Date: Sun, 6 May 2001 12:55:13 -0700 (PDT) From: Author James Subject: Tales of a Real Dark Knight Chapter 48 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!!! Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter you are commenting on. Thanks. jmsotc@yahoo.com Author's note: I'm going to start writing from other characters' point of view. It will help develop the story more and we will get to understand some of what the other characters are feeling. Chapter 48 Demonic Reckoning The Huntress went to the other side of the door as it opened. I relaxed as the Kailiff came in. "Where are your cell mates?" My consciousness stretched out and I pulled him toward me. The Huntress and Wolverine went out the door. "What's going on?" someone yelled from out in the hall. I heard the alarm sound. I had to help my friends escape. I threw the demon I was floating up against the wall. He lost consciousness. I then manipulated the atomic structure of the chains and snapped them. I went the opposite way my friends went. I had to cause a distraction so they could get away. And I had an idea. The Huntress and Wolverine ascended the stairs quickly and quietly. They heard the alarm sound and knew they would run into the Kailiff guards sooner or later. They hoped they would at least be ready for when that happened. "How did you meet up with that guy?" Wolverine asked. "Batman?" Wolverine nodded. "I met him at an NSYNC concert." "Why does that not surprise me?" "He was attending the concert when he saw me through a skylight. He didn't know if I was one of the good guys or bad guys. Why does that not surprise you?" "I met him at a concert they sang at, too." The Huntress smiled. "Don't even think it. I have no interest in their music. A friend and I were on business. It also happened to be the same night we found he was a mutant. Of course, he kept denying it like it was some sort of sickness to be worried about." "Think about where he's coming from." "What do you mean?" "Hold on. There's someone up ahead." The two hid in a room and listened to the voices down the hall. "You two go that way. We'll check this way. Maybe they haven't reached the first floor yet." "They are coming," Wolverine said. "Let them pass." Once the guards had passed, Wolverine and the Huntress were able to continue their escape. "What is it with you? You're just like Batman always wanting to hide." "We aren't like you. We can't take a beating like you and keep on ticking. Let me guess, that's your mutant ability. That and your claws." "Yeah, I can heal fast. But my claws are the product of human experimentation on me. They come in handy, though I wish I would have had an option to get these." "You were forced to have that surgery?" "Not forced to have surgery. Experimented on...by non-mutants, by those who fear us and our kind." "I'm sorry." "Don't be. They created me. They bear the responsibility of my anger." The two continued on until they find the floral room by which they entered. Wolverine climbs out. The Huntress climbs partially out before turning back. "Don't die, Batman. Please." Then she disappears into the night. I went into the swimming pool room and stood by the water. "Let's see how will they do with flooding in this house." I held my hands out and relaxed. I felt my consciousness stretch out and envelop the water. I felt myself becoming the water and rising up. The water shot up to the ceiling. It flowed into the vents and heater ducts. When the pool was empty, I went toward the other doorway. It led to a large set of stairs carpeted. It must have been the "proper" access to guests of the owner. The stairs led to a large landing that stretched up three more floors from the main one. Before lay a carpeted hallway, which I took. I came out to the living room we were in earlier. "Bravo," Lord Bortos said from above me. I turned to see him on the second floor. "You twisted demon." "Demon? Why of course I'm a demon! A very powerful demon who you have no hopes of stopping." "What makes you think I want to stop you? You put forth a very good point earlier. I agree with you to some extent. If those who are different had more positions of power, the world would be more tolerant and understanding." Lord Bortos smiled at me. "I had a feeling you would come around." "But that doesn't mean we would be accepted. It would only make a forced position. Forced positions have no true honor and respect. People are respected for their abilities and character, not how hard they push. In the end we would only look like spoiled children who throw fits when we don't get our way." The smile on Lord Bortos faded. I couldn't believe I was negotiating with a demon. I didn't trust him, as I don't trust any demons. In my eyes they are all evil. Lord Bortos was no exception. "You pitiful excuse for a human. You try to be demon with your very attire. You have no hope of grasping what I am attempting to do." "Maybe if you explained it to me." "You are going to die anyway. Why not? I'm only causing chaos with my petty thievery on government agencies. It's only a smoke screen. It's to keep you and the Slayer busy while my real plan is carried out." "And that would be?" "At each of the buildings, a symbol was placed, symbols that would..." Lord Bortos stopped. He looked down on me narrowly. "You're playing with me. You're playing with my mind." "And you thought I was pitiful." "Aaaah!" Lord Bortos threw forth a hand and a green ball of energy hit me throwing me through the window and onto his patio. The wind was knocked out of me by the impact as well as a great well of pain swelling in me. As I got to my feet I saw Bortos float down from the second floor. He landed and walked toward me. "How dare you? How dare you treat me as a common being? I am Bortos, lord of chaos. I am more powerful than you could ever imagine." Bortos raised his hand to attack. I began to pray. As I prayed, I felt a missing link between God and I. I knew then that my lack of time spent alone in God's presence was coming back to haunt me. Another energy bolt hit me and knocked me off the patio and down the brick stairwell into an English garden. I landed at the edge of the little pond. A statue rested in the middle with water gushing forth. I gained some composure and stood as Bortos came walking down the stairs. "Dear fool. Now do you understand the power I wield. Now you understand the folly of your thinking. Were you considering praying? I find it comical." "Why? That I pray?" "Yes. You take on the very likeness of a demon and yet you even consider the God of the universe would listen to your prayer. It's laughable." I looked around trying to find another way out besides past Bortos. This was Jessica's area of expertise, not mine. Give me a group