Rising of the Avenging Heroes

ESKK: Well here we go a new chapter I hope you will all enjoy it.

"Talking."

'Thinking'

(Scene Break)

*Music Insert

-Lyrics-

Disclaimer: Neither myself or Mr. Unknow own Rising of a Shield Hero or Next Avengers heroes of Tomorrow please support their official release.

(Start Library Ruins)

The Next Avengers had been making great strides since they beat Ultron. Ultra-City was cleared of Ultron's Robots as right now the world was trying to rebuild after the chaos. During the rebuilding process Tony had taken to leading the reconstruction efforts as Bruce and Betty were left to their own devises. They managed to locate a few of the old heroes Logan, Laura with her clone, and Wade Wilson. Though more appeared every day the criminal element still existed and ironically enough it was through this they met their newest Member.

One Morgan Stark who went by the Alias Iron-Heart. Tony was of course in near tears when he was reunited with his daughter who clearly took after him when it came to brains. She was leading her own cell of Scavengers and had built her own armor using Peppers Rescue Armor and some of the old Iron-Man Suits they found while foraging for supplies.

Morgan was a much needed addition to the team and it was a good thing too as the Next Avengers helped rebuild society. They had also met another ally a young man by the name of Cody. They had happened upon the peace loving guy purely by accident as he was walking about with a smile on his face without a care in the world. Now while more and more heroes began to show up that didn't stop those who were the worst in humanity from popping up either. When it comes to the apocalypse humans show the worst in themselves in order to survive. Though when those Savages attacked Cody the Avengers were shocked to see the more or less well liked guy turn into Skaar.

They expected the worse when that happened but it was clear Skaar wasn't like the Hulk. Skaar, once the battle ended had reverted back to his human form and showed he and Cody had close nit bond. He was also a welcomed addition as it not only put their Brainiac number from 1 to three put it also added one to their heavy hitters. Of course it was clear Morgan was the smartest of the three a fact she lorded over Pym with now on the receiving end of insults over one's intelligence. Still the community was flourishing but they still needed supplies and the like. They had working electricity to not only light their homes but power their defenses when they were needed. They already had crops being made so to help handle their need for food but that didn't stop those who would need to hunt for meat.

Torunn was a valuable aid when she provided rain to help water said crops even during a drought. So far things were on the up and up despite a few hiccups here and there. Still that didn't mean things weren't needed here and there. Now then the Avengers were currently scouting the city for supplies nothing major mind you save for tools and parts but the community was constantly growing and with it came the need for schools. So far that in itself was a touch and go but text books were a must to teach one how to read and write.

The Avengers themselves were aiding in this mainly because they honestly had nothing else going on. Allowing themselves this reprieve to help even in such a small task helped them stayed focus and kept James from going stir crazy. The Avengers had finished gathering up what they needed from this trip as they loaded it all up into the ship they had acquired from Ultra-City after Ultron was defeated.

"That's the last of it." Morgan said as she walked in after Torunn and Cody loaded up the last pieces of tools. She was a spitting image of her mother but when it comes to hair and eyes that was all Tony right there. Morgan was dressed in what appeared to be old and worn pants with knee guards, a dirty white sleeveless top with straps across her chest, and shoulder armor as she clearly looked like a survivor.

"Alright it's done!" Pym was heard as he flew in tired of doing this boring job.

"Hey a job is a job and since it's helping the world get back on track even in a small way it's still a big accomplishment." Cody said as he walked up to the group smiling to their youngest member. He then chuckled as he looked off to the distance. "And Yes Skaar just relax I know you're not much of a reader but reading is a good way to stimulate the imagination." Cody said to his tenant as Skaar heard his partner. Yeah it was strange seeing Cody and Skaar talk to each other. Some thought he was crazy until they see Skaar or the reverse of this. Still it was neat to see what Bruce and Hulk could possibly have if they learned to work together.

Cody had a young man with long black hair, green eyes, tattered black pants, and an olive shirt with a brown jacket over it. He was wearing sandals on his feet and had a large weapon of sorts on his back but was too big for him to use in combat. The sword wasn't meant for Cody though it was meant for the other guy the bigger and stronger one.

Just then Torunn rejoined the group as Morgan saw the Asgardian and smirked. "Still with these books we'll be helping a lot of kids with their education." Torunn said as she walked in with the others.

Just then Morgan jumped in shock when Azari landed on a car in a crouching position. "Well good news area is clear." Azari said before a nearby wall was pushed down and from it James and Francis walked in. "Yeap place is clear and hey I think less rodents." Francis said as he walked in while James led the duo to regroup with the rest of their heroic team.

"Do we have everything we need?" James asked and thus Morgan nodded.

"Yeap we got textbooks of the ABC's all the way to advanced Algebra." Morgan said as she pointed her thumb to the vehicle.

"Well then in that case we can consider this job over and done with." James said happy to have helped others. "Now let's look around see if we can't find a book for ourselves to read or even write in." James said and thus they were all in agreement on this and began to look.

(Later)

The group began exploring the ruins of the library hoping to find a book that might prove to be entertaining for them. Morgan ran it through a scanner if they found something and would no doubt work on finding the entire series or recreating it on a data pad of sorts. As James explored a bit he noticed an odd book and the ground and proceeded to pick it up and give it a look over.

"Huh?" James asked as he dusted it off and gave it a look over. "The Four Cardinal Weapons." James read aloud as he saw the book was oddly in pristine condition.

But before he could open it Morgan showed up and put an arm around him. "Hey what you got that Private America?" Morgan asked as she looked to James.

"Don't know was going to check out." James said and just then Pym showed up.

"Check what out?" Pym asked as he appeared in his tiny form.

