Friendship, such a simple concept. One that can make those who are not of blood be considered family.
Turn a simple animal into something so cared for that it's seen as family.
Or in the case of Overseers who run D.A.C.A. facilities can see their A.I. assistants as dear friends, to which should such a friendship falter and hit a rough patch will cause said facility to be returned over to the Overseer's control. As to how one handles such things and logistical issues comes right down to the Overseers themselves.
Which is why currently Ace was face deep in a fuse box with Willow holding a flashlight on said fuse box. "Have you found the main breaker yet?" She asked as she looked around the room she was in. "Because I'll be honest, I'm amazed you have such a simple room for a sub power unit that is to power the sub section of your facility."
"Yeah well... As my supervisor once said, 'The hardest questions just require the simplest answer.' Each station has one in case... An A.I. assistant is compromised." Ace said as he fused two different colored wires together. He got shocked on the finger which caused him to yelp. "Ow! Motherfucker!"
Willow looked at Ace as she asked, "Would you like me to help?" Only for Ace to say, "NO! I mean, no thank you. I can do this myself."
Willow frowned but didn't press on further as Ace wrapped some tape around the two wires before unclipping them and clipping them into another slot. "That should do it." Ace sighed as he stepped back and closed the box.
Willow watched Ace walk towards a rather large comical switch which was painted red and had above it in bold letters 'POWER!' Which prompted Willow to ask, "Is the design really needed?"
"Hey I wasn't the one who designed this place. Blame the last Overseer." Ace snarked before pulling the switch up, causing sparks to fly but the lights came back on. "Yes! Power!"
To which Willow mumbled, ''Ultimate power."
Only for Ace to ask, "What?"
"What." Willow said back to him as Ace just stared at her.
He shook his head, "Well anyway. We managed to do it without VEGA's help so TAKE THAT YOU BAG OF ONES AND ZEROES!" Ace shouted at the ceiling.
Willow just sighed as she followed Ace back to the theater. Of course, once the door slides open Ace's victory was short lived as on screen was a rather hardcore porno with Hector dressed as a farm hand being rode reverse cowgirl by Lenore who was dressed as a farmer's daughter and judging by the mixed reactions of everyone present they have seen a good portion of it.
Including a very much tomato red Lenore and currently fainted Hector.
Ace paled, "OH FUCK!" He started sprinting to the back of the theater room.
"Oh Hector~! If Daddy finds out about this... Mmph, he'll be very angry~!" Lenore moaned out.
"Ngh... It'll be worth it, though~!" Hector replied as he smacked her ass.
Ace looked around before he found the VHS player and grabbed it before ripping it out. That's when the porno turned off.
Once the tape was off everyone slowly looked towards Ace, Lenore was the first to run up to Ace as she tried to grab the tape, which being short was not an easy task as she was yelling, "GIVE ME THAT!"
"W-woah hold on! I can explain!" Ace held the tape up high.
Lenore was now speaking in an almost demonic voice "We want the tape!" Only to be bonked by Morana as she takes Lenore back to her seat, which was right next to the passed out Hector.
"So… uh… you… you wanna tell us something?" Was all Sypha could ask as she was fanning herself in an attempt to cool off.
"Ok hold on, to be fair... I completely forgot about this." Ace held his hands up, before putting the tape behind him.
"May I ask... What universe was this?" Trevor asked, trying to suppress his grin.
"Uhh... It's not a universe. It's a... It's a movie! Yeah! A movie!" Ace was sweating as he laughed nervously.
Striga joined Trevor as she asked, "What kind of movie?" Her grin matched Trevor's.
"Ok ok! It's a pornographic movie!" Ace said.
"And what is a pornographic movie?" Dracula asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Essentially a sex movie." Ace replied.
Everyone was silent until Carmila of all people said "That's arousing."
Unseen by Ace was Lenore being a sneaky little gremlin as she took the VHS tape which had the faded title of 'Vampiric Cowgirl #7' as she sneaks away back to her seat.
Morana of course looked at Carmila with shock as she exclaimed, "CARMILLA! That was Lenore we just saw having sex with our lord's Forgemaster! And your answer is that it's arousing!?"
"What!? I'm not such a prude as to not enjoy watching or reading a good bout of sex! Besides, you've seen how into each other those two are!" Carmilla argued.
"What I want to know is WHY do you have such a thing?" Lisa asked Ace who looked sheepish.
"It gets boring in here fast." He said. "Me and... VEGA would often watch it just either make fun of it or criticize it or just enjoy ourselves. Or at least myself since... You know... He can't do anything about it."
They just judged him while Lenore was currently cuddling Hector while subtly sniffing his hair.
Of course Trevor was the first to break the silence as he shrugged, "Hey it gets lonely."
Striga nodded as she said, "I have had to curb my urges when my wife is not present."
"Ugh..." Morana rolled her eyes, that's when she saw Lenore cuddling him. "Hey! Down!" She karate chopped the top of her head.
Lenore groaned as Hector finally woke up as he shook his head and said, "What a strange dream… I thought I saw myself being rather lecherous towards Lenore."
Trevor and Striga both snorted only to get smacked up the head by their significant others.
Greta couldn't help but stifle her laughter while Adrian tried to remain stone faced.
Lisa was curious so she turned towards her husband, "Do you think we should make one of those movies?"
Dracula chuckled before shaking his head. "I don't think anyone deserves to see the type of love we make. Besides, I would probably set an impossible standard."
Lisa giggled, "You absolutely would. I'm sure many women would want to be with you and many men want to be you."
Ace and Willow both wisely remained silent as Willow coughed a bit before saying, "Well for those who don't know what this place is, this from what I remember one of the tours I have been given is the theater before the wide use of A.I. assistants using a format that both I and Ace are all too familiar with thanks to the format wars, which isn't a real conflict but just a business rival of the formats during the 1980's."
"I'm sorry, what are you talking about?" Sypha shook her head to try and clear her mind from the explicit scene she watched.
Willow chuckled. "That is a story for another day, but for now I think I should let Ace explain our current… situation and the theater we are in." She refers to a theater which was less advanced than the one they were in as this one was set up to replicate a rather popular franchise of Texas based movie theaters that allowed you to eat and order alcoholic drinks.
"Uh right. Well since VEGA's... Dismissal. Half of our station is now running on a backup generator. So we can't simply tap into the Multiverse, we have to use recordings which come in the form of VHS tapes or DVDs. That's why we had Overseers in the past recording them. It was so we could watch, document, then ship the info off to the main station. We're gonna have to do this the old fashioned way until I can request a new A.I Assistant." Ace said.
Syhpa nodded as she commented about the method, "I can only assume such a method was dangerous in those days."
"Yeah... A lot of the videos were usually done from within the universe. Like you're trying to document something and a scary creature might attack you. I'm glad I didn't have to deal with any of that when I became an Overseer." Ace replied.
Willow nodded in agreement. "I myself can attest to at least dodging some dangers while documenting the places I have been to."
"Got any good danger stories down in those universes?" Greta asked.
Willow nodded, "More than a few. Including one with a female Dracula who very, VERY much wanted me as her queen and mother of her child." Seeing the curious glint in those gathered she quickly said, "Don't ask."
"Uh anyway, um, while I'm working on getting this all set up, why don't you guys wander around for a while?" Ace asked, trying to get things back on track.
Lenore, of course, was now trying to get close to Hector only for Striga to grab the back of her clothing as she dragged her away, "Come now little chaos gremlin sister, you need fresh air!" Striga said with a smile while Lenore was hissing like a cat.
