Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2002 11:46:17 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Chronicles of a Real Dark Knight 17 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 17 Unraveling "Yes," Brian answered. "The sword exists. I obtained the sword long ago and swore to be its protector, as well as the protector of the throne of England. That is why it is in my possession." "Is it safe?" I asked. "Yes. We have an elaborate security system safeguarding the sword, as well as mystical barriers that cannot be breached by normal convention." "That would mean a witch or a wizard could get passed it." "Yes. But witches and wizards are few and far between. Their numbers are dwindling." "Says you," I replied. "I've had enough experience with demons and those who practice the dark arts to know the powers exists and can be taped in to by someone who knows what they are doing. Do you have anyone guarding the sword who could alert you to trouble?" "No." Quickly Brian pulled out his radio. "Kurt, get back to headquarters and check on the sword." "Aye, aye, captain," he replied. "I hope he finds it safe." "Me, too." The sound of tires squealing outside alerted everyone's attention. What sounded like gun shots were heard. Suddenly, a car came careening through the wall. People scattered everywhere. I grabbed Harry and jumped lifting us off the ground and away from the middle of the room. We landed and I tipped a table over. "Stay here, Harry." He nodded and I stepped out from the table's protection. Everyone was huddled in fear for his or her lives, everyone except Lord Fogg who was approaching the car. The door opened and a masked figure got out. He handed Marmaduke a cloth-wrapped package. Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth looked on in dismay. Slowly Marmaduke unraveled the cloth. In his hand was the sword Excalibur. "Fascinating," he said. "Simply fascinating." Brian turned to him. "That is not yours, Fogg." "On the contrary, possession is ownership, wouldn't you say? After all, you had it in your home and it belonged to our great queen and her son. Were you planning on taking the throne one day when your crusade against evil ended?" "Of course not. I'm sworn to protect the throne and those who occupy it." "I guess you are now sworn to protect me. I intend to take the throne." Marmaduke turned to face the Queen and her son, Prince Charles. "It appears as if the crown is changing heads. You cannot hold onto the throne now. Laws have existed far longer than any of our families. Laws which dictate possession of the sword means possession of the crown." He turned to the crowd, which looked up on him in fear. "Behold your new king, King Marmaduke Fogg." "I won't allow you to do this," Brian replied. "And do you plan to stop me?" "Yes," he said. "Excellent. I was hoping it wouldn't be too easy." Betsy, Peter and Meggan came from their positions to join Brian. "We will stop you," Brian said. "Ah, ah, ah," Fogg replied. "No cheating. One-on-one." The car doors opened and the men were wielding stun guns. Before anyone could respond they fired, hitting Betsy, Peter, and Meggan. "Now, we may begin." Marmaduke approached Brian. "Finally, I can openly challenge you." "Stop talking and fight, Fogg." "Certainly." Fogg swung Excalibur at Braddock. Braddock jumped back as the sword sliced through his suit, cutting his skin. "If I have to, I will take you a piece at a time." Fogg swung at Braddock again. Braddock rolled out of the way and stood up. He swung his leg out and kicked Fogg in the stomach. Fogg hunched over. Braddock laced his fingers together and brought his fists up, preparing for a blow to Fogg's back. Fogg brought up his elbow and hit Braddock in the stomach. Brian's arms came down to his stomach and he hunched a bit. Fogg brought his elbow up and hit Brian in the face. I looked around and found Jessica and Serena with William. Christine and Jayce as well as several other Watchers were near the throne in case Fogg or his goons tried anything. I held my ground by Harry, who stood up to watch the action. Fogg swung the sword at Braddock's head. Brian ducked as the sword flew past. He swung his fist up and hit Fogg in the stomach. Fogg hunched over. Brian punched Fogg in the back and pushed him to the ground. The sword fell out of Fogg's hand and slid across the floor. Brian went after it. A bolt of lightning came through the open hole in the wall and nearly hit Brian. He dropped to the ground at the last minute. "You'll not get the sword, Braddock. It does not belong to you! It belongs to me! I have waited my entire life for this moment and I will not let a sanctimonious commoner ruin it for me!" Fogg stood up enraged. Brian crawled towards the sword. Fogg held up his hand and it began to glow with electricity. "Look