Sorry this chapter took so long. Had some major computer problems, but it's all fixed now! Will try to update my stories quicker, but don't expect any miracles. Anyway, this is more of a backstory chapter than anything. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 11 : Must We Succumb?

Aqua had booked it right back to the mansion. She cried as she ran for a good 30 minutes straight. Her stamina and adrenaline were magnified by the emotions that were flooding her. She got back to the mansion and ran straight past the guards and through the gate. For some strange reason; the gate was still not repaired! Integra was going to be pissed. Aqua went into the mansion and stopped right by the front desk. She needed to catch her breath for a second. She was hyperventilating while a few of the Wild Geese were looking at her in confusion. Captain Pip Bernadotte had walked up to her to try and comfort her.

"Are you all right, mignonette," he asked with a gentle tone. He was not expecting her to punch him right in the gut and run away in tears again. He about vomited from how hard she struck him. Damn, she is strong. She ran straight for the basement. She wanted to be left alone.

Aqua ran straight into Seras's room and decided to fall straight into Seras's coffin instead of the bed Walter had set up for her. She couldn't believe what just happened. She used the power of Darkness! She failed her Master again! She fell into the pit that she swore to avoid! She allied herself with the very thing she swore to destroy! She lied in the coffin cursing herself and crying herself to sleep. She tried to get herself under control, but she just kept crying and crying. She couldn't even fall asleep. She kept going as a dark but also bright presence had entered the room. Aqua didn't notice until she finally spoke up.

"What's wrong," Seras asked in a concerned voice. "You really shouldn't beat yourself up like this. It's only going to make things worse," Seras said in a very caring voice.

"Easy for you to say! How can things be worse?! I can now never go back to my home! I failed in the one simple assignment I was given!" She then summoned her Keyblade in her hand, sat up and held it to her chest. "I don't even deserve to wield this now," she said sadly as she held out the blade and dropped it to the ground. Seras looked down at the blade with a frustrated look. It shocked them both when it returned directly to Aqua's hand. Seras then smiled. "It seems to think otherwise," Seras said with glee. "It don't seem to care whether or not you use the power of darkness or the power of light. Master has told me that the Keyblade chooses a wielder for their heart. And the heart is made by the decisions we make. You can't let this one incident beat you. You need to be stronger than that," Seras tried explaining to her. She wasn't about to watch this girl beat herself up over something like this. Aqua wiped away her tears.

"But, that dark Keyblade..." Aqua was about to say more when Seras interrupted. "You summoned a dark blade, yes. But, did the one of light leave your hand? No, and that's because you still have that same caring heart you have always had. You need to pull yourself together. Besides, do you really think your master wants to see you crying and beating yourself up like this?" Aqua thought about that. Seras did have a damn good point.

"No. He loves me as his own daughter," she said, still trying to pull herself together.

"Exactly. Hey! I've got an idea! Take a walk in the Hellsing Gardens with me! Maybe that will cheer you up," Seras implied. Aqua thought about it. Perhaps some fresh air might do me some good...besides, what's the harm in it? Wait... Aqua then looked at Seras whom had quite the heartwarming smile on her face.

"Wait...won't the sun kill you Seras," Aqua asked concerned. Seras got a shocked look on her face as well as a sweat drop (like the ones seen inside anime. Needed to add a little humor.) Seras's smile then returned to her face as she answered.

"Nah...The sun can no longer harm me. I can thank my master for that. He taught me a trick. All I have to do is basically shut most of my powers off." Aqua thought about that for a minute. I guess there really is no harm. Why not? Aqua nodded her head in agreement and got up. Besides, I might be able to talk to her more about the Keyblade. I get the feeling she may be able to wield it one day soon...

Meanwhile...

Alucard was in his dungeon sleeping. He was dream...no, he was having a nightmare. He saw himself being sealed once again by Abraham. How he had screamed as the seals etched into his gloves. He watched as he had heard the 3 phrases again.

The Bird of the Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame...

