Tokyo Landfill Zero, Tokyo, Japan, 2010.
Akira and I were running through the dark streets of the Bund, looking for Mina. I had been sleeping when I was woken up by Vera, who told me that Wolfgang needed my attention immediately. I quickly suited up in my combat uniform and gear before I hurried to meet up with Wolfgang. When I announced myself, I was informed that Mina had snuck out without an armed escort and Akira and I were to locate and bring her back safely. I agreed and met up with Akira, then the two of us left the castle and ran throughout the night in search of Mina.
Eventually, we found ourselves in a park and I caught the sound of children chanting a poem, prompting me to turn my head to the left and I saw Mina playing with three kids. Mina suddenly tripped on the jump rope and she fell, causing me to use my unnatural speed to catch her before she could hit the ground. Mina looked up and saw the familiar red lenses of my gas mask as I helped her up and backed away so that she could regain her composure.
"Thank you, David," Mina said in gratitude as the three kids looked up at me in awe, and they started speaking to Mina.
"You're not very good at jumping rope," one kid with dark skin stated bluntly and Mina huffed after she brushed off any dirt that was on her dress.
"I just need a little more practice! I'll show you! The next time I jump, I swear to you that I will cross the tenth jump threshold!" Mina declared with a pout.
"But, you can't even make it to eight," the second kid pointed out, and I noticed that all three kids didn't have their incisors.
"I guess you got a point...then I'll make it to ten!" Mina vowed and everyone broke out into laughter, Mina jumping rope while I watched from a distance.
While Mina and the other kids counted with smiles, long forgotten memories of my parents came back and I reminisced about the pleasant memories of my childhood while feeling the long-buried sensation of wistfulness. After a while, Akira and I brought Mina back and before I knew it, it was daylight and I prepared to keep watch during Mina's interview with the world.
Wolfgang had put me in charge of a special unit that was trained for missions with a 99% fatality rate and we were to keep scanning the area for any threats against the Princess. My unit's loadout was MP5s and Minebea P9s, and their outfits were black uniforms with the Beowulf division insignia on the shoulders, black tactical vests, black gloves, black combat boots, black balaclavas, and black military helmets with goggles on them. My USS uniform got fitted with the Beowulf shoulder insignias to identify my allegiance with Princess Mina and I was currently moving around inside the building for any signs of suspicious activity. As for my uniform, it had been altered with nanomachines so that when I change form, my clothes and gear change with me.
"This is Alpha Actual. What's your status?" I spoke into my radio and received confirmation from my unit that it was all clear at the moment, causing me to order, "Copy that. Stay on high alert."
It was then that I and my doubly named 'Spectre' unit were ordered to rendevous with the Princess and stay by her side until ordered otherwise. My unit and I met up with Mina, Akira, Vera, and Wolfgang, and stayed alert as an older man with a monocle, dressed like royalty came in with a security team and he bowed in front of Mina.
"It's been a long time, dear Juneau," Mina greeted while she was sitting on her throne.
"Your Highness...I, Juneau, Lord of Dermaille, am honored to have the privilege of looking upon your lovely visage once again," Juneau complimented.
"I see you haven't given up your tongue-twisting manner of speech. Tell me, what brings you all this way, old friend? I trust you're here because of our announcement?" Mina inquired with an amused smile.
"Yes...there was something I wished to discuss with you. Could you please clear the room? This isn't the type of matter to be overheard by mongrels," Juneau stated rudely and Akira looked taken aback.
"The Earth Clan are an ancient bloodline of dignified knights, who have long protected the Royal Family! How dare you speak of them in such a disrespectful manner!" Vera hissed in outrage and Wolfgang shot her a look.
"Vera-Sama...please," Wolfgang placated stoically.
"Wolfgang-Dono! You heard what he said!" Vera exclaimed in shock.
