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

Chapter List
- 55
- 56
- 57
Clash of Realms
CHP57: Process of Control Begins

Others were around the campsite and packing up as they readied themselves to move, but a singular individual wondered off somewhat knowing there was still time before that happened. He wore only his bottom gear with his upper body and chest exposed to the afternoon sun. The rest of his gear was set aside next to a tree as he stretched himself out and readied himself for a workout. He barely set himself up in front of a tree when the sound of footsteps approached from afar and a familiar face showed herself. She was dressed in a purple sweat top with black as a secondary and shorts in similar color that barely reached to her thighs with her stomach exposed. Her light green hair was tied in two long pigtails with purple bows. And she wore black gladiator sandals; leaning her body sideways against a tree.
"What're you wondering off on your own for, we'll be taking off within the hour," Miukei said.
"More than enough time for a workout," Luke responded.
He only ever so slightly looked in her direction, and a chortle fleeing her mouth.
"Ah workout you say," the vampire reached down and unbuckling herself, while she stepped out of both sandals.
From the corner of his eye he perceived her close in on him progressively, resituating his body and facing her.
"What?"
"You want to get the heart pounding, right? Then let's play. It'll be our first."
"First?" Luke raised an eyebrow. "First what?"
The crime fighter got his answer as she leg swept and dropped him down over the grass. Then came a punch from up top which he rolled out of the way of and jumping back to his feet but met by a kick to the gut knocked the breath out of him and the she followed with an open palm strike which landed him back over the ground.
"Come Fox that all you have?" she asked haughtily.
"You didn't say we were sparring!"
"Gotta be prepared for anything, you just never know," she giggled.
Pushing up and dusting himself off he took a few seconds to catch his breath and collect himself.
"Yeah, says the vamp easily four times the speed and elusiveness."
"I'd say it's a little bit more than that, but I'm only at base, so…"
"Yeah and with the strength of a…"
"Haha, whining? I barely put anything into those shots."
He wasn't afforded the opportunity to respond as she again came at him and he managed a single strike over her side, but a knee to the stomach followed by an elbow to the side of his face dropped Luke over the grass. Luke barely tried raising himself up, but she came down over and pinned his body against the ground with her left knee pinning down his arm on that side. Overpowering her obviously wasn't going to happen, but he had something up his sleeve to at least put some space between them. Doing so quickly he reached into his belt of utilities and threw one out which exploded over the chest of the vampire and sending her soaring backwards.
Miukei ended up over her back and looking up as Luke came down over her with a punch. Grabbing hold of his fist, her eyes swerved to the side and took hold of his fist coming from the other side.
"Too slow," she smiled up at him.
Throwing her legs forward she kicked at his chest, sending him through the air as he again ended up on his back. And just as seconds previous she was up and over him quickly but this time applying a tight grip over both his wrists and holding him in place.
"Yield?" she grinned.
"I don't give in that easy!" Luke shot back.
"You're without your hands. Really think you can power out of my hold?" Miukei chuckled.
"We'll see."
Try as he may and giving his best effort, he was barely able to move her but the vampire still impressed. Forcing the issue, she situated her legs up and over him and extending her legs out with her feet shoved against under his chin.
"Give up."
"Can't!" Luke shot back.
This only brought about more laughter from her with his continued defiance. With one foot still under his chin she raised the other and planted the other over one side of his face.
"Give in Fox, it's useless for yah," the vampire licked at her lips before grinning widely.
She was enjoying this more than she thought she would. There was no response from him and he instead continued struggling to break free of her hold. No matter what he tried she was immovable.
"You defiant little ant," Miukei repositioned herself somewhat and the soles of her feet covering the entirety of his face. "This isn't going to get any better for you, might as well throw in the towel."
She held him in place like that for some moments as she again licked at her lips and felt his struggles gradually fall off. But that wasn't all, she felt the change in his blood flow which seemed to be progressively increasing, and his body heat rising.
"You like this, huh? Aren't we just the deviant little perv. Don't tell me you're getting off, you little worm!"
This came with a response, but she couldn't quite make out what was said and so squeezing at his cheeks with her toes and separating her feet, the vampire looked down into his eyes.
"You got something to say?" she asked spitefully.
"Give up…" Luke struggled to get out.
"Excuse me?" she looked down over him, slight repulsion in her expression.
"I…I give up," Luke said more clearly this time.
The vampire smiled at this and releasing the tight hold she had over him and with a victorious grin. And from there he was expecting a helping hand that would pull him up but that isn't what he got. Miukei instead resituated herself over him and her knees pressing down over his arms.
"What is this, I've raised the red flag."
"Hhhhmm, but aren't you forgetting something? Or maybe you're imagining it never occured. But you liked it, taking advantage of me?"
Looking straight into her eyes he blinked twice.
"Say what?" Luke said.
Leaning herself forward her head lowered and closer towards his own.
"I'm talking about…"
The skin of both crawled at the sound of a loud bang and then screams which came from their far left.
"The camp!" Luke shouted.
"Sounds like we're under attack!"
Miukei popped up off of him and took off running barefoot and only grabbing at her footwear as she was quickly out of sight. Luke was much slower getting up and redressed into his gear as he followed after her. And it was just as she anticipated, the camp was indeed under attack and flames spreading throughout with the sounds of additional explosions. At the border of the camp from various spots, Miukei spotted not only a group of ogres, but goblins as well.
"Damn it!" the vampire hissed under her breath.
XXX
This time last year she had a big diamond ring on her finger. Now it was empty. Despite the mess that led to the decision, she hadn't forgotten the splendid stuff Colton had done for her in the past seven years. And now of course with that decided up the Dark Lord had a lot of male suitors gushing towards her, but she didn't want to jump from one relationship to another, especially given as she already knew what and who she wanted.
