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Hawkgirl walked up the stairs and into her apartment, she had just come off a ten hour night shift at her job as a part-time night security guard. It wasn't a bad job, in fact, Shayera loved it, she would show up for work around 8 PM two or three nights a week, be alone in a small room watching security cameras for several hours. No one came in, so she could let her wings out and since it was at night the pay was pretty good too. The downside was it left her mentally drained, Thanagarians did not like being in small rooms or spaces for too long and she tended to get restless. This is why she only worked part-time there, plus it afforded her time to patrol and work with the Justice League.
She took the large guitar case off her back and let her wings stretch out. Not long after arriving on earth, Hawkgirl had needed to find a way to hide her wings. She had found a large old guitar case and cut a slit in the top. This way she could put her wings in it if she needed to go out. It was very constrictive and uncomfortable, but it worked.
Once she settled into a civilian identity, this became a lifesaver for her as it allowed her to move about without suspicion and looked like she was just a girl who played the guitar.
Her apartment was more of a loft on the top floor of an apartment building. It held two floors, the first was a living and kitchen area with a small bathroom, with a balcony above. The second floor had a larger bathroom and a bedroom, with a triangle-shaped glass roof that featured a skylight that could open. This was perfect since it allowed her to fly in and out of her room if needed.
It wasn't a large place to live, but it also wasn't small enough to make Shayera anxious either. It was quaint and comfortable. Shayera liked it a lot, plus there was some room to fly around which was a huge boon.
She headed over to her kitchen and started to pull out some milk, as well as some ingredients to make herself a light sandwich before she hit the sack. Once made it, she flopped on her couch and was about to start eating when she heard a banging at her door.
"Ughh….Now what," Shayera moaned. She glanced at the time; it was just after 9 AM. She didn't want to get up but the banging at her door got louder and more violent.
"I'm coming," Shayera called out, putting her food down "Get off a ten hour shift and can't have a moment of peace," she muttered angrily under her breath as she marched to the door. There was nothing she wanted more than to have a bite and go to bed, after all, she was supposed to be at the Watchtower this afternoon and it would not be good to show up without at least a few hours sleep.
Once there she took a deep breath and positioned herself so her wings would be hidden behind the door. She cracked it open and was surprised to see an older smaller woman with dark skin and greying hair on the other side. She looked extremely distressed.
"Madalena… what's wrong?" Shayera asked in worry.
Madalena was the landlady and owner of the building, an accident that had happened in her youth had rendered her mute and unable to speak. She was one of the few people that knew Shayera was Hawkgirl and not from Earth, as she and her son were the first people Shayera had met when she arrived. Madalena had given her a place to stay with reduced rent, the two were very close and Shayera often helped the older woman out when her son Cid was not available.
Shera stepped aside to let the landlady in. Before looking out into the hall for her son, but didn't see him.
"Where's Cid?
Madalena waved her hands and tried to sign but was too distressed to do so. Instead, the older woman grabbed Shayera's arms and held them tight while looking into her eyes intensely. After a brief moment, Madalina pulled Shayera into a hug and held her.
"Uhh….okay…." Shayera said. She had no idea why her landlady was acting like this.
Once Madalena let go Shayera started to sign, Cid had taught her some basics so she could communicate with her.
"Is everything alright?" Shayera signed with her hands
Madalena shook her head and pulled Shayera over to the lounge. She picked up the remote, turned the TV on, switched to a news channel and violently pointed at it. Shayera's eyes went wide and she stared at the screen in shock.
"And we continue our top story of the day. We have confirmation that Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Martian Manhunter have been taken into custody for mass manslaughter by the US Army to an unknown location. There is still no sign of the other Justice League members and our reporters on the ground are trying to get a statement from either the authorities or the fallen heroes but no official statement has been released yet," The reporter said "We are expecting an update regarding the tragic incident from the White House in an hour. Stay tuned and we will keep you informed as we get updates,"
Shayera could not believe this, Superman being charged with manslaughter…that was impossible. Just what the hell had happened while she was at work?
"I…I need to go," Shayera said. She flew up to her bed, put on her helmet, and picked up her mace before flying out of the skylight.
