The two reincarnates trek further into the narrow dark tunnels of the structure. Dust and old webs are visible to them thanks to their flashlights. They would continue to move further through the ruin until they reached where the drone had stopped. Forge's drone had stopped in the King's chamber as its bright light illuminated the room.
"The contact reported to Kronos that the recent Hydra skirmishes has every local media group questioning the uninvolvement that the African governments have about rapidly appearing foreign militias entering their countries. For now, let's thank our lucky stars that Hydra hasn't found the secrets that Egypt has kept for themselves. To not notice a piece like this, it really shows how desperate they are at wanting to siege Wakanda.", explained Forge as he opened the rest of the luggage to reveal more drones that flew around and performed scans of the environment.
"Still, do you really think it's here? From what these scans are showing, there's nothing under the floors of this chamber.", said Wyatt as monitored his communicator's link with the drones.
"Not it. Who? And for not seeing anything, that's the crazy part. Good ol' Leo made it look that way. Da Vinci somehow already made anti-scanning mechanisms just to avoid whatever detectors could have existed back then. Even after all these centuries, whatever crap he uses to make something like this can still avoid our modern tech.", explained Forge further as he closes in on the King's sarcophagus.
"Realistically, anyone wouldn't believe that. But since you're so excited all of the sudden, please explain.", said Wyatt as got closer to Forge who pulled out a crowbar.
"To put it out of the way, I have made a discovery on our ancient Italian and he designed this cloaking mechanism within the sands themselves that are in this chamber. Specifically, to hide it from, not from the Zodiac Celestials, but from his allies.", explained Forge as he wedged the crowbar into the sarcophagus. This action made Wyatt pale a bit considering that the tomb is Egypt's national treasure.
"The sand in this chamber is not natural compared to the sand outside the pyramid. This sand has cosmic radiation embedded into its grain. The same cosmic radiation in Frank's Scorpio Murasama. So if I reverse the frequency of the radiation within the sand which should be weaker than it is found in the relics, then the true secret of the king's chambers should reveal themselves.", explained Forge as he pried open the sarcophagus to reveal the mummified remains of Pharaoh Khufu. After this, he set a function to the drones through his SHIELD device and caused them to begin emitting a pitched vibration. This vibration caused the normal looking sand to deteriorate into a blue-ish substance with only some of the sand to remain. The blue substance wasn't wet, but felt cloth with a form of putty. The same happened to the sarcophagus as the supposed corpse of the pharaoh disintegrated to reveal another underneath. Cloaked in white wraps and fur, a figure sleeps in the now crystalized tomb and he is familiar to both reincarnates inside the king's chamber. Laying in a peaceful unconsciousness, the Moon Knight has been found.
"Hell Yes. The old Tomes from the Egyptian treasuries were right about something for once. I guess trespassing into Cairo was worth it.", said Forge excitedly.
"Is that who I think it is?", asked Wyatt astonished.
"The Moon Knight. We'll worry about which one he is later. For now, we need to leave now that we have him. Setting the drones to self-destruct to cave in this whole room." answered Forge as a few of the drones plant themselves onto the walls of the chamber. Their lenses blinking a red light to signify that they are armed. The four remaining drones use cables to latch onto the crystal coffin holding the precious cargo. Putting his questioning for the completely illegal action committed by his fellow SHIELD aside, Wyatt Wingfoot and the former X-man immediately rushed out of the pyramid just as the final drone detonated. Forever caving in the interior of Egypt's greatest monument of its history. With their target safely in the Quinjet, they flew back to the Helicarrier where an expectant Director Carter was waiting for them. Hopefully, that night's escapade won't be brought up in the next U.N. evaluation.
… April 28, 2174 - Sunday. Eddie Brock's Apartment. Musutafu, Japan …
The last three days weren't going optimistically for the young American teen, Eddie Brock. His body had been acting up and recently had seen said changes throughout the three days after the attack on USJ. His human form felt slightly better after the pains were gone. He would even say he hasn't felt so refreshed since the first time he had finally gotten some control over his Klyntar side. Unfortunately, the proof was seeing himself accidently tearing open the refrigerator door effortlessly. He'll have to get that fixed eventually. Another change was how his school uniform was starting to feel a little tight. He really shouldn't complain about having a hot bod, but it was way too sudden to shrug off. He'll just have to deal with it later. For now, he has to do the morning holo-call with his team.
With breakfast in hand, Eddie sits at his small dining table and taps on his SHIELD communicator to enter activation on the holographic screens. Three screens hovered to show his fellow reincarnates doing their own morning routines. Creed was doing pull ups in his room. Erik had several small metal bowls floating around him carrying what seemed to be ingredients for the breakfast he was making. And then, there was Doom who was working on some kind of device on a workbench in his lab. Remembering how the four of them met, there was always something in the back of his head that told him that there was no way in hell that they would work well together. In the old world, they were the most dangerous people in some way or form. Sabertooth was pretty much a serial killer from what he heard. Magneto was some mutant revolutionist who nearly destroyed the world for a cause that never got represented properly. And Doctor Doom, the guy is a literal dictator and the two of them have had a scuffle before. Back when it wasn't I, but we.
In this new world, Creed is pretty much a bully who forgets his manners and, in some weird way, tries to be the bossy and somehow caring big brother. Magneto is just a judgemental cynic who tends to question the authority of others and impose his own. Being a damn good cook though was so out of left field for him. And then, Victor von Dickhead Doom, unsurprisingly he didn't show much change from how he normally is back in the old Earths. Technically, by his own accounts, he was the Infamous Iron Man up until his death. Eddie guessed dying must have brought back some of the old villain mentality in the Latverian. And the worst part, he has to take orders from him.
A Klyntar human hybrid with only one voice in his head. His own. Without his other half, he was as lonely as he was back in his daily bugle days. No father. No mother. No annie. No Dylan. And no Venom. To boot, he was a damn teenager again. On some days, he wishes he had remembered his old life. But if he hadn't, would he turn out the same way as before. If there wasn't a Spider-Man, then would there be a Venom or an Eddie Brock. He's grateful to Director Carter sure, but he just wishes getting his memories back didn't mean getting the bad memories back too.
Back to his squadmates, he still didn't believe that they would work well together at all. The chemistry between the four of them was completely non-existent. That was until the Italy mission happened. On that day, the four understood now how Captain America felt during the second World War. Hydra just had this thing about them that made them so hateable. A Europe that has lost its identity, pride, and soul. The Punisher must be having a fun time killing as many Hydra goons that come his way. War can really make you feel glad to have people watching your back. Since then, the four of them just got used to each other at that point. The tension was still there though.
"So runts, what's on the agenda today?", asked Creed nonchalantly as he continued his pull ups.
"Erik and I have been assigned for an investigation mission within scandinavian territory. You two are to remain here to hold position on observing Midoriya's progress.", ordered Doom nonchalantly as he causes sparks to flash with a tool making contact with a circuit board.
"WHAT?!", yelled Creed and Eddie pissed.
"Apparently, Yelena found a possible trail of the Sons of Da Vinci and their recent activities. A possible connection to the disappearance of two missing sidekicks of the Uwabami agency. A pair of rookie pros known as the Fairy Twins who were reportedly last seen at Hosu city. On the day of announcement of their disappearance, all security cameras and surveillance devices within the last place of interest were shut off.", explained Erik as a sound of a nob being turned hinting that the stove has been turned off.
"Fortunately, an image from a social media account gained some attention as it was described as "nearly being run over". The image showed a black van that matches similar models commonly used by operatives that had worked with Venetian Noble in the past.", explained Doom as he popped the image to a separate holographic screen.
"How did she find this lead by the way?", asked Eddie in annoyance.
