#8 - Rebellions Part 1

[Stardrifter]

by
Stardrifter

#8 - Rebellions Part 1
Love and Theft

"Thank you all for coming!" Mayor Robert Finger's voice rings out over the sound system at Kane Consolidated Field. The stands are filled to about 70% capacity, more than expected, for the Gotham Knight's fundraiser to help restore the Business District and help the victims after the recent destruction there. The fundraiser was quickly put together by the student body at Gotham University and the team was eager to help. No one expected the Mayor himself to make an appearance.

Mayor Finger rubs his thin, weary face, obviously tired. The wind blows his graying hair into his eyes, which he quickly pushes aside. "If there's one thing I have always been proud of as a citizen of Gotham, it's the caring and determination of our youth! When something bad happens in Gotham, we can always count on you to lend a helping hand, and I'm glad this time is no different!"

The mayors words cause an uproar of applause and cheering from the stands. The Knights, all standing around the stage erected at the fifty yard line, stomp their feet and cheer along with the crowd.

A cold gust of wind sweeps through the stands, causing Dawn Granger to pull her jacket tighter around her body. An otherwise bright and sunny day, despite the cold winds, has led to a huge turnout amongst the student body as well as college football fans. Dawn almost feels guilty about being here, considering her part in the tragedy last week, but nevertheless she came to offer her support.

As the mayor continues his speech, Dawn wonders whether her part in it is the only reason Jason allowed her to come. In the week since he has begun to formally instruct her in the ways of sorcery, his schedule has been extensive and strict. If she's not in class, studying, or sleeping, she's with Jason. Even the sleeping part has been encroached upon, Jason having woken her up at three in the morning the other night in order to teach her about the affects of the different phases of the moon.

As hard as Jason has been, Dawn can't deny he's good at his job. She feels like she's learned more about the way the world works in this past week than an entire life of school. As busy as she is, she still feels an invigoration and an excitement she's never felt in her life. Every morning she wakes up with a sense of purpose and eagerness about the day ahead. Well, every day except the morning after her surprise nighttime lesson.

"Dawn!" her friend Kathy shouts, waking her out of her thoughts. Dawn looks over at the awkward looking brunette girl and smiles. With the turmoil in her life and the loss of her friends, Kathy is the only real friend she has left, and the only connection her previously normal life.

"What?"

"Are we going down or what?" Kathy reaches up to wipe her very large nose.

Dawn looks around and realizes the mayor has finished his speech and the people in the stands are filing down onto the field in order to meet the team. For a donation, fans can get autographs or even pictures with their favorite player. Carts offering food, drinks, and souvenirs also litter the field. Dawn smiles and Kathy grabs her hand, pulling her friend along. As expected, Kathy makes a b-line for #43, running back Stephen Turcotte.

After ten minutes in line, the two girls finally reach Stephen. Dawn stands back to take their picture and nearly falls down in laughter when her shy friend asks Stephen to sign her cleavage. Stephen does so without hesitation, Dawn making sure to capture every moment with her digital camera. When it's all over, Dawn has to run up and grab Kathy's arm to keep her from falling over as they walk away.

"He...h-he touched my tit!"

Dawn smiles warmly at her friend and shakes her head. "He didn't touch your tit. His Sharpie did."

Kathy, still overcome, doesn't even hear her friend. "Stephen Turcotte touched my tit!"

Dawn drags Kathy over to a table nearby and sits her down. Dawn stands up straight and tightens the belt on her brown pea coat, lifting her collar up to help block the wind. "You stay here and I'll get us something to eat."

Kathy recovers just in time to shout after her, "And some soda!"

It takes some deft maneuvering for Dawn to make her way through the crowd. She takes a moment to debate whether or not to get in line for the chili dogs or the turkey legs. In the end she decides to live a little and heads for the chili dog stand.

"Hey Dawn!" a voice calls out in front of her. Dawn looks up at the sound of her name. She sees a tall young man with brown hair hanging down to his eyes walking over. At first he seems to be walking toward her, and she strains her memory to try and recall where she might have met him before. It's doubly frustrating because she knows she wouldn't forget such a cute boy.

Her concern is negated when the man walks up to another man two spots ahead of her in line. The other one also has brown hair, short and styled with product. He's slightly shorter than the first man, but obviously related by their shared features. Dawn begins debating in her mind which one is more attractive.

"Don!" the first man shouts in the other's ear, playfully smacking him in the shoulder. "I've been trying to find you for like ten minutes."

