2013

Washington D.C.

It was a bright day in the capital of the United States. The sun was shining as the clouds were few and far-between. The crowd of citizens awaiting the speech of president Arthur White lined up as far as the eye could see. What awaited on this day was important. For the first time in three years, the people of Earth can rest soundly.

The Splisen War was won.

The alien threat that invaded Earth was finally driven away from the Protectors, after three years of conflict. Now that the world can focus on repairing itself, the time came for the governments, and more importantly, the heroes, to address what happens next. What will become of the great Protectors of Earth? What will they do without a global enemy bent on destruction? These are some of the questions that have come up.

The president stood forward, the crowd cheered. Beside him were the legendary pantheon of superheroes known as The Seven. That was to say, the seven who saved the Earth, working together as the last line of defense, and slayed the Splisen queen. Liberty, The Watcher, Spellcaster, White Raven, Shirokage, Valkyrie, and Big Thunder. These names were legendary in the eyes of Earth.

"People of Earth." Liberty said as he rose to the air triumphantly. "I speak on the behalf of not only the United States, but all of humankind. The idea of a world where heroes operate on a completely separate manner from each other is no longer something that can be accepted. I speak this as someone who served in the Virtue Corps. in the days of the war, a time of unity from before unity was widespread, that the Protectors will remain as the Earth's guardians, from any threat known to mankind."

The public cheered loudly, which created an echo from the distance. President White was nervous about what he had to say following Liberty's speech, but gathered together his composure. A month after the war was officially won, the agreement as to what would happen to the Protectors was a hot topic of the media. Now was the time to address that topic.

"Yes, yes." White said. "Liberty has been the hero of the American people for longer than most of us have been alive, and I think we've reached an agreement that the whole world will be happy with."

The Watcher, who unlike some heroes had a public identity as Byron Walters, came forward with what he was about to say. The English superhero had been out of the spotlight since the war was won so he could look after his newly born daughter. He practically had to be forced into attending this event.

"When we started as the Protectors of Earth Initiative, we were created not by an individual, not by a decision of our own, but by the United Nations board of directors. Some believe that we should remain a government entity, but the truth of the matter is that it's the heroes who make a difference in the field of superheroics, not the ones in the chairs. That being said, we've reached an agreement. We will continue to operate legally with the approval of the United Nations, but we are not a government agency. The Protectors from this point forward will be publicly available, and will be supported by ourselves."

The crowd cheered even louder. That was what was hoped for in many discussions. The idea that the government would have control of the most dangerous individuals in the world had left some frightened, but this isn't the case. The Protectors going public, no longer limited to just forty members, had also been what the citizens at large wanted.

"The Protectors will set up bases of operation around the world." The Watcher spoke again. "New York, San Francisco, London, Geneva, Tokyo, Sydney. These are the ones we have planned so far. Of course, we will also have more, and the Protectors are free to operate wherever they wish. Consider the bases the home away from home, so to speak."

"But the Protectors won't be the only ones who defending the world." Spellcaster said. "The Order shall be an ally, for instance, and any other team who wishes to ally with the Protectors is free to do so. Recommended, actually."

"We have reached a new era where the world has united to look out for each other." White said. "I must say that my father would be proud."

"Likewise." Liberty said.

Millions of people from all corners of the globe were tuning in or streaming the broadcast. It was known that this day would go down in history, where the world can celebrate Earth's victory over the alien race. After three years of chaos and war, they were still alive.

"This is the start of a new era." White said.

"Yes," Liberty said. "Let it be known that from this point forward, the Earth will live in a new age. The Age of Heroes, one where those who possess courage and determination can rise up and unite with those like-minded individuals who wish to do the same. May the new age last from now to the beyond."

The crowd cheered even louder. Numerous pictures were taken of the President with the pantheon of heroes. The picture would spread all over the world, and be used as a symbol of a new era for Earth. President White still had one more important thing to say to the world.

"We will construct memorials across America in honor of the Protectors, and those who've fallen. I trust the other countries will do the same. Central Park will see the construction of The Seven Statues, in honor of The Seven, and we'll be opening a museum displaying the history of the Splisen War. It's important that we don't forget the war, so we'll be prepared for anything."

After more talks were made about mankind's future, the speech was done. President White was escorted back to the White House in preparations for their plans. He sat in the back of his armored limousine, speaking his advisor on the way home. The day was far from over, to put it one way. White's advisor Michael Holland expressed concern over the fact that the Protectors wouldn't be operating as a government entity, as his brooding eyes demonstrated.

"Mr. President, I must express my worry that the Protectors acting on their own could lead to repercussions. Are you sure we should let them operate freely? The UN should discuss this."

"What is there to discuss? If we try to make them agents of the government, we'll be going against the idea of what being a superhero means. The truth is, no one wants to root for the government, a fact of life we must work with. They saved the world, and if we don't show gratitude, there will be consequences."

Holland was silent the rest of the ride over. There was nothing he could say in the situation that would give him what he wanted. The Cadillac pulled up to the White House, and the President went inside. He sat in his Oval Office, looking at the news articles across the internet.

"The Age of Heroes" Declared by Liberty!

The Protectors Go Public, What Could This Mean for the Future?

Heroes Declare "We're Not a Government Agency"!

These headlines were by Almanac News were the big attention-grabbers of the public, and certainly they would be happy about it. White thought about how he was going to serve the rest of his term while maintaining the positive PR he currently has from helping America through the hard times.

Michelle Robbins, his Senior Advisor stepped into the room, appearing as though she entered in a hurry.

"Mr. President", Robbins said. "The preparations are complete. The C.A.S.T.L.E. Initiative is underway."

