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Kamar-Taj
The home of mystics and sorcerers was a lavish and strong fortress. An outer wall surrounded the main keep, which had many other buildings branching off. In the courtyard in front of the entrance to the keep, ranks of red-robbed students practiced under the watchful eyes of their experienced masters.
The students seemed to come from all walks of life and different countries from around the globe. There were no limitations to who could study and learn from the masters. The students attempted to make portals with a wave of their hands and made designs with fiery ropes of light.
The team of heroes entered through the simple wooden gate with wide eyes as they took in the sights of the stronghold, marveling at the architecture. They wore street clothes and Skaar was in his human form.
Even Vision had managed to change his appearance so that he looked like a typical middle-aged college professor, complete with a button-down shirt under a sweater vest, khakis, and loafers.
To Kate, his eyes still looked too robotic for him to fully look human, but looking like a professor was a much better appearance than a sour-cream-colored android.
As they waited, they were approached by a portly magician in red, blue, and yellow robes. He had short black hair and a neat mustache. He had a very serious look in his eye, regarding them with suspicion and curiosity.
"Why have you come to Kamar-Taj?" He asked sternly, almost as if he was interrogating them. "Have you come to learn? To heal? To be enlightened?"
"We're looking for America Chavez," Kamala said calmly.
The magician's frown deepened. "What is your name?"
"Kamala Khan," the heroine answered, "and these are my friends. We would like to talk to America."
The magician's frown disappeared as he nodded his head, becoming much more hospitable once Kamala introduced herself. He bowed deeply.
"Forgive me," he apologized. "Bruce told me days ago to expect your arrival. Welcome to Kamar-Taj."
"Do you mind telling us who you are?" Kate asked.
"I am Wong," the man said proudly. "Sorcerer Supreme of the Mystic Arts."
"I thought Stephen Strange was the Sorcerer Supreme?" Kamala asked curiously. "Did something happen to him?"
"No," Wong answered, gesturing for them to follow him. Kamala walked beside him as she and the rest of the team were led toward the main keep.
"During the Blip, we were leaderless. Dr. Strange had vanished along with half of life on Earth. I was forced to take his place," the older man explained, folding his hands in front of him as he walked. "When he returned, we thought it best to keep things as they were. I would remain Sorcerer Supreme and he would resume his position as Master of the New York Sanctum. He eventually came around to the change."
"Where is Dr. Strange now?" Kamala asked.
"He has been missing for some time," Wong answered, his tone becoming emotionless to hide his confusion and worry. "However, that is a worry for myself and the other masters."
"You said that Dr. Banner told you we were coming," Cassie said, feeling a change in topic was needed. "How much did he tell you?"
"I am aware of your mission and know the importance of it," Wong said. "I must ask: What did you find in Florida?"
Kate was tempted to say a bad tan and a Hulk-sized hangover, but those were problems for people who led normal lives. She was not someone who had a normal life.
"The problem Nick Fury was looking into," Kate answered. "There's a rogue U.S. agency that's built robot heroes called the Iron Avengers."
Wong huffed. "They sound like a rock band from the 80's."
"Ha!" Eli chuckled.
"America Chavez is the last recruit on Director Fury's list," Cassie said, wanting to hear more about their next recruit. "How well do you know her?"
"She has been under my tutelage for months," Wong replied. "She is different from others that come to Kamar-Taj. Her powers are greater and hold much more danger for others and herself. She is being taught the mystic arts, but I have worked with her to control her powers regarding the multiverse."
"Do you think she would be a good fit for our team?" Kamala asked curiously.
"I will withhold my opinion," Wong said firmly. "I can not make that judgment for you."
"What judgment can you make?" Riri asked, crossing her arms. "You just said you've been teaching her for months."
"America is a courageous warrior and a loyal, good friend," Wong answered. "Her confidence in herself and her powers has improved by the day."
"Then can we see her?" Kamala asked.
The group came to a small garden. The setting sun caused golden light to pierce through the tree branches and made shards of color appear on the dark pool beneath the tree. Soft grass covered the ground, and small flower beds grew on the edges of the courtyard.
On a stone bench beneath the tree, reading a scroll, was a green minotaur in blue robes. He looked to be taller than Skaar would in his Hulk form, with two sharp horns curving out of either side of his head. A gold ring hung from one of his furry ears.
"Uh…that's a minotaur," Eli muttered to Riri.
"That's a minotaur," Riri confirmed.
"Rintrah," Wong called to the student.
"Master," the minotaur shot to his feet and bowed. His hooves stamped softly on the soft earth as Wong and the team got closer. Clearly, he was still in awe of the Sorcerer Supreme.
"Rintrah is a student here, at Kamar-Taj, and a friend of America's," Wong explained, keeping his gaze on the minotaur as he spoke to the team. He then spoke to Rintrah directly. "Do you know where she is?"