"Pym." James scolded just as Azari jumped in.

"Hey we dog piling James again?" Azari asked as he landed on one of the rafters.

"IF we were I'd have headlock him already." Francis said only to be followed by Torunn.

"He immediate family first." Torunn said as the group began to gather together.

"Hello what did I miss?" Cody said as he just wanted to be involved.

"Ok I found this and I can't even open it without expecting the Spanish Inquisition." James said and thus Morgan smirked to this.

"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition." Morgan joked causing the group to laugh.

"Well check it out come on." Francis said and thus James sighed and opened it.

"Ok according to this... in order to save the world from the waves of apocalyptic catastrophe four heroes will be summoned from another world." James read as he then turned the page and proceeded to skim through it.

"Looks like a Light novel." Morgan said as she heard about those from another Scavenger.

"According to this each hero has a specific weapon, a sword, a spear, a bow, and a Shield." Torunn said and thus Azari saw this.

"Kind of like us." Azari said as James heard as well.

"Hey at least James can make the shield into a badass tool." Morgan said as she smirked to the son of Black Widow and Captain America.

"Beep-beep bitch alert." Francis said and thus pointed to the image of a girl in the novel cause Torunn to elbow him.

"Oh come on She-Ra he's not exactly wrong." Morgan added and in turn James smirked to this.

"Though it's clear these guys are the main protagonist even the Shield guy." James began and in turn the group were wide eyed at what they saw.

"What the heck?" Hawkeye asked as he saw the rest of it was blank.

"Gauh dang it we just got cat fished guys!" Pym cried out before a glow began to come from the book.

"Um I think we should drop this thing... fast." Torunn began but it was too late. In turn the entire area around the group began to glow bright and from it the library seemingly began to rebuild itself with the glow. But as it rebuilt it was 20 times its normal size.

"What's going on!?" Pym cried out but James wasn't sure.

"Whatever it is stay together!" James called out and thus they each got close and grabbed onto each other. In turn they all began to fall into a void as with a cry they all held on to each other to hopefully cushion each other's fall. Eventually the book vanished and thus the entire realm they were in began to change.

(Scene Break Unknown Location)

The group ended up dog piling on each other James ended up on the bottom of the pile with his hands stretched out as on the top was Pym while they all moaned in pain. "Hey someone say ow if you're still breathing." Francis said as he was no doubt in pain from bruising.

"Ow." James said as he had the weight of everyone on his back right now.

"Sorry." Cody apologized as he rolled off while everyone began to get off James.

"Fantastic the summoning was a success." Came the voice as the group looked and saw they were surrounded by men in robes. "Brave heroes won't you please save our world from pure evil." The Monk guy asked just before they Avengers had one similar question.

"What?!" They all asked but with three other voices added in causing the group to look and the Priests to look confused.

"Wait aren't their supposed to be four of them?" Another one asked as the leader did a count. James looked around and saw there were three other people here two of which were in some casual clothing not at all like from home, and a third in some sort of school uniform. James then looked and saw his father's shield had changed. It wasn't drastic but in the center of the star was a green gem of sorts.

"Ok can someone start explaining? We got two power houses here and one of them is not on a leash." Morgan said raising her hand wanting some answers for this situation.

"If you would be so kind." The head priest began looking to the larger group. "How did you all come by here?" He asked trying to figure out why the fourth hero had these, tagalong's with him.

"We were all together when we got dragged here." Morgan said but James was still focused on the 'great evil,' that the priest had mentioned. "So I'm gonna guess that book James had found was some sort of "door way" and was meant to take him, but it ended up taking all of us together, sense we held onto each other as well with whatever spell or ritual you cast seem doesn't target a single person but many and open Said "door" wide enough for everyone to go through, while me and my friends here came through by accident, to my theory at least," Morgan said as the priest sort of understand as he said, "I understand, thank you and I'm sorry that this had happen, but we are in need of Heroes as our world is in dire need of saving."

James was about to step up and asked about this "Evil" until the guy with the bow asked, "What do you mean it in dire needs of saving?"

"The story behind it all is long and complicated, but suffice it to say you are the four cardinal heroes and you were summon here using an ancient ritual," the head priest said as Pym said, "Cardinal heroes, like it said in that book we read?"

"Must be," Cody said as there was no other way to explain it as Cody suddenly raise his eyes up like he was rolling them but instead of rolling back he was suddenly whispering, "We're not in danger, at least not yet. Please be a bit patient until we figure out the situation more and found out how to get back home too."

"Hey kid, are you alright there?" the guy with the spear said as he thought he heard Cody talking or something as Cody told him, "Oh yea I'm find just thinking, and talking a bit out loud."

He doesn't want to give away he was talking too Skaar sense it's a new place and the 3 guys didn't look like they didn't come from their own world for some reason, they were very clean and well dress than most people are, and didn't want to spook the priests and priestesses either.

"Our world in a fragile state and teeters on the brink of destruction, so we beg you oh brave heroes , please lend us your aid," the head priest said as he bow down to the group with the others behind him bowing as well as James said, "I'm sorry to hear, and I suppose we can help this world and-

"Forget it," The spear guy said suddenly as the new Avengers turns to the other three "heroes" as the bow guy said, "I also refuse."

"You can send us back to our home world right? do that and maybe we'll talk," the spear guy said as suddenly the sword hero raise and pointed his sword at the holy people suddenly as he said, "You brought the four of us and others here without our consent, don't you even feel the least bit guilty about it?"

Before anyone could say anything Torrun came up and hit the sword guy's grabbing his arm and made him lower his sword with her strength along as she said, "Are thous such cowards ignore those pleading for help, and pointed a weapon at those who cannot fight have any honor?!"

