The Brides strike!

Just like the previous night, the horde of wolves assaulted the front bastions of Dracula’s castle, using the recently grown forest as cover as they assaulted the front gates. The wall of spirits prevented the wolves from entering the castle, preventing any real siege from succeeding, that is until Black Canary opened an entire salvo into the highest tower where Dracula observed the battle below. No one knew what happened when she had stopped firing, but when the wall of ghosts flowed up into the air and struck the javelin, the wolves assumed the worst when the silver glinting vessel rapidly aged and rusted, falling out of the sky like a rock. But Dinah’s actions had granted an opening now, charging forward the wolves invaded the front keep door while a fleet of batwings harassed the towers with missiles, trying to keep ahead of the mass of spirits following them like a hawk chasing a flock of birds.

“Come on, we have to get into the castle!” Looking up at the serpentine shape of the spirits darting from one batwing to the next, the brown werewolf grimaces as they each fell out of the sky like rocks. But for now that… Thing was preoccupied and the door was just ahead. Howling out, the wolves made to barrel into the great double doors, only for the lead wolf to rear back, his head missing from his shoulders.

“Gninthgil” An arc of electricity passed from one wolf to the other, stunning them in intense pain as they were all electrocuted by a bolt of magical lightning and forced to fall back. “Uh uh little vermin, you do not have permission to enter our love’s great castle.” Purred Talia, still holding the head of the wolf that tried and failed to lead the charge. Hanging the head over her lips, she tasted the dead creature’s blood and tossed the wolf head across the steps.

“Disgusting, human blood is far richer.”

“Yes Talia, lycanthropy certainly puts a bad taste in one’s mouth.” Laughed Zatanna behind her gloved hand, smiling wickedly at the werewolves backing away. “Look at you all, so engrossed in the power the wolf king has granted you, but in the end, you have merely turned yourselves into beasts worthy to be culled.”

“Tough talk coming from some lesbo witch-bitch!” Growled a blonde wolfess, standing up to face the two, her claws brandished and ready to strike. Giving the wolfess a coy look, Zatanna made a simple gesture with her finger, pointing at the wolfess snarling back at her. The rest of the pack backed away as the swarm of ghosts funneled down directly over the wolfess, her cries of horror becoming muted as she withered and aged with the flow of spirits funneling through her. By the time the ghosts dispersed, there weren’t even bones to show that she even stood there.

Laughing at the wolf's death, the two vampires watched with amusement as the wolves backed away, truly terrified of the show of force. “Always the show-off…” Purred Talia, the two making their way down the steps as Talia brandished her blades, eyeing her next victim. “So, who shall taste the bite of my blades? Shall it be these lot?” Looking up in the trees, her red eyes could pick up the snakes and spiders overhead, waiting for their opportunity to strike but keeping their distance. “Such a selection; Wolves, Snakes and Spiders.”

“Oh my.” Giggled Zatanna, eyeing the lot with her eyes glowing red. Making a gesture for the ghost to swarm behind her and block the castle entrance once again, the floating spectre of the Joker smiling wide and laughing at the show. Among the horde of wolves, the joker noticed a chalk white wolfess, her smile attracting him until they caught each other’s gaze.

“Harley? Is that YOU? I’ve been gone for months and your career went straight to the dogs didn’t it.” He laughed, floating past the two vampires to hover in front of the shocked wolfess. “M-mister J… Is that you?”

“Yesseroonie! Undead and STILL kicking!” He chuckled, his bad joke making the wolves around him snort and chuckle against their will. “After all, its just like Leo Sayer said, the show MUST go on!”

Stepping back in surprise, the wolfess looked around to find everyone slowly fall into hysterics, knowing full well what was happening. “Come on Harley, you’ll LIKE being dead, we could give this city a haunt it’ll never forget, and Halloween? Ooh, Scarecrow’s gonna be JEALOUS with what I have planned for Halloween.”