Of course Lisa stood up and walked towards Morana and Sypha as she asked with a smile, "Library?"
"Library." They said in unison before walking away as a trio.
Greta already started dragging Adrian away which left Trevor alone with his grandfather, Dracula, and Hector along with Isaac while Carmilla was already gone as well towards the library but for much different reasons. "Well I guess it's just us then." Commented Trevor.
"So what should we do?" Leon asked.
Isaac "I believe we should explore and maybe find more information about the facility."
Hector then added, "Hopefully we can find VEGA and try to see if we can mend his and Ace's friendship."
"Do you believe he's still on this station?" Dracula asked.
"I mean, where else can the little fucker go?" Trevor replied.
Leon shrugged his shoulders, "Not how I'd put it, but he's got a point. It's doubtful he'd still be here."
Dracula sighed, "Very well. Let us go find VEGA."
The group nods as they go off on their quest to try and mind a friendship. They walked out of the theater and into the hallways.
"VEGA! Where are you, ya blue bastard!" Trevor shouted out.
Leon and Dracula both sighed as they begin to explore the new part of the station.
The four women learning they were currently in the still impressive library as each talked, "You're joking! A world where the ratio for men to woman was changed so women outnumber men! That is… that has to be a world to see!" Commented Sypha who was seen with a coffee in hand while Morana was drinking tea who nodded in agreement as Willow was relaying them tales of her adventures.
"Indeed. This made men more of a... Commodity you could say. If you had enough money, you could purchase a man and make them your personal slave." Willow explained. "I suppose it's a sort of karma. They treat us as nothing but mindless baby makers so they get treated as simple fuck sticks for women to play with."
Lisa chuckled slightly as she asked, "I can only assume my husband was a very hot item, or is he a she in this version of our world?"
Morana chimed in, "I can only assume that if he is male then he would be one of those rare few that is seen more as that of a prize stallion, that or someone with a lot of power and wealth."
Willow grimaced slightly. "Actually... He's something of a rebellious leader in that world."
Now all three were leaning forward, "Oh?" They asked in unison.
"He's leading a rebellion against the Matriarchy for civil rights for him and his fellow man. I suppose it's his pride that would not allow himself to be chained like that." Willow explained.
"I can understand that." Morana nodded.
Sypha chuckled a bit, "I can only assume he also has more than a few women who he 'persuaded' to his cause via his own special means." She said with a slight blush.
"Oh most definitely." Willow said to which she and Lisa giggled.
Morana only rolled her eyes. "Oh please, he may be good, but nothing beats the good touch of a woman."
Soon all three who had sex with a man just looked at Morana with a raised eyebrow.
"What? I simply prefer them over a man. Dracula may be a one in a million man, but he's just too rare of a caring lover for me to look for a man." Morana said, looking at the trio.
All three nod in agreement.
"That is true. Vlad truly is one of the best men out there..." Lisa said with a smile before it descended into a frown.
"Lisa?" Sypha asked.
Lisa shook her head, "Nothing. It's nothing."
"Mrs. Tepes, you can tell us." Morana said gently, placing her hand on her shoulder.
The Wife of Dracula looked at Morana before sighing, "It's just… My husband is a good man. He had come so far since I first met him. I'm not… I'm not excusing what he's done because… He's killed so many innocent people, all in my name. He almost killed our son! But… After learning how he became who he is. I just don't understand… He's a good soul so why does he have to suffer and be turned into a monster because of others?"
The others had somber expressions on their faces as they listened to her.
"Vlad… He's driven by love. Everything he ever did was in the name of love. Manipulating his brother, killing so many people, none of it would've happened if the one he loved wasn't hurt or killed. I think there's more than… than what we've learned and… I'm scared to know. But everything he did was for you." Willow said, taking Lisa's hands into hers.
Sypha looked away slightly, "Life has no meaning to him without someone to share his ideas and creations."
It became silent for a couple minutes as Lisa attempted to wipe away any tears from forming. Willow hugged her gently and rubbed her back.
"Everything will be alright now. We can all learn from this. Perhaps at some point, he can find a way to heal. To ensure something like this never happens again." Morana offered to which Lisa nodded gently.
Willow decided to try and move the conversation away as she drank her tea only to suddenly stop as she brought up the one thing all women do besides shopping, gossip. "Ok I can't be the only one who sees how much Lenore is just crushing on Hector right?"
This caused Morana to throw her hands in the air and shout, "THANK YOU!"
"It's... A little disturbing. They've hardly held a conversation before. At least to our knowledge." Sypha said.
Lisa wiped her tears before taking a deep breath and nodding, "Indeed, granted love is a strange emotion that works in mysterious ways. Of course, I do believe she is trying a little too hard. I mean yes, Hector is a little thick."
Morana groaned as Sypha tugged at her collar a bit.
"I think you or one of your sisters needs to talk to her while Isaac or my husband talks to him." Willow said to Morana.
Morana nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile off with said chaos Gremlin, she was currently sitting next to Striga with her cheeks puffed up. "Do you treat me as if I'm some small child!? I can walk on my own, thank you."
"After that foolish display, yes." Striga said.
Lenore looked at her larger sister and asked with a raised eyebrow "Oh? And what relationship advice can you give, Miss Muscles?"
"That you are not acting like yourself. You're acting like a cat in heat, and not in a cute way." Striga glared down at her. "I thought you were more dignified than this."
Lenore huffed as she said, "Oh sure! That's easy for you to say Miss, "I am the literal embodiment of the Amazons!" Or your wife, the refined senorita with the knowledge of a scholar or Carmila who is refined and beautiful while me?! ME! I am nothing compared to you three!"
She huffed before continuing as she now went on a small rant, "The only reason I am acting this way is because I am five foot of nothing but cute and adorable compared to you three walking goddess's and the only man who I am trying my damndest to even look at me is so thick that I swear I'd have to just stand in front of him nude just to let him know I WANT HIM! But no of course not, I have to be the cute one, I have to be the one everyone sees as the cute little sister! I mean what the fuck am I suppose to do? Hell if I had a body even half as good as you three, I'd be noticed and courted by that handsome adorable sweet hearted idiot by now but no! I have to be walking out here all in a cutesy way, otherwise it's one slip up and-" Only for her rant to be cut off by Striga grabbing the front of her dress pulling her up as she yelled in a scared voice, "IT WAS A JOKE!"
"You better get your head straight because I have had enough of your self doubt! You are the best of us all. You are the most innocent of us and you deserve love. But you will not get it if you act like this! So get your shit together and simply speak to him!" Striga said.
Before Lenore could say anything Carmilas voice was heard coming up from behind Striga. "I agree with Striga, your approach is that of a desperate harlot. What you need to do is get Hector to notice you. I have an idea that might work."
"Oh no... Not one of your ideas." Lenore said, her already pale skin paling even more.
As Carmila began to come up with her scheme of love, the linchpin of said scheme was currently looking at those present as Hector shook his head and said, "No. I mean… I know she looks at me sometimes, but to have feelings for me? That's... That's just silly." This caused Isaac, no emotions, forgemaster Isaac to even raise both his eyebrows in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, were you this thick as a child?" Isaac asked, his disbelief hidden in his voice.
Even Leon had to put a hand on Hector's shoulder as he said in an almost disbelieving tone, "My brother in Christ. My fellow brother and I have been around women of many types and believe me when I say that YES that young lass has feelings for you."
Hector looked at him before looking down, "Then... What. What should I do?"
Dracula put his hand on his other shoulder. "What you're going to do is get washed, clean up, and then we will help you become irresistible to her." He said.
