"He's the Noblesse."
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Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or Noblesse, obviously.
Summary: SHIELD had, under Howard Stark, found an interesting coffin in an abandoned warehouse. The body inside wasn't dead, and the seemingly teenage occupier seemed to be sleeping. But he didn't age, and the scientists couldn't find anything out. After the Ultron fiasco, Fury brings the team to see if they know something. After all, an alien god, a super soldier, two geniuses, and two master assassins ought to know something, right? No Union, heavily AU.
AN: This is another crazy idea I had for a Noblesse crossover. And since Noblesse still isn't a category, this is posted solely under the Avengers. This will obviously be canon divergence, and I'll give the characters some powers you don't find in the movies/manhwa. Also, the Noblesse's backstory is still relatively unknown, so I've made my own. Hope you enjoy!
PS: Hawkeye doesn't have a family. That was totally random and unnecessary. Oh, and a lot of swearing.
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§ Laboratory, hidden SHIELD location §
The assembly of individuals with catastrophic powers and conflicting personalities known as the Avengers were currently very confused. Fury had summoned the whole team, which generally meant that a madman or woman, robot, or alien, hellbent on either the destruction of Earth or conquering it. Therefore, it was a surprise when the whole team showed up in their respective "battle-gear" that their temporary boss ordered them to follow him down to one of SHIELD's labs. They'd had sent him confused looks, but complied easily enough, though the Captain had seemed to protest a little, before calming down.
Fury frowned. Ever since the episode with HYDRA, the Captain had seemed to become more vocal, and rarely complied with an order without a grudge. He'd thought that with Rogers' reputation, he'd forgive him after a while, and be back to his slightly suspicious, but highly obedient self. But contrary to his assumption, Rogers was proving to be even more suspicious, more vocal and slightly rebellious. He'd even disregarded direct orders from him on a couple of occasions, and the only reason Fury wasn't making a big deal out of it was because it would ultimately drive the Captain further away from SHIELD, and ultimately SHIELD would lose the Avengers. Even though dysfunctional, the Avengers were very good friends, and they saw the Captain as their leader. Fury was sure that even his Agents would follow their team.
Shaking himself out of his reverie, the Director stopped walking, the Avengers halting behind him. They were standing in the middle of nowhere, in an all white labratory which smelled of disinfectant. Around them people were bustling around, not really paying attention to the Avengers. An awkward silence wrapped around them, before Stark predictably stepped forward.
"So... what's happening? Why did you stop walking? And why are we standing in front of a wall, or is that not really a wall? Why are you smirki-" Tony's rant was cut off as the platform that they were standing on suddenly began dropping at an alarming velocity. The Avengers all scrambled for their waepons, surprised. Banner even seemed to get a rather greenish tint, before they settled down and glared at Fury, finally noticing the smirk on his face. Their sudden descent into darkness slowed, and soon the Avengers found themselves in a brightly lit white lab corridor. Fury casually stepped down from the platform, and purposely walked towards a door and opened it before entering. The Avengers followed warily, halting to a stop once again. Tony made a choking noise.
"A coffin?! You dragged our collective asses here for a coffin?!" Fury smirked, before moving towards the coffin. Tony continued on.
"Granted, it's a nice coffin, and that cross looks to be of pure gold. Not my choice of burial, of course, I would like to be cremated, but really what the hell are we doing staring at a freaking coffin?" Fury shot a mild glare towards the billionaire, stopping him from making further racket. The Director sent a cursory look over the rest of the team. Banner, Barton and Romanova were looking at the coffin curiously, but with a fair bit skepticism. On the other hand, Thor looked like he was trying to remember something. Rogers, however, had gone completely still as soon as he'd entered the lab room. But it didn't seem like he recognized the coffin. Maybe he was having a flash back. He'd have to have buried some of his friends during the War after all.
"Gentlemen, and, lady. The reason you're here is because we're trying to solve a 70 year old riddle. You see, this coffin was found in an empty field on a remote island near the Bermuda Triangle by Howard Stark on his crusade to find the Captain. Of course, he got curious, and decided to investigate. Imagine his surprise when he found that the coffin was, indeed, paused, letting the information sink in before he plowed on.
