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Bruce sat in his hotel room, watching security footage from boutiques around Paris on his laptop. It was easy to hack the stores' systems. He observed Diana and Audrey entering and exiting various shops, each visit lasting 40 minutes to an hour. Alucard didn't appear in the footage, but Bruce knew he was there: doors opened and held for the girls without them touching them, staff spoke to empty spaces, and bags floated out of the shops—clear signs of Alucard's presence.
Bruce was unusually distracted. Since last night, when he saw Alucard and Diana kiss, he couldn't get it out of his mind. He tried to distract himself with business, but his thoughts always returned to that moment. Instead, he decided to check on Wonder Woman. It wasn't hard; Diana hadn't left with Alucard and social media posts showed Diana and Audrey in nightclubs, confirming they were still in France. Alucard was tracked back to Metropolis, likely left behind by Wonder Woman. Bruce knew Diana wouldn't fly back to the Tower in her dress, so he checked Kaznian banks and found they paid for a two-night stay in an upscale Paris hotel. Hacking the hotel system confirmed Diana's stay.
The morning papers had stories about the events that led Bruce to find Diana. He set up a program to alert him of spending on Kaznian royal accounts. Within 15 minutes, it hit on a boutique, leading Bruce to track Diana, Audrey, and Alucard through security cameras across Paris. He groaned as the group left another shop.
"This is ridiculous," Bruce muttered. "Diana is a grown woman; she can make her own decisions. It shouldn't matter who she spends her time with,"
He tried to close the camera feed but hesitated. Bruce sighed and rubbed his eyes. Why couldn't he let this go? He never had this issue with other women, not even with Selina, who once dated Penguin. Suddenly, his phone vibrated. He pulled it out and saw Alfred's name, worry crossing his face.
"Alfred," he answered in his Batman voice.
"Hello, Master Bruce. How's Paris?" Alfred replied.
"Fine. How's Gotham?"
"Busy. Master Dick returned from Jump City and took down three gangs, stopped eight drug deals, and busted two international syndicates,"
"A quiet night then," Bruce responded.
"Indeed. Ms. Lane called; she said one of those syndicates was connected to a crime ring in Metropolis. She is requesting details,"
"Send me the details. I'll pass them on," Bruce ordered.
"I already did. You should have gotten an email about it fifteen minutes ago. I called to make sure everything was alright,"
"Everything is fine, Alfred. I'm just busy with Wayne Enterprises business," Bruce lied.
"Really? Considering you missed my email, and Mr. Fox has been trying to reach you for the last hour,"
"He has?"
"Yes. Master Dick and I were ready to fly out to check on you. However, Lucius insisted a phone call would suffice,"
Bruce minimized the camera feed and saw Alfred's email and several missed messages from Lucius. "I see them. Tell him I'll get in touch soon,"
"And will that be before or after you finish stalking Wonder Woman?" Alfred teased.
Bruce's eyes narrowed. How did Alfred know? He glanced at his computer, linked to the Bat Computer, which recorded everything. "I'm not stalking her, Alfred. I'm just concerned,"
"Three and a half hours of watching security feeds of women's clothing stores and checking foreign bank transactions is a concern?" Alfred responded. "I consider myself lucky you never worry about me,"
"It's not like that. Something happened at the gala last night and…"
"Oh, I'm aware of what happened," Alfred interrupted.
"How did…"
"Standard procedure. When you didn't respond, Master Dick checked the news. Guess what he found,"
Bruce groaned. "How bad is it?"
"I'm starting a scrapbook,"
"Of course you are,"
"Given your intention to pursue Wonder Woman, does that mean you and Ms. Kyle are over? Should I send her a fruit basket or a card?"
"Alfred," Bruce warned.
"Can I recommend you at least call Lucius? If you don't, I might shut your laptop down remotely again. Master Dick is over the moon about the recent news,"
"Nothing happened last night. Why would he be excited?"
"He said, 'The chance to have Batman and Wonder Woman as my parents. What kid wouldn't want that?' He then talked about the street cred of having both as adoptive parents,"
"I'm hanging up now," Bruce stated.
"One last thing, Master Bruce. Spring or autumn wedding?"
Bruce hung up and quickly dialed another number. Lucius Fox answered.
"Mr. Wayne, nice of you to finally call," Lucius said smoothly.
"Sorry, Lucius. I've been distracted,"
"So I've heard,"
"Alfred sent you the articles?"
"It was Dick. While Wayne Enterprises is your company, remember that claiming a trip to Paris as a work expense requires actual work,"
Bruce sighed. "Fine, let's get this over with,"
Bruce spent the afternoon on business proposals with Lucius, only half paying attention. He kept checking for more Kaznian transactions, having lost track of Wonder Woman and Alucard. If he were paying attention, he'd notice Lucius getting annoyed.
"I decided to hire the Joker as our new project manager for advertising," Lucius said, trying to get Bruce's attention. "He's great at motivating people and attracting customers, don't you think?"
"Sounds good to…wait…did you say Joker?"
"Mr. Wayne, have you heard anything we discussed?"
"Of course, you mentioned the budget for the military contract prototype jet,"
"That was 20 minutes ago. I'm talking about a new advertising campaign now,"
"Oh. Sorry, Lucius. Handle it; I trust your judgment,"
"As you wish, I'll bring Joker on board,"
"Don't joke about that. It's not funny," Bruce warned.
"Mr. Wayne, can I give you advice as a friend?"
"Go ahead,"
"Take a break. You're clearly rattled. Sort yourself out and we'll reconvene,"
"I'm fine, Lucius. But thanks,"
"Enjoy Paris," Lucius said and hung up.
