I don't own Merlin or Batman

What if Merlin had drunk a few cups of wine during the feast of the first episode? The story wouldn't have changed that much, would it? After all it was just a few cups. Wasn't it?

What darkness could you find at the bottom of a cup?

The Bat Warlock

Chapter 1 – The Exiled Ghost

Merlin stood nervously and little tiredly near his mentor Gaius, as the court physician the new mentor of the lad had been invited to the King's dinner. A dinner Merlin, found to be utterly distasteful. The warlock wouldn't lie since his immigration to Camelot the boy once filled with hope and interest for the kingdom, now found it to be a castle filled of disappointment and discrimination.

As a child, Merlin had heard stories of Camelot being a utopia, a kingdom of change, of how a small person like himself could rise from a village boy to someone even he couldn't comprehend becoming. Only, that he would become something great.

Instead, the childhood dreams of his boyhood were shattered in less than two days. Upon entering this kingdom of dreams, the first event he witnessed was a beheading of a young boy. A boy no older than himself. A boy who could use magic just like himself. A boy who was executed without one person attempting to save him from his fate.

Now, here he was two days in. Drinking a weak wine with his mentor as they and the rest of the courtiers who where toasting the king who cut of a child's head. Uther, Merlin had heard stories of the man's hatred of magic, unfortunately the naïve warlock underestimated how bad the king's hatred went. To the point who was more than willing to commit such a harsh sentence. So long as the crown was on his head, Camelot would be a death trap for Merlin and others who used magic. It would only take one bad mistake on his part.

Arthur, the boy he was supposed to share a destiny with. How? Merlin could only ask himself. Like Uther the Prince, seemed to be one giant ass. True, Merlin did feel a tad of respect for the heir after the compliment from their mace duel. Unfortunately, Merlin just couldn't move past the prince's arrogance. He didn't know why but Arthur just bugged him. It was like dealing with a kid brother almost. Merlin face blushed at that last mental comment.

The others he had met through his move, Gwen was a lovely girl the first real friend he had made here. Her kindness and even humour had been able to get Merlin through the stocks. Gaius, his Great Uncle. The man had been a stiff but still a form of sanity for Merlin. The man fed him, taught him and even understood the feelings of being a magic exile. Even treated him for his mace wounds. He had been a farther figure Merlin had wished for.

The there was Morgana. Merlin didn't know her as well as the previous people he had encounter with. Apart from Uther, Merlin had least shared a word with them, while with Morgana…well he shared a dress with. Thank God Gwen came in time, he could only dread what would happen if the Ward came out to spot him… as she was undressing. Still when he watched her on from her window during the execution. He sensed a strange mixture of light and dark from her. The light brought from her sadness a boy was killed a darkness from the anger of the injustice of the act.

Merlin shook his head. Light, dark he was just a delivery boy not some kind of mind reader like the dragon tried to tell him. Morgana was just a normal woman, but her guardian was a different story. Merlin casted down his face at his drink. Perhaps he just hoped too much for a happy life. Camelot was no different to Eldore. He found the same loneliness he had felt since his childhood, different location same hell.

"Merlin!" Gaius quietly berated at his ward. Merlin jumped from his train of thought. Merlin's new guardian had a sour look on his face "What is wrong with?" He questioned "Many servants would jump at the chance to partake in a feast like this."

"Well, Gaius its not like were at the big boys table." Merlin sulkily answered back.

"Don't start again," Gaius groaned "I thought after that foolish mace fight, you would have been able to tell when to keep your mouth closed." Gaius did feel bad for berating Merlin, but after the last two conflicts with Arthur its amazing the boy wasn't facing the axe by now. Gaius doubted his friendship with Uther would save Merlin a third time.

"Well, you don't need to worry." Merlin glumly replied as he supped another sip of his wine. "I don't think I don't plan on wasting anymore of your time than I have already." Merlin sipped again feeling the wine however weak starting to work its effects.

As Merlin felt his eyes blur from the substance, Gaius shook him roughly "What are you talking about!" He demanded.

Merlin sighed probably for the thousand time since his move to Camelot. "Well." Gaius asked again this time more forthrightly.

Merlin, just down casted his eyes. "Gaius… I don't even know why I came here. I thought, I could be something more. Camelot was meant to be my breck, my second chance to escape my childhood. All my life I was seen as that freak bastard who lives with his mother."

"Merlin." Gaius answered sadly.

With one drunken hiccup Merlin continued "The only difference with Camelot and my village is just the size. The people are both the same. I haven't found a home Gaius; I just found another place to feel like an exile. I…. I can't do that again." Merlin drunkenly muttered out. "I know you and my mum had good intentions but let's be honest the last two days couldn't have been more terrible. It might be better if I just tried somewhere else." Merlin confessed sadly. Not feeling like the destined warlock, the dragon prophesized him to be. Rather a weak drunken fool who should have quitted while he still had the chance too. Allowing naivety and glamor to blind him to the harshness of what was reality.

"Merlin, stop talking like this." Gaius demanded forcibly taking the wine cup away from him. "I understand you may feel some 'frustration' over your place in this kingdom and even the world. Find me someone who hasn't." Gaius admitted "Do, you think when I was your age, I daydreamed of being a physician? Like you I too had dreams."

