Disclaimer: I don't own anyone here, Sony Pictures Animation does. My OCs are mine.

Chapter four

As much as she tried, Winnie couldn't keep her eyes away from the clock at the bottom corner of her work terminal. She growled in frustration. The more she looked, the slower the time went by.

Her clock set to the Eastern time zone read 9:30PM, just thirty more minutes until the Anniversary Address and she'd be able to see her zing in his grand hour.

The young ambassador continued to sort through messages in her UA–net mailbox, some important and some were just cheap love tags. Nevertheless, she sorted through them in a fast pace like it was second nature. She was close to the bottom of the list and she pushed her claws even harder.

The embassy that belonged to the Lycan Pack Nations was the third largest building in the city of New Transylvania, the first being Castle Transylvania and the second being a UMA arms factory. With the LPN considered the most loyal ally to Transylvania, Dracula made sure their embassy was designed with top notch engineering just like his castle. Brown banners hung down the six–story building with a black wolf skull design at the top surrounded by nine diamond stars representing each of the packs and the skull representing the nation as a whole.

Winnie's workplace was in the central office, just up the stairs from the main lobby and across from the meeting room. It was by far the largest personal office with a large window to the right side giving a spectacular view of the streets below. She had the room decorated with all of her furnishings that the Prime Alpha would allow. Her most cherished one being a picture of her and Dennis pulled into a hug that was taken last year, it sat in a frame on the corner of her desk.

Just three more. Winnie sorted through the last of her messages.

"Annnd… done." She tapped the clear key on her keyboard, she was officially done for the day. She stood up and grabbed her coat from her chair.

The door opened as she struggled to get her coat on.

"Sorry, I'm not taking anymore guests till Monday." She said without even glancing behind.

"Not even a Prime Alpha?"

Winnie froze at the deep and thick Russian accent. She finished buttoning her coat, breathed for a second, then turned to face the large male.

"Oh Prime Wasilei, not at all. I–I mean yes, anything for the Alpha." The ambassador was struggling to keep it together. He'd never visited her office once and the only other time she saw him was her 'interview' in the meeting room.

"Hmmm," the alpha hummed as he looked over her anxious frame. Winnie made sure not to look him in the eye and just kept her view at his jawline. "You've been busy, yes?"

"Oh yeah, I have all media sorted through and meetings planned," Winnie answered with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.

"Good then, do you know why I've come this evening?" Wasilei trudged over to her desk and examined the workspace. He glanced over at the picture, and grimaced. How the hell could such an exceptional female zing with such a horrid mongrel?

"I. . I assume I've done something wrong?"

"Have you?"

Winnie's heart might as well have stopped beating, she really didn't want to lose this job. She never figured him the one to play games, but she went along with it anyway. "I think I did steal a pen from an East Asian executive two months ago."

Wasilei gave a guttural chuckle and exposed the line of his razor teeth with a grin. "Relax Winniefred, that trade deal you made with the Legion was your handiwork right?"

The ambassador nodded and gave a small smile when remembering that accomplishment.

"Exactly, though that's not why I'm here."

The alpha moved over to the window and gazed down at the city lights. Winnie resisted impatiently tapping her foot. "You do plan to leave for the address now, do you?"

"Uhh yes, that's why I was clocking out early."

"I'm afraid I have different orders for you. I'll need you to stay for the remainder of the night and I'll have one of my advisors relieve you in a few hours."

Wha…?

Winnie felt crushed. She was going to miss it, the first address in peacetime and the first time Dennis would take the mantle. It fully sunk in after a few moments and she was torn between crying, screaming, or tearing the whole embassy to shreds.

"May I, may I ask w–why?" She asked, slightly trembling.

"Thing is moy mily, the world now isn't a safe place. I and the pack can't insure your safety in the streets of this city."

Confused, Winnie raised her tone. "But isn't it peace time!? I mean… you can't find anyone else!?"

The alpha's good ear twitched as he heard the first rumble of thunder roll off the distant dunes. Out of the window, he saw a few sparks of lightning confirming the oncoming storm.

