Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 19:54:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Author James Subject: Trials of a Real Dark Knight 9 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. This story has taken on a life of its own. From its inception a year ago, I had only thought it would last ten chapters maximum. As you can see, it has grown tremendously. Mostly due to readers emailing me and telling me they've enjoyed it or have received help due to certain issues addressed. I've enjoyed writing this story but it would not have been written without men and women reading it and telling me they've enjoyed it. I do hope that you continue to enjoy each new chapter as our hero lives and grows. 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. Please note, my email address has changed. At the end of July, my previous email address will no longer be active. 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. Chapter 9 Appointment with a Friend Professor Xavier arrived to the California Institute he formed for "gifted youngsters", his catch phrase for mutants. When he arrived, the look on his face was pure gold. He was shocked that I was alive. A good shock, but a shock nonetheless. "Hello, Professor." "Eric, good to see you are alive." "It's good to be alive." "I brought someone anxious to see you ever since he found out you were alive and well." I looked in the doorway and there stood Joshua. My heart sank when I saw the look on his face. He seemed so relieved to see me. I felt such sorrow for what he went through, like a father does when his son has suffered. He ran over to me and we embraced. I pulled him close to my heart and held him. "I'm so sorry you went through this," I whispered. "I'm so sorry." "I'm glad to see you alive, Eric." We hugged for several moments until we pulled away from each other. Professor Xavier said, "We have more pressing matters to deal with, I assume, Eric. That is why you've come back from the dead." Professor X gave a slight smile with that comment. "I would be happy to tell you about all that transpired in England, if that is what you mean." Professor X smiled again. Joshua sat down and I sat in the chair and explained all that happened in England, from the first encounter with the Mad Hatter to the last. "An interesting chain of events," Professor X remarked. "Tell me, is your power as strong as it was before?" "No. After the second explosion, my mutant powers seemed to have reverted back to what they were before. It is like flexing a muscle. I can't hold it for too long." "Would it be possible to study your DNA? I would like to understand the biological and scientific aspects of what happened." "Of course, Professor." "What is the pressing issue that you wanted to see me about, Eric?" "I contacted Jessica when I arrived in L.A. and she let me borrow the tape that proves Batman killed Dr. Israel. After studying it, I discovered that it was Mystique who framed me." "What can I do to help?" Professor X asked. "I want to know where she is." "Hmmm," Professor X said in thought. "Sean, is Cerebro active?" "Of course, Professor. We keep Cerebro active all the time to detect new mutant signatures." "I'm going to use it to locate Mystique for our friend." Sean nodded. "Right this way." We got up and followed Sean into a small chamber. He threw a few switches and left with Joshua and I in tow. I watched Professor X place the helmet over his head as the door closed sealing him in. After a few moments, Professor X exited with a smile on his face. "You are in luck. She is in a nearby town called Sunnydale. It will take a few hours to get there. You are welcome to use one of the Institutes vehicles if you like." "Thanks, Professor. I have some things to clear up here, first, before I deal with Mystique. But I will deal with her." "Of course." I turned to Joshua. "It was good to see you. We will have to catch up some time." I hugged Joshua and then left. I didn't waste any time. I headed right over to Garrett's mansion to talk with Jessica. I had to tell her right away that I discovered who the culprit was. I even had the enhanced tape to show her. I ran the doorbell and waited a few moments. The door opened revealing Garrett. "Hi, Garrett." Garrett looked at me rather strangely. It must have been my facial features which confused him. I didn't look like I used to. "Garrett, its Eric. Is Jessica here?" "Why yes, of course. Come in." Garrett held the door open and I walked in. "Is there anything I can help you with?" "I need your TV and VCR to show this to her and you. I figured out who killed Dr. Israel." "Come with me." I followed Garrett into the library and he left to get Jessica. As I looked around the room, I realized I had only seen a small percentage of this house. The house was enormous. "This better be good," Jessica said to Garrett. "You know I don't like interruptions when I'm practicing. The Scarecrow is really," Jessica stopped in her tracks when she saw me. "Tough," she completed. "Did you find anything on the tape?" she asked. "I found quite a bit, actually. Well, not quite a bit, but I did find information to clear my name." "Let's see it." I handed the tape to Garrett and he popped it in the VCR. "This is enhancement using equipment from the campus. Brian helped me analyze the footage." Jessica looked at me and the video began. "If you look by the window, there is a piece of machinery. A glare from the light has caused a reflection outside the window. At first I wasn't sure what it could be, but when we color enhanced the footage and zoomed in, we saw a woman standing on the fire escape." Jessica and Garrett watched as the zoom moved in on the reflection and the picture focused. It was easy to see who was outside. As the screen focused on that image, we watched as Mystique changed shape into Batman. "Good," Jessica replied. "Garrett, copy