Samurai Jack: The Sword Awakens

Chapter 2: Two Destinies Intertwined pt. 2

26 Years Ago

Location: Neo Tokyo

The city village of Neo Tokyo. A beacon of modern technology, untainted by the hands of Aku. The buildings were built of white metallic metal and glass, that shimmered and gleamed when the sunlight touched them, and glowed whenever the moon rose and was fullest. The people kept to maintaining traditions of the old ways, in keeping the ancient and noble ways of Japan. Their style of clothing was a mix of modern and ancient Japanese customs, including armor and weaponry. The people did their best to stay out of the war as best they could. To this day even twenty-six years after the Samurai known as Jack had disappeared.

Night

Akamatsu General Hospital

Akamatsu General Hospital was a shimmering white structure for the sick and weak. Inside, it was gleaming and clean, expected for a hospital. It was littered with enough technological and healthy wonders for one expected for a hospital. The people working in white and blue uniforms were the best at what they were trained to do. Truly, it was a place of miracles for modern medicine and healing. As well as a good place to bring in new life into the world.

For in one of the maternity wards, a new life was being brought into the world now.

Laying in one of the medical beds, a sheet over her lower waist, while her legs were propped up, was a young woman in her late twenties. She was an Asian beauty with Dark brown hair, going down to her back, wavy and curly, but straight enough. Her skin was pale and healthy, but coated with sweat, as hair on her forehead was pasted with wet and sweaty hair. She had a slender figure, athletic and beautiful; a goddess, despite her pregnancy, as the doctors were easing her through the pregnancy. When she opened her eyes, they revealed to be a dazzling emerald green, even if they opened and shut in pain. Her name was Asami Hamato, and she was currently going through a struggling pregnancy.

The female doctor, who was ensuring the baby would be alright, calmly told her what to do, "Okay, I can see the head. Just give it one big push now, and…"

The woman grabbed the railing on the upper sides at the head of her bed, clenched down hard, closed her eyes, and screamed out in the worst pain imaginable for any man… of whom fainted outside the room, who heard her scream. Until finally, the sounds of a baby's first cry split the room. Asami sighed in relief that the birth was over, as she slumped down, weakened and exhausted from such a feat.

Asami's sweaty brow was cleaned off by her own hand, as the doctor's walked towards her, carrying a small crying bundle that had been freshly cut and cleaned once it was brought out into the world. Asami looked at the bundle with worry, as she had a look at it for the first time. It was a small baby boy of her Asian heritage, with a small tuffle of brown hair on his head. He was crying profusely, until she sat up, and the baby looked at her, and he fell silent. It was almost as if it knew who his mother was, and then let the most adorable smile creep up on his face, as he was happy to see her.

Asami's face grew a smile as well, seeing this small little being she had carried for nine months be brought into the world. She gently reached up to take him in her arms, and brought him in close, hugging him. Her most precious gift had come into the world, and she and her son were now united.

The doctor smiled at this touching scene, but had to interrupt, "If you want, you can hold onto him for a little longer. We just need to run some tests to be certain if there are any abnormalities."

"Of course, doctor," Asami smiled, not tearing herself from her little cooing baby.

Before the doctors left to give her some alone time with her newborn son, the main doctor asked, "Eh, may I ask? Have you thought of a name for him yet?"

"Yes, I have," Asami answered, as she pulled Mako away from the hug, gazing at his innocent smile. "Mako. After my grandfather. Mako Hamato."

The doctor smiled, as he waved goodbye to the now giggling infant boy, "Welcome to the world, Mako." But then frowned, as he left, "Although I wish it wasn't in the time of this Aku-infested nightmare." And then left the two alone for mother and son to bond for the first time.

Asami looked down at Mako, as her smile warmed the young baby's heart, as she told him, "I know you don't understand yet. But things will be troublesome in this world, since it's ruled by Aku. But I give you more than just the gift of life, Mako. I give you hope, my son. Samurai Jack has brought that to all of us. And I hope that one day, you see that too."