"I dreamt of being a knight of Camelot, to be some sorcerer supreme. To be far more than my station would have allowed me. To be something amazing. Even now I admit I still feel a sense of loss when I look back on the things I have missed out. Yet here I am helping people in my own way." Gaius sadly smiled trying to sympathise with his wards worries.

Merlin dried up his eyes sniffling some remains of the booze "At least you don't have to be scared the king could kill for being who you are. Having something you never asked for." Merlin berated bitterly back at his mentor.

Gaius, casted his eyes down in a pondering fashion "You actually would be supri…." The old man had been interrupted painfully as a screeching noise boomed the great hall. Merlin even dropped his cup of wine as it spilled messily onto the floor as himself had to cover his ears from the ungodly sound. Both men could see the fabled songstress, Uther had commissioned for his anniversary, had sang an abnormal loud tune, coursing many of the guests to fall into a deep sleep and even grow cobwebs around their bodies. The only two people who seemed to be unaffected by this spell where Merlin and Gaius due to them protecting their ears.

Once the work was done and the lively hall had been degraded into a deathly bedroom. The songstress figure seemed to morph into that of a skinny old woman. A woman Merlin had recognized, she was the mother of the boy who had been beheaded. Merlin had remembered she vowed to the king she take vengeance for his death.

"An eye for an eye, a son for a son." The chilling words crawled back into Merlin's head as he eyed Arthur's sleeping form. "She's going to kill him." Merlin answered himself with a quiet fear. As soon as Merlin, realized his theory the rest of the court began to wake up from their slumber. The old hag in desperation for her revenge grabbed the closet knife she could find. With one bitter cry, she prepared to launch the dagger at the dazed prince.

Throughout all this chaos, Merlin was trying to figure out how to help. Normally he would cast a spell in such a situation. Unfortunately, the wine had done its work and dulled his senses to conjure one up. All that came into Merlin's head was a stomping headache, no way could he safely cast a spell without anyone knowing. Merlin could only see the old hag in front of him, holding the to be murder weapon.

Perhaps it was the alcohol or perhaps it was a muster of courage, but Merlin flung himself at the old witch. Merlin had jumped from the table like a mother falcon wanting to defend her chick from the bloody predators. As he swopped down, Merlin felt the old hags weight pile on his front, it was loosely feeling as both person's fell straight to the floor.

The incoming gasps around him brought Merlin back to his senses. The young man gradually got up, turning his head to examine the villainess. Seeing the greyish red blood leave her head, like a shallow river coursing over the castle floor. While Merlin may not be the same league of physician like Gaius was. Even he had enough skill to know what a corpse was.

"That must have been where the gasps came from", Merlin thought as he turned his head away in disgust from the fallen murderous. Unfortunately, the sight before him proved he really had been an idiot as the prince had said.

Merlin could feel the worst of shivers coat him. In no absolute terms could Merlin have been prepared for the horror which was waiting for him. Gaius, the man who had been his employer, his mentor…his farther figure. Was slouching back on Prince Arthur's chair, gasping desperately for air as blood poured horrendously into his hands. Blood slipping away from the knife wound in his chest. The knife wound he had been given as he pushed his prince out of the way in order to safe him, but at the cost of his own life.

Merlin heart pounded at this horrific sight. Any inkling of booze lingering in his system had just seriously drowned out of him. The people moving around the scene, felt like wondering blurred ghosts for Merlin. Even the royal family seemed to have physically blurred out from his sight.

The only person who looked at all normal to him was Gaius, and the blood leaving him. Merlin couldn't even feel the tears leave his eyes. Gaius, with his last will of strength looked at his ward. While the persons around may not have noticed Merlin knew he was looking at him. He wanted Gaius last moment to be of hatred, of disdain to the boy who had failed him. Who should have pushed Arthur out of the way instead of him. Who would blame him for drinking too much which disallowed him from using magic which would have prevented this entire nightmare from happening.

Instead, the old man just gave his ward a smile. One of peace and sincerity. To allow his ward to know he didn't blame him for his fate.

Somehow, that made Merlin feel far worse.

A Day later

The whole hall of Camelot was shrouded in black, many people nobles and servants a like dressed in black to honour the fallen court physician who died in service to his prince. Morgana and Gwen kept together as usual, though one could clearly see the distress in both ladies' eyes. Sir Geoffrey kept a respectful stance not allowing a tear to crawl down his eye. Even though anyone could tell he was saddened by his friend's death.

Arthur the poor prince didn't even know how to feel, for most of his childhood he just saw Gaius as his father's friend and the castle's medic. He never attempted to ask how he was or if even needed anything to make his job better. Now the man Arthur had taken for granted for most of his life was now about to be brought into the great hall in a casket. All for saving his life. Now, looking back Arthur now more than ever begged that he attempted to have far meaningful relationship with Gaius, it was a regret the future king was dammed to have for the rest of his life.

