Remnant's Mightiest Heroes!
Chapter 15: Ventures and Vampires
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Sanctum Sanatorium, New York
"Concentrate…"
Weiss stood in an eastern style training dojo, her eyes closed in deep concentration. She held Myrtenaster in front of her as a focus for her semblance. A white glyph with a pattern of four swords revolved on the floor, the speed picking up as she focused.
Then, the glyph shattered. Weiss fell to her knees as the strain on her aura hit her. Breathing heavily, she got back up.
"Dammit!" Weiss cursed. She was too exhausted and mad to care about using a vulgar word.
"Calm yourself, Weiss," Doctor Strange said in a calm voice. The sorcerer is levitating cross-legged to her right. "Never lose your anger. Learn to live above it."
"I know Doctor Strange," Weiss said. "MY sister taught me about keeping my head clear of frustration."
"She must be a wise sister. I almost thought you would shout at me to stop telling you what to do."
Slowly, Weiss turned her head to glare at the Doctor. "Are you in my head again?"
"Your surface thoughts are another matter," The doctor clarified. "Your thoughts about your first day of Beacon surfaced. You're going to have to learn to close your mind if you want to keep your secrets."
Weiss hugged but didn't respond. Learning how to travel back to the material dimension was no easy task. Doctor Strange theorized that the Glyphs she used for summoning could also be used as a way out. If not, he could use a sling ring to take them back to the dimension.
After that, they got down to summoning.
"One more time…" Weiss said as she raised Myrtenaster. However, her hand shook from the fatigue, which Doctor Strange noticed.
"I think a break is in order, don't you agree?"
"It's alright," Weiss insisted. "I think I got the hang of it that time."
"Ms. Schnee let me remind you that I earned my medical degree for a reason. Right now, you need a break."
Weiss reluctantly agreed. She had read up on the man back at Bootcamp. He was an accomplished Neurosurgeon in his early days. Based on his comparison to her, she assumed that he was quite arrogant about his skill. It was there karma caught up to him. A car accident ended his career, the toll being his hands suffering from permanent nerve damage. Upon his release from the hospital, he searched for a cure for his hands. His search drove him to near poverty from what she could read. Eventually, he found his way to Kamar-Taj, where he studied under the Masters of the Mystic Arts.
"Here you go, Weiss," Doreen handed her a water bottle to which the heiress gratefully accepted. She and Wong are standing by and watching her progress. While she didn't make much, she appreciated Doreen's encouragement.
"I don't know what I am doing wrong," Weiss said. She glanced at the still levitating doctor. "I thought you said discovering the source of my semblance would help me master summoning."
"The problem isn't your power, Ms. Schnee," Doctor Strange said. "The problem is you."
"Me?" Weiss asked in surprise. "I've been doing everything you have said. Summoning hasn't been my strongest suit."
"Again, it is not your semblance. If you continue to let the illusion of control reign over you, then you won't grow."
"Illusion of control?" Weiss asked, a little irked. "What illusion? I studied under my more proficient sister. What illusion could I be under?"
"You've just proven my point," Doctor Strange said. "You think that you are in control of your semblance. The truth is, you're not."
"Then how do I 'control' my semblance?"
"Simple…by surrendering control."
"I control it by surrendering control?" Weiss asked dubiously. She was getting tired of the sorcerers' cryptic words. "That doesn't make any sense."
"Not everything does. Not everything has to. Your intellect has taken you far in life. But it will take you no further. Surrender, Weiss. Silence your ego and your power will rise."
"What he's saying is go with the flow," Doreen said. "Just give it a try Weiss."
Weiss was still confused by what they said. But he must know what he is doing. Might as well give it a try.
"Okay," Weiss puts down the water bottle and walks back to the center. "I'm going to go again."
"Go for it, Weiss!" Doreen cheered.
Weiss took a deep breath and activates her semblance. The glyph appeared on the ground and revolved in place. Once again, she encountered resistance at her attempts. She gritted her teeth as she struggled again.
Then the heiress remembered what the Sorcerer Supreme said. This time, she stopped trying to control it, she let it flow through her. Then, she felt something call to her soul. Something was answering her. Acting on instinct alone, she thrust her rapier down, a flash of light enveloping the room followed by a wave of force and the sound of glass shattering. Once again, Weiss slumped down again. When she raised her head, she was stunned by the sight.
Standing before her is the Arma Gigas that she defeated long ago. It planted its sword to the ground and took a knee as if recognizing her as her master. Weiss stood up as she heard clapping from her watchers.
"Well done Ms. Schnee," Doctor Strange sets his feet down. "I'd say that success is worth the vases that are now shattered.
"I did it!" Weiss cheered. Then she noticed the broken glass. "My apologies Doctor Strange."
"It's alright," Doctor Strange conjured a green magic circle. As he rotated his hand, the shards of glass flew up and reassembled themselves back into windows and vases. Doctor Strange smiled at the awestruck Weiss.
"Everything is fixed."
"You can control the time?" Weiss asked.
"I can control the flow of it," Doctor strange corrected. "If not done properly, we can have paradoxes, fractured timelines…"
But Weiss wasn't listening. She was thinking about her semblance more. According to them, her powers are drawn from a dimension of the multiverse. But what if she could do more than summon? What other secrets does her semblance hide?
Before she could ask, she felt her scroll vibrate. Taking it out, she saw the caller ID. It was Ruby. She was about to answer the call when she realized something.
"Wait…how am I getting a signal?" Weiss asked the sorcerers. "Doesn't magic…I don't know…interfere with technological signals?"
"What are you talking about?" Doreen asked as she looks at her phone. "The wi-fi looks okay to me."
"You have Wi-Fi?" Weiss exclaimed. The sorcerers gave her a blank stare.
"We're not savages Ms. Schnee," Wong said.
"I never said that! I just thought that…" Weiss felt sheepish and looked down. "My apologies. I meant no offense."
"It's alright Ms. Schnee," Doctor Strange said. "I would take that call. It might be important."
Weiss nodded and answered her still ringing scroll. She put it up to her ear. "Hey, Ruby. Before you say anything, I just want you to know—"
She was cut off by Ruby's voice. The tone is filled with panic.
"There's no time for that! You have to get to the Helicarrier. NOW! It's an emergency!"
SHIELD Helicarrier
Lockjaw couldn't have teleported them fast enough. After she got the call, Doreen called Lockjaw to teleport them to the Helicarrier. They had already changed into their hero attire.
"Daisy ordered me to head back to Secret Warrior headquarters," Doreen said with a sigh. "Whatever mission it may be, it's got to be an important one. It's a bummer I'm not going."
"I'll be sure to send you the mission video," Weiss said with a smile. "It's the least I can do for your assistance in my summoning. Thank you."
"Aww, don't mention it," Doreen gushed. She rushed back to Lockjaw and waved. "Ciao!"
One flash later and they are gone. Weiss stared at the spot for a moment before rushing to the entrance to the Helicarrier. She memorized the entire layout for the flying base. She was headed towards the briefing room when she bumped into her leader.
"Weiss!" Ruby cried out. "You're here! I was just coming to meet you. Anyway, follow me. It's an emergency!"
