The Tibet Monastery

Everyone focused their attention on the large flat screen hanging on the wall featuring an international news broadcast.

"The latest destruction of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in France serves as reminder of the terrorist attacks made by the now deceased criminal Dr. Seth Voelker and Baroness Heike Zemo from Germany who had criminal ties to the group H.Y.D.R.A. United States Special Forces, who have yet to be identified, have confirmed H.Y.D.R.A.'s involvement in the attacks of the Pentagon, Canada's Rockies Park, as well as the current attack on the historical French Catholic church. The president and government spokesperson Maria Hill has made an official statement concerning these incidents but reassures us that Interpol is doing everything in its power to prevent these situations from happening again…"

Coulson shut off the television and breathed a sigh of relief. There was no mention of the Vala-Kuri, including the existence of Cat-People and Reptoids. He observed both clans peacefully socializing and mingling at their celebratory event as both sides finally raised the white flag and compromised a truce.

Much of this he had to thank Skye for. If not for the hacker's peaceful negotiating skills, the two animal tribes would have continued their long civil war. He was grateful she still embodied human compassion and empathy even if she carried the powerful Tigra spirit inside her. She truly was a great leader.

"Bourbon?"

Agent Ward stood next to the man and offered him a drink. The team's leader accepted it.

"Where's Skye?" Coulson asked him.

"She'll be down in a minute." Ward explained. "She needed to take care of something first."

Coulson sipped his drink and then turned to Ward. "So how does it feel to be back? Being a true hero, I mean?"

Grant smiled. "Weird. I never pictured myself a hero. A good soldier, sure. A superhero? That's going to take some getting used to."

"Accept it, Wonder Man." His superior smiled. "You've finally earned it."

Ward giggled. It was weird hearing himself laugh and he to admit he enjoyed actually experiencing emotions. "Sir, about everything that has happened? Me betraying the team? I wanted to say that I'm sorry…"

The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent raised his hand to stop him. "Agent Ward, you have no need to apologize. That's all in the past. We're all ashamed of the things we've done in the past but we can only hope we can change things for better and look toward the future. Sometimes you've got to give yourself that opportunity."

The two observed everyone in the room. Reptoids conversed with Felis. Cat-People danced with the reptilian individuals. It seemed all was forgiven. Ward vowed to do the same. He would explore new opportunities. Even his fellow agents were taking a risk. Jemma and Fitz gazed into each other's eyes as they danced around the room. The he noticed Agent Amador cutting a rug with Iron Fist, Danny Rand, on the dance floor. The foursome moved against the beat of the music before stealing a kiss. He smiled.

Agent May saw this too and frowned as she stood next to Coulson. "Speaking of which, it's never advisable for coworkers to get involved." She glared at Ward who blushed. "It becomes a conflict in the workplace."

"Oh hush, Melinda." Agent Morse smirked. She was joined by Luke Cage and Agent Triplett. "It's romantic. You're talking to the woman who has an off-again, on-again thing with Agent Clint Barton. It's never easy but somehow two agents can try to make it work."

Agent Triplett decided to try his luck. "Hey Melinda, I was wondering if you'd like to dance?"

May placed her hand in front of his face. "No."

Antoine shrugged and sighed. "Point taken."

Coulson turned to Luke and grinned. "Thank you, Mr. Cage, for your assistance in helping with this mission. I'll have the defense department deposit the money to your and Mr. Rand's accounts. You both are civilians now. We won't be calling upon your services any longer."

"Thanks, Agent Coulson." Luke nodded.

"One more thing," the group's leader remarked. "Commander Hill wanted us to attend a mandatory meeting after this. You and Danny's presence are required."

"What's it about?" The Power Man inquired.

Coulson shrugged. "I don't know. All I know is that it's important. We'll take the bus to the meeting and then drop you two off when it's done. Right now we're just waiting on Skye."

"Where is Skye?" Luke wondered.

Inside a private bedroom, a saddened Stacy folded her arms and stared angrily at Skye. The Tigra had reverted back to her human side and appeared normal but it could not mask the feral being underneath.

