Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"The Fool represents someone who’s starting an exciting adventure.”

There Walter laid in darkness. A pitch black that he can barely see through. His eyes were open but he couldn’t for the life of him see a thing. He felt static as if he was floating but now is at rest. He thought that this, THIS was Hell. That he’s meant to forever lay in darkness to think about what he’s done. He napped here and there but mostly thought and hated himself. Until…he heard music.

Off in the distance but it was loud enough to get his attention. The song was recognizable to him. It was Wannabe from the girl group Spice Girls. Walter thought to himself that he must be going crazy. This is really Hell then. I mean he doesn’t hate the song but it isn’t something he seeks out. Maybe the video has a bunch of attractive women dancing around. He moved his arm and it popped as if it was stiff for too long. His arm hit something wooden and it made him think. Maybe he’s not in hell. So with his arm he pushed and saw a crack of light from the right of him shine in. The light was so bright he closed the lid for a second. Before being daring and opening the lid to the coffin again. He slid it off to the side of him. Making the music louder as if played in the other room.

His upturned eyes adjusted to the light seeing a living room. It was beige with brown and orange furniture. A small TV in the corner with a thick back on a small wooden entertainment stand. Next to the TV were large and thick curtains with a 70s pattern to it. And across next to the simple dark wooden coffin is a light brown couch with plastic on it. The lighting was from the sun. Coming in from the window through the curtains as they were open. It didn’t burn him but did hurt his eyes a little.

A 14 year old looking teenager who's actually a 69 year old elderly man. Due to making a deal with the Major he became a scientifically made vampire all with one goal in mine. Kill Alucard. He’s a longtime vampire fighting partner and friend. But he was THE vampire. Killing him meant being the greatest vampire hunter alive. That and…Walter’s greatest fear was to be weak and defenseless. So vampirism however he could get it was the goal. He joined the enemy and became the one thing he sought out to kill. But the process to make him a vampire was done too quickly in the little time they had. So he de-aged into his teenage years. Now 14 once again. A short rectangle face with light cheekbones and a pointed chin. A heroic nose and wide heavy bottom lip. Alucard was defeated and now all the vampire hunter wanted to do was die. He betrayed his Queen and Country, his friends and family. He became the one thing he hated. He deserved to die in his eyes.

And now he sits in a coffin in a random brown and orange color scheme living room that he's never been in before. In the clothes he was supposed to die in. A black vest and tight black dress pants, a dark gray dress shirt with lighter gray stripes, a black tie and dress shoes and lastly black fingerless gloves. Eyes were a pale blue and his hair black and fluffy with long bangs, especially on the sides. He looked like a 90s goth teen. He feels off. Like alive while not. One thing’s for certain he was starving. The smell of peanut butter cookies lingered in the air while the song began to end and the next song started to play. Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead or Alive started throughout the rooms.

He left the coffin with one swift hop with the brace of his hand on the side and onto his feet. He felt his body where bullet wounds had hit and they were magically healed, although the clothes had holes in them. He was curious and checked to see and yes he still had his wiring. He tested with the curtain and it cut off an end. He looked to his left to see a dining room and laundry machine. Same color scheme as the living room. There was the large single front door in the shade of dark wood brown to the right of the dining room with a coat rack and umbrella stand. He leaned to his left into the small hallway and saw the partial corner of a kitchen countertop and island. Another door that leads to the backyard and a Celtic looking grandfather clock next to it. It’s white and has fae carved into it. The song played that direction and a noticed a second voice. A female singing along to the song.  She can’t sing worth shit but she was singing along.

Walter, if anything, is brave when it comes to people so he walked into the kitchen to see a female next to the radio in the corner of the room. She was turned away from him while listening to music.

He was confused and said “Hello?” with a high pitched teenage boy voice in a Proper British Accent.

At 16 years old with high waisted boot cut jeans in a dark shade of blue. White and red tennis shoes and a tight turtleneck shirt with loose long bell sleeves that are tight around her wrists. Her auburn hair is up in a high ponytail and is frizzy. She turned around to look at him, mixed Caucasian and some ethnicity he can’t place his finger on at the moment. Her body is that of a skinny teenager. Her face is diamond shaped with light cheekbones with bow shaped lips, and a medium defined nose. She has upturned shaped eyes in the color of periwinkle. She looks shocked before growing a large grin “You’re awake!”

She skipped over to him and was giving him the up and down “You’re walking and everything. This is perfect.” in an American Pennsylvanian accent.

“Yes…? I’m awake.” Walter was clearly confused about the whole situation.

The female points to the stairs which are next to the backdoor “The first room on your left has clothes for you to try. If they fit then good, if not then we have to do some shopping.”

Walter tightened his eyes “I’m sorry. I don’t know where I am and who the hell you are.”

She looked shocked and said to herself “Right…” She thought about it and asked him “You remember that young sorceress that came to study in the Dark Art’s room at the Hellsing estate?”

“Yes.” He says before realizing that she’s referring to herself “Shirley?”

“And bingo was his name-o.” She sings which hurts Walter’s ears. Walter tried to wrap his head around what was going on. Lucky for him Shirley claimed in “You see, you betrayed Integra so now you live with me.”

“What?” the young man who used to be a butler asked.

Shirley explained a little better “Hellsing found what was left of your body. A chest and head worth of a person. Integra broken asked if I can bring you back. It wasn’t easy. I had to do a favor with a grim reaper who was obsessed with jokes. But we managed.” She heads over to the oven to check on her cookies “But Integra couldn’t trust you anymore even if she missed you so she gave you to me instead. Now you're my roommate.”

Wires went quickly across the room and around the young girl's neck. With an angry voice he said “I…was supposed to die.” The teen tried not to make any sudden movements “Why did you bring me back?!”

Then his chest, his stomach, went into a knot. A knot so painful he couldn’t function besides dropping to the floor. The teenage girl pointed to the wiring and said “Loose.” in a commanding voice. Which the wires do. All on there own. Once she was free the pain started to go away.

“The fuck…was that?!” Walter breathed out through the pain.

She walks over to him and leans down to his level “You think I would make you familiar and not put rules into play? Silly boy.” she stands up “You betrayed Integra. I had to put on percussion.” He looked angry at her. “If you attempt to hurt or betray me. Even as a thought. You will regret it.” she paused before continuing “If you attempt to hurt or kill anything without my permission you will regret it.” She pokes his nose “You’re now my servant until I dub otherwise. You have free will but only what I allow. How else am I supposed to punish you for what you’ve done besides forcing you into a life you never wanted. Forcing you to live when you want nothing more but to die.”

Walter now breathing normally realized. He is in Hell. No longer with those he loves, no longer doing what he loves to do. A servant to a magic user he barely knows forever more. He hated it. But he accepted it in a way. He deserves it for what he did.

Shirley smiled at him “Now go upstairs and try on the clothes like I told you to do before. Okay?” She seemed playful again. “I need to know if we need to go shopping.”

Walter stood up while looking to the floor “Yes…Mistress.”

“Whoa!” She stops him, skipping in front of him “Don’t call me that. Nothing proper or royal in this house.”

“I’m your servant.” He remarked “I call you Mistress.”

She shook her head “No you don't. Call me by my name or a nickname. I don’t care. Just nothing royal like.” she waved her hands around.

He smiled at her “Alright…Hag!” trying to piss her off “I’ll do as you ordered.” he said before walking past her and up the stairs.

Upstairs he saw a bookshelf and chair and four doors in a hallway. He was curious and opened the first one of the right to see a teenage girl’s bedroom. “Must be the Hag’s.” Than the second door on the right is an empty room with nothing inside. Than the second door on the left, Which is the bathroom. Which is a bit of a mess. Nothing was organized. He looked in the mirror and noticed his eyes. They were his birth eye color, baby light blue. No longer red like he bared when fighting Alucard. He thought about it and realized she never told him what he was. Because he’s clearly no longer human. He was a vampire, no way she can bring him back human. He didn’t feel human. His senses were strong like that in his vampire form. He also noticed his clothes are ripped up and dirty which made him feel gross.

Finally he went into the room he was ordered too. It was a vintage looking bedroom with Disco posters on the walls. All over the place were pictures of the same man. An African American man in his early 50s. His long diamond face bearing wrinkles with a cleft chin and big bulb nose. Wearing thick glasses over his hooded eyes in the shade of dark brown. His thick and curly hair in a short afro. Although it was many different stages of his life and of Shirley’s too. Including the age Walter first met her in 12 years ago. A picture of her blowing out a birthday cake that says 23 when she looked to be 12.

There’s a closet, it’s a decent size although the one he had at Hellsing was bigger as it was a walkthrough. The clothes were a range of 70s and 80s. Everything was slightly bigger on him but lucky for him there were belts. Personally he preferred tight clothes but at the moment he didn’t care. Something clean was fine for him. High waisted bootcut light blue jeans with a button up shirt in blue and yellow plaid with white collar and cuffs. He kept the gloves on and the simple black belt.

He walked down the stairs to see cookies on a tray. Shirley saw him and said “Yes! They fit.” She cooed “You look perfect.” She opened her fridge “Those clothes are yours for now. I promise we’ll get you your own in time.”

“What am I?” Walter asked with his hands in his pockets.

She said nonchalantly “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” He was baffled.

She pours milk into a cup “He didn’t tell me what you’d be just that you’ll be alive. I didn’t care what the creature was.”

He just looked at her confused. How the fuck didn’t she care. “What…how am I supposed to do anything without knowledge of what I am?”

“I figured we’d play around and find out.” She dipped her cookies into her milk “You want one? Their peanut butter.”

“I think I hate you”. He said with confusion.

“Aww well you’re gonna have to deal with me until I die.” She says “Now come have cookies. I’m new at baking and need the confidence boost.”

He rolled his eyes with a light growl. Went over to the table and ate a cookie. It wasn’t bad but he can do better “Meh.” was all he said to her.

She pouted “You’re mean.”

“Get used to it.” He said with a serious face “I’m not a happy camper.”

Shirley ate her cookie in peace. “We’re shopping for your bed set tomorrow.”

“I have a coffin.” Walter said.

“You don’t need to sleep in a coffin.” She covered her mouth while saying, “The reaper said so.”

Walter argued “What else did he say? I’m not human and I can't find out anything.”

She thought about it. “Let me think, it's been a week.” She nodded while saying “Like a vampire you steal life to sustain your own. But you don’t drink blood. You don’t collect souls like a regular vampire and you don’t need to sleep in a coffin. Sunlight doesn’t hurt you and nor do religious things. Silver still does though. And unlike a vampire you’ll age until a point. Then you stop. Especially if you consume life properly.”

He tried to go through the knowledge in his head of what he might be. Besides what he's faced there’s what he’s read about and heard about. But nothing came to mind. “I never heard of something like that.”

“Either have I and I’ve been around a lot.” She smiled “Luckily for us I have connections and think that one of them might know something I don’t.” She points to the tray “For now cookies.”

Walter looked her dead in the eye “Where am I supposed to sleep if not in the coffin. I mean, why need a coffin?”

“It was the only way to get you here. Besides, you never know when one will come in handy.” She argued with a cookie in her mouth. “Now on the matter of the night. I’m testing if you even need sleep.” started drinking the milk “Don’t you hate it. You have like 2 or 3 cookies and you start craving the milk badly.”

Walter stopped her from changing the subject “You think I don’t need to sleep?”

She nodded with a grin “There’s lots of creatures who rarely if ever sleep so you might be one.” She leaned towards him and asked “Did you sleep in the coffin by chance?”

“I napped here and there but that’s merely out of boredom.”

“Wait how long were you awake?” She got wide eyed.

He shrugged at her “I don’t know. I couldn’t see daylight to say.”

She thought about it and said “Okay okay. Tonight you stay awake. If you get tired and sleep or nap then do so. Cause then we know if you need it or not. So no napping out of boredom.” She points down the hall “I have board games and cards if you have too.”

He sarcastically says “Yay. I always wanted to play Cluedo by myself. So much fun.”

She pouts “I also have a video player and VHSs if you're bored.” She sticks a tongue out at him.

He rolls his eyes “What books do you have?”

She lit up. And took him upstairs to the hallway “Welcome to the boring reading corner.” She corrects herself “Not because reading is boring. More on the lines of the area has no character. But dad didn’t want me to decorate.”

He started looking at the books on the shelf. “Where is your father anyway?” When Shirley lived with them at Hellsing to study dark arts. Ezra, her father, was a companion. They bonded over age and health as Ezra suffered from heart attacks. He realized Shirley didn’t answer though and looked to see she was staring at the floor upset. The newly born monster said to her “I see.” noting that Ezra must've passed.

She said quietly to herself “I have to plan the funeral.” Before collecting herself and saying “Anyway…these are the books. We have to go to the bookstore for more.”

Walter pulled Stephan King’s Carrie off the shelf and said “Right, this will do for the night.” He felt starving still. He looked at her and asked “What’s for dinner?”

“Umm…?” She thinks about it, “Pizza?” with an awkward smile.

Panning to Walter going through her cabinets before asking “Where’s an apron?” She skips to the garage door and takes an orange apron over to him. Seeing the color made him say out loud “I should have known.” He put it on anyway. The cabinets were empty besides bread and a thing of salt.

He went to take it out and she screamed “Don’t!”

He looks at her “Why?!” making it linger.

She says “A thing of bread and salt will prevent a lack of food and money.”

“Prevent? You have jack shit.” he gestures to the cabinets.

She crosses her arms “The bread for eating is in that cabinet.” pointing to another one. Annoyed, he glared at her for a few minutes before opening that cabinet and seeing on the level below it is wheat and seed filled bread and buns for both hotdogs and burgers. He slowly turns his head to her with a “Really?” expression on his face.

Shirley tapes her unpainted nails on the counter “Have only been back for a day you know.”

He sighed “Pizza it is.”

Shirley nods and says “Yeah there’s a problem with that.” He just glares at her when she continues with “See out here all the pizza shops are pick up only.”

“How do you get pizza then?” he said frustrated at the country he was now stuck in.

She replies with “You call them and then go over to pick them up.”

“Is there anywhere that delivers?” He asks “Like Chinese?” She replies by shaking her head no.

TV and movies had done him wrong because he assumed that every place had Pizza and Chinese Food delivered to them with a call away. But he guessed he was wrong. He said without looking at her “I guess we’re going out.”

They slipped on coats, both wearing trench coats. Walter’s was a little big on him but he didn’t care much anymore. Shirley smiled at him with the coat after fixing her hair. Happy to see it being used. She said “While I’m fine with you having my father’s clothes. You can’t have his furniture. Those go to my aunts and uncles. Said so in the will.”

“A huh.” He said without a care.

“I got half the photos.” She says while spinning the keys. Wires reached up and yanked them out of her hands and into his. She put her hands on her hips “What do you do with those when they’re not in use?”

Walter felt something in the pocket of the coat. A familiar box with a folded lid. He took it out to see that yes it’s a cigarette box. He said out loud “Oh thank you Ezra. I’m gonna miss you.”

Shirley made a gross expression “He promised to quit.”

“He lied.” as he put a cig in his mouth. He felt for a lighter but couldn’t find it. His hopes died a little in that moment. “You got a lighter?”

“Yeah.” She stepped closer to him and blew on the cigarette lightly. The tip started to light resulting in the cig collecting the flame. Due to this he blushed a little. Which annoyed him. She said “Saves money knowing I can light everything.” She noticed the blush and tested “Not used to women huh?”

“Fuck you.” Was all he said.

Both hop into the car. An old 4 door station wagon with wood here and there for the design. He was on the correct side of the car despite not knowing how to drive the opposite side of the road. “Damn this country and its stupid driving system.”

Shirley was leaning with her ass in the air to the backseat of the car. Looking through the different music cassettes to decide what to put on. Walter glanced at her ass for a second as it was right next to him. Although her jacket made it difficult to see anything. She said “This will do.” before sitting back into her seat.

Walter asked “Which is the car?” referring to the keys. She points to one and he quickly puts it into the car, starting it up. As the music started it was a Country artist. Walter turned it off and said “No.” while looking at her.

She glared at him with hate “Why not?”

“Driver picks the music. And I said no Yankee Cowboy nonsense.” He said. Pointing to the back “Pick something else before I start to drive and we have no music at all.” She rolled her eyes and leaned over again into the back seat. “10. 9. 8. 7.” He started counting down to make her hurry up.

“Is Poison good for you?” she said annoyed.

He said “Yes I like them.” She went back into her seat and put them into her player. They start driving, resulting in Shirley telling him where to go. Which meant downtown into the city. It was the beginning of June, the trees of green painted the landscape while flowers of many shades took over the grass and brushes. It was the afternoon, meaning people were everything. They were setting up a street for something Walter had to clue of nor did he really care.

He parked in an old parking lot next to an apartment complex. Both get out of the car. Walter played around with the keys by spinning them. Shirley said “It’s down the street. The Pizza shop.”

Walter blows out a huge smoke. He’d been saving it til he parked the car. Soon he heard the Church bell from the oldest Church in town go off. Echoing through the city. While walking down the city streets Shirley pointed around and was telling him about the location he’s now living in. “Down there’s the gas station and the Paint company.”

“A huh.” Again no real care.

“Down that way is the butcher and or deli.” She said, Until she realized he wasn’t really caring. Which upset her some. She said “You know. You’re gonna be living here. You should care.”

He just looked at her and said “I’ll figure my way around when it comes time.”

“Like tomorrow when we paint your room.” She stopped at the end of the street as a car was passing by.

He has his hands in his pockets before blowing out more smoke. “We’re painting it too?”

“You're kidding. I want to paint the whole house at some point.” The car drives on and they walk across the street “I just got to get paid. Which means work.”

“Do you have a job or am I slaved into that as well?” He said.

She pouted at him “Above ground no. But under yes.”

“Under?” He stopped and looked at her like she was crazy.

“That’s where we meet with my contacts.” She walked back walks ahead of him “I have to call them first. Which I’ll do once back at the house.” She turns around to walk forward again. He started following her.

Once they made it to the Pizza Shop, the inside was colored in red and white checkered patterns. A little area for sitting and a large counter where you can see the pizza being made. It smelt great but somehow didn’t feel right to Walter. Shirley on the other hand said “This place has funnel cake fries and cheesecake burrito things. Telling you something to die for.”

“Killer.” Again with no care in his voice. She yanks the cig out of his mouth. Stands by the front door to throw it into the street. “What?” Is what he asked offended.

She says “No smoking indoors.” pointing to the no smoking sign. He blows what smoke he had left in his lungs in her face. Making her cringe and cover her nose. He grinned at the thought of annoying her.

“Like I said you’ll age til a point. Though how, is another question we’ll have to test to find out. Until someone knows the answer.” Putting parmesan on her pizza slice. “Now on my aging. I’ve finally been told.” Back when she was studying under Hellsing’s dark arts. She didn’t know her aging issue and hoped Hellsing could fix it. Sadly they couldn’t. She continued with “I was told by Lleana and the Harbinger. Both explained that I age a year every 3 years until I'm no longer a maiden. Then it’s 6 until I’m a Chrome. Then it’s 9.”

“Jesus,” he thought. While eating his food. She’s almost immortal. Magic users truly cheat the system. If only he knew when he was at Hellsing.

“And that’s physically not mentally either.” She said before eating her slice of meat lovers pizza. “That’s why I look 16 when I’m 34.” She got upbeat and said “Oh by the way my birthday is September 3rd. What’s yours.”

Walter hated his birthday since it was proof he was getting older and less of who he really is inside and out. Becoming more and more useless in the eyes of the world. But he can’t help it. He’s a trained servant and answers every question he can be asked “May 15th. Why?”

“So we can celebrate. Silly.” She said, “I love birthdays and holidays.” She was girly about it. For someone who is in her 30s she sure acts like a teen. Then again Walter does too.

The two finished eating but Walter didn’t feel better. Sure he was better than before but he was still starving. Like something is missing. Then he noticed a hot young adult woman by their car just waiting. She’s African American with black hair with blonde stripes in it. She’s holding a thing of black roses. She’s dressed in a yellow tennis dress with yellow shoes and black leg warmers. She looks like she was crying.

“Hi!” Walter said upbeat to her. Until he noticed her face and asked “Is everything okay?”

With a strong and I mean strong Valley Girl Accent she says “Ezra died!” before crying again. For a second Walter thought Ezra had a young girlfriend that just discovered the news.

Shirley saw this and was upset “I sorry I was gonna tell you earlier but you didn’t answer your phone. So I left the message with your boyfriend.”

“The master of the House died. How are we supposed to make the garden to his liking?” She said through her tears. “These are for you Shir.”

Shirley took the flowers and Walter whispered to her “Whose she?”

“That’s Riley. She’s one of my informants.” Shirley, slightly teary at her father’s loss, went over to hug her.

Walter asked “Informants?” Riley was inconsolable. No way to fix her. She hugged Shirley back and cried into her shoulder. Walter didn’t know what to say or do.

“By the way, I have info for you Shir.” Riley said to the teen girl. “First the royals are upsetty over the whole London shitch. Apparently one of the Princes was over there for royal stuff when it was attacked.”

“That’s not good.” Shirley said with wide eyes.

Riley continued “I know right!? Anyway!!” waving her hands around “TT is pissed and almost fell down dead. That and a friend of mine is upsetty over a missing egg of hers. I told her about you and she wants to hire you.”

“Really!” Shirley was happy. “I mean awful with what’s happening with her egg and all but she wants to hire me!?” Walter blinked twice. Mainly because the conversation didn’t make sense to him. Maybe it’s a girl thing. Then again Integra and Seras never talked like this. So maybe it’s an American thing. Drowning out their conversation because otherwise he’d go insane.

Soon Riley starts to walk away and waves goodbye to Shirley. No longer upset and crying. Shirley looked upbeat and skipped over to Walter “You hear?!”

“Umm…yeah…” Which was a lie.

“We have a case.” Shirley said with a wicked grin.

Chapter Text

“The Magician combines raw talent and ambition with focused action to manifest a magical vision.”

Back at the house. Walter questioned why he was starving. He remembered what Shirley said before about stealing life to sustain his own. Maybe it’s a hunger feeling to tell him he needs to steal. BUT HOW! He’s not allowed to hurt others without his new owner’s permission. And stealing one’s life is hurting another. He sat on the couch with the book in hand. Preparing to rest. Ignoring the hunger from life burning in his stomach. Right as he’s about to start the book, Shirley enters the living room. He was laying on the couch with a leg over the back of it. His shoes off of course and his coat on the rack.

“Okay okay.” She said all upbeat “I called Riley for more information on the case. The girl lives in the underground and wants to meet with us tomorrow.” She was so giddy she stomped her feet. “Which is good because we have to go shopping tomorrow anyway.” She skipped into the room “Aren’t you excited?”

Walter holding the book with a thumb in the cress “Since when are you a Private Detective?” Because the last thing he remembered was that she was a student traveling the world.

She answered while leaning towards his face “Sense I got my license in the Underground.”

“What is the Underground? Is it like the Internet thing?” The newest thing sweeping the world.

She backs away and over to the TV “Nope. It’s my favorite place to be. You’ll see why.” Turning on the News which was the first thing on.

A male news reporter says “Today was the Funeral for the royal family of Gotham the Waynes. If you're new to the story. The well known Billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne were brutally murdered in an alleyway while walking home from the movies. The son of the family was the only survivor.”

Walter and Shirley watched the screen both concerned. Walter never met the fuckers but did here about them all the time. Shirley on the other hand “Someday I’m gonna solve cases like that.”

“The suspect is still at large.” Said the news team. Although in the films when showing the butler collecting the son. He does recognize one of the old members of MI5.

“Huh…I wonder what he’s doing?”

Shirley, getting upset thinking about her father, stood up super fast and said “I’m gonna shower. See you after.” before leaving the room. Sadly leaving the TV on for Walter to deal with.

The night was simple as Shirley after her shower hung out in her room before falling asleep. She was too excited about the day to be awake any longer. Walter on the other hand ate like 5 hotdogs which satisfied the hunger feeling for a bit. He didn’t puke anything he ate so he noted that he can eat and keep it down unlike a regular vampire. He also noted it helps with the craving but doesn’t get rid of it. He has to tell Shirley or look it up if he can. If this were Hellsing, Alucard would just be able to tell him as he’s been around everything in one way or another. Sadly this isn’t Hellsing, this will never be Hellsing, ever again. He started to hate himself some more. To the point of wanting to cry. But he was raised to hold it back. He lied on the couch reading the book or watching old Greek mythology movies. There was just one problem.

DING DONG DONG DING!!!!

He yanked the covers off himself “Every bloody hour!!” it must be the loudest clock alive. He was half tempest to destroy that damn thing. He walked all the way over to it to see it was 6 o’clock in the morning. The time he normally got up to begin his butler work. He thought about it with his hand on his chin “I may not be the Hellsing butler but I’m still a butler at heart.” He quickly went upstairs and put on another outfit. A pair of black jeans and a blue short sleeved shirt with two buttons on the top. Same shoes, belt, and gloves though. Before hearing Shirley’s door open and her walk across the hall and into the bathroom. Which was the first place he was gonna clean. So the kitchen instead.

He figured he’d make them breakfast before this shopping trip. He looked through her cabinets and with annoyance could only think of French Toast. Went is a bit low in his quality of cooking but whatever. The kitchen wasn’t too dirty beside the mess Shirley left after making cookies. Besides that the kitchen is pretty empty. Which made the young butler wonder if Shirley eats out all the time.

He was gonna remake the cookies and throw hers away. Seeing she made three plates worth of cookies until she screamed “No!” from the stairs. Racing in the room. She was dressed in black tights, knee high black boots with belts all over them, a short black jean mini skirt and tight long sleeved cotton shirt with a high collar. Her hair was down and loose, slightly puffy as she blowed dried it. Over her shoulder was a brown leather shackle with what sounded like water bottles inside “We need those.” She grabbed the plate “They’re our currency.”

“What?!” Confused out of his mind on what she meant.

“We need them for the underground. Integra and Dad gave me some money but I’m saving them for bills. Everything else it’s for the Underground.” She says matter of factly. “You should know this.”

Walter with the apron on asked “I should know what?” before shaking his head and saying “You pay people with biscuits?”

“Cookies, tea, flowers, cheese. You name it, it's for trade.” She pouts at him “No use for gems and metals when people can literally make it.”

“You’re bonkers aren’t you. I’m forever a servant to a crazy Hag.” He was baffled.

She glared at him before saying “You’re toast.”

“What?” He stops his toast from burning. The two ate without saying a word. Walter felt a little better but still was starving. He looked at her and asked “How do I still life?” Although he was pretty sure he knew the answer.

Shirley tilted her head and said “By touching people.” Which shocked the boy because that’s not what he expected. He thought she would have been as lost as him.

“The longer you touch the more you steal. No matter what you do. Luckily for you there’s a meter system to know if you’ve taken too much.” She went to the cabinet to collect coffee mugs.

“What do you mean?”

She takes two cups down “Well…” before stopping and starring at the second cup. Realizing she was getting a cup for her dad.

“Well?” he said to get her attention.

She shook her head “Right.” before looking at him and back to the cup “Coffee?”

“I prefer tea.” gesturing to the cup of tea he already made for himself.

She put the second cup back into the cabinet. Before sliding the cup towards Walter “Coffee me please.”

“You were saying.” He got her back on the subject.

“Right.” She leaned against the counter “If you hurt someone you’ll feel pain. So if you take too much and thus hurt them then you’ll feel it. Get it?” Walter thought about and agreed. That would be a way to measure if he’s stealing too much. But before he could think she said “Also the more intimate the touch the more you steal.” Which surprised him a little.

“Am I an incubus?” He asked because that sounded like an incubus.

Shirley corrected him however “No! They survive purely on sex. Or they steal souls while people sleep.” She poured a cup of joe in her cup “While sex is a means for you to survive. It’s not the soul way.” She puts two spoonfuls of sugar into her cup before mixing “Look, bringing someone from the dead after dying a vampire comes with a confusing price.”

Walter said “Yes but to steal from people in their sleep you need to touch them.”

“No, because dreams are normally sexual.” She pours milk into her cup. “You just merely touch them to get it.”

“So if I touched you. I’ll steal your lifeforce.” He said while looking at his fingerless gloves.

Shirley mixes her drink “Duh. It’s what I said.” letting it go and the spoon continued to turn on its own while she looked at him with a “duh” expression. Until she notices his face of pain and asks “You need some life?”

“What?”

“You’ve been debating on more food sense you’ve ate. Which you ate a lot of pizza yesterday too. My guess is your hurting starving and want some lifeforce.” She said before taking a drink of her coffee.

He asked “How did you know?”

Shirley smirks at him “I’m not a PI for nothing.” Before he could say anything she reached over and put her hand on his cheek. This made the poor teen boy blush but soon he started to feel less in pain. Although Shirley blinked, feeling dizzy. “Time to see how long it is until we need to do it again.” She pulled away from him and paid attention back to her cup. “Now London boy. Before we leave. There’s something you need to do for me.”

“What’s that?” At the moment he’s relieved. No longer in pain.

She drank more of her drink “I need you to listen to everything I say to do when I tell you. Don’t tune me out like when I was talking to Riley.” So she knew he thought. Okay well her detective skills are at least something.

They put on their coats. Locked the house up. And got into the car. This time Shirley was driving as she refused to tell Walter where they were going. So she played as much country as much as she wanted. Which made Walter want to jam the nearest sharp object into his ears repeatedly. They traveled around the mountains until they were about to enter a tunnel. There were guards standing in front of the tunnel with guns and soldier looking uniforms on. One went to Shirley’s window and asked “Species?”

“Human, sorceress.” She pointed to Walter “Unknown of yet.”

The soldier “You’re business?”

“Shopping!” She said with glee.

The guard was clearly annoyed with “ID?” Which Shirley gave them hers. Checking something off on his clipboard. The other guard tapped hard of Walter’s window which made the punk just flip the guard off British style.

“A wise guy huh?” In a thick New Jersey accent.

Shirley glares at Walter and says “Roll down your window.” in a quiet but firm tone.

Walter muttered something under his breath but did as asked and rolled the window down with a crank. The man leaned into the car and sniffed Walter strongly. Which made the boy say “Fucking weirdo.”

The guard from Jersey says “He’s not human.” While the first soldier returns Shirley her ID. He says “Get him registered.” to Shirley

She nods “Will do.” They both roll up their windows before continuing into the tunnel.

Walter slowly turned to her “What was that?” with a disgusted face.

She answered “Get used to being sniffed. Everything with a nose referred to my father as Human for years.” she patted his leg “And we have another thing on the todo list now.”

Sarcastically Walter remarked “Yay…the DMV.” They drove for a few more minutes until another man stopped them. Walter asked her “Is he gonna sniff me too?”

She turns the car off and dangles the keys “Nope. Valet.” She hops out of the car which convinces Walter to do the same. She fixes her skirt once out. The man looks at Walter a bit confused before moving on with his job. He hops in the car and drives away.

“How are we gonna carry furniture?” Walter asks her, confused and annoyed.

Shirley starts heading towards a smaller tunnel in the big one. It looked like a subway path. Craved straight from the rock and it was slightly shiny. “You’ll see.” is all she said which frustrated the butler because he hates not being in the know. While walking through the tunnel, it reminded him of a theme park. His anger for the girl grew with which step he expected to see a group of homeless people living in the cave system including Riley. Until he smelt it. The smell of fire. The sound of steal clashing with steal. The smell of fresh baked bread also echoed through his senses. The lights were neon and lit in a way that electricity doesn’t. Shirley excitedly stared at his face by the opening at the end of the tunnel. As the cave floor broke away to a cobblestone path. Which reminded him of London before the attack. Once he stepped through and saw it. A large and I mean LARGE city built underground. Neon colored lights reminding him of Christmas from afar. Creatures of all types and sizes walking around or flying. A large lake in the middle of the city with bridges to cross. New cars but pull buggies with workers here and there. There’s creatures Walter hasn't faced yet and didn’t think were real there. Shirley giggled while Walter was in aww. The teenage boy in him is excited while the adult wonders if he’s imagining all of it.

Right next to the opening is a black smith. Hence the clashing of metal and heat. Shirley looked to see an Orc, a buff one with red rose skin and tusks. She waved him down and asked the Orc something in a language Walter’s never heard of before. The Orc looks more attractive than told about in Tolkin’s writing. The Orc in a jolly but deep tone said “You know I speak English.”

Shirley grinned while pointing to Walter with her thumb “Good because we have a newbie to the underground.”

“You speak Orc?” He asked but he didn’t get a response from her.

Instead he got the Orc correcting him saying “It’s called Flourish.” with a smile on his face “What you need? A knife?”

“No.” Shirley said “Either a bag or pocket of some kind.” She looked at Walter who's still wrapping his head around this whole thing “We’re getting furniture.”

“A pocket it is.” The Orc says before heading to the back.