The Watchtower was her first port of call. She needed to locate the rest of the Justice League and find out what happened to get them arrested. Hawkgirl didn't believe a word on the news, there was no way any member of the Justice League would do what was reported.
Her first thought was that maybe the Justice Lords had broken free of their mind wipes and new identities. However, a quick check proved otherwise. Lord John was currently teaching his class and Lord Trevor was leading his AA meetings at the Metropolis General Hospital.
It wasn't hard to find out the facility where the League was being held, after all the Watchtower monitored everything on the planet and could even track the Justice Leagues' comm systems. Using the Watchtower, she tried to locate the rest of the League using their communicators. Superman and Wonder Woman, while she couldn't connect to them, she did find their location; a heavily armed US Military base several miles outside of Washington.
J'onn, Green Lantern, and Batman, were not responding, meaning they were either turned off or destroyed. Which left Flash. His was moving all over the place, not surprising given Flash's powers. With no other option, Hawkgirl selected his communicator and pushed the talk button.
"Flash it's Hawkgirl, I'm at the Watchtower. Where are you? I need to talk to you," Hawkgirl demanded.
"Shayera? What are you…no you can't…I can't see you or anyone anymore," Flash's voice responded. He sounded so sad and guilty.
"Flash what happened, talk to me. Why is the news saying Superman and the others are being charged with mass manslaughter?" Hawkgirl questioned "Please, tell me what is going on, I can't get a hold of anyone else,"
There was no response for a moment and the only reason why Hawkgirl knew she was still connected was she could hear Flash breathing.
"I'm sorry…." Flash finally said and then the call cut off and Flash's communicator registered inactive.
"Damn it," Hawkgirl cursed and slammed her hand on the console "Has the whole League gone mad?"
She took a deep breath and then checked on Alucard. He was the only one she hadn't checked yet; however the tracking log revealed he'd been in his castle for the last three days and hadn't moved. Hawkgirl remembered Alucard mentioning needing some time to sleep in his coffin to recharge or something earlier in the week.
That meant that he didn't know what was going on either. So, she had little choice but to take the Javelin down to the military base and hope they let her see Superman. The flight didn't take long and Hawkgirl landed the Javelin outside the base. Once she did, the soldiers of the base surrounded the plane and pointed their guns at the ramp as Hawkgirl walked out with mace in hand.
"Hawkgirl you are under arrest, to be here, surrender now or we will have to take you in by force," A soldier said.
"I want to see Superman. Now," she said in a no-nonsense tone that even Batman would be impressed by. Completely ignoring the soldier's demands.
Hawkgirl stared the soldier down and walked up to him. She grabbed him by the front of his uniform and pulled him in close so that the soldier's nose was flat up against Hawkgirl's helmet.
"Listen, soldier, I have just come off a double shift, had no sleep, and found out my friends have been arrested and accused of mass manslaughter. Now either you let me in or I will go through this entire building," Hawkgirl threatened and activated her mace to show she was serious.
Not wanting to deal with a very pissed-off member of the Justice League, the soldier had no choice. He could not let her in without permission, so he radioed his superior. After waiting a few minutes General Lane stepped out and agreed to let Hawkgirl talk to the Justice League members, but was warned they were not in a talking mood.
Hawkgirl was led through the base by the general and when they got to the holding area, she and the General approached a cell that had Superman sitting in it with his head downcast and buried in his hands. There was no green kryptonite or red sunlight. Just him. Wonder Woman was in the cell opposite, in the same position. Again, nothing holding them, they could easily leave anytime.
"Superman, what the hell happened?" Hawkgirl demanded, "Where is everyone else?"
Superman looked up at her, pain, regret, and grief in his eyes.
"Gone…they're all gone," he answered.
"What do you mean gone? Where are J'onn and Green Lantern?"
"We killed them….all of them," Superman said.
Hawkgirl turned to General Lane "What are they talking about?"
"Yesterday, approximately 01100 EST hours just outside Utah. The Flash called the League in to deal with a dispute at a children's home, the career was refusing to allow an inspection by child services," General Lane started to explain "It was agreed that the League would act as third-party arbiters,"
"Okay, so how did they go from checking on kids to…this?" Hawkgirl asked.