of gangs or a super-criminal any day. Admittedly I did deal with demons in my late teens and early twenties. But it's been some time and I didn't have to deal with them as physically as I have since moving out to L.A. I found a brick archway with a metal gate that was shut. "It's locked, if that is what you are wondering," Bortos said. "There is no escape. Why not join me? You are powerful. I could teach you to channel it to a more productive outcome." "Not too long ago you called me pitiful. You said that I could not grasp the power you hold. Yet now you offer me assistance in using my power. Just like Satan himself, you are full of contradiction." "I was merely playing to your ego. You obviously can't see an opportunity when it falls in your lap." I moved my hands toward my back. I relaxed and my consciousness grabbed the water. "You look tired, Bortos. Perhaps you need a nice refreshing shower." The water flew over me and landed on Bortos drenching him in the water. I ran over to the gate and pulled on it. The lock was rusted shut. "You fool!" Bortos shouted as I turned to him. "You will die for this!" He held up a hand and another green energy bolt flew forth. I dropped to the ground as it hit the gate and blew it off its hinges. "Thanks," I replied and dove through the gate as another bolt flew over my head. I rolled up to a standing position and took off running. I didn't bother looking back. I didn't have time to consider any of that. I ran as hard as I had ever run before. When I felt I was safe, I stopped and turned to find no one following me. That was a comfort. That is until I saw the moon making its drop to the horizon. Dawn would be here soon and I was exhausted. I decided to get home. I arrived home with enough time to shower and get an hour or two of sleep. After work I went to school. Classes were kind of a blur to me. I was so tired I could barely pay attention. Once class was over I went outside and sat down in the open air. I needed something to revive me and I was not getting it. I was at the point of exhaustion where your eyes begin to hurt and itch. It must have been noticeable as Hailey came up to me. "Hey, Eric." "Hi, Hailey. How are you?" "As well as can be expected. It still hurts, you know?" "I know." Hailey sat down next to me. "Did you hear? The calling hours for Hunter will be tomorrow with the funeral following right after." Hailey turned away and looked down. "God that seems so hard to believe I'm saying. Hunter's funeral. Hunter's calling hours." "I know. I still can't believe it either." I had so much on my mind. I was trying to consider everyone who was affected by Hunter's death: Hailey, George, Alan, Nick, even Dr. Israel was affected by it. His work turned out to be a dud as far as curing goes, but it turned out to be perfect as far as killing. My head began to swim and I collapsed my face into my hands. Hailey's hands were on my back. She must have thought I collapsed because of Hunter's death. You don't know how often I wanted to. I've lost three friends in the last few days: Hunter to death, Brian to the side of evil, and Matt simply because my homosexuality was something he couldn't handle, as far as I knew. No one told me there would be this much loss when I grew up and moved out on my own. It's so unfair. I sat with Hailey for a few more minutes and then left heading for home. I had to get some sleep. I knew Jessica would be curious about me and I had to meet with her. Only she and Garrett could help stop Lord Bortos. I had to make sure I got enough sleep to face Hunter's funeral the next day. I arrived home and fell asleep on the couch. There I slept until about 11:00 at night, a good five hours rest, then showered. After suiting up, I went to Garrett's to find Jessica preparing to go out. "Hello." "Eric! Thank God!" The Huntress embraced me. "I was just getting ready to rescue you! What happened?" "Not too long after you got out, I got out. I found out Lord Bortos' plans. We need to talk." Once inside, Garrett had taken the Huntress and me to his study so I could reveal to them what Lord Bortos told me. "His crimes are only a cover up. He's planning something else," I said. "What?" asked Garrett. "That I didn't hear. But I do know that at each of the structures he's placed symbols that are part of a ritual he's planning to do Halloween night. As to what it is, again, I don't know." "Then we have to find out." "Relax Jessica. We will." Garrett turned to me. "And you're certain that's what he said?" "Yes." "Then we have some reconnaissance to do. Jessica, I would like you and Eric to go to the previous robberies and record the symbols. Note the location of them on a city map as well. With any luck we will be able to determine what Bortos is planning as well as come up with a way to stop it." "Gotcha," the Huntress replied. We stood up. "Be careful, both of you. If Bortos knows what you are up to, he may send out a squad of Kailiff or vampires to get you. Who knows how many exactly are in his number?" "We'll be careful." With that, we left. After several hours of grueling work, we were able to get all of the symbols down on a map of the city. We returned to the mansion. "Thank you," Garrett replied. "I will get to work on this right away." The Huntress and I left Garrett to his study. "So how are things?" the Huntress asked. "Fine. Why do you ask?" "Because I talked with Lance. He told me what happened at the hospital." "Yeah. I've got so much on my mind I don't know whether I'm coming or going. I don't know what day it is, what's going on, who my friends are, who's alive and who's dead. It's all very disorienting." "I'll bet. Just take it easy. I'm here if you want or need to talk. So is Lance. He wanted me to remind you of that." "Thanks." I left Garrett's and returned home. As I lay in the hot bubble bath I had time to reflect on what was to come. I had a sorcerer to stop, friendships to repair and a funeral in the morning. When does life slow down? To Be Continued... I know it's a bit smaller than normal. But this seemed like a good time to end it. Like I've said to many of you, this story has taken on a life of it's own. I'm just the guy pressing the keys for it! Ha, ha, ha! Wow, two more chapters will make the big fifty! I never thought it would go this long! It's hard to believe I've written so many chapters in such a short time! And it's even harder to believe that I have so many loyal readers! You guys are awesome! And I've only received one negative email! That's really awesome! I have some good stuff coming up in the next fifty chapters. Look for Josh to show up, Poison Ivy to show up, as well as some other Batman characters, and more mutants. That is unless you think the story is getting tired. Let me know!