2023

Tales of the 4th Corpo War are sparse, as only the elderly and the dead know what truly happened during that time, and how it happened.

Like the 1st and 2nd Corpo Wars, the 4th Corporate War began when rival megacorps used their finances and military muscle to fight over buying out a company and its resources. In early 2021, IHAG, a megacorp which specialized in underwater shipping and tech, went bankrupt, which lead to two rival aquacorps, CINO and OTEC, squaring off for a hostile takeover of IHAG's remaining assets. At first, both corporations engaged in the typical opening rounds of corporate battle; stock manipulations and economic warfare, but as the conflict grew out of hand, it was only a matter of time before true fighting broke out.

Where was Tepes Industries? Right in the middle of it.

We start in Romania where Castlevania stood, lit up like a Christmas tree to its people. A beacon to all of Europe.

It was a time of economic and social peace for Europe when the 4th Corpo War happened. For a time, Tepes Industries was neutral. Seeing no point in joining either side of the war. That was... Until the Purge happened.

Tepes Industries' enforcers, The Belmont Clan, which has stood by the family since the Vampiric Civil War, were all wiped out. Many say it was Arasaka themselves that killed them, others say it was Adam Smasher that killed them all.

What was known though, was that their deaths fueled Dracula to join Militech and OTEC.

Many historians and even veterans when asked would tell you the same thing when asked how Tepes Industries forces fought. They fought as if they were gunning for the head of Arasaka, and they were bringing Hell with them.

Of course Tepes Industries distinguished themselves during the war. With Dracula as not only a savvy businessman, but a true military leader on the battlefield which led many to question if he had prior military experience before becoming a businessman.

His wife spearheaded the relief and humanitarian aid to not only refugees, but also those affected by the conflict, as for their son, the Prince. Adrian was dub the 'Spymaster' of the family as he lead successful counter intelligence operations against their foes and even assassination operations of many key members of Arasaka.

Speaking of Dracula, he was seen in his office, writing some paperwork with a glass of blood nearby, and the TV in his office playing something he had no care for. He had learned of a technique to make blood and wine mix together, making it a drink for both human and vampire to enjoy.

He took a sip of his blood wine when the TV switched to a different channel and showed the news.

"Breaking News, earlier this evening, an attack on Arasaka Tower in Night City resulted in a nuclear bombing of the tower, in an effort to destroy the company. The perpetrators appeared to be the controversial rocker boy Johnny Silverhand, along with several unknown associates. It had been announced that Silverhand died in the explosion and while there are multiple casualties, none of the main Arasaka executives, including the owner, Saburo Arasaka were harmed." The newscaster spoke.

His office door burst open as Adrian was seen in his 'uniform.' With the clan symbol plastered proudly on his shoulder. "Father! The war! It's over! Those crazy Americans did it!"

Dracula stood up from his chair, looking at the TV, "Is it truly over... After two years... A bomb on their tower destroys their efforts."

Adrian chuckled, "I guess the Americans wanted to give the Japanese a reminder of who they were fooling with. It's almost ironic from a historian point of view." He sighed as he looked at his father. "What shall we do now?"

Dracula chuckled at Adrian's history mention.

A familiar elderly spoke from the shadows, "It is not over yet."

A cigarette was lit and it illuminated the figure to be none other than Death itself. As a handsome old man in a black suit.

Adrian was quick to respond to what he assumed was an intruder by pulling out his sidearm and aimed it at the man. "Who are you! Identify yourself, assassin!" Paranoid as ever, Adrian put himself between his father and the unknown man.

Dracula put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Stand down, son." He walked towards Death and spoke, "It's been awhile, Death. What brings you here?"

Death walked out from the shadows and said, "Arasaka has done something. They created something that has allowed them to cheat me. Silverhand, as I'm sure you've heard, was killed in the blast as they have said. But he is alive, yet his body is dead and I cannot claim his soul. I ask a favor of you, old friend."

Adrian kept the pistol out but was clearly confused, but being the son of his father, he asked. "And what do we get in return? Nothing is free in this world of greed."

The old man looked at Adrian before having a face splitting grin spread on his as he started laughing. "Oh you raised a fine boy! A bit paranoid, but I see he's picked up your business acumen." He said with a dangerous glint in his eye.

Dracula shook his head, "So what do you want us to do? Spy on Arasaka and discover where Silverhand is?"

Death nodded, "Yes but also to find out what those Arasaka did to cheat me and stop it from happening again." He smiled. "And in exchange I shall tell you where the last blood of the Belmont line is."

Adrian hissed as he raised his handgun again. Emotions taking over as he shouted. "YOU LIE!"

Dracula ripped Adrian's gun away from his hand and growled to his son, "Control yourself, Adrian or leave my office."

Adrian wanted to retort but Death just waved his hand. "No, no it's alright. It's clear that you have come to respect and love the Belmont blood as family."

Adrian just looked at Death as calmly as he could and stated. "I lost a brother to those Oriental bastards, so yes I did see them as blood even though they are not of my blood."

Death nodded as he said. "Well then, you'll be happy to know you shall find your lost Belmont in Night City… or at least in that general area of California." He said as he acted as if he was thinking, even going as far as to lay a finger on his chin.

Dracula looked at his son before looking back at Death but addressed Adrian, "Son, start your company in Night City."

His son clicked the heels of his boots as he bows his head slightly. "It shall be done father."

Adrian quickly left as Death chuckled. "I see you picked up some Prussian military decorum. What's next? You have a mad doctor in a wheelchair who will shout." He adopted a comedic version of a German accent. "Mein fuhrer! I can walk!" Before he laughed to himself.

Dracula shook his head in amusement, "I do not recall Death having a sense of humor."

Death acted hurt. "Well for your information my dear Count. I rather like a good joke." He slowly started retreating to the shadows. "Tick tock my dear Count, for the last line of the hunter shall escape your search if you do not hurry. Tick..." He vanished into the shadows as his voice became almost ghost-like. "Tock..."

Present Day

Dracula stared at the shadows for long, his face controlled as he wore a mask void of emotions, however inside was a storm of emotions which swirled and roared inside. He had these emotions buried and still kept them buried for he still felt like he failed a bloodline which swore absolute loyalty to him. Of course his thoughts of the past were brought out as he looked at Lisa who was staring at him. "My love?"