She couldn't help but feel like she had messed up and let not only her father down, but the rest of Hiklorhan. It all started with her reawakening seven years back and had she handled the situation differently, perhaps things would now be different. But she also knew playing the, what if scenario was useless and would do nothing to change what was already done. Through what happened up to this point she only hoped her own actions wouldn't at all tarnish her own father's legacy. Even though she was back home, back in the spotlight she wanted to do everything in her power to make up for the wrongs in her past. She didn't want to be a burden on her father or anyone for that matter.
"You're wearing that troubled face, it doesn't quite suit you," the voice made Akasha jump off her seat.
"Oh," the Dark Lord turned around and saw an individual standing at 6'4 with a sturdy build with reddish blonde hair reaching his shoulders but spiked.
And those familiar eyes of honey amber.
"I'm sorry," he said, with a chuckle. "Did I scare you?"
"Yeah," Akasha said, but then just as quickly shook her head.
The gasped as her heart flattered and stomach churned.
"No... I mean, I'm surprised you actually showed."
It was none other than the Dragon king himself, standing in his human form. But he wasn't alone, with another beside him. The other beside Fafnir was an individual she recognized from just about thirty five years back. She very much recalled the day of coming across him in the western desert of Arcenill Mount where she was greeted by a frightening green dragon. He said she couldn't pass without revealing a letter of clearance from one of the global powers. At the time she was investigating a certain situation which required a lot of traveling, and she did so undercover with a special bracelet shielding her yokai and altering her appearance. And having anticipated she might run into a wall such as this, Akasha was already a few steps ahead and revealing to him her own written signature. He deemed it false and wouldn't allow her to pass, and that left her with really only one option. She decided to challenge the dragon to a fight and won. But she did so in such a one-sided landside that she revealed her true self to him afterwards. He had bent the knee and apologized over and over even though she constantly refrained him from doing so.
From that point he kept her secret and even helped with the secret mission, having more than a handful of his own followers within a ten mile radius of her destination. The young dragon was one of the many monsters that tried getting with her, even going as far as promising her a single night of the wildest sex she'd ever have. Like so many others that tried their hand at her, Akasha simply laughed off his advances. The idea of that took her back much further back into the early fifteenth century. She started getting suitors when she was sixteen and a half, and her father pushed many of them away as she was too young and Apollo believing she needed to focus on her studies and training. And most the interest came from men half a century to a full century her age. Looking back, she felt creeped out that so many older vamps wanted to get it on with her. She was still essentially just a child.
"Hello Jamie," Akasha smiled at him.
"Fafnir said you were in town and knew I needed to see it for myself," Jamie said.
Lailay was nearby and sitting to the left of the Dark Lord, taking note of the way the dragon peered over her master and queen.
"Don't get any funny ideas, dragon," she scowled.
The dragon ignored the comment as both he and Fafnir sat down and across from them. Selene was just returning from across the other side of the tavern with three glasses in hand and setting them over the table.
"Lord Fafnir!" her eyes bulged in surprise. "I didn't think…"
"I'd come," Fafnir finished her thought. "Yeah, you and I both."
Selene immediately bowed her head.
"Please do excuse me while I get you a drink," Selene turned and headed the opposite way.
"Nah, it's fine. Sit."
"I insist," the purple haired vampire took another step.
"Damn it, I own this freaking place! If I want a fucking drink I'll get it my damn self!" Fafnir shouted.
"Fine," Selene tossed her head back as her hair fluttered. "Sitting."
She pulled up a chair on the opposite side of Akasha and sat.
The young dragon chuckled.
"You look wonderful. More so than I remember," Jamie gazed upon Akasha more closely.
"Enough of that, or I might lose my lunch," Fafnir shoulder nudged his close friend.
The entire table laughed and for the next few minutes they engaged in small talk. A bartender stopped by realizing the king of the land was present, offering both he and Jamie drinks which they both delightedly assented. Another few minutes passed and Fafnir raising an arm and with the snap of a finger got the attention of the bartending staff. And without asking they knew exactly what he wanted. Two large jugs of wine within barrels were lifted and revealed from a back storage room. It was the most expensive drink of the bar.
"Really?" Akasha said. "You really shouldn't have."
"With little sis in town, on such a rare occasion. Of course I had too," Fafnir leaned back in his chair with one leg crossed over the other.
A glass of the expensive wine was poured for each.
"Thank you so much," Akasha said as she gulped some wine down.
"Cheers!"
The glasses of them all clanged as they downed significant portions of what was inside their separate glasses. The Dark Lord downed all of what was in her glass in one go and Lailay taking notice of this as she set her own glass aside.
"Akasha-sama you should watch how much you take in. Do remember you have an early photoshoot in the morning."
Another portion of the wine was poured into her glass and the vampire shaking it around.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be just fine," Akasha shot her a smirk as she took another sip.
Eyes narrowed and leaning over the table somewhat, Fafnir stared directly at Akasha.
"Photoshoot? Gotta say you've got me interested, doesn't seem like your sort of thing," the dragon king said.
"It's nothing really, just a small request to help raise money for a good cause ahead of the Vampololaz Fest festival event."
There wasn't a follow-up or word spoken as two waitresses approached the table and sitting in the lap of Fafnir on either side. One even rubbing the side of her face against his and the other carrying a plate of grapes.
"Hello my king, so good to see you stop by. It's been a while," one whispered.
"Ladies," Fafnir looked back and forth between them with a grin.
Lailay was in the middle of taking a drink when the one on the left began feeding him grapes from the tips of her fingers. She could do nothing but shake her head. Something such as was expected of the dragon.
XXX
They had been all over the place it seemed, and even she had a strenuous time keeping up with them and at a point she started not to care. At that point they hadn't damaged anything, but it was their time to bond and get to know one another and she didn't want to come in the middle of or disrupt that. And so she kept an eye on them, but did so from a distance. At the time Sasha seemed to be leading the way, one hand tightly wrapped around the wrist of Sasha as she pulled her along into one of the many living-rooms.
"There, I think it's there," Sasha pointed to a curtain in a far corner of the room. "I've seen daddy enter through that way. You've got to see it!"