“No…”

His smile cracking wider, the undead psychopath tilted his head in confusion. “What?”

“I said no! I’m with Mistah B now, and HE completes us better than you EVER did!” Smiling back, Harley looked back at the surprised Joker and looked him over briefly. “And at least he’s got some substance to HIS material.”

“Ha HA HA HA hahahahahaha HA HA HA hahahahaha HA!” Rolling with laughter in mid air, the Joker tumbled back like a floating balloon back to the swarm of ghosts blocking the gates, unable to process what the wolfess told him.

Treading deeper into the shrubbery and trees, the two vampires looked to each other and smiled. “Our lover has decreed that you are all to be put to death, farewell beasts… You will not be missed.” Hearing a twig snap as one of the wolves stepped back, Talia darted her eyes to the wolf and lunged for her, her blades out ready to claim another head when she felt her legs suddenly become bound to the earth. Looking down, the two vampire women found briar thorns grow from the ground and bind the two where they stood.

“YOU will harm no others witch!” Snarled Aloe Vera, her arms outstretched and binding the two where they stood.

“Ah, the big red BITCH herself, my love has called for your head to be mounted over his fireplace, and I will not disappoint him again.” Outstretching her own hand, the spirits funneled and shot forth to envelope the red wolfess like she did the previous victim. Quickly as she could, Pamela tried to sprout plant life to stop the spirit barrage, but the funnel of death rotted everything it touched. “THIS time I’ll leave the head fresh, I don’t need the rest.” Zatanna laughed, just as she willed her army of tortured spirits to strike. Aloe Vera closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable but found nothing but a cacophony of pain wail and cry out as it splayed in every direction in front of her, blocked by Wonder Woman and her shield.

“Impossible!” Sneered Zatanna, ripping herself free of the thorny vines keeping her in place. “The wight’s touch rots all!”

“All but the aegis! The shield of Zues himself!” Called out Diana, the army of ghosts washing over her like water from a stone only to fly over head and disperse before pooling itself back together overhead.

“TRAITOR!” Roared Talia, her swords cutting her free when she lunged for an attack, striking the indestructible shield with all her might, just as Diana unsheathed her own blade and countered. The two warriors fought and parried each other. “NOW Aloe Vera, seal the spirits away!”

Nodding, the red wolfess closed her eyes and used all the reserves of strength she had to conjure life within Gotham. Raising her arms over her head, Pamela howled, and with that howl… Gotham exploded with life. All around the city, shrubs, trees and grass spread and creeped wildly. Dead oaks and willows suddenly returned to life, branching out and reaching high while saplings no bigger than weeds burst free from the concrete and towered over the buildings below. A forest spanning the entire city erupted from the Earth, followed by a quake that shook the battlefield. Looking around them in confusion, the wolves and vampires looked out over the city scape to find a massive tree sprout and grow, towering over the skyscrapers and still it grew up and out. Nearly reaching for the sky.

“A world tree…” Gasped Zatanna, watching as the enchanted tree towered over the entire city, and with it she sneered in rage as her army of ghosts were drawn to the massive thing, a look of peace on their faces as they disappeared into its trunk and canopy. The last to be seen was the Joker, laughing and struggling to remain on Earth as he was pulled into the tree and disappeared. When her task was done, Pamela collapsed, the effort too much for her to keep standing. Looking up at her lost army, Zatanna screamed “NO!”

Lightning channeled from her outstretched hands as Zatanna glared down at the prone wolfess in murderous rage. “DIE!!!!” Arcing currents of lightning struck out, only to be blocked and absorbed by the aegis when Diana moved between her and Aloe Vera. Lowering her shield, Diana nodded, and the entire pack rushed forward to attack.

“Do not ignore me Princess, I will not be denied the hunt!” Talia roared, her fangs bared in rage before they were struck in by a red and black checkered bat, the force so powerful she was sent cartwheeling back headfirst into a tree and tumbled to the ground.

