"Are we in the Castle?"

Nightwing looks around and all he could see was a long corridor.

"Indeed. We are within the Castle walls"

Dick looks worried. He can tell that Zatanna was tired of casting spell after spell.

"Alucard. Is there any place where we can find some food and water?"

The vampire and the magician looks confused to the acrobat.

"Baby, this is not the time for a snack"

"We need to stop my father as soon as possible"

The duo starts arguing with Dick.

"I know but Zee…you are tired and low in energy. You can't beat him in that state and even if you can, you could get severely injured and I'm not risking you"

Dick takes her hands.

"Are you willing to risk thousand of lives for her?"

Dick looks to Alucard.

"I know that is selfish but if she's not at 100% the chances of this not working increases and I'm not losing her"

Zatanna squeezes his hand.

"Dick, I-"

"The kitchens is down the corridor to your left then two doors to the right"

"Thanks. You two stay here…I'm coming back with food and water"

Dick lingers his lips on her forehead before heading to the kitchen.

"Be careful"

Zatanna and Alucard sits on the floor but watch their surroundings for safety.

"I just have to ask…what do you see in him? You are clearly stronger than him, you are quite attractive, looks aside he doesn't look like much"

Zatanna smiles softly.

"He's really strong. You need to take into consideration that he's just a human and yet, he's here…fighting and surviving"

Alucard looks at the magician as she starts to day dream about Grayson.

"He's kind, noble, brave, handsome…I fall in love the moment I saw him and then again when I first meet him"

"How?"

"He's used to be really famous as a kid. He will often appear on the news and there was something about him that goes beyond his looks…then I meet him and he was a mess but he was my mess, y,know?"

"You remind me of someone I used to know. They were opposites but at the same time we're so alike although Dick isn't the prick that my friend was"

"He was there when I needed the most. I lost my dad and he was there, I lash out to him when he tried to reach out to me…"

Zatanna chuckles softly.

"I even throw some books that I had in my room and he just hold me in this way that I can't even describe…I cry and cry and he stayed with me all the time. I can't see myself living without him"

Adrian smiles. He remembers how his mother will talk about his father and how kind he could be.

"And the Lovers Oath? You know that if he dies there are chances that you'll die with him and all the way around?"

"I do. But we figured out that we'd be lose without the other and Oath or not Oath…our souls will never be the same"

Alucard was surprised to hear so innocent love story in a dark world. They turn to look at the corridor and see Nightwing coming back with bottles of water and some food.

"Sorry for taking so long. I did some sandwiches and brought some fruit and water"

He faces the food to the other two and after a quick meal they went straight to business.

"Any idea where Dracula might be?"

Tepes was about to answer but was interrupted by Dracula himself.

"I'm here and I'm going to end you"

Dracula creates a giant ball of fire and throws it at them. They couldn't dodge the ball since they were in the narrow corridor.

"Pots!"

Zatanna does her best to stop the fireball but she's getting push back by the immense amount of power. She starts to sweat as the fireball keeps pushing her until Dick puts himself behind her, with his back against her to help her and give her more support. Zatanna just looks back and smiles at him.

"You got this, Zee"

Zee starts to push back but the ball gets bigger and push the couple back again. Alucard jumps in and with his blade, he starts moving the fireball. With combined efforts of Alucard and Zatanna, they manage to send the attack flying but Dracula's was not longer there.

"Where did he go?"

"Likely he'll summon a larger army. We need to hurry to the main entrance"

The trio sprints and fights a couple of guards on their way. They reach the entrance, the huge hallways was full of night creatures and demons.

"Okay. Zee gather all the energy you need, you are our only hope. Alucard, stay here and protect her, you are the last line of defense"

The magic user and the half vampire looked at the acrobat.

"And what are you planning to do? Look for reinforcements? Fight all of them on your own?"

Dick pulls his eskrima sticks and looks as serious as ever.

"I'm going to give Zee as much time as I can"

Zatanna puts her hands on his arms.

