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 18 Regrouping
Catwoman stood and walked over to Huntress as the Huntress stood. Their eyes went from Batgirl to the inferno.
"God, no. They can't be. It's.... he can't be dead," Huntress muttered.
"That bastard Macai will pay for what he did to Christine and Batman. He may not be able to die. That's a good thing. We can torture him for a good long while."
The Huntress jumped down to the ground and looked around hoping to find Batman's body, praying that he would still be alive. All she found was part of his cape and a pouch from part of his suit. She opened it and found a picture of him and Lance at Christmas time. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Eric, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Lance, I wish I could have protected him for you. I wish..."
Catwoman yelled down. "Huntress, we need to get Christine out of here. The fire department is on their way."
The Huntress placed the picture in a compartment on her belt. She wrapped up the small piece of cape and tucked it into her belt. Pulling out a grappling gun, she shot a line up to the building Catwoman was. It pulled her up. Catwoman had placed Batgirl's body over her shoulder.
"Let's get out of here."
The two Slayers left the scene of the two crimes, the murder of a Slayer and the murder of a mutant.
The crowd had gone home and the Queen and Princes were in a sitting room.
"I can't believe Marmaduke did this," Queen Elizabeth said. "He did not act so horribly when we were younger."
"It will be alright, Mother," Prince Charles replied. "Batman will take care of him." Prince Charles looked up at Jayce who nodded in confirmation.
"Are you alright, Mr. Braddock?" the Queen asked.
"Yes, your Majesty. Thank you for your concern."
"He has the sword. What can he do with it?"
"A human could challenge your right to the throne. However, that would be petty for a demon. Perhaps he seeks a ritual he can perform with the sword."
"We can do research," Jayce said. "With the Mad Hatter and Lord Fogg taken care of, we can focus all our efforts on the demon. And now that we know it is Macai, our investigation can be narrowed."
A knock came at the door. It opened slightly and Catwoman poked her head in. "Jayce, could you please come out here a moment?"
"Certainly." He turned to Queen Elizabeth. "If I may..."
"Yes, of course, Mr. Haverhill."
Jayce walked to the door and opened it. He went out to see Catwoman waiting. "What is it?"
"Come with me."
"I really can't leave them..."
"Just come with me!" she yelled.
Jayce followed her down the corridor and stairs to the infirmary where they found the Huntress. Christine's body lay on the table. She still had on her costume, with the exception of her mask. "My God. Is she...?"
The Huntress nodded.
"What about Eric?"
Jessica could say a word.
"He's dead, too, Jayce," Catwoman answered.
"Oh my God. What about Macai?"
"He got away."
"And Fogg?"
"He was in the explosion along with Eric," the Huntress replied. "Eric was fighting Lord Fogg. Macai ran Christine through with Excalibur, stole her knife and hurled it at the gas container. Lord Fogg must have done something and ignited the gas, killing his self and Eric."
"I'm so sorry, Huntress. I know you knew Mr. McCoy well."
"I want the head of that bastard Macai," the Huntress said with anger. "His ass is mine."
"Jessica, calm down. You can't let your emotions..."
"Calm down? Calm down?! An immortal demon was release, killed a Slayer and a good friend! We have no hope of killing this thing and you want me to relax?!"
"Jessica," Jayce said, his voice both commanding and calming. "I understand your anger. But it will not help the situation. It needs to be channeled into something more productive than going off half-cocked.
"Now listen. I want you two to go to the castle, get cleaned up and spend some time reflecting. You need rest. Excalibur team is here. I'm sure they would be willing to spend the night with the Princes."
"Are you sure that's the problem now? Macai has Excalibur. He had ample opportunity to kill the royal family. He may already have what he needs," Catwoman said.
"Likely, but we can't be too safe right now."
Catwoman nodded. Huntress just stared off into space.
Jayce pulled out his cell phone and dialed up the Council requesting a van to come and collect Jessica and Serena, and Christine's body. "When they arrive, go ahead and go. I must return to the royal family."
The Slayers nodded to him and he left.
"I want Macai drawn and quartered," Serena said.