"You told me that over the call," Weiss groaned as she began to follow Ruby. "What you haven't told me WHAT the emergency is!"
"Well first off, and you're not going to believe this…but Dracula is REAL." Ruby finished in a dramatic tone. Weiss stared at her with an expression of non-amusement.
"I know."
"Of course, I know he's real! Captain Rogers fought with him against HYDRA during World War II. Now, he wants his blood because he thinks it will make him immune to sunlight. Thor has also clashed with him before. You should know that." Weiss said. When she saw the clueless look on her face, she groaned. "Wait…Am I the only one who went through the ENTIRE Datacrux?"
"I was preoccupied with…important matters," Ruby said defensively.
"You were using the H.A.R.M. room to goof off, didn't you," Weiss said in a deadpan tone.
"Not important right now. Dracula…I mean, some guy calling himself the Shadow Colonel has kidnapped our friends! And yes, he's a vampire!"
"What?!" Weiss exclaimed. "How did this happen?"
"It's a long story. Short version…" Ruby proceeded to tell Weiss everything that happened. Weiss was shocked at the stunt Yang got everyone to pull.
"Of all the boneheaded stunts she pulls, this one takes the cake!" Weiss growled. "What were they thinking!"
"I'm going to give them a stern talking to when we rescue them," Ruby said. "Want to join in?"
"Gladly," Weiss nodded as they continue to walk. "So why are we in the Helicarrier instead of going after them? I got some new tricks that I want to try."
"Oh, we are," Ruby said. "We're just waiting for Blade to return from intelligence gathering with Mr. Reyes. In the meantime, Fury has called for backup."
"That makes sense," Weiss says as she pulls out her scroll. "But why not call the rest of the Secret Warriors for this. Some of them are kidnapped after all."
"About that…" Ruby said. "They're not going to be joining us. It's for their safety and not enough time. Fury actually called in experts from STAKE."
"STAKE?"
"Special Threat Assessment for Known Extranormalities," Ruby explained. "They're like SHIELD, but they focus on dealing with the supernatural."
"Since we are dealing with vampires, it makes sense that they are stepping in," Weiss said.
"I should warn you…" Ruby said slowly. "Turns out that vampires aren't the only denizens of the dark to exist."
"What are you talking about?" Weiss asked as they entered the training room. It was no sooner had they taken a few more steps that Blake came running towards them.
"Hello Blake, what's…" Weiss managed to get out before her Faunus teammate ran past her and cowered behind her leader. Her eyes are wide as dinner plates. "What's the matter with you?"
"Hide me…" Blake muttered, still shivering. Ruby sighed.
"Come on Shadow, he told us that he doesn't eat people. Plus, he's a vegetarian. Weird huh?"
"I know…but still…"
"Hey!" Weiss shouted, having enough of being kept in the dark. She placed her hands on her hips. "I'm getting really sick of all the drama. Who are you two talking about?"
"Me."
A gruff voice spoke, and a tall shadow loomed over her. Weiss turned around and instinctively whipped out Myrtenaster. Standing over her in a blue SHIELD suit is a wolfman. Yellow eyes with black sclerae studied her. Weiss had seen plenty of Halloween décor and novels to know what the creature is.
"A werewolf?" Weiss asked. She turned her head to Blake. "That's what you are afraid of? An LMD posing itself as a Werewolf? Did you forget that you have faced Grimm that resemble dogs?!"
"That's not an LMD…" Blake said, still terrified. Weiss shook her head and turned to Ruby.
"What's gotten into her? It's just a Halloween style training session isn't it?"
"This isn't a training session," Ruby said.
Weiss gave her a quizzical look. The wolfman stepped forward, prompting Weiss to look back at him. To her astonishment, the creature proceeded to impale his hand upon her rapier. The sound of flesh being pierced halted any train of thought as the wolfman removed his hand. Blood dripped to the floor as the wound on his hand closed, faster than it should've taken.
"I'm pretty sure that LMD's don't bleed," The wolfman commented.
"You're not an LMD?" Weiss asked. Her face began to pale as realization dawned on her. She took several steps back. "Then your…you're an ACTUAL…"
"Jack Russel. AKA, Werewolf by Night." The wolfman was introduced. He gave a smile towards the still shivering Blake. "Come on kid, I don't bite."
"Don't take it personally Mr. Russel. She's got a thing with dogs," Ruby said apologetically. The werewolf, now named Russel, sighs in resignation. Weiss was still looking at him with wide eyes.
"A werewolf?! First vampires are real and now werewolves?"
"You think that's a shock, wait till you see the others," Ruby said with a smile.
"Others?" Weiss asked. Behind her, she heard a shuffling sound and a groan. She turned around and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw a shriveled man wrapped from head to toe in linen bandages. Exposed parts revealed dark and decaying skin.
"Fury said we'd find warriors here…not children…" The thing spoke with some difficulty.
"A…m-mummy?" Weiss stammered. The mummy frowned as if offended somewhat.
"Mummy?" He growled irritably as several strips of linen moved towards her. She didn't have time to react before her body is wrapped up in them. "The Living Mummy. N'Kantu, if you must address me directly."
The mummy, now named N'Kantu, yanked hard on the linen wraps. The result sent Weiss spinning. As she regained her balance, Weiss stumbled backward before her back hit something solid.
"Hello, new friend." A deep voice spoke behind her. Slowly, she turned around to see a gray-skinned man as tall as life grinning down at her. He wore a fur vest that exposed gray skin and stitches. His left arm is a prosthetic with a hammer for a hand. His look was enough to make her jump back. "You play tag?"
He stomped towards her. Without thinking, she struck out with Myrtenaster. The blade sunk into the man's undead flesh in several spots.
"You're fast!" The man chuckles as he lunges after her again. This time, she propels herself with a glyph. "I like you!"
He held out his right arm. With a pop, it shot off towards the fleeing Weiss. The detached hand grabbed her by the back of the suit and pulled her back by the chain connecting the arm to the monster. The arm reattached to the owner with Weiss still in his grip. The monster gave her a cheeky grin.
"You're it!"
He released Weiss, who barely registered herself dusting her back off. She glanced up at the last monster in the room.
"Let me guess…you're Frankenstein's Monster," Weiss squeaked.
"Nailed it. Surprised that you didn't call me Frankenstein on the first try."
"Frankenstein is the name of your creator," Weiss pointed out. "Your name is Adam."
"That may be," Frankenstein's monster nods. "But my friends call me Frank nowadays. Easy to remember that way."
"I see you're getting yourself acquainted," All eyes turned to see Fury and Daisy entering the training room. "Snowflake, meet the Howling Commandos."
"Howling Commandoes?" Weiss asked as she remembered something from their trip to the Smithsonian. "Isn't that the unit that fought with Captain Rogers back in World War II?"
"You got it," Russel said. "After the war, Dum-Dum Dugan petitioned Fury to create a nit dedicated to combating the paranormal. Then they recruited operatives with strength and powers that are supernatural, paranormal, or extraterrestrial in nature. As you can see…here we are."
