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Seal of Darkness	By : RaphaelTMNT Category: -Misc Anime > Crossovers Views: 4281 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman, 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
- 39
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- 41
Seal of Darkness
CHP40: We're done!

The cave's computer automatically saved phone conversations taken through it and so he sat there with his hands overlapped replaying a specific conversation. Just three short nights ago he stumbled upon something dreadful, and he couldn't bring himself to approach her or answer any of her calls which seemed to be coming more in that three day stretch than the past couple weeks. He needed time to cool off and be away from her, his stresses and emotions far too high to approach her that night or even the following day. In truth he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so incensed and betrayed, believing she'd be one of the last people that would ever hurt him. Physical damage and wounds were something he adapted to and were an easier fix, but it was the spiritual and emotional wounds that were most difficult for him...but those same wounds are what drove him into the man he was.
"It's really good to hear your voice. I...I've missed you, Akasha."
Bruce listened to his voice.
"Me too, no stop that tickles!"
Akasha's voice came next and that's when he slowed the audio down and began the process of isolating and keying in on background noises.
"Akasha!"
His voice again came into play and then followed by hers.
"Hold on a moment."
It was at this point there was a long pause in which neither of them spoke and he had a feeling she wasn't alone. With his hands atop the keyboard Bruce messed around with the different panels, enhancing the background noises and little by little he picked up on not only Akasha's voice but another's. In isolating that section of the conversation Bruce played it over numerous times as he made different alterations each time until he had clear enough audio to make out what was being said. Doing so was essentially a lost cause and all for nothing as he already knew she was sleeping around with her former mate, but even so he still wanted to know.
"You're moving too rough, slow down or he'll..."
The first voice undoubtedly belonged to the pink haired vampire and then came the second, one in which he was unfamiliar with. The audio was fuzzy but more than clear.
"It is you that must keep her moans to a minimum, my love. Hurry and shew him away so we can finish."
"Issa Shuzen..." Bruce leaned back in the chair, certain it was him.
The small piece of audio broke him even more, to think the woman who claimed to love him would have the nerve to ring him during sex with another man. His fists constricted feeling more disgusted with her than he already was. Snubbing her calls and pushing the issue aside would prove futile and she'd eventually show in person, and he wasn't one to play games so he knew exactly what needed to happen. It was probably the most optimistic months he had in his entire life since the passing of his parents, the vampire giving him a glee of hope at happiness.
Even as he sat there knowing what he knew about Akasha a part of him didn't want to give that up, what they had together. It was like he had the greatest gift in hand and then unexpectedly snatched away, but her heart belonged to another and there was nothing he could do about that. His love for her was no secret but he hadn't any idea as to what degree and that she'd be capable of hurting him like this, some instances being difficult to think. He was however tougher than a nail and in time he would get over this and come out stronger. Since that night she was all he thought about, Akasha's hold over him a firm one. Breaking things off with her regardless of what she did would be tough, a fragment of him still clinging on and in love with her but he knew what needed to be done.
With his cell in hand he speed dialed the vampire as he took a deep breath holding back all emotion. He didn't wait long as someone answered the call after just one ring.
"Bruce, thank goodness you called," Akasha's voice came off as vibrant and joyful. "I was really starting to worry!"
Bruce bit back lowering his shoulders making certain to sound normal.
"Yes, I've just been busy...but there's something I really need to tell you," Bruce's voice straggled off. "Can we meet?"
"Sorry, I'm cooped up in the office for the next couple hours," Akasha replied sounding less than enthusiastic. "Todd has us working around the clock nonstop, apparently there's some big shot coming in from across the country and he wants all of us nearby for some meeting. But tell you what, if it's really that important come through, I've finished most the essentials to my paperwork. You talk and I'll listen and perhaps we can catch lunch after."
"Good, I'm on my way...I'll be there shortly."
"Great, see you soon," Akasha replied.
Bruce lowered the phone powering it off and did the same with the bat computer before heading for the elevators and returning to the manor. His next stop was the garage where he took off in a red Chevrolet Corvette, the drive taking no longer than twenty minutes. His face was recognizable and so he received several looks on his way through the lobby and through the elevators. His heart jumped faster than he thought it would, knowing what was to come and that she and he would no longer be. The whole way up he thought about how he'd break the news and how she might respond. More than that he just wanted put everything out on the table and put the whole situation behind him.
In a simple ring the doors opened as he reached the top floor and walked to her office. No one was better at putting on a facade than him and hiding what really went on in his head and that's precisely what he did. The door to her office was left open and the vampire sat at her desk looking over information inside an envelope.
"Knock, knock," Bruce stepped through getting her attention.
The vampire immediately jumped from the table running around and clobbered him with a hug, holding him tight and smiling the entire time. She was dressed in her prototypical secretary attire.
"Thank you for coming," Akasha uttered. "Seeing you has brightened what has otherwise been a dull afternoon."
Walking passed him Akasha closed the door and locked it while leaning against it. Bruce looked back at her as she lightly sucked on her right pinky finger and her body in a suggestive stance as she lifted up her leg reaching into her skirt with her opposite hand. The vampire was out to seduce him and if the position of her body wasn't an indication then the way she looked at him was.
"You made love to me in your office, once," her voice came out in whimpers. "Think it's time I returned that favor."
"That isn't why I'm here," Bruce shook his head. "Please have a seat."
"Did you like the photos and videos I sent," the vampire snickered seductively, moving in on him. "I don't know whether or not your schedule is free later this evening, but I want you to stop by sometime after ten. I'll make dinner and it's...It's been awhile since we've done it at my place."
Akasha lowered her hands over his chest and looked up at him.
"Just a few hours is all," her eye lashes fluttered as she stood on the tips of her toes and brought her lips to his.
To her surprise Bruce pushed her away and ran a hand through his hair.
"Sweetheart," the vampire gazed at him with muddled eyes. "What's the matter?"
