2035

Somewhere in the forests of Aureus

Aureus was a country located in Eastern Europe. The snowy mountain nation was considered unremarkable to the rest of the world. This however, made it a good base for certain organizations with agendas of their own to operate in. That organization was Mist, and the Protectors were there to shut down this particular operation.

"Are we ready?" The Watcher said.

"Ready as we'll ever be." Blindshot said.

The six of them moved through the forest, knowing that resistance will be met soon. The trees were tall, snow fell, and the sky was a bleak shade of gray. The Watcher, who had been spearheading operations against the terrorist organization for a while now, discovered the base through extensive research, and he assembled a team to shut it down.

Blindshot, Amazon, Switch, Shirokage, and Red Revolver were ready to take the fight to Mist. They moved through the forest, getting ready for combat as they moved closer. Everyone wanted the task done as soon as possible. The cold and rigid environment wasn't exactly their favorite to be in.

The Protectors had to wear special winter gear made for these missions rather than their usual costumes, besides Amazon and Shirokage. The former in a blue-skinned seven-foot-two form that could resist heat, the latter as a white-clad mystical ninja that wasn't affected by the cold. If all goes well, this mission will be over with quickly, and everyone can go home. That's what they kept in mind during this attack.

Red Revolver drove an advanced truck that Blindshot stood atop of, ready to strike. The Watcher flew, Switch rode on a metal plate, Amazon jumped from area to another, while Shirokage ran and bounced from tree to tree when it was needed.

Mist operatives were seen in the distance, as they had multiple checkpoints in place, and they weren't welcomed guests. The soldiers were black-clad, and wore helmets that concealed their faces. Their weapons were aimed, they had mounting laser turrets, and vehicles full of troops. For them, this would be routine.

Now the fighting began.

"Why don't we give them our personal welcome?" Shirokage said.

Blindshot smiled as he shot an explosive arrow at a troop transport, destroying it and the people inside in a quick strike. Amazon, the blue-skinned powerhouse, had no troubles tossing Mist operatives like rag dolls. The Watcher slipped through the battlefield with his time manipulation abilities, and the troops were unable to hit him as he took them out. Switch took out her share of operates with electrical blasts.

"Just a few more left." Amazon said.

"I'll take care of them." Shirokage said.

Shirokage jumped in the air as he released a fan of shuriken at his targets, most of them hitting what he aimed for. The remainder was taken out by his sword as he moved across the area and slashing them with the Blade of the Kage. That part was down.

"Shall we proceed?" Shirokage said.

"Yes. We'll be done with this soon." The Watcher said.

Mist Outpost: Aureus

"Sir! The Protectors have found us!" A Mist operative said.

"I can see that." Dr. Snow said.

Dr. Snow was an English scientist who had been assigned to this area. Him and his subordinates had to prepare for the oncoming attack. However, Dr. Snow knew exactly what the Protectors were there for. The Red Crystal. He knew had to be sure that Protectors don't get it from them.

"I know why they're here. It's the stone. Let's make sure they don't get it."

His subordinate nodded. Through the long and worn down hallways Dr. Snow hurried, he had to get the stone and get the hell out of there. And just in time, the Protectors began their assault on the base. He could hear the sounds of Mist troopers trying to hold off the attacking team. That made him hurry even further.

Outside the Mist Outpost

"My sources say that Dr. Carter Snow operates here. Let's make sure we capture him, if possible." The Watcher said.

A blockade was set up, consisting of several tanks. They held up at the front of the entrance, firing their blasts of concentrated energy at the heroes. Clearly a last line of defense.

"Allow me." Amazon said.

"No, I can handle this. I want to do some fighting myself really." Red Revolver said.

"I know what you have in mind. I'll get off now." Blindshot said.

He grappled off the top of the truck with his grappling hook, leaving Red Revolver to execute his plan. It took the single press of a button to initiate the self-destruct sequence. With that in motion, he jumped off the truck and rolled to cushion his landing. The mobile bomb came straight for the tanks, and in one massive explosion they were all taken out.

"Well now, I think that takes care of that." Red Revolver said.

Just then, he saw multiple Mist operatives to the right. That was when he would make his move. The man took out his six-shooters and wiped them out before they got the chance to strike. He tipped his hat and smiled.

"Not fast enough."

Blindshot activated the infra-vision on his sunglasses. It gave him a good idea of how many operatives they can expect to encounter of the outpost. The red men lit up, even through the walls, and became easy to spot from their distance. Blindshot smiled.

"Around forty are in there."

"I'd say that's an even fight." Amazon said.

"Let's just get this done, I'm dying to go home." Switch said.

"Then let's move." The Watcher said.

The assault began. They moved through the front pathway to the entrance, taking out any Mist they came across. Shirokage began hopping from building to building up to the point where the outpost was. The entire place was on a hill, required some climbing to be done. Amazon powered through her enemies, throwing them away or slamming them to the ground, before moving on to the next.

The Watcher attempted to fly into the building, but was blocked off by an energy shield.

"Damn. They got a shield."

"Aye, good thing for you I'm an electrician." Switch said.

"We'll hold them off while you work on it." Blindshot said.

Of course, by 'electrician', she's referring to her powers over electricity. Regardless, a good electric shock at the source will be good enough to take down the energy shield. The Protectors fought off numerous Mist operatives while Switch looked for a breaker, or something that channeled electricity.

Blindshot took down several operatives at a distance with his arrows, his skill with them being unmatched. Red Revolver handled several more who were rushing in, and he smiled underneath his handkerchief.

"I would never use anything other than my trusty six-shooters."

