Rising of the Avenging Heroes

ESKK: Well here we go a new chapter let's start this story.

(Start Erhards Shop)

After Melty had left Morgan had started on some new projects for Erhard to show him how to make them. For Morgan it was to get her mind off recent events after what had happened. Thankfully Morgan was full on ready for a siege if it ever happens. The new armor and weapons Morgan had made for Erhard would be ready to sell once he gets the display up for them. Thus Morgan would also be getting her cut from the last sales of the previous custom jobs given to the Blacksmith.

Speaking off since he started going into business with Morgan Erhard was getting to a point he may need to higher some help to get these projects made on time since a lot of people were making these requests for them. But Morgan didn't want her projects getting into the wrong hands but Erhard needed the help it seems thus Morgan had come up with some middle ground for this. She's build him some assembly bots to help get the work load off him and in return they split the profit 50/50 like they originally agreed upon before Princess Bitch happened.

The Avengers were waiting on Morgan knowing she would be done in no time at all. Currently Filo and Pym were outside being watched over by Cody who was keeping a close eye on them just in case some wannabe slaver shows up. But as the three were just relaxing they soon saw a familiar group show up getting their attention.

"Um let me guess you're here for James." Cody said as he saw the group in question.

(Back inside)

"Ok all done." Morgan said dusting off her hands and using a towel to wipe off the sweat from her brow.

"Jeez how do you always finish it so fast and bring out top grade gear Iron Lass?" Erhard asked as he Blacksmith was a bit suspicious of this.

"It all sums up in one elegant words... skills." Morgan said boasting over her gift as a black smith and inventor.

"At least until it blows up in your face." Hawkeye teased to which Viv nodded.

"No offense but your inventions do tend to blow up at times." Viv added as she looked to Morgan.

"Trial and Error that's all it is." Morgan defended as she knew all inventions had hiccups on the way to greatness.

"Don't worry Morgan just keeping you humble." James smirked as Morgan smirked to her. "After all we like you as you are not the newest billionaire playgirl philanthropist." James said and thus Morgan gasped almost shocked at this.

"My word James I had no idea you knew what a philanthropist was." Morgan teased and thus James rolled his eyes in response to this.

Just then the door opened and from it Cody and Filo were seen with Pym flying into the room in his pixie form. "Um James... looks like you have some visitors." Cody said and Filo nodded and in turn the Knight walked in after the two Avengers gave him some room.

"I apologize." The Knight spoke before he walked in and was then followed by the rest of his group.

"Hey it's you again." James and Torunn said at the same time before looking to each other seeing the Knight and the Magic caster whom Torunn spoke of before.

"If this is all of you... what do you guys want with James?" Morgan said as she wanted to hear what the request this group had for the Avengers and if they can get some coin off it if the requests is to do with their merchant business.

"Well um you see... I uh." The young Knight spoke clearly stumbling over his words.

"Come speak up." Torunn urged him and thus the Knight gained his resolve.

"Please let us accompany you Shield Hero at least during the waves." The Knight said bowing to James who was surprised by this. "We were deeply touched by your courage and selflessness when you and your party fought in the last Wave." He said as James was shocked by this. "Everyone here wants nothing more than to support you in your tireless quest." The Knight continued and thus James got the gist of it.

"Was this your request?" James asked surprised to see this.

"Yes we all decided that we should ask to fight side by side with you the next time we saw you here in the capital." The Knight said as he looked to James.

"Ok before we go any further can I ask why you want to fight by me and my team's side?" James asked as he wanted to hear them say it.

"Because Sir Hero we all hail from the village of Lute. Back then you saved all of our families from a tragic end." The smaller magic caster said as the Avengers were all reminded of that battle. "So you see sir we want to help in any way we can." The Magic caster added as James was surprised to hear this.

"We want to repay you for saving our fellow villagers that's all." The Knight spoke as James thought it over.

"Wow I don't we'll be able to fit all these people in the ship." Morgan said as he saw the group before them.

"I don't know." James said as he appreciated the help... but this was a bit much even for him.

"But James you were the one who said that if you stand and fight against tyranny and injustice then you're an Avenger." Raphtalia said as James knew he did say that.

"True I did say that." James said before sighing to this. "Look can you guys meet me back here the day before the Wave I need to think this over." James said and thus the group saw this and all agreed to this.

"Of course after all you've had to go through... I wouldn't be surprised you need time to think on it." The taller magic user said and thus the second group took their leave.

Once they were gone Raphtalia then spoke up for James. "Why didn't you accept their offer?" Raphtalia asked as James then looked to them.

"Because they seem like good people... but I want them to be absolutely sure they are up to the task." James said knowing siding with the Avengers may invite upon them the stigma associated with the Shield Hero.

"Jeez talk about pressure huh?" Morgan joked and thus she looked to James armor. "Well since we're already here I'll fix up your armors and gear the next Wave is almost here so we need to be ready." Morgan said and thus they were all in agreement on this.

"Alright." James said and thus Morgan was ready to get back to work.

"Go ahead my forge is your forge at this point." Erhard said knowing full well Morgan had basically took over his forge whenever she comes here.

