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.
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Other stories in this universe written by other authors: "Tales of a Superhero Band" "Tales of the New Phoenix" "Tales of a Young Mutant"
Chapter 38 Remembrance
A few days later, we were in New York at the Xavier Institute. Everyone who had worked with Blake approached JC and hugged him, offering him support and comfort in his time of loss. I saw Jean, Scott, Ororo, and Joshua all talk with him, as well as Professor Xavier and Jubilee. Everyone was so kind and concerned for him.
The scene depressed me greatly. I always hated hearing songs that spoke of losing a loved one, and here I was witnessing the events unfold. It was heart-wrenching. Doubly so for me, as I thought about what Lance went through when he believed me to be dead.
I squeezed Lance's hand tightly as we found some seats. Justin and Jessica came in and spoke with JC for a while. Joey, Chris and some of the band Ocean Whispers joined in as well.
After a bit, Jessica and Justin joined us. We sat and talked about what happened with Blake and how sorry we felt for JC.
"Is there any chance it was more than just his death?" I asked.
"I don't think so," the Slayer replied. "At the behest of their Watcher, the Council investigated Dasro and whatever the damned thing he was looking for could do. So far they've turned up nothing. It looks as if Blake gave his life in battle for humanity."
The service continued on and JC sang a song he wrote for Blake. When he finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd, including yours truly. The service finished with Professor Xavier giving a eulogy and then we left for the reception room. More people comforted JC and gave him their best. After a while I had to leave. It was getting to me so much that I couldn't stick around. I gave Lance the message I was heading to our room and departed.
Inside our room, I undid my tie and buttoned down my shirt a bit. Then I went to the balcony and looked out at the partly cloudy night sky and the song came flooding back to me.
I tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
I pictured Lance singing those words after hearing about me and the tears fell anew.
"God, why is there such loss in the world? Why were we made to die? What is the purpose in death? Why does it hurt so much? Being vulnerable, opening one's heart to love also opens the heart to loss and pain. It is so overwhelming. I can't bear to see others in pain. I can't stand to feel so helpless."
'Life was never meant to be easy. Life never promised to be all sunshine and roses. Life is to be abundant, enriching, fulfilling. In order to have that fulfillment, one must have people. And those people must be allowed in. Otherwise, life is not abundant. How can anyone grow beyond their primal instincts without the influence of others? After all, people bring love and joy into the heart of humanity. Without it, humanity would be nothing but empty shells. The pain you feel, Eric, is in proportion to the amount you love and care. Remember that, and let it bring comfort to your heart.'
I nodded to the still, small voice in heart and knew it was God talking to me. It left me with a warm feeling of hope.
The door opened and Lance stepped in.
"It's cold," he said as he closed the door.
I stepped in and closed the doors to the balcony. Then I approached him and took him into my arms holding him close. He reciprocated the hug. When I pulled away, he saw the tears in my eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Everything," I answered. "Seeing JC's reaction to Blake's death made me think of what you went through when you thought I was dead. To think that you felt so horrible inside because of me, of something I did, tears me up inside. I never want to hurt you. I never intend to hurt you."
"Oh, Eric, don't," he said pulling me back into his arms. "I know you never meant to hurt me. I don't think Blake meant to hurt JC. Things like this happen some times. JC, Justin, and I know what the possibilities are when we got involved with Blake, Jessica, and you. But we also know the joy that we would never have experienced if you weren't in our lives. And to us, the risks for sorrow doesn't compare to the abundant living we have when with you. You are worth the sadness. I was just lucky I got you back.
"Poor JC. I know in time he will be okay. He just needs as much strength around him as possible to get through the first weeks. The pain will lessen for him. But I can't guarantee it will be gone forever."
"By the way his song played, he doesn't think he will ever heal completely."
"No one ever does. There are times I wake up in the middle of the night after having a dream that something has happened to you. The fear, the sadness, it is all there until I see you sleeping beside me. I put my arm around you to guarantee that you are there, alive and well beside me. Then I can go back to sleep.
"JC will have difficult times sleeping for a while. If he knows exactly how it happened, he will dream it over and over again. If he doesn't know what happened, his mind will create scenarios where he is close saving Blake but can't do anything."
I nodded.
The rest of the time in New York was solemn. We comforted JC and each other, talked of the good things Blake had done, the good times that everyone had while in his company, and then we headed home.
On patrol, I found Batgirl, Nightwing, and Robin fighting the notorious Catman. I tried sneaking up on the group and diving at the vampire, but he sensed me coming. He swung his leg around and connected with my face knocking me to the side. I landed on the roof with a thud.