Back in the present time, Dracula looked at his wife before speaking, "I'm alright. It's simply the past crawling back into my mind."

Lisa looked worried as she gripped his hand. "It was the war, wasn't it?" She asked with concern.

"It was Death's proposal, giving us the location in exchange for finding out what Arasaka is up to." He said before holding her hand softly.

She nodded but before she could say anything, the door opened and Julia walked in. "Your highnesses, we will be arriving in Night City shortly." Julia, the Descendant of Isaac said as she was now wearing a suit instead of a dress. She looked older with wrinkles present, but she was still in shape and had no gray hairs present.

Lisa smiled, "Thank you. I understand one of your children is a part of our son's company."

Julia nodded. "Yes, her name is Blake. She will be there, but I swear her obsession with those cat girl mangas has done her no good." She shook her head as she remembered her daughter being rewarded the bio augs to 'do her job better.' Of course she knew the real reason but kept that to herself.

Dracula looked at Lisa with a confused look.

Lisa sighed, "I swear. I'm the only one who actually tries to understand today's youth."

"Yes, well I simply do not understand it." Dracula said. "Besides, you know I'm not good with children that aren't my son."

Lisa just sighed and facepalmed, while Julia giggled a bit. "Well, we will be landing soon." She said before she left the two to prepare for the coming vultures that was the media.

Dracula took a sip of his blood wine before looking out the window. "Night City. A city filled to the brim with crime, corruption, and poverty, yet considered the City of Dreams." It sounded disgusting to him.

Lisa just smiled and placed a hand on his arm. "It just needs a proper king, or at least people who truly care." She said before looking down at the runway and then sighed. "Bloody Americans."

He looked at her and at the runway, "They certainly have a way of showing interest."

Thanks to their enhanced sight, they could see that Militech pulled out all the stops and brought out full honor and color guard, Adrian was seen not in his suit, but his ceremonial uniform which was black with dark red trim and the golden rope around his left arm with medals present for one of his station, even going as far as to have an officers cap on. Next to him was the Militech President who had a huge grin as if saying to Arasaka. 'Try to top this, Japs!' As if that wasn't all, present and ready to broadcast to the whole world was the press.

Their airship dropped down to the ground and Lisa wrapped her arm around Dracula's before they all stood up once the door opened and turned into a platform. Soon the band was heard playing as the door to the airship was seen opening, on the red carpet were soldiers of both Militech and Alucard Industries in full dress standing at attention.

The event that came was broadcasted all over Night City with a woman reporting, "We are reporting live from Night City International, where not only the son but also Militech's new President along with a full color and even honor guard have gathered to welcome Dracula and Lisa Tepes. The Heads of Tepes Industries."

Dracula and Lisa walked down the platform, onto the red carpet and while ignoring the cameras and shouts from reporters.

The cameras captured Dracula shaking hands with his son and the President of Militech. "In just a few moments, Dracula Tepes will be giving a statement to the public, many believe that this could be a setup for a possible fifth corporate war. Oh! Oh! It's about to begin!" The reporter said as the camera zooms in on the podium.

Dracula let go of Lisa's hand as he walked towards the podium. He stood there and looked at everyone before beginning his speech, "Several days ago, when I learned about Arasaka's Kujira, I saw this as a possible instigation. After all, they lost the 4th Corpo War when their tower was destroyed in a nuclear explosion. Who is to say that they want another war? What I will say is this... If they threaten my son, or our ally, Militech... I will show them no mercy."

Those present were mostly those loyal to Militech and Tepes and Alucard as flags waved. "Dracula! Dracula! London times, with you here in Night City. Is this your way of asserting power? Is Tepes industries trying to claim a stake in the New United States market?" A British reporter asked.

"Possibly. It seems that this city does not need more corporations staking claims, what it needs is help. So yes, I am asserting power, but also offering my assistance to make this city better." Dracula answered.

Another reporter stood up. "Dracula! Night City times. Is it true that you're really here because you wish to have a military takeover of the city?"

Before Dracula could say anything, Lisa stepped up. "I can assure you that he is here purely for our son, and for my kind heart. For when I saw the state of the social services that are meant to help people, including children, was in such disarray to the point that orphans have gone missing!? It was enough for me to come here with my husband to try and save as many lives as I can!" She slammed a balled up fist onto the podium which seems to have silenced the crowd.

Dracula watched with a small smirk and thought to himself, 'Oh, is Mother Lisa coming back?'

Soon the crowd waved their flags as a chant could be heard of Lisa's name. Lisa smiled as she waved before the family left.

The image of the Tepes Family froze on TV as Lenore dropped the remote and chuckled. "Must say, you can't go anywhere without making an impression, your Grace."

"Humans enjoy spectacles." Dracula spoke as they were all in the Viewing Room of Alucard, Adrian's Counter Intelligence Company.

Lisa huffed, "Well I can assure you I meant what I said."

Julia nodded in agreement. "And I can safely say that Militech is helping to provide security."

A young woman in her 20s with black hair and amber eyes with cat ears on her head scoffed, "For better PR, I bet."

A young woman with snowy white hair and blue eyes with a scar running down her left eye replied to the catgirl, "That may be, Miss Blake, but Militech is our ally so they're doing it out of obligation."

"Thank you, Weiss." Dracula said, before looking at the main television to see the trajectory of Kujira. "How far away is that carrier from Night City?"

Blake kept a neutral face as she brought up the images. "The carrier is anchored right outside of Night City, they're being smart and keeping it in international waters. So that way they don't upset the NUSA government."

Lenore nodded, "This is a double edge sword. Any attack on the carrier saves face for the Americans, however it being only a mile away from American waters leaves it open to pin the blame on not only the American government, but also Militech and Us… Clever."

Dracula hummed before asking, "Any updates on this heist made by our Belmont?"

Lenore nodded, "Yes. They are posing as arms dealers." She brought up photos of the two and their location. "From there they will infiltrate the network, shut down security, then move into the top floor penthouse and take the chip." A hologram of the building is seen as the floor lights up.