"Got it cue ball." Morgan said as she began to gather up the Armor Pieces of her teammates.

(Later)

The sound of hammer on metal was heard as Morgan was working on the armor in the forge. As they did this James had noticed a star next to his teammate's icons on the screen the Statues magic provided. He had some questions since those stars appeared recently which made him wonder what they were for. Seeing as they had time James felt it was best to ask now rather than later.

"Hey Mr. Erhard." James began as he got Erhard's attention. "What do those stars next to my teams level indicators mean?" James asked as he was curious about it.

"Oh you guys are ready for class upgrades already?" Erhard asked as he looked to the Avengers.

"Class upgrades?" James asked as he looked to Erhard hearing that particular term again.

"It lets you increase your level cap." Erhard explained as the Avengers all heard him. "Only those recognized by the court have the option but since you are a hero it's possible." Erhard explains as James understood enough of it. "When you're upgrading your class that's when you choose which path you want to take and I had a hell of a lot of trouble deciding on mine." Erhard said as James now wanted to see where they can get the upgrades at.

"I see." James said as he then looked to Erhard. "Hey Morgan!" James called out and thus Morgan called back.

"I heard!" Morgan called back to them before switching to Erhard. "Erhard take over for me here!" Morgan called out showing she wanted to get her class upgrade done.

"Got it!" Erhard called back and thus he went to the back room only for Morgan to appear not long after.

"Let's go!" Morgan called out as she had a pretty good idea what she wanted to do for her Class upgrade. That assuming the option was available for her.

(Later Outside)

The group was seen at the Market and were looking to the Church. James Help screen detailed that they had to go to the Dragon Hourglass to get the Class Upgrade. But James noted that the Help Screen that they can only do it as 'A,' Dragon Hourglass which suggested they could do it at any of the other ones. From what they had studied every Kingdom had a Dragon Hourglass that is known of. But James can't shake the feeling that there might be even more than the ones the people are aware of. After all the Waves could show up anywhere after all so it was fair that there might in fact be more Dragon Hourglasses out there.

"So according to this we can only get our Upgrades at the Dragon Hourglass." James said as he looked to his team. "So does anyone have an idea of what Upgrade they want?" James asked as he looked to his team.

"I already know mine." Hawkeye said as he showed off his bow as it was pretty obvious for the group.

"That is the obvious choice for you," Morgan said to Hawkeye but she does wonder with the whole class upgrade and wonder what she could be as Raphtalia said, "I'm fine with any of you choices for me."

"That's not how it works Raphtalia. It's a choice you must make," James said as Cody said, "You may be a slave, but you have the freedom of choice as you can choice what you want to be, and beside we won't be around forever."

"He's right, you need it when you are freed and surviving on your own, as when the wave fully ends we would most likely go back to our world," Morgan said as much she didn't want to say it to Raphtalia, but it was the truth, and they didn't even know if they could take others back with them to their world if they could.

Raphtalia looked sadden by that as she realize what they were saying is true, as they would have to go back to their own world as there are people there that need their help as most of the old avengers are dead, retired and laying low, missing in action, or too old to help as much as.

Morgan hate to see Raphtalia look sad by this news but that was the reality of it, as she wonder if there anything they could do to bring her along if they could.

(Dragon hour glass)

"15 gold pieces!" Morgan yell out as that price was outrageous as when they were trying to get their class upgrade 3 nuns stops them before they could get near the hour glass to do their class upgrade, as the one with glasses told them, "A class upgrade cost 15 gold pieces per person."

The nun with glasses smile to this as Morgan saw through it as she quickly said to the nun, "A normal Adventure can barely get 5 pieces of gold, doing quest and when collecting skins and object from monsters for a week straight if cutting food and shelter cost, and that paying for advance gear and armor, and you want to people to pay 3 times that amount for a simple class upgrade. What kind of scam are you people pulling here?"

The nun with glasses looked a bit worried as the Iron-heart avenger saw through their plan to get them to leave if the price was set high for them, as then she quickly said, "We don't set the price, we just explain to other about it."

"Well here is some advice, if you're going to lie to us, you don't smile about it," Morgan said as the nun was shock by this as the Morgan did see through them as then James then asked, "What is the real price for a class upgrade then?"

"And better not lie to us, some of us would get angry if you do, and trust me when I say, you don't want to do that, and we can tell when people are lying to us," Hawkeye said as he patted Cody back a bit, signaling him a bit to bring out Skaar if needed as Morgan said to him, "That too much of a threat to say, if anything reporting this to the other cardinal heroes and their party to see what they say and we all can report it to the king, or princess Melty."

The nun is really worry about this as if the other heroes were told of this, it could put their own plan at risk as then the nun spoken in a tone that sounded like she given in as she said, "Fine, its 1 gold per person."

"Much better," Morgan said as she counted up the gold and came forth and hand over the bag with 8 pieces of gold in it, as the nun was about to take it until another voice came up with an older nun came out from behind a pillar to say, "Our Apologies. We seem to have made a mistake."

Everyone turn to the nun as she went on saying, "WE are forbidden from providing the upgrades to the shield hero's party."

"What, but they just said," Raphtalia began to say as then the nun pull out a royal decreed no doubt from the king as the nun said, "It's a direct order from his majesty."