"Wait. You can't do that. It's too dangerous and I don't know If I-"

Dick pulls her by the waist and starts kissing her.

"I trust you, Zee. You got this"

Zatanna's determination can be seen in her eyes.

"Be careful"

Zatanna finally lets him go.

"Always"

Dick flashes her one last smile.

"Are you sure it's okay to let him go on his own"

Zee smirks at Alucard before smiling at the sight of her love.

"He got this"

"Okay. I've been told that my jokes are to die for but you look pretty death to me and I haven't even start"

Zatanna laughs at Dick's comment.

"Right. When he jokes about the undead and in our time of need he's charming, handsome and everything in this world but if I do it I'm just and angst teen"

Alucard starts smiling at his new friends personalities.

"Exactly but that's because he's so handsome and resourceful and technically speaking you are a TEEN"

"Enough of that. There's no time to lose. Unless you want to be single again"

Zatanna nods.

"Rehtag eht citsym rewop..."

Zatanna starts chanting, concentrating to gather her energy. In the other hand Dick was fighting the horde the demons. The Half-Vampire and Zatanna put some magic on Nightwing's weapons and the aerial avenger added some holy water just in case. Dick uses his whole arsenal to fight the night creatures, from his sticks to his Wingdings. With a single throw, he manages to take down multiple enemies making his weapon bouncing on the walls and then getting back to him.

"I have to admit that is impressive for a mortal"

Alucard was surprised by the areal avenger skills, he has worked with the House of Belmont many times and was surprised that this mortal surpassed those who were born and raised to clean the world from night creatures. Dick was dodging multiple attacks and between the debris he founds a couple of whips, one made of leather and the other made of chains.

"This might help"

Nightwing starts to use the whips like a professional, beating demon after demon.

"Now I know why Selina loves this so much"

Dicks keeps using the whips to finish his enemies.

"This ain't pretty…"

The comment breaks Zee's trance.

"What is it?"

Her answer show himself soon enough as Dracula himself comes from a mirror and stands before Nightwing. The Count uses his telekinesis to send the man flying.

"I have to hurry"

"No, take your time, Zatanna…if you rush this, you won't have enough power to beat my father. I'll provide back up to Nightwing. I have some unfinished business with him"

Adrain draws his sword as he makes his way towards the king of Vampires.

"Eht tsettoh fo srednic ni eht nevow traeh fo lleh eht eeshnab yortsed mih evig em eht nomed driab eht eehsnab nedrar yb lla eht krad stsoh fo sedah"

Zatanna gets back to her trance.

"Why did you came back from Hell? The humans live at peace"

Dracula looks over to the blonde.

"You been here explains the shitty odor, son. There's nothing worse than betrayal and by my own blood"

Adrian gets closer to the vampire with his sword flying next to him.

"I'd finally will get rid of y-"

Alucard moves fast enough to him his father on the guts, making the Count reel in pain. Dick sizes his opportunity and throws multiples windings to his enemy. The Vampire couldn't do anything but to shield himself with his cape.

"Don't stay there. Do something else…"

Dick calls the vampire.

"I'll give you an opening!"

Alucard summons a small ball of fire and attacks the villain. Dracula feels a disturbance in the air and spots Zatanna gathering energy.

"Zatara. The Witch"

The vampire uses his super speed to tackle his son and send him flying to the wall. Vlad makes his way towards Zatanna but Dick gets in between.

"You are not touching her!"

Dick launches himself towards him. He manages to deliver some hits with his weapons, using his batons to hit him and send electric shocks.

"Tickles"

Tepes smiles before hitting Richard multiple times. Slamming him against the wall, Dick takes advantage of his proximity and sets off a garlic bomb, provoking his enemy to cough, taking the chance, Dick delivers a couple of hits on him. Drac tries to hit him back but Dick flips his way out.

"Nightwing, now!"

The young Tepes throws a bag of holy water above the demon's head and with his impecable aim, Dick hits the bag, making all the water fall on the Count.

"Aagghhh!"

