Monster:
Strikers

Victor sat with his back against the fallen tree. What was the year again? He couldn't quite remember. He didn't even know if he wanted to. He had been alive for along time. That's all he really needed to know.

Maybe it hasn't been that long. Maybe it has. Maybe it hasn't. Maybe it has.

He watched the people celebrate the end of some war. One that he had fought in himself. He recalled it was the Civil War here in America. Fighting for some countries freedom or another. He didn't really remember.

Maybe he joined just because it was something to do.

He lifted the bottle of whiskey to his lips and took a drink.

The world wasn't a forgiving place. Peace won't ever last for very long. Not long enough to do anything, anyway. These people will grow old. They will die. Their children will do the same.

He'll see so many generations pass on. He won't even age a year.

He had seen the brutality of man in person. He had seen how horrible they could really be. How bloodthirsty they truly were.

Elise: They're not that bad.

Victor looked up at the voice, but no one was there. Was he already drunk?

He almost laughed. They're not that bad, eh? Sure. They weren't that evil.

They'll never change.

Once again, music filled your ears as you walked down the stairs that lead to the hideout of the man you had just finished a job for. Some kind of grudge rock played loudly as you walked through the nearly dark hall.

You knew these kind of places well.

These lairs were always the same.

Drugs.

Weapons.

Whores.

At the end of it all, was the big boss himself. You entered the main office and stood before the large wooden desk. Sitting on the otherside, was the bossman himself. On both sides stood his bodyguards who looked ready to open fire at the first sign of danger. On the leader's lap was a girl who looked only a bit older than yourself.

He knew that people never truly changed.

Grim Reaper: Imposters! Imposters!

Viv: M0ther? M0ther?

Awoken by the noise, Vin phased through the floor and found the source of the commotion. You were still asleep, unable to awaken or even realize what was going on.

Virginia: Vivian!

The Grim Reaper suddenly slashed down at Vin, slicing his arm.

Grim Reaper: Frauds! Artificial jokes!

He then pulled out a blaster and fired it at Virginia which knocked her down. He turned to Vin.

Grim Reaper: You pretend to be my family? You're not! You aren't real!

He sliced at Vin again, getting his other arm.

Grim Reaper: Simon is real! I am real! Fid you think I wouldn't find you? Everywhere I look, I see you. Everyone is so eager to share their photos of their new perfect family.

Viv: M0ther? M0ther? M0ther?

The Grim Reaper stepped on Viv as he made his way towards the crawling Vin.

Grim Reaper: A family made from a stolen copy of my own brother! When will you learn? Vision is not Wonder Man!

Vin was grabbed by his shoulder and pushed against the cabinets as the Grim Reaper lifted up his blade.

Grim Reaper: You are not a family! YOU ARE NOT REAL!

Mankind was cruel. They fought against each other more than they faced true threats.

Taskmaster laughed as he walked over to you. He stopped laughing and punched you in the gut which knocked the air out of you. You dropped to your knees before he kicked you in the face.

Taskmaster: You'll learn to shut up and take orders before long, Godslayer.

He grabbed you by your hair and punched you again before he dropped you on the ground. He walked away for a moment before he sighed.

Taskmaster: Why do you even care about what happens to the broad? You're not supposed to make attachments. Unless that moron never got to the programing.

You spat out some blood as you tried to push yourself up. Suddenly, something landed in front of you. A collar.

Taskmaster: Put it on.

He laid his head back against the wood and looked up at the stars. Evil will always be present. It'll always be there to tear apart the peace. And good people were a dying breed.

He saw it now. As he watched people celebrate the victory of the North, despite all the bloodshed and carnage.

Evil will always win, because it'll never go away.

Elise: That's a horrible way to think.

Victor looked to his left to see a pair of feet dangling. He followed them up to find a woman sitting there. She was...gorgeous.

Elise: Evil will always be there, sure. But it doesn't mean it'll always win.

Victor raised a brow as she looked down at him. She had E/C eyes.

Elise: Good will always be there, as well. The desire to do good. There'll always be heroes.

Felicia felt her stomach turn. If you did, you would be leaving. She would be...alone.

