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Clash of Realms	By : RaphaelTMNT Category: -Misc Anime > Crossovers Views: 3294 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Justice League, Rosario Vampire or Dark Stalkers nor the characters from either of the three series. I do not make money from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 35
- 36
- 37
Clash of Realms
CHP36: Mutual Attention

And there he was, his wings flapping about as he came down over them. Akua felt her heart stop for a moment, just as others of the Xsouvizs. Above them was the monster of all monsters in the realm. His right eye golden amber with no pupil but his left eye was red and a slit through it. A set of, black arching horns sprouted from his temples arch behind his shoulders in a curve.
His hands were paws (three fingered) possessing three, six inch retractable talons. His feet were cloven and equally as razor sharp as his talons. His knees were double capped on the sides. He had a lengthy and flexible tail longer then his legs and lastly were a pair of beautiful raven black feathered wings, with a wingspan of sixteen feet when spread out for flight.
"Apollo!" Akua screeched.
"Grandfather..." Moka bit over her lip.
They weren't the only ones in shock, much of the monsters affiliated with the Xsouvizs were frightened and distressed. Some deliberated abandoning mission, but knew they were good as dead if they did and with the appearance of the harbinger they might as well have been. His body dropped down with a loud thud and some falling off their feet. Akua wasn't one to tremble, but even she knew what the emperor was capable of. It had been quite some time since she'd last seen him; as a child it must have been. So how much time has passed she couldn't say for certain, how many years exactly.
While she was mindful of his capabilities, she also understood how much she had changed since then. Her increase in power, performance and proficiency were vastly sharpened. At a young age he'd been a presence in her life and she heard very many stories, but never got the chance to see him in action with their own two eyes. This could potentially be an opportunity to test her abilities and how far she had come... but the vampire brushed the thought aside just as quickly. The mission was to recover the Lastiaz sphere of water. The vampire's eyes darted around as she inspected the ogres who appeared terrified out of their minds.
But they weren't the only ones, members of Fairy Tale including Kiria Yoshii showed signs of uneasiness and panic. Everything they planned for, from top to bottom had completely blown up in this singular miscalculation. The heaviness of his aura loomed heavy over the entire battlefield, some feeling their muscles tighten at its force. The newcomers of Fairy Tale however were different story, though had been briefed incomparable much information on the harbinger. They faced and dealt with the supernatural on a consistent basis, so there wasn't much they hadn't seen or experienced.
"Tsukune," Apollo looked directly at him. "You made the right choice."
Akua bit over her tongue as the harbinger was only a couple feet from where she stood. Was attacking her best option, or try and avoid confrontation? Then again it was little too late for that.
"Tsukune..." Moka murmured her husband's name. "You did this?"
"I did. Look around usm Moka-san," Tsukune waved his hand around. "We were in a lose-lose situation. You and I together, despite our advances we are still incapable of keeping up with just Akua, let alone so many of them together and the Xsouvizs included. This was far too dicey to go into on our own and... and I'm sorry for not telling you, but I knew what you'd say."
"And what's that?" Moka popped up but rolling her eyes in annoyance.
Tsukune swallowed air but with his eyes closed, knowing full and well that she was upset and he knew she had the right to be. At least that's what Tsukune told himself.
"Enough of this!" Apollo said sharply, looking over both vampires. "This shall be argued later, but now I shall put an end to this pressing hazard."
His eyes then surveyed and fell over Akua, who stood her ground but biting over her tongue. From afar, Kahlua had suspended her fight with the phoenix soldier and her glimpse glued to the emperor.
"Apollo-sama," she whispered.
Just as Akua she recalled seeing him as a child when he would visit the Shuzen mansion, sometimes with gifts or sometimes to check up on them all. It was vague, but she also recalled how kind he had been. It was however in the past and didn't matter, he arrived on the battlefield as part of the opposition and therefore an enemy. The vampire nibbled over her lower lip, taking in the sight of him and he was just as she remembered him. Before them all he stood in his messenger form, which he was most widely known by in the yokai realm.
Abelardo as well as other phoenix soldiers were relieved to see the harbinger standing before them. The tides had surely tilted in their favor without question, much of them breathing out and settled.
"It's been awhile, hasn't it my child?" Apollo looked down over Akua, but she didn't return that same affection. "You've grown to be quiet the fine young lady, but as I've heard associated yourself with the likes the Fairy Tale."
Apollo's eyes closed for moment as he shook his head. This isn't what he wanted, especially not from those he considered family.
"You were always a lonely child, deserting yourself away from others and I am sorry that..."
"Shut it!" Akua snapped.
The eyes of both Tsukune and Moka shot open while Apollo's head lowered and his gaze over the ground. He hadn't seen her in so long, and she was only a child then so he really didn't know what to expect. Even as a youngster she was the most narrow-minded of her sisters, keeping to herself. Much of this had to do with her upbringing, and some of which the things she experienced early on in her life.
"I'm not that little girl anymore, nor am I your family... you were never anything to me. I didn't need or want your kindness, there's only one thing; only one person I care for in this world."
