(MCU) Forged Reality: Chapter 17 - Rising heroes program

Chapter 17 - Rising heroes program

Summary: Three teens, three dreams—and one billionaire with a plan that could change the future of heroism forever.

"Okay, so run it by me again why I'm here?" This was the tenth time Clint asked the same question.

He and Tony were standing inside an elevator that was going toward the top of one of Manhattan's tallest buildings. Why? Because apparently there was a candidate for their new program there.

Tony sighed as he answered, "Because this one is a big fan of yours, and I would like for you to give your opinion on her and see if you'll be willing to train her if she chooses to join."

Clint frowned and asked, "How the hell is a 14-year-old teen a fan of mine? Usually that's Nat's demographic, no?"

Tony winced a little. "It was until a couple of years ago. After the senate hearing, her reputation took a deep dive. But I agree with you; no teen has any place being your fan."

Clint scowled at Tony and shot back playfully, "Like you're one to speak, playboy; at least I'm a family guy."

Tony smirked at him and retorted, "Sure you want to go there, Legolas?"

Clint sighed before conceding, "Yeah, I guess you have a point. What's her name, by the way?"

The elevator dinged, and the door opened as Tony replied, "Kate Bishop."

The two walked out to be met with a tall man with a mustache that honestly screamed 'cartoon villain' in Tony's mind. The man smiled and said politely, "Mr. Stark, Mr. Barton, it is an honor."

Tony shook the man's hand. "Mr. Duquesne, it's a pleasure. I have to thank you for allowing us this opportunity."

The man smiled widely and shook his head. "None of that, Mr. Stark. If I'm being honest, I have my own ulterior motive. You see, young Kate still has a hard time accepting me; I hope this visit shall endear me more to her."

Clint chose to speak at this point. "I understand you. Our dear girls are both a blessing and a curse sometimes; my own has her stubborn moments."

The French man chuckled. "I couldn't say it better myself. I must thank you very much, Mr. Barton; Kate has been a big fan of yours since I met her. This chance you're offering her will mean the world."

Clint smiled. "It's our duty to inspire the next generation as well."

The man's smile grew wider, and he pointed toward the balcony. "You will find Kate practicing her bow out there."

Tony thanked the man again, and the two of them headed toward the open double doors that led to the balcony.

What they saw was a girl, about 14 years old with raven hair tied in a ponytail and wearing a purple track suit, standing at the edge of the balcony, aiming a bow and arrow toward a target that was hanging on the opposite wall of the balcony.

The arrow flew and missed the target by a few centimeters, but considering the size of the balcony, Tony still considered it an impressive shot for her age.

Even Tony was startled when Clint said loudly, "You need to lock your right elbow and adjust your bow with the direction of the wind."

The girl yelped and dropped her bow while staring at them with wide eyes. After a short moment, she composed herself and asked in a tone that still couldn't hide her shock, "Iron Man? HAWKEYE?"

Tony smirked and replied with a small, mock bow, "That's us, little lady."

The girl frowned and asked, "Why are you here?"

Tony shrugged and said casually, "I heard that you wanted to be a hero because of Legolas here."

The girl smiled a little and nodded, going on a little ramble, "Yeah. I saw you during the alien invasion four years ago. You jumped and shot so many of them down with just a bow and arrows. You were super cool, and I want to be just like you when I grow up."

Clint frowned at the girl a little. "I'm glad I could help you back then, Kate, but I hope you also saw how many times I almost died. Actually, the only reason I didn't is because shell-head here kept an eye on me and pulled me out of tight spots."

The girl's fists tightened at her sides, and she asked with a frown, "Do you think I can't be a hero like you?"

Clint shook his head and said seriously, "That's not what I'm saying. I want you to understand the dangers of your dream and to keep in mind that working alone never ends well; you will always need a team with you if you want to walk out of the bigger fights."

The girl looked down in deep thought for a long moment before nodding to herself with resolution. She looked up at them again with determination. "So if I get a team, can I be a hero like the two of you?"

Tony was surprised to be included in the statement. Clint smiled down at the girl and said kindly, "With this mindset, I'm sure you will be a great one."

The girl's eyes shined, and Tony took the chance. "Speaking of that, I think you will be interested in what we came here to offer you."

Tony began explaining the new program they were recruiting for; the girl's eyes began to shine. When Tony finished speaking, the girl looked at Clint with forced calm and said, "I, I would like to accept, but my mom..."

Clint laughed and patted the girl's head, which caused her to pout a little. "You're talking with the futurist here; do you think he wouldn't be ready for this?"

Kate looked at Tony with a tilted head, and Tony was happy to explain. "Your mom might not have agreed to it, but she signed full parental rights to your stepfather, who already signed the necessary paperwork for you."

The girl blinked in surprise before a frown began tugging at her brow. Tony sighed and tried to talk gently, "Can I give you a piece of advice? Sometimes the people that should care about us the most just have other priorities, and we miss those who do care for us even when they don't have to."

