The END!!!! (Pov from Dracula)

Dear readers. This is the Final after more than 2 years. This concludes the story of Dracula and Batman. I would like to thank Gorel for continuing the story together with me for so long and for letting his ideas flow into it. The story would only have been half as good without his cooperation. I also hope you all had fun reading it. Of course, we will write another epilogue about how the world is evolving but the primary story is finished.

Thanks for your interest.

Dracula braced himself against the blow with all his remaining strength. With both arms he had blocked the claw and did everything possible to stand upright. His hands had gripped the claw tightly, but he felt the power of Bane surpassing his own. His legs trembled violently and inch by inch he was pressed to his knees. Bane pressed his whole body against him and Dracula broke to his knees. Sensing that he would not have the strength to stand against this monster in a pure power struggle, he decided to channel his necromantic magic directly into his claw. Furiously, Bane bellowed and pulled his hand away, which began to rot within seconds. However, he smashed furiously with his healthy claw, shattering Dracula's body with that blow. Angry and outraged, Bane now struck at Dracula's body. Again, and again his claws hammered into his flesh and literally beat Dracula to the ground. After a few blows, he paused and contemplated the work he had done. Dracula felt that his body was completely shattered and destroyed. His bones had been smashed to pulp and his organs shattered. Basically, he was just a mass of blood and flesh and yet he could still perceive everything. But now he could feel much more clearly that his power was exhausted. But he was not yet willing to admit defeat.

Bane seemed confused when an eye opened in the bloody mass. This eye looked directly at Bane before more eyes opened. The eyes glazed around briefly until one by one they looked directly at Bane. The latter put his ears back on and his head tilted before striking a claw into the puddle of blood. Immediately, the blood splashed around, only to regroup and form new eyes again. Slowly he began to regenerate. Once again, he stood before Bane in a new form. As his bones, muscles, and skin regenerated, a fine suit formed on his skin. A long flowing, heavy red velvet riding coat covered his suit. Above his eyes, glasses with yellowish lenses formed. His proud black hair was covered by a large hat, which was also red. He loved this figure the most.

Dracula

Vlad Tepes

They were just names to him.

"Such beast! So, you want to play," said Dracula, looking at his "allies." Even the werewolves were not yet completely healed, and Batman struggled to get up only to fall back to his knees. They would not be of much help to him. Not yet. But if he could buy them enough time, this battle might still be won.

He slowly stretched out his arms and closed his eyes. Bane wanted a monster? He was going to get his monster. It was time to wake the beast. To let him off the leash and show Bane a true monster. His shadow, clearly visible through the full moon, spread supernaturally as eyes opened everywhere. Slowly the shadow crept over the remains of Gotham's walls and ruins, creeping up the ruins of buildings and flowing like water into every crack. Finally, his shadow had filled a large part of the space behind him, and eyes opened everywhere. Each of these eyes looked straight at Bane before turning away from the giant monster and looking at Dracula. Behind the Prince of Darkness, a huge beast was slowly forming... half dog, half demon. A creature created from the nightmares of the undead. A beast that had only one reason for existence.

Eat.

Killing.

Survive.

Dracula's last ace. Only in his present state, without the seventh seal, could he unfold his full power. Only now could he release the beast that lurked in his soul. to manifest it and release it into the world. He was not the only vampire who had managed to tame the animal, but he could list the few who had done so on one hand. But even among those who had mastered this high barrier, Dracula was the exception. This act would cost him almost all his power, but the beast would surely destroy Bane. Then it would destroy the city and everything in it. Once released, he would no longer be able to control the beast. At last the shadow of his beast rose up behind him.

"Say hello to the Hound of Baskerville," growled Dracula, trying hard not to let anyone know how much he was weakened. The Hound of Baskerville was a creature that was like a nightmare in flesh and blood. A mouth that seemed to be full of teeth and several pairs of eyes that flitted all over his body. But Dracula could not rejoice for long. Bane was simply too wild to be afraid. No sooner had the new threat been fully manifested did Bane leap over Dracula and attack the Hound of Baskerville. But the Venom-infested beast inflicted terrible damage on his enemy. Dracula was stunned to see his ultimate ace knocked to the ground under the blows and bites of Bane, and Bane finally launched a fierce, brutal attack. What Dracula now witnessed was no longer a fight. It was an execution. Although it was not possible to kill the Hound of Baskerville, it could be banished and that was exactly what happened. The Poison inside this Bane had to be a creation of Hell.