Stacy X sneered at the hacker. "Just because you saved my life back there doesn't mean I forgive you for killing my sister! She was the only family I had until you murdered her!"

Skye exhaled. "I know, Stacy. I'm not asking for your forgiveness and I know I don't deserve it. Flavius and Dr. Voelker manipulated both us into doing things we didn't want to do so I'm hoping to set all the wrongs that have been committed by doing something right that has been long overdue."

The mutant frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Me and you have been abandoned by our parents when were babies." Skye started. "There's always some residual resentment there. Now my mother died trying to protect me from my father and your parents…"

"Me and Tanya to die out in the street!" Stacy interrupted. "Yeah, I know the whole story! They didn't want us so we were placed in foster care where we abused and neglected!"

The hacker shook her head. "That's not true!" She smiled. "Part of my power as the Tigra is clairvoyance and empathy. When I touch someone, I can see and feel their memories. The first time I touched the maid, Eleanor, she projected all her sadness and tragedy in her life. I guess what I'm saying is that Eleanor is not only a Felis but she's your…"

"Mother."

Dressed in long robes, the older woman displayed a comforting grin to the Reptoid girl. She closed her hands together as Stacy stood up from the bed.

"That's impossible!" She gasped. "You're a Cat-Person!"

"Yes," Eleanor nodded. "I am also your mother. Your father was a Reptoid. We fell in love and married in secret. Dr. Voelker and Flavius discovered our relationship and wanted to punish us to serve as an example for both Vala-Kuri clans. They orchestrated your father's murder and abducted Tanya and you to live among the human world and placed you in foster care. I was forbidden to ever see you both by the Balkatar and I was told if I did, the Felis would send assassins out to murder you. That is why I had to stay away. However, no matter where you or what you did, I never stopped loving you both."

Tears filled the mutant girl's eyes. "But the things that Tanya and I had done. Living on the streets, dealing drugs, and prostitution. How can you love a person like me?"

Embracing her tight, Eleanor gently stroked the young girl's back. "I know you lived a hard life and had to do things that you normally wouldn't do to survive. I don't fault you or blame you. I can only love you as the person you are now."

Stacy fell into her mother's arms as the void that was empty was now completely filled. She touched her mother's face and smiled through her tears. Then it hit her. "Tanya…I forgot. She's dead!"

Eleanor sighed. "I know. My poor eldest chose her path. You must choose yours. I will remember Tanya and love her for beautiful woman she had become." She paused for minute to accept her youngest wonderful arms and then released her to give her some important news. "Stacy, there's something else important that you must understand. The Tigra is our guardian but she can't remain with us for the duration so a new Balkatar must be chosen to lead the Vala-Kuri. That person is you!"

Stacy's mouth dropped. "Me? What do I know about leading? Besides, I'm a Reptoid! The Felis will never accept me!"

"It's not about accepting a Cat-Person or a Reptoid." Skye added. "It's about uniting both clans of the Vala-Kuri. You're half Felis and half Reptoid. That makes you more than capable of leading our people while I'm away!"

"Away?" The mutant asked. "Where are you going? Shouldn't you be staying here?"

The hacker shook her head. "The world needs to be protected. The ritual of the Ebrok seal proved that! It's not about protecting a single group of individuals! It's about protected the entire population on the planet. This monastery is designed to house all the Vala-Kuri so they live in secret and in peace and harmony as they once did. My purpose as the Tigra is to ensure that they always safely guarded from the evils of the world. That is why a Balkatar is needed to lead them in my stead. You are that person!"

Stacy clutched her chest. Never in her life did she feel that she was important. She nervously looked at Skye as the anger slowly vanished and she began to experience hope and happiness.

"Do you really think I can do this?" She asked the hacker.

Skye walked up to her, hugged her close, and whispered in her ear. "I know you can."

The mutant girl smiled and kissed the Tigra's cheek. "Thank you."

The Haven

Agent May carefully landed the bus off the California cliffs near the San Francisco valley area that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Everyone got off the plane as they followed the coordinates to secret bunker deep in the woods. A steel door near small concrete shack stood erected in the middle of a concealed spot of trees as the S.H.I.E.L.D. leader knocked loudly.

