Hey everyone, this is a little spin-off and filler for my story "More Than Meets the Eye." I hope you enjoy it!
Prologue
Nick Fury was never the one to thoroughly go through the paperwork that came across his desk. Paperwork always annoyed him; he preferred electronic files and video conference calls with other agents and the World Security Council. The short ping that echoed through the speakers of his computer caught his attention for only a moment before he rolled his eyes. When will it ever end? Before he could tear his gaze from the screen, the phrase "URGENT- MUST READ" flashed in bright red font before his dark eyes. His brow furrowed while several intrusive thoughts flowed through his brain. What the hell could be so urgent? He logged back onto his computer and was alerted to an instant download to his files, his dark brown eyes sparked with wonder. He opened the new file and was greeted with a title that made his heart drop into his stomach.
"Shadowstep Identified."
For once, Fury was at a loss for words; no agency had ever come close to identifying the most wanted assassin on the planet. He quickly dialed Agent Hill, who served as Deputy Director of SHIELD. He gave her no moment to respond when she picked up the call. "Hill, come to my office now. It's urgent."
"Be there in two minutes," Hill answered, "but one quick question- why can't you tell me what this is about?"
"Too delicate to discuss over the phone- now get your ass to my office. Grab Coulson on your way over, too." Fury disconnected the line and leaned back in his chair while an endless wave of questions washed over his brain. Who could have achieved the impossible and put a name to the man behind the mask? A knock on his office door pulled him from his thoughts and he was greeted by the sight of Agents Hill and Coulson, both of whom were no doubt anxious to hear what Fury had to say. "Glad to see that you two made it."
"What's this about?" Maria questioned, her blue eyes glimmering with confusion and worry. "Why couldn't we discuss this over the phone?"
"Someone, somehow, identified this man," Fury answered, slapping a freshly printed copy of the new but purposely unlabeled file on Shadowstep. "I don't know who did it, nor do I know how, but based on the details from the background check, I think he'd be a good fit here."
Maria's jaw dropped when she saw the man's alias in his file. "You're joking, right?! You want this guy to work for SHIELD?!"
"He's too unpredictable," Coulson agreed. "I don't think that we could trust him enough to not come here and kill a bunch of agents simply to boost his reputation."
"He wouldn't want to risk his career," Fury pointed out, "nor would he want to endanger the others."
"The others?" Maria asked with a furrowed brow. "Who are 'the others?'"
Fury merely smirked. "His family."
I know that this one was short, but don't worry- everything will eventually fall into place soon! Hope you enjoyed!