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Chapter 28: The Intel

(In Avengers' Tower)

The designs for the weapons had been completed. Iron Man, Falcon, and Ant-Man had finished the blueprints and total layouts of the different devices. SHIELD engineers had worked beside the 3 men and made enough for some of the heroes, the SHIELD teams accompanying the heroes, and the Nighstalkers also. The vampire killers weren't pleased by this, they wanted to kill every vampire in Dracula's castle. But White Tiger had… kindly persuaded them to go along with their methods. A few of them are walking around with bruises and cuts…. on several parts of their bodies. The group still awaited word from Iron-Fist and Doctor Strange.

"How much longer will it take them?!" White Tiger snarled, as she paced around in the main room. "Easy girl, they'll find something." Power Man calmly said, trying to calm Tiger. "It's been days! They should have something by now!" White Tiger hissed.

Tiger had become more impatient and agitated with each passing day. It didn't matter if luck was on their side or not, her anger was rising. Most of the assembled individuals started questioning what was going on with her. This had started after Peter had been taken by Dracula. Everyone was worried about Spider-Man, but White Tiger was… catty… The team experienced this when Kraven arrived so long ago. Peter had calmed her down, but no one could really do the same for her now. Aunt May was able to get through to her every now and then, but it wasn't enough.

"The lass has grown angrier with each passing day since the loss of the Man of Spiders." Thor said, scratching his chin. "You sound like he's dead." Tiger hissed. "Apologies lass, I didn't mean to confuse you with my words." The prince of Asgard replied calmly.

Tiger snarled and continued pacing. Then a bright orange orb of energy appeared in the middle of the room.

"They're here!" Power Man called out as he jumped to his feet.

Everyone else ran into the room to hear from Fist and Strange. The orb 'released' the two, the teleportation having finished.

"Do you have the intel?" Fury asked. "Yes… more than we realized we'd find." Strange replied. "Well don't just stand there! Tell us!" Tiger screeched.

Everyone turned to look at her, but she paid them no attention. Strange nodded, agreeing they need to know now.

"I'll just show you." Strange replied.

He spread out his arms and said something in a foreign language. Two bright, blue orbs of mystic energy appeared, one in each hand. The energy brightened and transported them into some kind of white room. All gathered looked around in confusion. Then a projection appeared in front of them. It was large enough for all of them to see with trouble.

"What is this?" Hulk asked. "When Daniel and I turned to the mystic arts for answers… we witnessed parts of Dracula's history." The sorcerer replied. "And?" Red-Hulk added. "… You have to see for yourself…" Strange answered.

The first memory 'slide' appeared on screen. All discussed what they saw.

"Who's he?" Falcon said. "That voice sounds familiar." Hannibal said, scratching his chin. "Here comes Mr. Smiles…" Nova grumbled. "I wish he was here right now." Tiger snarled as she literally flexed her claws. "Ava dear, please." May said, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder.

Ava grumbled, but retracted her claws.

"Just some punk wanting to be a monster." One of the Nightstalkers hissed.

Some of the others gave him cold looks, not happy with his words. He remained silent, and they all returned their attention to the screen. The unknown man's words shocked everyone gathered.

"Wait! Is he…?" Nova hissed. "Did he give…?" Falcon gasped. "So… he's behind this…" Captain America grunted, as an unamused look spread across his face. "You mean to tell me…?" Red-Hulk growled. "Wait… No… I… He…" Hannibal gasped, fear in his voice. "What Hannibal?" Blade said. "Here comes the next memory." Strange said. "Just tell us later." The dhampir said.

Hannibal was barely able to, but he nodded in agreement. The next memory appeared on the screen.

"Great…" Cap grumbled. "This is where the hunt for your blood took roots at?" Ant-Man said. "This doesn't…" Tiger growled, but Iron-Fist interjected, "Please my friend, all of these memories are important."

Tiger grunted, but nodded.

"So this was how he was able to manipulate Dracula?" Iron Man said. "Indeed, not a good moment." Cap sighed.

The next memory appeared on screen.

"What's this?" She-Hulk said. "What is he doing? Is that some kind of ritual?" Iron Spider asked. "What's that in that mound? Is that… fabric?" A-Bomb said, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh yeah! Get those evil sons of bitches!" One of the Nightstalkers cheered as the silver armed men appeared.

Many of the heroes glowered at him, not amused.

"Ooh… Pretty swords. Nice and shiny." Skaar said, eyes fixed on the gleaming blades. "Just a… show Skaar…" She-Hulk said.

Skaar grumbled in defeat. Aunt May screamed in shock and fear as she saw Dracula rip apart a man. Coulson cloaked her eyes with his hands. He did his best to calm her down. May now saw the power Dracula originally had. But this caused more fear to swell in her heart, not even wanting to imagine what the vampire king could do now.

"He's… so angry… I haven't seen him this so furious before…. But why?" Cap said, rubbing his chin. "Is... Is Dracula crying?" Tiger gasped, disbelief in her voice and eyes.

What could possibly cause Dracula… to cry? Tiger didn't understand it, no except Fist and Strange realized the truth. Then the next memory appeared on screen.

"Is… that Dracula?" Cap gasped. "Indeed." Strange replied. "I… didn't know he was once human." The super-soldier replied. "Keep watching." Strange said. "He looks… so normal…" Power Man said. "What the…?" Nova said. "Who is she…?" Iron Man chuckled. "Really Stark?" Widow grunted. "What?" Stark grumbled. "That's sweet." Dagger cooed. "Aww." She-Hulk cooed.

The memory ended, and everyone was transported back to the main room.

"Who was that?" Falcon asked. "Wait! I remember seeing something in that mound! It looked like fabric! I think it was red, the same red as the woman's dress." A-Bomb gasped as he held his head with both hands. "Wait! You don't mean what I think you mean?" Hawkeye said. "That woman was in that mound!" A-Bomb screeched. "Are you sure, Rick?" Hulk asked. "100% big guy." A-Bomb answered, a serious look on his face.

Strange remembered a piece of information in one of the books he read. At first he thought it was irrelevant, but now he knew its part in everything that has happened so far.

"In my library, I recall something I learned from one of my books." The sorcerer said. "What Doctor?" Fist asked. "That woman… was Dracula's wife." Strange answered. "WHAT?!" Everyone else screeched.

At the revelation of Dracula's loss of the one he loved dearly… it truly shook everyone up a bit. Even Tiger was having mixed thoughts… But she was still angry at the vampire.

"That still doesn't justify what he's done!" White Tiger growled. "Agreed, we now have the intel we need. Time to plan for our attack." Widow said.

Hannibal was shocked by the news of Dracula's dearly departed, but the first memory made him far more nervous. Blade remembered his friend wanted to say something earlier.

"What did you want to say earlier? You didn't look very good." Blade asked, turning to his friend.

Everyone present turned to look at the Nightstalker. His expression is one of fear and horror.

"The… The man from the first memory… the one who gave Dracula his plan… I know him…" Hannibal gasped. "How?" Cap said. "He was once a Nightstalker." He answered. "So you kicked him out and..." Falcon started to say, but Hannibal interjected, "He's dead… I saw him die."

Everyone present had looks of shock, confusion, and horror appear on their faces.

To be continued…