Secret Avengers Issue 1
The Serpent's Rise Part 1
The Spider
Nevadan Desert
The sweltering heat that was conjured up by the desert could only be braved by a few. Snakes were one type of those few. Unfortunately, some people had the nature of a snake and these people were not the good kind.
The Serpent Society was a group of super criminals who took on the moniker of different types of snakes. Their current leader, a mysterious man who was only known as Taipan, was currently in the Nevadan desert and he was with a group of his own and the people he was making a deal with.
"You must understand our…uncertainty when it comes to completing the deal," a man in a business suit said, "You are not someone who has much information on them and that makes you very hard to trust."
Taipan, who was wearing a black cloak with a hood that shadowed his face, spoke, "Yes, I do understand. You should also understand something, there is no need to worry, I will use this technology only for what I've stated."
The man in the business suit frowned, "We are worried about that to. I don't want the name of my company traced back to this."
Taipan clicked his fingers and one of his men, a mysterious cloaked member of the Serpent Society, advanced towards the men, "Nothing will be traced back to you. Now hand over the device." Taipan ordered.
The business man stood still, "Nothing gets handed over until I get one; my money and two; your written word removing our name from any type of business trade." The business man demanded.
Taipan chuckled, "That's too bad…for I have no pen."
The hooded man threw one hand forward and swung it back to its original placement, by his side. Everyone looked around for a second to see what had happened before the business man collapsed on the ground, blood spilling form his neck where a small throwing knife could be seen.
The business man's partners quickly but confidently grabbed the device and handed it over to Taipan.
"Very good," The Serpent Society leader chuckled, "I'm glad this could happen, my goals will be made so much easier by this acquisition."
One business man nodded, "You should always know, there are many people in our company who are willing to help the more…questionable goals of our clients."
Taipan smiled, not that anyone saw, "Good, we will need your assistance again."
The business men left and Taipan turned to his men, "Today is a day of victory and assurance. For today, we start the reaping of those returned. Today is the day that we will reclaim all that slipped away from The Great Serpent, today, we begin."
A Few Hours Later
Four Seasons Hotel
Houston, Texas
A group of six superheroes stood around a table in the presidential suite of the Four Seasons hotel in Houston. They're names were the Red Hulk, Psylocke, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, the Beast and Scarlet Spider. They were in a heated argument that didn't look like it was getting solved anytime soon.
"I'm not a superhero and therefore I'm not joining any superhero team!" The Scarlet Spider said with a raised voice.
Red Hulk or General Ross, as he was called when he wasn't a hulk, grumbled, "I wouldn't call all of us superheroes."
Hawkeye smiled, "Yeah, were more like badass soldiers." The arching avenger commented.
"Shut it Barton," Ross growled, referring to Hawkeye's alter-ego, "Listen Kaine. I wanted special ops over super team but I was beaten to the punch*. This was the next best thing I could get and you are the final member we need."
(*By Agent Coulson's Thunderbolts. See the beginning of their story in Thunderbolts: Like Lightning #1)
Kaine, the Scarlet Spider, mulled this over in his head. He was being offered money, something he didn't really need but he was being offered a chance to save lots more people which may finally help him live up to the name he had now adopted.
"I can't yet," Kaine sighed, "I've still got to protect Houston from the Assassins Guild, the Hand and all those other crazy sons of bitches."
"I understand that you have priorities, I'll let you honor your commitments and all that but once you're done, my offer always stands." General Ross conceded. Kaine nodded and the group seemed to depart, with Ross, Barton, Psylocke, Moon Knight and Beast leaving as a group.
Kaine flopped down on the couch. A small Mexican girl, Aracely, walked out of the bedroom, "Who were they?" She asked.
Kaine sighed again, "Avengers."
"They didn't have bad intentions," she stated. "I know."
"You want to help them because of your past."
"I know."
"But you don't want to leave behind this life," Aracely deduced, using her psychic powers to figure out the scheme of things.
"Correct." Kaine said, not completely wanting to admit that he liked this semi normal life.
