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 8 Pride 2001
Davey and Harris showed up at the mansion in full Pride gear. Blade shared with them the attack on the mansion and that the amulet was stolen by one of the demons. Whistler shared with everyone the extent of Ryfin's powers and all were very concerned about what was coming up.
"The best we can do is not cause a panic," Whistler stated. "If that many people panic, there will be a stampede and some could get trampled and killed. We need to go in as normal as possible, which means no costumes."
"No problem," Davey said. "Harris and I are ready."
"It's possible that Ryfin maybe controlling one of the demons like last night. Look for one that might be wearing the amulet."
Everyone agreed and readied themselves. Blade and Punisher wore leather pants and black sleeveless shirts. Blade kept his armored vest on, though. Johnny wore black leather pants and a tight black muscle shirt. Ty wore a white muscle shirt and blue jean shorts. Tandy put her hair up in a ponytail and wore a pair of khaki shorts and white t-shirt. Davey wore his white PRIDE shirt with the rainbow triangle and blue jean shorts. Harris wore a black PRIDE t-shirt with the rainbow triangle and khaki shorts. Last, but not least, Whistler wore faded blue jeans, a black t-shirt and jean vest. Everyone pulled on their sunglasses and headed out to downtown Columbus for the 2001 Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade.
As the group piled out of the Suburban, Johnny and Michael pulled up on one motorcycle and Blade pulled up on his. They dismounted and joined the rest at the curb of Goodale Park. All around them little booths were set up with all kinds of wares. Today was the day the city celebrated all of its citizens. This park wasn't part of the actual Pride celebration, but it was to be the kick-off of the parade. One could see men holding hands, women holding hands, and couples walking their children. Heterosexual and homosexual alike were open about their feelings and expressed them without discrimination or prejudice.
"It's a shame," Harris stated. "We can't show our affection all year round without getting hateful comments directed at us."
"Sometimes it takes humanity a while to grow and evolve," Whistler said.
"Sometimes it seems too slow, even stagnant."
Davey reached over and took Harris's hand in his. "But we have today. Let's enjoy it."
"Definitely," Harris answered. He kissed Davey on the cheek.
"Where does the parade end?" Whistler asked.
"Bicentennial Park."
"Let's spread out and go our separate ways. We can work our way south toward the park. Once there, let's meet at the fountain."
Everyone nodded and headed off toward Bicentennial Park. Harris and Davey headed toward High Street on the west side. As they walked through the throngs of people, some gave them second glances at the oddity of their matching. Others gave the look of approval believing it was cute the mismatched couple was together.
The two watched as the "Dykes on Bikes" drove up and down the street policing the area for any sign of disruption.
"Lesbians on motorcycles make great security," Davey remarked.
Harris smiled.
They passed several restaurants and the pleasant odor of food cooking wafted out the doors into the streets.
"That smells so good," Harris replied.
"We'll have to eat there when this is over with."
Johnny and Michael headed down the east side of High Street a few feet behind Davey and Harris's location.
"Isn't this great, Michael?" Johnny replied taking Weatherby's hand. "I never felt like I could be free to do this. It's like I've been taken to another world. And I have you to thank for that."
Weatherby smiled at Johnny. Smiling was one of the few things Weatherby ever did. He squeezed Johnny's hand and they made their way down the sidewalk. The two kept getting glances and stares from so many people. To be honest, they looked hot, not as in temperature but in appearance. They were both well-defined and their clothes revealed so. The fact they wore leather pants with their tight shirts accentuated their body structure and definition. They kept getting winks and a few hands roamed to their butts as they passed.
Johnny was at first offended by it. He wasn't used to guys flirting with him. Plus, he felt he belonged to Michael only. But after a few times, he got into the spirit of having others enjoy his physical appearance and accepted it, even enjoyed it.
There were all sorts of people at the parade route, as well as throughout the city heading to either Goodale Park or Bicentennial Park. They ranged from high school and young adult twinks, bears, leather men, butch women and lipstick lesbians to protestors and Christian groups attempting to convert parade goers.
Blade frowned at the ministers on the corners shouting through a megaphone and microphone anti-gay sentiment.
