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MHA: Bat to the Future: The Other Midoriya
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The Quinjet silently landed on the SHIELD HQ runway, its engines hissing softly as it powered down. Erwin stepped out first, walking alongside Coulson, who couldn't stop glancing at the figure behind them—Steve Rogers. The man of legend, still visibly disoriented, trailed a step behind. Fury stood waiting, his coat shifting in the light breeze as he sized up the situation.
"You really did it," Fury said without preamble, his gaze flicking briefly to Erwin before locking onto Rogers. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Captain."
Steve looked around, his expression wary but not hostile. "This... isn't when I expected to wake up. Fury... You really are alive."
Coulson, despite his effort to maintain composure, was practically buzzing with excitement. "It's an honor to meet you, Captain Rogers. Your service—what you've done—it's... inspiring."
Fury's brow twitched. "Coulson, don't start."
"I'm just saying," Coulson added quickly, not breaking his wide-eyed focus on Steve. "Your work with the Howling Commandos, the strategies, the courage—it's legendary."
Steve managed a polite nod, though his discomfort with the praise was obvious. "Uh, thanks. I'm... still catching up, to be honest."
"Coulson," Erwin cut in, his voice calm but pointed, "maybe save the fan club pitch for later. Rogers has been through enough for one day."
Fury motioned for them to follow as he turned toward the building. "Let's move. We've got a lot to cover, and I don't have time for long walks down memory lane."
Steve followed Fury through the corridors of SHIELD HQ, trying to process the world he'd woken up to. Coulson walked beside him, rattling off information about SHIELD with the enthusiasm of a kid meeting his idol, though he tried to keep it professional.
"It's a global organization," Coulson explained. "We handle high-level threats—terrorism, rogue superhumans, alien invasions... you name it. And Fury here—well, he's the one holding it all together."
Steve glanced at Fury. "Didn't expect you to trade the field for a desk job."
Fury smirked. "It's not as glamorous as the battlefield, but someone's gotta keep the world from falling apart. And don't let the suit fool you—I'm still in the fight."
"Good to know," Steve said. "Last time I saw you, we were pinned down by German tanks. Didn't think either of us would make it out."
"Turns out we're both hard to kill," Fury replied, not missing a step.
As they reached an elevator, Fury swiped a keycard, and the doors slid open. "We've got a state-of-the-art medical facility set up for situations like this," he said. "You've been through a lot, Rogers. Time to make sure you're not about to fall apart."
He then turned to Coulson but, remembering Coulson's attitude, decided otherwise. "Erwin, you stay with Rogers. Make sure he is up to date, literally." Fury stepped into the elevator, giving a curt nod to both of them before the doors slid shut.
Coulson hesitated for a second, his enthusiasm visibly deflating, then clapped his hands lightly. "Guess that's my cue to get back to the paperwork. Welcome aboard, Captain," he said, glancing at Steve before walking off.
Steve exhaled through his nose, his gaze shifting to Erwin. "When did you join the... force?"
Erwin didn't answer immediately, as if considering the phrasing. "Almost three years."
Steve nodded slowly, glancing down the corridor ahead. Though he didn't know much about SHIELD, he could tell Erwin's rise must've been impressive. He decided against commenting, the man didn't seem the type to entertain flattery. Instead, he simply followed as Erwin led him toward the medical wing.
The halls of SHIELD HQ were bustling but orderly. Agents moved all around, their footsteps echoing faintly off the polished floors. Steve took in the sight silently, his steps just slightly hesitant.
"You'll find SHIELD's... methods a bit unconventional," Erwin said, breaking the silence. "But you'll get used to it."
"Not exactly a comforting way to put it," Steve replied, scanning the walls. "Feels more like a fortress than anything else."
Erwin glanced at him but didn't argue. "That's fair. But given the things we deal with, a fortress isn't a bad idea."
Steve looked uncertain. "What did Agent Coulson mean by aliens earlier?"