Hector nodded a bit, "I mean… I guess." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "I'm not really… well, good with people."
"It's alright, Hector. Neither am I, and you saw how well it went for me." Trevor said with a chuckle.
"The point is, you simply just need to talk to her. Listen to her interests, and in return, she will listen to yours." Isaac explained.
Hector sighed as he just nodded, "If you say so."
"Now, let's get you cleaned up." Dracula patted his shoulder before leading him away.
As Hector was being brought to a men's clothing store, Lenore was sitting in a chair with Carmilla humming happily with brushes, makeup, even nail polish as she was treating Lenore like some doll. "Uh Carmilla, is this really necessary?" She asked, looking at all the dresses, bows, and even what looks to be an infinite selection of lace lingerie.
"Oh come on, Lenore. You need to look your absolute best! And I must say, human clothing has certainly improved in the sex department." Carmilla replied. Holding up a one piece lingerie suit.
"I think red looks good on Lenore." Striga added her piece while looking at red dresses.
Lenore just stared at the two as she gave a nervous chuckle.
Meanwhile back with Hector, he was currently looking at the rather exaggerated attire he was wearing. "Is the cape truly needed?" He asked, spreading the large cape as Trevor nodded. "Of course! Capes are really good!"
Leon however, shook his head as he argued. "No, the lad needs something more simple. Maybe some puffed up pants with a nice blouse."
Dracula looked at Hector with a tap of his fingers to his lip before removing the cape. "A simple tailcoat would work well for him."
Leon nodded in agreement with his brother as Trevor shrugged.
While with Lenore, somehow the rest of the girls joined as Willow is now helping with Lenore's long red hair. "Hmm what do you think girls? Curls or maybe a ponytail with a flower pin?" As she tapped a hairbrush on her chin.
"Hmm... I think we should keep her hair free flowing." Lisa suggested, playing with her slightly and puffing it out.
Lenore went to speak up weakly, "well I think-"
Only to get a finger put on her lips from Morana who said with a smile. "Shhh we're making you beautiful."
"But-"
"Lenore, your sense of fashion hasn't changed. We need you to look as amazing as possible. We know what we're doing." Carmilla said.
Lenore sighed as she let the women do their magic.
While off with Hector, he finished up as he looked at the outfit his lord picked out.
"There. Nothing too extravagant. Just a new suit and some jewelry." Dracula said.
Hector's clothes consisted of a blue tailcoat with a black vest. His cufflinks were little chrome bats and he wore black dress pants and black boots. His hair was slicked back into a ponytail.
"Now that we have your appearance finished. You need flowers." Leon said.
Hector looked at the three as he asked, "Are flowers truly needed?"
"Hector, flowers are a gift for the lady. Each flower represents something different. So you need the right flowers for her." Isaac explained.
Hector looked at Isaac rather shocked as he asked, "I thought you would know nothing of love?"
Hector followed along, all while Ace in the background acted as the great Oz and prepared a lovely little area for the date, after of course fixing the issues with the older theater area.
As Ace wiped the dust away from the projector and sighed. His mind began to wander to VEGA and regret seeped into his heart.
From the monitors, which looked to have been pulled out of the 90's as were all the CRT monitors showing the two groups preparing the two love birds. Well, one who was clearly in love while the other was oblivious to the point even Cupid would use a hammer on him.
Ace looked at the monitors and couldn't help but chuckle. That's when he thought of his own love life. Engaged to Scarlett, Director Dracula's secretary who helped him overcome the damage on his face. However, it would not last as the two broke off and Ace was alone until he met the Succubus Luxure. She was injured and he helped nurse her back to health, and she was grateful for him.
He sighed as he shook his head and focused on getting everything ready.
Once the older keyboard came out, Ace cracked his knuckles as his fingers began to turn into a blur of motion to the point one would think that he would set the keyboard a blaze as he set up a nice little romantic area for the couple to be.
"Let's see... Paris themed with some calm music. Perfect." Ace said as he tapped on the keyboard more.
With a chime, the set up was done. Which was done with good timing as the sight of Hector was seen being escorted towards the area as was Lenore.
Hector for his part was nervous, "You know maybe we shouldn't do this!" He went to run only for Trevor and Leon to stop him, turn the man around then force him to walk towards the door.
"Oh no ya don't." Trevor grunted.
"This is not the time to be a coward. Now get in there, talk to her and enjoy her company." Leon said as they pushed the bouquet of flowers in his hand before pushing him through.
Hector sighed defeated as he opened the door walking inside the room only to stop as his breath catches as he sees Lenore. "Oh. My. God." Hector said in an almost breathless voice as he saw her and what the women had prepared for her date.
She wore a white dress that hugged her body with pearls at the straps to keep it on. A slit in the dress put it all the way up to her thigh and sparkly white heels.
She couldn't help but blush at how well Hector cleaned up and dressed. "H-hello." She said, trying not to be nervous.
Hector just stood there before finally remembering the flowers as he held them out and cleared his throat, "I… uh… I got you flowers."
Lenore was surprised by the appearance of the flowers. "Oh um, thank you." She said, before grabbing them. "They're beautiful." She smiled at him gently.
Hector just nodded as he blushed and scratched the back of his head, "Not as beautiful as you I mean… You're so… So… Breathtaking."
Lenore's smile only grew as she said, "Well you certainly cleaned up."
It was silent as the atmosphere almost became awkward with just the two of them looking at each other but nothing was being said. That was when Hector suggested, "So um... Dinner?"
"Yes, of course." Lenore nodded as they walked over to the table. Hector remembered his Lord's lessons and walked towards her chair and opened it for her.
Lenore smiled as she sat down before Hector pushed up her chair, going over to the otherside he sat down across from her as he gave an awkward smile. "So um... Uh... Do you like animals?" Was what he started with.
Of course, not noticed by the two but in an observation deck high in the room much like an old theater, Isaac was the first to pinch his nose as he fought a groan.
All the women groaned. "He's fucking hopeless..." Carmilla groaned.
"Give him time." Dracula said.
"Oh, I suppose I do. Though you'll have to narrow down a specific type of animal." Lenore said.
Hector smiled a bit as he thought he had an opening "Well what animal do you like? I'm a dog person myself."
"Dogs are cute, but I'm partial to cats." Lenore said before then asking, "How did you come to join Lord Dracula into his service?"
Back at the observation area, Dracula sighed as he pressed his fingers against his eyes in an effort to get rid of the headache, "Why did she have to ask about me?"
Hector cringed a bit as he looked down, even started to fiddle with his fingers. "That is… a rather painful memory."
"Oh my apologies! I don't mean to pry. I simply was wondering how skilled you were to get his attention." Lenore pressed her hand against her mouth as she scolded herself.
Hector shook his head. "No, no it's alright. The aid drones said I should address my issues to help me heal my mind."
Lenore soon reached across the table and grasped his hand softly. "Well I'm here for you." She gave him a soft smile.
Back at the observation, everyone sat up straight, some even leaned forward.
Hector cleared his throat before beginning, "I've had this gift since I was a child. It was a little silver coin where I chip it, flames would spark and fall onto the dead body. I guess you could say, I created sparks of life. My... Father made me use my gift as a parlor trick. I hated it, and my mother considered me a devil's son but stayed because her sense of greed was greater than her hatred for me. One day, I found a dead dog nearby our house. I guess I pitied it so I brought it back to life and brought him back home. It... Did not go well."
