Beyond the Old Ones

Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.

Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.

"Speech"

Time*

Chapter 9: I Need A Drink

A few hours later*

After conducting multiple Card Readings, I can confidently claim that nearly 90% of Hellsing's canon timeline, or anything closely resembling it, has been effectively erased. This significant alteration implies that much of the original lore, events, and character developments within the Hellsing universe have been incredibly overwritten or removed, resulting in a timeline that shifts markedly from what was previously established.

These readings have unveiled variations so deep that they have transformed the course of events beyond recognition. The fates of the characters, the sequences of battles, and even their underlying motivations have undergone dramatic shifts. Consequently, the once-familiar storyline I knew has become a fragmented memory, forever reshaped by unforeseen forces and unexpected twists of fate. The once-known story has now been broken, with remnants of the original plot scattered amidst the new developments, creating a complex and unfamiliar tapestry of events.

I rub my forehead, feeling a deep sense of confusion, yet I rely on Sequence 9: Reader to decipher the clues and help me navigate through the puzzling changes. Despite my state of confusion, I dive deeper into the readings, searching for patterns and connections that might enlighten me on the nature of these alterations. Each card and symbol offers a piece of the puzzle, guiding me through the chaotic tapestry of reshaped events.

As I filter through the layers of this distorted record of readings, my mind races to piece together the new storyline, striving to make sense of a world where the once-familiar is now a distorted reflection of its former self.

So far, the disruption began with the mysterious disappearance of Alucard and Walter, which set the stage for a series of unsettling events. As I worked to recover my lost memories, both past and present, I realized that the situation was far more complicated than expected.

The world around me is a mashup of multiple realities and overlapping dimensions that defy my canonical understanding of Hellsing. This complex blend of realities and intertwined storylines has woven a tricky web that challenges my comprehension and demands a deeper analysis. The difficulties of these connected worlds, coupled with the shifting storylines, require a careful and subtle approach to unravel the true nature of the changes and their impact on this world I'm in.

After all these discoveries, the possibility of sleep feels utterly impossible, especially with the troubling realization that Integra is nearly defenseless without Alucard. Despite being instructed to rest, the situation's urgency pushes me to ignore my needs and seek out Integra and Seras. The coming threat and my concern for Integra's safety drive me to act.

As I make my way to them, a sense of approaching consequence hangs over me, and I can't shake the feeling that we are on the brink of a key moment. Every passing second feels crucial, and I am determined to ensure that no time is wasted in addressing the imminent danger.

30 minutes later*

"Okay, I'm lost. Who is she, and why does it look like you're about to murder someone, Integra?" I ask, my eyes locked on Alucard, who has assumed the form that many fans would refer to as Girlycard. The situation is baffling, and the stark contrast between Alucard's current appearance and the menacing figure I'm used to only heightens my confusion.

The tension in the room is making me feel increasingly uncomfortable. Integra's stern gaze only intensifies the unease.

Meanwhile, Alucard's disturbing transformation into this form adds layers of confusion to the situation.

As I await Integra's response, I can't shake the feeling that we are on the verge of something deeply disturbing.

"Allow me to introduce myself: I am Alucard." Alucard declares with an unnerving chill in her voice. The way she delivers the statement sends a shiver down my spine. "Do bear in mind, however, that I am not precisely the Alucard with whom you are accustomed to interacting." Her words are both cryptic and foreboding, hinting at a deeper, more complex reality that stands in stark contrast to the Alucard I thought I knew. The eerie tone of her voice and the unfamiliarity of her form only add to the growing sense of unease.

"Before you ask, Chikao, she is Alucard, but at the same time, she is not him either." Integra explains, gesturing towards Seras, who stands nearby, frozen in shock. Seras's wide eyes remain fixed on Alucard in disbelief. Since my arrival in Integra's office, she hasn't spoken a single word. "Seras has already confirmed this through her bond with Alucard. Confirming this is, in fact, Alucard." Integra's tone is steady.

"You would be well-advised to elucidate the entire situation, Sir Integra." Alucard remarks, her tone dripping with disdain. Her eyes roll in a condescending manner as her gaze sweeps over everyone in the room, as if she is assessing the lower classes.

"Are you sure you can't change yourself back, Alucard?" Integra asks. Her fingers press against her temple as if trying to ward off a headache, and her gaze shifts between Alucard and the rest of us, searching for any glimmer of hope or clarity.

"Am I required to reiterate myself, Sir Integra?" Alucard sneers, her voice dripping with scorn. Her expression is one of clear disdain as she meets Integra's frustrated gaze. "I shall neither return to that lifeless form nor will I ever."

Integra takes a deep breath, her shoulders rising slightly as she exhales slowly. "Chikao." She begins, her voice carrying a weight of solemnity, "The Alucard we knew is gone."

I raise an eyebrow at Integra before shifting my gaze to Alucard.

"Do you recall how everything went quiet back at the destroyed museum?" Integra begins.

I answer with a silent nod.