This surprise everyone as the avengers went over to Torrun and get her away from the sword guy as Azari said, "Stop it Torrun, he's not worth it."

"Come one babe, you can't hurt them if they haven't done anything yet," Francis said as Torrun didn't let go of the sword guy just yet, as she just give him a glare before releasing him while pushing him back as went back to the area she and her friends landed at and stay silent but still give a glare to the boy who dare use a weapon to point at person who was defenseless.

After things were calm down as the bow guy soon spoken up saying, "Well anyways sense you summon us to bring peace to your world, you most likely will throw we will have done that work all for nothing."

"Yeah, how well you be able to be able to accommodate our requests, and depending on your answer, we may end up as your enemies instead of your allies," the spear guy said as this time Torrun was held back as James said to him, "So you rather let a world fall to ruins and leave people to die, just because you weren't pay for your work of help saving a world?"

The spear and boy guys were taken by surprise of what James said as the child of the Soldier walk up to them and said, "If they can't pay you, then what? You'll leave them to their death of this evil he mention?"

"Well… yeah I mean isn't that supposed to be natural for a hero and be rewarded for their work when it's done?" the spear hero said as James just scolded him as before James could say anything Morgan came up saying, "No its not natural, as Hero does his work because it's the right thing to do, and would not ask for rewards being appreciated is rewarding enough."

"Then what's the point of being heroes then?" the bow guy asked as now they are really pushing it as before an argument could be made, the head priest quickly said to them, "Good sirs and madams, before I anyone else can say anything else, we'd like you to have an audience with the king of Melromarc, you can negotiate the rewards with him directly, so please don't fight."

"Find, I suppose we'll consider their offer," the boy guy said as he began to walk to the exit of the tower they were in as the sword guy soon follow with the spear guy next as he said, "Sure, doesn't matter who we talk to our demands won't change."

The avengers look at the three supposed heroes walk out as Pym said to his friends, "Those three really heroes at all? Even the Hulk seem more heroic than them."

"Watch it." Cody warned knowing Skaar and Hulk were closely related.

"Sorry." Pym said and thus the group but Morgan agreed with Pym.

"Minus the Hulk bit there's one every other team up." Morgan said following after the three.

As they walked away Hawkeye had his bow and arrow out aimed one of his many arrows at the Three Heroes tempted to shoot them with it. "Nobody would know. Nobody." Hawkeye said before chasing after his group. "I don't know how it happened someone must really hate those guys for them to each be hit by an arrow." Hawkeye mumbled as he chased after the others. "They will be miss hell I miss the smug bastards already." Francis said showing he was not a fan of those three.

(Later)

The group were seen climbing a flight of steps with Pym taking the easy way for it via his wasp size. Morgan was not pleased with this but hell she had no choice so she sucked it up. "Wow look this really is another world, huh." The bow boy said as he looked to the area outside the window.

"Sure is." The blond haired spear guy said as James looked outside.

"Wow." Hawkeye said as all the heroes felt the wind blow by. It was different clean even as James could only describe the closes thing to this being the dome home where they hid from Ultron for all those years.

"It's like we traveled back in time... and then some." James said as Morgan had to agree but she hated the lack of tech here.

"I'm guessing you guys never traveled much." The bow wielding boy said as he looked to the group.

"Nah we traveled but our destinations aren't always fun Ouran Host Club." Morgan said as she wanted to move up. "Guessing this place has to have some sort of Mediterranean climate but can't be certain." Morgan said as she needed to explore some before making assumption. "So Sword Art Online mind moving your holding up the line." Morgan said as both nicknames left the recipients for them confused.

"That is the last time we're letting you read light novels." Cody said knowing how Morgan gets sometimes when she's on a light novel binge.

"She does it anyway." Hawkeye said while they continued to climb the steps.

(Scene Break Throne Room)

Eventually, the heroes were brought before the King in his throne room.

The throne room was well lit and decorated. A few dozen people were present in the room. They were presumably nobles.

Dressed in purple robes, the elderly King sat in one of the distinguished thrones. The second throne chair was curiously vacant, and it was noticeably higher than the king's throne. A priest had just finished updating the King of the odd summoning event as the other arrivals all stood near James.

The Four Heroes stop at the center of the room and bow before the King. James because this guy was royalty and knowing Torunn and Azari it was a must. His friends followed suit as Hawkeye wasn't too fond of this but better to risk causing some international incident.

"So, the youths I see before me are the Four Cardinal Heroes of ancient legend?" the King asked with a firm tone of voice, a clear sign and reminder of his authority. He scanned each other of the Four Heroes as they stood side by side, "I humbly welcome you brave souls to my country of Melromarc. I am Aultcray Melromarc XXXII, and I rule this country as her King. Now then, you may stand once more." The Four Heroes stood up to their feet as ordered. "Now one of my priests had informed me that that 6 others were brought here alongside the Shield Hero correct?" Aultcray said as he looked to the group.

"Yes your majesty I think it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Torunn said thankful for her Allspeak to allow her to speak and understand any spoken language.

"No kidding." Morgan said as she was temped oh so tempted to give the King a nickname... that can wait.

"Well then my apologies that you were dragged along but I have faith your souls may brave the trials to come." Aultcray said and thus carried on. "Now then starting with the heroes please identify yourselves." He asked and thus the sword guy spoke up.

"Ren Amaki, I'm a high school student and I'm 16 years old." Ren introduced as he looked to the group.

"I'm Motoyasu Kitamura. Twenty one years old, and a college student." Motoyasu introduced as he walked up shouldering his spear.