Dracula shrieks in pain before Alucard turns into a wolf to attack the Count then he gets behind Dracula and holds him.

"Quick, beat the crap out of him"

Nightwing starts his onslaught on the monster. He throws his stick but instead of catching them. He kicks them mid air, every time hurting the Vampire, each impact was hurting him as Dick keeps kicking them or briefly catching them and throwing it back to him.

"Stop playing around, I c-c-can't k-keep h-holding him"

The blonde starts sweating, Dracula was too powerful for him. Dick grabs both of his batons and jumps to deliver a double hit from above, Adrian uses his other hand to boost Grayson's attack and push him harder towards Dracula.

"ENOUGH!"

Vlad breaks the spell before Nightwing could hit him. Both men crash against the wall and the King rushes towards his son and grabs his neck, strangling him, quickly the blonde's body goes limp as he falls unconscious.

"Son…I better put you to sleep, maybe in a millennia you will see my point of view"

The count pauses his monologue to stop Dick's eskrima stick with his telekinesis.

"You da-Aggh"

Dracula was too focused on the aerial avenger and the first attack that he didn't realized that the young hero thrown a second stick and ricochet on the walls and hit him in the back of the head making the monster reel in pain. He throws Alucard's unconscious body to the wall, making some rubble falling on the half-human before destroying Nightwing's weapons.

"Aren't you hitting above your head, kid?"

Dick could barely breath. Every breath make his lungs feel like they were burning on the inside. He has lost so much blood and barely could make the form of the man in front of him.

"So I've been told"

Nightwing's body was screaming in pain but he tires to ignore it, as hard as that was. He is leaning against the wall, trying to stay on his feet, he checks on his utility belt and he was out of ammo. The king of vampires just destroyed his eskrima sticks, his suit was torn apart and his mask was long gone. There he was, Dick Grayson without toys standing in front of one of the most powerful beings on Earth with nothing but his will to protect her.

"I must ask, what's your name? In my many years of walking in this planet, I've never encounter someone like you"

Dracula has faced many beings from magical beings to the normal bystander and the House of Belmont. Every single one of them lose their bravado once the Counts was in front of them, the humans were screaming, crying and shitting themselves in fear but not this Nightwing persona.

"Dick"

Vlad let smile escape, he couldn't believe the man in front of his eyes, even in his final moments he was being vulgar.

"Don't need to be petty before I kill you. At least have some class in your final moments"

Tepes gets confused when the boy smiles.

"No, that's my name"

Dracula let's a small chuckle out.

"Well then…Dick, my name is Vlad, Vlad Tepes. Why don't you just give up? I will give you a painless death"

The Count extends his hand as he offers the hero his kind offer.

"As tempting as that sounds…I won't let you get close to her. I will protect her with every breath I can muster"

Dracula was take aback by that statement. For a moment, he could see himself in that boy. Dracula himself will do everything to protect his wife, he failed her and would bring hell to every single living thing for that.

"You humans kill my wife…burn her to death. You must pay"

"Why? Didn't you kill already those guys many years ago? Why come back and start another genocide?"

"Humans don't understand. You are savages"

"True but we learn, grow, evolve. There's bad people but there is even more good people…and I'm here willing to fight you for them"

"And you think you stand a chance?"

"No, I know that I don't. But that won't stop me from trying to protect them…the people I care and love, to protect her. She's my light in the dark and if you want to get to her…you will have to go through me"

Nightwing narrows his eyes.

"If you wish to die so bad, I will grant your wish"

Dick raises his fist, getting in fighting position. With the little strength he has left, he launches his attack against the immortal being. He throws every combination he can come up with; his year of training under Batman, Slade, The Court and so many more, gave him the tools to face every single enemy in front of him but the Vampire was in a whole different level. No matter what he throws at him; jabs, upper cuts, low kicks, push kick, elbows, knees, shoots…the Count dodge them with ease.

