Scarlett and Snake Eyes spoke little as they ascended to ground level and
made their way off the premises. Apparently, Snake Eyes and the Joes had
decided that it was time for Scarlett to leave. Where were they taking
her? Snake Eyes had said that it was time for Scarlett to go home, but
Scarlett knew that she had no home in this world. After all, she did not
really exist.
As Scarlett and Snake Eyes walked through the base perimeter together, their surroundings instantaneously changed.
This is it, Scarlett thought to herself. This is my last vision.
It was later in the evening, and the night sky was dark and gloomy.
Scarlett looked around her in amazement. She was in a completely different place, now. Now, she found herself standing in the rainy streets of Manhattan's lower east side. Lightning flashed overhead, followed by an enormous crack of thunder, causing Scarlett to shudder reflexively. She was soaked and miserable.
But she was not alone. Just a few feet ahead of her, a cloaked man wearing a dark trench coat turned to look in her direction for just a brief moment. The man wore the white mask of a ninja.
Scarlett suddenly recognized him. That white ninja mask. Could it be?
Was this Storm Shadow?
Storm Shadow turned on his heels and took off, once again. Seconds later, Scarlett watched Snake Eyes and Jinx take off after him, hot in pursuit. None of the ninjas showed any sign that they could even see Scarlett, much less recognize her.
What was going on? What year was it?
Somehow, Scarlett sensed that she would find out soon enough. The guardian angel seemed awfully fond of doling out information in small, indecipherable doses.
Scarlett saw no other choice but to run after the three ninjas in an effort to keep up.
Weaving their way through the numerous pedestrians walking the streets, splashing through rain puddles, and leaping over parked cars and trash bins, Snake Eyes and Jinx pursued their quarry to an outcome they knew not.
* * *
Snake Eyes and Jinx led the way toward the border of Borovia, followed by Stalker, Snow Job, Quick Kick, Flint, and Lady Jaye.
They were moments away from escape, when it all seemed to fall apart. Flint's agonized cry alerted everyone that Lady Jaye had fallen. Snake Eyes, who was in the lead, turned and saw Lady Jaye on the ground. Jinx grabbed him to restrain him and prevent him from heading back to Lady Jaye's position.
"Stalker's covering them," Jinx said. "We have to keep moving!"
Throughout their long journey back to America, Jinx often looked at the face of her old friend, and the turmoil and anguish was plainly visible on Snake Eyes' face.
* * *
"He feels it should have been him," Storm Shadow said softly to Jinx. They sat together at the edge of a forest in the high Sierras, not far from the lonely cabin, where Snake Eyes was meditating alone.
The three of them, Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes, and Jinx were spending some time alone at Snake Eyes' cabin. It had only been a few weeks since that fateful rescue mission in Borovia.
"Why do you think so?" Jinx asked.
"All his life, Snake Eyes has dodged one bullet after another," Storm Shadow. "He was shot in Vietnam and would have been killed, but I went back for him and got him out safely. When we were in Japan together, my uncle was assassinated in the very presence of Snake Eyes. The assassin had been trying to kill Snake Eyes in actuality, but my uncle, the Hard Master, had imitated the sound of Snake Eyes breathing, thus causing the assassin to err."
Jinx nodded. She clearly remembered the day that Snake Eyes and she had said goodbye.
* * *
Jinx looked up at Snake Eyes. As Jinx was only ten years old, Snake Eyes seemed to her an imposing and untouchable figure, a mystery she could not penetrate.
It was a cold, rainy night as Jinx called out for Snake Eyes and ran out to the street after him. He wore a trench coat over a suit and carried a suitcase and an umbrella. Snake Eyes was walking alone to the train station, where he would take the train to the airport and catch the first flight back to the United States.
The Hard Master was dead. Storm Shadow had fled. The clan was in turmoil, and many of the leaders, including the Soft Master, predicted that the clan would soon be broken.
Snake Eyes turned and saw the young Jinx run out to him. He smiled and extending his umbrella to cover both of them.
"You'll catch cold," Snake Eyes admonished her.
"I don't care," Jinx said, shivering from the cold. "Must you leave?"
"Yes," Snake Eyes said sadly. "There is no longer a place for me here."
"But where will you go?"
"Someplace quiet," Snake Eyes said. "Someplace where I can find peace."