"That is so cool!" Ruby cries out with stars in her eyes. "How come we've never heard of you guys before?"
"It's actually in the SHIELD manual," Daisy said, crossing her arms. "Under secret ops teams."
"There's a manual?" The three remnantians asked. Weiss wanted to ask the stupidity of putting information on a manual that can easily get lost. Not to mention why this is the first time they heard about it. But she filed that away for later.
"Point is…Fury likes to keep…his monsters hidden," N'Kantu said with his arms crossed. Russel noticed the tone of his voice and sighed.
"We've been over this before, N'Kantu," Russel said to the mummy. "The worlds not ready to face certain truths."
"I'm not sure I'm ready," Blake muttered, still hiding behind Ruby. Russel gave the faunus a slight smirk.
"Hey, if you think we're freaky, wait till you see the big guy." That surprised the huntresses-in-training. They looked at Frank who gave them a shrug.
"He's not the big guy?" Weiss pointed to Frank.
"Nope. But I have a big heart," Frank patted his chest to where his heart is. "Want to see?"
"Later Frank," Fury said. Weiss was more than thankful for that. "We don't have time. We've stepped into a pile of undead and we need the commandoes to bail us out. Shadow, tell them what you told us."
"Okay…" Blake said, but she made no move to get out from behind Ruby. Weiss gave an irritated sigh.
"Oh, for the love of—will you grow up?!" Weiss shouted. "Our friends have been kidnapped by a vampire, who could be turning them into food right about now, and all you care about is your fear of dogs?"
Blake shrank from the looks that everyone was giving her. Fury the much more terrifying with his one eye. Even Ruby jerked herself away from her teammate to give her a light glare. She knew that they were right. This was too big to let a little fear get to her.
"Okay…" Blake began shakily first but became steady as she recounts what happened at the warehouse. The commandoes were more than surprised to hear that there was a vampire equal to Dracula. They became serious when they heard about the light bender amulet.
"Well, this is worse than I was expecting," Russel sighed. "If every vampire gets their hands on those things, there would be nothing that could stop them."
"That's not true," Ruby said. "Quake destroyed the one the Shadow Colonel had. So, he's vulnerable to sunlight again."
"Don't be naïve…child," N'Kantu said curtly. "If the Colonel has been…making these amulets…he would've had more…"
"You mentioned a briefcase, yeah?" Russel asked Blake to which she nods. "It would awfully too big for one amulet. He could be having the Mystikos Sect produce more of these even as we speak."
"Enough for the army he's going to use for the invasion."
Everyone turned to see Blade leaning against the wall of the training area. Standing next to him is Robbie Reyes. From the corner of her eye, Weiss could see the Commandoes tense up at the vampire hunter.
"Blade?" Russel spoke tensely. "When did you get here?"
"Got here five minutes ago," Blade answered stoically. "We received intel that the Shadow Colonel is readying an army to take over. I came back to report to Fury and here I find you goofing off with the kids."
Russel growled along with his fellow commandoes. The huntresses-in-training watched the exchange warily. They had a distinct feeling that they know each other.
"Break it up you two!" Fury ordered. Both sides backed down as Fury focused on the vampire hunter. "Blade, what have you got?"
"It's what Robbie has that you should listen to," Blade jerked his head towards Robbie. "Tell them."
"Okay," Robbie said. "Blade and I checked out a recent sighting of the Legion of the Unliving."
"Legion of the Unliving?" Weiss asked.
"A group of vampires caused an uprising in Transylvania," Blade answered. "They are contending for Dracula's throne. After he vanished, they began massacring his followers and anyone they deemed to be weak. I've been tracking them from Transylvania when Agent Johnson told me to come to babysit you."
"Well sorry if I interrupted your work," Daisy said with sarcasm. "But wait, where is Dracula when all of this is happening?"
"As I said, he disappeared," Blade answered. "Some say that he died in the uprising, but I'm not convinced."
"So, he has been killing more of his kind?" Blake asked, remembering the Colonels' callous attitude when he mentioned he killed most of his kind.
"Yep," Robbie continued. "I talked to one of the deceased."
"You can talk to the dead?" Ruby asked in surprise.
"My car can, but we're getting off-topic. The spirit told me that these guys have a plan to raise an army by daybreak. They mentioned that el sabueso was chatty enough to cough up a location."
"El sabueso?" Ruby asked, not understanding what he said.
"Hellhound," Robbie clarified. "Nasty things to encounter in hell besides the devil."
"Where are they going to raise this army?" Fury asked.
"Sol-llestk Federal Penal Colony No. 9," Robbie answered. At this Fury palmed his face. Russel cursed under his breath.
"What's wrong?" Ruby asked. "We know where they are going."
"It's bad because it's the prison for Russia's most vicious murderers," Fury groaned. "Not to mention it's outside of SHIELDS Jurisdiction. If we don't play this right, Central Command will sic the Winter Guard on us."
"Central Command?" Weiss asked. "Are they like an upper-echelon for world security?"
"He means the Russian cousin of SHIELD," Robbie clarified. "Before you also ask, the Winter Guard is the cousin the Avengers didn't ask for. Want to know more, you should ask Black Widow when she comes to visit. She knows more about them than the rest of us. The main problem is that they aren't too friendly with us. Especially if you are an Avenger. Hopefully, we won't run into them."
"The Helicarrier is fitted with radar cloaking capabilities, so we won't be detected," Fury said. "But this operation will need to be quick and precise to avoid an international incident."
"Couldn't we contact this Central Command?" Ruby asked. The red-cloaked huntress-in-training flinched at the look Fury gave her.
"This ain't my first rodeo, kid," Fury said. "Reyes, come with me. I need you to get us to Sol-llestk ten minutes ago."
"Of course," Robbie straightens himself as he follows after Fury. "I take it you want my touch?"
"Just remember. The Helicarrier isn't a battering ram."
Fury and Robbie exited the training arena, leaving the three Remnantians alone with the Howling Commandoes and vampire hunter. They looked at Blade with a questioning look. He answered their unspoken question.
"Robbie has a trick that he tends to use on his Hellcharger," Blade answered. "I'll be sure to send you some pictures."
"Wait, we're not going?" Blake asked incredulously.
"WHAT?"
"It's for your own good," Russel said firmly. "We can't risk any more people getting mesmerized."
"We're not going to sit this one out!" Ruby protested. "That vampire colonel has our friends and we aren't going to abandon them!"
"A task best left…to the experts," N'Kantu said. "Who better to…deal with this than…the cursed and undead, child."
"We've also fought the undead if you count the Grimm," Weiss argued. "Sure, they may not have been vampires, but we faced a lot worse."
"Look, we'll were reflective lenses if that's what you are worried about," Ruby said. "Our aura will protect us from the vampire bites. Plus, our semblances can give you an edge against the vampires. Please let us help."
"You don't have to beg," Daisy said. "I can simply use my authority to get you on this mission whether they like it or not."
The Howling Commandoes held their gaze to them.
"She has a point," Frank pointed out. His comrades turned to look at him. "I mean, if they aren't kidding about this aura thing, all we have to worry about is the mesmerism."