Erwin stopped for a moment, turning his head slightly toward Steve. "Do you remember the technology the Red Skull developed? The weapons powered by what he called the Tesseract?"
Steve nodded, his expression sharpening. "Hard to forget. That thing didn't belong in anyone's hands."
Erwin resumed walking, his steps measured. "Turns out the Tesseract wasn't just a source of power. It's something more—something alien. Its origins go far beyond Earth, and it's not the only thing out there. What SHIELD deals with now isn't limited to human threats. There's a bigger stage, and we're not the only players."
Steve furrowed his brows. "So it's true then? There's... life out there?"
Erwin nodded. "More than life. Entire civilizations. Some friendly, some... less so. SHIELD's been preparing for that reality ever since Howard Stark started poking at the Tesseract."
Steve let out a slow breath, glancing around at the walls as if the weight of the information made the space feel smaller. "And the world has no idea?"
"Most of it doesn't," Erwin replied. "And the World Council intends to keep it that way for as long as possible. The public isn't ready to know how small Earth really is in the grand scheme of things."
Steve shook his head. "I can't say I'm surprised. People panicked when we started flying planes. I can't imagine how they'd handle aliens."
"Exactly," Erwin said. "Which is why SHIELD exists—to handle what most people can't even comprehend." He glanced at Steve. "You'll have to catch up quickly. The threats SHIELD faces now make the Red Skull look quaint."
Steve stepped inside, the confined space giving him a momentary flash of being trapped in the ice. He shook it off as Erwin continued, "The hospital's equipped to handle anything. We've even got specialists for post-freezing complications. Not that it's a common field."
"Good to know you've thought of everything," Steve said, looking around in marvel.
The elevator doors opened to a pristine medical wing. The walls were white, the equipment sleek and advanced—far beyond anything Steve remembered from the 1940s. A team of doctors and technicians waited at the end of the hall, their movements efficient but not rushed.
"Dr. Berns will handle your check-up," Erwin said, gesturing toward a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. "She's the best we've got."
Dr. Berns stepped forward, clipboard in hand. "Captain Rogers," she said. "We'll start with a full physical, bloodwork, and scans. This way, please."
Steve glanced at Erwin, who gave a slight nod. He followed Dr. Berns into an examination room.
In the examination room, Steve sat on a steel table as Dr. Berns conducted her tests. She worked quickly, her questions direct and clinical.
"Any dizziness? Nausea? Difficulty breathing?"
"No," Steve answered. "Just... disoriented."
"That's normal. You were frozen for nearly seventy years. Your body's a medical anomaly, but we'll take every precaution."
The scans hummed, and Steve watched the flickering lights of the machines, feeling like a specimen under a microscope.
"Do you get a lot of guys like me in here?" he asked.
"Not quite like you," Dr. Berns replied. "But we've dealt with enhanced individuals before. You're unique, but not entirely unprecedented."
Steve nodded, falling silent as Dr. Berns continued her work. When she finished, she stepped back, her expression incredulous. "How is this possible?"
Steve tensed slightly. "Is something wrong?"
Dr. Berns shook her head. "Opposite. I've never seen a healthier body. And I'm not just talking about the Super Soldier enhancements. Your cells... they're brimming with vitality. Your organs are functioning perfectly, as though you've never been frozen. No, it's more than that—it's as if you've never been injured in your life. How is this possible?"
Erwin, standing by the doorway, cleared his throat. "That's a Level 9 clearance matter, Dr. Berns." His calm tone carried a faint edge of authority, and his sharp glance toward Steve conveyed a silent warning to not to talk about the seven masked people saved him.
Dr. Berns paused, her expression caught between intrigue and frustration. She nodded once, writing something down on her clipboard before turning back to Steve. "Well, we'll continue monitoring your condition, but I can say confidently that physically, you're in peak form—possibly beyond it."
Steve nodded, offering a polite smile, but his unease lingered. "Thank you, Doctor."