"I wish you didn't have to go," Jinx said, trembling with emotion. She would miss this man who had told her all kinds of stories about his life in America, this man who had trained and played games with her. He had put up with all of her childish ways. Nothing bothered him. She admired that.
"I'll miss you," Jinx said.
"And I'll miss you, my sister," Snake Eyes said.
"You should come to America one day," Snake Eyes suggested.
"Yes," Jinx said, "I think I will, one day."
Jinx stepped closer and put her arms around him. Snake Eyes, touched, dropped his suitcase and put an arm around her, comforting her as he prepared to say goodbye to the life he had grown to love.
* * *
Jinx and Storm Shadow pondered the past thoughtfully as they sat together in the high Sierras.
"In the early days of G.I. JOE," Storm Shadow continued, "Snake Eyes was involved in a mission over the desert. A horrible accident occurred. Snake Eyes tried to save Clutch, but he was thrown out of the chopper before he could help him, and Clutch ended up with a huge scar on his face when the chopper crashed. Snake Eyes never forgave himself for that. He always felt that it should have been him in that chopper, not Clutch."
"And now, with Lady Jaye getting shot." Jinx said.
She understood everything now.
"He feels like he's cheated fate all his life," Storm Shadow said. "And one day, the scales will tip the other way. Fate will decide that it's his turn to suffer, and he will have to pay the debt in full."
It was a terrible way to live, Jinx reflected to herself. Always looking over your shoulder, afraid to take chances in life, afraid to let someone get too close to him. He was a dangerous man. People got hurt when they were around him.
Her heart went out for him, and as Jinx sat with Storm Shadow, she felt nothing but compassion and caring for him.
* * *
Having abandoned the trench coat, Storm Shadow leapt up to grab a fire escape ladder on the side of an old brick apartment building.
From a distance, Scarlett watched Storm Shadow fling himself onto the external fire escape staircase and hurl a pair of stars at Snake Eyes and Jinx, who both adroitly dodged and evaded them. None of the ninjas paid mind to the startled crowd of bystanders as the pursuit continued, with Snake Eyes and Jinx climbing up the stairs after Storm Shadow, who had disappeared onto the rooftop.
* * *
Snake Eyes looked solemnly at Jinx as he paced back and forth inside his cabin.
It had been three years since the G.I. JOE team had disbanded and gone their separate ways. Snake Eyes had retired to the mountains. Although Jinx remained with the army, she found time to visit him as often as she could. Usually, their time together was pleasant and enjoyable. Snake Eyes was grateful for the companionship, while Jinx was happy to spend time with someone whom she had grown to admire very much.
But this time, it was different. Snake Eyes was anxious and grim.
"I've got a lead on Tommy," Snake Eyes said.
Storm Shadow had been brainwashed by Cobra Commander into rejoining Cobra. At the time, Snake Eyes had gone on a personal mission to find him and bring him back into the fold, but he had failed. He could not do it alone.
"Where?" Jinx said.
"New York City," Snake Eyes said.
Snake Eyes had a travel bag, into which he was in the process of stuffing some clothes and combat gear.
There was an unspoken understanding between them. Jinx knew that this was a matter that Snake Eyes wanted to handle personally, without her help. But this time she would not let him.
Jinx reached out and touched his hand.
"I'll come with you," she said softly.
"No," Snake Eyes said firmly. "I won't let you."
"You can't do this alone," Jinx said. "I can help you. I know everything you know."
Snake Eyes said nothing, closing his eyes. He trembled. His face bore an expression of fear and trepidation.
"I'm no longer the child I used to be," Jinx said with a tender smile.
Snake Eyes laughed. When he looked at Jinx, his face now bore an expression of concern.
"If you got hurt, I could never forgive myself. You don't have to do this."
"You forget," Jinx said, "he's my cousin. I have an interest in this too. I know you're afraid, Snake Eyes. You're afraid to let me get close to you. You're afraid to let me in. You don't want anyone else to suffer in your place. But I want you to understand that I would gladly give up my life for you. I would do it because I care about you, Snake Eyes."
Jinx averted her eyes, and she trembled. She was no longer a child, but at this moment, she felt like that callow ten year old schoolgirl, once again.
"I love you," Jinx said.
Snake Eyes' face softened as he considered the woman standing before him. Jinx found the courage to look up into his eyes. Their faces drew nearer, and they kissed.
