Author's Note(s): The chapter title is a play on the original title of the "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" book called "Alice's Adventures Under Ground". X3
Also from what I've learned from all the MARVEL cartoons and movies, etc. I've seen, iPads are called StarkPads. XD Leave it to Iron Man/Tony Stark to own that.
Just feel like repeating that this fic is a MARVEL/Hellsing Crossover of sorts; meaning it's based within the combined universes of both fandoms but with my own fun twists that you'll see as you go. X3
'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!'
~Alice's Adventures through the Looking-Glass.
"William's Misadventures Under Ground"
A few weeks passed rather uneventfully. Will had unpacked and was getting better at finding his way around the place. It was rather odd though… there were a few times that he had bizarre dreams that were different from the ones he usually had, that seemed more like flashes of images.
They were about darkness that wanted to swallow him up, and piercing red eyes crinkling like they were smiling at him; which were what haunted the majority of these flashes, before he would wake with a start and look around.
As if Will might see those eyes looking back at him. And every once in a while, he got that unnerving feeling like unseen eyes were upon him; as if he were a program being viewed on a television.
He didn't really watch much television, unless it was the news or something that might be helpful. Or when his friend Wade Wilson managed to steal him away for a while to watch something, as Will was usually busy in some room like a library or his own room with his nose buried deep in some book, scroll, or ancient tome researching.
His aunt gave him the first few days off to rest and unpack when he wasn't going to her office to get some paperwork between their respective groups out of the way. But of course, like everyone else in the mansion, the agent had been given things with which to occupy himself and stay out of trouble.
Mostly it was just books to read or things to study. William had even been given a tutor that showed up twice a week to teach him about business. It was to help groom him to be knowledgeable like Integra, and perhaps have a position in the family business, as all he'd had was training to be an agent and scientist of S.H.I.E.L.D.
But William highly doubted he'd be entrusted with anything really important since his aunt was so protective over him. If anything he'd probably just end up more like a forgotten relic than to prove his usefulness or have a real place here.
It made him sigh and miss being on the tricarrier again. At least then he was allowed to go on certain missions. Or for that matter go out at all. William hated being treated like some fragile glass figurine that might be shattered at the slightest look.
William wasn't some little kid anymore. He was an agent of a badass espionage and law-enforcement agency, that tried to protect the world from all manner of threats, and even sometimes from itself. Though, Will supposed the irony wasn't entirely lost on him there.
When he wasn't busy with the educational activities of the day or paperwork and such from S.H.I.E.L.D. of his own that usually came in via being electronically sent to the StarkPad agents like Will usually had, he would occasionally be asked by his aunt to have tea with him. But mostly, there was quite a bit of free time and plenty of boredom.
So, Will did what he usually did best and spent his time reading things he liked or thought might be interesting while listening to music on his headphones. He wandered around the mansion, and during the daylight hours when Integra allowed, Will could go outside and enjoy the garden in the backyard. It had nice places to just bask in the sun and daydream for a while or cloud gaze.
And on this particular cloud gazing day, he couldn't help missing being able to go out at night… how long had it been since he last laid out on the cool, shadow darkened grass and gazed up at the starry heavens? Heh, probably not since the last time he went on a mission with that Regeneratin' Degenerate friend of his.
Will absentmindedly traced his fingers over the mystical protective black choker that was suppose to help mask the intoxicatingly sweet and alluring scent his angelic body gave off, and other little yet important things like that.
It seemed inhuman things were drawn to him like that. It was why Integra didn't want him to go around the vampire girl she'd spoken of earlier. He didn't blame her though.
Even with the magical restraint, he still gave off enough of a scent that someone close might become ensnared by it. Such was a rarity to happen, as he didn't like his personal space being invaded for reasons such as that, but it did still happen.
Unfortunately, thoughts like that made him feel rather sad, somewhat angry, and depressed because they reminded his of the past… and Will didn't like the past very much. So, with that, he got up and went inside.
