Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 19:00:36 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Judgments of a Real Dark Knight 7 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. 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. The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe created by George Lucas. Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and Lucas Books/Ballantine Books. I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered. I have received many emails from people who have enjoyed it and some from those who do not. I would enjoy hearing from you. Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on. Thanks. authorjames2002@yahoo.com I also have several online messenger services. If you want to chat with me in real time, email me and tell me the services you use and I will tell you my screen name. Other stories in this universe written by other authors: "Tales of a Superhero Band" "Tales of the New Phoenix" Chapter 7 Where to First? We spread out through the city grouping off to have help. I felt a desperate need to slay a vampire, as did all my other friends and colleagues. We had been idle for too long and the feelings of uselessness crept into our bodies. Huntress, Blade, Punisher and I went one direction and Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin and Freeze went another. Scott and Northstar went back to the house to get the latest from the X-MEN and instructions on where to go to next. "How long have you been doing this?" Blade asked Huntress. "Ever since I was fifteen, about seven years. You?" "Ever since I was a teenager, too. I had realized I had this desire, the thirst as I call it, for blood. It took me a while but I discovered what I was, part vampire. My mother was bit while I was being born. The vampire transferred his strengths to me, and none of his weaknesses, except the thirst." "Hence why you can go out in the daylight." "That's right," Blade replied. "The vampires species I come from call me the Daywalker." "Very cool. I'm glad you are helping us. We can use all the help we can get." Punisher moved ahead of us and entered a convenience store. "What's he doing?" Huntress asked. "Getting snacks?" "Let's wait and see." Blade walked to the window and looked in. Huntress and I stayed back since our garb was rather conspicuous. A few moments later, Punisher flew out the window. He rolled in the street and stood up pulling out his pistols. "What the..." I muttered. Blade pulled his sword out and readied himself. Suddenly the door and glass window were flooded with vampires coming out of the store. There must have been at least two species. I immediately recognized the species without souls, the ones with the yellow eyes and large brows. The other looked normal except for the pointy teeth. "I've heard of that species," Huntress said. "I've only ever fought one or two. They keep themselves hidden." The Slayer pulled out a silver stake. If I were a straight man, I think this scene would have been very arousing. I smirked at what Blade would be thinking had he been an outsider looking in. He might have been aroused. But since he was part of the action, this was going to be an all-out brawl. Blade swung his sword around several times as the vampires came flooding out. To my surprise, the arms of the unfamiliar vampire species burst into flame as the silver sword amputated. They seemed to turn into ash almost immediately. The rest of the vampires' bodies were intact, though. Huntress ran up and staked a vampire in the heart. It screwed as it burst into flame. The Slayer reached down and pulled out a wooden stake as silver would have no affect on the demonic, soulless vampires we so often came up against. Punisher started shooting at the vampires with his pistol. Some burst into flames as the bullets were silver while others fell down screaming at the pain of being shot. I had to laugh at this visual. He wasted no time in pulling out a wooden stake and going at the vampires that were not destroyed by the bullets. I finally decided to jump in. I couldn't let the others have all the fun. I ran toward a vampire that wasn't aware of me. As I neared, the demon's fist came backwards and hit me full force. I flew backwards and landed on the ground. The vampire turned and looked down on me narrowly. It snarled and leapt on top of me grabbing my wrists and pinning my hands down. The vampire leaned in to bite me when suddenly I caused its hands to burst into flames. Since my hands were free now, I hit the vampire in the chest and knocked it off me. Then, I flipped up to my feet and staked it. Another came running past me and I spun around kicking it in the throat, knocking it to the ground. I did a cartwheel only using the stake in the vampire's chest to flip over. It turned to dust as I landed on my feet. Across town, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin and Mr. Freeze were chasing after a band of vampires. Nightwing, Robin and Mr. Freeze were having a hard time keeping up to the vampiric and Slayer speeds. "I'll slow them down," Freeze stated. He held up his arm and shot an ice beam at the ground ahead of the vampires. They slipped and fell on the patch of us enabling the three humans to catch up. Batgirl couldn't help but laugh, as would anyone who saw. Batgirl pulled out a bat and hurled it at one of the vampires. It imbedded into the demon's chest and it turned to dust. The three young men looked at her. "It is made out of wood," she