Dracula looked at the photos and hummed, "I want to hear suggestions for our next course of action."

Lenore responded, "I'd suggest a surgical strike, two teams move in from the bottom and top." She was about to go further if not for Adrian barging in, looking as if he ran, also wearing only his pants and had lipstick on his face. "IT'S THERE! THAT FOR WHICH DEATH IS LOOKING FOR!" Everyone just stared at Adrian as if he was high on drugs and came straight from some drug fueled orgy. Minus one who understands his ramblings.

Dracula looked back at his son and took notice of what happened, before he walked towards Adrian before saying, "Adrian! Calm yourself! Now explain what you mean."

Adrian took deep breaths and nodded, "My source has confirmed it! It's there! We have to go now!" Only for his eyes to roll into his head as he passed out, standing behind him was Lisa with a syringe. "I believe our son has been working too hard." She said calmly.

Dracula sighed as he facepalmed before ordering, "Get him in bed, and find out who his source is." He walked towards his previous stance. "Now, what else can we do?"

Lenore chuckled as she grew an evil grin. "Oh, oh you're going to want to sit down for this." She said as she wrote down who Adrian's 'Princess' was before holding out the paper to Dracula.

Dracula took the paper and read it before a snarl snaked it's way onto his face before roaring out, "AAAADRIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN FAHRENHEEEEEEEIIIIT TEEEEEEEEEEPEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The name on the paper was none other than Hanako Arasaka.

The Future

Adrian was seen with two women and two children. "You see, I met your mothers long ago and." Only to be stopped as he heard his fathers yell which caused him to go stiff as a board. "F… Father?"

A girl clung to Adrian's leg and whimpered, "I'm scared, Father."

Adrian shivered, "I am too…"

Universe #1,207

Willow Schnee sat on her throne, looking over at the throne next to her and placed a gentle hand on it. "I wish you peace, my love..."

That's when she heard the roar and her eyes widened, "Vlad... You're alive!?" Tears leaked from her eyes as hope filled her heart once more.

Universal Observation Station

VEGA was speaking to Ace in his office. "So yes while things are going smoothly, I fear that the bleed-through might cause some issues."

Ace sighed as he rubbed the lens of his plague doctor mask to clear the fog. "Yeah. But some of these universes just link up too much with them. Like with Adrian. God forbid we know what happens when we show them the Hellsing universe."

VEGA would have continued, but Dracula's yell was heard which caused VEGA to say in observation, "Sounds like your Ex-wife is upset again."

Ace looked at the ceiling before saying, "That's not my ex…"

Universe #2,875

Angela Ziegler, AKA Mercy, was seen laying in her bed, a white sleeping gown hugging her body as a huge window overlooked her room.

Two glowing eyes were seen in the corner of her room, stepping out to reveal Dracula slowly moving towards the healing angel. He knelt down by her bed and growled as he opened his mouth, revealing his fangs. The tips pressed against her skin when the roar happened, causing Mercy to wake up and hold her pistol out in case there was an intruder. She panted when she didn't see anybody and lowered the gun before laying back down.

Universe #5,768

Dr. Elizabeth Halsey was looking over the Vampire DNA and injected it into the super soldier serum in an attempt to see if the two would intertwine or break apart.

"Hmm... Dead blood cells seem to have a reaction... But what does it mean?"

Dracula, now dressed in a UNSC officer's uniform, walked up behind her, setting his hands on her waist and said. "It could be that the Vampiric cells are superior to those of the living, which allows them to adapt." He suggested as he kissed Halsey's neck.

Halsey moaned slightly before saying, "Then perhaps... We have our solution to create better Spartans."

She turned around and sat up on the table before looking into Dracula's eyes.

Things would've gotten better if that roar didn't happen. This made everyone on the ship confused and scared for a second that they were being attacked.

Dracula sighed, "sooo..."

Halsey just deadpanned, "Yeah, the mood's dead."

Universe #1,678

A woman with silver and black hair in a purple dress that revealed a healthy amount of cleavage was seen fighting Dracula as she sent a high kick at him. "I SHALL NEVER BE YOUR QUEEN!" This was Queen Sindel who declared this to Dracula.

Dracula chuckled as he looked at her and dodged the kick before grabbing her leg and pulled her body close to his. He spoke in a low voice, "Your false husband is dead, and you have nothing left. I offer you this chance to be free."

Things would have continued had a roar not come, taking a chance she openly smacked Dracula, only it didn't have the effect she hoped as she saw a glint in the No-Life King's eyes.

He was confused by the roar but the smack simply made him smirk and whispered into her ear, "I like it rough, draga mea~"

Sindel whimpered a bit before it turned into screams of pleasure as the two were back in the Outworld palace.

Back in Universe #1,743

Lisa was seen drinking her coffee as she looked at her husband who was currently breathing into a paper bag. "Are we calm now? Do I need to get you your therapist?" She asked calmly as her husband had screamed for a solid 30 minutes before finally being given a paper bag to breathe in and out of.

Dracula took deep breaths before closing his eyes, "I'm calm... I'm calm... But I will beat that boy for keeping this secret from us. From me!"

Lisa sighed, "My love, we have more important matters. Let's save the fact that our son has not only been having a relationship with the Princess of Arasaka, but also the Representative of Militech, Meredith Stout."

She showed a photo of the woman to her husband. "Personally, I don't see what he sees in her as I believe he would have done better." Of course unlike her, Dracula being a man of culture before he was married to Lisa could see what his son saw.

"Lisa, if you recall, polygamy is not illegal. If he wished to have more than one relationship, he is allowed. And I do not care about the Militech woman, I care more about this development with Arasaka." Dracula said, tossing the paper bag away and going to grab a drink. He poured some fireball whiskey into a glass before downing it.

He sighed before saying, "This changes nothing... We have an opportunity to hurt Arasaka, and to complete this favor for Death. Once we discover what is on that chip, we can end their reign on Night City and move in."

Lenore was off to the side before speaking, "I'll have the strike team fueled up and prepared, I'll even contact agent Alucard and his partner."