The vampire released her hold over the succubus and skipped forward on her own and pushed the curtain aside, but there was only a solid wall. The child vampire scratched at the side of her head, perplexed.
"This no make sense," Sasha shook her head.
"What do you mean?" Audrey walked up beside her.
The child vampire stared at the wall for a little while longer, fully dumbfounded. She'd seen her father in this exact spot very many times and gaining entry through this exact spot.
"Sasha," Audrey tapped at her sister. "What is it you're trying to show me?"
The vampire simply groaned with her shoulders dropping and sticking out her lower lip.
"Hhhmmm, why it not work for me…"
"What isn't working?" Audrey stepped in front of Sasha and with her hands placed over her shoulders. "Please tell me!"
Audrey shook Sasha forcefully!
"The cave…" Sasha murmured out just as Audrey stopped shaking her.
"Cave?" Audrey said with question as she stepped back and away from her sister. "Why would I want to see a cave?"
The succubus was with an unamused look on her face.
"No, no! It's not just any cave, but the bat cave!" Sasha said excitedly.
"And…" Audrey appeared even more uninterested.
"Nee-chan you don't understand, it's got cars, weapons, a really cool training room and a super computer with a whole lot of artifacts that daddy collects!"
"Really?!" the succubus clasped her hands together with excitement of her own. "I want to see!"
Though she kept out of sight and neither could see her, Morrigan silently chuckled. They had barely just met and were already seeming to build a very strong bond with one another and it brought a sense of warmth within her. Beforehand, she really hadn't any clue how the two would react to one another and thus far it was above and beyond anything she could have hoped for.
"Hey I know!" Sasha jumped up and down. "Let's go find grampa Alfred! He'll know how to get down there!"
Sasha took off running and Audrey doing the same close behind. As they did so, Sasha shouted "Grampa" as they passed through various halls of the manor and eventually coming across him on the third level. The butler had just finished dusting off a portrait and tidying up one of the guest rooms.
"Grandpa, grandpa!" Sasha came to a sliding stop and even stumbled forward and fell over the ground at his feet, unable to control her speed and momentum.
From behind, Audrey placed a hand over her mouth and laughed.
"Not funny, nee-chan," Sasha looked back at her, pushing up over her knees and standing.
This however didn't stop Audrey from laughing and in fact helped to only escalate it. And on the other end, Sasha simply ignored her while she turned her attention and focus onto Alfred.
"Grandpa, can you show us to the cave, pretty please grandpa I wanna show nee-chan all the cool stuff!" Sasha jumped up a touch.
And in one quick skip Audrey was right beside Sasha and with her hands clasped together.
"Yes, please take us there! I want to see all dad's cool toys that mom told me about."
She grew more and more excited the more she thought about it. The two girls moved in closer to him and with shared puppy eyes which made Alfred feel nothing less than cornered. And in that moment he took into account Sasha's many trips into the cave and not once had she gotten herself into trouble and had also spent time on the lower levels on her own, but hadn't been afforded access to any of the several entrances into the cave. She relied on himself, Bruce or Damian.
"Well I suppose," Alfred crossed his arms. "But you both must promise to be on your best behavior. You know the rules Sasha, be sure that it is also passed on to Audrey."
"Yes, yes, of course grandpa. We be really good," Sasha said.
"Ditto," Audrey said.
Breathing inwardly, the butler hoped he wouldn't regret this but even so straightened his shoulders and took off ahead of the two gals. They skipped along and followed, thrill in each step taken by Audrey.
It was a hidden passageway two levels down which led to a hidden elevator and exposed only after a scan of Alfred's entire body. And for Audrey it was every bit as she imagined and then some as they entered into what could only be called a fortress. The giant coin and T-rex, the super computer, weaponry and all the surrounding tech in addition to the overall infrastructure. Morrigan too had joined them down on the lowest level; the succubus standing in a nearby corner and keeping a close eye on them both. And thus far they hadn't done anything requiring she step in. And at the time they walked up a ramp and standing in front of a section that contained suits behind glass cases. Most of which were bat suits of different designs.
"Will you be okay on your own?" Alfred approached Morrigan.
"Of course, go and do what you need to. They won't be any trouble at all, I'll see to it," Morrigan said.
Without another word Alfred took off into the nearest elevator and returning the manor above.
"These are so cool…" Audrey stopped in front of one and running the palm of her hand over the glass surface of one. "I like this one most. It's brighter than the others, more colorful. Hehe."
Her eyes were over a light blue cowl; being one of his classic suits.
"Me like all of em," Sasha skipped around a bit.
"Oh yeah, that's right! I totally forgot!" Audrey jumped up and down.
"What nee-chan, what?!" Sasha asked.
Audrey pulled at and dragged Sasha along down the steps and out into the middle of the cave where she pulled her down. Both the vampire and succubi were positioned on their knees and across from each other.
"Stay still, kay," Audrey snickered.
"Okay," Sasha said.
A small gasp escaped the girl as she looked up, bats flapping about and flying over her head. Confusion dotted her face as she tried to look at the golden crown that shaped over her head into the mass of pink strands. A Smile creased her sister's lips as she gently pulled the crown off her head, examining the different flower designs that had gone into it. Some tulips, oxeye daisies, and even a few poppies made up the crown.
"Whadda yah think, sis?" Audrey asked.
"It's the best!" Sasha threw her arms around Audrey and hugged her tight. "Me love you!"
And watching from afar, Morrigan couldn't help but rest a hand over her heart. It was the most beautiful thing to see, the two connecting like they were.
XXX
The brightness of the fire instantly made the rest of the cabin seem that much darker, but the two gratefully took advantage of the chance to sit close and the woman warming her hands. Clark saw her trying to massage a cramp from her left hand and instantly grabbed her wrist and set to work with his thumbs. He grinned as she groaned in comic relief and cocked a curious eyebrow.
"You've been holding out on me."
"Ummm?" she opened one eye as the warmth from his hands worked out the cramps in hers and just enjoyed the heat and smoke from the fire as it wreathed around them.