"She was performing an evaluation of her squad and made a discovery that Arthur Parks was performing a vigilante run in broad daylight. She acquired the lead on the Sons when scanning through the surveillance field to track her squad's possible movements. She noticed an area being a deadzone for three hours." explained Erik who is now sitting in his breakfast snook.
"Let me guess. The Sons kidnapped the Fairy Twins and now you two runts will follow a lead that's as weak as finding shit in mud. Still, how do we know it was them? It could be some other scum that needs an ass kicking.", said Creed with skepticism.
"On the same day, an airline report was acquired in the SHIELD secured forums. Details state how suspicious looking men were seen with multiple bags on each member of their party. Granted, this could just be assumed discrimination from the airport security. However, the luggage they held appeared to be instrument cases made of special lead based material that can bypass x-rays and metal detection. Two of these luggages were described to be as big as a young adult. They were also seen entering the airport in the same van from the image. Said van was found later at midnight at a beach, blown up and in the water.", explained Doom with a finalization gesture that he finished his device.
"So where did they go after their flight?", asked Eddie.
"That's where Doom and I must address the current circumstances for the coming days. In a private transmission, Director Carter reached to both of us for a task in investigating an anomaly at the location that the Sons had flown to. She requested for the two of us to operate this assignment and, to avoid telling you two of where it is, she will confirm the arrival site to us once we arrive at the Japanese Division headquarters.", answered Erik as stirred his tea.
"Are you serious? We ain't going as a squad. Why?", demanded Creed with disapproval of what he heard.
"Well well, Creed. You seem very eager to leave Japan. To be so far away from Midoriya.", mocked Doom with a smirk as the young Canadian snarled at him.
"If you must know, then it has appeared that Agent Woo has noted our two squads' recent heat divide over that green haired quarry of ours to the Director. To relieve tension, she chose Erik and I to assist the Sons' situation. With the Thunderbolts dealing with hydra, the youth department are on temporary assessment of this Italian cult.", explained Doom as he stood from his workbench with his new device in hand.
As his three squadmates continued to bicker among each, Eddie's mind returned back to his recent symptoms and hoped that they didn't interfere with his performance for the school day. Apparently, Jimmy managed to convince Nezu to reschedule another attempt to do the rescue training in the USJ facility. Maybe doing something other than fighting cultists and terrorists will be a welcoming distraction. With the bickering done, Doom and Erik ended their meeting with a reminder that Creed and him should continue to monitor Midoriya's progression. Or in Doom's own words, " If he doesn't behave, discipline him". Both the young American and Canadian scoffed.
With a belly full of breakfast and his Yuuei uniform on, Eddie uses his Klyntar mass to turn himself and his attire into a translucent figure. With a precise leap through his window, the young brock web swings his way to school. SHIELD security automatically closes his open window. The American teen takes in the peace and soothing of the rushing air as he falls briefly into another swing. His mind is at ease just for now as he prepares himself mentally for his new day at Yuuei. Briefly once more, his mind takes him back to friday.
The two days after the USJ attack. Professor Aizawa, freshly healed thanks to his Klyntar healing by the way, had announced to the whole what Jimmy had already told his squad prior after the attack. The Yuuei sport festival. Apparently, an event that had replaced the Olympics completely.
'Makes sense. With nearly all of humanity having powers, an event with ordinary people would just be too boring. But still, it's odd that a sports event for a highschool has replaced the freaking Olympics. It's like saying college football over at Empire State University became a world wide attraction. Then again…', thought Eddie as he looked at a billboard of All-Might.
'Not every country has you.', thought Eddie as he theorized the only possible reason why Japan has become the focal point of the world view. Kind of like New York back in their old worlds. Things always seemed to happen in their state. A whole bunch of heroes could be found in New York and each one could be considered as legendary or iconic. But here, it was just all All-Might. He's a cool guy, yeah. But that just makes the rest of the good guys seem like minor extensions of him.
Back to the memory of Friday, he remembered how everyone there took in the news of being in their first sport festival. How top heroes will be watching them. Scouting out for possible sidekicks once they graduate. Aizawa really put a lot of seriousness to being a part of what technically should just be a school tradition. The young Brock figures tradition went out the window when the cameras started rolling.
… Last Friday, Yuuei …
Over the excitement of everyone of their classmates, squad Doom were more or less mixed when it came to their reactions to the sport festival. Doom felt it wasn't worth their time. Whether or not it fits some ideology in Japan, law enforcement doesn't fight for the masses. Erik however fit some level of nostalgia as he remembered how the X-men he knew were very competitive when it came to sparring in the danger room. Creed felt interested. A chance to show off and get some cred over others always sounded like a good time for him. For Eddie Brock, it was whatever. It sounds fun, yeah. And it sounds mandatory. Only way out of it for them was to receive special pardons from SHIELD to allow them to not attend. And the only way to receive that was if you were assigned a mission.
Ochako's inconsistent characterization to being overconfident in her "trying her best" was certainly a thing they witnessed. In a way, it kinda fit her quirky behavior. But that's when someone decides to bring up to four foreign elephants in the room.
"Still, it's going to be hard to compete with the literal super spies in our class. These guys practically did the most work during the villain attack.", declared Kaminari as he thumbed to the four of them at the back of the class. A slight groan from Doom could be heard as the four noticed how close some of the class was getting to them. Only Todoroki and Bakugou remained at their desks. In front of them stood the students who witnessed their skills at work.
"Yo Erik, I gotta know. Are you guys going to be joining us for the sports festival? It wouldn't be right if not all of Class 1-A will be there.", proclaimed Kirishima enthusiastically to the young German. The red-haired teen had seen how manly the magnetism quirk that the SHIELD youth was packing. It's obvious that he's miles below the level that the young Lesher was on, but Eijiro Kirishima just wants one chance to get anywhere close to that kind of power. Erik raised a hand slightly to represent the preferred boundary between him and ecstatic Eijiro, but it was in vain as Mina jumped in saying that they should train together in their freetime.
"Doom, you must be as eager to experience such an event as the Yuuei sport festival. It could prove to be a faster pace to advance in your personal quirk training.", recommended Iida to the young Doom who raised his eyebrow. Whether it was for curiosity or cynicism, Eddie didn't know. It is a known thing in their squad that Brock's emotional sonar quirk can't read Doom's inner emotions. Just like in the old world, the young Latverian's mind and will is unbreakable. What did get Eddie's attention was how Iida knew about the regimen that Doom does on Saturday. He'll chalked it up to the two of them on Recent occasions seeing each other as the first to arrive at class in the morning.
"Hey Deku, maybe since you and Creed live next to each other, you two could train together for the festival?", asked Ochako to the green-haired teen. The young Midoriya smiled nervously as he thought of the Harsh and brutal ways Victor Creed would want to put him through. He then side eyed the young Canadian who cracked his knuckles, all while having a sinister smirk on his face as he looked back at the slightly scared Izuku. Eddie didn't even want to sense the things going on that animal's head.
Eddie Brock was about to tune everyone out, until his quirk picked up on a familiar calmness.
"Hey Eddie, are you excited to be in your first Sport Festival?", asked Tsuyu Asui with her left index finger on her chin and a tilt of her head. Her froggy eyes and constant slight smile puts the young American at ease slightly. Enough to successfully cancel out the others that were talking to his squad.
"It definitely beats Midtown basketball. Not sure about being watched by the whole world. My abilities aren't really family friendly.", said Eddie as he remembered the recent changes that were happening to him. As well as the recent resurgence of his Venom persona during the villain attack. The last thing he wants is to scare any kid watching him from the stands or the TV.
"Hmmm, do you have stage fright? You can just stand next to me if you get nervous when the festival comes.", offers Tsuyu warmly. The suggestion had made Eddie feel a warmth crawling up his face. With a momentary rub to his left arm, the young Brock looked straight at her with a shy smile and accepted her offer.
