Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 09:34:07 -0800 (PST) From: Author James Subject: Judgments of a Real Dark Knight 43 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. 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. The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe created by George Lucas. Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and Lucas Books/Ballantine Books. I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered. 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. authorjames2002@yahoo.com I also have several online messenger services. If you want to chat with me in real time, email me and tell me the services you use and I will tell you my screen name. Other stories in this universe written by other authors: "Tales of a Superhero Band" "Tales of the New Phoenix" "Tales of a Young Mutant" Chapter 43 Tricky Treats Halloween came and Lance was invited to a celebrity party extravaganza thingy, and, guess what? We were going. The annual Halloween party was a themed party and we had to wear costumes that reflected that theme. This year the theme was Greek mythology. It was difficult to figure out what to dress up as, considering there were so many characters in Greek mythology. "I found one for you," I called to him from the computer one evening. "What about Dionysus? He's the god of fertility and wine and patron of the arts." "We haven't been very fertile in our exploits," Lance joked as he folded and put laundry away. "No, but we keep trying. Isn't that enough?" We both laughed. "Besides, you've acted, you sing, those are artsy." "Sure," he finally replied. "Boy, that is a picture," I said looking at him and back at the screen. "What?" he said putting a shirt away and coming over to the screen. "You in a toga," I said with a smile. "We can't all wear togas. We have to come up with an actual design." "Too bad," I said. "All your flesh hanging out is getting me all hot and bothered." Lance laughed and gave me a squeeze. "This site has some pictures. Maybe we could come up with a design for you." "Here's one for you," Lance said looking over my shoulder. He pointed out the name Nemesis, which means "righteous anger, due enactment, or divine vengeance." I stood up so he could sit down and look through the site. "It fits perfectly because Nemesis is the god that avenged those who were wronged." I went over and picked up where Lance left off with the laundry. "I don't know about that. It might clue people into something that I would rather they steer clear of." "But with your activism, it could also be thought of as true." After a moment he added, "uh, oh." "Uh, oh, what?" "It says here the Nemesis was a goddess." "I could be a goddess," I said putting one hand on my hip and throwing the other in the air as if I were posing for Vogue. Lance laughed and then cleared his throat. "I think your hair would give it away. Or lack of hair." "Hey!" I was only faking seriousness. "But I love you just the same!" Lance begged acting as if he had committed a heinous crime and begged forgiveness. "Whatever." I turned and walked away swaying my hips and throwing my nose in the air. Then I turned back and laughed. Lance was on the floor rolling around laughing. I took advantage and climbed on top of him pinning him down and tickling him. "Don't tickle me," he said between gasps. I laughed and finally climbed off. He gasped hard catching his breath, and then slowly, he got up and sat back in the chair. As I folded the laundry the room remained in silence, with the exception of some typing and clicking Lance did on the computer. The typing suddenly stopped and Lance said, "How about this one?" "What?" I walked over and looked over his shoulder. "Atlas," he replied. "Why him?" "There are times, Eric, it seems like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You try so hard to make things right. And some of those times don't even concern you. You selflessly give." I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed tight. "I couldn't do what I do without you." "Now we have to get costumes," he said. October 31st came and I breathed a sigh of relief. The streets had been quiet with the exception of a few muggers, some bank robbers, and the occasional vampire. There wasn't a sign of the Joker or Catman. That gave me concern as, when Lance and I returned, the Joker had stolen several vats of chemicals from nearby chemical plants. I had Oracle cross-checking General Rekoj's chemical knowledge and experiments with a list of the chemicals stolen. So far, nothing had come up. It was weird patrolling without Nightwing. I had grown fond of working with him. He seemed like a very sincere and capable young man who would do very well in life. I had missed him since his departure for New York with Arsenal. Robin seemed to have the most difficulty with it. He felt as if he had lost his best friend, and in a sense he did. He and Nightwing showed up around the same time. They went through the Vampire War together, and they were close to the same age. He took it rather hard when Nightwing left, although he understood it. Batgirl didn't have a problem with it. She had said she would miss him, certainly. But being a Vampire Slayer, she knew that nothing ever stayed the same. She pointed out Christine dying as a case in point. No one could predict when life would change dramatically and unalterably. We arrived at the masquerade party and entered. There were hundreds of people that I recognized from the movie industry as well as from the music industry. Eminem, 50 cent, Ashanti, Pink, Jennifer Garner, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Michelle Brand, and many, many more. Even the casts of