"Why do I have a feeling you've been reading something other than through your own reports?" she smiled. "You keep dragging me into the woods, Clark. Let's not discuss work or anything else while we're out here and getting away from it all."
He chuckled, then dropped her hands.
"So what's next on the agenda for the evening?"
Lois sighed.
"Not much we can do until tomorrow. We're just about out of daylight."
This two day getaway vacation was proving to be exactly what they needed. And for a long while they just sat there and enjoying the scenery, listening in over the cracking sound of the flames. All in all, it was a damn fine shelter if she did say so herself.
She dropped another couple of logs on the fire and eventually they took a seat over a sofa just to the left. They just sat there and Clark looking into the flames. But then came a buzz from over a nearby dresser, and for the first few seconds he chose to ignore it.
"You should probably answer that," Lois said.
Massaging a hand over her back, Clark smiled just before he stood and checking the message which was in the form of a text. And stood there without speaking longer than necessary.
"What's the matter?" she looked over at him and knew right away that something wasn't right.
Clark took a deep breath and readjusted the glasses over his nose.
"You aren't gonna want to hear this… I have to go. It won't be for long."
"Why, what happened?" the concern evident in her tone.
"A friend. I should be gone no longer than an hour."
XXX
Calling it a night from all his daily duties, the king of Arcenill Mount found himself wondering into one of his studies and taking a seat at the desk. The gathering with Akasha didn't turn out all bad. Not bad at all. In fact the mood was slightly brighter because of it. With a deep sigh and leaned back in his chair and feet propped up over the desktop, he leaned back with his hands behind his head. For the next minute and a half he stayed like this, silently whistling to himself. But then from out of nowhere the power shut off! He immediately shot up and startled. The power outage was only for a few moments as he stood and took only a few steps towards the door.
"Huh, just what was that all about..."
With a single hand positioned over the door, Fafnir pushed it open and stepping into the next room over. It was quiet, a little too quiet. His eyes danced around the room, going back and forth before eventually his shoulders settled. His guardsman were all around the palace and if there was a problem he'd be the first to know.
"Have a minute?"
Fafnir flinched at the sound of a voice coming from a dark corner of the room. The individual made his appearance as he approached the dragon king. He was dressed in a red and black suit, black boots, red gauntlets and a Japanese Oni mask in the color of red and black horns. He removed the mask has he stopped short of Fafnir.
"Wayne..." the dragon clinched his fists while he emptied his throat. "You got passed security, guess I shouldn't be surprised. And that suit, isn't it..."
"Afforded by Selene, during my mission. Yes. I held onto it. I've had time to study it, but still waiting on the schematics from her."
"Replication? Hah, dumb question. Masking aura, scent and energy signature. The perfect weapon for someone who makes a living sneaking around. Without it, even if you evaded my security's sight, they would have sniffed you out. What's so urgent you had to come trotting in here unannounced? Speaking of which, how did you bypass the main gates. This is your first visit to Arcenill Mount?"
Bruce just sort of looked at him but said nothing.
"Fine, another stupid question," Fafnir turned away from Bruce and walked towards a nearby cabinet. "How about a drink? Don't know why I'm doing this, had enough to drink for a whole week today."
Again there was no response and he gave him another look, but his features really sort of bland with no expression.
"Fine, I'll just help myself."
Fafnir did exactly this, pouring himself something that really had a thump to it. Downing the first shot in one go, he poured himself another half glass before settling in over a nearby sofa.
"All ears Wayne, start talking."
Choosing to remain standing, Bruce set the mask atop the table.
"Akasha informed me you agreed to meet but when that didn't happen right away, figured I'd pay you a visit. I'm here to discuss two separate subject matters."
At hearing this, Fafnir's eyes narrowed out of interest.
"The first has to do with two missing persons," Bruce started up. "You could say it was the night that started all of this. Leading me to where I am now. The night Robin, myself and two other allies encountered Jitoshi Ichiro and ZH Seven; who I discovered was my own daughter. It was a ship and they were after..."
"Chirismoy shell. Yeah, and?" Fafnir took another sip.
"Jitoshi managed to escape during our skirmish, via through a vortex but the two of them followed. Batwing and Black Canary. Neither has been seen since. I don't know where exactly, but something has struck me recently as to what might have happened."
Fafnir sat up looking Bruce straight in the face.
"When they followed him through the portal, his destination was likely Fairy Tale's base or in the very least the Yokai Realm. But they certainly wouldn't make it that easy."
"What are you implying?" Fafnir sat forward.
"If they were to have followed him through, their destination would have led to the same plain. However their touchdown point would have been diverted elsewhere, separate to his own. And if that's is the case they would have ended up somewhere in this realm. Only a hypothesis at this time, not confirmed."
Reaching out and taking another drink of what was in his glass, Fafnir laughed.
"You aren't serious are you? That was like forever ago. Well, if they are meta's then there's a chance that maybe..."
"No, neither is a super being. Both human," Bruce responded.
As a result the Dragon King bit down has his left eye batted.
"Human," he stood from where he sat. "Just a sec, are you implying there is potentially humans lurking around in the yokai realm?! If that is true then…"
"That isn't a certainty," Bruce shook his head. "The night of that was months upon months ago and if what I said is true that could mean only a handful of things. Batwing would have been capable of making contact, but with the change in realms it's possible he fully lost functions to his controls or perhaps even damages to his gear. In both instances there would be no way for communication between us."
"And that leads me to the next bit. If that is the case..."
"They'd be worm food, long gone, history! Do you know what most monsters would do to any human they found walking these lands?! They wouldn't just kill them, no, no, they put them through hell and make them suffer. Some might even feast on their very flesh. I kid you the hell not! If you're lucky those that abide by the law would have captured and turned them in. Why bring this up now, of all times?" Fafnir questioned. "Their only chance is if they were discovered by nobles of any of the global powers. They'd have been locked away and father notified. That never happened, so..."
Bruce frowned but kept his poise.
