Disclaimer: I do not own TBBT or its characters. I merely play with them. Elizabeth, Thomas, Ana & Vaclav are mine and I love them so.
Rating: Mature for strong language, violence & sexual themes.
Warnings: Language & references to gore.
Italics are character's internal thoughts and/or flashbacks.
A/N: This chapter changes POV quite frequently to show the different aspects of the same fight, but will mostly be Penny's POV. Thank you to all of you have read it, marked it as favorite, are following it and especially to the review I received! I love reviews! They not only make me smile, but inspire me to continue the story. Enjoy!
Elizabeth and Vaclav sat side by side on the plane, going over their final strategy for attacking the warehouse their spy advised was William's Pasadena coven. Their plan was simple, find it, attack it and kill every vampire inside. There would be no taking a risk to seek out anyone willing to switch to their side. Everyone would die. Period.
Penny bounced impatiently in her seat, unable to keep her rapidly growing anxiety from showing. Her fingers twisted in her purple vintage t-shirt, while her khaki pants covered legs seemed to never stop moving.
"Penny, please stop moving so much." Sheldon irritably spoke, unable to stand her constant shifting any longer. The flight from London, where they stopped to refuel the chartered plane, had been long and exhausting and wearing on the coven members.
"I can't, Sheldon. Aren't you the least bit excited to be returning to Pasadena?" Penny looked to him with hopeful eyes.
"Not particularly, no." Sheldon turned back to his notes. He would be in charge of the vampires who would be stationed on the roof top, to keep an eye out for any approaching threats or vampires who flee the building.
"What? Why?" Penny turned in her seat, removing her lap belt and facing Sheldon.
"Penny, please put your seat belt back on. It's unsafe to fly without it." Sheldon scolded, shaking his head in derision. Penny rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on, Moonpie, admit it, you're a little excited." Penny smiled brightly, her green eyes sparkling.
"Do not call me Moonpie, Penny!" Sheldon snapped, his eyes immediately shifting red as he looked to her. Penny quickly ducked her head, damning her forgetful mind. Sheldon had made it perfectly clear, crystal in fact, that she was to not use that nickname…ever. The nickname was a painful reminder of the life he left behind. While he did not regret giving his life up to spend it with Elizabeth, he did not want the reminders of it either.
"I'm sorry, Sheldon. I forgot." Penny softly responded, turning in her seat to face forward once more and buckling her belt.
The two friends sat quietly, each lost in their own minds. Sheldon made further adjustments to his plan, focusing on where the three men he was assigned would stand. It was the first time he would be in charge of his own men and while the prospect was exciting, he was slightly nervous as well.
An hour later, content with his plan, Sheldon meticulously returned his plans to his messenger bag, ensuring everything was put in its proper place. Leaning back on the headrest, he allowed his thoughts to return to the place he left behind. Would it look different? Should he go by Cal Tech and see what changes have been made? What about Stuart's comic book shop?
"Penny," Sheldon softly interrupted her thoughts. Penny turned to him with a soft smile. "I'm not looking forward to returning because I'm anxious about what we might see."
Penny nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I want to go and see Raj, Amy, Howard, Bernadette. Hell, I even want to go to the stupid comic book store. Just see everyone and catch up."
"I know. I was having very similar thoughts." Sheldon admitted, trying to ignore the ache he felt in his chest.
"Listen up." Elizabeth snapped, standing at the front of the plane looking back towards the coven members they were bringing from Romania. Only 20 were taken, but they would join the 50 that she called in from around the US. "When we land in Pasadena, we are going to go to our meeting point. The other coven members will be there already. We will suit up and then head to the warehouse immediately. I can already guess that William will be aware we are coming so the fight will start fairly quickly and it will be hard. Any questions need to be held for the briefing at our meeting point. We will be landing in approximately 15 minutes, so please make sure you have everything you need. We need to get off this plane as quickly as possible."
Elizabeth did not wait for anyone to acknowledge her. She was in battle mode, she gave commands, not suggestions.
