Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2002 14:03:47 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Chronicles of a Real Dark Knight 19 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 19 Dispersed Jessica lay in bed crying until she fell asleep. When she did sleep, she tossed and turned. Her dreams were anything but peaceful. Over and over she saw Eric die in the explosion. Each time, she tried to get to him to help, but she couldn't do it. Every time he lay there, burned, asking her why she didn't believe him, why she believed him to be a murderer. She would try to say she no longer believed it, but he would die before she could. Jessica would see Christine getting run through. She would turn and make eye contact with Jessica, pleading for her life to be spared, to be saved the horror of death. There was nothing Jessica could do. Macai was always in the distance laughing, mocking the deaths of her comrades. Jessica woke up with a start. The sun shown in the room brightly, but the light seemed hollow. She stood and closed the blinds. Before she went to bed, she opened the blinds and looked at the skyline, hoping she would see the dark knight swinging up to her window. Eventually she cried herself to sleep. The morning sun seemed cold. She didn't want to see a new sunny day. Time was passing and she was further and further away from the moment of her friends' death. She looked over at the picture of Eric and Lance and tears came again. She went to the shower and cleaned up. Then she dressed and went downstairs. The Watchers' Castle was a place of silence today, a place of morning. No one wanted to speak. All were thinking of the fallen Slayer. Christine gave the ultimate sacrifice any Slayer could give: her life. Jessica poured herself a cup of tea and sat down in a chair, pulling her feet up. She sipped her tea not thinking about anything but the moments Christine and Eric died. It kept playing over and over in her mind. She couldn't get away from it. She would bear testimony to what the two had done for the good of mankind: they gave their lives. Serena came in with a cup of coffee and sat down in a chair opposite Jessica. "Hey," she said. "Hi," Jessica replied. "How did you sleep last night?" "Horribly." "Same here." Serena was quiet for a moment. "Have you seen Jayce yet?" "No. You?" "No. God, I wish these council members would talk to us. I wonder if they found anything." "I don't know." Jayce walked into the room. "Good morning, ladies. I hope you are well rested." "Hardly, Jayce," Serena replied. "Of course." "Have you guys found out anything?" Jessica asked. "No. Not yet. We are researching as much and as fast as we can. But so far we haven't found anything. Only time will give us what we need." The two Slayers remained silent. "As for you, the Council does not want you to go anywhere or contact anyone." "What?" Jessica asked. "Why not?" "We don't want the public to find out Macai killed a Slayer and a mutant. It would cause too much panic." "What about Lance?" Jessica asked. "He needs to know about Eric." "We will send someone to him." "No. He needs to be told by me. Damn it, I'm his friend." "If you want to be the one to tell him, then you will have to wait." "Damn it, Jayce! Lance needs to know right away! God, don't you realize that?!" "Jessica, I understand perfectly. But the Council has reasons not to let anyone go. You are needed here. We need to keep you here in case Macai surfaces. We can't allow you to go anywhere or to contact anyone. The Council's orders stand." Jayce turned and walked away leaving the two Slayers standing and awfully mad. Two months later, the end of April... Jessica and Serena are down in the gymnasium practicing fighting and acrobatics. "Macai has been awfully quiet since..." Jessica began. "Since he killed Christine and Eric." "Yeah. Why doesn't the Council do anything?" Jayce walked in with a forlorn countenance. "What is it, Jayce?" Jessica asked. "The Council has decided to pursue Macai no further. He has not appeared or done anything to indicate his plans. The Council believes all he wanted was Excalibur." "Why in the hell would an immortal demon want a sword?" Serena asked. "From what research we gathered, Excalibur was used to harm him in some way by King Arthur when he was release accidentally during Arthur's reign. His possession of the sword is possibly his revenge over some slight." "You mean we lost two of our friend because of a childish grudge he's held?" "It's possible." "And we've been here for two months training and working our asses off for a rematch only to find out we are not getting one?" Jessica said. That's bull!" "I'm sorry. I don't make Council decisions." "Are we free to go?" "Yes." "Good. I'm going after Macai." "No. You are forbidden to do so." "Don't tell me, Council's orders." "Yes." "Is Quentin in his office?" Jessica asked. "Yes." Jessica and Serena walked passed Jayce and out the door. He followed them knowing what may happen if they get their hands on Quentin. "Yes," Quentin said on the phone. A knock came at his door. "I'm busy at the moment." The door flew off its hinges and Jessica and Serena entered. "Can I call you back?" he said. Then he hung up the phone. "What can I do for you ladies? What could be so important that you knocked my door off the hinges?" "You are not sending us after Macai?" Serena asked. "No." "Why the hell not?" "We don't want him stirred up. He most likely is dormant now, the sword giving him some peace. We don't want to chance awakening him." "What about Christine and Eric's death? We need to avenge them. Their sacrifice should not be in vain," Jessica reasoned. "I understand your feelings on the matter. With Macai dormant, their sacrifice wasn't in vain. The case is closed. You are released to go back to your Watcher. Garrett has been doing all he can in Los Angeles, Jessica. The city needs its Slayer back. Go to your room and pack your things. "And Serena, don't come back to this country unless you are called by us, or you will be arrested. The Council is well aware of your activities in the United States. Next time you will be taken into custody. A cab will be here this evening to take you both back to the United States. Do I make myself clear, ladies?" "Yes," the two answered. "Excellent. You are dismissed." The two Slayers exited Quentin Travers office and went to their rooms. "I don't believe that guy," Serena said. "He is such an idiot. Everyone knows with us gone, Macai will resurface and terrorize." "It's possible," Jessica replied. "And it's also possible Quentin is right." "What?" "I'm serious, Serena. Demons don't think like humans. They act childish in many ways. They don't always reason the way we do. It's possible that the Council is right about Macai." "You mean you don't want to deal with this?" "I'm saying, Serena, that I have other things to deal with. Lance hasn't been told about what happened two months ago. He has been sending me letters asking about Eric. He says it's probably because Eric is so busy fighting the forces of darkness, but I sense the doubts. He needs to know. I need to be the one to tell him." "What about Macai?" "If he should resurface, the Council knows where to find me. Macai will get a fistful of Slayer, I can guarantee it." "How are you going to find Lance?" "The group is on tour. I can get a hold of Johnny and find out their schedule. Then get to where they will be and tell him. He's going to be crushed." Jessica did all she could to fight back the tears. "What are you going to do?" "I'm not sure. I've gotten a different perspective on life. Only time will tell." The two Slayers went to their rooms and packed their bags. They went downstairs at the appointed time, gave Jayce their goodbyes and climbed in the cab. As the cab drove past the cemetery, the two looked at the area reserved for Slayers. Their eyes settled on the recent one added, that of Christine's. "I'm going to enjoy leaving this place," Serena said. "Too many horrible memories." "I know what you mean," Jessica replied. She reached into her bag and pulled out the picture of Lance and Eric and looked at Eric's features, reminding herself of the friend she lost. To Be Continued... Should someone take Eric's place and become a new Batman? If so, who? Or should the mantel of the bat die with Eric? Email me your ideas. I'd love to read them.