Jessica just stood in silence.
Jayce returned to the sitting room where everyone looked up hopeful to hear of good news brought by Catwoman. Instead of informing them of what happened, Jayce said, "Brian, I request that you and Excalibur watch over the family tonight, if possible."
"Of course," he replied instantly.
"Thank you."
"Where's Eric?" William asked.
"And Fogg?" Harry added.
Jayce stood in silence a moment. "Dead," he finally answered.
"Lord Fogg is dead?" Harry said.
"Yes."
William gulped. "Is Eric...?"
"Yes. I'm afraid he is as well."
William's face clouded with sadness. His hands went to his eyes as the tears fell.
"How?" Betsy asked.
"There was an explosion caused by the demon and perhaps Lord Fogg. The explosion killed both Fogg and Mr. McCoy."
"At least the Slayers made it out alive," Peter said.
"Two of the three did."
"What?" Meggan said.
"Christine did not make it. Macai killed her."
This time Harry began crying heavily.
"How?" Brian asked.
"He ran her through with Excalibur."
"Damn," he said. Guilt was easily seen on his face. "It's all my fault. Had security been tighter around Excalibur, none of this could have happened."
"You can't know that, Brian," Jayce said.
"Bullshit," he replied, ignoring his manners around royalty. "I should have been more prepared. I should have had the sword better safeguarded."
"Eric wouldn't blame you," Betsy replied.
"How do you know?"
"Because I knew him. I've met him and worked with him before this. He would not have blamed you."
"She's telling the truth," Kitty said. "I knew Eric, too. He wouldn't have blamed you."
"Neither would Christine," Harry said. "She was so kind...and gentle." His tears flowed again.
"This is a very emotional time for all of us," Jayce said to everyone. "We must group together for support. We can overcome this. We can move on with our lives. We must. It would be an honor to Christine and to Eric."
William entered his room, his tie hanging around his neck and his shirt unbuttoned several buttons. He walked over to the bed and saw Eric's clothes folded neatly. "God, why did he die? It's so unfair."
William took up Eric's clothes and sat them on the seat Eric would sit in as he watched over the Prince. William sat down on his bed and looked at the chair and clothes. The tears fell and he did not hold back.
Jessica and Serena walked in the doorway of the Castle and headed to their rooms. By now they had taken off their masks and their gloves. Joshua Jenkins walked out the door and looked at the two women. "Where's Eric and your friend?" he asked.
"They are dead," Serena said.
Jessica kept on up the stairs not paying any attention. She did not care about anyone at this moment in time. All she thought about was her loss. There was nothing she could do to bring them back. Nothing.
Jessica went to her room and took off her suit. She pulled on her bathrobe and pulled out the picture of Eric and Lance.
"I didn't get a chance to reconcile with him. He still thought I believed him a murderer. He would deny it, no matter how many times I accused him. How could I be so self-righteous?"
Her eyes stared at the two lovers in the picture.
"Oh God, what about Lance? What will he do? I have to tell him, but how? How am I going to be able to contact him? He's on tour, headed to God knows where. He shouldn't be told on the phone. I need to find him and tell him."
The mutants made themselves comfortable in the hallway of the bedrooms of the royal family. Nightcrawler, Psylocke, Colossus and Shadowcat stood guard all wearing their mutant suits.
"One of us has to contact Professor Xavier and tell him what happened. He should be told about Eric. Eric was a student for a while," Kurt said.
"Poor Joshua," Betsy replied. "How is he going to handle it?"
"Not good. This will be the sixth person in his life to have died."
"Poor boy."
"Many are going to feel the loss of the Dark Knight," Kurt replied. "God be with each and everyone who does."
For the rest of the night, the four stood in silence, thinking back on their experiences with Eric. They all remember their first meeting with him in the Danger Room. He was so quick to want to help yet not used to working with a team. He learned a bit about teamwork from them. As a team gains strength in their numbers, they also feel the weakness and loss when they lose a member of that team.
To Be Continued...
I know this is shorter than most chapters. But this was the best way to end it. More to come. Keep reading.