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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
- 44
- 45
- 46
Seal of Darkness
CHP45: World's Greatest Trio Assembles

Year 1786
It had been eleven years since the shinso vampire known as Alucard and king of vampires sprung his attack and did so discretely and his whereabouts were unknown. It had been rumored the shinso vampire raided various villages, killing and absorbing several yokai and increasing his strength as he did. No one knew how he managed to stay hidden, completely concealing his yokai energy with no means of tracking him, but each attack point had been mapped out and recorded. With this info the research and development unit comprised of mostly Behemoths and with their leading guy at the helm, Ramses they constructed a mapout in predicting where he might strike next. Of course none of these spots could be established, but it was a start and eventually they'd get him.
With what they knew a handful of small task force units were created separate to Apollo's military, and Akasha Bloodriver being one to lead a single of these, hand picking her own members. When she received clearance from her father, the pink haired vampire was ecstatic and the move showing he truly had faith in her abilities. There was however another who was anything but and once receiving the list of those selected over Akasha's roster she wasn't in the least bit thrilled. She was riled and pissed but kept her calm as she marched through the halls of the palace and headed straight for her quarters.
"Sasha-nee," Akasha smiled at her sister who walked through the doors. "How can I help you?"
"You know why I'm here!" the vampire slammed down a sheet of paper with a list of names over it and signed off by Akasha. "Why am I not on this list?! Father I can understand, but you...this is like a punch in the gut, Akasha!"
Akasha quietly sighed and looked away from her for a moment before their gaze again met.
"You know why," the vampire spoke softly. "This man...he's powerful, he's dangerous. I have history with him and once we were close, I looked up to and admired him. We once shared similar views on humanity, but that changed after they attacked and so many innocents were slaughtered. He went his way and I mine...I still believe in humanity and coexistence with our kind. You've heard what he's done and what he's capable of and how many have perished."
"And you have yet to say it, tell me I'm weak, useless go ahead and say it!"
The vampire knew her sister would react in this manner and so it didn't surprise her.
"I don't want to see you get hurt, it's simple as that. You're a great warrior, better than most but what we're facing is unlike anything we've encountered before, you...it's just too much nee-chan and I don't want to see you end up like his other victims."
"Quit beating around the bush and give it to me straight!" Sasha screamed in Akasha's face.
As a retort Akasha slapped her across the face.
"You're my sister and I will protect you and you will not question my decision! There's a reason father appointed me to this position and... and not you. Forget this war, forget battle and fighting. You adore Colton, yes? Think about your future, a family...forget about this, Alucard has been growing stronger and stronger and..."
"Save it!" Sasha shouted as she took off for the exit. "At least now I know where you stand."
"Sasha..."
Just as she passed through the door it was Miukei Suzcoo that entered, a vampire with light brown skin at 5'7, red eyes with slit pupils, light green colored hair and she wore a yellow dress.
"What was that all about?" Miukei asked.
"It's nothing," Akasha shook her head putting on a smile.
"I hope this isn't at a bad time put there's a little party coming up in the next two weeks. Lailay, Selene and myself will be attending and we'd love if you'd attend."
In marching down the hall Sasha punched at a wall out of frustration. Sasha knew her decision was final and there was also no changing the mind of her father and so that left her with one final alternative. She had stolen a certain map from the intel room and gathered up nearly two hundred soldiers of her own, being a combination of vampires and goblins. Things played out as she expected they would when questioning Akasha and so everything was already in place, the horse carriages and soldiers already awaiting her at the randevu point.
It was already after midnight and the perfect time to make her move, but she first stopped by her room and got changed. Her attire consisted of a dark black gown with cape hood combination and as she passed by the dresser she lifted the silver diamond necklace with Purple Heart pendant into her hands given to her by Akasha and attached it around her neck. Next she took hold of a piece of paper and with an inked feather she wrote out a long letter addressed to Apollo, her father. The vampire knew eventually the emperor himself or someone else would come across it. With the note in hand she stashed it away under her pillow and that was the last thing she did before pulling the hood up and over her head and taking a small lantern into her hand to light the way as she walked through the halls of the palace. She got about as far as the main doors before she felt his presence and immediately lowered her hand from the doorknob as she turned and faced him.
"My child," he approached, dressed in a lavender colored robe with streaks of black over it and carrying an ornate walking cane. "Where are you headed at this hour?"
Her grip over the handle of the lantern tightened, expecting her father would be locked in his quarters studying or meditating.
"Horseback riding," she responded with the first thought that came to mind. "Yup, there's nothing like the freshness of night air."
The vampire smirked as Apollo did the same.
"By now you've taken notice of the lineup in our conquest for pursuing Alucard," the emperor moved in on her as he held his cane up and off the ground. "Do not fret my child, your time will come soon. Any and every decision made is to protect you both."
"Then why are you allowing Akasha to lead and fight while I remain in the background?! This is so unfair, papa!"
Apollo lowered a hand over her shoulder with loving eyes.
"Your sister is a special case, she's of a very powerful bloodline, and the same blood that runs through the veins of Alucard runs through hers. Akasha has prepared herself and trained for this moment..."
"And I haven't?!" Sasha shrugged him off as she took a deep breath. "I understand you're only trying to protect me, but did you think for a second you might be holding me back. Give me this chance, allow me to fight in nee-san's unite beside Touhou and Tenmei-sama."
Apollo lowered his head as he took a deep sigh.
"I...I cannot, my daughter."
A short period of silence followed before Sasha turned and pushed open the palace doors and Apollo watched her the entire time. She made her way down the steps and through the gates where she saddled up over a horse and galloped off into the night.
"Be safe, my child..." the emperor whispered.
It was just about three miles away from the palace where the vampire met with the two hundred soldiers, none of which were as well trained as any in her father's military but still formidable and carrying magic based weapons. She scoured each out on her own, testing their abilities and discovering their knowledge on warfare. Each separate individual was experienced and professional combatants and with her leading the way.
"Where to, my lady?" one asked.
Sasha revealed the stolen map which had many marked locations but she pointed to one specifically.
"There...that is where we'll go, that is where he's most likely to strike next and when he does we'll be waiting. Alucard will fall at my hands and this massacre will end."
"And we'll be there every step of the way with you," another added. "Do this and your name will reach the heavens, engraved in history books and you will undoubtedly be crowned queen of vampires!"
The band of warriors went wild and cheered her on, but Sasha not at all enthusiastic.
"That isn't my purpose for doing this, I need to prove to them, to everyone, wait no...I need to prove to myself that I am one of the greatest vampire warriors to walk this world. We shall head out eight miles to the east and then set up camp and begin our journey first thing in the morning," Sasha informed.
The vampire was royalty but with a keen mind and understanding and so no one questioned her decision. Sasha took the lead as they galloped toward the east on horsebacks, Sasha determined to claim this victory and solidify herself and everything she believed she could become.
Present Day
No matter how hard they tried or where they looked the group of three didn't have one shred of luck, even with Fafnir's keen sense of smell. It was as if Moka disappeared in a cloud of dust with not a single trail left, but that simply couldn't have been possible, there was nothing or no one his nose couldn't follow but in that instance that was absolutely the case.
"This is pointless, you're useless and have been leading us in circles!" Kokoa shot, looking back at Fafnir. "Where is onee-sama, where? I say we ditch this guy, how do we even know what he said about being her uncle is true."
The female vampire directed her attention to Tsukune who looked to the individual claiming to have some sort of connection to Moka.
"Kokoa-chan is right, you've barely said anything about this claim and ironically the moment you show, she disappears without a trace and frankly we had things under control before then."
"What're you implying, kid?" Fafnir frowned as the three of them came to a stop.
"Do you have her, did you take Moka-san?"
Amused by the accusation Fafnir laughed as he ran a hand over his forehead.
"Yeah like I'd kidnap my own niece and then proceed to walk around and waste time pretending to look for her when there's so much at stake, sounds real legit," Fafnir gave them a thumbs up.
Tsukune wasn't at all entertained with his sarcasm and grimaced.
"Fine, clearly we aren't getting anywhere so here goes. Nights ago you encountered a woman who called herself Eris."
"I do," the vampire responded with surprise. "Are you and she connected?"
"As I'm sure Eris detailed she's the personal attendant of Apollo, the emperor of yokai and I am his son. If I recall Eris did mention..."
"She did," Tsukune spoke. "So you're him?"