She began walking away before stopping at the door as she cracked a joke. "Will you be needing your belt to punish the prince?" She asked with a smug grin before Lisa sighed and waved her off. "No, no, just go before my husband has another episode."

Lenore nodded before walking off.

Dracula had his hands on the desk with his sharp fingernails scratching against the wood.

Lisa walked up to her husband and began rubbing his shoulders, "Hey, hey. This can be a good thing. You're letting your anger get the better of you again." She said softly in an effort to quell his anger.

He took more deep breaths until he was completely calm. "Yes yes…"

Lisa smiled, "Think about it, Adrian always does things for a reason. Why would our son pursue a relationship with the Princess of Arasaka?" She asked, trying to defend her son about his rash actions… Again.

"Because he is a romantic fool? Or believes he can exploit the woman of all her secrets." Dracula answered her question.

She sighed, "Vlad, he is our son. What would we gain from such a union of our son with the princess?" She stood up on her tiptoes and whispered. "Especially if her father and brother were to die and she would be the soul heir?"

She ran her hands all over his chest. "He's doing this so we can rule over Asia. He's doing this for us, my love." She said as she laid her head on his shoulder while looking at him.

Dracula took a deep breath before looking into her eyes. "And how do we know she is not using his love for her to her advantage? You know what the family is like, Lisa. You know what they are capable of."

Lisa cupped his face and looked into his eyes with a raised eyebrow. "You're telling me that there's a woman who can resist the famous Tepes charm and 'Skill'?"

Dracula looked into her eyes before chuckling and kissed her lips deeply, to which she reciprocated the kiss.

V and Jackie, Infiltration of the Plaza.

The elevator doors opened and the duo walked in, "Goddamn. I know I saw this in a BD, but it's kinda crazy to see this place for real." V said.

Jackie nodded in agreement, "No shit, choom. Once we hit it big, I'm bringing Misty here for a date. Hell, maybe I'll propose to her here with mi-mama present."

V chuckled, "What, and leave me out of that?" He looked around and at the tree when he saw an iguana on one of the branches. "Woah... An iguana. Never seen one in real life before."

Jackie nodded as he stared at the little lizard who just flicked his tongue, clearly not caring. "Ok, let's get this show on the road and make us both some serious eddies." He said with a smile as he moved to look around.

V noticed an egg and thought to himself, 'Yeah... Think I'll get an iguana for myself.'

He grabbed the egg and put it safely in his jacket before walking with Jackie. "Yeah, let's go. I know where it is."

He nodded as he kept an eye out for any trouble. "I'll keep us covered."

As this was happening, off in an apartment across from the Plaza was a command center with Lenore and Dracula and several agents with them. "Everything is going according to plan. Once they have it, the strike team will move in."

"Good." Dracula watched with his hands behind his back.

One operator soon stood up at attention. "Your Highness! We just got a lock on the CEOs Air ship heading to the plaza, to be precise its heading to the penthouse!" He informed them and Lenore cursed under her breath.

Dracula hummed, "This will compromise everything. How long until those two get the chip?"

Lenore went to the monitor and sighed in relief, "They got it and are… SON OF A RELIGIOUS WHORE!" She growled, as inside the penthouse, both Jackie and V were now hiding inside the TV as they tried to stay silent as possible.

Dracula narrowed his eyes at the sight and saw Yorinobu Arasaka walk into the penthouse along with a large hulking robotic figure with a pale head and cybernetic mouth and eyes.

Lenore growled, "Adam. Fucking. Smasher." She went to grab the radio unit to order the two agents. "Agent Alucard! You are to-" She was cut off as Dracula grabbed her wrist which caused her to look at Dracula in confusion.

"No. Let them have their fun." Dracula said, a glint in his eye showed he wanted to see Arasaka burn.

Lenore nodded and ordered. "Agent Alucard, Agent Victoria… you are go for Operation Neo-Trinity." She said as the monitor showed a car parking near the entrance and out stepped in two leather clad figures with one of them carrying a duffle bag.

Alucard was one of the leather clad figures, while the other was a small 20's year old woman with blonde hair that stuck up in different directions at the end. She had blue eyes and a rather large set of breasts.

"M-master, are you sure about this?" She asked with a nervous voice.

"Seras, I have a chance to act out my favorite movie scene of all time. I am not passing this opportunity up." Alucard replied.

Both put on dark shades as they walked in, once inside and past the metal detectors, a guard walked up and said. "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gonna have to ask you to put all loose items, keys, and-" He would have continued had Alucard not opened up his trench coat showing off the small arsenal he had attached to his body, shoulder holster, and even hip and legs. Eyes going wide, the guard looked up at the man and said in shock. "Holy shit!"

Alucard pulled out two dual pistols, one silvery while the other was an ebony black and shot the guard.

The other two jumped to their feet, but the woman whipped out a machine pistol and killed the guard on the left, leaving the guard on the right for Alucard, who dropped him in two shots. Of course this caused a massive panic as everyone ran from the scene, the panic sound of civilians and guest-goers was replaced with the sound of combat boots rushing towards them. Equipped head to toe in Arasaka combat gear, a full tactical team was seen aiming their weapons at the two as one yelled. "FREEZE!"

Alucard had his bloodthirsty grin on his face as he held his hands up and dropped the guns. This caused the guards to lower their weapons slightly before Alucard quickly grabbed them and began shooting up the guards. The bullets were huge and tore off huge chunks of the guard's bodies.

One tried to gun down the woman who ran on the wall, firing on him and his partner, once she landed back on the ground, she rolled to a pillar which soaked up their bullets. Of course, the fire fight had the side effect of causing an alarm to go off as the Arasaka Prince and Emperor were rushed to a safe room.

However, V and Jackie were running out of the TV and out of the penthouse. "What the hell is happening!? Did someone just declare war on Arasaka and we got roped into it!?" Jackie yelled as Arasaka soldiers noticed them and began shooting at the duo.

"No fucking clue, but we gotta go, now!" V fired at the Arasaka soldiers while Jackie held the case and a pistol in the other hand.

Jackie nodded as he followed, once they got to an area with a full window. Jackie was about to comment before the whole window exploded as the sight of A.I. and Tepes soldiers came rushing in, shooting at Arasaka forces and killing them.