Finally, the villain grabs his left arm and breaks it like nothing making the blue hero scream in pain but still, Dick's heart and resolve was bigger and he keeps fighting a loss battle, he wasn't fighting him to beat him, he knew that he stood no chance but he was hell-bent on giving Zee as much time as he could. Dick manages to land a right overhand on the Vampire but his fist broke the moment it make contact with his face. Having enough of the boy, Dracula gives Grayson a backhand slap, sending him flying to the wall and collapsing on the ground.

"Human's foolishness will never cease to amaze me"

The demon walks towards his opponent to deliver the finishing blow.

"Aaaaghh!"

Dracula was stopped on his track and was sent flying through several walls by a surprise attack from his side. A lightning bolt.

Dick was doing his best to keeps his eyes open but still, he manages to see her. Zatanna was flying, surrounded by a blue aura and her eyes were shinning. Dick always knew that the magician was a Goddes among them and that she was destined to be the strongest of them all.

"Give 'im hell, Zee"

That were Dick's last word before passing out.

Zatanna looks to her left and sees Dick's broken body, he has lost so much blood and was unconscious. She knew that if she wanted to save him, she will have to take Dracula first and fast. She turns her gaze to the right to see Alucard, buried in some debris, unconscious. Then she fixes her eyes on the hole on the wall in front of her a levitates herself higher, getting a full view of the destroyed village.

"Aaahhhh!"

Dracula explodes in anger and emerges from the rubble with bloodlust in his eyes and a new found rage from being hurt.

"You will pay for that, Witch!"

Vlad invokes a new horde of demons and send them to kill Zatanna. Zatanna flies around, dodging with ease the multiple attacks from all fronts. She notices the lake below her and stops herself on the center of it. The first wave of demons launches themselves to kill her.

"Eci setitcalats!"

From the water below her, spears of ice started to form and rise from below killing the first wave.

"Nwod!" The second wave was pushed down to the lake by the change of gravity. The creatures were struggling to rise from the water.

"Rednuht!"

The creatures in the water were electrocuted by Zee's thunder.

"What are you waiting for!"

The count was unhinged for the second time in his immortal life. The brainless demon insisted on their attack agains the sorceress.

"Snomed, nrub ot hsa!"

All the remaining demons burst in flames before exploding. Leaving the magician and the count finally alone.

"You wit-"

Once again, the Vampire king was interrupted. This time by Zatanna's rock tomb that she made with the village remains.

"I have enough of you!"

Dracula creates a giant fireball and throws it to the leaguer.

"Tcelfer!"

Zee redirects his attack with ease, hurting the Vampire and bringing him to his knees.

"I tsac ouy ot lleh!"

The Counts turns into ashes and his remains are being dragged to hell. A screen of smoke forms before the magician's eyes with multiples souls flying over around the world and the stink of death. As of cue Superman, Rocket and Flash arrives to the scene. Zee turn back to normal and flies towards Dick.

"Is he…?"

Flash was preoccupied by Dick's state. Clark was speechless of seeing Nightwing in such bad shape, he gets more and more worry hearing his heartbeat slowing down.

"He's heavily injured and lost a lot of blood" Zee cradles her unconscious boyfriend.

"Then let me take him to the hospital…" Flash comes closer to the couple but Zee doesn't let Dick go.

"Alucard is just unconscious. I can take him to the hospital and Flash can take Ni-"

The man of steel was interrupted by the sorceress.

"No. There's no time, I'm going to heal him. Evol, laeh!"

Zee places her hand on his chest and let her magic work. The Ankh of Fate appears before the heroes.

"I see that you handle the situation"

Zatanna doesn't even look at Nabu.

"Where were you?"

Rocket was the first one to interrogate Nabu.

"Dealing with other problems. Fate must maintain the balance in the universe"

"Go and help Alucard"

Nabu grunts before flying towards the British.

"But do we have to? Isn't he healing himself or something?"

Raquel speaks her mind.

"Zee?"

The magician was about to answer her friend but his voice wiped every thought off her mind.

