Time Traveling Hero

Ugh, I'm so tired.

It was now Friday, and I was busy in the archives room of the TRTF's headquarters, reviewing old Triumphs of the previous Heroes.

The archives room was filled with books, but they didn't work in the way that you thought. Instead, an image would be shown directly in your head, as if you're gaining the person's memories from that time and witnessing first-hand what happened in whatever event the book covers. In my case, I was seeing all the past Triumphs of some Heroes.

"I have to wonder why they're all so badass though," I muttered, slamming a book close about Paris, the 14th Hero. Seriously, just from the three Heroes I've read over the course of the past 3 days, it seems I have my work cut out for me.

I lugged the book back towards the terminal, where it would automatically be sent back to where it belonged in the seemingly endless number of shelves in here. I could also ask for books as well, and it would give it to me so long as it wasn't already loaned out.

The room was dimly lit, only being illuminated by blue lamps separated by every 10 shelves, casting their spectral blue light across the room. I stretched out my aching body before heading towards the door.

Over the past couple days, I had to go get registered in the TRTF's system, and after a couple hours of them scanning my body to make sure nothing was wrong with me, they took my finger and hand-prints along with my cornea reading, and now I had full access to all the facilities they had to offer.

I got temporarily blinded by the bright lights outside the archives room before I adjusted. A couple soldiers took notice of me, but they ignored me, continuing with their conversation.

Looks like the Director was right after all. I can't get respect without proving myself it seems. Typical, but it's whatever. There's really only one thing I'm worried about though…

I continued my way, pulling up my virtual map from my newly acquired gadget called the Hephaestus 9000. Square in size, it was rather small, probably about the size of my phone, and it radiated a bright blue light when on. Its features are, and are not limited to:

Virtual Map: As the name implies, it pulls up a map of the surrounding area, and scans it constantly to keep up with any environment changes. It can also keep track of people if I know another person's Hephy Number (more on that in the next feature).

Hephy Chat: If you have one or more people's Hephy Number, you can call, which pulls up a holographic image of the person or people you're talking too, text, send emails, ask for access to certain places in the TRTF's headquarters (I didn't need to do that since I already had full access; perks of being the TTH I guess), and has a short wave radio function.

Key: It also acted as a key for every soldiers and Models lockers and barracks, which inside gives them access to their preferred weapons, high-tech armor that triples a person strength with no harm done to their body, and giant mechas controllable by people by either c.o.c.kpit or remotely (only if they had one) among other things they might possess.

Card: It can also be used to get a variety of foods and drinks for free so long as it's located in Headquarters. Either can be used upfront or to order, which can be then sent to wherever you may be at or where you will be at. You can also set a timer if you order, so if you order ahead, it'll get there right as you arrive.

**(Authors note) There's a couple more that he doesn't mention, but you'll know in due time**

Oh, and it also kept how much money you had in your account. You wanna know how much I get paid? Well, when I asked, the Director laughed and gave me a number. Let's just say I won't have to worry about doing it for free, let's say that. Not by a longshot…

Anyway, I pulled up the Hephaestus 9000, or as I have nicknamed mine, Nymphy, to pull up a map to meet the Director again.

I followed the map until I managed to get back to the double doors that I would probably continue to see for a long time and pressed my hand against it.

The door lit up, and I could hear the gears shift as it opened for me. Inside was Anna, who was standing closest to the door, and the Director, who was sitting in his usual chair.

"Ah, I see you've made it!" He clapped his hands, and a large holographic screen popped up in the middle of the room. "Alright, let's get this over with quickly now."

I gently nudged Anna with my shoulder. "Do you know what's up?"

She nodded but didn't tell me what. This damn girl…

"So, I'm assigning your first mission as a part of the TRTF. You'll leave tomorrow morning," he said, giving me an innocent grin, his chin resting in his interlocked fingers.

I blinked a couple times before replying with my most profound statement yet:

"Huh?"

