The Story of Crimson Knight
A young man stands in front of a school with a backup strapped over one shoulder. He has blonde hair, green eyes, and has an athletic for a 15 year old. "It's my first day back in school in just over a year," he says to himself as he enters his high school. He sits down at a table to wait for school to officially start. "I've spent the last seven years training with Master Osen at every waking opportunity and we've been training for the last year straight. The thought of school feels so foreign now. Cass and I have always been way ahead of the curve. Hell, we have even helped of family's company grow over the last few years into a major corporation. In 5 years we should be one of the biggest companies on the planet. I'm just glad that I'm finally ready to start. Tonight will be my first shot at it. All the prep work is done all that's left now…." He tells himself.
"Helllllooooo Wade? Are you listening to us?" A young red head asks sitting across from him with a blonde girl sitting next to her, both looking at Wade.
"Sorry I didn't mean to ignore you. Just have a lot on my mind right now Cass." He explains to her in a kind and soft tone. "What did you say again?"
"I asked are you glad to be back State side? I bet you don't remember who I am do you? I've changed a lot over the last year," the blonde girl says with a smile.
"I guess I am. Europe was very fun, but I found the nature more to my tastes so we spent a lot of our time traveling while I studied. Oh and you are Jessica Dun. Did you really think I would forget you? I've only been gone for a year," he says with a smile.
"Oh so you DO remember me? I'm flattered. I've also been practiced Tae Kwon Do with Cassie here. I'm almost as good as she is now," Jessica says proudly.
"That's good to hear. I think I've reached my limit to be honest. I don't see how else I can improve from here onward, so I think I'm going to focus my time elsewhere. Maybe I'll try engineering or something to keep me occupied. I'll still keep working out so I don't get rusty, but that's about it," he says smugly.
The rest of the day goes by quickly and Wade barely survives the monotony of the day. The ease of the material they were "studying", the people that he just couldn't connect with or understand anymore, it came to a head when a discussion about a recent demonstration of an anti-mutant group came up. Wade defended the mutants stating "What makes them any different than us? What makes them any different than Captain America? Birth? Most likely just want to live a normal life, powers or not!" This left most of his fellow students speechless as many knew he was a supporter of mutant rights because his family's company employs people of all races equally, even mutants, but he has never been that vocal on the subject.
Later that night Wade sits in his room. "Alright time to get started," he says as a red glow envelopes his body and then he is wearing red and black medieval-like leather armor, and European longsword, though only about the length of a katana, and white bandage-like wraps around his face covering everything but his eyes, which now are red. "Time to go," he says as he moves so fast it appears he vanishes. With his super speed, what he calls "Blitz" he is able to get to the building in Downtown Atlanta fairly quickly. He decides to return to normal speed as he scopes out the building before entering from a second floor window. This building is being used to house people that are being sold into slavery. Human trafficking has been a problem for decades now and Crimson Knight is going to start fighting it. "Atlanta has been the hub for human trafficking since the 70's and no one seems to be going after them, you'd think New York would be able to spare a hero or two help, but maybe I can inspire our few local heroes to start taking a real stance here," he says to himself as he hears movement coming from down the hall. Crimson Knight slowly peaks around the doorway toward the sound and sees two men sitting at a table with hand guns next to their right hands.
"Those are Beretta 9mms, I should be able to take them down without too much of a fight. It'll be a little loud, thought. Let's see…" he says to himself as he closes his eyes and listens. "There's a third person in that room and sounds like four more downstairs. I don't know about the basement. No point in being subtle at this point," he tells himself as he swiftly runs into the room with the three armed men kicking the table and the men's guns away from them. The two people he saw from outside of the room stand to fight back, but Crimson Knight is already punching the one on his left and elbows the one on his right before charging the third man and kicking him right in the gut. Crimson takes a few moments to gather himself and calm down before getting ready to hide for the next group. He leaves the room shutting the door so the struggle can't be seen from the hallway and he heads back into the room he initially entered from and hides.
"Hey! You three okay up there? What was that noise?" a voice calls from downstairs with no answer. After a few moments the sounds of footsteps are heard coming upstairs.
