Old Man: Good morning, Y/N.

You slowly opened your eyes to a bright light. You slowly raised your hand to block out the light before your eyes adjusted.

You slowly lowered your arm and found someone standing there.

Old Man: It's been some time since we last spoke, hasn't it?

You couldn't believe what you saw. Standing there, just as you remembered, was the Old Man.

Y/N: What is this? H-How are you here?

Old Man: I'm not. Not really, at least. How are you, kid? You seem like you're doing well. You grew.

You walked over to him and lifted a hand out towards him. You stopped yourself and stood there.

Y/N: Where am I? Am I dead?

The Old Man shook his head.

Old Man: No. You're in the Wellspring of Power. And, I guess in your guide.

Y/N: My guide? Guide to what?

The Old Man just smiled and held out his hand.

Old Man: Come with me and see.

You stood there for a moment, before you took his hand.

Monster:
Year 1

Riri flew overhead and fired off the missiles she had installed the day before. Good investment.

Down below, the others fought with the incoming forces. Doom watched this from the window as he waited for the ritual to finish.

Doom: Take care of them. They must not interrupt the ritual.

His allies nodded. Those who could, left to join the fight. But Taskmaster stopped and looked at the Wellspring. He pondered for a moment, before he looked at Doom. The only ones who remained were the injured Maximus and MODOCK. Those two would be capture should the heroes succeed. The ones who left to fight for Abomination, Monica, Green Goblin, and Midnight's Fire.

Taskmaster looked down at his hand for a moment before he shook his head and left the room.
----------------
Y/N: Where are we?

Old Man: The past. Before your birth. The age of the Strikers.

You stood there, but not as yourself. You were someone else. Someone on a ship. It was dark and raining. Defeated men were scattered everywhere.

Moon Knight: Taskmaster, snap out of it.

You looked over to him and Codex.

Taskmaster: What are we here for? The Creator said this was a recon mission. The hell are they guarding?

Codex: We don't know. But this is why he sent us. Whatever is in that container is something Hydra wants.

The three of you looked at the shipping container that the men were trying so desperately to defend.

Taskmaster: So? We gonna open it or what?

Moon Knight stepped forward and placed a hand on the box. He reached into his belt and pulled out a knife which he used to break the lock. He then grabbed the handle and pulled it open.

Once it was fully open, the three of you looked inside. There was only one thing there.

Y/N: What is it?

Old Man: The beginning of everything.

You walked over to it and opened the case. You lifted the lid, and the box was filled with a blinding blue light.

Codex: My God. It's...it's an Infinity Stone.

Taskmaster: Infinity Stone? That thing Dr. Richards is always on about?

Moon Knight reached out and picked up the containers which held the stone. It glowed brilliantly and even from where you were standing, you could feel the energy emitting from it.

Moon Knight: We should take this back. We can't leave this with these motherfuckers.

Codex: I agree.

She touch the com in her ear.

Codex: This is Team Alpha. Ready for evac.
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Nadia: How's everyone doing?

Miles: Been better. Kinda helps that I can beat up as many AIM dorks as I can.

Nadia took down another soldier just as she heard what seemed to be loud footsteps. She looked around the battlefield and spotted the massive monster rampaging through whoever stood in his way.

Gwen: Is that Abomination?!

Sam: We got this. Fist Bros...UNITE!

Danny, Sam, and Miles all headed off to deal with the giant while Nadia spotted Monica nearby. She had full control over a mechanized suit of armor which she was using to fire into the crowd. Nadia went to stop her, but sudden bombs began to drop from the sky.

The Green Goblin let out a laugh as he flew overhead. Down below, Midnight's Fire fought everyone he could get his hands on.

Riri: Looks like the bad guys came out to play. Wasp, Viv, and Scarlet Witch, you guys Goblin. Iron Fist, you're with me. We're taking out Midnight's Fire. Gwenpool, Wolverine, and Polaris, you girls got Monica.

