A Hero's Multiverse 24 Chapter 23: Intern Evaluation

Stepping through the gate, he already hears Deadpool complain. ''Back already? Could have brought some food. I am dying here!''

''I will see what I can do...''Says Ethen, surprised to not see Tonja around. ''... Where is Tonja?''

Happy to hear that he would most likely get some food, Wade tells him. ''Lady Stark of Winterfell is in the armory,... ahm... I mean her laboratory!''

''Thanks...'' Says Ethen, before remembering the shield guy and the cold beauty. ''... Oh, before I forget to ask you... What do you know about a Steve Rodgers and a Carol Danvers?''

''The two captains? I guess I know everything one can know about them. Back in my days, I killed both thanks to a ton of explosives shrunken down to a microscopic level. Man, that was an explosion...''

''I am not here to hear about your 'good old days'...'' Ethen says interrupting Deadpool. ''... Tell me about their personalities, powers, and weaknesses. I need to know before I am having this evaluation with Rodgers.''

''Well, okay, but you owe me some chimichangas!''

''Whatever you want, but start talking!''

''Okay, okay! Steven Grant Rogers also called Captain America is a relic of WWII, was borne July 4, 1918, that makes him I guess 95ish now. He was part of a Super Soldier program called 'Project Rebirth'.

Thanks to that project Captain America has agility, strength, speed, endurance, and reaction time superior to any Olympic athlete who ever competed. The Super-Soldier formula that he has metabolized has enhanced all of his bodily functions to the peak of human efficiency.

His weapon of choice is his round shield made out of a Vibranium-Steel alloy, making it nearly indestructible.

His weakness is his loyalty and friendship to nutjob Bucky Barns aka the Winter Soldier, kidding he is just a very athletic human. A simple bullet to the head can technically kill him.''

''What about Danvers?''

''Captain Marvel or Carol Danvers is a Human-Kree hybrid. Contrary to Rodgers she is ridiculously overpowered. She initially possesses superhuman strength, endurance, stamina, physical durability, a limited precognitive "seventh sense" and a perfectly amalgamated human/Kree physiology that rendered her resistant to most toxins and poisons.

As Binary she can tap the energy of 'white holes' and therefore control over heat, the electromagnetic spectrum, and gravity. Light speed travel and the ability to survive in the vacuum of s.p.a.ce are also possible.

Her inherent flaw is her distrust and disgust for people especially men. To kill her you most likely need to Supercharge or a tone of explosives shrunken down to atom size.''

''Thanks, so I guess I better be limiting my powers to Rodgers 'very athletic' and refrain from using any of my other powers as to not get in conflict with Denvers.''

That said, Ethen goes downstairs and truly finds Tonja in the armory.

''Ah, great you are back!...'' Says Tonja before asking him. ''... How is the other side? Have you met my counterpart?''

''No, I did not, but I meat a woman called Carol Danvers and a man called Steve Rodgers...''

Shocked and surprised Tonja asks. ''You meat Captain America? THE Captain America?''

''Apparently the one and only...'' States Ethen shacking his head about Tonjas apparent enthusiasm. ''... The thing is I would like you to help me...'' Ethen explains to Tonja his plan of hiding his abilities.

''I don't think that this is a good idea. If you are supposed to be part of a team, your teammates are supposed to know what you are capable of.'' Argues Tonja, not really happy about Ethens plans on hiding his powers.

''But Tonja people fear what they can not control. The argument of unchecked power threatening everybody has led to the death of my parents! When people know how much power exists that they have no control over they will seek to destroy it...'' Explains Ethen. ''... Believe me, the moment people can not relate to the person in power they will seek to destroy it and any knowledge of it!''

''Then be relatable. I sure as h.e.l.l would want people to see me with my awesome powers.''

Listening to Tonjas statement, Ethen blurs out. ''Come with me. Help me be relatable!''

Just like that the two lovers spend the rest of the day arguing...

The next morning both Ethen and Tonja walk onto the training field where Steve and Carol are already waiting.

Seeing Tonja walk beside Ethen, Carol now wearing a black skintight suit asks her. ''Who are you?''

Smirking at the ice queen, Tonja tells her. ''I am with Ethen. Got a problem with that?''

''No, no, not at all...''Says Steve wearing a white t-shirt and sweatpants. ''... Hi, I am...''

''Captain America, yes I know. You were friends with my father back in WWII.'' Blurrs Tonja out.

Disgusted by Tonjas admiration for Steve, Carol asks. ''Can we start the evaluation?''

''Yes, let's get this over with!...'' Says Ethen, rubbing his hands somewhat excitedly. ''... Where do we start?''

What follows are strength, speed, agility and durability tests, that Ethen, following Tonjas advice and not hiding his powers much, aces by destroying involuntarily the test machines.

''Now let's get to the last test,... One om One fighting!...'' Announces Denvers, before turning to Rodgers saying. ''... You are up Steve.''

Having seen Ethen's test results so far Steve Rodgers is hesitant. ''I don't really think I should do this test. Maybe Thor...''

Annoyed by Steves hesitation, Carol says. ''Not Thor, but you were chosen to do this test with him.''

Seeing Rodgers gloomy face, Ethen tells him. ''I can limit myself to around 0.001 percent of my full strength if you want. You can evaluate my fighting style...''

Seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, Steve says. ''Yes, thank. I think that would be for the best!''

Since Steve is using his shield, Ethen himself decides to wear his 'Champion's Mantle' but without activating the helmet. As they stand two meters apart, Steve asks. ''Ready?''

''Ready!'' Says Ethen, before he rushes Captain America. Jumping, hr instantly hits the center of the captain's shield, pushing the man three meters back.

Being pushed back and having felt the impact of Ethens single fist, Steve is reminded of Mjolnir hitting him. ''You are strong I give you that, but can you fight?''

Throwing his shield at Ethen, Captain America rushes at him. Catching the shield with his left hand, Ethen isn't even surprised to see Rodgers try kicking him. Simply by relying on the weight of his armor, Ethen easily withstands the impact, as breaking sound come from Steve's leg upon impact.

''s.h.i.t...'' Shouts Rodgers, thinking that his leg might be broken. Tumbling back on his feet, he asks. ''... Let's do this man to man. No shield, no armor. What do you say?''

Being reminded of his training sessions with his uncle, Ethen is in high spirits, saying. ''My pleasure!''

That said, Ethen recalls his armor back into his storage s.p.a.ce and starts wearing a white dresshirt and suit pants.

While both men resume a boxing stance, Tonja decides to talk to this Carol, who is taking notes on Ethen's performance. ''What do you have to say about Ethen's performance? Impressive isn't it?''

''I have seen both better and worse...'' States Carol, not even giving Tonja a glance. ''... If only I had my powers back, I would wipe the floor with both of them.''

Seeing Ethen and Steve have a good fight, Tonja asks. ''What do you have against Ethen? What is it about him that you hate so much?''

Annoyed by Tonja Carol says. ''He is a white man isn't that enough? I am for more diversity among superheroes!''

Surprised and disturbed Tonja asks. ''Jesus s.e.xist much?''

Defending her slightly idealistic world view, Carol fells Tonja. ''I don't think so! How many powerful superheroes do you know that are black or female? There are none that I know of, there is only the second tier War Machine aka, James Rhodes.''

''I think your gender fixation is a bit disturbing!...'' Tells Tonja Carol. ''... Being a hero has nothing to do with gender or race, but chance.''

While Tonja and Carol are discussing among themselves and Ethen is still fighting and winning against Steve, Director Furry appears on a balcony. ''Captain's, Ethen I have a first mission for you...''