SNK vs Capcom: Noble Visitations
Alone in his throne room, lit only by few flickering candles, sat a brooding Demitri Maximoff. Incomprehensible the fact that four strangers had managed to infiltrate, and escape his grasp, but one foe who was not a stranger to him had managed to slip in without even his notice!
"Cursed bitch," Muttered the vampire who was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't noticed his most trusted servant walk in. He was a gentleman by appearance, yet under the facade he was also one of darkness; a vampire turned by Demitri's own hand, when he had struck a deal with the count centuries ago. In trade for eternal life, Galeo pledged a servitude as undying as his current state.
"I have gathered the information you requested, my esteemed sire," spoke the man while in the midst of bowing.
"Old friend, you need not bow to me or show me such formality," Demitri said, looking up to display a bored (yet obviously feigned) look upon his face.
Galeo smiled and replied, "But it is only the respect you so most uply deserve." Galeo and Demitri have played this game for the last century or so. Galeo knew that despite his master's words, Demitri would have his fangs for any hint of familiarity shown towards him.
"As I was saying, I have the information you requested. Your "guests" the other evening were of a mercenary group calling themselves the Ikari Warriors. Their names are as follows; Heidern, Ralf, Clark, Leona. One significant member that was not present who is known to be associated with their organization is Whip."
"Heh, Leona. So that was her name," muttered Demitri through a slight smirk.
"They keep their last names secreted and the names stated may even only be code names," Galeo continued, "Their base of operations is said to be rumored somewhere in Brazil, but they are well hidden and remain in discretion. Upon further searching, though, we have found that Leona appears to be the adopted daughter of the commander. An incident back in 1997 came about when another great demon called Orochi was revived. It's reawakening brought out what was referred to as the "Riot of the Blood" amongst those who possessed Orochi blood."
Galeo approached Demitri's Gothic throne and presented him with pictures. "Some of them received enhanced might, yet seemed to be possessed. Their names are Yashiro, Shermie, and Chris. Others felt to a lesser extent the effects of the Orochi Blood within them, Like one Ryuji Yamazaki."
Demitri fingered through the photos until he came upon the last two. "The last two there experienced a madness; their blood taint had driven them to brinks of savagery, where all their morality was lost in them. They are Iori of the Japanese Yagami Clan." Galeo paused a bit when he noticed Demitri's eyes widen slightly and flicker a blood red flash. "And Leona of the Ikari Warriors."
"Hmph, so that's the power her blood holds. Could it be if I were to taste her blood, it would increase my own strength?" Pondered the Count.
"I would be weary of such thoughts my Leigh. Their life's fluid may be less than desirable to your palette," objected Galeo.
"Caution to yourself, fair Galeo," warned Demitri, "you have been my most trusted advisor and.....ally for lack of a description, but do not presume to test me. Besides, the gain would much greater than the possible risks. Even if their blood were not to have any positive effect on me, I would gain a powerful ally in the least."
"How shall we locate them sir? The Ikari Warriors are not exactly the most open of operatives, and with Ms. B. B. Hood, they are probably by now aware of your habits."
"He makes them come to him, obviously, you fool," chuckled a voice from the Throne room doorway. Both Galeo and Demitri jerked their heads with rather suprised expressions across their faces. In the entrance stood a visually fine gentleman, with long blonde hair in a braid down to the small of his back, dressed in a rather handsome business suit with his hands tucked behind his back.
"Who in the Hells are you, and by what madness plagues you to speak me, the most trusted servant of great Demitrius of the Maximoffs, in such a brash tongue?"
"I am of the Spanish noble family Grandeza, my first name is not important, so you may refer to me by my catch copy 'Vega.'"
"Well, "Vega," it would be a shame not to know your first name, but I guess what you gave us will do enough for a tombstone," hissed Galeo. Demitri had yet to speak a word, as he stretched out his senses. For all his power, he was STILL unable to 'feel' this man who was walking towards them, yet he could see him and smell his proud blood.
Finally breaking his silence, Demitri urged his servant to calm himself, "He obviously went through a great deal to present his person before us, let him speak." Demitri conveniently forgot to mention the fact that he could not sense this man before them at all.