Felicia: W-Why?

You took the note back and placed it into your pocket.

Y/N: Because it's the right thing to do. I have these powers and I can help people like what we just did. We did a good thing, Felicia.

Felicia: I-I know. But this is kind of a big decision and...

Y/N: And I've been thinking about it for a long time. I....I can't keep doing this.

Felicia looked at you.

Felicia: Doing what?

Y/N: This. All the stealing and crime and hiding. This is my chance to go and do good. Actual good.

Elise: We have to teach the younger generation.

Widow: Now, the Program operates under both the Avengers and SHIELD. As such, we have access to every file SHIELD has on villians, criminals, etc. We also have the same alarm system as the Avengers so we'll be notified if there's a threat. Of course, the Avengeds will assess the threat and then we'll decide if we want the Program involved. Outside of the Program, if you want, you can do solo work. But you will need to report to me every once and a while just to make sure you aren't getting wrapped up in something bigger.

Y/N: This seems like a lot. I mean, why can't I just fight bad guys?

Widow sighed.

Widow: It used to be that easy. But times have changed. We represent hope among the public. The symbols we wear mean something to them. If we mess up, the people we protect will begin to fear us. That's the real difference between good and evil.

Elise: We have to show them who they could be.

Virginia: Natasha and Y/N seem kind.

Vision: Nice. It is proper to say they seem nice.

Virginia: I disagree. "Kind" carries a much more positive attribution than "nice". "Nice" is in fact often used ironically. And I am not being ironic.

Vision: You misunstand. It is the ironic aspect of "nice" that gives the statement its meaning. As "kind" is unironic, to seem "kind" is to imply the potential of not being kind, or of being cruel. And, Y/N does not seem to be capable of being cruel.

Virginia looked at the stairs where you had dissapered.

Virginia: I suppose your are correct. He seems, nice.

Victor: What if they never learn? What if...they repeat the mistakes of the past?

Y/N: Sentinel?

Ororo: Does this word mean anything to you?

You shook your head. Never heard of it before.

Logan: They're mutant hunting machines. Designed for our eradication.

Y/N: Wait, you mean these things are designed to hunt mutants down? What for?

Ororo: Because people fear us. Even after all the good we've done.

People feared Mutants? But why? Cap and Thor had powers. Plus the X-Men helped people. The entire world was filled with mutants.

What was the difference between them and the other super heroes?

Y/N: That sounds awful.

Logan: You better get used to it, kid. The moment people find out that you're a mutant, they'll see you differently. They always do.

Elise just smiled as she turned back to the fire. Victor did the same and found everyone celebrating once again.

Strange, considering they had lost this war. They had to call everyone back after being ruthlessly assaulted by the jungles of Vietnam.

Elise: That's the thing about human kind. They do learn. They learn by making their mistakes.

Y/N: What the hell is up with you? You could've gotten seriously hurt. Or killed!

Riri: I'm fine.

Y/N: You say that, but this is the second time you've frozen up like this. You need help, Ri. Professional help. Program help! We can help you. Just...

Riri: I need to figure out what happened to Daija! I need to act like a hero and handle my own business! I need to be a leader and not get my team involved in this! I need to stop being ruled by fear!

Y/N: So your mother deserves to lose somebody again because you're too prideful?! She's worried about you more than I am and that's saying a lot right now.

Riri deactivated her helmet and glared at you.

Riri: You don't know. You wouldn't know.

She marched towards you and jammed her finger against your chest.

Riri: I lost more than you could know that day! You wouldn't understand what me and my mama felt! So don't go around pretending like you do!

You swatted her hand away.

Y/N: Why?! Cause I'm an orphan with no family?! You act like I don't know what it feels like to lose people! Well guess what, Riri, I do!

You and Riri stood there for a moments before you both realized what you had just said. Your faces changed from anger, to regret. You both calmed down and you had Venom cover your face again.

Riri: You should go.

Y/N: Yeah. Just....just keep me posted.

Riri: Yeah. Sorry, I just need to be alone.

Elise: But, as long as we're together, we can change.

Riri looked at you and you smiled before placing a hand on her shoulder.

