Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 16:44:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Marvel Knights 10 Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. It has no intentions of resembling any real persons dead or alive. This is entirely from my imagination, with a little help from already established sources. This story is based loosely on the comic book character "The Punisher" from Marvel Comics. Other characters may appear from Marvel comics as well as DC Comics. Punisher and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics. Blade and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel copyright Joss Whedon, United Paramount Network and Warner Bros. Respectively. The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. I have written another story on nifty entitled "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". It is in the Celebrity/Boy Bands section. Batman may appear in this story once or twice, as the Punisher may appear in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". Any comments may be sent to authorjames2002@yahoo.com Thank you and enjoy. Chapter 10 The Show The night of the vocal concert came and everyone was getting ready to go, although Blade wasn't as sure why he and the rest should go. "Because Davey has a surprise," Tandy said to Blade. "He wants to do something and we should be there to support him." Blade nodded and reluctantly readied himself. He wanted to battle Ahriman and defeat him. Since Whistler's return with information concerning Ahriman's sister, Blade felt the team had a chance at defeating the vampire. Considering all Ahriman threatened, it would be wise to do it as soon as possible. He didn't want any innocent lives lost. Blade pulled on his leather jacket and shades and followed Tandy down to the parking lot. Ty was all ready to go and in the car with the engine running. Blade climbed on his motorcycle and started up the engine. The sports car tore out of the parking lot with the motorcycle following behind. The got on the I-71 on ramp and headed south toward Columbus. Harris was nervous about tonight. He changed the song he was going to sing because of what had happened with Davey. He decided he was going to be tough. He didn't want to hide or regret who and what he was, what he looked like or his personality. And he shouldn't. That is why he changed the song. "Are you okay, Harris?" Michelle asked him. Michelle was a friend from the choir who encouraged him to do a solo number. She was the first person, actually the only person he told about Davey. She saw the somber look on Harris's face and was concerned. "I will be once this song is over." Michelle nodded and watched Harris walk over to the curtain and look out. "Another hero," Michell muttered, "another mindless crime behind the curtain, in the pantomime." Then she broke into song. On and on, does anybody know what we are living? Whatever happens, we leave it all to chance Another heartache, another failed romance On and on, does anybody know what we are living for? The show must go on The show must go on Outside the dawn is breaking on the stage that holds our final destiny The show must go on The show must go on Harris turned from the curtain and sings: Inside my heart is breaking My make-up may be flaking But my smile still stays on The stage crew joins in singing as well The show must go on The show must go on Harris: I'll top the bill, I'll own the kill I have to find the will to carry on... Everyone: ...with the On with the On with the show! Blade, Ty and Tandy entered the auditorium. Tandy waved at several friends and Ty got looked up and down by some of the high school boys and girls. Since knowing Davey and being around the gay youth, Ty found it a bit easier to accept and be flattered by gay men showing him attention. He realized it didn't threaten who and what he was as a man. It only complimented who and what he was. That is something anyone and everyone should be proud of. The lights dimmed and the curtain came up. Several students came out on stage and did a rendition of NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye". The audience loved it. When they finished, Larry came out and escorted them off the stage. After several more songs and loud applause, the curtain opened up with a blue light shining down. Harris stepped into the circle in a tuxedo. The audience grew quiet and the only sound that could be heard were a few chuckles from the obnoxious pretty gay boys toward the front. "If I knew I wouldn't get in trouble, I would catch their hair on fire with my light daggers," Tandy muttered. "But, it would be a crime to ruin such pretty hair. Why is pretty hair wasted on such assholes?" "Ssh," Ty said. Harris took a deep breath and began to sing A Cappella I am what I am I am my own special creation So come take a look Give me the hook or the ovation It's my world and I want to have a little pride in My world and it's not a place I have to hide in Life's not worth a damn till you can say: "I am what I am!" The music began to play and many in the audience started clapping along with the music. I am what I am I don't want praise I don't want pity I bang my own drum Some think its noise I think it's pretty And so what if I love each petal and each spangle Why not try to see things from a different angle Your life is a sham till you can shout out I am what I am! I am what I am And what I am needs no excuses I deal my own deck Sometimes the ace