A few months ago, the Avengers convened an internal meeting to revisit an idea that had been shelved for years. This wasn't a new initiative but rather a supplemental plan to the original Avengers initiative—The Young Avengers.
Back in the era of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury had conceived this concept while assembling the Avengers. However, due to various priorities and crises, the plan had been postponed indefinitely. The reasoning behind it was simple: not all Avengers possess extended lifespans, and most would eventually age, retire, or move on. To ensure the longevity of Earth's mightiest heroes, the Young Avengers program aimed to identify, train, and nurture new talents who could one day step into their predecessors' shoes.
The idea was to give these young recruits experience by handling relatively straightforward superhuman incidents. Over time, they would grow into capable heroes, ready to fill the void left by retiring Avengers.
Notably, Spider-Man, Peter Parker, had once been considered an unofficial member of this initiative. Tony Stark had recognized Peter's potential early on and mentored him in his own unique way.
However, Peter's participation in the War, despite his young age, had elevated him to the status of a full-fledged Avenger. His courage and determination during that conflict had made it clear he was ready for the big leagues.
The training facilities for the Young Avengers are split between two primary locations: The Avengers Base on the New York coastline and New Asgard. The majority of recruits train at The Avengers Base under the guidance of seasoned heroes like War Machine (Rhodey) and Falcon (Sam Wilson). A select few exceptional candidates, if willing, are invited to New Asgard to train under Thor himself. After all, Thor is regarded as one of the strongest Avengers, making his tutelage highly coveted.
Of course, training in New Asgard comes with unique challenges. The island has strict requirements, and living conditions are far from ordinary. However, most recruits are eager to learn under Thor, viewing it as an honor.
Inside New Asgard's grand castle, Thor strode through the gates with his usual confidence. Two rows of warriors clad in gleaming silver and white armor saluted him as he passed. These warriors were no ordinary fighters—they were Valkyries.
After Thor had rescued the souls of the Valkyries from Hela, it had taken years to restore them to their former glory. Over the past five years, Thor had resurrected these fallen warriors, turning them into his loyal elite forces. The Valkyries were known for their unwavering loyalty, disciplined demeanor, and unmatched combat prowess. Once they pledged their allegiance, it was unshakable—even to Hela, despite her history of betrayal and vengeance.
Thor's reconciliation with Hela had brought the Valkyries some peace of mind, even if they had been skeptical at first. Interestingly, one of the reasons Hela's quarters were numbered "404" was Thor's subtle way of addressing their feelings without words.
As for the surviving Valkyrie from Sakaar, her role had shifted. Years of indulgence in alcohol and chaos had left her less suited for the battlefield. However, she had found a new purpose as the chief liaison for Thor's dealings with the Grandmaster on Sakaar—a role that required her diplomatic and leadership skills.
The Valkyries who remained in New Asgard, however, were a different breed. These warriors were elegant yet fierce, beautiful yet deadly. Their only flaw, if one could call it that, was their unyielding seriousness. Fortunately, this trait applied only during the daytime.
At the training grounds, Natasha Romanoff stood waiting, her presence as commanding as ever. Behind her were three young women, all around seventeen or eighteen years old. These were some of the top recruits from the inaugural class of the Young Avengers program.
Natasha began introductions. Pointing to the girl on the far left, she said, "This is Gwen Stacy. About half a month ago, she was bitten by a strange spider, which triggered the awakening of her superhuman abilities. From what we can tell, her abilities are somewhat similar to Peter Parker's. Incidentally, he was also bitten by a spider..."
Thor's expression grew curious. "Wait a moment..." he muttered.
"What's wrong?" Natasha asked, noticing his odd expression.
Thor's thoughts wandered. Could I have unknowingly influenced Peter Parker's fate in some way? While the idea seemed absurd, he couldn't entirely dismiss it. Then again, Peter's romantic inclinations were hardly conventional. After all, he was currently infatuated with MJ.
Shaking off the thought, Thor decided to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Ah... I was just thinking. First Peter Parker, now Gwen Stacy... What kind of spiders are roaming out there that they keep producing Avengers?"
Thor glanced at Natasha, a mischievous grin forming. "Could it be... a widow?"
Before he could say more, Natasha's hand lashed out, landing firmly on his face with a resounding smack.