OOO

Years earlier, across an ocean, a young boy had a dark dream…

"Father!" The boy shot out of bed, panting and sweaty.

A man burst into the room, called by the sounds of his son's scream. "What is it Larry?"

"I saw… things, father… things of fire and… and… it was dark… there were men laughing…"

"Calm down son," the man said, sitting by the child's bed and picking up a medallion from the floor. "Tell me what you saw." The boy shook and opened his mouth, but no sound came out. "Do you need a drink?"

"Yes, please."

"I'll go get you one." He was back in a moment with a cup of water which the boy eagerly gulped. "Now, what was all this about?"

"I dreamt of a fire," he said. "A bunch of different flames, from all over. It was like I was floating first and could see above the earth. Fires from the east and west and south all came together, and they were of all different colors, it seemed, yellow and red and green and blue and purple… they were all going to the same place."

"Do you know where?"

"That island by Europe…"

"England?"

"Yeah!"

"A fire. And then what?"

"And then I in a city, only it wasn't a city anymore. All of the buildings were destroyed and everything was burning and there was darkness everywhere. There were people but I couldn't see who they were, and in the center of it all a man was laughing. There was so much fire around him, it was engulfing him, but he didn't seem to care. There were more screams. Someone shouted 'father' and then everything grew silent. Then…" he trembled.

"Then?"

"Then everything went silent and the fire burned brightly until it was all I could see. It hurt my eyes. And then I woke up."

"I see. Well, that's quite a nightmare. But listen to me, Larry – keep this on," he instructed his son, draping the medallion back around his neck. "I told you, if you wear this it will keep the nightmares away."

"Like a dream-catcher?"

"Yes. Like a dream-catcher."

"OK, dad." He lay back down on the pillow. "I won't see it again?"

"You won't. I promise. Now get some rest."

The man rubbed his son's hair, but frowned as soon as the boy's eyes were closed. He went back downstairs and made himself a drink, downing it in one go as he pondered about the boy's vision.

It sounded as though Armageddon was coming and mutants would be involved; and he be damned if he wasn't going to be prepared.

OOO

Anderson bent down and picked up the molten mass of slag that was on the floor. A moment ago, it had been a gun. He grinned.

"Good job, lass!"

She glowed with the praise. "I am getting more accurate, aren't I?"

"Aye, Ah should say so. Yeh are ae sight better thon ye were when we started."

"I'm glad. I have broken anything in ages!" He nodded, smiling ruefully, and she sighed. "You have bad news, don't you Father? You're leaving aren't you? That priest who came today…"

"Yeh saw?" He was barely surprised.

"From the window," she nodded, biting her lip. "Why are you leaving us, Father? Is it for…"

"Aye, lass. Northern Ireland. I wouldna leave yeh for less."

"Will… will you come back Father?" She trembled and her eyes were glassy.

"Ah always have before," he replied, sweeping her into a reassuring hug. "Dinnae worry yerself about me, lass."

"But what if something goes wrong?"

"Nothin' will. And yeh will see me again before this week is over. Ah promise."

They fell silent for a moment then separated. Anderson nodded at her and she watched him leave their practice room to pack. No further good-bye was said, nor was one needed, but she couldn't help feeling anxious and high strung. She wouldn't be able to sleep, she was sure, until he was safely back with her and the other orphans and Ferdinand Luke's.

Then, without warning, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, beautiful."

"Pietro!" She gasped, turning around and wondering how long he'd been there. The boy could be as silent as a cat when he wanted.

"Hey yourself," he grinned, giving her an affectionate hug. "Guess who's finally going to get to go on his first mission pretty soon?"

Contrary to his expectations, her face fell.

"You too?"

"What's the matter? Aren't you excited for me?"

"Excited about what? That everybody I love is heading out to get themselves killed?"

"I'm not going to get killed Wanda. I'm the best." He spread his arms open wide in a confident gesture and she burst into tears. "Aw, come on now. What's the matter?"

"Father Anderson is leaving… and now you are… I feel like my world is falling apart…"

"Hey. Quiet. Come on. Smile for me? I'm not leaving that soon."

"But Father…"

"He's a regenerator Wanda. They're not going to throw anything at him that he can't handle. Trust me on this one; I've seen records of what he can do. He's in absolutely no danger. Really. I swear."

Gradually, her tears subsided and she calmed down as they embraced.

"You're sure?"

"Positive."

"Pietro?" She asked in a quizzical tone. "What's an 'Alucard?'"

The boy grew noticeably rigid and she looked up at him.

"Where did you hear that name?" Pietro asked her quietly.

"I… I don't remember… I mean…" She looked confused and put her hand to her head.

"If he's involved… I take back what I said. Father Anderson might be in for a bit of trouble."

OOO

Maxwell cleared his throat as they finished lunch. Nobody noticed and he tapped his fingers, waiting, his fingertips still slightly sore from carrying the box which Fr. Murdock had given them down to a subgroup of Section III which operated out of the basement of his complex. He cleared his throat again, louder, and finally the talking quieted down.