"I'm suppose I'm up next. I'm Itsuki Kawasumi. I'm still in high school, and I'm seventeen years old." Itsuki introduced as James was probably the only foreigner among them.

"Looks like I'm up next." James began as he stepped up. "I'm-" James began but was cut off by the king.

"Good, Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki, is it?" the King nodded, to the surprise of James and the other Young Avengers. James was about to let it be but Morgan spoke up or in this case she blew a shrill whistle startling everyone.

"Ok your highness no offense but you forgot someone." Morgan said as James saw what Morgan did as for her be fun and never be formal if it can be helped. "Here's a hint he also is a cardinal hero." Morgan said pointing to James to this.

"Ah… my apologies." Aultcray said, with a hint of indifference to which the heroes of Earth all noted. Evan Skaar noticed it and he's not always the brightest one in the group.

'Did he do that on purpose?' Torunn wondered finding it concerning the King would do this. Why seemingly forget the Shield Hero when he was standing right here?

"Hey c'mon! He's a King, remember? So, you should address him more formally then that." Itsuki scolded as Morgan smirked to this.

"Yeah tell it to someone who cares Robin Hood." Morgan said to which James looked apologetic for Morgan.

"Sorry that's kind of her quark no filter and says whatever comes to mind, problem is she doesn't have an off switch." Azari said to which Morgan smirked.

"Ok honey." Morgan quipped and thus James cleared his throat causing Morgan to smile and back off. "Still we should at least acknowledge why we had to skip over James here." Morgan said putting a hand on his shoulder. "You have to admit, it was rather rude of him to do that." Morgan said as she was putting some cards on the table and setting some feelers out to see what bites.

"Yes, but he's still a King, and regardless of his own rudeness, his title does demand respect." Itsuki said as he knew why Morgan made the Robin Hood comment.

"Hey I just call it as I see it." Morgan said as the group felt left out on this.

But before Morgan and Itsuki could continue the King opted to step in. "Ahem!" Aultcray coughed, preventing an argument between the Morgan and the Bow Hero Itsuki. "Now then Ms." Aultcray began and trailed off to which Morgan got the memo.

"Morgan, Morgan Stark." Morgan introduced as she looked to the King. Of course the three Japanese boys were surprised that Morgan was a foreigner.

"Of course young Ms. Stark is right, my conduct was unwarranted. Please, identify yourself Shield Hero, and feel free to just call me 'King'." Aultcray said but strangely enough he didn't sound very sincere about it to the Avengers. Hawkeye saw he just said it so they could move on.

"Alright, whatever works I guess. I'm James Rogers Leader of the Avengers and I'm 15 years old." James said and thus Motoyasu looked interested.

"Avengers, sound pretty kick ass for a club." Motoyasu said as Morgan laughed to this.

"You have no idea Mr. Glowstick of Destiny Hero." Morgan said to which Motoyasu let it slide. Morgan then saw the king still didn't seem interested in them but let the others continue. "Anyway I'm Morgan Stark I normally make all their stuff and I'm also 15." Morgan introduced as she looked to the group.

"Azari T'challa I'm 16 years old and wondering why we need to give out our ages." Azari said and thus Hawkeye stepped up.

"Hawkeye just turned 17." Francis said as no offense to his mother but he wasn't a fan of his first name.

"His actual name is Francis Barton." Pym said and thus Hawkeye glared at him.

"Can it twerp." Hawkeye scolded and thus had him in a headlock acting like brothers.

"Cody, 17 years of age." Cody introduced wanting to keep Skaar hidden to which Skaar agreed for now.

Just then to the surprise of many Pym shrunk down and got free from Hawkeye before returning to his normal form. "I'm Henry Pym Jr. just call me Pym and I'm 10 years old and way smarter than most of you." Pym said surprising the group in this regard. Morgan then coughed a bit and thus Pym looked nervous. "I mean I'm smart but not as smart as Morgan." Pym said and thus Morgan smiled to this.

"Much better Fairy Boy." Morgan said showing she was satisfied with that for now.

"I am Torunn Thorsdóttir." Torunn said opting to keep her royal lineage hidden that way she could utilize it if she has to get Asgard involved on this. "Basically we're the Avengers." Torunn said as Motoyasu found it hard to believe.

"Seriously no offense but half of you guys look like you need a shower and the other half look more like cosplayers." Motoyasu said calling it as he saw it. Hawkeye reached for his bow quietly only for Torunn to lower said bow arm... if she wasn't allowed to handle these stooges her way neither were the others their way.

"Now then... I believe I owe you all an explanation." Aultrcray said paying the Avengers no mind on their introduction. "Our country is great peril, and is headed down the path of destruction." He began and thus proceeded to tell the group of the problem they were having. He spoke of an ancient apocalyptic prophecy that had foretold of the "Waves of Catastrophe", which will bring destruction and chaos upon this world. During these "Waves", rampaging monsters will wreak havoc wherever they spawn. The first Wave had washed over this country not long before the Four Heroes were summoned. The adventurers and soldiers were able to fend off the first Wave, but the devastation and loss of life was not lost on any of the survivors. The Waves following after the first would increase in difficulty with each one passing. If Waves weren't stopped, the world will meet its end.

That was why the Four Cardinal Heroes have been summoned, to fight the Waves and protect this world and its inhabitants. When summoned, the Heroes bear these Legendary Weapons, the Sword, the Spear, the Bow, and the Shield respectively, just as Ren, Motoyasu, Itsuki, and James had the Legendary Weapons already in their possession. The countries of this world had ancient artifacts called the Dragon Hourglasses, which predict the coming of each Wave. They would continue to turn and pile on sand until all this crisis was averted. The next Wave was due in less than a month from now. By the time Aultcray was finished, sun had begun to set.

