shadow 9
#9 of shadow
Shadow 9
The room spun as Mark began to wake. He blinked trying to get rid of his blurred vision as he tried to raise his paws to his head. To his surprise he found that they were bound behind him.
As his vision began to clear he looked around to find himself in a dungeon area of a large basement. The stone walls appeared damp, and the smell of must was only mildly masked by the herbs that brewed in a nearby caldron. A large bookcase was placed on the other side of the caldron was filled with various books and jars of herbs and minerals. A table was setup with several pieces of alchemical equipment and acted as a divide from a larger open area that appeared to be a training area.
The training area was equipped with various weapons and armor placed neatly on racks, as well as several practice dummies. Some of the dummies looked well used, and Mark hoped the pile of ash that lay in the vicinity was just remnants of one.
In the corner of the training area was a glass enclosed area setup with various electronic equipment. A work table could be seen with pieces of an armor suit similar to what the feline that captured him had worn.
As Mark continued to scan the area he noticed that there were several crystals placed around the whole area. He turned as he heard a door squeak open to see a mustang emerge from another room carrying an old book and various empty vials. Mark caught a glimpse of the various relics and artifacts that were stored in the room before the mustang closed the door.
Focusing on the mustang Mark noted the priestly robes that he wore, and watched as he moved towards the caldron placing the book and vials on a nearby stand. As the mustang began filling the vials with the brew from the caldron the sounds of an unseen lift echoed through the area. After the lift came to a stop and the doors were heard sliding open the sounds of something being dragged across the stone floors was heard.
The mustang looked up from his work as the armored feline emerged around the wall where the bookcase stood dragging Boris by the legs behind him. The mustang looked crossly at the feline and he dragged Boris to the area behind Mark. A steel door was heard creaking open and slamming shut moments later before the lock clicked with a slight echo.
The feline move back towards the mustang pausing for a moment to remove his helmet revealing himself as a jaguar. Getting a better look at the armor mark could tell it was made with very high tech components. The helmet alone appeared to have optic enhancements build into the faceplate.
The mustang set down the vial he was filling and stepped toward the feline saying, "Xavier I wish you would reconsider this vengeance quest that you're on."
"I'm dealing with these monsters the same as you. If you don't like it Marcus you can go back to running that orphanage."
"Fighting demons and abduction is not the same thing." Marcus argued.
"It is when they are in league with the demons." Xavier said as he turned to go into the training area stopping when he saw that Mark had woken up. "Looks like this ones awake." he said reaching out his paw to lift Mark's face up. His glare sent chills through Marks body as the fox pulled back and looked away. The jaguar just laughed as he turned and made his way through the training area to the glass room, and began taking off his armor placing the pieces in there proper places.
Markus approached Mark gently lifting his face up as he began a basic exam of the fox's health. After he was satisfied he told Mark, "You'll be fine once the drugs wear off."
Mark unsure what to say began to try to use his power to get into the mustangs head, but as he did a sharp pain shot through his body that eased off as he stopped. "You won't be getting into anyone's head with that collar on." Xavier sneered as he approached.
"You could at least find a more humane way of blocking his power." Marcus pleaded.
"Let him suffer for what he did." Xavier replied moving towards the caldron. "What is this, it smells horrid." He proceeded to pick up a vial to examine the contents.
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe he was being used?" Marcus replied as he followed the feline. "And put that down, we'll need them for fighting the Brotherhood."
"I'll stick with my suit thanks." Xavier said placing the vial back down.
Mark turned toward them saying, "A potion won't work against him."
"And who would that be?" Xavier asked.
Mark began to speak but was interrupted by the rattling of chains and a moan coming from behind him.
Xavier turned to see Mr. Von Horn pushing himself up off the ground. "My apologies for the chains Von Horn but I can't have you interfering with my plans."
"Somehow I don't believe your sympathy Xavier." the stallion replied as he sat against the wall he was chained to and began examining the chains. "Clever enchanting the chains so I can't break through them." he continued seeing the runic inscriptions on the chains and cuffs.
Xavier crossed his arms as he smirked. "Well I would have used a collar but your neck is too fat."
"Funny." Von Horn replied. "So why is Mark so important to your plan?"
"Oh he isn't. He and that rhino were the ones that setup my kid. I can't let them get away with that now can I." Xavier said as he moved to retrieve a crystal rod from the bookshelf.
Mark thought for a moment before he caught on. "Shadow's your son?"
"Yes and you worked it out with that rhino to have him killed." Xavier said fiercely as he moved in front of the fox raising the rod to Mark's check as he spoke in an ancient language. As he spoke the rod began to spark as electrical energy flowed into Mark who yelled out in pain as the energy flowed through him. Xavier stopped only from Marcus taking the rod away.
"I will not allow this Xavier." Marcus stated firmly.
Xavier growled for a moment before calming his temper. "I'll just deal with him after you leave then." He then headed to the training area to work out his frustrations seeing that Mark had blacked out again.
