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Arthur sat on his throne watching Orms generals be taken away by guards; it had been a busy few days. He and the Justice League had been successful in stopping Orms plot and dealing with the aftermath of it.

The UN wanted Aquaman to hand over Orm to face Justice on land for attempting to flood the world; Arthur was more than happy to agree and banished his brother to the surface. Orm had been tired quickly and was sentenced to imprisonment for life in an environmentally controlled cell that would keep the Atlantion dried out and weak.

After the trial Arthur had assisted the Superman, Green Lantern and Batman in disassembling the weapons in the North and South poles and even returned all the stolen Plutonium to the Superman so he could give it back to the government that Orm took it from along with a formal apology.

Though Arthur was reluctant to give one and the apology had been Batman's idea.

Once that was done all that was left was too find and round up Orms military supporters which didn't take long. Orms generals threw themselves at the king's feet in hopes for mercy. Aquaman had them stripped of their ranks and would decide appropriate punishment later.

He did not punish the lower ranks of his army and personal guard as he knew they were just following the general's orders and had no choice. Once the traitorous generals had left the throne room Arthur sighed in exhaustion.

"Finally, I'm glad that's over with," Arthur said relived.

"What will you do with them?" Green Lantern asked.

"I don't know….make them clean up after whales or have them guard the reefs…I'll think of something," Arthur said non-caringly.

"You know the UN wanted them too," Batman said.

"I know, but they got Orm. I am King and I should be entitled to punish my own people," Arthur claimed.

Batman nodded, Arthur was right. The UN had Orm, the world leaders should be satisfied with that.

"Well if you don't need us anymore we'll take off," Superman said.

Arthur was about to respond but Mera walked in holding their child. Arthur saw the boy and then he remembered he had one more thing to deal with.

The man who had let helped them.

"My love, are you done for the day?" Mera asked.

"Almost, I have one more thing to do…would you do me a favour though," Arthur asked.

"Of course my love,"

"Would you mind telling the chefs that we will be having guests for dinner," Arthur asked.

"Of course…how many?" Mera asked.

"Seven,"

"Who're your guests?" Batman asked.

"The Justice League of course, you helped save my kingdom and show me that I feared the wrong enemy. I must reward you in some way," Arthur claimed.

"We don't do what we do for a reward," Superman tried.

"Then consider it a diplomatic dinner, a chance for us to discuss how I can change Atlantis ways so that we can be more open to our surface neighbours and an incident like this doesn't happen again," Arthur said.

"I have better things to do," Batman claimed.

"Don't be like that Batman. After all it would be rude to refuse an invitation form a King," Green Lantern said.

Batman sighed; he knew Green Lantern was right.

"Fine," he huffed.

"I guess were staying for dinner then," Superman said.

"I'll contact the others," Batman said and walked out.

"Tell Flash to be on his best behaviour and he has to eat properly," Green Lantern called out after him.

Batman stopped and looked at him doubtfully.

"Tall order I know," Green Lantern said; he went after Batman in hopes of talking to talk some sense into Flash. Mera left to go tell the chefs about the dinner.

Once they were gone Arthur turned to Superman.

"I have one more favour I'd like to ask you," Arthur said.

"Of course, what do you need?" Superman asked.

"There is something I haven't told Mera…When Orm tried to kill me and my son someone helped us," Arthur said.

"What…Who?" Superman asked in surprise.

"I'm not sure, after my son and I fell we found ourselves in the care of a man named Alucard. He was the one who treated my hand before I came back to Atlantis," Arthur claimed.

"A man…was he Atlatien?" Superman asked.

Arthur shook his head.

"No he wasn't, what's even more strange is that he was living in the Lava Pools," Arthur claimed.

"The Lava Pools…what's that?" Superman asked.

"It's an underwater volcano a few miles outside the city," Arthur claimed "It's near the Trench,"

"Okay but why is the volcano called Lava Pools?" Superman asked.

"Because the lava is erratic and it's not all in one place like a normal volcano there are veins that come out of the walls in the Cliffside. Despite this the lava just sits there…there is no flow whatsoever even the veins don't have a flow," Arthur explained "Atlanteans don't go there because of how dangerous that area is,"

"It's why Orm chose that particular spot to kill us. My son and I fell in…despite the fact I cut off my hand to save him we still fell but we didn't die. There was a hidden Castle at the bottom of the volcano and the man who owns it…Alucard, he helped us,"

"I'm sorry…back up…there is a hidden castle at the bottom of the ocean in the centre of an underwater volcano surrounded by erratic lava?" Superman asked sceptically.