Akua's eyes lowered and looking straight at Moka, and the silver-haired vampire swallowing back. The moment of reunion was however interrupted as footsteps came up on and approached Apollo from behind. The harbinger only partially looked to this individual who carried what looked to be a canon of sorts. The ogre pulled over the trigger and the ammunition was fired right at him and exploding over his body. But with his Yokai raised, Apollo stood unmoved.
"Not good..." the Ogre gulped as the dust cleared and the death glare of the harbinger right over him.
Apollo zipped forward as he took hold of the ogre's throat, suffocating him just before tossing him fifty yards into the opposite direction without effort at all. Cheetah saw this and licked at her lips.
"This ought to be fun," she kicked into one of the phoenix soldiers before heading in that direction.
A handful of Xsouvizs members took off running and Kiria Yoshii becoming livid.
"Stand and fight you cowards. Our mission here is not yet done!"
No matter his command, their minds were made up and they continued running and running. That was only a small portion of twenty five percent of the Xsouvizs that made the trip. Kiria cursed under his breath and there was really nothing else he could do. And it theme from there that all the battles that handled started up once more, as killer frost went right after Jasper, and Kahlua clashing with Kynx. Other smaller battles ensued, and Apollo was anything but pleased with this tightening his fists. He would highhandedly put an end to this before unnecessary lives were lost.
"Don't even think about it, old man!" Akua shouted out to him. "Your fight is with me!"
Akua jumped off of her feet and right at Apollo, and the Jigen-Tou active but Tsukune jumping out in front of her and seizing her hand with Muei-Tou active. Tsukune pulled her down and atop him, but she quickly wrestled her way out of his grasp and landing an elbow over his face as she then popped up over her feet, and immediately dodging off to the side as Moka came down over her with a jumping kick.
Moka didn't stop there and came at her with another kick, which Akua grab hold of and twisting Moka's ankle. The vampire screamed aloud as Akua then forced her backwards with an open hand. Stumbling off balance, Moka dropped over the grass and over her side punching into the ground. Several years ago maybe, but to this point with there being such a gap between them in skill was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite all the work Moka had put in within the past seven years, it seemed as though Akua put in a whole lot more... or perhaps it was a mindset. There was really no telling, and the only positive was that she knew Akua would never truly hurt her.
Again Apollo was faced with Akua and the harbinger letting out a sigh. It had been years since he'd seen her in action, mostly against her younger sisters in friendly competition and he was beyond impressed with how far she had come in such a short time. Her determination, craft, preciseness and movement we're commendable. Though they weren't meeting under ideal circumstances like he would have liked, Apollo couldn't help but be proud growth. She had truly become a polished martial artist that could tangle with the best of them.
"You've come a long way, my child. Nevertheless, you should know a fight against me will not end in your victory. You're imprudent, filled with hate and fury... but you are still family, or at least you once wore."
Akua laughed this statement off, lowering herself as the body of a phoenix soldier swooped through the air over her head.
"Don't kid yourself, old man. Family isn't a word to just toss around, there's only little in that circle and you were never part of that. You're powerful indeed, more so than myself but you would be foolish to underestimate me."
The vampire situated herself into a fighting stance, both Tsukune and Moka with wide eyes. This wasn't happening, was it?! Was Akua really challenging Apollo one on one?! Even with her combat skills and techniques, it would be an uphill battle to overcome the difference in power and strength. And atop that Apollo was arguably the realm's greatest martial artist with a core of techniques of his own. The harbinger ran a hand over his face as his head lowered forward and he shook his head.
"Foolish, child…" his gaze returned to hers. "There are those that understand which battles to engage in and those to retreat. But then there are those that must learn the hard way."
His expression shifted from blandness into a scowl, but Akua unfazed and even smiling.
"There he is," the vampire said mockingly.
Tsukune bit over his tongue, feeling the hairs on his back stand. For as long as he could remember since meeting with the emperor he couldn't recall anyone talking to him this way; such overconfidence she had. But the more he thought about it, that confidence was warranted with the work and time she had clearly put in and he was even somewhat envious.
"Nee-san," Moka dusted herself off, taking one step in Akua's direction. "You don't have to do this, please stop before there's no point of return. You can't beat him, believe me."
Akua only partially looked back to her younger sister but her attention still primarily over the harbinger. A second of silence commenced before a giggle escaped Akua's lips.
"And that's it Moka, what separates us. You see an obstacle hopeless to overcome while I see another opportunity to push past my boundaries and again prove to myself I'm capable of doing anything. It's all about how much you want it, Moka."
With that Akua's gaze completely returned to Apollo and inwardly she knew this would be an uphill battle, and would require a miracle if victory was her objective but given the situation she didn't need to defeat him. All she needed to do was buy time so that the barriers surrounding the shrine where lowered and then the Lastiaz sphere in their possession. The vampire readied herself to go on the attack, but then came Cheetah from out of nowhere and running before coming to a skidding stop just behind Apollo.