A Year Later…

Location: Unknown

Unknown to the world, even to the Samurai, a group of humans had fallen in favor of the Dark Lord, as a cult to worship and serve him when the time was right.

The Daughters of Aku, they called themselves.

They were a group of women, at least it was known that they were all women, who were fanatically dedicated to the Great Shapeshifting Demon Wizard, as if he were God and gave them all that was splendor, and they saw the Samurai and those that supported him a plague to be purged off this Earth for good. Led by the High Priestess Azula, this all-female entity hatched a plan to put an end to their God's adversary for all time and eternity. And now, it was paying fruition… after nine months…

The complex cave networks of the most secluded mountains of the world served as their Monastery, a secret base of operations, place of worship, and training ground, its only entrance a very exposed bridge leading to a front gate meticulously carved after their Lord and master. The insides of the main chamber was kept dark, lit only by red torches and candlelight as priestesses, initiates, and sentinels, who were all dressed in skintight jumpsuits, black crowns that were shaped like horns of their supreme lord, and creepy white Noh Masks that showed only black eyes and mouths and nothing more, bowed down in worship of a towering idol that was carved from the wall of the mountain. A terrifying and haunting rendition of Aku, though nothing compared to the original article himself.

A wide but short staircase led into its lap and open hands where an altar lay, and their offering this time wasn't just a mere rite of passage or willing blood sacrifice.

"A-a-a-a-a-k-u-u-u," the women chanted, over and over again, as if it were a vain attempt to summon their Dark Master.

A woman lay disrobed at the steps of their idol, bathed in only candlelight that kept her body hidden from the others, with robes and clothing lay around her in a circle, almost like a sacrificial alter. But instead of a sacrifice… she was in labor, as her belly was swollen for nine months, and was giving birth. She have out the most blood curdling scream anyone could ever imagine, as she gave birth. One of the priestesses sound a large gong off to the side of the chamber; a sort of sounding approval to their Dark Master's gift to them, or rather a gift to their Dark Master. One of the other Priestesses helped deliver the baby, as a small baby girl, with a tuff of black hair crowning her head, cried out as she entered the world. Although she cried for her mother, no love was given to her. The newborn girl wasn't even bathed or clothed, as accompanying priestesses and maidens near the altar, took the baby and placed her at the carved bosom of the statue of Aku.

But it didn't stop there, as the woman continuously birthed, followed by the gong being struck, until now seven baby girls were born into the life of the Cult of Aku, and into servitude of an unseen but false God that was Aku.

Despite the pain and exhaustion given of all seven births, the woman confidently stood up without even fatigue or pain. She stood up straight, outstretching her arms out to the side, her figure still clouded in shadows, so no signs of nudity were even shown. At that moment, two of the members walked up, and dressed her in a loose black gown; although this one had pointed shoulder pads. A unique fashion design that the others did not possess. They pulled back her messy long black hair as one of them fitted her face with a red expressionless porcelain mask upon her face, as one of the maidens zipped up the front that hugged her chest, all the way up to her neck. One of the other maidens tucked her hair into a black hood that tightly hugged her head, making it look like she was bald, and then finally placed upon her head a seven-horned crown headpiece; a stark contrast to all the other cultists who had a crown of four horns. This woman was special… for she was the High Priestess; the leader of the Cult of Aku.

The others bowed down at the front of the carved wall idol of their God, as the High Priestess walked up to the altar that held the seven newest subjects.

She looked up to the idol, and chanted as if it would respond back to it, "My Master. Seven daughters to do your bidding. I, Azula, High Prestess of the Daughters of Aku, have sought out to create the perfect warriors to do your bidding. Your will made flesh. They will succeed where so many others have failed. And we will find favor in your glory, All Father!"