"You are aware of what's happening in the American Legion, yes? The Dark Brood attacks? We'll need you here just like we'll need every soldier at their post just in case they would try anything here."

"Hey, I handled the war as a cub and I handled Bela and his goons as a Guardian. I'm sure I can handle myself at the castle."

Wasilei jerked around and looked Winnie straight in the eye, freezing her in her place. He strolled forward step by step, his hard foot pads clanking against the maple floor. "Nyea, I'd rather not risk one of our nation's greatest asset. Besides, who can honestly do this job better than you can?"

Winnie ignored the alpha's attempt to flatter her. "You seriously don't expect me to stay cooped up in here, do you?"

"And you'd disobey an order from your Alpha?"

He got her there. She wanted the address, the elevation of her love, but as with the way of her nation, the Prime Alpha's word came first. Realizing her mistake, she got down on her knees, placed both her paws on the floor in front of her and glued her eyes to it. "I apologize, Prime Alpha Wasilei, guide and protector of our packs, for my disobedience. I'm ready for any punishment you deem necessary."

She heard him step forward and braced herself. She flinched when she felt his claws comb through the back of her hair, and settled on her head.

"Action forgiven, little one."

Winnie sat there a moment before standing, and gazed back at the black werewolf. He still had that corrupted grin from earlier but not on the same degree.

"I'll send an omega or something to keep you entertained, until then you can keep busy?"

She gave a weak nod. "I mean yes, I can."

"Good, that's all I ask of you."

Without another word, Wasilei strolled out of the office. Winnie thought she heard him latch the door behind but brushed it off.

Tears began to stream down the young lycan's face as she practically fell in her chair, the heartbreak and humiliation hitting her full force. This Dark Brood crap is bullshit! It has to be!

Winnie wiped her face and shoved those thoughts aside, there was no point to dwell. She picked up and held the picture of her and Dennis, rubbing her digits along it's hard carved frame. As of on cue, rain droplets started tapping against the window. The bottom fell out in a matter of seconds.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Good Evening," Dennis cleared his throat. "Good Evening!"

"You're gonna have to be more clear than that sonny."

Dennis glared over his shoulder at his great grandpa, "not everyone's hearing is gone ya know!"

"What!?"

The soon–to–be count just grunted and continued reading the scroll Dracula wrote for the first speech last year, he didn't know if Vlad was serious or just messing with him. He'd been in his room reading over the scroll for nearly three hours now. Vlad was over by his bookshelf keeping himself busy.

"It is… it is imperative that we, creatures of the night, look to our future rather than our past, because we're so freakin' awesome!"

"That's not part of the address Dennisovich!" Vlad blurted.

"I was joking Vlad."

Dennis read over the last part of the scroll which started with denouncing the Dark Brood and their violent 'Ascension Theory'. He couldn't shake the nervous pit that was in his stomach though, no matter how hard he tried to immerse himself fully in the scroll. His squad was going to be there, Allegiance leaders, Dracula, And Winnie.

Beep! Beep!

The hybrid looked down at his wrist and pulled back his uniform sleeve, it was time. He clicked the alarm off and looked over at Vlad. "Five minutes till."

"Then let us not keep them waiting boy." Vlad put the book he was reading back on the shelf and followed Dennis out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Once they were out in the main hall, the two kin tried to move at a brisk pace towards the castle's auditorium. The halls were mostly empty except for the suits of armor and a few straggling guests.

Those moths that were flying around in the hybrid's stomach were now tenfold, this was going to be the longest five minutes of his life. He tried in vain to keep his anxiety to a manageable level. He didn't know it but he was visible shaking, Vlad easily noticed. "No point in getting nervous now Dennisovich, not with all of that reading and the rehearsal a few nights back."

"Sure," was all Dennis could utter. The old vampire just had no clue that the real thing would be much different.

Dennis took in a deep breath as he and Vlad turned a corner in the main hall, and there it was, that big oak door. Just on the other side of it, the UMA Leaders were probably already seated and waiting with bated breath for that door to open. His feet became heavier as they moved closer to the door and the pit in his stomach began to tighten. He had to take another breath.

