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Striga paced back and forth in her and Morana shared room. Morana was lying on a lavash bed and watched her lover and wife pace up and down.
"Striga love, come to bed," Morana requested "Everything will be fine,"
"It will be dawn in less than an hour, yet Lenore has not returned,"
"She probably just lost track of time,"
"No, Lenore is smarter than that," Striga said "I should go and search for her,"
"Don't be silly, the sun will be up in less than an hour,"
"I will wear my armour,"
Morana clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "Fine, but if you wake me when you get back, I will move your coffin to the back shed and you will be sleeping there for a month,"
Striga smiled. "Do not worry love, I will be quiet," she said and walked over and kissed Morana and walked out of the room. She changed into her Daylight amour and then flew out into the lasts of the night.
She had only been flying a couple of minutes when she heard a loud
Her eyes widened in horror through her proactive visor. The building that she had just left, the one that she and her sisters had used was in flames. And not just regular flames, these flames were pitch Black and the fire was not spreading to the other buildings. This was no ordinary fire, but magically controlled Hellfire.
"MORANA!" Striga screamed as she turned and flew back at high speeds.
Striga would have charged in, however she stopped in front of her and Moranas shared bedroom window. It was not the heat from the flames that were stopping her. No, she could handle the intense heat easily. It was what she could see from the window that paused her movement. Morana was hanging limply in the air, a blade through her chest holding her in place. Not just any blade, but a long thin silver blade. Striga stared at its wilder in anger and fury.
"ALUCARD!" She shouted in rage and grief.
Alucard turned his head towards her, in one quick movement he removed the blade and dropped threw the limp body into the black flames where it burned away. He then turned his back to Striga and walked further into the flames. Striga lost sight of him but she screamed. Now it was clear why Lenore had not returned. Alucard was in Gotham, he probably got to her.
"NO!" Striga screamed. She burst in but it was too late, there was nothing left of her Morana. Striga let out a battle cry and raced through the house, searching for her lover's killer. She would tear Alucard limb from limb, destroy him thoroughly inside and out for his actions here today.
The flames got more and more intense as the hellfire burned everything around her. When she got to the main room, she stared up at large burning flames on the wall, when they died, they would leave a single word forever burnt into the wood. Striga could hear the screams of the other residents in the house. Newly turned lesser vampires that had been turned to lure more people to them. They were likely being burned away as well.
Striga ignored them and focused on the brunt message that Alucard had left on the wall.
CARMILLA
Striga stared at it, she knew what this was. Why Alucard was here, he wasn't here to help Batman or protect and save him from the sisters, he was here to challenge them, to challenge Carmila. Striga knew Carmilla was not in Gotham at the moment, she had left two days ago to speak with Shaft and Cornell.
So, they would be ready to make their move against Alucard. But he'd beaten them to it. In one night, he had taken out half of the sister's council. Could he have known that Lenore would be out by herself? Or that Carmilla would not be here? Could have been stronger than they had been led to believe? That couldn't be right, Alucard was weak, he was not a full-blooded vampire, he was tainted by…
"Humans," Striga realised.
Suddenly her mind started to piece everything together, Alucard joining the league, letting them develop immunity…the gala. Striga may be the strongest of the four sisters and she may not have Lenore's silver tongue or Carmila's ambition, or Moranas mind for economics and commerce. But she was a General and had when it came to battle strategy and commanding troops. No one was better than her.
"Alucard you Half breed conniving Mother Fuker," Striga Shouted angrily.
This wasn't just a challenge; this was a first strike. A cleverly disguised first strike.
"Fine you want waw, I will give you war," Striga promised Darkly "and you will regret ever challenging us,"
She turned ran and jumped out a nearby window and launched herself into the air. Flying away from her burning home as the sound of sirens could be heard approaching the burning building. The Gotham police and fire department responding to the fire. It would be pointless; they wouldn't be able to get close.
Striga flew off towards Wyne Mannor. If Alucard wanted war, she would give it to him.
Wayne Mannor
Alfred woke up early that morning, he got up, headed to the kitchen, and made himself a cup of coffee before starting on his morning duties. Due to the events last night, he was in no hurry to wake Bruce up.
