsing soldier's waist*

Alucard: Take *kills the guy and takes his gun*

Alucard: Have. *puts the gun into his jacket pocket*

Little Integra (14 years old): Oh! *takes notes*
OMAKE 6: Role Models 2

Walter: As a leader, you must learn how to negotiate. Don't forget to be polite and persuasive. Oh, and always give back when you take. It's the sign of a fair leader…. Observe.

*wraps a piece of wire around a chef's neck*

Walter: I want fried chicken wings, pretty please. *tightens the wire a little harder*

Chef: Take it, take it all!

Walter: *after eating twenty baskets of fried chicken legs Walter leaves behind a pile of bones*
OMAKE 7: Making use of lessons

Integra (16 years old): *Raises an AK-47 at a Round Table meeting* I want twenty million dollars for a new helicopter and a fresh case of cigars and ice cream… please.

Round Table: Sure thing. Just put that thing down and you can have everything you want.

Integra: *happily takes the 20 000 000 dollar check and gave back by firing twenty rounds*