Martian — Roleplayer Guild

A week ago

Hiro felt at home in the Triskelion, the massive SHIELD facility located in Washington D.C. It had been three years since he had last set foot in it, well actually only one year for Hiro due to time travel. The young genius had spent most of his formative years here, working in a youth think tank, coming up with technologies to make the world a safer place.

Even though he hadn’t been here in a while, Hiro still knew the layout well, passing by all his usual haunts. The young man passed by the living quarters assigned to Justice League members staying at the complex, then the Qunijet hangar, before arriving at the research section of the building.

As Hiro entered his old workplace, there were whispers from various technicians and scientists working for SHIELD, people wondering if Hiro came back from the dead like a lot of superheroes do. But Hiro ignored them as he reached a large door. Placing his hand on a sensor, Hiro was glad that he had his security clearance reinstated a few days prior as they had been rescinded while he was thought dead.

Once the scan finished, the large door opened. Hiro walked through, entering the familiar lab. The young scientists within didn’t even turn to look at the newcomer, too engrossed in the work they were doing. Hiro wasn’t surprised to find that he didn’t recognize most of the young researchers, as SHIELD undoubtedly had scooped up more young geniuses in the three years that had elapsed.

But he did spot one familiar face, off in the corner, surrounded by the soft glow of a dimensional rift. While the boy was definitely taller now, Hiro still recognized him as Bentley-23.

“What are you working on?” asked Hiro as he approached Bentley.

“Something far beyond you simple minds,” Bentley replied without looking, “So go back to your tinker suits and stun guns. I’m busy.”

“Yes, busy with an interdimensonal portal. I thought those were banned by SHIELD?”

“Screw SHIELD. I’m doing science,” Bentley said as he turned to Hiro, his eyes widening, “So the rumors are true. You aren’t dead.”

“Yep, not dead. I mean did you guys even look for me?”

Bentley laughed, “Well we just assumed that Toyman killed you. He’s been in maximum lock up since then.”

“Well no one killed me,” said Hiro with a smirk, “I just was bumping around the time stream for a while. I learned that I supposed to grow up to become a supervillain, which sucks.”

“I know the feeling. Most people just see me as a clone of the Wizard, and not my own person,” replied Bentley solemnly, “So which villain are you supposed to be?”

“Kang the Conqueror.”

“You mean the blue faced guy who kicked the Avengers’ asses?”

“Yep. But I’m doing everything I can to prevent that.”

“Like what? Isn’t the time stream fixed or something?”

“I don’t know. But I figured that the best way to prevent me from becoming a supervillain is to become a superhero first.”

“Really? What would you even be? You have no powers.”

“Well I got a super-suit which I stole off Kang. I was thinking of Iron Lad.”

“Isn’t that a little derivative? Plus Tony Stark would probably sue you for copyright infringement.”

“Actually I’m going to be working for Tony Stark,” replied Hiro with a smile, “He’s setting up a team of youth heroes and he offered me a spot.”

“I didn’t know that Stark was good with children,” laughed Bentley.

“I doubt that there would be any actual children. Just people a few years too young to join the League.”

“Well you would have my blessing on becoming a superhero. That is if you do one thing for me.”

“And what’s that?”

“You let me inspect your power suit. I want to see if Kang’s future technology stacks up anywhere close to my own.”

Hiro chuckled at this request. Even after three years Bentley was still the same, overconfident and curious. After how many changes Hiro had gone through since learning he was Kang, it was good to see that some things remained the same.

But he was ready for the change of becoming a hero if it meant he wouldn’t become that time tyrant. Whatever he did, Hiro would never willingly become Kang.

Today

New York was another place that Hiro hadn’t been in over a year. He had taken a Quinjet from the Triskelion to the Raft, a SHIELD detention facility located just offshore of NYC. The other SHIELD agents aboard the plane were there as transfers to the prison, new guards for the super-powered prisoners.

But Hiro was only on the Quinjet to get a ride to New York. He thanked the SHIELD pilot as he stepped off the Quinjet, fully dressed in his Iron Lad armor. Just as the Quinjet launched off the landing pad, Hiro did the same, the energy of the suit lifting him into the sky.

Seeing the city from above was an amazing experience for Hiro, as he became aware of the simple joy of being able to fly. While he had never been to Stark Tower before, Hiro knew to look for the over-sized STARK logo. Looking through his head up display, Hiro scanned the city, his suit’s computer locking onto the STARK logo from miles away.

Also in his HUD was the time. Hiro saw that he was a little bit late as the Quinjet had not departed on time. So he increased his thrusters as he blasted off to Stark Tower. Within a few minutes, Hiro reached his destination. He saw that there was a landing pad on the side of the building, but his suit warned him that there were defenses in place. Even though he knew that he could probably hack them with his suit, Hiro decided that would probably create a problem.

Instead he descended until he reached street level. Hiro then walked in the front door, still wearing his full power armor. At the front of the building was a receptionist who didn’t even bat an eye at Hiro’s appearance.

“I’m assuming you are here for that young hero gathering,” stated the receptionist, “Can I get your name?”

“Iron Lad. But if you want my real name it’s Hiro Okamura,” replied Hiro.

“Iron Lad eh? Either you’re really derivative or you’re a super fan,” she chuckled, “Anyway just take the elevator up.”

Hiro was slightly hurt at being called a super fan. He had picked the name Iron Lad because he had similar armor to Iron Man and he was a youth. It made sense right? But Hiro pushed the thought aside as he entered the elevator.

As some music played on the elevator’s speakers, Hiro decided to take off his helmet. It always made him sweaty and he wanted to look the best for this meeting. As the door opened, Hiro found that he wasn’t the first hero to arrive.

There was a man wearing white armor similar to Black Panther, a black haired woman, a blond man, a blond woman, and a child with feathers. The last one gave Hiro pause. Apparently Bentley was right in that there would be children involved. He looked maybe eleven or twelve, too young to even be a sidekick in Hiro’s mind. But he trusted that Tony Stark knew what he was doing.

“Hello, my name is Hiro,” stated Hiro as he entered the room, “My apologies for being late.”

Still in his power armor, Hiro felt out of place as most of the others were in civilian garb, save for the Black Panther looking man. Hiro thought of taking a seat on the large couch, but he didn’t want to get any possible gunk that was on the armor on the expensive furniture. So instead Hiro remained standing, helmet in hand.
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