"I told you I was hungry, Hank" Don replies, as if that should end the discussion.

Dawn smiles as the young men continue to bicker, deciding they must be brothers. The line continues to move slowly, the smell of chili dogs so close that her stomach rumbles in protest. Suddenly a bump from behind knocks Dawn forward a step and her right shoulder feels wet. The smell of beer permeates her nose as she turns to see a large, drunk frat boy pushing his way in line.

"Watch it, jerk!" Dawn yells as the frat boy continues to shove his way in. The diminutive boy behind her finally gives up and lets the frat boy cut in front of him.

"You watch it, grandma!" the frat boy shouts in her ear, his breath reeking of beer and onions. Sweat drips down his buzzed cut head and down his cheeks. Sweat stains in the armpits of his Gotham Knights T-shirt are at the exact height to sit in her face when she turns to look at him. She quickly covers her nose and turns back around.

"Oh wait," the frat boy says, realization hitting him when he briefly sees her face. "You ain't no grandma! Why's your hair all white?" The boy reaches out and touches her hair. Dawn spins around and slams the palm of her hand into his chest, doing little but causing him to chuckle. He grabs her wrist in a tight grip and pulls her closer. A disgusting grin spreads across his face. "Does the carpet match the drapes?"

Dawn reaches out with her mind, beginning to gather the power needed to cast a spell. Something small and non-lethal, probably a quick electric shock to cause him to let her go. Before she can cast it, a hand grabs the frat boys wrist, wrenching it back and causing him to let go of Dawn. She looks over to see Hank, a disgusted look on his face.

"Johnny, Johnny, Johnny," Hank says, shaking his head. "You have such a way with women."

"Fuck you!" Johnny shouts. He starts to swing his arm to punch Hank, only to have that wrist grabbed as well. Don twists Johnny's arm around his back, shooting pain up into Johnny's shoulder.

"I think you should just walk away," Don says. Hank let's go of Johnny and steps aside, allowing Don to shove him out of line. Johnny stumbles over onto his hands and knees. He shakily stands up and turns around, overcome by anger. When he sees Hank and Don standing there, he quickly thinks better of the situation. The crowd around them cheer as Johnny walks away, tail between his legs.

"Are you all right?" Don turns to ask Dawn, concern in his voice and a warm, confident smile on his face.

"I'm fine, thanks." Dawn reaches up to wipe at her beer soaked shoulder, only to regret it as her hand comes back smelling like beer too. "And while the white knight act was cute, I had the situation under control."

"Oh I wasn't trying to save you," Hank smiles down at her, a playful tone in his voice. "I was trying to save Johnny."

"Of course," Don continues the joke. "We could tell you were about to do some Judo take down on him. We probably saved Johnny from a night in the hospital."

Dawn rolls her eyes at the two, but laughs nonetheless. She reaches up and pulls a strand of hair back behind her ear. The line moves, so Dawn turns to follow it. "Capoeira, actually."

"Capo-what?" Hank asks, confused.

Don turns around and walks backwards to face her. "Now it all fits! You obviously have the bearing of a Brazilian martial-arts master!"

"It is all the rage among women these days."

Don and Dawn share a laugh together. Hank, annoyed he missed out on the joke, walks up to Dawn's other side and holds out his hand. "I'm Hank, by the way. Hank Hall." Dawn reaches out and shakes his hand. "And this is my little brother, Don."

Don gives his brother a dirty look over the use of the word "little" but doesn't comment. He shakes her hand as well, saying, "Nice to meet you...?"

"Dawn."

Don offers a confused look. "Yes I'm Don. And you are?"

Dawn chuckles at his misunderstanding. "Dawn. My name is Dawn Granger."

"Ah," Hank says, drawing her attention back to him. "I always thought Don was such a stupid name, but now I see it can be quite lovely."

Dawn shakes her head and Don scowls. The line finally ends and Dawn walks up to order. "Two chili dogs with everything, a water, and a Diet Coke. Oh and an order of onion rings!"

"Hungry?" Don asks from behind her.

Without looking back, Dawn replies, "It's for me and my friend."

"Of course, her and her friend," Hank says, playfully punching Don in the shoulder. "You're such a jerk, man." Dawn finishes paying and grabs her food and drinks but Hank quickly takes the food from her. "Can we join you?"

Don orders their food and the group head back toward where Dawn left Kathy. None of them notice that, standing in the bleachers, a lone figure watches them with interest. A woman dressed in a long, black trench coat pulled tightly around her with a hood pulled up over her features. Her eyes never leave Dawn. Eyes that see much more than just a young, college student.