"That is what I am trying to find out, all reports claim that the League set off some kind of explosion that killed everyone in and around the compound, except the Justice League,"
"Well, there must be some kind of mistake, we'd never do something like that,"
"That is what I thought, I sent men to investigate but…there was only burnt out debris and they already confessed to the crime," General Lane claimed "I want to believe that there is something more to this but so far both Superman and Wonder Woman are refusing to say otherwise,"
"Okay, let me see if I can get the truth out," Hawkgirl said. She walked over to Wonder Woman's cell.
"Hey, you look, terrible princess," Hawkgirl started she eyed the Lasso of truth "You want to tell me what happened,"
"We were just trying to help…protect the children…how did it go so wrong?" Wonder Woman sniffled. Her voice was filled with regret.
Hawkgirl grabbed the cell door and ripped it off. A few guards went for their weapons, but General Lane signalled them to hold. She walked in, got on her knees, and pulled Wonder Woman into a hug.
"It's alright, whatever happened we can fix it. It's what the League does," Hawkgirl said softly.
"Not this…not what we did,"
"What did you do, can you walk me through it?"
Wonder woman looked up at Hawkgirl and nodded. She wiped the tears away and General Lane stepped closer, eager to hear what Wonder Woman would say.
"We went to help inspect the children's home Safe Haven. It was a home for meta children. We completed the inspection and while we were finalising everything…one of the kids ran outside to get their ball …."
"And?" Hawkgirl urged.
"And the police shot her," Wonder Woman said darkly.
"A fight broke out after that," Superman spoke up. Hawkgirl turned to look at him. "We ran defence, trying to stop the shooting…Flash, J'onn and I. Green Lantern, Batman, and I stayed inside to move the children to a safer part of the compound with Green Lantern making medical beds for anyone injured,"
"That is when everything went wrong, Maddison the CPS worker ran out to stop the shooting and was killed. After that, the Helicopters came,"
"Helicopters? The army?" Hawkgirl asked.
"No, the DEO," General Lane confirmed
"DEO? Why would they be called in?"
"I don't know, but I checked the DEO confirmed that it sent choppers to the site," General Lane confirmed "and now the helicopters and pilots are gone,"
"They started firing missiles," Superman continued "Wonder Woman and I caught them while J'onn disabled the tanks,"
"Tanks too?" Hawkgirl asked in surprise.
"Apparently," General Lane said "I'm still waiting on the name of who gave the order to send them out there,"
"With this going on, Mr. Shepard the head carer came out as did many of the children. They used their powers to fight back," Superman claimed "We tried to stop them…but the situation kept escalating, and then…and then…"
"Then we…we killed them all," Wonder finished.
"How?" Hawkgirl asked "Diana I can't help if you don't tell me,"
"I…I caught about five or six missiles in my lasso and threw them towards the compound…Batman and Superman stopped a couple more…but they all collided right next to a gas tank and…"
"The building blew up," Hawkgirl finished. "You couldn't have killed them all…"
"But we did, if we had been better…fought harder…this wouldn't have happened," Wonder Woman claimed.
"You can't think like that, this was an accident," Hawkgirl claimed.
"No, it wasn't," Superman said "I used my heat vision knowing full well that the missiles were armed with explosives and I could see what Batman and Wonder Woman were doing. We did this. We killed over a thousand people…and we will pay for it too,"
Hawkgirl stood up, she refused to believe that what had happened was anything other than an accident.
"This is the second time people have died under our noses and we did nothing," Wonder Woman said.
"Where are the others? Batman, Flash, J'onn we need to get their side of the story. Also, we need Green Lantern…his ring can help us prove that this was an accident,"
"Batman left the scene before we arrived, according to Superman he headed home for Gotham. Flash had long since run off," General Lane answered "Do you have a way to contact them?"
Hawkgirl made a note of this information, if Batman was still free that meant there was a good chance that he was already looking into this matter and he probably had some theories and several leads already. Flash she could understand, he moved at light speed so trying to catch him or even locate the speedster would be very tricky. Which just left J'onn and Green Lantern unaccounted for.
Hawkgirl shook her head, at this explained why she couldn't reach anyone "Everyone's turned off their communicators so I couldn't track them even if I wanted to,"
"Pity,"
"What about J'onn?"