"Jinx, if something should happen-" Snake Eyes said.
"Shh," Jinx said as the two friends embraced. "We'll find him. Together, we will find him, and we'll bring him back."
* * *
Lightning flashed overhead again as Snake Eyes and Jinx crawled onto the roof, having just ascended the fire escape staircase. The roof of the large building had a number of tanning chairs as well as a barbeque grill. On the left side, there were large pipes and towers of electrical equipment. On the right was the roof exit that led back downstairs. Directly before them was a large stack of wooden crates. Storm Shadow was no where in sight.
"He's still here," Snake Eyes said, tensing up as he unsheathed his sword. "I can feel it."
Jinx held her own sword in readiness as she took one careful step after another, at Snake Eyes' side.
Slowly, the two ninjas proceeded to the middle of the roof, their backs facing each other as their eyes scanned the surroundings, hoping to find their target.
Then, from out of the corner of her eye, Jinx saw an arrow shooting toward her from the direction of the wooden crates. Reacting instinctively, Jinx swiftly brought her sword up to deflect the arrow, slicing the arrow's shaft in two. The broken pieces of the arrow bounced harmlessly away from her.
Almost at once, Storm Shadow leapt over the top of the crates and brought his sword down to bear on Snake Eyes. Jinx rushed to Snake Eyes' side, but Storm Shadow knocked her a few feet away with a punishing side kick to the abdomen. As Jinx lay on the ground, gasping for breath, Snake Eyes fought sword to sword with Storm Shadow. It was a furious duel. The steel blades flashed and gleamed in the cold moonlight as the rain continued to pour down.
While Snake Eyes was fighting to disarm Storm Shadow, his opponent was fighting for the kill. Thus, Storm Shadow was the aggressor, and he was fearless as he angrily hacked and sliced with his katana blade. The brainwashing seemed to have given Storm Shadow the stamina of a madman, and with one powerful stroke, Storm Shadow knocked Snake Eyes' sword out of his hands. The sword landed a short distance away, but it seemed like a million miles now as Snake Eyes found himself cornered by Storm Shadow. Storm Shadow charged, ready to deliver the fatal blow.
"No!" Jinx cried, charging between the two men. With her sword, Jinx parried the blow that was meant to kill Snake Eyes. As Snake Eyes recovered his sword and watched, waiting for a chance to jump back into the fight, he saw Storm Shadow gain the upper hand in the battle and skewer Jinx.
Storm Shadow jumped backward, waiting for Snake Eyes to make his move.
Snake Eyes cried out in anguish as he rushed to Jinx's side. Jinx lay on the ground, blood spreading over her chest. She looked up at him, and their eyes met. Everything that Snake Eyes had feared had come to pass. Jinx was dying, and he had been unable to stop it. It should have been him lying on the ground dying. But Jinx showed no sign of remorse or regret. She gave a faint smile as she slipped away.
I love you, her eyes said to him.
Then she was gone.
Snake Eyes looked up with anger at Storm Shadow, who remained in place, waiting for him.
"Do you know what you've done?" Snake Eyes shouted. "You've killed your own flesh and blood. I'll make you pay for what you've done!"
With a cry of renewed vigor, Snake Eyes charged Storm Shadow. This time, Storm Shadow was no match for the furious onslaught of Snake Eyes. It was Snake Eyes who succeeded in knocking away Storm Shadow's sword, sending it tumbling over the roof and onto the alleyways below. Snake Eyes punched Storm Shadow in the face, causing him to stagger backward.
Snake Eyes now had Storm Shadow cornered at the edge of the roof. He grabbed Storm Shadow's uniform and slammed him against the wall several times.
"You don't even know what you've done, you monster," Snake Eyes shouted madly.
Snake Eyes slammed Storm Shadow against the wall again. Storm Shadow was beginning to show signs of disorientation from the brutal beating he was now receiving.
Snake Eyes was too angry for words now. He reared back and was ready to pummel Storm Shadow in the face yet again when something stopped him.
It was a flash of recognition. Storm Shadow struggled to speak as Snake Eyes kept his grip on his collar.
"Release me, brother," Storm Shadow gasped.
Snake Eyes let go, and he stepped back.
Storm Shadow staggered to his feet and put a hand on his tender head. He removed his mask. For several long seconds, he and Snake Eyes looked each other in the eye, face to face in the rain.