Finally, the bugle's played their tune. The doors of the great hall opened as Merlin along with five more boys carried the wooden coffin draped with a black veil into the grand hall. Placing it squarely into the middle of the room, once the task was done and the six boys joined the other mourners in the side. Uther came from the side door. Due to his kingly status and conservative nature he refused to carry the coffin of his friend in. For Gaius was still a peasant regardless of his place in the court. None the less the cold king would attempt to honour his long-time friend.

Uther draped in black garments and a gold crown on his head, made his way to a golden dragon themed pedestal. Placing his hands on the altar "Today, Camelot wakes to a great sorrow. For one of her most loyal subjects has been made another victim in the war against magic."

Merlin and Morgana huffed inwardly. Even though Gaius was killed by a witch, Uther still would find a way to make his friends death a promotion for his own propaganda.

"Gaius was truly a valiant solider in this dreaded war, one of the key allies in bringing up Camelot from the ashes' of its sinful past into the metropolis it is today, but for myself and many people here. He was my friend." Uther admitted sadly. An admission which seemed to surprise the others in this ceremony. Uther was known to be cold, cruel and tyrannical. Anytime the man was nice it was for his personal interest. Yet in this case, the king seemed to be generally sad, even tearful of his old friend's death.

"Gaius was not just one of the first allies I found when I took the throne from its magical tyrants. He was one of the first true friends I ever made in my life. True I have many in this court I see as my dearest and closet of friends even family." Despite the last statement being sincere, Arthur and Morgana couldn't help but eye each other. It was no secret Uther had considered marriage potential marriages between them and the children of his nobles which served him. It was a possibility which unsettled both heir and ward. Especially Morgana, she couldn't stand most of Uther's court for their shared hatred of magic.

"But for him as a man. He went beyond the line of duty when he saved my son Prince Arthur," Uther gestured to his son, who turn tried to hide from his father's gaze in awkwardness "His sacrifice, secured once again this kingdom's future not to mention my son's life." Uther expressed with a hint of emotion "Now, it is more so my duty to carry out the war on magic. To make sure his sacrifice was not in vain, and Camelot will not suffer this tragedy again."

Hearing the last sentence of Uther's eulogy flared an anger in Merlin. Since he met the king. Merlin already got the sense of what the man was. A cold-blooded killer, a man who despised magic in all forms, but to use Gaius's death to further his own agenda against magic, against the very kind Gaius in fact was made Merlin's blood boil. True Uther may have meant his words of affection but even so jaded mindset or not Uther had turned this who service into a new witch-hunt.

Uther walked down from the pedestal towards the coffin. The king gently bent down and kissed the top of it, "Goodbye, dear old friend." Uther sadly gulped out.

"Your dear friend is here because of you!" Merlin thought unable to hide his bitterness for the king "This all happened because you killed an innocent boy! You pushed his mother to kill your own son! Gaius paid the price for your dam mistake! You didn't learn anything form this, you're going to keep hunting people for magic, you're still going to push people into hating you, into wanting to make you suffer as they have suffered. How many people like Gaius will have to die in order to make you…"

Merlin was halted by his angered inner monologue was halted by a small cry. Merlin saw the lady Morgana tear up in front of the coffin. Breaking down for the man who had taken care of her for so long with her sleeping problems and her worries. Gwen came to her Ladies side placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, though the maid servant herself seemed to be losing herself to the grief as well.

"See." Merlin sprouted out coarsely. While Merlin did blame Uther, he couldn't help but blame himself more so. This all was happening because he took a few more cups of wine to ease his own insecurity. Even know Merlin could only play in his mind the what if. What if he hadn't drunk so much, if had not he could have pushed Arthur out of the way in time and due to his youth would have been fast enough to avoid the dagger. Once safe Merlin would have used his magic to breck the chandelier allowing it to crush the witch.

This scenario had been playing in Merlin's mind since he saw Gaius dead body. It was an obsession a plea to magic, to God to whatever great force which would listen to him. A wishful second chance to make things right. Anything to get Gaius back, but no.

This was his world now; his reality, this was his mistake. Merlin could blame Uther and the witch all he wanted but, in the end, when the time came for him to prove himself, he had failed miserably. As Gwen led Morgana out of the hall, the remaining sobs from both girls stung Merlin to core. Seeing Morgana and her dark hair, made Merlin think of his mother. As this funeral progressed, was his mother crying over her uncle in the same way?

The thought made the guilt within Merlin intensify. His poor mother who sent him to her uncle to guide and help him with his gifts. Merlin could only turn away from the coffin in panic, his breathing becoming harder like stone, his heart pounding in a feral pain. Merlin thought he was going to drop there and now from this coursing guilt.

While Merlin was dealing with his panic attack Uther had come to his son "Arthur." The king greeted in a stiff manor.

"Farther," the prince returned in the same composed manor.

"I have decided you to have Gaius's boy join your household as your manservant." Uther stated without question.

Arthur taken back by the decoration "Farther with respect while I do owe Gaius more than I can offer, I don't think taking Merlin in as my own is a good idea." While Arthur wanted to honour Gaius, when it came to Merlin the prince could not help but draw a line. Since the day they met the prince and idiot had been a pain in the others backside. Arthur had hoped the mace fight had been the last time the two would have to personally interact, but to take him on as his personal servant. To deal with daily.