General Lane hesitated for a moment before putting on the most official face that he could.
"The Manhunter…has been taken to a secret facility where the government can continue the experiments that were started before the League was formed," General Lane said "I'm sorry,"
"HE'S WHAT!?" Hawkgirl shouted she then whipped around to superman "DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS!?"
"Yes," Superman answered.
"AND YOU LET HIM GO!"
"He wanted to go, what were we supposed to do?" Wonder Woman asked.
"STOP HIM OF COURSE!"
"It was his choice," Wonder Woman claimed.
"What?" Hawkgirl whispered; she was taken aback by this.
"When they arrived, we promised we would treat them with dignity no matter where they were from," General Lane said "However the Manhunter said he could not bear it and he requested that he be taken back to the labs to atone,"
"And you didn't try to talk him out of it?"
"We did, but he was adamant, said if the army didn't take him, he would go there himself," Wonder Woman claimed "You know walls can't stop him,"
"Where is he?!" Hawkgirl demanded of General Lane. She would go and break J'onn out if she had to and beat some sense into him with her mace...and probably not in that order.
"I can't tell you, but I can tell you that the facility is under my jurisdiction, so if new evidence comes to light, he can be released with a single phone call," General Lane assured "additionally, I have given orders that he is be treated with the respect he deserves,"
"There's something else you need to know…. Shayera…Green Lantern is dead," Superman said gravely.
"What?" Hawkgirl gasped.
"He was in the building when it exploded," Wonder Woman claimed "Batman only survived because Superman protected him,"
"No…no, that can't be…his ring…he recharged it two days ago…he should have enough power to last over a week…to…to block an explosion,"
"He was assisting in medical treatment, not creating defensive fields or walls," Wonder Woman said "and he was in the heart of the explosion…I'm sorry,"
Hawkgirl stumbled backward, General Lane caught her and helped steady her. Hawkgirl could not believe it. John was dead, if what the two most powerful members of the Justice League were saying was true then…they'd also got a teammate killed.
Hawkgirl would never again see John, see his smile, hear his poor attempts at pick-up lines or flirtations that she secretly thought was cute. She never told him that she thought he was sweet and kind and…that she liked him. Now she would never get that chance.
"Are you alright?" General Lane asked. Pulling her out of her thoughts. Hawkgirl looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah, thanks…"
"It's alright, take your time. This is a lot to take in," General Lane said "When you are ready, I have some questions for you too,"
Hawkgirl pulled away and narrowed her eyes.
"Why? I wasn't there, I've done nothing wrong," She defended.
"I know but you and the other unaccounted members of the Justice League should cooperate with our investigation," General Lane advised.
"Forget that, I need to prove my friend's innocence," Hawkgirl said.
"Shayera…don't…it will only make things worse," Superman said.
"How can you say that?"
"Because it is our responsibility, we did this, everyone died but us…it was our fault!" Superman shouted "We have to make it right,"
"He's right," General Lane agreed "you can help us by telling us staying here in our custody and helping us contact the rest of the League,"
"That is not going to happen, you have no right to detain me. If they want to stay here that's fine, but I'm going out to prove that this was not murder," Hawkgirl declared.
"Hawkgirl if you leave you will be considered a fugitive. The Army, Air Force, and Navy will send men and troops after you,"
"Fine by me, it's their funeral," Hawkgirl shrugged. She walked over to a nearby wall and smashed it down with her mace. She walked through the newly created hole and raised her wings in preparation to take off. However, she stopped and looked over her shoulder at General Lane.
"Oh, and by the way General, I'll be back with evidence that the League didn't do this. So, you had better have the lab where J'onn is speed dial," Hawkgirl warned and she flew off out of the base.
General Lane let out a sigh.
Castlevania, bottom of the ocean
Alucard let out a soft nose as he cracked open a sleepy eye. He'd felt the castle alert him that someone had passed through the outer barriers that kept the water at bay. Alucard didn't want to get up to deal with it.
"Too early," he muttered and closed his eye to go back to sleep.
However, his peaceful slumber was disturbed by a loud echo of Banging on the castle's door and Hawkgirl shouting for him to open the door. Alucard groaned and rolled over covering his ears. Trying to block out the noise.