Morgan look above and saw many nuns coming forth and she sees their faces, and recognize some of them during the duel between James and Motoyasu as then Morgan asked, "IS that really from the king, or did you pull that out from your rear end, as far I know the king cannot deny people from getting class upgrades, seeing as its the law after all."

"I can assure you it's real, and an order from his majesty is law as well," The nun said as Morgan then asked, "Is that so then. So on what grounds can the king give an order that forbids a hero from getting their class upgrades? AS royal decreed must also give a reason on why or else it goes against the by-law of the monarchy government as you everyone in this kingdom should know, it's the Queen who is the true ruler of this kingdom."

The nun grip the royal decreed a bit as Morgan is right again, as if a king or Queen who is not rightful ruler, but a sit in, give out an order that would go against the laws that been set by the true ruler goes against them as well, unless a reason is given as such a Hero had broken a law or rule of the kingdom itself as the nun turn over the decreed and look for the reason, as she hope the king put in the reason, as she did find one and said, "Not upholding the laws of Melromarc."

"What, is that the king best excuse? Not upholding the law? What law did we not uphold?" Morgan question as at this point, the kings is just being an asshole right now as the nun said, "I'm sorry it doesn't say."

Before Morgan could resort, James said to her, "Forgot it Morgan… it seem we just came here for nothing then."

He soon walks out of the building, as knowing Morgan she would argue with the nun as much as she wants, it could be hours or days to get anywhere and he knew the king will not life the decreed, and without the Queen to overturns the kings, they are at a stalemate which mean the king would win anyways.

The Avengers follow James out knowing it was properly the best move right now, with Morgan sighed to this as she thinking James could be right on this one and she just follows, but she left the room, she stops for a moment and turn to the nun with the royal decreed and said, "This isn't over, not by a long shot."

(Later Outside at the Market)

The Avengers were walking down the street as some of them were seen complaining over getting cheated out of their upgrades. "I swear I am going to sick Skaar on him." Cody grumbled as he walked with the others.

"I'll record it so I can laugh at him getting smashed." Morgan added as they walked down the street.

"So now what are we supposed to do?" Pym asked as they needed a way to get their class Upgrade.

"Well we could try using the Dragon Hourglass in the other Kingdoms?" Torunn offered as she looked to the group.

"Wait how do you know there are others?" Azari asked as he looked shocked to this.

"Well it makes sense, if only Melromarc had a Dragon Hourglass and was affected by the waves then why would all the Kingdoms be affected by them?" James offered and thus it made sense.

"Ok good point." Azari admitted knowing full well it made the most sense.

"Well if we can't get an upgrade the least we can do is get Filo a weapon." Morgan said knowing full well Filo was due for a weapon anyhow.

"I'm finally getting a weapon?" Filo asked curious as to what her new weapon could be.

"Yeah and about time if you ask me." Morgan said as they had been putting it off for way to long at this point.

"Agreed." James said as he looked to Morgan. "And I think I might know just the guy who might have it." James said knowing full well this guy was there best bet at help.

(Later)

The Avengers eventually made their way to the man whom they had purchases Filo from before realizing she was a Filolial Queen. But when they arrived they saw he looked more tired than normal and much of his product was sold out now. "Well either he got robbed or business has been good for him." Morgan said aloud which got the salesman's attention.

"Oh it's you guys again." He said as he saw the Avengers had just arrived back at his humble stand.

"Yeah it's us." James greeted as the man looked to them.

"You guys really did a good deed for me, due to your exploits and the fact you got that Filolial Queen from me people have been coming to me for a wide assortment of pets and mounts." The man said as he looked to the Avengers.

"Well what do you know we really helped you out then?" Hawkeye said but it seems it was the opposite.

"On the contrary you've given me more work than my stand can keep up with." The man said as he then sighed a bit. "Most of the animals I sell were either injured animals whom I nursed back to health but were unable to go back to the wild or I had them since they were small tykes." He began as he looked to the Avengers. "As it stands I can't go out to find more with these people constantly coming to me for purchases." The salesman said to which Morgan had an idea to help him.

"Why not get an actual store?" Morgan asked getting the man's attention. "With the income you've made I'm pretty sure you got enough to afford an actual store to work in and with the store you'd not only be able to sell more but you'd also be able to hire people to help you out." Morgan said as the man looked to her.

"Yeah but then I'd have to close down till the store is ready." He said to which Morgan nodded.

"Well duh but as long as people know your changing locations to handle your growing income they can wait and it would not only give you time to find more animals to give away but also have your store all set up." Morgan said to which the salesman scratched his head a bit and sighed.

"Alright I see where you're coming from... by the way what brings you all here anyway?" He asked to which James had the answer.

"I was wondering if you have something for Filo to use so she can fight better." James requested as the salesman thought it over.

"Actually... I have just the thing." The man said and thus the Avengers looked to him with surprise.

(Later)

Filo was once more in her Filolial form as she now had armor like weapons on her feet. "These are Wyvern Talons, see the guy I originally got these eggs from sold them to me for an added bonus mainly because he was trying to get rid of them." The salesman said as he looked to the Avengers. "And from the looks of it they fit perfectly." The man said as James looked to them.