Y/N: You got this.

Riri nodded and took a deep breath.

Riri: Um, hi. My name is Riri Williams. And I'm....still working on things.

But she wasn't alone anymore. She didn't have to fly solo.

She had a friend.

Elise hopped down from the old tree and stepped onto the grass. She walked forward a bit before she stopped.

Elise: Human connection. It's what helps us grow. It's what unites us. It's what pushes us to do better.

You laid on the floor of your room with Felicia. Both of you laid in a way that your feet were on opposite sides of the rooms while you laid your heads together.

Your phone was set up in between you both playing some song Kamala put on it. It was late, but the two of you just wanted to be together.

Maybe not as a couple, but you were both okay with just being friends right now.

Y/N: I want to meet the other X-Men. To learn about my mother. I was going to call the Professor later but...I wanted to talk to you first.

Widow looked over to the girls who sat there in anticipation. Widow then turned back to you.

Widow: Why did you want to talk to me first?

You shrugged.

Y/N: Because, you're my fill in mom. I honestly think I would feel better if I had your blessing to do this.

Widow was caught off guard. She thought about it before she reached out and ruffled your hair.

Widow: Go ahead.

You smiled as Widow stopped.

Y/N: Thank you.

Widow: And about yesterday, sorry I was like that. I just....

She looked over at the others who were now staring at her.

Widow: Uh, nevermind. So, who made breakfast?

Nadia: It all looks so good! And we don't know how long we'll have to wait.

She kept walking while looking straight, right on a busy street. You hurried and picked her up as you ran across the street to avoid the incoming traffic.

Y/N: Whoa! Not really into looking both ways, are you?!

Nadia: Look at what both ways?

Venom: You never know where the gapss of knowledge are going to be.

Y/N: You have to look both ways before you cross the street.

You reached the other side after all the honking and avoiding. You set Nadia down and sighed.

Nadia: Why do I need to look both ways?

Y/N: So you don't get hit by a car. New York drivers are ruthless. They'll see you, but they won't care.

Venom: Honessstly, might asss well ssspeed up.

Nadia: Ah! Thank you!

She suddenly hugged you which made you blush a bit. Even Venom was surpised.

Nadia: You are such a good friend, Y/N! You're always looking out for me!

You awkwardly stood there before she let go. You just shyly rubbed the back of your neck.

Sam: But, uh, what do you think about everything so far? Pretty cool, huh?

You nodded and smiled.

Y/N: Yeah. I-I feel like I'm actually doing good. Like, I'm finally using my powers to do something great.

Sam smiled.

Sam: That's cool. I felt the same way when I joined up with Miles and Kamala. Like the three of us were doing good.

You raised a brow.

Y/N: Who's Miles and Kamala?

Sam sat there for a moment before he took a drink from his soda.

Sam: I've said too much.

O-kay. You just nodded, but you immediately pieced it together.

Y/N: Kamala and Miles are...!

Sam quickly covered your mouth and you covered his hand as you both stopped you from screaming out their identities. Sam looked at you.

Sam: Speak no evil, Y/N.

You nodded. You both took your hands off of your mouth and sighed. That was a close one. You needed to be more careful. Your order was called and Sam grabbed it from the counter. He brought it back to the table and you both grabbed your food.

Sam: Here we go, amigo.

Victor watched as she stared at the people dancing. They looked so peaceful.

Victor: And if they don't change? What then?

Elise didn't answer. She simply stood there. She turned around to look at him.

Elise: You did, didn't you? When you joined us.

Victor looked around the room to see his teammates all gathered. They watched him as he nervously shifted in his new uniform.

Victor: I changed because I had someone help me. Other's aren't that lucky.

Damon: The Strikers were sent to stop them. By the time we got there, however....

Moony: She was gone. Vanished without a trace. So was Doom and Taskmaster. That's also when we learned that they weren't working alone.

Y/N: The Ten Rings.

So the Ten Rings were responsible for everything after all.

Damon: And to make manners worse, Taskmaster had all of our files leaked. Not to the public, though.

Moony: We had the Ten Rings coming after us. All of us. Most of us manages to escape but we all went into hiding. The only deaths were Venom's former host, and your mother.

