Chapter Seventeen: The Tables Have Turned

-Present Day, August 20-

I climbed out of the Vatican helicopter that picked us up from our hideout in Brazil. I was not expecting Father Anderson to meet is in Brazil, punch out Alucard, and then hand us a document to allow us to board a Vatican aircraft to get us home. We only accepted because Alucard has a report to give to Sir Integra, and she'll be at a Hellsing-Vatican conference with the Queen of England.

Alucard had contacted Sir Integra while Mr. Bernadotte, Seras, and I went to get some fast food. Due to Alucard having relevant information, Hawkens and Officer Scott have been invited to the conference, along with the AX Agency. It would seem that Alucard can gain the memories of one he drains of blood, meaning that the Millennium operative knows something about what happened to my friends, or maybe the reason why Rossolue became a target of Ghouls.

I followed Alucard to a car that was waiting for us before we even got there. Mr. Bernadotte seemed to recognize the driver because he opened the door for me to have a seat first. It was probably the most chivalrous thing he had ever done for me. Seras followed, and then Alucard climbed into the back seats. Mr. Bernadotte climbed into the passenger seat and the driver put the car into drive.

I was too busy thinking about the possible information that Alucard had to pay any attention to the scenery. It took Seras unlocking the door beside me to realize that we were at our destination. I climbed out of the car and Seras followed me out. She seemed uncertain about something. Mr. Bernadotte told the driver to wait for us to come back out before we followed after Alucard, who obviously knew where he was going.

After going into the building, and turning down several hallways, Alucard opened a set of double doors loudly. I winced as the doors banged off the walls, and wondered if this man managed to go anywhere without announcing his presence to the world.

"We have returned, my master." I noticed that all of the members from the Round Table Conference were here as well. I just hoped that we didn't get anymore surprise visitors like last time. Sir Integra was sitting directly across from the doors we came in from. Her glasses flashed in the brilliant lighting. Her eyes roamed over us quickly, fixating on me, assessing my current state of discomfort.

"Well executed, my servant. Now take off your hat and greet the Queen properly." Alucard passed his hat and shades to me, and I held it numbly as everyone watched as the vampire walked to where the Queen was sitting. He got on one knee and allowed the woman to touch him, though I couldn't hear what was being said between them. Then I heard in a clear voice.

"Carry on with your report, vampire." Alucard stood tall and began a slow pace. He locked eyes with me for a moment, willing me to stay calm. It was about time that I got some answers.

"Back in World War II, a crazy Nazi major was put in charge of creating a vampire army. Walter and I lay waste to their members." Walter smiled slightly at the memory that they both shared. "But it seems that the major has survived, and he has been rebuilding his army and preparing for another war. A darker war, that will decide the fates of all those who are living."

"When you say all of those who are living, are you implying that-?" Officer Scott seemed unable to finish her question because she and Hawkens shared the same shocked expressions. Alucard glanced between Hawkens, Officer Scott and me, though didn't seem to want to make eye contact.

"The Rossolue incident was just a proclamation of their determination. They were planning to lash out at the Material Plain for a while. It was Rossolue city's misfortune for being peaceful and too quiet of Charactering activity."

"And what of the missing Non-Characters?" Sister Blanchett was sitting in between Father Nightroad and Father Iques. Her blue, troubled eyes were focused on me, not Alucard. He kept his eyes fixed on her, though.

"The only things I do know, is that they are alive and each on different Plains." I felt relief fill me and my knees felt weak. "They are not making it easier to find them."

"Well I guess Mr. Alhambra's blood gave too much away." The unfamiliar voice was young and playful. Everyone turned their attention to the boy standing in the doorway. The first thing I noticed was the uniform the boy was wearing, but what had my attention was that he had cat ears. "I guess the Major blew that one."

I was forced back by Seras as she situated herself between the boy and me. There was another person beside the boy, though she seemed to not want to be here. She wore a black skirt and blazer set with a gilded rose pin attached to her tie. She had medium length brown hair and downcast eyes a vivid shade of peridot!

I felt the world freeze around me as I realized who was standing there with the boy. I didn't focus on the fact that the AX Agency were offended by the uniform that she was obviously forced to wear. The uniform wasn't made to fit her body structure at all. Then I heard his voice.

"Vhere is that delightful Non-Character?" I whipped my head to a small television that was set down on the table. Everyone was at awe at the face on the screen, so I glanced at Sir Integra. She was eyeing Hawkens reaction, and he nodded to me. I walked until I was able to see the face on the screen. Blond hair, golden eyes, and that smug grin that I hated so much were all that I saw. At the sight of me, his eyes widened happily.

"Ah, there you are, Fraulein! I must admit, you look vonderful; animation becomes you. Your performance in Rio vas outstanding, I couldn't keep my eyes off of you." Everyone else was shocked at how easily he spoke to me, so I decided to throw some sass out there for my own amusement.

"Hello, Major it's been almost two months since you left me bleeding in a shopping mall." I let the man see how sarcastic I was, but he took it in stride with a hearty laugh.

"Your friend was being quite rude at the time. It was just unfortunate that you vere in the vay at the time. Though it seems taking a bullet and falling into a river didn't kill you either. I'm disappointed that you got avay. You vould've been fun to break, but you von that round of the game."

"Round? I managed to get help; I thought that would've made your game null and void." I felt my hands sweating, but I was focused on that bastard's face. He just laughed harder at my expression.

"Oh no, Fraulein, the game has only began. Out of the five of you, you vere the only one to valk avay. All of the others are at our mercy, those vere the rules, remember. Und I know that you are going to try und get them back, so I've given you a clue. You already recognized the girl there, haven't you?" All eyes fixated on me.

"Yes."

"Then you know that finding the others von't be easy. I'm going to make you leave everything behind; your family, your home, your humanity, and I vill vatch you destroy yourself slowly as you tear through every known Plain to try und save them und never trusting anyone. You'll never know who is your enemy and who is you ally. This game is over, Fraulein, vhen one of us stands victorious over the other."

"What?" I felt my eyes widen as the boy joined laughing with his superior at my reaction. Alucard blew the boy's head off faster than anyone could blink. The Major seemed amused at the death of his subordinate.

"Are you jealous, Alucard? I've found a much more amusing toy to break than you. Ah vell, I'll leave the girl with you then, she's already broken beyond repair. Fraulein, I vill look forward to seeing you on the battlefield-!" Seras blew up the television with a well-placed shot. I felt my numb legs move, and I heard someone follow me.

"Terri!" I was standing in front of the girl now, though it seemed that someone was holding me back. I struggled slightly, then I was whipped around and I felt a quick backhand that made my head spin. I froze, not breathing, realizing that the one who decked me was Walter.

A/N: Whelp, that's a different way to end the chapter. It seemed more in character for the Major to taunt her by giving up the weakest and easily destroyed person of the group. So rate and review?