Walter notices a dwarf although he didn’t know the difference between gender from what he’s read. Shirley snaps her fingers in front of him “No staring. It’s rude.”

The Orc returns with a box of chalk. “Pick a color.”

“Oh you know me Doug.” Shirley says while picking the purple. “How many cookies is that?”

The Orc got upbeat “Cookies! What kind of cookies.” he asked with a devilish grin.

Walter claimed in “Peanut Butter.”

“Erza’s Grandmother’s peanut butter cookies? Hell yeah!” He holds up his hand “Five.”

Shirley looked shocked “Five. That’s cheap for a pocket. I’ll take it.”

The Orc grew a sad face “Oh by the way. I heard about Ezra.”

“You did?” Shirley became upset.

Doug leaned against the counter “Yeah the Were-Bees and Pixies told.” He handed her the chalk “If there’s anything you need we’re here for ya.”

She grinned at the thought “Thanks. Hope you like the cookies. I made them myself.”

Walter was shocked. The cookies are payment. The hell did he get dragged into. Before they start walking. Shirley pokes her finger on a needle pointing towards them on the counter. She rubs the blood on the chalk. Then she dropped to her knees onto the ground and drew a trapdoor on the floor with the chalk. She snaps at the drawing. The blood from the chalk form dark shadows that shine purple in the light and form a trap door on the floor. She opens the latch and puts the plastic bag of cookies into the hole. She closes the latch and rubs the chalk away with her sleeve.

“The fuck was that?” Walter asked and smiled interested.

Shirley responds with “A pocket dimension. It’s how we’re carrying things home. We have enough room as long as we have enough chalk.” She stands up and says “We need a buggy.” They walk down into the bottom of the city. She points across from them. “Want to see the water folk?”

“Hell yeah!” He said. They skipped across the street and looked into the lake. Walter saw mermaids swimming around and other water creatures some he didn’t know about. Shirley leans in and gestures for a kiss at the water. A Mermaid jumps up and kisses her lips. This made the boy blush. The mermaid in blue and white sees Walter and kisses his cheeks before jumping into the water. Her kisses were wet and freezing cold. Walter was red all over but he didn’t care because he got to live a teenage fantasy.

Shirley asked, “Having fun?” while walking away from the water. Walter didn’t say anything but he was having fun. Shirley pouts “Aww the jewelry shop is closed.” There’s a little bird woman sweeping the steps of the shop but a closed sign on the door. A Centaur pulling a buggy with no passengers in the back walks past. Shirley waves at it. “Over here!” Walter uses his wires and stops the buggie in place. Making the centaur question what’s going on. She grabs Walter’s arm “Don’t be rude.”

“Just helping.” he smirks at her. He lets the buggy go and pulls a cigarette out. He asks “A light?”

She takes it and blows on it for him before handing it back. Walter happily takes the cig and takes in a good old breath. Shirley asks him “Do you what those or do you want a pipe?”

“Like Sherlock?” He looked at her. She just nods her head yes at him. He thinks about it and says “I’m fine with my coffin nails.” he says with a pleased tone at her.

She thinks about it “They might have cigarettes down here?”

“Where’s we go next?” He was curious and excited.

She thought about it, “First we need to find out what you are, then we register you.”

“So?” He said to Linger.

“So to an old friend of mine.” Shirley says.

The two roads in the buggy. Walter sightseeing. It was way more interesting than the upper world. He saw a fancy looking building with creatures going in and out of “What’s that place?” all excited in his face.

She smiles and answered “That’s the were-creature building recovery. It’s where there counsel resides.”

“Were creatures? Like more than wolves?” He raised a brow at her.

“Wolves are the rarest. Kind of a dying breed.” She continues with “Every type of race has their own counsel and rulings. Some it’s royalty and others it’s a President. But all have their own. Once we find out what you are. Then we know where you follow.”

“What’s vampires?” He asked. As vampires are his specialty.

She grew an upset expression “Royalty. The king died a century ago so it went to the next in line. The Prince doesn’t want it nor did the next three take the spot. So instead the bitch took it.” she said aggressively

“Whoa.” He said as he didn’t hear her curse before “Who’s the bitch?”

“The woman who killed my father. I refuse to say her name without spitting.” She sat back in the seat and grumped with her arms crossed.

They made it to their location. The buggy stopped it’s carriage. A magically looking shop with an iron rod gate that leads up to the stairs to the door with a green eye in a triangle. Pillars with faces of the green man and a window that read “Madame Xanadu. Enter Freely and be Unafraid.”

They hop off the buggy and Shirley gives the driver 2 cookies after collecting them from the pocket dimension. The place smelt of fresh herbs. They walk through the door. The place was full of bookshelves and books of magic and spiritualism. There were tarot cards and incense of all types for sale. A young woman with brown hair entered the room with a headpiece and hippy-like clothes and asked “Welcome to Madame Xanadu’s. This place only appears to those who need it.” She says after looking at Walter “We don’t allow smoking in here.” Walter, upset with this news, stomped his cig out on the carpet. The woman just sighed before saying “Let me notify her that you two are here.”

Shirley said to Walter “Technically we could have found her upper ground but I figured we’d do it here instead.” She points it out while saying, “She’s everywhere and nowhere.”

Walter said annoyed “Please don’t mention that damn cat.”

“She did it before the cat.” She asked, “By the way, she has a cat.”

“Lovely.” He said sarcastically

.

A Romani woman entered the room. With an oval face with a sharp chin and light cheekbones. Her nose is small defined and her lips are bow shaped. Her blind eyes which are covered at the moment by a white veil so you can only see them partway are upturned in the shade of pale blue. His hair is thick and curly and all over the place. She’s thin like a dancer with an almost flat chest and backside. Wearing makeup on her lips to make them dark purple and smokey eyeshadow to make them pop. She was wearing many jewelry around her ears and neck and a full blown black gown on. “Shirley child.”

Shirley reached out and hugged the woman “Hey Xanadu.” she points to Walter and says “This is your subject today?”

The woman asked “Why?” She looks at Shirley “Didn’t I teach you how to read people? Why come to me?”

Shirley pouts upset like a teen “Because I don’t know what he is. I figured you would.” Xanadu was a little disappointed in her once before as a student. Walter is taken by the hand of this attractive woman into the back room. There was a couch, coffee table and large white crystal ball. “Tarot, Runes, or the Ball?”

Walter answered “Neither. I don’t need the devil on my ass.”

“I don’t consult with the devil. Most of us magic users don’t.” She corrects him as she's a little bit offended. “We’ll use the ball then.” She started to rub the ball and looked at the boy and said “Do the same.” He was hestate but put his hands on the ball. She started to play with it and it no longer was clear. It started to create blue smoke. She said “Walter C, Dornez. The Angel of Death.” He looked shocked as he didn’t give her name “You were once a well trained servant. A fighter for good in your eyes and in your master’s eyes. You throw it all away out of fear and now you're stuck living a life that you didn’t want to live. Being alive when you wish to die.”

Walter was amazed because it’s all true. “You even killed your closest friend to be more than you feared of being.”

Shirley nods and says “Yes. Yes he did.”

“Your future seems bright from what I see. You get to live an exciting and happy fulfilled life with adventures in their wake. You even form a strong relationship with someone.” Xanadu said “But you never seek more because of your fears. They eat and control you like a child you’ve always been.” Walter tightened his eyes as he was getting offended. He wanted to argue but Xanadu said “Your weakness is the Devil while you're currently going through Death. You are nothing more than the Fool.”

Walter corrected her “I know all of that. I don’t care about it. All I want to know is what I am now.”

She thinks about it and asks “Have you ever heard of Mercy T. Brown?” It sounded familiar to Walter but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Xanadu continued with “Once there was a father with a wife, two daughters, and a lone son. Everything was great until the oldest daughter started to fade slowly away from sickness. One that couldn’t be understood. She passed and soon the wife started to fade too. Comforting her father the whole time was the youngest child named Mercy T. Brown.”

The crystal ball showed the face of a young blonde woman. Xanadu continues with “Mercy was a friendly and hardworking girl. She cooked and cleaned when the older females passed. And everything seemed fine. Until the son was at age and about to marry, because he started feeling sick. The father was scared of his only son passing and the family name dying. Sent his son to another state. One with health benefits through the roof. While there the son and his love were happy and healthy. Until the father found Mercy died in her bed. The son heard the news and returned to be by his father’s side. But once he returned he became sick again. One night while laying in bed he looked to the hall and screamed out to his sister Mercy. Even though she wasn’t there. Soon there came a knock on the father’s door but the family doctor, a farmer and a random man that he’d have never met.”

Xanadu tilted her head “The doctor begged for the father to ignore the two men. But the farmer and the stranger insisted. They claimed a vampire was at play. Slowly eating its way through the family. That the son would be next and then the father would be last. That it’s one of his family members and they need to kill it fast. The father was going to follow the doctor’s wishes until the soon to be widow begged for him to hear them out. They dug up the graves and determined that Mercy was the vampire, as she wasn’t as rotten as the wife and older daughter. So they cut open Mercy and burned her heart in the fire. Turning it to ash. Then they forced the son to drink the ash water to get back what life was stolen from him. Sadly he was too far gone and died two days later. The father hated himself forever more until he died all alone.”

Walter and Shirley stared at the fortune teller with serious expressions. She continues with “You see the men were wrong and they were right. Mercy was indeed the vampire but not of that they assumed her to be. She was a Energy Vampire. A rare one but one nonetheless. She didn’t know she was a vampire though. Neither did her family. She must of been turned in her sleep or something. She accidentally stole the life from others without control over herself. Simply by touching them. The father never got sick because he didn’t expect physically affection.”

“I steal people’s energy. Because the reaper said lifeforce.” Walter said while looking at Shirley.

“Energy and life or one and the same. You need energy to live.” Xanadu corrected. “The more powerful the being the more life they have and thus the more you can take without killing them. So stay away from humans.”

Shirley asks “Is it just touching?”

Xanadu thought about it and answered “Yes. But he can control when to steal or not.” She points to Walter “But take note of the story. She aged til a point and than she died and started stealing uncontrollably. You need to learn to control yourself or else you're going to suffer the same fate.” She turns to Shirley “Now for you.”

“Me?” Shirley seemed confused. “I don’t need anything.” she waved her hands around.

“Your father’s passing will cause problems for you. You know this right?” She stood up “While in the eyes of the underworld you’re an adult. In the eyes of the upper world. You’re a kid. Both of you.” as she looked at Walter. “He may age faster than you and fill the role to fool the world. You will not. You need to play the role of a teen and that includes a guardian.” She motions to Walter “He can protect you though. But he can only do so much.”

Shirley seemed upset. “I’ll figure something out.”

“And lastly. Stay…away from Bathory.” She said firmly.

Chapter Text

“The High Priestess is an intuitive visionary who’s tuned in to what’s really going on under the surface.”

Next to the incense were lighters so Walter bought one for a couple of cents. Once outside he lit another cigarette. He thought about what happened inside.

“You will never kill her. All you will do is cause problems for yourself and everyone you care about. Ezra was just the beginning.” Xanadu said to Walter’s new boss. So that’s who Shirley ment when she said the bitch was in charge. Walter couldn’t believe it too. Elizabeth Bathory, one of the first mass murderers of her time. And while rumored to be a vampire. It was only confirmed when Alucard once explained to the young vampire hunter about how he surprisingly never met her despite having been related in a way. Nor did he meet her despite both being immortal blood suckers. And to think a killer like her is in charge of the vampires in the Underground.

Shirley didn’t say a word once leaving the building. All she could do was pout and stare at the floor. Walter asked, concerned while baring a straight face, “You okay?”

“Yeah…” She said,

He asked “You want to talk about it.” the gentlemen in him felt the need to help as much as he can. “Like…what happened?”

“She killed my father. I mean…I promised the gods to kill her. Ignoring it would be like ignoring them.” While Shirley’s believes weren’t Walter’s own. He understood to some degree what she's feeling. I mean he’s here because of wanting a vampire dead. Although he thought about it. The excitement inside.

“You lost everyone you love already. Maybe hunting her isn’t a bad thing after all.” He said with a smile.

She smiled back at him. “Maybe?” She stretched her back and arms over her head. “Time to register you.”

Another ride on the back of a buggy. Another 20 minutes of sight seeing. And they end up in a large building. Creatures of all types waiting in two lines. Like the DMV on land it’s boring. Although they did play Star Trek on the TV. In fact Walter noticed a large amount of Science Fiction themed things around the Underground.

In one line which is the shortest, Shirley and Walter wait. She sees the screen and says “This is a fun episode.”

“Didn’t know they liked Sci-Fi?” He said. No lit cig as the guard outside told him no smoking. It looked like a human with a bear’s head. So yeah no arguing.

Shirley grinned with narrow brows “They live in the world of magic and horror. Why be amazed by that. Unless you’re a History buff.”

He looked around and saw different creatures and asked “Do you know what they all are?”

“To some degree.” She was looking at the paper of things needed to be at this point “Shit.” She said,

“What?” He looked at her.

She looks embarrassed “I forgot everything at the house.” She counts with her fingers “You’re birth and death records. All of it.”

He looked baffled at her “What do you mean you forgot them?”

“I mean I didn’t think we’d have to register you today. But the guards are demanding it.” She said embarrassed in her tone of voice.

“What are we supposed to do now Detective?” He says louder than he should. Which resulted in people just staring at the two.

Shirley says “Sorry you might have to repeat yourself. The people in the back over there didn’t hear you.” They were running out of time to think because they were next in line. They both go up to the register. “Hi!” Shirley said with her hand up.

She nudges Walter who says “Hi.” afterwards.

“We need to set up an appointment for like tomorrow or so to register a new vamp into the system.” Shirley says.

The front deck Elf with dark dark purple skin, black sclera and white pupils “You two wedding?”

“Oh! No!” She was surprised. “He’s my familiar. Nothing more.”

“A huh.” the woman said without a care.

Walter corrected the woman “Not my dime. First time in the city for me.”

The Elve sighs annoyed before saying “The next appointment I have open is next Tuesday at 3 o’clock am.”

Walter blinked twice and asked “AM?”

Shirley stepped in and said “We’ll take it.” The woman slides them the paperwork to sign.

Walter asked “You want to come here at 3 in the morning?”

She answers with a question “Did you sleep last night?”

He thought about it and said “No.”

She says “Then why worry?”

While waiting for a buggy Walter asked “What next to the furniture store.”

“Nope the case remember?” Shirley says all upbeat. Before skipping away. The two walked through the city. Shirley is getting stares. Before he could ask anything she said “I’m still human. And humans are either a means to survive or the reason they die. So they don’t really like me.” She smiled “However they like me being magical. My father however hated.”

“Makes sense.” But it made Walter wonder if Shirley belonged anywhere if not above or below. They crossed the bridge and towards an area were winged creatures flew around. There were doors in the wall for houses for those who fly.

Shirley grinned wide at him “Almost there.”

“Where is it?” He asked. She points up to one of the doors with no stairs to enter. “You’re kidding me?” He looks around confused “How are we supposed to get there?”

“I don’t know.” She says while thinking about it “Never met a harpy in their home.” Great Harpies are real too. Wait, don't they eat people? She walked around looking for something while he saw a bunch of rocks.

He picks the rocks up and glances at the doors. Before asking “Which one are we after?”

“714.” She finds a panel with buttons on it. Different buzzers for the different doors. Walter on the other hand starts throwing rocks at the door in question. The door’s window was broken. Shirley saw this and scolded “What are you doing?” He continued without looking at her. Soon enough a short and skinny looking woman with wings connected to her arms with pretty blues and green shades. Her hands are like claws with sharp nails and her legs and feet look like a bird’s with scales. Her hair is surprisingly neat and shiny and her face beautiful. Walter was again at odds because he thought Harpies were supposed to be ugly. Wearing no clothes so her tiny boobs were out. However her lower parts were covered by feathers that go with her legs before her bird feet. Her face is long like an ovel with a strong cleft chin. Her lips full and wide and eyes Up turned with a Greek nose. Her skin was medium teal and eyes were like that of an elves. So black where the white should be and white where the black should be. The iris of the eyes are apple green.

However the bird woman was not happy. She growled and the sounds of thunder outside the cave can be heard. As the wind started to pick up throughout the part of the city “You teenage punks. You fucking brats. Almost broke my door.”

“Walter!” Shirley scolded with concern in her voice.

All he said was “It worked.”

“Ignore him!” Yelled Shirley. “I was going to buzz you but my new friend decided to be rude.” But the fast and I mean fast creature jumped towards them. The teenage boy reacted. Walter tangled the creature up in his wiring but before he could make the final blow his stomach and chest started to knot once again. He dropped to his knees as the creature was dormit. Walter let the harpy go and the pain started to go away. He breathed heavily before growling at his new owner.

She spoke as if she fluttered “First my egg and now this!” The Harpy cried “You bastards will do anything to hurt me won’t you. To drive me insane.”

“I’m sorry for everything. If you wish we’d ignore the case and let you be.” Shirley was sad.

“Wait…you can’t be? The Harpy asked “Are you Shirley Horror?” The teenage girl nods her head yes while pouting at her new servant. With one fast movement the harpy hugged Shirley. “Oh thank you thank you thank you.”

The harpy sent down a latter which meant they climbed up to the door. Walter was grumpy as he almost ruined the case until he went into the apartment. It was larger inside than it looked and was spacious as to accommodate her winged arms. There were fake decorative eggs everywhere. He huffed while pointing at one. The harpy raced over and took it from him “I don’t trust you.” Walter gave her a dirty look.

Shirley looked around and said “When Riley said missing egg I assumed a child.” She looks at the Harpy “What’s your name by the way?”

“Ophelia.” She said and she watched Walter as he looked around at her eggs. “And no I’m single so no kids.”

“Are there males?” Walter raised a brow while noticing no dust. She keeps the place well clean. 

“Yes but they’re rare. 1 out of 10 eggs.” Ophelia looks at Shirley and asks “Where did you get this familiar?”

Shirley says “Doesn’t matter. What’s missing?” The harpy takes them back to her bedroom and shows an empty pillow with nothing on it. In a broken glass case.

“It was my most prized possession. A genuine Dinosaur egg. It was crystalized so no one could hatch it. It is a work of art.” Ophelia said. She became flustered “But I never told anyone besides my friends and family.”

“Odds are one of them took it hun.” Shirley said.

“No…no they couldn’t.” Ophelia was offended a little “You’re truly new at this.”

Walter said “The person that stole it knew about it. So either you told more or someone close took it.” agreeing with his boss.

Ophelia looked at the floor realizing their right “Okay. I’ll list everyone I told.”

Shirley said “Good.” She looked at Walter and started going through her shackle. She pulls out a cheap pen and a small notepad before handing them to him. “Take note.” Shirley asked “What did the police say about it?”

“I didn’t call them.” The harpy replied.

Both teens looked shocked as Walter asked ‘Why not?” as it lingered

Ophelia was flustered “Well…my mother was a druggie. So I’m not comfortable with them. Then again they don’t care about us anyway.”

Walter tightened his eyes at her “That’s not true. I knew a cop personally or a police girl as she was called. She cared about everyone. Even me.” Thinking about the last things said between the two of them.

“When did you lose it?” Shirley had tight eyes while looking at the broken case.

“A week ago.” Ophelia answered

Shirley lowered herself to the pillow’s level. “I’m assuming you cleaned.”

“Yes I did.” Ophelia answered “I’m a bit of a neat freak.”

Walter asked with a raised brow “Why clean if you were gonna hire people to investigate?”

Ophelia yelled at Walter “I wasn’t planning on hiring anyone until yesterday.” She looked upset. “I was gonna just accept my egg being gone forever.”

Shirley got upbeat and put a hand on the harpy's shoulder “Don’t worry. I’ll find your egg. Bring it home safe and sound.” She then asked “By the way. What happened to your trash?”

Soon they were in the back room there were garbage bags as Ophelia says “The company is being bought out so I’ve haven’t been taking my trash to the nearest dump.”

“Good thing you haven’t done it yet.” Shirley asks “Is it in the bottom?”

Ophelia said “It’s in an old mayo jar. Didn’t want the glass to pop the bag.” Walter noted that Harpies like mayo.

Shirley sounded a bit disappointed “If the robber did bleed we wouldn’t be able to tell now.” and thought about what to do next. Then she raced to the front door. She lends down. Walter wrapped wires around her to keep her from falling. “Thanks Angel.” The nickname embarrassed Walter a little while filling him with pride as it’s been awhile since someone has referred to him with it. She moved the ladder and saw holes. She climbed back up and said “Someone climbed up here. I think with climbing gear.” Walter undid the wiring. Shirley nodded to him before asking Ophelia “Are you friends with anyone without wings?”

“Well…males are rare. So we harpies tend to mate with others. My father was an elven man while my mother was a harpy. So my father’s side has no wings.” She corrected herself “But I didn’t tell any of them about the egg. Only my parent and sibling.”

“One of them could have told or taken it.” Walter said.

Ophelia looked upset. “Yeah…”

Shirley goes through her shackle and takes out a small spray bottle in the color purple. She sprays the floor before skipping over to the door “Inside everyone.” she pulls them in. She turns off the light before rummaging through her shackle. She takes out a UV light. Then shines it onto the floor where she sprayed. There were strikes that showed something was cleaned up but not completely gone. “We have blood. But not enough to do anything with.” Shirley says.

She skips over and turns the light back on. “Time to question friends and family.” She points to Walter “Which means names, phone numbers, and addresses please.” Walter nods. He had to admit this was a little fun. Like living a detective novel type of fun. Shirley gave Ophelia a wicked smirk. “You have the info asked for.”

After listing everything Shirley and Walter packed up and climbed down the ladder. She looked at Walter and said “Now onto shopping.”

They got into a buggy and rode to a furniture store named “To Trash To Treasures.” The place was big, about two stories and it even had a hotdog stand inside. Both teens got a dog to fill them up. Walter wasn’t hurting so he was happy.

They walked around until they found the bedsits. There was a standard two person bed with drawers under the mattress. It’s in light wooden colors. Shirley told Walter “Lay on it. Get a good feeling.” Hence Walter was bored. He preferred the detective stuff over this. Shopping for his boss is one thing. He knows what to look for at the right price to make others happy. But he didn’t care. He’ll get whatever they gave him. If it’s the same thing or less than whatever. He was quiet while laying on the bed with his legs over the front. Shirley laid next to him and was pleased with the feeling.

“So what’s next regarding the case?” He asked, upbeat.

She looked at the ceiling “First we call the friends and family to try to interview through the phone. If not than in person.” She looks at him with a smile “Then we call around to different museums to see if they adopted it.”

“You think a museum has it?” He raised a brow at her. Once thinking about it he nodded his head “Actually you're right. If I were a thief I’d sell it to a museum too.” He questioned why he’s having a hard time thinking. Like he did when he was a teen. Maybe the young body is making him act this way. Like he did when he was a teenager. He rolled over to his side, holding his head up with his arm prompt on the bed “How do you suppose we got the egg back?”

“The same way I got my detective gear.” Shirley said. Walter glanced and noticed a pair of eyes watching them.

“How cute!” The pair of eyes said. Both teenagers jumped once hearing the creature. A short, about 6 years old child in height, with a bald head and green skin. Its ears were large and pointed up while its mouth was as big as its head. Its nose is flattish and wide and its eyes are in the shape of a grape. Its eyes are emerald green and it was wearing no clothing besides a human’s short plaid skirt. It smelled weirdly enough like a freezer. He is a full blown Goblin.

Shirley laughed and grabbed her chest “Trash you scared me.”

The Goblin named Trash says “You two look cute together.” His voice sounded like what you picture a goblin to sound.

Walter got embarrassed and yelled “We’re not together!” He said, “She's 30 years younger than me.”

“I’ve been to weddings when people were 100 years apart.” The goblin claimed.

Walter put his hands on his hips “Mind your damn business freezer burn booger!”

The goblin fell onto the floor laughing. “Where’d you get this one Shirley?!” he said loudly. “You’re boyfriend’s a riot!”

Walter growled annoyed. Shirley sits up “Trash, why do you assume everyone I hang out with I’m dating?”

“Goblins settle down early.” He hops into the bed which results in the skirt flying up. Walter saw more than he wanted which made him want to puke. A small set of testacies and tiny penis “Do you want bed?” He asks them.

Shirley answers “Not sure yet. We’re still bronzing.”

“Take all the time you need. Trash Goblin welcomes all to my shop.” Trash the Goblin says. This made Walter realize that the store belongs to the Goblin.

“We’ll take this.” He said to leave as quickly as possible

Chapter Text

“The Empress is a maternal, nurturing figure who enjoys self-indulgence and life’s creature comforts.”

A light wooden colored bed set with drawers below for storage, a mattress that shined in the light and had Chinese bayan trees as the pattern, two side tables in the same shade of wood as the bed set with two deep drawers, a dresser in the same shade of wood as well, that was higher than the teen and it has large drawls in it. Everything else they would have to get at a home goods store. Or at the many different shops around the underground.

“Thank God.” Walter commented to himself, “No more naked goblins.” He hoped the shopping trip was done.

Shirley draws on the wall with the pocket dimension chalk. She drew a large two set doors so they can put the items through. She snaps her fingers and from the blood formed more shadows and the door opens once again. Walter was sitting on the bed set. Orcs moved the items to the wall and waited. Shirley looked to the Orcs and stopped them by saying “Stay.” She looked to Walter “I wanna test your strength."

Walter raised a brow before standing onto his feet. Might as well show off when he can. He raised the bed set with one hand and started to drag with ease. There was a scraping sound that made everyone's ears shake. But he managed. As soon as he walked through the door. He saw an empty nothingness that made him question if anything was looking back inside the pocket. The feeling started to creep. He shook his head and ignored it by walking out. He went over and picked up a side table, holding like one would hold a barrel and pushing the other into the hole with his foot. Shirley smirked amazed while watching.

“Ahem!” Trash said to Shirley.

She looked down before sinking into his height “Yeah.”

“20 cookies.” Trash said while holding his hand open.

Shirley nodded and said “Can you get the cookies for me Angel?” Walter threw the bag at her. Which she caught while flinching. She started to count while handing him different cookies. The Goblin’s eyes lit up while smelling them. She thought about it and asked “By the way, who’s your supplier again?”

The Goblin started to eat “Trade deals?”

“Yes I know but who does it again? You’ve said before that mainly it’s from the same guy.” Shirley corrects. Meanwhile Walter was done with the task. He walked over to them in time.

“I closed the doors for you.” Walter said with a pleased tone like a true butler. He figured while moving the furniture that as long as he's her servant he should play the part somewhat. Especially since he wasn’t completely miserable with his new life. He still hated it but he was starting to enjoy the detective part of it.

“I trade with Matthew mostly. Why?” Trash asked with a tilted head and a cookie in his cheek.

Shirley nodded “Right Matthew.” She smiled “Where can I find this Matthew?”

“Don’t know. Never asked.” Trash shrugged his shoulders.

She shook her head and said while standing up “Ashamed. I was gonna pay someone for the info. Might turn to the bees instead.” With a fake tone to her voice.

Walter played along, although he didn’t know why. “Yeah…what a shame.”

Trash the Goblin waved his hands around “Wait! Wait! I can find info. Won’t be easy but I’ll find it.” He thought about it, “But I have something better for now.” He snapped his finger and one of his worker Orcs leaned down to his level. The Goblin says something to him in his ear and the worker Orc leaves the scene. “Something you’ll like.” Soon the orc returns with an old looking fedora hat. “Every PI needs one.”

Shirley smiled and asked “How much for it?”

“5 cookies.” The Goblin said. Meanwhile Walter had a feeling that the hat isn’t what it’s supposed to be. “Are you going to name it?”

Shirley awed at the hat “Aww it’s a baby! It doesn’t even have teeth.”

“What?” Walter asked as he saw the hat move. Shirley hugs it and the hat purrs. “The hell am I looking at?”

Trash chimes in saying “It’s a mimic. An infant. I was given it but have no use. Shirley here likes pets so.” the so lingered while he waved a hand around.

Shirley asks “You have a crate for it. I don’t want to put it in the pocket. The shadow beings might kill it.”

“There’s shadow beings in there?!” Walter asked.

Pans to the two walking with a rabbit crate and the hat inside. She says while looking at it “We’ll have to train it to become a chest instead of a hat. That way if people try going through our stuff. They’ll deal with it.” Walter has only heard about mimics once. One time while cooking he was listening to the soldiers in Hellsing hunt a creature that’s been killing hikers. Turned out to be a mimic pretending to be a house. While the two are leaving Shirley says to Walter quietly “Trash gets his items from trade. But rumor has it the trade isn’t taken with payment half the time.”

“He sales stolen items. Did we just buy stolen furniture?” Walter asked with a gap.

Shirley shrugged “We gotta do what we gotta do. Anyway, if this Matthew is in the robber business than he might know our thief if it was done by a professional.”

“Or might be the thief itself.” He said. “But only if none of the family or friends did it.”

Shirley smiled, “Better to keep our minds open and ready.” She questions “So you want to shop for clothes or home goods?”

Walter, bored of shopping, said “Let's leave it for tomorrow.”

“Than to the Bees it is.” Shirley said.

Another ride and they go to a large building with flowers everywhere. The lights are UV lighting for the plants to grow. The building is two stories and looks like it was built by the Greeks. It smelt great due to the floral scents.

“Remember when I ordered you to listen to me no matter what?” Shirley said to Walter while knocking on the door.

He asked, with his hand sin his pockets “Yeah?” Not paying attention as he saw something move off into the distance. 

“Whatever you do.” She sounded firm, “Do not flirt with them.”

The door opens to 5 different women. Two humans from African and English ethnicities, Two elves, one dark blue and the other pale pink, and one Orc with mute magenta skin. All beautiful, either blond with black stripes or black hair with blonde stripes. All built with fit with cheerleader bodies even with different body types, dressed in summer clothes in the tones of yellow or black. All at once look at Walter and say in a flirty voice “Hi!” letting it linger.

Walter slowly grew a grin hearing the tone and seeing the attractive women. All smelling like honey. He thought to himself at this moment he wasn’t in hell. Shirley said “Hey girls.”

Riley, seeing her, said “Hey!” than to Walter “Hey.” all flirty.

Walter walks in sophisticated with grace like he was when he was in his 30s. He smiles lightly at the women “Hello.” although his voice to many would be off putting. The women all coo and blush. Despite his voice. Fighting the urge to pinch his cheeks and kiss him all over.

The Elve with Pink skin says “He’s a little English gentleman."

Shirley is annoyed as he seems to be doing what she told him not too “I need info.” she asks Riley.

Walter watches as someone from the stairs starts coming down. With a thick Greek accent a woman taller than the average man with a full rack and backside walks into frame. Wearing a long sexy dress with a slit up the side and heals both in the shade of gold. Walter wanted to melt but didn’t. She was Mitterrandian with wild curly brown hair and yellow died tips at the ends. In her accent she says “Whatever you need Miss Horror.”

The other women move out of the way for the main one to get closer to Walter. She looks down to him. He blushes as the dress is low cut. She says “How cute.”

The Orc says “I know right. He’s adorable.”

Walter bows to them with an arm behind his back and his other across his chest “Good evening.”

Shirley steps in front of him “Hey back to me.”

“Of course Miss Horror. Anything for you.” rolling her words with every quick breath. Making the butler want to coo but he held it back.

“You have a friend, Ophelia whose egg was stolen. What do you know about it.” Shirley asked while holding to the couch in the living room. Placing the crate with the baby mimic down as it slept. Making herself at home. Walter followed but noticed the women following him. Making him feel great. This was the greatest thing to happen to him in a long while. Besides fighting Alucard that is. While sitting on the end of the couch. The dark blue Elve sat next to him on the arm of the couch. She asked “Are you taken?”

“That’s blunt.” He said in a flirty tone.

She said “We’re wondering if you want to pollinate us.”

“What?” He blushed a deep red in shock.

The woman in gold snaps her finger and says “Stacy. Back down.” Before looking at Shirley to answer her “Ophelia showed us the egg once. It’s crystallized in amber with cracks around it.” Shirley snaps at Walter who goes to get the note pad and pen out.

The Blonde Human says “Aww he's like her assistant. How cute.”

“What was this about pollinating.” Walter asked Stacy.

Shirley sighs “They’re were-bees. They kick out the Drones whenever winter comes around making them desperate for men when spring comes. They need to have kids.” She points to the woman in gold “Cally here is the Queen. She’s the only one who can turn anyone.”

Walter smirked with a raised brow “So if she bites or stings anyone than they become a were-bee?”

“No, they become a were-creature in general. The animal is based on your spirit. So if your spirit is a bee then you become a were bee. Most spirits are boring things so wolves, bears, bats, tigers, anything kewl that a guy would claim is rare.” Shirley corrects. Before turning back to Cally “You were saying.”

Cally replies “Sadly that’s all I know. We’ve haven’t been able to do anything because-” Suddenly the lights go out. “What!”