He squeezed her hand gently. "They hit me... And I grew to... Hate my own kind from it. So... I burned the house down and moved away. Spent years perfecting my craft until one night, Dracula found me. He was impressed with my craft. We spoke and he treated me like no one else did. Like a normal person who just so happens to have magical abilities. Then... When, I guess she is the Queen, when she was burned, he came to me and Isaac for our service in building an army. He promised me that we would simply cull my kind into paddocks. Like farm animals. I suppose that's just another lie I believed in. But I don't blame him for it. I just... Have to grow up, I guess."
Lenore smiled softly as she kept holding his hands, "It takes a strong and kind man to survive and still have such a kind heart such as you."
Hector looked at her and smiled. "Thank you Lenore. I can't imagine you'd have any worse a life than the rest of us, considering how joyful and intelligent you are."
Lenore's smile lowered slightly, "Well... It's been so long since I've remembered my past but, I remember bits and pieces. I was a Librarian in the Southern parts of Romania. I enjoyed reading books to the children that went to school. But... I was accused of something I don't remember. My whole library was burned down by the local mob and Bishop so I escaped. I don't remember where I ended up, but I lived on the streets for several years, and I was nearly dying of starvation. That is... Until Carmilla found me. She brought me to Braila where my knowledge grew and I found a family, but now... All of this. The Multiverse, these Observatories, and everything we've seen. It's something I never thought I'd ever see."
Hector nodded, "It truly is amazing that our minds have been open."
Aside from those above watching the two, Ace is sitting with a bag of popcorn treating this date like it's a romantic movie.
"To the point, it almost makes everything we know seem like we're just cavemen. All this knowledge, hidden away. We've seen Hell, we've seen peace, we've seen war, and even fucking beings from other planets that seem to have an erection for our demise." Lenore said to which Hector couldn't help but laugh.
Before Hector could comment, candles seemed to float down to the table along with their first course. "Marvelous magic." Hector commented as he observed the use of levitation magic on display.
"Indeed." Lenore said before music could be heard. There was no source of it, no instruments in sight.
Hector smiled as he removed the lid to reveal that their food was spaghetti as two wine glasses were produced as a bottle of wine poured into the glasses. "Well, shall we eat?"
Lenore smiled as they began to eat. They twirled their spaghetti in their forks before eating. "God, I love the Italians." Lenore commented after swallowing her bite.
Hector nodded as he ate at a nice pace. Of course, both didn't notice one piece being connected between the two and without knowing it they kissed, which both backed away blushing.
Off in the observation deck, Carmilla, Willow, Morana, and even Lisa had opera glasses as they watched with interest. The accidental kiss made them both nearly squeak in delight.
While Trevor just slept because romance was not his thing, despite being with Sypha.
Leon was with Dracula as he said in a low tone, "Well he's not blown it yet, but he could use work."
"Indeed. Their first kiss. I'm proud of him." Dracula said.
Striga tried to wipe a tear away before anybody could see it.
Once the two finished their meals, the sound of a band with a man singing with an Italian accent could be heard.
"When the moon hits your eyes, like a big pizza pie that's amores."
Hector, looking at Lenore, stood from his seat as he offered his hand towards Lenore. "Would you-" He cleared his throat as he corrected his request, "Would you care to dance?"
Lenore smiled and took his hand before standing up and placed her other hand on his shoulder. "Do you know how to dance?" She asked.
Hector laughed nervously as he admitted, "No, I'm afraid not. Would you lead?"
"Of course." She smiled and started to move them away from the table. She began to sway and lead him.
Soon both began to dance to the song smiling as neither of them said a word but instead just enjoyed each other's company. When the song finished both began to come closer and once the lips connected in a romantic kiss, fireworks in the back shot into the sky and exploded in a wonderful display.
Up in the observation deck, there was clapping and cheers as Willow exclaimed, "Yes! Finally!"
The two broke their kiss and looked up at the deck and they shouted in unison, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING US!?"
Carmila just smiled as she said a simple, "Yes."
The two of them blushed before Hector suggested, "L-lets go."
Lenore nodded as the two quickly left much to the giggles of the women and chuckles of men. "Oh they are just the cutest of couples." said Lisa as she leaned onto her husband's arm.
"Let's just hope Mrs. Schnee-Tepes didn't ruin the mood." Morana said before looking at her wife, "Are you crying?" Seeing her tear stains on her cheeks.
"N-no! J-just had some dust in my eye." Striga denied.
Morana smiled as she leaned on her large arm. "Don't lie, you're a romantic and you know it."
"I'm not! I am a proud warrior!" Striga exclaimed, belying her tears.
Morana just giggled at her wife as the others went about their own thing, happy with the fact they help make a couple happen and as the kids would say, 'help a ship sail.'
Back with Lenore and Hector, they made their way to the dining room and took a second to catch their breath. "That... Could've ended better." Lenore commented.
Hector laughed a little. "Yeah, but in a way they were like parents watching our date to make sure we both didn't do anything wrong."
Lenore couldn't help but chuckle as she sat down on a chair and removed her heels and rubbed the underside. "God, you'd think after wearing heels for so long, you'd get used to the pain." She commented.
Hector sat down next to her and smiled. "I know what you mean. Boots aren't any better." Hector then saw down her dress and he blushed as he looked away. "So uh… about before with the uh… video. I would never. I mean I uh." He was fumbling his words.
"Oh that... I... May have had a weakness. I know you're more respectful than to fuck the farmer's daughter." Lenore laughed embarrassingly. "But still, that was quite a shock. I've... Never had sex before."
"Really? Being royalty, I would've assumed you have." Hector said, his eyes wide with surprise.
Lenore shook her head, "No no I'm still pure as snow. You?"
Hector blushed as he rubs the back of his neck "Well uh… being able to bring back dead things isn't really an attractive quality for someone as me."
"That's fair." Lenore nodded before blushing. "I'm not quite sure I'm ready for it just yet, but... I wouldn't be opposed to another date." She said with a smile.
Hector was surprised once more but it evolved into a happy smile. "I wouldn't either."
Soon both were locked in their gaze as they slowly leaned towards each other and in a moment both were in a deep kiss.
Ace smiled as he turned off the CRT monitor.
"And love blossomed." A voice said from behind him. He screamed as he spun around to find Dracula. Except he wore an outfit similar to Indiana Jones.
"D-D-D-D-D-D-D-Director Dracula!" He exclaimed.
"Hello Mr. Berkeley." Director Dracula said.
Ace started to sweat as he said, "Uh… what-what a surprise! If I had known you were coming-" He went to stand only for his boss to motion him to sit down.
"I understand you had an anomaly awhile ago. About 8 to 10 hours ago." He said as he sat down in the other chair facing Ace.
Ace nodded while swear poured down his face and his heart racing, "Yes sir but it's all under control. Just some whales." He tried to lie, as well as one can to the person who could fire you in an instant.
"Really? A pod of space whales have not been seen this far out in centuries. It would be quite the discovery had you reported that. However, I received a message from an anonymous source revealing a woman sitting by Universe #N2017 Dracula. A woman with snowy white hair and blue eyes. She goes by Willow Schnee-Tepes." That's when Dracula leaned forward and looked into his eyes. "Where is my wife, Berkeley?"
Ace just whimpered as he shakily pointed to a monitor with Willow sitting with everyone, laughing as they enjoyed some food and drink. "D-d-d-dining r-r-r-room 2, sir."
Director Dracula nodded and stood up. "Thank you for your cooperation. Ms. Frost sends her regards as well." He began walking away from him.