Dracula could hardly think straight. He charged off and jumped, catapulting him far into the air. With a bestial scream he reached out and aimed directly at Bane's head. But before this blow could find its target, Dracula was hit by a backhanded blow from Bane. Once again, the vampire was hurled into the ground and slithered across the floor before coming to rest near the werewolves. With an angry fist he struck the ground and roared out his fury. He could feel his power leaving his body and he hardly managed to heal his wounds. And yet he would not die lying on the ground! With a face distorted with rage, the lord stood up and stood with his legs wavering in front of Bane and stretched out his arms. However, this was not a new attack but only a defiance by him. His bloodshot eyes he looked at the beast that was now building up in front of him.

May the werewolves die lying in the dirt, but never him. This monster would not be able to destroy him for all eternity. Destroy his body, yes. But he was unable to wipe Dracula from the world completely. Only a human being could do that, but not a monster.

Suddenly, something seemed to change. His ears had detected new movements. But they sounded different than the wild werewolves. Should these heroes have arrived from their flying city? Or the monstrous, six-legged beast Bruce had deployed on the first day of the battle. Since that battle, the beast hadn't appeared again, and Dracula slowly wondered how long Bruce would wait to use this heavy gun.

Then he could see it. A huge, pitch black beast jumping on Bane's back. Like lightning the monstrous creature ran across the ridge of Bane's back and slit across Bane's back with both claws. He suddenly bellowed in pain and panic. But before he could catch the attacker, he was gone again. A huge leap put the attacker at a safe distance from Bane. He was flailing wildly as he began to shrink and shrink. But that was not all that happened. From the shadows dozens of new were-creatures came forward and pounced on the wolves. But these creatures were neither wolves nor spiders nor snakes.

"This can't be!" Dracula thought as he watched the new attackers. "I have seen such Beasts only one Time before… "

Behind him he could see Zatanna coming to and bending over Bruce. Using her magic, she managed to stabilize the Wolf King. Dracula could see the wounds slowly closing as the magic of his bride flowed through the wolf's body. Like himself, Bane's poison had had an antidote to Bruce's healing powers. He himself felt it clearly in his body but was too proud to ask Zatanna to heal him. No sooner had the worst wounds been closed than the red-haired wolf bent over him and stroked her loved one wildly. But he was far from being ready to fight. However, this was not even necessary. The new fighters brought in a bloody harvest. Dracula watched as a dozen or so Were-Cats threw themselves upon the wolves of Bane. They were much smaller and weaker than the wolves, but they were faster, more agile and had the element of surprise on their side.

A few of them caught his eye. Seven female were-cats, each with completely different fighting styles. While one of them looked around bored at every punch and looked as if she would like to lie down in a bed, another one was downright bloodthirsty. These women were apparently the spearhead of the attack. Dracula, however, watched the largest of the Were-Cats, who had also brought Bane to his knees. This warrior was different from the others in his pack. He was almost the size of a werewolf and his stature was also more massive than the others. This one was a true fighter. No movement of him was wasted, every blow killed one of his enemies. With an extreme focus, he fought his way through the crowds. A single deep, throaty growl from him was enough to make all the others of his pack sit up and take notice. Immediately some of them rushed together and fought fiercely to cut a path. Dracula raised an eyebrow when he noticed that this aisle was not for the Alpha of the Wer-Cats, but for a new player. Dracula stared at the Wer-Cat and shook his head in disbelief. From behind him he could hear how Bruce could finally lift himself up on his legs.

Five thousand years earlier, ancient Egypt.

The being that would later become known as Dracula had been wandering the desert for weeks in search of the temple of Bastet. Cursed by God, the wretched creature sought help from other deities. Bastet, daughter of Ra, goddess of love and lover of Anubis was his destination. Only she would be able to understand his plea and might have the power to help him.

When he had finally found the lonely temple, he realized that this goddess was different from the one in the capital. This temple was not so mighty and rather modest for a daughter of the Rah. She was also the only goddess who walked in the mortal world.

When he entered the temple, he felt the icy cold inside. The air smelled old and reminded him strongly of cats. But the coolness was very pleasant and so he relaxed while he went to the big sacrificial fire. He laid down his offerings and knelt to say the necessary prayers. He did not even believe that a living goddess would walk through this temple. Suddenly, however, a gentle hand lay on his shoulder. He had neither heard the person coming nor felt her presence. Frightened, he drove around and stared at the huge cat standing on two legs in front of him. The cat was clearly female and wore a snow-white tunic. This created a clear contrast to her black fur and the golden ornaments she was wearing.