Sometimes the deuces It's one life and there's no return and no deposit One life so it's time to open up your closet Life's not worth a damn till you can say: "I am what I am!" As the music faded, the audience burst into cheer. Tandy and Ty stood up clapping and cheering giving Harris the ovation he so deserved, especially for all he put up with through school. Blade, not one for making a scene, gave his own brand of approval by smiling from ear-to-ear. He knew how much it meant for Harris to be so bold with himself and with others. The popular gay guys sitting down front tried to boo Harris off stage but the cheering was too much for them to over shout. They would just have to be content with their inside-man on the job, Larry. Larry walked out to a grinning Harris. There was even a tear coming down Harris's cheek by the applause and support from so many. Never had Harris had such support before. Larry would have to see to it that the air in Harris's sails was taken out. Larry approached Harris and placed his arm out so Harris could take it, since that was his job. The two turned and began their exit. "Enjoy your three minutes of fame, Harris. Tomorrow you will just be a lonely, fat, ugly homo whom nobody will love." Larry's words struck Harris hard in the heart. Another tear fell, only this one wasn't for joy but pain. Larry's lips curled into a grin and a tiny chuckle exited his mouth. A voice rang out from the other side and caught the two off guard. My gift is my song and this one's for you Harris and Larry turned around to see Davey looking straight at Harris. Harris motioned to himself in askance of the subject of Davey's song. Davey nodded and continued his singing. And you can tell everybody that this is your song It maybe quite simple but now that it's done Hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind That I put down in words, how wonderful life is Now you're in the world Davey walked toward the middle of the stage and Harris released Larry's arm heading toward Davey. When they met in the middle Davey put his hand on Harris's cheek and continued. I sat on the roof and I kicked off the moss Well some of these verses well they, they got me quite cross But the sun's been kind while I wrote this song It's for people like you that keep it turned on So excuse my forgetting, but these things I do You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue Anyway the thing is - what I really mean Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen Davey took Harris in his arms and spun him around. And you can tell everybody that this is your song It maybe quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is now you're in the world I hope you don't mind I hope you don't mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is now you're in the world Davey leaned in and kissed Harris full on the lips in front of everyone. The crowd roared with applause, with the exceptions of Larry, Charlie and the rest of the popular gay guys. Larry glared at Davey. Davey noticed and ignored it. He decided it was long past time to ignore what shallow, superficial friends believed. In fact, deep in his heart he knew they weren't true friends. The only reason they hung out was because of their looks and their sexual orientation. Does that make lasting friendships? Sometimes the sexual orientation helps, but sometimes it doesn't. Who one is attracted to should not make for a lifelong friendship bond. Larry turned and exited the stage. Davey and Harris looked into each other's eyes and this time tears were just pouring down Harris's cheeks. "I can't believe you did this," Harris said. "Why?" "Because I care about you. And I don't care what other people say or think. What matters is how I feel about you and how you feel about me. Do you still feel the same way you did before we came back to school?" "Yes," Harris answered. The two kissed and embraced on stage as the audience roared with applause. Davey and Harris then exited arm-in-arm as the curtains closed preparing for the next act. The stage hands clapped as the two walked past. Many clapped Harris on the shoulder or gave him thumbs up in support of what just transpired. The two went out into the hallway where they could be alone. Davey kissed Harris for the third time. "I'm so glad you still like me," Davey replied. "I figured after what happened when we came back I lost you forever." "You would have if you would have let them run your life. I was ready to harden my heart to you, Davey. What you did was hypocritical." "I know. And I was so wrong to do it. Do you forgive me?" "Yes, of course!" Harris exclaimed taking Davey into his arms. With mock-seriousness he added, "Just don't do it again. I don't care that you're a mutant, I'll kick your butt." Davey and Harris laughed. "Well, well, well," a familiar voice said. "We have the two homo love birds." Davey and Harris turned to see Larry, Charlie and the rest of the popular guys at the end of the hall. "Go away, Larry," Harris said. "Like you have the ability to make me." "I know I do," Davey said stepping forward. "Everyone knows you're a mutant, Davey. That's why I took this from one of those Friends of Humanity soldiers when they raided the school." Larry pulled out one of the small devices that control mutant powers. He threw it at Davey and it wrapped around his wrist, activating. Davey pulled on the metal ring trying to tear it off. His mutant strength was absorbed by the ring using it as its power