One of the girls says “The UVs are out!”

Another whines “What about the garden?!”

The sound of wicked laughter echoes through the building as the front windows are broken in with bricks. The mimic cries like a human baby. As the noise woke it. Shirley, Walter, and Cally jump to their feet. “Come out you scary cats!” Said a female voice. Another yells “You bitches!” The first says “Before we burn the garden!”

Everyone goes to the windows to see what was happening. Sadly a brick flies through and hits one of the girls, the Pink Elve in the nose. Breaking it. Blood gusting down her face as she falls back and onto the floor. Everyone ducks down while Shirley and Walter peek out the window. “Those…” Shirley says “Are were-wasps. Like real ones, they're nothing but assholes.”

Shirley looks over to see her bees trying to wake up the pasted out Britney that couldn’t handle the pain. She grew tight eyes and said “Stay still.” before standing and rushing out the door.

There were three women dressed in biker clothes with an insane amount of piercings. They had bats and chains. All of them are colored with black and mustard yellow. Their hair is frizzy in shades of blonde and black. “Daniel better not be in there!” yelled one of them.

“For the last time! Leave the bees alone!” Shirley yells at them while closing the front door behind her without touching it “I get it, they stole your man but that doesn’t mean you can-” with lightning-like speed one of the bees throws a brick Shirley’s direction. Shirley dodges just in time as it breaks through the door.

One of the were-wasps says after smelling the air towards Shirley “Heads up, magic user!” Another asks “Are you their bodyguard or something?”

“At the moment, yes. As someone who can legally arrest you for one of many crimes you’ve committed at the moment, I’m ordering you to go home. Just because Danny went to live with the bees doesn’t mean you can hurt them.” Shirley yelled firmly.

One of the wasps yells while flipping her off “Fuck you!” And suddenly wires appear out of nowhere and wrap around her arm before cutting it off, including bone. Making the wasp drop the bat. She screams in pain and drops to the floor while her blood rushes around.

“Sorry I didn’t hear you right. The only one allowed to talk that way to her is me.” Walter said with a grin while entering into the scene.

Another offended for her fellow wasps “Big talk for someone who hasn’t dropped their balls yet.” The one that was attacked picks up her arm and holds it in place while it heals back together. She looks at Walter and says “You ruined my jacket bitch!”

Shirley puts her hands on her hips “I told you to stay still.”

“And Xanadu told me to protect you, remember?” Walter said.

Like mist forming over their bodies the girls started to change. Their rough yet beautiful faces became bug-like and chins pointed like wasps with dozens of eyes. Their bodies hunched over and hands form long sharp needle like claws. Popping their clothes completely off, leaving them partly naked. Their feet are no longer human with wasp-like needles. But the problem which the two would have to face is the large wings on their backs. Once there were three women now full blown were-wasps. Walter said “I’ve been dying to kill something.”

“No killing!” Shirley ordered. “You can hurt but you can’t kill. It’s an order.”

Walter, a bit annoyed, said “So this is what Alucard feels.” he nodded his head “Yes Hag. I’ll do as you asked.”

One of the wasps flew towards him but with an upbeat smile he jumped out of the way and flew his wires around the girl. He pulled his arm back and cut into its skin. Meanwhile another charges making him flip backwards again. Which makes the wires go even deeper into the first one.

Shirley hated to do it but ripped her tight mini skirt so there was more ability to move. The third wasp however took the moment to push her into the door of the buildingwith a kick. Her head hitting the knocker on the door and cutting her forehead. Knocking the girl down. It laughed while slowly walking towards her.

Shirley, pissed off, waits til the wasp goes to strike before roughly blowing a large thing of fire out at the creature. In flames it screams and cries before shaking itself to make itself stop.

Walter waits for the wasp to charge him again, noticing stingers where tails would be. He charges towards one as it does him. He slides under it while it flies high. Wrapping wiring around it before pulling it with his strength towards the floor. 

It slams its stinger and gets stuck in the ground. He laughs wickedly while racing over to it. He hops over it before throwing a strong punch into its face. It tried to bite his fingers but couldn’t react due to it being stuck. The punch was enough to make its neck pop. With mist it turns back into its human form. She was knocked out.

Meanwhile the second one kicks Walter into the chest, creating a cracking noise. As immense pain echoed throughout Walter’s body. Causing him to spit out blood. Shirley sees this and screams “ Swords! ” and 5 form from the air around her. Floating in place. She gestures towards the second one and the different types of swords fly towards the beast and stabs it throughout its body.

“I…thought…we weren’t…killing.” Walter says through the pain. But he was pleased. Because she was helping him instead of assuming he could do it by himself. True he felt he could but the thought of a partnership was better than before. The only one who would have done this was Integra which is why he loved her as much as he did.

Shirley says “To kill a were you have to take out their heart. I missed it.” The second turns back into its human form and falls onto the floor. Unable to move and remove the blades as they were everywhere.

While speaking the third was no longer on fire. Both teens notice her. Walter realized at this moment he was slowly healing from his pain. He looked and his chest was cracking back to its original spot. The were-wasp glances at the two others and says “This isn’t over!” She flies over and picks up by their jacket collars, the two other wasps before flying off.

Shirley runs over to Walter “How are you?” She starts moving his shirt to check it out. Showing off his skinny gymnastics body morphing back to place from under the skin. “That’s amazing!” Shirley said to the sight. Blood races down her forehead making it look like she’s worse than she is. As the forehead bleeds a lot more than the rest of the body. He started checking the forehead out while Shirley stopped him and said “I’m fine.” She wipes some of the blood away “I hit the knocker and the swords used a lot of my mana.”

The front door opens and all the bees minus one cause she’s still passed out runs towards them and hugs and kisses them like crazy. Both teens blushed at the kisses as lip stick marks are left all over their cheeks.

The Queen bee comes out and says “Thank you. My heroes. Whatever you need we’ll provide.”

Just as a plus size human male walks up in a local store's uniform. He looks like a basic joe. He notices the mess and asks “What did I miss?” All the bees including the Queen go over to him and start being lovey dovey towards him. All except Stacy. She was on Walter’s arm rubbing her boobs on him. Which he was in bliss.

The queen Cally says to the male “The wasps attacked out again honey.” While kissing his forehead.

Shirley explained to Walter “He’s their boyfriend Danny.” she sees Stacy “Although they’re open for more.” Walter just grinned at her.

Chapter Text

“The Emperor uses calm, commanding, practicality to take control and save the day.”

After being stitched up from the fight and riding a buggy all the way back from the Were-Bees Hive. They traveled back into the tunnel and back into the car. While driving off they informed the soldiers in the front about Walter’s appointment. Which they told them to be there in time. They drove all the way back to the house. Drew the portal on the wall in the empty room next to Shirley’s. She told Walter “Set your room up however you want it.”

“Yes, Hag.” He replied with.

She gave him an annoyed look “One of these days I’m gonna get you for that nickname.” She turns to the door “I’ll be on the phone if you need me.”

Shirley headed down the stairs. And into the living room. She looked at the coffin and asked the coffin “What am I gonna do with you?” with her hands on her hips. She looks at her hip, feeling the ripped skirt. She sighs “Gotta fix you.” She shimmed the skirt off her and started looking around her washing machine and black cabinet next to it. She commented “Shoot!” Unable to find what she was looking for.

Walter walked down the stairs as the clock began to ring. DING DONG DONG DING! He rolled his eyes annoyed at it. Shirley walked into the scene holding the skirt. She says “Hi.” and walks down the hall where the half bathroom is. Looking for something.

He turned his head away from her and blushed seeing her in her underwear. He said “As your servant it’s my job to tell you what you're doing is unladylike.”

He glanced over and saw her smirk before saying “I don’t care.” She finds the large box sewing kit. She cheers “Yes!” before going on her tippy toes to grab it. He glanced up and down at her body before getting mad at himself for falling for his teenage hormones. He knows better but he’s falling for it.

She gets the kit down and goes to the table. But he stops her and takes the kit from her. He says “That’s my job.” with a smile on his face. “Where’s the skirt?” Shirley points to the dining room. She follows him as he quickly grabs the skirt and sets the sewing kit on the table. He opens it and without a question grabs what’s needed. Undoes the thread and yanks the thread and easily breaks it. He threads the needle and starts quickly sewing through the jean mini skirt.

She just stares shocked. “How are you doing that! It’s denim." He gives a cocky smirk and continues.

Just at this moment the phone in the kitchen starts to ring. Echoing throughout the house. Both Walter and Shirley skip to the phone. But Walter uses wires to grab it and yank it to him. “Hello Horror Residence? How may I help you?”

“Walter?” a familiar voice says. A deep and commanding woman’s voice.

It made Walter stop in his tracks and stutter before saying “S-sir Integra?” Shirley tightens her lips and widens her eyes in shock.

Across the seas in the middle of the night unable to sleep in the hotel she was renting until the Hellsing Manor is fully repaired. She says “So your back? Alive?” Before Walter could say anything she asked “Why? Why did you do this?”

His face sunk to the floor, is heart hurting. He didn’t know what to say. All he could say was “I’m sorry.” Shirley wanted to save the day but couldn’t. He had to pay the piper as many say. This is a punishment after all. “Nothing I do will undo what I’ve done.” He said to the phone.

“You’re damn right.” Integra said “I need to talk to Shirley. Hand her the phone.” He held it to his new boss. While his face pointed to the floor. For the momen the forgot why he was here. He’s in Hell and is supposed to be in it.

Shirley takes the phone and says “Hey Girly!”

“I…I can’t sleep. I just wanted an update.” Integra says upset in her voice. “How is he?”

“A pain in the ass so far. Are you upset sweety?” Shirley says.

Integra wipes her eyes and fixes her voice “No. I’m mad. I lost both of them in one day. And the traitor is the one I got back.”

Shirley looked upset “I tried to bring Alucard back. I’m sorry. My magic wasn’t good enough.”

“Don’t be.” Integra said “You didn’t do anything wrong.” She smirked, “Remember to give Walter what he deserves.”

“Right. As you wish.” Shirley says as Integra hangs up the phone. She puts the phone in place and looks to the butler. Tears falling to the floor. Shirley didn’t know what to do. She wanted to comfort him but she couldn't. She doesn’t believe what he did was right. He deserves to face his demons. So she says to Walter “So what do you want for dinner?” she goes through her fridge “Breakfast sandwiches?” she gives an awkward grin at him.

Dinner was quiet, awkward even. It was yummy. They enjoyed the food but Walter felt like complete and utter shit. He finished the skirt, which Shirley put it back on. But nothing can change that. They sat in silence while eating their food. Shirley says “Hey?” He looked at her but didn’t move his head. “You wanna go shopping tomorrow?”

“Whatever you want.” He says a bit broken.

“Well I figured we could get food and clothes from the upper world. I have enough for those.” Shirley said.

Walter put on his butler tone “My voice doesn’t matter.” He tilts his head “As a servant-”

She stops him by placing a finger on his lips “As a butler. You’re second in command. And in time you're going to make decisions for me. I’m turning to you for advice. Yes you're a servant but your opinion matters. Now do you want to go shopping tomorrow?”

He thought about it before saying “You have bullocks for food. Yes, groceries would be good.” he spoke while pushing her hand away from his face.

“Good.” She says with a smile. Seeing him acting like his regular self…or at least how he’s been acting towards her. “Thanks for the skirt by the way.”

“You’re welcome.” Walter says with a half smile.

The two went to their rooms. Walter had to use the blankets and pillow from the couch as he didn’t have bedding yet. He hated himself most of the night until the sadness made him fall asleep. He woke to a noise. The sound of someone knocking on the front door. Followed by thunder. He quickly throws on clothes and runs down the stairs. He glanced at the clock and saw it was after 7. So he slept in. He made his way to the door and opened it while saying “My apologies!” with a grin.

“None taken Walter.” Was all the adult says with a proper British accent. Which put the teen boy off as he didn’t give his name. There was a man around 6’3 in height. Lightly fit but you can tell by looking at him that he’s strong. Dark red hair with grey streaks in it that’s short and combed back. His hooded eyes are in the color dark blue. With a hooked nose and a bold strong chin on an oval face. In a dark blue turtle neck sweater, a green blazer. A mustard yellow pair of pants and a pair of brown dress shoes. Holding a simple brown cane in hand. “May I come in.” He asks in an old school British accent.

Walter gestures for him to come inside. At the moment Walter’s nose picks up something he smelt off Shirley. He picked up all kinds of scents in the underground but didn’t think much about it until now.

The man goes to the kitchen and sees the empty cabinets. He looked disappointed. Walter says “We’re shopping today.” trying to save the situation.

“I need to talk to Regina.” the man says. Not looking at Walter as he notices everything is cleaned.

“I’m not familiar with Regina sir. You may be at the wrong house.” Walter says with a butler tone.

The man corrects himself “She goes by Shirley.”

“Aww yes.” Confused a little “Shirley does live here. May I ask what this is about?” Walter asked a bit concerned for his new boss.

The stranger looks at Walter “You don’t need to protect her. Her and I will go back.”

Walter nods before heading up the stairs and knocks on Shirley’s door. He cracks it open but she’s not in there. All he saw was the mimic sleeping on the bed. Walter headed down the stairs confused about where she was.

He saw the back door open and the man standing on the back porch. Just waiting. Walter saw Shirley dancing in the rain. She mainly spun around while getting soaked. Dressed in baggy light blue jeans with large holes in the knees. Army boots in a tan color. And a dark green tan top with thick stripes. She was wet. For a second Walter saw she wasn’t alone. Three woman danced with her. All beautiful but something was off about them. One in a darker complexion with hooves and a copper leg and fire for hair. Another large with the legs of a snake’s tail in the shades of grays. Lastly a woman with a bat like face and long black hair. Shirley mostly spun until she noticed the stranger watching. The moment she stopped the other woman were gone. The red headed man yells to her “You haven’t changed a bit.”

Shirley walks in and says “Is something wrong?” a bit on the concerned side.

The stranger says in a fatherly tone “I figured I’d stop by and check up on you.” He held himself up with his cane “Nimue told me about your visit with her.” He looks at Walter “You have a new familiar.” Then back to Shirley “Are you doing good?”

Shirley tightens her lips while thinking before saying “Yeah…I’m fine.”

“So no.” Said the stranger.

Shirley says “Jason. I’m fine.”

The man named Jason said “I heard you have a new enemy. Do you need help in defeating her?”

She looked at him a bit shocked, “You don’t think I should ignore her like Xanadu.”

He huffed a laugh with a grin “Of course not. Vampires like her deserve to die.” he gave a smirk.

She looked like she might cry and said “I missed you.” and hugs him.

The man didn’t know how to take the hug but didn’t fight it either “Nimue also told me you have no guardian to fool the humans. Do you need me to take the spot.” He asked.

“I mean…” She let go of him “I’m not against it. But don’t you live in Gotham?”

“Yes.” He says “But I can always bring you two with me until you’re old enough to live on your own."

Shirley thinks about it and sighs before saying “I can’t. I have a case. I’m needed here.”

He thinks about it “Do you have a choice? I mean the world isn’t going to accept you looking the age your in.”

Walter stepped into the conversation while getting into Jason’s view of sight “Yes she does and I don’t want to go to Gotham with you, sir.”

“I’m only trying to help. This world is cruel us magic users. Worse if your a female. You know the amount of women I saved from being burned alive?” Jason glanced at Walter before turning back to Shirley “I’m giving you a week.” She was gonna argue but he interrupted “If you don’t have a guardian. I’m finding someone to fill the role.” He nodded to the teens “Also I’m always here if you need it.” before heading to the front door. It opened and closed on it’s own for him. 

Walter watched him leave while standing in the hall before asking Shirley “Who was that?”

“Jason Blood. One of my many parent figures throughout my training. He taught me to read and write when my father was busy.” she said while walking over to her coffee machine “He’s a demonologist. Probably the best.” Shirley says while getting two cups of coffee down. Then getting mad at herself for grabbing the second cup for her father again. 

“Why’d he called you Regina.” Walter asked before putting it together “Is that your real name?”

She raced over to him and got into his face “Call me Shirley or Hag. Nothing royal remember.”

He smirks at her. The want to annoy her grew “It is isn’t it? Why do you hate your name?” a bit curious as she’s the first he’s met to hate the name Regina. It’s a pretty name, why hate it?

“You give nothing your real name. You don’t know what they can do with it.” She says before calling Walter “Angel.” to state that’s why she gave him a nickname.

Walter tightened his eyes at her “Is that really the reason?” He questions her with a wicked grin “Or is there something you're not telling me?”

Shirley, annoyed, ignored him and hurried up the stairs. She didn’t want to look at him. Talk to him. Anything at the moment. She slammed her bedroom door which woke the mimic. She said to it with a baby voice “Aww it’s okay!” In her light purple pink bedroom is a deck with a computer on it. It’s in the corner on the right of the door as the majority of the room is taken by her large bed. Her bedding is green with trees on it. Next to the computer is a pink see through plastic cellphone on a cord. The walls had Christmas lights on it that’s nailed up with hooks. Her window to the right of the door is covered by thick purple curtains. Although even if they were open it was too dark to see without light. A single bulb with a paper ball lanterned over it.

Walter put on the apron and a pair of gloves as he went to the bathroom to clean and organize what’s been ignored. As much as calling her by her real name would annoy her. He knows better than to push her buttons too far. Besides he’s attached to calling her Hag.

Shirley took off her wet clothes and put on her PJs which is underwear and a baggy guys t-shirt with the logo of the Steelers on it. Without shoes and socks on she went over to the 4 mood boards on her wall over her bed. Waking up the mimic but it coos at her instead of crying this time around. She had taken a photo of Ophelia before leaving the harpy’s home and of the empty case. Thanks to having a polaroid camera she had them printed out. She lays on her bed and pets the living hat while looking at these photos.

She grabs the phone before going through the shackle for the notepad with the phone numbers on it. She finds the first number and gives a call. While waiting for an answer she gets a larger notepad and a pen.

Answering the phone is an Elven male’s voice “Hello?” spoken in Elven with an American accent

Shirley speaks in Elven while asking “Is this Mister Allyn Michel?” the language is beautiful to hear. Like a left floating in the wind.

“Yes?” said a male’s voice.

She smiles and writes down his voice to her being strong like whiskey. “I’m Shirley Horror. The detective hired by your daughter for something I can’t disclose at the moment. Do you have a moment of your time to answer some questions for me?”

“Umm…,” The Elven man thought about it. “-Right now?” He asked.

“Sometime today would be best?” Shirley says. “Oh!” she remembered “And I’d like your daughters Olivia and Olive to be there too.”

“May I know why? What do they have to do with this?” He asked. Clearly defensive for himself and his daughters.

Shirley replied “Can’t say. Not unless you can chat with me now?” The elve was silent. Thinking on his side of the phone. Shirley asked “Hello?”

He said “I’m off work around 5. My daughters are off around 6.”

“6 it is.” She says. “See you there.”

She called another person. Ophelia herself before going any farther “Hey dear it’s Shirley.”

A light brown bathroom with black accents here and there. A large mirror taking up most of the wall and all of the counter space. A toilet besides the counter and sick and a bath shower combo across from the counter and toilet. The curtain was plastic in the color of pale orange. Walter cleaned the counter and all the bottles. He noted in his mind that they needed to get more as they were pretty low. Either it’s been a while sense they got more or Shirley uses a lot at once. Just in the cleaning zone. No music as Walter was in his own head. Mainly wondering if the Jason Blood fellow was coming back. He can’t force Shirley to have a guardian can he. I mean either of them look like adults so yeah human world will cause problems. Like how is Walter supposed to buy more coffin nails. A part of him was willing to live with this Jason bloke if he was able to smoke. 

Shirley entered the room with a grin. He glanced at her and wasn’t shocked by her outfit. By this point he knew she would walk around naked if she wanted. He asked “Did you dress like this around your father?”

“When he wasn’t home. Why?" She looks at her outfit confused. “Nevermind.” She says. “At 6 o'clock we’re heading to the Underground to talk to the family members of Ophelia.”

He smirked at her “Sounds like fun.” He noticed in that moment markings around her neck, they looked like rope cuts “What happened there?” he asked concern.

She covers it with her hair. She takes a couple of steps and stops, thinking to herself if she should tell him. After thinking she tells herself not to, as he turned his back on Integra with important information. Then she remembered he’ll hurt if he tried too. Just like if he hurt someone without her permission. But she wasn’t comfortable with telling him. She doesn’t know him. So as much as he can keep it a secret. It hurt to much to tell.

“Anyway.” She says changing the subject while not looking at him “We have enough time to go shopping before work.” She started to head to her bedroom door and yelled “So get ready.” before closing it behind her. 

He was relieved that she was no longer mad at him and that they’ll play detective more that day. They both got ready. Walter is wearing the same jeans as before but a different shirt. A white turtle neck he found with short sleeves.

He goes into the car and notices a human baby in the car seat behind them, yet in between them from the mirror. It had a necklace with a blue crystal on it. The infant is just sleeping. “Umm…” He looked at Shirley as he was waiting on him.

She was cleaning her nails with a mechanical pencil. She realized his concern and answered “It’s the mimic.” He just stares at her. Which made the female ask “What?”

“Why…why?” Was all he could ask.

Shirley said “He cries like a human baby anyway. And we can’t just leave him home yet. So I figured.”

He looked at the mimic and saw its cubby face and black hair. Wearing boy clothes. Walter asked “How and where did you get the stuff?”

Shirley shrugged “Dad had baby stuff in the attic. On how he looks, I used a glamour charm.” she said while messing with her necklace at him to hint at he necklace on the baby.

He looked back at the infant and saw the necklace on him. Walter started the car and said “People are gonna assume it’s our baby.”

“I know.” She said, not even looking at him. “I was thinking of naming it Charlee like from-”

They say together “Charlee and the chocolate factory.”

He he breathes out the words while holding onto the bridge of his nose “Yeah I figured.” He was baffled by the whole thing.

But drove anyway. Through the city to the closest food market. They went inside with a baby stroller and the mimic inside of it. It was awake and looking around confused. It’s in a human body which it isn’t used to. Given its use as a hat. While Shirley’s watching the mimic and saying to it “Charlee.” in a baby voice.

Walter grabs a cart and starts planning out dinner for the next week. There’s a problem however. He doesn’t have his cookbooks. You might be wondering why he doesn’t just remember them by heart and I’ll answer you by explaining. The older he got the harder it was for him to remember. It’s one of the many things that caused him to HATE his old age. That and you can only have so much information in your head and he was a vampire hunter before a butler. So most of his knowledge is surrounding monsters and how to properly kill them.

So one of the many things he grabbed when in the book section of the store is a cook book. Then he raced around the store grabbing everything needed for the different recipes in the first few pages. While also getting things he believed they needed in general. Every time Shirley thought she caught up with him he zoomed somewhere else. Filling up the cart. Shirley had a basket with baby food in it. The different meat types as the mimic has no teeth.

Once he was ready he found Shirley and said “Time to check out.”

“Oh okay!” She was shocked while slightly amazed. The fastest trip for someone who didn’t know where anything was. They checked out and went to the next place. Named Boscovs. There they got beddings, towers, shampoo and conditioner and clothes for Walter. Hours had passed but not enough. So they made it back to the house and started setting things up. It wasn’t a lot as they didn’t have enough room in the car. Walter set up the kitchen. Changed into a different outfit. A giant skull black shirt with white markings, a dark plaid dress shirt that’s open, short fingerless gloves, and tight holey boot cut jeans with chains from his original outfit on his hip and arm. 

They finished pretty early and had time to spare. So Walter made them eggs on toast and they ate while Shirley fed the mimic, before packing up everything Shirley needed and heading all the way to the Underground.

Shirley held a tape recorder that’s been painted on with nail polish to her lips. She started it “Case 1 the missing egg. I’m with.” she holds it to Walter who was driving this time around.

He says “Walter C Dornez.”

“Aka” She holds back to him.

“The Angel of Death.” He says with a smile.

She puts back to her own lips “And I’m the detective Shirley Horror. Today we’re looking into the dino egg that was stolen from the Hummingbird Harpy named Ophelia Michel. Unlike her mother who bared human-like figures with harpy wings, our girl takes from her father an Urban City Elve.”

“Urban city?” Walter asked.

“Don’t mind Walter, he's new to the world of magic. But I’ll answer him by saying. All creatures have different ethnicities. Some it’s based on their animal and for others it’s types. Elves are based after landscapes. Like forests, mountains, oceans and the most recent is Urban Cities.” She leans back in the car seat “Depending on the ethnicity depends on their figures, skin color, natural hair and eye colors.”

“Yeah I get it.” He says nonchalantly.

Shirley puts her feet on the dash “Anyway our elven harpy is 5’5. She’s skinny like a ballerina dancer with small wings that she quickly flaps to fly with like a humming bird.” Walter thought back and yeah she flew like one.

“She’s also flustered.” Walter added.

Shirley says “I think that’s how she talks.” Walter nods agreeing. She continues with “Ophelia is 69 years old, born on February 11th.” Walter was a little shocked because he assumed Ophelia was young based on her appearance. Until he thought about it and Greek mythos never said they aged like humans. They were just spirits of the storms and winds. That and they eat people.

“So tell me about Harpies then.” Walter asked.

Shirley asked, “Meaning?”

“Like they’re ethnicities and stuff.” Walter said. “Fill me in on what I might not know.”

Shirley turned off the recorder and thought about it before saying “They came before sirens. The off shoot cousins. They started as children of the gods until like every other race they started producing themselves. They used to follow the storms and feed on the people lost in the weather. They can control storms for the most part but can’t do much with it. Hence the wind blowing when you broke her window the other day.” She thinks more and says “Men are rare so they tend to mix their genes. Back in the day they kidnapped humans to be their mates. Then again no one cared what happened to anyone back then. Like everything they have a mobster gang of them which drop their victims from a great height as their signature.” gesturing to it with her hands.

“Jesus.” Walter thought about it. Pizza marks all over the sidewalks where the poor victims landed. Kind of kewl.

Shirley says “Depending on what they mate with depends on what they’re weak to. Sense most modern ones mate with humans or fae they’re weak to everything in a way or iron. The only thing they can’t heal from.” Now that Walter theorized but needed it confirmed. He was told by Alucard once that faeries are weak to iron, rod iron in particular which is why most houses use iron for gates to keep them out.

Shirley turned the recorder back on and said “Anyway our harpy Ophelia is the youngest of four children. And unlike the rest of her family she took most of her traits from her mother the harpy while the rest took after their father. Although she has the skin, eyes, ears and weakness of an elve. Besides that she has the wings, legs, and abilities of her mother the harpy.” She starts counting with her fingers “Her and her siblings were hatched from eggs. Only 1 out of 5 harpies give live birth due to the mixed blood over the centuries. The rest lay eggs. They lay one at a time although some can have two at a time. No more however.”

Shirley starts getting dramatic while saying “On Wednesday the 2nd of June in 1999. Ophelia leaves to go to a local pub with her best friend a flamingo harpy named Lemonayd with a Y instead of an I. The two met up at the pub once every two weeks as Lemonayd has a lot of work in between that time. They flirt with guys, get free drinks. Everything one would do at a pub. Named the Pepsi Bar. As most of the drinks they use to mix their liquor is from the Pepsi factory. After a couple of drinks, which isn’t a lot for a harpy or elve. She returns to her apartment 714 in the birdcage part of the city. To find the door unlocked. Unknowns to her someone used climbing gear to get to her door and broke into her apartment. The power was off and the storms outside rolled as her neighbors were arguing. Her apartment was a mess which isn’t at all how she left it as she’s known as a neat freak, she’s even noted this.”

The two made it to the tunnel to give her ID. Walter reminds them he has an appointment on the 8th for his ID for the underground. They let them through and they start driving.

Shirley returns to her story “Due to the wreckage. Our victim Ophelia started going through her belongings to see what was stolen. It was once she reached her bedroom that she found the missing item. Her one of a kind dinosaur egg inside an ember. She became broken seeing it gone. However, due to past episodes with the police and her mother, Dromeda’s drug addiction and later on murder. She didn’t have confidence in the police. So she cleaned up the broken glass. Most of it on the pillow meaning the person hit the case from the outside. There was also blood on the glass and on the floor. Meaning our thief cut themselves. Sadly our victim cleaned up the mess and grew into her depression after losing her beloved egg.” 

Shirley looked upset as if she was feeling for the harpy. Something Walter wanted to feel however he couldn’t help but see her as something other than human and anything feeling like a human just didn’t make sense to him. Alucard and the other vampires for years have reminded him that monsters don’t think or act like humans.

Chapter Text

“The Hierophant is a teacher and leader who values traditions, rules, and order.”

Michel resides in the underground. There was a two story house in the shade of blue with a wooden fence in the front and back yard. No plants as they were underground but plenty of wind chimes. They appeared just as a late 20s looking Elven man appeared. He had the same skin tone as Ophelia, a mid teal color with pale apple green eyes. His eyes were Elven as the white part was black and the pupils were white. He was tall and thin dressed in old school Elven robes. So thick with long sleeves like a celtic version of a Japanese kimono. All in the shade of green with forest design on it. If you had to compare him to a human, he looked to be Korean, however he’s an Elve so the comparison only helps with picturing him. A long and thin rectangle face with a long and pointed chin with strong cheekbones and downturned monolid eyes. His nose is hookish and he had thin brows.

Shirley held a picture up of Ophelia and said “That’s her father.” as the Elve entered the home. Shirley and Walter quickly went to the door. Walter knocked on it. The elven man was right by the door in the hallway of the home so he easily opened the door.

“Yes?” he asked in Elven, which Walter didn’t understand.

Shirley asked in English “Do you speak English by chance?”

“Yes.” answered the man before asking “Are you Miss Horror?” with a raised brow.

She grins “Yep.”

Walter said with a smile and tilted head “We’re here to ask questions.”

Allyn, as the Elve is named, holds the door open to let them inside. A medium thin hallway with an opening into the living room, a door all the way at the end for the bathroom and a staircase attached to the wall. In the colors of brown and blue with a Victorian looking wallpaper on the hallway walls. Both teens with the mimic still glamoured to be an infant walk inside. 

The Elve points to the mimic and says, knowing what it is, “Please tell me that’s not your pet?”

“You kidding in the upper world, it's my baby.” Shirley says. “But that doesn’t matter.” Walter got the notepad ready as Shirley starts the tape recorder and asks “Mind if I record this?”

“Umm…no.” The man said while sitting on the couch with tight eyes. “What’s this about?” Shirley and Walter stood in front of him. “Would you like a chair?” said the elven man while gesturing to a single seat.

Walter grabbed a chair for his boss and let her sit. As he sat on the arm of the chair. Shirley said to Allyn “May I ask your name, age, date of birth, and relationship to the victim Ophelia Michel.”

Allyn the Urban City elve nodded and followed alone “My name is Allyn Franklin Michel, I’m 166 years old. Born on October 2nd in 1832 and I’m the father of Ophelia Michel.”

Shirley asks “For the record are you a harpy like our victim?”

“No.” said the parent in the room “I’m an Elve. Making my daughter half elve half harpy.”

“Now your relationship to Ophelia. You can be as over the top as you feel.” Shirley says as Walter takes notes.

The Elve smiles “Well as stated before. She’s my daughter. The only one of my children to take after her mother and process the harpy abilities. When she through tantrums when she was young she would cause wind to blow throughout the neighborhood. Her mother thought it was cute while I worried about power outs.” He grew concerned “Is she okay? I mean why are you asking about her?”

Walter claimed in “Yes she’s fine.”

Shirley says “I’m investigating her stolen egg. You’re one of the few people who knew about it and knows about the victim. So I’m here to ask questions.” placing the recorder on the elven looking coffee table. “Now how was Ophelia with her mother?”

The Elve, still unsure about the questioning, says “They were close. Loved each other of course. It was heartbreaking for me and my children when we lost her.”

Walter asked “Drug overdose. I mean can harpies die from that?”

Allyn blinks confused “No.” she puts his arms in his sleeves “I mean she was part human so drugs affected her after a point but no she didn’t die from them. Monster hunters from the upper world broke into the city and went on a mass murder against anything non-human. She was going to work that day.”

Shirley tells Walter before he asked “Monster hunters come in two forms. Those like you who protect and others that are complete bastards.”

Walter nodded to the Elve “I’m sorry for your loss.” in his butler tone.

The Elve has a half smile while saying “Ophelia being the most like her mother was the closest to her. I always feared she would follow her mother’s footsteps in the addiction but luckily for her and I drugs don’t affect her like I.”

Shirley nods “Now I have to ask. Can you recall your whole day in as much detail as possible on the Wednesday the 2nd of June this year.”

The Elve thought about it and said “I don’t know. I.” he looked to the floor “I was helping my daughter Olivia. My second child. She’s getting married.”

“Congratulations.” Shirley commented.