Danny turned to his friends.

Danny: I'm required elsewhere.

Sam: Go. We got this guy.

Miles: Yeah. We got ourselves a secret tool.

Danny charged through the fight towards Midnight's Fire as he kicked a Wakandan soldier away. Danny charged his fist and swung which sent Midnight's Fire flying.
----------------
You leaned against the wall and watched as the Creator looked at the Infinity Stone. You had gotten back and gave him your report while Codex and Moon Knight listened in. You were still new so they just wanted to make sure you were well adjusted to doing this kind of thing.

Creator: This is quite interesting. How did Hydra manage to get their hands on this?

Taskmaster: Maybe they stole it?

Creator: I wouldn't put it past them. Good work today, Taskmaster. You did well.

You nodded.

Taskmaster: So, what happens now? Are we getting rid of it? Turning it over to SHIELD?

Creator: No. This will remain in the Strikers protection. It's too dangerous to be trusted with anyone else. Dr. Richards will come tomorrow to look at it with Dr. Doom.

You were a bit hesitant but you agreed. The Creator dismissed you and you headed out of the briefing room with Moon Knight and Codex following you.

Moon Knight: Good work.

He punched your shoulder and headed down the hall without another word. Codex walked alongside you towards the mess hall.

Y/N: Why can't I remember their names? These are Taskmaster's memories, right? Then why doesn't call them by their names?

Old Man: The Strikers had an unspoken rule. For the first two years, no one knew anyone's names. It was strictly professional. By this point, some did know their identities. But not Taskmaster. Not yet.

Codex: You did good tonight. You should be proud.

Taskmaster: Thanks. But, isn't it a bit weird that we aren't telling anyone about this stone? It seems kinda dangerous not to.

Codex just shrugged.

Codex: If the Creator has a plan, I'm willing to trust it.

Codex stopped walking when she noticed someone inside the mess hall. A large man who had his back turned towards you both. You looked at Codex and noticed that she looked a bit scared.

This was odd since you knew that she could take on anyone at this point. She did have countless amazing powers thanks to her own. But whenever she saw him, she would get scared.

Codex: Uh, I'm gonna go wash up and get to bed. Good night, Task.

You were about to return the gesture, but she was already gone. Probably invisible.

Y/N: Who is that guy?

Old Man: Him?

Y/N: Yeah. And why was my mom so scared of him?

Old Man: You see, boy, the Strikers weren't just some heroes I rounded up. I'm sure Venom had told you already but, he wasn't the best person around. Neither was him. Your father.

Your eyes went wide as you looked at your father.

Y/N: Wait, but my mom was terrified of him.

Old Man: She had good reason to be. But, they did figure things out. I'm sure you'll see that for yourself.

Y/N: So, what does all of this have to do with me?

Old Man: The Infinity Stone was the first one we discovered. We eventually went on to find three more. With them, we were able to fully understand our place in the universe. But, that's not what this story is about.

Suddenly, you were in a neighborhood. One you didn't recognize.

Y/N: Where are we?

Old Man: Why don't you go inside and see?

You looked at the house in front of you. A nice two story home with a well kept lawn. Slowly, you approached the gate and entered the yard. Once you reached the door, you turned around but found that you were alone.

You turned back to the door, and opened it.
------------
Doom: Now, your power will be mine.

Doom held his arm out over the Wellspring of Power as it swirled. It began to glow and the energy began to move towards his hand.

MODOCK: Finally. Soon, the Mandarin will rise again!

Doom began to laugh as the power embedded itself into his gauntlet.

Doom: I will wield the power to save this universe. I shall be it's savior!

The rings began to shake on the podium before they all rose into the air. Suddenly, they all shot out to his hands where they landed on each of his fingers.

Doom let out a cry as his eyes began to glow and the power fused with his body.

MODOCK: Yes!

Doom: I feel it! I feel it all!

