WOW, JUST WOW, those review responses to my hiatus notice on all three of my stories are fucking amazing. Just seeing those who understand why and how and the amount of PM's that I got in the span of 12 hours was fucking amazing and crazy. You guys… man you guys are sometimes too much. I love that about all of you and INFINITY WAR, HOLY FUCKING SHIT THAT HAPPENED
THIS IS HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE GREATEST FILMS…NO EVENTS I HAVE EVER WITNESSED. THE ENTIRE THEATER WAS SILENT WHEN IT ENDED. DEAD TOTAL SHOCKED SILENCE. WOW MARVEL DID IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY DID IT IN A SNAP. GO SEE THIS MOVIE RIGHT NOW. GO NOW
Ok, so I had a complete blast last chapter with brining in Crossbones, which Spartan-626 had managed to guess right off the bat and I hope you all enjoyed the fight because I wanted to make it as raw and intense as possible and I loved it.
So yeah, Steve Rogers now has Aura and his semblance has already been decided thanks in no small part to BulletStormX. And by that I mean, the entire idea of Steve's semblance goes to him. He essentially helped me cement a key plot element in the future that many of you are gonna be shocked to see. He along with Jebest have helped me out extensively with most of my stories and I just have to always give my shout out to those two now. Spartan-626, thunderstruck, Jebest, BulletStormX, Bioshocker. These guys have played a large role in shaping my stories, especially the current three I am working on so hats off to them forever more.
And one more thing. See, as you can tell, this story will be building up to Infinity War and a reviewer said that I should put it out there, is there anyone willing to make a poster for this crossover? Specifically one similar to the poster of Infinity War which is basically a variant of the original infinity gauntlet cover with Thanos in the middle and all the other heroes surrounding him. So just putting that out there.
Alright, done preaching and praising so now let's get on with the story
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day
Avenging Remnant Chapter 15: Awakening and the moving pieces
When one would awaken from slumber, many would usually have a moment too take in their surroundings to gauge as to where they are.
Some always wake up to their bedrooms, others to familiar spots or a place completely unknown to them.
Yet Steve found himself floating with an endless black void.
Blearily, Steve's eyes opened to see the eternal darkness surrounding him for as far as the eye could see.
The confusion on his face was clear and present, trying to make heads or tails as to just where he was and how did he get here.
Cap found himself flailing a bit from the feeling of utter weightlessness as he attempted to right himself up in the air.
'The hell is going on?' Steve thought to himself, looking around as if hoping to find an answer 'Where am I?'
"Hello?" Steve called out into the emptiness, feeling a bit dumb in doing so since he got no response.
"Hello" He said once more, raising his voice a bit.
Again, nothing.
Slumping a bit, Steve too the time to study the environment around him, using his enhanced sight to see if he could find anything in this void.
Suddenly, he felt an unusual surge of energy within him followed by a small dot of light appearing right in front of him.
Staring at it, the light began to glow in a more radiant manner where the light seemingly grew in size.
Yet Steve did not look away as the light grew larger and larger. Soon enough, he felt his eyes closing, allowing the light to encompass his entire being filling him with a sense of newfound strength.
And then his eyes opened up to a wave of exhaustion.
Grunting, Steve powered through his tiredness. He sat up to sound of his bones snapping all around his body as his muscles stretched out.
Groaning from the feelings his body was giving off, Steve flexed every part of him to regain a semblance of feeling. Slowly, he positioned himself on the edge of the bed and stood up with the accompanying sounds of his legs telling him to sit back down.
"I think it's clear to see and hear that it's better that you remain in bed Steve" a feminine voice said from behind.
Turning around, Cap saw Glynda Goodwitch seated in a seat right next to his bed on the other side casually reading a book.
"Glynda?" Steve croaked out, slightly coughing "What happened? Where are we? Where's Rumlow?"
"He is currently the last thing that should be on your mind" Glynda stated, flipping over to the next "What should be on your mind should be on your recovery. As to where we are, it should be obvious to you that we are back in Beacon within the medical wing"
"How long have I been out?" Steve asked, wincing slightly as he rotated his shoulders. There were pops and cracks that went with each movement. Soon enough though, relief began flowing through his body.
"A week" Glynda answered calmly
"A week?!" Steve repeated incredulously "What the hell happened?!"
Steve saw a shift in Glynda's expression and posture. One of concern and tiredness.
"During our battle with Crossbones, do you recall the last few moments of the fight?" Glynda inquired
Rogers tilted his head down with his expression scrunched up in concentration. Suddenly he winced, feeling a phantom like pain glide over his shoulder. Since he was in a hospital shirt which was loose and baggy to begin with, Steve pulled on his collar from the right and with his other hand brushed over a nasty feeling scare with some branches around it.