Kaine began to explain to Aracely, "I've finally built a life. I've got allies and friends, I'm helping people and but I'm still living in my brother's shadow, well one of them anyway, and this could be my chance to get out of it but, I just don't want to throw it all away for some hero team."
Aracely nodded, "I know how you feel."
Kaine sighed for what seemed like the millionth time, "I know."
Kenny's, Houston
Kenny's was a well known pub in the downtown area of Houston. Besides the annual pool tournament and famous drink called the Kenny Surprise, Kenny's was known as the place that the Houston crime bosses would meet every month to discuss 'businesses'. Today was that day.
The Crime bosses were called the Five Fingers as they were like a hand, all one body made of many parts that crushed whatever it wanted. The Five Fingers were made of Carl Lorde; a drug trafficker who ran the upper end of town, Nathan Hunter; ran the best crew of thieves in all of Texas, Daniel Nosseto; Another drug trafficker who also dealt in human trafficking, Al Silver; Related to Silvermane, the right hand man to the overall leader, Vincent Blood; A surname he didn't even have to choose, Vincent was intimidating from day one.
Vincent was currently leading the meeting, "Listen boys, ever since super freaks entered Houston our business has been in the decline, but now with that Scarlet Spider swinging around, everything is going down the toilet. Years of hard work gone. We need to strike back. Hard, fast, NOW!" Vincent said.
Vincent was met with an unexpected clapping, "Very good work Mister Blood," A raspy voice from the shadows said, "Unfortunately, I'm going to have to cut your plans short."
"What do you mean?" Vincent asked.
"Well you see, I need an army of loyal men and your men have no leaders," the voice answered.
"What are you talking about, we're all here and alive!"
The voice stepped out and revealed itself as the Taipan, "A problem that I can easily remedy." He said and held out a small ruby like object. All the men in the room began to grunt in pain before keeling over, falling out of their chairs. Blood poured out of their noses, eyes, mouths and ears as their internal organs and internal system shut down.
"I have important business to attend to and your armies shall help me," the Taipan continued. The Taipan looked at the near dead Vincent, "Let me show you a glimpse of the hell you are about to face."
The Taipan lifted his hood and Vincent saw his face. The crime boss' eyes widened before misting over and closing as his final sight robbed him of his soul.
Back in the Suite
Houston
Kaine watched his friends eat the lunch set out before them. Kaine hadn't made it, but he had set the whole event up so they called it his food.
"This is great food Kaine," Donald Meyland complimented.
Kaine grunted something that vaguely resembled a thanks and continued staring off into space. The group looked at him. They knew his secret identity so it was natural that something bothered him, but this seemed different, it was almost like a longing.
"What's wrong with him?" Donald whispered to Aracely.
"Big offer from an Avengers team, he keeps going over it back and forth in his head. All the yes' and no's are driving me mad." She whispered back.
Donald sat back and wished for once in his head that he could have a normal day.
"That's kind of rude." Said Aracely, referring to Donald's thoughts.
The Avengers Quinjet
Houston, Texas
The Avengers who had met with Kaine earlier, or the Secret Avengers, were meeting in the Quinjet they'd flown over to Houston in. They were discussing the future of the team and the members they might be able to get to replace Kaine.
"Captain America gave me a list to choose from," General Ross informed the team, "The last remaining candidates are Wolverine, Spider-woman, Black Widow and Falcon."
Hawkeye spoke next, "Widow can't help, she's away on mysterious business."
"So is Logan." Beast quickly put in.
"Kaine wanted to join us." Psylocke said.
Everyone in the room went quiet, "It didn't sound like it." Hawkeye stated.
"Yes, but in his head he wanted to. He's just worried that joining us will ruin the stability he's created." She said.
"It will." Ross grumbled.
"But he really wants to redeem himself for past problems, something about a Scarlet Spider, I couldn't focus over the yelling by then."
General Ross stood up as a light behind him started flashing, "We're detecting planned terrorism in the downtown area. Everyone ready?" The team nodded, stood up and began walking out of the Quinjet.