He still found it odd and highly concerning that Brice had vanished for hours last night. When Alfred didn't see him at the gala for a while the butler headed down to the Batcave expecting to find Bruce down there or signs that he had gone out to patrol Gotham. However much to his surprise, the Bat computer was turned off, the Batmobile, Bat bike, and Batwing were still in the cave as were all the Batman costumes.
When Alfred went back upstairs, he started asking the staff and one of the servers pointed to the balcony Bruce had gone out to with Lenore. When Alfred got out there, he didn't see him and that was when he knew something was wrong, combined with Bruce's declaration that he was going to die last night.
Alfred had been searching the grounds for nearly two hours, there was a lot to cover and he was also checking the hidden areas, secret entrances, and exits that led in and out of the Batcave along with some of the hideaway places Bruce had used before his parents had died. He didn't think Bruce would be there but Alfred was running out of places to search. He had been tempted to alert Hawk Girl and Green Lantern, but he didn't want to cause a scene plus he knew Bruce was perfectly capable of taking care of himself and if he had disappeared due to a Batman-related issue, alerting the two heroes could compromise his identity.
Alfred was glad that Bruce had been returned and what appeared to be unharmed. He was concerned about the bite marks on Bruce's neck as they looked like snake bites. But other than from what Alfred could tell he was fine. Though he would need to double-check when Bruce woke up.
So here he was, making himself some eggs and a cup of coffee and enjoying a quiet morning. After he finished eating, Alfred walked over to the sink and started to run the water, intending to wash up his plate and cup. Just as he was about the start there was a crash and the sound of shattering of glass from upstairs.
Alferd immediately looked ran to a window to see if he could find what had caused the noise, however, what he saw was an armoured figure with a massive great sword flying down and slamming Bruce into the ground. Alfred winced. He knew there would likely be some fractures or broken bones. Alferd forgot about the dishes and ran out towards the back door.
Outside, Bruce struggled to stand. He was rudely awakened when something burst through his bedroom window. When he looked up there was a purple armoured figure that held a crow-like design with a massive great sword.
The armoured figure hadn't waited for Bruce to even register what was going on before they grabbed him, dragged him out the window as they jumped. When the armoured figure was close to the ground, they threw slammed the billionaire into the ground. Thankfully Bruce's training kicked in and he was able to land in a way that would not do any permanent damage.
Then the figure landed in front of him.
"Alucard killed my sister," Strigas voice came from the armour "he then killed my love, they're both dead. He killed my family so now I will kill his,"
Striga charged forwards with all the speed she could muster and Batman was barely able to move out of the way as she brought her great sword down upon him. It left a large crater in the ground with several cracks. Striga lifted her blade once more, normally great swords were heavy and hard to use, however, Striga being a vampire was easily able to swing it consistently without issue and her innate vampire speed made up for it.
Striga lunged forward once more, however, this time Bruce was prepared. He grabbed her arm and flipped onto her back and hung onto the armour. It wasn't a good position but Burce knew he would last longer on the back of a vampire than in front of them.
"You're 500yrs too late, Alucard's family died centuries ago," Bruce shot back as he hung on to the armour.
Striga screamed in rage, she reached behind her to try and grab Bruce. While the armour protected her from the day it also limited her fighting capabilities as she could not transform in it. Striga liked to be up in the front in fights and was not good at transforming in general so it didn't normally bother her.
When Bruce ducked out of her reach, Striga launched herself in the air and once she was above the mansion Striga let herself fall. She would be able to survive but Bruce would not. As the ground approached Bruce jumped off and managed to grab the drain on the roof of the manor.
As he was pulling himself up Striga shot up once more and landed above him. She raised her sword and swung across the roof. The blade tore through the tiles, beams and the bricks and Bruce once again began to fall and this time there was nothing for him to grab onto.
Bruce closed his eyes and waited for the impact on the ground. However, Alucard swooped down from the sky and caught him just before he hit the ground. Bruce looked at him and gave the vampire a nod.
Alucard quickly spun around, he whipped out his blade, igniting it with blue flames, and whirled around just in time to block Strigas' overhead strike.
"Good morning Striga," Alucard said as he pushed Striga off.
"You, you killed Lenore and Morana," Striga shouted in rage.
"I did…I also burnt your house down," Alucard confirmed.