"Rumlow's knife" Steve murmured, hand now resting on the scar "What was that? There was something with that knife of his"
"Indeed there was" Glynda stood up, pulling out her scroll
She brought out several files with one being an image of a shirtless Steve Rogers clearly showing the immense pain he was enduring. Steve's eyes widened at the sight of the black veins that were spreading across his body, pulsating a sickly type of color that clearly shows that it was trying to gain dominance over his very being.
"What is this?" Steve asked
"It involved the Grimm" Glynda said 'grimly' "With what happened afterwards upon expunging the invading force from your body, a black liquid seeped out from your mouth"
Glynda shuddered at the memory
"Ozpin quickly gathered the substance and found a Grimm parasite within the liquid" Glynda said "It appears that it was the reason for your affliction and we had to unlock your aura in order to rid you of the parasite"
Steve stared blankly at the scroll pad in his hands, his mind taking a moment to register what Glynda just said.
"Pardon?" Steve said "Unlock my aura? You guys unlocked my aura? I have Aura? Is that even possible?"
"Apparently you do and it was quite the spectacle" Glynda stated
"Spectacle?"
"Your Aura quite literally exploded out of you and had your eyes and mouth glowing" Glynda said "Ozpin has stated that he had never seen anything like that before. In all his lifetimes"
"So I could use Aura now" Steve murmured, looking down at his hands
"Indeed" Glynda nodded "As do Clint and Sam"
"What?" Steve looked up to her in slight disbelief "What happened to them? How did they get their Aura's unlocked?"
"It was done so after strenuous convincing from your friends and a bit by Ozpin" Glynda answered "With what just occurred and with the way this world is, they managed to convince your friends without powers to have their auras unlocked and now you are a more prepared for this world then you were before"
"Huh" Was Steve's response
"That's it" Glynda said with a slight chuckle "That's what comes to mind when you receive genuine superpowers. I would have expected something more out of you"
"Well this wouldn't be the first time I got myself a power up" Steve said whimsically "And in our line of work…"
"Say no more" Glynda cut him off, with a knowing expression
"So now what?" Steve asked, face scrunched up in concentration
"Now" Glynda sighed to herself "We'll start by seeing just what you're capable of with you Aura as we will with Clint and Sam"
"Jeez" Steve rubbed his chin "It'll be like boot camp all over again"
"I'm confident that you'll be able to handle it" Glynda said when her face fell into a frown
Confused by the shift in her mood, Steve followed her eyes to the spot where the knife was embedded into his shoulder.
"I know this is a rather ridiculous request Steve" Glynda spoke softly "But, is it possible that you can make an attempt in toning down your gallivanting heroics? Just for a bit?"
Steve stared at the Huntress professor, snorting good naturedly a moment later.
"I'll try keeping it to a bare minimum of at least once a week" Steve said with a smile
"A month" Glynda shot back playfully making Steve laugh
"Well, I guess it would be rather pointless of keeping you here" Glynda said "I know how you soldiers are sometimes with your pride"
"Actually, I think I will be getting back to bed" Steve said with no shame "Cause I'm starting to lose feelings in my legs and I'm getting that weird electric sensation up and down them both"
"Ah" Glynda nodded her head in understanding "That is something many find irritating"
"So I'm just gonna lay back down…" Steve did just that "And rest a little longer"
"You do that" Glynda said, pleased with Steve's choice "I shall see you later than Steve"
"You to Glynda" Steve said "And thank you"
Glynda tilted her head "For what?"
Steve shrugged "For sticking by side and…for saving my life"
An odd silence befell the two with Glynda having her mouth slightly agape.
The professor felt heat rising up to her cheeks momentarily, coughing into her hand to regain some composure.
"It was only natural Steve" Glynda replied, feeling that wasn't the best that she could say "I can't have a friend dying on me like that after taking a knife for me. No sir"
Steve only smiled in appreciation at Glynda's response, watching her walk out of the room.
He suddenly winced, feeling an unusual burning sensation sprout from his chest.
His eyes widened momentarily when he held up his hand to see wisps of light seemingly flicker off from the tip of his fingers like embers from a flame.
As quickly as the wisps appeared did they vanish, leaving a thoroughly befuddled and slightly stunned Avenger.
'Aura?' Steve thought to himself 'Was that my aura?'
If it was it must have been something different cause he recalls never seeing aura do something like that in the time he spent learning about its capabilities.
He was then hit with another wave of exhaustion as soon as the burning feeling in his chest died down. Steve barely managed to maneuver his head to collapse back onto his pillow, eyes in a daze and energy leaving him.
Steve shut his eyes and fell back asleep, unaware of the momentary whitish blue glow that radiated off of his body which subsided a literal second later.
Scene cut
Clint stared at his hand which held his bow, face masked in concentration.
Closing his eyes, Clint willed himself to recall the feeling he had experienced upon Ambers attempt of unlocking his aura.
