Disclaimer: This story is fiction. There are two celebrities who will appear from time-to-time. The other characters are fictitious. Any similarities to persons living or dead are completely coincidental.
In this story, I have continued the adventures of Batman, my Batman, which his story first began in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight" in the Boy Band section of this archive. It spanned 250 chapters. You will find many universes merging, as the below copyrights reveal. I hope you all enjoy this.
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. Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston. Copyright DC Comics.
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.
I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered.
I appreciate any feedback that you may want to give. I do hope that you enjoy it!!!
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Chapter 22 Light
Preston and Sarah were concerned with who this girl was. They never really experienced a Green Lantern before, so the ring on her finger made them very cautious. I reassured them that it was okay, as did Lance.
"What are you doing here?" Lance asked. "Shouldn't you be with the other Green Lanterns? When did you receive the ring?"
"I received it a short while ago and I have trained with it. The discipline from studying martial arts has aided my mental faculties in controlling the power within the ring."
"What did you mean that you are here to assist me?" I asked.
"The Guardians know of your plight as well as the forces you are amassing. They wish to 'throw one of their own into the mix' as one Green Lantern liked to say. They want to help you. They want a connection into your organization just as the Watchers' have their connections. If you do not believe me, I'm sure you could contact one of the other Green Lantern's on this world and speak with them. It won't take them long to contact the Guardians, that is if they don't already know."
"Don't already know about you coming here?"
"Precisely. Dr. McCoy, you might find this hard to believe, but there are many organizations and groups that know of your existence. They know of your abilities and they know what you are capable of, even if you do not. The Guardians want to be sure you are helped on the side of justice for the universe and not for evil."
"Can the Guardians see into the future?"
"It is unknown what the Guardians know for certain. They are the Guardians of the Universe. It is their best interest to watch over any beings or events to ensure the universe's safety."
"That tells me something," I said as I looked around. "It means that sometime in the near future an event will happen that will affect the entire universe. The only question is if that event will be something I can stop or something I cause."
"It may not be the entire universe," Lance said as he put his arm on my shoulder. "It could just be a localized event with localized destruction. I highly doubt they would send one Lantern here if there was going to be an event affecting the entire universe. The earth has several, if I'm not mistaken."
"Good point," Ella stated. "The point I would like to make to you is to continue what you plan to continue. Do not fret about what might be. That is a sure fire way of sending yourself into turmoil. Second-guessing one's self is never a good idea. Continue on normally as if I didn't show. Allow me to be one of the teenagers you are training. Let me worry about what may come."
I stood for a moment thinking about her words. It was true what she said. If I continued to worry about what might happen, I wouldn't be able to focus on what is happening. It could be that worrying about what decisions I make causes this event to happen, or keeps others and me from preventing it.
"Very well," I finally said. "We'll do it that way. I'll train you as I train the others. You keep an eye out for what event or events are linked to whatever the Guardians believe might happen. And then we'll go from there."
Ella stood and shook my hand. "It will be wonderful working with you, Dr. McCoy."
"Do you have a place to stay?"
"Not at the moment. I arrived only a short while ago."
"We can make arrangements for you at the Center."
"I'll call," Lance said. He left the room and headed to the kitchen.
"It looks like we'll be working together," Sarah said to Ella as I left the room to join Lance. "It's going to be fun working with so many girls. Usually you hear of boys doing this kind of work. At least in the comic books, the guys do most of the work. I think we have more girls than guys."
"Yeah," Preston said. "Clark and Barry are the only ones I know of. There is Anarky, but he isn't training with dad."
"Something about him doesn't sit right with me," Sarah stated. "He seems too gruff."
"He isn't on our side," Lance replied as he came out of the kitchen.
The three youths turned to face Lance. He held up the newspaper and the cover told of a business man who was found floating in the waste of his industrial site. A red anarchy symbol was painted on his back. "There was a note found with him. It said, 'The people have weighed him and found him wanting. I am the voice of the people. If you are not for the people, you are against the people. And I will find you.' Three guesses who that was."
"Anarky," Sarah answered. "Why don't you let me beat the crap out of him?"
"Because you are a Slayer," I said, "and you could kill him."
"I'll bet Aunt Jess beat the crap out of people."