I heard a strange noise next to me, and I gave Anna a kick, which she deftly avoided. Well, it's not like I wasn't expecting it, but damn, seriously?

"Yes, we do try to hurry up and show our Heroes how it's done by hands-on experience."

I raised my hand. "Oh teacher! I have a question!"

He nodded, allowing me to continue. "Teacher, I don't have any combat experience!"

"That is a bit of a problem, but luckily for you, you hopefully won't have to do much fighting this time around."

Hopefully? How about not at all? "In any case, you'll be mostly observing this time. Of course, you'll have a squad that'll do most of the work. There's already a plan, so all you really have to do is sit back and learn. And as for your combat training, when you get back from your first mission, we'll have Mars train you."

He was still smiling innocently, to the point where I knew he was obviously lying about something. But I already knew what would happen if I tried to ask.

"Okay, so where am I going to be sent?" I asked, scratching my head.

"Not where, but when!" He stood up and tapped the hilt of the sword Tempus, and the green energy flowing from it shot towards the back wall, where a swirling green portal was constructed. Soon, the center showed an image of a jungle, although the plants looked rather odd.

"You'll be sent to the distant past of old, to the Land of the Dinosaurs!" he exclaimed, and in the distance I could see the unmistakable shapes of dinosaurs flying in the sky and roaming a far off plain.

"OH HELL YES!" I yelled out, and both the Director and Anna looked over at me, alarmed. Oh crap, I let my excitement get the better of me.

I cleared my throat before nodding. "I see, so what exactly is our mission? Will we be dealing with these dinosaurs?"

Still wary after my outburst, he nodded. "Yes, that's the plan. The ATF, or in case you didn't know, the Anti Time Force, wishes to bring dinosaurs from the past into their present time."

Present time? "Okay, so I'll just be overseeing the mission then?"

"Yep, you'll coordinate with other teams from different time periods, most likely from the past."

I raised my hand once more. "Teacher, I have more questions!"

He just shook his head, chuckling to himself. "Yes, what is it?"

"Does this mean I'll meet past heroes?"

"Past Heroes will be there, but you probably won't meet any of them. And to answer your next question, we do this quite often. While the people of this time often have their own missions, we'll also coordinate with the people of the past who helps with large scale operations. It makes missions easier since we can use multiple people across different times, maximizing our manpower."

I nodded, understanding what he was saying. "So basically, what you probably do is have whoever makes the mission plans send out different mission details for different periods of times. So, by that logic, you'll be able to successfully coordinate with other teams."

He grinned. "I knew you would get it. Keep in mind though that we often don't fight side by side, since that would complicate things."

"Okay, I understand that. Now, what do you mean by their 'Present Time?'"

"Well, just because we're completing this mission during this time, doesn't mean the ATF planned it out and decided to execute it in this time period."

Ah, that actually makes sense. "Okay, I think that's about it." I glanced at Anna, who was busy reading the mission details.

"So, who's the big bad we'll be facing?" The Director clicked on his Hephy, and a large picture of the leader popped up, along with some details.

"Her name is Cyrene, the Animal Tamer. She tames them into submission by fear, often kills the weaker ones in the name of the survival of the fittest." She had mangled, tawny brown hair and a pair of wheat colored eyes. She looked crazy to be honest, but maybe she was actually sophisticated? No? Yeah, I didn't think so either.

"You'll leave tomorrow, unless you have some sort of problem with it."

"Eh, I can outsmart my stepmom, so that's not a problem." The only thing I was worried about was Luna. Her new moon form had already passed, but she was probably still nervous with her mom coming back. "I'll probably be able to make it. If not, then Anna will tell you."

He nodded and tapped the hilt of the sword once more, causing the portal to close. He then lounged back into his chair, sitting comfortably in it. "Well, that's all for today. Have a nice day you two."

