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Fan Fiction: Short Stories
Authors Note: I wrote this short story way back in 1994, after I first saw THE SHADOW in the theater. It's basically a copy of the episode "Prophecy of Doom" from BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. This was before I had developed my writing skills to the point where I could craft my own plots, so I simply took that episode and made the necessary changes so that it would fit with the world of The Shadow. But I did add a few new touches here and there, as well as made the climax a little more explosive and added a different finale. Enjoy. Chapter 1
THE GAMBLING CRUISE was two days out to sea, destined back in New York in
three. In the vast recreation atrium, tables had been set up for every kind of card
game imaginable, from roulette to blackjack. Men and women alike occupied the tables, while
even more stood in circles around the various playing areas, watching and cheering every
time someone made a miraculous win. Women with trays full of drinks moved through the tables,
while people not playing stood around throughout the room engaging in various
conversations Sitting at his usual table at the Cobalt Club, Lamont Cranston took a sip of his martini and set it down. He hated alcohol--it wrecked havoc on him--but he had to keep up appearances. "You know me, Lamont," his friend, Larry Berman, said from across the table. "I'm the last person to act impulsively, but I'm telling you, this man is a revelation. You should read this." He handed Lamont a magazine folded to a certain page. He took it and began to read the article on the page. "Larry," Margo Lane said, "you're not going to proselytize Lamont." "Nostromos," Lamont said in recognition, nodding as he skimmed through the article. "Yes, I've been reading about him in the papers." "That man saved my life," Larry said, gesturing at the magazine with a finger. "He warned me not to go on that gambling cruise. Two days out to sea the ship sank." "A coincidence," Margo said, and picked up her drink. "What about the explosion at the Zanza mines?" he said, referring to one of the many operations he had provided funding for. "Or the fires at the Karobi oil field? His predictions saved me a fortune." Lamont handed the magazine back. "He'd make a heck of a stock broker," he said, and took another drink. Larry ignored his friend's cynicism and said, "Tomorrow night I'm hosting a party in Nostromos' honor. I'd like for you to be there. You could see for yourself." "Sounds great," Lamont said. "But I have to check my horoscope to make sure." After dinner, Lamont shook hands with Larry, then climbed into the Sunshine taxi behind Margo. "Margo's place, Shrevy." "You got it, boss," Moe Shrevnitz said, and pulled away from the curb. Lamont turned to Margo. "You don't believe in this guy at all, do you?" "Call me crazy, but sometimes I think his predictions come true because he makes them happen." He looked at her questioningly. "The only thing I do know is that these days Larry won't make a move without him. He's even part of a secret brotherhood." Lamont, who had been turning back to face front, turned his head slowly, one eyebrow raised. "Secret brotherhood?" She nodded. "Uh-hu. He won't even tell his own family what it's about. Thanks to Mister All-wise, All-wonderful Nostromos." "Well, I'm going to this party he's throwing for him tomorrow night. I'll see what this guy's all about." The clash of a cymbal, and a light from the ceiling came on, bathing the man standing below it. He was dressed in typical ceremonial robes, spotted in places with astronomical designs of yellow. His hair fell just past his shoulders, his beard and mustache were neatly trimmed, his hair combed nicely. Seated in a front row seat beside Larry, Lamont took notice of the young man who had hit the cymbal. He stood watching for a moment, then disappeared through the curtain that divided the room in half. Nostromos raised his head slowly, holding his arms out. "Peace to all, brothers and sisters. The negative plane is aligned with a positive, bringing forth astroarmony." Lamont leaned over and whispered, "Astro-what?" Looking annoyed, Larry quickly replied even quieter, "The vibrations are right for prophecy." "Oh . . . okay." Nostromos stepped down from the dais and moved to the center of the room. The curved ceiling raised high above the floor, with members of the brotherhood sitting in several rows of a half moon-shaped seating area. "That what you seek and cannot find is the seeker. You are merely the eye trying to view itself." Again, Lamont leaned toward Larry. "This is awfully deep." From behind him came a woman's, "Shhhh." Nostromos continued, slowly turning from those on his right to those on his left. "We are but radios for the cosmic transmitter." He closed his eyes and put his hands to his head, placing his fingers on his temples. "Tune your receivers. Hear the inner voice." His eyelids fluttered for a moment, then he let out a yell, startling everyone, even Lamont. Nostromos turned toward Larry. "Brother Larry, the inner voice has spoken. Someone here is in grave danger." He began to turn from side to side slowly, eyes closed, one hand to his temple, the other outstretched, as if reaching for something. "The messenger of death is searching. Crying out for . . . "--he stopped and turned suddenly, opening his eyes and pointing--" . . . you!" All eyes in the room turned toward Lamont, and even he himself felt a little uneasy as he found Nostromos' finger pointing at him. Atop the dais, a crystal ball perched on its pedestal shattered, and from somewhere in the room, there was the clash of a cymbal. |
The Shadow: Master of Darkness
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