"Librarian, deal with this," he said half asleep.
The Steps of Castlevania
Outside Hawkgirl banged on the door once more. After speaking to Superman, she immediately came down to Castlevania to get Alucard's help. He was the only one who she could reach at the moment. However, when she arrived the Castle doors did not open for her. Unlike previous times the League had been down here. Alucard would be at the door to greet them or the doors would open on their own and he would be just inside. This time the doors remained closed.
This annoyed Hawkgirl, as the League was in big trouble and she didn't have time to be blocked by a door. So, she continued to slam her fist against the door. Pounding against it with all her strength.
"ALUCARD WAKE UP! GET YOUR HALF UNDEAD ASS OUT HERE NOW!" Hawkgirl demanded.
A dark shadow seeped out from under the door and Hawkgirl took a step back as it grew and formed into the Master Librarian. Once the archivist was fully formed, he gave Hawkgirl a deadpan look.
"Pardon me Lady Shayera, would you mind keeping it down?" the Librarian requested "You are disturbing the masters' rest,"
"Lady?" Hawkgirl asked in confusion "Doesn't matter, tell Alucard he needs to get out here now, we have an emergency,"
"I am sorry to inform you that My Lord is unable to see you today," The librarian said "Please refrain from making any further disturbances,"
"Wake him up. This is an emergency," Hawkgirl demanded.
"I cannot do that,"
"Why?"
"Because it would rude,"
"Listen, old man, we have a dire emergency and I need Alucard now, go get him or I will make you," Hawkgirl threatened and raised her mace as it crackled with energy
"You do realise I do not technically exist, correct?"
"I'm about to put that to the test," Hawkgirl growled.
Before either Hawkgirl could go through with her threat, the doors to the castle opened. Hawkgirl and Master Librarian turned to see the ghostly figure of Dracula standing just beyond the door.
"Is there a problem here?" Dracula asked. Though he did not cross the threshold.
"What the…who are you?" Hawkgirl demanded. She knew the Librarian lived in the castle with Alucard, but she didn't think a ghost did. After all, Alucard had never mentioned it and she'd never seen one around on the odd occasion Hawkgirl visited.
"I am Count Dracula, former King of the Vampires and Lord of Castlevania. Now who are you and why are you here?" Dracula demanded in a low tone.
"This is the Lady Shyera Hol, also known as Hawkgirl of the Justice League. She is another friend of My Lords,"
"I see," Dracula said, his voice returning to a lighter and more welcoming one. He eyed Hawkgirl critically, particularly focusing on her wings.
"Interesting, a lesser creature of the night might have mistaken you for an Angel…but not me," Dracula commented.
"Hold on, how can he be Dracula? Dracula is dead," Hawk Gril demanded of the Master Librarian.
"How observant of you, was it my spectral form that gave it away?" Dracula commented.
"This is not my Lord's father. This a version of the former Vampire King that travelled over to our world from the Justice Lords earth with Trevor Belmont,"
"How did Trevor bring Dracula with him?" Hawkgirl asked in surprise "Why did no one tell me?"
"Perhaps to prevent you from disturbing my lord further," the Librarian offered.
"You know what I don't have time," Hawkgirl said and looked directly at Dracula "Can you get your kid out of bed I need to see him,"
"I cannot, I do not have access to where to where his coffin is kept…no doubt a precaution on my son's part," Dracula explained "Even if I did, my son needs rest, please leave and do not disturb him further,"
"I am not leaving without him, I need his help and I need it now," Hawkgirl demanded. She pushed past the Librarian and marched towards the open door, however as she approached it slammed shut in front of her.
"What the…YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!" She cried out. Bringing up her mace, she slammed it into the door at full strength. The door held out, however, each time Hawkgirl Stroke it with her activated mace the Master Librean winced. After the third time, he started to flicker as if he was struggling to maintain a presence.
"Lady Shayera, please stop," The Liberian pleaded "My Lord cannot see you at this time. You are causing a great disturbance,"
After a few more minutes of Hawkgirl banging against the door, before the door opened again. This time however it was not just Dracula who was just beyond the threshold, but Alucard too. He didn't have his coat, cape, or gloves on and was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He stopped in front of Hawkgirl and he did not look happy to see her.