Walter said “Good for you.” unsure what to think still as something none human is marrying. Something humans normally do. Yet elves and harpies are doing it.

The Elve named Allyn continued “Thank you. She was picking a venue so I was trying to convince her to go to my church for the ceremony.”

Shirley asked “You’re church?”

Allyn answered “Church Oberous on the south side of the Elve part of the city. It’s near the King and Queen’s house.” He continued his explanation “Then I went to work at the local gardening shop. Got there around 3 instead of 8 like I normally do and got off around 5 before coming home and enjoyed my shows.”

“What did you watch?” Shirley asked.

He thought about it “I don’t know. Some old movies. It was an upper world horror movie. About the No life King I believe. I don’t remember.” He finished with “I greeted my daughter Olive once she came home from work. We chatted about the venue while making dinner. Ate then went to bed.”

“Can she confirm this?” Shirley gave a wicked grin.

“Yes.” He got a little defensive “Why? You think I robbed my daughter?”

“Maybe.” Walter said. “Not used to Elves.”

He tightened his eyes at Walter and said “Well others might keep the old school way of thinking. I on the other hand don’t. My church says otherwise.”

Shirley corrected “Your church that’s about Oberon and Titiana. Notorious mobsters in the underground.”

He corrected her “They steal when needed. Like all deities.”

“Minor deities. The Gods don’t recognize them anymore.” Shirley argued with a smirk.

Walter being a shit says “Nor do I.”

The Elve asks “You worship more than Sorceress. The devil?”

Shirley gets offended “I worship all deities. Good or evil in the eyes of the many I don’t care. If they ask for me I answer. I’m just pointing out the difference between an Immortal and an God.”

“Would you steal in the name of one of your gods?” He asked.

She nods her head “If asked, yes. They wouldn’t want it unless it was important.”

“And yet Oberon and Titania don’t count?” He asks as if he had something.

Shirley said “Well Zeus doesn’t hire people to riddle others with bullets for reputation alone. Unlike your minor deities.” She grins at the elve “Now don’t get me wrong I respect them but they’re different from regular gods.”

Walter was a little confused about the conversation. Sense when did Shakespeare characters become real. Let alone mobsters or gods. Then again in his eyes there’s only one god and all the rest are just demons.

Shirley asked the Elve “Back to the case. Why would anyone think you stole from your daughter? Not saying you did but if someone pointed at you.”

Allyn sighed “I assume it’s because of my faith. As you said. My deities are known to be treated like gangsters in the area. Although they aren’t evil and they would never convince me to steal from my own child.”

Shirley asks “May I ask who you think did it and why?”

The elve didn’t skip a beat “Her friend, that no good girl. She convinced my daughter to skip school throughout her life. Ophelia almost was kicked out of high school because of her.”

Walter said “Maybe her god asked for it.”

Shirley tells the butler “Harpies either worship the Slovic or Greek gods. But you have a point.”

Allyn continues “She’s stolen from her parents in the past to get drinks. Because of her my daughter was engaged as a teen and never completed the marriage. That girl has been nothing but a problem since the beginning.” clearly annoyed with the girl.

Shirley says to Walter “Having sex with someone in Elven culture means engagement. Tradition says they marry whoever took their virginity but modern girls have argued with it thanks to the upperworld’s way of life.”

Walter huffed as a laugh “Well. At least she’s not forced.”

Allyn looked annoyed. “I tried to convince her to go with the marriage but she wanted nothing with it thanks to that harlot.”

The front door opens and a girl looking like Allyn but with a lighter tone of teal skin and maroon color of hair enters the scene. Her eyes are like that of an elve. In the same color of Allyn, a darker green apple. She’s dressed in tight workout pants and leg warmers with frizzy hair and a crop tap that says “Forever Beautiful.” on it with short sleeves. She was all upbeat and spoke to her father in Elven. Meaning Walter knew nothing they were saying.

Shirley chimes in asking a question. Which resulted in Allyn saying “This is my daughter Olivia. She’s back from her job.”

Olivia said in a girly voice “I’m a dancing instructor.” She looks at her father “Who are they?”

He stands up and gestures to the two teens while taking his arms out of his sleeves “These are the PIs your sister hired to find her missing egg. They’re here to ask you questions.”

She nods at it and says “Well…” she looks to her father “I’m busy. I have a wedding to plan and all.”

Shirley says “I promise this won’t take long. Do you remember seeing Ophelia’s dino egg?”

Olivia rolls her eyes “I’ve seen detective shows before. Questions are never quick and to the point.” She starts heading to the kitchen. Shirley grabs the recorder before her and Walter follows her to the kitchen as she starts going through her fridge. “May I help you?” she asked, annoyed at Shirley and Walter.

Shirley asks “You okay with me recording this?”

“While I make a salad. Weird but no. Go ahead.” Olivia says. 

Walter crosses his arms “You know you're not saving your claim.”

She says “You can search my stuff if you want. I don’t have the stupid egg.”

Shirley corrects “Stupid? It’s an ember dino egg. People from the upper world would worship it.”

“So?” She puts lettuce on the counter. “Humans do war reenactments too.” placing the blue cheese on the counter “Doesn’t mean they’re worth anything.”

Shirley asks “What’s your name, age, and date of birth?”

Annoyed, the female elve grabs the recorder from Shirley which annoys the teenage boy. The elve says to the recorder “My name is Olivia Sherman Michel. I’m 95 and my bday is August 19.” She holds the recorder towards Shirley.

“Your relationship with Ophelia Michel.” Shirley crossed her arms.

Olivia raised a brow “I was there when she was hatched. I babysat her for most of my life.” She grabs more things from the fridge “Is that everything? I have important things to handle.”

Her father tightens his eyes at her once reaching the kitchen “Olivia!” She looked at him with puppy dog eyes “Think about your sister and answer them.”

Olivia sighs before leaning on the fridge door “What you want?”

Shirley asks “A more detailed relation to the victim.”

Olivia said “She started her egg collection around Easter when she was like…5. She refused to let us reuse the plastic eggs for hiding. My folks would have to rebuy them every year. And they did no matter how ridiculous it was. Mother babied her for bearing wings compared to the rest of us.”

“Olivia!” Her father argued “She loved you all the same.”

She stared her father down “Oh please. She was babied over the rest of us. The only one I loved more than her was Oscar.” She looks at Shirley “My little brother.”

Shirley asks “Where’s the brother?”

“Stationed in Japan. But thanks for assuming he did it.” Olivia said, offended with a smile.

Walter argues for Shirley “We’re assuming everyone did it.”

Shirley asked “Can you recall your day on Wednesday the 2nd.”

“Do I look like I have photographic memory?” She says.

Walter ordered “Just answer the question.”

Olivia thinks about it before saying “I picked a venue for my ceremony. Slept with my fiance twice then went to a designer to create my wedding dress in my favorite color maroon red and green apple.”

Shirley tells Walter “They follow old school wedding traditions down here. So no white dresses.”

“Do they also eat bread instead of cake?” Which is surprising that he knows that. Shirley raised a brow at him as if to ask.

But before he can answer, Olivia corrects him “Yes we do. Thank you very much. Sweet bread.”

Shirley goes back to the subject “After the dress?”

Olivia said “I stayed over at my grandparents discussing the wedding.” before grabbing a bowl to make her salad in.

“Can anyone confirm this?” Shirley asked.

Olivia asks “Which part? The venue was picked because dad was there. The sex part because my lover was there. The wedding dress part because my friends and family can confirm that as well as the workers at the dress shop. Or staying at my grandparents because they’ll confirm that.” She asks “Do you really think I’ll steal something useless from my sister?”

Shirley says “Is there a reason I’d think you did it?”

“Not really.” Olivia starts breaking lettuce into the bowl.

Shirley asks “Anyone you think might have something to do with it?”

Olivia shakes her head “Nope and I don’t care. I’m sorry for Ophelia and all but it’s just an egg. There’s better out there.”

Shirley gives Walter a look which says she needs to breathe before saying “That’d be all.”

Inside Allyn gave them the numbers to the locations and family members to confirm alibi. Once outside Allyn says “Thank you for looking into this.” Then he shut the door. 

The moment the door closes Shirley turned to Walter and said “I hope to the gods she did it. Just so I can arrest her.”

Walter asked “You want me to smeg her up?”

“No.” Her better judgement took over her body to say “We have to check their alibies and talk to Lemonayd.”

“Lovely name by the way.” Walter commented “Also what’s with the Shakespear?”

Shirley turned off her recorder and said “They run the fae down here. Although as I said they are mobsters. They’re just good at hiding it.”

“Like the 20s?”

Shirley answered “Yes like the 20s. Tommy guns and everything.”

“That’s kind of a kewl.” Walter said which made Shirley giggle.

Shirley found a phone booth while Walter had a smoke outside. He watched as creatures lived their lives. Unsure what to think. Just deep down inside nothing was right. They can’t just be normal, you know. Inside Shirley tried to get a hold of Ophelia to get more information. Then again Seras was a vampire and was human until Walter’s supposed death. Maybe it’s the person and not the blood running through their veins. You want to see a man’s true color. Give him power. Although that thought just didn’t feel right to him. Even now that he’s seen creatures be civil like humans. Something isn’t right.

Shirley exited the booth with a question on her face. Walter asked, “So?”

Shirley says “Allyn and Olivia were confirmed to be there at the ceremony. Allyn was also confirmed to be at work that day. Everything is paper and someone watches over the workers coming and going. And the second classic Dracula movie was playing that night.”

‘And the bitch?” Walter asked.

Shirley sighed “She was confirmed by what I thought was her servant and now I’m grossed out to learn is her lover. By the assistant of the wedding dress designer and by her grandparents.”

Walter asked “So they’re both out?”

Shirley says “They didn’t do it alone that is.”

“Why the face besides who the bitch is marrying?” Walter asks “Which is what by the way.”

Shirley said “Ophelia didn’t answer the phone. She might be at work still or with a friend but something feels off.” She then answers Walter’s question “She’s marrying a glass Golem by the way.”

Walter blinked confused “Oh…aren’t they mindless.”

“That’s my point. They have no personality. And if they do it’s of a child.” Than Shirley was shocked “Oh no my mimic!!” she started racing down the street. Walter sighed as he was hoping she’d forget about it.

It didn’t take long for the two to make it to the Michel household. But before Shirley can knock on the door. She heard arguing inside. Which made her decide to eavesdrop instead of knocking. Walter made it and Shirley gave him the quiet gesture by pressing a finger on her lips at him. They weren’t speaking English but Shirley understood everything said.

“Why would I do it?” said a female’s voice. This one is a bit deeper than Olivia’s. “I give a shit about Ophelia unlike some people.”

Olivia argues “Fuck you for assuming I don’t.”

“Because you lied to me.” Allyn says “You told me you went to school rather than work that day and you went to neither.”

“And you think I robbed Ophelia?”

“You refuse to tell me what you were doing. So yeah I think you did.” Allyn said “I hate to assume this but you’re leaving me with no choice.”

“You know what. Fuck this. I’m not putting up with this.” as the sound of footsteps echoes louder. Shirley and Walter quickly hide around the side of the house. Both making sure they weren’t seen. Although the female elve comes out smelling the cigarette and starts looking around confused. She looked like Ophelia just without wings and longer hair. Once she thought the coast was clear she headed down the street. Shirley looks at Walter and says “Play along.” While following the female elve the two hold hands and act all cute like a couple whenever she looks their way.

She made it to an apartment on the little folk side of town. Tiny homes and apartments in many different sizes but nothing that a human could possibly fit through. All except the streets and hallways as larger creatures tend to be mailmen. It was colorful and looked like hiding nooks. It smelt like cheese and sour dough bread. As that’s mostly what they get paid in and eat. Creatures from gnomes, sprites and more either walk or fly around. A couple of them see Shirley and Walter and aww while flying around the “fake” couple.

There the elve knocks on a tiny door with her pointer finger. The fake couple kept their distance while watching the Elve wait at this slightly larger dollar bill size door. It opens to a Pixie with completely black skin, hair, eyes and shadow like wings. No clothes however. The Pixie flies around the female before the Elve says in another language Walter’s not used to again. But the Butler was repeating the best he could.

“Babe breath.” Said the Elve “We need to talk. I don’t think I can keep it a secret any longer.” The pixie speaks but the voice is too quiet to hear. The Elve replies “I’m just scared they’re going to hate me.”

Chapter Text

"The Lovers card represents supportive, healthy, magical connections.”

Unlike Shirley with human ears only able to hear from a good distance. As you the reader are most likely human than, yeah, you know. Walter on the other hand, he’s ears were stronger. Although he didn’t know what the hell any of them were saying. He was doing his best to mimic it. Whispering in her ear while standing behind her, hugging her from a distance of the two fae. As the two were still pretending to be dating. Shirley is confused due to Walter mispronouncing some of the words but also due to the situation.

Then it happened. The pixie flies up and kisses the Elve on the upper lip. This shocked Shirley and made her say “Oh…really?” Walter let her go as Shirley walked towards the two women. “How?” is all Shirley can ask. “How can you two date each other.” speaking in English so Walter can understand.

The Elve looked confused as she stared at the unknown teenage looking girl speaking to her in English. Olive as her name is says “What?” unsure what to say otherwise. Meanwhile the Pixie hides behind the Elve.

Shirley says “Size wise you two would never work. The spell to change size is dangerous for either of you. And if you don’t die neither of you can ever go back which is mentally damaging.”

“You came over to judge us?” Olive got offended “How fucking dare you?”

Shirley corrects "Actually I came here to ask you questions and found you with your girlfriend.” Walter gets closer and stands by Shirley. Watching Olive. Olive just stares with tight eyes at Shirley while the magic user asks “Do you mind if I record this?” with a large grin and closed eyes 

Pans to the four sitting around a tree stump with mushrooms on it. Walter and Shirley stood. Olive says “My name is Olive Sherry Michel. I’m 99 years old and I was born on April 8th.”

Shirley nods and Walter asks, knowing the pattern by now “Your relation with Ophelia Michel?”

Olive answered while her pixie girlfriend sat on her shoulder “I’m her older sister. In fact I’m the oldest of the children.”

“Are you related to your sister?” Walter asks with a raised brow.

Olive rubbered the Pixie’s back with her thumb, which the pixie enjoyed with a smile “I took care of my siblings when our parents were busy. She looked up to me I think. At least I like to think she did.”

Walter asked “In detail can you explain what happened to you on Wednesday the 2nd.”

Olive looked at her Pixie and said “I dropped out of school that day. You see, I lost my job a year before and joined school to find purpose. But all I found was stress. I dropped out that day and hung out with Tipsy for the rest of it.”

Walter leaned towards Shirley “You think they-” 

Before he can finish Shirley asked “Is Tipsy broken or dead?” He nods no. She says “Then no.”

He looks at the Elve who looks annoyed. She says “You gonna keep on hating on me for my girlfriend?”

Shirley comments “I prefer your relationship over your sister’s Golem."

Olive pouted “Doesn’t make me feel better.”

Walter cleared his throat and asked “What else did you do that day?”

Olive says “Nothing. That day was pretty boring."

Shirley asks “Then why was your family blaming you. Cause dating Tipsy alone shouldn’t accuse someone of stealing.”

Olive sighed, annoyed “I used to rob houses in my teens with my ex friends.”

Walter smiled, “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

Shirley said “You have an alibi?”

Olive said “Besides the school I didn’t attend. It's Tipsy here.” she stopped rubbing the pixie.

The Darkness Pixie flew over to Shirley and said as loud as she could, “She was with me.” 

Shirley asked with crossed arms “You sure you're not covering for her?” She tightened her eyes at the fae “Cause I’ll find out.”

The Pixie grumped “She was with me!” if she could stump she would. 

Shirley sighs “Who do you think did it then?” Looking at Olive as Tipsy flew back to her elve. The Elve thought about it but her face clearly read that she couldn’t think of anyone to blame if there was someone to blame at all. After a few Shirley said “Here.” hanging her a card she took out of her wallet “Call me if you gain any information?”

The two rode a buggy and were heading back to the Elven house to retrieve the mimic. Shirley was lost in thought. Her face seemed upset. Lost enough that Walter said “Hey.” over and over again, trying to get her attention.

After the fourth “hey!” Shirley looked and said “What?”

“You good?” He asked, sitting across from her.

She sighed and said “Yeah it’s just everything going on.” She looks to the side while they road “The case and it going so slow. The fact that now I’m being given a time limit to find someone to play parent or I’m being stolen by Jason.” she pouts “And worst is I don’t know how to plan a funeral."

“I do.” Walter said.

She looked a little happier at him “Really?”

“I planned them all the time at Hellsing. It was a dangerous mission.” He looks ahead at her “I’m not the trusted butler for nothing.”

“You mean the traitor butler.” She raised a brow at him.

He got offended and said “Yes. The Traitor.” he slumped in the seat. Now wanting nothing more but to ignore her.

“I’m sorry.” She said “I was just doing as Integra asked. Give you hell and everything.” He looked at her as she continued “It’s hard to ignore her order.”

He sighed lightly before saying with a pleased tone “Yeah. I know.” Seeing her face he asked “How’d you get Ezra to be your guardian anyway?” She looked confused while he continued “I mean you convinced him to play dad right?”

Shirley looked to the floor of the buggie, her feet bumped into his “When my mother, if you can call her that tried to kill me. I was sent to the hospital. At the same time my father was there for heart surgery. Almost died from a gun shot wound. We were neighbors and he felt bad for a lone kid so he would watch game shows with me. People gave him hell due to our races but he didn’t care. I was a kid and all. When he learned I was going into the foster system he signed to take me in. If he wasn’t a detective in the police force they wouldn't have let him. He’s been my father's since.”

“And Bathory killed him?” Walter asked.

Shirley nodded her head “She locked him in a room full of ghouls. When I found him he was barely a body but was kicking as an undead. I had to end his suffering.”

“Why?” He simply asked. Hitting her foot with his.

She kicks at his foot “Because. She’s an evil bitch that can’t share I guess.”

He notices her go to kick his foot again and he stops it by placing his on top of hers “So an empty burial.” She tried to save her foot with the other but he was clearly stronger than her. All he commented was “Stop that.” as she attempted again. Soon the two were shaking the buggy while playing footie with each other. Giggling like teens like they look. This time the driver is a troll. A puppy dog looking face with tucks, goat horns and long fluffy floppy ears that hide among it’s orange fur, it’s body is rounded as it’s hunched over and bull like tail swayed as it’s large bare feet stopped the buggy and yelled in a deep and groggily voice “Hey! Knock it off!” The teens blush embarrassed and hide their faces because of what they got caught playing.

Neither of them thought about what they were doing. They just did it like the teenagers they happen to look at the moment. Once they looked at the other they both realized the act was probably a bad one and now they start to feel awkward. Looking away from the other while Walter collected himself.

WHOOSH

Faster than the two can think, they were being grabbed and dragged against the floor, breaking concrete by two different female were-wasps in their forms push them. Clothes being torn as their skins as they were scraped and bones broken. Before the two can make a move the wasps flew higher than the two can reach.

A wasp that's larger than the others said proudly to the two lessers “Yes!” in a raspy deep voice “See, that’s how you fight!”

Walter looked over at Shirley worried. She was bleeding and arm was clearly broken due to a bone sticking out. She was breathing heavily like him in complete and utter pain. He growled harshly as he crawled over to her to check her pulse. She moaned in pain once he did it which proved she was still alive. “I-I’m…” as his body starts to heal, which itself is painful. It felt like stinging burns going across his skin. “I’m going to kill these bitches.” 

The larger wasps see him heal under the pieces of torn clothes. Being able to sense what he is while not knowing what he is, she orders “Stay high!” to the rest. “They can only do so much when high.”

Walter’s new clothes hung on for dear life. This annoyed the already pissed off energy vampire. What was first a limp turned into a full blown angry stomp towards them before throwing these wires as high as he can reach. But the three wasps manage to dodge them in time. He remembered his powers when he was fighting Alucard. The range he had and wished to have it again.

Meanwhile Shirley slowly opens her eyes. Her body stung from the scaping. Her arm throbbed while blood covered her clothes. She reached for her shackle but it was no longer hanging on her hip as the attack snapped it off and across the scene from her.

A wasp got cocky though and flew down to crash Walter again. He took the damage, but this time wrapping the wires around the beast. He huffed out a “Ha.” before pulling the wires and ripping it apart.

The Queen Were-wasp screams “Dammit Razer!” She then ordered “Heal quickly.” Just as she says it Walter watches as the body starts fusing back together.

Shirley couldn’t think. She was in so much pain. She repeated to herself “Steady…your…breath.” She ordered herself. She tried to but man did it fucking hurt. She’s trained and been through a lot but she’s barely if ever gotten hurt before. And this THIS is on the verge of death pain. Tears roll down her face while trying to think of nothing but the power she’s trying.

Walter noticed many running away from the scene. Yet no police are on their way. Ophelia was right! They’re shit. He wanted to fight but doesn’t know how to fight them. He just started hoping another would get close to him. Shirley started to crawl on the floor towards her shackle. A wasp saw this and started flying at her with the stinger pointed at her direction. Walter took the opportunity and catches her before throwing her in the water not too far away. She starts slashing about unable to swim. The butler’s face grew a wide grin because now he knows a weakness of theirs.

Shirley makes it to her shackle and takes out the first bottle she can find. On it written with a sharpie marker in Shirley’s handwriting says “Zeus.” on it. She looks at the Queen and says “Bingo.” before shaking the bottle up like a soda can and using all her strength to throw it at the beast with her non dominant hand as the other was broken.

Without a thought the wasp slaps it, popping the bottle up and a lightning bolt goes through the roof and hits her dead on. The first wasp sees this and catches her queen in mid air. Before yelling to the third “Kayley!” seeing the beast get torn apart. You see in the water’s leaves a creature known as the Kelpie. A water horse that lures people close so they can eat them alive while drowning. The only thing it leaves along are other water creatures. Enough movement and the wasp became the Kelpies' food. The first wasp gets upset and says with tears “Kayley…” before flying away.

Walter walks over to the water, seeing the wasp’s blood stain the lake as it was being eaten. He was healed by this point but he turned to his new boss “Shirley!” Seeing her pass out. He ran over and picked her up bridal style with her shackle on her stomach. Blood getting on his clothes. Just as this happened the starving pain started to return. Like a vampire with blood the lack of life or energy in a person is calling to him. But instead of giving into the urge. He did what any good servant would have done and yelled out “Is there a medic!” as creatures started to come out from the shadows. 

Just then the scene got bright. A light shined down as a horse with wings started to descend onto the scene. Walter simply asked himself “You’re kidding me?” as the stranger appeared.

Chapter Text

“The Chariot represents progress, forward momentum, and the harnessing of inner strength to overcome obstacles in your way.”

Shirley was in the rain. Dressed in an ancient Greek short dress that’s tightened around her waist in the shade of pale purple. It rained as fog rolled in. She heard what sounded like something large being dragged across on marble floor. As a large snake woman watched while circling the scene. She asked herself “Am I…dead.” Laughter was heard as a woman of flamed hair and a copper hove leg watched. Another beautiful in a dark way with a bat like face and shaggy hair on her head, both circled around the teenage looking magic user.

Shirley looked across the field to see a blur in the distance. She started to walk closer. The more she went the more she saw, from behind it was familiar. A humming bird harpy with pink hair and teal skin. “Ophelia?” Shirley asked, noticing the blood all over the floor, legs and hands. The harpy turned to show emotionless dead eyes and an iron rod blade in her heart. Blood sliding down the body of the creature.

The women laughed as Shirley backed up in shock before saying “What happened to her?” 

Watching over her is a giant woman with three faces connected to the other by the ear as the triple moon shines on her forehead. The woman simply says “That's the right question…my child.”

Shirley opened her eyes, seeing light from the early morning, meaning it’s the next day. Laying in her bed in the upper world. She hissed as her back was sore as if she was laying down for too long. The pain felt familiar. She had it fighting the wasps. She went to move her arm and found it wrapped up in a sling. Her body stunned wearing her Steelers shirt and underwear alone. Her jaw was clinched as she rolled out of the bed, landing on her knees. The land made a thud sound and shook the floor. “Dammit!” she commented.

It didn’t take long for Walter to run into the scene. Wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans. “What are you doing?” he asked with a stern tone. He helped her up off the floor and put her on the bed. “You should rest. You have a body to heal before we hunt those wasps down.”

“No.” she says.

He says firmly “Yes you need to rest.”

“No I mean no we’re not killing the wasps.” Shirley says while standing up “Besides there’s something more important.”

He interrupts her “Yeah it’s down stairs.” Then he tightens his eyes at her “Why aren’t we killing the wasps?”

Shirley answers “Because you need permission in order to kill a were-creature if they’re not mindlessly killing people.”

Walter was fed up “They’re monsters. Creatures of the night. They attacked us for no reason. Almost killed you and that doesn’t count? We shouldn't lay down and take it. We need to fight back!”

Shirley stared at him “First off, it’s what they do with the power that makes them a monster not their DNA.” She tightens her eyes at him “Besides it’s the law of the underworld.” She smirks “If you want to kill them you have to wait until they attack us here in the upperworld.”

Walter rolled his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

Shirley stood up “Lastly I’m not a damsel. I can handle myself. I just need my Apollon.”

“You’re God?” Walter raised a brow as he pushed her down with his finger alone “Isn’t here nor is going to help you.” He argued “All you have is me, the knight, and that thing down stairs.”

Shirley looked shocked “A knight?” standing back up and walking past him.

Walter followed, “He carried you back home.” The two make it down the stairs just as a…thing, it has rabbit feet, an upward hookish nose and fish eyes on the side of its head. Which are blue. It’s all white besides the t-shirt it wears which is red with flames on it and a red baseball cap on its head. With a British Accent it says “Fool!” in what sounds like a young male’s voice. Shirley just stared at it. “Caliburn?” She started looking around. “If you're here then Justin must be the knight.”

“Fool!” It says “It’s Sir Justin to you miss.” He was pointing a fork at her. “But I’ll let this go princess as you must be still shocked by your danger.”

Shirley got annoyed “For the 10,000th time Caliburn. Don’t call me Princess!” She ordered the creature.

Walter said while pointing to Caliburn “Please explain to me what it is. Because the hero outside refuses.”

Shirley sighed “It’s one of the three sons of Excalibur. The holy sword.”

Walter said “The mythos said it was his sister's sword.”

Shirley argued “The myths also said that the swords didn’t have physical forms. The myths are wrong.” She heads to her backyard. A beautiful place to be. A waterfall in one corner and wishing well in the other. Surrounded by trees and flowers that begin a forest. Sir Justin as he was called is brushing his white pegasus. A long diamond face with a cleft chin and a heavy button lip. A small strong nose and light blue hooded eyes. His light blonde hair is brushed over to the right side of his head. He was lightly fit but strong in the arms as he’s known to wield a sword. He looks at Shirley “Ah Regina dear. Tis so nice to foresee you.”

Shirley on her stone porch, barefoot puts her arm on her hip as the other is wrapped up “What are you doing here? And don’t call me Regina!”

Justin looks back to his horse as the living sword thing from the kitchen comes outside while eating its hotdog with a fork. The man is currently wearing only the under part of a knight’s uniform. So a wool medieval shirt with stings to tighten around the wrists and neck and a pair of tight pants. “I heard about your father from Jason Blood.” he looked down and shook his head “I promise to help defeat the monster for that killed him in due time. For now however I must fill his spot as guardian as the upper world doesn’t understand your aging my lady.”

Walter was fighting it but…he was fanboying. Just a little bit. This is one of the fucking knights of the round table. The Original Round Table. He’s also a superhero for England. The only one he was happier to see was that super hero back in WWII. True, he didn't meet them but saw Captain America and the Amazon Princess fight together in the distance. There was also a robot at some point which he heard rumors about but never personally met nor saw. Justin is one of his childhood stories so yeah he was happy to see him. But he couldn’t show it. That would ruin his image.

Shirley gestures to Justin with her arm that's not in a sling “Again, you live in New York. Living with you would end my murder case.”

The knight looked horrified at her “Murder?!” He looked at Walter “You said it twas a thief?”

Walter tried to correct “It is a thief?”

Shirley chimed in and said “Not alone. Not anymore. My goddess spoke.” She looked down “I must be on the right path in life if she’s assisting me.” She looked up at Walter and said “Ophelia was killed. We need to go Underground.”

The creature by her feet pokes her with its fork “No!”

“Hey!” Walter yelled at Caliburn.

Caliburn said “You’re injured. Another attack from the wasps and you’ll die. This time they mean business.”

Shirley tightened her eyes “I’ll drink the Apollon and heal. Than tell the were counsel of the wasps recent events. They’ll be pissed if one of them died even in self defence.”

Walter laughed “Yeah by the way…a sea horse ate one of them.” She stared at him shocked. He smiles at her “So the counsel might be already mad at us.”

Sir Justin walks over and gives a quick bow “Your healing potion was destroyed during the attack my lady. You’ll have to make more while healing naturally.”

“Okay fine.” Shirley says “I’ll do that. But I got to get to the Underground. Someone must have found her body by now. If the police down there choose to solve it I might have to wait days before I can steal the case. God knows they won’t do anything.”

“Do the police really suck down there?” Walter asked.

Shirley corrected “Yes. The police handle small things. Anything you have to have a detective for they pass to the different high councils to look into. And unless they give a shit. Which most of them don’t. Nothing will be done. Being a half harpy her case will be tossed back and forth until both counsels give it up. They always do that.” She started to freak out. “They only looked into crimes for 48 hours.”

Sir Justin grabbed Shirley’s hand. Cupping them with both of his “Regina. Sweet Regina. You need to take a breath of air.” He starts breathing to show her how. She takes a moment and takes a deep breath. Justin says “Good.” He lets go of her “Murder can not go unpunished. I agree but…you’re not in the state to handle it. You can die. So please stay home. Let's us take care of it.”

Shirley looked at the floor. Before looking at him through the lashes of her eyes “I’m sorry Justin.” she reached over to him and rubbed his third eye in a pattern. Making the man fall asleep. He landed on the floor. Caliburn concern tried to catch his meister as Shirley grabbed Walter and ran into the house. She runs out the front door and oddly enough is in a completely different outfit. The outfit he first saw her in. The high waisted boot cut jeans in a dark shade of blue. White and red tennis shoes and a tight turtleneck shirt with loose long bell sleeves that are tight around her wrists. She hair down though with light purple makeup.

Walter used his strength and stopped her once they reached the front door “What did you do?!”

“He’ll wake in 12 hours. I’m sorry but I have to get to the Underground.” she argued with him. “Now are you helping me or not?” He stared at her for a few before he nodded yes to her as she is his master now. She looked around for her car. “We forgot the car didn’t we?” She asked.

Walter looked across the street “There’s the neighbor’s.” She looked at him then at the neighbor’s car across the street. A sports car in cherry red with moveable headlights and a wing roof top in the back. They run towards the car. She walks over to the car door and pulls out a skeleton key, it’s black made out of dark metal from like the 20s. She uses it on the car and oddly enough it works. Causing the car door to open. She got into the driver’s seat as Walter slid across the hood of the car. She asked him “What are you, a Duke boy?”

Before they can move, the clouds start forming around the scene. Swirling in the sky. Shirley says “Caiburn’s pissed.” before pointing to the car and commanding “Start!” Soon the car’s engine roared. Walter didn’t even get his seatbelt in before Shirley started the engine and zoomed out of there while using one hand and her elbow on the other side. While driving lightning bolts started to crackle on the floor. Causing Shirley to speed past it before lightning could hit the spot. Shirley said to Walter “I’m 34 years old and I’m going to be grounded for this!”

Walter had a smile as this was thrilling. “I can’t wait to be grounded with you.” Before whistling while she floored it. He asked, “How did you change your clothes so quickly?”

Shirley answered “Reality Alteration. I was taught how to change costumes with it.”

“Yeah, why haven’t you used it before?” Walter asked, thinking of the times he had to wait for her to finish getting ready.

She smirked at him while driving on the sidewalk to avoid a bolt. “It isn’t punishment unless I make your life boring remember!?” she yelled out over the thunder rolling.

“How much can you really do?” He asked curiously.

She grinned “Lets see.” before running a red light and dodging cars just in time “I was trained by Zatara the Magician in Reality Alteration which I can only do so much with. Energy Negation which I used to feed you the other day. Symbol Magic but it’s slow and a pain in the ass to perform so I avoid it if possible.” She thinks before roughly sliding the car to drive down the right way in the fourway stop. “Jason taught me to control my telekinesis although I have to command out loud most of the time to use it. Same with some of the Reality Alteration. Clairvoyance although it only works when I’m asleep. Animal summoning, Exorcisms, the magic sword summoning thing I did against the wasps. Mind Control. Some Occultism. Some multilingualism. Hand to Hand Combat, Swordsmanship and Horseback Rising.”