"Good, only one person is coming up," Crimson tells himself and waits for him to get close. The man passes the room Crimson is hiding in. He jumps out grabbing the gun in the man's right hand and prevents him from firing off a round and wraps his left arm around the man's neck to knock him out. After a few moments the armed man passes out. Crimson sneaks down stairs to see that the other three are alert and waiting for an all clear signal. Crimson can't get a feel for how well they are armed only that they are waiting for him around the corner. With his Blitz he could get an edge and close the distance before they even knew he was there, but he hates using his powers unless he has to, especially against normal people. That and his super speed isn't that great with quick turns. "Oh well, you only live once right?" he tells himself with a smile and draws his sword. He turns the corner and notices his targets, throwing a throwing knife at a man armed with a handgun on his left. The other two open fire and Crimson is able to stay ahead of them by predicting where they are firing by the angles of their guns. He is able to close the distance on the man on his far right and cuts his gun in half with one slash of his sword and charges the last armed man. Crimson is almost hit because the man is getting scared and harder to predict. Crimson is able to grab the man's hand with his left hand and forces him to drop the gun. He flips his sword around and thrusts the hilt into the man's stomach. Immediately after this Crimson swings his sword at the man from behind him that was attacking him with a knife, he then turns and kicks him in the back of his neck knocking him out.
"Seven men and I haven't broken a sweat? Did I over prepare for this or were they just that weak? No matter time to go free the people in the basement," he mutters to himself. He picks up one of the men's cell phones and calls 911 to come and clean up. He cautiously heads down stairs making sure that there are no more criminals in the building. When he gets to the cages he feels something he isn't used to anger. He sees forty people, most kids his age, packed into these cages. "Don't worry, I'm here to help. Stand back from the door," he tells them and they back away and he cuts the lock off the cage and frees them. "The police will be here soon to help."
"Thank you, oh thank you mister! Who are you?" one of the younger girls asks.
"Crimson Knight, I'll stay until the police arrive," he answers. Crimson stays until he hears sirens before sneaking out unnoticed by the people he just saved.
Crimson Knight stays in the city for a few more hours fighting street crime before heading home with the feeling of accomplishment for the first time in years. He finally feels like he is doing something meaningful, what he was supposed to do. Wade has no real reason to want to be a superhero like Crimson Knight, the only motivation he needs in this world is justice. "The strong have a duty to protect the weak and innocent" his Master's words resonate with him now more than ever. He is finally becoming the more and more like the man he respects more and anyone else. Wade goes to sleep right as he gets home, he has to get up and get ready for school in three hours.
Wade continues to live this kind of life for the next six months. One day Wade, Cassandra, and their father are at Prometheus headquarters checking into a new project. Wade sees something, a person maybe, out of the corner of his eye and decides to investigate. It was a person! Wade decides to tail them. Over the last year and a half he has gotten really good at sneaking around and tailing people or so he thought as he enters a room he's attacked and barely dodges an elbow that likely would have knocked him out. He makes out the figure to be that of a girl about his age.
"Phew, that was a close one," he says with a smile and throws a left at the girl just to have her casually brush the punch aside a come at him with a right. This surprises Wade and he pushes her away with his right. "So you aren't an amateur are you? Guess I need to step it up a few notches then."
"Walk away and I will not hurt you," the girl says and pops two metal claws from between her knuckles.
This sight surprises Wade. "Wow that's new," he smirks and gets into a fighting stance and charges her. They exchange blows and he is barely able to keep up with her movements. This girl isn't as strong as him but she definitely has the edge in flexibility and they are about even in terms of agility. Wade then notices something after a few minutes both of them are going all out and have been since the start of the fight, but she isn't even winded. If he wants to beat her or even restrain her he isn't going to be able to do so without using his powers. His body has definite limits when he isn't pulling magic from his soul and soulforge. As he thinks this she attacks again with a right slash and Wade is just barely able to get out of most of it, but she cuts his arm open a little bit. Blood drips from his arm, but it isn't that bad and he can still move it. At that time some Prometheus security guards rush into the room and Wade takes the opportunity to restrain the girl and the guards assist him when they notice he is having issues.
A little bit later the girl has been confined in an experimental holding cell for super humans the Technological Division has made. Wade has treated his arm with the medical supplies at his disposal and is now in a room with security, his sister, and father. "Dad I want to talk to her. I'm going to go into her cell," he tells them and grabs a bottled water.
