Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 15:41:49 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Chronicles of a Real Dark Knight 16 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 16 Royal Ball "Damn him!" the demon Macai said storming through Christian's apartment. "He was able to resist my influence last night. Damn, damn, damn!" "How was he able to do that?" Christian asked. "He..." Macai began but stopped himself. "Don't try it, boy. I'm not stupid." "I was just wondering if you knew what he did to stop it. That's all." "You were going to use it to stop me from influencing you. Don't lie to me!" Macai swung his hand back and the back of it collided with Christian's face. Christian flew across the room and landed on a table. "I am not stupid! You pathetic humans feel you are smarter than me! You cannot outsmart me!" Christian stood up and wiped the blood from his lip. He looked upon Macai narrowly. "If you didn't have my family," he thought, "I wouldn't be afraid to resist you. But I can't do a blessed thing to stop you." "Soon, Mr. McCoy. Soon you will be irrelevant." An hour later William came out of the exercise room showered and cleaned up. "Hello, Eric," he said. "Good afternoon, William. How has your day been?" "Pretty good. We are planning a ball for the end of the week. It should be fun." The rest of the week went by uneventful. No one had any more dreams concerning the counts of hell. And I did not have any more erotic dreams concerning Prince William. Preparations were made for the ball and all was on schedule. The most influential families were invited to attend and most had responded in the positive. The night of the ball came and I was given a tuxedo to wear. In order to keep things secure, I dressed with William in his room. I put my Bat-suit on first and then the tuxedo. He tied my bow tie for me, as I had no idea how to do so. "Do you suspect trouble tonight?" William asked. "It's a possibility." "Why would anyone want to ruin someone's good time?" "Just for that purpose. With a party like this, every influential person will be here. In an attack, the country could be held hostage by having those in power under control. "Also, if someone wanted to make an example of your family, they would be able to do so easily tonight. They would threaten other families by attacking you and also proving that no one is safe." "Scary. It's sad the amount of hatred in this world." "It is scary." My mind went back to Lance and the X-MEN. I wondered how they were fairing with the Friends of Humanity threatening mutants. Was Joshua doing okay? How were things between him and his father? I hoped all was well back home. I pulled on my shoes and tied them as William did the same. We went to the door and he held up his arm for me to take. "I'm not your date tonight, William. I'm here to protect you, remember?" "One can only hope," he replied with that capturing grin. Then we were on our way down to the ballroom. The group known as Excalibur was invited to the party as well. In order to maintain a low level of suspicion, however, Brian and his sister Betsy, Meggan and Peter attended. Nightcrawler and the others stayed outside to keep a watch. Jessica, Christine, Serena and I stayed on the inside and took up positions where we could keep an eye on both Princes. We dressed for the ball so as not to cause suspicion. Two-by-two the guests arrived. Some had three members; some only one person came to the party. The younger members gathered with William or Harry depending on their ages. The heads of the families greeted Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth. Ieven saw Christian from BBMak at the party. Jayce attended the party as well as, along with several Watchers. It always came in handy to have many eyes just to watch for signs of trouble. As the evening wore on, someone else arrived, someone who surprised us by his presence: Lord Marmaduke Fogg. He approached the Queen and kissed her hand. "Your Highness. It is good to see you in such fine health." "Thank you, Lord Fogg. It is good to see you, as well." "Your Majesty," he said bowing to Prince Charles. "Lord Fogg," he returned the bow. "Splendid affair you are throwing. I've heard of some of your troubles." "You've heard?" Prince Charles said with concern. "Oh, several families of prominence have discussed it. We are all concerned for your family. We don't want anything to happen to the royal family." "We appreciate your concern," Queen Elizabeth replied. "However we are in capable hands." "That is good to hear. However, if you should need any further assistance, please, feel free to call me." "Thank you, Lord Fogg," Prince Charles replied. "We will keep it in mind." Lord Fogg bowed to the royal family and entered the crowd mixing and mingling. "Eric," William said as he approached me. "Hello, William," I replied. "I couldn't help but notice you've been avoiding eye contact with me. Have I done something to offend you?" "Not in the slightest, William." "Then what is wrong?" "Nothing that should concern you," I said. "Probably just homesickness." William smiled a smile of relief. Two young men came up behind him. "Oh, Eric, this is Gavin and Jacob. They are my classmates from Eton." "Hello," I replied taking Gavin's hand. Gavin was a young man with a large build, wavy light brown hair and brown eyes. His smile was calming. "Pleasure to meet you," Gavin said. "Mine as well." Jacob took my hand. "Nice to meet you, Eric," he