Fan Fiction: Short Stories

Never Forget
by Qutime

  "That," she sighs, "that would be Atlas, whom this park is named after. Died when the Nazis attacked the same day Pearl Harbor was torn asunder. It was dedicated by Statesman soon after. There are many statues who line this park for their ideal and beliefs." There was more to that statement, but Kyoko left it at that.

  "Can we see your show?" The Shadow requested.

  "Of course," Kyoko responded in a heartbeat, "that's actually why I invited you here, though it doesn't officially open till tomorrow. However, Regent the night security guard owes me a favor so he'll let us in before the opening." With a wink, and grin she lead The Shadow on a wild walk.

  "Please...." If this went on any longer, The Shadow was going to have a side ache. It was just so cute and funny to see Kyoko begging Regent to let them in, when it was clearly after hours. Obviously Regent was also getting a kick out of this as much as The Shadow was.

  "All right, all right," Regent finally admited defeat as he causally winked at The Shadow, "just this once…"

  "Thanks Regent," said Kyoko, perking up, "you're the greatest." The Shadow saw Regent roll his eyes as he unlocked the metal gates. And before he could thank the man, Shadow found himself in tow once more.

  "He really shouldn't be doing this," The Shadow said, trying to keep his voice down, "he could get fired…"

  "I doubt that," whispered Kyoko amongst the darken hallways with semi-lit displays, "besides, this was publicly funded, though not well supported. Even I made sure that I stated in the contract with Paragon City, that I had full access to my works, especially after hours."

  "Not much of a sleeper are, you?" The Shadow inquired.

  "Not really," Kyoko replied, "I've always been a bit of a night owl." The silence only lasted for but a moment. "Ah, here we are..." A rather enormous black velvet curtain hung closed with crimson ropes to draw them back. A bloody ribbon still stretched the span of the archway ready for the cutting tomorrow. "This way," she beckoned, "but, you've must close your eyes first."

  "Must I?" The Shadow sighed, and the look alone had been worth the comment. "All right, all right…" The Shadow closed the space between them before closing his eyes. Kyoko waved her hand in front of his face to make sure.

  "Okay," Kyoko takes up The Shadow's left hand, "no peeking…"

  "Now, what makes you think I'll do something like that?" He asked. There was no answer. Instead a tug coaxed him to follow Kyoko, blindly feeling the weight of the curtains as they passed through. Only their footsteps echoed in the room as Kyoko lead him to the center, still uncertain about many things, except this — this was she was undeniably positive about. And if that meant being a fool, then she was indeed a fool.

  "Shadow," she said shyly, "I'm going to let go of your hand and have you count to seven. Can you do this?" He, of course, nodded his head, and Kyoko let go of his long hand. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Upon seven, The Shadow opened his eyes and was truly greeted by breathless awe.

  It was there, all of it was there… His whole life, post Great war, captured by so many… Kyoko's hand was nowhere to seen amongst the drawings, sculptures, collages, paintings and many different forms art came in. So much had been collected this small place seemed to be plastered wall to wall with items. Except, much like the mural in her room, a large space had been left directly in front of him, which still bore a cloth covering it.

  "So," asked Kyoko standing next to the covered piece, "what do you think, Shadow."

  "I'm...I'm...I'm..." Words seemed to fail him, but only for a precious moment, "I'm speechless, Kyoko."

  "Ah, but you haven't even seen my contribution to this..." she looked about with a grin, "...madness."

  "This hero, whom all this has inspired, is unworthy of one more piece." The Shadow protested.

  "I beg to differ, my dearest of friends," Kyoko sighed, "It's one to you, Shadow, that I give this…" She tugged on the sheet, "my life work, my legacy to you..."

  So she had known, The Shadow thought briefly, but that was all forgotten when he had looked upon the final piece.

   "The Shadow Anthology" opened without a hitch the very next day. Everyone who went to see the show agreed it had been far too long to acknowledge a 'godfather' such as The Shadow. However, the main attraction of this collection was the very painting Kyoko had revealed to The Shadow the night before. There were many arguments and uncertainly over putting words to a piece that seemed words could never begin to atone for.

  There were so many titles, names or sayings this piece could have been titled, but the artist had opted for something unexpected. Like the gold plaque Shadow found hang in Kyoko Sovna's home, its' twin hung beneath the painting with the first two lines omitted.