"So your Apollo, this ought to be fun."
Cheetah zipped around attacking Apollo with a right paw to the jaw. She continued aggressively with multiple kicks and slashes from her paws until the harbinger lost balance and fell backwards. Of all the yokai he'd faced in the past centuries she was fighting at a speed and intensity that was so rare. Just as he was about to fall over the ground, Apollo leaped up grabbing Cheetah and holding her in a tight bear hug. Cheetah clawed away at his face forcing and slithering her way out of his grasp. Her strength and elusiveness were unsuspecting, and more intriguing than that was he didn't sense an ounce of yokai or aura stemming from her body. What was the source of her strength? On first sight he believed her to be a Bakeneko or Nekomata, but that obviously wasn't the case.
"You look surprised, your majesty," Minerva said mockingly. "I was told you were one to be ahead of the game, assessing a situation before making a move. Well if that were true you would have started at full strength, knowing that I'm here. I've fought and held my own against the amazon princess more times than I can count and traded blows with the kryptonian. You're nothing special."
The villainous licked at her lips, quietly giggling as she saw a difference in his demeanor and the harbinger powering himself up. The eyes of Tsukune, Moka and Akua widened but Cheetah rubbing her paws together as she stood her ground.
"That's more like it," her claws twitched at the power reverberating from him. "The sleeping giant awakes."
"And it'll be your end!" Apollo shot.
Out in the distance Akua's eyes looked over the members of the Xsouvizs who were working on suspending the barrier around the shrine and it was clear that they would need time and so just as Cheetah she needed to provide it.
With his yokai raised and the intensity of his aura circulating around his body Apollo unleashed a heavy kick to her chin before immediately dropping his elbow into Minerva's abdomen and flooring her. Akua took advantage of the guards of both Tsukune dropped as she threw out a spinning kick which knocked both off their feet. Apollo snarled as he looked back at the vampire and looked to retaliate but the tail of Cheetah wrapped around his ankle and forced him off balance as she jumped up to her feet. Even as he had powered up, she still showed the strength capable of moving him and that in itself was impressive.
Upon hitting the ground a spike shot up through Kiria's shoulder. He broke the spear in half and tossing it into the stomach of Edson. The phoenix soldier grimaced in pain as he forcefully pulled the blade out of his flesh and spat blood. Brushing it all aside he picked himself up unleashing multiple punches and forcing his enemy face down into the grass as he stomped over him. Just as the phoenix he didn't stay down for long, shooting up but with the spear in his hand, cutting across his left side forcing him back with a roar. On the other side of the battlefield Killer Frost was engaged with Jasper, with an ice blade in hand which she shaped out of nothing. The phoenix however got around her as suddenly its tail wrapped around her throat and pulling her off her feet as she was tossed into a tree off to the side of them.
Kahlua was locked down with Kynx who came down over her with a hard right knocking her off to the side as the bottom of her boots skidded across the surface. He just as quickly came at her again but she flipped up over him and in one powerful kick, dropped him over the ground. Kynx down on one knee threw a dagger at the vampire which she effortlessly but then he zipped forward and threw the air as he pulled her down.
He was strong, but so was she and Kahlua slithering her way out of his grasp. Both were quickly back on their feet as the phoenix took to the air flapping his wings and swooping down and kneeing her in the side of the face. Kahlua quickly reestablished her footing, eying her opponent who chose to go aerial. He zoomed down over her again, but this time the vampire sidestepped to her left and letting him fly by. Kynx slowed down his momentum and as he turned around Kahlua's fist came at him, smashing into the side of his skull. The phoenix then swept her legs, flooring the vampire.
No matter how much they wanted to, Tsukune and Moka were incapable of lending any sort of assist to Apollo as they were being held off by Akua. It seemed after every other strike one of them was over the ground and even when they tried attacking together it ended the same, with Akua disrupting their rhythm and too many times losing stability and sharpness. And she made it look easy, barely putting forth effort it seemed at times while they struggled and worked their tails off. Each did however manage to land a couple strikes, some of which dealing decent damage but she would then just as quickly reclaim the momentum.
The fight between Cheetah and Apollo raged on, but by then Kuyo had also jumped in making it a two vs one duo. Kuyo was powered up and in his battle form and serving more as an assist, whenever an opening presented itself. He would never dear try and take on the emperor alone or even with assist for that matter, but Cheetah showed strength and speed capable of at least keeping up with Apollo. These enemies of the Justice League were proving to be very valuable to Fairy Tale, more than any of them could have foresaw, especially with how things had been playing out lately. Cheetah rushed in over Apollo and attempted another strike as he dodged before countering with a whip strike. Minerva screamed as she fell to her knees. He was quickly adapting to the way she moved, approached and attacked just as the breakdown suggested in early Fairy Tale briefings. Even if she held superior combat speed, he had enough reaction speed to counter and reverse the output of her attack back on her.
