DATE: FEBRUARY 21 2015, LOUD TOWER, 07H45M

Lincoln peacefully eats his cereal, putting his thoughts in order. This week was strange, and he was accustomed to the strange.

His sisters are watching television with Ronnie Anne, he being the only one still at the table.

He still wonders how things went that way. A week ago, he should have an unforgettable day with his best friend, which actually happened, but not as he expected. He was hoping that his father and director Santiago would leave the families even more incarcerated, but instead, they let the children have freedom to go wherever they wanted. Mr. Loud even reduced the frequency with which he tested his daughters, and was focusing on Lynn, Lucy, and Lola. In addition, since Ronnie's mother was traveling and they would have a week off from school, Mr. Santiago let her spend the week with the Louds who received her in a guest room on the floor above the children's bedrooms.

Although this was something to make the whole family excited, Lincoln was still not accepting the situation as a good thing. He remembered the call that Mr. Santiago had received shortly after he and Ronnie Anne returned to the tower, and how he and his father locked themselves in his father's private lab. Since then, they have seen their parents less often, as if they were hiding something terrible. He knew that something had happened, and he wanted to find out what it was.

In addition, he researched a little about Dr. Hank Pym, and found out why he was familiar. In an old photo of his father at a SHIELD meeting, when he was still young, there was Dr. Pym among other scientists, and he was just like he was a few days ago when he met him, as if he had not aged in All this years.

"Hey, Lincoln." Lynn pulled him out of his trance. "How about we both get to Central Park today? I'm in the mood to run a little in the open, and I wanted you to mark my time."

Lynn sometimes was a mystery to the family. Their father had built a race track for her on the 84th floor, but she really enjoyed running around town. In addition to running, she enjoyed playing sports around the house, which would be uncomfortable if it were not for her to move at high speed. Sometimes they only perceived her presence by noticing something too quick to be seen. How did she keep up so much energy?

"Sorry, Lynn, but I've arranged to go out with Ronnie Anne."

As he said this, all the sisters ran to the table, leaving a puzzled Ronnie Anne in front of the television.

"Are you going out on a Saturday again?" They said together, clearly worried.

"Guys, you have nothing to worry about." Lincoln assured they, with a smile. "I know last week was difficult, but even Daddy has made us more comfortable since then."

"And where are you going?" Lori asked in an authoritative voice.

Lincoln was taken by surprise. He had not thought of what he would say to his sisters, and if he did not get an answer soon, Lori might be suspicious.

"We're going to go skateboarding." Ronnie said, unconcerned. "We will practice some new tricks, and then maybe go to the movies. We should be back before dinner."

Ronnie's answer left the sisters with smirks, as if they understood some secret code in what the girl had said, and went about their business.

As soon as he finished eating, Lincoln went to his room to get his skateboard gear in his closet. As soon as he left, he saw Ronnie sitting on his bed.

"Thank you for thinking fast, Ronnie. I had not thought of what to say to them."

"No problem. You know they do not think much when it comes to the two of us alone." She said, smiling.

Lincoln could not help but smile. Among the many things his father put in the tower to justify keeping them in for so long was a swimming pool on the 86th floor and a skateboard and a skating rink on the 85th floor. If they really wanted to skate, why would they leave the tower? In the head of the sisters, this could only mean one thing: a date.

Ronnie Anne was a bit unsure at the time, and Lincoln realized that.

"What's it? You do not usually stay that way."

"It's just... I have a bad feeling. Our dads have been acting weird lately."

Lincoln was surprised. He thought he was the only one wary of the current situation. Sometimes it was strange how the two seemed to think alike.

"I'm worried, too, but if there's anyone who can tell us what's going on, I think it can only be Dr. Pym. He seems to know a lot about SHIELD and the projects our dads work on."

Ronnie nodded. She had no desire to be a hero, she just wanted to spend time with Lincoln and use her powers without fear.

They left the tower and noticed another flaw in the plan.

"He told us to call him today, but he did not tell us where we were going to meet him." Lincoln said, losing his cheer. "How are we going to find him now?"

Suddenly Ronnie had an idea.

"We can go to the Statue of Liberty. His Helicarrier was flying over that area, was not it?"

"Yes, but do not forget that it's camouflaged. He can be anywhere now."