Is this guy seriously the leader? I thought, raising my hand up to my face. But I couldn't help but wonder something though. "Hey, I've been thinking this for a while, but…" I started to walk up to him, and he sat up as I got closer, standing attentive like a nice little schoolboy.

I peered at his face and scowled. "Do I know you?"

If he was shocked, he didn't show it. He just laughed before patting my shoulder. "Oh please. I would remember meeting someone like you."

"It's just, you feel familiar somehow…"

"Master, let's go." I noticed Anna pulling my sleeve, and I relented, deciding to let it go.

"Right let's go home." She nodded, and we started the long walk home.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched as Hiro and the named Model Anna left the room, and as the doors closed shut, I finally let my smile vanish from my face, relaxing into my chair.

"That was interesting…" I really haven't met this guy before, but I got where he was coming at though. He does feel quite familiar, and the way he acts reminds me of someone I once knew a long time ago. If only I knew his real name...

"I wonder if he truly is a 'Hero' after all, or is he something more? Could he be it? Well, I'll just have to test him to find out…"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day, after managing to calm Luna down and explaining myself to Lesty, I left to head towards the TRTF's headquarters, flying on Raijin to head there.

I landed in the open field and sent him on his way before pulling out an umbrella. I opened it and entered the gateway and was met with pouring rain once again.

I quickly made my way inside, shaking off the water on my umbrella. I pulled out Nymphy and navigated my way towards Anna. She was waiting for me outside a place I've never been to before, along with about 20 people, all dressed in combat gear. I made my way towards her, and I caught a couple people give glares before scoffing.

"Yeah, totally don't be obvious bro," I muttered, and Anna tilted her head, confused by my sudden statement.

One soldier clapped his hands and all eyes went on him. He had hazel colored skin and light brown eyes, with dark brown hair that went down to his neck. Next to him was a pale girl with bright pink hair, with the same yellow eyes that Anna had.

"Alright, glad to see that everybody's here now! I'm Roberto, the squadron commander. Now, our mission is to free the locked-up Dinosaurs from their cages. It sounds rather simple, but we expect the place to be heavily guarded. So, just know this won't be a cakewalk!" He stared everyone down until he got to me, and I stared at him right back with equal amounts of intensity, and he clicked his tongue before a sly smile appeared on his face.

"Also, in case you didn't know, our fledgling young Hero is joining us today, along with his companion. Please, introduce yourself."

"I'm Hiro the Hero."

"Anna is Anna."

Our simple replies caught them off guard, and the pink-haired girl, who was chewing gum, let out a small smile.

Roberto recovered first by clearing his throat. "In any case, they'll be joining us to observe, since the Hero has no combat experience yet. Hopefully you'll learn something kid."

Ah, I forgot how normal a.d.u.l.ts treat kids, I thought as he opened the door behind him. It whooshed open, and inside was the place I should've been most curious about.

"This here is the Time Travel Room; in case you didn't know that."

Inside was about 50 swirling green portals, almost all of them being used, and all them being massive, along with about 100 smaller ones. The steel walls surrounding the place had railings high above us, and I could see people in orange suits walking around with their Hephy's. On the ground level, I could see massive mechas, usually about 2-3, coming and going from the massive portals, along with usually about 10-15 people following them. In truth, the place reminded me of an airplane hangar, except 10 times bigger.

I couldn't help but stare at all the machinery involved, let alone the amount of people keeping up maintenance of such place. My curiosity was ignited, and I wished I could've stayed there for hours on end trying to figure out how everything worked. But…

"Hurry up Hiro! We're already late enough as it is thanks to you!"

Can't you just set it to a specific time or something to account for that? Ugh, I have so many questions! Pushing down my curiosity for now, I followed our group to a nearby portal, this one leading to a similar jungle environment the Director had shown me, albeit this one was during the night.

We all stopped in front of the portal, and we waited for the go ahead from the people above.

"Alright, let the 35th squad of the Dinosaur Excursion move out!"

And thus, begins the start of Hiro's Triumphs of New.