"What's a Wyvern?" Filo asked to which the group opted not to answer her for fear she may retaliate against these things.

"How much you want for them?" James asked as he looked to the man.

"Take them I don't want them and honestly since you guys really rapped up my business you deserve it." The salesman said as he looked to the group.

"So how do they feel Filo?" Pym asked as he looked to Filo.

"They feel weird." Filo responded and thus Torunn knew why.

"You just need to get use to them first." Torunn said as the man had more information to offer them.

"Well if you must I know a place you guys can take those things for a proper test drive." He said and thus the Avengers were ready to see what would come of this.

"Why do I get the feeling we won't like it?" Viv asked as she was worried about that tingling feeling at the back of her mind.

(Later in the Sewers)

The Avengers taken up the job request to deal with monster that were in the Sewers with everyone having a gas mask on to block out the smell and rubber overalls to avoid certain things as the only one not wearing the overalls were Filo as she was in her Filolial form as they came down there in the first place because of she needed training with her new weapons and what worst she didn't have a mask on, as Morgan could not make a mask for her in time and only can give her a sheet cover her top beak to keep out as much of the smell as possible but that didn't help as much as she put a wing up over her face as she said, "Eww."

"I'm sorry Filo, but you will have to bear with it," Morgan said as she wish she could have done more for Filo but with her current condition, she was limited oh how much she can do, with the armor can only help with so much, thus James then took the lead and said, "Ok guys let's just try to get this over with as fast as we can."

"Hey I remember hearing stories of Alligator that live in the sewers, you think we would see one down here?" Pym ask out of curiosity with Hawkeye said, "If there are, they maybe one of the monster that we may have to take care of."

"Why would there be monsters in the capital's sewers?" Raphtalia asked as Viv, "That does odd to say of why there are even down here to begin with."

"Well either some monster may have found a way into the kingdom sewer system from outside coming through there, or people who had them as pets may have dumped some down here if they were getting too hard to control or too big, hard to say which one," Morgan said as Azari soon said, "We better keep focus, as I thought I heard something."

Soon enough a creature from the waters came forth and to their surprise it was looking like a Purple skin Alligator with James quickly switch to his poison resistant shield as he said, "Avengers Assemble!"

Soon enough the creature attack, James block it with his shield, Torrun came in and cut the monsters tail off while Filo kick it away, with Morgan was about to blast it, but suddenly an alert came to her as she went, "Hu?"

Suddenly another appeared near her and about to take a bite at her, until she turn towards it and blast it away, making it hit against the wall with Hawkeye quickly pull out some arrows and fire at it, nailing it to the wall.

More and more creatures came up as, with Pym shrink down to avoid being eaten by one as James came in and smack it away to stun it for a moment as he quickly change shield to his original as he call out, "Boomerang shield!"

The shield hit just not one or two, but a few that were around before the shield came back to James and fought off the Alligator like monsters, with Filo getting much use out of her new weapon, with Raphtalia using a new sword of hers to cut down a monster quickly.

With a few more coming their way, James think it would be too much. He was barely holding the one off himself so he knew that they needed to end this quickly. Thus James thought of something and said, "Filo jump out of the water!"

"Okay!" Filo did so as she leaps out, with James with quick turn to Azari and Torrun as he said to them, "Guys light then up!"

The two got the idea of James was thinking, sense the monsters are in the waters and everyone was wearing rubber gear that will protect them from electric shocks as they drew upon their power, and send the current into the waters, with all the Alligators monsters cry out before they drop down and quickly taken care of with a slot of splashing done.

Soon enough the monsters were taken down as everyone took a breather, Raphtalia raise her sword as she said, "This sword is really sharp!"

"These Talons are awesome, too," Filo said as she was back down and raise her foot as James said to them, "That nice an all but..."

They turn and saw some of the Avengers cover in Sewer water as they were gross out by it James said to them, "Be more careful."

(Later)

Soon enough after the sewer monsters were taken care of, they turn in the job, getting pay for it too and quickly went to an Inn and wash up quickly and as much as they can to get rid of the sewer smell.

Most of the avengers were finishing up, James was helping Morgan out as he pour one bottle of the pure holy water in a bowl, let the bandages soak it up before applying it to Morgan's curse burns. When James applied them he was surprised to see black smoke come out of them. Morgan hissed in pain as she felt the application of the Holy Water on her burns. "Are you ok?" James asked with concern that he was harming her.

"Yeah I took the burn I can take the cream." Morgan said as she shrugged off the concern though she did appreciate it.

"So 10 days until the wave." James said as he continued to apply the bandages. "Hopefully you'll be 100% by then." James said as he applied the bandages.

"Hey even if I'm not I got maybe three or four armors that can help me pick up my slack." Morgan said as she was proud of her inventions.

"Since we don't know when or where the next wave will be coming from we're going to have to be prepared." James said as he tended to Morgan's injuries.

"Um hello I'm Morgan Stark I'm always prepared for everything and anything and even when I'm not I got a backup plan to handle it." Morgan said to which James smiled a bit.