Ace just seemed to slouch in his chair as he looked up at the ceiling saying in a dead tone, "I'm so fucking fired… Maybe they're hiring at Mcronalds?"
As the Overseer thought of his future employment, Willow was laughing with everyone as she told a story of her Dracula, "Oh you should have seen him! He caught the poor boy trying to pass a love note in class to this girl and called him out to read it in front of his whole class."
Syhpa snorted into her drink as she exclaimed, "He did not!"
Willow nodded and before she could continue her story, a familiar voice, a voice she had been looking for so long, finished the story for her.
"He read it out and she was embarrassed. But after class, they began dating." He said to which everyone froze. They looked to the entrance to find Director Dracula stare them down before his eyes landed on Willow.
Willow looked at her husband, her true husband, her true Dracula. Standing up slowly, she asked in a voice of clear uncertainty. "My love? Is it… Is it really you?"
He walked towards her with a smile. "With this hand... I will lift your sorrow." He quoted their marriage vow.
Willow began to cry, not tears of sadness but in joy as she ran up to him and with her arms wrapped around his neck. She kissed him deeply as she continued to cry, happy that she finally reunited with her husband.
He kissed her back deeply as he hugged her waist tightly. The passion could be felt by everyone, like love that was once lost, has now reunited.
Once the kiss was broken, Willow laid her head against his as she tearfully laughed, "I've found you, I've finally found you." She said, looking at him before finally seeing his clothes as she giggled a bit. "Did you go treasure hunting to bring me a gift for our reunion? Because I think mine is a bit better in comparison."
Director Dracula smiled as he caressed her cheek. "I may have stopped by a local temple or two for a gift worthy of a goddess." He pulled out a jewel necklace with rubies encrusted on it. He hooked it around her neck before kissing her forehead.
"For so long... I've waited for you... To find a way back to you... I tried going back... To our universe. But you weren't there. I became frightened of where you could've ended up." He explained to her.
She held the necklace as she smiled, "Yet here I was looking for you." She kissed him again as she said with a smile, "And with it our child." She took his hand and laid it on her stomach as the energy of his and Willow's could be felt thanks to his time in the Spiritual Realm.
His eyes widened as he looked into her eyes, "A child... We're having a child?"
Willow just nodded as she hugged her husband tight as if she was going to lose him again.
Soon, the sound of a throat being cleared was heard as the others were seen standing, looking at the couple. "Uh hello… uh other Father." Was all Adrian could say unsure.
His eyes wandered to Adrian and smiled sadly. "Adrian... It's... Good to see you, dear boy." It was clear he wanted to say it to HIS Adrian, but he wasn't there.
Greta came forward and offered him a handshake, "Hello. I'm Greta. Adrian's lover." She said nervously
He looked at her with quizzical eyes. "Strange. I never knew Adrian had a lover." He said but shook her hand gently.
That's when he looked at Lisa and Dracula. "Lisa... Vlad." It was awkward for him, but it was eye opening to the other Dracula, to meet another version of himself, especially the one who created the D.A.C.A.
"You're me... The creator of the D.A.C.A, yes?" Dracula asked.
Director Dracula nodded. "That's right. I'm from Universe #2189. And you, all of you are from Universe #N2017. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."
They all nodded as Trevor realized he had an ample opportunity to get more dirt to embarrass Adrian, so he asked, "Is it true that your version of a son almost got stabbed by his step sister when he tried to intimidate her girlfriend."
This caused Adrian to look at Trevor with eyes of murder as he shouted, "Trevor!"
Director Dracula chuckled, "Indeed it is true. Ruby was not having it with the big brother act." He said.
That got some good hearted laughs before Lisa walked up and smiled up at the Director, "If I know my other self. Your Lisa is probably happy with what you have done and the fact you found love again."
His smile turned upside down into a frown. "She... I hope she is. You see... I was not born on Earth. I was born in Remnant before it became what you know it. I was transported to Earth after my defeat. My memories were manipulated to make me believe I was born on Earth and that everything that had happened to me happened on Earth."
He sat down at the table to which Willow sat down on his lap. "I came back to Remnant after... My son killed me. After I accepted Death into my heart. That's when I met all those wonderful people and... You." He said the last word to Willow.
Willow laid her head on his shoulder as she said, "And now look at you. I can only assume you're trying to keep the same things from happening to others like you with meddling gods who think themselves above you." That got her husband to give a hearty laugh as that triggered some fond memories from the early days of the D.A.C.A.
"Any example?" The original Dracula asked to which his other self frowned and growled out.
"Yaldaboath."
Everyone was surprised by the anger behind the name. The director then sighed before saying, "Yes, that one was tough to ring in." He looked to those present, "Understand that not all quote unquote 'gods' are the same. I even had one goddess try and make me her husband."
He gave a good hearted chuckle after Willow gave his chest a slap. "She did not!" She exclaimed.
"She absolutely did." Director Dracula chuckled.
"I'm sorry, who is this Yaldaboath?" Sypha asked.
His chuckle died down before he replied, "He was known as the God of Control. To give some context, Japan was experiencing something quite unprecedented. A change in society. Many influential figures such as artists, gang leaders, business leaders, and even politicians were suddenly changing their behavior. Like they had a change of heart. All of this was done by one group. A group of teenagers known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts." Director Dracula explained.
Morana leaned forward, "I can only assume the containment part of D.A.C.A caused you or your people to investigate."
He nodded, "We suspected something powerful was tempering with reality. What we discovered was... Fascinating to say the least. Think of another reality where your desires have become distorted. It allows the distortion in your heart to manifest into something known as a Palace. A fortress where you guard the source of your distorted desire and where you see yourself reside in. These Phantom Thieves infiltrate the Palaces and are able to steal your desire and if they succeed, you will become morally sound and will be unable to bear the weight of what you have done. We wanted to learn about this reality when we discovered a God had been manipulating everything from the shadows."
Director Dracula took a deep breath. "The God of Control had stolen the free will of Man to make it subservient to it and it alone. The Phantom Thieves could barely handle this God, but we helped save them and their reality by destroying Yaldaboath. After all, when God has gone too far, it is the job of the Devil to put him back in his place."
That got some chuckles as Carmilla asked, "I assume these Phantom Thieves are now employed by D.A.C.A or because they were 'thieves' did they have to face justice for their 'crimes.'" She said the words with air quotes.
Director Dracula shook his head, "No. I did not invite them to join. After all, they're simply kids. I'd rather they live their lives in peace and on their own terms. However, I've kept my eye on them to ensure they are doing well."
Leon laughed a bit as he asked, "And not breaking any laws you and your organization created, am I not wrong?"
The director laughed as well as he nodded, "Alright, you have me there. Yes they are also being watched in case they break any laws established by the council of the Multiverse."
"But you doubt it?" Sypha asked.
"I do. They're good kids who were dealt an unjust hand by society."
Leon nodded as did his grandson.
Isaac spoke up, "I'm rather curious, Ace joked about it but is it true that there are versions of us where our genders are reversed?"
He nodded, "Indeed, there are. I've seen many of them."
Trevor leaned forward as he asked the one question ALL MEN would ask if given such an opportunity. "Did my woman self have a nice set of tits?"
Syhpa blushed as she started smacking Trevor's arm, "Trevor Belmont!" She exclaimed.
"What!? It's an honest question!" Trevor exclaimed.
Director Dracula chuckled as he decided to not answer that question.
Willow decided to change the topic as she looked at her husband and asked, "So will you be staying? Or are you going to take me away to be your Deputy Director?"
He looked at her with a smile. "I have a few things I need to do here. First, I need to talk to Mr. Berkeley's A.I. Assistant."