Fafnir simply nodded and Kokoa trailed a finger through her hair whispering the name feeling as though she'd heard it before and a vague memory of him.
"Grandfather...I think I remember. Yes it was when I was five, or maybe six, he would stop by the Shuzen mansion from time to time."
Fafnir sighed as he stepped away from both Kokoa and Tsukune, settling over his motorcycle.
"Before I go you should know why I came here. We've kept a close eye on Fairy Tale and a couple of their less prominent members have been scouting out Sahara, a desert in Africa and I have reason to believe that's where they plan to recover the next Drocgoeu. No need to worry about travel arrangements," Fafnir stepped on the gas as the engine roared. "I'll swing by and collect you when the time comes. Gonna head back to base and see if I have better luck tracking Moka from there, see you soon."
Fafnir zipped off on the bike as Kokoa shouted out to him but halfway down the street both him and the bike passed through a vortex which opened out of thin air and leaving both vampires baffled.
"What should we do?" Kokoa looked up at Tsukune.
"We continue our search for her," Tsukune looked to Kokoa. "But first we gather your things out of the apartment, this place is no longer safe now that the Dark Stalker Slayers know of it. You can sleep with me..."
The last of his words just slipped off his tongue and didn't come out the way he intended, and Kokoa even kicking at his shin.
"What the hell are you implying?!"
"I didn't mean it like that Kokoa-chan," Tsukune backed up with his hands positioned out in front of him. "I swear."
"Yeah, sure," Kokoa rolled her eyes with crossed arms. "I'll be sure to sleep with my eyes open."
Tsukune exhaled as he rested the palm of his hand over his face. As for the Dark Slalker Slayers they had problems of their own. Deathstroke and CO returned to base and that's when they disembarked on the bloody scene of what had occurred during their absence and Vadim Ryall at the center of it and on his knees beside a body.
"What happened?" Deathstroke questioned.
"She's dead, she's dead… that maniac put a bullet right in her skull! That bastard murdered her, he was after Cobblepot and attacked here because of the connection. With Alyona's death I'm the new commander and this unit is now disbanded… we shall leave Gotham immediately!"
Without even the mention of a name Deathstroke knew exactly who was responsible for the attack, that being the clown prince of crime, the Joker.
XXX
For the next two days Morrigan stayed close to Akasha and helped raise the vampire out of her depression, but even so she would need a whole lot more time for her emotional scars to heal, wishing it was easy and simple as the way her body instantly recovered from a physical attacks. It was just after noon that she was personally summoned by Genzo and so she didn't have much a choice but to comply and so she cleaned herself up and dressed in a dark red gown with bow tied in her hair and headed for the summoning location.
When there Akasha eyed a person she despised so much and even snarled as she quickly looked away from him and Issa saying nothing. The bruises and wounds she caused him nights ago had now fully healed, and though he wasn't of the shinso bloodline he was still a vampire and his healing factor quite remarkable. He wasn't the only one however that stood inside the large space, others who were also present included Genzo himself, Akua Shuzen, Kiria Yoshii, Kuyo, the Asagao three, Kahlua Shuzen, Jitoshi Ichiro and five additional guards standing around in the space.
"Thank you all for coming," Genzo rubbed his hands together as his eyes fell over two of them specifically. "Especially you two."
It was both Issa and Akasha that he exclusively looked over and beside him Kiria held a wide grin and the pink haired vampire wondered for what reason and why they'd all been called upon.
"I don't want to waste more time than necessary so I'll get right into it, there has been changes to our circumstance, good changes mind you and our firm has grown with the addition of three members, very powerful ones. They will be a great addition to our military of fifty thousand."
"Oh really," Jitoshi rubbed his hands together. "And just who're they."
Genzo Vlet chuckled before looking to a massive containment chamber behind him which was hidden by a dark curtain.
"We'll get to that, but first I'd like to introduce you all to our newest prisoner," Genzo smirked as his eyes fell over both Issa and Akasha.
In a simple gesture he ordered one of his guards to lower the curtains using a panel across the room and what was behind the glass stunned everyone, but none more affected than Issa Shuzen, Akua and Akasha. Within the chamber and inside a sizeable pod was a woman who had been stripped of all her clothing except for a raggedy t-shirt. Her legs and arms were firmly held in place by large metal constraints and the look in her eyes was one of defeat and dismay.
"Moka!" Akasha ran up to the glass and punched away.
"That won't do you any good I'm afraid. That surface might look and feel like glass, but it's magically constructed and cannot be lowered unless manually done within the control room. Also she won't be able to see or hear a thing from that side."
"Dammit she's my daughter, who's responsible for this?!" Akasha marched toward Genzo.
"Have you forgotten who you speak to?" Genzo's eyes narrowed as he uncovered a small device from his left pocket. "Take another step and the girl suffers."
The pink haired vampire wasn't going to hear any of what he said and didn't break stride. Without hesitation Genzo pressed down over the button and immediately strikes of voltage and electricity surrounded Moka as she cried out in agony!
"Take another step and I increase the voltage!" Genzo demanded.
Akasha immediately stopped and looked inside the cell at her baby girl who was suffering and no matter how old or how much time passed Moka would always be her little girl.
"Stop this madness! I demand it!" Akasha snarled.
With the use of his finger Genzo increased the intensity ever so slightly as Moka's cries became louder and even drooling from the sides of her mouth.
"Your majesty!" Issa stepped forward with clinched fists. "What is the meaning of this, that's my daughter?!"
Akua was finding it difficult to hold herself back and if it went on for too much longer she was certain she wouldn't, Moka being the person in the entire world she cared for most.
"And just before either of you get any bright ideas on turning your back on Fairy Tale or try killing me she dies! There's a small chip inserted in my brain here," Genzo pointed and tapped at his head. "The chip works as a detonator and if you were to kill me that entire chamber of hers fills up with water and she'll either drown or the effects of the pure water will kill her first."
Kiria Yoshii couldn't help but smile at seeing the defeated look in Akasha's eyes as both she and Issa Shuzen knew there was nothing they could do,
"You're probably wondering how and why, yes? Ra's Al Ghul's League of assassins have been quite the helping hand, masterfully doing my bidding on capturing Akashiya and bringing her hear. I provided them with the proper sedative to put down a vampire. And lastly I did this to keep the two of you in check, I'd hate for either of you to get cold feet and storm out on us when we're so close, loyalty isn't so easy to come by."
"You don't trust us?!" Issa barked.
"I don't trust her," Genzo looked to Akasha. "I know your shinso blood has fully awakened and you broke your control of me some time ago. It was because of your daughter, trust me, I know. I don't know what you were planning in the grand scheme of things but you now have no choice but to abide, you're a very important piece to opening the gateway."
"Your majesty, put an end to my daughter's suffering this instant!" Issa demanded, his voice echoing through the room and his aura rising.
Genzo only laughed as he again amplified the intensity of Moka's pain, enjoying every bit the control he had over the two vampires. His magical prowess aside both vampires were physically more powerful than Genzo Vlet. Watching Moka screaming and crying as she was Akua silently began to lose it and she became fidgety.
"Please your majesty!" Akasha dropped to her knees and bowed. "Don't harm my daughter any further, you've got my loyalty, please spare her this pain I beg you!"
Down the hall the double doors shot open as a singular individual entered with two ninja assassins on either side of him, and just as everyone else he took notice of the scene of Moka's torture.
"You've served your purpose, further senseless torture is unnecessary...the point has been made."
"Al Ghul," Genzo stared directly at the Demon's head and immediately suspended the torture of the vampire in one click. "Sorry, I suppose I overdid it...my mistake."
Genzo had much respect for Ra's and the empire he built over centuries, his existence sometimes considered a myth within the monster world.
"Have you introduced the newest recruits?" Ra's inquired.
"I was just getting to that," Genzo looked down the opposite hall. "Everyone, right this way."
The group followed but Akasha remained on her knees and crying, feeling so hopeless and wondering how she could have allowed her Moka to end up in a position like this. It was every mother's worst nightmare to see their child in pain or harmed.
"Akasha..." Issa gently lowered his hand over her shoulder.
"Don't touch me, you filth!" she snarled looking up at him as she slapped his hand away.