"Sit," Bruce said dryly stepping aside and looking to her desk. "Please."
It was in that moment she noticed a change in his eyes and knew right then that something wasn't right. Whatever the situation it appeared he was willing to open up to her on the matter and so she did as he requested. Her legs dangled as she positioned her arms and hands behind her, sitting atop the table. For a couple moments Bruce paced back and forth gathering his thoughts before lowering his hands into his pockets and facing her. He didn't move nor speak, instead just stared into her eyes.
"I want to first start off by saying I don't want what I'm about to say to ruin our professional relationship or distract us from what's important, but there is something I first want to ask before getting into all that," Bruce took a deep breath. "Your intentions have never come into question until now, and I want you to answer honestly. Everything you've told me about Fairy Tale and your position in it, has it been the truth?"
Akasha's eyes enlarged at the question and why he was asking it.
"Of course it has been," she popped up raising her voice. "Why would you ask something like that?! I'm for the good of both humanity and yokai, you know this! What is with you, why're you acting so different?"
Letting out a sigh Bruce continued.
"Actions speak a lot louder than words, and I believe you when you say your position is what you've told me. However, you haven't been honest with me this whole time with everything...have you?"
Bruce never broke eye contact.
"Of course I have," Akasha shot back. "We agreed to be transparent with each other months back, and I love you. I have nothing to hide from you, Bruce."
"Nothing huh," Bruce crossed his arms.
"You're scaring me," Akasha sat up. "Please tell me what's wrong, what have I done to upset you?"
The vampire became agitated with his indirect approach to the conversation.
"It's funny you know," Bruce continued pacing. "Until we met there was really only the mission, the present and my future. But then on the night of that kidnapping, we fought, you tasted my blood and things went on from there. These months with you had me imagining a different future, one of promise, joy and even...a family."
"With me?" Akasha's felt dazed, warm and fuzzy.
Bruce simply nodded.
"But for so many of us, such things are exactly that...just a dream, fantasy. None of it is true and honestly I can't hate you for..."
"This isn't a fantasy!" Akasha retorted. "I'm right here standing in front of you and I'm not going anywhere. Have you already forgotten my offer? I love you Bruce and nothing has changed, if its children you want, I'll give you as many as you want. You don't know how many times I've fumbled around with that exact picture, us together ridding off into the sunset. You're making a mockery of my feelings and what we share, this is so not you!"
The vampire's hiss was followed by a blank expression from Bruce which irritated her even more, but then his demeanor shifted and he became very serious.
"How much longer do you intend on lying?" Bruce spoke, remaining calm and collective.
"Lying, what the hell are you talking about?! I haven't told a single lie and you better start being a bit more specific or I can't help!"
"Fine!" Bruce shot back but quickly backtracked and held his emotions in check and did his best not to lash out on her. "I realized it right away weeks ago, but chose to ignore the changes in your behavior, granted I didn't know the reason behind these changes but it was clear something had changed in your life. Before this time we were barely apart, seeing each other daily but during that period..."
"I already told you I was busy!" Akasha countered, cutting him off. "Fairy Tale had all hands on deck nonstop!"
"I'm not finished," Bruce crossed his arms. "It wasn't just your absence but once you resurfaced there were differences...differences I noticed almost immediately. In your personality and even the sex had changed exponentially. But let's get to specifics. At brunch you were a no show. Of course you called shortly after which was fine, but that's when your first big mistake occurred."
Akasha's legs continued dangling back and forth as she listened.
"Unknown to you at the time, Todd's office was the first place I called and Candice just so happened to answer and do you know what she told me," Bruce looked the vampire in the eyes. "It was your day off from the office and Todd had called her in. Point is my call was made exactly to the building we stand in, and Miss Candice Marbel was the receptionist of this call."
"What'ss your point?!"
Bruce nodded as he continued on.
"You called just after I left Fast N' Crispy. Your excuse being Todd had sent both you and Candice to Metropolis to meet with someone, which was one hundred percent impossible."
Realizing the point he made, the vampire sharply bit down on her tongue.
"OK, so I told a little white lie, shoot me, but that doesn't explain what you..."
"We're getting there," Bruce cut her off. "You rescheduled to meet with me again that same evening and again you were absent and so I stopped by your place and you wouldn't let me in, which was strange considering you'd never done that before. And on our next date, when you did show, it was only after a minute or so that you disappeared to the ladies room and when you didn't return I went to check on you and you'd disappeared."
The pink haired vampire felt her nerves rising at his accurate recollection of events and scratched at the top of her desk.
"And just before my departure, there you were begging me to finish our evening together. Next came the masquerade where you again vanished, and when you returned you denied me a kiss."
Akasha buried her fingernails into the wooden surface, remembering back to that night and how sick she was with herself for letting things play out the way that they did.
"I really started to have my doubts...but then came Alaska," Bruce halfway smiled. "You made me forget about everything, all doubts aloof. And it would have stayed that way until I overheard a certain conversation...and you referring to someone as your love."
In just that one word her body temperature amplified and the vampire felt herself becoming more and more on brink. Everything he was pointing to one thing and that was he knew of she and Issa! The vampire believed she had done a masterful job hiding that part of her life, but it was obvious he was far too clever and keen for his own good. Even so Akasha knew his claims were all based on assumptions and he had no solid proof, but the fact he was essentially eavesdropping on her didn't sit well with the vampire.
"I don't appreciate you spying on me, and for the record the person on the other end of that line was an old friend...a woman if you must know. We always referred to each other as my love," Akasha crossed her arms. "So I think you owe me an apology. Had you just asked things wouldn't have escalated like this…"
"I don't owe you a damn thing!" Bruce retorted.
"Excuse me!" Akasha shot back.
"West Plaza...room five, two, zero."
Akasha's throat closed up on her and the muscles through her arms hardened.
"Heavens no," she rested a hand over her heart as her inner brain spun and her heart sprinted.
