Chapter 1

Beginnings

Ordinary days at NYCU could be normal but today wasn't normal.  Ok maybe registering for classes could be normal and getting to the first class was not strange, but something inside me told me that something's not right.  Even though that evil spirit that inhabited me a few days ago is gone now.  Somehow I still feel the power it had.  I can't really explain it.  Then it happened.  I was in chemistry class doing lab work with a partner I didn't actually like, Harold.  He was some kind of nerd wiz hog.  Thinking he knows everything and more.  Mr. Parker was sitting at his desk doing some paper work as we mixed some harmless chemicals. 

            "Hey," Harold stopped me as it was holding a bottle of polyamide, "Make sure you pour the right amounts."

            "I know how much I have to pour Harold," I said tipping the bottle to Benson.

            "Wait.  You should let me do it." Harold said grabbing the bottle.

            "Hey" I shouted pulling it away from.  We were at a little struggle as other student started to look on. "Your gonna drop it. Let go Harold!" 

Mr. Parker looked up in an alarm then suddenly I heard some type of static sound.  The glass bottle broke as Harold let go in and shock and in a seconds time a fire arose the desk as everyone screamed.  Harold and I backed away as Mr. Parker quickly sprung to the fire extinguisher and instantly put out the flame.

"Alright everyone calm down," Mr. Parker said. "The fire's out."

"It was Mike's fault," Harold called out. "He's a freak!  I saw some red electric static come out of his hand!"

"Calm down Harold, Mike is not a freak." Mr. Parker said, "Now everyone get back to your seats and finish mixing your rubber cement."  He turned to me and said. "Mike, can I speak to you out side?  Jenny you're in charge until we return?"

We went out into the hall way as I was still in shock of what happened.

"Ok, now you know that polyamide isn't flammable when there is no heat," Mr. Parker explained, "How did that fire happen?"

"I-I don't know," I stammered, "It just happened."  I didn't know what to say.  Mr. Parker looked at me like I was crazy.  His look changed to a thought. "I am really sorry Mr. Parker. I just…"

"It's ok Mike.  It was an accident," Mr. Parker said. Hold on, first he was wondering how I made that fire now he's acting that it was just an accident.  "Just go back in there, and lets be careful this time, ok?"

"Alright." I didn't understand, but it seemed that Mr. Parker did.

After my classes it was getting late and I was back to my apartment.   Yawning I know it was late and I just hit the bed.  After what happened with Hartuki Kokartri I keep having these weird dreams.

I'm in a dark world.  A world where all I see is blackness and shadows.  I then hear a sound.  Something moving, like a snake.  I turn all about trying to find that sound.  Then, I see the shadows move.  I start to run and they are chasing me, the shadows.  I ran down what it seemed like a dark corridor.  I suddenly stop, as the shadows resemble the man I was a few months ago.  The shadows surrounded me, there were too many as they close in.  I looked around for an escape but it was impossible.  I then heard them whispering.  I couldn't understand them.  Then it came to me, they were saying, Shadow Knight  "NOOOOO!" I awoke in a cold sweat.  The dreams were getting worse, but the nightmare was just beginning.  I had thought that name, Shadow Knight, had died along with Hartuki, maybe he's coming back.  I went to the bathroom and washed my face as I looked in the mirror.  I closed my eyes and shook my head.  No, he is not coming back I keep telling my self, I looked up and saw him in the mirror I gasped, backed away and slipped and fell back wards into the bathtub.  "Ow," I cried.  I wondered if I was going crazy again.  I also wondered if Mr. Lee, the one who drew away that evil spirit from my body, could help me again find out what was going on in my mind.  Mr. Lee and Spider-Man had told me that I till possessed some sort of laser power.  Those powers they described, I haven't seen yet.  Maybe it caused that accident in chemistry class.  Maybe they were telling the truth.   I need answers.

"Trouble sleeping?" A familiar voice said.

I jumped to it and turned to see a figure by the window hanging upside down.  I turned the lights on it was Spider-Man.