"But the occupier didn't seem to be dead, in fact he seemed to be sleeping. Which is all he's done for the past 70 years. We know nothing of who, what, or why he is. He hasn't aged, and his body hasn't needed assistance as normal body would've. And we cant experiment on him, since a force field om some sort protects him should we try." Silence enveloped the gathering as they seemed to ponder the mystery of the coffin.
"But still, why are we here? If my father couldn't find out who he was, or wake him up, what makes you think we could? For all we kn-" Tony was cut off once again as Thor made a noise of understanding and clapped his hands. Everyone in the room turned towards him, and Tony sent him an irritated glare. Thor's eyes were sparkling, quite literally, in anxious excitement. Rogers seemed to be clenching his fists.
"Director! I believe I may know of whom you are referring to! If you would be as to kind to open the...coffin, yes?" Fury sent a smug look towards the coffin on table. The Avengers moved closer to the coffin, presumably so they could get a better look. Fury noticed that Rogers was sweating, and seemed to be in pain. He opened the coffin. The sight that greeted them was, thankfully a pleasant one. The occupier was quite beautiful, with aristocratic features, a slim body which was swathed in expensive looking clothes. He had an earring which had a cross dangling down on his shoulder. His hair was parted asymmetrically, with a fringe covering his forehead. Fury sent a questioning glance towards Thor, who was looking at the teenager with a look of reverence on his face. The proud God then surprised them by kneeling in front of the coffin. Though he was impatiently waiting for the man to hurry up and finish his...prayers, Fury let the man be. He wouldn't want an offended god after his head. Finally Thor rose, and Tony immediately launched a barrage of questions on the god.
"Please tell me Sleeping Beauty in the coffin doesn't need a kiss to wake up. Who is he, anyway?" Thor, quite used to Tony's impudence, launched into an explanation with a huge smile.
"Well, you see, before humans inhabited the Earth, there was a race of beautiful, powerful creatures who inhabited the Earth. They were small in numbers, and kept mostly to themselves. They had powers no one in the Nine Realms could stand against. Their weapons, the most beautiful and deadly in the Universes. Should they have wished it, they could have ruled the Universes. But they were peaceful, and seemed to see their powers as a necessity, not as a sign of superiority. When the humans developed, they were curious. After all, thousands of years of solitude does that. And considering that they outlive even us Asgardians by eons, it isn't hard to imagine that they had indeed lived as long." Thor paused, letting the team absorb the information. Fury made an impatient motion for him continue, obviously captivated by story. A race older that humans? Who weren't aliens?
"Anyway, they saw the struggles humans went through, and helped them in their time of need. After a while, humans sought out their presence for various reasons. And they were only happy to help. It wasn't in their nature to deny something that could be done with a snap of their finger. Seeing their kind and noble nature, humans decided to call the race as a whole as Nobles. At first they were puzzled, but they soon accepted it. But human nature wasn't known to them then. Soon, jealousy brewed between the humans, and they seemed to be wanting to one-up each other all the time in order to gather the favor of Nobles. Seeing this, the Nobles became weary, and decided that they had helped enough. They separated themselves from the humans. And soon enough, humans forgot that they ever existed."
Thor took a deep breath. Fury made another noise of impatience.
"And? Where does this boy come in?" Thor seemed surprised by the Director's question before he burst out laughing. Rogers flinched, which went unnoticed by the team. Thor seemed to gather his bearings, though he still looked amused.
"He is hardly a boy, Director. In fact, he must be one of the oldest living being in the Realms. See, the Nobles were very structured. They had clans, and the most powerful and most noble would be chosen as clan leader, and given the weapon of the clan. Millions of years ago, the Original clan leaders chose their Lord. She was the most of them, and the most honorable of them. But they feared that their Heirs may not take to power well, and they instated an overseer. One who would protect the Nobels from themselves. They searched long and hard, but finally found him in an abandoned castle, looking out of the window without a care in the world. It is said that several of the Clan leaders fainted, such was the force of his aura. But the Lord, luckily, was strong enough to talk to him. He accepted the offer. " Thor paused.
