Fan Fiction: Crossovers
Justice Falls
by Qutime
Part: 1
2 3 4
5
Chapter 3:
Awakenings
Time has no meaning to me, this does not mean I do not
feel nor see its passing, though I have become accustomed to waiting.
For it's become second nature to something like me, who has but one beginning,
and yet to date, no end. Tis but a part of the accursed destiny, I bear
in blackness, in silence, and in solitude. From the sidelines, I've watched
and waited. Watched as the world face difficult and often-trying times,
some in peace and others in war. All in wait, till the world, itself,
cries out for a savior.
But, during these times of nothingness, I was at uneasy with myself. The actions, that caused me to place my own domino effect into play, still ate away at my mind. One of them was the still unanswered question of how Shiwan Khan had escaped the padded confines of his asylum room, but straight jacket that beheld him, when he mind was no longer a tool of destruction. Somehow or another, someone or something had sprang Khan from his concrete prison for two soul purposes. Both of which, he had fulfilled before his own untimely bloody death at my own two hands.
However, I could not pass up the thought, that there was indeed a third agenda Khan had failed in doing. The delivery of The Shadow's girasol to whomever had sought his employment. But, who or what would seek the employment of a crazed madman let alone a girasol such as this… In the depths that made and bond me, I had carefully removed the girasol from the box, which safeguarded the ring from all forms of seeking and their seekers. But, in this abyssal sanctum, none could nor would dare to penetrate for the fear of my unmeasured wrath. My sightless eyes peered deeply into this acquit fire opal, uncertain.
As my own flames of unbound power raced beneath the surface of my Jade band, my eyes found what I sought. Nearly exhausted amber of once pulsing floating flame, I had feared as much, sighing to myself. The sudden and unexpected death of its proud owner had nearly cost all the gem's bound power to secure, itself, against Khan and his unknown master. The girasol had barely enough will to retain the last reminiscence of its former glory. Which meant I had very little time to rebind the ring to a new vein, before I lost the last presence of the man who had borne the girasol.
From nothingness, arose candles set in a seven-pointed star surround the weightless girasol. I allowed my face to express nothing, as mummers of an unknown tongue began to echo in the sanctum, which in returned was echoed by silence. The rebinding did not take much or that long, of course it was nothing compared to when I had to rebind Aushi, my Bakura, the ghost blade had put up quite a fight. Which I had won in the end, but that's another story.
As the candlelight faded to nothingness, a soft yet revived red glow had returned to the dead blue gem. Though the flame, itself, would not return to it fiery pulse till it was placed onto the left ring figure of the man whom was to become The Shadow. Carefully securing the girasol back in it box, I rose and left. Leaving no trace of my coming, being, or leaving. It was time…
New York City, Friday October 13, 2054. So far it has been an average day for James StCloud, a young but unusual gifted criminologist for the thin blue line of this illustrious city. StCloud Incorruption can be found in the two subbasements of one of the five smaller buildings that stand where once the mighty Twin Towers stood. In the center plaza stands a simple marble sphere etched with names lost on September 11, 2001 with flowers being replaced every couple weeks, a sad and constant remainder of the atrocity committed that day.
An atrocity, James believe could have been prevented, but that was nearly fifty-three years ago. And do date there was nothing that could change the past... Or was there, James may be a man of reason did not mean he always believed in that reason. Sighing softly, he placed a solitary white rose upon the memorial for those that lost their lives in this atrocity including his grandfather, Wes StCloud. Anger filled him while he clinched his fist wondering if there was no justice left in the world… and something answered him.
Nor shall there be, James StCloud, echoes an icy whisper within the
confines of his mind, it has been a millennium since the world has known
true justice. And I fear it's been too far long since the underworld has
know true fear…At this James's icy blue gaze shot towards his left to
find a person standing with inches of him. One that bore long untamed white
hair pulled loosely over it back with pairs of Jade beads the beholding
a solitary feather darken then shadows with its tip dipped deeply in abyss;
its skin not hidden by the hair was tan and time ridden bearing no expression;
it wore a long dark blue denim jacket that hidden anything that could possible
disguise whether it was man or woman, holding a blind stick that was looped
around its right wrist that appeared to be protected by a leather bracer
from its first knuckles disappearing into the jacket's shelves.
James stepped
away, wondering how this stranger ever managed to approach him without a
sound, only to have it turn its head. There below shorter hairs peered two
silvery orbs that seem unable to focus; yet they saw and knew. A slight
uncertain smile crossed below the hawk-like nose, which caused James to
smile nervously back. Allowing his eyes to wonder, James found that its
ears were slightly pointed and it bore a blacken katana cuff link upon the
left one. It's smile faded, as well as James's.