First the death of Bruce by the hands of Issa and now this, she didn't know how much more of it she could take before having a complete nervous breakdown. Issa gave his daughter one finally look who struggled to gasp for air and he felt powerless and rage seeing his child like that, his anger directed at the one man he couldn't touch. Both he and Akasha caught up with the rest of the group after a short time through the double doors. It was then a woman dressed like a magician with raven colored hair but her eyes in the color of orange appeared.
"Everyone I present to you...Zatanna Zatara, the newest member of Fairy Tale," Genzo smiled.
"Wait," Miukei Suzcoo ran a hand through her hair. "Isn't Zatara part of that league of super heroes?"
"Indeed she was," Genzo moved in beside the magic user running a hand over her shoulder. "But she's now under my control and just as with Akashiya we have Ra's Al Ghul's assassins to thank. I've sense taken her under my control and she accomplished her first tasks to perfection."
"Being?" Selene asked.
"These," Genzo revealed two Drocgoeus. "We now have the Drocgoeus that were held by Batman and Aono, all thanks to this woman."
Akasha couldn't believe her eyes at seeing this, everything going south so much quicker than she could have anticipated. Just a little while ago she was in a happy relationship and he was now dead, her daughter taken prisoner and now Fairy Tale had gained the keys held by the dark knight. As bad as things were she couldn't imagine how they could get any worse, and that was only before the last two recruits entered the room but the vampire didn't even know if it could be called that. The room was so silent that a pen drop could have been heard and the pink haired vampire felt her heart stop and others throughout were equally as stunned.
"No way...Tenmei and Touhou!"
Each was pale as if with no life in them whatsoever and orange colored eyes just as Zatanna.
"Fuhai Touhou and Mikogami Tenmei, reanimated and under my control. As you can probably tell neither is alive, and it would be accurate to say they're in somewhat a zombie state, not a shred of blood running through their veins. Essentially mindless, they've been programmed in a sense to follow orders and complete tasks given to them, by myself. Their strengths and abilities will assure our success, especially if we hit unforeseen obstacles."
"You're sick and demented, how could you?!" Akasha snarled at the sight of her closes friends and teammates in such a state. "Why must you tamper with the dead?! I had passed and you should have let me move on and now this!"
Genzo's frown fell over the pink haired vampire.
"I'd watch that tone of yours missy, unless of course you want to see that child of yours suffer again," he looked the vampire off staring at everyone else who were still in shock the three dark lords were standing before them. "And now that that's out of the way I have the details of your next mission. You'll all be traveling to Africa...it is there that another of the eight keys lie."
XXX
Kurumu sat inside a cafe having a cup of coffee with her mother when she received the call, Tsukune's name coming up on the caller ID and asking to meet.
"Sorry mother," she kissed at Ageha's cheek and drank what remained in her glass.
The younger succubus took a single step before Ageha snatched her wrist and held her back from going any further.
"You're hiding something from your mother, aren't you? Now, now I know my little munchkin better than anyone, go ahead and spit it out," Ageha pulled her down and rubbed her face against Kurumu's. "Of all places to take a vacation this would be one of the last, why're you really here, honey bun?"
"Stop with all the names and hugging!" Kurumu forced her way out of Ageha's hold. "I'm not six anymore and I already told you why I'm here."
Ageha chortled as she stood and playfully pinched at Kurumu's chin.
"Would have believed you had I not kissed the dog."
"Kissed the what...what're talking about?" Kurumu asked with confusion.
"Your companion, Morioka Ginei," Ageha licked at her lips with a sinister grin. "And we did it with tongue."
"No, no disgusting I don't want to know anything about that!"
Kurumu tried plugging her ears as her mother went on giving in depth details and enjoying every second of it while the younger succubus wanted to puke.
"No, but seriously he and I had lunch and the mood was just right and so...I just did it," Ageha said proudly.
"You forced yourself on him, didn't you?" Kurumu glared.
She knew of Gin's flirtatious nature but she was also pretty certain he wouldn't hit on her mother unless provoked. The older succubi twirled a strand of hair with her finger and fumbled around with words before she eventually gave in and lowered her shoulders.
"Ok, yes I took advantage of the opening and boy does he have a crush on that siren, Otonashi San."
"You read his thoughts?" Kurumu asked, already knowing the answer.
"Well duh, but my intention was to figure what you were doing in such a place and now I know," Ageha looked down on her daughter with scolding eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you lot were out here to stop Fairy Tale?"
"Don't you have a pageant to attend?" Kurumu questioned as she tried to bypass her mother.
Ageha however didn't allow Kurumu to get far as she took hold of her arm and then took hold of her phone.
"Tsukune wants to meet huh," the succubus smiled. "Then let's go and meet him."
"Wait no, absolutely not...you can't!" Kurumu argued.
"Can and will, let's move."
Pulling her daughter along they rushed out of the front door to the cafe and it was just a little after seven in the evening. The two succubi's met with the group of seven which consisted of Red Robin, Mizore, Yukari, Gin, Nightwing, Tsukune and Fafnir who was responsible for calling the meeting.
"It's you..." Fafnir looked directly at Ageha.
The sccubus sharply bit at her tongue having no idea he'd be here, while the remainder of everyone looked on with interest.
"You know each other?" Tsukune looked back and forth between Ageha and Fafnir, not expecting Kurumu's mother would even show and oblivious to the fact she was even in town.
"A little," Fafnir replied staring her down with intensity. "She was someone that father knew very well...very well."
Aside from the two everyone just sort of looked at each other, sensing awkwardness and friction between the succubus and dragon.
"How is he?" Ageha asked.
"You dear ask?!" Fafnir barked.
"Ok, ok slow down," Gin came in between them. "What is this all about, do you two have some sort of beef? What's this all about?"
Neither Ageha nor Fafnir answered and then it was Kurumu who stepped forward and it was her first time seeing the dragon.
"Mother, who is that man?" Kurumu asked.
"It doesn't matter," Ageha quickly dismissed the notion as she looked to Tsukune. "You called Kurumu-chan here, right?"
"I did," Tsukune nodded. "We're heading for the...wait, how much does she know?"
The question was directed at Kurumu who let out a sigh.
"Everything," she replied.
"Well in that case," Tsukune again looked to Ageha. "The Sahara desert, it's where we believe the next Drocgoeu to be."
Kurumu looked around and noticed something was off, someone missing. She knew of the circumstance surrounding Moka but it was another.
"Where is he," the succubus eyed both Red Robin and Nightwing. "Where is Batman?"
"Missing," Nightwing replied with clinched fists. "Red Hood is out searching, that's why he isn't here."
"Just like Moka-san," Yukari added. "Do you guys think that maybe Fairy Tale got them?"
"Anything is possible, their back to back disappearance is suspect," Tsukune said.
"And we've wasted enough time, according to my guys back at base Fairy Tale just about had their hands on it and that was five minutes ago. Everyone gather around, I'll get us there in a jiffy assuming my people didn't fuck up the coordinates like last time," Fafnir grew edgy.
Everyone throughout the group gathered around him as the small device in his hand glowed bright and they were teleported away, reappearing in the desert. There was a heavy wind and a little bit of sand blowing into their faces and Tsukune could feel heavy yokai ahead over the hill and so he sprung bat like wings and took off on his own.
"Tsukune wait up!" Kurumu shouted as she to sprung wings and followed after him.
"So much for sticking together," Mizore murmured.
She took off running just as everyone else except for Fafnir and Ageha who also had flight capabilities and quickly bypassed everyone who traveled on foot. As expected members of Fairy Tale were in plain view and Tskune looking them over carefully. All seemed to be gathered around in a circle and a woman was at the center of it dressed like a magician with long raven colored hair. A bright blue aura surrounded her body as the section of dirt in front of her swirled around and something began to rise.
"The Drocgoeu..." Tsukune whispered.
Surrounding the female magician was Akasha Bloodriver, Gallon, Kahlua Shuzen and Felicia. There were only five of them and Tsukune nor any of the others could believe this, Kurumu suspecting that others from their faction were hiding out and on standby somewhere nearby. Tsukune was thinking similarly but he didn't sense any other yokai. Their presence wasn't hidden for long as both Akasha and Kahlua detected the incoming yokai from up high and those on the ground. Akasha's eyes fluttered as she eyed one of them specifically and rested a hand over her heart.
"Nii-san..."
The pink haired vampire couldn't believe her eyes, it had been so long since she'd last seen or spoke with him and now to meet again under such circumstances was upsetting. But why here, why now...was it that her father sent him?! Did he know about her, about everything?! Either way she had a job to do and she would see it through, otherwise Moka's life might be forfeit, even if that meant doing things she was against.
