Title: Shades of Blood and Gray
Genre: Adventure/Drama
Character Focus: Dorian Gray and Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde, pure hatred
Rating: T for coarse language and violence
Summary: Dorian returns from the dead and he wants revenge. He kidnaps Mina's son to exchange for his portrait. With nothing to lose and no outside connections, Jekyll takes on the mission, even if it means sacrificing himself.
Disclaimer: LXG is copyright to 20th Century Fox, based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neil. All characters of literature are copyright to their own creators. Only some characters are made from my imagination.
Chapter 14: How to Kill a Vampire
The Nautilus
Within the cargo hold deep inside the Nautilus, the League was gathered to discuss killing vampires on the way to Ireland. Mina had asked Nemo bring out the weapons so she could examine them and decide which would be best for fighting the foes that awaited the League. Over a row of crates, harpoons, swords, knives, and rifles lay neatly organized. Giving the League a glance, Mina spoke but focused her eyes on the weapons.
"You should all know that methods of killing a vampire would be the difference between life and death," said Mina as she picked up a sword similar to Nemo's. "Vampires are stronger, faster, have ability of flight, instant healing, and heightened senses compared to a human. Destroying one would have to be immediately done by a penetration to the heart or severing the head."
"That means we would have to carry sharp swords to fight them," said Tom, eyeing the sword in Mina's slender hands. "Would bullets be of any help?" He fingered the pistols in the holsters strapped to his shoulders.
"No," said Mina, "bullets would not stop a vampire. Do you remember what happened in Venice?"
"Oh... yes," Tom scratched his head sheepishly, "I nearly forgot. Those snipers didn't stand a chance against you and the bats."
"We'd be fighting bats too?" asked Skinner, his painted face showed surprise at the mention of bats.
"That, I do not know," said Mina, "the vampires we'll be facing will be newly changed. It took me a few years to master summoning bats, the newly changed ones might not know that ability."
"Then you should have the advantage," said Jekyll, playing with his watch, "you're a more experienced vampire compared to Dorian's vampires."
"True, I'm more accustomed to my abilities than a newly changed vampire." Mina could see how nervous Henry Jekyll appeared. "Hyde might also have some advantage against a vampire, being more aggressive, stronger, and powerfully built than an average human."
"I suppose," said Henry, "as long as the elixir lasts during a fight. Hyde's been eager to kill something since I was held captive by Crowe."
"Then fighting vampires might make excellent sport for Hyde, eh?" asked Skinner.
"For once," said Mina, "I agree with Skinner. However, for a human to fight a vampire, even a human who is invisible or skilled in martial arts, proper defenses would be required."
"From my experience in hunting vampires," said John Seward, "vampires are easily repelled by garlic flowers and a crucifix. Those of you who will need the right protection should keep garlic flowers or a crucifix on yourselves."
"Other materials such as holy water and the sacred wafer would also repel vampires," explained Mina. "There should be churches in Ireland where we'd be able to find the materials. The newspapers did mention the town where most of the disappearances occurred, we'll begin our search there."
"The weapons I have might not be wooden stakes of folklore," said Nemo, he gestured to the weapons, "but harpoons penetrate deep and the sabers make clean cuts. Perfect for taking out a vampire. Once we reach Ireland, I'll have my men armed and ready."
"They will do fine, Captain," said Mina. "It's possible that not everyone will survive. Are your men willing to take up a dangerous task?"
"Do not worry, when it comes to an impending catastrophe, my men will take the risk to prevent it."
"Mrs. Harker," said John Seward, "I would like to accompany the League to fight Gray's vampires, I have fought vampires before and you'll need all the help you can get."
"Dr. Seward," said Mina, "I appreciate your offer, but you might be needed here for Quincey and your own family."
"I understand, but Helen can watch over Quincey and Mary on the Nautilus." Dr. Seward buried his hands in his pockets and stood straight. "The League will need an experienced vampire hunter and I'm one of the remaining members who hunted after Dracula present here besides yourself."
