Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 11:24:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Author James Subject: Adventures Of A Real Dark Knight 4 Disclaimer: This story, though maybe not in this chapter but in subsequent chapters, will have celebrities in it. I have no knowledge of their sexuality and this is not intended to imply their sexuality. This is all from my own mind. Scary!! People actually get a glimpse into my mind!!! Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox. Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros. X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox. Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount Studios. I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered. In this story, which has been floating around in my head most of my life, you will find many universes merging, as the above copyrights reveal. I hope you all enjoy this. I appreciate any feedback that you may want to give. This story doesn't deal so much with sex, sex, sex, but more of my feelings that I struggled with and am starting to come to terms with. Part of his background is mine. I do hope that you enjoy it!!! This section of chapters is a continuation of my first story "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". I have received many emails from people who have enjoyed it and some from those who do not. I would enjoy hearing from you. Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on. Thanks. jmsotc@yahoo.com Chapter 4 Blue Demon I awoke rested. Having such a wonderful night with Lance really let out emotions I was afraid to express. But should I continue to let them flow? Why was I so afraid too? I went to work and then school. Afterwards, I did some training with the Huntress and we went out on patrol. "So what happened with you and Lance last night?" she asked as we stopped on a rooftop to catch a breather. "What do you mean?" I returned coyly. "Don't be coy, Batman. He called me last night right after he got home. He was so excited. It was the first time I had seen him excited in a long time. You two must have done something." "We kissed...twice. And danced once." "Aww, that is so sweet. It's about time, too." I smiled at her. I noticed her gaze shift from me to something behind me. Her look also changed to one of anger. "What's wrong?" I asked. "It's the demon I was sent to Europe to hunt. He's here." With that she took off running, pulling out her crossbow. I turned and followed her not knowing what she was talking about. I remember her being gone for a while. It was the time I took on Turic by myself. I couldn't rely on her as she was sent to Europe over this blue demon that was very agile and could disappear at will. He must have followed her to L.A. and sought to hunt her. I ran all out doing the best I could to keep pace with Huntress. She was leaping from building to building. I couldn't get a good look at what she was chasing, though. It was mighty difficult just to keep up with her. The demon moved sideways and I saw which direction he was going. Since moving here and patrolling, I have learned the lay of the land a bit better. I knew a way to cut him off so I took it. Dropping down to street level and moving through some alleys, I arrived at the place it appeared he was going. I was correct because he was coming down the fire escape. He landed in the alley ten feet from me. "Hold it right there," I called out. The demon turned around. "Nightcrawler?" "Eric. So you weren't kidding when you said you were Batman. I thought you just had an ego. You look tough in that suit." "Are you saying I don't look tough without it?" I smiled but he couldn't tell. "No, that's not what I meant." He must have caught my smile because he added, "Now that you mention it, though." An arrow came down and hit him in the arm. He screamed in pain. Soon the Huntress was following the arrow, dagger drawn. As she brought the knife up, I hollered. "No, Huntress!" I ran and grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing, Batman? That's a demon! Why are you protecting him?" "Because that's not a demon." "Look at him! He looks just like a demon! He has the power to disappear at will!" "But he's not a demon. He's a mutant." The Huntress looked at me. "What? Are you sure?" "Huntress, I can create fire. Some may think I'm a wizard. Dressed like this, it would be easy for others to think I'm an evil creature. "He's okay. He's new to the X-MEN. He and I have been training together." "If anything," Nightcrawler said as he pulled the arrow out of his foot, "I abhor demonic spirits. I lived most of my life in a monastery learning the ways of God." The Huntress looked upon Nightcrawler narrowly. I could tell that last statement bothered her. Here was a being that looked like a demon stating that he dislikes demons and learned the ways of God. It almost bothered me...almost. "Nightcrawler, the Huntress. Huntress, Nightcrawler," I introduced. "We've met," Nightcrawler said, "before she shot an arrow into my foot." "So your ability to disappear is your mutant ability," the Huntress said. "Sure is." I could feel the awkwardness of this situation. It made me feel very anxious. What was I to do to help them get used to the idea they were both on the same side? The only thing I could do was let them work it out for themselves. Exposure and education are the only things that can help others change their feelings about others. I'm a walking talking testimony of that. "We have patrol to do," the Huntress said. "See you around, Nightcrawler." "Hey, can I join you?" "You are no use to us with that foot. Perhaps you should go back to school and get it taken care of." "Fine." I could see the disgust Nightcrawler had on his face. With that he disappeared leaving behind the smell of sulfur and brimstone. The Huntress looked at me and turned climbing the fire escape. "Can you believe that?" she asked. "Oh, wait. That's right. You can. You were talking to him. Can you imagine the complex he must have? He looks like a demon and gets mistaken for a demon. I thought he was a demon." "It's a common thing, Huntress. Don't beat yourself up over it." "How can I apologize to him, though?" "Perhaps next time we meet him, you can." We got to the roof and began moving from rooftop to rooftop looking for vampires and other dark forces. "You know, I understand how he feels." I said. "I know what it's like to be born with something that makes others think I'm evil." The Huntress looked over at me. "But it isn't that obvious with you. You don't