"You look terrible," Hawkgirl commented.
"I was rudely awakened by banging and arguing outside my front door that won't stop," Alucard huffed "Contrary to popular belief I do not like to be woken up so…abruptly,"
"He was worse as a child, took his mother twenty minutes to pull him out of bed," Dracula commented
"Really?"
Dracula nodded.
"What do you want, Shayera? I told the League I would be unavailable this week," Alucard asked irritably.
"Superman and Wonder Woman have been arrested, J'onn has been taken back to the labs to be used as an experiment. Flash and Batman have gone missing and Green Lantern is dead," Hawkgirl summarised.
Alucard stared at Hawkgirl and blinked a few times.
"I'll get my coat," he said. Sleep and irritation were instantly forgotten.
The remains of Safe Haven.
All was quiet at what remains of the children's home. There was a military camp set up not far from the location to allow forensics and other investigators to go through the repackage. However, given it was late in the night, there were no people around. Just as well, because the peaceful night was disturbed by a pillar of Black Flames. Hawkgirl and Alucard stepped out of it.
Alucard looked around at the destruction. Debris and rubble everywhere, the smell of charred matter, and burnt-out metal and other materials assaulted his nose. He'd not seen destruction like this in centuries.
"What happened here?" Alucard asked.
"The news said that the League did this," Hawkgirl answered. She too was looking over the destruction, it was clear to see why the League were the only survivors.
"What does the League say in their defence?"
"Nothing. Superman, Wonder Woman, and J'onn surrendered to the authorities and confessed that this was their fault,"
"And what do Batman and Flash say?"
"According to Superman, Flash ran off, Batman was headed back to Gotham," Hawkgirl answered.
"And Green Lantern is no longer with us," Alucard finished.
"He was in the heart of the explosion so…no…he's not" Hawkgirl responded sadly.
"I see…I am sorry….he was a good man. He will be missed," Alucard said sympathetically "Will we be in trouble?"
"I'm not sure, you and I weren't here. But the authorities and government are demanding we shut down the Watchtower and the remaining League members surrender," Hawkgirl claimed "Even though you're technically not part of the Justice League,"
"Then we are guilty by association…and here I thought humanity had grown up a little,"
"I'd rather we clear ours and the Leagues names and where better to start than the scene of the crime?" Hawkgirl said and she looked over the remains of the building "Though it will take forever for us to go through this and even then, finding evidence will be tricky,"
"It would be easier if Batman were here," Alucard admitted "Were you not in law enforcement on your planet?"
"I was, but I never dealt with anything like this. I was a beat cop, petty crimes, daily patrol routes. I wasn't in the Investigations unit," Hawkgirl claimed "Can't you just… I don't know, smell the truth out or something?"
"Not as such…there are too many different burnt organic scents in the area. I will not be able to tell which is which until some of them disperse,"
"Great, some dynamic duo we make," Hawkgirl huffed "Batman makes this look so easy,"
"I am unfamiliar with investigation practises of this time period…what did you do if the petty criminals you were chasing escaped pursuit?"
"On Thanagar if we couldn't find or catch the perp, we'd report it and the station would put a call out for witness or information. After that the detectives took over, but like I said that wasn't my area,"
"Then…why not just talk to a witness?" Alucard suggested.
"Because they're either dead, missing, or locked up," Hawkgirl pointed out "And those that are locked up are confessing to the crime,"
"I was referring to someone who has died…souls that suffer a violent death tend to…hang around,"
"You want to talk to the dead?"
"Yes…if certain conditions are met and the correct spell is cast, speaking to a departed soul to gain information is a simple task…also the spirit we speak to will be unable lie," Alucard said "Fortunately for you I know such a spell,"
"I don't know if that will be enough to clear the League's name…but it might give us some leads," Hawkgirl agreed "Alright let's do it,"
"Excellent…Ah…however first I must ask…do you know any funeral rites?"
"Um…why?" Hawkgirl asked, looking concerned.