"No you can't! She almost killed you!" His father tells him but falls on deaf ears as Wade walks out of the room and toward the holding cell.
Wade enters a code on the door panel and walks in throwing the bottled water toward the girl. She catches the bottle without taking her eyes off of Wade. The door closes and locks behind Wade and he leans up against the wall. "Soooo… why did you break in here?"
"My mother worked here at one time. I wanted to gather information on what she worked on," the girl says flatly.
"There are easier ways to get that kind of information you know? You could've just asked. We may have said no on some points to protect the company's interests, but we could arrange a meeting with some of her coworkers," Wade tells her.
"I could not afford that and I am less interested with her interpersonal relationships than her work, so it would not have benefited me to get a fraction of the information I came for," she says coldly.
Wade smiles. "You don't use contractions and you speak "perfect" English. Were you raised in isolation? What kind of mother subjects her daughter to that?" he goads her, trying to get a reaction out of her.
The girl clinches her teeth a little. "It was not her choice; she died to free me of that place. She left a letter for me explaining the whole story of my birth and her wishes for me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult her," he says and knocks on the window next to him. "Please contact the police and tell them that the intruder call was a false alarm and once this young woman tells us her mother's name please get her all the files we have on her."
"What are you doing? I would have killed you." She asks.
"Sometimes you have to rely on your gut and not your head. Also, what is your living status and your name?" he asks her.
"My mother's name was Sarah Kinney and mine is Laura Kinney. I currently am moving from place to place as the situation calls for it. It is not very safe for me to stay in one place for too long," Laura explains.
"Really? Well you are free to stay with us until it's time for you to move on free of charge of course. We have a few extra bedrooms and a large training facility behind the house where I spend most of my time. Hopefully you'll accept and I can get another shot at you. I haven't been pushed that far in a while." Wade says with a smile.
"What do you intend to gain from me?" Laura asks bluntly.
"Nothing at all, I don't really have any desires anymore. I'm doing everything I've ever wanted right now. Oh but the house does have a few rules like going to school. Its lame I know but it is good for social interaction at least," he tells Laura.
"If you allow me to see my mother's files I will stay for as long as I can. That is all I can promise."
True to his word Laura got the files on her mother and she did move into the family's home, much to David's, Wade's Father, discomfort. Wade always seemed to have a reason behind everything he does, so he decides to not fight it too hard and it seems like Laura doesn't seem to want to cause them any harm. Laura has a hard time in school and social situations, but fortunately she has Cassandra there to help her out when Laura does something most would consider strange. Over the next few days Wade and Laura spar after school and Wade, no claws however. Normally Wade disappears shortly after and when Laura asks about it to Cassandra she just says 'that's how he is now.' Laura, Wade, and Cassandra do connect pretty easily and it seems Wade has become smitten with Laura.
A few months later Wade is patrolling Atlanta as Crimson Knight when his ear piece picks up a report of two people, a man with an axe and a woman using magic, terrorizing the city. The report also mentions that other local heroes have tried to stop them and failed. "Guess I should lend a hand as well," he says and blitzes to the area at top speed. When he gets to the area he scopes out the two people from around a corner. Crimson sees destruction and a few people knocked out around them all local heroes, most with powers.
Crimson Knight turns the corner sword drawn, "You've certainly made a mess here, but its time you leave or eat dirt. This is your only warning don't waste it," he demands readying himself for the fight to come.
"Oh look he thinks he is people. Skurge, be a dear and deal with this mortal please," the woman orders and the large man with the axe steps forward.
"Great, Asgardians, there goes my evening," Crimson Knight says and charges the large man.
Crimson thrusts his blade at Skurge but he blocks it effortlessly and then sends a slash right into Crimson's gut. Fortunately, Crimson was able to block it with his sword in time, but the force of the strike sends him flying backwards and hitting the ground hard. Crimson barely has the time to throw himself out of the way of Skurge's follow up attack and make it back to his feet.
"Interesting, your sword didn't break. It must be magicalmade of some very impressive metal," the woman says with a chuckle.