have feminine mannerisms, you're speech doesn't have the gay sound to it. You are actually very masculine." "There are many gay men who are masculine. There are some who act feminine, as well. It's quite a diverse world out there." The Huntress looked back toward where we came from. Her mind was on Nightcrawler. "It sure is," she said. Across town in an old cave several mutants talked amongst themselves. One was a large man wearing a helmet that aided in his mutation taking action. Another was a young blue woman with red hair and the ability to morph. A third had raggedy hair and resembled a cat. The fourth was an older gentleman with a European accent. He was the one who addressed the group. "It appears that our associate refused to help us regain your helmet, Kane. What shall we do with him?" "We can't force him to keep his word with us," the Cat said. "Easy, Victor. I don't plan on forcing anyone to do something they do not wish to do. However, I do believe in punishing those who lie to us. But the question is, what?" Now it was time for the blue woman known as Mystique to speak. "To destroy Batman we must first turn him into what he hates the most, namely us." Victor and Kane look at each other. "What do you mean?" Kane asks. "You mean make him like girls? Well, except for you because you like men and he already likes men." "No, no. She means frame him." The European man smiles at Mystique. Mystique turns to the European man. "Yes, Magnus. Frame him." "And how do you propose we do that?" "He's already shown that he hates those who hate his kind." "Mutants?" Victor asks. "Not just mutants," Mystique snaps. "Gay people as well. In fact, for a while, he was on a hunting spree for those who hate gays. Perhaps we can use that to our advantage." Magnus looks at his compatriots. "Any suggestions?" Victor and Kane look off into space trying really hard to come up with a plan. "Don't worry," Mystique reassures. "A plan is forming." The Huntress and I stopped when we heard a woman scream. We peeked over the edge of the building to see two vampires and a young teenage girl. The girl was struggling against their grasp. "Time to work," the Huntress replied. I watched as she moved to the corner of the building and shimmied down the drainpipe. It was a rather large drainpipe guaranteed to hold her so I didn't worry. When she got to the bottom, I watched her pull out her crossbow. She took aim and fired. It hit one vampire right in the back. He quickly turned to dust. His companion turned in the Huntress's direction. "Don't move or I kill her," he declared. The woman was ready to scream hysterically. "Calm down," the Huntress said to the vampire. "You don't want to kill her." "I don't?" he said with a sneer. I decided to go into action. I jumped off the building and opened my cape. "No," I declared. "You just want to feed off her." Everyone looked up. The vampire was rather shocked and, in his shock, loosened his grip on the girl. The girl took advantage of it and leapt forward. I came down on the vampire with a crash. I heard several bones break in his already dead body. I rolled and stood as he tried to stand. Both of his legs were broken; any person could easily diagnose that. The bones were protruding from the skin in several places. "You broke my legs!" he screamed. "Batman!" the Huntress called out. I turned and she tossed me a stake. Without a word, I imbedded it into his heart. We watched as he turned to dust before our eyes. I turned to see if the girl was okay and she fainted. "You carry her or me?" I asked. "You are the man! You carry her!" "But, Huntress, I'm gay." "So?" "Besides, you are the one with the supernatural strength." "What about the age of chivalry? I always took you to be the chivalrous one." "And this is a new millennium. Women and men are equal." "Oh, fine. Whatever. I'll carry her." The Huntress scooped her up and we carried her to a nearby hospital. It was rather interesting to see us, almost comical. Here I was a man dressed as a bat walking with a woman carrying another woman. It was a sight to behold. What's even funnier, though, was the Huntress and I trying to figure out how we were going to get her inside without being noticed. Luckily a doctor came outside for a breath of fresh air. As he walked passed, I reached out and grabbed his mouth and pulled him into the shadows where the Huntress and I were hiding. He struggled for a moment until the Huntress stepped close and placed her finger against her lips. He nodded in understanding and I slowly release my hand covering her mouth. "We're not going to hurt you," the Huntress said. "We actually have someone with us that needs your help." The Huntress motioned over to the girl. The doctor quickly examined her. "It appears she's been bitten." He looked over at me and I knew what he was insinuating. Seeing me in my costume made him very suspicious. "I did not bite her," I said matter-of-factly and adding a look of anger and disgust at his silent accusation. "I need to get her into the ER immediately." "Can you take her in alone?" the Huntress asked. "We are not really dressed to be seen." "I think I can do it." We helped balance the victim with the doctor and he made off with her to the ER. "It looks like we did our good deed for the day," the Huntress said. "Or night, rather," I added. "Yes, or night. Do you want to continue to patrol?" "I'd like to call it a night. I have some other things to attend to." The Huntress smiled and winked at me. I turned from her and we headed separate ways. It didn't take long before I reached my apartment. I went in and took off my suit. Then, I drew a bath and picked up the phone to call Lance. "Hello?" he answered groggily. "Lance, I'm sorry to call you so late. I didn't realize you were sleeping." "It's okay. I'm glad to hear your voice." "I'm glad to hear yours, though I wish I didn't wake you." "Eric, it's fine." "I guess I'm just too paranoid." I said with a chuckle. Lance chuckled as well. "It's kind of late so I won't bother you tonight. I just wanted to call, even though it's kind of late. Perhaps tomorrow we can meet for lunch." "Yeah, that would be great. I can call you." "Sounds good." We said our good-byes and I hung up. I was exhausted so I went to bed. Across town the blue mutant known as Mystique exited the cave that she inhabited for so long. She has a plan and intends to execute it tonight. To Be Continued... Hmm, what could Mystique be planning? And how about the Huntress's reaction to Nightcrawler? Interesting. I'd love to hear from all my readers!