A.N I own Nothing
Whoo, this has got to be my longest chapter to date. Just over of 13,000 words and 25 pages long. So a few of you have been shocked and blown away by this arc. the truth is that after I posted the first part, one of my readers pointed out that the Justice Lords in this version were not evil, just Totlarian...and I realised yes that is true. So I fixed that. That is why the last chapter was the way it was and why in this chapter we get to explore just what effect the Justice Lords have had on their world.
Anyway, enjoy. As always Please Review
Justice Lord Batman was typing away at the computer, it had been several hours since the Justice Lords had taken the Justice League into custody and so far, none of the League had made any escape attempts. It was a little disappointing but things were going smoothly. Batman hadn't heard from Trevor either, but he wasn't worried, he made a mental note to check in with the hunter on the next hour. After all, it had been almost 6hrs since he'd departed with the League's unknown ally.
Suddenly an alert went off, Flash's heart monitor was flatlining. Batman immediately stood up and rushed over to the speedster's cell. Flash wasn't moving and hung limply.
"Flash, Flash can you hear me?!" Lord Batman shouted. Flash didn't respond, Batman quickly typed in the code and opened the door. He reached up and unlocked one of Flash's writs. The second it was free Flash's eyes snapped open and he used his speed to punch Lord Batman out and steal the key. Batman was clever but Flash was faster.
Once Lord Batman was unconscious Flash used his speed to free himself and place Lord Batman in restraints and locked the cell. "You'll apricate this one day," Flash said mockingly.
He then rushed to Batmans' cell and used his speed to quickly type in numbers on the keypad.
"What are you doing?" Batman asked.
"Trying every possible number combination in existence," Flash answered.
"95946," Batman said.
Flash stopped and looked at Batman, he then typed in the numbers and the door opened.
"How did you know the code?" Flash asked as he used the key, he'd stolen from Lord Batman to free the Leagues' version.
"There the numbers I use. How did you escape,"
"Sped up my heart to make it look like it flatlined," Flash answered proudly.
"I didn't know you could do that," Batman said, he was impressed and he stepped out of the restraints.
"Neither did I. But someone had to do something since you weren't going to,"
"How could I when my twin could anticipate everything I do," Batman responded "But who would ever anticipate you?"
"I…am going to take that as a compliment,"
"Just get the others," Batman ordered.
Between Flash and Batman, it didn't take long for the League to be freed. Lord Batman had taken the Green Lanterns ring away, however, once he was free, Jhon called it back to him and the ring responded. In ten seconds, he had his ring back and he was ready for some payback. The whole League was.
"Alright, I've had enough of this reality, let's find our counterparts and take them down," Superman declared.
"Hold on. We need to find Hawk Girl and Alucard first," Batman claimed "they were moved to another location,"
Superman stopped at that, all traces of anger and revenge gone. They were replaced with concern and worry for his teammates.
"Where?" Green Lantern demanded.
"Bats' evil twin told me that Hawk Girl was in a hospital and that Trevor was going to torture Al," Flash claimed "he didn't say where Trevor was going through,"
"Then we'd better get looking," Wonder Woman said.
They walked over to the computer, since they didn't know where Trevor would take Alucard they decided to start by locating Hawk Girl. There were many hospitals around Gotham and only a few of them were equipped to handling Metas. At least that was how it was on their earth, on this Earth however all hospitals had proper funding training in treating super-powered beings. While that was a good thing and something needed on the League's world; it made narrowing down hospitals where Hawk Girl had been taken a lot harder.
"There are so many hospitals, where would they have taken her?" Green Lantern asked.
"Not this one, it wouldn't have the right equipment," Wonder Woman stated. "And This one doesn't have much security,"
"This one is a training hospital…doubt they'd leave her in the hands of amateurs," Flash pointed out.
"This is getting us nowhere," J'onn spoke up "we need to learn more about our situation before we can act,"
"Yeah, but I doubt evil overlord over there is going to tell us anything," Flash said and gestured to Justice Lord Batman who was still restrained and unconscious.
"Whatever we do we need to work fast, that won't hold him for long," Batman insisted.
"How do you know?"
"Because in everything I design there is an override command word that only I know," Batman admitted "as soon as he wakes up, he'll use it. It's what I would do after all,"
"Can you pull the information from his mind?" Superman asked.
"If his mind is anything like our Batmans then he will more than likely resist," J'onn answered "and that could lead to me damaging it,"
"Well…if we can't find Hawk Girl then what about Alucard," Superman suggested.
"How? At least with hawk Girl, we had some lead," Wonder Woman pointed out "we know nothing of this world
"Don't forget we have a portal to find as well," Batman added.
"The list just keeps growing," Flash groaned. He suddenly remembered something and perked up "Oh. J'onn are you still in a Telepathic link with Alucard? Can you ask him where he is?"
"I have been trying to reach out to him since you and Batman released me, but I am not getting a response," J'onn answered sadly.
"I'm assuming that's bad," Superman sighed.
"The link only works if the recipient is thinking. Either Alucard has lost consciousness or…he is dead," J'onn said gravely.
"Pretty sure we can rule out the latter," Flash claimed.
"Normally I would agree, but Alucard's counterpart is the man he travelled with 500yrs ago," J'onn pointed out "I am not sure he is alive,"
"Your point being?" Green Lantern asked.
"He is a vampire hunter…Alucard may have already have been killed," J'onn said.
The League fell into complete silence. None of them had considered the possibility that this version of Trevor Belmont would kill Alucard. However, given everything else that had happened. It made some sense…in a twisted way.
"That is a possibility but unlikely, after all, they kept us alive and held us captive. They want us for something," Batman said "even if Alucard doesn't have a counterpart, we have to assume they want him alive too,"
"I will keep trying then," J'onn said.
"In the meantime, can we use this computer to find out what our evil selves have planned?" Superman asked.
Batman nodded and typed several more commands into the computer. It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for, as he suspected. His counterpart had designed the computers the Justice Lords used and Justice Lord Batman had the same organisational system.
As he typed, Batman began to wonder how the League would triumph over their counterparts. If everything they did, everything they knew was the same then they would be in a stalemate. Batman found what he was looking for. It was a video file from a little over 12hrs ago.
Batman clicked on it and it displayed the whole of the Justice Lords having a meeting. Trevor was also with them.
"So, we are agreed, we'll trick this other earth's Justice League into coming here. Once they've been captured, we go over to their earth and cull the population," Lord Superman said "We then turn the survivors into a workforce and use the other earth as a forced labour prison for anyone who resists us here,"
"I want to send a few of our more loyal meats over there. To act as enforcers and to guard the portal,"
"We'll control the portal so there is no chance of escape," Green Lantern said.
"It's better to be safe than sorry," Hawk Girl claimed.
"It wouldn't hurt but that can be arranged later," Lord Superman agreed.
"What about the other world's view of the Justice League, we can't just show up and take over," Lord Wonder Woman stated.
"Simple, we're them. Let's go over and do a few good deeds, then once the population loves and adores us, we take over," Lord J'onn said.
"Shouldn't take too long, here we stopped one invasion and the world governments pretty much gave us whatever we wanted," Trevor pointed out "also what are we going to do with the other worlds heroes?"
"We'll keep them alive for now, they might be a useful source of information," Lord Batman supplied.
"And when they outlive their usefulness?" Trevor challenged.
"What do you think?"
