William James Moriarty/Synopsis

* Pre-Fall
* Post-Fall

## The Merchant of London

The boy who would come to be known as "William" lived in an orphanage with his brother Louis in the slums. After discovering that someone stole money from the orphanage, the two seeked out the responsible man, Viscount Baxter. The boy erased the man's debt from the orphanage, but still lended him money he had to pay back and signed a contract.

As anticipated by the boy, Baxtor failed to pay and a trial did commence. He also knew how Baxter would try to find a loophole in the contract they had agreed on and managed to refute his arguments, forcing him to comply and give the boy all of his assets in the end. He and his brother donated a large portion of the money to the orphanage before disappearing.

## The Scarlet Eyes

The two brothers would arrive and live in another orphanage. With his immense intelligence and charisma, the boy would help people and acted as a leader of sorts to the other children. He eventually met the eldest Moriarty child, Albert James Moriarty, who would often visit the orphanage to help the children. After Albert found out about his future goal - to make everyone in Britain equal - he promised him all of his power and had his father adopt him and Louis.

Alongside Louis and Albert, he critically wounded his other adoptive brother William James Moriarty before burning him to death along with the rest of the Moriarty household, proceeding to take his name as his own and becoming known as William James Moriarty from then on.

The three brothers were taken in by the Rockwell family, where they meet Jack Renfield. From him they learn the art of killing and how to survive. One year after the mansion burned down, William, Albert and Louis entered Eton College. Due to his remarkable talent for mathematics, William earned the scholarship and title of "King's Scholar" alongside his brothers.

He then published a thesis at a young age and became university professor at the age of 21.

Thirteen years after the murder of the Moriarty household, William is now a professor for mathematics at a university in Durham, a town in the countryside. He tells an altered version of his background to his curious students, one in which they were a happy family and the fire was an unfortunate accident. William decides to continue the lesson, still determined to change the nation.

## The One Grapefruit Pie

Albert, Louis and William aquire an estate in Durham. William quickly discovers a looming problem in the town, and soon learns about Baron Dublin, who has ruled over the region and exploited its people for generations.

The Moriarty brothers lower the rent of their land, but William learns from Mr. Burton, who he's met before, that the prices on the baron's land are still the same. He also learns that Mr. and Mrs. Burton's son passed away due to disease after the baron refused to help them.

The brothers and the baron organize a dinner together with Mr. and Mrs. Barton attending. After Baron Dublin realizes who Mrs. Burton is, he freaks out. William reveals that the couple consulted him and the situation stresses the baron so much that he needs his medicine, but they only agree upon the baron signing a testament that he will give the workers his land after death. Baron Dublin thinks he's safe, but suddenly passes away at the table. William mentions that grapefruit, which they had for dinner, and his medicine should not be consumed together.

Mrs. Burton expresses her gratitude to William, whose only request is for her to live longer. He asks the couple to be witnesses to the nation he will create.

## The Dancers on the Bridge

During one of William's lessons, he discovers one of his students named Lucien has been missing for a week. A man called Dudley Bale shows up in the lecture hall, telling them that Lucien was unwell and is recovering in a hospital. William meets him again on campus and discovers Mr. Bale is not only a landlord in Durham, but is also aware of the alumni's wealth.

William visits the dormitory, where he finds Opium in Lucien's room, as well as journal entries talking about a girl he wants to marry. He manages to learn the name of the girl: Frida. William later requests help from Sebastian Moran and Fred Porlock.

The next day, William discovers Frida's and Lucien's story. Both fell in love, Frida became pregnant and they decided to get engaged. However, Dudley Bale showed up one day and told Frida that Lucien left her. She decided to raise the child alone, but jumped from the bridge shortly after.

William reunites with Moran and Fred, who found Lucien in an Opium warehouse. They manage to lure Dudley Bale to said bridge and get him to confess that he drugged Frida and caused her death. After William shows up, Moran begins shooting at Dudley Bale's feet. The latter tries to avoid it, running up the bridge and eventually falling. His crimes come to light, and his death is deemed a suicide.

Later, William and the group visit Frida's tombstone, saddened by this love being torn apart by status and determined to change the nation.

