My name is Alexandria Ryan and even though you may have never heard of me before, you will after my story is been told. I am, well, I was an assassin paid by the government to take care of big wigs that get in the way. I am no longer fit to be an assassin, I am no longer fit to do many things that I used to, but don't let me get ahead of myself. A good writer doesn't give away the ending of their story before it even begins. And I my friends am a good writer. There is so much I have to tell you, so much I want you to know about my life as well as others. I do not want my story to fall on deaf ears or weak eyes. This life is meant to be talked about, meant to be noticed because no one wants to die in vain, least of all me. I will say that I did and still do love a man, if you could call him just a man. To me he's so much more. He saved my life before and therefore he is my life. My story all starts and ends with him.
I remember him at a young age. He saved me from a man who had captured me in order to violate innocence. I would never have seen my 13th birthday if it wasn't for him my savior, my hero Ozymandias. And for that I will be eternally grateful.
When I first laid eyes on his form in the darkness I wanted nothing more than to hug him and cry, but I was speechless. All I could do was stare at him in shock. I had never seen a man so perfect in every way. He told me that everything was going to be alright now, and that I was safe from harm. Then he gently placed a hand on my arm and swiftly led me out of the black abyss and into the busy streets of New York. There he asked me where I lived. I remember telling him I was an orphan, and that I lived in an orphanage two blocks from where we were. I gave him the street address and he made sure I was brought home safely. On our way to the orphanage he asked me politely how I became an orphan. I told him that my parents left me in the hospital to which I was born because they believed I had something wrong with me. Ozymandias seemed bewildered by my response. I could see in his deep blue eyes that he held remorse for me. This confused me to no end. Here stood a man so immense and glorious saving my life, who actually took pity on me?
As we walked along the dirty streets we made sure to stay close to the shadows so as not to attract too much attention. He kept staring at me as he led me towards my destination. It wasn't the creepy obsessive stare that I had received earlier from the monstrous man in the alley, but a look that gave the description that he was studying me more than anything. Perhaps he was making sure I wasn't hurt too bad and that I was able to stay on my feet. Even though I was scrawny, pale, and plain looking, I at least had the strength to keep going. I wanted to get as far away from the streets as I could. What I wanted more than anything at that moment was for this man, my hero, to take me far away to a place where no one could find me. To take me away from these streets, away from the city, away from the orphanage, and away from all the people who never really cared about me.
I don't remember much else from that night, but we did have small conversations here and there as he protected me from the evil streets. I remember his hand being warm and strong. I remember the smell of this god-like creature, and how it seemed to linger in the smoke infested air. And I remember his kind and gentle smile that held the assurance that someday things would be better soon. I told him that he seemed like the type of man that could make the world better. His reaction to that was shock, which quickly turned into the same gentle smile he held just moments before. Apparently I had said something that struck a chord. I hoped it had affected him in a good way, but before I was able to think more upon what I had said we had arrived at the orphanage.
When we approached the door he leaned in to knock, and within moments the door flew open to reveal a very teary eyed woman who I knew to be faking. She was the caretaker of the orphanage and she didn't give a shit about us. Turns out she had seen us coming through the windows and recognized the superhero as Ozymandias. He was her favorite because he was the most handsome and brilliant of them all, and now was her chance to show him how great of an actress she was.
I looked up at his face to see if he was buying any of this façade, and I could tell from his very bored glare that he wasn't. I had hoped then that maybe he would see the fraud and decide to take me with him back to his mansion that I was sure he owned. Instead he briefly addressed the woman and put me back in her clutches, and there was the end of my fairytale evening. He soon ran off into the night to fight other criminals and save other lives that needed the heroism. I didn't want him to save anyone else. I only wanted him to be my savior, my hero, and I felt selfish for thinking those thoughts. I was selfish for thinking those thoughts, and I hated it.