"The Clan leaders, eager to get to know him, made an item which restricted his powers so that those weaker could be in his presence." The God of Thunder took a deep breath.
"That item is that earring he's wearing." Gasps escaped the Avengers, and they seemed even more amazed.
"No way, he can't be that old!" Tony exclaimed. Thor rolled his eyes.
"You are wrong for once, Anthony. He's the Noblesse."
The instant the words left his mouth, something bizarre happened. The Captain, who'd until then remained unnoticed by the rest of the team, began screaming. It was a torturous sound, and the superheroes winced. Something oddly black and purple colored seemed to be attacking the war hero. When the team tried to near him and help, they were blown several feet. Finally one last tortured scream escaped the captain before he was enveloped in a...blood red tornado?
"Fucking hell!" exclaimed Hawk-eye, summarizing everyone's thoughts quite effectively.
The room shook with the force, and several lights fell down. Thor swung his hammer, creating a force-field that shielded the rest of the team from the falling debris, which disappeared once it came in contact with the shield. Tony shot him a surprised look.
"I didn't know you could do that." the genius exclaimed. Thor shrugged, smiling roguishly.
"I am a thousand year old demigod from another planet. There are many things you don't know about me." the Thunderer replied dryly, before turning to look at the raging inferno, which was, thankfully, dissipating. Banner, who was clearly strained, asked Thor the question on every one's mind.
"What the fuck is happening?" Even Natasha looked taken aback by the scientist slash part time giant green rage monsters' casual swearing . Tony whistled in appreciation. Banner sent them all an irritated look, and his eyes flashed dangerously. Thor thankfully got his act together.
"Ah, well. I can only guess at this point. According to legend, the Noblesse was able to conjure such storms called "blood fields" easily. I am not sure of it's properties and uses, though. The Noblesse's power is vast, after all. And last we were in contact with the Nobles was about 15 000 years ago, My grandfather, Bor, led the caravan from Asgard to the hidden home of Nobles. All of his companions are dead now, except my father. He was a child back then, and beyond the origins of the Nobles, does not know much. Even Heimdall does not know much, as they have always been hidden from his Sight. Maybe the Captain knows. We will just have to wait." The thunderer said solemnly. Fury, who'd until then been relatively quiet, cleared his throat, bringing the attention to himself. The eye patched man seemed to be quite at ease, standing near a tornado and all. Fury raised his eye-brows minutely at Thor.
"You've give us quite a story, Thor. Whether or not that is true, remains to be seen. However, what do you think of the Noblesse? Would he be reliable?" At this, a tiny smirk bloomed on the blond god's face.
"If you are asking if you can control him, the answer is no. The Noblesse is The Guardian. He is, as you humans say, judge, jury, and executor. And no one can take that authority from him, as it exceeds planetary, and even dimensional bonds. The Noblesse is sort of the last resort. And the Noblesse only acts when he is truly needed. If all fails, including us, you can rely on him to save your planet. And he will certainly not harm any innocents, in fact, he will go out of his way to help those in need. That is his nature." Fury only hummed in response, though inwardly he was ..wasn't good for the Director. He was barely clinging onto his position after the whole "SHIELD is HYDRA" debacle. The government was already restricting SHIELD jurisdiction. Soon, they'd become a CIA sub-division. And now, knowing that an Ancient power had been sleeping in their headquarters for 70 years, an Ancient power that didn't answered to no one, wouldn't be good for SHIELD.
"Look! The crazy blood-storm is gone! And Steve seems to be in one piece..." the loud statement from Stark brought Fury out his reverie. Immediately, Thor dissipated the protective force-field rushed to Steve's side, with Tony hot on his heels. The rest followed on a more sedate pace, cautious and not wanting to unleash another storm unwittingly.
"Come here, Bruce! He seems to be fine, not a scratch on him. And his pulse is beating. But-" Tony was cut off by Thor.