"Of course. You're cleared to leave whenever you're ready." She gestured for a nurse to pack up the equipment before stepping out.
The door clicked shut, leaving Steve and Erwin alone in the room. Steve leaned forward slightly, his tone low. "What was that about Level 9 Clearance?"
Erwin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up one of the discarded test reports, glancing over it with a practiced nonchalance. "It's exactly what it sounds like. Need-to-know information, and right now, she doesn't need to know."
Steve crossed his arms. "And what about me? Do I need to know?"
"You were their target, so unless we erase it from your memory, you're in the know."
Steve chuckled, shaking his head. "As if that's possible. Right?" He paused, looking at Erwin's face, and his tone shifted. "Right?"
Erwin chuckled back, "No worries, Captain. That won't be necessary."
Steve leaned back slightly, his gaze still on Erwin, weighing the man's words. "Good to know. So, what now? You're my guide to this brave new world?"
"Something like that," Erwin replied, stepping closer to the exit. "I'll get you caught up. SHIELD will put you through the wringer soon enough, but for now, we'll focus on the essentials. You're in no shape to dive into classified briefings and bureaucratic nonsense just yet." He gestured for Steve to follow him out of the room.
As they walked through the halls, Steve glanced around. The advanced technology, the purposeful movements of agents, and the sheer scale of the facility still left him uneasy. "The world really changed while I was on ice. It's a lot to take in."
"It's not going to stop changing anytime soon," Erwin said. "But you'll adapt. You always do, right?"
Steve's lips quirked slightly, the compliment subtle enough to catch him off guard. "I guess I don't have much of a choice."
They passed through a security checkpoint, the guards carefully checking their clearance and identities before stepping aside. Steve noted the efficiency and precision in how they operated.
"The people that saved me. Those masked seven—are they superhuman too?"
Erwin didn't break stride. "In a manner of speaking, yes. But not the way you'd imagine."
Steve kept his gaze forward, his tone edged with curiosity. "Not the way I'd imagine? Care to elaborate?"
"They aren't enhanced through anything like the serum you received," Erwin replied. "Their abilities are... specific. Let's just say they don't fit neatly into SHIELD's definitions of 'normal.'"
Steve glanced at him. "That's vague."
Erwin spared him a look, something faintly amused flickering in his expression before it vanished. "You'll understand more soon enough. Some things need to be explained in stages."
"Stages, huh?" Steve said, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism. "You SHIELD types sure like your cryptic answers."
Erwin ignored the jab, leading him into a quieter corridor. "Do you always interrogate your rescuers, or is this a special occasion?"
Steve didn't answer immediately. His steps slowed slightly as he thought. "It's not mistrust," he finally said. "I just need to know who I'm dealing with."
"Fair enough," Erwin said, gesturing toward another checkpoint. The guards stepped aside quickly this time, one of them giving Steve a barely concealed once-over as if trying to confirm that the man standing before them was the same figure from their history books. Steve noticed and gave a small, polite smile.
They entered an observation room adjacent to the medical wing. From the wide window, Steve could see a meeting room below, where several agents gathered around a display showing rotating holograms of various objects—some clearly not of Earthly origin. He folded his arms, watching.
"You mentioned the Tesseract earlier," Steve said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're saying there are more things like it out there."
"Plenty," Erwin replied. "That's part of why SHIELD exists. Managing the fallout from things humanity isn't ready to understand. If you thought the Tesseract was dangerous, you're in for a rude awakening."
Steve turned his attention away from the holograms, focusing on Erwin. "And the seven who helped me—how do they fit into all this?"
"They are handling things in their own way," Erwin said. "Not part of SHIELD, though we've... crossed paths before."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "Vigilanties? And Fury's fine with that?"
Erwin nodded. "More like he can't do anything about them. We don't know their identities, we don't know what their powers are, we don't even know if they're human or not. All we know is they show up when there's trouble, handle the situation, and leave. Somehow, they found you, thawed you out, healed you, and vanished."