"Here they come," Akasha looked up into the sky before looking back at Zatanna over her shoulder. "You almost finished?"
"Just about?" the magician replied.
"Then we buy her time," Gallon cracked his knuckles as he looked on.
Felicia's tail wagged from side to side as she took count of their incoming enemies as she bit down and shivered.
"They've got us outnumbered almost two to one."
"We'll be fine," Akasha patted the cat woman over the shoulder. "They've got quantity but we've got quality."
Given a fight was imminent Gallon transformed into werewolf form and nearly one hundred fifty yards away Gin did the same in seeing this as both dogs eyed one another. With her bat like wings sprung Akasha took a deep breath before flapping away and taking off into the air with her eyes on Fafnir, Kurumu, Tsukune and Ageha. Seeing the mother of Kurumu was also a surprise but her reason for being there was irrelevant as the only thing on her mind was retrieving the key and holding their foes off as they did.
"Akasha!" Fafnir shouted. "What is the meaning of this?!"
There was no time to explain herself, nor did she care to. The only thing in that moment that mattered to her was Moka and she would do everything in her power to make certain her child was safe. Fafnir's question was met by an aerial kick, and then a roundhouse by Akasha which knocked himself, Ageha, Tsukune and Kurumu out of the sky. Each of the three plummeted into the sandy surface below as Gin clashed with Gallon and the two wolves combined paws trying to out power each other. Kahlua also went on the attack with Red Robin, Yukari and Nightwing surrounding her. Felicia remained standing beside Zatanna as her legs shook, wishing she could avoid any physical confrontation. The cat woman was fully capable of battling and defending herself, but only when she had to, her kind nature weighing heavy as she took a couple steps back and siding beside Zatanna.
"Do you have it yet?" she asked nervously.
"Just a little longer," Zatanna only slightly looked to Felicia. "This thing was buried just about two hundred feet beneath the surface and enlaced with powerful magical locks."
Felicia nodded while focusing on the action in front of her and wishing Fairy Tale had sent Morrigan or someone else in her place.
"Really is that it, you aren't going to say a damn thing to me?! I hear you've been working as a double agent, if that is true than just forget it, forget it all! Come home, you're the only one probably capable of awakening him," Fafnir clinched his fists. "Or at least that's what Eris believes, it's worth a shot. You're his favorite, you've always been, so dammit you're coming back with me."
"I can't," Akasha raised her fists. "Nothing you can do or say will change that, I'm here to collect the Drocgoeu and Fairy Tale will succeed in opening Vheuto lazz."
"Akasha-san," Tsukune spoke her name in complete astonishment and Kurumu feeling the same. "You don't really mean that, you're joking, please tell me you're joking..."
"Afraid not," the dark lord shook her head. "The situation has changed and I don't have time to explain."
"No, no!" Tsukune shook his head with clutched fists. "I refuse to believe that, don't say that! What have they done, are they threatening you? If that gate opens you know what'll happen! You working on the inside has worked great up till now, but we need you now, more than ever."
"Yes...yes I know the consequence," Akasha said sadly but maintained her posture with a glare. "But I don't care."
This response left them all in shock and at lost for words, Fafnir sharply biting at his tongue and since he heard of Akasha's latest antics he'd been holding in his emotions and true feelings but he couldn't do that anymore.
"You worthless self-centered, egotistical bitch! To think father had you second in line for his empire ahead of me, me his own flesh and blood! You're nothing but a deceptive pretty face that uses her looks and charm to get by, a little orphan that he should have let die like trash in the dirt where he found you!"
"You done?" Akasha asked coldly, without a spec of emotion in her expression.
Again they were surprised by her response, specifically Fafnir and Tsukune, both knowing how sweet, caring and emotional the vampire could be. Such a statement would normally have set her off but there was nothing, just a facade of focus and blankness. Between the death of Bruce and now the imprisonment of her own daughter, Akasha was at an emotional low and only had Moka's wellbeing in mind; she was going to protect her no matter what.
"I'm gonna kick your ass, you ungrateful little cunt!" Fafnir snarled.
"You lost the ability to do that the moment my shinso blood awoke, Dragons are B to A rank at best, you have no chance against an S class and of my level for that matter," Akasha stared them down with bloodlust.
Tsukune gulped at the look in her eyes and just as the previous words that came out of her mouth Fafnir couldn't believe it, she was never one to really trash talk or insult unless in a playful manner, always trying to keep the peace, but here she was provoking him and knowing just the right words to say.
"I have no chance huh," Fafnir licked at his lips, feeling his blood boiling over. "I believed you to be reserved and jolly, but perhaps that was all a cover up, maybe this is the real you. If so I'm gonna enjoy beating you to a pulp!"
Fafnir ran in on Akasha throwing out his fists as she dodged around, but landed no shots. As he came at her again the vampire kept her guard up as both her speed and quickness seemed to increase. From then she blocked and countered each of his attacks, kneeing him in the stomach with a back hand to the face and then a spinning kick which dropped him to the ground. Right away Ageha was on the vampire as Akasha took hold of the succubi's throat, head butting her, followed by a knee to the stomach and then a knife hand to the back of her neck which knocked the succubus out cold.
"Momma!" Kurumu screamed.
Having enough of this Tsukune proceeded to move in on Akasha.
"Sorry Akasha-san but we can't let you do this, forgive me!"
Tsukune's first punch was grabbed by the pink haired vampire and twisted as she lifted him up and forced him downward over Fafnir. And with great awareness she tilted her head to the left and dodged three ice shards.
"Hello, Mizore-chan," Akasha smiled warmly.
"I don't want to hurt you," the snow woman spoke.
"Neither do I," Akasha responded. "Stand down and allow us to do what we came here to do and you won't be harmed."
"Can't do that," Mizore sucked on a lollipop.
"Sorry to hear that."
Nightwing, Yukari and Red Robin weren't doing much better themselves as they had yet to land even a single hit in close combat, Kahlua proving to be much too fast and quick. It was unlike the first time Nightwing encountered her as she seemed so much more formidable this time. In a quick move Kahlua blitzed twisting and effortlessly dislocating the left shoulder of Nightwing and slamming him to the ground and lowering a boot over his face. Red Robin and Yukari immediately came to his aid but she grabbed hold of their throats, lifting them both off the ground as she choked them out.
The only one that appeared to hold his own was Gin as both he and Gallon went at each other, full speed and force, neither of which backing down. Tsukune and Fafnir had risen with Mizore at their side, all three moving in on Akasha at once. The dark lord leaped up high kicking at the heads of each as she twirled her waist around like a helicopter. And as she dropped to her feet Tsukune raised his vampire aura to the absolute max, each and every one of them experiencing its intensity except for Akasha who just smiled but and raise hers at all.
Mizore took off first constructing two ice blades which she swung around but Akasha constantly eluding without any difficulty. Like a swan Akasha spun around Mizore pulling at the back of her hair and kicking her off to the side. Tsukune and Fafnir were in on her right away and she leg dropped Tsukune and then spun around punching Fafnir into the air as she followed with her wings flapping. The vampire grabbed hold of his head midair and forced him head first into the dirt. Again her awareness came into play as Mizore fired off various ice blades in her direction, slicing down a variety with her wings. Tsukune popped up and punched at her from behind, but Akasha feeling him out and dodging even though her back was to him. Tsukune unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks which Akasha successfully dodged all, countering and landing hits over areas where he'd left himself open. This was unbelievable to him, he had increased his aura to one hundred percent, with his speed, strength awareness and all physical prowess jumping exponentially, to levels that would overwhelm any other opponent. But here she was running circles around him like it was nothing without the use of her inner power at all! Her base power was proving to be too much for any of them to handle and he couldn't believe it. Even so Akasha couldn't help but be proud of Tsukune and how far he'd come, his physical prowess and speed had already passed her former mate, but he lacked the experience and combat expertise of Issa but in time it would come.
Soon Tsukune found himself trailing back as he was overwhelmed by her speed and technique as she rose her aura just around four percent. As an encore she finished with powerful strikes to his torso, a knife hand to the throat and a spinning kick as Tsukune fell off balance she reached out grabbing hold of his head and simultaneously doing the same with Fafnir who came at her. Akasha forcefully slammed their heads together before leaping up and kicking them into an approaching Mizore, all of which tumbling over each other and falling. And as she rubbed her hands together Akasha's gaze fell over Kurumu who had remained at her mother's side the entire time.