"Farther, this is really a 'bad' idea." Arthur empathized. "The boy is an idiot, his first day he got thrown into the dungeon for trying to assault me. Then he had the nerve to challenge me to a duel. He's nothing but a troublemaker a buffoon." Arthur berated "To take him on a servant, he probably would put my breakfast in the local bog."

"I Understand the boy has… some mental issues." Uther replied trying to ignore his son's hysterics "But he was Gaius's great nephew."

"So, make him a ward like you did with Morgana." Arthur suggested like it was the simplest of solutions.

"Morganas farther was a lord Arthur, her nobility entitled her to be my ward. This boy does not have such a linage. Therefore, has no right to such a service from me or any other courtier." Uther countered sternly. Uther had taken great pride in Albion's nobility; he would not desecrate it for a peasant no matter how much Uther wanted to pay back Gaius.

"But father, I am telling you this is a match made in hell." Arthur pleaded.

"Enough Arthur, find the boy and tell him you will take him as your manservant. If not, I shall do it for you. Regardless this will happen." The king finished as he went to converse with the other mourners.

"Far…." Arthur attempted to plea again.

"Arthur enough." Uther answered back more annoyed "If not for yourself, than for the man who died so you could live." Uther motioned to the coffin "This is the debt you owe him." With that the king left his son.

Arthur sighed, there was no way out of this. His father was the king anointed by God. His word was law. Even more so to his own children. Still Arthur could not help but feel a twinge of shame for his counterreactions to his father's demands. While Merlin bugged the hell out of him, he did owe it to Gaius to make sure the boy had some stable job and income. Whoever the new court physician would be Arthur doubted he would keep Merlin on.

As much as Arthur hated the prospect. The prince knew what he had to do.

The prince found Sir Leon in a back halve of the hall "Hey Leon, have you seen Gaius's boy? Merlin, I need to speak with him."

Leon composed himself "I am sorry my grace, but the lad left a while ago."

"He did?" Arthur asked surprised "Were too?"

"I don't know your grace." Leon answered respectfully "Though, he did seem to be in a state. The service must have gotten to him."

Arthur sadly looked down "Yeah, I guess it did." The prince agreed, looking more towards the hall's door "Regardless I…..." Arthur mumbled "I just hope he is okay"

The Dragon's Dungeon

Merlin raced right out of the great hall not caring if anyone bothered to notice him. A fire had been set up inside of him which could not be silenced. Not one of them could help him with this hated feeling, not even sweet Gwen. Every minute which passed Merlin could feel this dark fire consume him more. It was intoxicating, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't think, he couldn't live at all without this sensation.

This sensation for revenge.

There was only one creature that could give him some absolution with his inner hell.

Merlin made his way to the catacombs of the castle, lighting a touch with his magic. Merlin re-found the staircase from his first day. After a few minutes of walking to the end of the stars Merlin entered the dark hole to a cave. Finally coming to the end of the hole Merlin came into 'his cave.'

There he was the last Dragon, sitting on his rock in his ginormous cave. The long chain binding him to giant stone of the prison. His golden skin fluttering, the only light the creature had in this depressing jail.

The dragon just zoned in onto Merlin with his giant predator eyes "So, young warlock you have returned since out last encounter. Though I must say I sense a difference in you from before."

Merlin didn't have time for the dragon's analysis "I need your help!" Merlin barked out. Surprising himself that he in all his lifetime could talk to such a being in that manor.

"Help with what?" The dragon asked not seemingly insulted by Merlin's anger.

"Gaius!" Merlin cried out "He…his dead. He died trying to save Arthur." Merlin painfully tried to explain.

"Gaius's death means nothing to me." The dragon admitted "So long as Arthur is safe that is all which matters."

Merlin could feel the anger take hold of him once more "How can you say that! He was good man!"

"He was a traitor to our kind, he thought he could safe Camelot by making peace with Uther. All he did was allow more butchery of our kin at Uther's hands. Gaius lost my sympathy a long time ago. His only saving grace to me is that in his last moments he saved Arthur's life and by extension the freedom of our people."

Merlin felt his hand tighten on the stick, "Don't you dare call him that, at least he did something for our people not-sulk in a dam cave! Did you even attempt to breck free!"

"Careful warlock." The dragon warned threadedly "You might be my last hope, but I will keep you in line if I must."

"Don't tell me what to do!" Merlin snarled as his eyes went golden and the flame on his torch turned black and grew rapidly, Merlin launched the dark fire at the dragon, but the dragon didn't seem concerned. The last dragon shot out a gust of breath from his mouth, the breath was as strong a whirl wind which diminished Merlin's flame and threw the young warlock forcibly to the cave's wall.

As Merlin regained his footing from his painful wallop, the dragon was about to make it clear he was not amused by the boy's attack. "DO NOT THINK YOU CAN MATCH ME BOY!" The dragon roared with flames coming out of his mouth "I have trained longer and faced harsher than you. Don't be so foolhardy to think your vainness had a chance against me." The Dragon finished as he prepared to fly off and leave Merlin alone until he came back in a more respectful manor.