“BATTER UP!” swinging the bat over her shoulder, Harley smiled like a hyena back at Talia Ghul, the vampire stumbling back to her feet with a dislocated jaw and missing teeth. “Ooh, nice smile, we gots a denturist in Gotham somewhere.”

The crick crack of bone signalled the woman’s jaw returning to place, her fangs growing back as her mouth shut, her lips pulled back in a sneer. “You dumb FUCKING animal, why hasn’t ANYONE killed you yet?!” Swishing her blades in her hands, the assassin lunged for Harley, making the white wolfess gasp as she suddenly became overwhelmed with sword strikes that chipped at her steel bat. Even with her enhanced speed and strength, Harley struggled to keep up with the vampire woman. With a single upward strike, Talia split the steel bat in half and kicked the Wolfess down, leaving her prone. “Just another dead animal…”

Grabbing the wolfess by her hair, Talia raised her head up to make the executioner’s cut. “Any last words beast?”

“Woof woof!”

Raising her eyebrow in confusion, Talia was caught off guard when Harley swiped her claws and struck the blades out of Talia hands, smashing the swords with her fist and tumbling back to stand on all fours with her hackles risen and snarling back at the vampire like a true wolf, barking and growling. Smirking back at her opponent, Talia freed a pair of knives from her hip. “So, the wolf finally comes out, I’ve always considered you the dumbest of this menagerie.”

Suddenly, Harley stood to her full height, poised and straight with a hand behind her back and the other brushing the fur at her chest. Her snout calm and her eyes focussed. “Offhand insults, textbook sociopathic tendencies, impulsive rage, I take it you grew up in an environment lacking in empathy.”

“How dare…” Red eyed with rage, Talia attacked, swiping her blades back and forth only to strike open air.

“Whooops! Missed me Ghoouly!”

Spinning around and striking again, she missed again, the white wolfess cartwheeling out of the way to stand poised again. “I also notice some insecurities, were you ever hugged as a child?”

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” Screaming, Talia fell into a rage, striking blindly in the hopes of wounding the wolfess.

“Missed again.”

“You’re slipping Miss Ghul.”

“Over here!”

“Woof Woof!”

Dropping her knives, Talia’s eyes went blood red, swiping with her own fingernails like claws but still hitting nothing but air as the wolfess darted and dodged every strike. “I’ll gouge out your FUCKING eyes dog!”

“Ooh, dog am I?” Bringing her fingers to her snout, Harley gave a whistle. Signalling the rest of the pack to attack the confused and enraged vampire. Overwhelmed, Talia struck and clawed at the five wolves that tackled her to the ground biting and tearing at her armor. Screaming and crying out as she realised, she was outplayed by Harley Quinn of all people. “Woof!”

The fight lasted for hours. Dozens of werewolves and other lycanthropes striking and lunging for the two vampire women guarding the gates. Talia had eventually freed herself of her attackers and joined Talia, the vampire witch casting fire and lightning across the battlefield and setting the trees around her in flames. One brown wolf lunged for her before he was sent back tumbling with a wave of telekinetic force, just as a massive serpent bit down on her shoulder, coiling around her before Zatanna used her inhuman strength to free herself and throw the offending creature away. Webbing spat at her arm and tried to knock her off her feet before she set the silk aflame, then another wolf bit her leg in the confusion. Eventually, Zatanna too fell into a rage, her eyes going blood red and screaming out a shockwave that sent everyone tumbling back from the turbulence.

“You will die!” She hissed.

“I agree sister, these animals have outlived their wel…” Pausing, Talia was shaken by the sneering face of Zatanna glaring back at her, a look of pure rage on her fanged lips. “You will ALL die! I see it now, life, ALL life is a disease! I will scour this fucking city in DEATH and purge it of all that lives and breathes!”

Levitating off the ground, Zatanna raised her hands over her head where an orb of death formed, growing in intensity until the tree canopy wilted and rotted around her.