"Thanks Tsu, I'm better in a fight than I am with a camera on me.", said Eddie a little embarrassed as Tsuyu smiled at him. After that exchange, the squad of four foreigners surprisingly split from their routine that day. Victor von Doom was the only one who sat with Squad Yelena to debrief on that day's report. Erik continued to chat with Mina, Eijiro, and their little group. The redhead wanted to invite Bakugou to their table, but the explosive blonde declined rudely at the sight of the German teen. The young Lesher didn't mind and preferred the unruly annoyance far from him. He was rather enjoying his time with the two. Eijiro was a much more charming mix of heroes he knew from the old world. Like Bobby Drake's personality and with Peitro's energy, a slight pinch of internal pain at the memory of his son. Oh wait, adopted son as he would painfully remind himself. The silver speedster and his dearest sister Wanda were the child of the first woman he had ever loved, but not his own. As Mina was a much more intrusive notion for him. The pink girl was like a humble Kitty Pryde with Rogue's spunk and moxie. She had made many attempts to get the young German to open up himself. She would get small somewhat satisfying answers here and there, but his strict mindset as a SHIELD agent holds true.
Victor Creed had finally tried sitting with Izuku and his group of Iida and Ochako. The young Canadian listens to the little stories each of the trio have. To him, it was kind of funny. A rich boy, middle class boy, and a poor girl. Speedster, glass-cannon, and a floater. An odd trio, really. If it wasn't for SHIELD, the young Creed would be the homeless boy who caught and ate any deer and wild pig he could find. To him, Iida was a bit much with his serious mannerism and constant need to correct the Canadian's bad behavior. Ochako is too nice and peachy. And Izuku, well, he had most of last year to get to know him. Overall, these three weren't so bad.
As for Eddie Brock, he had her to sit with. Tsuyu Asui is a peculiar case for this once former journalist from across the realities. To others, she was hard to read. Her face was always blank with big nearly unblinking eyes with her lips in a slight upward form. She would just speak her mind and never falter in speech. But the young American could feel something else with his quirk. She is the example of one picture that speaks a thousand words. Lily pads with blooming flowers. A calm pond with gentle ripples. Sun peaks through little gaps in between the leafy branches of the trees above. He could picture it every time she was near. It's a nice change of pace from the emotions of those in SHIELD, his squadmates, and everyone in general.
It was just the two of them on that table. Eddie wasn't going to mention the USJ incident. Her emotion spectrum during that day was like heavy rain on her pond. He wasn't going to bring up anything too sensitive from SHIELD. The gears turned in his head and the frog girl was getting out her chopsticks. Tsuyu Asui is also curious about the American boy in front of her. He's bright, but blunt. Strong, but swift. Firm, but gentle. Other than that, he was funny and brave. He always freezes slightly when she comes to him. And back at USJ, the way he talked and acted showed he had no fear. It was like villains were second nature to him. It spoke a lot about how scary SHIELD might be for youths her age. And what might be more important for her to ask, if it made him dangerous? She saw the shift he took when fighting the Nomu. It wasn't strong, but swift. It was violent and merciless. And that roar, it didn't sound like it came out of someone like Eddie.
In the slight second of beginning to eat her lunch, Tsuyu looked to Eddie who just took his arms out from being crossed. They both initiated.
"Tsuyu". "Eddie". They both said simultaneously and paused for a second. "Sorry". "Ribbit". They did it again and each did a slight giggle. Instead of talking about USJ or Eddie's Venom form, Eddie would tell Tsuyu about a memory of his time back in his old world's Queens. He fabricated parts of the story, of course. To fit what has happened to him in this world. Tsuyu was intrigued with his life back in New York. He hadn't mentioned any family or old friends, but the nice neighbors and faces of his life outside of SHIELD. She would then tell him about her time back in Salty Banks Middle School. For a while then, she considered explaining how most of her time was taken up by early hero studies. Little time to make friends. The young American told her that you could get the same kind of experience as a SHIELD youth. He even relented on his SHIELD mentality and told her that for the first year of being in their squad that the four of them weren't really friends.
Tsuyu would then tell Eddie about her old friend Habuko Mongoose. How the snake headed girl would act as she would take offense at first, but be on board right after. The young Brock would also tell the frog girl about how each of his team would react to things they hate. Eventually, they two would tell stories of things they thought were funny. It was a good lunch period for both of them. For Eddie Brock, memories like those were often hard to gain. It made him grateful to have Tsuyu. Good people like that are hard to come by.
Time for new memories to be made however. On the morning of homeroom, it was announced that the whole class will redo the USJ rescue training exercise. Everyone was concerned and questioned why it needed to be rescheduled this early after the attack. Aizawa explained it was needed to allow the class to learn what they had missed and that it would show the country that the situation was under control. He glanced at the far back seats of the class where the SHIELD youths are. The four foreigners had looks that told Eraserhead that they knew the real reason why. It was to help fit the publicized narrative that the villains played a minor threat and that it was coincidental that the class had their training scheduled that way. Got to keep up appearances after all, especially in this strict society.
The bus ride to the USJ facility was much more awkward than last time. Mineta never got over his terrified state back on the boat. Izuku felt as if seeing the facility brought back feelings of inadequacy. He still felt that he could have done more that day. But remembering Creed's words, he guessed it was important to stay safe. Oddly enough, Bakugou felt the same way. Seeing the facility, it just made him mad. He didn't even face the real threat head on. The rest of class felt other things than irritation or fear. They felt a slight hint of trauma, with a strong touch of overcoming. Sure, eventually they will have to fight real villains when they officially gain licenses. But to experience a villain attack so early into school, it did deliver a shock of surrealism into their realities. It all could have gone south so fast if All-Might hadn't turned up to finally put an end to the invasion.
Even still, someone as great as All-Might wasn't solely responsible for stopping the villains that day. Not at once, but occasionally, some would take a glance at the four foreigners at the back of the bus. At how unaffected they were.
Victor von Doom kept his attention to the shifting holographic waves of his SHIELD communicator. His burning green eyes pierced through the shadow of his hood. Erik Lesher had his helmet on his lap as he had his eyes to the window. His long silver hair tied up to a man bun. Victor Creed was just sleeping on his seat. Slight upward of the right side of his lip indicates that he's snarling in his dreams. And Eddie Brock, well, he was severely reminded that he couldn't shut off his emotional sonar quirk. Excitement and anxiousness filled the bus. All directed at them or at the memory of their first time seeing SHIELD assets at work.
Once the bus stopped and everyone entered the facility, they took in how the scenery and the zones had been thoroughly repaired. Thirteen greeted the class who noticed that she was energetic and well, though some that were there that day when Eddie had healed her injuries. She and Eraserhead had explained that the class will be put into groups based on the two sides of the exercise. A team of four rescuers and a team of three endangers. It is ironic that Eddie Brock would end up on the endangered team with his two members being Iida and Ochako. The glasses wearing teen was doing some frantic act to show what he thought an endangered civilian who just survived a cliff fall would act like. The gravity defying girl just laughs at her friend's antics.
Eddie Brock figured that he should do his part for the act of the exercise.
"Hey guys, look. I'm a stain on the ground.", said Eddie humorously as he melted into a black puddle with only his white lenses peering out. Iida gawked at the American's full body manipulation as Ochako struggled to stiffen her laughter at the sight of it. The rescue team has then begun their plan to save the three from the bottom of the cliff. They brought down the one named Fumikage Tokoyami. The bird head teen made the young Brock feel nostalgic. And when he saw Dark Shadow emit from Tokoyami, that explains why. It was so similar to him and his Venom. Having a voice to hear in his head. A vessel to share. The slow rise to madness and hunger which lead to the long road of acceptance and redemption.