Bruce sighed. Lucius was right. Seeing Alucard kiss Diana had shaken him. He didn't know why; Diana was a respected colleague who could make her own decisions. He knew Diana and Alucard were close, but he didn't think they were more than friends. Even if they were, it was none of his business. So why did it bother him so much?
"I need to hit something," Bruce decided.
Bruce waited until nightfall before changing into his Batman outfit and heading out into the streets of Paris. Paris was not his city, but the cool night air and the exercise were a good way to take his mind off things. Unfortunately, it was a quiet night, and Paris didn't have many supervillains or much crime. Not like Gotham or Metropolis, so Batman's night was spent mostly just jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Around midnight, an alarm sounded, and Batman headed for its source. It was the Paris Branch of STAR Labs.
Batman's eyes narrowed on the entry point; it was clearly a break-in, and he had to wonder why all villains thought it was a good idea to break into high-security locations like STAR Labs. Batman headed inside.
In the dead of night, the imposing silhouette of Paris's STAR Labs stood as a fortress of cutting-edge technology and advanced weaponry. Unbeknownst to the staff working late hours, a covert team of Kaznian special forces had infiltrated the perimeter, their dark uniforms blending seamlessly with the shadows.
Perched on a nearby rooftop, Batman observed the scene through high-powered binoculars. The Kaznian agents moved swiftly and silently, disabling security systems with expert efficiency. Once inside the lab, the team split into two groups. Three agents headed towards the main server room to delete camera feeds, while the fourth, a seasoned operative named Ivan, made his way to the vault containing advanced weaponry and guidance systems.
Outside, Batman sprang into action, gliding silently through the night. He landed in front of the entrance the thieves had created, his cape billowing behind him. Inside, the Kaznian agents worked quickly, unaware of the Dark Knight's approach until Batman's voice, a low, menacing growl, echoed through the room.
"Surrender now," he demanded.
The agents turned, their hands going to their weapons, but Batman was already upon them. He disarmed the first with a swift kick, sending the gun skidding across the floor. The second agent lunged at him with a knife, but Batman caught his wrist, twisting it painfully until the weapon clattered to the ground. A well-placed punch to the solar plexus left the second agent gasping for breath.
The third agent, seeing his comrades incapacitated, tried to flee. Batman's grappling hook shot out, wrapping around the man's ankles and yanking him off his feet. With three quick, precise movements, Batman secured the trio with zip ties, leaving them incapacitated on the floor.
"Three down," he muttered to himself, turning towards the sound of distant footsteps. "One to go,"
Batman headed to the vault where Ivan had successfully breached the security measures. He stood before an array of advanced weaponry; his eyes gleaming with triumph. He picked out several circuit boards and stored them in a protective case.
As he turned to leave, he heard the soft whisper of Batman's cape. Spinning around, Ivan raised his weapon, but Batman was faster. A batarang flew through the air, striking the rifle and knocking it from Ivan's grasp. The two men faced off; the tension palpable.
Ivan took a couple of steps back; he knew he couldn't match Batman in close combat. Instead, he reached into his belt and tossed a smoke grenade. The room filled with thick, choking smoke, obscuring Batman's vision.
Batman immediately activated the infrared filter on his cowl, but the smoke emitted a slight heat signature, making his infrared vision useless. By the time the smoke cleared, Ivan was gone. Batman cursed under his breath as he heard the sound of a helicopter. Batman raced to the roof of the building, only to emerge in time to see a black helicopter flying away into the night. He immediately went back inside to where the three other agents were cuffed and restrained and stood over them.
"Talk. Who are you?" Batman demanded in his most threatening voice.
"You can't understand us, and even if you could, we'd never tell you anything," one of the agents responded in Kaznian and spat on Batman's face.
Batman wiped the spit off his face and leaned in. "I can, and you will," he spoke calmly in fluent Kaznian, causing the agents to tremble in fear.
Alucard and Wonder Woman's Hotel Room in Paris,
Batman stared down at the two sleeping figures in the bed. After interrogating the agents who had broken into STAR Labs, he learned they were Kaznian special forces and were there to steal the guidance computer and weapons system. They claimed to only take orders from the royal family of Kaznia, and Batman knew there was only one member of the Kaznian royal family in Paris.
The best way to get answers was to talk to Wonder Woman since she'd spent the day with the princess of Kaznia. It was easy to get into her room, given it had a balcony and its lock was not difficult to pick. However, what Batman wasn't expecting was that Diana was not alone.
She was lying in bed, wearing Alucard's shirt, which was very much oversized on her, and leaning on Alucard's chest as a pillow. Alucard was lying on his back, shirtless, with the scar from Dracula on his chest on display. The sheets and blankets covered most of Diana but only covered Alucard from the lower stomach down, with an arm wrapped around Diana's shoulder, holding her gently in place. Both of them appeared to be asleep as the slow rise and fall of their chests indicated that they didn't know they had an intruder.
Batman narrowed his eyes at the scene and, not for the first time, pondered why the world hated him so much and why this sight made him even angrier than when Alucard had kissed Diana.
"What do you want, Batman?" Alucard asked softly without opening his eyes. This drew Batman out of his thoughts.
"You're awake?" Batman said in a voice that was barely a whisper. He knew Alucard would hear it just fine, but he didn't want to wake Diana.
"Of course…it's nighttime," Alucard pointed out and opened his eyes.
"How did you know I was here?" Batman demanded.
"A third heartbeat inside a room reserved for two is usually an indication of an intruder," Alucard stated flatly. He shifted gently in an attempt to sit up and not wake the sleeping heroine next to him. However, he was unsuccessful.
