HERO: Chapter 1 - Welcome to Japan
By One Above All
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After the events that took place in Italy on June 1, 2173, Yelena and the four boys had successfully accomplished their mission to free the southern borders of Italy from Hydra's influence. During the mission, Yelena utilized her Paralyzing Shock to infiltrate a Hydra facility by paralyzing Hydra Security as Frank Castle, Charles Barton, and Percy Scandia rally the Italian rebel army to push the northern borders. Within the facility, she retrieves several documents relating to many of Hydra's future projects. Some involving more recruitment of the European locals that held powerful quirks. Most of these recruits were the graduates of the European hero academies that were funded by Hydra. Other documents held more importance, such as the news of a Hydra agent named Erick Williams transporting a special cargo to Milan, Italy. The special cargo was said to be a specimen whose biology held an odd reaction to ionic energy. The specimen was to be alive and still hasn't suffered from permanent injuries from long exposure to the ionic particle beams that were created by Hydra's latest experimental weapon. Immediately, the four reincarnated ex-villains knew who this was in the documents. This was without a doubt the reincarnated Simon Williams, the ionic energy hero known as Wonder Man. his confirmed location in Milan would be conducted by his own older brother Erick Williams, the sadistic villain known as the Grim Reaper. As much as the four would want to rescue Wonder Man, they were reminded by Yelena that they had their mission and that she will inform Director Carter and the Thunderbolts on this news. After the mission was done, Yelena would return to Director Carter and accompany her to matters that involve further reincarnate recruitment.
For the four boys, they each had their own task during this first mission of theirs. Victor von Doom and Erik Lesher were their big guns. Doom's particle manipulation quirk would unleash devastating blasts of energy that destroyed any blockades and enemy bunkers. Further training with the Thunderbolts had allowed Doom to discover that not only does his quirk have offensive attacks but can have a variety of defensive and tactical uses. He could use his quirk to manipulate the green particles that emit from his body to levitate people and objects. He can also levitate himself and create propulsion to allow temporal flight. Of course, Doom knows the drawback of his quirk. His quirk has limits, specifically a percentage barrier. Creating a technological software called the biomatrix, he can identify the full potential of not only his quirk, but the quirk of others as well. The biomatrix can even tell Doom what quirk his target has. With this new software, he was able to calculate the progress he held with his quirk by accumulating the data from his training and the work he puts into the tasks he is assigned to. Scaling himself on the percentage barrier, the furthest percentage that his quirk has gone to was on the day his father was murdered. On that day, his quirk had exceeded over 60 percent. Scanning his DNA structure, his quirk should be allowed to reach over 100 percent if he continues to use it and trains his body. The final estimate that he currently had received from the biomatrix shows that his body will have symptoms depending on his percentage usage. If he uses below 10 percent of his quirk, no major change will occur in his body's biological and cellular structure. Going over 10 and staying below 20, his body will slowly undergo irritation and dead skin will occur. Going over 20 and below 30 will result in the body going through a slow process of corrosion. Going over 30 will result in loss of tissue, muscle, and bone, as well as organ failure, destabilizing cellular structure, and eventually death.
To help control the flow of his particle manipulation, Doom had created a special outfit that consists of a skintight bodysuit, a padded stitched tracksuit, and lace less zippered stealth boots. Each article of this outfit followed a blackout color scheme and were made from an all new material woven into a fabric. This material is the same stabilizing agent used for an iridium engine that was designed by Doom himself, so that Forge could install it into the helicarrier's thrusters. Microchip fibers have also been woven into the fabric to link with the biomatrix software to give a better estimate of his body's progress. Although the outfit allowed him to monitor his progression, he wanted to go further with his quirk in a much faster pace, thus giving an extra twenty percent on usage. The outfit will allow better quirk control, but he begins work on a layer of containment. An armor to make him feel right at home.
Meanwhile for Erik Lesher, there was nothing more satisfying than to see a Hydra war machine flung into the air with its passengers begging to be let out. To see a Hydra foot soldier kneel out of pain after nearly being suffocated within his own metal armor. To watch so many of Hydra pawns flee from their painful defeat as their own weapons were pointed right back at them. All these things were music to Erik's ears. This was the reason that the Magneto joined SHIELD, to bring suffering to the organization that slaughtered his family. However, he is always reminded by the destruction he has caused that these were the actions that drove Wanda and Pietro away from him. To have no mercy, to have no forgiveness, to always seek vengeance whether it involved killing, he would always be an evil man by his children, Charles Xavier, and the X-Men. He would think to himself on how he wasn't any different in this second life. Other than having to endure puberty for the second time, both his old life and his new life were all just ending fights for survival. In a way, Erik felt that he was just stuck in a cycle of violence and war. He wonders if there would ever be a change in his life.
That was until another round of hurdling more Hydra soldiers into a wrecked building, one of them had crashed into the window of a shop. Erik enter through the ruined window to see that the shop the Hydra soldier flew into was a shop cooking wares. Among the stock, there were an assortment of cooking appliances, silverware, spices, and anything else that involved the culinary arts. As he looked around, he reminisces about the times that his mother, sister, and himself would make grand occasion dinners for his father and his uncle on holidays. Roasted Wieners and seasoned potato salads for Christmas eve. Roasted goose for the New Year's. German gingerbread for Oktoberfest. Erik missed those times and would wonder if he could ever get to eat anything as good as his mother's homemade dishes. Catching his attention, he looks to see an Italian cookbook. He picks it up and flips the pages toward any available Italian seafood recipes. As he read through the pages, the hydra soldier that was knocked out before rose back up with a knife in his hand and lunged at Erik. sensing the iron-based metal of the knife, Erik lifts the pinky finger of the hand that he is using to read to the cookbook and halts the weapon in the air. The Hydra soldier tries to pull the knife away but was met by a devastating orb of electromagnetic pulse from Erik's left hand. The blast caused a shockwave strong enough to not only send the Hydra soldier into the wall behind him but made the entire building crumble to the ground. As the dust settled, Erik was still reading the cookbook thanks to an electromagnetic force field surrounding him. It would be on that day that Erik Lesher, the newly reformed Magneto, had taken up a new hobby as a cook.
With war, comes bloodshed and death. Eddie Brock has seen this too many times. If he had to be honest, he was in the same boat as Erik on not wanting to be their alter egos again. For the entirety of his past life, he had been cursed with the existence of symbiotes, Klyntar, and their god Knull. All he wanted to do for the rest of his past life is cast away anything that had to do with symbiotes and just raise his son Dylan. After so much bullshit with the maker, the war of realms, and all that crap with Lee Price, Eddie just wanted a damn break from it all. To go back to be some shit journalist, to be a struggling father to raise the son that he had with the only woman he ever loved, to just be human. That's all he ever wanted, but that was too much apparently. On the day he died, Carnage had returned and rained hell on both hero and villain alike. No one was safe and no one stood a chance. In his last moments of life, he and Venom had to reunite to defend Dylan from Carnage's symbiote army. It was a fruitless effort and they were overwhelmed too quickly. As all was lost and everyone vanquished, Eddie and Venom slowly died on the ground with injuries far too painful to heal. Their failure to permanently stop Cletus Kassidy had caused Dylan to be devoured by Carnage symbiote and the second coming of Knull. Eddie's mind and soul ached at the fact that he was reincarnated from a dead earth. He hopes to not meet other reincarnates with symbiote powers in this new life.