"I got some extra lenses for your masks," Blade said. "We can go to the lab to fit them."
"Alright you can come," Russel said. The girls were elated at this. Before they could say anything, the werewolf continued. "But on the off chance that something goes wrong, I want you three to get your tails out of there. Got it?"
"Of course, sir," Ruby said. Russel's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
"Get yourselves to the lab quick. We're going to in for a hell of a ride."
Federal Penal Colony No.9, Sol-lletsk, Russia
The Shadow Colonel overlooked the prison compound with binoculars. It is a six-story gray building with four towers at the corners. Encircling it are chain-link fences with barbed wire at the top. A red gate stood tall as the entrance to the prison. He lowered his binoculars and turned around.
Behind him floated his hostages in blue energy coffins. They are unconscious, but he wasn't concerned about that. The Russians have recently moved 'him' out of there and into 'that' place. Now is the time to initiate the final phase of their plan.
"Colonel," A German-accented voice spoke. An albino woman wearing black leather armor with a high collar walked up to him.
"Baroness Blood," said the Colonel.
"What do you intend to do about them?" The woman asked, referring to their hostages. "I understand that some of them have taken garlic supplements, and one of them is invulnerable. But something prevents us from sinking our fangs into the rest. It is vexing."
"For now, their value is as meat shields for Blade," The Colonel said. "If it comes to it, we can use them as cannon fodder. Is Rat Bomber in position?"
"Yes," Baroness nodded. "His little friends have infiltrated the compound. We're ready to begin."
"Tell him to do so now," The Colonel ordered. "I'll be with the rest of you shortly."
"Very well Colonel," The Baroness bowed her head. Seconds later, she transformed into a bat and flew off towards the prison.
"Hey boss," His faithful Hellhound, Sarge, trotted up to him. "I can tell hell portal is about to open up. Something tells me they're coming."
"Indeed," The Shadow Colonel. "Be sure to tell Rat Bomber to switch to fragmentation grenades after the blood bombs."
"He's not going to be happy about that," Sarge said.
"He won't be happy if the plan fails," The Colonel said. "Make sure it's clear to him. We can always find more pets to play with. In the meantime, tell Carpathian to give them a welcome."
High in the sky, a portal with a fiery ring opened up. Out of it came the SHIELD Helicarrier, which had gone a makeover. The hull is black and shaped to resemble a skeletal ribcage. A gaping skull is fitted onto the front. The engines are fashioned into skeletal claws, spewing trails of flames as it flew across the sky. Behind it, the portal closed. On the deck stood the Howling Commandoes and the three Remnantians.
"Am I the only one who finds this cool!" Ruby asked, gushing over the Helicarrier.
"I would if I hadn't found out that the Ghost Rider is a satanic being!" Weiss cried out.
"Will the internal heating of our suits hold up?" Blake asked.
"The heaters should keep us warm, "Weiss said. Stark made a joke about it when he gave them their suits. While their aura protects them from the cold climate, it's nice to have the heaters and reduce the strain. "Because if it doesn't, I'm filing a complaint to Stark."
"Here's the plan!" Russel called out. "The Ghost Rider will be on aerial overwatch. Anything that gets out of that prison is going to get a dose of hellfire. The rest of us will go in and secure the area."
"Fair warning!" Blade shouted to them over the roar of the engines. "The prison occupants will most likely have been turned into vamps. Which means that this is going to be bloody. Last chance to back out."
He directed that last part towards Ruby. The Remnantians thought long and hard about his words. They had never fought vampires before. Blake had fought shadow vampires, but they are a pale reflection of the real thing. The only actual vampire she faced manhandled her and kidnapped their friends. They were about to face not just the Colonel and several underlings, but a prison filled with murderous vampires. Vampires that would no doubt hesitate to kill them just to escape the prison. Vampires that they will have to put down to prevent an invasion. People that used to be human.
But they had to get their friends back. For now, they can make an exception. Taking a deep breath, they steeled themselves.
"We're here now, so there's no turning back," Ruby declared, clutching Crescent Rose. "Besides…this was bound to happen at some point. Right?"
"Not to mention that Vampires are already dead," Weiss said as she fidgets with the hilt of Myrtenaster. "You told us yourself."
Blade took in their answers and sighed.
"Just remember…your choice," Blade said.
"We know," Blake said as they checked their weapons. On the Helicarrier, they changed their blades for silver ones. Fortunately, the Commandoes had some silver bullets that they could use but should be used sparingly.
"It just occurred to me," Weiss said, turning to Blade. "I'm only saying this because Blake and Ruby told me you were a vampire. Are you going to be alright? What if we shot you with a silver bullet by accident?"
"You don't need to worry about me," Blade answered. "And they got one thing wrong. Several UV grenades have been going off all night and I didn't feel a thing. I'm only a half-blood. A dhampir."
"A daywalker," Blake realized. She was familiar with the term from reading The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. "That would mean that you have none of their weaknesses."
"Not quite," Blade said. "I still need to ingest blood to stay alive. But I've got a serum that provides better nourishment than blood would provide. If I don't take it for twenty-four hours, I would go on a rampage."
"That's good to know," Weiss said with a shudder.
"Okay. Time to get ready to jump," Daisy said, walking towards the edge of the Helicarrier. She looked towards the Remnantians. "I should mention that SHIELD has added landing strategies to basic training thanks to you. I've been wanting to try out mine."
"Really?" Ruby asked with a smile. "That's great!"
"I'm really loving the adrenaline that they give us. So, thanks." Russel said. "Alright commandoes! Time to monster up!"
With that, the Werewolf by Night got on all fours and rushed off the Helicarrier. His fellow commandoes had followed him. Then, the smiling huntresses-in-training rushed after them. Blade just stared after them before shrugging.
"These kids must be crazy," He mutters as he rushes off to join them in the freefall.
Ruby inserted a cartridge of rubber bullets that she had on her. She aimed Crescent Rose in sniper rifle form and fired at the ground. The recoil slowed her descent as she grabbed a density foam grenade from her utility belt. She tossed it to the ground where it expanded into a cloud of white foam. It cushioned her fall as she hit the ground.
Weiss opted to make full use of her semblance. She bounced off her glyphs and landed on the cloud of foam. Blake fell with Gambol Shroud anchored to the Helicarrier. Before it became taut, she pressed a button for the head to detach. Both girls landed on the cloud of foam.
"I'm really starting to love this landing," Weiss says as she steps off the foam cloud. "Provides us a landing area and saves aura."
"You got that right," Blake says as she views her aura meter on her HUD. "Do we still have more of those?"
"I have one more," Ruby answered, holding it up. "But I don't think it will be effective against vampires."
They turned their attention to the sky. Bandages fluttered down from the sky and reformed into N'Kantu. Frank landed on the ground, a crater forming beneath him. Russel landed on the ground on all fours, followed by Blade.
"How did you think I do?" Frank asked.
"I'd rather take…the Monster Truck…" N'Kantu muttered.
"Is everyone here?" Russel asked, checking everyone over.
"We're missing one," Blade pointed out. Everyone realized that Daisy is missing. They looked around for the missing SHIELD agent. Then, their comms blared to life.