"Well it sounds crazy when you say it like that…but yes there is," Arthur claimed.

"Okay…So what do you want me to do exactly?" Superman asked, he did not believe the kings claims.

"I told Alucard that he was trespassing and he said that he could not leave, I agreed to hear his reasons why but he wanted some information in return," Arthur said "Information I cannot give,"

"So you want me to give him information…what does he want?" Superman asked carefully. He would not give anything away that could be harmful or be used against the people of the world.

"Nothing much, he wants the year and some general information about what's happing on the surface world," Arthur answered.

Superman blinked and stared at the king for a moment.

"That's it…that's all he wants?" Superman asked.

"That's all he asked for, I can give him the date no problem but I am not up to date on current events on the surface," Arthur claimed.

"Seems simple enough its part of my job to be up to date with current events," Superman said, he was glad it wasn't any sensitive information.

"I told him I would return to his castle once Orm was dealt with. I hate to ask but would you accompany me?"

"Of course, when are you meeting him?" Superman asked.

"I was planning to leave now," Arthur said.

"Alright, let me just tell my team and we'll go," Superman said.

Arthur nodded. They left the throne room and Superman informed Batman on what was going on and where he was going; Batman was not too happy but he couldn't stop Superman from going.

Arthur and Superman left the city with Superman using a breathing apparatus to give him air underwater. Since his body could easily handle the immense pressure of the bottom of the ocean.

"Batman didn't seem happy that you're coming with me," Arthur commented as he swam through the ocean.

"He's Batman, he's never happy," Superman joked as he glided next to the Atlantean King.

Arthur led Superman to the Lava Pools and they stopped above the opening of the Volcano and hot steam was coming out the top.

"This is the place, before we go down you'll need this," Arthur said and held out the silver pendent.

Superman took it and looked at it confused; it was the same one had seen Arthur put on before they left.

"A pendent?" he asked.

"According to Alucard the castle is cursed and these necklaces protect you from it," Arthur said.

"I don't believe in curses," Superman claimed.

"Me either, but that castle…there is something about it that gives me the creeps," Arthur said "Just put it on, better safe than sorry,"

Superman put the pendent around his neck, he honestly didn't believe that he could be cursed but he would humour the king for now. They both descended into the volcano and where they were quickly engulfed by the dense steam.

Superman tried to use his X-Ray vison to locate the Castle but found that he could not penetrate the mist. He could only barely make out some orange glow as they went further into the fog, Aquaman informed him that it was from the Lava and this was why the volcano was so dangerous.

Superman had to agree, it was almost impossible for even him to see anything past a few feet in front of him and with the sporadically placed pools he could definitely that making a wrong move would be fatal.

"So…where's this castle?" Superman asked as they descended through the dense fog.

"It should be here som….WHOA!" Arthur yelled and he felt the water disappear and he fell towards the ground.

Superman dove down and caught the Atlantean king in mid-air, it was only after he had did Superman notice that they were through the dome bubble and in front of them was the dark and eerie Castlevaina.

"Whoa…that is creepy," Superman said as he landed and put Arthur on the ground. He could not deny the feeling of dread and that being near the castle brought.

"I told you; just looking at it gives me the creeps. You can take your mask off, there's air down here," Arthur claimed.

Superman looked at Arthur in surprise but did what he was told and he was surprised to discover that there was a breathable atmosphere. Superman looked up and saw the mist through the dome.

"So I guess the dome is to keep the ocean out but why is the mist here?" Superman asked.

"I think it's just hot steam from the Lava," Arthur answered.

Superman nodded as it seemed a reasonable assumption; he then looked back at the creepy castle and took in its details.

"Despite its creepy and haunting appearance…it really is quite impressive," Superman said.

"Come on," Arthur said "Let's get this over with,"

Superman and Arthur walked towards the entrance and when they were in front of the huge entrance the doors opened on their own and standing in the entrance was Alucard.

He gave a small bow to Arthur.

"Greeting your majesty, I have been expecting you," Alucard said, he looked up and his eyes trailed over to Superman "and I see you brought a friend,"

Superman gave a friendly wave, Alucard however stared at him moment, he could tell that he was not human.

"Hello you must be Alucard, I'm Superman," Superman introduced. He held out his hand for Alucard to shake but the vampire made no move to take it, he just stared at Superman with a calculating gaze.