Lance and I smiled at what she said. It was true. Jessica, as the Huntress, had fought with human beings and beat the shit out of them.
"That's beside the point," Lance said. "Dad will figure out some way to deal with him."
I nodded.
Nobody ever once questioned the way Lance and I referred to one another when talking to the children. We always used the term 'dad'. It sort of let the kids know at a young age that we were both their dads. Everyone around us supported it. Sarah and Preston never once thought anything about it. It was part of growing up.
"Trish has made arrangements for Ella to stay with Dinah and Diana. She said there are more coming into the Center all the time and she has to group more together."
Preston noticed I became thoughtful and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm wondering if something is going on out there that needs my attention. If there are more youths being kicked out of their home, something is going on." I looked up at Lance. "I think I'm going to take the van out tonight and look for any kids that need rescuing."
"I'll go with you," Preston said. "It is the least I could do."
"Do you want us to patrol?" Sarah asked.
"It might be a good idea. I'll ask Aunt Jessica to go with you guys to coordinate."
I stood up and went over to the phone. I dialed Justin and Jessica's number and Jessica picked up.
"Hey, it's me," I said.
"What's up?" she asked.
"I need to ask a favor of you. Are you alone?"
"Sure," she replied. "What is it?"
"I'm going to go out on patrol tonight, but not with my costume. Trish at the Center says there are more children showing up and she's trying to find room. I think something might be going on that I can deal with as me, as opposed to wearing the cape.
"Would you be willing to coordinate patrols with the others? I want them out as well."
"Looking for Anarky?"
"That's one of many people we should be looking for. Catman should be looked for as well. Whether or not he's human is a debate. If he isn't the same guy, he could be linked to the same guy. The costume is exact. If he's spotted, someone will need to follow him, or attach a tracer to him so we can figure out where he goes. He could lead us to the original Catman."
"The one who killed Sarah and Preston's mother."
"Exactly," I replied. "Are you able to help?"
"Sure. But what can I do with Randy? I think Justin and Lance have some plans for tonight."
"He can come with Preston and I. Preston's going with me when I drive the van."
"That will work. Just promise you won't talk about you-know-who."
"I promise," I said with a smile.
"Okay. I drop him off at the Center tonight."
"Thanks. I appreciate your help." Then I remembered to ask about training Preston and if Garrett would be able to help. She said she would contact him to see if he would be willing and able. If not, perhaps she would be able to get his books and a copy of the Watchers' Diary so he would know what their history was like, as well as that of Vampire Slayers.
"You are awesome!" I stated.
"I know. You owe me."
"You know I'm good for it."
"Yeah, yeah," she replied and hung up.
I hung up the phone and watched as Sarah and Ella went out back, probably to talk about Ella's experiences and find out what it is like to be more than ordinary. Preston went into the den.
Lance stood in the living room and looked at me. "Can Jessica help?"
"Yeah. Randy is going with Preston and I tonight. She said you and Justin had plans."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you. He wanted to go out just us for a night."
I nodded. "Where all are you guys going to be?"
"I'm not sure yet. He didn't specify."
"Okay. Just keep your cell on in case I need to contact you."
"No problem," he said as he came up and hugged me. "I love you. You know that, don't you?"
"I know it. And I love you."
"I know."
Lance and I kissed and then he went upstairs while I went out to talk with Ella.
The rest of the day was uneventful. I talked with Lance and Preston about Jessica contacting Garrett. "We could also contact someone from the Xavier Institute to come and check out your abilities. I think Sage would be good. Her abilities are similar. I'll contact Professor Xavier to see if she is available to meet with you."
The evening came and we all went to the Center, except Lance, who was to be picked up by Justin. I couldn't figure out what but something about them going on bothered me. I didn't know if it was Lance forgetting to tell me about it or some side effect from the twinge of jealousy I felt at the dinner. Regardless, I felt something...weird. I gave him a kiss and hug goodbye and told him to have a great time. Then we left.
When we arrived, we found Jessica waiting outside in the back. I noticed Randy wasn't with her and asked her about it.
"He decided to stay at home. I told him to call his dad if he needed anything."