Later in life I came to realize that I was the last person he had saved in his crime fighting days. It seems that my selfish thoughts paid off. The very day after he rescued me, he chose to retire and reveal his true identity to the public. He was none other than Adrian Veidt. This was a little harder for me to take in. The man who had rescued me that day in the alley was a rich playboy? I remember watching the tv screen in disbelief as I swallowed a spoonful of cheerios. No it couldn't be. Not him, anyone but the smartest man alive.
During that time I had felt so insignificant and insecure. How could someone so heroic, so amazingly brilliant, wish to save a small and ugly girl such as myself? There I realized the importance of the Watchmen such as Ozymandias. Before I was rescued I had thought nothing of them. They were a bunch of adults running around in silly costumes trying to show the world that there were some good people left who wanted to help. All I could see were a bunch of psychopathic fools who obviously didn't have the best of childhoods. I was proven wrong the night I was almost destroyed.
Yes Adrian seemed quite narcissistic when announcing to the public that his alias was Ozymandias. Yes he was a filthy rich stuck up prick, but he was a filthy rich stuck up prick who protected me when I needed someone the most. It showed in even the smallest of ways that he cared for people. He wasn't one to stand around and watch an innocent life raped and murdered. No. He was better than that.
After he was unmasked I began to study up on his lifestyle. I wanted to learn all that I could about him. I knew I could never be as intelligent as he was, but I wanted other abilities that he carried. I wanted to gain strength and to eat healthier. I would no longer be a helpless human being suffering under the hands of a killer, especially since the Keene Act was passed. Watchmen could no longer hold their vigilante status unless they wanted to be sent to prison. I had to be strong, I had to be able to defend myself in times of need, and I had to someday thank Veidt for showing me how to become a better person. Adapting to the system of treating my body as a temple I began my training. I watched tv programs that Adrian would appear on to show certain fighting styles, and I copied all of his moves. Since I was a child I had a curious talent. This gift was simple and efficient. It allowed me to copy any ability that I viewed. I merely had to watch someone do anything at least once and I could copy their actions move by move. I was never really sure as to when or how I gained this, but for some reason or another I've been able to do it since I can remember.
At age 14 my body was adjusting quite well throughout the stages of early puberty and certain training exercises I had planned for each day. I was determined to be strong and agile so I could someday be like Ozymandias and save others that needed my help. My entire life I spent believing that no one ever really cared about who I was as a person, so I thought being a hero would be cause for praise. I had decided a while back that I would become a superhero, but it wasn't until I had reached the age of 15 that I finally found my true name, Jade Phoenix. It fit my persona perfectly in so many different ways. I spent days looking up distinct names that I could one day call my own, and I remember sitting in my room at the orphanage looking up the meanings of all kinds of words. I was sitting on the bottom bunk flipping through numerous pages of encyclopedias, dictionaries, and the occasional book of myths that I simply liked to read on my spare time. After a while I grew tired of searching for the perfect name and began to read tales of gods and goddesses, along with the most powerful mythical creatures that great minds once created. I could never get enough of these stories, and it was here that I found a piece of my identity. As I grabbed another book from my ever growing pile that had resided on the bedroom floor, I somehow managed to pick a book dedicated to the unique and fascinating creature the phoenix. The moment I opened the first page I was hooked. It was an ancient mythological firebird that would die by igniting its own self and then be reborn as a new bird through its own ashes. Simply outstanding and beautiful, it was first derived from the Egyptian, and later, Greek mythology.
I had to be a phoenix, the night I was almost raped I died to myself, and when Ozymandias saved me I was reborn. Through his heroism I became a new being, if I had been raped that night I would have simply been a phoenix that had ignited, and would never be reborn. I also found the phoenix to be significant because it was first found in Egyptian and Greek mythology. From studying up on Adrian I remembered learning that he adored all Egyptian and Greek aspects of life. Phoenix had to be the symbol for me. If it wasn't then what else could be?