out!" Harry called to Brian. Brian rolled as a bolt of lightning flew at him. It hit the floor scorching it. Fogg turned to Harry and another bolt of lightning came from his hand. I dived at Harry and tackled him as the lightning hit the table and shattered it. In that moment, Brian was able to get a hold of Excalibur. He stood and turned to face Fogg. "Fogg! It's over!" he called. "No," Fogg whispered in contempt. "No! You cannot win!" Another bolt of lightning flew at Brian. Instead of dodging it, Braddock stood his ground. The lightning hit Excalibur, which absorbed the energy. "You cannot win, Fogg." Bolt after bolt of lightning flew. And bolt after bolt was absorbed by the sword. "It's over, Fogg. Admit defeat," Braddock said. "Never." Fogg shot out bolt after bolt at the room causing fires to burn. Then he lifted off the ground and floated out the hole in the wall. Brian headed after Fogg. "Brian! Wait!" I called. The car doors opened and the men aimed their guns. I manipulated the structure of two of the guns causing the barrels to melt. When the guns fired, they exploded. Brian jumped and dodged shot after shot. He approached the two gunmen and swung his sword, cutting the barrels off. He kicked out and knocked the two guys out, then resumed his course toward the hole in the wall. I manipulated the molecules of my tuxedo causing it to fall off me. I pulled my mask on. "I'll go after him. Your duty is to the throne. Stay and protect them." He nodded. I stepped out of the building and relaxed my mind. Slowly I lifted off into the air. As I got above the palace I saw the rest of the team Excalibur slowly stirring. The guards must have stunned them. I continued on my way seeing which direction Fogg was headed. Brian went to his sister. Slowly she stirred. He sat the sword down and held her hand. "Are you okay, sis?" "Never...better..." she replied with a slight smile. He smiled in return. Eeriness seemed to creep into the room. Christian became apprehensive, as he knew what was happening. Jessica and Serena got William and Harry over to their father and grandmother as a dark cloud flew into the room on a nonexistent breeze. To their horror it took shape into a rather large, grotesque creature. Brian did not notice as he was tending to his sister. The demon walked over to Brian, grabbed him by the back of the neck and threw him into the wall. He reached down and grabbed the sword. "So this is what the mutant was after. With this, he controls the throne? Interesting." The demon turned and looked at the group near the Queen and Prince. "Ah, the Watchers. I know of you. Let me guess. You three lovely ladies are Slayers." He grinned at them. "One of you will be dead before dawn." "I'd like to see you try it," Serena replied. "Oh, you will." He swung his hand at her and backhanded her. She went flying across the room. "Who are you?" Jayce asked. "I am Macai." "Who released you?" Macai smiled at him. "None of your concern. Now, I'm willing to let you ladies change into something a bit more freeing." "No need," Jessica said. She unzipped her dress and it fell to the ground revealing her costume. She had her boots on already which did not look out of place with her dress. She pulled her mask out from a pocket and placed it on her face. Christine followed suit, as well as Serena. Before Macai stood Huntress, Batgirl and Catwoman with weapons ready. "Excellent," he said with a grin. "I find this room too confining. Let's go outside." Macai jumped and landed outside. The three Slayers followed. I saw Fogg ahead of me. I was getting tired and I could not let him get away. I created a bolt of lightning and it hit him knocking him to a roof. I descended. He gathered his wits about him and stood. "Fogg," I said getting his attention. He turned. "Batman. I heard you were in London. What brings you?" "You." "Me? I'm honored." "You, among others. Glory hounds feeling the need to get revenge against an imagined slight." "Oh, I assure you it's not imagined on my part. I have had a great deal to live with due to the slight handed me by Elizabeth." "And what would that slight be?" "Who she married. She was supposed to marry me. I should have had the throne. But I didn't get it. She married another. Charles should have been my son. But he's not. Now they have a happy royal life and I am a second-class citizen." "I feel for you. I really do. But it was your own stupid fault to do what you did. Revenge isn't something you should hand out at your own whim. It's not for us to decide who gets punished. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about." "On the contrary, Batman, we are the perfect beings to hand out punishment. We are mutants, evolved. We are higher beings than common humans." "No. We are humans, too. We must ascribe to their rules. We should not force change. We must appeal to their reasoning factor." "Nice words. Too bad they are useless in this society." Fogg threw a ball of lightning at me. I jumped aside as it flew past my head. I created a ball of flame and hurled at him. He dodged it. The Huntress blocked a punch from Macai. Catwoman swung her leg up and kicked him in the stomach. Batgirl swung her leg at his leg and knocked it out from under him, causing him to fall on his back. The three women stood over him. Macai swung his legs up, kicking Huntress and Catwoman. He flipped up to face Batgirl. She swung a fist at him. He caught it and threw her upon the roof of a nearby building. He crouched then jumped up on the roof as well. Huntress and Catwoman looked at each other. Huntress jumped up to a pipe and pulled herself up. Catwoman pulled out her whip and used it to grab the top of the pipe. She climbed up the rope as well. "So nice of you to join us," Macai said as he swung his sword down on the pipe. The sword cut right through the steel and the two fell. Macai turned to Batgirl who stood her ground. "How noble of you. Futile, but noble." Macai swung his sword and Batgirl flipped backwards avoiding the blow. Lord Fogg swung a leg up. I blocked it and pushed it down, following through with a backhand. It connected and he spun. He returned the attack with a foot connecting with my stomach. He snap-kicked and hit me in the face. I fell backwards to the roof. He brought his foot up and brought it down hard towards my face. I grabbed it and spun his leg around. He lost his balance and stumbled away. I flipped up to face him. Catwoman jumped at Macai and kicked him in the back of the head. "Ah!" he screamed clutching the back of his head. "You bitch! That is going to cost you!" Catwoman ran and jumped to the next building. Macai followed her. Huntress looked over across the street and saw a familiar figure. I noticed Catwoman fighting a rather large, ugly demon. The Huntress looked at me and made eye contact. Batgirl stood up behind her. The two women went to the next roof to help Catwoman. I turned in time as Fogg's foot came at me. I ducked and brought a fist up, catching him in the stomach. He clutched himself. He turned away then lifted off the building floating over towards the next building. I ran and jumped tackling him. We landed on a large sphere held by scaffolding. A worn label said *Warning: Flammable Gas*. I pinned him down and held his hands to either side of his head. I was concentrating on Fogg, manipulating the molecules around him so he could not control the weather. "You're defeated, Fogg." Macai swung his sword around. The three Slayers all flipped away as the sword whizzed by them, nearly decapitating them. "Nice moves," he said. "Too bad you don't have any weapons." Catwoman pulled out her whip, Batgirl pulled out a dagger and Huntress pulled out her dagger. "Who says we don't have weapons?" Catwoman replied. "Very good," Macai responded. He swung Excalibur at Catwoman. She jumped back and lashed her whip at him. It wrapped around his wrist. With a great pull, he jerked her off her feet and into the wall. In a fluid motion, he swung his sword at the Huntress. She ducked and rolled forward. She thrust forward inserting her dagger into Macai's stomach. He backhanded her and she flew back. He grabbed the knife and pulled it out. They watched as his skin closed up. "You can't kill me. I am eternal." Batgirl took the initiative and ran at Macai. He seemed to sense her approaching and spun thrusting out his sword. She ran right into it, the sword going right through her stomach. "NO!" Huntress yelled out. Macai grabbed Batgirl's dagger and hurled it across the building striking the sphere containing gas. I heard Huntress scream and turned, hearing metal strike metal. I saw Batgirl with Excalibur going right through her. "No," I whispered. I watched as Macai pulled the sword out of Batgirl. Her body fell to the roof, dead. My concentration on Fogg was lifted. Lord Fogg manipulated lightning. I heard the sound of escaping gas and turned to see him smiling at me. "Goodbye, Batman." There was an explosion, intense heat, and then all went dark for me. An explosion resounded from across the street. Huntress turned to see a great ball of fire where Batman was. "God, no!" she screamed. Macai turned and looked at the Huntress and Catwoman. He smiled then disappeared from sight. The two Slayers looked at the body of their counterpart and the flames across the way that claimed their friend, the flames that claimed the life of Batman. To Be Continued... Batgirl and Batman dead! The demon Macai took on three Slayers and killed one. And he cannot be killed. What will the Watchers' Council do? How will they fight this evil? And what about Lance? What is he going to do now that the love of his life, his soul mate, is gone?