"You weren't distancing yourself because of Fairy Tale, were you? This whole time it was all because of him," Bruce took a deep breath as his eyes closed. "Issa Shuzen. No need to hide it Akasha, I saw the two of you together on the night of Halloween and frankly I saw I little bit more than I wish I had."
"Bruce I can explain!" Akasha jumped off the table feeling shockwaves zip through her body.
"Sit down, I'm not finished."
"Bruce, please!" she pleaded.
"Sit!" he again shot but kept down his voice much as he could.
Feeling as though she might have a nervous breakdown the vampire slowly walked back with wobbly steps, feeling scared, sad, distressed and sick all at once as she sat over her desk. Bruce took a deep breath before continuing.
"There is nothing for you to explain, Akasha. He is the father of Moka, your child and he was also your first true love. Believe me I was infuriated when I saw the two of you like that and I had nothing but anger towards you...and could you blame me? However since having some time to think it over, this is probably for the best. Issa is of your kind and an immortal and your first love. And if you truly loved me like you said, the moment he returned to Gotham and you two became romantically involved, you would have had the decency to break things off, but instead you chose to play games. And based on your little phone conversation its apparent Issa knew about us which is also very sickening. What sort of man allows the love of his life to sleep around with another?"
Bruce looked her off as she bit back with tremble in her chest and her heart vying out of control.
"I suppose things are different in the world of vampires, but I will no longer be a part of this. You can have him and he can have you. From now on you will not speak to nor see me, unless it's related to Fairy Tale. What you've done hurt a lot, more than you could know, but I will continue to collaborate with you until this threat is over. And when it is done, I want you to leave Gotham and never return. I don't ever want to see your face again and if you haven't figured it already this is it," Bruce looked her in the eyes. "I don't know if this can even be considered a breakup seeing as what we had was never genuine. But I'll go ahead and say it anyway, we're done, this relationship is over!"
He inspected every bit of her expression and perceived just how heated she became with each word that came out of his mouth. On the outside he appeared calm and collective but it was quite the opposite feeling inside as though he was letting his emotions get the better of him, saying things he otherwise wouldn't have. He stood there giving Akasha time to take in what he'd said and even a chance to respond and counter. Her gaze had fallen over the carpet and he could feel the intensity reverberating from her.
"Bruce I," she spoke softly with her fists balled tightly. "I know it doesn't mean much at this juncture but I'm terribly sorry, I really am. And you're right, I've lied to you and have been sleeping with him behind your back...but the one thing I didn't lie about was my love for you. When you said you never wanted to see me again, did you really mean that?!"
Unlike him she wasn't the greatest at concealing her emotions and in that moment it all spewed out and with demonic eyes of rage her gaze locked with his.
"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't ever want to see me again!" the vampire felt her chest grow tight and her blood flow rocketing.
Bruce bit back staggered by the sudden change in her manner, as if she was ready to jump up and attack. Quietly coughing he opened his mouth to speak but found that he couldn't bring himself to say those words, and though she was at fault for everything that was happening he was hurting for seeing her like that.
"I understand I've done you wrong, and you have the right to be angry but please don't do this, don't leave me! I've poured my heart and passion into you and I refuse to let someone I love so easily just walk away! Lovers and pairs go through tides and storms, but the strongest of them fight through it and stay strong. You aren't leaving me, I won't allow it!"
Bruce was dumbfounded by these words, taking a single step back.
"Listen to yourself, what you're saying is madness. You can't sit here and tell me you don't love Issa!"
"You're right, I do love him," the vampire held a firm stance. "But I love you just as much."
"You can't have both of us," Bruce responded.
"Maybe...maybe not, but I don't care about any of that right now. All I know is that I love you and I'm not giving up on this...and what we could have! I'm your only chance at happiness, damn it and you'd throw that all away because I slept with another man!"
"A man that you love," Bruce glared.
"I love you that should be enough!"
"You're shouting, lower your voice."
"Don't you tell me to lower my voice, if I want to yell I will, it's your fault that I'm like this!"
Bruce chuckled at this running a hand over his face.
"Yeah, because I'm the one who slept with another woman that I have genuine feelings for."
The vampire hissed at the sarcasm in his tone as she lowered herself from the desk.
"I'll no longer be your source of feeding, and change in sex partner. Go and find someone else, there are millions of men that would do you the honors free of charge."
"You dear speak to me that way?! The queen of vampires! Under my rule in the yokai world I could have your tongue removed for such a remark."
"Last I checked we aren't in your kingdom," Bruce tightened his fists. "We're in mine."
The command was evident in both his tone and stance, Akasha taking a deep breath and deciding to back track. They were heated in the moment and at each other's throats, but she loved him and didn't want to push him away further than she'd already done.
"I...I wanted to save you Bruce," she spoke softly once more. "You've been through so much trauma, pain and hurt. There is no one that deserves a happy life more than you, and if you allow it I can give you that. I promise never to hurt you again, if you can just find it in yourself to forgive me you won't regret it."
Bruce let out a sigh as his shoulders lowered.
"Some of us aren't meant to be saved, and even if we were I've fallen into a pit so dark and deep that there's no coming back. But for what it's worth you had me believing that I could find my way out, that there was light. You were the closes thing that came to uplifting me, and it's sort of ironic," Bruce chuckled. "My whole life has been a lie, living as both Bruce Wayne and Batman deceiving the masses on a daily biases, and it was a lie that convinced me I had something passed that...a future more promising than an endless war to end crime."
"Our love isn't a lie," Akasha's muscles toughen and her body heat climb. "Stop saying such hurtful things!"
"Sometimes the truth hurts."
"You need me, and you will see you can't move forward without me! Words are words, but you'll come crawling back to me if you do this!"
"You're more delusional than I thought," Bruce turned his back to her and headed for the exit. "I've said what I needed to and regardless of our bitter end, I enjoyed every moment we spent together...you made me happy."