greeted. Jacob had coal black hair and dark skin, the color of cappuccino, and dark eyes the color of chocolate. His smile was warm and welcoming. "Nice to meet you, too, Jacob." "This is a great party," Gavin said. "When are you going to have one just for your college friends?" "I don't know, Gavin. Things have been rather difficult around here as of late." "Really? How so?" asked Jacob. I gave William a look that convened my thoughts. We do not need to give this information to others. "Family issues and such. You know how family can be. Everything is a life or death situation. There is always some type of drama going on." "Look. There's Marmaduke Fogg," Jacob pointed out. I turned and saw him talking with a husband and wife. They smiled and talked. I noticed Fogg turn and see Brian. He gave him a smile of victory. He knew Brian was Captain Britain, leader of Excalibur. His look was one of contempt. Who knew what Fogg was thinking? Across town at the Excalibur headquarters two cars pulled up out front. The doors opened up and four men climbed out of each car, making a total of eight masked men. Four aimed grappling guns and shot them to the roof. All climbed up the ropes. When they got to windows on the second floor, they pulled out hammers and smashed them in. "Be careful. There is hi-tech security," one said. "Don't worry. The master said he would take care of it." Lord Fogg dismissed himself from the group he was conversing with. He went over to a corner and slinked back into the shadows. No one noticed him as his mutant power went into effect. No one noticed his eyes blazing white with electricity surging from the corners. Back at Excalibur headquarters the lights went off. "Power is out. Let's go." The intruders climbed in the windows and scurried down the hallway. "Schematics say it's down here." They descended the stairs to the first floor. One pulled out a map and they located the object of their attack. Breaking off into smaller groups they headed towards their objective. "Hello, young Harry," Lord Fogg said as he approached the Prince. "Lord Fogg." "Have you ever heard the story of Excalibur, the famous sword pulled from the stone?" "Who hasn't?" "Tell me, do you believe it exists?" "It's possible. No one has found it as of yet." "If it did exist, what would that mean of the one to possess it?" "The person to possess the sword would be the ruler of England." "That is correct, young Harry. What if I told you I knew who had possession of the sword?" Harry looked on Lord Fogg narrowly. "I don't believe you." "Ah, youth is normally in a state of belief. You seek proof. That is wise of you. I can guarantee you that the sword will be in my possession before the night is over. And I will be the ruler of all of England." Harry rolled his eyes and walked away. Lord Fogg just smiled at him. The masked intruders made their way to the small room. Two went through the ventilation shafts. Two went the more conventional route through the hallways and doors. This was a way of guarantee that at least one group would make it out with the sword. All four groups converged on the small room. Opening their accesses to the room they beheld the pedestal with the glass case. Standing hilt up, point down was the famous Sword in the Stone, the sword of King Arthur, the sword known throughout the world as Excalibur. The men paused for a moment to admire its beauty and majesty. Then they went to work. One pulled out his glass cutting equipment and went to work on the casing. A shock came back at him. "It still has its defenses up," he cried. "Impossible. Lord Fogg deactivated the electricity. There should be no current running through here." "Perhaps its been bewitched." "A spell?" one asked. "Only one way to find out. Stand back." The one who spoke last opened his bag. In it was a rug with a pentagram on it. He unrolled it on the floor and knelt. He pulled out five candles and placed on the five points. Bringing out strange incense, colored powders and a bowl he began chanting. Within moments strange flashing lights appeared swirling around him. His chanting became louder, more intense and the lights swirled faster around him, becoming brighter. As he ended his chanting, the lights flew from him to the glass. Sparks flew, colors crashed into colors and the glass shattered. One walked up to the sword and grabbed the hilt. The magician placed his things back into his bag and they exited the front door. Harry approached me looking rather disturbed. "Something wrong, Harry?" "I just finished talking with Lord Fogg. He said that the sword Excalibur exists and he would have it soon." "What?" "He said he was going to own Excalibur. Does the sword exist? If so, my father and grandmother could lose the thrown." "Come with me, Harry." We walked over to Brian Braddock and Harry relayed the message Fogg gave him. "Why is your group named Excalibur, Brian?" I asked. "Because, Eric. We have the sword in our possession." "What?" I said. "The sword exists?" Harry asked with widened eyes. "Yes," Brian answered. "The sword exists." To Be Continued... Lord Marmaduke obtaining the sword Excalibur! That means he would have the thrown! He would be the ruler of England! What would happen to the current family? What would that mean for the country? Keep reading! More to come! If you would like to read another story dealing with the Friends of Humanity, be sure to read "The Punisher" found in the Celebrity section of the nifty archive.