The Lost Priest
Chapter 24
Something to Kill the Time
(A/N Whoa I am like so sorry for the long update. I know it took me forever. I still didn't get everything finished and I need to. Like my costume for an anime convention I need to sew. I'm such a slacker. Anyway, enjoy this next chapter. Also this chapter has a big joke in it. So bare with the extra long chapter.)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts
Telepathy
(Last Time)
Abel sighed in defeat. Isaak would be someone good to have around when dealing with time devices. He would have to let his brother do that if it would truly help. Abel nodded in agreement as Cain grin.
"Thank you, Abel, I can tell you right now you made a wise decision," Cain said as Abel stood up and moved towards the door. "All you have to do is help me work them down so we can get Isaak back."
"Tell me, Cain, is any other reason why you want Wizard back so badly?" Abel asked, not turning to look at his brother.
"Whatever do you mean, Abel?" Cain asked in a light voice. "It's purely for salvation against Millennium. No other alternative means are involved."
"Oh, that's good! For a second there I thought you only wanted him back because you were lonely in bed," Abel jabbed, rushing out the door before Cain could get a bitter reply out of his mouth.
(Present Time. Millennium HQ)
Schrödinger returned to his Major with the Empress's unyielding massage. He told the chubby Major everything that happened while he was in the future, including how he lost his fingers. The Major was very interested in the fact that vampires were so common place that they even had their own government and country.
He was not expecting to hear about Hellsing and Maxwell actually working together with the leaders of the Vatican, England (now called Albion), and this New Human Empire. How did they get such a strong foothold so quickly? It was slightly aggravating, but no matter. He had confidence that his militia would still prevail.
As for the UV gel; its chemical composition was broken down, studied, and reproduce in large quantities. The future's technology was already proving to be very useful. A gel that can block out the sunlight all together was "brilliant" as the Doctor called it.
As for Schrödinger's fingers he was unable to regenerate them. Every nerve ending, muscle tissue, and blood vessel had been disintegrated preventing any regeneration. So the Doctor fitted him out with a set prosthetics.
The warrant officer had a hard time adjusting to the metal fingers and simple tasks had to be relearned; such as the simple action of picking a coin up off the floor. Schrödinger was clumsy with his new fingers but he was slowly learning how to work with them.
"Vell, Schrödinger, how are you today," the Major asked sitting in usual throne. "How do you feel about going back zere und delivering a new message for me?"
"Zere is nein problem, Herr Major," Schrödinger said with a salute. "To whom do I deliver your message to zis time?"
"I vant you to return to ze New Human Empire," the Major replied plainly as Schrödinger's face faltered some. "Zat is vhere all ze bigvigs (bigwigs) seem to be."
"Yes, sir," Schrödinger saluted and turned on his heel.
"Oh, und, Schrödinger, one more zing," the Major said as Schrödinger turn back around. "Try to come back in one piece zis time."
(New Human Empire)
"The answer is NO!" Augusta bellowed at the top of her lungs as she argued with Contra Mundi. "NO! (Please, Augusta!) NO! (Let me finish!) NO! (Stubborn brat!) NO, CAIN, THAT'S FINAL!!"
"I told you, brother," Abel drawled with a cocky grin. "You're not getting Isaak back."
"I thought you said you were going to help me," Cain bit out at his younger twin.
"I don't remember that agreement," Abel hummed with a big grin seeing on how red Cain's face was becoming. "And red is so your color."
"Abel," Cain growled.
"Yes," Abel spoke.
"Blue is defiantly your color," Cain shouted, grabbing Abel around his throat with a tight grip, watching his brother's face turn that very color.
"Knock it off," Alucard said, pointing a gun in Cain's face. "Your sibling rivalry can wait a little while longer! Let go of him."
Cain dropped his brother and Abel fell to the floor gasping for air. Alucard then put his Jackal back his coat. Cain had been trying to convince his fellow leaders for last 5 hours off and on to let him go and fetch Isaak but they all kept their foot down and hard. It was aggravating to him. If he could at least get that bratty sister of his to say yes then everything would go more to plan. But his sister was being such a pain in the ass and Abel clearly wasn't even trying to help. What a family he was cursed with. Family, eh?