"You aren't going to attack me?" Akasha asked curiously.
"What's the point," Kurumu's eyes fell over her mother. "We can't beat you, you're way out of our league."
Akasha perceived the sadness in Kurumu's tone and how she must have felt betrayed by someone she believed she could trust.
"I'm so sorry Kurumu-chan, I really am...I wish things didn't have to be this way. His majesty has taken control of Zatanna and the Drocgoeus you once held are now in our possession."
"What, no way! And things don't have to be this way," Kurumu snapped looking her in the eyes. "You don't have to do what they're asking, just come back with us and we can fight them together!"
Fafnir grimaced as he positioned on a knee spitting blood.
"She's just fucking with us, we're like child's play! She's gotten so much stronger since the last time we tangled. Then I guess I don't have a choice, time to get serious! I knew this would happen, I knew they'd somehow get their hands on the two keys you held!" Fafnir stood with determination.
Tsukune pushed up as well rubbing a hand over his head and completely stunned, he'd received so much training during the years leading up to becoming the head chairman of yokai academy and he could barely keep up with the leader of the dark lords. Power aside, the difference in skill was tremendous and he hoped one day to reach such a level.
"She's amazing," Mizore said, despite the circumstance.
"She is," Tsukune agreed. "Problem is she's on the wrong side, and now they've got the Drocgoeus we held because of Zatanna."
Akasha's calm nature intensified as she witnessed Fafnir toss his jacket aside and the look in his eyes changed, the dragon roaring aloud as he transformed into his true form and Akasha looking up in awe.
"Wow, hehe... looks like I'm not the only one that's been training," Akasha grinned. "This should be fun."
Just as Akasha the dragon had also grown stronger since the last time they sparred, which had been just about three days after Moka was born, also being the last time they saw one another. The vampire raised her aura to just over eight percent, feeling that would be far more than enough to down the dragon. When he put his mind to it with cockiness aside and in his true form, Fafnir was a worthy adversary and a force to be reckon with, giving any S class monster a run for his or her money. The dragon roared aloud and Akasha stood her ground as the massive beast stood over her and Mizore was wide eyed in seeing this. Readying himself, Fafnir charged up a huge fire blast and aimed directly at Akasha.
"Semalf ot srewolf!"
As Fafnir discharged what he believed would be flames it was instead masses of flowers, all of which covered Akasha who quickly leaped back and out of the pile and looking at Zatanna who clearly casted the spell.
"Eno derdnuh rednuht tlob ekirts, esira sniahc fo htarw," Zatanna pronounced as her eyes glowed a bright white.
Massive magical chains in the color of gold rose from the ground wrapping around the dragon and pulling him down as bolts of lightning fifteen times the power zipped out of the sky electrifying his body as the dragon fell forward in agonizing pain. The chains simultaneously drained him of his inner energy and Zatanna then turned her attention to the others that remained standing, casting similar spells on the others but of less voltage but without the chains, all except Gin who was still engaged in combat with Gallon. Once there was enough space between the two werewolves Zatanna created a miniature tornado which sucked up Gin and spun him around over and over with no way out. Kahlua had finished off Red Robin, Yukari and Nightwing on her own so didn't require any assistance. Felicia held onto the Drocgoeu, but completely amazed by what the magician had done. Soon the dragon fell unconscious and returned to his human form as the strikes of lightening ceased and Akasha lowering her yokai aura.
"Wow..." the pink haired vampire murmured as she looked back on the magician. "So this is the power of Zatanna Zatara."
"I see now why his majesty wanted her," Kahlua moved in beside Akasha. "She might very well be the most powerful member in Fairy Tale as it stands."
"No kidding," Akasha nodded as she looked around at their fallen foes.
That was all of which unconscious except Tsukune, whose durability as a shinso vampire kept him upright and Gin who was still inside the funnel.
"We'll take them as prisoners, all of them," Akasha pronounced.
"Like hell," Tsukune grimaced shaking himself off from experiencing the large amounts of voltage. "No one is going anywhere with any of you and I'm not letting you take that key!"
Tsukune ran at Akasha who leaped upward as he came within a foot of her.
"Know your place!"
Tsukune threw out his arms in an attempt to block the kick which he did but the force sent him flying back in the opposite direction and into the tornado where he was engulfed and twirling around with Gin.
"Those two are no threat, we shall leave them but take everyone else to lower their numbers," Akasha said looking to Zatanna. "Get us back to headquarters."
The magician simply nodded and with a bright light surrounding them all they were gone in a flash as the tornado ceased and Tsukune fell down atop Gin, just as both quickly jumped to their feet. It happened so quickly but it was over, Fairy Tale had succeeded and took everyone with them.
"This isn't good!" Gin grimaced.
"No...no it isn't, we're in trouble."
XXX
As she passed by door to his chamber she trailed her fingers along the surface of the door and whispered his name.
"You must awaken master, we need you..."
The section was closed off and it could only be open from the inside once the emperor woke. It had been just a day after their failure, Gin and Tsukune sitting inside the estate of Apollo. Eris had learned of the dragon's secret mission, but by then it was too late as he'd already been taken prisoner. Their trip out of the desert could have been a whole lot more chaotic had it not been for the valkyrie, Eris coming to their aid by way of magical teleportation. Tsukune and Gin had met with Alexander Timaeus and others of the emperor's military branch in the short time they'd been inside the palace.
"I should paid closer attention to his affairs, the emperor's son isn't beyond making bone headed decisions as he did with this," Eris reentered the room with Timaeus and a couple dozen others at her side, the valkyrie sitting across from both Tsukune and Gin. "If only master were here...I could only imagine his disappointment. His daughter is allied with the enemy and his son a prisoner."
"You haven't disappointed," Timaeus voiced. "Given the circumstance, you've done the best that you could and you're far too important to be out on the frontlines until it's absolutely necessary."
"I apologize, Eris," Tsukune looked into her eyes from where he sat. "I'm partially to blame, I should have been stronger, I should have guided them...Fafnir, nor anyone should have ended up prisoners of Fairy Tale. Dammit I'm a shinso vampire of the most powerful warrior race and I could do nothing! Call me young, naive, or whatever you want to call me but I'll take it upon myself and claim responsibility, this was my fault."
"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself lad," Eris reached out lowering a hand over Tsukune's. "You're young and will make mistakes, and what counts is that you learn from them. Akasha is far too skilled and powerful a warrior and there aren't many that can face her and hope to win. Before we start talking strategy there's something you must know...they have her, Fairy Tale has Akashiya Moka."
"What!" Tsukune and Gin shouted at once.
Eris shook her head sadly.
"Our intel units have confirmed, but say she is in good health."
"And Batman, what about him?"
"Unknown, he hasn't been of our concern. The Yuki-Onna family has been informed of the current events and have agreed to lend their assistance. Until they and a couple others arrive we shall hold off on our strategy."
"Fair enough, but in the meantime could you tell us more about him...your master?" Tsukune inquired.
One week later
Click, click, click...it was the first thing he heard just as his eyes slowly opened and that same clicking sound continuing from a couple feet away. As his vision adjusted he inspected raindrops striking the glass window, but was a light rain with the sun struggling to see its light through the overcast of clouds. In just a simple pivot he realized beneath the sheets he was without clothing except for his underwear and he next moved around his arms and legs and thrilled he wasn't tied down. His body was however very sore and with a splitting headache and as he laid there he questioned where exactly he was and what led to him being in this position.
"Awake, he's awake!" a woman eyed him from the open doorway, dressed in gladiator battle armor and carrying a staff. "Alert the princess!"
The woman in armor took off down the hall just as he attempted to call out to her and got no response, grunting as he moved around with tremendous pain in his stomach. The environment was so unfamiliar and knew he was far from home, but wondered if he was a free man or somehow taken in as a prisoner. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't recall anything that happened the last time he was conscious and it was vexing. In just over a minute a woman wearing a white dress with silver bracelets and gold tiara over her head with a red star at the center appeared through the doorway and accompanied by two female guards. She dismissed both as she closed the door shut and approached him, smiling the entire way.
"You have no idea how overjoyed I am," the woman clasped her hands together and he could hear the relief in her tone. "You've been out for over two weeks. For a while I didn't think you'd make it, but just as you've done so many times you found a way to cheat death."