"You bastard," Nightwing said as he pulled out a metal shape that looked like one of my bats, only in the shape of the blue emblem on his outfit, and hurled it at Catman. Catman turned but wasn't quick enough to stop it from slicing into his wrist and severing his hand off.
"Good shot!" Robin replied excitedly.
Catman's hand fell to the ground and he clutched at the end of his arm where blood poured out. He chuckled at us as he grabbed his hand and held it to the wound. Before our very eyes, the skin seemed to reach out to each other and seal up as if it hadn't been sliced off. His fingers wiggled and he turned to everyone.
"Nice try, bird man. That drained me of a lot of blood and I'm feeling a bit hungry. Would you like to be the one to fill me up?"
Catman leapt into the air and landed in front of Nightwing grabbing him and pulling him into an embrace. His hand reached up and unzipped the zipper exposing his teeth. He smiled at me baring his fangs as I got to my feet. I pulled out a bat and hurled it. It embedded into the vampire's head, and the vampire stumbled backwards releasing Nightwing.
Robin grabbed Nightwing and pulled him away from the wounded vampire. Catman reached up to pull the bat away and Batgirl kicked him knocking him on his back. She then straddled him and pulled out a silver stake attempting to shove it into his heart. He grabbed her wrist though and hit her in the chest. Batgirl launched into the air and I jumped up and caught her. We landed and were joined by Nightwing and Robin.
Catman stood and pulled the bat out. "Damn you, meddling amateurs. The only worthy one here is the girl. The rest of you are weak. I'll bide my time and kill you all. I'm immortal after all."
With that Catman leapt across the building roof to the next building. In several short leaps, he was out of sight.
Nightwing collapsed to the roof and sat there leaning up against the air conditioner resting his arms on his bent knees. "I can't handle this any more."
"We thought the Vampire War was bad," Robin stated. "This guy makes Kane look easy."
"That's because Kane was a psycho who liked to play games," Batgirl stated. "This guy is singularly focused. He kills without hesitation and he doesn't have any delusions of grandeur. He knows what he is capable of and does not hesitate to do so."
"This is getting intense," Nightwing said standing. "When I became Nightwing, my purpose was to stop nutcases like Poison Ivy and the Penguin. I didn't plan on fighting immortal demons that were at least ten times stronger than me. I don't begrudge you guys from doing what you can do. Batgirl's a Vampire Slayer. Batman is a mutant. Robin, I don't know if you have any super abilities aside from being a smart ass sometimes. But I don't have any powers. I'm going to end up dead if I'm not careful. I don't know how to contact you, Batman, if I need your help. I can't rely on one superpower all the time."
"Nightwing," Robin said, "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying..." Nightwing stopped for a moment. He took a breath and tried again. "I'm saying that I've been offered an opportunity that I don't want to lose right now."
"What kind of opportunity?"
"After we got back from Columbus, I met someone out on patrol. And he was looking for me. He goes by the name Arsenal and we have met every night. I think feelings are developing between us. He asked me if I would like to go with him to New York."
"And?" Robin asked.
"I think I would like to go."
"What about us?" Robin referred to the group. "Are you going to abandon the team like this?"
"I don't look at it as abandoning the team. I look at it as something that I need to do to better my life. I love you guys a lot, but I can't keep fighting vampires and demons. Arsenal said he only deals with human beings. That I can handle. I want to go with him."
Robin and Batgirl looked at Nightwing as if he betrayed them. I, on the other hand, knew what he was going through. In some ways, I did the exact same thing a year ago when I left Los Angeles to be with Lance here in Orlando. I approached Nightwing and placed my hands on his shoulders.
"If this is what you want, then I'm supportive of it and you. Just don't forget me."
"I don't think I could."
Nightwing gave me a hug. Then he turned to Batgirl and Robin. Batgirl walked up and gave him a hug.
"Be careful out there. Call me if you need a Slayer."
"I will."
With reluctance, Robin approached and gave him a hug. "You've been like a big brother to me. I don't know how I'm going to make it without you."
"You'll do great," Nightwing answered. "Who was it who kicked Kane's ass? You. You will excel at this. And I'm not leaving the country. I can be here if and when you need."
Robin nodded and released his embrace.
Nightwing turned and saluted us. The he leapt off the building leaving us behind.
To Be Continued...
What do you think of Nightwing leaving? This seems to be a big time for characters to be leaving. Cloak and Dagger leaving "Marvel Knights" and now Nightwing leaving "Real Dark Knight." Does anyone know who Arsenal is? If you have read Teen Titans and now Outsiders, you might.
Only 12 chapters left and Batman still has the Joker and Catman to contend with.