"I wasn't done. You don't know them like I do, they are survivors; both of them. Even in a place like this, I have to believe they would have found their way. But still, the timing is concerning. I won't consider either deceased without proof and I see it with my own two eyes. Imprisonment is a possibility. You might think and believe one thing, but that isn't always how it works. While you may deliberate you know and understand your world, . It is the same with Gotham, I'm only one man and can't be everywhere at once."
"What's the point?"
"You might assume allies and persons to do things a certain way and follow protocol, but don't always count on it. You have to take in circumstance and what someone might have to gain."
Fafnir took these words of his into consideration and sat silently with two fingers grazing his chin.
"They followed that vampire through the portal, right? Don't you think it's possible they ended up right in Fairy Tale's place? Hell if they're somehow in this realm and not six feet under, it's likely they've been taken prisoners by Fairy…"
"Not likely," Bruce cut him off with the shake of his head. "I and others of the league have encountered Fairy Tail since then, on a few different occasions. And if they did in fact have two of our allies in their possession, someone among them would have gloated. And it's also possible they aren't here. It all comes down to the function of the devices they use for transportation."
"Okay, so you've come to me with this hunch of sorts. What the hell do you want me to do about it? You can't even confirm their whereabouts or if they're even alive or not. That isn't a whole lot to work off of. And look at me getting ahead of myself again, I never stopped to confirm what this proposal of yours is."
With his eyes closed, Bruce sat across from him and his hands tightly clutched together. For a little while he just sat there in dead silence.
"This is your homeland, your playground. You've got connections, and are one of the more prominent figures in this entire realm. You know most of the lands inside out, I'm sure. If they're out there somewhere, with you at the helm they will be found. Given the current circumstance around myself, I can't be at the forefront... as I'm sure you understand. This isn't my territory. But I shall provide you with a set of eyes and ears, if you so choose. Individuals who will cut down the search."
Fafnir chortled with his arms crossed and leaning back over the sofa. The dragon king then proceeded to run his hands through his hair and let out a loud sigh.
"This is nuts. You know that, right? And these individuals or whatever, cannot be of mankind or..."
"I know the rules, Fafnir. No humans in the monster world. I've broken more rules than I can count, but I won't cross this line. This isn't a personal job I'm asking of you, you've got enough hired muscle at your disposal that could kick off the search. And all the while keeping you updated and informed," Bruce said.
Scratching at the side of his head, Fafnir looked into the eyes of the man across from him.
"My father, or even more so Bloodriver for crying out loud! She's your past squeeze. Why come to me, father of all would be furious to learn that potentially humans have been walking this world for nearly a year undetected!"
"We don't know that!" Bruce shot back, but kept his cool. "And this is precisely why I came to you. You're the least likely to blow this out of proportion and keep this information under wraps until we're sure."
"More whispers under the table," the dragon laughed. "You and I are a whole lot of like in that regard."
"If we can pinpoint and confirm this hunch, then I have no issue advising Apollo or Akasha for that matter. But until then I don't want to unbridle any needless anxiety. This isn't a secret, more so than it is a private investigation."
Fafnir crossed his arms and his eyes over the man across from him.
"Anything else you wanted to tell me? Selene said something; whether a slip up or not I don't know. Changes, was the word she used in referring to you. Want to expand?"
"Nothing for you to concern yourself with. But that isn't the only reason I'm here. While being coached under Selene within Alvasleha I spent some of my time researching much of this realm and there was something particularly that grabbed my attention."
Bruce tossed a sheet of paper atop what was a small coffee table.
"What is this?" Fafnir asked.
"Take a look," Bruce replied.
The dragon king shrugged as he took the piece into his hands while he looked it over. In just a quick glance he knew exactly what it was and lowering it away from his face.
"This is the satellite of Uanora…what interest do you have in it?"
Fafnir's fingers scratched at his sides, interested to hear the answer. That answer however never came as the JL communications piece in his ear went off and he stepped aside and pressed down.
"I'm here, talk."
"Bruce, its Zatanna. How quickly can you be to the Shadowcrest?"
"Soon. What's happening?"
Fafnir watched from the side while Bruce talked to whoever it was for what seemed to be half a minute.
"Sorry, but we'll have to continue this conversation another time. I'm required elsewhere."
"The hell! You just show up out of the blue and now you're…"
"Gotham. Tomorrow night. Stop by and I'll find you."
Bruce recovered the mask and pulled it back down over his face.
"Fine, but let me at least show you the way out of here so not to potentially cross paths with security."
XXX
"Ugh, this is such a hassle?" Akua grumbled, tugging at the red dress she was wearing. "I hate this dress, if it comes down to it I won't be capable of fighting properly…"
Raika stood behind her, adjusting his gray tie in a dark green suit and white undershirt. Looking just as uncomfortable in a suit as Akua did in her dress, a pout on his face.
"We are simply here to gather information." Vandal reminded her, wearing his own light gray suit with a light blue tie, "If we stick to script there will be no fighting."
"This might be the most ridiculous thing I've ever worn," the female vampire tugged on the silky fabric.
The hunter red dress with light gold trim went down to her ankles. Her hair was in her usual style, but with several strands falling around her face.
"Well I think everyone looks great tonight," Killer Frost said, looking all around.
She wore a blue dress, a silver wrap around her middle that came down to her knees with fluffy white shoulder sleeves. Her white hair up in a messy bun with strands framing her face, a light smirk occupying her face.
Clayface had an unpleased look on his face, standing there in his black suit with a red shirt underneath in a slouched position as if to protest his being here with bad posture. He had taken on the appearance of a middle aged male with brown/tan skin and grayish brown eyes.
"What exactly are we here for Vandal? It would have been nice if we were given some more information before arriving," Clayface looked to Savage. "Vlet and Kiria seem to give you and Circe a whole lot more of the inside scoop as opposed to the rest…"
"Sssshh! It's starting!" Akua elbowed Clayface as they all turned to the stage.
