1Chapter Ten: Graduation from Boot Camp (The FREAK Wars begin)

Dimitri looked up and down the ranks of the American vampires. In their full black uniforms, standing rigidly at attention, they did look rather impressive. And Dimitri had made sure there was skill under all the impressive looks. He actually nodded in approval.

Sara, Kyle, and Lui stood out in front of the rest, being the only three to accomplish the task required of graduating, hitting Dimitri. Lui had been first, followed closely by Kyle. Surprisingly, it had been Sara who finished last of the three.

They were officially the leaders of the American Army of Vampires.

"I must say, you've surpassed my every expectation, all of you. I didn't think there was any hope that I would find soldiers here, yet you stand before me. Soldiers. I've given you a crash course, and you've passed. Congratulations."

Dimitri looked around at them again, "Sadly, now I have to leave. I have my own battles to fight, and quite frankly I'm very much done wiping your noses and cleaning up your bloody corpses every other day. But I leave knowing that I did the impossible and turned you into an army of the undead."

He walked forward, and extended a hand to Sara, "Now, you can thank me."

She shook his hand firmly, "Thank you."

Dimitri nodded one last time, smiling, then turned when he heard the distinct 'thwop-thwop' noise of helicopters approaching. There were three, one transport and two combat ones escorting it.

They landed, and a lone, cloaked figure emerged from the transport. He walked towards them in a brisk, precise manner.

Dimitri snapped to attention and saluted as the vampire approached. Then a voice, rough and scraggy, said, "At ease. So tell me Dimitri, how did it go?"

The blond drill-master motioned to the group, "Look for yourself Vincent."

At hearing the name, four of the vampires in the group straitened even more. Sara yelled out a sharp order, "Vampires, attention!"

Each saluted and looked strait forward as Vincent and Dimitri approached, the younger one giving commentary, "I'll admit, they have impressed me. They each possess dogged determination that's becoming so uncommon these days. And some of them, I would put them against any soldier of ours of similar age. And you'll be happy to know you were right about the boy, he has some skill about him." Dimitri added the last part a bit grudgingly. Vincent was his friend and commander, but the blonde vampire was annoyed at his always being right all the time.

"Good, a strong army requires a strong leader."

"If I didn't know you as well as I do I would call that bragging Vincent."

"Stating a fact."

"As always. Anyway, they have three strong leaders in their midst, with another few in the making. Lui, he's good at leading units in battle. He's creative and quick witted enough to think of a plan on his feet, and crazy enough to go through with it. This one, Kyle Newman, perhaps you remember him as Kyle 'Lightning'?"

"Ah, the American demon of World War Two. No surprise there. You were saying?"

"He lacks the creative flare of Lui, but is just as sharp, if not more so, and his ideas are more sound. He doesn't try to set a plastic explosive in a building then jump out the window, praying it doesn't all collapse on him. Most of the time anyway."

"And who is the third?"

"Why, none other than our dear Sara Hunter. I thought you would have realized that. She's as experienced as I am, and while not as combat inclined, I would venture to say she has a better understanding of large scale tactics and military deployment than Thomas does. I would call her second only to you."

Vincent nodded slowly, "Good. Very good. So Sara, can the vampires of the 'demon master's' army count on the support of America?"

"As long as we are fighting the trash that is filling up our world, yes."

"Thank you. I fear the next time we meet will be on a battlefield. Trouble is brewing, and not just trash and FREAKs."

"What do you mean?"

"We aren't sure yet. But there are other forces at work. Be on your guard. Come on Dimitri, I want a full report on how strong these Americans are."

As soon as they were gone, Sara told them, "Alright, dismissed. Make your way back to your on duty posts in New York."

There were shouts of joy as the vampires rushed to cars, vans, jeeps, and other such vehicles that waited to take them. They were done. The longest two years of the eternity they faced were finally done, and they were over joyed.

"I think I know what he was implying." Kyle stated suddenly. Sara looked at him, shocked.