Biting back Akasha felt her heart stop for an instant as a peculiar tremble surged through the fullness of her body and felt as though the gravity around her increased tenfold.
"Don't you dare walk out on me, we aren't done!"
"Yes we are," Bruce turned the knob and pushed open the door.
He passed only halfway through before she raced after him, calling out his name. The elevators shot open down the hall and stepping out was Todd Heinstan with two persons on either side of him. The smile over his face quickly disappeared at the sight of Bruce Wayne marching toward them and the pink haired vampire not far behind but shouting at him. Marten, Candice and other workers on the floor emerged from their workspaces to see what the commotion was all about. The vampire had created a scene and for her she didn't care, none of those people there far as she was concerned. Bruce bumped shoulders with Todd as he bypassed him into the elevators and as Akasha approached he moved in front of her.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Todd questioned, embarrassed by her actions.
"Dammit Bruce, come back here!" Akasha shouted as the elevator doors closed and Todd held her back.
"Misaki you're making a fool of yourself, calm yourself and tell me what happened?"
She easily pushed her way passed him but by the time she did the elevator had already begun its descent and she hissed aloud in looking toward the stairwell but she was held back by Todd.
"In my office, now!"
The vampire was more than capable of tossing him aside like a ragdoll and beating the elevator down to the lobby where she had so much more to say. Candice watched from afar and she was almost afraid. No one in the office spent more time with Akasha than she had and never before had she seen the vampire so frenzied, with what looked to almost be blood lust in her eyes. In taking a couple deep breathes Akasha took a look around, realizing just how many eyes were on her as she looked to Todd and nodded. Her mind was fixated only on Bruce, but she also realized she had a job to do and much was expected of her and so against her own wishes she followed Todd into his office while his two associates trailed.
"Gentlemen," Todd glimpsed back at both. "Give us a minute."
In a simple nod they waited outside the door while both Akasha and Todd entered.
"You gonna tell me what the hell that was all about?!" Todd wasted no time going off on her.
Year 1516
Following the conclusion of the council meeting most turned in for the night, while another portion went out drinking. There was however a singular vampire carrying a small handheld lantern to light his path as he passed through a couple dozen alleys. The night sky was cloudy and thunder striking far in the distance and one might even believe a storm was on its way. After about another block the vampire reached the meeting place arranged by his contact but there was no sign of him. For a minute he waited with his back against a wall before his ears picked up on the sounds of footsteps as someone approached dressed in all brown with a hood attached to his attire. He was a goblin disguised in human form.
"What did you find out?" the person in brown stopped in front of him.
"Not entirely what we were after, but information nonetheless. Twelve additional vampire corps will be stationed throughout Peru, France and Portugal. Each region will be assigned a primary general and second in command, all of which will be voted upon by the council. Unfortunately most these bastards are heads over heals for the emperor, and scouting out those to join in Rory's ranks will be grueling."
"Rory wasn't expecting we'd get that lucky, and frankly neither was I. The royals essentially have their balls attached to a string, one which the emperor holds and controls them like puppets. They refuse to live the way we should, playing second fiddle to a species such as the humans."
The vampire nodded his head like-minded with the goblin.
"The emperor is mighty but lacks the courage and mindset to do what's required. Anyone of us monsters with a brain can see that, allow the humans to run their own world while we hide out among them like some damn ghosts! They should be conquered with force, in addition to other monster groups that don't carry their own weight. The strong will rank supreme while the weak shall live by our rules or perish. Oh yes," the vampire laughed. "How could I forget such an important detail?"
The two quieted as footsteps approached and a family of four walked down the steps and bypassed them, the two yokai monsters looking casual. The persons reeked heavy of a human scent which caused the goblin to scowl. Until the four turned the corner both monsters stayed quiet.
"You were speaking about an important detail, yes?"
"The emperor's two daughters," the vampire smiled. "They were in attendance tonight."
"Really, as in here...in London?!" the goblin's orbs expanded.
"Precisely and just imagine what damage we could do if we were to capture one of or both of them. The great Apollo would certainly be at a great disadvantage, a complete handicap. And as I reported weeks back, the emperor is aware of Rory's roundup of rebels and mercenaries. By now he's readying himself to get on our tails."
"Luckily we have people on the inside like yourself, which puts us one step ahead. We'll know what those bastards are planning as they do, but as for the two vampire gals don't lay a finger on them. Rory's intentions aren't to piss off the emperor and get us all killed, I can't speak for him but I know the way he thinks. Apollo is unfit to rule and his time has come," the goblin stressed.
"And you think this Argias is?"
"Rory believes so just as his descendants before him and if that is his belief than it is also mine. The Vlet's have always served Argias before his banishment and soon his return will be upon us and it'll be a glorious day. However I believe I've kept you long enough, go and return to them and we'll meet back here tomorrow at nine PM sharp."
The two shook hands before splitting from each other and walked their own paths. Having finished the training session with Eris the pink haired vampire changed into her PJ's and called it a night, snuggling beneath the blankets and staring into the candle's flame beside her bed. Before she knew it her eyes closed and when she was just about halfway asleep a huge thump on the bed beside the vampire awoke her.
"Sasha," she yawned looking to her sister. "What're you doing?"
The vampire opposite her lifted the blankets and lowered herself down and beside Akasha.
"Mind if I stay and chat a while?" Sasha asked.
"What about?" Akasha lowered her head over the pillow. "What's on your mind?"
"I spent the past two hours with Colton Osric..." Sasha's voice trailed off.
Akasha's eyes fluttered at the mention of this as she tried matching a face with the name and when she did the vampire rolled over on her side and looked directly at Sasha.
"What did you do?" Akasha snorted running two fingers up the side of Sasha's arm.