During his first mission in Italy, Eddie was tasked with positions, medical recovery and raw strength. In his Venom form, Eddie could tear through armies of Hydra military and armored vehicles. The last thing Hydra soldiers would see before going unconscious were black tendrils and fists impacting their faces. Firearms and armor piercing rounds were useless against his Klyntar biology. Although he can't stand the existence of his symbiote powers, he had to admit that they were about the best outcome for his reincarnate life. They were only set of powers he knew personally and as he gets older, he'll be strong enough to take on any hero or villain. The only other problem, besides coming to terms with the possibility of other human symbiote hybrids like himself, was that he had to maintain his mandatory diet that kept both his mental and physical state stabilized. Due to the lack of brain matter and raw meat, Eddie's diet consists of an entire grocery store's worth of food. Half of one if he is mostly feed any chocolate related products. With SHIELD's support, this had become manageable for Eddie as he wouldn't need to use much of his strength to combat Hydra and use most of his powers on his symbiote healing properties to heal and restore injured members of Italian resistance. If he had to be honest, he would prefer to be a medic with these powers instead of being a hero-in-training for SHIELD. However, knowing the inevitable threats that will soon come, being a hero was only path set for him. He could finally be the hero that Dylan would want him to be and to never allow any innocents to die as long he holds name Venom.
For Victor Creed, it felt right. To be in the battlefield. To fight hordes of enemy soldiers that were willing to take his life. As bullets were fired and bombs igniting, running knee deep into the action was his way of being positively alive. Each second of beating, crushing, slashing, and brutalizing a minion of Hydra, it was getting harder and harder for him to resist turning back into the old Sabretooth and just go ape shit all over the poor fucks who came his way. It was a classic problem that he had faced in his past life. The animal instincts and bloodlust always corrupting his mine to bring out the monster in him. Fortunately, he found ways to keep himself grounded and sane. His training regimens with Carter and the Thunderbolt. The quote on quote fun adventures with his quote on quote friends, Doom, Erik, and Eddie. Then there was his biggest anchor, Logan. He wished he could bring him to missions like these, but he knew full well that his little brother's past life had been nothing but war. The fact that he was still far too young for official SHIELD missions also play a major factor. It was agreed that once Logan had graduate from middle school education, he would be to take missions as a SHIELD youth operative. To make sure that Logan becomes this earth's wolverine was Creed's main goal in life.
When the battles were over and the mission was accomplished, Victor Creed was the first of the four to volunteer in the Simon William rescue mission. Not just to recruit another reincarnate into the team, but to keep fighting Hydra just for fun. Victor von Doom volunteered so that he could be the first to study Simon's possible Ionic energy form. To hear that Hydra created an ionic generator was a major annoyance to Doom. he hates it when the enemy is ahead of him in any sort a way. Erik lesher just wanted to get back at Hydra with any opportunity he gets. Eddie Brock was the only one who genuinely just wanted to save Simon. He understood what it was like to be an experiment for a bunch of mad scientists. To their irritation and confusion, Director Carter told them that the rescue mission would be done by the Thunderbolts and that once the SHIELD borders were done for southern Italy the mission will be initiation in one weeks' time. For the four teenage ex-villains, they were to be transferred as representatives of the SHIELD youth department to become highly ranked assets for the recently established SHIELD Japanese division that will be under the leadership of Agent Jimmy Woo. as the Thunderbolts were to put their full attention on Europe, Jimmy Woo would be placed as temporary mentor for the four teens. Victor Creed argued that they were needed in Europe, why the hell would they need to be transferred to Japan of all places. To cease the argument, Jimmy explained their accomplishment on the Italy mission was greatly appreciated by Director Carter and all of SHIELD, but several information leaks that came from the civilians of Italy had been released on international media that gave some rather bad rumors on SHIELD's actions of letting teenagers be a part of a SHIELD operation. In order to conceal the inevitable backlash, they sought out a means to distract the media and public from the events that had taken place in Italy. Thus, Director Carter and agent Jimmy Woo arranged a partnership between U.A. Academy and the SHIELD youth department. With Japanese news media speculating that the number one hero All-Might will be teaching at the prestigious Japanese school, this will not only take the public's attention off the southern Italy incident, but will give SHIELD two pieces of benefits. They will be able to further investigate the quirk anomaly known as One for All with the four boys being taught by All-Might as students and they can further investigate the quirk anomaly that is popular in the criminal underworld known as All for One. as a bonus, this will slightly improve relations between SHIELD and the hero community. SHIELD agents and pro-heroes had been at each other's neck for their difference in political beliefs. This will hopefully bring the two sides together during these troubled times. With the European hero community being non-existence except for France and Switzerland, the only hero communities that trusts SHIELD were the pro-heroes of the United States and Canada. With continents like South America, Africa, and Russia being neutral parties, the hero communities of the Asian countries, especially Japan, hold a shear distrust for foreign security organizations.
With all arguments settled and understanding their positions in current series of events, the four boys had agreed to be transferred and would pack all their belongings that had been held within the helicarrier for their move to Japan. There they would have nine months before the U.A. entrance Exam to learn the Japanese language, culture, mannerism, and kanji writing. Through the mentorship with Jimmy Woo, they will learn the full layout of the land and will have to adjust themselves to call the recently bought apartments home for the next three and a half years all the way to their graduation. Doom, Erik, Eddie, and Creed understand that was just another mission given to them by Director Carter, though it be quite long terms. They grimaced at the fact that they will need to master the Japanese language in under nine months' time. They asked if Yelena will be joining them and it was confirmed that Yelena will be joining them at U.A. Academy once her team had been assembled. They were also told that due to the crutching time Yelena and three new recruits will join the academy, but only within two weeks after the beginning of the first semester. On that note, being told that Yelena will be the leader of the three new recruits had reminded Jimmy that Director had instructed Victor von Doom as leader of the four. Erik, Eddie, and Creed completely disliked this and argued that for the whole concept of being led. Due to this being a direct order from Director Carter, their arguments were invalid and thus Doom was acquainted as leader of this team of four. Moving out of the helicarrier would become a two week process for not only did they each have to be assigned to four separate apartment complexes within Musutafu, but they also had to be given partially fake identities to go along with their status as members of the SHIELD youth department, separate bank accounts that will receive monthly allowances by SHIELD, and all essential school requirements were done for ahead of time along with submitting their costume designs. Even their hero names were registered and locked into the system. As their possessions were to be transported into the new apartments, they needed to wait for the new security features to patched into the complexes. Until then, their first day in Japan consists of nine hours of Japanese lessons, intense training that involved minor bleeding, and a very small room with two bunk beds that the four ex-villains slept on during that night. All of which was provided by the SHIELD Japanese division. They would finally get to move into their apartments on June 16, 2173. They wanted to confront Jimmy Woo on why they had to wait an extra day, but they each realize what yesterday was and who it held importance to.
