Legacy

Austin and Jason Cade were brothers. Like most brothers, they quarreled, Austin was the older brother, and he always looked out for Jason. This obviously created animosity, it was never anything past a brief fist fight or a shouting match.

As the brothers got older, they began to head their separate ways. Austin focused on school and education, Jason, meanwhile, joined a local street gang that was on the rise named EMPYRE. Austin would try to set his brother straight on several occasions, each time, he was met with more hostility than the last. Tension grew between the two and it was obvious there had to be a showdown between them.

Late one evening Austin received a call from Jason, he told Austin he was in trouble with some guys in the alley behind a local convenience store. Austin got out of bed and headed to the alley where Jason said he was. Upon his arrival, Austin knew he had been set up as he was surrounded by Jason and the several members of EMPYRE, all armed with crowbars.

The brothers were face to face in the alley, Jason with crowbar in hand, Austin with his hands at his side. Jason began slapping the crowbar against the palm of his hand in an attempt to intimidate his older brother. Austin narrowed his eyes at Jason and warned him that if he was going to do something, he'd better get the job done right. With the encouragement of the other gang members, Jason assaulted his brother violently with a crowbar shot to the face, knocking out some teeth and sending a sickening cracking sound throughout the alleyway. Austin fell back into some trashcans as he spit out the mouthful of teeth and blood. EMPYRE continued their encouragement for Jason, who soaked up their adulation. Overcome with rage and adrenaline, Jason continued his assault on Austin until Austin was unconscious. As Jason was looking down at Austin, who was a bloody mess, one of the other gang members handed him a half broken bottle. He then ordered Jason to "wreck his pretty face" Jason took the bottle and cut Austin's face. This completed Jason's initiation into EMPYRE.

An hour later Austin started to regain consciousness, his face was covered in blood, he couldn't speak since his jaw had been broken from the shot with the crowbar. Austin picked himself up momentarily before falling back down and losing consciousness again. Several hours later, Austin came too in a hospital bed with his face wrapped in bandages. A doctor came in and explained that the scarring on his face would be permanent. After he was released, Austin left Alcove City, hoping to leave the nightmare behind him.

Without Austin to hold him back, Jason was able to rise through the criminal ranks of EMPYRE. The combination of an undermanned police force and EMPYRE'S growing member rate meant EMPYRE took over Alcove City. Once Jason earned enough credit, he became the leader of EMPYRE. In his new role as rule, Jason met a woman named Catherine, in Jason's mind he had finally made it.

Three years had passed since the showdown in the alley way. Jason was well established, he had built a home in the middle of the city with his initials on the roof top in bright red lettering. As Jason soaked up the party life of Alcove, Austin was in a small apartment right on the outskirts of the city, trying to deal with life as a disfigured man, along with the emotional scarring of Jason's betrayal. Late one evening Austin was brushing his teeth while staring at himself in the mirror, it was the first time he looked at his face since the night of the assault. He gently ran the tips of his fingers across the scars and broke out into a maniacal laughter, repeating "He did it, he did it" to himself.

Austin drove down to a local costume shop, wearing a ski mask to hide his face. He purchased a tube of white paint and red paint before going back to his home. Once he got home, Austin began to smear the white face paint all over his face while cackling, he then traced the imprints of his scars with the red paint, giving him the appearance of a clown who had fallen into a pile of broken glass. Austin then put on a white suit with a red tie and drove back into Alcove City, ready to do whatever it took to save his brother from his life of crime.

Alcove hadn't changed much in three years, the city was still lit up late at night in bright, vibrant colors, the streets still crowded with people, all of whom wore various unique attire, it even still smelt like a crisp ocean breeze on a cold fall night. Even with Alcove's eccentric characters, Austin stood out as the multi-colored lights gave him an even more wild appearance.