"We underestimated the disaster the first Wave had wrought." he said solemnly to which the group all listened. "Now that we know of the potency of the Waves, we had no choice but to follow the ancient legend, and summon the four of you to aid us and prevent more of these tragedies. We can no longer afford to waste any more time. On behalf of my people, I beg you, brave Heroes, help us counteract the Waves of Catastrophe by lending your strength." He asked and in turn James heard this and unknowingly the King was playing on James compassion to help those in need.

In fact all the Avengers felt great sympathy for the people of this world being faced with something so terrifying and wanted to help. Torunn had to admit, King Aultcray had provide a very eloquent and easy explanation for the situation. He was quit somber going over some fact, but still kept his voice firm. It was something to be respected. He was a king of a whole country, after all. But Morgan on the other hand the story felt like the kind of description for a video game. Still these people needed help and it fell to the Avengers to avenge the wrongs done to them by the waves.

"We'll help." James said causing the other three to look at him in shock.

"So before we begin." Morgan spoke up as she looked ready to provide aid. "Any idea where the Waves come from, if we can figure that or at least figure out what makes them tick we can take them out at the source." Morgan said causing many to whisper among themselves. "What?" Morgan asked as she noticed this.

"I'm afraid we don't know much of the Waves beyond what we told you." Aultcray said as he was surprised by Morgan's suggestion.

"So none of you bothered to research or even look into it?" Morgan asked and in turn saw she had her work cut out for her on this. In fact they all had their work cut out for them in this.

"So in other words we're going in blind." Hawkeye said as he realized this.

"If we can take out the Waves you'll send us all home right?" James asked causing the three heroes to go wide eyed to this.

"We will do our best in that regard." The arrogant looking prime minister said to which the Avengers were in agreement.

"Now hold on!" Ren called out slamming his sword to the ground. "James here doesn't speak for all of us, we're not going to go out of our way to save you all for free." Ren said causing Torunn to glare at him.

"What is with you? Do you truly lack any honor to aid those in need without desire of reward?!" Torunn accused as she glared at the three heroes.

"Look no offense to you Torunn-Chan but that kind of mindset doesn't get you far." Motoyasu said as he looked to Torunn.

"And you call yourselves heroes. What happened to helping those in need because it's the right thing to do and no other reason was ever needed?" Azari accused as he glared at Motoyasu.

"Sorry but this isn't our world I don't understand how you can callously agree to help them and not be compensated." Itsuki said and thus Hawkeye stepped up and grabbed Itsuki by the collar of his shirt and glared at him.

Itsuki was wide eyed as people gasped to this when they saw it. "Its shits like you that causes people more suffering." Hawkeye said and thus he three Itsuki to the ground who looked like he saw a ghost now. He began to walk off and rejoin the others as Itsuki glared at Hawkeye. "Enjoy your reward you pathetic loser." Hawkeye said and thus Itsuki grabbed his bow glaring at him. "I wager you'll be nothing without that Cardinal weapon." He added and thus Itsuki glared at Hawkeye who reminded him of the bullies from his world.

"Wow harsh." Morgan said and thus she looked to the nobles with the silent signal to change the subject.

"Ok." James stepped in to defuse things. "Let's all agree to disagree ok." James said looking to the group. "Guys we can't force our beliefs onto others." James said as he looked to his friends who were surprised by this.

"What?!" Azari asked shocked to be scolded here.

"HAH!" Motoyasu boasted until James turned to him.

"And you guys don't need to act like such premadonnas, demanding stuff every ten minutes!" James said as he looked to them scolding them as well. "If you truly want to be heroes then start acting like it, if you get rewarded good if not oh well." James scolded them and thus ended this debate once and for all.

"Fine." Both sides said in the end as Francis then headed and stood to the side and leaned on said pillar.

Aultcray was both shocked and worried how James so easily brought both parties to heel on their differences. From what he could see the Shield Hero was a born leader and if allowed to interact with the others may prove bothersome. Fortunately that problem handled itself via the weapons and their weaknesses when it comes to being in close proximity to each other.

"Sorry about this your majesty shall we continue?" James asked surprising the King as James stood straight and tall ready for the next bit of order.

"Of course but Shield Hero you need not worry how we feel. You and the others are free to do as you please so long as succeed in ending the Waves. Use whatever resources we have to your advantage." Aultrcray said as he looked to James who wasn't so sure about having such free reign to do whatever they wanted.

In turn the King looked to the Prime Minister who nodded and continued on. "Well despite that brief disagreement." The Prime Minister began as he looked to the group. "I can assure you once all the Waves are dealt with you will be most handsomely rewarded." He said causing James to sigh already not liking this guy.

So, with that matter settled, I take it we all have an agreement, then?" Aultcray asked and in turn was met with no objections before, the King continued. "Then, I would like the four of you to check your statuses." He said and thus the group all grew confused in regard to this.

"Status?" James asked and looked to Morgan who shrugged in response to this. "What is that?" James asked as he looked to the King.

"Yeah what he said." Itsuki spoke up at a lost on this.

Just then Ren spoke up while looking to the others. "Are you guys dense it should have been the very first thing you noticed when you got here." Ren said and thus James looked to him wanting to hear what it was. "Don't you see the icon in the lower right corner of your vision?" Ren asked and thus James went to look for it.

"Oh well what do, you know." James said as he saw the icon in question.

"I got nothing." Morgan said as none of her friends saw it.

"Hmm it could be that with your friend being the intended target and you were taken along the benefits of this did not apply to you." Aultrcray said as James was able to open up some sort of screen before his very eyes. James looked to his screen and saw a few basic information about himself and his abilities. He was put as Level 1 but from the look of it his skills were above that of a regular level 1. He opted to keep this to himself for now for various reasons.