Storm Shadow saw Jinx's body lying not more than ten yards behind Snake Eyes.
"Is it true, what I have done?" he asked, as if emerging from a long dream.
Snake Eyes nodded grimly.
Storm Shadow gave a shout of great pain.
"No!" he cried, turning his back on the sight. "My crime is great, Snake Eyes. My shame is too much for me to bear."
"I'm sorry," Snake Eyes said. "I failed to stop you. I failed to bring you back in time."
Storm Shadow shook his head as he remained standing, with his back turned to Snake Eyes and the fallen Jinx.
"No," Storm Shadow said, "it is I who have failed. Years ago, I took a path of revenge and hatred, and now I have paid the price."
Storm Shadow walked to the edge of the roof and prepared to climb back down the building.
"Wait," Snake Eyes said, "where are you going?"
"We must part ways," Storm Shadow said. "I must go out into the world and try to atone for what I have done. I am not worthy to be your brother."
"You will always be my brother," Snake Eyes said.
Snake Eyes bent down to pick up Jinx. She was calm and serene in death. And beautiful. Snake Eyes looked back to Storm Shadow. Perhaps one day, they would meet again.
Storm Shadow waved in farewell and slipped over the roof's edge. With that, he was gone.
And Snake Eyes was alone.
* * *
Scarlett trembled with emotion as she looked at Snake Eyes now. They were at the gates of the G.I. JOE perimeter. Beyond the gates lay the outside world, the world of which she knew nothing.
Snake Eyes lifted his arm and gestured at the road and beyond to the unknown.
"You're free now," Snake Eyes told her. "Where will you go?"
At that moment, Scarlett lost her composure. She turned and embraced a stunned Snake Eyes, who could think of little else to do except put his arms around her in turn. Scarlett burst into tears.
"Bring me back," she cried out wildly, heedless of the fact that what she said made no sense to Snake Eyes.
"I want to live again!"
The world faded away around her, and she soon found herself clutching thin air. Scarlett collapsed to the ground and held her head in her hands.
"I want to live again."
She looked up, and through her tears, she beheld the guardian angel Clara smiling down on her.
The angel, robed in white, was enveloped in a blinding white light, and Scarlett shut her eyes against the bright and beautiful flare. When she opened her eyes again, Scarlett saw Clara's face begin to change. Gradually, the face dissolved into the face of-
"Mama?" Scarlett whispered.
The angel spoke.
"Soon we'll be together," the angel said. "but not now."
The image of Kathleen O'Hara began to fade away, and Scarlett reached out her arms in supplication.
"Wait," Scarlett pleaded in vain, "come back!"
The light began to blot out everything.
"Mama!" Scarlett cried.
* * *
"Mama," Scarlett whispered as she gradually awoke.
"She's speaking," a female voice said excitedly.
Scarlett blinked as she surveyed her hospital room. For days, she had lain in this bed, recovering wounds received from the car crash. Scarlett beheld the smiling faces of Lady Jaye, Flint, Cover Girl, Clutch, Jinx, Stalker, and Hawk. But where was Snake Eyes?
Hanging back toward the end of the room, Snake Eyes remained in place. He wore his mask, but if Scarlett could have seen his face at that moment, it would have born a smile.
* * *
Later that day, when everyone else had left, Cover Girl and Snake Eyes stayed behind to be with Scarlett a little while longer.
"So everything's okay," Scarlett said in awe. "you're all alright."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Cover Girl said.
Scarlett laughed weakly and nodded.
"Did something happen to you while you were in that coma?" Cover Girl asked.
Scarlett pondered her response to that question.
"I was deciding," Scarlett said.
"Deciding," Cover Girl repeated.
"Deciding whether to stay or go," Scarlett said. "It was my choice. It could have gone either way."
"What made you choose to live?"
"I had a feeling," Scarlett said. "Something told me that I had a reason to live."
"Of course you do," Cover Girl said.
Scarlett looked at Snake Eyes, who was standing next to Cover Girl.
"You know, Snake Eyes stayed by your side constantly while you were out," Cover Girl said. "He never left your side."
Scarlett reached out her hand to Snake Eyes, and they clasped hands. It was a gesture of forgiveness and reconciliation. The beginning of a new life. Perhaps that was how Snake Eyes and Cover Girl would interpret it. But Scarlett knew better.