While downed Apollo zipped over kicking her across the face, as her body tumbled over. She stabbed her claws in the turf to keep herself from rolling any further. Apollo charged forward tapping into even more of his yokai with the idea to end the fight. Cheetah however quickly popped up and unleashed a hard right kick to the stomach of the harbinger knocking him back before dashing forward in blinding speed and relentlessly attacking clawing away at his body. Just as he Apollo could see that she had been holding back, now attacking at a much higher velocity and intensity. Minerva spotted a whip over the ground which had been dropped over the ground by one of the ogres, taking it into her hands. She kicked Apollo in the stomach before wrapping the whip around his throat. She pulled back in an attempt to crush the emperor's throat. Apollo however powered out of the hold pulling her up with surprising force and with an elbow strike. The breath was knocked out of her as she fell back and over her side. Apollo stood over her and readied himself for the knockout blow but then Kuyo zoomed in from out of nowhere.
With quick reaction however Apollo grabbed at his throat catching him out of the air.
"Big mistake, boy!"
In a single head-butt Kuyo was KO'd and tossed aside. Feeling as though his guard was dropped over ten ogres came at him simultaneously carrying swords, daggers and other blades. Though his back was to the lot of them he felt each and every one of them, simply raising his aura as the group of them fell and were pulled down over the ground through its heaviness. Cheetah looked up in astonishment, licking at her lips as she spat blood and slowly stood, but her legs somewhat wobbly.
"You truly are something special, commendable of the title emperor and king of all yokai. But I shall bring down the king!" she sharpened.
But even as she stood there Minerva was tense. Everything that she'd thrown at him thus far seemed to have little effect as he simply regenerated at such an exponential rate. The two of them were in a standstill and just as they readied themselves to clash, everything froze… or rather everything around her. At least that's what she thought at first as she looked around. While Apollo, Tsukune, Moka and warriors of Draspeya were frozen solid all of Fairy Tale was able to move. It was as if time around them had stopped and that's when he appeared from out of an open vortex.
"Mordru!" Kahlua called out.
"Mission must be aborted," the sorcerer approached Kiria directly. "You have exactly three minutes to return to base, before the flow of time returns to normal."
"We had everything under control, we aren't retreating!" Kiria shot.
"Not my call, Ched sent me and he has his reasons. You'll understand once return and I don't have time to argue. Come with me and all will be explained, no time to think about it."
Everyone was shocked to hear this, but it was a direct order and so there was really no other choice. One after another all of them followed Mordru through the vortex, but Akua taking one last look at Moka as she was the last to jump through. All members of Xsouviz also took the opportunity to escape, running fast as they could. And in the following minutes, the flow of time within that area returned to normal. For them it felt like only a split second had passed, and to the disbelief of them all the entire battlefield had been cleared! Fairy Tale was nowhere to be found, and the same could be said for the Xsouvizs.
"What… what the hell just happened?!" Tsukune looked all around. "They just up and vanished out of nowhere!"
Moka and many other over the battlefield looked to the shrine's entrance and shockingly the barrier still held. The Lastiaz sphere of water was safe and sound if this was any indication, but none of it made any sense. First off how did they vanish, and all at once? And secondly why would they retreat without obtaining what they came for. None of it made any sense, but nevertheless Apollo lowered his yokai and let out a sigh. In his eyes it was a victory in their favor. Fairy Tale had left empty handed, accomplishing nothing. It was Abelardo, and leading member of Queen Lara Chao soldiers that approached Apollo through the air. He touched down in front of the emperor and bowed his head.
"Your grace, you couldn't have come at a better time. It has been a true honor to fight with you over the same battleground. My children and their children, will know of this day."
"Rise," Apollo commanded as his wings stretched out. "What happened here was completely and utterly despicable. Granted, you're only following orders so I shall have a sit down with your queen and find out why I wasn't notified of these findings and proceedings. Had it not been for the young and wise Aono Tsukune, the outcome here could have been vastly different."
The harbinger looked right at the vampire who held back a smile.
"Hold your ground here," Apollo's wings flapped as he took to the air. "I shall see if maybe our enemy isn't somewhere nearby."
The whole thought of it was immensely irritating! Fairy Tale was right there in his grasp and had he known in advance and not been notified at the last moment, the scenario would have played out much differently. Outwardly he didn't show it, but both Tsukune and Moka had grown to know him quite a bit over the past several years and one thing was for certain.
"He's pissed…" Tsukune whispered.
XXX
He breathed easy has he relaxed his shoulders, taking his position as he looked out in front of him. Just over seven targets were set up in various spots, distances and lengths between each other. Out of his last ten shots, Luke managed to connect with six of the targets. He was slowly but surely improving himself, and while he was no archer it was still a nice skill to have. He closed is eyes, but only for a moment as he took a deep breath and looking outward over the targets. And he held the bow out in front of him as he took yet another shot, and striking the target with perfection. Fox smirked can I see step back and lowering the bow, I didn't expect the round of applause. His eyes ventured upward and over a hill, and that's where he spotted the vampire approaching.
"How long have you been watching?"
She made her way down and in front of him.
