(The Present)
"Look at him…" Kelly said, running her fingers along Gabriel's cheek. The infant's face twitched slightly at the soft caress, but otherwise he did not react in the slightest. "My God Carter…he's beautiful."
"My son is not beautiful…he is handsome." Carter stated, watching as his friends and family all mulled about the room. Madrid lay in bed, eyes half closed, a pleased smile on her lips as she let the joy and happiness swirl all about her.
"Bays can be beautiful, little brother." Sarah teased. "You were beautiful."
"I was ruggedly good looking, even as a baby." He proclaimed.
Vic rolled his eyes. "Sure son, sure."
Vally leaned over the bassinet, a gentle hand brushing some of the child's hair aside. "He's so tiny…" She whispered.
Hank nodded. "But he'll get big soon…just look at Derek." Biddy rocked her son back and forth, the other baby in the family murmuring slightly.
Vally's face lit up. "Yeah, and soon it will be just like future me showed us! There will be me, and Gabe, and my Derek…" She frowned, considering something. "Wait…I marry a Derek…and Uncle Hank's baby is a Derek…" She turned to her father. "That's gonna be confusing, having two Dereks!"
"Yes…yes it will be. We will have to give them nicknames." When Vally turned away, Carter mouthed. "No one say anything."
Helena turned towards her son, placing a gentle hand upon his arm, the other upon Madrid's shoulder. "Carter…I am so happy for you." Tears formed in her eyes as she spoke. "All your life, I dreamed of this for you…a wife that loves you, children that you will nurture and grow, true friends that will stand by your side in darkness and in light…" She smiled as she sniffed. "This…is exactly how I dreamed it." In his crib, Gabriel let out a tiny sneeze.
FOOOOOOOM!
Vally turned to her parents. "The baby's on fi-re."
All turned, staring at the purple flames that erupted from the bassinet. Carter slowly walked over, lifting Gabriel up. Glowing golden eyes stared out of the purple flames as Carter rocked the child back and forth until the whammy flames faded away.
"Ok…almost how I dreamed it." Helena admitted.
^&^&^&^
Later that night, Madrid found herself alone in the room, save for the newborn that currently fed from the tiny bottle she held. She stared out the window, holding the baby so he could stare out into the night…even though she knew he logically couldn't comprehend anything an inch from his face.
In the courtyard below, under the stars, the rest of their friends and family sat around the fountain, cups of coffee and hot coco in their hands, their stomachs full from the hastily brought over Thanksgiving meal. Vally sat in Sarah's lap, her teddy bear in hands as she watched the skies. Helena and Vic were curled up together, looking more like newlyweds than grandparents. Biddy hummed softly as Hank brushed her hair, staring down at the sleepy baby in her lap. Linda, Charlie and Renee chatted to themselves, while Tina regaled Kelly about which superbabies could lose a fight to baby Gabriel. Lee and his mother sat back to back, craning their necks.
"Here he goes again." Malcolm called out, Ellie's head upon his stomach.
Up in the sky, the clouds were suddenly burst apart by brilliant silver light. Flares raced across the skyline, the stars fading away in the face of the grand fires that erupted about the heavens.
At the center of it all, Carter Daniels laughed, falling back to Earth, body glowing in his ascended form as he let loose his own version of fireworks. He would land in some random field before rocketing back up again, whammy flames leaving a trail before he would explode, lighting up the sky before firing off his blasts again and again.
All around Europe that night, police were startled to find that crime had gone to zero. Fights ended, arguments grew quiet, and for those brief moments, a joyous peace settled upon the countries that witnessed Carter's display.
Madrid smiled down at Gabriel. "Your daddy is silly, isn't he?" Gabriel merely blinked. "he wants the entire world to remember your birthday, to remember how happy you made him."
Gabriel let out a grunt before his eyes glowed purple, mimicking the flashes his father made in the sky.
^&^&^&^
(The Past)
'Today, in entertainment news, the world mourns the lost of martial artist expert Lee Gon. Lee died during a freak accident while filming pick ups for the film "The Last Master". Reports are sketchy at this point…'
Fredrick reached over, clicking the television off. He glanced over at Tess, who had wrapped her head in a scarf to hid the non-healing head wound that adorned her forehead, and motioned for her to continue on.
The two walked through the morgue with purpose, shoes squeaking slightly as they turned right. Up ahead, two victims of a drive-by shooting already stood, eyes glassy and dull as they held the doors open for them.
The two of them strolled through the cold, metallic room, looking more like a couple shopping for Christmas presents than grave robbers. The corpses of all those within moved about, offering Fredrick anything he desired, from a white lab coat to a bottle of water. Tess followed after him, as if he were the lead of "The Devil Wore Prada", clipboard in hand.