Of course I was still only half way done on finding my name. I needed something else to add to phoenix. It didn't feel right to fight crime and state myself as the Phoenix. I decided to look for anything that could bring more of a description to phoenix. In the end I went with a color that would spice things up, well actually in this colors case, cool things down. It was the color Jade. My favorite color was and will always be green, while my favorite stone had to be jade because of its green undertones, and it truly was a beautiful gem. I backed up my love for jade by finding the true meaning of the stone, and revealed an extremely accurate reason as to why I had become a superhero in the first place. The Imperial families in Asia had called it the 'Jewel of Heaven' and it was said to be the stone of immortality and a symbol of purity. It brought about charity, modesty, courage, justice and wisdom.
As Jade Phoenix
When I first worked as a waitress I began living at the YMCA, and met many interesting and talented people. One in particular became a dear friend of mine. Her name was Tessa and her life was in ruins. What was so amazing about her was her drive. She understood the hardships of life and had the same desire as mine. Tessa had two lives, one was a waitress working for the system under the radar, and the other was a superhero training to protect and prevent the bad harming those few good people left.
"Approaching target destination. Prepare for drop." said a harsh voice through the speaker system bring Jade back to the present. She took a deep breath and tucked the small black book into a pocket on her bag which she then slung over her back and headed for the door at the back of the plane.
Here she was at Karnak, a place she never knew existed. It was such a bizarre and remote location for such an immensely sophisticated building. She had no idea, that Ozymandias created this place for his getaway residence. How could she have not known? She knew almost everything about him. Almost. she still wasn't sure what his sexual preference was, or his personal favorites such as meals or music. She wanted to know so much about him and she couldn't find that in interviews or random infomercials for his company. She needed to meet him, to sit down and discuss our thoughts and ideas, whatever they may be. But for now that would have to wait, she thought to herself. For now she would do what the government originally sent her here to accomplish. She was their personal mercenary and she was on a mission. Her job now was to take down one of the most influential and powerful man in this world. Jade was in Karnak to assassinate Adrian Veidt.
She stepped to the platform that was lowering and felt the blast of bone chilling air. Her suit while skin tight was actually thermally protected so she did not shiver. She turned once to look into the hard face of her commander who gave her a curt nod, and then she leapt gracefully as a diver from the plane. Her body twisted and turned in beautiful arcs and she fell. Extending her arms so the custom made suit with it's flaps of material on the sides allowed her to glide easily onto the roof of the massive structure where she landed cat like. She unzipped the flying suit and stuffed it carefully into her bag which she stowed in a corner of the roof protected from the wind, and then she slunk to the nearest vent and dropped into it lithely.
There was a massive room that coincidentally was practically empty. There were statues lining the walls. These statues were tall forms of Egyptian gods and goddesses that seemed to stare down at whoever would pass by their immense feet. Jade stuck to the sides of the walls making sure not to be too out in the open. She didn't know where Adrian might be lurking and it was best not to just walk into the main entrance of Karnak by simply marching down the center. She noticed on the far left of the main room there was a giant wall of televisions and before the tvs sat a big golden chair that was beautifully crafted. Jade wondered what all the tvs were for. None of them were on at the moment, but why were they there to begin with. Did he use them to spy on the world and all its happenings? No wonder the government seemed so adamant about the demise of this international titan. He was too smart for his own good, too much of a megalomaniac. Even still, she couldn't help but feel pride for this man. The world was jealous of his amazing potential. Jealous and scared of what he could and would do with it.
Jade snapped out of her reveries and focused on her stealth and the fact that she was extremely curious of the tv sets and the immaculate chair before them.