… Trick Shot's special day…
On June 15, 2173, this day would mark the beginning of a new era. For this was the day when All-Might had finally come across his successor. However, this day was important to someone else for much more personal reasons. It's on this day that Charles Barton also known as the international vigilante Trick Shot would make his annual vigilante run on the city of Musutafu and perform heroics that were considered illegal by the Japanese hero community. He would save lives, beat villains, and prevent so many further operations done by the local yakuza gangs. Some would say he does this to show off in front of the heroes who he was always one step ahead. He had this so much thought it had become an annual bounty for most heroes, especially for heroes like Dead Arms, Eraser Head, and most definitely the number two hero of Japan Endeavour. The fire wielding pro-hero and the bow and arrows wielding vigilante have had a rivalry ever since the beginning of these annual vigilante trip to Japan. Endeavor had even stated the only other person that he finds more annoying than All-Might is Trick Shot. the two have even battled and the result was always Barton getting the upper hand and escaping capture. Barton has even evaded capture from All-Might which had been classified as his greatest achievement.
With each year, Barton's reasoning for these annual trips kept changing. It always appeared to be him showing off and humiliating the pro-heroes, but it's what he does for fun while he was there. The truth was that originally, he goes on these trips to meet with some old friends of his. However, each year a member of his once heartwarming group had disappeared or just didn't want anything to do with his illegal heroics. Only one person however remained. She was always there to greet him, always there to soothe his pain, always there with her bright smile. One day she too stopped seeing him, not out of spite, but out of pain. Pain that was brought upon by the cruel reality that this earth had created that molded the unfair social norms of the hero society. She was even sent an institute as a result such norms. After he heard what happened to her, his habit of showing off the pro-heroes had become a routine. It was his way of showing that heroism can be done without political limitations or the need to be at the top when you're already at your prime. The many villains and criminals that he had defeat without his quirk was proof of that. The many pro-heroes he evaded and humiliated to send his message. Some would call him a villain. Some call him an annoyance to society. Others would come to see his actions as impressive and amazing. This day was going to be different in a way for he will cross path with a certain quirk less boy.
"Yo, Jimmy, I finished the damn chore you had me do. The four apartments have their security features installed. Can I please do what I came here to do?", Barton said to his communicator irritated.
"Yes Barton. Go do your annual display of showing off on international news, just make sure it doesn't trace back to SHIELD. The last thing I need is your publicity stunts ruining my meeting with the U.A. educational board. Principal Nezu is one smart rodent and I need to convince him to increase the number of students for the hero courses. Both Class 1-A and 1-B consist of twenty open positions and my goal is to get him to change that number into twenty-four. Both Doom's team and Yelena's team need to be in U.A. Academy for this to work", Jimmy said to his earpiece as he adjusts his tie.
"Oh please. I'm no amateur and why should the boys and Yelena even go to that school anyway. With guidance and training they've gotten from Carter, Frank, Percy, and me, they've proven already that they don't need some cheap hero license to be the heroes that this earth needs.", Barton said as he brings out his bow.
"How many times does Director Carter need to tell you Barton? We are on their earth, so must follow their rules. This partnership between the SHIELD youth department and U.A. Academy is the first step into bettering relations between the Japanese hero community and SHIELD. With Doom's team, Yelena, and the three new recruits as SHIELD represented heroes-in-training, SHIELD will be a better organization to establish better and brighter heroes. Speaking of which, have you marked the confirmed locations of the other two reincarnates. Once we secure Simon Williams, he and the other two will be the three teammates for Yelena to lead when the four of them join Class 1-B.", Jimmy asked as he puts on his coat.
"Hey, I'm a Professional reincarnate hunter. Of course, I confirmed their locations. Though I must admit, I'm not too sure on Peggy's plan on recruiting more teenage versions of our original multiverse's villains.", Barton said as he checked his belt.
"What do you mean? Her decision hasn't failed us so far, so why lose faith", Jimmy asked with curiosity as he finished making his coffee.
"It's not that I don't have faith in Peggy, alright. She can make me nervous, but never doubtful. It's just I expected more heroes from our original Multiverse to join the team, but these guys. Really? After we found out about Hydra holding Simon as a lab rat, Carter had me going reincarnate hunting again. The first one I spotted was in New York. apparently after the disappearance of Eddie's vigilante persona the Lethal Protector, a new vigilante by the name Light Strike stepped up to the plate and targeted many members of the Maggia, the biggest North American crime syndicate", Barton explained as he counted his arrows.
"The Maggia?! Damn it, and here I hoped that wouldn't have to deal with them again. I guess their crime syndicate as also been reincarnated with us too. What about this Light Strike? What makes him a confirmed reincarnate?", Jimmy asked as he enters his car.
"I recognize him, well his powers at least. In our original multiverse, he went by the name Arthur Parks A.K.A. The Living Laser. While I was still alive, the last time I saw him was when He was still an Iron Man villain who then worked for Zemo during the time period before Captain America was still a Hydra agent. one major change to this guy is that he's a redhead and not a blonde", Barton said as he scopes out Musutafu.
"What about his quirk? Have you identified it with Doom's Biomatrix software?", Jimmy said as he waits in traffic.
"Yeah, don't worry, I got it. I'm telling ya this software Doom made is so convenient. I could just know everyone's quirk. But yeah, Arthur's quirk is some kind of duplication quirk that's based on his morale. He pretty much just splits himself into two people. A good cop version of himself with white hair and a bad cop version of himself with black hair. The biomatrix calls this quirk Morale Split", Barton said as he leaps from one rooftop to another.
"That's an interesting quirk, but then how did he regain his protonic energy? From the sound of it, he must have either gone through a mutation or triggered a fragmented memory through a traumatic event like Erik or Creed", Jimmy wondered as he finally gets out of traffic.
"I wouldn't know. All we got to be concerned about is that his vigilante and he better not panic on our first encounter and start shooting himself at us. The other recruit is the biggest gamble that we're probably going to have", Barton remarked as he rests himself on a billboard that showed off a very suggestive advertisement of Mt. Lady.
"Why? Who is he?", Jimmy said as he makes a turn to a suburban driveway.
"This next guy is Cain Marko, otherwise known as the Juggernaut. He's currently the same age as Arthur, Doom's team, and Yelena and he's been sighted with some little kid in Berkeley, California. The biomatrix confirmed that the kid is the reincarnated Charles Xavier. I guess even in this new earth, the two of them will always be brothers", Barton said as he readies his gear.
"Nevertheless, both the Living Laser and the Juggernaut must be recruited to SHIELD. We'll even find a good place for Xavier once we get there. Hell, we'll probably need to get Erik involved due to their history back in the original multiverse. But we'll worry about that later, for now our main priority is Italy and Simon Williams. Once you're done in Musutafu, report back to the helicarrier and take a quinjet to northern Italy. Frank Castle, Percy Scandia, and Yelena Belova will need your help to secure Simon from the Hydra Italian base", Jimmy said as he parks his car.