She had used up quite a bit of her own as she had slumped over into a chair to rest.
Grunting at not being able to call upon his recently received Aura, Clint opted for another approach.
Pulling out a small combat knife, he made sure to give himself a small cut. Just enough to draw blood and test out if his Aura would be able to heal him.
Sure enough, several moments later the cut sealed itself up and disappeared.
His aura was purplish silver hue. How quant.
Flexing his hand a bit, that little display of his aura gave him a feel for his newfound powers and memorized the feeling as best as he could.
Concentration of a task was easily one of Clint's strongest suites but this was a bit more different than his usual shtick which was to put it simply, draw, nok, aim and shoot. Now in hindsight, this task would seem simple and easy to do.
But Clint was the greatest marksman on the planet where he came from. Being nothing less than the top is the only thing that is satisfactory for the Avenger.
So here he was now, at square one with powers that he barely understands in a world filled with…
*SLAP*
Clint's hand found itself emphatically resting over his eyes and forehead as a sign of him recognizing his own stupidity.
He was literally in an academy filled with students and teachers who are here to learn and harness the powers that their Auras grant them. How in the hell did he forget about that?
Probably had something to do with Steve's condition.
Regardless, he now knew what he had to do.
He just needed to find someone to teach him which for some reason was unavailable in a school literally filled to the brim with them.
Sighing, Clint left the training area that was used for himself and the Avengers for sparring sessions and began walking towards the more larger training area which was used for Glynda's classes at times.
As he entered, there was a brief explosion followed by Sam Wilson landing at his feet on his back.
"Ow" Sam murmured, opening his eyes to see the confused face of Clint staring down at him
"Sup Clint" Sam said with a grunt, achingly getting back to his feet.
"Sam" Clint said slowly "So what did I miss?"
"Hey Clint" Said a familiar voice
Clint looked up to see the Maximoffs and Amber standing there with amused expressions on their faces at the state of Sam right now.
"Sam came to me and asked for help in getting the hang of his Aura" Amber said "These two, and by two I mean Pietro, came to watch him fail miserably"
"And so far it's been well worth it" Pietro said smugly getting a withering stare from the para-rescue veteran.
"Well I guess you could add me to your little training session" Clint stated "Since you now have three people to help out in getting the hang of these new powers"
"Um" Amber was a bit nervous "I'm not sure I know how to handle 3 at once"
"Knowing Cap, you probably won't have to" Sam said knowingly
"How come?" Wanda asked
Sam only shrugged
"He has a thing for blonds" Sam remarked earning odd looks from everyone until Clint and Pietro caught on
"Oh" Pietro said with a teasing glint in his eyes "Does he now?"
"Pietro" Wanda said, rolling her eyes "You will not say or do anything to Cap"
"Probably won't have to" Pietro said smugly, shooting a grin towards Falcon who held the same expression making Wanda groan in annoyance at their behavior
"But we have a lot of work to do" Amber said anxiously "Now with you three, we're gonna have to train extra hard. And then there's the coming semester with new students and also the fact that we have to find the other maidens and…"
"Whoa, Whoa Whoa…" Clint interrupted, somewhat thrown off by Ambers tangent "Whoa…easy there Amber, taking a minute"
Amber inhaled deeply before letting out all the air.
"One step at a time" Clint said patiently "This isn't the first hurdle we've faced"
"And it ain't gonna be the last" Sam said "So when the time comes we'll be ready"
"Ready for what?"
"Whatever comes next"
Scene Cut
The next day
Ozpin was busy sifting through the many files of applicants for the coming semester of beacon.
These next year was filled to brim with promising young prospects such as Qrow Branwens very own Niece Yang Xiao-Long and Winter's younger sister Weiss.
There was also young four time Mistral champion Pyrrha Nikos who has also entered her application as well as what Oz would best describe as an oddball couple to say the least. Then came some of the more interesting applicants.
One Blake Belladonna, daughter of Ghira Belladonna who was the former leader of the White Fang before it's radical turn into more extreme methods. She was still a member of the White Fang but she had sent in an application and it was easy to see what she was trying to do here.
It didn't take a mind reader like Wanda to figure out young Blake's intentions. She wished to leave the White Fang and her best bet for safety was here over her own home on Menagerie. And perhaps, do more than just hide. Though he would be cautious and keep an eye on the young soon to be Huntress in Training, Oz is more than willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
But this next one truly intrigued Ozpin.
Jaune Arc, son of the Huntsmen Joseph Arc and a member of Arc family which has produced a number of extraordinary Huntsmen and Huntresses. He knew that the three eldest sisters of the Arcs were active right now and it appears the Jaune wished to do the same.