The lights in the room dimmed and the spotlights came on. The curtain opened to reveal an elegantly dressed man with dark hair and a commanding presence along with a two Special Forces guards on either side of him.
"Thank you everyone, for being present at the Patro Foundation banquet for the grand opening of our armory reveal!"
It was none other than the king of Thishieita/ruler of the goblins, Nicolas Patro. A round of applause from members of the audience was loud and echoed throughout the room.
"Hey, sorry I'm late," Kahlua Shuzen whispered as she pushed through the crowds to the others.
Her hair in a high ponytail but curling at the ends, large sparkling ear rings dangling from her ears. Her dress came down to mid-thigh, in the color of dark gray with gray stilettos and the black clutch she was holding.
"About time, now that everyone is here, the mission…"
"Wait, where's Circe?" Raika cut Vandal off, the others looked around, noticing their definite lack of energy and enthusiasm.
"Not here. Now, the objective..."
Akua wandered the crowds, her arm looped in Raika's much as it made her blood boil and gashed at her dignity. Their role was to play a young couple, children of two separate out-of-country establishments. They were assigned accents and everything else. Why Vlet had chosen her for this role, she might not ever figure.
"You'll need to go talk to Nicolas Patro. Akua, you are from Draspeya, your father runs a factory that is very popular on the outer skirts of the kingdom. And Raika, you're from a small village known as Cassielet. An orphan for as long as you can remember," Vandal handed them both fake identification.
"Cassielet? Really? I haven't even heard of the damn place?" he whispered to Akua as they took off in route to their target.
"Well, Yundervelt would probably be the most obvious choice looking at you, but I'm willing to bet you can't pull off the proper accent or style for that matter," she looked around before pulling him in a different direction.
Though she didn't say so he could feel and sense how much she was hating this. And truth be told he wasn't exactly fond of it himself. As they approached King Patro, Akua grabbed Raika's hand, intertwining their fingers.
"Remember to really drive home the whole couple thing…" she kept telling herself silently.
Boy did she feel she might just puke in her mouth right then and there.
"Let me do most of the talking," dragging Raika by the hand, she approached Nicolas just as some fancy girl with a baby fox wrapped around her shoulders walked away.
And in that moment Akua wished she wasn't in her own skin. The two monsters looked over their ID's in depth and making sure to memorize the most important details. They were stopped by two guards as they came within a couple feet of the goblin king, and Nicolas seeing this smiled and immediately called off the guards.
"Hello guests," he was with his hands together. "You wish to have a word? Go ahead and shoot."
"Hello, it is such a pleasure meeting you. My name is Mai Fujie. On behalf of my father, Gorochi, it is an honor to meet you," the vampire gave a small nod then leaned on Raika's shoulder.
Her Italian accent surprisingly accurate far as Raika could tell.
"Ah, the pleasure is mine Miss Fujie. It is an honor to have you here. May I ask who this young man accompanying you tonight is?"
She appeared to be surprised, then embarrassed and repulsed at the same time.
"Oh yes! How could I have forgotten! This is Miller Reed," she rattled off the introduction.
Both then shook hands with the goblin.
"A pleasure," Raika said, managing to pull off his act just fine.
"The pleasure is mine, shall we sit?" Nicolas gestured to some highly decorated table with a glass vase of roses and full silverware.
Akua smiled and dragged Raika over, sitting in the proffered chair without a second thought, as if she was used to this kind of thing. Raika quickly followed.
"So ..."
Killer Frost glanced around at the large crowds of people, awkwardly standing next to Clayface.
"You two are an assigned team from a big corporation sent from up east on your first trip toKingdom of Thishieita. Find anyone interesting in the crowd and see what you can get out of them. But be forgettable. Don't linger on one person too much."
Those were the words from Savage just before separating from the two. They'd been standing for five minutes and still hadn't moved. The ice user was doing some scouting for anyone that looked to be a Thishieita noble. Clayface sort of just stood around with his hands in his pockets.
"There, that way," Frost pointed out. "Let's go."
Kahlua waltzed through the packed room and made an effort to look like she belonged there.
"Your job will be Patro's ward, Augustin Baswell. Find him, get friendly. See what vibes he's sending off and what you can find out about the Lastiaz spheres indirectly."
Vague directions much, Vandal? She looked around, spotting her target leaning against the wall looking bored but seductive. She checked to make sure she looked presentable before she walked over, adjusting the spaghetti straps of her dress on her shoulders and fluffing her hair. Finally pleased with her look with a small hand mirror, she walked over, giving just a little more swing to her hips than usual.
"Augustin Baswell?" she asked.
He looked over at her with a slightly pouty expression that dissolved into one of interest when he saw her. His gold colored eyes bore into her, analyzing.
"Who wants to know?" he asked back, turning his body to her and crossing his arms.
She smirked, knowing this was a good start.
"No one much, a fan maybe?" she said, coming off very flirtatious.
"Maybe?" he smiled.
She grinned right back. He was cute. Much as she hated to admit it.
"Yes, maybe."
"Well I can't give an autograph to a maybe."
She scoffed and watched him slide a hand through his flawless hair.
"An autograph? I'm no child or school girl, I would have asked for a hug and a selfie already if that were the case," Kahlua joked, leaning on the wall next to him.
He laughed as he moved in closer beside her.
"Don't think I've seen you around before. What's your name?" Augustin asked.
She didn't falter for a second.
"Tina Flynn," she reached out a hand, he took it, kissing it with an amount of over formality.
This caused her eyes to expand and she even giggled.
"Well, nice to meet you, Miss Flynn. Always great to come across a beautiful damsel like yourself."
"Why thank you."
He glanced around at the party, the rich guests talking and laughing, the servants walking around with trays of champagne in thin glasses. The expensive dresses, the soft music playing in the background.
"So, what's your real reason for talking to me?" He asked after a while. "Were you sent?"
"Hm?" she glanced at him, surprised, then looked back at the crowd, "Well, you looked bored."
She answered honestly hoping that would be enough to rid him of any potential suspicion. He raised an eyebrow, but grinned at her.