The seeds of that new life had been planted in Scarlett, long before she dreamed of returning to life.
The End.
As Scarlett and Snake Eyes walked through the base perimeter together, their surroundings instantaneously changed.
This is it, Scarlett thought to herself. This is my last vision.
It was later in the evening, and the night sky was dark and gloomy.
Scarlett looked around her in amazement. She was in a completely different place, now. Now, she found herself standing in the rainy streets of Manhattan's lower east side. Lightning flashed overhead, followed by an enormous crack of thunder, causing Scarlett to shudder reflexively. She was soaked and miserable.
But she was not alone. Just a few feet ahead of her, a cloaked man wearing a dark trench coat turned to look in her direction for just a brief moment. The man wore the white mask of a ninja.
Scarlett suddenly recognized him. That white ninja mask. Could it be?
Was this Storm Shadow?
Storm Shadow turned on his heels and took off, once again. Seconds later, Scarlett watched Snake Eyes and Jinx take off after him, hot in pursuit. None of the ninjas showed any sign that they could even see Scarlett, much less recognize her.
What was going on? What year was it?
Somehow, Scarlett sensed that she would find out soon enough. The guardian angel seemed awfully fond of doling out information in small, indecipherable doses.
Scarlett saw no other choice but to run after the three ninjas in an effort to keep up.
Weaving their way through the numerous pedestrians walking the streets, splashing through rain puddles, and leaping over parked cars and trash bins, Snake Eyes and Jinx pursued their quarry to an outcome they knew not.
* * *
Snake Eyes and Jinx led the way toward the border of Borovia, followed by Stalker, Snow Job, Quick Kick, Flint, and Lady Jaye.
They were moments away from escape, when it all seemed to fall apart. Flint's agonized cry alerted everyone that Lady Jaye had fallen. Snake Eyes, who was in the lead, turned and saw Lady Jaye on the ground. Jinx grabbed him to restrain him and prevent him from heading back to Lady Jaye's position.
"Stalker's covering them," Jinx said. "We have to keep moving!"
Throughout their long journey back to America, Jinx often looked at the face of her old friend, and the turmoil and anguish was plainly visible on Snake Eyes' face.
* * *
"He feels it should have been him," Storm Shadow said softly to Jinx. They sat together at the edge of a forest in the high Sierras, not far from the lonely cabin, where Snake Eyes was meditating alone.
The three of them, Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes, and Jinx were spending some time alone at Snake Eyes' cabin. It had only been a few weeks since that fateful rescue mission in Borovia.
"Why do you think so?" Jinx asked.
"All his life, Snake Eyes has dodged one bullet after another," Storm Shadow. "He was shot in Vietnam and would have been killed, but I went back for him and got him out safely. When we were in Japan together, my uncle was assassinated in the very presence of Snake Eyes. The assassin had been trying to kill Snake Eyes in actuality, but my uncle, the Hard Master, had imitated the sound of Snake Eyes breathing, thus causing the assassin to err."
Jinx nodded. She clearly remembered the day that Snake Eyes and she had said goodbye.
* * *
Jinx looked up at Snake Eyes. As Jinx was only ten years old, Snake Eyes seemed to her an imposing and untouchable figure, a mystery she could not penetrate.
It was a cold, rainy night as Jinx called out for Snake Eyes and ran out to the street after him. He wore a trench coat over a suit and carried a suitcase and an umbrella. Snake Eyes was walking alone to the train station, where he would take the train to the airport and catch the first flight back to the United States.
The Hard Master was dead. Storm Shadow had fled. The clan was in turmoil, and many of the leaders, including the Soft Master, predicted that the clan would soon be broken.
Snake Eyes turned and saw the young Jinx run out to him. He smiled and extending his umbrella to cover both of them.
"You'll catch cold," Snake Eyes admonished her.
"I don't care," Jinx said, shivering from the cold. "Must you leave?"
"Yes," Snake Eyes said sadly. "There is no longer a place for me here."
"But where will you go?"
"Someplace quiet," Snake Eyes said. "Someplace where I can find peace."
"I wish you didn't have to go," Jinx said, trembling with emotion. She would miss this man who had told her all kinds of stories about his life in America, this man who had trained and played games with her. He had put up with all of her childish ways. Nothing bothered him. She admired that.
