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Shadowsteps	By : vsvigalante Category: DC Verse Comics > V for Vendetta Views: 912 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own V for Vendetta, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Author' note----This story will not get the adult rating until later chapters. This is my first adult oriented story, so all reviews and comments would be very appreciated.

Chapter 1

The Arrival

Prelude

Jazlyn Sommers placed the candles on the black-covered alter as she began preparations for the rituals that she would do just as she had done for the last ten years of her years of her twenty-one years of life. She had become a creature of caution and secrecy so she could live her life as she had been taught. She gave a small twist of her wrist and the chalice floated slowly into her waiting hands. She smiled to herself as she layed the wrapped book on the alter. Removing the silk covering from the ancient volume of spells her grandmother had given her, she searched until she found the page that contained the words that would lead to a new life. This was going to be the most powerful spell she had ever cast, and if it went well, she would no longer be an outcast in this world. She could still remember the cold, stone floor of the prison cell she had been thrown into simply because she was different from most people. You see, Jazlyn was a witch-- a real, honest to god witch--complete with powers that she had inherited from her grandmother and mother, both of which had been condemned to death because of their strange abilities. She had no idea how she had escaped from the witch prison, and she really did not care, all she knew was that it had taken months to gather all the components for the spell, and tonight would be the night she would leave this world behind.
Jazlyn straightened the long black velvety gown she wore, and checked the alter one last time before she began the incantation. She pushed the black cloak over her shoulders, her arms reaching into the candlelit room as she began to speak the time travel spell from the book. She hoped that the future would hold a different world, one she would be welcomed into--because the present did not, and she had no where else to turn.

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Chapter 1--The Arrival
The figure hidden in the shadows watched as the four Fingermen in the alley. He could hear the conversation that was going on, and it disturbed him greatly.

“ Sutler has decided to tighten the screws again I hear.” One of them spoke, a hint of laughter in his voice.

“ The more he squeezes, the more we don't have to worry about all the heathen outcasts and the rest of 'em.” The man had barely gotten the words from his mouth when a strong wind appeared out of nowhere, tossing debris into the air around them, followed by a sudden flash of bright light--the fingermen threw their arms up instinctively to protect their face and eyes. In a matter of seconds, a young woman, dressed all in black, holding a large leather-bound book to her chest, stood before them.

The man in the shadows blinked, his eyes behind the Guy Fawkes mask not believing what he had just witnessed. V let out a deep breath as he looked at the woman standing in the alleyway. She was young, that he could tell immediately, and her waist length black hair fell carelessly over her shoulders, framing a face that could only have come from one of Di Vinci's paintings. ' Angel or demon? ' V wondered. She was definitely not of his world--who was she, and where had she come from? He watched as she staggered on her feet, trying to get her balance--but it was already too late--the fingermen moved toward her.

“ Where did you come from, lovely?” The first asked, his hand reaching out to steady her. “ Are you an actress from one of the theaters?”

“ If she is, Peterson, that was one of the best entrances I have ever seen.” Laughter.

“ How 'bout a private performance for us?” The second fingerman laughed as he reached inside his coat pocket, producing a wallet and badge.

The girl stared absently, the book still clutched tightly to her chest.

“ C' mon sweetheart, show us some of your talents.” The third fingerman reached out and grabbed her shoulder roughly.

"Jazelyn regained her senses and looked into the man's eyes. “ Don't touch me.”

She said coldly and backed away.

Peterson reached out and grabbed her by the cape, “ Not the time to play bashful, missy.”

The book fell from her arms onto the wet pavement. The last fingerman caught her from behind, while his friend approached, one of his hands on his belt buckle, the other reaching for her dress.

“ The gates of mercy, shall all be shut up...' A voice broke through the darkness.

“ What the hell...?” The first fingerman said, looking around.

“ And the flesh'd soldier, rough and hard of heart...' A sudden figure appeared amidst them.

“ We're police officers, pal.” The third fingerman responded, “ We're with the Finger.” He pulled out his wallet, flashing his badge.
“ So bugger off!”

“ In liberty of bloody hand shall range, with conscience wide as hell.” (1) In clenched leather fists, a flash of steel flickered in the light.

“ He got a bloody knife!” A voice exclaimed as the figure attacked, the hilt of his knife making contact with the fingerman's face, knocking him ten feet into a nearby wall. A gun cocking caught his ears, but before the hammer fell, a knife was embedded into the fingerman's chest and gone before the body hit the wet pavement. In a matter of seconds, three bodies lay in the alleyway--the figure's attention turned toward the last fingerman.

“ Oh god! Don't hurt me!” The fingerman pleaded; desperately trying to pull his pants up, looking at the white grinning mask walking toward him, he bolted, running from the alley. The figure turned toward the girl. Reaching down, he picked up the large book and handed it to her.

“ Are you hurt?”

“ No, thanks to you.” Jazlyn stared at the figure all dressed in black before her, but what caught her attention was the white and black mask that never left her eyes. “ Who are you?”

A chuckle escaped from under the mask. “ Who is but the form following the function of what, and what I am is a man in a mask.”

“ I can see that, I'm not blind, you know.”

“ I'm not questioning your powers of observation, I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.” The man answered.
Jazlyn stared.

“ But, since this is a most auspicious night, then permit me to suggest the character of this dramatis persona. Wa-la! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by Fate. This visage, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vanished, a visitation of a by-gone era standing vivified, now vowing to vanquish the vernal and vivulent vermin van-guarding the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition!”

Jazlyn watched as the man carved a “V” into a nearby poster attached to a wall adjacent to her that read: ' Strength through Unity. Unity through Faith.'

Jazlyn looked around her. “ What year is this?”

“ The year is 2012.” He answered.

“ What city is this?”

“ New London.” He answered, “ Why?”