As Austin walked down the street he saw four men with the EMPYRE embroidered jackets go into a night club. Austin followed the men, knowing they were the best shot he had finding Jason's location. When Austin walked in all eyes were on him along with the green and purple flickering lights. Austin's ghostly appearance was even more enhanced with the lighting. Austin sauntered past a few tables, before sitting at the bar and ordering a ginger ale. With-in seconds, the EMPYRE members had surrounded his stool. "Hey freak, you look familiar, what's your name?" A tall, heavyset guy with grayish black hair shouted. "Names are for friends, so I don't need one" Austin says in a low whisper. The gang member did not take too kindly too this and began hurling obscenities at Austin.

Austin paid for his soda before calmly asking where he could find Jason Cade. They responded with even more cursing. "Such potty mouths, it's not nice to swear at people you know." Austin chuckles. Austin then grabbed his bar stool and swung it at the large man in front of him, knocking him down. The other customers in the bar scattered immediately as Austin stood his ground with three other EMPYRE members around him. Austin then knocked down the remaining member s and again asked where Jason was. Two of the thugs got up and tried to attack Austin but he fought them off. "One more time, then I'm going to get angry. Jason Cade where is HE!?" Austin shouted. Finally one of the men spoke up and told Austin, Jason was at his casino with Catherine. Austin glared down at the guy and laughed. "It's like pulling teeth with you people man!" Austin shouts. He then glares menacingly at the other customers in case they tried something before exiting the bar.

Jason's casino wasn't hard to find, it was a huge building with "CADE CASINO" in bright purple lights. Austin drove over to the casino preparing to confront his brother for the first time in three years. Once Austin arrived, he wasted no time in searching the casino for Jason, screaming his name. This attracted the attention of the security, who thought Austin was just a whacked out irate customer. They asked Austin to leave, Austin refused. He then got into a tussle with the two security guards that approached him. Similar to the bar, Austin was able to use his surroundings to his advantage, he grabbed a nearby trashcan and used it to beat down the security guards. After this, Catherine came down in an attempt to defuse the situation, "Well, well who is this ravishing beauty?" Austin asks. Catherine tell him who she is then brought him up to Jason's office.

When Catherine and Austin walked in, Jason was behind his large Oak wood desk counting his money. Jason barely looked up at Austin, so he was unaware that the brother he thought was left for dead, was in deed very much alive. Jason's office resembled a King's room, red wall to wall carpet, a brick fireplace, and a theatre sized television set directly across from Jason's desk. Jason had his let black hair slicked back, a pinstriped blue suit on and a cigar in his mouth. Austin then sat in the chair in front of Jason. Jason looked up and got his first good look at the bizarre man who sat in front of him. "Hmm, that's an interesting look. You look familiar, have we met before?" Jason asked puzzled. Austin laughs before saying: "Perhaps, you ever go to a circus as a kid?" in a soft whisper. Austin and Jason go back and forth as Jason tried to both figure out what Austin's issue was and where he had seen him before

Jason was in mid-sentence when he had finally placed who Austin was. Jason's face turned an ill-white and eyes widened with fear as he shot up from his chair. "No....you're supposed to be dead!" Jason says terrified. Austin got a wide, menacing grin across his face as he got up from his chair as well and began to follow Jason, who was walking backwards around his enormous office. Jason was face to face with his greatest fear and had no idea how to react. He had no idea what Austin was capable of now, Jason was scared and felt trapped. Jason pleaded with Austin not to kill him.

Austin stared at his brother coldly, before breaking out into laughter. "Kill you? Kill you Jason? You mean like you tried to kill me in that alley three years ago?" Austin shouted, before swiping Jason's desk clean. Jason began to quiver and beg for his life. "Please, please whatever you want, it's yours name it. Women, booze, power, money what do you want?" Jason cried. Austin laughed for several minutes before composing himself, "Anything?" Austin asks raising his eyebrow. "I want Rainbows and unicorns and big colorful balloons oh, oh and milk and cookies for everybody that's what I want! Make it happen magic man!" Austin cackled. "If that's what you want." Jason sobbed. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no that's not what I want!" Austin screamed just inches away from Jason's face. "I want you to stop living this lie you've claimed is your legacy. I want you to make something good of yourself Jason. Ultimately this life, it means nothing, your scum Jason and nobody respects scum. Once your so called followers get whatever they want from you, they'll turn on you." Austin says with authority. "You have a choice Jason, but you have to make the choice." Austin cackled. Jason told his brother, he wasn't changing he was living the American Dream and nobody was going to take that from him. Austin broke out in loud laughter, Austin settled himself down and placed his hand on Jason's shoulder. "Well then little brother, your so called legacy will resemble the Walls of Jericho, it will all come crashing down." Austin walked over to the door and grabbed the aluminum bat Jason kept. "This is nice, I think I'll keep it." Austin chuckled.