It was already planned for the daughters of the High Priestess; their fates sealed to this day. A curriculum of intense combat training, strengthening endurance, and to control their senses and pain was what was in store for these young girls. They would be turned into unbreakable and unstoppable assassins, though the hardships and loneliness would be necessary to shape them into the women they would need to be to do the task laid out for them.

The High Priestess merely reached out, touching their forehead with her index finger from youngest to first born, not even showing affection to any of them like a mother should have, as she named them, "Ami. Ari. Anii. Avi. Abi. Aki." She then reached the final girl, and picked her up, though she did it unaffectionate, holding her up like a sack of groceries, as she held her up high at the altar, the girl not even

"Ashi," she declared the last to be named, but the firstborn daughter. "You will each grow to be pivotal tools for our master. But you, Ashi, will be pivotal to your sisters. You will be trained harder than all the others, for you will lead them. For you and your sisters shall unto the evil that is… Samurai Jack!"

7 Years Later…

Neo Tokyo

Seven years had passed and Neo Tokyo still remained the same; untainted and still in one piece. It seemed during the time, Aku didn't bother to show himself at all during his eternal reign. Although the occasional broadcast to remind the public that he was still around still occurred but nevertheless, the days when he made himself public for all seemed to lessen. Maybe the fact that Samurai Jack hadn't been caught was a factor in why the Shapeshifting Wizard hadn't shown himself. But lately, Jack's appearance was slightly lessened as well. Jack had remained absent but with a few sightings; he was almost becoming as infamous as that legendary figure, Bigfoot. All in all, it seemed the two enemies were reaching a point to where the world barely saw any of them; it was like they were slowly fading from sight.

Meanwhile, life still remained the same, even for the Hamato mother and son.

Near the forest outskirts, the antique store, Hamato Antiques, was going out for a daily antique dealing. Asami Hamato was coming out of her store with her purse and brochure log. She was dressed in a dazzing blue and white kimono-style business suit dress with a pencil skirt. The shoulders and sleeves obviously had kimono style and details, reaching down to her wrists, while the bottom had a blue and white pencil skirt, with black pantyhose, but a blue ribbon sash around her waist. She also wore wood sandal-style high heel shoes on.

She turned around and called out, "Mako, dear. We're leaving."

"I'm coming out, Mom," a young boy's voice called out, as tiny footsteps ran out, revealing a young seven year old boy, with neatly combed light brown hair and dark brown eyes, physically skinny but not malnourished. He was dressed in a black Gi-like shirt with a white undershirt underneath, with blue pants that reached down to his ankles, white socks with Velcro strapped wooden sneaker-like sandals. This was a seven year old Mako, and he ran to his mother's side.

"Sorry it took me longer than usual, Mom," Mako sighed, as he took his mother's and, as they walked to their destination.

"Yeah, I've noticed that about you for the past year, my little man," Asami smiled at her son, arching an eyebrow. "It shouldn't take you so long to get dressed for the day. What's the usual holdup, if I may ask?"

Mako looked surprised on that, but looked in front, as he simply answered, not meeting his mother's gaze, as he did. "Oh, well, I just want to look my best. You're examining a piece for the royal family of the Mitsurugi Providence, aren't you? You always say, 'look your best for your customers, but look impeccable when in the presence of a royal'."

Asami smiled at her young but mature young boy, "How right you are, my little samurai." She looked ahead, as they both made their way into town. But as she did, she had noticed that something was troubling her son very much. It was almost going into town would cause him great trouble.

Once they got to their destination, Asami and Mako were welcomed at the front gate, and walked onto the premises of the Mutsurugi Providence, which in on itself was a glamorous estate, glistening white with a European style mansion in the center, as the mother and son walked up to the front door. They knocked on it, as a butler and a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes in a white and violet-styled Victorian European dress with modern stylizing greeted them. She was Lady Aurora, the wife of the head of the Mitsurugi Providence. She was a bit surprised to see Asami present, but smiled nevertheless, "Lady Hamato, you arrived. Thank you."

"You said the piece you had was in need of authentication," Asami asked.