"No," Sasha shook her head. "We didn't do anything like that. Mostly we just drank and talked. Of course he didn't go without trying to butter me up but he was a gentleman for the most part, charming and such good looks all in one can be a rarity I hear. We haven't spent much time out of the palace so…"
"Maybe in the past, but father's plans for us are to explore not only the wider yokai realm but the human world alike. If we're to hold any sort of leadership we must understand the worlds we aim to lead and someday bring together."
Sasha moved in closer beside Akasha and lowered her head over her shoulder as they embraced in a sisterly way. With a smile oppressing her lips the pink haired vampire brushed her fingers through Sasha's hair.
"You know something," Sasha spoke up delicately. "Being with Colton tonight really got me thinking about the distant future and having a family someday. I'm not saying it'll be with him...but I'd like to have that."
"As do I," Akasha stared at the ceiling. "A loving family, and a loyal husband as I'll be to him. With children, boys and girls."
A snicker escaped Sasha's lips.
"What's funny?" Akasha asked.
"Nothing," Sasha shook her head. "I'm just thinking about how great of a mother you'd be, you've got all the best qualities."
Both vampires laughed together before going soundless and thinking quietly to themselves until Akasha eventually spoke.
"I've often thought about if my first child would be a girl or boy, and regardless of whichever I'd love him or her unconditionally. I don't know what I'd name a boy but if my first was to be a girl well," Akasha paused for a moment. "I'd call her Moka."
"Moka...Why Moka?" Sasha blinked a couple times.
Akasha wasn't hesitant and spoke straightforward.
"It's a beautiful name, just as I know she would be."
Sasha stuck out her lower lip and pouted.
"I always thought your first would be named after me."
"Perhaps if I have a second daughter," Akasha snickered.
"Fine, but I'm gonna hold you to that."
Together both vampires giggled and said nothing from that point. Sasha eventually fell asleep in Akasha's arms and soon thereafter she found herself fading and fell into deep sleep as well.
Present day
It had been a slow start to the night and he didn't expect things to stay that way for long, especially with Arkham's escapees still at large. He was halfway looking forward to quarreling with the worst of them, needing something to get his mind off his own personal life. His visit to Driafigura Corp was still fresh on mind and since then he'd received fifteen to twenty five calls from her and that number was sure to increase. The whole situation was infuriating and he believed all that needed to be said had already been conveyed, and he had no further reason(s) to speak with her.
Him not responding to her calls was a small victory, if there was such a thing. Vampires were very prideful and he could only envision what it was like from her standpoint to be intentionally shut out and disregarded. His intentions weren't to be spiteful, it was more or less he wanted to move on as any conversation or visit with her would only deepen the wounds that she caused. Akasha had emotionally bruised him more than anyone close to him. Betrayal by someone like that and intimate as they were ached more than he could imagine. Those views were however stalled by a loud alarm connected to the police radio.
"We've got four officers down and an unknown figure running the streets of the Gotham docks, on Twenty Eighth Avenue. Requesting immediate backup, gunfire has been ineffective!"
Batman's eyes narrowed as he immediately stepped on the gas increasing speed and rerouting in the opposite direction. Nearly a minute later ringing sounded from the built in communications system as Alfred's voice spoke.
"Sir, how're things?"
"In pursuit of something hazardous, but I don't know what...likely a meta from Arkham."
"Hate to trouble you sir, but Miss Bloodriver stopped by nearly an hour ago to see you. She appeared upset and distraught but she didn't say why, I offered her to wait for your return but she kindly declined. She's called quite a few times since and again now as we speak, shall I forward it to..."
"I'm busy Alfred," Batman cut him off.
"Apparently, but even so you should at least..."
"Batman out."
The dark knight ended the transmission in the press of a button and focused on the road ahead. In a matter of minutes he arrived on scene where various police vehicles barricaded the docks with many officers on standby with their weapons aimed outward. The top to the batmobile slid open as the cape crusader leaped up and approached the commissioner of police who stood at the heart of the group.
"Commissioner," he spoke gruffly as he approached. "What's the situation?"
"You arrived just in the nick of time," Jim breathed a sigh of relief, removing his glasses and wiping them down with a small piece of cloth. "I've heard quite the stories within my time in the force, but this one sounds like something out of a horror film."
"What happened?" Batman moved in beside him.
Jim Gordon lowered the piece of cloth into the small pouch in his jacket pocket and positioned the glasses back over his nose.
"We received a distress call nearly forty minutes ago from a young toddler," Jim went on with his hands in his pockets. "The young boy, Arnold and his sister Lisa had finished eating dinner, and their mother Hannah Grace Brooklyn came down with a splitting headache. According to both witnesses she turned in early to get some sleep and just about thirty minutes later they say she began screaming in incredible pain so naturally they went to check on her."
"And?"
"She went through some sort of transformation and mindlessly began tearing up everything, but luckily the children weren't harmed and she took off through a window and that's around when we came on scene and located the monstrosity blocks away from the home. Their father was out of town on business but he's since been contacted and is catching the quickest flight back."
"Where did she go?" Batman asked.
Gordon pointed to the numerous stacks of shipment crates.
"That thing is hiding somewhere in between the crates, reaching her is useless we tried that many times. Her mind is lost, we're waiting for the SWAT to..."
"Thanks," Batman moved passed him switching his lens set to detect. "I'll take it from here."
"Wait, he can't do that," one officer looked to the commissioner. "Can he?"
"I've seen the Batman do some extraordinary things, we'll leave it to him while upholding our stance."
The dark knight moved in with caution inspecting his surroundings carefully and it wasn't long before he picked up minimal movement ahead, unleashing two electric batarangs. As he moved in closer he picked up speed and ran around the corner and just as explained by the commissioner, Batman's eyes were met by what could only be compared to a monstrous creature! Its skin was dark and tough and even somewhat scaly looking, long white hair and glowing orange eyes!