"You guys really know how to fill a guy's schedule. Fine, once I'm done here, I'll head to Frank Location. Right now, I want to do what I came to Japan for. And, mind telling me what all this gear Peggy had me wear. From the look of this tech, I can only guess that Doom made this, didn't he?", Barton asked finally being irritated by his attire.
"You seriously want me to go through all the new equipment you now hold. Ugh, fine. I still have twenty minutes before the meeting with Principal Nezu. let's start with your new costume. What you have on is the latest style in men's stealth suits. Soundproof boots, fabric that's completely fireproof, and leather that won't be penetrated by standard issue rounds. Upon your request, you will remain without sleeves to keep arm movement flow freely. What's covering your head is a hood made of the same fabric. a face mask is provided for you that acts as both a gas mask and a water converter for when you go swimming. Since it utilizes special made nanofibers, there's no need for filters. The black goggles you have on hold high-tech lens that utilizes Doom's biomatrix software. You got all that so far", Jimmy explained.
"All you done was explain the clothes on my back. How this equipment that I'm holding?", Barton asked as switch through the different modes in his goggles.
Your new bow is called the Gearshift Bow. made with Doom's switchblade tech, this bow is made of a light adamantium alloy. The retractable bow string is made from the same material as your costume. And due to the switchblade tech, the bow can even convert itself into a staff for close-quarter combat. You carry a specialized quiver that utilize Doom's 3-D printing modules. This quiver can make new arrows on the fly and carry customizable modulator for different arrow heads. The left side of your utility belt holds these module chips that once inserted into the quiver will give you a variety of arrow heads to use in battle. Your current module chips will give you sonic arrows, electric arrows, grapple arrows, explosive arrows, and your favorite ice arrows. Your quiver comes with a switchable function from lethal to non-lethal. Lethal for sharp tri-blade arrowheads made from adamantium and non-lethal for ball-point arrowheads to target enemy's pressure points. The right side of your utility belt holds different types of throwable pellets for tactical movement. You have smoke pellets, flash pellets, crystal pellets that converts their contained chemicals into crystal like caltrops once exposed to air, concussion pellets, and finally Nightcrawler pellets. These nightcrawler pellets are made of a special brimstone mixed formula that contains nano-machines that senses the user's mental state. Just think of where you want to be within a ten-meter radius, throw the pellet at the ground, and poof your there. Then there's your wrist bows, both of your arms have gauntlets that holds a miniature crossbow that shoot only two types of projectiles, sharp bolts and grapple bolts. And finally, there's the black sheep of your new arsenal, the adamantium katana sheathed within your quiver. Will that be all now?", Jimmy asked feeling tired of explaining this.
"Yeah, I think I'm good for now. Well, it's time to show the land of the rising sun that I've return", Barton said as he readies himself into action.
"Have fun Barton and do try not to get arrested", Jimmy said as he turns off his communicator and heads for his meeting with Principal Nezu.
Feeling ready, Trick Shot parkours all-round the city of Musutafu and seeks any form of action that would be worthy of a pro-hero's attention. Along the way, he does help people with minor threats that wouldn't get the interest of his so-called rivals. Like his brother Clint Barton once said, "It's always good to help the little guy". After hacking into police communications, he hears a distress call about a sludge villain attack and a hostage being taken. Quickening his pace with the grapple arrows, he perches himself on the building that was in front of where the whole incident was taking place. He kept a low profile to avoid being caught by Mt. Lady.
Assessing the situation that was taking place, Trick Shot took a good look at the lay of the land. The environment was too easy for him. Civilians were held back by authorities. Pro-heroes being shit as usual. And one slimy sitting duck with a rather explosive hostage. Listening to audio frequencies from the nearby phones with his communicator, he could hear all the idle chatter of the public that so many pro-heroes were sworn and or paid to protect and as always, they talked about the same guy. All-Might this, All-Might that. Seriously, we all get he's the number one hero, just shut up about it. Then again, they weren't wrong about giving him praise. The first time Trick Shot and All-Might met it was under unfavorable conditions. Barton had just defeated a villain who had escaped arrest from Endeavor and All-Might had ordered him to submit to a peaceful surrender. Of course, Barton refused, and the number one hero gave him the most intense chase of his life. Although he escaped by a hair, Barton will admit that there was a reason why All-Might was the number one hero and that he was the only pro-hero that this archer will give respect too.
Looking back at the situation, Trick Shot could only sigh in disappointment for the pro-hero's efforts at handling the sludge villain. Observing the colorful cast of heroes that were there, he wondered why none of them can just do something already and save the kid. Looking at the team of heroes that were there, Trick Shot couldn't help, but smile at the dorks that were there. Death Arms was being the same tip of spear guy as usual, too bad his quirk won't help him here. Back Draft was doing something he was good at, finally. Two rookies that were on the scene were Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods. Other than being a combination of Groot and Spider-Man, Kamui Woods has his upbringings. Barton can admit that, for a rookie, Woods is full skill, but has a lot to prove he could truly call himself a professional. Mt. Lady however has yet to prove herself to Barton. She almost represents everything Barton hates about the current hero community. If it wasn't her cute face, Trick Shot would have given her a humiliating defeat that would have made her a laughingstock. In conclusion, these people weren't anything special, which means that kid is a goner unless Trick Shot could do something. Getting his bow and two sonic arrows ready, Trick Shot was about to pop a nightcrawler pellet until he witnessed something incredible.
Out of nowhere, a kid no older than fifteen runs straight into a villain. Zooming in with his goggles, the biomatrix software read that the teenager was also quirk less. An entire team of pro-heroes and a squad of officers, but the only one doing any actual progress on the hostage was a stupid, brave but stupid, quirk less kid. Barton couldn't help but smile and decide it was time to go into action. Readying two sonic arrows, he inputted a certain frequency that causes a silent vibration that causes disruptions to the molecular structure to a liquid like substance, otherwise in this situation, the sludge villain's body mass.
Back in the alleyway where the sludge villain was staging his rampage, the quirkless middle schooler known as Izuku Midoriya was in a futile effort to save his bully Katsuki Bakugo. As he smiled to seem more heroic, the skinny real form of All-Might that was Toshinori Yagi was ready to jump in to save his future successor. But time froze when everyone on the scene witnessed two odd looking arrows shot out and landed on two opposite sides of the sludge villain. Although it was faint, the planted arrow heads released a sound that caused instability within the sludge villain's liquid form. The sonic arrows were enough to massively irritate the villain and release his grip on Katsuki. Izuku was able to pull him out and the two fell to the floor just in time to see a huge puff of blue smoke appearing above them. Out of the blue smoke was Trick Shot with an ice arrow ready. It was as if time stood still and Izuku, Katsuki, Toshinori, and everyone else could see the archer in the air. The bow and arrow in sync. The slick black hood that covered this mysterious man's head. An American accent saying something in Japanese caught everyone's attention further.
"Thanks for the opening kid", Trick Shot said to stunned Midoriya as he releases his ice arrow upon the slime villain.
