Disclaimer: Samurai Jack was created by Genndy Tartokovsy, and is property of Cartoon Network. I don't own it, I don't plan on owning it, and I sure as hell don't plan on making money off of it. This is written purely for enjoyment, so please don't sue. I have nothing anyway.
--Well, while I'm happy how the story sounds and such, I'm not all that proud of how the plot-points (few that there are) seem to inadvertently rip off at least five separate episodes of Samurai Jack. That bothers me. sigh Ah well. I hope you enjoy it. :)--
--Oh, and big thanks to YT for beta-reading this fic for me. You really helped me out! bows and hands her a box full of cookies--
Kindred
By: SilverKnight
Prologue
The thunder rolled.
The lone samurai tilted his head back and scanned the heavy clouds that swirled angrily in the sky. A sharp wind yanked selfishly at his gi, carrying the sweet scent of rain along with it. On cue, tiny droplets of water plummeted from above, colliding with his unprotected face like needles of ice. Gritting his teeth, he braced himself against the chilled evening air and continued through the thick underbrush of the forest.
Aku ground his teeth together, growling.
That foolish samurai with that wretched sword of his! Oh, how he would have enjoyed tearing that little pest limb from limb. "Time and time again, you have managed to defeat me, samurai," he muttered dismally. "You have thwarted all attempts at capture, and have survived the deadliest of traps. Even my all-powerful sorcery has proven useless against you. Is there no one to match your skill with a sword?"
Then the demon's eyebrows flared with an idea. His face grew sly as he leaned forward in his throne of fire, his redlined lips twisting in thought. "Perhaps..." He tapped his claw against the armrest, producing a dull clicking sound. "He is my finest warrior: His speed and strength know no equal. And yet, he is a very volatile resource. Those enchanted blades in his possession are most troublesome to control," he admitted, sounding pensive. "Still, he would fight well against the samurai."
Aku's body morphed and twirled, then slithered through the air towards a far wall. He reformed with disturbing ease and threw his taloned hands into the air as he faced the column of descending darkness in front of him. "From deep within the Pit of Hate, I summon Shade!"
A line of black flowed up from the depths and coalesced into a creature of solidified darkness. His form was humanoid, if loosely so. He stared ahead blankly with luminescent green eyes, his face formless save for the two large horns jutting up from his forehead.
Aku glowered down at the silent figure, his hands crossed behind his back. "Aku is once again in need of your services, minion. There is one who has taken great strides to defy me. This one must be stopped, before he rises against me again." He skulked down to the mindless slave, smiling arrogantly. "You have been given incredible power; the power to devour the essence of another, and add their skills to your own. If you succeed in this task, Aku may be willing to grant you more."
Shade's face twitched slightly, but otherwise remained still.
The wizard saw the movement and drew back, grinning thinly. "...Are you not pleased?" His leer widened as he chuckled darkly. "...Yes, yes... You will do quite well. He pointed dramatically at the image flickering overhead. Go forth, and destroy Samurai Jack!"
Shade bowed humbly. "...Yes, Master."
To be continued ...