"Hmm…what's wrong?" Wonder Woman asked as she slowly woke up, while Alucard sat up.
"Apologies, Diana…Batman has decided to pay us a midnight visit," Alucard explained.
Hearing that, Wonder Woman immediately got out of bed.
"Has something happened?" she asked urgently as she got out of bed.
Batman eyed her, noting that she was only wearing Alucard's shirt, which hung down to just above her knees where there was nothing but exposed skin. He raised an eyebrow and turned to face Alucard, giving him a very stern Bat-glare.
Alucard gave a triumphant smirk in response.
"Nothing major, no," Batman finally said, turning his attention back to Wonder Woman.
"Then why are you here?" Wonder Woman accused, "In our room?"
"That is the question, isn't it?" Alucard agreed with a playful hint in his tone. "As far as I am aware, we have done nothing that would be described as criminal behaviour in the last few hours. Unless… Batman counts two adults sleeping in a bed together as criminal activity,"
Batman narrowed his eyes. He really hated vampires.
"Get dressed, we have work to do," he ordered and turned around. Batman walked out onto the balcony to give both Alucard and Diana time to dress.
Once outside, Batman let out a long sigh. He leaned against the railing, gripping it tightly, and stared out at the night skyline of Paris. He wasn't by himself for long as Alucard emerged fully clothed, adjusting his coat and pulling on his gloves. Batman glanced over his shoulder at Alucard as he shut the door behind him.
"Where's Diana?" Batman demanded.
"Bathroom," Alucard answered.
Batman narrowed his eyes but didn't respond. A few moments of tense silence passed, and Wonder Woman joined them. She wore a simple top with a floral design and skinny jeans.
"So what's so important that you broke into our hotel room?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Paris STAR Labs was broken into earlier tonight. By Kaznian special forces," Batman said in a grave tone. "They escaped with advanced guidance and weapon targeting systems,"
"And you think Audrey had something to do with it?" Diana asked.
"The princess of Kaznia nearly gets abducted and saved by Wonder Woman, and then there is a break-in at Paris STAR Labs by Kaznian special forces. I hardly call that a coincidence," Batman stated.
"Audrey had nothing to do with that. She's a sweet girl—spoiled rotten, but sweet nonetheless," Diana claimed.
"I agree with Diana. She was with us all morning, and we saw her off at the airport just after lunch," Alucard remembered.
"But I can't rule her out," Batman said.
"Well, you can't just arrest her either," Wonder Woman pointed out. "She's the next queen of her country,"
"Why don't we just ask her?" Alucard suggested. "We'll see her tomorrow night at the party,"
"What party?" Batman asked.
"I was invited to her engagement party and her wedding," Diana explained. "Alucard is my plus one,"
Something inside Batman snapped.
"I see…" he said in a very restrained tone. He needed to hit someone again. "Keep me informed,"
Batman turned around and leaped over the railing, using his Batgrapple to disappear between the buildings of Paris.
"Honestly, he didn't have to wake us up for that," Wonder Woman huffed and crossed her arms in annoyance. "I thought he quit the League. What's he even doing here in Paris anyway?"
"Are you not concerned about what he said?" Alucard asked.
"About Audrey? No. Maybe it was those freedom fighters who tried to kidnap her," Wonder Woman reasoned.
"Perhaps," Alucard agreed.
"Anyway, I'm going back to bed," Wonder Woman announced and turned to head back into the room. She paused at the door and looked back. "Are you coming?"
Alucard nodded and headed back inside.
The next morning, the two headed to Kaznia. When they arrived at the palace, the security led them to their room. The castle was an older European-style castle. Audrey had been true to her word and arranged a room for the two. She joined Diana and Alucard in their room as they were unpacking and getting settled in. Audrey insisted on giving them a tour of the castle.
"This castle is amazing," Diana marveled.
"It is…even if it is on the smaller side compared to mine," Alucard agreed. "How long has your family lived here?"
"We've been here since the Arthurian period," Audrey answered.
"The what?" Diana asked.
"Have you not heard of King Arthur and Merlin?" Audrey asked in complete surprise.
"I am not overly familiar with them," Diana answered. Her only experience with King Arthur was what she had been told by Etrigan and the League when they fought Morgaine Le Fey.
"Well, during King Arthur's reign, there was an evil warlord who ruled over Kaznia," Audrey started. "This was his castle and a testament to his power and wealth. According to family legend, my ancestor and a gallant English knight of the Round Table joined forces and united the people against the warlord. The knight was an emissary to the king of England, and my ancestor was a simple craftsman. The knight taught the people how to defend what was theirs, and my ancestor used his skills to arm the people. Because of their combined efforts, the warlord was defeated, and my ancestor was named the first king of Kaznia,"
"Did this knight have a name?" Alucard asked.
"Of course, he was known as Sir Justin. My ancestor…but we lost contact with him, and shortly after, we heard King Arthur had been slain and Camelot fell to a wicked witch," Audrey said sadly.
"Is that why Kaznia had a closed borders policy?" Diana asked.
"Yes, the warlord was originally from a distant land and terrorized the people. When Camelot fell, he sent out scouts to try and determine Sir Justin's fate, but they all disappeared. My ancestor feared the witch would turn her ire on us and closed our borders. They remained closed until my father opened them up again," Audrey finished.
"Then when you are queen…will you follow your father's wisdom or your ancestor's will?" Alucard asked.
