Fan Fiction: Crossovers
Justice Falls
by Qutime
Part: 1
2 3 4 5
Chapter 4:
Agents
As early evening approached, the nervous atmosphere seemed to increase, none more apparent then empty brandy bottle near where Hank was sitting. Ode watched his friend, weary as the claimed linguist scoped out the rest of the agents. Out of the thirteen agents who had gathered within Hank's diner, only three of them were females. Jo Ishu, the fiery leader from His Asian division, Joanna Smith, NYPD SWAT markswoman and her partner on the bet, Linda Brica both were in uniforms chanting business with Victor VanBruan, a German of New York's underground. Allan Marshall, ex-NACAR driver and stuntman, Joseph Lee, aerial stuntman and acrobatic, and Wakem Mill, leader of South America and ex-runner were sharing horror stories and greatest escapes. Adam Quick, New York's communications, Woo Tsujun, Asia's communications, and Iken Weih, New York Times newsman were talking shop. While Bob, a native guide and leader of Africa, and Kutsu Hirameshi, a double agent for His Majesty's secret service were engaged in a heated game of Go. Only then had Ode turned his attention back to Hank who was starting to pull another of his finest bottle of Brandy from his safe.
"Worried?" Inquired Ode, as Hank set the new bottle on the counter.
"Wouldn't you be," replied Hank unscrewing the lid, only to pour himself a rather large shot, "when you don't know what to expect from her or Him." Ode nodded in agreement, knowing what he meant, especially when it applied to Jwin and tapped on the counter implying that he wanted a shot. Hank was more then happy to oblige, placing another shot glass upon the counter and filling it to the brim.
"So," questions Ode taking a large sip of the Brandy, " what is she?" This caused Hank to release the priceless bottle, causing the whole diner to come to a standstill... for the bottle hadn't stuck the polished top of Hank's counter, instead it was suspended only a inch above its fate. Gasps of surprise were released as the bottle righted, itself, only to be set onto its base.
Still as jumpy as every about that question, Hank. An icy whispered tone echoes quietly off the diner's inner-shell. Why don't you answer Mr. VanDrake's question? Which was followed by a hollow, haunting, sadistic laughter in the same tone. As the one laugh began to fade, another one arose to greet them all. A deep, chilling laughter of hollow mockery, a laugh the belonged to the one being who all these people have come to meet... The Shadow.
I did not know what to expect when I crossed that threshold that separated us, from his agents. That was until, I heard Ode VanDrake pop the one question, which Hank still did not nor would not want to answer. Though I could not blame him, he was the first of his kind to learn who and what I truly am. However, since Ode had asked I had no time to question my actions, only to act. This required me to move quickly through the kitchen floppy door, only to catch the bottle before it met its unlikely end. Seeing that the agents were watching the bottle more than the kitchen door, I simply moved my wrist till it was straight and set it upon its base.
Still as jumpy as every about that question, Hank. My tone echoes quietly off his establishment's walls. Why don't you answer Mr. VanDrake's question? This was followed by my laugh, which I allowed to fade only to have His arise to greet them all. It was then all their attention turned to the partly opened kitchen door. A wiseass smirk cross my face as I fully step over the threshold revealing that no had followed me. However, I knew otherwise. As the smirk faded as I approached Hank knowing what the two elves saw. There within my own shadow He hid. Their master and my student, who began to reveal himself as I took a stool at Hank's counter. I smile half-heartedly to myself, while all eyes where focused upon His entrance. Giving me time to confront Ode.
James arose from within her shadow, a trick that until recently, he would have deemed impossible, but tonight had changed ever aspect of his world. It wasn't just tonight that had changed him, it was her… whom or whatever she was, is and may be. There was a fire, an unquenched blood-red flames that seem to consume the very soul of her eyes, those silvery clouded orbs that saw not and yet did… This woman, this Jwin was something else all together, and for now, he accepted that she was who she claimed to be. A Fallen Justice, whatever that may be. Slowly, James allowed himself to scan the group who had assembled in this quaint diner.