"Chill Batman, I just thinking Lobotomy is too good for them," Trevor said, raising his hands in surrender, "I say we kill them outright or at least sting them up as examples as what happens if you defy us,"
"Now there is something to think about," Lord Green Lantern said.
The video ended after that and the League started at the screen in an absolute shock. The Justice Lords had been planning to kill them and worse still they had planned to invade their Earth and turn it into a mining colony using their citisens as slaves.
"Well, that's not good," Flash said.
"Where are our counterparts now?" Green Lantern demanded.
Batman typed commands into the computer, doing his best to locate the Justice Lords. Unfortunately, the result he got was very concerning.
"Gone, they've already left for our earth," he announced "they left almost 6hrs ago,"
"That's right after they caught us," Wonder Woman realised.
"We need to get home and fast," Superman said seriously.
"Not without Alucard and Hawk Girl. We can't leave them here," Flash insisted.
"Then we had better start looking," Batman said. He stood up and walked away from the computer, the rest of the Justice League followed.
Unknown Location
Alucard groaned as he came back to consciousness, his body hurt all over, and found that he couldn't move. Alucard noticed he was no longer bound by whatever Trevor had his hands and feet were completely free from any kind of restraints. He suspected that his inability to move was due to the damage from the torturer Trevor put him through, Alucard stared at the ceiling, trying to get his bearings. He had a splitting headache and it was hard to think, he was also extremely tired. This wasn't a good sign as he suspected he had some kind of minor brain damage. Likely a concussion.
He tried to will his mind to push past the fog and remember what happened, but found it very difficult. He remembered the other J'onn, going through the portal and the other Justice League's capturing them. He remembered Trevor torturing him and then some men in black uniforms coming in and shooting Trevor, they'd gotten him down…he could vaguely recall the blunt strike on the back of his head before waking up here.
Alucard mentally cursed. Those men had taken him down, they'd actually managed to knock him out, that shouldn't be possible. His regenerative abilities were too strong for that, even if they did manage it, he should have woken up seconds later. But he was clearly feeling the after-effects, Fussy head, unresponsive limbs which he really hoped was temporary, plus he could feel the lull of sleep in the back of his mind. Alucard knew if he gave in to it, he would pass out again until his body had time to heal the problem, but given the fact he was still in pain from Trevor's torture, he doubted his healing powers were working correctly.
But he didn't have time to figure out what was going on with his healing powers, he needed to find the League. He forced himself onto his feet, struggling against the weight of his own body. Once he was up Alucard got a good look at the room. The walls were a dark grey metal and he had been lying on the floor, Alucard noted the old blanket that separated him from the cold metal floor. It was a small cell with a metal table and chair bolted to the ground. The only door was a thin metal one, Alucard glanced at it, it would not hold up to his vampire strength.
Taking stock of his clothing he noticed that his father's cape was missing as was his long coat. Given that Trevor had torn them off with his whip he was not surprised. His pants were ripped from the bindings and his shirt was also gone; there was no sign of his sword either. Alucard let out a sad sigh, he liked his long coat and the cape was an heirloom. He had other shirts back at his castle, but his cape and coat had been one of a kind. The coat was made for him and held great sentimental value, and his cape was one of the few things he had left of his father. Alucard felt sad that he'd been forced to part with both.
He wondered if he could retrieve what was left of them. If they could then Alucard could repair them with magic.
He looked at his arms and found that his wounds had been bandaged. Alucard carefully unwrapped his arm, there were burn marks and scars where the bindings had been. He narrowed his eyes, those should not be there, his healing powers should have taken care of it. Even if it took longer due to his hearing being overloaded, there should be no evidence of what Belmont did to him.
He looked at his chest, it too and his back had been heavy bandaged. Alucard wasn't going to bother looking at the damage the whip and the dripping water had done to his upper body. He didn't want to be reminded and he had no idea how he was going to explain it to the Justice League either.
The last thing he noticed was there was some weight around his neck Alucard reached up and touched a metal collar that was fastened around his neck. This was most curious, as Trevor hadn't put it there neither had he.
Alucard figured that perhaps the men had put it on him, though for what purpose he didn't know. It hardly mattered, he gripped the collar with one hand, intending to rip it off with his superior vampire strength. However, the moment he pulled on the collar it sent a surge of electricity through his body. Alucard was not expecting this and cried out in pain forcing him to release the collar from his grip. The moment he did the shock stopped.
Alucard collapsed to his knees and started panting heavily. That had been extremely painful.
"Fine if strength won't work, I will use magic," he muttered. Alucard began to whisper a spell, but after the first few words, as he reached for his inner magical reserves, he was shocked again. The shock broke his focus and he lost the spell.
Alucard struggled to his feet and using the wall for support he slowly made his way over to the door. He reached out for the handle intending to rip the door off the frame. However once again the collar activated and shocked him.
It left him panting in pain.
He took a few deep breaths; he was confused as to what the device on his neck was. He couldn't take it off, use his magic, summon his sword or use his vampire strength. He collapsed on the ground, it was too much, he couldn't take it. Even though the collar was still going Alucard closed his eyes allowing the dark abyss of unconsciousness to take him once more.
Justice League's Earth
Lois Lane sat at her desk in the daily planet and tapped her pen against her notepad impatiently. She glanced over at Clarks' desk and watched the reporter diligently type away at his computer. She narrowed her eyes. Clark was acting odd again, occasionally he would be so focused on his work that he wouldn't eat, drink or even look away from his screen.
Lois could understand being focused and in the sone when it came to writing up stories but Clark had her beat when he got like this. Normally the reporter from Smallville was fairly relaxed and very friendly around the office; except when he got like this. It's like he shut off all that Farm boy charm and turned into a robot. At first, Lois didn't think much of it but it had been happening more and more frequently. Ever since the Justice League had formed.
One of her co-workers approached her desk, Lois looked up to find Perry White, the editor and chief of the Daily Planet.
"Lois, how's that story from last night coming?" he asked.
"Almost done Perry," Lois responded and looked up at her boss "Just need to add the last of the Lois Lane Flare,"
"Well don't take too long, I want it in the afternoon edition," Perry warned before walking away.
Lois watched him go and let out a sigh once he was gone. She scrolled over her article and re-read it for the third time. It was well written but it didn't feel right, nothing felt right. Last night Luthor had escaped from strikers Island again and the Justice League had quickly found him.
The Billionaire Geniuses had not been free for more than an hour before the Justice League had caught up with him. It had been breaking news and everyone had been impressed with how quickly the Justice League located the villain. Lois had been on her way to talk to Superman at the scene but when she arrived the League had gone, that wasn't too out of the ordinary. What was out of the ordinary was not an hour later a meteorite fell just outside the city bring some creature and it attacked the city.
The Justice League once again sprang into action but they had been different. First, their costumes were the wrong colour, second Flash and Batman were not part of the battle. That was odd in itself as Batman was always hanging around, even if he was not directly part of the battle and it was extremely odd to see Flash not present with the League as he is usually the first on the scene to evacuate bystanders.
However, what was most odd was the way the League fought, not only were they far more aggressive than normal but Superman lobotomised the creature to stop him. It had both shocked and frightened Lois. The other press and reporters had approved of the more aggressive method of dealing with the monster from beyond the stars and instead of hanging around to clean up and help clear debris and rubble; the League flew off.