"Yes, but what if something happened to you? How would Helen deal with all of this?"
"I'll explain everything to her before we reach Ireland, I know that she'll understand."
"I do hope that you are right." Mina considered the danger that was lurking in Ireland, most of the League members could look after themselves, often as a team they were successful. However, the number of vampires they would be facing could be greater than the League and Nemo's men. She thought of how it was for John Seward to resume a normal life with Helen, Mary, and Quincey. If Mina had not turned vampire, she and Quincey would be living a normal life together. The last thing Mina wanted was to make things for her son and the Sewards more difficult.
Even though the children had been through a terrible ordeal over the last few days, Helen decided to get them back to their studies so they could move on with their lives. The library of the Nautilus provided a perfect environment for Quincey and Mary to continue their home schooling. As Mary and Quincey sat at the table, they read their texts and wrote notes on papers that the Captain claimed was made from seaweed.
As the children were studying, Helen was browsing the collection of literature that Nemo must have spent years building. Since she had been worried for her daughter and Mina's son, Helen hadn't considered taking a better look around the mighty ship until both children were safely returned. Helen searched the books by taking one from the shelf, opening it and reading through some of the pages. Most of the books were about marine life, geography, mechanics, with some literature or poetry.
"Helen," said the voice of her husband softly.
"Yes?" said Helen, setting the book down and turning to face John.
"I must explain to you," said John, "I've decided that I should help Mina and the League hunt the vampires in Ireland."
"Are you serious?" Helen asked, her heart thumping at what her husband was telling her.
"Yes," John's face appeared grim as he answered, "I have experience hunting vampires and the League will need all the help it can get. I just want you to know that if anything does happen to me, you will have to watch over Mary and Quincey."
"John... you don't have to go, it's too dangerous. I don't know what I would do if you didn't make it." Helen had to blink back her tears.
"It's alright," John gently clasped her shoulders. "I know that you are strong, Helen. Just remember that you, Mary, and Quincey will be safe on board this ship. If I don't make it back from Ireland, then it will be up to you to look after the children."
"I understand," said Helen. She unclasped the silver chain under her blouse collar that had a small crucifix pendant. Helen handed her special necklace to her husband. "This will be your protection."
"Thank you," John said, accepting the crucifix and gently kissing Helen on the forehead.
Quincey had heard the conversation between John and Helen Seward. The boy had been returning to his cabin after he completed his studies, the thoughts of what was to come was bothering him. He went into his cabin and set his books down on the dresser next to his bed. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," said Quincey.
"Quincey," said Mina, entering and her skirts swirling around her softly. "I thought I'd come and speak with you about what's happening."
"Of course," said Quincey, sitting on the bed.
"You should know," his mother said as she sat next to him, "Mr. Gray is causing problems in Ireland, it's the responsibility of the League to stop him. What the League and myself will be facing will be dangerous. No matter what happens to us, you and Mary will be safe on board the Nautilus."
"I understand," said Quincey, "Mr. Gray has to be stopped and I will make sure that Mary and I stay where we'll be safe. It's just that... I hardly got to see you that much during my life... I fear that I might never see you again."
"It's difficult for you, that I understand." Mina clasped her son's hand in her own. "Just remember that I'm taking the risk for you and that you'll be alright."
"Yes." Quincey and Mina embraced, which felt like it would be for the last time.
To be continued...
End Note: Oh my God, my apologies for the long update, I've been busy and my computer is all of a sudden having technical difficulties. Pardon the chapter for being short and brief, but they'll get to Ireland and kick some vampire butt in the next one. Also, I just saw X-Men: First Class that has LXG's Jason Flemyng as Azazel! It was wicked! Another thing, I do believe that Michael-Bad-Ass-Magneto-Fassbender would make an excellent Dr. John Seward, it's that forehead and jaw of his. I've been meaning to find actors to base the newer characters on, the henchmen could probably be based on some of the guys from Snatch.