As Tokoyami orders Dark Shadow to lift Ochako to the top of the cliff. Eddie Brock reformed from his puddle form and stood up to walk up to the bird headed teen. This surprised Tokoyami as he had just noticed the American next to him just as Ochako was safely received by Momo.
"Does he talk to you in your head? Want the opposite of what you want often?", asked Eddie to Tokoyami as his white lenses stared at Dark Shadow. The bird teen took a moment to answer the question, but felt the emotion behind it even if the one who asked it didn't show it.
"No, he doesn't. He is his own being. Despite his attitude, we work well together.", answered Tokoyami briefly with professionalism and stoicism. He then took a step back when he noticed the taller American looking down and facing him. His white lenses narrowed at the bird head.
"He doesn't tell you to do bad things, does he?", asked Eddie darkly and suspiciously. Tokoyami was a little stunned at first, but held his ground to defend his quirk.
"No, never.", responded Tokoyami defensively. Eddie Brock took in the answer and relented.
"Good. It's not bad to share your existence with another. As long as both can respect the other's wishes.", said Eddie resolutely. He then stood at the cliff wall. He extended his arm and with the other arm he snapped it in half. Tokoyami and Iida were shocked by the action.
"Well, I'm injured. Give me a good save, hero.", said Eddie with a wink to Tokoyami.
After being saved by his classmate, Eddie had just stayed in attention as he and his squad watched everyone else perform the exercise. Some used their quirks and some used equipment. Squad Doom then had their turn in rescue training. Creed strapped the less injured to his back as he used his claws and boot spikes to climb upward to the cliffside. For the heavily injured, he impaled a metal rod that he bended with his above average strength to be a hook-like grapple structure on the edge of the cliffside. Using himself as adjustable weight for a human powered pulley system, he managed to get the heavily injured to the top of the cliff by climbing down to raise them higher. Doom and Erik mostly just levitated their injured and flew them to rescue.
Eddie for his part used his shapeshifting to match the proper rescue method. Climbing with massive tendrils to smoothly carry the heavily injured. Wings to fly out the less injured. Safe to say that SHIELD youths can pull off rescues as easily as they do fighting villains. Even if rescuing is way more boring than fighting. The class then shifted to an exercise that was explained by Thirteen to a more advanced form of hide and seek where they must find each other in a ruined city that was hit by an earthquake. The simulation was rather elaborate. Japanese tax payers at its best apparently. Since he has his sonar, the young American could easily find the ones who are hidden. So, he and Creed were designated to the hiders as Doom and Erik were seekers.
A good ten minutes had passed since Eddie had hid on the westside of the ruined city. He was bored, sure, but this is ain't so bad compared to the drills that the Punisher puts them through. He did some thinking and he keeps going back to his old earth. Did the heroes win? Or did Kleatus win? Did Knull get what he wanted? He hoped. He prayed. That Knull didn't come to this world too. Everytime he looks at his Klyntar black mass, darkness haunts him.
Suddenly, his Emotional Sonar spiked with a sudden wave of concern and fear. Eddie immediately busted through his hiding spot and flew to where all the commotion was. It had seemed someone had arrived uninvited. He was tall and wore tactical gear. He had muscle, that's for sure. What made him more dangerous was the fact that he held a limp Todoroki in his hand. Oddly enough, his sonar is telling him that Shoto is still conscious. Was he in shock? No, his emotions say that he's indifferent at the moment. Then what was he doing? The rest of the class was spread out and some were cautious to even approach the new villain. The young American sensed around for his squadmates, but they were nowhere in sight. He flies down to where Izuku and Ochako were.
"Izuku, where's my squad? Why aren't they here? And who the hell is that?", asked Eddie to Izuku as he grew his Klyntar mass to prepare for the fight in front of him.
"I'm not sure. The teachers aren't around and we haven't seen Doom, Erik, and Creed since this city exercise started.", answered Izuku as grew concerned for how the situation is looking. Eddie focused on his emotional sonar to find the missing five, but he couldn't detect them. This was turning out like last Wednesday all over again. He just hopes this won't involve him eating chucks out of this guy too. Just then this new arrival declared that he won't let anyone leave and caused a powerful stomp that cleared a large portion of the ruined city they were in. Everyone remained unharmed for now, the young American knew he had to step up if the adults and his team weren't available.
"Izuku, stay with everyone and tell them to not get near this guy. I'll keep him busy for you guys to get help.", ordered Eddie to Izuku as sprouted his wings again to quickly fly straight into the villain. Before Izuku could respond, the SHIELD youth flapped a large gush of wind as he immediately was above the enemy. The green-haired teen wanted to take the order, but his mind quickly brought him back to last Wednesday. How he didn't do anything. How everyone was just watching as others took the punishment for them. Creed told him that he shouldn't recklessly go into every fight, but what has he done even to show that he can still help others? Seeing Todoroki being unconscious and in the villain's grasp has steeled him to at least do something.
As Izuku contemplated on what plan could be achievable, Eddie with both balled up fists brought down a downward strike that actually shook the villain a little. To Brock, this means this guy was seriously tough and hopefully didn't have a healing factor like that Nomu did. This villain felt the power of the strike and is really starting to consider using a little more punch for his own attacks. The masked man swiped his hand to release a powerful gust of wind to send the American teen away. However, with his clawed hands gripping the ground, the young Klyntar hybrid stayed where he was.
"So this is the SHIELD youth I heard so much about.", said the villain in a gruff voice.
"The fact that you've heard me means you were with those League of Villain nuts. Let me guess you hid in the city ruins to avoid arrest.", interrogated Eddie as his muscles tensed up.
"That doesn't matter. All that does is that this facility will be your grave.", said the villain mockingly.
"Death threat, huh. You and every other trash I've dealt with back in Manhattan.", mocked Eddie back as sprung into action.
Using his memories of his fights with Spider-Man, he perfectly mimics the web-slingers powers and skill to get an edge on this attacker. Beating him into submission is the goal, yes, but first he needs to get the downed Shoto away from him. The black suited ten sends another punch at the villain's face, while his other hand extends to reach for Shoto. However, the villain dodges the punch and keeps the young Todoroki far from the American. Brock was getting annoyed by this keep away game, so he tried to get in closer to the enemy. Noticing this immediately, the villain did a hoax and threw todoroki slightly in the air. This caused Eddie to turn his eyes to the white and red haired teen above them, but this caused him to be too distracted by what came next. The villain did a fast spin and put some power into a back hand fist strike directly at Eddie's face. This launched the American into a ruined building. The impact made what was left of the structure to fall on top of where Eddie could have landed.
Izuku, Ochako, and Everyone were in shock as another of their strongest had taken down. A bead of sweat went down his face as the young Midoriya was starting to feel the gravity of the situation as he looked to his classmates. Ochako looked mortified by the power she saw. Iida was tense and didn't move from where he was as switched from Eddie's impact and to the villain's current location. Tsuyu's expression actually hurt him a little. For the first time since knowing little about her, she had always seemed so clear and indifferent of what to do. But now, she looked worried as her big black pupils were slightly dilated in concern for the American teen.
Izuku didn't know what to do next. Come up with something or actually find a way out of here with the others. Just then a loud boom was heard. Bakugou has entered the fight and released turrets of explosions at the villain. Seeing the explosive blonde rejuvenated the class. There were still some of them that still kept in the fight. Seeing his childhood friend and bully, the young Midoriya steeled himself once again as he knew what had to be done. They have to beat this villain if any of them are going to be able to say that they themselves could fight for their
Innocence. After Bakugou was sent back by the villain, he and Iida had a brief argument. Only to be interrupted by Kirishima, Momo, and the rest of the class declaring that they will fight too.
