A/N This is it. The final chapter o Shadows of Damocles past. Thank you to Whiteelfelder for your support on this venture.
Wolf's POV
That night after the other had long since gone to bed he slipped out of the Headquarters. He felt somewhat guilty but he couldn't bare to say goodbye. He had grown far closer to Hibari than he thought he would.
What he did not expect was to find a wand at his throat when he rounded a corner. Fucking hell. He couldn't just go die in peace could he?
Looking up he saw the familiar red eyes of Tom Marvolo Riddle. Nope he definitely couldn't just go die in peace. He had to remind himself this Tom was different from the one he knew. This Tom had several Horcuxes that affected his sanity.
Next to him was Regulus Black. Wolf's breathing hitched as for half a second he saw Sirius. The guilt still ate at him over his godfather's death.
Tom said drawing his attention away from his inner misery," You asked for me to come myself. Here i am."
Looking around he realized how close they were to Scepter 4 headquarters. He said," Not here. I would rather put some distance between myself and the blue clan before they realize I'm missing."
At wand point he led them across town to what would be HOMRA bar. Once inside he turned to face them his wand safely in its holster. He was no match for Tom in a proper duel. This version of the man seemed saner than he would have thought. Then again the man was twirling his yew wand in between his fingers. At least he wasn't under a Crucio. Yet...
Tom hissed,§ Who are you?§
He saw the subtle stiffening of Regulus' shoulders. It was definitely parseltounge then.
He replied,§ Wolf. It's been a long time Tom.§
The red eyed man blinked in surprise at the use of his real name. The man asked,§ How do you know my name?§
Wolf smiled as he said,§ I knew you in my time.§
The man seemed skeptical but he conjured three arm chairs. Wolf remembered the last time he had spoken to Tom before he left to help in the King's war. It had been much of the same as this night. Caught as he tried to sneak away without a word. Knowing he would likely never return.
Flashback
He was in his dress shirt and uniform pants as he made his way silently down the hallways. They had only a few months of peace when earlier that evening he felt something he had never thought he would feel again. A burning sensation on his right shoulder. Where his red clansman mark once lay. Something was going on in Japan.
That evening he packed a small bag and he had the weirdest feeling he would never return to this manor. It hurt to think that. Ever since he joined Tom things had been going well between them. They took out Dumbledore almost a year ago. The Wizarding world fell a few weeks later.
The man made many changes to the Wizarding world. Many of them were good and he agreed with them. The ones he didn't agree with he typically kept his mouth shut on. That usually had to do with Dark Arts. At least he kept his promise about not going after Muggleborns.
The worst thing that had happened was six months priors when there has almost been a Damocles down. Neither Shiro or Mikoto deserved to die. He had been so angry with his king that he refused treatment for the burns he sustained. Burns from being to close to them when Mikoto killed Shiro. The look of peace on the men's face still haunted his dreams. How could one be so at peace when they knew they were going to die? He just didn't understand it.
A steely voice asked," Where do you think you are going Harry?"
Well shit! He had hoped to get away before Tom realized he was gone. It was a foolish hope but one had to try.
He hung his head as he said," I'm sorry Tom. Something is going on in Japan. I feel this indescribable pull to return."
The black haired man came out of the shadow. It always took Harry's breath away when he saw like this. When the man had regained his sanity he also regained his previous appearance. That helped with the public reputation a lot. Harry was his only living Horcux now. Nagini had not survived the process sadly.
Tom asked concern lacing his tone," What's wrong? Whats happened?"
Harry shook his head and said still not meeting the man's eyes," I'm not sure. I just know I have to go. I'll send word when I figure it out."
He could tell even without looking Tom wanted to argue with him. Force him to stay. The man knew how close he had been to dying once and didn't want it to happen again. This wasn't something he could stop though. Harry could feel it in his bones. Whatever would happen would change the world forever.
