Disclaimer: Disney owns the rights to Shadow Man's character

Chapter Two:

The Master Manipulators

by Sape

Shadow Man stood up tall against those who towered over him. As he stood up, the three black shadows doubled in size. His knees buckled, which revealed his submission. The faceless shadows laughed at the sight and a large gust of wind blew over them. They were silently shape-shifting into awkward positions, and Shadow Man just watch with curious eyes. Now the three shadows looked almost human.

Actually, they may be too odd and too beautiful to be called human. The tallest, had long black hair that hover around his pale skin with piercing gold eyes that compliment his malevolent smile. The female's hair was long as well, but her silky brown curls shifted softly against the wind. And when she smiled, she produced a more genuine and peaceful energy. Shadow Man could not help but gazed into her emerald green eyes, which glistened against her rich mahogany skin. But the last man did not smile at all. Actually his face was buried under his messy silver hair. Shadow Man tried to focus on the least intimidating shadow, and she approached him.

"Call me Nateriah, young Clovis Facilier," stated the female in a vivacious manner. Then he held out her petite hand, and Shadow Man automatically reached out and kissed her knuckles to reveal his Southern Hospitality. She continued, "So you wish for things to turn back to the way they were? You want to see your mother once more? No! Permanently? Is that all you want?

Shadow Man shook his head slightly. The three non-humans just stared. Then Shadow Man added, "Yes! That's all I want." Nateriah then laid her hand against his cheek and flashed her heavily smile once more. The black hair man scowled and tapped his foot on the ground as if he was waiting impatiently for something. He's had no patience left.

"Step back, Nateriah. Let me handle this." Nateriah expression did not change. She just returned to her original spot and rested her head on the silver-haired man's shoulder. The silver-hair gentleman suddenly lifted his arm to embrace her, He murmured something too, but Shadow Man couldn't quite make it out. Shadow was too distracted by the black-haired man who stood only a few inches in front of him.

"To you, I am Axis and he is Syrius. We are your new friends, you see. Any wish you posses, we will grant. You will see your mother again, but don't you want more than that? You must remember you don't have very much. If your mother comes here, you will may not be able to stay with her. You must think bigger. You must think long term. You don't just want to see your mother once. You want to be rich. You want to be rich so you can stay with your mother forever, don't you?" Axis spoke proud and self-assured.

Shadow Man took a moment to really analyze Axis's argument. He studied the words he spoke as if they were written on the moist sand. He never thought about being rich. He just lived life through his usual routine. But then he thought, if he was rich he can fly both his mother and grandfather back to New Orleans. They would live in a large mansion in the French Quarters. His mother would never have to work again.

"Exactly!" exclaimed Axis. Shadow Man's eyes widen in horror. Axis was reading his thoughts. Shadow Man backed up against old Maple and placed his arms around the bark for comfort.

"Now you step back," commanded Nateriah. When Axis marched into the muddy waters of the river, Shadow relaxed a little. Sensing his claim disposition, Nateriah continued to speak.

"How about it, young Facilier? Do you wish for fortune?" She questioned softly just like his mother would.

"Yes!" Shadow Man boldly answered. "Grant me that wish."