"Secure the floor! Find the package! " Ordered an officer of the strike force as Jackie silently swore "Shit! V, those guys are Alucard and Tepes strike teams... We do not want to fight them." He whispered as he hid behind a bar with V.

"We might not have a choice, Jack." V whispers back, that was when two soldiers found their way around the bar and aimed their rifles at the duo.

"FREEZE! Drop your weapons, now!" An A.I troop said to them.

Jackie hissed as he laid down the pistol and declared. "Woah! Woah! We're not Arasaka! We cool! We cool!" He said as V did the same, laying down his weapons. The trooper looked at the whip and he got on the radio. "Base, I have two possible civilians with a briefcase, note one civilian has a chain whip. Advice, over." He said as Jackie sweats a bit really hoping he and V didn't die.

Dracula takes over the mic and speaks, "Take them and the case. We have what we came for."

He nodded, "It shall be done, my Lord." He looked back at them. "Alright you two, you're coming with us." Before he could finish, bullets rained on them as the soldier shouted. "Shit! Base, we are engaged! We have one wounded! Requesting air support!" Jackie grabbed the case and gun as he shot at the Arasaka forces. "V! VAMOS!" He yelled in Spanish to run very fast.

The Arasaka forces fired on the A.I and Tepes troops while V and Jackie ran. "HOLY SHIT!!"

The duo ran through the building. "Del! Meet us up front!" V called the A.I Taxi

Back with the troops, the walls bursted open and Adam Smasher walked through.

"Oh fuck... Base, ADAM SMASHER'S HERE! ADVISE, BASE!?!?" A Tepes troop reported.

The radio reported. "Paint the target for missile strike." They nod as they begin using their target designators. With V and Jackie, they ran to the stairs before the whole building shook. "Holy shit! V the hell was that!?"

"I don't fucking know!! Just run like hell, Jack! Don't look back!" V replied.

Once they got to the lobby, it was out of the frying pan and into the fire as they were now in the middle of a massive firefight with two leather clad people and what seemed like the entire Araska security forces. V could swear he heard the male figure laughing as he fired his weapons.

Outside was the ride to freedom, "This was supposed to be an easy job!" Jackie yelled as he ran with V through the hail of bullets and death that was the lobby.

V saw Delamain, the AI Taxi Service, at the front of the building. "Go go go!" They ran through, dodging bullets that were whisking right near their heads.

A bullet shot through Jackie's side and hit the case, making him fall down. V looked back with his eyes widened, "JACKIE!!" He ran back and grabbed him by the arms, "Come on, get up!"

By a miracle, both got into the car as the door closed, the car speeding off away from the active combat zone that was the Plaza.

V and Jackie both panted heavily as they caught their breath in the car. "Holy shit... We made it, Jackie! We fucking made it!"

Jackie laughed a bit, before his laughs were replaced with coughs as blood was seen coming out of his side. "Ah shit… V."

"Fuck, Jackie!" V put pressure on the wound before asking him, "How's the chip?"

Jackie coughed a little. "Its case is fucked… you're gonna have to house it." He moved the case weakly to V.

"What!? Is that even safe?" V exclaimed.

Jackie looked at his choom, "You gotta do it, V." He said weakly, blood leaking from his lips.

V looked at him before shouting, "Fuck!" He looked at Delamain and exclaimed, "Get us to Vik's!"

"I cannot go against the route that has already been put into progress." Delamain said.

"I don't fucking care, get us to a ripperdoc!" V shouted before looking back at the case and took a deep breath. "Ok... Let's do it." He opened the case before pulling the chip out and inserted it into the vape of his neck.

Jackie coughed as he looked at Night City. "Heh, after this, we're gonna be legends, right? Right, hermano? Right." He asked as his breathing started to become shallow.

Tears slowly began to leak from V's eyes, "Hey hey, we're gonna be legends. Living legends! We're gonna get better jobs and you're gonna go home and see Misty! Keep your eyes open!"

Jackie only smiled as he said, "Misty… she always knew… but stayed with me." Before his final breath left his lips, his head going slightly limp, dying with his eyes open, looking out at the city.

"NO NO NO NO NO JACKIE!! NO NO NO!!" V cried out as he held Jackie by his collar, and shook him slightly, trying to bring him back somehow.

The cars A.I. spoke up, "I'm afraid Mister Welles has expired. Where would you like for me to take the body?"

V didn't hear anything, the world was blank to him as he stared into the dead eyes of his friend. He placed his hands over his eyes and closed them to give him a peaceful look.

The car parked at the No-Tell Motel and Delamain asked his question once more. "Where would you like me to take the body, Mr. V?"

V blinked as he realized where he was and answered the A.I. "Take him to Mama Welles."

The A.I. nodded as he did so after V got out of the car.

V wasn't the only one as off with Dracula, Lenore was giving him her report. "We lost the target during the firefight, thankfully we made sure all cameras and data about the operation was secured so no one can say we were the ones to attack. Of course things are more complicated… the Emperor of Arasaka is dead." She reported, looking up at Her king.

Dracula looked at Lenore with a raised eyebrow, "Saburo Arasaka is dead?"

She nodded, "Yes, Mi'lord. From what we gathered, he was strangled." Before she could continue, a dark aura was felt coming towards them, it was pure anger as the door slammed open hard enough that the wall cracked a bit from the force. Standing in the doorway was Lisa who was calm, very, very calm.

With a pleasant smile as she tilted her head to the side. "My love." She said sweetly as Lenore did the smart thing and stayed out of the way.

Dracula turned around to look at his wife and asked, "Yes?"

She walked forward while continuing her sweet voice. "What's this I hear about an attack on the plaza, not just an attack but also that you authorized A CRUISE MISSILE STRIKE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS AROUND CIVILIANS!" Her voice was calm before it became higher until it sounded like a roaring dragon, coming closer now to the desk she speaks calmly again.

"Now if this is true then I would understand the reason if it's good, however the fact you didn't run it BY YOUR WIFE IS WHAT HAS ME SO UPSET!" With a single punch of her fist, she split his desk in half, Lenore by this point was GONE, leaving Lisa and Dracula alone in the room… Within a hundred foot radius.