Naturally, Lois had been assigned to cover the story and she had hoped to talk to Superman, but the man of steel seemed to be avoiding her. On top of that, the League had been very busy in the last nine hours,
Marten Manhunter had busted several drug dealers, however, almost all of the dealers and their sellers had been sent to hospital for a drug overdose. Superman had taken down several arms dealers by melting the weapons down into puddles and encasing the dealers' arms in them. Preventing them from ever using them again.
Wonder Woman had focused on domestic violence by beating the men into comas. Green Lantern and Hawk Girl had taken to the streets to deal with petty crimes that resulted in extreme punishments.
And that had only been in the first few hours.
Despite the League claiming they were making a change, Lois could not help feel that the League's actions were just wrong and something wasn't right with the Justice League or Superman. She saved her article emailed to Perrys' office before shutting down her computer and standing up. She walked over to Perry's office and poked her head inside.
"Perry, I've sent you the story, I'm going to look into something kay," Lois said.
"Yeah yeah," Perry responded and waved her out.
Lois left the Daily Planet and got into her car. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts list. Finally settling on a number and she clicked it.
"Hey, marc. Listen Something has come up and I need to talk with one of the inmates…Come one please, didn't I do you that favour two months ago?" Lois spoke into her phone "10 minutes? I'll take it I'm on my way," she smiled and hung up.
Putting the phone down Lois started her car and headed for the Metropolis Harbor. Lois didn't like the changes that the League were making and she was going to get to the bottom of it. That meant she needed to talk to the one person who had contact with the Justice League before they changed and she was not looking forward to it.
Once she arrived at the Harbor, she boarded the boat to Strikers Island. After going through the standard visiting procedure, she was led to a room with several phone booths and she sat down at one. A moment Later Lex Luthor was led out.
He took one look at Lois and smiled. Sitting down he picked up the phone and Lois did the same.
"Lois Lane, my this is a pleasant surprise," Luthor started "If you're here for a story I am sorry to say the only thing I can offer is comments on the food,"
"What did you do to Superman?" Lois demanded. She knew how much Luthor hated Superman and he was the last person to be in contact with him and the League; so he must have done something to the world's protectors.
"Excuse me?" Luthor asked calmly with a raised eyebrow.
"You fought the Justice League last night and now they're all different," Lois shouted "you must have done something to them. Undo it right now,"
"Oh, so this is what this visit is about," Lex said, relaxing a little more and rolled his eyes "Well I am sorry miss Lane but you have it all wrong, I didn't do anything to them,"
Lois immediately shot up out of her chair and slammed her fist on the table. "BULL SHIT!" she cried out "the police said you had a device and…"
"Flash disassembled it before I could even use it once," Luthor finished for her.
"Then why is Superman and the Justice League different?"
"Why indeed?"
"Stop playing games, this is serious,"
"I agree, but the fact is Miss Lane the explanation is simple," Luthor stated and leaned in closer to so he had Lois complete attention "it's not them,"
"What are you talking about? Of course, it's them,"
"Really, when have you known superman to lobotomise anyone? When has Flash never evacuated bystanders before jumping into battle?" Luthor asked "I don't know what happened to our League and I don't know who those people are with their powers but they are not that Superman is not the one you love and I hate,"
Lois didn't respond, she stared at Luthor as she processed what he had said. It made some sense but it there had to be another explanation. She took a deep breath and sat back down; pulling her chair up and resting one arm on the bench and leaning forward. Making sure she was paying full attention to Luthor.
"Alright then, what do you think is going on. Surely you have some theories?"
"Well, Ultra Huminate thinks they might have been replaced by Aliens. Which isn't too far out of the realm of possibility when you think about it," Luthor said leaning back in his chair "however I doubt that to be the case,"
"Then what do you think happened?"
"I have no idea, isn't that your job to find out," Luthor smirked "but I can tell you this. I had nothing to do with it,"
"Oh," Lois said and looked down in worry. Her eyes snapped up and re-focused on Luthor a split second later "Then why don't I believe you?"
"Because you are not paying attention. It's obvious to anyone that those phonies on Tv aren't the Justice League," Luthor stated "I figured that out the moment I saw them. The fact that you didn't is honestly very surprising…aren't you Supermans biggest fan?"
Lois's grip on the phone tightened, she knew Luthor was mocking her but she would not give the master criminal the satisfaction of getting under her skin.
"But don't worry, I won't hold it against you. Not my fault you lack my intellect," Luthor continued "Since you will undoubtedly pursue this line of inquiry, I do ask that if you do figure it out let me know. Though I will probably hear about it anyway, either through your paper or the guards,"
Lois stood up again, this time preparing to leave.
"One last question Luthor, how did you find out about the League being different?"
"There is a Tv in the community room, Miss Lane, the news was on," Luthor shrugged "Plus the guards like to gossip,"
Lois sighed and hung up the phone, she walked out of the room, Luthor watched her go with a smug look on his face. Once Lois was off Strikers Island and on the mainland, she began to drive back to the Daily Planet. Luthor had given her a lot to think about, it didn't seem possible that the League had been replaced by aliens but now she had confirmation that the heroes from last night were not the same ones the world had come to love and relay on.
It did raise the question as to where the real Superman and Justice League were and what happened to them.
Justice Lords Earth, Unknown Location
When Alucard woke up again, he didn't feel any better; he also wasn't alone in the cell.
"So, you finally woke up," the man said.
Alucard didn't respond he weakly looked at the man, not recognising him.
"I came in earlier and was worried we'd hit you too hard. But then the guards told me you'd activated you. Don't do that by the way,"
"Noted," Alucard groaned. He tried to force himself into a sitting position, however even that was hard, his body was begging for him to rest and recover. Alucard tried to hide the pain he was in but it was impossible, he didn't like this at all and was greatly concerned that he lost his regenerative abilities.
"Yesh, it really did a number on you," the man said, giving him a look of sympathy. "It's a Power Suppression Collar by the way,"
Alucard looked at up him. He hoped that the name was not Literal.
"It prevents you from using any of your powers and it gives you a nasty shock if you do, prolonged or consecutive attempts to use your powers will render your unconscious," the man said "Ironically that collar was invented by the late President Luthor to take down Superman. The stronger the Metas powers the more it hurts you when it activates,"
"Of course, it does," Alucard moaned. So that's why he wasn't healing, it had been repressed and Alucard's attempts to remove it had already proven to be futile. He wondered if there was any way to get the collar off him.
"It also comes with a remote," the man continued, he held up a small black device and pressed a button.
Alucard once again cried out in pain, as the electricity surged through his body.
"I can use this to activate the shock, it's got a fairly long range, just keep that in mind for any ill-advised escape attempts you may be thinking about planning. It can't be removed by anyone with powers either. The only way to get it off is for someone without any special power or abilities that aren't classified beyond human with a password. If you try it will shock you,"
Alucard sent him another glare.
"Now that we've covered your new accessory. I'm President Slade Willison, what's your name," the man asked.
Alucard didn't respond. Slade hit the button on the remote and Alucard was shocked again. This time it left him writhing in pain on the floor of the cell.
"Now now, don't be rude. Let's try that again, what is your name?" Slade repeated in a no-nonsense tone.
"A…Alucard," Alucard wheezed out, his voice very weak. Alucard didn't know how long he would last under these conditions. He just hoped it would be long enough for the Justice League to find, as he currently had no way of escaping on his own.
"No last name?"
Alucard weakly shook his head.
"There, that wasn't so hard now, was it? Now that we're all on first name biases I think it's time we got down to business," Slade said "So, first up how do you feel about Superman and his friends?"
