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Bruce woke up early the following morning. When he staggered into the kitchen Alferd was in the middle of making breakfast, the butler was surprised to see him up.
"Oh, Master Wyne, this is a surprise to see you up this early," Alferd said "It's not even 8 am yet,"
"I have to go to Germany today," Bruce said.
Alfred frowned. "Need I remind you that you have a Gala on tonight,"
"Not as Bruce Wayne, like Batman," Bruce clarified "there is an old journal I need to look at,"
"Can it wait?"
"No Alfred, I don't think it can," Bruce said in an oddly soft and regret-filled voice.
Alferd picked on the tone and sighed.
"Everything is set for the gala, the caters will be here at noon to set up. I suppose I can handle that," Alfred said "however you need to be back in time to greet your guests,"
"I will," Bruce promised.
After Breakfast Bruce went to his office and did some work, he made sure that Wyne's enterprises were in good hands and double-checked that his Will was up to date. Which it was, he one or two slight adjustments, sending an email with instructions to his lawyer and sighing it to make it legitimate.
Once done he assisted Alfred with the last-minute preparations for the gala. He then headed down to the Batcave, donned his Batman costume, and headed out in the Batwing for Berlin. When he arrived, as predicted it was already night-time. He landed the plane on the roof of the Natural Museum.
Breaking into the museum was easy for Batman. He hacked the security cameras and uploaded a virus into the security system that would loop camera footage for 10minuts and then delete itself. Leaving no trace of the virus. Once that was done, he entered the museum and made his way to the wing where the journal was on display.
He found it inside a locked glass case. With the security system, disabled Batman carefully opened the picked the lock on the case, and started to read the book. He started at the beginning, while a lot of the text was faded due to time, Batman was able to read some of it with a UV lamp.
He carefully read the artifact, using sterilized tweezers to turn the page. It was interesting. The Journal belonged to Doctor Dustyn, who travelled the land to study sickness in hopes of better understating the human body. It wasn't until halfway in that the doctor discovered odd diseases that he'd never heard of.
Doctor Dustyn noted down the symptoms, sudden head pain that renders its victims helpless and screaming in pain. Attacks can last for hours at a time. This matched what Batman had experienced. He continued to read as Doctor Dustyn described wanting to see these patients the following day. Only to discover that the patient was dead. Having been found with violent cuts and other injures. Doctor Dustyn concluded the patient had died due to self-harm.
The journal then went on to state that Doctor Dustyn had started finding more and more cases of the same disease as he travelled. There were so many that he called it a Plague. However, all the symptoms matched, and all those who had the disease were found dead with
Doctor Dustyn concluded that the final stages of the virus caused the victims to go mad and attack each other, if there was no one around they would attack themselves until they succumbed to their own self-inflicted injuries.
The last page on the journal stated that Doctor Dustyn had begun to show symptoms himself, believing he too had finally caught the plague. His last entry was that he was in Styria and planned to die there. The last page of the journal was a hand-drawn map of the path that the plague had taken. Batman took a photo of it and it showed that Gedankenangriffe had indeed spread all across northern Europe.
Once he had what he needed he put the Journal back, re-locked the case up, and left without leaving any trace he had been there. Once Batman was back in the Batwing, he slammed his fist onto the console hard; but not hard enough to cause damage in a mixture of rage and anger.
"Damn it," he shouted.
Batman breathed hard, as the situation he was in truly took effect.
"Damn it…" he repeated in a softer tone, full of regret as the woman's words finally sunk in.
The vampire he met on the rooftops had been right. Batman was going to die tonight and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He had hoped Gedankenangriffe was not contagious, although given what the Journal said, it was.
After taking a few moments to calm down, Batman started up the Batwing and flew it back to Gotham. When he got back, he headed straight for the kitchen, avoiding the caters who were setting up in the main hall. He could smell the food being warmed up and prepared. The trip to Berlin and back had taken most of the afternoon and now he only had two hours before the gala.
He found Alfred directing some hired staff for the evening and signalled him over. Alfred walked over and Bruce gave a follow gesture, they headed to Bruce's office to speak in private. Once in the office Bruce walked over to the window and looked out over the garden.
