Children of Tomorrow- Prelude

Chapter 1: Beginning of the New Age

Newspaper writers and photographers littered a conference room. The room was in frenzy, yelling and blurting out questions. A few of the smaller writers had crawled underneath the others to get a better chance of getting to their targets.

Behind the podium in the front of the room, was none other than Captain America. His trademark shield was attached to his left arm, shining as the array of flashes from the cameras shot towards it. Behind him were the Avengers. Ironman, Spiderman, Luke Cage, Spiderwoman, Wolverine, Thor, and Ms. Marvel stood behind him.

One of the reporters pushed through the crowd until she was at the front. She held out her microphone towards herself. "Captain! Captain! Amy Stone from CNN." Captain America turned his head to look at the reporter and nodded. The room fell deafly silent. "What are your thoughts on Norman Osborn being elected president?" She turned her microphone in Captain America's direction.

The Captain thought for a moment. "I think everyone may deserve a second chance at one point, but that chance has left President Osborn time and time again."

"What about your oaths to patriotism, including the President?" Amy asked.

"My oaths are to the country, not the President." Captain America turned to the other Avengers and walked away, followed by his teammates.

2 weeks later

Amy Stone stood next to a group of civilians mostly made up of teenagers wearing green paint on their face and shouting on a street corner. Amy was facing her cameraman as he grinned at the ensuing chaos.

"This is Amy Stone here with a group of Osborn supporters. Tell me, what are your thoughts on Osborn's election?" She positioned the microphone towards a young man around twenty. He had no shirt on and green paint on over his entire upper body.

"Osborn's gonna take out all of these wars with his pumpkin bombs, man. It's gonna be sweet!" He then proceeded to howl like a dog and run back over to the group.

Amy had a questionable look on her face before turning back towards the camera. "Back to you." The camera showed just enough towards the end to see Amy pinch the bridge of her nose.

1 month later

Amy was now standing on the roof of the famous Baxter Building, home and headquarters to the Fantastic Four. The Fantasticar was hovering above the roof, causing wind to blow around the reporter.

"This is Amy Stone at the Baxter Building. Joining me will be Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic." Almost on cue, Reed Richards dropped from the Fantasticar.

"Hello Ms. Stone." He said casually.

"Good evening Dr. Richards." Amy nodded at her cameraman. "As you know, Norman Osborn, formally CEO of Oscorp industries and known super villain the Green Goblin, has been elected president. What are your thoughts?"

"I think I speak for the whole Fantastic Four when I say that we are willing to give President Osborn a second chance, but if any sort of power goes to his head we will be there to stop him."

A thud caused Amy and her cameraman to shake a little. The camera was moved over to the image of the Thing. He walked towards the camera mumbling to himself. Jeff, the cameraman, backed away slowly.

"You wanna know what I think of 'ole Osborn elected president?" Thing pointed to the camera. "I think it's a big mistake. How you gonna elect a crazed super baddy for president? I voted for the other guy."

Mr. Fantastic stretched his upper body over to the Thing, stopping him before Jeff wet himself. "Ben," Reed said calmly. But before Mr. Fantastic could say anything else, he was interrupted by a voice.

"The press isn't here for me this time?" Johnny Storm a.k.a. The Human Torch asked sarcastically. He was covered in flames hovering in the air with his arms crossed. "I think Ozzy should be impeached right now."

"Johnny." Mr. Fantastic started.

"Nah Stretch, let the kid speak. He's actually makin' sense this time." Ben chuckled.

Suddenly, Susan Storm appeared next to Amy holding her daughter Valeria in her right arm and holding the hand of her son Franklin in the other. "We will be supportive of this election. We just hope that he takes the second chance we have all extended for him." Invisible Woman said as if she were a Politian.

"Knowing Osborn, he'll just throw it all away." Johnny said jokingly.

"I just wanna clobber 'im." Thing pounded his fist into his palm.

2 months later

"This is once again Amy Stone reporting to you from New York at the base of Stark Tower where I have been fortunate enough to speak to Spiderman."

"Please, please, no applause." Spiderman waved his hand towards Jeff the cameraman.

"Spiderman, you've made previous comments about President Osborn earlier in his election. But now that he's bettered the economy in less than a few months, what are your comments now?" Amy stood closer to Spiderman. A little too close for comfort. She smiled as he leaned over to speak to the microphone.

"I still think that eventually Osborn is going to mess up this election of his, like he's done with pretty much everything else that was good to him," Spiderman glanced over at Amy who was starring at the hero. "But I guess we can enjoy while we still can."

Amy quickly shifted back to a professional reporter. "But you have to give your former nemesis some credit, right?"

Spiderman clenched his fist for a brief moment. "I don't owe him a damn thing."

2 years later

Amy Stone was standing in front of a burning building. It looked like a nuclear bomb had gone off. She had tears streaming down her eyes causing her eyes to appear red. Jeff was also sobbing a little causing the camera to shake a little.

"This is Amy Stone… for CNN." She paused." An attack from the villain known as Nitro has completely obliterated most of New York City." She had to bite her lip to keep from sobbing. "The deaths are countless." And…" Amy fell to the floor crying. Jeff then shut the camera off.