"Superman? Why would you ask about…wait do you want to hurt him and the other in some way?"
"I would say that is the end goal, yes,"
"I won't help you," Alucard sighed.
"Excuses me?"
"You want me to tell you about Superman and the Justice League…I won't. I also won't tell you anything about my powers or myself…but I won't do that either,"
"How do you know
"It is written all over your face,"
"Fine, I want you to join us. Join us and we will have a chance at taking the Justice Lords down once and for all,"
Alucard once again struggled to push himself up, he looked directly into Slade's eyes and could see the hate and pain in them. This man hated Superman and the rest of the Justice Lords. Alucard didn't need magic or any of his powers to see it.0
"You don't want me to fight them…You want me to kill them for," Alucard stated.
"Yes,"
"I won't do that either,"
"Why not? The Justice Lords are a threat to everyone. Especially you, Trevor was torturing you,"
"Are you not doing the same,"
"No, I'm making a point,"
"What point? That your version of the Justice League is evil?"
"That it's in your best interest to obey," Slade shot back "and what do you mean my version? What are you talking about? There are no other versions of the Justice Lords,"
"So…you don't know," Alucard realised.
"Know what?"
The vampire didn't respond, he looked away for a moment. Slade didn't know about the portal or the trap that this world's Justice League had set up for him and the others. If the was the case, then perhaps he might be able to help Alucard find the others. Come to think of it, Alucard wondered how Slade knew that Trevor held him prisoner and his location.
"Might I ask you a question? How did you know where Trevor was keeping me?"
"One of our operatives who works for the Justice Lords informed us that Trevor was on the move with a Meta-Human prisoner," Slade answered "they tracked his car to your location,"
A spy…interesting.
"I see," Alucard responded he paused for a moment in thought before speaking again "did your operative happen to learn why I was Trevor's prisoner?"
"I fail to see how those matters," Slade snorted "we're getting off-topic anyway,"
"I do not think we are. You want my power, you need to negotiate for it…and this is me negotiating,"
"Fine, no our operative didn't know. They assumed you were a Meta who had been in hiding and had gotten caught and refused to submit to working for the Justice Lords," Slade explained.
'He doesn't know I'm not from this world,' Alucard realised 'Should I tell him…no that could backfire…I could ask him to help me get back to the others…but if he hates the League of this world…then how will he react to the League of my world?"
Alucard leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. "I can't help you," he said.
"Why the hell not, you have the power. You don't like the Justice Lords and surly you want revenge on Trevor for torturing you,"
"No…I do not,"
"Don't what,"
"I do not like them, I do not like what Trevor did to me…but if I fight them if I kill them…I will be no better than them. So, as I said…I will not help you,"
"It's the only to save the world, surely you see that,"
"No…it's not,"
"Then what would you do in this situation?"
"Find another way,"
"There is no other way,"
"Are they killing your people?" Alucard asked, "Have they plans to wipe out the whole human race?"
"No, just dominate it," Slade grumbled "Which is why you need to help us kill them, so we can have our freedom back,"
"You know, I once fought a very powerful being…he was thought to be unkillable. But I proved that to be a false claim. I killed him because there was no other choice. Either this person died…or the entire human race died," Alucard said sadly "I still regret it to this day,"
"So, you can kill them," Slade said, hope regaining in his voice.
"Nobody ever asks me for anything…they just demand things of me," Alucard said within a tired voice "Alucard help us save humanity, Alucard use your powers to solve our world's problems by killing the Justice League…honestly I am sick of it,"
"The who now?"
"Let's say I do agree. How can I kill the Justice League with this…" Alucard said and gently touched the collar "suppressing my powers?"
"The collar allows for some controlled usage. Of course, and while you're in our base you will be locked up and will have the collar in full effect, just until we can trust you to move around without you hurting anyone,"
"So, I am to be your slave then, you dictate when and how I use my powers,"
"Only until the Justice lords are defeated, then we part ways and never see each other again,"
"and how will I know you will keep that promise?"
"you don't, but you don't have a choice do you,"
"And the collar?"
"Well…that will stay on. You won't be able to use your powers and I will keep the remote…just encase you get any ideas of global domination,"
"So even if I do as you ask…you will still keep me chained and shackled,"
"You're a meta, you need to be controlled,"
"Is that what you think?"
"Yes, look at what happens if Metas are allowed to run free,"
"It makes non-powered humans think they have the right to torture and enslave me,"
"It's not enslavement, after this is over, you'd be set up somewhere remote and free to live your life. Sure, you'd have to keep the collar on and I'd have some people keeping an eye on you. But other than that, you can do what you want,"
"Same chains, different cage,"
"Its better than being lobotomised or killed by the Justice Lords simply for being alive,"
"I still refuse,"
"How can you refuse? it's not really an option for you. You do know if you do, you'll go back to the Justice Lords and they will kill you if you refuse them. they don't like competition and tend to get rid of it," Slade argued "so your options are work for me and my resistance can protect you or refuse and die at the hands of superpowered power-hungry maniacs,"
"If my choices are either a life living in slavery or death…I would choose death," Alucard claimed "Besides, it's been a while since we spoke,"
Slade balled his fist in anger, how did death not scare his prisoner. Did the fact that the human race was all but a prisoner of the Justice Lords mean nothing to this man…had he wasted his time and his men's lives retrieving him been for nothing? The second Trevor recovered from a bullet in his head the hunter would tell Superman and the others and then they will be scouring the earth looking for the resistance once more.
When Slade had got the report of an Unknown Meta-Human that had defied the Justice Lords, he hoped that the resistance would have a real chance. Instead, said meta didn't care at all that about the world's predicament.
"Fine, have it your way. But you don't get to choose. You will fight for the resistance, you will kill the Justice lords with us and you will change your mind," he yelled.
"I guarantee I won't," Alucard assured.
"Then you won't eat. We have a rule around here. Those who don't work you eat or drink,"
"Starvation is not something that bothers me anymore,"
Slade was losing his patience; he gripped the remote and pressed the button. Causing the Collar to shock Alucard once again.
"We'll see. I'll be back tomorrow with the same offer, and every day after that. We'll see how long that refusal lasts,"
Alucard winced at the slam, as his damaged overly sensitive hearing reacted badly to the noise. The truth was his ears had reacted badly to just Slade talking. However, Alucard refused to give the resistance leader the satisfaction of seeing just how much pain he was in. But with Slade finally gone, Alucard was able to relax a bit.
He took a few deep breaths to calm down and tried to ignore the unbearable pain he was in. with the collar on and Slade with the remote, there was no possible escape for him, Alucard would be unable to get the collar off even if he did escape. He needed help, fortunately, there was one member of the Justice League who did not have any powers or special abilities.
"J'onn…are you there?" he mentally thought.
With the Justice League,
The Justice League were flying over Metropolis, Superman and Green Lantern were scanning every building, every street, and every house looking for Alucard and Hawk Girl, so far, they had not found them. J'onn decided he wouldn't help with the scans as he wanted to keep his mind free, encase Alucard contacted him through the psychic link that was set up before coming to this world.
For Flash, Batman, and wonder woman, the wait was terrible. Flash was extremely worried and had soomed all around the areas the League had pre-scanned just to make sure they'd not missed anything. Batman was quiet, what he was thinking was anyone's guess but Wonder woman could tell he too was concerned and was trying not to show it.