"Well, apparently, during the fight, something occurred that caused Alucard, the one we knew, to switch places with his counterpart from another reality." Integra explains. "This counterpart, having just emerged from the end of a grueling war, found herself abruptly transported to our reality. She arrived here under the impression that she had been relocated from her last battle and began searching for me. It appears that my contract with the original Alucard has been transferred to this version before us."

It sounds similar to my situation but differs in its own way.

"What Sir Integra conveniently neglected to mention." Alucard scowls, her expression darkening, "Is that I am born a female. The male form of Alucard that you are familiar with is merely an assumed identity I adopted as Count Dracula for a period of time. I have no intention of ever assuming that form again."

"Okay... So, is there a counterpart of Walter here somewhere, or did he leave before I arrived?" I ask slowly, my mind grappling with the craziness of the situation. My brain struggles to piece together the pieces of these baffling circumstances.

I rely heavily on Sequence 9: Reader to help make sense of the unfolding events and to provide clarity amidst the confusion.

"I am quite certain he is dead, as I personally dispatched him in my own world." Alucard states icily. "However, given the peculiar circumstances surrounding your situation, it is possible that he may be roaming about in my world alongside your Alucard."

"Okay, that answers that question... Now what?" I say, looking over at Integra. "Do we figure out a way to retrieve our Alucard and send this one back to her world?"

"I wouldn't bother with that right now. This is something beyond our control, and even if we had a slight clue how to make that happen, who is to say the price would be easy to pay?" Integra lets out a deep sigh. "No, instead, we will stick with what we have and move on. At the very least, Alucard here has agreed to uphold the contract and is willing to deal with our hidden enemies for us, given her past experiences."

"Right..." I said slowly, then glanced over at Seras." So, Alucard, did you also have someone like Seras over there as your fledgling?" My curiosity got the better of me as I tried to draw parallels between the realities. Seras, still visibly shaken, met my gaze briefly before turning her attention back to Alucard.

"No." Alucard scoffs. "Having been deceived and coerced into creating my first and only fledgling in the past, I have no intention of making a habit of making any more."

That response evoked a sad expression from Seras. Her eyes lowered, and her shoulders slumped slightly as the weight of Alucard's words sank in. The disappointment was evident on her face, a silent acknowledgment of the stark differences between the Alucard she knew and the one standing before her.

"You must have been really busy doing work that would normally be assigned to Seras." I remark, whistling at the thought of Alucard handling most tasks solo in her timeline. The sheer amount of responsibility she must have shouldered is impressive, and it's clear that her experiences have shaped her into a formidable force.

"It's merely killing. There's nothing difficult about it," Alucard remarked, rolling her eyes at me. "Besides, I am never alone." Her tone is dismissive, almost bored, as if the tasks that would overwhelm others are trivial to her. The confidence in her voice is unmistakable, and the hint of a smile suggests she finds the concept of being alone doing so many things almost laughable.

I nearly forgot that Alucard is a True Vampire with barely any weaknesses. Because of this, she could easily slaughter an entire city in no time.

"Now, what's the plan, Integra?" I ask, quickly bringing the focus back to her. Realizing that Sequence 9: Reader isn't going to be enough to navigate the chaos of dealing with Girlycard Alucard and the current situation.

"Now? Now, we're all going to sleep." Integra said with a serious tone. "Today has been too overwhelming, and I need to rest my brain." She then turned her attention to Alucard, her expression thoughtful. "Alucard, is your sleeping place in the basement in your world, or is it somewhere else?"

"Do you imagine I am someone of lower-class origins?" Alucard retorts, clearly offended by the suggestion. "Certainly, I would not deign to sleep in a basement. Naturally, I repose in a room on the highest floor." Her tone is haughty and dismissive, reflecting her disdain for the idea of such a humble resting place.

"Seras, show Alucard where she can sleep... on the highest floor level," Integra instructs, looking ready to drop everything and head to bed herself. "However, Alucard, I need you to remain vigilant. Be alert for any threats that could harm me, and be prepared to protect me immediately if necessary." Her voice is firm and resolute, emphasizing the importance of security despite her apparent exhaustion.

"Certainly, Sir Integra. I am, after all, a consummate professional." Alucard suddenly smirks. "I must admit, I rather enjoy this version of you. Your counterpart in my world is utterly pampered and shows cowardice in the face of adversaries. It was only due to your father's influence that I agreed to form a contract with you for your absolute protection." Her tone carries a combination of admiration and disdain, revealing her complex feelings about the differences between the two versions of Integra.

"I'm glad to know what kind of person I might have become if my father were still alive today." Integra says, gritting her teeth slightly. She then looks at Alucard and Seras with a more relaxed expression. "Now, how about you and Seras take some time to bond? You two will be working closely together from this point on, so it's important to build some camaraderie."

Both Alucard and Seras exited through the door, their footsteps fading as they made their way to the highest floor. The room fell into a heavy silence, leaving Integra and me alone.

"Alright, let's use our old method for dealing with things that make us want to jump off a roof." Integra says, pulling a bottle of wine from her desk. "Drink until we feel numb and let our future selves handle the mess while we enjoy the present."