A.n I own Nothing.
This is very late, however, after the backlash of the last chapter(the one with Wolf Alucard) and having to re-write it, I seriously considered abandoning the story. It was really disheartening to see that the people who read this fic do not actually read and process what I write. It may sound petty but as an author, to know that people do not truly process or pay attention to the story and its content was a very painful blow.
There were a few who commented and understood that Alucard was the wolf(before the re-write) and I appreciate those who did. However, the majority of readers did not. I got lots of complaints and negativity because a lot of my readers thought that Alucard was not in the chapter. I felt like I had wasted hundreds of hours of creativity and I was wasting my time on this fic.
Being a good writer is not just about creating an engaging story. Part of it is also setting things up, leaving little clues, hints throughout the story, and then going back to those hints (in this case powers) and using them in unexpected and creative ways to tie things together.
It saddens me greatly that very few people understand that and pick up on the clues and hints that I have already left throughout the story.
Anyway here is the next Chapter. Enjoy.
As always Please Review.
P.s The chapter with Wolf Alcuard is the cannon chapter for the story.
Flash got out of his small one-man sub and looked up the dark looming structure that was Castlevania. He stared at it before walking towards the door.
Alucard had not been seen on the tower for almost a month. The last major incident had been with Amazo and that had been just over a week ago, while it was most likely a good thing that Alucard had not been there and the Android had not taken the vampires powers;
J'onn had received some criticism from the rest of the League for not only abandoning the League during the middle of the search for Luthor and leaving a young girl not only in a blizzard but also in the care of a highly dangerous and carnivores' animal. But after the Marten had explained why he had fled the rest of the League had been both understanding and sympathetic.
Superman even apologised for making J'onn open his mind to the whole of Metropolis and not heeding the Martians' warning.
J'onn had gone back to the cave where he had left winter and the little girl after Amazo and Luthor had been dealt with. Once the blizzard had subsided, the martin had returned the girl to her father and she had tried to convince Winter to stay with her. The White wolf instead chose to follow J'onn for a bit, before it disappeared back into the woods.
In the weeks that followed, Flash had become increasingly worried that Alucard would not come back to the tower. The others weren't as concerned, claiming that Alucard was capable of taking care of himself and was more than happy to give him some space. The League assumed Alucard would contact them when he was ready.
Hover Flash knew that Alucard didn't have a way to contact the Justice League after all the vampires had only barely understood mobile communication. He was nowhere near the stage of buying a phone let alone using it. So, Flash had borrowed Superman's charm once again without telling him and come down to the castle to check up on the vampire.
It hadn't taken long for Flash to get permission from Arthur, in fact, the Atlantian king and a few one-man, pre-programmed subs on standby should any of the league need them to go to Castlevania. It was handy and it also meant that only the person with a protective charm would be able to approach the vampires' castle.
Flash approached the castle doors, he considered knocking but as soon as he raised his hand to do so the door creaked open by itself. Flash blinked stepped inside, he expected to see Alucard standing on the other side of the door in the foyer, instead, he found nothing but an empty hall.
"Hello….AL you in?" Flash called out as he took a few steps into the foyer. There was only the dim light from the lights on the walls.
The door slamming shut behind him was his only response. Flash whirled to see who had shut the door but there was nothing but shadows.
"Okay…that's not creepy at all," Flash said to himself.
The moment he did the lights on the wall started to flicker on and off for a second. Flash looked over to them, he had wondered why Alucard had electric lights in his castle and where he had gotten them from. Given the fact that electricity hadn't been invented 500yrs ago.
Flash felt a something wisps past his legs, it felt like a cool breeze. But that was impossible as the castle was under the ocean and there was no breeze. He whipped his head around but still, no one was there.
"Al your creepy castle if freaking me out," Flash called out.
Still no response.
"Okay good visit, I'm leaving," Flash called out "cities to save, bad guys to catch…that sort of thing," He turned around and grabbed the handle for the doors however he found them sealed shut. He tried again but the doors would not move.
"Al. Please tell me you're doing a broody scary vampire bit to mess with me?"