"I cannot summon any spirits unless they are at their final resting place," Alucard explained "If they are not given last rites, then the spell will fail,"
"I don't think we will find enough of anyone to bury them in a graveyard or even make a proper grave," Hawkgirl said "To be honest I'd rather not go looking for the dead,"
"Contrary to the church's belief…a deceased does not need to be buried on consecrated ground to be put to rest," Alucard claimed "Simply performing last rites will fulfill that condition,"
"The only rites I know are Thanagarian ones. Don't you know any?"
"No, vampires don't worry about such things…since we are traditionally already dead and immortal, to begin with," Alucard claimed.
"What about when one of your kind dies?" Hawkgirl asked, "Did vampires do anything when their friends or family got staked?"
"Sometimes a Vampire's death started a war or some kind of dispute over land, territory, slaves that sort of thing," Alucard said casually "Though that only happens if it is a high-ranking vampire…if it is a common vampire no one cares and we just put it down to them being weak and stupid enough to be killed in the first place,"
Hawkgirl stared at Alucard, in disbelief.
"Seriously? Your kind don't care that your allies or people are killed?"
"Vampires are traditionally dead, to begin with," Alucard pointed out "Though it is not uncommon that some vampires might seek revenge…just look at what my father did in response to my mother's death,"
"So, you're saying for Vampires, your choices are to either not care and chalk it up to stupidity or go on a mass-murdering rampage in revenge that could potently start a war or wipe out all life on Earth,"
"That is correct,"
"Wow. What about you? You've got human emotions, right? Surely you grieve?"
"I do…and to be honest the only vampires I have ever grieved over were my father and Lyudmil," Alucard said.
"But you care, you did grieve and you're grieving now. For Green Lantern and everyone who died here. Even if you don't know them,"
"Vampires would call it another human weakness…one that is a needless distraction,"
"I would call it a strength, it proves you're stronger than the rest of your kind," Hawkgirl said.
Alucard nodded.
"I have never seen my emotions as a burden…but…it is still nice of you to say. Thank you Shayera,"
"You're welcome. Now about these last rites, I don't know if it will work but there is one, I can try," Hawkgirl offered "It's an older and more traditional rite used for those who were lost in space or the line of duty if no remains could be recovered,"
"That…may work…is it possible to do it in English rather than your native tongue?"
"I believe so," Hawkgirl said and she stepped forward. She opened her wings and plucked a single feather off them. It hurt and she grunted when it came free. She then placed it on the ground.
"For those who once soared the sky and were one with the horizon, your wings have been clipped but your heart and soul long for the endless sky. We offer you our feathers to become your new wings. Accept my gift of flight as your own so your spirit may fly for entry through the boundless sky," Hawkgirl prayed.
Once she was done Hawkgirl picked up her feather, in the palm of her hand. She blew on it and it flew away into the night air. She watched for a moment, tears began to fall from her eyes, hopefully, this would be enough to allow John to find peace. She then turned to Alucard.
"That's it," she said.
"That was…" Alucard started.
"Corny, cheesy? I know, I always thought that one was a bit much," Hawkgirl interrupted.
"No, beautiful and very touching," Alucard said "I am sure Green Lantern would have appreciated it,"
Hawkgirl's face turned red and she wiped away a tear.
"Just do your magic thing now," Hawkgirl said and abruptly turned away "I've got dust in my eyes,"
Alucard walked past Hawkgirl and started to shift some rubble away and once he found the ground, he began to trace a circle with his finger, he then drew a triangle with a holy cross on it and along the outside an open skull and finally a small roman symbol that connected everything. Hawkgirl watched in curiosity.
"That is…kind of terrifying," she said.
"It has to be, we are intruding on Death's territory now and this spell invokes his name and power…getting it wrong will have devastating consequences," Alucard said as he continued to draw.
Once the drawing was complete Alucard gently pressed his hand in the centre of the circle and it began to glow a bright blue. Any light sources set up by the investigators of the area were immediately snuffed out and Hawkgirl gripped her mace tightly as the air temperature dropped significantly. She felt the icy hand of Death take over the area. After a moment, it lifted and the lights and temperature returned to normal.
"So…did it work?" Hawkgirl asked. Looking around for ghosts but did not see any.
Alucard looked around and narrowed his eyes.