"My father was right to open the borders. I know Kaznia as a country has much to learn in the way of international trade, and the people are wary of it. But Sir Justin was an outsider, and he helped found my family's legacy," Audrey explained. "Besides, think of all the parties I'd have missed if the borders remained closed, and I wouldn't have met my new best friend,"
After the tour and a light lunch, Audrey dragged Diana off to get ready for the night's events, leaving Alucard alone to his own devices. He wandered through the halls, looking at some of the art and older paintings. After a while, he decided to head back to his and Diana's room. As he was approaching a corner, he heard footsteps. Alucard took a step to the side so he wouldn't bump into whoever it was. Two men rounded the corner, and Alucard's eyes widened at who passed him by.
A tall and muscular man, with slicked-back dark hair and piercing eyes, walked past. The man's elegant, tailored suit and regal posture hinted at immense wealth and authority, with a composed yet intimidating presence.
Alucard stared at the man in disbelief. He'd seen this man twice before: once when the time anomaly happened, and Metropolis was transformed, and this man's face had been on posters all over the buildings. Additionally, he'd seen the same man board planes when Aeon had sent him and the League back to World War II.
As the man passed by, Alucard couldn't help but stare. Alucard himself was no stranger to immortality; after all, he hadn't aged in 500 years due to his vampire heritage. But this man…he was not a vampire. Alucard took a deep breath and caught the scent of the other man's blood.
It was undeniably human.
Suddenly, the man stopped in his tracks and turned to face Alucard.
"Can I help you?" he asked in a bored tone.
Alucard's hand instinctively went for his sword, but there was nothing at his hip. He mentally cursed that he'd left his blade back in Castlevania. After all, he hadn't taken it to Paris with him for the gala, and he certainly hadn't thought to bring it to a royal wedding. He had been advised by the League that weapons at formal events, like the gala, were not allowed and he would be denied entry and treated with suspicion if he brought his sword along.
"Nothing to say?" the man asked, turning to his companion. "I thought the castle was closed to tourists due to the wedding," he said with a frown. "How did he get in?"
"I don't know, sir. I will have the guard remove him at once," the other man offered. He pulled out a radio and spoke into it. A few moments later, two guards came up from the opposite end of the hall.
"Ah, good security. It seems we have a lost tourist on our hands. Remove him from the premises at once," the man ordered.
"Sir, this is a special guest of Princess Audrey's. We will need her permission to remove him from the castle," the guard claimed.
"I see. Then escort him back to his room," the man instructed, and he turned on his heel and walked off.
Alucard watched him go, mind reeling and trying to figure out how a man he'd last seen in World War II, a man both Green Lantern and Hawkgirl had claimed went down into the ocean during the battle over the Pacific, could be here now.
"Sir, if you would follow us," one of the guards said.
Alucard nodded and followed the guards. He would need to speak to Wonder Woman about how to proceed.
Elsewhere in the castle,
Diana was waiting for Audrey to finish getting ready. She and the Princess of Kaznia had spent the last few hours with Audrey's team of beauticians who worked on their hair and nails and gave them facials. No punches were pulled in getting the future queen ready for her big night and the following big day. It had also been a new experience for Diana as well; being pampered was not as unpleasant as she thought.
For the engagement party, Diana was wearing a long strapless black gown with sequins and glitter woven into the fabric to give it a sparkly effect. Her hair was out and groomed in a way that it flowed easily. She was sitting on a chair nearby while Audrey got changed.
"Audrey, before we go out there is something I need to ask you," Diana started.
Audrey was behind a changing screen. "Don't worry, darling. Just because I am getting married and will soon be pumping out many heirs doesn't mean we can't still be friends and see each other," Audrey assured.
"No, not that. I was alerted that there was a break-in at STAR Labs in Paris,"
"So? Doesn't STAR Labs get broken into like once a week?"
"This time the perpetrators were Kaznian special forces," Diana said seriously.
"Wait… what?" Audrey said, poking her head around the screen.
"I was informed that the Kaznian special forces only answer to the royal family. And given how you were in Paris the night before the theft…" Diana trailed off.
"You think I gave the order," Audrey finished for her.
"Personally, no, but I need to be sure," Diana said as gently and reassuringly as possible.
"Well, I will save you the detective work. I didn't give the order, and I can't think of any reason my father would either," Audrey claimed. "If that won't satisfy you, then after the party tonight, I will happily tell you what I know while holding onto your golden lasso. If you let me borrow it after the wedding,"
"I don't think I can do that. What would you want to borrow my lasso of truth for anyway?" Diana asked.
"I want to tie my husband to the bed on the wedding night," Audrey grinned.
"But then he would be helpless and unable to move," Diana pointed out in confusion.
"Oh, darling, that is exactly the idea," Audrey grinned. She pulled her head back and finished getting dressed. A moment later, she came out wearing a pale pink cocktail dress with sparkles.
"There's no need for that. I believe you. I'm sorry I had to ask," Diana said sincerely.
"Don't worry about it. My role as princess makes me have to ask and do things I don't really want to do either," Audrey accepted with understanding. "Now, let's go. There is a party waiting for me, and I really want you and your friend to meet my betrothed,"
The two women made their way through the grand corridors of the castle, their heels clicking against the polished marble floors, echoing faintly through the expansive space. The air was thick with the scent of blooming roses and freshly polished wood, mingling with the distant sound of laughter and clinking glasses. The evening was already in full swing, and as they approached the gardens, the lively chatter of the guests and the soft strains of the string quartet became more pronounced.
The gardens were a scene of splendor, bathed in the warm glow of golden lanterns that hung from the branches of ancient trees. Tables draped in fine linens were scattered across the lawn, adorned with arrangements of flowers that matched the rich colors of the setting sun. Servers moved gracefully among the guests, offering trays of delicate hors d'oeuvres and flutes of sparkling champagne.