Batman hadn't any idea what on earth it was and he didn't have very much time to think it over as the creature hollered and charged him without warning. Immediately jumping back with space between them the cape crusader chucked the first of his projectiles which it effortlessly slapped away and caught the second which it easily crushed in its grasp, unaffected by the electrical charge. With wide eyes Batman reached for another item in his belt but the creature knocked him back in the opposite direction with the swing of its arm, the dark knight plummeting into a nearby crate which left behind a sizeable dent. He ducked down and rolled out of the way as the creature swung at him again with its claws easily tearing through the container.
Throwing down a smoke bomb Batman managed to get behind the creature punching and kicking at it, but the melee attacks did little to harm the enemy which quickly spun around kicking at Batman who grabbed hold of its leg, pulling it down and kicking at its face. He got off only a couple hits before it powered out of his grasp and shoulder bumped the knight, sending him soaring into the side of an adjacent storage box. Roaring aloud it again charged him and as it came within a foot of him as a figure dropped down from the top of the crates, punching it back in the other direction! The individual wore a gray t-shirt, blue jeans with running shoes and five foot batwings extending out of both sides of his back.
"Arrived just in time," the person looked back at Batman with red eyes and a slit through them. "Do you know what this thing is?"
"Tsukune," Batman stood dusting himself off. "I don't but I'm assuming you do?"
The vampire nodded looking toward the creature opposite of them.
"That thing is a Ghoul, once upon a time I almost became one of those things but I'm sure you've read up on that. To answer another question you probably have, I detected its monster aura overflowing nearly two miles away and so I came to check it out...question is how did this thing come to be?"
The ghoul sneered as it stood once more charging both Tsukune and Batman.
"Now that we've got its attention, let's lead it away from here," Batman suggested. "If it were to get by us there's too many innocent bystanders in the area."
"Gotcha, to the rooftops then."
Tsukune flapped his wings and took off upward while Batman reached for his grapple gun. In a single bound the ghoul followed and out of nowhere it formed wings of its own following after the dark knight and vampire. The police commissioner and other by standing officers observed the scene but weren't able to make out much due to the distance and overall darkness of the atmosphere. With tremendous speed the ghoul quickly closed in on them and tackled Tsukune midway through the air and onto the roof. It clawed away and tried biting at him but he held it back with the strength in his arms before kicking it off and with electric brass knuckles attached to his gloves Batman punched at it.
Tsukune quickly raced to his side as the ghoul threw out a spinning kick which knocked them both to the ground as it howled. And just as they stood its entire body was bounded by electricity as it fell forward on its face and three arrows in its back. Batman and Tsukune looked to the left of them as a woman carrying a gold bow approached with a stack of arrows connected to her backside. She stood at 5'7 with a pale complexion, dark green eyes and light blue hair tied loosely with a bow of red silk. Her attire was of a breastplate made of metal and steel, a silken skirt extending to her knees, a pair of gauntlets of the same material on her wrists but with no gloves. And lastly were thigh-high brown leather boots in addition to a whitish silken cloak topping off her armor. She moved in and stepped over the ghoul, firmly with a boot pressed down over its back. Her eyes surveyed both Batman and Tsukune but it was the vampire she stared at with the most interest.
"I'll take it from here, you've done enough."
"Who are you?" Batman marched forward.
"That doesn't matter."
Batman inspected as she raised her arm and knew what was to come next and so he dashed forward tackling her to the ground as she lost hold of the smoke grenade. They wrestled each other for a moment before the woman rolled over atop Batman and punched at his face before unleashing a small dagger. She stabbed down at him as he rolled out of the way and stood, Tsukune standing nearby not sure if he should involve himself or not. One thing he knew in watching the woman was her great control, technique and overall proficiency in wielding a blade. Batam dodged around eluding the blade, and even clashing with it over the blades on his gauntlets. The woman kicked Batman back as she flipped backwards and landed atop the ghoul and threw down a smoke grenade! The dark knight lifted up his cape around his nose and mouth and waited for the smoke to die down before lowering it and when the cloudy atmosphere ceased only him and Tsukune remained.
"She got away..." the vampire murmured.
"Only because I let her," Batman pressed down on a hidden panel beneath his gauntlet and brought up a small hologram screen. "During our scuffle on the ground I tagged her with a tracer, and it was a success."
"Awesome," Tsukune moved in beside him. "So what now?"
"I'm going after her," Batman looked to Tsukune. "Both of us. Someone like that doesn't just show up out of the blue like that. What happened to Hannah Brooklyn might be that woman's doing."
"Who is Hannah Brooklyn?" Tsukune inquired.
"According to eye witnesses she morphed into that ghoul. I'll give details on the way, let's get moving."
XXX
As the hot water from the faucet gleamed over her body a woman with long light blue hair soaped up her body and shampooed her hair. The task went about good as it could have, one problem off the list of problems dealt with. When finished she dried off with a towel around her body and her hair tied in a long ponytail. In pushing out of the bathroom she felt refreshed letting out a sigh and took only three steps before stopping in her tracks.
With her steps slowed she approached a dresser in front of her reaching out and taking a small blade into her hands as she took a deep breath. In all of her years of experience and training she was very observant and things weren't as she left them, the curtain across the room pulled to the left a little and the small stack of papers on the bed side appeared tampered with. In focusing her senses she picked up on movement in a dark corner of the room and it was then the intruder showed himself.
"You!" her eyes shot open, the woman immediately running at the intruder with the dagger in hand.
In swinging the dagger around he ducked down and side stepped many of her attempts to cut him, the dark knight grabbing hold of her wrist twisting it and disarming her of the projectile which helplessly fell to the ground. She then proceeded to throw out a couple rounds of kicks which he slapped away and ducked under, and grabbed hold of a right hook she threw out at him.
"I'm not here to fight!" Batman twisted her arm and pushed her toward a nearby wall, but with great athleticism she ran up the wall and flipping upward and behind him.