"Augusta, don't make do this," Cain said with a sly smirk.
"Don't make you do what?" Augusta growled behind her hooded throne.
"You better let me do what needs to be done," Cain warned one final time, "because I will do it."
"What are you getting at?" Augusta snorted.
"Fine. Did anyone here know that Augusta wet the bed until she was 9? She was also dumb enough to take mine and Abel's advice when she 3 to swing from a light bulb, and ultimately ripped out the whole socket and wiring from the ceiling!" Cain boasted as silence filled the air and Abel slowly moved away from him along the ground. "At age 5 she took mine and Abel's advice again that it would be fun to stick her lips to a frozen metal pole! At age 13 we told her to dress as a boy and bind herself with duck-tape. Need I go on?"
"Duck-tape?" Esther blinked. What's duck-tape?
"CAIN," Augusta bellowed.
"Okay then, at age 6 she wanted a new haircut so she did it herself and it looked like she used a weed-whacker when she was finished with it! And when she was 8 we convinced her that—"
"JUST TAKE THE DANM DEVICES AND SHUT THE HELL UP," Augusta exploded in fury as everyone looked bug-eyed at her.
"Thank you so very much," Cain grinned with a bow. "I shall put them to good use."
Cain walked out the door as Abel somewhat hid behind Alucard. Why did he have to go there? Abel was just as embarrassed as his little sister after that. He was surprised that Cain didn't just blurt that the Empress was their kid sister. Thank heaven for small miracles at least.
"Abel," Augusta growled in a low voice.
"Y-yes," Abel squeaked out, looking over Alucard's shoulder.
"Do you have anything to add," she hissed.
"No, sister—oops," Abel quickly ran out the door. "CAIN, WAIT FOR ME!"
"'SISTER?!'" the others repeated.
"Th-this whole time you, A-Abel, and Cain w-were…" Ion stammered. "Wh-why didn't you l-let us know until now?!"
"Because it's really not that important, that's why," the Empress hissed at the young count.
"So, that would mean that you too are a Crusnik?" Integra asked.
"Yes," Augusta huffed out.
There was a low murmur among those in the room. She was going to rip both their heads off. First it was only going to be Cain but since Abel opened his mouth… They were both going to get it good when she got them alone.
"Your Majesty, Augusta, Abel's slip of the tongue was pure accident," Alucard said in Abel defense. "So don't go ripping off his head."
"And stay out of mine," Augusta barked.
"Okay, fine," Alucard grinned. I've known for a while that you were their little sister. But I kept quiet about it. In actuality it might actually serve us better now that that little secret is out. The three of you don't have to keep hiding as much now.
Back off nosferatu this does not concern you!
Think about it. The three of you can work together once again. Together the three of you were an unstoppable force. Now more than ever the world needs your strength.
But it was our strength that nearly wiped out the world the first time! Surely by now you should know that, Alucard!
Yes, but what can destroy the world can also save it, Seth. Put that behind you. It's time for the Crusniks to take center stage once more. You and your brothers have the power to tip the scale. Of course you won't be alone. Just think on it for a while. You might change your mind.
Cain fiddled around a little with two of the devices, resetting the time and coordinates. Abel stood in the back of the laboratory storeroom watching his brother. That was a dirty thing Cain had done just to get to the devices. Then of course Abel accidentally did that slip up. This day was turning from bad to worse.
Cain had changed his clothes to fit more of what an upperclassman would wear in Albion. He also braided his hair and put on pair of glasses to finish the look. He didn't want to risk the guards recognizing him and trying to get in his way. This needed to be a clean operation.
"Well, everything is set. I would try for the airship but it always moving and would be unable to pinpoint," Cain said, turning to look at Abel. "You can check over it over it if you think I'm trying to pull the wool over your eyes."
"I believe you," Abel snorted, leaning up against a wall. "Just get Isaak and come straight back. Got that? Just remember once you land you will be out cold for a few minutes. So make sure you give yourself some time."