"I'm sure it is." White said. "Let's hope it'll come soon."

The Protectors weren't the only organization that the UN created. They knew they needed an espionage, paramilitary, and intelligence organization who could deal with the paranormal, alien, and unorthodox. For many, it was high time one such organization had formed, and the preparations were now complete.

"The next time some alien race decides that Earth is theirs to destroy, we'll be ready to show them we don't play around." White said.

Robbins nodded. White had some long days ahead of him knowing that the public will be on him more than the usual. But at least everyone was safe, that was what really mattered.

Five hours later...

Protectors Tower, Manhattan

The skyscraper that was once an office building had been turned into the Protectors' official base during the war. This was where the Protectors met, what remained of them at least. Of the forty Protectors who fought in the Splisen War, there were five casualties. The Patriot, who was Liberty's long-time comrade, was among them.

"We won the war." Liberty said. "We won it all, they say. But we lost so much in the process."

Arms crossed, Liberty took his time to grieve his fallen brother-in-arm. Valkyrie put her hand on his shoulder in an effort to comfort him.

"There always must be sacrifices in war. If it wasn't for him, we could've lost. Know that he died smiling."

Hydroxus felt close with the other Protectors. He too approached Liberty with the intention of helping him through the loss of his brother.

"For the longest time, I believed surface-dwellers to be savages who fought each other for the pettiest of reasons. I never wanted Atlantis to get involved in the drama above. But now I see I was wrong. You've proven to me that those on the surface are every bit as capable of courage and compassion as us down below."

"It does bring solace to me that Charles went out with a fight, that he took the Splisen down with him, and proved a greater hero than I am. Yet I'm the one everyone looks up to as the 'real hero'. As a personal matter of opinion, the real heroes were the ones who gave all."

The Watcher sat on the couch. He was texting his wife about the status of his daughter. That was what he cared about most at the moment. When she was born, he knew he had a responsibility to set the perfect example for her.

How is little Adele doing over there?

Perfect. She's sleeping soundly right now. Aunt Maisie visited her earlier and she was so happy.

And I'm happy too.

His wife Kim Shepard was an American, a New Yorker via rural Wyoming. She was currently in London, where she birthed Adele Walters and where she was going to take care of her for the time being. At this time, Byron desired nothing more than to see his wife and daughter, and not get caught up in all the politics of the world.

With thirty-five heroes, the uppermost room sure felt crowded.

"This place is going to need some serious renovations if you ask me." Red Revolver said.

"In time. Just like the other HQs we're going to make, right?" Stasis said.

"Especially since we're goin' public. We'll have mates practically trippin' over themselves once the numbers go up." Big Thunder said.

The decision to not remain as a governmental entity was unanimous. No one wanted to be an agent of the UN, but a good compromise was needed. Being government approved, but a self-sustained organization of heroes will allow them the freedom to protect the innocent from the various supervillains and corrupted individuals that exist in the world.

"It'll be a fun time, I must say." Scratch said.

Scratch sat cross-legged next to her husband, Rough Ox, as he rubbed her nylon leg. The sex symbol of superheroism, she was always the one who got the attention from others, which she didn't mind. Having recently became a mother, Emily Davis would be sure to set a good example to her Alicia Hill, and alongside Julius Hill would make sure she has role models to look up to.

"I must ask," Night Spider said to Scratch. "Have you considered retiring? After all, Alicia isn't going to take care of herself."

Scratch smirked at the spider-themed billionaire hero. Like he was the first to ever suggest that.

"I'll retire when there's a need to. Alicia needs good role models. What better one than little old me? I don't think a rich kid who uses company resources to dress like a spider at night is what I'd want my daughter to look up to, no offense."

Night Spider crossed his arms. He could retort that someone who poses nude for the internet and fights crime in a form-fitting leotard with nylon pantyhose doesn't make for the best role model either, but she sees her sex appeal as a compliment, so it wouldn't have the desired effect.

Big Thunder approached Shirokage, or Taro Hirano. He gave him a playful nudge on the shoulder, to which he didn't react at all. Big Thunder smiled.

"Ay mate, I hear you gotta son right? Is he gonna be part of this whole 'white ninja' legacy ya guys got goin' on here?"

"Only if that's what he desires."

That gave him a good laugh. He knew that his son would want to take up his mantle, that's what all hero kids want. At least he isn't forcing it upon him, unlike some other heroes.

Liberty came forth, his presence demanding everyone's attention without having to say a word.

"Alright everyone, listen up." Liberty said. "From this day forward, we will act as the Protectors, the world's unified organization of heroes. It's up to us to make sure this whole thing stays afloat, no one else is going to help us out if we fail. We are the heroes of Earth, so we have a standard to live up to. Can you do it?"

Most of the voices heard responded with a resounding "Yes.", which gave Liberty hope that his dream of seeing a unified world since the days of old were finally going to come true. Liberty's dream of a new era, of The Age of Heroes, became a reality, that he was certain. In the distance, the city shown that it was ready to rebuild and recover from the war.

The sun set on New York. Some of the buildings were damaged, and repairs were being put in place. It saw its share from the Splisen attack, before the Protectors drove them away. While it wasn't devastated like other cities were, there were damages. But during times of crisis, there were those who stood together and look out for each other, friend and stranger alike. Liberty always admired that he could find these bright moments in times of tragedy.

A half hour later, the thirty-five heroes gathered together in front of the view. A camera was in place. This was a day that would go down in history, so of course a picture had to be taken. With everyone gathered together in one spot, the picture was shot. This could be known as the new start of the Protectors, after the Splisen War, they were going to remain as the global defense of heroes for all time.

The Age of Heroes had begun.