"Diana..." he whispered her name as she pulled up a chair beside the bed. "Where am I and what about Gotham?"
"Themyscira, Bruce," Diana reached out lowering her strong yet soft hands over his. "And your city is fine. It was she who brought you here after your fall."
"She...I don't understand."
"You activated the distress call for Superman, but he was off the planet attending to other matters but lucky for you, Kara Zor-El picked up on the sound and caught you. She was halfway across the country, but her fast thinking and action saved your life."
At hearing this everything came back to him in a single instant, he was poisoned by a band of vampires led by Issa Shuzen who were directed by Akasha Bloodriver! During the fall he reached into his pocket and activated the device that was given to him by the kryptonian in case of an emergency and he had never used it until that moment.
"Supergirl brought me here?" Bruce inquired.
"Yes," Diana nodded. "Being who you are and the condition you were in she knew a hospital wasn't most ideal, your wounds indicating someone was after your life and you probably wouldn't make it."
There was a quick pause as she sighed.
"Your wounds indicated someone had attempted to take your life and so if she had taken you to a public hospital it would have made headlines and..."
"My attempted murderer would strike again," Bruce cut Diana off. "Kara is clever, more than I would have given her credit for. I owe her my life."
Diana nodded as she lowered her hands from his and leaned back.
"Her quick action and decision to bring you here were crucial in your survival, doctors of man's world wouldn't have been able to save you, not with the poison that was running through your veins. The affects are very similar to other poisons but without an antidote...except for here on Themyscira."
"Then I was lucky and fortunate."
"Yes, very fortunate," Diana nodded.
Their attention was diverted as the door to the room slowly opened and a woman entered wearing a gold dress with a crown over her head and long blond hair. In her left hand she held a small item.
"Mother," Diana repositioned looking back at her.
Hippolyta stepped over the carpet situating at the bed's end gazing at both her daughter and the mortal and in most instances she would have been against the idea of housing and nursing a man back to health on the island, but in this instance she allowed it.
"How is he?"
"Fine, he barely just woke so we'll see as time passes," Diana replied.
With the small item in hand Hippolyta tossed it to her daughter, the princess of Themyscira.
"Rub some more of that over his wounds, they should just about have healed, but one more set of it should do the trick. His body should be able to do the rest from there."
It was then Bruce dropped the upper blanket off his body and perceived the scar over his stomach, but there was also another over his lower back where the blade stabbed in him passed through. Diana directed him to move forward and so he did, settling on his knees as she popped open the top of the can and a white creamy substance inside. Taking a huge portion of it over her fingers and hand Diana rubbed it against his lower back as Bruce grunted from the coolness of the substance, but felt comfort as she gently worked her hand up and down. When finished she dipped her hand back into the can and went for his stomach and Bruce stopped her in taking hold of her wrist.
"I've got the front covered," Bruce smiled at her.
"I'm sure you do, but let me...I insist," Diana smiled back at him.
Without much resistance Bruce allowed the amazon princess to rub the cream over his stomach while Hippolyta stood by and watched, especially taking note of Diana's face. There was a certain look in her eyes and it was that same look she held for the past few weeks when looking after him in his unconscious state. Whoever this man was it was clear that her daughter cared for him, but to what extent was the question.
"You should be thankful mortal, the princess of this paradise has looked over you, sometimes spending hours at a time by your bedside."
"Mother!" Diana looked up at her with embarrassment.
"Is that right?" Bruce grinned, his eyes falling over Diana.
With nothing else to say Hippolyta headed for the exit but stopped short of the door, looking back at them both.
"The mortal is healed and no longer requires your watching over him, he may stay the remainder of the night but must leave first thing in the morning."
Diana only nodded before her mother exited and the door closing behind her, while Bruce stared at the princess with intent.
"Is what she said true?"
Continuing with rubbing him down she didn't look at him directly and when finished she lowered the lid back over the can and made certain it was tight.
"What I did for you is no different than what I'd do for any colleague or friend," Diana looked up at him. "You mean a lot to me...you and Kal both, the three of us share a special bond."
"I see," Bruce dropped back somewhat. "Speaking of which, does he know about any of this?"
"No and for obvious reasons. You know how he views you and how you're the closes thing to a brother he has, so telling him would have complicated things. You were attacked and the odds stacked against your survival. And that brings us to this," Diana looked into his eyes with intensity. "Who did this to you?"
Bruce exhaled as he pushed upward and out of bed as Diana tried to stop him.
"You shouldn't be moving so quickly!" Diana scolded.
"I'm fine," he responded standing in front of a mirror across the room and looking back at himself.
For some time he just stood there staring at himself and taking in just how lucky he was and the situation that led to his current predicament. Akasha's decision to kill him out of rejection was curious, especially in regards to Fairy Tale and the band of yokai needing his resources. Perhaps the decision wasn't just hers, but a combined one and the enemy figuring with him dead they could get what they wanted with him out of the picture. The idea was nothing but speculation and all he really knew was the woman he loved betrayed him. With the circumstance being as it was he couldn't waltz back to Gotham and put himself out in the open. If Fairy Tale believed the Batman dead, the element of surprise was in his court.
"We...we have a problem and this whole time I've been trying to fight it alone," Bruce turned away from the mirror and faced Diana. "There's going to be a change in the game plan and I'll need your help as well as his...Clark's. Has he returned to earth?"
"Yes, a day or two after Kara brought you here, but I don't understand," Diana looked up at him with confusion. "You say we have a problem, how substantial?"
"Very," Bruce glared with clinched fists but with determination in his eyes. "However, we'll do this my way."
"Against what, what're we fighting?!"
Bruce walked toward her and lowered his hands over her shoulders.
"I'm going to tell you everything, but first we need Clark, Zatanna and John Constantine."
"Constantine?" Diana inquired.
"We've been working closely on this for some time," Bruce nodded. "Our counter against Fairy Tale begins now...but first I must know if the structure of the situation remains in our favor or if things have shifted. You said I was out for two weeks about, yes?"
She hadn't any idea what the term Fairy Tale meant but answered his question.
"About, uh huh. Mostly because of the poison."
"A lot could have changed...hopefully for the better."
Year 1786
It had been weeks since Sasha took off and went horseback riding that night and hadn't returned, but Akasha wasn't worried at all, she knew Sasha and how capable she was of taking care of herself. And it also wasn't the first time she had done something like this, running off and being gone for days at a time without a word and most figured she was likely with Colton. Even so Akasha didn't concern herself with such matters as she stood in front of a mirror looking herself over and twirling around twice. She wore a dark red gown with a black bow tied in her hair and a gold necklace and the vampire smiled at herself before exiting.
The vampire looked forward to having a relaxing and enjoyable evening as the past few days had been somewhat stressful and it was down in the lobby where she met with Selene Kayeda, Miukei Suzcoo and Lailay Izami. Each of the three were all dressed in gowns and were escorted outside and through the palace gates where a horse carriage awaited. When seated they were off and it had been a quiet ride mostly which lasted just about an hour and it was a vampire gathering only. Akasha tipped the two horse riders with a couple coins, who were goblins disguised in human forms. Afterwards the four female vampires with their arms locked made their way up the steps.
"It's a real treat to have you here with us, Akasha-sama," Selene lowered her head over Akasha's left shoulder.
"Let's just a goodnight and enjoy ourselves, I think we all deserve it," Miukei said.
They pushed through the doors together and into the massive ballroom which was already packed with many vampires. Over a sofa to their left was a male vampire leaned back, and a woman sitting atop him as they made out with locked lips and on either side of him were two additional female vampires with their fangs buried into his neck and drinking his blood. All throughout the side bar area there was activity similar to this between there other peers. Each of the four collected a glass of freshly brewed blood from the waiter standing behind the counter who immediately recognized Akasha.
The pink haired vampire took a couple sips of what was inside her glass as the group of four mingled along throughout the room. Within areas off to the side were couples engaging in sexual acts and it was Lailay that purred.
"I love this sort of party," Lailay licked her lips watching the two go at it. "This is getting me all hot and in the mood."
Selene sighed and dropped her head in the palm of her hand embarrassed to hear her colleague speak such a way in front of Akasha. Even so, the pink haired vampire found it humorous and chuckled with two fingers to her lips and Miukei smirked. All throughout they recognized various persons within the vampire society who had also taken notice of Akasha, who was viewed like a celebrity because of her accomplishments. As they continued on they ran into yet another individual that Akasha knew well and just the sight of him caused her skin to crawl.