"Not for that long, just a minute maybe. Before we head out in the next day or so, there's a few extra things we are going to pick up from a neighboring village five miles from here. Dinah wants to tag along for a change in scenery, would you be interested in accompanying us?"
"The others I take it will be heading out as well?"
"All except Hayhurst, who is safely locked away. It might be some time before we return and I advise that you come with."
With a step back and two fingers scratching at his chin, Luke thought silently for a handful of moments before shaking his head.
"I think I'll just stay back and keep a lookout on things," Luke lifted his bow as he turned away from her and his focus over the targets. "Don't worry, I'll keep to the base and not wonder. Besides I'd really like to sharpen up on my skills."
The vampire giggled as he took aim and firing off as he connected with yet another target.
"Oh well, go ahead and suit yourself," she said taking only one step in the opposite direction before turning back around and with her hands over his shoulders. "It can be dangerous out here on your own and there's no telling when we might return."
Miukei whispered into his ear just as she wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.
"You don't really want to stay behind, come now. Where's your sense of adventure?"
He halfway raised his bow to take another shot but then just as quickly lowered it as his eyes narrowed and he looked back at her from the corner of his eye. There wasn't anything that needed to be said, Luke knowing exactly what was on her mind. Being around her enough as he had brought about much insight as to what she was thinking in regards to himself. Sure they had built a connection over the first day they met, but there was really only one thing on her mind.
"You're really obsessed with human blood," Luke said.
Right away she stuck out her lower lip and pouting while pushing away from him as she marched off. Over his shoulder he looked out in her direction and knew he hit the nail right on the coffin.
"Insolent jerk…" the vampire murmured as she disappeared up the hillside.
It was far from there where she met up with the others as they saddled up and prepared themselves for departure. This however didn't happen until after Dinah stopped by and had a few words with Luke.
XXX
Following the showdown with Superman and Doctor Fate, the trio of Circe, Q-Bee and Jedah did not return back to headquarters right away. Instead they travelled to the island of Aeaea, the habitation that Circe had come to call home. It was in her throne room where they assembled and the Sorceress establishing herself within a chair against the wall, while Jedah paced. There was much for him to ponder and consider, and the clash with wasn't exactly a complete loss. In fact he preferred to look at it in opposite light. It was why he had done what he did, to gain on field data over Superman and got a whole lot more than he was bargaining for, but in the long run proved extremely advantageous.
"Are you going to stay quiet the whole time? You must have questions, aye? But I have a few of my own and I suppose I'll flinch."
Standing off to the side having been silent the entire time, Q-Bee eyed both of them. She knew what the dark messiah was capable of, but on that day she had the opportunity to witness a little of what the sorceress could do. Of course much was said about Circe upon her arrival into the ranks of Fairy Tale, but seeing was believing. To what extent was the question, what was the limitations to her power? But then to find there was one far superior, the one hiding behind the golden helmet of fate. How they would go about dealing with him would be a task in itself, and the opposition was with others exceedingly challenging even if a lesser extent to the one called Doctor Fate.
"What are you? A demon, yes I know that much but it is uncommon to see one with the capabilities that you hold. Excuse my interests, but I get the feeling there's even more to you. You've got other tricks up your sleeve, no doubt. And what is someone like yourself with such power doing working for someone like Ched?"
Immediately the demon laughed at the clear irony in the situation.
"Says the one with such a prevailing grasp on magic that puts you on a horizon of deities and gods. I could ask and you would give an answer... but would it be the truth? The answer is no, just as you should expect the same from I. We're tied to the same employer with a mission and that is all. I'm not your ally and I could and would turn on any of you any given moment if it best suited my interest. The throne of Makai is all I seek, and networking with Fairy Tale will get me closer to this aspiration. You're a master manipulator, and possess immense natural charm as I understand. I reckon we aren't much different in that regard, you'd backstab any one of us if there was something to gain. I know your kind."
The sorceress giggled, very much entertained.
"Takes one to know one. So I theorize you won't tell any more than you have, just as I would never expose all of what's in my bag of tricks. The best of the best is always preserved for a rainy day, those are always just around the corner."
It was Jedah's turn to laugh.
"We speak the same language and have an understanding, vital in a working relationship. I care little to know about your rationales for joining, but long as you stay out of my way and not interfere with my endeavors, I shall do the same. However please do share, what can you tell me about this Doctor Fate?"
The Sorceress elevated one leg over the other and her arms crossed.
"I could but that would take quite some time, and by then Ched might start getting suspicious. And to be brutally honest even I don't know all there is to know, however I have an archive of information concerning beings such as himself that can be of aid. No one is Impregnable, we all have vulnerabilities, something that slows us down. I'll provide you with what I do know, but I shall forewarn you in advance, try and take him on alone and you will fail utterly. Sure, I do not know the full capabilities of you but I at least have an idea of his magical expertise and it is effectively infinite, no ceiling. Like any powerful entity, with proper preparation and setting a situation in our favor we can defeat the invincible but no easy task. He is far from the only hazard standing in our way. The lanterns, kryptonians, Zatara, the..."