It started to rain heavily. As Shirley continued with “I was taught tarot, runes, and crystal ball reading, spell book reading, and poker from Xanadu. Vampire lore from you guys.” Referring to Hellsing when she trained with them for two years those 12 years ago “And everything else I was taught by the Witch Rowena MacLeod. Which is too much to remember and explain at the moment. Most of them require a shit ton of stuff and time and mana so I don’t really do them.” She looked at him. “What can you do?”

He smirked “I’m a master when fighting with wires. I’m an expert in hand to hand combat, vampire lore, demon lore, and weapons including making them via blacksmithing. I was trained in gymnastics and in different circus performances.”

“Is that why you have feminine hips?” She teased.

“Fuck you.” He said with an annoyed face.

“Hey, I didn't say anything wrong. I like your hips.” She argued while teasing. Which made him blush. The two drive for an hour all the way to the front of the tunnel. She looked annoyed as the guards came up to the car window.

The guard looks inside and sees both teens. Recognizing them from the past few days he says “Go on through.” Shirley blew a kiss to him before driving into the tunnel.

“I think Caliburn’s calmed down.” Walter said, seeing that bolts of lightning haven’t tried to hit them in a while. “That or Justin is awake and after us.”

Shirley said with a raised brow “So. He’s not gonna hurt us. Just yell at us.” She then said quietly “Hopefully.” She complained, “I can’t believe Jason sent big brother figure to watch me.”

Walter looked shocked “Brother? That’s not how he treated you.”

“That’s how I see him. Why? What did you read?” She looked confused. It took a while of course, traveling across the city. This time Walter watched the air and around every corner in case the were-wasps wanted to attack again. But this time he knows the fact that they can’t swim. So throwing them into the nearest body of water which the city has a giant river across it will do wonders.

The closer they made it to the bird area of the city the easier they saw police covering the scene. Shirley was disappointed and stopped at the different light tipped staffs with orange gems that glowed like lights. The lights beamed to each other and throbbed like heartbeats. She said “Dammit!” She growled and tightened her fists. “We’re late.” She looked as if she was about to burst.

Walter said, “Calm down.” He looked around, watching the different fantasy cops exploring the scene. Most of them are large and intimidating in their own right. Minotaurs, bears and large Orcs walked around in a green police uniform. None of them had modern body armor though instead they had chainmail under their shirts. This was noted because some of the creatures had their shirts open due to the heat of the scene. Inside the mountains the caves get hotter the deeper you go.

Shirley looked around too trying to think of her next move. At the same time both teenage looking adults see a young adult looking female with a head of a purple anglerfish, aka the scary long tooth fish with a single antenna with a light at the end of it. No hair instead a long thin mohawk like fin in the shade of pink. She was a thin, up large woman, fit like a female wrestler so buff. She was dressed in a fancy looking suit and tie with a long cape. On her shoulder is a small brownie. The size of a Barbie doll and cubby like a toddler. With the bread of an 80 year old drunken farmer he holds a water bottle. Shirley pointed to her and said “That’s the Animal kin’s courcel rep.”

Walter looked grossed out by the fish head “Shouldn’t she be in the water.”

“She’s rich. Odds are she has a handler to hydrate her when she snaps.” Shirley walks past the beans of light. Nothing happens to her so Walter follows. Shirley goes over and pulls out her ID “Hey, may I talk to you?”

The fish woman looks while humming to her. The woman looks at the ID and says with an upbeat tone “A PI. Down here?” she grins although it’s hard to tell “Very amusing."

Shirley nods once and says “Yes. I’m working on a case regarding a harpy in 714. Can you inform me what’s going on?”

“Oh.” the woman acts all upset “What a shame. The harpy that lives in that apartment was found dead this morning. I guess you won’t get paid for your job.” The woman snaps her fingers and the small creature on her shoulder sprays her with some water.

Walter asks the creature curious “How much do you get paid for that?”

The brownie with a surprisingly deep voice “5 milks and honey jars an day. Why?”

“Damn.” Walter smiled “Although I have no idea the human version of that is.”

The angler woman asks “Is that everything you wanted?”

Shirley tightened her eyes “No. That didn’t answer my question. What happened to her.”

“I’m sorry but I can’t disclose a case like this just to anybody.” She puts a hand on her flat chest “That would cause chaos and I believe in peace.”

Shirley looked annoyed. “Can you at least tell me who’s working on the case then?”

“Currently it’s a question within itself. She was a mixed breed and all. Although given the wings she might go to the Animal Kin’s lead Detective Andre Martina. But it might go to the detective under the Fae court named Roberto Demi.” She puts a finger on her chin “Is that everything?”

Shirley looked defeated and said “Yes.”

Walter saw this and asked "Actually I have a question. Where does the Animal Kin counsel reside?”

The woman tightened her eyes at them “Why do you want to know?”

Walter said “No reason. Just want to know.”

She thought about it and answered “It’s on the north side of the city in the Bedrock Plaza building.”

Walter smiled and gave her the peace sign before leaving. He put an arm around Shirley and said “I have an idea.” leaning close to her 

The two started to travel once again. Shirley didn’t place her back against the back of the buggy due to her skin still healing. Walter asked “Are you in pain?”

“Gods yes.” Shirley said “The bandages are tight.”

Walter tightened his eyes at her “They have to be to help heal. You lost your skin, remember?” He raises a brow “Why aren’t you able to heal yourself? Like a spell?”

Shirley pouted “The healing spell involves leafs and a whole mixture of things plus the spell part which takes a lot of mana. Mess up one thing and it doesn’t work. Potions take a week to make, yes, but they only take a drink and anyone can heal from it within minutes. A lot easier to heal others and oneself with.”

“Do they have hospitals down here?” He asked.

She answered “They have magic users like me who play the role. Which they tend to give them potions and charms to fix the issues. Spells can be done but it takes really good magic users to perform. Most of the time in a group.” She smiles “Although some Elves are capable of healing as much as they’re able to give sicknesses. Although over the years those powers have been bred out of them, leaving only a rare amount of Elves able to use it.”

“So Elves do make people sick. Alucard said something about that. But I thought he was just trying to scare me. He liked testing me like that.” Walter said and he noticed Shirley get upbeat.

She asked “What was he like?”

“Who? Alucard? Why?!” He asked.

She shrugged “Integra’s only ever talked about him as some bodyguard vampire hunter. I’ve never met or seen him. I wasn’t told about his origin, life or anything. So call me curious.”

Walter closed his eyes “He was an ass. A true and outer ass. I never had a time to myself in peace because he would literally watch me out of boredom. The only time I could think to myself was when he was bothering someone else or when he went to bed in the bloody morning. I started work at that time mind you.”

“And yet he never figured out you were a traitor?" She raised a brow “Sounds like he regarded you as a friend.”

Walter got offended and said “Are you going to remind me of my mistake every day? And yes he was my friend. If anyone was meant to kill him it’s literally the man that was trained to walk beside him.”

Shirley nodded her head “Yes I’m gonna remind you of your betrayal. It’s why you're here. I mean we can’t be friends and forget what you did. This is punishment.”

Walter got close to her “Friends? You think we’re friends? You’re meant to torment me, to enslave me and you think I’ll regard you as a friend?”

She pouted angrily at him “Fine! Don’t be my friend. I don’t need one anyway.” She crossed her arms and looked away from him. “Was he hot?”

He was shocked and offended “What?! Did you ask me if he was attractive? Like I would think he was?”

Shirley teased “It’s okay to think he was. I think women are attractive all the time. Hell, I'll eat most of them out.”

“Yes.” He rolled his eyes “He was a vampire, they have a natural sexual appearance to them. But I wouldn’t go near it with a ten foot pole. No matter how he looked.”

Shirley pouted “What is your opinion of men? You don’t have to lie, it’s the modern day and age you know?”

Walter growled at her “Crawl up yourself and rut away.” Although he wouldn’t admit it. He has always seen men as attractive as women but never did anything as the world would hate him for it. He grew up just as religion started outcasting things like homosexuality or in this case bisexuality. Although Alucard teased Walter for looking at him a little longer than he should. As the vampire could read damn minds. But he never hated or made Walter feel less for it. As the vampire was into quote him one time “Almost everything.” Almost being not children or animals. However Alucard jokes about being an animal in the bedroom. Sex was a conversation Walter always wanted to avoid with Alucard but the damn vampire kept bringing it back up. Anyway Walter while accepting his own sexuality in a way wasn’t comfortable with telling others of it yet.

The buggy stopped right in front of the Bedrock Plaza. A large building that reached the roof of the underground. Made of course Bedrock. There was a sign in regard to everything working in the building. Shirley said to him “The President’s on the top.”

They walk inside and ride the elevador. Listening to the New Age music playing in the background. 

Once at the top they see in shock. A human man as the receptionist. He looked to be African American and had long and thick dreadlocks. He was smoking a cigarette while talking on the phone with someone. “Yes we are going to the event in the main square for Litha. The President would never ignore his people on a holiday.” He looked to the teens and held a finger up to signal “One minute.”

Walter rolled his eyes and clicked the button on the phone’s rest to turn it off. The man looked at him and was offended. He held the phone away from his face “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

“No and I don’t care. We need to talk to the President.” Walter said.

Shirley agrees by saying “Yes.” before looking at Walter “Although I don’t know why?”

The man says “You can’t just walk in expecting to get what you want. He’s a leader for Ra’s sake.”

Walter leaned towards the man “If you don’t let me in. I’m gonna-”

Shirley covered his mouth and said “Let me handle it.” she leaned in close to the man and started messing with her hair “Tell me, are you single?” she starts using a voice. It sounded like hers but Walter’s ears started to ring when she used it. In a seductive way she says “Don’t you think I’m pretty?” The man’s eyes blink confused. He tried to fight but Shirley than moved his hair behind his ear “Don’t you think I’m irresistible?" The man’s pupils changed in size. As he looked like a drooling mess. She says “Don’t you want to make me happy?”

“Yes…” His mindless self said “Yes I do…Mistress”

“Good. Because I would love to talk to the President. Just for a moment.” She said before kissing his hand with the one not in a sling. She looked to Walter who was annoyed. He hated and loved mind control. For the same reason. It makes things too goddamn easy.

Through the large double doors into a large office with a single desk. At the desk reading through a document is a creature that’s hard to explain. He’s 6’4 in height with the face of a lion. His hair large and magnificent flowing like a mane it truly is in dark shades of auburn. It’s shoulders were that of a bears, strong. Its ears long like a wolf’s. His eyes of a human’s in the shade of gold, shining in the light. His hands sharp on the ends like a tiger’s as it’s had the stripes going up of its arms. He stood up once seeing them. His teeth sharp like a dragon’s. His legs of a goat as his body was thick and his tail is that of a red fox. Long and fluffy. Sadly wearing no cloths so all the bits and pieces flopped while he walked towards them. With a deep and strong voice like elephant's roar it asks “Who are you?”

Walter looked around and asked “So clothes are optional down here?”

Shirley blushed while seeing him and bowed. Walter followed suit. She says “President Hector Bellmount? We need to talk to you.”

“How’d you get in?” He asked before smelling the air towards Shirley “Ah…I see.” He stood over them “I should call the police on you two.”

Walter looked up at the man but stood his ground “President. My name is Walter C Dornez. The Hag here is named Shirley Horror. She’s a Private Detective working on a case. Sadly that case ended due to the client being murdered. We wanted to know if we could solve the murder for your lead detective?”

Shirley looked shocked at Walter. Just wide eyes. Her mind shut off with how shocked she was. “This is your plan?” she said quietly.

The chimera looked intrigued “You gave me your real name. You’re being honest.”

Walter half smiled at the creature “The police are incompetent. Murder shouldn’t go unpunished.”

The President looks towards Shirley “You don’t believe in my detective? He’s been doing his job for a century.”

Shirley nods lightly to him “Her mother wasn’t given justice. I want her to at least have it. My goddess made me prove what people should do with magic. Unlike Bathory who uses it to abuse people.”

The creature scuffed “You talking poorly about a Royal in front of me. One that I’ve had many dinners with? A friend of mine?”

“She’s the poison and I’m the antidote.” She says with pride “I promised the gods to kill her for her crimes.”

He started to laugh loudly. It echoed throughout the room. Once it died down he said “If you think you’re better than my detective. Then prove it. You have 48 hours to solve the murder just like my detective. Both competing as you say. I’m rooting for you.”

Both the teens were giddy. Shirley said “Really! Thank you!” She looked at Walter and was so happy with him.

They started heading out the door. But before they left he said “By the way. I have to tell Bathory about this. Threats are threats.”

Shirley stopped and looked back at him. She gave a serious expression “Do it. Let her know I’m after her.” Walter was impressed a little by her stance. She wasn’t giving up no matter how many tell her to. He followed behind Shirley with a pleased look in his eyes.

Chapter Text

“The Strength card represents bravery, courage, compassion, and gentle, nurturing leadership.”

The moment they reached outside. The moment the coast is clear. Walter got a shock as Shirley hugged him tight around his chest and repeated “Thank you!” over and over again.

He blushed but was feeling cocky and said like a butler “Of course my Hag.” He smiled, “I serve to please.”

Shirley let go of him and grabbed his arm. “Come on we need a buggy.” She skipped over to the road. “We have a best friend to talk to.” Walter felt proud of himself while following behind her.

In the bird part of the city. 5 Blocks away from the crime scene. The storms reigned above ground that’s over that part of the underground. There is a large bird cage, about the size of a one and a half story home. In the middle of the cage, which is open gate like walls for air flow. The teens went to knock on the gated door until Walter heard it. Crying. It was light and sniffly but someone was crying none the less. He felt a little wrong. Which hit him because he’s still having issues with the thought of monsters being human like.

Shirley doesn’t knock. She simply opens the door and walks on through the Sahara looking scenery. The fake plants all around Africa. As well as a little pound off in the corner of the rounded bird cage. Which isn’t a corner but it’s off in what would be a corner if there was one. In the middle is a swing that’s connected to the roof with a large and thick black chain. They walked around until they saw an opening of the swing. The crying was louder and hiding under the blankets. Pink and fuzzy blankets.

Shirley says “Lemonayd Pink?”

The sound of crying calms down as the creature under the covers moves it. It was a harpy but not one they had seen yet. What skin was seen was darker while the rest was covered in feathers of pink, they were thin like her wings connected to her arms. Her legs thinner than a regular harpie’s and her head was that of a Flamingo’s. Through her beak she asks “Who are you? What are you doing in my house?”

Shirley lies by saying “We knocked on the door but no one answered. Out of concern we walked in.” Walter was in shock, you’d think seeing an anglerfish’s head on a woman would be enough but nope. A talking flamingo with a woman’s body is shocking.

She looked at Walter and asked “Wait. Are you British?”

He looked at Shirley before answering “Yes?”

The flamingo looked sad if you could tell that is and said to Shirley “Than you must be the teen detectives Ophelia hired.”

Shirley corrects "Tactically not teens but I digress."

She sits up which shows off her naked and barely anything there chest. Walter was no longer shocked. By now he’s used to it. Lemonayd says to the two “Well I guess I have nothing to say…Ophelia’s…gone.”

“We know.” Walter said.

Shirley quickly followed with “We’re looking into both the theft and murder?”

The bird looked offended “You’re telling me that lead detective couldn’t take the time out of his day!?” Yelling at the teens.

Walter yelled back “Hey! Calm it!”

Shirley grabs the flamingo’s hand “I’m sorry about your friend. I promise to solve it.”

“How?” She started to cry again “You haven’t even worked on a mission egg case before and they think you can solve this?” She starts snotting up. Shirley sits on the swing which causes it to start swinging back and forth. She picks her legs up and puts the creature’s head on her shoulder. Walter, unsure what to do, just stood there watching. Again he was feeling a bit for her. Understandable on why. Her best friend was just murdered. But he couldn’t show it because again, it was playing with his better judgement. With everything he thought he knew about monsters still to this point. He wondered what Integra would be thinking at the moment. Would she be sympathetic like Shirley or would she be ordering him to end this creature’s life? Alucard would be the lesser. Or would he? Hellsing’s always killed those mindlessly killing. Those trying to end humanity. Those who went after England and it’s the Church. Would the underground’s existence be considered a threat alone. Or would they be treating them like Shirley does. Like people with emotions and souls. I mean he didn’t get along with Ophelia but he also didn’t want her to die. Which means he regarded her as a living thing. He didn’t just ask to solve her murder to play homicide detective, because Shirley wanted it, but because he wanted to solve the case too. Kill the monster that killed the monster. Or maybe he started to see them as more than monsters. But something in him thought it was wrong. That he’s new one is wrong. That feeling for Lemonayd right now was wrong. Maybe it’s because he’s no longer human himself. But he hates himself, especially because he’s no longer human. That he chose to walk the night and can no longer go back. But he’s not any different from the harpy now. A monster of myth and legend. I mean what can he do now but try to live a life, a vampire one yes but a life non the less. He too would be pissed if he lost a friend. Hell he lost his family and friends. He is pissed. And then his stomach started to hurt again. For a night now he’s been longing for energy or life or whatever he’s supposed to survive on.

Shirley noticed Walter lost in thought and asked “Hey? You okay?”

The energy vampire back to the moment answered “Yeah. Are you?”

Shirley looked down and said to the Harpy “I know how you feel. My father was recently murdered. I wish the heavens would come down and point out the killer and kill her for me. But that will never happen. If I want her dead I’m gonna have to do it myself. And I will do to Ophelia’s killer as I’ll do to my fathers.” the creature looked at her. “I’m gonna impale her on a metal rod that’s been heated to the point of glowing bright yellow. Cooking her heart as it bleeds out.”

Okay that was a little hot in Walter’s mind. The sadist in him enjoyed the thought. Lemonayd stared at Shirley and said “Now I’m hungry.”

In the bird cage was an outdoor cooking area. The top cabinets hanging from chains. Sadly they swing so you know that using them must be a pain in the ass. The Harpy goes through her fridge. She looks at the two of them and asks “Want some? It’s cockatrice?” pointing to a chicken like you would get at a store but it has a snake attached to the end of it.

Shirley shook her head no “No thank you. I’m a fried cockatrice person and that takes too much time and effort."

Walter looked offended at Shirley “I’m planning on making roasted chicken tomorrow. You’re not gonna eat it?”

Shirley sighed “If you make it then yeah. I’m not a total bitch.” Lemonayd started unwrapping the creature. Shirley says “I would ask to record this or take notes but we rushed out of there before grabbing anything.” She was frustrated with herself. Covering her face and groaning into her hands.

Walter said “Looks like good old memory’s gonna have to do.” He looked at Lemonayd “Your relation with the victim Ophelia?”

The harpy stopped herself before turning her attention to the teens “She was my best friend. A sister in bond. When we met she was a shy little nothing. Unable to stand up for herself to anyone. So I played the role. Protected her even against her own family. Slowly teaching her to break that shell she kept herself in.” She smiled with tears in her eyes “I encouraged her to ask her crush out on a date. This male harpy in Floating Ball named Joey”

Shirley tells Walter “It’s like Rugby but in the air. People fall to the ground and pass out all the time. Head injuries to the whazoo.”

Walter says, trying to turn back to the subject “I assume that is the male that she refused to marry.”

Lemonayd grinned “Oh yeah. We were teens and all. Marriage is too damn early then. But experimenting is fine.”

Shirley tilted her head “The modern world would say against that.”

Walter growing up in the 40s said “Disagree but you do you.” Shirley raised a brow at him. He asked “What?” She rolled her eyes with a smirk at him.

Lemonayd started breathing quicker “I tried to call her for a meetup and she wouldn’t answer her phone. So I went to her work and then her apartment.” She covered her beak and started crying once again. Shirley grabs her free hand with her free hand to comfort her. The harpy continued with “I think…I think it was by someone she knew.”

“Why do you say that?” Walter asked.

“Because the ladder was down. Only she can let it down and she wouldn’t have done it for just anyone you know?” Lemonayd wiped her eyes. “She called me after you agreed to take her case. She was excited and everything. She believed that you’d find it.”

Shirley asks “Speaking of the egg. Where were you on the Wednesday the 2nd?”

She thought about it “I…I don’t remember much. I think I was at work for most of it. It really eats up my life.”

Walter asked “What do you do?” curious.

She smiled with a bubbly voice due to the crying “I’m a hunter. I catch pray for stores here in the underground. cockatrice don’t caught themselves.” She joked.

Shirley says “It must be hard given you have to go to the upper world to catch some of them.”

“Yeah. I glamour myself to look like an Eagle so no one tries to kill me.” She looks down. “After work I had drinks with her at our favorite place, the Pepsi Bar.” She thought about it “I went home with some random drunk harpy chick who fell asleep before we could do anything so I pretty much slept on her couch.” She looked up “Ophelia told me about the theft the next day. She skipped work so upset.”

Shirley asks “I have to ask. Any reason you would want to steal the egg?”

Lemonayd looked offended before becoming sad “Because…I’ve stolen money in the past.” She tightened her eyes with a clear voice “But I would never have stolen from Ophelia. I loved her more than my own family.”

Walter asks “Anyone you think would have done it.”

Lemonayd thinks which takes a few minutes “Maybe the theft. They might have gotten word you were after them and took her out.”

Shirley looks to the side thinking about it before getting wide eyes “Right…” She stands “Call if you have any more info.” She starts heading out.

Walter was gonna follow but he stopped himself and said to the harpy “I promise we’ll solve this.” Lemonayd thanks him with a nod. He runs after his boss.

The two walked through the city. Shirley ahead from him, walking with purpose. It wasn’t long before Walter remembered the location. “To Trash to Treasure.” the furniture store. Shirley walks in ignoring everything with a pissed off look on her face. She yells out the moment she finds the Goblin on the second floor “TRASH!”

He looks at her with concern. He says “You okay? You never use that tone with-” 

She cut him off by pointing to the desk he was standing on “Flip!” the desk goes up and lands on the goblin. Causing the Satyr couple that was talking to him to scream and coward a good distance from them. Shirley walks over to the goblin now pinned under the desk in pain. Walter catches up and realizes what Shirley realized. They asked the Goblin about his contact, the one that steals for him the day before the death. Shirley gets on one knee and into the Goblin’s freezer with a smelling face “What did you do?”

“I-I do nothing!” The Goblin says just as Walter started to press his foot on the desk to weigh it down. Trash starts to scream “I do nothing!!”

Shirley tilts her head “Really? You didn’t happen to contact your thief after promising to get me the information?”

“Trash does nothing like that!” He begged while under the desk “Trash told his boys to look for a buyer for him.”

Walter raised a brow at Shirley. Shirley thought about it and asked “Which one of your boys?” she said slowly and firmly.

They walk into the back with Trash over Walter’s shoulder wrapped up in the wires. One move and he’ll be cut. An Orc male skinny and unfit unlike most of them normally are. With red pink skin and a mute blue purple hair and pale blue eyes. He wears glasses with a rounded nose and pointed chin. He looks up and looks concerned before saying with a firm tone “Put him down!” referring to his boss.

Walter smiled, “Okay.” dropping the Goblin onto the floor causing a thud sound.

Shirley with her arms crossed in the sling says “Who’s your supplier?”

The Orc glances at the phone on the desk “Wh-who?”

Shirley gets closer to him “The bastard that steals shit from the upper world to give to you guys down here to sell.” She slams her hand on the desk “What’s his name?”

The man starts to slowly reach for the phone and wires wrap around his hand. “Any move and you’ll lose it.” Walter simply said.

He started to quicken his breath in a panic. Going back and forth at them. “Matthew. His name is Matthew Lupin.”

Walter raised a brow “Lupin?”

Shirley tightened her eyes "Descendent of the Lupin I take it?”

The Orc’s hand started going stiff making him want nothing more but to move it to ease the discomfort “No, his son. Demigod son. Lupin is an immortal now.”

Walter blew a raspberry at him “Lier.”

Shirley looks at Walter and says “No he might be telling the truth. Heroes live forever but legends never die. Lupin is the first ever master thief so maybe he became immortal. A minor god.”

“Okay no!” Walter argued “Since when did a literary character become real. What’s next, Peter Pan?” Shirley raised a brow at him. He wanted to break things “No! I won’t accept it.”

Shirley argued back “I don’t know how and why the system but the system is real and the storybook is real. Most of them live in New York.” His brain wanted to explode with the thoughts running through his head. Shirley looked back at the Orc “Because they’re immortal they’re kids are half like a demigod. So most label them as demi to make it easy.”

The Orc tried to move the wires slowly off of his hand “That’s our supplier. And yes I called him to ask if he would come in to talk to you. He said he would and everything was okay.”

Shirley leans into the Orcs face “Listen here Tulip. My harpy was killed and I’m more than certain he did it at the moment.” She picks up the phone “Call him or you’re losing body parts.” She points to his face “I don’t care how, just bring him here.”

Walter lets the wires lose on the Orc’s hand. The creature immediately grabs the now free hand and rubs it. Minor cuts causing blood to dip onto the floor. With the none bloody hand he takes the phone from Shirley and holds it with his shoulder and cheek while clicking buttons to call a number. “Hello?” he says once someone answers the phone “Yes this is Albert. Umm about that meeting with the detective. She’s here asking for you.” the person on the other end says something causing the Orc to look panicked before begging “No you don’t understand.”

Shirley looks annoyed and the building starts to shake. Walter watches before asking “Am I allowed to hurt this Lupin fellow when we meet him?”

Shirley looks at him from the corner of her eyes “That depends if he chooses to ditch us or not.”

The Orc hangs up the phone and says with a shaking voice “He-he said he’s too busy to meet you today. He suggested tomorrow." The building shakes more as the teens glare at the Orc. “But I know where he lives.” trying to save himself “I can give you his address.”

Shirley asks with anger in her voice “Where does he live?” saying it slowly to emphasize the words.

The Orc scared, his mouth trembles “He lives in the upper world in Pittsburgh."

Shirley looked disappointed “A 3 hour drive away.” She holds onto the bridge of her nose “Looks like we’re working all night.”

Walter says “Are we rescheduling my appointment then?”

She looks confused until she remembers “Right…the 3 in the morning appointment.” she looks away from him “There’s no missing that. We have to drive fast to the bastard and back.”

Walter hears a weird noise and looks to see Trash trying to escape from the wires. “Oh yeah I forgot about you.” He leans down to the creature “It wouldn’t be so easy to cut you if you wear clothes.” He flips his hand which undoes the wires around the goblin.

Albert the Orc writes down the address and hands it over to them. The note bearing lightly bloody thumbprints here and there. Shirley took it and turned to Walter “Time to talk to a coroner.”

While walking through the store Walter felt the hungry grow. He stopped to collect himself which caused the magic user to stop and look at him. “You okay?” she asked.

He said honestly, “Yeah, just craving life.” She went to give him some of hers but he stopped her “You’re weak.”

She looked annoyed at him before looking around, thinking of what to do. “Can you hold it?”

He thinks about it before collecting himself. He was in pain. “I don’t know.”

Shirley says “Okay we’ll get you some food. That’ll work for a short time. Then you will…” she corrects herself “You can feed on Lupin if he’s the murderer okay?” Walter nodded, agreeing.

They walked slowly over to the hotdog stands and got like three for the vampire to eat for now. While walking and eating Shirley says to Walter “By the way I think I know how old your type of vampire is.” He raised a brow at her as she continued “There’s this Greek mythology about a woman named Philinion. She came back from the dead to go after her husband. She didn’t live that long and was burned alive as a means to kill her. Maybe she was your type of vampire.”

Walter shrugged “Maybe but what’s the point of finding others like me.”

Shirley pouted “Well vampires, regular ones that have books like Dracula and Camilla to go off of to learn what they can and can’t do. Lamia’s, Mormos, and Empusa’s have their deities to go off of for the same reason. You’re kind of rare. We can only go off of Mercy T Brown which isn’t enough to explain anything. But if we can find more like you then maybe we can learn more and teach you properly.” She smiles “How are you supposed to embrace your monster side without controlling it?”

“I thought you wanted me to be civil like the people down here?” He said while covering his mouth as he had food in it.

Shirley says “The vampires down here still drink blood. They have banks for the different creatures that survive on humans. Blood, flesh, organs, even bones.”

“Wait, how do you get it?” He looked at her. “Is it through donations like we did at Hellsing?”

Shirley looked ashamed. “I don’t know.” she looked to the floor “My rival claimed it was through donations but she also claimed to be a better person. And I know she isn’t.”

Walter asked “What happened?”

Shirley stops and watches as people walk past them. “My mother was obsessed with royalty. She claimed to be related to a Hungarian royal. That’s why she named me, what she named me.” she slowly steps towards Walter who's in front of her “Turns out she was right. She was the bastard daughter of Bathory’s adopted son. So while not fully related to her. Legally I am. She learned I was created by the same Goddess that created her. She wanted me to live with her and be her pseudo daughter. But she killed my father to keep me all to herself. So I turned on her. I was so close to killing her too. But her guards stopped me.” She looks to Walter “One vampire I can take. But four at once. Now I need more training.” She steps past him “She adopted children to bathe in their blood. No one’s done anything because she has dilapidated immunity. The only one able to kill her is the King himself but he died a century ago at the hands of Van Helsing.”

Walter closed his eyes “No. He died at the hands of Millennium during the attack on London. He was my best friend that I did everything in my power to kill.”

Shirley looked shocked “You’re telling me Alucard was…” He nods yes to her. She pouted “Well shit. And here I thought he was a random vampire.” she smiles at herself “Sucks I’ll never meet him.” She looks up and says with an upbeat tone “Anyway. I think finding examples of Energy Vampires would help us with you.”

While the food helped the hunger. It didn’t get rid of it. Walter wondered if after the ID if he should find someone to feed on. Like Shirley said before, if it starts hurting the person then he’ll hurt which is a helpful sign. He thought about it the whole silent walk towards a building about three stories and a large and I mean large door. When they got there, they saw a male satyr although he doesn’t look like the typical type. Instead of a goat or deer he had the legs and eyes of a tick. The thought alone made the teens cringe. He was wearing a suit in the shade of brown. With a bug-like voice which is deep he asks “Wait! Are you the teens trying to steal my case?”

Walter said “No…” realizing alongside Shirley that he’s the lead detective for the animal kin. “You’re the detective?"

He nods his head yes before crossing his arms over his chest “I take it you’re here to talk to the coroner too?”

Shirley smiled wickedly “Yep. I’m gonna solve the case for you.” competitive in her tone.

The Detective smirks at her and into her face “I’ve been doing this for a century. You really think you're better than me?”

Walter got closer and tightened his eyes at him “Yes we are.” The three stared at each other before stepping back and agreeing to go inside.

The inside looked like a horror movie’s Victorian mad scientist laboratory. Everything in mute shades with minimal lighting. The place is large however with room to spare as the sounds of something being dragged across the floor can be heard. With pale skin with a yellow tint with green scales on his shoulder, and sides of his arms. The scales are neon green like leaves with yellow on the ends. Longer fingers with sharp nails and a human face with fangs and snake slide eyes with an orange shade in it. On his head for hair is long Pit Viper snakes, their scales smooth and shiny in the green to yellow color that’s blue in the light. His body had wings of that of a dragon’s in the colors of green and yellow on the flaps. Its legs are instead a Pit Viper snake’s body giving it a long and thickest tail wrapping around a table. Wearing a lab coat and gloves. He doesn’t look there, instead the snakes on its head hisses at them. Causing the creature to say “Detective Andre Martina. Shouldn’t you knock before entering.” He turns their direction and asks “Who are you two?” towards the teens.

Shirley fangirled with a huge grin “A male Gorgon! An Echidna one too. This is awesome!” Walter was a little surprised. A part of him is also in awe like Shirley. But again his image so he hid it.

The Gorgon raised a brow at her while annoyed. “Why did you bring me a sorceress and a…” he looks at Walter, examining him “a strange vampire with you Detective?”

The Tick says with a grin “Ignore them. They have nothing of value. I’m here for the harpy.”

Walter looked annoyed at the Tick Satyr and argued “Her name’s Ophelia and we’re here to solve her case too.”

Shirley walks over to the Gorgon “Sorry for acting like I am. I love dragons.”

The Gorgon was a little pleased with the comment “I rarely see a sorceress. Especially a young one.” He puts down his pen and paper “Tell me about yourself.” He gives a flirty tone towards Shirley.

Walter and the Satyr just stare confused. Walter grumped a little before peaking his head in front of Shirley’s “Another time. We have a time limit to solve the murder.” He turns to Shirley “Remember?” he said through his teeth.

Shirley blushing says to Walter “Sorry. I can’t help it. I’m supposed to marry a dragon and all. Xanadu told me when I was training under her. Although she was a little concerned about it if I remember.”

“You marry what?” He was surprised.

Shirley corrects “Okay it’s supposed to be a Drake but it’s still a type of dragon none the less.” She realized Walter was a little confused so she says “Drake’s are dragon’s without wings.”

