Heeeyyyyyyyy~ so I've written a new story! It's my first ever crossover fic-Stoki/Hercules. If you have any questions about who's who I don't mind explaining. If you've seen the Disney version of Hercules though it should be self explanatory. XD

Warning: Violence and minor language

Disclaimer: Does not own Marvel Universe

Comments/critiques are welcomed!

The museum was closed for the evening. It housed many great artifacts of the past but of course the one display that gained the most traffic was the Hall of Heroes. These heroes were the greatest, most respected men and women alike whose powers and abilities made them known and whose sacrifices made them famous. Many of these heroes had passed on long ago but their likenesses lived on and would continue to do so, carrying on their noble names and stories. Despite the museum being empty, voices of the various recordings and introductions still ran on repeat. The most prominent of these was in the very center of the exhibit, its voice carried over all the others, and it spoke only of the noblest of these heroes—Captain America. His likeness stood taller and mightier than all the others for his pure heart and courage could not be matched by any other. And the introduction given for him was always louder than the rest.

"There was a time not long ago when monsters roamed the Earth which caused for the rise of heroes. Among those heroes rose some of the greats—many whose likenesses have been captured over the years as tribute for their services. The bravest, truest, and most valiant of all these heroes being the mighty Captain America—Steve Rogers—who-"

"Ugh, stop with the dreary monologue already!"

The voice echoes over the empty room.

"Yeah, I hate that stupid voiceover introduction…trying to make out his story to be like some kind of Greek tragedy."

Five statues of female heroes begin to move out of place, shaking out the kinks of a long day's work. They were the five—five of the greatest female heroes known to Earth: Carol Danvers, Janet van Dyne, Bobbi Morse, Jessica Drew, and Wanda Maximoff. All were known for their courage, strength, and incredible gifts given for the sake of the survival of the human race.

Above them the voice doing the monologue seems to clear its throat rather bashfully. "Well it's not as if I have a choice in what I say…"

"Awww," Jessica Drew coos, smiling sweetly up at the speaker. "We know that, hunny. Just—you could add a little more-"

"Enthusiasm?" Bobbi Morse snorts.

"Finesse, I was going to say finesse."

"I'm only a recording. I simply read the way I'm supposed to."

"But you're reading about Steve Rogers…the Captain America!" Janet van Dyne exclaims. She sighs, turning to stare at the statue of his likeness fondly. "Blessed with good looks and a heart of gold."

Wanda Maximoff hums. "A true hero."

"Steve Rogers! As I live and breathe…" Carol Danvers leaps onto the tribute statue of Captain America. She grunts and drapes herself onto him. "They should've called him Captain Booty. That boy had an ass you could spot in a crowd. This bronze replica barely does him justice…we could've made some sweet love together if I-"

"What we're trying to say," Wanda Maximoff scowls at Danvers, crossing her arms. "Is that his story deserves more than just an introductory monologue. You speak only of his deeds here on Earth—why not introduce him with his great origins? Tell the story of how he came to be Captain America." She rests her hand on the plaque of his tribute. "He's more than just this shield."

There's a pause, the voice over the speakers perking up a bit with amusement. "I'm all ears."

"Rogers' story begins long, long ago—before the idea of his greatness was ever conceived…" The girls all sit around the Captain's likeness, Carol rubbing her hands over his calf.

"When the world was new there were powerful and great beings that roamed the universe known as Titans. Their power knew no bounds and neither did their lust for blood…the only world that stood in their way for complete domination was Earth. They cast the planet into chaos, wreaking havoc amongst the human race, and taking thousands upon thousands of lives…it was not long before the Earth was at their mercy.

Then came SHIELD. They were the saving grace of the world and stopped the Titans in their tracks, using their own powers against them to imprison them in the very bowels of the universe. SHIELD singlehandedly removed chaos from Earth, saving millions of lives.

SHIELD sought to protect the world, no matter the foe, and to protect the innocence of the lives that called Earth home. But with the rise of powers unnatural for mere mortals to possess and the rise of magic and evil, SHIELD sought to create something greater than the heroes they were. They sought to create a being so pure of heart and soul that he could be called lead them to peace—the very savior of Earth. A being so graced with power and selflessness that he would be worthy of the title of 'true hero'…and this is where our story begins…"

Triskelion, Washington D.C. (SHIELD's Base of Operations)

"You're sure you've found one?" Nick Fury walks confidently down the dimly lit hall. It was late. The building was nearly cleared of all agents other than the few who were on call. Director Fury was frustrated that being director meant never getting a decent night's sleep. "I don't think I need to elaborate as to why you need to be sure, doctor."