And yet…
"Forged documents" Ozpin mused
It was quite surprising for Ozpin to admit this to himself that he has never in his many reincarnations encountered an applicant with forged documents. Which is strange all things considered but still, a new one nonetheless.
Why in the world would somebody go through the trouble of such an endeavor of forging their documents to enter an academy like Beacon.
Ozpin found himself deeply intrigued by this young man. He went through a great deal of trouble to make these documents as convincing as possible so there was clearly some type of mind behind that lad.
Just as he was about to make a decision, Steve Rogers had entered his office.
"Ah Steve" Ozpin greeted "So glad that you're back on your feet already. You gave us all quite the fright after your encounter with Rumlow"
"I promised Glynda I'd attempt to keep my 'heroics' down to a bare minimum" Steve jested
Oz chuckled at that statement, greatly amused by the concern Glynda has displayed towards Rogers for the past week.
"What can I do for you Steve?" Ozpin asked, setting down his scroll
"Just what you can tell me about my 'condition' if I could call it that" Steve said, taking up one of the two seats Ozpin had to spare at the moment "Glynda told me that the reaction I had gotten when you all unlocked my aura was unlike anything you had ever seen"
"Indeed it is" Oz nodded, drinking his coffee "That level of aura that you had displayed upon its awakening was extremely potent and strong. I don't think even the maidens had something like that kind of power when they first came into being. Though it does concern of its nature"
Ozpin's expression morphed into one of slight weariness
"A new type of power neither of us know the extent or even understand" Oz said "Only that it is your aura and it is very powerful"
"Well that puts a lot of my worries at ease" Steve said wryly with Ozpin chuckling at Steve's disposition
"I'm confident in your capabilities of figuring it out" Ozpin said getting a half-lidded eye stare from Steve
"So" Steve said with a sigh "I hope I didn't intrude on anything important"
"Beacon applications" Ozpin said simply "As the usual ordeal comes upon every year and semester"
"Can't say I understand what that's like" Steve admitted "Though I probably will be having a taste of it sooner than later"
"Yes" Ozpin said slowly, looking down at his most recent applicant "A taste…Tell me Steve, what would you say to these new students coming in to Beacon and old on what it means to be a Huntsmen?"
"Pardon?" Steve asked in confusion
"What would you look for in a student is what I'm trying to ask here" Ozpin clarified "What would you try to see in a young teenager stepping into the role of the future guardians of Remnant?"
Steve was a bit startled by such a question, his face turning into one of deep thought and contemplation.
Crossing his arms and resting them on the desk, Steve remained silent for a good few moments while staring at the scrolls Ozpin had laid out on his desk.
"I guess…" Steve said slowly "I'd ask them why they are here. Why they want to do this, to be a Huntsmen and Huntress. And knowing people and especially teenagers, all their answers will be different"
Ozpin gazed at the super soldier with satisfaction, an idea already in his head.
"Then I'd like for you to give this applicant a look over" Ozpin said, holding out the scroll in his hand for Steve to take
Confused slightly, Steve took the scroll out of Ozpins hand and began reading over the application.
Scene cut
Brock Rumlow didn't even bat an eye at the young lady with green hair who was stitching up a gash that had yet to heal properly. His battle with Captain America had drained him a great deal and even with his aura, some injuries would take much longer to heal.
This new injury included.
Then again with the advent of his pain receptors being scorched, pain was an old feeling that he had not endured for a long time up until the final few moments of his original life to his most recent clash with Rogers.
So now he was here, in this small hut in the middle of a forest that he was told to go to after his endeavor to find and kill Steve Rogers.
"So you took on the leader of the Avengers huh?" The silver haired boy said with interest "How did you take it then?"
Rumlow did not respond, instead remaining silent and letting Emerald finish up her treatment of his injury.
Mercury of course was not deterred in the slightest.
"I mean, I had heard that the Avengers are tough customers but the way you ended up…" Mercury shrugged "Guess not all of us are cut out for quick hit jobs"
Rumlow simply stood up and began placing his gear back on.
In the corner of the room sat Cinder who eyed the former HYDRA agent with great interest and distrust. The queen Salem had informed her of their newest ally but all she said was that he was a dangerous individual and one not to be trifled with.
Yet, Mercury being the instigator that he was couldn't help himself in his attempt at riling up this newcomer. The young man wanted to gauge what was so special about this guy.
He had apparently got toe to toe with Steve Rogers but he was still forced to retreat.
So maybe this guy wasn't all cut out as he was supposed to be.
Of course as Mercury opened his mouth to speak once more, he found himself wheezing and unable to breath properly.
Crossbones had his hand tight gripped around his throat, his eyes looking murderous.
"I'd learn to keep your mouth shut when necessary boy" Brock said with deadly seriousness, tightening his hold on Mercury's neck.
Emerald's eyes widened with fright, jumping up to reach for her weapons when she froze at the feeling of a gun pressed to her temple.