"Isn't there some giant hidden computer pad somewhere?" Agent Triplett wondered.

"Apparently, this one is old school." Luke Cage remarked.

Jemma clapped her hands. "How exciting! Another secretive S.H.I.E.L.D. base!"

Fitz put his arms around his new girlfriend and smiled. "Can't wait to check out their tech systems. I'm sure they could use a little updating."

Danny's stomach rumbled. He touched his belly. "I hope they serve food at this thing. I'm starving."

Agent Amador slipped her hands under his arms and purred. "Oh poor baby."

Melinda May rolled her eyes and groaned. "Oh, get a room you two!"

Both Ward and Skye stepped back and secretly laughed.

Suddenly, a sliding panel on the steel door opened to reveal a pair of eyes.

"Name?"

Agent Morse approached the door. "Barbara Morse and Agent Coulson's S.H.I.E.L.D. team. Do we need a password?"

The steel door opened instantly. The group waited to see someone emerging from the shadows.

Dressed in a red smoking jacket, pajama bottoms, and smoking a pipe, a man bearing a resemblance to Billy Koenig greeted the team.

"Pfft, passwords are overrated." He snorted. "I can identify you by facial recognition."

"Billy?" Barbara asked.

The lookalike chuckled. "No, it's Tim. Tim Koenig. Yeah, I look exactly like my brothers Billy, Eric, and Sam but I'm the laid back one. Hence, the clothes. Anyway, the Big Guy is waiting for you in the lounge."

"The Big Guy?" Coulson wondered.

The team followed in as they noticed the interesting décor inside. It appeared to be single bachelor meets post-modern impressionism from the unique color schemes and knick-knacks that graced the walls and ceiling. They followed Tim toward the lounge where a man in civilian clothes and sporting an eye patch kicked his feet up in a leather recliner.

"It's about damn time!" Colonel Fury addressed the group. "How's the flight?"

"A little turbulence but we've been through worse," noted Coulson. "May is usually really good with getting through the storm."

Melinda cocked an eyebrow. "Good? I'm the best!"

"You got that right!" Fury smirked. He scanned the room as he examined each individual agent. "So this is your team? I can't say that it'd be my personal pick but I'm quite impressed with the roster!"

"Thank you, sir." The group's leader nodded. "Perhaps, you'd like to tell me why you called us here?"

Colonel Fury stood up and put his hands in his pocket. "As you know, when S.H.I.E.L.D. started we had a dream of bettering the world and making sure it was always defended by global threats. However, H.Y.D.R.A. ruined all that by infiltrating our organization and corrupting it. Now with S.H.I.E.L.D. disbanded and new threats emerging, the world's leaders are calling forth for a newer organization with stricter monitoring and new guidelines."

"What is this new organization going to be called?" Agent Morse inquired.

"S.W.O.R.D." He answered. "The Sentient World Observation and Response Department. Long ass name for something that the Earth's governments want to scrutinize over."

Coulson scratched his head. "And you want us to be part of this new group? We're to be called agents of S.W.O.R.D.?"

The colonel shook his head. "Hell no! They've got their hands full just dealing with the PR department. Maria Hill is furious that she's been assigned to babysit them! I'm talking about a new team. A supergroup?"

Antoine leaned in. "Us? A supergroup?"

Fury scowled. "You're already are one, Night Thrasher! When I formed the Avengers Initiative, I had an idea to branch out into various teams that could assist with other global threats. A group made up of highly trained individuals who can be called to handle missions when the Avengers are unable to be summoned. For now, your team would be the start-up. The West Coast Division."

"The West Coast Avengers?" Coulson folded his arms. "Isn't that a little ambitious?"

"Ambitious? Hell yeah!" The colonel explained. "Right now, Coulson, I've got my eyeballs in Avenger threats. I've got an artificial intelligence that's gone rogue, two mutant twins on the loose whose father is a mutant magnetic terrorist, H.Y.D.R.A., aliens, and some magical beings entering from some Strange territory. I'm up to my eyeballs in outside threats. I need a team now and from the looks of it, you guys fit the bill!"