"What?"

"Think of all the other groups that hate pureblood vampires. FREAKs, the new trash vampires, I'm sure some of the members of the council are in on this, and maybe even..."

He looked up at the rising full moon. It took Sara several minutes to figure out the threat that such a moon posed to vampires, "You don't think that they would? I mean, they wouldn't."

"I don't know. We weren't exactly gentle with them after the war. And I know some hard feelings remain. All it would take is one of the older ones, and the rest would flock to him."

"I hope you aren't right."

"So do I. But if I am, we have to be ready. Come on, who knows what's happened in New York over the past two years."

NEW YORK CITY, LITTLE WHILE LATER (ROAD TRIP!)

Lui and Seras pulled up in front of his club/home. They were in a car, and Seras had stoutly refused to let the American drive. He had been pouting the whole way at actually driving in a vehicle obeying the speed limit. Lui sighed in relief when they parked in front of his place.

However, they both stared at the lit neon sign and the people wandering around outside. Seras was first to speak.

"Club Patriot? That's what you named the place?" Seras asked. She had never seen the sign lit, and Lui had never told her what it was called.

"What's wrong with that? I would have changed it to 'Club Vampire', but there were major copyright issues. And who in the heck is running my bar?"

Lui stomped in angrily, looking at the bar for a moment. The bartender seemed slightly familiar. Where had he seen him before? Then it hit him, "Walter?"

And sure enough, there was the English butler, serving the drinks at the counter. The music was loud, so Lui had to push his way through the crowd to get to the bar. He stopped in the middle of the room to look at the baseball game in progress. He cursed under his breath as the final inning came to close and some people started yelling angrily.

"Darn it, the Red Sox beat the Yankees again?"

He continued to push his way through the crowd, until he finally found himself at the counter. Walter had his back turned, so Lui yelled over the music, "Hey Angel of Death, 'Bloody Mary', O!"

Walter turned, looking shocked, then laughed, "Master Luis! It's so good to see you again!"

Lui looked at the man, and asked, "Walter, you're a ghost. How did you change clothes?"

"I'm a bit like vampires. I can summon and change clothing at a whim, or I can now. It's a rather handy little trick isn't it?"

Lui laughed, and nodded. He had been ecstatic when he found out vampires could regenerate and produce clothing. It explained how Sara and Kyle's clothes were never torn or full of holes, "So what are you doing here? I thought Sara left you in charge?"

"She did, I have been running your little territory's affairs from here."

"Alright, how did you find out this was my club, and why are you running it?"

"Every other vampire in this city knew about it, and I started running it because I became rather bored."

"Walter?" A female voice asked.

"Ah Miss Victoria. I'm glad to see you as well."

"So Walter, have you heard anything of interest? Any new developments that we would find useful?" Lui asked.

"Not really. The world has been discreetly ignoring the fact vampires exist, and they've had a good way to distract them rebuilding the shattered fragments of London. But now the public outcry for answers is growing stronger. I fear a 'Salem Witch Hunt'? Is brewing."

"More like a bad case of Van Hellsing fever. Every half-strong idiot with a stake thinks he'll rid the world of us all."

Lui, after being hit in the back several times by people walking by, and getting a headache trying to yell over the music, finally decided, "Walter, can you get these people out of here? This is still my club, and I would really like some quiet time."

"Of course sir." Walter said, reaching over to a microphone on the counter, "Forgive the inconvenience, but it seems that we have a slight technical problem, and for your safety we must ask that you all exit the club until further notice. Thank you."

There was the usual grumbling, but the people cleared out pretty quick once someone yelled 'gas leak'. When they were all gone, Lui turned off the music, and looked at the mess they had made.

The American sighed and sat down on the couch.

"So much for a return to a peaceful home. I'm going to be cleaning this place all day..." Lui muttered, looking around to the garbage and spilled drinks everywhere. Then he sighed in a bored manner, "No, that would be a waste of time."

