Author's Note: This story picks up after the events of Fallen: London Without Rain and will have much more character development and some more mature themes and content. Chapters with smut or sensitive material will be labelled to the best of my ability.
I love reviews, if they are constructive.
Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim ownership of the original characters from Hellsing or Hellboy, I only claim these altered versions of their characters as mine, and part of this Alternate Universe storyline.
"How can you be certain that this will work? Time manipulation? Since when was that form of Magic available?" Integra inquired, walking alongside her much taller doppelganger of a Brother, who had cleverly masked his appearance to look, to any onlooker, normal by most standards. Green eyes with small round pupils, long blond-white hair down to his mid-back, tied from his shoulders to the tip in a braid contrasting strangely with his bronze skin. He chuckled, pushing a lock of hair from his face behind an ear before returning his hand to the strap of the shoulder-bag he carried, idly thinking of and checking that the silver clasp at the end of his braid remained in place with its turquoise stone.
"It's always been possible, but intended for use on small, inanimate objects. Say we broke a bunch of the good china, as long as I have all the pieces, I can reverse time on the pieces to return them to an earlier time in their existence. Doesn't quite work for people or animals. I've not dared try it on anything living, which I've been unable to even practise for years now…" Leon grinned sheepishly at her, both coming to a stop as they approached the gates leading into London's exclusion Zone. A shudder crept up Leon's spine, briefly, as he was suddenly reminded of the battle against Alucard, and how he had needed to dip into power that was far beyond him. A warning had echoed in his mind from one of the Seven, the closest beings to Ashtareen, his goddess, that he would likely come to regret several decisions in the near future.
Integra gave no sign she had noticed, nodding to the military officers as they opened the gate and stepped aside for the two to enter, led by another officer to a golf cart which ferried the two further into the city proper. Leon frowned, the carnage around even on the edges of the city angering him at the bastard he had killed with little more than a tap and release of some magical energy, smirking at the reminder of how easily the fat warlord Major had fallen apart when he had done so. Kuno, the former doctor for the WW2 sleeper cell that had called themselves 'Millennium', chiming in the back of his mind that he needed to stay focused on the task at hand, and that Integra had noticed he was unsettled.
**Stay out of her head, last warning.** Leon chided privately, sighing lightly and focusing forward, to where a large armoured vehicle waited, with a platoon of armed guards, including secret service agents in their black suits, surrounding three other persons as the cart came to a halt. Leon and Integra stepped out and headed through the gap that formed in the throng of guards, Integra all business and quickly bowed as she passed the last group of agents before the Queen, Irons and Walsh flanking her.
Leon bowed himself, smirk appearing as he turned and nodded to another who approached, leaning heavily on a pair of crutches. Integra raised her brows, her own smile barely perceptible as Leon greeted Shelby, who appeared to be recovering following his close brush with death.
"I'm glad you're up and about on your own so soon after the attack." Leon smiled, letting Integra handle the formalities with the Queen, though little did he realise they were waiting for him.
"Were it not for you, that destruction would have been my tomb. Thank you Leon, I cannot hope to repay your actions." Shelby wavered lightly in his speech, fighting down the relief and quiver of his voice from his emotions welling up. Leon gently patted his shoulder, smiling widely a moment before he stiffened, Integra clearing her throat at them pointedly, wry smirk on her face at her Brother's antics and crossed her arms almost in a huff.
"Apologies, your majesty." Leon bowed again promptly, Queen Marianne laughing lightly.
"None needed, last you saw each other he was unconscious and reeked of death. Thankfully our field medics were able to help him." She waved off the formality, moving to gently embrace Leon, who returned it as gently as possible himself, Integra blinking almost comically as she was then offered the same. Hurriedly, Integra returned the offered hug, stiff and blushing lightly from embarrassment, as she had never been so informal with the Queen, ever.
"Oh do relax, Sir Integra, we are all in this together. You and your brother have done much for us, for London and all of our people. What your brother proposed sounded far-fetched, however I have faith that he knows what he is doing." Marianne chuckled lightly, withdrawing slightly but still held her hands on Integra's shoulders a moment. Integra bobbed her head lightly in understanding, blushing furiously still but returned the smile slowly.
"It's been a long time since I've had him home, I suppose I have felt very on my own in his absence." Integra relaxed her stance slightly, but still kept her usual icy glare for those deserving of it, like Irons and Walsh standing nearby, gaze softening at Shelby Penwood as he made his way over with Leon offering a bit of extra support for him with his crutches.
"Understandably. Now, the items you gave us before were placed as you requested, is there anything further my guards should know before you begin?" Marianne chuckled, turning serious and looking at Leon pointedly.
"No, not presently. I've got what else I need here." Leon gently patted his shoulder bag, smirking lightly.
"Though, if there's anyone too close to the items, they may wish to back away, about two meters, or they might get zapped with magic." He warned, gently squeezing Integra's shoulder as he moved to walk past the group and the armoured vehicle behind them, heading further into the city. Walsh and Irons then used their individual radios to inform the seven away groups of soldiers to give each of their charges a two meter radius but remain nearby for further instruction.
Integra watched Leon walking away, his illusion spell dissipating in a shimmer of magical energy around him, wings spreading wide and the strange tail he had developed extending out from under his coat ever so slightly. With a single movement, he was airborne and heading further away out of view, her heart wrenching in her chest as she worried he was going to disappear on her again for another decade.