Once Khaine had believed in only one god, had tilled the fields in his name and made the greatest sacrifice he could imagine. His brother Abel. But God had punished him for it and condemned him with eternal life in the darkness of the night. Cursed to feed on what he had sacrificed to God. The blood of the living. That day he was finished with the oh, so kind God. And now the goddess in flesh and blood stood before him. But he did not dare to kneel before her.

"Khaine. Son of Adam, Son of Eve. Firstborn. What brings a child of the one God into a temple of the Bastet?" asked the Goddess and drew a smile on her face. The long, sharp teeth were clearly visible while the green cat's eyes watched him curiously.

"Hope!" said Khaine and was not sure how to react to her.

"Hope for what, young one? Hope for healing from your curse?" Bastet asked and walked gracefully past him, pointing to him to follow.

"No. That is not why I am here. I seek hope for my beloved Abun Sa."

"Abun Sa?" asked the goddess and her ears wiggled curiously.

"The love of my life... Or my unlife... But she was taken from me while I was traveling. I cannot die and yet I cannot live without her!" Khaine said sadly.

"Hope for a dead woman. I could certainly give you that, but this is not your path." Said the goddess softly and took a seat on some blankets before she continued. "For thy beloved did not go into the land beyond ours. Her soul will come back to the world to be born again. One day she will find her way back to you and you will be reunited with her.

Kaine’s eyes flashed and his fists clenched. "Don't play games with me Goddess!"

But to his astonishment she just smiled at him. "One day, you and I will meet again. And now you should go" Dracula was about to reply when he saw dozens of gigantic shadows on the walls of the temple. The goddess had already been several heads taller than him, but these creatures in the background were many times taller. Maybe it was better that he left.

Back to Gotham.

It had been five millennia since he had seen Bastet. Many years later, he returned to her temple only to find it destroyed. From then on, he never saw or heard from her again. After the first rebirth of his beloved wife and her imminent loss, he had searched for her all over the world and then got involved with Lucifer. One of his countless mistakes in his history, admittedly, but this pact had given him the power to survive the millennia. It had taken him a long time to realize that the price was far too high. The more power he gained, the faster he lost his love. And every time, something inside him died. Made him more of a monster, a beast that killed without mercy. A tool who would unleash hell on earth for Lucifer to rule over chaos. And now the Goddess walked the earth again and had a powerful force of allies. While her children cleared a path, Bastet walked gracefully and supernaturally across the battlefield. She was flanked by two more female Were-Cats who were apparently her bodyguards. But they were not necessary at all.

Bastet's hand made a graceful movement and immediately a blackish energy appeared, which cut one of the werewolves into pieces. It was almost as if he had been cut into pieces by several swords. The few werewolves that passed her vanguard were cut into pieces by her with an ease that was almost creepy. Bastet gave him only a short smile and walked directly towards Bruce.

"Basset!" Stepping forward, Bruce approached the werecat and her entourage as her pride finished off the remaining wolves and approached the Wolf King. Her smile both sly and comforting all at once. "So... The Wolf King has finally awoken." She purred, smiling up to Bruce and eyeing him closely as if seeing something he could not. "An interesting interpretation; noble and dignified with a hint of pain that drives a powerful sense of morality, I like it." She mused, stroking her chin in thought and admiring the wolf's physique and inner spirit. "What of the vampire king?"

Dracula had no intention of engaging in this fight any longer than necessary. Growling, he went to Bane, who was writhing on the floor, and a strange liquid took all his attention. The werewolves were confused and left alone without their leader, and the Were-Cats had engaged them in dozens of hand-to-hand fights. On his way to Bane only 2 werewolves got in his way, but they had no chance. This whole fight here disgusted him. He was tired of it and wanted to end it.

Dracula found the creature now shriveled and almost skeletal thin on the ground, panting and breathing with great difficulty as he was reduced to a mere 5 feet all, if he were still capable of standing. Finally, merely a foot from the offending beast, Dracula looked down at the werebear, the beast now skin and bones and darting his wild eyes everywhere as if trying to find something, all his strength robbed and leaving him too weak to even lift his ursine head off the ground to look up at his adversary. "The venom... Must have... The venom... I cannot be stopped... I am invincible... I am... Hoisted up by his neck, Bane coughed and wheezed as his feet dangled off the ground.