"Do I know you," James's hollow tone inquired. It turned to
face him. Only then did it shake its head no, "should I?" He felt as though
he was just asked a dumb question. It replied with a mischievous smile and
a nod yes. "Then who are you?"
A friend, replied the icy whisper, which cause James's
skin to crawl for if it had answered… it had done so without moving its
mouth, you may even call me your guardian angel… At this it seemed
to snicker to itself, but if you prefer names, they call me Jwin.
"They who," asked James, as Jwin shook its head no.
Tis better for your sake and mine, that you not know, James,
a pause as the smile faded again, while James noted that it was a full six
inches shorter then he, but something about it demanded respect. Shall
we?
Shall we what? James pondered, sensing that it was more
then it seemed.
Talk, it answered, which scared the hell out of James,
you have many questions upon your mind. Some I can answer, others… I
am feared only you can answer. At this it smiled, reassuring James that
it meant him no harm, to which he replied with an uncertain smile.
As I feared, something is amiss about Mr. James StCloud. What I am uncertain… the knowledge, the memories, and the power is there but somehow or other, he has managed to suppress his dark nature. For how long it shall remain so, I leave to him, though I do not blame him for suppressing it when he did. There's no telling what he could've or may have done during the fall of the Twin Towers, if he had been alive. I shudder at this thought, as James offers me a pulsing fiery shadowy aura of a hand, which I wave off. We begin to walk to an already awaiting cab; him lost in his thoughts and me in mine. I felt something stir within his mind when he first looked upon me, but I also felt the girasol stir within its box. As if the ring and his mind know one each other, just as I thought they would.
However, the decision is still his to make, and I pray he'll expect what fate has placed in front of him. If he does not, all will be in vain… I could force him to expect this destiny, but it is not my right and I believe I would have never expected mine if someone had forced it upon me. I sighed not realizing that James had open and was holding the cab door which belonged to an agent of The Shadow, who was forgotten and lost. I pray not forgotten nor lost for all times. I nod my thanks as I slip into the back seat of Allan Marshall's cab, knowing what kind of weight James StCloud would have to bear upon his shoulders eventually. But not until I deem the time was right. As I had already told him, think of my as a guardian angle, even if I was indeed fallen.
Allan already had his orders from me, which he obeyed knowing the rumors throughout the network of agents. The rumor of a fallen guardian angel, whose soul purpose was bent on bring The Shadow back. How I plan to do this was beyond all his agents and was remained so till James made his decision. James sat himself next to me upon closing the door about ready to give directions to the driver with the car, took off. Literally… Soon we found ourselves zipping around New York City, heading towards the one place I knew we wouldn't be overheard. Infinity Diner.
Between various curses and other colorful words, James formed
the thought of where in blue blazes are you taking me?
Somewhere were we won't be overheard, Jwin replied.
Overheard? Wondered James, overheard by whom?
Would be enemies, it coldly replied leaving it at that,
causing him to think.
But, I do not have any enemies…
Are you so certain of that…especially, in a career, such
as yours? It had a good point, a frightening good point. How many times
had he been placed under protection by not only the NYPD , the CIA, and
FBI as well? All, because of the contents that came through his lab. But
how could a blind being protect him from those it couldn't see?
Who ever said, I was truly blind, Mr. StCloud? It inquired,
as though it knew what he had been thinking, I may look blind, but I
see only in a different light. James knew there were some tests done
in the past, showing that some blind people could in fact see things, only
if most of those things were mere shadows of the objects. And to set
your mind at ease, only hand full would dare to tangle with me, if they
knew…
Knew what, inquired James, who got a simple sadistic
evil grin from Jwin.
The Truth… Which ended the conversation between them.
If you can call it that.
Hank was nervous, and once again the brandy bottle showed it. No more was he required to hide his dinner from view for it had become well know for it food and liquor, in fact Hank had to hire some help from his friends and family. Today, the diner was closed being reversed for a special meeting of sorts. His heart quickened as the time drew closer and closer to when it would arrive with Him… Already most the agents were here, including all those who've flown half away around the world to meet their master. The conversations were in many different languages, which Hank understood, all one of two subjects. The Shadow's return and/or His fallen guardian angle, which Hank knew all too well whom they spoke of.
