RISING SUN
Copyright July 21, 2012 By Rory V. Pascual
Chapter One
Two weeks later…
Director Nick Fury was walking with calm, firm strides, heading for the SHIELD conference room. His cool exterior, however, belied the tumult inside his head. The only sign that he was distraught was the way he held on to the black folder marked "CONFIDENTIAL", hand clenching and unclenching as though he was debating on whether or not to throw the damned thing away. Fury could only hope that the special individuals he had summoned to the meeting would not be there, although he knew this was unlikely.
As Fury pushed the doors to the conference room and locked it behind him with his electronic key, he was not at all surprised to find everyone assembled already. You can say anything and everything about the original Avengers, but one thing they are not is lacking in punctuality.
Except for Thor who looked resplendent as always in his regular battle armor, everyone was in civilian attire. As always, Tony Stark had his booted feet up on the conference table, wearing a slightly faded AC/DC T-shirt and blue jeans. Steve Rogers, seated to the right of Fury's vacant swivel chair, was clad in a plaid shirt that clung tightly to his muscled frame. Looking visibly uncomfortable in the present company was Bruce Banner, who simply browsed through his own copy of the confidential report that they were going to discuss. Only Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff seemed relaxed, exchanging soft murmurs from which Fury heard briefly the name of 'Bobbi' issue from Black Widow's lips followed by a reassuring pat on Hawkeye's hand.
"Feet off the table, Stark," Fury said firmly—an order which Stark grudgingly complied with—as he walked to the head of the table.
"I thought Reed Richards was going to be joining us," Steve asked in confusion.
"Mr. Fantastic respectfully declined to be in this meeting," Fury answered as he plopped wearily down in his chair, tossing the folder on the table. "If you have read the report, you'll understand the reason why."
"I'm afraid I just arrived from Asgard and I have not had enough time to read it," Thor confessed. "With all the troubles we have had of late, I had to make the rebuilding my priority."
"Frankly, I don't know what a solar flare has to do with us," Bruce put in. "I've checked Richards' notes and his readings of that so-called 'anomalous energy burst' from the sun are the same as with an occurrence of a solar flare."
"Yes, I've also asked SHIELD scientists to do a similar check, and they too arrived at the same conclusion."
"And yet Richards insists that something is wrong," Clint interjected. "The man is a scientist, an intellectual. So now he wants us to act on a 'gut feeling'?"
Fury breathed in deeply. "I can't deny that Richards is one of the smartest men in the world," he glanced at a scowling Stark. "But this anomalous solar flare has him gravely concerned, and I certainly would not just ignore this especially since it is bothering Richards this badly."
"What could spook Richards this much?" asked Natasha, similarly perplexed.
"The Sentry," Tony finally declared.
That name caused everyone seated at the table to fall into dreadful silence. None of them could utter a word, their minds filling with the atrocities that the former Golden Guardian had committed while enthralled by Norman Osborn.
"I must confess I understand how Reed is feeling right now," Tony admitted reluctantly. "When I read that report, I ended up downing several bottles of vodka last night."
"But that's impossible!" Thor exclaimed. "I myself brought his remains to the sun. I saw him burn to ashes."
"How sure are we that he is dead?" Fury asked in turn. "It was a damned oversight on all our parts. Norman Osborn himself said that the Sentry had resurrected himself using his molecule manipulation powers."
At that moment, the buzzer to the conference room sounded. Before Fury could open the door with his remote, Agent Maria Hill walked in—having opened the door with her own key—with some papers in her hand. "Director, these were just sent by Jane Foster at the observatory. You really should see them."
The picture on top of the papers caused Fury to turn deathly pale. Noting the sudden change in demeanor in the SHIELD director, all the Avengers stood up to look at what had spooked their leader so.
"Shit!" Tony hissed under his breath. Even Bruce flinched and turned away.
"What the hell!" Steve also exclaimed.
Clint and Natasha were struck speechless.
It was Thor who picked up the photo with trembling hand – looking closely at the close up image of the sun and the two distinct human shadows on its fiery face. As the God of Thunder was perusing the picture, Fury had regained enough of his composure to study the data that Dr. Jane Foster had sent them.
"What does Jane have to say?" Thor asked, dropping the photo on the table as though it were a snake about to strike at him.
"Dr. Foster lost track of one of those…figures…and she could only assume that the sun's energies must have destroyed it," Fury began. "But the other one…she said that it crashed on Earth. Based on her triangulations, the second one landed in a place called Stern Bild."
"Stern Bild…" Clint said thoughtfully. "I've never heard of it."
"It's a city much like New York but pretty low key. I'm surprised that it hasn't been generating enough media mileage considering the fact that it is the home base of seven major companies," Tony answered. Seeing the looks on the other Avengers' faces, he added, "Hey! A former college classmate of mine is owner of Helios Energy in Stern Bild."