The hybrid slowed to a stop at the auditorium door and looked over it, slowing his breathing down. His sharp eyes came upon the golden handle and reached out for it. That's when he noticed his trembling hand and took one last deep breath. He tried to listen closely to see if he heard anything on the other side but Vlad's cold voice cutting in stopped that.

"What are you waiting for?"

Dennis grabbed the cold metal and began to pull down. In a few seconds, he was able to rehearse the hardest parts of the scroll in his head which calmed him even more. He remembered some cheap words of advice Greem taught him in the caverns like 'embrace the suck Dennis, embrace it', but he always would go off his on advice when doing something like this… fuck it!

He opened the door, the large room immediately came alive with clapping and cheering. Dennis allowed his vision to adjust to the bright camera lights before side gazing out towards the audience. There are approximately 620 seats in the auditorium, three sections of 200 lined along the center of the inclined room, four VIP seats on platforms on both sides of the room with their own exit doors, and lined along before the stage was the twelve evaluation seats with built in mics. Only six were occupied and the other two were spares in case new nations were formed.

In the first evaluation seat labeled 'LPN' sat Prime Alpha Wasilei. He had his arms crossed and kept his hard green eyes on Dennis with a glint of curiosity in them. In the seat next to him was King Murray, representative of the Saharan Democratic Union 'SDU'. He seemed the most lively of the leaders and even gave Dennis their usual hand greeting as he came in. Despite his title, it didn't give him all the power of the SDU.

The third seat was occupied by Shu, a type of imp known as a Kappa from Japan. He's a nervous wreck of an amphibian that constantly tries to keep the water from the pool of his head from spilling out, and was most recently elected as president of the East Asian Monster's Republic 'EAMR'. Beside him was Ruby Edward. She's a pure blood vampire like Dracula with long black hair and red eyes that shined just like her first name and is the current Prime Minister of the English Collective States, formerly the UK. Even though she was an outspoken critic of the Draculas she offered her full support to Dennis.

The last two seats made up Grongo and Hunter, both were presidents of the americas. Grongo's an old Mapinguari that was slouched in his chair, he was elected president of the South American Legion due to his time as a military officer. Though Grongo was a known bore fest, he was a stickler for the rules. Hunter on the other hand tapped his claws impatiently. He's a tall and fierce looking Wendigo and is the current president of the North American Legion.

Dennis saw Vlad as he took his seat next to Dracula on the left VIP platform and moved his eyes over to the right, Waving at Wayne, Frankenstein, and a few others he knew. He spotted his squad on the right VIP platform, well… only half. Jake puffed out his chest and gave him a thumbs up while Valerie simply smiled and gave him the peace sign, Dennis waved to them both. His heart fractured a bit when he couldn't find Winnie, though a part of him was relieved. Maybe she was with her family? If that was the case, Dennis wouldn't be able to see her.

Though he thought he wouldn't, Dennis made it to the podium. His heartbeat speed up as he placed the scroll on the podium and pulled the microphone close. He looked up to see the six leaders staring expectedly, a couple gave smiles of encouragement. The hybrid glanced left to see his vampa's impatient stare, he could hear him mentally chastising him now.

For Lilith's sake, say something boy!

"Testing, testing, one two three."

Laughter broke out among the civilians in the back rows. Dennis chuckled at the sight of Dracula face palming and put on a confident smile, starting from the beginning.

"Good evening creatures of the night from the seven great nations, and conclaves."

He got a few cheers from the right section. Dennis continued, speaking into the mic loud enough for the monsters in the back to hear him.

"I'd like to thank each and every one of you for coming all across the globe," Dennis looked among the leaders. "And for you great leaders, without any of you this Allegiance wouldn't simply wouldn't be."

The hybrid heard a grunt in response but didn't see the leader who emitted it. He glanced at the scroll and continued where he left off.