Steve processed that quietly for a moment, his arms crossed. "Not exactly the most comforting explanation."
"It's not meant to be," Erwin replied without missing a beat. "They aren't something SHIELD can predict or control. Fury hates that, but it's the reality we're working with. You'll get used to it—or you won't. Either way, they do their part, and we clean up after."
Steve gave a half-smile, more out of disbelief than amusement. "You talk about them like they're a force of nature."
Erwin shrugged. "It fits. They come and go like storms—no announcements, no warnings."
Steve glanced at the observation window again, watching the agents below as they worked. "You've had direct contact with them?"
"Twice," Erwin said. "Both times, they didn't stick around long enough to explain themselves. Not that they owed us an explanation. If they hadn't intervened, you wouldn't be standing here, and SHIELD would be sifting through wreckage instead of planning next steps."
Steve's gaze sharpened. "So they saved more than just me?"
"Depends on how you look at it," Erwin said, leaning slightly against the wall. "They didn't do it for SHIELD, if that's what you're asking. If I had to guess, they just wanted to stop whatever mess was unfolding. Maybe you were just part of the collateral rescue."
Steve frowned. "That doesn't sit right with me."
"It doesn't have to," Erwin replied. "It's just the truth."
The silence stretched for a moment before Steve sighed. "Alright, I'll bite. What happens if they show up again?"
"Nothing," Erwin said plainly. "We let them work. SHIELD learned the hard way that getting in their way is a bad idea. The last time someone tried, they were lucky to walk away without needing a wheelchair."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you've got stories."
"Plenty," Erwin said, pushing off the wall. "But those are Fury's to share. I'm here to make sure you don't get overwhelmed by everything at once." He motioned toward the door. "Come on. There's more to see."
They walked in silence for a stretch, the sound of their footsteps blending with the distant hum of the facility. Steve glanced around at the halls, the stark contrast to the world he remembered still weighing heavily on him.
Steve noted the brevity but didn't press. "You seem... different from the others."
Erwin glanced at him. "Different how?"
"Less... polished. Everyone else seems to have a script. You don't," Steve said.
"I don't need one," Erwin said simply. "Scripts are for people trying to convince you of something. I'm not here to sell you on SHIELD."
"Then what are you here for?"
He stopped, looking at Steve. "I was saved by SHIELD from something unearthly, and I decided I wanted to help others in case more things like that appeared. I was lucky to be born with eidetic memory and sharp thinking in commanding, which allowed me to rise through the ranks quickly. Success fell into my lap, and that combination got me here in three years."
Steve gave him a considering look. "Three years isn't long. Most don't even make field agent in that time."
"I had... opportunities others didn't," Erwin said. "And I didn't waste them." He motioned for Steve to follow him again, leading him down another corridor.
"Opportunities. Like being in the right place at the right time?" Steve asked.
"Sometimes. Sometimes it's just knowing how to play the game," Erwin replied.
Steve didn't answer immediately, glancing around the building. "The world's changed, but people haven't."
"Not as much as you'd think," Erwin said. "Though now, we have better tools to manage the chaos."
As they entered a monitoring station, several agents were hunched over terminals, their screens filled with tactical maps and mission updates. Erwin scanned the room, then gestured toward one of the monitors displaying a live feed from a satellite. "This is SHIELD's reach. Eyes everywhere, contingencies in place for almost anything."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "Almost?"
Erwin turned toward him. "Nothing's foolproof. But it's better than nothing."
One of the analysts looked up. "Agent Smith, Director Fury has requested a briefing in twenty minutes."
"Noted," Erwin said, dismissing the analyst with a nod. He turned back to Steve. "Looks like your orientation will have to wait. Let's get you settled first."
Steve folded his arms. "I'm guessing that's a polite way of saying I'm not cleared for whatever's on Fury's agenda."
Erwin gave a slight nod. "Something like that. Come on."