"Yes, of course," Lady Mitsurugi nodded, as she gestured for them both to come in, "Please, won't you both come in?"

Both bowed respectfully as they both went in. But before Mako could, someone got in his way preventing him from going further. Or rather, two boys in general. One of them was about Mako's age and build, but had a slight pointy nose and white hair combed up to a flame top in the back, with sideburns, and blue eyes. He had on a white and gold styled kimono-fashioned shirt with matching pants and white socks with sneaker-styled sandals. He was none other than Baron Mitsurugi.

The other boy was about ten years of age, with golden blonde hair cut short and the exact blue eyes. He had a slim build and polite smirk on his face. He was wearing a purple and golden kimono-fashioned attire with sandal-like shoes on. His name was Julius Mitsurugi, the older brother of Baron.

"Perhaps it would be beneficial for young fellows like ourselves to play outside, wouldn't it, Mother," Julius smiled politely to his mother.

"Oh yes, having Mako around makes everything so enjoyable," Baron added, smiling just as innocently.

Both ladies stopped, as Lady Mitsurugi thought aloud, "Well, I don't see why not. So long as Mako wants to."

Mako looked at the two boys, and then he looked at his mother. For a moment, he was silent, until he smiled brightly, "No, I don't mind at all. We can play outside for the time being."

Asami walked over to her son, as she smiled gently, "You have a big heart, don't you, my son?" And then lightly kissed him on the forehead. "This won't take long, I promise." And then the two ladies proceeded to head for the living room quarters to examine the antique she had been requested to inspect.

At that time, the two boys walked outside, as the doors closed behind them. Once Mako was on the ground, while the two boys were standing above him, looking down on him at the steps adding height. The two boys still retained their polite smiles, as Baron looked to Mako, and asked the brunette haired boy, "So, Mako… what game shall we play today?"

Mako's face contorted from the polite smile to a defiant and hardened scowl at the two, as he huffed, "Like I have any choice in the matter."

"Now, don't say such a thing, Mako," Julius said, as he walked down and got behind him, grabbing his shoulder, as his smile became a devious and sadistic one, as did Baron as he walked up to him.

"Yeah, Mako, my friend," Baron said, as his smile reflected the same as his older brother's, as he whispered, "You've always got a choice."

In a back darkened way behind the house's toolshed, Mako was pushed roughly into the wall, looking rather worn and hurt. Two new boys, a scrawny brown-haired boy and an obese bowl-haired cut black-haired boy, were kicking at Mako when he was down on the ground, not even being let out. Baron and Julius were standing by, their arms crossed as they watched with much amusement at the scene before them. This had gone on for nearly years since Mako could walk; the people of his own country had treated him like a curse. It turned out that they had called him a Fatherless outcast and was as such treated like a curse among the people. Not even the grownups took sympathy around him. Though while his mother was aware of how the adults treated him, she was not aware on how the kids treated him either.

As the boys kicked and beat him up, Baron's satisfied face smirked at the downfall of Mako, as he scoffed, "You know, you and your mom are only able to get donations because we convince our mother to do so. Fatherless freak."

However, as they stopped for a moment, the fat one noticed something, as he knelt down at Mako's cringing form, "Hey, what's this?" He then pulled Mako's shirt open, to reveal a small but effective stomach guard, as he yanked it off before Mako could take it back, "Check this out. No wonder the kicks felt cushioned."

Julius frowned, as he scolded at the beaten Mako, "I hope you know that is considered cheating." The boys continued to beat him up, with even the smiling fat boy having fun as Mako was simply taking it. Though it went too far, as the fat one punced Mako in the face. Julius frowned, as he scolded him, "You idiot! Not the face! His mother will see that!"

"Thank you once again for your help, Lady Asami."

"It's my pleasure, Miss Mitsurugi."