"As I said DOG; It takes a man to destroy a monster..." With a swipe of his hand, Dracula beheaded the bear, his body crumbling into rotted fur and dust while the head became a smoldering skull crushed in his hand. turning to approach the Lycanthropes and the Wolf King, Dracula gave the cats a passing look before focusing his attention on Bruce.

Once this danger was removed, Dracula looked around. The wild werewolves had all been defeated by now, his brides had recovered to a certain extent, even though everyone except Dinah was still bleeding heavily and Bruce's werewolves had recovered. They all stood around their king while he spoke with Bastet. Now it was time to take care of this matter. The Were-Cats and the Werewolves watched calmly as Bruce and Dracula moved towards each other again. Everyone present still had a good memory of how the fight between these two creatures had been. By now they all knew that they were not in their league. Even the red and the white wolf, who had received the blessing from Bruce, seemed tense. This fight would only be fought between these two men. But they were ready to protect their king. They clung to him and looked worriedly at Dracula, knowing that their own powers might not be enough to protect their king.

"So..." Asked Bruce with a hushed tone.

"So..." Replied the Count, eyeing the Wolf King and his pack who gathered behind him. His brides slowly taking their place behind Dracula save for Zatanna, who stayed by Bruce's side defiantly before his eyes fell to her and gestured that she joins him. Slowly and silently she did, a look of worry on her face as she looked up at the two kings.

Talia stood behind her master and had to limp there because her right leg was almost cut off from her body. She leaned on one of her swords to keep her balance. But her gaze was determined as never before. Even such a severe injury wouldn't stop her from serving her master. A single point of Dracula's finger would be enough to unleash her.

On his left stood the blood-young Dinah. The blood was still boiling in her veins and gave her a strength that would surely subside soon. Like Vicky before, she had inherited not only the hypnotic powers of her master but also the healing powers from him. No matter what kind of injury she suffered in this fight, except for her clothes there was nothing to be seen that could indicate such wounds. Her appearance was spotless, and she too was willing and ready to serve him.

Zatanna, who had been insecure behind Bruce, had been unable to resist the overwhelming pressure of Dracula's finger signs. Sighing, she stepped beside Dracula and breathed deeply. She knew she would have to fight for Dracula if he demanded it. He would probably even be able to force her to kill her.

Both leaders just looked at each other without saying a single word. Nobody dared to say a single word or even make a sound. It was almost as if there was a tension between the two that was almost tangible.

Finally, it was the Wolf King who broke the silence and gave an energetic "So!".

"So," Dracula simply replied. In a few seconds it would be decided how this night would end. Whether the plague would end here or not.

"The Truce..."

"Will remain." Answered Bastet, stepping between the two kings and eying them both. Regal in her stance she rested her hands at her sides, eyeing the two.

"Bastet? Queen of the underworld, you grace us here?" Dracula asked in ancient Egyptian, making the feline raise her chin and smile back at him.

For a moment Dracula had to grin at Bruce's baffled face. Wolves always looked a little strange when they tried to show human expressions. The fact that Dracula knew the goddess had probably surprised him quite a bit. But Dracula wondered why the ancient goddess appeared now and if she was a goddess at all. He had been young and inexperienced at that time, ignorant of many things. But that was then. Today he knew much more, and Bastet reminded him very much of a variety of werewolves. After he had seen the serpent beings and the spider beings this possibility was not so far off. But this woman was Bastet! The Bastet who had spoken with him in the temple an eternity ago. It wasn't just a resemblance, it was 100% her. But this could only mean that she was either as old as he was or that she was a reincarnation. Either way it was amazing to see her here. Especially since all Were-Cats behaved completely civilized and some of them even cared for injured people.

“It would seem even after all these centuries you have not forgotten your patrons from so long ago… Even if you betrayed MANY of them.” Addressing the two kings, Basset spoke up. “This truce shall remain, fate and events have changed the situation and so shall the long cycle that has followed before it, there will be no more killing.”

“So long as the plague of lycanthropy exists, I cannot stay my hand, even ONE of them is enough to start it all over again.” Eyeing the Wolf King’s pack and back at Basset’s pride, Dracula continued. “The plague makes beasts out of people, reduces them to mindless killers to which there is no salvation.” Answer Dracula testy. He hadn't taken all the trouble here to let a "would-be goddess" dictate something to him.