The mood at the meeting point, the ballroom at an old abandoned hotel, was a mixture of excitement and aggression. The 50 vampires of the Dracul coven from the US were all excited to see their Queen. All bowed to her, many with doe-eyed glances at the beautiful woman. Thankfully Penny was at Sheldon's side to poke him or elbow him when his expression turned into a glower. It mattered to no one that Sheldon had walked in beside his wife or that she would soften her hard expression when she looked to him. In the eyes of her devoted coven members, there was only one person in the room worthy of admiration.
Elizabeth, Vaclav and Thomas spread out amongst the members. Elizabeth and Vaclav had organized a stealthy, but functional battle plan. Elizabeth would go through the front, as expected by William's coven members. Vaclav would come in through the rear while Thomas would come in from above. All angles would be attacked while William's coven focused on the woman in red. Sheldon was less than thrilled with the idea of his wife taking the frontline in the fight, but at Simon's suggestion, he kept it to himself.
It took only 45 minutes to have everyone dressed, equipped and briefed on their roll in the battle. Elizabeth had the most on her team, 25. Vaclav had 20 while Thomas had 15. The rest would be stationed around the building or atop it to keep runaways to a minimum. With the hour fast approaching, Elizabeth excused herself from the room and sought out sanctuary in an empty, dark room. Sheldon leaned against the doorframe while Vaclav stood guard.
Inside the dark, empty, dilapidated room, Elizabeth knelt on the floor. Her head dropped down and hands outstretched with palms facing up. He could not hear her words, though he know she spoke in her native tongue, Latin. Though she spoke Romanian and Hungarian flawlessly, Latin was the language she was raised to speak by her Uncle. A noble language as he had said.
Only minutes later Elizabeth rose from her position at the floor. Standing tall she looked a vision in her blood red armor and hair hanging loosely at her back. Vaclav smirked with a slight shake of his head.
"She looks just like him when she's ready to fight." Vaclav mused quietly.
"I can only imagine what they were like side by side." Sheldon cocked his head to the side, allowing his mind to wander back to the rare times he had seen Elizabeth and Vlad in a post-battle setting. Unfortunately, he had never been able to witness them in action.
"Frightening." Vaclav responded honestly. "Many would throw their swords and bow to them. Better to be the right hand to the devil than in his path."
Sheldon nodded silently. Vaclav had said a mouthful.
Elizabeth slowly turned around and Sheldon felt himself shiver at the sight. Once again Elizabeth's eyes had taken on an entirely unsettling aura. The black color was accented with a red-orange aura that looked to be fire burning in her eyes. The last time he had seen his wife's eyes in such a fury was when John had declared his war against the sadistic Queen. It was morbidly comforting to Sheldon to see Elizabeth in such a rage, it meant she would be ruthless and kill with a speed that none of William's coven could match.
"We're ready when you are, my Queen." Vaclav bowed to the dark woman, angling his neck in a show of submission. Sheldon was the only vampire who never needed to show his submission.
Elizabeth nodded and with long strides left the room, her hand lovingly caressing against Sheldon's as she passed by.
Sheldon and Vaclav quickly followed the woman in red, standing just behind the table she jumped upon to face her the loyal members of her coven. An eerie silence befell the room, all red eyes focused on the woman.
"William has declared war upon the Dracul coven." Elizabeth began, her voice bellowing inside the room. "No one in his coven will be spared this night. We will respond to his threat with one of our own and we will be victorious. We are the oldest and most powerful coven amongst our kind and we will not bow to him."
Sheldon looked out amongst the red eyes that were focused intently upon his wife. The many men and women of all ages looked upon Elizabeth in awe. It was apparent that every vampire that stood inside that old, run town hotel was loyal to the Dracul coven and was willing to fight for it's safety. Not as individuals, but as one.
"Do you, loyal members of this coven, stand here on your own free will? Will you stand beside me as we respond to William's threat with unwavering strength and brutality?" Elizabeth gripped her spear tightly, every muscle in her body tightening in anticipation of the bloody battle that would be had.
