Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Beginning Stages
Smoke and dust coated the vast expanse of nothing like a thick blanket. The blur of it all slowly came into focus and the sounds of clanging metal and feet beating against rocky ground could be heard from all around. Shadowy figures moved through battle stances and each utilizing their own powers. Shots of fire and ice, purple light and black smoke to whooshes of speed and feats of strength as an unknown enemy attacked from above. One figure held up their hands and cast a light above them, slowly surrounding the expanse of the field until everything faded to black.
Yao opened his eyes and put a hand over his rapidly beating chest. He wondered if he would ever get used to that feeling as his eyes adjusted back into the normalcy of the hotel room.
“Yao?” Kiku looked at him inquisitively. “Is it the vision again?”
He nodded and sighed. “Aiyaa, it gets more vivid every time. It just reaffirms my decision about what we are doing.”
Kiku nodded in understanding. Yao had always had visions ever since he was born, so he claims. A vision had even sent him to find Kiku and adopt him as his younger brother. Yao was the one who took him in and helped him sort out his powers all those years ago.
Yao’s visions had always been interesting, from small inconsequential things to big scale events. The Chinese government funded Yao in exchange for any information regarding war, politics and the economy. The only problem was that sometimes these visions were vague or weren’t clear on a timeline, but they had yet to be wrong.
Over the last year, Yao had been struggling with a new situation. A recurring vision of some future event, one on a historic scale. He had met with multiple governments, at least the ones that believed his power existed, to warn them of something coming and the need to prepare for it. Of course, when the governments asked, Yao had a difficult time answering them on exactly ‘how’ to prepare.
How can a government prepare for something when you don’t even know what the something is?
The last few months, Yao had been receiving more clear visions to answer this question. Kiku remembered the seemingly outlandish and impossible solutions.
“A team of people from different parts of the globe, all with unique powers stood together ready to fight for the good of the planet.”
Yao had more visions.
“A large facility, where these people of power can train and harness their abilities in a safe and controlled environment.”
And more visions.
“When the time comes and the planet faces danger, this team will be sent to fight and defeat this unknown enemy.”
It had taken months to convince multiple governments to take action, but when they finally did, the program of Yao’s dreams was born.
Now that the program was funded with money and some of the latest technology, and the facility itself had been built it was time for the hardest part of all. Seeking out these individuals who would become a team of super powered humans.
In some countries, the societies were accepting of these individuals but for many they were left to try and conceal themselves and their abilities. Finding an entire team across the globe was going to be hard, even harder to convince them to uproot their lives and join in the fight.
They were already at their first location. Berlin, Germany. A scientist by the name of Ludwig was well known to be the inventor of innovative machines that ran systematically and efficiently faster than anyone else’s in the field. His brawn was nothing to turn your nose up at either. While his powers were not necessarily mutated, he was a big advocate for mutant/super human acceptance.
The two brothers left the hotel and made their way down the streets of Berlin, taking in the sights of the German city along the way. Finally reaching the building of their destination, they entered and scanned their passports to get access passes. The building of the German Scientific Center was large and modern in style, as if something from out of the future. Yao and Kiku were led to a specific department where they could find the man they were looking for.
Ludwig was currently rotating massive machine parts inside of a large metal box. His gloved hands were covered in oil and some smeared on his face as he worked.
A German assistant tapped his shoulder and muttered something in his native tongue, most likely to alert him that his visitors had arrived.
The two brothers admired the machines positioned about the department in the meantime until Ludwig emerged from the metal box and greeted them.
“Hallo. It is good to meet you.” Ludwig said, his voice was stern despite the words being so kind.
“Ni-hao, Ludwig. My name is Yao and this is my younger brother, Kiku. Is there someplace more private where we can discuss matters?”
Ludwig shook his head and put his hand up. “I just want to say outright, if it is weapons you are building for war you can no longer waste your time here.”
Yao smiled. “It is not a worry. I have no intentions of getting into international politics and wars, but rather of saving this earth.”
Ludwig raised a brow in confusion. “And yet it is weapons that you seek?”
“I do not seek weapons.” Yao continued and Kiku watched the two of them carefully. “But rather machines for training and your advice and expertise.”
The German man looked them up and down in silence, before motioning them to follow him out of the department and down a corridor.
The two brothers looked at each other before following him, being led to a room secured by Ludwig’s keypad. It looked like a smaller workshop area than the one before.
“This is my private workshop.” He said, gesturing around. “This is where I prefer to do most of my work and there is more privacy here.”
“Aiyaa, very intricate.” Yao agreed. “I would like to explain myself in greater detail, you see, I am a mind much like you…” He slowly paced the room, observing some of the more interesting inventions. “Not like you in terms of mechanical engineering, I myself couldn’t hope to achieve a mind like yours…but like yours, mine is focused on making this world a better place for future generations. Would you agree?”
Ludwig followed Yao’s words carefully. “To make the world a better place, yes…”
“That’s good. Because I know you have some reservations about sharing your expertise and inventions ever since your government took one of your machines and sold it to a war-torn country, is that right?”
“How did…how did you know that?” Ludwig blinked, slightly stunned.
“I did my research.” Yao smiled and put his hands together under his sleeves. “I noticed you had yet to unveil anything other than machines that aided in recycling or removing pollution from waters in the last few years.”
The German man sighed. “When they sold that weapon, it turned the tide of that country’s battle but in doing so it cost many civilian casualties. I will not be responsible for anything like that again.”
“I do not wish for your brilliant mind to be put to such uses. Instead, I offer you an opportunity to help save the earth from something that is coming.” Yao continued when Ludwig did not say anything. “I have a special power, to see visions of the future. They are not always clear but they have never been wrong…something is coming to earth and we need your help. We need a mind like yours.”
“If something is coming to Earth, what can be done to stop it?”
“I’ve had other visions, one of an elite team of superhumans from around the globe. They will train at my facility until it is time to face whatever threatens this planet.”
Ludwig stared at Yao for a long time, his stoic expression unchanging. Kiku watched his older brother not falter under the weight of the German’s stare. This reaction was not unusual to his brother’s predictions.
“Listen, I know you are an advocate for super-humans like us…” Yao gestured to himself and Kiku. “Would it be too far to suggest that your outspokenness about their acceptance is because of a close relation?”
Ludwig just stared before putting his face in his hands and breathing in deeply. “Ja. My brother is of mutant status. All I want is for him to belong in this world without judgement.”
Yao came and put a hand on Ludwig’s shoulder. “Aiyaa, he can. He can belong with us, on a team and the fight for good will finally show everyone who we really are.”
Ludwig nodded, rubbing his chin. “My brother has powers that could be useful in a fight, but then what do you want with me?”
The Chinese man beamed at the question. “I want you to help build training equipment and tools for these individuals to aid in honing their powers. Your brother included.”
“Okay.” The German man stood, now towering over both brothers. “I am willing to help, as long as this isn’t a war for personal gain. I don’t want to see any death or destruction because of me and my machines.”
“Not to worry. You have our promise.” Yao nodded. “Now then, there is one more thing I need from you.”
Ludwig raised an eyebrow, anxiously awaiting the next question.
“We are still seeking recruits for the team-In fact…you’re the first person on our list.”
“Ja. Then who is next on the list?”
“That’s the thing…” Yao bit his lip. “We don’t know where to look. Perhaps…you might know where we can find some more of these super humans?”
And with that, the beginning stages were really set in motion.