Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 07:41:02 -0800 (PST) From: Author James Subject: Chronicles of a Real Dark Knight 25 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 25 Restorations Macai and his servant, the demon wizard Puz, stood before the stone archway. Puz held his staff toward the archway, reciting an incantation. "Mekos siko shytan mezay. Portals. Gateways to other worlds. I command thee to open to our friends and bring them forth." Red particles shimmered around the edges and fell toward the center of the archway. As they mingled, a red cloud formed. A shadow moved on the other side and dark brown-haired creature emerged. It had inch-long claws and sharp fangs hanging over its lips. "Welcome," Macai said to the creature. It scurried over to a niche in the wall and hopped up on a pedestal. Another shadow moved through the cloud and came out in the form of a black- and white-stripped woman. She hefted a whip and her hair was black and white. Her eyes were white with black slits like a cat's eye. "Shetar," Macai said. "Welcome." The female nodded to Macai and stood upon a pedestal next to the hairy beast. The red cloud dissipated and the archway remained, empty. "Thank you, Puz." "Sire," Puz bowed. "Why have you called us?" the woman known as Shetar asked. "I have called you and Feral hear to help me. I have obtained Excalibur. And those who would be warriors against us are defeated. There is nothing to stand in our way. We will have my kingdom on this world. All the people will bow at my feet and worship me." "Sounds intriguing," Shetar answered, raising her eyebrow. The Huntress arrived at the mansion and parked her cycle in the underground garage. She dismounted and walked into the changing room. The hero pulled off her mask and started on her gloves when she heard an uncomfortable noise. "Garrett?" she called out. "Are you there?" Huntress reached down and grabbed a wooden stake from its strap around her leg. Quietly and cautiously she went to the door and opened it ever so slightly to look inside. She saw Garrett walk over to a counter and put something down. As he turned she noticed two puncture wounds in his neck. "Oh, God," she whispered. "Garrett's been turned into a vampire." Huntress fought back the tears. She knew her duty. She had to stake him, even if he was her Watcher at one time. His turning into a vampire could compromise her duties in Los Angeles, the Council's work in America, not to mention the rest of the world. Her actions were clear. Huntress waited for Garrett to turn his back to her before she opened the door and lunged at him, knocking him to the door. "What the hell are you doing?" he screamed at her trying to fight her off. Her strength, however, was more than sufficient to keep him under control. She struggled but got him rolled over onto his back. "I'm sorry I have to do this, Garrett," she said as she raised the stake above her head. Before she knew it, her hands were frozen together. She looked up and saw enough ice on the stake to make it blunt and utterly useless in staking a vampire. "What are you doing, Brian?" she asked. "I ask the same of you!" "Don't you see what's happened to Garrett? He's been turned! Some dirty vampire made him!" Brian went over to Garrett and knelt, examining his neck. "There's nothing there, Jessica. Garrett's neck is fine." Huntress looked closely and saw he was right. "Oh my God. Garrett! I'm so sorry!" The Huntress climbed off him. "That's something I've always been afraid would happen to you, that a vampire would turn you into one of them." "What happened tonight, Jessica?" Garrett asked after he got up and straightened his shirt. "I met the being causing this fear. He calls himself the Scarecrow. He was chasing George, you're friend, Brian. I fought him but he threw a test tube at the ground. This smoke came up." "Did you breathe any in?" Huntress nodded. "At first I thought it didn't work on me. Now I see what it's meant to do. Make your worst fears come before you to face." "Let's get you into the exam room. Perhaps we can determine the chemical composition and create an antidote." The Watcher, Slayer, and villain turned good head off to the small infirmary Garrett set up in his mansion. "What happened down there?" Nightwing asked Batgirl as the headed back to her hotel. "You should have contacted us to help," Robin added. "I could handle her, as evidenced by her dustiness. I don't know your capabilities. I'm not prepared to risk you guys." "That's not your decision to make," Nightwing said. "Christine wouldn't have risked you guys." "She and Batman would have asked us to help." "Maybe that's why they died. They depend too much on help. A slayer needs to be independent of any and all help. A slayer needs to fight on her own and learn to be victorious." "That's stupid," Robin replied. "All of us working together helped this city. We stopped Ra's Al Ghul from destroying the town. If it were only one of us, Ra's, his daughter Talia, Poison Ivy and the Penguin would have won." The three kept traveling in silence. "You have a lot to learn about partnership," Nightwing said to Batgirl. "Sometimes the only way to win is to depend on others to put in one hundred