Even though the manual controls were being used, Batman was flying his plane on autopilot. He was in his own zone. He had faced down countless enemies, and the number of lives he had saved was too high for him to even comprehend. But, throughout it all, he had undertaken each task with a level-headedness, and a calm, logical manner that would have left many in awe. And throughout all he had been through, all that he had seen and done, he had never had so many conflicting emotions assault him at one time.
This was his own biological son that he was racing to meet for the first time ever. Having a son of his own blood was something that he had always yearned for, but he had believed that it was something that he would never acquire.
That's not to say his other family members didn't hold a place in his heart. He had adopted Dick into his family a while ago. And no matter what problems they had, he would always think of Dick as his son. While Timothy had his own father, Bruce still looked at the young man as his own son as well. But this was different.
This wasn't a child he was hoping to take into his life, as he had in the past. This was his own biological son. A son, who, similar to his other children, had already lived a good portion of his life, and, in this instance, that was time stolen from him. He had no right to have wished for such time from those that came into his family later in life. But this young man, this Alexander, had been his family, his son, since the day he had been born.
He could only pray that once his son learned the truth, he wouldn't find himself packing for Gotham all alone. He had already missed so much in his son's life; he wasn't about to miss any more. Not if he had anything to say about it.
He had to remind himself to breathe and stay focused on what he was doing now. He had faced countless villains, and had defied death and dismemberment on so many occasions. So why was he so nervous now? He knew the answer to that. He had never felt as though he had so much to loose.
A loud chirping sound, and a flashing red light, from his communications console, broke him from his musings. He stared at it for a moment, before activating the link. He centered himself, and answered in a cool, calm tone.
"Batman."
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Sir, I just wanted to inform you that all arrangements have been made and are already taken care of. I am downloading the address of the warehouse through the link.
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"Thank you, Alfred"
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Not a problem, Sir. There was a brief pause. Would you like me to take the liberty of informing Master Tim, and Master Dick of recent events?
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There was a long moment of silence as Batman contemplated that question. After a few more moments, he came to a decision.
"No, I'll inform them personally when I see them next. Please inform them that I will be away for a short while. Revise the patrol schedule accordingly. Have Nightwing cover patrol as well, if you feel that the situation is warranted."
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Very good, Sir. I will do so right away. Sir, There was another pause, a pause that was beginning to concern Batman.
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"Alfred?"
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I'm sorry Sir. I took the liberty of going further into Master Alexander's background. There was another brief pause. I am downloading the information to you now. Some of it is quite disturbing.
Batman switched the plane to automatic piloting and turned on a holographic imager that lit the front view port with the information sent. He quickly began to sift through it.
It seems as though the youth has had many run-ins with the Law. A Detective Stein does not seem to be a fan of your son.
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Batman looked through the relevant information. "Gang Members on PCP, that's certainly a euphemism if I ever heard one." Batman began to read through more of the reports, paying close attention to what a few of the witnesses had said. "It seems that my son has saved quite a few people from these 'gang members.'" Batman began to smirk. "He's a vigilante." 'Must run in the family.'
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I certainly wonder where he got that certain attribute from. Batman tossed an amused look at the console before going back to the data in front of him. I had arrived to the same conclusion. That, however, is not the disturbing information.
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That stopped Batman cold. "What is it?"
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Go to appendix 4 of the second data file I sent.
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Batman quickly made his way to the new information. 'Hospital records?' He began to read, in detail, the numerous visits to the hospital his son had taken. Batman's eyes became cold as he read more and more. His hands clenched into fists as he continued to read the reports, the dates kept going further and further into the past. 'That bastard.'
With far more self-control than he believed he had, he reigned in his anger.
"Thank you Alfred. Is there anything else?"
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No Sir. Good luck and God Speed.
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"Batman out."
Batman sat back in his seat as the plane flew itself. His mood became quite a bit darker as he realized what sort of life his son, yes, his son, had been forced to endure.
His own childhood had been splendid. Well, up until the point where both of his parents had been murdered from a botched robbery. All of this was done in front of his young, innocent eyes. Those were eyes that would never be so innocent again. And sadly, it seemed as though his own son never even had the opportunity he had been gifted with, even for such a short while. No, Alexander's eyes had, most likely, never held the innocence that was intrinsic with a young child.
He took a deep and, hopefully, calming, breath. He had to get himself under control. Control was something that was essential to his being. He was rarely out of control. He shouldn't be jumping to conclusions without first meeting the young man. With the utmost willpower, Batman was able to pull himself together, which was a good thing.