The moment Flash said that a dark mist flooded the foyer from the top of the stairs, it looked like a tidal wave of darkness Flash raised his arms to cover his face, he felt the dark energy hit him, but it was like being hit with a strong gust of wind. He was not hurt but when his arms lowered, he discovered he could not see. The darkness had taken over the entire foyer and the scarlet speedster could only barely make out the now near non-existent dim lights. Off to the side, a door slowly creaked open to reveal a pale-yellow light that cut through the looming shadows.
"Yeah, I'm going in there," Flash said "I've seen enough horror movies to know how this ends,"
A soft but deadly growl filled Flashes ear and he immediately dashed to the open door. Inside he found a large well-lit Library, he looked around at the massive collection and he could hear voices coming from further in. Flash carefully crept inside and made his way towards the voices. He recognised the first voice as Alucard but not the second one. He stared at the Master Liberian when he spied the old man.
He moved closer and poked his head around the corner to see Alucard arguing with an old man.
"This doesn't make sense, there has to be some record of…whatever this power is," Alucard demanded.
"There is not my lord, the closet thing that comes to what you have described is Shadow Magic," the Librarian claimed.
"Shadow magic doesn't cause a whole Wearhouse to become masked in shadows and it certainly doesn't create deadly large spikes to shoot out from every direction to turn my enemies into pincushions,"
"That is true….is that what happened?"
"Yes," Alucard responded.
The Liberian stroked his beard and stared off into space, as if deep in thought or looking for something.
"Hmm…I believe your father had the ability to manipulate shadows to his will. Perhaps you also possess this ability," the Liberian concluded.
"Then why is it only showing up now?" Alucard asked "Why didn't it emerge with the rest of my powers centuries ago? And why did he not tell me or record anything on it?"
"The older a Vampire becomes, the more their powers grow," the librarian answered "You know this. But you are correct, it is odd that the former master did not leave anything on the subject. Especially given how he always wrote new discovery's down and kept extensive notes and research on…well everything,"
"Everything but this particular ability, apparently," Alucard grumbled "And I know vampires get more powerful the older we are. But we don't suddenly develop new powers after a few centuries,"
"Have you considered this new power of yours is Inherited Magic," the librarian suggested
"Magical abilities passed down by bloodline usually manifest at an early age or during puberty…as was the case with me and all of my powers,"
"That is Bloodline Magic, Inherited Magic is far less common. Some magical powers or abilities passed down from parent to child only manifest when the parent is dead,"
"If that were the case then the same question applies. It's been over 500yrs since my father's death…so why is it only manifesting now after so long?"
"Well, you did go to sleep immediately after your father's death. Perhaps you inherited this power the moment your father passed and you didn't know because of the long sleep," the Liberian claimed.
"I suppose that makes some sense," Alucard agreed.
"Either way you should consider this new power a gift. One final gift from the late vampire king," the Librarian advised.
"I have had enough of my father's gifts," Alucard shot back. He then glanced over his shoulder let out a tired sigh "I know your there, what do you want Flash?"
Flash cursed and slowly came out from hiding behind the shelves, he had a sheepish look on his face. and walked over to Alucard.
"Hey, Al. Sorry for eavesdropping," Flash greeted.
"It matters not. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Alucard asked, getting the speedsters' attention.
"I came to check up on you," Flash said.
Alucard tilted his head slightly. "Check up on me?" he asked confused.
"It's been weeks since we…that is the League I mean. We haven't seen you lately and we're worried that you're angry with us,"
"Angary? Why would you believe I would be angry at any of you?"
"Because of how everyone tried to hunt you down and Batman's constantly accusing you of kidnapping and eating those girls,"
"Humans accusing my master of killing…what are the odds," the Librarian commented dryly "and here I thought we were living in a more enlightened time. My lord should we expect angry mobs with torches and pitchforks at our gates…or a visit from the church?"
Alucard sent the librean a glare.
"I never should have brought back that book on social norms of the twentieth century," Alucard groaned and ran his hand over his face "Sarcasm is unbecoming of you,"
"Of course, it is my lord," The Librarian responded. Alucard then turned his attention back to The Flash.
"Worry not Flash…I am not angry or offered by any actions the Justice League have taken," Alucard assured.
"You're not?"