He snapped his fingers, and lazily the trash started levitating and throwing itself into a trash can. The liquid was pulled off the floor, and flowed down a sink. In a matter of minutes the entire place was exactly how Lui had left it.

"Show off." Seras muttered, walking over to the bar and sitting on a stool, letting her entire upper body collapse onto the cool surface.

"So how did your training go?" Walter asked.

"Horrible, but check this out."

Seras rolled up the sleeve of her shirt and flexed her arm muscle. Walter was impressed. It took a lot of effort for a vampire's muscles to grow like that.

"Let's see, I haven't had a full stomach in... about two years. I haven't had a truly good day's sleep in... two years. I haven't had a day where I just laid around being my lazy self in, you guessed it, two years. Let's just say it wasn't much fun."

"I looked up everything I could on this Nomeriv fellow. But it was surprisingly little..."

"Vincent Nomeriv, guy from Europe, super strong, most powerful force of vampire soldiers in the world, one of the few that support the American vampires. He sent his second in command to train us, and that's where we have been for the last two years. And no offense, but I was kinda hoping to come back to an empty home."

Walter took the hint, but asked, "So you wish me to leave sir?"

"No, that's fine. Not like I can really keep you out, vampire wards don't exactly work on ghosts now do they?"

Walter smiled, his concentration fading. His body became transparent, and he sighed, "I'm getting better about remaining in solid form, but it is still rather difficult. It takes great concentration. Luckily the people are normally to drunk to care when I suddenly turn transparent for a few seconds. Oh yes, Miss Victoria?"

Seras groggily opened her eyes, "What?"

"Have you heard from Alucard?"

"No Walter, I haven't heard from Alucard." Seras told him in a tired, slightly sad voice.

"Not even one of his telepathic messages?"

"No. I guess I could try and contact him if you need to speak to him."

"Don't trouble yourself, I was merely curious how young Miss Hellsing is doing."

"Knowing Alucard, she could crawl up to Lucifer himself and not have a thing to worry about." Lui told them simply.

"That's quite true."

They were silent for a while. Lui started flipping through channels on the TV, finally stopping on something that caught his eye.

"Walter."

"Yes sir?"

"Why does this cartoon have a vampire that looks just like Alucard? WHAT THE CRAP!" Lui yelled as the title came up on the show, "HELLSING? THERE'S A HELLSING TV SHOW?"

"Yes, it surprised me when I saw it as well. Apparently some people in Japan heard about the exploits of the Hellsing Organization, and decided to make a... What word did they use... 'Anime' out of it. There is also a series of illustrated books."

Lui was stunned. He sat and watched as the vampire on the screen started fighting another. Then he laughed at the dialog, "Oh my God, Alucard would die before saying something that unoriginal!"

"Well, technically nothing from Alucard is unoriginal. He is Dracula after all."

"You know that's true. He wasn't the first, but he is definitely the original vampire."

"A rather unique way of putting it."

"Thank you. Hmmm, one thing. Why does this Alucard have on a red cloak? He's never worn a red cloak in his un-life. And where's his hat?"

"I don't know Lui. He seems to be missing the sunglasses as well."

"Ah it doesn't matter." Lui said, changing the channel, "I take it the government released all the stuff about Hellsing and vampires then?"

"They didn't have to. The attack on London itself revealed the existence of vampires. Hellsing has always been a rumor, the attack just confirmed it."

"So I take it things have changed?"

"Yes. Things have changed. Everyone is on the look out for vampires now."

"Great. That's just great. Ah, I don't know. I can't think strait, I've been awake for to long." Lui said, running his hand down his face. He got up, then walked over to Seras, "So-"

He stopped in mid sentence when he saw she was sound asleep. A small smile crept across his face. Lui gently picked her up, and mouth 'Good Morning' to Walter. The ghost smiled knowingly and discreetly walked through the wall of the bar, making sure to lock up before he did.