3 months later after the Stanford Explosion

"And that's why I will spend my last year of presidency declaring that all super powered beings should be registered. If not, they will be hunted down and register against their will." His speech caused an eruption of applaud and cheers to come from the crowd.

Amy and Jeff sat in the audience. They both knew this was wrong, but what could they do?

Last week of Osborn's presidency

Amy Stone stood in front of the Avengers mansion as the team stood once again, on a podium. This time with new members with Wasp, Giantman, Dr. Strange, and Black Panther added to the roster. But Wolverine, Spiderman, and Thor were absent from this meeting.

"With one more week of Osborn's presidency, will he make good on his threat he made last week on attacking the Avengers? We will have to find out later tonight." She turned behind her to see the Avengers answering questions from other reporters. She turned back and walked towards the Mansion.

Jeff turned off the camera and followed. "Amy don't you think that we should leave? You know, Osborn is about to attack this place." He said nervously.

"Well if he does, I want to see what happens." She responded.

"Curiosity killed the cat." Jeff said quickly.

"Jeff, you can go if you want, but I'm staying here."

Jeff gently grabbed Amy's shoulder. "Amy I seriously think we should get out of here."

Amy was about to say something until she saw an object in the corner of her eye. "What the hell is that?" She pointed to the sky. Jeff turned his head to look at a flying object in the air.

"Amy," Jeff turned to the reporter. "We have to go."

Jeff and Amy tried to run, but the figure of a man landed in front of them, causing the two to fall to the ground. The 'man' wore a bulky metallic suit, with a red soviet star. It looked like a variant design of Ironman's armor. The armor clad man extended his hand towards the two. There was a glowing red light in the palm of his hand.

"Crimson Dynamo." Jeff said in almost a whisper.

"Osborn never said anything about civilian casualties." The Crimson Dynamo said in a heavy Russian accent. The blast was just about to disintegrate Amy and Jeff when a blue blast shot out at the attacker, knocking him off his feet as he flew back into a tree.

Ironman then landed next to the news casters and extended an arm to help them up. "Are you okay?" He asked them. Jeff nodded his head, too awestruck to speak.

Captain America ran up to Ironman. He looked at Jeff and Amy. "You two might want to get out of here." The two ran in the direction of the Mansion. Once they were safe, Captain America turned to his teammates. "Avengers, Assemble!" The group of Avengers surrounded Dynamo who by now had risen to his feet. The reporters stood in the background taking pictures of the battle scene.

Dynamo chuckled. "Osborn sends his regards." Dynamo looked into the air. The team also followed his gaze. A massive carrier ship floated in the air. On the side of the ship was an icon of a fist holding a hammer. This was now Osborn's strike force known as H.A.M.M.E.R. A huge group was teleported onto the ground. The group consisted of Abomination, Absorbing Man, Carnage, Ghost, the entire Fearsome Four, and an army of Doombots.

The Avengers were surrounded. Captain America tightened the grip on his shield. One of the Doombots walked towards Captain America. "You have one final chance to surrender. If not, you will be executed." In response, Captain America used his shield to slice through the head of the Doombot. The other villains then attacked the heroes.

Ironman blasted at Ghost as he turned invisible. He scanned the ground and found the infrared x-ray of the Ghost. Ironman blasted Ghost, knocking him out fairly quickly. Before he knew it, He was wrapped in red tendrils. He was then swung into the air and onto the ground. The screeching laugh of Carnage filled the air. Before Carnage could unleash another attack, Captain America's shield sliced through his arms. Before they could grow back, Cap slammed his shield into Carnage's face.

"Cap." Ironman struggled. "Behind you!" It was too late. Abomination wrapped his arms around Captain America's torso and squeezed.

4 weeks later

Amy and Jeff ran towards a battle scene between what appeared to be the Fantastic Four and Dr. Doom. A group of civilians ran away from the explosions and falling debris.

"This is Amy Stone, reporting to you from the Baxter Building where the Fantastic Four are locked in a fearsome battle with Dr. Doom who has joined Norman Osborn's quest for the Hero Purge." There was another massive explosion and the Baxter Building tilted and fell to the ground. A shroud of dust covered the area.

There was a devastating silence. Amy and Jeff were on the ground covering their heads.

"Oh my God." Amy covered her mouth. Dr. Doom walked into her field of vision and looked at the two.

"No. Not God." He stepped on the camera, destroying it. Then he left the scene, disappearing into the dust.

4 years later

"This is Amy Stone reporting for my last story. The last story. The heroes are fighting a losing battle against Osborn and his Thunderbolts." She sighed. "He refuses to give up his power. Jeff is dead." She started to cry. "Jeff is gone." She was now sobbing completely. "This is Amy Stone, signing off. Permanently."

Captain America stepped into a metallic room. His mask was off and pieces of his clothes were burnt and his shield was slung over his back. The room looked like an old lab. There was no activity in it; it looked that way for years. He stepped over to a tube filled with water. There was a baby inside. The baby had blonde hair and was sound asleep.

"Alex," he said placing his hand on the tube. "I think my time is over." He tried to laugh but could not find the strength. "I want you to lead this team"…. He paused as blood dripped down his cheek. "Lead these new Avengers. I love you."He sadly pushed his forehead against the glass of the tube. He placed his shield on the table next to his son's tube and left.