They continued through the building, weaving through the busy corridors. Steve noticed how agents stepped out of their way, some offering respectful nods to Erwin. "You've got quite the presence here."
"I've earned their trust," Erwin said simply.
After settling Captain Rogers into his quarters, Erwin walked briskly toward the meeting room. Fury had summoned the senior ranks, and Erwin knew what was coming. The reemergence of Captain America was bound to shake things up, but it was just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Inside the room, Fury stood at the head of the long table, his hands resting on the surface. Around him, a mix of high-ranking SHIELD personnel, including Maria Hill, Alexander Pierce, and Phil Coulson, filled the seats.
"Let's keep this short," Fury began as Erwin entered, taking a seat near the far end. "We have two issues that demand immediate attention: Captain Rogers' return and the Seven Masked Vigilantes."
Erwin spoke first. "Captain Rogers is stable for now. The medical team is impressed—honestly, they're baffled—but he's adjusting. We've kept his interactions limited to staff with Level 7 clearance or higher."
Coulson nodded, unable to fully suppress his excitement. "He's sharp. A little disoriented, but it's Captain America—he'll catch up faster than anyone else could."
"Good. He doesn't have time to ease into this," Fury said. "Which brings us to the real concern. The Seven Masked Vigilantes. Their involvement in Rogers' rescue complicates things."
Pierce leaned forward slightly. "We still don't know who they are, what they want, or where they came from. And now they've interfered with a major SHIELD asset."
"They didn't interfere," Coulson said plainly. "They handled it. Without them, Rogers would still be in the ice, and we wouldn't even know it."
Pierce's eyes narrowed. "Handled it how? Do we have any idea what they did to him? If they've altered him in some way—"
"They didn't," Hill interrupted. "Our medical scans confirmed he's in peak condition. Better, even. Whatever methods they used, they worked."
"That doesn't explain why they care," Hill said. "They've stayed off the radar for years, and now they're suddenly involved with Rogers? It doesn't add up."
"Doesn't have to," Fury said, his tone cutting through the room. "They've made it clear they operate on their own terms. What matters is they got the job done without compromising the asset."
Pierce wasn't satisfied. "That's a risky assumption, Fury. We can't ignore the possibility that they have their own agenda. If they're connected to the Tesseract—"
"They're not," Fury said, cutting him off again. "They're not aligned with HYDRA, AIM, or anyone else we've dealt with. They've had multiple opportunities to engage directly with SHIELD, and they've always kept their distance."
Pierce's gaze shifted to Erwin. "You sound like you know them."
"I've dealt with them twice. That's more than most people in this room can say."
Hill leaned forward. "And what did you learn?"
"That they don't trust anyone. And they don't need anyone. They act when they see fit, and they vanish just as quickly."
Coulson tapped a pen against the table. "They don't trust anyone, but they're clearly coordinated. Someone's pulling the strings."
"Maybe," Erwin said. "But it doesn't matter. They've proven they're not a direct threat to SHIELD. If anything, they've cleaned up our messes."
Pierce's voice was sharp. "You're awfully quick to defend them."
"I'm not defending them. I'm stating facts. If they wanted to harm us, they've had plenty of chances. Instead, they've taken risks to prevent larger disasters. That's not the behavior of an enemy."
Fury raised a hand, silencing the room. "Enough. We're not here to debate their motives. What we need is to decide how we handle their presence going forward."
Hill glanced at the dossier in front of her. "We still don't know enough to form a strategy. Surveillance, intel gathering—it all falls short. It's like trying to track ghosts."
Fury's gaze swept the room. "Dismissed. Smith, Coulson, Hill, Pierce, stay behind."
The room emptied quickly, agents and senior officers filing out without a word. As the door shut, Fury leaned forward on the table, "We stop chasing them," Fury said. "They're not the priority. What they said about HYDRA is."
The room went still.
"HYDRA's been gone for decades," Hill said. "We dismantled their infrastructure. What evidence do we have that they're still active?"