Wonder woman had tried to ask the people of Metropolis if they knew of any locations where the Justice lords would take an injured team member or if Trevor had a base somewhere. But no one was willing to talk to her, they all ran away. Just the sight of the League in the air made everyone rush indoors and wonder woman didn't like it one bit.
Instead, she waited on the rooftop with Batman.
"They're afraid of us,"
"They have every right to be. After what our counterparts did to this world," Batman stated "it's likely that fear keeps them alive,"
"This isn't how the world should be,"
"No…but it is,"
"Do you think our world will turn out like this?" Wonder Woman asked concerned "that we will take over and be a dominating force?"
Batman didn't respond right away. He looked down at the streets to see a blur of red and yellow zigzagging through the streets, heading in their direction.
"I don't think we will have to worry about it," he responded right before Flash stopped next to them.
"I searched the whole city, neither Hawk Girl nor Alucard are here," Flash claimed.
"They have to be. We were being kept here, this is my city," Superman said "I mean his city,"
Batman looked up at the Martian who was floating stocky in the air.
"J'onn anything yet?"
"Nothing, but the psychic link is still active," J'onn answered and floated down to join the others.
"Is it possible to block the psychic link?"
"No, and not all thoughts translate through. Only those that are being focused through the link others,"
"So, Al has to consciously want to reach out for you to hear him,"
"Yes," the Martian confirmed.
Batman opened his mouth; he was about to say something when a Voice filled J'onns mind.
"J'onn…are you there?" Alucard's voice came through.
J'onns head snapped up. "Alucard is that you?" he responded immediately.
The rest of the League looked at the Martian
"You got him? Is he talking to you?" Flash asked.
J'onn looked back at the League and nodded before focusing on his mental conversation. "Alucard, where are you? Are you alright?"
"No…I don't know where I am…the others are they safe?"
"Yes, I'm with the rest of the Justice League. Only you and Hawk girl are missing,"
"J'onn, I need help, I have been captured and I can't use my powers. The people who are keeping me prisoner wish to enslave me and use me as a weapon to kill you all. They fear this worlds version of the Justice League and wish to see them all dead,"
J'onns eyes widened at this.
"Can you not escape with your magic?"
"No, I've been fitted with a collar…if I try to use any of my abilities it shocks me and prolonged exposer will render me unconscious …it reacts to all of my powers…including my magic," Alucard explained "it has also suppressed my healing powers,"
"There has to be a way to take it off,"
"There is, I need Batman to enter a password to release it. If anyone other than a non-powered human tries it will react," Alucard finished.
"Alright, let me confer with the rest of the League, don't do anything that will prevent me from comminating with you. We will come for you," J'onn assured.
"Hurry," Alucard responded before J'onn turned back to face the League.
"Alucard is in trouble, he's been captured by some men who fitted him with a collar that suppress his powers and shocks him into unconscious every time he uses them,"
"They have those here too?" Superman gasped.
"You know what is on him?"
"It's called a Power Suppression Collar or PSC for short," Batman explained "They're fitted to Meta-Human criminals when they go to Jail. It stops them from using their abilities while in prison,"
"How are they removed?" Wonder woman asked.
"He says it can be removed If a non-Meta Human types in a password. Anyone with powers will set it off they try,"
"That's a highly effective security measure. Our version of the collar doesn't have that removal condition," Batman stated "anyone can take it off they have the password,"
"Um…silly question," Flash interrupted "If Als powers are suppressed how is he talking to J'onn?"
"Alucard is communicating through a Physic link I set up," J'onn pointed out "He's not using any of his ability's as I am the one maintaining it,"
"Right," Flash said.
"Where is he?" Batman demanded.
"He doesn't know, but he is not with Trevor anymore,"
"At least that is something,"
"If he can't use his powers…then can he talk?" Superman asked.
"Let me check," J'onn refocused on the mental link. "Alucard are you able to speak normally?"
"I am no longer gagged,"
"He says he has not gagged anymore,"
"Okay someone is definitely getting beaten up," Flash growled.
"Agreed," Wonder woman nodded.
"J'onn, get him to make some noise, cry out, call for help, shout. I'll be able to pick it up with my super hearing and then we can follow it to him," Superman suggested.
"He'll have to do it in a way that won't arouse suspicion from his captors though," Batman pointed out "otherwise they will silence him by either gagging or just knocking him out again,"
"Alucard, we have a plan to find you, can you speak normally, shout or cry out so Superman can hear you," J'onn spoke through the psychic link "is there a way to do it without arousing suspicions from your captors?"
J'onn was met with silence, he knew Alucard tended to go quiet when thinking, but after a full minute, J'onn was worried that he'd lost contact with the vampire again.
"Yes…there is a way…but it will not last long. Tell me when you are ready," Alucard finally responded.
J'onn nodded and turned back to the Justice League. "He says he can do it, but he won't be able to do it for long,"
"Right, Green Lantern you carry Batman and Flash. I'll be flying at top speed so everyone does your best to keep up,"
"I can run on the ground you know. Besides I'm faster than you,"
"But we don't know where we will be going," Batman pointed out "You'd have to match pace with Superman,"
"It would be easier if you were in the bubble," Green Lantern agreed.
"Fine," Flash pouted.
Green Lantern created a bubble for Batman and Flash to ride in, after that the whole Justice League flew up above the clouds, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Superman focused his hearing and looked at J'onn.
"Ready," He said "all of you get ready to move it,"
J'onn nodded and once again spoke through the psychic link. "Alucard we are ready,"
With Alucard
Alucard looked down at his hands when J'onn had asked him for a way to call to Superman without alerting his captor on what he was doing, he knew the only way to do so was to activate the collar. Alucard did not want to experience any more pain. His body was already at its limits and without his healing powers, there was a very good chance he could seriously injure himself.
Alucard did not know how long he would last by if this was the only way to bring the Justice League to him then so be it. He could roll over and take Slade's offer, he would make a very effective weapon. But like he told Slade, he would rather die than live as a slave; Alucard prayed the Justice League would find him before the collar renders him unconscious again.
"On the count of three…one," He Alucard said through the psychic link and he gripped the collar tightly with both hands "two…" he mentally prepared himself and closed his eyes. This was it this was the only way.
"three," Alucard pulled the collar with all his might and it immediately reacted. He screamed out in pain as it shocked him. Alucard collapsed, his body started spasming, and fought the urge to let go. He held on and would continue to hold on even if it killed him.
Superman's head snapped in a westward direction the second he heard Alucard's scream. "This way," he said and took off flying at top speed, he and the rest of the League broke the sound barrier in under 2 seconds as the man of steel followed Alucard's voice.
Superman flew increased his speed rapidly, he could hear the pain and agony Alucard was in, the vampire was begging them to hurry. Its broke Superman's heart to hear Alucard cry out like he was, the vampire was always calm and it was hard to imagine him in great pain and hurting.
"Please…hurry…it…hurts so much," Superman heard Alucard's plea his voice was becoming fainter "can't…hold…on,"
Just a little longer Alucard, bear with it a little longer," Superman prayed. Even though he knew Alucard could not hear him. Then all of a sudden, his voice stopped. Superman stopped as well, as did the rest of the League, and the man of steel looked around violently, trying to pinpoint Alucard's voice but it was gone.
"Superman, what's wrong? Why did you stop?" Wonder Woman asked.
"I lost him, Alucard suddenly stopped," Superman claimed. He then looked at J'onn "can you contact him again,"
The Martian nodded and reached out through the psychic link but got no response.