Audrey glanced at Diana with a mischievous smile, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "I hope you'll like my betrothed," she teased with a wink. "He's intelligent, charming, and quite good-looking to boot,"
Diana raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Audrey's playful tone. "Is that so? Well, I'm looking forward to meeting him,"
Audrey chuckled softly, her eyes scanning the crowd as they walked. "I just wish he weren't so serious all the time. He's a bit of a bore in that regard,"
As they neared the entrance to the gardens, Diana spotted Alucard standing alone, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the soft evening light. He had on hand on in his pocket and the other rested on his chin; he had a deeply troubled look on his face. He was wearing a formal red suit, only this time without the shoulder cape.
"Oh, there's your friend," Audrey announced, pointing Alucard out. Her voice drew him from his thoughts, and he immediately made his way over to them.
"Diana, I must speak with you," Alucard said urgently, his eyes flicking briefly to Audrey before settling back on Diana. "It is urgent,"
"Can this wait? Audrey wants me to meet her fiancé," Diana replied, sensing the tension in Alucard's voice but unsure of the cause.
"I fear it cannot," Alucard began, but was cut off by Diana.
"Is it the League? My communicator didn't go off," she asked, instinctively reaching for where her device would be hidden.
"No, this is not related to the League. But…" Alucard hesitated, clearly conflicted.
"Then it can wait. Come, meet my fiancé," Audrey interjected, taking Diana's arm and leading her toward the crowd. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she searched for her betrothed among the guests.
"Diana, I must insist," Alucard tried again, his tone more pressing as he followed close behind them. "I really need to speak to you,"
But Audrey, too excited to be distracted, suddenly smiled as she spotted her fiancé. "Oh, there he is," she said, guiding Diana through the crowd toward a tall man with dark hair, who was engaged in conversation with another guest. His back was turned to them, his posture straight and commanding.
The three of them stopped just behind him, and Audrey beamed with pride. "Diana, Alucard, meet my future husband,"
As the man turned around to face them, Diana's heart nearly stopped. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she recognized the man standing before her.
"Him," Alucard sighed with resignation.
"Vandal Savage," Diana gasped, disbelief and horror.
"Oh, do you know each other?" Audrey asked, her tone laced with confusion.
Vandal Savage extended his hand in a gesture of introduction. "A pleasure to meet you," he said smoothly. Neither Diana nor Alucard accepted the handshake, and Diana's demeanour immediately tuned hostile.
"Audrey, step away from that man, now," Diana demanded, her voice firm and filled with authority. "Do you know who this man is?"
"Yes, he's my fiancé and the minister overseeing our developing space program," Audrey responded, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"He's lying. Vandal Savage is a Nazi weapons manufacturer and a war criminal," Diana accused with disdain. "He is responsible for the deaths of thousands. Above all else, he is…"
"My grandfather," Savage interjected calmly.
"Excuse me?" Alucard asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"I am Vandal Savage III. The man you're describing was my grandfather," Savage explained. "You're correct of course. He committed many atrocities during the war. He was a very evil man,"
"He wasn't a man; he was a monster," Diana corrected, her eyes narrowing as she studied him.
Audrey, clearly upset by the exchange, tried to intervene. "Diana, you're being rude and embarrassing me,"
"It's alright, Audrey," Savage said gently, turning to her. "What she says isn't wrong. However, I've dedicated my life to working toward the advancement and betterment of mankind as a way to atone for my grandfather's actions and restore my family's honor,"
Alucard scrutinized Savage with a piercing gaze. "The resemblance to your grandfather is… uncanny,"
"My family's genes have always been persistent," Savage replied smoothly. "After all, it's normal for children to take after their parents," He then turned back to Audrey with a warm smile. "My dear, if you'll excuse me, I need another drink,"
He kissed Audrey's hand with practiced grace and walked away, his steps confident and deliberate. Diana and Alucard watched him go, noting the commanding air that surrounded him.
"Happy now?" Audrey snapped at Diana, her voice laced with hurt and frustration.
"Audrey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult him or you," Diana apologized, her tone sincere.
"Didn't you?" Audrey shot back, her eyes flashing with anger. "Because that's not what it looked like to me,"
Diana found herself at a loss for words. She turned and walked away from the lively party, eventually finding refuge on a small balcony. Leaning on the railing, she stared out into the night, the sounds of the celebration behind her fading into the background as she replayed the encounter in her mind.
After several minutes, Alucard joined her, a glass of red wine in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other. "Drink?" he offered, holding out the champagne. Diana didn't take it, her gaze remaining fixed on the distant horizon. Alucard placed the glass down on the stone railing beside her.
"He was lying, by the way," Alucard began, taking a sip of his wine.
"What?" Diana asked, finally tearing her eyes away from the night sky to look at him.
"When Savage was talking about his grandfather. He lied," Alucard clarified, his tone firm.
"Then… is it him?"
"I do not know," Alucard admitted, his brow furrowing with concern.
"It must be him. We saw him in that alternate future. He was there in Berlin, and in the planes," Diana insisted.
"Did you actually see him?" Alucard asked, his voice steady and measured.
"Well… no. J'onn attended a meeting with him, and it was Green Lantern who was in the plane with him," Diana admitted with a sigh, the certainty in her voice wavering.
"Weren't all the planes shot down, and those on board either died in the crash or drowned in the ocean?" Alucard added, his tone thoughtful.