"Only level one? That's pretty disconcerting." a concerned Itsuki said, after peering through his own stat screen.

"Yeah, no kidding. How do they expect us to fight like this?" a frustrated Motoyasu asked knowing this could be difficult.

Once James finished with his screen he then directed his attention over to the duo above. "I'm guessing this in ability only for the four of us." James said as he looked to the old guys up top.

"Correct it's called Statues magic." The Prime Minister said to which that made a lot of sense.

"Ok good to know, how do we use this stuff? What are we supposed to do with it?" Morgan asked to which the Prime Minister had the answer.

"You must set out on an adventure to develop and upgrade these legendary weapons you have been equipped with." The Prime Minister said to which that made perfect sense in this.

"So a trial and error with a trial by fire mixed in... good to know." Morgan said as she already began to run the numbers in her head.

"Can't we just wield other weapons until these ones are usable?" Motoyasu asked as he looked to the group while testing his spear out.

"I suppose we'll have to figure that out as we go." Ren said holding his sword. "Regardless it looks like we all got a lot of training ahead of us." Ren said as he was ready to go.

"We'll have to level up hard and fast." Itsuki said and thus James sighed a bit.

"Well if you guys want you can work with my team we can get you guys up to snuff." James said but was then cut off by the Prime Minister.

"One moment brave heroes." He began getting their attention.

"What is it now?" Cody asked as he looked to the Prime Minister.

"I have neglected to mention you must each recruit allies and adventure separately." He said to which they all heard what he said.

"And why is that?" Itsuki asked the very basic question in this.

"It is said by their very nature the legendary weapons repel one another. If you try and work together it will apparently hinder their development." The Prime Minister said and thus they all saw the help screen telling them.

"I guess it's true." James said as he noticed it read and sounded all like English to him.

"If he needs a party then he already has one." Torunn said as Morgan nodded to this.

"Yeah we've work well together already don't see why we need to change up that winning strategy." Morgan said and thus the group of seven were all in agreement.

"I see but the sun is about to set at least allow me a chance to gather for you all the best of the best while you rest here for the night." Aultcray said as he looked to the group of 10. "Once morning comes you may head out and begin your journey." He said and thus they were in agreement on this.

Just then a servant walked in and got the groups attention. "We have quarters prepared for you all. Please right this way." The woman said as she began to guide them. The group agreed to this and followed after her. But no one noticed Azari and Pym sneaking off to do a bit of sniffing around.

(Scene Break that evening)

Azari and Pym were seen doing some exploring around the castle. Azari stuck to the shadows while Pym flew about in Pixie form. "Come on Azari why we snooping around?" Pym asked as Azari had reasons.

"Didn't you notice everything that King said was just like the book James found?" Azari asked in a hushed tone.

"Yeah so what?" Pym asked as he was confused on this.

"Well think about it for a second, Pym. Tony hid an entire base right under our noses before Ultron arrived and what we thought was a tropical paradise was in fact a dome out in the middle of the frozen tundra." Azari said as he wasn't really hurt about what Tony did he knew he was just protecting them at the time. "Plus a lot of secrets tend to hide under something we take as face value I'm just trying to make sure we don't get blindsided by something out of nowhere here, y'know." Azari said to which Pym understood as much.

"But doesn't this seem kind of." Pym began until Azari heard something.

"Shh." Azari shushed as he heard voices down the halls.

"I hear the four cardinal heroes have been summoned." A guard was heard as Azari and Pym remained hidden.

"All four in Melromarc?" Another asked before a third was heard.

"Are they sure about this?" The third asked as Azari and Pym listened in.

"Then that means the Shield Hero is here too." A fourth said as Azari and Pym looked to each other noting how they talked about the 'Shield Hero,' which was James.

"We need to tell James." Pym said as Azari nodded to this.

"After we do a bit of research." Azari said before he and Pym headed off to regroup with the others.

(Later with the Heroes)

Later that night, the Four Heroes were lounging a lavish private room after a banquet held in their honor. Many were surprised with how much Torunn can eat but her friends were not seeing as she was an Asgardian and huge feasts was a part of their culture. Motoyasu sat on the edge of the large bed, while James sat on the couch, Itsuki sat in one of the chairs, and Ren leaned against a nearby wall. Pym and Azari had returned not too long ago and had joined them with the others. The Avengers were in vary parts of sitting and standing as Itsuki made it a note to keep his distance from Hawkeye.

"I guess when you're a hero, you get special privileges." Motoyasu said, quite satisfied by the treatment he was receiving. "That server girl was super cute! Of course, not as cute as you two, Morgan and Torunn." Motoyasu said with a grin on his face only for Torunn to giggle like a school girl.

"I appreciate the compliment Mr. Motoyasu." Torunn began as she then smiled to Hawkeye who had an arrow in his hand. Motoyasu then yelped when an arrow nearly hit his crotch causing him to yelp in shock. "But see I'm already spoken for." She added going back to her normal tone as Hawkeye was then seen smirking being the owner of said arrow.

"Oh... um my bad." Motoyasu said as he had rules to follow, NEVER go for a girl who's already taken. That was guy code 101 and Motoyasu did not want to see how good Hawkeye's aim really was.

"Not interested Final Fantasy." Morgan said as she was off to the side tinkering with something using tools she had on hand.

"The food was unusual in taste, but it was quite sumptuous." Itsuki said as James had to agree on this one.