"I'm sorry. His mind is inactive again," J'onn said sadly.
"What now?" Green Lantern asked.
"We were getting close, I know we were," Superman said and turned to face the direction that Alucard's cries had come from "let's keep going in this direction and see if we can find him,"
They kept flying and eventually came across a rundown city, that made the whole League stop and stare. While most of the buildings were still standing, there was no evidence of life. The city had been abandoned, evidence of vandalism on every building, spray-painted calls for peace, democracy and the end to the Justice Lords were in full display.
Every window was broken, all streets were littered with paper, and rats scurried in and out of overfilled and uncollected trash. The League could not believe what they were seeing as they looked over the terrible sight; the once-proud Washington DC lay in ruined and barely recognisable.
"Is this…Washington?" Superman gasped.
"This has got to be some kind of nightmare," Flash said from the ground.
"Makes sense don't you think?" Batman stated.
"How does this make sense?"
"In our world Washington means something, it's the seat of Democratic power in America. Where everyone has an equal voice," Batman explained "so, of course, it would be the first thing that the Justice Lords got rid of,"
"You're telling me our other selves did this?" Green Lantern demanded.
"No, I'm saying in a world where the concept of freedom has been taken away…it's no wonder a city built to represent and uphold that freedom is like this. Abandoned and run-down…forgotten because the people forget what it meant,"
"Let's scan the city for Alucard," Superman instructed "we'll do a few sweeps, if he's not here we'll move on,"
They flew over the city, Superman using his x-ray vision to scan all the buildings and the sewers. A few buildings were lined with led, so J'onn used his own Martin Vision which was not hindered by the led substance to peer inside. However, there was no sign of Alucard. When they flew over capitol Hill, the League stopped to see the damage done to the Washington monuments.
The Lincon memorial had been destroyed, it looked like something heavy had completely demolished it. Superman knew any one of the Justice Lords could have done this, except Batman and Flash. He felt very guilty about it. The next stop was the Washington monument, while it was not destroyed, it was heavily vandalised. Broken glass scatted around and beer and other alcohol splashes were all over it on top of the Graffiti that now decorated it.
"This is horrible," Flash said as he looked up at the monument.
"Yeah, it is," Green Lantern agreed "I'm almost afraid to check the white house,"
"We'd better check anyway," Batman advised.
The League flew towards capital him and much their relief, the White House was still standing and unlike the rest of the city, it was not vandalised and their secret service agents on guard. The League breathed a sigh of relief.
"Looks like Washington's not as abandoned as we thought," Batman commented.
The secret service had noticed them and was scrambling, pulling out guns and getting ready to defend the white house if necessary. As they were, a young woman in her early twenties with short red hair and wearing very professional clothes stepped out of the white house and onto the lawn. She looked up and the League, glaring daggers at them.
"I'll go down and talk to them,"
"You sure that's wise? We're the villains here remember," Batman pointed out "Plus our costumes are different,"
"Hey I can be bad and if they ask, I'll say it's a fashion statement or something," Superman responded. Batman gave him a look, he clearly did not believe the man of steel but did not object further "J'onn scan the Whitehouse," Superman instructed and he floated down.
"Superman, is this a working visit or did you come to threaten my father again?" the woman asked.
"What no why would…" Superman trailed off, he was about to ask why she would think that he was her to threaten her, but then he remembered his counterpart. "Oh right…um no I'm not here to threaten anyone today,"
"Then this is a working visit," the girl sighed "Fine, just tell me what you want we can get this over with,"
"Um…Can we talk to the president…please?" Superman tried. Up in the bubble Batman facepalmed, so much for playing the bad guy.
"I'm sorry Superman but my father is in a meeting," the girl said "you know to do discuss how best the population can conform to your world order,"
"But this is important,"
"If you need to speak to my father then you can make an appointment through his secretary," the girl responded with a smug look on her face "If that is too difficult even for the great Superman then you shouldn't have taken over the world,"
"Right…well…tell him I stopped by," Superman said and he flew back up to the rest of the League. They flew away from the white house and Rose gave them a dirty look before heading back inside. The League landed on a rooftop to discuss what happened.
"Please really?" Batman asked when they landed "What villains do you know that say please?"
"Luthor says it to me all the time," Superman responded.
"When he's mocking you, not when he wants something," Batman shot back.
"Okay fine, I'm not cut out to be a bad guy. Happy?"
"Very much so," Batman smiled. He then turned and looked back at the white house "Still, that was odd," he said in a more serious tone.
"Yeah, it was," Superman agreed "Given the state of the rest of the city I'm surprised the white house is still inhabited,"
"It's also weird how that girl wasn't afraid of us," Flash said "If I was an evil dictator, that kind of backtalk would piss me off,"
"That girl has strength most men here lack," Wonder Woman agreed.
"I was under the impression that President Garner didn't have a daughter,"
"Your right, he has 4 sons and all of them are much older than she is," Batman agreed.
"Well, we are in an alternate reality maybe this version of Garner had girls instead of boys," Green Lantern said. He then looked at the martial "Did you see Alucard in there?"
"No, Alucard is not in the white house, nor does anyone there know who he is," J'onn answered.
"No sense hanging around here then," Flash shrugged.
"Let's finish checking the city, the congress building not far from here. We should try there next," Superman suggested.
"You think a place that makes laws and democracy work would still be around?" Flash asked, "even with the state of the rest of the city?"
"Then why bother keeping the Whitehouse open and have a president?" Batman asked.
"Come on, we're wasting time," Green Lantern said. He reformed the bubble around Batman the League took off once more.
It didn't take the League Long to reach the congress building, but like the rest of the city what the League found shocked them. The congress building was completely destroyed and fenced off. The large dome was gone, only bare walls and charred rubble remained. It looked like a bomb had gone off and destroyed the whole building.
"It's official, our evil selves suck," Flash announced.
Superman activated his X-ray vision but he could not see past ground level, he tried other parts of the building but none could not see underground.
"The whole basement is lined with led," Superman said "I can't see beneath the building,"
"Aren't there like escape tunnels and bunkers under DC designed to keep people safe encase of a nuclear strike or something?" Flash asked.
"That's just a conspiracy. Those tunnels don't exist," Green Lantern snorted.
"How do you know?"
"Because I've scanned for them with my ring," Green Lantern responded "There is an underground bunker for the president and joint chiefs but that's about it. No secret tunnels, no hidden labs, nothing,"
"Well, that's no fun," Flash pouted.
"Maybe…Flash is right," Superman muttered softly. The League looked at him confused "DC doesn't have underground tunnels, at least not in our world," Superman said, his eyes widened and he looked away from the Congress building following the led-lined tunnels. He followed them and they connected into a much larger network under the city. "But looks like they do here,"
"Your serious?" Green Lantern asked in surprise.
"It makes sense, every building I've scanned has had led lined basement and it wouldn't be as far-fetched if they were all connected somehow,"
"We've been thinking that everything here is the same, apart from ourselves being different. Maybe there are more things that don't exist in our world that exist here," Batman thought "Events that didn't happen in our world that happened here,"
"Either way, we will have more ground to cover before leaving," Green Lantern stated "J'onn, can you scan the whole city's underground tunnel network?"