## The Case of the Noble Kidnapping

As part of a mission to bring down an Opium distribution ring, as well as promote Albert to the commander of the MI6, William disguises himself and sends a request for William James Moriarty to be kidnapped to the people behind the ring. After arriving in London on Albert's request, he does get kidnapped successfully.

Everyone pretends it's an accident, with Louis and the others seeking help from Albert and the military. William is brought to the old Moriarty estate where he is confronted with the boss of the group, Marlin, who violently demands William to hand over Opium stolen from Dudley. William is unfazed and reveals that he's behind the kidnapping, and that everything has been planned.

The military arrive at that moment, raiding the estate. William frees himself, killing one of the men and Marlin before reuniting with Moran. After the incident, the nobles protecting the Opium ring are taken down and Albert is promoted. William and Louis pick him up, deciding to have dinner together.

## The "Noahtic" Act

William holds a meeting with Louis, Albert, Moran and Fred, discussing how they are going to turn London into a city of crime. They intend to use death as a means to expose the nation's corruption and change the people's hearts.

Their first target in the grand plan is Blitz Enders, a renown noble who uses his hunting ground to kill lower class people. They plan to expose him on the "Noahtic" cruise. William's first interaction with him is in the dining hall, where he introduces himself. Afterwards, he walks through the ship, thinking about the plan, before he stops and admires a spiral staircase.

Another man in the room, who has been entertaining guests by guessing their professions, is suddenly asked to guess William's. This man is later revealed to be Sherlock Holmes.

He correctly deduces that William is a mathematician and explains his conclusion by analyzing William's actions. Interest piqued, William starts to analyze him as well and correctly lists off several of Sherlock's traits via his own deduction skills. Sherlock is surprised and entertained by William's demeanor, but is dragged off by the other guests.

The plan continues and the provoke Enders to slowly lose his temper, resulting in him murdering a commoner on board. William pretends to be concerned about the noise and walks in on the incident. He agrees on helping Enders get rid of the corpse, but has secretly set up a way to retrieve it.

The next day, William visits Enders during the opera performance, informing him about an audience member that looks like the man who was killed. Enders is lured under the stage and disovers the corpse from last night, stabbing him again in frustration. William orders for him to be raised up and his true nature is exposed to everyone.

When leaving the Noahtic, Sherlock approaches William. He explains that it was no ordinary murder and that it was set up by a third party. William entertains the conversation and eventually asks for his name, so the other introduces himself as Sherlock Holmes.

## A Study in "S"

After their meeting on the Noahtic, William decides to test Sherlock if he's suited for the role of the "detective" who will uncover the corruption of the nobility.

A man named Jefferson Hope seeks help for vengeance from William. He grants him the wish, but also gives Hope the instruction to leave the name "Sherlock" behind in the victim's blood to set the test in motion. Sherlock would also be given the opportunity to kill Hope in exchange for information about William, but Sherlock ultimately refuses.

This decision satisfies William, declaring him the "hero" of their tale.

## The Hunting of the Baskervilles

One night, Fred and Moran seek out William. Fred tells him about a hunting ground used by nobles to kill children. Although afraid this information is useless, William reassures him and agrees to join them in eliminating the manhunt. Shortly after, Louis expresses his sentiments of feeling left behind. William recognizes that it was his own protectiveness and ego to shelter Louis, so he agrees to let him come along for this mission.

The group manages to track down the hunting ground at dawn. William goes ahead, splitting up from Moran, Fred and Louis. He goes to the main fortress, where he eliminates the leader and saves two children. The four of them manage to kill all the hunters and save the children, making the mission a success. William thanks everyone and reassures Fred that as long as he despises evil, he will be his ally.

## The Man with the Golden Army

William is notified of Moran and Moneypenny's mission. When the two are set to leave for Afghanistan, William leaves Moneypenny a letter containing Moran's past. He informs her that the current target is the one responsible for the death of Moran's former squad, so he asks Moneypenny to keep an eye on him.

After the mission ends, Moneypenny informs him of its success. William is satisfied that Moran's past has been resolved and he now has Moran's complete devotion.