"So brave of you kids, even after I just beat one of those SHIELD kids right in front of you. In fact, before beating the one I'm holding right now, I've dealt with your teachers and the other three SHIELD kids. Do you really think all this will be enough.", mocked the villain as swiped another powerful gust of wind. As he and the students were skirmishing, Eddie Brock heard the whole thing. Before the villain's declaration, he was in his crater with shock rattling his brain. It wasn't the hit he took. It was the fact that he didn't feel it. Actually, he felt the sensation of being flung and hitting the building. But, he didn't feel pain. And yet, he could feel his muscles tense even further. He didn't know what was happening to him, but he wasn't complaining. And when he heard what the Villain did to his squad and his teachers, he was done playing.
As the villain was reviling in his dominance, he and the nearly knocked back students heard a rumbling from the ruined building and saw four large ink black tendrils erupting from the debris. The tendrils went back in and out came Eddie with six large wings. As he flew straight into the villain, he quickly shifted the three wings on his right side into a massive powerful arm with tendrils writhing around it. The villain could feel that this was the big one, but he realized that he still held on to todoroki. He quickly dodged the attack and witnessed a good chunk of the land shattered in front of him.
"You took down my team, guess we're done being a friendly neighborhood.", said Eddie, pissed off.
"He's my kill, SHIELD mutt.", roared Bakugou as he blasted straight at the villain yet again.
"And now, I have to tag team with this guy. It's official, today sucks.", said Eddie tiredly as jumps in with Bakugou to fight the enemy. As the two fought, Izuku saw this as the perfect opportunity to initiate the plan. Seeing two powerhouses of his past and present, the green-haired teen wants to stand among them and fight too. To say and prove that you can be a hero too.
"Bakugou. Eddie. Hmm, Ochako, Iiida, Mineta, and As- I mean Tsuyu. I have a plan.", declared Izuku as stood with the four he called too. He told them what they will do to help Bakugou and Eddie. They all agree and commence into action. The explosive blonde and alien hybrid didn't give the villain a chance to breathe as they continued their assault. Though, the two had different takes on the fight.
"Hey mutt, I told you he's my kill.". "As if I care, I was fighting him first", both Eddie and Bakugou argued with each other as they moved and striked against the villain. For every gust, they dodged. For every opening, they punched or combusted. As they fought, neither the two teens or the villain saw the next event coming. As Izuku was launched by Ochako and Tsuyu, he held one of Mineta's stick purple orbs and clung onto Todoroki's limp form. With the hostage out of the way, Eddie swooped in with a powerful dropkick with all the potential power of his Klyntar mass that sent the villain back several feet into a piece of debris that had several of Mineta's orbs on it. The villain was stuck good and the class cheered as they finally saw their enemy defeated.
With the villain down, Eddie and Bakugou walk toward him with different intentions. The explosive blonde wants to be the one to finish them off for being such a pain. Eddie wanted to integrate him further for what he had done to his team and teachers. Just when both were about to grab the villain, he pleads for them to halt and use the sticky orbs to remove his mask. Who he really is was definitely a shock to their system.
"I AM HERE", loudly announced All-Might with his charismatic grind.
"ALL-MIGHT", yelled Izuku and Bakugou in shock. "You've got to be shitting me. This whole thing was a test.", said Eddie, annoyed.
"Of course, it was a test. And have shown much, Brock", said voice above everyone. They all looked up to see a group of five. Doom, Erik, Creed, Aizawa, and Thirteen were levitated above them. The five then descended and revealed that the whole situation was an elaborate ploy illustrated by both All-Might and Victor von Doom. Aizawa explained to the whole class that this was a shared experimental training exercise with SHIELD to test their youth division members individually. Apparently for this month, it was Eddie Brock's turn for his evaluation on handling villain threats as a lone agent with civilian level individuals. All-Might for his part explained that him being a fake villain was meant as a clever ruse to make the students to harden themselves in stressful situations and allow them to become braver. Class 1-A didn't answer well. As the students berated the number one hero for reckless intentions to traumatize them to be braver, squad Doom stood to the side to explain things to Eddie Brock.
"So when were you going to tell me that this was a surprise test for me?", asked Eddie irritatedly.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it? I certainly didn't demand you to tell me about your recent bodily changes.", said Doom to Eddie with stoicism as he revealed to the young American what was on the holographic screen of his SHIELD communicator. An analysis spectrum of all the changes that have happened to his body. Two graphs showed rising stamina and muscular levels of both his human and his Klyntar sides.
"How long have you known?", asked Eddie, suspicious of the Latverian.
"Just like Belova, I have full monitorization of my squad's vitality. As well as changes to them. Apparently, your human side gained two new quirks and your Klyntar side had to adjust itself to compensate for the new genetic code you've adopted.", explained Doom to Eddie who was now shocked at the news.
"Two new whole quirks to yourself. Way to be a show-off without even trying, bub", said Creed nonchalantly.",
"Not like I was. How the hell did this happen?", asked Eddie slightly uneasy. Just as Eddie tried to calm himself, Doom performed a bioscan with his biomatrix software. The results were interesting.
"The two new quirks are Shock Absorption and SuperRegeneration. Does that sound familiar to you?", queried Doom to Eddie who slowly formed the pieces in his head. The Nomu. It had those quirks. But how did he get them? Flashes of him in his Venom form eating the flesh of the Nomu appeared to him. Specifically, everytime he took a bite out of the freak's brain.
"With every bite. But there's no way that's the case. I've eaten plenty of people as Lethal Protector back in Queens. Not once did I get any of the rando's quirks.", said Eddie, still trying to find reason in his situation.
"Perhaps, there was something special about Nomu.", said Erik with his arms crossed. Doom, Eddie, and Creed turn their sights to the young German of their squad who was focusing on their rambunctious class in their antics.
"Interesting theory, Erik. Is this coming from personal testing or an involuntary experience?", asked Doom with slight curiosity.
"Ask Apocalypse. Secondary mutations aren't that common, but they have happened. The genome, down to its nature, is unpredictable and adaptive. When artificially interfered with, the results are just as abundant with risks. This Nomu was made by man. That we know for sure. Your Klyntar side has proven that the genome was left open for assimilation and manipulation. It was an incomplete beast with the possibility of being mass produced. Creed, you should know of such dangers. Do you not?", proclaimed Erik, his eyes now on the Canadian who shifted uncomfortably at the notion of the statement.
"The last thing we want the enemy to have is a Weapon X making freaks like that. But hey, one of our own got an upgrade. Their lost, our win.", said Creed, regaining some confidence as he pats Eddie's shoulder.
"Except, Nomu is still alive and imprisoned. The League will want a return of their product. Eddie Brock, whatever you plan to do with this new condition of yours, keep it managed. You already have cannibalistic tendencies to keep check. Power hunger will only make you more difficult to lead.", ordered Doom stoically as Eddie slumped his shoulders and scowled at the Latverian.
"Look on the brightside, goop slinger. This means you can just kick ass as Eddie Brock. Emotional Sonar, Super Regeneration, and Shock Absorption. Add the SHIELD training, and you're pretty much the best agent we got.", encouraged Creed with a smirk.
"Sounds good, but I know what I am. Besides, it's like Doom said, my Klytar side makes them more effective.", resolved Eddie as he figured that he'll have to come to terms that he has new powers now.
With that day set and done, squad Doom has come to accept the new developments. Eddie has become more of an asset as ever before. Creed, having witnessed Izuku's rising resolve, decides to go forward with his plan to train his neighbor when he has the time. Doom and Erik prepare themselves for their trip to Europe in their mission to further investigate the Sons of Da Vinci. Overall, the rescheduled Rescue Training at USJ was an accomplishment for everyone there.