several television shows were there, including Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, and Danny Masterson. Several of the really buff, tall, and good-looking guys dressed as Hercules, and they were in competition to find out from everyone who made the best Hercules. Needless to say it was difficult to decide. Ashton Kutcher had the long hair and the Greek chin that made him fit. Sean William Scott also looked the part. Lance and I just shrugged and moved on. The music was great, the food was good, and the conversations went well. Leonardo DiCapro had approached me and we talked for a while of my plans for the youth center. "What are you going to call it?" he asked. "The Hunter Center," I answered. "I had a friend commit suicide because he thought being gay was wrong. He went to a psychologist who tried to cure him. Hunter couldn't take it any more so he killed himself." "I'm sorry to hear that." "Thanks. I'm doing okay with it. It was a year ago that it happened. It's my hope this center will prevent others from doing the same thing." "I wish you luck with it. Let me know if there is anything I can do. I believe whole-heartedly in what you are doing." "Thanks," I said shaking his hand. "What were you two talking about?" Lance asked as he came up from behind. "The Center," I said. "I told him about Hunter and the purpose of the Center. He offered to help if there is anything I need." Lance smiled. "That's nice of him." "Ladies and gentlemen, gods of all Greekdom! It is time for some merry making from our very own Pan!" The lights dimmed and someone came out on the stage playing a flute and dancing merrily. The people around him clapped as this person got into the part. "And here come Pan's Nymphs!" Two young women came out playing instruments as well. "They're pretty good," Lance said. Pan made his way over to us and I noticed something wrong, horribly, terribly wrong. Pan had white skin and green hair. "Hello, Dionysus," Pan said as he grabbed Lance by the arm. "Come with me. After all, we belong together." Lance just chuckled and followed along. I tried to go after Pan, as I recognized him to be the Joker, but the crowd moved around me keeping me from him. Someone screamed and all eyes turned to see a dark-haired man kissing someone on the neck. The man stood behind the young woman. He looked up and smiled. Then he picked up the girl. "She is merely asleep," the man said as he carried her toward a door. "I am Thanatos, the personification of death. And my death is gentle." Everyone clapped at these actors portraying Greek characters, everyone except me. I had my lover to find. The Joker had him and I wasn't about to let him get away. Unfortunately, I did not have my costume with me. I didn't have time to get it, though. I didn't trust that madman to touch Lance for a second, let alone drag him away. I moved my way through the crowd trying to be polite. "Excuse me," I would say as I placed my hands on people and gently nudged them aside. I tripped over someone's foot and fell. Beside my head were two feet. When I looked up, I could see right up Ashton Kutcher's toga. 'My god, he's big!' I thought as I saw his cock and balls hanging loosely underneath his toga. "Are you okay?" he asked as he knelt down and helped me up. "I'm fine," I replied. "Did you see where Pan took Lance?" "Through there," he said pointing to a nearby door. "Thanks," I said. I was over at the door quickly and pushed on it hoping to open it. It was locked from the other side. Holding my hand up to the door, I attempted to unlock it. 'Stay calm, Eric. It won't do any good to you if the door blows off the hinges.' Concentrating as hard as I could, I was able to unlock the door and pass through. When I closed the door, I breathed a sigh of relief. Then I picked a direction and went. Pan appeared at the back of the room with Lance. "Where's your little Atlas?" Pan asked. "Probably looking for me." "Oh, good. Hopefully Batfink will realize I'm here and will come." "Is that why you took me? To lure Batman out?" "Getting Batman to come out is why I'm here. Picking you was obvious, Mister Di." I worked my way behind the stage toward the other side. 'They had to have come this way,' I thought to myself. I stopped when I heard a muffled cry and, slowly, peeked my head around the corner. Thanatos stood with his lips on some young man's neck. After closer examination, I realized that the 'kiss of death' he was giving was a literal kiss. He was a vampire. A broom rested against the wall so I grabbed it and snapped off the brush end. Then I turned the corner. "Leave him alone, Thanatos." Slowly the vampire looked up at me and smiled. "This is a first," he stated. "A non-costumed mortal dares challenge me. This should be easy." 'Non-costumed mortal?' I thought. 'He must be Catman.' "I've had to deal with vampires before," I said as I spun the broom handle around. "I can take care of myself." Thanatos let the body of the young server fall to the floor. He looked at me and started walking. When our eyes locked, I lost control of my body. I could not move no matter how much I tried. The vampire circled me and smiled. "You are here to do what? Find your husband," he answered before I could say anything. In fact I couldn't say anything at all. The answers he was getting were directly from my mind. He could read exactly who I was. "You are searching for you husband, taken by...the Joker. Now, how do you expect to beat a trained Russian General?" The vampire's footsteps stopped. "Aha! You're Batman." To Be Continued... Lance being held by the Joker. Eric under the mind control of Catman. And now Catman knows that Eric and Batman are one in the same. What will happen next?