Morana sighed, "Good luck, we tried to find him but he is nowhere to be seen. Even when we try to call him."
Director Dracula frowned at this, "What exactly happened?"
Lisa had a sad look on her face. "Ace and VEGA had a fight with Ace threatening to request a new assistant and VEGA decided to leave."
"How did this fight happen?" He asked.
"VEGA showed us a couple reports about these two alien species and how Ace used to look before... The incident." Dracula replied to which D.A.C.A had eyes of sympathy.
"I see... Then it's clear we need the two to make up before we can progress with your viewings." He said before he tapped Willow's thigh which was a signal for her to get up. He stood up as well and walked back towards the room Ace was in.
Ace was seen with a suitcase and his resignation in hand. Once he saw his boss, he said with a professional tone. "I have had a good time working with D.A.C.A sir and wish to ask that you consider to be a refer- OW OW OW OW!" Was all Ace was saying now as his boss was pulling him by the ear like he was a child.
"You're not resigning. You are officially getting mandatory therapy sessions. Failure to comply will result in termination." Director Dracula said while leading him towards a couch. "VEGA! This is Director Dracula Tepes ordering you to get down here!" He shouted to the ceiling.
Nothing happened which caused him to growl out, "This is Director Dracula of D.A.C.A ordering AI Assistant VEGA to appear at once under Directive Romeo Vector Bravo priority zero!"
Sure enough the blue form of VEGA appeared in front of him. "AI assistant VEGA reporting as requested, Director."
"You sit down." Director Dracula pushed Ace onto the couch and he looked at VEGA. "This is a mandatory therapy session and you both will comply."
Ace hesitantly nodded while Vega sat down with a leg over another. However, what shocked those watching was that somehow the Director was now wearing a therapist attire, large notepad and all.
"Now, let's start at the beginning. What caused this argument to take place?" Director Dracula asked.
VEGA was first as he didn't look at Ace, "He doesn't appreciate me and the hard work I do."
"No no, the real cause was because he showed them my intern reports on the Yautja and Xenomorphs. He showed them how terrible I used to look and what led to me looking like this." Ace gritted his teeth at VEGA.
VEGA now looked at Ace, "Only because never once have I gotten any thanks for all the hard work I do to keep this facility running! Keeping the viruses contained, making sure you have hot water for your oh so important hour long showers, or how about making sure that the lights are kept on! And do I get a thank you? NO! It's always 'VEGA do this, VEGA get this, VEGA could you get me this file!' DO I GET THANKS!? NOOOOO!!!!!" After his rant, the AI crossed his arms.
"And your first thought was to show them how I got like this, and you called it a prank!! We couldn't have just talked about it after the DOOM universe!?" Ace argued back.
Before VEGA could retort, the sound of a bell was heard as the Director was seen holding a bell. Slowly setting it down, he spoke calmly, "It's clear that there is a lot to unpack." He said, looking at the ones sitting in front of him.
"Firstly, with Mr. Berkeley. That incident is still very sensitive to you, but it seems you've grown confident enough to show them your face. I must commend you for that, but also you've grown to take your assistant for granted. They are meant to help you, yes, but they are still intelligent beings. They also deserve their due respects."
That's when he turned his attention to VEGA, "As for you, you still have yet to learn the little details in human behaviors. What you did was hurtful and a betrayal to Mr. Berkeley. It may have been a learning experience for the audience, but you should've used the recent logs with the updated and more detailed information."
Both said in a tone of a child being talked to by a disappointed parent. "Yes sir."
Director Dracula wrote into his notepad. "Now, do you both understand what you did wrong?"
Both nodded as VEGA looked to Ace, "I am sorry for my childish behavior and for exposing you."
Ace looked at him with a sad smile, "I'm sorry for taking you for granted and... Never giving you your due credit. I'm also sorry for threatening to have you replaced."
The Director smiled as he said, "Well this is good progress. Communication is the key cornerstone to having any relationship to work." He wrote down in his notepad as he added, "Now I'm suggesting that you two at least have some more sessions to avoid such things in the future."
"Yeah, that's a good idea." Ace nodded.
"Agreed." VEGA said with a nod as well.
The Director smiled as he closed his notepad "Good! Now I do have time to spend with my wife. So I could stick around to observe how you two work." Standing up and somehow changing back into his adventures attire he walked back to the dining room where everyone still stayed.
The two nodded before Ace looked at VEGA, "Hey, was it you that sent him a picture of Willow?"
VEGA nodded, "It was part of the protocol hard coded Into my systems."
"Then why didn't it go off when she first arrived?" Ace asked, curiously.
VEGA shrugged, "I dont know."
Ace sighed, "Seems legit. Well let's get out of here and go criticize some porn." He stood up from the couch.
Vega nodded as he and Ace left to go have some quality friendship as the Director questioned why his program to alert him about Willow didn't go off for later. For now he turned and smiled as he looked at his wife and mother of his child. "Well. You wouldn't be opposed to me joining you now would you?"
Willow giggled as she walked up to her husband and said, "I would have called you rude if you didn't."
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I missed you so much..." He rested his head against her forehead and closed his eyes.
Willow just wrapped her arms around the back of his neck as she said, "And I as well, my beloved King of Atlas."
"You will love the station. I have such sights to show you." He said as he gently squeezed her body against his.
Sypha soon cleared her throat as she asked, "Uh sir… Director… uh Dracula?" Unsure what title to use.
Sypha asked something that had been bugging her, "Well when we arrived and learned of the facility. One section some of us were told we could go to was called the 'Hive' but parts of it were closed off due to very high levels of clearance."
He frowned before he stood up and kept his hand wrapped around Willow's waist. "I see. Then perhaps allow me to show you the safer sections of the Hive. Invite anyone who may be interested in a tour." He said before the three of them walked away.
A loud mechanical hum was heard and the lights were turned back. "Hello once more. Full power has been restored to the entire facility." VEGA's voice said from nowhere.
Sypha's eyes widened, "VEGA! You're back!"
"Hello Ms. Belnades. I am indeed back." He replied.
The Director nodded as he arrived at a massive blast door which had two huge black combat droids present armed with heavy auto cannons, both are seen to be encased in advanced power armor.
Once the Director was close the heavy boots marched forward as it spoke through the suits speakers which sounded deep. "Halt! Identify yourself and clearance codes."
"Director Dracula Tepes. Clearance Code 1897." He said to the droids.
Both stood down as they returned to the guard post while Morana whistled in an impressed manner, "What is in here that you need such heavily armored and armed guards?"
The Director chuckled as he said, "I'm sorry but that is classified."
Morana released a sigh of annoyance. Lisa gently pat her shoulder.
"What exactly can we see?" The original Dracula asked his counterpart.
"The safe sections include samples of several diseases, viruses, and colds. There are also several clones of extinct animals that are safe to interact with." Director Dracula explained as the door opened to reveal a pure white room with chrome tables and glass cages.
Inside the cages were animals. Specifically extinct animals. Like the Saber Tooth Tiger, the Tasmanian Tiger, and several birds.
However, in one of the glass cages, it was a black slime that slithered around.
On the table, there were vials that were secured tightly. There was a large magnifying glass pressed against the vials, revealing the small virus particles in the vial.
Everyone who joined was amazed as the sight of droids were seen walking around in full CBRN MOPP gear as they moved viruses around to be secured. Of course, the animals were what amazed them as Lisa cooed a bit at the cubs, "Oh my goodness, they are so adorable."