"Why can't people leave well enough alone?" he muttered.
"Excuse me, sir," someone said to Blade.
Blade turned to see a young man with a beard, blue short-sleeved dress shirt red tie and khaki's on with a handful of pamphlets. The young man smiled.
"Are you open-hearted enough to hear what God has to say about homosexuality?"
Blade lifted an eyebrow above his sunglasses. "What?"
"Do you know what the Bible says about homosexuality?"
"I know a lot of things," Blade replied turning to face the man letting his crossed arms fall down to his side.
"The Bible talks of the sins of homosexuality. To God, it is an abomination and worthy of death. But that was the Law. Now we are under Grace. We can be forgiven of our sins. So can you."
Blade's eyes narrowed but the young man could not see behind the glasses. Blade took a step forward toward the youth, then another.
"Forgiveness for my sins? Forgiveness for my sins? Let me tell you something, son. I have fought more battles against the forces of darkness than you could ever hope to do in your lifetime. I've slain more vampires than I can count. I'm up all hours of the night fighting what goes bump in the night. While you are busy saying your prayers, I'm flying down the street on my motorcycle after gangs of vampires who attempted to kill several innocent people. While you are busy condemning homosexuals because our lives are not the fucking mirror images of yours, we are trying to survive the night and save lives doing it. While you are picking out which movies may or may not be appropriate for your sensitive ears, I'm busy sharpening my wooden stakes and training so I can fight the next gang of vampires to come along to this city.
"To you, sins are every little thing that you can think of that might or might not offend someone. To you, some words are evil simply because of a meaning or feeling behind them. To me, however, sins are feeding off people's blood and giving them violent deaths. To me, sins are killing people senselessly just because someone has nothing better to do.
"I've seen a great many things, and I know a great many things. Don't come up to me with your sunshine face and handful of hate pamphlets and tell me what I should or should not know about sin. Not get your scrawny, ignorant ass out of my face before I whoop it out of here."
By now, the youth's eyes were widened in disbelief and his body shook in fear. He turned and walked away slowly.
The people surrounding Blade just stared at him in disbelief as well. Even the minister speaking through the microphone quieted down to hear what was going on. Those who were gay and supporters of gay rights cheered while the protestors just stared on in shock that someone said something back to them.
Blade turned and headed toward Bicentennial Park.
Tandy and Ty walked down the street and several guys checked Ty out in his tight shirt. Several women checked Tandy out and she enjoyed the attention.
"When you got it, you got it!" Tandy said to Ty's questioning glances.
"But you're not a lesbian."
"It doesn't matter. Lesbians know a hot girl when they see one. It lets me know I'm still one sexy bitch!"
Ty laughed. "When you put it that way..."
The two arrived at the park and headed toward the fountain. As they neared, they saw Blade show up.
"Where's Whistler?" Tandy asked.
"Right here," he replied coming toward them with a Pina Colada in his hand. "What took you so long?"
They smiled at him.
"When will the others get here?" Ty asked.
"They were going to come at the tail end of the parade. That way they can keep an eye out for Ryfin."
Weatherby and Johnny watched the parade from one side of the street while Davey and Harris watched from the other side. They all laughed at the silliness and absurdity of the floats. And they smiled proudly at the straight supporters of gay rights marching along in the parade as well. There were young children and teenagers marching with their gay parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends. It was nothing but a big parade of support and affirmation of people who were born different.
Harris wrapped his arms around Davey's waist from behind and rested his head on Davey's shoulder. The floats marched passed along with the drag queens and other marchers. Soon the parade ended and the two young men joined the older men on their team and they marched down behind everyone. Weatherby kept an eye out for any sign of demonic or supernatural activity.
The parade finally ended at Bicentennial Park and the four made their way to the fountain where they found their friends waiting.
"No sign of anything," Weatherby said to Blade and Whistler.
"What happened with the protestors?" Harris asked. "I heard them earlier but, by the time we got to them, they didn't have as much passion in their voices."
"I had a nice little chat with them," Blade replied.
Everyone turned their eyes on Blade.