'He looks human, talks like a human but he's not human…and he's not a creature of the night either….what is he?' Alucard wondered.

"Okay…" Superman said feeling a little uncomfortable and withdrew his hand.

"He's more of a recent acquaintance than a friend," Arthur claimed "I brought him because he is more knowledgeable than me when it comes to information regarding events on the surface,"

"I see, than you have come to hear my reasons for being here," Alucard said.

"Yes, now that my brother has been dealt with I have returned to hear your plea as promised," Arthur said.

"Of course, my Castle is ready to move as well," Alucard said "but let us not speak of such matters out here, come I have prepared some wine in the parlour,"

Alucard turned and Arthur and Superman entered the castle; they followed Alucard as he led them through the Castle. As they walked Superman looked around impressed by the décor but also weary. He could not help but feel that there was something creepy behind him or lurking in the shadows but every time he looked there was nothing there.

'Maybe Batman's paranoia is rubbing off on me,' Superman thought.

As they walked Superman listened and looked for anyone else but he found no one, this surprised him as he would have assumed a castle this size would have had staff to maintain it.

"So…is it just you in this castle?" Superman asked trying to be friendly.

"Yes, my father and I lived here with his servants before he died. Now it is only me," Alucard answered without looking back.

"What happened to the servants?" Superman asked.

"Let's just say they had to be let go," Alucard claimed.

Superman wasn't satisfied with the answer but he got the feeling that he should not press the matter. They eventually came to the parlour and the doors opened by themselves as Alucard approached something Superman found very unnerving.

Inside was a large sitting room with a lit fire place, some cushion chairs set up next to a table with three glasses and a jug of red wine. The walls were lined with bookshelves and a few old paintings; if it wasn't for the fact that he could smell the Alcohol Superman would have thought it was blood. The room was rather nice but reminded Superman of a room out of an old vampire film…in fact this whole castle felt like it was an old vampire film.

Once everyone was seated and Alucard poured the wine, Alucard started.

"I have to admit I was expecting you sooner," Alucard said to Arthur.

"Yes well there was a lot to do in the aftermath of my brother's betrayal," Arthur claimed and took a sip of his wine.

"I understand, cleaning up after family members can be…messy. I suppose you want to get down to business," Alucard said.

"Yes, when I was last here you said you could not leave but you also said your castle could go anywhere in the world," Arthur said.

"I did, and it can," Alucard confirmed.

"Could you explain that to me? If you can go anywhere in the world then why did you come here in the first place?" Arthur asked "and why do you not want to leave?"

"I did promise you an explanation," Alucard supposed "but first I need to know the current year,"

"It's 2001," Superman said "I can provide the exact date if you like,"

"2001….so long…" Alucard said thoughtfully.

"What's so long?" Arthur asked.

"My apologies, I did not realise I had been asleep for that long," Alucard said.

"How long have you slept for?" Superman asked.

"525yrs I went to sleep in 1476," Alucard claimed.

Superman and Arthur stared at him in shock.

"How did you survive that long?" Superman asked.

"Have either of you herd of Vampires?" Alucard asked.

"No," Arthur answered.

"Of course," Superman responded.

Arthur looked at him for an explanation.

"Vampires are creatures of the night…there fictitious monsters that feed on human blood and can't go out during the day. The most famous Vampire is Count Dracula, a character crated by Bryan Stoker," Superman supplied.

"Really…that sounds rather farfetched," Arthur claimed.

"So you are familiar with Vampires then," Alucard stated.

"Yeah classic horror movies were a guilty pleasure when I was in high school," Superman said "I used to have my best friend round every Saturday night and we'd watch old horror films all night,"

"Good than that will save some time then," Alucard said.

"So how are you alive after 500yrs?" Arthur asked.

"And what does it have to do with Vampires?" Superman asked and took a sip of his wine.

"The answer to both your questions is the same. I have survived for over 500yrs because I am a Vampire,"

Superman spat out his wine and stared at Alucard in shock.

"My name is Alucard," Alucard introduced, he smiled showing his fangs "and you are in my castle,"

"Y…you're a vampire…" Superman gasped.

"Indeed I am," Alucard said with a calm smile.

"A…Are you going to feed on us?" Superman asked.

"No I don't drink human blood," Alucard claimed.

"I…I'm not human…does that mean you're going to feed on me?" Superman asked fearfully.