replied. The men nodded and then turned to face the demons. This time, however, they were not running. Batgirl slaying the vampire was enough to piss them off. Everyone noticed that some of the vampires appeared normal, with the exception of vampire fangs. Robin and Nightwing both pulled out silver birds and threw them at the vampires. They sliced through several of the vampires' necks causing some to catch fire and others to turn to dust. Either way, they were slain. Mr. Freeze froze one of the vampire's, walked up to it and punched it full force in the head. The head fell off and the body turned to dust inside the ice casing. He spun around and kicked the remaining ice shattering it. Robin pulled out what looked like fishing line. He ran at a vampire and jumped over it wrapping the silver line around the vampire's neck. It screeched and howled as the silver cut into its throat. Robin pulled as hard as he could. Thanks to the supernatural effects of the silver cord, he was able to cut through the vampire's neck and it turned to dust. Batgirl spun around and kicked a vampire. It spun and fell to the ground. As it climbed up on its hands and knees, the Slayer rolled over its back and kicked another in the face. She spun around and kicked the vampire's arm out from under it and its face hit the concrete. Robin was being chased by a vampire. He noticed the vampire down on its face with its backside in the air and he had an idea. The Boy Wonder ran toward it with a vampire close behind. When he got to the downed vampire, he stepped on the vampire's head and ran up its back. When the youth reached the vampire's bottom, he kicked off and flipped over the vampire chasing him. The downed vampire brought its head up and hit the pursuing vampire between the legs. The chasing vampire clutched itself and called out in pain. Robin jabbed a stake in the pursuing vampire's back. As it turned to dust, he jabbed the downed vampire in the back staking it as well. Nightwing ran toward a lamppost at full force being chased by two vampires. When he reached the metal pole, he jumped and pushed down the wooden stake strapped to his boots causing the wooden point to protrude past the bottom of his boot. Nightwing grabbed the lamppost and spun around. He kicked the vampire in the chest and the stake entered its heart. It turned to dust and its fellow vampire fell forward into the stake as well. Batgirl flipped backwards out of the vampire's grasp. As it continued toward her, she flipped backwards again and perched herself on top a mailbox. The vampire dove at her and she leapt over the vampire, rolling on the ground. As she came up to her feet, she turned sideways and kicked the vampire as it turned around. It fell backwards into the mailbox and she pinned the demon with her foot. "You can't beat us all, Slayer," it muttered. "Who is the one leading you?" "You can't even begin to imagine the power behind it." "Oh really? My first outing here in Orlando brought me face-to-face with a vampire queen. Do you know what happened to her? Let's just say a Dust buster would have no problem sucking up that bitch. "I've dealt with demons and vampires before. I can deal with your boss. That is as soon as you tell me." "The vampire commanding us has great, great power. He is ancient, thousands of years old." Batgirl put pressure on the vampire's windpipe. It wouldn't keep him from breathing, as vampires don't breathe. But it would hurt like hell. "I want a name." "The name is Kane." Batgirl turned to the origin of the voice. Nightwing, Robin and Mr. Freeze followed suit. Standing across the street was a young man of Asian descent wearing red flowing robes. "Who's the dude in the pajamas?" Robin asked. "Sh," Nightwing replied. "I think that's Kane. He's the big boss running the vampire gang here in Orlando." "He doesn't look so tough," Mr. Freeze said taking aim with his arm. Batgirl released the pressure on the vampire then swung her leg at its face. It fell to the ground. She staked it before it could recover and turned to the newcomer. "Kane," she said as she stepped into the street. "Let me guess, that's you?" "Yes, my name is Kane." "And you are the vampire leading this gang?" "Of course." "Hmm," the Slayer said looking over the vampire. "No large brow ridge, no yellow eyes, very pale and, do you have pointy teeth?" Kane opened his mouth to reveal his fangs. Batgirl nodded. "Are you one of those human-like vampires?" "I am." "So you still have your soul?" "I do." "Then why in the hell do you want to help conquer humanity?" "Because I have power and should be granted status with that power." "Why you?" Robin said jumping from his perch onto the ground. Kane looked upon the boy. "What do you mean?" "Why should you be given the status of conqueror because you have power? Just because someone has power doesn't mean they have the brains to run a world." "Don't piss him off," Nightwing whispered. "Good advice," Kane responded. When Nightwing and Robin both looked at him in surprise, the vampire pointed to his ears. "I have preternatural hearing. And to answer you, I do have the brains to run a country. And I have the reason to do so. Your country, your people, humanity in general has not walked worthy of governing power. They treat those different as insignificant. White man has done a horrible indignity to those of other colors." "Ain't that the truth," Robin replied. "Therefore, none of you are safe to rule yourselves." "What?" Mr. Freeze said. "All are contaminated