Before he could flap a wing however, the dragon froze when a tired voice whispered, "It's all my fault."

The Dragon stopped his flapping, interested in the next words the young sorcerer had to say "Its my fault, Gaius was dead, after the mace fight. I acted like such a spoiled brat. Even after meeting you and the whole great destiny you preached, I had. I still felt, like nothing. How the hell was I meant to bring magic back to Camelot when I couldn't even get a deaf man to understand me. To even like me."

"And now." The last dragon prompted.

"Now I would, I would give it all to get Gaius back. Any fame, gratitude, appreciation, respect, amazement, love, power, any rewards I could gain big or small. The rubbish that would have made me feel like top dog. I would give it all a way for him to be in his room waiting for me with a sandwich. None that stuff matters, I don't matter." Merlin mournfully confessed.

"I just want to make things right, that's all I want to do now." Merlin opened his hand to see a small ember of dark fire.

The dragon looked upon the ember, seeing the warlocks distress. In truth Gaius's death had concerned the great beast. Not the man himself, but rather how it would affect the greatest wizard to be. The old religion spoke of Merlin being trained by the fallen Gaius. Now with the old man dead, a massive part of Merlin's magical development would be delayed making his destiny more uncertain.

Then there was the dark fire. The dragon could feel a disturbance within the boy of destiny. One he was not meant to have. While the dragon hated to admit it the death of Gaius caused a great rift in the future of Albion. Merlin the way he was and in the stage he currently in. Something, had to be done. The boy's vengeance it had reached an impossible level to be removed by magic. It had now become a part of the boy.

So, the dragon needed to find a way to manipulate for both his and Merlin's benefit. It seemed the boy of destiny would also be an agent of vengeance.

"I have the means to help you." Merlin's head rose in shock the dragon's announcement. "You are still far behind with your magic to face the threats which await you and Arthur. I had hoped despite our differences that Gaius would have lived to prepare you enough, but now it seems that task must fall onto me."

"I can teach you spells before your years, but also help give the knowledge and physical pow less to conquer any warrior. Magic and enchantments which could make a small demon shudder. Now understand you won't be invincible nor a form of a god. The simplest of arrows could still end your life. If you allow these gifts to outweigh your sensibility you will end up dead or worse someone you care about." The dragon coldly warned.

Merlin numbly nodded; he swore he would never make that mistake again "What must I do to receive these powers." Merlin asked fearfully.

"The old religion created ritual during the great purge. Their goal to create a being for war. A merger of sorcerer supreme and super solider, to fight Uther." The dragon explained.

"I won't fight the king unless I have too." Merlin demanded.

"Fine," The dragon moaned "If the ritual was successful the, the wizard or witch, would have gained the ability to use a small percentage of powerful spells earlier in their lifetime. Automatic knowledge of basic skills in combat along with strengthen muscles."

Merlin gasped in awe. Merlin admitted he was a skinny lad, not exactly one for sword practice. To hear one spell could put him on the same level as a knight of Camelot astounded him, to know some spells which could put him par with the most powerful of warlocks. All of this was tempting.

But what if he made the same mistake as last time? What if these new powers went to his head and just became the very evil Uther tried to stop, or what if he allowed his fear of failure take hold of him again and another innocent died to his uselessness.

"Well, what is your answer." The dragon asked.

Merlin took out a dagger, the same one which had been on the roasted beef the witch had taken out to stab Arthur. In turn had stabbed Gaius. The last item Merlin had of his mentor was this small dagger for eating. How could something so small cause so much pain.

How could he use it to stop further pain.

"What do I need to do?" Merlin foolhardily asked with a lace of determination. No backing down, no being the scared little boy. He wanted to be man now. Here was his chance.

The dragon opened his mouth as blue steam enclosed the cave. Finally, a black ash like egg appeared within the mist. Merlin could see throughout the freezing air. Allowing it to batter of his face. The dragon announced the requirements "In order to complete this ritual, you must breck the egg. Simple it may sound, but I assure, it couldn't be anything but. This egg represents your desires, your needs. Inside it lies what could called your spirit animal. The egg has a key, you must know what the key is." The dragon finished.

Merlin looked at the dark egg. What on earth could be the key to it. Merlin thought a spell perhaps but that felt too easy. The key had to be something which represented another side of himself. Merlin looked at the knife. Christ how much he hated it. The weapon which killed his Great-Uncle. It represented his anger, his loneliness, every weakness he brought upon himself. The small dagger felt stronger than any anchor. It was a reminder of his failure, of what he could never be.

A good person.

Merlin flung the dagger at the dark egg smashing it into pieces. Once the egg was shattered a small fade dish hand burst through the rained down shards, grabbing the knife. It belonged to a giant ghostly black bat. Screeching a painful cry at Merlin, yet Merlin felt no fear. He found rather a symbiosis with the bat. Almost as if the screech was a fealty of loyalist to the young warlock. Merlin knew the bat and the bat knew Merlin. This creature had been born from his need for vengeance.