"He seems different. His hair has grown, and his features seem more...refined. Noble, even. And he has gotten more...lean." Bruce Banner furrowed his brows in confusion before rushing to Steve's side. The three spies exchanged wary looks, before hurrying to the focal point of their attention. Banner checked their friend over. Indeed, he was changed. He seemed more aristocratic, and his sudden weight loss resulted in his uniform hanging a bit loosely from his frame, though he was still muscular. Banner looked at the grown out hair, reaching out to touch it curiously. The ridiculously golden colored hair which reached Steve's shoulder in choppy, uneven strands was thick and soft. He even had bangs! Shaking his head, Banner lifted up an eyelid to see if the Captain's eye-color had changed. Oddly, it hadn't, but his eyes seemed more...vibrant. Rechecking Steve's vitals, Banner sighed in relief.
"So, Doc. What's the verdict?" Barton asked. The Hawk had been silent throughout most of their affair.
"Yes, doctor. Is he an imposter?" Fury added his two cents. Banner sighed again.
"He's fine. In top form, actually. Just unconscious, it seems. His weight loss doesn't seem to have affected his vitals. I don't know why he's looking like this, but I can confirm it's still Steve. He has a mole behind his ear, and it's still there. You can check his fingerprints and DNA while he's out. I reckon you have about-" Banner checked his watch "-45 minutes. Get him off the floor."
Thor gathered the unconscious man in his arms, and led him to an empty hospital bed nearby. Due to Thor's shielding, the room was in order, and the technology was spared any possible damage. The room looked to be alright, if one dismissed the fact that a large amount of the lights and the roof had fallen an sizzled into nothingness. Fury turned to Tony.
"Stark-"
"Already on it, Cap'n. Let's see...the fingerprints have a...hundred percent match. And let's see...let me just extract the blood here...yep, hundred percent match. You know, if I swung the other way, I would totally hit on Steve. The man was good-looking before, but god damn. He looks like one of those runway models...Hey, I bet he's gonna be haunted by those modeling agents once he gets out. And that Noble as well. Ahh! Why aren't I the most handsome of you lot anymore-"
"Tony, you never the most handsome of us. Shut up." Natasha said, finally stepping up to inspect the Captain. Tony looked indignant and was undoubtedly about to go on a rant about his perceived perfection, but a look from the red-haired woman shut him up. Barton snorted.
"Whipped." he muttered, before letting out a manly squeak as Natasha's glare landed on him. Satisfied, the Russian woman turned towards Banner.
"About 30 minutes. We should give him some space." The woman nodded, and looked at the assembled team expectantly. They moved back immediately, not wanting to die in their sleep. Or a more horrible, convoluted, way. Or in any which way that Natasha was involved.
The first thing Steve noticed when he woke was that he had a headache. A throbbing, aching, migraine that was threatening to split his skull.
Then he was slammed with the memories. Thousands of years worth of knowledge, emotions, and training slammed into his mind. And then was the power. The power he knew so intimately, the power he'd created for himself. But it seemed...different. With a start he realized that it wasn't trying to kill him. His mind was running hundreds of theories as to why. But he reached a conclusion fast. His rebirth has rid his tainted power of it's blood-lust. Or curbed it, at least.
All this happened in the span of a second.
Then it finally came hit him.
The impromptu call.
The Lab.
The Noblesse.
The blood field.
And unconsciousness. Then the rush of knowledge. Of his old life. Blending in with his new one.
Who was he now? Was he still Steve Rogers?
No, he decided. A part of was, and always would be Steve Rogers. But a bigger, stronger part of him bore his name.
Frankenstein.
The name his Master had called him all those years ago. Frankenstein's eyes widened.
His Master!
He got up, only to fall back again.
Frankenstein blinked in surprise, before finally letting out a frustrated groan. It seemed his body had changed, and his brain, not yet caught up on everything, much less how to center and balance himself. Fortunately, his sudden jump and subsequent fall had brought the attention of the Avengers and Fury, who had, unbeknownst to Frankenstein, been waiting for him to wake up and not risk being skewered if he was somehow not Steve Rogers, despite the evidence suggesting that he was. The Avengers exchanged glances, hesitant. In the end, Tony decided to throw caution to the wind and approach the man, who was, for all intents and purposes, still Steve Rogers.