"Well it's much better then what my friend and I have to eat most of the time." James said as he was looking over his stats. He didn't bring it up before because he didn't know what the stats of the others were like. Besides he wasn't lying about the food most of what he had to eat with his friend were either hunted or grown and it was never this expensive looking. Tony was still working on getting them some better tools to cook with so they can have better food to enjoy. But it was going good so right now they shouldn't be too far until the community can run itself as the world continues to rebuild from Ultron's rule.

"Heath, EXP, mana bar? What kind of status screen is this?" James asked as he wasn't aware much of RPG games as Morgan said, "I guess its reading your entire being, keeping track of your own heath and energy or magic levels, which I'm guessing it's almost like playing a videogame for real."

"Well of course it's a video game, its exactly like "Emerald Online," Motoyasu said with the Avengers looked a bit confused on a game title like that as they go through a lot of stuff in their world after searching the ruins of their world and they never founded anything named that as Hawkeye said, "Never heard or seen a game like that before."

"Seriously? It's huge," Motoyasu said as Itsuki said to him, "What are you talking about. This isn't some online game, it's a new console game I'm playing called Dimension Web."

"You're both wrong, everything about this place is identical to a VRMMO called Brave star online." Ren said with his arms crossed as those who came from the world of Skynet made real by Ultron were all confused.

Everyone was confuse on what's going on as before anyone could say anything as Morgan clap her hand loudly and said, "Ok before we go into anymore videogame related stuff, I will have ask everyone some question."

Soon enough as the 3 teens were given questions and there were different results, as it seem all of them came from Japan, but they sounded very different from each other, from the faces on their currency, the prime minister, and even gamy systems. Morgan had went and asked a question that related to their world as she asked if they ever heard of a Play Station or Xbox, and they didn't and they were the most well-known Gaming stations on earth before Ultron took it over as the only thing that came up eh same was the Year and mouth, with Morgan said, "Well comparing everything I heard so far… it seem all of us are from parallel worlds sense none of you seen to heard about anything from our world that was well known."

"I thought we would be from different eras but that not it," Motoyasu as James said, "And I'm still trying to wrap my head around this videogame and status stuff."

"You serious, you don't know much of videogames?" Motoyasu asked with Morgan said, "We were sort of busy surviving in our world, video game has no place sense it was a machine ruled place."

"Hu? What do you mean?" Ren asked as James thought over about their situation as he thought it would be best to tell them of their situation sense they may have to work together at some point as he said, "In our world, an A.I called Ultron took over the world."

"Wait, seriously, a robot took over your world, how did that happen?" Motoyasu asked as now things were getting interesting for the other 3 heroes as Morgan knew what James wanted to do by the look on his face, and started to explain as she said, "Well I suppose we can tell you, it's sort of a long story."

A knock came at the door as Pym and Azari soon came in as well as Pym asked, "Hey guys, sorry we're late."

"We were trying to find the bathroom, but turns out there's no pluming here," Azari said as Pym had to use the bathroom on their way back to the room and tell James what they heard, but they discover the bathroom were just pots with seats above them as Hawkeye said, "Good to know, I guess I have go back doing bathroom habit again."

Hawkeye said that as while surviving, when he had to go, it was either go into a sewer, dig a hole in the dirt, or find a private area to do their business at as Pym asked, "So what did we missed?"

Morgan explain to them that everyone was from a parallel world from their own, and was about to tell a story of their world as Pym said, "A Story? Oh will you be telling them that story then? I what to hear it again."

"What's story is he talking about?" Itsuki asked to what Pym said with James thinking it over as he thought that could be a place to start as he said, "Well I suppose we can tell it, it's the story of the Original avengers."

"Original Avengers? Now that is something I got to hear," Motoyasu said as he took a seat with the other two guys already sitting down and looking at James as they were somewhat interested in hearing the story as well.

"Ok before we begin our world there was a time where it was filled with heroes. But the more heroes showed up the more villains showed up." James said as he looked to the group. "Then there was an idea... to bring together a group of remarkable people to see if they could become something more so when they were needed they can fight the battles that could not be fought." James said as he started to tell the tale. "For a while that idea never came about and then there came a day, a day unlike any other when Earth's mightiest heroes we united a common threat to fight the battle no single hero ever could." James said as he got everyone's attention.

"The Knight the invincible Iron-Man, The God of Thunder the Mighty Thor, The monster known as the Incredible Hulk, and finally the greatest of them all, the Soldier Captain America the First Avenger." James told as he even saw Ren show interest. "On that day the Avengers were born." James said as he smirked to them. "And let me just say the Avengers had brought in many new members in their time and together they faced a great number of foes. Time Travelling Conquerors, Alien Invaders, and even Masters of Evil themselves. The Avengers faced and vanquished them all." James said to which the three heroes heard this. "Eventually when the world finally found peace the heroes built lives of their own." James said to which Itsuki was wondering where this 'Ultron,' came into the picture.

"The Soldier fell in love with the Spy, the Black Widow. Two other Avengers joined the cause the Giant and Pixie Ant-Man and the Wasp and they too fell in love." James said as Pym heard the later part and smiled a bit. "A king had even joined the Avengers and when he left he had found his queen." James added while he got the heroes attention. "The God of Thunder returned to his Kingdom far from the world of man. And in the end one by one the children of the Avengers came to be." James said and in turn Ren put the pieces together in that one.

"Those children were you guys weren't they?" Ren asked as he looked to the Avengers.

"Most of us yeah." James said as he knew Cody was 1/2 of an Avenger Child what with Skaar being Hulk's son and all.

"Wow." Motoyasu said until Itsuki decided to voice his concern.

"Sorry but where does Ultron fall into all of this?" Itsuki asked as he wanted to know about Ultron.

