Devils Testimony

[kingrico]

"My name is Sally Floyd. I'm a reporter, a recovering alcoholic, and a mother who lost her daughter. Truth is, nobody cares about any of that. All that matters about me is this -- I'm the woman who interviewed Captain America.."

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Sally walked through what was now dubbed Hellraisers District of Queens, the occult based team also home to the Cosmic Team Nova Corps had bought up several blocks of land along and around Newtown Creek. The mansion itself sat inside Calvary Cemeteries which was also owned by the team, Sally found herself curious how the team managed to rehab an entire neighborhood around the cemetery under the radar of the media. She caught wind from a writer at the daily bugle that the Ghost Rider also resides here, if she could catch an interview with him it could get everyone’s mind off her captain America interview.

As she walked up to the massive gates a cold breeze would come flowing past her, unseasonably cold since the current temperature elsewhere was 67 degrees. Sally had no clue what type of ball field she was stepping into, so she would carry on walking up to the front door knocking several times. “No Answer… surely someone must be here” she would say under her breath.

She would walk around the property towards the back, she would see what appeared to be a man sitting on a bench moving his head. “Excuse me ? Do you work here?” She would ask, unaware of who it was.

[Gummy]

Vlad had been brooding over a lost of a few prey but it didn't matter. He now had a truce and was going to enjoy just being out and about without any harm coming his way. Exploring the grave yards he wondered who he might find there, a name here, a comment there. Who were the missing? Who were the found? A few contacts he had already picked up but there was far more to be located. After his rampage to hunt for a known traitor he was sure that things would calm down again. He had applied for his country to be recognised by the UN but that didn't mean it would be accepted. The new tax was working and that made him feel a lot better. Still, here he was. In New York wondering if he would find the grave he was looking for.

Despite not feeling tired he sat down to look out on all the dead. Sometimes...

.... His thoughts were interrupted as he was addressed by a woman. Was it his lucky night? Company was needed by him. His aids were away working on one of his pet projects meaning he was once again alone.

Turning his head before she spoke the questions he looked at her. Pale palour stark in the night light. The question made him smile in more than one way. He kept his fangs hidden for he didn't wish to scare her, plus his accent was thick.

"No, I don't work here. Just visiting people long forgotten. Also it's quiet here. Are you lost?"

[kingrico]

"My name is Sally Floyd. I'm a reporter, a recovering alcoholic, and a mother who lost her daughter. Truth is, nobody cares about any of that. All that matters about me is this -- I'm the woman who interviewed Captain America.."

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Well this was awkward and a little weird to her, this man sat here on Hellraisers property but didn’t work here. “Well no the property you sit on and mostly everything around here belongs to the Hellraisers, so I just assumed you worked here at the mansion. I’m looking for Ghost Rider and the rest of the team, I believe Ian Mcnee, Iyana, Aperture, Sitoria, Dark Angel… Do any of these names ring a bell?” Sally would ask, raising an Eyebrow at how pale he was.

She was now slightly afraid, raising an eyebrow when the air once again turned cold, “Why is it so cold…” before she could finish an arm stuck out the grave grabbing her leg. She let off a loud scream that could be heard at the mansion, and surely enough it caught somebody attention.

As several more bodies popped out of other graves, a long chain ripped through 8 bodies at once seemingly out of nowhere. With a twist the bodies turned to ash and unhandled her, the sounds of demons and hell could be heard all around. She would back up some more before running dead into the Ghost Rider, he would look down at the young lady turning his head reading her sins. “Child…” as he looked at her some more the scent of Dracula caught wind.

With his supernatural speed he appeared in front of Dracula in seconds, “Sinner… DRACULAAA” he would say, staring him down.

[Gummy]

Dracula nodded to her question.

"I do know them and if they are there then I should be going. I'm not welcome here."

He stood up and felt the same as she did. As she screamed he shook his head and moved in a blur. The chains missed him easily and he took down another three of the animated dead. Something was definitely off in New York. That was for certain. He knew who it was that had caused the chains to rip through them. He didn't even need to turn his head to see where the flaming skull was.