Dr. Abraham Erskine was leading Director Fury towards his discovery though he was a few steps behind from having to continually shuffle about his papers. He was an odd little man with thick rimmed glasses and an even thicker German accent. "I'm certain this time. He's the perfect specimen, I'm sure of it."

"That's what you said last time, Dr. Erskine, we can't make the same mistake twice-"

They pause in front of the double doors that led into the labs, Fury narrowing his eye at the smaller man. The doctor frowns at him, clutching his unorganized papers to his chest and fixing his spectacles. His face was stoic but his eyes were alive with excitement.

"I'm sure of it, director. I give you my word."

Erskine passes through the doors with Fury close behind him. The lab assistants and other agents had already gathered around as spectators and were currently assisting with the setup, eager to get on with the experiment. The two men part ways as Erskine begins to order his assistants about the proper way to handle the equipment as the director takes a seat against the far wall to oversee the entire room. A tall spindly woman approaches him and speaks in a hushed tone, the director nodding in response.

"No, no, those go over there-"

"Dr. Erskine, should we turn on the monitors?"

"Yes, turn them on and make sure they warm up, we'll get started shortly. Is he ready? Where's Agent Romanoff?"

"He was getting fussy so Romanoff took him into the prep room. Should we ask her to wake him-?"

"No, no, let him sleep. Now where's Stark? Stark-!"

"Right here, doc, no need to yell."

A well-groomed man in a white lab coat steps into the room and licks his thumb, swiping it across his lip to straighten his mustache. He winks at one of the assistants who blushes and hides her face with her clipboard. Stark shakes Erskine's hand. "Apologies, Abe, I know how much you hate to be kept waiting." He gives Fury a little salute. "Director, looking stiff as ever."

"Stark."

"Alright!" Stark claps his hands and rubs them together. "Where's the little whippersnapper at? Let's get started!"

"Not quite yet, I'd like for him to sleep a little longer. I don't want any unnecessary strain on him-"

"Doctor," Fury clears his throat, literally everyone in the room freezing at the tone of his voice. "I believe we're ready to start."

Erskine nods and takes the center of the room. "Y-yes, sir." He clears his throat. "Attention, everyone, I'd like to begin." He waits for the assistants to take their seats. "These past twenty years we have been keeping the peace, seeking ways to create a hero that will be both sound of body and mind. Our tests however have proven less than successful…" Fury shifts in his seat. "And that made me think—what if we are seeking out these subjects in the wrong way? We are choosing men who have already made mistakes and sins in their lives in hopes that my serum will adapt to their good nature—but there is no true way to discover if the good outweighs the bad. I have made the necessary adjustments to my serum as well as my theorem and the amount of time this experiment is to be drawn out. This will take a necessary amount of years that I have carefully mapped out depending on how well the subject adapts to the serum-"

Fury frowns, leaning forward in his seat. "How many years are we talking? SHIELD has already invested a great number of years into this program and we've come up with nothing but unfavorable results."

"And I understand your discrepancy with any changes I have made-"

"I'd like to know why these changes seem to be so necessary. Obviously things weren't working in the past few trials…why change now?" The assistants murmur amongst themselves. "And furthermore how am I to believe that these changes have been made for the better?"

"Perhaps…it would be best-" Erskine sighs, "-if you met my newest subject." He motions towards one of the prep rooms. "Agent Romanoff, if you would?"

A woman who looked to be in her late-twenties with short red hair and pouty lips steps out of the room. She was cooing at the small body in her arms—a baby—who wasn't responding the way most infants would at his size. He was looking up at her with interest but could barely lift his arms to reach for her face and hair. There was no babbling or mimicking from the baby either…just the small, shuddering wheezes from each breath he took. She smiles fondly at him and passes him gently to Erskine who takes care to mind his head. The infant makes a small noise and waves one of his arms weakly. He grabs one of Erskine's fingers and smiles, wheezing out a cough. Erskine rubs his chest and frowns as the baby continues to cough.

"He sounds to be having a bit of trouble," Erskine directs her towards his equipment. "If you could set him down in the device and help steady his breathing? I don't want him to be uncomfortable." He hands the baby back to her and turns his attention back towards the director. "Now…I'm sure you must be thinking-"

"Thinking?" Fury's tone was harsh as he stands to walk past Dr. Erskine and towards Agent Romanoff who was cooing softly at the baby. She places a small tube in his nose and turns on the machine to her right, his wheezing beginning to slow down. Fury stares down at the baby with a scowl. "Tell me, doctor…what exactly am I thinking?"