Casting a triumphant glare in Galeo's direction, Vega began. "This woman, Leona, has some significant ties to one other who does not hide himself in any fashion, despite himself being wanted by constable in a few countries. He is one of the other warriors cursed with the blood of Orochi, Iori Yagami. He is currently in Italy playing a concert and will be heading to Klon, Germany afterwards."
"And for what reason are you telling me this," questioned Demitri rather cautiously, "what is your gain in all this?"
"You need not know that," said Vega with a sly smile.
"Master, I cannot take his effrontery towards you, I must deal with him," bellowed Galeo as he rushed Towards the intruder. Demitri could see plainly that Vega was goading Galeo to make a move, yet Demitri didn't raise a hand.
Vega giggled and withdrew finally his right hand from behind his back which held a finely crafted steel mask, and strapped to his hand was a steel claw. With a swiftness, Vega dawned the mask, and as soon as he did so, Galeo was upon him.
Galeo roared as he slashed fiercely at Vega, but was unable to rend nothing but stale air, as Vega jumped and flipped over the aggressing vampire. No sooner did Vega gracefully land only a couple of yards away from where Demitri was seated, Galeo fell to his knees, then ultimately collapsed. A few seconds after hitting the ground Galeo disentergrated into ash, and among the ash lay a wooden stake.
Vega's voice turned more sinister through the mask, as if to threaten Demitri, "The opportunity has been presented to you, you may refuse, but then your chances of ever coming across fair Leona will be lost at your hesitation."
"Who is your employer, it's obvoius you are not doing this on your own merits," hissed Demitri. Vega turned to walk back to the exit of the throne room and replied,
"Once again you need not be concerned of that."
"I WILL have answers," yelled Demitri, "I will NOT be someone else's pawn."
"Your part has been already decided, Noble vampire. You have no say in it." With that Vega casually walked out of the hall room.
Demitri glared as the intruder walked out of the room. The Vampire sent a telepathic message to the palace attendants to kill Vega on site, though he doubted they would be able to find him, much less defeat him. He allowed himself a brief thought of his now deceased servant. He had been loyal to him but he was becoming too unrestrained with Demitri; it was a short time before he himself had to dispose of Galeo. Besides, loosing an aquiantance tends to focus everything back into perspective.
Demitri called for one of his servants and informed him that his Master will be leaving shortly for Germany.
Alone in his throne room, lit only by few flickering candles, sat a brooding Demitri Maximoff. Incomprehensible the fact that four strangers had managed to infiltrate, and escape his grasp, but one foe who was not a stranger to him had managed to slip in without even his notice!
"Cursed bitch," Muttered the vampire who was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't noticed his most trusted servant walk in. He was a gentleman by appearance, yet under the facade he was also one of darkness; a vampire turned by Demitri's own hand, when he had struck a deal with the count centuries ago. In trade for eternal life, Galeo pledged a servitude as undying as his current state.
"I have gathered the information you requested, my esteemed sire," spoke the man while in the midst of bowing.
"Old friend, you need not bow to me or show me such formality," Demitri said, looking up to display a bored (yet obviously feigned) look upon his face.
Galeo smiled and replied, "But it is only the respect you so most uply deserve." Galeo and Demitri have played this game for the last century or so. Galeo knew that despite his master's words, Demitri would have his fangs for any hint of familiarity shown towards him.
"As I was saying, I have the information you requested. Your "guests" the other evening were of a mercenary group calling themselves the Ikari Warriors. Their names are as follows; Heidern, Ralf, Clark, Leona. One significant member that was not present who is known to be associated with their organization is Whip."
"Heh, Leona. So that was her name," muttered Demitri through a slight smirk.
"They keep their last names secreted and the names stated may even only be code names," Galeo continued, "Their base of operations is said to be rumored somewhere in Brazil, but they are well hidden and remain in discretion. Upon further searching, though, we have found that Leona appears to be the adopted daughter of the commander. An incident back in 1997 came about when another great demon called Orochi was revived. It's reawakening brought out what was referred to as the "Riot of the Blood" amongst those who possessed Orochi blood."
Galeo approached Demitri's Gothic throne and presented him with pictures. "Some of them received enhanced might, yet seemed to be possessed. Their names are Yashiro, Shermie, and Chris. Others felt to a lesser extent the effects of the Orochi Blood within them, Like one Ryuji Yamazaki."
