Author's Notes: Hey guys! New series! Its going to be going on the same time as The Demon's Blade. Don't worry, it wont slow down uploads, and I hope you guys enjoy! :D Oh and p.s. Can someone please do a cover picture for this for me? Please and thank you!

Prologue

Akali parried punch after punch from Zed, before countering with a left jab which he easily avoided. Zed grabbed her fist and pulled her towards him, faces only an inch away from each other. They looked into each other's eyes, Akali entranced by Zed's crimson red orbs, while Zed stared deep into Akali's emerald green irises. They leaned forwards toward each other, foreheads touching.

"You've improved," Zed said with a small smile. Akali blushed.

"I learned from the best," she replied, returning his smile. They pulled away, hands entwined, walking hand-in-hand towards the monastery. After walking a while, both simply enjoying each other's company without words,they came across Shen.

"Hey there brother," Shen called cheerily across to Zed.

"Hey Shen," Zed greeted Shen.

"How are things going with Irelia?" Zed asked, raising an eyebrow. Shen grunted, looking away.

"We've... been better." He replied with a shrug. Zed scratched his chin.

"Hmm... so you had another fight with her?" He concluded. Shen nodded unhappily. Akali grabbed Zed's arm and pulled him towards the monastery.

"We'll talk to her Shen, don't worry! We'll clear things up." Akali called back at Shen. Shen nodded his gratitude before continuing his way to the training grounds. Zed looked at Akali, eyebrows raised.

"How in the world are you going to do that? You know how she is when she's in a foul mood. She's impossible to talk to." Akali giggled and held his arm tighter.

"Don't forget, she's still a girl, and we girls have our ways," She said. Zed simply sighed and nodded.

"You're right at that... Well, I have to go to training with father and brother. See you later." Zed said as he started walking towards the direction of the training grounds.

"Alright Zed! See you soon!" Akali called before skipping away. Zed smiled, Akali was such a schoolgirl sometimes. Arriving at the training grounds, Zed soon met up with Shen and their father and master. Both bowing to each other, Zed and Shen got in fighting stances. Zed struck first, with a punch to Shen's left shoulder. The blow connected, but Shen soaked it up like it was nothing and countered with a right hook. Zed narrowly dodged the blow as he dodged with a backflip. Back on the ground, Zed dropped down to the ground in a leg sweep, and Shen jumped to dodge it. Predicting the move, Zed kicked off his left foot and launched himself into the air beside Shen. Zed threw a elbow jab, which Shen blocked. Shen countered with a left knee, which Zed parried, and used Shen's momentum to propel himself up in the air above Shen. Bringing his leg up and over, Zed pounded Shen into the ground with that final blow. Zed helped Shen up and they both bowed again.

"Phew, that was a good workout," Shen said with a good-natured grin. Zed nodded, and turned to the master. The master nodded.

"Good work Shen," He simply said before walking away. Zed looked at the master in disbelief. He won, but the master still chooses Shen over him. Angry, Zed walked away, ignoring Shen's attempts to placate him. I'll teach him! I'll show him how strong I can really become! Zed thought as he headed for the forbidden chambers deep in the monastery.

Akali reached Irelia's quarters and knocked on her door. The door opened and it showed Irelia with red, puffy eyes, which indicated that she had been crying.

"It's okay Irelia, really. Shen is sorry, and would like you to give him another chance." Akali said immediately. Irelia nodded in gratitude and hugged Akali tight. Akali smiled and stroked her hair. Akali knew how much Irelia loved Shen. It was equal to the love Akali had for Zed, and she understood the pain Irelia was going through. They sat down and talked about what happened, and Akali managed to sufficiently calm Irelia down. Just then they heard shouts and many footsteps outside. Curious, they went to see what it was all about. When they reached the entrance to the courtyard, Akali catched parts of what they were saying.

"...Break in...Zed...Forbidden Arts...Master...Duel." Was all Akali could catch, before they went out of earshot again. With a sinking feeling in her heart, Akali ran as fast as she could to the Master's Quarters.

-At The Master's Quarters.-

Zed walked up towards the master.

"I am strong master, why do you only praise Shen but not me?" Zed shouted angrily, pulling out his gauntlets, blades sliding out from them.

"You are not strong Zed. That is why you had to steal the Forbidden Arts. If you are strong, duel me and prove it." The master said. Zed snarled and charged towards the Master. Pulling out a katana, the Master parried Zed's attacks, and retaliated with blinding speed, swinging the katana in an arc, cutting into Zed's side. But Zed melted away into a pool of dark shadows, appearing behind the Master. With a cry, he stabbed the master in the back, and his blades protruded out the other side of the Master's chest.

"And... That... Is... Why... you were never... Strong... Zed." He choked out, spitting blood.

"Shut up!" Zed yelled, and sliced the Master's head off his neck. At that moment, Shen ran into the room, breathing heavily. He took a look at the severed head and blanched.

"Zed... What have you done?" Shen yelled. Zed looked at Shen, his crimson eyes staring.

"I did what was necessary." He replied simply before turning to walk out of the room, head still in his hands.

"Killing father was necessary? You are turning mad Zed, this isn't you!" Shen yelled. Zed turned around, looking at Shen again.

"It was necessary for him to die, so I can have my honor back." Zed replied. Shen shook his head, steeling his nerve. He knew that Zed was stronger than him, but he had to defend Master's honor.

"I cannot accept you, Zed. You have the blood of our father on your hands." Shen said, pulling out his blades. Zed's eyes narrowed.

"You are weak, Shen. You were always weaker than I. You cannot hope to defeat me in combat." With that said, Zed charged towards Shen, body merging with the shadows, leaving a shadowy trail behind him. Shen parried the first strike, but the blade fazed right through his swords, turning into shadows. He then felt a pain in his thigh as the real Zed struck him, only Shen's training kept Zed's blade from stabbing into his chest. Shen turned and swung his blade at Zed, but the blade only passed through Zed, which turned into nothing but shadows once again. Zed slashed Shen's back, causing him to fall to his knees. Zed was about to strike the killing blow, but was interrupted by a female voice.

"Stop!" Akali cried as she and Irelia burst into the room, both panting heavily.

"Zed, why are you doing this?" Akali asked. Shen took that opportunity to strike Zed in the face, slashing him from side to side, leaving a huge gash, blood pouring out of the wound. Zed grunted as he felt the warm liquid flow down his face, dripping on the ground. He looked at Akali one last time.

"What I've done... Cannot be undone."

And Zed vanished into the shadows.

Author's Notes: Hey guys, hope you enjoyed this prologue of In the Shadows. Updates will be coming regularly, so don't worry about that. I plan to have a new chapter every 1-3 days, depending on the time i have. If you enjoyed this chapter, review, favorite, and follow to show your support! Peace

-Celestial