"No,"
"Then where have you been these last weeks?"
"Here mostly," Alucard answered.
"It is true, my lord has spent many long days and nights in the library's," the Librarian agreed.
"Oh, that sounds like…uh fun," Flash tired.
"I have also spent some time with the Belmont's," Alucard claimed.
"You have? Did you finally go to your friend's graves?" Flash asked.
"I did," Alucard agreed.
"How did it go?" Flash asked.
Flashback
Alucard stood in front of the Belmont estate, it three stories tall and expanded outwards towards the back. It was much larger and grander than he expected. Then again, the last time he had been here was when it was in-complete and utter ruins and the only thing that was left standing was the secret library located beneath it.
Alucard didn't make a move towards the door, he just kept staring up at the large old house.
"Alright, you can do this…it's just a visit to check up on your old friends' family," Alucard said to himself "A family of vampire hunters who spent generations trying to find and kill my father and wipe us out,"
Alucard blinked a few times as he processed what he had just said.
"Shit, I am bad at giving pep talks," he realised.
Alucard walked up to the door, he took a deep breath and reached out to knock on it but hesitated.
"You know what, it's probably too late for a visit," Alucard said to himself. He looked over his shoulder and the sun was setting. "They are likely having dinner and I do not wish to be rude…I'll come back tomorrow,"
Alucard turned and walked away from the door however he stopped about halfway down the road.
"This is stupid, I have fought demons, faced literal hell on earth, killed the thought to be unkillable Dracula and dealt with Trevor Belmont when he was drunk," Alucard said to himself "I am a powerful vampire lord," He then turned back to look at the Belmont estate "Yet knocking on this door frightens me so,"
"I mean it's not like I don't have an invitation, Julies said I was welcome to visit…but would his grandfather accept me as Trevor and Sypha did?" Alucard wondered "or will he turn the Vampire Killer on me out of fear?"
Alucard waited for a sign or someone to answer his questions but nothing came.
"And now I am talking to myself…I wonder if my fathers' madness was contagious," he mused.
Alucard took in another deep breath and marched up to the door if he didn't do it now, he likely would never build up the courage to do so. He reached out and banged the large door and a few seconds later he heard footsteps and the door opened.
"Hello…I…I am here to see the Belmont's," Alucard stated.
The man gave him an odd look.
"I am…a friend of Julius," Alucard tried.
The man gave Alucard a very skeptical look but nodded, he opened the door and stepped aside to allow Alucard entry. Alucard entered and the door closed behind him. Alucard followed him through a grand foyer, there were two doors that led off to a different part of the house.
There was a grand staircase at the end of the foyer leading up to a balcony, Alucard assumed there were other rooms upstairs.
Above the stairs was a picture of a blond knight in a red and white coat over his Armor, there was a long sliver Gantlet that covered his right arm. His left hand held a silver hilted sword with rubies decorating the hilt; Alucard stopped and looked at the portrait. He recognised it as the same one he had seen in the stairwell leading down to the Belmonts hidden library the first time.
"Sir?" the butler asked, pulling Alucard out of his thoughts. Alucard looked at the Butler and walked towards him.
"Tell me how does a fully grown adult man know Master Julius?" the butler asked as they walked through the Belmont family home.
"I am an old friend of the family," Alucard answered.
"May I have your name, sir?" the man asked "so I may inform Master Belmont of your arrival,"
"Alucard,"
"Interesting name. You will have to forgive me, but I have served the Belmonts for most of my life. Yet I have never seen you around before nor have I ever heard your name spoken before," the man claimed.
"I am a very…very old friend of the family," Alucard said.
"Hmmm quite,"
Alucard continued to follow the man escorting him while glancing around, he was taking in all the details he could. Wondering how long it took Trevor to rebuild this mansion.
"How long did this house take to build?" Alucard asked.
"The original was much smaller and took a good ten years. If the family records are to be believed," The man responded "However each generation of Belmonts has added to the house, it has become a sort of family tradition for each Belmont heir to add a new room or expand the house,"
"Hmm…" Alucard responded. He got the feeling that there was a reason for the constant additions, he made a mental note to ask Julius about it later. A few minutes later the man stopped in front of a large double door. He instructed Alucard to wait while he announced the vampire's arrival.