As they walked onto the street Ross looked around before growling, "Don't say it Hawkeye."
Hawkeye kept walking, "I wasn't going to."
Kenny's
Houston, Texas
The highest order of the Serpent Society was now gathered in Kenny's. The group had changed, with the snake themed members becoming hit men and special services rather than members. The group was more like a mafia and this had been like this ever since Taipan took over. The highest order was now made up of mysterious men and woman who claimed to be avatars of the Serpent, an ancient being who controlled a meta-physical dimension where one was completely lost in identity, space and time The High Order now discussed the future of the Serpent Society.
"We no longer need the help of sssuper powered people. We have returned to power and that meansss we can now take back our master's land and thossse who have esscaped."
Taipan stared over at the woman who, like the whole group, was wearing a dark black cloak, "I wish it were that simple but you have not all completely transformed into your full avatar state and to fight now, when you are so close, would be foolish." Taipan said, trying to turn away from a premature battle that would surely be lost.
The other members were in two minds, they didn't know who to believe but they were leaning towards the Taipan as he was the most experienced avatar of the Serpent. "We wait for now, but we will attack sssoon." Concluded a member of the High Order.
"It's only a matter of weeks before your ready and then we will win whatever war we wage."
The High Order all nodded and departed except for the Taipan. He stood up and walked out of the door into the small pub. Sitting on the other side of the room was a large, muscled man in a business suit. Taipan sat next to him. "I see the plan is in motion." The man said in a thick Russian accent.
Taipan nodded, "Yes, soon the world will be rid of those who defied our master," Taipan informed him. "Good, but I have one request. You do not kill the Scarlet Spider. He will play an important role in my future." The Russian said.
Taipan nodded once more before getting up and heading off.
In the City
"I can't see the target. Sure that machine of yours isn't broken Ross?" Hawkeye complained.
General Ross groaned, "It isn't broken Barton, They're here. We just have to find them," he replied, "Braddock, you getting anything?" He asked the psychic member on their team.
"Nothing yet, everyone seems to be norm…Wait, there's a group of three over by the coffee shop who have some kind of psychic barrier. May be worth looking into." She informed the team .
All members present approached the group cautiously. The Secret Avengers were disguised in civilian clothing but had their regular superhero garbs on underneath. As the Avengers got closer to the table they all received a radio warning from Beast who was just off site. "Hold on, their energy levels are through the roof…Oh, my stars and garters…They're living bombs and, if my calculations are correct, they'll detonate in 132 seconds!"
Ross broke cover and pointed towards the group of bombs while yelling, "AVENGERS, TAKE THEM OUT!"
The Avengers then stripped themselves free of their covers. Hawkeye was dressed in his current, more covert black shirt with a purple arrow. Psylocke was in a spandex purple, red and black costume that covered her whole body except for her face. Moon Knight had ducked behind a corner to grab his suit which was an all white bullet proof suit with his face mask, hood and cape. Beast was getting to the scene as fast as possible, he looked like a blue humanoid cat man wearing black spandex shorts. The final member present, Ross, began the transformation that was well known to the world. His muscles quickly expanded and his skin began turning red. He soon grew to be a massive, muscular figure known worldwide as the Red Hulk.
Red Hulk brought his team into an attacking formation before roaring, "TAKE THEM!"
The team charged the group as people started to scream and run but as they the Avengers got closer the bombs stood up and walked calmly out to greet their attackers. Hawkeye shot an arrow at them but it was plucked from midair and thrown back at high velocity by the middle bomb into Hawkeye's thigh.
"We have come with one goal today heroesssss," The bomb hissed from behind his black cloak, "To aide our massstersss in the coming hunt. The great Ssserpent shall reclaim hisss people. In 20 ssseconds we will begin the great hunt by drawing out the Ssspider clone." The middle bomb said.
Red Hulk snarled at the bombs before leaping at them, "NOT HAPPENING!" He grabbed all three bombs in his arms and leaped into the sky, taking the bombs as far away as he could.