Marcus turned to Mr. Von Horn who chuckled softly saying, "He will never change."
Marcus moved to place the rod back on the shelf. "He has lost a lot. And trying to slay the evil...well it takes a toll on you."
"He isn't the only one who does that work. You and I we don't let it turn us into the monsters." Mr. Von Horn replied.
"He may go about thing poorly, but he has the will to go through with taking out Brotherhood." Marcus tried to get back to his work so he wouldn't feel bad about not having a power that was useful in a fight.
Mr. Von Horn crossed his arms as he sat with a scowl. "It isn't will that drives him its pure vengeance. He hates anyone he thinks is in league with the demons, and will stop at nothing until they are dead."
Marcus turned back to the stallion with pleading eyes. "He still has a good heart. He talks of nothing but trying to make things right with his son, and after the Brotherhood is gone he promised me he would put away his suit and forget this life."
Mr. Von Horn laughed in dismay. "You don't just walk away from this life. He has spent too many years doing this. And from what the members of the Order tell me he's going to need the suit if Shadow gets pissed off at him."
Marcus raised his hand trying to hush the stallion. "Xavier doesn't know about that." he said looking back to see the jaguar approaching.
Mr. Von Horn looked towards Xavier as he approached. "I'm surprised that he doesn't know that Shadow has powers."
Xavier laughed as he slipped out of his sweaty shirt revealing several scars along his torso. "I think I would know if he did Von Horn."
Marcus moved between the two turning to Xavier. "Xavier please we need to focus on the Brotherhood after that you and Shadow can talk about this."
Xavier turned to Marcus his eyes flared with anger as he realized the mustang knew. "How long have you known about this?"
Marcus raised his hands as he took a few steps back. "His powers manifested the night that Holland attacked him." He continued to backup as Xavier continued to advance. "I was following a lead when I found them in the catacombs under the club..."
Marcus's pleas were cut short as Mr. Von Horn pushed him aside and grabbed Xavier by the throat lifting him slightly off the ground. Xavier struggled for a moment as a paw slipped down to his packet, and with a quick motion he flicked a scrap of cloth in the stallions face releasing a powder.
Mr. Von Horn released his grip as his vision began to blur and he began to sneeze. He stumbled back leaning against the wall before sliding back to the floor as his legs grew weak. He soon slipped into unconsciousness as the room went black.
Back at Vincent's house Shadow stepped out of the shower. He felt refreshed after the hot shower. As he began drying himself off his ears flicked at the sound of muffled voices coming from the living room. He quickly finished and got dressed before making his way to where the voices were coming from. He stopped in the doorway seeing Jess seated on the couch and Arron knelt in front of her pleading for her help.
Arron grabbed hold of her paw as he spoke. "Jess please. They are in danger I know it. I can't locate them and that's why I came to you."
Jess looked away as she pulled her paw out of his grasp. "What makes you think I can find them I you can't?"
"Your power isn't limited by time. That may be enough to bypass whatever is blocking my ability to sense Mr. Von Horn." Arron replied shifting himself back into her view.
Shadow stepped into the room and began to approach the two. "Isn't that Vincent's father?"
Arron and Jess turned towards Shadow and began trying to think of an explanation.
Shadow realized by their expressions that he hadn't told them about his new powers. "I figured Jess could predict things, and it doesn't surprise me that you have powers too Arron, especially after finding out I can shoot electricity out of my paws."
Jess and Arron looked at each other with confused expressions before turning back to Shadow.
"When were you going to tell us this?" they both asked unanimously.
Arron rose to his feet and began to circle Shadow. "And how are you blocking my ability to sense your power."
Shadow grew a bit uncomfortable with being circled. "I'm not blocking anything."
Arron was about to respond but turned his attention to Jess who was reaching for her bag.
Jess pulled out her drawing pad laying it in her lap as she pulled the pencil out of the bindings. Her two companions watched as she stared blankly straight ahead as her paw began to move the pencil on the empty page. Her eyes seemed to change completely white as she hastened her movements occasionally turning the pad as she drew. As she finished the drawing she flipped the page and began another one.
Shadow and Arron watched for over half an hour as Jess drew several pictures. When she had finally finished she blinked several times allowing her eyes to return to normal. As she came out of her daze she looked down and flipped back to the first page.
Shadow and Arron moved to sit on either side of her looking at the first picture of a cave. As they continued to look through the pictures they came to one with several hooded figure positioned around a circular stone. Upon the stone lay the body of Mr. Holland.
The last picture was that of one of the caves walls that was covered with hieroglyphs. From what they could tell the hooded figures were going to return Mr. Holland's soul to his body.
Arron stood taking the pictures from Jess before heading for the door. "I have to get these back to the Order so we can stop this."
Shadow began to follow him saying, "What about Vincent's father?"
Jess followed the two out the door. "We'll probably find him at the caves."
