I, Vampire

Mary laughed as she sat on her throne. Dagon, Bennett, and Paco had frozen as the vampiric Bette Kane revealed herself and hissed at them, revealing her fangs. More of Mary’s vampires had surrounded them in a semicircle.

“What do we do?” Dagon asked as Bennett’s eyes narrowed. Paco simply reached into his shirt and made sure his crucifix was still in place. After all, you can never be too careful.

Bennett studied Bette for a moment as Mary smiled from behind her. “She’s not been turned completely,” Bennett finally judged. “It’s not too late.”

“Then how do we change her back?” Paco asked.

“Destroy Mary,” Bennett replied.

“You make it sound so easy,” Mary said as she stood. “But do you really think that you can succeed now, after so many centuries of trying?”

Bennett scowled. “This is nothing but a game to you, isn’t it?”

“Of course,” Mary said as she stepped forward. She smiled. “I’ve only been toying with you for the last five centuries.” She lightly touched Bennett’s lips with her finger. “And perhaps I was only toying with you while I still lived, as well.”

Paco leaned over to Dagon. “Any ideas?” he whispered.

Mary smiled as she leaned closer to Paco. “I have one,” she purred. “Enjoy your last moments on this planet.” She smirked. “If you were a little taller, perhaps I would have taken you as one of my consorts.” Behind her, Bette continued snarling.

“I would’ve said no!” Paco protested to Bette.

“She can’t hear you,” Dagon muttered.

“You don’t know that,” Paco said. “And if she does know what’s going on, she’d kill me!”

“Can we please focus?” Bennett asked as he studied Bette. “She’s not full-blooded yet.”

“And that means?” Paco prompted.

“She’s not through with her transformation yet,” Dagon explained. “We can still save her.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Paco asked.

Bennett smiled. “Nothing,” he said as he launched forward and attacked Mary, who’d been disinterestedly watching the proceedings.

Dagon smiled and launched into an attack at the encircling vampires. Vibe created an opening with his powers and sprinted through it.

Behind them, Bennett’s tackle had dropped Mary to the floor. She flipped him off and into a wall. Plaster dust fell as he dropped to the floor himself and landed in a crouch. The two glared at each other and launched into combat again.

Across the room, Vibe ducked a vampire that Dagon had thrown as he ran for the door. He wasn’t sure what was going on – just that he’d feel better away from the main vampire force. His hand was reaching for the door handle when he heard a hiss from behind him. He turned and saw Bette.

Paco knew that the right words could defuse this situation. “Hi?” he asked. Bette snarled and her lips drew back from her fangs.

Paco realized that “hi” hadn’t been the right word.

Dagon tore through vampire after vampire. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Paco backing away from Bette. Across the room, Bennett was battling Mary. Dagon frowned. Once again, it was up to him to keep the vampire army off the other two.

Still, Dagon kept his eyes open. He saw Mary vanish down a corridor with Bennett hot on her heels.

Dagon smiled. Time to stop fooling around. He swung again, sending another assailant flying backward. Dagon leaped up and transformed into his “bat-man” form.

Paco let out a cry as long, taloned fingers grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him aloft, safely away from Bette. He looked up at Dagon and started swearing.

“That’ll get you on your way to confession,” Dagon said. “Calm down. It’s me. I’ve got an idea how we can stop this now.”

“Let’s hear it,” Paco said.

Dagon smiled grotesquely as he soared toward the roof. “Vampires 101. What kills them?”

“Sunlight,” Paco replied.

“Exactly. We’ve got an unlimited supply outside, but it’s dark in here. We’re in a crumbling building and you’ve got your powers. Get the idea?”

“Got it,” Paco said, then paused. “What about you? You lose your powers in sunlight and we’re pretty high up.”

Dagon thought a moment. “Get ready to roll when you hit.”

“Wonderful.” Paco pushed his sleeves up. “Let’s get this over with.” He raised his arms and began firing vibration waves at the columns that supported the roof. Chunks of stone began falling and cracks began appearing in the ceiling. Sunlight shone clearly through the widening holes. When it touched vampires, they quickly flamed into ash. Dagon expertly weaved around falling masonry as Paco continued to hammer the ceiling.