… April 29, 2174 - Monday. Ribe, Denmark …
Flying by Quinjet, the duo of Victor von Doom and Erik Lesher were dropped off at the pick up point for when they completed their investigation. Both dressed in long coats with black hiking jeans and boots. The Latverian's coat was green with silver buttons. The German's coat was red with purple buttons. Being departed at a lush forest by a snowy plain, they hiked onward until they arrived in the oldest town of Denmark. The murky countryside town of Ribe. Here, they begin their investigation into any possible activities of the Italian cult they are after. Their first stop was the local library. Not for information gathering, but for the lack of information. The Sons make it a custom of theirs to erase events in history that put their mission at a disadvantage with their inner exploited narratives. The exploits in Italy discovered by the Thunderbolts helped back it up. All reports were then sent to Doom and Belova to further study for situations when they must combat the Sons.
Any piece of history that could lead to their activities could aid Doom and Erik in their search. But when taking on a group that wishes to stay as phantoms. A lack of trail could provide a more sufficient guide than any other. The duo discussed over a meal in one of the more "friendly" looking taverns. The locals were pleasant to say the least. With the civil wars in Europe still rampant, Denmark did its best to keep the peace. However, trust with either public perception or authority is a loose and unstable matter. Just another effect of Hydra's tentacles wrapping around the vulnerable governments of the continent. With the notion that none of the people seemed willing to talk to outsiders, the two teens walked out of the tavern and wanted to try their luck further into town. But not before noticing two stalkers behind them, they stop to face their followers. Immediately, Doom used his quirk to create a thick green fog that dragged the two assailants in closer to them and Erik used his electromagnetism to send dense force straight at their foreheads to knock them out. The two would be opponents turned out to be a father and his adult son. Considering they were both armed with just knives, they most likely just wanted to rob them. Even this far in the countryside of Denmark, crime will make a nest and settle down. Dissatisfied or just disappointed, the two teens left their unconscious forms on the cold sidewalk as they continued on their trek.
As they perused the library, the duo knew they were being watched. Showing that they will only complicate things. Sooner or later, the whistleblower will alert the Sons of their presence. It could be the librarian. The readers in the tables. Or that one simpleton by the coffee stand. It could be anyone really, but Doom and Erik are mentally prepared for any situation that comes their way. Until then, they simply wish to enjoy the feel of being back in their home continent. The Latverian teen proposes that they must start with any publications that hold some meritable content on ancient Scandinavian history. Considering that the Sons had been tailing the teenage reincarnate Asgardian prince, it would be best to start with any of Earth's already interpreted embodiment of Norse mythology.
It seemed that Doom's assumption was true as the two had gone through every piece of articles and stories of Norse that shared any common patterns. Oddly enough, the pattern was that each tale and lore of the gods and the realms are not matching that of the Norse worlds that the two were familiar with. Doom and Erik remembered that since Odin Borson is technically in his youth. This means that the ten realms are younger and far back than they should be in modern times. For that, all these stories are told with entities and locations that only share brief aspects with what they truly know. However, all branches of this mythos lead to one god who holds his real name. The Norse god of war, Tyr. there was something special about this god if the Sons were willing to leave him unaltered.
Erik noticed something in the narratives of each of the articles of the altered mythos. Jotting down every change the Sons made, a clear trail could be seen leading to a potential sight of interest for the two of them to see. Singling out everything with Tyr in it, a map could be made which leads to a hidden passage in the middle drift of Ribe's fishing river. The problem now is to get a boat and find it. Figuring that they had done enough for today, Doom and Erik retired for the night in a shared room at a small cottage styled hotel. The separate bed talk was… enlightening. It had been a while since the two had a mission with just the two of them. Their history wasn't the best one, but they had their few agreements here and there. Still, there are many differences between them.
"Doom, be honest with me. If all foes are beaten and none can rival you, would you pursue to conquer the world like you once tried originally?", asked Erik from his bed.
"Died as Iron Man, remember. I'm a hero where I left off. I don't plan to change just because I died.", answered Doom from his bed.
"That didn't answer my question.", said Erik who turned his head to the Latverian who then turned his head with a stoic look.
"I'm not going to conquer the world. That doesn't mean I won't do anything grand. Even a world like this could use at least a fraction of my help.", said Doom as he turned away from the German.
"Even though you have witnessed the fall of your home country for the third time. Including the death of your parents.", queried Erik as he too turned away from the Latverian.
"Revenge is a whole other thing. Even heroes need payback. For you, at least you didn't lose your first born this time around.", said Doom as the two teens ended their night talk. As they tried to drift off, they thought about what the other had asked them.
For Doom, how well would others perceive his methods of heroics? They'll disagree of course, but could they blame him if it gets the job done. He's no killer like the Punisher… Well, not as bloody any way. He, Victor von Doom, knows when it is time to either defeat a threat or eliminate a greater danger. But he knows others will judge him still. He will not care either way, especially when the time will come when he faces that tyrant again. In the old world or this new one, that scum Fortunov will die by his cold metal wrapped hand once again.
For Erik, all that he thought about til he drifted to sleep was the memory of his first born, Anya. what he considered his first true sin was losing his greatest gift that he had endured that cursed war for. Memories of her had even brought back memories of his dearest Magda. He thought about just flying to Germany right now and finding her. Doom may get mad and be a pain in the ass, but he just wants to see her and believe that maybe he might just forgive him for killing her father. The young Lesher knew better. There is no timeline where she could possibly forgive him for that.
… April 30, 2174 - Tuesday. Ribe, Denmark …
"Sixty whole krones for this pathetic raft.", said Erik as he and Doom carry the row boat to the fishing river.
"It just tells that Hydra doesn't know how to create a stable economy to be public friendly.", said Doom as he and Erik lay the boat into the water.
"We sail mid-drift and find something that could indicate an opening to whatever the Sons may be protecting.", proclaimed Doom as the two began to row further into the river.
"For once, we're going in blind. I would never imagine that you Doom would validate my hunches for an important task.", said Erik mockingly to the Latverian as they continued to row until the river currents made it easy to let the boat sail on its own.
The Latverian and the German teens sat in the boat in silence. Doom uses his quirk to sense any oddities above or below the water as Erik uses his magnetism to sense any metal structures within the earth of the river floor. After a whole hour, they drifted out of Ribe's borders and were now on free waters. They were getting closer to something. Doom sensed a type of brick material that was decades old and Erik sensed iron deposits leading to a huge source to what could be a cavern.
"Oh the lively day of a SHIELD youth. We truly are serving the cause of protecting the free world from oppressive terrorist threats. We really are testing our patience, aren't we Doom?, asked Erik in sarcasm.
"The Sons of Da Vinci pose a threat, because they somehow gain the influence to change the narrative of history itself. Whether through physical or cosmic means, that makes them dangerous. Only reincarnates like us could combat them since they'll possibly have an advantage of turning the people of this world against us. If it wasn't for SHIELD, we wouldn't have the resources to work towards defeating them. It's our inherited knowledge and regained memories that allows us to counter their influence from our own perspective. If we lose to them, then we lose due to us being idiots.", explained Doom as he tried to explain the gravity of the threat that the italian cult plays. Erik Lesher merely grumbles in defeat and annoyance at the Latverian's reasonable logic. He just didn't want to say it.
As they continued to drift in silence, the Latverian and German did feel that something was off. Doom and Erik looked to their sides and then to each other. The stare they gave to one another told only one thing. Back to Back. two mysterious fast flying assailants zoomed straight at the two teens at opposite ends of the boat. From the front and back of the little vessel, the two teens with their backs touching had their own personal force fields up to block a powerful kick from what they could tell to be insect winged dark suited woman who bore the Sons signature number fonts on their attires. Their labels read 11A and 11B respectfully.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking Lesher?", asked Doom nonchalantly as he held his opponents' leg in place with his particle quirk.
