S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
Maria Hill stepped into Nick Fury’s office holding a few docunts in her hands.
"Director Fury, Magneto has just left New York with Mystique. The contents of the conversation they had with Professor X last night are still completely unknown."
The Xavier Institute isn’t like other places where S.H.I.E.L.D. can simply plant agents. The first and foremost requirent to enter is being a mutant.
And then there’s the added complication of Professor X himself.
The old man is the most advanced lie detector in the world.
This protocol exists precisely to prevent intrusions.
Otherwise, Nick Fury wouldn’t have personally paid Magneto a visit just to threaten him.
"Since it was Charles who invited him, I don’t think we’ll have any major issues for now."
"Sir, do you trust Charles?"
Faced with Hill’s question, Nick Fury gave a cryptic smile. "It’s not just about my trust. All the higher-ups trust Charles."
"If they didn’t, everything he’s done over the years would’ve been for nothing."
"But keep in mind—this kind of trust... isn’t what you’re thinking."
"What do you an?"
Maria furrowed her brows, clearly confused.
Though she’d been with S.H.I.E.L.D. for a while, she still lacked experience when it ca to the backroom gas of power.
Nick Fury only smirked and avoided explaining further.
This trust wasn’t the kind shared between friends, family, or even between a boss and their subordinate.
It was more like the trust an owner has that their dog won’t bite them.
But Nick Fury would never say that out loud.
So truths are best kept in your head.
Even if they’re facts, not everyone is ready to accept them. So people prefer to live in illusion.
"In any case, keep an eye on the Xavier Institute for any changes or movents."
"I’ve got a feeling sothing big is about to happen."
Nick Fury didn’t say anything else.
That feeling wasn’t exactly bad, but it wasn’t good either.
The only right thing to do was stay alert and prepared for anything.
"Any word from Agent Romanoff?"
"None."
"What about JARVIS? Any progress on infiltration?"
Hill shook her head. "Tony Stark patched every vulnerability we found last ti."
"With our current resources, it’s impossible to breach JARVIS’ defenses."
Nick Fury simply nodded. He already knew that.
The last ti they’d managed it, it took ti and ticulous planning.
"Tell Romanoff to pick up the pace. If she’s not quick, soone’s going to end up poking Tony."
"Who?"
Even as Fury’s direct assistant, Hill didn’t have access to everything. So files were locked down exclusively to him.
"Just complaints from the higher-ups. Let Tony handle it his way."
Hill nodded, understanding only part of the situation, and asked no more questions.
Nick Fury’s stern, emotionless face was as intimidating as ever.
If she hadn’t seen what she saw the night before, she’d still believe he was nothing more than a cold, calculating man.
"Agent Hill, if there’s nothing else, you’re dismissed."
Fury’s piercing gaze made her shiver slightly.
"Yes, sir."
She exited the office imdiately, worried that even one extra second might trigger his temper.
Through the Helicarrier’s skylight, Nick Fury looked down at New York with a grave expression.
---
Arthur’s House
Jean turned to Arthur with a grateful look.
"Arthur, it’s thanks to you that the Professor decided to reconsider his stance."
Gwen, seated beside Arthur, frowned, confused.
What exactly is going on here? she thought.
Arthur shrugged, indifferent. "It’s all good. What matters most is helping you guys—after all, we’re friends."
"Relax a bit. Go ahead and chat with Gwen—I’ll grab sothing for you two to eat."
As Arthur walked off, Gwen looked at Jean curiously.
"Jean, what kind of change were you talking about?"
Jean took a deep breath. She didn’t want to hide anything from Gwen anymore. She truly saw her as a friend.
She wanted to see how Gwen would react to the truth.
"Gwen, the truth is... I’m a mutant."
To prove her words, Jean used her telekinesis to levitate a vase of flowers from the table into her hand.
Seeing Gwen’s stunned expression, Jean realized she might have been too blunt.
"Gwen, let explain—"
Before she could continue, Jean’s jaw dropped.
Gwen raised her hand, and a spiderweb shot out from her wrist, sticking to the nearby wall.
As if to say: by coincidence, I’m also different.
Jean had no idea that the web ca from technology, but that didn’t make her any less shocked.
At that mont, Arthur reappeared at the kitchen door.
"Gwen, no random web-slinging in the house or you’ll be punished."
"Tch, it’s not like I do it all the ti!"
"What?" Jean asked.
"It’s nothing!" Gwen quickly replied, waving it off.
Jean, still curious, asked:
"Gwen... are you Spider-Woman?"
"Hmph! So? Pretty cool, right?"
Jean nodded. "If I’d known you were also different, I wouldn’t have hidden anything."
"But I’m not a mutant."
"You’re not?"
Jean was surprised. In her mind, only mutants had powers like that.
"Actually, my DNA was forcibly altered... You’ve heard about the recent Oscorp incident, right? It was sothing like that."
Gwen then explained how she got her powers.
Jean listened carefully, stunned.
Genetic mutations like that were rare—and dangerous. Most were unstable.
But Gwen seed to be the exception. That brought Jean so relief.
She finally felt she could be honest with soone.
"Co on, Gwen. Let’s hit the pool."
"Let’s go!"
Gwen dropped the bag of chips she’d been munching on and pulled Jean by the hand with enthusiasm.
After that conversation, their friendship truly deepened.
But just as they were about to go upstairs to change, a projection appeared in front of them.
A little girl with piercing eyes materialized, and Jean couldn’t sense her presence with her powers.
Jean’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Who are you?"
She imdiately pushed Gwen behind her and assud a defensive stance.
[Hello, Miss Jean Grey. My na is Red Queen, but Master and Gwen call Ruby.]
[I am Master’s administrative A.I.]
"Red Queen...?" Jean repeated, confused.
---
(End of Chapter)
Give so power stones there you go~😉
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