"Ah screw it," she said to herself and swiftly made her way away from the statues and towards the other side to the wall of televisions. If Adrian was anywhere around here he could see her all he wanted. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that there was no need to sneak up on him. Ozymandias was the smartest man alive and probably already expected someone to come and kill him, especially now. Now after Rorschach's journal escaped into the New Frontiersman everyone was wary of Adrian Veidt. What had he done that Rorschach was writing about? The world was worried and it was Jade who would come and save the day whether she wanted to or not. Of course she idolized Adrian, but money was money and she was being offered more than she could ever make in a lifetime. Finally she had made it to the televisions fighting the temptation to turn them all on. Instead she turned her curiosity towards the chair. It was beautiful. Jade couldn't help but think that to her the chair was even more beautiful because of the idea that Adrian sat in this chair.
Adrian. Yes that was why she was here. Jade brushed her hands through her hair sighing "I have to do this." She looked up to the sight of stairs that led up to other areas of Karnak. "Time to get to work." She smiled sadly and ran up the stairs to search for her target. She couldn't think of him as Adrian anymore. If she kept dwelling on the man she would soon kill, she wouldn't be able to do it. He was her target now and nothing more. She had to forget that he saved her once, and was always her hero after that. Jade was a mercenary first and foremost. She was good at what she did, and soon the smartest man in the world would know this too.
Adrian was in his library looking through a series of books that he had read several times in the past. He had an entire library filled to the brim with the most intelligent books ever written. This was his sanctuary. So much knowledge in one room, and the world couldn't handle it. He felt betrayed. He had done so much for the world and now they were afraid of him. How could they be this way?
There came a noise outside the library doors. It sounded like the pitter patter of running feet and they were quickly coming closer. Adrian could tell from the sounds that it was only one person, and they seemed to be in a hurry to find him.
Finally, Adrian deduced, they've decided to send someone to come and kill me. Poor fool, apparently they weren't told of who they were dealing with. Even though Adrian believed this, there was still many gnawing thoughts that wished to resurface to the front of his consciousness. What if this person they sent is actually able to defeat me? What if it's not even a person coming to assassinate me? There was still one person he thought of that would actually know where to find him, and want to pay a visit. Could it be Scarlet?
The footfalls grew louder and finally burst through the library doors. It most definitely wasn't Scarlet. Instead it was another woman who seemed to have hair of fire because it was an interesting mixture of blonde and red that flowed freely over her suit. Now the suit itself was of black latex embroidered with green flames that gave the illusion of the suit catching fire as well. It was a beautifully crafted suit that could only be custom made by the government. His first thoughts were correct. They had sent an assassin to take "care" of him.
Her appearance was fierce and ready for battle. She didn't bother to hide her face from him, nor did she give off the air of fear. This woman knew who she was after and knew what had to be done. For once Adrian actually felt like this fight would be worthwhile. It reminded him of what it must have felt like for Edward Blake in his final moments when Adrian came to silence him.
"Ozymandias , aka, Adrian Veidt?" She asked even though she knew the answer.
"Yes that is me," Adrian said with a smug expression. She had to have been enjoying this.
"My name is Jade Phoenix and I have come to murder you." Let the games begin.
The woman with blazing hair didn't strike right away as Adrian had expected her to. Instead she seemed at a standstill while eyeing Adrian who was scrutinizing every move that she was making. He was in a statuesque position holding his posture, readying himself for when she would eventually attack. He didn't exactly care if she could destroy him or not since all that he had achieved seemed in vain. No, he simply wanted to enjoy one last battle with a worthy enough foe.
In mere seconds her beauty stood before him and in a flash she had vanished now taking her place behind him. Adrian quickly spun around to find his killer when a fist was sent flying towards his face. The impact never came as he maneuvered his body into a crouching position and slammed his fist into Jade's side. There was a loud oomph noise as she staggered sideways and into a shelf full of books. Adrian watched as she easily snapped back into a fighting stance to which she swiftly threw herself into a handstand and flipped over his head landing behind him once again. This time Adrian turned to her expecting another fist only to be met with a leg literally sweeping him off his feet. He fell backwards hitting his head hard against the polished marble floor. Being disoriented for just a moment, Jade took that moment to straddle Adrian's form and wrap her fingers tightly around his neck. She was able to strangle him for a few seconds before a pair of arms came up through her own and latched onto her throat.