****

-1193-
England

The horses hooves tread softly on the dirt road. Jason doesn't want to push her on such an unusually warm autumn day, and the forest road is rather pleasant scenery worth enjoying. The leaves have only just started to change colors, causing the rare orange or yellow leaf to stick out amongst the sea of green surrounding him.

Jason raises his water skin again for the third time in so many minutes, his heavy brown leather riding clothes causing him to sweat buckets. He long since undid his cloak and tied it to the back of his horse. Part of him wants to cut his ear length brown hair off, but he knows that he would regret that decision once the cold winter weather rolls in.

It's been some time since he was last in England. After the fall of Camelot, Jason decided to leave the country and traveled over Europe and Asia. The land held so many painful memories. Yet when he got word of some sort of demonic activity in northern England, he decided it was finally time to return home. He's kept mostly to himself during his journey, uninterested in socializing. Though it's been some time, some people still speak of the legends of the Demon Knight of Camelot.

Jason is shaken from his thoughts by a loud bird call. It's quickly followed up by another. The sounds echo amongst the large trees, making direction difficult to determine. Jason looks up and down the road, the forest quiet once again. Unusually quiet, Jason thinks to himself. It hadn't occurred to him before, but the road has been empty the entire day. Odd for such a nice day on an important route.

Another bird song echos around him, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to rise. It doesn't take Jason's magical senses to tell that he's about to be attacked. His years of experience is enough for that. Jason reaches out with his mind to search the nearby forest. At least a dozen men in a forty foot radius around him, half of them in the trees above him.

Not wanting to let on that he's noticed their trap, Jason continues forward at a leisurely pace. He tightens his grip on the reins with his left hand and loosens with his right, preparing to draw his sword at a moments notice. Jason learned long ago not to use magic if he can avoid it amongst the uninitiated, lest he be branded a witch or worse. The glory days of wizards and magic are long since past.

Jason takes a deep breath as he feels the noose tightening around him. He let's his horse guide him as he closes his eyes, all his focus on sensing the men surrounding him. Every move, every quiet step, every breath they take, he can feel. An eternity passes, then, as fast as a lightning bolt, Jason springs into action.

He senses the trees falling the instant they begin. Rather than get caught behind them like his assailants wish, Jason gallops forward, ducking down under the trees. They fall so close he can feel the leaves brush the back of his neck. Jason continues his gallop, exasperated voices calling out behind him.

After getting about fifty feet Jason sees two men swing out of the trees toward him. A yank on the reins and a squeeze of his knees and his horse steps to the side, sending one man swinging past him. In one swift, fluid motion Jason draws his sword and cuts the rope of the second man, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Unable to feel any others ahead of him, Jason lets out a heavy sigh and sheathes his sword. He kicks his horse to increase her speed, hoping now to outrun his pursuers. The trees whip by at a dangerous rate, forcing Jason to bob and weave from the occasional low hanging branch.

Suddenly Jason yanks up on the reins. He senses it just in time, an arrow flying across the road. His horse rears up at the sudden stop, nearly knocking Jason off her back. The arrow impacts harmlessly into a tree, a rope pulled tight by it, obviously hoping to unhorse him. Jason turns to scan the tree line for the archer. Seeing nothing, but more disturbingly sensing nothing, he draws his sword.

The pounding of horse hooves come from behind him, causing Jason to turn to face the oncoming attack while also keeping an eye on the tree line. Three gaunt horses carrying equally gaunt riders come to a stop five feet from him. The riders, a motley group of men of varying ages and haphazard dress, hold their weapons at the ready but stay back.

Then it seems as if the forest around Jason comes to life. Another dozen men spring from the bushes, covered in leaves and twigs to better blend into the environment, all holding clubs, swords, or bows with arrows trained on Jason. They don't make a move to attack, which Jason is thankful for for the moment. He would hate to have to kill them all.

"All right then," Jason calls out to the group in a threatening voice. "Which one of you wants to die first?"

"Bold words," a male voice calls out from behind Jason. To Jason's magical senses, it's as if the man springs out of nowhere. "For a man outnumbered twenty to one."

Keeping his sword at the ready, Jason turns on his horse to see the speaker. A young man, tall and lean, dressed in green and brown. Brown hair hangs down over his forehead and stubble covers his face. He has a boyish look to him, though Jason can see the years in his eyes. A quiver of arrows hangs from his shoulder and he holds a bow in his hand. The way the other men look to him, Jason can tell he's the leader.