As he ascended into the sky, the bombs saw a red and black figure with spider insignia on his chest swinging towards the city square, "It beginsss!" They said in unison, before exploding.
BOOOOOM!
Fireballs erupted over the city. The Red Hulk was thrown earthwards, the explosion hadn't done a deadly amount of damage but he would not be walking properly for while. As he plummeted closer to the ground, Red Hulk sent out his thoughts to Psylocke.
Whatever the hunt they were talking about was, they just proclaimed that it started. KEEP KAINE AWAY! Then the Red Hulk hit the ground.
The Secret Avengers rushed over to the impact zone and witnessed a bloody and battered General Ross lying in the middle of a small crater, unconscious. The team began to realize what they were dealing with as Kaine landed near them.
"You have to leave," Psylocke informed the Scarlet Spider bluntly.
Scarlet Spider frowned, "Listen lady, whatever that was, it was in my town, which means that it's my business too and I'm helping no matter what you say." He argued.
"They need you as bait to capture the spider clones for the Great Serpent or something," Said Moon Knight.
"You really are crazy," exclaimed Kaine but he was once again addressed abruptly by Psylocke, "He isn't lying. Those things are trying to use you so their master can track down all of the spider-clones apparently. So unless you want them to succeed, you must leave."
"But I'm the only clone of Spider-man left." Kaine said.
"No there are hundreds of others. I got a reading on their minds before they exploded and they will use your spiritual energy to track down the others." Psylocke informed him.
Kaine seemed awestruck by this, "That could mean that…Now I'm definitely in." He said.
"Were you not just listening, I said you must leave, your presence could cost hundreds of lives."
"I'm helping whether you like it or not." Kaine said, crossing his arms.
Psylocke sighed, "Fine, but you do things our way. You have to be a part of the team or you risk all of our lives." She conceded.
"Deal," Kaine exclaimed.
He stretched his hand out to shake on the new partnership but a gunshot broke the moment.
BLAM!
Scarlet Spider hit the ground in seconds as a bullet tore through his heart. The hero now lay dead at the feet of his recent teammates while they searched around for the shooter but they couldn't find him. Then the Secret Avengers took in their surroundings. Rubble, an impact crater and a deserted street that was just beginning to fill up with curious people. The next sight was their broken team, three shell shocked but intact members, one losing blood with an arrow in his thigh, another lying in a comatose state and one dead with a bullet hole in his chest.
"What do we do now?" Asked Moon Knight to anyone on his team.
Psylocke stepped in, becoming the team's substitute leader for the time being, "We get all three of these back to base." She informed the other two.
"But what then? It would appear that we cannot live up to either the Secret or Avenger part of our names in our current state." Beast said.
"We have to," Psylocke replied, "We have to stop whoever did this, because if that was just the beginning, then we are in a lot of trouble."
Unknown Location
The Russian man's large fist slammed onto the table as he saw the news that the Scarlet Spider was dead. The Scarlet Spider could not die yet, he still had a purpose and The Russian man needed the Scarlet Spider's purpose for without it, there would be a lot of trouble.
"ANA!" He called out, a young woman stepped out of the shadow's and approached him, "Find the High Order and their leader, the Taipan. I want you to bring him to me, alive." He ordered.
Ana nodded and began to walk off but turned before she left, "May I ask why?" She inquired.
The Russian man replied, "Because it is time he learned what it means to cross me, now go." The man said.
Ana seemed satisfied with and continued her exit, "As you wish, father."
To Be Continued…
Author's Note
Hey,
I feel that it's my duty, as writer of this issue and founder of this site, to inform anyone reading this to go over to the new issue comments section and leave your comment on whatever issue you want. It's really easy, just head on over there and go into the imprint tab, then the title tab and finally the issue tab and then you can leave your comment or any questions you have about the issue there. I'm really excited about this story and what I can do with arc 1 at the least so I'd love to what anyone has to say.
Happy reading!
-Author