There where three female agents, four if he wished to included Jwin. That thought cause him to shudder, but not enough that it was noticed by any of his agents. Unless he included the two who seemed to conversing with Jwin in a tongue, he could swear wasn't of this world. However, he was not drawing hard conclusions until he had all the information that these 'agents' could and would provide him with. As he finished scanning the group of agents, he knew who they were and why they served him without question.
Report, he demanded in a tone that couldn't be ignored, except by those who were immersed in conversation with her.
"What isn't there to report," comes a man know as Adam Quick, "It has been a millennium since your disappearance… the world has known much evil since then." At this, nods of agreement circled around the diner, as the conversation between Jwin, Ode VanDrake and Hank seemed to heat up. James nodded in thought, knowing all to well, the truth Adam spoke of…
Where do we start then? He inquired, which Adam was about answer till a cell phone interrupted him. All heads, including Jwin's, Hank's and Ode's, swiveled towards the table where his police agents were sitting with his underground man. A nervous smile crossed Joanna's serious face as she fumbled to find her cell-phone, which she answered.
"This is Joanna," she began, "what is it captain?" Silence engulfed the diner; though not ever word between Joanna and her captain could be heard. The immensity of the conversation weight heavily upon all, a kidnapping that went wrong. Horrible wrong… and now it was a Mexican standoff between the kidnapers and NYPD down at the waterfront warehouse. And it involved the New York Mayor's husband and their two children. All eyes kept shifting between Joanna and the Master; none more concerned then Joanna's or Jwin's…
"Right," Joanna final announced for all to hear, "we'll be there in ten." At this she hung up and looked worried at him.
Go. It was an order, Joanna and Linda knew it.
Myself and my guardian will be right behind. At this Linda
and Joanna were on the move and out the diner door before any other agent
could question The Shadow's decision. Though none dared to question His
decision when they all knew what was at stake. Allan…
"Right, boss," he answered, and he was up and moving. Seeing that he was on his way, James turned only find Jwin standing near by, seeming to have finished with her little discussion with Ode and Hank. She made no indication that his choice unnerved her, though she seemed one to welcome danger.
The rest of you, he turned to rest of his outfit,
enjoy your stay and you'll receive your orders when I have need of
you. At this, there was no questions upon the minds of his agents…
he was the real McCoy. Without another single word James left with Jwin
not far behind.
Ode VanDrake was speechless, not from The Shadow's decision to follow up this kidnapping. But, what his guardian had informed him of… and he concluded this much, she wasn't one to trifle with. No wonder, Hank and his agents revered her so… causing Ode also to respect her choice in helping in the reawaking of the one being who know his own means of Justice. Now not had they a dark avenger to deal with, the evil of the world also had a dark angel to deal with. A dark angel also bent on its, own bloody Justice. Ode sighed wondering what he had gotten himself into, and how deep only to hear Hank clearing his throat.
"What," Ode inquired in Elven as Hank pushed the still full shot glass towards him.
"I know it's a lot to take in, Ode," Hank sighed sitting down, "and the rest of our kind wonders why I keep a large stock of this brandy." At this Ode grinned, taking up the glass and draining three-fourths of it.
"Didn't you ask her, before all this all fell into place, to walk away?"
"Yes."
"What did she answer?"
"You and I both know that I cannot do that."
"Why?"
"Hell, I don't know," said Hank shooting back his entire glass, "but after the answer she's given you. I prefer not to know."
"I'll drink to that," which Ode did.
A silent smirk crossed my mind as Allan's cab roared after Linda's portal car. I had given both Ode and Hank something to consider; though it appeared my presence wouldn't be required for much longer. But, the night was still young… I sighed softly to myself, knowing that He was already pondering how far has his sugar coated world had fallen… fallen into the depths of the abyss. How far indeed has it fallen, even I could not answer this. And there were times I was grateful I could not answer, but tonight was one of those, I could only wish I could answer how far the world has fallen…
You're worried. He tone echoed gently in my mind.
