Chapter 412: Batman Rises

Chapter 412: Batman Rises

The big pile of veggie flesh that was Maurices new body rose unsteadily to its feet. As it unfolded, the size of the new body became easier to judge. On the ground, it was just a heap. Standing up, it towered over me, imperious and grandiose.

If you were going to build yourself a bodysuit to kick sand into peoples faces, this was the model Id recommend. You could fit a lifetimes worth of pent-up resentment into this bad boy.

The face was definitely Maurices, that part hed kept accurate, down to the overbite. Claire had probably told him she thought it was cute and he held onto it as an integral part of his character. People need something to hold onto when they sell out completely, so they can deny the completely part, like thats the problem.

He wasnt wearing glasses, though. I assumed he had decided to fix his eyesight, which was reasonable enough.

The modifications to the rest of his body were not so reasonable. He had to be over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad and muscular, his chest had pecs like a bodybuilder and his abs were at least an eight-pack.

He was naked and dripping with a sticky-looking liquid that hung from him in elongated strands. The green light gave him an eerie look as he staggered one way, then the other. Frankensteins Maurice.

He squirmed and moaned, his body doing a kind of dance, the sort you do when youre listening to something unpleasant with a catchy beat; mainly head and shoulders while scowling.

My own body, the one Maurice had made for me, did not look like it would be as impressive when it got up off the ground. It looked more like a deflated sex doll with my face. Good thing he didnt mass produce these, thered have been unsold boxes piled high in the warehouse.

Was it all buff and statuesque like Maurices? I certainly wasnt going to blow it up to find out I had no doubt where the valve would be.

I think I think Ive got the hang of it, said Maurice, his voice strained and his breathing still laboured. He was struggling to stay upright, and judging by the way he blinked and shook his head, also to stay conscious. I think I can make it there.

Great, I said. Where is it youre going?

Maurice turned unsteadily, small steps like he was on a tiny platform he darent fall off. Fengarad. That was the deal. I get you to face Joshaya, or I do it.

I turned to Shroom. If you didnt think he could beat him before, why send him now?

He cant beat him, said Shroom, but he thinks he can with his modifications.

What mod Before I could finish speaking, Maurice sprouted wings.

They werent quite as fancy as the ones Arthur/Richina had, they were more bat-like. A dream come true.

What good will that do? I asked. The fairies can fly, too.

This is just one of the changes I made, said Maurice. Ill be fine.

Oh, you wont be fine, I said, you wont be fine at all, but thats okay. Good luck to you. How do you plan to get out of here? This this creation of yours isnt in the real world, is it? If it was created here, how does it get out there? I hiked my thumb in the general direction of the real world, which was basically every direction.

Maurice made a gesture with his hand in front of his face. It took me a moment to work out he was adjusting his glasses out of habit. He lowered his hand when he realised there was nothing there.

As soon as you leave here, Ill be able to re-enter the real world. I mean the real fantasy world. I mean, the world out there. He hiked his thumb in the opposite direction, which was still correct.

What if I dont want to leave? I asked him.

He gave me a disgruntled look. I had often seen that expression at school, when one of the team captains was forced to pick me. From some knob who thought rugby was a worthwhile endeavour, I didnt mind it (bruises on the brain at a young age is a terrible thing), but I didnt like being looked down by someone who should have known better. I especially didnt like the part where he literally looked down at me.

Fine, said Maurice tersely. Do what you want. When you eventually leave, if you do, then time will restart them. We wont have lost anything.

I turned around to where Arthur and Wesley were standing, watching from the front row. Should have got them some popcorn. Probably could magic some up if I tried hard enough. Neither of them seemed inclined to intervene.

I turned back to Maurice. I dont get it. You seem disappointed. Wasnt fighting Joshaya your punishment?

Maurice was supposed to get me to go into battle, fight the good fight, strike a blow for the forces of justice. If I did well, maybe get an endorsement deal with Nike, get all my capes for free. If he failed which clearly was the only possible outcome he would have to pay the ultimate price and go in my stead. Clearly the only outcome.

I looked at him, bat wings extended, torso like a Greek God, a female one if you went by the pec-size.