Tom pulled him into a hug and said," Be safe, Harry. If you need help any at all send word to me."
While the man wasn't the most affectionate person it still felt good when he showed he cared. He said," I'll be back Tom."
Even as he said that he sensed that it wasn't true. That would be the last he saw of his mentor in this timeline.
End of flashback
Wolf blinked several times as he came out of the flashback. He said putting his head into his hands,§ You mentored me for almost a year and a half before I left. Things happened in Japan that required my attention. We did great things for the Wizarding world though.§
Tom froze at his words. He ignored it. So many things had gone wrong in his time. He had to wonder what would have happened if he had not gone to Japan. If he had just stayed in England. Would he have still ended up here? Or would it have been Wiessman?
He shook himself mentally. No he couldn't think of the what ifs. He had a job to do. At the expense of his existance he would kill the Third and Red King.
He raised his eyes pinning Regulus with a determined look. He said," I never knew you, Regulus Black. Your brother though was my god father. I never intended to save you but i will give you this warning. Somethings are better left alone. Don't betray someone over a Kreacher."
He empathized the name and saw the widening of the youngest Black's eyes. The man knew exactly what and who he was talking about. It was still a little before the incident would happen but hopefully the man would heed his words.
Turning to Voldemort who was watching them stoically. That was who this was. Voldemort not the Tom that helped him through his pain over Tatara's death.
He said rubbing the spot behind his shoulder," Don't believe prophecies Tom. Specifically any made by the crack pot that Dumbledore hires. Don't make anymore Horcuxes."
He practically choked when a wand hit his throat hard. He kept absolutely still. The man was insane in this time period. Or at least going insane.
Voldemort hissed angrily,§ How do you know about my Horcuxes?§
He said as calmly as he could,§ Because you accidentally made a human Horcux. You tried time and time to kill him. Only to find out he was one when you regained your sanity. You will do a great many things if only you keep your sanity.§
He pushed the wand away from his throat. That revealed more than he intended to. Damn the man was never going to let him out of his sight now. Thank Merlin for aura shields.
If it hadn't been for the abrupt blue aura shield he threw up he would have been stunned. He forgot about Voldemort and his insane temper. Battle hardened instincts were good for more than just scaring people. His hand fell to his lighter preparing red aura.
Regulus regained his senses andd stopped Voldemort yelling," My Lord stop. Magic can't penetrate a kings aura. We won't win this fight."
Voldemort glared at him with a look that promised pain. Wolf held his ground. He planned to kill a king then no longer exist. This man couldn't do anything to stop him.
Voldemort hissed,§ This isn't over little king. I will have you.§
With that said both men turned and apparated away. Wolf not wasting any time began to put wards up. Basic wards to keep muggles out, notice me not wards, to keep out nosy kings. He put up protection wards next.
The last thing he needed was Voldemort returning. He escaped once he didn't think he could pull it off again.
It was morning before he was done and he was exhausted. He conjured a couch for him to lay on. Sleep first hunt insane king second. By the time he woke again it was mid afternoon.
He sighed as he stretched his muscles. As always his right shoulder screamed in pain. By this point he was used to it. There was nothing anyone king, wizard, or muggle could do to help him. The bullet was too close to remove even in surgery. With it being a silver bullet it was slowly poisoning him. Eventually the silver concentration in his blood would make antisilver useless.
Once he had a snack he focused on his aura seeker ability. He had been almost a year since he had need of it. Not since the hunt for Tatara's killer. He focused on the red king's aura. Even without his inner sanctum activated the boy could feel the power that he radiated. It reminded him so much of Mikoto.
He shook himself from those dangerous thoughts. Like Reisi on that day he had a duty to do. Even if it was years before he made his oath it was still good. He would protect the civilians from a king good or evil in the case of a Damocles down.
He shifted into his wolf form. Better to kill the man now. Not let there be a chance of the sword falling. Prevent the future from happening. Maybe Cathedral would do good with their king not grieving over his loss.