percent." Nightwing headed off away from Robin and Batgirl. The two watched him as he swung away. Robin turned to Batgirl. "He's right. You do need to learn to depend on us. And I can see your side. Once you see what we can do, maybe you'll be more comfortable depending on us." Robin turned, shot a line in the opposite direction Nightwing went, and swung away. Batgirl watched him go. "I do have much to learn. I hope you guys can teach me." I awoke in the morning feeling arms around me. When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on Christian's chest. His arms were around me. It felt good to be in contact with someone, to be able to touch someone. I ran my hand over his chest. Leaning in, I heard and felt his heart beat against my head. Life was miraculous. Christian stirred and opened his eyes. "Sorry if I woke you," I said. "It's okay. It was a nice way to be woke up." He smiled at me and I smiled back. "I have a big day planned. But I'll be back tonight, okay?" "Sure," I replied. "If you want, I can bring up some food for you before I leave." "No. I'm going to venture out of the room today." Christian smiled again. I moved so he could get up. He went into the bathroom and I heard the water run. I got up and looked out the window. Fifteen minutes later, Christian came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. I noticed him through the partially open door. He was an amazing sight to behold. He continued on into the other room. I walked over to the mirror, looking at the bandages on my face. Slowly I unraveled the material until my face was exposed. My face was covered in scar tissue, deformed compared to Christian's facial features. Not a hair could be found on the top of my head, although some facial hair grew. My fingers moved to my cheeks and I outlined my features. I moved to my chin, my nose, my lips and eyes. I stared into my eyes looking for some kind of remembrance, something familiar that would spark a memory. The alarm turned on and a song was playing. It sounded awfully familiar. One of the lines went "The warmth of your smile, the heart of a child, that's deep inside, keeps me purified". Christian came in and quickly shut off the alarm. "Sorry about that," he said. He acted worried. "I should have turned that off as soon as I got up. I hope it didn't disturb you." "No, not at all. It sounded like something I've heard before." "Well I must be going." Christian didn't acknowledge that I might be remembering. "Take it easy. I'll see you tonight." "You, too." With that Christian left. Christian could not believe he was that careless. He should have been more careful with the radio. There was a good chance that song could spark Eric's memory and then he would be all alone again. It seemed Eric was developing feelings for Christian, at least as far as Christian could tell. And he didn't want to lose that. Christian's car headed down the road until he came to the abandoned mine. He parked the car, climbed out, and headed into the darkness with his flashlight in hand. Deeper and deeper he went until something tackled him. "Oh God! Macai! Help me!" The thing on top of him was hairy and smelly. He pushed as hard as he could to get it off of him. Then he heard Macai's commanding voice. "Enough! Release him!" The hairy creature climbed off Christian and Christian climbed to his feet. He shined the light on the beast and shuttered. He turned and found Macai looking at him. "What do you want, boy?" Macai asked. "I came to see if your plans are almost complete." "Why do you ask?" "Because I want my family back." "You will get your family when this island is mine." "I want to see them to make sure they are safe." Macai's lips curled into a smile. "You are in no position to demand anything. The only position you are in is to keep working on the Batman until you get laid. Keep him distracted any way you can. He will not defeat me again. "If he remembers, you can forget ever seeing your family alive again. You have your work and I have mine. Keep to yours." Christian stormed out of the cavern and back to his car. He slammed the door shut. "God, how did I get into this mess?" He started up the car and drove into town. Macai and the beast returned to the cavern. "What happened?" Shetar asked. "The human boy who is helping us was considering backing out of the plan." "Human boy? How do you get such creatures to be loyal?" "I have his family in my custody. Actually, had them in custody." "Had?" Puz asked. "They are no longer alive." The four creatures of evil smiled. "You've assembled us, Macai," Shetar said. "What is the next step?" "Rituals, Shetar. We have several rituals to perform to unleash the full power of Excalibur. Puz?" "Yes, my lord?" "What is it you need?" "We need to enter the Circle and perform the first ritual. It will empower the first stone with fire and the sword will begin its build up to full power." "Do you have all things you need?" "Yes, master." "Excellent." The whole day went rather easily for him. He and his fellow band members practiced a new number they were working on "Ghost of You and Me". It was coming along nicely. When they finished their practice, Christian climbed into the car and headed back to the house. To Be Continued...