Wait, you wanted to be the one to go? I said. This is your moment to be the hero? It was the only reason I could think of. Are you insane?

Do you know what it was like travelling around with you? he said, his voice carrying a bit of an edge.

Yes, I said. I was there.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

No, you dont. You have no idea. We used to stay up all night sometimes, talking, trying to work out what to do, why we were here, what it meant.

Did you? I had no recollection of these all-night sessions. Where was I? Sleeping?

You wanted me to mentor you, that was me mentoring. Youre welcome. He didnt look very grateful. Look, we all make our own decisions in the end. Theres no one to blame but blame itself.

Thats a misquote, said Maurice.

It isnt a quote, its an original saying I made up.

Then its plagiarism.

It cant be plagiarism if its a misquote. Where was I even going with this? If you wanted a mentor, you should have gone with someone who could grow a beard, like him. I pointed at Shroom.

He wasnt interested, said Maurice. He only wants you.

You make that sound very gay.

Maurice said nothing in return, which was a worry.

I had to convince him to make a bet I would lose to get this body, said Maurice. It was the only way. We only get stuff by dropping your name.

Great. You get free shit by using my name. Meanwhile, I am me, and I get fuck all. How does that seem fair? Did you at least add any new features to my body?

No, said Maurice. You dont need them.

Dont need them? What are you, new? I need all the add-ons I can get. This wasnt really getting us anywhere. I didnt even know what we were arguing about.

Maurice put his hands on his hips so he looked like a superhero. Im sorry we left you on your own. We just really, really wanted to have sex.

As excuses went, that was a pretty solid one.

I know. I dont mind. You had each other, and I had Nabbos weed. I turned to Shroom. Nabbos a frog-man. We arent romantically linked, if thats what you were thinking. I dont have gay sex with frogs. Spawning, they call it. Sounds sticky. Although, dont knock it till you try it. You look like you could use a hug from a frog. Why are you looking at me like that?

Shroom was staring at me. Maybe you arent the one Ive been waiting for.

You think?

You have Jenny, said Maurice, like he suddenly remembered a winning argument. Shes willing to have sex with you.

He made it sound like a great sacrifice. Thats different. Shes like them, I waved a finger from Shroom to Wesley and Arthur. They see the potential and are drawn to it. Claire and Flossie, they love you and Dud for who you are, not what you might become. Jennys feelings for me are unsustainable.

That wont matter when you go off, though, will it? said Maurice. Dont worry, well take care of her. Introduce her to a handsome prince or something. Shes already been proposed to twice.

Has she? This was news to me. I should have been pleased for her. I wasnt, but I should have been.

I need you to let me out, said Maurice.

Why do you need me when you have all these people. I waved my finger at the usual people. Theyre the void realm experts, I dont even know what Im doing here.

No, said Maurice, it has to be you.

Why, Maurice? Why me? Why do we have to stop the fairies? Why do you have to play dress up and go all Justice League? What arent you telling me? Is it just that with great power come great responsibility?

Youre the one with the power, said Maurice.

Yes, but I didnt kill Uncle Ben, so I dont have a guilt complex about saving the world. And I dont want to dress up as my own clone, either. You of all people should know how bad a storyline that was in Spider-man. Frankly, I have no idea what youre even thinking. This wont work.

It has to, said Maurice. Now let me out.

It has to? Because youre destined to be the hero?

No, because you are. Maurice stopped, snapping his mouth shut.

Did any of you ever think to just tell me what the hell was going on. Straight to my face. This idea you have that you have to protect me Saying it out loud felt strange. Like I was admitting something to myself.

Okay, said Maurice. I lied to you. We didnt stay up all those nights wondering why we were here. We wondered why you were here. It was obvious you were going to be important and we were lucky to have bumped into you. And then when it became obvious you didnt want to be the all-powerful hero of legend, Jenny convinced us to take your place.

Jenny did? Why?

Because you wont be able to avoid it. You cant. It will find you, Colin. A time will come when you have to make the choice, and despite the complaining and whining and insisting you dont give a shit, youll make the choice you always do, no matter how much you hate it. The only way to save you is to do it first. Thats what were doing. We arent saving the world. Were saving you.