The Gorgon blushed embarrassed and collected himself “Another time than.” He river slides down the large walkways into another room. The three of them watched before following suit. Laying on a coroner’s table under a thin sheet cloth is the shape of a female harpy. It was this moment that made Shirley remember why she was here and the happy feeling in the room died down. The Gorgon uncovers the body and her teal skin was mute and dusty in color, her eyes dead with no light shining in. No blood as the body was cleaned, and her chest cut in a Y shape and recently sewed back together. Her pink heart was shaved off leaving her bold and her arms and tail were unfeathered. In her chest above her breast is a hole with dry flesh.

Shirley tightened her eyes and asked “Why did you remove her feathers?”

The Gorgon said with a serious tone “Like the hair we remove and replace with a fake set for the burial.”

Walter saw the body and asked concerned “How did she die?”

Shirley answered before the coroner “She was stabbed in the heart by a iron rod sword. Which isn’t common by the way.”

The Detective says “Wrong. There was no weapon at the scene. You’re just assuming.”

Walter argued for her “Or maybe we know something you don’t.” He said quietly to her “I’m guessing your goddess showed you that?” Shirley nodded with a serious look on her face.

The coroner Gorgon says “She was stabbed through the pulmonary valve. She had no chance. There were pieces of the chest plate cutting into the left ventricle. It wasn’t through the body so whoever did it used either minimum strength or all their strength.” He recovers the body “Given the contusions on the hands I think she tried to stop the blade.”

The Tick Satyr looks at Shirley “So it was a blade.” Partly annoyed that she was right.

“I say it was done in one thrust.” The Gorgon says “Front facing so she saw her killer.” He puts to his skin “She’s part fae I’m gonna say Elve because the iron started to eat away at her skin. Leaving burn marks.

The Detective says “Yes she was part Elve.”

Shirley says “Urban City Elve to be correct. Her mother was the harpy and father’s the elve. She’s the only one that took after her mother.” The Gorgon smiled impressed as Shirley said “She was robbed a week before the murder. Hence me.” She asks “By the way, what’s your name?”

The Gorgon says “Dr. Cadmus Papaioannou. It’s Greek.”

Shirley asks “Anything else you can tell us Cadmus?”

He starts going through his notes “Sadly that’s all I found. Everything else was normal.”

Walter asks “And skin under her nails?”

The coroner smiles “No. There was no self defence besides the attempt to catch the blade.” He says “Nothing sexual either.”

Shirley commented “Thank the Gods.”

She grabs Walter’s arm “Time for Pittsburgh.” She nods to Cadmus “Thank you for your help.”

He nods with a pleased smile “Of course. I hope to see you again.” The Satyr watched the teens head out the door. All his eyes were tight.

They were traveling across the city while Shirley says “None of her family members killed her. They wouldn’t be able to wield the weapon. They can’t be a block near it without getting sick.”

Walter said “More reason to believe Lupin did it.”

Chapter Text

“The Hermit is a thoughtful, introverted figure who likes to spend his time ruminating alone.”

After midnight. Almost time for the appointment. The crescent moon hanging over the scene. Clouds here and there. They ditched the sports car and collected Shirley’s as it was her father’s and meant something to her. More music and more Shirley showing off her god awful singing voice. Meanwhile Walter watched the scenery. He had to admit it. It’s more beautiful than he expected it to be. Fields of green and the random wild flowers and trees mixed among the larger inside than they look like colonial houses. He’s seen so many non-human creatures that it surprised him to see humans living their everyday lives. The different bars, the cars and shitty driving. Children playing in the front yards. While the music played in the background. It turned off his brain while making them relax. Like the window was a screen playing a music video. But as much as he enjoyed seeing humans. It also made him think about how much he’s no longer human. That now he has to feed off those souls to live an immortal life. I mean he’ll age until a point but after that point he’ll never age again.

Which means he’ll play teenager with Shirley until a point and then he’ll have to play guardian. Which the thought creeped him out. He couldn’t lie. I mean he’s already older than her, true. But now that they look similar to each other, the thought of growing old doesn't bother her. Maybe it's a pity for his new boss. It made him think. When he first met Shirley back at Hellsing she looked 12 but was really 23 years old. She never acted her chronological age. Walter never saw her as someone in her 20s. Like how now he can’t see her as a 34 year old. Which a part of him enjoyed. They were similar in age now. They can bond more easily. It wouldn’t be creepy if they would-wait-what!? He grew wide eyes. His teenage body and its hormones are getting to him. His vampire sexual obsession must be the reason. He would never with Shirley. He hates her. Right?

He looked at her as she switched cassettes in the player. He watched her as the music played. Weirdly enough a love song started to play. The light shined right at her. The music video was of her bobbing her head around. At one point she looks at him. Singing along to the song. She realized he’d been just staring at her, which made the female ask “You need something?”

“No…” He clinched his jaw and looked out the window. He was falling for the hormones again. Dammit. He needs to stop it. She’s his boss now. Hell he’s being slaved by her. She’s worse than a boss. Her job is to make his life hell. So what if she’s said some hot things. If she’s impressed him. That doesn’t change anything. She’s a bitch.

Suddenly through the music she asks “So, I’ve told you about myself. Tell me about you.”

“Like what?” He didn’t even look at her. Too afraid he’ll crush on her more.

She says “Like…how come you know Circus stuff?”

Glances at her from the corner of his eyes “It was part of my gymnastic training. Who else knows to do the unthinkable but those in the Circus." He says "Although I learned wire tricks from a magician. A lot of his tricks were used with wires.”

“Ah!” She got upbeat “Hence the fighting style. I wondered. That’s not something someone just learns one day. I wasn’t around Arthur too long so I can’t say he would but I doubt he was creative enough to come up with it.”

He tightened his eyes and furrowed his brows. He said “He was a brilliant man thank you.” clearly offended by his old Master.

Shirley felt and said “My bad.” There was a song worth of silence before she said “Sorry. I know he raised you and all. Anything else.”

Walter thought before saying “I’m the bastard grandson of Johnathan and Mina Harker. It’s in my blood. I’m supposed to kill vampires. Alucard was never told. He would have been obsessed with me if he learned. He was with Mina.”

Her eyes went wide and looked towards him “Looks like vampires are meant for both of us. Dracula for you and Bathory for me.” She then nodded “That’s why you wanted to kill him. You thought it was fate?” She looked surprised. Even cracked a smile. “Good thing you found Mina’s body.”

He looks confused at her “I didn’t find her body. The research about her yes, her blood yes but not a body.”

She asked “Nobody?”

Walter corrected “No. They wanted to kidnap her but her group fought too much.” He looked ahead “She’s still alive. Thanks to Dracula’s blood in her, she’s still alive.” He looks out the window “Thanks to having a mental connection to him she knew how to stay away from him.”

Shirley asks “So she didn’t love him?”

Walter said “Well…she thought he was attractive but no she’s terrified of him. He did attack her and all.”

Shirley said “Just wanted to confirm if fan theory about there being a romance was right or not.”

Walter said “She’s the reincarnation of his beloved wife Lisa. The mother of his son Adrian.”

She looked shocked. “He has kids?” than she remembers “Oh yeah he does doesn’t he.”

Walter nodded his head “Yeah he’s one if not the only vampire able to have kids being how powerful he is.”

Shirley looks upbeat “Wait so he has a son running around?”

“Two sons, Adrian and Vlad the IV and you can count Seras as his daughter as she acted like it.” Walter smiled “Oh second daughter, he had a servant named Akasha Bloodriver. She acted like a daughter for the time and she drank his blood.”

Shirley shook her head “This is confusing.”

“Vlad’s pretending to be him acting as King while constantly in battle with Adrian. Alucard wanted nothing to do with either of them. He saw that Dracula died at the hands of Van Helsing and that’s that. Anything connecting him with his past was unimportant.”

Shirley pointed to a sign hanging on the street light that said “Pittsberg one mile.” She smiled at him “Almost to the killer.”

“Good.” Walter commented while looking out the window.

Shirley smiled “Admit you. You enjoyed the convo.” He smirked at her as an answer but only that. Once in the city the two drive around lost for the most of it. There were tall office buildings and art landmarks all over the place. Yellow and black all over the place including the clothes on people’s backs. It took an hour for them to find the location. An apartment on the south side of the city. It was part of a large building.

Shirley used her key to open the front door of the building. They rode the elevator all the way to the 13th floor. Very high up. They walked quickly towards the one bedroom apartment at the end of the hall. They knocked on the door. From a distance they heard a man yell “Who is it?!”

“My name’s Shirley Horror-” BAM! Walter, having a bad feeling, pushed her to the side, hitting the wall just in time as a shotgun blast went through the door. Without a thought Walter used his strength to kick the door in which flew into the small living room of fancy furniture in black and white. He ran in, was Shirley behind him. Both look around and don’t see anyone. Until he heard the sound of a gun click. He grabbed her and covered her behind the couch. But two pistol shots went into his back and out the other side. He lands on his knees. Worried Shirley yelled “Walter!”

She looked to see a male hiding on the other side of the couch. A white man with black hair slicked back like a New Jersey boy in a wife beater shirt and black sweat pants. His left hand was bandaged up. She yelled out “Matthew Lupin! Surrender now and I won’t kill you.”

He laughs before whistling to her “You think you can end me? Try it!”

He braces his arm on the couch but in the light the wires shine and wrap around the gun. Pulling at the right spot and making it explode in his hand. All messed up the human screams and falls down on his back. He flapped in pain and screamed. Walter walked over to the man as his body started to heal from the bullet wounds. Shirley stands up and walks over to the man. “Why’s you do it?”

The man growled out “Fuck you.” Walter slammed his foot on the crouch of the man. Making him scream in a pitch only dogs and Walter can hear.

Shirley repeated herself “Why’d you kill her?”

He caught his breath before saying “You…dumb…bitch!” Walter went to do it again but the man held his hand up at him “Wait!!”

Walter said “Answer her.”

Lupin breathing heavily while his busted hand that looked like a lightly cheesed pizza that’s been pulled apart bleeds all over his white shirt. “I killed…no one!”

Shirley stood up “Bullshit!” She yells out “She was killed with iron. It can’t be one of her family members.”

He said through his teeth “That’s correct. But…it wasn’t me.” he shook his head.

Shirley asks “Did the Orc warn you about me?”

“You’re looking into a robbery. My job is robbery. Of course I was told.” He starts crawling away from the two.

Shirley asks “What did you do to your hand?” referring to the one not all busted up.

He pulls himself up to put his back against the wall “I cut myself on some broken glass.”

Walter said “Like the case the egg was in?”

Lupin says “What egg.” with a horrible acting voice.

Shirley commented “You’re no way as good as your father.”

“Go fuck yourself.” He says.

Shirley says “Who hired you to rob Ophelia?”

He said “No one.” He smiled at her “You can’t prove shit.”

Walter thought about it “Hey Hag?”

Shirley pouts at him “What?”

“Let me eat him. I have a theory.” He says.

“What wants to eat my ass? Go for it bitch.” Lupin says, flipping him off American style.

Walter looked at the man “Vampires can absorb memories from those they eat. Maybe I can do the same.”

Shirley smiled “Maybe? But I don’t want it unless it hurts.”

He says in his butler tone “Of course. I aim to please.” Walter plumed over the man. Looking down at the human who’s breathing quickens in fear this time.

Before he can touch him however Lupin screams “YES!”

“Yes what?” Walter asked.

“I stole the egg. He asked and paid me to do it.” He says looking up at Walter.

Shirley stepped close “He?”

“Yes he.” He starts shaking his head “But I didn’t kill anyone. I just stole the egg for the man.”

Shirley gets close to him “I need a description. Race, skin tone, height. Something.”

“I can’t tell you anything besides tall. He was covered up. I think he’s human by the skin. He had a weird voice too. He paid me in glass jars. Wasn’t much but worth it still.” He says.

“Did he tell you what he was planning with the egg?” Walter asked before the two teens heard sirens off in the distance growing louder and louder.

The human starts laughing “What! You think the human world would ignore a gun shot!?”

Shirley says to Walter “Feed quickly. The cops are coming.” Walter looked back at Lupin who looks terrified by this point.

Shirley starts repeating “Make them see what I wish them to see.” She slams her hand onto the floor. A wave of energy goes through the room from her hands. Meanwhile Walter puts his hand on Lupin’s mouth. Muffling him while absorbing from him. Walter’s eyes glowed light blue as he started to feel better than before. It was an addictive feeling. Better than smoking. It was thrilling. The little bit from Shirley was nothing compared to the lots he was getting. Soon the human started to pass out. Being completely silent. Walter started to feel the knot turning pain in his chest and stomach. Signaling that the man was now getting hurt or dying. He let go and tried to run out with Shirley but she was still with her hands on the floor. Her eyes were bleeding.

Cops storm into the scene. Guns blazing. Walter held his hands up with his eyes closed. After a second he looks to see them run past him and towards Lupin up by the wall. One of the cops says “We need an ambulance here stat.” into his walkie talkie. While the other starts searching through the rooms. Yelling out clear here and there. Walter walked over to the cop and waved in front of him. The cop doesn’t react. Walter says “Hello?”

The cop points his gun to the direction in terror but sees nothing. He looks around as another cop returns into the room “The coast is clear.” he says to his fellow officer. Walter realized at that moment that Shirley was using an illusion spell or something in the room. It only works on vision though. It seems everything has a limit with her. He notices her eyes which makes him panic. He tries to get her attention as she’s looking weaker and weaker.

He’s strong so he must be fast too. He looks to see a large window and thinks that’s the only thing to do. As quickly as he could, which was very quick. He grabs her, holding her over his shoulder and jumping out of the window. The Cops turn as the moment her hands are no lander touching the floor the teens are visible. The sound of glass shattering echoes throughout the scene as the two start falling to the ground from the 13th floor. With no fear at all Walter holds onto her as the wires fly around the two of them. Using a building to grip to, the two fly into the Diner’s window across the street. Now the two had broken glass all over them. His feet slide on the table and off of it. Landing next to it. He lets out a sigh of relief. He looks and guesses that Shirley passed out again. Causing him to look at the Waitress and nod at her before running out of the Diner and towards the car that’s parted a block away.

This time he drove while Shirley was in the passenger seat still out of it. Driving all the way back to the Underground because they have 43 hours left to solve the case. Although he was late to the appointment. It's now 5:50 in the morning on the 8th. No way of catching up now. He’ll have to reschedule it because he hates the idea. A cigarette in his mouth. Filling in with everything he needed after the thrill ride he had. Now they’re looking for a tall human with a weird voice. He felt amazing. The thrills and chills. Everything he’s missed in a long while. That and he was no longer starving. Although they still don’t know who murdered Ophelia. Nor why the Egg was stolen in the first place. Just as he thought everything was smooth. A bright and shining light glowed off in the distance. “Shit.” was all he commented. He looked to Shirley who had passed out. He thought if he should try to escape the fucker or give the knight the girl to heal for the night. Maybe he’ll be okay if he tried to solve the case without her. Maybe they should rest for the night. He has a shirt to stitch up and everything. He pulled over the car and parked on the side of the road.

The pegasus named Winged Victory landed in front of the car this time to prevent them from running away. The knight in his golden armor and silver chainmail hops off the horse “Where’s Regina?”

“It’s Shirley.” Walter says before taking the cig out of his mouth and blowing out smoke towards the knight “She’s passed out. I think she used too much mana or something like that.”

He walked past Walter and looked into the car “Poor thing.” He stood up straight “Jason Blood warned me about her trickery. I must not let it happen again.” He looks to Walter “Once you two are done with this case. You’ll both be getting good old fashioned hard work punishments.”

“You…you want us to solve the case first?” Walter asked while the cig hung in his mouth.

“Fool!” Caliburn said while on the horse “Murder is a sin. Lord Death would be sickened if we stopped you two from catching the killer.”

“Who?” Walter thought about it before saying “Oh the demon from California?”

“Fool! It’s Nevada. And he’s no demon. He’s a god.” the sword argued.

Justin stands in front of Walter “How far are you from solving the case?”

Walter says “We have a limit on solving it. And we have a lead. Nothing more.”

The knight bows to him “I see. Let me help you. I believe I can find something important for you too.”

Walter blows smoke out while holding the cig in his mouth. “Right now I want something to heal her with.”

The Knight looks confused to Walter “Can’t you do it? Use magic?”

Walter tightens his eyes because he’s right. Vampires use magic. Alucard used magic. So maybe. “I don’t know how. But I’m willing to learn.”

Caliburn says “We could give her blood?”

The knight looked disgusted “How can you suggest that?”

“Wait, what does he mean?” Walter asked while looking at the sword.

Cailburn says “The evil Queen requested the huntsmen to bring back Snow White’s heart and a jar of her blood so she could eat it and gain the power of beauty that Snow White provided. As a magic user she can eat another and gain their power. This includes blood.”

Sir Justin stepped closer to the sword “Yes but she has never had it. And I don’t think it's righteous to let someone consume another. Jason would be ashamed of you for suggesting it.”

The sword scuffs “It was just a suggestion.”

Walter thought about it. He can heal and as a vampire he must have mana right. So he said to the two “I can do it.” they looked at him “I can heal. Let her drink from me and she’ll heal. Then we can assume the case.”

The knight looked mad, pissed off even “No! Out of the question. We’ll bring her to Jason to heal. He’s staying at the local hotel in her Camilot.”

Walter nods and lies by saying “Sounds like a plan. You two go ahead.” He looks towards the car “I’ll be behind you.” He flicks his cigarette away while walking towards the car. He waited until the horse flew away with the two on it. Until he hopped into the car and found something sharp to cut his hand with. Luckily he searched through the glove compartment and found Ezra’s pocket knife. He took off this glove removing one of the ends of the wires as it’s where they’re kept. He took the knife to the side of his palm instead of the middle because it bared more flesh. Cutting a little deeper than planned. It stung as it bled, dripping onto the car’s seat. He leaned over to Shirley and opened her mouth with the thumb of his other hand. He tries to wrap the blood on her tongue but couldn’t get enough inside of her. He sat back grumping. Before looking at the wound and at her. She sucked as much blood as he could into his mouth. Filling it with the crimson and doing something he shouldn’t have. Putting his mouth on her. He angled her head so the blood would slide into and down her throat. Once it was done which was pretty quickly although to him it felt longer. He sat back in his seat and watched as his hand started to heal. He heard Shirley start to cough which made him think he did his job. Then he thought about what he’d had done. The air became awkward as the thought that he technically kissed her without permission was done. He blushed while feeling ashamed of himself.

“Walter?” he heard, which took the hateful thoughts away and saw her looking at him. She asked “Did I drink blood?”

“We couldn’t find a heart at this time.” He joked in hopes she does realize what he did. But the gentleman in him said “By the way…in order to give you the blood I had to put my mouth…on yours.”

She just stared at him. She looked ahead "Let's pretend it never happened and I won’t hurt you.”

Walter nodded his hand “Agreed.”

Chapter Text

“The Wheel of Fortune is all about chance. This card represents major life changes and shifts in luck.”

At the house Walter and Justin just sit in the dining room. While Jason was in the kitchen cooking up a healing potion from scratch. The knight stared at Walter in anger. They had to be told the truth when the teens returned and she was no longer passed out, healed with blood on her mouth.

Shirley says something in another language while her tape recorder floats in the air. And the pieces start fusing back together to fix the broken device. Jason looked in her direction and asked “The potion will take a week to make. However, you're out of bay leaves.”

“That’s okay. I can get more. I just need to make cookies.” She says while looking into the pot at the potion.

Jason sighed “I know why you don’t want to leave your home.”

“Do you?” Shirley doesn’t look at him while grabbing two cups from her cabinet. Then stares the second cup.

“The same reason you take down two cups instead of one.” He says to her “I’m sorry about your father. Ezra was a good man and he didn’t deserve to die the way he did.” He stands beside her “But you need help.”

“I’m not a kid.” She argued.

He corrected her “Adults need help too. The difference is you have a chance to be a kid longer than others.” he sounded concern “I just hate you being alone.”

“But…I’m not alone.” She says “True Walter looks like a teen like me but he’s mine now. And he’ll age in time.” She pours coffee into her cup.

Jason just stared at her “You need to think about now. Not in time.” He sounded serious “Live with Justin in New York. You can go to real school instead of being home. You might even start dating someone or something like that. You know, live a life outside of magic.”

Shirley thought about it “But…I’ve been away from home too long. Besides this detective stuff is meant for me. Hecate even thinks so.”

“And you think there isn’t supernatural crime in New York?” He corrected “Besides there’s someone in New York who can train you more in magic. You might even finally decorate yourself.”

Shirley got firm in her voice “No.” She gets surprised with herself that she stood up to him. She says “I still have a week to find a guardian. One that will take care of me here.” She mixes sugar into her drink without touching the spoon “I’ll go to school if you really want me too. I’ll even try to have a life but…let's be fair Jason.” She smiled at him “The day I took Hecate’s offer to do magic was the day a normal life died.” She jokes “Hell I’m supposed to marry a dragon for hell’s sack.”

He looked confused. “What?” He tries to correct her “You don’t marry a dragon. You marry the No Life-”

Shirley interrupts “You don’t have to worry. I can handle a Dragon husband and all. Xanadu told me all about it.” She walks past him to get milk “Anyway. I’m needed here. So let me find someone here okay?”

The red headed male nods his head “Alright. If you wish.”

She looks at him “By the way? Any spells someone would use a Dinosaur’s egg for?”

Jason thought about it “Besides resurrection…no.”

She pours milk into her cup and mixes it without touching it. “Our thief and possible murderer is a tall, possible human with a weird voice. He hired Lupin for the egg but didn’t explain why?”

Jason half smiled at her “Isn’t being a detective figuring that part out.” She pours water into the second cup with a tea bag. Confused Jason asked “You hate tea?” She leans down and blows fire into the cup heating up the water. He watched her take the two cups and tape recorder into the dining room and handed the cup to Walter.

He says “Cheers.” to her before taking a sip and giving a face.

She asks “What?”

“It’s plain that’s all.” He says while drinking it. Jason stares at Shirley before giving a pleased fatherly smile at the idea he thought about in his head. His idea of hers and Walter’s relationship.

Shirley says to Walter “By chance did you develop any memory from Lupin when you stole from him?”

Walter looked disappointed and shook his head no. “What kind of stupid vampire am I when I can’t steal memories from others.”

Caliburn on the table says “Your kind.”

“Thanks Caliburn.” Walter said annoyed.

Shirley says “Don’t worry we’ll learn more about your kind.”

Justin says to Walter “And we promise to find a cure for you.”

“A cure? There is no cure. Curing him means dying.” Shirley argued.

The sword says “Better to die a man than to live as a monster.”

Walter says “Fuck you.” than it hit him. For once he doesn’t want to die. He was a little surprised. Than he remembered why he wanted to in the first place. “Athough I agree.” he said defeated.

Shirley says “No curing. End of discussion.” she looks at Jason “I need everyone to fit into my room.”

Inside the cramped room, giving only a small amount of room for anyone to stand, they looked over her bed on the mood boards. There were pictures and Shirley says “Someone hired Lupin to steal from Ophelia. The problem is she only told a few people about the egg. That and someone murdered her before we can learn more.”

“Meaning someone she knew hired Lupin to steal from her.” Jason says with a nod.

Shirley says “Lupin said he didn’t kill her and I’m partly believing him. Meaning whoever hired him had to do it. But it can’t be her family because the weapon was iron. Meaning it was someone outside of it.”

Sir Justin looked disgusted “Murder over an egg. Shame.” He thought about it “Odds are they stole it for cash. Maybe to a museum."

Walter said “We also don’t know what the egg is being used for. The police arrived before we could learn.”

The knight says “Then it’s settled. I’ll talk to this Lupin fellow. Gain more information for you.”

“Thank you.” Shirley says to him. She looks to Jason “Are you gonna help too?”

He nods his head “Of course. Although I have something important to teach. You rest or work while I talk to Walter.” The three head out the room. Justin quickly walks down the stairs to put on his armor. While making his way into the kitchen Jason said to Walter “Over here.”

The two went over to the potion. He handed the boy a list of items “This is the recipe for the healing potion. I want you to keep a pot going at all times to prevent her from getting hurt.”

Walter nodded his head “Yes sir.”

“By the way. I know what you are. Your type of vampire is rare but I’ve seen enough of them to know what you can and can’t do. So I’d like to take the time tonight and educate you on it.”

“Really sir?” He asked.

Jason said “If you're going to watch over her I need you to do something.” Before Walter could respond Jason said “Stop hating yourself.” The teen looked shocked. He was going to argue but Jason said “We’re more alike than you know. I too betrayed my country and home. My friends and family. I too stepped in the dark light of selfishness. And like you I’ve too been cursed for my crimes. The longer you live the more you grow and with that comes the realization that you can’t hate yourself for what you’ve done. You can’t be forgiven but you can’t hate yourself.” He said with a serious tone “Instead of wishing yourself dead. You should wish yourself something like to be a better man. Never forget what you did but don’t hate yourself. Because that sickness will eat at you worse than any disease and make you hurt yourself or others.”

Walter said “I don’t care for myself. I haven’t felt like joining Millennium. But I promise I’ll never do anything to hurt Shirley. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. I’ll literally be in pain.”

Jason stared at the boy wondering if what he said sinked into his head “You can go invisible, fly, and control familiars like a vampire. You have incredible strength and speed and are now double jointed. You can sense magic and tell what creatures are with your third eye. You can go into people's minds when they’re least expecting it and even their dreams. Everything else you can learn through spells.” Jason started heading into the backyard “Also your curse is after you die and lose control of yourself. You’ll hunt down and eat everything you love. Unless you can control it that is. But from my knowledge. No one's been able to.”

Walter got cocky “Then call me no one. Cause I’m not gonna kill anyone I care about. Most of them are in England anyway.”

Jason smiled “You said most. Not all. How cute.” The two go outside to train while Shirley is in the room. She stared at the board and the different photos. She glanced at her recorder now and again. “What am I missing?” She goes to her phone and calls a familiar number.

On the other end Stacy the Elven were-bee answers. “Madame’s Cally’s bee hive, how may I help you?”

Shirley says “Hey girly it’s me.”

“Shirley! My hero. How’s Walter?” She said in an exciting tone.

Shirley answers “Doesn’t matter. Did you hear about Ophelia?”

In the background on Stacy’s end they hear Riley cry. The were-bee says “Yeah…we heard.”

Shirley says “I need to know. Are there any tall humans with strange voices running around the place? He trades in glass jars?”

The bee was silent. Until she answered “Human’s no, but Riley knows someone obsessed with glass.” the bee corrects herself “She only saw him in the distance making glass art when talking to Ophelia once.” thinks some more “Sorry trying to connect the hive mind.”

“Take your time.” Shirley says.

The bee thinks and says after a few “He was in the background while Ophelia was at the door. They weren’t dating. She called him bro.”

“Bro?” Shirley nodded “Thanks girly your much help.”

But before she could hang up the bee said “Shirley, there’s something else you should know.”

In the backyard Walter stood a good way away from Jason. The red headed man stared at the boy and said “Are you ready?”

“Of course I am.” Walter said with pride.

The adult said to the teenager “Steady your breathing. As a vampire you don’t even need to breathe. You’re only doing it out of habit.” He starts walking around Walter in a large circle. “Think of yourself no longer in the scene. No longer here. Not dead…just gone. That you don’t want to be seen. That humans with minimal sight wouldn’t ever find you. Unless you wanted it.”

Walter closed his eyes and repeated to himself “I’m not here.” over and over in his head. But nothing was coming from it.

Jason stopped and said “Come on. You can do this? If you wish, so let it be.”

Walter started thinking about the wind around him. The idea of flowing like it. As if in a cloud or fog. Including his clothes, he started to fade into the background. You can still see him but can’t at the same time.

Jason smiled “Good. Now try to stay like it while moving. Pointless to escape a seen if you have to stay still for it to work.”

Walter’s hair flowed with the wind like shadows. He looked towards his hands to see partly through them. He took a step while staring at his hand. He started to fade back into the scene. This made the teen growl a little. He started to think about the fog once again. He started to fade away once again.

“Good.” Jason said “As you can see, you're not completely gone. Those who pay attention or can see magic will be able to see you. By chance, have you used your third eye this whole time.”

Walter thought about it before saying “No.”

The demonologist says “Everything has a third eye. It just takes training to use it properly. But creatures of the night like you can do far more with it than any ordinary human. You can see through glamour, you can see people’s souls and read their personality like a book. You should be able to tell how long a person will live. That way you can hunt those with longer or short lives.” He points in between his eyebrows “Picture your third eye. Live as if it’s always been there like it’s always open.” The house starts to shake, taking the attention away from the two men. Jason didn’t question. All he said was “She’s mad.” Walter ran into the house while Jason yelled “You need to work on your powers!”

Walter headed up the stairs and met Shirley half way through. “What’s wrong?” She looked frustrated.

Shirley breathed heavy. “We’re no longer on the case.”

“What?” He looked annoyed “How? The President-”

She nods her head “Yeah I know. He changed his mind. He doesn’t think it would be good for suspects to poke their noses in the murder.”

“Suspects?” He watches as she walks past him.

“He thinks we killed Ophelia. They want to talk to us tomorrow at the station. They interrogated the bees about us.” she’s mad “Worse is that they know about the were wasp and notified the council."

Walter looked pissed. “The police are bastards down there.”

Jason standing by the door looked concerned “What are you gonna do?”

Shirley says in a defective way “I don’t know!” She starts to tear up she was upset. “I have to solve it. If I don't, who will?” Jason walks over to her and lets her cry on his shoulder. Shirley said “Everything was going so well.”

“I know.” He said “But life isn’t fair. You didn’t do anything wrong. They can’t prove anything.” Walter was pissed off. He wanted to rave, he wanted to throw a fit. “You need to rest. You’re being interrogated tomorrow.” Jason said to the teen girl. This time she looked at him and nodded yes. Feeling defeated she sulked her way up the stairs. Walter debated if he needed to hurt somebody but was calmed down by Jason saying “You’re third eye. Time to open it.”

As much as Walter wanted to ignore the man, he needed to learn his abilities and weaknesses. It would be dumb of him to ignore. So he closed his eyes and did as the demonologist asked. He pictured what he would look like with an eye, sideways on the center of his forehead. But a thought entered his mind. A memory of Walter once trying to jump Alucard, both to fight and as a friendly gesture. But the vampire turned and fought back in time. Walter was never able to one up him. Of course the vampire bragged that it was because of this vision. Walter had to admit he missed those moments when Alucard was locked back up by Arthur.

“Well?” Jason asked “What is Regina doing?”

Opening his eyes and giving a side eye to the redhead “You mean Shirley?” Walter being forced back into the scene closes his eyes. He pictured an eye on his forehead. While picturing it a weird feeling tickled his forehead and eyebrows. Soon the scene was inverted in color. It shocked Walter to open his eyes, now seeing everything in color. While he wasn’t in the room he could see Shirley crawled up in her blankets. “She’s resting.” He looked towards Jason and saw something float in the middle of his chest. A ball of fire. Walter didn’t know how he knew but he knew that it wasn’t Jason’s soul. But he couldn’t tell whose it was. “What are you?” he stares at the man before saying “Like…your human. But something isn’t right.”

“I told you before. I’ve been cursed too. However for the sake of Reg…I mean Shirley, she’ll never have to deal with my demon. Neither of you will.”

The night was full of restless working for the two men. One ability after the other. No real explanation or long term training sessions with them. As they didn’t have the time. Walter just had to remember what he did the first time and work on it. Soon Jason started to tire and left for his hotel room away from home.

The sun started to raise. Shirley’s curtain opens causing the said light to shine in. She woke up and reached to pet the hat and remembered she forgot it at the Michel household. “Shoot!” she said. She walks down the stairs barefoot and in her Steelers shirt. “Jason?” She looked through the window on the backyard door. “Justin?” she heard the TV on in the distance and the washing machine. She walks into the living room and sees no one on the couch. She looks into the dining room and again sees no one besides the machine washing clothes. “Walter?!” She said concerned.

Then Shirley’s hair started to stand on the back of her neck. Without a second thought she turned around to punch whatever it was in the face. The creature she can’t see catches her fist and kicks at her feet at the same time to drop her onto the floor. She coughs as the wind’s knocked out of her as Walter chuckles. Once he calmed down he became visible again showing that it was him messing with her.

She says through her teeth “That wasn’t funny!”

Walter gives a large grin at her “Yeah it was. Nice to know you punch first and ask questions afterwards.” Kneeling beside her he gives out a hand to help her up.

She takes it and with one quick movement the two were standing. She asks “So you can go invisible?”

Walter in a happy mood says “It gets better.” He starts floating in front of her. Not that far off the ground but enough to notice.

She smiles at him “That’s great. I’m guessing Jason taught you.”

“Yeah. He gave me recipes for your potions too. Give me something to do at night.” Walter starts floating upside down, looking down at her. His shirt sliding off of him.

