The others looked at Tony with puzzled expressions. Compared to Tony Stark—a relatively new ally—they were far more inclined to trust Leon, soone who had proven himself ti and again.
Over the years, they had watched Leon closely. He had rescued children from Stryker's military base, saving lives while asking for nothing in return. Whether it was helping Wanda and Pietro, saving the planet from cosmic threats, or taking personal risks to combat unimaginable dangers, Leon's actions had consistently demonstrated his good intentions.
Yet Tony Stark, for all his brilliance, couldn't let it go. His insistence on probing Leon's past stirred discomfort among the group.
Tony remained silent for a mont. Then, with a deep breath, he downed the last of his wine, the glass clinking softly as he set it on the table.
"I'm scared," he admitted, his voice hoarse.
The room fell silent, everyone caught off guard. The idea of Tony Stark—the billionaire genius, the invincible Iron Man—admitting fear was almost unthinkable.
Fear? Of Leon?
Only Nick Fury's face remained impassive.
Tony pointed a finger toward Fury. "You don't think it's just , do you? Director Fury's scared too."
Nick Fury didn't respond, but his silence was telling.
Professor Charles's sharp gaze flickered. His voice was calm but probing. "Are you afraid of Leon's power? Or is it the possibility that he might harbor ambitions you can't predict?"
Tony hesitated, his expression unreadable.
Charles sighed inwardly, then spoke softly. "Your fear is not unique, Tony. You and Nick Fury fear Leon and what he represents—power beyond your control. But let's be clear, fear of the unknown is natural. It's what you do with that fear that matters."
Logan, never one to mince words, scoffed. "You sound just like those self-important pricks in suits in governnt—afraid of mutants, scared of anyone they can't leash, but always scheming to get their hands on what they fear most." He leaned forward, his tone sharp and cutting.
"You guys think you're protecting the world, but let ask you this: who's been doing the heavy lifting when real threats show up? You? No. It's Leon and his people. Why don't you stop obsessing over control and look at the facts?"
Logan's voice rose as he continued, his words dripping with frustration. "When phisto—the actual King of Hell—showed up a few years ago, who fought him off? Leon. When Stryker was torturing kids in his labs, who put a stop to it? Leon and his team. And that rampaging monster your own military created, Abomination? Who stepped in to clean up that ss? Not you. Leon did."
The room was dead silent as Logan glared at Tony. "Face it. Without Leon and his people, this planet would've been toast a long ti ago. Instead of being afraid, maybe you should try thanking them."
Tony's face tightened, but he didn't respond. His silence spoke volus.
After a long, uncomfortable pause, Professor Charles finally broke the tension. His voice was gentle but firm.
"Logan's words may be blunt, but they carry truth, Mr. Stark. Leon and his companions are not enemies. They are survivors who have risked everything to protect this world. If not for them, none of us would be here to have this conversation."
Charles's eyes softened as he added, "Perhaps it's ti to set aside your fears and trust them. They have earned that trust. And even if you did uncover every secret about Leon's past, what then? If you anger him, what good will it do? His power could burn everything to ash if he wished—but he chooses to protect instead."
Tony exhaled sharply, the tension in his shoulders loosening. He turned without a word and walked toward the bar, leaving the conversation behind.
The White House eting
The President's office was a scene of grim determination. Gathered there were so of the most powerful figures in the U.S.—the President, Vice President, congressn, military generals, and other high-ranking officials.
The President sat behind his desk, his posture rigid as he addressed the room. "I've reviewed the footage from S.H.I.E.L.D. regarding the events in xico. What are your thoughts?"
A general was the first to speak. "Mr. President, this incident confirms what we've long suspected—there are advanced civilizations beyond Earth. Their technology and power far surpass ours. We can't predict their intentions, but we must prepare for the worst. That ans investing heavily in our military and technology."
The President's gaze swept the room, silently urging others to speak.
A congressman stepped forward. "While I agree that military advancents are necessary, let's be realistic. Against beings of this magnitude, even our strongest weapons might as well be toys. Nuclear deterrence isn't enough. We need to develop sothing... more. Weapons capable of dealing with threats like these on equal footing."
The room buzzed with low murmurs, the weight of their predicant settling heavily over them.
The President remained silent for a mont, his gaze fixed out the window. Finally, he turned back to the room. "Then we must act decisively. This is no longer just about defending Earth from its enemies—it's about ensuring our survival in a universe far larger and more dangerous than we ever imagined."
...
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