"I'll miss you," Jinx said.
"And I'll miss you, my sister," Snake Eyes said.
"You should come to America one day," Snake Eyes suggested.
"Yes," Jinx said, "I think I will, one day."
Jinx stepped closer and put her arms around him. Snake Eyes, touched, dropped his suitcase and put an arm around her, comforting her as he prepared to say goodbye to the life he had grown to love.
* * *
Jinx and Storm Shadow pondered the past thoughtfully as they sat together in the high Sierras.
"In the early days of G.I. JOE," Storm Shadow continued, "Snake Eyes was involved in a mission over the desert. A horrible accident occurred. Snake Eyes tried to save Clutch, but he was thrown out of the chopper before he could help him, and Clutch ended up with a huge scar on his face when the chopper crashed. Snake Eyes never forgave himself for that. He always felt that it should have been him in that chopper, not Clutch."
"And now, with Lady Jaye getting shot." Jinx said.
She understood everything now.
"He feels like he's cheated fate all his life," Storm Shadow said. "And one day, the scales will tip the other way. Fate will decide that it's his turn to suffer, and he will have to pay the debt in full."
It was a terrible way to live, Jinx reflected to herself. Always looking over your shoulder, afraid to take chances in life, afraid to let someone get too close to him. He was a dangerous man. People got hurt when they were around him.
Her heart went out for him, and as Jinx sat with Storm Shadow, she felt nothing but compassion and caring for him.
* * *
Having abandoned the trench coat, Storm Shadow leapt up to grab a fire escape ladder on the side of an old brick apartment building.
From a distance, Scarlett watched Storm Shadow fling himself onto the external fire escape staircase and hurl a pair of stars at Snake Eyes and Jinx, who both adroitly dodged and evaded them. None of the ninjas paid mind to the startled crowd of bystanders as the pursuit continued, with Snake Eyes and Jinx climbing up the stairs after Storm Shadow, who had disappeared onto the rooftop.
* * *
Snake Eyes looked solemnly at Jinx as he paced back and forth inside his cabin.
It had been three years since the G.I. JOE team had disbanded and gone their separate ways. Snake Eyes had retired to the mountains. Although Jinx remained with the army, she found time to visit him as often as she could. Usually, their time together was pleasant and enjoyable. Snake Eyes was grateful for the companionship, while Jinx was happy to spend time with someone whom she had grown to admire very much.
But this time, it was different. Snake Eyes was anxious and grim.
"I've got a lead on Tommy," Snake Eyes said.
Storm Shadow had been brainwashed by Cobra Commander into rejoining Cobra. At the time, Snake Eyes had gone on a personal mission to find him and bring him back into the fold, but he had failed. He could not do it alone.
"Where?" Jinx said.
"New York City," Snake Eyes said.
Snake Eyes had a travel bag, into which he was in the process of stuffing some clothes and combat gear.
There was an unspoken understanding between them. Jinx knew that this was a matter that Snake Eyes wanted to handle personally, without her help. But this time she would not let him.
Jinx reached out and touched his hand.
"I'll come with you," she said softly.
"No," Snake Eyes said firmly. "I won't let you."
"You can't do this alone," Jinx said. "I can help you. I know everything you know."
Snake Eyes said nothing, closing his eyes. He trembled. His face bore an expression of fear and trepidation.
"I'm no longer the child I used to be," Jinx said with a tender smile.
Snake Eyes laughed. When he looked at Jinx, his face now bore an expression of concern.
"If you got hurt, I could never forgive myself. You don't have to do this."
"You forget," Jinx said, "he's my cousin. I have an interest in this too. I know you're afraid, Snake Eyes. You're afraid to let me get close to you. You're afraid to let me in. You don't want anyone else to suffer in your place. But I want you to understand that I would gladly give up my life for you. I would do it because I care about you, Snake Eyes."
Jinx averted her eyes, and she trembled. She was no longer a child, but at this moment, she felt like that callow ten year old schoolgirl, once again.
"I love you," Jinx said.
Snake Eyes' face softened as he considered the woman standing before him. Jinx found the courage to look up into his eyes. Their faces drew nearer, and they kissed.
"Jinx, if something should happen-" Snake Eyes said.
"Shh," Jinx said as the two friends embraced. "We'll find him. Together, we will find him, and we'll bring him back."