She crossed her arms “Now you can fly after the wasps if they stay high.”

He gave a wicked grin “This plus my wires. They'll be in pieces.” Curious he tightens his eyes and sees into her soul. He read a magic user for sure like Jason but nothing attached to it. But…something was off with her soul. Not quite human. He figures it has to do with being a sorceress.

“Are you staring at my boobs?” She asks as she sees him just staring at her chest, she says “You can’t even see them that well with this shirt.” Then she asks curiously “Do they look good?” slightly blushing.

“Not staring at the girls. I’m reading your soul. I don’t know how I’m doing it either. But something in me just tells me the answers.” He said upbeat.

Shirley looks intrigued “You can read souls. I have to go off of knowledge.”

“Well now that you have me you don’t have to stress about it.” He says all cocky “Like a true servant.”

Her smile dies as she says “You’re upbeat for someone walking to a trial.”

He loses his smile but kept his upbeat attitude “All else fails we have to solve the case without permission.” DINGS goes the washing machine “The detective is only blaming us because we’re being given clues from a Goddess.” He landed on his feet and went over to the machine.

“A Goddess that ignored me last night. She normally answers me when I need her. Instead I had her servants tease me for hours about Bathory. They’re treating it like a sibling rivalry thing.” She rolls her eyes.

The butler starts taking laundry out and into the hamper before carrying it with him towards the backyard. “Breakfast first my Hag.”

Shirley takes down two coffee cups as Walter hangs the laundry. She stared at the second cup. This one hit her as it said “#1 Dad.” on it. Her father’s personal cup. She sighed, “Right, I still need to plan a funeral.” She hugged the mug to her neck “If you can hear me. Understand…I’m gonna miss you more than words can explain. You became my hero. I wouldn’t be a detective if you weren’t one.” She was saddened, tears lightly falling down her face.

Walter walked into the room and saw her. With concern he asked “You okay?” he even quickly got next to her.

She looks at him “Yeah…” She grabs another cup and asks “Tea?”

Chapter Text

“Justice as a tarot card is about due course, accountability, and deciding what’s fair.”

Through the trees. Through the hills. Through the streets into the depth of the forest once again. They found themselves to the guards at the front gate. The guards recognizing them but this time he told Shirley and Walter “They’re waiting for you. So please behave yourselves.”

Shirley was in a mute yellow dress shirt with long and open cuffs with a long folded down collar and a dark royal blue fake leather dressed overalls with a slit in the left side of it. Wearing her thick multi belted knee length black boots. Walter was dressed in black sunglasses in tight jeans with boot cuts in the color black, a graphic tee with the Beatles on it, although he hates the Beatles for being a boy band, Shirley insisted on it when they went shopping for clothes as she likes them and he didn’t want to argue about it. Then again he was just happy having his own clothes instead of bumming them from Ezra. A black leather punk jacket with zippers here and there. The two choose to go all out with their clothes for their interrogation.

Down the thinner tunnel and through the opening into the Underground the two teens met themselves with larger creatures in green police uniforms. They sniff the teens which Walter cringes at them. He’s still not used to people sniffing him. They pull out rope that shines in the light in a rainbow of colors. They wrap it around the teenagers hands. For Shirley they put tape on her mouth to prevent her from using a spell to escape. Then the cops start dragging them throughout the city. Like in the medieval days, citizens start booing at them as they walk on through and one even throws a rock at Shirley. Walter growled not knowing who did it.

They walked across the city to a wide two story building with slanted roofs and two large double doors. However they were taken the back way through a single large door that opened with a key card that all the cops have. They went down halls and doors until they made it to a brown and beige colored room. Once there they were taken into and patted down. Walter able to speak joked “You could just ask about my religion like a normal person.” Before blowing a kiss at the guard. He thought he was in the clear before one of them said “Take his gloves. He uses wires as weapons.” So the guards took off his gloves letting the wires completely loose. Walter at the moment felt naked without them.

They put Walter in one all white room by himself and Shirley into the room another two doors down from him. The ropes were released off him before being left in the room alone. On the wall was a one way window. Walter started leaning in his chair with his feet on the table. Just waiting bored.

She bared with a long face in a rectangle shape with a strong chin and dimples as she smiled. With thick and wavy blood red hair that curls at the ends she walks with strut. A fit and attractive dancer body with a large chest. Tall and lean making her even taller in low heals. In a red thick velvet jacket with sharp sleeves. A tight dress skirt that reaches her knees and sees through black tights. She walks in with papers in her hands. Walter gives her an up and down before she sits across from him at the table. With a light Hungarian accent she says “Mr. Dornez?”

“Random woman?” He says to her “Nice legs.” he comments with a wink at her. He looks at her and reads a vampire. An old one. Not Alucard or Jason old but old none the less.

She rolled her eyes “Mr Dornez be professional please. I am your lawyer after all.”

He sat up, slamming the legs on the floor “Really? They have them down here?”

“Of course we do. Now I have questions for you. You have to be honest in order to get you out of this.” She says.

He smiled at her “Right. Miss…?” trying to get her name.

She looked at the papers “It doesn’t say what you are. Race wise. It doesn’t even look like you have an ID.”

He rubs the back of his neck “Yeah I missed my appointment.”

“You’re not saving yourself here.” She says “For all anyone knows you could be a monster hunter which is frowned upon down here.”

He raises a brow at her “I am a monster hunter. Have been sense I was 11 years old. Trained at it my whole life.”

She sighs heavily before looking through her paperwork “What’s your relationship to Miss Regina Horror?”

“It’s Shirley and she’s my master.” He says.

“Master? Like old school ownership. Because we don’t follow that down here. Not anymore.” the lawyer said. “Unless you’re saying you work for her that is.”

“Yes, I’m her personal servant.” He says.

“What do you do then? Give me your day in detail.” She looked annoyed at him.

He nods while tilting his head “I buttle. It’s my trade. Again, since I was a child.” 

“How old are you? Again you have no ID.” She removes his sunglasses from his face.

He answers “69.”

“Aww I see. You were turned as a teen.” She looks concerned, “It must be hard.”

“I was turned recently by Shirley.” He says.

She looks at him through her lashes “You were turned by a sorceress? Not a fellow vampire?” She pauses before commenting “That’s rare. Only royal members of the family have been turned through magic alone.”

He gave a cocky grin at her “Aww thanks. I already know I was special though.”

“Please take this seriously. One wrong answer can send you to prison and without an ID they have a reason to charge you.” She reads through the paperwork before asking “It says here you’re being charged with two counts of murder.” She looks concerned at him “These are serious charges. The punishment for them is death by fire”

Walter blinked confused “Death by fire? Jezz you guys are confusing. First you act all civil and caring for your people then you pull medieval shit like rock throwing a burning at the stack.”

She corrects “The death depends on the creature. Magic uses its burnings and vampires via the sun.”

“Oh what a shame. The sun doesn’t hurt me. In fact I was planning on going to the beach at some point after the event to celebrate.” He says “Looks like you’ll have to kill me another way.”

She stares at him before becoming surprised “I see…you're not a regular vampire.”

“That’s right birdy. I’m something unique.” He tightens his eyes at her “By the way, if anyone tries to even light a match around my Hag I’ll force them to drown face down in their own blood.”

She laughs a little “Suck a fighter. Defending you’s gonna be a challenge. You have nothing going for you. An underdog.” She smiles “Tell me. What happened with the were-creature?”

“They attacked us. Almost killed Shirley. I threw her into the water and she was eaten by a sea horse.” He answered “I didn’t know it was gonna eat her. Nor that it would keep her down for the count. I was just trying to get rid of her.”

She leans closer to him. “And the harpy?”

“Nothing. I didn’t kill her.” He says in her face before pulling himself away.

“Really?” She looks at the paperwork “Because you apparently knew information impossible to know.”

He rolls his eyes “Shirley was given a vision from her Goddess the night before. It’s why she wanted to solve the case. The deity wants her to.”

She huffs “Really, a Goddess? Someone with a better judgement, probably perfect judgement, thinks the teenage girl who barely knows anything on magic can solve a murder?”

“Oh~...that had a nasty tone to it. Why are you so sure she’s not capable? Maybe the deity knows something about her you don’t.” He says to defend her “Her father was a detective and all.”

“Her father? Do you mean the one that raised her or the one that's blood related too.” She asks.

“I never said she was adopted.” He looks confused at her.

“I’m representing both of you. You think I wouldn’t have read her file. Unlike you she’s in the system.” She corrects him while looking away “Also I have no hatred towards her. I’m just stating what the defence will argue about.”

Walter prompts his head on the table with his arm “This is boring. The detective is blaming just to finish the job as quickly as possible and blaming the competition. He’s a punk bitch who knows we’ll achieve what he can’t. And every second I’m stuck talking to you is wasted on trying to catch the real killer.”

She stares at him, thinking. She smiles and says “If you're telling the truth then you're good. You were defending yourself and your employer from an attack. Wasps have a temper so the argument that they would never harm another is impossible to prove. And so far they don’t have any evidence you two were the killers. They haven’t even found the weapon. So this case is a done deal.” She nods her head “However I strongly suggest you do two things.” She holds up a finger “One, get an ID.”

He nods his head “Right.” 

She holds up a second “And two,” she pauses before saying “Ditch the girl.”

He looks shocked. “Huh?”

She says after seeing his face “There’s nothing keeping you to her or at least there shouldn’t be. It’s against the law to own someone either above or below. But so far it seems she’s bringing you down. You deserve to live a real life without chores. She needs to grow up and do them herself. Unless she’s paying you which lets be fair she doesn’t have a steady income so she isn’t. You have no reason to work for her. And if there is then you need to tell me. Because I have the power to save you from her.” She grows a devilish grin “I have the authority to tell the cops about her crimes and have them arrest her. Sure she’ll be burned for what she’s done but a villain is a villain right?”

It was at that moment. He realized something: “You’re not my lawyer are you? You’re the one interrogating me. You're hoping I’ll blame her for something.” He furrowed his brow “You work for Bathory don’t you?”

She stands up “Of course. Who else would I work for but myself.” She leans on the table towards him “You have a choice, right here, right now. Save yourself. Tell me everything she's done to you. The Hell she’s put you through and I’ll have her killed for it. Or stay with her and fight for your own happiness forever more. You’ve always been a butler, a servant. Be your own man. Take control of your own life.” She waits as Walter thinks about it “Well?”

Walter closed his eyes and looked to the floor. It felt all too real to him. Life repeating itself all over again. Being given a choice to save himself. Dumb Alucard. It’s all his fault. If he stayed with Walter and helped fight the werewolf back in 1944, 50 years ago. He would have never realized that they used Mina’s blood to make the vampires. Alucard would never have thought that she was in danger, that he could save her. He’d never lose control and unleash himself and result in almost killing the teenager. Giving the 14 year old a taste of what his weakness truly was. How he’ll never be good enough to defeat Alucard or any vampire as powerful as just a human. Walter would have never agreed to join the enemy. He would have never turned his back on everything he cared for just to save his own life. To save his own birthright. And he’d never be put into this new hell where he’s no longer himself. Where he’ll most likely lose himself in an unknown time. Where he’s forever the servant to a teenager that goes out of her way to remind him what he did. 

Or…it isn't Alucard’s fault. Walter could have died a young hero that day back 1944. He could have died of old age. Or died doing everything in his power to save Integra as an old man. No it’s not the vampire's fault. It’s never been. Alucard became a vampire to save himself. Just like Walter became a traitor to do the same. It’s his own fault. It’s always been his own. Alucard learned throughout his time, throughout his punishment his mistakes. He worked and worked to be a better man until his end. Walter wanted nothing more than to die for his crimes but maybe Shirley was right. Jason was right. True punishment is time. It’s living forever with the realization of what you’ve done wrong. Waiting for a chance to make it right.

“Well?” She said impatiently.

“I don’t work for her because of force. I’m doing it for myself. She’s given me a second chance and is doing everything to educate me on how to live this new life. She’s spent time and money on me. She’s kindly let me in her life of magic. Her life of being a detective. She’s spent time with me. Learning about me as I’ve learned about her. And I’ve enjoyed it. So no. She’s not forcing me to do anything I don’t want to.” He stands up “And like her. I promise the gods. Here and now. I’ll do everything within my power to fulfill her wish and impale your ass on a yellow bright burning spike.” He smiles with tense eyes “Even if it kills me for good.”

The vampire woman tightened her eyes. She looks disappointed “If you say so.” Before leaving the room “By the way. That promise can never be fulfilled. Legends, like me, never die. And the only one able to kill me. Is dead.”

Walter watched her leave the room. The moment the door shut “Piss-ant.” He looked at the one way glass “Are we done yet? We have a case to solve!”

It was an hour of Walter waiting. Until the police walk in and say “Come along.”

Once he reached the hall he saw Shirley and let out a sigh of relief. The Tick Satyr behind Shirley looks disappointed. Walter didn’t think but hugged Shirley who was a little shocked.

The detective says “The Coroner estimated a time of death which you have an alibi for.” He points to Walter “No more killing were-creatures. Even if they attack you first.”

He sticks his tongue at the detective “Of course.” He looks at Shirley and says “Who alibied?” They step into the waiting room after retrieving their belongings. Standing there was Olive with Tipsy on her shoulder. In her arms is a hat just purring to the beat of the light pets it was getting.

Shirley looked upbeat “MY BABY!”

Walter asked “You helped us?”

Olive sighed "Actually I was using you as an alibi for me. Turns out it worked for you too.”

Shirley says “I have some questions for you.”

The elve nods her head “Yeah I figured you would.” She points out to the street “You want to talk here or back at the house?”

Before Shirley could say anything, Walter said “Back at the house. Separate buggies. I need to talk to Hag here.”

“Hag?” The Elve asked “She’s not a hag.”

“It’s his nickname for me.” Shirley shrugged before looking concerned at Walter as he stepped her into the corner “Is everything okay? Did something happen to you in the interrogation room? Because I’ll do something about it.”

“No.” He waves his hands at her “Shirley. I’m…thankful.” He paused before saying “I know a part of it’s because you needed someone. But you went out of your way to bring me back and took me in when I was thrown to rot away. You’ve been going out of your way to make me feel welcomed while doing as ordered by Integra. I’ve been so focused on the negatives I’ve haven’t thought about the positive. So…thank you.” he lightly bows his head to her.

She just stares at him. She puts the back of her hand to his forehead “Huh…you have a regular temp. I don’t know if that’s good.”

“Kind of ruining the moment here.” He says to her with tight eyes.

She sighs “Right.” Then thinks about it “Thank you. Without you I might be going insane. Everything going on in my life and all. It seems like you came in at the right time.” she smiles while hugging her hat which purrs.

Walter walks past her “Come on.” He looks back at her with a smile, “We have a case to solve.”

Chapter Text

“The Hanged Man represents a great pause, unexpected delays, and the need for a shift in perspective."

Shirley road the buggy alone. Watching the scenary while Walter flew next to it. It was more like floating while using the wires to pull him here and there. He was living his best life at the moment. He had always dreamt of things like flying. But never in decades imaged he would have it. He didn’t even have the power while fighting Alucard. Shirley watched him every now and again, seeing he reminded her of Peter Pan with his movements. She was pleased. She never thought that this would of been the outcome. She started remembering how they got here in the first place. Among the thoughts was the one involving the giant funeral for London and everyone who died in it. Which caused Shirley to lose her smile. Because she’s been procrastinating it for long enough. But her father would of wanted her to solve the case first. Or…at least she hoped. The thought of it being the other way around which hit her. Her father would of given up everything to give Shirley a proper resting place. She looked over to see Walter flying over the river. Dodging kelpies jumping up in the attempt to get him. The wires catching in the light now and again. The sight got her out of the sad funk she was dragging herself into again. Instead she just stared at him.

To think this was the old guy her father mainly chatted with back at Hellsing. The man that yelled at her and Integra for playing games and making messes inside. Someone she didn’t think about much really. Now he’s her friend and friend. And so far they’ve grown as a pair. She saw him as a traitor that deserved to be punished and over the past few days she’s started to see him as a friend with a really bad mistake. It didn’t help that he was kind of cute looking. Sure she can do it with a better voice but still cute. Then her father crept into her head again. This time in regards to him being over protective. She didn’t blame him. She does age slowly. Anyone wanting to date her for her real age wouldn’t be comfortable with her looks and if they wanted her for her physical age then they deserved to have their genitals melted off with acid. She started to wonder. What her father would think of Walter now. They were friends and all. Would Ezra approve of her little crush or would he be as protective as before.

Wait…she admitted it. She has a little crush on him. The most recent events with him, the gentleman in him has caused her to crush a little bit. She however will never do anything with it. She promised her father not to date until she was physically 18. Maybe it’s because he likes her one minute and hates her the next. Maybe it’s because he refused to confirm to her if he was gay or not. Maybe it’s because there’s more important things at hand. Dating isn’t important when there’s a murder and all.

She watched as he flew over and landed rough in the seat next to her. Bumping into her. “Whoa!” He grabbed her arm as she almost fell over. “You okay?”

She pouted with tight eyes at him “Yeah I just almost died.” she joked. She smiles and asks “Enjoying yourself?”

He nodded yes before asking “You seemed lost in thought. What are you thinking?”

She got embarrassed. “What?” She looked to the side to think. “Umm…the case.” She said,

Confused as it didn’t make sense on why she would be acting that way, he said “Okay…?” He brushed it off “You theorize anything?”

Shirley says “Well apparently someone Ophelia saw as a brother is into glass art. He looks human. Although I didn’t get his height from the conversation."

Walter says “Her brother’s in Japan right?”

Shirley thinks about it “The only way to tell is through the database.”

Walter smiled wickedly “Now that I know the login too.” He was on the edge of his seat “Anything else?”

Shirley says “Not sure. I’m gonna ask the family more questions. Than her co-workers. She works at an office building down here.”

He looked pleased. “Sounds like a plan.” before looking out into the scenery. Then something hit the vampire there. His senses warn him about a threat. Something was coming up. He stood up on the buggy prepared this time around. It slows down and stops. Walter steps off the cart and gives a hand to Shirley, helping her down.

Standing in the way is a group of three women in biker clothes. Shirley rolls her eyes once seeing the women “Right now isn’t the right time.”

The tallest of the women. An African American human with a rough voice and long black and mute yellow hair. She was lean like a ballerina in punk clothing. With her is another human, this one being white with blonde hair and the other a Elve with dark blue skin and lime green hair. Walter smiled with tight eyes. Ready to make a move if one of the women does anything.

Shirley holding the hat mimic says “What you want?”

The taller woman, the clear Queen of the wasps says “We’re here to pass you a message from the counsel. You got away with one death. But anymore and you’ll be personally hunted down.”

Walter nodded “Noted.”

Shirley groans “This is stupid!” She hands Walter the mimic before walking towards the Queen Wasp. “This whole hatred started over stupid boy trouble.”

“Don’t push me.” The Queen wasp looked down at the teenager.

Shirley puts her hands on her hips “No it’s true. They stole your man. I don’t know how, unlike the bees, you didn’t kick him out and probably wouldn’t have.” The wasp tightens her eyes at the teen as Shirley continues with “Having a loved one stolen from you hurts I know.” She looks embarrassed “Well I mean I’ve never dated nor had someone stolen but I can imagine the feeling. I feel for you.”

The wasp Queen looks upset “Really? You think you understand me?” She leans into the girl’s face “He was the first man in a long while that saw me as more than a bug. He didn’t even want immortality from me. He just wanted to be with me and one day he went off to be the mate for the bees. Because what? He can have a harem. No explanation. Or the real reason. Then worse of all you two show up and take those bitches side! You took his side!” she tightens her fists “You even killed one of my girls. My friends. My sisters in bond.” Mist started forming over her, her body starting to turn.

“We don’t have to do this?” Shirley said while backing away and Walter started walking forwards. She stops Walter with a hand. Shirley sighed as before saying “Swords.” and forming through the air are 5 different swords. Just floating. She says to Walter “No killing.”

He says “Yes my Hag.”

The women start pulling their clothes off while their bodies start to turn. The moment their bared wings, they started flying off the ground. The wings flapped in a wicked speed like a bug. Walter noticed them off the floor so he did so too. The moment they saw it the wasps stared at him. “You can fly?” The Queen asks. “Looks like this won’t be as easy as I thought.” The queen yells while thrusting towards Walter with long nails pointed at him. He moved out of the way but was knocked on his side. Causing large gashes in it. She weaves throughout the air as he tries to wrap her in the wires. Causing her to fly away from him a good distance.

He looks at Shirley “I’ll be back.” As he grips on the buildings and lunches himself towards the Queen.

The Elven wasp while flying goes to push Shirley into the ground but the teenager stabs the creature with the blades all at once. Making the wasps fall onto the floor which drove the blades a little deeper in. She steps toward the creature with the mimic in her arm. Her eyes start to glow like fire as she holds her hand over the were-wasp’s face resulting in the creature to burst into flames. The wasp screams in pain as it burns from the inside out. Shirley starts feeling weak so she looks at the other were beasts. “I’m gonna need your mana.” She says.

The third wasp stares at the mage before thinking of what to do. It feels something against its head and back to see a street light. It looks like the old school Victorian with torches inside. The creature grabs it with one hand before sliding it down to an end to use it as a weapon. The flame went out, darkening the scene. The only lights are from the next lights down and the ones outside the buildings. Shirley waves her hand around the mimic and it swirls into a ball and disappears. The wasp pulls the poll back and with all its speed and strength hits the magic user. Shirley gets hit and thrown into the window of a candle shop. She barrels into the wooden shelve and hits a candle off the shelve causing it to shatter while knocking the wind out of Shirley.

The Queen flew through the city, looking back now and again at the teen boy following behind her. His face is more serious. She uses a building to jump off of and spins to strengthen her kick. Walter gets the foot through him. Breaking his back in half. Causing him to fall from the air and into a cart of watermelons. Getting the wind knocked out of him. But just as she thought the coast was clear, she gets yanked down as wiring is wrapped around her neck. She tried to fight against it but Walter pulled, resulting in the creature’s neck bleeding. Walter hissed as the pain, the knotting pain started going through his body. Just as his body started to heal too. He rolls off the melons, which stain his clothes, making them wet. He falls onto the floor holding onto his stomach. Soon the pain goes away as the Queen lands, showing her healed neck.

The Elven wasp on the floor starts pulling the blades out of her through the burning magic it's causing. Meanwhile the third wasp lands on the ground and slowly walks into the candle shop through the hole in the wall. She looks down at the magic user with a bug-like voice and says “Ready?”

Shirley gets to her feet. Glass sticking out of her back thigh. She pulls it out. And hold it prepared to use it on the wasp. “We can’t just talk?” Shirley asked while prepared. The bug slowly shakes her head no. Shirley’s eyes started to glow. Walter at the moment had a feeling. Shirley’s in danger and is calling for help. He looked up as the Queen grabbed at his head. Shirley’s eyes stop glowing as the bug woman pushes herself towards the magic user with a single foot. Shirley dodges by a inch as the beast’s claw goes through the wooden shelve. Soon the sounds of a foxes cry is heard. The wasps turn just as a larger than normal fox with completely black fur and red eyes jumps at the beasts with its jaw prepared to bite.

Shirley rolls out of the way. The fox without a tail lands with the beast's bug face in its jaws. Shaking it about. The creature lifts itself up, tossing the beast to the side. It lands on its side before disappearing all together. Shirley looks pissed.

The Queen holds Walter above her head which results in the teen to dangle. While holding on to his head she slams him into the floor. Cracking the ground and his head starts bleeding all over the floor. But…just as she held onto him. He started to drain her. His eyes glowed and the thrill returned. She blinked twice, the weaker she got. As a reaction she let go of him. Walter laughs as his body heals real quickly. While in shock. The Queen asks “What are you?”

“The Angel of Death.” He tosses his wires and wraps them all around her. “Now…as much as I want to kill you. My Hag is against it.” He smiles with tight eyes “So call it quits.” He held his arm up to tighten the wires on her “Call your girls.”

“No!” She starts shaking about “I’d rather die than accept defeat.” She started tearing up “It’s not fair!”

Walter sighed before saying “I know I know you’re mad at your ex. But unless we have this fight above ground we’ll get nowhere. I can’t kill you and you can’t kill me.”

She says “Why do you say that?”

“I’m assuming it. It’s against the law to kill you without permission. I’m assuming it’s the same with vampires and sorceresses. Although with your temper you don’t really care do you?” He raised a brow while pouting at her “So lets end this fair and square for now until the case is done. Then we can have a real fight above ground.”

Shirley braces herself while the wasp in front of her heals and the other stands by the hole in the wall without blades in her. Shirley starts to growl resulting in the building to shake. The fox reappears and stands beside her. Shirley says to the fox “Been awhile Talypo.”

He says “Yes it has…snacks.” in a demonic voice.

But the Queen in her human form yells out “Stop it!” The two wasps look away. Both confused as she says “We’ll finish this another time. So leave her be.” The wasps look disappointed.

Shirley looks at Walter as he walks in. He runs up to her and before she can say anything he touches her forehead “See this creature in her state. Reverse the clock. Undo the fate. Give back to this soul what damage did take.” which starts healing Shirley in a slow but quicker than normal rate. “Huh? It works.” He said surprised.

She asks “Jason?”

Walter simply answers “Yes. Although it eats my mana up so please use the potion when it’s ready.” he looks around “Where’s Charlee?”

Shirley was confused at him before saying with a grin ‘You called him by his name!” She calms down “He’s with Jason right now.” The wasps quickly run out and grab their clothes before running off with them.

At the Michel residence. Shirley and Walter knock on the door. Meanwhile they hear yelling in Elven. The door opens to Olive. She sighs relieved “Finally! I thought you two were never gonna make it.”

Once inside they see Allyn laying on the couch. He was paler than normal and clammy. Olivia was upset holding his hand. Walter, confused , asked “What happened?”

Shirley says “Elves only die if killed or…broken. A broken heart will kill them fast.”

Olivia looks at the teens “Why are you here?” She looks pissed off while getting in Shirley’s face “The last thing he needs is reminders on what he lost. What we lost!”

Olive says “Olivia found him like this yesterday after the police talked to him about Ophelia’s death.”

Walter commented “Hard to keep up with all these O names.” He goes to adjust his tie, a habit of his. Only to remember he doesn’t have one. “Shit.”

Shirley says to the girls “I’m sorry but I have to ask questions. How else am I supposed to solve this.” She looks towards Allyn and notices something shining under the couch.

Olive said “We’re all messed up by it. None of us have been able to properly sense the news.” Shirley walks over to Allyn, gets on her knees and reaches under the couch She then drags out a long blade. The moment the two Elven women see it they walk away into the hallway terrified.

Walter watches as Shirley holds the blade up. She says “I think we found the weapon.”

“Aren’t they poisoned against iron?”

Shirley says “Someone planted it to make them sick. This family is being hunted.”

“Why?” Walter asks.

Shirley does her spell to the blade which causes it to teleport somewhere else. “I don’t know. But it’s a lead.” Allyn groans as if he’s waking up.

The Elven girls look into the room. Olivia says “Daddy?!” The dancer ran into the room and hugged the man silly.

Shirley looks at Olive “Tell me. Did Ophelia know any tall human looking people? Bonus if they make glass art?” Olive looks confused.

Olivia gets offended “Why? What does he have to do with it?”

Walter looked at her “So you know someone fitting it?”

“Yes and he has nothing to do with Ophelia.” She stood up and yelled at the teens “So leave him be.”

Shirley widens her eyes “He’s not human is he. He’s a golem. Your golem?” The Elve looks at her with tight eyes.

Olive looks shocked at her “Wait…she’s the one that found daddy sick.”

Shirley shook her head “She couldn’t have done it. She can’t go anywhere near the blade without getting sick or dying.”

“Doesn’t mean her husband couldn’t.” Walter says while the two looked at the Elve. Shirley glances at the Elve who looks terrified.

“He…he couldn’t….” She says before landing on the ground on her knees, buckling “He loves me. He loves my family. He would never.”

Shirley says to the Elve “Where is he?”

The three start walking down the street. Following a broken looking Elve with tears in her eyes. Walter said quietly to Shirley a good distance from the Elve “You believe her.” He shrugs “I mean she showed no care for her sister before. She has to be faking it.”

Shirley asks Olivia “So…how is your husband to be like? Does he have a temper?” in an upbeat tone “Help me get a better understanding of him.” Olivia ignored her. Instead silently cried to herself. Shirley leans into Walter’s ear “I can’t tell.”

Walter spoke up and said “What’s your husband like?”

Olivia stopped and turned to them, pissed off “He’s an innocent flower. A perfect living being just like you and me.”

Walter said “He’s a golem. I mean, do they even have souls?” She went to slap him but Shirley stepped in between, catching the hand. Walter said while not flinching a bit “I’m just asking.” 

Shirley says “If he’s really as peaceful as you claim then you're gonna have to prove it.” The Elve just stares at her as Shirley says “Tell us about him. Like how did you two meet?”

Olivia looks to the floor “He…he was a guard. All he did was stand in front of a gate to his creator’s place. No matter the weather. He would do his job.” She starts walking ahead of them “His boss was a careless man. He created golems and broke them the moment they did one thing wrong.” She lightly smiled “I saw him everyday and thought. Gosh, what a hunk.” She starts looking offended “His creator wanted to sell him to me when I simply asked for permission to take him on a date. So…” she smiled “I bought him. Paid the bastard everything he asked for to save him. I helped him pick a name.”

Shirley looked concerned “Doesn’t he have the mind of a child though? Like don’t hit me but how can you marry that?”

“He has a childlike personality but not a childlike mind.” The Elve got into her face “Besides you're one to talk to, dating someone with a 12 year old’s voice!”

Walter got wide eyes “First, 14. And secondly we’re not dating.”

Olivia looked confused and shocked mixed together “You’re not?”

Shirley nods her head “Yeah…we’re just friends.” Shirley shrugs “Promised my father not to date until I was like 18 physically."

Walter looked at her “Really?” he looked around “I mean Jason thinks you should date now and everything.”

“Well I can’t.” Shirley said back to him “Someone my actually age can’t date me because of my looks and someone my physical age can’t date me because of my real age. Jason grew up when people married at 12. At least with 18 it’s legal.”

Olivia rolls her eyes “Is this important?”

Walter argued “Yes.”

“No.” Shirley said “Continue telling us about your fiance” Walter was a little broken. Wait, why? Great those teenage hormones again. That must be it. Right? Then why? Why did she not want to date anyone yet upset him. He started to grump throughout the walk.

Olivia continued with “If you're wondering no. He doesn’t act like a child. Yes he has a child’s optimism but not its personality. He acts very much like an adult that finally found himself.” She stops in front of a house “We’re here by the way.”

They walk inside, the place covered in glass art work. “You clearly have no pets.” Shirley says.

“Good for her.” Walter said al grumped “All they do is cause messes.”

Shirley gasped at him before pinching the side of his hip “I want fur babies thank you.”

Walter growled at her “Why don’t you have any then?” Before she can answer “Because your father told me about how you're enough of a hassle to clean after. Maybe he knew a pet would be as much of a problem.” She pinched him again causing the male to yell.

“He would have never complained about me.” She said, “And pets are beautiful things.”

Walter tightened his eyes at her “You really think you were perfect. That you didn’t do anything to upset or annoy him. Because after a couple of drinks he started to bitch about his own mother.” She puffed up in anger before looking away from him.

“Is everything okay?” said someone with a regular voice. A young adult male’s mid tone voice. He was tall, around 6 '2 in height with a Jewish work craved into his forehead. He was pale with a long rectangle head and dark black hair. He was made of glass, making him shiny and partly see through as if the paint on him was on the inside of his body. So you could see his organs float in place. Although he was wearing clothes unlike most of the creatures in the Underground.

Olivia gestures to him “This is my fiance. Go ahead. Ask away”

Chapter Text

“It’s a card of transformation and transition - beginnings and endings. The Death tarot card is a spooky symbol of change.”

They walked into a room. It was an art studio with broken glass and colored glass here and there. Walter found the studio appealing. It reminded him of his own back in Hellsing. He smiled as the creature pointed to his work, the golem saying “This is my most recent one.” He picks it up. Showing off a panel made with different colored glass pieces connected together with melted metal like a glass window. It was of a teal woman in a clear dress. “I made it for Olivia. I haven’t painted the dress yet. She won’t tell me the color of it.” he looked shocked. “But don’t tell her.” He gave a pleased smile to them “It’s my wedding gift to her.”

Walter leaned in to look at it. “It’s lovely.” he asks “How do you do it?”

The golem a little embarrassed as he’s not used to people asking him questions, says “I make markings in the glass and carefully break them with my tools. I place them together on a clay slab then melt metal wiring to keep the pieces in place. Then sand everything.”

Walter held his chin “Huh.” noticing the tools.

The golem asks “Do you do art? Cause you're asking like an artist.”