Stopping to think, they decided it was better to go a more reserved place, and wait for him to come to them.

They went to Central Park and walked up to get into an area that was empty, and sat on a bench. They looked around to make sure they were not being watched and picked up their special pens.

They pressed the buttons, but nothing happened.

"Lincoln, do you think he'll be long?"

Before he could respond, they were teleported into the secret helicarrier. Unlike the last time, there were arrows on the walls.

They were perplexed to watch carefully and realize that the arrows were made of ants, in formation, as if they were trained. This made them immediately think of Lana and her control over animals. Could she do something like that?

"I have to admit, he really lives up to the name Ant-Man." Lincoln said in amazement.

"How does he do that? I thought he had no powers."

Lincoln just shrugged, then started following the arrows, which led them to a room downstairs.

Inside, they could see what looked like a giant sandbox, and some trees and cacti. Sitting on a stone in the center of the room was the Ant-Man, wearing his helmet.

"Hello kids. I see you accepted my offer."

"Yeah, we did not see any better offer, so do what, right?" Ronnie jokingly said.

"What room is that?" Lincoln asked, intrigued.

"Well, this is where I raise my ants. My helmet allows me to command them, so I have my personal army here at Watcher."

"Watcher?" The kids asked, clearly confused.

"That's what I call my helicarrier, The Watcher." He then noticed how they were dressed. "Did you really think you'd need so much protection?"

"No, we told my sisters that we were going to skate. So they would not be worried."

"I understand. Well, let's go to my lab, we have a lot to do and not much time. I do not want your parents to be worried."

They followed him into a lab, as impressive as any of those at Loud Tower. There was a huge screen, and next to it was a table with some electrodes attached to the table.

"I want to make some measurements to see if there's no problem in using your powers." He said, again compacting the helmet and removing the mask. "I know Dr. Loud must have done something similar, but I'd rather get results myself. If you do not mind, of course."

It had been some time since Lincoln had been examined, so he saw no problem in doing some tests.

After about an hour, the scientist seemed to have what he needed, although he had only measured the results for normal reactions such as walking on the treadmill and taking small shocks. He headed for the other side of the lab, where there was a machine attached to a strange-looking computer, attached to a tank with a strange black goo.

"I know I should have asked before, but what exactly are your powers?"

Both were intrigued by what relation their powers might have to the machine. Realizing this, Mark decided to explain better.

"I do not know if you're familiar with the concept of Multiverse, but I can say it's something real, and that's what that machine is for."

He got total attention from the kids. They read comics, so they knew what he was talking about. It was impressive to say that something his parents claimed to be fiction was actually real.

"I've met heroes from various worlds, and put their main information on a adaptive molecularity textile props creator.

"What?" They both said.

"(Sigh) It is a machine to make costumes for superheroes."

"Ooooh!" They both said, impressed.

"Wait, so we're going to imitate heroes from other universes?" Lincoln asked, a little uncomfortable with the proposal.

"No, you will not imitate heroes, you will be heroes. However, the process of creating a costume, choosing a name and most of all, finding a costume that fits your powers is very time-consuming. So the alternative would be to use an already established model. You would assume the identity of a hero who does not exist here, and could keep your identities a secret."

They paused a moment to think, and came to the conclusion that they had no better idea.

"Okay, then let's get on with it." Ronnie took the initiative. "I've been trained in combat since age 4 by my mother, a SHIELD instructor. So I can fight even with adults. If those guys had not used that gas, I would have finished them."

"So basically you're a top-fighter?" Mark did not look disappointed, just passive.

"Not exactly." She was embarrassed now. "I can shapeshift too, and I look just like whoever I want. So far only Lincoln knew, but I can also turn into animals, but in both cases, I can not become anything or anyone much bigger or smaller than I am."

That was interesting. The limitations could be linked to being young, or not wearing clothes that would facilitate transformation, subconsciously limiting her ability to shapeshifting.

"Okay, I think I can work with that."

"And you, Lincoln. What you can do?"

"Did not your oracle tell you?" Lincoln said playfully.

"Well, that's how I showed you. I only knew where and when to find you, not what you can do."

"That's a bit lame, is not it?" Said Ronnie Anne, also mocking.