"Well, I—I'm sure I do not know-"

"But you said you did, did you not?" The doctor continues to stutter over his words, Fury turning to one of the assistants. "Did he not just tell me that he knew what I was thinking?" The girl mumbles and nods, averting her eyes from the director's cold stare. Fury looks over the baby again with a frown. He sighs, stepping away from the machine the infant was in and placing a hand roughly on Erskine's shoulder. "Doctor…how are you so sure the serum will work on him? Where did you even get this child?"

Erskine fumbles his hands together and pushes his glasses back up his nose. "He was abandoned. After adjusting my notes I came to the conclusion that a child was best suited to develop into the perfect hero. As I was being introduced to the children I came across the boy in a tiny incubator and I pitied him. I thought that—if the serum did nothing more than heal him of his ailments than I would be happy, I would consider myself a success. And—he is young. He has not yet been impressed upon due to the nature of his illness and circumstances and therefore we will be able to mold his mind to teach him right from wrong. If raised properly the boy will become a good man, a perfect man. It will work, director."

Fury sighs deeply and rubs his eye. "How old is he?"

"Eighteen months." Fury raises his brow when Natasha is the quickest to answer, observing the way she leans over the machine to soothe the baby as he squirms about.

"I do hope we aren't too attached to the child, Agent Romanoff. You seem fond of him and I can't have one of my best agents emotionally compromised if this procedure were to do him any harm."

"It won't," Romanoff hums. She runs a hand over the wisp of blonde hair on his head. He wheezes a bit, grabbing her hand. "Steve's stronger than he looks."

"You've named him."

"Dr. Erskine named him. I've simply been doing as you told me to, director. You told me to assist the doctor in any way possible and he asked me to look after the baby."

"Agent Romanoff has proved very helpful in keeping him as comfortable as possible," Erskine flips on one of the switches to the machine and it starts to hum. "And I am sure Romanoff's concern for the child is purely human nature—as is all of ours. Now whenever Mr. Stark-"

Stark flips a couple switches on the wall to dim the lights, smirking. "Ready when you are, doc." He takes a seat at one of the control panels. The assistants start handing out pairs of goggles. "If you'll all put these on—sorry, director, but I couldn't get a pair specially made so I just popped out one of the lenses for you."

"Hillarious."

Erskine takes Natasha's arm gently to guide her away from the baby and towards one of the spectator rooms. "He will be fine, Agent Romanoff, the procedure will not hurt him." She follows the director and other agents behind the safety glass, taking a seat. The doctor takes his place by the machine, the assistants placing various electrodes on the infant's chest and stomach. He fusses at them and starts to whine. One of the assistants reaches for the tube in his nose and the doctor catches her hand. "No, no…keep his air in. I don't want him to go into shock… Have you recorded his height and weight? And his heart rate?"

"Yes, doctor."

"Good, good…I'll need the vaccine then," Dr. Erskine orders. He runs a hand through the thinning hair on his head. One of the assistants hands him the needle he requested and he thanks her. He leans over to take the baby's arm but he whines and pulls away from him. "Hold his arm steady for me." The baby starts to let out raspy little cries as the doctor gives him the vaccine. Erskine hands the needle to one of the assistants and sighs. "Steady him, we can't have him squirming about during the procedure—Stark, has the machine warmed up?"

"Ready, set, and match."

The assistants coo at the baby and rub his stomach, his crying eventually faltering and replaced by his tiny, wheezing breaths. "Ladies and gentlemen," Erskine smiles at the lot of them. He pushes his glasses up his nose. "It's time to play God." He looks down at the baby who smiles up at him, lifting one of his arms. "You are to be a new breed of hero, my son. You should be proud." He smiles fondly at him and steps away. "Shut it." The baby makes a small noise as they close the lid to the machine and switch on the monitors, making sure the latches are secure. Erskine pulls on his goggles and everyone else in the room does the same, stepping away from the machine and towards their positions to man the switches on the walls. "Mr. Stark—turn it on."

"Hold onto your hats."

Stark flips the main switch and the room is plunged into darkness, the only sound the heavy whirring of the machine as it begins to warm up. The monitor reading the baby's heart begins to speed up. Stark motions to the assistants to flip their switches and the machine lets out a low whine, a white light shining blindly from the device. As Stark steadily increases the power the baby starts to wail. The monitor shows his heart rate speeding up even further. Erskine motions for the assistants to stay where they are and Stark gives the signal that they've reached maximum power. The baby continues to sob.

"Doctor! The infant's heart can't take much more-"

"Keep it steady!" Erskine orders. "Don't shut it off, only a few moments longer!"