Closing his eyes he stood stock still with his arms folded across his body and his head tilted slightly down. Shaking his head he spoke quietly.

"Yes, that is me. I'm here to help. I have a truce with Blade. So if you would kindly.... stop staring at me I would highly appreciate it!"

His head was starting to spin but he was too stoic to show his true feelings. He could of course just stop the riding ghost from causing more discomfort but he wanted to show he was there to help.

"If you didn't notice I took out some too. There is something wrong here in New York and it is not my doing. Those weren't vampires but something else. The graves I came to visit were over there."

He pointed roughly to the right and further into the grave yard.

"It is just here that I could sit down. Those were nothing to do with me or to do with people I command."

[kingrico]

And when you have killed all the innocents, Mephisto -- what will then prevent me from exacting my vengeance a thousand times heavier?

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Danny stood there shaking his head back and forth slowly, “Hear me well Vampire…your life will be spared because I smell no foul play coming from you. But know this Dracula, I am not Johnny I am Danny Ketch the Angel Rider! You will not be able to run to Hell or Heaven if you betray me, or anyone on the Hellraisers. Now open your Eyes!” He would say as now he was in blue flame, his penance stare also stopped allowing Dracula to look at him.

“These living dead have been popping up all around New York State, I assumed it to be Thog but none of this looks like Thog doing.” He would pause before turning back looking at Sally, “Is she with you?” He asked before walking up to her. Sally looked at them as they now turned to look at her, she really had bit off more than she could chew now.

“Please don’t kill me…” she would say looking at the Ghost rider.

Danny laughed at her remarks, “Death by me is an unlikely child… but death by God, heh now I can see him doing it. Anyways, why are you on our property? If one of the Goddess were here you would probably be in hell right now” he wasn’t pleased by her trespassing but he did think of a plan.

“Dracula? Perhaps we should do some investigating… We could use her as bait; they seem more likely to attack humans. If we can see where they are coming from perhaps we can find out who’s doing this” Danny would go on to say.

[Gummy]

Dracula hand his arms still crossed and felt the easing of the stare. His life was enough to cause him to have enough horrors of his own. He had far too many hidden pasts. As he felt the light change he opened his eyes.

"Hello Mr Ketch. The only foul I will do is to what I am working on which is those walking annoyances. Also I wanted to see where some old associates were first buried. I did not mean to trespass."

His eyes turned to Sally and he smiled once more.

"No, she came looking for someone who worked here. I won't kill you either. Also the bate won't work and your right it isn't Thog. Blade and I have some theories but that is as far as it goes. I am looking at it from my side of hell and he is looking at it from his."

He paused to think about what was going on. There was more to it than just these undead. He moved over to the area he had destroyed one and knelt down. Looking back at the grave he read the date and name before moving to just beside Sally.

"May I look at where it grabbed you please?"

Absent minded he added.

"I could always make her forget she was ever here but she would probably still return."

[kingrico]

And when you have killed all the innocents, Mephisto -- what will then prevent me from exacting my vengeance a thousand times heavier?

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Danny listened closely to what Dracula was saying, at least they could agree that it wasn't Thogs work. As Sally lifted her arm the marking left was one of a Succubi, the ancient mark was familiar “It's the mark of being that dwells in Fear Lord Dimension, though I'm not sure which exactly.” Danny would say looking at Dracula as he also examined it. He sniffed the air smelling Death once more, it was clear that the battle was far from over.

Arms started sticking out the ground all around, soon enough the trio would find themselves surrounded by a horde of the living dead.

Sally was by this point shitting her pants while also managing to record on her phone what was going down, if anything was going to make her top writer for bugle it would be this. “Mind not letting me get killed?” she would say ducking between the pair.

Ghost Rider would let off a loud demonic roar that sent chills down Sally's spine as well as the undead, as he stopped though the sounds of what appeared to be a large ancient horn and cry of a demonic voice could be heard replying. The horde would stop moving before parting ways to allow the female Demon to walk in front, her eyes pitch red with a rope wrapped around her body she would stop before pointing at Dracula.