"More like fifteen," Jason throws back at him. "And that's still not enough to save you."

The men surrounding him chuckle at Jason's bravado. The leader smiles as well, casually walking in a circle around Jason. He yanks the arrow holding the rope across the road free, tossing it to the ground. "You're a brave one, I'll give you that sir. But I'm afraid you'll still have to pay your taxes."

Jason scoffs. "Taxes?"

"I don't think he knows who ye are!" one of the men with a bow trained on Jason calls out, causing more laughter to erupt among the men.

"Not from 'round here, by the looks of him," another surmises.

"My apologies sir," the leader gives an exaggerated bow. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am known in these parts as Robin Hood. And this," he says while raising his arms outward, "is our forest. As owners and keepers of Sherwood, we reserve the right to levy any tax we see fit for safe passage."

Jason is less than impressed. His eyes narrow as he glares at Robin. "And I imagine the price of your 'tax' is everything I own?"

Robin offers a wry smile at Jason's understanding. "We are not cruel. You can keep your clothes. I wouldn't have you naked as the day of your birth as you walk out of Sherwood."

Jason heaves a loud sigh. Not because he's accepting his fate, like the men at first believe, but because he realizes he has no choice but to fight. "Enough of this pointless banter. Let's get this over with."

The men all look to Robin, not sure what to do next. No one has ever offered resistance when so outnumbered. They may be thieves, but they aren't about to slaughter a man in cold blood.

The smile fades from Robin's face as he locks eyes with Jason, trying to decide if it's a bluff or not. Like his men, he doesn't want to kill this man, yet he can't very well let him pass and spread word of how Robin Hood and his bandits are weak. Slowly, Robin steps back several paces, drawing an arrow from his quiver and nocking it on his bow. "Last chance. Stand down."

"I certainly hope you do."

Robin draws his bow, taking aim at Jason. He prepares to fire at Jason's sword arm, hoping to disarm him. Maybe this can still end without death. Robin takes aim, draws a deep breath, and holds it.

"Stop!"

The sudden interruption causes Robin to exhale, but he still keeps his bow trained on Jason. Out of the trees walks a lone figure, a plain brown cloak with a hood hides their features. The figure walks up to Robin, standing just a foot from his ear.

"This isn't necessary. Stand down."

Jason eyes the figure, surmising this is the magic user who clouded his senses earlier. The voice is feminine and strangely familiar to him. Unable to see her face under the hood, Jason doesn't risk reaching out with magic yet. No need to provoke her if this can end peacefully.

"Explain," Robin barks, not appreciating the interference.

"This man isn't bluffing," the woman whispers to Robin, not wanting to hurt the other men's morale. Jason uses a small amount of power to enhance his hearing. "You'll lose this fight. Nor is it necessary, he's a friend."

The owner of the voice finally dawns on Jason. "Nimue?" Jason asks, surprise in his voice.

The woman reaches up and lowers her hood. Long black hair flows down in a braid behind her head. A golden metal headband hangs over her forehead and disappears back into her hair. Her flawless, creamy skin glows in the sunlight that breaks through the trees. Bright green eyes shine up at Jason. Eyes that hint at the truth behind her youthful appearance.

"Nimue?" Robin asks as well, lowering his bow to look at the woman with confusion.

"It's Marion, Jason."

"Marion?" Jason raises an eyebrow and lowers his sword.

Robin nods to his men, telling them to lower their weapons as well. "Sounds like you have a story to tell, my love."

Robin doesn't notice the small flinch Jason's face makes at his words. Nor the strong look Marion gives Jason before turning to Robin. "Of course, my dear. I will explain everything. Over dinner?" Marion looks between Jason and Robin, waiting for an answer.

Jason sheathes his sword and shrugs his shoulders. "Oh I'd very much like to hear this story."

Robin doesn't respond, watching Jason closely, not sure what to make of him. Marion takes his hand in hers and leans in to whisper in his ear. "It's all right. He can be trusted."

"I don't know about him," Robin whispers back. "But I trust you." Robin gives Marion a passionate kiss, making sure it's in full view for Jason. After, he slings his bow over his back and calls out to his men. "We have a guest! Let's head home!"

****

-The Present-

"They were nice," Dawn tells Kathy as they walk back to the dorm at Gotham University. She finishes adding Don and Hank into the contacts on her iPhone. Once she's done, she pushes her hands deep into her jacket pockets. The sun having finally set, the cool wind from the day grows even colder.