"I know but it's not just us I'm worried about, we need to factor in casualties if a village or town gets hit by the wave." James said as got another bandage ready.

"Oh yeah almost forgot them, been working on the Iron Legion to help with casualties and keeping people out of harm's way, now if I knew where the attacks were going to nail us I'd have drones scouting the combat zones for our benefit." Morgan said as she smirked to which James chuckled a bit.

"Dad always said Tony relied too much on his tech... seems the apple didn't fall far from the tree." James teased a bit as Morgan pouted a bit.

"Look who's talking." Morgan countered as she smirked at James as the two shared a laugh together.

Just then a new voice was heard as it was none other than Pym. "Kissy-Kissy someone's in love!" Pym was heard as the two looked and saw how close they had gotten and thus quickly parted as James went back to taking care of Pym's injuries.

"James and Morgan sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Filo added and thus Morgan had enough.

"Ok you twerps get out of here you should both be in bed!" Morgan scolded them as the two ran off with Pym shrinking down to his pixie form and flying off. "Kids." Morgan sighed as she swore those two were troublemakers by heart.

"They're just being kids Morgan let them be." James said as Morgan agreed if to keep James from complaining about it.

"Yeah well didn't make what I said true we start early tomorrow don't we." Morgan said to which James agreed.

"True enough." James said as he knew they needed to head to sleep soon before they headed out.

(Scene Break the Next Day)

The group started off the day as intended bright and early. They all packed up their goods into the Wagon and after hooking Filo up to it they headed out. Outside of town they met up with the Sky Stinger and thus were traveling across the land to sell their goods. It was a long journey for them as they were heading up North to any towns they may come across that could be possible costumers.

IT was a long journey with a few brief stops along the way to relieve themselves or grab a quick snack. One of those stops included an outpost type spot where a wall was. James had asked for directions and in turn was told of a village up North there. Thus the group continued down the Northern Path with promise of fortune and business so they can have money to feed themselves.

Eventually their journey began to dye down as the sun began to set. They had arrived at a village with a wall around the land and a Knight standing gourd outside of it. James gave him his Merchant Pass yet he still demanded they pay tolls. Raphtalia was about to argue but James knew something was up and this guy wasn't doing it out of malicious intent. Thus he opted to pay the Toll of 9 Silver Pieces one per person. James had gotten a look at the village from outside and knew it looked troubling. So as the guard opened the path for them James opted to see if he was ok.

"Hey are you ok?" James asked getting the Knights attention. "Just seems you have things going rough for you." James said as he wanted to see if this guy was ok.

"Yeah it's ok." The Knight said and thus James knew what they may see would not put a good image in their minds.

(Later that day in the village)

The Sun was beginning to set and the Avengers were going through the village. From the looks of it the place was in deep poverty as Hawkeye saw it. "What a sad looking town." Filo said as they continued to walk.

"Yeah I think we're close to the Hood if we haven't gotten there yet." James said knowing full well this was not a good place to be.

"Whoever runs this town has to be some scumbag I wager a whole Gold Coin that one of the Stooges were involved." Morgan said and thus Azari spoke up.

"Yeah know that's a suckers bet." Azari said as so far the last to incidents they happened upon were caused by the three worst heroes in history it was a given this one was no different.

"That toll told the whole story." James said as he knew this place was seeing some bad times. "And I was thinking the Plague was the worst of it." James said as he really hoped that one of those guys didn't cause this.

(Scene Break Further North the Following Days)

After a long journey the Avengers eventually arrived at the ruins of a town that had people here. People who had nothing to give but random junk. "Please, I'll give you this for something to eat." A man said as he was all skin and bones while offering to the Avengers a wooden idle of sorts.

"Sorry but don't you guys have money?" James asked as he was growing concerned now.

"We don't have any, we have nothing left at all." The same villagers said as James figured he was the improve leader here.

"It doesn't make sense aren't you people supposed to be from Melromarc?" Morgan asked as she looked to the group of people.

"No we're refugee's we fled out of the North." The man said and thus James began to grow worried at what he was both seeing and hearing.

"Some say that an Adventurer was apparently sent from this place to put together a resistance force and begin a revolution. Now we're in this mess." Another refugee said as they Avengers heard their story.

"Does any of you know what this adventurer is like?" James asked as he grew worried.

"We don't really knows but the rumors say he used a bow." The refugee said and thus Hawkeye went wide eyed and slowly hid his own bow and quiver.

Just then the child of one of the refugees began to cry showing that hunger was all around them. "We can't leave these people like this." Morgan said and thus Raphtalia agreed.

"Ok business is cancelled set up an emergency kitchen guys, double time." James said and thus the Avengers all got to work. "Cody think you can handle a small on sight clinic?" James asked knowing out of all of them Cody had the best understanding of medicine.

"I'll get right on it." Cody said as these people were starving but they also needed to make sure they weren't sick either.

(Scene Break Later that Day)

The avengers worked together with the soup kitchen and the small set up for an on sight clinic by Cody, so he can tend to anyone who may or may not be sick. As Cody and James help treated the sick and wounded James wondered what had caused this to begin with. While Cody treated the people with the medicines they had on hand and James healed the people with different kind of healing spells the people began to talk. They told the tales of what caused these people to flee their homes and needless to say James had to hold himself back from raging.