The ice arrow flew out of Barton's bow and made an impact on the villain's slimy form. In a flash of a second, the sludge villain erupted into an ice sculpture. Converting his bow into a staff, Barton ran to the frozen sludge villain and with one mighty swing he used his staff to shatter the frozen villain into pieces. Every civilian and pro-hero in the area were caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the vigilante. Izuku Midoriya knew who this was, and that today was when this vigilante would appear for his annual tour of Musutafu. The green hair fanboy had wondered why this American vigilante kept doing what he was doing. Why perform heroics and save lives but be against the law and end fighting pro-heroes. Toshinori Yagi felt the same way as he wonders why these annual tours always seem to be about humiliating the pro-heroes of Musutafu. Ever since their first encounter, All-Might with the help of Eraser Head had done some further investigation on this vigilante and discovered several records on the mysterious archer. From his origins in Iowa to his debut as an international vigilante, Trick Shot had always said that he does it out of fun, but in later years declares that he does it for a purpose to revolutionize the hero society. Their thoughts ended as Trick Shot picked up a piece of the shattered, frozen sludge villain. Inspecting the frozen piece, Trick Shot could see slight twitching from the frozen pupil.
"So even as an ice cube, you're still kicking. Impressive, too bad you're a complete dick with your quirk", Barton said to the frozen piece and then turned around to face the direction Midoriya was in.
Immediately, Izuku felt his heart racing and slight fear running up his spine. Why was the vigilante coming to him?
Seeing this, Katsuki was at mixed feelings, but one emotion stayed present, anger. It was bad enough that he needed to be rescued by a couple of heroes, but to be rescued by Deku of all people. It was pathetic, with a quirk like his and he had been rescued by that damn nerd. Then their this bow and arrow bastard, this vigilante pretty much helped Deku pull him out of the damn sludge villain.
Toshinori Yagi observed Trick Shot's movement for any hostile intent, hopefully not toward the green haired boy. Although he is a vigilante, All-Might doesn't share the same belief as shota Aizawa or Enji Todoroki that Trick Shot was just doing this to gain attention. He could see an honorable man within this vigilante. Even if he doesn't show it, Trick Shot is indeed on their side.
All the other pro-heroes didn't let their guards down as they knew the laws against all acts of vigilantism. The two rookies that were Kamui Woods and Mt. Lady were nervous for this was their first encounter with the American Vigilante. For Death Arms, he remembered what day it was, but wished that this damn annoying vigilante just do everyone a favor and stayed in America. Nevertheless, it was his duty as a hero to uphold the law and end any form of vigilantism.
"Trick Shot. your involvement in this incident was not needed. Stand down and accept arrest", Death Arms demanded at Barton.
"Hey Popeye, will you cool it for a bit. I'm trying to talk to this kid. Trust me , I'll deal with you later", Barton said to Death Arms and looked back to Izuku.
There was a silence between the archer and the fanboy. Izuku wanted to stay silent and not be associated with such an infamous vigilante. He was already in enough trouble by disobeying the heroes and nearly getting killed. Sadly, he wasn't going to get the privilege as Barton gave his hand to offer Midoriya up from the ground. Hesitantly, Izuku took the hand and was pulled up softly from ground. He wanted to walk away and check on Katsuki but was stopped when Trick Shot spoke to him in Japanese, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Quirkless. You are quirkless, yet you would run into hell and not give a damn what would happen. Yeah, the rest of these knock offs saved most of these civilians, but they didn't bother to go in for the boy that was taken hostage. They instead waited and made up pathetic excuses to not jump in. but you, a powerless boy, you were the only one who lasted longer than Death Arms against that slime ball. That tells me something, although you don't have powers, you have guts and that's all that's needed to be a hero.", Barton said to Izuku with admiration that the green haired fanboy thought that he would never hear in his life.
If he had to be honest, Izuku wanted to cry and felt what this vigilante had just said was what he wanted to hear his whole life. His knees were weak, his eyes were nearly watery, and his heart didn't feel numb, but was now invigorated. He then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Trick Shot walking past him.
"You did good kid. Clint would have liked you", Barton said as he walked closer to Death Arms.
Izuku felt slightly happy. Although All-Might said that he couldn't be a hero without a quirk, this vigilante said that he still could be. Not even the glare that Katsuki was giving to both him and the American was affecting him right now. One thing was still in his head. Who's Clint?
The whole scene remains silent as Charles "Barney" Barton and Death Arms stared at each other. Death Arms held his glare at his annual rival as Barton was just calm and relaxed. Before the pro-hero could say something, the archer threw the frozen piece of the Sludge villain at Death Arms. he caught it and noticed that the eye was twitching.
"I'm going to give you a choice underbite. Do your job and clean up this mess that I finished for you or try to capture me again and fail again. Otherwise, we know how this song and dance goes. If I were you, I decide quick. That villain isn't going to remain frozen forever", Barton said as he shoots out a grapple arrow and launches himself away from the crime scene.
Everyone remained stunned by the vigilante's display of skill, except for Death Arms who was and didn't want to lose to this American again.
"You three, you stay with the police and clear this area. Kamui Woods, Back Draft, Mt. Lady. you three are with me. We're going after him", Death Arms commanded as he races to Trick Shot's next location.
The three heroes that were called were hesitate on fighting a well-known Vigilante but followed Death Arms anyway. As the four left, the three unnamed pro-heroes that stayed behind helped the police collect all the pieces of the frozen sludge villain. Once all the civilians cleared out from the scene, the authorities had sent the two middle schoolers home. Katsuki was praised for his bravery as Izuku was scolded for his recklessness, both boys however didn't care for they were more focused on other things now. As this was happening, Toshinori was hiding in the background and thinking of what he said to Izuku back on that rooftop. He was supposed to uphold his beliefs, not diminish them in a pathetic excuse to value self-preservation. A hero must always risk their lives to save others and that quirkless boy proved that belief right. All though he and Trick Shot were on different sides of the law, the vigilante reminded all of them of what a hero should be. And with that, All- Might made his decision. Looking back at the green haired fanboy, the number one hero has found his worthy successor. Maybe next year, he'll find the time to thank that archer for the lesson he taught all of them.
Meanwhile in the streets of Musutafu, Death Arms and his team were locked into a chase to finally capture Trick Shot. The archer felt that he can't outrun them, so he decided to wing it and fight them off. Besides, he couldn't allow any of them to follow him to his special place. If any of the Pro-heroes knew about his special place, then his annual tour of Musutafu would end permanently. As he stood his ground, Death Arms and his team had caught up with him.
"You finally stop running, Trick Shot. what wrong? Have you finally decided to submit to arrest? For far too long these damn tours of yours have done nothing but make the hero community look like a joke. Well I'm sick and tired of it", Death Arms declares angrily.
"Vigilantism is a major crime and you have done it far longer than any threat I've ever faced. It ends here", Kamui Woods said in his heroic voice.
"That sludge villain was merely defeated with luck. Don't think you can underestimate us since your outnumbered", Back Draft said with some confidence.
Mt. Lady placed her massive form behind Trick Shot and made sure that the vigilante had nowhere to run.