"I can, but it will take time and a few laps over the city," the Martian stated "I'll start here and work my way back,"
J'onns eyes glowed and he scanned the basement of the congress building. Even though it was lined with led his Martian vision was able to see past it. He spied people underneath, mostly young people moving supplies around, he paid them no mind and continued to look. He spotted an older-looking man on the phone to someone before he moved on and then he stopped. In the back area in what was some kind of cell was Alucard. He was lying face down on the cold metal floor of a cell and wasn't moving.
"He's here," J'onn announced.
"For real?"
"In the back, in a cell of some kind. He's not moving. I don't think he's not conscious," J'onn explained.
"Guards?" Batman asked.
"Two on the outside and…there are a lot of people in the area. They look like they're some kind of underground syndicate or something," J'onn explained.
"I don't care who they are, they are not keeping him," Superman said.
"Yeah, Als our vampire," Flash declared "they should go find their own,"
Resistance base, under the Congress building
Slade sighed, he had hoped he would have been able to pursue Alucard to join the resistances Cause, but it seemed this new Meta was bent on protecting the Justice Lords. It made no sense to Slade as to why he would, after all, Trevor had Tortured him.
He had parted ways with Alucard a few moments before he had heard him scream, Slade went back and peaked into the cell to see Alucard trying to take off the collar. He shook his head knowing the result would leave the resistance's newest guest unconscious with moments. After about a minute the screams faded and Slade confirmed that Alucard was out cold. Slade wondered why people couldn't just stand up for what was right, as much as he hated to admit it. He missed the days where Justice was delt through the courts.
He was just considering getting a bite to eat before heading back to the white house, it wouldn't be good if he was gone too long. He was the President after all and his daughter could only cover for him for so long. Suddenly his emergency phone rang. It was the phone only his daughter had the number for and if she was calling it then it had to be important.
He answered it immediately, fearing something had happened while he was gone.
"Rose, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Slade asked fearfully.
He listened to his daughter but she seemed distraught and was speaking too fast.
"Wait…slow down. What do you mean Superman and the Justice Lords came to see me?" Slade asked. That was odd, the Justice Lords usually called him from their tower. The only time the Justice Lords ever came to see him in person was if they wanted a new in place and they needed his executive order to make it happen "Different outfits, what kind of outfits? What do you mean more colourful? Flash was with them, that's impossible, he's dead,"
Before he could respond a loud crash was heard followed by the sounds of heavy rubble falling. Dust filled the area making it impossible to see and several people coughed. It sounded like something very big had slammed into the ground and broken through the tunnels. When the dust cleared, standing there were the Justice lords, and they did not look happy. Slade tried to suppress his panic, the lords had found the resistance and he was among them. It wouldn't take long for the Justice Lords to figure out he was the leader of the Resistance.
But…he did note that the costumes were different and much more colourful than the dark closure schemes he was used to.
His eyes darted over them and stopped, standing with them was Flash. Slade thought back to the phone call and he barely registered that Rose, his daughter was calling him from the phone. The shock of seeing Superman and his warlords wore off very quickly as almost all of the resistance fighters quickly dove for cover, pulled out a weapon, and began firing on the invading superheroes.
Superman moved in front of Batman, shielding him from the bullets and the Dark Knight pressed his back to the man of Steels; while Green Lantern pulled up a wall to protect the League.
"Flash, J'onn go, we'll handle these guys," Superman instructed.
Flash and J'onn raced off to find Alucard. While the rest of the League dealt with the Resistance, Superman started by melting the guns with his heat vision, and once that was taken care of Batman came out from behind him and started taking them out one at a time, using his smoke bombs to give himself and the League an advantage.
Wonder Woman and Green Lantern also rushed in taking on the reinforcements, normally the League would be a little gentler but right now two of their friends were missing and they were in no mood to play nice; in under 20 seconds everyone in the resistance minus Slade was unconscious
During the assault, Slade slipped away, and following Flash and J'onn, from the direction they were headed he knew what they were after.
Alucard.
He cursed, he had hoped that he'd had more time, he knew that the Justice Lords would come to take back their escaped meta prisoner but Alucard hadn't been with them for more than a few hours. Slade reached into his pocket and pulled out the remote for the Collar, if the resistance could not have the Meta as their ally, there was no in hell Slade was going to let the Justice Lords have him either.
With Flash and J'onn
Flash raced through the underground facility, following the mental directions that J'onn was providing. The two came across the door to Alucard's cell and Flash took down the guards before they even had a chance to react to the hero's presence. J'onn landed in front of the door and ripped it off its hinges before tossing it to one side. They entered the small room and found Alucard.
Just as J'onn said Alucard was lying face down on the floor, unmoving and his bandaged torso exposed.
"Al," Flash cried out. He sipped over to where the vampire was lying and gently rolled him to his side "Hey, are you okay,"
He didn't get a response. Alucard just lay there.
"Flash let me," J'onn said and as he came over. Flash stepped back as J'onn bent down and placed his hand on Alucard's forehead and his eye glowed yellow for a moment.
"He's alive, but unconscious," J'onn said. Flash breathed a sigh of relief. The man then noticed the collar around the vampire's neck. He reached out for it "HEY!" a voice cried out from the doorway before he could touch it. The two heroes looked to see Slade standing there holding a gun out.
J'onn and Flash stood up and stood protectively in front of the unconscious vampire.
"Get away from him," Slade demanded.
"Did you do this?" Flash asked angrily and pointed to Alucard.
"He did that to himself," Slade snorted.
"You expect us to believe that?"
"Believe what you want, it won't change the facts," Slade shot back. He was not going down without a fight and if he could take even one of the Justice Lords with him, then he would call that a victory. Before he could however Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern appeared behind him.
"Deathstroke?" Batman asked. The Dark Knight had not expected to see Slade Wilson here of all places. Batman wondered what the mercenary was doing in an underground resistance stronghold, judging by the supplies and weaponry he'd seen these people lacked the money and resources to pay Deathstroke's a high fee.
Slade took a few steps to back away from them but wonder woman caught him in her Lasso and then she shoved him to the ground. Slade cursed and he glared up at the Justice League, he expected Superman to walk over and gloat, he expected to execute or worse lobotomised on the spot. However, what he didn't expect was every Justice Lord to ignore him and go straight to Alucard. They seemed to be more concerned with him than Slade.
"Is he alright?" Wonder Woman asked as she approached.
"No, he is heavily injured and unresponsive," J'onn answered.
"How can he be injured? Doesn't he have high-speed regeneration?" Green Lantern asked.
"I don't know, but he said in his messages to me his powers weren't working,"
"Is that even possible?" Superman asked.
"We need to know what we're dealing with before we try to help him. Otherwise, we may be doing more harm than good," Batman stated. He then looked over at Slade and his eyes narrowed "Check Alucard's injuries first,"
Using his speed Flash very quickly unwrapped the bandages, he knew how to do it so it would not affect Alucard too much. He just hoped the vampire didn't have any deep open wounds. Once the bandages came off the League saw his back and front. A good portion of Alucard's skin had been melted off and there was very clear evidence of what Trevor had done to him, not to mention the deep gashes and cuts from the bindings. However, their eyes were drawn to the massive scar across his chest, from the looks of it someone had to have carved his chest wide open diagonally from one end to the other to leave a scar like that.
"Hera," Wonder Woman gasped.
Superman balled his fist in anger, this was wrong. It didn't matter that Alucard could and would heal or not. Someone had tortured him and done an extremely thorough job, the fact that his healing powers weren't working made it even worse. It was no wonder the vampire was unconscious. He marched over to Slade, grabbed the man by the neck, and slammed him against the wall while holding the end of the Lasso in his other hand.