Antworte Dracula gereizt. Er hatte nicht die ganze Mühe hier auf sich genommen um sich einfach so von einer „Möchtegern-Göttin“ etwas vorschreiben zu lassen.

“THERE IS!” called out a familiar voice, turning their attention to the newcomer and the group behind her. Both Bruce and Dracula were surprised to find Wonder Woman alive and well, guiding a pack of werewolves behind her that looked around alert and calm, BANE’s wolves. Looking up at the confused Vampire and his brides and to the massive black wolf, the new wolves didn’t think twice who to side with when Diana approached to look up to Bruce.

“How did you…” He begun to ask until Diana revealed the lasso at her hip.

“The lasso of truth reveals all, even that which is lost.” Turning to look back at Dracula fiercely, Wonder Woman brandished the lasso before the Count. “I have seen to it the remaining wolves of Bane’s pack have been stripped of their madness, they are under MY protection, to strike at them is to strike at my word as an amazon!”

Steeling himself, Dracula said nothing even as Dinah and Talia made to protest until the Count raised his hand to silence them. Making Basset smirk. “Hmm, I like this one’s passion, yes… The excuse for you to end them all is over I think, even I can feel the madness of Remus subsumed.”

Dracula watched as Bastet went to Bruce and took his face in his hand and examined him closely. “Your parents are PROUD of you Bruce, you have saved these people for many years and given them hope in a city drowning in despair, but the mantle of the Bat is no more, let it go. You have two feet in two worlds already, you do not possess a third leg to remain in that world.”

“Heh, you haven’t had him in the sack kitty cat… Ouch.” Complained Harley, rubbing her side after being jabbed by Pamela.

Turning her attention to Dracula, the Vampire lord readied himself for what he thought would be a scolding curse from the Queen of the Umbra, only to be surprised when she showed the same tenderness. Cupping her clawed hands under his chin and wiping a thumb over his cheek. “For so long you searched for her, travelled centuries to get her back so many times only to be robbed of her; Abun Sa, Isabella, Mina… Cruelty begets cruelty, love begets love, I have deemed that your search is over.” Turning to look over her shoulder, Basset took the hand of the tall, curvaceous werecat she had at her side, guiding her to stand before Dracula, the cat eyeing him up with a smirk.

“I do not understand.”

Looking over his broad shoulder, Basset looked to the dawning sun with a smile. “Oh, you will.”

When the first rays of sunlight cast over the city, Bruce’s pack moaned in discomfort as they began to change, reverting to human form. Watching his pack change, Bruce retained his lupine form, towering over the others even as they reduced in height and strength. “Bruce…?” Looking to Pamela, the red and white wolves looked down at themselves, still in their wolfen forms and looking back at their king with elation. “Bruce my love.” Embracing the Wolf King, Aloe Vera nuzzled and kissed at his snout, pausing briefly for Harleen to join them. The two wolf queens showing their love for Bruce just as Harleen pulled away with a look of thought in her eyes. “So that bite you gave us wasn’t just a power boost, you made us like YOU, didn’t you?”

“MY MINA!” Turning his attention back to the vampires, Bruce found Dracula on his knees, the fight gone from him as he stared up at the beautiful nude woman looking down at him with an affectionate smirk. “My LOVE… You have returned to me!”

Seeing her close the distance and crouch to embrace him, Bruce’s eyes narrowed when he instantly recognized the face of the woman hugging the sobbing vampire king clutching her like a lifeline. “Selina Kyle…”

Dracula stood there as if rooted to the ground as he watched one of the most graceful Were-Cat turn into his beloved Mina. Someone immediately threw something over her to hide her nude body and he only heard someone calling her Selina. He looked into the eyes of the woman and knew that she was awake. Her soul had returned to her body and she was his Mina. A complete reincarnation.

A Mina who had been defiled by the curse of lycanthropy. His eyes glowed red and his blood began to boil in his body. Everyone presents could feel that Dracula's rage increased his powers immensely and they retreated from him accordingly. For Dracula this was the ultimate Taunt. This miserable, worm-eaten, smelly dog had found his Mina before him and infected her with this curse to mock him. He would pay for this and all he ever wanted to protect. He would no longer settle for this city alone. No. This entire continent was tainted and a cesspool of sin. They had dared to raise his fury and now they had to live with the consequences. It was time the humans learned that they were tiny little insects and lived only because Dracula allowed them to.