* * *
Lightning flashed overhead again as Snake Eyes and Jinx crawled onto the roof, having just ascended the fire escape staircase. The roof of the large building had a number of tanning chairs as well as a barbeque grill. On the left side, there were large pipes and towers of electrical equipment. On the right was the roof exit that led back downstairs. Directly before them was a large stack of wooden crates. Storm Shadow was no where in sight.
"He's still here," Snake Eyes said, tensing up as he unsheathed his sword. "I can feel it."
Jinx held her own sword in readiness as she took one careful step after another, at Snake Eyes' side.
Slowly, the two ninjas proceeded to the middle of the roof, their backs facing each other as their eyes scanned the surroundings, hoping to find their target.
Then, from out of the corner of her eye, Jinx saw an arrow shooting toward her from the direction of the wooden crates. Reacting instinctively, Jinx swiftly brought her sword up to deflect the arrow, slicing the arrow's shaft in two. The broken pieces of the arrow bounced harmlessly away from her.
Almost at once, Storm Shadow leapt over the top of the crates and brought his sword down to bear on Snake Eyes. Jinx rushed to Snake Eyes' side, but Storm Shadow knocked her a few feet away with a punishing side kick to the abdomen. As Jinx lay on the ground, gasping for breath, Snake Eyes fought sword to sword with Storm Shadow. It was a furious duel. The steel blades flashed and gleamed in the cold moonlight as the rain continued to pour down.
While Snake Eyes was fighting to disarm Storm Shadow, his opponent was fighting for the kill. Thus, Storm Shadow was the aggressor, and he was fearless as he angrily hacked and sliced with his katana blade. The brainwashing seemed to have given Storm Shadow the stamina of a madman, and with one powerful stroke, Storm Shadow knocked Snake Eyes' sword out of his hands. The sword landed a short distance away, but it seemed like a million miles now as Snake Eyes found himself cornered by Storm Shadow. Storm Shadow charged, ready to deliver the fatal blow.
"No!" Jinx cried, charging between the two men. With her sword, Jinx parried the blow that was meant to kill Snake Eyes. As Snake Eyes recovered his sword and watched, waiting for a chance to jump back into the fight, he saw Storm Shadow gain the upper hand in the battle and skewer Jinx.
Storm Shadow jumped backward, waiting for Snake Eyes to make his move.
Snake Eyes cried out in anguish as he rushed to Jinx's side. Jinx lay on the ground, blood spreading over her chest. She looked up at him, and their eyes met. Everything that Snake Eyes had feared had come to pass. Jinx was dying, and he had been unable to stop it. It should have been him lying on the ground dying. But Jinx showed no sign of remorse or regret. She gave a faint smile as she slipped away.
I love you, her eyes said to him.
Then she was gone.
Snake Eyes looked up with anger at Storm Shadow, who remained in place, waiting for him.
"Do you know what you've done?" Snake Eyes shouted. "You've killed your own flesh and blood. I'll make you pay for what you've done!"
With a cry of renewed vigor, Snake Eyes charged Storm Shadow. This time, Storm Shadow was no match for the furious onslaught of Snake Eyes. It was Snake Eyes who succeeded in knocking away Storm Shadow's sword, sending it tumbling over the roof and onto the alleyways below. Snake Eyes punched Storm Shadow in the face, causing him to stagger backward.
Snake Eyes now had Storm Shadow cornered at the edge of the roof. He grabbed Storm Shadow's uniform and slammed him against the wall several times.
"You don't even know what you've done, you monster," Snake Eyes shouted madly.
Snake Eyes slammed Storm Shadow against the wall again. Storm Shadow was beginning to show signs of disorientation from the brutal beating he was now receiving.
Snake Eyes was too angry for words now. He reared back and was ready to pummel Storm Shadow in the face yet again when something stopped him.
It was a flash of recognition. Storm Shadow struggled to speak as Snake Eyes kept his grip on his collar.
"Release me, brother," Storm Shadow gasped.
Snake Eyes let go, and he stepped back.
Storm Shadow staggered to his feet and put a hand on his tender head. He removed his mask. For several long seconds, he and Snake Eyes looked each other in the eye, face to face in the rain.
Storm Shadow saw Jinx's body lying not more than ten yards behind Snake Eyes.