"Dick"

The magician brings her love close to her chest as she hugs him for dear life. After Fate checks on the half vampire, he helps to rebuild the village and the few survivors. The trio puts the other leaguers up to speed.

"Girl, it sounds like you MVP this puppy"

Zatanna was clinging to Dick with him holding her by the waist. She was exhausted after that outburst of magic and she wanted to be as close as possible.

"She totally did"

Dick couldn't be prouder of her.

"As nice as this is…my father might come back. I need to prepare myself for it"

Adrian starts brooding and Dick puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe. But you need to live your life as well…you need to rejoin the world, make more friends"

The blonde smiles softly

"Maybe. It's been so long since I have friends"

"But now you have us…"

Zatanna tells him with a warm smile.

"You know, you can join the League if you want. The door is always open for more heroes"

Clark was open to bring Vampires to the League and help a lost person find its place.

"I wouldn't go that far. I don't think I'm a hero"

"What are you going to do?"

The magician asks.

"Open the doors of the Castle to the public, the knowledge of millennia and keep an eye for any unwelcome visitor like Savage or that asshole of Constantine"

"Sounds like a good start"

Dick adds before pecking Zee's cheek.

"Also, Alucard. We would love if you come to our wedding"

The magician formally invites him as she blushes at the thought of marrying the love of her life in a week.

"I'd love that. Thanks"

The Blonde looks at the horizon before an idea sparks in his brain.

"What about you have your wedding on Dracula's castle? It's big enough and beautiful"

Chalant changes looks.

"Really?"

"I'd be my honor. I can make the arrangements to have everything ready for your wedding as soon as the next week"

"That's perfect. Thank you"

Dick lifts and carries Zatanna bridal style, earning a cute yelp and giggles from the raven beauty.

"So, ready to go home, my goddess?"

Zatanna wraps her arms around his neck.

"I'm ready for so much more when we get home…"

"Are you sure? Because I have more than 10 ways to show you my loyalty? Can you keep up?"

"You know that I will always have energy for you"

Zatanna makes a portal for them to cross, leaving Adrian, Rocket, Superman and Flash behind.

"They forgot that we were here and they still need to fill the report on the situation…"

"I don't know about you Flash but I'm not saying anything to Zee after what she did to Dracula…God knows what she might be willing to do if we interrupt her celebration but if you still want to say something, be my guest, I'm sure that Dracula could use a roomie"

Rocket was the most familiar with the freaks and how they get cup up in their own world.

"So…do you need a hand with the arrangements for the wedding?"

Flash awkwardly ask to the vampire.

"God! I don't know what you did to me but I'm glad that you did. I can't feel my legs and I'm still sensitive and shaking…"

Those were Zee's first words after waking up. They were in their, much disheveled, room, lying on the bed with her on top of him and their legs intertwined.

"That? That was just a little teaser for what am I going to keep doing, gorgeous"

Dick moves a strand of her hair from her face and tucks it behind her ear.

"How did you do it?"

Zatanna asks while listening to his heartbeat, she wasn't looking at him.

"Well…I started by kissing you and then-"

"Not that! How were you not scare while fighting all those demons and Dracula himself? You know that we can feel what the other's feel and you were not afraid, not even for a second"

She turns her gaze back to his eyes.

"How can I be scare? I knew that you'd save my butt and I trust you…just like you trust me, right? I didn't feel your fear either while you were gathering energy"

"Of course. You were protecting me, I couldn't feel any safer, I knew that nothing will ever happen to me"

Dick rolls them over to be on top of her.

"Exactly. I will always have your back. I love you so much, Zee"

She cups his face and they shared a kiss.

"And I love you even more, Boy Wonder…thanks for believing in me"

"Always, Zee. I knew from day one that you'll be the strongest among us, the kindest, the hottest, the best partner, my soon to be wife and hopefully one day the mother of my kids…"

Zatanna caresses his face and see the truth of his words in his eyes.

"You are the very best of me…and why didn't you tell me that you can use whips like that? You looked extra hot while fighting with whips…maybe you can show me sometime how to use them"

Dick tucks her hair behind her ear.