"I came here to assist the Princess, not to bicker. I suggest you call off your dogs, my lady," Juneau snapped in irritation while Akira flinched at the look of malevolence that was shot at him and every other werewolf in the room.
I signaled my unit to form up and we left the room after Mina ordered every member of the Earth Clan to leave. Akira, Vera and Wolfgang trailed behind us and the doors closed with a loud slam.
"Tou-san, who the hell was that old man?" Akira asked irritably.
"Lord Juneau of Dermaille. He is the head of a high-ranking noble family who serves the ruling Tepes family," Wolfgang explained while my unit and I stood at attention for orders.
"So, he's vampire nobility?" Akira inquired curiously.
"Correct. He's also the highest-ranking political adviser to the ruling family, and his words carry much weight...and not in a good way," Wolfgang informed us tensely.
"Wolfgang-Dono, I hope you'll forgive me...what happened in there was quite unprofessional of me and I know that was what Lord Juneau wanted," Vera apologized while bowing her head in shame.
"Lord Juneau must have felt that the development of the Bund was simply an event too important to be overlooked...I assume he's here to secure his own interests, which puts us in an advantageous position," Wolfgang stated stoically.
"Yes, that's true," Vera agreed and Wolfgang looked back at her.
"And if that's the case, we need only do what is expected...nothing more, Vera-Sama," Wolfgang said simply and he walked away.
"HUNK, I need to ask you for a favor," Vera stated as she turned to look at me.
"Awaiting your orders, Ma'am," I spoke while standing at attention.
"You and Spectre are to escort Lord Juneau to the parking lot, understood?" Vera instructed.
"Yes, Ma'am. Spectre, form up on me," I ordered crisply and we went next to the elevator. Akira and Vera took the elevator up to the roof and my unit and I waited.
Pretty soon, Juneau and his security team left the throne room and the vampire noble looked at us in displeasure with a sour expression.
"Lord Juneau, we are to safely escort you to the parking lot," I stated stoically and he huffed.
"So, I'm being escorted by filthy dogs now? Hmph, I suppose I'll have to bear with it, though it will be unpleasant dealing with you mongrels," Juneau scoffed and we took the elevator after I ordered my unit to meet with me down at the parking lot due to not a lot of room inside the elevator.
As we took the elevator down, I stood watching Juneau and his security team, and Juneau started talking.
"So, you are the Princess' new guard dog...I'll keep this simple. What are Wolfgang and Vera planning?" Juneau interrogated just as one of his men went to grab me by the neck.
I ducked under the sudden attack and kneed the man in the gut, forcing him to choke for breath and I sent him crashing to the floor with a hit to the head from the butt of my MP5. I was suddenly grabbed by the neck by Juneau, who slammed me against the wall and he glared at me.
"Talk, damn you! I know those two were the driving force behind this island! Even bypassing me, the most powerful servant to the ruling family! That damn guard dog and that whore from such lowly bloodlines...how dare they set up residence for the rulers of the night out here, in the far-flung reaches of Asia?! Answer me! What are they trying to do, cutting the Princess off from us?!" Juneau demanded harshly but I just stared blankly back at him.
"I cannot divulge classified information," I stated stoically and Juneau trembled in rage at my stubbornness.
"You disgusting mutt!" Juneau roared in fury just as the elevator doors opened up to show Wolfgang standing outside calmly.
"My apologies, but did one of my best men make a mistake here?" Wolfgang inquired with a hard look and Juneau scoffed as he let me go.
"Hmph. I was just lecturing him on proper manners is all. From now on, my soldiers will protect her Royal Highness. There's nothing left for you mongrels to do here. Go back to the forest and find a new master," Juneau huffed as he and his men left the elevator, walking out of sight and Wolfgang looked at me.
"Carry on with your duties, David-san," Wolfgang ordered as he turned away from me and left.
"Yes sir," I stated just as my unit, Akira, and Vera showed up.
"I'm impressed David-san...you didn't even flinch while you were being interrogated. Someone trained you well," Vera praised me as my unit formed up around me.