The sun was starting to set anyways… might as well get some reading done in the library. At least his aunt had some readable reading material outside the boring business educational junk.
It helped pass the time. And he had his own books about the occult and so forth in case he needed them. One of his favorite books among them however, were both of the tales of "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice through the Looking Glass", that his mother used to read to him.
Will wasn't sure how late it was when he heard a crashing sound, followed by a shriek, but he still hurried out to find out what was happening. He tore down the halls until he came into one of the large rooms where other halls intersected, and the strong scent of alcohol made his nose crinkle in disgust at the foul smell.
He saw Henry staring with fright and sadness at a doorway; there was a crate of glass and wine shattered and seeping out everywhere at the butlers feet. He looked a lot like he had when William scared him that very first day.
"Henry, what happened?" The young umberet asked, and the shorter male jumped when he heard the others voice. "I-it just c-came out of nowhere! I-I don't kn-know what ha-happened!" He suddenly hiccupped and looked like he was about to cry.
"Calm down. Just tell me what happened. Maybe I can help." Will offered kindly, and his tone did help to soothe Henry a little. He looked to the taller male hopefully; his eyes all big like a puppy's.
"R-really?! W-well… okay… I w-was getting S-sir Integra some w-wine from the cellar w-when this h-horrible rodent came out of n-nowhere and landed on m-my h-head!" Will tried not to laugh as he told his story; like it was some grand tale of horror and violence.
"T-then when I w-went to swat it a-away, it fell d-down and t-took my grandfathers p-pocket watch!" At this the taller lad frowned. Why would a rat want a pocket watch? Will supposed it might like it because it was shiny… but didn't they prefer things they could actually eat? It sounded strange…
"Okay… well, why don't I go get it for ya?" Henry was taken aback, but instantly took him up on the offer, as he took ahold of the umberet hands in his own. The young Penwood REALLY hated rats, but he also wanted his watch back. He didn't really have many options.
"Y-you'd do that for m-me?! Oh, I-I'd be ever s-so grateful! P-please, get it b-back! It's a-all I have l-left of my grandfather!" Will gave him a soft half smile as the other practically sobbed. The sentiment making his heart clench and making him want to help even more.
So after Henry's many thanks and getting his permission to go down into the cellar, as it was considered a lower level, did Will take the flashlight the other offered him, and began his descent down the worn stone steps.
The stone corridor was incredibly long, and what with how dark it was despite the dim lights that lined the walls every few feet, it seemed to go on forever. His eyes scoured every inch he treaded, but there wasn't any sign of the rat or the watch yet, so onward he went.
Hmm… seemed the angelic agent would have to go deeper than just the cellar area if he was to find what he was looking for. William bit his bottom lip hesitantly, before deciding that he had told the butler he would get it for him. So not much point in worrying about getting in trouble with his aunt for now.
It all sort of reminded Will of the story of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" with the pocket watch the White Rabbit had, and how Alice had followed him down a rabbit-hole where it was all dark, and yet just light enough she could see…
'Mmmm! What is that? It doesn't smell like that jittery brat Integra hired…'
The further Will ventured, the colder and darker things seemed to get. But he didn't really mind. Apart from having on his favorite overcoat, Will was used to it. In fact, it was more comforting than frightening to someone like him.
It was only the feeling of eyes upon him again that put the young man on edge. So he began talking to himself again to help pass the time and take his mind off of it. As it was starting to creep him out. Guess it was a good thing he couldn't hear the thoughts of what was watching him…
'Ooooh! It's him!'
" Down, down, down... Would the fall NEVER come to an end? I must be getting somewhere near the center of the earth." Will quoted from memory; improvising a few bits and squishing together the parts he thought fit his situation as he went deeper still into the sub-levels.
Despite his senses and symbiote senses tingling with paranoia of having unseen eyes on him, he couldn't give up. Henry was counting on him to return with that watch. Remembering the heart clenching look on his face, and the tone of loss and sorrow that filled his voice helped to strengthen the umber haired youths resolve. Especially when he heard the soft scarping of metal on rock!