"I'm engaging a vamp in midair!" Daisy screamed into their ears. What followed next was the sound of vibrations and the flapping of wings. Ruby was looking at the sky when she saw something coming towards them.
"Watch out!" Ruby cried out. Everyone ducked or dodged as a grey-skinned bat creature swooped past them. In its large legs, it held a struggling Daisy. She was sending vibrational blasts at her captor, but its grip was too strong. They watched it ascend out of their reach.
"What was that?" Blake asked.
"Carpathian," Blade answered. "One of the members of the Legion of the Unliving."
"It's got Daisy!" Weiss cried out. "We got to help her!"
"I'm on it!" Frank said as he readied his minigun. Ruby blocked it with his scythe.
"No! You might hit her!" Ruby said. "I can't even get a clean shot!"
"Leave it to me!" Someone else spoke. Above, Carpathian cried out as one of his wings was shot by a searing red barrage of flames. In its panic, it dropped Daisy from fifty feet up. Before anyone could move to catch her, a flaming Quinjet with a skeletal design came soaring towards her. The bay door opened to show Robbie Reyes as the Ghost Rider. He threw a chain towards Daisy and wrapped her in it to pull her inside.
"I got Quake," Robbie said. "But Carpathian is coming back around. Time to provide some air support. The rest of you make sure those vamps don't get out."
"You got it, Mr. Reyes," Ruby said as the others took off towards the prison.
"One more thing…" Robbie spoke with an edge. "Give the Legion hell."
"We will," Ruby said with determination. They ran towards the compound as the sky lit up with the Ghost Riders dog fight with the winged vampire. The group had just passed the chain-link France when Russel stopped suddenly.
"There's the prison!" Blake said. They were about to move when Russel stopped them with his hand. He signaled for the others to stop as he sniffed the air. Then, he became tense.
"We've got incoming," He growled, baring his claws and fangs as the prison door blew up. Smoke rose from the entrance as something came out. The air is filled with roars and shrieks as a prisoner came rushing out. The remnantians are focused on the blood on them and they paled at the sight.
"We're too late!" Blake said. "They've been turned into vampires."
"How did they pull it off so fast?" Weiss asked, referring to the Legion.
"We'll worry about that later, Snowflake," Ruby said as she whipped out Crescent Rose in scythe form. The others did likewise. Moonlight reflected off the silver blades of their weapons. Before they could engage, a Quinjet flew overhead. It wasn't the one the Ghost Rider is piloting. The commandoes noticed this and smile. That Quinjet didn't come from the Helicarrier which could only mean one thing. He has arrived.
"We can take them," Ruby declared, only for Frank to place a hand on her shoulder. She looked up in surprise as he shook his head.
"No need, Thorn," Frank said with a smile. "SHIELD is sending in the big guy."
"The big guy?" Blake asked. "You mentioned him back in New York. Who is the big guy?"
"You'll see," Frank pointed up as the bay doors of the Quinjet opened. What came out wasn't a person, but a glob of green sludge that plummeted to the ground. It hit the ground in the center of the horde, spraying them with green slime. The slime glowed an ethereal green as it sloshed the vampires, who begun to scream in pain. From where it touched them, they caught on fire. The Remnantians watched this with a mixture of shock and horror. The Howling Commandoes' faces remained neutral.
"What…is…that?" Weiss finally spoke out as the sludge converged. Rising, the mass of green formed a hulking figure. The back is covered in a mass of moss-like hair. Three contrails formed an upside-down trident on its face. Glowing red eyes gazed at them, giving them goosebumps.
"That child…is the Man-Thing," N'Kantu said.
"I can see why you would call him the big guy," Blake said, eyes wide at the size of the Man-Thing. The Man-Thing looked at her as if to study her. The faunus took a few steps back as it walked with heavy steps. Ruby moved to stand in his way. It stopped, then it stepped towards Ruby, who is looking at him curiously.
"Hello, Mister…thing is it?" Ruby said nervously. Man-Thing let out a series of sounds that she couldn't make out. Then, he reached out a hand and laid it on her shoulder.
"Look at that. He likes you," Frank said.
"How can you tell?" Ruby asked as Man-Thing removed his hand.
"You didn't explode at his touch."
"Explode?" Weiss yelped. Beside her, Blake jumped as well. "What do you mean?"
"Whatever knows fear…burns at the touch of the Man-Thing," N'Kantu answered her. That didn't make Weiss or Blake feel better. While their aura can protect her from the damage, she didn't enjoy the sensation of being burnt. The Man-Thing turned his head towards her, and she froze up.
"Manny is drawn to emotion," Russel explained. "The more intense it is, the more he will seek it out. Which also includes fear I'm afraid. I'll tell you more, but we have a mission to complete."
"Right," Ruby nodded. Together, they rushed past the smoking ash piles of the vampire prisoner, feeling pity at their unfortunate fate. Even if they may have killed the guards, they didn't deserve it. Hopefully, they can prevent this situation from getting worse.
They entered the prison complex. Keeping their weapons up, they slowly made their way past the lobby. The teens gagged at the sight of the prison guards' bodies. Noticing this, Russel pulled out three plastic bags and gave one to each of them. The remnantians gratefully took them and filled them up.
"N'Kantu, lock this place down," Russel ordered as he began ushering the three teens away from the scene. Blade was helping as well.
"As you command," N'Kantu said. Then, he began to chant in an ancient language. His eyes glowed an otherworldly purple and a purple symbol appeared at his forehead. From him spread a purple circle with Egyptian hieroglyphics. They didn't stay to watch as they continued searching the complex.
They entered what appeared to be the cellblock. Fortunately, there were no more bodies, which is somewhat of a relief. There were still the splotches of blood in and outside the cells. Blade walked inside one of them and examined the blood patter on the floor.
"Blood Bombs," Blade muttered. "Clever vamps."
"Blood bombs?" Ruby asked as she knelt next to him.
"They used the blood of the ones they killed to turn the prisoners into vampires," Blade answered. "Messy but effective. They turned this prison into a vampire nest in one night."
Ruby registered this with a pale face. She looked down at the floor, not ignoring the sight of blood. She couldn't look away from this. She and the others have to see this.
"How could they do this?" Ruby asked, her voice a little small. There was a hint of disgust in her voice. Blade turned to her.
"THIS is how the world works kid. Not everyone is full of sunshine and rainbows. Some of them embrace the monster inside of them. That's why I am here."
Ruby said nothing. The vampire couldn't blame her. She was too innocent to be involved with this business. Elsewhere, Weiss is having a conversation with Russel.
"So, was that magic that N'Kantu was using?" Weiss asked.
"N'Kantu's ward of protection," Russel explained. "Nothing is getting in or out without his say so. It will keep the vamps locked in here with us."
"Korrektur…YOU are locked here with US. Werwolf Schweine."
A twang was heard followed by something whistling through the air. An arrow struck Russel through the shoulder. He howled in pain and grabbed at the arrow.