"This day marks one year, one year since the end of the bloodiest conflict this world has ever known. It's also been one year of peace where monsters can roam the earth without any fear, and I intend to keep it that way."

Murray, Shu, and Ruby leaned forward in interest while Hunter and Grongo seemed like they could care less. Wasilei's stare was more intense now yet he remained emotionless.

Dennis shrugged him off and cleared his throat before continuing, "The Dark Brood scourge still lurks in the shadows of the new society, striking terror in innocents and hindering our progress for the future of all monsters. And I promise our Special Intelligence and brave Allegiance volunteers will not stop until they're all plucked out and put away."

His words were met with a loud applause and follow up cheering. The Guardians joined in, Murray, even Vlad and Dracula had smiles of approval, the count in particular savored the moment. There were times during the war and even in the past year that this wouldn't come, that he'd have to remain in his old position or that he and his grandson wouldn't survive to see this. But those fears were extinguished now, now truly was the time for a new age for monsters.

A cloaked figure watched the scene with anticipation, leaning out of the back shadows. It buzzed a device next to It's ear and spoke in a hushed voice, "it's either now or never, Wasilei."

Dennis took in the praise as much as he could. When the noise level died down, he looked down and moved to the middle verse where he left off.

"The International Economy is growing by the day, and the planet is healing no thanks to our recent innovations in technology combined with magic. When the extremist are gone—"

"Ok, I think we've all heard enough." Wasilei abruptly stated before standing up. The alpha could feel hundreds of daggers being shot at him but he kept his head down and started slowly pacing in front of the stage. "And then what?"

"Hu–huh?" Shocked, the hybrid was still adjusting to what happened.

"Are you serious? He's not even finished yet!" Ruby blurted.

"It's a simple question really, when the Dark Brood are eradicated then what? Magic and technology alone are not enough to insure our future, you are aware of that right?"

Dennis carefully chose his response, trying not to panic. "Well… the healing process is slow and obviously we're still working out the kinks in recent tech, but I hope… shit." He fell right into that one.

Wasilei stopped, and looked the hybrid in the eye. "Tsk tsk tsk, I'm afraid it'll take more than 'hopes' to get the UMA where it needs to be."

Murray shot up out of his chair, frustrated. He looked to the other leaders, "yo, you guys aren't gonna let him do this are you?"

"If it was a violation of the address process," Grongo croaked. "But there isn't so no."

"I say let him speak his mind," Hunter mused.

Wasilei nodded and started to pace again. "Dennisovich, June 15th of 2028 you and your unit were awarded gold stars for your actions that day, correct?"

"Yyyeah?"

"And, from the reports of the your squad mates, you lead them well?" The alpha shook his head as he gazed down. "Overseeing the well-being of an entire collective is an entirely different story than leading a reserve unit."

Dennis watched the large werewolf as he continued pacing, the hybrid's confidence completely drained. The atmosphere in the auditorium had changed completely from a hyped energy to an air of hostility. Jake had a WTF look while Val couldn't bare to look or listen anymore, Dracula kept his icy glare on the lycan. Something told him it was a mistake to support that mutt's rise to power though he refused to go and help the boy like he did in the past. If Dennisovich wants to be count he has to handle this alone, he has to.

Wayne, Wanda, Frank, Eunice, they all watched on helplessly as their beloved dhampir they've known since his birth get berated by some borderline war criminal.

"What if a nation decides to break away or if a conclave wants to bite off more than they could chew? Or what if the humans resurge through some sorceress means?" Wasilei didn't let up. "You're a young bloodied leader, in all my 554 years hunting with packs nothing good has ever come out of you're kind."

Dennis' mind raced, he couldn't find any response despite his best efforts. He gave up hope in fear of the alpha using whatever he said against him. The auditorium became deathly silent, Ruby was the one who broke it. "You have anything else to add, Prime Alpha?"

"Nyet, for now, though I do hope you all share my same concerns." The dark werewolf took back his seat. Dennis noticed a slight smirk on his muzzle and his blood began to warm in anger.

"Dennis?"

The hybrid snapped out of his glare at Ruby's voice, "yes madam?"

