The Mark of Zahhak

His cape flitted in the cold wind. The full moon shone down upon the city. Flitterman was standing at a ledge as he looked down upon: Goat's Town, a state within Vespuccia. The name may not be charming, but the city was beautiful. Flitterman had come to Goat's Town in the hopes of tracking down Le Bouffon. A cry went out. Using SCP-5000, Flitterman flew towards the sound. He landed within an old, dark alley. Flitterman looked around, but there was no-one there. He then heard a drop hit the ground.

" Odd… it wasn't raining… "

Flitterman looked up. He quickly staggered back, as he looked upon the crucified, and very much dead… Le Bouffon. Flitterman was speechless. His eyes went wide through his mask.

" It had to be done. " said The Black Knight, as he stepped out from the shadows; " I only did what you could not. "

Jack just looked at Ben… he only had himself to blame… for it was Jack, back when he was: Spring-Heeled Jack, who had gunned down Benjamin's parents… Flitterman had a lot to answer for… but Ben would be his greatest mistake… his greatest regret… turning a sweet, innocent boy… into a hardened killer.

Flitterman just beheld The Black Knight. Ben's whole knight-like-hero-costume was worn down. There were dried blood splatters here and there. Guns on thighs and hips… and then there was that damned sword… still slick with Le Bouffon's blood.

Flitterman could only utter these words:

" What happened to you… "

" I am what you made me. "

" A killer? "

" A hero. "

" Hero? "

" Indeed. "

Jack paused.

" You are no Soter. "

" Neither are you. "

Jack looked intently at Ben.

" What do you mean? "

" A villain dressing up as a hero: hoping to make amends. "

Jack breathed heavily; the words clearly having affected him deeply.

" Benjamin… I am so- "

A shot landed next to Jack's foot.

" Do. Not. Call me that. " said The Black Knight, glaring through his visor, as he held up a revolver… the same revolver: which Jack had used to kill his parents. Flitterman just looked at him… his greatest crime… robbing the world of a sweet soul.

Ben looked on as Suit retracted from Jack's body - the whole thing resembling a certain black symbiote. Ben was now able to get a good look at him - his parents' killer. Jack Wayne was an elderly man: about mid-forties. His hair had grayed. His skin had wrinkled. And his steel-eyes had slowly rusted away. Jack held out his arms.

" Take it. " he said: " take your peace. "

Bang.

Jack fell to his knees, the bullet having gone through his chest. Ben walked over, kneeling before him. Jack had fallen to his side. He was trying to find Ben's eyes through the visor. With the last of his strength; Flitterman tapped The Black Knight's chest plate… right at the heart. He then joined the others at Valhal. Ben reached out: wanting to close his eyelids. That was when SCP-5000 sprang forth, attaching itself to Ben's whole body. The Black Knight tried to shake the symbiotic-like-substance off, but he was struggling in vain. For Suit had now fully covered his whole body. An interface appeared before Ben's eyes. He saw how Flitterman helped an old lady across the road. Helping a cat down a tall tree. And playing football with some kids. Ben looked on, as Suit was showing him all the good Jack had done. The Black Knight could not believe it… a tear ran down his cheek. His parents' murderer actually had a heart… I mean: why was he so surprised? There was a reason why Jack had spared him on that day. For as Spring-Heeled Jack held the tip of his gun against the child's forehead… he could not bring himself to pull the trigger. He had just killed the parents… why could he not kill the child? The child just looked up at him with damp, red eyes. There was no fear in those eyes: only pity. And it was that pity which made Jack regret his action, tossing his revolver, as he ran away. Leaving the child to the coming officers. Spring-Heeled Jack ran past the nearby theater; which was playing: The Mark of Zahhak.