"I have an announcement to make," he said, glad for the privacy of their dining area. "As you all know, we've seen an increase in activity. Recently, there has been an incident in Northern Ireland which desperately requires the attention of our most proficient specialist. We will not, however, be sending him into the field unaccompanied."

There was a pause and Kurt gradually realized that Heinkel and Yumiko were looking at him significantly. He blushed, not that it was noticeable, as he realized what would come next.

"Kurt – you have been waiting long enough. Heinkel and Yumiko have trained you well, but now is the time for you to step out and come into your own with your new partner. From this moment on, you will work with – and if necessary," he said with a fond smirk, "restrain – Father Anderson. Congratulations. You have taken the final step."

There was brief applause and Kurt thanked his fellow Iscariots. Not long after the small party broke up as each headed to their respective locations, Kurt to receive his directions from Maxwell, the nuns home to rest and the two Americans back to their plane.

"Did you speak to her?" Murdock asked, entering the passenger seat.

"In general or about the other thing?"

"Either."

"We just chatted," Frank explained. "I didn't go any further than that. And I'm not entirely sure it's wise – she is, after all, already a split personality and I'm not sure if she could handle three."

"It is pregnant, though?"

"Most certainly."

"And the child will die without a host?"

"That's correct."

"Well, I suppose we can think about it more until it gets closer to the actual time. In the meanwhile…" He activated a communicator, giving Frank a grin. "Sure that using this thing won't make the plane crash?"

Frank simply rolled his eyes, scoffing, and the red-haired priest went back to making his call.

"Beautiful? It's Vivaldi. Yes. And how's my favorite savateur? Good to hear you too. Italy? Italy is fine. Mmm. Well. Regardless. We're going to need you to get ready. Of course. I know you're eager. You should enjoy it. We'll see you when we return. Good-bye." He turned the device off with a quiet beep and snapped it shut.

"Code names?" Frank turned to ask him after he hung up.

"Yes. Just in case.

OOO

Kurt heard footsteps behind him, but he didn't bother to turn around, already knowing who it was.

"Good evening, fraulein."

"I thought you'd be up here. You know, you make it exceedingly difficult to get to you vhen you decide to run off."

"That is the point of going to the roof," he replied with a smile.

"Vell it is an inconvenience to me. Cigarette?"

"You know I don't smoke."

She sighed.

"I know you're nervous. But from vhat I haff seen of you – and vhat I know of Father Anderson – even the undead should not be a problem."

"I know. It's just… Vhat if I can't restrain him?" He looked concerned. "I could do my job vith you and Yumiko. Vhat if I cannot do it now?"

"Kurt – half the time, Maxvell doesn't even really want him to hold back. It is just a formality for him to say that he does."

"Even so. Ve should simply do our jobs and leave. But I know that is not how it vill be. He has not hunted in forever and he's going to be tremendously eager."

"You vant to know vhat I suggest?" He looked at her, curious. "Learn to enjoy the kill and the blood. There vill be much more of it to come."

She turned and left him alone with his thoughts, staring out at the dark night.

OOO

"Pietro, NO!" Wanda pleaded late that night.

"I will not be left here alone, not if he's going and risking himself. And Father Kurt is too, I listened in at Maxwell's door. Now are you coming or not? I can get us there in about nine minutes but you'll have to be wrapped in a particular material to protect you from the friction and stuff. They had some of the stuff left from my practice suits that should work fine."

"Pietro…"

"You can either help or you can sit here on your ass and worry the night away. Now what do you want to do?" He demanded, setting down the stolen silver naginata with a firm thump.

She lowered her head and sighed.

"We're going to die…"

"I'll wrap you up tightly. Just try to hold on as best you can."

OOO

Seras stood and prepped her gun on the orders of her master and mentally braced herself to fire. However, just as she was about to take aim and mow down the ghouls, something akin to a blurry breeze blew past her and in front of her the ghouls bled, then fell into pieces, then were utterly liquidated, just so much spatter against the walls of the building.

"Master…?" She called, uncertain if it was some trick of his. All of the blood around her was setting off her sensed, though, and she noticed one ghoul at the far end who hadn't been killed. She dashed towards him and quickly shot him through, then crushed his skull.

Alucard entered then and looked around, confused. As powerful as her gun was, it couldn't have caused the destruction he saw. There were blade marks and splatter patterns that looked as if something had been whirling. He looked over to her and saw her, dipping her fingers into blood and bringing them up to her mouth to lick; he grinned as she did so, glad she was learning so early.

Before she could complete the action, however, a bayonet suddenly appear, protruding through her throat, and then more throughout her body. She collapsed forward and Alucard started in surprise as she screamed. Suddenly, more bayonets flew by, this time with paper.

A barrier, he realized. He heard footsteps behind him and he turned to face a priest who was gazing at him with a grin more feral than any Alucard had seen in ages.

OOO

A/N: Props to darthjag, who really knows his Marvel, on spotting some of the hints. There are several in this chapter which won't be explained for another couple chapters, so any who spot them feel free to chime in. In the interests of seeing who can spot what, there will be no CC this chapter, but look for plenty of explanations in upcoming chapters if you feel a bit lost at the moment.

And as promised, Hellsing has finally appeared and the result will be (hopefully) interesting. To say the least.