As the bat swopped down to the young boy. Merlin could only embrace the creature in a hug. For each passing second an unsaid conversation was being held between the two halves. For now, they were truly one, as was their destiny, as was their fate, as was their lives. There was no turning back for either of them.

As Merlin and his bat spirit continued their melding, the last dragon broke off a stoned spike from his cave. Using his fiery breath, the spike transformed itself, becoming more metallic with ancient writing engraved on its blade. With a black handle on its top with yellow linings. The dragon held the new forged batwing shaped sword in the air as the dragon examined down on the final stages of the melding.

"You no longer, are just Merlin son of Hunith. Now you shall be the very darkness you must conquer for our kind. For those who need a servant of justice. From hence forth you are to bear the tile of…..."

Near the Blacksmiths

Gwen made her way home after putting Morgana to sleep. As the night-time covered the Camelot sky, the young hand maiden couldn't help but wonder about her lady's night terrors. Since a few days ago Morgana's nightmares had intensified, neither woman understood why. Her lady would wake up in a horrible panic in the night screaming about a bat like creature.

Gaius's remedies had been able to 'hold off' the recent night terrors like they had done so in the past, but now with him gone. Gwen feared Morgana would suffer many sleepless nights until the new physician would be appointed. Gwen and Morgana had known each other since they were little girls. While they could not be open about it, they were as good as sisters. Like a sister Gwen just wanted her to be well and happy. Until. Then she hoped Morgana would be able to tolerate those horrible nightmares until the new remedies could be made.

Additionally. While she didn't want to worry her lady more, even Gwen had to admit being chilled by this bat like creature. At least it was just a nightmare in Morgana's head. If there was such a creature Gwen was sure Merlin would protect her from it.

Gwen stopped as her face blushed, since the young man had stood up to Arthur, Gwen felt small crush cross over her. She admitted he was cute in how way, even a little funny. He brought out a small cheerfulness in her when she was around him. However, her face faltered when she remembered recent events.

Gwen finally came to her home, her father's forge. With the death of Gaius, Gwen found herself clinging more onto her farther. The death of her old friend reminded her and many others in Camelot of an old crime. The inability to redeem time with those you loved. Looking back on moments with her farther she had missed out on however small seemed to cause Gwen some heartache, for they were moments she could never have again with him. There would come day where she needed to make sure she has a whole library of golden memories with her dad, otherwise she would be looking down on his grave wondering sadly where all that time went. Like Merlin had probably done today.

Gwen shook her head, her farther was still alive and breathing thank God. She would stick the promise she made this night as much as possible. Until then morning though, the maid only wished the lay down on her bed to dream of better times to relax and prepare her better for the next day.

Before Gwen could make it to the door, the young lady out of nowhere felt a white cloth being forcibly tied around her mouth. Gwen screamed out muffles at this surprised assault, wagglingly in panic. Once the gag had been fastened down, two more red hooded men came from her sides to restrain her, while the one behind grabbed her upper body. It was not long before the three thugs carried Gwen inside the forge.

Gwen did her best to scream out for her farther, for anyone to hear her. Unfortunately, the gag prevented any plea for help. The three red hooded thugs found a pole post in the forge, they forcibly man handled Gwen towards it. Forcing her into a standing position as they tied her hands and arms behind the post, finally completely restrained. The red hoods let go of her.

Gwen, tried to figure out what the hell was happening to her. She had heard reports from one of the guards of a terrible trio of peasants, dressing up in red hoods attacking various citizens in the lower towns. Looking at their scruffy cloths and obvious hoods it must been these three.

But God she was terrified to what they were planning to do with her. Gwen tried again to scream out of her gag, she tried to rub the rope on the pillar to breck her restraints. The head leader had enough of their target's resistance.

The taller red hood left his two lap dogs on the side as he stormed towards Gwen. He pulled out a small knife out onto the face of a shocked Gwen "I would stop if I were you lass," The thug warned as caressed the knife around Gwen's soft skin "If you don't want daddy in there to wake up without eye."

Gwen stopped her struggling. These horrible men found their weapon against her. Not the knife or her bindings, but her farther. With a small tear leaving her eye she knew she had no choice but to allow these monsters do what they wanted with her. No matter how much it would destroy her life. She had heard even seen victims of this form of attack, girls as young as nine. Seeing how much this vile act destroyed their lives. She just prayed; it was all Gwen could do now.

"That's a good girl." The vile man smirked. He took hold of the lacing which held the top of Gwen's cleavage. "Your hands might be the softest in this kingdom, but after tonight your ass will be the sourest." The thug laughed evilly.

Gwen could only keep her eyes shut, fear and horror crawling in her skin. Oh god what did she ever do to deserve this? She whimpered into her gag. Her only comfort was her loved ones where not here to see this travesty of injustice. Yet, all she heard was a cry in pain. Gwen carefully opened her eyes to see her laces still tied and her rapist to be knocked down to the muddy ground.

"What!? What the hell! One of the lacky red hoods gasped looking down at their fallen leader. They took out their own knifes out as the two scouted the area "You're going to be very sorry you did that you bastard." The thug warned.