"Then I guess you already know that Stern Bild is also a hotbed for mutants, except that there they call them NEXTs," Fury interjected.
"NEXTs?" asked Natasha.
"It stands for Noted Entities with eXtraordinary Talents." Fury wrote it out on the monitor for everyone to see. "These NEXTs are also superheroes, but they fight crime in the city in order to earn popularity points through a live television series called 'Hero TV'. In fact, your former classmate Nathan Seymour happens to be one of Stern Bild's Heroes, going by the name of Fire Emblem. But I bet you didn't know that."
"No," Tony remarked with a pout. "Nathan never thought to mention that to me."
"I take it you want us to investigate," Steve concluded in a matter-of-fact manner. "Try to find that mysterious figure that's in Dr. Foster's report."
"Yes," Fury said, nodding. "I also think that we should also take this opportunity to build solid relations with the Heroes of Stern Bild. There's no telling when we might need their special talents, especially if we are looking at the possible return of the Sentry."
Maria Hill then raised, "I believed that you would have the Avengers go to Stern Bild, so I took the opportunity to contact the city's Judicial Bureau. A Judge Yuri Petrov will be serving as liaison for Stern Bild and the Heroes."
"Great job, Hill!" Fury praised his ever reliable agent. "Well, Avengers, I guess you know what to do. We'll provide you with profiles of the Heroes of Stern Bild."
As they all filed out of the conference hall, Bruce could not help noticing the troubled expression on Thor's face. Patting the god's shoulder reassuringly, he said, "Lighten up, Thor. At least we're not dealing with Loki this time."
"Thank Odin for that!" Thor laughed weakly, although he was not looking forward to another round against the Sentry. "Knowing my little brother, he's probably amusing himself with Leah and Ikol right now."
Barnaby Brooks Jr. parked his bike on the curb opposite Apollon Café. It has only been three days since his partner and lover's quaint business establishment opened and already it is packed with customers. A group of teenagers were seated on the bench outside, waiting for a table. Upon seeing him, the girls let out shrieks of "Barnaby! Barnaby!"
Hearing the commotion, Kotetsu's grinning face popped through the door. Striding over to the younger man, he gave him a rather covetous kiss which caused Barnaby to raise his eyebrows.
"Does this mean you missed me?" Barnaby inquired with a smile.
"More than you know," Kotetsu murmured, ignoring the half-hearted groans from the teens. Thankfully, all of Barnaby's ardent fans have come to accept his relationship with their favorite Hero. "You certainly took your time coming home."
"I must admit that I did arrive 5 days ago, but I didn't get a chance to drop by because I got a call from Justice Petrov. I and the other Heroes had to be hustled into meetings with the Judicial Bureau."
"Hero business?"
"Highly classified Hero business," Barnaby emphasized the first two words. He then said in low tones, "The Avengers are coming to Stern Bild."
Kotetsu's jaw dropped. "You're joking, right? THE Avengers? Earth's mightiest heroes? But why?"
"According to Director Nick Fury of SHIELD, the Avengers will be investigating a solar anomaly, but I think there's more to this than he's letting on. Still, I agree with Justice Petrov that this would be a good opportunity for the Heroes to learn from their more experienced colleagues. Nathan is practically ecstatic. It turns out he and Tony Stark were classmates."
Kotetsu pouted, unable to hide his disappointment. "Too bad I'm no longer a Hero. I'd really like to meet them, especially Captain America."
"Don't worry," laughed Barnaby. "I'll figure out a way to introduce you to them. Maybe I can invite them to your café. Business is booming, I see."
"Well, I'm not taking full credit for it!"
Suddenly, Barnaby found both of his arms grabbed. Looking down, he saw Pao-Lin Huang grinning impishly at him at his left. At his right, Karina Lyle was sticking her tongue out at him.
"Revealing highly classified information already, huh, Barnaby," Karina said with a snort.
"Karina, you know for a fact that Kotetsu can be trusted. He was Wild Tiger after all. And, he's also my official consultant."
"And more. I can't forgive you for stealing him away from me. It's unfair!"
"Maybe one of the Young Avengers will be coming along," suggested Kotetsu. "I heard there are a lot of cute guys in the team."
"No," Pao-Lin chimed in. "Both Karina and I have set our sights on someone much closer to home."
As the two men looked on in surprise, Karina and Pao-Lin ran toward the bench and somehow managed to squeeze themselves on the seat together with the protesting teens, just as the object of their affections strode outside, bearing a tray of scrumptious mint pastries. Even Kotetsu could not help but smile in admiration.
Locke certainly cut a striking figure in that garcon ensemble – white silk shirt, green tie, black vest and apron around his waist, trousers, and spit-shined shoes on his feet. With regal grace, he presented the tray to the giggling girls.
"Would you ladies like to partake of some of my mint and raspberry puffs while you're waiting?" Locke inquired gallantly, a charming smile on his handsome face.
