A/N: Whoo! Can you believe it! I finally finished this stupid, goddamn chapter…

Ok, calm down, so it's been a long time since I've last updated…I apologize. However, I just bought the 4th book and it instantly thrust me back into the VHD frame of mind. So here is the long-awaited (ha…right) third chapter.

Disclaimer: Vampire Hunter D is not mine…so sad…but it isn't.

MODERN PROMETHEUS

CHAPTER 3

The Noble's steel gray eyes sullenly studied the creature with morbid fascination. The beast stood roughly six feet tall; it's back curved in painful deformity. Bristly hairs covered its dirt brown skin and two bloodshot eyes were placed far apart on the monster's ugly head.

The vampire rubbed his chin in thought as the werewolf-like creature thrashed in its prison cell. A smile crept on his thin lips. "Are you hungry, Alexander, or would you just like to die now?"

The monster slammed itself up against the bars, its snarling visage mere inches from the Noble's dark features. It bared its beastlike fangs, the words escaping his throat sounding more like a growl than actual speech. "Fuck you," Its muzzle snapped with bone-crushing power. "Jonathan, you piece of shit!"

The Noble's wry smile widened. "I didn't realize that vulgarity came with blood lust. I best make note of that."

The creature thrashed again, hurling itself against the iron bars that separated the two supernatural beings.

The vampire chuckled softly. "This test of mine is proving to be quite intriguing. How long has it been since it started, Alexander? 2 months? 3? Time is quite irrelevant, but your progress, however, isn't." He tented his fingers, continuing to walk down the corridor, leaving his wretched creation to its misery.

His long-legged gait was smooth and steady as his svelte form passed through the mazes that composed his laboratory. Lord Jonathan Auclair shoved a hand in his pocket, while running the other one through his disheveled black hair. He thought back at the creature crawling around on the floor behind him, still screaming in agony. Alexander was not his most successful experiment, but by far his most curious. A vampire deprived of human blood, but systematically fed small doses of werewolf blood every six days. Up until two weeks ago, that is, when all feedings were stopped. The monster that had once been a man was slowly being starved to the point of insanity. A cruel grin played on the Noble's face.

He opened a door at the far end of the hall, stepping into the master chamber. An elegantly adorned coffin was positioned at the far end of the room, resting on an antique mahogany stand. At the center of the room was a desk in which all of the other objects seemed to revolve around: dozens of books stacked oddly here and there, papers strewn everywhere. Jonathan ran his hand along the oaken surface of the desk. Three items were set neatly on it: a crow quill pen, bottle of ink, and a single book: Organic Chemistry: Volume 2. This was the only order the room possessed.

Science was Jonathan's life. For centuries he studied the laws of science and the fabrications of medicine. He had dissected and experimented on thousands of unfortunate test subjects, most of which spent their last breath crying out for an act of mercy from the deranged angel of death. None was granted.

Standing beside the desk was the Devil's Advocate wearing a simple, black cloak. "My lord, I've been awaiting you."

"Do you have the information I requested?" The Noble sat on the corner of the writing table.

The Devil's Advocate bowed lightly. "Yes." Removing a piece of paper, the cloaked figure read the messily scribbled penmanship. "There are 37 men, 22 women, and 8 children residing in town. Just outside the town are 5 men, 4 women, and 4 children."

"Very thorough; I'm pleased." The vampire folded his hands on his lap. "And how is our good mayor doing?"

"Not well. The pills I've been giving him are working perfectly. He will not live much longer."

How easy it was to fool those mortals. What could easily be mistaken for tuberculosis was an ingeniously devised powder that produced the same symptoms as consumption and would eventually result in death. Yes, it would have been easier to have bitten the mayor and be done with him once and for all, but such an arrogant, hateful man deserved to die painfully.

"Excellent." The Noble's gaze rested on the door. "I believe that is all we have to discuss. You are free to leave."

"Wait, my lord," The Devil's Advocate paused. "I feel you should know that Merritt has hired a Vampire Hunter as a last measure. He is the Hunter D."

D. I was beginning to wonder when you'd come for me also. Jonathan looked back to the cloaked figure. "Thank you. That information should prove most useful. Return tomorrow night if you have any more news."

The Devil's Advocate bowed lower than before and turned to leave. Once he felt safe that he was completely alone, the Noble slammed his fist on the desk in frustration. Losing control of a situation was his greatest fear. Son of Dracula…do not get in my way. He wouldn't allow this half-blood to interfere with his work. A smile brushed the vampire's lips. Maybe I can make this work to my advantage.

Recently, Jonathan had spent his time and effort on creating human life. A modern Frankenstein, a Prometheus among the Nobles, Jonathan began working further on his early experiments with zombies back in the time when the Nobility ruled upon thrones in the Capital. Working under the great Dracula, Jonathan knew no boundaries, no limitations. Times had changed since then, however, with more defiance and insubordination flooding through the human population.

Recently, he began working on human experiments once again. However, a town such as Merritt would not be able to support his hobby long with such a small population. After 500 years of living in his underground castle, it was time he wrapped up his project with the village and left.

"What an intriguing thought," the Noble mused to himself, "a town of the undead."