"Yeah, its soulforged, I guess I shouldn't be surprised about that one's strength. I guess I was way too cocky to think I could bring either of you down without using my powers. I just didn't think I would have to show so many people my powers so soon in my career. You see I hate relying on them," Crimson Knight says as he stands up and a red glow appears around his body then vanishes.
The next thing the woman and Skurge knows Crimson has vanished. Skurge feels something on his right shoulder, something heavy. Skurge turns his head to see Crimson Knight crouched on his shoulder and thrusting his sword down into his shoulder. The blade makes contact and pierces Skurge's shoulder and blood erupts from the wound. Skurge's actions are quick but to slow to stop Crimson's attack however it does force Crimson to retreat to a safe distance.
"I'm not gonna be able to fight you head on in terms of strength big guy," Crimson says with a smile. "But I guarantee that this fight won't last much longer."
Skurge angrily charges at Crimson Knight and slashes at him with his axe. Crimson's sword glows purple and he spins in order to order Skurge's attack and reprises with a few slashes of his own against Skurge all in one motion. Crimson's blade doesn't cut Skurge as much as "phase" through him causing pain and making him fall to the ground. At this point Crimson blitzes over to the woman, his blade glowing yellow, and swings at her with all of his might. The woman throws up a magical force field to stop the attack, but the force field shatters and the blade makes contact with her sending her into a nearby parked car. Crimson senses danger coming from behind him in the air but close. Skurge is jumping at him with his axe coming down quickly. Crimson's sword glows blue and he quickly turns around and slashes toward Skurge in one motion and a blue wave of energy emanates from the blade hitting Skurge in midair sending him flying back up and then falling into the ground.
Crimson Knight sheathes his sword. "Damnit, I thought they would have put up more of a fight." Off in the distance he hears a motorcycle and he looks toward the sound to see Captain America drive up.
Captain America parks and walks over to Crimson Knight. "Did you take them out by yourself son?" Captain America asks Crimson Knight.
"Yes, when I arrived they had already beaten the others here. I have to say I thought the first time I would have needed to use my powers I would have been pushed a little farther. Although I did surprise them, so that is something to consider," Crimson tells Captain America.
"Steve Rogers, Captain America," Steve says holding out his hand.
Crimson Knight shakes his hand. "Crimson Knight."
"I know, local law enforcement stated you arrived on scene and started fighting Enchantress and Executioner. You've made a good name for yourself in such a short time." Steve says as law enforcement and superpower containment vehicles pull up along with a few News vans.
Before they know it they are bombarded by questions from three news stations. "Crimson Knight, have you always had powers?" "Why were you hiding the fact that you had super powers?" "Were you hiding them because you are a mutant?"
"Ladies and gentlemen ple…" Steve starts but is interrupted by Crimson.
"I learned my powers through study and rituals. I "hid" the fact that I had powers because I dislike relying on them when I don't have too. My greatest powers are the same that everyone can attain, a sharp mind and a lot of training. No I am not a mutant even though I don't see a difference if I were one," he answers coldly. "Now if you'll excuse me I have other places to be." Crimson Knight says and then vanishes.
Wade gets home shortly after this and walks into his house to see his sister, mother, and father all talking about they just saw on T.V. while Laura sits on the couch looking unamused. "What has everyone so excited?" Wade asks.
"Wade, how have you not heard!? Crimson Knight has powers and took out two Asgardians! He even got Captain America's praise as a hero!" an excited Cassandra squeals.
"Captain America is not all that impressive," Laura says blandly.
"Wait, you've met him!?" Cassandra exclaims.
"Yes, he caught him once, but let me go after the situation was explained and a lawyer convinced him I was not responsible for my actions until after I left the Facility," Laura explains to her.
"Responsible for what?" Wade and Cassandra's mother, Ann, asks.
"Killing the people she's killed," Wade says bluntly.
"What!?" Ann exclaims.
"How do you know that?" Laura asks.
"I've fought killers, murders, soldiers, and victims. I can tell a great deal about someone from fighting them," Wade tells her.
"Is that why you invited me to live here?" She asks.
"Not at all, you definitely would kill your opponent, but you aren't a murderer in my opinion. I don't think you would kill for fun or without reason, but a good reason for you would likely be senseless for most people," Wade tells her with a smile.