Even though Jade could hold her own quite well, Adrian was much stronger. He had been training many years before she had. Adrian now had the upper hand and switched their positions so that now he was straddling Jade. Both were still choking each other until Jade let go of Adrian's neck to perform a karate chop using her right hand hitting his throat at a downward angle. This made him cough and sputter quite profusely. Letting go of her neck, he fell backwards in shock at the intense blow she had just bestowed upon him. She stood up quickly and threw her entire right leg into Adrian's face. Blood now splattered like paint across the floor. Adrian turned his face back towards her view to reveal an already bruising and bloody cheek.
"Well Miss Phoenix", Adrian dribbled out before spitting up more blood. He leaned onto his knee for support as he began to stand. "It seems that I've finally met my match."
Jade smirked at his remark. "It seems you have Mister Veidt. Now if you could please just give up altogether, I'm sure this would be a lot easier for the both of us in the end."
Adrian let out a boisterous yet completely entrancing laugh. "My dear I'm far from finished. I want to see what else you can do." He flashed his dazzling smile, now coated with a pasty red color.
Their battle raged on for what felt like hours with neither one giving up, or giving in. In the end it was Adrian who was feeling the worst of it. He was much older than this young woman, and he was a little rusty on his fighting as he hadn't fought in years. Although he still trained every day, his heart wasn't into it as he used to be. Since Scarlet left him he really had no one. All of Karnak had been empty, besides the occasional genetically altered animal there was absolutely no visible life for miles. Now after years of no human contact, a human being stood before him only sent on a mission to kill him, and quite frankly Adrian had had enough.
They were currently in an intricate dance of fists, blocks and dodges when Adrian gave up altogether. What would have been a nicely blocked punch now connected and threw the massive man down onto the cold floor. He was a bloody mess, and so was she but it was much more noticeable on him because of his now stained shirt. Her outfit was a slippery , black and green latex that covered her entire body. If there were any bruises or blood stains no one would be able to tell.
Jade now stood over Adrian's beaten form with a startled and puzzled look residing on her bruised face. Why did he stop so suddenly? Did he just not care anymore, and now wants to die? Perhaps he did she thought as he grabbed a hold of her leg and stared at her with an intensely defeated gaze.
"Please finish me", he said with a twisted and torn smile.
She was struck with an overwhelming sense of sadness. I have to, she thought to herself. I have to kill him, government's orders. But you know you can't. Jade's conscience was speaking to her now, and it was saying the truth.
Bending down and reaching into her boot she found a knife she had stored there previously for this exact moment. Pulling it out Jade made one quick motion and lifted Adrian's head for better access, and held the knife to his neck. She stared into his ready eyes and tried to prepare herself as well. Still she couldn't muster up the strength to take his life. So many years ago he had been the one to save her. How could she kill the only man that ever meant anything to her?
She let go of his head and dropped the knife which made several metallic crashes when it finally hit the floor. Tears were sent forth spilling from her eyes and dropped like massive raindrops that had no end in sight. "I can't", she managed to whisper with a shaky voice. "I can't do it. I just can't." Jade collapsed onto the cold hard floor and curled her knees to her chest. All she could do was cry. She knew she was being weak especially in the presence of this man, but she didn't care. Upon arriving in Karnak she had come with a purpose, to kill the only man who ever showed compassion to her, and she failed. It was now in this moment that she realized life was worth so much more than money. This man had valued her life once before, and it was her time to return the favor.
There was a rustling noise next to her as Adrian pushed himself up into a sitting position and crawled his way to her side. He reached for her arm and grabbed it gently as he lifted the both of them up and brought her close to his chest. Jade felt safe and warm there as she wept into his already wet and stained shirt. If only these tears could wash away these stains, she thought. And that was the last thing she could remember.