A/N: Hey, there! Sorry, this took a while. Been super busy. And not much motivation from reviews. Anyway, here's the next chappy. Please don't get on me for having the hosts know all kinds of top-secret info about the team that they shouldn't. I had to. On the actual show they always give background. If I hid everything, there wouldn't be much to tell. So, yeah...
FYI: Italics= host chat
So, on with the qualifying…
Baltimore, Maryland
"Good evening, folks. We're here in this city of firsts to continue our quest to find the first-ever American Ninja Warrior. Rising from the famed Inner Harbor is a course that's ready to meet, head on, the challenge of over one hundred of the nation's finest athletes, who all have dreams of earning a spot in the Baltimore Finals.
"I'm Matt Iseman alongside former NFL Defenseman Akbar Gbaja-Biamila." He turned to his co-host. "Akbar, you've been down talking to the athletes. Do you think the first American Ninja Warrior could be among them?"
"Absolutely." The other man nodded, smiling. "It's certainly possible, especially since we have some very special guests here tonight."
"That's right. Among the dozens of Ninja Warrior hopefuls waiting to take on tonight's obstacle course are six well-known heroes who define the word 'tough.' Drawing in record crowds, they've come here to prove that it takes more than superpowers to be earth's mightiest heroes."
Akbar chuckled. "You heard right, people. The Avengers are in the house!"
The audience erupted with cheers as the camera panned over to where five of the Avengers were busy doing warm-ups and psyching themselves up. Steve, who had chosen to wear blue shorts and a white t-shirt with a big star outlined in red on the chest (Tony's idea), waved politely at the camera.
"There's Captain America."
Tony, who was sporting black windbreakers and a t-shirt as red as his armor with the words "Iron Man" printed on it, gave the camera his usual million-dollar smile as he flexed his muscles. He thoroughly enjoyed being the center of attention.
"And Iron Man."
Thor, dressed in his normal Asgardian garb minus the cape and armor, just offered a meek smile and wave. Being on camera was still new to him.
"And Thor's there, too. Along with Hawkeye and Black Widow."
Clint, dressed in black shorts and a black tank top with the SHIELD logo on it, just gave a brief nod. As did Natasha, who was wearing a black sports bra complete with SHIELD logo and black work-out pants.
"The sixth Avenger, Dr. Bruce Banner has chosen not to compete and instead will support his teammates from the sidelines." Akbar commented, as the camera panned toward a man in a lime green button-down shirt who was sitting in the bleachers.
Bruce smiled nervously at the camera. He was still trying to get used to being around people again. And right now, he was surrounded by them.
"Too bad." Iseman remarked, slightly disappointed. "It would have been interesting to see what his 'other side' would make of this course."
"He'd probably just smash everything and leave us with one heck of a repair bill!"
"Yeah…" He chuckled. "You know, on second thought, I'd say Dr. Banner made a wise decision."
"I agree."
"The other five Avengers, however, have taken up the challenge. But even with their 'advantages' over the other competitors, do you think they'll have what it takes to get to Mt. Midoriyama?"
"Who knows? This Baltimore course is full of brand-new obstacles designed to test the limits of each of our competitors. Let's go down to the third member of our team, Jenn Brown, to check it out."
The camera flashed to the third co-host, who was standing by on the sidelines.
"Thanks, Matt. Standing between our competitors and the Baltimore Finals are six taxing obstacles, four of which are making their debut on American Ninja Warrior."
The Avengers listened closely as the pretty brunette explained the course.
"Up first are the Quintuple Steps, where there are five angled platforms to cross. If the competitors touch the water, they're out. Next, the Downhill Jump. Athletes ride a sliding board down the ramp, then swing to the platform. From there, the Prism Tilt. Competitors must move across a suspended prism without falling on the pads below. On the Swing Jump, they'll swing and jump to a cargo net and climb safely down to the landing platform. Up next is the Circle Cross, where competitors must use alternating rings and ropes to cross the pool. Lastly, they must climb to the top of the 14-foot concave beast, the Warped Wall. Do that, and they'll advance to the Baltimore Finals."
Tony let out a low whistle, sizing up the Warped Wall. It looked much higher in person. "And that will be one great climb."
"Sounds impossible," Steve remarked, intrigued and a bit nervous.
Natasha just smiled. "Sounds like fun."
She sounded so pleased, Tony was sure the woman had a screw loose.
"This year, any competitor who successfully completes the qualifying course will be guaranteed a spot in the Baltimore Finals," Iseman said, once everyone's attention returned to the two commentators. "And if we don't have at least thirty athletes that successfully complete the course, the competitors who went the furthest the fastest will also advance to the finals."
"In the starting blocks right now is our first competitor of the night…"
The Avengers watched as the first eight competitors ran the course. So far, only one had made it through, and he was a returning competitor. He'd been there last year and knew what he was in for. Clearly, getting through this course would be no easy task. And yet, Thor still seemed pretty impressed by it all.
"Many of these humans are not warriors, yet they command great strength," the Norse god commented, as another Ninja Warrior hopeful took to the course. "It is most surprising."
"We mere humans are more resilient than you think," Clint responded, matter-of-factly.
Another five competitors took their turns on the course. Unfortunately, all failed to finish. Then, it was their turn.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. Standing at the starting block is the first of the Avengers: their resident archer, Hawkeye—also known as Agent Clint Barton!"