that tape. I will take it to the police commissioner tonight." Garrett nodded and took the tape out of the VCR and downstairs. I looked at Jessica waiting for a reply, or a thank you, or something that would show she was relieved I cleared my name. It didn't come. "So, you are having trouble with someone?" I asked, figuring if I talked business she might actually say something to me. "Yeah. About a month ago someone called the Scarecrow was infecting people near the campus area with several forms of fear-inducing drugs. Whoever he is, he is tough. He's given Brian and I both the slip on several occasions. I was hoping to stop him tonight. The campus is having a Major's Night. It should be rather filled with students and prospective students from area high schools. The Scarecrow can't refuse it. I intend to be there in case he makes an appearance." "And I'll be there, too, if you want." "That would be good. I could always use your help. Besides, Brian won't be able to do much since he is manning one of the booths." "It would be an honor." "Tonight at nine o'clock. Meet me at the campus auditorium." "I will." I left the mansion feeling slightly better. Jessica at least wanted me to help her. That was a start. I couldn't figure out why she wasn't happy for me or could admit she was wrong. Not that I blamed her. There was sufficient evidence to believe it was I who killed Dr. Israel. I got back to the motel I had rented and rested up. Around six thirty, I changed into my Bat-suit and headed over to the campus. The sun was setting and students were flocking to the auditorium to check out what UCLA had to offer by way of majors. It was actually quite a rush to see students going with friends and parents walking with their child to the auditorium to meet what their child's potential future might entail. Hearing a sound behind me, I turned to see the Huntress standing behind me. "Hey," I greeted. "Hey," she answered. "Listen, I want to say I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I know I should have been more enthusiastic about the proof you brought me. You've made a willing effort to prove yourself to me even though it wasn't necessary and I didn't give you the credit." "It was necessary. I value our friendship, or the friendship we had before this started. It was nice working alongside you in England. It brought back so many good memories of us fighting alongside each other. I want it back." The Huntress nodded and smiled. "So do you accept my apology?" "Of course." I walked up to the Huntress and hugged her. It was good to have at least one relationship mended after the past few months. Heck, it was good to have one mended after the past few days. After losing Lance, my family and Matt, I had no one left but Jessica. Strike that. I had the X-MEN. And for that I will be grateful. We released our embrace and Jessica walked to the edge of the building. "We should go to the auditorium and wait for the Scarecrow to make an appearance." I nodded and followed her to the edge and down to the ground. We made our way across the campus grounds to the auditorium keeping to the shadows so we wouldn't be seen. Once at the auditorium, we both shot lines to the top and ascended to the roof. There were no skylights to look in, so we looked around for an access hatch from the roof. After we got in, we made our way around the upper level to the rafters and climbed out to the center above the people below. No one notices us since we stayed to the shadows. Plus, everyone was so occupied with their futures they didn't have time to acknowledge us. A good then when one is trying to stay hidden. As the students came and went, I looked around and found George and Hailey at a booth. They seemed to be a bit friendlier than usual. Perhaps they had gotten together while I was away. That would be nice. I noticed Brian over at the Computer Sciences booth discussing to a high school student and her parents the courses offered in the university. He seemed so grown up. He was thriving, ever since his mother was put in jail for terrorizing the college populace as Mrs. Freeze. A hissing noise slowly came to my attention. I looked around and saw a lightly-colored gas emanating from one of the vents. I motioned to the Huntress and pointed to the vent. She nodded and made her way over to the vent, after pulling on a clear gas mask that covered her entire face. Too bad I didn't have one. The Huntress reached up and messed with a large switch sealing up the vent. "Let's go get us a Scarecrow," the Huntress stated. Before we could get too far, however, the Scarecrow appeared down below. He obviously thought the gas was still pumping affecting his would-be victims. "Ladies and gentlemen," the Scarecrow exclaimed. "What is going on here?" The crowd turned to face the Scarecrow. Those closest to him backed away to give him whatever distance they could. "Why do you run around here looking for a career that interests you? Fear of being poor? Homeless? Not getting what you want out of life? Tell me, what is your deepest, darkest fear?" The Scarecrow pulled out a scythe and those who were close to him moved back even further. Several let out loud screams for fear of being harmed by him. I took the initiative and pulled out a bat. Aiming carefully, I threw it at his hand holding the scythe. The bat hit its target and he called out in pain while dropping the weapon. He looked around trying to find where it came from. I attached a rope to the rafters and dropped in between the bars. Once the rope pulled taught, my momentum swung me outward toward him. I released the rope and flew up kicking him in the chest and knocking him down. "The fear stops here, Scarecrow," I said. "Not hardly, Batman." The Scarecrow held up his hand and red gas came out of the finger tips. I held my breath so as not to breathe in whatever harmful gas it was. Although I was