Elizabeth's loud speech was met with loud cheers and raised weapons, showing their Queen they were prepared to fight with her and for her. Elizabeth smirked down at the sea of armored vampires, ready to lead her followers into battle. Every person that stood before her was her family and Elizabeth would defend them aggressively.
Elizabeth jumped down from the table, moving between the parting sea of her followers towards the doors. She would lead them, she would always ensure that she was on the frontline and never stand behind them. The rowdy, excited coven members followed their Queen, separating out into the groups they had been ordered into. Penny looked to Thomas, her group leader, with a slight nervousness.
"Stay near me, Penelope, and we will come out this night." Thomas ordered, though there was a softness in his tone that Penny rarely heard from the man. A small smile graced her lips.
"We'll be okay right?" She whispered, her voice quivering as her steps moved her closer to the doors and their bus.
"William may have numbers, but we have something he does not." Thomas smirked, turning to look at Penny with his red eyes glowing with excitement. "The two most sadistic people that have ever walked this Earth."
Penny nodded, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. She had trained alongside Thomas and Vaclav many times over the past 8 years, but this would be the first battle she walked into as a high ranking coven member and she felt entirely too unprepared.
Sheldon and Vaclav walked side by side, following behind the last of the followers.
"Vaclav, please keep my wife safe." Sheldon stared straight ahead, his eyes red and fangs prominent.
Vaclav turned his head towards Sheldon, though did not stop his steps. His left hand gripped his morning star tighter. "With my life."
Penny followed closely behind Thomas, her swords firmly in hand, as they quietly moved into the center stairway. She was grateful that they had been able to gain access to the rooftop of the large warehouse fairly easily and undetected from a neighboring building.
Thomas moved with cat like grace, his red eyes taking in every corner of the softly illuminated gray stairwell. Now at the doorway to the top floor, Thomas raised his hand signaling to his team to stop their steps and ready their weapons. They were not to move until Elizabeth and her team had entered the building and the battle had begun.
Penny closed her eyes, willing her bottom lip to stop its incessant quivering. Thankfully she had gotten her arms to stop, but it seemed that her body was insistent that some part of her be quivering in anxiety. Thomas looked over to Penny, furrowing his brows at her obvious nerves. With a small smirk, Thomas playfully nudged her causing her eyes to open quickly and look to him.
"It's okay." He mouthed silently, nodding his head reassuringly. She was unsure why it was a calming gesture, but it was and with a confident smile she nodded her head. Standing tall, she tightened her grip on her swords and readied her mind and body. She would fight for her family and every member of their coven present was her family.
Thomas leaned closer to the door, smiling broadly when he heard the main doors kick open and Elizabeth's team begin their assault. He allowed seconds to pass before retreating steps could no longer be heard. He turned towards his team, nodding his head and turned to the door and with a swift kick of his leg sent the door flying off the hinges.
Now that the battle was underway, Penny felt an abnormal calm overcome her. The team had spread out as mapped out by Elizabeth and Vaclav, killing any of William's followers without prejudice. Elizabeth's orders had been clear, they all die. Penny and Thomas moved quickly across the top floor with soundless steps. As they were approaching a corner Thomas reared back and threw a protective arm across Penny, slamming her against the wall while a bow shot through the air missing them by mere centimeters. Thomas grit his teeth and quickly turned knowing the archers would have precious seconds wasted, his quick steps advanced on the two men severing their heads before they could raise their bows.
"Penelope!" Thomas yelled to her, indicating it was safe to follow. Penny quickly turned and ran along the old stained checkerboard vinyl towards Thomas. She barely heard the steps behind her and was quickly turning. Seeing the mark on the side of the man's neck indicated he was a high ranking coven member of William's. Penny swung her right arm and in a quick motion cut the throat of the surprised man. The man fell to the floor in a heap, grasping at his throat in vain. Penny gave no second thought before turning and running after Thomas who was clearing one of the rooms.