Hawkeye had to leave his gear behind, feeling naked without it, but what was happening, it was best to not have it on him due to what is going on, as no doubt it was the Bow hero had done something stupid and the people had pay the price for his actions.

Soon after everyone was treated and feed, James set up and given supplies to the people to get them by for a time and given them one of the special seed, from the monsters seeds he keep on hand, help the people grow food for them as well until they have proper crops going and get their living situation back, hopefully the people can last until then.

James himself was exploring the ruins around, as many building were empty, everything that was in them were taken no doubt sold off to pay off tax and pay for much food they can get which wasn't much it seems, with James saw something on the ground as she went down to it, picking it up as she saw it was a small harp of sort now left abandon as for some reason memories of the pass came back to him, remembering seeing all of those houses and build empty or destroy due to Ultron's ruling

His fist clinch as when he first heard the story of what happen, the so call rebels that Itsuki had joined were nothing but thugs, and he just wanted to find them and take them down… but with the situation he and the team were in, no doubt those lowlifes were turn things around on them with the king taking their side without hearing their side of the story first, and no doubt the church could take advantage of this as well as there was no telling what will happen.

James can only hope the Queen and return soon as she can and help stop this madness once and for all so they can do what is right for the people by helping them… or Avenge them.

(Scene Break Town)

The avengers were back in the capital, walking down the street, preparing, restocking, and gearing up for combat as in a day or so the wave will come again and the Avengers needed to be ready for it as James said, "Ok guys the wave is going to hit in less than 27 hours."

"We got all out bases covered, We got all our gear prepared and ready, arrows and swords made, and plenty of first aid supplies," Morgan said as no telling if someone is gonna need a patch job or not.

"Brother I'm hungry!" Filo said as James thought for a moment as he said, "I'm feeling a bit hungry myself, who else is?"

"Me," Pym said as Hawkeye follow up saying, "I wouldn't mind a good meal right now."

"My stomach craves for meat, and my throat thirsty for something to drink," Torrun said as pretty much everyone is a bit hungry and thirsty as well as they soon head to the pub they always comes too to get a bite to eat.

(Pub)

Inside at a table Ren and Itsuki are seen, talking to each other about certain weird things that been going on, with the Avengers walking in quickly noticing the two as Raphtalia pointed them out as she said, "Are they?"

"Ren and Itsuki," Morgan said, with the Avengers upset at the two for their mishandling of their quest that they have to clean up and treat the people that were effected by their action, as James didn't want to avengers do anything to them as he said, "Let's just ignore them for now, pretend we haven't seen them yet."

Meanwhile Ren and Itsuki had yet to notice the Avengers before Itsuki began to speak. "I overthrew this despot in a country to the North but you know what happened after that?" Itsuki began as he and Ren spoke of recent events that hadn't gone right for them. "When I went to the Guild to pick up the Reward they had already paid it out to somebody else." Itsuki said as it was clear he didn't realize what really happened.

"Same here I lost a job request from some guy out of the blue." Ren said unaware the request was to the same Village he brought a plague upon.

"Looks like somebody is going around pretending to be us." Itsuki said as he had a few theories as to who these imposters were.

Just then as the Avengers were ordering their food in the background one of Itsuki's party members approached the table. "Itsuki." Came one of Itsuki's party members. "We just received another guild request to overthrow a town Lord to the North. What do you want to do with this?" She asked as Itsuki was unaware it was the same town whom he 'saved,' before.

"From the guild?" Itsuki asked as he was confused by this.

"Yes, from what I can tell it seems that the local Lord has heavily taxing the Citizens way beyond the courts set limits and he's using that revenue in a vicious campaign suppress decenters of any kind and to hire mercenaries." The woman said as the Avengers over heard the two speak.

"Fifty Silver says that it's the same town we just left." Morgan said as she was itching to let Torunn and Skaar have a go at the two.

"No contest." James said calmly just as their food arrived.

"Ok here's your food." The server said smiling at the group as their food was served.

"That looks yummy time to dig in." Filo said as Cody smirked a bit.

"Be sure to eat all your greens Pym." Cody lectured as Pym was already trying to sneak the green off his plate.

Back with Itsuki's table Itsuki had gotten the story of this. "Interesting." Itsuki said unaware that the Avengers heard every word he was speaking. "They need to be taught that with great power comes great responsibility." Itsuki said but in turn Hawkeye heard him as did the others.

With the Avengers some of them stopped eating as Hawkeye also heard this. "James... I know you said to ignore them but." Hawkeye said as he was gripping one of his arrows at the ready.

"Hawkeye don't... he's not worth it." James urged but Morgan begged to differ.

"Too bad I disagree." Morgan said and thus she had the perfect idea to play it out. "I mean come on that was so Spider-Man's words of wisdom and it just grinds my gears he's using it like that." Morgan said but James let it be.

"We can't just." James began but then stopped himself as he thought it over. "On second thought go ahead just don't cause a huge scene." James said as he wanted them to be subtle about it.