"Odd…I know I drew this correctly," he said. Alucard immediately brushed his drawings away and redid the symbol. Once again, the lights went out and the temperature dropped but still, nothing changed.
"So…is only the one who draws the symbol able to see and talk to the spirits?" Hawkgirl asked.
"No…the spirits should be surrounding us now," Alucard claimed "We should see them and be able to speak to them,"
"Maybe it's me, I'm not human or from Earth, maybe my people's prayer did nothing," Hawkgirl suggested.
"Perhaps…wait here…I will be back," Alucard instructed. Hawkgirl watches as Alucard disappears in the pillar of black flames. He was only gone for a few minutes before he returned in the same black flamed pillar. This time however he was carrying a black wooden box with silver studs and lining. The top was engraved with a skull with two scythes on either side.
Alucard opened the box, inside was a beautifully handcrafted silver bell, with crossed Scythe patterns round it and a skull with two small sapphires for eyes. It lay on a cushioned bed of black velvet material. Alucard gently lifted the bell out.
"That's nice, what is it?" Hawkgirl asked. Though the box the bell was in gave her the creeps.
"A bell to summon a family ally…and the one who taught me this spell. If it is wrong…he will be able to tell me what I did wrong and how to fix it," Alucard said. He gave the bell a shake and soft ringing was heard.
"Handy, so who's this ally and how long will it take them to get here?" Hawkgirl asked curiously.
"That would be me," a new voice answered. Hawkgirl whipped around to see the Grim Reaper floating behind her, scythe resting over his shoulder "And no time at all,"
"Greetings Lord Adrien, how can this humble servant assist you?" Death said and gave Alucard a low bow.
Hawkgirl stared at the Grim Reaper in stunned silence. This was Alucard's family ally? Death itself served Alucard.
"Death meet Shayera Hal, also known as Hawkgirl," Alucard introduced "Hawkgirl…meet Death,"
"Greetings Lady Hal," Death said, the reaper gave a nod of respect and acknowledgment "It is an honour to make your acquaintance,"
"Uhh….thanks…" Hawkgirl responded and looked at Alucard for help. She had no idea what to do in this situation.
"Death, I need your help. We need to speak to the spirits of those who are laid to rest here…yet they did not appear when I used the spell you taught me,"
"Oh? Were they at rest?"
"Shayera here performed last rites to make this the final resting place…yet when I performed the spell no spirits appeared.
Death looked down at the drawing on the ground and then glanced around the area before turning his attention back to Alucard. The blue flame in his eyes flickered in amusement.
"I see…My lord, you must forgive me but I do not understand how you think I can help. You have drawn the spell correctly," Death said "but, there are no souls that have been put to rest here,"
"So, it was me," Hawkgirl concluded sadly "my prayer didn't work because I'm not from Earth,"
"That is incorrect," Death started "the fact of the matter is, I have not visited this place before you summoned me. My Lords spell failed because you cannot summon spirits of the dead if there are none to summon,"
"None…Are you sure?" Alucard asked urgently.
"I am,"
"Alucard, is he saying what I think he's saying?" Hawkgirl asked.
"Indeed, I am Lady Hal. No one has died here,"
"But if no one died here…where did everyone go?" Hawkgirl wondered "the CPS worker, the police, and all those kids…John…where are they,"
"The living is not my business…only the dead," Death said. He then snapped his fingers and several small hourglasses appeared and hovered around the reaper "However who you seek does not have much time until I pay them my first and only visit,"
"How long?" Alucard asked.
"Less than three hours," Death answered.
"We need to get the others," Alucard said "Hawkgirl you get Superman, Wonder Woman, and J'onn. I will fetch Batman and Flash,"
"Wait, where are we meeting?" Hawkgirl asked
"My castle. Death go with Hawkgirl, she and the others will need transport to Castlevania,"
"As you command My Lord," Death agreed and bowed. Alucard disappeared into the pillar of black flames and once he was gone Death used his scythe and cut the air, creating an open rift.
"Shall we, my lady?" Death asked and held out his bony hand for Hawkgirl.
"I don't have a choice, do I?" Hawk sighed and she took the reaper's hand. The two entered the rift together and it closed behind them.