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AUTHOR'S NOTES: Just a few things to keep in mind while you're reading ... This storyline takes place approximately one year after the "Family Ties" storyline. Sarah is back in possession of the Witchblade and Ian has mysteriously disappeared (again). Jackie has destroyed the last incarnation of the Angelus (Appolonia's mother), and has taken a leave of absence from the mob to do a little 'soul' searching.
Thanks to all the wonderful people on the
DOTB mailing list who helped me collect some background information for
this story. I did take a few liberties with the info and tried to
be creative, but I hope this story meets your expectations!
okay ... here goes part two ...
PAST IMPERFECT, FUTURE TENSE
Prologue Two - "Future Tense, Part 1"
by Stacy Burger
April, 2108.
Today is the day.
The day I step away from the light, into the darkness, and reclaim my proper birthright.
The moment has finally come -- my 21st birthday. I've waited my entire life for this moment. I can already feel the power. Hear it calling out for me. The Darkness -- the beautiful, inky blackness of night that gives me comfort -- will finally be mine.
But there's a catch.
I must travel years into the past and claim it from the last bearer. One Jackie Estacada.
My grandfather, Sonatine, has told me many stories, but none intrigued me more than the ones involving Estacada. He was all power and grace, the most masterful wielder of the darkness since the time of King Arthur, when my grandfather wielded it himself. But Merlin forced it from Sonatine's hands, and he was never able to control it again. For centuries, he tried to get in good with the bearers of the Darkness, but never succeeded in reclaiming it. So he groomed my father to bear the power, but he died when I was very young. Then he groomed me for the privilege.
Now I want what is rightfully mine.
The lab is buzzing with activity as I make my way to see my mother, Angel. She is very anxious for me, but more for the power, I imagine. She, too, wields a power beyond reasoning, passed on to her from her mother and her mother before her. But it has waned over the years. At least I have never seen her use them.
My mother turns around as the door opens with hiss. She stands surrounded by her scientists, who have been working on a time machine to send me back to where I need to go. I greet her with a brief smile.
"It is nearly ready," she states with an equally brief smile.
"Will grandfather be here?" I ask.
"Yow know him," she responds. "He's probably too caught up in his own schemes to see you off." She looks up at me. "But you know he means well."
I shrug. Grandfather always expected a lot from me, but he was never around to see any of it. Typical.
"I suppose," I say and walk closer to the machine. It really is a magnificent piece of work. Tall and proud, it towers over everyone in the room, its silver metal gleaming in the intense lighting. I reach out to touch it when a hand clamps down on my wrist.
"No, don't," a voice says to me. I look at the hand on my wrist, and follow the arm to its owner.
"Grandfather!" I say loudly in surprise. My mother turns around at my cry, but words fail her as always when my grandfather is around.
"You must be patient, Nick," my grandfather tells me.
"But I've waited so long," I protest. I'm too eager, I know. But my grandfather smiles - an evil smile that only a mother could love.
"I have waited far long than you, my boy," grandfather says.
"It will only be a matter of moments," my mother says. She looks at me in concern. She's looked at me like that a lot lately. "Are you ready?"
I nod eagerly and step away from my grandfather.
I hear the machine come to life. It whirs and whines like a finely tuned car. A bright light begins to glow from its center, and all the other mechanics and scientists move away. I, on the other hand, begin to walk toward it. I can feel the light growing larger, feel it pulsing in my blood. Or is it the doubt and fear I am beginning to have?
I can feel everyone's eyes on me as I step
into the light. My mother says something, but I can not understand
it. I turn to see the smile on my grandfather's face grow wider.
He has waited a long time for this moment. And there's something
in his eyes . . . something I don't like. But I turn back into the
light and walk forward to my destiny. Then I am enveloped by blackness.
END PROLOGUE TWO