"Sorry short stack, but you can't beat me with all your toys. How can a bow and arrow even beat someone with a gigantification quirk?", Mt. Lady taunted at the small archer in front of her.
There was silence as the pro-heroes waited for an answer. Trick Shot sighed and turned to the giant woman behind him.
"Sweetheart, you have no idea of the things I've done with a bow and arrow. But first", Trick Shot said to Mt. Lady as he quickly pulled out two arrows and shot them at Death Arms.
Seeing this, Death Arms crossed his arms to prepare himself for the possible double hit from what he could only guess were two explosive arrows. Before they could hit him however, Kamui Woods and Back Draft caught each of the arrows with wooden branches and water tendrils.
"Your tricks won't work this time, villain", Kamui declared.
"No, you idiots. Throw those away right now", Death Arms warned them.
The wood and water heroes were confused by this. Unfortunately for them, it was too late as Trick Shot press a switch on the handle of his bow that caused the two arrows, he shot out to go erratic. It turns out the two arrows were grappling arrows and became a tangling coil of metal wires that bonded Kamui and Back Draft. As they struggled to get out of their restraints, Mt. Lady quickly slammed her hand on where the archer was. Once her hand made impact, she thought he caught him and lifted her hand to see nothing there. She then noticed an odd blue smoke on her palm and then felt something on her shoulder. She turned to see Trick Shot throw three small black orbs and then they erupted into three blinding flashes. As she was temporarily blinded, she just went swinging around and hoped to just hit something. Sighing at such an amateur move, Barton decided to save her from a maximum property damage bill and did his best to restrain her. He jumped on her forehead and made her smack herself to get him. This had caused her to fall back a bit, giving Barton enough momentum to knock her down with an array of grapple bolts and grapple arrows to tangle her joints as he shoots out electric arrows to her blind spots. With one misstep, Mt. Lady accidently tripped on herself and fell to the street. As she groans in pain, she opens one eye and went wide eyed as she saw Trick Shot falling toward her with his bow turned staff. With one hard hit, the archer slammed the staff on the bridge of her nose and hitting a pressure point that sent Mt. Lady into unconsciousness. Rising from the fallen giantess, Trick Shot looks to see Back Draft and Kamui Woods still restraint.
"Damn it, he defeated Mt. Lady in under a minute, just who the hell is this guy?", Back Draft said in defeat as he gave up on trying to remove the wires that binds him.
"No, Yu! Damn you, Trick Shot. why can't I get out of these stupid metal cables?", Kamui Woods yelled in a rare display of rage.
"Sorry to tell you this termite food, but those cables are made from Adamantium. You know, the American super metal. You're going to need a very hot blow torch to get out of that, which sucks seeing how you're made of wood and fire hydrate over there is made of water", Barton said to the tangled wood hero.
Death Arms couldn't believe it's happening again. Like every year, heroes always seem to lose to this guy. This vigilante technically didn't beat All-Might but avoiding capture might as well be a win. Mt. Lady, Kamui Woods, and Back Draft were defeated in only three minutes. How? Just how? How does this vigilante keep doing it? It didn't matter. Death Arms felt that he will still try even if it ends like does every year.
"Damn you", Death Arms yelled out as he charges at Trick Shot who just stood there.
Death Arms sent a powerful swing, but Barton dodged it like it was a slow balloon. The masculine hero kept giving punches left and right, but he just couldn't seem to reach the American archer. It was like every year; he treats this battle with the effort it requires, and this illegal nuisance just sees him and the rest of his fellow heroes as jokes. It was then Barton felt bored and shot out several grapple bolts at each of Death Arms' choke points.
As exhaustion began to overtake Death Arms, he felt his limbs being coiled and held in place by metallic wires. He struggled to keep standing but was caught off guard when Barton jumped on his head and shoved a small purple ball into his mouth.
"Like I said Death Arms, you got such an underbite", Trick Shot said as his forcefully closes Death Arms mouth by pulling the pro-hero's lower jaw upward.
The purple pellet within Death Arms mouth erupted and purple smoke shoots out of his nose. In a few seconds, he falls to the ground with a loud thud and goes into unconsciousness. Trick Shot knelt and pulls out a permanent marker.
"Sorry Popeye, maybe next year", Barton said to the down hero as he wrote loser on Death Arms headgear.
Barton then checked his watch and realized that he only has five more hours till his special place closes for the day. Grappling from rooftop to rooftop, he reached the city limit and went the rest of the way on foot. Avoiding any further interaction with other pro-heroes, the American archer had finally reached his destination, the Musutafu mental health hospital. Going around back, he climbed up to the floor where his friend was held. As he reached the window, he tapped on the glass with a certain code of tapping which signaled his friend that it was him. The window was then opened from the inside to reveal Rei Todoroki, the wife of the number two hero Endeavor.
"Barney", Rei said as she sticks her head out.
"Down here Snow Angel", Barton whispered beneath her.
Rei looks down to see Barton hanging from the window ledge. He then pulls himself up to enter her room. As the two were facing each other, he took off his hood, goggles, and face mask to show his reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and his handsome face. The two hugged and spent the next hours catching up. As Rei sat on her bed, Barton told her all the adventures that he had as both a vigilante and as an agent of SHIELD. He told her about the four headaches that he had trained for Carter and that every time they got something Frank would make them do so many pushups and laps around the track. She would tell him about all the nice people she has met and about the occasional visits from her second son and only daughter, Natsuo and Fuyumi Todoroki. He would say a joke and she would laugh. She would say what some of her children are doing and he listens to her with every intent to keep that smile on her face.
The time came when he had to leave her to join up with Frank Castle and Percy Scandia for their rescue mission in northern Italy. Each goodbye felled them with sadness, but they knew that their lives were too far gone for them to ever see each other more often. He was a vigilante and she was the wife of one of the biggest pro-heroes in the world, that fact that they knew each other personally would consider a sin in the hero community.
"It looks like my visiting hours are just about done, Snow Angel", Barton said to her with a saddened tone.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is", Rei said just as sad.
"Hey, don't worry about me. I'll be fine in Italy and you still have my spare communicator for whenever you feel alone", he said, trying to reassure her.
"I know, but each of your stories always have a never-ending threat of you constantly risking your life. I don't doubt your skill and experience, but I am afraid that the danger will become all that remains in your life. I will always be there for you, ready to greet you with open arms, but I fear the day when you don't come back to see me", she wept as Barton went in to hug her.
"Come on, don't cry. I worked too hard to see that smile go away", Barton kept hugging her and then felt her hand tug at bow.
"Every time I see you on the news, you're either saving lives or fighting a villain that some pro-hero could have just handled. Why do you always have to risk everything just to prove your beliefs", she pleaded for an answer.
"Rei, you know why. You're the only civilian that knows of my real existence. That I'm a reincarnate, a being of another reality that had been thrown away and left to wander your earth. Even if this world doesn't want me, it's going to receive my help no matter what", Barton answered her.
There was silence and then a small giggle could be heard. Barney Barton looked down to see that precious smile return on her face. Rei's eyes shining from the moonlight as she slowly looked up to him.