"The kidnapped sidekicks from last Thursday are now trying to kill us.", answered Erik, bored as he halted his opponent with electromagnetic waves.
The two SHIELD youths were now in a situation that would appreciate didn't happen, but there they were. Fighting two augmented Sons agents who were once sidekicks to some Japanese hero agency while balancing and protecting their small boat on the Denmark river. Cool lives they have, yet abundant with unpredictable variables.
"They remind me of Pixie. Are they possible variants of her?", asked Erik out of the blue. 11B did a flying sidekick which was bounced off by a magnetic pulse. An overhead kick was next and then blocked by another pulse. The German made his move and released a condensed blast of electromagnetic energy which knocked 11B into the water.
"They're more like gnats than pixies.", said Doom in annoyance as deflected the attacks of his enemy. 11A was very much a kick fighter like 11B is, except instead of kick slices she does straight kicks. The Latverian shifts his body side to side as he sends particle jabs into 11A's head and upper body. She staggered a little and failed to realize that the teen had a ball of condense green particles in his hand. Like a light hand grenade, Doom threw it above the Sons' head and ignited a downward combustion. 11A joins her sister in the water and the SHIELD youth quickly steadied their boat.
Victor von Doom and Erik Lesher waited for their attackers to emerge from the water. 11A and 11B indeed buzzed out of the water and shot toward the teens. Pulses and waves swished and deflected every attack as the boat rocked a bit too much. Just as things were about to take a splash, Doom sensed something for a microsecond further down the river. A crevice in the river floor that seemed man made considering the brick work. There was also an air pocket big enough for a person to be in and he sensed more within.
"Lesher, I'm going to try something new for myself. Prepare yourself.", proclaimed Doom as he flowed green particles into rapidly orbiting fog around him. Erik was surprised by this and prepared any force field to protect the Latverian as the Sons Pixies were about to attack. Just as they reached the halfway point to their destination, Doom immediately shifted a portal-like construct above them and pulled it down towards them. A green warp portal vanished them off the boat and upon their disappearance the fairy sisters accidently kicked each other in the face.
A green warp gate appeared in the air-pocketed crevice within the river floor and dropped off Doom and Erik onto a white brick ground covered in four inches of water. Both teens groaned as they face planted on the wet ground. Shaking and pulling the water out of their hair, both stood to see that they were in a cavern of some sort. Doom took this chance to say that he has successfully found the Sons' secret with his new technique of portal based teleportation. Erik was slightly stunned at his Latverian allies' new skill or power, but then hardened himself to tell said Latverian that his nose was bleeding and his skin had reddened. Doom took the time to quickly feel the blood from his nose and heat of the skin of his neck. It appears that he still needs some practice. The German then demanded on how the Latverian had achieved such an ability.
Victor von Doom explained to Erik Lesher that on the day of the USJ attack they both were combative with the warp villain named Kurogiri. When the warp villain was about to harm Thirteen, the Latverian teen tried to damage the villain with a "semi-lethal" attack of his own. However, the SHIELD youth had accidently touched the physical head of Kurogiri and mended into his subconscious. After that day, Doom had felt a new change to his quirk. Studying his quirk cells within his blood, a second quirk cell variant had been activated. That now makes two out of 605. It also means now that the Latverian teen has discovered that his quirk might actually allow him to replicate the abilities of others as sub-functions to his own power.
"So in other words, both you and Brock can have more quirks upon meeting certain circumstances. To which I must ask, what are the conditions of this function of yours?", asked Erik who was suspicious of this new development in the young Doom.
"I'm still studying further into it, but since you're here. Would you like to help me demonstrate how it might work?", offered Doom to which Erik, who was now more uncertain if this may be an unsavory change in the overall scheme.
"I swear if you somehow gain magnetic powers of your own. This damp cave will be your grave. Go on then.", said Erik as he allowed Doom to touch his forehead. A minute had passed and a disappointing result of nothing occurred.
"Curious, nothing happened. Nor a surge of transmission like before with Kurogiri.", analyzed Doom as he stared at his hand.
"Maybe it doesn't work on fellow reincarnates, or different genomes could affect the compatibility.", suggested Erik just as curious.
"Perhaps, further testing is required then. For now, let's find what Tyr has to offer.", said Doom as he and Erik trek further into the cave to acquire the endgame of their investigation in Denmark.
Through the long traverse of a cramped passage, Doom used his quirk to illuminate their way to the most peculiar cave formation. A large stone room of chiseled engravings. Each picture in the rock told the story of how the Asgardians and other representatives of each of the ten realms formed an alliance with many Earth factions. It then showed a tall muscular bearded Aesir shaking hands with a shorter bearded man. Doom and Erik could only assume that this was the first meeting of Leonardo Da Vinci and the Asgardian king of that era. The next set engravings told of how Leonardo met another Norse entity, one who wielded an axe and a sword. Obviously Tyr. Then it showed the Italian and the Aesir working on a forge of massive proportions. The last engraving was covered in cavern fungus. With their powers, the Latverian and German removed the fungus to reveal a sight that did send them into a surprise and shock state. The last engraving showed Leonardo and Tyr holding a cube that was detailed by the etching to glow bright.
Victor von Doom and Erik Lesher had only one possible notion of what this artifact could be and neither could decide to feel either delight or dread. The first clue to what the Sons wish to achieve. Full possession over the Cosmic Cube. They then heard a loud eruption from where they had entered the cave. Just then, 11A and 11B flew in and attacked the two teens. Holding up their defenses, the two reincarnates now can't afford any more delays. With this secret revealed to them, the two threats in front of them outlived their desired and distractive time. With a synchronized series of motions with their arms, Doom and Erik collided the Fairy Twins into the cavern walls to force a cave in which allowed much of the river to ppour in. With their wings wet, their flight was delayed enough for the Latverian and German to perform a duo combination attack.
Doom summons orbs of green water with his quirk as Erik embeds them with high voltages of electromagnetic energy. Flicking their fingers simultaneously, green watery bombs with purple sparks shot towards the two fairies and combusted in hues of thunderous fires. Tattered and scorched pieces of wings, flesh, and tactical uniforms flew all around as the two teens used a green portal to escape the carnage. The two teens then land on their back on top of the green grass of the riverside just as an eruption of green and purple energy shot from the water. Getting up from the ground as sprinkles of water fell on them, the Latverian and German dusted themselves as they noticed that the sun was at its afternoon position.
"Well, that was quite the discovery. To think that wretched prism exists in this reality, it seems anything really can come from our old multiverse.", said Erik with slight concern.
"That would explain how Leonardo can create the relics to begin with. He must have used the Cosmic Cube as a means to defeat the Zodiac Celestials in the ancient war. However, that doesn't explain the need for the weapons. Granted, we don't know if all the relics are weapons. Still, the Scorpio Murusama and the Aquarius Gauntlets don't appear to measure even a fraction to what cosmic beings could do.", analyzed Doom in irritation.
"That Italian has started to make our lives complicated. For a dead man, his legacy has become more trouble than it's worth. We now know all we need of the Sons' endgame. They are officially our main priority now", said Erik with his stoic confidence returning.
"Yes, we will need to report this immediately to the director. With her finalized approval, we can get leeway to take a break from the Midoriya project. To finally put our focus back to Europe.", said Doom in agreement. Erik peered back at the river and wondered of their fallen enemies.
"Are we sure that they're dead? We appear to have a track record of always destroying their augmented soldiers and god knows we can't afford to lose any victories nowadays.", said Erik as continues to stare at the water.