"So why offer me a place to live?" Laura asks.
"He is just a nice guy Laura," Cassandra answers.
"That wasn't the only reason. I wanted to help if I could sure, but I wanted to give you a chance of a semi normal life. I think you have done really well over the last few months. Thought you still don't seem to get when someone is flirting with you. Trust me I've tried," Wade explains.
"You find me attractive? In what regard?" Laura asks.
"Strong, beautiful, intelligent, and a great fighter, what's not attractive about that?" Wade says as he walks out of the living room and upstairs to his room.
This leaves Laura confused, but she quickly pushes it out of her mind. A little later the two girls head upstairs and go to sleep.
A few weeks later Wade, Cassandra, and Laura are in Atlanta going to an anime convention there. Laura doesn't understand the appeal of it and there are too many people coming up to and talking to her for no reason.
"I do not understand the allure of this. What is the purpose?" Laura asks.
"Its just for fun Laura. Wade and I usually cosplay, but he said that might be a bit much for you so we should skip that part this year," Cassandra tells her.
"Cosplay?" Laura asks.
"You see the people dressed as Superheroes, video game, T.V., anime, and movie characters? They are cosplaying. Basically it is dressing up as your favorite character and pretending to be them for the day," Wade explains.
Suddenly three jeeps pull up and several armed men jump out. Laura pops her claws as the men come toward the three children. Wade pushes Cassandra behind him before jumping at the men trying to fight them off. Laura also jumps into them slashing and cutting at them. After a few seconds Wade sees one of the men aim his gun at Cassandra. Quickly, Wade charges at Cassandra and tackles her to the ground, but takes the shot to his right shoulder. Laura finishes off the people assaulting them, brutally, and goes over to Wade and Cassandra. After seeing they are both alive she runs off.
"Laura wait!" Wade screams at her as she runs off. He looks down at Cassandra.
"What are you waiting for? Go after her idiot!" Cassandra orders him.
"But…" Wade starts but is interrupted.
"GO!" She screams and Wade gets up and chases after Laura.
Wade chases after Laura and sees her running down an alley. "Laura!" he yells. "Wait!"
Laura stops and Wade catches up to her. "I did not mean for this to happen. They were after me. As long as I am with you and your family you are all in danger."
"And? I don't care about that at all," Wade explains. "I would rather not let you go at this alone. I'll come with you. You know I can hold my on in a fight."
"No you need to stay with your family. You are a good person and what is worse you do not know how rare that is in this world. It is much better that we part ways," Laura tells him. "I did…enjoy my time here with you and Cassandra and you both taught me so much, but it is time I go back into the real world." She tells him and walks away.
Wade stands there trying to decide if he should go with her or stay, tell her that he is Crimson Knight and they could bring these people to justice the right way. He wants to tell her everything, let her know she isn't alone anymore. Then she is gone, just gone.
"Hey kid! Are you okay?" A police officer asks running up to him. "Hey, let's get that looked at okay?" the officer says looking at the gunshot wound in his right shoulder.
The officer walks Wade back to the scene where there is an ambulance and multiple police cars are at. Wade is escorted over to the ambulance and one of rescue services people walks over to him to look at his wound.
"Get away from me. Cass, get this bullet out of my arm and patch me up!" Wade demands and takes his shirt off with a bit of difficultly as he is barely able to move his right arm. He sits down in the ambulance and waits for Cassandra to start working.
"Okay," Cassandra confirms and pulls out a box from her purse. She goes behind Wade and opens the box up. She takes out some medical gloves, a sealed pair of medical tongs and opens the bag, a sealed needle, and thread. "Okay this is going to hurt." She tells him, cleans the wound and starts to dig the bullet out of his shoulder. Once she removes the bullet she starts to sew the wound up. "Wade you have barely flinched are you okay?"
"No, I am so pissed off I have went full circle, so I am not really feeling anything right now," Wade tells her as Cassandra finishes off the stitches.
About this time an officer walks over to take their statements to which Cassandra explains what happened and Wade stays silent throughout most of it contemplating if letting Laura going alone was the right thing to do. He comes to the conclusion it wasn't, but decides to make it right by turning the hunter into the prey. He is going to find these people and stop them starting now. He'll give Laura the freedom she deserves.