Dracula's cape flew from her striking his desk, but he was unfazed. "It's as you said, if the father and son die, the daughter takes the throne. As for the cruise missile... Adam Smasher was there. I wanted him destroyed."

Lisa just stared at him for the longest time before she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Did we at least get the poor Belmont boy?" She asked, hoping for some good news.

Dracula sighed, "He escaped the fight, and we do not know where he is."

Outside the HQ of Alucard industries, it was calm. Until a roar was heard that was strong enough to shake the very building as even the birds flew away. "WWWWWHHHAAAAAAAAAAATT!!!???"

Back with V, he walked down the hallway and towards the door Delamain told him where Dexter Deshawn was. He knocked on the door and waited before banging on the door once more. "Dex! It's V!"

The door was opened by the bodyguard as Dex was seen watching the TV. Dexter Deshawn was an obese African American with a right golden cybernetic arm.

"Man, this is being covered by every channel. Even the pirate stations are talking about it. Hell, folks are saying this is the start of a possible 5th Corpo War. Shit V, it must have been crazy." He turned around and looked at V and asked, "Where's your partner?"

V took deep breaths in an attempt to calm down as he answered. "He's dead."

Dex sighed as he hung his head down a bit. "I'm sorry to hear that. You go and get cleaned up and we'll talk about what happens next." He motioned to the bathroom to V's left.

V nodded slightly before walking towards the bathroom. He went inside and looked into the mirror to see blood all around his face. His breathing increased in intensity as he punched the mirror, cracking it. He took deep breaths to calm himself before turning on the sink and began washing his hands and face of the blood.

After cleaning up, V finally came out of the bathroom and Dex asked, "So. Do you have the shard?" The bodyguard stood close by.

V thought about his answer, before replying, "Yeah... I've got the shard."

Dex nodded a bit before the guard hit V in the back of the head and Dex started to rant. "You think we can get away with this? With all the heat on us now!? Not just Arasaka but also Tepes and Alucard! You fucked me V! You and your friend seriously fucked up!" He exclaimed as the bodyguard came around and soon brought his boot down on V's face.

"We brought you... The fucking chip!" V struggled as he tried moving himself. "MY FRIEND DIED FOR YOU! FOR US!"

Dex huffed before grabbing the bodyguard's gun and finished with, "Sorry V, it seems I chose the quiet life." Dex aimed at V and shot him in the head.

There comes a time in everyone's life when they see their life flash before their eyes and it makes them question if they lived a good life. There is also a time where a death will shake the world, but not in Night City. Death happens all the time, and no one cares.

However, things were not as bleak as they seemed, for off with Blake she was seen with Lucy, the former Arasaka Netrunner who ran with David Martinez, who was hooked up to a Tepes Industries netrunner chair.

"Have you found him YET!? His Highness and her Grace are growing more impatient by the hour." Blake's cat ear flicked as she was fighting the urge to shoot what she saw as a possible liability to her realms leadership.

"I'm fucking working on it! Wait a minute. A Delamain Taxi Vehicle was spotted at the entrance of Konpeki Plaza. Got a hit! Delamain was seen going down south. Stopped at the No-Tell Motel." Lucy said.

Blake was on her feet. "Track it! I'll get his Highness an update." She went to call but a ping pulled her back to the screen as a CCTV camera picked up activity out front of the No-Tell Motel.

The bodyguard walked out, carrying a dead body. "Holy shit... It's him." Lucy said.

Blake soon got on the call as she ordered "I need a recovery team now!"

Sending a message up the chain, Lisa crushed the glass she had before walking over to a wall and was about to grab a shotgun if not for her husband's hand stopping her.

"Stop!" Dracula ripped the shotgun out of her hands and spoke, "We will deal with this. You need to take deep breaths."

He looked back at the TV before giving out orders, "Track that Evelyn Parker down! I want the employer and everyone who was involved in this job!"

The team behind the TV nodded rushing off while Lisa tried to take the weapon out of her husband's hands. "He needs help! He needs medical attention! THE BASTARDS WHO HURT THE SPAWN OF THOSE WE BROKE BREAD WITH AND CALLED FAMILY MUST DIE!"

She snapped at her husband with bloody tears coming out of her eyes as the familiar look of failure was seen in her eyes as the fight began to leave her body.

Dracula dropped the shotgun and held Lisa in his arms, "Shh... Shh... Shh…"

Lisa just cried as she repeated the same words over and over. "I can't fail, I can't fail them again." She said into Dracula's shoulder as the sound of their strike teams were heard deploying from the building, including Adrian who was leading them in an armored SUV while Blake and her team was in an airship.

Down with Adrian, he held a revolver in one hand and his trusty longsword was sheathed as he shouted, "Search this entire motel, I want everyone rounded up!"

They nodded as they rushed to work, searching the rooms.

Once they got to the room where the crime went down, Blake hissed. "My prince, we're too late. They've gone."

The report made Adrian growl out. "LUCY! UPDATE! NOW!" His blood was boiling as he was back in the Adrian persona who served in the war and brought victories to his father's kingdom.

"Dexter Deshawn, big time Fixer in Night City. That's who we need to look for. I'm looking for him. He was last seen going north. Possibly trying to get the fuck out of dodge." Lucy responded.

He growled out an order. "We're Oscar Mike! We have prey to hunt!" He ordered as they rushed back to the SUVs and airships. "I need an exact location or at least where he might be going now Lucy!"

Once in the air, Lucy sent the nav data. "He's heading to the junkyard, he's probably gonna dump the body then go to the ground. However they're not alone as they have a tail. It's the ex-bodyguard of the now dead Arasaka Senior." She reported.

"Goro Takemura... Blake, where's that Recovery Team?" Adrian asked as he entered the armored SUV with the rest of the team.

Blake reported as she was in the airship now over the highway. "We're three Mike's out from the junkyard, if we make it in time we can save the VIP, orders for the other two and the bodyguard?" Her panther DNA was showing for when she referenced the other three, it was clear she was hoping for a kill-on-sight order.