"Continue please."

Dennis looked through the paragraphs and tried to pick up where he left off. He couldn't speak, no matter how hard he tried. Dennis sighed and stopped trying to break through the mental barrier. "I… can't, . . . . It's no use."

A rumble of thunder echoed throughout the large room and cut the silence. He couldn't look up, the shame was too great. He could already see that disappointed look on Drac's face, that look he unfortunately knew well. This was his only chance and he blew it big time, he just knew.

Smack!

The loud and wet sound came from Hunter. Being the hungry cannibal he was he'd bitten off a piece of his own arm. "Think we should go head' and place our votes," he said between chewing.

"Whoa, he. . you guys can't do this now!"

"Murray I'd rather this be over sooner than later." Hunter shot down the mummy and was clearly looking forward to the end of this show.

"Hate to say it but we have to if he won't speak," Ruby solemnly agreed. She adjusted an amplifier on the panel of the arm of her chair. "Current count, opinions before we start?"

"None," Drac's response registering as a mutter. The voice cut through Dennis and scratched at his heart, that hurt him more than the shameful silence.

Chattering spread throughout the rows of monsters and wasn't long before it morphed into yells of outrage. Creatures were beginning to stand and crawl over seats to get to the front row. Wasilei and Hunter didn't look concerned at all while the others looked anxiously for the nearest exit, Shu especially.

"SIT DOWN! THIS SUMMIT ISNT OVER!" Vlad yelled as loud as his old voice would allow. The auditorium was almost instantly quiet. The rowdy monsters crawled back to their seats, Vlad might be old but he still invoked fear in most other monsters.

Drac had a panel on his chair just like the front seats and pressed a tab on a small screen, enabling the leaders to vote. Despite the criticism his grandson was facing and knowing there was a good chance he was going to have to remain count for some time, he kept his cool and followed protocol as the host. "Voting tab is now enabled, representatives may cast their votes starting from left to right."

He said that in a monotonous voice, which sounded strange given his Romanian accent. Ruby was the first to speak, "Dennis, you need at least four votes of approval to be selected, four votes of unapproval will have you casted down, and a tie will be handed down to the Lower Council in order to break the stalemate. Are you ready?"

Dennis' head still hung low and hadn't looked up once. "…yeah."

Without another word, Ruby sat back and watched the panel's touchscreen. The votes popped up one at a time and she cast her's when it was her time.

LPN: Unapproved

SDU: Approved

EAMR: ………

ECS: Approved

SAL: Unapproved

NAL: Unapproved

"All votes counted, two for yay and three for nay, one undecided."

All eyes fell on Shu. The amphibian buckled and shrunk in his seat, water spilling off his head as he twitched violently. The poor imp saw this coming even after prepping for the best and considered resigning after this.

"Chair three, please vote."

Shu jumped at Drac's voice. He made the mistake of looking around at the other leaders. Murray and Ruby had pleading faces while Hunter wore a scowl, Grongo looked as if was going to sleep. It was when he looked into Wasilei's emeralds that said 'don't make this a stalemate or you'll regret it' that he slammed down on the screen without thinking.

"All votes tallied, Dennis…" Ruby trailed off. "I'm afraid the UMA see's you as unfit to oversee, Dracula, will you please—"

"Yes… yeah, I will." Despite the disappointment, he was still somewhat proud of his grandson. He stood up there in the flames and didn't run off like he half expected him to. Sadness took him over as he thought about his sweet blood–bat, the search would have to wait a bit longer.

Dennis himself felt like a ton of bricks fell on him and was crushing under the weight. He didn't know why though, why it affected him like this. A sinking feeling down below told him he was going to lose, right when that mutt interrupted him. He guessed it finally sunk in now that he won't be count, won't see his new age, or won't make his vampa proud like he truly wanted.

The two guardians weren't faring any better. Val looked as if she was going to break down crying at any second while Jake sadly slumped in his chair. It killed them, seeing their former leader and friend in a weakened state like this.