But Selina stepped up to him and put her hand gently on his cheek and smiled.

"Do not be angry, beloved Khaine. Thanks to them, you and I will be together forever. The ravages of time no longer affect me, and I will never grow old. Lucifer will never be able to separate us again," she breathed gently in ancient Egyptian and Dracula reacted as if a switch had been flipped. His anger was extinguished, and he gently put his hand on yours.

"Hey Mr. B! Isn't this Khaine some strange important guy from the Bible?" Harley, of all people, asked, scratching her head thoughtfully. Everyone except Dracula and Selina looked at Harley in bewilderment when Bruce asked.

"You speak ancient Egyptian?"

"Sure! And, Hindu, Pashto, German, Norwegian, Latin, Chinese and Klingon," she nodded and adjusted an imaginary pair of glasses on her nose. "A good doctor can describe a disease in at least 10 languages. "Besides, Klingon is a wonderful language to talk dirty to people in. SoHvaD tlhoch, reH ghargh. tagha' Hegh nuch SoH."

But the situation was far too abstract that anyone would give anything on Harley's strange talk about the Bible and so everyone quickly followed the action again.

With the laughter that followed, the threatening mood dissolved as everyone realized that the fight was over and that no one else would die. However, just as a certain euphoria was about to spread, one could hear the clapping of hands. Immediately, the two parties whirled around to the sound and stared at two people slowly approaching the group.

The first person was a man with long black hair tied together in a ponytail. On his left eye he wore a monocle, which was certainly unusual in the USA. He was dressed in an extremely elegant suit that strongly resembled a butler. At most the black leather gloves did not match the outfit perfectly. In terms of age, this man was certainly a little over 80 years old, even if he moved with an elegance that his age should not really give away.

At his side walked a 40 to 50-year-old woman with long blond hair. She was wearing a white shirt under a dark green jacket, which was very nobly embroidered, and a red scarf. Right around her neck she wore a silver cross. Her face was framed by simple glasses and between her lips you could see a long cigar that seemed to belong to a rather expensive brand.

While the clapping had come from the man, the woman just kept smiling at Dracula.

"Fucking shit!" it simultaneously abducted Dracula and Bruce, who then both looked at each other in bewilderment. Dracula did not fully understand why Bruce reacted like that, but he knew exactly who the man was. With the woman he was not sure, but with the man there was no doubt. He might have grown older, but it was impossible to forget that face.

Talia immediately noticed that her master was uncomfortable with these people and wanted to jump in front of her master when he threw her to the ground with one hand and hit her.

"Stay out of this, Talia!"

Talia looked up in amazement and then at this man. She couldn't understand why Dracula seemed... scared of him. Not after seeing what powers her master possessed.

"Master Dracula." Did the older man smile with an aristocratic courtesy that seemed completely out of place and strange here? The women who knew Bruce better immediately felt themselves reminded of Alfred.

"Walter." Dracula barely smiled. "are you here to finish it?"

"Not at all, sir. If you insist, however, we can pick up where we left off." The older man smiled friendly while his eyes looked at Dracula unimpressed. "Master Wayne. Nice to see you again. I hope my son is doing well, right?" he turned to Bruce who flinched.

"Of course, Walter. I got him to safety before things got out of hand. He's with Damien, protecting him."

"That's awfully kind of you, Master Wayne. I am pleased that I have nothing to worry about and nothing to get upset about. After all, I'm not that young anymore." Walter smiled extremely politely. But in these words, a subliminal threat sounded with which Bruce had clearly heard and understood.

"If you''ll allow me to introduce my young mistress to you?" he asked and bowed slightly to the lady at his side. "My mistress Lady Integra Fairbrook Wingates Helsing, head of the Royal Protestant Order of Helsing Knights. Lady Integra. This is Count Vlad Tepes of Romania, also known as Count Dracula, and this unwashed and undressed man is Bruce Wayne." He smiled and managed to make Bruce blush and hastily put on his cape.

"I'm delighted." Lady Integra smiled to those present and mustered Dracula. "My grandfather told me many stories about you, dear Count. He said that of all the God-banned monsters, you were the only one who truly deserved the title of monster.

Talia and Dinah took a deep breath because of this insolence but didn't dare to attack and Zatanna had to grin when she heard that. However, she didn't know whether this was courage or stupidity.