"If you're not going to say something constructive, then why are you even here?" Diana snapped, her frustration reaching breaking point. "I've already made a fool out of myself, I don't need you adding to it,"
"You misunderstand me. I was not trying to make you upset. I was merely reminding you of events that transpired during that particular mission," Alucard explained, his voice calm and even. "You must remember, I only ever saw Vandal Savage in the posters of the alternate future and while he was boarding his planes. I wasn't close enough at the time to identify him back then, nor was I part of the battle over the Pacific,"
Diana's shoulders slumped, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her. "And now?"
"He is undeniably human. That much I can confirm," Alucard replied.
"So it can't be him then," Diana said, relief mingling with confusion. "But if it's not, then why was he lying about his grandfather?"
"That is the question," Alucard agreed, his expression thoughtful. "Have you had J'onn look up his file?"
"Not yet, I… oh, hello," Diana said suddenly, her attention drawn to the grounds below the balcony. Savage was alone, walking further into the gardens as he pulled out a phone. "I think I'm going to see what that's about,"
"What about Princess Audrey?" Alucard asked, his gaze shifting back to the party.
"Keep an eye on her for me," Diana responded as she leapt off the balcony. She floated down to the gardens below and silently followed Savage, her curiosity and suspicion driving her forward.
Alucard watched her disappear into the shadows, then sighed and took a final sip of his wine. "I guess… I'll go back to the party then," he muttered to himself, turning to rejoin the festivities.
In Deeper in the Gardens
Savage walked further away from the noise of the party, needing a quiet space to make a call without being overheard by the guests. Seeing Wonder Woman had been unexpected. He knew Audrey had befriended her and invited her to the wedding, and though it was inconvenient, it didn't change anything. His plan would be enacted no matter what. If Wonder Woman got in the way, he would deal with her as he dealt with all who opposed him.
Without mercy.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, the line was picked up.
"It's me. What is the status on our launch window?" Savage asked. He listened to the reply and nodded. "Excellent, keep me informed,"
Wonder Woman, who had been watching and listening from the shadows, narrowed her eyes and then marched up to Savage. He turned to look at her, ending the call.
"How insistent are those genes, Mr. Savage?" she asked with feigned pleasantry as she approached.
"I don't know what you mean," Savage replied, slipping his phone back into his pocket.
"Your grandfather made weapons and vehicles for the Germans,"
"He did. I've been told his creations were ahead of their time, as was his way of thinking,"
"That better not run in your family as well,"
"It doesn't. While the study of warfare is a fascinating subject, my only interest is in the peaceful exploitation of space," Savage claimed. "I've worked long and hard to get where I am,"
"It's what you're working toward that concerns me,"
"Do you know that asteroids and comets are made of different materials? Some of ice, others of iron. It all depends on where they originated from and how far they've traveled,"
"Your point?"
"My point, Wonder Woman, is that such things pass by Earth frequently. A single small asteroid can contain almost half of the remaining iron deposits on Earth," Savage claimed. He looked up at the night sky. "And it's just sitting up there—resources we could use and mine without endangering our planet. All just floating above our heads,"
Savage then turned back to Wonder Woman. "That is where my interests lie. It's a far cry from committing genocide and world domination, don't you think?"
"I don't believe a word you're saying,"
"I don't care whether you believe me or not,"
"My friend said you lied earlier when you spoke about your grandfather,"
"And you believe him?"
"Over you? Yes,"
"So what you're saying is that I'm the original Vandal Savage from World War II? That I made weapons for the Nazis, and I'm over 100 years old?" Savage scoffed. "If that were true, don't you think I'd be doing something much more sinister than mining asteroids?"
"I don't care who you are. I won't let you hurt Audrey," Wonder Woman threatened.
"Hurt her? I love her. No other woman can do the things she can for me,"
"I don't want to hear it,"
"I'm talking about her making me a member of the royal family," Savage shot back. "However, once we're married, I'm sure she can do… other things for me that no other woman could either,"
"You're disgusting," Wonder Woman retorted.
"It's called being in a relationship. You should try it sometime. Ah, Commander Vox," Savage said as a tall military man with a neck brace and an attached speaker approached. "How can I help you?"
"The princess is looking for you, sir. She would like a dance," Commander Vox said in a robotic voice that came through the speaker.
"Very well. By the way, Wonder Woman here was just leaving. Could you escort her out?" Savage requested.
"Don't bother," Wonder Woman said, glaring at Savage. "This isn't over," she threatened before launching herself into the air and flying off. Savage and Vox watched her go.
"Will she be a problem?" Vox asked.
"No. I practically told her my plan, and she didn't even pick up on it. She came here with someone, didn't she?"
"Yes, another member of the Justice League. Should I have my men deal with him?"
"No, leave him alone for now. After all, we'll need a scapegoat when the king falls ill," Savage claimed with a smile. "And he will play that role whether he wants to or not,"
As Wonder Woman flew, she activated her communicator. "Wonder Woman to Watchtower,"
"Hi, Princess! Meet any prince charming's lately?" Flash's voice teased.
"Flash, I need you to patch me through to J'onn,"
"Sure,"
The line went quiet, and a moment later, J'onn's voice came through. "Diana," he greeted.
"J'onn, something's come up. I need you to look up any historical information on Vandal Savage post-World War II," Wonder Woman said.
The line was silent for a moment. "That is not a name I ever expected to hear again," J'onn said gravely.
"I know, but I just met his supposed grandson, and the resemblance is uncanny. Can you please check if Savage had any children and get their records?" Wonder Woman asked, her tone filled with worry. "I'm concerned about Audrey,"
"Very well. I will contact you when I find something," J'onn agreed.
"Batman," came Batman's curt answer.