The thug made it towards a barrel "Where the hell are you, you coward." The hypocrite demanded.

"Behind you."

The thug turned around to see who whispered but didn't have time to react as the shadow took the red hood into the darkness.

Gwen and the final red hood could only hear a terrified scream. It was enough for the last red hood to get out, he looked at Gwen "I can't have anyone snitch on me to the guards." He surmised in a panicked state. As he headed towards Gwen with the knife, Gwen got her legs ready to kick her desired killer away.

As the red hood raised his knife, a wing like sword came out of the darkness like a boomerang slicing the hand off the criminal. The red hood howled in agony as blood squirted out his stomp as he fell to the floor, even Gwen seemed shocked by the decapitation of her attacker's limb.

The sword glided back to its wielder; the vigilante finally made himself known to the two persons. Gwen's eyes widened at the sight of her protector. What she saw, she was no where near able to comprehend the that her hero was the very demon her lady had dream of.

The figure, had black leather tightened trousers, covered in a golden spiked patterns on the top, with a bigger white spike pattern coming down in the middle of his pants. The feet were covered in golden greaves, while the top of the greaves where a basic diamond shaped design, the feet of them had been purposely designed to look like big talon claws, three claws on each foot with a fourth claw on the back. Ready to grab his enemies like a vulture.

The for the vigilante's top halve. He had a black Arabian styled belt with red dots and white linings, on the left side of the belt was a dagger sheaved in small black holder. For the hands the figure had two red gauntlets with black painted trimmings on the top. The aspect which made the gloves noticeable was not their colour but rather the pockets engraved into them, one gauntlet had silver arrows held in one pocket while the other had a tiny silver crossbow attached to it.

The figure had a silver armour on his chest, with a giant blood red cross painted from his sides to his middle and downwards, the rest of his top body was covered by a dark, black coat with silver chains tied around his arms and black shoulder plates with golden line lings, the bottom his coat had been carefully cut. The smooth end gone now replaced with spike and curved designs. Like bat wings. A curved wing shaped sword had been placed behind the dark characters back being held by a black scabbard.

The figure outfit had various points of interest and intimidation. None the less the part of the suit which captivated and terrified Gwen and her attacker was his mask. It was such a simple a design, a black bat with white eyes. Somehow though the vigilante made it the most terrifying of his costume. The mask covered the idea face, making one wonder if it was not his actual face, the white eyes came of as a being who lacked a soul, the bat ears, while could be seen as a joke, made the figure come of as devil who broke the jail bars of hell.

The last red hood with the last of his strength attempted to inspect his assailant "Who…. what…...what the hell are you?" He dozily asked the new creature of the night.

The vigilante just walked slower and slower towards the red hood, grabbed him by his collar to put him eye to eye with his soulless ones. Uttering the words, he hoped this piece of scum would remember for the rest of his life.

"Your worst nightmare."

With that, the Bat devil knocked the last red hood out, allowing the motionless body to fall in the dirt. With the last of the thugs delt with, the vigilante turned his sights on the maiden. Gwen's bit down on her gag tightly from the approaching demon. Her heart ponded with each taken step, if the red hoods weren't going to take life. She was assured this one would do the job.

The figure grabbed his dagger, Gwen shut her eyes from the mere tap of the blades touch. Mentally readying herself for her execution. Even now she could feel the cold removal of his dagger as he approached closer. Her death was soon to be.

So, why didn't it come? Instead of a slice to her neck or a lunge into her belly. The handmaiden felt her arms loosening, finally after not being able to ponder anymore her situation, Gwen opened her eyes. To her surprise the figure was walking away from, replacing his dagger back into his belt. Gwen was about to struggle her binding again but realized she did not need to as the rope had been cut for her. She was freed.

Gwen quickly removed the wretched cloth on mouth. She ran to her demonic protector. "Wait!" She called out prompting the demon to stop. "Why. Who are you, why did you save me?" She gasped breathlessly.

The demon turned his head towards the hand maiden. Gwen didn't know if he could even talk. The figure just examined her like a dog trying sniff a stranger. Trying to understand if the girl before him could be trusted, Gwen tried to move closer to the silent figure, still being careful around the stranger. Once her confidence had been recharged, she dared herself to ask another question. "You…don't need to fear me. I just want to talk to you." Gwen nervously smiled at the dark creature to reassure him "I am your friend."

The figure didn't do anything different towards her queries. All he did was simply answer "I know you are."

Before Gwen could further her investigation, both people were distracted by a "HAULT!"

They turned to see Prince Arthur with a few guards and knights surrounding the bat demon. Taking out their swords and spears towards the creature "You're under arrest for numerous assaults in the lower towns." The prince stated as pointed for two guards to arrest the figure. The Bat demon just put his hands up in a surrender.

Gwen couldn't let this happen. For all she knew, the bat vigilante was a villain and only saved her for his own self interests. None the less she felt a debt needed to be repaid. She saw Leon was apart of this arrest. As a child, the two had known each other when her family worked in his household perhaps, she could convince him her protector wasn't the culprit.

"Leon!" Gwen rushed over to the knight gripping his arm "You can't let them do this she pleaded."

