Chapter 1

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"Spiderman." I call out to the room of men and women in costume.

The red and blue figure comes up to the front desk, "That's me."

"Great. Your paperwork checks out, we'll be evaluating you abilities, room three. Someone will tell you more when you've finished. Good luck."

"Thanks. Wait, what?"

"It's a simple test, designed to eliminate anyone who might have submitted an application as a joke. Directions will be provided. Room number three."

Ever since I proposed the Superhero Council we've been busier than ever as we try to gather heroes and register them. The Avengers are currently running the whole thing until we have enough people for elections. Natasha and Clint have been contacting old SHIELD contacts and gathering records on powered individuals. Tony and Steve are doing press tours, reassuring the public, that sort of thing. The Elves left and took Loki with them. Thor went home. My cousins are at college. Tony pulled some strings and called some old friends and they were able to start college despite missing the first month or so. Banner is overseeing the renovation of the Tower in New York, the original one that used to be Stark Tower back before everything.

That leaves Wanda, Sam, Bucky, and I. The five of us are registering and vetting applicants. We've been doing a tour of the country, stopping at whatever venues will have us. So far, we have had only three people demonstrate powers. The only real reason for this tour is to convince the public that we aren't just recreating SHIELD, that we are actually trying to find people to join this Superheroes Council. Still working on the name, that will be put up to vote too.

The name is a bit difficult because it's not just people with more than human abilities; Natasha, Tony, Clint, and Sam all qualify as Superheroes, so what sets them apart? This whole business is becoming way more complicated than I thought and we're only just beginning.

Someone taps my shoulder. 

"Hey Bucky. Are you here to help me with the paperwork?"

"No."

"Darn it. Antman?" I call out the next name on my list.

"I am a huge fan of yours." 

"Um, mine or his?"

"Both."

"Great. Room Two."

"May I have your autograph?"

"No." I answer for both of us, "Room Two please. If you really are what you claim to be, then maybe."

He scurries off. I turn to Bucky and say quietly, "What are the chances that he really is heroic?"

Bucky shrugs.

"Yeah, I don't know." The tablet dings, "Room three's available now. It looks like Spidey passed the test. Let's call the next candidate. Red Shadow."

A college kid with acne wearing a onesie with a hastily drawn emblem on a piece of cloth attached like a cape comes to the desk. Bucky snorts, the equivalent of a full fledged laugh. Yeah, what are the odds he really is powered.

"This is your last chance to back out if this a joke. Once you open that door there will be no turning back. Room Three."

The college kid practically skips over to room three just as Wanda comes to take her turn on desk duty. I hand her the tablet and exchange a few pleasantries. I turn to look at Bucky, "How 'bout that haircut?"


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