Sheldon sat on the edge of the roof, hidden behind an empty storage house watching the perimeter carefully. Their snipers were stationed on the roofs of the surrounding buildings, swiftly and efficiently executing any escaping member. Sheldon was relieved that Leonard had created the tracking devices that would mark which members were of the Dracul coven. Discrete metal bracelets were worn on the right wrist of the coven members, a small microchip inside so the snipers could see through their goggles who were friendly and who were not. So far, it had been peaceful…outside at least.
The ground floor was sheer chaos. Blood painted nearly every surface form the violent fight that Elizabeth and Vaclav lead. Vaclav swung his morning star with experienced precision, slamming the heavy spiked metal against the soft skulls of the traitors. He would never tire of the crack that would follow or the spray of blood.
Elizabeth moved quickly through the floor, her spear and hands heavily coated in blood. As she had fought many times before, Elizabeth speared through the throat and through the chest. It was quick and efficient and she would admit it did spray a lot of blood. Though she could not savor the sweet satisfaction that accompanied slowly and methodically torturing traitors to death, she could enjoy the sweet aroma of their blood spilled at her feet.
Thomas, Penny and his team cleared the top floor of the warehouse in record time before quickly moving down to the next floor. Thomas was grateful the building only had 3 floors because he knew that if Elizabeth had to come up to get them, there would be hell to pay.
"Penelope, take a team and head that way," Thomas pointed his bloodied hand towards the other end, "kill and meet me in the middle."
"Got it." Penny responded quickly, nodding her head to the 4 vampires that were following behind her.
Thomas watched Penny run off with an impressed smirk. She had found her footing in this battle and he would admit, he was very impressed.
Penny ran, quickly ducking when a sword swung at her neck level. How she knew it was coming, she didn't know, she just did. Her right hand swung and her sword met the back of the vampire's knees. The woman fell to the floor with a heavy scream before being silenced by Penny's sword beheading her.
"Fan out and check the rooms, I'll check here." Penny ordered to the other coven members. The 3 men and 1 woman nodded immediately and followed the higher ranking vampire's orders without question. Penny slowly crept into the room, her eyes taking the heavy machinery in. She shook her head absentmindedly with how much it reminded her of a lab. She had seen similar equipment at the University, but was unsure what the equipment did.
Keeping her level low, Penny moved soundlessly, red eyes constantly darting about. Her movements abruptly stopped when she heard a soft sob of a woman followed by a soft shush from what sounded like a man. Penny adjusted her hands and waited for the moment to strike.
"I think they're gone." The man softly whispered.
With an evil smirk, Penny quickly turned and raised her swords, but stopped in her tracks. Her red eyes widened in shock, swords still raised in the air as she looked down at the two shaking fledglings that were huddled together on the floor.
"Penny?" The blonde woman softly asked in shock.
"Bernadette? Howard?" Penny gasped.
Thomas waited impatiently in the center of the darkened floor beside the stairs that lead to the first floor, looking over in the direction he had sent Penny and her team. Her team had returned, but Penny had not.
"Wait here." Thomas ordered to the group, running towards the doorway the woman who was with Penny had advised Penny went through. As he was rounding the corner Penny appeared in the doorway, forcing the man to come to a halt.
"What took so long?" Thomas barked, his eyes looking over Penny's shoulder.
"I had to clear the room, there's a lot of equipment in here. I think once this is over we should bring Sheldon in here. He might recognize some of it." Penny supplied neutrally, indicating for Thomas to step aside so she could pass.
Thomas nodded his head with slightly furrowed brows, but followed Penny anyway. Their fight was coming to an end quickly and they needed to be prepared to meet with their Queen.
Elizabeth looked around at the carnage that was the ground floor. The torn vinyl floors were painted red with the blood of traitors. The walls too were splattered with blood and in some areas torn down. Vaclav and his men had been brutes in their fight, throwing vampires up against or even through walls. Vaclav stood off to the side, leaning against the wall and ignoring the blood that covered his armor, arms, hands and face. He was content with how fast the fight had been won, but disappointed that they did not have the time to drain their kills.