"How was your trip master Wayne?" Alfred asked.
"I'm dying," Bruce said flatly.
"We are all dying master Wayne, it's part of living,"
"No Alfred, I have been infected with a disease,"
"Oh?" Alfred perked up.
Batman explained everything that had happened in the last two nights. From the sudden onset of painful migraines to passing out for several hours, waking up in the Watchtower infirmary, and what the medical tubes provided on the scans. He also explained what happened last night, though he left out the woman he spoke to who claimed to be a vampire.
After which we told him the name of the disease and it was the reason he had to go to Germany. He told him about the Journal and that it confirmed what the woman had said and that he was infected with some kind of plague that spread across Europe in the early 1200s.
"I see, I have never heard of Gedankenangriffe before," Alfred said.
"Me either, but the symptoms match up," Bruce claimed.
"I am assuming there is no cure,"
"No, there was not one listed in the journal,"
"Maybe you should look elsewhere. Do tests, studies, you have access to the most advanced medical equipment on the planet,"
"It would be impossible; I'm infected with a disease from thousands of years ago. There is barely any recorded information from back then, I was lucky to find the journal," Bruce said. He leaned forward his forehead on the window "it would take too much time to find out more. Time, I don't have,"
"I see, how long do you have?" Alfred asked.
"Only today, I will die sometime tonight," Bruce said solemnly.
"What? But that's too soon,"
"I know but according to the journal, people died within hours of contracting Gedankenangriffe," Bruce said "the fact is I've had it for two days and that is longer than anyone else who contracted it,"
"Will it be painless at least?" Alfred asked.
"No, it won't," Bruce answered "There is a high chance I might go berserk and go on a killing rampage,"
"If that is a joke it's in poor taste," Alferd said flatly.
Bruce turned to look at the butler.
"it's no joke, it's how the other victims of Gedankenangriffe died," Bruce said seriously "with my skills I could permanently injure or even kill someone,"
"I see, so what do you want to do?" Alfred asked.
"I sent an email to my lawyer, made some last-minute alterations to my will. Nothing major, just a few extra donations. I think the best solution would be to sedate me," Bruce said.
"Sedate you?"
"Yes, for the last hours, I won't hurt anyone this way," Bruce said.
"What about the Gala?" Alfred asked "it's too late to cancel everything,"
"I know, I'll go to the gala, however when I feel the migraines, I'll excuse myself, that is when we will go down to the Batcave and you'll sedate me," Bruce said "This way at least I will go peacefully,"
"I do not want to do that,"
"I know,"
"Surely there must be more information. Since we've never heard of Gedankenangriffe it must have stopped or been eradicated sometime in the past,"
"The last entry in the journal was the doctor that was following it ended up in Styria. Though the journal claimed he had finally contracted it too," Bruce said.
"I see, it is a shame," Alferd said "I will say again that I do not want to do this…but I will," Alferd said "And I will bury you with your parents,"
"Thank you, Alferd," Bruce said.
"It is a shame we do not have books dating back to the early medical practices in our library," Alfred said.
"Yeah, it is," Bruce agreed. Suddenly a thought entered his head "Library…hold on that's it!"
"Master Wayne?"
"I need to go,"
"What? where?"
"To a Library filled with dark and forgotten knowledge,"
"And where would this be, might I ask?"
"The bottom of the ocean," Bruce answered and he ran out of the office. Alfred stared bewildered at Bruce's' response.
He let out a sigh, "It's going to be one of those days again,"
Bruce ran back downstairs, grabbed his Batman costume, and lept into the Batwing, He launched the plane for the third time in a few hours and flew it out to the ocean. He sent a message to Aquaman requesting an Atlantian sub as he needed to speak to Alucard on an urgent matter.
Batman landed his Batwing on a deserted Island and Aquaman was waiting with the sub. It was pre-programmed to take him to Castlevania. Batman boarded the sub and it submerged into the deep water below.
It didn't take long for the sub to reach its destination. Since Atlantian technology was far more advanced than the technology on the surface. Once Batman was inside the protective dome and the sub had landed. He got out and looked up at the imposing Castlevania.
