So, I guess I should probably start at the beginning. But if I did that, we wouldn't get to the good shit, and I know you all have better shit to do.

My name is Marc Spector. You've probably heard my name around the streets.

See, I died. Horribly. But I came back to life. That story is a bit complicated, but a god was involved, and now I have the power of the moon. So I took on the mantle of Moon Knight, and that's where we are today.

I've heard multiple stories about the Rebellion and their leaders that came and went. The rogue Hunterians, X and Zero, have been making a name for themselves after they were exiled from their home.

Of course, then it was destroyed by a weapon, so that put a huge damper on things.

But this story isn't about the Rebellion. Or about X or Zero.

This story is about me. No, I'm not trying to be arrogant.

In a way, this story is about the Rebellion as well. I joined the Rebellion in their later years during the battle of the Hunters and I died. Again.

But instead of it sticking a second time, I was sent to a strange place, where life and death don't matter.

That place is where our story begins.

The Vigil Homeworld.

Yeah, I know. Not the best name for a place where life and death are non-existent. It's not even that beautiful to look at. But this place has a special kind of element to it.

Apparently, you can return to the land of the living, but if you die within the Vigil, you're dead permanently.

Sounds like some television type of shit, right?

But here's the thing. I don't know if it's because of my powers or because I have godlike abilities, but I'm able to go to and fro without consequences. It's a crazy thing, but lately everything's been that way.

"So, let me get this straight. This place... is like, what? Heaven?"

I managed to speak with one of the members of the Vigil Council to get some answers.

"Not really. It's a place of being and mind. You can still die here and be killed. Death is a dangerous thing here. Even more so within the Vigil. You have been chosen to become a part of our Council, to lead others into a new world, a new era of life after death."

I took a step back, mostly in confusion and shock.

"Whoa, whoa. Wait a second here. I've been chosen? Who the hell put my name in the hat to be a part of this... cult?"

"We all took a consensus and decided to add you to the Vigil Council, Moon Knight."

"Hang on, I never agreed to this."

I paused for a minute. If they were serious about me being a part of this Council, then I could use my detective skills to search for clues and answers.

I mean, if we're being honest here, this world is pretty bad lately. With the looming invasion of this Thanos quickly approaching, I had this sick feeling in my gut telling me not everyone would be safe from this threat.

For so long I've been trying to make the world a better place, even before I had the powers of Moon Knight. Before I met the Rebellion, I was basically doing what they've been doing - helping the way I can be.

When I died, I'm not going to lie, that was a scary experience. But I was given not one, but two second chances.

This wasn't any stroke of luck or coincidence. It was fate giving me another chance to change things. To go back and fix my past mistakes.

Because, let's be honest - if you could go back and change your past to where it wasn't so shit, wouldn't you jump at the chance?

I had to. I've made too many of them to just look ahead and never think about them again. I had to do something, even if it meant staying here in this place, at least the Rebellion wouldn't have to worry about this place for a while.

I thought it over a bit before I agreed to become a part of the Council.

The job was moderately simple - encourage people to stay within the Vigil and assist them with the New World. A world where no harm would come to them.

Sounds easy enough, except the problem was nobody would ever know about this place unless they died or were killed in battle.

The Rebellion, or rather, X would tell me about the warriors in his fold that gave their lives to fight for a better cause.

"When Wheeljack died, he entrusted me with the weight of the Rebellion. Bee wasn't too crazy about the idea because of the incidents we dealt with back in Hunteria, but he's been a loyal member of the team."

X looked up to these guys. They helped him and Zero back in Hunteria, but they also helped themselves as well.

"Jack and Bee always worked on their own terms. Even after losing Jazz to Lillian and Cameron, they still wanted to fight for a better life. Not just for themselves, but for everyone. I think that's why, when it came down to it, they took up arms and helped us in Hunteria."

I asked him what happened to Lillian after the destruction of Hunteria.

"I don't know. Lillian and Cameron are still out there, somewhere. We didn't stop them. Sometimes, I still feel regret we didn't stop them that day... we might still have Jazz.."

I listened intently to his story. I could tell the loss of Hunteria weighed heavily on him.

"You did what you could do, X. Losing Hunteria wasn't your fault. What you're doing now is helping those that can't really help themselves. Isn't that what the Rebellion's about? What you all are fighting for?"

X chuckled.

"Yeah. I guess so."

My mind suddenly snapped back to the present. I was in a lit room with a change of clothes and a letter.

"Marc, we welcome you with open arms. Your journey has begun, and once it is over, you will become one of the Ascended."

Ascended? I looked over the letter intently. They were planning something. They had to be planning something. They always are.

My mind went back to another time, with her.

"Marc... you can't keep doing this. It's not healthy for you. Or for us..."

Stephanie. Stephanie Holmes. My first flame. I met her in my early days of being a detective, long before the formation of the Rebellion.

"I know, Steph... I know it's hard on you. But this is my job now. I can't waste any opportunities. It could provide a better future for the both of us. Isn't that what you want?"

She sat up. She was wearing a blue and white nightgown that just lightly accented her skin and features. But she wasn't happy. I could tell.

"I don't know anymore, Marc... If this is what it takes to provide now... is it even worth it...?"

My mind returned to the present as I sat on the bed, pinching my nose. That was my first mistake. Losing the only person that truly understood me.

Steph meant the world to me, and I was an idiot to ever let her go because of work.

I didn't know if this place would give me the restart I desperately needed, but I had to try, right?

"One day, we'll look back on this and revere ourselves as gods. It's inevitable, Marc."

"But what will it cost us to get it, James?"

James grinned darkly.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head, Marky Marc. Soon, we'll be swimming in so much dough, nobody will be able to stop us."

"And if they do?"

James patted the side of his pocket. He always packed a small pistol in case we were ever mugged or robbed. I liked James, but he would always get us into trouble, and from the way he was talking, we were going to get into some shit we might never get out of.

"If anyone tries to stop us, see, we'll just give 'em the ol' one, two."

Yeah. The ol' 'one, two'. Which, in this case, meant one bullet in the chest, two in the head. Run before they drop dead.

"James, one of these days we'll get caught. I'm not risking my life because of you."

James's tone shifted.

"No one ever asked you to do shit for me, Marc. I thought we were best pals."

"We are, but.."

"But nothing. This is do or die. You're either in or out."

I took a breath. I knew I would regret this, but I couldn't risk my life. Of course, that mantra became irrelevant after I died months later.

"I guess... I'm out."

Another flashback. My second mistake. I wouldn't make anymore. Not in this place. It was do or die. And I couldn't afford to die.

Not a third time.

I got off the bed, grabbed my suit, and got ready to go to work.

"Alrighty, you sons of bitches. Let's see what you have in store for Marc Spector..."

To Be Continued...