'Come, come now little one… just a little farther…'
"'Could you walk a little faster, said the whiting to the snail. There's a porpoise right behind us and he's treading on my tail!' Huh… that's weird… where'd that thought come from?" Will wondered curiously to himself as his pace quickened.
And as it did, so did his anticipation at getting closer to his goal. The flashlights rays hit something that glinted up ahead and he broke out into a run! The scraping sound hastened and then it became muffled. His travels led him to a very old and very creepy looking door.
It had strange, occult looking markings on it with broken chains and straps. And Will couldn't tell if the dark, reddish stains spattered on it was old blood or rust… or even perhaps, a bit of both. But he had a feeling the watch was just on the other side. It made no sense to give up now when he was so close! Just a little further…
'Yes… almost there now…'
"Do cats eat bats, I wonder? Or do bats eat cats?" Will muttered breathlessly to himself; taking mild amusement in his own little quoting of one of his favorite stories, as he hesitantly reached out with a bare hand. He didn't like wearing his gloves all the time, such as today.
And then, after a brief pause as Will remembered those sinisterly smiling eyes and giving himself a mental shake while inwardly telling himself that he had faced much scarier things than ominous eyes, did he fix the door with a determined look before pulling it open with a long, steady creeeeeeeeeeeeeak.
The instant he opened the door, the familiar aroma of stale air and decay hit him in the face and his breath hitched before he adjusted. William shone the beam of the flashlight around to try and get a better look, but upon taking a step inside, did the lights on the walls flicker on and he froze.
'Hahn, there… isn't that better?'
Will really hoped it was some sort of motion sensor… but when had his luck ever been that good? The young man noticed something twinkle as he scoped out the room, and when he took a step closer, he could see that it was a quaint little silver pocket watch! It had a rather elegant little engraving and it was attached to a chain that all lay upon a large black looking table with gold trim.
However, upon further inspection, which meant he was paying more attention to what he was looking at, did Will realize that the table was a very large coffin! Seemed he wasn't too far off about there being someone buried here. The young Hellsing wondered with morbid curiosity if there was a corpse in there, but figured he shouldn't disturb it.
'Come closer…'
He approached it slowly; like the paranoid halfling was worried something might suddenly pop out at him, which with all due respect had happened to him before, and he picked up the watch.
'Yeeeeesssssss…! Closer now…'
Will was about to turn and leave when the writing on the coffin caught his eye. Had it been there before…? It was hard to make out in the flickering, hardly useful lights above, so he leaned down to get a better look at it.
'Just a little more… come on… touch it. TOUCH IT!'
"The Bird of Hermes is my name…" Will spoke softly aloud to no one; tracing his finger over the inscription to wipe off the dust as he read each word. "Eating my wings to make me tam-ah! What the…?" Will gasped as something sharp cut deep enough in his finger to make it bleed quite a bit.
"How did that… happen…?" The curious agent blinked bemusedly; staring at his bleeding finger curiously, as the droplets quickly fell onto the black box. How the heck had it cut him like that?
'Wh-what… is this…? So dark… sooooo sweet…'
Will stuck the injured digit into his mouth and got up to leave as it healed up due to his natural talents combined with those of the symbiotes. Only to pause again at seeing the crimson that had trickled from his wound look like it was being absorbed into the coffin!
'Mmm… full of delicious torment and… yeeesssss… Need more…'
His silver-indigo eyes widened in shock and he felt the need to get the heck out of that room before anything else weird happened. Before Will could even think about running to the door to make a quick exit, the lid of the coffin burst off and fell to the side with a clatter.
'Ah, ahhhhh… You're not going anywhere, little morsel!'
Darkness swirled up and rippled about from the inside of the box like it was alive; a shadowy figure began to form from the dark mystic mist. And then, suddenly, a wispy black tendril shot out at the young nephilim and pinned him to the wall by his slender throat!
Will gasped and fought against it, but his hands would only go through it. It was like fighting the air itself! Why wasn't his choker doing anything to help? Wasn't it supposed to help hide him from such nightmarish things?!
