Chapter 3- The leaning Tower

The two men made the treacherous journey up to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. To their dismay, Elizabeth had vanished. John was sworn that he'd see the leech as the two of them made the climb up the monster infested tower. Obviously, the Vampire had put those monsters in the tower. Otherwise the priest would have closed the tower to the public when the monsters arrived in the structure.

When the men got to the top of the tower, it was empty. Nothing resided at the top, which was odd. Out of the blue, Eric sensed something in the distance and then it was followed by the sound of wings. Gracefully gliding through the wind.

The bat landed on one of the pillars on the tower. Eric walked up to the unusually over sized creature as it spoke to him. Well, it tried. All Eric heard was the sound of hissed bat words. The blond smiled as the bat came to fly onto his shoulder.

"I guess it likes you." John said.

"I would agree, but there's something familiar about it."

"Strange. It could be a long lost pet or something."

The bat snickered as it flew back up into the air. The creature began to do some air somersaults as a mist could surrounded it. And it transformed, from bat to man.

"ALUCARD!?" Eric said as the twenty-five year old hugged onto the Dhampir.

"It's good to see you Eric. But what are you doing here?"

"We're tracking down Elizabeth Bartley." John said.

"Ah, I guess my cousin is out again. When will she learn?"

"You're her cousin!?" John said.

'Well, he is the son of Dragula.' Simon said.

"Hello Simon, it's been a while." Eric said.

'Agreed. Pain in my arse.'

"I was not a pain."

'I can't remember which one of you were more annoying. You or Maria.'

"Hey Maria wasn't that annoying." Eric said defending the all ready dead girl.

'Eric she compared her twelve year old breasts to MY grandmother's.'

"What are you two on about?" John asked.

'Time Rift.'

"Sweetpea, Aeon said not to mention it." Alucard said.

'Eric brought it up.'

"Wait, Sweetpea." John laughed.

'Is there something wrong with a same sex relationship?'

"Well no, but you're dead. I would class that as Necrophilia." John replied.

"Leave it please. Because anyone that loves Alucard can be classed as a Necrophiliac." Eric said.

"Let me guess, he's a Vampire."

Eric nodded, "Anyway, Alucard do you know where your cousin has gone?"

"Errr..."

'Germany.'

"Oh you're a cleaver thing you are. But where in Germany?" Alucard asked.

'A munitions factory I believe. In Berlin.'

"Thanks Sweetpea."

"How did he know that?" John asked.

'I'm amazing.' he said with pride.

"Are you going to be coming with us Alucard?" Eric asked.

"I don't see why not. We shall mist there. It's a lot quicker than boat."

"What about Gwendolyn?" Eric distressed.

"I'm sure she won't mind staying in Italy for a little while longer."

xxxxxxxxx-(Germany)

Simon's spirit flew onto his lover's shoulder as they reappeared out from the mist. The German munitions factory was obviously going to be full of monsters, Eric could sense that. John was the first one of them to run out into the factory. Guns blazing and all. John had no patience, but Eric didn't mind because he was soon to follow his childhood friend. Alucard sighed as Simon flew from his shoulder and into his hands. The Dhampir decided to stroke the spirit of his lover. The glow on the ghost became a light pink as Alucard stroked him like a cat.

John turned back to spot the couple having a little moment together, "Guys, we haven't got time for your crap!" he said with his broad Texas accent.

'Our apologies. If we haven't been together for 200 years.'

"Exactly 200? So you died in 1717?" Eric asked.

The ghost nodded sadly, 'I didn't even see my own grandson's birth.'

"Juste." Eric said, "He was born in 1730."

"You know your history." Alucard said, "We should get going Sweetpea. Catchup time will be later, ok?"

'Ok, can I come with?'

"Sure." Alucard said.

"WHAT!?" the two humans said.

"He's dead what could he possibly do to assist us?" John asked.

'I could do this.' Simon said as his spirit flew right into John's chest.

The American man had no resistance to the Simon's strong spirit. In the matter of a few seconds, John's left eye turned a golden colour and Simon had full control over his body. The Dhampir walked over his lover's new temporary host and took him by the lips. The two of them shared a few passionate kisses, before Eric ripped the Dhampir off.

"SIMON!" Eric said, "Why did you possess John?"
"His accent was annoying me and I'm far more powerful than he'll even dream of." Simon replied.

Suddenly, the Vampire Killer began to glow and change colour. The whip turned from brown to black.

"Ah, Sara has returned to you my darling." Alucard said.

"Alucard, what just happened?" Eric said.

"The true power of the Vampire Killer has been reawakened. This came only be done by a Belmont or a ritual that the Lecarde family know. Otherwise, the whip will kill its user."

"That is a complete load of crap." Eric said, "Just get out of John."

"Hang on. I'm getting something."

Alucard grabbed Simon by his waist and drew him closer.

"What are you doing?" Eric asked.

"Channelling Simon's Perception ability." the Dhampir replied.

The couple stayed silent until Simon managed to sense where Elizabeth was.

He shock his head, "She's moved. I think she's playing you two."

"She couldn't have. Are you sure?"

Simon nodded, "Gone, but there is a monster here that you might want to destroy. Whilst me and Adrian have a little moment."

"You are not doing anything in John's body." Eric protested, "Now get out of him!"

"No, I think having the Vampire Killer at it's full potential is better then it not being. She picks her wielders."

"Fine you can stay, but you can't do anything. Where is Elizabeth?"

Simon shrugged, "Let's try France."

Eric sighed, "Why France? Alucard, where is Elizabeth? Does she have a castle of her own?"

"Yeah, it's in England." he replied.

"Let's go there then."