Nathan and Victor watched as the three hurriedly climbed into Aaron's car and rushed off. Curious as to their hurry they got into Victors truck and began following them.
As they arrived at Von Horn Enterprises Jess filled them in as to what was going on while they made their way to the elevators. Arron allowed them to follow as far as the Orders main lobby on the top floor where he told them to wait.
They waited for some time before Arron returned only requesting that Shadow and Jess go in.
As Jess and Shadow followed Arron into a large office that looked more like a war room they were greeted by the council of the Order. Arron introduced them as a mystically dressed ram stood and made her way towards them.
The ram barely noted Jess as she began circling Shadow. She ran her hand across his shoulders as she crossed behind him before sliding it down his arm and bringing his paw up. She ran her fingers across the creases of his palm before letting his paw drop and looking into his eyes. Her gaze seemed to penetrate deeply into Shadow's core. Several moments past before she turned and broke the silence. "The Guardian has awakened the great battle is at hand."
Most of the council broke out into mixed opinions on what they should do. Some thought it best to go straight into battle while others thought more planning was needed, especially since Mr. Von Horn was still missing. Amid the arguments a largely built panther stood looking around before slamming a paw on the table. Again there was silence.
As Shadow watched the panther carefully thinking he realized that he was the owner of the club. He had only seen him once and that was a few years ago. He turned as Jess grabbed hold of his paw and was about to tell her it was alright but the panther interrupted him. "Arron take Jess and your guests to the library and try to find the location of the caves. Members of the council you will gather as many of your agents as possible and prepare them for an attack. Shadow come with me please."
Shadow paused for a moment turning back to Jess before Arron tugged at her arm. He stood watching her leave before turning to make his way past the council members who were leaving the room. As he approached the panther turned and escorted him through another office into what appeared to be a private training area.
The panther remained silent as he removed his jacket and tie. He unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt before removing his cuff pins and rolling up his sleeves. Finally he faced Shadow and began sizing the feline up.
Unsure of what the panther had planned Shadow's power began to kick in heightening his senses. Before Shadow could ask what was going on the panther struck out with a fist. Shadow easily blocked the attack stepping back into a defensive stance.
The panther smiled quickly stepping forward faking another punch and catching Shadow in the stomach with his knee. Shadow doubled over from the impact before falling to his knees coughing. "You're going to have to do better than that." the panther said firmly moving around Shadow.
As Shadow got back to his feet the panther attacked again. This time Shadow sensed where the panther was. He turned as he caught the feline's wrist and quickly pulling down as he swept the panthers legs out from under him.
The panther glanced up checking Shadows position before swinging his legs around above him twisting himself to all fours before leaping toward Shadow.
Shadow sidestepped dogging the panther as he reached out catching his attacker's shirt ripping a large portion of it before pulling him to the floor. He let go and began to back away only to have his leg clutched by the panther, who quickly pulled it upwards causing him to fall hard to the floor knocking the wind out of him.
The panther got to his feet removing his torn shirt before positioning himself above Shadow placing a foot on his chest.
Shadow groaned as the panther placed more weight onto him. He reached up trying to shift the panther's foot off of him without success. As the pain grew he felt his power grow and instinctively reached his paw up toward the panther sending a ball of electricity out that caught the panther in the chest knocking him back. Shadow took this chance to further knock the panther off balance getting to his feet as his opponent fell to the floor.
As the panther began to get to his feet Shadow noticed that the burn mark where his attack landed began to rapidly heal itself. Even the fur that had been scorched filled back in to its original thickness. The panther brushed himself off before saying, "You have good instincts but you're not focusing your power. You need to be able to call it at will if you want to help us fight. Now let's start again."
Shadow was irritated by the deception but understood the need saying, "Yes sir."
The panther laughed replying, "We're both guardians there's no need for the sir, the names Jacob," He proceeded to reach out a paw to shake with Shadow. Shadow let down his guard taking the panthers paw before having his arm twisted and Jacob pushing him down with his other paw. "Never let your guard down in a fight."
As Shadow and Jacob continued their training Arron and Jess looked through various books to try to locate the location of the caves. Nathan sat studying the picture that Jess had drawn trying to decipher the hieroglyphs. Victor only seemed to be in the way so he decided to talk with one of the scholars to find out what was going on.
As the day faded into night Nathan finally deciphered enough of the hieroglyphs to determine where the caves where. He also determined that the ritual described in the writings could only be performed during the upcoming eclipse. To his surprise the ritual was not to summon Mr. Holland's soul but to open a rift to the demon realm.
Shadow managed to gain enough control over his abilities to manifest enough power at will to be useful in the upcoming fight. Jacob offered to train him further if time allowed, though he knew that with Shadows instincts he would be able to take down most of the order even with limited control.
The council was called once more to determine the best course of action to take. It was determined that Jacob would lead the attack with Shadow at his side. Many of the strongest members of the Order would be accompanying them on the attack.