## The Two Detectives

One day, William and Louis take a train to London. They're suddenly approached by Sherlock, who also happened to be there. Sherlock talks about the recent murders and how there is a master criminal behind them, even accusing William of being said mastermind. William tells him it would be his job to prove it, but Sherlock says it's just a joke. He still mentions that it would be nice if William really were that criminal, so William plays along and tells him: "Catch me if you can, Mr. Holmes."

Shortly after, a corpse is discovered on the train. William and Sherlock agree on a competition to see who can solve the murder first, only having less than an hour. The two quickly piece together the events from investigating the crime scene. The perpetrator drugged the victim in an attempt to rob him, but the latter woke up, so the murderer stabbed them in panic before fleeing the scene.

William and Louis talk about the specifics of the case, revealing that the culprit must be part of the crew. William interviews them all personally, leaving a bit of his own blood on each of them because he knew the murderer would be evasive. When the staff is gathered and the murderer is revealed to be Eddie Hawthorne, he uses that to incriminate him further and get him to confess.

Sherlock, who has seen through William's bluff, invites him to dine together sometimes when the other two leave. On their way, William reveals his doing to Louis.

## A Scandal In British Empire

After Albert has been given the task by Mycroft to retrieve stolen Buckingham Palace documents and eliminate the thief, he meets with William to tell him how useful these papers could be and consults him for how to execute the mission.

During the plan, Albert learns of the contents of the documents and explains them to William and Louis. It entails that the British Empire was behind the French Revolution, using it was a social experiment. They agree that they must retrieve it.

They manage to set up a negotiation with Adler to hand over the documents, as well as protect them from the government. Since William predicts Sherlock would get involved, he prepares an insurance - a way for Sherlock to learn their true name should Adler die. After the conversation goes over well, William is already waiting for Albert and Adler, who quickly identifies him as the heart of the organization.

William, Albert, Louis and Alder proceed to meet with Mycroft. The three brothers inform him about their plan of remodeling the nation and thus ask for his silence. Mycroft agrees to take the plan under his jurisdiction with the condition that they will not deviate it. They hand him the documents and Mycroft agrees to declare Adler officially deceased.

Afterwards, William bears witness to Adler taking on his new identity of James Bonde.

## The Phantom of Whitechapel

Reading about the recent Jack the Ripper murders, William instructs Moran, Louis, Fred and James to retrieve something for him from a bank. He sends them there well aware of a robbery about to take place, using it as an opportunity for the group to bond. William also summons Jack Renfield, their old teacher and the original Jack the Ripper.

William, Jack, James and Moran visit Whitechapel to investigate the situation. There they witness the tension that has built up between the citizens of the district, who want to protect their community, and the Scotland Yard, who aim to de-arm them. Later, after reading through the police reports, William informs the others of the true nature of the incidents: "Jack the Ripper" is multiple people who aim to spark a revolution by having the Whitechapel militia and Scotland Yard fight.

William comes up with a plan, giving everyone instructions. By faking a Jack the Ripper murder, they manage to unite the Scotland Yard and the citizens as they attempt to catch the culprit. In the meanwhile, William and Louis track down the actual people behind the murders. The men try to negotiate, but it's futile and the two start to kill them all.

A few men escape, but William prepared an explosive in the way out, so they are able to take out the last ones as well. He and Louis leave the corpses as they are with William anticipating Sherlock's arrival and reaction to the case. The latter does arrive soon after and figures out the truth behind the case, but decides to lie for everyone's sake and claim that Jack the Ripper is still on the loose.

William is satisfied with this, but figures that the Scotland Yard would resort to accusing and arresting an innocent man.

## The Adventure of One Student

One day when William holds a math exam for his students, Sherlock decides to show up at the university. During lunch break the two converse about the Lord of Crime. Considering their noble intentions, Sherlock feels conflicted on how to handle it, but he still decides to condemn them which William agrees with. William reassures him that he will do well since Sherlock is willing to even give up his life for this mystery.

Suddenly William notices someone aced the exam, including the very difficult last question. William immediately figures it was Bill Hunting from Durham Printing, but still asks Sherlock to track down the "mysterious" person. When Bill is brought to his office, Sherlock and William encourage him to enroll in the university. Bill eventually accepts and Sherlock and William strike a deal with the dean.

