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.
This story has taken on a life of its own. From its inception a year ago, I had only thought it would last ten chapters maximum. As you can see, it has grown tremendously. Mostly due to readers emailing me and telling me they've enjoyed it or have received help due to certain issues addressed. I've enjoyed writing this story but it would not have been written without men and women reading it and telling me they've enjoyed it. I do hope that you continue to enjoy each new chapter as our hero lives and grows.
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Chapter 39 Inner Reality
Kai-El caught up with me as I headed down the street.
"What are you doing?" she asked me.
"I'm going back to the hotel to get my suit. Then I'm going back and killing Turic again."
"There is something in you, Eric," she replied. "Something dark. I do not think it is wise to entertain your dark feelings."
"Since that is all I have to go on, I have no choice. I'm tired of people attacking my loved ones simply because they have a problem with me. I'm going to end this and use the 'dark feelings' as you say to do it."
"Do you know what happens to people who give in to the dark feelings? They turn to the Dark Side, like Darth Malice and Darth Grim. They lose all that they ever hold dear and all that is in them is hatred. Hatred leads to suffering. You must not give in to it."
I turned on Kai-El with my eyes glowing red. "Don't talk to me about suffering. For the past six months I have suffered an eternity's worth. You couldn't possibly imagine what it is like for me. You have no place to talk."
"Eric," a voice said behind me.
I turned to see Jessica and Justin walking toward me.
"What's going on here?" she asked looking from me to Kai-El and back at me.
"This doesn't concern you." I continued my walk back to the hotel.
"Are you a friend?" Kai-El asked Jessica after the three were alone.
"Yes," Jessica answered. "Who are you?"
"A new friend. I fear your friend is in danger."
"How so?"
"We must go somewhere quietly and talk."
"Our hotel room is this way," Jessica replied.
Kai-El followed the two newest people in her life back to their hotel room. Once inside the room, Jessica offered a seat and they sat down to discuss the situation.
"Who are you and how did you meet Eric?" Jessica asked.
"I'm not from around here. Two nights ago, my...transportation crashed on the beach and Eric and his spouse helped me. I have come in seek of Batman. Your friend, Eric revealed to me the identity of Batman and I realized this is not the time to meet him."
"What do you want with Batman?" Jessica asked.
"There is no easy way to explain this. You may not understand. It would seem bizarre from your standpoint."
"Believe me," Justin said. "We are used to the bizarre."
"Very well. My transportation was a shuttle and I've come from the planet Coruscant in search of Batman. My job is to protect him from two Sith Lord's who plan to use whatever power Batman has to change others to the Dark Side."
Justin and Jessica just stared at her.
"I have proof, though not with me. My Lightsaber is back at Eric and Lance's hotel."
"Speaking of Eric, what was wrong with him?"
"His spouse was taken by a vampire by the name of Turic, a vampire seeking revenge." Kai-El noticed Justin's face had gone pale. "Are you ill?"
"No," Justin answered. "Turic was a vampire who had me under some spell. Eric saved me by slaying Turic. That broke the spell."
"And Turic is back from the dead to seek revenge," Kai-El concluded, "on the man who sent him to hell."
"That makes sense," Jessica replied, "with what Garrett was told by the Council."
"You have a Jedi Council on this planet?"
"No," Jessica answered. "I am part of a group that is very old on this planet. I'm a Vampire Slayer, born with abilities to hunt vampires and demons. We have a Council of Watchers who answer questions for us and find information to help us deal with mystical forces that arise.
"A Wiccan coven sensed the spell that brought Turic back and alerted the Council. The Council discovered through magic that it was an old vampire seeking revenge. They alerted Garrett since I'm one of the most experienced Slayer's in America.
"Have the Sith Lord's made any moves yet on Eric?"
"Last night they sent several troopers. Batman and I defeated them but I fear there are more, and they may attack with larger numbers after nightfall."
"Eric should be our concern right now," Justin said. "If he is giving into the Dark Side, there's no telling what he could do."
"That explains even more," Jessica stated.
"What?" Justin and Kai-El said in unison.
"I've sensed the darkness in him. It's an ability Slayer's have to sense evil forces. There is something in Eric that is evil. That is what is taking him to the Dark Side."
"But when did he get it?" Justin asked.
"I had a problem with him a year ago when I thought he killed someone. It bothered me that someone I trusted could do something so wrong. But I never sensed the evil in him when we went to England. It wasn't until his return from England that he seemed darker."
"What happened in England?" Justin asked. "No one has said a word to any of us other than Eric died and came back."
"We were called to England because one of the fallen angels, a pure, immortal demon, was released from his cell. That is what killed Batgirl and Eric. All was quiet from the demon so the Council assumed he was satiated. That is when I returned.
