Disclaimer: Hellsing does not belong to me. It belongs to Kouta Hirano, Dark Horse Comics, Geneon Entertainment and Gonzo Animation. So please don't sue me.

Chapter 2:

A Fledgling Lost

And Recovered

It was a night unlike any other. The wind blew, silent, yet noisy.

Lit only by the full moon, the animals inhabiting the forest shivered in fear and ran to their nests. Everything in this place was creepy, such that even the wolves retreated to their dens.

Something told them it was not safe to stay out.

Something told them a perilous being whose strength and power could not be matched was on the march.

How true their instincts were.

The air was thick with mystification, coupled with the smell of blood and sweat. Occasionally, a scream would break the unexplained silence.

Suddenly, a pair of heavy and bloodied boots slammed onto the grass. Squeaks of frightened animals ensued.

The massive black figure swept his head with annoyance, silencing the irritating noises. The unexpectedly bright moon shone on its armour, revealing splashes of red on the steel. In its hands were the remains of blood-soaked rats.

A slurping sound was heard, somehow causing the temperature to drop.

Another gust of wind blew, sweeping the dead leaves into the air; the figure's hair billowing in the would-be breeze.

"Come forth," he spoke, voice coarse and commanding. "Prove to me that you're worthy of my blood."

Obediently, the subject in question stepped out of the shadows into the moonlight.

"I am who you seek, is that correct?" he inquired in a thick French accent.

"You are sharp and bold, I see. Able to hide your nationality as well. Perfect."

"So you know of my country? What is it then?" he pushed, keeping his French air.

"Of course I do. You were born in Germany, your father a German, British on your maternal side. I know all about you," he added, seeing the half-concealed awestruck expression on his company's face.

"Then why did you want to know more about me? You know that I am not your happy-go-lucky guy," he pointed out.

"I saw your plea on an underground magazine, Rudolf Meltzer. Foolishly, you wanted to seek a better life, and therefore turned to the idiotic Hitler."

There was a rustle of fabric and a shriek shattered the still air. Alucard had lunged at Meltzer, biting his neck upon contact.

A scuffle resulted from the attempt of blood sucking; all the while Alucard having the upper hand. After a few minutes, the Nazi collapsed, weak from the heavy loss of blood.

"Remember, Meltzer. I am now your master, and your life depends on mine. You will do as I say."

"And why should I?"

"You will do as I say."

With that, he was gone in a swish of his cloak and a last glitter of his armour.

Alucard's eyes flickered open. Staring into the darkness of his casket, he tried to recollect his dream and flashback of the past.

Now he finally remembered.

He did not fancy waking in the middle of the day, but that dream was crucial to his plans.

Since now that he has remembered his long-forgotten fledgling, it would make his task of changing Seras easier. He wouldn't need to bother finding a charming male to help heal Seras' wounded heart and provide her with proper companionship.

If he recalled correctly, Meltzer was a General-Lieutenant during Hitler's reign. And that he had allowed him to run and hide during his and Walter's attack on the Nazis.

Dear, dear Rudolf, he thought. I've got another assignment for you now.

Meltzer would be the perfect man in Seras' eyes. Tall, handsome, strong with exceptional leadership qualities… Seras would see him that way, blinded by the attractive grey eyes of his Nazi background.

Wonderful.

If Meltzer was still alive, then he would be able to summon and set him to his work almost immediately.

Meltzer, he called in his mind. Meltzer, can you hear me?

Yes, Master, I can. What do you request?

Prepare your luggage, dear Rudolf. Pack your best clothes. I'm coming to get you in an hour. Be ready.

Yes, Master Alucard.

Now, all he needed to do was to squeeze in another hour of sleep before he would disembark.

But he couldn't sleep. He was too excited to do so. After so many years, he would meet up again with the fledgling he thought he lost contact with. Then he would be able to carry out the first phase of his wicked "strategy".

It was very unlike him to be that excited. After all, it wasn't as if Seras had just become a true undead with nearly unmatched powers.

He would have to let Meltzer in on the scheme, but he could not disclose too much. Should he reveal that the death of the German was part of it, the tactic was as good as ruined.

An hour passed, and the time came for the transportation of Meltzer.

Alucard got out of his coffin, smoothing his attire, preparing to teleport to his fledgling's dwelling.

Soon, he was standing at the entrance of the former Nazi general's hideout. It was far from civilization, located on a remote island.

"Meltzer!" shouted Alucard. "Why, you aren't out to greet me with open arms!"

"Sorry, Master."

Meltzer hurriedly scurried out from his shady cave, having not forgotten how his Master was like. He looked the same as the way Alucard had left him, with a few exceptions. He still wore his grimy uniform, cap and boots and had a scar on his neck where Alucard had bitten him. However, his clothes reeked of the smell of the mud and water he had not bothered to wash off. His eyes had also changed, red due to his vampirism and had fangs.

But all these changes did not erase the look in his eyes. They looked steely, yet full of warmth and kindness. Something he gained while a British Prisoner-Of-War. The scenes of torture he saw of humans had made him more aware of human suffering. But he was still steely, for he did not want to end up like the tortured.

"So, Rudolf. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Master. Where are we leaving for?"

"Romania. I live there now that I'm no longer a servant to anyone."

"Yes, Sir. Good to know that you were freed from servitude to that worthless woman."

"Don't you dare to insult my once-Master, lowly filth," Alucard flared. No one would condemn the female Knight in his presence or anywhere in the world.

Meltzer stood dumbstruck. He was always under the impression that his Master despised having a bond with humans. Much less having a master he was bound to serve with his life.

"My deepest apologies, Master. I did not mean to do so."

"You had better be," he hissed, unseen venom dripping from his lips. "And for that," he continued. "I am going to give you a taste of one of my punishments. I know how much you hate killing others since the war…"

"I –I'm sorry, Master. Truly sorry… Please, I do not wish to—"

"Silence! Get your luggage out now!"

"Y-yes, Master. As you say so."

Meltzer retreated back into his cave, returning with a tattered trunk in his hands.

"Is this all you have, Meltzer? I told you to get your best possessions in place of filthy ones, didn't I?"

"Most regretful, Master. With respect, this is all that I was left after you wrecked our camp, taking the lives of soldiers I had in command with you."

"I see then. We shall get you new possessions that are in better shape than your current ones before we start work on your mission."

"Is that so, Sir? I notice that you normally do not mind things in such a state. What's the special occasion?"

Alucard told him. A smile slowly spread across his face as Alucard briefed him of the task ahead of him and the plans. He may not like killing or torturing others, but it sounded so good, reawakening the demon in him.

They left for Romania, the two laughing mercilessly.

Phase One of the scheme was going to be executed smoothly.

Author's note: Sorry for keeping you readers waiting. If it is unknown to you (which most probably is), Rudolf Meltzer was a real general of Hitler. For some of his personal details, the information in the story may be wrong, due to his lack of well-known ness, thus little information. So if there is anything wrong with the facts regarding anything related to anything in the story, drop me an e-mail to tell me. Thanks.