When seeing Sherlock off at the station, he tells Sherlock to return alive from chasing the Lord of Crime and calls him by his first name for the first time, although Sherlock can't hear it properly. William is sure they will meet again.

## The White Knight of London

After Milverton seeks out William's old court records and Fred informs the group about it, William deems Milverton as the most important enemy to eliminate.

Hearing about Member of Parliament Adam Whiteley and his goal of equality, William decides to put him to the test. He and Albert attend a park opening where they observe Whiteley's reaction to being berated in public. Whiteley is honest about the the accusations, not caring about his honor, which satisfies William. To give him power to achieve his equality bill, they hand him evidence to blackmail the House of Lords.

After Adam Whiteley is manipulated into committing murder, William and the others meet him at a cemetery. William asks him to give him his life, taking the responsibility for what Whiteley did. The following morning, William kills him in public as planned and announces himself as the Lord of Crime who also murdered Whiteley's family. His true identity is still hidden, but the Lord of Crime thus becomes a hated entity in the eyes of the people.

## The Two Criminals

The group figures out that Milverton was behind Whiteley's case, as well as Jack the Ripper. Louis informs them that Milverton also prepared for certain information to be publicized if he dies: that "William James Moriarty" is the Lord of Crime. William is still determined to eliminate him even if his name spreads.

William and the others later infiltrate Milverton's manor. He confronts Milverton alone, holding him at gunpoint. As planned by Milverton, Sherlock Holmes also shows up at the scene. Sherlock thus discovers that William is in fact the Lord of Crime.

Milverton tries to convince Sherlock to arrest William and offers William a reclusive life in exile, not aware that the two already know each other. Both of them reject Milverton's plan and Sherlock kills him shortly after. He tells William that he's going to be the one to reveal everything about him and William once again urges him to catch him, addressing him as "Sherlock."

William is now convinced Sherlock will kill him as well, deciding to start the last act of the plan.

## The Final Problem

For the last part of his plan, William orders his allies to stay behind while he eliminates the remaining nobles alone. He also makes a public statement with his name being published, declaring that he will annihilate the privileged class and that no one can stop him.

William spends the nights killing nobles and encounters Fred at one of the scenes. He tries to convince William not to die since he's bringing justice, but William can't forgive himself for the amount of murders he's committed and wishes to face death for it.

With the help of the others, he infiltrates the manor of a noble named Glover. The man uses his children as a shield with the eldest even offering his life, but William still kills their father. He leaves, the murders visibly taking a toll on him. His continuous streak of murder leaves London in a panic and damages the empire's economy.

One night, William visits apartment 221B to converse with Sherlock, asking him to finish the story. William reiterates that the crimes he committed can't be forgiven, but can't give a proper answer when asked why he chose Sherlock. He is then startled to hear that Sherlock wanted him to be the Lord of Crime because he considers him a friend.

William gives him two letters, one with the final location, the other with a different address. At the address in East End, he has hidden all their criminal plans and a letter for Sherlock. In the letter he expresses his personal feelings - how connected he felt to Sherlock and how he wished to spend more time with him. William also entrusts the world to him.

At the time given, William then faces Sherlock on the Tower Bridge. The two put on a fight, but when William asks to finally end this, Sherlock still tries to convince him to live. He says they can atone together, but William bids him farewell and has the scaffold break, causing him to fall. Sherlock catches his wrist, also expressing his personal feelings towards William and telling him to live.

William is stunned, admitting his loss and addressing him as "Sherly" before using his sword to injure Sherlock so he'll let go. As he falls, Sherlock jumps after him and catches him mid-air, saying that he's finally caught William. He tells William that they should live. In the end, both of them fall into the Thames while holding each other, leaving their fate unknown to the world.

## Aftermath

Both William and Sherlock go into cardiac arrest from the fall, but are saved and resuscitated by a man called Henry Antrim, also known as Billy the Kid. Billy belongs to the United States Department of Justice who had taken an interest in both William and Sherlock, so the two are being brought to the United States after the fall, although William still remains unconscious.

William is also injured, permanently blinding and scarring his left eye. He remains in a coma for several months in the hospital before waking up one day.

