Author's note: This is a sequel to Erin T. Aardvark's fanfic "Shadow of a Doubt." I have permission to write this story and burrow some of Erin's characters for this as well. All the characters (except the dudes in the hoods, they're mine) belong to Erin T. Aardvark.
Ch. 1
At the farthest region of the seas, there was a small, remote island where a super maximum security prison took place and used to keep the most infamous criminals locked up behind iron doors. Among the inmates of the prison, there was a man sitting in the shadows of his cell and glaring into nothingness as if he was under a trance. The shadowy figure had been in that position ever since he was first brought to the facility and hadn't moved from the spot since then. The criminal was formally known as The Shadow.
It's been a year since he was captured by the SSHQ for his crimes, including the kidnapping of Big D's grandson, Fluey, who he kept captive just so he can make the chief suffer from grief. Oh, how he enjoyed every minute of it, though he wished he could see the look of Big D's face as he was slowly falling apart for not knowing if he'll ever see his grandson again. The Shadow's vengeance, however, hadn't been fully accomplished when Big D and the other two Impossibles found his hideout and rescued the black-haired teen from his merciless grasp. Now the Shadow had to spend the rest of his life rotting inside the cell while planning how he will take his vengeance on Big D and the rest of SSHQ. He wanted them all to suffer in worst ways no one can imagine, but the Shadow may never have that chance as long as he's locked up with no way of escape from his prison.
The Shadow's trail of thought was suddenly interrupted when he heard a commotion from outside his cell. His eyes turned to the door as he heard the guards shouting, gunshots and some explosions setting off in the halls. Then, the screams burst out along with sounds that seem to be of bodies falling to the floor and blood splattering against the walls until the noises slowly fade into silence. The Shadow was about to get off his bench when the door suddenly flew open and two hooded figures entered the cell. One was a foot taller than the Shadow and the other one was just a few inches shorter than him.
"The Shadow, I presumed," said a scouse accented voice coming from the averaged sized figure.
"And you are?" asked the Shadow.
"Your friends. Now come with us unless you want to rot here."
The Shadow followed the hooded strangers as they walked out of the cell and through the halls. The Shadow was shocked yet amazed as he looked around to see the carnage left by the strangers. Neither guard nor inmate was spared by these soulless villains. The Shadow figured that they didn't want to leave behind any witnesses. When the three fiends arrived at the large gate, the shorter stranger raised his hand and the gate suddenly burst open as he and the others walked out to the moonlit night.
When the trio reached the dock, a cruise ship was waiting for them and they climbed aboard. The cruise ship, then started sailing through the ocean as the Shadow looked out at the sea and the two hooded villains stood behind him.
"Now that you freed me, I suppose you want something in return," said the Shadow, without looking over his shoulder.
"We're not expecting any favors. We haven't even finished helping you yet," said the shorter hooded figure while his tall companion silently stood beside him.
"What are you talking about?"
"You want revenge on SSHQ, including Big D and the Impossibles."
"How did you know that?"
"I'm telepathic. I can read people's minds like open journals begging to have their secrets revealed."
"Really? So how are you Brits suppose to help me? I doubt you have a large collection of arsenal and some lackeys for me to use," the Shadow turned facing the hooded stranger.
"Once I give you this, you won't be needing them," said the hooded stranger as he held up a crystal ball that's glowing an eerie purple light in his green gloved hand.
"What is that?" the Shadow gazed down at the crystal ball.
"This crystal ball was once belonged to the most powerful warlock Maldour. Not long ago, Maldour kidnapped the chief's cheeky grandson and absorbed his darkest fears to gain power by using this crystal ball. Somehow, the Impossibles managed to defeat Maldour and took his crystal ball to be locked up in the stronghold of SSHQ. My associate and I retrieved it from their quarters just hours before we came for you."
"So how can this thing help me?"
"At first, the crystal ball does nothing. The force inside it, however, is very unstable. If the ball ever breaks, the lad's fears will manifest and bring havoc upon the whole world. But, when it's molded and crafted by the incantations of a well experienced sorcerer, such as myself, it can give great power to anyone who absorbs the forces within. Once it is held in your bare hands, all that power will be yours."
"You expect me to believe that absorbing the fears of that brat will give me super powers? Why should I believe everything that you said?"
"What I say is true and I can assure you that the force inside this ball can make it happen. With this power, you'll become the true manifestation of darkness and possess new abilities to slay your enemies in ways you can never imagine," said the hooded stranger as he leaned closer to the Shadow. "What will it be, Mister? Deny this offer and start bumbling your way to get your revenge that will eventually end in a disaster or take the chance and devastate the SSHQ once and for all."
As the Shadow was about to reach for the glowing orb, he stopped for a minute and suspiciously glared at the hooded sorcerer.
"If you're wondering about the price that comes with this offer, the only thing you'll lose is your humanity. Or what's left of it, anyway."
The Shadow didn't reply and looked at the crystal ball once more. The man cautiously grabbed the crystal ball from the stranger's hand and held it as he stared at the light which seemed to be glowing even brighter. Suddenly, all the light shot out of the crystal ball and struck the Shadow like a lightning bolt. The Shadow screamed in pain as the lightning flashed all over him, he fell on his knees and his eyes grew wider. Then, his entire body was becoming engulfed by a substance that looked like black ink and he finally collapsed.
The Shadow's hands released the empty ball and it rolled over towards the hooded villain's feet. The strangers looked down at the figure that now resembled a black silhouette printed on the wooden floor. Suddenly, the silhouetted arms, legs and head slowly retracted into the torso, it started to swirl around like a black whirlpool and rose up like a dark ghost as it flew away into the night.
The two strangers watched ahead as the Shadow blended himself into the black sky and flew at the direction to Megatropolis. The hooded stranger picked up the empty crystal ball and tucked it inside his cloak.
"Now the fun can finally begin."