Dracula on the other hand remained completely calm and held Selina's hand which leaned gently against him.

"I remember your grandfather very well. He was a great man. Someone I could respect. I also remember the young boy who stood by him so bravely in those days." Dracula smiled and looked at Walter. "I'm not in the mood to listen to the past right now, though. Urgent things need to be clarified. If the Lady Integra would permit, I suggest a meeting at a later hour. Then I will be happy to tell you about your grandfather and his attacks on me."

Integra smiled and nodded. "I suppose your highborn knows where the Helsing estate is. After all you have destroyed it in your last visit. I expect your visit in a month. I believe you were a lover of Indian tea?"

When Dracula nodded, the two moved away and Dracula didn't pay attention to the whispering of the lower ranks behind him. He only wanted to leave with his beloved Mina and leave all this behind him. Now that he had found his one true love again everything else was the same. Still, there were more important things to clarify.

Finally, he turned back to Bruce and after some time he stretched out his arm.

"Peace will hold, but I have conditions!"

Bruce did not hesitate long and extended his hand as well. With a loud blow, the two of them shook hands and struck out.

"I will listen to your terms, and I will set some myself."

"Good. So be it. My first condition is that you and your pack never set foot outside the gates of Gotham. If you or any of your kind violate it, I will come back!"

He could see that Bruce turned to the strange green woman whose bright red hair gave her a strange appearance and she nodded to him silently and secretly.

"This sounds good. I'm afraid you're right. And I personally will make sure it stays that way."

Dracula could clearly hear the threat to the Wer-Snakes and the Wer-Spiders who submitted to his authority without the slightest sign of his authority.

"Now I hear terms from you!" he finally said, and Bruce replied.

"You will release your women. You will free them from your spell and let them choose what they want to do!"

"I allow Zatanna to choose her place in this world, as long as I do not need her special gifts for other things, she is free to act as she wishes. But as for Talia and Dinah, I will decide later." Said Dracula calmly and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Still the two looked deeply into each other's eyes and neither of them seemed to blink at all.

But finally, it was Bastet again who decided. She stepped between the two men and put one hand on their wrists and released the handshake of the two.

"A decision like this should not be made hastily. I will now open the gates and you will rest. This fight has stirred up your souls too much. I will take the one you call Zatanna and the one who calls herself Aloe Vera. You should know one thing. A power greater than yourselves has had enough of this conflict. It is time you two made peace, and that is why we are here. We are here to mediate. We are on neither side." She smiled and then looked at Zatanna and Aloe Vera who seemed to feel how important this decision was. Both women followed the mysterious woman as she purposefully walked towards the World Tree.

Dracula looked at Bruce who nodded thoughtfully.

"I think it's a fair offer. We should think about how to handle the situation. But before we go... will the war go on?"

Dracula could feel Selina gently squeezing his hand and looking at him. Dracula just wanted to get away from here. A bath, some blood and a chance to relax. That's all he wanted. On top of it all, Selina was at his side. This whole war was just abhorrent to him.

"I'll think about it." Said Dracula and then went towards his castle. Without giving the wolves a glance, Talia and Dinah followed them. As Dracula passed Diana, he stopped for a moment. "I respect your mother Princess, but I don't appreciate any threats from a woman who presumes to speak for all the Amazons. As far as I know, only your mother can do this! Please tell her that I wish to speak to her soon."

With his wife in hand, he entered the castle and retreated to her chambers. Talia and Dinah were in the process of ensuring the safety of the castle during this time. However, the intimate togetherness of Selina and Dracula was interrupted after a short time. Zatanna entered the sleeping chamber in full knowledge that it would disturb her and was more than surprised to find the two of them fully clothed. Dracula looked up angry when he was so rudely disturbed, but he immediately realized that Zatanna seemed stunned... She was even paler than before.

"What happened?" he asked as he stood up and stood before her.

"I have seen... something... something... I don't understand... This Bastet... has created a crack. A gateway."

"A doorway to where?" asked Dracula, suspecting the goddess of some treachery.

"A world that lies between this world and the world beyond... it... is like nothing I have ever seen... or read about... It is a world no one knows about. This Bastet opened it with Ivy and me. In the middle of this tree that Ivy created. This tree is more than just a tree. It is a doorway into a world that was not made for us. Though I believe that's the home of werewolves."

