Chapter 21

"Now then young heroes, show me your mettle!" Hercules yelled as he started to wrestle with Rockslide, which ended within the blink of an eye with the young mutant on his back, before swatting Noriko's electrical shock with the back of his hand.

"An impressive show of power young one, but you are a few decades too early to use lightning against the son of Zeus!" The demigod laughed before catching a punch from Paras, code name Indra, who was clad in a purple psionic armor. Then he pulled the young mutant to himself and threw him over his shoulder.

"That's something I learned years ago, while I was still learning under Chiron!" The demigod laughed before crossing his arms and forming an X over his chest in order to block a grayish green fist.

"And there comes the main event." Hercules' smile was downright bloodthirsty, but it could only be considered sweet compared to Skaar's expression; which was akin to a growling wolf, if the wolf was a son of Hulk who had been raised in one of the most barbaric cultures in the universe.

"Come on!" The demigod bellowed as he ran towards the son of Hulk, who did the same before throwing a punch towards Hercules' head; only for the old hero to go low, slide between Skaar's legs and then 'hug' him from behind.

"And this is something I learned in Texas!" Then the son of Zeus lifted the son of Hulk and slammed him to the ground, headfirst, with a perfect German Suplex.

"And that's how we do it in…" Hercules' words would remain unfinished as a kick landing on his jaw silenced him.

"And there comes the second brother." He said with a bloody grin as he looked at Hiro Kala, the slimmer son of Hulk that seemed to have been waiting for an opening before commencing his assault. A tactic Hercules approved.

"Go on!" Hercules yelled as he charged forward, which Hiro Kala responded by trying to jump above the ancient hero. Something that Hercules expected as he immediately went high himself and catches… nothing?

"The hell?!" Son of Zeus gaped as the son of Hulk shot towards the left in the air. "You can fly?!" He yelled with the barest hints of jealousy in his voice.

His distraction also cost him dearly as the son of the Hulk he had thought to have put down already leaped from his small crater and slammed both of his fists down on the demigod's head.

"Cunning aren't you?" Or he would have if he wasn't blocked by the demigod's arms before Hercules swept his leg and tripped Skaar, right before leaning down in order to avoid a hit from Hiro Kala and rewarded his ambush with a punch of his own; sending the leaner son of Hulk flying away.

"Anyone else?!" The Greek hero yelled with his arms wide open as he planted a foot on Skaar's back to keep him down. "Does anyone else wish to challenge the Lion of Olympus?!"

"I think the Lion of Olympus has been challenged enough." Angel said with a sigh as he walked towards. "Ok guys, the simulation is over." And with a clap of his hands, the surrounding terrain once more turned into the metallic sheen of the Danger Room.

"Thanks again for helping with the training Herc."

"No thanks is necessary, friend Angel! It is my pleasure to help the young and upcoming heroes of this age to realize their potential. Speaking of potential, have I ever…" Hercules' words were cut short by the speakers coming to life.

"Told us about your immense potential for destruction and stupidity? No, but you have shown it more times than we can count." Amadeus Cho's voice echoed through the Danger Room, much to Hercules' ire as he saw the tiny smirks of certain young heroes he had been beating up only a minute ago. Traitors brats, Iolaus wouldn't have laughed!

"Let's just all return to our rooms." Angel said with a smile. "We have a big day tomorrow."

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"You have quite impressive students, friend Cyclops." Hercules said as he popped open a beer can. "I'd say that they have the potential to become heroes even greater than my Avenger comrades."

"Don't you mean former comrades?" Emma asked with a raised eyebrow but Hercules merely laughed.

"Hah, no I don't. That ridiculous civil war and Osborn's take over of our beloved team may have somewhat soured our feelings, but the real Avengers will come back. No matter what." The Greek Hero declared. "So I shall merely enjoy punching Osborn in the face until the return of the real Avengers."

"That might be hard with Sentry on his side." Scott said with a sigh. "I know that you are a god and all that, but still."

"Friend Cyclops, let me tell you a truth that us gods tend to keep quiet about." Hercules said with a smile as he leaned forward. "We are not nearly as great as we'd like to have you mortals think that we are."

"As a matter of fact, I can say with nary a doubt that I would trade a thousand years among the gods for mere moments among you mortal heroes. For it is you lot who teach us gods how we really should be, even if most of us don't really listen to the lessons." He grumbled the last part.

"Thank you Herc... that really means a lot." Scott said, pleasantly surprised by the words of the Lion of Olympus. After so long seeing the man as only a meathead with obsession with hedonistic lifestyles and punching people, actually seeing the man known as the greatest hero of the Greece was a nice change.

"Well then, I must be off now friend Cyclops. Young Noriko and Santo has told me that they are having a small party in the kitchens before the big day and I believe they were saying something about a double glazed fried desserts. I have no idea what those are but I am quite interested in trying." Well, mostly anyway.

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