Demitri fingered through the photos until he came upon the last two. "The last two there experienced a madness; their blood taint had driven them to brinks of savagery, where all their morality was lost in them. They are Iori of the Japanese Yagami Clan." Galeo paused a bit when he noticed Demitri's eyes widen slightly and flicker a blood red flash. "And Leona of the Ikari Warriors."
"Hmph, so that's the power her blood holds. Could it be if I were to taste her blood, it would increase my own strength?" Pondered the Count.
"I would be weary of such thoughts my Leigh. Their life's fluid may be less than desirable to your palette," objected Galeo.
"Caution to yourself, fair Galeo," warned Demitri, "you have been my most trusted advisor and.....ally for lack of a description, but do not presume to test me. Besides, the gain would much greater than the possible risks. Even if their blood were not to have any positive effect on me, I would gain a powerful ally in the least."
"How shall we locate them sir? The Ikari Warriors are not exactly the most open of operatives, and with Ms. B. B. Hood, they are probably by now aware of your habits."
"He makes them come to him, obviously, you fool," chuckled a voice from the Throne room doorway. Both Galeo and Demitri jerked their heads with rather suprised expressions across their faces. In the entrance stood a visually fine gentleman, with long blonde hair in a braid down to the small of his back, dressed in a rather handsome business suit with his hands tucked behind his back.
"Who in the Hells are you, and by what madness plagues you to speak me, the most trusted servant of great Demitrius of the Maximoffs, in such a brash tongue?"
"I am of the Spanish noble family Grandeza, my first name is not important, so you may refer to me by my catch copy 'Vega.'"
"Well, "Vega," it would be a shame not to know your first name, but I guess what you gave us will do enough for a tombstone," hissed Galeo. Demitri had yet to speak a word, as he stretched out his senses. For all his power, he was STILL unable to 'feel' this man who was walking towards them, yet he could see him and smell his proud blood.
Finally breaking his silence, Demitri urged his servant to calm himself, "He obviously went through a great deal to present his person before us, let him speak." Demitri conveniently forgot to mention the fact that he could not sense this man before them at all.
Casting a triumphant glare in Galeo's direction, Vega began. "This woman, Leona, has some significant ties to one other who does not hide himself in any fashion, despite himself being wanted by constable in a few countries. He is one of the other warriors cursed with the blood of Orochi, Iori Yagami. He is currently in Italy playing a concert and will be heading to Klon, Germany afterwards."
"And for what reason are you telling me this," questioned Demitri rather cautiously, "what is your gain in all this?"
"You need not know that," said Vega with a sly smile.
"Master, I cannot take his effrontery towards you, I must deal with him," bellowed Galeo as he rushed Towards the intruder. Demitri could see plainly that Vega was goading Galeo to make a move, yet Demitri didn't raise a hand.
Vega giggled and withdrew finally his right hand from behind his back which held a finely crafted steel mask, and strapped to his hand was a steel claw. With a swiftness, Vega dawned the mask, and as soon as he did so, Galeo was upon him.
Galeo roared as he slashed fiercely at Vega, but was unable to rend nothing but stale air, as Vega jumped and flipped over the aggressing vampire. No sooner did Vega gracefully land only a couple of yards away from where Demitri was seated, Galeo fell to his knees, then ultimately collapsed. A few seconds after hitting the ground Galeo disentergrated into ash, and among the ash lay a wooden stake.
Vega's voice turned more sinister through the mask, as if to threaten Demitri, "The opportunity has been presented to you, you may refuse, but then your chances of ever coming across fair Leona will be lost at your hesitation."
"Who is your employer, it's obvoius you are not doing this on your own merits," hissed Demitri. Vega turned to walk back to the exit of the throne room and replied,
"Once again you need not be concerned of that."
"I WILL have answers," yelled Demitri, "I will NOT be someone else's pawn."
"Your part has been already decided, Noble vampire. You have no say in it." With that Vega casually walked out of the hall room.
Demitri glared as the intruder walked out of the room. The Vampire sent a telepathic message to the palace attendants to kill Vega on site, though he doubted they would be able to find him, much less defeat him. He allowed himself a brief thought of his now deceased servant. He had been loyal to him but he was becoming too unrestrained with Demitri; it was a short time before he himself had to dispose of Galeo. Besides, loosing an aquiantance tends to focus everything back into perspective.
Demitri called for one of his servants and informed him that his Master will be leaving shortly for Germany.