Striga screened and swung her blade recklessly. Alucard blocked each blow as Striga swung her massive blade enraged at the loss of her loved ones. Even though Striga was the stronger of the two Alucard knew that she was not thinking straight. He was able to hold her back and evade her strikes if they got too close.
Bruce watched the battle between two vampires, he could barely see the reflation's of the blades and it was sinking in just how strong the two were. Even though it was clear which one of them was stronger. Alucard was egging Striga on, keeping her angry. Bruce knew that this tactic would mean she was more likely to make a mistake.
"Master Bruce," Alfreds called. Bruce looked behind him to see Alfred was on the side door and gesturing for him to come back into the house. Bruce looked back at the two vampires; he knew he would only be a liability to Alucard if he stayed. So, he ran over to Alfred.
"Master Bruce are you alright?" Alfred asked.
Bruce opened his mouth but nothing came out. He scowled and nodded in response. If Alfred was surpassed or considered he didn't show it.
"Who are those two?" Alfred asked "is that same fellow from last night,"
Bruce glanced at up Alfred in confusion. He'd seen Alucard last night? He'd have to ask later, right now he turned his attention back to the fight. He watched as Alucard's eyes flickered over to him
Alucard lowered his guard for a brief moment and stepped back.
Striga took that moment to strike, she ran forward and swung her sword in a massive horizontal swing. Alucard jumped high in the air and landed on Strigas shoulders. He placed one hand on her raven mask and ran his blade under it. While this would not normally have been affected, Alucard's blade was alight with blue fire and it cut through the armour with ease. As the cut was made Alucard ripped the helmet back with all his strength. Ripping it off Strigas head.
Without the raven-shaped helmet, Strigas head was exposed to the morning sun. Her eyes widened as for a brief moment she took in the beauty of the world, the colours and the warmth of life that had long since left her. And then her Head suddenly burst into flames.
Striga screamed out in agony as she ran to the shadows. But Alucard was faster rushed forwards and knocked her to the ground He swiped at the back of her armour. Slicing open the back and exposing her to even more sunlight.
Striga managed to run towards Bruce and Alfred. She shoved past them and once inside she desperately patted the flames out while still screaming. Bruce and Alfred watched in horror, once the flames had been extinguished half of Striga's head was burnt away. They could see the bones on her face and part of her brain was exposed.
Alferd nearly threw up.
Alucard walked past them with a purpose, his eyes trained on Striga. Bruce placed himself in front of Alfred as he could see Striga's eyes flicking between the two humans and Alucard. As if she was deciding whether or not to attack them or not.
Alucard stopped in front of Striga.
"Now Striga you have choice…die to the sun…," Alucard said darkly and stepped aside to allow her access to the door. He lifted his blade and rested it on the base of the neck "or die to me,"
Striga hesitated for a moment before he hissed violently, baring her fangs, and lunged once more at Alucard. In a last-ditch attempt to take him out. Alucard slashed his sword across her throat and her severely burnt head came clean off. It rolled and next to his boot, Alucard kicked it out the door and back into the sunlight, the head burst into flames. Alucard walked over her body and threw that outside too. Smoke and small flames could be seen from the armour after a few moments there was nothing left but ash.
Bruce and Alfred stared at Alucard as he approached them, sheathing his sword. "Tea," he offered.
The two humans stared at him. Alfred wasn't sure what to say or do, he looked at Bruce who seemed to be annoyed, and gave the stranger one of his deathly glares. Alucard looked at them both.
"I will take your silence as a yes," he said. Alucard walked away from the two. He poked his head into three different rooms before he found the kitchen. Once there he pulled a pot down from the hanging rack above and walked over to the sink; filling it with water before putting it on the stove.
However, that is where he stopped. He studied the stove trying to figure out how to turn it on. By this time Alfred and Bruce had recovered from their shock and had followed Alucard to the kitchen. They watched him and Bruce grinned watching Alucard trying to figure out how to work the stove.
The watchtower had a Microwave and an electric kettle for boiling water. Alfred however was a little confused.
"Is he struggling with a stove?" the butler asked. He then looked at Bruce "Master Bruce, what should we do?"
Bruce shrugged and made several gestures with his hands.
"Serve him tea," Bruce signed.
"You can't be serious?" Alfred said.