“Hello boys, what an awkward situation this must be huh? I originally came here looking for Sally who has somehow managed to outrun Nightmare. But an even greater prize sits before me. My Master will be proud, Dracula the Fear Lords long seemed to have you in our realm. So let’s do this the easy way Dracula and Sally you come with me, Ghost Rider you stay here since well you're a party pooper.” She would say smiling, raising her hand.

Danny turned to Dracula looking before turning back, “Nightmare will not be having either Succuba, I think it's best you and your walking dead go back to Dream Dimension!”

[Gummy]

Dracula sighed heavily and shook his head at Danny. The night was just like some of the others. As he looked at the mark on Sally's arm he noticed something. Looking at the woman (if possible) in the eyes tried to figure something out. Although the answer was going to come to him rather than him go to it.

The rising of others made him feel no different. He noted Sally's phone and did a quick laugh. The night was getting increasingly interesting by the moment. As Sally slipped between them Dracula let go of her arm and whispered in her ear something far more compelling, one simple word with more potency than anything ever said in that moment to her.

"Calm."

Then his attention turned to the roar and this made him roll his eyes as she pointed to her.

"Well that explains part of it. Although, it isn't him who is at the heart of this."

Dracula looked at Danny.

"If two is company and three is a crowd what do you get when you add one more? A gathering. It sounds almost like a joke!"

Dracula looked back at the demon and shook his head once more. A thick fog was starting to roll in. Within a split second Dracula was for a moment behind the demon.

"So who called us here?"

The fog pulled closer to Dracula as he moved faster and bodies could be heard falling as he dealt with some of the minions before reappearing next to the Demon again.

"Who is causing a disturbance in hell?"

He moved again thuds were heard then he appeared in front of the Demon and shook his head.

"You're a pawn. Nothing more. If Nightmare really wanted this woman he would do it himself. She is marked for someone else and it isn't he. And you know it."

[kingrico]

And when you have killed all the innocents, Mephisto -- what will then prevent me from exacting my vengeance a thousand times heavier?

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Dracula was for the most part on to something when it came to the succuba that was in front of them, this wasn't very Nightmare-like to use Hellfire to intimidate. The fog rolled in and Danny let Dracula do his thing, since joining the team he has learned to give people the chance to be helpful and an ally.

The succuba was on the other hand slightly more confused on what was going on, “You dare question me Vampire!” she would say, turning around to not see him. “Wait how…” she would mumble under their voice. The voice would be heard on a different side to her surprise now, “Hell! There's only one ruler now!!” that was the give away there Nightmare was ruler of the Dream Dimension not Hell.

“Liar! Nightmare is a Fear Lord his dwelling is almost irrelevant to Hell.” Danny would say now moving closer also using his supernatural speed.

Finally, the succuba would come face to face with Dracula who called her bluff, “Hmp I thought Vampires were slower than this… Regardless of what I know and what you need to know is not necessary.” she would say before using the fog to her advantage disappearing before reappearing in a tree. “Given the circumstances at hand you left your greatest assets defenseless” she would say as a scream could be heard before she disappeared.

“Sally!!” Danny would tell as he frantically looked through the fog, he would let off a roar causing the fog to disappear from around him. He would see a Mark left on the ground similar to what was on Sally, “Dracula look!” He would say pointing at the symbol.

“Whoever it is, they want you… But why? You have no real reason to be wanted by Hell Lords, something seems to be really off” Danny would say.

[Gummy]

Dracula moved with the succubus. There was a thing or two that didn't add up. He needed to check up on things and fast, there was only so much night that lingered. He frowned.

"I don't dare."

Dracula said in a cold tone. His eyes turning red. When the scream came he wasn't surprised. The scream from Danny was another thing. A dark look same to his face as he looked at the mark. Then to Danny.

"It isn't the Devil you know.... Sorry, that saying might be lost on someone so young. Would you mind with all the yelling? It is enough to wake the dead!... again!"