Lui carried downstairs, finding it unchanged much to his delight, and gently used his powers to ease the coffin open. He then used his powers to take off her boots, and laid her gently into the cushioned space. He then took off his shirt, kicked off his own shoes and socks, then eased down next to her.

Seras's eyes flickered open, and she smiled wearily, "Thanks."

He kissed her tenderly on the lips, then replied, "Any time."

With that he pulled the coffin shut again, and both vampires fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

THREE DAYS LATER

Seras started walking up the stairs, hair still wet from her shower. She was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans. She was smiling as she walked over and plopped down on the couch. Well, actually she sat down on Lui who was sitting on the couch.

The American wasn't amused, "Seras, why are you sitting on me?"

"Why not?"

"Um, because I can't see the TV?"

"You watch to much TV anyway."

"Seras."

"What?"

"Did Johnny give you chocolate again?"

"No!"

"Good. I don't want to have to go through that again."

"Shut up and give me the remote."

Lui sighed in defeat and handed it to her. She began to change the channels, trying to figure out something to watch.

'Oh well' Lui thought, 'It's not that bad. Besides, I can think of a whole lot of stuff that would be lower on my list of things to sit in my lap than Seras. Like, everything.'

He snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, kissing her neck.

"Watch it Lui, don't go biting off more than you can chew." Seras warned him teasingly.

He pressed one of his fangs into her skin, drawing a small droplet of blood which fell on his tongue, "Oh don't worry, I could chew on you all night."

Seras blushed madly and hit Lui. But she did it harder than expected, and it left him gasping for breath. She decided that he deserved it and stood up, "That's what you get for talking to a Lady like that."

"Ya, but it doesn't count when the lady in question has been my wife for TWO FREAKIN' YEARS!" Lui yelled back, still holding his stomach.

"Are the two lovebirds fighting?"

Lui glared at Walter, who walked in a happy-go-lucky manner through the wall, "No, Seras is hitting me. Walter, back me up on this, don't wives normally like sweet talk?"

"I wouldn't know sir."

Seras grinned at Lui in victory, "So by default I win! That's me fifty two and you zero!"

Lui started mumbling angrily, words such as 'stubborn' and 'immature' legible. Seras glared at him and kicked him the shin as hard as he could. He gave a yelp of pain and fell off the couch, now holding his leg.

"What was that for!"

"Calling me immature."

"You just kicked me!" This got him another kick, only this time to something a bit more painful than his leg. He curled himself into the fetal position, whimpering in pain and anger.

Seras walked over to the bar, jumped over the counter, and started mixing herself a drink, "Do you want anything 'dear'?"

Lui struggled to his feet, holding onto the couch for support, "No 'honey', I'm fine thanks."

"Between your little 'lover's spats' I have yet to have a boring day."

"Shut up Walter." Lui ordered angrily, walking over to the bar, still limping heavily, "Seras, do I have to remind you how much that frickin' hurts?"

Seras giggled slightly in response.

"I'll take that as a no. I don't know why I put up with you, really. I mean, you hit me, insult me, turn everything I say against me..."

She pulled his head towards hers and kissed him, "Because you love me."

"Oh ya, now I remember."

Suddenly the wards surrounding the bar were broken. It wasn't a physical change, but a shift in the air, and everyone sensed it. Lui, now recovered, jumped to his feet, a shadow engulfing him for a few seconds. When it withdrew there he stood, fully dressed in his uniform and ready to go.

Seras had a shotgun with silver buck-shot out from under the counter in a heart beat. Walter had his wires ready.

There was an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, until Seras asked, "Lui, can wards just wear off?"

"Yes, but they don't just snap like that. Someone broke it."

"Is that possible?"

"Of course, but it's very hard."

Lui drew out one of his silver short swords and plunged it behind him. A vampire who had just phased there disintegrated into dust. He looked at the pile in disdain, "No one comes into my home unless I say they can."