"Yeah they were all right," Kathy mumbles.

"What's wrong?"

Kathy sighs out loud and comes to a halt along the sidewalk. The street lights shine above them, casting shadows on Kathy's face, making her expression harder to read. "Oh c'mon, Dawn. They were both totally into you."

Dawn hears the jealousy in her friends words and feels bad. She wasn't trying to get the attention of the brothers. Frankly she's not even sure she would want a relationship right now, though she admits both Don and Hank were charming, in their completely opposite ways.

"What do you care? You got your Stephen Turcotte," Dawn laughs while poking at the signature under Kathy's coat, trying to lighten the mood. Kathy just scowls. "Hey, I'm sorry. What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know!" Kathy huffs, angry but realizing she can't blame Dawn for it. "Tell them you're a lezbo."

"We're talking about college boys. It would probably just make it worse." Dawn starts to laugh out loud. Kathy tries to fight it but can't help herself, and soon the two friends are doubling over in laughter together. When they finally stop, Dawn stands up straight and notices over Kathy's shoulder a woman in a long black trench coat and a hood over her head walking slowly down the sidewalk towards them. Feeling self conscious, Dawn wraps her arm inside Kathy's and starts walking again.

When they finally reach Kathy's dorm, the two girls hug and say goodbye. Dawn pulls her coat tighter and continues down the sidewalk toward her building. A uneasy feeling comes over her and she looks back to see the woman in the trench coat still walking behind her. Suddenly worried, Dawn tries to act casual as she runs through her options. With everything that's happened to her lately, she's very quick to assume its someone trying to hurt her. With everything that's happened to her, she's also quick to rise to anger.

Rather than turn into her building, Dawn walks past the entrance and turns down the alley between buildings. The three story brick buildings towering over her, barely letting the moonlight in. After getting halfway through the alley Dawn spins around. Twenty feet away, the woman in the trench coat comes to a halt.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Dawn shouts, anger apparent in her voice.

The woman reaches up and lowers her hood. It's impossible for Dawn to make out any features in the dark, except for the woman's long black hair. "I mean you no harm," the woman says in a slightly British accent.

"Yeah well if you don't tell me who you are right now then I'll mean you some harm!"

"My name..."

Before the woman can finish, the ground begins to shake. Both women have to fight to keep their balance. A large crack forms along the ground in between them and a red glow shines up from beneath the ground. More cracks form before the ground between them erupts, sending debris flying in all directions. Out of the hole rises a demon. It stands ten feet tall, it's skin is stark white with bright red symbols covering it from head to toe. Its head is bald except for a black mohawk running down into a ponytail. Rather than a normal mouth, the demon has a hooked beak between two large, round eyes.

The demon steps out of the hole and reaches out toward Dawn with a large, three fingered hand. Dawn jumps aside and fires a blast of pure energy at the demon. It bellows in pain before swinging at her with it's other hand. Dawn ducks down and rolls away, trying to get some distance. When she rises back to her feet, she's just in time to see the demon leap into the air. She fires another blast at the demon, but it shrugs the attack off as it lands almost on top of her.

The demon snaps with it's beak but doesn't hit her. Instead it wraps it's large, slimy arms around Dawn in a bear hug. It's arms pin Dawn's to her sides. Struggling against the grip crushing her, Dawn screams before running out of breath. Her eyes start to darken and consciousness begins to slip from her.

Suddenly an arm reaches around the demon's neck. The black haired woman, hanging on to the demon's back, reaches around it's thick neck and plunges a dagger into it. With a yell and a strong pull, she drags the dagger across the demon's neck, tearing open it's flesh and spilling forth it's sticky, white blood. Some spills onto Dawn before the demon's arms loosen, dropping her to the ground.

The demon falls to it's knees, allowing the woman to jump back onto her feet. Dawn quickly pushes back with her legs, sliding along the ground in a desperate attempt to avoid being caught under the demon's falling body. She barely makes it, the demon hitting the ground with a loud thud.

Silence befalls the alleyway once more, broken only by Dawn's loud breathing. The woman stands before her, the glow from the cracked earth revealing her beautiful face with pale white skin. She pulls a handkerchief out of her coat, wiping the blood off her dagger, and tossing it onto the ground while sheathing the dagger inside her coat. She looks down at Dawn with her bright, green eyes. "My name is Xanadu. And you're in grave danger, Dawn."

-To Be Continued-