Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002 09:38:58 -0800 (PST) From: Author James Subject: Chronicles of a Real Dark Knight 14 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. Talamasca, Lestat, Louis, and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. 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!!! Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on. Thanks. jmsotc@yahoo.com Chapter 14 Message for Lance I entered my room and sat down. My body was heavily fatigued from the activities Catwoman and I participated in. But my mind was not. I missed Lance. I wanted to talk to him. It was too late, however, to contact him. A thought came to me. I stood up and picked up the phone. Pressing 0, the interior assistance line, I requested a blank audiotape and a cassette recorder. Within minutes, it was at my door. "Thank you," I said. Closing the door, I took it over to the table and plugged it in. Amazing that a castle would have working electricity. But this is the 21st Century. These things were possible, even in such an old castle. Placing the tape in, I hit record. "Hello, Lance, love of my life," I dictated to the machine. "How are you? I'm sure you are doing well. Being on tour is probably keeping you busy with all your duties. "I miss you. I've been keeping pretty busy with protecting the Princes. It's been rather interesting. I found out something interesting just a little while ago. Wonderland is real." I chuckled. "I'm sure you're laughing at that statement. I was surprised myself. "There was a man who called himself the Mad Hatter. He was behind some of the attacks on the Princes. It turned out he controls people's minds with technology. A surprise for you, he had Dr. Joshua Jenkins under his control. Joshua is fine, though. You may want to tell the guys. I'm sure they would be happy to hear that. "I miss you so much. Okay, here I go. I'm going to get mushy. I love you, with all my heart. I wish you could be here with me or that I could be there with you. It bothers me I get called on such things as the attempted life on somebody. Sure, it keeps me busy. But I have a life with you that I want to build. "When I get back, we're going to have to set a date for the ceremony. And we'll have to decide if I'm going to change my last name to yours, or you change your last name to mine. We could combine them. Hmmm, Eric McCoy-Bass. Or Eric Bass-McCoy. Hmm, they both sound good. Perhaps the second one. I like putting you first." Again I laughed. "One of your songs is coming to mind. Hold on a second." I walked over to the CD player beside my bed. I reached into my bag and pulled out "No Strings Attached" and placed it on Track 10. "This song speaks my heart, Lance. Let's listen to it together." When winter comes in summer When there's no more forever That's when I'll stop loving you I'm sure you've heard these words before And I know it's hard for you to trust them once more You're afraid it all might end And a broken heart is scared of breaking again But you've got to believe me I'll never leave you You'll never cry Long as I am there And I'll always be there You'll never be without love When winter comes in summer When there's no more forever When lies become the truth Oh you know then baby That's when I'll stop loving, that's when I'll stop loving you Long as sunlight lights the sky Light of love will be found in these eyes of mine And I will shine that light for you You're the only one I'll ever give this heart to What I'm trying to say is Nothing will change this There'll be no time you won't find me there 'Cause I will always be there You will always have all my love When winter comes in summer When there's no more forever When lies become the truth Well you know then baby That's when I'll stop loving, that's when I'll stop loving you When this world doesn't turn any more When the stars all decide to stop shining 'til then I'm going to be by your side Gonna be loving you forever Every day of my life Well you know then, baby That's when I'll stop loving, that's when I'll stop loving That's when I'll stop loving you When winter comes in summer When there's no more forever When lies become the truth Well you know then baby That's when I'll stop loving, that's when I'll stop loving you When winter comes in summer When there's no more forever When lies become the truth Well you know then baby That's when I'll stop loving, that's when I'll stop loving you By now tears where streaming down my face. My love for Lance seemed to be gushing forth out of my soul like rivers of water. I missed him so much. "I love you, Lance. I'll see you soon." I hit the 'stop' button on the recorder, placed it in its case and addressed the envelope. After sealing it, I headed downstairs to mail it. Jayce was walking in the foyer. "Still awake?" he asked. "Is something wrong?" "I wanted to send a message to Lance." "Ah, your lover." "Yes." "Do you have anything in the message concerning your work here?" "Just about what already happened. Is there a problem?" "Just being careful. I don't want anything getting out about our next plans." "And they would be?" "Come with me." I followed Jayce into a vast library. "Have a seat, please. There is something I want to show you." I sat down at a large table and placed the envelope on the table. He grabbed a book and walked over to me. "That looks pretty old," I said. "It is well over a thousand years old, at least. This book contains information about the counts of hell." "Counts of hell?" "Yes. Supposedly the darkness that we've detected is one of the counts of hell. They are the original third of angels fallen from heaven. They are most powerful and immortal. They cannot be killed." "They were reserved in chains of darkness." "What?" "That's what the Bible says about the fallen angels. They are the most ferocious demons reserved in chains of darkness." "That is correct, in a sense. They are placed in a hell dimension of darkness and bondage. Books have been written about the account of them called the Volumes of the Counts of Hell. Each book tells of the horrendous acts they committed before being reserved to the chains of darkness. Also in each book is an incantation that will free the subject of the book. "One of the books must have been opened and read. But we do not know which one. We have a few in our library and no one knows how many fell. That leaves quite a few possibilities as to which demon we are dealing with. We've had countless people reading through listing the names of the demons, but those lists are by no means exhaustive. By recording the ones we do have, we can eliminate potential counts." "But that also leaves room for more." "Yes, it always will. No one can determine the number of counts and God has yet to visit and tell us." "It's probably a good thing He doesn't." "Why is that?" "What if there were a million? That would cause so much paranoia it wouldn't be funny." "True." "Do you want me to help you research?" I offered. "No. Send your message then get some rest. The day after tomorrow is a ball the royal family is hosting. It would behoove you to be prepared for anything." "Alright, Jayce." I stood. "Let me know if you discover anything." "Definitely." I headed off to deliver my package to be sent. Afterwards I headed to bed to get some rest. Once I closed the door I went to the window and looked out at the night sky. I began to pray. "Lord, before Your throne I come." Immediately a presence filled my room. I knew God was there. I recognized His presence anywhere. I felt His hand on my shoulder. The love was overwhelming. "Hello, Eric," the voice whispered. "Thank you for inviting me to fellowship with you." "Of course, Lord. I always want You in my life." I could feel His smile. "Is there something you wished to speak with me about?" "I miss Lance," I said. "I hope he's okay and not missing me too much. Be with him tonight. Keep him safe and at peace. Let him know how much I love him." "Certainly, Eric. How are things with you?" I know it was weird for the question to be asked. God knows everything about all of us. But He also knows the importance of us speaking what's on our mind. It helps us to clear our mind and get perspective. If there is a problem, it helps us to release it to Him. "Lord, things here are getting interesting. So far, we've stopped the human causing problems. Next is the mutant. He's a powerful mutant. I'm going to need wisdom to stop him. Please, give me the wisdom. "And the demon that we are dealing with. Help us to figure out which one it is. And give me strength and protection against it." I felt a great surge of love flow into me. God's power is love, for God is love. I stood looking out the window for the longest time just enjoying the presence of God and letting myself be filled with love. After a while, I climbed into bed and slept peacefully. To Be Continued... I love the song "That's When I'll Stop Loving You". Those of you who have heard it know what I mean. It's a beautiful song. It also foreshadows the future in a sense. Mums the word. I'm not going to tell you what. Also, Eric seems to be getting back to his spiritual life with talking with God. I hope it does not offend any of my readers. Spiritual life is very important to me. And it's going to play a very integral part to "Chronicles". Please don't think that I feel I'm better because of my religious beliefs. I know God deals with each individual on a personal basis. He will direct you according to what you need and how you need it.