"Hey, it's a vision of the future. That alone should be enough, do not you agree?"

Both just shrugged, leaving Mark a little annoyed.

"Well, back to the subject, I'm tougher than normal people, which helps me get along with my sisters, and I can also carry a lot of weight. Besides, I can shoot energy like you saw it the other day."

"And do not forget you can fly." Ronnie Anne completed.

"Oh, so we have a flyer between us, huh?"

"Well, not exactly." Lincoln was now very embarrassed. "I flew once, when I realized I had powers, and I fell right then. Since I can not practice with my powers not to be discovered, the most I can do is to float lightly when we skate.

"That's kind of cheating, since he does more spins than I do." Ronnie looked a little annoyed at the subject.

"Wait, so you know exactly what each one can do, but your families can not even imagine?"

They both looked at each other and then answered.

"It's almost that!"

Mark might not know the Loud sisters, but just as they did he had the distinct impression that they were more than just childhood friends. There was something else between them.

"Well, I guess that's all for now."

He took two petri dishes and put an earpiece in each, and then put the two in the machine, which poured some of the black goo into each petri dish and then a timer appeared on the screen, indicating an hour wait.

The kids were curious to know what the plates and earpieces were for, and, above all, to know about black goo.

They had to wait, as he took them back to his playroom. Sitting in nearby chairs, he decided to explain.

"You must be wondering what the black goo was, right?"

They both nodded.

"Well, that's a synthetic Klyntar tank, which I use to make suits."

"What's a Klyntar?" Lincoln was intrigued by this strange word.

"In short, they are a species that can act as living clothes, increasing the abilities of the host. My synthetic Klyntar costumes can adapt to user powers. In the case of Lincoln, energy-resistant, and for Ronnie Anne, able to shapeshift along with you."

They were amazed at the novelty. Special made-to-measure clothing? It was perfect. But there was still a question.

"If this synthetic Klyntar is so good, why did you just put a little bit on each plate?

"That's because my synthetic klyntar works differently. They blend with your bodies and form a kind of second skin to slightly alter tour appearance, and change your clothing to take on the shape of the costume programmed as a base form. Hence, the waiting period. The more complicated the running of the suit, the longer it takes to program the synthetic Klyntar to take that form."

"So, when this is over, what shall we do?" Ronnie asked.

"Well, you have your families and school, so we'll have to schedule a training schedule that will not interfere with your assignments. But I believe that all will be well, and, over time, you both will be great heroes."

Although it was a pleasant moment, Lincoln wanted answers to recent events, and he was sure Dr. Pym knew something.

"Dr., I've been thinking, and I think you might be able to tell us what's going on with our fathers. They've been very strange since last week, and I do not think it's just because of the kidnapping."

"Well, I really do know what's going on, but I do not know if you're ready to know that."

"What do you mean? We can be heroes in training, but can not we know what our families are doing?" Ronnie Anne was furious.

"Says the girl who is in a secret vehicle while others think she is skateboarding?"

Both were silent, not knowing how to respond.

Mark stopped to think, and saw that it was better to tell what he knew, lest he risk losing his champions.

"Okay, I'll tell you, but you can not say anything to anyone."

They smiled, and made a gesture of sealing their lips and throwing a key away.

"Right, apparently, your abduction served to cover up the escape of one of the world's greatest terrorists, Baron Zemo."

They were shocked. They knew the name, but they did not expect to hear it that way.

"Is Baron Zemo alive?" Lincoln exclaimed in disbelief. "At school, in the books and even in the comics, they says that he died facing Captain America, during the great attack of the Hydra!"

"No, it's not this Baron Zemo, it's his son. He was trapped on a secret SHIELD base in Canada, and while SHIELD's main focus was the Hellfire Club and Tombstone thugs, another criminal, the Black Knight, invaded the base and led Zemo, who was in a very bad state of health."

"What could this Black Knight want with a man in critical condition?" Ronnie was not liking the story.

"Well, we do not know that, but he killed 32 SHIELD agents and left 14 on the brink of death. Whatever he wanted with Zemo was probably worth a lot to him."

"And to think that our kidnapping was a distraction." Lincoln could not believe what he had heard. "What kind of person uses children that way?"

Mark felt a little embarrassed, though he did not show it. They hardly knew, but he was involved in all that situation.