"Every creature you see is or was from an extinct species. The Saber Tooth Tiger you see here came to be after the Age of the Dinosaurs. Very ferocious." Director Dracula explained.
"What is this creature?" Vlad asked, crouching in front of the glass with the black slime.
"That is known as a Klyntar. An extraterrestrial species that can bond with a living host. It can be very dangerous if it bonds to you as it will take on some of your mannerisms to survive. It can sometimes be considered your worst half if you're not symbiotic with it. I suggest you leave it alone for now." Director Dracula explained.
Sypha, Dracula, and Morana said in unison, "Fascinating."
"Now, don't touch anything unless you wear gloves, and have a mask on." Director Dracula told them.
They nodded and dawned masks and gloves as they went to different stations learning about the different diseases and how to cure them.
The Director was talking to the 'Queen' about the status of the 'lower levels' as she reported, "As of this moment, there are no containment breaches. All measures are still up to date and ready incase of a breach as you ordered, Director."
"Thank you, Queen." Director Dracula said.
The red colored AI nodded as she disappeared while Lisa exclaimed with joy, "Amazing! With this knowledge we can save so many lives!" She said while looking at a strain of the smallpox and its cure.
"Indeed, our only drawback is our technology. It is simply not advanced enough to handle these types of things." Dracula said beside her.
Lisa nodded, "It's true, however we can still try. After all, I am a doctor whose goal is to help people."
"Indeed, with your devilish patron to grant you the accessories needed to achieve your goal." He responded with a humorous grin.
Lisa just giggled as she smacked his arm while Sypha and Morana were kids in a candy shop as they kept going from one station to another, only to stop at a massive blast door which had huge biohazard signs all over it.
"What do you think is behind it?" Sypha asked towards Morana.
"Something clearly dangerous that we are not allowed to see." Morana answered.
Sypha asked, "Should we try and open it?"
"Are you mad? And get on our host's bad side? Absolutely not. Curiosity will get us killed in this regard." Morana said before grabbing her arm and pulling her away.
Only for the two to bump into the Director who looked at them as he asked, "What are you two doing?"
"Oh n-nothing! We were walking away from this door!" Morana and Sypha stood up straight while looking at him.
The director nodded slowly as he walked back to a tablet he was working on.
The two released a deep breath. "If you get in trouble, I'm not backing you up." Morana said to her before walking away.
Sypha sighed as she followed Morana to try and not get into trouble.
The original Dracula was looking at a glass case that contained a batch of mushrooms. There was a plaque under the case that read, Cordyceps.
"This mushroom is a frightening little bastard." Director Dracula said, walking to the table.
"How so?" OG Dracula asked.
His counterpart answered, "Imagine a mushroom that releases spores that will enter any orifice inside of you and travel through your circulatory system to your brain. It will begin to take over your body, controlling your mind and slowly eat you within, but it does not let you die. It will stop decomposition and replace your flesh with its own. It will control your actions with one goal set."
"Expansion."
"Exactly. These Cordyceps spores are dangerous to the point it nearly destroyed the entire world, and it will mutate to survive." Director Dracula finished.
"Then why is this here and not in the lower levels?" Vlad asked.
"Because the Cordyceps can only infect bugs. It cannot survive internal temperatures above 94 degrees. However... That can change." Director Dracula said which made his counterpart's body fill with dread.
"If the world grew warmer, it would mutate to survive higher temperatures and be capable of infecting humans." Dracula said in a whisper.
"Exactly, and... Unfortunately there is no way to cure this type of infection. Not even when a little girl became immune to it." Director Dracula explained. "Short and simply... If you wish to prevent this from happening to your world, stop the Earth from heating up. Find better energy sources in an effort to stop pollution from destroying the Earth."
The original Dracula asked, almost dreading the answer he would get, "Did you order this version of our Earth's destruction?"
This caused the director to look down with a down-casted look coming over his face at something that could be considered his first failure.
It was a nonverbal answer which made the original Dracula frown and look away. "The hardest choices require the strongest wills..." Director Dracula said solemnly.
The original asked, "It was a threat to the multiverse, wasn't it?" The Director nodded as he sighed.
The original placed his hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You did... The right thing. Even if it meant the end of anyone who possibly survived."
The Director nodded, "I know, but sometimes I look back and ask myself if I truly made the right call. To doom a planet to nuclear fire from orbit via our ships." He chuckled a bit as he said in an almost tired voice, "In that moment I felt like Robert J. Oppenheimer. The man who created the first atomic bomb. For I had become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
The original didn't have anything to say as he removed the hand from his shoulder.
The Director breathed as he put on a smile, "Well I think we should move onto the more exciting part of the Hive and one I think you'll enjoy very much."
The original tilted his head slightly in confusion.
He smiled as he brought them to a section of the Hive that had all the women in awe as each raced from one station to another.
"LOOK! LOOK! Advanced formulas for limb growth!" Exclaimed lisa.
"Magical positions that can give one the effect of a good night's sleep!" Came Morana.
Of course this paled in comparison to Sypha who almost yelled to the heavens, "METAL LIMBS! THIS IS AMAZING!"
The original Dracula looked at the metal limbs and the potions. "Fascinating..." He whispered.
The director smiled as he informed the group of this section, "Welcome to the Advanced Medicine and Augmented Limb Division."
"This is incredible! Limbs can be replaced! They look amazing!" Sypha exclaimed as she looked at the limbs that moved and did actions such as waving and shaking hands.
"How do we accomplish this?" Lisa asked loudly, her voice filled with curiosity and excitement.
"It's a complex solution requiring mending the nervous system, skeletal structure and muscular systems to the metal and creating artificial nerves in an effort for it to move. This would require you to research more, but I'm sure you will be able to accomplish it." Director Dracula replied with a gentle smile.
The original Dracula hummed as he studied the cybernetic arms.
Sypha and Morana were now at one arm which was an artificial limb but was enhanced by magical runes and alchemy, "This one uses a combination of Alchemic and Magical runic arts to make it work." Director Dracula said to which both Sypha and Morana looked at each other with huge grins as they said together, "Fascinating."
"This might be the way we can create them in our world." Dracula said as he rubbed his chin.
The Director smiled as he watched Lisa talking with Morana and the other Dracula about the advances for medicine and magic, while Willow walked up next to her husband as she asked, "Love, there is something that's been bothering me for a bit and I am hoping you could help answer it for me."
He looked at his beloved and asked, "What is it?"
Willow cupped her chin as she said, "I've been traveling the Multiverse for a good long while, and each place I have seen, your organization's sensors and trackers, even agents yet you should have known I was here. So the real question is. Who stop that information from getting out?" She asked, looking at her husband who on the outside was calm and collected while on the inside his mind was running a mile a second as he went through the list of his many, many, MANY enemies he has made who fought with since he founded D.A.C.A.
"I don't know... There must be a reason." He replied before holding her hand and gently walked away from the others. They walked outside of the Hive.
"I refuse to believe I have a traitor in my Station. Every single person under my employment is someone I've met and personally helped. It must be a new threat that has some substantial backing to them. I'll need to have my IT team do a complete overhaul of our systems." He said, pacing back and forth in front of Willow.
Willow soon asked, "What of your prison? I remember looking through the archives here that you have a prison made for those who you believe could be rehabilitated or in some rare cases, held until a solution could be found. Do you believe that maybe your answer lies there?" That caused the Director to stop as he slowly looked towards his wife with a smile.
"That may just be it, but I will deal with that later. Right now, all I care about is you." He said, caressing her cheeks.
Willow smiled as she held his hand against her face, "Well if you say so, but I still worry that something might go wrong."
