Next Generation

2: Telling The Kids

Several months later, on a Monday morning, the Avengers and their children stood outside an Arctic Base. It wasn't easy telling their kids that they now have adult responsibilities, but it was necessary by all means to keep their world safe.

Luke, Banner's kid, actually hulked out from thinking about all the stress that would come with it. His anxiety level had never gotten this out of control.

Victoria Stark blew up one of her father's prototypes. She was then lectured by her mother about the classic you know not to mess with your father's robots.

Francis shot a laser arrow through the ceiling, his dad telling him off once more about using his arrows in the house.

Torunn literally let a storm out.

And James destroyed about 10 of his mother's training dummies, he didn't even bother to try and clean it up.

Yet, their parents thought their reactions would be a lot worse.

The sliding double doors opened, welcoming everyone with a warm atmosphere, a refuge from the cold weather outside. Thor wondered why they hadn't frozen to death out there.

"Do we really have to do this? I mean you guys aren't that old", complained Victoria as they walked further down a hall. Many doors were off to the sides, a keypad and intercom next to them. Tony and Pepper glared down at her.

"Yeah! I think you guys are just getting lazy", teased Luke from behind the Starks.

"Be quiet before I hulk out in here", said Bruce as he gave his son a light smack on his shoulder. Smiling as he did. He knew his son like he did his experiments. Deep, deep down, Luke was honored to be chosen to play a part in this.

The group walked in silence, turning about twice.

Tony stepped out in front of the whole group, clearing his throat. He slid a card into a slot, lights blinking around the huge metal doors as he released it.

The doors immediately slid open, revealing a spacious room with all types of equipment. To the far left was a shooting range, completed with extra arrows and bows. Clint and Francis's face lit up with excitement. To think that he might actually enjoy this place. Might.

In the middle, there were dummies located everywhere in different positions. This would help with hand-to-hand combat.

The whole room was full of training activities that met with each child's ability, even a disc shooting range. A suggestion from Steve.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is one of the training grounds", Tony announced as he was the first to walk further into the room.

"One? Where are the others?", asked Bruce. He knew S.H.I.E.L.D. had many bases around the world, but he never even heard about this one. It was super discrete. He wondered why. Maybe they all knew why it would be used.

"One is outside in that freezing tundra", he shuddered at the thought. "And there's two more located on the outside grounds. This one is my favorite though", smiled Tony. His arms extended to his sides for dramatic effect. He looked at Pepper and Victoria, noticing how his daughter took in the scene. Her eyes were wide with anticipation as Pepper looked down at her.

"Cool", Francis calmly responded even though his eyes admired the shooting range. His hands twitching at the thought of shooting a couple of arrows.

"What about sleeping arrangements?", asked Torunn. She was the only one that didn't have those happy puppy eyes. The "fancy" training room didn't phase her, she was from Asgard, where people actually train. With honor and warrior spirit.

"Oh that's simple", butted in Bruce. He let his hands drop from his son's shoulders and walked next to Tony. "Girls and boys are separated. Left wing for girls, right for boys", he explained as he pointed to two wide doors off to the side sealed shut.

Torunn nodded, still not impressed.

"Father, must I stay here and ingage in mortal training?", she asked as she looked up at her father's taller frame. Thor sheepishly smiled down at her. "Yes. I know you would much rather enjoy the presence of other fellow Asgardians, but this is the right choice", he explained to her.

Torunn huffed but nodded anyway. Her father taught her to always face a challenge with honor, and with her head held high. She is of royalty anyway.

"Each of us will help with training, although not at the same time", Bruce continued. "Some of us have other duties to attend, but we'll try to be here as much as possible. In the event that none of us are here, certain agents will help with training", added Tony behind him.

For the first time ever, the kids all took a good look at each other. Francis, Luke, and James stared each other down. No one smiled or grimaced. Victoria and Torunn met eyes. They weren't particularly fond of each other, but yet again, this was their first time meeting.

Each one noticed each other's weapons, with the exception of Luke and Victoria. Francis had a bow hung across his back. Torunn held a sword. James had one of his own shields, just like his father.

Everyone knew Luke could hulk out, but they wondered why Victoria looked so normal. Her chest didn't gleam with life like Tony's did. She didn't have any technology contraption stuck to her body either. And she was made of flesh and bones. Well so they thought.

In a way, she resembled Stark. They had the same tan skin color, and dark hair. But her face and eye color mirrored her mother's.

Torunn had her father's blonde hair and icy blue eyes, something she was always proud of.

Francis and Luke didn't look very similar to their fathers, maybe a little.

"Okay well now I believe we can start training", Tony clapped. The other Avengers had given this decision some serious though last night. They realized that after today, nothing will be the same. Although they were hesistant, soon Tony's enthusiasm spread to them, as they also smiled when their children stepped over to Tony and Bruce.

Pepper let go of Victoria, Francis stepped away from his father's grip, Luke awkwardly made his way to his father, and Torunn followed the crowd.

This was really happening.