"From what little information Garrett could obtain, the demon Macai and his followers were silently building an army to take over. Eric was discovered to be alive and even more powerful than before. He, along with several unknown beings, fought against the demon and prevailed.
"Maybe he was infected with something from the demon. Or maybe whatever brought him back was dark and evil and left that darkness in him. In any case, Eric will have to get rid of it. He has been getting darker ever since he came back."
"I know what you mean," Justin replied. "He wasn't as innocent as he used to be."
Jessica and Kai-El looked on Justin wondering what he meant.
"Eric stayed with me for a few nights when he came back to Orlando. He seemed different."
Jessica and Kai-El nodded in understanding.
"The question is what do we do? How do we help Eric get rid of the darkness?"
"I don't know," Kai-El said.
"If we knew exactly what caused the darkness, we could find a way to get rid of it. We could use a counter-spell if magic caused it."
"Can't we try that?" Justin asked.
"If it wasn't a spell, we would do more damage than good. I don't want to risk it."
"How do people get rid of the Dark Side from where you come from?" Justin asked Kai-El.
"There has only ever been one record of that happening. Darth Vader was brought back by the love and persistence of his son. Master Skywalker could sense the good in Darth Vader, the conflict that was going on inside. He used his love for his father to help Darth Vader defeat the Dark Side. Unfortunately, he did not survive the ordeal with Darth Sidious."
"Still," Jessica said. "That's a start. Eric needs love."
"Lance loves him. Isn't that enough?"
"That might be the only thing keeping him from going totally to the Dark Side. The evil in him is spiritual. It will take spiritual love to free him. And that can only be received if he yields to it."
I entered the hotel room only to find a creature that resembled Darth Maul from Star Wars The Phantom Menace. However, when it spoke, it wasn't male.
"Hello," the creature greeted.
"Who are you and what do you want?"
"My name is Darth Malice. And I bring your destiny."
"What do you mean by that?"
"There is darkness in you. Hatred is swelling. Fostered properly it will explode within and you will become powerful."
"Kai-El warned me of you."
"Kai-El Ski? The Jedi? She survived! Blast it!"
"Yeah. And she brought me a gift."
I held my hand out to the side and the door to the bedroom opened. The double-bladed Lightsaber flew from the bedroom into my hand and I activated one end. Darth Malice pulled her Lightsaber and ignited the red blade.
"Do you really want to do this?" she asked.
"I need to save my husband. You are standing in my way and annoying me with your words. So the answer is, yes, I really want to do this."
I swung my blade at her. She blocked and countered. I was able to block her attack and push her back. Darth Malice stumbled against the back of the couch. I swung my blade at her and she used her foot against my hand to stop it. Swinging her other leg up, she kicked me in the face and flipped over the couch.
"How many years of Lightsaber training have you had?" Darth Malice asked. "I've trained all my life."
"I trained with a Watcher. I think I could hold my own."
Darth Malice grinned at me showing her yellow and black alternating teeth. I ran at the couch, put my foot on the top and kicked off. Flipping in the air I swung my Lightsaber down. Darth Malice blocked and I landed behind her. The Sith Lord swung around at me and I blocked her attack.
I heard the sound of wind and looked behind me. Several shadowtroopers stood with their Lightsabers ignited.
"Do you think you can take all of us on?"
Kai-El and Justin headed for the hotel. The Huntress, in full costume, ran along the rooftops toward the hotel. She saw Kai-El and Justin enter the doors to the lobby and the Huntress leapt to the nearest balcony. There was nothing going on so she jumped to the next one. As she stood there she heard the sound of energy humming coming from below. Jumping up to the railing, she turned and dropped. Her fingers found the edge of the balcony and she swung herself into the glass doors.
At the sound of broken glass I managed to turn my head toward the balcony. Framed by the broken doors was the Huntress. Shadowtroopers stood around me with Darth Malice directly over me. They all turned their attention to the Huntress.
"Nobody messes with my friend," Huntress replied.
The shadowtroopers turned and ignited their Lightsabers.
"By...your feet," I muttered.
The Huntress saw the hilt of a double-bladed Lightsaber. She picked it up and turned on both ends. Purple energy blades came out each end and Huntress readied herself for battle.
"Do you really think you can beat them?" Darth Malice asked.
"I don't think I'll have a problem."
The door to the hotel room burst open and Kai-El and Justin entered.
"Darth!" Kai-El exclaimed.
"Jedi!" Darth Malice exclaimed in return. "You managed to elude me. Not any more."