"I was, I hate these kinds of events," he frowned.
"I see…" it was her turn to move in closer beside him. "Mind if I ask something?"
"Sure, anything," he turned and looked to her.
Vandal Savage wandered through the room, going over everything in his head to make sure he didn't leave anything out. He was so consumed in his thoughts, he didn't notice as he collided with a body in front of him.
"Oh, my apologies!" he said, looking up into a pair of familiar red eyes. "Circe?"
"Vandal?" She gasped, she was wearing a white evening gown, an intricate design in glitter on her left shoulder and glitter in her hair.
"Ran into a little bit of trouble on the way or I would have been here sooner. Nothing to worry about now," Circe said. "How're things thus far?"
"Don't know," he crossed his arms. "Still early."
The sorceress merely nodded and eying someone that passed by with a tray.
"But we might as well take advantage and start off the evening properly..." Circe snatched two champagne glasses from a nearby tray.
XXX
From the attack their group had been separated into at least three to four groups. But they had managed to fight off the attack with just only four casualties from their side. And now it was all about relocating and regrouping with one another. The vampire and member of the Asagao three walked about as the evening breeze blew over her face and with a slight shake of her head.
And at this point the ambush didn't at all surprise her. The attack was done by a group of Xsouviz stationed on the island, and she had a pretty good indication where they retreated to on the island. Eventually they would go after them, but not until they regrouped and with a plan. But more notably, why had the outlaws attacked their camp? Surely they didn't know who or why they were on the island. Most likely they were attacked for no reason than for the sake of fun for the criminal outlaws. So when Miukei heard the faint sounds of a melody from afar, it brought her out of thought and she felt the need to track it down. It was late and the moon already occupying the sky.
She found the elf lieutenant standing over a bridge, overseeing some of the forest area out in front of her. Before the vampire could open her mouth, the chords of music pulled back to make room for the single voice.
"You know, I had been a young girl still when the alliance began using military force instead of just persuasion and blackmail to get the other smaller villages and towns too cooperate. My mother, the queen tried to keep the worst of the atrocities from me, but once the outsiders started fighting back that was all anyone could talk about. And like the fire-filled, full of ideals, young idiot that I was, I signed up to be part of the military branch. There were some tough patches, but even now I don't regret the decision. My father encouraged it, but my mother the latter. But if there was one thing they taught me, it was that every person deserved to think for his or herself," she set her handheld instrument aside.
"The alliance," Miukei crossed her arms. "You mean with Arcenill Mount?"
"Yes, that's right," Isla nodded. "We've always been great allies and trade partners for centuries, but then came a time where an official partnership was necessary."
"Your father and even King Fafnir started talking. Talking to cheifs and other leaders, talking up the benefits that came of being allied. Some listened, others didn't. And somewhere along the line, the alliance decided that they knew best and didn't bother with talking anymore. At least that's the way I heard it from Akasha-sama."
"Yes, and it was done to stop exactly what dangers are upon us now. Scum like the Xsouviz," Isla added.
Dinah had been behind them through it all. She only partially heard what was said in their conversation as she made herself visible. But she said nothing and just standing off to the side and listening.
"I had everything that I wanted growing up, the best education and top of my division. Some studies in the medical field, but most my time and efforts spent on combat and intel. I knew what I wanted at a very young age. Arlo and my mother tried to convince me otherwise, but anything they said passed through one ear and out the next. I was stubborn and believed I knew it all."
"Brilliant mind, wealthy royal upbringing, combat and medical training… seemed like the doc had it all in spades, for yah. Funny, my early days were just about the opposite. But a story for another time. It is dark, late and that just doesn't favor our situation. We rest up and first thing at the crack of dawn we get moving and search for the others separated from us," Miukei said.
"Hey," Dinah waved out to them both. "Not to interrupt your conversation, but we've got a campfire up and running. Some of the other guys were talking and said it would be best that we stayed close to one another."
Isla nodded as she pushed away from the bridge, while the vampire followed as they took off back towards the camp. They were all lost in the wilderness of sorts and once the regrouping occurred there was many ways they could go about things from then. The blood thirst for combat and revenge burned deep within the vampire and all she could thing about was wrapping her fingers around the throat of one and snapping it like a twig. Sure there were sometimes little hitches in a simple plan—fine, those little setbacks were often big complications and happened more frequently than Miukei cared to admit whenever she took charge. Lailay was best suited for leading, with the perfect mentality, observation skills and patience within the most difficult situations. But on nights like now, when everything was quiet and so much uncertainty, she wasn't one to flinch. Not with the sort of experience she had on and off the battlefield.
The walk wasn't for very long as they seated themselves around the campfire and aside from themselves were five others, which included Luke. Just as four of them he was already fast asleep, rolled up in a blanket and the fifth standing on guard duty just over twenty yards away. Isla unzipped her boots and kicked them off her feet, and leaning back over a log while looking up into the sky. She let out a quiet sigh as she closed her eyes and relaxing the tightness in her shoulders. Miukei on the other hand appeared to stare in a specific direction, but with a mischievous look in her eyes and a glow to those rose red orbs. Dinah followed her eyes which looked to be in the direction of Luke and another of the ship crew.
"Hey ah… Miukei," Dinah waved a hand out in front of her. "Everything okay?"
Whatever zone she was caught up in, the vampire quickly snapped out of it.
"Groovy," Miukei smiled at her. "Just wonderful."
And just as Isla, she too leaned back over the log but with her hands behind her head. Canary sat across from them and didn't really know what to make of that, but even so didn't think much of it and instead pulled up a blanket. She pulled it up and over herself while she laid back with a pillow made of cotton under her head. She turned her head and body sideways and within minutes she was fast asleep.
"It's about time I got a piece of the pie," Miukei snickered to herself watching as the elf lieutenant faded into sleep off to the side of her cave.
XXX
Bruce walked into the room where Zatanna stood, with Yukari off to the side of her but didn't expect to see the third.