"Democracy at it's finest," spoke the cloaked figure. Monsters seated on the sides were starting to get up and leave in protest and it used this opportunity to leave with them. Just three minutes till showtime.

"Very well then, I will resume my role as count and continue to direct the Allegiance as I see fit."

When those last words were spoken from the count, the monsters that hadn't stood up to leave were trampling over the seats trying to get to the front. Yelling, cursing, roaring, it started with the back rows then the middle rows caught on. Screams could be heard from the monsters that couldn't get out of the way in time. They wouldn't be able to see their new count in action, to see progression, and they wanted retribution. Drac held them together for a long time sure, but his ambition just wasn't doing it anymore.

Vlad thought the uproar to be rather distasteful and flipped a switch on his chair panel. Suits of armor came out of the side exits by the dozens and quickly filed between the leaders and the incoming mob, silver swords drawn.

The hybrid finally looked up to see the seen unfolding. He noticed that the leaders weren't focused on him anymore and that most of the monsters he knew had left. As much as he disliked the thought of running like he did when he was a kid, it's what his dhampir instincts were telling him to do. The yelling had intensified after the approach of the suits and Dennis decided it was time.

He switched into his bat form and booked it, right out the grand back door he came out of. He managed to get about halfway down the hall before anger, anger took him over. A part of him wanted to go back in there and join those monsters in ripping the alpha a new one. Instead, he remembered he carried the scroll out with him and tossed it in the air.

"Fuck this damn scroll!" He grunted as he flew around madly tearing at the paper. "Fuck the damn allegiance and fuck the Dark Brood!" And who's even dumb enough to believe that humans still exist!?

"Dennisovich! Wait!" The bat zooming after him called out.

Dennis hovered there, flapping his wings. He waited for the inevitable storm of a pissed off Dracula. The pieces of the scroll glided to the floor.

Drac transformed when he made it to Dennis and the latter did the same. The count frowned when he saw his torn up handwritten paper and Dennis looked down in regret. The boy flinched when he felt the hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault you know."

"I–I mean it is though," Dennis started as he picked up the torn pieces, his voice starting to crack. "How the hell am I supposed to run this place if I can't even…"

"Listen boy. You couldn't have expected that flea bag to do such a thing. Hell it even took me off guard." Drac tried to lighten him but to no avail.

"Sure it did." Dennis turned and was going to continue down the hall but Drac's hand stopped him.

"Learn from this Dennisovich," Drac ordered. He let off of his shoulder. "Learn from this so you can be ready for the next evaluation."

Dennis didn't say anything. He kept an empty stare down the hall.

Drac heaved out a heavy sigh and rubbed his temples. "Look, go somewhere and relax for now, think this over tomorrow. I have to go back in there and get this mess under control."

Everything suddenly went dark. Their natural vision quickly adjusted and they looked around confused.

"Hey pops, what was that?"

"I don't know but it caused an outage."

The castle's red emergency lights came on and an automated voice started.

"GRID DOWN, ATTEMPTING RECONNECT."

"Eh, I hate that. . thing." Drac remarked.

The lights came back on and the hum of power started flowing.

"RECONNECTION SUCCESSFUL, POWER RESTORED… UNKNOWN ERROR."

Boom!

The distant explosion rocked through both of them. Drac thought it was just his shellshock but he saw that Dennis reacted to it as well. It wasn't long after that that street sirens started to blare.

"I don't think that was thunder, do you remember what do?"

Dennis turned to his vampa, panicked and confused. "Yea. . I mean yes!"

"Are sure!?"

"Yeah yeah, I got it, go to my room and arm up."

"Good," Drac switched to his bat form. "I'll go see what's going on, once you're armed go see if you can find your squad. Meeting point's in the courtyard."

Drac turned and shot off back to the auditorium, "stay safe Dennisovich!"

I always do.

Dennis did the same thing and flew down the hall to his bedroom. His heart was now pumping with adrenaline and he put the past shame aside. He filled with excitement at the thought of beating the hell out of whatever these opponents were, he got even more excited when he thought of taking his pent up anger on them.