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.
Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount Studios.
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!!!
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Chapter 38 New Year Resolutions
Jack and I crept slowly out the door and down the hall. The corridor seemed strangely quiet for a fortress. We went up the stairs that I was tossed down and I peeked my head around the corner to see if anyone was walking up the corridor. It was empty so we proceeded.
Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl stood above the opening that Robin and Batman stood at almost eighteen hours ago. The room is empty.
"How do we get down?" Nightwing asked. "We aren't mutants so we can't fly down."
Robin pulled out a grappling gun and shot a grapple into the rock. Holding the rope, he jumped feet first into the glass. It shattered under his weight and he plunged down into the room. The rope slowed him enough to he could drop down safely the rest of the way. Batgirl and Nightwing soon followed.
"Rather quiet for being a fortress," Batgirl said. "I wonder where everyone is?"
Robin, hearing a noise from one of the corridors, pulled one of his homemade robin-shaped throwing stars and threw it.
It was coming at me before I knew it, a sharp, metallic robin. I held up my hand and froze the robin in mid-air. Slowly, I brought it to me and clutched it.
"Nice throw," I said emerging from the shadows with Jack. "If it were anyone else, they would be dead."
"Relax, no one was hurt."
"But someone could have been." My eyes went to Jack.
Batgirl decided to intervene. "Where is everyone?"
"They went to the reservoir," Jack said.
All four of us turned to him.
"I overheard my mom talking to the woman driving the motorcycle. Mom and...I think her name was Talia...and Race-something...and Penguin...whoever he is...they were all going to the reservoir."
Our eyes met. Then I spoke up, though it was barely a whisper. "My God...they are going to poison the water supply."
"What?" Batgirl asked.
"They developed a poison that kills almost instantly. They plan on killing off people to lower the population and keep the world alive."
"Yep, that sounds like something Patty would do," Nightwing replied.
Jack looked up at him. "How do you know my biological mother's name?"
Everyone turned to him.
"He was there when your mom last took you, remember, Jack?" I quickly said.
"Oh...yeah...that's right."
"I'm going to take him back to his mother," I said to the group. "Get down to the reservoir. I'll be there shortly."
Batgirl grabbed the rope and climbed up.
"Grab onto me," Nightwing said to Jack. Jack grabbed on tightly and Nightwing climbed up the rope, with his son holding on.
"After you," I replied to Robin.
"Sorry about the whole throwing star thing."
"Don't worry about it. Just be thankful it was me."
Robin grabbed the rope and climbed next, followed by me. Once on the surface, we went our separate ways. Batgirl, Robin and Nightwing headed off toward the reservoir. I, on the other hand, took Jack back to his house.
"Jack, remember, don't drink the water unless you see any of the people you saw last night were arrested...or unless I or Nightwing or Robin or Batgirl tell you it's safe, okay?"
"Okay," he nodded. Then he gave me a hug. "Thank you for saving me, Batman."
"Thank you for saving me, Jack."
I released him and left. Going through the shadows so as not to be seen, I went home. Lance and the guys were on the patio listening to music. The TV was on inside, tuned in to the countdown to the New Year, the new millennium, 2001. I climbed the wall and landed by the pool.
"OH GOD!" Justin screamed. "You scared the crap out of me!"
"Sorry."
Lance looked over at me and grinned. He ran over shouting, "Thank God you're alive!" he said rather loudly. I took him into my arms and held him tight. "I thought you might have been killed."
"No, I'm fine. I'm so glad to see you. I missed so much."
"Tell us what happened."
The guys gathered round us.
"I wish I could, love, but I can't. I have something I have to take care of."
"What?" JC asked.
"Someone is going to poison the water supply unless I get there to stop them. I'll be back as soon as I'm finished."
Lance looked in my eyes and I could see the disappointment. He wanted to bring in the New Year with my kiss. I wanted to do the same with him. I grabbed my mask and pulled it off my mouth. I took Lance to me and kissed him full on the lips.
"That's just a precursor to what you will get when I get back. I love you."
"I love you, too."
I turned and, with a jump, landed on the wall. Then I jumped down and headed toward the reservoir, gauging in the general direction I had seen my friends go.
A half hour later I arrived at the reservoir, hoping against hope that nothing horrible had happened. I looked around and saw things strangely quiet. I climbed up to the roof of the processing building and looked through the skylight. Below, Batgirl, Nightwing and Robin stood, tied together. Ra's Al Ghul, Talia, Poison Ivy, and the Penguin stood off to one side while Shadow warriors stood guard. Ra's was saying something so I leaned closer to hear.