I didn't say anything and Vera gestured me, Akira, and my unit to follow her.
"Kami...they just keep appearing," Akira muttered in disbelief as we scouted the ship that was the property of the Dermaille, seeing many men hauling out cargo and loading them into dark green humvees.
"I know...this is just the beginning," Vera agreed uneasily.
"There's just so many," Akira stated.
"The scoundrel who attacked the Princess in front of you and David-san the other day, he was a vampire, correct?" Vera questioned.
"Yeah..." Akira trailed off quietly.
"Affirmative," I said calmly.
"The thought of a vampire threatening her life is completely inconceivable," Vera said.
"Why? Because she has absolute authority?" Akira questioned in confusion.
"It's more complicated than that..." Vera trailed off.
"What do you mean more complicated?" Akira asked.
"The death of the Princess would be catastrophic for us. It...would mean the end of the Vampire Race," Vera explained bitterly and Akira's eyes widened in horror.
After a while, we were called back to the castle to keep an eye out in the shadows during the interview and I was suddenly informed on my radio that an assassin with C4 explosives was in the building, prompting me and my unit to stay on high alert during the interview. While the interview was occurring, I stayed in the catwalk above and used my sense of smell and sight to locate the enemy until Akira suddenly contacted me on my radio.
"David, listen to me carefully! One of the reporters was changed into a vampire so they are inside the press room with the bomb inside their body. Look out for anyone suspicious," Akira informed me.
"Copy that," I said cooly and relayed the info to my unit, who made noises of conformation and that they said they would start sniffing out the assassin.
Later on, I was informed to be on the lookout for a CNN reporter by the name of Nicole Edelman, who was the replacement for the original assassin and I kept my eyes open until I spotted someone in the crowd of reporters that matched Nicole's description.
"Have eyes on potential target...be ready to move in and execute on my orders," I ordered my unit coldly and I unslung my MP5, preparing to move in to eliminate the target.
Suddenly, Akira rushed up to me and he peered over the catwalk, seeing Nicole asking a question and Mina answering out of amusement by revealing Nicole's true nature.
"Spectre, move in!" I ordered when I saw Nicole was about to detonate the bomb inside her.
Akira and I leaped off the catwalk and I fired a single shot through the heart, causing Nicole to disintegrate into ash and people screamed in terror as they saw the execution. More panic broke out when the bomb was shown in plain sight. The timer had already activated and Akira cursed at the misfortune.
"Damn...not good," Akira muttered in a slight panic as the rest of my unit came out of the shadows to evacuate the reporters that were from different parts of the world.
"Akira, David, the both of you have been trained on how to dispose of explosives! You'll need to disarm it!" Vera stated urgently.
"What?! But I don't remember how to do that kind of stuff!" Akira shouted in disbelief.
"I know how to disarm it. Stand back, everyone," I ordered calmly and knelt down so that I could examine the wiring while I slung my MP5.
From what I could tell, there was a red wire, a blue wire, a green wire, and a white wire. Knowing what to do, I formed my nails into claws and cut the green, red, and blue wires in order...then the timer stopped and the humans that were still in the room eyed the bomb warily.
"Is it over?" Juneau wondered and I gently lifted the explosive up like it was still live.
"The explosive has been disarmed," I notified everyone calmly, and they all sighed in relief while I instructed, "Someone find a secure container so that the bomb can be disposed of safely."
A Beowulf soldier carefully took the bomb and left the room, coming back later to inform us that the bomb had been secured and that there was nothing to worry about.
"Well now...I'm impressed HUNK. You saved everyone here and my life as well...well done. Well everyone, that ironically ended up proving the existence of vampires. Members of the press, this is our world. We live in the darkness, where blood and death rule over everything. But don't worry. For as long as you all remain good neighbors to us, I promise that we will never be a threat to you or to your loved ones. But if you ever disappoint me, this story will be different...that is all I have to say to you for now. I bid you good night and you may return to your world," Mina stated as she stood up from her chair and we all left the room.