The white light fills the room. Some of the assistants begin to shield their eyes. The infant's crying stops. The monitor flat lines and the assistants look around frantically, unsure as to what to do. Stark furrows his brow and looks to Erskine who holds up his hand to keep it steady.

Fury steps out of the observation room to yell. "For God's sakes, Erskine, shut it off!"

Erskine looks to Fury and to the monitors. He furrows his brow. "That's enough, Stark! Shut it off!" Stark cuts off the power and the machine lets out a few sparks. Some of the assistants yell when the panels on the wall spark out as well. The room goes black. One by one the lights blink back on and Erskine tears off his goggles, running up to the machine. "Open it up! Hurry, hurry, open it!" The switches let out a hiss as the machine opens. Stark takes off his goggles and stands, craning his neck to see. The entire room stays deadly silent. No one moved. Erskine closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Shut off the monitors…"

"But—doctor-"

A small noise breaks the silence. The baby lets out a small cough and starts to cry, his heart rate reappearing on the screen. Erskine lets out a relieved sigh, the rest of the room starting to applaud. Stark sits back down in his chair and starts to laugh. "He's not wheezing!" Erskine exclaims. "He's not wheezing—quick! What's his weight?"

"It is…25.2 pounds. He's average."

"Average! He's average, it worked! Quickly, shut off the oxygen and get those electrodes off of him, check his breathing, check his—check everything! He's average, it worked!"

The room continues to applaud, many of the assistants shaking the doctor's hand. Stark runs up to Erskine laughing and hugs him, shaking his shoulders. Romanoff waves off the assistants to scoop the baby up from the machine and coddle him, smiling when he raises both his arms to reach for her. One of the assistants hands her a bottle and she places it to his mouth. He grabs it with both hands and holds it steady on his own.

"Look at him!" Erskine laughs, placing a hand on the boy's head. "He's already adapting to the serum—someone write this down! Somebody get me my notebook-"

"Dr. Erskine." Everyone quiets down when Fury steps towards the doctor. He holds out a hand for him to shake and gives him the closest thing to a smile that Fury could manage. "Congratulations. On behalf of SHIELD—and myself—we look forward to seeing how the experiment moves on from here."

"As. Am. I."

A man steps into the room, receiving pointed glares from a majority of the room. He was dressed smartly in a military uniform and he would have been a rather handsome man if it had not been for the odd texture of the skin on his face. It resembled the sheen of plastic and wrinkled in odd ways where the contours of his face would fall—almost as if he were wearing a mask. He steps further into the room, the assistants stepping out of his way as he strides, smiling coyly at the lot of them. Both Erskine and Fury frown, Fury narrowing his eye. Romanoff holds the baby closer to her and steps behind Fury.

"General Schmidt." Fury folds his arms stiffly behind his back. "I think I made myself clear that you were no longer allowed in these facilities. And I'm curious as to how you got past security."

"Oh, director," Schmidt walks freely through the room, his smile widening. "You and I both know that even the impossible can be reached if one simply puts their mind to it." He turns to Dr. Erskine who looked less pleased to see him than Fury. "Herr doctor…so good to see you again. I do hope I am not interrupting but when I heard you were attempting to create another super soldier I could not refuse the invitation to observe."

"You should not have come, Johann." Erskine scowls. The female agent beside Fury places a hand on her gun. "The test is already complete. And it will be years before the subject shows any true signs of improvement—but from what I've already seen I have no doubt that this time my experiments have been a success."

"How very cryptic, doctor. Tell me—where is this new subject of yours? For a super soldier he does very well blending into crowds."

"I told you, Johann—my tests were much different this time."

The baby squeals and Romanoff shushes him, bouncing him lightly in her arms. Schmidt quirks a brow and looks around the room. His eyes settle on Natasha and the baby, making the connection in his mind. He lets out a laugh, several of the assistants jumping. "Oh, doctor, surely this must be a jest…" he laughs. "The fate of the new world—rests in the hands of an infant?"

Erskine frowns. "The fate of the new world rests in the hands of the man this child will become."

"Do you all not feel foolish? Resting the fate of your organization in the hands of a premature bastard-"

"Steve," Natasha snarls, holding him closer to her. The general turns to her and her scowl deepens. "His name is Steve."