His feet just dangled helplessly beneath him while the black mass began stepping out of the coffin and toward him; the sound of dark, eerie whispers all around the agent that he couldn't discern, as the shadow felt a strange charge from touching the human. But this particular monster took a curious and sadistic liking to it and therefore ignored it while he focused on his prey.
And to the young mans further shock, a pair of slits appeared over the area where the face should be, and they opened slowly into the same menacing red eyes that he had become so wonted with! The eyes crinkled in a smirking way as it seemed to know he recognized them.
'All the better to see you with, my dear…'
Then, a vicious looking mouth appeared and bared a Cheshire grin of demonically pointed, deadly looking teeth; and Will was sure now that the eyes he had seen before had indeed been smiling…
The form seemed to be solidifying, because the darkness that made it up began resembling some sort of leather material comprised of many straps. And in an instant, the hulking blackness was towering over him; placing a materializing hand against the wall on one side of William's head, as the pitch face with only those wild eyes leered down at the tastily sweet and innocent looking youth.
'All the better to eat you with!'
Will knew he should've felt fear or panic, and this creature seemed to know it too, for it looked at him curiously when his pulse didn't quicken, and his attempts to fight off the nightmarish creature ceased; as Will tried to think of another way to fend it off since the other way was just wasting precious oxygen and energy.
But then… Will's mouth opened, and for a moment, the figure regarded him with a twitch of eerie anticipation, as it thought he might scream. But then, those pink, full lips moved as if the young man were trying to say something.
'Hmm… I wonder if your screams sound as delectable as your blood…?'
And when the grip around the agents neck loosened so he could take in a breath of air as he landed weakly on his feet, did Will look right up into the face of the man that came out of the darkness; both of those very red eyes focused intently on the human with a slight tilt of his head as he waited.
"Sorry, but there ain't no paper label around the neck of this bottle that says 'DRINK ME' or 'EAT ME'." The mysterious shadow creatures eyes widened with surprise, and was even further taken aback when his body suddenly lurched forward and glanced down to see the cause of his pain.
'Wh-what… are you…?'
This curious young man had one of his willowy arms impaling through the shadow creatures heart! The man stumbled back, and just as he was about to look up at Will when the youngling retracted his appendage, did the dark stranger received a blow to the face that actually knocked him back!
"You should stick to mushrooms." Will quipped; his none too stable mind still on its "Alice" hype, before hurrying out of the room and slamming the door shut behind him. The young Hellsing seriously wondered if that thing he'd just seen was the real reason his aunt didn't want him down there. As the halflings footsteps quickly faded into the dark, the shadowy figure of the man had finished forming.
And against the wall leaned what looked like a man clad in red, black and white Victorian styled attire, but who was far from human. Alucard had been busy battling all his lives and trying to rebuild himself, when the strange presence of this new inhabitant gained his attention, and stirred him from his battles just enough that he knew it was time to finish things up.
Alucard decided to stop playing around and really get down to business. Which was why he finished up in time to create a rat familiar, despite his weakened state, and lure someone down with the hopes of getting some blood packets to get the process going. Hahn, or maybe get a bite to drink while he was at it.
Much to his astonishment, it turned out to be the umberet who had taken the bait and awoke him with some of the most tantalizing blood the vampire'd had in… well, he couldn't really remember. All Alucard knew was that it awakened his ravenous hunger, and before he could get ahold of his senses, he had the intriguing half human against the wall.
What the other had said before attacking him had been curious and yet amusing. It was one reason why it caught him off guard. Though, it wasn't too often he ended up falling for his own move of getting a hand rammed through the chest. Or getting knocked that hard by someone so… delicate looking…
Well, now that Alucard was awake and had a little energy, he should probably check in with his boss, since he knew the grumpy woman was still alive. He doubted someone that stubborn could die so easily, even with him absent. Integra had always been the type to give the Grim Reaper himself a run for his money.