"Did you make these, Locke?" one of the girls asked, as she daintily picked up one pastry.
"Of course he did, stupid!" Karina declared huffily, before giving the older man a shy smile.
"Pao-Lin, you don't have to be shy with me," Locke told the twitching girl. "You can eat as much as you want."
Pao-Lin greedily grabbed five pastries from the tray, much to the outrage of Karina and the others. All decorum thrown out the window, she devoured the mint pastry with gusto, saying "That's why I love you, Locke!"
Laughing, Locke took the bit of mint icing from the girl's cheek with his finger and put it inside his mouth, causing the teens to swoon and Pao-Lin to blush a bright pink. "I love you too, little darling!"
Barnaby chuckled. "I guess my popularity has declined considerably."
"And that's a good thing," put in his lover. "At least now, I can keep you all to myself." Kotetsu waved to his efficient helper. "Locke, come over here for a minute. There's someone I want you to meet."
Leaving the tray on Pao-Lin's lap, he strode over to the two men.
Kotetsu introduced, "Locke, I finally have the pleasure to introduce to you my former partner and now lover Barnaby Brooks Jr. Barnaby, this is my good friend Locke Serrure."
Locke reached out and shook Barnaby's hand. "Delighted to meet you, Barnaby! Kotetsu has been telling me so many great things about you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Locke!" said Barnaby in acknowledgement. He then inquired, "Haven't we met somewhere before? Your face looks so familiar to me."
"Uh, no. I don't think so."
Kotetsu draped a protective arm over the taller man's shoulder. "Locke here is staying with me for the time being."
"I hope you don't mind," Locke shyly told Barnaby. "It's just a temporary arrangement. It seems the apartment next to Kotetsu's is going to be rented out soon because the tenant will be leaving the city. I'm just saving some money so that I could get the place."
"Stay as long as you like, although in your case, I'm guessing you've been playing housekeeper." Barnaby murmured in Locke's ear, "Kotetsu's quite the slob, isn't he?"
"Yes, I know," Locke giggled in turn.
"Are you two ganging up on me?" Kotetsu glowered at the two men.
"Locke! You have to kick out some of those people in there!" Karina complained. "We're starving to death out of here!"
"Didn't I just give you some pastries?" Locke asked, mildly exasperated.
"Pao-Lin ate them all!" The girls lifted the empty tray in emphasis.
"If you'll excuse me," he gestured in apology to the two men as he hurried back inside the café, grabbing the tray along.
"Why don't you come inside and grab a bite to eat?" Kotetsu invited his lover. "Locke makes a fantastic Pasta Bolognese and his milkshakes are absolutely divine."
"Maybe later. But, I would appreciate using your Men's Room though," said Barnaby, squirming a bit.
"Go on inside. Just go behind the flower boxes and turn left."
"Thanks." Barnaby gave the older man another quick peck on the lips as he went inside the café.
Karina certainly had every right to complain. The place was packed with people, most of them teenage girls and women, and they don't seem at all interested in leaving any time soon. As for Kotetsu's charismatic garcon, he was probably inside the kitchen, judging from the muffled clatter of plates and trays coming from within. Barnaby found the Men's Room easily. After relieving himself and washing his hands, he walked outside, only to have his green eyes focus on the round windows of the kitchen doors. Out of curiosity, Barnaby peered through the window, his eyes widening in shock at the astonishing sight insight.
Locke was now dressed in a white patissier's uniform with a green cravat tied loosely around his neck. Flying all around him were eggs, candies and other cake and pastry ingredients. Waving his hands like a conductor, the dough on the table before him was being kneaded and pounded thinly with a rolling pin. Cutters rose in the air and cut the dough into the desired shapes. Swirls of icing slithered like white snakes on some cakes sitting in a corner table. The oven door opened and a tray filled with pastries to be baked flew inside.
Barnaby squeezed his eyes shut for a second or two. When he opened them again, Locke was bent down over the table, kneading a thick blob of dough with his hands. As he brushed his hand over his face, flour stuck on his cheek and nose.
Turning toward the door, Locke gave him that charming smile. "Is there anything I can do for you, Barnaby?"
Barnaby rubbed his eyes, wondering if his tired mind was playing tricks on him. "No, I'm fine," he said as he pushed the kitchen door open a crack. "I just came from the Men's Room."
"Why don't you come around later this evening? I'll fix you and Kotetsu something nice."
"That would be wonderful, thank you." He then said, waving. "I'll be seeing you, Locke. Bye!"
"Bye!"
Using his preternatural senses, Loki waited until he was sure Barnaby had left the café. He had been careless, not even thinking that someone would be curious enough to see what he was doing inside the kitchen. He was already considering putting up a "KITCHEN STAFF ONLY" sign on the doors. One thing's for certain though. He has to be extra careful around Barnaby Brooks Jr.
TO BE CONTINUED…