While airborne she threw out a kick that connected with the back of his cowl and forced his face into the wall, Batman stumbling somewhat but maintaining his balance. He moved aside just in time as another strike was thrown by the woman which instead went through the wall.
"I researched the info on this complex and this room is rented out to a James Zek," Batman voiced while throwing out a kick to her side and then a follow up elbow which sent her soaring off her feet. "You aren't him! And so I'll ask one more time...who are you?!"
"I answer only to my master!" she retorted while continuing her assault.
Throwing out a combination of kicks and punches she moved in on Batman.
"And just who is this master of yours!" Batman glared.
The woman gave no response as she continued her assault, Kicking Batman backwards into a dresser which fell over taking the lamp with it. Batman quickly pushed up and became irritated with her lack of cooperation and so went on the attack, landing a couple shots to her gut and grabbing hold of her fists. With her arms twisted and forced against her back the dark knight pinned her to the ground over her stomach.
"I don't want to hurt you," Batman barked holding her down firmly. "I want answers, were you the one responsible for that ghoul! Start talking or I'll start by dislocating your shoulders and then on to other body parts."
The woman kicked her feet up and down slithering her way out of his grasp as they rolled away from each other. Her physical strength was impressive, as well as her movement and on her left ankle she wore a gold bracelet but it wasn't just for show. It held down and compressed her yokai aura and strength.
Batman's eyes narrowed as he slowly moved toward her and when just about two inches away the woman threw out her legs and tripped up the cape crusader who fell on his back. She quickly recovered the small dagger off the ground jumping atop him and attempting to stab at his left side but Batman grabbing at her wrists and holding her back.
"I'm not your enemy!" Batman snapped.
Not a moment later the towel wrapped around her body came undone and fell forward and her breasts dangling out in plain view. Neither seemed to notice nor care and a couple seconds later a nearby window crashed through with the glass shattering all over the carpet.
"Aono!" Batman's eyes only slightly looked in that direction. "You were strictly backup, I have this under control!"
"Yeah I bet you do...looks like you're in trouble from my viewpoint," Tsukune rid himself of the bat wings extending from his back.
Overpowering the woman atop him, Batman threw out his legs and kicked her into the wall across the room and flipped up tossing the towel aside.
"Like I said," Batman shot a frown in the direction of Tsukune. "I had things under control."
The woman across from them was slow to rise, neither Batman nor Tsukune taking their eyes off her and it was the vampire that bit back feeling his blood flow increase. She stood before them in full nude, and her body well fit like a top level athlete and the perfect curbs. In annoyance the woman rolled her eyes looking them off and knew by then there was no point in fighting or running.
"Well this conversation was due to happen sooner or later so I'll start by..."
"Eh ihhmm," Batman pointed at her body.
The woman peeked down at her exposed body and then back up at the two standing opposite of her and by then Tsukune's cheeks had turned red. Without even the slightest change in expression the woman recovered a light purple robe from the bedroom to the left of them, tying it closed and returning.
"Aono Tsukune and the Batman," the woman pronounced.
"You know my name?!" Tsukune's eyes widened.
Even Batman was surprised by this, further taking into question just who this woman was.
"I know very much about you Aono, you attended Yokai Academy as a student and now you're its chairman. It was during your time as a student you met with Akashiya Moka, and progressively over time the blood she shared with you in a dire incident to save your life...had consequences. The holy lock helped in keeping you from transforming into a ghoul, and had the same procedure taken place in this incident the woman might have had a chance to preserve her, mind but her humanity was in flux from the start."
"The woman," Batman spoke up. "Do you mean Hannah Brooklyn?"
"Yes and before you question I have nothing to do with her condition, this is all due to the princess's irresponsible deeds. When she chose to share her blood with this woman, she should have at least followed the proper protocols in at least..."
"Princess?!" Tsukune interrupted.
The woman opposite of them took a seat over a nearby chair and crossed one leg over the other.
"Princess Akasha," the woman looked up at both men who shared a similar expression of shock. "I do speak of the very same Akasha Bloodriver you've both come to know, and months back she shared her blood with this woman after she was wounded by gunfire from a gang."
"Who're you?" Batman again asked with narrowed eyes. "And how can we trust that anything coming out of your mouth is true?"
"Well she does seem to know quite a bit about me, all of which are factual and not really known to the wider world. Even my parents don't know of my turning, and it's best that they never do," Tsukune added.
For a while the woman took into account the entire situation and considered how much was necessary to reveal and what was best kept secret for the time being.
"My name is Eris and I am the personal assistant to the great emperor, Apollo...my master."
"Apollo," Tsukune raised an eyebrow. "That name's been passed by me several times in yokai global gatherings, but they say he's been MIA."
"He oversees and governs the entire yokai realm," Batman added.
It was Eris's turn to feel surprised looked up at the 6'2 figure dressed as a bat.
"Insightful, where did you acquire such information, a non yokai?" Eris questioned.
"Doesn't matter," Batman side stepped the question. "You seem like the knowledgeable woman, how much do you know about me?"
With a sense of electricity circulating through his shoulders and upper back, Tsukune found that he was particularly interested to hear her response. The Valkyrie looked him directly in his lens covered eyes.
"You're the Batman, dark knight, caped crusader, world's greatest detective...and your methods shady, outside of the law, but even you have your boundaries. Your intentions are pure but you will continue going in circles replaying the same tune until the day you die," Eris replied, lowering her eyes from him. "If it is the mask you refer to, the answer is no. We don't know nor care who is behind the mantle, but believe me if we wanted, we would."
Tsukune cleared his throat taking a step forward.
"We, do you mean yourself and the emperor?"
Eris chuckled as she sat back.
"I refer to master's intel unit, they're the reason I know what I know about what's occurring in this city and what is to come," Eris's eyes fell directly on the Batman. "You overcome great odds as I've been told, but you don't have a chance in hell to stand up to what is to come. This isn't your war or fight Batman, stand aside and allow the emperor's warriors to put an end to this absurdity."