"Barton is a highly trained assassin, a marksman. His weapon of choice: the bow. Having grown up in a circus, his skills were acquired at a young age, and honed to deadly perfection years later when he was recruited by SHIELD. He never misses. Best not get on his bad side, you just might become his next target."
The timer sounded and he took off.
"Wow, he just flew through the quintuple steps," Iseman commented, as Clint bounded across the angled platforms with ease.
"The Downhill Jump shouldn't give him any problems," Akbar said, as the archer hopped onto the sliding board. "Archery requires perfect hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Both of which he needs to conquer this obstacle. So keeping his balance and grabbing that rope should be a piece of cake."
He was right. Clint road that board like Tony Hawk and easily caught the rope, swinging himself to the other platform. He got across the Prism Tilt with only a little stumble at the end (he wasn't prepared for how far it would actually tilt). At the Swing Jump, he climbed onto the swing without hesitation, took two swings to gain momentum, then launched himself at the cargo net.
"He's not using his legs to climb the cargo net," Iseman noted. "That's gonna put some strain on his arms. Not a good idea when the next obstacle requires arm strength."
Once Clint reached the platform, he moved quickly to the Circle Cross, leaping up high to grab the first ring. He swung to the adjacent rope easily, but had to adjust his grip when his hands started to slip, causing his teammates and everyone in the audience to hold their breath. After a tense moment when he was only hanging by one arm, he managed to pull himself higher up the rope and finally moved to the next ring.
"This obstacle requires a lot of grip strength. It really works the upper body. Barton's definitely shown he's strong enough, but his arms are probably burning now."
He got through the last rope and ring without any more problems. Then it was on to the Warped Wall.
"He looks tired. But he has three tries to get up that wall."
Clint stood there for a moment and took a deep breath before running toward the wall at full speed. He got about halfway up before sliding back down, to his and everyone else's disappointment.
"Looks like he's having some trouble."
His teammates cheered him on.
"Come on, Clint! You can do this!" Natasha shouted, from the sidelines.
"Do it the same, but better!" Tony quipped, to which he received glares from his teammates.
Ignoring Tony, Clint regrouped, taking another deep breath, and took off toward the wall again. This time around, to everyone's delight, he got up high enough to grab hold of the top edge with one hand and pulled himself up. The crowd cheered. He pumped his fist into the air victoriously before hitting the red buzzer. Swept up in the moment, he yanked off his top, revealing a nice six-pack, as he continued to celebrate. His teammates were ecstatic, and slightly amused by the display.
"He did it!" Iseman said, clapping. "He is the second person so far to finish the course and will advance to the Baltimore finals. Great job! Clocking in at one minute, fifty seconds he is now the one to beat."
"And our next competitor will probably be the one to do it."
"Up next is Captain Steve Rogers. Better known as Captain America. A man out of time—seventy years out of time to be exact—he is a living legend who lives up to the legend. He was just another kid from Brooklyn before he met the late Dr. Abraham Erskine, a scientist who changed his life forever."
"His entry into this competition was met with a bit of controversy because of the special serum that runs through his veins. It took a lot of convincing, but I'm glad to say that has all been resolved, and he's obviously been allowed to compete tonight."
"His strength and agility may be enhanced, but he still has his limits just like everyone else. And what better way to test those limits than on the ever-changing, physically-demanding obstacle courses of American Ninja Warrior."
"And there he goes…He's moving quickly through this course."
The moment the clock sounded, Steve flew through the Quintuple Steps just like Clint. He breezed through the Downhill Jump, and practically ran across the Prism Tilt.
"Wow! Are you seeing this? He's making this course look easy!"
"He's already at the Swing Jump!"
In one smooth motion, he jumped onto the swing and swung onto the cargo net. He climbed down quickly and leapt onto the first ring of the Circle Cross with ease. Channeling his inner monkey, he got across without a problem.
"Cap's making good time. If he can get up the Warped Wall in one try, he'll have the fastest time so far in this competition."
Glancing briefly up at the daunting obstacle, he took one quick breath and went for it. He made it up without a hitch and took no time hitting the buzzer. Cheers rang out from the audience and his teammates. He responded with a brief salute, ever the humble hero. All the women in the audience were hoping he would tear off his shirt, much like Clint had done, but he didn't. His old-fashion modesty won out. As always.
"One minute, thirty seconds. That's the time to beat, folks. Amazing!"
"Let's go down to Jenn, who's with Captain America now."
The camera panned down to the sidelines where the third cohost stood with the patriotic Avenger, a microphone in hand.
"So, Captain, what did you think of the course?"
"It was pretty challenging."
"Not for you, though. Right? I mean, you're Captain America."
Steve just shrugged. "Well…"
"You're darn right, he is!" Tony interjected, suddenly appearing next to him, a huge grin on his face. "Wait until he takes on Midoriyama. He'll blow your mind!"
Steve just rolled his eyes at the billionaire's antics.
Jenn chuckled. "Thank you, Mr. Stark. I'm sure he will. Guys?"
The camera flashed back to the booth.
"Thanks, Jenn."
"Coming up next…the lone female Avenger. Will she have what it takes to be the first woman to become a Ninja Warrior?"
"Also coming up is billionaire Tony Stark, the armored Avenger. So far, his teammates have set the bar pretty high. Will he measure up?"
"And later on, we'll find out if this course can meet the challenge of a god."
"All this and more coming up on Part 2 of the Baltimore Qualifier…"
Like it? Love it? Can't wait for Part 2? Then review! Oh, by the way, I know it seemed too easy for Cap, but I promise it won't always be that way!