Coulson sat in his apartment kneeling over two pulled floor boards, prying on the third. Finally he pulled a black duffle bag from under the floor, he opened the side pocket and pulled a charred and tarnished dog tags the writing was faint, almost non-existent from the damage but it could still read Richard Parker. Next was a picture of himself with a gorgeous brunet woman leaning against his car he looked happy. The longer Coulson stared at the photo the more the real world was consumed in echoing gunfire…
(Flashback; it was a sunny day the sky was blue. Coulson's red corvette rolled down a peaceful stretch of road with the brunette woman wrapped in his arm, they were without a care in the world. "it still amazes me Philip…you dragged my dad's old car out of the barn a total piece of junk and now it looks brand new, what's your secret?" the brunette asked playfully.
"time and patience Lola and to see your world class smile at the end" Coulson leisurely replied as he held Lola tightly against his side the car rolled to a small four way stop but lost in their bliss Coulson failed to notice the four black panel vans speeding towards them. Tires screeched, metals doors clunked as they locked into place before a hurricane of bullets filled the air.
The bullets punched through the cars body, demolished the window and obliterated the grille, smoke rose from surrounding machine guns as the attackers stared at their handy work before tearing away from the scene leaving a bullet torn Coulson in the front seat and Lola lifeless beside him her eyes slowly clouding over while he sat there, unable to reach out for her to help the woman he loved the woman he wanted to marry "L…Lolaaaa")
Coulson returned to senses tears streaking down his eyes "we were all targeted that day how did only Fox and I survive? Why us?" a questioned that plagued Coulson for many years but with Foxes return from years in solitude he was determined to find the answers. Coulson rose to his feet leaving the bag slightly opened on the floor revealing a black shield tactical suit and the hilts of two katana swords.
Peter arrived at the airport packed up and ready to leave but he still felt a little nervous. Planes were landing and taking off as Peter trekked across the runways, his stomach was in knots but he was determined to follow through with his choice.
Mason was standing by a closed hangar when he saw Peter approaching a triumphant smirk shot across his lips "not even a day…ha-ha read this kid like a book" he grinned. "Peter glad you made it your dad would be glad you did this" he stated as he greeted Peter "come on in and meet the team we'll get you settled in and go to work after testing you out" Mason led Peter in to the hangar where they were greeted by a colossal black stealth jet "Peter this is the Cimmerian our base and transport"
"That's so big I almost didn't see it"
They entered the jet via the loading ramp where Vexi was waiting with her tablet in hand, she was not happy by any measurable standard. "Mason the boys are getting impatient and to be honest I'm losing my mind listening to their whining" she harped before taking notice of Peter, he wasn't scrawny by any means despite the baggy clothes concealing himself but he still didn't look like the ultimate weapon Fox planned for him to be. "Is this the kid? He doesn't look like much"
"Hey!" chimed an offended Peter.
Mason quickly waved his hand between the two teenagers resolving before they could start "Vexi this is Peter, Peter this is Vexi my team tactician and second in command so when I'm not around she's the boss" he said "Vexi show Peter to his room then take him to the armoury I'll grab the others and we can get ready to take off"
Vexi quickly spun on her heels and walked into the confinement of the jet with Peter only steps behind her, the inside of the jet looked a scene from a science fiction movie. 3-d terrain scopes, advanced stealth technology virtual training simulator. "So here is the rundown like Fox said my name is Vexi and I'm second in command so when I call you come…"
"Wow so you just skip the four play and jump to the end eh?" chuckled Peter taking advantage to break the ice with a quick joke,
Vexi suddenly tensed up, she was like stone but only for a second. Then she spun around swinging her leg up narrowly missing Peters face. "I missed? I couldn't have missed" she thought to herself as she her body swung back to center she saw something she didn't expect, Peter was tilting his head back just far enough her foot would miss his face "he dodged it! He dodged my kick without any effort!"
To say Vexi was intrigued would be an understatement, the kid who didn't look like much just proved to have a hidden talent. "Ok ground rules I'm off limits to the boys because they can't think with two heads competing for control" she bluntly stated "so no more jokes of that nature. Training takes place at 6 am every morning everyone is expected to perform duties of the mission"
They entered a small cubie hole made up of 3 curtains and a wall with a mattress on the floor it did not look like it would be the comfiest of places to stay. Peter threw his bag beside the bed feeling claustrophobic since this room was smaller than his closet "what's next?" he asked sounding a little too bored for Vexis liking.