"What did you do to him?" Superman demanded angrily.
Slade wanted to spit in Superman's eye, he wanted to tell the mand of steel to piss off. But he felt himself being unable to do so. He could feel the answer on the tip of his tongue, trying to escape. The more he tried to resist the more it wanted to come out.
"The Lasso compels you to tell the truth," Wonder Woman said walking up and standing next to Superman. She took the lasso end into her own hands "Now What did you do to Alucard?"
"I…I rescued him from Trevor and brought him here," Slade blurted out "He was injured so I had his wounds banged, and then when he woke up, I tried to force him to join my resistance group in fighting the justice Lords,"
Superman looked at Wonder Woman in surprise. The Amason looked equally confused and angry.
"Did you hurt him?" Batman asked as he walked up to Slade.
"Yes, the collar around his neck can be activated to cause great pain,"
"J'onn said Alucard had been fitted with a collar that suppresses his powers" Batman remembered, gaining Superman's attention "and that only I could take it off. Get all the information you can on it,"
Superman nodded.
"The collar around his neck, dose it suppresses all powers? Including healing abilities?" Superman asked, "What kind of effects does it have?"
J'onn had given told them what Alucard had said in their mental conversation, however, the Leauge needed to be sure that Alucard wasn't lied to and hadn't passed on false information to J'onn.
"Yes, he won't heal while it's on," Slade answered. He mentally cursed himself for giving it away. "The Power Suppression Collar suppresses all abilities that aren't classified as human and gives the wear painful shocks if the wearer tries to use them. Prolonged exposure to the shocks renders the wearer unconscious,"
"Why the hell would you put something like that on him?" Flash shouted.
"I needed him to obey, I needed him to know what would happen if he didn't join us and do as he was told,"
"If he had agreed if he had done what you asked…would you have taken the collar off him after we had been dealt with?" Superman asked.
"No,"
Superman punched the wall next to Slade's head in anger. Slade flinched and Wonder Woman stepped forward to teach Slade a lesson. Sensing that this man would not last much longer Batman stepped in.
"How do we remove the collar without hurting Alucard?" Batman asked. Again J'onn had already provided this information but Batman needed to be sure. None of the Leauge wanted to set the collar off.
"It…" Slade started but stopped as he tried to resist the lasso once again. But to no avail. "It can only be removed by someone without powers or in-human abilities," Slade confessed "only someone who meets those requirements can type in the password and unlock it,"
Batman nodded, it was just like Alucard had told J'onn. He immediately went back to Alucard and bent down behind the vampire, gently lifting his head slightly and moving Alucard's long hair out of the way trying to ignore the full extent of the vampire's injuries. He took one of his gloves off and hesitantly touched the collar. When no surge of electricity was released, he started looking for the release mechanism, it didn't take long for him to find it. Once he had he looked up at Superman.
"What's the password?" Superman demanded.
"It's Swordfish," Slade answered immediately.
"Of course, it is," Batman sighed. "Hold still Alucard," Batman instructed, even though the vampire could not hear him and wasn't moving. He typed the password into the locking mechanism on the back of the collar. Once it was in the collar clicked open and fell to the ground. Batman kicked it away and Wonder Woman stomped on it before Superman used his heat vision to melt the collar into a puddle of metal.
Batman lowered Alucard's head back to the ground and the League looked at Alucard expectantly, as if taking the collar off would immediately wake the vampire up. It didn't.
"Um, so what now?" Flash asked worriedly.
Before anyone could respond Alucard's injuries started to close. The League watched as Alucards flesh began to knit back together and his wounds close up, and fade away, in under thirty seconds all of the vampire's open wounds and burns were gone, as if they had never been there. Unfortunately, the large scar and where he had been bound with the magical bindings left very obvious and a painful reminder of what Alucard endured all over his body.
Once the injuries were gone Alucard twitched and began to stir.
The League waited and a second later Alucard groaned and his eyes opened. The first thing he saw was Justice League hovering around him.
"About time," he said with a smile.
The League breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Are you alright?" Flash asked.
Alucard moaned in pain as he pushed himself into a sitting position. His body still hurt and his hearing had not been healed. But at least the pain was much more manageable than before.
"I am fine…no need to worry," Alucard answered, though his voice betrayed just how much pain he was in.
"No, you not, you were tortured by two different people," Flash argued back.
"My body is already healed,"
"No, it hasn't, you have deep marks all over your body,"
"Injuries caused by certain magics meant to bind vampires and creatures of darkness take longer to heal…my body will take care of the that on its own," He assured. Thankfully the League seemed to accept this as a lot of the tension left their bodies. As long as they didn't shout or raise their voice, Alucard could hide the damage done to his hearing. It was then noticed that one member of the Justice League was missing "where is Hawk Girl,"
"We're not sure. She was taken to a hospital somewhere and we can't find her," Green Lantern awarded.
Slade pushed himself up and he noticed the collar was off.
"You fool, the Justice lords will kill you. Your only chance at survival was the resistance,"
"Uh, what's he talking about?" Flash asked.
"He is convinced that you are going to kill me," Alucard informed.
"Why would he think that?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Hold on, do they think we're the Justice Lords?" Green Lantern asked.
"Well, we did tear up their hidden base," Wonder Woman shrugged "and go through everyone here like they were nothing,"
"They shot at us first," Flash claimed "Who is this guy anyway?"
"He claims to be the president… whatever that is," Alucard spoke up. He tried to get up but found he couldn't quite stand yet.
"Slade's the president?" Batman asked as he pushed Alucard back down. He could tell the vampire needed more time to allow his powers to finish healing the deeper muscle damage done.
"HE'S THE PRESIDENT! WE JUST ATTACKED THE PRESIDENT!" Green Lantern freaked out
"Who the hell put Deathstroke in the oval office?" Batman demanded.
"Um…you did," Slade answered and pointed at Batman.
"Well, we're going to jail," Flash said.
"He's also the leader of a resistance group dedicated to taking down the Justice League…or at least this world's version of them," Alucard continued.
"Oh great, as if I didn't already feel bad enough," Green Lantern moaned.
"Wait, if he's the president then maybe we can work something out," Superman tired.
"He tried to make Al his slave," Flash argued.
"But we need help, we don't know this world," Batman pointed out "Alucard, what did he want you to do?"
"He wanted me to fight and kill the League…I mean this worlds version of the League,"
"You mean he's not on their side?" Wonder woman asked.
"Of course not, they're dictators. I run a puppet administration, the people have no say, no rights nothing. I started the resistance because I don't agree with what they are doing,"
"And now they are on our world," J'onn claimed "the damage they will do,"
"We need to get back, now," Batman insisted.
"We don't know where the portal is," Wonder Woman reminded "and we need to find Hawk Girl,"
Slade was very confused; he was trying to think of any reason why the Justice lords were acting this way. They knew he was the president; they'd been the ones to ensure he'd been placed in office. None of what they were saying or how they were acting made sense, they were acting like they did before Flash died.
"What are you talking about?" Slade demanded "either kill me or start making sense,"
The League looked at each other and then down at Alucard, the vampire gave them a nod and Superman put Slade down and stepped back.
"So, this is going to sound kind of crasy but…we're from another world. One where we haven't taken over and aren't evil,"
Slade stared at the Justice League in surprise.
"I'm sorry…come again?" he said.