"Russel!" Blade called out as he and Ruby rushed out of the cell. Russel grunted in pain as he broke the arrowhead by the shaft and pulled it out through the other end. He glared at the person responsible.
"Vamp, twelve o'clock," Russel growled. Approaching them is an albino woman in black leather armor. In her hands, she was knocking another arrow on a crossbow. The arrowhead is silver.
"Very fitting for this situation," The vampire drawled in a German accent. "Though our kin is allergic, it can be useful if properly handled."
"Who is she?" Weiss asked the vampire hunter.
"Baroness Blood," Blade answered. "According to Robbie, she's a staunch supporter of the Third Reich."
"Just what the world needs," Blake growled. "Another Nazi. A vampire Nazi."
"I would expect you to understand, schweine," Baroness Blood said. "The Vampire kingdom will rise again. As will the fourth—"
"In case you haven't heard, that's old news!" Weiss shouts as she fires an incendiary bullet. Baroness Blood saw this and turned into the mist to avoid the bullet. She reformed in the same spot, but someone was waiting for her to do that.
"You're going to regret what you did to Russel, vamp," Frank shouts as he aims his minigun at her. He fired a barrage of silver bullets. The vampire seemed to have expected this because she turned into mist and drifted somewhere to avoid the deadly barrage. Frank advanced to where she once stood.
"Come out come out wherever you are," Frank called to the prison.
"Be on your guard," Blade warned. "These guys can be tricky."
At that moment, another sound is heard. It sounded numerous. Ruby spotted a swarm of rats coming towards them. The red-cloaked remnantian figured that the fighting must've scared them. She watched as the rats made their way towards them with the bombs on their backs…
Wait…bombs?
"Get away from them!" Ruby shouted. She used her semblance to speed away from the rats as they blew up. Blake let a shadow take her place from the shrapnel flying. Weiss conjured a glyph that repelled fragments, protecting the rest from harm. Ruby reformed next to her partner. They looked at the remains of the rats before they heard cackling from above.
"Yes, my lovelies," A shrill voice said with glee. Standing on a catwalk is another vampire wearing green body armor. More rats appeared at his back and shoulders. "Destroy the humans and their monster pets!"
"Rat Bomber," Blade growled. "That explains how they got the blood bombs inside. He ordered the rats to smuggle them inside."
"It's official. I hate rats," Blake muttered as slashed a leaping rat.
"Time to play whack-a-rat!" Frank cries out as he begins to hammer them away with his left arm. A few rats manage to clamber onto him and blow up, but he stood his ground. His injuries began healing at a rapid pace as he continued to pound the rodents to the ground. Ruby shifted Crescent Rose into rifle mode, took aim at the vampire, and fired. Rat Bomber stopped cackling just in time to avoid the bullet. To avoid, he turned into the mist to let the bullet pass through. Ruby grunted annoyance.
"Darn it!" Ruby growled. She heard from Blake about the vampire's ability to turn into mist among their other abilities. It is vexing to experience it for the first time. She transformed Crescent Rose into scythe form and chased after Rat Bomber.
Blake's ears witched at a familiar sound. She heard that sound several times back on Remnant. Back when she was still working with him. She looked to where the source of the sound came from. Standing behind Weiss is a white-haired woman wearing white Japanese style robes. A white ornate demon mask is fitted on her face. In each of her hands, she held a katana. With no time to shout a warning, Blake fired at the vampire.
The vampire blocked the bullet by crossing her katanas. Weiss turned around and leaped back from the vampire who twirled her blades into a fighting stance.
"Snowsnake," Blade shouted as he threw a grenade into a horde of rats. "She's a three-hundred-year-old vampire from Japan. She works with the legion simply to sate her bloodlust."
Sounds awfully like someone I know. Blake thought as she begins to fight Snowsnake with Gambol Shroud in katana form. Her training with Clint was beginning to pay off. She blocked and parried the strikes, feeling the vampiric strength behind the blade. Weiss joined in with thrusts of Myrtenaster. Instantly, she turned into the mist to avoid the silver edge.
"I really hate it when they do that," Blake shouted as she struck Snowsnake with her cleaver the second she reformed. Once again, she was blocked.
"Me too!" Weiss said with equal irritation.
"Anyone got a twenty on Baroness Blood?" Russel shouted. His question is answered in the form of the latter transforming from bat form. She aimed her crossbow at him, but her wrist is seized by a wrap of linen. More linen restrained her as she is lifted into the air.
"I believe I…got the twenty," N'Kantu said from the entrance to the cellblock. Baroness Blood snarled and turned into the mist to escape her restraints. The bandages followed her mist form. They followed it through some cell bars before it changed course. Soon, they became tangled. The baroness reformed and gave the Living Mummy a smug smirk.
"Seems your brain has decayed in some places fallen, king."
"Not…quite…" N'Kantu retorted. The Baroness was then slashed across her face by Russel. She stumbled backward before glaring hatefully at the Werewolf. Her face sported three red claw marks across. He gave her a smirk.
"Shoulders all healed up, and you are scratched up," Russel said. "I'd say that makes us even."
"Not quite," Baroness snarled as her wounds healed. Behind her, the mist descended and formed into several vampires wearing the prison garb. She pointed at the werewolf. "Attack!"
The vampires charged at the werewolf. With animalistic fury, Russel charged into the battle. His claws dismembered the vampires down to the bone. He sank his teeth into the jugular of one and ripped out his throat. The battle is stained his fur with the blood of the vampires, but that was the job. A vampire was about to lunge at his exposed back before Blade suddenly appeared and bisected it with one of his swords. He glanced at the carnage the werewolf left and raised an eyebrow.
"And you called me savage," Blade commented.
"You still are," Werewolf responded, pointing at fourteen more bodies of vampires his way. They focused their attention on the Baroness.
"I call left," Werewolf said as he lunged at her.
"I call right," Blade said as he joined him.
Elsewhere, Weiss was helping Blake with Snowsnake. In terms of swordsmanship, it's enhanced with her vampiric speed and reflexes. The black and white duo could barely keep up with the undead being's reflexes. Weiss got into position to stab her when she noticed a shadow from the corner of her eye. She leaped back as a burnt-orange dog landed where she once stood. Skeleton jaws snapped at her with a spark of flame.
"You must be Sarge," Weiss said. For her love of dogs, she'll make an exception with this one. "Shadow told me all about you."
"Charmed, I'm sure," The hellhound replied. "You want to exchange pleasantries or are we going to fight?"
Weiss was about to oblige when she saw Blake struggling with Snowsnake. The Japanese vampire had struck a shadow and Blake attempted a backstab. Snownsake dodged and slashed her. According to her aura meter, it just dropped below yellow. Blake needs help, but Sarge isn't going to let her. An idea popped into her head. That idea brought a smile to her face
"Actually, I happen to have a playmate for you," Weiss said. Sarge became confused as Weiss created a summoning Glyph between them. First came a white gauntlet fist that smashed into the hellhound's face before the entirety of the Arma Gigas came up. It held its claymore in one hand as it stared at the hellhound.
"You both play nice now," Weiss said as the Arma Gigas moved to attack the hellhound.