Dracula stood there, he didn't need to look at the symbol. He had seen something more interesting than that mark.

"Many people want me or need me or hunt me. Majority never come face to face with me. With Blade busy working this hell uprising or underworld uprising from another angle I need to follow this one."

He finally looked down at the mark.

"It's a ticket of sorts. It will get us to the trap.... however, I believe."

He closed his eyes and listened. Or at least seem to as he tilted his head slightly.

"There is more to it. Someone else is here."

His eyelids snapped open to reveal pinpoint pupils. Looking around the area he frowned.

"No... not here but watching from a great distance. They are testing one of us. Are you ready to pass?"

[kingrico]

And when you have killed all the innocents, Mephisto -- what will then prevent me from exacting my vengeance a thousand times heavier?

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“Great, who else could be here? The Succubus had Sally so there's that… I mean hopefully, we get her back but no stressing it. She was an Ass to Cap... That's just not cool" Danny said shaking his head as now he had some new investigating to do. Perhaps while they were at it he could evaluate Dracula behavior, always room for replacement for Morbius on the Midnight Sons team. “So what's this test about?” Danny asked, raising an eyebrow, he was genuinely curious who this could be messing with them.

“Perhaps I could ask a teammate of mine if he could help us figure out the symbols. ” Danny would say pinging his Hellraiser button to request Ian assistance outside.“Hopefully our Sorcerer Ian is down in the labs; perhaps he could be of assistance”.

Ian would respond to the call drinking a Orange crush with Demon squirrel on his shoulder, he would exit the portal to be greeted by the sights of his worst fear Vampires. The squirrels on the other hand were very interested, darting over sniffing Dracula.

“Hey Danny! & Uhh… Is that… Is that Dracula?” Ian would say, stepping back forming a Shield. “I do not wish to be a Vampire!” Ian would say, freaking out.

“Chill Ian, he’s on our side. We need your help identifying some symbols.” Danny would say to calm Ian.

[Gummy]

Dracula didn't react to the comment about her being an ass to the man he pressumed was Captain America. He then shrugged at the question.

"I don't know. Blade had some ideas but I haven't heard from him for a while. There was something about her destiny that will not end well. The mark was visible because she wasn't meant to have it."

He folded his arms and looked sullen. He knew a few more things than what was being said. As for a Sorcerer... ohhh they gave him a headache but he could have some fun.

"There is unsettlement among my kind. I had to hunt among mine to find a traitor once already in the past year. The old ways are being threatened. The old ways which kept us safe.... "

He stopped mid conversation as 'Ian' appeared. The shield was perthetic attempt and he let Ian know it. Within a blink of an eye he was behind Ian spoke quietly.

"Manners."

Then moved fast once more to appear again where he had once stood.

"Do you never have any manners? I am a Count and a leader of my country. Shhoooo!"

He said the last to the squirrels feeling ever more frustrated.

"As I was saying... The old ways which kept us safe have changed slightly over the centuries but now there are youth who are so weak of the blood that they think their ways are best. Cults just begging to sign up to become vampires... it is unbecoming! Blade went off on his errand, I went off on my own. A current truce and a deal has been made."

[kingrico]

And when you have killed all the innocents, Mephisto -- what will then prevent me from exacting my vengeance a thousand times heavier?

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Ian of course was Oblivious to how fast Dracula was as one he heard him speaking he literally jumped and landed on his but, the dude really gave him the scare for sure. “Holy shi*” Ian would say as he let his shields down for a second, “Manners dude your vampire, I’ve watched strange battle, some really mean one I’m just not one for the blood sucking you know. But a truce is a truce so how can I be of assistance?” Ian would ask before Dracula would carry on with his speech.

The statement regarding young people's rebellion to old ways hit home for Ian, it was part of the reason he and Strange are currently not fully friends again. “Ahh yess the old ways, bloody deaths, and all kinds of horrors. If I had not been one of educating myself to know this apart of a larger cosmic balance, I would be doing the same… rebelling” Ian would say before bending down closer to examine the markings.