"The entire Justice League," Jedah cut her off. "Even if on a smaller scale between each member, all of them contribute in one way or another. Clearly there is a majority of their defenses we needn't worry about, aside from the upper echelon."
Jedah read over and studied each of the individual briefings on each member of the league within days of joining Fairy Tale. Though everything wasn't provided, he knew enough about each to know who posed a potential threat. It was also from there that he quieted and continued pacing. Q-Bee had seen him do this often times, knowing her master thought deeply about something.
"Superman..." he murmured the name.
Circe raised an eyebrow as she lowered a leg, interested as to what he was thinking.
"Superman, you said?" she inquired.
"The alien," he responded, coming to a stop. "It's a shame really, the strength and power that he retains. A physical specimen that must be commended, he could be unyielding if not for his ideals and weakness to humanity. In every assault and even whenever I was on the attack… I could feel it."
Q-Bee flickered her eyes a couple times.
"Feel what?" she asked.
"The magnitude of his true strength, held on a short leash. I do not fight for the sake of sport, but perhaps somehow I do force that potential out of him. Trap a silent and peaceful beast in a corner where it has no choice but to defend itself and all that it loves... and that is the key."
Circe twirled a finger through her hair has she looked down over the demon with question.
"The Kryptonian is regarded as one of the most powerful beings, physically in the entire universe. Why push him and risk..."
"Physical power and strength means nothing when a man's soul and mind are tainted and corrupt. And do not speak off beat, if you believe I've shown anything near my limit then you're mistaking."
Circe smiled at this as she stood from her throne chair.
"I expected as much, maybe in time we see that. This is all going to be one hell of a roller coaster, let's enjoy the ride."
"Not a word about what happened," Jedah replied.
"Of course, that would take away all the fun. Secrets are essential, and we've done nothing to compromise the mission."
It was Jedah this time that created a vortex leading them back to headquarters.
XXX
Selene had been dragged to the party at the last minute, but didn't mind. It seemed like two quarters of the vampire council was in attendance and for that reason alone she was thankful that she was in one of her better gowns. It was in the color of gray and her hair tied up in a bun. The Dark Lord was right beside her and the two of them had mostly kept to themselves. Eyes were however all of the two and whispers all throughout. The cancellation of the wedding was no secret and this was one of her first official sightings out in public since then. As they looked around, it wasn't long before they made their way inside the main room. They were approached by a close friend of Selene's and the two rambling and Akasha barely listening to anything that was said.
Inside the room there was a dance floor with a disco ball hanging from the ceiling, spinning around. Looking around, Akasha saw that a handful of Hiklorhan law makers were also in attendance. She was here for one reason, and there were very many other ways she could have went about the time and place. But she was a queen with many looking up to and relying on her, and playing the role of a shut in wouldn't set such a good example. Akasha spotted a chair, tempted to sit but kept moving as Selene dragged her further into the crowds.
"Were you listening?" Selene asked and Akasha shook her head.
"Nope."
The purple haired vampire groaned and kept pulling the Dark Lord along. Through this they bumped into others but kept moving. There was something that Akasha had been meaning to ask before they left the Bloodriver mansion, but never had the opportunity of getting around to it.
"Ah, uhm how do I look?" she asked, nervousness in her eyes.
"Yes, look great always Akasha-sama?"
The pinkette's attire was an off shoulder dress that was blue and reached her knees. It had an open back. She wore a gold necklace around her neck and a silver one around her left ankle. She sort of felt overdressed and to make matters worse some of the drunks were already looking in her direction, and the sober as well but much more discretely. She was very much surprised to that point that none had shown the guts to approach her. There were several reasons that might have been behind this particularly that they were all so caught off guard that she was even in attendance. The decision was a last minute one and she had her reasons.
Half a dozen models of Hiklorhan were also present and one out of the group of eight marveled over the Dark Lord. She was absolutely stunning! She wished she had her same figure. She had a slim waist, and the perfect legs. Her hair was lavish and looked really soft. And she had the warmest smile, yet so commanding with authority. And her two eyes were always filled with liveliness. Whenever she decided to reveal her wings, they were so perfect in structure and over the surface, she took great care of them, just as she did with the rest of her body. This however couldn't be said for so many other vampires, most of which careless. Her skin was bright and it suited her structure. And even more so she was overly beautiful and stunning in that dress!
"Airi," a voice spoke from behind and bringing the model out of her thoughts. "You're staring at her aren't you, our queen? She truly is breathtaking, it's almost surreal to be in her presence. To just have her just feet away, it's hard not to tremble."
"Yes," Airi nodded.
Akasha continued along beside Selene as they went through the room and were approached by a sizeable group of nobles, all of which male. It was clear from the get go what they wanted and Selene sucked right in, flirting and teasing and trapping them in ways they couldn't even begin to comprehend.
"Pity about you and Orsic," one of them directed at the Dark Lord. "Sometimes it's just not meant to be, even when it has all the makings for a match made in heaven."
