A rainy day

It was one of those nights in Gotham for which this city was so infamous. It was pouring out of buckets and yet the thunderstorm that raged over the city was heavy even for this city. The winds were so strong that hardly any people could be seen on the streets. Even the most hardened gangsters preferred to hide in their hiding places rather than fight their way through the streets. Only the craziest and most possessed were out in this miserable weather. Since Bruce was busy with calming Ivy and Harley, it was up to others of his clan to look after the city. And so Red Hood stood on a roof and was soaked to the bone. Even the heavy leather clothes and his red mask couldn't prevent the anger of the elements from spoiling his night. Especially since so far nothing had happened at all. At least until now. But what he could see down there let the blood freeze in his veins. He had had to go through a lot. Much more than a human should bear. But the sight of 5 werewolves who just tore a young couple in shreds was too much for him. His mind just stopped at this sight and he started to run.

On the other side of town, Vicky Vale stood in her apartment and looked out the window. The city showed itself from its worst side. She had just proofread her papers from the interview and it sounded a lot crazier than she wanted to admit. She couldn't possibly publish this interview without destroying her reputation. Who would believe such nonsense. And yet he had convinced her. She was absolutely sure that she had not only spoken with a real vampire, but with the king of all vampires. And now she stood there and didn't know what to do. Dracula's last words had been quite haunting. She was now faced with the difficult decision of what to do. Unfortunately she had to admit to herself that his offer fascinated her. But she had been too proud to tell him. She had at least also her pride. And that he had been so self-confident when he had prophesied to her that they would see each other again was a little irritating. Why had he been so sure about that? And what should she do now? If she had to visit him she would admit that he was right. And if she would not go then she would prove that he was not infallible but she would never get all the answers. And she still had so many questions.

She stomped furiously and crossed her arms. How she hated such situations. And then there were the strange remarks he had made about Batman. As if he would know more about this thing too. Could it be that Batman was also a vampire? Or the Dracula knew who was behind the mask? Gotham's greatest secret and she hadn't asked. Just because of this one question it would be worthwhile to visit Dracula again. But unfortunately he had also challenged her in another way with his request. He hadn't told her where to find him at all. However, she had contacts all over the city. If she wanted to, she might be able to find him. At least he wasn't wearing a mask and was a rather conspicuous man. Sighing she had to admit to herself that Dracula was right. She wanted to see him again. Not to become a vampire or something like that, but to gain more knowledge. And maybe she would be able to learn a little more about intrigues and power games. After all, he was an ancient being that had been hiding under the eyes of mankind for thousands of years. That could only mean that he could make excellent use of the delicate threads of the Force. She herself was pretty good at manipulating people, after all it was part of her profession, but she was sure that she could learn a lot from him. So there was only one way for her. She would have to find Dracula.

Half an hour later she had a first lead. One of her contacts had observed a man who had come to the Iceberg Lounge. That would mean that he had returned to Copplepot. Actually that even made sense. The penguin was exactly the kind of failed social personality she had recommended to him herself. Interesting, however, was the fact that he had already come to him before she recommended him. That would mean that the two thought quite similar.

However, it was not so safe to go into this building. She wasn't necessarily a welcome guest at the Penguin even though she hadn't reported anything bad about him for a long time.

But not only she was in thoughts. Dracula also sat in his apartment and went through the evening again. This woman had certainly impressed him. Her way of thinking was very similar to his. She reminded him of a little Cleopratra. She had been a similarly intriguing and manipulative woman even before he had turned her into one of his brides. After that she had been his bride for almost 500 years until she was killed by an angry mob. His own abilities had further sharpened and refined her natural talents. Just as it had been the case with Talia and also with Zatanna.

"What do you have my dearest? Something is bothering you" asked the latter who looked up from her books. Her beloved husband seemed to be in thoughts since he had come back.

"I met a woman who had impressed me." He said and leaned back and Talia also turned to him with these words.

Talia immediately read off her training equipment and approached him. With her arms crossed she stood in front of him and smiled at him as if waiting for another explanation. Zatanna had also stood up in her seat and looked curiously at her beloved.

Dracula smiled as he noticed the full attention his wives gave him.

"As you both know, I always travel with three brides by my side. And it seems I may have found a woman who could perfect the bond. However, I am not yet sure whether she wants me to transform her".

"She renounces eternal life and eternal beauty" Zatanna asked unbelievingly and Talia added. "And this power?"

Dracula smiled and had to think of the words of Vicky. She had realized that power and eternal life were only an illusion. On the other hand, the two had not yet understood that they had not attained the perfect power but only a reflection of his own power.

"My dear ones. You still have much to learn about your new bodies. And also about the fact of what it means to be a child of the night. But I will explain this to you in more detail when you are all together. I do not like to repeat myself there. But now I want you to concentrate on something else. I think it's time that we make sure that we teach Bruce a lesson. I haven't forgotten that he sent that crazy woman after me and my first wife was killed in the process. You both know him and how best to hurt him, right?"

"Do you want us to kill my son?" Talia asked and her eyes glowed threateningly.

"No. Because that would be a punishment for you and not just for him. I want you to teach him a lesson and let him know that I won't forgive him for that."

"What do you think of Oracle Talia?"