"Batman, I need some help. Can we meet?" Wonder Woman asked.
"You sure you shouldn't be calling Alucard?"
"No, he's taking care of something important. Can we meet?"
"I'm in Paris. Meet me on the roof of the hotel where you were staying,"
"I'll be there in three hours," Wonder Woman confirmed. She then switched her com-line. "Alucard, I need to leave for a bit, look after Audrey for me,"
"…Understood," was the response that came through.
The Kings Bed Chambers,
King Gustav stood before the large window of the royal bed-chamber, his weary eyes gazing out at the star-studded night sky. He was dressed in his nightclothes, ready for bed after a long day. The sounds of his daughter's engagement party drifted faintly through the palace walls, a reminder that the celebrations were still in full swing. While he suspected the event would continue well into the early hours of the morning, he was an old man, far too tired to stay up that late. He had fulfilled his duties for the evening, both as a father and as a king. He had danced with his daughter, delivered a heartfelt speech over dinner, and conversed with various guests, from political allies to cherished friends.
Tomorrow, Audrey would be wed, and the thought brought a smile to his face. Like his daughter, he had a big day ahead, and he wanted to be well-rested. He could already imagine how beautiful she would look in her wedding dress. Audrey had insisted on keeping it a surprise, refusing to let him see it beforehand. As he stood there, lost in thought, a soft knock at the door broke through the silence of the chamber. The King turned as a guard opened the door, and a maid entered, carrying a silver tray with a single goblet of wine balanced on top. She approached and gave a respectful bow.
"The wine you requested, Your Majesty," she said, her voice gentle yet formal.
"Ah, thank you. Nothing like a nightcap after a long day," the King replied with a tired smile, reaching out to take the goblet from the tray.
"Of course, sire. Is there anything else you require this evening?" the maid asked.
"No, this will be all. I'll need my strength for tomorrow," the King responded as he turned back to the window, bringing the goblet to his lips. The maid dipped into a small curtsy and began to make her way toward the door.
She almost reached it when she heard a sudden, sharp gasp. Instinctively, she turned around just in time to see the King clutching his chest, his face contorted in pain, before collapsing to the ground. The goblet slipped from his grasp, rolling away as dark red wine spilled across the carpet.
The maid's lips curled into a sinister smile as she approached the King, now struggling to move and breathe. She knelt beside him, leaning in close to his ear, her voice a poisonous whisper.
"Vandal Savage has a message for you your Majesty. The king is dead. Long live the Queen," she whispered, her words dripping with malice.
King Gustav's eyes widened in terror, the realization of his fate dawning on him as he struggled to breathe. His attempts to cry out for help were futile, his voice reduced to desperate gasps for air. The maid, her expression cold and unfeeling, stood up and calmly walked back to the door.
As she reached the entrance, she put on a mask of panic and shouted, "Guards, help! The King has collapsed!"
With Wonder Woman,
The night was still, with only the occasional hum of distant traffic echoing through the city streets below. Wonder Woman and Batman stood on the rooftop of the luxurious hotel where she and Alucard had stayed the previous night. Batman's cape billowed slightly in the cool breeze, while Wonder Woman's gaze remained fixed on him. She had called Batman for help, she told him of the evenings' events and her suspicions about Audrey's fiancé, the unsettling conversation she had with him, and the eerie resemblance he bore to a man the League had encountered before.
"I don't see it," he said flatly. "Are you sure it's him?"
"No. But at the same time, I can't be sure it's not him. He looks so much like the Savage we fought before," she replied.
"The one from the alternate timeline where Germany won World War II?" Batman questioned, He folded his arms, deep in thought. "And the same Savage was leading the Nazi party?"
"Yes," Wonder Woman nodded, her brow furrowing as she recalled the memories of that mission. "He even caught Alucard off guard tonight,"
Batman's eyes widened slightly, a rare show of surprise. "Alucard recognized him too?" he asked, his mind racing through possibilities. "Did you or he actually fight Vandal Savage in the alternate timeline?"
Wonder Woman shook her head, "No. J'onn was in a meeting with him, posing as a German officer, and Green Lantern was on the plane that Savage was on. The rest of us didn't fight him directly,"
Batman's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. "What about Alucard? If he was there, surely, he could say for certain if they were the same. Maybe Savage isn't human. J'onn has been alive for centuries already," he suggested, his mind always looking for connections' others might miss.
"Alucard claims he only saw Savage once from afar as he boarded the plane. He wasn't able to properly get a read on him, but he did say that Savage was human. Both the one we met tonight and the one he saw back during the war," Wonder Woman explained.
"Convenient," Batman remarked.
Wonder Woman's eyes flashed with anger as she turned to face him directly. "You don't believe me, do you?" she accused, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "You think I'm making this up, or that I'm paranoid,"
Batman's expression remained stoic "I never said that. While I am sceptical about this alternate future, the League's mission into the past isn't as unbelievable as it sounds. But what is hard to believe is that there's a person out there who spends his time drinking tea, opening time portals, and doesn't remember what day it is," he said, his tone a mix of dry humour and hard logic.
Wonder Woman frowned, "What does Aeon have to do with Audrey?"
"Nothing. I'm merely pointing out what I do and don't believe," Batman stated calmly, his eyes locked onto hers. "Unfortunately, without any actual proof of wrongdoing, it may be just as this Savage claims. That he's the grandson of the one the League fought. I wasn't part of that mission with you, so I can't make any connections between the two. Even more so if the League's resident blood detector says they're both human,"
"That doesn't prove anything," Wonder Woman shot back, her voice thick with conviction.