This was his last hope, Alucard had told the league that his father was a polymath and interested in all forms of science. Add to the fact his mother was a doctor who acquired her medical knowledge from Dracula. If there was anywhere on earth that had information on diseases from several thousand years ago it would be here. If Alucard didn't know then he could ask the Master Librarian.
Batman walked up to the Castle door, grabbed the handle, and knocked. It was late afternoon and he wasn't sure whether Alucard would still be asleep or not. A few seconds after he knocked the heavy doors opened.
Alucard stood there in the doorway, he didn't look like he had just woken up.
"Hello Batman, what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I need access to your library," Batman demanded and pushed his way into the castle.
Alucard raised an eyebrow at this, but let Batman pass and then followed him. As the vampire turned away from the doors they closed on their own.
"My library is filled with dark secrets and forgotten knowledge…I cannot see that you would ever have need of that knowledge,"
Batman let out a sigh.
"Alucard I'm sick. I have been getting excruciating migraines over the last two nights that leave me in a very vulnerable state," Batman said.
Alucard immediately moved in front of Batman causing the dark knight to stop midway into the foyer. The Vampire leaned forward until his nose was only inches away from Batman, he breathed in Batmans' scent deeply a few times. Before he pulled back and gave Batman a critical look.
"You do not smell unwell," Alucard commented.
"Well, I am, I've somehow contracted a disease from the 1200s and I need to find a cure before it kills me," Batman claimed.
"I see…do you happen to know what the disease is called?"
"Gedankenangriffe,"
Alucard's eyes narrowed and the shadows in the castle sifted, making the interior darker than it was before.
"Where did you hear that from?" Alucard asked in a deadly tone.
"Last night, I met a woman on a rooftop, she wanted to fight me; to test my worth or something. She refused when the Migraine took over, she told gave me that name,"
"And you are sure they used exact words?" Alucard asked seriously.
"Yes. I looked it up there was an outbreak of Gedankenangriffe several centuries before you were born. You're the only person on this earth that would have records from back then. So let me look at your library,"
"I see…this is…unfortunate," he said with regret in his voice. The shadow rescinded.
"You know about Gedankenangriffe, don't you," Batman realised.
"I do…you do not need my library for this…I can tell you all about Gedankenangriffe," Alucard offered "Come, let us move to the sitting room,"
Alucard led Batman to his sitting room and when they arrived the fire lit on its own. The two sat down in two very comfy single armchairs with a wooden round table between them. A swirl of dark energy engulfed the table and when it faded there were two crystal wine glasses on a tray and an unopened bottle of red wine.
Batman raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
"Would you care for a drink?" Alucard offered.
"No," Batman responded.
"Well, I'm having one…I will need it for this conversation," Alucard claimed. He picked up the bottle, opened it, and poured himself a glass. "it's wine by the way," he added when he saw the look Batman was giving the red liquid and he took a sip from the glass.
"So, what can you tell me about Gedankenangriffe?" Batman asked once they were settled.
"Gedankenangriffe is a condition known in vampire society, depending on where the vampire was from the name would change. In Wallachia it was known as Rezistența minții," Alucard started.
"You don't sound surprised or concerned that I have it," Batman observed.
"I am not, the fact is it is not just you afflicted with this condition," Alucard confirmed while swishing his wine in the glass "I would say the entire Justice League is afflicted by this stage,"
"We're all infected with a terminal disease," Batman gasped.
"Gedankenangriffe or Rezistența minții is not traditionally fatal…unfortunate those that acquire this condition do not often survive,"
"Then that woman, she said I would not recover from this...does that means the others won't either?"
"She was not lying… Rezistența minții can't be cured…that much is true," Alucard nodded in confirmation "though that is not necessarily a bad thing in the long run,"
"The Death of the Justice League is a bad thing," Batman snapped back. He then stood up "If what you say is true then the whole of the United States could be infected. We've been everywhere,"
"Worry not, they aren't," Alucard response casually and took another sip of his wine.
"How do you know that; how can you remain so calm?" Batman shouted "We don't even know where, how or when we picked up a disease from over a thousand years ago,"
Alucard set his wine aside and gave Batman a very serious look. "I know where you go it from," he said.
"Where?"