Her eyes watched him closely and carefully as he slowly moved up on her.
"Who knows if true, but rumor has it you and that now ex fiancé never went all the way. That daughter of yours with Supreme Commander, Shuzen was over twenty eight years ago… a long time not to be active. Do you know what I'm known as?" he asked with a suspicious grin.
She noticed this immediately, but decided to play along regardless.
"And what's that?"
"The giraffe," he snickered confidently. "It's what all the ladies that have spent a night with me have took to calling me. If you're game, I'd gladly give you the night. It's preposterous for a body like this to be unravished… but I'll put a change to that."
Her eyes followed as he circled around her and the vampire slapping at her ass as it jiggled. For only a moment did he laugh before she reached out, twisting his arm and slamming him over the ground! Selene's mouth dropped open and with a hand to her mouth. Dozens of others throughout also looked in the direction of where they stood and side conversations deriving.
"Don't ever touch me like that again, or it shall be the last time you touch anything!" the Dark Lord hissed.
Akasha stepped down with the heel of her boot over the side of his skull as he cried out. Afterwards she locked arms with Selene as the two moved along and away from the area, but the room's attention over them for the next minute it seemed. Not much longer after that was it that they bumped into a known colleague of the medic's as their steps slowed. The purple haired vampire tried straightening her hair and sucked in a breath.
"Do I look good?" it was her turn to ask.
"Do I really need to answer that?" Akasha smiled down over the vampire she saw as family.
"Estsuji is a good guy, even wanted to have a serious relationship with me once. It never really worked out, but he's one hell of a devil in bed," Selene licked at her lips as she bypassed Akasha.
Selene walked over to Estsuji and they talked. Akasha kept her eyes on both, recalling the stories she heard about him and he had a nag for breaking the hearts of women that got too close. Their conversation soon escalated into flirting and Selene all over him. Shortly after that Estsuji offered to get them drinks and so he took off on his own and Selene losing sight of Akasha through the crowds.
The pink haired vampire tip toed about and followed Estsuji to the bar area. He was getting drinks and turned around and bumped right into Akasha.
"My queen," he bowed his head with respect. "How may I help you?"
The pinkette only gave him a death stare and her posture tight, and she especially took notice of the long chain around his neck.
"Do anything to hurt her and you won't like the result. I'll rip that chain from around your neck and shove it right up your… well let's keep it PG, but you get the idea."
She said with a deadly smile, an expression only she could so effortlessly pull off. And with that, she took off into the crowds and Estsuji swallowing his saliva. And it was outside the building that the two of them arrived, dressed in black and gray. Inspector Rodrigo and detective Wallace. Both walked in with style and confidence, Bruce's hands situated inside his jacket pockets. His thoughts ebbed and flowed like an ocean while vampires moved around them as they entered into the main space. He questions why Akasha wanted to meet here of all places when they could have done so at the castle. It had been nearly twelve hours since then, since he left the castle but then received a call from her only a few hours after that.
"Gotta take a leak," Rodrigo looked to the nearest restroom. "Be back in a sec, find the queen and get started without me. I'll catch up."
Rodrigo immediately took off, rubbing his hands together and headed for the bathroom. Bruce then coolly walked around the room lost in his own thoughts. The plan was to return to Gotham and work the Owls case, which he did but then came her call. And of course if she needed him, he would be there. He kept moving with his eyes out in front of him and much as he tried to negate them, thoughts of Demitri weighed heavy over his mind. That one night, that one encounter changed his life forever. As he moved along he eventually found her in the middle section of the room. Seeing her like that refreshed his memory of last night, primarily the amazing sex. But there was also the follow-up in the morning which was equally as satisfying. He tensed, ready to drag her out, until he watched her spin around, smiling and laughing. Bruce paused for a moment before he started into the crowds, awkwardly bumping into vampires as he headed for her. She detected his yokai and picked him out of the crowd as she too moved in his direction.
"Hey there," she said just above the noise of the music.
"You wanted to meet? What's so important that it couldn't have been done over the phone?"
Akasha giggled as she flicked a finger over the side of his cheek.
"Can you for once not be all business and straight to the point? How's about asking how I'm doing, or complimenting how pretty I am. Or how much you enjoyed our night together," she flashed her eyelashes teasingly.
He chortled but immediately coughed and cleared his throat. It was all in fun and jokes, as she'd been in a relationship with him once before and had the luxury of seeing his loving side.
"Wallace, disguise… remember?" he reminded her.
"Oh, yes," Akasha snickered, playing with a strand of hair on the left side of her face. "Yes, I met with Nakamura Fukumi. There is some things both you and your partner should know. Where is he, Rodrigo?"
"Around," Bruce replied. "He'll be joining us shortly."
"Good," Akasha nodded. "Follow me, let's go somewhere quiet where we can talk. Oh and on a side note, I want Sasha this weekend. There is a little event taking place uptown Hiklorhan, that I just know she'll love."