"Master Belmont, there is a man here claiming to be friends with Young Master Julius,"
"Send him in," an elderly voice commanded.
The butler nodded and stepped back, allowing Alucard to enter. Alucard entered the room, it was a large sitting room. The room was well decorated with bookshelves against the walls and a few single chairs in front of a roaring fireplace. There was a small table off to the side with four empty glasses and a glass decanter half full of Scotch.
Above the fireplace was a portrait of Trevor and Sypha, standing together. The way the picture was painted made it looked like that they were watching over the room; daring anyone who entered to try something.
Alucard thought back to the ruins and guessed that this would have been the room where the hidden door under the hearth was. He looked towards the lit fireplace and sure enough, his vampiric eyes spotted the protected seal blocking the entrance.
Sitting in one of the chairs was an elderly gentleman. He looked to be in his late 60's, he had short white hair, with a wrinkled face. He wore a woolen jumper over a collared shirt and some baggy pants.
"What did he do this time?" the elderly man in the chair asked.
"Excuse me?" Alucard asked in surprise.
"Julius, tell me whatever he did, what he broke and I'll sort it out,"
"Julies has done nothing to me,"
The man leaned forward and gave Alucard a strange look. "Really so you just happen to be his friend, is that it?" he asked suspiciously.
"Yes," Alucard confirmed.
"You're a grown man…who is friends with my 11yr old grandson,"
"That is correct, would I be assuming you are Julius Grandfather...Richter Belmont"
"I am and who are you," Richter confirmed.
"My name is Alucard,"
The elderly man narrowed his eyes and frowned.
"You're not him," he stated and turned his attention back to the fire.
"I am,"
"You're a vampire then," the elderly man mocked.
"Not completely, I am only half…but yes, I am a Vampire,"
"You have fangs?"
Alucard nodded and opened his mouth to show the elderly man his fangs.
"and I bet you sleep in a coffin,"
"I do…though not for as long as I used too,"
"So, a vampire comes walking into the Belmont house. Either your suicidal or here to try and end our line. If it's the latter your wasting your time,"
"I am not here to harm anyone, I just wanted…"
"To mock me and my family?" Richter yelled "Vampires and monsters no longer exist, you've had your joke now get out and leave me to my last years in peace,"
"I assure you I am not here to offend…I am sincere in who I claim to be," Alucard assured.
"I don't know where you got that name from, but Alucard is a myth. He's a bedtime story we tell the children in our family," Richter snapped "Did Julies put you up to this? He's been trying to convince me for weeks that he met a vampire named Alucard and now he's got you here acting the part,"
"I do not understand…Julius didn't put me up to anything. In fact, he said I should meet you," Alucard claimed.
"Yeah right and I'm Count Dracula," Richter snorted "Just get out, leave me and my grandson alone,"
Alucard opened his mouth to try again, however, he closed it and let out a sigh. He was not getting anywhere and decided he might have a better chance of proving his identity if Julius was there to vouch for him.
"Very well…I will leave you in peace," Alucard said softly "I apologise for disturbing you,"
Alucard turned to leave and he got two steps before he stopped and looked back at the elderly man. Who was pouring himself a glass of scotch.
"Before I go…Tell me is the Belmont Library still under the house?" Alucard asked.
Richter froze, no one outside of the Belmont family knew about the hidden library.
"and is the entrance still under the central fireplace or did Trevor build some other way to hide it?" Alucard continued "and dose it still require the Enochian words for magic door of death to open?"
Richter turned and stared at Alucard in shock.
"I also noticed the picture of Leon Belmont had been moved from the library to the front foyer. Did Trevor move it and if so…did he also move that large leviathan skeleton too or is it still hanging in the library?"
"you…how do you…." Richter studded. But Alucard didn't stop.
"Also did Sypha ever use those spells for enlarging penises? She seemed quite amused and a little too intrigued about that particular section of the library," Alucard continued.
"How do you…"
"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Alucard, formally known as Adrian Tepas. Son of Lisa and Vlad Dracula Tepas," Alucard introduced "however the Speaker called me The Sleeping Soldier,"
Richter dropped his glass and it shattered on the ground, he stared at Alucard in shock. Alucard glanced down at the broken glass and spilled drink.