"I got this." Hawkeye said as he in turn took his tray of food after making sure he had eaten enough to fill his stomach. As Hawkeye walked he in turn expertly faked a trip and in turn sent the food tumbling on Itsuki making him, Ren, and Itsuki's party member go wide eyed at this. "Oh jeez man that was my mistake." Hawkeye said blatantly lying through his teeth as Itsuki glared at Hawkeye. "I was aiming for the trash can my sight must be going but I swear both you and that can look like twins." Hawkeye said and thus Itsuki had enough.

"How about you apologize for that." Itsuki said knowing full well Hawkeye was trying to get a rise out of him.

"No... I don't think I will." Hawkeye said as he took his tray and returned to his table.

"Apologize swine this is one of the Four Cardinal Heroes." The party member said and thus Hawkeye scoffed to this.

"Heroes... more like one of the three Cardinal stooges, Moe, Curly, and Larry. Question is which one is which?" Morgan cut in as she show her distaste for the heroes. "Adding that you three, and that's me including Motoyasu, are utter failures as heroes hell even the weakest and dumbest of heroes back in our world were five times more heroes then you guys ever could be." Morgan said as she glared at the Itsuki and Ren.

In turn Itsuki began to put the pieces together as he looked to Hawkeye and Torunn. It made sense in a way Torunn had a sword and Hawkeye was an archer the two could easily pass themselves off as either of them. "It's you huh you're the one that's been impersonating us stealing our jobs and taking our rewards." Itsuki accused and thus Hawkeye scoffed at this.

"Oh please impersonating you is going up there in the last things I'd ever want to consider doing." Hawkeye said as he put his tray down and stared down Itsuki.

"I'm with Barton on this one, after all the shit you've done I actually thought what Motoyasu and Ren did were the worst of it turns out I was wrong." Morgan said as she glared at Itsuki.

"What are you talking about?" Itsuki asked clearly unaware of the damage his actions have caused.

"So you seriously have no idea what happened to that Kingdom after you ousted its King?" James asked as he glared at Itsuki as he began to tell him exactly what he saw there.

(Flashback)

As the Avengers were giving food to the refugees James gave a bowl to a man as Cody had ensured that everyone was healthy as they could be despite conditions. "Is this everyone from your village?" James asked with concern for these people.

"Yes." He began as he confirmed what had happened. "Everybody else was killed." The man spoke as the Avengers had seen the graves as the result. "After the revolutions our lives did get a little better but not for long." The man spoke as he told of what happened back at his fallen home. "The resistance started hiking up the taxes just like the Lord had done before." The man said and thus James was not happy about this.

"But why would they do that?" Morgan asked as she was worried about the response.

"I don't know too much about it but apparently it takes an awful lot of money to run a country." The man said and thus not given the time to think on it and have food in him he started to notice startling patterns. "Now that I think of it maybe the previous King had the exact same thing in mind." The man said and thus the Avengers put two and two together.

(End Flashback)

"All you did there was switch out one tyrant for another. Nothing go solved in the end you moron!" Morgan scolded as she glared at Itsuki.

"Stop trying to change the subject we're talking about you guys impersonating." Itsuki began only for Morgan to surprise both herself and Itsuki when she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pinned him to the wall.

"I'm not changing the subject YOU are just so you don't have to acknowledge your damn mistakes!" Morgan yelled as she glared at Itsuki. "What you think this whole world is an actual video game or a fucking anime where everything solves itself by the end of it?" Morgan accused as she glared at Itsuki in pure contempt.

"Morgan!" James scolded and thus Morgan scoffed before letting Itsuki go.

"I don't need a suit of armor to kick your ass." Morgan promised as she then pulled back.

Itsuki went silent in response to this as he glared at the group before Ren cut in. "How do you explain my case?" Ren asked and thus Torunn looked to her.

"Let me take a gander, you had a request that was cancelled about a disease correct?" Torunn asked as she looked to Ren.

"If you all know then that makes this easier, so why did you steal that job?" Ren asked but Torunn had a counter.

"Because that dragon you killed since you refused to clean up the mess its rotting corpse caused an epidemic that nearly wiped out the village." Torunn said as she glared at Ren. "We had to step in to get rid of it and thanks to you failing to clean up its remains the left over prana crystalized to give the Dragon new life as a Dragon Zombie that nearly caused us all of our lives!" Torunn yelled as she glared at Ren. "We stepped in and killed it before cleaning it up, that's why the job was cancelled Ren." Torunn scolded as Ren went wide eyed to this.

"No way." Ren said as he remembered just leaving the corpse there.

"It's true and if you think we're lying go there and look for yourself." Torunn said she glared at Ren. "Just don't expect a warm welcome when you arrive." Torunn said as she knew well enough that after Ren basically started a plague he wasn't going to be the most well liked guy by those people.

"Do either of you have the faintest of clues how many peopled because of your stupidity and negligence?!" James scolded as he glared at the two in question.

"Because of what I did?" Ren asked and thus Morgan stood up with James.

"I hope you two are oh so proud of yourselves you'd rather look like heroes in some comic book or TV show where everything turns out right in the end not realizing this is reality with real problems that have real consequences." Morgan scolded as she glared at the two while pointing an accusing finger to the two of them.