"The Vigilantes claimed HYDRA never left," Fury replied. "They've just gone underground. And before anyone starts questioning their credibility, remember this: they've been right before."
Pierce folded his hands. "If HYDRA's still alive, we need proof. Claims from a group of unknowns won't cut it."
Fury spoke up. "If they're right, then HYDRA's been operating under our noses for years. We won't find them using conventional methods. They've evolved."
Pierce's gaze hardened. "And you think we should take the word of a group that refuses to show their faces?"
"I think we should prepare for the possibility," Erwin said. "We can't afford to dismiss it."
Fury nodded. "Which is why we're reorganizing our intel resources. Hill, I want every division focused on rooting out potential HYDRA activity. Anything suspicious, no matter how small, gets flagged and investigated."
Hill nodded. "Understood."
"Pierce," Fury continued, "you'll coordinate with international agencies. If HYDRA's resurfacing, they won't limit themselves to one country."
"And Erwin," Fury said, turning to him, "you'll work directly with me. We need to figure out how much of what the Vigilantes said lines up with our own intel. If there's even a shred of truth to it, we'll need a plan."
"Understood," Erwin said.
Fury glanced around the room. "That's all for now. Hill, Coulson—dismissed. Pierce, stick around."
Hill and Coulson filed out without a word. Once the door shut, Fury turned to Erwin and Pierce.
"Let's talk about HYDRA," Fury said, leaning forward. "The Vigilantes claim they're hiding in plain sight, using government and corporate cover to rebuild. What's your take, Erwin?"
"The Vigilantes' claims about HYDRA operating in the shadows are plausible. The idea isn't new—organizations like HYDRA don't just disappear. They evolve, adapt. If they've integrated themselves into governments or corporations, they'll be even harder to root out."
Pierce leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. "So you're suggesting they're hiding in plain sight, using legitimate fronts to mask their operations?"
Erwin nodded, keeping his tone neutral. "It fits their MO. HYDRA always thrived on infiltration. If they're still around, they've likely embedded themselves in places where scrutiny is minimal, and power is accessible."
Pierce's gaze flicked to Fury. "If that's true, we need to widen our net. Increase surveillance on high-level figures in politics, business, and intelligence. The kind of resources required to sustain HYDRA's operations don't come cheap."
Fury crossed his arms. "We're already stretched thin keeping tabs on rogue elements and external threats. Redirecting resources to a potential wild goose chase isn't feasible unless we have something concrete."
Erwin tapped his fingers lightly on the table, drawing their attention back. "Concrete evidence won't come until we disrupt their network. We're looking for traces—unusual movements of capital, unexplained changes in policy, connections between seemingly unrelated entities. The smaller pieces will lead us to the bigger picture."
Pierce's lips thinned, but he didn't argue. Instead, he turned to Fury. "If we go down this road, we're risking exposure ourselves. HYDRA's infiltration tactics mean they could be anywhere—even here."
Fury didn't flinch. "We've been aware of that possibility for years. It's why SHIELD operates with redundancies and compartmentalization. If HYDRA's hiding within SHIELD, we'll find them."
Erwin let the conversation flow for a moment before adding, "Our focus should be on identifying their long-term goals. HYDRA doesn't move without purpose. If they've survived this long, it's because they're playing a very careful game. Their endgame will reveal their position."
Fury tapped the table and nodded. "Let's meet again after we find something. Dismissed."
Erwin stood, gave a brief nod, and left the room without hesitation. His steps were unhurried as he navigated the corridors of SHIELD HQ. He approached his quarters without faltering, opening the door and stepping inside.
The instant his Haki picked up the approaching figures, he didn't react. His expression remained neutral as the door swung shut behind him. When the bag was pulled over his head, he didn't resist. They moved quickly, escorting him through unfamiliar paths, the rhythmic sounds of boots echoing faintly in the concealed passageways of the base.
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