Alucard leaned forward, clasped his hands together, and rested his chin on them. "Me…you acquired Rezistența minții from me," Alucard admitted.
Batman froze and stared at Alucard in shock. That didn't make sense, Alucard was half-vampire, he was immune to all forms of human sickness, he even told the league himself that he couldn't get sick or even carry any kind of virus or germs that would be harmful to humans due to his vampire side.
"You, but you can't get sick…you told us you can't carry harmful virus?" Batman retorted.
"I do not carry human diseases that is true," Alucard agreed "Rezistența minții however is vampire related and in Origen. It is something all vampires carry and can pass onto humans…even half vampires can pass it on,"
Batmans' eyes widened. Out of all the things, all the dangers that Batman believed would come with being allies with Alucard. His need to feed on blood, his vampiric abilities, his dark magic, and his castle. A disease was not one of them. After all, there was nothing in vampire lore that said that Vampires could pass on sickness or disease to humans…apart from Vampirism.
And Alucard had told him that there was a chance that he could not turn humans into vampires due to his human blood diluting his vampire blood.
"You've been carrying a disease that is deadly to humans this whole time?!" Batman shouted angrily.
"It doesn't just affect humans Batman, there is a high chance that Superman, Hawk Girl, and J'onn all have it too. In fact, I am certain of it,"
"Why did you not tell us about this?" Batman demanded, "Why did you not mention it earlier?"
"What do you mean…I did. Besides it is not something I have control over everyone who is not of the night is vulnerable to Rezistența minții… whether the vampire in question wants it to or not. Not even my father could control it,"
"So, the League is sick because of you?" Batman said darkly "we're going to die because of you,"
"You are not going to die Batman and please stop referring to Rezistența minții as a sickness," Alucard assured "Only vampires refer to it as such,"
"What should I be referring to it then?" Batman snapped aggressively.
"A blessing…because that is what it is,"
"How is something that vampires refer to as a sickness that kills people a gift?" Batman demanded "You said the league was infected by you, we've been carrying a disease that you gave us,"
"How many people have we infected? How many people will die because you didn't tell us you were carrying a disease?!"
Alucard stood up and stepped forward closer to Batman.
"Batman please calm down," Alucard tired. "I assure you Rezistența minții not fatal…you have no need to worry, humans cannot spread it…only vampires can,"
"You've been out in the Metropolis Library…you've been on missions with us…how many people have you infected?" Batman accused.
Alucard paused for a moment and thought about what Batman had said. It was true, he had been out and around Metropolis quite a bit.
"Hmm…that is a good point…" Alucard ponded, completely ignoring Batman's outbursts and anger. He thought about it "I think Michel might be in the early stages of it by now…perhaps I should spend more time with him…just to be safe,"
Batman stared at Alucard ins shock he could not believe that Alucard knew he carried something deadly and he hadn't thought about who he had infected. In fact, he was willing to spend more time with someone who has infected to further progress the condition.
"For the last time, you are not sick Batman…not in the traditional sense," Alucard assured "But the symptoms, conditions for acquiring it, and the outcome are always the same and have always been the same across the world,"
"Meaning,"
"Gedankenangriffe …or Rezistența minții is only considered a sickness by vampires," Alucard claimed "in times past, it was considered a blessing to humans of certain circles,"
"Which circles?"
"Hunters,"
"Why would hunters consider it a blessing…unless…"
"Batman… Rezistența minții is translated to Mind Resistance. It is protection against a vampire's natural ability to charm their prey," Alucard confirmed "I did tell you and the League months ago that being around me will help you resist such effects,"
"But you and that woman said it was fatal,"
"No…I said that humans who acquire it do not often survive. However, it is not the condition that causes death…it is other vampires who kill those with it,"
"Why?"
"Because given enough time, you will not feel the pain, it will not leave you vulnerable," Alucard explained "The Vampire race did not like that so…they killed any human who had developed this immunity. It is also why vampires don't often keep human servants unless they are made thralls. Even then they killed them after a few months just be sure they did not develop this condition,"
"So…we're not sick?"
Alucard shook his head. "No, however, you are now a target. The fact that a woman in Gotham knew of this condition means they are a vampire…that same Vampire will not stop hunting you until she kills you,"
"She won't find me, I hide my identity well," Batman assured.