"Well, if it does any good, it was not a good day for me either." He said with regret.

"As well?"

"I was planning to let the Hellfire Club mercenaries take you, so I get the chance to meet Emma Frost."

"And who is this Emma Frost?"

"She's an associate of the Black Knight, and she commands those guys we met last week. I did not get nearly any information about her, except she's a powerful telepath, and she's able to turn herself into some kind of organic diamond."

Lincoln stared in surprise. He was living with a telepath at home, so he knew from his father that a telepath with another power might be something rare.

"And how do you intend to deal with a telepath?" Ronnie said, intrigued. "I can say from personal experience that it is very irritating to be near a telepath, and that when she has the decency not to invade your mind without permission. I can not imagine how a villain can be."

"Wait, you know a telepath?" Mark now saw the possibility of recruiting one more champion, to help him against Frost. "How do you handle it?"

"She's my sister, Lori." A little tense, Lincoln decided to tell about his sister's powers. "She does not like to get into the minds of others. We can say that she reads more text messages than thoughts. But she can lift about 900 pounds with her telekinesis, and my dad says it's impressive."

All Mark's mood was gone. A telepath who does not like to enter people's minds would be as useful as a fish with fear of swimming.

"Well, it's not something we can disagree with. Everyone uses their powers the way they want. In response to your question Ronnie Anne, my helmet has reinforcement against telepaths, as well as synthetic Klyntar suits. Telepaths may even see some superficial information, but they can not enter our minds."

Then Larry entered the room, and this time the happy face was blue.

"Sir, the synthetic klyntar costumes are ready!"

"Well, I think it's time to see your suits." He said, smiling

Arriving at the lab, they saw the machine's screen with a "A" letter logo, one of the ends interrupted by an arrow. Mark pressed a few buttons, and then they saw the petri plates, but now there were Captain America's digital watches, not the black goo and earpieces.

"I did not understand." Lincoln was puzzled. "I thought you were going to make suits, not watches."

"These are the costumes, my boy. They get disguised in what I call "Symbi-watches. Along with the synthetic Klyntar sample, I put on a small earpiece, which serves as a communicator, and will go to your ear when activating the suit."

He handed the watches, but the two still did not seem too sure it was a good idea. Still, they looked at each other for support, and put it on their wrists.

"And how do we activate the costumes?" Ronnie Anne asked, still unsure.

"Just push the time adjustment button, and say "Assemble!". Then, to deactivate the costume, just touch the earpiece, programmed to stay on the right ear, and say "Disassemble!", And they go back to being watches."

The kids decided to give it a try. After all, with all the strange things they had witnessed, a costume disguised as a watch does not seem so strange.

"Assemble!" They said at the same time.

Instantly, the watches seemed to melt, turning into the black goo that gave them origin, and began to move through their bodies, causing a bit of tickling.

When this touched their clothes, they also turned black, and began to restructure. In less than 10 seconds, they were in their new outfits.

Larry activated holographic mirrors so they could see their costumes.

Ronnie was now wearing a black swimsuit with a golden lightning, a red band tied around her waist. She wore gloves that went above her elbows, and boots that ran down her thighs. On her face, a mask that covered part of her face, and her freckles had disappeared, and her hair was longer and loose.

In Lincoln's case, the transformation had been more radical. He barely recognized himself. He wore a red and black suit with a star on his chest. Like Ronnie Anne, his freckles had disappeared, and a mask covered almost his entire head, leaving only a part of his nose to the chin visible, and the top of his head, some hair out, and his hair now was blond

"I have to admit, this Synthetic Klyntar is great." Lincoln was ecstatic. "What's it like to wear a real one?"

"Believe me, you will not want to find a Klyntar. They have a will of their own, and some are very dangerous, I would even say venomous."

Lincoln paused for a moment to think. In fact, a living outfit could be something difficult to deal with.

"So we get codenames now, or do you have any kind of ceremony or something?" Ronnie said, still admiring herself in the mirror.

"No, I think that's all." He said, handing cards to them, with their fotos and codenames written. "These are your Avenger ID cards, users A-02 and A-03. Marvel Boy, Miss Marvel, welcome to the Avengers. Your training begins now."


TO BE CONTINUED...


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