"Kill them." Adrian growled.

Blake grinned as she said with way too much pleasure. "It shall be done, my Lord."

Back with V, his consciousness was in and out, he heard that he was being thrown into a trunk, then he heard the sound of an engine, but what came next was something he assumed was a fever dream as he was being thrown into the piles of metal and junk.

After he landed onto the ground, he heard faint laughter along with a low rumble of an airship engine.

V's vision was filled with glitches and his body was weak but he attempted to crawl out of the dump.

What followed was the sound of gunfire and shouts, his vision failed again until he saw two figures moving towards him. "Over here!"

One shouted as they rushed, upon arriving at V's body, he heard one of them say. "Captain Blake! We found the VIP! He's in need of medical treatment! Gunshot wound to the head." It was silent until he continued, "Yes, he's alive but barely, marking our post for medevac."

His vision darkened until it came back to see bright lights and the smell of cleansing alcohol. His vision darkened even more until later when he looked up to see a blurry face with golden hair.

A woman's voice was heard. "Stabilize him!" The beeping of the heart monitor was heard as it slowed down. "Damn it, Your Highness, we're losing him!" The woman's voice came back. "NO! Not again!"

The sound of an electrical charge was heard before the same woman's voice was heard shouting. "CLEAR!"

A shock hit V, making his vision come back as the bright white light shines on his eyes and is surrounded by white until his vision becomes clear.

V gasped for air before taking deep breaths. His vision still glitched, but he could see more clearly as he saw doctors everywhere, along with the Tepes Family watching him.

Lisa spoke with Adrian and her husband. "The damage was more surface than anything, but I fear we can't get the shard out until we know more about it."

The two slowly nod, from V's side he sees a guard with his pistol close by. Thinking he's about to be a prisoner, he jumped from the bed, grabbing the guard's pistol, he took the man hostage "NOBODY FUCKING MOVE!" He shouted as he had the pistol jabbed into the guard's neck.

Lisa's eyes widened before holding her hands out. "Hey hey. Calm down, Mr. V. You nearly died, we saved you. We've been looking for you for a while."

"Better fucking let me go!" V warned him as he jabbed the pistol even more.

She nodded, "Ok, ok... But I ask you to take me as a hostage instead."

V looked confused and Adrian spoke up. "Mother!"

Lisa shouted, "I SHALL NOT HAVE ANYONE DIE ON MY WATCH! I value their lives more than my own." She looked at V in the eyes as a slight glow was seen. "So, you will take me as your hostage, I can assure you that with me as your hostage I can get you out of here much faster." Her words were sweet as V slowly nodded.

Dracula put a hand on Adrian's shoulder, knowing what she's doing.

V's eyes grew heavy as he let go of the guard while Lisa slowly walked towards him. He grabbed her and placed the pistol to her spine.

They slowly moved, once in the hallway they moved through the facility as V had shaken his head.

"Listen, I know you don't want to hear this. However I wish for you to know that I hold no ill feelings towards you. I am simply a doctor who wishes to save lives." She said to V even though he had a gun embedded into her spine, using her as a human, or in her case vampire shield.

"I... Don't care... I ain't... Getting taken by... Arasaka." V said while his vision glitched more and his head hurt.

Lisa replied, "I can assure you, you're not in an Arasaka facility, you're in a Tepes Industries-backed hospital which was opened by me." V looked at her with wide eyes as he saw her more clearly.

Lisa saw the entrance to the hospital and said in a calming voice, "I'm going to reach into my pocket and pull out a set of keys to my car. I hope you won't shoot me for reaching for them."

"O-ok..." He said before allowing her to grab the keys.

She held them out and V took them. "Black Sedan with the red accents." She instructed him to her car as the gun was pointed at her front. "I'd recommend you get a doctor soon. You need honest medical help." She said in a worried motherly tone of voice as her heart broke to see the child of those she called family acting as if she was going to bite into their neck and drain them of blood.

V pointed his gun at her before seeing the sedan she was talking about. He walked towards it and got inside the car before beginning to drive away

Dracula and Adrian walked out and he asked his mother, "Mother, why didn't we subdue him? We had an opportune moment!"

She turned around and almost smacked her son but stopped herself. "This is why I am the doctor of the family. He has clear signs of grief, not only that but also distrust! You wish for me to hold someone who needs time to heal and grief for the loss of someone close?! Think before you act!" She stormed off but stopped and looked over her shoulder. "There's a tracker on the Sedan, I'd suggest a wait-and-watch strategy." She walked off to check on her other patients.

Adrian stood there stunned as he looked at his father. "Have I truly been so bullheaded, Father?" He asked as he was still in slight shock from being yelled at by his mother for the first time, as long as he can remember.

Dracula sighed, "Son, you're grieving as well. You're desperate to find the Belmont, and we did. But we need him to come to us. You may have been bullheaded, but your heart's in the right place. Let's go."

He nodded as he followed his father inside, sending a message to Blake to tail V and give him updates on his location.

Over with V, he drove towards Vik's Clinic, parking and stumbled out of the car. He groaned as he got up and limped towards Misty's shop. He entered inside, "Misty!" He shouted slightly as leaned against the door frame.

Misty, seeing V in his state, rushed over and took him down to Vik who began to work on him. After finishing up, Vik was seen with a depressed face as he looked at V as if he was a dead man walking.

V groaned as grew conscious and looked at Vik. "Vik? That you?"

The ripperdoc nodded as he took a swig from a bottle of whiskey. "V, I'm… I'm so sorry." He said in a defeated tone.

"Sorry? About what..." V grunted as he sat up from the operating table.

Vik looked at V while taking off his sunglasses and said, "V. You're dying."

"What!? How!?" V exclaimed very weakly while looking at him.

Vik breathed heavily. "It's the shard V. It… it's hard to explain because the tech is different from your standard shard."

"Tell me everything." V demanded.

Vik put on his sunglasses and started breaking it down. "The shard houses an advanced personality matrix which is slowly taking over your mind like a cancerI… can't remove it without killing you, V. The best I can do is give you pills to help suppress it, but it's a bandaid over a crack on a dam."