"Whoa, it almost sounds like you care," Cain smirked as he hit a button on a device and disappeared into the bright white light.
"I don't even know why I do," Abel snorted.
(One year ago Londinium, Albion)
He woke up to the feeling of cold hard ground and the smell of grass mixed with the strong smell of smoke. He also heard explosions and screaming. He was in the right place. Cain slowly opened his blue eyes. The sun was already down as he rested in a small grassy area in the city.
"Well, it worked," Cain groaned as she slowly pushed himself up off the ground into a sitting position. "Damn my head hurts. Now let's see where I need to go."
Cain slowly stood up and wobbled a little bit, feeling dizzy. Now that was a wild ride. He shook his head and started searching the skyline for the airship. He couldn't see it so he decided to follow where the loudest explosions were coming from.
He decided to hoof it until he was close enough but he would have to avoid the guards on the ground level. Good thing he wasn't wearing his usual garb. Foot soldiers were everywhere. He was getting close he could tell as people were run past him in the other direction. It was going to be tricking to get through the shield if it was already up.
He started looking around again. How could something so big hide? Then again most of the taller buildings block a lot of the skyline. He stopped and listened for a second. He should be able to hear the engines. He just focused on his hearing. He needed to continue straight.
Cain decided to pick up his feet using "haste" to quickly navigate through the throng of screaming people. There it was finally. It took him damn long enough. Ah, shit! The shield was already up. He had to be careful now.
He continued down the street using "haste" and down towards the river. Just as he got to a bridge he took a flying leap into the air. He had to make this fast. He released his crusnik form and spread open his white feathered wings. The updraft caught him instantly, pushing him up higher into the starlit sky.
Things were going good so far but Lady Luck can change her mind at any given moment. He needed to avoid being seen as he neared the ship. Hopefully the Albion government and the Church would be to busy to notice him. He would have to be very careful. If a weapon is fired at the ship the shield would activate and he didn't want to be caught in it.
He carefully weaved his way through the machines that produced the shield. He was steadily drawing closer to it. He could see a door hatch. He quickly made a beeline for it. He was ca me closer and closer. Cain turned for second to see an energy beam coming toward the ship.
"SHIT," Cain yelled as he hurried to the door.
The beam hit the shield just as Cain made it on the other side of it. He quickly flew to the hatch and opened it. He now had to hurry. No doubt Isaak was at the front of ship at the command deck. He had to hurry the second energy blast from the Iron Maid II is what finally destroyed Isaak's airship.
"Isaak, you better be where I think you are because I only have one shot at this," Cain muttered and he rushed down the halls.
He hurried with "haste but he was all the way at the back of the ship and Isaak was up front. What a pain in the ass. He was finally getting closer to the control deck. He could see the door now. Suddenly the ship gave on good shake Cain stumble for a second but regained his balance. The blast was coming any second now.
He shoved open the door seeing the Iron Maiden right outside the windshield it was about the deliver the final shot. He had to hurry. The beam was released from the Iron Maiden.
"NO! THIS CAN'T HAPPEN!" Isaak yelled jumping from his seat.
"ISAAK!" Cain yelled, grabbing hold of him and pushed down a button on the last time device just as the ship exploded.
(Present Day New Human Empire Laboratory Storeroom.)
"I don't even know why I do," Abel snorted.
KA-THUD!!
Abel stood there looking at the two smoking forms on the floor. Well, damn if he didn't do it. There was the Wizard and Contra Mundi both out cold. Abel shook his head.
"Well, that was quick," Abel muttered, walking over to them and crouched down. "They don't look too worse for wear, I suppose. Now I just need to wait until they wake."
Abel sat down on the floor waiting for one them to wake up. He knew it was going to take a while but with the sun out Millennium wasn't running amuck right now so he had some time to kill.
As he continued to wait an idea struck him. Isaak thought Abel was dead and gone and considering Isaak himself was in that explosion… This was going to be good. Maybe he should even get Alucard in on this one. This was going to be payback.
"Oh, Alucard," Abel hummed and waltzed out the door.