Outside, everyone fought as hard as they could. Riri and Danny fought Midnight's Fire while the others worked to take down Goblin, Monica, and Abomination.
----------------
You slowly opened your eyes to the sound of the sink running and little footsteps running around. Must've fallen asleep on the couch again.

You let out a yawn as you sat up and stretched.

???: Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?

You looked behind you to the person walking out of the kitchen. Your wife.

Y/N: Nah. I needed to wake up anyway.

You got up and walked over to her as she dried her hands with her cloth. She smiled as you grabbed her shoulders and planted a kiss on her head.

Y/N: Hey, Kit Kat.

Felicia: Hey, Frankie.

Girl: Daddy!

You separated from your wife as the little footsteps approached you. You smiled as you reached down and picked up the young girl with ease.

Y/N: Ahhhh! There's the little terror!

Elise: You got me!

You squeezed your daughter which made her giggle. You held her as you placed an arm around your wife.

Y/N: What is this?

Old Man: Your future. Or, at least, a possible one.

You turned around and found the Old Man leaning against the wall. You were watching yourself, now an adult, living a life you only dreamt of.

Y/N: Why am I seeing this? What's the point?

Old Man: You'll see. Just keep watching.

You turned back to the scene as someone knocked on the front door. Felicia walked over to it and opened it with a smile.

Felicia: Oh, hi!

???: Hey, Party Hardy. How are you?

Felicia: Well, now that I got my husband back in one piece, I'm doing pretty good. Thanks for looking out for him.

The man standing there smiled and Felicia left him in.

Y/N: Who's that?

Old Man: Someone you'll meet eventually. A brother, of sorts.

Y/N: Hey. What brings you over to our neighborhood?

Man: Can't visit my brother?

You hugged the man after you set Elise down.

Man: Look how big you got, E. Getting your greens?

Elise: Yep.

Man: Good. Still giving your parents trouble?

Elise: Always.

Man: That's my niece.

He gave her a high five and looked back to you.

Man: Well, I figured I'd stop by. Say hey and whatnot before I head over to Seoul.

Y/N: Right. Thanks again for doing this.

Man: Nah. Don't mention it. Spend time with your family. You earned it after that last mission.

You snorted at the thought of what you did just a day before. It was good to be home.

Y/N: Mission? What mission?

Old Man: This is a glimpse of a future that could be. But I can say, the Striker name lives with you. You, you'll make it more than what I could. What I wanted it to be.

You were back in the bright area where it was just you and the Old Man.

Y/N: Why show me this? Why show me Taskmaster finding the Stone? Why show me a future that might not even happen?

Old Man: It will make sense in due time. But, you can take something away from this.

He turned to you.

Old Man: You were born to be a hero. Regardless of what Doom said. You have your mother's heart. You know that you have to fight against those who wish harm on others. You may be the Godslayer, but you're so much more.

He placed a hand on your shoulder.

Old Man: You are Y/N. Y/N Romanoff. Y/N Storm. Y/N Creed. No matter what you call yourself. You are Y/N. The Godslayer. The Monster. So, I need you to wake up. Fight. Protect everyone. Save the day.

You lowered your head.

Y/N: Can I really do it? I mean, I don't even have my powers.

Old Man: You're in the Wellspring of Power. Trust me, kid. You got this.

You looked down at your hand and grinned a bit.

Y/N: I'm the Monster of Power. Actually, it kinda got a ring to it.

Old Man: Use it good. Now, go. Kick some ass.

You nodded and looked back behind you. There, you saw Doom wield the rings as he approached the battlefield.

Y/N: Thank you. For everything, you know.

Old Man: Of course. Just remember that you're a hero. No matter how hard it gets. Godspeed, kid. And Excelsior.

You looked back behind you and saw the old man's smiling face. The same one that always comforted you when you were young.

His name was Stan Lee. The Creator. The Old Man.

Your hero.

And you were going to do him good. No matter what.

Y/N: Let's do this.