"Steve! So glad you could join us back in the land of living! So...any idea why you've undergone a total body transformation by somehow getting stuck in a freaking blood tornado? You're still Steve, right? I mean, the DNA tests were partial to the fact that you're still the Star Spangled Man with A Plan, but you know, we're not that sure. It's not every day you get to see your friend get a total makeover by a tornado-"
"Tony, I've got a headache the size of Everest. Could you, for once in your life, shut up? You know, an action which doesn't require you to move your mouth? And relax, I'm still Steve Rogers. My best friend was James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes, who apparently didn't die during WW2. And Natasha kissed me to distract HYDRA agents. Anything else? Well, could I get some painkillers first, please?" Bruce quickly moved to get his friend the painkillers, relieved that it indeed was his friend. Barton and Tony were, however, somewhat gobsmacked by his revelation of kissing the Black Widow, while said assassin sent her most cold look towards them. Thor seemed amused, though curious. Fury moved to the hospital bed that Frankenstein was occupying. Fortunately the man had enough common sense to let the blond gobble down the painkillers before he launched an interrogation.
"Well, Captain Rogers. As Stark said, it's not every day you see someone you know closely enveloped in a blood tornado and return looking almost completely different. I seem to remember that the word 'Noblesse' was the cause of your collapse, and that...black power grab into you, before you went into a screaming worth a banshee, and then disappearing in that storm, and reappearing a completely different person. Any idea how that might have happened?" The whole room fell into silence as they regarded Frankenstein with curiosity. Said man took a sip of water, regarding Fury with an unreadable look, still lying rather than sitting on his makeshift bed.
Frankenstein was at a crossroad. He could either lie, a notion which he dismissed entirely, not out of any kind of morality, but for the simple reason that he had to wake his Master. Doing so while lying about his new found appearance would only lead to more awkward questioning, possibly making him an enemy of the state. On the other hand, telling the truth, or, he thought sardonically, parts of the truth, would leave him free to wake his Master, and pretty much not hide who he was. Plus, it would be weird if he suddenly knew things he definitely shouldn't, and suddenly showed and interest for things he previously hadn't, like science. Frankenstein would probably catch up on any and every kind of science in a matter of weeks. After all, he was the one who pioneered the sciences in the first place. Additionally declaring his loyalties would save him a lot of headaches, as Fury would have virtually no power over him. His decision made, Frankenstein sat up in his bed, careful to let his brain adjust to the different, but familiar physique.
"I'm afraid, Director Fury, that it will be a rather long explanation. Please, make yourself comfortable. All of you." A few raised eyebrows answered his request, but the Avengers and Fury complied, sitting down in plastic, fold-able chairs which were hidden in a broom cupboard from the corner of the lab. Once everyone was seated, Frankenstein assessed them with a cool look that would have never found place on Steve Rogers' face. Finally pinching the bridge of his nose, a habit from his old life, he launched into his explanation.
"First of all, I would like you to know that I am still Steve Rogers. But the blood-field, I believe you called it tornado, has led me to recover some memories long forgotten." Frankenstein paused, before turning his gaze to Fury. "Tell me, Director, do you believe in re-incarnation?"
Fury's eyes widened in disbelief, as did the Avengers'. Everyone turned towards Thor, their resident "expert" on the supernatural. The thunder-god answered their unasked question without bothering to look away from Frankenstein.
"Yes, re-incarnation is very real, almost every living soul has been through the cycle. There are very rarely borne new Souls. Are you trying to tell us us you are a re-incarnation, friend Steve? Maybe you were a Noble, and the contact to the Noblesse released the Barriers of Memory?" The Asgardian asked the former scientist. Frankenstein grimaced slightly.
"If only it was that simple. No, Thor, I was never a Noble. I was, and am, entirely human. But my circumstances...forced me to forgo certain experiments on my person. Experiments so cruel that a distorted version of them and myself is still remembered today, thousands of years after I performed them. A very distorted version." the last version was grumbled out with a certain amount of irritability. Frankenstein was not happy with how he was presented in the modern era. Not at all.