Tracking the scent throughout the town he was surprised when it led to an unfamiliar part of town. It was not the nicest of areas. A lot of crime happened there. A lot of times the strains he caught in the future came from this area.
He heard a yell," King! Are we going to burn the blues today?"
Wolf couldn't help but smile. No matter who the kings were. The red and blue clans would never get along. He hid himself in shadows belly crawling towards the voices. What he saw reminded him so much of HOMRA.
A red haired man surrounded by several people young and older. One seemed to be overly excited for battle. It was like he was looking in on his own past. He once again had to remind himself of his objective. He had to kill this man. To save the future. To save Torren.
He shifted into his human form making sure he had his weapons. He stepped out of the shadows. All eyes turned to him.
The loud mouth asked pointing a bat at him," Who the fuck are you?"
Ignoring the boy he said," I am Wolf the Eighth and Black King. I have come to challenge you as your sword is in danger of falling. It is within my rights as a king to do so. Either relinquish your throne or fight me."
The red haired man folded his arms across his chest. He said sounding appropriately suspicious," Only a king can murder a king. I request an activation of sanctums as proof of your claim."
They both focused inward. Wolf towards the sanctum that was given to him. He felt the rush of the dark and dangerous power. A black aura shield appeared around him as a red one appeared around the red king.
Two Swords of Damocles appeared in the sky above their heads. One black. One red. Looking up the man didn't seemed surprised. It was as if he was expecting this.
The man said stoically," I Genji Kagutsu the Third and Red King do hearby accept the challenge made by Wolf the Eighth and Black King. No clansman or king shall be allowed to interfere. This will be a battle to the death."
So the man chose to die rather than give up his throne. So much like Mikoto. His face hardened as he took his battle ready stance. There was no going back from this.
Hibari's POV
He was in a panic. Wolf had disappeared in the night and Zengo had told him what the boy planned to do. The boy planned to die. Zengo told him that evening.
He had gone to talk to the boy late that evening after he had calmed down. Only to find Wolf missing and all of his weapons gone. He was unsurprised when the alarms went off. Kagutsu always did have the worst timing.
He pulled it up to get the alarms to stop sounding only to pause. There wasn't just one sanctum activated but two. It had begun. The boy had sought out Kagutsu on his own to die.
He hit the intercom so that his voice resounded through the building," All combat units prepare for battle. We have two rogue kings battling it out in our city."
This could tear his city apart. He knew it. He needed to evacuate anyone near the battle site. Then he would have to focus on talking those two down. From what he had seen of Wolf his temper was nearly as bad as Kagutsu's.
Jin and Zengo left with the first trucks to the sight. What they found was Cathedral had already beat them to the punch. They were standing guard over the area. They nodded in acceptance of the blue clan taking over.
Seigō Ōtori the Grey King made his way over. Seigo said tiredly," Its a duel between kings. They went through all the proper rites. We can't interfere Jin. If Genji wins this battle his sword will not hold under the weight of killing a king."
Looking up Jin had to agree. The red kings sword looked about ready to fall. It was poisonous for them to be even near the battle.
Seigo said noticing his silence," That boy must be skilled if he caught your attention. I heard rumors that there was a new king. I didn't believe it at first. All the thrones were filled after all. Only to find out there wasn't just a new king but a new throne to be filled."
Still Jin was silent. Watching as the boy he had come to see as his clansman fought a much older king. The boy was skilled in using everything he had to advantage. He went from blue aura to red in an instant. Not once though did he draw upon his own king power though.
It was almost... Jin's eyes widened in realization. Almost as if the boy was afraid of his own power. That would be a likely explanation of why the boy refused to use it.
Secretly he was rooting for the boy to win. He knew though the strain of killing a king could finish the boy's strained hold on his emotions. He wondered if Wolf thought he was an idiot. There was some days it seemed so.