"Are you sure we're up for this?" The group's leader wondered.

Agent Morse stepped in. "Of course, Coulson. You've got experienced agents, me, Triplett, and May. A cybernetic agent. A Tigra and a Wonder Man. Heck, we're in throw in a martial artist and an MMA fighter."

"Whoa!" Luke protested. "I never signed up to be a superhero! I've got a kid on the way! I can't be risking my life!"

Fury put on his serious face. "We'll pay well for your services. Plus, we can make arrangements for your girlfriend and child to live here in California and housing expenses. Also, if you want we'll even throw in private school and future college tuition in the mix!"

"Sold!" Iron Fist extended his hand. Luke did not argue. The colonel refused to shake it.

"I guess we're superheroes now." Skye clucked. "Go figure."

"One more thing," Fury advised. "Since you'll be out in the public eye, you'll need to go undercover. You'll need new identities and codenames.

"I'm sticking with Iron Fist!" Danny said excitedly.

Luke slapped his forehead. "No way, am I calling myself Power Man. That's lame."

Agent Amador sighed. "I guess I'm going with Misty Knight. I hate my porn name."

Barbara smiled. "Mockingbird it is.

"Night Thrasher." Antoine grinned.

Coulson glanced at Fitz and Simmons who shook their heads.

"We don't need codenames," Fitz explained. "We're in the background."

"But if we did," said Jemma. "I'd be Lady Bio-derm and Fitz would be Geek Squad!"

The engineer groaned. "Sounds like pharmaceutical product and the department at Best Buy."

Colonel Fury nodded. "Then it's settled. Coulson will lead the West Coast Avengers." He looked around the room to see two members missing. "Where's Tigra and Wonder Man?"

Standing outside of the Haven's balcony that overlooked the ocean, Ward and Skye held hands. The tall agent touched the woman's face, slipped his hand around her waist and drew her close. Then they kissed.

It was electric.

Skye broke away for a moment to look at the handsome man. "So what happens now? We become real superheroes?"

"I guess so," said Ward. "I'll be Wonder Man and you'll be Tigra."

Skye smiled at the idea of them fighting evil together. She turned toward the rolling waves and felt the breeze whip through her hair.

"It's funny," she mentioned. "I always have wondered what it would be like to search for my family and when I finally found them, they turned out not to be so great. Well, my father, actually. I guess some people were never meant to have a family."

Grant exhaled. "Then again, Skye, some families shouldn't exist. I come from a dysfunctional one where the constant abuse and mind games were considered acceptable. I never learn or understood love until I met you." He turned to the hacker. "I finally understand that now. For the first time, I can say I'm happy. I'm able to feel. I'm able to connect. You broke through my walls and for that I'm grateful." He pulled her in again. "I love you, Skye."

"I love you too, Grant." She giggled.

Their mouths met again and this time they did not pull away.

It was everything.

It was perfect.

The End.

Author's Note: You might recognize some comic book names in this fanfic. Let's start with Barbara Morse, who many of you might now as Mockingbird from the West Coast Avengers. Background story, she was a brainwashed agent who operated under the name Huntress (pre-DC universe) for a time.

I saw Agent Triplett and Akela having a close connection with Night Thrasher and Misty Knight. Ever since the show slightly changed Mike Peterson as Deathlok's background, I decided to do the same.

There are some similarities with Skye and Tigra. Both came from a feral creature background. Both appear to have some mystical properties involving some form of animism (animal connection) so that's what I went with. Somebody online made a theory that Skye might be closely connected with the heroine Mantis but we'll see as the show progresses in the next season.

Ward and Wonder Man have a strong similarity. Both come from a dysfunctional well-to-do family background. Both men have an evil brother (Wonder Man's sibling is the villain Reaper) and both started off as villains to heroes. I thought I would use that for this story.

Lastly, I used the Cat-People reference from the comic books. This made the connection to Tigra some depth give her more of a backstory. The Vala-Kuri and Reptoids are more from the Savage Lands from the Ka-Zar comics universe but I wanted to incorporate my version of it as well.

Hope you enjoyed this fanfic. Please check out my others on my profile.

-Kidscomix