The front bell tickled open, revealing yet another agent with a rather larger box underarm, Hank sighed revealed seeing that the millennium old box had survived and arrived safely back into his diner. The panting agent brought it over to the counter, allowing the box to come to rest.
"I've traveled far and long," came a worn tone, the next part was in Elven, "I am Ode VanDrake, and are you Hank Windwood?" At this Hank nodded yes, glad to see another elf other then his family.
"How in Fowaer, did you get yourself into this mess," questioned Hank in Elven. At this Ode gave him a dumb grin.
"It would be too long of a tale to tell, Hank," sighed Ode, looking at Hank, "Let's say I owed it a favor or two."
"More like your life? Am I right?" At this Ode nodded exhaustedly yes, "don't worry... Ode you aren't the first nor the last, I fear." At this the two elves grinned at each other, which none of the agents noticed. "Bring it around to the back," Hank spoke in English, "Mary will you watch the front..."
"Sure thing, Uncle" comes a tone more befitting of a songbird, as a Sunflower blonde elf came out of the kitchen. Both Hank and Ode noted how much she looked like her belated mother, Jewly. Once she was behind the counter, Hank exited and helped Ode lift up the box.
"It's heavier then I remember," groaned Hank in Elven, as the
two of them made their way to the kitchen door.
"You mean this thing was light," Ode mocked in Elven, which
got an evil glare from Hank. Between the both of them, it took a matter
of minutes to slip though flapping door and to the store room door. As Hank
fiddled to find the right key, Ode asked.
"So Jwin, its one of us, right?"
"Hardly," replied Hank, finding the right key and unlocking the door, "Jwin is Jwin. There's nothing more to it."
"You know, don't you..."
"Yes." He replied as the store door opened, revealing shelves full of stuff.
"So..."
"As she would put it, 'tis better that you not know'," said
Hank looking for the one brick that would open the secret passage to a hidden
room, "and what I've seen, there are days I wish I did not know..."
"And?" Ode watched as Hank struck a brick lightly, causing the door to reveal itself in the wall with stairs leading down to darkness.
"And if she deems you worthy, she shall share with you." At
this, Hank grabbed on to the box and began marking his way down into a sanctum.
All Ode could do was ponder and follow him into the abyss.
Silence was all James had gotten out of Jwin the whole ride, it seemed this unusual being believe that actions spoke louder then words, perhaps it was right. However, there was something about it, that did not sit right with James... Only if he could put his figure on it. Bored as he was, he found himself striating one of its jacket pockets and/or its left hand or at least its left ring finger. For upon this finger was nothing more then a simple Jade band, although something within the depths of his mind, was telling James otherwise. As the cab began to slow, James nearly freaked. For the Jade band in a solitary instant seem alive, for beneath the stone's surface blood-red flames in circled the ring, as if the fire was try to consume it from the inside out. A blink, and it was gone as though it had never been.
James had enough never to ask, only to find the cab was landing in an alley next to diner that was vintage 1950. When the cab came to a complete stop, Jwin popped its door open without a word or payment and began making its way to a side door. Rolling his eyes, James began to pull out his id, only to be interrupted.
"Better get moving, Mr. StCloud," came the driver, "She's one not be kept waiting."
"But," began James, who was uncertain how this driver knew his name or how he knew Jwin was a woman.
"Already paid for," said the driver, "You can call me Allan, Mr. StCloud. Now you better hurry. Knowing her, she's already waiting for you in the sanctum."
"The Sanctum?"
"Follow her, and you'll see." That one sounded more like an order then a mere suggestion. At this James snorted a sigh, got out only to find Allan was indeed right, she was gone disappeared into the darken doorway. James turned to thank Allan to only find that he was gone as well. Shaking his head, he walked towards the door with the thought of 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' playing upon his mind.
The dark and the things that came with it never bothered him,
but the silence as he descended the metal stairs did. James figured Jwin
couldn't be that far ahead and it appeared as though his blind friend had
simply vanished into the abyss of darkness, which part of his mind deemed
impossible and yet another part expected it. James hated when his mind contradicted
itself, which it had been doing a lot of late. It seemed part of him had
expected something, another part could not rationalize. It was though he
was two completely different people descending those stairs; certain and
uncertain what kind of information Jwin beheld.
Finally James reached the bottom of seeming endless stairs
only to find Jwin seated at a table with a little black velvet box in front
of her, with only candles giving of soft glow that allowed her to be seen
and not seen at the same time. Neat trick, complements James, which
she answered by motioning to the seat across from her. I see we aren't
going to talk much are we?
That all depends on you and the questions, she answers.