"Hey sexy, long time no see," he smiled.
She attempted to walk passed him but he wasn't having any of that and forcefully grabbed at her wrist.
"Hey sweet stuff, I'm talking to you!"
In one swift move Akasha twisted his arm and with an open palm to his backside she shattered the bones in the left side of his shoulder as his screams caught the attention of many standing nearby as she lifted him up and tossed him through a table which split in half. There was an immediate reaction from the crowds who applauded and cheered and some chanting the words "Fight". Akasha threw her hair back as she rubbed her hands together.
"It's improper for a man to put his hands on a woman without her permission!" Akasha snarled down over him. "Keep that in mind for future reference."
The vampire lifted her glass and poured what blood remained inside over him with an immediate crowd reaction with spectators cheering as she also dropped the glass over him. With authority in her steps the vampire marched away with her three colleagues close behind and each of them dumbfounded by her actions.
"Akasha-sama, just who was that?" Miukei asked.
"A scandalous con man," Akasha rolled her eyes. "His name is Santino Ignacio, he and I met in the human world about five years back. I was out on business in France and we met at a get together similar to this. We got to talking and had some drinks… lots of drinks and well.
"You slept with him?" Selene snickered.
"Pretty much," Akasha sighed. "He was charming and seemed genuine and it wasn't till afterwards that I discovered he was a womanizing crook. And that's all I'm going to say about that."
From then they went on without a single mention of him as they danced around, enjoying the music and overall atmosphere. The entire night Akasha was front and center receiving so much attention no matter which direction they looked and there were those that even bowed their heads as she would pass. The evening was certainly worthwhile and they partied for hours before making their return to the palace where the female vampires sung and kicked up their legs together as they made their way up the steps. Their voice carried as they entered through the front doors and they weren't expecting anyone to be waiting on them, but there he stood in the middle of the room dressed in a brown robe and holding his cane.
He wasn't alone however as there was someone dressed in all gray off to his right with a hooded cloak and based on his attire Akasha quickly determined he was a messenger, but not one from around these parts. That in itself wasn't bothersome as it was very common for messengers to stop by Apollo's estate but it was the look in her father's eyes that had the vampire worried. She hadn't seen that look since the passing of his queen Helere all those years ago. In moving forward Akasha bypassed her three closes colleagues as she approached her father and bowed her head and the usual smile that he gave her never came and so this troubled her even more.
"Father what is it, what's going on? Why're you so…"
Akasha quieted as he held out a silver diamond necklace in front of her with a purple heart pendant attached at the end but covered in blood, and the vampire immediately took two steps back as she shook her head, all but recognizing the jewelry! It was a piece given to Sasha as a gift by none other than herself, and Akasha could feel her body begin to tremble already knowing what her father was about to tell her.
"No, please no, not her!"
"I'm sorry child," Apollo looked down over Akasha with gloomy eyes. "Sasha is… is dead."
As if a knife stabbed through her heart the vampire placed a hand over her chest and felt her body become heavy and the air around her more intense as she fell to her knees and the three vampires behind her felt the joyous atmosphere plummet. Apollo grimaced as he watched his adopted daughter break down in tears and hurt to know there was nothing he could do or say to make things better.
"How… how did it happen?!" Akasha shouted.
Apollo closed his eyes with nothing but remorse for Akasha, as this was truly her first loss and that just so happened to be the person she was closes to. The two of them did everything together and shared all their secrets with one another.
"That night," Apollo spoke up before biting back. "The night she went out horse riding was more than just that, my child. Sasha had gathered a group of at least two hundred soldiers and using one of our maps led them to seek out Alucard. Of course none of us could say for certain where he was hiding or where he might resurface next but… but they did find him, or rather he found them and…"
"Is there a body?!" Akasha jumped up with tears trickling down her cheeks. "I want to see her, I want to see my nee-chan, I want to see my sister!"
Apollo again bit back as he had no idea Akasha would take the news this hard as emotions of sadness, fury and frustration poured out in one instant.
"There is no body, my child," Apollo shook his head.
"Then how can you say for sure she's gone! She's probably out there hurt really badly and needs help and is waiting for us, my nee-chan isn't dead!"
"I know it might be hard to believe madam, but my report is accurate and many witnesses can confirm," the messenger looked down on her with sorrow in his eyes. "Lady Sasha Madelyn nor any of the two hundred soldiers at her side survived the onslaught, and it was said the king of vampires took on a monstrous form and devoured almost all of them whole and those that weren't succumbed to their injures and passed shortly after."
Akasha's yokai aura instantly shot up and caused the messenger to tremble and even from where they stood, Selene, Lailay and Miukei could feel its intensity weighing over them.
"This is my fault!" Akasha stood to her feet and with her fists clinched. "I didn't protect her, I should have allowed her a spot on my squad and at least she would have been at my side and I could have looked after her! I know Sasha better than anyone and it doesn't surprise me that she went out and did this! She wanted to try and prove her worth as we continuously brushed her aside like she was nothing! Alucard didn't kill her, I did! I rejected her and…"
Apollo lowered his hand over Akasha's shoulder as he shook his head.
"That isn't true, my child."
"Yes it is!" Akasha hissed slapping his hand away as more tears fell from her eyes. "She's gone, nee-chan is gone and it's all my fault!"
Akasha took off running toward the steps as Apollo shouted out to her but that did nothing as she continued running. Miukei ran after her but the emperor closed off her path and shook his head.
"She'll need time to think and take in all that has happened, the three of you should leave."
Hesitant as Miukei was, she took his word for it backing off and bowing as the others had done the same. Apollo watched the three exit and it was then the messenger saw himself out and the emperor then taking off to his office and awaiting him was his attendant.
"Master," she spoke sadly, as she too was affected by the news but showed it the least. "You need to read this."
Eris held a slip of paper out in front of him.
"What is this?"
"Just read it."
He took the slip of paper out of her hands and proceeded to read the note as he walked toward the desk.
"Dear father," the note started off. "There's so much I wish I could say to you, so much that I wish I could have done differently. I'll never forget the day you took me in, the day my village was burned to the ground and my family slaughtered just for being different. I was only six then, a scared little girl who'd seen her world dissolve right before her eyes but then you came. I'll never forget it, you were clad in a black battle uniform, red cape on horseback with your soldiers approaching from the distance. I remember just how cold it was and the way I shivered. You slowly lowered yourself from that horse and had the most reassuring smile as you took a knee in front of me, undid your cape and wrapped it around my body to give me warmth. And then you embraced me like my mother always would and told me that everything was going to be ok and that I had nothing to worry about."
Apollo smiled as he read on and he was shocked Sasha remembered his exact words.
"And I believed you, I truly did and the chaotic situation I'd just experienced was a second thought as I stood there in your strong caring arms. You lifted me up and placed me over your lap and took me to paradise, yes that's what the palace was to me. You took me and raised me as if I were your own and those were some of the best years of my life and then came Akasha a couple years later and I loved her like a sister and we both competed for your attention and affection as children, trying to outdo the other. No matter what I did or how hard I tried you always favored her, I was always second and your love for Akasha so much more. It was hard at first, I asked myself so many times why, was it because the way I looked, the way I talked, or maybe it was just that she was better. Early on I fumbled around with these exact thoughts and it hurt, before I eventually just accepted that you'd never love me the same way that you did her. Even with your special unit you've offered her a spot and left me out and it is because of these things that I must do this. I must prove myself. But if you're reading this it probably means I didn't make it and for that I'm so very sorry. No matter my complaints or being second to Akasha, that doesn't change the way I feel about you father. I love you more than anything in the world, you and Akasha both. Look after her and see to it she reaches her potential and don't allow the loss of me to weigh her down.
Love and forever,
Sasha."
That was the end of the letter and by then Apollo had crushed the letter into his left hand and did something that he promised himself that he wouldn't do and that was cry. No matter how much he tried he couldn't stop the tears from forming in his eyes.
"Master, are you…"
"Leave me Eris," he spoke softly.
"But master I…"
"I said leave me!" Apollo tossed aside his entire table and desk with one hand which split in half across the room as it collided with the wall.