D stepped out into the cold morning air from the warm security of the town hall. A low fog crept slowly across the frosted earth carrying the acrid smell of decomposition in its path. The dhampir restored his traveler's hat to his head in one steady motion, shielding himself from the nonexistent light rays that failed to penetrate the gray clouds looming overhead. A force of habit; a curse from his vampiric side.

With a steady gait, the Hunter headed toward the stable just a few blocks down. The fog twisted and danced around D, snaking in his wake. His footsteps rung throughout the many narrow alleyways that branched off the main road.

Something was strange however. The dhampir couldn't help but notice…there were no zombies anywhere. Their stench was heavy in the air, but they were no where to be seen or heard.

Why would they be absent this morning of all mornings? Unless something kept them away, the Noble's underling perhaps: the Devil's Advocate, as the town called him.

D slid open the barn door, stepping into its dark interior. In the far corner, beneath a single candle, a cloaked figure was busy securing the lock to a horse's stall. The stranger righted himself, hearing the Hunter enter. His face was covered beneath a heavy hood.

D's voice was hushed, traveling lightly over his cold lips. "Show yourself."

The figure stood defiantly, "Might I ask where you're going this early in the morning, Hunter?"

That voice. The stranger lowered his hood. Blond hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and a thin black clad form. The butler's contempt for the dhampir was obviously apparent on the man's generally benevolent face.

"I might ask you the same, Nicholas." D spoke calmly, never once altering the pitch in his voice.

The butler's face tinged red. "I was on an errand to retrieve something for the mayor."

Deceit seethed through Nicholas' words. The butler wasn't telling everything. If the dhampir had more time he would've liked to question the manservant further, but it would have to wait. Emily should be ready by now.

"You didn't answer my question, Hunter." Nicholas recollected himself.

As if he hadn't heard him, D turned to one of the stalls, sliding the lock open. Grabbing hold of the cyborg horse's bridle he led it out, running a hand down the animal's back.

"Hey, Hunter. Answer me."

D plopped a saddle across the horse's withers. "I'm going after the Noble."

Nicholas scoffed. "Then why haven't you left yet?"

"Emily still had to get ready." He secured the cinch, then he let the stirrups fall into place.

"Emily?" The butler swallowed hard. "Ms. Marlowe…she's going with you?"

D put the prepared horse back into its stall to ready a second mount.

His silence was answer enough for Nicholas. But he couldn't let the subject drop. "Why? Wouldn't it be safer for her if she stayed behind?"

The second horse was brought out of its stall and similarly saddled. "She knows how to manage zombies. So what's your concern?"

"It's not the zombies I'm worried about." He stared back coldly at the dhampir.

Without another word, D took the two horses in hand and led them out of the stable. The Hunter couldn't help but think back on Nicholas' bizarre behavior. He seemed to genuinely care about Emily's well being, so wouldn't it have been better for him to remain at the town hall rather than sneaking around in the middle of the night?

Standing outside the town hall, D held tightly onto the reins of the two cyborg horses. They stamped their feet impatiently, letting out muffled whinnies.

With keen ears, D ignored the edgy horses' nickering and tuned into the footsteps approaching from behind. He turned his head to the left, watching the staircase in his peripheral line of sight. A pair of black, knee-high boots descended the steps with ease, almost feline-like. The form slowly came into view: skintight gray uniform, gun holsters and scabbards bouncing off curvy hips, a porcelain face, and long auburn waves.

Emily's lips played into a smile. "You're the early bird, aren't you? Thank you for getting the horses."

D followed her lithe form with his eyes as she gracefully mounted one of the horses. D handed her the reins before he set a foot in the stirrup of his own horse, planting himself solidly in the saddle.

"The zombies come from the east. The cemetery will be our first stop." Emily tugged sharply on the reins, pulling the horse back.

The two riders took off toward the rising sun.

"My lord?"

A pale and lanky form stood in the doorway. Long, thin hair draped over skeletal shoulders and cold, lifeless eyes stared out from behind a mask-like face.

Jonathan turned to face the half-dead woman. He couldn't help but think of her torturous existence. He saw to it that every moment of her life would be spent in agony and her only true pleasure would come from pleasing her master. For it was her pain that thrilled him. "Yes?"

"Experiment 5a is ready." A frail hand fluttered over the door handle. "Would you like us to send 5b as well?"

"Yes…" An icy smile crept to the Noble's face. "This field test should prove most intriguing."

A sinister laugh echoed in the small room.

A/N: I love reviews…the make me happy. So flame me if you want, I don't care. Something is better than nothing.

Kitala – Thanks for the reviews. Hope you're still interested in reading my story even after 3 months of nothing.

marcusfangirl – Glad you like it so far.

Kritikos – Yeah, well, that goes without saying. In the movie, Doris is one of the most pathetically annoying characters I've ever seen. Right next to Orihime and Kagome.

prettywalls and lickingwind(ows) – This is the last time I'm ever letting you read a chapter before it's posted. The "Jonathan, you piece of shit!" was in this chap…not 2. And don't worry…I'll give you more sexy/kinky scenes. Riiiiight.

scorpa25 – Sticking is good. I'm glad you enjoyed it.