"You move and I'll rip out his throat"
"Enough" Cinder said aloud, standing up out of her seat "Mercury, stop instigating the man. I'd rather you keep yourself intact for our future plans"
Knowing now that they wouldn't do anything in response, Brock lowered his gun and released Mercury's throat.
"What will you do now?" Cinder asked the Mercenary from another universe
"Return to your head honchos base" Rumlow answered, placing on his helm "Got a lot more learning to do since my aura and semblance aren't up to snuff"
"So you will not be aiding us in our mission?" Emerald asked in annoyance "We just helped patch you up"
"Cause your boss told you to do so" Rumlow shot back unfazed by her attitude "Your shit is yours, not my problem"
"You owe her your allegiance" Cinder said sharply
"A few favors at most" Rumlow said "Done working for a stupid hierarchy, when the times comes for me to go it alone, I'll do just that"
"She brought you back to life" Cinder started showing signs of great anger towards this man's uncaring behavior at the mention of Salem
"Cause that dumb bitch needed a new pawn to do her dirty work for her cause apparently she hasn't been able to get the job done herself" Rumlow stated, cocking both fists to check over his gauntlets which were working fine.
"How dare you" Cinder was now furious at such words
"Yeah yeah" Without even waiting for another response, Rumlow already walked out the door.
"Are we really gonna be working with that asshole?" Mercury asked Cinder bitingly "That son of a bitch is the last guy we need on our side"
"We must put up with him unfortunately" Cinder said with gritted teeth "The queen Salem has recruited him and apparently resurrected him from the dead. The loyalty is tedious at best"
"I don't like him" Emerald declared
"Really?" Mercury said with sarcastic shock "You don't like him. Stop the fucking presses"
"Enough" Cinder said, slightly impatiently "We have enough to deal with in the adjustment of our plans. It is time we confront the White Fang. The Cleansers have already been brought in to the fold and one of our final pieces before commencing our long term plans"
"How will we get them to come around?" Emerald inquired
"I had hoped that I could have utilized the powers of the fall maiden" Cinder said with annoyance "Sadly, due to her being taken in by those Avenging fools I had to resort to other means"
Cinder's raised her left arm and it morphed into a pitch black clawed appendage identical to the Grimm.
"A parting gift from the lady Salem" Cinder explained "More convincing if anything"
"Can't argue that" Mercury nodded
"Then we've wasted enough time being here, dealing with that madman" Cinder said "It is time to go"
Scene Cut
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A young princess was busy clacking away at her keyboard, face laced with complete concentration.
Grunting momentarily at the red blinking light of failure, she remained undeterred in her search.
"Shuri" Said an older male accented voice "How goes your search?"
"For once I must say brother, I am hitting multiple dead ends" The young princess of Wakanda admitted in great frustration "I do not know where your guests vanished to and am finding little head way as to the cause of their disappearances other than the unusual energy spike we had discovered weeks earlier"
T'challa, The Black Panther and King of Wakanda frowned with displeasure at the news. Ever since Steve Rogers and his factions of Avengers seemingly disappeared from Wakanda's lands, he had made it a goal in setting aside time in seeking them out as to where they could have gone.
In the world, nay the universe that they resided in, the loss of not one but Six Avengers was truly a staggering loss. One not so easily remedied.
The Wakandan Monarch was well aware of the barely manageable faction of Avengers that Tony Stark currently had with War Machine and Vision and he knew that was not nearly enough.
There was of course that Spider-man fellow that he had fought alongside of in the clash at Leipzig. Yet it seemed as though he was confined to New York.
Then there was also Natasha Romanoff AKA the Black Widow who was active on her own one he intended to track down and inform of the situation that has transpired with Rogers.
Over the past few weeks, T'challa had inadvertently taken up the same cautionary role that Tony Stark had instilled in himself though not to the degree that the billionaire possessed. Having to deal with a megalomaniacal cousin your own father inadvertently created does that to you. Since then he has been busy in looking over the entire world of uniquely enhanced individuals.
And he has found a strong concentration of them in Manhattan New York in particular as well as sightings of other individuals with powers and capabilities clearly beyond that of a regular human.
Then there was the mental case here in Wakanda that Shuri was personally overseeing.
"And what of the White Wolf?" T'challa asks
Shuri found herself straightening up slightly at the mention of her rehabilitation project as she likes to call it sometimes.
"It is coming along very well" Shuri said in an unusual tone that her brother could not quite place "With what I have learned, Sergeant Barnes's mental programming from HYDRA revolves around trigger words. I am creating an algorithm to specifically target the programming of HYDRA's words and wiping them from his mind while keep the rest of his mentality and character intact"
"Good to hear" T'challa said, pleased to know one aspect of his thought process was shedding more positive news
"But there is something I wish to add on from our previous conversation on Captain Rogers and his friends disappearing" Shuri said
"Oh?"