Walter got cocky “Kind of. I create my own weapons. Guns, blades, and I fixed and made my wires multiple times. It took a lot of fractions and time but it was worth it in the end.”

Shirley was a little surprised. She wanted to celebrate and see him in action some time but…she was mad at him. Offended by him. If you remember in the last chapter, he suggested not only did she think she was too perfect but that her father shit talked her. That he personally heard Ezra complain about her. Throughout her life with her father, they argued but it was little things like her forgetting to eat that day or the time she drank Palm Pudding in Romania not knowing it had liquor in it. Or Shirley’s childhood crush being Dracula because he’s an evil monster and all. But never and I mean never would her father bitch about her to a stranger. So what if Walter was similar in age. Ezra would never…would he? She begged at the gods at that moment he didn’t. She said in an upset tone “So…what was your relationship with Ophelia like?”

The golem was confused. “Was?” he tilted his head.

Walter blinked twice “Yeah. Did no one tell you?”

Shirley says upset, feeling like the grim reaper “She was murdered.”

The golem says “Oh…yeah I know. I forgot.” He looked down, upset. “Any news on the killer?”

Shirley says “No but we found the weapon. I think someone tried to frame the father without thinking about the fact he couldn’t pick up the weapon.”

The golem freezes in place as if mindless in a way. He just stares at the floor. “It was used to make Allyn sick. We think someone is after the family.” After a few silences Shirley touches his shoulder. She leans down and sees his eyes are going to the back of his head. “You okay?” Then as quick as a blink he grabs a hold of Shirley’s neck. Choking at her.

Walter yelled “Hey!” and started prying the hand off her. Thinking on his feet he upwards kicked, using his vampire strength and breaking the arm, shattering the glass.

“Let…go!” She commands while pointing to the hand. Which it follows suit.

With a weird sounding voice as if he was layered over with another he says “Nice to finally meet you detective. Now it’s time to say goodbye.”

Shirley coughs as Walter says “He’s possessed?”

“He…being…controlled.” She says as she starts running out of the room.

Walter followed her concern for her “You okay? Do I need to do the spell again?” she coughs out in the hallway. Olivia heard and walked into the scene concerned. But before she could ask anything the golem stepped through the wall.

“David!” She yells at him “What are you doing?” she notices the missing arm.

Walter says “He’s not healing?” Noticing the arm still broken off. Just as the creature punched the ground causing the pressure to push the two teens into the wall at the end of the hall. Walters heard stories of golems and was told to NEVER fight them alone. Even Alucard, the arrogant bastard as he was, was terrified of them. Then again he was scared of werewolves and Walter’s been doing fine against the wasps. He stood his ground preparing himself.

Shirley looked surprised when suddenly blades that she didn’t create fly toward the golem. They don’t pierce the glass skin but they detract him. Standing in the hall is Jason Blood. He yells at the teens “You two just can’t keep yourselves out of trouble can you!”

“What are you doing here?” Walter yelled back at him.

“I knew you were in danger the moment Shirley sent me the mimic. So I came to help.” He doesn’t say a word, no glowing eyes and the room is full of 6 hellhounds. Large shaggy looking dogs with multiple red eyes on their heads.

Shirley yells out “Don’t kill him! He’s being controlled by someone.”

Jason tightened his eyes “I’m not the one you have to convince. I alone can’t take a golem.” And than the lights started to flicker “Change, change O form of man.” the hellhounds run over and in between the golem and teens “Free the prince forever damned.” Both teens watched surprised “Free the might from fleshy mire. Boil the blood in heart of fire.” Jason’s voice firm while he spoke “Gone, gone.” a black shadow like circle appeared around Jason’s feet. “The form of man.” from the inside out he started to burn as if spontaneously combusting “Raise the demon…” and his shape changed. He was shorter, hunched over with veins popping out the muscles which there were plenty of. With sickly yellow to orange skin. With a wrinkling face and fish like pointed frill eyes. Two tiny horns on his forehead and piercing full blood red eyes that glowed in the dark shadows around it. Wearing silver chainmail and dark metal armor access around his chest, knees, forearms and shoulders, all have spikes on them. With a cape that’s torn up at the ends and a collar taller than its head that’s connected by a dark red diamond shape. On his belt is a ruby upside down pentagram, connected to the belt is a clothe over his privets. He was barefoot showing off his sharp toenails and on his hand is a long sickle like sword. With a smokey like demon voice he finishes the sentence “Etrigan!!”

Shirley was in outer shock. She just started before quietly saying, loud enough for Walter to hear “Holy shit I’ve finally gotten to see it.” Walter just stared, holding in his composure but he was shocked too. Mainly because he’s never seen a demon in person besides Alucard.

The demon in front of them smiles “It’s been a long time my princess, my queen. It’s nice to finally see each other.”

“What?” Walter asked.

Shirley looked annoyed for a second. “Great is everyone gonna refer to me in royal petnames.”

The demon says “Would you prefer me to call you Jason’s child. Because I think queen is quite beguile."

“Why is he rhyming?" Walter asked with a disturbed face.

The golem turns to the demon, emotionless and mindless it just stares. With its weird voice it says “You're not part of this demon. Be gone.”

“Fuck you. Really? Be gone? You’re far from wrong.” The demon says while twirling his sword around “I’m gonna brake you like your’ve never been before. You’re organs will be plastered all over the floor.”

Without a thought the two, being the demon and the golem charge at the other. The glass beast jumps over the demon as it slashes at it with its sword. Walter sees the moment and grabs Shirley’s arm to get her out of there. She said to him “Wait?! Olivia?” Seeing the elve cowering in the corner with tears in her eyes. Watching in horror as he beloved is fighting.

Etrigan catches himself on the floor with his claw and launches himself towards the glass beast. Kicking at him which throws it all the way down the hall and into the living room. Cracks go along the golems back as the demon says “Jason you tease. Drag me from hell whenever you please. This fight isn’t worth it. Barely a choir. I have to tell you sir. Your fight is a bore.”

The golem says with its voice of many “I have more where it’s from. I’ll send them your way. I’ll kill everyone you want to protect. Like your precious princess.”

The two teens go over to the elve. They grabbed her to get her out but she looked sickly and weak. Shirley said “Crap!” she grabbed her face “Don’t die a broken heart!”

The demon smiles while tilting his head “Protect? Nah. I’m simple here to play. Of course if you threaten her again and your head I’ll slay.” He waves the cape as the hellhounds charge towards the golem. It simply waves its hand, smacking the beasts in the face and throwing them away.

Shirley heard their cries of the wolves and growls before saying “Hit yourself!” commanding towards the golem. Which the creature punches itself in the face. Knocking itself back.

The demon starts rolling laughing “Damn you Jason for hiding me from her. Why did you fight it. She’s a riot.”

Walter annoyingly said to the Elve “This isn’t the time to be dramatic. You could die.” he says “What’s the point of living if you're not gonna fight for it!?”

Shirley says to him “I told you already. Elves kill themselves over broken hearts all the time. The moment their love, their wives or husbands pass they do the same.”

“That’s stupid!!” He yells.

The demon says while gesturing to the golem to come at him “Lets see that strength you have.” The glass creature tightens his eyes and gets to punch him with the sharp and broken arm. The demon stepped to the side with an annoyed face “Really? What a bummer. You forget my armor.” With one quick movement. The sickle goes through the neck, breaking the head off the creature. “Suck a bore.”

The Elves drop their heads and eyes lose life in them. Body becoming lifeless. Shirley and Walter’s hearts drop to the pit of their stomachs. Sure she was a bitch but they didn’t want her to die especially like this. Shirley says “Another Michel was murdered.”

Etirgan walks over to the two “Better to love and to lose than to never have loved at all. It’s a shame that this creature chose to fall.” Shirley starts crying which confuses the demon. Walter lets her cry on his shoulder. “But you now have a lead now. You can seek revenge and hunt the killer down.”

The three walk out of the house. Etrigan holding the body of Olivia. He says to the teens with a smile “I’ll drop off this creature to the right people.”

Shirley nods her head “I’m guessing you're gonna let Jason back now?”

“No.” The demon said “Been a while since I roamed the wild. I’m gonna stay a little while. Besides, Jason would never let me be seen if you were to hurt my queen.”

Walter in a bad mood says “Okay seriously. What’s with the rhyming?!" Shirley’s head still on his shoulder.

She answers “It’s the type of demon he is.” she looks towards the demon “Thanks for the assist.”

This will be easier for yourself if you dedicated." He says before walking off with the body in arms “So go home and work on it.”

Walter picks up her head with his hand from her chin, their faces closer than most people would have it “What does that mean?”

She says "Dedication to the gods, the spirits and universe. It’s the magic user’s version of a fledgling drinking blood. Upgrading into the being they’re supposed to be.”

“What? You haven’t done it yet?” He tightened his eyes at her, still holding her chin “You’ve been running around at half power this whole time.”

“Well…” She says “I’ve never had the time. There was always a creature, a danger, something after me and my father. I worked with what I had.” She moves her head which makes him let go of her chin. She steps away from him. “I always figured fate wanted me to wait.”

“So far everything is telling you to do it now.” He says.

Shirley says “We’ll have to go home to do it.”

He nods his head “Yeah.” He picks her up bridal style and starts floating. She grips tight on his hair scared of heights. Hiding her face. He started pulling himself throughout the city flying until they made it to the opening. When driving out of the tunnel the guards saw the two and were relieved. They waved at them as they left. Once at the house. They saw police at the neighbor’s house investigating the missing car. Walter commented “Oh yeah we haven’t returned that.”

Shirley sighs before walking into the house. She starts taking off her clothes while heading into her bedroom. While there she put on an outfit. A purple dress with a sheer cape that connects around her neck and cuts off her shoulders and connects to her middle fingers. It has a hood that lightly frames her face. The dress looks like a traditional ancient Greek dress that’s tight around the waist and cuts off just below her backside. With flat greek sandals that lace all the way up her thighs. Her hair is down and around her head is a headband with a triple moon on it with a pentagram in the middle of the full moon. She walks down the stairs. Walter took off his shirt to fix it with the sewing kit quickly. Annoyed as his clothes were stiff due to the watermelon juice. Making him feel gross.

Shirley steps into the room before hiding behind the wall waiting for him to put a shirt back on. She blushed a little seeing him shirtless although he wasn’t buff. He was skinny fit. His arms and chest being muscled while barely no real fat. Walter threw on the clean yellow and blue plaid shirt that was folded on the table. Jason must have done it because Walter didn’t.

He looks over to see Shirley from the corner of the wall. He says “Hag?” She steps out showing off her outfit. He gave her an up and down “What’s with the costume?”

She smiles at him “It’s part of the dedication. Are you ready?”

“For?” He raised a brow.

She looked down “Well…” she got embarrassed “I figured you would do it too sense you want to learn magic.” She walks into the kitchen and takes out mint leaves and starts soaking them in oil before mixing them together in a molder and pestle. She gestures for his hand. He hesitates. A part of him, the little good Christian boy in him is screaming that this is a bad thing. She says “You're already doomed, remember?” being able to read his face. He takes off his glove and wires before giving her his hand. With a kitchen knife she cuts his hand and tightens it into a fist. Dripping the blood into the molder. Then she does the same to her hand. Afterwards she mixes the blood, mint and oil together.

She goes throughout her house with the laundry hamper and starts putting things into it. Candles in the colors of yellow, red, blue, green, purple, black and white. A bowl with salt and a dark metal chalice that has a pentagram on the side full of water. A black silk cloth that sparkled in the light. And a school looking sacrifice blade. Walter was told to drag out the coffee table. They grabbed a wooden pentagram and a pasted hand with an eye on it. They go into the backyard. Shirley gathered leaves from around the trees and created a large circle with them. She looked at Walter and told him “Close your eyes.” He was confused but did as she asked. He felt a weird tingle and then a breeze on his legs and…below. He looks to be wearing a short Greek dress that’s tightened around his waist in the shade of blue.

“Really?” he stared at her.

She puts the candles in stands and places the purple, blue, yellow, green and red candles around the outside of the leaf circle. She goes around blowing the candles lit. With the knife she fake cuts into the wall of the circle and walks through. Offering a hand to Walter. Who is confused, walks through the spot she did. They set the coffee table up, the clothes first, the other candles on the corners of each other, the chalice in the middle and the blow of salt next to it. Both teens sitting on the ground crisscross. Grass poking Walter’s skin.

She looks at Walter “Puts some salt into the water and mix it.” She does it first to demonstrate, keeping her single finger in the water. He follows suit. She then uses the same finger and puts it into the blood, mint oil. “Now draw what I tell you, where I tell you.” She first draws a plus sign in a circle on her third eye. So Walter follows. She then draws a pentagram on her heart. He followed suit.

She says to him “Now close your eyes and speak to your deity through your mind.”

“I don’t think God would approve.” He says.

She smiles “I’m sure another will take his place then.” She closed her eyes and started focusing herself in her mind. They sat there in silence.

Soon he felt awkward and decided to do the same. He said in his mind “God or Goddess, whoever is there. Hear me.” he felt weird. No longer sitting on grass, as if floating in the air.

He opened his eyes to see a pale white as paper paint skinned woman in front of him. She has a round face with a more pointed chin. With small rosy lips with purple lipstick on. Her round black eyes with heavy black smokey eye shadow and downwards eyeliner that curls. Her pitch black hair is in a frizzy ponytail. She’s dressed in a black sweater, tank top and pink undershirt. With thick black tights and a puffy silver skirt. Around her neck is an ankh in black. “Walter C Dornzes? Or should I call you the Angel of Death?” with a deep female voice that speaks as if floating in air.

He was shocked and confused “I…I didn’t think someone would answer. Who are you by the way?”

She smiled at him “Who do you think?”

“Satan? Cause you're not God.” He said.

She giggled “Nope. Try again.” She was sitting cross in front of him “I’m what you claim to be.”

His eyes went wide “Death?”

“Correct.” He grinned at him “You’ve longed for me. Now I’m here. Accept you as you’ve now accepted me.” She leans forward while prompting her head on her hand “You are expecting me right?”

“Do I deserve it?” He thought.

She answers “Maybe. Maybe not.” She shakes her head about “That depends on you really.”

“I…I don’t know if I do.” He says.

She thinks about it “Why? Because of your betraying Hellsing?” she tightens her eyes at him “Aren’t you being punished for it.”

“No. Not really.” He says “I mean…I’m no longer with Hellsing. Will never be. I lost all I cared about. But I haven’t been really punished for it.”

“You know what I think?” She stops prompting her hands behind her “You’re too hard on yourself. You’ve always been. It’s something we need to work on.”

He looks at her “You say that like it’s easy.”

“Gods no it isn’t. But hell, we’re going to try.” She stands up “So you excepting me, yourself in this life of magic?”

Walter said “I gave up everything for power. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to do it again.”

“I like that attitude.” She says before pointing to his forehead.

Walter opened his eyes, seeing him on the grass laying there next to Shirley. They both got up at the same time. Shirley grabs the knife. She points it to his neck, he was confused before she said “Promise, you’ll rather fall onto this blade over betraying this coven. Betraying your deity that you’ve just dedicated to.”

He nodded lightly before saying “I’d rather fall onto the blade before betraying this cover. Before betraying my goddess.” She hands him the blade and lifts her head up at him. He puts the blade to her neck “Promise, you’ll rather fall onto this blade over betraying this coven. Betraying your goddess you talk so highly of.”

She chuckled “Yes. I creed to fall on this blade before betraying the coven and my Goddess.” He took the blade away from her neck. Then she leaned into his face and gave him a light peck on his lips. She said “You're supposed to kiss me too.” He blushed and leaned in and lightly pecked her lips. Just then the wind started blowing. Their hair floating while their eyes glowed. Something in him felt different from before. As if he was starting all over again. Being born as a new person. All the candles went out. Leaving them with the moon to shine on them.

She smiles “Now…we have a killer to catch.” She stood up and started gathering the belongings.

Chapter Text

“Temperance represents the act of combining different elements together in perfect harmony.”

After putting on real clothes, clean jeans and the clean paid shirt. Walter started messing with the wires. He felt…different. More than before. Just as he did, he was a regular vampire like when he was fighting Alucard. But not a regular vampire. He stood there as the wires floating around him, glowing. Meanwhile Shirley was going through her house. Gathering more things. She grabbed mainly white candles and started craving them with a butter knife.

He walked into the room. To mess with her, cut the candle in half with the wires. She looked at him and put her hands on her hips “Really?”

He says “Yes really. I thought the dedication was over.” 

“It is.” As she puts the broken pieces together and the candle fuses back to place. Then she goes back to craving the candle.

He watches over her shoulder with his hands behind his back “What are you doing then?”

Shirley says “I was inspired through the heartbreak earlier.” She says while pointing upstairs “By the way. I fixed something for you. I think it’s apparent for the battle coming up.” She shrugs “Well once we found his location.” Walter walked up the stairs into his bedroom. Once he saw it laying on his bed. He grew a large grin.

Shirley takes her colored candles off the stands. Before placing the white candles in their place. The front door opened. Sir Justin’s voice echoes as he says “I’ve returned my lady.”

Caliburn smells the air before saying “I sense a strong amount of magic.”

Justin nodded “Yes.” the walk into the kitchen slowly with custom. He sees Shirley and says “You…you look wonderful. Very much like a real sorceress."

“Thanks.” She glances at him. She sighs before asking him “What’s our relationship?”

“What?” He was confused.

Shirley says “Someone I know might have thought you were hitting on me the other day and I just want to clear the air.”

The sword stood in between the two looking back and forth depending on who talked. Justin smiled while looking at the floor with content eyes “Who? Who stated this? I was treating you as my own sister. I apologize if it came off differently.” He took the helmet off his head, letting his hair flow before thinking to himself and saying “Wait, was this someone the vampire upstairs?”

She sighed, “You're a good detective.”

“I only ask because he clearly has feelings for you.” He walks over to the island and sets his helmet down. Then he starts taking more of his armor off.

Shirley's eyes lit up “Wh-what?”

The sword says as if rolling his eyes “Of course he does. Although I think it’s part of his hormones messing with him.”

She looked disappointed. “Oh…okay.”

The sword continues with “I mean why would someone reasonable at his age crush on a teenager until his teenage hormones are getting to him. He for sure doesn’t act his age.”

She sighed, upset, thinking that maybe he’s right. “Yeah…”

Justin moves his arm around and complains “The armor makes me stiff.” he asks Shirley “Where is Walter anyway?”

“Getting dressed.” She calmed down a little. “We have a fight ahead.”

This made the knight's eyes light up “A fight you say!” he was chipper “Now that’s something worth celebrating.” He starts looking through her cabinets “Better to treat the night like the last before a battle.”

The sword asks Shirley “Where are we in this case?”

Shirley tells them “Someone took control of David. The person claimed to have more golems so I am guessing it was by David’s creator. I just don’t know why he’s doing anything.”

“Evil doesn’t always have an answer. Sometimes it just does.” Justin says before messing with his hair “You have no liquor here do you?”

Shirley says “Father didn’t want it around me yet. I’m not a good drunk.” she thinks about him leaving to talk to Lupin. She asks “So did the thief tell you anything new. Like what the egg is being used for?”

“Sadly twas a bust. He cursed at me more than answered me.” He looked annoyed. He pulls out a box of chocolate chip cookies. “What calls for a celebration more than sweats.”

The teen asks “You’ve been around for a decade at best and you still think cookies are unique?”

Down the stairs Walter came. This time the holes were fixed. A black vest and tight black dress pants, a dark gray dress shirt with lighter gray stripes, a black tie and dress shoes and lastly black fingerless gloves. The clothes he was meant to die in. “Ah Justin.”

The knight nods at the teen while saying “Walter.” He holds out the cookies “Come celebrate with us while we plan our attack.”

Shirley says “There’s an issue. We don’t know where this guy lives. And I don’t think it’s in the underground which is gonna make it harder.” She walks over to the island “David was the gate watch man. It didn’t matter the weather. He would stand. The underground doesn’t have weather besides normal to hot.”

Walter said “Didn’t Olivia work underground though. She said she saw him everyday?”

Shirley says “She never said she worked underground. Just that she was a dance teacher. I think she used glamour and worked above. I might be pulling it but I think I’m right.”

Caliburn asks “Where’s the closest dance class then?”

Shirley says “I think Altoona. They’re pretty big. Although a 3 hour drive to get from her house to there. Four hours if it’s in Pittsburgh."

“Which doesn’t help that we’re running out of time and don’t even know where on is if it’s in either city.” Walter said.

Justin pours milk into a cup “How many houses around here have gates with guards standing in front of them? Odds are he still has them.”

Shirley says “I’m gonna guess anywhere between Pittsburgh and here than.”

The knight dips his cookie in the milk. “We're gonna need a team to search given the footpath and timing.”

Shirley’s eyes go wide “I have an idea!” She looks at her candles “These will have to wait.” before going into the backyard. Curious and wondering if he needs to assist, Walter follows behind her. Once in the backyard she looks into the woods. She says to Walter “I’ve never done this with a group. Only one at a time.” She closed her eyes and started to think. When opening her eyes as they glowed bright in the light of the moon. Walter heard it in his heart without hearing it. He just knew that she was summoning familiars and being one, he was compelled to listen. He even asked her “Yes?” as if he couldn’t control it. It took a minute until Shirley grew a smile. It wasn’t a lot. About 6 hellhounds and of course the black fox without a tail.

The fox who speaks goes up to her and says “You needed me?”

She gets on her knees and says to him while pressing its forehead against hers “I missed you.”

Walter was confused but didn’t press on. As he had this feeling inside that he too was connected to the fox. He brushes it off as it’s because he’s connected to Shirley but didn’t know what or why.

She says to the fox “I need you guys to search. There’s a gated house, big or small with golems watching them. I need you to find them for me. Take me to them once you do. I’ll treat you all afterwards.”

Walter asks curiously, “What are you gonna treat them with, they're hellhounds?” just as the beasts leave.

She smiles awkwardly “The uncooked chicken you were planning to roast.” He heavily sighs while holding onto the bridge of his nose. She chuckles in the hopes that being cute will save her. She figured if he did like her then he wouldn’t mind. Then the conversation with Justin and Caliburn sank in. She looked at the backdoor and shut it with her mind. Which it followed. He looked confused while she said “Walter, we need to talk.”

He looked confused at her. A little concern. He wondered if he did something wrong. So he said “As you wish.”

She looked away from him a little embarrassed with herself “By chance…do you have a crush on me?”

His eyes went wide “What?”

Shirley says while messing with the grass with her toes. “Justin keeps talking as if we’re gonna die or something so I need to know you know.”

He gave a pleased smile “We’re not gonna die. He’s just being dramatic.”

“We’re gonna be fighting golems. Some of the most powerful things on this planet and you think we’re gonna be fine?” She was baffled. “We’ve only just gotten a power up and it’s nowhere as good as them.”

“Sir Justin, Cailburn, and I’m pretty sure Jason will help. All we have to do is stop the creator. The rest will fall once he’s dead.” He says.

She asks “You want to kill him?”

“Don’t you?” He asked.

She sighs with a smile “Yeah…he killed three good people and all for no real reason so far.” She grins “I’m not worried about getting in trouble.”

Walter said with a smile “Fuck the law than. We’re play this vigilante style. Like Robin Hood.” He tightened his eyes “We’ll still help those who need it even if we legally shoulded."

She nods “Okay. Back to my question though.” She asks, “Do you have a crush on me?”

He was embarrassed and looked away thinking about what to say “I think so.” he closed his eyes “But…I don’t know.” he got annoyed with himself “It’s like there's two different people arguing in my head. The teenager’s saying to go for it. It’s perfect and the adult…is saying to let it go. That's wrong.”

She looked down. “Yeah.” She looked with a heavy breath “We would never in another life. Our ages, our worlds. We’re just not compatible.” He was a little disappointed but agreed. She said “I’d be honest. I have a little crush on you too.” His eyes lit up. She continued with “The teenager, who’s a hopeless romantic, thinks it’s meant to be. That we were meant to be. Why else are you 14 again when I’m 16. Why else force us to be in each other's lives? I mean. You should’ve been gone. Turned into ash like the rest of your body was. But you weren’t. And…I didn’t want you. I begged Integra to not have you, not to bring you back. But she needed you alive. She only gave you to me after realizing I was right.” She waved her hands around as he felt awkward “But…now I have you. And now I see why she wanted you back. Why did it broke her so much that you did…what you did. There’s more to you than I believed and…” she sighs, dropping her shoulders “But…the adult in me says.”

He finishes with “That you're meant to punish me. And being with you would be a reward. Not a punishment.”

Shirley looks upset. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He says “It’s just not meant to be.” He looks away “Besides. It’s more than likely the hormones controlling me anyway.”

Suddenly the sound of a tree falling down is heard. Walter pulls Shirley out of the way as a tree lands where she was. From the woods the smell of a cigar and the voice of a demon says “Hey kiddies. It’s been a while. Why the long faces, with me you should smile.”

Walter growled at him “You almost crushed her with a tree!”

“No need to be mad or rude. Honestly I was aiming for you.” Etrigan laughs before sniffing the air “Aww I see you two have changed.”

Shirley asks “Have you been drinking?”

“In a game of win and lose, yes I admit. I had some booze.” The demon had a kag over his shoulder walks into the house before placing it by the door.

The moment he does. They hear Justin scream “BE GONE!!!!” and is shot through the wall with a lightning bolt. Justin steps outside and yells towards the demon “Gone, gone, O Etrigan! Rise again the form of man!!” while pointing at the demon with a golden handle sword with silver for the blade. The handle has small flames around it.

“Oh crap.” Complained the demon as a dark circle surrounds him and he bursts into flames, his shape changing into Jason Blood. The human landed on the floor panting.

Shirley runs over and asks “Are you okay?”

He notices the outfit and blood cross and circle on her forehead “You dedicated?"

She nodded “Yes. There’s a lot you missed.”

They fix the wall with magic than have cookies together. Shirley sat on the table while Walter was in the corner. They shared glances here and there. Unsure how to feel. Both of them felt right in their decision while also feeling a little heartbroken. The adult men kept noticing the two upset. They men whispered to each other and nodded their heads. Justin said to Walter “Hey lad?” Walter looked confused “Mine if we have a smoke together?”

The teen was confused but went outside with him. While Jason asked Shirley “What’s with the circle.” while gesturing to the white candles on stands.

While outside Walter saw Justin just stand there before closing the door. Walter took out a cig and started it up. The adult looked grossed out. Which annoyed the teen “What?” he simply asked.

The knight looks away before asking “So. You want to talk? I mean I’m supposed to be playing parent figure and all. You and Shirley talked about something and now…seem upset.”

Walter crossed his arms “It’s nothing.”

Inside Shirley said “I’m planning on making them after the case. Are you okay with them being my guardians and all.” clearly finishing her answer to Jason.

He nodded and asked “Okay. Now tell me, why are you upset?”

She looked confused. “I’m not upset.”

He argued “Yes you are.”

She sighed. It panned to the backyard where Justin said to Walter “Well I’ve heard from a bird that you might have feelings for my sister.”

Walter looked a mixture of shocked and annoyed at him “Who told you? Because I’ll kill them.”

Inside, Shirley looked upset. “It…it just doesn’t make sense for us to be together, you know.” she drawls on the floor with chalk. A white one, not her purple one.

Jason asks “Why?”

She says “What do you mean why?”

Justin outside says “It’s not like she’s 16 and you're 69. She’s in her 30s. Yes she looks different, but you look 14. It’s not wrong.”

Walter off the porch growls “Of course it’s a problem. If I didn’t de-age. I’d be in my 30s to my bloody late 60s. I was raised to take within 6 years of my age when it comes to dating.” he waves his hands about “I’d be going against everything I was raised to believe in.”

Inside the house Shirley explains “I mean I’d be going against my father’s own wishes if I went with it.” She looks upset “I mean. If we fail then we attempt something pointless and if it works then what?”

“You’ll be happy.” He says. “You two are making it a bigger deal than it should be.”

She argues “Like what if we adopt kids or something. How am I supposed to explain how we met? Oh when I first saw your father. He was an elderly man that annoyed me when I tried to have fun. Oh by the way I was like 12! No, it's not good looking.” Jason rolls his eyes.

Outside Justin says “Look I understand in a way. I was born in Arthurian times as people call it. Dating is awkward for me.” He pouts “I wouldn’t date anyone less than an adult either.”

“Yeah you see.” Walter says “Why are you trying to convince me otherwise.”

Inside the house as Jason says to Shirley “I’ve dated plenty of women under my age. Yes they were adults and looked my age but I’ve done the same. Am I a criminal?”

“No!” She yells at him “I didn’t say that.”

He yells back “Then why are you against dating him?”

She tightens her eyes “Because, it’s not like he’s into me.”

Jason nods his head “Yes he is. I don’t think it’s love. You two barely know each other but he clearly likes you. You like him. Give it a shot.”

“But…” She looks away “He doesn’t think he’s into me. He thinks it’s his body causing him to crush. So I don’t think there’s a point.”

Outside Justin says “Because if I was in your shoes I would go for it. God wouldn’t have let you back from the dead if you weren’t meant to live. He wouldn’t have you as a teen unless you were meant to. Get it.”

“God? God?” Walter got mad “I betrayed my god. My country. I don’t deserve to live let alone date anyone.” He argued “Hell I’ve never dated. The thought of being with someone after joining the enemy made me sick. Because in the end I’ll be losing them. Betraying them.”

Justin says “Well? You’re not a traitor anymore right? Unless you're planning something I don’t know.”

He got angry “No.”

“Then why be sick. Why resist. Why not want to be happy? You’ve been given a second chance at life and are refusing to live.” Justin argued.

“Because I don’t deserve it!” Walter yelled.

Inside Shirley looked confused “Are they okay. I heard Walter just yell.” 

Jason said “Yeah they’re fine.” he asks “You using mud or clay?”

Back outside Walter said “This isn’t a second life. This is a life sentence.”

Justin asks “People find love in prison all the time. You think they don’t deserve it? Because fate believes they should. I believe you should. I don’t hate you for what you did. If I did, I wouldn't be friends with Jason.” He sighs “If you like her. Then give it a shot. The worst thing to happen is you two break up and remain as you are now. A partnership.”

The teen calmed down. He was about to cry. Everything was getting to him but he instead got mad. He snuffed out his cig into the dirt. Before saying “She doesn't think it’s a good idea either. Convincing me is stupid.”

The backdoor opens, the two inside the home stepping out. Shirley and Walter look at the other. Both of them are unsure of what to say or do. Shirley says “Hey.” He just nods at her. She says “You okay?”

He nods his head “Yeah. I’m fine.” although his voice said otherwise.

Jason looks at Justin. The knight shrugs as he’s unsure what to tell the man in front of the two teens. Shirley with a bowl in hand, goes over to the well. Walter watches confused as she starts bringing up dirt from it as the well is dry. Jason asks Walter quietly “You okay?”

Annoyed, the teen says “Why do you care?”

Shirley struggles with the bowl of dirt. So Walter walked over and took the bowl from her and held it with one hand. She says “Thanks.” They stare at each other. Both thinking about the conversations they just had. Shirley changes the subject and says “You wanna help me?”

He nods his head “Of course.” They walk inside together but the adults do not. They shut the door giving some stupid excuse to why.

Shirley says to Walter “Do you like me? Like honestly?”

He says “I told you already I did?” he tightens his lips “Do you like me?”

She says while nodding her head “Yeah.” They just look at the other. She asks “Do you think that maybe…just maybe we could work?”

“Maybe.” he looks down, “I don’t deserve it though. You know well enough why.”

“I…I don’t deserve it either. You know that right? Since my birth I’ve been nothing but a regret. My mother hated me. My birth father never wanted me. I never had friends and when I make them I leave them behind. I should have been there for Integra, 10 years ago but I wanted to explore Romania. I should have been there for her when London was attacked. But I couldn't. I couldn’t bring Alucard back no matter what I did. So I failed her there. I couldn’t kill Bathory when I was one on one with her. And now I can’t bring myself to hate you when I’m supposed to. Hell, the person I thought would never resent me openly talked badly about me to you when drunk.”

“Shirley…” He said.

But she stopped him. “I have a hard time healing myself because it 's okay. A part of me thinks I’m supposed to die at that moment. That fate wants it. If others didn’t save me I would have given up okay.” She looked away from him. “You’re not the only one who deserves nothing, who deserves to die.”

He grabs her and hugs her. “I was mad at the moment. I’m sorry.” He puts his forehead on hers “Just proves how much I am.” he closes his eyes.

She says “Walter?” He opens them to her rubbing her nose on his. It built up the tension and soon she lightly kissed him. He was shocked when she pulled away. “We have work. Lots of work. Moderation at its best. Both in work and in life. So do you want to attempt it?” He pulled her close to the wires tying them together before lightly kissing her back. Once they parted which wasn’t long. Shirley says “Time for magic.” He nods agreeing.