"You know if Trevor knew you his descendants were wasting Alcohol like that, he would be very disappointed," Alucard joked "Sypha, on the other hand, would be proud,"
End Flashback
"They didn't stake me on sight…in fact, Richter nearly threw me out," Alucard claimed in light humor.
"Did you see your friend's graves?" Flash asked.
"Yes, Trevor and I…we spoke came to an understanding,"
"An understanding? I thought you said you two parted on good terms,"
"We did. After we killed Dracula and learned that I was to take my fathers' place…Trevor, instead of killing me he let me go…I promised him I would take the castle and keep it and myself away from the humans so my father's evil would no longer influence Humanity," Alucard explained "however by working with you and the rest of the Justice League…I have broken that promise,"
"Yeah but that's technically our fault," Flash said, "did you tell him about us?"
"Not really, you and the Justice League were only mentioned once. But he was…surprisingly understanding," Alucard stated "and far sober then I remember him,"
"Well if he wasn't then he wouldn't be a very good friend would he,"
"Sober or understanding?" Alucard asked "because I'm fairly sure there is no Alcohol in heaven…after all drinking as much as he did would be considered a sin,"
"Understanding," Flash clarified.
"I suppose he was...I wish I had spoken to Sypha though," Alucard sighed "But Trevor will pass on my hellos to her,"
"Were they not buried together?"
"They were. I just didn't have the power to talk to both of them," Alucard shrugged "at least not at the same time,"
Flash wondered what Alucard meant by that, after all, surely, he had enough strength to talk to a second headstone.
'Maybe he ran out of time, maybe the Belmonts didn't want him hanging around wherever their family was buried,' Flash thought 'Yeah that's got to be it,'
"Well, I'm glad you finally reached out to your friends great, great, great-great something grandkids," Flash said "but maybe you could come back to the tower…you know show the others who were waaayyy more worried about you then I was by the way. That you're…not …dead?"
"You were worried about me?" Alucard asked with a slight tilt of his head.
"No of course not," Flash defend way to quickly. "it's not like I thought you had decided you didn't like me or might be lonely down here or anything," Flash huffed "and it's like I was freaking out that you may have gone back to sleep for another 500 years,"
Alucard stared at Flash for a moment and processed what the speedster had just said.
"So...you were worried about me," He confirmed.
"No, I just told you I wasn't," Flash shot back.
"My lord I do believe this human is broken," the Liberian stated "He says things he means, then denies the meaning behind what he said. Perhaps you should trade him for another,"
"I'm right here old man," Flash complained.
"I can see that. I am not blind," The Master Liberian responded.
"Alucard, tell grandpa here not to stop using logic against me,"
Alucard rolled his eyes.
"Do not antagonise the Flash," Alucard instructed to the Master Liberian "he is intellectually challenged,"
"As you wish my lord," the Liberian bowed.
"Yeah, that's right I'm…Hold on, I am not," Flashed defended. After he had realised what Alucard had said.
Alucard gave flash a small smirk, he was satisfied that the old man would no longer annoy the scarlet speedster.
"So, who is this old geezer?" Flash asked and gestured his thumb at the Liberian.
"The Master Liberian, he manages the castle's collection," Alucard answered "and before you ask, no he is not technically a real person,"
"Then what is he?"
"In simple terms, a manifestation of the castles collected knowledge,"
"Magic book worm. Got it,"
"Do I look like a larva of a wood-boring beetle to you?" the Liberian asked, in an offended tone.
"Say what now?"
"That is what a book worm is Flash…it is a type of beetle that feeds on paper and glue," Alucard clarified "In fact, many common insects lay their eggs on the tops of books so when they hatch the millions of Lava feed of the books themselves,"
"That's uh…. that's something I didn't know," Flash admitted.
"No surprise there," the Liberian muttered.
Alucard sent the Liberian a warning glare and then looked up at the vast shelves in contemplation.