Darth Malice ignited her Lightsaber and turned on Kai-El. The Jedi pushed Justin into the hall and rolled forward on the floor ducking under the red energy blade. She held up her hand and her yellow Lightsaber hilt flew from the bedroom. She ignited it and turned as Darth Malice brought her blade down blocking the attack.
Huntress blocked and dodged as the shadowtroopers swung their blades at her. "I'll have to thank Garrett for all the sword and quarterstaff training."
Huntress blocked an attack at her feet by a shadowtrooper. She then pushed upward, turning the red blade away from her. She brought the blade backwards and stabbed a shadowtrooper through the chest who was coming at her from behind. It hollered out in pain and fell dead.
Justin saw that all the villains were distracted and came over to me. I was bruised and bloodied from the intense interrogation Darth Malice gave me.
"Eric," he replied when he saw my face. "Are you okay?"
"Never...better," I replied.
This brought a smile to his face. "I thought you were dead."
"Not yet. Lance needs me. As long as...he needs me I will be alive."
"Good," Justin replied. "We can't do this without you."
The blade zinged by and Justin fell backwards onto the floor. I reached up and grabbed Darth Malice by the shirt.
"Leave him alone," I replied.
Darth Malice pushed my hand away and brought her Lightsaber up. This would have appeared the end. As Darth Malice brought the blade down, a purple blade intercepted it.
"I told you," Huntress replied. "He's my friend."
Darth Malice snarled at Huntress. She brought her hand up and used the force pushing Huntress across the room.
"You pathetic lifeforms think you can take on a Sith Lord. You are no match for my power."
"But I am," Kai-El replied behind Darth Malice.
Darth Malice turned and swung her blade at the Jedi. Kai-El blocked and ducked as the blade came back around. Kai-El took the opening and shoved her blade into Darth Malice's stomach. I saw the yellow energy blade come out her back.
"You've lost, Malice," Kai-El said.
When the Jedi turned off the blade, Darth Malice's body fell to the floor. Kai-El looked around the room and saw the body parts of the shadowtroopers.
"Excellent work, Huntress," she praised. "A Jedi could not have done better."
"Thanks, Kai-El. I'm impressed by your powers as well."
The two warriors turned and saw Justin climbing up to me. They came over and the Huntress checked my vitals.
"You look like hell," Huntress replied.
"I feel like hell."
"Probably on the inside, too," Justin replied.
"What?" I said looking up at him. I looked over at Huntress's face. "What does he mean?"
"What he means, Eric, is that there is something evil and dark in you from when you battled Macai. It has been dragging you down the path of the Dark Side."
"That is why Malice was here," Kai-El added. "She sensed the Dark Side in you and was planning on turning you over to her side. That is why you were made to suffer."
"That...explains a lot," I replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Remember, Justin, how I used to pray and have a close relationship with God?"
Justin nodded.
"I don't have that any more. It is almost as if I can't speak to God, like the communication is blocked. It feels impossible."
"You need to, Eric," Huntress replied. "Lance needs you to. And you need you to. You have to get that contact with God. Only God can cleanse you of the darkness inside."
I knew it to be true. I knew what she was saying was absolutely true. That would explain the distance between me and God. That would explain the ease in which anger and hatred would take me over. It had to stop. If it didn't, I would lose Lance forever. I would lose everyone forever. And I couldn't do that, not when I fought so hard to get them back in my life.
I nodded at my friends. "I need time," I replied.
"You don't have the time, Eric," Justin said.
"That's not what I meant. I need some alone time with God."
"Oh," Justin replied. "Sorry, then."
"It's okay. I know your concern. And I appreciate it. But if I'm going to defeat Turic, if I'm going to have my life back completely, I'm going to need to spend time alone with God. It's the only way."
"What do we do?" Huntress asked.
"There is nothing any of you can do."
"Not for you," Kai-El replied. "But there are some things you and Justin can help me with."
Huntress nodded. "Are you sure about this, Eric?"
I nodded.
"Then we'll go with Kai-El. Take care of yourself."
I nodded and laid there as Kai-El, Justin and Huntress gathered up the remains of the shadowtroopers along wit their Lightsabers. As Kai-El picked up Malice's, I reached over.
"Can I have that Lightsaber?"
Kai-El nodded and handed it to me. I looked at the handle. It looked almost like bat's wings on part of it. It would go with the purple double-bladed one Kai-El gave me, the one Huntress had on her belt.
Once the three cleaned up, they headed out to do whatever Kai-El needed them to do leaving me all alone. Correction: I wasn't all alone.
To Be Continued...
What do you think of this chapter? Lots of action in it as well as some realizations for Eric. Please, email me with your questions and comments. I love hearing from you .