"After all these years, you never seem to change, do you?", Rei said to him with a soothing voice.
They both looked into each other's eyes as sweet and loving memories began to flood their minds.
"Do you still remember the day we met?", Barton asked her.
"How could I ever forget, Barney? It was on a breezy afternoon when I decided to take a walk on the beach and then I saw you washed up on the sand. Your body was so hurt, but your face was so at peace", Rei said as she remembered.
"It was like Sleeping Beauty. Only true love's first kiss could break the curse", Barton said sounding suave as Rei giggled at that.
"Okay, one, that kiss was me giving you CPR. Two, I think you got the wrong fairy tale", Rei said to him as they share a chuckle.
It was then that the room remain silent once again. They looked into each other's eyes again and, slowly, their foreheads touched. Rei remained there, not knowing what will come next but knew at the same time. It was then that she felt her Barney's lips touched her. It felt warm, he started to bring her in closer and she felt like submitting, but as his hands placed on her hips and back, she felt the painful flashback of what separated them before. The day she had decided to marry Enji Todoroki and didn't tell Barney about until the last second. On that day, she betrayed both him and her. Those memories were just too painful, and she had to stop what was happening now. She lightly separated their kiss and eyes started to well up with tears.
"Rei, what's wrong", Barton asked in concern.
"This is wrong. I just can't be with you. You have so much freedom and responsibility. I'm not as strong as I once was for you. I lied to you, I have abandoned you for Enji, and yet You found it in yourself to comeback to me. You still see me as someone you want care deeply for and I am just a mess of emotions. After hearing everything that I've been through, seeing my children being abused, and burning my own son. Why do you keep coming back?", Rei cried as Barton's hold on her weakens.
"Rei, I forgave you", Barton pleaded to her.
"But I haven't forgiven myself", she said as she let him go and turned from him.
As the room fell into silence once again, Rei Todoroki turned around to see her Barney gone and the window half opened. Going back into her bed, she hopes this wasn't the last time that she'll see him. To her, the room she had been caged in for so long felt even more empty without her dearest friend. For a while before she fell asleep, she wondered if the word 'friend' is the correct should call him, especially since what they were before her marriage to Endeavor.
Meanwhile for Trick Shot, he made it back into the city of Musutafu with more sorrow for Rei and more hatred towards the number two Hero. This wasn't the first time their nights have ended like this. The source of the problems was always either his job or the overbearing anxiety that she had gotten from being the flaming bastard's wife. Out of all the amateurs that this earth has created to be deemed heroes, Endeavor was the one amateur that Barton hated the most. After hearing everything about him from Rei and reading up on his file in the SHIELD archives, the son of a bitch should have never earned his spot as the number two hero of the word. After much loathement of captain fucking flame beard, his communicator had started to ring. Answering the call, he heard Percy's nearly drunk voice.
"Eyy boy, where the hell are you", Percy snored as the sound of empty beer cans hitting the floor could be heard.
"Percy, you sound cheery as usual", Trick Shot said as he climbed the highest building in Musutafu.
"Director Carter said… (burp)that you need to get your ass back to the helicarrier. Our rescue mission to get Simon William will happen (burp) tomorrow morning", Percy said as tried to keep himself steady as he walks.
"Yeah, I know, I'm heading to my quinjet now. Make sure to tell Frank to not start the mission early, I actually want to get some sleep before I start running head first into a hail storm of bullets again", Trick Shot said as got out a control that turns off the quinjet's cloaking and opens its main hatch.
"Yeah, about that. It's a bit too late, because Frank is already in Italy", Percy said as lays down on the floor.
"WHAT?! Why the hell didn't you start with that instead of telling me what Peggy told you", Trick Shot shouted furiously into his com.
"I'm drunk", Percy said as he threw his empty can away.
"Are you fucking kidding me? I just went through… fuck it, I'll be there in ten minutes. You got that time to get sober", Trick Shot said as he ended the call.
Before he got on his quinjet, he looked to his right to see a billboard that advertises Endeavor's heroics. Pulling out his bow and an explosive arrow, Trick Shot send the arrow flying over five buildings and made a direct hit on Endeavor's poster face. As the quinjet's engine start and it flew out of Japan, Barton held a small smirk in satisfaction for he knows Endeavor's charred billboard would become the next morning's news. To those that heard the explosion, they looked up to see a burning and smoking dick on Endeavor's face.
… Frank's Italian Massacre…
"RITIRO SUBITO", an Italian Hydra soldier screamed as he ran from the bloodbath that befell his comrades.
"OH MY GOD, HE'S KILLING US", another Italian Hydra soldier screamed as he limped away while carrying his separate arm.
"Please, don't kill me. I just wanted the money", a kneeling Italian Hydra pleaded as he struggled to ease to the bleeding on his wounds.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
The Hydra soldier couldn't say another word for he and his two fellow Hydra soldiers. All could be heard next from the Alley was the sound of a gun having its empty cartridge remove for a new full one. Stepping out of the corner and into the lit streets of the city of Milan, Frank Castle the Punisher had just finished off his fifth squad of Hydra Italians. Frank's night in northern Italy went just as he expected. Cross-fires of stray bullets and projectile quirks, ideologies being challenged by either the anti-regulation resistance of Italy and the Hydra influenced Italian government, and a rather offensive ear-full from Director Carter for disobeying her orders of not waiting till the morning to initiate the Simon Williams rescue mission. Just another day for the skull bearing homicidal agent of SHIELD.
Arriving to Milan, Italy in the middle of the night, Frank Castle rallied the usual army of anti-regulation resistance fighters and drove them straight to the heart of the city. As the civil war raged on, he entered through secret tunnels under the city that his team has discovered to be used by Hydra for transportation and envoys purposes. It was these tunnels that Hydra planned on reaching the hollow earth under Italy and retrieve what was considered as the mysterious energy source that have gave Hydra access to an amount of stabilized ionic energy. Following a digital map that he stole from a Hydra stronghold, Frank would follow the specific tunnel he was in and would hopefully end up in front of the base that belonged to the Italian pro-hero Hydra agent, Venetian Noble.
The tunnels that Frank had traversed in were filled to the grim with experimental weapons all that utilize an ionic energy core. He fought the urge to just plant several explosives to cause a chain reaction that could cave the whole tunnel system in. but not only would that cause trouble for SHIELD but would also cause plenty of Italians to lose their homes. Continuing his travel through the tunnels, he came across two apparently finished models of one-handed ionic blasters. Duel wielding two weapons, he used them to their full efficiency when he came across several Hydra agents that made their way to his position under orders to neutralize any possible intruders. The ionic beams of Frank's blasters disintegrated through the groups of Hydra operatives. Battle uniforms turned to ash and human flesh boiled to vapors, all Hydra agents would die if they ever cross Frank Castle's path. Reaching the end of the tunnel, he found a long ladder that leads to a hatch. Looking back into the map, the hatch above him would take Frank to a church that had been ransack by Hydra and converted into an intel base under the control of Venetian Noble.