"Would you like to fish for the bodies?", queried Doom as concentrate his quirk to the ruined river floor. Sensing the objects he wishes to precure, he summons a green portal that manifests several items of interest. A large fragment of the cube's engravings of its creation and several disembodied parts of the fallen Fairy Sisters. Doom and Erik agreed to put into the report for the Japanese division to create a fabrication to the missing sidekicks' demise in Europe. Taking the stone fragment with them, the two reincarnates trek through Ribe's borders and arrive at the pick up point. After a quinjet came to pick them up, a cloaked figure had appeared at the scene of the fight to pick up the remains of 11A and 11B.
… May 1, 2174 - Wednesday. Baltic Sea …
France. Italy. Iceland. And soon, Finland. SHIELD has made great efforts to liberate Europe from Hydra's control. Upon a major development by the Thunderbolts and Black Panther, the Aquarius Gauntlets were successfully retrieved and are now on route to be kept at a secured SHIELD facility on the east coast of North America. As a part of the agreement made between the king and the vigilante Squad, they will help his highness to retrieve stolen vibranium being held in a Hydra vessel, "The Lionfish", sailing the Baltic Sea.
"Alright, Panther. You helped us back in Finland, so we owe ya." said Trickshot as he loads his quiver.
"Yes, a fine victory you provided us, your grace. Frank certainly couldn't have done better himself.", complemented Black Knight as polished his Ebony Blade. As a response, Punisher simply grunted in annoyance as he loaded his mags.
"This search for these relics has hindered SHIELD's relations with their non-american allies. Hydra may have Europe in their hands, but as they spread in manpower so does their influence. They are more of a threat than these Sons of Da Vinci.", proclaimed King Obinna with dissatisfaction.
"Relax, king kitty, we're working as much as we can. Plus, these Sons are as dangerous since their main targets are reincarnates from our old multiverse. That includes the Wakandans.", said Trickshot, just finished loading his quiver and equipped his bow.
"The Sons aren't the ones attacking Wakanda with a heavily powered mercenary group. A wave attacks us each week and SHIELD resources are wearing thin. Your organization is just interested in our vibranium as much as Hydra. If you wish to prove yourselves for such a benefit, then show that you respect its value and aid in its return.", said King Obinna with seriousness.
"Our satellites detected this Hydra vessel just leaving the Finland shores. During our massacre to get these fishmen gloves, Lionfish was hauling all the vibranium to an offshoot sight for safe keeping. Our goal is to get it back or sink it. I'm not accepting an outcome where Hydra gets something out of this mess.", ordered Punisher, fully equipped with all his guns under his trench coat.
"We agreed to get the Vibranium.", scolded the king. "We agreed to get you to Vibranium. Whatever happens to it is on you, the three of us have our own targets.", said the Punisher, holding his ground.
"Targets. Frank, what are you talking about?", asked Trickshot in slight concern.
"Frank got me to investigate more on this mystery merc group that's been hitting Wakanda. The boys in Japan said that one of the five members is a bloke in green armor named Scorpion. Crossbones, who is in Wakandan prison, is the group's leader. They aren't just doing this for Hydra, but for getting their boss back. For their other three, there's one more American and two knobs from China. At least that's what I heard from my connections in the rebels in Europe who buy their shit from Madripoor.", explained Black Knight as took a sip from his flask.
"So, their merc group consists of three Americans and two Chinese. We know two of them, but why is this important? Let me guess, are they on that ship we're hitting?", queried Trickshot as he peers through the window of the quinjet they are in.
"In the grand scheme, yes. I could only guess Hydra will give them their bigger guns to save their boss if they get the vibranium. Ionic weapons are an absolute deal maker and Vibranium makes a very sweet trade.", answered Black Knight as he switched the quinjet to autopilot with scheduled pickup time.
"Some surviving Hydra prisoners that are held by the rebels were interrogated by me personally. With every bone broken, they squealed about this merc group and their name. They go by the Enforcers. A merc group who recruit controllable villains, they breakout of foreign prisons to be used as either their men or as Hydra's. If they really want this trade to work, they need Vibranium. That means they are on that ship.", proclaimed Frank as he opened the shuttle doors. The view the four men saw was a sea of gray clouds with the night's starry sky above.
"ETA in 5 minutes. We ain't taking the quinjet down and risk detection. We drop ourselves, chute on the farthest part of the deck, and use mag gear to climb on. You might want to consider your own landing strategy, Panther. From the look of the suit, not all of it is Vibranium. Am I right?", queried Punisher.
"I shall be fine. Let's show these pigs of Hydra why you don't steal from Wakanda.", said King Obinna as he ran to jump off the quinjet. With a great leap, the Black Panther dives through the clouds with the white lenses of his panther habit focused on the ship in sight.
"You really are a cold customer, your highness.", said Trickshot nonchalantly as he, Black Knight, and Punisher now caught up with the Wakandan king. The four men are now three minutes away from the ship. The Thunderbolts pulled the sling of their parachutes as the Black Panther continued to dive. Slowly descending to the back of the ship, the Thunderbolts quickly unhook their chutes and clung to the metal hull with their mag gear. The Panther swims up and uses his claws to rapidly and silently climb up to meet with the SHIELD ops on the back deck. With the four men now on the ship, their mission to return the stolen Vibranium can commence.
… Within Hydra's Lionfish …
Four men sat around a table playing a rousing game of Texas holdem. Each man had their hands ready as they placed their chips on the raised bet. One wore green with black accents. One wore black with white accents. One wore green with yellow accents. The final one wore green with flame decals. The first had a good hand and a weaponized robotic scorpion tail slithering under his chair.
"Do we have that tip for next week's ration, Lester?"asked Gargan as he put his hand faced down.
"Tomorrow. We gotta get this vibranium to the Hydra base in Denmark. Chen, how's our nuclear engine? This fish needs to be top notch if we're hauling all this Wakandan schnapps.", said Lesters as he was also facing his hand down.
"I am the greatest nuclear scientist of my field, Lester. Hydra provided the body of this vessel. I gave it the organs. Every radiation cell gives full awareness of its interior. Fin, is the biomask working fine? Considering your immunity to radiation, the battery should be well insulated.", said Chen lu to the fourth member as he too puts his hand down.
The one named Fin was merely looking at his cards, trying to understand exactly how to play this odd card game. Realizing he had been asked, he touched and adjusted his mask. For a moment, his eyes shifted to that orange slit reptilian eyes.
"It's fine, human food is still something I need to get used to.", said Finn as he too faced his cards down. He then shifted his upwards as he picked up on a scent. With an audible sniff to the air, his three companions looked at him and realized what it meant.
"Great, we got some unlucky schmucks who want to die early." said Lester with an evil grin.
"Or potential test subjects to sell to Hydra to make profits with the vibranium.", added Chen as he massages his bald head.
"Either way gents, I want a good fight and depending who it is, it should be fun. Fin, who are they?", asked Gargan as he stood from his chair. Fin, after sniffing for a second time, gave his answer with a fangy grin.
"Four men. Three of them are unknown. Except for one. The King of Wakanda himself has arrived.", declared Fin as the other Lester, Gargan, and Chen smiled in sync with each other.
"Well, alright. Let's make some money.", said Lester as he revealed his hand. The others did as well, showing their hands. It was revealed that Gargan has won the game and has the right to go after the Black Panther first. All four now stood from the table as Lester collected his deck of cards and placed on his mask. The Thunderbolts and the Wakanda King now must face the malevolent arrival of the Enforcers. The Scorpion. The Radioactive Man. A well disguised Fin Fang Foom. And the second in command of Crossbones, the sharp shooter Lester. But please, he prefers to be called Bulleseye.