"Ever since that day, on occasion, my sensors pick up unusual energy outputs of a similar nature to that of what we were tracking from before" Shuri explained "Though there is something that concerns me"
"What is it?" T'challa asked
"The energy" Shuri scrunched up her brows in slight befuddlement "The signature is hard to pinpoint. It is as if it is a blend of multiple radiations that I just cannot pinpoint. Perhaps something involving the mystical arts"
"The mystic arts you say?" T'challa stroked his chin with interest
Though Wakanda was the most technologically advanced nation on the planet, the practice and arts of magic was not a forgotten skill.
After all, communing with the dead kings of Wakanda was not something science could so easily explain.
However it is also not that difficult in admitting that magic has lost some of its luster since Wakanda has made leaps and bounds in its tech department.
Regardless of these thoughts however, it would have to be saved for another day.
After his battle with his long lost cousin Killmonger, the brief Wakandan Civil War on top of coming out to the world of who and what they really are, T'challa has much on his plate right now as it is.
The first of which being his upcoming meeting with the UN, with the assistance of his confidant and now friend, Everett Ross.
"Keep up the good work Shuri" T'challa said, placing a brotherly hand on her shoulder as a sign of support which Shuri returned with smile.
T'challa departed leaving his sister to her work.
Scene Cut
The last few weeks have been tiresome but rewarding all the same for the aged master.
Robed in a more comfortable garb as she sat upon her little mat, she observed her students with elegance and patience making sure to take not of every single one of their movements and execution of spells.
One in particular however stood out amongst the others.
Though he was hardened, stubborn non-believer from the start, after having his eyes "Opened" to the larger world the man has made leaps and bounds. He has long since surpassed several of the most proficient students within these halls and his progress is rather staggering at times.
Still, things have become much more interesting here at Kamar-Taj.
The new student seems to have a hidden joy in constantly annoying the librarian Wong and she herself at times finds it to be quite humorous.
She observed with rapt attention at her students utilized Eldritch magic in order to manifest physical constructs ranging from swords and axes to whips and little aerial vehicles from some of her more creative students.
The Ancient One nodded her head and the constructs all dispelled. She gave them all a simple appraising look of pride at their progress, something that elevated the spirits of all present. All but one.
Eyeing him, she saw that he was in a state of deep contemplation with his arms cross and a hand covering his jaw and lower lip.
"Stephen Strange" The Ancient One said aloud, gaining the attention of the man "May I ask what it is that you are so deeply contemplating on?"
Stephen only shook his head, waving her off.
"Just thinking on what book I should take out next" Strange said, walking away "Who know, a new way to make Wong laugh"
The Ancient One only shook her head with humor evident on her face at the antics Strange has shown.
"His time here has shown that he is cut out for the Mystic Arts" a deep, baritone voice said from her side "Though his attitude leaves much to be desired"
"Is that criticism I detect, Mordo?" The Ancient One said
"Self Reflection" Mordo admitted "I remember another young upstart with a cocky and focused, destructive drive"
"You think his path to be destructive?"
"Perhaps not destructive" Mordo rephrased "More along the lines of unfulfilling. To me there is nothing more disappointing then a path that leads to nothing"
"Very sage of you to say Mordo" The Ancient One stated
"I try"
She snorted at that, walking down the path that leads to the hall of Agamotto which housed the ancient Eye of Agamotto, the first Sorcerer Supreme.
Followed by Mordo, The Ancient One saw the three masters of the Sanctums from around the globe that protected Earth from inter-dimensional threats.
Drumm, Rama and Minoru all stood around the Eye of Agamotto, backs to their respective sanctums. Wong also stood amongst them, conjuring up a magical display of Earth.
"The Sanctums remain intact and untroubled, Ancient One" Master Drumm greeted
"Though there has been a number of occurrences" Sol Rama stated
"Occurrences?" Mordo inquired
Minoru pressed her index and middle fingers into the center palm of her other hand. She then flicked them off to the floating globe above with sparks following in her wake. The sparks floated upwards before dotting themselves around the world among several continents.
"There have been multiple types of flare-ups, if you could call them that, of some type of energy that's an odd mix of the mystic arts and something else that we can't quite discern" Minoru elaborated
"We had noticed that there was a kind of pattern to these flares and traced their location back to here" Rama pointed at Africa "It stemmed from the borders of Wakanda"
The Ancient One held a somewhat confused expression.
