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Dark Chronicles: Nightdevil #3
Hell's Haven Courtroom.
3 years ago
Grayson: So I ask you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, if you will let this woman get away with cold blooded murder...
I indicated the defendant. What I grasp of her is very little: a short, bitter woman. I hear the rosary beads swing from her neck. She killed her son. People say she isn't sane. As far as I'm concerned, a murder must be brought one thing, under any stipulation. Justice.
Grayson: And that concludes my statement, Your Honor.
I sat back down. The judge leans forward. Judge Marilyn Baldwin. Old harlott has been a judge for nearly 23 years. And a b*tch for all 67 of them. But I respect her. She believes in the good of the law like myself. Doesn't tolerate any foolishness in court.
Judge: We will take a 5 minute break. Do not discuss the case at hand with anyone else. Court dismissed.
That damned gavel. Still unnerves me after all these years. I collect my things. This case is as good as won.I have her pinned down. Only a matter of time before she's given what she deserves. I hear her lawyer try to comfort her. "Everything will be fine." He says. Heh. Poor thing. I pity her. All high hopes, yet about to be crushed by the realization. Hope it makes her suffer. Probably stop by Foggy's this afternoon. Go over those files one last time.
The court resumes a few minutes later. Judge Baldwin looks toward the jury.
Judge: Has the jury reached a verdict?
A man stands up. Short, kinda heftier. He sweats like a pig. Nervous, this probably being his first case. He's afraid of making enemies. Especially a psycho-b*tch who kills her own flesh and blood.
Man: W-we have, Your Honor. We find the defendant, Cathleen Thompson, guilty of First Degree murder.
Judge: Very well. I sentence the defendant to 63 years in prison. No bail. Court dismissed.
The gavel rings out again. I think I have a migraine. Defendant starts crying in anger. She lashes at me. Claws the side of my face.
Defendant: SATAN! DEVIL'S SERVANT! LIAR!
She is apprehended by security. She gets escorted out.
Defendant: SATAN! MAY THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL!
I watch as she is removed from the court. I ask myself, "Am I truly a demon in disguise?"
Matt Grayson's apartment.
2 hours ago.
I pull back my closet door. Get suited up. Steel toed boots. Half-mask with demon horns. Black leather suit and leggings. Giant red "V" across the upper torso. Stands for vengeance. Walking cane detaches into 2 Escrima Sticks. I plan on making my parents proud tonight. I plan on moving 1 step further to remove corruption from my city. Justice being served. It's all I've ever asked for.
Research. Heh.
Hell's Haven Abandoned Octocorp Warehouse.
Now.
Take out the sentry on the roof. Done. Perimeter is clear. Time to make a move. I scale up the side of the roof. Trying to be stealthy. God, I feel like an idiot. I am an idiot. But an idiot with a righteous cause. Lets see if we can get some intel...
Woman: Well ,well, Kerry, you did your role well. Kenny Trynn was a serious nuisance to the "Big E", and now you've paid off your debt...
Kerry: Oh y-yes, yes! Thank you ma'm, Thank You! You have no idea--
Woman: Don't thank me just yet, darling. You see, you now know how this shtick here works.. And well, the "Big E" doesn't like outsiders knowing about what goes down here. And since your talents are of no use to us, I fear you may have to take a... Permanent Vacation, hm?
Kerry: Oh god. No please no! I won't tell nobody! I swear it!
Woman: Harrison!
The man named Harrison crept on Peter Kerry with a crowbar. The sounds of blunt metal meeting with bone shakes my very core. His screams are choked out by each blow. Damn. Even a scumbag like that didn't deserve this. He deserved hard time in prison. Not having his life stolen away in a cover up. I suppose it's time to make a move.
I crash through the window. I hear the shouts of panic. I take out the nearest guy. Bullets are fired. Roll out of the gunners' line of sight.Knock the AK47 out of the nearby cronie's hand. His face gets kissed by my Escrima stick.
Woman: Look alive, boys, someone's playing hero! Isn't that just sweet? KILL HIM!
More bullets. I find cover behind a machine of some sorts . Keep your nerve, Matty. You got work to do. I evaluate the situation. Three men, all armed. And that b*tch who seems to run this operation. Aside from this "Big E" figure. Focus. Need to develop a plan of action. I hurl an Escrima stick at one guy, and take flight up to the railing above me. Bullets fly. I evade. Close into the other two men. Dive from above. Both are taken down. Pick up my weapons. Close in on this harpy.
Woman: Oh, how unfortunate. We'll need some more of those guys...
I get a visual of her as she talks. Big, fur coat with hood. Short to no hair. Fairly skinny. Odd choice for a female enforcer. And too grunge for a socialite.
Woman: As for our "daring" crusader in arms, I think it's safe to say its under wrap. HARRISON!
I hear him yell as he charges at me with the crowbar. Duck. He over swings. I capitalize. Escrima to his face. He staggers. He swings again. I block. Hit for block for a good eight seconds. I leg sweep him. He falls. I strike him hard in the jaw. He's out. Turn my attention to the woman.
Woman: Huh, looks like I'll have to take care of this myself. You see, I used to think myself a freak. But the "Big E" showed me what I truly am. A force to behold!
She removes her coat to reveal an odd costume that I cannot accurately make out. She emits electricity from her hands.
Woman: The name's Electrowire. And I. AM. POWER!
She puts her hands to the floor and channels the energy at me. I panic. Leap in to the air. I have one shot to capitalize. Hurl my Escrima at her. Stuns her. Ground floor is safe again. I rush in to finish this. She hurls a bolt at me. I evade. I swing my Escrima. She catches it. Electricity courses through me. She lets go. I fall down. She grabs me by my torso.
Electrowire: I thought you'd at least be more entertaining than this.
She shocks me. Unfathomable pain. Feel my insides burn crisp. I fall to the floor. See my Escrima stick a few feet away. Must get to it. I begin to crawl. A hard boot crashes on my hand.
Nightdevil: AHHH GOD!!! AHHHHHHAHAHA
Electrowire: Pathetic. You are just a boy in a Halloween costume. Fighting with two sticks.
She grabs the Escrima. It charges up with electricity at her grasp.
Electrowire: *laughs* Two sticks made of metal.
She plunges the charged Escrima into my spine. Flashes of light appear before me. She damaging my very nervous system. Migraine's coming in. Oh god.
She gives another thrust. Good news: Migraine's gone. Bad news: I can't feel my head.
Electrowire: I hope you crawl out of here and die by a sewer. Your a waste of time for the janitor to clean up.
She cackles that maddening laugh. I hear her footsteps as she leaves. Agonizing torment. I cough up blood. Can't move my hands or legs.
So, is this truly the end? Did my mother and father; Jekyll; even Peter Kerry. Did they die in vain? Were they just gamblers now without a horse? Has vengeance been served? Did the Crusader Without Fear die today?
This concludes the three-part origin miniseries known as Dark Chronicles: Nightdevil. This will be succeeded by the ongoing series Nightdevil: Crusader Without Fear
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