In turn Ren saw her burns and saw they were in fact telling him the truth. "I see... I'm sorry." Ren said accepting the truth as is.

"You mean you believe them?!" Itsuki asked shocked to hear this.

"Why shouldn't I they don't have any reasons to lie." Ren said as he stood there calmly.

"You two better not cause any more problems." James said as he then stood up signaling for his team it was time to leave. "Otherwise Cardinal Heroes or not... we WILL Hunt you down and we WILL get you somewhere where you two won't be able to cause any more trouble." James said as he then gave the two a glare. "Because honestly if the Waves don't kill these people you three will." James said signaling that the Three Heroes were just as bad if not worse than the waves.

James then went to the door with the others but before they could leave Itsuki continued his argument against them. "I still don't believe you!" Itsuki defended and thus Morgan sighed and then tossed something to Itsuki. Itsuki caught it and saw it was some kind of data card like from this Sci-Fi First Person Shooter he used to play.

"There's your damn proof take it as you will." Morgan said before she and the others left the pub leaving Itsuki and Ren behind.

(Scene Break that afternoon outside Erhard's shop)

The group got back to Erhard's shop and were outside as James was giving himself a look over. James was once more wearing his armor as he gave himself a look over on it. "I embedded that Dragon Zombie Core into your chest plate and even gave it an auto repair function, it's probably my best work." Erhard said as he smiled at James.

"And here is the piece to top it off." Morgan said as she opened a box and passed to James a helmet as he looked it over. It reminded him of his father's mask as James gave it a look over. "Can't be a hero without that now can you?" Morgan asked as James put the helmet on and in turn looked more like his father then he realized but with his mother clearly in him. James was wearing black armor with a whit star at the center that had a red outline. And parts between the armor pieces blue cloth and chainmail were seen as the helmet had a bit more white to go with the black as the wings on it made him looked like one person.

"Wow you look like Captain America!" Hawkeye said impressed with James.

"I agree." Torunn said as it was clear James was doing well.

"Yeah but with a little Black Widow in there as well." Morgan added as she gestured t the arms to show the same arm bands Black Widow was known for or at least similar ones.

"Pardon us." Came the voice of the Young Knight as the Avengers looked and saw the group arrive. "We were wondering if you had thought our request over." The Knight asked as James took off his helmet and looked to the others.

"Yeah I did." James said as he looked to the group. "I need to know you guys all realize what you're asking me right?" James asked as he looked to the group. "If you want to fight with us then you need to be able to pull your own weights and most of all be willing to fight because we can't fight and watch over you guys at the same time." James said as he looked to the group.

"Yes we know." The Young Knight said with a nod as James then looked before sighing.

"Morgan." James said and thus Morgan walked up.

"Ok if you are all truly intent on fighting with us then you are all going to need some new gear." Morgan said as she was just the girl for the job.

Meanwhile James proceeded to add each of them to their ever growing party and James swore that they had to have some sort of number cap because this is starting to look like a Raid Party in some RPG's. "Just remember if you're going to fight then you fight because the minute you stand with weapons ready to face tyranny you're an Avenger am I clear?" James asked and thus the group nodded.

"Right thanks for having us." The group all said and thus Filo an over to them.

"Brother now we have so many more friends." Filo said with a smile on her face

But James had to focus on the limited time they had now. "Now there are less 24 hours until the Wave let's have a strategy meeting." James said taking charge on this.

"Right/Ok!" The group of new allies and Filo all said together.

"You know my shop isn't exactly your meeting room." Erhard said as he looked to James and the Avengers as they lead their new allies into the shop.

"Just roll with is." Morgan said patting the guy on the cheek.

(Meanwhile in Faubley that night)

"Melty appears to have made contact with the Shield Hero and his party your majesty, the Shield Hero is aware of you now." The Shadow said giving her report.

"If the Shield Hero is the kind of man I hear he is then he may very well be the only true hope our Kingdom has." The Queen said as she knew well enough that the Avengers have proven many times over to be exactly what Melromarc if not the world needs. "I feel bad for putting Melty through all of this caught in a tangled web of conspiracies and deception but this too is her duty as the future ruler." The Queen said showing she would do whatever it takes for her family and her people.

"You're Majesty?" The Shadow asked with concern in her voice.

"Continue to keep an eye on them." The Queen said with closed eyes showing she knew what was to come.

"I you wish." The Shadow said before she left the Queen by herself.

The Queen then held her heart as she felt a chill in her heart. "The Wave is nearly here, will the heroes be able to overcome it... and will they be able to put aside their differences for the common good?" She wondered as she knew for any hope of ending the Waves the Heroes ALL of the heroes must be united against one common enemy because even with all of James and his parties gifts only when the Four Heroes are united will they find salvation for their world.

Unaware to anyone of this world evil moves in the shadows as the Queen's words may hold truth. If the Four Heroes and the Avengers had any hope of ending the waves it must be together as one united force. The question remains can the three put aside their egos and pride to follow the only hero worthy to be called a leader. One can only hope for the best and wait for the end results of this silent prayer.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and join me next time for the next chapter. So until then I will ask you leave behind a review as I once more say ja-ne.