Days had passed since the Protectors of the Planet funeral. Marvel and Astrea stood outside the PRISM headquarters, having a private discussion. The sun was shining, casting a warm glow over the scene.
"Astrea, with the Protectors gone, we need a new batch of heroes. And I think you'd be perfect to lead them," Marvel said, her eyes locked on Astrea's. Her voice was firm, but there was a hint of excitement in her tone.
Astrea hesitated, unsure of what to say. She looked down at her feet, her wings fluttering slightly in the breeze. "I'll think about it," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marvel nodded, her expression understanding. "Fair enough. Let me know what you decide."
Astrea nodded and flapped her wings, taking off into the sky. Marvel watched her go, a hint of a smile on her face. She knew that Astrea was a talented hero, and she had no doubt that she would make a great leader.
Meanwhile, Marvel entered Danny's room, where he was relaxing on his bed. The room was cluttered with gadgets and machinery, and Danny was tinkering with a small robot. Marvel cleared her throat to get his attention.
"Danny, we need to talk about the stunt you pulled in Rushmore," Marvel said, her voice stern.
Danny looked up at her, his eyes defensive. "Mom, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to get out there, I mean the Protectors were missing and I wanted to know why."
Marvel's expression turned furious. "You endangered yourself and possibly even Astrea. And that suit is very expensive, Danny. What were you thinking?"
Danny tried to defend himself, but Marvel's words cut deep. "You're not a superhero, Danny. You're a kid. And kids don't get to make decisions like that. You're lucky you're not in more trouble than you are."
Danny recoiled, feeling hurt. Marvel's expression softened, and she walked over to him, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry, son. I just don't want anything to happen to you."
Danny hugged her back, feeling a mix of emotions. "I know, Mom. I just want to help."
As Marvel hugged Danny, Astrea flew through the air at Mach one speed, her wings flapping and cruising. She reached her home, her parents' farm, and landed smoothly on the ground.
As she knocked on the door, her dad, Mark, opened it and immediately hugged her. Emma, her mom, rushed forward and did the same.
"Hey, sweetie! We've missed you," Emma said, holding Astrea tightly.
Astrea smiled, feeling happy to be home. After changing into house wear, she relaxed in the living room with her parents.
"We need to talk," Mark said, his expression serious. "About being a hero. Is this really what you want to do?"
Astrea nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Yes, Dad. I want to help people and make a difference."
Emma pulled out her phone and opened an app called WatchTok. "You're getting quite popular, Astrea. If you're going to be a hero, you need a fitting name. Unless you like what the internet is calling you..."
Astrea rolled her eyes. "The Nameless Woman? No, I don't think so."
Emma smiled. "How about Winged Warrior?"
Astrea thought about it for a moment before nodding. "I like it."
Emma hugged her, and Mark joined in. "We'll help you with your suit, Astrea. I think I can scrounge up some things that will help you."
Astrea's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really, Dad? That would be amazing!"
Meanwhile, in the city of Viremont, a streak of light flashed through the sky, followed by a loud bang and a portal appearing. A figure fell through, hitting the ground with a devastating shockwave. People screamed and scattered, some buildings damaged.
The figure, humanoid but with more fur like an animal, sat up, looking around in confusion. "Where am I?" he muttered.
Back at PRISM headquarters, Michelle called Marvel on her eyepiece. "Marvel, we have a situation. There's been a... disturbance in Viremont."
Marvel walked into the room, her expression grim. "For God's sake, can't anything stay normal for a week?"
When she saw what had happened in Viremont, she ordered, "Send out a containment team. We don't know who this is, but we have to be prepared."
The PRISM agents quickly sprang into action, equipping themselves with various weapons and equipment. Danny watched on, asking if he could come along. One of the agents shook his head. "Sorry, kid.
The PRISM agents reached Viremont after some time, and prepared to drop out of the sky into the city. They stood at the open door of the helicopter, their parachutes strapped to their backs. The wind rushed past them as they gazed out at the city below.
"Ready?" one of the agents asked, his voice loud over the wind.
The other agents nodded, and they leaped out of the helicopter, plummeting towards the ground. The wind rushed past them, their stomachs dropping as they free-fell. After a few seconds, they deployed their parachutes, and their descent slowed.
They landed smoothly on the ground, their parachutes billowing behind them. They quickly gathered their gear and approached the figure, who was still sitting on the ground, looking around in confusion.
The agents readied their energy guns, their fingers on the triggers. "Stop right there," one of them said, his voice firm. "You're coming with us."
The figure felt threatened, and his eyes narrowed. "I don't know who you all are, but no one threatens me," he growled.
The figure's eyes began to glow green, and he suddenly burst into a fit of rage. In a burst of speed, he single-handedly took out the agents, his movements so fast that the agents couldn't even react. It was like they were in slow motion, unable to defend themselves.
The figure's speed was incredible, and he covered great distances in a short amount of time. He ran out of the city, leaving the agents behind.
Back at PRISM headquarters, Marvel and Michelle were watching the feedback from the agents' bodycams. Marvel's face was set in a grim expression.
"Alright, I don't know who this guy is, but this is a code 11," Marvel said angrily. "Send out more containment teams. We need to bring this creature in."
The PRISM agents in the surveillance room and Michelle stared at Marvel a bit confused, not moving to their stations.
"What the heck are you still in here for?" Marvel shouted, her voice echoing through the room. "Get out!"
The agents and Michelle snapped out of their trance-like state, quickly dispersing to their stations to prepare for the next phase of the operation. Marvel's eyes were fixed on the screens, her mind racing with possibilities.