"Wait, so you're an ancient scientist revived in the body of our friend Steve? And you're still known in the modern world after thousands of years? What's your name?" Frankenstein scowled at Tony.
"I am, as I said still Steve Rodgers. And a part of me will always be that. But my memories and experiences from my old life outnumber the 23 years I lived as Steve Rodgers by far. " He let that sink in, noting how Fury tensed up, clearly distrustful. He couldn't blame the man. He had after all, told him that their version of Steve Rodgers was, for all intents and purposes, gone. The rest of the Avengers seemed to realize that as well, as he could see their expression change from curiosity to total wariness. Except Thor that is, but who knew with aliens?
"And your name?" this time, it was Natasha who asked. He smirked.
"You might know me as Frankenstein." Pin drop silence ensued. A look of utter astonishment rested on everyone except Thor, mainly because he was likely unfamiliar with his "legend".
"So let me get this right," Fury began slowly "you're the reincarnation of a scientist widely believed to be fictional, and whose greatest wish was to re-animate the dead?" Frankenstein scowled, and his aura leaked into his voice.
"I never wanted to re-animate the dead, Director. And does it look like I'm fictional?! I'm surprised you even asked that stupid question, as you regularly interact with a Norse God." he snapped harshly. Let it never be said that Frankenstein was without pride. Fury coughed, embarrassed and a little intimidated by Frankenstein's power. Finally Tony gathered his wits.
"Uhm, fair point, eh, Mr. Frankenstein...? But if that wasn't your..focus of experimentation, what was? And how does that contact you to the Nobles?" Frankenstein pinched the bridge of his nose again, breathing deeply to control himself.
"I.." he began in a low, dangerous voice. The whole room shivered, including Thor. "...was born a new Soul exactly 20 000 years ago. I was blessed with a fine visage, and my brainpower was unrivaled. Even as a child, I far exceeded any adult. Naturally, this led them to fear me, and I was soon the outcast of the village, called a witch-child. My parents tried to protect me, as I was their only child. But one day..." The whole room was hanging on every word he said, eyes, on in Fury's case, eye, wide as saucers. Frankenstein continued.
"...one day a Noble "controller" came to my village. He was not a real Noble, but he boasted some powers similar to them. You see, some Nobles used to make contracts with the humans. A little blood from the human, and he was bound to the Noble for the rest of his life. That is where the legend of Vampires comes from. It was a practice banished by the Lord afterwards, but back then it was common. Anyhow, the controllers was installed to keep peace in the area, and was widely feared by the townsfolk. One of the townsfolk from my village approached him right before he visited our house, filling his ears with tales of how I was an evil child. When the controller, who was really close-minded to be one, came to our house, he immediately demanded that my father kill me for the crimes I'd committed. He refused, and so did my mother. Finally, the controller lost his temper, and killed my parents in front of me. I was fifteen."Frankenstein smiled dryly with no humor. The Avengers looked to kill. It seemed that they still counted him as one of their own. Fury merely observed.
" When he was...finished, he turned towards me. He stabbed me in the chest. Thankfully, he missed my heart by half an inch. He them threw me in the middle of the street "to make an example of me", I assume. The townsfolk cheered, of course." Thor snarled in fury, and Banner looked a little green, literally. Barton and Natasha were handling their weapons with speculative looks. Tony was muttering equations of how to make torture devices. Frankenstein smirked inwardly. Another reason for him to tell was to regain their loyalty to him. It looked like it worked. He cleared his throat.
TBC
AN: So? What do y'all think? I figured Steve as Frankie's re-in since they look so much alike, I know that their personalities are almost complete opposites, but that makes for a story, doesn't it? Also, The first chapters are filled with informative content, mostly about the Noblesse verse. I figured that giving parts of the backstory to the Noblesse and Frankie to the Avengers would be the best. Of course, Frankie's not gonna tell them that he was a raging murderer. And Rai, of course isn't very, ah, talkative, so he's not gonna reveal too much about window-staring past.
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