Below them, the vampire army was shrieking and began running for the door that Bennett and Mary had used moments earlier. At Dagon’s prompting, Paco fired his powers and blocked the door with debris before returning his attention to the ceiling.

Bennett whirled around as the debris fell and blocked the passageway. A glimpse of the sunlight coming through the damaged roof had told him that the fight out there was nearly over. He smiled as he returned his attention to Mary, who’d stopped running as soon as the debris from the ceiling had crashed to the ground.

“It’s over,” he said as he slowly approached her. “There’s nowhere you can run.”

“Indeed it is,” she said with a smile as she launched toward him.

The fight was short. Bennett quickly overpowered her and slammed her into a wooden beam protruding from the damaged wall.

She laughed as she looked down at her chest and the makeshift stake protruding from it. “Fool,” she said. “Did you really think that Mary would be here herself?”

As if on cue, the red wig she’d been wearing fell to the ground.

She continued to laugh as she visibly weakened. “You can have your little friend back. Our queen has gone on ahead of us to continue to prepare for your destruction and her ultimate victory. Long live the Cult of the Blood Red Moon!”

A furious Bennett picked up another chunk of wood and stabbed her through the mouth with it, pinning her head to the wall. “Be silent,” he finally said before wrapping himself in his cloak and waiting for the others to come get him.

Outside, the battle was over. The final chunks of roof gave way and with them went Dagon’s bat-form. He had lowered himself closer to the ground before Paco’s final shot, so neither had far to fall. As the final vampires burst into flame, Dagon froze and Paco ran to Bette’s side.

She rolled over and blinked. “What did I do last night?” she asked weakly. Paco smiled and pulled her tight.

“I just got word from Bennett,” Dagon said. “We need to get out of here. He’ll meet us back at the old HQ after sundown.”

Sirens were beginning to sound from the street outside. “Sounds good to me,” Paco said as he pulled Bette to her feet. “And I think we’d better not waste any time.”

The three former Titans left the devastated building and quickly vanished into the street traffic.

That night, Bennett and Dagon were talking in the former Titans West headquarters. Workers from STAR had been sent over by Karen Beecher to begin repairs.

“I have found another trace of Mary,” Bennett said. “My hunt goes on.” He turned to face Dagon. “But it need not go on alone. Years ago, I had human friends who aided me in my quest. They are gone now. This last fight showed me that I miss their companionship and assistance.” Bennett thought a moment. “I am asking you to accompany me.”

Dagon, now no longer alone either, simply smiled.

Far away, Bette and Paco were saying goodbye in the airport. Paco’s flight to Detroit was preparing to board, as was Bette’s to Opal.

“I’ll see you soon, chica,” Paco whispered as the held each other a moment longer. They stepped back and Paco started down the walkway toward his plane. He paused, turned, and smiled at her. “Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone,” he said.

Bette smiled. “Never,” she said. She watched him go and then headed toward the plane that would carry her to Opal City.

Epilogue

I climbed off the bus and found myself in front of the JSA’s brownstone. I paused a moment and allowed my memories of the building to replay before I stepped forward and entered the building.

I walked into the museum and looked around. I spotted Alex Montez, the museum’s curator. He turned and picked up a phone. I already knew who he was calling. Was the reason that I was here so plain on my face?

It didn’t take long for Alan Scott to float down from the second floor, surrounded by green fire. He clasped my hand and told me it was good to see me. The feeling was mutual.

We walked through the exhibits until we stopped in front of the one that I was looking for. Despite myself, I found that I was reaching out to touch the glass that separated me from it.

It was clear that Alan knew exactly why I’d come. Just like Alex. He asked me if I was sure.

“Yes,” I said without taking my eyes away from the secured case.

Alan nodded and smiled. Green energy flowed from his hand and opened the case. I reached inside and my fist wrapped tightly against what I’d crossed the country to get. I pulled it close and saw Alan’s smile growing wider. He knew what was going on.

As my hands slid along the device, it felt like I was complete again and prepared to go home.

No longer was I only Jack Knight.

Once again I was Starman.

To Be Continued...

Previous Issue | Next Issue