“Ahh yes these are markings of the Taküan Demons, a hybrid species fairly new to the scene give or take 60 years. The females usually are Succuba vampire hybrids, and the males Demon vampire hybrids. Let’s examine this some more shall we?” He would pause briefly, taking a deep breath, concentrating on what he was prepared to do.

Ian would cause a flame to appear in his hand before slamming it into the ground, the flames would sketch out the symbol as he started to speak. “By the Flames of Faltine grant me power to see” he would say pausing before speaking in Latin. “Fiat natura sit vera, ostensum est mihi hoc quia concubina est succuba!” Ian would say as he raised the symbol up in green magical energy. He would spread it out further looking at it before noticing something, “Hmm see this language is a mix not, it roughly translates to the Mark of Hell’s Vampire. I would assume they were trying to bring Dracula in, someone like him could very well vouch for them to be accepted in the community.” Ian would say leaving the symbol up for Dracula to try to look through.

“Interesting Ian, but why would they want Sally Floyd?” Danny would say, questioning himself. “Unless they are going to change her into whatever that demon thing was!?” He would say, raising a fiery eye.

[Gummy]

Dracula just stood there arms crossed while the new comer talked. He was way past taking jibes or insults. What he was being told was interesting but nothing that wasn't whispered in the dark. Dracula approached the looked in and laughed at what he saw.

"They have tried many times. They won't get me. As for Sally Floyd, she is a pawn."

Dracula looked to the Danny and thought about the options he had. Work with a devil or on his own, he knew his side of everything. Yet, the people he sent out still had not returned.

"There is a rumour the ruler of monsters has risen but my scouts are yet to return. Shiklah could also be another player on the board."

He tilted his head and thought again. There was far too many players. Someone or something else was at work here. He needed to think and see what is going on. It was out of control.

"Right. I came here to check out to see if this graveyard was acting as odd as some of the others. It appears so. This is not my doing or anyone I know of. My ears don't hear what should go with this and that is an incantation. If they are targeting me then they are way off. This is just a decoy."

He shook his head and rose up off the ground a little looking at where the graves were and frowned. He moved closer to the middle of the disturbed ground and knelt down. The mark there, the feeling of the magic was different. This grave was also undisturbed. Looking up he read the stone.

"You said she is called Sally Floyd? This is why they wanted her. For they were animated to get him. They must be related distantly."

Dracula pointed to the gravestone whose name was "Richmond Floyd 1824-1848 Died a hero".

[kingrico]

And when you have killed all the innocents, Mephisto -- what will then prevent me from exacting my vengeance a thousand times heavier?

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Danny would pace back and forth trying to think of who could be at play here, “whilst there could be a possibility Shiklah is at play here no one has seen her since Dark angel and her friends tried to bring her back from the dead.” He would reply to Dracula before pausing looking at Ian and back to Dracula, the night was getting weirder by the second but things would certainly take a dramatic turn when Dracula spoke again. Danny followed him to a different gravesite and was shocked to see that it appeared to be a distant relative, “So you think Drac these creatures might actually be here for Sally? Perhaps this relative is the key to the mystery” Danny would reply to Dracula before turning to Ian.

“Say, Ian, what could you find out about this man?” Danny would say raising a fiery eyebrow.

“Uhh… well there’s a Magical energy coming from this grave I could perhaps see what it is” Ian would reply raising his hands and shoulders in the air before bending down; he would carefully feel the energy before causing a metal box to lift from the soil. Reading what was engraved on it he was able to take a guess on who might have some answers, opening it for further examination he would pull out a pentagram made of copper with several other satanist tools. “Well if I was to take a guess this belongs to a Cult group known as The Ones who Know All, I’ve heard of them in my studies actually. This was actually around the time this was formed in 1847 I believe, I know of a place in French Creek West Virginia that suppose to be home to this group.” he would say before standing back up.

“Well Dracula, looks like we have somewhere to start”