Taskmaster was the reason they died? He leaked their files?

Damon: The only one we were able to beat was the Mandarin. But even that was close. None of is have made contact with each other since. Besides me and Moony, of course.

The bodies of his comrades laid around the room. Covered in their own blood. All defeated by the only one missing.

Taskmaster: It's true. But, you do remember that you're the one who took her from me.

Victor turned around to find Taskamaster standing there. And he wasn't alone. The members of the Ten Rings stood beside him. All ready to fight.

Victor: You killed your family.

Taskmaster: They were never my family. Besides, what the hell would you know about family? You're a fucking monster.

Victor clenched his fists.

Victor: Believe me, I know what family is. I had a good teacher.

Y/N: So, if I use you to pull Carnage away.....

Venom: That'll be it.

You stood there for a moment as the revelation ran through your head. If you pulled Carnage away from Cletus, the only way to end this, Venom would dissappear.

Venom: We have to do thisss.

Y/N: No. No. No no no no....

Venom: It'sss the only way to sssave everyone!

Y/N: I'm not losing you!

Venom suddenly pulled you to the ground and appeared above you.

Venom: You don't have a choice!

You looked at him with wide eyes. He's never snapped like this before.

Venom: You don't have a choice. I lossst everyone already. The Ssstrikerss are gone. They all left asss heroesss.

Y/N: I-I can't lose you. I...

Venom: Kid, you're a hero. I know the Creator bassshed a bunch of crap in your head. He did the sssame to me. A hero doesss what they need to in order to sssave the day.

You slowly sat up as you looked at Venom. You slowly nodded.

Y/N: Fine. But, if we can find another way...

Venom: We need to sssstop him. No matter what.

You stood back up and you both looked towards the Empire State.

Y/N: No matter what.

Y/N: Okay. This is will be work. This will work out.

Wanda looked at you before she placed a hand on your cheek.

Wanda: You'll do great, darling. And we'll find others. But for now, let's enjoy this.

You smiled a bit before you nodded.

Y/N: You're right.

Wanda grinned before she reached up and kissed you.

Tandy: Why? Why are you so willing to just trust us? All we've done for you is drag you to some dark dimension and get you into a fight with some chaos lord.

You scratched your neck before you shook your head.

Y/N: You also helped me save the world from an invasion. One that even the Avengers wouldn't be able to handle. And you helped me save my friend. Someone very important to me.

You walked over and sat down beside them.

Y/N: Can I tell you guys something? Something that I haven't told Wanda?

Tyrone and Tandy both nodded.

Y/N: I lost someone very close to me. He was like my brother. I wasn't strong enough to save him. And I blame myself for that. Every single day. But even before that, I lost someone who meant more to me than anything else in the world. That was because I wasn't strong enough to hold onto her or tell her how I felt before it was too late. I was experimented on from birth. Burdened with these incredible powers. I was scared for most of my life because of it.

You lifted your hand and created a very small ball of fire.

Y/N: But then, I realized that I didn't need to fear my powers. I could use them to help others. To inspire. To become more than just some scared kid. If I had realized that before, I could've saved the ones I lost.

You got rid of the ball of fire and turned to the two, and smiled.

Y/N: But I didn't learn that on my own. You two have amazing potential to be heroes. It would be an honor to have you two on the Strikers. You won't need ro run anymore. Not with us.

Tandy and Tyrone looked at each other for a moment. Tandy smiled as did Tyrone.

Tandy: Okay. You win.

Tyrone: We'll join the Strikers.

Y/N: So, you're coming with me to Burns?

Laura nodded.

Laura: I kinda hate it over at the Program. They're too....nice.

You chuckled a bit.

Y/N: Of course you think that. Well, welcome to the Strikers.

Robbie: So, Alaska.

You nodded.

Robbie: Well, guess we better get going, then.

Y/N: Alright.

You all climbed into the car and Robbie started it up. He hesitated for a moment before he turned to you.

Robbie: How do I get there?

You looked at him for a moment before you turned back to the road.

Y/N: Just drive. We'll get there eventually.

Robbie nodded.