Why?
I would prefer not to lose you again, Shadow, I replied.
It's nothing more than that…
I doubt that, he sighed, there's something
else isn't there?
Yes, but you couldn't possibly begin to understand.
Try me. He mocked, as I snickered 'famous last
words'.
What would you say if I told you I was over five hundred
and seventy eight years old? If there wasn't for scarf covering his
face, I could have sworn that his mouth just dropped a foot.
Impossible. He answered.
Ah. I mocked. But you've would have also deemed your
darker-self, impossible as well, before tonight.
Touché, there was a pause, but if you are
really as old as you are, how come…
How come I don't look a day over twenty-one? I finish.
At least that's what you wanted to ask me… am I correct? I watched
the brim of his hat nod a solemn yes. I sighed. figured the truth was going
to get around to him soon or later… it would be better if he heard it from
me.
By now you've mostly concluded that I am not at all human.
Another nod. Have you made an educated guess to what I am?
Some was his answer, but I'm starting to
doubt them.
Try me, while he snickered 'famous last words'.
At first I thought you nothing more then a blind beggar
offering me answers to answers, I've always known. Just never been able
to expect. Then when you vanished into darken doorway, a ghost or a wraith
bent on some mad design to destroy me. I tried to suppress my laughter,
it wasn't working… but you revealed yourself as you stated, a fallen
angel who was to guide and perhaps even saved all for internal darkness.
However, I believe you are none of these…
Oh. I managed to finally regain composure. And how
have you concluded that?
The blood-red flames that consume your very gaze, a gaze
that haunted never to see and yet does… You defy every rule known to man,
expect one. Justice, and yet it's a bloody Justice you seek. Why?
Try living a few hundred years and see if you can avoid
being used as a pawn… try and see if you aren't tainted from the lives you
may have to take or save 'just because'. For I am tainted, yes… but I've
found peace… You, of all people should understand this. There was a
strange kind of silence as the cab began to slow down.
I know all too well, what kind of darkness you could
face.
Could. I mocked. Could, have and shall always face,
Shadow.
But nothing can last forever. A pause, or
can it…
Some things last forever, Shadow. Good and Evil will never be
satisfied till they've destroyed one another. And Justice… Justice must
prevail, so the weak will not be bleed so deeply.
You sound like someone who has tried.
Tried and still trying…
Why?
Because I can sleep better at night knowing the innocent
are safe.
There's something else, he paused as the cab
landed a quick run from the polices' "do not cross" tape, you're seeking
redemption for things you haven't done, but someone else has…
Ancient history! I was in denial and I knew it.
Is it? You haven't let it go, have you?
Much like you, Shadow, my tainted past defines my very existence.
I paused. There are days I wished it would let me go, but it won't for
I am… what I am.
Which is?
A half-blood… and I left it at that, as I stepped out
of the cabs' back as rain began to fall from the cloudy sky.
A lost soul, that's the best James could describe Jwin as he followed her lead, a lost ancient tortured soul from another time, another age… perhaps even another plane of existence. One bent on redemption and an unquenched thirst for Justice, no matter how bloody. Though her final answer iterated him so… 'A half-blood' she had replied as a great lonely sadness haunted her fiery gaze for but a moment, then she left without another word into the now storming night. He wanted so much to pursue her answer, but his newly instinct told that it would be unwise to do so. For it appears that everything would reveal itself in time, all he had to do was be patient and wait. And wait he shall, for there was more at stake tonight, than his angel's tainted past. Lives were at stake…
With the thought of how precise life is… James StCloud, now the dark avenger, master of darkness or simply The Shadow simple ducked beneath the police tape and went to find out what he could do. Tonight was the world has waited so long for. Tonight Justice would be upheld and fear would be stuck like a wooden stake into heart of the underworld for the first time in a millennium. Tonight, it had begun…
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