"Clark…" he made eye contact with his friend and ally. "What are you doing here?"
"Here to oversee things and insurance in case something goes wrong. Not that Zatanna couldn't handle it, but still… better safe than sorry."
And after hearing this Bruce really began to wonder why Zee had called him up. No details had been given as to why he was here.
"Bruce, it's been a little bit," Zatanna greeted him with a smile. Then, she looked him off.
"I hear you have something urgent to talk to me about," Bruce responded.
Yukari was then the one to step forward.
"Yes, we do," Yukari nodded.
Bruce glanced at her, narrowing his eyes.
"Go on."
Zatanna walked across the room and unlocked a magical box and floating into the air with a red aura around it was the Heirloom of Healing It was in the form of a skull and immediately there was a heaviness to the atmosphere that wasn't there before.
"This here is the Heirloom of Healing, essential to everything going forward," Zatanna said.
That was all she was able to get off as then came a crackling sound and in a section of the room a magic circle with flames around it shaped and in the following seconds two persons appeared as the flames died down.
"What'd we miss, love?" John Constantine was the first to step forward and behind him Jason Blood.
"No," Zatanna shook her head. "We were just about to begin, you're just in time."
It wasn't right away, but Yukari eyed Constantine and knew she'd seen him somewhere before as she looked him up and down. But then it came back to her in a split second. Yes he was that guy. The one that helped Kurumu some years ago when she'd been taken prisoner by Morrigan and changed with her sexual desires heightened. He would surely be helpful in anything that was to occur going forward.
"You ready for this mate?" John turned and looked to Bruce. "It's gonna be a painful one."
"Excuse me…" Bruce responded.
Judging by this reaction John came up with an instant hypothesis, instead looking to Zatanna.
"You haven't told him?"
"Not yet," she replied honestly.
And with that two sets of blue eyes locked with Zatanna looking to Bruce and him doing the same back.
"Harnessing and gaining control of your inner power. The first steps of that begin now," Zatanna informed.
Yukari blinked twice and taking a few steps until she was beside Zatanna.
"Okay… I think about now I should know why I'm here," the witch implied.
"Yes, it is about that time," Zatanna nodded as Bruce too came in close. "As you're aware of Bruce's situation in accordance to his turning as a vampire, something occurred very recently. Deep within him, his blood of a shinso awakened and with it an uncontrollable power which saw him lose full control and a power that could wipe out numerous civilizations."
"And the Justice League wouldn't be able to…"
"No, not like that," Zatanna shook her head. "Now per say there was no Superman, myself, lanterns, etcetera. Then both mankind and monsters could be in a world of hurt."
Clark sighed as he moved away from the wall he'd been leaning against and moved in closer to them.
"And that was only his awakening, I was there. It's likely that wasn't the ceiling to his power. Much like an infant being born, it only grows in potential with time and practice," Clark added just as he looked to Bruce. "But this won't be an issue. If there's anyone that can subdue his demons and this… it's you."
"Words of encouragement… appreciated, but this'll require baby steps," Bruce clutched his fists. "I remember the overwhelming surge of energy. Swept in like an endless typhoon with no substructure."
Head lowered and eyes over the ground, Bruce breathed out but twitched at the soft touch of Zatanna's hand over his left shoulder.
"But you aren't in this alone," she reassured him with a smile. "And if you are ready, let's get started."
Yukari coughed and cleared her throat.
"Then this has been why you reached out to me all along?" the witch crossed her arms. "Honestly this wasn't what I expected."
All eyes fell upon her as she quieted for some moments, but then half a smile shaping on the left side of her lips.
"I couldn't be more honored and thrilled to assist with something like this. You've all done so much good for this world, no matter the backlash good or bad. And I now see why you've kept it hidden from me up till now."
Mostly Yukari's eyes were over Zatanna.
"Am I right to assume this is only for the time being?" Yukari asked.
"That's right. Until we've completed the process. Which might take months… or even years," Zatanna replied.
"Years?!" Yukari's mouth dropped slightly.
It was then John Constantine that stepped in and rubbing his hands together.
"Don't blow a stack love, if it is the latter then the great doctor steps in," John said.
"Huh, what doctor?" the witch found herself growing confused.
"Fate. Doctor Fate," Zatanna responded. "A parallel dimension of sorts where time runs differently to reality as you know it. One second in the real world is equivalent to an hour inside there."
The whole room was soundless until Bruce spoke.
"And what determines whether or not Fate gets involved?"
"This first step should give us a pretty good indication," Zatanna looked him in the face. "Now remove the energy limiter so we may begin."
Listening to as she said, Bruce removed the limiter and tossed it aside. And using her backwards magic Zatanna created a magic circle and instructing Bruce to stand atop it. It glowed a bright green and gave off heavy magical energy, but again followed her instructions.
"Now. Remove your shirt," Zatanna added.
He did this as well and it was then Jason Blood that walked up behind him. He was with a special blade in hand and reciting an enchantment and from there the Heirloom of Healing floated upward and over Bruce within the circle. And some of its radiance spewed downward and engulfing the blade which Jason stabbed into the back of Bruce and carving into his flesh a singular mark. A mark which glowed and giving off a light glow and Bruce grunting from the subtle pain. Blood then backed off and set the blade aside over a small tray.
"Now it is your turn," Zatanna stepped forward. "The meditative technique you picked up on from Selene. Have a seat a dive into that world, your inner self."
"That's it?" Bruce inquired.
"Yes and you can leave the rest to us," Zee responded.
With a nod he dropped down and with his eyes closed and legs crossed. Outside of the circle everyone just waited and in mere minutes the magic circle beneath Bruce altered into a bright gold and gave off a low pitched swirl.
"There, it's time," Zatanna looked to Jason, Yukari and John. "The summoning ritual starts now."
"Summoning ritual," Clark took a step forward. "What do you…"
"You'll soon see," Zatanna cut him off. "Everyone, get into position."
To be continued
- 55
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- 57
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Clash of Realms