Robbie: I can deal with that.

Alex: So, Y/N?

You smiled as you took off your mask.

Y/N: Y/N Romanoff Creed. Not that I really need the secret identity. Everyone close to me is...well....unstoppable. My dad is Sabertooth for God's sake.

Chase: Just take care of our little hero. If you don't....

Y/N: You guys don't have to worry. Strikers are family. I'll keep her safe til my last breath.

Y/N: So, you two staying around?

Doreen: Uh, duh! Be a super hero and get a sick base? How could I say no?!

You nodded before you turned to Amora.

Y/N: Well?

Amora looked at you in surpise.

Amora: You want me to join you? Why?

You shrugged.

Y/N: Well, you don't work for the Ten Rings anymore. And you did stay behind to help us when you could've ran. So....

You held out a hand.

Y/N: Wanna be a Striker?

Amora looked at your hand before she looked at the others. They all smiled as they waited for her answer. Finally, she sighed and shook your hand.

Amora: Very well. I do suppose you could use a good sorceress.

Wanda frowned but you just laughed.

Y/N: Well, welcome to the Strikers, you two.

Y/N: So. You want in?

Elsa looked at her guns.

Elsa: Can you get me ammo?

You nodded.

Elsa: Fuck yeah I'm in.

You smiled.

Y/N: Then, welcome to the Strikers.

You began to growl as you closed your eyes.

Y/N: It's happening again!

Victor: It's alright, kid. You can't fight it.

Y/N: I...I don't want to hurt anyone.

Victor: And you won't.

You looked up at him. Victor saw the wild nature in your eyes. The fear.

Y/N: But....you....

Victor: It's okay.

He placed a hand on your shoulder.

Victor: I'm here.

Y/N: You won't....go?

Victor shook his head.

Victor: No. I'm not leaving you this time.

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath.

Y/N: Thank you.

Your eyes then shot open.

Loki: I wanna be a Striker!

The two girls looked at him unamused. Loki cheered as he spun around. He could see it now. Fighting side by side with some of Earth's strongest warriors. He could be something much more than some God of lies.

Wanda: Why?

Loki: I wanna be a hero! I want to prove to the world that I'm better than my fool of a brother!

Wanda and Amora looked at each other.

Pearl: Why do you need me on the Strikers? I mean, look at you guys!

Y/N: Well, the more the merrier, right? So, you wanna join?

Loki: We do have cookies.

Wanda: Join the dark side.

Pearl thought about it.

Who the hell were you?!

Medusa: Sister, you are being assigned to be the Inhuman representative for the Strikers.

Crystal: Wha....why me?

Medusa: Because your king demands it.

Crystal looked at your group then back to her sister. She sighed.

Medusa: But you can keep Lockjaw with you.

Molly: SQUISHY FACE!

Molly immediately began to squeeze the dog's face in glee while Crystal walked over to you.

Crystal: I guess I'm with you guys. Uh, my name is Crystal. It's nice to meet you. I heard a lot about your parents.

You just smiled.

Y/N: Nice to meet you, Crystal. Welcome to the Strikers. And, uh, don't worry. You'll fit in just fine. We're all a bit fucked up.

Y/N: A good teacher? Aw, you're gonna make me blush.

Victor turned back around to find you sitting with everyone back at the Manor. You were all smiling, laughing, celebrating your victory.

Peace never lasted very long.

Elise: And that's why they fight.

Victor felt a hand slip into his.

Elise: They know that peace never lasts long. They know the next threat is just around the corner. But they fight.

She smiled as she watched you interact with your friends.

No.

Your family.

Elise: They fight because it's the right thing to do.

Victor looked over to his wife. The mother of his child. But she was gone. Everything was gone.

He was once again sitting against the fallen tree. He looked around for a moment before he spotted the empty bottle of whiskey laying down beside him.

He looked up into the blue sky and closed his eyes.

Then, he smiled.

Victor: They fight, because it's the right thing to do. Of course you would say that, Storm.

He then let out a sigh as he sat up.

Victor: It was one of the reasons why I fell in love with you.

He got back up to his feet and started his walk back towards the Manor.

What a sweet dream.