"Wakanda?" The Ancient One repeated to herself "That is a nation that has not been under the watch of the mystic arts in some time"
"There appears to be some kind of energy permeating throughout the country but as for what that could be, we cannot identify it yet either" Rama stated "It is leaning heavily towards the technological side"
"Is Wakanda not under the protection of the Panther Goddess Bast?" Drumm inquired
"Possibly" The Ancient One answered "Though like I said before, we have not had our eye on Wakanda for some time now"
"Then it is safe to say that we should resume?" Wong asked
"See what you can discover" The Ancient One instructed "I sense a great change coming upon the horizon and we must be ready for it"
The gathered masters agreed and thusly departed shortly thereafter.
Scene Cut
Remnant
Jaune Arc sat upon an empty bench, idly eating a sandwich while looking out for his two youngest sisters.
He smiled to himself as Jessica and Jane ran around in circles going down the slide only to quickly rush back up to go again.
At the top of the point Jane waved at her older brother happily who waved back with a grin as he watched her slide down once more before dashing off to the swing set with Jessica hot on her trail.
Jaune chortled to himself at their behavior and he leaned back to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere the playground was giving off.
"Hell of a feeling isn't it?" An adult voice said from beside him "I'd rather watch this any day of the week then constantly do my job sometimes"
Confused by who spoke, Jaune glanced over to the source of the voice.
It was a man who appeared to be in his late 20's, early 30's, wearing simple blue jeans and sneakers, a white shirt with light a jacket and cap.
Jaune was momentarily put off by the man sudden appearance but his face soon morphed into one of recognition and complete utter shock.
He'd seen that face before.
For the past few months, that face has become one of the most recognizable faces across Remnant.
Captain Steve Rogers, leader of the Avengers was standing right before him.
"Do you mind if I sit here, Jaune?" Steve asked politely and Jaune's response was his jaw dropping.
He knew who he was?! How?!
Right now that didn't matter as Steve seated himself beside the young Arc and relaxed back into the bench.
"You know, there's a few people I know of that would love to have nothing more than this kind of life" Steve said reminiscently "Just letting life take you on its flow, have those moments of tranquility without the looming sense of danger over your head"
Steve's eyes held a look of a wary warrior who has seen to many conflicts with no end in sight.
Jaune of course was still silently star struck at being right next to someone who has captured his attention and imagination like no one else has before.
"Um…" Jaune was trying to find his words "Hello"
Internally, Jaune felt like a complete idiot for saying that yet Captain Rogers laughed at his demeanor.
"A pleasure to meet you Jaune" Steve held out his hand "I'm Steve Rogers"
Jaune tentatively reached out and shook hands with Steve.
"Uh…" Once again Jaune was at a loss for words "Mister Rogers, um sir, I mean Captain I…."
"Easy there kid" Steve said calmly "Take a breather and relax. I'm just here to talk to you"
Following his advice, Caps words registered in Jaunes head.
"Wait, Talk?" Jaune asked "With me?"
"Yes, you are Jaune Arc, correct?" Steve said/inquired
"I mean, um, yeah" Jaune nodded "Yes I am he, I mean…yeah, I'm Jaune Arc"
Steve nodded his head at Jaune in return, pulling out a scroll.
"So tell me Jaune" Steve said conversationally "You've applied to Beacon Academy, am I correct to assume that, yes?"
Jaune blinked.
"Uh, yeah" Jaune confirmed "Yeah I sent in my applications a while back and waiting for a response"
Something then dawned in Jaunes mind.
"Wait a sec, how do you know about that?"
"Well I should know really" Steve said "I am going to be teaching there along with the other Avengers come the start of the new semester"
Jaune openly gaped at the news. Steve Rogers and the rest of the Avengers are gonna be teachers at Beacon?! That's insane.
"And since this will be my first time teaching, I wanted to get a feel for it and interview a few of the students who have applied to Beacon" Steve further elaborated "You were my first pick"
Jaune felt a heat of embarrassment and giddiness surge through his chest.
"M-Me?" Jaune stuttered "Why me?"
Cap instead of answering reached in to his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a scroll. On it was Jaune's application form into Beacon.
"Tell me something Jaune" Steve began, tone neutral "Where are you from really?"
Jaune stared blankly "Huh?"
"Where are you from Jaune?" Steve asked again, holding up his scroll for Jaune to see.
The young Arc squinted at the screen and after several seconds recognized it as his own application.
"It says here" Steve said "That you're from Mistral. Yet when I dived deeper I found out that wasn't the case at all. You and your family is based here in Vale and have lived here since before and after the Great War"
And just like that, a looming feeling of dread began to sprout from Jaunes gut. He felt the feeling creeping up his spine.
"I'm not one to beat around the bush here, Mister Arc so I'll say it straight" Steve spoke in complete seriousness "If you're gonna forge documents you better be sure that it's good enough to fool me next time"
That horrible gut feeling sped up to completely engulf Jaunes being as Steve put away his scroll, his face revealing nothing.
