Order of the Shadow

Chapter 1

I slipped effortlessly through the shadows; winding through buildings and darting past clueless eyes. My hands are shoved deep in my pockets and I arch my shoulders against the New York cold. I glance lazily up at the sky and catch a glimpse of red and blue swinging over the Manhattan skyline. He swings away and I melt back into the shadows. Spider-man. New York loves to hate him, I just envy him. My breathe catches in my throat. My hand hovers hesitantly above my apartment's doorknob. I wonder if my brother is upstairs or if it's the strange man I have come to fear. Slowly I opened the door. Warm air embraces my chilled limbs. I walk upstairs and carelessly throw my scarf to the floor, kicking off my boots, and tugging my coat from my shoulders. "Derrick?" I call out quietly. I stick my head around the corner. Wary eyes sweep the room.

"Ronny" I spin around to greet the raspy voice behind me. My brother stood hunched in the corner. His entire body curled away from the sun. Something metallic glinted in his hand. A kitchen knife.

"Derrick what are you doing over there?" I try to sound strong but my voice wavers. "Come over here and I'll help you to bed."

"NO" derrick's voice loud and powerful as he stepped forcefully towards me. The sunlight streaming through the window illuminating his scarred face. I flinch slightly at the sight and I can see his eyes widen in anger. "Don't do that, don't look at me like that!"

"I'm Sorry" I outstretched a shy hand toward him and he retaliated. With one quick motion he lunged at me sliced the knife through my cotton t-shirt.

I leaped back and swiped my hand across the air. The knife clattered against the floor and derrick growled at me, "bad Ronny, using your freak abilities against me."

"Ouch" I muttered dryly. He lunged again this time with fists clenched. I formed a fist of my own and yanked. Derrick went sprawling across the ground. Slowly he turned around exposing another knife, this one dripping with some iridescent green liquid.

"Demon! I hate it when you do that. You're evil, that's why you hide in the shadows. Everyone would hate you if they knew what you were. A…a"

"A what?!" I spat ignoring the prickling behind my eyes.

"A monster"

That one stung. I stared at him with cold angry eyes. A glimmer of the brother I once had flickered in his horrible eyes, but it past. Defiant tears slid down my cheeks. I violently swung my arm and little shadowy spikes flew towards derrick pinning his clothes against the soft wood floor. He struggled against them growling. A long blade built itself in my hand. Grasping the handle with both hands I swung the sword above my head and then brought it down.

"Ronny! NO!" The blade posed delicately next to his neck. My teeth gritting together in frustration. "Don't kill me. I'm your brother. I'll do better. I promise. Please, I love you." I squeezed my eyes shut wishing this part of him away. Wishing I had the strength to. I felt the blade before it touched my skin. The drip of the green burning my foot. My eyes snapped open and I flung myself backwards. The blade melted away as did the daggers holding Derrick down.

"Snake!" I hissed. A low chuckle escaped his lips as he rose. All 6'2" of him towering above me.

"I kind of like that. Viper… has a nice ring to it. Sssssee ya 'round" My body shook with sobs as he slipped out the window. The last remnants of my past life leaving with.

I pulled out my cell and dialed the number of the only person I could think of. Bring, Bring.

"Nick Fury." I take a deep breath.

"Nick it's me, I need some help." I wait for his reply, half expecting him to hang up.

"What happened, Veronica are you ok, is Derrick?" I stare foggily at the fire flickering behind me.

"There was a fire and Derrick didn't make it." I pause before continuing, "I think it's time I joined that team of yours"

~1 year later ~

Training on the helicarrier. So far I've taken down 6 of the twenty androids programed to attack us. Trusty shadow blade at my side I dart in and out of the Shadow Plane. Visible one second, gone the next. I fade out of view of the robot causing it to falter. With a silent battle cry I race forward shadowy blade swinging back. The sword comes down for a final blow and…Crash! The android falls at my feet in pieces. A smug Nova hovers above me. His hands raised in mock apology. "THAT WAS MINE!"

"Sorry, I can't help my awesomeness. It makes the ladies and the robots crumble." I snort loudly, and roll my eyes at his ridiculousness.

"Next time your 'awesomeness' gets in my way the only thing crumbling will be you." I storm out of the training room fuming.

"Wait up Nyx." Webs slings himself through the doorway and falls in step with me. I try ignoring him for a while, but the soft patter of his feet keeps him present in my mind. "Is everything okay? You seem tense."

"I'm always tense," I snap, throwing him a smirk. He lifts his mask and steps in front of me.

"Is it what Nova pulled back there, usually you just brush him off." I look Spider-man up and down. He means well and I trust him with my life, but he can see a little farther beneath my skin than I'd like. It makes me feel exposed. Naked. "I know today is hard for you but, but we're here if you need us."

"Thanks Parker"

I grab my hover board and then I go fling myself off the roof of the helicarrier. I hope the fall will release a little steam. I really hate this day. The subtle waves of my black and purple suit remind me of a lightning storm and that puts me in a mood. A dark one. That's not hard though. The city streets come at a hyper speed but I stay put 'till the last second. My whole body throws itself into pulling up and I quickly slide between cars. Barely seen by traffic, I head towards central park. Star should be on west 59th. I slow down next to the park and inhale deeply. The soft smell of fresh cut grass and water overwhelmingly calming. I scan the park and spot a short girl with piercing blue eyes and raven black hair. Star. Slowly I head her way keeping my pace even. My eyes dart across the horizon searching for eavesdroppers. Sitting next to Star on a park bench I turn and stare into her false human eyes. "So where is he? Where's Viper?"