Not having the strength to go all the way up by the usual means, he let his shadow powers take him just outside of Integra's bedroom. The vampire always knew where his master was and he always would.
With his usual graceful stealth that just came naturally, Alucard entered her bedroom and saw how her neck was exposed. A grin came across his tired features as he thought he'd see if she was still the Integra he knew by trying to take a bite.
This was of course greeted by a gun to the face and a few shots that knocked him back. Hmm, a bit of déjà vu it would seem. Ah well, at least his master wasn't an easy target from her old age. That had at least been entertaining he guessed.
Then, Seras stormed in to see what the heck was going on. "What's going on- Master?!" She called out in worry to Integra with her giant cannon of a gun in hand. "That was a rough welcome. And it was as noisy as ever." Alucard quipped in playfully sarcastic way, as he looked up from where he sat against the wall to his master; who as surprised to see him as Seras was.
"MASTER!" The Police Girl cried happily at seeing Alucard. Integra sat up in her bed; arms folded over her chest and looking weary. "The battle ended long ago, Alucard. What have you been doing?"
"I've been killing… my lives… inside me. Three million, four hundred, eight thousand sixty-seven. I killed them. Killed all of them but "one". Now I'm here. Now I'm nowhere, yet I can be anywhere. Therefore I'm here." Was the No Life King's smooth yet handsomely eerie reply. Seemed he hadn't changed a bit, Integra thought.
"You're late… So late. It took you long enough, Alucard." His master did not look pleased like he thought she might. In fact, there was a strange sort of sadness to even her usually composed face that struck a nerve with him.
"Sorry." He apologized earnestly with a slight tilt of his head and the faintest of smiles to show he meant it. Integra couldn't help smiling as she stood. "You were about to suck my blood… weren't you?" She asked as she coolly approached her faithful servant.
"Yes, I was. I haven't eaten in thirty years. I'm famished!" He confessed most eagerly; his eyes becoming alight at remembering that heavenly tease of a taste of the newcomer that had brought him back.
"I'm an old lady now, you know." Integra stated a tad sadly. "Fine by me." Alucard assured coolly. His master smiled kindly and then used her teeth to make a wound in one of her fingers, before holding it out for him to drink enough of her virgin blood to regain some of his strength.
"Welcome back, Count." Integra told him with that rare yet warm fondness of hers he'd grown accustomed to. "Indeed, Count. I'm home." The vampire replied in much the same manner as his master as he leaned forward enough and opened his mouth to partake in the blood of his master that was so rarely ever offered.
And so went the little reunion of the Hellsing gang. Alucard had been in the middle of catching the blood that dripped down from a wound Integra had made on her finger, when a voice caught his attention and his eyes shifted over to the sylphlike figure that stood in the doorway.
"Aunt Integra, why are you feeding him?" William asked tentatively, with silvery purplish blue eyes wide with curiosity and concern for his aunt. He'd heard a commotion on his way back to his room and wanted to make sure Integra was okay. Alucard quirked an interested brow at this. Aunt eh? Well, that would explain the rough way they had of greeting him.
"I had been wanting to debrief you about all of this, William… but I had been trying to wait until our guest here returned before I deemed it necessary. His name is Alucard and he is one of Hellsing's most valued assets." Integra informed; looking rather displeased about Will having found out in a manner that she had not intended.
"I see…" The lad stated almost stoically as he glanced to Alucard, to see that he was staring at the halfling with hooded eyes; drinking down the crimson sweetness his aunt offered him, as the tip of his tongue flicked over pale lips every now and then to eagerly catch every last molecule of it.
For some reason Will felt an odd little tingling sensation spread from where his finger had been cut earlier to his hand. It was very curious… but the umberet decided to just shrug it off as the weirdness of tonight.
Will unconsciously clenched and unclenched his strangely pleasantly tingling hand a few times, and tried to keep his face from heating up into the faintest of blushes; thankful that the room was dark.