“ It worked! Oh god, it worked!” The girl exclaimed happily, but her happiness was short lived when she realized that this London was nothing like the one she had been watching on the television a few night ago in her own time. Jazlyn noticed that the mask had tilted toward her.

After a moment of silence, he spoke.” If I might ask, how did you come to be here?”

“ You saw that, huh?” Jazlyn looked down at her feet, then faced him once again. “ I had hoped no one would see the rift open.”

“ Rift? ” He questioned.

“ From the spell.” Jazlyn answered.

“ You are a scientist?”

“ No, not exactly, “ she frowned, “ I'm a witch.”

“ Of, course you are.” He replied watching the young woman standing in front of him.

“ And what does that mean?” A tinge of anger creeped into Jazlyn's voice.

“ It means that I, like God, do not play with dice, and I do not believe in coincidences.” He paused, “ And if I may so, simply add, that it is my very good honor to meet you, and you may call me V. “ He bowed deeply to her.

“ Jazlyn Sommers.” She smiled at the strange man standing before her.

“ Jaz-lyn...” The name rolled softly off V's tongue.” Avery beautiful name.”

Suddenly, the sound of sirens rushing toward them made V scoop Jazlyn into his arms, and disappear into the nearby shadows of the alleyway. In a matter of minutes, police cars and several ambulance swarmed over the area with the dead Fingermen.

“ How'd you do that?” Jazlyn asked standing next to V on a nearby roof top, watching the scene unfold below them.

“ How indeed.” V replied taking out an antique pocket watch. It was almost midnight.

“ Almost time.”

“ Time for what?” Jazlyn asked.

“ Do you like music, Jazlyn? “ She watched as he moved around the roof top.

“ Music? “

V turned to her.” Yes, music--my music. You see, Jazlyn, I am a performer.”

“ Is that why you wear that?” She asked pointing to the mask.

" We all wear masks. Life creates them and forces us to find the one that fits. “ He paused, looking out over the skyline. “ And you, dear Jazlyn, what do you hide beneath yours?”

Jazlyn looked at the mask, and lowered her eyes. “ A curse.” She answered slowly.

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The black and glass five story building that served as the headquarters for the Norsefire government broke the New London skyline like a huge mountain rising from the depths of hell, and the devil himself was holding court at this very moment. High Chancellor Adam Sutler stared into the monitor before him, two of the government department heads sat at a semi-circular table, ready to deliver their evening reports.

“ Gentlemen, I will hear your reports, now. Mr. Heyer, begin.”

Heyer looked up from the monitor representing the Eye, the governmental organization responsible for the visual surveillance systems throughout the city. “ We have less than two minutes of usable footage from the alleyway, Chancellor. It took the suspect less than a minute to dispatch the Finger's vice patrol.” Heyer answered as he cued footage of V rescuing Jazlyn from one of the street mounted cameras. “ As you can see, the suspect's reflex speed is extraordinary--as is his strength.”

“ Freeze it! “ Sutler exclaimed staring at the smiling face.
Heyer stared into the monitor. “ Because of the mask, retinal identification is impossible.”

“ Are you sure it's the same man?” Sutler asked.

“ Yes, sir. It's definitely the terrorist known to us as ' V'. “ Heyer replied.

“ Report for the Ear, Mr. Etheridge.” Sutler turned his attention to the man seated to Heyer's right.

“ We are currently monitoring a lot of phone surveillance indicating a high percentage of conversations pertaining to your news conference this evening, Chancellor.' Etheridge paused, “ Also a lot of concern about the explosions that have occurred throughout the city over the last several months. All suspect or significant transcripts are being forwarded to Mr. Almond.”

" Very good.”

An intercom interrupted. “ Chancellor, Mr. Almond has arrived.”

“ Keep me informed of any further developments, gentlemen. England prevails.”
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“ Do you know what day it is, Jazlyn?” V asked turning to her.

“ No, I don't.” She answered truthfully.

“ It's November fifth.” V answered looking out over the city. Rising above the rooftops, Big Ben shone against the night sky. “ Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.” He tilted the mask in her direction. “ Tell me Jazlyn, what good is an actor that plays his part to an empty theater?”

Jazlyn shook her head, watching him closely. This man was insane!

“ Nor do I.” V replied, “ That's why you are here. I need you Jazlyn. I need someone to listen.”

“ To your music? “ She asked, still wondering where this was all going.

“ Yes. Yes, to my music..” He replied pulling a conductor's wand from his sleeve. “ Can you hear it? It's already begun.”

Jazlyn glanced at him. “ I don't see an orchestra, much less hear any music.”

“ Your powers of observation continue to do you justice...” V paused, still waving the wand gently in the air. “ At first, you have to listen closely...”

Jazlyn watched as V continued to conduct the invisible orchestra, until finally, her ears caught the first notes of the violins and horns that seemed like a whisper on the wind.

“ Ah, yes.” V spoke softly, “ There it is. Beautiful, is it not?” He turned to the parapet, his gestures growing grander as Jazlyn recognized Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The music mounted to a climax, and V pointed the wand at Big Ben as cymbals crashed and the tower exploded with such force the world seemed to shake. V pointed again with another crescendo and one of the nearby Norsefire building was blown to bits. V nodded in appreciation while mastering the music towards its finale as fireworks began lighting up the New London skyline.

Jazlyn stood in awe as the dazzling shimmer of the fireworks blazed into a strobal blitz leaving a single, starry image floating in the smoke filled sky.

“ It's beautiful.” Jazlyn spoke as she watched the letter ' V ' fade into the distance.

“ Thank you.” V answered as sirens erupted from every direction in the city. “ I believe that is our cue to leave.” He stuffed the wand into his jacket sleeve and looked at Jazlyn, who smiled back at the smiling mask.
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Shadowsteps