"That's kind of what we're getting to." James said and thus Morgan spoke up.

"Ok here it is my dad Iron-Man made Ultron as a peace keeping AI to keep the peace and uphold law and order, problem is his programming evolved and thought the only way to uphold those directives was to control it." Morgan said as that was a touchy subject for her.

"Ok ouch." Itsuki said realizing he struck a nerve in Morgan. No doubt being the daughter of the guy who destroyed the world under good intentions would have its own stuff.

"Oh can it Robin Hood." Morgan said before James continued.

"Tony... Iron-Man he managed to get most of us to safety most but not all after Ultron turned." James said as he then sighed to this. "Ultron killed out parents because they stood in his way." James admitted to which Motoyasu cringed at this. "The only ones besides Tony he couldn't get were Francis dad, Hulk, and Thor." James said to which he then added more. "He couldn't get to Morgan and Francis in time before they had to leave." James said before Morgan spoke up.

"Yeah my mom wasn't in the area when it happened so while she was with me she ended up making her own group of Scavengers to try and hit Ultron where it hurts, she died and I took over end of that one." Morgan said not wanting to talk about it.

"What happened?" Motoyasu asked and thus James added more.

"Eventually Ultron found us and we had to take the fight to him." James said and thus came the good news. "In the end we managed to beat Ultron and save our world that's no rebuilding." James said to which he then sighed. "Thought we had to thank the Hulk for that one." James said as while the Avengers took on the Iron-Avengers Hulk finished the job against Ultron.

"Well that's good to know." Itsuki said as he would not want to be in the line of fire against Ultron.

"Wait." Ren spoke up as he had one question to ask. "What happened to Hawkeye and Thor?" Ren asked and thus Francis spoke up.

"My dad died leaving me in charge of my group of Scavengers." Francis said before looking to his girlfriend.

"My father couldn't help. He left the Avengers when his father, my grandfather, Odin died. Asgard became his responsibility from then on not Earth." Torunn said and thus Motoyasu spoke up.

"That's bullshit he left his daughter behind while he ruled over God Land!" Motoyasu yelled before Torunn glared at him. Next thing Motoyasu knew he was flying via a well-placed punch in the face curtesy of the Asgardian.

"Watch your mouth cur! He as King of Asgard had to defend his realm and thus left the Earth in my capable hands for when I was ready!" Torunn yelled as she glared at Motoyasu.

"Could have warned you." Francis said laughing at Motoyasu who was on the ground now.

"So you guy are more than experienced with the heroics." Itsuki said starting to understand why they flipped out on them earlier.

"More or less yeah." Cody said as Motoyasu was getting back up bruising a bit.

"Well seeing as you guys aren't exactly well known on Video Game, with good reason, it would explain why Rogers-san is the Shield Hero." Itsuki said as the room grew quiet.

"You make it sound like it's a problem." James said noticing how Itsuki spoke suggesting for a professional hero James was given the short end of the stick.

"Ok seeing as I'm the oldest one here I'll bring you up to speed on the basics of RPG's." Motoyasu said as he looked over to James. "As far as I've ever seen the Shielder class that specializes in the Shield." Motoyasu began before looking to James straight in the eye. "Is for losers because no true gamer has ever played it." Motoyasu said as he looked to the Avengers.

As they all looked to each other Motoyasu was thinking they were now worried... until they all started laughing. Even Cody and Hawkeye were laughing at such information. "The Shield is for losers really?!" Hawkeye laughed as James found himself laughing also. "Please stop I can't breathe!" Francis laughed showing he did not buy what they were saying.

"What but it's true the Shielders suck." Itsuki said as Morgan looked ready to fall over.

"Stop I'm gonna bust a gut!" Morgan said and fell onto the chair as she laughed her ass off.

"What's so funny?" Ren asked as he was at a lost here.

"Ok... ok let me bring you up to speed buddy." Morgan said as she had her laugh. "Long story short James dad Steve Rogers AKA Captain America he won World War 2 with a shield and thanks to a Super Soldier Serum survived to the 21st century where he then proceeded to save the world with a shield." Morgan said making the three go wide eyed in response.

"What no way!" Motoyasu called out seeing bullshit here.

"It's true anyone who is anyone in our world knows Captain America always used a Shield to save the world it's his most iconic and well known aspect." Azari said while Cody nodded to this.

"And since James followed in his dads footsteps James is the most well suited to be the Shield Hero." Pym said and thus the three heroes quickly realized that James had the advantage over them.

"Besides even then we'd back him up no problem." Morgan spoke up with a smirk on her face as she stood by James.

"Looks like you already have your party huh, Roger-san." Itsuki said but Ren had another question.

"Still Cody." Ren said getting Cody's attention. "Why do you have that sword?" Ren asked pointing to the sword. "You don't look like you can wield it and it's clearly been used many times already." Ren said to which Cody smiled kindly to Ren.

"I have it because I'm holding it for someone... it's not for me." Cody said and left it there to be vague on the swords origin.

"Anyway." James cut in and thus got everyone's attention. "We start questing tomorrow so we better get some rest." James said and thus Motoyasu agreed.

"Yeah let's head back to our rooms and rest up." Motoyasu said and thus the three heroes headed to their room.

"Well good thing they gave us rooms close to each other even if we were last minute." Azari said and thus the Avengers also left the room. But as they left unknown to them a figure in the shadows watched them with a sinister smirk promising suffering to the Shield Hero and if needed the Avengers as well. As everyone headed to bed to rest the only question remained was what to expect if victory or tragedy would be awaiting for them tomorrow. But to any True Believers they know that in the end Heroes while it is an old fashion term will always fight as one against evil and tyranny.

(TBC)