Next Generation

8: A Slight Change

The whole group, now including Thor and Jane, made their way towards the training ground, the walk being a silent one. No one was really in the mood to talk, not even Tony. Everyone was really dreading today, well because they were just tired. Even though they didn't do much, the new routine was one that will take some getting used to. It wasn't necessarily easy to teach a class for fifty minutes and then have enough energy to spar someone who could easily rip your head off. Oh and homework. How lame is that?

Once at the entrance, Tony let Pepper slide in the card, the huge door opening, making a loud sound of metal scraping against metal. The sound made Francis cringe. He hated that.

Everyone walked into the training ground.

James was surprised the place looked in tip-top shape. The walls were once again smooth and sturdy, and the pile of rubble was now missing. For a second, he'd underestimated the magic of S.H.I.E.L.D and Tony Stark's money. The place looked like it wasn't even touched yet.

"Ladies...", Tony motioned with his hand to a room far off to the side, one they hadn't noticed the first time they were there. It separated the rest of the room by a glass window. Inside was a huge plasma and several leather couches. Much like the living room. The mothers will be able to look out for their children. Something that somehow made them feel slightly better. They couldn't really stop from letting their kids be hit by people their age.

Every mom except Natasha made their way towards that room. Pepper let go of Victoria's shoulders. It seemed to her like her mom was dragging her feet. What did she do that made her so tired?

Steve adverted the attention back to him. He and Tony had a clipboard at their hands, acting like some kind of director. "Okay", he cleared his throat, "the first three hours of training, you will engage in perfecting your personal activities. James with me in the disc shooting range, Victoria with Stark outside...", he was interrupted.

"Outside? It's freezing out there, dad!", she whined. Victoria looked at her dad with scrunched up groomed eyebrows. She was already tired enough, and the weather wouldn't make irritating her father easy. Her main concern will be not to freeze. Tony shrugged. "Your suit will program itself to keep your temperature warm". Had he even mentioned that before?

Victoria still shuddered at the thought. Okay, that sounded a little bit better.

"Torunn", he pointed at the blonde, who was taking a look around, still mesmerized by Tony's technology, "you'll be with your dad outside as well. Can't have you toasting this place with lightning", he smiled. She nodded, grinning as she gripped the butt of her sword tighter. It set off little sparks in her palm.

"Francis you and Clint will be at the shooting range over there...", Steve pointed to the area where Clint was already loading his bow. Francis itched to be there already. It was no fair that his father got to the action right away. He watched as Clint released his arrow, the bullseye sparking with electricity.

"And Luke you'll also be outside with Banner. It'll be risky if you hulk out in here", Tony butt in as he put the clipboard under his arm. Luke nodded, his eyes in search for Bruce. Will his body be able to take the freezing temperature? He was almost invincible, but he was still human after all.

Not needing to turn around to see his face, he felt his father's hand between his shoulders. He tensed. "C'mon", he motioned for Luke to follow him out the door.

Once in front of it, Bruce slid his own card into the slot. Both men hearing the familiar scraping metal sound. Luke didn't need to step outside, the cold air greeted him before he stepped through the door. For now, his thoughts went to something that made him really angry.