successful in not getting infected by the gas, it also served as a smoke screen for the Scarecrow to get away. I held up my hand and the gas instantly dissipated. The Scarecrow was gone. I looked up to the Huntress and found her gone as well. She was obviously on to the Scarecrow. All I could do was look for the way he exited the auditorium. The scythe was gone from the ground, but my bat remained. I picked it up and headed toward the back of the stage the Scarecrow appeared on and exited stage left. As I ran, I could hear the footsteps of the Huntress ahead of me. I pushed as hard as I could to catch up. Shortly, I saw the Huntress ahead of me. The Scarecrow was not far ahead of her. It would only be moments before she would reach him. The Scarecrow darted through a doorway followed by the Huntress. I neared the door and opened the door. The Huntress was lying on the ground. "Huntress! Are you okay?" I asked. As I stepped through the door, I heard the sound of something ripping through the air. I ducked just in time as the scythe went past my head and embedded into the door. I swung my fist up and caught the Scarecrow in the stomach. The impact knocked the wind out of him and he flew backward. Instead of focusing on him, I went over to the Huntress. "Are you okay?" I asked as I touched her. She had a pulse. I turned her over and noticed no physical wounds on her. She would be fine. I turned around as the Scarecrow came up and kicked me in the face. I fell backward and rolled off of the Huntress. "You couldn't stay away," he said twirling around his scythe. "You had to come back." "Do you realize I had waited for you to leave before I could begin my experiments? I knew if you were here, you would have stopped me. You always seem to get involved." "That's what happens when I have friends. They keep me informed of psychopaths." "A psychopath. Is that all you think I am?" "That's all that matters. You have inflicted harm on innocent people. For what reason?" "The thrill of fear. People have no idea what fear is. They are so arrogant and superior. They act as if the world is theirs. I will make them understand what fear is. It can cause the knees of the strongest men to buckle." "You are sick." The Scarecrow swung the handle of the scythe at my face. I rolled aside and stood as he swung it back at me. I ducked and the sharp end came flying my way. I turned to the side as it came down and embedded into the ground. Then, I swung my hand back and backhanded him. He fell backwards to the ground. I walked over to him and he kicked me in the stomach. I hunched over and he swung his leg up kicking me in the face. The Scarecrow then rolled over and got to his feet. He swung his leg around to kick me only this time I was ready for him. I ducked and his leg whizzed over my head. I stood up and swung my arm in an uppercut, connecting with the Scarecrow's face. He stumbled backwards into a tree. I approached him and spun around kicking him in the face. The Scarecrow fell to the ground and I positioned myself ready for another attack. The Scarecrow looked up at me and the look in his eyes bothered me. He looked scared himself. I walked over to him cautiously, looming over him like an angel of vengeance. "Please, Batman!" he begged. "Please! Stop! I...I give up!" "You give up?" "Yes! I beg you to show mercy!" "Mercy? How many begs of mercy did you hear from your victims? How many times did you look in their terrified eyes, like I'm looking into yours, and you turned a cold heart toward them? How many times?" The Scarecrow could not say anything in response to that. He probably steeled himself to their cries of terror. Or reveled in their fear, more like. I reached down and grabbed the Scarecrow by his shirt hefting him up to my face. "You enjoyed their terror. You gloried in it. How do you like terror when the roles are reversed? Not so comfortable on the receiving end, is it? You haven't seen true terror. You haven't looked in the face of true evil and felt your soul shutter within. Maybe that would be the thing to cure you." I saw blood soaking in where his mouth rested on the other side of the mask. Grasping his mask above his head, I jerked the brown material off to reveal... "Alan!" Brian exclaimed as he came out from a place of observance. Hailey and George came out when they saw Brian come out. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw me holding Alan by his shirt. Hailey's hand went up to her mouth and tears welled up in her eyes. I could hear her choking back a scream. Alan had been her trusted friend and he harmed her as the Scarecrow, inflicting her with his fear-inducing drugs. George looked upon Alan in disgust. "Behold the damage you have done," I said motioning back to his friends. "Why?" Hailey asked as she approached. George tried to hold her back not wanting her to be even more damaged by the truth, but she wouldn't have it. "Why did you do this? Why did you do this to me? I thought I was your friend." Alan's countenance changed. "You were never my friend, none of you were! I had so much pressure on me, so much fear of failing everyone's expectations! I was so afraid of the future! And none of you did anything to ease that fear! So I made those of you who should have helped me face your innermost fears! "At first I just wanted you to come to me or ask me about my fears! But after I saw the first affects of the chemical, I became intoxicated by the power I had to induce fear in others! I was like a god!" To Be Continued... Alan is the Scarecrow! This was something I had planned for a long time, ever since introducing Alan, actually. I wanted to work with a good guy gone bad. We had seen a bad guy become good with Brian, and we had seen the effects of when someone believed a good guy had become bad with the Huntress and Batman. What do you think of the way Eric is acting? The next chapter will reveal more.