Madness and Genius are two sides of the same coin.

Darkness and Light are One and the Same.

Alucard then saw a shadowy girl with crimson eyes like his. She had two very dark angel wings on her back. The rest of her figure was just a silhouette. He then heard one more phrase.

Twilight be thy Path, though I thrive in Darkness.

Alucard then woke up and saw the blood-wine he spilled on his lap. It did not concern him. He then heard a conversation between Seras and Aqua. He listened intently. He could only grin. Looks like Seras would be her rightful Master. Perhaps I will leave the task of training the Key-Girl to the Police-Girl. He still liked calling Seras 'Police-Girl' on occasions. Alucard was still really tired. He could sense it was still the middle of the day. Kinda foolish for Seras to want to take that girl out for a walk at this time of day, but she is her own vampire now. She don't need him to tell her what and what not to do. He would just let her and the Key-Girl go on their walk. Can't be too much different from the walks he takes. As he slipped back in his throne, he heard the words repeat in his head. Those phrases were beginning to haunt him. He needs to find out more. He'll look through old libraries and documents. He will also go through Hellsing's library if he has to. In all his years he has never been so dumbfounded and...scared? Was this a feeling of fear starting to seep into his heart? No, he is the total definition of fear. He pushed all his thoughts out of his head and tried to fall back to sleep. But right as he dozed off; he heard a voice in his head. Jenova. Sephiroth.

Meanwhile...at the Imperial War Museum

"You're letter never explained the reason for this meeting."

"My apologies, but it was best if the details weren't put to paper. International Mailing Customs and what not."

"So what exactly does the Vatican want," Integra asked.

"Just some assistance, and in return; I have some information that can be very valuable to you," Enrico replied. Integra sighed. She didn't know whether she should accept the deal or not. She thought about it long and hard.

"What kind of information," Integra asked. Enrico half-smiled.

"The monsters assailing your compound, they were under the control of a 50-year-old enemy," he replied. Integra thought about this. She decided it would be best to have at least some tangible answers.

"Very well. What do you want," Integra asked with a pained voice. Enrico chuckled.

"We actually need help with this enemy. They have been deploying their FREAK vampires inside holy territory. They are starting to become a nuisance. In exchange for giving you the information; we ask that you stay off these Holy Grounds unless we ask for assistance. Is it a deal," Enrico explained. He wanted to get everything straight. Integra was short to answer. She also didn't want another incident like Badderick or the Subway Incident between Alucard and Alexander.

"Very well. I promise," Integra answered. Enrico smiled. He knew that Integra was one for keeping promises. He then opened his suitcase and gave her a document.

"I give you: Millenium. During World War 2, Nazi Party Loyalists were preparing to flee from Germany. An extraction operation was commenced, just as Allied forces took the country. Understandably, they needed enough time to evacuate; while still holding their ground long enough to not be considered traitors or deserters. The majority of these party members and soldiers ended up in South America, where they found refuge with a number of Nazi sympathizers," Enrico explained.

"Those survivors were the Millenium group," Integra stated. "Yes. Millenium also refers to the operation to move these troops." Enrico added. Integra thought for a moment.

"What does this have to do with the creatures who assailed my home," Integra demanded.

"We believe that these monsters were taking orders from Millenium, for it seems that it's quite possible that Millenium had found a way to survive. How they manage to control them is beyond me, but you can be certain that they were most likely the ones who assailed you," Enrico replied. As they continued to talk and exchange information, there were a few shadowy figures hiding behind the wall; all speaking in German accents.

"I zhink zey are starting to put it together. Zey know about Millenium."

"Put it together you zay? Nonsense. Zey don't know anyzing about anyzing yet."

"Are you enjoying zis, or iz it just my imagination?"

"Enjoying iz hardly ze vord for zis feeling, Doctor. I am ecstatic! Positively giddy with anticipation! Just think of the struggle zat awaits us! It vill be ze greatest struggle of zem all," the Major said with absolute happiness.