As Austin shut the door, Jason ordered four members of EMPYRE to follow him home and make sure he'd never see him again. EMPYRE did as they were told and followed Austin back to his home on the outskirts of Alcove City. The sun was beginning to rise and Austin had spent a good portion of the night fighting, he went home hoping to get some rest before continuing his mission the following day.

Austin laid down on the couch and fell asleep almost instantly, he was awaken by a crowbar shot to the gut, he fell off the couch clutching his mid-section in pain and screaming in agony. EMPYRE continued their attack trying to kill him. Austin was able to grab the bat he had taken from Jason from under the couch and began swinging at the legs of his attackers. Using this strategy, Austin was able to fight back and ground his four assailants. As Austin got to his feet he began kicking his attackers. "Now I'm angry!" Austin screamed. He beat the gang members unconscious, grabbed his bat and drove back into Alcove City preparing to confront his brother for what he wanted to be the last time.

Austin stormed into the casino, this time smashing the slot machines with the bat then turning over the roulette tables. "I'm asking this one time, Jason Cade is he here?" Austin says breathing heavily. A security guard who was absolutely terrified pointed into the direction of Jason's office. Austin stormed up to the office but Jason wasn't there but Catherine was. "Ahh, Catherine my sweet your wonderful husband tried to kill me again, where is he?" Austin asked with an icy glare towards her. Catherine, in fear for her own safety told him Jason had gone home. "Thank you. By the way that blue dress, ravishing on you my lady." Austin says with a smile before turning to leave.

Austin drove to Jason's estate prepared to fight. Austin knocked at the door too no answer, Austin shrugged his shoulders then broke the door in with the bat. Jason had certainly made a luxurious home for himself. He had white marble floors, his living room had a gigantic flat screen television with all black leather furniture, and small Egyptian artifacts along the shelf that overlooked his fireplace. Austin wondered around the house, randomly knocking down Jason's trinkets, while singing "Whoops there goes another rubber tree plant, then laughing hysterically at himself. Austin then walked throughout the house just smashing pictures and vases at random. He then got upstairs and found Jason's office which mimicked the office at the casino.

Austin sat behind the desk and put his feet up on Jason's desk and waited for his brother to return home. Moments later Jason arrived home and rushed into his home which he saw had been broken into. Jason shouted, daring the thief to show himself. Once he was satisfied that whoever had vandalized his home was gone, he went upstairs to his office. Jason stopped dead in his tracks as he came face to face with Austin. "No, it, it couldn't be!" He whispered in disbelief. Austin stood up and laughed. "Yes little brother, it is I back from the dead....again!" Austin then stepped in front of the desk. "Now Jason, you've tried having me killed twice, I'm starting to think you don't like me very much. But that's okay, we're brothers and I'm going to set you straight, even if it kills me." Austin cackled.

Austin drags the tip of his bat across the marble floor, the sound alone sent chills down Jason's spine. Jason dropped to his and pleaded for his life. Austin drags the tip of the bat as he walks a methodical circle around Jason. He stops once he is back in front of Jason, and places the tip of the bat at his chin. "Stand." Austin orders. Jason slowly rises to his feet and stares his brother eye to eye. Austin then outstretches the hand with the bat in it and drops his weapon. "Now you have two choices, option A, you drop the EMPYRE colors and this mirage your living, option B you and I can fight one last time. The choice is yours Jason." Austin says with a sly grin creeping across his face. Jason punches Austin in the face and tells him he was going to finish what he started in the alley.