The boys stopped, as they realized that Mako's mother was done already, as Baron sneered, "Stupid woman. She couldn't stay inside just a little longer?" He looked down at Mako, as he was getting back on his feet, as he threatened, "Remember, Mako. If you tell anybody about this, you and your mom will be ruined. For good."

Asami looked around, as she called out, "Mako, dear. We're leaving. Mako?" She looked around, seemingly worried, "Where is that boy?"

Suddenly, Mako ran out to meet with his mother, as he was smiling, "I'm over here, Mom." He stopped as he was right in front of his mom, as he smiled brightly, his hair over the right side of his cheek, "Are we getting noodles afterwards?"

Asami smiled at her son, as she ruffled her son's hair, "I knew you'd want noodles. Let's go." And both walked off the grounds, as both were smiling at the ideas for dinner. But Asami sadly frowned as she caught a secret gaze to her son. In particular, to the bruise on her son's face, as she looked at him saddened, 'Mako. They were at it again with you, weren't they?'

It was no secret to Asami that her son was being bullied. She tried at time and time again to ask him who was doing it, but he wouldn't relinquish any names, nor he seemed to even cry. It was almost as if he didn't mind that he was getting beaten up because he didn't have a father, and was looked at being a freak in such regard. But because nobody reported it at all, not even the parents of the bullies, either meant they didn't know about it or that they didn't care. If Mako died from this, then…

Asami shook her head, becoming saddened at such a thought, and knew she couldn't show that face to Mako. He'd just get worried about her and would do anything to keep her happy. It was rather a twist, as she was supposed to be the one to keep her son, her only child, happy. It was a parent's duty to do so, but this just seemed the reverse. She felt ashamed she wasn't doing a better job as a parent.

Mako looked at the worried gaze on his mother's face and asked, "Mom?" she turned to look at him surprised, as he asked, "Is something wrong?"

Quickly feigning an answer, she lied, "I guess I was troubled in figuring out what flavor noodles I wanted."

The young boy smiled, as he pumped up his fists in the air, "I'm going for Orange Chicken!"

Asami grabbed his hand, and yanked him up, calling out in joy, "I'll go for Jalapeno!"

The two walked off to the noodle house in the shopping district, both keeping their worries down as they ventured to go for a bowl of ramen noodles.

Elsewhere

The Baptism of Fire.

The baptism was a mandatory rite of passage for all Daughters of Aku. Priestesses encircled a pit of scalding hot volcanic tar-like substance and ash as they bowed down around the rim, chanting their deity's name over and over. High Priestess Azula stood behind her seven frightened daughters, who were only draped in grey sackcloth and had come of age at the age of six.

"Aku, our Lord and Master, is one with the darkness," she taught her offspring. "He was born from it, which fills him with infinite power!"

Placing her hand on one of the girls' little shoulder, whose hairstyle was done in a single flaming flip, she went on, saying, "We too, must become one with it, Ashi."

What the overzealous mother did next scarred the little girl for all time and eternity. She undraped her daughters as all stood before the edge of the Pit of Hate for the ceremony… all naked, as Ashi tried in desperation to cover herself.

"We are forever grateful, and ever in your service," Azula calmly prayed.

One by one they were each knocked into the red-hot pit, emerging scarred for life as the tar stuck to their skin like a shroud, a shroud they will carry for their life purpose and quest. They all screamed in pain and horror as the priestesses chanted thanksgiving to their God, as their leader stood uncaring. All that was left was an uncertain Ashi, as she leaned down to peek at where all her sisters were pushed into. Until finally, being impatient, the High Priestess knocked her in by simply using the back end of her staff, startling Ashi, as she joined her sisters into the black pool, as her sisters screamed out.

But Ashi's scream was heard the loudest, as she popped up out of the black sooted water. Her whole body from up from head to torso that popped out of the pool was covered in the steaming black substance, as she screamed out, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Next Chapter: Two Destinies Intertwined pt. 2

Sorry if this wasn't as big as all the other chapters, but everyone's biting at the bit to see an update. But don't worry. The next chapter will have more to come.