Bruce nodded and Alfred let out a sigh. He walked into the kitchen, "I will make the tea, if you follow master Bruce, he will take you to a sitting room,"
"Very well," Alucard said. He walked past Alfred and over to an awaiting Bruce Wyne. Bruce signed Alfred which room they would be in and the butler nodded in confirmation.
Bruce led Alucard to a sitting room with a large open window, it held a grand piano, a few chairs, and an unlit fireplace. There were also several highly stacked bookshelves and, on a table, there was the days' copy of the Gotham Press.
They sat down and Alucard looked around.
"Is this your library?" he asked.
Bruce shook his head. Alucard reached into his pocket and pulled out a small makeup box. "Here," he said and tossed it to Bruce.
Bruce caught it and raised an eyebrow at Alucard.
"Your voice is trapped inside…open it and swallow the light to regain it," Alucard advised.
Bruce opened the box and sure enough, there was a small light. He wasn't sure if he could grab it or not. Instead, he tipped the box upside down and let it fall into his mouth. Alfred walked in at this moment and Bruce swallowed hard.
He gaged a bit as he could feel it working his way down his throat but refused to let the light back out.
"Breath," Alucard advised.
After a few more coughs and deep breaths, Bruce finally spoke.
"I hate Magic," Bruce said.
Alucard smiled.
"Sir, what was that?" Alfred asked as he walked over carrying the tea tray.
"His voice…it was stolen from him last night," Alucard answered.
"How did you get it back?" Bruce asked.
"I had to find the container that it was in," Alucard answered "Fortunately Lenore had a bag on her, and then it was just a matter of going through her things to find it,"
"Right," Bruce said and he sat down "I didn't know magic could be used to steal people's voices,"
"To be honest…I have never seen a spell like this before," Alucard confessed "it could be that Lenore created it herself,"
"Do you know this man Master Bruce?" Alfred asked.
Bruce nodded. "Alferd this is Alucard, a half-vampire prince from five centuries ago," Bruce introduced "Alucard this is Alfred, my family's loyal butler, and retainer,"
"A pleasure to meet you," Alucard said and gave Alfred a low bow. Bruce noted that Dracula's spirit had also given the
"Why do you bow like that when you meet new people?" Bruce asked.
"It is my peoples' traditional way of greeting or introduction when meeting someone of higher status or given in gratitude for being a guest in someone's home," Alucard explained.
Bruce nodded in understanding.
"Master Wyne if this is a joke it's not funny," Alfred demanded.
"It is no joke," Alucard said. "I am Alucard, Vampire Prince of Darkness, son of the Dragon and Lord of Castlevania,"
Alfred stared at Alucard's land they looked at Bruce for confirmation. Bruce nodded.
"I know it sounds far-fetched but it's all true," he said.
Alfred let out a sigh, "Of course, Gotham has vampires now. They already had clowns, penguins, and DA with a split personality and a woman who could control plants to consume living flesh. Why not through vampires into the mix too,"
Alucard looked at Batman for clarification. Bruce only chuckled at Alfreds' dryness with which he knew Alucard would not understand.
"Still, it is good to see you did make some friends on your trip to Trysalviana," Alfred commented as he served out the tea.
"I didn't meet him in Transylvania," Alucard stated and he sipped his tea.
"We had met before that," Bruce confirmed.
"Oh?" Alfred asked. Bruce then explained how he and the League had truly met Alucard. How they had a standing arrangement and the league knew he was a vampire. Alfred had some questions and some extremely legitimate concerns, particularly in regards to Alucard's diet. Alucard was able to answer the butlers' questions and assure him that his feeding habits were under control and the League was monitoring it and keeping extra blood on hand just encase.
"I see…well this is certainly a surprise to learn that the Justice League has a vampire on the team,"
"It took some time getting used to," Bruce agreed.
"Then what were you doing here last night, Sir Alucard?" Alfred asked.
"I was returning Batman here after his abduction," Alucard claimed.
"Master Bruce's what?"
"He was abducted by a vampire last night…the one that attacked this morning was coming here for revenge,"
"What did happen last night exactly?" Bruce asked.
"You do not remember?" Alucard responded with a slight tilt of his head.
"Not really, it gets fuzzy after Lenore dropped me in that field," Bruce claimed "Likely due to the migraines,"
"Ah well, Lenore tried to turn you into a vampire," Alucard claimed.