“Zatanna! This is NOT you!” Cried out Wonder Woman, averting her eyes from the darkness pooling over the woman’s hands. “I’ve come to save you from yourself.” Reaching into the pouch at her hip, Diana pulled out the indigo ring, gasping when it flew from her hand and planted itself firmly onto Zatanna’s finger. Stopping her conjuration, Zatanna looked down at the glowing ring and smiled, laughing maniacally as an indigo light bathed the entire area, raising her arms in triumph. “YES! Power! Limitless Power! With this I can go anywhere, FEED off entire worlds, I shall be a GODDESS of death, rivers of blood will slake my thirst, and all will know me across the cosmos!”

Stirring awake, Aloe Vera looked up at the terrifying sight, turning her attention to the startled Diana. “What have you done?” Even Talia had become frightened, looking up at the pure evil creature boasting her plans for the city and beyond. “THIS CITY IS DEAD! ALL WILL DIE! All will… Will…” Then something happened. Her cruel laughter began to catch in her throat, the twisted smile cracking as hot tears flowed from her eyes and her arms fell limp to her sides. Sobbing, Zatanna slowly fell to the ground where Diana moved quickly to catch her, the vampire clutching to her tightly like a child as Diana let her rest in her lap. “Oh god what have I done?! So many people, Bruce…” Looking down into her tear streaked eyes, Wonder Woman found indigo lights behind her blood red eyes, the symbol of the indigo lantern corps forming on her top hat as the ring’s influence took hold. “John! I killed… I killed…” Breaking down into a sobbing wreck, Zatanna buried her face in Diana’s chest as the rest of the wolves looked on. Talia staggering to her feet, shaken by what she had seen.

Outmatched, the vampire assassin ran for the gates of the castle and fled.

“After her!” Hissed Barbara, the werespider leading the charge just as the castle suddenly came to life. With a groan of stone and metal, the battlements shifted, moving as if possessed and blocked the werewolves from going any further. When the doors opened again, an army of empty suits of armor marched forth armed with spears and halberds, creating a blockade just as the gates shut behind them. Aged, dusted and worn, the centuries old armor carried the banner of ‘The Order of the Dragon’ furling in the dawning winds.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” Wept Zatanna, her hair being caressed by Diana who shushed and tended to the woman. Looking over to the castle gate, Diana frowned. They sacrificed much to get this far and yet another wall blocked their path to stop the vampire count.

“So, it worked.” Commented Bruce, finally coming out of the forests to look at the battlefront, focusing on Zatanna who continued to weep in Diana’s arms. Helping up the weakened Pamela, the red wolfess nuzzled his face affectionately and stood behind the Batman as he approached Diana. Kneeling, he was caught off guard when Zatanna lunged out and hugged him fiercely, her sobbing intensified in his arms. “It was like a nightmare, I remember it all, I remember EVERYTHING… So many…”

“It’s okay, your back.” Looking up to the rising sun, Batman watched on as the rest of the lycanthropes collapsed and changed, turning human again as they regained their strength and kept their distance from the castle entrance. “Zatanna, how do we stop Dracula?”

“I…”

A blood curdling scream filled the forests, sending everyone to their knees, clutching their ears in pain before it stopped. Looking up at the source, Batman looked up at the front steps of the castle and gasped. Protected in the looming shadow of the castle was the pale form of Black Canary, wearing only her one-piece suit and stockings, she smiled back at Bruce with fanged lips and red eyes.

“Zatanna, our Count and Lover demands your audience.”

Slowly standing to her feet, Zatanna breathed in and slowly made her way to the castle, the possessed armor stepping aside to let her pass. Turning to look over her shoulder, Zatanna looked at her friends. “I cannot refuse him, you cannot enter the castle, but he WILL come to you.”

“When?”

“Soon...!” Laughed Dinah, joining Zatanna and entered the castle, where the gates closed behind them.