by the horrors of White men. No one is worthy to rule as all have been treated unfairly. Once someone from African, Asian, Latin, or Indian descent were to be in control, laws would be passed elevating their ethnicity while diminishing Caucasian. It would be a vicious cycle that needs to be corrected. I will make that correction in this country." "Like hell you will," Mr. Freeze replied. Mr. Freeze fired a beam of ice at Kane encasing the vampire in ice. The ice cracked and then shattered a few seconds later. Kane looked at Mr. Freeze. "You like to freeze things, boy. What would happen if I were to boil your blood?" Mr. Freeze clutched at his suit as he became hotter and hotter. "Stop!" Robin said running over to Freeze to help get his helmet off. "You're going to kill him!" "I thought you agreed with me on how White men have treated those of different skin color. His kind has enslaved your kind hundreds of years ago." "I also happen to be half white, you moron," Robin replied. "And he hasn't done anything wrong. Why make him pay for something someone else has done?" "Because he had the evil in him. I've sensed it. I know his crimes from the past." An object flew out of nowhere and hit Kane in the head. He released his power over Mr. Freeze and turned. Huntress and I walked down the street toward the man in red robes who had some kind of power over Mr. Freeze. My bat was able to break his concentration on the power. "He pays for his crimes while doing good," I said to him. "You have done evil, too," the man said looking on me narrowly. He must have had telepathic powers of some sort. "He's a vampire," Batgirl said to me as we joined their ranks. "The one leading the vamps in Orlando." "Ah," I said. "He has a soul." "Why do you speak as if I am not here in front of you? That is rude." "What is your name?" "Kane." "How old are you?" "A little over one thousand." "You must be very powerful." "Indeed I am." He reached behind him and pulled out of nowhere Blade, who was holding firmly to his sword, with some type of power. "Don't sneak up on me. I hate that." Punisher stood on top of a nearby building. "Drop him!" he called down. Kane looked up at him and began to laugh. "You cannot harm me, human." "You sure about that?" Punisher lowered his automatic weapon at the vampire and began firing. The bullets impacted the vampire causing him some pain. He dropped Blade and Huntress ran over to him. Punisher moved away from the edge of the building having accomplished his goal. Batgirl went after Kane swinging. The vampire ducked, leaned to the right and blocked Batgirl's coming attacks. He brought his hand up to punch her and she turned her head just in time to miss the impact. She rolled underneath his arm and swung her fist at the side of the vampire's head. It impacted and his head jerked. Then he grabbed her wrist, went underneath her arm, and punched her in the face. Her head jerked back, looking almost as if he snapped her neck. Then he hit her in the chest and she flew across the street landing nearby. Nightwing went to her side. When we turned back, Kane was gone. After assuring Batgirl could move, we returned to the rooftop and conferenced, informing everyone of what we knew of Kane. Garrett and Kara were going to contact the Council to gather information for Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin and Mr. Freeze as they were the ones who were to deal with him. Northstar and Cyclops told us of our next stop, Tokyo, Japan. "What's in Japan?" Blade asked. "There are some people in Japan who spoke of a demon with a flaming head riding a motorcycle and reeking havoc on the populace. From what you've described of Ghost Rider, the creature could be him. Plus, it seems to fit in line with Kane's appearance." Punisher nodded. "When do we leave?" I asked. "First thing in the morning. I've got a plane ready for us." "Can I bring my equipment?" Punisher asked. "There's room," Northstar answered. "I'll contact Professor X and inform him," Cyclops replied. "Let's get some rest. We have a lot in store for us." Everyone nodded and headed off to their respective places. When we arrived at the house, Lance, Garrett and Justin were waiting up for us. Justin had arrived shortly after we left for patrol. "Where are we going to sleep everyone?" Lance asked. "It won't be that bad. Justin and Jessica can have the bedroom by our room. That just leaves the two bedrooms and the den available for sleeping." Garrett slept in the den since he had some work to do anyway. Blade and Punisher took the other two rooms and finally everyone settled in for some rest. I showered and came out to find Lance reading. He closed the book when he saw me and I crawled up next to him. "It is such a scary time," I said. "I feel so weird and off balance. Things just don't seem right." "Everything?" "You are the only stability I have right now." I kissed him on the lips and we cuddled in the bed. He flicked the lights off and I listened to his heart beating. The steady rhythm put me to sleep. To Be Continued... What do you think so far? Seven chapters in and we know what to expect, or do we? Kane is a very powerful vampire who doesn't have a problem hurting human beings. Do you think Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin and Mr. Freeze can take him? And everyone else is heading out of the country to follow a lead concerning Ghost Rider? What do you think Blade and Punisher will do when they come across their old friend? I'd love to hear from you.