The valkyrie had rarely ever seen him like this as he'd been marvelous at keeping his emotions in check, especially in times of hardships but she did exactly as he asked and closed the door behind her. Apollo stepped forward positioning in front of the window in front of him and lowered his forehead over the window. Even if Akasha had been the favorite of his children that isn't the way he wanted it to come off as, and reading Sasha's words put a small dent in his heart as he never realized how much gaining his affection meant to her. And the worst part was that she was no longer there and he could never hold her again and tell her how much he cared. It broke him and the only thing he could think about was watching her gallop off into the night after her plea to be incorporated in Akasha's unit. Never did he think it'd be the last time he'd see her and that was a deep pill to swallow.
Present day
During his absence Issa and those responsible believed Bruce dead and contemplated if the same could be said for his family, were they under the impression he'd been killed or did his attempted assassins stay quiet? That was one question and another being had Fairy Tale gone after them as well, were they also targets that the enemy wanted dead? It was doubtful, after all Issa's attempted assassination was personal. The idea of returning home and revealing himself to those closes to him came to mind but it was risky as he would be putting himself out in the open.
It was inside a small shrine on the island of Themyscira where he stood with three others. The first was Diana Prince, the second John Constantine and third was Krypton's last son, Superman. For a lengthy period the amazon princess and Kal-El were briefed and given in depth information on Fairy Tale including data on each separate member, in addition to the current circumstance. That wasn't all, between Bruce and John the existence of the Drocgoeuses was explained and the purpose for each key and what the band of evil yokai were planning. It was during this stretch Superman brought to their attention not so good news, the watchtower's recent breach a week back making a whole lot more sense than when it occurred.
"Do you have visuals of these magic keys?" Superman questioned, hoping his suspicion wouldn't pan out but had a bad feeling. "Zatanna Zatara trespassed a section of the Watchtower where we keep important items locked away."
"And?" Bruce scowled.
"She broke in without authorization which doesn't make sense. Zatanna very easily could have just asked one out of the six of us that holds the passcode and we would have granted her entry but instead she did so by force. And if her breaking in didn't raise red flags, she then went on to attack any and every one that confronted her, injuring seven and making a clean escape. No one has seen or heard from her since," Superman responded.
"Sorry mate, but big blue is right," John chimed in. "Even I haven't been able to reach her and I know all her favorite spots. But I do know one thing… and I probably should have told you this sooner but two of your allies were taken hostage by them, but I don't know the details. Red Robin and Nightwing if I heard correctly."
"How did you get this information?" Bruce questioned.
"Ellie, she's kept an eye on that succubi she treated through a small globe and apparently she was taken prisoner as well," John responded.
"Do you think this that globe can show us their sanctuary?" Superman inquired.
"I don't see why not, I'll contact her soon as we're done."
Bruce immediately went silent at hearing this as he silently deliberated and Superman stepped forward lowering a small electronic over a stone table in front of them. In the press of a button a holographic video played and everyone tuned in as Superman spoke.
"Neither Diana or myself were present during Zatanna's outburst," Kal went on as Bruce closely inspected the footage and watched as she emerged from the storage area. "As you can see many tried talking her down and getting in the way but all incapable of stopping her."
Both Constantine and Bruce eyed the small item held in her left hand quickly confirming it was in fact the Drocgoeu they'd hidden on the Watchtower, but that wasn't all that captivated their attention. It was her orange colored eyes and emotionless expression, as if it wasn't her or she was...under someone else's control.
"Damn it!" Bruce grimaced with clinched fists. "They got to her somehow, that isn't Zee and now...now they not only have the Drocgoeu we hid in the Watchtower but the other Zatanna locked away. By now it wouldn't surprise me if they had them all! When we're done here I'll need to reach out to both Aono and even Deathstroke if necessary depending on the change in situation. I know where Slade is shacking up in Gotham and believe me, I'm not fond of the idea requesting his assist but he could prove valuable and even he would lend his assistance if he knew the consequences if Fairy Tale is successful."
"I don't think it's a good idea to involve an outlaw," Superman frowned.
"We've all got our own roles to play and that doesn't include infiltrating Fairy Tale's headquarters, wherever it is, but if they've got Red Robin and Nightwing like John said, then we might be able to track them from the system within their suits if Ellie's orb can't," Bruce looked to Kal. "But we'll need the fortress of Solitude, nothing in the cave is capable of tracking something in an entirely different dimension."
Wonder Woman looked to Bruce with crossed arms and her expression one of vast disappointment.
"Keeping secrets seems to be your forte, but with something of this magnitude it is just unacceptable, Bruce. Millions of lives and the entirety of our world is at stake and you didn't think to bring this to the League's attention?! Was it your idea to hide that thing in our headquarters, and without our knowledge?!" the amazon princess grumbled.
With his head lowered Bruce's eyes fell over the ground.
"It was...I'm sorry," his voice came out in a whisper.
Diana wanted to yell and scream at him for his continued acts of secrets and this time so dire but she knew it wouldn't do them any good and so she didn't. And while he stood in silence Superman realized Batman's continued lack of league appearances and being unresponsive for the past couple months was all because of this.
"Well Gotham is still intact and the world hasn't ended, which means one of two things," John Constantine spoke up. "They haven't yet obtained all eight Drocgoeus, or they're in preparation stages as we speak. I say we figure where their little gang is hiding, waltz in and just put an end to it before it even gets started. They might very well have the numbers but we've got the wits, tactical advantage and raw strength."
"And they've got Zatanna," Bruce clinched his fists. "The direct approach seems appealing, and I'm all for it but we cannot and will not take such a hasty approach...not without a backup in place."
Bruce looked at both Diana and John as his eyes lit up and a strong sense of confidence in his posture, everyone taking notice of this.
"Diana, there is something we need to confirm," Bruce moved in on her in just a couple steps. "John said you might have the knowledge, but probably a longshot. Do you know anything about the Essternound medallion or the three Qcvaues, ancient columns said to be shaped by Greek gods."
Almost instantly Diana's orbs expanded and in that single instant he got his answer.
"I do believe so, follow me."
Each of the three did as she requested and they relocated to the other side of the island and into a massive space guarded by two amazon guards and inside was much like a gigantic library. For dozens of minutes she zipped through pulling numerous books off the shelves and quickly skimming before eventually she found the one she was in search for. It was like finding a needle in the haystack, the book breaking down the ancient columns in depth and details retaining to the medallion as well and its whereabouts.
"Where is it?" Bruce peaked in over her shoulder.
"The underworld and its guarded by Alstroll, a legendary Leviathan, one of the fiercest of its kind."
"Good, then that is where I'll go," Bruce said.
"Are you crazy?!" Superman shot.
"Kal is right, that would be suicide..."
"I'll do it," John's words silenced everyone. "I've been to the darkest corners of the world, to hell and the underworld more than I can count. I'll hit up the demon and he and I can work our way through this catastrophe. But if I'm going to put my bloody life on the line I'd sure like to know for what reason...what're you planning?"
John could see it in his eyes while Superman and Wonder Woman knew him well enough to know everything he did wasn't without a purpose.
"Ending this, the Vlet's have been at this for centuries since their true master was sealed away and I'm going to make sure he doesn't see the light of our world, ever again. I'm going to decimate the door to their path."
"And how do you propose we do that?" Superman inquired.
"We give Fairy Tale exactly what they want...we allow them to open Vheuto lazz," Bruce said without hesitation and firmness, his comrades in ample shock. "But we'll need Zatanna...she's the only one who can truly end this, for good. We'll also need Aono Tsukune and Akasiya Moka, their shinso blood will prove crucial. All of us will have a role to play, there will be a confrontation and we won't lose, I've been on the defense this entire time, but no more, they aren't expecting this, you two...the three of us, together. We're going to take the fight to them."
Though the idea sounded like madness allowing their enemy to open Vheuto lazz, Wonder Woman knew there was more to whatever Bruce was thinking and he'd proven time and again his tactics and preperation were second to none.
"Stop me if I'm wrong but shouldn't our objective be to stop that gate from opening, you yourself said millions could be at risk on the initial energy surge?" Superman probed. "Why in our right minds would we allow that?"
"That won't happen," Bruce walked about. "I've got a plan, you'll just have to trust me."
"I'm all in, no matter what you're planning," Diana said proudly. "Let us show this Fairy Tale the power of Trinity and make them regret the day they threatened our world, our home."
To be continued
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Seal of Darkness