"She is practicing," he answered, his voice sounding no different than anyone else's. "She should return shortly."
As if on cue, a star-shaped, shining blue portal appeared on the grass beside them. Skaar stepped forward and put himself between the rest of the team and the portal, but he had no reason to be defensive. The other side of the portal showed a bustling city, not too different from Manhattan or London, with people who looked no different from the young team. Out of the portal stepped who the team could only assume was America Chavez.
She did not wear robes like the other student, but dark jeans, sneakers, and a jean jacket decorated with red and white stripes and white stars. She looked to be from somewhere in Central America, with naturally tanned skin, dark eyes, and dark hair.
America smiled when she caught sight of Rintrah and Wong, but that smile faded to confusion when she saw who was with them.
"What's up?" She asked slowly. She looked at Wong. "New students?"
"No, America," Wong shook his head. "New friends."
The team stayed in the garden as Wong and Rintrah left, sitting in the grass by the pool. They laid out their story for America, doing their best to fit in the important facts without overwhelming her. America, on the other hand, laid out the majority of her story as well as the powers she possessed.
Eventually, Kamala asked her the question she had asked everyone else.
America's answer came before Kamala had finished asking the question.
"Yes."
Kate frowned. She was used to making impulsive decisions, but not even she had said "yes" that quickly to anything in her life.
"Just like that? No questions? No hesitation?" She asked.
"It was pretty straightforward," America said with a shrug. "Besides, I want to join your team."
"Just like that?" Eli asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Just like that," America grinned.
"What about your studies here?" Cassie asked. "Can you just leave? Won't that make you fall behind"
"I can always come back, can't I?" America pointed out. "From what you've told me, we just need to deal with these 'Iron Avengers'. Once we're done, I can come back and pick up where I left off."
Kamala nodded, seeing the reasoning behind her logic. There were no plans for after their mission was over and it made sense to her that they'd all just go back to their lives until the team needed to be together again.
"For sure," the girl from Jersey City said, showing her support.
"Besides, I need to get out of Kamar-Taj," America leaned back in her seat. "If I have to hear Wong sing karaoke one more time, I'm going to wrap the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak around him."
The team of heroes laughed. It was hard not to like someone like America. She was humorous and likable, with a smile that was contagious and an infectious, fun attitude. She seemed to have an easy-going personality and wasn't someone who seemed to let life get them down. The confidence she had for herself was as clear as the stars on her jacket.
"Welcome to the team, America," Kamala grinned, the two girls shaking hands.
"So what now?" The newest member of the group asked.
"We should probably try and find where S.W.O.R.D. hid them," Kate said, looking around.
"Ms. Bishop, may I suggest a plan of action?" Vision asked respectfully.
"Please," Kate said, gesturing for him to continue.
"Due to my abilities, I may be able to glean information from the private servers used by the U.S. government. However, that will take some time," Vision explained. "What I suggest is that your team takes that time to prepare for battle."
"I wouldn't mind getting access to a lab," Riri added. "There's a couple of modifications I want to make."
"Alright then," Kate nodded. "How do you think it will take?"
"I will need a day," Vision answered.
"Alright, so we have 24 hours," Kate said decisively, turning back to America. "Do you have a place here for Riri to work on her suit?"
America shook her head. "I don't think so. Sorry."
"All good," Riri shrugged. "I noticed that y'all can make portals to some interesting places. Any chance I could make a quick visit to Wakanda?"
"I'm sure Wong can help you out," America said before quickly adding: "I would, but I've never been there."
"Eli, you should come too," Riri said, nudging the boy from Baltimore as they walked out of the garden. "Maybe we can find a weapon for you, super soldier."
Vision floated to his feet as his human appearance melted away, revealing his true form.
"I will begin my work at once," he declared before departing in the same direction as the other two.
"Kamala, Skaar, Cassie, are you three good?" Kate asked.
"I need to make something," Skaar grunted, leaving out all context.
"I'll take along," Cassie offered.
"Fine," Skaar grumbled.
"See you guys in a couple of hours," Cassie said, following the hulkling back into the keep.
"I'll be honest, I didn't think he could speak," America commented once Skaar was out of earshot.
"He can talk," Kamala laughed. "Except with Cassie. He talks with her."
"He does, doesn't he?" Kate said, noticing the trend for the first time. "We should really ask her what her secret is."
"After we deal with the tin men," Kamala agreed.
"America, do you need anything?" Kate asked, turning back to the new girl.
America glanced at where her star portal had appeared. She seemed lost in thought for a moment before looking at the others.
"You said I'm the last recruit, right?"
"According to Fury's list," Kamala said, showing her the datapad again. "But the more the merrier. We're a pretty accepting group."
America grinned. "I have some friends who I think might be helpful."