"Gwen." Her old childhood friend sternly answered back "Stay out of this," He whispered.

"Please Leon, it wasn't him. He saved me from the real attackers." Gwen pleaded. "They wore Red hoods." She pointed to her knocked out assailants.

Leon looked around three red hooded men, he had to admit they matched the description from their previous victims. To know they dared attack his old friend made his blood boil, he hoped the king would sigh warrants for their executions. Unfortunately for Gwen, the knight also saw the severed arm of one the criminals. This creature may have saved her, but to use such brutality himself.

"I…I am sorry Gwen; we can't take the chance." Leon confessed disappointingly "We, can't let this stranger go. He may have saved you, but he is too dangerous to be allowed to roam the kingdom."

"But Leon!"

"Enough Gwen!" Leon finished cancelling the conversation.

The prince walked slower towards the surrounded demon. Taking a pair of handcuffs from one of the guards. "If you come with us peacefully, I promise we shall try to show you leniency." Though Arthur doubted his farther would show any favour to a vigilante of all people.

The demon just eyed the prince, stopping in his tracks. "We both know he will do no such thing."

"You are coming with me." Arthur ordered.

"One day I will, but it will not be tonight." The figure went for the sword behind his back drawing it and clashing with Arthur's sword. As the two swords locked the prince and demon just their stands, not one willing to budge for the other. A guard came from the side to stab the demon, the vigilante pushed Arthur away to free his sword.

Before the guard could even land a blow. The demon slashed the spear in halve, before knocking the guard out with the back of his sword. Two knights came behind the demon's back with swords launching for the kill. The demon just backflipped above the knights who could only awe from the sight. The jump was so high the demon landed behind the two bumping their heads together knocking them down.

Leon and the last guard went for an attack. The demon and Leon exchanged clashes of their blades, while being able to avoid another spear attack at the same time. The demon grabbed the spear yanking it off the guard and swiped both the guard and Leon himself off their toes. Once those two had been taken care of the demon dropped the spear and returned his gaze at the prince.

Once Arthur regained his footing, he readied himself for another assault on the vigilante "Forget arrest, you be lucky not to be facing the axe after this."

The demon just re-sheaved his sword. "It was not my intention to harm or kill them."

"Like it wasn't your intention to butcher those the red hoods." Arthur harshly joked back "They might have been scum, but you're not any better."

"I never intended to be."

That last comment made Arthur surety come into a crossfire. The prince expected the vigilante to make a whole case on how he was in the right and they were in the wrong, he was only doing what had needed to be done. Some usual self-righteous reason the prince had been accustomed to when dealing with this sort.

Unfortunately for the prince. Those small words threw him slightly off balance. Leading him to a curiosity, while Arthur couldn't support the harsh punishment on the red hoods, that was only a choice the king could make in terms of torturing. The prince did consider not one person the demon harmed criminal, or knight was dead. In fact, when it came to the guards and knights the demon just used moves to get them out his way, once down he no longer continued to assault them.

Which begged the ultimate question "who are you."

The demon looked onwards to the prince for a few frozen seconds, then onto Gwen in her still shaken state, then onto the people who were down. There was only one answer he could give to the heir.

"I'm the Bat Warlock." The moment warlock spilled out of his mouth, the law against magic raced through Arthur's mind as the prince went for another arrest. The Bat Warlock knew this would be the heir's retaliation as a black fire exploded out of his hand. Bat Warlock allowed the dark fiery storm to engulf him, blinding Arthur and Gwen from its shadowy embers.

Once the fire calmed down the Bat Warlock was gone. Arthur growled; it wasn't enough a vigilante got away but a warlock of all people. The prince wouldn't hear the end of this from his farther. Arthur grabbed the bugle horn to call more men to his side. Some to take his fallen team back to Camelot and other to hunt down this Bat Warlock.

Once the men came to talk to the prince regarding the next course of action, while others took the injured back to Camelot and the red hoods to the castle dungeons. Tom who finally woke up from the recent, noises left his home to see the sight which had transpired out. The blacksmith couldn't make heads or tails from what was going on. The blacksmith could only see his daughter standing next to the poll she had once been tied too.

Tom noticed the bruising on her hands and rushed to his daughter's side "Gwen, Gwen Vere!" Tom called out. It was not long before the farther was with her daughter "Sweetheart! What happened to you, who has done this." Tom gasped hugging is daughter tightly.

Gwen couldn't take her eyes from the scorched spot. "It wasn't a nightmare."

Tom released Gwen from the hug "What are you talking Gwen." Tom asked worryingly.

"The bat creature from Morgana's nightmare." She whispered, "He…he was real."

As for the Bat Warlock, he had escaped to the rooftops. The vigilante only watched the farther and daughter comfort each other. Once Tom had taken Gwen back to the forge, the Bat Warlock knew it was time to make himself scares. Taking an arrow from the pocket of his glove, he placed it on the crossbow of his over gauntlet and shot the arrow into sky looking at the large rope attached to the arrow fly high into the night. Once his grappling arrow had been secured the Bat Warlock grabbed the harness and used it to fly into the darkness of Camelot.

To BE Continued