"Now's not the time to tell you about it, though. Look."
Blade pointed up in the sky and everyone turned to a swarm of Lanithro heading toward the park.
"Protect the people at all costs!" Whistler replied.
Everyone readied themselves for what was about to come. Punisher reached into his pocket and pulled out a pistol. "Everyone get down!" he ordered. The gay men and women nearby dropped to the ground and covered their heads. Others, after seeing the gun, ran off in a panic.
The Lanithro closed in on the park and swooped down attempting to grab those fleeing. Ty tossed out several bolts of energy knocking the demons off target. Tandy threw some light daggers and stunned a demon or two.
"Spread out!" Whistler ordered.
Davey and Harris headed toward the stage where several Lanithro were heading. Harris grabbed a branch from a tree and swatted one or two Lanithro in the claws. Davey somersaulted forward and thrust forward with his hand when his legs were parallel with the ground. He flew forward and kicked a Lanithro in the stomach knocking it into the back of the stage.
Johnny turned into Ghost Rider and pulled his chain off like a whip. Lashing outward, he connected with a Lanithro's head and knocked it unconscious. Then he tossed a few fireballs at some hovering Lanithro attempting to get at a small group of paraders.
Ty got some Lanithros attention and they flew down after him. When they neared, he opened a portal to the dark realm and the demons were not able to maneuver in time. They flew into the portal and were gone.
One Lanithro turned and flew toward two women and their daughter. Punisher noticed this and ran toward the Lanithro. As it neared the ladies, Punisher leapt into the air and tackled the creature. They tumbled into the grass wrestling. The demon clawed at Punisher, a few talons connecting and tearing his flesh. He did not let up, however. His marine training remained intact and he continued punching at the beast. The Lanithro rolled onto its back, tucked its legs under Punisher and kicked outward. Punisher flew up into the and into a nearby vender, crashing the merchandise under him. The Lanithro rolled onto its arms and legs, flapped its wings and took off into the air.
"Damn," Punisher muttered as he stood up. Then, he ran out after a Lanithro nearby.
Blade pulled out his Sikhs and as a Lanithro flew after two men, he threw the blades. They spun in the air and swooped around toward the demon. It reached its claws out to grab the two men and the Sikhs flew past amputating the creature's claws. It shrieked in pain.
A demon swooped down and grabbed Blade by the shoulders and carried him off into the sky.
"Blade!" Harris yelled noticing the abduction.
The Marvel Knights all looked around, then up, toward their friend being carried off. While gazing up at the sky, they saw a Lanithro wearing the amulet.
"Ryfin's there!" Whistler exclaimed.
Ty and Tandy turned and fired energy bolts and light daggers at the lead Lanithro. The attacks hit an invisible shield surrounding it.
"What do we do now?"
"If we had a tracking device, we could plant one on a Lanithro and follow it," Punisher suggested.
"But we don't! So what do we do?"
"I've got an idea," Whistler replied going over to Ty. "Remember what we talked about doing? Remember how Ryfin can control a Lanithro and inhabit the body?"
"Yeah," Ty answered.
"I think you can do that. Not to as great an extent as Ryfin, but enough to see where they demons are going. Are you up for it?"
"I guess so."
"Good."
Whistler and Ty stood facing each other. Whistler began an incantation and Ty joined in at appropriate places. Ty's body shook a bit and his breathing became labored. Sweat appeared and poured down his dark, smooth skin.
Punisher and Johnny walked up behind the two, Punisher ready to catch Ty should he fall over and Johnny behind Whistler in case he should fall backwards as well. Ty's hands moved up to Whistler's and they locked. A ring of energy formed around them and Ty fell backwards with a great intake of air.
A few moments later, Ty awoke. He looked at his friends who were surrounding him now.
"Are you okay?" Tandy asked.
Ty took a few deep breaths and nodded in the affirmative.
"Did it work?" Johnny asked excitedly.
"Yeah. I know where they are."
"Let's get back to the mansion and suit up," Whistler replied.
Punisher helped Ty up and helped him back to Goodale Park and their vehicles.
To Be Continued...