Her temper was quickly being pushed by this kid, Foxes new recruit and Vexi wasn't liking it. "next you meet the team then you spare with Fang and Gem now let's go we're do in the armoury" with that last order Vexi lead Peter back through the jets misleadingly big layout to a room consisting of firearms melee weapons and state of the art tools and benches where he came across 4 teenage boys at work, two looked to be sparring with a modified bow staff with a spear tip while the other appeared to be using a lightsaber like weapon.
The other two who appeared a bit older maybe late 20s seemed to be focused on trying to crack open some kind of jewel in a vice "screw this I'm getting something to eat" yawned the one in the crimson cloak spinning on his chair to stand when he saw Vexi and Peter "or not, guys the boss is here" he groaned.
The others all stopped what they were doing and sat down the room fell silent with Vexis presence "sheesh she actually kills the atmosphere when she walks into a room" Vexi stepped into the gap between Peter and the group "guys this Peter; Foxes new recruit for our trip to Germany. Peter this is Kaine..."
"Gem!" the first one interjected "and just so were clear strawberry blond not a ginger so no soulless jokes" he stated.
Peter stepped back half a step Gem as he called himself seemed a little intense for first impressions "next is, hang on guys are you all going by your nicknames?" Vexi asked eyeing up her teammates.
"Yep!" the group chorused
Vexi rolled eyes and turned back to Peter "ok Peter the children names are as follows, Tempest; our elemental master of wind and lightning as you saw with his little star wars re-enactment" she pointed to the 17 year old in blue jeans and black T-shirt. "Gem as you've seen is our resident nice guy but his ability to make indestructible jewel weapons makes up for it.
Vexi then pointed to the last two the one who looks like red ring wraith is Crimson Dragon or just dragon since his whole tittle is too long for radio use, he is our hand to hand expert due to his years of martial arts training but becareful when he starts swinging his kusarigama even the master slips his grip" she added.
"It happened once! And Fang can still walk" Dragon interjected defensively
"And suddenly I feel like I may not be safe here"
"lastly as Dragon mentioned is White Fang" Vexi introduced the native looking boy with the bow staff and spear tip "powered by the spirit of the White Wolf that defended the settlers of the northern territory of Alaska, now I have to attend a conference call to book our places at the banquet I trust you kids can play nice right?" she questioned eyeing the five boys four of whom were sizing up Peter.
"Well let's see what this kids got" suggested Dragon as he rose to his feet and went to the nearest wall pulling two short sword looking weapons from the wall and a katana tossing Peter the katana "you'll face me for quick test…" Dragons eyes squinted a bit as he watched Peter swing and roll the sword in his hands curios that most newbies play around try movie tricks when they first grip a katana but this kid seem collected about it "have you used one of these before?" he asked.
"somewhat" Peter simply replied "hey I just realised these guys don't know about me and Fury only said to hide similarities to Spider-man so I can still use some of my powers I can be the cool kid and not puny Parker!"
"I trust you know that's a katana so I'll jump to these "Dragon started by nodding at his short weapons "are called jutte short blades now I'll go somewhat easy on you at first but not too easy because if I do you won't learn nothing" he cheekily added with a trickster grin.
(Devil Spidey popped onto Peters shoulder "dude if there was ever a time to cut loose and show what you can do this would be it")
"Anybody find fault with his idea?"
Dragon started the fight with a quick round house kick catching Peter off guard throwing him to the ground luckily he was able to catch himself and flip back to his feet with a smug grin before hitting Dragon with a fast and powerful straight kick throwing Dragon into the back wall sliding to the floor. Dragon was at a total loss for words as Peter waved him on again "come on Dragon surely you're not having second thoughts" he joked.
"ok so we have wise ass" Dragon went the attack again, this time he stepped up his game even Peters reflexes were being pushed to the point where he was just barely able to block Dragons strikes. Dragon parried Peters sword out of his hands and swept his legs out from under him dropping Peter on his back "so you have some skills in martial arts and a good bit of natural speed which with some tweaking and training actually makes you useful" Dragon hung the weapons back on the wall behind him as Gem pulled Peter to his feet "you have potential kid, then again Fox picked you. Welcome to Shadow Squadron I'm Mamoru Motto, Kaine Winston" he gestured over to Gem "Eric Wolf A.K.A White Fang and Adam Ingram you met Vixen and Fox all ready"
"Team were preparing to take off so find your seats and strap in" Came Vexis voice over the intercom followed by the jets engines starting up.
Dragon and the others quickly found theirs chairs and belted in "we'll have to finish the intros later but right now strap in, we're going to Germany boys!"
hey everyone thanks for the reviews and submissions hope you all enjoy.
Peters joined a new team and is on his way to Germany hopefully he will find his answers.
Shadow Squadron has some interesting Characters but Can Peter trust them all
and what will Peter do about a new persona?