XXX
Miuke Let out a sigh of relief as the solid door closed behind them having made safe travel to the Village. This had to be the 5th or 7th shop they stopped in, the market with very many choices and a variety of items. With a shake of her head the vampire straightened her shoulders as she tiptoed through the store and eyes moving around and about. So much beauty, indeed, she noted, drawing in a deep breath as she saw the racketed staves along one wall. Perhaps not essential, and each quite pricey she still had the means to purchase if she so chose. The closes one had an intricately carved top made to look like and wings which then shifted into flames spinning and circling downward. The wood was a light glossy brown with streaks of orangish veining, the vampire very much appreciating every small detail over it. Dinah and the mercenaries were nearby checking out other items throughout the small shop.
"Such craft, I could stare at this all day," the vampire flashed her eyelashes.
Dinah moved in on the area and just beside Miukei wanting to take a look for herself. Some were simple, and one specifically with a sinuous ornament shape at the top cupping a large amber diamond. The wood was all colors of brown, yellow and orange, with purple veining.
Miukei's gaze then fell on one placed in the corner of the rack, shoved in behind the others. Although it had no decoration at all, it could have been a simple walking staff made from a habitual peeled and cured pine branch, it drew her quite strongly. Right where the palm would normally grip the shaft, there was a socket to place magical relics. That was highly unusual in these parts, unless of course in the land of Vindellorien where such weapons were common. She wavered, enticed. This one would probably be within her means, with plenty left over for the other critically depleted supplies and raw components that she and the group needed. She was a weapons collector, and such a place was equivalent to a child finding him or herself in the candy shop.
The mercenary was also very much intrigued by the various items inside the shop and engaging in conversation with the store owner. The other from their group was out front and smoking a cigar as he leaned against the shop out front and looking into the sky.
"When did this become a thing?" Dinah asked, moving in next to Miuekei. "You becoming a fighter and your attraction to weapons?"
"Long ago, very long ago. Growing up was tough, and you could say the war life was forced on me. Didn't really have a choice. We'll grab a thing or two outta here and then we'll move onto the essentials. Then we'll catch a bite to eat," the vampire responded.
XXX
He'd been by her side most the time since they had returned to the Watchtower. For hours she laid over the table unconscious. Fate and Superman were in the maintenance room standing in front of a handful of monitors as the Flash zipped in and calling out to both.
"She's waking, come quick."
"Kara is awake?!"
Superman was the first out of the room marching past the Flash into the hall, where both Doctor Fate and Barry followed. It was just down the corridor where Superman entered and Kara sitting up over the table, but with a hand to her head.
"Kara!" he shouted as he was quickly by her side.
"Kal," she whispered his name as she lowered her hand from over her head. "I... I."
"What is it?" Kal-El dropped his hands over her shoulders.
She struggled to speak once more, but instead her words coming out gibberish as she then cried. Clark watched in alarm as tears fell from her eyes. But right away he wrapped his arms around her consolingly, while she did the same crying into his chest. Fate watched with no sign of emotion, and the Flash scratching at the side of his head feeling that he might snivel at any moment if he wasn't careful.
"Kal," she said his name in a whimper.
"I'm here," Superman replied, massaging a hand over her back.
"He... he got in my head, made me see and feel things. So dark, hollow and... and painful!"
The Flash bit over his lip, gulping as Superman patted her over the head.
"I know, I know… he did the same to me, but it's over, now. You won't have to go through that again, and that's a promise. I shall see to it."
From a side door Cyborg arrived into the room and he was the only other league member present in the watchtower.
"Good, she's awake," Victor smiled. "But not doing so well by the looks of it."
As with the others he watched Kara weep into the chest of Superman.
"She just needs time," Superman looked over at him. "We'll get through this together. In the meantime I want you to make contact with Batman."
"Batman?" Cyborg probed.
"Yes," Kal nodded. "I need to talk with Morrigan and he'd know how to quickly reach her. We traded and discussed small pieces of information a short while ago, but I need to know more. Innocents are now dead because of Jedah and he's made this personal. I will not rest, nor stop searching until he answers for what he's done."
Victor took two steps back with his hands situated out in front of him.
"Hold up, lets pump the breaks for a sec. We should regroup, call a meet and evaluate the situation and not do something that worsens the situation, sounds to me like you guys barely made it out of this. Facing Jedah again isn't bright."
"But we did. And I understand how you feel and there won't be any plans of perusal until I chat with Morrigan," Superman retorted as he looked to Fate. "I know I've already expressed this, but thanks again. I don't know what we would have done without you."
"A thanks is premature," Fate shook his head. "Not when an impending war is upon the cosmos. Do not pamper on the smaller victories until the pressing danger is vanquished."
The kryptonian knew he was absolutely right and Cyborg coughing as he cleared his throat.
"I'll see what I can do about that, finding Batman shouldn't be difficult," Vic headed for the doors. "Gotham is massive, but wherever there's boom he'll be there."
To be continued
- 35
- 36
- 37
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Clash of Realms