Dracula felt two hands around him and Selina embraced him from behind and gently kissed his neck.

"It seems there is another way for everyone to be happy. but I must confess I've developed a certain appreciation for this Bruce. He finally said and neither Selina nor Zatanna interrupted him now. Both felt that Dracula was fighting an inner battle and that he had to take this step on his own. "Go to him and tell him that Khaine, son of Adam and son of Eve, wishes to speak to him."

Zatanna's jaw was working downward when she heard this. "Son... of... Adam... Khaine... Bible..." she stammered as she staggered out of the room and stunned herself through the corridors of the castle.

Only one hour later all of them met right in front of the huge roots of the World Tree. Only now Dracula could take the time to admire the mighty oak. Its trunk was about 40m wide and the branches towered above even the tallest still standing buildings. The leaf canopy of the titanic tree covered almost the entire city and only a small part of it was damaged. The tree had been damaged where the fusion cannon of the watchtower had pierced the leaves. In the trunk it could still see the faces of countless people who had been sucked into the tree when it was created. Most of them had a peaceful expression but there was also the face of the Joker. Even now he still seemed to laugh, even if this laughter didn't seem so frightening anymore. It was more like a panicky laugh.

He looked down at one of the roots where Bastets greatest fighter stood lurking and looked down at everyone present. Even now, during the day, he was still in his warrior form as if he had never had any other form. His lurking eyes were constantly moving, and Dracula was sure that he was just waiting for one of them to get too close to his goddess. Opposite him waited already Bruce, who had put on a new Batman suit. But the mask hung over his back so that his face was visible. It was no longer necessary to hide his identity. No one in Gotham could ever be more afraid of him than after that night. It didn't matter if it was Batman or Bruce Wayne. Everyone had seen what the Wolf King could do.

Behind Bruce was the green woman and a crazy looking woman who reminded him a little of the Joker. Behind him was the pitiful remnant of his pack that had survived that night. It was only a handful of real werewolves and a handful of snakes and spiders. Still there was no trace of the two aliens. Dracula could see that the green woman looked reverently at Bastet and he recognized the same awe and fascination as in the eyes of Zatanna. However, he could also see that people were looking at him with concern. Only Bruce Wayne did not seem to be intimidated by him.

"An impressive name." Said Bruce when they faced each other.

"One of many in my story. I think there's a solution to our problem." Said Dracula seriously, but Bruce finished his sentence for him.

"We will leave this world and go to the other side. There we will be unable to harm anyone else."

Dracula smiled in agreement and looked at the World Tree. "You have undergone an impressive transformation. You have reached a level I have not seen in an eternity. If you keep your mind, I will not turn on you. However, if you follow his fate, I will stop you."

Dracula meant what he said very seriously. This mortal man had broken the curse and moved on to something higher. He had reached a level that only the first Wolf King had reached before. On top of that, he was a man of ideals and values.

"I understand now why you tried to stop me. Bane almost unleashed what you tried to tell me. And the very same monster lurks within me that was in Bane. I could be just like him. If I become a threat to Gotham, I trust you'll stop me." He said quietly.

"This day will come sooner or later. But it has not yet come. "And if you control yourself, you're welcome to walk around here. But Zatanna told me there would be another way. A world beyond ours. She thought this would be a suitable place for you. What do you think of it?"

"That it would be the best option." Bruce answered him.

"I will release the city on one condition." Dracula said quietly and when he saw that he had the attention of Bruce he went on. "You promise me that it will be you that prevents this plague from leaving the city. If a single werewolf is ever created beyond the city limits, our truce is over."

"Acceptable. And what about Cat woman?" Bruce asked, to which he only caught a questioning glance. "Selina Kyle. Your Mina!"

"She will stay by my side as long as she wishes. Anyone who tries to change that will suffer my wrath."

"I don't think Gotham can take any more anger! You've stated your terms, now it's my turn. You will leave Gotham immediately. You will take this monster of a castle and you will never set foot in the city without my permission. Unless you're here to stop me. If you harm Selina... ...I will hunt you down. Do we understand each other?"

Dracula just grinned and bowed in recognition of these conditions. Without wasting another word, he turned around on the spot and walked straight to his castle. "Zatanna. You may do whatever you want if you don't act against me! Should I need your services I will let you know!" he said as he passed her.

No sooner had he disappeared into the castle with Talia and Dinah than the castle was gone. As if it never had been there.