"And I still have so many hidden talents. Talents that are reserved to my wife"

Zee takes his bottom lips between her teeth and pulls slowly.

"Mr. Grayson, you are making me blush…I can't wait to say yes at the altar…"

They smiled at the reminder of being days away of being Mr. and Mrs.

"Dick….Wait! Is that?"

Zatanna feels something poking her leg.

"Ready for another round?"

He smirks at her.

"Not yet. I'm still so sensitive. I need some sleep but I wonder where was all that energy while fighting the Count?"

She arches her eyebrow in an attempt to tease him.

"First, I fought against a lot of demons before going against the Count…Second, have you see yourself? How can I not be ready to go with someone like you"

They kiss again but this kiss was more heated than the first one.

"Easy, Boy Wonder. I really need to rest before doing all that again"

"What happened to I will always have energy for you, huh? In any case, it's your fault for being to dammed irresistible. I want to kiss, touch, bite, lick every single part of you"

The magician giggles when Dick start leaving soft kisses on her neck.

"You did that long ago. There's not part of my body without a sight of Dick Grayson was here and turn me into puddle"

Dick stops his assault to drink the sign before him.

"Then I better leave and let you rest. I'm sure that I can help the League with something or Alucard with the wedd-"

Dick tried to get off her but Zatanna wrapped her legs around his waist, trapping him.

"Don't go. I need my nap buddy to have some proper sleep…"

Dick pretends to be hurt.

"Ouch! Napping buddy? Really?"

"What?"

"You could say that you can't sleep without your super awesome and handsome love of your life or something"

"Nah. You are my very handsome napping buddy, pillow and portable heater"

Dick rolls them over again to bring Zee on top of him.

"Fine, just because I enjoy this as much"

Zee hums in happiness readjusting herself on top of him and hugging him tighter.

"Besides the League hasn't call us yet…"

She tries to be all nonchalant about it while relaxing with his warm body.

"What are you talking about, Zee? They call us like hundred times before you smashed our phones"

Zatanna turns beet red.

"They were so annoying and we were in the ZONE! We can deal with them later"

"Fair enough. Also…"

Zatanna knew what was coming and she couldn't say no any faster.

"No, Dick"

"You don't even know what I want to say…"

Zatanna doesn't even bother to meet his eyes. She was far too comfortable on his chest.

"You want to name one of our kids Eez, Ckid, Drahcir or any other name backwards…"

Dick starts whining.

"C'mon, Zee. Why can Dracula name his son Alucard and we can't use the same concept? We have more right than him since your magic works with backwards language…"

"No, Dick. And it's final…besides are you Dracula, King of the Monster? If you are then you can name our future kids whatever you want"

Dick's eyes get wide open with a realization of something.

"Zee. You beat Dracula, right? The Count himself?"

Zatanna looks up to him and smirks.

"Baby, you were there. I beat him"

Dick smiles at her.

"Wouldn't that make you the new ruler of the monster?"

Zatanna was taken aback, she didn't knew what to answer.

"Zatanna Zatara, the new Queen of the Monsters…"

"No, thank you. I don't want to be their Queen?"

"No? How so?"

"Because I just want to be the ruler of your heart, Richard John Grayson"

She pecks him on the lips.

"You have that covered since I first lied eyes on you and don't you change the subject, that gives us double reasons to name our kid with a backwards n-"

Zatanna decided that enough is enough and takes Dick's lips with her. She doesn't want for him to build a strong and compelling argument about naming their kids in that way. She was about to fuck that idea out of his mind.

"What about Sherlock? His sister name is Enola, which is Alone backwards and I'm a detective like Sherlock…does that mean that we can name our kids with backwards name?"

Zatanna groans and moves from his chest and gives her back to Dick.

"I thought we were past that. Do I have to deal with this until the wedding?"

Dick gets closer to her and spoons her.

"Of course not, Zee"

He whispers and kisses her naked shoulder.

"Good"

"You'll have to deal with me for the rest of your life"