Alucard chuckled.

"I noticed but the answer is still no, I will not feed on you either. Even though I can tell that you are not human. Besides it would be rude to feed on my guests," Alucard responded.

"What? But all vampires drink human blood," Superman said.

"I do not need it to survive," Alucard claimed.

"You don't? Was the movies wrong then?" Superman asked.

"No vampires do drink blood but I am not like others of my kind…therefore I do not need to human blood to survive," Alucard said "Though I am curious as to what you are. You're not human,"

"I'm Kryptonian," Superman claimed.

"I have never heard of that race," Alucard stated.

"I'm not surprised, I'm from a planet called Krypton; it's a planet that no longer exists. My birth parents put me in a rocket to escape the destruction and I came to earth and was raised here," Superman explained.

"Are there more of you?" Alucard asked.

Superman shook his head.

"Just my younger cousin…we are all that is left," Superman said sadly.

"I see…you have my sympathies," Alucard said sincerely.

"As interesting as this is, what exactly does this have to do with you moving?" Arthur interrupted.

"First let me ask you…do you know how vampires are created?" Alucard asked.

"Yep, the victim is bitten by another vampire on the neck and they get infected with the Vampires curse, then they slowly turn into one over the next couple of nights," Superman answered "At least that's how it's done according to the movies,"

"That is not entirely incorrect; however the time it takes to turn a human varies depending on who the intended victim is. As for the infection…a vampire has to feed someone there blood," Alucard explained "The blood is toxic slowly kills them and once the victim is dead they then rise as a vampire…I have heard it is a very painful process,"

"Heard…didn't you experience it when you were turned?" Superman asked in confusion.

"I was not fed a vampires blood and I did not turn into one as a result…I was born this way," Alucard started.

"Born? Don't you mean reborn?" Superman asked.

"No I was born, my mother was a human and my father was a vampire. They met and fell in love and eventually married, I was the result of that unholy union,"

"Wait….but that means…your half human," Superman gasped.

"I am indeed," Alucard said.

"How is that possible?" Arthur asked.

"Well when a human and a vampire love each other very much…" Alucard started.

"Stop….I don't think I want to know," Arthur interrupted "can we please get back to why you can't leave,"

"Very well….you see years after my birth my mother was burned at the stake for witchcraft," Alucard explained "My father did not take the news well and in retaliation he unleashed the armies of hell upon mankind,"

"Wait…your father tried to wipe out all humanity?" Superman asked in shock.

"Indeed he did, I tried to stop him but…I was not strong enough on my own he nearly killed me too," Alucard claimed.

"But you must have…I mean the world and humanity are still here," Superman said.

"I did in the end…but I had help," Alucard claimed

"Help?" Arthur asked.

"Yes from a vampire hunter,"

Superman and Arthur looked at the vampire sceptically.

"Yes I am well aware of the irony of the situation," Alucard claimed "But that is what happened, I met with him and his complain and together we maned to kill my father,"

"In doing so we prevented mankind's extinction and the armies of hell returned to the pit and I inherited this castle and its dark powers," Alucard explained.

"Once my father was dead I moved my castle to the bottom of the ocean so it's evil would no longer plague mankind," Alucard finished "I created the cliffs surrounding and intensified the fog within, giving the illusion that this was nothing more than an underwater volcano,"

"Why the ocean though?" Arthur asked.

"The amount of misery and destruction that Castlevaina has brought to the world was too much, it became cursed and it's evil can affect hearts of man making them evil beyond redemption…it is a plague on that humans are susceptible too,"

"So this castle really is cursed then," Superman said in awe.

"Yes. The high dentistry of salt in the ocean nullifies the evil miasma that the castle gives off and the lava pools are a side effect of the evil effecting the environment," Alucard explained "By the time the miasma reaches the top of the cliff it is nothing but harmless steam,"

"But if your dad is dead then what are you doing here?" Superman asked "and why aren't you affected by this evil miasma?"

"My vampire side makes me immune and it pains me to admit that I am part of the evil my father unleashed. As his sole heir I must take responsibility for his actions…so I locked myself away in an eternal slumber…until Arthur King of Atlantis woke me,"

"I see you came to my ocean to protect the world," Arthur said.

"Castlevaina must be kept away from humans at all cost…its evil is not a sin humanity can bear," Alucard said regretfully.