Meanwhile, on the catwalks, Ruby is still having trouble getting the Rat Bomber. She slashed at him with her Crescent Rose, the vampire turning into a partial mist to avoid the deadly silver. To make matters worse, he kept throwing his rats at him. Some of them had bombs that she chose to avoid to conserve aura while the rest merely nibbled at her.
"I'm so getting pesticide after this!" Ruby shouted. The Rat Bomber merely giggled as he continued catapulting rats at her. Then, a cylindrical grenade landed right in front of him. It blew up in a flash of light followed by a scream of pain. Ruby recovered her vision to see Blade had slashed Rat Bomber in the back. Before Blade could finish him off, the vampire evaporated into mist and the rats scattered. Blade glanced at Ruby.
"You alright Thorn?"
"I am," Ruby said. "Thanks for the assist."
"The vamps may have prevented themselves from being harmed by the sunlight. But they can stop the light from blinding them."
"You got that right," Ruby said, turning to the battle below her. The others are fighting vampires and hellhounds. However, the Colonel is nowhere in sight. That worried her as he had her friends.
"Thorn!" Russel shouted as he leaped onto the railings. "I got a lock on your friends!"
"What?"
"I picked up several scents trailing from another part of the prison," Russel replied. "I'm surprised that I can pick it out through the blood, but they're alive."
Ruby is happy to hear that. But as much as she wanted to go, she wasn't going to leave Weiss, Blake, and the Commandoes to fend them off by themselves.
"Go find your friends," Blade said, shaking Ruby out of her thoughts.
"What?"
"We're the professionals, remember?" Blade said. "We can handle this. Once they have a handle, we'll assist. Go with Russel to find your friends."
Ruby hesitated and looked at Russel. The werewolf gave her a nod. She turned back to the vampire hunter.
"Look after your team," Ruby said.
Ruby and Russel took off deep into the complex. Blade watched them go before moving to assist the others.
Ruby and Russel rushed down the hallways. The werewolf is in front of her to lead her to her friends. So far, they haven't run into any vampires, but she kept her rifle at the ready. She took this opportunity to ask Russel a question she and her teammates wanted to ask.
"So…was Blade a commando?" Ruby asked. Russel turned to her with mild surprise.
"How'd you figure that out?"
"We could tell by the body language, the tense atmosphere, and similar experience" Ruby answered. Russel shrugged her blunt response. "So, was it a falling out?"
"Nah, he just was the lone wolf type," Russel answered. "Personality conflicts and the whole thing. Though I think he preferred the Midnight Sons over the Howling Commandoes. I should know because that's where I was originally assigned."
"The Midnight Sons?"
Russel was about to answer when he suddenly stopped. Gesturing with his hand, they slowly approached a door. Russel grabbed the handle and pulled it open.
Inside is a spacious room with cement walls. On the floor are blood patterns mixed with ashes of what they assume to be vampires. But what caught their attention are the floating coffins containing her friends.
"There they are!" Ruby cries out as she rushes toward them. Russel's nose twitches and his eyes widen.
"Thorn! Wait!" Russel shouted after her. But the warning came too late as a shadow appeared in front of her and punched her back to the Werewolf. Standing in front of the coffins is the Shadow Colonel with his minigun.
"Like a moth to the flame," The Colonel drawled. "You humans coming to save your brethren. Classical weakness."
Ruby gritted her teeth as she unfurled her scythe. Behind her, Russel growled at the vampire and bared his claws.
"You sure you're going to be fine without your army?" Russel asked sarcastically. "I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss a fight where the wolf triumphs over the vampire."
"What army?" The Colonel asked in mock confusion. "Oh…you mean this one?"
With a snap of his fingers, vampires appeared in a cloud of mist. Some appeared behind Ruby and Russel. Red eyes glared at them with animalistic growls.
"You get the wolf. He's not worth my time," The Colonel ordered. "I'll deal with the human."
The vampires obeyed and began to swarm the Werewolf by Night. They ignored her and moved to swarm Russel who fought back with ferocity. Ruby moved to help but the werewolf stopped her,
"I got them!" Russel shouted. "I'll help you out with the Colonel as soon as I'm done with them!"
Ruby stared at him and looked at the Colonel, who is slowly walking towards her. Reluctantly, she turned to face him. The red-garbed superhero readied her scythe for battle.
"So why do you want me to yourself?" Ruby asked.
"Simple. I wanted to see the skills of another huntress," The Colonel said. Ruby wondered why he used that word for a moment before her eyes widened in shock.
"That's right. I know you came from another planet. Your friends told me all about you and the humanities fight with the Grimm. Not willingly of course, given our mesmerism. They told me all about you. The way they seek out humanity and destroy them would make a wonderful asset for the new kingdom."
"You're a fool if you believe that can happen," Ruby snarled. "The Grimm cannot be controlled by humans."
"But I am not human," The Colonel said. "My kind isn't Once we use your friends to find your planet, we will take the Grimm and set it loose on humanity. Once we put them under our control, the war between humans and vampires will end in our favor."
"Like how you committed genocide on your own people?! Why would you go that far?!" Ruby shouted. "Why do you despise humanity so much? Why kill your own kind?!"
"It's simple really," The Colonel said as his voice became low with anger. "For centuries—centuries—we've been told we are damned! That we must live our lives in the dark, the world's dirt secret. That we are the corrupt shadows of humanity, undeserving of our own place in the light. And you—like Dracula—have accepted that. I say, by our own might, by the force of our will, we are redeemed! Together, united, we will reintroduce vampirekind to the world. And the world will tremble."
"It doesn't have to be this way!" Ruby shouted. "With your amulets, you could live amongst humans. Sure, you'll still have trouble with blood, but you could ask for blood donations. There is a chance for peace between humans and vampires."
"Insolent—" The Colonel growled as his eyes glowed. "I'd sooner be turned to dust than accept peace with humans!"
"Then it's a good thing you aren't the only vampire to ask," Ruby retorted. "And that we are here to stop you!"
Ruby turned into petals and reappeared behind the colonel. She swung down at his head. The Colonel turned into the mist to avoid this strike. He reappeared and opened fire with his minigun. Ruby burst into petals and moved into the air. She turned Crescent Rose into rifle form and fired on him. The Colonel used his vampiric reflexes to avoid the shots before his eyes glowed. This time, two twin beams of energy shot out and struck Ruby dead in the chest. She cried with pain and surprise and hit the ground. Her head shot up to glare at the vampire.
"You have eye lasers?!" Ruby shouted.
"We have powers that you cannot begin to comprehend," The Colonel answered as he once again aimed his minigun at her. Acting on instinct, Ruby activated her semblance to avoid the gunfire. But the moment she reappeared only to grabbed by the throat. Then, she felt .50 BMG's slam into her in rapid succession. Ruby gritted her teeth in pain as she watched her aura meter go from yellow to red. When it depleted, her aura shattered. The Colonel then dropped her.
"They also told me about your aura and semblance," The Colonel said. He leveled the nozzle of his minigun at her. "This dance was fun, but it must come to an end."