The girl's entire body tensed, and she bit out at Tony, "How would you know, rich boy!"

Tony looked around the penthouse they were in with a raised eyebrow. "Pot calling kettle black?" The girl blushed in embarrassment a little, but to her credit, she didn't move her glare away from him. Tony sighed. "Look, my dad was an asshole who cared more about his precious Captain America than he ever did about me; the one who raised me was his assistant Jarvis, and for that I love the latter while I spit on the first."

The glare the girl aimed at him was replaced by wide eyes, though she still looked tense. Tony had no idea what else he could say; he really did his best.

Clint decided to break the tense silence. "So what do you say, kid? Up to give your dream a shot? Just remember, we archers... we don't miss."

The girl smiled, though it was a little strained as she replied, "I would love to. Thank you both for the opportunity."

With that, Tony and Clint walked back inside, and after a quick farewell from the cartoon villain, they were back in the elevator.

There was a short moment of silence before Clint spoke. "It was nice of you to tell her all that, shell-head."

Tony shot the archer a quick glare and simply said, "Forget you heard it, bird-brain." Tony hated that he spoke about it in the first place; he certainly had no desire to open it any further.

Clint crossed his arms, leaned back on the wall, and hummed with narrow eyes aimed at Tony, which the genius chose to ignore. Instead, he said, "I will drop you at the farm on my way to the last recruit."

Tony stood in the corner of his living room and watched as the three kids he gathered sat apart from each other with an odd atmosphere between them.

Kate was sitting alone in the loveseat, looking at the boys with an unimpressed look in her eyes and crossed arms in front of her chest.

Peter was on the couch, his body tense as he kept looking between the two others with a nervous look on his face.

And finally, the last member of the group, Harley Kenner, sat on the armchair and tried to ignore the other two with an indifferent air, though because Tony knew him the longest, he could also notice the tension in the young teen's shoulders.

Eventually, Peter decided to break the tension and spoke first. "Hi, I'm Spider-Man..." Tony facepalmed; so much for wanting to keep the secret identity or make a dramatic revelation. Peter seemed to get what he said wrong a moment later and tried to fix it. "I mean Peter Parker. Yeah, my name is Peter Parker and not Spider-Man."

Harley looked interested all of a sudden and asked, "Spider-Man as in that blue and red vigilante from YouTube?"

Peter looked panicked from side to side, maybe hoping for some help to cover up his mistake, which was when Kate spoke. "Dude, you kind of sold yourself out already. But I got to admit I'm surprised; I thought it would be some kind of gymnast under that hood with the way you move."

Peter's face lightened up, and he began to ramble about his powers. "Actually, I was bitten by a radioactive spider a few months ago, and since then my agility became like that of a spider's; I got super strength and enhanced senses, as well as the ability to stick to walls."

Kate looked kind of impressed but kept an even voice as she complimented him. "Huh, pretty cool, Spider-dude."

Harley leaned forward and asked curiously, "So those webs in the videos, are they coming from your wrists, or what?"

Peter jerked back, a disturbed look on his face. "What?! No. I created those shooters and web fluid, you know, to work with the spider theme."

Harley tilted his head in surprise before acknowledging, "That's impressive; I would like to take a look at them later." Then the blonde paused and with a frown asked, "Wait, so why is your costume so crappy?"

Peter yelped in indignation. "I'm a fourteen-year-old teen with a budget; building those shooters already left me broke. I worked with what I had."

Kate chuckled. "Chill, dude, we get it. But really, blue and red? Your sense of fashion leaves a lot to be desired."

Peter just sighed in resignation, and Tony had to hold back the laughter that tried to burst out of him.

Kate's stare then moved to Harley, and she asked, "What about you, dude?"

Harley gave his own sigh of resignation before introducing himself. "My name is Harley Kenner. I met the mechanic a few years ago, and since then he's taught me a few things. I guess I want to be kind of the next Iron Man."

Peter looked at him for a moment before saying with way too much enthusiasm, "That's so cool. I want to be a hero like Mr. Stark too; he saved me during the Stark Expo, and since then I promised myself I would protect people like him."

Okay, now Tony was happy they were ignoring him because it would be difficult to hide the blush spreading on his cheeks.

The two boys turned to stare at her together, and Kate smiled as if she just remembered something. "Oh yeah, my name is Kate Bishop, and I want to be the next Hawkeye; I'm going to be the best archer you will ever see." She then smirked at the boys' wide-eyed stare and added, "You two are pretty cool; I'll be keeping you around."

The boys exchanged a look before the three teens smiled at each other. Seeing his opportunity, Tony stepped forward, and when he stood in front of the three, he spread his arms and announced, "Well then, welcome to the first meeting of the Rising Heroes Program!"

Tony smirked at the teens and asked, "Are you ready to work for the future?" And as he expected, he received three nods in return. Well, now he did feel like the futurist.