Now sit! It was an order. There were no ifs, ands, or buts. So James
obeyed, though part of him did not like being ordered around. Once there,
she grinned, revealing wolven canines which startled James.
You have a choice, she began as the grin faded to nothingness.
Well, two choices, but part of you already knows what one of those choices
are. You must choose.
I felt his gaze shift from me to box before me. His mind was
arguing with itself, one wanting and the other uncertain. This was the part
I feared. Would he expect knowing and yet not knowing what he was getting
himself into? Silence passed between us as the candles flickered in hope
and grievance. The choice was his and his only. After a time, he looked
up, and I felt the untamed fierce power behind his gaze.
You knew, began James's voice with unbound power behind
it. Somehow or another, you knew.
Of course, was my answer as I pushed the box towards
the changing man, I am after all your fallen guardian angel. I felt
a question brimming within his more focused mind. I see... At this
I simple relaxed revealing my true nature, revealing myself as who and what
I was, am and shall be. A Fallen Justice.
I've become the man who've I've always knew was lurking
within, thought James, expecting something that seemed second nature.
As he thought this, he watched as she also changed somehow. He watched in
the flicking candlelight as it appeared; she allowed wings to unfold from
nothingness. Angelic wings darker then shadows with their tips dipped deeply
in abyss.
So you reveal yourself...
Fallen Justice, a pause of silence, I have no name, and
as I said before, they call me Jwin.
You mentioned this before, while I was still asleep, he stared
longingly at he box, why wait till now to reveal yourself?
I have many far worse enemies the you shall ever had, at this
that was half a grin, many would like to see me fail in what I'm trying
to do...
Justice.
Precisely, as she somewhat glanced at the box, you may open
it if you wish. Now, you have come to terms with yourself.
But, I haven't come completely to terms with myself."
Nor shall you, that what's makes you The Shadow. However, that's
why I am here...
Here for what...? At this she simple grinned.
To help you, your master, the Tulku, is gone for all times.
I alone have the means and tricks that may help you survive long enough...
To...
Restore Justice, not just here, a pause, but to the
world... At this James opened the box, revealing the soft glow of the girasol
he knew all too well, though he had never seen the stone before today. As
he gentle removed the ring from is protection, only to notice that his 'angel'
had disappeared only to appear again with a box within her arms. Upon placing
the ring upon his left ring finger, James expected all the girasol originally
had known. He knew all and what had, no need to be done.
Now what... To which she replied with another toothy
grin.
Time to greet your agents and see what evil the world has
to offer after a millennium of no true Justice. At this a bone-chilling
mocking laugh filled the room as James stood, forever change and began opening
the box.
I watched as James began to pull the contents of the box out, knowing all to well what he would find. Within this plain box held the black broad-brimmed slouched hat, a simple red scarf, a pair of black leather gloves, black leather shoulder hostlers that would hold twin .45s, a full figure black cloak with a raised collar, and a cigar box holding his new tools of his deadly trade. With great pride and honor I watched waiting till he had finished. First he donned the scarf and hat, then slipped his arms into the shoulder hostlers, then swirled the cloak around his form hiding it from view and finally pulled the gloves on, only leaving the girasol in view. There stood before me was no longer James StCloud, but a Dark Avenger…
As he inspected himself, I smiled silently in pride, for the criminals of this new age and time would find this unholy angel harder to kill for ever inch of his clothing was lined with a cloth-like alloy that would be the envy of the inventor of Kevlar. In short, his clothing could stop anything short of a nuclear blast and the weapons I carried. Details, details, details… I felt a brewing question upon the unrippled pond of his mind as he pick up and turn the cigar box over, only to have his question answered when a pair of Colt .45s clattered to the table. He raised a bushy eyebrow.
These, he began tossing the box aside, these aren't
mine…
No, I echoed to him, they aren't. Yours didn't fare
as well over the years, but I believe you'll find these to your liking.
How do you know that?
Pick them up and see… It was a dare, and we both knew
it… which he took up by grabbing one of the pair with his right hand. Amusement
and curiosity plagued his mind causing me to snicker. He continued to turn
the .45 over ignoring my enjoyment, only to conclude what I already knew.
That the clip was irremovable from the gun, for there was no seam between
the clip and butt of the gun. Another question arose in his mind, only to
also have that answered as well. For his keen eye found a symbol that he
recognized through his school days, one that stood for infinity. His laugh
arose in amused mockery as scooped up the other .45 and slipped both of
them into their proper places.
I believe, we've kept them waiting long enough…
Yes, we have.
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