Schmidt grins at her and chuckles. He approaches her slowly, Fury stepping aside as Schmidt walks up to her. The female agent beside Fury places a hand on her gun holster. Natasha narrows her eyes and steps back. Steve fusses against where she had him pressed to her shoulder. "May I?" He holds out his arms for the baby, Romanoff looking to Erskine. The doctor gives her a small nod. Natasha reluctantly hands Steve over to him and the general smiles. "Steve…short for Steven, yes? Derived from the Greek name Stephanos. It means crown, honor, and victorious. It is a name given to those of great power…your touch I'm assuming, doctor?"

"He's going to become the saving grace of the world," Natasha scoffs. She crosses her arms defensively. "He'll give people something to believe in again."

"Why? Because Herr doctor cured him? Helped him to breathe? Hope is nothing more than a washed up idea created by the common man," Schmidt chuckles. "Romanoff was it? You were one of the first to receive the serum, weren't you? Tell me—what has it done for you?"

She glances at Fury and he quirks a brow. "Prolonged life. Superhuman capabilities. Heightened immunity."

He shrugs, giving her a small nod. Steve fusses in Schmidt's arms. "And what was the serum to do to the boy, doctor? Similar results, I'm assuming?"

"The serum has already adapted to give his body the strength to develop as if he were not born ill. He no longer has asthma, his weight has doubled, and he is capable of moving all of his limbs. In years' time we will be able to tell if the serum has heightened his immunity and if his intellect is developing at exponential rates. He will develop superhuman strength, agility, and stamina and his body will be able to withstand a multitude of various injuries."

"And what about regeneration?"

"He—he will be capable of healing the largest of wounds in no time at all, yes."

Schmidt hums and nods, walking about the room casually with Steve babbling in his arms. He pulls a switch blade from his belt. Romanoff and the agent beside Fury both whip their guns out of their holsters and cock them. "Should we test your theory, doctor?" Schmidt chuckles, flashing both women a grin. He holds the blade just above the infant's stomach. "How well do you trust your reflexes, Agent Romanoff? Either of you shoot me and the boy could become seriously injured."

"Alright," Fury steps between his agents and Schmidt, raising his hands to both women. They lower their weapons only slightly. "Let's just all calm down…there's no need to harm the boy, general, he's incapable of even defending himself. Just—put the knife away and hand him back to Dr. Erskine."

Erskine steps towards the four of them, his arms outstretched for the baby. "Johann, please-"

"NEIN! DO NOT CALL ME BY THAT NAME!" Schmidt yells, pricking the infant's stomach with the blade. A drop of blood runs down the swell of his belly as Steve begins to wail. "I am no longer Johann Schmidt, doctor, I have not been since you gave me that damned serum! Since you turned me into the monster that I am!" He looks down at the baby in his arms and laughs. "But it would seem your theory has failed, doctor. A cut this small surely should have healed by now. Should we test how deep the wound can go?" Schmidt chuckles and holds the blade just above Steve's stomach who was still sobbing. A shot's fired—several of the lab assistants screaming and falling to the floor—and Schmidt lets out a pained yell as the knife he was holding is shot out of his hand.

Howard Stark lets out a breath and lowers his gun with a sigh. "Damn, I'm a better shot than I thought."

Romanoff wrenches Steve from Schmidt's grip and holds him against her, cooing softly to soothe him. Schmidt snarls and glares daggers at Stark. He lets out a dry laugh. "No matter, doctor…it would still seem as though your serum has failed to give the bastard superhuman abilities."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Natasha turns Steve just slightly so that his stomach is visible. The cut Schmidt had made was already healed over as if it had never happened, the small amount of blood already starting to dry. "It would seem the only one Dr. Erskine has failed is you."

He snarls and pulls a military rifle from his pocket, aiming at her and the baby. "Good little girls should know when to hold their tongues-"

A gun cocks behind him, Fury poking his own .22 into Schmidt's back. He narrows his eye. "I believe it's time for you to leave, Herr general."

Schmidt laughs darkly, grinning. "Very well, director. I shall go." He pockets his gun and steps carefully away from Fury. Schmidt walks slowly through the crowd, chuckling to himself. "But how long will your fantasies last? How long will you place your hopes in an organization that can no longer protect the world from itself? There is no justice in a world full of imperfections. I seek to cleanse it."

"You seek to control it." Schmidt frowns, Fury scoffing at him. "Hope is something mankind has clung to since the beginning of time and it's a concept that SHIELD will always stand behind. This boy may or may not be our reckoning to free the new world from itself but it's worth a shot. The people still believe in heroes, general," Fury scowls, folding his arms behind his back. "And so do I."

Schmidt cackles wickedly. He sees himself to the door, pushing them open with a wicked smile. His eyes flicker to the infant in Romanoff's arms. "We shall see, Herr director, we shall see…"