I acknowledged what she said with an "okay", and instructed the superheroes to go to the cave via the hidden entrance from the street. Diana knew the way from the evening when we returned from Vesta's mansion and she led the others through the fields toward the road. I asked Preston to check on the van and make sure it was ready to go. Once the youths were gone and Jessica and I were alone, I asked about Lance and Justin going out.
"Where were they going?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. You know Justin. He likes to go out. He could be club hopping for all I know."
Her words didn't make me feel any better. In fact, they made me feel a little worse.
"When did you know about them going?"
"About a week or so ago, I think Justin told me. Why do you ask?"
"Because I didn't know anything about it until you said something to me tonight."
"Oh," Jessica replied sounding a little surprised. "I'm sure Lance was going to tell you. He probably figured you had a lot on your plate."
"Telling me he's going out with Justin isn't that big of a deal. It wouldn't stress me out. Well, it wouldn't have stressed me out if he would have told me about it." It probably wouldn't have stressed me out if I hadn't had those feelings of jealousy when he danced with someone else. Where were these feelings coming from?
I turned and entered the Center leaving Jessica outside. I didn't really need any words of comfort. The only thing I needed was to know why Lance didn't tell me. I saw Preston out front and I climbed in the driver's side. He moved over to the passenger side and we were underway.
"Is everything okay?" he asked after several moments of silence.
"Hm? Why do you ask?"
"You're quiet. Is something going on?"
"Oh, no, nothing," I answered. "There has been a lot of stuff going on, that's all. I'm feeling tired."
"You and Pop have always been there for Sarah and me. If you want or need to talk, I'm here for you."
"Thanks, son," I said as I put my hand on his leg and patted it.
Jessica arrived at the cave as the others were suiting up. She noticed Ella and asked, "Who are you?"
"My name is Ella Singh," the girl answered. "But you may call me Green Lantern." Green energy flowed from her ring around her body and her clothes changed form to that of a typical Green Lantern.
"That was cool!" Black Canary said.
"That was most interesting," Wonder Woman said. "Where did you get your ring? Is it a magic ring?"
"If modern-day science cannot explain it, it would appear to be magic," Green Lantern answered. "The power comes from the Guardians of the Universe, from the planet Oa. Green Lantern's are throughout the universe and are chosen to protect different sectors."
"From Oa?" Superman asked. "Do the Guardians have any knowledge about the planet Krypton?"
"It is possible, though I don't have that information myself. I could contact them some time when I am able and can ask them. Out of curiosity, why do you want to know about the planet Krypton?"
"I'm from there. From what I've learned, the planet doesn't exist any more. It blew up a long time ago. My father sent me here to spare my life. I guess because I blend in well here."
"There are few alien races that blend in well with people from Earth."
Black Canary walked over to the older Huntress while the conversation continued about aliens and outer space. "What are we doing tonight?"
"Good way to get us to focus," Jessica turned to the group and caught their attention. "You will have time to get to know each other a little more later. For now, we have work to do. How many do we have?" Jessica went through and counted the teens in front of her. "There are six of us. We'll pair off and check out different areas of the city."
"What are we looking for?" Black Canary asked.
"Anarky is one of the major focuses of our search. Have any of you read the newspapers?"
Superman raised his hand. "I have. He believes he is the voice of the people. So he targets individuals who have, in some way or another, did wrong to the people."
"That's correct. But he doesn't play nicely, nor does he play by the rules. We are to locate him if we can, and bring him down. He's human so we have to be careful with him.
"We are also keeping an eye out for Catman. I think most of you have seen him. All Batman wants is Catman to be tagged for tracing. Under no circumstances are you to confront him."
"Is he a vampire?" Wonder Woman asked.
"It's possible, although we aren't quite sure. Batman met up with a Catman years ago, and he was a vampire, a very powerful vampire. My contact with the recent Catman showed that he wasn't a vampire. Regardless, all we are doing is tagging him. Any questions?"
"Should we contact the Flash to help in our search?" Black Canary asked.
"He could help us. You have his contact information, Canary. Take Wonder Woman and find him, see if he can help. Superman, I want you and GL to work together. Do aerial sweeps. Try to stay hidden. Huntress and I will take the 'mobile and start in the south. Anything out of the ordinary, whether it is related to Catman or Anarky or not, let me know. There are things going on that Batman and I aren't certain about. Any more questions?"
When no one answered, the team was deployed.
To Be Continued...