"If she has your scent then it will only be a matter of time," Alucard warned.
"Then why didn't she kill me on the rooftop,"
"Likely to install this reaction in you. You are told you will die; you react poorly. This vampire wants you to suffer, live your last hours in panic and fear…before they deal the finishing blow,"
"Hours? Don't you mean days?"
"No Batman I do not," Alucard said seriously "the daylight hours are your last come nightfall…the moment the sun sets…your fate is sealed,"
"Why give me any time at all,"
"Courtesy mostly," Alucard shrugged "time to get your affairs in order,"
"Then tell me how to ward them off, teach me how to fight vampires,"
"I can help you mask your scent, but that will only stall the inevitable…do you remember what this vampire looked like?" Alucard asked "perhaps I know them,"
Batman described the woman he had met on the rooftop the previous night, along with a description of the girl who he and Cat woman had encountered as well. Immediately after Batman had finished, Alucard let out a loud violent hiss, the shadows suddenly came to life and the castle got very dark and a chill ran down Batmans spine. He glanced around; he didn't know why but Alucard's reaction seemed to have stirred something in the Castlevania. Almost as if it shared Alucard's anger.
"I take it you recognise them," Batman assumed wearily.
"There are only two vampires I know who match that description, Lenore and Striga of Styria," Alucard said seriously "and those two are involved…Morana is too,"
"Who are they?"
"Go to Atlantis Batman, they will not find you nor can they reach you there," Alucard advised "Stay there until morning…by then you will no longer be of concern,"
"Wait, where are you going?"
"Gotham. To kill three very powerful and dangerous vampires," Alucard said darkly.
"I am not going to hide and let you kill three people,"
"You do not understand how dangerous these women are," Alucard tried "they are full-blooded vampires, they do not care for humans as I do…they see you and everyone in that city only as cattle to be ruled over,"
"There has to be a way to neutralize and contain them,"
"They cannot be contained if you attempt to imprison them, they will simply escape," Alucard explained "the only way to truly contain a vampire is trap them around a large body of water…but even then, doing so would kill them…eventually,"
"Alucard, I don't kill, the League does not kill," Batman said seriously.
"Then don't, walk away…leave Gotham for 1 night. That way you won't be killing anyone,"
"But you will,"
"If it makes you feel better…they are already dead," Alucard tried.
Batman gave him a glare. Alucard let out a sigh.
"Batman you have to understand, they have all the powers that I have…the only way to save your city is to kill them and you can't do that. You are not trained in dealing with the night," Alucard reasoned.
"I won't let you run around my city killing people," Batman said "Nor will I hide while they come after me,"
"They will kill you," Alucard hissed.
Batman thought about the situation, it went against his code to kill and he hated those who did. However, Alucard knew these vampires and from the way, he was acting Batman could tell they were very dangerous and it would be foolish to ignore his warnings and advice.
But Batman's code kept him from taking it, there had to be a way to deal with this threat that didn't break his code. A
"In the Justice Lords world, you were captured and contained by both Trevor and Slade," Batman stated.
"I…was bound…yes," Alucard agreed. From the tone of voice and the shift, Batman could tell Alucard did not like talking or thinking about that particular experience.
"Could we use whatever bound you on them?" Batman suggested "and put a power damping collar on them,"
"I…I don't know if those cuffs exist here…if they do…the Belmonts would have them," Alucard claimed "as for the collar…I am not sure if that would work on a full-blooded vampire,"
"But would it work?" Batman urged.
"It…might…for a short time anyway," Alucard answered "but there are still dangers involved,"
"I would rather that than you killing them," Batman said.
Alucard opened his mouth to argue further, but a glare from Batman changed his mind.
"Very well Batman, we shall do it your way," he said "I will ask the Belmonts if they have those cuffs and if they will be willing to loan me a pair for a bit,"
"Thank you and sorry about my outburst earlier," Batman apologised.
"You were upset with confronting your own mortality and death and believed the cause would harm those around you…it is a natural response,"
"Can you send me back to Gotham? I have a prior engagement that starts in less than half an hour," Batman requested.