Suddenly fifteen vampires phased/were phased into the room. They snarled in anger, and held guns at the ready.

"I stand corrected. Seras."

"Yes Lui?" She asked hesitantly.

"Duck!"

He pulled out three grenades from inside his coat, pulled the pins, and tossed them. Bullets whipped by him as he dived behind the counter to avoid being shot. Three deafening explosions accompanied by various screams of pain.

Lui and Seras stuck their heads over the counter, to find that the lack of cover for their attackers had been a great ally. They all lay in piles of dust or seriously wounded. Lui stood up, sword and recently drawn pistol ready.

Then he heard an all to familiar click. He whirled, and saw one of them holding what looked like five pounds of C4, with the detonator pin pulled out.

Lui whirled, grabbed Seras, and phased out of the building as fast as he could. The explosion followed them through the portal though, and it sent both of them flying.

The American was on his feet in seconds, and ran over to where Seras had landed, "Please tell me you're alright."

"I'm fine, just a little roughed up. What was that?"

Lui turned, and ran down the street angrily. He skidded to a stop in front of a leveled, burning building.

His fists tightened angrily. Seras could sense the anger pouring off of him without trying. She ran up beside him.

"My stuff... My collections... My home..." Lui said between gritted teeth.

Seras felt anger rising in her as well. She corrected him, "Our home you mean."

Lui used his vampiric speed and drew all six of his pistols, and said angrily, "Alright, someone is dying tonight."

"Are you forgetting me?"

They turned to see Walter emerge from the flames, carrying two large metal cases. He set it down and motioned for Seras, "I believe you forgot these."

She opened them, and picked her up cannon, and strapped the ammo box to her back. She made a makeshift holster for the shotgun on a loop on her jeans, and slung the cannon across her shoulder.

More explosions rocked the city, and from what Lui could tell they were all high in vampire traffic. Lui looked over to Walter, "You ready for this 'Angel of Death'?"

"I am always ready to send impure souls on their way to the afterlife. Are you ready for the harvest 'Reaper'?"

"I am always ready to reap the destruction others have sowed." Lui replied. Seras instinctively knew this was some sort of ritual between the two.

She was shocked when Lui turned to her, "How about you 'Death Lotus'?"

Seras quickly figure out something to say in return, "I am ready to blossom in the blood of our enemies."

Lui and Walter both stared at her, shocked, "Wow. How long did it take us to figure ours out?"

"Well on three weeks I believe."

"It took her like, three seconds. And it actually sounded good."

"Out of curiosity, why am I 'Death Lotus'?" Seras asked, putting a hand on her hip.

Lui smiled in a somewhat arrogant way, "Because, only I get to call you 'blood rose'."

Walter looked back and forth between them. He knew there was some deeper meaning to that than a simple pet name, but decided not to press the issue. It was not his place to meddle in the personal affairs of others.

Seras, Lui, and Walter whirled when they heard squealing tires down the street. They turned to see a car load of armed FREAKs heading right for them. Lui looked left, and saw Seras draw the shotgun. He looked right and saw Walter ready his wires. He chuckled darkly, aiming all six of his pistols at the approaching car, and said in an almost perfect imitation of Alucard's voice,

"Tonight will be a perfect night."

The moon shone brightly above them, lighting the world as a symphony of gunfire began...

123456789123456789123456789123456789123456789

Alright, there you go. Sorry it took so long, brutal writer's block for a while.

Note: Alucard will be out of the picture for a while. Cry me a river.

And a request. If you have an original character (Human or vampire) that you wouldn't mind letting me use, post it please. A physical description (Eye color, Height, weight, build, hair color/style, Human/Vampire/Other, etc.), their overall personality, character quirks, and a little back story will be good. If you don't include at least most of the above, I won't use your character. I'm not going to tell you why I want these characters, so give them to me at your own risk (Nothing weird, I promise).

Professor Curly's Quote of the Day:

"When all else fails, brute force prevails"

Professor Curly