"When Ozpin told me about someone forging their way into Beacon, he had the dame thought as I did" Steve said "Who would go through so much effort and trouble to fake their way into one of the four most prestigious schools for training Huntsmen and Huntresses? It must have been really important if the person in question was willing to do such a thing"
"Am…" Jaune gulped "Am I in trouble?"
"That remains to be seen" Steve answered "I came here with this knowledge in hand and with one purpose. To find out why exactly. Why did you do this Jaune?"
The way Steve asked wasn't one of an accusatory tone.
No it was one of a man who wished to know out of pure curiosity and understanding.
"If I recall correctly, the Arc family has been known to produce exceptional Huntsmen and Huntresses for the past 80 plus years or so since the War" Steve said "But I do need to know this Jaune. If it had been anybody else, you may have gotten in severe trouble at worst or a plain rejection at least"
Jaune found himself slumping back more and more as Cap spoke.
"Which is why I wanted to know from you personally" Steve said, locking eyes with Jaune "Why did you do it? Why choose to go after this path above all others? Why choose the path that leads to loss and pain?"
Jaune found himself frozen, but not in a way of terror.
In a way of self evaluation.
"Was it for fame? Fortune? Upholding family tradition?" Steve listed down the possible answers, with small moments of time to allow Jaune to jump in at anytime
"I don't know" Jaune found himself saying that aloud "I wanna do this because I want to….because my family…because I have to…"
"You could be something else you know" Steve suggested "You don't need to be a Huntsmen to be a productive member to society"
Jaune felt a powerful emotion stirring within his heart at Steve's words. While that was not something his father or mother had said, the way he said it was all too familiar to him as he has heard many variations to that phrase a good time over.
"I have to do this" Jaune said resolutely, finding himself surprised by the sudden steel in his tone "I must do this, not for the fame but for myself, for my family as well"
"That seems a bit selfish" Steve noted
"I know it is" Jaune admitted with no shame "But that's not the real reason that I wanted to join. Not the reason why I lied to get in"
"Then what is the reason Jaune Arc?" Steve asked expectantly "Why did you lie when you applied for Beacon?"
Jaune paused, taking a moment to look over the park and adding a mental checkmark to himself upon seeing his two baby sisters were still on the swings safe and sound.
"I couldn't let myself let go of that dream" Jaune whispered but Steve still heard it "Ever since I was a kid, all I ever saw was my mother and fathers old collection of small news snippets of them helping out other people across Remnant during their time as Huntsmen and Huntresses. By the time I was born, my two oldest sisters were already training to become Huntresses and my third oldest sister was getting ready to enroll herself. That's what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a hero like them. To help others and keep them safe"
Jaune sighed, his face dejected "But I was never good enough"
Steve only listened intently, allowing Jaune to continue to talk.
"I was never anything like my sisters or my parents" Jaune said sadly, his eyes getting a bit glossy "I wasn't skilled or athletic or could handle a sword so easily. No I was just Jaune…the arc who could do nothing. And that stuck with me for years. Every night and day that's all I could think of and was reminded of"
"My family…I love them so much but I never truly belonged" Jaune said "But I wanted to and the more I saw it and the more I thought about it, I knew I had to. Because I said to myself it's not just about me at all. It's about what you had to be. There were men and women laying down their lives for the safety of others. If those people, my family included is putting their lives on the line for others, then I'll do the same cause that's nothing less then what I have to do, no less than them"
Steve was nothing short of shocked.
This…this was too much of a coincidence in hearing those words come from this young lad who was desperate in finding a place in this chaotic world.
And here he was, listening to the speech of Jaune Arcs motivation of becoming a Huntsmen.
Steve felt a tiny smile creeping up on his mouth, a great deal of satisfaction rising within him.
Standing up, Steve adjusted his hat and gave Jaune an approving look.
"Well then Jaune Arc" Steve said "I expect to see great achievements out from you"
Jaune gaped once more at the level of respect Steve was showing to him.
"I expect you to make good on your promise of doing nothing less than what is asked and needed" Steve said, hand held out again "Welcome to Beacon"
Jaune could do nothing but remain still, unable to comprehend what Steve Rogers just told him.
Shazam, gonna end it right here and we're are now in the beginning phases ladies and gentlemen.
After 15 chapters of build up it Is TIME
IT IS TIME FOR AVENGING REMNANT TO TRULY KICK OFF.
My plans for the coming few chapters have been set, I have everything being prepared for and the long awaited meeting between Steve Rogers and Jaune Arc has happened, something I couldn't wait to do.
A long time coming as multiple pieces are beginning their move into the grander scheme of things and soon….The Infinity War that consumes all.
GOD I can't wait. Infinity War is fucking amazing. That's how you do a villain everybody. You make the mad bastard win in an instant.
Wow, just wow. Really freaking giddy about the next one which I am writing right now and you guys are gonna fucking love the opener.
That's all you need to know
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day