source making it even stronger to break. Harris, acting purely on his caring for Davey, tried his best to pull it off, too. But he was too weak, too normal to do it. "Now we can beat the shit out of both of you and not worry about you fighting back." Larry walked up to Harris and pushed him against the wall. He brought his fist up and hit Davey as hard as he could. Blood dripped out of Davey's nose. "Look at him bleed," Larry said and the other guys laughed. Harris, however, had a different reaction. His face became red with anger and he tackled Larry. Straddling the bully, Harris kept punching and punching Larry in the face and arms. "I'm not going to take this any more," Harris exclaimed between sobs. "I'm not going to let you treat me like I'm worthless. I'm not worthless! I'm not worthless! I'm not! I'm not! I'm not!" Rage had taken over Harris. He was no longer thinking, only feeling. He kept wailing away at the young boy and Larry's friends did nothing but stare in amazement. Davey stared, too, shocked at the intensity of Harris's anger. From down the hall, Tandy, Ty and Blade came around the corner and saw what was going on. "Oh my goodness," Tandy said as she saw the blood coming from Larry's nose and lip. Ty wasted no time. He ran down the hallway and grabbed Harris. "Harris!" he said trying to get his attention as he pulled the youth off the bully. "Stop! Harris, stop!" Tandy and Blade ran up to the scene of the fight. Harris finally got a hold of himself and looked down at Larry's bleeding face and bruised eye. "Look what I've done," Harris whispered. Tears formed in his eyes and he ran down the hall away from everyone. "Blade!" Davey exclaimed holding his hand up to the vampire hunter. Blade grabbed the device and snapped it off Davey's wrist. Davey took off down the hall after Harris. Blade turned back to the dumbfounded friends of Larry and leered at them. Tandy reached down and took Larry's hand. "Thanks," Larry muttered. "I knew I could count on another pretty person." Tandy jerked hard lifting Larry up off the floor and into the air before he landed hard on his feet. "Ow!" he exclaimed. "I'm not like you," Tandy replied. "Yeah, we may be pretty. But I'm not a bitch like you." "Get out of here," Blade muttered. "Harris is off limits from now on. Do you want him to do to you what he did to Larry?" "But he assaulted Larry," Charlie replied. "And what have you been doing to Harris?" Ty asked in response. "Your endless teasing and put-downs has been an assault on Harris's emotional well-being. You've been tearing his heart apart with every word you've spoken. Harris has been assaulted by all of you a lot longer than these few seconds of Harris fighting back. And that is exactly what he did. He stopped being your punching bag and turned everything around. If you don't want it to happen again, leave Harris alone. Do you understand me?" The guys slowly nodded. Charlie went over to help Larry. "No," Blade replied. "Harris has had to deal with his wounds on his own. Let Larry deal with his." The boys moved to each side of the hallway while Larry walked down the middle slowly. He was being humiliated yet again in front of his friends, getting a taste of what they put Harris through. Though it wasn't law winning here, it was a smidgen of justice. Of course, word would get around about how Harris beat up Larry and justice would continue for Harris. Davey caught up with Harris out in the parking lot. Harris sat against the wall on the ground crying his eyes out and Davey sat down next to him. He put his hand on Harris's arm. "Hey," Davey said in a soft voice. When Harris didn't answer, Davey continued. "Harris. Are you okay?" "No," Harris answered swiftly. "I can understand. What happened back there was freaky. I never saw you like that before." "I never wanted anyone to see me like that. That's why I bottled everything up all the time." "And Larry's last act caused you to explode. That's not healthy for you." "I know. I need to have more control." "I didn't mean letting your anger out. I meant bottling up your feelings. That isn't healthy for you. You need to let your anger out and in a good way, not a violent way." "I guess you don't want to be with me now," Harris said. "That's silly," Davey answered right away. "Of course I do. What happened meant a lot to me. You came to my rescue. No mere Homo sapien has ever done that for me before." Harris looked up. "What?" "What I meant was the only people who have rescued me have had super powers. You don't have super powers, with the exception of how much you care about me. That means a lot. "We have to work on your anger, though. It's okay to be angry. You have to let it out in the right way so something like this doesn't happen again." Davey turned and looked back at the door. "Still, it was probably a good thing for Larry and the guys to get his ass kicked. He did deserve it." Harris laughed. Davey turned back and smiled. "That's what I like to hear, laughing coming from that mouth." Harris smiled at Davey and Davey smiled back. He hugged Harris and said, "Come on." He reached down and helped Harris up. "Let's go back inside and enjoy the rest of the evening." Harris and Davey held hands and walked back into the school to enjoy the rest of the talent night. To Be Continued... What do you think of Harris and Davey's reconciliation? I know some of you were concerned that they were not going to be together. Did I do a good enough job on reconciliation? More to come!