## The Valley of Fellows

Sherlock finds William on the hospital roof on the day he wakes up. William feels lost in how to confront the future and also expresses how Sherlock had changed his life. The world feels dear to him now and he even begins to cry. Sherlock reassures him and tells him that he can create any kind of future.

William and Sherlock move in together in an apartment in Brooklyn, New York City. One morning while they eat breakfast, Billy comes to visit and William thanks him for everything. Billy explains the situation in the United States and asks William to work with them, but the latter needs more time to consider.

After Sherlock receives new orders to go to Vermissa and Billy decides to accompany him, William stays behind in Brookyln. He continues to struggle mentally, unsure of how to approach atonement.

Although Sherlock told him not to go out on his own yet, William decides to go on a walk. He meets a little, crying girl called Helena and offers to help. He earns her trust and learns that she lost a present, so the two retrace her steps. With the help of William, Helena eventually finds it. When she thanks him, William becomes emotional and cries, feeling happy.

That night, William has a realization regarding his life and his approach to atonement. Some time later, he discovers a letter to Sherlock that reveals that the expected manpower of the enemies has doubled in size. Determined to help them, William prepares to leave for Vermissa.

William arrives in Vermissa by horse, jumping into the crowd of enemies. He initially politely asks them to just leave the town, but after they refuse, he starts to fight them. Sherlock and him reunite on the battlefield and begin to fight together, with Sherlock watching William's blind side.

After the battle is over, William and Sherlock have a heart-to-heart. William has realized that there isn't a correct answer to atonement - that life consists of struggling and wavering, but that he still wants to keep searching. He wants Sherlock to keep guiding him and wants to live together with him. Sherlock agrees, wanting to live with William as well.

## Life in New York

William and Sherlock continue to live together in New York. With Billy, they work on a number of jobs under United States supervision. After 2 and a half years, they decide to investigate an international crime network. William stays behind in New York while Sherlock travels internationally.

After catching wind of Moran's whereabouts and the incident with Balmoral, William sends a request to Sherlock to go to London and help MI6. He also entrusts Sherlock with a message for Moran: an old Jack card. Once William finishes his work in New York, he leaves for England as well.

## The Adventure of the Empty Hearts

William first heads to the Tower of London to find Albert who chose self-confinement. Albert is shocked but relieved to see him alive, feeling incredibly guilty and sorry for making William commit all those crimes and making him suffer. William reassures him that he did everything on his own volition and that Albert had always given him strength.

After they reconcile, William hugs Albert and apologizes for taking so long.

The two reunite with Louis and William thanks him for waiting. Louis is delighted to have them back and the three embrace each other. William also meets the rest of the group again, being greeted by everyone. He asks Moran back for the card he had sent, considering it a proof of their bond.

The next morning, William is up early and informs them about a dinner party they're having with Sherlock and his allies, helping with the preparations. When the guests are arriving, William reunites with Sherlock. He's visibly happy during the dinner party as everyone is enjoying themselves.

Upon request, Sherlock and William begin to tell what has happened during the three years and their time in New York. At the end, Billy announces that he, Sherlock and William were all officially transferred to MI6. The dinner comes to a close soon after.

William continues to stay in London with his brothers and allies.

## The Remains

At some point, Albert, Louis and William visit their now demolished and vandalized home in Durham. William specifically has come with the intention to look for something.
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chapter 1
2. ↑ In physical versions, he is stated to have entered college at 16. This got corrected and adjusted later in the digital JPN version.
3. ↑ Chapter 33
4. ↑ "One Student" Drama CD
5. ↑ Chapter 35
6. ↑ Chapter 36
7. ↑ Chapter 38
8. ↑ Chapter 39
9. ↑ Chapter 45
10. ↑ Chapter 46
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Chapter 47
12. ↑ Chapter 48
13. ↑ Chapter 49
14. ↑ Chapter 50
15. ↑ Chapter 51
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Chapter 53
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Chapter 55
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Chapter 59
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Chapter 67
20. ↑ Chapter 68
21. ↑ Chapter 70
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Chapter 71
23. ↑ Chapter 72
24. ↑ Chapter 74
25. ↑ Chapter 75
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Chapter 76
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Chapter 64
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Chapter 65
29. ↑ Chapter 66
30. ↑ Chapter 1 (The Remains)