(17 minutes later. Spare empty room in the palace.)
Isaak stirred from his sleep. His head ached like a drill bit had gone through one side and out the other repeatedly. When he opened his eyes he was greeted by a great white light as he lied on his back. It was bright and it hurt his eyes. He slowly pushed himself up to see where he was exactly.
All he remembered with the airship exploding and a great bright light. Now he was sitting a bare empty white room. He could have sworn he heard his Lord call out to him but he was no where in sight.
"Dammit… What just happened?" Isaak grumbled to himself. "And where am I?"
"Purgatory," A tired voice said from behind him. "Though being suck here with you, I'm beginning to think this place is hell."
He knew that voice. His blood ran cold. The priest was dead Cain told him so. Wait a minute he just say 'purgatory?' Did that mean he, Isaak was… Was…
"What's the matter, cat got your tongue, Wizard?" Abel sighed as Isaak whipped around. "Hey, how's it going?"
"But you're… Y-you're…" Isaak stammered, getting to his feet.
"Dead? So are you," Abel said, sitting on the floor with he back up against the wall and his legs stretched out. "Well, don't look so stunned. You're ship did explode after all. A full front blast for Iron Maiden II will do that to you.
Isaak's legs slowly gave out as he sank back to the ground. Everything was sinking in now. He really was dead wasn't he? After Contra Mundi made sure Abel was destroyed there was no way the priest could be in the living world.
"No, it can't be! It just… No…" Isaak said, staring at the white tiled floor.
"Oh, but you are… Hahahaha!" An evil voice said from thin air. "I brought you here after all Isaak Ferdinand Von Kämpfer."
"Who's there," Isaak demanded, whipping around to find no one.
"What's the matter? Having a hard time, are we?" the same cold dark voice spoke again. "Get use to it. It only get worse from here."
Suddenly a dark hooded figure appeared before Isaak. He couldn't see this thing's face it was just solid darkness under the black tattered hood. In fact this dark figure was even floating and appeared to have no feet. He noted the fingure also had a black book in one hand and a large scythe in the other.
"Oh, no! NO! NONONO!" Isaak shouted, scooting across the floor. "You can't be real! YOU JUST CAN'T BE!"
"But I am real. DEATH is very much real," the figure said as a very toothy grin appeared out from the darkness of the hood. "I'm resigned for those who fall under special circumstances. Such as yourself and Abel Nightlord."
"Well, aren't we the lucky ones," Abel sighed sounding very depressed. "How long do we have wait here?"
"That's not for me to decided, Nightlord," Death said, turning to look at him. "Thought I would imagine it will be quite a LONG while until your trial will be brought to high court."
"Tr-trial? What trial?" Isaak said, slowly getting back to his feet.
"Every soul must be judged," Death answered him. "But not everything is an open and shut case. Such is the case with you and Abel."
"I'm on trail to see how much good and evil I did the world and where I should go," Abel moaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I tried to atone for my sins but some things just can't be forgiven. I think it has to do more or less if we can forgive ourselves as well."
"Then what am I on trail for?!" Isaak said forcefully.
"You're on trail to see which part of hell you belong in," Death said with an evil chuckle. "Sorry, but even some parts of hell don't even want you. BWAHAHAHA!"
Isaak fell back to the floor. He long black hair covered his face. Was he so evil in life that hell wouldn't even take him? What was he to do? Nothing… There was nothing he could do. He was at the mercy of a much higher power. He felt like crying. He was dead and there was nothing he could do about.
As he sulked he started to hear something like muffled laughter and small snorts. It sounded like Abel was trying to suppress his laughter. Why would be laughing at a time like this?! He then heard Death trying to hold in his laughter as well.
Wizard slowly lifted his head and moved his hair from his face. Abel's face was turning a nice shade of pink as the tried to hold it all in. Death was trying to do the same by burying his face in the Book of the Damned, which on closer inspection looked more liked a thick black dictionary. It even read "dictionary" in gold lettering on the front cover and spine.
Also the scythe Death had in his boney hands looked a little too much like the blood scythe Abel wields. What was going on? Was there something he missed?