Alucard nodded and led Batman to the transport room, he would need to use it himself to get to the Belmonts. Once their Batman stood in the circle and the candles came to life with Alucard's spell.
"Batman, wherein Gotham should I meet you?"
"The roof of the Gotham City Police Department," Batman answered "If any officers come up, tell them that I told you to wait there for me,"
"Very well," Alucard confirmed and Batman disappeared in a pillar of black flames.
Gotham city rooftops
A sawm of bats flew over the rooftops of Gotham. It was just past 8 pm, the sun had been down for the last 90 minutes. The moment the sun had gone and the last light of day had passed, Striga set out to track down Batman to kill him. Since she had his scent as she had breathed it in the previous night to track him down.
Striga had started on the rooftop that she had met Batman the previous night and then spread out from there. Batman's scent led her all over Gotham, that was expected seeing as he prowled the city at night. It was particularly strong on the roof of the Gotham City police department, and at Arkham Asylum. However, it wasn't all over the place.
Striga knew that this only meant that Batman visited those two places quite frequently; she kept them in mind encase she wanted to lay in wait for him. Fortunately, that was not needed.
Soon her search paid off as she followed a particularly strong trail that led just outside of the city to a large manner. Striga landed in a tree and reverted to her human form. Using the shadows to mask her, Sitter look observed the large mansion in front of her. She took several deep breaths and Batman's scent was all over the mansion, embedded deep within its walls and grounds. There was another older scent that was equally as strong, like a family member or partner or someone close to Batman.
Striga grinned, she had found Batman home. She stealthy made her way to a window and peeked inside. Striga saw that there were other people dressed in fancy attire and servants were carrying around trays of food and drink.
Striga let out a low growl before she transformed into a swarm of bats once more and flew away from the mansion and back towards the city. She headed to a large apartment building that stood a little out of place and flew into an open window on one of the top floors. Once inside she turned back into her human form again.
Striga marched out of the room, headed across the hall, and opened the door across from her. The room was a large well-lit bedroom, there was no bed, however, just an open coffin. There was a table with a mirror attached, a large wardrobe, a changing screen with a bath behind it.
Lenore stood in front of the mirror; she was wearing a beautiful long sparking dark blue ball gown with a thin black should. Her hair was done up in a bun with a braid hanging out and she was applying red paint to her lips. Even though she was looking at the mirror; there was no reflection staring back at her.
"We have problem," Striga said.
"Can it wait, I'm about to leave," Lenore responded as she applied some lipstick.
"Batman and Bruce Wayne are the same person,"
Lenore froze and turned to look at Striga.
"Are you sure?"
"Jaa, I tacked Batman's scent, it strongest at Wyne's house," Striga conformed.
Lenore turned back to the mirror and continued to get ready, this time doing her eyelashes.
"I don't see that as a problem, it just gives us another advantage and it will be a useful way to get him alone,"
"It is problem because Batman has developed Gedankenangriffe," Striga said seriously
"Ah…that could be a problem," Lenore agreed "but nothing I can't handle,"
"You sure? Gedankenangriffe will make it hard if not impossible
"You forget my talents Striga, I may be weaker than other vampires and not have as much power as my sisters. But even when humans have developed Gedankenangriffe I have still managed to sway them to what we want them to do,"
"That may be the case but Batman is close to Alucard. It may be dangerous for you to be near him. Wayne could call him for help,"
"Well, if he does then we will resort to doing things the old-fashioned way," Lenore supposed.
"Kidnapping Wayne and torturing him to do what we want?"
"We could always turn him into a vampire," Lenore suggested "as a fledgling, he would be completely dependent on his sire and have little choice but to obey us for the first hundred years of his undead life. By that stage, we should have everything in place and we can kill him off before he grows out of us,"
Striga smiled "and here I thought Carmila was the scary one,"
"I don't know what you are referring to, I am the diplomat, looking for compromises and solutions is what I do best," Lenore smiled. She then turned around and picked up a black handbag.
"Now if you will excuse me, I have a gala to attend," Lenore said.
"Be careful sister,"
Lenore gave a sweet smile and dissolved into mist. Striga watched her go out the door and into the night.