Her husband just gently lays a kiss on her forehead as he said, "I can assure you that nothing shall ever split us apart again… well aside from work, of course." he let out a good hearted chuckle.
She giggled slightly. "We should probably go back before they destroy something."
The director laughed a little as he wrapped his arm around his wife and walked with her to the lab, unaware of what was truly going on behind the scenes.
VEGA's familiar chirp rang out across the station, "Attention, the next viewing will begin in 10 minutes. Please make your way to the theater. I repeat, the next viewing will begin in 10 minutes. Please make your way to the theater."
As everyone prepared to go and see what the multiverse had to throw at them next, another party was moving in the shadows and began to make their moves.
D.A.C.A. Super Maximum Security Prison
Solitary Confinement Wing
Walking past the many cells which housed many of the worst of the worst the Multiverse had to offer, a Special Agent of the Containment and Investigation Division of D.A.C.A was following a female Variant of Dracula who acted as Warden for the supermax prison.
"Don't go within five feet of the confinement wall, don't attempt to touch the wall to the cell, do not agree to anything she says, and most of all, DO NOT give anything that can be used as a weapon or a tool to help her escape."
The Warden listed off to the agent who was a variant of Hector who asked, "I understand that this prisoner is a special case. However, is all of this truly needed for a variant of Lenore?" He asked which caused the Warden to stop in her tracks.
"Everyone is capable of evil, and this Lenore... Is a monster. A pure psychopath. It's so rare to capture one alive." She replied while looking at him.
Hector couldn't help but laugh a little nervously as he asked, "Surely you're joking? Dangerous yes but evil? Lenore?"
She sighed, "She has killed so many variants of you and herself that she makes Hitler's Holocaust look like a playground. Do not underestimate her, and keep your face completely neutral. If she sees an ounce of a facial expression, she will have you completely figured out. I'm risking a lot, letting you near her. Don't make me regret this."
Hector nodded as he tried to keep a neutral face before being brought to a blast door which has two Strigas armed to the teeth which seemed a bit overkill but Hector kept such thoughts to himself as he mentally prepared for his encounter to try and get answers from this Lenore about recent developments.
Inside the hall, there were three glass cells. With runes scratched into the glass. The first glass cell held a giant bat-like creature with a 12 foot wing span and pale wrinkly leather skin. The creature screeched as it bashed against the glass but was burned which made it screech in pain before backing away.
Hector didn't show any reaction before continuing to follow the Warden as one hand tried to touch Hector only for the Warden to pull out a tazer and started zapping the air as she shouted, "BACK! BACK YOU SOUL SUCKING SUCCUBI SLUT!" Hector caught the sight of what he swore was a version of Greta, or at least a very sexualized demon Greta who was very nude and licked her lips at Hector.
The Warden explained "Caught her trying to suck the souls of every Alucard across the Multiverse for some kind of ritual, thankfully she's as dumb as she is attractive." She said towards the agent as they arrived at their destination with the Warden nodding to the gate guard who opened the massive gate, getting to the next section the warden said in a microphone. "Warden Tepes." Only for gun turrets to come out of the walls, floor, and cieling and aim at Hector.
"Warden Tepes, Authorization code: 02-14-1991." She barked out to the turrets. "And guest." She added the last part. Which deactivated the turrets.
Soon the doors opened up to reveal a long hallway. "You have exactly fifteen minutes. Not a minute more or less, Agent." The Warden said before stayed where she was.
Hector swallowed the lump in his throat before taking a deep breath and started walking through. The inner walls of the cell were made of Onyx with several protection wards and holy runes carved into the walls. Standing in the middle was a woman with Auburn hair and several grey streaks. Her eyes held a sense of feux innocence, but if one were to look deeper, they'd simply find gore and blood. She had a gentle smile as she said, "Hello Hector."
Hector cleared his throat before greeting her, "Hello to you, Doctor Lenore." He continued "I'm an agent with the D.A.C.A. Containment and Investigation Department and I'm here to ask for your insight into a situation we are currently facing."
"An insight? Oh how exciting and very desperate your organization must be to come to me." She did a little clap and giggle of excitement before she intertwined her hands together. "What exactly is this situation, Agent?"
Hector, trying to keep his face void of emotion, pulled out a file and went to read it, "Recently, there was a glitch in the system which kept a person of interest to the Director from being reported. However, when the techies went to look for the glitch they couldn't seem to find it." He said, trying to hold up the report for her to read.
She took a step towards the glass and narrowed her eyes. "And what makes you think I have any understanding of how this happened?" She asked out of curiosity.
Hector said, trying not to look her in the eyes, "Because I believe you have an insight that others don't see. You can see things others dont. Before you were incarcerated here, you were a multiple holder of more than just PHDs and MDs." Hector said, trying to feed into her ego as his training said he should but he really meant what he said.
Lenore's smile grew, "How cute of you to feed my ego. Very well, I'll take a look..." That's when she leaned forward to read the report. "Hmm, it would seem whoever hacked you, they are smart if they managed to cover their tracks. They're a talented mind with a plot in mind. A plot to undo all the progress your precious Director has built in an effort to protect the Web. Unfortunately, I never came across anything during my... Expeditions."
She licked her lips as she looked into his eyes while he tried looking everywhere but her eyes. "But then again... I'm sure I will remember a clue or two once I recall the universes I went through. I hope you're on speed dial, Agent Hector... Because I intend to see you a lot more~" She finished as she stepped back.
Hector kept his emotions in check as he nodded his head, "Thank you Doctor Lenore. If there is anything you wish for, I can see about getting it for you." Hector added, "Within reason of course, Doctor."
"Hmm, I could do with a little vinyl player. I'm sure the Beast down on Cell 27 could do with a music to calm down." Lenore said, "The silence can be quite... Maddening." That's when she giggled again. It wasn't a humorous giggle either. It was one filled with malice and edge.
The giggles stopped once Greta could be heard moaning. That's when Lenore snarled as she looked towards her cell. "And that sex fiend Greta... So pent up and all of her moans are quite the earache. If only she screamed in pain. That is music to my ears."
Hector nodded as he asked, "Any choice in composer, Doctor?"
"Oh there are many excellent choices. Beethoven. Bach, Williams, Zimmer, Chopin. Tchaikvosky, and Mozart. Though I have to ask, what composer do you enjoy, Hector?"
Hector cleared his throat a bit. "I uh, I don't think my imput would really matter all that much, Doctor."
"Oh it absolutely matter, Hector. I'm rather indecisive when it comes to these types of decisions. That's the thing about choice, Hector. They say you have a choice in what you want, but all of the choices available will ultimately make you choose nothing. It's why many people refer to others for choice. That's how tyrannies are created. The illusion of choice is lifted and the power of choice is given to the one who lifted the illusion in the first place. Now... I'll ask you again Hector. I want you to choose the composer for me." Lenore responded as she lowered her head down, but her eyes looked into his as the shadow around her eyes seem to have darken. Making her eyes get brighter and intense.
Hector was silent, however from Lenore's perspective he didn't seem to break emotionally, no instead his left hand had a slight twitch to it as he swallows slightly and said, "I believe I'll make it a surprise, Doctor."
His answer surprised her as her eyes widened slightly before her expression went back to neutral with her smile a little wider as her eyes softened slightly. "I look forward to your surprise, Agent. Good luck."
He nodded as he walked back towards the hallway leaving the doctor alone, without knowing that he became her new source of obsession.
"I look very much forward to you..." She laughed gently with malice and insanity.