"What's going on?!" Isaak shouted. "What's so funny?!"
That did it. Their laughter erupted like a breached dam and flooded the whole room. Death, who had been floating, was now lying on the ground, kicking his boot-clad feet as he bawled with laughter. Also why was Death wearing a finely tailored men's suit under his dark cloak? Abel was also flat on the floor crying his eyes out he was laughing so hard.
"Was this some sort of a joke?!" Isaak demanded only causing Abel and Death to laugh harder. "STOP LAUGHING!! THIS IS NOT FUNNY!!"
His anger only intensified their laughter even more. He was about to let them have it when Cain, who been listening in, opened a door and was also laughing. This was infuriating! Even his own Lord and Master was laughing at him and what was he wearing? Did that mean this whole thing was only a joke? He wasn't dead after all? But that didn't explain how Abel could be…
"I'm not dead?!" Isaak asked forcefully.
"NOOOO!" the three laughed at him.
Isaak was too angry, too stunned, too humiliated, and too embarrassed to move or make another remark. Totally at a loss for words as to what had just conspired. Finally after standing there for a while and letting everyone get the last of their laughter out was when Isaak cleared his throat.
"You done yet," Isaak hissed.
"Yes, quite," Death said, pulling himself off the ground along with his black cloak. "The look on your face was worth it. Totally worth it."
"And you are?" Isaak asked through his fangs.
"My name is Alucard," the nosferatu grinned widely. "It's a pleasure making your acquaintance."
Isaak scoffed at the vampire's introduction. He was a laughing stock for goodness sake. Isaak tuned back to Contra Mundi who had regained his composure.
"Now explain to me what happened," Isaak bit out at anyone that knew the whole story. "How did I get here, wherever here is, and how is Abel alive?"
"In a nut shell Abel was revived with Lilith's blood. Just a few minutes ago I saved you from going up in a puff of smoke and you're one year in the future in the New Human Empire. I saved you because we need you to help us stop a group calling itself Millennium, which is trying to take over the world both in this time and in the past," Cain said as Isaak just stared bug-eyed at him. "And, yes, your time machine does—did work. I guess that's what help start this whole mess. Basically we need you to rebuild the machine so we can stop Millennium from taking over the world."
"Is this is another joke? Because if it is…" Isaak said with a hard tone.
"This is no joke," Abel stated. "This is real and this is happening. We'll fill you in more when with get to the palace council room."
"We're in the Empyreal Palace?" Isaak asked, looking paler than usual. "Wait! Now hold on!"
"C'mon, Kämpfer, let's go," Alucard said, shoving the Methuselah towards the door. "Joke's over. We need to get moving. Out the door. Move it!"
"Don't push!"
(Outside the Palace Council Room)
Schrödinger waited outside the room quietly. He was still apprehensive about waltzing into that room considering last time. There was everyone body all huddled around the large table discussing plans. He was content on spying for a while.
"Well, what do we have here," someone said from behind him. "A spy, perhaps? Or maybe a saboteur?"
Schrödinger froze instantly. He was caught. He slowly turned around to come face to face with 4 very tall men just glaring at him. He knew Alucard right off the bat even without the red hat and coat but as for the remaining 3 he wasn't sure. One was dressed as a priest, one as an upper class gentleman, and the other looked like he should belong with Millennium almost but the uniform was different.
"What should we do with him," the priest asked, looking at Alucard.
"You have another little message from your Major, do you not," Alucard asked with a toothy grin and the warrant officer nodded wearily. "Then get on with it. Move!"
Cain pushed opened the doors as Alucard held on to Schrödinger's uniform and marched him inside the council room. Abel and Isaak soon followed and closed the doors behind them.
Everyone froze when they saw him again. What was he doing back here? Of all the nerve! Didn't the first message Augusta give him sink in? Schrödinger tried to play brave and jerked himself free from Alucard.
"I have another message from my Herr Major," Schrödinger announced boldly as he pulled out the digital recorder again and hit play.