"I wonder…should I check the shelves. After all, 500yrs would be plenty of time for any parasite to go though and ruin countless irreplaceable books,"
"Worry not my lord, your books are in immaculate condition and I assure you there are no bugs in the library," the Liberian assured. He then looked at the Flash "Present company excluded of course,"
"Good," Alucard replied.
"Sooo about coming back to the tower…" Flash trailed off.
Alucard let out a sigh.
"Very well…I will come back to the tower," Alucard promised.
"You will, that's great," Flash said happily "I mean…the others will be relived. Not me, I totally knew you were fine,"
Alucard gave Flash an odd look, he didn't understand Flash behavior today as it was more eccentric than usual.
"However, I must finish my research first," Alucard stated. Flashs' happy demeanor faded and he frowned.
"Can't you do that up on the tower?" Flash whined.
"Regretfully...I can not,"
"Bummer. Hey what are you researching, maybe I can help,"
"I…I recently discovered a new power," Alucard informed "I have spent a considerable time these past weeks attempting to master it and it is proving…challenging,"
"A new power?" Flash asked interested "Don't Vampires only have a set amount of powers?"
"That...is correct," Alucard agreed "and I have displayed and mastered them all at some point during my life...some I have not shown the league yet...as I am not yet strong enough to use them,"
"Right, your still behind on your feeding,"
"Exactly...However, I discovered a new power when Aeon sent us back through time," Alucard claimed "I have been trying to master it ever since,"
"Is it dangerous?" Flash asked.
"Extremely," Alcaued confirmed.
Alucard remembered what affect it had on the vampire back in time. He had been lucky that the dark spikes had not harmed the two hunters. As soon as he and League returned Alucard had immediately begun to train and get control of his new ability. He used the same techniques his father had taught him when Alucard was younger and honing his vampire powers.
However, this power not only was elusive, as Alucard found it incredibly difficult to force it to activate. Since coming back, he had only been able to call upon it once and even then, it was nowhere near as stable or as powerful as it had been the first time.
Deciding he needs more information, Alucard stated to research his new power in the castles' vast library. But the castle had no answers for him, the closet thing it had was Shadow Magic and Alucard had mastered that a long time ago.
He and the Librarian had spent many long days trying to determine the true nature of this new power. It was one of the reasons Alucard had finally worked up the courage to go see the Belmont's. He had hoped that there would be something on this power in the Belmont Hold. Unfortunately, there were only two records mentioning this type of power in the Belmont hold. One was that Dracula himself had it and the other was a brief mention of it in one of Leon Belmont's early Journals. Apparently, someone called Mathias Cronqvist had the power to control darkness in such a way that it could not only affect the world in ways no one could comprehend but also become physically deadly.
Unfortunately, apart from a few descriptions on how Mathis had used this ability, there was nothing else on it. No explanation of where it came from or how Mathies Mastered it. To make matters worse, Mathies had lived in 1094 centuries ago and had no children to succeed him.
Since Mathis was dead and his own father didn't record any of his knowledge on the subject, Alucard was out of luck. Before the events with Lyudmil, Alucard had been generally concerned and afraid that this power would flare up and he would be unable to control it. He was afraid he would hurt someone or even worse, one of the Justice League with it.
"Do you need help?" Flash offered "maybe I…that is the league can help you master it,"
"I…cannot allow that," Alucard said "It is a very dangerous and potentially deadly power…even if I did have control over it, I would not wish it to use it at all in the Leagues presence,"
"That bad huh?"
"Indeed," The Liberian agreed.
Flash stared at Alucard for a moment and he could tell that whatever this new power was it was clearly bothering Alucard. It was likely the vampire did not trust himself around others until he had it under control. Flash understood that feeling completely when he first got his speed, he had been so scared that he would hurt someone or would be unable to stop.
A big grin formed on his face.
"Okay then, I'll leave you to it. I'll also tell the others what's going on," Flash claimed "I'll also tell the others what's going on, you know...so they won't worry about you anymore,"
He then turned and started walking out of the Library.
"Flash…" Alucard called after him.
"Hmm?" Flash stopped and looked back over at Alcaurd and the Liberian.
"I…tell the others I will try to be up at the tower next week,"
"You got it," Flash grinned and he zoomed out.
"I think I liked the Amazon better," the Liberian commented, once Flash was gone.