"Is that a direct message from this emperor of yours," Tsukune crossed his arms. "Perhaps your intel specialists forgot to tell you we have the upper hand. Fairy Tale can't complete their prophecy, not when we hold something they need."
"Two of the Drocgoeus," Eris nodded her head. "We know all about that, but can you truly assure it..."
"They won't get to them," Batman cut her off. "I don't know how your master operates or if he accepts visits without invitation but I'd like to speak with him. From what I hear he is the most knowledgeable on the circumstance. We could use his insight."
Gawking down at the carpet there was nothing but sadness in the eyes of Eris and both Batman and Tsukune said nothing, waiting patiently for a response.
"That simply isn't possible, you see...master is in a state of dormancy and waking him simply just isn't possible or I would have done so. Tragic events led to him entering this state, events which are unimportant to the matter at hand. However, that said...princess Akasha should be capable of awakening him with her very presence. It was because of her second sealing with the mighty Alucard that our emperor was left in such a state of depression that he willingly went into deep sleep. Princess Akasha was the very last thing he had in this world that he truly cherished and seeing that taken away from him was far too much to bare."
"That's great, then all we have to do is call Akasha-san and..."
"Absolutely not!" Eris barked. "You know good and well who she has aligned herself with and if master were to discover this, his last daughter, it would break him."
"Sorry but the fate of the world is at stake here!" Tsukune retorted. "And Akasha-san didn't join Fairy Tale by choice, she was resurrected by them and under their control. Of course she has since broken that control but decided to remain at their side, working closely with them and giving us important intel on what they planned. And quite honestly we wouldn't have a single of the Drocgoeus if it wasn't for her! So before you start accusing her of falling short of someone's standards I'd get my facts straight!"
The vampire stood firm with clinched fists feeling additional blood circulating through his face. There was nothing he hated more than a loved one or friend being insulted with no way to defend themselves.
"Perhaps, but I know the princess well and she would never agree to awaken her father under such circumstances that would shadow so badly on herself. You're a vampire Aono, surely you know of the pride one carries."
"Let me talk to her, I could convince her otherwise. And you keep referring to the emperor as Akasha-san's father, what do you mean by that? And what is her relation to you?"
"Not biological," Batman voiced. "He took Akasha in at a very young age just after she'd been turned by a vampire named Alighieri."
Tsukune sharply bit down at his tongue whilst Eris's eyes shot open and she jumped up from the chair looking completely dumbfounded and in disbelief.
"What did you just say?!" she commanded.
"Akasha...Akasha-san was human," Tsukune felt his head spinning, always believing she was a born natural vampire like Moka.
"No one knew about that other than myself, master and his son! Where did you acquire such information, the princess would never share such details, even her dearest Issa Shuzen was kept in the dark on this element."
"You tell me," Batman looked Eris in the eyes. "Since you seem to have all the answers."
Eris knew this could mean only one thing and that was Akasha had told him herself. The reveal brought into question why exactly she'd so casually share such a secret with him which she kept away from practically everyone and what that possibly meant in relation to how she felt about him. Batman brushed the thought aside, content with the decision he made in regards to their romantic relationship.
"And Hannah Brooklyn," Batman spoke up after various seconds. "Where is she?"
"That thing is no longer Hannah, she is now a ghoul and her mind lost. She's inside a containment cell, very, very far away from here."
"Where!?" Batman snapped.
"You can't save her Batman, it's far too late for that," Eris shook her head. "You should know better than anyone that it's impossible to save them all. Don't worry, the ghoul will be kept alive until master awakes, and what happens to her from then will be his decision."
"He'll dispose of her!" Batman grimaced.
"If that is his decision, then that's the way it goes. This is a cruel world Batman and even in your young life you've seen its darkness up close more than others would dear to imagine, so don't pretend it's something else!"
Tsukune stood by observing their shouting match but with nothing to say. Taking a deep breath Eris lowered her hands into the side pockets of her robe and closely eyed her two guests.
"We've talked for long enough and I could go on all night, but frankly I've said more than I should have. To clarify I am here only to confirm and observe what was relayed to me by the intel units and I have done that."
"And so what will you do?" Tsukune inquired. "If the emperor is in a state of dormancy, who's calling the shots and what even would you do, attack Fairy Tale head on?"
"As I said before, this conversation has gone on long enough and I'm sorry about this," Eris said.
"About what?" Tsukune inquired.
She responded by jumping back and throwing down two explosives over the ground and Batman wasn't fast enough to reach his gas mask before he breathed in the gas. Both he and Tsukune fell unconscious. It wasn't until nearly thirty minutes later that either regained consciousness but by then Eris was gone, with all of her belongings. Batman scouted out the entire room for anything she might have left behind as Tsukune came to.
"What...what happened?" Tsukune rubbed at the side of his head.
"That woman got away and she left behind no trace," Batman looked to Tsukune. "And I did further digging on this apartment complex and the name used was falsified...she's good. But I don't believe she's left the city, and if she did she'll be back."
"What makes you so sure?" Tsukune asked.
"Everything she said, they'll be watching Fairy Tale's every move and devising a counter. She and whoever else is at her side could be valuable allies if things don't go according to plan. We have no further reason to stick around," Batman headed for the shattered window. "Let's go."
In a simple nod Tsukune followed and on their way out he posed a question.
"Where did you get that information about Akasha-san?"
Batman only halfway looked back at Tsukune before pulling out his grapple gun and aiming upward and it was in that instant his emergency alert system sounded. In the press of a button the caped crusader brought up a small hologram screen and bit back at the headline, Tsukune perceiving the disdain in his expression.
"What is it," the vampire walked up on him. "What happened?"
"It's the Joker," Batman tightened his fists. "He's got twelve hostages…and the mayor!"
To be continued
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- 41
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Seal of Darkness