"...my Society of Shadows will grow in numbers until we take control of the whole world. The only beings left on the planet will be the elite, those loyal to only me."
"You are insane, Ra's," Batgirl replied.
Talia ran up to her and backhanded her. "Don't you dare speak to my father as such. I will rip out your tongue and feed it to you."
"Idle threats considering I'm tied up."
Nightwing and Poison Ivy kept an eye on each other. You could see the animosity flowing from Nightwing to her. He did not like her very much, and I didn't blame him. Robin, however, was keeping a level head and was sizing up the situation. No doubt he was figuring out ways to get free.
I looked around and found the drums carrying the poison. Shadow warriors were unloading them. I had to get them away from Ra's. That was the main priority. I could not let innocent people die. I relaxed and stretch out my mind. I picked up the drums and carried them up to the ceiling.
"What?!" Ra's exclaimed.
"What's going on?" Talia cried.
"Up there!" Penguin answered. He pulled out his gun and began shooting at me.
"You will not win, detective." Ra's ran over and opened a barrel. The poison flowed out like a waterfall. He grabbed another drum and filled it, then dumped the contents into a processor that flows the water into the drinking supply.
"NO!" everyone shouted.
I jumped into the glass. As I descended, Penguin's bullets followed, hitting machinery and severing some of the electrical cords. Electric bolts arced from the severed wires. Suddenly I had an idea. "It worked once more," I thought. "Why not try again."
I relaxed and reached out my hand. It was difficult, but I could feel something happening. I could feel the electricity in the air and the electricity in the wiring. Suddenly, like lightning, the electricity arced into the water and fried every single grain of poison. It shot throughout the room and disintegrated every molecule of the poison, breaking up the barrels and frying them. The electricity also hit the bullets coming from the Penguin's gun as he fired at me.
When all the poison was vaporized and the gun empty, I ran over and pulled the ropes off binding my friends.
"You stopped my immediate plan, detective. But you haven't stopped me completely. Shadows.... stop him."
His guards went into action. Two came running at me. One swung at me and I ducked. Another brought his leg up to kick me and I blocked it. I elbowed the second guy in the stomach and he fell to his knees in pain. Then I punched the first guy between the legs. He grabbed himself and fell.
Three guards ran at Batgirl. As they ran at her, she jumped into the air. Her Slayer strength caused her to lift into the air and over their heads. They ran into each other and she came down landing on top of them.
Robin pulled out a slingshot and hit several guards before one tackled him. Robin, not one for being pleasant in a fight, head-butted the guy. The guy lifted up enough for Robin to shoot him in the eye with his slingshot. Robin then rolled the guy off and kicked him hard.
Nightwing stepped aside as someone tried to kick him. Then he grabbed the leg that was in the air and brought his elbow down on the guy's kneecap. It broke under the impact. Then Nightwing kicked the kneecap of the warrior's good leg. The warrior fell to the ground with two broken legs.
We all made eye contact and turned to our foes: Ra's Al Ghul, Talia, Poison Ivy and Penguin.
"It ends...tonight," I replied.
"You've taken too much," Robin added.
"You won't take any more," Nightwing said.
"We won't allow it," Batgirl concluded.
"Really, now," Ra's replied. "Let's see."
Robin dived at Penguin before he could bring out any more weapons. Nightwing rushed Poison Ivy. Batgirl went after Talia. And Ra's was mine. Unfortunately, before I could get a hold of Ra's, his servant Ubu grabbed me. Ubu picked me up and tossed me into the wall.
"Infidel! You may not strike Master like that," Ubu exclaimed.
"Master what?" Robin said. "Master-bater?"
Ubu turned to Robin. "Infidel!"
I took advantage of Ubu being turned away and I kicked him hard behind the knee. Down he fell. I jumped to my feet as he started to get up. With a quick kick to his neck, he fell again. Then I turned to Ra's Al Ghul.
Batgirl ducked a punch Talia threw at her. Talia tried to kick her and Batgirl turned to the side to avoid the kick. Batgirl grabbed Talia's leg and used her leg in a sweeping motion to knock Talia's support leg out from under her. Talia crashed to the floor.
Nightwing and Poison Ivy circled each other, fierceness emanating from their eyes.
"How could you do it, Patty? How could you bring our son into this?" Nightwing asked.
"I was saving him from their poisoning the water. I don't want him to die!"
"But you are willing to endanger his life by bringing him here? You could have alerted the police, or contacted me. You didn't have to go along with them."
"You don't understand, do you? They have a good reason for doing what they are trying to do."
"Kill everybody?"
"Save this world. Our son is going to grow up in a world where people will be running rampant. No more forests. This place is going to deteriorate rapidly...all because mankind is selfish and greedy. It has to stop."