Jason then tackles Austin to the ground as him and Austin roll around trading punches. Eventually Jason is able to throw Austin through the doorway into the railing of the stairs. Austin and Jason then tumble down the stairs, only stopping when they crashed into the wall at the base of the stairs. "Man that was fun Jason, let’s go again!" Austin laughs before head-butting his brother in the mouth. The brothers again grapple this time from a standing position through the hallways of Jason's estate. They tussle into the kitchen, Jason is breathing heavily and Austin's paint has begun to chip from the physicality. As both brothers regain their breath, they exchange punches with Jason eventually able to get the upper hand.

Austin blocks an attempted right hook from Jason then charges at him, lifting him off of the ground and slamming him through the kitchen table. Both men are groaning in pain as they lay next to one another. "You done little brother? Can we talk like civilized human beings now?" Austin laughs. Jason grabs the leg of the table and swings it at Austin's head as both get back to their feet. Jason is able to eventually connect with the weapon to the gut of Austin, as Austin is hunched over, Jason knees Austin in the face, knocking him onto his back. Jason then stands over Austin's body, with the table leg held high above his head, ready to crash it down Austin's skull. Austin kicks Jason in the groin, dropping Jason immediately. "You pack a punch little brother.” Austin says with a mock applause. As Austin walks over to Jason, Jason kicks him in the knee then delivers four knees to Austin's face. Jason then swings with a wild punch, Austin ducks and counters with an elbow right to the jaw of Jason. Jason falls to the ground knocked out.

Austin, hunched over and breathing heavy looks down at his unconscious brother. "Stay right there Jason, I'll be back in a flash." Austin says patting Jason on the head as he begins to search the house. He was looking for duct tape to bind Jason into a chair with. After a short search, he was able to find some in a drawer upstairs. Austin walked back downstairs and placed Jason in a chair, then taped his arms to the chair and his mouth shut. He then looks around at the house which was completely ruined from both Austin's vandalism and from the battle Austin and Jason had. Austin slaps Jason in the face a few times in an attempt to bring him back to consciousness. Jason begins to come too and mutters something under the tape as he shakes his arms, trying to get loose.

Austin tears the tape from Jason's mouth, Jason then begins hurling obscenities at Austin. Austin places the tape back over Jason's mouth before placing his hand to his own mouth, feigning shock. "Jason, I'm trying, I'm trying, I'm trying to get through to you, but you’re making it very difficult for me." Austin says shaking Jason by his shoulders. Austin again removes the duct tape, but Jason again curses at Austin, Austin re-tapes Jason's mouth. "Jason you continually talk about your legacy, I got news for you little brother, that legacy is built on a lie. Your legacy is built upon a useless foundation, you built this legacy on my death and I'm alive and well....well sort of well given the weird face paint and all." Austin screams while smashing what little unbroken objects remained in the kitchen. "If this is what you want your legacy to be, then I can't help you. If you want a real legacy, a real foundation then turn from the gangster crap and do something good for yourself Jason. These followers of yours, how long do you think they'll follow you huh? Let me answer that for you, they will follow until they fear someone more than they fear you Jason. That's the problem with followers, their incapable of feeling loyalty or thinking for themselves, they just go with what is easiest to follow. Jason you have a chance at being truly great, but that's your decision, I've done all I can do." Austin says as he limps away into obscurity. Jason stayed there until Catherine got home and undid him.

In the days following these events, Austin was never seen or heard from again as he hid himself from a society that hates and mocks anything different out of fear it'd disrupt their trivial lives. Jason, he found redemption as he took the money he had left and put into a program for troubled kids who were heading down the same paths he had traveled. EMPYRE folded, without a leader to guide them, the members ended up in prison, seeking leadership of any form.

In the end the real legacy that Jason had created was, nobody was beyond redemption, you can make the choice today to become something good. It doesn't matter how horrible you've been or what you've done wrong, the choice is yours to change and in order to change you have to believe in the change and put in the work.