Numerous shots were flying at The Watcher. Extending his hand, he stopped them in place, and then returned them to sender like child's play. They all fell subsequently. Shirokage took care of several more, moving through the area and slashing them with his sword.

After several minutes looking for something to use, Switch found a generator beside the outpost. She smiled.

"Found something." Switch said. "I think a little electricity should do the trick."

"Yoshi! Do it quick!" Shirokage said.

Switch fired a blast of sparks at the generators, which overloaded the machine and caused an explosion. The shield was down.

"Alright everyone, let's move in!" The Watcher said.

Everyone did as they were ordered. The tall outpost was practically a fortress, with the stone building standing high up and the walls being thick. Clearly it had uses before Mist took over the place. Finding what they were looking for wouldn't be easy.

"I spot a man upstairs." Blindshot said. "He's also carrying something that's giving off heat. I think we might've found our target."

"Sounds good to me. Let's get him." Red Revolver said.

Blindshot moved to the stairs, where he knew it would take him to Dr. Snow. He went up, going as fast as he could, and got closer and closer to the scientist. He was ready to fight if needed. His weapon ready, he turned the corner and stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Freeze!" Blindshot said.

"Alright, alright." Dr. Snow said with his hands up. "I know when I'm beat."

Blindshot kept him in place as the other Protectors arrived. Soon enough, the six surrounded him, leaving him no possible way to escape. Blindshot could tell that he look strangely calmed, as his heartbeat was normal. Whatever this meant, he didn't know. Nonetheless, he took the briefcase carrying the Red Crystal from him.

"It took a while to plan this operation." The Watcher said. "But I'm sure it's worth it."

"It's also worth it to meddle in our plans, isn't it?" Dr. Snow said.

"Enough. We're taking you to prison, after we learn just what you're planning to do with that." The Watcher said.

Amazon grabbed Dr. Snow and handcuffed him. He wasn't breaking out from that. They carried him through the outpost and out in the field. The Watcher pressed a button on his wristwatch. A blue, mid-sized ship named the Condor descended, slowly making its way down as the force of gravity was felt by everyone else. This was their ride home.

"Hop aboard, everyone." The Watcher said.

They entered the ship, and it took off to the skies in a moment's notice. The mission was a job well done, as usual for someone like The Watcher. The ship flew in the sky. Everyone took a breather for a moment. A time to relax after an intense mission. Dr. Snow sat silently, as he awaited the questioning.

The Watcher retreated to the captain's quarters where he turned on the video messenger. It was time to report his success back home. With the press of a button, the messenger on his screen turned on. The other end was John Baen, a fellow member of the Protectors. He had his arms crossed, and looked satisfied that the mission was a success.

"I take it you got what you came for." John Baen said.

"Yes." The Watcher said. "Hopefully, at least. Our friend Dr. Snow was awfully calm when we captured him. I don't like that."

"I don't like the sound of that, either."

"We'll be sure to get answers out of him. But anyways, we got the Red Crystal in our hands, so Mist just lost a massive source of power."

"Excellent. See you back home."

"Looking forward to it."

Transmission ended. There was a long journey back to New York. Even with the advanced marvel of technology that was the Condor, it would still take roughly seven hours to reach home. They also made a stop in London on the way back. It was where Switch was based, so she had to get off first.

The ship descended down to a landing pad located just outside the city. She smiled, eagerly awaiting her home. Once the hatch opened, she waved everyone goodbye.

"Goodbye everyone, see you later!"

Once that was done, the rest began their journey to New York. The Watcher signaled everyone to come inside the captain's quarters, they followed suit. He crossed his arms and began speaking with the rest. They already knew what he was about to say, as they were feeling it too.

"The way he surrendered... it just doesn't feel right." The Watcher said.

"Some bad guys know when they've lost, but yeah, I feel it too." Blindshot said.

"Shall I have a little 'talk' with him?" Amazon said.

"No, Zeena." The Watcher said. "Not right now. We'll make sure he answers us when we get home."

"Yeah, best save the interrogation for the big room." Red Revolver said.

"Be sure to welcome our guest." Shirokage said.

"Why don't you all relax down on the second floor." The Watcher said. "He won't be going anywhere, and after a long mission like this it's good to unwind."

They nodded and went downstairs. It was a spacious part of the ship with places to settle down, eat, and have fun. There was a large flat screen with a built-in game console which also allowed them to stream Netflix. A place where the Protectors could be people, and take it easy. Shirokage grabbed his sword, and in a flash he was in his civilian attire. Now he was Tetsu Hirano.

"How's it been in New York, getting adjusted?" Red Revolver, or rather, Jackson West said.

"It is different I must say. I've met some nice people, some... lesser people, but I've gotten to see the world as I wanted. Met a nice girl, too."

"Interesting." Bradford "Blindshot" Redding said. "Can I ask her name?"

"April."

"Asian boy with a nice white girl? I can dig that reversal of stereotypes." Brad joked.

Tetsu crossed his arms. "Always a comedian."

"Well I'm dating an Asian girl myself, but you already knew that." Amazon/Zeena Steyn said.

Zeena Steyn was a South African supermodel/superhero of German descent. It's been known that she's dating a Young Protector named Wingspan, or the Chinese-Japanese-American Madison Mei Miyamoto for a year now, who is fifteen years her junior.

Tetsu took a seat on the couch and looked for a movie. His decision to be transferred to the United States was so he could view another side of the world. It wasn't easy saying goodbye to his father, his other family, or the other Protectors he had grown accustomed to being around, but he just had to see a world outside of Japan.

The others relaxed as well. It was a long trip home, so they might as well make the most of it. Soon they would be in New York, where they could sort out the situation and continue with their lives.