Before Batman could respond, a sudden burst of light caught his attention. He turned his head sharply towards a nearby building, where a billboard had switched to a news channel, the screen flashing with a bright red banner that read "BREAKING NEWS," Wonder Woman followed his gaze, her heart skipping a beat as the headline appeared.
"Kazina's King Suffers Near-Fatal Stroke. The King Is Alive but in Critical Condition. Princess Audrey Assumes Royal Duties. Coronation and Wedding to Take Place at Midnight,"
"Never mind, I just got all the proof I needed," she said, her voice low and dangerous.
"Wait, you can't just go flying into Kazina's airspace without permission or prior notice," he cautioned, his voice laced with concern.
"I have an invitation to that wedding," Wonder Woman pointed out.
"But not to fly through their airspace. You'll be breaking international law," Batman warned, his tone firm.
Wonder Woman's expression hardened "I'll break more than that if they try to stop me. I won't let Audrey marry that man," she declared, as she launched herself into the air.
Batman watched her go; he knew better than to try to stop her when she was like this. Once she was in the air she activated her commutator
Meanwhile, far away, Alucard stood in a dimly lit room, his senses on high alert. The shadows seemed to cling to him, swirling with an almost unnatural energy.
As he stood, his keen eyes focused on the door, he activated his communicator.
Kazia Royal Palace guestroom, a little earlier,
After Wonder Woman had left to follow Savage Alucard had kept an eyes on Audrey, speaking to other guests while keeping the future queen in his sight and hearing range. When Savage returned, without Wonder Woman he kept an eye on him too. He spent his time dancing with Audery and then speaking to other guests before leaving the party, Alucard stayed until Audery left much later. On his way back to his room Alucard passed a maid carrying a tray with a single goblet. The maid paid him no heed as she was focused on her task. As Alucard passed he suddenly stopped and looked back at the maid.
"Did I just smell…," He trailed off and watched the maid continue down the hall "no it could not have been,"
He kept walking and headed back to his room. Once there he entered his and Dianas room, he closed the door behind him, turned on the light and scanned the room. Wonder Woman wasn't in it, however, her dress was lay on the bed as if it was quickly thrown there with little regard. Alucard walked over and picked it up and hung it up in the wardrobe. While he was near it he pulled his normal attire out and changed into it, hanging up his formal wear. He left his coat hanging up though. He opened the glass doors that led to the Balcony to let some air into the room and checked the trunk that was supposed to hold Wonder Woman's Armor.
It was empty.
He walked over to a book shelf that was in the room and pulled out a random book before he turned out the light and moved over to sit up on the bed, leaning against the pillows that were up against the bed head and began to read. He was halfway through the first chapter when he herd running in the hall Alucard looked up briefly but no one entered. He was about to go and investigate when his com went off.
"Alucard it's Diana," Wonder Woman's voice came through.
"I was wondering when you'd call. This is the second time you've ghosted me," Alucard replied with a touch of humour. "I trust you won't make a habit of it; otherwise, I might get offended,"
"This is serious. Where's Audrey?" Diana demanded.
"She retired to her room a little while ago,"
"You need to get to her now. She's moved the wedding forward. It's happening at midnight,"
"What?"
"The King's had a stroke. Audrey's going to be wed and crowned Queen at the same time. You have to stop the wedding," Wonder Woman urged.
Alucard immediately swung his legs off the bed, but before he could respond, his head snapped toward the door. He could hear people gathering outside, orders being barked.
"Wonder Woman, I'm going to have to let you go. It appears I have guests," Alucard said, his voice calm and cool as he cut the communication. He quickly grabbed his coat and gloves from the wardrobe, then darted out to the balcony. Just as he leaped over the edge, the door to the room burst open, and a dozen guards swarmed inside.
"Search the room! The assassin must be located!" the captain ordered.
The guards meticulously searched every inch of the room, opening the wardrobe, checking the bathroom and shower, and examining any possible hiding spots. Noticing the balcony doors were open, the captain stepped outside, peering over the edge, but saw nothing. He then glanced up at the higher floors of the palace, thinking Alucard might have flown upwards or into the sky, but again, there was no sign of the vampire.
After several moments, another guard approached the captain. "Sir, we've searched the room and found that both Justice League members are gone," the guard reported.
"They must have escaped. Cowards won't even stay to face the consequences of their actions," the captain sneered.
"Sir, why would the Justice League want to kill King Gustav? Aren't they supposed to protect people?" the guard questioned, a note of confusion in his voice.
"It's not our job to question but to carry out the orders of the royal family," the captain reminded him sternly.
"But... Lord Savage isn't married to Princess Audrey yet," the guard pointed out. "Why are we carrying out his orders?"
"He will be King. The princess marries in an hour," the captain reminded the guard. "Now, sweep the castle grounds! I want the Justice League members found and brought to justice,"
The guard saluted and rejoined the others as they began to search the rest of the palace. The captain took one last look over the balcony before he, too, retreated into the room and followed the others out.
Unbeknownst to the guards, Alucard was hanging upside down beneath the balcony, holding onto the stone ledge with ease. He had heard everything. Wonder Woman had only mentioned that the King had suffered a stroke, so why were the palace guards looking for an assassin? And why did they believe he or Wonder Woman were the culprits? Alucard decided this required further investigation.
Once the echoes of boots had completely faded, he climbed back onto the balcony, keeping close to the wall in case any guards remained nearby. Peering into the now-dark room, he saw no sign of anyone left behind. He quickly donned his coat and gloves before looking up at the palace walls. Numerous windows and balconies dotted the exterior.
"Now then, where are the King's quarters?" he mused to himself.