"Fuck... That's why... I'm getting memories that aren't mine... It was 2023. I remember that date for some reason. I was angry and I shouted it into a mic but it didn't do anything. The fuck is going on with me!?" V asked as he clutched his head.

Vik just sighed and answered, "You have the memories of a big time terrorist who was big talk back in my day." He set a bottle of pills down in front of him, shaking his head, he said. "I'm sorry V.'' Before getting up and walking out, and letting V have some time alone.

V looked at him with shock and confusion. That was when Misty walked over to V with a wheelchair. "You're asking him things that he can't answer, V. That no one can answer."

Misty took V back to the Mega Tower with the sedan, parked it and wheeled him inside to his apartment.

Blake was dressed in civilian clothing as she acted like a simple girl smoking as she reported. "I have the subject's apartment, he looks pretty shaken, and has signs of a man who's on borrowed time." She said as she walked towards the apartment door. "I can hack into the apartment and get the digital bugs in place." She said into her call as she was now leaning on the wall next to the door acting like a punk.

"Do it, and then leave. I want to see and hear his every move." Dracula ordered.

"Copy that." She said before her eyes glowed as the digital bugs were planted, then walked away.

On the inside, V was just staring at the ground. Numb to the world as everything came back to his mind. The heist, the attacks, Jackie. HIS BROTHER! Dead, Dex's betrayal, waking up in a corpo hospital, and then now. Finding out he was dying.

Misty gave him the two bottles of pills before leaving with the wheelchair.

Tears began to slowly drip down his cheeks before he began crying while curling into a ball in his bed.

Finally getting it out of his system, he started to get up only to get punched to the face, once his vision cleared he looked up and with shock, he saw someone who wasn't supposed to be there.

"Who the fuck are you!?" The man shouted as he stood over him. But the strangest thing happened in V's vision, the man's figure was glitching.

The man was tall with long black hair, dark aviators, and a silver metal left arm. He had a bulletproof vest, brown pants and leather western style boots.

V was just silent as he stared at what he thought was a ghost, until he assumed it was a vision being created by his mind.

"What the fuck..." V whispered before the stranger continued.

"I feel like mold on fruit..." He was no longer on top of V. He was now disappearing and reappearing at different parts of V's complex. "I'm creeping in and I have no say in it."

"Get the fuck out..." V growled as he grabbed the blue bottle and opened it before he appeared before him once more.

"Not like that!" The stranger smacked it out of his hands, and grabbed his face, "Stick some iron in your mouth and pull the trigger!" He smacked him away from the bed.

Of course, for Dracula watching, he was curious as to why it seemed like V was being hit by something not there, and was even talking to a spector he could not see nor hear. His family along with Lenore were also there, watching V do some strange maneuvers. Like throwing the bottle away before launching himself from the bed.

"What in the world…" Dracula trailed off.

Lisa was shocked, "Oh my god… He's fighting someone who isn't there. I have only seen this in those with multiple personality disorders. However, V did not show signs of it."

"Cyberpsychosis?" Adrian suggested.

Lenore shook her head. "No, he doesn't have the amount of augments needed for it… This only seem to happen." Her eyes went wide as she looked at Lisa who nodded. "After the heist. I wasn't able to do a full work over on his tech."

Lisa stood up. "I'm going to the ripperdoc and I'm getting to the bottom of this."

"Take Blake with you." Dracula ordered.

Lenore nodded, "I'll call Agent Red Riding Hood as well."

Dracula nodded before looking back at the camera in V's apartment to show him crawling towards the pile of pills on the floor. They could hear him growl out, "See you never, asshole." Before swallowing a pill.

Lisa left with Ruby and her own protection detail, arriving in the alleyway, she walked over and stopped when she saw Blake who was now in pants, a cat cap, tank top, and sunglasses and vaped, trying to act like a Street Kid. "The ripperdoc is called Viktor, he's in the back of the shop here." She said to Lisa who nodded in acknowledgement.

"How should we do this? Charm the lady up front to show us to Viktor?" Ruby asked as she joined Blake up against the wall.

Lisa shook her head. "No, this is a doctor to doctor business. Stay out here." The two bowed their head as she walked inside. Once she introduced herself to Misty, she quickly brought her to Vik. "Hey Vik uh...you have a visitor and it's… It's Mother Lisa."

Lisa smiled. "Well it's actually Doctor Tepes but I guess my nickname is famous even here."

Vik was watching some boxing when Misty brought her in. He looked at the lady doctor and said, "Doctor Tepes. It's nice to meet you, but my guess is you ain't here to get some chrome. How can I help you?"

She nodded as she brought a chair and sat down in front of Viktor. "Yes, I'm here because I had a patient came in. His name is V and I'd like to speak with you as one doctor to another."

She said to which Vik adopted a sad face before answering. "It's not good."

Lisa steeled herself and said. "Tell me everything."

"V has a chip in his neck that has a personality construct, it's giving him memories of another person. He and this other person are connected to each other in a way I can't understand." Viktor explained.

Lisa controlled her emotions and nodded. "I can only guess, were dealing with a cancer like situation here, Doctor?" She asked as her mind raced at what operations she would have to do to save V.

"Pretty much, except this cancer has a soul and a bad personality that is overwriting V's psyche. Essentially, he'll be a husk and the personality will take over." Vik said, sighing as he slumped against his chair. "Craziest thing is... I know who it is."

Lisa looked at him. "Who?" She asked as her emotions were trying to come to the front.

"Big time terrorist back in the day. Johnny Silverhand." Vik revealed.

Lisa muled over the reveal and slowly nodded as she stood. "Thank you for this information. Now I'm going to do what my oath needs me to do." She turned around and started to walk away.

Vik nodded before putting a hand on his head in an attempt to stop the flow of emotions. "Good luck, Miss…" He whispered.

At Misty's shop, Blake and Ruby were playing rock, papers, scissors when Lisa emerged from the store. "Did we get anything useful?" Ruby asked.

Lisa nodded as she walked to the SUV with her security personnel behind her, "Yes, more than we hoped and more then anything, it's the very reason I became a doctor." She said with determination.

Blake and Ruby followed her and Lisa finished with, "We're going to save V."