The sun had just set, and he would be reaching his newly acquired warehouse in just a few moments. His nervousness was carefully masked. Not a soul could see through his calm mask of utter control. He was here on a mission, perhaps one of the most important missions of his life. Nothing was going to stop him from completing this mission. Tonight, he would see his son.
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Xander wandered the graveyard alone yet again. It had been a few days since his mother had left without so much as a goodbye. And, as weird as it sounded, he held no ill will for that particular act. In the past, she had contributed in making his childhood a hellish time. She may have never physically abused him, but if she wasn't neglecting him, or downright refusing to acknowledge his existence, she had, on occasion, let loose with a few verbal jabs. Granted she had always been in a state of intoxication when those jabs would come, but she tended to be drunk most nights. However, unlike with his father, Xander did have some pleasant memories of his mother. But those days had long since passed. He hoped that wherever she was now, she would be able to find herself, and become the woman she once was.
Xander looked around the darkness of the cemetery. The place chilled him to the bones, but it was still better than going home before midnight. Lest his father still be awake. He had been fortunate that his father seemed to be falling into a pattern of drinking himself into oblivion before midnight, and not even stirring until after Xander vacated the premises. He really didn't want to be around when his father exploded. With that being said, he clenched down on the dark feeling this place was sending him, and strolled deeper within the graveyard.
As the thunder clapped in the distance, he could feel the moisture forming in the air. It was going to rain. 'Great, just perfect. Now the weather can reflect my mood.' Any further musings on what the weather would bring was cut off ass an animalistic growl, one he had learned to be cautious, if not downright fear, came from the darkness behind him.
He readied his stake as he turned to face the source of the noise. With its demonic visage in full glory, the vampire bared its fangs in a predatory smile.
"Fresh meat!"
'God, do these things ever have an original line? Hell, why do they even talk before attacking.' As the vampire lunged at him, Xander's instincts took over. While verbally berating himself for letting his mind wander, he was able to avoid the vampire's claws as they took a swipe for his throat. He wasn't able to deflect the blow from the elbow the vampire landed to his gut, but he rolled with it.
The vampire, having expected the blow to be a killing one, suddenly found his victim not where he thought he would be. His apparent victim had put himself within striking range, well within his own defenses. It barely had enough time to let out a curse as it felt a sharp pain in its chest. Before any more coherent thoughts were able to form, the demonic energy dispersed from its host, and the body crumpled into dust.
Xander kneeled on the ground. Rolling with the blow had taken some of the power from it. And it had only been a lucky thrust that had ended the vampire's existence before he succumbed to the physical force of the vampire's blow.
He had to be careful. That could have ended badly. His stake was now part of the pile of dust, or ash. Thankfully it wasn't the only one he had. But he really needed to come up with a better plan. This was just tempting fate.
Through pure chance, Xander looked up at the gravestone and froze in place. He hadn't even realized where he had been when he had fought the vampire. There it was; the tombstone for his best friend, Jesse McNally. Perhaps that thrust had been guided after all. He let out a silent prayer, and a silent thank you. But before he could have any sort of inner dialogue with his long dead friend, a sense of foreboding made him turn around.
Out of the shadows came no less than 7 vampires. 'I am so screwed.' He reached under his shirt, and pulled another stake. The fact that the vampires were now chuckling at him didn't make him feel any better about the situation.
That was when it happened. From within the darkness, a form seemed to come alive and detach itself from its brethren. As it moved forwards, unnoticed by the vampires surrounding their victim, the figure defined darkness incarnate. Not to say that it was evil, but the darkness of the night seemed to envelop it, wherever it went.
As a lone bolt of lighting lit up the sky, Xander's eyes went wide as he saw the figure standing proud and unhindered. He stood there proud and powerful. Even though the man was slightly above average height, he may as well have been a giant, for that was the impression any that surveyed him would see. It was like something out of a movie, with his black bodysuit/armor giving the impression of power beyond any mortal man, his own unique symbol adorning his chest seemed to be complimented by the slight wave of his cape that was being gently brushed by the breeze.
All of this was seen in a singly instant as the lightning gave light to the night. The Batman was in Sunnydale, and these vampires didn't stand a chance.
With a smirk on his face, Xander flowed up from the ground with a grace not even he knew he possessed. His hand clenched against the smooth stake in his hands. One way or another, this would make out to be quite an interesting night.