"Is it true, what I have done?" he asked, as if emerging from a long dream.
Snake Eyes nodded grimly.
Storm Shadow gave a shout of great pain.
"No!" he cried, turning his back on the sight. "My crime is great, Snake Eyes. My shame is too much for me to bear."
"I'm sorry," Snake Eyes said. "I failed to stop you. I failed to bring you back in time."
Storm Shadow shook his head as he remained standing, with his back turned to Snake Eyes and the fallen Jinx.
"No," Storm Shadow said, "it is I who have failed. Years ago, I took a path of revenge and hatred, and now I have paid the price."
Storm Shadow walked to the edge of the roof and prepared to climb back down the building.
"Wait," Snake Eyes said, "where are you going?"
"We must part ways," Storm Shadow said. "I must go out into the world and try to atone for what I have done. I am not worthy to be your brother."
"You will always be my brother," Snake Eyes said.
Snake Eyes bent down to pick up Jinx. She was calm and serene in death. And beautiful. Snake Eyes looked back to Storm Shadow. Perhaps one day, they would meet again.
Storm Shadow waved in farewell and slipped over the roof's edge. With that, he was gone.
And Snake Eyes was alone.
* * *
Scarlett trembled with emotion as she looked at Snake Eyes now. They were at the gates of the G.I. JOE perimeter. Beyond the gates lay the outside world, the world of which she knew nothing.
Snake Eyes lifted his arm and gestured at the road and beyond to the unknown.
"You're free now," Snake Eyes told her. "Where will you go?"
At that moment, Scarlett lost her composure. She turned and embraced a stunned Snake Eyes, who could think of little else to do except put his arms around her in turn. Scarlett burst into tears.
"Bring me back," she cried out wildly, heedless of the fact that what she said made no sense to Snake Eyes.
"I want to live again!"
The world faded away around her, and she soon found herself clutching thin air. Scarlett collapsed to the ground and held her head in her hands.
"I want to live again."
She looked up, and through her tears, she beheld the guardian angel Clara smiling down on her.
The angel, robed in white, was enveloped in a blinding white light, and Scarlett shut her eyes against the bright and beautiful flare. When she opened her eyes again, Scarlett saw Clara's face begin to change. Gradually, the face dissolved into the face of-
"Mama?" Scarlett whispered.
The angel spoke.
"Soon we'll be together," the angel said. "but not now."
The image of Kathleen O'Hara began to fade away, and Scarlett reached out her arms in supplication.
"Wait," Scarlett pleaded in vain, "come back!"
The light began to blot out everything.
"Mama!" Scarlett cried.
* * *
"Mama," Scarlett whispered as she gradually awoke.
"She's speaking," a female voice said excitedly.
Scarlett blinked as she surveyed her hospital room. For days, she had lain in this bed, recovering wounds received from the car crash. Scarlett beheld the smiling faces of Lady Jaye, Flint, Cover Girl, Clutch, Jinx, Stalker, and Hawk. But where was Snake Eyes?
Hanging back toward the end of the room, Snake Eyes remained in place. He wore his mask, but if Scarlett could have seen his face at that moment, it would have born a smile.
* * *
Later that day, when everyone else had left, Cover Girl and Snake Eyes stayed behind to be with Scarlett a little while longer.
"So everything's okay," Scarlett said in awe. "you're all alright."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Cover Girl said.
Scarlett laughed weakly and nodded.
"Did something happen to you while you were in that coma?" Cover Girl asked.
Scarlett pondered her response to that question.
"I was deciding," Scarlett said.
"Deciding," Cover Girl repeated.
"Deciding whether to stay or go," Scarlett said. "It was my choice. It could have gone either way."
"What made you choose to live?"
"I had a feeling," Scarlett said. "Something told me that I had a reason to live."
"Of course you do," Cover Girl said.
Scarlett looked at Snake Eyes, who was standing next to Cover Girl.
"You know, Snake Eyes stayed by your side constantly while you were out," Cover Girl said. "He never left your side."
Scarlett reached out her hand to Snake Eyes, and they clasped hands. It was a gesture of forgiveness and reconciliation. The beginning of a new life. Perhaps that was how Snake Eyes and Cover Girl would interpret it. But Scarlett knew better.
The seeds of that new life had been planted in Scarlett, long before she dreamed of returning to life.
The End.