"Vell, vell, I must say zat I vaw wery surprised vhen my varrant officer Schrödinger returned to me vith such a formidable message from her royal majesty the Empress Augusta. So, you vill play me at my own game? I'm honored. I'm more surprised to hear zat vampires, ze Watican, und England—excuse me—Albion are vorking togezer. Its is all too fascinating! Because vhere ve are England und ze Watican aren't vorking togezer on anyzing. Zey are at each ozer's zroats (other's throats). My era is almost in my grasp.
"So, tell me Maxvell und Hellsing how are you fairing in zat era now knowing how everyzing is going in zis one? You should see it! It's beautiful. Ze fires are so bright und warm und ze smell of gunpowder und blood is so sweet! Var is vonderful, is its not? Now vhat are you going to do about its? You chose to stay in zat time, vhile you let zis one go to hell. Tsk! Tsk! To tell you ze truth it's a bit boring here. No one's putting up a really good fight. Oh, vell, it vas your choice. I'll tell you everyzing vhen me und my men vin. I'll make sure to tell you all about its. It vill be a glorious story. Until ve talk again. Good bye."
Integra and Maxwell were so mad that the other council members swore they saw steam coming out of their ears. Schrödinger also wasted no time in leaving the room. Damn that fucking Major. They wanted him dead and right now. If only they could get back and reverse this mess somehow. There was still one working device. For once Maxwell and Hellsing thought of the same thing.
"Anderson!" Maxwell exclaimed.
"Alucard!" Integra bellowed.
"Aye?"
"Yes?"
"We need you to take the last device and go back to our era," Integra explained.
"Go back tae our era?" Anderson looked stunned. "Ye can't be serious, can ye?"
"We are very serious," Maxwell stated. "According to that Nazi bastard we are losing in that era. We need you and—Alucard—both to try and establish some sort of foothold there until we can join you."
"And just how long do think that will take?" Alucard asked.
"Just get a damn foothold in that era and we should hopefully be there soon," Integra answered him. "That's an order! No holding back! Do whatever necessary to gain back some ground!"
"As you wish, my Master," Alucard bowed.
"The same goes for you too, Anderson," Maxwell said loudly. "Take them all down! We are God's sword on earth! It is time we start acting like it!"
"Ah hear an' obey, yer Grace," Anderson leered. "Ye ready, Nosferatu Alucard?"
"But of course, Paladin," Alucard sneered in return. "Shall we then?"
Anderson's leer widened as he and Alucard walked out the door. Finally some real action without leaders telling them what to do. Oh, this was going to be so much fun.
(Laboratory Storeroom)
Well, the time was pretty much set on the last device. They didn't know how far into the war their era was on this particular date. It could be at the beginning or a good ways in. Well, in any case hopefully it wasn't too late to get some sort of resistance against Millennium.
Alucard picked up the device and looked it over one last time. This had better work. Anderson looked like he was ready as he pull out one of his bayonets. Alucard walked over to Anderson.
"Ready to make some heads roll?" Alucard asked.
"Just geet meh der an' Ah'll show ye some 'eads rollin'," Anderson smirked.
Alucard was about to push the button when he felt a small tugging on his red trench coat. He turned around and looked down as did Anderson.
"I thought about what you said, Alucard," a little green eyed, raven haired girl said, dressed in empyreal clothing. "Perhaps with you and Anderson back in the past it would be best if THAT POWER was use once more. After all, together we were an unstoppable force."
"No more secrets, then?" Alucard asked with a grin.
"Maybe just a few but not that many," the girl winked with a sweet little grin before turning around. "Good luck, you guys!"
"Wha' be tha' all about, Alucard?" Anderson questioned as the small girl walked off.
"Thank you, your Majesty," Alucard said, before turning back to Anderson. "You figured it out."
Alucard hit the large red button on the device and in an instant he and Anderson disappeared in a flash of white light.
(A/N Yes, finally it is done! Chapter 24 is now complete! Wow that took a while to write I'll tell you that! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed that! Oh, and the light bulb story is a true story by one of my friends. Her little sister convinced to swing from a light bulb. My friend was only like 3 at the time making her sister 2. See ya!)
Millie M. Banshee