"Read the guest list." Fredrick stated.
Tess nodded, stopping before the corpse of a badly burned man. "Lee Gon. Martial artists, considered one of the world's greatest masters. Thought by some to be the next Bruce Lee. Died this afternoon after a gas line exploded, sending shrapnel into his body and burning his face.
Fredrick nodded, focusing on the corpse. With a twitch, the karate master sat up, stare at him. Awaiting orders.
"Your name is not Lee Gon, but you remember every skill he ever had. His muscle memory will remain, but forget all else that lied with him." The corpse nodded. "You will hold the memories of my brother, Tylar Frauzen. A carpenter and craftsman, loving and caring, and loyal to family beyond all else." Fredrick snapped his fingers, and one of the dead bodies brought him a small dagger. "Show me."
The body of Lee Gon nodded, leaping forward and slashing three of the dead bodies, cutting their throats. Fredrick flicked his wrist, and the corpses all gave pause.
"You are Lee Gon and Tyler, reborn my second in commander." He turned on his heel. "Come Tess…come Lyger."
Tess followed silently…and Lyger walked after them a moment later.
^&^&^&^
(The Future)
Patrick and Ami stared at the sight before them. When Micah and West, along with several other members of Micah's Rebellion, had joined them, they had been told that they were being taken someplace safe.
But they had never guessed it would be here.
"This…this is the Castle of Angels!" Ami hissed.
Micah nodded. "West likes to claim its because some cult use to worship here, but that is just form the Dan Brown novel."
"Hey, it was a good book!" West complained.
"How are you able to pull this off?" Patrick said, juggling Sophie into a more comfortable position.
"They manage because we allow it." A new voice called out. An old man, 70 years old, possibly older, made his way towards them. He was dressed in the garments of a cardinal, and he greeted each of them with handshakes. "Cardinal Francis Othealeo. I am the one tasked with caring for this castle, and I act as the Vatican liaisons with Rebel."
Patrick frowned. "Kid…you are friends with the Vatican?"
Micah smiled. "I have friends in high places, Patrick."
Ami shook her head. "I don't understand…"
"There is much to explain, but the hour is late, and all of us need our rest. I will be brief." The cardinal held out his hands. "The Church has long known of those with abilities, Patrick. We have watched over them, protected them, and in times used them. These abilities are proof of the Lord's hand crafting and shaping our world…and the Devil trying to mimic his grand scheme. The Vatican has long aided those that fight on the side of justice, providing service from the shadows. But now…we can no longer do so in secret.
"The man that attacked you works for an enemy of ours, a monster of days long gone. He possesses dark powers, and seeks out to bring an end to all God has created; not just this church, but all that worship Our Lord in any shape or form. We have monitored the man in black's actions, and had been preparing counter measures…but this attack, tonight, forces us forward." The cardinal shook his head. "To dare such an attack at our backdoor is a message of strength and danger, and we will answer in kind."
"Who is this man?" Ami asked.
"Drago." The cardinal whispered. "He is named Drago."
West laid a hand on Patrick and Ami's shoulders. "Don't worry…I don't know why this man and Drago want you or your baby, but we won't let them harm you."
The cardinal clicked his tongue, however. "I am afraid the time has come when we can no longer protect them."
Micah turned around. "But Francis…"
The cardinal held up his hand. "I do not mean we will cast them aside. I mean we will need more allies. Already, I have asked two of your members to find the last remains of The Company, to bring them here. But Micah, I need you to find the final one…the only man that can have any hope of defeating Drago." The cardinal locked eyes with Micah, imploring him. "Find the Metatron…find Carter Daniels."
^&^&^&^
"I have failed you, Lord Drago." The man in black stated, his voice like gravel.
"Do not worry yourself." Drago answered back. "All shall work in our favor. The Rebellion and the damned Church will view this as an act of aggression. They will seek out the Metatron, just as I had hoped."
"My brother still wished for the girl…she was to be our new sister."
"Patience, Lyger." Drago stated. "Soon your brother Fredrick will have his corpses, and the Metatron will be one of us."
^&^&^&^
The Story Continues in January, 2010.
But while you wait…
*We see Eden McCain walking down a hall*
Malcolm Grant changed history
*Eden opens a door*
And with this, save her from death
*Eden turns on a light, staring at the occupant of the cell*
This December…witness the life of Eden McCain…as you never have before
*Sylar pulls Eden through the glass, just as he had done before on the show. Only this time, he frowns*
Sylar: This isn't right…you aren't suppose to be here…*He shakes her* Who are you?
Sarah: My name is Sarah Daniels.
*her eyes glow silver as she lets loose her whammy energy*
Elsewhere
Volume 5.5
In Darkness Dwells: Secret Origins
"The one who affected the most…was remember the least"