"WHAT?!" Bruce and Alfred asked in shock at the same time "Why?"
"Because you could not be made a thrall…due to your association with me,"
"The immunity," Bruce mumbled.
Alucard then explained everything that Lenore had said and her and her sisters' plans for Batman and Bruce Wyne. Batman to control infiltrate and influence Justice League, Bruce Wyne as a puppet ruler for the city.
"That is a surprisingly good plan but I doubt it would have worked," Bruce said.
"Why not?"
"First off wouldn't make a good vampire, my sense of justice would not allow me to harm the city or the people," Bruce claimed "and I doubt I would just roll over and do as those girls say,"
"I think you would make a very terrifying vampire," Alucard corrected "Given the chance you could very easily rise to power…if vampire courts were still around that is,"
"How so,"
"When a human is turned all their traits, personality, and other skills get transferred as well," Alucard explained "in fact, they get enhanced. However, you lose something extremely valuable in exchange…your restraint,"
"Meaning?"
"Batman if you were turned into a vampire your love for your city would be turned into an obsession. You will start to see Gotham not as your home but as your territory. This city will be yours and only yours. You will see outsiders like myself or superman as a threat to your territory. Even worse you will also see the villains you as competitors and will kill them…if you lose your humanity…the line you refuse to cross will be erased forever," Alucard explained.
"If that is the case, why would I go along with Lenore's plans?"
"A fledgling vampire is fully dependent on the ones that turned them for the first hundred or so years. They are extremely susceptible to that vampire's influence…think of them as children wanting to please their parents," Alucard claimed "You would not be able to break free of that influence until you…well grow up,"
"And they would not let that happen," Bruce finished.
"No…the sisters of Styria are formidable for a reason," Alucard agreed "it was good that I was able to pick them off separately,"
"What about
"That is Daylight Armor, it protects vampires from the sunlight…though it is not used often,"
"Why not?"
"While a Vampire is protected from the sun in that armour…they are restricted in their powers," Alucard explained "they cannot transform, use their charm, feed, or anything else. They only have access to their strength and speed…for someone like Striga that is Ideal, however, most Vampires will not want to give up their other advantages,"
"But for someone like you, you don't need the armour," Bruce said.
"One of the many benefits of being half-human," Alucard smiled.
"Pardon the interruption but if Master Wayne was bitten by a vampire as you claim, will he not suddenly develop a deathly allergic reaction to Garlic and Silver, is he?"
"No, Lenore didn't take enough blood. He may feel dizzy and be overly sensitive to light for a day or to but that is all,"
"Ah, so nothing new then," Alfred commented.
"What about these?" Bruce asked and pointed to the bite marks on his neck.
"They will fade as well," Alucard promised.
"Alucard, I am not happy at how this turned out. I didn't want them dead,"
"Believe me Batman this is a good thing," Alucard said "You made one fatal mistake yesterday…you underestimated the sisters and it nearly cost you your life,"
Bruce didn't respond, he gave Alucard one of his bat glares. Alucard matched it with a fierce and determined look of his own and gave Bruce a slight nod. Alfred looked between the two, he couldn't tell if they were having a silent argument or discussion.
"Will you be staying for breakfast?" Alfred interrupted.
"No…I am due for a rest in my coffin," Alucard responded "Another time perhaps,"
Alucard stood up, he pulled out an envelope from his pocket along with the two silver bands "oh and batman for you," he said and held out the envelope. Bruce took the items.
"Thanks," Bruce said. Alucard nodded and used the return spell, he disappeared in the pillar of black flames. Alfred took a step back in shock, Bruce however didn't react at all, he was used to seeing those flames.
"So, Gods, Aliens, interstellar space police, the Flash, and now vampires. The Justice League is certainly keeping busy,"
"You don't know the half of it," Bruce said as he opened the letter.
"Master Wayne I just witnessed two vampires fight and destroy my garden, part of the house, and severed the victor tea. I do not believe there is anything else you could say in this lifetime that would surprise me,"
Bruce lowed the letter and gave Alfred a look that said you wanna bet?
"Try me, sir," Alfred challenged.
"Alucard's dad was Dracula," Bruce said flatly.
"I stand corrected," Alfred responded.