Alucard noticed with a spark of interest that the young mans finger was no longer bleeding and that the wound had healed since the other still wasn't wearing gloves. Then he watched as the shorter male turned his gaze back to Integra, and Alucard smiled a little because Will hadn't looked away in fear or disgust. It was simply to continue the conversation. How oddly polite.
"So, I take it this one here is the vampire you told me about earlier." It wasn't really a question as Will regarded the Police Girl; who blushed and began to fidget with her gun as she gave a nervous giggle. "Um… hello.." She muttered politely.
Seras felt a little relieved when the umberet gave her a brief smile and nod of silent greeting before looking back to his aunt, as he thought the vampire girl seemed nice. "Yes. This one is called Seras Victoria. She is Alucard's fledgling." Integra explained as calmly as ever.
"And I take it that you've given her orders to stay away from me." William asked coolly; though Alucard caught the glint of something akin to annoyance in the others tone. Though of what, the vampire had no idea. He was too tired to really care right now either.
Will was a bit irked his aunt had kept such a secret as the red clad hunter from him. What if one of them had somehow killed the other? Well, at least now he understood why the sub-levels were off limits… Not that he was going to admit to going down there any time soon.
"Like I said. Couldn't have you learning about things until you were ready." At this, the umberet looked off to the window above Alucard, and he found it strangely fascinating how the moon reflected so beautifully in the living males eyes. Or how, when Will's gaze fixed back on him that Alucard ended up getting rather lost in them.
"I'm glad you're okay, Sir Integra… If that's all, I'll leave you to retire for the night." Those moonlit orbs flicked away from his hazy red ones, and he frowned a little in disappointment at the loss of them. Integra gave her nephew a nod before Will turned to leave.
"Goodnight Sir Integra, Ms. Victoria…" He gave a curt nod to Seras who gave a sheepish wave. "Other vampire…" When the halfling referred to Alucard, the vampire almost thought the umberet was going to look back. But to his further displeasure, his masters nephew did not. And instead the lad headed off to his room; apparently still displeased about the way the two had met earlier.
Integra bandaged her finger up and told Alucard to go get something to eat that wasn't her so she could go back to sleep. He gladly left; feeling more famished than ever and heading out the door.
He paused and spared a glance in the direction the young man had disappeared in, before heading to where they kept the medical blood and devouring all the plasma he could get his gloved hands on.
William lay on the bed in his room after having gotten ready to sleep but finding he was anything but tired, while Alucard pigged out on plasma. Both had enjoyed the little misadventure of the day in their own way. And yet, there was still disappointment between the two.
Alucard wanted to go and bother the lad. He wasn't sure why… but he just had the unfathomable desire to. He looked like someone who might be fun to pester. However, after all the cheeky vampire had been up to, he needed nourishment and rest before he would be back to his usual unusual eccentric self.
And William, well, he wasn't very interested in Alucard like the other was in him. Even if the umbert had to admit the vampire did seem somewhat interesting. Though, that was probably just his "morbid fascination" talking again.
However, Will disliked the thought of becoming a juice box with legs for anyone to devour. As a matter of fact, the angelic halfling thought it best to try and keep his distance. The vampire had tried to eat him earlier, so that was one very good reason to avoid him.
But mostly, he was pretty sure Integra didn't want him around her most valued asset. If she had, why hadn't she even let Will know of his existence, if he was so crucial to the Organization, so that Will could better avoid him?
It seemed like no one would truly trust a thing like him… even despite Will's having tried so hard to earn it. To everyone Will had always been treated as strange, weird or a freak as he wasn't entirely human, had a symbiote and an even stranger love of the abnormal and the paranormal.
Well, if anything… at least these two unknowingly agreed on one thing when it came to thoughts about the other… and the phrase that came to mind was "Curiouser and curiouser…"
To be continued...
To anyone wondering, the person talking that William couldn't hear was Alucard. LoL Those were his thoughts so to speak. XD I can totally see Alucard doing that sort of thing. He's dark, loyal, adorable, sadistic, twisted, perverse, and all around wonderfully warped and awesome. XD