"Not like this. Not this way."
"I will fight them, by any means necessary."
"And I'll stop you, Poison Ivy."
Nightwing swung his fist at her. She blocked and punched him. Then she spun and kicked him in the stomach. He flew up against the wall with the impact. Poison Ivy brought her wrist crossbow up to his face.
"I beat you. You're dead."
Nightwing moved to the side quickly. He grabbed Poison Ivy's wrist and brought his knee up to her arm. The impact smashed her crossbow to pieces. Then he kicked her in the stomach. Turning her arm, he flipped her over on her back.
Penguin had his arms wrapped around Robin tightly. "Can you breathe, bird boy?" he hissed.
Robin brought his foot down hard on Penguin's foot. Then he elbowed the man in the stomach and flipped him over onto his back.
"About as well as you can, bird man," Robin replied.
Ra's Al Ghul's eyes and my eyes locked. There was no fear in his eyes, no wavering, only determination, the determination of a madman.
"It's not going to happen, Ra's."
"It already has, detective. I've won this battle."
Ra's pulled out a sword and swung it at me. I jumped back, the slice barely missing me. He swung again at me and I ducked. The sword imbedded into the wall. Pulling it free, Ra's thrust it at me. I sidestepped and grabbed his wrist. Using all my might, I pulled him around and into the wall. Then I punched him. Bringing my elbow down on his arm caused him to release the sword. I brought my elbow up and caught him in the face. I then grabbed him around his head and flipped him down to the ground.
Taking a deep breath, I stood and looked around. Batgirl stood with Talia at her feet. Nightwing stood with Poison Ivy tied up. Robin stood with his foot on Penguin's chest. I released my deep breath and took several more. We did it. We won.
"Isn't there any more?" Robin asked.
We all looked at him. But it was Batgirl who spoke. "Perhaps we should let him fight the vampires."
"Vampires?" Robin asked. "You mean...there ARE vampires?"
Batgirl smiled.
"Way cool!" he responded.
"Let's tie these four up and call the."
I was interrupted by the sounds of police sirens. We quickly tied up the villains and exited out.
I watched from the rooftops as Poison Ivy, Ra's Al Ghul, the Penguin and Talia were escorted away by the police. Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl came up beside me. All of us looked worn and battle-weary but nonetheless victorious.
"Well, Batman, you did it," Batgirl said. "You stopped the poison."
"We all did it, Batgirl. All four of us. I'm glad I had you three with me. Otherwise, they would have won. I could not have done it alone," I responded.
I noticed Nightwing's attention elsewhere. I followed his look over to the reunion of his son with his son's two adopted mothers. It was obviously Jack who called the police. How he convinced them to come, I don't know. Perhaps the story seemed too detailed that they had no choice but to believe him. I stepped over to Nightwing. "Thoughts, Nightwing?"
"Just a little sad. He's a fine young man. He has two wonderful mothers who love him very much. He's in good hands. I just wish I could have part of that."
"He has a good father, too. One who was willing to do what was best for his son, despite the fears and sorrows it has caused his father. I'm sure his mothers will share that with him."
"Yeah. I hope so."
I clapped my hand on his shoulder. After a moment, Robin turned to the rest of the group. "I don't know about you, but I'm tired. I could use some sleep."
Everyone else nodded his or her agreement.
"Go ahead," I replied. "You earned some peaceful sleep. I will keep watch just a little bit longer."
One by one they left me alone in the night. I watched as the last of the police cars holding a villain drove off toward the jail. The remaining cars were forensic officers examining the crime scene. Nothing more did they need me for, so I left. I headed back home. When I got home, I took off my suit and put on my bathrobe.
I walked downstairs and saw Lance and the guys sitting in the living room talking. They looked up at me. Lance met me at the steps and took me into his arms.
"How did everything go?" he asked
"Okay."
"Anyone get seriously hurt?"
"No. Thankfully, no."
"That's good. Did this guy make good on his threat to ruin the future?"
"No. Everyone is safe."
"That's good. For a moment, with all that was going on, you know, the attack on our lives. I thought he would have done something to the teen center."
My heart stopped beating in my chest. I hadn't checked the teen center. What if he had done something? I remembered his last words to me: I've won this battle. I jumped up and pulled on a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt.
"What's going on?" Lance asked as he flipped on the lamp.
"The teen center! I have to check it out! Maybe the threat on the whole city was just a diversion from doing a smaller destruction...the teen center."
"Hold on, I'll drive you over."
In record time I was dressed and in moments the SUV careened down the road heading for the teen center.
To Be Continued...