Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 07:41:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>
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...