Up the ladder and peeking through the hatch, Frank spotted several Hydra soldiers in different position of the auditorium. He then punched opened the hatch, which startled the Hydra Soldiers, and threw in three flashbangs. The three tactical projectiles exploded into blinding lights which caused the enemies to be stunned and fired their weapons at any direction. Frank then maneuver his way through the bullets and fired his ionic blasters at each of the Hydra soldiers. Once each soldier was disintegrated, he then lowers his weapons and monitors his surroundings. Hearing a pain-filled groan, Frank turns around and blasts the last surviving Hydra soldier of the church. He then hears clapping from the top of the auditorium and points his weapons at their direction.
In front of the Punisher sat a man who wore technologic battle armor with Italian noble clothing from medieval times covering some of it. His head and face were covered by a blue sackish like mask with a golden chained eyepatch covering his left eye area. This was Venetian Noble and what ticked Frank the most about this guy's costume is that it reminded him way too much of Helmut Zemo.
"I must say, you are a rather efficient man, Signore Frank Castle", the Italian false hero announced his presence.
"There's nothing that makes my day than watching so many Hydra punks being sent to hell through a well shot bullet or a painful slice of a damn good knife", Frank threatened.
"Even if they are of Italian blood like yourself", V N taunted as he slowly rose from his wooden throne.
Instead of answering that, Frank fired at full blast with his ionic blasters at the false pro-hero. However, some kind of barrier blocked the destructive energy from hitting its target.
"Hydra absolutely loves the utility of this ionic energy. For example, this ionic conducting glass barrier between us is durable enough to take on a dozen hits from the world's strongest military tanks", V N explained as Frank lowers his weapons.
"I must say it is quite an honor to meet you, but as we all you don't tend to let people who you have disdain for live on the first encounter. You see, the truth is that Hydra is after the ionic energy that is somehow stabilized and is stockpile within the hollow earth of the planet. They plan on creating super soldiers that can manipulate ionic energy. This project on creating an army of living weapon has been starting to become a grand failure, but that all changes when they came across the American named Simon Williams. How fortunate for Hydra that one of their elite members was Erik Williams, the older brother of Simon Williams. He was tasked to capture his younger brother and bring him here to Italy. Unfortunately for you, the older brother had just left an hour ago, but he did leave me him", V N explained as he pointed up.
Frank looked up to see the chapel's ceiling light turn on to reveal a mechanical chamber with a translucent glass that showed it contained an unconscious Simon Williams. The mechanism glow with pure ionic energy.
"Although I don't give much care for the American people, I must say there is something special about this boy. Hundreds of failed ionic experiments and hundreds of dead test subjects, this American teenager from California is the only human in the world that can natural conduct ionic energy. What's more interesting is that manipulation of ionic energy is completely not quirk related, almost as if it is another sort of bodily power hidden within him, in fact his body hold ionic energy older than the ionic energy in the hollow earth itself. It's almost as if it held on to him from a different lifetime, almost REINCARNATE", V N announced and hearing that word made the Punisher even more alert.
"So, Hydra knows about us then. Why are you telling me all this? You know what Hydra will do to you for betraying their trust, right? What do you possibly think you'll get out of this by talking to me?", Frank demanded for answers.
"You and I have one thing in common Signore Castle. We both despise Hydra. To be honest, I don't care what Hydra plans are for world domination and I don't care what any of their goals are. The only reason I joined them is so that could do some recognizance on their work for my true superiors. Who they are? I can't tell you, but I do hope we can make a negotiation. You and your SHIELD allies are currently putting your attention Italy so far. You and your Thunderbolt friends are more specifically after three things. To secure the American boy, to fully establish peace within Italy, and to send me to a maximum prison. Unfortunately for you Punisher, I can only live without one of those things", V N explained.
"And that would be?", Frank asked.
"I offer an ultimatum, two choices for you to decide. Either take the boy and leave Italy and me to our own affairs… or", V N then pressed a switch on a small remote.
Three green fluid filled chambers emerged from the floor panels in front of Frank. Each of the chambers contained a woman wearing a black full bodysuit.
"You can continue on your mission and die in this church", V N finalized as Frank observed the chambers.
The chambers from left to right were labeled Nine, Two, and Five. The woman on the left had long black hair and her bodysuit had thin red tubes running along the limbs. The woman on the right had long blonde hair and her bodysuit had black thin tubes. Finally, the woman in the middle had long red hair and silver tubes.
"Beautiful, aren't they? These women were once Hydra spies sent to report any form of betrayal I could have committed. They succeeded in catching me in the act, but they never got to report it in time. Hydra knew that I was a double agent, especially with the rumors of me killing my overseer who monitored my operations in Italy. They aren't dead if that was what you were thinking. No, my true superiors had come to me with the offer to take these women off my hands and return them as soldiers that generals could only dream of. Their quirks and bodies modified to become true super soldiers. So, what will it be, Signore Castle? Take the boy and leave or die at the hands of these deadly maidens?", V N declared as Frank scowled under his mask.
"I'm continuing my mission. Also, who said you were going to prison. SHIELD may want you locked up, but I want you dead", Frank gave his final answer.
"Pity, but not unexpected. Nine. Two. Five. kill him", the Italian ordered as all three women opened their eyes simultaneously.
The three women burst from their chambers and summoned levitating tendrils from their hands. They surrounded Frank as Venetian Noble walked to a part of the auditorium that was covered by a red curtain. The Italian traitor removed the curtains and revealed a cave like entrance.
"This is goodbye, Frank Castle. As my women kill you, I shall finally fulfill my destiny", V N then walked into the cave, but was stopped by Frank Castle calling out to him.
"Hey Noble, you said this ionic conducting glass barrier was strong, right?", Frank asked.
Before Venetian Noble could answer that, an arrow had just pierced into the barrier.
"Too bad it has nothing on adamantium arrowhead", Frank said as the arrowhead opened up to reveal a sonic emitter that completely shattered the barrier.
Ziplining into the scene, Trick Shot and Black Knight prepared themselves with their signature weapons.
"Frank, what the hell man? Carter said we do this rescue mission in the morning", Trick Shot said angrily.
"We are doing this in the morning. Two in the morning", Punisher said nonchalantly.
"Seriously, Frank. People need sleep", Black Knight complained.
"Quit your bitching ladies and choose a dance partner", Frank ordered as he and his teammates fought the three women.
As the thunderbolts fought, Venetian Noble entered the cave and traversed the underground system of mined tunnels to reach his destination. A large stone wall stood in front of him. The stone wall held an old red painted scorpion. Placing his gloved hand on the wall, the Italian double agent was filled with ecstasy for what lay beyond the wall.
"I waited far too long for this change of fate. I've betrayed. I've killed. I've lied. I've abandoned so much to get here. This prize will make me god and then my people will be free. Free to be anything they want to be. Away from Hydra. Away from SHIELD. Away from all the oppressive laws that held them back. And now, I shall finally find peace for my purpose is complete. Lode a Da Vinci", he proclaimed as he ignites his quirk into his hands and turned the wall into sand.
With nothing stopping him, he enters the stone room uncaring of the foreign SHIELD agents that still pose a threat to his plans.