"Well, Juneau...if you have anything to say, let's hear it," Mina said stoically while the man in question was bowing in shame.
"It is quite apparent that someone who opposes you, your Highness, has infiltrated my troops. Therefore, I have ordered the execution of every soldier I brought here with me, to root out the evil that has caused us trouble. Please accept this as proof of my loyalty to you, your Highness," Juneau spoke humbly while avoiding eye contact.
"Very well...you may go now," Mina dismissed him, and Juneau nodded once after he stood up and then he left the throne room.
"Sorry Princess, but I'm not so sure about that old guy. Shouldn't you have fired him or demoted him?" Akira questioned in confusion.
"Don't worry about Juneau. Killing me and ending our race wouldn't benefit him in any way. Besides, he would never have the courage to do so. Your's and David's success on this mission means that Juneau can no longer meddle into both of your affairs. Keep up the good work, Akira, David," Mina complimented us.
"Hold on...you mean you meant for this to happen?" Akira questioned in shock and Mina took his hand.
"I can't tell you and David how much it meant to me...seeing you two out there fighting for me without any regard for your own lives, that's the Akira Kaburagi that I've come to know so well and you David...something about you is slowly changing in a good way and I admire it," Mina complimented me and I felt a strange sensation that was almost familiar but I couldn't recall what it was.
"I guess that means Juneau wasn't the only one being tested today, was he?" Akira inquired, but it didn't sound like a question.
"I'm fully aware that you had considerable doubts about me. Consider us even...come, I want to show you two something," Mina told us as she stood up and we followed her out of the building.
We took Mina's limo and eventually stopped at a familiar park, getting out and I spotted the same three kids earlier today playing with the jump rope.
"Seems like the more time I spend with you, the more confused I get...one minute you're blackmailing an entire nation, and the next you're pouting because you can't jump rope," Akira stated and Mina sputtered.
"But...how do you know that?!" Mina demanded.
"I saw everything, even your promise to make it all the way to ten," Akira explained with a wolfish grin and Mina started blushing in embarrassment.
"What?! The only reason I played that ridiculous game is that those children insisted upon it," Mina quickly made an excuse to repair her damaged pride.
"There's no need for an excuse Ma'am, you were most definitely enjoying yourself," I said bluntly and Mina, as well as Akira, looked at me in surprise.
"David...did you just make a joke?" Akira inquired while looking at me like I was an alien.
"I was just stating the facts," I replied stoically, taking my mask and helmet off so that I could wipe the tiny beads of sweat from my face.
"Um...anyways Princess, It's nice to see you like that. I mean, watching you play jump rope with those human children...it was almost like you-" Akira said and was cut off.
"Those children aren't human, they're fangless vampires...they're members of our race who have chosen to remove their fangs in order to reject sucking the blood from other humans. In fact, there are many Fangless volunteers who are working hard to help establish the Bund. Although they have become vampires, they don't want to lose touch of their humanity. Unfortunately, because of the way they've chosen to live their lives, they face persecution from both humans and vampires alike. But once the Bund is established, they will have a place that they can call home...finally," Mina explained softly as she started walking.
"Is that why you're building the Bund for these fangless vampires?" Akira asked and Mina looked back.
"Sadly no...I wish it were," Mina stated sadly with a genuine smile.
We watched the kids being picked up by their parents and we got back in the limo so that we could go home.
A/N So, what did you all think about this chapter and how did you like the little changes I put in? Basically, I will be putting in a mixture of the anime and manga until I'm done with the anime part and will continue with the manga. One more thing, how do you people think about using all my characters in stories as cameo appearances, different stories, or a big crossover where they all have to fight against a huge threat that is trying to destroy the multiverse? If you all want to use my characters in what I described, make sure to ask me for permission first. Stay tuned everyone.