"I honestly did not know the ocean was owned nor inhabited by humans when I came here and I have no desire to fight you. I beg you to allow me to stay here, if not at this location than somewhere where either myself or my castle cannot harm anyone," Alucard pleaded.

Superman and Arthur glanced at each other, it appeared that Alucards reasons for being at the bottom of the ocean were more complicated than either of them could have expected.

"May we have a moment to discuss this?" Superman asked.

"Of course," Alucard said, he got up and left the room. Once he was gone Arthur turned to Superman and glared at him.

"What are you doing?" Arthur hissed.

"What?" Superman asked.

"Why do you want to discuss this, he has to go," Arthur declared.

"But if what he's saying is true, than denying him permission to stay here will endanger mankind," Superman said.

"He could be lying, trying to convince me to let him stay," Arthur snorted.

"And if he's not, what if this castle really is cursed? What if he really did move it to the ocean so it would not affect mankind?" Superman asked.

"I won't have him in my ocean, he's a vampire," Arthur said.

"Ten minutes ago you didn't know what a vampire was," Superman pointed out.

Arthur glared at Superman.

"Look, everyone on the surface and Atlantis thinks this area is an underwater volcano right?" Superman asked.

Arthur grunted in response, he could not deny that.

"So wouldn't it seem suspicious if the volcano suddenly disappeared? It would bring scientist down here to investigate. If what Alucard says is true than he has been down here for over 500yrs," Superman reasoned.

"He might try and feed on my people," Arthur claimed.

"He hasn't yet, I willing to bet that if you and your son had not fallen onto his doorstep you would never have known he was here and he would still be sleeping in his coffin," Superman said.

Arthur stared at Superman in confusion.

"He sleeps in a coffin?" Arthur asked confused.

"It's a vampire thing. The point is you woke him up; he helped you and your son. The least you can do is give him a chance," Superman said.

"But…what if he does attack us?" Arthur asked.

"What if he doesn't? You said you wanted to change Atlantis's policies. Maybe this is the first step, if you're really worried then set guidelines or rules for his stay," Superman advised.

Arthur sighed; he was letting his fear cloud his judgment again. It was what had led to Orms uprising and he would not make the same mistake again.

"Fine, he can stay…for now," Arthur said "But one slip up, one act of aggression and he leaves,"

"The League can help you keep an eye on him," Superman assured.

"How?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know…well work something out," Superman assured.

Arthur sighed, he knew Superman was right and he supposed he could give Alucard a chance. They called him back into the room and Alucard retook his seat.

"So have you made your decision?" Alucard asked calmly.

"You saved my son and I, so I will allow you and your castle to remain here. However if you harm any of my people or I find your presence is having any negative effects on my ocean you will leave," Arthur warned firmly.

"I assure you I have no plans on harming anyone, I only wish to be left alone," Alucard said.

"Yeah…I don't think we can do that," Superman said.

"Why not?" Alucard asked.

"Well, Vampires have always been considered…" Superman trailed off trying to find the right word.

"Monsters," Alucard finished for him.

"That's…one way of putting it," Superman responded.

"It is the only way of putting it," Alucard claimed.

"Right…so because of your less than…noble reputation you understand that we are hesitant to take your word on the matter," Superman said diplomatically.

"I can see how you would be a little on edge at my presence," Alucard agreed "What do you suggest?"

"Well…for now nothing, Arthur and the League will come up with a way that will be fair for everyone involved,"

"League?" Alucard asked.

"The Justice League, we're a group of super powered beings who defend the earth from threats," Superman explained.

"I see and you consider me a threat," Alucard said.

"Yes we take all threats seriously, we will discuss your situation and come up with some options on how to…deal with it. We will also take what you've told us into consideration as well," Superman explained.

"If I agree to do what you deem appropriate… can I stay?" Alucard asked.

"For now, however if you try anything or go against the League…I will force you out of my ocean," Arthur warned.

"I suppose I have no choice then, I will await your decision and abide by any and all conditions that you set," Alucard said.

"Thank you and you don't have to worry. Whatever we decide it will be fair and will not be enforced unless all parties agree," Superman assured.

"Well now that we have that sorted, I think it's time to go. I have a royal dinner to prepare for," Arthur said, he finished his wine and stood up.

"Very well, I will see you out," Alucard said putting his glass aside.

Alucard stood up and led Superman and Arthur out of his castle, he watched as Superman flew himself and Arthur up through the barrio and into the mist; once the two superheroes had left Alucard spun around and walked back into the castle.