"Kid!" Russel shouted. His distracted mind allowed a vampire to strike him in the back. Ruby couldn't move as the barrel of the minigun begun to spin. Before it could fire, a flash of steel passed her eyes. The barrel of the minigun is cut clean in half. Ruby looked toward the cause and widened her eyes.
"Blade!" Ruby was glad to see the vampire hunter. A glance at the entrance showed Russel fighting fewer vampires than before. Some are fading to ashes, slashed by the vampire hunters' blades. Blade stared down the Colonel through his sunglasses.
"There goes your gun." Blade said. "Next it'll be your head, Colonel."
"You're pathetic, you know that, Blade?" The Shadow Colonel growled. His eyes glowed bright and two beams of energy shot out and struck the vampire dead in the chest. The Colonel tossed the remains of his minigun before the green creature on his back gave him wooden arm blades.
"You could have been a warrior in the new kingdom," The Colonel said as he advanced upon the vampire hunter. "But instead you'll just be another bloodstain on my boots!"
He thrusts an arm forward, a wooden stake sprouting from the knuckle. Blade got up just in time and did the one thing Ruby never expected him to do. He stopped the Colonels attack with his hand, the stake impaling his hand.
"You're going to need bigger boots," Blade gritted his teeth from the pain in his hand. "On the other hand, you won't need boots where you're going, suck head!"
"You day walking bastard!" The Colonel shouted. He fires his eye beams again, this time, shattering Blade's swords. "You have no right to draw my blood!"
Seizing the advantage, he proceeded to give the vampire hunter a beatdown. "I am a pure born vampire! Stronger than you in every way! I was meant to feast on the humans of this world like the pigs and cattle they are!"
"You know who else said that?" Blade asked as he ducked a blow and threw a punch at the Colonel. "Every damn vampire I ever turned into a pile of stinking ash!"
"You know the difference between those vampires and me?" The Colonel asked as he dodged the blow. When he got a clear shot, he fired his eye beams again, blasting Blade again. "I've already won."
The Shadow Colonel stood over the vampire hunter in triumph. Then he screamed in pain as his arm came flying off. What Blade had used wasn't a sword, but the plant creature that was on the colonel. In his last attack, Blade grabbed hold of him and pulled him off the colonel when he shot him with his eye beams.
"Nah, the difference was they had two arms," Blade retorted.
"The Boy-Thing!"
"Is that what you call this little guy? Man, it really doesn't like—" Blade was cut off when the Colonel seized him by the throat.
"I only need one arm to tear your head off, Dhampir!" The Colonel roared as he slammed him to the ground. A few feet from him, his severed limb began to crawl towards one of the vampire hunters' shattered blades. "I'm going to kill you with your own sword. Doesn't that seem fitting? Because you're not even worth my fangs."
Ruby watched the whole scene in horror. The Colonel is going to kill Blade who is still struggling to get out of his grip. From the corner of her eye, she saw Russel getting overpowered by the vampires. This wasn't supposed to happen. It can't happen!"
Time seemed to slow down as her mind raced. Something surged out of her.
"NO!" Ruby screamed as her eyes glowed silvery white. Light shot out like a pair of majestic wings. The area became blanketed in this light. The vampires that the light touched began to scream in pain.
"What the?!" The Shadow Colonel shouted. When the light reached him, he began to scream with the rhapsody of agony his brethren was creating.
Chernobyl, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
"You have done well."
The Legion of the Unliving before an albino vampire. Unlike
This is their master. The Prince of Darkness and Lord of the Vampires. Dracula.
He didn't wear his blood-red armor, but rather the clothes befitting a noble lord with a cloak. He had sent his son with the legion to orchestrate the dissidents against him. Then, Dracula came to the Russians under the pretense of finding a place where he could die in peace. In exchange, he gave them all his knowledge about the faux vampire civil war that his son was carrying out. The Russians dispatched him to Chernobyl, a city that had been quarantined due to a nuclear disaster leaving large quantities of radioactive particles. They thought that the radiation will kill him. On the contrary, they forgot what vampires did with their coffins.
"With this, we can begin building the vampire kingdom anew. This is our new territory. Welcome to the kingdom of the vampires!"
"We are honored to have your thanks Lord Dracula," Baroness Blood said. The rest of her brethren nodded. Dracula noticed something off.
"Is there something wrong, Baroness?" Dracula asked kindly.
"It's your son," Baroness said with slight hesitation. "There's something you should know…"
"Then tell me," Dracula said. "Why the hesitation, Baroness? Even if Blade bested him, Xarus played his role well."
"That's just it, Lord Dracula," Baroness looked to the other and gestured with her head. Slowly, they moved to the side to show their lord what is behind them. Dracula moved to get a closer look. He felt his smile fade and became replaced with surprise.
With his old enemy Blade prowling after him, he expected his swords to behead Xarus. He fought with him longer than him and expected his son to lose.
What he didn't expect was his son turned into stone.
He knew it was Xarus because there is no human or vampire that had the skill to carve stone with this precision. The statue depicted him frozen with his right hand held in front of him. Even if he couldn't see it, he could tell that it was of pain and horror. It would've been whole if it weren't for the fact that some piece of the statue is on the floor, including his head.
"What did this to him?" Dracula asked without turning. "Was it Blade?"
"It wasn't the dhampir, my lord," Baroness Blood answered. "Indeed, it was he who shattered Xarus in this state. It was a human girl."
"A girl?" Dracula turned to her with his brows furrowed. "A human girl did this?"
"Baroness isn't lying milord," Rat Bomber said. This time, Dracula noted the tinge of fear in his voice. "I and my friends retreated to assist your son in his fight. When we got there, we saw the red-cloaked one emit light from her eyes. The light was brighter than any light that we saw. My little friends told me that the light was dangerous, so I stayed back. If I hadn't, we wouldn't have been able to bring you his stoney remains to you."
"Sunlight?" Dracula asked. "Didn't you have the amulets? I doubt that sunlight could've harmed you."
"We did, but whatever that light was, it wasn't sunlight," Baroness Blood answered. "When the light died out, most of the vampires under his command are turned to ash. Any that survived…met the same fate as your son. Whatever that light was, it was something powerful. Something that wanted us…purged from existence."
Just like the Rat Bomber, Baroness Blood showed fear on her face. A glance at Carpathian and Snowsnake told him that they are also terrified. Terrified at what the girl had done to his son and the newly created vampires. What this could mean for his new kingdom and their kind.
He looked back at the remains of his son. The Lord of Vampires knew that this new threat cannot be ignored. It must be dealt with.
"What do we do, my lord?" Baroness Blood asked.
"For now, we focus on building my kingdom," Dracula said. He narrowed his eyes. "Then, we will deal with the girl."
[~][~]
And that's done. The end to the Ventures and Vampires trilogy and Ruby has unlocked the power of her eyes. But it looks like Dracula isn't going to take her existence lightly. What would happen in the future, wait for more to find out.
As you can see, I am not dead. I have not yielded. I am still writing.
Q&A:
keno02013: I hope this answers your question
Enabler: Cardin has been dead for a while
edinosaur25: Don't worry, they have something to play in the background.
Thank you all for reading and see you next time.