Jin heard him cry out at night for various people. Some nights it had been violent nightmares. If it hadn't been for Zengo the whole building might have caught fire from red aura. He wanted to jump into the battle and help the boy. But he couldn't damn the kings laws. He could only stand there and watch.
Wolf's POV
He blocked a punch from the man. This wasn't working. It had only been a few minutes but he could feel the strain of keeping up the fight. This king meant business. Unlike Mikoto he wasn't going to die easily.
He needed a new plan. This man was too used to fighting swordsman and he wasn't skilled enough to keep this up. What to do? He sheathed his blade and took it from his belt. His jacket was the next to come off. If he was going to fight as a king he had best do it properly.
He dodged another aura filled attack. The follow through forced him to jump. In mid jump he shifted into his wolf form. His black aura was now coming off of him in waves. For the first time since this whole fiasco began he felt alive.
He stopped his defensive retreating and went straight into the attack. The man seemed surprised but quickly recovered. Wolf wasted no time going for the man's throat. Something the man seemed to not realize was red aura shields would not harm him. Red aura as an attack would but a shield he could pass right through. Sometimes it paid to have once been a red clansman.
As expected he tried to protect himself with a red shield. Wolf jumped right through it. His red clansman mark showed him as a friendly even as the boy went right for the jugular.
Wolf saw the man's eyes widen as his teeth sank into the soft part of his throat. He bit down hard locking in for the kill activating his black aura. He didn't release the man even as he collapsed. He wanted to be sure the man would die not have a Damocles Down.
He watched as the light died in the man's eyes. He released the dead man's throat backing away. Looking up he saw the Red Sword of Damocles slowly disappearing. A moment later he released his own sanctum.
He shifted back into his human form. The protective sanctum that kept out intruders fell just a second later. The red clansman ran to their king. All except for the second in command.
The second in command said walking over," It's what he wanted. He knew his sword was going to fall soon. He always hoped Hibari would do it but that man absolutely refused to kill him."
Wolf said a tiredness settling over him," The strain of killing a king is too much for many to bare. I would never wish it upon anyone. I watched what it did to my own king. It is a terrible sight believe me."
The man nodded and said," I don't blame you. But you should go before the others come to their senses. There's no telling what nonsense they will do for revenge."
Wolf nodded and began to walk off. He didn't get far before he noticed that there were both blue and grey clansman everywhere. Looking up he saw Jin standing near the edge of the battle grounds.
He was surprised when instead of hitting or yelling at him the man pulled him into a hug. Jin said," I thought you were going to die. Wolf don't you ever do that to me again."
Wolf felt his heart warm slightly. This man did care about him just as Reisi had. It was too bad he was only beginning to see it now. Here at the end.
Jin said," Come we will take you back to Headquarters. I'm sure you could use a good bath and some warm food."
But Wolf barely heard him. In fact it sounded like he was under water. Even as he followed Jin his body began to feel heavy. It was hard for him to walk and it was getting even harder to breathe. When his vision began to fade in and out he realized death was keeping his promise. If he was going to say something it had best be now.
He said struggling to breathe," Jin... wait..."
The man turned around to glance at him curiously. Black lights began to come off his body. It was similar to what had happened when Mikoto had died. It was his black aura fading from his body. Destroying his body as it went.
Jin asked rushing to his side," Wolf what's wrong? What's happening?"
Wolf smiled sadly as he said," It's my deal. I changed the past irrevocably by killing Kagutsu. In return I will have never existed. Don't say anything let me finish," Jin and Zengo tried to interrupt but quickly shut their mouths," I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I never wanted to get closer to either of you. I lost so much before... ugh... coming here. Then you showed me kindness. You took me in knowing what I was here to do. Thank you. Even as I fade I will never forget either of you. Jin you showed me the man behind the monster. I wish i had given you more of a chance. I'm so..."
He never got to finish the statement as he finished dissipating. Then he knew nothing more.