He watched in appreciation as Elizabeth drew her spear to eye level, admiring the beauty of the metal object glistening in blood. She closed her eyes as she lovingly ran her tongue up the side of the weapon, moaning at the sweetness of the combined blood of the many vampires who had died at her spear. It was the taste of victory.
"Grab Sheldon and bring him down here immediately." Penny barked to the redheaded vampire who had somehow become her shadow. The young vampire, who only appeared to be 18 at best in age, nodded quickly and ran to the stairs, taking them two at a time to get to the roof. It was an honor to fight alongside a high ranking coven member and the young vampire hoped the Queen would take note.
"Penelope, we need to join our Queen." Thomas nodded towards the stairs.
"Go, I'll be down in a moment. Sheldon's coming down to see the equipment. As soon as he's here, I'll come." Penny provided quickly, smiling slightly at the dark haired man. Thomas narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but did not wait around. It was her head on the line.
Penny waited anxiously for Sheldon to arrive. She hoped that he would recognize the hidden message in her odd request for him to join her, but snorted when she realized the man moved at his own speed. Anxious moments passed before the redheaded vampire appeared with a broad smile nodding her head at the unimpressed man who was walking behind her.
"Thanks, uh…" Penny trailed off with a small smile.
"Erin." The young vampire provided.
"Thanks, Erin." Penny smiled. "Please go downstairs, the Queen will have a debriefing."
Erin nodded and ran quickly towards the stairs to join the rest of their gathering coven.
Sheldon stopped at the doorway, looking at Penny with narrowed eyes.
"Is there a reason there are two of William's coven inside this room with you standing guard?" Sheldon harshly asked, his arms crossing.
Penny reared back, furrowing her brows. "How the hell –"
"The sensors, Penny." Sheldon interrupted, irate that Penny would defy a direct order given by his wife. He knew that Elizabeth did not take defiance well, at all, and this meant he would have to act as mediator and once again find himself on the end of Elizabeth's fury. "Why did you not kill them?"
"Sheldon," Penny started, but quickly shook her head. "You just have to see."
Sheldon rolled his eyes and followed the blonde pain in his ass into the lab, ignoring all the equipment and mentally trying to come up with a plan to get Penny out of the hole she was digging for herself.
"Holy Frak! Sheldon?!" Sheldon stopped, his eyes widening as Howard stepped out looking equally as shocked to see him. Howard looked tired, pale, and dirty in his what appeared to be dark blue scrubs.
"What the fuck?" Sheldon whispered in shock.
"Oh my god!" Bernadette cried, leaning on Penny heavily. Penny rubbed her back in a soothing gesture while looking at Sheldon with pleading eyes.
Sheldon groaned loudly when he heard heavy approaching steps. Of course Elizabeth would know two of William's coven still live. Thomas had a sensor.
"Sheldon, we can't let her kill them." Penny pleaded, her voice cracking as tears flooded her eyes.
"They're William's coven, Penny." Sheldon whispered sadly, mentally calculating the seconds he had to come up with a very good reason he was standing there.
"Sheldon! They're our friends!" Penny cried, tears streaming down her face as she held Bernadette even tighter. The small blonde looked exceptionally frail and nothing like the strong woman he knew before. Even Howard looked subdued, his red eyes shadowed by dark circles and his hair knotted.
"Does someone want to explain to me exactly why two of William's coven still live and why two of my own high ranking coven members stand guard?"
Sheldon cringed, closing his eyes and taking a moment to calm himself before turning around. Elizabeth stood in the doorway, her hand gripping her spear tightly with Thomas behind her, the dark man shaking his head in disgust at Penny.
Sheldon, smiled softly, taking a step forward. "My love –"
Sneak Peak: Bernadette and Howard are taken back to Romania with the Dracul coven and catch Leonard and Penny how their friends have been. At the suggestion from Vaclav, Sheldon whisks Elizabeth away on a romantic getaway.