"W-What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I just came to see how you were doing?"

"I'm, doing fine," I lied, "I haven't been blasting anyone with those laser power you said I thought I had." I joked, "Maybe Hartuki had some kind of power before he died?"

"I'm not too sure," Said Spidey, "Have gone to professor Xavier yet?"

"No, I've been too busy with school everything," I replied.

"You really should go to him.  Just to see if you do posses those powers."

"Well, I don't think he'll understand my problems like you do," I said as I yawned.

"I know what you are going through Mike, and I'm sure Professor Xavier knows too, just give him a chance." He said, "Well, I'm sure you has classes in the morning and I won't keep you up."

"Thanks Spider-Man,"

"Hey what are friends for?"

I nodded and he left.  Friends?  I smiled at that thought.  I kept reading the paper that Spider-Man was a costumed maniac on the loose, but he really understood me.  I think it'll be great being friends with him.  I don't have a lot of friends at school, but being Spider-Man's friend beats of having a group of friends put together.  His proposal that I should see professor Xavier at that school made my stomach turn.  I have herd that people hates others with mutant powers.  I couldn't bear to think what would happen to me if I were a mutant.  Besides I think that would be my last resort, I want to see Mr. Lee first.  Maybe he didn't take all of Hartuki's spirit away from me.

The next day I only had two classes.  As I walked though the door out of the hall from my class I saw Harold standing there like we was waiting for someone.

"Hey Mike," Said Harold.

"Hi Harold," I greeted back.

"I just want to apologized what happened in class the yesterday.  I guess I was being a jerk.  I know that you know how to mix a batch of cement glue.  I just wanted to be a good batch and everything.  I don't know what happened to that formula, bursting into flames like that.  Maybe someone sabotaged it?"

"You think?" I wondered.  You know I never thought of that.

"Sure, that Robert Thomson thinks he can get good grades by cheating.  You know he's done it before."  He explained.

"Yeah, your probably right," I said.

"Say you want to go to the library and study together?" he asked.

"I love to, but I got to see someone. Maybe tomorrow?" I said.

"Excellent! Then I'll see you tomorrow."

We said our good byes and I was off.  I took the express bus to Chinatown and wondered through the streets.  It seemed very comfortable being there, the smell, the sound and even the air.  I then saw his shop on the corner. I opened the door and looked about.  I was still fascinated of the items Mr. Lee had when I was here before.  I went to the cashier desk, but no one was around.  I rang the bell and a young Asian lady of my age came out.

"Hello welcome," She said, she was beautiful, and she had long jet back hair, jade like eyes and the prettiest voice I have ever heard. "Can I help you?"

"Um, I'm looking for Mr. Lee." I said. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her, "Is he here?"

"My father is out of the moment, is there something I can help you?" she asked.

Her father? No, she is too young. "Um was there an old Mr. Lee who used to work here a few months ago?"
            "You must be referring to my grandfather?"

"Yes."

She frowned a bit and said, " I am sorry to say that my grandfather passed away about a month ago."

I frowned too, not believing her.  Mr. Lee was only person that knew my problem.  "I am so sorry to hear that," I said, "I knew your grandfather.  He helped me a few months ago."  I sighed in disbelief.   Now what am I'm going to do.

"Perhaps my father can help you." She said. "He knows all that my grandfather has taught him. He'll be back tomorrow though."

I nodded to her, "All right, I'll come back tomorrow then." 

She smiled to me as something struck me.  She was beautiful.  I thanked her and left the shop to get something to eat.  I couldn't stop thinking of her, and I didn't get her name.  This always happens to me; well perhaps I'll see her tomorrow.  It was getting late and I headed back to the bus stop. 

My mom didn't like the idea of me living in New York; she especially didn't like me wondering about at night.  But I told her I could handle my self.  I was walking past a store when something grabbed me and through hard on the ground in an ally way.  I looked up and I couldn't believe what I saw.  It was my nightmares, right in front of me.  I froze all over as he came forward.

"The suit," he said, "Where is it?"

To be continued…